Zoos

There's a new chick in town (Video)
By LANA BERKOWITZ
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle
The red bird of paradise population has grown by one, thanks to the breeding program at the Houston Zoo. Only three other zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums have red bird of paradise, according to bird curator Hannah Bailey, and the Houston chick is thriving.
Zoo keepers don't know yet if it's male or female, but the newcomer that hatched in June already is almost as big as its mother.
The chick whizzes around a wire enclosure it shares with its mother in the off-exhibit breeding area. It hides in a small ficus tree when strangers approach.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/5145709.html



Won’t Somebody Please Think Of The Animals?
With so many people asking for money and worthy fundraising organizations, how do you decide where to send your donations (if anywhere)?
I tend to stick with animals. As a kid I used to do voluntary work at the local RSPCA, which involved a few icky chores like cleaning out litter trays, but I also got to take the dogs for a walk and play with the kittens (that’s me on the right, in the pic These days I’m less hands-on because I move around a lot, but I still donate a monthly amount to them, which goes towards animal vaccinations and food.

http://www.richminx.com/2007/09/sponsoring-an-animal/



Zoo celebrates six tiny mouths to feed ... carefully
Claire Low
Far from the 4m reptiles they will one day become, these six baby alligators at the National Zoo and Aquarium are positively cute, with scaly 50cm bodies, armour-plated backs and soft, custard-coloured bellies.
The seven-month-old American alligators have pearly white teeth and claws that seem no more fearsome than a cat's.
The Yarralumla zoo's latest additions, unveiled yesterday, will be on display throughout the school holidays and will make cameo appearances for keeper talks and zoo tours.
Visitors will be able to touch them and take photographs under close supervision from a keeper, who will keep the reptiles calm.

http://canberra.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=news&subclass=general&story_id=1058000&category=general

Dated :

Reverand mucks in to help out zoo
WHEN Rossall school chaplain Stephen Cooper was asked to dig deep for charity, he never imagined this.
The gutsy padre asked pupils for their suggestions for his annual Chaplain's Challenge and promised he would take on any task they could dream up.
So the mischievous scamps told him to strap on his wellies and clean out the piles of steaming dung from the elephant enclosure at Blackpool Zoo.
Never one to turn his nose up at hard work, Reverend Cooper armed himself with a shovel, took a deep breath and got on with the job.
He said: "When the children set the challenge to spend a day shovelling elephant poo, they did it for a bit of a laugh.
"But it turned out to be a great education for them and for me.
"It was an interesting way to raise money to support the Biodiversity Elephant Conservation Trust schools awareness program in Sri Lanka – which will educate people in areas where humans are encroaching on the natural habitat of elephants – but one I was glad to complete."
With the support of a few willing helpers from Rossall's

http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/ViewArticle.aspx?SectionID=62&ArticleID=1847074



Animals moved to warm cages in Krasnoyarsk zoo
10/24/2006 6:43:37 PM
Some of Krasnoyarsk animals have already moved to warm cages in Krasnoyarsk flora and fauna park "Royev Ruchey". Virtually all the birds were removed to warm lodgings, except for predators: eagles, golden eagles, owls and black kites.
All of heat-loving animals moved to closed cages, zoo deputy-director Yury Makhrov said. Most of ungulate animals, such as camels, roes, deer, bisons, along with bears will spend the winter outside.
According to Makhrov, bears have cages with artificial lairs in the zoo. So zoo keepers hope bears would sleep there in winter. 'Our bears usually sleep until spring. They may sometimes wake up at thaw season and roam around the cage,' Makhrov told a KNews correspondent, 'We try not to pay attention to them and not to feed them, as bears are to sleep in winter. They fall asleep again soon.'
It is worth mentioning that there are nine bears in "Royev Ruchey" in total. Only seven of them are dormant in winter. Two white bears do without hibernation.

http://english.newslab.ru/news/204313



It's a zoo trying to keep up at Audubon
NEW ORLEANS — One of the white tigers at Audubon Zoo lazily approaches his lagoon and paws at stagnant, antifreeze colored water.
The algae-choked water is one example of maintenance issues zoo officials say have gone unchecked following Hurricane Katrina’ devastating aftermath.
But addressing these fixes, many of which predate the storm, holds top priority today, according to Audubon Nature Institute President and CEO Ron Forman.
During the 14 months following Hurricane Katrina, a shallow labor pool plagues all New Orleans employers. The zoo staff decreased 30 percent from 500 employees pre-Katrina to about 350 after the storm, which created challenges for the facility.
One answer is shorter hours. Opening five days a week instead of seven will help the staff handle maintenance concerns, said Forman, who maintains Audubon Zoo is ahead of the post-K curve.

