Playtime

Playtime
Originally uploaded by kcameron87

kcameron87 photo and title; Bart Walter sculpture of chimpanzee mother and youngster at NC Zoo's BB&T Kitera Forest reserve. They "move"!

Here fishy, fishy, fishy! If grizzly bears can do it how hard can it be?

Here fishy, fishy, fishy! If grizzly bears can do it how hard can it be?
Originally uploaded by ucumari

ucumari photo of Brookfield Zoo African lion. Her title too.

Valerie's Zoo

An opinion.

[hat tip: NC Zoo Society facebook page]

"good-quality rotting food"...

...required for San Diego Zoo-sponsored Andean condor project in Columbia.

Hellbenders

Front page and above the fold in my Sunday News & Record (G'boro).

Jeri Rowe writes about the big, slimy salamanders and NC Zoo Curator of reptiles and amphibians John Groves (among others) working to save the rare indicators of the state of our waters.

Patas poser

Patas poser
Originally uploaded by ucumari

Yes, ucumari, the NC Zoo patas monkey male is handsome and fast: "Reaching speeds of 55 km/h, it is the fastest runner among the primates", but "There is a loose matrilineal dominance rank" which, as I understand it , means the females tend to "manage" the big fella. (Quotes from wikipedia.)

White Nose Syndrome (WNS)

WNS blamed for hundreds of thousands of cave bat deaths from VA to New England. [Field Trip Earth]

Can't Teach Cold 'Gators New Tricks

“The [NC] Zoo's Alligators are in training. Zookeepers offer tasty, healthy treats to teach the Alligators to come, follow and stay. This training is part of the Zoo's extensive animal enrichment program, which uses positive reinforcement to build trust between the animals and their keepers…

“The training stops in cool weather, when Alligators lose their appetites and stop eating. Their voluntary fast arises from their cold nature. Alligators need heat from the environment to supply the energy for digestion. No heat equals no hunger. And, when food no longer acts as an incentive, the keepers can't teach the cold 'gators new tricks!”

[from NC Zoo Society’s September Z-Mail – sent today to about 15,000 member households; also available at nczoo.com – on home page, click on “09 September Z-Mail”, found below the geyser photo]

50 Little Leatherbacks

Leatherbacks are the largest sea turtles. They usually nest in the Caribbean, but yesterday, 70 days after a rare nesting on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, 50 or more little leatherbacks were helped into the Atlantic by Jackie Orsulak and other NEST (Network for Endangered Sea Turtles) volunteers.

"These turtles got to the water fast because they are so powerful. Their front flippers are huge—they are more like wings than flippers. They use them to “fly” through the water doing the butterfly stroke."

[Hat tip to Field Trip Earth tweet]

Q: Fastest Food Forager?

A: The "weird and wonderful" star-nosed mole.

Watch video (of it foraging) embedded in the linked article.

Tip of hat to @BoraZ retweet of @mocost.

"Race for the Prize"

by Flaming Lips

"Two scientists are racing
For the good of all mankind
Both of them side by side
So determined.
Locked in heated battle
For the cure that is the prize
But it's so dangerous
But they're determined.

"Theirs is to win
If it kills them
They're just humans
With wives and children."

Thank you scientists, whether you are working for a cure, for wildlife and wild places or whatever.

in and out view

in and out view
Originally uploaded by whateyesee13

Refraction of light and thick glass splits NC Zoo polar bear in two. Then whateyesee13 adds further interest by turning the camera angle and adding the title above.

Card Game

Card Game
Originally uploaded by richiedogg1981

Very recent NC Zoo chimp capture by richiedogg1981.

NC Zoo Geysers Tested

geysers
Originally uploaded by russ williams iii

More testing of the future NC Zoo geysers revealed smaller spouts next to the biggest. Thanks to Kerry Sparks of NC Zoo Society Facebook page.

Geysers Impress!

Some spoutings began by quickly rising to 10 and then 15 feet. After a few moments the geyser thinned out as it surged up to 20 and then on to 30 to 40 feet.

Don't hold me to these exact heights, but I was impressed as I visited some early testing of the new, man-made geysers near the "Prarie" exhibit, with its bison and elk herds, at the NC Zoo this p.m.

"Geyser" opening is set for September 26. There will be large and smaller geysers, and a viewing deck, provided by donors through the NC Zoo Society.

Reach for the prize!

