Zoos
Bear cub - apple of everyone's eye
A four-month-old polar bear cub walks unsteadily in the enclosure at a Berlin's zoo, April 8, 2007. As the only bear born of artifical breeding in 30 years in Germany's zoos, it becomes the apple of everyone's eye.(Xinhua/AFP Photo)
http://english.people.com.cn/200704/09/eng20070409_364919.html
Salton Sea Experiment Is for the Birds
The Press-Enterprise04 Apr 2007J BowlesArea: California USAFour seemingly innocuous ponds near the Salton Sea could ensure that California's largest but ailing lake remains a key stopover for millions of migrating birds and one of the nation's most biologically rich areas. State agency officials trying to prevent the saltwater lake from shrinking and becoming too salty for fish and birds are gambling that the test ponds will be a successful substitute and that larger-scale versions can be built into the seabed as the water recedes. California Resources Secretary Mike Chrisman is expected to recommend a roughly $6 billion restoration plan for the lake to the state Legislature by the end of this month. It's likely to call for the construction of 62,000 acres of shallow lakes that, like the test ponds, are dotted with islands and other features to attract birds. "This is my baby," said Doug Barnum, a wildlife biologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, as he gazed across the ponds. Built a little more than a year ago on the edge of Niland, a small farming town south of the Riverside County line, the ponds today are teeming with wildlife. Ruddy ducks thud across the surface, swarms of tiny brown swallows flit above, and sandpipers dance on the water's edge.
http://wdin.blogspot.com/2007/04/salton-sea-experiment-is-for-birds.html
Why keeping 2 elephants at Phila. Zoo makes sense
By Carolyn Davis
The Philadelphia Zoo should keep two of its elephants, even if they are bored, even if they cannot roam the savannas, woodlands and forests of Africa or Asia, even if captivity means a shortened life.
It's worth the trade-off if Kallie, Bette or Petal stay to fire the imagination of children and educate young and old about wildlife and the importance of conservation.
Zoo officials are closing one of the most popular attractions: the elephant exhibit. The space for these behemoths is too small - most zoos' space for elephants is too small, according to animal-rights activists.
The lone Asian elephant among her three zoo-mates, Dulary, is set to go to the Elephant Sanctuary in rural Tennessee.
The three others were supposed to move to the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, a reasonable day trip. But recently that zoo decided it didn't have enough money to expand its own elephant habitat.
So Philadelphia is looking for another home for Kallie, Bette and Petal. Bette is the baby of the four at 23 years old. Petal is the 50-year-old grande dame. But they are home right now - and two ought to stay.
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/20070410_Why_keeping_2_elephants_at_Phila__Zoo_makes_sense.html
Bollywood stars line-up to stop animal cruelty
By Nita Bhalla
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - From being chained or caged, to posing with cheetahs and being painted in stripes, Bollywood stars are increasingly lending their time and energy to highlight cruelty faced by India's animals.
http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=557492007
All uphill for rare wolves
2 pups debut at zoo as breeding program overcomes obstacle
By Tom Buckham NEWS STAFF REPORTER
Updated: 04/11/07 6:31 AM
When it comes to mothering, Olive, a maned wolf at the Buffalo Zoo, is a slow learner. Her first pup, Flint, born in 2005, was hand-raised by keepers after she showed little maternal interest.
It has been the same story with Olive’s second male offspring, Echo, who weighed just 14 ounces at birth Dec. 24. Mom again appeared clueless, so Echo was pulled from the maned wolf exhibit to be bottle-fed by keeper Chris Kieber.
This time Olive’s indifference will benefit zoo visitors, because Echo has a playmate to romp with — Kev, a male who arrived last week from the Louisville Zoo.
http://www.buffalonews.com/258/story/51232.html
Rethinking the zoo
The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is endangered.
Plagued by declining attendance, reduced funding, high ticket prices and facilities in disrepair, the zoo seems more a candidate for closure than expansion.
But some Baltimoreans are reluctant to give up on it, largely because of a sense of history and tradition that has endeared it to them.
"Every year we looked forward to going to the zoo," said Sarah David, a Johns Hopkins senior raised in Pikesville. "When I speak to other people who grew up in Baltimore, we remember the zoo as a part of growing up. It unites people, and in that respect, it's a very important aspect of the city."
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/bal-ed.notebook07apr07,0,7708157.story?coll=bal-opinion-headlines
SF: ORPHANED SEAL PUPS ARRIVE AT SAN FRANCISCO ZOO
04/06/07 10:10 PDT
Rescued northern elephant seal pups will be arriving at the San Francisco Zoo to complete rehabilitation before they are returned to the wild.
