Accreditation in hand, NEW Zoo looks to future
Facility one of 216 in nation to receive designation
By Sara Boyd
sboyd2@greenbaypressgazette.com
Christmas has come early for the NEW Zoo.
The zoo is finally able to cross a much-needed ultrasound machine off its wish list, said director Neil Anderson.
"That was one of those big-ticket budget items that the zoo had difficulty being able to afford," he said. "To have this type of equipment out here is truly fantastic."
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070921/GPG0101/709210596/1207/GPGnews
Zoos build gene pool to save devil
Andrew Darby In Hobart
September 22, 2007
Page 1 of 2 Single page
A BLUEPRINT has been drawn up for a globally pioneering attempt by zoos to save an animal species from disease, with the prospect that the Tasmanian devil will crash to extinction in the wild.
The devil facial tumour disease is scything relentlessly through the marsupial's population, which is thought to have at least halved in a decade.
In the forests and valleys across most of its range, the once common scavenging carnivore has been reduced to scattered remnants, and its night-time banshee growl is only a memory.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/environment/zoos-build-gene-pool-to-save-devil/2007/09/21/1189881777219.html
September 2007
Holiday File
Boo at the Zoo!
Animal adventures go spooktacular
Ah, the age-old Halloween dilemma: Your kids love dressing up and trick-or-treating, but they’re still too young for zombies, werewolves, and fright fests. A fall getaway to one of the country’s most kid-friendly zoos might be just the ticket. These days, zoos across the country are offering family-friendly trick-or-treat events, minus the ghouls and goblins. This makes them ideal for the under-12 set (not to mention their scaredy-cat parents). Here’s how some top-notch zoos are putting the focus on fun, not fright:
http://www.wejustgotback.com/default.aspx?mod=halloween_zoo
The Great Outdoors
Posted at 1:02 pm September 12, 2007 by Suzanne Hall
Many of you have noticed that Bai Yun is increasingly absent from the den these days. This is esentially due to the normal development of the relationship between mother and infant. Once a cub has developed a bit of fat to insulate itself and some fur to help keep it warm, the dam is no longer required to hold the infant so close to aid in thermoregulation. This frees the mother panda up to attend to other things, including her own ever-increasing appetite.
http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/the-great-outdoors/
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo celebrates
125th anniversary with ‘Zoobilee’
By Charles Cassady
Insights
Published Sept. 12, 2007
Will you guys keep it down? It’s getting to be like a zoo in there!
Oh, correction. It is a Zoo in there. Namely, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and RainForest, celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2007 with “Zoobilee,” a day-long celebration with music and fun on Saturday, with extended Zoo hours from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
“We’ve never had a Zoobilee before,” said Tom O’Konowitz of the Zoo’s marketing department. “Because of our 125th anniversary we wanted to have a special party like none we’ve ever had before.”
http://www.westlifenews.com/2007/09-12/insights.html
Zoobilee Raises $650,000 for Zoo
Posted: 12:52 PM Sep 12, 2007
Last Updated: 12:52 PM Sep 12, 2007
The Sedgwick County Zoo’s annual fundraising gala, Zoobilee, is being called a success. The yearly event was held on Saturday and raised more than $650,000.
The theme was Party with the Penguins and offered food and drink samples from nearly 70 restaurants as well as silent and live auctions.
Nearly 6000 people attended the event, which raised is the Sedgwick County Zoo’s largest fundraising effort. Proceeds from the event go to support daily Zoo operation.
As part of the Zoo’s commitment to conservation, a portion of this year’s funds will go to support the Humboldt Penguin Conservation Initiatives in Chile and Peru.
http://www.kake.com/news/headlines/9738792.html
St. Louis Zoo gets endowed
Posted: Wednesday, September 12, 2007 at 1:50 p.m.
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- The Saigh Foundation is giving $1.7 million to the St. Louis Zoo to endow the position of the Fred Saigh curator of the Children's Zoo.
Zoo officials say the endowment will provide for hands-on educational opportunities at the Children's Zoo.
The Children's Zoo features 332 mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians which interact with visitors.
