Oregon Zoo - Portland, OR - www.oregonzoo.org
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Oregon Zoo - Portland, OR - www.oregonzoo.org |
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Press
Kits: Press
Releases: NOTE: Dates indicate date of press release, not the date of the event.
February
28, 2006 PORTLAND, Ore. - Animal lovers who've wished for a closer look at some of the Oregon Zoo's animals, can take advantage of Behind the Scenes Encounters. These programs provide up-close and personal experiences and an insider's view into the lives of the zoo's most interesting inhabitants.
Many of the encounters involve helping with the Oregon Zoo's innovative and internationally renowned animal enrichment program. Enrichment is designed to keep the animals mentally and physically active, just as they are in the wild. "Enrichment activities are designed to keep animals moving and thinking - and they're a blast to watch," says Charis Henrie, education program coordinator. Behind the Scenes Encounters are enriching for zoo visitors as well, creating an appreciation for animals through one-of-a-kind experiences. Participants learn about the animals through personal interactions. Encounter offerings change quarterly, so there is always something new to see and do at the zoo. VIP BEHIND THE SCENES ENCOUNTERS These 90-minute tours led by zookeepers, allow close and personal encounters with zoo animals. Prices are $85 for zoo members and $100 for nonmembers. VIP Encounter participants must be 14 or older. Elephant
VIP Encounter, Saturday, April 22, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Giraffe
VIP Encounter, Saturday, May 20, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Steller
Cove VIP Encounter, Saturday, June 10, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. BEHIND THE SCENES ENCOUNTERS These tours allow a visit to "staff only" areas around the zoo and a chance to see exhibits from the other side of the railing. Participants will learn how the animal-care staff keeps animals happy and healthy. Questions are answered during the one-hour tour as guests discover the rewards and challenges of caring for wild animals. Behind the Scenes Encounters are for guests ages 12 and older. Prices are $34 for zoo members and $40 for nonmembers. Feline
Encounter, Saturday, April 29, 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Penguin
Encounter, Sunday, April 30, 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Bear Encounter,
Saturday, May 13, 10 a.m.-11 a.m. FAMILY ENCOUNTERS Behind the Scenes Family Encounters allow children ages 8-13 (accompanied by an adult) to go behind closed doors and meet zoo staff. During the hour-long tours, children and their parents discover the rewards and challenges of caring for wild animals. Member prices for family encounters are $25 per person; nonmember prices are $30 per person. There is a two-person minimum for family encounters, and all children must be accompanied by an adult. Grizzly
Family Encounter, Saturday, March 18, 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Sea Otter
Family Encounter, Sunday, May 7, 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Elephant
Painting Family Encounter, Sunday, June 4, 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Amazon Flooded
Forest Family
Encounter, Saturday, June
24, 10 a.m.-11 a.m. For more information, please visit www.oregonzoo.org/Education/adults/adults_behindScenes.htm or call 503-220-2781. Gift certificates for Behind the Scenes Encounters are also available. February
24, 2006 PORTLAND, Ore.- When school's out, the fun and learning don't have to stop. Oregon Zoo is throwing a Primate Party March 10- and since people are primates too, everyone is invited! Beginning at 10 a.m., zoo visitors and campers attending the zoo's School's Out Camp can watch the zoo's orangutans, chimpanzees and mandrills "party hearty" with gift-wrapped presents and cardboard houses chock-full of delicious treats stuffed inside the doors and windows.
The zoo's new School's Out Camp for first- through fifth-grade students includes activities such as guided trips through the zoo that allow kids to explore various areas in detail. In addition, touchable animals are on hand to make special visits to campers each day. Games, crafts and stories with zoo animal themes add to the daily experiences. Camp hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m., and early drop-off (8 a.m.) and late pick up (6 p.m.) are available. Campers must pack a lunch each day they attend. The cost is $32 per camper per day. Zoo members' tuition is discounted to $27 per camper per day. Proceeds help fund the zoo's conservation programs. For registration or more information about School's Out Camp, call 503-220-2781. The scheduled enrichment activities are open to the general public, and anyone can watch the animals receive their special enrichment treats. February
24, 2006 PORTLAND, Ore.-Tama, the Oregon Zoo's most prolific California condor, produced an egg late last week. The egg was laid Feb. 16 at the zoo's Jonsson Center for Wildlife Conservation. The rare condor egg is the first produced in Oregon this season.
