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eNews letter June 8, 2008
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News and Items |
Aquarium News Oddwater Opened at Oregon Coast Aquarium Newport, OR. - The Oregon Coast Aquarium opened a new exhibit Memorial Day weekend with fun, music and activities for everyone in the family. Oddwater takes a look at some of the most bizarre life forms in the ocean, and shows how their unusual adaptations help them survive. The exhibit combines marine biology and art with blown glass inside the displays and life-size murals of the ocean?s larger oddities. Florida Aquarium Discovers Confederate Blockade Runner
America's Oldest Aquarium Gets a New Look
Georgia Aquarium Announces 110 Million Dollar Expansion Atlanta, GA. - When Bernie Marcus opened the Georgia Aquarium in November 2005, he promised that it would always play a role in animal conservation, that it would make an important economic impact on downtown Atlanta, and that it would constantly reinvent itself to continue to "WOW" and attract visitors from around the world. Today, Aquarium founder Marcus and Jim Jacoby, owner of Marineland of Florida and a member of the Georgia Aquarium board, disclosed a key relationship for the Georgia Aquarium with Marineland that ensures those promises continue to be met. Rockport Aquarium's Goals are to Educate, Keep Admission Free Rockport, TX. - Excitement grows inside the former maintenance shop for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department on Rockport Harbor. After being closed for about 20 years, the Aquarium at Rockport Harbor reopened last summer in the 44-year-old building and recently hosted it's 10,000th visitor. "We are in the process of growing and growing rapidly." said Jerry Lewis, vice president of Friends of the Aquarium at Rockport Harbor. "Our goal is not only to increase the scope and breadth of the aquarium but to keep it free." N.C. Aquarium Offers Surf Fishing Classes North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher Kure Beach, NC. - The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is offering instruction in surf fishing during the fall, spring and summer fishing seasons. The three-hour course, which is offered most Saturdays during the spring and summer, includes an hour of classroom instruction and two hours of fishing on the undeveloped four-mile stretch of coast at the Fort Fisher State Recreation Area. Aquarium's Petition Bid for New Dolphins Turned Down New Zealand - Marineland manager Gary Macdonald says it is the final "dotting of the i's and crossing of the t's" - Kelly will be the last dolphin to live at New Zealand's best-known dolphin aquarium. Napier's Marineland failed in a last-ditch bid to be allowed to import new dolphins when Parliament's local government and environment select committee rejected a petition and upheld the status quo. London Aquarium Sold to Madame Tussaud?s Owner
London, UK. - Merlin Entertainments, the operator of tourist attractions owned by Blackstone, is to buy the London Aquarium to complement sites which include Madame Tussauds and the London Eye. The aquarium, next to the London Eye on the Thames, is being bought from County Hall Entertainment, Merlin said. It refrained from giving the purchase price. Shark Week Surfaces at Birch Aquarium at Scripps La Jolla, CA. - Soak up an entire week dedicated to sharks this summer at Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego. SHARK WEEK runs from July 19-26 and features a week of hands-on explorations for all ages into the world of these mesmerizing and misunderstood ocean predators. Meet local sharks and their relatives. Discover why sharks are vulnerable and must be protected. Learn from Scripps Oceanography scientists about research discoveries and conservation efforts that may help sustain declining shark populations. |
Zoo News Twycross Zoo's Tiny Twin Meercats Twycross, UK. - Two tiny cute baby Meerkats are now on show to the general public at Twycross Zoo. The pups were born on 27th April 2008 and their parents, Tallula and Timmy, are keeping a watchful eye on the new arrivals. Rare Condor Chick Saved During Hatching
London Zoo?s Use Of Bloodsuckers For Sampling
Two of Rosamond Gifford Zoos Tigers to Find New Home at Alaska Zoo Syracuse, NY. - Korol and Kunali, Amur tiger brothers born at Rosamond Gifford Zoo on June 7, 2004, will soon be leaving Syracuse for their new home at the Alaska Zoo in Anchorage, Alaska. The exact date of their relocation has not yet been determined, giving visitors an opportunity to bid them farewell over the next couple of weeks. Oklahoma City Zoo Introduces BarZ's Interactive Video Zoo Tour Oklahoma City, OK. - Visitors to the Oklahoma City Zoo have a new way to see the exhibits, have fun and learn more about the animals while exploring the 110 acre park. BarZ Adventures Inc and the Oklahoma City Zoo collaborated to introduce Zoo Ranger™, a self-guided video tour system that gives visitors a behind-the-scenes tour of the zoo that's the closest thing to a personal tour with a zookeeper. Butterfly Pavilion Makes a Metamorphosis at the Lincoln Children?s Zoo Lincoln, NE. - It?s a simple thing, really. Dip your finger in a little nectar and wait a few seconds. . . For the last seven years children have done just that, in a canvas tent, in the middle of the Lincoln Children?s Zoo. They flocked to this simple exhibit to see, touch and otherwise interact with one of nature?s most elegant creatures ? the butterfly. This year, that experience will be even more exciting and interactive in an all-new, permanent exhibit called Laura?s Butterfly Pavilion. Nigerian Kid at WNC Nature Center
