Zoo and Aquarium News

Moonlight Howling With the Wolves at Western North Carolina Nature Center

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:02:00 -0500

Learn if Wolves are More Likely to Howl When the Moon is Full at WNC Nature Center By Sarah Oram Asheville, NC - Cry out to the moon with the Western North Carolina Nature Center's Red and Grey Wolves at one of our two popular Wolf Howls, Tuesday November 10th or Tuesday, November 17th from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. TheNature Center is located at 75 Gashes Creek Road in East Asheville. Trek with the Center staff to our on-site wolf habitats for a howling fun session with our Center wolf experts. Hear the legends and lore of these top predators and then discover for yourself the real "truths" of these elusive creatures.

North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores Installs Solar Panels

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:17:09 -0500

New Solar Panel System Near the Aquarium Entrance Silently Harnesses the Power of the Sun By Julie Powers Atlantic Beach, NC - The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores is on the beam when it comes to energy conservation. A new solar panel system near the Aquarium entrance silently harnesses the power of the sun. The residential-scale solar panels meet a small percentage of the facility's power needs with an environmentally friendly energy source. The panels, placed at the front of the building so visitors can see them at close range, are also an educational exhibit. "The system is a visible and functional representation of the Aquarium's commitment to conservation and education," said Pat McNeese, the Aquarium's Conservation and Research Coordinator. The Aquarium is one of the first public facilities in Carteret County to use the "green" energy source, also known as a solar photovoltaic system, according to Lisa Galizia of Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative (CCEC). The electric cooperative donated the panels to the Aquarium after the passage of the state's Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard last year.

Free Public Lecture on Coral at Smithsonian's National Zoological Park

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:30:13 -0500

Coral is a Source of Potential Antibiotics, and Medicines for Cancer and HIV-AIDS By Enica R. Thompson Washington, DC - Warming and acidifying oceans are putting corals in irreparable danger. National Zoo scientists will discuss how they are preserving critical forms of corals to avoid extinction, and how they eventually plan to restore these species back into the wild. The Zoo, collaborating with the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology and SECORE, created the world's first coral genome repository where scientists have successfully cryopreserved the sperm of 450 individuals from the endangered Elkhorn coral. Coral reefs are one of the world's greatest biological treasures. They are some of the oldest and most diverse ecosystems on the planet. Although they cover less than one-tenth of one percent of the Earth's surface, one-quarter of all marine life depends on them. They are the ocean's nurseries and feeding grounds. They also benefit our species. Millions of people and thousands of communities all over the world depend on coral reefs for food and to protect their coastal homes. They are a source of potential antibiotics, and medicines for cancer and HIV-AIDS.

A Live Nativity Scene and Play at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:40:32 -0500

See the Remarkable Story of 'Nearly the Goat' at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm By Sammi Luxa Wraxall, UK - Somewhere between the tinsel and the cabbage leaves, the crackers and the peelings of parsnip, comes the remarkable story of 'Nearly the Goat'. Riding Lights Theatre Company and Noah's Ark Zoo Farm presents a brand new Christmas play for the whole family to enjoy on Saturday 12th December. Events Organiser, Sammi Luxa, tells us more; "Nearly the Goat' will be a mixture of a nativity play and a pantomime and will feature professional actors, puppets and live animals from the zoo. This memorable interpretation of the nativity story will be a fantastic way to kick start the countdown to Christmas".

Community Health Network Presents New Woodland Wonderland at Indianapolis Zoo

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:19:54 -0500

Indianapolis Zoo Resenting 4-D Version of "The Polar Express™" By Maura Giles Indianapolis, IN - Christmas at the Zoo, the Indianapolis Zoo's annual holiday light spectacular, features some returning favorite activities along with new things to see! Outside, visitors can see their favorite animals that enjoy the cooler weather-polar bear, walruses, seals, tigers, red pandas, and more, all while taking in the glow of thousands of twinkling lights and heart-warming activities. What's New • Woodland Wonderland presented by Community Health Network - At White River Gardens, the Hilbert Conservatory will feature decorations from nature. Get the feeling of a winter in the woods from noon until 9pm daily! See brilliant evergreens decorated for each area (biome) of the Zoo, holiday plants, a log cabin photo opportunity, and even a light show set to music. Don't forget the reindeer! Real reindeer will be in the Conservatory for everyone to enjoy and to lend even more atmosphere to our "woodsy" holiday setting.

