Zoos
Rare Siberian tiger cubs born at zoo
The cubs in their enclosure. Photo / Reuters
1:35PM Friday July 27, 2007
GALATI, Romania - Lenuta and Costel, two tiger cubs from one of the world's most endangered species, the Siberian tiger, were born in a Romanian zoo this year, breeders said.
The Siberian tiger, native to northern China, southern Russia and parts of North Korea is on the brink of extinction in the wild, decimated by poaching and loss of habitat. Scientists believe only a few hundred now live outside captivity.
The cubs, now weighing 3 kilos each, were born on May 21 to six-year-old Gina and her mate, six-year-old Geo.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/2/story.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10454237
Chips reduce fertility in urban gulls
5:00AM Saturday July 21, 2007
Urban seagulls eat fatty leftovers. Photo / Babiche Martens
Seagulls gorging themselves on greasy junk food are so fat it is affecting their reproduction.
University of Tasmania researcher Heidi Auman has found that silver gulls feeding on fatty scraps thrown to them from seaside cafes in Hobart have become overweight.
Ms Auman has been comparing city birds to those on the remote Furneaux Islands, off Tasmania's north-east, as part of her PhD for almost four years.
She said the urban gulls were about 10 per cent fatter and had higher cholesterol, which was leading to poor-quality eggs and a possible nosedive in their populations.
Ms Auman, who has studied human impacts on sea birds for 20 years, said the roly-poly gulls were still able to fly but the junk food was having the same effect on them as it does on humans.
- AAP
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=82&objectid=10452831
Sea turtle advocates appeal to the Vatican
Category: Conservation
Posted on: March 27, 2007 9:28 PM, by Peter Etnoyer
Did you ever want to write a letter to the Pope, but you didn't know what to say? Well, here's your chance to write that letter. Sea turtle advocates did all the work for you, and they vastly improved your only likely chance of an audience. Your voice will be one of thousands calling upon His Excellency to stop the slaughter of our oceangoing innocents during the Lenten season. The Baja California Sur environmental group ProPeninsula is engaged in a letter writing campaign to His Excellency Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican asking him to remind Catholics everywhere that sea turtles are not fish.
Because of the common misconception of sea turtles as 'fish,' it is estimated that as many as 10,000 endangered green, loggerhead, and olive ridley turtles are taken for feast food each year during Catholic religious holidays. The misguided tradition of eating turtles for Lent is stronger in Mexico that other places, like Brazil for instance. The fervor for turtle eggs is bolstered by rumours of libido enhancement. The poster at left is part of an environmental campaign by Wildcoast targeting the practice. The series features Argentine supermodela Dorismar saying "My man doesn't need turtle eggs." The Bipolar View features a nice article on the campaign.
Here's the letter below, forwarded by J. Nichols at the Ocean Conservancy.
Help stop sea turtle consumption during Lent
(en espanol: http://tinyurl.com/2ojduc)
For centuries, sea turtles have been used as feast food throughout Latin America during Catholic celebrations such as Semana Santa. During Easter or the Lenten season, traditional Catholic rules prohibit the consumption of 'meat', yet allow food such as 'fish' and other types of seafood to be eaten as a substitute...
http://scienceblogs.com/deepseanews/2007/03/sea_turtle_advocates_appeal_to_1.php
Hobnobbing with ‘gators
By JOHN LINDENBERGER, The North Platte Telegraph
07/28/2007
Trea Heathers of Curtis captures an alligator at the Wild Encounters Exotic Animals Petting Zoo and poses for a picture Thursday afternoon at the Lincoln County Fair.
Many rural residents are familiar with farm livestock and other domesticated animals. But few farmers can say they have ever seen an alligator or a baby black bear on the farm.
This weekend, fairgoers can see these exotic creatures along with many other strange critters at the exotic animal petting zoo presented by Wildlife Encounters from Gretna.
This is the second year the organization has come to the Lincoln County Fair. They will be presenting four shows each day throughout the fair featuring a variety of unusual wildlife.