Admission to the St. Louis Zoo is free. For the Children's Zoo, admission is $4, but free from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Children's Zoo admission is also free to children age 2 and younger.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
http://www.khqa.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=50192
Flip Top Zoo Chairs Allows Young Children to Sit or Ride
These adorable Zoo Chairs designed by Clement Produse Design have been developed for younger children who can either use them as chairs or play items thanks to their flip top design.
Coming in several animal forms – namely Elephant, Camel and Horse – there’s just something we love about these and we don’t doubt that young children will take to them like an Elephant/Camel/Horse to water.
Unfortunately, at the time of writing, we are unable to ascertain pricing as the entire range of these Zoo Chairs appears to have completely sold out, though we would hope that further stock will become available soon.
http://www.e-potpourri.com/index.php/2007/09/13/flip-top-zoo-chairs-allows-young-children-to-sit-or-ride/
Strapped schools to give zoo $200,000
Seminole will honor its promise in the face of likely losses. The cash covers student discounts.
Dave Weber Sentinel Staff Writer
September 13, 2007
SANFORD - There may not be enough cash for kids in Seminole County schools this year, but there is money for monkeys.
School-district officials are worried that they may lose as much as $9.4 million in funding because of a slump in state revenues. Declining enrollment this year will cut state funding, too. And the prospect of Florida voters in January changing the way property is taxed for schools and other agencies could mean the loss of millions more.
Despite the bleak financial picture, the School Board approved its annual $200,000 donation to the Central Florida Zoo near Sanford, fulfilling a promise made several years ago.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/seminole/orl-zoocash1307sep13,0,7527732.story
Popcorn Park Zoo's gift auction set for Oct. 6 in Toms River
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 09/13/07
BY BONNIE DELANEY
Popcorn Park Zoo's annual gift auction will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Elks Lodge on Clifton Avenue and Washington Street in Toms River.
"Our list of items for the auction continues to grow, thanks to so many businesses and individuals who have provided merchandise and services for the auction," said Roseann Trezza, executive director of the nonprofit Associated Humane Societies, Inc., which operates the zoo in Lacey which cares for hundreds of domestic, wild, exotic and farm animals.
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070913/NEWS02/709130415/1070/NEWS02
Mutant turtle draws visitors at the zoo
Staff Reporter
Yellow turtle at Nandana Kanan Zoo.
BHUBANESWAR: Every time visitors pass by the turtle enclosure in Nandankanan Zoological Park (NZP) here, a distinct member in the enclosure captures the attention of everybody.
http://www.thehindu.com/2007/09/13/stories/2007091356710200.htm
Manatee Nursed By Zoo On Way To Freedom
Lenora Lake, Tribune correspondent
Published: September 13, 2007
Photo Gallery
TAMPA - A 1,050-pound Florida manatee that had been rescued in Corpus Christi, Texas, was released about 11:30 a.m. today in Crystal River in Citrus County.
The 7-year-old male manatee, Texas, had left the zoo on West Sligh Avenue about 9 a.m., accompanied by staff from the Lowry Park Zoo and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. The staff members saw him swim away before starting a return trip to Tampa.
The manatee was loaded from a holding pool by crane into a truck for the trip. A blood sample was taken, and he was patted by the caregivers, a procedure used for "settling them down," said David Murphy, the zoo's veterinarian who oversaw the animal's care.
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2007/sep/13/manatee-nursed-zoo-way-freedom/?news-breaking
Rare giraffe born in Vienna zoo
13 September 2007
VIENNA - A so-called Rothschild giraffe, an endangered sub-species of the ruminant mammal, has given birth to a calf in the Schoenbrunn zoo here, the zoo announced today.
Weighing an estimated 70 kilograms and already topping 1.90 metres in height, the calf, named Akasha, was born at midday yesterday, the zoo said in a statement.
Akasha was "naturally very wobbly on his feet to start with and fell into the muddy ground when he tottered outside. But the baby giraffe had a comfortable first night and was up and around this morning," the zoo said in a statement.
The Rothschild giraffe is one of the most endangered of the nine different sub-species of giraffe and there are only around 500 animals living in the wild in eastern Africa.
The Rothschild giraffe can grow as tall as six metres and weigh as much as 1,900 kilograms and has a life expectancy of around 25 years.
Akasha’s mother, Carla, was also born in captivity in the Dvur Kralove zoo in the Czech Republic.
