Suri Cruise and parents
Suri's Movie Career: 'Knut' Happening (click here)
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (January 5, 2008) – Bad news Suri Cruise fans, the cuddly tot won’t be lending her pipes to voice adorable German polar bear, Knut, in an animatedmovie about the cub’s life.
“Tom and Katie have no plans for Suri to begin an acting career,” a rep for the Cruise family told
Rumors began swirling that Tom and Katie’s little one was being lined up for the role after the film’s producer, Ash R. Shah, said “I want Suri Cruise to be the English voice of Knut.”
Even if Suri did have acting ambitions, there’s little chance the bowl-cut babe could take her dreams by the reigns at the minute. According to a Cruise family friend, who spoke to MSNBC, “Suri doesn’t even speak in full sentences yet.”
Meanwhile the film itself, isn’t even ready to be made.
Though Shah reportedly has offered $5 million for Knut’s story, a Zoo rep hasn’t said yes.
Zoos
Auckland Setting the Standard for Green Zoos
Fancy growing some giant sized vegetables in your garden? Grab a bag of ZooDoo and your plants may just get a mammoth sized growth spurt, as the compost is made from the poo of elephants in Auckland Zoo.
The New Zealand zoo's two elephants get through around 100kg of bamboo, sugar cane, banana palm and willow plants each day, but a new environmental emphasis launched by the zoo means nothing goes to waste, as the vast amounts of elephant, and other zoo animal dung, is transformed into a fertilizer for the zoo's gardens, while any food waste is used to fuel their worm farm.
It is green schemes such as these that has helped the Auckland Zoo achieve the highest international environmental management rating this month, the catchily titled ISO 14001 - the global standard of measuring and monitoring environmental performance. The accreditation comes two years ahead of the zoo's 2009 target to achieve the standard, and follows hot on the heels of achieving another 2009 environmental goal by 2007 � that of recycling 85 per cent of all zoo waste.
http://www.aboutmyplanet.com/community/environmental-news/2166-auckland-setting-standard-green-zoos.html
Animal rights group calls for change in zoo policy
Photos by John Han
By John Han
January 4, 2008
Animal rights advocates said Thursday that they plan on asking the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to hold hearings to determine whether there should be policy changes at the San Francisco Zoo.
Fred Rabidoux, a minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church in San Francisco, said during a vigil at the zoo, that large animals should not be kept in zoos.
"Why are we subjecting these animals to such unnatural conditions?" asked Rabidoux. "The right thing to do is to respect the right of each animal to live its life in surroundings that nature put it in. Being captive and held in a confined space is not sufficient to reverse its wild character."
Elliot Katz, founder and president of the animal rights group In Defense of Animals (IDA), said that the zoo has a history of, "letting people provoke the animals," by taunting them repeatedly in "public feeding spectacles."
"They tell people to come into the lion house and see them feed the tigers, and see them growl and get all excited," Katz said.
The vigil was held in memory of both Tatiana and Carlos Sousa, who was mauled to death by the tiger after it had escaped from its grotto. Tatiana was shot and killed when police arrived on scene.
Katz says the zoo should stop public feedings.
http://www.fogcityjournal.com/news_in_brief/jh_sf_zoo_policy_080104.shtml
San Francisco zoo incident sparks nationwide talk about animal safety
By Charles D. Perry · The Herald
Published 01/06/08 - 12:00 AM
A chain link fence with steel poles buried deep into the ground enclose the Tigers at Tiger World.
A Christmas Day tiger attack at the San Francisco Zoo left one person dead and two others inured. The mauling sparked a nationwide discussion about zoo safety.
Rock Hill's Lea Jaunakais, who plans to open a tiger refuge in Rockwell, N.C., this summer, said the California zoo used a moat barrier to contain its tigers.
