Flamingos Will Share the Same Exhibit as Two East African Crowned Cranes

By John Chapo

Lincoln, NE - The Lincoln Children’s Zoo announced that flamingos have returned to the Zoo. A young flock of eleven Caribbean flamingos, originally from the San Antonio Zoo in Texas, began exploring their new exhibit recently. The nine males and two females will share the same exhibit as the two East African Crowned Cranes born last week.

This marks more than a three-year absence of flamingos at the Zoo. Bringing back this popular species is due to the new Stork and Crane housing facility built last year with a private donation. This secure building is segmented, allowing each species to remain separated during the evening hours.

Three Bands Plus One DJ Add Up to One Great Night for Party People

By Cyndi Condit

Toledo, OH - Tickets are still available for Rock ’n’ Roar, the summer’s hottest dance party, at The Toledo Zoo! Three bands plus one DJ add up to one great night for the party people of this region, so get ready to get your boogie on and join the fun—Friday, August 6, from 7 p.m. to midnight.

From the ’70s groove of East River Drive to the ’80s sound of Johnny Retro and the Hitmen to classic rockers the Rayz, you’re sure to hear tunes to set your feet in motion. In addition, a DJ from Sounds of Music will keep the tunes spinning on the Africa! overlook, and your Rock ’n’ Roar ticket covers all four stages! Tickets must be purchased in advance by calling (419) 385-5721, ext. 2091, or by visiting www.toledozoo.org. Guests must be 21 or over to attend; ID is required at the door. Tickets are $20 for Zoo members and $25 for non-members. Reserved tables of ten start at $300.

Many of the Maryland Zoo Animals Get Icy Treats During the Summer

By Jane Ballentine

Baltimore, MD - In Maryland, we all know what the “three H’s” of summer are -- hazy, hot and humid, right? Well, no more! The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore wants to make those “H’s” obsolete -- so how about Half (as in price), Happy (as in place) and Helephants (the “h” is silent.)

Every Tuesday during August, the Zoo will offer half price admission for tickets purchased at the gate. Each Tuesday visitor will also get a coupon for a free frozen popsicle or ice cream treat, redeemable at any Zoo concession stand that day. “So many of the animals get icy treats during the summer, so we thought we could offer our guests something refreshing too,” said Don Hutchinson, president/CEO of The Maryland Zoo. “Of course, the polar bears get fish in their popsicles – our guests will have a more traditional treat.” Half price and frozen treats - that’s the happy part.

The Carousel Features 33 Hand-Carved Wooden Animals and a Peacock Chariot

By David Barnhardt

Akron, OH - The Akron Zoo will unveil its newest expansion, a Conservation Carousel, July 31, 2010. The carousel will feature 33 hand-carved wooden animals and a peacock chariot that kids and adults will be able to ride. In addition to the carousel there is also a brand new picnic area adjacent to the new carousel.

Some of the animals on the carousel will be ones that reside at the Akron Zoo like a penguin, Komodo dragon and a tiger. There will also be many animals guest will be able to ride that are not currently found at the zoo like an elephant, polar bear and giraffe. The carousel ride will be $2 and will last about 2½ minutes. There will also be graphics at the ride so riders can see where the animal they rode lives.

Bongos are the Largest and Heaviest Type of Forest Antelope and Weigh Around 500 Lbs.

By Diane Paluzzi

Norfolk, VA – The Virginia Zoo is pleased to announce the birth of its first baby bongo in 2010! The female calf named Emma was born Monday, July 26, 2010.

“This new baby joins a herd that includes three juveniles born in 2009, an adult male and three adult females,” explains Zoo director Greg Bockheim. “It may seem as though we have an abundance of bongos, but in reality these forest antelope are highly endangered. Our bongo herd is managed through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) with the goal of preserving these magnificent animals. We are hoping that our other two adult females will have healthy babies this year, too.”

All Safari Contest Photos Will Be on Display at the Zoo on Saturday, August 7th

By Beth Rich

Idaho Falls, ID - The zoo celebrates Seniors Day on Monday August 2nd with free admission all day long for folks 62 years and older. From 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. there will be a special photo opportunity with some of the zoo’s animal ambassadors. From 11:00am – 1:00pm box lunches will be available for purchase for $4.50 and the Old Time Fiddlers will be performing on the zoo green. Also, the zoo’s costume character mascot, Percy the Penguin, will make an appearance!

Over 40 individual photos have been entered in the Tautphaus Park Zoo’s annual Photo Safari contest. “We’ve got another group of great photos this year” says Zoo Interim Superintendent Beth Rich. “There’s definitely a lot of talented photographers in the area who’ve done a great job capturing the animals, plants and people here at the zoo” said Rich. The photos will be judged next week and all photos will be on display at the zoo on Saturday, August 7th from 10am – 4pm. Photos will then be displayed at the Post Register Gallery through the month of August.

Wet, Wild and Wacky Wednesday at the Kansas City Zoo – Wednesday, August 4

By Julie Neemeyer

Kansas City, MO - The always affordable Kansas City Zoo is doing even more to help families enjoy their summer – offering another WILD Wednesday. It’s a $2 Wet, Wild and Wacky Wednesday on Wednesday, August 4, 2010.