Condor keepers waited until Tama had left the nest room before examining her egg. "When she went outdoors, we quickly dropped the door behind her, did our work, then raised the door," said Shawn St. Michael, assistant condor curator. "She was back on her egg within minutes. The egg looked great. It has a thick shell, with no flaws or thin spots." If all continues to go well, condor keepers will leave the egg with Tama and Mandan for 7-10 days of natural incubation, then remove the egg to check its viability. If it is determined to be viable, keepers will double-clutch the egg, meaning they will incubate it artificially in hopes the condors produce another egg. Once removed, the artificially incubated egg will be monitored until it almost hatches, then placed with its foster condor parents. If Tama produces a second egg, the new egg will be allowed to stay with her and her mate for natural parent rearing. The zoo's Jonsson Center for Wildlife Conservation is located in Clackamas County on Metro-owned open space. The remote facility is designed to minimize the exposure of young condors to people in order to increase the chances for captive-hatched birds to survive and breed in the wild. Oregon Zoo joined the prestigious California Condor Recovery Program in 2003. The zoo currently has 16 condors and released one condor to the wild last year. The 16 condors came from team members at the Los Angeles Zoo, San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park and the Peregrine Fund's World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise, Idaho. The Oregon facility's goal is to eventually produce up to 32 young a year. The condor recovery goal is to establish a captive population of 150 birds and two separate wild populations of condors, one in California and the other in Arizona. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Condor Recovery Program coordinate and implement the recovery program and provide oversight of all program partners. Wild condors were last seen in Oregon in 1904, near the southwest town of Drain. Condors held out a little longer in California, but by 1987 only 27 birds were left. In an attempt to save the species, biologists removed the remaining condors from the wild and placed them in 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. Today, there are 273 California condors in captivity and the wild. Thousands of years ago, condors were plentiful in Oregon. Archaeologists 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. It was considered a helper to the native peoples and a key character in many myths. February
21, 2006 PORTLAND, Ore.-Animal lovers who've wished for a closer look at some of the Oregon Zoo's animals can take advantage of the zoo's Behind the Scenes Encounter program. Sea otters will be featured during the next Behind the Scenes Encounter, Sunday, Feb. 26, at 10 a.m.
"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). For more information or to register, visit www.oregonzoo.org/Education/adults/adults_behindScenes.htm. February
15, 2006 PORTLAND, Ore.-When school's out, the fun and learning don't have to stop. Oregon Zoo has scheduled enriching animal activities and fun camps on Feb. 20-22 and March 10. "We understand that parents and kids need options on days when school's out," said Rex Ettlin, education program coordinator. "Visitors can bring their families to the zoo and check out our animal enrichment activities or have their kids join in the fun during our School's Out Camp." Animal enrichment activities are themed by the day.
It's fish-eating time at the zoo! Beginning at 11 a.m., visitors and campers can check out the zoo's slender-snouted crocodile as it devours some fish. It's a sight to see. At 2 p.m., the Steller sea lions and southern sea otters get fishy treats, and at 2:45 p.m., the penguins do their water ballet while gobbling up "herring from heaven." Hang
Time It's not just the chimps and orangutans that hang around at the zoo; the sun bears do, too. At 1 p.m., the sun bears get hanging fruit baskets and buckets, which they'll bat around to tease out the delicious treats inside. At 1:30 p.m., the Egyptian fruit bats, Rodriguez flying foxes and straw-colored fruit bats all receive fruity treats hung from vines in their bat cave. Hide-and-Go-Treat Everyone has heard of hide-and-go-seek, right? The zoo changes the rules and has campers hiding treats inside the grizzly bear exhibit! Yikes! Of course, the grizzly is safely behind the scenes when the kids are in the exhibit. At 1 p.m., campers and general visitors watch as the grizzly bear searches for his delicious treats. This enrichment mentally challenges the bear and helps encourage him to hunt for his lunch. It's a Primate Party at the zoo - and since zoo visitors and campers are primates too, everyone is invited! Beginning at 10 a.m., visitors and campers can watch the zoo's orangutans, chimpanzees and mandrills" party hearty" with gift-wrapped presents and cardboard houses chock-full of delicious treats stuffed inside the doors and windows. Parents who are unable to attend with their children can take