"I have always felt my whole life that moat exhibits are dangerous," Jaunakais said. "And they're not effective at housing animals such as a tiger. ... It gives them the perception that there is no wall. It gives them the perception that their boundaries are limitless. It gives them the perception that if I want something bad enough, I'm going to jump for it."
http://www.heraldonline.com/109/story/273004.html
Zoo: Renovations now required for polar bear exhibit
The Associated Press
Article Launched: 01/04/2008 06:59:22 PM PST
SAN FRANCISCO—In the wake of a fatal tiger mauling at the San Francisco Zoo, officials there say they now must bolster the polar bear exhibit as well.
The existing moat wall at the polar bear exhibit is a bit short, and a 3-foot-tall chain link fence will be added to bring it to 16 feet high total.
The add-on fence is being installed today. The zoo was closed today because of the severe weather.
The zoo remains under scrutiny after a tiger escaped its enclosure on Christmas Day and mauled 17-year-old Carlos Sousa, Jr. to death and wounded his two friends.
http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_7884515?nclick_check=1
Albino alligators disappear from zoo
Friday Jan 4 15:00 AEDT
By ninemsn staff
Seven rare albino alligators have gone missing from a zoo in Brazil, sparking concerns the animals may have been stolen for black market trade.
Zoo officials said the reptiles were last seen in their enclosures at the Federal University in Mata Grosso, in Brazil's west, during feeding on New Year's Eve, the BBC reports.
Police believe the alligators, which are distinctive because of their pink eyes and colourless skin pigment, were abducted to be sold overseas.
It is estimated the animals are worth over $11,000 each.
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=342227
Zoo leaves polar bear cubs to starve
Allan Hall
Sunday January 6, 2008
The Observer
Three tiny polar bear cubs are being allowed to starve to death after a zoo took the controversial decision not to rear them by hand if their mother continued to neglect them.
Mother bears Vera and Wilma gave birth three weeks and five weeks ago at Nuremberg Zoo in southern Germany. It is thought they have six cubs between them. Wilma is displaying the signs of being a good mother, but Vera shows no interest in her young....
...He said he wasn't opposed to hand-rearing in principle but that it had to be decided on a case-by-case basis. 'Berlin Zoo did a terrific job hand-rearing Knut from day one. But we want to avoid Knutmania at all costs. If people spend hours queuing up to see a polar bear cub, there's something wrong. We've got a baby giraffe too, that's just as cute.'
Bernhard Blaskiewitz, Berlin Zoo director, said he disagreed with the stance taken in Nuremberg.
'This is not some new fad,' he said. 'We hand-reared a bear in 1986 that now lives in Serbia. That is responsible breeding and care. We have no concerns for the welfare of Knut.'
http://www.guardian.co.uk/animalrights/story/0,,2236218,00.html
Noon Year Eve
By: michelle qualls
On: 01/05/2008 00:19:41
i just wanted to say, that we loved this day my 2yr old and i came only to see deigo but it turned into really special day for us ,,i think we will now make Noon Years eve a new tradtion ,,, thank you for all the people at the zoo for making this a wonderful day for me and my youngest daughter!! God bless you all,, Michelle Qualls Elyria OH
http://www.clemetzoo.com/zblog/default.asp?Display=79
Two big cats ailing at Zoo Atlanta
By MARK DAVIS
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 01/04/08
A lion and tiger at Zoo Atlanta are sick — one seriously, the other seemingly on the mend.
Masai, a 17-year-old African lioness, remained in guarded condition, zoo officials said Friday. Male Sumatran tiger Jalal, 14, was in fair condition.
Maria Crane, the zoo's vice president of veterinary services. Crane discovered the creature's condition after treating her for an upper respiratory infection in December.
"She is a 17-year-old lioness, which is toward the end of a lifespan," Crane said. "This is something I would consider life-threatening."
On Wednesday, Crane took a sample from Masai's bone marrow and sent it to the University of Georgia's veterinary labs. She hoped to hear from the UGA late Friday.
Crane was more optimistic in Jalal's prognosis. The tiger, she said, looked as if he would shake off whatever prompted spasms of vomiting on the second day of the new year. He may have eaten something that turned his stomach, she said.
