Zoos
Budapest Zoo And Botanical Garden
"The Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden is not only a place where you can see animals from Hungary and from far away, but also a place for education and entertainment. The garden has been a protected area since 1986.
The Zoo is home to numerous strictly protected plant and animal species. Beside this, the protection of the biodiversity of the Carpathian basin is fundamental to its mission. Several hundred mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and water creatures live here.
Some of the buildings of the Zoo and botanical garden which can still be seen today were designed by the famous Transylvanian architect, Károly Kós, and by Dezső Zrumeczky between 1909 and 1912. The main entrance decorated with elephants, the Elephant House, the Small and the Big Cliff, the Palm House, the Monkey House, the Pheasant House, the Deer House, the Rodent House, the Bird House, and the Bambi House were all built at this time.
The building of the Aquarium uses the most advanced technology; the volume of water totals 150,000 litres. More than 150 species of the world's various seas can be seen here.
The palaeontological waxworks is situated under the Palm House, next to the Aquarium. The exhibition shows the extraordinary reptiles and dinosaurs of the Palaeozoic era, as well as the giant animals of the ice age, through dioramas and models.
There is wheelchair access throughout the Zoo and Botanical Garden. Cashiers stop selling tickets one hour, and the animal houses close half an hour before closing time. From March until October the Zoo remains open for an extra half an hour at weekends and on holidays."
Address: 1146 Budapest, District XIV, Állatkerti krt. 6-12.
Phone: 1/273-4901
Source: hungarystartshere.com
Photo by: Rigó Tibor
20.05.2008
http://xpatloop.com/news/budapest_zoo_and_botanical_garden
Wayne Co. may delay zoo vote
Officials eye fall ballot for proposed 0.1-mill tax
Jennifer Chambers / The Detroit News
PONTIAC -- Leaders in Oakland and Macomb counties have created regional authorities to promote an August millage request for the Detroit Zoo, but Wayne County officials say they want the proposal to go before voters in the fall.
Last week, the Oakland County Board of Commissioners approved creation of the Oakland County Zoological Authority, whose members are expected to place the question of a zoo tax on the Aug. 5 primary ballot. Macomb County commissioners formed an authority last month and recently began appointing authority members.
Commissioner Bernard Parker said the Wayne County Commission plans to discuss the creation of a zoo authority, but it does not have another meeting scheduled until June, well after the May 27 deadline to file language for the August ballot.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080520/METRO01/805200326/1409/METRO
Crocs arrive in time for zoo opening
20 May 2008
The miniature crocodiles were destined to become handbags, shoes and trinkets - but they are now happily swimming around Norfolk's newest zoo.
Nineteen spectacled caimans from South America are settling into their new home at the Amazona tourist attraction at Cromer as it gears up to opening next month.
But they owe their lives to officials at Heathrow airport who halted a consignment of 250 youngsters heading to the Asian leather trade because of some irregularities, and found them homes in zoos around the country.
They are now 2ft long, and will grow up to 2m, said Jim Irwin-Davies, director of the new zoo, which is specialising in South American animals on the edge-of-town site set among woodland and lakes.
The trade was legal, and the caimans would have been turned into fancy fashion goods. But there was something wrong with the paperwork or crating - so through contacts at the airport quarantine 20 of them headed to Norfolk where they have been living at Cromer's sister zoo at Thrigby near Yarmouth.
http://www.northnorfolknews.co.uk/content/northnorfolknews/news/story.aspx?brand=NNNOnline&category=news&tBrand=NNNonline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED20%20May%202008%2006%3A42%3A51%3A980
Viewers get up close and personal at zoo
By Staff reporter
CHESTER Zoo's visitors were given access all areas to the award-winning tourist attraction thanks to the Five television series Zoo Days.
From the comfort of their armchairs, viewers got up close and personal with some of the zoo's 7,000 animals and got to know the dedicated keepers and vets.
Now people are going to be given the chance to see a little more of the zoo for real.
