Why are penguins washing up dead?

July 19, 2008
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - Hundreds of baby penguins swept from the icy shores of Antarctica and Patagonia are washing up dead on Rio de Janeiro's tropical beaches. Niteroi, the state's biggest zoo, is treating about 100 penguins, many of them soaked in petroleum after passing through an offshore oil field.
While it is common to find some penguins swept by strong ocean currents from the Strait of Magellan, there have been more this year than at any time in recent memory, an environmental official said Friday.
Rescuers and those who treat penguins are divided over the possible causes.
Among the theories:
Overfishing may be forcing the birds to swim farther for food, weakening them and leaving them vulnerable to the strong currents.
Pollution may be weakening animals' immunity, leaving them susceptible to funguses and bacteria.
Changing ocean currents, caused by global warming, may be creating rougher seas.
The Associated Press

Zoos

Honolulu Zoo: The Happiest Place in Hawaii

http://kamfamily.wordpress.com/2008/07/20/honolulu-zoo-the-happiest-place-in-hawaii/






American flamingos hatch at Denver Zoo
By Liv Gold
The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 07/23/2008 02:22:15 PM MDT
Nearly five weeks ago, incubated coolers full of pearly flamingo eggs arrived at the Denver Zoo from the Miami Metro Zoo. Today, the Denver Zoo announced the addition of 19 flamingo chicks to its avian collection.
The flamingos, which pecked through their shells between June 22 and July 1, have downy grey and white feathers and orange beaks, according to a zoo news release. They are part of the American flamingo species, which makes its home in the coastal lagoons around the Caribbean and northern South America.
The chicks are still stumbling through their very first steps, but eventually they will grow to be five feet tall and take on vibrant pink coloring. Their diet, consisting of carotene-rich crustaceans, will support and
intensify the dazzling color.

http://www.denverpost.com/entertainment/ci_9972158



New residents at Denver Zoo descendents of famous flock
DENVER - Their connection to a hit 80s television show could make 19 new residents at the Denver Zoo a little more popular.
The flamingo chicks come from the same famous flock seen in the opening credits of "Miami Vice."
Denver zookeepers flew them here from the Miami Metro Zoo while they were still just eggs on June 19.
The hatchlings began pecking their way out of their shells just days after arriving in Denver.
The first emerged fully on June 22, and the last on July 1.
Newborn chicks are gray and white. They will eventually grow to a very vibrant hot pink.
As full-grown adults, they will be about 5 feet tall.

http://www.9news.com/seenon9news/article.aspx?storyid=96329&catid=509



Cincinnati Zoo cat facility step closer to Warren County after state awards $1.5M
By Justin McClelland
Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
The awarding of $1.5 million to the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden's large cat program has major implications for property owned by the zoo in Turtlecreek Twp.
The zoo received a $1.5 million allocation from the state of Ohio Capital Bill to assist in development of the Zoo's Cat Canyon/Small Cat Reproduction Center (SCaRCe) project as part of its current capital campaign.
The zoo plans to build the reproduction facility on land willed to it by Dallas Bowyer, who died in 1994. The 528-acre parcel of land is located north of Brewer Road and west of Ohio 741.

http://www.oxfordpress.com/hp/content/oh/story/news/local/2008/07/23/ws072308zoo.html



John Cleese Is Appearing At The Bristol Zoo
Television and film star John Cleese returned to familiar territory today when he took a trip down memory lane at Bristol Zoo Gardens.
The Fawlty Towers star regularly visited the Zoo as a boy while he was a pupil at Clifton College next door.
He returned to the Zoo today ahead of his appearance on stage for three evening performances at The Clifton Pavilion Theatre with broadcaster Chris Serle, in aid of Bristol Zoo Gardens’ conservation projects.
Whilst at the Zoo, the actor, who was born in Weston-super-Mare but who now lives in Los Angeles, met Bristol Zoo Gardens’ red ruffed lemur, Colin. Colin will be appearing on stage alongside Chris Serle and the Monty Python star as lemurs are John’s favourite animals.