Would You Like to Adopt a Tornto Zoo Tiger, Gorilla, or Polar Bear

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:27:14 -0500

Adoption Proceeds Support Valuable Conservation Efforts at the Toronto Zoo By Kathy Jury Toronto, Canada - The polar bears are back! Celebrate the return of our bears by giving your loved ones the Toronto Zoo's $60 Adopt An Animal Holiday Special Package! Adopt a magnificent polar bear (or choose your own favourite Zoo animal)! Proceeds support valuable conservation efforts at the Toronto Zoo. Your Holiday Special Package will include: A personalized Adoption Certificate with a colour photo of one of our polar bears (or choose your own favourite animal). Your name on the "Parents" Board wall at the Zoo. Animal Fact Sheet, Newsletters, Gift Card and tax receipt. Package of beautiful Note Cards featuring our polar bears and other Tundra Trek animals.

"DNA, Red Tide and the Sea" an Interactive New Exhibit at Mystic Aquarium

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:01:50 -0500

Cracking the Secret Behind Dinoflagellates' Ability to Form Red Tides and Produce Toxins By Becky Giantonio Mystic, CT - What is DNA? How is it connected to red tide? And why is it important to know? "DNA, Red Tide and the Sea," an interactive new exhibit at Mystic Aquarium, a division of Sea Research Foundation, Inc., answers all these questions while giving guests a look at our oceans on a whole new (microscopic) level. The outreach component of a four-year, $1 million National Science Foundation grant, the exhibit highlights research led by Senjie Lin, professor of marine sciences in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) at the University of Connecticut at Avery Point.

The Elephants Will Be Squishing the Squash at Rosamond Gifford Zoo This Weekend

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:56:35 -0500

New This Year at Rosamond Gifford Zoo: Underwater Pumpkin Carving in the Penguin Pool By Lorrell Walter Syracuse, NY - For those who have ever wondered what happens to pumpkins after Halloween, the Rosamond Gifford Zoo has the answer: the squash get squished! The annual Squishing of the Squash is on Saturday, November 7 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and it's sure to be a smash! The event is included in the price of admission. New this year: underwater pumpkin carving in the penguin pool! Mike Druce, director of education for National Aquatic Service, will work along side Ted Fox, curator at the zoo, and the penguins to carve a pumpkin in the 50,000 gallon penguin pool. This activity will take place at 11:30 a.m.

Bronx Zoo Rhino Gets Cincinnati Zoo Rhino Pregnant Without Ever Meeting

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:25:44 -0500

One of These Two Females is Pregnant - Can You Guess Which One? By Tiffany Barnes Cincinnati, OH - "Nikki," the Cincinnati Zoo's 18-year-old female Indian rhino is expecting. The father, "Vinu", is a 38-year-old male Indian rhino at the Bronx Zoo. However, the two rhinos have never met. Scientists at the Cincinnati Zoo's Lindner Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW) collected Vinu's sperm in 2005 and stored it at -320°F in CREW's CryoBioBank for four years before it was thawed and utilized in the successful artificial insemination (AI) procedure in June 2009. Today is day 133 of Nikki's 480-day gestation and the Zoo anticipates the pitter-patter of baby rhino feet in October 2010.

Buy A Zoodopt-ed Animal or Membership to Zoo New England This Holiday

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:17:08 -0500

For Just $35, You Can "Zoodopt" an Animal at Franklin Park Zoo or Stone Zoo By Jillian Kuzyk Boston, MA - Support your favorite Zoo animal! For just $35, you can "Zoodopt" an animal at Franklin Park Zoo or Stone Zoo. Zoo New England's "Zoodoption" packages make great gifts for both kids and adults, and they're a great way to support the Zoos' wildlife conservation efforts. Each year, the Zoos spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on hay, grain, produce and other special diets to feed the animals, but thanks to the Zoodoption program we are able to defray some of these costs. Each Zoodoption package includes: