Flamingos at the OKC Zoo
http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=1312369553
Pandas: Still at Risk
Posted at 10:08 am November 15, 2007 by Suzanne Hall
The San Diego Zoo has the largest population of giant pandas in the U.S., even with the recent return of Mei Sheng to China. With four animals on site, we are fortunate to be surrounded by these amazing creatures. Sometimes it can be hard to imagine that they are ambassadors of a species in peril. But they are the most endangered bear species in the world.
The World Conservation Union (IUCN) regularly examines the status of species worldwide and assesses their population status and risks of extinction. The “Red List” it provides categorizes animals in a way that makes the conservation status of each species easily identifiable to scientists and laymen alike. Earlier this week, the IUCN’s bear specialist group (BSG) released a report updating the characterization of extinction risk for all of the eight living bear species. Unfortunately, despite improvements in research, captive breeding, and habitat protection in recent years, the giant panda is ranked as the bear species most at risk of extinction.
http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/pandas-still-at-risk/
The Ocean Goes Bananas. . .
Diana Gingles '08
Issue date: 11/15/07 Section: World
Thousands of bananas are washing up in bunches on the beach of Terschelling Island in the Northern Netherlands. A cargo ship lost at least six loads of unripe fruit from Cuba. The green bananas have littered the beaches and the neighboring Ameland Island.
There are no reports of how the bananas tasted after being in the saltwater, but locals are hoping to donate the fruit to local zoos.
This is not the first time the people of Terschelling have had unusual items wash up on their beach. Last year thousands of sneakers, briefcases, and children's toys came in with the tide. Almost 20 years ago there were sweaters that came up on shore.
You might say the people of Terschelling live in beachcomber heaven.
http://media.www.thecowl.com/media/storage/paper493/news/2007/11/15/World/The-Ocean.Goes.Bananas-3107671.shtml
Indonesia seeks OPEC support for forestry cause
Riyadi Suparno, The Jakarta Post, Riyadh
As the host of the upcoming global climate meeting, Indonesia hopes that the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) will support its cause to reduce global warming by absorbing more carbon through the protection of rain forests, Indonesia's energy minister said Friday.
"OPEC is concerned about global issues. The discussion now centers on the global environment. That's good for us who will host the UN climate change meeting in Bali next month," Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said before the OPEC ministerial meeting Friday.
The global fight against emissions, Purnomo said, is not about reducing demand for energy, which is impossible, but about reducing gas emissions via various mitigation efforts, such as through technology intervention and gas absorption by rain forests.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailheadlines.asp?fileid=20071117.B06&irec=5
Lynx on comeback
5:00AM Thursday November 08, 2007
Lynx numbers are up.
MADRID - Numbers of the endangered Iberian lynx are increasing for the first time after decades of decline.
Environment Minister Cristina Narbona said yesterday that Spain aimed eventually "to fix a timetable to remove the lynx from its status as a species under threat of extinction".
Speaking in Seville, where Spain and Portugal signed an Iberian lynx pact to implement protective measures, she promised Madrid would contribute €7 million ($13 million) over four years to support the lynx, in addition to €26 million pledged by the EU.
Two years ago, scarcely 150 lynxes survived in two small colonies in Andalusia. But there are now up to 250 in two colonies in the region. This year 44 cubs were born.
- Independent
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=39&objectid=10474657
Zoo director discusses his great job, unique on-the-job injuries
By Scott Richardson
Srichardson@pantagraph.com
Advertisement
BLOOMINGTON -- John Tobias walked into his career as a zoo director through the side door.
He was working at a tire plant when he decided nature photography would be more to his liking. He became enthralled with zoos during visits to take pictures of animals at a facility in Topeka, Kan., where he lived at the time.
He eventually was hired to work at a zoo in Denver. He transferred to the Minneapolis State Zoo in Apple Valley, designed his own college major in zoo management, graduated and worked at zoos in Indianapolis and elsewhere. He moved to the Twin Cities to become director of Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington in 1991.
It's been a great life, said Tobias, 64. But it's one that has its own unique on-the-job hazards.
"I've been swatted by an elephant and kicked by a camel," said the soft-spoken Tobias, a grin appearing on his bearded face.
No elephants or camels live at the Miller Park Zoo. They're just too expensive to house, he said. But the zoo is home to leopards, tigers and bears, oh my! Lemurs, red wolves and wallabies live there, too. Sea lions and a pair of river otters play in the ponds, and
various creatures slither, flutter, bellow and bark at the park on the city's near southwest side.