http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/UpToTheMinute.cfm?recID=7057



'Boo At The Zoo' Could Be Traffic Nightmare
Created:10/27/2006 1:37:41 PM
Last Updated:10/29/2006 8:34:07 PM
The National Zoo is issuing a traffic advisory for the 3000 block of Connecticut Avenue and the neighborhoods of Cleveland Park and Woodley Park in Northwest this weekend.
The wildly popular "Boo at the Zoo" event will bring more than 6,000 people to the zoo both Friday and Saturday nights, backing up traffic in the area.
The zoo strongly encourages Boo at the Zoo attendees to take public transportation and members of the public to avoid the Northwest stretch of Conn. Ave.
There are several factors that will make the traffic even worse this year, organizers say.
On Friday, the Boo at the Zoo event runs from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. and parts of Conn. Ave. will be closed and lanes shifted due to road work.
There is also a large event at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel at 2660 Woodley Rd.
On Saturday, all those factors still exist, along with a special event at the Uptown Theater at 3426 Conn. Ave.

http://www.wusa9.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=53117



Blind people 'see' animals at new exhibition
Pretoria, South Africa
18 October 2006 03:14
Blind people will for the first time be able to "see" animals at the National Zoological Gardens in Pretoria, thanks to a new exhibition that opened on Wednesday.
The exhibition allows visually handicapped people to touch animal trophies while a guide explains the animals' features and habitat. The visitors are also able to hear the sound that the animal makes.
"When friends tell me how big an animal is or what colour it is, it does not mean much for me, but now I have felt the giraffe's eye lashes or the teeth of the baboon. It is just wonderful," explained Andre Manders of the South African National Council for the blind.
The exhibition, which was the brainchild of the Friends of the Zoo, has over 200 examples of 68 different kinds of animal.
Hennie Pauley, chairperson of the Friends of the Zoo, said private collectors from all over South Africa donated the trophies. It includes mounted trophies of animals, but also full-sized animals.
"I hope the visitors could form their own picture of the size and the look of the animal," said Pauley.
Visitors also received Braille pamphlets with further information on the animals.
Although the exhibition will run only for two weeks, zoo director Willie Labuschagne on Tuesday announced that a grant of R1-million has been received to build a permanent exhibition.
Over 600 000 people visit the zoo each year and Labuschagne said he hoped the new exhibition would make it a worthwhile visit for the blind. -- Sapa

http://www.mg.co.za/articlepage.aspx?area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__national/&articleid=287077



Pandas Get New Home At National Zoo
New Exhibit Part Of $53 Million Asia Trail
POSTED: 8:52 am EDT October 18, 2006
UPDATED: 9:02 am EDT October 18, 2006
WASHINGTON -- The panda bears at Washington's National Zoo have a new home.
The 1-acre playground includes shade trees and a water-cooled cave for the three bears.
Some people braved rainy conditions Tuesday to see the animals in their new habitat.
The new home for the zoo's star attractions is part of a $53 million Asia Trail exhibit that also includes red pandas.
The panda bears have drawn 10 million visitors to the zoo since December 2000. They are on a 10-year loan from China.
The pandas include the father, Tian Tian; the mother, Mei Xiang; and a male cub, Tai Shan. Tai Shan was born in July 2005.

http://www.wesh.com/news/10102392/detail.html



Happy Trails to Zoo
If you're a child of the District, it's a distinct possibility that dozens of trips to the National Zoo over the years formed very strong memories for you. There's the good old reptile house; the good old elephant house; and of course the good old pandas. Even a dozen or so years after my childhood, return trips offered up the same sort of feeling: not much is ever different at the zoo. Which is oddly comforting, but also kind of oddly sad when you keep seeing the animals in their same old enclosures that look like they haven't changed since the 1930s — which is because they probably haven't.

http://dcist.com/2006/10/18/happy_trails_to.php



Akron Zoo seeking renewal levy
By Mike D’Agruma
SUMMIT COUNTY — On Nov. 7, Summit County voters will see Issue No. 20, a .8-mill renewal levy for the Akron Zoo that would cost the owner of a $100,000 home approximately $2 a month if approved.
The renewal is not a tax increase and would allow the zoo to continue along the same lines of expansion as it has in the past five years, said L. Patricia Simmons, zoo president and chief executive officer.
“Like all zoos and regional attractions, the Akron Zoo must refresh and add exhibits over time to provide up-to-date education and maintain visitorship,” she said. “Continued funding will allow the Akron Zoo to add between six and 10 new exhibits.”

http://www.akron.com/20061019/wzl38.ASP



Catskill zoo's animals up for auction
CATSKILL, N.Y. About a thousand animals including yaks, rhinos and monkeys went on the auction block yesterday at the Catskill Game Farm.
Animals were sold for prices ranging from a few dollars to several thousands.
Boom Boom the Rhino went for $5,500, while 14 Barbado sheep went for $3,250 and a Pygmy donkey was sold for a thousand dollars.
About 300 buyers from around the country traveled to to Catskill to bid on the animals.
The Catskill Game Farm closed its doors October 8th after 73 years in business. The owners said changing tastes in family entertainment had eroded their clientele over the years.
Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=5559637&nav=4QcS



Boo at the Zoo scares up holiday fun again
By JACOB BENNETT
Courier & Press staff writer 464-7434 or bennettj@courierpress.com
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Creatures will run loose. Eyeballs will be touched. Surgeries will go awry. Toothbrushes will be given away.
Just another year at Boo at the Zoo, the Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden's annual multiday alternative to Halloween trick-or-treating. The event was so popular last year that zoo officials extended the hours; it will now be open from 5 to 8 p.m.

http://www.courierpress.com/news/2006/oct/19/boo-at-the-zoo-scares-up-holiday-fun-again/



Boo at Zoo brings out new breed of animal

AKRON — Exhibit animals are getting some nights off as residents dressed as clowns, witches, superheroes and other characters are converging at the Akron Zoo to provide the bulk of the attraction during the 18th annual Boo at the Akron Zoo.

http://www.akron.com/20061019/wzl41.asp



Power-outage panic kills giraffes in Czech zoo
dpa German Press Agency
Published: Thursday October 19, 2006
Prague- Three young giraffes panicked and died from head injuries during a power outage at a Czech zoo, officials said Thursday. The freak accident occurred Wednesday night as electric lights flickered at the Dvur Kralove Zoo while a utility tried to restore power, which was temporarily disrupted in a wide area of central Czech Republic.
"The lights went on and off, and they got into a panic," said zoo curator Kristina Tomasova.
"Such tall animals are subject to traumatic injuries," she said. "When they panic, giraffes don't see where they are hitting their heads."
Killed were a one-year-old male, and two females aged 3 months and 4 years. The oldest stood 3 metres tall. The zoo's other 27 giraffes were not hurt.
"We've kept giraffes for 38 years and this has never happened," Tomasova said. "This is very tragic."
© 2006 dpa German Press Agency

http://rawstory.com/news/2006/Power_outage_panic_kills_giraffes_i_10192006.html



Smithsonian's Zoo Opens New Asia Trial
(AP Photo/Kevin Wolf) :: Small-clawedotters are seen in their new home at the National Zoo's new Asia Trail exhibit Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2006, in Washington. The $53 million renovation of nearly six acres about doubles the space for the zoo's three pandas and gives room for a few of their competitors, such as sloth bears and the newly arrived clouded leopards. It also gives visitors, who in the past were kept at a distance, a much closer look at the animals.
By Associated Press
BRETT ZONGKER
Updated: 10/19/2006
WASHINGTON
The Smithsonian Institution's National Zoo opened its new Asia Trial and giant panda habitat Tuesday, the first phase of a complete makeover of the zoo's exhibits.
Seven Asian species now call the $53 million renovated space home. Besides the zoo's three popular giant pandas, the exhibit includes a larger, more prominent space for sloth bears, fishing cats, red pandas, clouded leopards, a Japanese giant salamander and Asian small-clawed otters.
''Visitors are treated to up close views,'' said Susan Ades, head of exhibit design for the zoo. ''You can see, hear, touch and even smell the zoo's science.''
Many of the exhibits on the nearly quarter-mile Asia Trail were designed based on observations of animal behavior by zoo scientists, officials said. Because the giant pandas enjoy the water, their new home includes a waterfall and shallow pools, curator Lisa Stevens said. There are more rocks and trees to climb, and fog machines that help simulate the pandas' natural environment in China.