Vienna’s Schoenbrunn zoo is Europe’s oldest and has had giraffes since 1828.
It announced the birth of a baby panda in August, the first in Europe to be conceived naturally while in captivity.
AFP
http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=563865
Peta presses campaign for zoo closure
By Tina Santos
Inquirer
Last updated 11:20pm (Mla time) 09/13/2007
MANILA, Philippines – Members of the animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) renewed yesterday calls for the closure of all zoos in the country.
Protesters painted from head to toe in bright colors held a lunchtime rally in front of the Manila Zoo and the Botanical Garden in Malate carrying banners that read: “Let animals show their real colors, boycott the zoos.”
The protest was part of Peta’s worldwide campaign against zoos, said Rochelle Regodon, campaigns manager.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/metro/view_article.php?article_id=88443
Zona Zoo may introduce school-spirit scholarships
By: Siobhan Daniel
Issue date: 9/13/07 Section: News
Starting next month, students who exude school spirit may be able to apply for a $1,000 Erin Hertzog Scholarship.
The details for the scholarships are not yet final, but there should be at least three given away, said David Roost,
executive director of Zona Zoo.
"We want someone who appreciates school spirit," he said. "There are plenty of scholarships out there for people with excellent grade-point averages. We want to recognize the sports fans, like the people who get to the games four hours prior just to make sure they get a great seat."
http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2007/09/13/News/Zona-Zoo.May.Introduce.SchoolSpirit.Scholarships-2966654.shtml
Taking flight with a Northwest endangered butterfly
Woodland Park Zoo has participated in the Oregon silverspot butterfly breeding project for the last since 2000. These beautiful butterflies have not been seen in the wild, mostly the dunes and meadows along the Washington, Oregon and northern California coast, since 1990. Wanting to head off extinction, WPZ, along with Oregon Zoo and support from the Washington and U.S. Departments of Fish and Wildlife, The Nature Conservancy, U.S. Forest Service and Lewis and Clark College are "headstarting" silverspots for release at our two zoos. We bring in eggs and care for them over the winter until they pupate. Just last month, staff from WPZ took down 162 pupated silverspots for release into a protected area on the Oregon Coast. In total, we have produced 492 pupae for release.
http://woodlandparkzblog.blogspot.com/2007/09/taking-flight-with-northwest-endangered.html
The Auckland Zoo
http://www.aucklandzoo.co.nz/index.php
Endangered crane may be sent to Seoul: Taipei Zoo
By Mo Yan-chih
STAFF REPORTER
Friday, Sep 14, 2007, Page 2
Dan Dan, an endangered red-crowned crane, walks around its cage at Taipei Zoo yesterday.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE TAIPEI ZOO
A Taipei Zoo official said yesterday that an endangered crane, which has been staying at the zoo after an accident three years ago, may be transferred to South Korea and released into the wild.
The red-crowned crane, dubbed "Dan Dan" (丹丹), was injured at Hsinchu Air Force Base in September 2004 and taken to the zoo for treatment.
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2007/09/14/2003378664
How Racine sewer money becomes zoo money
By Brent Killackey
Journal Times
Thursday, September 13, 2007 9:07 PM CDT
RACINE -- It’s an odd arrangement: Taking funds from the local sewer utility and spending that money on the Racine Public Library, Racine Zoo and the Charles A. Wustum Museum.
Yet that’s exactly what’s spelled out in Section 8 of a 2002 sewer agreement involving Racine County communities east of Interstate 94.
The bulk of the agreement outlined revenue-sharing plans and funding arrangements for a major sewer plant expansion. But the agreement also agreed to spend wastewater utility capital reserve funds — basically a savings account for the utility — on the library, zoo and museum.
For the zoo and museum, the agreement essentially set an annual fixed contribution. The library’s funding increased or decreased to make up for a shortfall in Racine County funding for the library. However, the county was not part of the sewer agreement and did not sign onto it.
