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July 28, 2005
OREGON ZOO'S KENYA SAFARI PUTS THE "WILD" BACK INTO WILDLIFE
Popular East Africa trip sold out - second departure added!

PORTLAND, Ore.-A second departure has been added to the Oregon Zoo's Wild World Tours classic safari to Kenya. The new dates are Oct. 12-23 and spots are already filling fast.

"While we can't bring every animal to you, now is your chance to go to the animals," said Zoo Director Tony Vecchio. "Imagine feeling the ground beneath you tremble as thousands of wildebeest move en masse across the Serengeti during their migration to Tanzania. Picture how your pulse will quicken when you hear elephants trumpet and lions roar at a waterhole near the base of Mount Kenya."

This safari begins at the Samburu National Reserve, north of Nairobi. This vast savanna is home to an abundance of wildlife rarely found elsewhere in Kenya, such as the Grevy's zebra and the reticulated giraffe. Also on the tour is Lake Nakuru National Park, lying within Kenya's Great Rift Valley, which is a shallow alkaline lake where over 450 species of birds, including pelicans and flamingos, stop for drinking and bathing.

Last on the itinerary is a trek through the northern Serengeti grasslands of Maasai Mara, Kenya's most famous game reserve and the setting for the film Out of Africa. Options for this portion of the trip include a sunrise balloon safari over the savanna and the opportunity to fish in Lake Victoria.

Lectures by various conservation and wildlife biologists at several of the venues will also be scheduled, time permitting.

Participants can delve further into East Africa with an optional seven-day trip extension. The tour will continue into Amboseli National Park at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro before crossing into Tanzania to visit the Ngorongoro Crater, a World Heritage Site. The crater's savanna floor is home to more than 100 species of birds not found in the Serengeti.

The price for the Kenya safari is $4,195 per person. The optional trip extension is an additional $2,295 per person. Plans are in the works for further adventures in 2006, including a trip to the rainforests of Costa Rica (Feb.11-19), a tour of the Galápagos Islands (June 2-12), and a safari to Botswana (November 2006).

To receive more information and a detailed itinerary of the Kenya safari, call 503-220-5707 or e-mail lloydk@metro.dst.or.us. Information about the tour is also available at www.oregonzoo.org/Involved/travel.htm.

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July 28, 2005
ZOO CONCERT TICKETS GOING FAST
Three of four Premium concerts have sold out in the month of August

PORTLAND, Ore.-Tickets for the Wells Fargo Summer Concert Series at the Oregon Zoo are selling fast. Three of the four Premium concerts in the month of August have already sold out. These include concerts by flamenco stars the Gipsy Kings (August 6), local favorites Pink Martini (August 14), and Latin rock luminaries Los Lonely Boys with Ozomatli (August 11). Tickets still remain for the double bill featuring Susan Tedeschi and Blind Boys of Alabama on August 26.

"Zoo concerts are extremely popular," said event coordinator Krista Swan. "I think people enjoy the combination of great music and a beautiful setting on the zoo's concert lawn."  

While tickets for the Premium concerts are almost gone, the zoo also hosts a series of Plus concerts each Wednesday. In August, the zoo will host Haitian chanteuse Emeline Michel (August 3), 60s icon Jesse Winchester (August 10), country revivalists Asleep at the Wheel (August 17), singer-songwriter Karla Bonoff (August 24), and cowboy act Wylie and the Wild West (August 31). Tickets for these concerts only cost $9.50 and go on sale at 4 p.m. the day of the show. They are free to zoo members at the Plus level or higher.

The concert series helps to fund the zoo's condor conservation program, which has recently celebrated the third condor hatched in Oregon. Concertgoers can do even more to help save endangered species through the zoo's Future for Wildlife Fund by adding $1 to their ticket price.

Tickets for Susan Tedeschi and Blind Boys of Alabama are available at TicketsWest (www.ticketswest.com, 800-992-TIXX, and Safeway outlets), and at the zoo with no service charge (no phone calls please). Tickets are valid at 4 p.m. and the concert begins at 7 p.m.

Wells Fargo has been sponsoring the summer concert series since 1996 as part of its community support activities. Earlier this year Northwest Business for Culture and the Arts honored Wells Fargo as the leading corporate supporter of arts and culture in Oregon in 2004.

The concert series is also sponsored by The Oregonian A&E with promotional support from Oregon Public Broadcasting.

To view the complete concert schedule, read the artists' biographies or purchase tickets (through TicketsWest), please visit www.oregonzoo.org. Gourmet concert picnics can be ordered by calling 503-525-4215.

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July 26, 2005
ZOO BEHIND THE SCENES ENCOUNTERS AUGUST 7, 20
Get up close with sea otters or giraffes

PORTLAND, Ore.-If you've ever wished you could get a closer look at some of the Oregon Zoo's animals, two events for you are right around the corner. The Sea Otter Behind the Scenes Encounter and the Giraffe Family Encounter are coming soon!

Are sea otters related to weasels? Find out the answer at the Sea Otter Behind the Scenes Encounter from 10-11 a.m. on Sunday, August 7. Sign up now for the tour and learn all about these clever and agile marine mammals.  

Participants can introduce themselves to the zoo's Southern sea otters, Oz, Eddie and Thelma, and try to outsmart the curious threesome with enrichment puzzles. Listen as zoo staff discuss the challenges they face trying to keep the animals' inquisitive minds and agile paws busy and also explain how natural curiosity can help and hurt sea otters in the wild.

"Behind the Scenes Encounters offer amazing experiences with marine animals," says Tony Vecchio, zoo director. "Having the chance to get up close with a curious sea otter is something you'll never forget."

The zoo's Sea Otter Behind the Scenes Encounter is for guests ages 12 and up. Price for the hour-long tour is $40 ($34 for zoo members).

Did you know that a giraffe's heart weighs 25 pounds?  Oregon Zoo keepers will introduce this big-hearted animal to visitors during the zoo's Giraffe Family Encounter from 10-11 a.m. on Saturday, August 20.

