Thursday, May 21, 2009

Zoos

$100M budget shortfall may doom many Dallas programs, services
11:45 AM CDT on Tuesday, May 19, 2009
By RUDOLPH BUSH and DAVE LEVINTHAL / The Dallas Morning News
The first round of proposed cuts has put the jobs of nearly 350 city employees at risk and placed everything from police overtime to Dallas Zoo exhibits on the chopping block.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/051909dnmetdalbudget.42bb773.html


Trip to zoo with toddlers conjures memories of Tooth Fairy
Published: Monday, May 18, 2009 7:19 PM CDT
Two 6-year-olds and twin 4-year-olds took me on a trip to the Houston Zoo recently, and their conversations proved most entertaining to this middle-aged kid at heart who has no children.
Needless to say my hands were full, counting “one, two, three, four” at every turn, making sure every excited child was accounted for. One of the kindergartners, a nephew from Louisiana, was about to loose a tooth, as he reminded me outside the toothy elephant cage.
Earlier he had wondered if the Texas Tooth Fairy pays more than the one operating in the Bayou State.
So just how much does the Tooth Fairy pay these days? Here’s all I know:
She had delivered him a crisp $10 bill for his first tooth, and $2 for subsequent lost teeth.

http://www.mywesttexas.com/articles/2009/05/18/news/opinion/columns/shanna_sissom/doc4a11fb28cb1d8074108238.txt



'Zoo from Hell' trial begins in W. Haverstraw
By Steve Lieberman • slieberm@lohud.com • May 19, 2009

http://www.lohud.com/article/2009905190364


Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Bronx Zoo
Yesterday we visited the Bronx Zoo for the first time and it was wonderful! Here are some of our favorite highlights:

http://marvelouskiddo.blogspot.com/2009/05/bronx-zoo.html


May 19, 2009
First Lion Cubs in 25 Years for Blackpool Zoo
Three little female lion cubs were welcomed at the Blackpool Zoo in April and just unveiled to the media this week. Born to lioness "Gillian," the little girls mark the first lion birth at the Zoo in 25 years.

http://www.zooborns.com/zooborns/2009/05/first-lion-cubs-in-25-years-for-blackpool-zoo.html


Zoo shows off new penguin chicks
Two Humbolt penguin chicks will go on show to visitors at Twycross Zoo for the first time on Friday.
Staff are having to rear the pair by hand to boost their chance of survival, as the adult birds at the Leicestershire zoo are inexperienced.
The grey-coloured chicks are two of four which hatched at the zoo a week ago and were taken out of two different nests at two days old.
The pair have been named Ann and Barbara after staff at the zoo.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/leicestershire/8057434.stm


Summer events at the Toledo Zoo
May 18, 2009
Toledo, OH—In June, The Toledo Zoo presents a new exhibit that’s like nothing you’ve ever seen before—Nature’s Neighborhood! That’s only the beginning of the fun coming to your Toledo Zoo.
Visit the Zoo’s website, www.toledozoo.org, for more information about these and other upcoming events.
May 23 Natural Feeding and Enrichment Demos
Folks love watching Toledo Zoo animals chow down, so it’s no surprise that Natural Feeding Demos are a popular part of summer at the Zoo. You’ll also see how we encourage natural behaviors and offer stimulation to the senses through enrichment! Visit www.toledozoo.org for a complete schedule of activities.

http://www.thenews-messenger.com/article/20090518/UPDATES01/90519001



Light Zoo!
May18
Thad and I had some fun with LEDs…too much fun

http://nacedesign.com/blog/archives/195


Budget Committee Passes Zoo, Golf Fee Hikes
Written by Tina Chau - tchau@kgmb9.com
May 18, 2009 11:48 PM
UPDATE: Budget Committee also passed resolutions to increase fuel and property tax.
The Honolulu City Council Budget Committee met for more than 13 hours to discuss ways to save money. Members voted to raise zoo admission and golf fees.
Also, the committee decided to delay expansion of the recycling program. Families from Waipahu to Makua wouldn't have the service until 2011 at the earliest.
The full city council would still have to vote on these measures.

http://kgmb9.com/main/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17542&Itemid=40