Reach for the prize!
Originally uploaded by ucumari

NC Zoo giraffe "reaches" even higher in this recent photo by ucumari.

Ape Jam Sessions

Got invited yesterday to a reception with "Dr. Patricia Gray, professor of biomusic at UNCG, [who] will describe her groundbreaking research on bonobo apes and her jam sessions with Kanzi, the "Einstein of the Apes".

I see Kanzi has also jammed with Paul McCartney and Peter Gabriel.

Plan to attend.

Bongo & Zebra on Exhibit

At least for a time today, an NC Zoo bongo (antelope) and zebra were on exhibit. Introductions are ongoing at Forest Edge, where the plan is to add bongos to zebras, giraffes and ostriches.

Bristol Zoo's Homo Sapiens Exhibit

Easily the Best...

I'm going to get you, my little pretty!
Originally uploaded by ucumari

I've seen of NC Zoo polar bear Aquila. Taken recently by ucumari.

Gov. Sends Elephants to S.D. Zoo

They need better care, so the federal government sends two aging, Asian elephants from Leggett, TX to the San Diego Zoo.

What Bird?

This bird I.D. website is great! (Tip of the hat to the NC Zoo Society Facebook page!)

I tested it on identifying a female purple finch by name, once "spotted" at an imaginary feeder. After selecting a "by State or Province" option and getting a huge return for "North Carolina", I moved my cursor to the bottom of that long list to opt for "step-by-step search" .

I then selected by primary color (brown), size (small), habitat (forest), a preference for fruit at the feeder, and more. Each selection reduced the options until I was down to the purple finch and one sparrow. Looking at pictures of the male of each, I could be well assured that it was, in fact, a purple finch I had "spotted".

Tip: After selecting "by State or Province", you can go to the bottom of that page to select the "step-by-step search"; avoiding a short wait for 900-plus NC birds to download.

Baby Falcon Saved

Nice New York Times story.

The Valerie H. Schindler Wildlife Rehabilitation Center at the NC Zoo has had hundreds of these stories in its short history.

No Wild "Alpha" Wolves?

The scientist who introduced the idea of "Alpha" male and female wolves says it was a mistake based on studies of captive, unrelated wolves. Wild wolf leaders should be called "the parents", he suggests. Hat tips to Dr. David L. Mech by way of highclearing.com via pnh by way of Liz Ditz by way of BoraZ (see "Woof").

Panda Cub's "Coloring" Appears

At two weeks, the San Diego Zoo giant panda cub's coloration becomes apparent in Panda Cam slides one through six, under "animals" heading.

Try catching real-time Mom/cub action on Panda Cam; they are active as I type.

Pachyderm Pumpkin Stomp

New dance craze?

Elephants Stomp On Pumpkins @ Yahoo! Video

Lions & Tigers & Bears...However

The NC Zoo will continue to exhibit African and mountain lions, plus polar, black and grizzly bears. And, soon, Siberian tigers, will also be on site. They will not be on exhibit, however, as the Zoo continues to exhibit African and North American animals only, with the exception of birds (and a few frogs) only of the world's various tropics.

One male and one female tiger will be here for 4 - 6 months, while Zoo Atlanta renovates its "cat house". The NC Zoo will be paid to board the handsome felines, which will be housed off-exhibit at "Tigger's Rest", Gen. Curator Ken Reininger reported yesterday.

Tigger was a mixed species tiger who arrived with the initial, "interim zoo"; when it was determined that the permanent Zoo would begin with African exhibits only, many non-African animals were accepted elsewhere, but the "tiger without pedigree" required a place to spend retirement years here, giving the NC Zoo a good, off-exhibit facility for holding large mammals.

Million Martins

Purple Martins. Umstead Bridge. Croatan Sound, NC. Hat tip to NC Zoo Society Facebook page.

She Coulda Been a Contender!

Bijou
Originally uploaded by russlings

For best animal in the world. Bijou (Williams).
(photo by Momma Ann Lynch)

Expecting!

The NC Zoo expects to receive the following animals over the next 6-8 weeks, Gen. Curator Ken Reininger reported today:

. 3 female sitatunga, from San Diego Wild Animal Park;

. a male sitatunga , from Maryland Zoo (Baltimore);

. a female bongo (antelope) from the Jacksonville (FL) Zoo;

. a female red river hog, from Cincinnati Zoo; and

. two female ring-tailed lemurs and two of unknown sex (probably quite young), from Lowry Park Zoo.

