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January 23, 2006
CRITICALLY ILL AMUR LEOPARD CONDITION WORSENS, VETS DECIDE TO EUTHANIZE
PORTLAND, Ore.-Monday morning, Oregon Zoo veterinarians euthanized Andrea, the female Amur leopard, who was suffering from an aggressive form of terminal cancer. Her vets and zookeepers were by her side when she died. The staff is deeply saddened by her passing.

"Andrea took a sudden turn for the worse this weekend," said zoo Veterinarian Mitch Finnegan. She hadn't eaten in the past four days and her quality of life had become extremely poor. It was clear that she was in pain and the only humane thing to do was to euthanize her."

In late December, zoo veterinarians performed exploratory surgery on Andrea, which revealed a uterine tumor that had apparently eroded through the wall of the uterus and seeded her abdominal cavity with tumor cells. Because the tumor shed millions of cells into her abdominal cavity, she had a carpet of tumor cells growing on all of the surfaces in her abdomen, including her intestines, liver, spleen; a condition known as peritoneal carcinomatosis. Examination of her uterus and ovaries after they were removed showed that she also had ovarian cancer involving one ovary.

Gilbert Gomez, assistant curator, reflected on the loss of Andrea, "You always try not to get too attached to an animal, but Andrea forced us to break that rule. There's something very special about being able to achieve the level of trust we've gotten from her. She's a constant reminder of why we got into caring for animals."

Andrea's remains will undergo a post-mortem examination known as a necropsy.

"Andrea could help improve the understanding of cancer in leopards," said Gomez. "Studying her remains can provide insight about this horrible disease. Through a comprehensive necropsy, we hope to discover clues on how we can improve the health and welfare of the world's few remaining Amur leopards."

Andrea and her brother Frederick arrived at Oregon Zoo in April 2000 from Colorado Springs Zoo. The pair's arrival was considered an opening move in returning big cats to the zoo after major exhibit construction necessitated the removal of the old feline building.

The lifespan of an Amur leopard in captivity is normally 19 years. Native to eastern Russia, they are considered highly endangered with only about 60 to 100 left in the wild.

Also known as the Manchurian or Korean leopard, the species has slowly drifted over from its original Korea habitat to China and finally to eastern Russia where zoologists say it is making a last stand.  Its habitat today is usually mountainous along the Amur River valley of Siberia where habitat destruction and loss of prey species has heavily reduced its numbers.

Amur leopards are mostly nocturnal and are "opportunistic" hunters, taking whatever kind of prey they can handle. Deer and boar are major food favorites.  Adults usually weigh between 75 and 100 pounds and stand about 3 feet high.  Like their African cousins, the Amur leopards have a yellowish, tawny coat with many spots that are widely spaced rosettes with thick borders. The Russian leopards, however, have a more intense coloring and longer fur, so they can survive in their normally cold and snowy areas.

Metro President David Bragdon will oversee the hedgehog festivities in the zoo's entry plaza on Thursday, February 2 at 10 a.m. Zoo volunteers will assist with the hedgehog's emergence. Will a shadow be cast, or will Portland enjoy an early spring?

"The groundhog is a relative newcomer to the prognosticating game," commented Bragdon. "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."

Zoo visitors can take home their very own hedgehog. Cascade Outfitters, the zoo's gift shop, will feature hedgehog merchandise during Hedgehog Day.

Oregon Zoo Keeper Amy Cutting will lead the tour to the Galapagos Islands June 1 - 12, 2006. Charles Darwin used the Galapagos Islands, located six hundred miles off the coast of Ecuador, as his living laboratory to gather evidence for the theory of evolution.

"I can't wait to see a Galapagos tortoise up close," says Cutting. "For some reason, these creatures don't fear humans and they will let you get within a few feet to take pictures."