http://www.happynews.com/news/10192006/smithsonian-zoo-opens-new-asia-trial.htm



19 October 2006
Zoo's Asia Trail Leads to Conservation
Smithsonian and Fujifilm join forces on new giant panda habitat
By Lea Terhune
Washington File Staff Writer
Washington -- It rained on the grand opening of the Fujifilm Giant Panda Habitat and Asia Trail exhibit at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, but that did not bother the pandas. The famous bear family lounged and played in the downpour, enjoying their refurbished home. Tian Tian, the adult male, retreated to the custom grotto in his enclosure, but Mei Xiang and her cub Tai Shan nuzzled each other on the man-made hillside. Then Tai Shan rolled on his back and browsed the bamboo for a snack.

http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2006&m=October&x=20061019165825mlenuhret0.2359888



Creation of forest park, mini zoo in Palawan urged

Thursday, October 19 2006 @ 06:13 PM BST
Tourism
A board member in this island province has urged Governor Joel T. Reyes to establish a provincial forest park and mini zoo as additional tourist attractions in the province.
Board Member Mark Madamba said the provincial park will showcase the vast forest products that can only be found in the province such as Narra, Kamagong, Rattan and other plant and tree species.
Madamba said on the other hand, the mini zoo will display abundant exotic and indigenous animals and birds such as Palawan bearcat, Talking Mynah or "kiao," mousedeer and Palawan peacock.
The animals and birds, some of them endangered, could be preserved and protected in the mini zoo, he added.
The forest park can also serve as Boy and Girl Scouts camping site and picnic area for tourists. (PNA)
-- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by Balita MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

http://www.bayanihan.org/html/article.php/20061019181345561



Groudbreaking for new zoo exhibit
By Ian Schwartz
Posted: Thursday, October 19, 2006 at 6:03 p.m.
PEORIA -- About $28 million later, the expansion of Peoria's Glen Oak Zoo is officially underway.
Members of the Peoria Zoological Society, the Peoria Park Board and Peoria Park District broke ground on the zoo's Africa exhibit Thursday.
It will serve as home to animals like giraffes, white rhinoceros and lions.
Director of Development Jan Schweitzer said once the work is complete the public will be amazed.
"It's not anything we've had. The zoo's been in town for over 50 years but nothing like this,” Schweitzer said. “I think it really brings us up to the current age and gets more people involved and it's really going be great for the community."
The expansion project will triple the size of the zoo from seven to 21 acres.
It is expected to be complete by 2008.

http://www.hoinews.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=19932



Woodland Park Zoo conservationist devotes her life to tracking and protecting the elusive tree kangaroo
By CECELIA GOODNOW
P-I REPORTER
Ten thousand feet up, in the misty forests of Papua New Guinea, lives a rare, fuzzy creature with the face of a bear cub, the tail of a monkey and the pouch of a marsupial.
This is the elusive tree kangaroo, a creature that has mesmerized Seattle's Lisa Dabek since she was a University of Washington grad student two decades ago.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/lifestyle/289336_kangaroo20.html



Parents, children enjoy night of extra animal treats at zoo
By Tammy Walquist
Deseret Morning News
Published: Oct. 17, 2006 1:25 p.m. MDT
After her grandchildren returned from a stint of living in Guam, Carolyn Hollingshead felt it would be beneficial for the three, ages 5, 10 and 14, to experience an evening of Halloween fun at Hogle Zoo.
Hollingshead brought her grandchildren to Night of the Living Zoo Oct. 12. The evening featured a dinner with Halloween-themed menu items, visits from some of the zoo's creepiest crawlers and a night tour.
"I think it's really great. (My husband and I) are excited about the things happening," she said.

http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,650198831,00.html



Despite shortcomings, Bellary Zoo attracts visitors
Friday October 20 2006 12:27 IST
BELLARY: Forest Department is gearing up to attract tourists to its Zoo during the Hampi Utsav to be held from November 3 to 6, this year.
All these years, this 25 year old Bellary Zoo and Children Park, which houses 338 animals till March end this year, is failed to attract tourists in a large number, due to the lack of publicity.
But, this time, the Tourism and Textiles Minister B Sreeramulu, who is hailing from Bellary, also shows keen interest in developing this Zoo.
Because of personnel interest of Minister and the concerned officials of Forest Department, Zoo is expecting outside visitors in large number.

http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEK20061020020554&Page=K&Title=Southern+News+-+Karnataka&Topic=0