“We do bring the animals close up,” said animal spokesman and educator Khoreen Vetter.
During the exotic animal show, Vetter said, they do have people come up on stage to interact and help feed some of the animals. However, the more dangerous animals such as the snake and porcupine are kept at a distance.
http://www.nptelegraph.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18638709&BRD=377&PAG=461&dept_id=601696&rfi=6
Police: California fisherman arrested for stabbing sea lion in anger over stolen bait
The Associated Press
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — A fisherman accused of stabbing a sea lion with a steak knife after the animal stole his bait has been arrested.
The sea lion, a six-foot female weighing about 150 pounds, was stabbed in the heart and was euthanized, said Dean Gomersall, animal care supervisor at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach.
"It's a horrible thing," Gomersall said. "My crew is extremely upset, and we're just glad the person was caught."
Hai Nguyen, 24, was fishing off a Newport pier about 12:30 p.m. Friday when the sea lion snatched the bait from his fishing pole.
"It was close enough so he could just reach out and stab it in the water," said Sgt. Evan Sailor, a police spokesman. "A number of people witnessed it and called police."
Nguyen was arrested without incident at the pier and held at Newport Beach Jail on $20,000 bail. He was expected to be arraigned next week on a charge of felony cruelty to animals, authorities said.
http://ap.yorknewstimes.com/stories/us/20070728/187565327.shtml
More Endangerment for Whales
http://climate.weather.com/video/?ref=e3adf52b5f2e73016ef3a5499214b37a9d4b427b
Animal care vice president working on updating zoo
Downers Grove, IL -
In 23 years working at zoos, Kim Smith has trained elephants, worked with big cats, primates and bears, and managed 90 species of birds.
Since being hired in June as vice president of animal care for the Chicago Zoological Society, which manages the Brookfield Zoo, Smith is still learning about the animals she works with.
Age: 40
Favorite animal: Harris’ hawk
Most interesting place she’s traveled for work: Chile
Currently working on: Master’s degree in management, Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee
Conservation activities: Vice chair of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Humboldt penguin survival plan and liaison to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the piping plover recovery program
“You just learn about the animal, their native habitats, what their behaviors are and their biology,” the Downers Grove resident said. “You want to make sure that they have a good life, that they’re not stressed.”
http://www.chicagosuburbannews.com/downersgrove/homepage/x748940355
Focus on island's habitats
Aug 7 2007
NUNEATON and Bedworth's mayor lent his support to a fundraiser aimed at highlighting the declining habitats on the island of Madagascar.
Councillor Bill Sheppard was among the guests at Twycross Zoo for a charity event organised by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria's Madagascar campaign.
He was joined by his wife, Jill, and the mayor of Hinckley and Bosworth, Cllr Keith Lynch, and his wife, Maureen.
The campaign aims to raise public awareness of the impoverished island of Madagascar and to highlight its declining habitats. The event raised £2,643 to help finance conservation projects there.
Suzanne Boardman, the zoo's executive director, said: "We are proud to support this campaign."
http://iccoventry.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0125nwarksnews/tm_headline=focus-on-island-s-habitats&method=full&objectid=19582640&siteid=50003-name_page.html
Panda Cub Throws a Kink in San Diego Zoo's Renegotiations With China
Maureen Cavanaugh (Guest Host): There's a lot of commotion at the San Diego Zoo this week. Giant panda Bai Yun gave birth to a cub on Friday after two and a half hours in labor. The newborn cub is the fourth giant panda born at the zoo, all of them to Bai Yun. The cub's father is Gao Gao. This baby panda is sure to be a hit at the zoo, just like other panda cubs before her.
The pandas actually are on loan from China. And they're not cheap. The San Diego Zoo has spent $30 million on the pandas since 1996. The zoo pays one million dollars each year to keep the Giant Pandas. China is owed a one-time fee of six-hundred-thousand dollars for each cub that is born. But all that is up for renegotiation next year. Zoos are having a hard time recouping those costs, even though the pandas hold rock star status in the zoo.
http://www.kpbs.org/radio/these_days?id=9277
We need a zoo " but a better one
Mike Robertson
I am disappointed to hear that The Zoo Northwest Florida is not doing well financially. It has been a part of the Northwest Florida landscape for the better part of the 25 years I have lived here.