Special VIP experiences and tours are being offered, taking people behind the scenes, meeting the keepers and vets, visiting animal houses and areas previously unseen by general visitors and finding out about real life at the 110-acre zoo.
http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/wirralnews/display.var.2282917.0.viewers_get_up_close_and_personal_at_zoo.php
Animal group calls for changes at Calgary zoo after elephant injures keeper
14 hours ago
CALGARY — An animal advocacy group is calling for changes to how elephants are handled at the Calgary Zoo after a keeper was injured by an animal over the weekend.
Lisa Wathne with People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals is calling on the zoo to use protective barriers that separate the keepers from the animals at all times.
Calling the practice "protected contact," Wathne says in a letter to the zoo's president that keeping the animals separate protects elephants by preventing keepers from using corporal punishment.
"Protected contact eliminates the beatings, bullhooks and chains that are routinely used on elephants when they are handled using the free-contact system," Wathne says in the letter.
Brent Vanhooft was taken to hospital on Sunday afternoon after a 2,000-kilogram Asian elephant named Swarna bumped him into a wall, causing lacerations and bruising to his face.
http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5gAC_NCTDp1DhvvW6O1O5_1i1hRnQ
Happy Birthday to Twycross Zoo
May 20 2008 By SiâN Powell
JOE the gorilla is aping around for visitors to celebrate 45 years of Twycross Zoo.
The "gentle giant" was one of the first animals at the zoo, near Nuneaton, when it was created by Molly Badham and Nathalie Evans in 1963.
He was hand-reared by the groundbreaking duo and since then Joe has witnessed a transformation of the site - which now attracts 500,000 visitors a year.
The zoo now houses the world's most comprehensive collection of primate species and is a member of a number of world zoological associations.
Zoo spokeswoman Kim Riley said Joe had proved a big hit with visitors over the years.
http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/north-warwickshire-news/2008/05/20/happy-birthday-to-twycross-zoo-92746-20935983/
Cats on Tour through Egypt: Cairo Zoo
I thought we head of to the Giza Zoo, what do you think about that?
Oh Mommy, that sounds greeeaaat! Do they have other kitties there?
Well, I guess they are all a bit bigger than we are!
The Cairo Zoo at Giza is considered as one of the most beautiful zoos in the world. Also it is one of the most ensely inhabited by the various animal and plant species. The Giza Zoo is located near the west bank of the Nile. It is not far from down town Cairo. The Zoo is under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture in Egypt.
On 1st March 1891 the Zoo at Giza was opened for the public. It is distinguished for its rare imported plants, walks that are paved with colored pebbles set in beautiful mosaic pictures, and its streams, lakes, bridges, and hilly habitats for the various animals. These hilly areas are planted with cactus trees. Egypt's moderate climate is helping to preserve the lives of animals from different regions without the use of air-conditioning for cooling or warming.
http://chica-pumuckl.blogspot.com/2008/05/cats-on-tour-through-egypt-cairo-zoo.html
Frogs, Hogs & Dogs at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Posted by Donna J. Miller
May 20, 2008 07:15AM
The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's first Frogs, Hogs & Dogs event begins Thursday, featuring endangered frogs, red river hogs and New Guinea singing dogs.
Activities offered through Monday: Meet the frog, hog and dog keepers; learn how to make origami leaping frogs; meet Vern, the zoo's frog mascot, who will pass out free Frogs, Hogs & Dogs stickers.
Visit clemetzoo.com or call 216-661-6500.
http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/05/frogs_hogs_dogs_at_the_clevela.html
Zoo Brew
The Oregonian
May 20, 2008 12:57PM
The Oregon Zoo Foundation hosts the second annual Zoo Brew.featuring Northwest craft brews,
food from the Oregon Zoo's executive chef, Paul Warner, and live music featuring Sam Bamboo and Pat O'Neal's Dixieland Jazz Band.
5 -10 p.m.Friday, May 30, Oregon Zoo, 4001 S.W. Canyon Rd; $25 advance, $30 at the door includes commemorative glass and 10 tasting tickets.