Brookfield Zoo's elephant exhibit to remain closed because of death
2009-05-18 - Chicago, United States
The elephant exhibit in Brookfield Zoo near Chicago is closed until further notice after the death last week of Affie, a 40-year-old African elephant. Officials are still unsure of the cause of death. About 8 a.m. Friday, Affies keepers arrived and found her lying on her side indoors not able to stand back up, according to Sondra Katzen, spokeswoman for the zoo. After hours of attempts to get the 10,400-pound elephant on her feet, she died at 2 p.m., Katzen said.

http://www.elephant-news.com/index.php?id=4654


Cute Babies and Animal Antics at Valley Zoo
May 19th, 2009 by Michael Kwan
It seems that nearly every city I visit, I have an inherent urge to see its zoo. I was particularly impressed with Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle and I’ve had the chance to visit the Greater Vancouver Zoo as a “local tourist” as well. There’s just something to be said about being able to see wild and exotic animals that may not otherwise encounter during your daily journeys.

http://btr.michaelkwan.com/2009/05/19/cute-babies-and-animal-antics-at-valley-zoo/


Evansville zoo's baby camel, Miley, makes her debut
By Rich Davis
Posted May 19, 2009 at 10:57 a.m. , updated May 19, 2009 at 10:57 a.m.
Her name is Miley, and, yes, she was named after teenaged singing sensation Miley Cyrus of “Hannah Montana” fame.
Of course there’s little resemblance.
Evansville’s Miley weighs just under 50 pounds, is covered in grayish fur, has four spindly legs and will one day have two humps on her back
Star quality if you’re a camel.

http://www.courierpress.com/news/2009/may/19/evansville-zoos-baby-camel-miley-makes-her-debut/



Your morning adorable: Jaguar cubs at the Berlin Zoo
10:00 AM, May 19, 2009
The cubs -- two males and one female -- were born April 16 and made their first public appearance today. The zoo has named them Jumanes, Atiero and Valdivia.
Here's hoping the young cubs, unlike their cute predecessor, don't grow up to become "publicity-addicted psychos" (as reports suggest Knut has). More photos after the jump!

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/unleashed/2009/05/jaguar-cubs-at-the-berlin-zoo.html


Vote! Local Bands to Play at the Zoo
May 18, 2009
Did you hear that summer concerts at the zoo were cancelled? Nope! In addition to the 2009 summer concerts going strong, the zoo has decided to let us vote to showcase a few of our favorite local bands! The deadline is May 31st, so be quick and and take the survey now. Winners will be showcased at the July 8th concert, be sure and get your tickets as those are going fast!

http://portlandoctopus.com/vote-local-bands-to-play-at-the-zoo/


Jammin' at the Zoo concerts announced
May 18, 2009 4:11 PM
Hmmm. We've always enjoyed the occasional outdoor summer concerts at the Lincoln Park Zoo because they booked quirky acts from a certain era — from ABC to They Might Be Giants. This year's lineup was just announced and, well, it's certainly a different era ...
June 26: Sister Hazel with Josh Kelley
July 24: Matt Nathanson and Brett Dennen with Pat McGee
August 28: Five for Fighting with Angel Taylor
Only that July date sounds to us remotely worth the ticket prices (which, OK, support the animals), but we know y'all love your Sister Hazel. Tickets are $23 and on sale this Friday here, by phone at (312) 742-2283 or at the Zoo’s Gateway Pavilion.

http://blogs.suntimes.com/ourtown/2009/05/jammin_at_the_zoo_concerts_ann.html


Zoo, Chinese Officials Begin Talks About Pandas' Tenure
By Michael E. Ruane
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, May 21, 2009
He has grown up before our eyes.
He has put on weight -- at 191 pounds, he's no longer a cub.
Soon, he'll be interested in girls.
And sooner still, he could be leaving home.
We're talking about Tai Shan, the National Zoo's beloved giant panda "teenager." That's right, our black-eyed boy bear is not really ours at all. And later this year, he could be heading to China.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/20/AR2009052000910.html


