Zoos
Responsible Tourism Checklists
Download the latest Wild Asia Responsible Tourism Checklists for accommodation owners and tour operators. These are checklists developed by Wild Asia, in consultation with resource persons active in conservation or tourism, to help guide responsible tourism operators.
Getting Started in Responsible Tourism
Getting started is easy. You need to know what you are doing in relation to the principles of Responsible Tourism. To help you, we have developed a simple checklist tool which can be downloaded from our website. This will give you an overall RT Score - essentially an indication of the number of Responsible Tourism indicators you currently practice in your operation.
http://www.wildasia.net/main.cfm?page=article&articleID=304
Albino Gator on Display at Tennessee Zoo
http://www.losangeleschronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=27095
In this photo released by the Knoxville Zoo, a rare white alligator relaxes under a heat lamp while on temporary exhibit on Monday, May 7, 2007, in Knoxville, Tenn. The 12-year-old American allilgator is an albino, meaning she has a lack of pigment and pinkish eyes. She is kept inside because her skin would burn in the sun. (AP Photo/Knoxville Zoo)
http://news.yahoo.com/photo/070511/480/31d3e12c4de8449ba9a8a9462208d32d
Photo in the News: Albino Alligator Makes Zoo Debut
May 14, 2007—There will be no fun in the sun during Dinah the alligator's summer vacation at the Knoxville Zoo in Tennessee.
The albino reptile's sensitive, porcelain-white skin would easily burn if placed outside, so she will spend the sweltering days of summer basking inside under a heat lamp. Reptiles are cold-blooded, which means they rely on other sources, such as the sun, to keep warm.
Dinah, whose name was announced today following a local contest, is on loan until early September from the Alligator Farm Zoological Park in St. Augustine, Florida.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/05/070514-white-gator.html
Firefighters rescue zoo elephant
ANCHORAGE , Alaska , May. 14 (UPI) -- Officials at the Anchorage Zoo called the local fire department for help when a 7,500-pound elephant wouldn't stand up.
Young Suenram, an Anchorage Fire Department battalion chief said the African elephant, Maggie, had been lying down for about 12 hours, and zoo officials said elephants can die as a result of their own weight if they stay down for too long, the Anchorage Daily News reported Monday.
Seventeen firefighters worked for several hours to help the animal to her feet.
It was alarming to see "how badly she was looking," Suenram said. "We worked at trying to get her up as soon as possible. We are just so ecstatic that she's up now."
"Usually what happens is when she lays down and the keeper comes in, she gets right up," Eileen Floyd, a zoo spokeswoman told the Daily News. "It's highly unusual if she stays down. So that's where all the worry and concern happens. If they stay down really long, they have a tough time breathing. So that was the fear -- that if she didn't get up, eventually, she could die."
http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Quirks/2007/05/14/firefighters_rescue_zoo_elephant/5168/
Glacier Run Splash Park debuts at Louisville Zoo
By Maira Ansari
(LOUISVILLE) -- A new million dollar attraction opened Monday at the Louisville Zoo. WAVE 3's Maira Ansari has the details.
At Louisville's Glacier Run Splash Park, you've got 42 different ways to get wet. The exhibit is all part of the Zoo's Glacier Run project. It's just one piece of the $25 million project the Zoo is hoping complete.
Right now there's an empty piece of land sitting across from Splash Park -- but it won't remain empty for long. "It's going to feature a town on the edge of the Arctic Circle," said John Walczak from the Louisville Zoo.
Earlier this year, Kentucky lawmakers failed to approve $6 million in state funding for the Zoo's Glacier Run exhibit, which will house several animals like polar bears, seals and sea lions, but the project is moving forward anyway.
http://www.wave3.com/Global/story.asp?S=6514237&nav=0RZF
Alaska Zoo's new camel dies
Associated Press
Article Last Updated: 05/14/2007 02:16:45 PM AKDT
Alaska Zoo officials say a recently arrived male camel has died of unknown causes. They say the camel, named Knobby, died in his pen last week. Knobby arrived in March from the Minnesota Zoo. Eileen Floyd is the zoo's development director.
She says a necropsy was performed on the year-old animal to find out why he died. The results are not yet available.
http://www.ktva.com/alaska/ci_5894338
3rd Annual Red Hat Society Day at the San Francisco Zoo
The Strutting Peacocks, a Red Hat Society Chapter, will be throwing their 3rd Annual Red Hat Tea Party on July 21st at the San Francisco Zoo. Tickets are $40 per person and that includes admission to the zoo, high tea party, and Red Hat Bingo card, for a chance to win prizes. All chapters and new members are welcome to attend.
http://www.pr.com/press-release/38924
Snow monkey on the loose from Ontario roadside zoo
APRIL LINDGREN, CanWest News Service
Published: Tuesday, May 15, 2007
The escape of Julian the Japanese snow monkey from a wildlife sanctuary just outside Picton, Ont., has renewed calls for stiffer regulation of private zoos.
Ontario Provincial Police issued an alert yesterday for the three-year-old monkey, described as weighing about 10 kilograms, with long, brown hair and a distinct red face.
Julian, also known as a Japanese macaque, was discovered missing from Bergeron's Exotic Animal Sanctuary Sunday.
http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=c2d2117b-288c-4ee8-80d8-5f06adb28bf1
Tusk, tusk. eBay panned over ivory trade
The elephant, the world's largest land mammal, is being threatened with global extinction by a "rampant trade" in ivory on the eBay online auction site, animal welfare campaigners said today.
International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) said it had conducted a survey in Britain, Australia, China, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Canada and the United States and tracked more than 2200 elephant ivory items listed on eBay websites.
It found more than 90 per cent of the listings breached even eBay's own wildlife policies.
International wildlife trade laws differ from country to country and are often complex, but according to the IFAW in general it is illegal to sell carved or uncarved ivory unless it is antique and accompanied by a proof of age certificate.
