Primate Pumpkin Treat

GorillaPumpkin3
Originally uploaded by russlings

"This better not be a trick!"

NC Zoo lowland gorilla checks out Halloween treat this morning.

NC Zoo photo by Diane Villa.

Pretty Girl!

Pretty Girl!
Originally uploaded by ucumari

"Eclectus Parrot - female. This gal usually perches up in a tree limb but I was lucky to find her out in the open for once!"

NC Zoo photo, title and quote by ucumari. [RJ Reynolds Forest Aviary]

Zero Hour Was Yesterday

The Milwaukee Zoo polar bear, Zero, was anesthetized and removed from the moat behind his exhibit Thursday after falling off exhibit two weeks ago and not making his own way back on exhibit.

Ken Curator

From NC Zoo media advisory of earlier today:

"The North Carolina Zoo has named Curator of Birds Ken Reininger as the park’s new general curator. Reininger replaces Steve Miller who resigned in July to return to his native Ohio.

"Reininger has served as curator of birds for the N.C. Zoo since 1993. As general curator, he will oversee the zoo division in charge of animal care, acquisition and exhibit. He has been serving as acting general curator since Miller’s departure.

"Reininger holds a bachelor's of science degree in multiple sciences and did graduate work in environmental sciences and forestry at the State University of New York. He has been in the zoo profession since 1975, starting as a zookeeper. He previously held the position of Curator of Birds/Reptiles/Amphibians/Fishes and Invertebrates for 10 years at the Burnet Park Zoo in Syracuse, New York.

"Reininger has served for many years on the steering committees for several avian conservation and science programs for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). He has also served on the AZA's Animal Welfare Committee, Conservation Endowment Fund grant selection committee and Wildlife Conservation Management Committee."

Ken is dedicated to conservation and volunteers to recycle the NC Zoo's many fluorescent light tubes.

If You Ran the Zoo

Would you have thought about landscape planning as an NC Zoo consideration as it prepares to build a "feeding station" for giraffes here?

A landscape plan is being created by horticulturist Max Moore. Giraffes will be fed by paying visitors from a wood deck. Landscaping will make it fit better into the overall NC Zoo, which has a greater dollar investment in its plant collection than it has in animal purchases.

He Won't Commit

Zero, the Milwaukee Zoo polar bear who fell off exhibit a couple weeks ago, won't commit to enter a cage full of his favorite treats so he can be raised out of a moat.

How'd We Live W/out It?

The NC Zoo veterinary hospital now has a nice new digital radiography unit and Dr. Ryan DeVoe reported he doesn't "know how we lived without it" in a staff meeting this morning.

"State" dollars purchased the unit for use in the public-and-privately-funded Frederic Moir Hanes M.D. Veterinary Medical Hospital.

More Imminent

Those new NC Zoo animals will be arriving very shortly now. Three red wolves should be here "this evening" according to Curator Ken Reininger. (Due to the great distance between Henson Robinson Zoo, Springfield, IL. and here, keepers from the NC Zoo and HR Zoo will meet about halfway.)

Four fringe-eared oryx arrive tomorrow. Two bison cows (pregnant, we hope), Friday.

Pound, Pulverize & Partake of Pumpkins

NC Zoo animals will do all of the above October 31.

By tradition, elephants, chimpanzees and gorillas will enrich their day and give Zoo visitors a Halloween treat as real and papier mache pumpkins are torn asunder.

Elephants - 9 a.m.

Chimps - 9:30 a.m.

Gorillas - 10 a.m.

"According to zookeepers, the pumpkins provide both mental and physical stimulation for the animals, allowing them to manipulate the giant vegetables and experience their taste and smell." [NC Zoo media release, 10/28/08, 1:36 p.m.]

Use Herring as Bait...

...when fishing for a polar bear.

The Milwaukee Zoo's polar bear Zero is the "fish", a large crane is the "pole", and a big cage filled with apples, peanut butter and herring is the "lure" as Plan B is put into effect to try to return Zero to his exhibit.

"The 1,100-pound polar bear fell into the moat Oct. 13 but was uninjured. So far, he's turned up his nose at other treats used to try and entice him to climb steps back into his yard."