Stomping grounds
Donors key to zoo's new elephant home
By Jeanette Steele Union-Tribune Staff Writer
2:00 a.m. May 20, 2009
Freda Palmer, 104, of San Diego donated $2.4 million for the new exhibit. She has her birthday party every year at either the zoo or Wild Animal Park. (John Gastaldo / Union-Tribune)
Online: Explore a multimedia presentation on the exhibit at uniontrib.com/more/elephant
ELEPHANT ODYSSEY
3 acres for seven elephants, with a 7-foot-deep pool holding 137,000 gallons
Jaguars will live in a marshy wetland with rocks, reeds, a stream that flows into a pond and opportunities to swim and hunt for live fish.
Lions get rocky slopes, a stream, trees and grasses. Heated rocks will be available for lounging.
Other animals: California condors, two-toed sloths, secretary birds, camels and horses
SAN DIEGO — San Diego Zoo elephants are getting a doozy of a new home thanks to the bigheartedness of a handful of donors such as Freda Palmer, a 104-year-old retiree from Rancho Bernardo.
Palmer was one of eight contributors who supplied 66 percent of the funds for the zoo's most ambitious construction project to date: Elephant Odyssey, the $45 million multispecies exhibit opening Saturday.
“I like all animals,” said Palmer, whose late husband, Karl, was an engineer and inventor. “When I heard that this is going to be a terrific undertaking, I thought that's where I should donate.”
While other zoos struggle to assemble public money and donations for new elephant exhibits, San Diego completed its blockbuster ahead of schedule. The speed of giving surprised even zoo officials, who originally planned to build the project in two phases instead of one.

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/may/20/1m20elephant014222-stomping-grounds/



Your morning adorable: Dachshund adopts tiger cub in German zoo
10:04 AM, May 20, 2009
A tiger cub born last weekend at Germany's Stroehen Zoo has already experienced the loss of two mother figures in its short life. The cub was rejected by its mother shortly after its birth. Things began looking up when the cub was adopted by Monster, a wirehaired dachshund that belonged to the zoo's owners. But Monster himself died unexpectedly.
After Monster's death, his daughter Bessi (shown here with the cub) took over mothering duties -- indeed, a zoo representative said she "fell in love" with the infant and has proved a capable guardian.
More photos of Bessi and her as-yet-unnamed charge after the jump!

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/unleashed/2009/05/dachshund-adopts-tiger-cub-in-german-zoo.html



Wild Horses!
Posted at 8:49 am May 20, 2009 by Lance Miller
Somali wild ass mare with her two-week-old foal
If you thought I was going to talk about the song from the Rolling Stones, you might be disappointed. I’m actually writing about a species that most people have either not heard of or know little about: the Somali wild ass. They are related to horses but really are wild asses.

http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/wild-horses/



Angry Veiled Chameleon





Visiting white tiger arrives at Seneca Park Zoo
By Linda Quinlan, staff writer
Irondequoit Post
Posted May 20, 2009 @ 03:40 PM
Irondequoit, N.Y. —
If you like “cats” of any size, shape or color, Monroe County’s Seneca Park Zoo may be the purr-fect place to be this summer.
County Executive Maggie Brooks today introduced Laska, a 500-pound, 10-year-old male white tiger, who will have a home at the zoo, located at 2222 St. Paul St., Rochester, through Labor Day.
“The rarity of a white tiger like Laska will make this up-close exhibit a truly impressive and memorable experience for everyone who visits,” Brooks said.

http://www.mpnnow.com/news/x2023747891/Visiting-white-tiger-arrives-at-Seneca-Park-Zoo



Wellington Zoo's Molly the Zebra dies
WELLINGTON, New Zealand, May 20 (UPI) -- The Wellington, New Zealand, zoo was mourning the death Wednesday of 19-year-old Molly, its last remaining zebra, officials said.
The zebra had long been suffering from various ailments that had been treated with painkillers and anti-inflammatory medication, but zoo officials decided this week they could no longer keep her comfortable and so put her down, The Dominion Post reported.

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/05/20/Wellington-Zoos-Molly-the-Zebra-dies/UPI-92181242853925/



Injured female manatee gives birth at Lowry Park Zoo
Reported by: Carly Timmons
Email: ctimmons@abcactionnews.com
Last Update: 5/20 4:26 pm
TAMPA, FL -- An adult female manatee patient with a serious chest injury gave birth Monday to a full-term male calf at the David A. Straz Jr. Manatee Hospital at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo.
The birth marks only the second in the hospital’s history. The first was in May 2000. After the first 48 hours, the new calf weighing 76 pounds appears healthy and is nursing routinely, but it faces challenges from the mother’s buoyancy and position in the water due to her injuries.
The adult female manatee was spotted by an officer with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on Wednesday, May 13 in the St. Johns River. The officer noticed the manatee was floating high in the water.

