Retreating Glaciers

Speaking of Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth" and running into North Carolina Zoo veterinarian Dr. Mike Loomis at yesterday's late afternoon showing of the seminar-movie, at one point the former vice president showed various before-and-after photos of glaciers (mainly 25-100 years ago and recently). The retreat of the glaciers shown (some of the most famous in the world) was dramatic.

When he dealt with Mount Kilimanjaro, he showed a very old photo, with much ice at the top; fairly recently, with very little; and more recently, with virtually none. I was sitting in the movie with Mike to my right. (He had stood to my right as we had our pictures taken at the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro in February 2004.)

(Mike took a photo of Mount Kilimanjaro this year, which reveal that, while the ice at the top may be gone, much remains near the top. Most scientists agree, however, that that ice will be gone in 10-20 years.)

While Gore explained how global warming was creating stronger hurricanes and flooding, he also explained the paradox that other areas will experience severe drought. Similarly, as most glaciers in the world are retreating (becoming smaller each year) some are advancing (becoming larger annually), as this BBC educational site confirms.

Clap Hands

Speaking of the great blue heron, I saw one on my hour run (between now and my earlier posting about the great blue in flight and the little green heron, on the ground). It did not take wing and fly, however, as it was quite used to folks going by (across the pond) on the Greenway near Bur-Mil Park, Greensboro, NC.

I could have clapped my hands and probably would have seen its impressive take-off.

Speaking of Henry Beston's "The Outermost House", he writes, of the added benefit of watching birds in flight, as opposed to on the ground: "Not only do colours and new arrangements of colours appear in flight, there is also a revelation of personality. Study your birds on the ground as you will, but once you have thus observed them and studied their loveliness, do not be afraid to clap your hands and send them off into the air. They will take no real alarm and will soon forgive you. Watch birds flying."

On the Wing vs. On the Ground

When I told Ann and Greenmon, when we had made a rare sighting of a little green heron, that it was my favorite bird, I noticed that Greenmon much later remarked, as it took flight, that it was a rather awkward flyer.

That remark made me realize that I had decided the little green was my favorite based on its ground appearance and behavior and, of course, more. (Part of that "more" is that, after many hours and days of solo canoing, sighting many great blue heron, song birds, swamp birds and even the occasional bald eagle, my first sighting of a little green heron was a rare treat, and I found, in that and later sightings, that it could be approached carefully and viewed at length if it had enough light vegetation at the shore line that it could walk along with my canoe, secure in the knowledge that it could disappear deeper into that vegetation if I became a more aggressive viewer.)

As I continue to read "The Outermost House", by Henry Beston, 1928, I have, since the canoe trip with Ann and Greenmon, read Beston's assertion that, for him, the real measure of a bird is observing it in flight. (I had felt, when Greenmon made his remark about the awkward flight, that he too puts much stock into that measurement.)

When you approach a great blue heron by canoe it is an interesting challenge to see how close you can get. When it takes flight it may scold you for getting too close, and then it rewards you with its wonderful flight and may treat you to a distant view of it selecting a new roosting place and it deftly settling into it.

I've thrilled to see a bald eagle fly almost directly above my canoe, heading to "from whence I had come".

But the little green heron is my favorite bird.

Stare

Stare
Originally uploaded by zhollandsworth.

Two cheetahs are captured nicely in photo at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glen Rose, Texas by zhollandsworth, who also gave the composition its title.

Share the Road II

More so now than when this was first put up on the NC Zoo Society website, animals are on the move, crossing the Zoo entrance road and roads you travel.

Watch for them. It is cool to brake, swerve, slow and stop to assist wildlife.

"Inconvenient Truth"

Just saw the movie, "An Inconvenient Truth", starring Al Gore and his traveling "power point" lecture on global warming.

Very important message. Very watchable...and disturbing.

This website offers much of the content and science: (Link)

I was perhaps most impressed with the graphing of the "ups and downs" of our Earth's annual rising "gas house" buildup. There is a chart that shows one annual "up" and one "down", but the overall trend is relentlessly and steeply "up".

Gore referred to the annual up and down as the Earth taking one inhale and one exhale a year. The trend chart seemed to be one of a patient dying of a progressive disease.

When Ann and I got to the theater, there were Dr. Mike Loomis (North Carolina Zoo veterinarian) and wife Glenda, as well as super NC Zoo volunteer Dianne Powell and husband Ken. (All three couples drive a Toyota Prius hybrid car; Ann also has the Honda Civic hybrid.)

Soon another couple of women arrived in the theater and we learned that they too arrived by Prius.

Guess "An Inconvenient Truth" was being preached to the choir, but it left me committed to redouble my efforts to aid our endangered Earth.

NPR "Covers" Blanket-Eating Python

You probably heard about the 12-foot python that required surgery after swallowing a queen-sized electric blanket. National Public Radio has the details.

Wonder if "Wired" magazine will cover the story.

Grandfather's New Plants

Volunteers from the Atlanta Botanical Garden and agents of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service helped install "carpets of endangered plant species" on cliffs on Grandfather Mountain (in western North Carolina) which had been eroded from years of traffic by hang gliders. (Link)

"The endangered plant species planted this year were Blue Ridge Goldenrod, Hellar’s Blazing Star and Roan Mountain Bluets. Seeds for these wildflowers had been collected from neighboring areas on Grandfather last season and propagated over the winter at the Atlanta Botanical Garden.