advantage of the zoo's new School's Out Camp for first- through fifth-grade students. Campers get an insider's view of the scheduled enrichment. Campers may choose to attend one or all of the days. Camp activities include guided trips through the zoo that allow kids to explore various areas in detail. In addition, touchable animals are on hand to make special visits to campers each day. Games, crafts and stories with zoo animal themes add to the daily experiences. Camp hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m., and early drop-off (8 a.m.) and late pick up (6 p.m.) are available. Campers must pack a lunch each day they attend. The cost is $32 per camper per day. Zoo members' tuition is discounted to $27 per camper per day. Proceeds help fund the zoo's conservation programs. For registration or more information about School's Out Camp, call 503-220-2781. The scheduled enrichment activities are open to the general public, and anyone can watch the animals receive their special enrichment treats. February
14, 2006 PORTLAND,
Ore.-Dr. Jane Lubchenco, co-chair of Gov. Ted Kulongoski's Advisory
Group on Global Warming and a leading marine biologist in
Oregon, speaks about coastal ecosystems and climate change on Tuesday,
Feb. 28, at 7 p.m. at the Oregon Zoo. Lubchenco's lecture, titled "Climate
Change: Rocky Shores to Open Oceans," is the first of the 2006
Wildlife Conservation Lecture Series, presented by Pro Photo Supply.
This year's series focuses on Pacific Northwest conservation efforts. "We've always taken a special interest in the health of coastal ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest," said Oregon Zoo Director Tony Vecchio. "We've long promoted Sea Otter Awareness Week and the Seafood Watch program. This fascinating lecture is another way we can educate the public about the importance of our coastal environment and its fragility." During her lecture, Lubchenco describes her current research on intertidal shores and near-shore ecosystems and their indications of global climate change. Stunning photos from Lubchenco's fieldwork along the Oregon coast and in the Pacific help illustrate the vast complexities of these surprisingly fragile worlds. "She dramatically shows us how these coastal ecosystems are revealing global changes in our climate," said Vecchio. Along with her husband, Bruce, Lubchenco leads an interdisciplinary team of scientists who study the near-shore portion of the marine ecosystem off the coasts of Washington, Oregon and California. Their team includes members from Hopkins Marine Station, run by Stanford University, as well as researchers from the University of California at Santa Barbara and at Santa Cruz. In addition, Lubchenco is Wayne and Gladys Valley Professor of Marine Biology and Distinguished Professor of Zoology at Oregon State University. In addition to her research work, Lubchenco serves as president of the International Council for Science, the first woman president in the 70-year history of the organization. She is currently serving her second term on the National Science Board, having twice been chosen by President Bill Clinton and twice confirmed by the U.S. Senate. She is also an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences and is a foreign member of the Royal Society of London. The Wildlife Conservation Lecture Series is presented by Pro Photo Supply and receives additional support from New Belgium Brewing, Southwest Airlines, Portland General Electric and Shiels Obletz Johnsen. Hosts for the series are the Audubon Society of Portland, Oregon Zoo and the World Forestry Center. Lectures will be held in the Oregon Zoo's Banquet Center and begin at 7 p.m. Cost for each lecture: $10 for non-members; $8 for members of host organizations, students or seniors. The motivation for this series is the hope that community knowledge will be raised in the areas of wildlife conservation, environmental problems and ecological systems. The Wildlife Conservation Lecture Series continues with lectures in March, April and May. Upcoming lectures include: On March 28, Dr. Dennis Paulson, director emeritus of the University of Puget Sound's Slater Museum of Natural History, offers a glimpse into Pacific Northwest shorebird biology in his lecture titled "Travelers on the Wind: The Coming and Going of Shorebirds." On April 25, bear biologist Chris Morgan shares his many adventures in a lecture titled "Grizzly Bears of the North Cascades." Morgan discusses the history and recovery process of the grizzly bear population in the North Cascades, highlighting bear behavior and safety issues in bear country. He also tackles human misperceptions of bears. The series concludes on May 30, when conservation biologist Dennis Sizemore presents his lecture titled "The Taku River: A Generation With the Taku River Tlingit First Nation." Sizemore talks about the importance of establishing mutual trust with native peoples when working on conservation projects, and how large-scale wilderness preservation and community development is not always mutually exclusive. February