3-Minute Escape

Charlie, the lowland gorilla, escaped from Denver Zoo briefly yesterday afternoon. All's well at Denver and with Charlie, who went from here (NC Zoo) to Denver.

"...the keeper quickly followed zoo protocols and the gorilla returned to its indoor holding area within three minutes when the keeper opened the door for him."


Tip of Hat to Aaron Jesue, Facebook and NC Zoo.

Best Animal in World

I thought it was a miniature schnauzer named Bijou, but Michael Henley of the National Zoo reports that "Coral is the best animal in the world."

O.K., Michael, "You can set your watch by it", but will it be so happy to see you after a long absence that it falls over in ecstatic, tail-wagging surprise?

Bongo Video

The NC Zoo will add bongo (antelope) to the Forest Edge (giraffe, zebra, ostrich) exhibit soon.

This good wildlife site (ARKive) has great bongo video. Tip of hat to NC Zoo Society Facebook page.

Dolphins Sued for Deliberate Act

The Brookfield Zoo is being sued because a woman slipped on water she claims bottle-nosed dolphins "deliberately splashed" at her.

No "papers" were actually served on the dolphins. The woman is instead "blaming zoo keepers who “recklessly and willfully trained and encouraged the dolphins to throw water at the spectators...”

Learn 'bout Leatherbacks

In 90-some seconds. (Up to 1600 lbs.!)

New Zoo River Otter

The two, new NC Zoo North American river otters like each other, eat only fish and have fur that works like a wet suit.

Stalking Zoo Animals

NC Zoo veterinary care can involve stalking and "shooting" the animals with an anesthesia dart.

Best Keep Quiet?

If I am the San Diego Zoo's very tiny, recently-born giant panda, maybe I am thinking it not best to make loud, squeaking calls for Mom which bring her big, giant panda self into my fragile vicinity?

Big Panel!

The nation's largest "photovoltaic solar farm" will be built in Zoo-neighboring Davidson County, between Lexington and High Rock Lake, in Linwood.

Sun Edison plans to build it and sell its power to Duke Energy. The reduction in carbon dioxide will be "the equivalent of taking 3,168 cars off the road for a year".

Solar Pointe is the NC Zoo's smaller, solar demonstration (and education) site (and picnic shelters).

Gerenuks?

Believe this artist's drawing of one of those "Skinny stick-legged deer things" is a male gerenuk (antelope-permanently horned)...not any kind of (deer-shed antlers).

We Want One of These Too!

Indianapolis Zoo is expecting a baby southern white rhino.

With the recent success of Project: Pachyderms and the creation of the Watani Grasslands at the NC Zoo and our progress on Project: Polar Bears, we want baby rhinos, African elephants and polar bears. (Greedy? Who? Us?)

"Where I'd Rather Be"

Dr. Jane Goodall is asked by "Parade" if she agrees "zoos are cruel".

"Life in the wild can be even more cruel. Wild chimps may have their forests destroyed or be hunted for food. In a really good zoo, you can see chimps playing together in the setting sun. I know where I’d rather be."

Nature, other predators and other chimps can also make life hard for wild chimps.

Ucumari's Back

Heaven on earth
Originally uploaded by ucumari

From the NC mountains:

"Located in the western part of North Carolina the Smoky Mountain National Park is the most visited park in the US. This was taken from Clingman's Dome parking lot. When we arrived it was raining and the wind was blowing sideways. Clouds were rolling in and out which made for some wonderful photo ops!"

Never Give Up!

White ibis keeps trying to swallow frog. Frog "clamps down on his bill over and over" from a precarious angle. Hat tip to BoraZ tweat, which remembered "famous cartoon".

"Extremely Rare"

Leatherback turtle lays nest on NC's Outer Banks. A rare visit by "the mother of all mother sea turtles...!"

"...a lot of eager NEST volunteers to watch for hatching action on this nest. As you know, we begin watching for hatchings 55 days after the female turtle makes the nest."

Eagle owl eyes

Eagle owl eyes
Originally uploaded by floridapfe

One more strong Everland Zoo (Korea) portrait by floridapfe.

Speaking of "Poor Form"

Someone has also broken two viewing panels in the helicopter at the NC Zoo Watani Grasslands Reserve. Near the African elephant exhibits, the helicopter helps tell the story of elephant tracking research in which the NC Zoo and Dr. Mike Loomis are involved in Cameroon.

