School Raising the Most Money will Receive a North Carolina Zoo Sponsored Ice Cream Party

By Stephanie Gee

Asheboro, NC - The Asheboro High School Zoo School, in partnership with the North Carolina Zoo Society, is kicking off a penny drive to raise funds for “Project: Polar Bears,” an effort to raise funds to expand the North Carolina Zoo’s Polar Bear exhibit.

The “Pennies for Polar Bears” project enlists the help of area elementary students from Randolph County and Asheboro City Schools. Each school voluntarily decided to participate to raise money for one month beginning in October.

Complimentary Admission for a Veteran with Valid Military ID and Four Guests

By Sarah Burnette

New Orleans, LA - Veterans are invited to visit Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and Audubon Insectarium in New Orleans free of charge on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2009.

A coupon available on Audubon’s web site at www.auduboninstitute.org is good for complimentary admission for a veteran with valid military ID and four guests. Military personnel (active or retired) must accompany the group.

Orangutan Caring Week is Observed Globally Including the Houston Zoo From Nov. 7 to Nov. 15

By Brian Hill

Houston, TX - On November 7 and 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days, join the Houston Zoo’s primate staff, docents and volunteers to celebrate all things orangutan!

It’s Orangutan Caring Week at the Houston Zoo. Learn about orangutans and their rainforest habitat. Visit our booth at the orangutan exhibit to shop for orangutan paintings, magnets, photo note cards and new this year painted glass Christmas ornaments!

All proceeds from Orangutan Caring Week sales will support the Zoo’s orangutan and elephant conservation projects in Indonesia.

Amphibiville is a Wetland Village That is Home to the National Amphibian Conservation Center

By Patricia Janeway

Royal Oak, MI - The Detroit Zoo has elected a new Mayor of Amphibiville who says she loves all animals, “even the slimy ones.” Claire Kozal, 7, of Whitmore Lake, Mich., has been officially sworn into office for a two-year term. Amphibiville is a two-acre wetland village that is home to the National Amphibian Conservation Center.

A self-proclaimed frog lover since the age of 3, Claire built her own home nature center and has years of experience observing frogs, toads and turtles in her backyard pond. She hopes to someday become a marine biologist.

Reservations Needed for Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s Annual Breakfast with Santa

By Tom O’Konowitz

Cleveland, OH - Bring an Appetite and a Wish List to Breakfast with Santa at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Celebrate the holiday season with Santa and all the animals at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Reservations are being accepted now for the Zoo’s annual Breakfast with Santa, scheduled for Saturdays and Sundays, December 5, 6, 12 and 13. Doors open at 8 a.m., and breakfast is served from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.

The buffet-style breakfast will be served inside the Primate, Cat & Aquatics Building – in view of the gorilla, baboon and lemur exhibits. The menu includes scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes, bacon, sausage, pancakes, bagels, holiday cookies, fruit smoothies and breakfast beverages.

Recycle Your Used Games at Central Florida Zoo’s “Game Swap”

By Shonna Green

Sanford, FL - In observance of Veterans Day, the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens will recognize active and retired military on November 7 and 8 by offering them free admission to the Zoo. Patrons must show proper military ID to receive free admission.

In addition on Saturday November 7, the Zoo will host the first Holiday Game Swap from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Are you tired of the same old games? Recycle your used games at the Zoo’s “game swap.” Bring in your old lightly-used games and exchange them for “new” (to you) games! You can exchange them for free if you bring in game(s) to exchange. We would ask a $2 donation if you would like acquire a game without recycling a used one.

Games will be donated to the Rescue Outreach Mission of Sanford.

Toronto Zoo is Honoring the Many Wartime Sacrifices that Canadians Have Made

By Katie Gray

Toronto, Canada - The Toronto Zoo is honouring and remembering the many wartime sacrifices that Canadians have made for their country at the 24th Annual Remembrance Day Ceremony.

Veterans wishing to take part in the ceremony are asked to assemble at the Zoo’s Main Entrance by 10:45 a.m.

Admission is FREE from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

See a Wide Variety of Unique Houston Zoo Environmental Enrichment and Training Activities

By Brian Hill

Houston, TX - Just how long will it take an elephant to eat a watermelon? How does an orangutan paint a picture? Does his technique different from an elephant or a tapir? Do big cats like pinatas? Find out the answers to these intriguing questions and a lot more during Animal Enrichment Day at the Houston Zoo Saturday, November 14, 2009 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

During Animal Enrichment Day, Zoo guests will enjoy a rare opportunity to see a wide variety of unique environmental enrichment and training activities. See how Andean bears solve a puzzle (Hint: There’s food inside). See cheetahs and Anatolian shepherd dogs run the lure course. And while you’re at the Zoo, don’t forget to check out our cool keepers during entertaining Meet the Keeper Talks and training demonstrations at exhibits across the Zoo (see schedule below).