The Fund says the only way to protect elephants from poachers is to shut down the markets where illegal ivory can easily be passed off as antique.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/web/tusk-tusk-ebay-panned-over-ivory-trade/2007/05/15/1178995129690.html
Australia ecotourism leader
Australia and Costa Rica are good examples for the multibillion-dollar world ecotourism business, which is growing at about 30 per cent a year and in need of tight quality controls, experts said.
Ecotourist destinations, ranging from environmentally friendly Thai beach resorts to jungle lodges in Kenya, now attract about 15 per cent of the global tourist market, leaders of The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) said.
But many destinations lack sufficient "green" certification or follow-up checks by governments or other groups to ensure they keep their promises of not harming the environment.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/travel/australia-is-ecotourism-leader/2007/05/15/1178995121904.html
Tourism strategy gets thumbs up
An increase in overseas arrival figures are proof that the national tourism strategy is delivering benefits to the industry, experts say.
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures released yesterday show 3.1 million international tourists visited Australia in the past six months, an increase of 4.7 per cent.
In March 2007 alone, international tourist numbers totalled 524,200, an increase of 10.1 per cent on the same time last year.
Tourists also spent an extra $1.8 billion in Australia in 2006.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/travel/tourism-strategy-gets-thumbs-up/2007/05/10/1178390434100.html
Tourism continues to grow in Nepal
Nepal's tourism industry continued its growth for the fourth straight month growing by 79 per cent in April, tourism officials said.
The rebound came as a relief to the tourism sector that saw its fortunes dip over the past six years due to a Maoist insurgency and negative publicity.
The Nepal Tourism Board said 33,024 tourists arrived in the country by air in April, an increase of 78.8 per cent over April 2006.
The board said the latest figures pushed total tourist arrivals in the first four months of the year to 115,881.
"European arrivals secured one-third-market share during the month, with encouraging growth from major generating markets like Germany by 83.6 per cent, France by 58.4 per cent and the UK by 44.5 per cent. For the first time European arrivals have been very encouraging this summer," the board said.
It said the trend was likely to continue at least until the rainy season that starts in mid-June.
The Asian segment registered strong growth of 137.4 per cent, with Japanese arrivals escalating by 90.3 per cent along with Chinese by 267 per cent.
According to NTB, Indian tourists continued to be biggest source of arrivals with 8,087 visiting the country in April.
Tourism is one of Nepal's biggest foreign-exchange earners and provides hundreds of thousands of jobs, but the sector suffered considerably during the past six years as a Maoist insurgency kept travellers away from the country.
Ruby The Elephant Packs Her Trunk, Leaves L.A. Zoo
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(CBS) LOS ANGELES After years of lobbying by animal-rights activists, a 46-year-old African elephant named Ruby was loaded into the back of an air-conditioned truck before dawn Tuesday and sent to a Northern California sanctuary to live out her life in more spacious digs.Ruby, a 20-year resident of the Los Angeles Zoo, will spend her twilight years roaming through a 70-acre enclosure with three other pachyderms at the Performing Animal Welfare Society Elephant Sanctuary in San Andreas."At 46 years old, Ruby is a healthy and vibrant female African elephant," Los Angeles Zoo spokesman Jason Jacobs said in a statement. "While many older female elephants provide an important 'auntie' role to several North American herds, zoo staff felt that the herd at PAWS would be a good home for her."
http://cbs2.com/topstories/local_story_135111256.html
Zoo's baby hippo gets name that means 'Satisfying Gift'
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - The Louisville Zoo has announced that a five-year-old girl has won its contest for naming a female baby pygmy hippo.
The little hippo is tob e called Isoke, which if African for "satisfying gift." A spokeswoman for the Zoo says Aspen Hoffman of Prospect submitted the winning name. The runnerup was Frances Farley of Louisville, who submitted the name "Lily.
Asked how a five-year-old came up with the African name, the spokeswoman said "research."
Chahinkapa Zoo receives $15,000 grant
Chahinkapa Zoo received a $15,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The Conservation Project Support grant will help the zoo with housing and cabinetry for conservation artifacts, Chahinkapa Zoo Director Kathy Diekman said.The zoo currently keeps most of the artifacts in plastic containers to preserve them from the elements like insects. The federal grant will help the zoo able to have some of the artifacts on display in the Rodger Ehnstrom Nature Center and others will remain in storage, Diekman said.
http://www.wahpetondailynews.com/articles/2007/05/15/news/news03.txt
Safiri tops zoo guest list
ADELAIDE Zoo gorilla Safiri yesterday achieved more than most - she came face to face with City of Adelaide Minister Jane Lomax-Smith.
Despite Dr Lomax-Smith being shielded by her State Cabinet colleagues over her stance on controversial development issues in the city and North Adelaide, she was more than happy to front the cameras yesterday.
Announcing a new $2.5 million zoo facility, it seems, this hardly is going to attract the type of protests associated with projects on which Dr Lomax-Smith has been involved, such as the Victoria Park grandstand redevelopment and the former Le Cornu store site in North Adelaide.
The major upgrade, to which the State Government contributed $800,000, will see Adelaide Zoo become an international leader in zoo education and environmental learning.
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,21739086-2682,00.html
Ontario police hunt monkey missing from private zoo
A Japanese snow monkey is believed to be on the loose in the Picton, Ont., area after escaping from a private zoo that is fighting for legal status.