Vandals!

Geysers to Blow

The new "geysers" at an NC Zoo "Prairie" (bison, elk exhibit) overlook will be tested 8/12/09.

"...in my 25th year"

First day as NCZS exec. dir. was 8/12/85.

At first Board meeting the chair of the search committee apologized for how young I looked. (Not a current problem!)

Missed It!

Annual March of the Penguins at the SF Zoo, this morning (my afternoon).

Mom's Playin' w/the Tyke

Right now on SD Zoo panda cam.

Thief Not Strong Enuf...

...to steal African elephant?

A small bronze elephant statue at the NC Zoo was forcibly removed from its concrete and metal stand. The 50-pound statue was found by Zoo rangers at 5:30 p.m., Sunday, scratched and abandoned along the Zoo tram road.

Thief? Vandal? (Poor form in broad daylight, regardless.)

Finding More Hellbenders

More hellbenders are being found in North Carolina rivers than were being counted in surveys last year, NC Zoo Curator of Amphibians and Reptiles John Groves reported this morning. He spoke of recent success he's had in surveying a portion of the south fork of Mills River south of Asheville.

He also was thankful to Zoo and Society for signs placed on the New River (the one nearer Boone; not the one nearer Jacksonville, NC) which have resulted in "volunteer" reports of hellbenders sightings there despite their rarity.

Hitchin' a Ride

Baby squirrel monkey at Tokyo Zoo.

Ontario Ups Polar Bear Protection

Ontario moves polar bears from special concern to threatened status. Hat tip to NCZooSociety facebook page.

Two Cameras on Baby Giant

San Diego Zoo's "Panda Cam" has two camera angles switching on the very little giant panda, with a third camera, showing Mom, who is separated a bit from her youngster at the moment.

Momma Bear Sleeps Alot

San Diego Zoo "Panda Cam" mainly catches Momma sleepin'

Giant pandas are again thought to be bears ya know? (Family: Ursadae)

Baby & Mom on Panda Cam Now!

Just saw them! Mom is holding the very little tyke in forepaws and the little one is tumbling as mother licks and "bites". (San Diego Zoo panda cam.)

Kendall's Progress

NC Zoo chimp Kendall is being accepted by more of the Zoo's big troop. You may find him on exhibit with others on your next visit.

Here's Kendall's unique story. Hat tips to Elizabeth Garrison McChesney and Terry Webb.

How Many Takes?

NC Zoo spokesman Rod Hackney keeps talking about ZooCool (held this past weekend) even as the polar bear dives into the pool. A rare occurance...and I really don't think something that can be guaranteed. "Tip of the Hat" to "NCZooSociety" Facebook page.

 

Bravo, Gin!

Virginia (Gin) Wall, NC Zoo Curator of Horticulture, received the first lifetime (Chuck Rogers Conservation) award given by the Association of Zoological Horticulture in recognition of her long-time support and advocacy for the importance of horticulture within zoological institutions.

A quote from the association's citation reads: "It is fitting that this award goes to Gin for her dedication, perseverance and commitment to the conservation of our planet."

First saw Gin at an AZA (Assn. of Zoos and Aquariums) conference over 20 years ago when I had no idea she'd be hired to come to North Carolina. Even in the days that the AZA was mainly an "old boys'", directors' organization focused on the animal collection, Gin was a leader for all those other "species".

The NC Zoo plants collection has cost more to acquire than its animal collection. It is tens of thousands of specimens that add greatly to the visitors' experience, enjoyment and education, placing the animal species in realistic habitats.

"Eat meat...save a plant," Gin advises.

Congrats, Lucy!

Lucy Segerson, recently retired after a long career in the NC Zoo's Animal Division, received the American Association of Zookeepers (AAZK) Lifetime Award for outstanding service to the profession and AAZK.

Remember Lucy approaching the Society 20-plus years ago to add AAZK conservation parking meters (small, coin-op, funding-raising tools) to the NC Zoo, and then aiding in servicing the project and providing detailed annual reports on the dollars raised and the missions met.


Her citation reads: "This award is based on Ms. Segerson's outstanding commitment to professionalism in her distinguished career as a zookeeper and her service to AAZK on a chapter and national level."

