Team releases eagle at sanitation plant (click here)
BY KAYLEE HUGHES
Commercial-News
DANVILLE — On Tuesday at dawn, a 1-year-old bald eagle, Sewey, was released at the Danville Sanitary District where it had been found.
Sewey was discovered in a pond near the sanitary district. Steve Brewer called in the report to the conservation officers at Forest Glen Preserve.
"We get calls about birds all the time,” said Amy Steeples, programming secretary for the Forest Glen. “So we were a little skeptical that it was an eagle. But we knew the people out here have seen quite a few birds and knew what they were talking about.”
"It was huge! I remember thinking we should have brought a bigger net," said Susan Biggs Warner, who also works at Forest Glen.
Gary Wilford, Warner and Steeples arrived at the sanitary district to find Sewey close to the shore of the pond, but covered with sludge....

Zollman Zoo celebrates 40 years (click here)
8/30/2009 4:15:02 PM
By John Weiss
Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN
BYRON -- For most of the Zollman Zoo's 40-year existence, the cute little prairie dogs and big lumbering black bear have reigned as the top attractions.
Then, along came the otters. Sleek, playful, with their funny whiskers, they also made it to the most-watched list. A recent expansion of their enclosure, including a glass-sided tank so people can observe them swimming underwater, helped boost their popularity.
Today, the zoo's newest additions, two wolf pups, are a strong draw for visitors, said Kevin Crilly, director of the zoo, which is in Oxbow Park.
On Saturday, the Zollman celebrated its 40th anniversary with a Friends of Oxbow party that attracted several hundred people....

Three Azur Tiger Cubs Born at Utah's Hogle Zoo (click here)

Utah's Hogle Zoo recently announced that three critically endangered male Amur tiger cubs have been born. The Amur tigers, formerly known as Siberian tigers, are part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' (AZA) Tiger Species Survival Plan (SSP). The Hogle Zoo reports that the mother Basha is doing an excellent job taking care of the three male cubs.
For the past couple of months these tiger brothers have become increasingly active and Basha is kept busy nursing and caring for her three active and playful cubs. Although this is first litter for her, she is proving to be an excellent mother. "With first-time moms we prepare ourselves to deal with the unknown. But Basha took on the three cubs like she was a natural; she was an extremely caring, protective, great mom from day one," says Hogle Zoo feline keeper Jill VanMilligen. She adds, "Basha was one of three cubs born at Hogle Zoo in 2003 and now watching her become a mom herself is incredible." This is the first time that Kazek, who arrived at Hogle Zoo in 2006 from the Buffalo Zoo, has sired a litter.

The cubs are absolutely adorable and they are going to get much bigger. Hogle Zoo says Amur tigers are the largest of all the cat species. Adult males can grow to be 11 feet long and weigh 400 to 650 pounds.

Burrowing Owl Chicks Hatch at Smithsonian's National Zoo for the First Time in 30 Years (click here)

Fri, 8/28/2009 - 2:26 PM

By Enica R. Thompson
Washington, DC - The Smithsonian’s National Zoo welcomed two burrowing owl chicks Aug. 2—the first hatching of this species at the Zoo in 30 years. The chicks’ parents, a 5-year-old male and 4-year-old female, have been at the Zoo since June 2006.
The last time burrowing owls successfully bred at the National Zoo was in the late 1970s. A recent population-management plan recommended breeding the Zoo’s current adult pair. The chicks are with their parents in the Zoo’s Bird House. Currently, there is semi-transparent filter paper covering their exhibit, providing the chicks with privacy. As they become more comfortable with their new surroundings, the paper will slowly be removed.
Burrowing owls are named for their habit of living in underground burrows. The Zuni Indians called these owls the “priest of the prairie dogs” because they often nest and roost in empty prairie dog burrows. At the Zoo, the owls are provided with tunnels and underground nest boxes....