Zoo orangutan ready for wild life
Adam Gartrell
October 27, 2006 08:00am
SHE is only 14 years old, but Temara the Sumatran orangutan is about to embark alone on a great adventure.
After spending her entire life in captivity at Perth Zoo with her mother, Puteri, she will travel next week to her new home in the rainforests of Indonesia.
She will be released into a protected Indonesian national park as part of an international effort to re-establish a population of the critically endangered species.
It will be the first time a zoo-born orangutan has been released into the wild.

http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,20653831-2761,00.html



Zoo matchmakers get male chimps from Germany
October 27 2006 at 11:49AM
New Delhi - After years of waiting, two female chimpanzees at the Indian capital's zoo will soon meet their matches, news reports said on Friday.
Two male chimpanzees - Marius and Manni - from the Krefeld Zoo in Germany are prospective mates for female chimps Reeta and Ruby, the Times of India newspaper reported.
"Talks were on for some time to get these chimpanzees from Germany," said zoo director DN Singh. "We finally got them on Wednesday after completing all requisite clearances."
Visitors will have to wait for some time before they can see the German attractions.
"We have quarantined the two chimps for a month. They will be released for mating only after we are satisfied with their health reports," Singh said.
A German doctor accompanying the chimps is keeping a 24-hour watch on their condition, Singh added.
The Delhi zoo authorities have been waiting a long time for the female chimps to procreate. But things have not gone too well with Rustam, the sole male chimp at the zoo, and the officials are hoping that Marius and Manni will do the trick.
- Sapa-dpa

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=31&art_id=qw1161936181393B253



Greetings from Santa Barbara Zoo
The Santa Barbara Zoo opened to the public in 1963. The once private estate is located on 30 acres of lush botanical gardens overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Santa Ynez Mountains. The zoo is home to 600 animals. Its most famous resident is a giraffe with a crooked neck named Gemina.

http://www.californiaconnected.org/tv/archives/505



The Charles Dinkin Children Zoo in West Mountains
Was at the Charles Dinkin zoo, amazing amazing place, graded the world's better.
Entrance was 45 pounds. The zoo opens at 530 am and closes at around 11pm.
there were was only 1 bus which is at 1145pm, because the walk to the bus stop was already 25 minutes from the zoo. hah.
the Quality of the zoo was unbelievable. If enought people gathered, the animals would be fed with live food. Even if there wasn't,
a friendly wave would have the zoo keepers at ur call. Inside the zoo were audubon's greater bush rats, sudiguan's pack giraffes and the much less known folie fowl.
So great was Charles Dinkin that a whole musuem which is bigger then the zoo itself, ( the zoo is has a 2km wide pond ) was erected in his honour.
Elephants were still in cages though, but in a royal sort of way. They had their choice of food of varieties. the cage was 100 meters at the longest point and the ceiling almost 20 feet.
Cages were washed every hour.

http://deadsense.livejournal.com/21420.html



London Zoo hires Whitewater to boost donations
by Joe Lepper Brand Republic 27-Oct-06, 07:00
LONDON - London Zoo has hired Whitewater without a pitch to handle direct marketing activity for its fundraising campaigns and specifically boost the number of legacies and donations from individual supporters.
The Zoological Society of London, which runs London Zoo and Whipsnade Wild Animal Park, in Bedfordshire, has briefed the agency to develop legacy marketing strategies and launch its first supporter...
To access this article and take part in all of the content and community features
of Brand Republic and its associated sites, you will need to register via the link below.

http://www.brandrepublic.com/login/News/601011/



Triplet Lion Cubs Born At N.C. Zoo
POSTED: 11:07 am EDT October 26, 2006
UPDATED: 5:49 pm EDT October 27, 2006
ASHEBORO, N.C. -- Officials with the North Carolina Zoo said the zoo's female lion, Sala, gave birth to three cubs this week. It marked just the second lion-cub birthing at the park since 1983.
Because of the cub's fragility, particularly in the first few weeks of their life, and the need for the mother to keep the cubs isolated, they will not be exhibited to the public until at least spring, officials said.
So far, the cubs have been viewed only on closed-circuit TV inside the den. But keepers are able to closely monitor the cubs on the TV system, and the infants appear healthy.