"Plants installed on the cliff during similar conservation efforts in 2003 and 2004 looked healthy. Among the most encouraging observations made by the conservation team was that one of the globally threatened Roan Mountain Bluets planted in years past was in bloom."

Meal Worms Lure Escapee

As predicted, the London Zoo's escaped squirrel monkey returned to her (Betty's) night quarters where her favorite meal worms awaited. (Link)

"Emma Kenly, a spokesperson for London Zoo said: "Betty remained in trees by the zoo's perimeter throughout the day, closely monitored by keeping staff and was still in the park when the zoo closed at 5.30pm.

"Betty voluntarily returned to her enclosure when it got dark, at around 10pm to eat food, including her favourite mealworms, that had been left for her." (UK News)

War Affects Zoo Animals

As we know so well at the North Carolina Zoo Society, from our experience with the Kabul and Baghdad Zoos, war affects zoo animals too.

Betsy Hiel, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, reports on Haifa Zoo's 600 animals as rockets rain down. (Link)

"With the zoo located in the heart of the city, a direct hit by a Katyusha rocket on an outdoor cage could kill the animals or free lions, tigers and other wild beasts to run loose in the streets."

Monkey Tours Regents Park

A squirrel monkey made a possibly-planned escape of London Zoo, UK News reports. (Link)

"David Field, London Zoo's Zoological director said: "She's certainly made a monkey out of us! She is merely visiting the park.

"We train the monkeys to come back to their quarters and she will return later in the day when it becomes quieter. We will encourage her to come back with a favourite treat of mealworms."

"She will have escaped by a branch that was overhanging the enclosure. There are tree surgeons in there now making sure all the escape routes are closed," he added.

Meatsicle

Zoo Zurich is offering meat "ice cream", frozen fruit, etc. to its animals as Switzerland experiences its warmest July in many years. (Reuters link)

What's the matter? You've never seen a Polar Bear with a pumpkin?

Whats the matter? You've never seen a Polar Bear with a pumpkin?
Originally uploaded by ucumari77.

Another strong portrait of a North Carolina Zoo animal and fun title by NC Zoo Society volunteer ucumari77.

NC Zoo Photo Art

green sleeves1
Originally uploaded by ucumari77.

This photo, which North Carolina Zoo Society volunteer ucumari77 titles "green sleeves1", is a work of art which she created by choosing and composing this close look at this NC Zoo foliage.

Freeze! Paws against the wall!

Freeze! Paws against the wall!
Originally uploaded by ucumari77.

North Carolina Zoo Society volunteer ucumari77 captured both NC Zoo Polar bears at the same spot in their big habitat at once, giving her the inspiration for her title.

Can I have some more?

Can I have some more?
Originally uploaded by ucumari77.

North Carolina Zoo Society volunteer ucumari77 took and titled this photo of an NC Zoo American Alligator, found in the North American region's Cypress Swamp exhibit complex.

Toronto Zoo Elephants Mourn

When the matriarch of the seven-member African elephant herd at the Toronto Zoo, Patsy, died Monday at age 40, the other six elephants mourned, as expected. (Link)

A matriarch is the leader of the elephant herd, as adult males are not participants in the social structure of the herd.

""They came over and touched her with their trunks. They were mourning for her," Toronto Zoo CEO Calvin White said of the six surviving members of the herd.

Some Elephants Are Climbers

Spoke to North Carolina Zoo veterinarian Dr. Mike Loomis today about the study which finds that African (savannah) elephants avoid going up even rather small hills. (Link)

Mike, who has tracked African elephants over many months, through many years, is of the opinion that, while that may be true for the elephants studied, he has seen, and heard reliable reports of, African (forest and savannah) elephants climbing steep mountains - including Mount Cameroon (up to "2500 or 3000 meters") and Mount Kilimanjaro.

(Note: While some believe there are two elephant species (African and Asian), others believe there are two distinct species of African elephants (forest and savannah) and others still believe there are three distinct African species, although I'm unsure of the details on this theory.)

(Update: This article by Keith Somerville for BBC News Online reports on the UC San Diego researchers who say the elephants of West Africa are a separate, third species of African elephant.)

Cool Treat (Fruit-and-Vegesicle)

Click on picture number 5 in BBC News' "Day in Pictures" to see Csami, a 10 year-old African elephant, cool off during an East German heat wave.

Her cool mouthful is fruit and vegetables frozen in a large block of ice!

Red Hot Elephant Peppers

Folks in the US of A can now buy a unique chili pepper sauce and aid African elephants and African farmers at once. (Link)

African farmers have been using the chemical found in locally grown chilis to keep elephants out of their precious crops, Live Science reports.

Now some of those farmers and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS, which runs the Bronx and other New York zoos) are cooperating through Elephant Peppers chili products to raise proceeds for the Elephant Pepper Development Trust, ""to create new economic opportunities for rural Africans and support efforts to safely reduce the conflict between elephants and humans in Africa," according to a WCS statement."