503-226-1561.
Proceeds from the event help "bring back the roar" of lions, which left the zoo in 1997, and
support other ongoing conservation efforts.
http://blog.oregonlive.com/thebeerhere/2008/05/zoo_brew_may_30th_likely_to_se.html
Potawatami Zoo Gets Help From Kindergartners
The Potawatomi Zoo receives a big financial boost from some of it's smallest patrons.
The zoo received a check for nearly $1,200 from the kindergartners at Wilson Primary.
The students picked the zoo for their 'Kids Care Project' after learning the zoo needed money to help improve animal habitats.
Wilson Primary Principal Mary Jo Costello says, "We thought, 'what a great project for our kids even if we only donate a few hundred dollars.' But it was something to get them to care about their community and get them involved to make a change."
Zoo officials say the money will be used for all the animals.
Two other schools along with Wilson primary have raised over $2,000 for the zoo.
http://www.fox28.com/News/index.php?ID=37637
Orangutan escapes pen at US zoo
Zoo officials say the animal was easily sedated and captured
A 29-year-old male orangutan named Bruno escaped from his enclosure at Los Angeles Zoo on Saturday evening after making a hole in the wire fencing.
About 3,000 visitors were shepherded towards the front exits while Bruno roamed free for about 20 minutes.
Zoo staff said Bruno never managed to enter the public areas and was quickly sedated by his keepers.
"He was calm and responded well to the staff," promotions co-ordinator Gina Dart said. "He was never aggressive."
Once out of his enclosure, instead of trying to flee, Bruno hid in an area behind his pen, where one of his keepers spotted him, the Los Angeles Times reported.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7407050.stm
Henry Doorly Zoo has Plans for Rosenblatt Land
Posted: May 18, 2008 09:39 PM EDT
Updated: May 19, 2008 11:40 AM EDT
OMAHA (KPTM) - Plans for Omaha's downtown baseball stadium could change the face of the city's largest tourist attraction. The Henry Doorly Zoo says it wants to use the land at Rosenblatt Stadium to build several new exhibits.
In all it would be a 100 million dollar project. One of the biggest parts of the plan would be an arctic center that would house polar bears, walruses, and large crabs. But not only would the plan add exhibits, it would keep the parking lots here at Rosenblatt, something zoo leaders were worried about losing.
Dr. Lee Simmons describes the plan as an ambitious "wish list" for the zoo. And there's still a lot of work to do, says Dr. Simmons.
http://www.kptm.com/Global/story.asp?S=8344137
Fejervary Zoo may lose some animals
Davenport, IOWA-- A Davenport alderman says his task force will recommend removing the exotic animals from Fejervary Zoo.
Third Ward alderman Bill Boom says his committee will tell the city council Wednesday that Fejervary Zoo needs to change.
He says it should be paired with the Putnam Museum and become more of an educational experience for Davenport.
Boom says it's too expensive to keep all the animals but the committee would like to maintain the petting zoo.
"I'm excited that they want to keep the zoo going. I'm excited that they want to have things for children to do and I think it's really wonderful. I think we can work together as a team and really make it a special place for everyone," zoo visitor Deb Gustafon said.
Boom says that the zoo's current budget of $150,000 would stay the same.
http://www.wqad.com/Global/story.asp?S=8344495
'Flying' penguins and pandas for Adelaide Zoo
Posted Mon May 19, 2008 6:32pm AEST
Updated Mon May 19, 2008 6:33pm AEST
Wang Wang is one of two giant pandas which will be brought to Adelaide from China soon. (Adelaide Zoo)
The Adelaide Zoo will begin a major upgrade in September after confirmation of $19 million of State Government funding.
Premier Mike Rann announced the funding while at the Washington National Zoo in the US today.
The head of the Zoo, Chris West, says the money will be used to build a new entrance and a fence, which will also incorporate an underwater fairy penguin enclosure.
"People will be able to walk to the zoo and they'll see fairy penguins flying underwater," he said.
Mr West says the money will also be used to help prepare for the arrival of two giant pandas from China.