Tobias still finds time to take nature photos. Several are displayed at zoo exhibits, and two were used to create an Amazon landscape on the wall of the Rainforest, a year-round, indoor exhibit where visitors can watch colorful birds fly through thick green foliage.
http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2007/11/05/go/doc472f7b7b5640c208006710.txt
Coast in hunt for tourism honours
12:00a.m. 6 November 2007
A kite festival, jazz cruise, cooking school and one of the world’s most famous zoos are among a diverse group of Sunshine Coast operators competing for Queensland’s top tourism honours.
The minister for tourism, regional development and industry, Desley Boyle, said 17 Sunshine Coast enterprises were among more than 200 tourism operators entered in the Queensland Tourism Awards 2007, to be presented in Townsville on Saturday.
“The Queensland Tourism Awards 2007 is the most competitive ever, reflecting high standards of excellence in all sectors of Queensland’s vibrant tourism industry,” Ms Boyle said.
“The Sunshine Coast has operators competing in 14 of 25 Queensland Tourism Awards categories, highlighting the wide range of tourism experiences, services and products on offer.
http://www.thedaily.com.au/news/2007/nov/06/coast-hunt-tourism-honours/
Exhibit to bring changes
BY KARA RHODES
kara.rhodes@timesnews.com
Published: November 06. 2007 6:00Am
The opening of the Erie Zoo's new tiger exhibit will mean new tigers and a new home for Kumar, the zoo's elderly white tiger.
Kumar will stay at the Erie Zoo. At almost 17 years old, he's too old to move to another zoo, said Scott Mitchell, the Erie Zoo's chief executive.
Mitchell said Kumar and the zoo's new Amur tigers will rotate time with Kumar in the new main tiger exhibit and in large holding areas, including one outdoors, that the zoo is also building as part of the renovations.
Mitchell said the Amur tigers will live in the holding areas after they breed and while they care for their young. During those times, he said, Kumar will live primarily in the main exhibit.
The life expectancy of a tiger is 15 to 20 years old, Mitchell said. He said white tigers like Kumar generally don't live that long.
"He's really getting up there, so we don't want to add the stress of moving him to another zoo," Mitchell said. "It might be more than he can handle at this point."
Kumar arrived at the Erie Zoo in April 1994.
http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071106/NEWS02/711060368
One zoological group oversees the management of three zoos–the Melbourne Zoological Gardens, Victoria’s Open Range Zoo, and the Sir Colin MacKenzie Zoological Park. Where is this group located?
Filed under: Zany Zoo, Trivia Questions
8. One zoological group oversees the management of three zoos–the Melbourne Zoological Gardens, Victoria’s Open Range Zoo, and the Sir Colin MacKenzie Zoological Park. Where is this group located?
TBD: It is the Zoological Board of Victoria which manages the Melbourne Zoological Gardens, the Werribee Zoological Park (known as Victoria’s Open Range Zoo at Werribee), and the Sir Colin MacKenzie Zoological Park (Healesville Sanctuary). All the zoos are located in Victoria, Australia.
http://triviabydawggone.com/blog/?p=843
Thinking big when it comes to elephants
Monday, November 12, 2007
T hree decades ago, the Oregon Zoo was considered a world leader on captive Asian elephants. Today, even those representing the zoo admit that's no longer the case. Despite evolving scientific knowledge about elephants and their complex needs, the Oregon Zoo, like most urban zoos, is living in the past. As a result, these endangered animals are needlessly suffering.
Don't get me wrong, it's not for lack of trying. A behind-the-scenes tour leaves no doubt that those who look after Portland's most popular zoo residents are doing what they can within the facility's space limitations. But for years, the zoo has kept six or more elephants confined to pens the size of an average suburban backyard. That might be fine for the family dog, but we now know it's totally inadequate for earth's largest land mammal, which can weigh as much as 10,000 pounds and which has evolved to walk long distances each day.
Restricted space and unnatural conditions are causing the elephants to suffer and die prematurely from chronically diseased feet and crippling arthritis. Those challenges and the associated expense have led 16 major zoos to close or phase out their elephant exhibits, including zoos in Detroit, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Chicago and New York.
Consider Pet, who was euthanized in Portland in 2006. Pet's feet were so deteriorated from chronic infections that she could barely stand. In her last months, she moved excruciatingly slowly, using her trunk as a crutch. An autopsy revealed she also had severe, bone-on-bone arthritis in most of her joints.
http://www.oregonlive.com/commentary/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/editorial/1194652503181100.xml&coll=7
Careers for Graduates with a Degree in Zoology
The End of the Alphabet Can Be the Top of the Line
Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.