http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/local/story/Injured-female-manatee-gives-birth-at-Lowry-Park/FxywmJ-7mEym6e9FK7aq3w.cspx



Brew at the Zoo and Wine Too
Wednesday May 20, 2009
It's a big weekend (insert giraffe joke here) at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore.
Bands, food, beer, wine, and wild animals. What a combination. Saturday and Sunday, from 1:00-6:00 p.m. you can sample local cuisine, craft beer, wine from local vineyards, watch cooking demonstrations, and visit the Kids Zone all while roaming the zoo's grounds and checking out its full-time residents. PBS Kids personalities Miss Rosa and the Science Kid will be there on Saturday (with Miss Rosa making an encore appearance on Sunday), and Teddy Folkman, a finalist on The Next Food Network Star will be cooking with beer on Saturday.
Tickets, available online or at the gate, are $45 for non-members, $30 for members, $20 for non-member children and designated drivers, and $10 for member children and member designated drivers. I've never been to this particular event, but I did go to a similar one at the zoo in Tampa, and I can tell you it was a blast. All proceeds benefit the zoo and its conservation programs.

http://baltimore.about.com/b/2009/05/20/brew-at-the-zoo-and-wine-too.htm










Posted at: 05/20/2009 8:29 PM
By: Nicole Muehlhausen, Web Producer
St. Paul offers free bus service to Como Zoo
St. Paul will offer free shuttle service to the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory this Memorial Day weekend.
The shuttle will pick families up at parking lots at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds and the St. Paul Public School District Service Facility both off of Como Avenue and drop them off at the Visitor’s Center at the zoo and conservatory.
The buses will run 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. every weekend through September with the exception of Independence Day weekend.

http://ksax.com/article/stories/S940865.shtml?cat=10230


Dinosaurs roar at the zoo
Animatronic show has life-size giants that look real. They move, eye you for dinner in Cleveland
By Bob Downing
Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 03:08 p.m. EDT, May 20, 2009
It is unnerving to stand before the 20-foot-tall Tyrannosaurus rex as the powerful giant slowly turns its head and eyeballs you for a snack.
It looks very lethal. Its claws and teeth are more than a little intimidating. You can see the muscles in its neck moving.
The seven-ton, 40-foot-long creature has short stubby arms, three-toed feet, a brown back and legs and a tan belly — with the skin appearing textured and real.
It emits a guttural roar that scares everyone and everything within earshot — even though the dinosaurs disappeared 65 million years ago.
Starting today, the life-size T. rex returns to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, along with 17 other species of robotic dinosaurs.
It is the fourth time since 2003 that the zoo has staged the animatronic dinosaur show and it is expecting 200,000 visitors, said spokesman Tom O'Konowitz.

Details
• What: Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
• Where: 3900 Wildlife Way on Cleveland's West Side
• Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with hours extended to 7 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from Memorial Day through Labor Day
• Admission: $10 for adults, $7 for children 2 to 11. Dinosaurs! is an additional $1
• Information: 216-661-6500 or http://www.clemetzoo
It is unnerving to stand before the 20-foot-tall Tyrannosaurus rex as the powerful giant slowly turns its head and eyeballs you for a snack.
It looks very lethal. Its claws and teeth are more than a little intimidating. You can see the muscles in its neck moving.
The seven-ton, 40-foot-long creature has short stubby arms, three-toed feet, a brown back and legs and a tan belly — with the skin appearing textured and real.
It emits a guttural roar that scares everyone and everything within earshot — even though the dinosaurs disappeared 65 million years ago.

http://www.ohio.com/entertainment/45500452.html






Max the dog is an elephant keeper at the Houston Zoo
May 20, 6:13 PM ·
Max, a lovely pit bull, has been adopted by the Houston Zoo in Houston, Texas to play the role of zookeeper and companion to the elephants. Yes, you heard correctly, Max – whose full name is Elephas maximus (how fitting) is part of the elephant barn at the zoo. Strangely enough, Max wasn’t afraid of the elephants or the noises they made when he was introduced, although the elephants had no idea what to make of Max - a dog.
Max is both a friend to the elephants and a helper to the zookeepers. Here’s a typical day for Max, the special elephant dog:

http://www.examiner.com/x-10613-Houston-Dogs-Examiner~y2009m5d20-Max-the-dog-is-an-elephant-keeper-at-the-Houston-Zoo