The North Carolina Zoo and Zoo Society work with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the government of Cameroon to also reduce human/African elephant conflict. When Dr. Martin Tchamba first told me, years ago, of his efforts in Cameroon, he too spoke of using "pepper bombs" to redirect elephants which had been on a path to get into trouble with Cameroonian farmers.

My original interpretation of his English and pronunciation was that he was using firecrackers ("paper bombs") to drive off the elephants!)

Elephant Casting Call

A Kansas University doctoral student is using a Topeka Zoo African elephant as a "stand-in" for a dinosaur in his research. (Link)

Brian Platt has a formula for determining how much precipitation was falling at various prehistoric points in time according to the depth of dinosaur footprints he is studying in Wyoming. The Topeka Zoo's 8,000-pound elephant Tembo is walking through sand containing various amounts of moisture to reveal how much precipitation allows for how deep a track, KU News (Lawrence, KS) reports.

Tembo foot castings are taken from the sand impressions and these are compared with casts taken from dinosaur footprints.

"Elephants are the closest surviving comparison in terms of size, gait and the arrangement of bones in their feet to sauropod dinosaurs, Platt said."

Stair Masters They're Not

African (savannah) elephants avoid climbing even small, vegetation-covered hills, scientists for Save the Elephants and Oxford report, according to CBC News. (Link)

Elephants burn much energy climbing, making an upward trek for food counter-productive.

""While in addition to slope there may be other important reasons for the elephants' general avoidance of climbing this hill - such as overheating, risk of injury, lack of water or unsuitability of forage -— we suggest that energetic considerations could be one of the main factors," the study's authors wrote in the journal" ("Current Biology").

Sloped terrain, therefore, might prove to be a strong indicator for elephant movement patterns and land use, this study would suggest. Much effort is going into determining just that (elephant movement and land use), as with the North Carolina Zoo and Zoo Society "Elephants of Cameroon" studies led by NC Zoo lead veterinarian Dr. Mike Loomis.

Plant Portrait

Flower at the NC Zoo
Originally uploaded by ucumari77.

Ucumari77 takes strong photos of NC Zoo flowers too!

red wolf portrait

red wolf portrait
Originally uploaded by ucumari77.

Yet another winning protrait by NC Zoo Society volunteer ucumari77, uploaded to flickr (TM) July 11.

The NC Zoo has exhibit and breeding red wolves. The breeding wolves are out of contact with zoo visitors and are part of an ongoing effort to save the endangered species.

Polar Portrait

Polar Bear
Originally uploaded by ucumari77.

North Carolina Zoo Society volunteer usumari77 provides another winner. Taken at the NC Zoo's "Rocky Coast".

The NC Zoo Polar bears were rescued from a "bad circus" by US Fish and Wildlife, PETA and the NC Zoo.

Mountain Home

mountain lion
Originally uploaded by ucumari77.

Another strong photo, this one of a North Carolina Zoo cougar (or mountain lion), by ucumari77, who volunteers at the NC Zoo Society.

Looking like it has made a home in the hollow of a tree, the cougar rests in a man-made structure created by the design staff at the NC Zoo (sculptors and painters who build "rocks" and "trees" just where the zoo keepers, curators and exhibit designers want them).

Randleman Lake

Randleman Lake
Originally uploaded by ucumari77.

Speaking of Randleman Lake filling quickly after many years of waiting, bringing cattle egrets (buff-backed heron), ucumari77 (who took and titled this photo) says: "In 1962 this was comimg soon! Finally!."

More on Fatal Elephant Attack

USA Today offers more on the recent fatal attack by an Asian elephant (Winkie) on an employee of The Elephant Sanctuary (Tennessee), including a photo of Winkie. (Link)

Acid Stomach?

The American alligator digests its prey "whole - bones and all" Tom Gillespie, of the North Carolina Zoo reports for "Zoo Tales".

They "have the strongest stomach acid of any known animal, allowing them to digest even animals' teeth."

The NC Zoo has three in the Cypress Swamp exhibit.

Eagle Flies Again, Without Insurance

A rescued bald eagle was released at Jordan Lake (NC) Friday.

It had an unfortunate run-in with a cat fish in early June. A fisherman helped. Then the Carolina Raptor Center made sure the eagle recovered from foot and lung problems.

Eric Bishop, of The News&Observer (Raleigh, NC), reports that the release site is also the spot where model airplane hobbyists fly their equipment. A sign warns that flight is only allowed with the appropriate flight insurance. An exception was made for the bald eagle, he assures.

Thanks to Lyn Adams for advising me of this story.

Sponge Bob II

A rare Bolivian monkey named Sponge Bob, stolen earlier from Chessington Zoo, in the United Kingdom, was found playing with children in south London and safely returned, UK News reports. (Link)

"Sponge Bob was snatched from the Monkey and Bird Garden by an intruder who smashed to two fences guarding a collection of the endangered animals."

Baby Giant II

Denver Zoo offers photos of its new giant anteater baby on its mother's back in support of this Amie Cribley/CBS 4 Denver story about the Zoo addition.

"After six months of being in the womb, giant anteaters crawl along the fur on their mother's back for about the first year of their lives.

"Giant anteaters have distinct black and white stripes across their shoulders as camouflage to protect them from predators. When a baby rides on his mother's back his stripes line up with hers and he becomes virtually invisible.