The Zoo has always had a difficult time financially and probably survived the first years through the heroic, and perhaps obsessive, efforts of the founder, Pat Quinn. Frankly, I am surprised that it has survived this long. Zoos of this type usually depend on a much greater population in larger metropolitan areas like Atlanta, Miami or New Orleans.
http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070808/OPINION/708080302/1020
Tim McGraw, Faith Hill put their kids first
Mike Oseguedoa The Fresno (Calif.) Bee
August 8, 2007
Tim McGraw the singer takes a backseat to Tim McGraw the dad. Every time.
"Everything -- our work schedule, our touring schedule -- everything is arranged around our personal family commitments," McGraw says. "Every month, we turn in our schedule for the month for our kids' ball games, practices, school functions, everything that we have to be involved in. Then work gets plugged in around those things."
That's why McGraw and wife Faith Hill tour in the summer -- school's out.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/orl-timandfaith0807aug08,0,108357.story
First Giant Anteater Born At The National Zoo
Science Daily — A giant anteater was born at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo the morning of Tuesday, July 24—a first in the Zoo’s 118-year history.
National Zoo animal care staff and veterinarians had been closely monitoring the first-time mother for the past six months, performing regular ultrasounds and other diagnostics. Based on the typical gestation period of giant anteaters, staff expected the mother, Maripi, to give birth in early August. She surprised them early last Tuesday morning when a keeper checking on the animal discovered the tiny baby clinging to its mother’s chest.
National Zoo staff has yet to determine the gender or weight—and may not for some time. Like many first-time animal mothers, the anteater might be prone to stress that would affect her rearing of the baby, so staff will make every effort not to disturb the animals. According to keepers, Maripi is showing excellent maternal instinct in caring for her baby and is very patient as the baby negotiates its various techniques of climbing up onto her back.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070804102922.htm
Zoo Removes Tiger’s Teeth for Better Interaction
Somewhere in Asia in an unnamed zoo, a tiger has been chained up and had its two large teeth pulled. All so that visitors can take pictures with the animal and not worry about being bitten.
http://www.weirdasianews.com/2007/08/04/zoo-removes-tigers-teeth-for-better-interaction/
Brevard Zoo opens detective academy
BY KIMBERLY C. MOORE
FLORIDA TODAY
What: Wildlife Detective Training Academy
Where: Brevard Zoo, at Murrell and Wickham roads east of Interstate 95, Melbourne
When: Open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, zoo is open 9:30 a.m to 5 p.m.
Cost: $10.50, $9.50 seniors, $7.50 ages 2 to 12, free for younger than 2 Information: Call 254-9453
VIERA - Lauren Rhoades, 9, put on a green lab coat, set a stuffed alligator on a steel exam table and proceeded to operate.
"It had to have surgery," explained Lauren, giggling as she described what she found inside: "A heart and some guts."
Lauren's experience is part of the newest exhibit at the Brevard Zoo. The Wildlife Detective Training Academy opened its doors at 10 a.m. Saturday morning and was soon filled with wanna-be veterinarians, biologists and archeologists.
http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070805/NEWS01/708050343/1006
New Guinea singing dogs make Palm Beach Zoo debut
By DAVID ROGERS
Daily News Staff Writer
Sunday, August 05, 2007
New Guinea singing dogs Sydney and Mic are adjusting to their new home at the Palm Beach Zoo.
As vocalists go, Sydney the New Guinea singing dog is no Kelly Clarkson. And the symphonic stylings of her buddy, Mic, aren't likely to crack the Top 40 anytime soon.