13, 2006 PORTLAND, Ore.-A biologist tracks a grizzly bear along the coast of British Columbia on his motorcycle, while a scientist researching a fragile coastal ecosystem off the Oregon coast discovers evidence of global climate change. These scientists and others will speak at the Oregon Zoo as part of the Wildlife Conservation Lecture Series, presented by Pro Photo Supply. The Wildlife Conservation Lecture Series highlights wildlife biologists, ecologists and educators whose dedication to conservation and research has an impact on wildlife and habitat conservation from southeastern Alaska to the coastal waters of northern California. On Feb. 28, Dr. Jane Lubchenco presents her lecture, "Climate Change: Rocky Shores to Open Oceans." Using spectacular photos, Lubchenco describes the current research on coastal ecosystems and their indications of global climate change. Her extensive fieldwork along the Oregon coast and in the Pacific illustrates the complexities of these fragile worlds. Lubchenco serves as the Wayne and Gladys Valley Professor of Marine Biology and Distinguished Professor of Zoology at Oregon State University. Among her many leadership roles, Lubchenco is president of the International Council for Science, director of SeaWeb, and a member of both the National Science Board and the National Academy of Sciences. On March 28, Dr. Dennis Paulson, director emeritus of the University of Puget Sound's Slater Museum of Natural History, offers a glimpse into Pacific Northwest shorebird biology in his lecture titled "Travelers on the Wind: The Coming and Going of Shorebirds. Paulson shares his insights about sandpipers and plovers, their role in the coastal ecosystem and threats to their survival. Paulson has authored numerous scientific and general audience publications on birds and dragonflies, including Shorebirds of North America: The Photographic Guide, published by Princeton University Press in 2005. Paulson taught vertebrate zoology at the University of Puget Sound for more than a decade and currently leads the Seattle Audubon's Master Birder program.
On May 30, conservation biologist Dennis Sizemore presents his lecture titled "The Taku River: A Generation With the Taku River Tlingit First Nation." The Taku River in northwestern British Columbia and southeastern Alaska is the largest pristine wilderness salmon system in North America, and the traditional home of the Taku River Tlingit. Sizemore, executive director for Round River Conservation Studies (RRCS), talks about the importance of establishing mutual trust with native peoples when working on conservation projects. He also discusses how large-scale wilderness preservation and community development is not always mutually exclusive, and how RRCS uses non-invasive techniques to document the Taku bear population. Lastly, he talks about the pristine nature of the Taku and how it presents an uncommon opportunity to study a largely unaltered natural salmon system. Sizemore has worked in conservation for more than 30 years and across four continents. Pro Photo Supply presents the series with additional support from New Belgium Brewing, Southwest Airlines, Portland General Electric, and Shiels Obletz Johnsen. Hosts for the series are Audubon Society of Portland, Oregon Zoo, and World Forestry Center. Lectures will be held in the Oregon Zoo's Banquet Center and begin at 7 p.m. Cost for each lecture: $10 for non-members, $8 for members of host organizations, students or seniors. The motivation for this series is the hope that community knowledge will be raised in the areas of wildlife conservation, environmental problems and ecological systems. February
9, 2006 PORTLAND,
Ore. - Chocolate and roses may be the desired gifts at most houses
on Valentine's Day, but animals at Oregon Zoo have different ideas.
Keepers will do their best not to disappoint as they give Valentine's
Day treats from 10 a.m. to 10:40 a.m. on Tuesday, February 14. Tasty, heart-shaped ice treats filled with Valentine's delicacies will be given to sea otters Thelma and Eddie at 10 a.m. The swamp monkeys will receive heart-shaped boxes containing their favorite Valentine treats (raisins, sunflower seeds, and cereal) at 10:20 a.m. Lastly, the female elephants will each receive a valentine of apples and other fruits and vegetables hidden inside heart-shaped boxes from their favorite keeper at 10:40 a.m. This is the sixth year that the special Valentine's Day enrichment treats have been handed out to zoo residents. The Oregon Zoo is known internationally for its enrichment programs, which mentally stimulate the animals, and provide them with the opportunity to play, hunt and forage. After watching the animals receive their gifts, visitors may enjoy the Valentine's Day dessert special at the zoo's Cascade Grill, or purchase homemade fudge for their valentines in the zoo's gift shop. February
8, 2006 PORTLAND, Ore. - Do you enjoy interacting with people and animals? Oregon Zoo has opportunities for youth and adult volunteers to work at least one 3 1/2-hour shift per week from mid-May to Labor Day in the Winged Wonders butterfly exhibit as ZooAmbassadors.