"Their smelling capabilities are 40 times more powerful than humans, which allows them to smell for insects to eat.

"Giant anteaters can grow to be between 44 and 90 pounds."

Woman Killed at Elephant Sanctuary

A 36 year-old woman was killed Friday by a 40 year-old, female, Asian elephant (Winkie) at The Elephant Sanctuary of Tennessee, the UPI reports. (Link)

This is the facility where "the Hawthorn elephants" were sent.

A man who handles the Sanctuary's 22 Asian and African elephants was also injured and hospitalized.

"Winkie reportedly has a history of attacking humans who worked with her, both at The Elephant Sanctuary and at Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, Wis., her former home for three decades."

The Elephant Sanctuary has also been at the center of a debate in Los Angeles about its zoo's plans to continue to exhibit elephants.

Landing

landing
Originally uploaded by RpsdyNBlueJ.

Roseate spoonbill, Jacksonville (FL) Zoo. Title and photo from RpsdyNBlueJ.

Nice Zoo Water Fountain

2006-07-21-28.JPG
Originally uploaded by kellyhafermann.

Lincoln Park Zoo offers water to visitors in this appropriate, and attractive, manner.

Thanks to kellyhafermann for the flickr (TM) photo uploaded today.

Stayin' Alive

They looked more like insects than herps (amphibian and reptile) as they crossed my path as I ran an hour on Lake Brandt Trail (Greensboro, N.C.).

A tiny snake and a very small frog or toad.

Made me wonder what their chances of survival were.

So small. Defenseless. And on their own.

Would I see one or both of them on Greensboro's trails...full-sized, years in the future.

Would they survive to be less vulnerable than they are today?

Will I survive to see it?

Cheap Sun Block

Another article about how Zoo animals deal with the heat. (Link to Jack Gillum article for San Antonio "Express-News".)

The San Antonio Zoo elephants toss dirt on themselves as a "cheap sun block". Funny, the North Carolina Zoo elephants and those in "the wild" use that sunscreen too.

"Horse-blood ice pops" are utilized to make the heat more bearable for the San Antonio Zoo's snow leopard.

Herons Discover New Lake?

I drive over the "new" Randleman Lake twice a workday. It has filled quickly. Now, it appears, herons have found it.

I first noticed several smaller white herons (the cattle egret, also known as the buff-backed heron, I believe) on my drive in this morning.

SF Zoo Feedings Not for All

(WARNING: going to the link in this blog entry will show graphic carnivore behavior which you may well want to avoid!)

The San Francisco Zoo offers a 2 p.m. Friday feeding during which whole, dead rabbits are fed to lions.

"The Poop - The Chronicle Baby Blog" offers background, photos and a lengthy comment chain on the practice:

"IMO it's more honest than people thinking their burger came off of a burger tree wrapped in cellophane. Meat eaters eat meat."

shrug

"I find the whole thing less offensive than, say, a George Bush press conference..."

Posted By: writer_robin (an alias)

Common Summer Zoo Story

Many zoos are getting contacted by the local TV station and newspaper again this year for those stories about how the zookeepers and their collections are dealing with the summer heat. (Rod Hackney reported on the North Carolina Zoo calls in this morning's staff meeting.)

The Virginia Zoo is another that freezes animal treats in ice this time of year.

" The white throated monitor loves the heat; the Siberian tigers do not.

"Monica, the African elephant, beats the heat with huge fruit-filled ice chunks," Joe Flanagan reports for 13 WVEC TV.

Zoo Even Better Prepared

The Audubon Zoo, in New Orleans, held up rather well to Hurricane Katrina last year. (The Audubon Nature Institute's Aquarium of the Americas and other facilities fared worse.)

Preparations are even greater this year.

The Zoo will have enough food and water for all the animals and 20 staff for two full weeks, New Orleans City Business reports.

Safeguarding Elephants

Today's "News & Record" (Greensboro, NC) included an op-ed piece by Doug Clark on the North Carolina Zoo African elephants and those he saw last month in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. (Have not found a link to that article at this hour.)

Clark does a nice job of comparing the Serengeti elephants with those at the Zoo:

"...elephants don't respect park boundaries...They destroy crops and occasionally kill or injure people. Sometimes the elephants themselves are killed.

"Eventually, that may lead African governments to fence their parks -- in effect, turning them into very, very large zoos."

"...I'll view the zoo's elephants with a little sadness. They'll never range across the plains and forests of Africa.

"But in important ways, they may be helping to safeguard a future of freedom for their cousins in the wild...[because] seeing them [at the zoo] may inspire some visitors to support preservation efforts..."

Who's got some Visine?

Who's got some Visine?
Originally uploaded by Matt McGee.

Matt McGee promises he did no color editing on this photo taken at the Oakland Zoo.

Title also by Matt McGee.

They're Everywhere!

Went to that "Lunch Encounter" today in the North Carolina Zoo Board Room. Streamside Keeper Jessica Foti reported that in four years of study, box turtles are being found in all eight of the Zoo's vegetation zones.

The study is planned to run at least 20 years.

Jessica and Zoo herpetologist John Groves are learning how native box turtles are using the Zoo site, incorporating the box turtles into the Zoo's land use plan and learning about the ecology and natural history of the turtles, on the site and in Piedmont N.C.