http://www.wxii12.com/news/10164699/detail.html




Thousands visit zoo during three days of Eid holidays
Published: Thursday, 26 October, 2006, 09:10 AM Doha Time
Staff Reporter
A group of visitors pet a lion cub at the zoo
OVER 30,000 people visited the Doha Zoo during the first three days of Eid al-Fitr, the zoo’s director, Hamad al-Yazidi said yesterday.
Al-Yazidi said that bachelors constituted the majority of the 8,000 visitors who came to the zoo on the first day of Eid as families preferred to devote the first day to fostering social and family ties.
However, the second and third days of Eid witnessed a huge rush from both expatriate and Qatari families, he said.
“Over 20,000 tickets have been issued on the second and third days of Eid,” he said.
“For the first time this year, the zoo invited groups from outside to present entertainment shows to the visitors,” al-Yazidi said.
“We are trying to give the visitors a joyful experience which is not limited to seeing the wild animals alone,” he said.
“There are so many activities to attend to and children are given free toys inside the zoo.
Visitors can have fun at the various animal shows, the desert corner, and also enjoy free rides on horses and camels,” he pointed out.
He said the zoo will be expanded to make it a major attraction of Qatar. “We are conducting a study about expanding the zoo and bringing in more rare animals from around the world,” he said.

http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=114421&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16



Woodland Park Zoo offers three howling nights of Halloween fun
By Allison Espiritu
10/25/2006
Lions and tigers and pumpkins - oh, my!
North End families are encouraged to get those costumes, strollers and trick-or-treat bags ready because more than 1,000 jack-o'-lanterns will light up Woodland Park Zoo from the South Gate Plaza to the Family Farm starting Friday, Oct. 27, through Sunday, Oct. 29.
In collaboration with Bartell Drugs, the zoo's fifth-annual Pumpkin Prowl offers "three howling nights" of fun. Two sessions of "howling" are scheduled each night: 5 to 7 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m., except for Sunday, which just offers the earlier session.
The zoo will be filled with spooky Halloween fever as booths from various sponsors offer treats to young goblins, pirates and princesses.
Activities will include a fire dance, haystack maze, puppet shows and a glowing farm, spooky enough to be haunted.
A past Pumpkin Prowler said, "My 7-month-old enjoyed all the pumpkins, lights and costumes, and the activities seem enjoyable to kids. It was a good event for small kids."
This will be an after-hours fund-raiser for the zoo (the animals will all be in bed). Proceeds will benefit animal care, education and conservation programs at the zoo.
A daytime event is also planned. The Pumpkin Bash offers a chance to see hippos, bears, elephants, monkeys, gorillas, lemurs and more eat, smash or stomp on pumpkins on Saturday, Oct. 28, and Sunday, Oct. 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to the zoo's website. A schedule is available at www.zoo.org/bash/bash. html.
For more information or tickets, call the Pumpkin Prowl hot line, 615-0076, or go on-line to www.zoo.org/pprowl.html.

http://www.pacificpublishingcompany.com/site/tab8.cfm?newsid=17378215&BRD=855&PAG=461&dept_id=515218&rfi=6



West Nile virus may have killed zoo's polar bear
By Joseph Hall
Toronto Star
TORONTO (Oct 25, 2006)
The Toronto Zoo's largest carnivore was likely felled by a mosquito and the lethal West Nile virus it carried.
Kunik, one of two polar bears on display at the zoo, began having trouble using his hind legs Sept. 19 and was put down for humane reasons two days later. If confirmed, it would be the first known case of a polar bear contracting the ailment.
One of the facility's most popular attractions for a quarter-century, the 545-kilogram bear underwent a post-mortem examination at the Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph.
"It sure looks like (West Nile) right now," says zoo vet Jean Pare. "It's certainly rare in polar bears."
The 26-year-old polar bear was put down Sept. 21 after its back legs became paralyzed, likely as a result of encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain, caused by the virus.
Born in the Northwest Territories in 1980, Kunik was an orphaned cub when he was brought to the zoo later that year.
Polar bears rarely live much past 30 years in captivity, so Kunik was nearing the end of his life.
Bisitek, the zoo's female polar bear, Kunik's pen mate for 20-plus years, was thought to be taking the loss in stride.

http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=hamilton/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1161726633800&call_pageid=1020420665036&col=1014656511815