The pups from the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito will start arriving at the zoo next week, according to Marine Mammal Center spokeswoman Jessica Hsu. The first four will arrive at 10:15 a.m. on April 9th, reported zoo spokesman Paul Garcia.
The seals will remain at the zoo for three to four weeks. During that time the seals will be fed lots of herring in order to gain enough weight to survive in the wild, Hsu reported. The extra weeks at the zoo pools will also allow the pups to continue their muscular development and motor coordination.
The Marine Mammal Center started a renovation project in 2006, which caused a shortage of pool and pen space for the rescued seals, Hsu reported. The center and the zoo collaborated to move rehabilitated seals to the zoo for an interim before they are returned to the ocean. This way the seals are given more time to prepare for the waters of the Pacific, and the center has more space to take care of seals that are in critical condition, according to Hsu.
Zoo goers can see the newcomers at the seal pool, which is located between the polar bear exhibit and the South American tropical forest building.
http://cbs5.com/localwire/localfsnews/bcn/2007/04/06/n/HeadlineNews/SEAL-PUPS/resources_bcn_html
Video:
http://www.nbc11.com/news/11592477/detail.html
Chilly weather greets Scovill Zoo on opening day
DECATUR - The zoo season opened with a shiver, not a roar.With a cold wind blowing in off the lake and temperatures in the 30s, just a few hardy souls trickled in Friday to visit the animals at Scovill Zoo.Sarah Reining, the zoo's education director, said this is the coldest opening day in decades. Last year, it was so warm on opening weekend that the chocolate eggs at the egg hunt were melting."This year, it will be more like 'Boo at the Zoo,' " Reining said, referring to the nighttime event during the Halloween season.
http://www.herald-review.com/articles/2007/04/07/news/local_news/1022539.txt
New Species of Leopard arrives at the Kow Keow Zoo.
Last Month, Scientists claimed that the clouded leopard found on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra is an entirely new species of cat. One such example of this new species is now on show at the Kow Keow Zoo, 45kms outside of Pattaya. This press conference presented the Leopard to the gathered media and it was announced that in association with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the cat has been renamed the ASEAN Leopard, to celebrate the 40th Year of ASEAN, the Association of South East Asian Nations. The Leopard will be on display at the Zoo accompanied by a small Exhibition of the history of ASEAN and its importance in this region of the World.
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_07_04_50_3.htm
Director wants zoo to appeal year-round
Steve Trebilcock just got a new pair of snowy owls for the David Traylor Zoo. They’re not easy to get these days and he’s glad to have them.
For a few months out of the year, Trebilcock also has a snowy zoo, or at least a cold one. And that needs a little work, he said, to keep the public’s interest year-round.
“If we’re going to have animals in the zoo and the public is paying to have a zoo, the public should be able to see the animals,” said Trebilcock, the zoo director. “And right now, there’s a lot of the year when the public can’t see the animals.”
What’s needed are indoor exhibit areas for some of the more temperature-sensitive animals. And that project may get moved to the front burner in the fairly near future, along with a few other new touches from the zoo’s master plan.
http://www.emporiagazette.com/news/2007/apr/07/director_wants_zoo_appeal_yearround/
Al Ain Zoo shines once again
After more than 30 years since its establishment, Al Ain Zoo is shining once again as an example in the Gulf region for animal management, conservation practices and visitor comfort.
Over the past year, Al Ain Zoo has been undergoing transformations into a 21st Century attraction that not only addresses wildlife conservation but also supports Abu Dhabi's environmental education efforts and its future tourism aspirations. Today, the Zoo has taken steps to promote an emotional bond between the visitor and the wildlife living in the Zoo by conjuring a memorable experience.
http://www.ameinfo.com/115975.html
Educational Talk on Mexican Wolves at the National Zoo
This Washington, DC National Zoo speaker gives an interesting talk on Mexican wolves and the zoo's attempt at breeding them for reintroduction into the wild. This presentation is geared towards children, but is interesting for adults, too.
http://www.dcguide.com/articles/attractions/educational-talk-on-mexican-wolves-at-the-national-zoo.html
Booming deer population crams
Dhaka zoo
Wahida Mitu
The Dhaka Zoo is facing problem in accommodating its deer population. At present the zoo has 150 deer against the accommodation capacity of 50.
The zoo has a scheme of selling deer but despite the regular sale the zoo authorities now find it difficult to accommodate the increasing number of the animals.
The sale of deer decreased this year as the Department of Forest raised the fee of possession certificate to Tk 10,000 for a pair of deer from Tk 1,000 earlier, said Ishtiaq Uddin Ahmed, Wildlife conservator of the DoF. The annual renewal fee of the certificate is Tk 5,000.