Police and bylaw officers have been searching for the adult male Japanese macaque in the woods and fields near Bergeron's Exotic Animal Sanctuary since co-owner Pat Bergeron noticed it missing on Sunday just after noon.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2007/05/15/zoo-070515.html
Zoos Help Save Threatened Rainforest
Press Release dated: Tuesday, May 15, 2007
The Annual Conference and AGM of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) is the launchpad for a ground breaking partnership that will save some of the most endangered rainforest in the World.The Conference is being held from 17-20 May in Oulton Broad, and is attended by representatives of all the leading zoos and aquaria. Already 18 members have pledged between them over £150,000 towards this project which will be carried out by Suffolk-based, World Land Trust, and its overseas partners in Brazil, to save an area of critically threatened Atlantic rainforest, north of Rio de Janeiro. The Atlantic rainforests are home to some 8,000 species of plants found nowhere else in the world, as well as 14 unique primates and 144 bird species; and since around 93% of this habitat has already been destroyed, saving what is left of this biodiversity hotspot is a top priority. The new "BIAZA" reserve, covering 1500 hectares, will connect two existing reserves and thereby create a larger reserve area for wide ranging species, such as the jaguar, to roam and breed in safety. The reserve will also be used for reintroduction programmes for species that have become extinct in the past due to hunting and loss of habitat.
http://www.worldlandtrust.org/news/2007/05/zoos-help-save-threatened-rainforest.htm
Oh, No! Fire Threatens Los Angeles Zoo
by noweasels
Tue May 08, 2007 at 09:25:42 PM PDT
My heart always breaks for zoo animals. I cannot abide the idea of animals trapped in cages. I know some zoos have great wildlife areas, where abundant species can roam, safely. And I am grateful for zoo programs to breed and reclaim endangered species, including pandas. I do love Tai Shan.
But trapped animals are trapped animals, and, tonight, the animals trapped at the Los Angeles Zoo appear to be in danger.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/5/9/02542/16953
Guns in Parks Bill Moves Forward
By SHEILA WISSNERStaff Writer
A bill that would allow anyone with a handgun carry permit to take it into any public recreational area in the state - including parks, playgrounds, civic centers and zoos - has passed a key vote this morning.
The House Judiciary Committee passed the bill by a 6-4 vote.
http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070509/NEWS02/70509008
Packing heat on playgrounds
Posted by Jeff Woods (05.09.07, 10:50 AM)
How's this for a state legislative response to the Virginia Tech massacre? The House Judiciary Committee has just voted 6-4 to let Tennesseans carry six-shooters in playgrounds, parks, civic centers and zoos, among other publicly owned places. The legislation by Rep. Frank Niceley, a Republican from Strawberry Plains, originally would...
How's this for a state legislative response to the Virginia Tech massacre? The House Judiciary Committee has just voted 6-4 to let Tennesseans carry six-shooters in playgrounds, parks, civic centers and zoos, among other publicly owned places.The legislation by Rep. Frank Niceley, a Republican from Strawberry Plains, originally would have allowed the carrying of handguns by state permit holders in state parks. But it was amended to repeal the section of the law that forbids handguns on any property owned by the state or city and county governments.Even Niceley said he was against letting people carry handguns on playgrounds. Judiciary Committee Chairman Rob Briley, a Democrat from Nashville, proposed the amendment in a bit of legislative gamesmanship that may have backfired. Briley was apparently trying to embarrass the legislature's gun lovers. Instead, his amendment passed and the bill now is headed to the House floor.
http://www.nashvillescene.com/blog/pitw/archives/00001590.shtml
Male orangutan dies at Sedgwick County Zoo
Chewbacca, a male orangutan at the Sedgwick County Zoo, has died of chronic bronchiectasis.
Also known as Chewy, the orangutan died Tuesday.
Chewbacca came to the Sedgwick County Zoo in 2002 from the Calgary Zoo in Canada. He was 26 years old.
In 2005 Chewy was diagnosed with chronic bronchiectasis. Bronchiectasis is an abnormal stretching and enlarging of the respiratory passages caused by mucus blockage. When the body is unable to get rid of mucus, mucus becomes stuck and accumulates in the airways. This results in a cycle of infection and blocked airways.
Chewy began daily treatments for the incurable condition. The medication extended his quality of life, zoo officials said today.
Orangutans at the Sedgwick County Zoo are managed by the Association of Zoos & Aquarium's Species Survival Plan (SSP).
Zoos that have an SSP animal, such as orangutans, are required to fully participate in the SSP partnership process and abide by the recommendations of the SSP.
Animal rights lawyer a tiger in the court
Celebrity animal rights lawyer Steven Wise usually steers clear of zoos, which is why we take him to the one in Auckland.
On the way to see Janie, the last tea party chimp, I explain her performances were a long time ago and the zoo is quite different today. Wise is concerned because chimps are complex and social animals and Janie is now on her own.
“The whole idea there’d be a single chimpanzee is awful to think about. It’s like being in a solitary confinement for a human,” he says.
Wise is interested in seeing Janie because he plans to go to court in an attempt to get fundamental human rights for chimpanzees.
He’s deadly serious. He just hasn’t decided on the jurisdiction and he needs to find an appropriate chimp.
http://www.savetheorangutan.co.uk/?p=357
Belfast Zoo – Extinction is forever
http://www.belfastzoo.co.uk/flash.asp
http://www.belfastzoo.co.uk/home.asp
Zoo keeps albino alligator in the dark
Exposure to sunlight could kill Knoxville’s popular white gator
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - This white alligator has it made in the shade. Without an alligator's normal dark camouflaging color, the new inhabitant at the Knoxville Zoo would not live long while exposed to predators or the sun.
In an exhibit made to look like the Louisiana bayou with tree stumps and hanging moss, the 12-year-old American alligator spent one recent afternoon basking under a heat lamp beside a warm pool with one claw lazily dipped in the water. If outside, her skin would burn in the sun.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18620211/
Koala semen set to go global
AUSTRALIAN and US researchers hope to lift koala populations by chilling the marsupials’ semen and sending it to zoos around the world.
The Riverbanks Zoo in the US state of South Carolina will trial a new technique that involves cryogenically chilling the semen for as long as 72 hours, allowing it to be transported to other zoos where it will be used to artificially inseminate koalas.
Queensland Premier Peter Beattie said his state had bred koalas through artificial insemination before.