http://www.zandavisitor.com/newsarticle-256-John_Cleese_Is_Appearing_At_The_Bristol_Zoo



Zoo to release turtles to the wild
Last Updated Jul 23, 2008 6:37 AM
Some Oregon Zoo animals are headed back to the wild.
The zoo is releasing about 55 endangered Western pond turtles that have spent the past 11 months under lights to simulate perpetual summer.
Zoo officials say the lights trick the turtles into avoiding hibernation, so they experience about three years of growth in less than a year.
The extra growth gives them a better chance against larger predators such as nonnative bullfrogs and largemouth bass.
The turtle conservation program is part of a collaborative effort by the Oregon Zoo and the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, along with state and federal agencies.

http://www.kxl.com/tabid/72/itemid/16165/Zoo-to-release-turtles-to-the-wild.aspx



Come to the Abilene Zoo for a howlin’ good time
By Bill Baker
Special to the Abilenian
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Many people may not realize that Texas and South America share something in common, but they soon will. South America is home to a wild dog unlike any other on earth, the Maned wolf. This unique animal that resembles a “fox on stilts” is colored a bright rust-red with a long pointed muzzle and dark shoulder hairs, and travels through the native grasses of its grassland habitat on tall, thin, black legs. The Maned wolves are known and named for their “wolf” size and black shoulder mane that bristles when they are alarmed. These spectacular animals are not only found in South America but will soon be found at the Abilene Zoo as well.
Even though they stand three feet tall and weigh around 50 pounds, making them South America’s largest wild dog, they are rarely seen in the wild. The Maned wolf has been shaped by two million years of life on the Brazilian plains and is perfectly adapted to their life in a tropical, tall grass environment. Maned wolves may travel up to 20 miles a day in search of food in a territory that may encompass up to 10 square miles.

http://reporternews.com/news/2008/jul/23/come-abilene-zoo-howlin-good-time/



Chimp in daring zoo break-out [+video]
Reuters Thursday, 24 July 2008
Dodging tranquilliser darts and yelping at his captors, a brazen chimp staged his own version of The Great Escape in Japan.
At Ishikawa Zoo, western Japan a 42-year-old chimpanzee named Ichiro led the audacious break-out from his pen and refused to come down from the roof.
At one point the chimp even grabbed the zoo worker's tranquilliser gun, but luckily it fell to the floor. Eventually the chimp was lured with a banana and then sedated.
It is thought the chimp was trying to find shelter from the sweltering heat that Japan has been experiencing.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4629403a4560.html



Tautphaus Park Zoo Will Get Asian Sloth Bears
Posted: July 23, 2008 06:10 PM EDT
After years planning, it's finally going to happen. Bears are coming back to Tautphaus Park Zoo.
Wednesday morning, the zoo superintendent broke the news that a big anonymous donation given the day before and it secured two Asian Sloth Bears to be moved to Idaho Falls.
Zoo Superintendent Bill Gersonde says he can hardly believe that he is now able to say that "Yes, the bears are coming." He's dreamed of having bears at the zoo as long as 15 years ago.
On Tuesday, an anonymous donor gave $25,000 to the zoo for the "Bring Back the bears campaign. That now brings the total of the fundraising effort to $227,000 with a goal of $250,000.

http://www.kpvi.com/Global/story.asp?S=8724920



More to the zoo than meets the eye
Perkins senior guides visually impaired at Franklin Park
Conventional wisdom might say that one goes to Franklin Park Zoo to see the animals. But a world waits there for those largely limited to touch, smell and simple curiosity.
“Keep your minds open and you will learn a lot,” said Mike Pedone, 20, a senior at the Perkins School for the Blind who is working as a guide at the zoo through its summer intern program.
Yesterday, Pedone and 19-year-old Josh Hallee, who is also visually impaired, led eight 7- and 8-year-old summer students from Perkins through the animal kingdom with the skill a sighted zoologist could envy.
The two have been trained through audio and braille materials over the past five weeks. While sharing what they have learned has been special, it means so much more to enlighten youngsters facing some of the same issues they did at a young age.