Besides Galapagos tortoises, tour participants will also observe birds of all sizes and colors, such as the masked, red and blue-footed boobies, as well as have the opportunity to swim and snorkel among sea lions, fur seals, sea turtles and penguins,

Oregon Zoo Deputy Director Mike Keele, an elephant expert who has traveled extensively in Africa, will lead the Botswana tour. The tour, which takes place November 7 - 18, 2006, is timed to take advantage of the flooding of the Okavango Delta in northern Botswana.

"Water is life on the African savanna and the Okavango Delta is rich in both," Keele says. "Visiting in November, we'll be there after mating season when mothers will have newborn youngsters following them around."

Each year, after the annual rainy season, the Delta floods and animals from across the savanna flock there to mate and raise their young along the plentiful banks of the delta waters. Tour participants can join the stampede and witness this annual migration as part of an eleven-day excursion with the zoo.

The list of animals that tourists may observe range from antelope to zebras, including lions, hyenas, buffalo, leopards, cheetahs, giraffe, and plenty of elephants.

To RSVP for the complimentary informative evening, call 503-220-5770 or e-mail lamoras@metro.dst.or.us by Friday, January 20.  Information about the preview and tours are also available on the zoo's web site at http://www.oregonzoo.org/Involved/travel.htm.

January 10, 2006
LAST CHANCE TO DISCOVER COSTA RICAN RAINFOREST DURING ZOO TOUR
Deadline to sign up for February 11-19 tour is Wednesday, January 18.
PORTLAND, Ore.-The call of a macaw resonates through the forest canopy, and a monkey responds with a short, high-pitched squeal. As a mist descends among the trees, you move further into the canopy across a skybridge through the Monteverde Cloud Forest. It's just one of the many magical stops you'll make during a journey into the rich tropical forests of Costa Rica with the Oregon Zoo. But for travelers interested in going, the deadline to sign up is Wednesday, January 18.

Oregon Zoo Director Tony Vecchio, an avid birder, will lead the nine-day excursion, February 11-19, 2006, into the rich tropical forests of Costa Rica. Vecchio will be joined by one of Costa Rica's premier birder naturalists, Rudy Zamora. Together, their expertise will illuminate your journey into these unique ecosystems.

The adventure begins with a spectacular aerial tram ride through the tree tops of the virgin tropical forest of Braulio Carillo National Park. Experience a bird's-eye view of the wildlife and plants like orchids and bromeliads, which have adapted to this hanging world high up in the trees in their search for light and space.

Explore Tortuguero National Park by boat and see one of Costa Rica's richest regions of biological diversity and wildlife. Spending two nights at the Evergreen Lodge in the middle of Tortuguero, you'll watch nature's circus as spider and howler monkeys frolic overhead.

At Arenal Volcano, indulge yourself at the Tabacon Hot Springs Spa & Resort. The resort is supplied with water heated from the volcano, which cascades down waterfalls and forms pools in the lush tropical gardens of the resort. Then, spend the night at the Arenal Observatory Lodge, established by the Smithsonian Institute to observe the volcano.

Continue to the Monteverde Cloud Forest for a truly mystical experience. A network of bridges and trails intersects through the canopy of the cloud forest-allowing you to literally walk among the treetops. Discover the many birds and plants that inhabit this unique ecosystem, and maybe even spot a monkey. The adventurous can even try out the Sky Trek, which includes an exhilarating ride on the zip lines strung through the forest canopy.

At Sarchi, barter for some of Costa Rica's colorful handicrafts before heading on to the capital, San Jose. Explore the vibrancy of Costa Rica's largest city before a farewell dinner at your hotel.

You can extend your adventure with three days at gorgeous Tamarindo Beach, staying at one of the most exclusive hotels in Costa Rica. From snorkeling, sailing and fishing to canopy tours, jungle boat rides and horseback riding, Tamarindo is the perfect finale for your Costa Rica escape.

The package trip to Costa Rica costs $2,895 per person, including airfare from Portland. The three-day extension to Tamarindo costs an additional $695 per person.