Immigration Explosion

The NC Zoo will be happy to see 19 new animals arrive here in the next few days. These critters are of 11 separate species, including one never exhibited at the zoo before.

From an NC Zoo media release by Rod Hackney: "expected to arrive this week are: three male red wolves from the Henson Robinson Zoo, Springfield, IL; two female bison from The Wilds in Cumberland, OH; four female fringe-eared oryx, also from The Wilds; and eight snakes and a lizard representing eight different species from facilities in New Mexico and Arizona.

"According to Zoo Curator of Mammals Terry Webb, the three wolves are being transferred as part of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) Red Wolf Species Survival Plan. The N.C. Zoo has since 1993 participated in the Red Wolf SSP which has partnered AZA institutions with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) in an effort to save North America’s most endangered species of canid (member of the dog family). The largest wild population of red wolves, a total of about 120 animals, is managed by the USFWS in a five-county area near North Carolina’s Outer Banks.

"The new bison and oryx are part of a zoo effort to augment current herd numbers and exhibit needs in the North American Prairie and African Plains exhibits, Webb said. Native to the arid savanna areas of Somalia and eastern Africa, the fringe-eared oryx is a striking antelope with long, straight horns that draws its name from the distinctive tufts of long black hairs on its ears. Although related to the gemsbok, another oryx previously exhibited in the zoo’s 40-acre African Plains habitat, the new arrivals will be the first of their species at the N.C. Zoo.

"According to John Groves, curator of reptiles and amphibians, the zoo will also be receiving nine new reptiles in the coming week, including black-necked garter snakes, Western hog nose snakes, banded rock rattlesnakes, tiger rattlesnakes and a banded gecko. All are slated for exhibit in the zoo’s Sonora Desert exhibit and were obtained from the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson, AZ., and a private collector in New Mexico.

"It will be at least a month before the public will see any of the new acquisitions as all new animals arriving at the zoo must go through a mandatory 30-day quarantine before being placed on exhibit."

Building a Better Polar Bear Trap

After two weeks, the Milwaukee Zoo is trying a new approach to get polar bear Zero out of the moat behind his exhibit.

He fell off exhibit October 13, unhurt, but has not walked back up onto his exhibit, which he did (after many days) when he did something similar many years ago.

Now a large "trap" (a crate with his favorite treats inside) has been lowered into the moat. Will he go for it? Zoo Director Chuck Wikenhauser says "we're pretty confident that he's going to do it, maybe not today, but maybe within the next couple days, he won't be able to resist it.""

Fire Closes One NC Zoo Entrance

An NC Zoo Park Ranger making rounds at 10:36 p.m. yesterday noticed smoke coming from the rear of a bus used for parking lot shuttle service.

The East Side Vol Fire Dept. was notified and responded very quickly, but the bus was engulfed in flames on its arrival and destroyed. (Another bus, parked two feet away, was saved but does have cosmetic damage.)

The Fire Marshall is investigating but it appears to have been a mechancial/electrical problem.

Until the destroyed bus is towed, the Africa parking lot and Africa entrance at the Zoo will be closed to the public. The Zoo hopes to receive clearance to move it this week.

"The 2nd shift Ranger saved the zoo a lot of money and potential property damage. He just happened to start his rounds in that direction. Given that there is only one Ranger in the Park on 2nd shift, and most rounds take over an hour, had he not caught the fire when he did it could have been several minutes later and a much larger fire with more damage to lots of zoo areas. East Side Fire Dept did a remarkable job...", according to NC Zoo visitor services officer Karen Auman.

zwaan

zwaan
Originally uploaded by belgianchocolate

Photo & title by the excellent... ...belgianchocolate.

"Fiber Optic" Polar Bear Hair

Polar bear hair is clear and hollow, looking white because of the refraction of light through it.

It lets heat through to the Polar bears' black skin and then holds that heat in like a double-pane window.

Clark explains on "Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo" blog.

Calls of the Wild

Just saw an article about a UK zoo that offers (for a fee) ring tones which feature some of its inhabitants.

Reminded me of what I find to be an improvement we made with the NC Zoo Society phones. A recent change in our system had left us with new music being played while callers were on hold which I found to be jarring and not especially pleasant.

If you must spend a moment on two on hold now you hear the callings of birds.