Guests can learn about the zoo's tallest residents and listen to zoo staff describe both the advantages and disadvantages that come with giraffes having their eyes and ears so high above the ground.  Participants may even get a chance to feed the long-necked animals some delicious treats.

"These up-close encounters help instill a love for animals by providing personal interactions and memories that last a lifetime," said Charis Henrie, education coordinator.

The Giraffe Family Encounter is for children 8-13 years of age accompanied by an adult. Prices for the hour-long tour are $60 for two people and $30 for each additional person (zoo member prices are $50 for two people and $25 for each additional person). Registration information for all zoo encounters is available at www.oregonzoo.org or by calling 503-220-2781.

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July 25, 2005
JESSE WINCHESTER TO PERFORM AUGUST 10
Vietnam War-era icon makes a rare live appearance at Oregon Zoo

PORTLAND, Ore.-In 1967, Jesse Winchester received his draft notice and escaped to Canada to avoid the Vietnam War. As a young singer-songwriter, he wouldn't be able to perform in the United States for years-not until Jimmy Carter granted amnesty to him and other draft-dodgers in the late 70s. But now that his exile is over, Winchester will perform at the Oregon Zoo, Wednesday, August 10 at 7 p.m. as part of the Wells Fargo Summer Concert Series.

"Winchester rarely performs," said event coordinator Krista Swan. "It's a unique opportunity to see one of the most iconic figures of the Vietnam War period."

Winchester was a Southern boy, who had lived all his life in Memphis, when his draft card came through the mail. Then unknown, he took flight to Montreal, where Robbie Robertson of The Band spotted him and helped launch his recording career. His self-titled debut was released in 1970 and captured his sense of displacement with poignant songs like "Snow," "Yankee Lady" and "The Brand New Tennessee Waltz." These songs, along with the sepia-tinted Civil War-like photography of his album covers, projected the image of a wayward Southern troubadour trapped in the Arctic north.

Winchester cut a persecuted and forlorn figure to audiences of the period, who sympathized with his pacifism. But despite the deft wit and Southern charm of his music, his career was hampered by his inability to perform in the United States. The best years of his career were spent in the wilderness, or at least on the wrong side of the St. Lawrence River. That didn't stop other musicians like Joan Baez, Jimmy Buffett and Emmylou Harris from recording his songs. But by the time Jimmy Carter allowed him to come back to the United States, Winchester was already a Canadian citizen and the singer-songwriter craze was over.
In the decades that followed, he toured infrequently and even announced his retirement in 1990. So it will be a special occasion when Winchester performs at the Oregon Zoo.

Tickets for Wednesday "Plus" concerts are available for $9.50 after 4 p.m. the day of the performance, include zoo admission and are subject to availability.

Zoo membership at the Plus level includes free admission to all Wednesday Plus concerts, daily visits to the zoo and the ZooLights holiday festival in the winter.

Concerts at the zoo help support the California condor conservation program. Concertgoers can do even more to help save endangered species through the zoo's Future for Wildlife Fund by adding $1 to their ticket price.

Wells Fargo has been sponsoring the summer concert series since 1996 as part of its community support activities. Earlier this year Northwest Business for Culture and the Arts honored Wells Fargo as the leading corporate supporter of arts and culture in Oregon in 2004. The concert series is also sponsored by The Oregonian A&E with support from Oregon Public Broadcasting.

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July 25, 2005
ELEPHANT SEAL MIRA DIED SUNDAY NIGHT

PORTLAND, Ore. - Mira, a blind female elephant seal who was a favorite of zoo staff and many zoo visitors, died Sunday night at Oregon Zoo.

Mira was being treated for an eye condition, but her death was unexpected. A necropsy is being performed, which zoo veterinarians hope will provide more information.

Mira came to Oregon Zoo in 2002 after being found stranded on a Northern California Beach at the age of six months. An examination at that time found that her retinas were underdeveloped and it was determined that she could not be returned to the wild.

North Coast Marine Mammal Center in Crescent City, California, approached Oregon Zoo about housing the seal.

"We talked about it, did some research, and after visiting the animal, decided she would make a great addition to the zoo," said Chris Pfefferkorn, general curator.

Mira lived in the zoo's Steller Cove exhibit with two Steller's sea lion companions, Julius and Gus.

Caring for a blind animal required marine life keepers to adjust their regular feeding and training practices. For example, noise-making beads were added to their target-training pole and food was placed in Mira's mouth rather than tossed toward her.

"We had to think acoustically rather than visually," said JoEllen Marshall, senior marine life keeper at the zoo.

Marshall and other marine life keepers were responsible for finding an appropriate name for their new young charge.

"The scientific name of the elephant seal is Mirounga angustirostris," explained Marshall. "We got creative and came up with Mira." Ironically, keepers later learned that Mira in Spanish means "look"-and she couldn't.

"Mira was an awesome animal to work with," said Marine Life Keeper Karen Rifenbury. "We learned a lot not only about elephant seals, but also about working with an animal with special needs. She was more responsibility because of her special needs, but it was a pleasure."

Keepers said that even though she was blind, she knew exhibit and holding areas very well, better than many other animals. She didn't let blindness slow her down.

"You put your heart in these animals and it's tough when you lose them," Rifenbury said.

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July 21, 2005
STELLAR TICKET SALES ROCK OREGON ZOO'S 27th CONCERT SEASON
Tickets are selling quickly for the Oregon Zoo's Wells Fargo Summer Concert series

PORTLAND, Ore.-The fun atmosphere, fantastic music and delicious food have been drawing people to the Wells Fargo Summer Concerts at the Oregon Zoo. Tickets to the "Premium" concerts have been selling quickly, leading many to believe this may be one of the most successful concert seasons in years.