From 2002-2005 they found 195 box turtles. The average age of the turtles was 17.5 years.

Each separate turtle is identified by shell notching (tiny notches are cut into the shell by Jessica or John). Many are recaptured, as Zoo staff, volunteers and friends help collect the study turtles, noting just where they were found and headed, so they can be returned back "on course" as soon as the are weighed, notched and "sexed" (there are a variety of distinguishing features of a male and female box turtle; a combination of features are required to verify sex).

Females lay a couple of clutches of usually 4 to 5 eggs in a breeding season (June-Sept.). Hatching season is August to November; hibernation, Nov. to March. They emerge from hibernation in April and May.

Rain and breeding tend to make them active (especially the males in regard to breeding).

They also seem to become active with changes in barometric pressure.

Watch out for turtles you see on the road. If you can do it safely, stop and help turtles across the road (always taking them across in the direction they were heading). If you turn them around, they will just turn back around and try another dangerous crossing.)

Watch Me!

Watch me too, I'm giving a show! - 7292
Originally uploaded by Edgar Thissen.

Edgar Thissen offers another strong, unique portrait, taken at Blijdorp Zoo, Rotterdam.

Flying penguins

Flying penguins
Originally uploaded by kissoflife.

Kissoflife uploaded and titled this one.

Japanese graphics below the flickr (TM) upload offer a link to Asahiyama Zoo's website. English translation of the website indicates that it is Japan's northern-most.

kissoflife has created a wonderful composition with penguins.

Lunch Box Turtle Encounter

I have posted here, early last year, about the box turtle study that North Carolina Zoo herpetologist John Groves and Streamside zookeeper Jessica Foti are conducting. (I had just "contributed" two turtles to the study.)

On the way to work late last week, I added another. This turtle was on the NC Zoo entrance road, heading from north to south, I think, (my left to my right as I came up the entrance hill) just before the first turn into the "North American" parking lot. This is all very important, because John and Jessica will want to return her (I think it was a "her") to almost the exact spot, heading in the same direction.

This turtle had already been "collected" once, having the telltale notch carved into the rear end of its shell.

Tomorrow Jessica will offer a lunch encounter for Zoo employees and volunteers (and I will attend). We will get a report on what is being learned about the movement patterns of box turtles on the NC Zoo's huge, 1450-acre site.

West African Black Rhinos Extinct?

You may have seen that a recent survey to find them would indicate that they are in fact extinct. Reuters reports on the West African "black".

"The ultimate conservation success story continues for the other white rhino subspecies, the southern white. Down to less than 50 animals a hundred or so years ago, numbers have increased to 14,540", Reuters says the World Conservation Union notes.

Yes, I am Pretty

Yes, I am Pretty
Originally uploaded by tonyaltn32.

Uploaded and titled July 13 by tonyaltn32. Des Moines Zoo.

Have a nice weekend!

Have a nice weekend!
Originally uploaded by Edgar Thissen.

Another strong Blijdorp Zoo (Rotterdam) photo.

Another strong Edgar Thissan composition.

Zebra Trio

Zebra Trio
Originally uploaded by jwoodphoto.

Yet another interesting zebra composition!

Uploaded yesterday by jwoodphoto who took it at Rio Grande Zoo, Albuquerque, NM.

I've got my eye on you...

I've got my eye on you...
Originally uploaded by carcollectorz.

Title and interesting composite by carcollectorz who took it at Ardastra Gardens, Zoo & Conservation Center.

Stork

Stork
Originally uploaded by adam_jcz.

Uploaded yesterday by adam_jcz.

African Jacana

African Jacana
Originally uploaded by mgmcinnis.

"Check out the long toes on this bird!", says mgmcinnis of the African jacana he "captured" on July 15 at Walt Disney's Animal Kingdom.

When I first encountered these birds at the North Carolina Zoo Forest Aviary I learned that those long toes allows the jacana to walk on vegetation on the waters of its habitat.

Mating Call Delays Sea Lion Show

The St. Louis Zoo sea lion show was ended when mating season saw male Alex enter the pool where the females had been and refuse to continue. (Link)

"You've got it bad, haven't you, boy?", Theresa Tighe, St. Louis Dispatch quotes the trainer of Alex.

Black Bear Encounter

What should you do if you come upon a black bear?

The American Bear Association offers advice.

"A person is 180 times more likely to be killed by a bee and 160,000 times more likely to die in a car accident."

Petting Zoo Terror Target?

The Old MacDonald Petting Zoo in Alabama has been named a "critical potential target for terrorists" according to an internal US government audit that "condemns the Department of Homeland Security", according to "The Guardian's" Oliver Burkeman, in New York. (Link)

"The worst thing that usually happens at Old MacDonald's Petting Zoo, in Alabama, involves the resident emu who, visitors are warned, has been known to deliver a "hard peck"."

Little Green Heron

Ann, Greenmon and I canoed on the Uwharrie River today, above Lassiter Mill (a skeleton of the major factory it was 100 years ago).

Lots of birds. A great blue heron kept letting us get quite close before giving ground on upstream. (Closest when we were unaware of its presence...so that its dramatic takeoffs were most surprising.)