Zoo theft kingpin flees as cops doze on train (click here)

TNN

31 August 2009, 10:40pm

KOLKATA
SAMBALPUR: Raj Saikia, the kingpin of the theft of Brazilian marmosets from Alipore zoo on August 9, gave dozing policemen the slip on

Monday while being brought from Chhattisgarh to Kolkata in an AC 2-tier coach of Ahmedabad Express....

Brookfield Zoo dolphins head north, to return in spring (click here)
August 31, 2009 10:42 AM
Brookfield Zoo has moved its three resident dolphins to the Minnesota Zoo until next spring in order to reline the facility's pools and update the 20-year-old building.
The three dolphins, Tapeko, 27, Noelani, 5 and Allison, 3, flew out to Minneosota Sunday. They arrived safely and were placed in a pool separate from that zoo's four resident dolphins, three females and a male. Once they are acclimated to their new surroundings, the Brookfield dolphins will join with the Minnesota dolphins, zoo officials said....

State Taking Applications for New N.C. Zoo License Plates (click here)
Staff Writer
August 31, 2009

ASHEBORO, N.C. - The state Division of Motor Vehicles is accepting applications for the new "Support the N.C. Zoo" license plate. It costs $30 extra, with $20 going back to the N.C. Zoo Society.The DMV will begin making the plates once 300 people sign up and pay.Zoo officials say supporters can buy the plates by calling the society or visiting its Web site. Plate applications will also be available at the zoo's gift shop.

Pair of bears finally freed from grizzly zoo conditions (click here)

By Patrick Galey Daily Star staff

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

BEIRUT: At the end of a summer in which more than a million tourists flocked to Leba­non, Emirates flight EK 954 to Istanbul on Sunday night saw two rather unusual passengers leave the country – a pair of female brown bears. The animals were flown to Turkey before being transported to the Karakabey bear sanctuary, the last stop on a journey that started nine months ago, inside a rusty iron cage.
The pair, named Kira and Big Mama, had been locked inside a neglected zoo for 15 years before a Lebanese animal sanctuary came across the enclosure, in the Dbayye area, and removed 40 animals, including monkeys, turtles, a vulture, a porcupine and a jackal....

Zoo animal deaths scrutinized (click here)

By James Carlson
Created September 1, 2009 at 8:00pm
Updated September 2, 2009 at 12:52am
Animals in the wild operate with stealth.
To some extent, the same can be said about the operation of the Topeka Zoo.
Revelations in an Aug. 12 federal inspection report highlight how the zoo selectively disclosed information to the public and to the government's regulatory agency about animals that have died at the zoo in the past three years.
Since news surfaced last week about a U.S. Department of Agriculture inspection report that cited the zoo for serious noncompliance items involving the deaths of animals, zoo director Mike Coker conceded openness at the zoo can be improved....

Oregon Zoo back in an uproar, thanks to new lions (click here)

By Bill Roberson
PORTLAND, Ore. – The Oregon Zoo’s new African lions have moved into their new enclosure at the Predators of Serengeti exhibit and are making themselves at home, said zoo staff. “Our three lions are adjusting well to their new home,” said Mike Keele, the zoo’s acting director. “The roar is officially back at the Oregon Zoo.”Zawadi Mungu, the male lion, came from the San Diego Wild Animal Park. The female lions, Neka and Kya, came from the Virginia Zoo and the Racine Zoo in Wisconsin....

Brevard County Zoo seeks businesses to host treat stations at 'Boo at the Zoo' (click here)
By staff report

Originally published 04:25 p.m., September 1, 2009Updated 04:25 p.m., September 1, 2009

BREVARD COUNTY — Brevard Zoo’s annual spooky spectacular Boo at the Zoo still has space available for businesses to host a treat station.
The 13th annual Halloween event is Oct. 16 through18; 23 through 25; and Oct. 30 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
The zoo expects 10,000 to 12,000 people in attendance over seven nights. For treat station sponsorship information, call (321) 254-9453, ext. 235 or send an e-mail to bgray@brevardzoo.org.
Tickets are available for purchase after Sept. 22. The first weekend, admission will be $8 per person. The second weekend and Oct. 30, admission will be $10 per person.