“I am now thrilled to announce Riverbanks will work with Queensland to use this innovation in its koala conservation program, with the next breeding cycle to start in about March, 2008,” Mr Beattie said.
http://www.bordermail.com.au/news/bm/national/779088.html
Mother and Baby Finally Bond at Hogle Zoo (video)
This is a warm, "fuzzy" story about a mother and daughter who had to be taught to love each other. The report comes from -- you guessed it -- Hogle Zoo
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=1210577&comments=true
Tragic BC mauling should be wake up call for Ontario
12/5/07 4:05PM
Media Release - For immediate release - May 12, 2007WSPA calls on McGuinty Government to quickly pass Bill 154 - a Private Members Bill introduced in October 2006 by Willowdale MPP David Zimmer to regulate roadside zoos(Toronto, Ontario) The recent death of a BC woman, mauled by a tiger at a roadside zoo, should be a wake-up call to the Ontario government. Ontario has zoo regulations weaker than those in BC, says the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA)."Roadside zoos pose a significant risk to human health and safety. Ontario has more roadside zoos than any other province," says Melissa Tkachyk, Programs Officer for WSPA. "Keeping a tiger on your property should be considered as dangerous as keeping a loaded gun--but you don't need a license to keep a tiger in Ontario."
http://www.huffstrategy.com/MediaManager/release/WSPA/12-5-07/Tragic-BC-mauling-should-be-wake-up-call-for-Ontario/601.html
Tiger to be destroyed
Saturday, May 12 - 08:22:55 PM Lyle Fisher and John Streit
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - The tiger involved in Thursday's fatal mauling near 100 Mile House will be put down. In a deal made with the owner, the other two big cats in the compound will be kept alive. Tanya Dumstrey-Soos was killed in the unusual attack on Thursday, she's the girlfriend of the farm's owner Kim Carlton who used to live in Abbotsford.
The World Society for the Protection of Animals says it should be a wake up call to BC politicians. They say that although its tragic, it's not all that surprising since there's a number of un-regulated roadside zoos across the country. Many of them operate with very little rules. They've conducted uncover investigations and found lots of animals in poorly constructed cages with inadequate safety features.
http://www.news1130.com/news/topstory/article.jsp?content=20070512_232255_1012
Endangered species: us
Here's some unasked-for-advice about what to do when you want to pet a tiger: don't.
A woman was killed this week by a tiger at the Siberian Magic farm near Vancouver when she got too close to it. You know, there's a reason the big zoos keep these animals in caged enclosures. For most of human history, tigers considered us to be lunch. Some still haven't gotten the message yet.
I heard a survey on the radio that 89 per cent of Vancouverites were opposed to keeping exotic animals. Frankly, I'm amazed the number is that low.
http://vancouver.metblogs.com/archives/2007/05/endangered_species_us.phtml
Tighten Rules on Captive Animals: WSPA
Jason McIntyre Sunday, May 13, 2007
The World Society for the Protection of Animals is calling on the provincial government to strengthen laws pertaining to wildlife in capitivity.
The request follows the recent death of a woman mauled by a tiger at a British Columbia roadside zoo.
WSPA Programs Officer Melissa Tkachyk says the Ontario government needs to closely look at Bill 154 which deals with the regulation of Zoos. Tkachyk adds there is support across the political spectrum for the proposed legislation, and it should be passed by Queen's Park.
Tkachyk says the province does not require zoos to obtain liability insurance to cover claims for loss of life, injury or property damage caused as a result of wildlife. She says Ontario has more roadside zoos than any other province, but has the weakest laws in the country dealing with captive animals.
http://www.cfra.com/headlines/index.asp?cat=1&nid=49397
Exotic-animal laws need teeth, zoo officials say
DIRK MEISSNER
Canadian Press
May 14, 2007 at 8:43 PM EDT
Victoria — Zoo officials say Canada needs to put some teeth into laws that govern dangerous animals in captivity, but they also acknowledge that new laws with bite could ultimately prevent private citizens from owning wild exotic creatures.
The mauling death of a B.C. woman by a captive tiger at a private zoo-like facility in the province's Interior has many people involved in animal protection criticizing the dearth of laws to restrict exotic animal ownership.
Tanya Dumstrey-Soos, 32, was standing near the tiger's cage last week when the animal clawed at her legs. Two of her teenage children were nearby when the incident occurred and they saw her bleed to death.
The director of one of Canada's oldest private zoos said the incident near 100 Mile House is a tragedy, especially since it appears the animal was able to somehow reach out of its cage and swipe at the woman.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070514.wmauling0514/BNStory/National/?page=rss&id=RTGAM.20070514.wmauling0514
Chimp in Orbit: 'First in Space'
"THE RIGHT STUFF" is often seen as one of the definitive works that chronicles the early American astronauts. But, technically, it glosses over one of the first: Subject 65.
Subject 65, affectionately called Ham by his handler, was the first chimpanzee in space, launched into orbit on January 31, 1961.
While the first seven human astronauts in Project Mercury were highlighted in Tom Wolfe's book and a subsequent film, Ham hasn't received his due until "First in Space," the new graphic novel by James Vining.
http://www.readexpress.com/read_freeride/2007/05/chimps_in_orbit_first_in_space.php
German Zoos
For those of you who can sprechen ze deutsche or can understand German , I have found a website of zoos in Germany and Austria and Switzerland and France ..... there is also a limited amount of information in English The site is ► Zoo-Infos.de ◄ - The German Zoo DatabaseI knew that Germany had more zoos than NZ/Australia combined , but didnt realise there were THAT many !!
http://www.zoobeat.com/forums/9/german-zoos-5790/
and
Now more than 700 zoos in our database!