Panda Cam's Up

Just got on (6:50 a.m., Pacific). Mom sleeping; tiny giant (panda) no where in sight.

Panda Cam Too Popular?

The San Diego Zoo's panda cam struggles to stay up (not crash) since the recent giant panda birth.

Giraffe bridge

Giraffe bridge
Originally uploaded by ucumari

Ucumari captured it at the NC Zoo and named it well.

Ain't No Clunker

The NC Zoo Society "company" car (2004 Prius; the first one sold in Asheboro, in 2003) exceeded 179,000 miles today, but it is no "clunker". At about 350 miles into its current tank of gas, it is averaging a stunning 55.3 miles per gallon and it runs like new, with no new parts of significance (tires and filters only so far; one rather small part was recently ordered based on a warning light and diagnostic visit, although I've noticed no change in that "like new" performance).

A Cash-for-Clunkers "clunker":

1) was manufactured in 1984 or later (check),

2) was owned by the same person(s) for at least one year prior to trade-in (check),

3) can be safely(?) driven (check), and

4) has a combined fuel economy of 18 mpg or less (oops!).

What I do not much like is that the new car for which the "Clunker" is "traded up" can get just 22 mpg and qualify for $3500. (For $4500 you just need to move up 10 mpg; to 22 mpg from 12 mpg would work!)

If the Zoo Society buys a new Prius or another (US?) auto which continues to average over 50 mpg, it gets nothing...other than rewards "at the pump"!

~ Refractions of Rain ~

~ Refractions of Rain ~
Originally uploaded by ViaMoi

"The rain never really stopped through the night.
"Woke up to diamond looking droplets all over my new growing daisy plant that probably will not flower because of my late start... but I got drops... and a bug!!!"

Title, photo and quote by ViaMoi.

Zoo Penguin Takes Dive

Great photos of Frankfurt Zoo penguins, by Boris Roessler.

Snakes on a Plain - 9/12/09

It's a class in radio tracking wild animals offered by the NC Zoo Society.

Panda Birth this A.M.

Video of San Diego Zoo giant panda easily, extremely quickly, giving birth to very tiny cub & beginning care.

Sylvan Heights Tree House

WNCT has video from Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park Tree House dedication.

Don't Feed the Animals!

Zoo's pelican "eats" cell phone.

"Can you hear me now?!"

"Keep the change." Also don't let others toss coins in Zoo pools or at zoo animals. As the pelican demonstrates, many zoo animals have a hard time determining which is food and which is junk. "Even acorns can be fatal to some zoo species."

Zoo Nuts!

Ohio family visits 55 zoos in 52 weeks!

"A Nest Full"

"A Nest Full"
Originally uploaded by beachbum1616

"We are excited to see that our resident chickadee parents successfully hatched all five eggs and that the chicks seem to be doing well! Can't wait to see them take flight!!!" Beachbum1616 photo, title, quote, excitement!

CPR for Fido

What to do when Fido or Tom get sick. NC Zoo Society and American Red Cross partner to offer course.

Endorsement

"Nothing gets in between me and my pickle!"
Originally uploaded by ucumari

Mt. Olive Pickle Company donated giant pickles to the NC Zoo. Willy and photographer ucumari team up for this "endorsement". (I got nothing!)

Madagascar's Plant Diversity

As she plans for the arrival of lemurs, NC Zoo Curator of Horticulture Gin Wall reports great interest in what she is learning about Madagascar's plants.

With 35 times the land area, Africa only has about three times as many plant species as nearby Madagascar, and most of Madagascar's plants are endemic.

Something New @ Sylvan Heights

A tree house (it's accessible to wheelchairs) and swamp habitat have been added.

"Mobility-challenged individuals may never experience the opportunity to see these creatures anywhere else."

Favorite Merchants Millpond Photo

Merchants Millpond A.Lynch
Originally uploaded by russlings

This is my favorite of Ann's many photos today. The Merchants Millpond ancient cypress, its many "knees" and the rest of the special habitat.

Merchants Millpond

Merchants Millpond 2 A.Lynch
Originally uploaded by russlings

From Edenton to Merchants Millpond (NC) State Park this morning. Ann took her precious camera in the rented canoe to take this and many other photos of the special swamp habitat.

Moon Over Edenton

Moon Over Edenton A. Lynch
Originally uploaded by russlings

Ann took this last night in Edenton, NC. We traveled there from Tarboro and our day at Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park, Friday.