Blank Park Zoo in Iowa

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The Blank Park Zoo has decided to open its doors for a week this Saturday, August 9th through Friday, August 15th to any Iowan who had flood damage this summer, recognizing that Iowans are in great need of fun, positive activities to help balance the stress and emotional impact associated with the floods of 2008.

“Our staff wanted to do something for Iowa’s flood victims,” explains Terry Rich, the Zoo’s CEO. “We were hearing that many children and families needed relief from flood problems and knew Iowa’s largest zoo (designated Attraction of the Year by the Iowa Department of Tourism) could be the perfect outing for flood relief prior to the start of school.   

So the Blank Park Zoo, in association with Atlantic Bottling, will offer free admission August 9th – 15th from 10am-5pm to any Iowa family who experienced flood damage. 

Rich said the only problem was identifying Iowans who had been impacted by the floods.  Zoo officials knew that Iowans were honest, so to take advantage of the Zoo’s offer during the special week, all anyone needs to do is tell the admission’s desk “I had flood damage” and they will be admitted free…no questions asked.   “Many Iowa cultural institutions experienced flood damage,” says Rich.  “We were lucky to have little damage, so it’s our turn to give back.”

Zoo officials also announced that two new animals will be on exhibit during this special week:
* “Webster”,  the alligator found in flood waters by two young boys in Webster City, will join the animal presentations that week to educate the public on the dangers of exotic pets.   He has been in normal Zoo quarantine since he was recovered.
* The new baby penguin will make his debut to the public and will join the penguin herd for all to see.

“It’s been a rough weather year for Iowans,” says Rich.  “We want to give flood victims a break and let them escape to a new world of animal experiences.”

Rich also indicated that the Zoo’s $40 million expansion is being developed and planned.  “It’ll be ready to start once the flood issues have been resolved.   .  We know in light of this tragic situation that it is more important than ever for Iowans to have a world-class zoo to visit and enjoy.”  Coincidently, the Zoo announced that the three living former Governors of Iowa (Robert Ray, Terry Branstad, and Tom Vilsack) have agreed to be honorary co-chairs of the Zoo expansion for Iowa.

The Blank Park Zoo, Iowa’s WILDEST Adventure, is open everyday from 10am-5pm.  Admission is $9.95 for adults, $4.95 for children under 12, and $6.95 for seniors and active military.    The Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)   The AZA is America’s leading accrediting organization that sets rigorous, professional standards for zoos and aquariums. The AZA is building North America's largest wildlife conservation movement by engaging and inspiring the 143 million annual visitors to its member institutions and their communities to care about and take action to help protect wildlife.

Caption:  Animal Keeper Jim Graff accepts the alligator from Sgt. Ed Wardell of the Webster City, IA police.
 
Photo Credit: Ryan Bickel, Blank Park Zoo
 

Meet the newest member of the Blank Park Zoo- a reticulated giraffe, born early Saturday morning at 3:22am on the south side of Des Moines.. 

Animal keepers at the zoo say the male baby giraffe calf began standing and walking within twenty minutes, is nursing, and appears to have bonded with its mother, Samburu. 

Zoo workers have been keeping their distance- mother giraffes have highly protective instincts.  But after two days, it was time for a well-baby exam.  Zookeepers say the baby’s height was 6’2” and weight was 172 lbs and report that mother and baby are doing just fine.

To name the new calf, Zoo officials decided on an African name in honor of the tallest Chief Executive Officer of an Iowa Fortune 500 company, who also has taken on Major Iowa philanthropic projects.…  So to recognize Barry Griswell, retired CEO of Principal Financial Group and recently appointed head of the Greater Des Moines Community Foundation, the new male giraffe will be named “Mkuu” (pronounced em-COO-you in Swahili meaning “chief” or “principal””).   Griswell is 7 1/2 inches taller than his new namesake and has the baby by a few pounds.

Although it will be a few weeks until it is safe for Mkuu to be on exhibit for the public, he and mom’s progress can be viewed live at www.blankparkzoo.com under “webcam”.  

Some Giraffe Facts:
Giraffes are the world’s tallest land mammal- and can grow to be 17 feet tall, and can run 30-35 miles per hour.

The Blank Park Zoo exhibits reticulated giraffe, one of 7 subspecies of giraffe all of which are found in Africa.  This sub-species is historically found in northern Kenya and southern Somalia.  Numbers of reticulated giraffe are greatly reduced in Somalia, but are still common in Kenya.  They are threatened loss of habitat and human intervention.

 Reticulated means interconnected and refers to the white portion of the coat pattern.  The white part is connected by a lace pattern that forms the block shaped spots.  Each individual giraffe’s coat pattern is unique and no two are alike.  Individuals can be identified by their pattern which is a handy tool for researchers.

The Blank Park Zoo, Iowa’s WILDEST Adventure, is open everyday from 10am-5pm.  Admission is $9.95 for adults, $4.95 for children under 12, and $6.95 for seniors and active military.