Oregon Zoo April 2007 Press Releases

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NOTE: Dates indicate date of press release, not the date of the event.

April 2007

April 27 - Bowlers Hit the Lanes to Help Endangered Rhinos
April 27 - Students Bring 'Legomania' to Oregon Zoo
April 25 - Local Breweries Pour It On At First 'ZooBrew'
April 25 - Zoo Highlights Importance Of Bear Conservation
April 25 - Tickets On Sale For Wells Fargo Summer Concerts At The Zoo
April 24 - Thelma, The Miracle Otter, Reunited With Mate
April 23 - Mothers Of All Kinds Honored At The Oregon Zoo
April 19 - Oregon Zoo Launches 'Habitat Begins At Home' Campaign
April 18 - Oregon Zoo's First California Condor Chick of 2007 Hatches
April 13 - Elephantastic Celebration Features Packy's 45th Birthday
April 12 - Kids Prepare Packy's Cake For The Big Guy's 45th Birthday
April 12 - Rare Baby Penguin Hatched At Zoo
April 11 - Zoo Hosts Safe Kids Day May 5
April 6 - Bowlers Hit The Lanes To Help Endangered Rhinos
April 5 - Portland Photojournalist Documents Global Warming
April 1 - Tusko The Elephant Is Finally Tuskless

April 27, 2007
BOWLERS HIT THE LANES TO HELP ENDANGERED RHINOS
18th Annual 'Bowling for Rhinos' event slated for Sunday, April 29

Bowling for Rhinos, which invites bowlers to step up and help save the world's endangered rhinos, is a national program that has raised more than $2.1 million since its inception. Portland bowlers are responsible for $168,000 of that total, a contribution greater than any other city's.

Bowlers raise funds by gathering tax-deductible pledges. While bowlers are not required to collect pledges in order to participate, they are encouraged to make an effort. A $10 participation fee includes three games of bowling and shoe rental. The Portland event features door prizes and a raffle for a variety of items. Nationally, the top two fund-raisers win a two-week trip to Kenya, and will be the guests of the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.

All of the money raised by Bowling for Rhinos is sent directly to three rhino conservation projects, which protect four species of rhino -- black, white, Javan and Sumatran -- as well as their habitats and hundreds of other endangered plant and animal species.

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Isiolo, Kenya, was the first rhino program supported by the bowling event. Funds from past events have been used to create a 65,000-acre haven for black and white rhinos, in addition to dozens of other species. Funds also have been used to create security patrols dedicated to protecting rhinos, and to purchase an airplane and truck, which are used to spot and relocate animals. The annual cost of operating the conservancy is over $850,000.

Ujung Kulon National Park, 300 square miles in the tropical lowland rain forest on the island of Java, is home to the 50 to 60 remaining Javan rhinos. Funds from Bowling for Rhinos are used to train and maintain rhino patrol units, which protect these endangered animals. The annual operating cost of Ujung Kulon is $100,000.

Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, on the island of Sumatra, is home to the 400 remaining Sumatran rhinos as well as other endangered animals, such as Asian elephants, tigers, clouded leopards and Malayan sun bears. Because of the size (roughly 1,250 square miles) and vulnerability of the park, five rhino patrol units are required. The annual budget for these units is $60,000.

Steve Hash, Africa keeper at the Oregon Zoo and local coordinator for Bowling for Rhinos, noted that globally, all rhino populations are low.

"There are fewer than 3,700 black, 400 Sumatran, and 60 Javan rhinos left in the wild," said Hash. "While populations of white rhinos [estimated to be 11,300] and Indian rhinos [estimated to be 2,400] are more stable, they too are considered threatened. Saving all species of rhino is important, but the most critically endangered species drive our efforts."
Oregon Zoo Director Tony Vecchio is pleased that the zoo's keepers and the greater zoo community have done so much to save rhinos.

"The primary mission of the Oregon Zoo is conservation," said Vecchio. "It's gratifying to see that our staff members believe so strongly in that mission that they've devoted much of their own time and resources to this important effort."

Registration forms for both bowlers and sponsors are available on the zoo's Web site at www.oregonzoo.org. In order to receive sponsor sheets, registration forms must be sent in by April 24. Individuals and teams are encouraged to register early. Walk-ins are welcome, with a $25 suggested donation. Additional information is available by contacting Steve Hash at 503-226-1561, ext. 5255, or by e-mail at portlandaazk@aol.com.

The Oregon Zoo is an accredited member of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association and is working to facilitate a conservation ethic in children and adults alike. Bowling for Rhinos is an event that involves the entire community, and has become a fun tradition for families.

April 27, 2007
STUDENTS BRING 'LEGOMANIA' TO OREGON ZOO
10th-anniversary show highlights Lego inventions by grade-school physicists

PORTLAND, Ore. - Oregon Episcopal School's "Lego Physics" classes present an original display of their computerized Lego masterpieces in the Oregon Zoo's Elephant Museum, May 19-20, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. This is the 10th year the school has displayed its Lego creations, which demonstrate physics principles in a fun and imaginative way.

This year's display, organized around the theme "Pete and Packy Ride the Zoo Train," includes a "Lego Logo Board," bringing together 15 detailed and motorized constructions designed and built by students to honor two of the zoo's most famous residents, Pete the rhino and Packy the elephant. Students will be on hand to operate all their constructions, and visitors can try out highlights such as a remote-controlled bowling rhino, a car that follows a tape line and a Squiggle pen.

"These are great kids building great contraptions," said Jane Kenney-Norberg, Lego physics instructor. "I stress constantly to the kids that they are representing themselves, their families and their school -- and that once they've done a zoo show, people will recognize them out in the real world. That certainly makes them pull it together!"

The display has been designed and constructed entirely by students in the OES's Lego physics classes, which cover several grade levels. Eighty advanced Lego "engineers" ages 8 to 15 will demonstrate what they've built. Many of the designs feature motors, some have programmable bricks, and some are controlled by sensors and computers. New programmable bricks used this year include Lego Mindstorms NXT and PicoCrickets.