Graduates with a degree in zoology directed their college studies toward the study of animal life. Naturally then one would expect that careers for graduates with a degree in zoology will connect on some level with animals, their breeding, behavior, growth and relevance to humankind. That means that for graduates with a degree in zoology there really are lots of careers out there. Some of the careers for graduates with a degree in zoology may mean working directly with animals on an every day basis. But for those whose interest in animals is more academic than practical there are careers for graduates with a degree in zoology in which the graduate never actually confronts a live animal unless he or she sets out to do so. Animals are such an important part of our human existence that we need graduates with a degree in zoology to help us care for and appreciate the animal life in our midst.
http://www.collegerecruiter.com/career-counselors/archives/2007/11/careers_for_graduates_with_a_d_7.php
Microchips to the aid of endangered animals
Scientists from Central Zoo Authority are on a
visit to Nehru Zoological Park
HYDERABAD: As part of the conservation breeding initiative of Central Zoo Authority (CZA), endangered species, which are pure breed in nature, are being implanted with microchips at Nehru Zoological Park. Identification of pure breed species can help in captive breeding plans of CZA and local zoo authorities.
A team of scientists from CZA are on a three-day visit to Nehru Zoological Park to identify pure breed or genetically superior species of Asiatic lions, Bengal tigers, vultures and the mouse deer at the Hyderabad zoo.
Identifying pure breeds
“The CZA has decided that 50 major zoos must have at least 100 physically, genetically and behaviourally healthy individuals of each critically endangered wild animal species. To achieve this, existing pure breed animals are being identified and animal history sheets are to be maintained by the CZA and zoo authorities,” said Director of Hyderabad Zoo P. Bhaskar Reddy.
The team of scientists have started the identification of genetically superior species from Hyderabad before visiting other zoos in the country. “The project will be taken up in other noted zoos in the country. The idea is to identify and separate animals of superior quality and breed them in captivity,” Mr. Reddy said.
http://www.hindu.com/2007/11/16/stories/2007111661850400.htm
Malaysian Conservation Alliance for Tigers
http://www.mns.org.my/artabout.php?aid=40
Irwin family statue unveiled at Australia Zoo
Posted Thu Nov 15, 2007 2:13pm AEDT
Updated Fri Nov 16, 2007 1:22pm AEDT
Video
http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-us&fg=rss&vid=6e78b433-20f7-4c88-a952-01580703dfb0&from=05
Statue of Steve, Terri, Bindi and Bob Irwin unveiled at Australia Zoo, Beerwah, on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, on November 15, 2007. (ABC TV)
Thousands of people have turned out at Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast to celebrate the life of the late Crocodile Hunter on 'Steve Irwin Day'.
His widow Terri Irwin has unveiled a large bronze statue of the wildlife conservationist with his family dog and a crocodile at the entrance to the zoo.
She says it is a very special tribute to the life of Steve.
"I think it's so special because our last trip together was catching crocodiles so we've commemorated those crocodiles as well," she said.
"It's a huge day we've got all of our friends and family and people that we love. It's a day to celebrate Steve's life and we're going to make sure the beat goes on into the future."
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/15/2091866.htm
Dinosaur stolen from zoo
UPDATE: According to chatter on Famous, the dinosaur was found in Pinedale.
Have you seen a big dinosaur in the last couple days? It should stand out. It's 11 feet long. Weighs 700 pounds. Made of steel. Anybody?
Should you see it roaming around, let Peggy Harshman know. She made the dinosaur, which has gone missing from the Cliff Finch Topiary Zoo in Friant. Thieves are suspected.
Harshman, meanwhile, is feverishly trying to find the velociraptor, which she values at $20,000-$30,000.
There's only one person capable of such a caper: Bigfoot.
http://www.fresnobeehive.com/archives/2007/11/dinosaur_stolen.html
Illegal Food Market in China Literally a Wild Animal Zoo
More than 10,000 wild animals sold per day
By Lu Jianhui
Central News Agency
Nov 12, 2007
HONG KONG—Recently, eating exotic wild animals has gained popularity again in Guangdong Province in mainland China
. Reports speculate that a local official is behind the open operation of an illegal food market in the Nanhai District of Foshan City. This food market openly sells astonishing numbers and breeds of animals such as small pandas, civet cat, sika deer and other exotic wild animals. The entire market is like a zoo.
According to the report by Hong Kong's The Sun newspaper, the market, which is situated in a private housing complex near the Nanhai District, has a sign on the front door which reads "Wholesale Foods." However, this "food market" is actually more like a zoo of wild animals.