In 2007, $609,736 in sewer reserve funds — $146,026 for the library, $330,393 the zoo and $133,317 for the museum — was transferred to the city.
http://www.journaltimes.com/articles/2007/09/13/local_news/doc46e9eb639b9b5304482379.txt
Zoo board chooses California sanctuary for Maggie
By JIM HALPIN
jhalpin@adn.com
Published: September 13, 2007
Last Modified: September 13, 2007 at 02:58 PM
Maggie the elephant, the subject of intense debate this summer, will be heading to the Performing Animal Welfare Society sanctuary in San Andreas, Calif., the Alaska Zoo Board announced Thursday.
http://www.adn.com/front/story/9300026p-9214619c.html
Rare red bird of paradise hatched at Houston Zoo
04:47 PM CDT on Thursday, September 13, 2007
KHOU.com staff report
A rare red bird of paradise, considered near-threatened in the wild, is being raised by its mother at the Houston Zoo. The chick hatched in the Zoo’s off exhibit breeding area following an incubation period of 17 days.
http://www.khou.com/news/local/stories/khou070913_rm_rarebird.ceba371a.html
Home Video entitled, "Isabel Does a Face Plant at the Zoo"
http://media.revver.com/qt/396414.mov
Newborn Hippo cheers animal lovers at Patna Zoo
Posted September 14th, 2007 by Kiran Pahwa
Patna, Sep.14: The birth of a baby hippo at Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park past Monday night (September 10) has spread a wave of cheer among animal lovers and zoo officials here.
Authorities at the Sanjay Gandhi Botanical Park, popularly known as Patna Zoo, said that the baby hippo and its mother were in a healthy condition.
The newborn has been attracting scores of visitors, especially children and women, to the zoo. Visitors are watching the newborn remaining close to its mother and spending most of the time inside the pool at the zoo.
http://www.topnews.in/newborn-hippo-cheers-animal-lovers-patna-zoo-21741
Camera shy tiger cubs make their zoo debut
They're the largest cats on earth, weighing up to 550 pounds when fully grown.
But two Amur tiger cubs born at Brookfield Zoo were scaredy-cats when it came to their first public appearance.
The cautious duo took two days to emerge into the sunshine after four months indoors with mother, Tiara, a 12-year-old Amur tiger.
Keepers flung open the doors of their outdoor enclosure Wednesday but Tiara was the only family member who showed.
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=37715&src=5
Detroit Zoo produces toadlets in captive breeding program
9/14/2007, 12:28 p.m. EDT
The Associated Press
ROYAL OAK, Mich. (AP) — The Detroit Zoo has produced a group of 40 toadlets through a captive breeding program for Wyoming toads that has involved scientists at zoos and universities around the nation.
The endangered species, known as Bufo baxteri, grows to about 2 inches long and weighs less than 30 grams. Its careful camouflage allows the toad to blend into diverse habitats around the Laramie River basin.
"The only ones found in the wild are there because captive breeding programs put them there," Danna Schock, Detroit Zoological Society Curator of Amphibians, told The Daily Tribune for a recent story. "The population can't sustain itself."
http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/michigan/index.ssf?/base/news-46/1189788012182260.xml&storylist=newsmichigan
Young alligator leaves Virginia Zoo, becomes pet
05:12 PM EDT on Friday, September 14, 2007
By Dottie Wikan, WVEC.com
It was a short stay at the zoo for the young alligator captured in Lake Holly in Va. Beach earlier this week.
http://www.wvec.com/news/local/stories/wvec_local_091407_gator_gone_.d2c866e2.html
Pumpkin-loving sculptor seeks inspiration at zoo
Thursday, September 13, 2007 3:31 AM
By Matt Tullis
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Growing huge pumpkins was once Gus Smithhisler's specialty.
Now he focuses on carving and sculpting them.
Smithhisler has turned the facade of a pumpkin into a homage to the Ohio State-Michigan game. He has sculpted at the Indiana State Fair and the Indianapolis 500. Last weekend, he was in Las Vegas to carve pumpkins for the Bellagio hotel-casino.
This weekend and next, the Columbus resident will return for the second annual Jack Hanna Fall Fest at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
http://www.columbusdispatch.com/live/content/weekender/stories/2007/09/13/9A_OUTDOORS_13.ART_ART_09-13-07_T29_7O7SB1R.html?sid=101
Endangered crane may be sent to Seoul: Taipei Zoo
09/14/2007 (Taipei Times)
A Taipei Zoo official said on Thursday that an endangered crane that has been staying at the zoo after an accident three years ago, may be transferred to South Korea and released into the wild.