"Some of the figures from the American zoos are 70 per cent increase in visitation when pandas arrive," he said.
The pandas are expected to arrive late next year.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/05/19/2249420.htm
Smithsonian to unveil new National Zoo master plan
May 19, 2008 - 6:08am
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Smithsonian Institution is expected later this week to release its favored plan for improvements at the National Zoo.
The master plan at the zoo was last updated in 1984. The new version calls for an aerial tram across the zoo, new visitor centers and expanded exhibits.
A public plaza would be built at what is now the site of the Great Ape House, and the zoo would get nearly 600 additional parking spaces. Older exhibits would be revamped. and educational and administrative facilities would be expanded.
The tram would stop at the zoo's four entry gates.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Smithsonian Institution is expected later this week to release its favored plan for improvements at the National Zoo.
The master plan at the zoo was last updated in 1984. The new version calls for an aerial tram across the zoo, new visitor centers and expanded exhibits.
A public plaza would be built at what is now the site of the Great Ape House, and the zoo would get nearly 600 additional parking spaces. Older exhibits would be revamped. and educational and administrative facilities would be expanded.
The tram would stop at the zoo's four entry gates.
http://www.wtop.com/?nid=25&sid=1406289
Cockatoo dies at Columbian Park Zoo
Updated: May 19, 2008 11:11 AM EDT
LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - A Moluccan cocatoo died at the Columbian Park Zoo in Lafayette during the weekend of May 17. Zoo Director Claudine Laufman said the death was unexpected.
The cockatoo, named Maui, was recovering from recent surgery to repair a broken bone in her wing. Laufman said a necropsy, or animal autopsy, has been conducted to learn more about the bird's medical condition. Test results could take several weeks to complete.
Maui was 19 years old and had been an Animal Ambassador for the Zoo. Laufman said Maui was used in hundreds of educational programs for nearly 20 years. Laufman said she was one of the Zoo's most popular animals and had an extensive vocabulary.
Maui was hatched on February 9, 1989, and arrived at the Columbian Park Zoo in April of that year. The Moluccan cockatoo is indigenous to an island chain in Indonesia known as the Moluccas. The species is protected due to declining population caused by habitat loss and extensive trapping during the 1980s.
Laufman said Moluccan cockatoos can live to be more than 70. She said the Columbian Park Zoo plans to acquire another Moluccan cocatoo for use in outreach programs in the near future.
http://www.wlfi.com/Global/story.asp?S=8345972&nav=menu591_3
Injured zookeeper may have gotten too close to elephant calf
Canwest News Service
Published: 2 hours ago
CALGARY - A zookeeper injured by a female elephant may have gotten too close to a nine-month-old calf, Calgary Zoo staff said Monday.
Brent Van Hooft, a keeper at the zoo for 30 years, suffered cuts, bruises and other injuries to his face and chest after Swarna, a 34-year-old female Asian elephant, knocked him down on Sunday.
Staff said Swarna has developed a strong attachment to nine-month-old Malti. Van Hooft, 48, was in the enclosure with Swarna, nine-month-old Malti and Malti's mother, Maharani, when Swarna pushed him from behind while he was cleaning the floor.
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=9953b1ee-48ba-48d5-bfbc-8c3ccb3f2c66
Zoo stages mating game for elephants
Staff members believe the two females and one male need more time to get acquainted.
By ASHLEY BELAND, The Times-Union
It's a story that those familiar with the game of love can relate to: Moki and Chana are at odds with each other over a guy, but he can't seem to choose between the two of them.
This particular love triangle is between three African elephants at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, whose relationships will hopefully yield offspring to help sustain their species.
In October 2006, the Jacksonville Zoo exchanged two female African elephants with Lee Richardson Zoo in Kansas to bring in new females to mate with a bull African elephant, Ali.
"They had two females that could reproduce and the Jacksonville Zoo had two that could not reproduce," said Gina Stiles, marketing and membership manager at the Jacksonville Zoo. "They didn't have the facilities to house any more elephants, so we traded."