According to the report, nearly over 100 vendors are selling wild animals as food. From an anonymous insider, this place was opened only two months ago and is privately owned. There are many security
guards on site with iron batons in their hands. One man who claims to be the manager said that this place is operated by the nephew of a Guangzhou City government official, and that they are not afraid of being reported at all.
http://en.epochtimes.com/news/7-11-12/61874.html
Legal administrators sponsor Phoenix Zoo 5K run for education
Nov. 15, 2007 12:00 AM
Editor's note: Mary Jezwinski submitted this article. Submit stories on education to lori .baker@arizonarepublic.com.
A fundraising race through the Phoenix Zoo last month raised about $6,000 to benefit three schools with wishes posted on the wishlists.azcentral.com Web site.
The database is a partnership between Arizona schools and The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com to provide a central place for schools to ask for supplies and volunteers, and for businesses and individuals to see what schools need.
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/1115ednbywishlist1115.html
PETA to USDA: Investigate Indy zoo fire
By Scott Thien
scott.thien@indystar.com
A national animal-rights group is pressing the U.S. Department of Agriculture to investigate last weekend's fire at the Indianapolis Zoo that killed nearly a dozen small animals.
This morning, PETA sent a letter to Dr. Elizabeth Goldentyer, eastern regional director of the USDA's animal care division, urging an inquiry into Saturday's incident in the zoo's Encounters Critter Corner building.
"The terror and pain that these animals experienced in their dying moments is almost beyond comprehension," PETA Director Debbie Leahy wrote today in news release. "Animals held captive in zoos are at the mercy of humans in so many ways, including for their very lives, which, in this case, the Indianapolis Zoo failed miserably to safeguard."
Killed by smoke inhalation were three turtles, named Olive, Bess and Nate, a snake named Nibbler, two birds, an armadillo, two rodents and several hissing cockroaches.
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071114/LOCAL/711140527/0/OPINION
A little off topic, except People need water, too.
Zoo to get free water in '08
Change comes after students complain of access to, price of water
By: Siobhan Daniel
Issue date: 11/15/07 Section: News
Students in the Zona Zoo section at home football games will be able to receive free water beginning the first game of next year after complaints about safety and comfort of the student section were brought up.
While tonight's football game against Oregon is being hailed as the UA's biggest contest of the season, Zona Zoo members will have limited access to water until the first game of next season.
Currently, the Zona Zoo section on the east side of Arizona Stadium has no fountains for members, as the only way to obtain water is to purchase it, said Tommy Bruce, president of the Associated Students of the University of Arizona.
"For safety and health reasons, we should have water at the games since there are no water fountains," Bruce said.
After Bruce received several complaints, the decision was made to provide a water jug and cups for Zona Zoo members to enjoy at every game beginning next fall.
"There use to be water brought to the games, but it was stopped, and now that a few comments have been made, we are bringing it back," Bruce said.
http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2007/11/15/News/Zoo-To.Get.Free.Water.In.08-3103864.shtml
At The Detroit Zoo On A Nice November Day
by Mike Wrathell
mwrathell@yahoo.com
Last Saturday, I went with a friend to The Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak and Huntington Woods. It was partly cloudy and cool, but such days are perfect to see many of the animals who don't like hot days and big crowds. Having worked at the Zoo for over a year, I have a bit of inside knowledge and would like to share some of it with you. It was great to see one of the polar bears close up. I am not sure if it was Talini, the baby girl who is about three now, I think, and probably nearly fully grown. I would have asked a zookeeper, but none were around.
We also saw two white rhinoceri, the tigers, the lions, one griz, some giraffes, and a lot of flamingoes. We did not get to see Jacques, the lone hippo; it was a bit too chilly for him, but he was out earlier in the day for a stint.
Once we walked past the Reptile House, we entered Huntington Woods. So the bears don't live in Royal Oak, but the butterflies do....
http://americajr.com/news/detroitzoo1114.html
Jack Hanna to speak in Gainesville to support SFCC zoo
By KATIE EMMETS, Alligator Contributing Writer
Jack Hanna, a famous animal expert, will speak in Gainesville on Monday to benefit the SFCC Teaching Zoo.
Hanna will discuss wildlife conservation and share his experiences at an evening reception at the Springhills Ballroom in the Best Western Gateway Grand.
The program will last from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
"He cares so much about our program and wants to help us out," said Buz Bireline, assistant director of the zoo.
Hanna is on the board of advisers at the zoo and is a friend of the zoo technology program, Bireline said.
Bireline said Hanna asked to do some filming at the zoo.
Hanna also filmed at SFCC in 2002.
The event will start with hors d'oeuvres at 6:30 p.m. and end with pictures and autographs at 7:45 p.m.
Each ticket costs $35, and all event proceeds will go toward the creation of the zoo's new master plan.