"I don't think we always know what causes an upset stomach," Crane said. "I can't say this is a life-threatening" condition.
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/living/stories/2008/01/04/bigcats_0105.html
North zoo gets aid from family
BY AMY DeMELIA SUN CHRONICLE STAFF
Saturday, January 5, 2008 12:54 AM EST
NORTH ATTLEBORO - World War I Memorial Park Zoo will be getting some much needed updates, thanks to a donation from a local family.
David and Pat Nicholson say they decided to donate $5,000 to the zoo fund after a recent visit, and hope others might consider making a donation.
"We made the donation because we were astounded at how little money the zoo receives to help with upkeep of the animals and the facilities," David Nicholson said. "That park is just a jewel and the staff there does a terrific job. We wanted to make the donation to help support the zoo."
The Nicholsons have a long connection with the zoo. The Aviary at the park is named after their son, Danny.
Danny Nicholson was helping a disabled motorist when he was struck and killed by another car in 1979.
Park Director Steve Carvalho thanked the Nicholsons for the donation, saying, "The timing couldn't have been any better. The budget is getting more difficult every year. Thanks to wonderful people like the Nicholsons we will be able to get some of our projects done."
The money will go toward improving accessibility at the zoo by installing an asphalt path around the perimeter and to fix the aviary roof.
Carvalho said a small amount will also go toward adding the words "good Samaritan" to the rock that denotes the aviary has been named in honor of Danny Nicholson.
http://www.thesunchronicle.com/articles/2008/01/05/news/news8.txt
Zoo volunteer going strong at 93
By RON HAYES
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Saturday, January 05, 2008
WEST PALM BEACH — Somehow, you don't expect a man who buys a box of Entenmann's doughnuts every day to reach the age of 93.
"Oh, I don't eat them!" laughs Sidney Faber, the oldest and longest-serving volunteer at the Palm Beach Zoo in Dreher Park. "I just put them by the coffee machine and I'm a hero."
On Friday, the zoo staff and fellow volunteers who feast on Faber's doughnuts returned the favor by throwing a birthday lunch for their senior colleague, born Jan. 5, 1915.
Instead of doughnuts, they brought Papa John's pizza and a cake.
"He's a wonderful guy," said Terry Maple, the zoo's executive director. "The great thing about Sidney is that he's always ready to speak his mind. He's hardworking, bright and talented, and we're fortunate to have him here. He's a great role model."
The owner of a wholesale janitorial supply company outside Washington for 40 years, Faber retired to Florida in 1980. But after losing his wife, Joan, in 1987, he realized he needed to keep busy. At the urging of former zoo board President Esther Bondareff, he started volunteering in 1989. And he's been there ever since.
Faber began by telling children's groups about the animals.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2008/01/05/s3b_ZOOVOL_0105.html
Hattiesburg Zoo seeks accreditation
By EMMA JAMES
Officials are working on getting national accreditation for the Hattiesburg Zoo, general curator John Wright told Area Development Partnership members Friday.
The last step in the process, Wright said during the monthly First Friday meeting, is to appear before an Association of Zoos and Aquariums panel in Birmingham in March.
"There are no set standards for accreditation," Wright said. "The panel goes by the evaluators' perceptions and observations. If all of the concerns they have are being addressed, there should be no problems with the accreditation."
A three-person team of evaluators spent two days at the Hattiesburg Zoo in November.
Most of the team's concerns involved updating the zoo's facilities, Wright said, particularly in animal quarantine and treatment. While the zoo uses off-site veterinarians to treat its animals, the on-site treatment is preferred, he said.
Accreditation would mean more access to animal transport, breeding programs and conservation projects nationally, Wright said. It also would make it easier for the zoo to get new exhibits and bring more educational programs to the area.
"We felt that today was a good way to present the business side of the zoo," said ADP president Angie Godwin. "And their accreditation is a way for them to go to the next level and achieve a better dynamic."