But I most enjoyed the fewer chances we had to see the little green heron. I guess it is a favorite of mine because it is a much more rare sighting than the great blue and because the little green has often allowed me to get quite close when I've been alone and it has had a little vegetation to walk back into as I have canoed just offshore.

The little green is little, but hardly green, and, as Greenmon noted, not a strong flyer. It seems not especially well built for flight. It flies with a very upright posture...its short wings halfway up its body (a lot of neck above). It seemed to have to really work at short, upstream flights.

But I really like the little green's profile in the tree or on the ground.

Ostrich in Profile and Two Zebras

Ostrich in Profile and Two Zebras
Originally uploaded by Paula Bird Parent.

The North Carolina Zoo is not the only one to offer zebras and ostrich in the same exhibit, as Paula Bird Parent proves with this Marwell Zoo (Hampshire, U.K.) photo downloaded to flickr (TM) today.

Like how the giraffes, ostriches and zebras (and the four separate overlooks at the Forest Edge exhibit) at the NC Zoo offer different looks at the collection on each visit.

Sounds of Nature

How do we experience nature? With all of our senses, don't we?

Was reading Henry Beston's "The Outermost House" again during lunch today. (About a year Beston spent on Cape Cod many years ago.)

The whole "chapter" was about the sounds of the ocean. (Why is this not boring to me? Because it brings back some of the times I have been most in touch with myself and my place in the world.)

He wrote of the sound of the breaking waves, of the crash and the roar, but also of the skittering of foam up the beach and the retreating scrapings of stones and shells being pulled back into the surf by the retreating waters.

It reminded me of the pleasure I got many years back (30 years?!) in reading Marcel Proust's "Remembrance of Things Past". The lengthy descriptions of what was to be found "Within a Budding Grove", etc.

Was also reminded of John Muir's "Travels in Alaska". Especially his lengthy and detailed description of a single night's viewing of the aurora Borealis (northern lights) and all the changes he perceived within it.

Thankful for an evening spent watching the aurora Borealis with son Noah. (The chill we felt on the deck of the moving Yorktown Clipper in Alaska's "Inside Passage" just added to the experience.)

Thankful to John Ferree for loaning one of his copies of "The Outermost House" to me.

B-Fly

B-Fly
Originally uploaded by True_Bavarian.

True_Bavarian offers another strong portrait.

He titled and uploaded it yesterday.

Dealer in Trouble over Ivory Sales

A Forest Hills (N.Y.) antique dealer faces up to four years in prison for selling $15,000 worth of illegal elephant ivory. (Link)

Tai Shan Is One

This article from Cassie Duong, "The Washington File", includes a good photo of birthday boy Tai Shan celebrating his first year as the National Zoo's favorite giant panda.

"In celebration of Tai Shan’s first birthday and the success of the National Zoo, the cub received a new soccer ball, a baby pool and a custom-made fruitsicle-tiered cake prepared by zoo nutritionists. Visitors received cupcakes, pointed green party hats, pictures with a panda-costumed character and party favors."

New N.C. Zoo Animal Curator

NC Zoo press release, July 10:

"ASHEBORO, N.C.— The North Carolina Zoo has named Dr. Stephen Miller as the park’s new general curator. Miller will replace Ron Morris, who retired in February after 24 years at the zoo—13 years as general curator.

"Until recently, Miller was the senior veterinarian at Audubon Institute's Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans.

"He received his DVM from Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1995 and has a bachelor's degree in biology from Nicholls State Univ. in Thibodaux, La.. He worked for ten years mainly at the Aquarium, but also at Audubon's Species Survival Center and Zoological Gardens. Additionally, for nine years (1996-2005), he served as an exotic animal consultant.

"During his career, Miller has conducted extensive research projects on marine animals, including turtle excluder device research with NOAA, the Sarasota Dolphin project, the Coral Conservation & Recruitment project, a spiny-lobster tag implantation program, and numerous other projects and research.

"He has both curatorial and veterinary clinical experience with a wide range of animal species, including turtles, dolphins, sea otters and a range of fish and marine invertebrates.

"Miller's appointment will formally begin on August 14. As general curator, he will oversee the zoo division in charge of animal care, acquisition and exhibit."

Celebrate!

Zoo Atlanta celebrates the fifth gorilla birth in 10 months, according to News 11 Alive. (Link)

"With a total of 24 western lowland gorillas, Zoo Atlanta cares for the second largest gorilla collection in North America including five gorillas that are over 40 years of age and considered geriatric."

I Searched Too

Oops, the 20-pound Japanese macaque, which had escaped from Mill Mountain Zoo, Roanoke, Va., a week prior to this last Sunday, has been recaptured, with aid from a hook and ladder of the Roanoke Fire Department and a tranquilizer gun. (Link)

The Roanoke Times reports the primate is in good health.

I had been following the story. As I drove through Roanoke (between NC & VA 220 and US 81), especially when I was in view of the hospital, on Friday and Sunday (heading to and from my nephew's wedding in PA), I was on the look-out for Oops. (One story said the macaque, named because of a failure in macaque birth control, had been spotted near the hospital.)

Tai Shan, National Zoo's Panda Cub at 1 year old

Tai Shan, National Zoo's Panda Cub at 1 year old
Originally uploaded by dbking.

He turned one year-old Sunday.

dbking captured this photo on the little giant panda's big day and titled it.

Understand Tai Shan tumbled off a rock as many watched by National Zoo webcam. The Zoo received many e-mails and calls checking that he was O.K.

This is a very popular youngster.

Whistle Pigs

Went to Pennsylvania Friday, Saturday and into Sunday for my nephew's (Chad Williams') wedding in the Pottstown area.

We were definitely in the Megalopolis. Our hotel was in the shadow of twin, nuclear cooling towers. Yet my Saturday morning jog from that hotel brought me across two of Pennsylvania's own ground hogs (wood chucks, whistle pigs).

The first was in a little park. He ran from the grassy clearing for thicker vegetation. But his first effort ran up against a low fence and he had to adjust, run a little further on (as I watched from close quarters). He hit the fence again. Adjusted. Ran. Hit the fence once more. Adjusted. Ran. Success! (He avoided mean, old me!)

As we drove home, one came out to the edge of a busy, four-lane highway, intent on crossing. Mean old me slowed to blast my horn at him. That sent him scrambling back the way he had come. (To safety.)

Shady Character

Shady Character
Originally uploaded by russlings.

This is what Ace was looking for. A "shady" spot to rest.

Ann took it. I titled it. Ace created it.

What goes up...

What goes up...
Originally uploaded by russlings.

Our more athletic young kitten, Ace, climbs the shades. Looking for what?

Ann took it and titled it. (What goes up...usually falls downs...and always lands on his feet.)

Cozy Kitties

Cozy Kitties
Originally uploaded by russlings.

Well, Ann and I have added to the family.

Meet Mango Mousse and Ace (l. to r.) in a piece of Ann's pottery.

The brothers were acquired last week through the Guildford County (N.C.) Animal Shelter and Petsmart (TM).

They are great company for each other and us.

Talented Ann took the photo, titled it, made the pottery and named Mango Mousse. I, of course, named Ace.

Cheetah in the Grass

Cheetah in the Grass
Originally uploaded by BeguilingSunflower.

BeguilingSunflower reports this to be a zoo photo. (Nice that you can't tell; doesn't say which zoo.)

And Yet More Fur on a Stick

naptime
Originally uploaded by Dailyville.

Koala naptime by Dailyville.

Zoo folks often refer to koalas as "fur on a stick" due to their tendency to do little more than sleep on exhibit. (Very cute "fur" in this case.)

baby ostritch

baby ostritch
Originally uploaded by wdslentz.

"These just hatched yesterday and ran along side our horse carriage. Aren't they cute???," writes wdslentz, who indicates this was taken at Lazy5 Ranch, Mooresville, North Carolina.

Two at Zoo Expecting

Both Zoo Atlanta primatologist Tara Stoinski and one of her charges, the gorilla Sukari, are expecting this month. (Link, with photo)

Stripes and More Stripes II

Cebra Voyerista
Originally uploaded by C a t i ~ K a o e.

Another strong zebra composition by Cati-Kaoe, uploaded to flickr (TM) today.

Soy Toy Boy Bear

The National Zoo will sell toy plush giant pandas made out of soy fiber. The toys sale will help commemorate the upcoming birthday of the soon-to-be one year-old boy panda, Tai Shan.

South West Trading Company "recently got into the business of making plush toys out of Soysilk, its trademarked fiber made of leftover soybeans after the manufacture of tofu. The residue is made into a liquid batter, cooked and spun into spaghetti-type fibers," according to Betty Beard, for the Arizona "Republic".

Another Big Ivory Seizure

This story, out of Taiwan, along with the recent one out of Hong Kong, indicates that poaching of African elephants remains a huge problem.

"The illegal ivory - representing at least 175 dead elephants, and valued at more than US$3 million - was found in two shipments enroute from Tanzania to Manilla, Phillipines. Customs officers reported that the raw tusks still had traces of blood on them, and said the difference in sizes indicated the ivory came from both young and old elephants," the politics.co.uk press release reports.

Dr. Tchamba Coming

Also from that NC Zoo meeting yesterday: Dr. Martin Tchamba, Cameroonian leader of the "Elephants of Cameroon" research project with the NC Zoo's Dr. Mike Loomis, will be coming to the North Carolina Zoo next week.

Dr. Tchamba is still recovering from almost losing his life to an African elephant during the research. His son is attending North Carolina A & T University in Greensboro.

Lions Breeding Again

From a North Carolina Zoo meeting yesterday: The "expectation would be for cubs to be on exhibit next spring."

That would be quite nice.

Tai Shan Soon One

The National Zoo is planning for the first birthday celebration (Sunday) for Tai Shan, the little giant panda. (Link to Herald News Daily).

Mark and Delia Write Another

Delia and Mark Owens were just back from several years in the Kalahari Desert of Botswana when I, new to zoo work, first met them 20 years ago. Some years before she had convinced him to sell everything they had to work to conserve the wildlife of that area of Africa.

The best selling book, "Cry of the Kalahari", came out of that.

They next moved to the 5,000 square-mile North Luangwa National Park of Zambia, more conservation and another book.

