Zoo and Aquarium News

Dale Schmidt is Named Executive Director of The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:15:08 -0500

Dale Schmidt Selected as Executive Director of The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium By Patty Peters Columbus, OH - The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is pleased to announce the selection of Dale Schmidt to the position of Executive Director. Dale, the Zoo's Chief Operating Officer, has served as Interim Director since the untimely passing of Jeff Swanagan in June 2009. "We conducted a nationwide search and identified several qualified candidates for the position" said Connie Woodburn, President of the Zoo's Board of Directors. "We have been very impressed with Dale's ability to lead our team and move this beloved community asset and important conservation organization forward. Dale is our clear choice and it was a unanimous decision." Dale came to the Columbus Zoo in October 2008 from the Oregon Coast Aquarium, where he served as President/CEO. Prior to his five-year stay in Oregon, Dale was Executive Director of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and Vice President of Operations at The Florida Aquarium. He also served as a consultant to the Georgia Aquarium and learned to love the industry at Busch Gardens and Universal Studios. Dale received his undergraduate degree in natural sciences from the University of South Florida and is active in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

The Akron Zoo Gift Shop Receives an Endorsement From Santa Claus

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:35:26 -0500

The Akron Zoo Gift Shop Will Stay Open Until 7:30 p.m. to Accommodate Holiday Shoppers By David Barnhardt Akron, OH - The Akron Zoo Gift Shop offers unique gifts for any age that cannot be found anywhere else in Northeast Ohio. The Gift Shop's normal operating hours are when the zoo is open from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. However, on December 9th, 16th and 23rd the Akron Zoo Gift Shop will stay open until 7:30 p.m. to accommodate holiday shoppers. On December 9th the zoo will be hosting their first-ever trunk show from 4 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. featuring local artists and vendors offering an array of animal, nature and conservation gifts. The Akron Zoo Gift Shop carries hundreds of animal related and green items in the 3,500-square foot store for newborns to adults. Some of the most popular items are stuffed animals, infant and adult apparel, jewelry and much more. The zoo also has in stock its 4th annual holiday ornament, which this year features a flamingo. Also available for purchase these evenings and during regular hours at the zoo are popular gifts such as sponsoring a penguin, annual memberships and a wild gift card that can be used anywhere at the Akron Zoo.

An Endless Summer Pass at Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World & Wet'n'Wild Water World

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:35:47 -0500

This Pass Offers Unlimited Entry to a Choice of Two of the Gold Coast's Best Theme Parks By Renee Soutar Gold Coast, Australia - Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World & Wet'n'Wild Water World now offer more choice for Queensland holiday fun this summer with the launch of the all new Endless Summer Pass. The pass offers unlimited entry to a choice of two of the Gold Coast's best theme parks, Movie World, Sea World and Wet'n'Wild! For one tiny price pass holders get unlimited entry until 30 June 2010!

Holiday Lights and Reduced Admission Await Visitors at Smithsonian's National Zoo

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:54:59 -0500

Tickets are Now on Sale for ZooLights, the National Zoo's 3rd Annual Winter Celebration By Karin Korpowski-Gallo Washington, DC - Tickets are now on sale for ZooLights, the National Zoo's 3rd annual winter celebration, featuring sculptures of the Zoo's animals in LED lights. ZooLights, powered by Pepco, will take place December 4-13 (Friday through Sunday nights) and December 18-January 2 (every night except Dec. 24, 25, and 31) from 6-8:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 for Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ) members and $8 for nonmembers. People of all ages and stages of life will find something to love in the ZooLights nightly entertainment lineup, which includes keeper talks, roving musicians, "dancing trees," lectures about energy conservation, photo opportunities with costumed characters, and performances by Flumpa® and Friends Live (Dec. 26-29) and Blue Sky Puppet Theater (all other nights).

Police Activities League of Portland (PAL) Takes At-Risk Kids to the Oregon Coast Aquarium

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:36:09 -0500

Children Reacted With Astonishment at Their First Glimpse of the Ocean and the Aquarium By Cindy Hanson Newport, OR - A group of at risk youths from the Police Activities League of Portland (PAL) visited the Oregon Coast Aquarium for the first time last Friday, and for some, it was the first time they had ever seen the ocean. "Before arriving at the Aquarium, some of the smaller children were asking, 'what is in an aquarium?' They truly had no idea what was in store," said Cara Sweeney, Recruitment Coordinator for the Portland Police Bureau, who also works closely with PAL.