But if the two experienced a little stage fright Aug. 26 — they emitted a series of short barks rather than their typically longer melodic howls — it was expected. The dogs arrived at the Palm Beach Zoo in mid-June from a home in Orlando and made their first appearance in the zoo's "Wild Things" show.
The dogs are a little nervous, trainer manager Alison Hayner confided moments after she finished narrating the show.
Hayner said the dogs have to get accustomed to being around large crowds and negotiating the stage. After they do, their howls will likely lengthen, she said.
"We're really working with them getting them to sing on cue," she said. "When they really get vocalizing, it's a really long, drawn-out thing that they do."
The few packs surviving in the highland forests of New Guinea vocalize when they are excited or scared, she said.
http://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/news/content/news/ZooDogs0805.html
Bricks Pave the Way for Zoo Expansion
Aug 5, 2007 04:27 PM EDT
The bricks at Columbian Park now reflect more than heat. They show the community's love for the zoo. The Lafayette mayor, zoo officials, and zoo-supporters cut the ribbon around the new section of pavers. The zoo has been selling personalized bricks for $100 each. All of the money goes directly to the zoo. Jimmie Kasteron, Friends of the Zoo President, said 170 pavers have been purchased by local donors.
"With the opening of the zoo, it's kind of been a spring board for our people to get out... they get to see it, they get to see their name there. They talk to their friends about it, so it's really taking off," said Kasteron.
The money paid for the zoo entrance canopy. The next project is a giant tortoise exhibit. The zoo still has 1600 bricks for sale.
http://www.wlfi.com/Global/story.asp?S=6887604&nav=menu591_3
Zoo Animals Stay Cool In Triple Digits
08/04/2007 - Animals at the Chaffee Zoo found some new ways to keep cool on what will hopefully be the last day of triple digit heat for a while.
The elephants got a rare shower Saturday as part of so-called "cool zoo" activities.
Zookeepers are trying to encourage the animals to act like they would in the wild, playing around in water when it's so hot.
But animals in the wild usually don't get fed giant popsicles or banana splits to cool off, like the zoo's elephants did Saturday.
Copyright KFSN-TV, www.abc30.com, and myabc30.com. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without explicit written permission.
http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=local&id=5540771
Day 2: Discoveries from the Den
Posted at 8:42 pm August 4, 2007 by Suzanne Hall
August 4, 7:45 p.m.
The new panda cub is more than a day old now, and things are still going well inside the birthing den. Bai Yun continues to fast, foregoing food and water in favor of resting quietly in her den with the cub held securely between her forepaws. In 2005, she left the den for her first postpartum drink within 48 hours of the birth, so perhaps she will do the same by the time I update you tomorrow.
We have had a few more brief glimpses of the neonate today, just quick peeks as Bai Yun readjusts herself and the cub from time to time. Each little glimpse provides us with information about the cub’s status. Frequently, all we get to see is the tail and part of a back leg as Bai Yun lick’s the infant’s genitals, which she does to stimulate the passing of waste. Sometimes we have seen a little head bobbing about as Bai Yun moves her paws. One glimpse showed our keepers that the cub appeared to be at the nipple, though the peek was so brief nursing could not be confirmed.
http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/day-2-discoveries-from-the-den/
Animals? In a Zoo? Heavens!
By MICHAEL POLLAK
Published: August 5, 2007
Animals? In a Zoo? Heavens!
Stuart Goldenberg
Q. I love visiting the Bronx Zoo, but I always wonder: Does the zoo have a problem with wild animals moving in, like skunks, raccoons and possums?
A. Well, the zoo doesn’t exactly consider them a problem, but it doesn’t ignore them, either.
“It’s no secret that there is native wildlife on the grounds of the Bronx Zoo,” said Patrick Thomas, general curator of the zoo. Animals like skunks and raccoons are nocturnal; because they usually don’t show themselves during the day, visitors rarely see them.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/05/nyregion/thecity/05fyi.html?_r=1&ref=thecity&oref=slogin
Verdant zoo is garden, too
The Central Florida Zoo adds Botanical Gardens to its name.