The red-crowned crane, dubbed "Dan Dan", was injured at Hsinchu Air Force Base in September 2004 and taken to the zoo for treatment.
Zoo director Chen Pao-chung said that South Korea has obtained permission from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) -- an international treaty drafted in 1973 to protect wildlife and prevent international trade from threatening species with extinction -- allowing Taiwan to send the bird to South Korea legally.
With the document, South Korea hopes to take Dan Dan to its zoo in Seoul to build up the bird's muscles before releasing it into the wild.
http://www.taiwanheadlines.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=87927&CtNode=39
Vilas Children's Zoo adds some zip
SANDRA KALLIO
608-252-6181
skallio@madison.com
The goats' glory days are over at Vilas Zoo. Bovid ruminants take a back seat to a 50-foot zip line the other kind of kids will ride from a giant treehouse to a gibbon exhibit in the renovated Children's Zoo, which officially opens at 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
Well, more of it opens.
The opening has been staged, from the Conservation Carousel's first rides in April 2006 to the Conservation Education Pavilion's opening in June 2007, and includes access to the play area and animal exhibits. A few other additions are to come, including a trackless train, flamingo exhibit, new barn and more animals.
http://www.madison.com/wsj/topstories/index.php?ntid=244558&ntpid=1
Zoo carries a message
Senior citizens get glimpse into unknown world
By Jennifer Choi Sun reporter
September 15, 2007
A plant wilted after being touched, but seemed to spring back to life a few minutes later. Hundreds of tiny insects scurried inside petri dishes. Herman, the panther chameleon, caught crickets by swiftly unraveling his tongue.
For years, Lisa Nowakowski has spread the word of environmental awareness in schoolrooms. Yesterday, she took her message -- and some plants and animals-- to Towson's Bykota Senior Center.
As part of her "Survival Show," which focuses on nature's adaptive abilities, she discussed the pitcher plant's ability to lure insects into its deep, tube-like leaves with its sweet nectar. The Mimosa pudica looks anything but appetizing when it temporarily wilts upon being touched. The stapelia flower's odor of rotting flesh attracts certain pollinating bugs.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_county/bal-md.co.reptiles15sep15,0,3365733.story
Rare Tibetan wolf dies in Himachal zoo
Shimla, Sep 15 : A rare Tibetan wolf has died abruptly in a Himachal Pradesh zoo, wildlife officials said here Saturday.
The rare animal found in the Tibetan plateau died Friday at Kufri Nature Park, 16 km from here. The autopsy of the animal has been carried out but the details have not been made public by the authorities.
Four wild animals, including a snow leopard and a brown bear, have died this year at the park that is located 9,000 feet above sea level.
--- IANS
Children's zoo creates added adventure
Bill Novak — 9/15/2007 7:52 am
Kids of all ages will be astounded to find out all that's inside the new children's zoo at the Henry Vilas Zoo.
What other zoo has a tree house, climbing wall, red pandas and diggable dinosaur bones?
Zoo visitors have their first chance to see the new $3 million children's zoo at 1:30 p.m. Sunday when the gates swing open onto a wonderful world of wildlife and playtime.
"It's got everything for fun," said County Executive Kathleen Falk.
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/244677
Naples Zoo plans night tours
By Daily News staff
Saturday, September 15, 2007
The Naples Zoo once again will host night tours this fall and winter.
Zoo Director David Tetzlaff for the sixth year will provide private guided tours of Naples Zoo after night falls.
Visitors will see the nocturnal activities of rare animals in the dark, including tigers and lions using night vision scopes.
After an orientation in the Safari Canyon theater and a review of equipment, Tetzlaff and staff will lead visitors into the darkness for over two hours. For example, there is a night cruise through islands of primates.
Tour Dates in 2007 are Friday, Nov 16; Friday, Nov 30; Friday, Dec 7; Thursday, Dec 13 and in 2008 they are Wednesday, Jan 9; Friday, Jan 11; Wednesday, Jan 30; Friday, Feb 8; Wednesday, Feb 13; Friday, Feb 15 and Wednesday, March 5.
Go to www.napleszoo.org/night for more info and to purchase tickets online.