"This is the earliest we have sold so many tickets, as far back as I remember," said Krista Swan, event coordinator for the Oregon Zoo. "The wide variety of acts is attracting people left and right, making for really popular and in-demand tickets. "

There is still an opportunity to listen to some of the outstanding musical acts making up this year's Premium concerts, with tickets still available for Mark Cohn/Suzanne Vega (July 22), Bruce Hornsby (July 29), Gipsy Kings (August 6) and Susan Tedeschi/Blind Boys of Alabama (August 26).  

"This year's series is filled with an eclectic mix of folk, rock, jazz, country, blues, and world music," said Tony Vecchio, zoo director. "Through our sponsors' generous support, the zoo has been able to bring a variety of nationally renowned musicians to Portland."

Concerts are held on the Oregon Zoo's park-like concert lawn, Portland's premiere outdoor venue for popular music since 1979. Premium concerts are held Thursday through Sunday evenings; tickets range from $17 to $35 and can be purchased at the zoo (with no service charge) and through TicketsWest (www.ticketswest.com), 800-992-TIXX, and Safeway outlets.

Affordable Wednesday "Plus" concert tickets are $9.50, or free for zoo members at the "Plus" level or higher. Coming up on the Plus concert schedule are Norton Buffalo & the Knockouts (July 27), Emeline Michel (August 3), Jesse Winchester (August 10), Asleep at the Wheel (August 17), Karla Bonoff (August 24), and Wylie & the Wild West (August 31). Wednesday Plus tickets are not pre-sold and are only available after 4 p.m. the day of the show.

All concerts are subject to maximum capacity.

In 1979, the Oregon Zoo became the first zoo in the nation to host a summer concert series. The concert series serves as a means to generate additional revenue to assist the zoo in fulfilling its mission of conservation and education.

In addition to Wells Fargo, generous support for the concert series is provided by The Oregonian A&E and Oregon Public Broadcasting. A complete roster with artists' biographical information can soon be found at www.oregonzoo.org.  

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July 20, 2005
TROPICAL BUTTERFLIES ARRIVE AT OREGON ZOO'S WINGED WONDERS EXHIBIT

PORTLAND, Ore.-What do a shoemaker, a postman, and a passionflower all have in common? They're just three of the many Central and South American butterfly species that the Oregon Zoo has recently added to the Winged Wonders exhibit. The exhibit now houses nearly 250 butterflies of 20 new tropical species in addition to the native North American species already in the butterfly aviary.

The zoo has added three tropical species not previously displayed: the common olivewing (Nessaea aglaura), the Costa Rica clearwing (Greta oto), and the false malachite (Philaethria dido). The common olivewing, also called an Aglaura olivewing, has velvety black coloring with large blue stripes on the wing's upper surface. They range from southern Mexico to Colombia. The Costa Rica clearwing, also called a glasswing, has mostly translucent wings with unique black veining and ranges from Mexico to Panama. The false malachite, which has large patches of translucent green on its wings, ranges from Mexico to the Amazon Basin.

"We get to watch these beautiful creatures eclose from the pupal stage to become butterflies everyday, and it still amazes me," said Butterfly Keeper Mary Jo Andersen. "I feel lucky to witness something day after day that few people get to see in nature."

Visitors to the Winged Wonders exhibit can meander along the garden path at their leisure, passing bee balm, black-eyed Susans, red valerian, purple coneflower, and gayfeather-all of which are plants that attract butterflies. Benches along the path provide visitors a spot where they can sit and watch the butterflies land atop various golden, lavender, and orange blooms. Butterflies sometimes land on visitors, too!

"Visitors can create their own butterfly gardens at home," said Linda Coady Richardson, the zoo's horticultural supervisor. She noted that herbs such as fennel and dill can attract the caterpillars of species such as black swallowtail and anise swallowtail. Nectar plants like asters, zinnia, and yarrow will attract adult butterflies. "Don't forget that butterflies also need sunlight, water, and shelter-and no pesticides," she added.

Before leaving the butterfly aviary, visitors can view a display where dozens of pupae, varied in size and color according to species, continue to develop and grow. Butterflies that emerge from these pupae are released into the aviary. Visitors can also learn more about the butterflies at the exhibit's interpretive center, where hands-on activities show how a butterfly uses its senses of sight, smell and taste.

A display on the zoo's field conservation projects with endangered Oregon silverspot and Taylor's checkerspot butterflies is also featured. It describes how the zoo rears endangered butterflies and explains the life cycle of wild butterflies.

"We were very pleased to bring the tropical species back to the Winged Wonders exhibit again this year," said Zoo Director Tony Vecchio. "We're glad to be able to spotlight a small, often overlooked animal that's such a vital component to many ecosystems."

With the recent addition of the South and Central American butterfly species, the garden now features more than 20 species of butterflies from the Western Hemisphere. The exhibit is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and runs through Labor Day. Admission is $2.

By reservation only

Butterfly photography classes are being offered throughout the summer. More information about these classes can be found at http://www.oregonzoo.org/Education/adults/adults_photography.htm.

Private parties are also being offered at the Tea Garden at Winged Wonders. Contact Oregon Zoo catering at 503-220-2789 for information.

The photography classes and the Tea Garden Parties are by registration or reservation only.
Zoo helps save rare butterflies and more

The Oregon Zoo and the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) have joined 34 zoos and aquariums from around the country to form the Butterfly Conservation Initiative. The Initiative is designed to bring together government and non-government agencies to aid in the recovery of imperiled North American butterflies. The Oregon Zoo and AZA are committed to butterfly conservation. A portion of the proceeds from the Oregon Zoo's butterfly exhibit helps support the zoo's butterfly education and conservation efforts.

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July 19, 2005
AUTHOR'S NEW BOOK FOLLOWS RARE GIANT PANDA'S JOURNEY WEST
The author of The Lady and the Panda visits the Oregon Zoo July 28

PORTLAND, Ore.- "Panda-monium" hits the Oregon Zoo when critically acclaimed author Vicki Constantine Croke celebrates the release of her new book The Lady and the Panda: The True Adventures of the First American Explorer to Bring Back China's Most Exotic Animal with a book signing and discussion event at noon on July 28.

Croke takes part in a question, answer and discussion session at the zoo's Cascade Outfitters gift shop. Immediately following, she will sign copies of the book, which will be on sale at the event.

"Vicki has vast experience writing about animals," said Oregon Zoo Director Tony Vecchio. "Her in-depth knowledge leads to detailed and vivid descriptions, which help readers establish an emotional connection to her stories."

The book, which was released earlier this month, shares the true story of Ruth Harkness, a 1930s socialite dressmaker who defied gender stereotypes by traveling to China in search of the most desired and elusive animal of the time: a giant panda. Harkness succeeded at what her male counterparts had been working toward but failed to achieve.

Croke brings Harkness's story to life for the reader through the use of American and Chinese sources, which include diary entries, interviews, and previously unseen letters.

Croke is not new to writing about animals, having more than a decade of experience covering pets and wildlife. She currently writes the "Animal Beat" column for the Boston Globe, and is the author of The Modern Ark: The Story of Zoos-Past, Present and Future.

"Vicki is a longtime friend of the Oregon Zoo," said Vecchio. "We are very delighted to have her visit."

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July 19, 2005
GIPSY KINGS PERFORM ON AUGUST 6
Flamenco stars bring the music of Spain to the Oregon Zoo by way of France

PORTLAND, Ore.-The Spanish take their flamenco very seriously. So perhaps it's no surprise that the Gipsy Kings, who brought the music to its widest audience ever, actually began in the south of France. Growing up outside the flamenco mainstream, they escaped its heavy-handed traditionalism. The result is that their music appeals to more than just flamenco aficionados. Instead, the Gipsy Kings have become one of the most popular flamenco groups ever. They'll perform at the Oregon Zoo, Saturday, August 6 at 7 p.m. as part of the Wells Fargo Summer Concert Series.  

The band began as an informal collaboration between two brothers, Andre and Nicolas Reyes, who grew up in the French city of Arles with their father Jose Reyes, a celebrated flamenco musician. The group grew with the additions of their cousins Maurice and Jacques, as well as friend Tonino Baliardo.

These five have remained at the heart of the Gipsy Kings. But starting out, the group had to perform in the street and at weddings or festivals. They named themselves the Gipsy Kings because they lived like gypsies, traveling from gig to gig.

Eventually, though, the Gipsy Kings moved up to performing at posh parties on the French Riviera in places like St. Tropez. At one of these parties, producer Claude Martinez spotted the Gipsy Kings and saw something special in the joy and energy with which they performed. Martinez encouraged the group to expand and experiment with different influences, even though flamenco is a very traditional music. Flamenco musicians are very protective of its history and its place in Spanish culture.

While the group themselves were interested in experimenting, they were worried about how other musicians would respond to their music. But their concerns turned out to be unfounded. After scoring two smash hits in France, the group signed with Sony Music, and their self-titled debut was released around the world. It reached the Top Ten in twelve different European countries and stayed on the US charts for 40 weeks, going gold in the process.

Over the course of the 90s the Gipsy Kings became the face of contemporary flamenco music. Now that they were stars, the group played high profile concerts in places like the Royal Albert Hall in London with Eric Clapton and Elton John in the audience. They also turned down an invitation to perform at the inauguration of the first President Bush. But while the former president missed out on seeing the Gipsy Kings in concert, concertgoers in Portland still have the chance to see them at the Oregon Zoo.

The concert series helps to fund the zoo's condor conservation program, which has recently celebrated the third condor hatched in Oregon. Concertgoers can do even more to help save endangered species through the zoo's Future for Wildlife Fund by adding $1 to their ticket price.

Tickets for the Wells Fargo Summer Concert Series are available at TicketsWest (www.ticketswest.com, 800-992-TIXX, and Safeway outlets), and at the zoo with no service charge (no phone calls please). Tickets are valid at 4 p.m. and the concert begins at 7 p.m.

Wells Fargo has been sponsoring the summer concert series since 1996 as part of its community support activities. Earlier this year Northwest Business for Culture and the Arts honored Wells Fargo as the leading corporate supporter of arts and culture in Oregon in 2004.

The concert series is also sponsored by The Oregonian A&E with promotional support from Oregon Public Broadcasting.

To view the complete concert schedule, read the artists' biographies or purchase tickets (through TicketsWest), please visit www.oregonzoo.org. Gourmet concert picnics can be ordered by calling 503-525-4215.

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July 18, 2005
HAITIAN STAR EMELINE MICHEL PERFORMS AUGUST 3
The music of the Caribbean comes to the Oregon Zoo

PORTLAND, Ore.-Take a musical trip to the Caribbean when Haitian chanteuse Emeline Michel performs at the Oregon Zoo, Wednesday, August 3 at 7 p.m. as part of the Wells Fargo Summer Concert Series.

Michel is acclaimed as the Queen of Haitian Song, and known for her songwriting that infuses traditional Haitian music with a modern sensibility. Traditional Haitian music is a mélange of Latin rhythms, French chansons, and gospel. But Michel adds touches of jazz and R&B to the mix to give her music a contemporary relevance.

Michel also stands out as one of the few women in Haitian music to actually write and produce her own music. Over the course of eight albums she has become a pioneering figure as one of the first women to assert artistic control over her own career.

She's been performing for almost twenty years, but only recently has Michel come to the attention of audiences in the United States. Her last two albums, Rasin Kreyol (Creole Roots) and especially Cordes et Ame (Strings and Soul) have garnered critical praise and brought her a higher profile in this country.

She's also earned a reputation as a captivating performer in concert. Michel's greatest instrument is her voice. And the best way to appreciate it is live, when the spontaneity of the moment allows the full complexity and subtlety of her singing to take shape. Don't miss the chance to see her at Oregon Zoo.

Tickets for Wednesday "Plus" concerts are available for $9.50 after 4 p.m. the day of the performance, include zoo admission and are subject to availability.

Zoo membership at the Plus level includes free admission to all Wednesday Plus concerts, daily visits to the zoo and the ZooLights holiday festival in the winter.

Concerts at the zoo help support the California condor conservation program. Concertgoers can do even more to help save endangered species through the zoo's Future for Wildlife Fund by adding $1 to their ticket price.

Wells Fargo has been sponsoring the summer concert series since 1996 as part of its community support activities. Earlier this year Northwest Business for Culture and the Arts honored Wells Fargo as the leading corporate supporter of arts and culture in Oregon in 2004.

The concert series is also sponsored by The Oregonian A&E with promotional support from Oregon Public Broadcasting.

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July 14, 2005
BRUCE HORNSBY BRINGS HIS MUSIC TO OREGON ZOO JULY 29
Songwriter, Grammy winner, and Grateful Dead keyboardist Bruce Hornsby performs

PORTLAND, Ore.-Bruce Hornsby has won three Grammy Awards and sold more than 10-million records. He's worked with musicians like Bob Dylan, Don Henley, the Grateful Dead, Bob Seger, Bonnie Raitt, and Willie Nelson. Everyone from Robbie Robertson and Huey Lewis to Chaka Khan and Tupac Shakur has recorded his songs. And if that isn't enough, he's performing at the Oregon Zoo on July 29 as part of the Well Fargo Summer Concert Series.

Hornsby burst on the scene in 1986 with the multi-platinum album The Way It Is. The title track reached number one and the album scored two other top twenty hits. That same year "Jacob's Ladder," a Hornsby song recorded by Huey Lewis also reached number one. On top of his successful solo career, Hornsby kept busy as both a producer and a collaborator with artists like Don Henley, Bonnie Raitt, and the Grateful Dead. He co-wrote and produced Henley's Grammy winning smash, The End of Innocence and toured with the Grateful Dead as their stand-in keyboardist.

His current tour is in support of his most recent release, Halcyon Days. The album includes collaborations with Elton John, Eric Clapton, and Sting.

"Most of this record is really influenced by me being a parent," Hornsby said. "So much of it was written based on my experiences as a parent, worrying about my kids. It's inspired by trying to put myself in their shoes."

The album features eleven new songs, but he'll bring his full repertoire to the Oregon Zoo on July 29.

The Well Fargo Summer Concert Series helps to fund the zoo's condor conservation program, which has recently celebrated the third condor hatched in Oregon. Concertgoers can do even more to help save endangered species through the zoo's Future for Wildlife Fund by adding $1 to their ticket price.

Tickets for Bruce Hornsby are $19 and are available at TicketsWest (www.ticketswest.com, 800-992-TIXX, and Safeway outlets), and at the zoo with no service charge (no phone calls please). Tickets are valid at 4 p.m. and the concert begins at 7 p.m.
Wells Fargo has been sponsoring the summer concert series since 1996 as part of its community support activities. Earlier this year Northwest Business for Culture and the Arts honored Wells Fargo as the leading corporate supporter of arts and culture in Oregon in 2004.

The series also receives promotional support from The Oregonian A &E and Oregon Public Broadcasting.

To view the complete concert schedule, read the artists' biographies or purchase tickets (through TicketsWest), please visit www.oregonzoo.org. Gourmet concert picnics can be ordered by calling 503-525-4215.

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July 14, 2005
OREGON ZOO'S CALIFORNIA CONDORS GET SOME HOME IMPROVEMENTS
Jonsson Center for Wildlife Conservation expands breeding area, adds pre-release "boot camp" for juvenile birds

PORTLAND, Ore.-The Oregon Zoo's 16 California condors at the Jonsson Center for Wildlife Conservation will soon have more room for nesting and breeding, as well as a new training space where they'll learn the ins and outs of condor customs and culture prior to being released into the wild. Construction on phase two is under way with construction on the third (final) phase scheduled to begin on August 1. The expansion should be completed by October 24.

The expansion includes a mesh-covered breeding facility plus the addition of a mesh-covered pre-release "boot camp" area with a small holding building. A $235,000 contribution to the Oregon Zoo Foundation from Erik Jonsson, representing the Jonsson family, enabled the zoo to continue with these final phases of construction.

Because it is vital to California condor survival in the wild that the birds do not acclimate to humans, special precautions are being taken while the facility undergoes construction. The first precaution was the erection of a visual barrier on all mesh walls that would keep any of the condors from seeing people or any activity.

"All contractors were informed of where they can and can't go and to work as quietly as possible when next to the existing cages," said Randy Whitworth, Construction Project Coordinator. Additionally, deliveries and staging have been set up as far away as possible for the least amount of noise and disturbance.

"We've kept a very watchful eye on each condor throughout the construction process, especially our two pairs currently feeding chicks," said Assistant Condor Curator Joe Burnett. "After a couple hours all of the condors realized the outside noise wasn't a threat and they immediately returned to their daily routines. This year's two condor chicks are still confined to the nest pens, protected from the noise, and they won't be strong enough to leave the nest until a month after construction is complete."

The breeding facility addition is approximately 19,500 square feet and provides for eight additional breeding pairs in two buildings. Mesh covers the breeding facility, eight outside pens and a flight area with a small outbuilding on each side.

"I realize that this is a necessary piece of the puzzle in our long-term condor goals. I'm very relieved to know that the birds have adjusted to the temporary noise disturbance and I'll be even more relieved once construction is successfully complete and we return to more quiet times," Burnett added.

The "boot camp" pre-release pens, when finished, will provide young condors the final round of training needed before they are sent to the wild for release. A large Douglas fir tree will encourage young birds to use natural perches, and two mock power poles will deter them from using real ones. The mock power poles will deliver a small shock to the birds if they choose to land there. In this way, the young birds will quickly learn the natural perch is best.

Additionally, juvenile California condors, like many other birds and mammals, must learn appropriate social behavior from their older counterparts. Juveniles at the Jonsson Center for Wildlife Conservation will also continue their social training with adult mentors and strengthen their feeding skills among dominant birds.

"Without some guidance, juvenile condors can act a lot like unruly, inexperienced teenagers," said Burnett. "They'll be learning a little socialization, a little safety."

Birds that have not received any mentoring with the condor social hierarchy system may have trouble joining a group in the wild. Even worse, risky behavior can cost a young condor its life. Deaths in the wild have resulted from collisions with power lines and ingesting foreign substances.

Once a juvenile condor has successfully completed condor boot camp, it may be considered a candidate for release to the wild. Birds deemed ready for release will then be moved to the pre-release area, which is about 5,400 square feet and includes a single 7-foot by 13-foot outbuilding attached to the breeding facility's mesh enclosure.

"Although there are no immediate plans to release condors in Oregon, I believe the expansion at the Jonsson Center for Wildlife Conservation brings us closer to one day seeing California condors in Oregon skies," says Oregon Zoo Director Tony Vecchio.

Condors in Oregon

The last condors were seen in Oregon in 1904, near the town of Drain, in southwest Oregon. Condors held out a little longer in California, but in 1987, there were only 27 left in the wild. In an attempt to save the species, biologists decided to place all the remaining condors into a captive breeding program. When Congress passed the Endangered Species Act in 1973, the California condor was one of the original animals included on the list.

Condors have a long history in Oregon. Archeologists have unearthed 9,000-year-old condor bones from Native American middens. The condor was a common design motif of the Wasco people, who lived along the Columbia River from The Dalles to Cascade Locks-the condor was considered a helper to the native peoples and a key character in many myths.

Explorers Lewis and Clark documented sightings of the California condor in their journal, describing it in an October 28, 1805 entry as a "Vulture of the Columbia" and noted that the species was common. In a later entry they wrote "These Buzzards are much larger than any of their Species or the largest eagle." Less than fifty years after their journal entries, California condor sightings had become rare.

The Oregon Zoo is the fourth organization in the nation invited to join the California Condor Recovery Program. California condor captive breeding programs are operated at San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park, Los Angeles Zoo, and The Peregrine Fund's World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise. The recovery goal for the condor program is to establish a captive population of 150 birds and two separate wild populations of condors (150 each), one in California and the other in Arizona. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Condor Recovery Program coordinate and implement the recovery efforts and provide oversight of all program partners. The Oregon Zoo's condor recovery efforts take place at the Jonsson Center for Wildlife Conservation, located in Clackamas County on Metro-owned open space.

Condors are the largest land birds in North America, with wingspans of up to ten feet, and weigh between 18 and 24 pounds. They are highly intelligent and inquisitive, often engaging in play. During the Pleistocene Era, which ended about 10,000 years ago, the condors' range extended across much of North America. By 1940, the range was reduced to the coastal mountains of southern California.

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July 13, 2005
BEHIND THE SCENES ENCOUNTERS JULY 23-24
Guests can get up close with the zoo's penguins and inhabitants of the Flooded Forest

PORTLAND, Ore.-Two Behind the Scenes Encounters with the Oregon Zoo are coming your way July 23-24. Sign up now to see some of the beloved zoo animals up close with the Penguin Family Encounter and the Amazon Flooded Forest Encounter.  

While the penguins sport their dressy black and white suits, the Penguin Family Encounter is a casual affair for the Oregon Zoo's guests. Guests are invited to wear whatever attire they want from 10-11 a.m. on Saturday, July 23 for the event.  This fun and educational experience features people-friendly Mochica along with his flightless and feathered friends. Learn all about these unique birds from the zoo staff that work with them daily.

The Penguin Family Encounter is for children 8-13 years of age accompanied by an adult.  Prices for the hour-long tour are $60 for two people and $30 for each additional person (zoo member prices are $50 for two people and $25 for each additional person).

Come meet the furry and feathered residents of the Amazon Flooded Forest from 10-11 a.m. on July 24.   See the many animals of this area, including Judi the Agouti, a cat-sized South American rodent.  

"Judi is the friendliest animal in the Amazon Flooded Forest," says Charis Henrie, education coordinator. "She enjoys being around humans and is curious when new people come to visit," she added.

Other Flooded Forest animals include the Saki and howler monkeys, Swainson's toucans, and dwarf caiman. Guests can learn about the challenges that zookeepers encounter keeping a wide variety of animals in this space.

"Our Behind the Scenes Encounters help instill a love for animals," says Henrie. "They provide meaningful experiences, creating memories that will last a lifetime."

The Flooded Forest Encounter is for guests ages 12 and up.  Prices for the hour-long tour are $40 ($34 for zoo members).  Registration information for all zoo encounters is available by visiting www.oregonzoo.org or by calling 503-220-2781.

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July 12, 2005
NORTON BUFFALO AND THE KNOCKOUTS TO PERFORM JULY 27
"Partner in harmony" gets his own band and goes solo

PORTLAND, Ore.-Harmonica virtuoso Norton Buffalo will bring his rough and ready band The Knockouts to the Oregon Zoo on Wednesday, July 27 at 7 p.m. as part of the Wells Fargo Summer Concert Series.

It's a rare treat to see Norton and his pals on the road, since they're all successful session musician on their own. In another life, Norton is the notoriously awesome harmonica player in the Steve Miller Band, who Miller affectionately refers to as his "partner in harmony." But he's also worked with the Doobie Brothers, Bonnie Raitt, Johnny Cash, Elvin Bishop, and Roy Rogers - with whom he was nominated for a Grammy.

His solo work gives Norton the chance to put all of his talent on display, with the freedom and ability to show off his licks. His first two albums were released in the late 70s and it took more than 20 years before he released his third album, King of the Highway, in 2000. But Norton and his friends are best appreciated live, where they can cut loose and challenge each other with their playing. So it should be an electric evening at the Oregon Zoo.