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums, founded in 1924, is the leading national accrediting organization.
The zoo added the jaguar exhibit in 2004. Wright said more additions are planned.
"A zoo is like an amusement park," he said. "You have to add something new every three years or so to keep people coming."
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080105/NEWS01/801050317/1002
Zoo Says Baby Giraffe Getting Stronger
Jan, 05 2008 - 3:30 AM
ALDERGROVE/CKNW(AM980) - The Greater Vancouver Zoo says the baby giraffe born in captivity a few weeks is ago doing well.
Spokesperson Jody Henderson says the giraffe is still in a private nursery where it's been kept safe and warm, "He's doing well. He's progressing along. He's getting bigger and stronger, and he's eating. He'll be bottle-fed by [his] keepers who are still with him on a 24-hour basis."
The giraffe was born at the Aldergrove facility on December 20th.
http://www.cknw.com/news/news_xml.cfm?cat=1&rss=1&rem=82763&red=80110923aPBIny&gi=1&gm=news_local.cfm
Al Ain Zoo welcomes birth of baby giraffe
posted on 05/01/2008
A baby giraffe was born on New Year's Day at Al Ain Zoo, surprising the caretakers who were expecting the birth a week later.
The female baby giraffe was born at 9.30am and immediately got to her feet and started suckling, said Mark Craig, Director of the Zoo. Since the birth, both mother and baby are doing well and have been separated from the main group.
"This was a wonderful New Year's Day present to all visitors and staff and demonstrates our high standards of animal husbandry and management. We now have an extended family group of giraffe numbering 10 in our mixed African exhibit," he said.
Al Ain Zoo recorded record crowds throughout 2007 with a total number of 614,000 visitors throughout the Year. New additions to the zoo and a continued programme of rapid improvements have contributed to the success in 2007.
Majid Al Mansouri, Managing Director said Al Ain Zoo is a major wildlife tourist attraction in Abu Dhabi with priorities of recreation, education and conservation as cornerstones of our success.
"We have further plans in 2008 to improve the zoo and extend our wildlife experiences for families to include a wildlife safari," he added.
New projects planned for 2008 include the addition of five white rhinos to the mixed African exhibit, a new African wild dog exhibit and an Australian exhibit featuring kangaroos and Emus. (Gulf News)
http://uaeinteract.com/docs/Al_Ain_Zoo_welcomes_birth_of_baby_giraffe/28088.htm
Zoo jumps at chance to highlight frogs' plight
By Staff reporter
CHESTER Zoo staff jumped to it on New Year's Eve to highlight the plight of frogs worldwide.
Zoos across the world united at 11am for a giant, simultaneous leapfrog marking the launch of a campaign.
2008 has been declared the Year of the Frog to raise awareness of a looming, mass extinction of amphibian species – the most significant since the dinosaur.
One third to one half of all amphibian species are in danger of disappearing in our lifetime. Amphibian Ark is a campaign supported by zoos to rescue the most endangered 500 species that cannot be saved in the wild.
http://www.chesterstandard.co.uk/chesternews/Zoo-jumps-at-chance-to.3640216.jp
http://wordsjunkie.livejournal.com/15664.html
Oregon Zoo again breaks attendance records
LocalNewsDaily.com, Jan 4, 2008 (1 Reader comment)
For the second year in a row, and the third time in the past four years, the Oregon Zoo has broken its all-time calendar-year attendance record, with 1,503,565 visitors in 2007.
It marks the first time zoo attendance has topped 1.5 million in a year. The zoo’s previous record, set in 2006, was 1,447,116 visitors.
“We continue to open new exhibits and host events visitors expect and enjoy,” said Tony Vecchio, zoo director. “We’re always trying to make new and innovative additions to draw in first-time visitors and bring back our loyal supporters.”
http://www.beavertonvalleytimes.com/news/story.php?story_id=119948121380517200
A wild life
By SHARMILA GANESAN
A zoo curator’s job may be ideal for those who have a soft spot for animals.