http://www.metrobostonnews.com/us/article/2008/07/24/02/0033-72/index.xml



County voters asked to authorize zoo levy
Andrew Sawmiller
July 23, 2008 - Oakland County voters will have the chance to decide whether they support public funding for the Detroit Zoo when they enter the polls during the Tuesday, Aug. 5 primary election to vote for or against a proposed property tax for zoo operations.
In May, Oakland County commissioners voted 18-5 to create the Oakland County Zoological Authority and appointed the authority's members, who successfully put a 0.1-mill, 10-year tax question on the primary ballot.
A mill is equal to $1 for every $1,000 of a property's taxable value, which is generally equal to half a property's market value. The owner of a property with a taxable value of $100,000 ($200,000 market value) would pay $10 a year if voters approve the 0.1-mill levy for zoo operations.

http://www.spinalcolumnonline.com/Articles-i-2008-07-23-55762.113117_County_voters_asked_to_authorize_zoo_levy.html



Stone Zoo's new jaguar cub to debut in the spotlight
July 24, 2008
STONEHAM - The Stone Zoo says it has a new jaguar cub and it will make its public debut early next month.
The cub was born on May 31 to Kanga and her mate, Pacal. Kanga previously gave birth at the zoo to two cubs in 2004 and three in 2006.
The jaguar is native to Central and South America.
"These animals serve as ambassadors for their species and educate people about the importance of habitat protection and species preservation around the world," said John Linehan, president and CEO of Zoo New England, which manages the Stone Zoo and the Franklin Park Zoo.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/07/24/stone_zoos_new_jaguar_cub_to_debut_in_the_spotlight/



A rainy day in Dhaka Zoo
July 24, 2008
It was really a nice pleasure to visit the lovely zone of Dhaka zoo on a rainy season. Due to three or four day’s long heavy rainfall, the dhaka zoo was quite empty. I went to the zoo at the end of continuous rainfall and enjoyed the best ever visit to the common (for us) visiting place, Dhaka Zoo — which is the national zoo here in Bangladesh
On the daily star we got a news story saying that after some years, Dhaka Zoo has imported some Giraffes along with Kangaroos and Zebra. We were curious to see a Giraffe not on the TV but by our own eyes. My classmates and I fixed few dates to go to the Zoo but we couldn’t just for heavy rainfall. But finally we went separately. Unfortunately, I had to go there alone.

http://aisajib.wordpress.com/2008/07/24/a-rainy-day-in-dhaka-zoo/



Editorial: Tough sell on zoo support
News Journal editorial • July 24, 2008
No one wants to see The Zoo Northwest Florida close its gates. It is a surprisingly sophisticated operation to be found outside a large metropolitan area, a valuable tourism draw and a unique opportunity for area school children.
But it's a tough time for it to be asking for support from area governments.
If there is an argument for it, at least in Santa Rosa County, it would be for the zoo to get a share of bed-tax dollars used to promote tourism. But those dollars could easily be more valuable in helping promote the overall area.
Santa Rosa officials are tying any subsidy to the zoo also getting help from Escambia and Okaloosa counties. In Escambia, tourism officials are increasingly vocal about needing additional bed-tax dollars to market the area more aggressively. They are pressing that argument against the use of bed-tax revenue to support the Pensacola Civic Center, and are unlikely to see a higher priority in supporting the zoo.

http://www.pnj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080724/OPINION/807240312




Tips To Follow While Clicking Images In Zoo!