We received more than 100 forms with new data on animal stock, entrance fees and opening times, and updated the datebase accordingly. We never before had so much information on so many parks! The next weeks will see many more new functions.
http://www.zoo-infos.de/index-en.html
Kihansi toads sent to US back by year end
2007-05-15 09:50:19 By Austin Beyadi, Bagamoyo
Over 400 endangered toads from Kihansi hydro-power sent to a US zoo for conservation are to be returned to the country at the end of this year. The Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Prof. Jumanne Maghembe, said at the official opening of a workshop on Population and Habitat Viability Assessment held in Bagamoyo that the government decided to send the endangered toads to the US due to environmental and ecological problems then facing Kihansi Gorge. The minister`s speech was read by the Bagamoyo District Commissioner, Serenge Mrengo, on his behalf. Lives of these toads became difficult because of decreased volume of water triggered by electricity production, fueling a prolonged tug of war between environmentalists and power stakeholders and experts.
http://www.ippmedia.com/ipp/guardian/2007/05/15/90526.html
Giraffe Teaches Students a Lesson at Zoo
By Associated Press Posted May 8 2007, 9:36 PM EDT VILNIUS, Lithuania -- Climbing into a giraffe's cage at the local zoo seemed a good idea after a few drinks. But the prank went wrong when the 1.3 ton animal flew into a rage and attacked the three student trespassers at a zoo in Lithuania on Monday night.Ruta Greiciute, a 22-year-old student at Kaunas Technology University, was hospitalized with a broken collar bone and nose after the nine-year-old male giraffe, named Solut, attacked her.The other students survived the incident unscathed."This was a very silly thing they did. The scared giraffe could have stomped her to death," Kaunas Zoo spokeswoman Angele Grebliauskaite said.The zoo reported that many animals had been disturbed Monday night as students celebrated a festival in a nearby condominium.Police have launched an investigation to find out how the intoxicated students entered the zoo at night and climbed the 10 foot high fence surrounding the giraffe cage.
http://www.southflorida.com/news/sns-ap-odd-giraffe-attack,0,5820228.story?coll=sfe-guide-headlines2
Bengal kills newest tiger at local zoo
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
By RYAN DEZEMBER
Staff Reporter
GULF SHORES -- Anastasia, an 18-month-old white Bengal tiger, had only lived with Rajah and Rani -- tiger siblings 1½ years her senior -- six days before the arrangements turned deadly.
On Sunday, as powerless keepers and visitors at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo looked on, the 450-pound Rajah killed Anastasia by suffocating the 200-pound tiger with a crushing grip of her throat, zoo officials said.
"There was nothing we could do," Director Patti Hall said. "It was one of those horrendous, painful experiences one goes through with animals."
http://www.al.com/news/press-register/index.ssf?/base/news/1178702570112580.xml&coll=3
Polar bear cubs to debut today at Toledo Zoo
The Toledo Zoo’s polar bear cubs are to make their first public appearance tomorrow.Three cubs were born at the Toledo Zoo in late November, two to 8-year-old Crystal and one to 11-year-old Nan. One group will be on exhibit from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The second group can be seen from 1 to 4 p.m. A zoo spokesman notes those plans could change, based on the bears’ behavior. The zoo could not say which group would appear when.Toledo is home to three of the four polar bear cubs born in captivity in recent months in North America. The other cub is at the Brookfield Zoo in suburban Chicago. That cub, born in January, has been on exhibit since late last month.
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070509/NEWS38/70509001/-1/NEWS
Penguins arrive in Vaud
11h30 The Servion zoo, near Lausanne, has acquired eight African penguins, the first ever to be displayed in the Lake Geneva region. Visitors will be able to see them starting May 17.
http://www.24heures.ch/pages/home/24_heures/english_corner/news/news_detail/(contenu)/74644
Zoo to host Disney concert
Clarion Ledger - Mississippi - The Jackson Zoo will be among only 12 zoos nationwide to host the Disney Concert for Conservation with the teen hip hop/pop band T-Squad, featured in the Disney Channel’s wildly popular movie Jump In!The concert is July 22 at the zoo. A part of the proceeds will be donated to a conservation group that the zoo supports, zoo spokesman Chris Mims said.Tickets will go on sale in mid-June and must be purchased in advance. The price will be announced later.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/news/article_001441.htm
Zoo event brings families together
New monkey mother is the star of the show
WILMINGTON -- The most popular exhibit in the Brandywine Zoo's monkey house Sunday was that of the golden lion tamarin.
Children who brought their moms to the zoo to celebrate Mother's Day signed a card for the zoo's newest parent, who carried her newborn on her back as her 5-month-old played nearby.
The monkey, whose species is endangered, has had four babies in the past year and a half. Brandywine Zoo's "Celebrating Wild Moms!" event, in which she was the star attraction, gave children and their mothers a chance to celebrate Mother's Day with the animal moms and kids.
http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070514/NEWS/705140347/1006/NEWS
Firemen give elephant Maggie a lift at the Alaska Zoo
Prostrate pachyderm was in danger of crushing herself
By KATIE PESZNECKERAnchorage Daily News
Published: May 14, 2007 Last Modified: May 14, 2007 at 04:47 AM
Firefighters perform all sorts of heroics, from putting out blazes, to helping the injured, to dealing with car wrecks.
http://www.adn.com/front/story/8883628p-8783996c.html
Zoo puts down junior elephant
PERTH Zoo has been forced to kill its youngest elephant on humane grounds after a deterioration in her condition, caused by a long-term illness.
Zoo staff were devastated by the death of 17-year-old Teduh over the weekend, Perth Zoo chief executive Susan Hunt said today.
``The decision was made after exhaustive medical efforts to assist Teduh, who had a long standing medical condition involving generalised muscular skeletal weakness,'' Ms Hunt said.
Teduh arrived in Perth from Malaysia in 1992 with two other elephants which show no signs of the condition.
Veterinary staff had managed Teduh's condition until recently when she worsened significantly, leading to the decision to put her down on humane grounds.
http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,21727526-2761,00.html
Zoo visitors can get child ID kit, safety info
Free child-identification packets and child-safety guides will be given out from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today to visitors at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium.
The material, part of Child Safety Day, aims to educate parents on how to keep their children safe and how to prevent child abductions.
The program is sponsored by LEAD -- the Law Enforcement Agency Directors of Western Pennsylvania.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_507495.html
8,000 foreign workers celebrate May Day gathering at the zoo
SINGAPORE : Some 8,000 foreign workers took a day off and headed for the zoo. The annual "May Day Outing for all Nationalities" is NTUC's way of recognising and appreciating workers from all corners of the world. And for the first time, representatives from various embassies and high commissions were also invited. Among the celebrations were dance items from various countries, traditional games and snacks. NTUC hopes the gathering will help foreign workers in Singapore feel more at home. - CNA/de
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/275968/1/.html
Southtowners: Zoo PR manager is all about the animals
May 13, 2007
By Steve Metsch Staff writer
When he was a boy, Andre Copeland once brought home a suitcase filled with toads.