Only 16 people can go on each tour and they must be strong walkers in good health and sign a release form, zoo officials said, adding that participants must be at least 14 and all minors must be accompanied by an adult..
Cost is $79.95 per person for Naples Zoo members and $89.95 for non-members.
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2007/sep/15/naples_zoo_plans_night_tours/?breaking_news
The Roar Report
http://www.clemetzoo.com/zblog/default.asp?Display=48
Ronit Abramson San Diego Zoo's Arctic Ambassador
Written by San Diego Zoo
Saturday, 15 September 2007
Ronit Abramson, a 16-year-old junior from Canyon Crest Academy, is the San Diego Zoo's "Arctic Ambassador." She is one of 16 students worldwide who has been selected to journey to the Arctic later this month and participate in Polar Bears International's Polar Bear Leadership Camp. This is the fourth year the Zoo has sponsored a student for this concentrated educational retreat.
Polar Bear Leadership Camp is a 10-day learning adventure from Sept. 29 - Oct. 8 in Churchill, Manitoba, which is known as "the polar bear capital of the world."
To prepare Abramson for her upcoming adventure, she spent Sept. 10 working with animal keepers behind the scenes at the San Diego Zoo's Polar Bear Plunge exhibit. Through hands-on experience she learned about bear biology, husbandry and research. She interacted with the bears and helped set up their habitat with food and enrichment items.
http://www.imperialvalleynews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=88&Itemid=2
Volunteers take sneak peek at zoo's Amazonia
A sudden rain shower only added to the magical ambience of the special tour of the magnificent Amazonia exhibit at Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden.
Dan McGinn, the zoo's director, and Friends of Mesker Park Zoo donated a dinner and behind-the-scenes tour as a silent auction item at the recent Evening on the River event. The zoo received a check for $25,000 from the event, presented by Jim Keck, president of the Parks Foundation.
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2007/sep/16/volunteers-take-sneak-peek-at-zoos-amazonia/
El Paso Zoo Wild Things
September 16, 2007
Time: 1 p.m.
Terrible roars! Gnashing of terrible teeth! Rolling of terrible eyes!
Showing of terrible claws! Join us as we have a wild rumpus!
The El Paso Zoo is where the Wild Things are!
We are opening our Zoo doors and inviting another wild thing inside - besides our own wild animals!
Bring the kids to see a storybook character come to life from the book “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak.
This Zoolightful appearance is a joint venture between the El Paso Public Library and the El Paso Zoo as we share resources to bring you more Quality of Life events.
WHAT: A Wild Thing Appearance at the El Paso Zoo
WHEN: Sunday, September 16, 2007: 1:00p.m.
WHERE: El Paso Zoo’s Breezeway area: 4001 E. Paisano. (Off US 54, across from Coliseum)
WHO: Everyone’s invited! Adults $5, Kids 3-13 $3, Zoo Members Free!
http://www.newspapertree.com/calendar/268-el-paso-zoo-wild-things
k1049 BC-NE-ZooClosed 09-15 0398
9/15/2007
Royal zoo's future grows more uncertain each day
ROYAL, Neb. (AP) -- A small, rural zoo temporarily closed until its federally issued license can be renewed may not have the money to operate for much longer.
Zoo Nebraska director Ken "Junior" Schlueter said the attraction has lost operating revenue since the U.S. Department of Agriculture ordered the closure in May. The zoo has been using donations from its Board of Directors and others to feed and house the animals, but has had to shut off its telephone and nonessential electricity, he said.
The board was scheduled to meet next week to discuss how long it can stay afloat.
Schlueter said the USDA inspector has repeatedly told him that the zoo doesn't belong in a small town like Royal.
http://www.hdnews.net/Story/k1049_BC_NE_ZooClosed_09_15_0398
Oregon Zoo hosts sea otter awareness week
Associated Press - September 16, 2007 12:15 PM ET
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - The Oregon Zoo and Defenders of Wildlife celebrate Sea Otter Awareness Week from September 23rd through the 29th.
Zookeepers and the zoo's ocean conservation mascot, Sandy the Sea Otter, help kick off the event. It features interactive activities such as "Where Your Water Goes," which shows how dumping dangerous chemicals down the drain can harm marine wildlife.
http://www.ktvz.com/Global/story.asp?S=7081502
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