Binder Park Zoo Set to Open the New Smith Snow Leopard Encounter Battle Creek, MI. - This summer at Binder Park Zoo some current residents will be moving! Finding a new home at the 433 acre Zoo will be the snow leopards Lotus and Caperon. Their new exhibit, the Smith Snow Leopard Encounter, will open on May 31st and will boast the next generation in exhibit design. Guest speaker Brad Rutherford, Executive Director of the International Snow Leopard Trust, will be at the grand opening to discus snow leopards in the wild and what the ISLT is doing to protect this species. Experience the beauty of these creatures up-close this summer at Binder Park Zoo. Detroit Zoo Welcomes Polar Bears Neil and Buzz Detroit, MI. - The Detroit Zoo today introduced 12-year-old twin polar bears Neil and Buzz, namesakes of Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. The bears have touched down at the Arctic Ring of Life for a two-year stay while their habitat at Como Zoo in St. Paul, Minn., is being renovated. "We have a great environment for polar bears and we're pleased to share it with Neil and Buzz," said Director of Conservation and Animal Welfare Scott Carter. "There?s plenty of room for the bears to roam and swim." Two Mail Order Brides Ordered For Bachelor Patrick, an 18-year-old silverback gorilla, is about to lose his bachelor status in the South Habitat at the Dallas Zoo. Next week, two new female gorillas ? Tufani and Makena ? will begin moving in as part of breeding efforts at the zoo. Baby Elephant a Big Deal at Melbourne Zoo Australia - That?s not a smudge - it's an eight-week old elephant embryo. Inside the black dot is Melbourne Zoo's first home-grown pachyderm. The first ultrasound of pregnant elephant Dokkoon has thrilled zoo keepers. Vietnamese Lawmakers Mull Wild Animal Farming, Trade Vietnam - Legislators discussing the Biodiversity Bill in the house Monday were divided over whether to allow the rearing of protected animals on farms. Many argued farms should be allowed to breed and sell the animals but others rejected the argument. Hoang Thi Binh, a legislator from the northern Cao Bang Province, said farming and trading wild animals did not violate the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Zoo Members, Directors Oppose Zoo Conversion to Theme Park Australia - Two former directors of the Werribee Zoo have called plans for a $220 million theme park a "circus" that would jeopardize the zoo's future. Friends of the Zoo - which has more than 67,000 members and conributes $1.7 million annually to Zoos Victoria - is mounting a campaign against the Village Roadshow development bid, which has the backing of Tourism Minister Tim Holding. Former Werribee Zoo director David Hancock said rhinoceroses should not be combined with roller-coasters, and warned the amusement park would become a white elephant. Aboriginal Elder Councils Battle Terri Irwin Over Conservation Australia - Cape York indigenous leaders have strongly attacked Steve Irwin's widow, Terri, for trying to stop a mine going ahead on a 135,000ha property on Cape York that the Irwins were given last year. The Howard government last year gave $6.25 million to the Irwins to acquire a 135,000ha former cattle station on Cape York, which the family promised to turn into the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve to continue the conservation work of Irwin, who died in September 2006 after being stung by a stingray. Rescuing Rare White Lions Abu Dhabi, UAE - A third rare white lion from South Africa recently arrived at the Abu Dhabi Wildlife Centre (ADWC). White lions are very valuable because they are so rare. It is thought that there are only about 300 left. Like many other African animals, lions are losing their habitat as human populations grow. There may be less than 21,000 African lions remaining in the wild. The remaining 300 white lions are all in captivity. |
Zoo and Aquarium Visitor News Finally, a Burden Has Been Lifted!
BEHIND THE SCENES Georgia Aquarium Works Hard to Become National Travel Destination When you already have 20 million room nights in your town rented on an annual basis, where do you focus your marketing campaign? The Georgia Aquarium focuses on attracting an additional 2 million to visit the city, trying to reach the 20 million already visiting, and connecting with Atlanta's local population. Talk about a big job!!
