Visitors can Visit With a Costumed Bunny, “Peter Cottontail” and Take Pictures

By David Barnhardt

Akron, OH - The Akron Zoo will hold their annual Breakfast with the Bunny event on March 27, 28 and April 3, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. – 11 a.m. The event includes breakfast, a visit from the Bunny and an outdoor egg hunt. Reservations are required and space is limited.

Breakfast with the Bunny is held in the zoo’s Komodo Kingdom Education Center. Upon arriving at the zoo, guests are served breakfast, provided by Country Diner. Visitors can also visit with a costumed bunny, “Peter Cottontail” and take pictures. At 10:30 a.m. kids are invited to participate in an egg hunt in the zoo’s Legends of the Wild. Every child that participates in the hunt will receive a goodie bag. The price of the event also includes free admission into the zoo following the event.

Reservations can be made by calling (330) 375-2550 ext 7249 or online at www.akronzoo.org. Prices for this special program are $14 for Akron Zoo member adults, $16 for Akron Zoo member children, $19 for non-member adults and $21 for non-member children.

This Pup Weighs Only Two Pounds and is Still Feeding From a Bottle

By Jeni Hatter

Clearwater, FL - Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s (CMA) stranding team recently rescued a second otter pup in Largo. She was named “Annie,” after the person who found her and after the character Orphan Annie, from the musical and movie. The pup weighs only two pounds and is still feeding from a bottle.

This is the time of year abandoned otter pups are spotted trying to make it on their own. This is our second otter pup in two weeks. If you see an otter, do not approach it and please immediately call our stranding line at 727-441-1790 ext. 234. Some people describe them as looking like brown ferrets from a distance. As part of its free speaker series, CMA will host a presentation on April 15 at 6 p.m. on “All About Otters.”

WCS New York Aquarium Docents will Interpret Exhibits, Staff Information and Craft Tables

By Fran Hackett

Brooklyn, NY - The Wildlife Conservation Society’s New York Aquarium is now accepting applications for summer volunteer docent positions. Docents contribute to the enhancement of the visitor’s experience in a variety of ways. Once training is complete, WCS New York Aquarium docents will be able to interpret exhibits, staff information and craft tables for aquarium special events, assist the Education Department instructors with school and family programs, assist in our Aquatheater Sea Lion Celebration and staff the touch pool where visitors can interact with horseshoe crabs, sea stars and other local marine species.

WCS New York Aquarium docents will have the opportunity to meet individuals from around the world. They will work with people who enjoy sharing knowledge with others and will be hands-on in helping WCS achieve its mission of saving wildlife and wild places around the globe.

This Weak Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina) was Approximately 42 Pounds and Now Weighs 70

By Joan Barns

Virginia Beach, VA - The Virginia Aquarium will release its first 2010 rehabilitated harbor seal Thursday, March 11, at 3 p.m. from First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach. The public is invited to observe “Fozzie’s” release.

Fozzie stranded January 19 in Carova, N.C. Staff from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission rescued Fozzie and transported him to the Virginia Aquarium Marine Animal Care Center. He was diagnosed with severe pneumonia and a healing fractured rib.

NEW Zoo is Honoring Their Past and Celebrating our Future

By Maria Lasecki

Green Bay, WI - This year in March, the NEW Zoo is taking a look at just how far we’ve come! From a fire that once destroyed all that was left of the forest in today’s Brown County Reforestation Camp to how the Northeastern Wisconsin Zoo was started with just a few exhibits of wolves, deer, and bear, we’re honoring our past and celebrating our future. Join us for a day of both reminiscing and looking forward with an educational presentation and slide show, games and activities, and a chance to meet some of the NEW Zoo’s live animal ambassadors up-close.

Special guest Smokey the Bear will even be at the NEW Zoo to help us celebrate!

Bindi Irwin is Visiting Washington, D.C., to Promote her Upcoming Feature Film

By Enica R. Thompson

Washington, DC - Bindi Irwin, the daughter of the late Steve “The Crocodile Hunter” Irwin, along with her mother, Terri, and brother, Robert, visited the Smithsonian’s National Zoo today.

The family toured the FujiFilm Giant Panda Habitat where they met Tian Tian, the Zoo’s adult male, up close and personal!

Additionally, the conservation-minded family visited the Reptile Discovery Center where Robert met his favorite reptile—a chameleon.

An Impressive and Nearly Complete 10,700 Year Old Beluga Skeleton

By Nadine Fortin

Montréal, Canada - Are you curious about history? Intrigued by nature? Montréal’s Nature Museums invite you to come investigate The Fossil Affair, a fully updated and improved exhibition on the important stages in the evolution of life on Earth, at the Montréal Biodôme. One of the key pieces in the exhibition is the addition of an impressive and nearly complete 10,700 year old beluga skeleton. The fossil, a priceless paleontological treasure, was discovered in 2001 in Saint–Félix-de-Valois. It gives us clues about its habitat back then, the Champlain Sea, and helps us better understand the evolution of this species and its relationship with its environment.

“By adding this exceptional fossil to the Biodôme’s collection, we are offering our visitors a different kind of contact with nature, a way of complementing the Biodôme experience. This encounter with our distant history helps us better understand the way life around us evolves and get a new perspective on it,” explains Charles-Mathieu Brunelle, Executive Director of Montréal’s Nature Museums.

Conservation Cove Tells the Conservation Success Story of the American Alligator

By Kristin Ralls

Corpus Christi, TX - The media is invited to the Texas State Aquarium on Thursday, March 11, at 10:30 a.m. for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening of Swamp Tales! Swamp Tales, the latest addition to Conservation Cove, tells the conservation success story of the American alligator, as well as highlights species that are currently threatened and what visitors can do to help protect them.