Now they are in northern Idaho, working to save grizzly bears. ("“Species like grizzlies get relegated to mountaintops,” explains Mark, “when the bottomlands are the heart of their spring and summer range for them to fatten up for the winter.” So they [Mark and Delia Owen] are working to conserve wetlands that may be shown unproductive for farm crops but good for grizzlies.") But they have written another book about Luangwa, "Secrets of the Savanna", reports Steve Pollick, for the Toledo Blade.

They wrote it, he claims, to conserve the dwindling wildlife of the Park and to help sustain 20,000 Zambians.

(What I most remember of the Owens' talk of 20 years ago was that they had learned to make breakfast from ostrich eggs, which were big enough to save for another day. They would make breakfast for both of them from a single egg, saving more for the following day by putting a band-aid over the hole they had punched into the egg and burying it in the sands of the Kalahari.)

Lotta Nest Building

More than 75 nests have so far been built this season by the birds in the North Carolina Zoo collection.

Notable hatchings: a sun bittern and horned puffins.

Mt. Kilimanjaro, Amboseli

Mt. Kilimanjaro, Amboseli
Originally uploaded by russlings.

A rare open view of the top of the big mountain.

Another recent shot by the NC Zoo's "Dr. Mike" Loomis from Amboseli National Park.

Colubus monkeys and rare giant senecios are two species you can expect to encounter on a climb of the world's tallest mountain (Note: not highest elevation).

Zebra-Mt Kili, Amboseli NP

Zebra-Mt Kili, Amboseli NP
Originally uploaded by russlings.

North Carolina Zoo chief veterinarian Dr. Mike Loomis took this recent photo of a zebra grazing in the "shadow" of Mount Kilimanjaro. It is taken from the Kenyan (Amboseli National Park) side of the mountain.

Mike and I were on the top of the mountain in early 2004, having begun on the Tanzanian (Arusha) side.

I am preparing a talk on "Glaciers at the Equator" for the North Carolina Zoo Society's early September cruise in Alaska's Inside Passage, where our passengers and others will hear much about Alaska's many glaciers. In preparation for that talk, I learned that Wikipedia notes that there are three "easiest" routes up Mount Kilimanjaro, and the more difficult and "technical" Western Breach ascent.

Mike and I took the Western Breach approach. Don't believe all you read in Wikipedia. While I would hope there are easier approaches than up the Western Breach ( a section of the mountain that crumbled to exposed rock and "scree" perhaps 200 years ago), the only "technique" I employed was in my use of two hiking poles and the occasional this-hand-here-that-foot-there-the other-foot-over-there, hand-over-foot, pull-yourself-up-to-the-trail-above-then-pause-for-several-minutes-to-catch-your-breath
technique.

The Western Breach was closed earlier this year, and remains closed (if Wikipedia is right about this), following the deaths of some hikers as some of the "Breach" slid some more recently.

It was shortly after sharing this new information with Mike that he sent this photo to me.

A family

A family
Originally uploaded by tammyjq41.

Tammyjq41's title says it all about this Zoo Atlanta pix, taken yesterday.

Arctic fox

Arctic fox
Originally uploaded by russlings.

This North Carolina Zoo Arctic fox is halfway between its winter and summer coats, as captured yesterday by dlpearman.

Stripes & More Stripes

No me molesten!
Originally uploaded by C a t i ~ K a o e.

Uploaded yesterday by Cati-Kaoe, who offers, I believe, the Spanish "Don't Bother Me" title for it.

Giraf baby

Giraf baby
Originally uploaded by JeanKern.

JeanKern has taken and titled another strong photo of the new giraffe at The Netherlands Gaia Park zoo.

She believes the baby is pictured here with an aunt (not Mom).

Video of Gifted Monkey

Denver Zoo has seen a rare red-capped mangabey born there recently. Good video of the cute, energetic youngster and protective mother is offered by cbs4denver.com.

The young one is named Kipaji, Swahili for talented or gifted one.

Here's more on mangabeys from the San Diego Zoo.

Bear Escapes "Fort Knox"

Boo, the grizzly bear, broke through a 400-pound metal door and tore down two electric fences on his way to his second escape from Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, Golden, British Columbia, the Associated Press (AP) reports. (Link)

A resort spokesperson said his enclosure was "like Fort Knox". (The AP (or KTVO3, Golden, BC) suggests, tongue-in-cheek, that perhaps Boo got wind of real plans to "fix" him.)

Round Face Owl

owl 03
Originally uploaded by Jungleboy.

Jungleboy took this at the Edinburgh Zoo, June 25.

Looks to me like a tawny owl. Agree?

Minimum Requirement

The "American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) mandated in May that elephant facilities allot at least 1,800 square feet for one elephant outdoors plus 900 square feet for each additional animal"...and that "future exhibits must contain at least three female adults, the number deemed adequate for social needs", according to Smithsonian Magazine.

The NC Zoo (Asheboro, NC) will offer seven acres outdoors to an expected starting herd of six or seven or more (with perhaps just one male), next year. The plan is for 10 to 12 African elephants after breeding.

The National Zoo (Wash., D.C.) will spend $60 million to meet AZA requirements for up to 12 Asian elephants.

"Since 2004, five U.S. zoos have closed their elephant houses rather than struggle with the new [AZA] standards", "Smithsonian" reports.