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/041408/met_268160506.shtml
John Ball Zoo Opens New Exhibit All About Frogs
GRAND RAPIDS — Frogs are in trouble. So are toads, salamanders and newts.
To raise awareness of this crisis, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums has highlighted 2008 as the "Year of the Frog" and zoos and aquariums around the country have partnered in efforts to get the word out about the plight of amphibians.
John Ball Zoo, along with several other zoos, have helped to save the toad from total extinction and even received an AZA Conservation Award for their role in the project .
In addition to participating in conservation efforts, John Ball Zoo will open a brand new frog exhibit.
http://fox17.trb.com/news/041408-wxmi-frogs,0,7476405.story
Buffalo Zoo Elephants Move to Ohio
Mark Leitner
The Zoo's three Asian elephants have been moved to a zoo in Columbus, Ohio.
BUFFALO (2008-04-14) Buki, Surapa, and Jothi are enjoying a holiday of sorts in Columbus, Ohio.
The Buffalo Zoo's three female Asian elephants have been transported to the Columbus Zoo, their temporary home,
while their historic house here undergoes a million dollar renovation.
Two of the elephants, Surapa and Jothi, were moved by truck Sunday night. Buki, who weighs about 8,000 pounds, was moved to Columbus on Monday.
Zoo President Dr. Donna Fernandes says it appears they're already becoming acclimated to their new surroundings.
http://publicbroadcasting.net/wned/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1260157§ionID=1
Biblical Zoo in Jerusalem to be expanded
By ETGAR LEFKOVITS
The Jerusalem Municipality has approved plans to expand the city's popular Biblical Zoo, the city said Monday.
The proposal, which was unanimously backed by the city and is now pending state approval, will see the area of the zoo increase from 250 dunams today to nearly 390 dunams.
"The expansion plan will make the Jerusalem Zoo one of the most beautiful cornerstones in Jerusalem," said Yehoshua Pollack, the head of the city's planning and construction committee.
The city's zoo has become the country's top tourist attraction with an entry fee, with nearly 700,000 visitors a year, the city said.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1208179712532&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Zoo farm goes green
14 April 2008
A ZOO farm in Wraxall is hoping to generate its own electricity by installing three wind turbines.
Owners of Noah's Ark Zoo Farm, Anthony and Christina Bush, have applied for planning permission to put up a 15KW turbine on their 310 acres.
The 50ft structure will provide a third of the attraction's electricity and staff are hoping it will the first of three.
The turbine, with 4.5m blades, will share a field with the resident llamas at the back of the zoo.
http://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/content/twm/news/story.aspx?brand=Westonmercury&category=newsNorthSomerset&tBrand=westonmercury&tCategory=znews&itemid=WeED14%20Apr%202008%2017%3A37%3A18%3A977
Zoo should keep quiet on possible pregnancies
There are several of us that feel that until the zoo knows for sure about any of the animals possibly expecting that it should be kept quiet.
There are too many people, especially children, who get very upset when things go wrong.
By waiting, the zoo could then be thought of with excitement instead of being thought of in a negative way.
Also The Pantagraph is to blame for the premature pop-up on its Web site to click and see the pups. That was not good.
Teri Holmes
Normal
http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2008/04/14/opinion/letters/131096.txt
African wild dogs debut at L.A. Zoo
5:16 PM, April 14, 2008
The L.A. Zoo last week introduced two endangered African wild dogs, the zoo's first in more than 40 years.
The pair of black, yellow, and white canines are brother and sister, and just over a year old. They most recently lived at New York's Bronx Zoo.
In their native sub-Saharan Africa, the dogs are predators that roam up to 30 miles a day hunting for food.
But they have declined in population recently because of human incursions into their habitat and from diseases such as rabies and canine distemper. Only about 5,000 exist worldwide; about 150 live in captivity in the United States.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/unleashed/2008/04/needs-editafric.html
ON THE ROAD IN BELIZE: They Call It 'The Best Little Zoo in the World' and It May Be All That
By David M. Kinchen
Huntingtonnews.net Editor
Belize, Central America (HNN) -- I'm not a big fan of zoos, the traditional kind, at least, but I'll make an exception for The Belize Zoo.