"The band will be having fun," said Krista Swan, event coordinator. "And if the band is having fun, you can bet the audience will be too."

Tickets for Wednesday "Plus" concerts are available for $9.50 after 4 p.m. the day of the performance, include zoo admission and are subject to availability.

Zoo membership at the Plus level includes free admission to all Wednesday Plus concerts, daily visits to the zoo and the ZooLights holiday festival in the winter.

Concerts at the zoo help support the California condor conservation program. Concertgoers can do even more to help save endangered species through the zoo's Future For Wildlife Fund by adding $1 to their ticket price.

Wells Fargo has been sponsoring the summer concert series since 1996 as part of its community support activities. Earlier this year Northwest Business for Culture and the Arts honored Wells Fargo as the leading corporate supporter of arts and culture in Oregon in 2004. The concert series is also sponsored by The Oregonian A&E with support from Oregon Public Broadcasting.

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July 12, 2005
ELEPHANT DATING 101
Zoo debuts new male Asian elephant to Portland public with hopes to continue breeding this endangered species

PORTLAND, Ore.-Tusko, a 13,500-pound, 33-year-old male Asian elephant that arrived at the Oregon Zoo on June 20, will make his first public appearance on Thursday, July 14, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tusko will be on view from approximately 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. until July 28. Thereafter, Tusko viewing will be from approximately 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Tusko has remained in quarantine since his arrival and was recently given a clean bill of health by the zoo's elephant veterinarian, Dr. Mitch Finnegan. According to Senior Elephant Keeper April Yoder "We are learning more about Tusko's personality each day, and he appears to be an intelligent and relatively calm bull elephant."

Tusko is on loan to the Oregon Zoo for the purpose of siring a calf with 22-year-old Sunshine (nicknamed "Shine"). Statistically, if Shine doesn't get pregnant by the time she turns 25, according to Deputy Director Mike Keele, the odds are against her becoming pregnant beyond that. The last elephant born at the Oregon Zoo was Rose Tu in 1994, and zoo officials are eager to contribute to the Asian elephant conservation efforts through breeding.

Enter Tusko.

The Top Five Rules of Elephant Dating

Rule #1: Find a good dating service. For endangered Asian elephants, this means the American Zoo and Aquarium Association's (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP). Through the Asian elephant SSP, explained Yoder, zoos across the country are coordinating efforts to match up viably reproductive male and female elephants. Even though the Oregon Zoo had male elephants Packy and Rama prior to Tusko's arrival, their genetic relatedness to the zoo's females make breeding impossible.

Rule #2: Take your time getting to know each other. Like any good relationship, the one between prospective pachyderm playmates must grow slowly. Keepers have already started introductions through visual contact to see how the elephants react. Trunk-to-trunk contact through a "howdy gate"-a steel gate that the elephants can see through and touch over and under-will be the next step. If all goes well, the would-be suitors will be allowed together in the elephant yard after several weeks of visual and trunk-only contact.

Rule #3: Use the right cologne. "Chemical communication is the trigger to elephant reproduction," said Elephant Keeper Pat Flora. A 2002 study of sex pheromones in elephants by Dr. Bets Rasmussen that included urine and mucus samples from Oregon Zoo's elephants Pet and Packy showed that female elephants during estrus undergo a chemical change that males recognize through a change in the female's urine odor.

Rule #4: Mind your manners. Male elephants in musth can be "cranky," according to Flora, so once Tusko and Shine are together in the elephant yard, keepers will maintain a careful watch on them. Expected behavior would be for the male elephant to sniff the female's urine, and then to place his trunk on her back in an attempt to mount if she's in estrus. If she's not receptive, a male may ignore the female or may become aggressive toward her.
Rule #5: Timing is everything. In pachyderm propositioning, the female's estrogen cycle rules all. During the period prior to breeding when Tusko and Shine are being introduced, keepers will take more frequent blood samples from Shine so they can know exactly where she is in her cycle based on the blood work.

The World's Most Eligible (Elephant) Bachelor

A dapper grey, well-traveled elephant, Tusko stands 10 feet tall and weighs 13,500 lbs. He has a wide head and stocky body compared to the zoo's other bull elephants and lacks long tusks. He has successfully sired three calves in the past-two while living in Canada and one in California.

"Each male has a little bit different approach when they get around females, and from what we understand, Tusko's pretty business-like," explained keeper Flora. "We're really excited about him; he's a good animal. He'll be a nice addition to the barn and really liven the breeding program," said Flora.

If Shine is impregnated, gestation will take approximately 22 months.

"The birth of a new baby is the most enriching thing that can happen in an elephant herd," added Deputy Director Mike Keele, who also serves as the Asian elephant SSP Coordinator for the AZA. "It's important that we do this now, while Shine is still able to have calves, and while her mother Pet is still able to help her learn how to be a good mother," he added.

An endangered species, Asian elephants are represented by an estimated 38,000-51,000 individuals living in fragmented populations in the wild. Agriculture, deforestation, and conflict with humans pose a constant threat to wild Asian elephants.

The AZA, of which the Oregon Zoo is a member, strives to maintain a sustainable population of the endangered elephants in North America. Currently, birth rates are lower than necessary to do so. Tusko will contribute to the genetic diversity, and perhaps the eventual survival, of the Asian elephant population in North America.

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July 7, 2005
SUZANNE VEGA AND MARC COHN PERFORM JULY 22
Two solo stars share the bill under the stars at the Oregon Zoo

PORTLAND, Ore.-Suzanne Vega and Marc Cohn will bring their highly literate and personally poignant music to the Oregon Zoo on Friday, July 22 as part of the Wells Fargo Summer Concert Series.

"The chance to see both of these incredible performers on one stage is too much to pass up," said Krista Swan, event coordinator. "They've both accomplished so much individually that seeing them together should be a real treat."