The zoo is encouraging entire families to volunteer. "Last year several family members volunteered together," commented Tony Vecchio, Oregon Zoo Director. "It's rare for children to be included in these opportunities. It's a unique way to create lasting family memories." The program is designed to extend knowledge about the importance of wildlife conservation, while simultaneously bringing families together. Duties include talking to zoo visitors, insuring the safety of the butterflies, and monitoring the exhibit doors to prevent butterflies from flying away. "I have seen huge changes in the demeanor and communication skills of kids who volunteer," commented Paula McCall, volunteer coordinator. "It's a fun learning experience for everyone involved." There are many benefits to volunteering. ZooAmbassadors will meet people who share similar interests and values; receive free zoo admission and a complimentary train ride; have the opportunity to volunteer at zoo concerts; learn about how to attract local wildlife; and participate in training opportunities only available at the zoo. ZooAmbassadors
will be required to attend one orientation session. After attending
the orientation overview, those that choose to continue
will
receive ten hours of training. The orientation will be offered
on the following days: Please RSVP for the date of your choice by calling 503-220-2783 or e-mail communityvolunteer@metro.dst.or.us. Oregon Zoo has one of the largest zoo volunteer programs in the country. More than 1,700 individuals volunteer more than 143,500 hours per year. The zoo is a service of Metro and is dedicated to its mission to inspire the community to create a better future for wildlife. Committed to conservation, the zoo is currently working to save endangered California condors, Oregon silverspot butterflies, western pond turtles and Kincaid's lupine. Other projects include studies on black rhinos, Asian elephants, polar bears and bats. February
8, 2006 PORTLAND, Ore.-Do you have a green thumb, enjoy outdoor work, and want to learn more about butterfly gardening? Are you interested in native plants, exotic plants, or creating a garden that is attractive to wildlife? The Oregon Zoo's Horticulture Volunteer program is offering an orientation and training for volunteers to work with zoo horticulturists this spring and summer.
Oregon Zoo Horticulture Volunteers may be involved in:
Oregon Zoo's Horticulture Department is a member of the Association of Zoological Horticulture, and as a member is dedicated to the promotion of plant and animal conservation and the advancement of horticulture throughout the region. Oregon Zoo Horticulture Volunteers must be over the age of 18 and commit to 16 hours per month (usually in four hours per week blocks) between 6 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. The greatest need is during weekdays. Oregon Zoo Horticulture Volunteers have an opportunity to make a difference in the community by supporting the zoo's efforts to educate the public about plant and animal conservation. Volunteers meet people who share similar interests and values, receive free zoo admission and can participate in unique training opportunities only available at the zoo. Mandatory orientations sessions are being held Tuesday February 28th at 10:00 am. or Thursday March 2nd at 10:00 am. You need only attend one. To RSVP, please call 503-220-2783. February
7, 2006 PORTLAND, Ore. Teens looking for something wild and exciting to do this summer should consider becoming a ZooTeen at Oregon Zoo. Students entering 9th through 12th grade this fall may apply now through March 1 for this award-winning volunteer program.