Zoo Road Show

The NC Zoo Society Board of Directors took its quarterly meeting to Scotland Neck, NC, and Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park Wednesday.

All seemed impressed with the NC Zoo-and-Society-backed project and its programs involving, mainly, rare ducks, geese and swans. Lesser flamingo breeding has been recently added to the mix.

The Board also got a quick look at the original Sylvan Heights Waterfowl breeding center.

Zero Still Checkin' It Out

The Milwaukee Zoo website and YouTube provide six minutes on Zero the polar bear "exploring and enjoying his new found surroundings" after his fall off exhibit.

Kingfisher with Electric Beak!

Kingfisher with electric beak!
Originally uploaded by ucumari

Grey-headed kingfisher is a special bird. Ucumari caught this one in the NC Zoo Forest Aviary. Her title.

Parrot's Niche

Originally uploaded by reedb006

The NC Zoo eclectus parrot can usually be found here in the RJReynolds Forest Aviary.

reedb006 found and digitally captured it there quite well.

More on Les

The Winston-Salem Journal gave a slightly different handling of the A.P. article on the death of Les Schobert, who was general curator of the NC Zoo - 1978 to 1993, than did the Los Angeles Times.

"Schobert also served as the chimpanzee studbook coordinator for North America while he was curator of the North Carolina zoo. Starting in 1989 he oversaw the project that involved collecting genealogies, medical histories and other data on some 300 captive chimpanzees in the U.S.

""I have a great deal of respect for his commitment to the chimpanzee as a species and his concern for individual animals," primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall said when Schobert began the study."

Zero's Still in Moat

Not suffering or depressed.

There is a plan B if he's still down there next week.

Here are answers, from the Zoo's website, to the most common questions about Zero.

Les is Gone

Former NC Zoo and LA Zoo general curator Les Schobert died last week in California. He was a champion of individual animals, especially chimpanzees and elephants in captivity.

""Les was a visionary," said Catherine Doyle of In Defense of Animals, a nonprofit animal welfare group. "He was not against animals living in captivity, but he had a mission, to improve living conditions for them."

"Schobert's main interest was primates. As general curator of animals at the North Carolina Zoological Park in Asheboro starting in 1978, he took an interest in the plight of a chimp named Ham, a minor celebrity among zoo animals. Ham had been launched into space by NASA in 1961..."

Ham spent his final years at the NC Zoo, dying of a heart attack in 1983.

Frogs are Croaking

So says the witty headline writer for the Lake County News-Sun and Frank Abderholden's serious article about the amphibian crisis.

Eighth Grade Winner

afterItRains
Originally uploaded by russlings

Taylor Dean, "After It Rains", San Antonio Zoo Wonders of Water Wildlife art contest.

Sixth Grade Winner

nathan gallegos
Originally uploaded by russlings

Nathan Gallegos, "Untitled", San Antonio Zoo Wonders of Water Wildlife art contest.

Zero Hour Hasn't Arrived

It has been a week now and Zero, the Milwaukee County Zoo polar bear, remains off exhibit by choice.

The 18 year-old fell off exhibit last week and has not yet chosen to walk up the stairway that will take him back on his habitat.

Collective memory now seems to have decided that it was a full 15 years ago that Zero did the same sort of thing.

Deserved Honor

"Dr. Mike Loomis was this year's winner of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarian's Emil Dolensek award. He was presented with the award at the concluding banquet of the AAZV annual conference. This is a very prestigious honor and we should all be very proud of our Chief Veterinarian!" [Ryan S. De Voe, DVM, MSpVM, Dipl. ACZM, Dipl. ABVP (Avian); Senior Veterinarian; North Carolina Zoological Park]

The following is copied from the AAZV website:

"The current selection philosophy for the award is: "The Emil Dolensek Award is an honor presented to a past or present member of the AAZV in appreciation for exceptional contributions to the conservation, care, and understanding of zoo and free-ranging wildlife reflecting Emil Dolensek's commitment to these purposes. Emil was in the prime of his life and his career, and this award recognizes similar individuals that have advanced the profession and served to link the related disciplines of zoo and wildlife medicine.""

Giraffe Romp...

...in spacious Australian zoo exhibit.