Lincoln Park Zoo is Transforming Into a Winter Wonderland

By Sharon Dewar

Chicago, IL - Lincoln Park Zoo transforms into a winter wonderland, lighting up the sky with more than 1.5 million shimmering lights during the fifteenth annual winter festival ZooLights Presented by ComEd and Charter One.

This free, holiday classic is one of Chicago’s must-see seasonal events. The festivities kick off Nov. 27 and continue every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. Beginning Dec. 18 the event is offered nightly through Jan. 3 (excluding Dec. 24 – 25). The zoo is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. with special ZooLights activities beginning at 5 p.m. The first 1,000 visitors each night receive a free pair of 3D glasses for a truly magical light display experience.

Guests are Invited to Sign the Operation Homefront Banner For Military Members in Afghanistan

By Mackenzie Whalen

Atlanta, GA - In recognition of Veterans Day, the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola, will host U.S. Armed Forces Appreciation Day on Saturday, November. 7, 2009, from 12 – 4 p.m. in Pemberton Place, located between the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola.

With a special focus on military appreciation, public support and education, the day will feature demonstrations with military personnel and equipment. Various branches of the military will participate on-site, as well as representatives from local USO offices, Shepherd Center and SHARE, members of Operation Homefront and Wounded Warriors of Georgia. Guests are invited to sign the Operation Homefront banner which will be sent to military members in Afghanistan, and visitors can write a personalized message to the troops on postcards designed by children across Georgia through Xerox Let’s Say Thanks Program. The cards will be included in care packages to deployed troops around the globe through military support organization Give2TheTroops®.

Gone From the Gorilla Diets are Processed Biscuits, a Long-time Staple at Zoos

By Tom O’Konowitz

Cleveland, OH - The gorillas at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo are getting greener diets in hopes of helping their overall health.

Male gorillas "Bebac" and "Mokolo" have a new menu that includes dandelion greens, romaine, green beans, endive and alfalfa hay -- about 10 pounds of veggies a day.

Gone from their diets are processed biscuits, a long-time staple for gorillas in zoos. Instead, apples, bananas and flax seed supplement the diet.

Spending Per Head At Paignton Zoo & Living Coasts Aquarium Increased This Year

By Philip Knowling

Paignton, UK - Paignton Zoo Environmental Park, Living Coasts Aquarium in Torquay and Newquay Zoo in Cornwall - all part of the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust – attracted nearly 788,000 visitors between them.

Living Coasts saw an increase of nearly 5,000, with numbers up from 107,869 to 112,773. Newquay Zoo received 163,682 visitors this year, down by 10,653 on 2008. Paignton Zoo had 511,402 visitors in the year to the end of October – 18,338 down on 2008, but the third year running visitor numbers have exceeded half a million.

Paignton Zoo’s Director of Marketing & Development Pippa Craddock explained: “In 2008 Paignton Zoo took part in a major national promotion with Kellogg’s which accounted for 25,000 free entries. For the twelve months to 31st October 2009, paying visitors to Paignton Zoo were up.

Sea World Staff Experienced in Hand Rearing Young Dugongs

By Renee Soutar

Gold Coast, Australia - A baby Dugong that washed up on a beach in Townsville is residing at Sea World’s Vet Quarantine Centre after being flown to Brisbane and transported to Sea World late on Sunday night.

The male Dugong, thought to be approximately 1 week old, was found by Townsville residents mid Saturday afternoon in the shallows of Three Mile Creek, Pallarenda, just north of Townsville.

A Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service Officer said that the Dugong had a number of injuries and was very dehydrated.

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Name: James Hamilton 

Actual title: Property Manager

Name of your aquarium: Downtown Aquarium

Location: Houston, Texas

URL for your facility: www.DowntownAquarium.com

Number of species at your facility: 375

Your favorite critter at the facility: Napoleon Wrasse (large marine fish)

Total number of animals or fish at your facility: 3500

Number of visitors annually: 1 Million

Number of employees: 300

Number of volunteers: None

Annual budget: $1.7 million

Name: Gerry Brady

Actual title: Zoo Director

Name of your zoo: Potter Park Zoological Gardens

Location: Lansing, Michigan

URL for your facility: www.potterparkzoo.org

Number of species at your facility: 133

Your favorite critter at the facility: Amur tigers are extreme

Total number of animals at your facility: 585

Number of visitors annually: 200,000

Number of employees: Peak Season 80 - 90

Number of volunteers: 200

Annual budget: 4.1 million

Lubies:  Suggested retail price $8.99

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