The zoo authorities started the deer selling scheme in 1986. They sell mainly spotted deer with the permission of the Department of Forest.
Since 1986 Dhaka Zoo has sold more than 300 deer. A deer usually gives birth to two cubs a year.
http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/04/08/d704082503116.htm
Orangutan born at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs is sending out baby announcements. Their ten year old Bornean Orangutan, Hadiah, gave birth to a boy on Wednesday. He doesn't have a name yet.
So far, Hadiah is not interested in caring for the baby, so zookeepers are doing bottle duty. They're hoping that Hadiah will change her mind. She, herself, was raised by humans at the zoo.
Animal area supervisor Dina Bredah may try introducing the baby to another female orangutan in hopes she can be a surrogate mother.
Just last year, Cheyenne Mountain zookeepers had to be surrogates to a gorilla named Umande. He was transferred to zoo in Cleveland last October, where he was adopted by another gorilla.
http://www.koaa.com/news/view.asp?ID=7288
Zoo Attracts Thousands of Egg-Collecting Children
NASHVILLE, Tenn.- Chilly weather Saturday afternoon didn't stop one of Nashville's biggest Easter traditions.
The Nashville Zoo at Grassmere hosted their ninth annual Easter celebration, Eggstravaganzoo.
An estimated 4,000 people came out to get their share of more than 30,000 plastic eggs.
The event features separate egg hunts for children ages 2 to 10.
Ten golden eggs were hidden throughout the zoo for a grand prize, but the zoo made sure that all children who attended walked away with some sort of prize.
To add to the excitement, many animals participated in egg hunts of their own.
http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=6340121
Pueblo Zoo ready to welcome visitors to Islands of Life
Ring-tailed lemurs will enjoy outdoor access to Monkey Island, which is adjacent to the Animal House at Pueblo Zoo. The island and the building have been restored over the last four years.
By AMY MATTHEWTHE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN
Pistachio is eager to get a look at you. That's good, because a whole lot of eyes soon will be looking back at her.
Pistachio is one of five squirrel monkeys now residing at the Pueblo Zoo. They're part of the zoo's new Islands of Life exhibit that opens at 10 a.m. Saturday.
http://www.chieftain.com/life/1176033601/1
SAN FRANCISCO
Zoo's poster child for hand-rearing
3 staffers caring for baby ape -- a practice criticized by some animal lovers -- until adults of her own species found to accept her
Sungai is only 7 months old, but she's already had enough rejection to qualify for a lifetime of therapy. Born in Albuquerque, she was instantly cast aside by her mother. Sent to Houston, she fared no better. Now she's in San Francisco, clinging to three foster parents who tend to her needs 24 hours a day.
There's only one problem: They're human and Sungai is a siamang.
In the next few weeks, San Francisco Zoo officials will discover whether adult siamangs Mindy and Storm will accept the baby ape. If they do, Sungai will finally have a family. If not, she might have to hit the road again.
Her plight is not uncommon.
"It happens more often than not," said Gail Hedberg, a veterinary technician at the zoo who in 27 years has hand-reared many animals, including a snow leopard, black rhino and bobcat.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/04/09/SIAMANG.TMP
Zoo's treatment of python is cruel
Cramming a 24-foot-long snake into a 25-foot aquarium is cruel ("Columbus Zoo to display 24-foot python," March 20). Bragging that the new cage is "better" than the one she's normally in is reprehensible.
How does seeing a snake stuffed into a tiny cage promote respect or foster appreciation for animals? This python, Fluffy, is being marketed like she's on the old carny circuit, where people could fork over a buck to see the "world's largest rat" or a "cow with two heads." Visitors may walk away titillated, but they won't learn anything meaningful.
Pythons are normally docile and would rather flee than fight. They are nocturnal and prefer darkness for sleeping. Keeping pythons on display during daylight hours and using them as marketing props is cruel and unnatural. Doing so also encourages a susceptible public to go out and purchase these animals as pets - resulting in many being dumped like trash when the novelty wears off. Jack Hanna has been courting celebrity off the backs of animals for years but his shameless self-promotion has reached a new low.
Lisa WathneCaptive Exotic Animals SpecialistPeople for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
http://www.coshoctontribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070409/OPINION03/704090320/1014/OPINION
National Zoo Performs Artificial Inseminations On Its Female Giant Panda
Scientists and veterinarians at Smithsonian's National Zoo performed two artificial inseminations on female giant panda, Mei Xiang (may-SHONG). The first procedure took place yesterday early evening and lasted for one hour and the second this morning at 6:16 a.m. for 35 minutes. Under general anesthesia, she was inseminated with thawed semen from Gao Gao (GOW-GOW), a male giant panda residing at the San Diego Zoo.
http://newsblaze.com/story/20070409123550tsop.nb/newsblaze/TOPSTORY/Top-Stories.html
Orphaned pumas find new home at Chicago zoo
April 9, 2007 - Last year, in the wilds of Wyoming, two female pumas died unexpectedly. They left behind two small kittens that, fortunately, were discovered by Wyoming's Department of Fish and Wildlife. Those two kittens are now in Chicago at the Lincoln Park Zoo.
Next time you're wandering through the Lincoln Park Zoo, plan to stop by the lion house, where two young female pumas -- 6 and 10 months old -- are on exhibit. They were born in the wild in the mountains of Wyoming. Both lost their mothers.
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=local&id=5192283
Join the zoo team by becoming a volunteer
Submitted by Binder Park Zoo
Binder Park Zoo's 2007 season is about to begin. Help be a vital part in preserving wildlife by offering donated time through volunteering. Zoo volunteers help with all aspects of the Zoo's operations and are key elements to the Zoo's success. Zoo volunteers enjoy flexible schedules, social interactions and a wonderful environment to be a part of. New volunteer orientation will take place on April 26 from 9am - 1pm. Call the Zoo at (269) 979-1351 for more information.
"I've enjoyed volunteering for Binder Park Zoo for 10 years," said Karen-Westlake-Chase. "Volunteering gives me a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction in knowing that I am a part of conservation on a global level."
http://battlecreekenquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070410/LIFESTYLE08/704100309
Rare oryx born at Greater Vancouver Zoo
Matthew Claxton, Langley Advance
Published: Tuesday, April 10, 2007
LANGLEY - They're all but extinct in the wild, but a new member of the scimitar horned oryx species has been born at the Greater Vancouver Zoo in Aldergrove.
The male oryx was born on March 28, to Oasis, one of three adult female oryx living at the zoo, said keeper Jamie Dorgan.
A name for the new arrival hasn't been chosen yet.
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/westcoastnews/story.html?id=27b06592-a964-4e66-9de7-266faf8eb902
3 baby lions at N.C. Zoo need names
Submitted by WWAY on 10 April 2007 - 8:41pm.
Filed in: Story body
ASHEBORO -- Three baby lions at the North Carolina Zoo still don't have a name. So, zoo officials are holding a contest to give kids a chance to come up with names for the cubs. Participants must be 18 or younger and should submit two female names and one male name, along with a brief explanation for their choices. The entries should show creativity and originality and the winner gets some great prizes.
For details visit www.nczoo.org.
http://www.wwaytv3.com/node/1218
Zoo animals to taste test road salt
STOCKHOLM, April 10 (UPI) -- The elk and reindeer at a Swedish zoo are being used as taste-testers to determine whether animals prefer straight salt or salt mixed with sugar.
If the animals display a preference for one, the other will be used on icy roads in Sweden, The Local reports. That's because road officials are trying to figure out ways to reduce collisions between cars and wildlife.
Frida Hedin of the Swedish National Roads Administration said that five elk and five reindeer at the Skansen wildlife park in Stockholm will be the subjects of the experiment. Blocks of both straight salt and sweetened salt will be placed in their enclosure until June, and then weighed to determine if one has been licked more than the other.
Officials hope that animals prefer salt on its own because that would allow them to reduce the amount of salt
© Copyright 2007 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.United Press International, UPI, the UPI logo, and other trademarks and service marks, are registered or unregistered trademarks of United Press International, Inc. in the United States and in other countries.
http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Quirks/2007/04/10/zoo_animals_to_taste_test_road_salt/
Satisfying wild appetites at the zoo
Nutritionists plan healthy, tasty menus
10:23 PM CDT on Tuesday, April 10, 2007
By KATIE MENZER / The Dallas Morning News kmenzer@dallasnews.com
A monkey's biscuits aren't monkey business.
Kerri Slifka should know since she's had to taste-test the vitamin-fortified treats designed for primates.
"Yes, I have tried monkey biscuits," said the Dallas Zoo's first curator of nutrition. "Sometimes, we nutritionists do weird things. The apple ones, they have real apple in them, but they don't taste like apple – ugh.
"If they made a chocolate-flavored monkey biscuit, I would be good."
As one of only about 15 nutritionists at zoos nationwide, it's Ms. Slifka's job to make sure the carnivorous cats are eating low carb, Boris the lion has had his five-pound rabbit and the often-constipated spider monkeys are getting plenty of fiber.
Ms. Slifka and her staff are responsible for preparing 188 specialized diets for the thousands of animals at the zoo every day of the year, as no one wants to be around the day after the zoo animals aren't fed, they joke.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/041107dnmetzoogoodeats.3488dcb.html
Wallabies back at Detroit Zoo
First time in 20 years tasmanian natives on display
By Jerry Wolffe
Journal Register News Service
ROYAL OAK -- Three young wallabies are bouncing around with kangaroos at the Detroit Zoo's Australian Outback Adventure exhibit.
"People love it," said Scott Carter, director of conservation and animal welfare at the 125-acre zoo. "They love to be able to walk into the exhibit with the kangaroos and wallabies."
It's the first time in 20 years that wallabies have been on exhibit at the Detroit Zoo, he said.
The Bennett wallabies -- Rufus, a 4-year-old male, his sister, Scarlet, 2, and his half-sister, Ruby, 2 -- are natives of Tasmania, an island off the coast of Australia. They came to the facility in Royal Oak after the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro closed its exhibit.
http://www.dailytribune.com/stories/041107/loc_zoo001.shtml
Arnold Schwarzenegger Teams Up With Rapper Xzibit On An Earth Saving 'Pimp My Ride' Show
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger teamed up with rapper Xzibit to "pimp" a '65 Chevy Impala on an upcoming episode of MTV's hit show Pimp My Ride.
(PRLog.Org) – Schwarzenegger, Mad Mike and the crew of Pimp My Ride give the Impala an ecological make over on the show's season premiere, which takes place on Earth Day (Apr. 22)."I would like to thank MTV and the entire Pimp My Ride crew for shining the spotlight on the importance of alternative fuels and the fight against global warming," Governor Schwarzenegger said in a statement. "I am very encouraged by the great potential in converting vehicles to run on biodiesel as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "I am pleased that the power of MTV's message will reach an audience throughout California and the nation to reinforce the benefits of alternative-fuel vehicles and protecting our environment."The special edition features the Impala getting an 800 horsepower Duramax diesel engine that will run on biodiesel fuel, educating viewers during the show about the benefits of ecological friendly cars.
http://www.prlog.org/10012918-arnold-schwarzenegger-teams-up-with-rapper-xzibit-on-an-earth-saving-pimp-my-ride-show.html
Earth Day celebrated with movie, panel discussion
Advertiser Staff
The final events in the Windward Community College Common Book speaker series will include two showings of Al Gore's Academy Award-winning "An Inconvenient Truth," a presentation on "The Climate Crisis and a panel discussion on "Global Warming and Globalization."
The events are being held in conjunction with Earth Day and are free and open to the public.
Today and tomorrow, Gore's independent, insightful movie will be shown from 12:30 p.m.-2 p.m. at the Hale Akoakoa, Room 105 on the Windward campus.
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Apr/11/br/br8639725410.html
Earth Day celebrationWild needs protection
By MIRIAM MOELLER, Journal Staff Writer
MARQUETTE — Red rock canyons, buttes and plateaus dominate a wilderness area in Utah that activist and author Clayton Daughenbaugh has been trying to protect for many years.In celebration of Earth Day — coming up on April 22 — Daughenbaugh spoke on this topic to a small crowd of students and community members at Northern Michigan University Tuesday night.“It’s a very remote part of the country,” he said. “It’s important to protect those kind of places in a larger context.”Daughenbaugh is chairman of the Sierra Club National Wildlands Committee and is involved with the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance. He is an advocate of “America’s Redrock Wilderness Act,” which aims to protect more than 9 million acres of wilderness in Utah. He recruited Illinois Sen. Richard Durbin to be the lead sponsor of the act. The act will be reintroduced to Congress, and Daughenbaugh is looking for more support throughout the country.
http://www.miningjournal.net/stories/articles.asp?articleID=13545
Accor Showcases Its Sustainable Development Commitments for Earth Guest Day
PARIS, April 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Sunday, April 22 is Earth Day, and Accor employees across all its businesses, brands and divisions will take advantage of the week leading up to the event to showcase their commitment to the principles of sustainable development. The culmination of campaigns pursued by employees throughout the year, the day -- called Earth Guest day at Accor -- highlights the Earth Guest program introduced by the Group in 2006 to federate its social and environmental responsibility initiatives.
In nearly 60 countries around the world, Accor teams support sustainable development programs that are organized around both people ("EGO" projects to protect children, support local development, promote balanced nutrition and eliminate epidemics) and the environment ("ECO" projects to control energy use, limit water consumption, manage waste and preserve biodiversity).
http://sev.prnewswire.com/environmental-services/20070410/NYTU11210042007-1.html
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