Since opening two years ago, the Georgia Aquarium has worked hard to make sure the entire country is familiar with the who, what, and where of the world's largest aquarium. This started with the opening day ceremonies that were broadcast live on NBC's Today Show. The relationship with Today's producers was maintained, and resulted in another show being broadcast from their facility on February 12, 2008, the aquarium's two year anniversary. This NBC show resulted in 54 minutes of morning prime time national exposure. Georgia Aquarium even worked with the Today Show to announce their new swim/dive with the whale sharks program. "Having the opportunity to host the Today show at the Aquarium twice since opening has been an incredible catalyst for the Georgia Aquarium," said Dave Santucci, the Georgia Aquarium's Director of Communications. "The Aquarium was given as a gift to the people of Atlanta from Bernie and Billi Marcus and the media has played a big role in bringing people from around the country and even the world to enjoy that gift." Georgia Aquarium looks for tie-ins that will interest the audience of a national media outlet. They focus on major events such as new science discoveries, new animal arrivals, national contests and items of widespread interest. Santucci always keeps his eye on national issues, and looks for media opportunities to put the aquarium in the national news. Recently, national media covered the Georgia Aquarium's water savings program that reduces the Aquarium?s water usage by 20%. The Aquarium also looks for strategic partnerships in helping animals. On January 18th the Georgia Aquarium hosted the Jack Hanna Gala Benefit for the non-profit GROW (Georgia Rehabilitation of Wildlife) Center?s upcoming Wildlife Hospital and Clinical Research Center located at Cochran Mill Nature Preserve in Chattahoochee Hill Country. This exceptional event hosted by Hanna was attended by many out of town visitors. On a local level, Georgia Aquarium does not consider Atlanta''s many other entertainment venues to be competition for visitor's dollars. They consider the others to be co-branding and marketing partners. They have partnered with and offer joint tickets with, World of Coca-Cola, CNN Tours, Zoo Atlanta, Six Flags, Stone Mountain, Atlanta Braves, Botanical Gardens, High Museum of Art, Fernbank, Callaway Gardens, and Atlanta History Center. This allows area visitors and trade show attendees to enjoy the best of Atlanta during their stay. It also allows the Georgia Aquarium to reap the benefits of the marketing and advertising campaigns of these other entertainment venues. Georgia Aquarium has worked to develop a very strong relationship with their local media. They work closely with the media to provide interesting content for their news organizations, such as creating a partnership with Children's Healthcare of Atlanta to provide sponsored admission for children with life threatening illnesses. This program is called "Fish Wish" and they feature one sponsored family each month on their local NBC affiliate, 11Alive, WXIA. In addition to generating publicity for Georgia Aquarium, this helps to generate both good will in the community and awareness for the children's hospital. Of course no public relations campaign would be complete without an up to date web site announcing current and past events, providing information and directions, and selling the nation on facility visits. What's next? Stay tuned for their campaign to bring international visitors to Georgia Aquarium and Atlanta. Zoo and Aquarium Visitor Suggestions In addition to receiving many suggestions concerning things zoos and aquariums could do to improve the experience of visitors, we also received our share of suggestions concerning our own web site. The most repeated and obvious suggestion is to redo our listings for the facilities. Visitors want to see the listings by country first and then by state. We agree that this would make it easier for everyone to find facilities located within certain driving distances from where they live and visit. Our web site is written in Lasso and none of the features include canned packages. So all of the code will have to be rewritten and the material will have to be reloaded. Once this is done some additional information and features can be added. This is a major undertaking and will take some time to complete, especially since Bob is already backed up. In our next issue, we will address zoo and aquarium photography. We have a very diverse base of readers that not only includes zoo visitors, but zookeepers, trustees, and zoo administrators from around the world. This provides an opportunity for the best suggestions to be read and discussed to see if it makes sense for each individual facility. Do you have a suggestion? If so, send it to: rudy@zandavisitor.com. FUN STUFF The Animal Banana Test There is a very, very tall coconut tree and there are 4 animals, a Lion, a Chimpanzee, a Giraffe, and a Squirrel, who pass by. They decide to compete to see who is the fastest to get a banana off the tree. Who do you guess will win? Your answer will reflect your personality. So think carefully . . . Try and answer within 30 seconds Got your answer? Answer and personality analysis given at end of Fun Stuff. Rhino Joke 1st rhinoceros: "What's that over there?" Taking a Snake To The Vet My snake was very thin and sick, so I took it to the vet. The vet took a quick look and said, "Sorry, your snake is going to die, that will be $20.00". I said "is that all I get for $20.00?" He took the snake over to a floppy-eared rabbit, and the rabbit pointed his ears straight up to the ceiling. He took it to a Black Labrador dog, and the dog stuck out his tongue and shook its head. Then, he took it to a cat, the cat opened her eyes very wide and then shook her head violently. He then said, "That will be $350.00..... $50 for the second opinion, $75 for Lab tests, and $225 for the CAT scan. KIDS ZOO COOKIES and MEMORIES Materials Required 1 package ready mix sugar or peanut butter cookie dough.
Directions
If you want to make the cookies appear as a giraffe, add a 1 inch neck between the body and head. Before the cookies go into the oven tell the children that the cookies will not be able to be removed from the cookie sheet intact after cooking. Photograph the entire process especially the finished cookies. Answers for Animal Banana Test If your answer is, your personality reflects: Lion = you're lazy 20 hours a day. Chimpanzee = you're constantly in trouble. Giraffe = you're always sticking your neck in where it does not belong. Squirrel = you're eaten so many nuts, you?re starting to act like one. A Coconut Tree Does Not Have Bananas! If you knew this, you are a normal human being. If not, you are obviously stressed, overworked, and taking on the thought process and personality of an animal. You should take some time off and relax! Please Recycle Do not print, discard and throw our email in your trash bin. Instead, please forward this email to all of your friends so they may obtain their own subscription at: enewssubscription Zoo and Aquarium Visitor magazine To Unsubscribe send reply to: unsubscribe@ZandAVisitor.com |
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