"Lego physics" teaches principles of simple mechanics, engineering, computer programming and high-level troubleshooting. Not only do the kids design and build all the constructions, but they devise and execute a "story" -- a way for the systems to work together to present the whole sequence -- using two computers and eight Robolab RCX bricks to program each construction. For the past five years, OES has been invited to the Oregon State Fair in Salem to display its Logo Board, and the fair has already requested a return appearance Aug. 24-25.

The zoo's "Legomania" event is free with regular zoo admission.

April 25, 2007
LOCAL BREWERIES POUR IT ON AT FIRST 'ZOOBREW'
Oregon Zoo launches new Northwest microbrew festival

PORTLAND, Ore. - As a warm spring breeze rustles the Douglas firs, and the elephant herd forages for treats, patrons of the Oregon Zoo wander near the concert lawn, enjoying samples of microbrews from around the Northwest. This is not just a microbrew lover's dream -- it is a reality slated for Saturday, May 19.

ZooBrew, an Oregon Zoo brewers festival, features more than 25 of the area's best microbrews. The event runs from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Organizers emphasize that this is a tasting event, not a drinking event. In accordance with Oregon state law, no one under 21 may attend.

The Lions of Batucada, Sneakin' Out and Anomalous Quintet will perform on the concert lawn, as attendees sample beers and ales along with food provided by Oregon Zoo Catering.

"Patrons can dance the night away, just like at our concert series, as they enjoy the bands and sample the microbrews," said Tony Vecchio, zoo director. "This is going to make a great date night for couples."

Admission is $25, and includes a commemorative glass and 10 tastings. Additional samples are available for $1 each. ZooBrew, sponsored by Willamette Week and TicketsWest, will take place rain or shine. Proceeds from the event will help "bring back the roar" of lions to the zoo and support other ongoing conservation efforts.

"This inaugural Zoo Brew offers craft-beer connoisseurs a unique watering hole at which to sample some great artisan beers," said Kris Terich, Oregon Zoo Foundation special events coordinator. "Where else can you try new microbrews, see exotic animals and help great conservation efforts?"

Participating breweries so far are Amnesia Brewing, BridgePort Brewing Co., Deschutes Brewery, Full Sail Brewing Co., Hair of the Dog Brewing Co., Laurelwood Public House and Brewery, New Old Lompoc Pub and Brewery, Pelican Pub and Brewery, Raccoon Lodge and Brew Pub, Redhook Ale Brewery, Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery, Rogue Ales, Terminal Gravity Brewing Co. and Widmer Brothers Brewing.

ZooBrew is expected to sell out. Tickets are available at www.ticketswest.com, 503-224-TIXX and all TicketsWest ticket centers. If supplies last, tickets may be available at the door for $30.

For more information, contact Kris Terich at 503-220-2492 or kris.terich@oregonzoo.org.

April 25, 2007
ZOO HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF BEAR CONSERVATION
Bear Awareness Week and Bear Fair highlight plight of bears, May 13-19

April 25, 2007
TICKETS ON SALE FOR WELLS FARGO SUMMER CONCERTS AT THE ZOO
Oregon's premier outdoor concert series enters its 29th season; tickets on sale today!

PORTLAND, Ore. -- The rain may still be falling, but the summer sun is on its way -- and with it comes the Oregon Zoo's Wells Fargo Summer Concert Series presented by Fred Meyer.

The unique outdoor series enters its 29th year this summer with concerts running through June, July and August. Tickets go on sale today, April 25, at all TicketsWest locations and at www.oregonzoo.org

This year's "ZooBeat" lineup of internationally known performers includes Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi (June 22), Patty Griffin (July 20), Tower of Power and David Sanborn (Aug. 12), Old Crow Medicine Show (Aug. 17), Keb' Mo' and Robert Cray (Aug. 25), and Rodrigo y Gabriela (Aug. 31).

More ZooBeat dates, as well as 10 additional "World Beat Wednesday" shows, will be announced soon.

Whether you like blues, rock, jazz, folk or country, there is no better outdoor venue than the Oregon Zoo amphitheater, according to Krista Swan, event coordinator.

"Our shows are family friendly and the best place in town to see a variety of world-class artists at reasonable prices," says Swan. "The concert lawn feels as if it's a million miles away from downtown Portland. The giant Douglas fir trees swaying in the breeze, the smell of the barbecue wafting over the lawn and the huge Asian elephants nearby watching the performance -- it's a magical venue! There's no place like it."

In 1979, the Oregon Zoo became the first zoo in the nation to host a summer concert series. Since then, the series has become one of the top outdoor events in the Northwest, and is the region's longest-running outdoor series. Wells Fargo has sponsored the series since 1996.

"Through Wells Fargo's continued support, the zoo is able to bring a variety of nationally renowned musicians to Portland," says Tony Vecchio, zoo director. "Besides being a family-friendly series for the community, a portion of the proceeds helps support endangered species."

Last year, many of the performances sold out, as the series attracted more than 60,000 concertgoers to the zoo and grossed more than $1 million. Net proceeds from the concert series support the zoo's efforts to save threatened and endangered species such as Northwest butterflies, western pond turtles, Washington pygmy rabbits and California condors.

This is Fred Meyer's second year as a presenting sponsor of the series. Since 1977, the company has provided leadership and support to the zoo with sponsorships of Rabbit Romp, WAZOO and the Valentine poetry contests.

"The zoo is very pleased Fred Meyer has provided support for this year's concerts," says Vecchio. "Through Fred Meyer's support, the series will be even more successful and will help fund important outreach programs."

This year's concert series is also co-sponsored by KINK fm 102 and Willamette Week.

All tickets are general admission, with prices ranging from $17 to $22. Ticket prices include zoo admission. All concerts begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

"Concertgoers not only get the unique experience of enjoying the performance alongside the elephants, they have the opportunity to tour the entire zoo before settling in for a great night of music," says Swan.

Tickets will be available online at www.oregonzoo.org, at all TicketsWest ticket outlets, and by calling TicketsWest at 503-224-8499. You can also purchase them at the zoo with no service charge after May 1.