Silly bear!

Silly bear!
Originally uploaded by ucumari

"Willy would get the tire on his snout and swim towards us! He is such a ham when he's feeling well!" (Ucumari photo, title and quote.)

An NC Zoo-rescued polar bear, Willy has been feeling his advanced age rather recently. So glad ucumari has found him to be feeling better most recently.

The take down!

The take down!
Originally uploaded by ucumari

Ucumari captures (and titles) the NC Zoo female African lion as she attacked a papier-mache and real feathers ostrich last Saturday.

Click on the photo to see three more in the gory attack series.

Update on Zero

Ucumari sent this link, which reveals that, as of Thursday, Zero, the Milwaukee County Zoo polar bear had not yet walked up on to his exhibit after his recent fall from it.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel now reports that Plan B could involve anesthesia and a crane or simply a ladder (there is a theory he might prefer to climb out by ladder than by the already available stairs). The Zoo is in no hurry, as they are closely watching the situation and Zero has walked out (by stairs) after more days than these on his last fall, many years ago.

Anesthesia is always risky.

Da Tiny Boy

standing-1
Originally uploaded by russlings

When I saw just the two new male giraffes on exhibit, the 10-footers looked plenty big.

Next to our elderly, 16-foot-plus female, Julie, dis boy looks tiny!

NC Zoo Society photo.

Beluga Whales & Polar Bears, You Betcha!

"The Bush administration on Friday named the beluga whale in Alaska's Cook Inlet an endangered species despite opposition from Gov. Sarah Palin, the Republican vice presidential nominee." (Link)

"It was the second slap [to Gov. Palin] from the federal government this year. She has asked federal courts to overturn an Interior Department decision declaring polar bears threatened..." [AP]

The government listed the whales yesterday, "rejecting Palin's argument that it lacked scientific evidence to do so." [AP]

Near "Green" Perfection

I followed with much interest the 2007 opening of The Proximity Hotel, just a mile from our Greensboro, N.C. home, for the reason it is so nearby and because I know CEO Dennis Quaintance and his wife and V.P., Nancy Quaintance, who is on the NC Zoo Advisory Council, and because the Quaintances have striven to have their new hotel LEED certified.

The Proximity Hotel has been awarded LEED Platinum status, the top level for energy efficiency and environmental impact, by the U.S. Green Building Council. It and its restaurant (Print Works Bistro) are the first hotel and restaurant to be certified LEED Platinum.

Proximity uses 33% less water and 41% less energy than traditional hotels.

It also recycled 87% of its construction debris and provided natural lighting to 97% of occupied spaces.

Say It Ain't So!

Barbie (the doll) has added "zoo doctor" to her resume.

"This fun new play set is still all Barbie except she's sporting a few fur[r]y friends and new zoo like attire." (Arrrggghhh!)

Fallen

When Ann and I toured the Milwaukee County Zoo September 18, I noticed that their polar bear exhibit included a deep drop, with net, to keep the bears contained on exhibit. The NC Zoo has a similar arrangement behind its polar bear habitat.

Now I read that a Milwaukee bear has fallen safely into that net and has not yet walked back up the stairs provided for it to make its own way back to the exhibit.

It seems this bear did a similar thing many years ago and took over a week to make that walk back upstairs.

Milwaukee Zoo Director Chuck Wikenhauser, who I congratulated/sympathized with in September on his repeat hosting of a national conference of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, hopes Zero learned from the earlier experience and will return to exhibit sooner this time.

An update on this story revealed that the bear is still off exhibit and Zoo visitation is well up as friends of the Zoo and bear come to encourage him upstairs.

Da Boys & Da Bears

On that walk through the NC Zoo yesterday, I saw, for the first time, the two new male giraffes on the Forest Edge habitat. They looked graceful and at ease as they walked together away from the artificial rocks near their night quarters and up through the treed, 3 1/2 acre exhibit.

Earlier I found the two new black bears enjoying a small portion of their sizable, "North Woods" habitat. They were active, but not best watched from the visitor overlook. I got better looks at them from the visitor walkway (between that overlook and the stairs up to the "Great Plains" [bison and elk]), as well as from that stairway.

What Are the Odds?

Just back from a tour of the NC Zoo this p.m.