Wgtn Zoo defends cheetah experience
Oct 26, 2006 3:27 PM
Wellington Zoo officials are dismissing claims their programme allowing cheetahs out to attend public functions is dangerous.
For $2,500 people can have the zoo's two adult cheetahs, with trainers, at their function for around 40 minutes.
The zoo's copped criticism from animal rights groups, and now two Dutch zoos have condemned the programme, calling it dangerous and uneducational.
Wellington Zoo's acting CEO Mauritz Basson says cheetahs are timid animals, posing little threat to humans.
He says several other top zoos around the world allow their cheetahs out, including San Diego, Taronga Zoo in Sydney and Melbourne Zoo.
Basson says getting people involved with the animals first-hand is the best way to teach them about conservation.
Source: Newstalk ZB

http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/488120/871003



The Austin Zoo comes to the rescue, for kids as well as animals
Don't expect a major urban zoo, but families and animals seem pleased anyway
By James L. Haley
Friday, October 27, 2006
Ever since the so-called "zoo revolution" broke out some 40 years ago, all zoos have been about learning.
With the Austin Zoo, however, children's education carries a special meaning. Kids here experience a wide range of animals, from the cute — capuchin monkeys (the kind associated with organ grinders), prairie dogs and coati-mundis — to the majestic. Children in love with Walt Disney's "The Lion King" can see the real thing here only yards away in Solomon, a magnificently maned 10-year-old African lion, and his mate, 12-year-old Cymba.

http://www.austin360.com/arts/content/recreation/stories/xl/2006/10/26cover.html



Hard work helps Naples Zoo bounce back from devastated to 'fantastic'
By Laura Layden
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
After Hurricane Wilma tore up animal exhibits and smashed fences at the Naples Zoo a year ago, David Tetzlaff chased down kangaroos and deer that roamed free, returning them to safety.
Photo by Garrett Hubbard / Daily News
Mark Roberts, his daughter Brynn, 5, and her grandmother Pauline Roberts look into the kangaroo exhibit from the rebuilt observation deck at the Naples Zoo on Monday. Fallen trees from Hurricane Wilma damaged the observation deck and the back fence where two kangaroos escaped. They later were recaptured. The kangaroo enclosure also was partitioned to accommodate wallabies, also marsupials, whose exhibit has not been redesigned and rebuilt since the hurricane.
On Tuesday, a year after the storm pounded the landmark attraction, the zoo director was at it again. This time he chased impalas. But it had nothing to do with a storm. The yearlings needed to be put under anesthesia and tested by a veterinarian before getting shipped to another zoo out of state, as part of a breeding program.
“That’s probably the job I enjoy most,” said Tetzlaff, after returning from the unusually cool air outside to his corner office off Goodlette-Frank Road. “I’m not hard-wired for office work. I’m a hands-on guy.”

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2006/oct/25/hard_work_helps_naples_zoo_bounce_back_devastated_/?hurricane_prep



60-yr-old hornbill dies at Lucknow Zoo
Express News Service
Lucknow, October 24: The Lucknow Zoo has lost its “Pitahma” — an Indian Pied Hornbill, believed to be over 60 years old, which died this morning. While its local name is Dhanesh, the hornbill was popularly known as “Pitahmah” or “Raja”. The zoo’s quarterly newsletter, Raja, was named after the hornbill.
‘’It is a great loss to our zoo as most of us were greatly associated with him. He was not eating properly for the last few days. I saw him late last night, when I fed him and gave him tonic too. At around 7:30 am, he responded to teh keepers. But during the keepers’ next round, at 9 am, he was found dead,” said Dr Utkarsh Shukla, the veterinary doctor at the Lucknow Zoo.

http://cities.expressindia.com/local-news/fullstory.php?newsid=206480



St. Louis Zoo officials say baby elephant gaining weight
The Associated Press
Published: October 24, 2006
ST. LOUIS The baby elephant at the St. Louis Zoo is finally gaining weight.

Zoo officials say Maliha, the Asian elephant born Aug. 2, now weighs 343 pounds (154 kilograms), the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Tuesday.

That's only two pounds (900 grams) more than she weighed at birth, but the zoo had been concerned because the elephant had been losing weight.

Zoo officials say Maliha has steadily put on weight since her mother, Ellie, started to take a hormone to stimulate milk production.