Zoo is a very good location for apprentice photographers to learn different techniques in photography.
Zoo gives you a range of subjects (from animals to people who are observing the animals) and makes you learn the different techniques with some challenging work.
This article helps you in learning about different things and tips which are necessary for clicking great zoo pictures.
Things to remember while clicking images in zoo:
What is the distance? This is very important point to remember while clicking any image. Is the distance too long that you cannot get the right shot of the subject you are shooting? The distance between you and your subject should be in a respective position.

http://www.digitalpicturezone.com/digital-photography-tips-and-tricks/tips-to-follow-while-clicking-images-in-zoo/




Snow in Oklahoma?
Well, snow leopards actually. Two snow leopard cubs born May 19 at the Oklahoma City Zoo are almost as rare as snow would be on an August day in Oklahoma. Beginning August 1st, visitors to the zoo will be able to see these magnificent animals.
Snow leopards are an endangered species, with numbers in the wild estimated at 3,500 to 7,000 throughout Central Asia. Habitat loss and poaching for their pelts and body parts for medicinal purposes are contributing to their rapid decline.
The as-yet-unnamed male and female cub snow leopards were born at the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden’s Cat Forest exhibit to first-time, 6-year-old mother Kiara and 8-year-old father Tankh (pronounced Tawnk). They are the first litter born at the zoo in 16 years.

http://susanszoo.blogspot.com/2008/07/snow-in-oklahoma.html



Growing up in a zoo

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/7523726.stm



July 24, 2008
Houston Zoo welcomes birth of rare parrot
On April 25, 1972 the Houston Zoo made history, recording the first hatching in captivity of an endangered St. Vincent Amazon parrot. That first birth was followed by a second hatching in 1999. Today, the Houston Zoo is proud to report that history has repeated itself again and Zoo bird keepers are caring for a St. Vincent Amazon that hatched on May 28, 2008. The chick has been named Vincent after the father of the first St. Vincent born at the Houston Zoo.

http://www.naturescornermagazine.com/NaturesBlog/archives/2008/07/houston_zoo_wel.html



Oregon Zoo helping build up Western Pond Turtle population
Will be released into the wild in the Gorge
By Felicia Heaton
Thursday, July 24, 2008
At one time there was only about 150 of the western pond turtles in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest but that number is increasing thanks to the Oregon Zoo. They keep the turtles under heat lamps to help them grow before they are released. " This year we have 58 and we believe 56 of those will go out, every year there are some that don't make weight." says Amy Cutter at the Zoo who says the hatchlings are kept there until they're about the size of a three year old turtle.

http://www.1190kex.com/cc-common/news/sections/newsarticle.html?feed=123543&article=3999547



Fisher kits making their Minnesota Zoo public debut
The weasel-like species almost disappeared because of trapping and logging.
By PAUL WALSH, Star Tribune
Last update: July 24, 2008 - 12:01 PM
I believe hippiemom42 was making a facetious comment about being pregnant for 352 days, not trying to state the article was wrong. May I … read more suggest decaf? You seem a little tense.
Three fisher kits born at the Minnesota Zoo are now on exhibit. The species, which resembles weasels and are found in Alaska, Canada and the northern lower 48 states, was almost extinct for a time.
The zoo in Apple Valley is one of only four nationally accredited zoos to exhibit fishers and the only one to produce offspring in the past three years.
Born March 23, the three kits - two males and one female - are doing well and have started exploring their exhibit. Since their birth, they had been kept in an off-exhibit holding area with their mother as a health precaution.
Fishers are known for their tree-climbing, hunting and agility. Solitary creatures, they are constantly on the move.
Fishers almost disappeared because of trapping and logging practices, but now they are doing well in mixed wooded and heavily forested areas.
They are dark brown in color, good swimmers and like to travel close to the water. Fishers primarily eat small mammals and are one of the few animals that eat porcupine.
A litter of kits, usually one to five in number, are usually born in March or April after a gestation period of 352 days.
Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482

http://www.startribune.com/local/25849949.html?location_refer=Local%20+%20Metro



Toxicology tests yield no clues in Calgary Zoo stingray deaths
Last Updated: Wednesday, July 23, 2008 5:03 PM ET
The Canadian Press
The mass death of stingrays in an expensive exhibit in May is likely to remain a mystery, the Calgary Zoo says.
The zoo had hoped that extensive toxicology tests would provide an explanation as to why all but two of the 43 animals died, but the zoo said the samples yielded no clues.
Zoo conservation director Cathy Gaviller admitted Wednesday that it's frustrating that there will never be a definite answer as to what killed the cow-nosed rays.
An investigation has ruled out disease, bacteria or water quality as potential causes.
Gaviller says the possibility that someone knowingly poisoned the tank will lead to greater security measures in the future.
The zoo is trying to decide what to do with its almost-new, $250,000 exhibit and whether to restock the tank with rays or another species.