At the Streamside exhibit, a copperhead yawned.

I said, to a mother and teen son, "Even snakes yawn."

She responded that her son had just been bit by a copperhead earlier in the week.

The son was quite healthy.

No one in NC has died from a copperhead bite to my recent knowledge.

Da Boys: On Exhibit

New giraffes-7
Originally uploaded by russlings

The two new NC Zoo male giraffes went out on the exhibit (Forest Edge) today. [Tom Gillespie, NC Zoo photo]

Who's Bashing Which?

Woodland Park Zoo plans a Pumpkin Bash weekend. Check out the photo of the impressive way a hippo "bashes" a pumpkin - crushing it with a jaggle tooth chomp.

But golden lion tamarins are also listed as "bashers". Let's make sure these little guys (20 oz.) don't end up "bashees".

They Ain't Mongeese

Mongooses. Specifically banded mongooses, have been shown to pick their "parents".

Raised in groups in which various females give birth at about the same time, banded mongooses end up in an adult/youngster partnership only after the young are old enough to venture away from "the nest".

While you might think that the "parent" picks the child in this process; a new study seems to reveal that it is the other way around. After making the selection, the mongoose pups "then establish and jealously defend a territorial zone of about a yard radius around their adult "escort." Other pups that venture too close are chased away."

The passive "parent" is "dropped" once the pup feels self-sufficient, it appears.

Elephants Check Into Hotel

Check out this check in! Four photos of Zambian elephants at a posh hotel which has been built on their annual migration route.

Staff and guests expected the arrival. Just want the pachyderms to stay out of the elevator.

Teething - Still the Pits

Even when you are a 1400-pound "baby", teething can be a "pain".

Scotty, Louisville Zoo's, African elephant youngster has recently met that milestone, when a tooth just breaks through. (Tusks are big elephant incisors; elephants usually go through six sets of molars in a lifetime.)

something happenin' here

what it is ain't exactly clear, but the Dallas Zoo wants to share its concern about the amphibian crisis.

[Thanks to Dallas Zoo; apologies to Buffalo Springfield]

Zoo Duo

Sitatunga
Originally uploaded by ucumari

Maryland Zoo (and ucumari) offer two species in one exhibit (photo). Sitatunga is the one to the right.

Wilhelm More Active

The NC Zoo polar bear Willy (or, more formally Wilhelm) was reported more active most recently by interim animal curator Ken Reininger in senior staff meeting this week.

Willy has been showing his age, and the poor treatment he received in a traveling circus before he came here, in recent months...looking uncomfortable and showing some "raw spots".

Notices are up at his exhibit which explain the age and ailments, as well as the circus history. He "has his good days and his bad days, but we feel privileged to have provided him a good home to live out his days," it says.

The Zoo's veterinary staff and keepers "constantly monitor his health, treat his medical conditions and do everything in the their power to keep him comfortable."

Lengthy Introduction

It can take quite some time to introduce unrelated, intelligent, social animals to each other toward getting them to share a zoo habitat together.

I posted in August about good progress on the African elephant introduction here at the NC Zoo.

Now side by side introductions of the elephants have begun, with the goal of getting six or all seven on exhibit at once.

Looking Up

Waiting for Little Red Riding Hood!
Originally uploaded by ucumari

Another ucumari Wolf Park photo. Respectful. Skillful.

Gorilla's Animal Kingdom

Originally uploaded by reedb006

Reedb006's strong photo of western lowland gorilla at Disney's Animal Kingdom, uploaded August 22.

'Gator Hole

All six of the NC Zoo's newer alligators can be seen basking together now in what is being called the "'Gator Hole". Even a female who had had a hard time blending into the grouping of the Zoo's smaller 'gators is to be found with them, near where you arrive at the Cypress Swamp boardwalk.

The Zoo's larger 'gators are still found in their longtime exhibit, shared with the alligator snapping turtle.

WOW Button

WOWbutton
Originally uploaded by russlings

NC Zoo promotes Watch Out for Wildlife campaign with this button and signs going up within the Park soon.

Another Good Idea

snake
Originally uploaded by russlings

Another NC Zoo W.O.W. sign. The Watch Out for Wildlife signs go up here soon.