Labor Day events at the San Francisco Zoo for babies, toddlers and preschoolers (click here)
September 1, 10:34 AM

The San Francisco Zoo is featuring "Baby Bonanza - bring your baby to meet our babies" now through Labor Day, in celebration of the Zoo's summer births. Baby Bonanza is featuring a gorilla, giraffe calves, a howler monkey, kangaroos and even more babies. Participants will receive a free activity book to take home filled with games and animal facts. The Little Puffer Miniature Steam Train will be running daily 10:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. through Labor Day. Train fee is $4. Children may also enjoy the Carousel and Talking Storybooks and Zoo Keys.
Toddlers and Preschoolers will also be kept busy at the Zoo, as an array of classes are scheduled for toddlers and preschoolers throughout the month of September....

Ore. sea lions making their mark in the art world (click here)
August 31st, 2009

LORI TOBIASThe Associated Press
(AP) — NEWPORT, Ore. – When marine mammalogist Jen DeGroot decided to teach Lea, a sea lion, to make flipper art, she was merely looking for ways to keep the Oregon Coast Aquarium resident from getting bored.
She never imagined Lea would develop her own following. But that’s exactly what happened when fellow workers at the aquarium learned of the work and began requesting their own custom prints. Before long, DeGroot and her colleagues were having trouble keeping up with the demand.
“We thought, ‘This is a popular thing. We can make money for the animals,’” says DeGroot....

Zoo euthanizes tiger Holly (click here)
19-year-old animal suffered seizures
By Karen Smith Welch

karen.welch@amarillo.com
A Bengal tiger acquired to signify bold changes for the Amarillo Zoo died last weekend after suffering steadily worsening seizures.
Consulting veterinarian Dr. Merton Pearson euthanized the 225-pound tiger, Holly, on Saturday after it was determined her condition would continue to decline, Zoo Curator Rhonda Votino said.
"It was a very difficult decision, but her quality of life had deteriorated to a point where we felt it was the most humane alternative," Votino said....

Little River Zoo’s animals take a turn at politickingProgram to help tackle funding issue (click here)
BY JENNIFER GRISWOLD
Published: September 1, 2009Modified: August 31, 2009 at 4:45 pm
NORMAN — The race for a local mayor’s position has turned into a real zoo.

Ten candidates are vying for the top position at Little River Zoo. Campaign officials admit the candidates are acting like a bunch of animals, but that’s because they are animals.
Little River Zoo launched a new fundraising program in August to help support the animals at the zoo.
They are asking people to get involved with the zoo by voting for the Official Little River Zoo Mayor each month.
People can go to www.littleriverzoo.com and cast their votes by clicking on Little River Zoo for Life Fund link. Zoo officials are asking for a minimum $1 donation per vote....

Zoo Enrichment Techniques
How Zoos Keep Animals Happy, Healthy, and Busy (click here)

Environmental enrichment, also known as behavioral enrichment, is defined by the Honolulu Zoo website as techniques that "improve or enhance zoo environments for animals, stimulating them to investigate and interact with their surroundings." Basically, zoos know that wild animals are healthier when kept in an environment that simulates their natural habitat, and happier when they can use their skills and abilities....

Zoo’s roar is back as lions return to exhibit (click here)
Pamplin Media Group, Sep 2, 2009

The Oregon Zoo has some new tenants. Three African lions moved recently into their new enclosure that is part of the Predators of the Serengeti exhibit.
The 2.5-acre exhibit that opens Sept. 12 offers a simulated “natural” environment for a variety of African predators, including cheetahs, African wild dogs and red-billed hornbills.
The exhibit also marks the return of lions to the Oregon Zoo. In 1998, lions left the zoo to make room for a new exhibit. After people began asking about the lions and their possible return, the zoo embarked on its “Bring Back the Roar” campaign to build the new exhibit and return the animals to the zoo....

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