Beginning April 25, Web visitors can view the complete concert schedule, read artists' biographies or purchase tickets by visiting www.oregonzoo.org

WELLS FARGO SUMMER CONCERTS AT THE OREGON ZOO
Presented by Fred Meyer

ZooBeat Concerts

Friday, June 22: Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Soul Stew Revival,
featuring Scrapomatic ..... $21

Friday, July 20: Patty Griffin ..... $19

Sunday, Aug 12: Tower of Power & David Sanborn ..... $22

Friday, Aug 17: Old Crow Medicine Show with the Be Good Tanyas ..... $17

Saturday, Aug 25: Keb' Mo' & Robert Cray ..... $22

Friday, Aug 31: Rodrigo y Gabriela with CéU ..... $18

April 24, 2007
THELMA, THE MIRACLE OTTER, REUNITED WITH MATE
Oregon Zoo sea otter is world's first to undergo lung-removal surgery

PORTLAND, Ore. -- In Karen Rifenbury's mailbox at the Oregon Zoo sits a stack of handmade get-well cards from summer campers. The cards were not made for Rifenbury, a marine life keeper, but for Thelma, one of two sea otters who inhabit the zoo's Steller Cove exhibit. The cards include colorful Magic Marker drawings of Thelma in the hospital, or Thelma with a halo and wings. They say things like "Please get better soon, please!" and "I love you, Thelma" and "Eddie misses you, and he's very lonely."

Last August, the 8-year-old Oregon Zoo sea otter became the first sea otter ever to undergo lung-removal surgery. Today, for the first time since she became ill last summer, Thelma was reunited with Eddie, her mate of many years.

As recently as six months ago, the possibility of such a reunion seemed remote -- no one was even sure whether Thelma would survive.

"Every day was touch and go, both physically and psychologically exhausting," says Rifenbury.

The trouble started on Aug. 7, 2006. Thelma was showing poor diving abilities. Thinking she might be suffering intestinal blockage, keepers monitored her, restricting her to a quarantine pool.

Early in the morning of Aug. 10, Senior Marine Life Keeper JoEllen Marshall showed up to find Thelma having a seizure. Keepers immediately rushed her to the veterinary hospital on zoo grounds. Unsure of what would cause such extreme symptoms, keepers thought perhaps her illness was linked to a toxin in clams she'd been fed. Radiographs were performed and Thelma was released from the hospital.

Back at Steller Cove, Thelma had another seizure, and was taken back to the hospital. At this point her temperature was 106 degrees (average sea otter body temperature is 100 degrees). Because of her high temperature, vets were looking for a bacterial infection in her body. When no such infection was found, they attributed Thelma's elevated temperature to a general difficulty of thermoregulation.

Unlike other marine mammals, sea otters lack an insulating layer of blubber, so they must rely on their thick fur coat and high metabolism to regulate their body temperature in cold water. Conversely, their cold-water environment helps them cool down when they need to. Thelma was being kept dry, out of her normal environment, and this was causing her temperature to rise to dangerous levels.

After Thelma was returned to the hospital that evening, the zoo's Marine Life keepers and veterinary staff began keeping her under 24-hour surveillance, using ice packs to keep her cool, feeding her, administering IV fluids, sedating her to prevent seizures and monitoring her temperature.

Keeping Thelma on 24-hour watch was "probably the biggest emotional, psychological and physical roller coaster that this staff has ever experienced," says Rifenbury. "We'd watch her from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m., then sleep for two hours in the bathroom or wherever we could find a place to put our feet up. Then we'd get up and work our regular schedule," she says.

On Aug. 11, Thelma was given both a CT scan and an MRI, which showed her left lung was completely collapsed. Over the next several days, Thelma stayed at the veterinary hospital, where several failed attempts were made to reinflate her lung. Vets suspected Thelma might have slight tears in the lung.

On Aug. 13, tubes were inserted into her chest cavity, and vet staff and keepers began using syringes to pull air out of her chest. A feeding tube was inserted into her stomach. Thelma still needed to be kept under 24-hour surveillance, and keepers from both Elephants and Africa put in overtime to help out.

The whole experience was "very stressful," says Margot Monti, an Oregon Zoo veterinary technician. "Every day you expected to get the call [that she's dead]," says Monti.

By Aug. 23, vets and keepers were drawing several liters of air off her chest per day. It was clear that Thelma was not responding to treatment. An appointment for lung surgery was set up with Dr. Donna-Lee Taylor, a small-animal surgeon with Northwest Veterinary Specialists.

Little is published about sea otter anatomy, so Oregon Zoo staff decided to call an expert for more information. "Not many sea otters are in captivity, so not much is known about working with them," says Monti.

They e-mailed several sea otter veterinarians, including Dr. Melissa Miller of the California Department of Fish and Game. It was a lucky coincidence that Miller was in the midst of performing a sea otter postmortem exam. She overnighted the sea otter's lung to the Oregon Zoo, allowing Taylor to get a better grasp of sea otter anatomy before performing surgery on Thelma.

On Aug. 24, Taylor performed lung surgery on Thelma. Taylor's original intention was to repair the damaged lung.

"It was like trying to find a leak in a bicycle tire," says Monti.

Keepers were not allowed to attend the surgery, nor did they want to. There was nothing they could do to help. "I've been to every procedure except this one," says Rifenbury. "The last two procedures put enough gray hairs on my head."

During the surgery it became evident that repairing the lung would not be possible, so Taylor made the decision to remove it. Lung-removal surgery had never been performed on a sea otter, a water-diving mammal, and no one knew if she would recover or even survive the surgery.

Thelma stayed in the hospital through Sept. 1, while Oregon Zoo campers showered her with get-well cards. On Sept. 1, Thelma weighed 37 pounds, down from her normal 47. Zoo staff worried that her muscles would be unable to rebuild themselves.

"She looked like a skeleton," says Rifenbury. But over the next several months, Thelma slowly improved, eating up to 12 pounds of food a day.

By Nov. 22, Thelma was "virtually back to normal," says Rifenbury. Marine life keepers allowed her to stay in the quarantine pool overnight, in four feet of water.

On Dec. 13, Thelma went back on exhibit for the first time, and was able to dive to 13 feet. The next step was to reunite her with her mate Eddie. The two had been separated since Thelma first became ill, because of his enthusiastic behavior -- male sea otters often hold females underwater for a period of time during mating.

So how did Thelma survive this ordeal?

"It was an incredible team effort," says Rifenbury. "She has the strongest will to live of any animal I've ever known."

"She's stubborn," adds Monti, with a laugh.

Rifenbury points out a gray streak in Thelma's fur that wasn't there before the surgery.

"I think there's a legend that people who have near-death experiences get gray streaks in their hair," she says. "Thelma crossed over, but she came back."

Found abandoned as pups in 1998, Thelma and Eddie were initially taken to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Sea Otter Research and Conservation Program, where they were deemed not viable as release candidates. The pair came to Portland in 2000 with the opening of the zoo's new Steller Cove exhibit. Six months later, they garnered international attention when Thelma gave birth to Oz, the first southern sea otter pup in the world to be conceived, born and raised by its mother at a zoo or aquarium. Other southern sea otters had been born in zoos or aquariums, but none had survived. Oz now resides at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta.

PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Oregon Zoo is celebrating Mother's Day by naming its 2007 Zoo Mother of the Year, and the public is invited to help choose the winner. This year's finalists are a Brazilian ocelot name Alice, a Humboldt penguin named Bonita and a colobus monkey named Mali. An on-line ballot featuring photos and short biographies of the zoo moms is posted on the zoo's Web site: http://www.oregonzoo.org/Voter/vote_form.cfm

"All three moms are incredibly important to their species, which are either threatened or endangered," said Tony Vecchio, zoo director. "Allowing the public to choose a Zoo Mother of the Year gives us a chance to educate them about the challenges facing these species."

The finalists were selected by zoo employees from an initial list of eight zoo moms.

"Employees really let their emotions show with their votes," said Vecchio. "They not only cast their votes, but write explanations of why their choices should win."

On-line votes will be accepted through Thursday, May 10, at 5 p.m. The zoo will announce the 2007 Zoo Mother of the Year on Friday, May 11.

In addition to honoring mothers from the animal kingdom, a Mother's Day brunch for human moms and their families will take place in the Oregon Zoo's Cascade Crest Banquet Center on Sunday, May 13, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The brunch buffet includes: assorted pastries and quick breads, scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage, made-to-order omelets, penne pasta with Alfredo and roasted vegetables, breakfast potatoes, pancakes with berry compote and maple syrup, as well as assorted salads and desserts. Cost for the brunch is $19.95 for those 12 and older, and $9.50 for ages 3 to 11.

Reservations are highly recommended and can be made by calling 503-525-4299. Zoo admission is not included in the price of the brunch; however, zoo admission is not required to attend the brunch.

ANIMAL BIOGRAPHIES

ALICE

Shortly after arriving at Oregon Zoo in April 2006, 14-year-old Alice and her mate, Ralph, had settled in well enough to produce Rio, who was born Sept. 14, 2006.

"We were very pleased with how protective she was with her cub," said Dave Thomas, a senior keeper at the zoo. "Her mothering skills were even more impressive, given that she was recovering from a broken leg at the time, and that she hadn't given birth to a cub for a few years."

Ralph, Alice and Rio belong to the southern Brazilian species of ocelot, Leopardus pardalis mitis, which inhabits the tropical and subtropical forests of southern Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina.

Since 2002, the Oregon Zoo has been working with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Brazilian Ocelot Consortium and the government of Brazil to play a role in the ocelot's survival. It was determined several years ago that North American zoos' ocelot population should be replaced by a genetically defined subspecies -- the Brazilian ocelot. The Oregon Zoo is one of 10 U.S. zoos involved with the consortium.

BONITA

Three-year-old Bonita made her debut on Animal Planet's "Growing Up Penguin," a show that followed her life at the Oregon Zoo from hatching to first swim to finally leaving the nest for good. She and her mate, Pico, saw their first chick hatch March 27.

Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti) stand 15 to 18 inches tall and weigh an average of 9 pounds. They eat fish and squid in the wild; at the zoo, they enjoy smelt or herring. Unlike their Emperor penguin counterparts, who swim the icy waters of Antarctica, these penguins are at home in the warm waters of coastal Peru. They are very agile in the water and can swim at speeds of up to 30 mph.

Humboldt penguins breed year-round and their eggs incubate for 40 days before hatching. The young penguins eat food regurgitated from their parents and try swimming for the first time at about 3 months. Of the 17 penguin species, Humboldt penguins are the most threatened. With nearly 30 penguins, the Oregon Zoo has one of the largest collections of Humboldts in the country.

MALI

Mali, an 11-year-old colobus monkey, is mom to 3-year-old Oscar, 2-year-old Maliki and 4-month-old Delu.

When Mali gave birth to Oscar three years ago, she was a first-time mom. She did not show strong maternal instincts right away and seemed confused about how to take care of her new baby. Keepers surmised that because Mali was the youngest in her group, she had never seen a mother colobus taking care of a baby. Therefore, when Oscar was born Mali didn't know what to do.

During that awkward time, keepers worked with Mali, giving her more private time with her baby, and eventually she and Oscar became inseparable. Today, Mali is a wonderful mother to her youngest baby, Delu, and is attentive to her other offspring. Her keepers say that she "deserves to be Mother of the Year."

Colobus monkeys are a threatened species in their native region of eastern Africa due to habitat encroachment by humans and a loss of habitat when forests are cut down. There are four different species of black and white colobus monkey; the Oregon Zoo houses the guereza (Colobus guereza), subspecies kikuyuensis. They have a pouched stomach adapted to leaf digestion, and males use vocalizations to establish territory.

April 19, 2007
OREGON ZOO LAUNCHES 'HABITAT BEGINS AT HOME' CAMPAIGN
Conservation campaign kicks off with celebration of wildflowers and a visit from Spider-Man

PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Oregon Zoo kicks off its Habitat Begins at Home campaign with Celebrating Wildflowers, Saturday, May 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event, sponsored by the Bureau of Land Management, highlights the interdependence of Oregon plants and wildlife through fun, family-friendly activities, and is free with zoo admission.

"Wildflowers and other native plants are critical to a healthy ecosystem," says Tony Vecchio, Oregon Zoo director. "Their vital role is often taken for granted. This event, while involving people with conservation programs, highlights the importance of wildflowers in ways that are fun and exciting for both children and adults."

Master Gardener and Portland media personality Anne Jaeger will talk to visitors at 11 a.m. about her passion for incorporating wildflowers and native plants into her landscape. Matthew Shepherd from the Xerces Society and Andy Robinson, who spearheaded the endangered species listing for the Fender's blue butterfly and Kincaid's lupine, will also speak to visitors. Younger visitors will especially enjoy an appearance from Marvel Comics' Spider-Man, and the re-opening of the Insect Zoo.

"People often underestimate the important role insects and spiders play in our gardens," commented Krista Swan, Oregon Zoo event coordinator. "An appearance by Spider-Man is a fun way to remind kids and adults how essential these creatures are to a healthy ecosystem."

For the third year, Celebrating Wildflowers visitors can help create an actual flower garden at Winged Wonders, the zoo's seasonal butterfly exhibit. Hundreds of native plants and flowers will be planted in the butterfly habitat to prepare for the exhibit's June 2 grand re-opening. Other special activities include craft- and paper-making, seed planting and face painting.

"People who are concerned about the environment often lament that there is nothing they can do to help wildlife," says Vecchio. "During this event, visitors learn what they can do in their own backyards to make a difference."

Celebrating Wildflowers kicks off the zoo's summer-long conservation campaign, Habitat Begins at Home, created to inspire zoo visitors to turn their personal habitats into healthy ecosystems for wildlife.

For more information about Celebrating Wildflowers nationwide, visit www.nps.gov/plants/cw/

April 18, 2007
OREGON ZOO'S FIRST CALIFORNIA CONDOR CHICK OF 2007 HATCHES

PORTLAND, Ore. -- On the night of April 14, the first California condor chick of the year hatched at the Oregon Zoo's Jonsson Center for Wildlife Conservation. The constant vigil of its parents kept keepers from witnessing the hatching, but the empty egg they saw the following morning told them a chick had finally arrived. The chick is the seventh condor to hatch in Oregon.

The chick's parents, Tama and Mandan, are the Oregon Zoo's most prolific California condor pair. The pair produced 12 chicks together before moving to the Oregon Zoo and has since laid five more eggs. This is the fourth chick Tama and Mandan have produced in Oregon. One fragile egg was sent to the Los Angeles Zoo for hatching.

The egg was laid Feb. 17 and was left with the parents for two weeks to incubate naturally. Keepers then carefully removed the egg to check its viability. It remained in an incubator for about seven weeks until it pipped internally on April 12.

"The chick wasted very little time in starting in on the shell," said Condor Keeper Kelli Walker.

By the following afternoon, the chick began to pip externally and was returned to its parents, with keepers switching out the "dummy egg" the pair had been sitting on.

Once the egg had been given back to the parents, keepers employed a hands-off strategy. "It's critical that we do not disturb the parents or allow the chick to imprint on people," said Assistant Condor Curator Shawn St. Michael. "We'll monitor how things are progressing with the chick through cameras mounted in the condor nest cave."

Tama and Mandan have been extremely attentive parents since the chick arrived -- so much so, that it wasn't until the morning of April 16 that keepers actually got a clear, though brief, view of the chick.

"We saw a white fuzzy chick moving around," St. Michael said.

The condor team has been closely monitoring the behavior of the parents and the chick. They feel comfortable that the chick is doing fine.

Keepers will wait until the chick is about 3 months old before it receives its first checkup.

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.

The zoo's condor recovery efforts take place at the Jonsson Center for Wildlife Conservation, located in Clackamas County on Metro-owned open space. The remoteness of the facility minimizes the exposure of young condors to people, increasing the chances for captive-hatched birds to survive and breed in the wild. The Jonsson Center is currently home to 17 condors. Seven eggs have been laid so far this season bringing the total to 15 since the Jonsson center was established and last weeks birth means seven offspring have been hatched.

Condors, the largest land birds in North America, have wingspans of up to 10 feet and weigh 18 to 30 pounds. They are highly intelligent and inquisitive, often engaging in play. Their range extended across much of North America during the Pleistocene Era, which ended about 10,000 years ago. By 1940, that range had been reduced to the coastal mountains of Southern California, and in 1967 condors were added to the first federal list of endangered species. In 1987, the 17 condors remaining in the wild were brought into captivity and a captive-breeding program was developed.

In 2001, the Oregon Zoo became the third zoo in the nation to join the California Condor Recovery Program. California condor captive-breeding programs are also operated at San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park, the Los Angeles Zoo and the Peregrine Fund's World Center for Birds of Prey. The Oregon Zoo was the recipient of The Wildlife Society's Conservation Award for "creating the nation's fourth California condor breeding facility" in April 2005.

For more information about the Oregon Zoo's California condors, visit http://www.oregonzoo.org/Condors/index.htm.

April 13, 2007
ELEPHANTASTIC CELEBRATION FEATURES PACKY'S 45TH BIRTHDAY
Oregon Zoo reminds partygoers that westbound Highway 26 will be closed Saturday

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Herd up the family! It's time for the fourth annual Elephantastic celebration. The Oregon Zoo's Asian elephants will be living large April 14 and 15, during the weekend-long event honoring the zoo's popular pachyderms. This year's Elephantastic will feature Packy's 45th birthday and his son Rama's 24th birthday. Elephantastic kicks off Saturday, April 14, with Packy's birthday bash, the longest-running event in zoo history. Between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., visitors can enter to win a chance to lead Packy's parade around zoo grounds and help keepers deliver Packy's cake. At noon, enjoy a free piece of birthday cake, courtesy of Lamb's Thriftway. At 2 p.m., Packy receives a unique birthday cake, a 40-pound whole-wheat concoction topped with frosting, apples, carrots and celery, baked by the zoo's own Chef Paul Warner. Guests are invited to help sing "Happy Birthday" while the prestigious pachyderm chows down. The fun continues throughout the day, with face painting and games. Before you leave, don't forget to take a moment to sign the big guy's birthday card.

Unfortunately, the Oregon Department of Transportation also has plans for Packy's Birthday. ODOT will be working to repair the section along U.S. Highway 26 affected by the March 28 landslide. The highway will be closed to westbound traffic west of the Vista Ridge Tunnel from 11:45 p.m. Friday, April 13, until 8 p.m. Saturday, April 14.

Guests coming to the zoo from downtown or east Portland should consider either riding MAX light-rail line or taking an alternate route. TriMet bus No. 63 also stops at the zoo.

One day is not enough to celebrate the zoo's largest animals, so don't miss the events planned for Sunday, April 15. The day starts off at 10 a.m. with elephant training and feeding demonstrations, and a chance to witness the painting prowess of Packy's son Rama. Rama's Trunk Show runs all weekend long from 11 a.m to 4 p.m in the Elephant Museum for everyone to see his finished works of art. Then at 1 p.m., at the indoor gallery, Rama takes his turn in the spotlight with a birthday cake to celebrate his 24th birthday.

Elephantastic is not just about the birthdays of Packy and Rama. The event celebrates the zoo's entire elephant herd. Asian Elephants are an integral part of the zoo, not to mention huge fan favorites. The Oregon Zoo is recognized internationally for having the most successful breeding herd of Asian elephants of any zoo. The herd has been a part of the zoo since 1952.

In 1962, Packy made international news as the first Asian elephant born in the Western Hemisphere in 44 years. Zoo attendance skyrocketed, exceeding a million visitors for the first time ever. Gaining instant fame, Packy even graced the cover of Life magazine. He is the only second-generation captive bull to breed successfully in world zoo history, having sired seven calves. Packy is the oldest and largest Asian elephant in the United States, standing about 10 feet 6 inches tall at the shoulder with an average weight of 14,020 pounds.

To view footage from Packy's birth at the Oregon Zoo, visit http://www.oregonzoo.org/VideoArchive/PackysBirthday.htm

It's hard to live in the shadow of a 7-ton father, but Rama, Packy's son, has made a name for himself as an artist. Rama's paintings have been featured in various art galleries and have raised about $15,000 for the Oregon Zoo Foundation's Future for Wildlife elephant conservation program, as well as many other conservation efforts.

The Oregon Zoo's elephant herd consists of six elephants. The bulls are Packy, Rama and Tusko (who arrived at the zoo in 2005). The cows are Sung-Surin and Rose-Tu, both born at the Oregon Zoo, and Chendra, the orphan elephant from Malaysia.

Elephantastic is free with regular zoo admission. For more information on the event, visit http://www.oregonzoo.org/Events/elephantastic.htm

April 12, 2007
KIDS PREPARE PACKY'S CAKE FOR THE BIG GUY'S 45TH BIRTHDAY
Oregon Zoo reminds partygoers that westbound Highway 26 will be closed Saturday

PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Oregon Zoo is throwing an elephant-sized party this weekend and to do that there needs to be an elephant-sized cake. The job of making a 40-pound cake to feed a 14,000-pound birthday boy is a big one, but with a little help from some children, Oregon Zoo Executive Chef Paul Warner is up to the challenge.

Packy's cake is a whole-wheat concoction, which children will decorate with frosting, apples, carrots and celery on Friday morning. Packy receives his huge cake Saturday, April 14, at 2 p.m. during his 45th birthday party, the first day of the zoo's two-day Elephantastic Celebration.

While Packy's cake is being prepared, the big guy will undergo his own preparations for the day. Zookeepers will give Packy his customary bath and pedicure so the zoo's most famous elephant will look his best for the party.

Unfortunately, the Oregon Department of Transportation also has plans for Packy's Birthday. ODOT will be working to repair the section along U.S. Highway 26 affected by the March 28 landslide. The highway will be closed to westbound traffic west of the Vista Ridge Tunnel from 11:45 p.m. Friday, April 13, until 8 p.m. Saturday, April 14.

Guests coming to the zoo from downtown or east Portland should consider either riding MAX light-rail line or taking an alternate route. TriMet bus No. 63 also stops at the zoo.

Zoogoers should make sure to arrive in time to watch Packy receive his special cake at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 14, and share a piece of cake provided for human guests by Lamb's Thriftway. Visitors who arrive early can enter their names in a drawing for a chance to lead Packy's parade around the zoo and to help keepers deliver his giant birthday cake. Packy fans are invited to sing "Happy Birthday" while the prestigious pachyderm eats (or stomps on) his cake. Packy's party, the longest-running event in zoo history, has become a great family tradition. And the day wouldn't be complete without taking a moment to sign the big guy's birthday card. But don't forget, the fun doesn't end on Saturday.

"We decided that, since Packy and the rest of the herd are so well loved, they needed not just one, but two days to celebrate," said Oregon Zoo Director Tony Vecchio.

The celebration continues on Sunday, April 15, with Packy's son Rama getting a turn in the spotlight. Rama will receive his own cake in the indoor gallery at 1 p.m. to mark his 24th birthday. Earlier that morning, visitors have a chance to learn more about Rama during an elephant feeding and training demonstration focusing on his painting activities.

Packy, the first elephant born in the Western Hemisphere in more than 44 years, was born April 14, 1962, making international news. Gifts poured in, a song was written in his honor and a radio station sponsored a naming contest. Gresham resident Wayne W. French submitted the winning name. To watch a web video of Packy's birth 45 years ago please visit http://www.oregonzoo.org/VideoArchive/PackysBirthday.htm

Packy is the oldest and largest male Asian elephant in the United States. He stands 10 feet 4 inches tall at the shoulder and his average weight is 14,020 pounds. He has fathered seven calves, including 23-year-old Sung-Surin ("Sunshine") and 24-year-old Rama, both of whom currently live at the zoo.

Elephantastic is free with regular zoo admission. For more information on the event, visit http://www.oregonzoo.org/Events/elephantastic.htm

April 12, 2007
RARE BABY PENGUIN HATCHED AT ZOO
Highly endangered Humboldt penguin chick hatched at Oregon Zoo on March 27

PORTLAND, Ore. -- On March 27, a baby Humboldt penguin was born at the Oregon Zoo. Its parents, Pico and Bonita, are raising it. Bonita, the mother, is a bit of a penguin celebrity -- three years ago she was featured on the Animal Planet show "Growing Up Penguin." The hour-long documentary, to be rebroadcast April 26 at 3 p.m., follows her life from hatching to first swim to leaving the nest for good.

Because penguins do not have external sex organs, the chick's gender is currently unknown. "We won't know its sex until we do a blood test, or it lays an egg or it doesn't lay an egg," says Rick Yazzolino, penguin keeper.