W.O.W. What a Good Idea!

turtle
Originally uploaded by russlings

Watch Out for Wildlife (W.O.W.) signs like this will go up soon at the NC Zoo.

Behind that Rock...a Giraffe!

Introductions of the NC Zoo's two new male giraffes to its elderly female began today, in the off-exhibit stalls here.

As that continues, just the female will be on exhibit this weekend. Interim general curator Ken Reininger recommends that if at first you do not see her Saturday or Sunday you wait a little while. "She stands at the gate looking at the boys," Ken notes, referring to a spot hidden behind large, artificial rocks near the Forest Edge exhibit's lower viewing area.

Tort Leaves Again

The original NC Zoo animal Tort, the male Galapagos tortoise who has moved around some since coming here first in the early 1970's, will leave following another seasonal visit to his old Zoo.

The two, female Aldabra tortoises he joined in kidZone here this season will be leaving next week.

Big & Growing

The NC Zoo Big Sweep operation coordinated by Bob Langston of the Zoo's Education department is one of the biggest in the state and growing fast.

Last year volunteers bagged up 14,545 pounds of trash in Randolph County. This year 1,596 volunteers hauled in 25,884 pounds!

Critical Habitat for Polar Bears

The Department of Interior must designate critical habitat for polar bears by 6/30/10, a court settlement between environmental groups and the Bush administration decided yesterday.

The Department listed the polar bears as threatened by global warming in May. It did not then designate any critical habitat for protection, however.

"At that time, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin said the listing disappointed her and she was concerned that federal actions would "threaten the viable, productive and environmentally responsible oil and gas industry along Alaska's North Slope.""

In August, Alaska and the Governor sued the Bush administration's Secretary of Interior to reverse his decision on polar bears saying that scientific "predictions about summer sea ice were unreliable."

and as our dance ended, he dipped me!

and as our dance ended, he dipped me!
Originally uploaded by ucumari

Another from ucumari's NC Zoo seals dance series! (Her title too.)

Goodall on Frog Crisis

Even the world's most famous primatologist is talking about the amphibian crisis.

Dr. Jane Goodall spoke of the rapid loss of frogs, toads and salamanders at Adelaide Zoo recently and she will do so again when she addresses the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums in Australia soon.

The NC Zoo director, David M. Jones, plans to be in attendance.

Big? Brave? Foolish? (You Choose)

Did one robber steal a zoo's 12-foot python twice in just a few days?

Be advised, Robber: "“He’s a really, really nice snake...But he’s hungry, and when [he's] hungry he could be dangerous.”"

10,000 Visit

About 10,000 folks came to the NC Zoo this weekend. It was about 8000 for the same two days last year.

Great weather this year. Clear and the lower 80's for the same two days last year.

sunset road

sunset road
Originally uploaded by hkvam

in Iceland

by hkvam.

Fish Face!

The NC Aquariums want to see your best fish face.

Fun promo!

Hey Sarah, talk to the paw!

Hey Sarah, talk to the paw!
Originally uploaded by ucumari

"This is my one and only political statement" [Quote and photo by Zoo friend ucumari]

towards the light

towards the light
Originally uploaded by ucumari

Title and very special photo by ucumari. NC Zoo aviary.

"A Moment in Thought"

"A Moment in Thought"
Originally uploaded by beachbum1616

Beachbum1616 captures an NC Zoo chimp "in thought."

The title is also beachbum's.

Comings & Goings

As the two (of a total of nine) rhinos leave the NC Zoo November 15, several antelope are coming to the "African Plains" they are leaving: a Thomson's gazelle, a blesbok and probably four oryx, "The Midden" reports. (My guess is the oryx will be gemsbok, as that is the type we have (and have had) here.

Growing

The NC Zoo black bear cubs are now about 100 pounds each.

They are on exhibit daily from 9a.m. - 3 p.m. The older black bears go on exhibit after the cubs daily.

Tip of the hat to "The Midden".

That's a Big 'Gator!

The most recent issue of The Midden reports that one NC Zoo American alligator weighs in at 520 pounds.

That is getting toward the upper end of the weight curve for the species. An impressive size.

Find it at the Cypress Swamp, near the covered visitor viewing center.