Begun in 1983 as what the zoo's web site (http://www.belizezoo.org/index.html) calls a "last ditch effort to provide a home for a collection of wild animals which had been used in making documentary films about tropic forests," the zoo has built a reputation as a tourist attraction and educational site in the savannas of Belize.
From those humble beginnings, the 29-acre Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center -- its full name -- is the best single place in this New Jersey-sized Central American country to learn about the wide variety of wildlife native to Belize.
It's an easy trip from Belize City, near Mile 30 on the Western Highway, the road to the capital city of Belmopan and San Ignacio and -- eventually the Guatemalan border. My main interest in this visit was to see a jaguar and I managed to get a close look at a traditional cat with the distinctive rosettes and a less common black or melanistic jaguar. I didn't get close enough to the latter, but a close examination will reveal rosettes in black jaguars. They're just difficult to see.
http://www.huntingtonnews.net/columns/080415-kinchen-belizezoo.html
Triplets of rare Siberian tigers born in Yalta zoo
The triplets of rare Siberian tigers were born in “Skazka” zoo, situated in Yalta city in southern Ukraine. It is the first private zoo in the CIS.
Zoo director Oleg Zubkov disclosed this to an UNIAN correspondent.
According to his information, the triplets were born to the family of tigress Yana and tiger Ular.
“This is not the first incident of tigers borning in the Yalta zoo, but it is a great event for us, because Siberian tigers are really very rare animals. The triplets are a very good present for us”, O. Zubkov noted.
Tiger cubs are in a good condition, they were not taken away from their mother. They have not been named as yet.
UNIAN’s reference. “Skazka” zoo war created in 1995. There are more than 700 animals and birds at present.
The Siberian tiger is the biggest cat in the world, and is recorded in the International Red Book. The protection of the Siberian tiger in the East of Russia is one of the main tasks of the Wild Nature World Fund (WWF).
permanent URL of article:
http://unian.net/eng/news/news-246590.html
Orissa zoo takes measures to beat the heat
Tuesday, 15 April , 2008, 22:34
Last Updated: Tuesday, 15 April , 2008, 22:55
Bhubaneswar: Orissa's Nandankanan Zoo has taken several measures like providing cold water and even a special summer menu to its captive animals to protect them from the heat wave that has gripped parts of the state.
“We have constructed 46 new water tanks and the water is being changed every day. Water will be sprinkled from time to time in select enclosures, including those of tigers, to keep the animals cool,” A K Patnaik, Director of the Zoo, told IANS.
Cold water would also be provided to animals like tigers, leopards, squirrel monkeys, and birds like cassowary and emu, he said.
“Besides, we will provide special foods like watermelon, green mango,sugarcane and papaya. These will be added to the diet of select animals and birds during peak summer,” Patnaik said.
For more news, analysis click here>> For more Science and Medicine news click here >>
Apart from that, all animals are also being given anti-stress medicines to prevent dehydration and other stress due to the heat.
“We have also done straw thatching over the existing roof of enclosures of the birds, mammal primates, lion, tigers, zebra and the reticulated python. We have opened a control room in the zoo hospital and formed a squad that monitors the health of the animals from time to time,” Patnaik said.
Nandankanan, which literally means 'garden of gods', was established in 1960 on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar and is home to 11 white tigers.
Steps have also been taken for people visiting the zoo. It has witnessed a steady increase in the number of visitors, touching an all time high of 1.7 million last year.
Many cities and towns, including capital Bhubaneswar, have already recorded temperatures of over 40 degree Celsius in the past four days, and weather officials say the mercury will only go up further.
http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14650079
IRWIN'S DAD RECEIVES ZOO PAY-OFF
Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)
2008-04-15 15:59:37 -
The father of late TV host
Steve Irwin has severed ties with his son's Australian zoo following a row with the Crocodile Hunter's widow TERRI. Bob Irwin will receive a package worth more than A$1 million ($942,520/£471,260) and an annual pension of A$100,000 ($94,000/£47,000) from the Australia Zoo wildlife park. The conservationist, 68, set up the park 38 years ago but handed over control to his son in 1991.
