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Ground Broken for New Roger Williams Zoo Veterinary Facility
Providence, RI – Rhode Island Zoological Society donors joined Zoo officials today to mark the start of construction of a new veterinary hospital, slated for opening in late 2010. While other capital campaign projects, both completed and yet to come, have higher public visibility, none will be more important than this new facility to assure the highest quality animal care for the hundreds of animals in the Zoo’s care. Compared to other zoos of its size, Roger Williams Park Zoo has an impressive veterinary staff, including two full-time veterinarians and veterinary technicians. But over the years they have been challenged by the space limitations in the basement of what was originally a working barn. “One of the core responsibilities of any AZA-accredited zoos is to provide the best possible care for the animals in its collection,” commented Jack Mulvena, Executive Director of Roger Williams Park Zoo and the Rhode Island Zoological Society. “We are excited that soon we will have a facility that further helps us fulfill that responsibility most efficiently and effectively.” The current hospital requires that a variety of medical functions be performed in the same space. The new hospital, with 55% more square footage, will provide appropriate and separate facilities for each function. The setting for the new hospital will be removed from other zoo operations, providing a quieter area for care for sick and quarantined animals, as well as excellent access to a dedicated service road and secured gate. This is important for more efficient animal handling for new acquisitions or dispositions. Construction of the new hospital will also enhance the Zoo’s participation in the Association for Zoos and Aquarium’s Species Survival Plan by increasing the capacity to care for the Zoo’s 18 threatened species. Sophie Danforth, the founder of the Rhode Island Zoological Society, and Stephanie Chafee, former Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Society, provided the lead gifts for the hospital construction, which will cost approximately $3.8 million. At the ground breaking ceremony, Danforth and Chafee announced that the hospital is being dedicated and named in honor of past Board Chair John J. Palumbo for his many years of exceptional service to the Zoo and Society. Palumbo’s 7 year tenure as Chair of the Board of Trustees is second only to that of Danforth. Other funding is provided by the Helen Walker Raleigh Animal Fund at the Rhode Island Foundation, the Marie Keese LeLash Foundation, individual donors and bond monies approved by voters in 2006. For more information about the Zoo and the other new completed exhibits and those planned in the near future, visit www.rogerwilliamsparkzoo.org or www.thenewzoo.org. Roger Williams Park Zoo, one of the oldest in the nation, is Rhode Island’s number one outdoor family and tourist attraction, and is also a leader in conservation efforts undertaken by a zoo of its size. The Zoo has received numerous awards for environmental education, and conservation work done locally and around the world, caring for species that without human intervention would face certain extinction. Roger Williams Park Zoo is supported and managed by the Rhode Island Zoological Society and is owned by the City of Providence. Photo: Sophie Danforth, founder of the RI Zoological Society, former RIZS board vice-chair Stephanie Chafee, and John Palumbo, former RIZS board chairman, at the ground breaking of Roger Williams Park Zoo's new John J. Palumbo Veterinary Hospital. To view Roger Williams Zoo's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to: http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-154-Roger_Williams_Park_Zoo_in_Rhode_Island |
By Jan Mariani
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Unusual to have three snow leopard cubs
Congratulations to ABQ BioPark and the proud cat parents on the birth of three snow leopard cubs. That's fantastic news and we look forward to these three playing an important role in snow leopard survival breeding and also helping educate people about their endangered cousins in the wild.
Snow leopards live in some of the most extreme environments on earth - in high altitudes and freezing temperatures. If we don't do a lot of work with communities and governments in snow leopards 12 range countries, these beautiful cats may be extinct in the wild in our life time.
Sibylle Noras
Founder and Publisher
“Saving Snow Leopards” website. See how conservationists and zoos are working to help these rare and elusive cats avoid extinction.
http://www.snowleopardblog.com
Love penguin fluffballs.
I especially liked if you go to the zoo's homepage and click on the info about naming the baby, the winner says she'd like to be able to tell her dad that a penguin was named after him for his birthday. Adorable!
If you have any interest in reading a new blog, featuring conservation of adorable animals and their habitats, please check out my website...
Conservation:Cute
http://conservationcute.blogspot.com/
Thanks!
World Oceans Day
For more information about World Oceans Day and a list of other events in your area you can visit www.WorldOceansDay.org
Elephants
Asome news on the new baby! I agree with everyone here on the fact that animals should not be in captivation. If you want to check out a really cool place in Thailand where you can care for elephants check out http://www.elephantstay.com this place is a sanctuary for retired working elephants, it's an amazing place and they do so much good for the animals who live there. I went a few months ago and it was amazing.
Kimberly Juchnowski
Publisher, http://www.tikikiki.com
zoo animal diet's
It's ridiculous to try extrapolate zoo animals diet to human beings, and it flies in the face of all science of the last 30 years that looked into nutrition and health research. Maybe Rudy Socha was being sarcastic? I hope so.
response to starseed
I fully agree with you when it comes to the captivity of orcas. These animals live considerably shorter, unhealthier lives than they normally would have in the wild. I am disgusted by what I have seen at Sea World. They claim to be trying to educate people on the animals when really it is all nothing but a circus with the animals being made to perform to attract customers. I am a little more on the fence however when it comes to some other species of dolphins, such as the ones they keep at Vancouver Aquarium. While I do not support the capture of wild dolphins, I do recognize the fact that there are species that actually live longer and perhaps healthier lives in captivity than in the wild. One of the neat things at the Vancouver Aquarium is that none of the dolphins were captured for the purpose of entertainment: they were all animals that were rescued after getting caught and injured in fishing nets and are unable to return to the wild due to their injuries. I have seen the shows and the aquarium are truly focused more on educating visitors than trying to entertain them at the animals' expense.
Christian's Award
I know that Christian is dedicated to her aquarium job and to the rehab of sea turtles. I am proud of her.
Dry Tortugas National Park
The seashore, our accredited Summer Learning Adventure Camps merge scientific exploration Dry Tortugas National Park with hands-on fun and learning. Campers investigate marine habitats, create ocean art projects, learn about careers in oceanography, and combine the science and sports of surfing and snorkeling, all while making new friends and memories.
hey
http://www.deafmatching.com is an online community for deaf, ASL and hearing-impaired friends and singles!
Have fun with photos, message boards, chat, blog and more.
Don't support it anymore
I think we should move on from having dolphins in captivity now - we all know this isn't good for them.
diabetes
diabetes
pacaya samiria national reserve
The Pacaya Samiria National Reserve is a magical place. The flora, fauna, remoteness and beauty are exquisite. Another interesting aspect is how the indigenous people there live. To learn more and see photos taken by indigenous children in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, you can visit ninosdelaamazonia.org
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