Oregon Spotted Frogs Raised at Oregon Zoo Released into the Wild

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:52:00 -0500

Earlier This Week, the WDFW Released 12 Oregon Zoo Frogs into the Wild By Bill LaMarche Portland, OR - As the Oregon spotted frog (Rana pretiosa) disappears from the wild at an alarming rate, the Oregon Zoo, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and their conservation partners are working to repopulate the Pacific Northwest with this important amphibian. Earlier this week, the WDFW released around 80 frogs into the wild, including a dozen that had been reared at the zoo. Spotted frogs are endangered in Washington and Canada, and threatened in Oregon. Over the past 50 years, the frogs have lost around 90 percent of their previous habitat. "The key to reestablishing spotted frogs in the wild is nurturing the frogs in zoos until they are fully metamorphosed, yet not fully grown," said to Dr. David Shepherdson, Oregon Zoo conservation scientist. "They have a much better chance of survival if they're released as frogs rather than tadpoles."

All You Can Eat Pancake and Porkie Breakfast With Santa at NEW Zoo

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:30:46 -0500

New Zoo Will Open for Extended Hours During Holiday Festivities By Maria Lasecki Green Bay, WI - Even if you don't "Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas", consider visiting snow leopards, lions and giraffes at the NEW Zoo during Holiday Fest! Holiday Fest '09 is scheduled for one fun-filled weekend so be certain to mark your calendars! Friday, December 18th and Saturday, December 19th 5:00- 8:00pm The zoo will open for extended hours on these dates and will feature festive lights and a candlelit, horse drawn wagon ride thru the Reforestation Camp trails (an additional $2 fee applies). Don't miss Santa! The jolly 'ole fellow will be on site each night-have you been naughty or nice?

Buy a Detroit Zoo Polar Bear or Tree Frog Gift Card This Holiday

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:03:02 -0500

Detroit Zoo Gift Cards Can be Loaded With Any Amount $5 and Up By Patricia Janeway Royal Oak, MI - When the shopping mall becomes a zoo this holiday season, shoppers can make the Zoo their "mall". A Detroit Zoo gift card can be loaded with any amount $5 and up and used for admission and parking as well as tickets for the new Wild Adventure 3-D/4-D Theater, Wild Adventure Ride, Tauber Family Railroad and Giraffe Encounter feeding station. The re-loadable gift cards are also good at gift shops and food concessions, and can be used to purchase Detroit Zoo memberships, animal experiences, brick pavers, "Adopt"-an-Animal and other "wild" gifts.

Philadelphia Zoo is Offering Wild Gifts Designed to Fit any Budget

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:41:58 -0500

Philadelphia Zoo Has Holiday Gifts With Prices Ranging From $20 to $20,000 By Kirsten Wilf Philadelphia, PA - This holiday season the Philadelphia Zoo is offering wild gifts designed to fit any budget with prices ranging from $20 to $20,000. These offerings allow loved ones to give unique and fun presents, sure to delight the biggest scrooge. Gift of a Future-$20 The Gift of a Future is one that will last for quite a long time, 70 years to be exact. By donating $20 to the Philadelphia Zoo's Footprints Carbon Offset Program in the name of your gift recipient, two tons of trees will be planted. Those trees ensure the future of this great planet by removing carbon dioxide and reforesting habitats. The Gift of a Future includes a certificate for presentation to your loved one. For more information or to purchase, visit the Philadelphia Zoo Carbon Offset Program.

Lion Country Safari's Campground Wins President and Founder's Award

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:59:21 -0500

Kampgrounds of America Honors West Palm Beach/Lion Country Safari KOA Campground By Jennifer Berthume West Palm Beach, FL - Kampgrounds of America, Inc. recently honored West Palm Beach/Lion Country Safari KOA campground with the President's Award and Founder's Award for its outstanding facility and operation. The President's Award is given to KOA Kampgrounds that received exceptional scores on their quality assurance facilities review, for being a positive part of the KOA system, and for receiving high scores on their annual camper satisfaction surveys received from their own camping guests.