The chick's hatch weight was 2.8 ounces, and by April 4 it was already up to 10.4 ounces. It has been eating well and overall is "doing fantastic," according to Yazzolino.

A video of the penguin chick can be seen at: http://www.oregonzoo.org/VideoArchive/BabyPenguin.htm

Humboldt penguins are native to the warm coastal waters of Peru. Of the 17 penguin species, Humboldt penguins are among the most threatened. Several factors threaten the species including over-fishing, natural predators, and disruption of breeding habitat by humans. Humans harvest guano (bird droppings) for fertilizer, which disrupts the penguins nesting habitat and causes increased death rates in the penguin population.

Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti) stand 15 to 18 inches tall and weigh an average of 9 pounds. They eat fish and squid in the wild; at the zoo, they enjoy smelt or herring. They are very agile in the water and can swim at speeds of up to 30 mph.

Humboldt penguins breed year-round and their eggs incubate for 40 days before hatching. The young penguins eat food regurgitated from their parents and try swimming for the first time at about 3 months. With nearly 30 penguins, the Oregon Zoo has one of the largest collections of Humboldts in the country.

April 11, 2007
ZOO HOSTS SAFE KIDS DAY MAY 5
Stations and activities throughout zoo highlight importance of summer safety

PORTLAND, Ore. -- As the school year ends, many kids look forward to long summer days filled with swimming, biking, skateboarding and trips to the beach. The last thing they may think about is safety. To kick off National Safe Kids Week, the Oregon Zoo is hosting its eighth annual Oregon Safe Kids Day on Saturday, May 5, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., sponsored by the Portland Metro Safe Kids Coalition.

This year's theme is "Make It a Safe Kids Summer." Exhibits and activities will focus on taking simple steps to prevent injuries this summer, like wearing bicycle helmets and lifejackets, while emphasizing the need for constant supervision of children around water.

"We're partnering with Safe Kids Portland Metro again this year, because it's critical we educate parents about the importance of summer safety," says Krista Swan, zoo event coordinator. "Oregon is famous for its summer recreational opportunities, and we want children to have a safe and fun summer."

Oregon Safe Kids Day will provide parents, caregivers and children the opportunity to learn about safety through interactive exhibits, prizes, safety tips and hands-on activities.

Ten safety stations around the zoo will comprise a "safety safari." Stations will provide tips in areas such as water, poison, transportation, helmet and fire safety. Everyone who completes the safari will receive a safety-related prize.

At the water safety station, kids will learn the importance of wearing life jackets around rivers and streams. Ocean safety will also be touched upon, as kids learn about the dangers of sneaker waves and logs, and why they should always keep an eye on the ocean.

Each summer, more than 2,500 children across the U.S. die from preventable injuries resulting from motor vehicle crashes, drownings, bike crashes, pedestrian incidents, falls and other hazards. These tragedies peak during the summer when children are supervised less, have more free time and engage in more outdoor activities.

Safe Kids Portland Metro is part of Safe Kids Worldwide, which is dedicated to the prevention of unintentional childhood injury. Communities throughout Oregon have planned safety events during the spring and summer. For more information about the Safe Kids program, please visit www.safekids.org.

Safe Kids USA works to prevent accidental childhood injury, the leading killer of children 14 and under. More than 300 grassroots coalitions in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico bring together health and safety experts, educators, corporations, foundations, governments and volunteers to educate and protect families.

Safe Kids USA is a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations dedicated to preventing accidental injury. Safe Kids USA was founded in 1987 by Children's National Medical Center with support from Johnson & Johnson.

April 6, 2007
BOWLERS HIT THE LANES TO HELP ENDANGERED RHINOS
18th Annual 'Bowling for Rhinos' event slated for Sunday, April 29

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Rhinos can't bowl. They can't pick up a bowling ball, let alone a 7-10 split. Not to mention, there isn't a bowling shoe on earth big enough to fit them. Unfortunately, this means rhinos won't be taking part in the Oregon Zoo's 18th annual Bowling for Rhinos fundraiser. The event, sponsored by the Portland chapter of the American Association of Zookeepers, takes place Sunday, April 29, at Interstate Lanes, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Bowling for Rhinos, which invites bowlers to step up and help save the world's endangered rhinos, is a national program that has raised more than $2.1 million since its inception. Portland bowlers are responsible for $168,000 of that total, a contribution greater than any other city's.

Bowlers raise funds by gathering tax-deductible pledges. While bowlers are not required to collect pledges in order to participate, they are encouraged to make an effort. A $10 participation fee includes three games of bowling and shoe rental. The Portland event features door prizes and a raffle for a variety of items. Nationally, the top two fund-raisers win a two-week trip to Kenya, and will be the guests of the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.

All of the money raised by Bowling for Rhinos is sent directly to three rhino conservation projects, which protect four species of rhino -- black, white, Javan and Sumatran -- as well as their habitats and hundreds of other endangered plant and animal species.

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Isiolo, Kenya, was the first rhino program supported by the bowling event. Funds from past events have been used to create a 65,000-acre haven for black and white rhinos, in addition to dozens of other species. Funds also have been used to create security patrols dedicated to protecting rhinos, and to purchase an airplane and truck, which are used to spot and relocate animals. The annual cost of operating the conservancy is over $850,000.

Two Indonesian programs also receive funds:
Ujung Kulon National Park, 300 square miles in the tropical lowland rain forest on the island of Java, is home to the 50 to 60 remaining Javan rhinos. Funds from Bowling for Rhinos are used to train and maintain rhino patrol units, which protect these endangered animals. The annual operating cost of Ujung Kulon is $100,000.

Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, on the island of Sumatra, is home to the 400 remaining Sumatran rhinos as well as other endangered animals, such as Asian elephants, tigers, clouded leopards and Malayan sun bears. Because of the size (roughly 1,250 square miles) and vulnerability of the park, five rhino patrol units are required. The annual budget for these units is $60,000.

Steve Hash, Africa keeper at the Oregon Zoo and local coordinator for Bowling for Rhinos, noted that globally, all rhino populations are low.