$2 Zoo admission for all ages 3 and older (FOTZ Members are free.

This is Jungle Jack Hanna’s First Trip to Blank Park Zoo

By Ryan Bickel

Des Moines, IA - Iowa’s Blank Park Zoo announced today several additional events this fall including a visit from America’s favorite zookeeper, Jack Hanna on the evening of September 29.

“This is Jungle Jack’s first trip to Blank Park Zoo,” said Mark Vukovich, CEO. “Jack will bring some of his exotic animal friends and tell stories of his many adventures.”

This Unique Festival Celebrates Foods Prepared With Regionally-Sourced, Sustainable Ingredients

By Joan Barns

Virginia Beach, VA - Presented by the Virginia Aquarium and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation is the first Sensible Seafood Fest, Thursday, September 30, 6 - 9 p.m. Located on the Aquarium’s Nature Trail and in the Bay & Ocean Pavilion, this unique festival celebrates foods prepared with regionally-sourced, sustainable ingredients from more than 15 Sensible Seafood partner restaurants.

Guests can sample foods, visit the new Restless Planet exhibits, and learn about regional efforts focused on restoration, sustainability, and environmental stewardship from event participants: Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation, Buy Fresh Buy Local Hampton Roads, Lynnhaven River NOW, and Virginia Marine Products Board.

Celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Tautphaus Park Zoo

By Beth Rich

Idaho Falls, ID - The Tautphaus Park Zoological Society is hosting their annual fundraising gala on Friday, August 6th from 6pm – 10pm. This year they are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Tautphaus Park Zoo with a Diamond Zoobilee! Tickets are $75.00 for an individual or $600.00 for a table seating 8. The event includes up close animal encounters, appetizers, dinner, dancing and a silent and live auction with fabulous items! To RSVP, call Membership Coordinator Laurie Gravatt at 612-8421 or email TPZS@cableone.net. No ticket sales at the door.

The Tautphaus Park Zoo, founded in 1935, is dedicated to preserving wildlife and educating and entertaining Zoo guests.

The Inner Habitat of this Exhibit is Identical to Uda Walawe National Park

By Kim Riley

Atherstone, UK - The High Commissioner for Sri Lanka, His Excellency Justice Nihal Jayasinghe will join us to officially open the new £1 million Asian elephant habitat and walkway “Uda Walawe” with a distinctly Sri Lankan theme on Wednesday 28th July at 2.00 pm.

His Excellency Justice Nihal Jayasinghe will open the walkway by unveiling a commemorative plaque, lighting a ceremonial oil lamp, cutting the ribbon and leading the guests along the new walkway to be greeted by a troupe of Kandyan dancers who will perform the island nation’s ancient dances to the beating of Kandyan drums at the end of the trail. The opening will mark the launch of a unique zoological and cultural attraction in the United Kingdom.

King Baboon Spiders are Very Aggressive and They Make a Hissing Sound

By Angeliné Cronje-Schwan

Pretoria, South Africa - In a true Frankenstein-style story, one of the conservation staff of the National Zoological Gardens of the South Africa, has resurrected a King baboon spider (Citharischius crawshayi) after it appeared to be dead.

This spider arrived at the NZG in mid-May with a group of other confiscated spiders; six of these tarantulas arrived dead. When opening the small packet containing the King baboon spider, it was also dead and all were taken to the animal hospital’s post mortem fridge.

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Name: Rob Taranto

Actual title: General Manager

Name of your aquarium: Melbourne Aquarium

Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

URL for your facility: www.melbourneaquarium.com.au

Number of species at your facility: Approx 500 species

Your favorite critter at the facility: King Penguin

Total number of animals or fish at your facility: Approx 3,000 animals

Number of visitors annually: Over 800,000

Number of employees: Approx 100

Number of volunteers: n/a

Aquarium's size: Square footage - approximately 6,000 square meters (footprint) and approx 12,000 square meters over four levels.

                               Gallons of ehibit - The total volume of water is more than three million litres. The Oceanarium alone contains 2.2 million litres.

Name: Tanya McVeigh Peterson

Actual title: Executive Director & President

Name of your zoo: San Francisco Zoological Society

Location: San Francisco, CA - USA

URL for your facility: www.sfzoo.org

Number of species at your facility: 250 species

Your favorite critter at the facility: I adore them all equally, but the chimpanzees have a special place in my heart. And I have to note that my children love our hedgehogs.

Total number of animals or fish at your facility: 600 (not including all of our insects and free-ranging peacocks!).

Number of visitors annually: Not to sound like a Director, but paying or non-paying? If paying, we are approximate 750,000. If non-paying, we are closer to one million visitors.

Number of employees: 175

Number of volunteers:
90 active docents
170 Adult Volunteers (including ARC, CZ, IZ and special events)
30 Zoo Crew
50 Zoo Teacher Assistants
31 Talk On the Wild Side
140 Nature Trail
81 Junior Zoologists

Annual budget: $17M

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