His mother, Barbara, promptly told him the toads were best left where he found them, in a field on the Southeast Side of Chicago, and not in the family's house.
So Copeland returned the toads.
But he never lost his fascination for the animal kingdom and has worked at zoos for nearly 20 years. He's now the public programs manager at Brookfield Zoo, in charge of the verbal presentations delivered to visitors.
http://www.dailysouthtown.com/news/382367,132NWS1.article
Parts of Griffith Park reopen this weekend after wildfire
The Associated Press
Article Launched: 05/12/2007 06:25:20 PM PDT
LOS ANGELES- Parts of Griffith Park reopened this weekend, just days after a wildfire ravaged over 800 acres of the Los Angeles landmark.
The Los Angeles Zoo, Autry Museum, and the Observatory are open, park officials said. At the park's southeast side, the train and pony rides and grassy picnic area are also open.
The merry-go-round, Old Zoo Picnic area and Vermont Canyon remain closed, as they are closer to the fire area. Several roadways inside the park are also closed to traffic.
The Commonwealth and Vermont avenue park entrances are closed, but shuttle buses are taking Observatory patrons with reservations to the astronomy center.
Hiking trails are closed until further notice, said city councilman Tom LaBonge.
http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_5883680?nclick_check=1
Four CNG-run mini buses introduced in zoo
Hyderabad, May 13: Four mini buses operated with compressed natural gas (CNG) were introduced at the tiger's safari enclosure in Nehru Zoological Park.
The 25-seater buses were launched with an aim to reduce pollution in the zoo. "We are facing severe pollution problem because of old buses and frequent breakdowns in the enclosure is also causing anxiety to visitors," Zoo Director P. Bhaskar Reddy said, adding that the vehicles were taken on lease for two years.
Mr. Reddy said necessary steps were initiated to ensure drinking water to visitors also. Over 10,000 people, mostly children had visited the zoo on Saturday generating a revenue of Rs. 2.5 lakhs
http://www.siasat.com/english/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=181020&Itemid=79&cattitle=Hyderabad
Big cat baby boom keeps zoo busy
Mexico - Keepers at a Mexican zoo are bottle-feeding round the clock after four big cats gave birth to nine cubs in two months, among them a rare white tiger.
Three 20-day-old Bengal tiger cubs, including the white female named Brisa, romp around a grassy enclosure while two lion cubs, a baby jaguar and three other tiger cubs frolic and chew each other's ears in a nearby wooden pen.
The arrival of six Bengals, three each from different parents, is rare and Brisa is a coup for the endangered white Bengal tiger which often fails to survive in the wild for its lack of camouflage.
The owners of family-run Zoologico de Vallarta, set deep inside virgin jungle in the Pacific coast state of Jalisco, say there is no big secret behind the rash of births -- just a propitious natural environment and lots of hands-on care.
http://www.brudirect.com/DailyInfo/News/Archive/May07/130507/wn03.htm
Recent Botanical Research in the Ebo Forest
Posted at 9:50 am May 11, 2007 by Bethan Morgan
The CRES field project in Cameroon recently said goodbye to our first fulltime volunteer. Jo Osborne (pictured), from England, came to Cameroon in August 2006 and spent the next seven months helping out with our botanical work. Jo has a master’s degree in plant taxonomy and spent most of her time at our research station collecting samples of leaves with flowers and/or fruit, which she was able to identify (mostly!) using often intricate floral characteristics that distinguish one species from another. This work is very important to our overall goals in several ways. The botanical composition of a rain forest is the foundation for the animals that live off the plants, whether directly (as in the case of folivores, or leaf eaters, and frugivores, or fruit eaters) or indirectly, by eating the animals that have eaten the plants.
http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/recent-botanical-research-in-the-ebo-forest/
Bulldog Raises Baby Tiger at Japanese Zoo
Cute news out of Kagawa Prefecture, where a french bulldog named Nana is raising a baby tiger at a zoo:
http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=1727
Zoo Boise Welcomes First Gibbon Baby
Zoo Boise has a new resident: A gibbon baby. The gibbon was born April 9 at the park zoo, but because it is susceptible to human diseases at this early stage, it will not be exhibited to the public for several moths. A gibbon, the smallest member of the ape family, is usually found in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, not the Northwest American desert – and this baby gibbon is, in fact, the first ape born at Zoo Boise. The gibbon’s mother rejected it five days after birth, which is natural in both the wild and in captivity, the zoo said, and it is now being hand-raised by the zoo’s Animal Care Staff in what is essentially intensive care. The gibbon baby is being kept in an isolette unit, which is much like the incubator that doctors use for premature human babies.
http://www.sunvalleyonline.com/news/article.asp?rssclick=1&ID_Article=3475
Bloomington zoo could have eaglets on the way
May 11, 2007 (BLOOMINGTON) - Bloomington's Miller Park Zoo will soon find out if they're about to have baby eaglets.
A female bald eagle who lives at the zoo laid eggs in late April for the first time in 13 years.
( Eagle eggs have an incubation period of 32 to 34 days.
( That means zoo director John Zobias will find out if the eggs are fertile around Memorial Day.
( Beauty the eagle laid the eggs after a wild bald eagle was spotted visiting her and her male partner.
( If the eggs are fertile, only a D-N-A test could determine if the father is the visitor or Beauty's male partner.
(The zoo staff is being extra careful around the eggs.
(The grass in the eagle exhibit is no longer mowed, and the staff only approaches the cage for feeding time once a day.
( ------
(Information from: The Pantagraph, http://www.pantagraph.com
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=local&id=5295432
Anteater is zoo's newest baby mammal
Its sex unknown because it clings to its mother's back.
Some babies have big noses and you dare not say a word for fear of offending a parent.
But with the newest baby mammal at Fresno Chaffee Zoo, its nose is the very means of its survival.
A baby anteater was born in the zoo on April 26.
Zoo officials don't yet know its sex because the baby spends its time clinging to its mother's back for camouflage. When it rests along the white line of the mother's back, the baby becomes nearly invisible.
"It's exactly what the baby is supposed to do," said Lewis Greene, zoo director. The baby appears healthy, he added.
The baby is the second for the mother, Amber, a 4-year-old anteater that lives with a 23-year old male named Hosenose. Amber came to Fresno from Montgomery, Ala.
http://www.fresnobee.com/263/story/47048.html
Polar bear cubs had their zoo debut
The Toledo Zoo's new polar bear cubs thrilled all visitors during their debut.The foggy day caused school closings. As a result, more youngsters had a chance to see the cubs romp and play.
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070511/NEWS38/70511017/-1/RSS
Zoo Wolf Killed By Others In Pack
Bruising Found On Neck
POSTED: 6:30 am EDT May 11, 2007
CLEVELAND -- Officials at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo said a weak 12-year-old grey wolf was apparently killed by other members of its pack.
Spokeswoman Sue Allen said an examination of the female wolf, named Geena, concluded that it died Wednesday night of asphyxiation. She speculated that two dominant females in the pack killed Geena, who had chronic kidney problems and age-related illnesses.
Zoo staff found bruising around the dead animal's neck.
All three wolves had been on display at the zoo's Wolf Wilderness exhibit since arriving from a Minnesota wildlife center in 1996.
Allen said its not uncommon for stronger members of the pack to get rid of weaker members that they sense are a danger to the group.
Welcome changes at Turtle Back Zoo
Friday, May 11, 2007
BY ALLISON FREEMAN
Star-Ledger Staff
KID STUFF
This is not the Turtle Back Zoo that most parents remember.
Following a series of renovations and an accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the zoo has a fresh look and many new exhibits which make it an ideal destination for families to spend a couple hours together on a spring day.
Yes, there are still peacocks walking around freely and showing off their colorful plumage. Yes, there is still that wonderful free train ride that takes families around the neighboring reservoir with a very friendly conductor, who obviously loves his job. And of course, there are still the penguins, squirrel monkeys, river otters and other adorable animals.
But now there is so much more. For families who have not visited the zoo in a while, it is the perfect time for a visit.
Walk into the zoo and you'll see an attractive new fountain and landscaping as well as new exhibits and many more renovations under way. Attractive brick pathways replace cement and lead visitors from one exhibit to another.
http://www.nj.com/living/ledger/index.ssf?/base/living-0/1178865989289360.xml&coll=1
Pittsburgh Zoo gets 2 sea otters
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Article Last Updated: 05/10/2007 11:03:00 AM EDT
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Zoo's newest additions made their public debut Wednesday.
Two 2-year-old male sea otters, named Chugach and Alki, arrived from the Seattle Aquarium on Tuesday and will live at the zoo's Water's Edge display.
Water's Edge already is home to two polar bears who arrived last year.
Work has been continuing on the exhibit, which includes a 60,000-gallon pool with a rocky cove and a kelp forest for the otters.
"They were born in the aquarium, but it's pretty exciting that we were able to replicate the natural social movements that would happen with otters in the wild," said Traci Belting, Seattle Aquarium's curator of mammals and birds, who accompanied the otters to Pittsburgh.
On the Web:
Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium: www.pittsburghzoo.org
http://www.yorkdispatch.com/pennsylvania/ci_5862946
It's Bear Awareness Week at the zoo
ROY GAULTStatesman Journal
May 10, 2007
It will be Bear Awareness Week Sunday through May 19 at the Oregon Zoo, part of National Bear Awareness Week, sponsored by the conservation organization Defenders of Wildlife.
While Oregon has only black bears in the wild, the zoo's celebration will feature polar, grizzly, black and Malayan sun bears.
Defenders of Wildlife is making a nationwide effort to educate the public about the role bears play in nature and the importance of respecting biological diversity by protecting their environments.
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070510/OUTDOORS/705100301/1034
Animals unfazed, but L.A. Zoo still closed
Back in their outdoor exhibits, denizens of the zoo 'seem oblivious' to the faint smoke.
By Carla Hall, Times Staff WriterMay 10, 2007
The day after Los Angeles Zoo animals were hustled to their off-exhibit enclosures with a fire bearing down not far away in Griffith Park, they were returned to their outdoor exhibits. With a veil of smoke visible in the hills, zoo staffers said Wednesday that animals were calm and seemingly unbothered by the faint smell of smoke wafting on the breeze."Even along the edges" of the zoo, principal keeper Jeff Briscoe said, "the animals seem oblivious." Briscoe, who stayed at the zoo until 3 a.m. Wednesday, checked on the zoo's two high-profile elephants through the night. "They're fine. They're not even aware of it," he said.
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-me-zoo10may10,1,2711418.story?coll=la-news-a_section&ctrack=1&cset=true
An animal odd couple at a Japanese Zoo
Reuters has run an article about capybaras and squirrel monkeys that live together in an enclosure at the Tobu Zoo outside Tokyo:
http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=1712
Zoo Hatches Tadpoles To Revive Endangered Species
OMAHA, Neb. -- Omaha's zoo has joined the fight to bring back an endangered amphibian species. OMAHA, Neb. -- Omaha's zoo has joined the fight to bring back an endangered amphibian species.
The Henry Doorly Zoo hatched more than 700 Puerto Rican Crested Toad tadpoles. The species was once thought to be extinct in the wild, but it is making a comeback.
On Thursday, Omaha's zoo will send its tadpoles to Puerto Rico to be reintroduced into the wild.
http://www.ketv.com/news/13287060/detail.html
Safari Soiree at Memphis Zoo Thursday
MAY 9, 2007 - 10:14 AM
A party's cooking at the Memphis Zoo, and you're invited. The Safari Soiree fund-raiser will be held Thursday, May 10, from 7-10 p.m.