"There are fewer than 3,700 black, 400 Sumatran, and 60 Javan rhinos left in the wild," said Hash. "While populations of white rhinos [estimated to be 11,300] and Indian rhinos [estimated to be 2,400] are more stable, they too are considered threatened. Saving all species of rhino is important, but the most critically endangered species drive our efforts."

Oregon Zoo Director Tony Vecchio is pleased that the zoo's keepers and the greater zoo community have done so much to save rhinos.

"The primary mission of the Oregon Zoo is conservation," said Vecchio. "It's gratifying to see that our staff members believe so strongly in that mission that they've devoted much of their own time and resources to this important effort."

Registration forms for both bowlers and sponsors are available on the zoo's Web site at www.oregonzoo.org. In order to receive sponsor sheets, registration forms must be sent in by April 24. Individuals and teams are encouraged to register early. Walk-ins are welcome, with a $25 suggested donation. Additional information is available by contacting Steve Hash at 503-226-1561, ext. 5255, or by e-mail at portlandaazk@aol.com.

The Oregon Zoo is an accredited member of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association and is working to facilitate a conservation ethic in children and adults alike. Bowling for Rhinos is an event that involves the entire community, and has become a fun tradition for families.

To see Pete, the Oregon Zoo's own black rhino, make a valiant effort to prove rhinos actually can bowl, visit
http://www.oregonzoo.org/VideoArchive/BowlingForRhinos.htm

April 5, 2007
PORTLAND PHOTOJOURNALIST DOCUMENTS GLOBAL WARMING
Environmental photographer Gary Braasch concludes Oregon Zoo lecture series

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Seven years ago, award-winning photojournalist Gary Braasch began an extraordinary journey around the world to observe and document environmental changes due to our warming climate. This project took him beyond both the Antarctic and Arctic circles, above 15,000 feet in the Andes and under the Pacific Ocean to damaged coral reefs, while following scientists into the field on four continents. Braasch concludes the Oregon Zoo's 2007 Wildlife Conservation Lecture Series Tuesday, April 24, at 7 p.m.

In his lecture, "A World View of Climate Change," Braasch will survey global warming from the local to the global.

"Whether we feel global warming or not, we all live with it every day," says Braasch.

Braasch's photographs document communities, landscapes and animals at risk because of receding glaciers, eroding coastlines, rising sea levels and thawing permafrost. He believes he is "documenting a decisive, overarching event of the 21st century -- one with no equal in the previous centuries of human civilization."

Braasch will also preview his new book "Earth Under Fire: How Global Warming Is Changing the World," due for release this summer. The book surveys the science behind global warming and introduces native people, lifelong observers, scientists and others who are observing striking changes right now.

The Wildlife Conservation Lecture Series is sponsored by Pro Photo Supply, Shiels Obletz Johnsen and New Belgium Brewing. Hosts for the series are the Audubon Society of Portland, the Oregon Zoo and the World Forestry Center. Lectures are held in the Oregon Zoo's Banquet Center and begin at 7 p.m. The cost for each lecture is $10 for nonmembers and $8 for members of host organizations, students or seniors.

April 1, 2007
TUSKO THE ELEPHANT IS FINALLY TUSKLESS
Oregon Zoo bull elephant has successful second surgery

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Today, Tusko the Asian elephant underwent a nearly four-hour surgery to remove the last section of his chronically infected tusk. The tusk-removal surgery began at 8:30 a.m. and ended at 12:17 p.m. -- the 6.75-ton, 35-year-old bull elephant was sedated during the entire surgery and is now resting off exhibit.

The remaining seven-inch piece of Tusko's broken left tusk was removed. This last portion was left after the initial surgery on Feb. 17. During the first five and a half hour surgery, veterinarians did not want to risk keeping Tusko under anesthesia longer to remove the last section, so they opted for a second surgery using longer and sharper tools.

During today's surgery, the new drills and chisels worked extremely well.

"The tools we ordered and manufactured for this round worked perfectly," said Mitch Finnegan, Oregon Zoo lead veterinarian. "Though it was a grueling process, the new tools made this a much less physical surgery than the last."

Tusko is expected to make a full recovery from his surgery and will completely heal within the next year. The wound will slowly fill in with new tissue.

"Tusko was again a great patient," said Finnegan. "He came out of anesthesia well, which is always our biggest concern. He is now alert and doing great."

To see a video of Tusko's February surgery, please visit: http://www.oregonzoo.org/VideoArchive/TuskoSurgeryVNR.htm

To see video of Tusko's training, please visit: http://www.oregonzoo.org/VideoArchive/elephant_TuskoSurgery.htm

Tusko broke both his tusks during the late 1970s and had his right tusk was removed when he was a young elephant.

"Breaking tusks is not a problem unique to elephants in captivity," said Mike Keele, Oregon Zoo deputy director. "It is common in wild elephants as well." Tusks grow throughout an elephant's life, but otherwise are essentially no different from ordinary teeth. However, Tusko's left tusk had died and was no longer growing.

Finnegan compared the tusk to a broken, rotten tooth in a human. "Bacteria build up in the wound and may enter into the bloodstream," he said. "This can cause heart problems."

Tusko was born in Southeast Asia in 1971. He came to the Oregon Zoo in 2005 from a California elephant facility for the purpose of breeding with Sung Surin and Rose Tu. If Sung Surin doesn't get pregnant by the time she turns 25, according to Keele, the odds are against her becoming pregnant beyond that age. Even though the Oregon Zoo had male elephants Packy and Rama prior to Tusko's arrival, their genetic relatedness to the zoo's females makes breeding unfeasible.

In the past 25-30 years, more has been learned about elephants than in the past 5,000 years. This is largely because elephants have been subject to intensive study at zoos across the world. The Oregon Zoo has been at the forefront of many discoveries. Until only recently, humans knew next to nothing about the reproductive biology of elephants. But through work at the Oregon Zoo and elsewhere, we know much more about elephant breeding cycles, the length of gestation and how elephants rear their young.

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 Oregon Zoo, through the Future for Wildlife program, has supported several range-country conservation projects primarily to protect native elephant habitat and to mitigate the often fatal human-elephant conflicts. Human-elephant conflicts are now the leading cause of death for elephants in Asia.

In response to the dwindling population of Asian elephants in the wild, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, 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.