Tammie Wersinger Sentinel Staff Writer
August 5, 2007
SANFORD - - It has been more than eight years since former DeBary resident Steve DeCresie wrote his first memo suggesting that the Central Florida Zoo seek the designation of botanical garden.
At the time, he was a bird keeper with a passion for plants.
Now, he is the Sanford zoo's first and only horticulturist, with stewardship over a multitude of plants that flourish throughout a 117-acre park, which is only a short drive from southwest Volusia.
Waiting for the designation that has resulted in the zoo's name change to Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens meant having "the patience of a plant," said DeCresie.
"A plant doesn't know exactly when it will rain or when the sun is coming out," he said. "It just waits patiently."
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/seminole/orl-vzoo0507aug05,0,7143638.story
Kids cuddle up to creepy crawlies at El Paso zoo
By Zahira Torres / El Paso Times
Article Launched: 08/05/2007 12:00:00 AM MDTForget hamburgers and tacos. The tasty menu Saturday at the El Paso Zoo included crickets, worms and cockroaches. "I always wanted to try one, and it was pretty good," said Victor Nevarez, who after sampling several crickets and worms was one of the few brave volunteers willing to eat a hot-sauce-soaked cockroach atop a potato chip. "I've seen it on the 'Fear Factor' show and I always wanted to see if it was any good."
http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_6547304
19 wild boars culled in zoo
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Thiruvananthapuram, August 5: With the foot-and-mouth disease recurring in the zoo here, 19 wild boars have been culled and the zoo has been closed for visitors indefinitely for the second time in a month.
The deadly disease afflicting cloven-hoofed animals had claimed about 25 animals including black bucks, Mithun bulls and Nilgai since the outbreak last month.
The zoo authorities were given the permission to cull the wild boars yesterday after a high-power technical committee of experts reviewed the situation.
http://www.chennaionline.com/colnews/newsitem.asp?NEWSID=%7BE9FB879B-242B-4A79-B248-05FC62BB1C1F%7D&CATEGORYNAME=HEAL
Zoo closed indefinitely
Staff Reporter
Culling of wild boars begins
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Government has decided to close indefinitely, from Sunday, the city zoo where authorities have been unable to bring the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) under control.
The Government has also given zoo authorities the go ahead to cull 19 wild boars, two of which have been infected with the FMD virus. The culling of the boars began at 10 p.m. with the zoo veterinarian C. S. Jayakumar administering an intra-muscular injection of Thiopentone sulphate solution to the boars. By 10.30 p.m., three boars had been put to sleep.
The decisions to close the zoo and cull the boars were taken after a meeting of the technical committee set up to help the zoo tide over the FMD situation. These decisions were more or less inevitable following the death of a wild boar due to FMD on Wednesday evening.
http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/05/stories/2007080561400300.htm
Animal Crackers Cookie Zoo - Real Fact #67
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Animal Crackers Cookie Zoo - Real Fact #67
There are 18 different animal shapes in the animal crackers cookie zoo.
http://www.hamovhotov.com/surprise/?p=282
Zoo orchestrates exoticism
While we were at Berlin Zoo on Friday, a baby giraffe was being born. We didn't get to see Inga, but did catch a disappointing glimpse of the last big zoo baby star, Knut the polar bear. Knut is rather disappointing, a dirty yellow colour and already quite big. To see him you have to join crowds held back by crash barriers. Meanwhile, a much cuter baby donkey and baby camel were being ignored, presumably because they hadn't been featured in the media.
http://imomus.livejournal.com/305400.html
Zoo recognizes summer volunteers
By Christian Martell/ The Brownsville Herald
August 5, 2007 - 10:10PM
After dedicating two months to the Gladys Porter Zoo, 46 summer volunteers on Friday were recognized for their help.
“This is something that’s going to help them in the future,” said the zoo’s Education Curator Sergio Garcia.
For approximately 20 years, the Summer Teen Program has been giving teens between the eighth and 12th grades the opportunity to learn more about animals.