Published May 21 2009
Flooding brings lambs to Minot zoo
Flooding in Ward County has brought some gifts to Minot's Roosevelt Park Zoo. Their names are Skeeter and Splash.
By: Associated Press,
MINOT — Flooding in Ward County has brought some gifts to Minot's Roosevelt Park Zoo. Their names are Skeeter and Splash.
The two lambs belonged to Neil Grubb of Logan, whose 100 pregnant ewes were rescued from flooding by emergency crews and zoo workers. The rescuers used boats to move all the ewes to safety.
Grubb was so grateful that he donated two newborn lambs to the zoo.

http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/119644/



Helmet protects injured tortoise
The helmet stops Timmy being infected
A giant tortoise at a Devon zoo is having to wear a specially-made helmet after it broke a large hole in the top of its shell.
No-one at Paignton Zoo knows how Timmy was injured, but zookeepers were keen to make sure that the hole was not infected.
The fibreglass helmet, which was cast from another tortoise, is stuck on with strong tape.
It could remain on Timmy's shell for about two years while the wound heals.
Zookeeper Mike Bungard said: "He's eating and moving fine.
"He likes to go in the bushes which is another reason for having it because he can then plough through them freely."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/devon/8061144.stm


Africa! returns to Minnesota Zoo this weekend
Thursday, 21 May 2009
Tiyumba African Drummers and Dancers Fatawu Sayibu, Eva Gathena and Linda Obel perform in front of the Africa! exhibit at the Minnesota Zoo May 19. The African drum and dance group will also perform opening weekend at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. & 1:30 p.m. Photo and video by Jeff Achen.

http://hometownsource.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=9244&Itemid=1


Philadelphia Zoo
Visit America's First Zoo During A Year-Long 150th Birthday Bash
© Joanne LaSpina
The first zoo in America opened in Philadelphia on July 1, 1874 with 813 animals. Today, more than 1.2 million visitors come to see over 1300 animals every year.
Located at the corner of 34th Street and Girard Avenue in historic Fairmount Park, the Philadelphia Zoo is the world's largest landscaped city park. Sectioned into 18 different habitats with animals, rides and other attractions, it is no wonder the Philadelphia Zoo is one of the most popular sites in the city.

http://pennsylvania-travel.suite101.com/article.cfm/philadelphia_zoo



Baby elephant is born at Antwerp Zoo

The female continues to circle the newborn to try to protect it from the other elephants.



Same infant standing and feeding. A little bit of a rough start for the young elephant, but, Antwerp Zoo does not interfer with the animals.





Sacramento Zoo Unveils "Endangered" Merry-Go-Round
Posted By: John Larimore
SACRAMENTO, CA - The next time you visit the Sacramento Zoo you will be able to actually take a spin on some of the animals. Wednesday the new Conservation Carousel was unveiled to the public.
The ride features 32 different species, including several on the endangered list. Children and adults alike will enjoy riding a rare red panda, a snow leopard, or even a pink flamingo. The animals were brought in from Ohio and are hand-carved from wood.

http://www.news10.net/news/story.aspx?storyid=59706&catid=2


Dated

Siberian tiger cub dies at Peoria zoo
Wire Services PEORIA (AP) - A Siberian tiger was found dead in his holding area at the Glen Oak Zoo in Peoria over the weekend. An examination showed that Danya, a 1-year-old cub, died Saturday from suffocation after suffering a crushed windpipe. Zoo officials said the injury was most likely caused by another tiger, and they hadn't ruled out the possibility that it was an accident from aggressive tiger cub play. Danya, a 150-pound male who arrived at the zoo in October from a Colorado zoo, shared an enclosure with two female tiger sisters, Nika and Kyra. Staff had slowly started introducing the tigers so they could eventually share the same exhibit space. The tigers were expected to be a major attraction at Glen Oak. Saturday was their sixth day together. Experts said the circumstances of Danya's death were rare and that zoo staff handled the situation appropriately.

http://www.saukvalley.com/articles/2006/12/12/news/state/13906201047024.txt


Knut custody battle fails before Berlin court (click here)
Published: 19 May 09 14:32 CETOnline: http://www.thelocal.de/society/20090519-19371.html
Two German zoos failed to reach an agreement before a Berlin court on Tuesday in a bitter custody battle over world-famous polar bear Knut and the some €6 million in revenue he has earned since 2007.
Posted by at