Visitors at Swamp Tales will learn what challenges animals in our region have faced and how people have made progress in solving these challenges. Some stories are successful; some species are still threatened, endangered, or protected, and guests will learn how they can help in these conservation efforts. Our 10-foot American alligator, Bo, is back in his new home and joined by six species of freshwater turtles.

Children can Bring Their Favorite Injured Teddy Bear or Other Stuffed Pal to the Zoo

By Eric Klinger

Toledo, OH - Animal care is everywhere at The Toledo Zoo, and on Saturday, March 20 and Sunday, March 21 the Zoo will celebrate with the Teddy Bear Care Fair! With animal demonstrations, keeper talks and a special opportunity for kids to bring in their favorite stuffed pals for a check-up (or even a minor repair), the Teddy Bear Care Fair helps show your family how important it is to look after our favorite furry, finned or feathery friends. Join the fun from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.!

Children can bring their favorite teddy bear or other stuffed pal to Nature’s Neighborhood, the Zoo’s year-round 100% explore-able children’s zoo, where they will receive an examination, and perhaps a few small repairs, from a teddy bear care specialist. While your family is visiting the Zoo, you can hear from the folks who care for The Toledo Zoo’s animals and learn just how they provide the first-rate care that makes the Zoo such a great place for animals.

Oregon Coast Aquarium Offering Animal Encounters, Sleepovers and a Trip to the Mudflats

By Cindy Hanson

Newport, OR - Activities for all ages are planned for Home School Days and spring break at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. In addition to daily animal feedings and hands-on exhibits, the Aquarium will offer animal encounters, sleepovers and a trip to the mudflats of an estuary. “This is a wonderful opportunity for families to enjoy themselves at the beach while learning about marine science and spending time together,” said Sean Nolan, Academic Programs Coordinator. “Our educators are deeply dedicated to inspiring kids connect with nature.”

March 18 - 19 Home School Days 10 am - 5 pm All ages

Presentations, experiments, and interactions with live animals are just a few of the things offered, including hands-on activities and displays for kids of all ages. World of Water Presentations, learning stations, dive presentations, an undersea lab and a Giant ocean sunfish dissection are all part of the activities. Students will learn all about the ocean world through several explorations throughout the Aquarium.

Phoenix Zoo's Annual 21 and Over Party Fundraiser is Now Called Rock the Zoo

By Carolina Guana

Phoenix, AZ - The event formerly known as ZooBrew is back for 2010 and wilder than ever. Now called Rock the Zoo, this annual 21 and over party fundraiser promises plenty of music and merriment while raising money for the Phoenix Zoo. Nationally-recorded alternative rock band Vertical Horizon will energize the crowd with live performances throughout the night, while Marcy Playground will also make a guest appearance. Guests can sample beverages from more than 30 vendors ranging from national and small craft breweries to large scale and independent wineries. A silent auction and a host of other fun activities will round out the evening.

To “get your wild on” at this unique event, call 602.914.4333 or purchase tickets online at www.phoenixzoo.org/RocktheZoo2010. Guests must be 21 years and older; ID’s will be checked at the door.

The Golden Tree Frog (Phyllodytes auratus) is Endemic to the Island of Trinidad

By Philip Knowling

Paignton, UK - Conservationists from a Devon wildlife charity have returned from a quest for Caribbean gold. The pair travelled to the island of Trinidad in search of the critically endangered golden tree frog.

Mike Bungard, Curator of Lower Vertebrates and Invertebrates at Paignton Zoo Environmental Park, teamed up with Dr. David Stradling, the chair of trustees of the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust, the charity which runs Paignton Zoo.

The field trip was designed to pave the way for vital work with endangered amphibians in the future. Mike said: “One of the hardest things is building trust with local communities and establishing contact with local experts – it makes life much easier when you have someone who knows the country.”

Events Include BIG Shark Dissections, Daily Activities for Children and Lectures

By Tessa Mills

Portobello, New Zealand - New Zealand Marine Studies Centre Senior Aquarist, Matthew Crane, looks after all of the Aquarium’s animals, but his passion is SHARKS!

To further his research and shark knowledge, Matthew travelled to southern Africa in September 2009. For two months he was a research intern for Oceans Research. His first month was in Mozambique studying bull sharks (Zambezi sharks) and his second month was spent in South Africa studying great white sharks.

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Name: Elaine Hayes

Actual title: Director

Name of your aquarium: Living Coasts

Location: Torquay, Devon, UK

URL for your facility: www.livingcoasts.org.uk

Number of species at your facility: >50

Your favorite critter at the facility: Macaroni penguins

Total number of animals or fish at your facility: 404 birds and mannals, plus another 100 fish species – archer fish, mudskippers, stingrays, seahorses, etc.

Number of visitors annually: 120,000

Number of employees: 40-60

Number of volunteers: 20

Annual budget: £1.5m

Name: Stewart Muir

Actual title: Director

Name of your zoo: Newquay Zoo

Location: Newquay, Cornwall, England, UK

URL for your facility: www.newquayzoo.org.uk

Number of species at your facility: 151

Your favorite critter at the facility: That’s a difficult question which I’m often asked. I am fortunate in that my position allows me to include many of my favourite animals in the collection. Individually, I suppose “Alvin” our Education Department’s skunk as he lived with me for some time when he was small.

Total number of animals or fish at your facility: 549

Number of visitors annually: 190,000

Number of employees: 50

Number of volunteers: 30

Annual budget: £2m

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