“They’re doing things here you wouldn’t even expect them to do at home,” Garcia said.
The volunteers shadow keepers and help clean and care for the animals.
“One time we were cleaning out a squirrel cage, when she flew out. It took a lot to get her back inside,” said 16-year-old Alex Sanchez.
http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/news/volunteers_79023___article.html/zoo_help.html
Metro residents say yes to a zoo tax
Voters might see plan on the ballot in 2008
August 5, 2007
BY JOHN WISELY
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
Despite tough economic times, a majority of tri-county adults say they support a proposal for a small property tax in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties to help the Detroit Zoo, a Detroit Free Press-Local 4 Michigan Poll shows.
About 56% of the adults surveyed said they could accept a proposed regional property tax to aid the financially struggling zoo, which is in Royal Oak. About 36% of voters opposed the zoo tax, and 8% were unsure.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070805/NEWS06/70805037/1001/NEWS
POLL: 45% say $133 million better spent on people than zoo exhibit
(AlbertaIndex, August 6, Monday) --- More than 45% of the 33 people who voted in our poll on the zoo’s plan to spend $133 million on the Arctic Shore exhibit believe the money would be better spent on affordable housing for people than animals.
The poll question, “Calgary Zoo plans to spend $133m on its Arctic Shore exhibit. What do you think?” ran from July 17 to August 3.
Of the 33 who voted, 15 or 45.5% said “We should invest in affordable housing for people, not animals.”
“The zoo is a community project and deserves our full support,” said nine voters. (27.3%).
Another nine voted: “I would like to see the details on how the tab came to $133 million.”
http://www.albertaindex.com/content/view/192/1/
Panda joins outrage over Chinese food
Mon 6 Aug 2007, 8:05 GMT
BEIJING (Reuters) - A panda at a zoo in northwestern China, unimpressed with the food offered at his new lodgings, erupted with rage and sunk his teeth into a staff member's flesh instead, local media reported on Monday.
Lan Zai, a male panda at Wuquanshan zoo in Lanzhou, capital of Gansu province, put zoo worker Xiao Zhang in hospital with multiple bite and scratch wounds to his arms and legs after a fierce attack on Saturday, according to a newspaper report posted on the official Xinhua news agency Web site.
"Lan Zai had only been there a week and had not acclimatised to Lanzhou," the report quoted a zoo official as saying.
http://africa.reuters.com/odd/news/usnPEK47551.html
Poll: 56 percent support property tax to help fund Detroit Zoo
8/6/2007, 7:18 a.m. EDT
The Associated Press
ROYAL OAK, Mich. (AP) — More than half of residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties say they would support a regional property tax to help fund the Detroit Zoo, according to poll results published Monday.
The poll of 798 adults in the three counties, conducted July 29 to Wednesday for the Detroit Free Press and WDIV-TV, found 56 percent favor the idea, 36 percent said they oppose the idea and 8 percent were unsure.
The margin of error was plus or minus 3.5 percentage points for the poll, conducted by Selzer & Co. of Des Moines, Iowa.
http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/business/index.ssf?/base/news-46/1186395253295810.xml&storylist=mibusiness
Hogle Zoo Hopes To Avoid "Plan B"
Aug 06, 2007 by Eric Ray
SL County Council To Decide Fate of $65 Million Bond Tomorrow
(KCPW News) The fate of a $65 million bond request from Hogle Zoo is expected to be decided by the Salt Lake County Council tomorrow. Zoo Director Craig Dinsmore says the longer they wait to begin the improvements, the more expensive the project becomes. The zoo's master plan has been in place since 1998, however circumstances like 9/11 and discussions of relocation have kept the zoo from moving forward. Several council members say they expect the vote over whether to put the bond on November's ballot to be a close one.
http://www.kcpw.org/article/4083
Indianapolis Zoo to Temporarily Close Oceans Exhibit
The Indianapolis Zoo says it plans to temporarily close The Oceans exhibit from September 4-13. The zoo says during the time crews will complete some modifications to the renovated building. The zoo says the closing will not affect the outdoor viewing areas for the polar bear, sea lion and seal exhibits.
http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=24800
Okapi Calf To See a Bigger World!