http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2008/07/23/stingray-update.html


A Review of the Huachipa Zoo in Lima, Peru and a Methodology for Grading Zoos
Several days ago my family visited one of Lima, Peru’s zoos. On the day before our visit, I wrote about some of my general thoughts and feelings about zoos, in an article titled “Why Zoos Stimulate Our Minds.”
Writing out my thoughts was a sort of preparative exercise, mostly to try to articulate the main dilemma I have with zoos: do the potential education benefits of zoos outweigh the cruelty of caging animals in small spaces that I personally believe typically don’t provide them with fulfilling lives? I still am not sure of the answer, but my trip to the Huachipa Zoo did answer another intriguing question for me. When zoos are bad, would I personally prefer that a bad zoo exist rather than have no zoo at all?
Before I reveal the answer to the aforementioned question, I should explain that my wife and I came up with some criteria for rating zoos. For the purpose of reviewing more zoos in the future, I wanted to have some reasonable means to compare them.

http://ecoworldly.com/2008/07/20/a-review-of-the-huachipa-zoo-in-lima-peru-and-a-methodology-for-grading-zoos/



Ice Cream Safari Brings Record Crowd to Zoo
It may have been hot around the state Saturday, but the Jackson Zoological Park was the cool spot!
The wildly popular Ice Cream Safari brought in a record-breaking crowd to taste Schwan's Ice Cream scooped up by their favorite local media celebrities.
Saturday's turnout was the largest ever for the 14-year event.
Television, radio, and newspaper personalities worked their arms for the crowds, scooping out flavors like Gibbon Maple Cream, Rhinoberry Rumple, and Chocolate Chimp.
"Pygmy Hippo Ripple. We have fresh squeezed Pygmy Hippo. This is what a scoop is all about, this is fine Pygmy Hippo Ripple," WLBT's Howard Ballou said as he served up the cold treat.
Howard has won the scooping contest every year he has participated. But some were hoping to change that.
"Our goal is to unseat Howard and Wilson," said Lance Fuller of "Hallelujah 95.5" radio station. "Howard's the long-time champion. Wilson won last year. He sat in for Howard."
The winner will be announced on Monday.

http://www.wlbt.com/Global/story.asp?S=8703239&nav=1L7t4viX



OpenCarry.org members visited Zoo Boise to make a point
Edition Date: 07/20/08
When you go to the zoo, you expect to see monkeys, ducks in a pond. You don't usually expect to see visitors with handguns.
But you would have, had you visited Zoo Boise Saturday morning.
About 10 members of the local chapter of OpenCarry.org, a national group that advocates for citizens' rights to openly carry handguns, met there.
After a little confusion at the front desk about whether it's legal to bring an unconcealed handgun into the zoo - it is - the group bought tickets and sauntered through the front gates like all the other visitors.
That they were no different from all the other visitors was the point the group members were trying to make.
"Coming to the zoo was something we could do together, like any family would," said Carol Schultz of Nampa. She is never without her handgun and holds her holster in place with a heart-studded belt.

http://www.idahostatesman.com/102/story/447064.html



Olivia to Perform at Australia Zoo
Olivia will perform at Steve Irwin Day and the world-famous Australia Zoo on November 15.
Steve Irwin Day on November 15 will be a day for remembering the one and only Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin. The day will represent the many things Steve was passionate about; family, wildlife and FUN. You can get involved in a number of ways including visiting Australia Zoo for an action packed day, having a Backyard Campout or donning your khakis for Khaki Day.
All proceeds raised from these activities will go to Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors Worldwide.