Maliha could return to the River's Edge area of the zoo soon, but only if the weather warms up. Otherwise, she is staying inside her barn.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/10/24/america/NA_GEN_US_Baby_Elephant.php



Date: 2006-10-23
Author: Lance Anderson
After two months of freedom, the Riverview Park and Zoo's bobcat is home, safe and sound.
Montana, a four-year-old bobcat, was released from her pen at the zoo sometime Aug. 19/20. She was trapped Sunday off Telford Line in Ennismore, near Emerald Isle, and returned to the zoo. Originally, zoo staff members were led to believe the bobcat was hiding out on an island in that area.
"She's doing really well," says Jack Sisson, the zoo's curator.
A resident spotted Montana Saturday and contacted zoo officials. Zoo staff went to the site and set up a live trap, baiting it with food she ate at the zoo. Mr. Sisson expects the food's familiarity drew the bobcat into the trap.
He adds Montana was well fed, most likely feeding on small rodents, rabbits and grouse found in the area.
Montana will rest in a quiet area at the zoo before being placed back into her pen. In the meantime, a reward is still active for information that leads to the arrest of those responsible for Montana's release from her pen.

http://www.mykawartha.com/article/4930



Ten deer die in MP zoo
By Our Staff Reporter
Bhopal, Oct 23: In a freak incident, as many as 10 deer died after fighting one another at a privately-run zoo at Ujjain. ''A male and nine females perished at the Vikram Vatika zoo managed by the local Bhadoria Group,'' said Forest Department Sub-Divisional Officer DC Vyas while furnishing details of the incident.
Post mortem revealed antler wounds and a departmental inquiry is in progress. The Vikram Vatika, on land belonging to the Vikram University, was handed over to the Municipal Corporation by the varsity. A decade back the corporation leased out the Vatika to the Bhadoria group. Fifty deer are among other animals at the zoo.
Elephant impounded
An elephant used for begging was impounded by the Forest officials at Chhindwada and was being sent to the Kanha national park. As the elephant went berserk after it fell ill, Forest officials seized the pachyderm at village Sitadongri village on Sunday.
Dashrath, Lottan, Sukhdeo and Hariom, who had hired the animal for begging, were also arrested, Chhindwara West DFO Sanjay Shukla said.

http://www.centralchronicle.com/20061024/2410022.htm



Singapore Zoo installs braille interpretives for the visually handicapped
By Julia Ng, Channel NewsAsia Posted: 21 October 2006 1718 hrs
SINGAPORE: The disabled can now look forward to a sensory experience at the Singapore Zoo.
The zoo has revamped the park to make it accessible for all - including the physically and visually handicapped.
It has installed braille signs and life-sized replicas of some animals to enhance the experience for the blind.
45-year-old Adeline Krishnan has never seen an otter before, but now, thanks to the revamped facilities at the Singapore Zoo, blind people like Adeline can size up how animals like kangeroos and Malayan tapirs look like.
The zoo has installed braille interpretive signboards, and life-sized models at 10 of its most popular exhibits like the white tiger, rhinoceros, hippopotamus and proboscis monkeys.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/236828/1/.html


Ex-security guard sentenced to jail for stealing zoo donations
By TRUDI GILFILLIAN Staff Writer, (609) 463-6716
Published: Saturday, October 21, 2006
CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE — A former security guard was sentenced Friday to six months in county jail for stealing from donation boxes at the Cape May County Park & Zoo.
Allen B. Smith, 33, of Lower Township, was arrested in June after park supervisors determined that he was taking money from the donation boxes, which are located at four spots on the grounds.
According to his indictment, Smith stole the money at various times in 2005 and 2006 after reportedly breaking into a maintenance building where keys to the boxes are kept.
Smith, who was initially charged with official misconduct, eventually pleaded guilty to theft, a third-degree crime.
On Friday, Chief Assistant Prosecutor Rob Johnson said Smith took advantage of his position with the county zoo.

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/story/6860547p-6726302c.html



Calgary Zoo Points To Study In Effort To Defend Itself
Oct, 20 2006 - 11:20 AM
CALGARY/AM770CHQR - The Calgary Zoo is hailing a new study called "Why Zoos and Aquariums Matter."
The zoo has been embroiled in controversy over plans to exhibit polar bears and whales in its new Arctic Shores project.
Among other findings, the study says visits to zoos prompt people to reconsider their own role in environmental problems and conservation and that people feel zoos play an important role in conservation education and animal care.
The Calgary Zoo says over a million people have visited so far this year and 400 thousand have attended interpretive lectures.
Brian Keating, with the zoo, says the Arctic is melting, threatening the habitats of many species including polar bears, musk ox, seals and whales.

http://www.770chqr.com/news/news_local.cfm?cat=7428218912&rem=50292&red=80121823aPBIny&wids=410&gi=1&gm=news_local.cfm

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