Posted at 9:54 am August 6, 2007 by John Michel
As promised, Sukari’s keepers wanted to let you all know when she’ll be venturing into the exhibit for the first time with mom Safarani. First, though, a little update on her first 25 days. You may recall from previous blogs (see Sukari the Okapi at 3 Weeks) that okapis grow remarkably fast, doubling their birth weight in the first 3 to 4 weeks, tripling it in 8 weeks. Sukari’s birth weight was 26.2 kilograms (57.64 pounds). At age 21 days, it was 50.55 kilograms (111.21 pounds). On August 4, at age 25 days, it was up to 56.55 kilograms (124.21 pounds). With our biggest female, Kelle, hovering around 330 kilograms (726 pounds), it would appear that little Sukari will rival Kelle’s size in a very short while.
http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/okapi-calf-about-to-see-a-bigger-world/
Boo At The Zoo Tickets Go On Sale Monday
Zoo To Sell Discount Tickets For $6
POSTED: 12:12 pm EDT August 6, 2007
UPDATED: 12:24 pm EDT August 6, 2007
CLEVELAND -- Tickets to a popular Halloween event at the Cleveland MetroParks Zoo are going on sale Monday.
Boo at the Zoo tickets will be $6 per person if you buy them by Sept. 30. On Oct. 1, the price will increase to $7 per person.
Children under 2 are free, and Cleveland Zoo members will get a $1 discount for anyone covered by their membership.
Tickets can be purchased at the zoo box office or at www.clemetzoo.com.
Boo and the Zoo runs Oct. 18-21 and Oct. 25-28 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
http://www.newsnet5.com/entertainment/13830281/detail.html
The St. Louis Zoo: Part Two
Category:
Posted on: August 6, 2007 9:28 PM, by afarensis, FCD
Next up was Big Cat Country.
Others had the camera and all they took pictures of was a leopard:
http://scienceblogs.com/afarensis/2007/08/06/the_st_louis_zoo_part_two/
Penguins Go to the Zoo
A man drives to a gas station and has his tank filled up. The gas pumper spots two penguins sitting in the back seat of the car. He asks the driver, "What's up with the penguins in the back seat?"
The man in the car says "I found them. I asked myself what to do with them, but I haven't had a clue."
The clerk ponders a bit then says, "You should take them to the zoo." "Hey, that's a good idea," says the man in the car and drives away.
The next day the man with the car is back at the same gas station. The clerk sees the penguins are still in the back seat of the car.
"Hey, they're still here! I thought you were going to take them to the zoo." "Oh, I did," says the driver, "And we had a swell time. Today I am taking them to the beach."
http://bussorah.blogspot.com/2007/08/penguins-go-to-zoo-man-drives-to-gas.html
Giant panda gives birth to her 4th cub at San Diego Zoo
08/06/2007
Sixteen-year-old Bai Yun gave birth to the cub on Friday at San Diego Zoo in the United States, after a two and a-half hour labour.
A giant panda at San Diego Zoo in the United States has given birth to her fourth cub.
Sixteen-year-old Bai Yun gave birth to the cub on Friday after a two and a-half hour labour.
Bai Yun was put on 24-hour watch after a foetus and foetal heartbeat were detected through ultrasound images on July 18.
The cub's gender will not be determined for months, zoo officials said.
The panda showed signs of going into labour early on Friday, getting restless and frequently shifting position in a private den.
When the cub finally arrived, Bai Yun quickly scooped it up and clutched it to her breast.
http://www.eitb24.com/new/en/B24_60628/life/SAN-DIEGO-UNITED-STATES-Giant-panda-gives-birth-to-her-4th/
Aussie chicks the best - London Zoo
Article from: The Associated Press
August 07, 2007 12:00am
TWO tawny frogmouths have hatched on the same day at London Zoo.