http://www.steveirwinday.org

http://0daysound.blogspot.com/2008/07/olivia-to-perform-at-australia-zoo.html



Steve Irwin Day
Steve Irwin Day on November 15 will be a day for remembering the one and only Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin. The day will represent the many things Steve was passionate about; family, wildlife and FUN. You can get involved in a number of ways including visiting Australia Zoo for an action packed day, having a Backyard Campout or donning your khakis for Khaki Day.
All proceeds raised from these activities will go to Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors Worldwide.

http://www.steveirwinday.org/



Petting Zoo Goat Slams Kid
This kid was having a good time playing with the animals at a petting zoo when suddenly this old goat decides to slam him from behind.

http://www.break.com/index/petting-zoo-goat-slams-kid.html



Baby panda adopted by house cat dies: zoo
The Hague (AFP) July 18, 2008
A baby panda adopted by a domestic cat at Amsterdam's Artis zoo has died after choking on the milk of its foster mother, the zoo said Friday.
"The little one was discovered lifeless on Thursday morning," it said in a statement.
"A post-mortem revealed that its windpipe was filled with milk. It had choked to death."
The red panda cub was born on June 30, but was rejected by its own mother along with a sibling who died soon thereafter.
It was adopted by a zoo employee's pet cat who suckled the newborn with its own four kittens.
"The cat had just had kittens and accepted the baby panda as a foster child," said the zoo statement.
"As far as we know, this was the first time that a cat has adopted a baby panda."
Red pandas, which are only slightly larger than domestic cats, are an endangered species found mostly in the eastern Himalayas. Many zoos worldwide have breeding programmes as only about 2,500 red pandas remain in the wild today.

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Baby_panda_adopted_by_house_cat_dies_zoo_999.html



Gun advocacy group tours Idaho zoo while armed
3 days ago
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho members of a group that advocates for the right to openly carry handguns in public are turning heads by touring Zoo Boise while packing guns on their hips.
Ten members of OpenCarry.org were allowed into the zoo Saturday after some initial confusion at the entrance about whether it was legal to bring an unconcealed handgun inside.
Group member Carol Schultz of Nampa says: "Coming to the zoo was something we could do together, like any family would."
Schultz says she's never without her handgun that she keeps in a holster attached to a heart-studded belt.
Zoo visitor Alex Lundgren of Boise questioned the group's decision to bring firearms.
He says: "Legal and appropriate are two different things."

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jjjAJ_MpHfq4BdalJb3lG07cMswgD921S3880



Off the Agenda
County Council's plot twist on zoo issue worthy of Hollywood
Notebook nuggest from local governments and campaigns
The Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated: 07/21/2008 12:13:18 AM MDT
As far as political reversals go, this one was brilliant.
Utah's Hogle Zoo had counted its votes and felt confident Tuesday that the Salt Lake County Council would put a $65 million bond - pegged for one of the largest renovations in park history - on November's ballot.
The council's four Democrats hadn't wavered in their support. And GOP Councilman Marv Hendrickson, the key swing vote, told reporters three times that Hogle had his nod.
If only politics were that predictable.
One hour into Tuesday's Hogle Zoo debate, Democrats called an impromptu recess to resolve questions about whether the council should require the east-side animal park to raise private donations before receiving public funds.

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_9944781



Baby giraffe dies at Zoo
By Gagani Weerakoon
A three month old baby giraffe at Dehiwala Zoo has died allegedly after falling into a pit yesterday.
Sources allege employees at the National Zoo were seen filling all pits in the area after finding the dead baby giraffe, to prevent further mishaps.
However, Director General National Zoological Gardens, Duminda Jayaratne, denying the allegation, said the baby giraffe had been suffering from diarrhea for about a week and died early last morning. "He was born at the Zoo and was apparently too weak to survive. There is no truth to the allegation that it died by falling into a pit as the zoo is on a flat land," he said.

http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=20988

continued...

Perkins senior guides visually impaired at Franklin Park (click here for article)

Perkins School for the Blind student, Kelly Cusack, 7, pets Sage during a tour given by Zoo Teens who are also students at the Perkins school in Franklin Zoo yesterday.