Terri vowed to continue her husband's work when he was killed by a stingray in 2006 - but Irwin admitted he did not agree on "certain aspects" of how the zoo was run. He says, "Most times I went into Australia Zoo, I would have a difference of opinion with somebody or I may have an idea and it would not be listened to.
"I felt it was just better for everybody concerned if I left." Steve Irwin was killed by a stingray in 2006 while filming a documentary.
http://www.pr-inside.com/irwin-s-dad-receives-zoo-pay-off-r538080.htm
Lone gray wolf remains at Zoo
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
PORTLAND - The gray wolf pack at Oregon Zoo is down to one. Zoo veterinarians euthanized the nearly 13-year-old Ceann on March 21 following surgery to remove a tumor from her shoulder. The loss leaves the exhibit with a lone male, Marcus.
The wolves were born in April 1995 at Wolf Park in Battle Ground, Ind., and arrived at the Oregon Zoo in June 1995.
According to Oregon Zoo veterinarian Mitch Finnegan, Marcus is getting older and has some significant medical issues that affect his mobility.
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/argus/index.ssf?/base/news/1208285455162690.xml&coll=6
Edinburgh Zoo: Chimps with everything
Why have Edinburgh Zoo's primates been given a new £6m home, with an indoor climbing frame and climate control? Rob Sharp asks if the world's gone bananas
Wednesday, 16 April 2008
AP
They also have their own type of 'substrate', or material such as wood chippings, spread across the floor
Approaching this lustrous, hi-tech building, you might first notice its jaunty angles, exotic veneered wood and towering glass walls. Glinting in the sunlight, it looks like an upmarket holiday resort, or a boutique hotel. Behind the perfectly finished surface of the glazing that extends above you like a skyscraper, the interior is filled with plush green creepers, a forest's worth of vegetation.
Look closer still and you might well see something furry and brown dart past. These are not motorbikers on a day trip to see Zaha Hadid's latest monolith. They are, in fact, the inhabitants of the world's largest chimpanzee enclosure. Costing £6m, and boasting the world's biggest climbing frame for apes, Edinburgh Zoo's Budongo Trail will open on 1 May. Its backers hope it will become the centrepiece of a new £80m redevelopment of what is already one of the city's principal tourist attractions.
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/edinburgh-zoo-chimps-with-everything-809468.html
Zoo made kosher for Passover 'Prohibition to eat hametz applies to animals as well as humans.'
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/Page/VideoPlayer&cid=1194419829128&videoId=1208179713653
New baby bearcat with UC ties at Zoo
BY JIM KNIPPENBERG
There’s a new bearcat in town, and it's not at the University of Cincinnati.
A still unnamed 3-month old female bearcat, or binturong, has moved into the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, taking the place of the beloved Alice, a star attraction and frequent guest at UC sporting events. Alice died in 2003 after 18 years of zoo residency and national appearances with David Letterman, Johnny Carson, Prince Charles and Newt Gingrich.
Zoo executive director Thane Maynard and UC president Nancy Zimpher made the joint announcement at a Wednesday morning press conference, both of them stressing that the new resident will serve to strengthen the more than 100-year-old relationship between the two institutions, which already share staffs and some resources.
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080416/ENT/304160020
Zoo releases endangered turtles in sea
April 17, 2008 - 4:14PM
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Australia Zoo staff have released four young endangered turtles into the Pacific Ocean after their nest was trampled by beachgoers.
Staff from the zoo, owned by Terri Irwin, widow of the late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, rescued 63 baby loggerhead turtles last Saturday from Wurtulla, on the Sunshine Coast.
Their nest had been severely compacted by people walking on the beach who were apparently unaware the nest was there, zoo staff member Kate Winter said.