The plan will include visitor-access improvement, a conservation center for endangered wildlife and a multi-use educational building.
"We are continuing to make the zoo the best facility we can," Bireline said.
http://www.alligator.org/articles/2007/11/15/news/sfcc/hanna.txt
More zoo funding approved
Nov 15, 2007 @ 07:45 AM
Observer-Dispatch
UTICA - The Oneida County Board of Legislators approved an additional $141,000 in funding for the Utica Zoo at its Wednesday board meeting by a 22-5 vote.
The zoo was eligible for the money because it came up with a five-year business plan, which was the contingency the legislature placed on the money.
The money was factored into the 2007 budget, but the legislature held onto it until the zoo presented them with a plan.
Zoo Executive Director Beth Irons said she was relieved they got the funding, and it will help get them in a stable financial state.
In the 2008 budget, the zoo's county funding increased from $354,000 to $363,270.
That number does not include the additional $141,000.
http://www.uticaod.com/homepage/x1149886617
Microsoft Zoo Tycoon 2: Endangered Species Expansion Pack
Zoo Tycoon 2 gives you the chance to build the ultimate zoo and enjoy it firsthand. You can explore your 3D zoo world as a zoo guest or even care for your animals as a zookeeper. The Endangered Species expansion pack will give you even more to love about Zoo Tycoon 2!
With the Endangered Species expansion pack, you’ll care for and enjoy some of the rarest animals in the world. See if you have what it takes to bring these unique animals back from the brink of extinction. Whether it’s the lovable Koala from the jungles of Australia or the exotic Komodo Dragon from the Lesser Sunda Islands, these wonderful new animals will inhabit your dream zoo and challenge your zoo skills!
http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?itemID=360725
Toledo Zoo to turn on its holiday light show
The Lights Before Christmas at the Toledo Zoo lasts until Dec. 31. Event hours are 5 to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 5 to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
( THE BLADE )
The Toledo Zoo tomorrow night will plug in and light up more than 1 million lights as part of its 22nd annual Lights Before Christmas holiday event.
And you were worried about your utility bills this winter!
The popular annual event, which has attracted more than 2.6 million people since starting in 1986, will kick off with the ceremonial lighting of the 85-foot Norway spruce tree between 6 and 6:30 in the evening.
Located near the Broadway entrance of the zoo, the tree has been adorned with more than 32,000 lights. For the first time, it will have energy-saving LED lights this year.
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071115/ART03/711150306
Akron Zoo visitors break attendance record
Posted by Donna J. Miller November 15, 2007 08:47AM
Categories: FYI
For the fifth year in a row, the Akron Zoo has set an attendance record. Through the end of October, attendance was 256,719.
New at the zoo this year were a pair of young lions in May and four penguin chicks hatched in spring.
The zoo has more than 700 animals from around the world. It's open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $5.50. Parking is $1.50. For more: akronzoo.org.
http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2007/11/akron_zoo_visitors_break_atten.html
Zoo crews spend months preparing Wildlights displays
Thursday, November 15, 2007 3:41 AM
By Matt Tullis
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Bill Hunt doesn't hang a single Christmas light at his home, and his artificial tree hasn't seen the light of day in a decade.
He isn't a Grinch or an Ebenezer Scrooge, though.
It's just hard for Hunt to find the motivation to decorate for the holidays after spending four months lighting up the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium for its annual Wildlights exhibition beginning Friday.
Making sure more than 3 million lights are in place can take its toll.
"By the time this is done," Hunt joked, "I'm all out of the Christmas spirit."
http://www.columbusdispatch.com/live/content/weekender/stories/2007/11/15/9A_OUTDOORS_15.ART_ART_11-15-07_T13_3H8F5BI.html?sid=101
Pandas: Still at Risk
Posted at 10:08 am November 15, 2007 by Suzanne Hall
The San Diego Zoo has the largest population of giant pandas in the U.S., even with the recent return of Mei Sheng to China. With four animals on site, we are fortunate to be surrounded by these amazing creatures. Sometimes it can be hard to imagine that they are ambassadors of a species in peril. But they are the most endangered bear species in the world.
The World Conservation Union (IUCN) regularly examines the status of species worldwide and assesses their population status and risks of extinction. The “Red List” it provides categorizes animals in a way that makes the conservation status of each species easily identifiable to scientists and laymen alike. Earlier this week, the IUCN’s bear specialist group (BSG) released a report updating the characterization of extinction risk for all of the eight living bear species. Unfortunately, despite improvements in research, captive breeding, and habitat protection in recent years, the giant panda is ranked as the bear species most at risk of extinction.
http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/pandas-still-at-risk/
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