"We are the only zoo in the nation that has teenagers supervising teenagers," said Mia Reager, zoo youth volunteer coordinator. "This allows the teens to create a unique environment where they feel they belong; it's a kind of family." ZooTeens gain an insider's view of the zoo and its animals, make new friends, develop leadership skills, gain public speaking skills in a fun environment, handle zoo education animals, and explore career possibilities. ZooTeens apply and go through an interview process, which teaches valuable career skills and prepares them for future job interview situations. "In no other group could you possibly learn so much and have such a great time doing it," said Andrew Eberle, ZooTeen Team Leader, Leadership Corps member and three-year veteran of the program. "Instilling a child with the same passion for animals that you have will forever alter his life." "I have found fabulous friends and learned the rewards of hard work. It has opened doors for me intellectually and socially. The more that you put into it, the more you get out of it," he added. ZooTeens work 11 hours a week, split into two 5 1/2 hour shifts, with two weeks vacation. They receive 21 hours of training. Fifty to 70 ZooTeens may be invited to participate in the winter volunteer program, and 35 of these have the opportunity to become "Team Leaders." These select teens help lead the program on a daily basis. The Team Leader program has received Mutual of Omaha's Wildlife Heritage Center's Award of Excellence twice for youth leadership involvement. Each summer ZooTeens contribute 30,000 hours to the zoo. The program, which is in its 27th year, has had participants from as far away as LaCenter, Wash. and John Day Flats, Ore. For additional ZooTeen information or to apply online, visit the zoo's Web site at www.oregonzoo.org, under the heading Volunteer/teen/ZooTeen or call 503-220-2449. February
7, 2006 PORTLAND,
Ore.-What do you give animals for Valentine's Day? Oregon Zoo Keeper
Amy Cutting will answer that question
as she shares her animal expertise with
dinner guests at the zoo's Dine & Discover event Tuesday, February 14. As the zoo's special expert working with the Volunteer Enrichment Team, Cutting arranges interesting tasks, wild-like treats and challenging toys for the zoo's residents. "We care deeply about our animals, and naturally want to see them remain healthy and content," said Cutting. "We've discovered that by providing enriching activities that give them the opportunity to do the kinds of things they would normally do in the wild, it improves the quality of their life significantly." A multi-course feast will accompany Cutting's presentation. The menu plays off the enrichment theme, particularly the enrichment activity of hidden "treats." Zoo Executive Chef Paul Warner will please palates with delectable hors d'oeuvres and four courses, including a main dish of almond crusted chicken breast filled with brie and tart cherries, vegetable pick up sticks, and potato toys. Wine is provided courtesy of E. & J. Gallo Winery. Dine & Discover is a series of four intimate food and wine experiences representing world regions and fascinating animals. Each evening starts with a reception featuring delectable appetizers. The meal is a masterpiece of regional fare created by Warner and is accompanied by a presentation from a zoo staff member on the animals being highlighted. The final Dine & Discover of the series takes place on Tuesday, April 11, 2006, and promises to be exotic, educational, and delicious.
Net proceeds benefit The Oregon Zoo Foundation's Future for Wildlife program. Future for Wildlife annually offers grants to support projects that directly contribute to the survival of animal populations in the wild. Projects funded in the past include repairs to the perimeter wall of the Humboldt penguin reserve in Punta San Juan, Peru; development of an environmental education program on Rodrigues, Mauritius; and a survey of endangered turtles in Hainan, China. February
2, 2006 Metro President, David Bragdon oversaw the hedgehog festivities with dozens of children at the zoo on field trips According to Bragdon, "The groundhog is a relative new comer to the prognosticating game. Historically the hedgehog was used in this centuries-old European tradition but immigrants to North America discovered there were no hedgehogs in their new homeland. They substituted the groundhog, but being purists, we're going back to the original critter," he added. The school children helped Ke "determine" if she saw her shadow. "They searched for the shadow, but the cloud cover made it impossible," said Bragdon. February
2, 2006 PORTLAND,
Ore.-The Oregon Zoo's ZooDoo program has gotten some "poop
promotion" in the form of a new onsite composting facility.
The new facility, with its special aeration system, is the first
of its
kind at any zoo in the Pacific Northwest. The facility will process
more than
2,000,000 pounds of elephant and herbivore manure each year. Construction of the new composting facility was made possible through a $10,000 sustainability grant from the Metro Environmental Action Team (ENACT), which coordinates environmental efforts and oversees an annual sustainability grant program for Metro facilities. Metro Solid Waste and Recycling added $30,000 (and suggested the zoo utilize the state-of-the-art aeration method), while the zoo provided the remaining funds. Total project cost was nearly $90,000. ZooDoo, a multi-species herbivore manure, will be composted at the new facility, and the majority of the finished product will be used by zoo horticulture staff on grounds. The remainder will be shared with the zoo's neighboring agencies such as Hoyt Arboretum and Washington Park. Metro and other agencies can still request fresh ZooDoo to compost at their own site; such requests should be directed to the zoo's Horticultural Supervisor Linda Coady Richardson. The zoo has suspended the sale of ZooDoo to the public through Best Buy, but will notify the public through the zoo's Web site if that changes. At one point, the zoo was paying $22,000 per year to have animal waste hauled away. "We used to pay to have our manure removed and recycled by others, now we will reuse it and save a lot of money every year," said Richardson, who anticipates that the zoo will need plenty of compost material next year. The new composting facility utilizes two covered structures over two 260 square foot bays. The bays include a forced airflow system to maintain an EPA standard composting environment. This airflow helps maintain compost temperature and aerobic conditions through each compost pile, while reducing odor.