Forty of the turtles were released on Saturday night, while a further 19 were taken to the Australian Wildlife Hospital.
The remaining four were taken out to sea, where they were released Wednesday into the Eastern Australian Current (EAC), where it is hoped they will reach maturity.
"The EAC is where the hatchling turtles would normally take four to five days to swim to," Ms Winter said.
The endangered loggerhead turtle nests at beaches all along Sunshine Coast.
"Just one in 1,000 loggerhead hatchlings survive to maturity at 30 years of age, so getting the remaining four out as soon as we could was just so important as every hatchling counts," Ms Winter said.
http://news.theage.com.au/national/zoo-releases-endangered-turtles-in-sea-20080417-26qw.html
Primatologist Jane Goodall: there's still hope for our planet
Copley News Service
A native of England, Jane Goodall has been studying chimpanzees in East Africa for nearly 50 years. Her work as a scientist, though sometimes controversial, has had a profound impact on primatology. The Jane Goodall Institute for Wildlife Research, Education and Conservation is a leader in the effort to protect endangered chimpanzees and their habitats. She was recently interviewed by the Union-Tribune editorial board.
Q: You've spent decades studying primates. What have you learned that has some application for humans?
A: The first thing, which I think has very real implications for how we look out on the world and evaluate ourselves in relation to the natural world, is that for a long time there was a huge lot of arrogance among Western scientists and to some extent Western religion in believing that there was a very sharp line dividing us from the rest of the animal kingdom, and that there was a difference of kind rather than degree. And the chimpanzees make it so clear because the DNA of humans and chimps differs by only just over 1 percent.
http://halife.com/news/opinion0505.html
May 18, 2008, 15:50
Rare frogs are not about to 'croak'
Kiev Zoo has joined the campaign “2008 – Year of the Frog” led by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA). The zoo will see its collection enlarged with rare species. It also plans to carry out research on the preservation of frogs and to hold a number of events to raise public awareness of the amphibian extinction crisis and to prevent some species from dying out.
The rarest species in the zoo is the yellow mantilla which populates the cool forests of Madagascar, which is now under threat of extinction as its number has been shrinking constantly.
This year the zoo has managed to get the mantilla to spawn. The zoo workers are now taking care of about 100 tadpoles, which they hope will mature into adult frogs and help lead towards a revival of the species.
http://www.russiatoday.ru/features/news/24904
How to keep your kids safe at petting zoo
By Dr. Elizabeth Smoots
Herald Columnist
If you want to scratch the chin of a goat or tickle the ear of a rabbit, a petting zoo can't be beat. It's the reason millions of families flock to the attractions at animal parks and fairs each year. After all, where else do city kids have a hands-on opportunity to get to know live animals up close and personal?
But the popular activity occasionally leads to unfortunate outbreaks of human disease. Why? Well, under certain circumstances, even cute and healthy-looking critters -- whether feathered, furry, four-legged, or otherwise -- can unwittingly pass germs to their human friends. That means it's up to us, the grown-ups, to keep the experience safe and fun.
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080520/LIVING/601177000
Police still checking reports of petting zoo mistreatment
LAKEWOOD — While authorities continued to investigate the operation of a petting zoo in the Industrial Park, officials said Monday original reports of mistreatment of animals were overstating conditions.
About 20 live animals were discovered in the yard of the Oorah organization at 1805 Swarthmore Ave. Friday night by Jeff Golub, chairman of the Industrial Commission.
Golub said he heard animal sounds while he was looking at a car for sale at the building. He called police on Saturday.
The building is the headquarters of Oorah and is in the Industrial Park.
Detective Lt. Joseph Isnardi said Monday the investigation into the supposedly illegal petting zoo is continuing.
"Charges are pending, and all parties agreed the animals needed medical treatment and food," Isnardi said.
Authorities found two ponies, one steer, four goats, one lamb, four wild turkeys, three rabbits, five live ducks and one dead duck at the facility, Isnardi said.
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080520/NEWS02/805200388
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