Both Cohn and Vega were part of the resurgence of singer-songwriters in the late 80s and early 90s. Vega was in many ways the breakthrough artist in the movement, while Cohn proved to be one of its biggest stars. Although they favor different instruments (Vega plays guitar, Cohn the piano), their music shares a similar resonance and depth.

Vega helped resurrect the singer-songwriter genre in the late 80s when her song "Luka" became a surprise hit off her album Solitude Standing. The song seemed to come out of left field, largely because it did. It took Vega years to secure a record deal with a major label, despite being one of the most talked-about performers in Greenwich Village. She eventually signed with A&M, who had already turned her down twice before. But when "Luka" became a hit, it proved to record labels that there was a niche market for singer-songwriters and paved the way for others like the Indigo Girls, Shawn Colvin, and Tracy Chapman. Since that success, Vega has remained a vibrant artist-challenging her audience with subtlety while using understatement to great effect.

While it took years for Vega to get attention, Cohn burst onto the scene in 1991 when his self-titled album leapt up the charts because of the hit single "Walking in Memphis." The album was a stunning debut that earned Cohn all sorts of admirers. David Crosby was one of them. He said, "I rank [Cohn] with Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Randy Newman, Paul Simon, and Shawn Colvin." Since then, Cohn has released two more albums, The Rainy Season and Burning the Daze. He's also earned a loyal audience with his live performances. Bonnie Raitt, another of his admirers, said, "He's an incredible singer and I marvel at his ability to mesmerize every audience he plays for." It's a talent he'll bring to the Oregon Zoo on July 22.

In 1979, the Oregon Zoo became the first zoo in the nation to host a summer concert series, making concerts at the zoo a Northwest summer tradition. In addition to sharing tunes with the tree kangaroos, concerts at the zoo feature special activities to celebrate the 27th anniversary of the summer series. The birds of prey will fly over the crowd during premium concerts-a truly unique experience for music fans and animal lovers alike. Concertgoers can pre-order gourmet picnics online and reserve top blanket spots on the zoo's tiered concert lawn.

"The concerts have long been a tradition in Portland," said Krista Swan, event coordinator. "Whether it's a romantic evening or a family night out, concertgoers enjoy great music, the festive atmosphere, and, of course, visiting all of the animals."

The concert series helps to fund the zoo's condor conservation program, which has recently celebrated the third condor hatched in Oregon. Concertgoers can do even more to help save endangered species through the zoo's Future for Wildlife Fund by adding $1 to their ticket price.

Tickets for the Wells Fargo Summer Concert Series are available at TicketsWest (www.ticketswest.com, 800-992-TIXX, and Safeway outlets), and at the zoo with no service charge (no phone calls please). Tickets are valid at 4 p.m. and the concert begins at 7 p.m.

Wells Fargo has been sponsoring the summer concert series since 1996 as part of its community support activities. Earlier this year Northwest Business for Culture and the Arts honored Wells Fargo as the leading corporate supporter of arts and culture in Oregon in 2004.

The concert series is also sponsored by The Oregonian A&E with promotional support from Oregon Public Broadcasting.

To view the complete concert schedule, read the artists' biographies or purchase tickets (through TicketsWest), please visit www.oregonzoo.org. Gourmet concert picnics can be ordered by calling 503-525-4215.

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July 5, 2005
ZYDECO SWEETHEART ROSIE LEDET PERFORMS JULY 20
The concert lawn at the Oregon Zoo becomes Cajun country

PORTLAND, Ore.-Zydeco sweetheart Rosie Ledet will bring the music of the bayou to the Oregon Zoo on Wednesday, July 20 as part of the Wells Fargo Summer Concert Series.

"Ledet is at the forefront of today's traditional zydeco music scene," said Krista Swan, event coordinator. "She is one of the few young zydeco musicians who still writes her own songs in Creole French."

Despite being a star of zydeco music, Ledet grew up listening to classic rock like ZZ Top and Santana in rural Louisiana. Her parents tried to expose her to zydeco as a child, but it never appealed to her. Then at the age of 16 she went to a zydeco dance where she met a young musician named Morris Ledet who introduced her to the music.

She was smitten, not only with the music, but also with him and the two later married. But while Morris toured, Rosie stayed home with her ailing mother-in-law and taught herself how to play the accordion. She learned by playing along with recordings of zydeco legends like Boozoo Chavis and John Delafose, until she finally surprised her husband one day by playing a complete Delafose song in front of him.

With her husband's encouragement, she got good enough to join his band. And that's where she debuted her other great talent, her voice. Rosie became the focal point of the band before signing her own record contract with Maison de Soul, a zydeco label in Louisiana. That's when she started recording her own songs. Rosie proved to be a prolific songwriter, releasing seven albums in a little more then ten years. She calls her music "blues with an accent," and her sound features raucous accordion riffs and washboard rhythms.

"Make sure to bring your dance shoes to this show because you'll find it hard to stay in your seat," said Swan.

Concerts at the zoo help support the California condor conservation program. Concertgoers can do even more to help save endangered species through the zoo's Future For Wildlife Fund by adding $1 to their ticket price.

Wells Fargo has been sponsoring the summer concert series since 1996 as part of its community support activities. Earlier this year Northwest Business for Culture and the Arts honored Wells Fargo as the leading corporate supporter of arts and culture in Oregon in 2004.

The concert series is also sponsored by The Oregonian A&E with promotional support from Oregon Public Broadcasting.

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July 1, 2005
INDIGO GIRLS GET WILD JULY 17
Revered folk-rock duo rock the zoo

PORTLAND, Ore.-There are only two of them, but the Indigo Girls have been important figures both in the revitalization of folk-rock and in the rise of women musicians that began in the late 80s and reached ascendance in the 90s with events like the Lilith Fair Tour. They are still as relevant as ever and perform at the Oregon Zoo as part of the Wells Fargo Summer Concert Series on Sunday, July 17 with special guest Girlyman.  

Emily Saliers and Amy Ray first met while in high school in Georgia and took their music with them to the University of Georgia, where they were part of the early 80s scene in Athens tha