The new composting facility is part of the zoo's ongoing conservation and sustainability efforts. Out of the 2.4 million pounds of waste generated last year, over 1.5 million of it was diverted from the waste stream through recycling or composting. Compared with the national rate of 30 percent and the statewide rate of 48 percent, the zoo recycles or reuses 65 percent of its waste. "Oregon Zoo has long implemented a number of recycling programs," Councilor Newman said. "The zoo has recycling stations in both visitor and staff areas, and tries to provide more earth-friendly options where possible, such as reusable flatware in the Cascade Grill. The new composting facility is yet another example of our zoo's dedication to conservation and preservation of the environment."
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Guests explore
areas not normally accessible to the public and learn about the animals
directly from zoo staff. Some encounters
even offer
hands-on activities with the animals, creating memories that will
last a lifetime.
"We understand that parents and kids need options on days when school's
out," said Rex Ettlin, education program coordinator. "Visitors
can bring their families to the zoo and check out our animal enrichment
activities or have their kids join in the fun during our School's Out
Camp."
On Feb.
16, Tama and her mate, Mandan, started making nest switches,
and condor keepers suspected she had laid her egg. They were
unable to confirm until Feb. 17, because Tama was nesting in the
one spot
not covered by a video surveillance camera.
Guests will be introduced to the zoo's Southern
sea otters, Eddie and Thelma,
and have the opportunity to outsmart the curious duo with enrichment puzzles.
They'll also learn what challenges the zoo staff faces in keeping the animals'
inquisitive minds and agile paws busy, as well as how natural curiosity
can help and hurt sea otters in the wild.
Gone
Fishin' 
Primate
Party
On April
25, bear biologist Chris Morgan shares his many adventures in a lecture
titled "Grizzly Bears of the North
Cascades." Morgan
discusses the history and recovery process of the grizzly bear population
in the North Cascades, highlighting bear behavior and safety issues in
bear country. He also tackles human misperceptions of bears. Morgan is
currently director of Insight Wildlife Management and co-director of
the Grizzly Bear Outreach Project located in Bellingham, Wash.
ZooAmbassadors
will provide general animal and exhibit information to visitors, while
spending time
with colorful butterflies in the butterfly
garden. Ambassadors 15 and older can volunteer on their own, while
people between the ages of 10 and 14 can volunteer with a parent.
The Oregon
Zoo Horticulture Volunteer orientations are Tuesday February 28th at
10:00 am. or Thursday March
2nd at 10:00 am.
ZooTeens
present animals to visitors, help keepers with the care and feeding
of pettable animals,
go on a behind-the-scenes tour with keepers,
and manage the pygmy goat kraal-run solely by teens. Some ZooTeens,
with additional training, give animal presentations and serve as junior
camp counselors at zoo day camps.
The
cost for each Dine & Discover evening is $75 per
person, or $500 per table of eight. Seating is limited to those with
reservations. To make reservations,
call 503-220-2492. Guests must be 21 years of age or older.
PORTLAND,
Ore.-Pennsylvania's "Punxsutawney Phil" may get more
press, but this morning the original predictor of spring-the hedgehog-had
its say on whether or not we're in for an early spring. The verdict?
The little spiny critter searched and searched for her shadow but
wasn't able to find it, meaning an early spring in the Northwest.
Metro
Councilor Brian Newman gave his support to the composting facility project. "The
zoo is a member of our community just like everyone else," Newman said. "It's
good to know that not only does the zoo go about the daily business of caring
for exotic animals from
disappearing
habitats elsewhere in the world, it also continually makes
changes to ease its impact on the local environment, too."