For complete itinerary and registration information, e-mail lloydk@metro.dst.or.us or call 503-220-5707. Sign up deadline is January 18, 2006.

Zoo Director Tony Vecchio is pleased by the community support.

"We continue to attract large audiences because of our commitment to always offer new exhibits and new things to do and see at the zoo," says Vecchio. "Even our membership program is busting out at the seams with a record number of members. Any way you look at it, it's been a terrific year."

Vecchio believes the zoo will continue to attract more visitors because of its commitment to offer new exhibits and programs.

This spring and summer the zoo brings will unveil four new exhibits, including ocelots from South America, Egyptian spiny mice, warty pigs and cougars. Coming in 2007, the zoo will open black bears and bobcats.

The first time the zoo's attendance topped one million was during the 1962-63 fiscal year, when Packy was born. The pachyderm's birth brought in 1,010,964 spectators from all over the Northwest eager to see the first baby elephant born in the United States in 44 years. It wasn't until 1989 that the zoo broke the one million mark again. Since then, the zoo has welcomed more than a million guests in 13 of the last 15 years.

The zoo's fiscal calendar ends June 30, and the zoo publicizes its fiscal year attendance in July. Last fiscal year, the zoo achieved its second best fiscal year attendance with 1,331,282 visitors. Fiscal year 2000/2001 was the zoo's best year with 1,367,940 visitors. During fiscal year 2000/2001, the zoo opened the multi-million dollar Steller Cove exhibit.

The Oregon Zoo continues to have the highest attendance of any fee-based tourist attraction in Oregon. Only Multnomah Falls, which does not charge an admission fee, has more annual visitors.

Exploratory surgery on the 14-year-old revealed a uterine tumor that had apparently eroded through the wall of the uterus and seeded her abdominal cavity with tumor cells. Because the tumor shed millions of cells into her abdominal cavity, she has a carpet of tumor cells growing on all of the surfaces in her abdomen, including her intestines, liver, spleen; a condition known as peritoneal carcinomatosis. Examination of her uterus and ovaries after they were removed showed that she also had ovarian cancer involving one ovary.

According to Finnegan, wild animals instinctively mask symptoms of illness to avoid appearing weak and therefore vulnerable. Unfortunately, often by the time the illness is discovered, the disease may be advanced. Having experienced keepers who know their animals well offers the best chance of catching diseases early enough to do something.

"Unfortunately, in Andrea's case, effective treatment is not available," said Finnegan. "We are treating her to keep her comfortable and as pain-free as possible. Our plan is to control her discomfort as well as we can and to euthanize her when we can no longer maintain her quality of life. "

The lifespan of an Amur leopard in captivity is normally 19 years. Native to eastern Russia, they are considered highly endangered with only about 60 to 100 left in the wild.

"Big cats are so popular, not only with our visitors, but with our staff and volunteers as well, that everyone gets extremely attached," said Oregon Zoo Director Tony Vecchio, "Her loss will be felt not just here locally, but world-wide due to the critically endangered status of this species. "

Andrea and her brother Frederick arrived at Oregon Zoo in April 2000 from Colorado Springs Zoo. The pair's arrival was considered an opening move in returning big cats to the zoo after major exhibit construction necessitated the removal of the old feline building.

Also known as the Manchurian or Korean leopard, the species has slowly drifted over from its original Korea habitat to China and finally to eastern Russia where zoologists say it is making a last stand.  Its habitat today is usually mountainous along the Amur River valley of Siberia where habitat destruction and loss of prey species has heavily reduced its numbers.

Amur leopards are mostly nocturnal and are  "opportunistic" hunters, taking whatever kind of prey they can handle. Deer and boar are major food favorites.  Adults usually weigh between 75 and 100 pounds and stand about 3 feet high.

Like their African cousins, the Amur leopards have a yellowish, tawny coat with many spots that are widely spaced rosettes with thick borders. The Russian leopards, however, have a more intense coloring and longer fur, so they can survive in their normally cold and snowy areas.