HE has been scratched by a leopard, bitten by a snake and nearly killed by an elephant, but Tumar Said’s love for animals has not wavered.
With a resume that would put many adventure heroes to shame, Tumar, 57, is the curator of Zoo Negara.
Tumar — pictured here feeding a green parrot — enjoys his work as the curator of Zoo Negara. — ONG SOON HIN / The Star
Tumar started out at the zoo as a junior keeper. That was his first job and he has been there for about 40 years, gradually working his way up to his present position. Enduring many “gentle” bites and scratches along the way, of course!
Tumar still recalls the sinking feeling he had felt when he was told, on his first week on the job, that his senior had been hospitalised due to an animal attack.
“Imagine hearing that during your first few days at work!
“Do you run or do you stay?
“Luckily, I stayed!”
From that landmark decision, Tumar has gone on to mark many milestones for Zoo Negara.
He once trained a tiger cub to be the mascot for the Malaysian football team and accompanied it to Munich for the 1972 Olympic Games, where he had the opportunity to visit the Munich Zoo.
He learnt much from his visit. Upon his return, Tumar used his experience to open Zoo Negara’s Pet Corner, and slowly increased the number of animals there.
Despite his wealth of experience and achievement, however, Tumar remains humble. “I am where I am because I am willing to learn from my mistakes. Over the years, I have learnt to plan and think ahead.”
http://thestar.com.my/education/story.asp?file=/2008/1/6/education/19889943
Good Zoo Offers Master Naturalist Training
POSTED: January 6, 2008
WHEELING – The Good Zoo at Oglebay is accepting applications for its popular Master Naturalist Program. The next session will be held Jan. 11-12.
Area nature lovers, 16 years of age and older, can be trained and certified as Master Naturalists in the program developed by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. The Good Zoo was selected as the Northern Panhandle Chapter. Good Zoo staff will be teaching the classes, along with the Schrader Environmental Education Center staff, the West Virginia Department of Natural Resource’s biologists, and university experts.
“Anyone who loves the outdoors will love these classes. Our 40 students range from college students, homemakers, retired couples, scientists, birders and many others,” said Penny Miller, zoo director. Oglebay’s Certified Master Naturalist Lindsey Miller says this about the classes. “My experience with the Master Naturalist program rejuvenated my love for the outdoors and afforded me the opportunity to meet new friends with similar interests. The instructors were supportive and very knowledgeable in their fields, and I am sharing my new knowledge with friends and groups at local nursing homes.”
http://www.news-register.net/page/content.detail/id/504219.html?nav=510
Defending the zoo's job performance
BY THAYNE MAYNARD
I write with regard to the "Your Voice" column "Zoo should cut programs before taxes raised" (Jan. 3).
We do three things at the Cincinnati Zoo, and we do them as well, if not better, than any zoo in the world. All three serve the residents of Hamilton County by adding to their quality of life and contributing to our local economy.
We create adventure. More than 1,000,000 people visit the Cincinnati Zoo nearly every year. These folks are mostly families with children and they visit us to create special memories and to learn about the natural world. We have over 42,500 family memberships and over 1,000 volunteers.
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080106/EDIT01/801060349/1020/EDIT
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo confident of tiger exhibit's safety
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Leila Atassi
Plain Dealer Reporter
Winter is Klechka's season. Like a picture from an issue of National Geographic, the robust 4-year-old Siberian tiger lounged about his snowy turf at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, curiously eyeing a visitor and her leopard-print earmuffs.
But Klechka must know what they say about curiosity and the proverbial cat. Faced with a moat 20 feet wide, 16½ feet deep and encircled with electrified wire, the 360-pound tiger has never attempted the leap.
Now, after several days spent carefully measuring and remeasuring the enclosures that house Klechka and two female cats, zookeepers and administrators are certain he couldn't make it across if he tried.
http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1199611874171810.xml&coll=2
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