Food will be provided by 14 caterers — including Another Roadside Attraction, Robert Hayes Catering, Cordelia's Table, and La Baguette — and you can nibble hors d'oeuvres and sip cocktails on the Avenue of Animals, dine in the courtyard, and hear music by Bill Whitman & the John Bass Orchestra, featuring Lyn Cordona.
For ticket info ($150 per person, or $1,500 for tables of 10) call 333-6553.
http://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/Content?oid=28165
Birds get boost at Naples Zoo
Naples Zoo will celebrate International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) Sat., May 12, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
This annual celebration of the migratory birds will be presented by three area National Wildlife Refuges: J.N. "Ding" Darling, Florida Panther and Ten Thousand Islands. These local refuges will provide free materials (while supplies last) about the fascinating world of migratory birds, as well as information on birding and great places to bird.Birds have long been indicators of environmental change, sounding the alarm about the impacts of pesticides, polluted water and the loss of contiguous forest. While IMBD continues to promote the joy of birds, it will also tackle a challenging, yet pertinent topic in 2007 - climate change. While the cause for this trend is still being debated, many of the songbird species we see and enjoy in nature are shifting their ranges and migrating earlier, often making it more difficult for them to find food such as insects, flowers and berries when they need it.
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18314547&BRD=2605&PAG=461&dept_id=523946&rfi=6
Dated
New arrivals hog the limelight
ADRIAN MATHER
amather@edinburghnews.com)
WITH their fearsome tusks and love of wallowing in pools of stagnant mud, they might be expected to attract looks of disgust rather than ones of affection.
But three baby warthogs have thrown aside their species' reputation for being unlovable and are charming the crowds at Edinburgh Zoo
http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=986802006
What a Mississippi Zoo, Rhode Island Politics Have in Common
By Daphne Retter
10:50 AM; Jun. 27, 2006
In his effort to unseat Sen. Lincoln Chafee, R-R.I., Cranston Mayor Steve Laffey seems to be taking an odd path that runs far south of his state — and the nation’s capital.
In fact, Laffey’s route runs to Mississippi and through the middle of the Jackson Zoo.
Laffey, seeking to upset Chafee in the Sept. 12 GOP primary, has accused the incumbent of supporting a $950,000 earmark for the zoo that was added to the fiscal 2006 Transportation-Treasury spending bill (PL 109-115). The money was secured by Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., but Laffey is trying to tie it to Chafee simply because he voted for the bill.
“Rhode Island Sen. Lincoln Chafee voted in favor of spending tax dollars on the Jackson Zoo,” Laffey noted in a press release Monday. If that’s true, then so did 93 other senators who supported the bill, including all but two Republicans.
A Thompson aide, meanwhile, said Laffey’s reference to the zoo in his campaign literature might be good for tourism.
“In fact, we want to invite him down,” said Thompson chief of staff Lanier Avant. “He may well be the first Rhode Islander to tour the Jackson Zoo. He could make history.”
http://www.cqpolitics.com/2006/06/what_a_mississippi_zoo_rhode_i.html
Nine flamingo chicks born at zoo
4:03 p.m. June 27, 2006
SAN DIEGO – Nine Caribbean flamingos have been born at the San Diego Zoo in the last month, and more could be on the way, the park's senior bird keeper said Tuesday.
The first hatching of the downy gray chicks was May 28, and the births continued up to June 23, Amy Klotz said.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20060627-1603-flasmingos.html
From the zoo to the links, June's rain takes its toll
BY MICHAEL GELBWASSE
SUN CHRONICLE STAFF
Wednesday, June 28, 2006 12:26 AM EDT
It's been raining cats and dogs, and the Capron Park zookeepers are get ting antsy.What is shaping up as the wettest June on record has left the Attleboro zoo's trails and concessions stands bare of visitors, rather than over run by the 300 or so a sunny day draws, Zoo Director Jean Benchimol said Tuesday.
And with the National Weather Service in Taunton forecasting at least a 50 per cent chance of more rain through Thursday night, nothing may be happening at the County Street zoo for much of this week.
http://www.thesunchronicle.com/articles/2006/06/28/city/city4.txt
New space at zoo reduces barrier between human, giraffe
By JACKIE LOOHAUIS
jloohauis@journalsentinel.com
Posted: June 28, 2006
Visitors to the Milwaukee County Zoo are about to find out just how easy it is to neck with a giraffe.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=444013
Zoo mails scratchcards for penguin conservation push
by Joe Lepper Brand Republic 30-Jun-06, 07:00
LONDON - Personal has developed a scratchcard-based direct mail campaign for Bristol Zoo to raise awareness of the plight of African penguins threatened by oil pollution.
The campaign involves a scratchcard with an image of an oil spill on a coastline, which recipients are encouraged to scratch away with a coin to reveal a penguin. The creative...
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http://www.brandrepublic.com/login/News/567013/
Denver Zoo Shows Off Rare Primate Baby
(CBS4) DENVER For the first time since 1999, the Denver Zoo is celebrating the birth of a rare primate called the red-capped mangabey. Parents Hank and Galina welcomed the baby June 10.The baby named Kipaji, which means gifted or talented in Swahili, already started exploring the exhibit and left his mother for short periods of time.The red-capped mangabey is considered critically endangered in the wild because of hunting and deforestation. Kipaji is only the third red-capped mangabey ever born at the Denver Zoo. He's one of only 26 in 8 North American zoos.
http://cbs4denver.com/topstories/local_story_180160924.html
Zoo family to grow on both sides of the fence
Published on: 07/06/06
Zoo Atlanta has an unusual case of dueling pregnancies these days. Primatologist Tara Stoinski is due to give birth Sunday, while one of her gorilla charges, Sukari, should have her baby sometime this month. Both will be first-time moms.
Stoinski, who oversees gorilla research at the zoo, gets one question all the time from visitors: Do the gorillas know she's pregnant? "I'm not sure," she answers. "I don't see any behavioral cues that would suggest they know." They apparently know Sukari — the name means "sugar" in Swahili — is expecting, though. "She's getting a lot of attention from her group-mates," Stoinski says.
http://www.ajc.com/living/content/living/stories/0706LVzoo.html
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