You wouldn't expect a wet British summer to herald the arrival of more Australians in the UK, but the two of the owl-like species laid eggs on an especially wet weekend in July.
Rita and Tig's eggs have both hatched, producing two healthy chicks after nine barren years.
The chicks have been named Thunder and Storm.
Senior bird keeper Adrian Walls said London Zoo staff were delighted.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22206431-663,00.html
Snow leopard cubs make their zoo debut
Rare animals born here as part of international breeding program to keep `amazing' species alive
Aug 07, 2007 04:30 AM
Tamara Cherry
Staff Reporter
Times have certainly changed for the critically endangered snow leopard.
In 1973, author Peter Matthiessen set out on a five-week pilgrimage into the Himalayas with four Sherpas and 14 porters in hopes of catching a glimpse of the rare animal.
But these days, Torontonians need go no farther than the Toronto Zoo, where two of the cubs recently made their public debut.
http://www.thestar.com/News/article/243744
Pittsburgh Zoo's rare tiger cubs turn 1
By Tribune-Review
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Pittsburgh's rare tiger cubs will celebrate their first birthday on Wednesday.
The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium will treat Amur tiger cubs Mara and Petya to special cakes filled with treats at 9 a.m. tomorrow.
The cubs are among less than 200 Amur, or Siberian, tigers in American zoos. There are about 400 in the wild. Their birth marked the first introduction of their mother's bloodline into the captive population.
Their sister died at about 5 weeks old from birth defects.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/breaking/s_521018.html
Bus trip to head to Bronx Zoo
The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County will charter a third bus for an Aug. 15 trip to the Bronx Zoo.
Due to popular demand, a third bus is being added to the trip. The public is invited and can register by calling 772-8953. The cost is $55 per person or $50 per person when buying four or more tickets that include transportation and admission fees.
— Chris Tevyaw
http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070807/NEWS01/70807013
Flooding closes zoo
Posted by Laura Johnston August 07, 2007 12:49PM
The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo closed today because of flooding, the worst since 1994, spokeswoman Sue Allen said.
Between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., Big Creek -- a tributary of the Cuyahoga that flows through the lower portion of the zoo -- overflowed its banks, Allen said. Director Steve Taylor decided to close the zoo at 11 a.m.
The zoo animals in the flooded area were moved inside or to higher ground, she said. All are fine.
Day campers also moved to higher ground until their parents picked them up, she said. And a few visitors went home as water crept into the parking lot and the box office.
"It was like a monsoon when I came into work this morning," Allen said.
http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2007/08/flooding_closes_zoo.html
Zoo concerts ride off into the sunset
Sunsets at the Zoo concert series ends after a jamming good time.
By GABRIEL PETERSON
Contributing writer
The Ron Kobayashi Trio concluded the annual Sunsets at the Zoo Summer Concert Series on Sunday. The event was the last of three hosted at the Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park.
Admission for the evening was $10 for non-zoo members and included cookies and coffee provided by Above All Catering as well as free rides on the Zoo's famed train.
Various art vendors were set up around the stage, including the Orange County Gourd Society. Guests were invited to bring a picnic dinner, a blanket, and family members and friends from 5:30-7:30 pm.
http://www.ocregister.com/news/zoo-ron-kobayashi-1799793-ribble-rip
Maryland Zoo helps Mountain Gorillas
Posted By: sherrie johnson
Baltimore, MD (ABC 2 News) The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is stepping up to the plate to protect endangered Mountain Gorillas.
Last week four of the endangered Mountain Gorillas were brutally killed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
One of those gorillas was 5-month old Ndeze’s mother. Someone has been shooting the gorillas with AK-47’s.
Someone shot and killed Ndeze’s mother. Fortunately, a team of veterinarians reached the orphaned gorilla in time.
Without the proper milk and other fluids, Ndeze would also have died. There are about 700 Mountain Gorillas left in the world.
http://www.abc2news.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=89a04a5a-4726-4c44-87b0-4c78c8e80bbb
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