NOTE: Dates
indicate date of press release, not the date of the event.
May
2007
May 31 - Oregon Zoo Offers Wednesday Night Alternative May 29 - Explore The Solar System With Oregon Zoo's Newest Thrill Ride May 29 - Oregon Zoo Celebrates Emergence Of Checkerspot Butterflies May 23 - Babirusas Double Oregon Zoo's Pig Population May 23 - Oregon Zoo And Homestreet Bank Go 'Wild About Zoos' May 21 - Zoo Celebrates 'Winged Wonders' At Grand Reopening May 16 - Oregon Zoo Observes Endangered Species Day, May 18 May 16 - Local Breweries Pour It On At First 'Zoo Brew' May 14 - Putumayo Kids Presents 'Animal Playground' At Oregon Zoo May 11 - Second Condor Chick Of 2007 Hatches At Oregon Zoo May 11 - The Votes Are In - Alice the Ocelot is Zoo Mother of the Year May 4 - Babirusas Double Oregon Zoo's Pig Population May 3 - Zoo Celebrates Bears Great and Small at 'Bear Fair' May 3 - Oregon Zoo Observes Endangered Species Day, May 18
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Spend the afternoon traveling from the African Savannah to
the Russian Far East. If there is time, be sure to visit the Amazon rain
forest. But keep an eye on the sun, and when it begins to dip low in the
sky, come find a seat on the concert lawn for a night of music as diverse as
the animals at the Oregon Zoo.
Starting in late June, the Wells Fargo Summer Concert Series presented by
Fred Meyer brings top musicians from around the world to the zoo during
World Music Wednesdays.
The series kicks off June 27 with the Wailers, Bob Marley's legendary
backing band. On the Fourth of July, the zoo hosts Portland's own Pacific
Crest Wind Symphony, featuring 3 Leg Torso, for a patriotic celebration.
Asleep at the Wheel comes to town July 11, bringing a little Texas swing to
the Pacific Northwest. Samba Mapangala and Orchestra Virunga, from the Congo
region of Africa, perform their inventive blend of Afro-beat and world music
on July 18. And Los Lobos, out of East Los Angeles, wraps up the month on
July 25.
The series continues Aug. 1, with Hugh Masekela and his South African Big
Band. Andy Palacio brings a piece of the Garifuna culture to the zoo with
his mix of Caribbean and West African rhythms on Aug. 8. The Charlie Hunter
Trio travels up from the Bay Area for an Aug. 15 performance, and the Richie
Furay Band, with special guests Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen, brings a
bit of the California country-rock scene north with a show on Aug. 22. The
finale of the World Music Wednesday series comes Aug. 29, as the Holmes
Brothers perform the blues in three-part vocal harmony.
Although the musical offerings are diverse, this international lineup has
one thing in common -- tickets for the Wednesday concerts are only $9.75.
All the shows start at 7 p.m., except for the Fourth of July concert, which
begins at 5 p.m. The concert lawn opens at 4 p.m. giving visitors a chance
to lay out their blankets and save spots on the lawn. For concertgoers who
don't want to worry about arriving early enough to secure a spot, the zoo
has a basic space reservation option. For more information on blanket
reservations, prices or other concert questions please visit the zoo's Web
site at http://www.oregonzoo.org/Concerts/index.htm
This year, 1,000 tickets for each World Music Wednesday concert can be
purchased in advance online. Tickets will also be available on the day of
the show after 4 p.m. All general admission tickets include zoo admission
and are subject to availability.
Zoo membership at the Plus level includes free admission to all World Music
Wednesday concerts, daily visits to the zoo and the ZooLights holiday
festival in the winter.
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 for the past 10 years.
"Since 1996, Wells Fargo has donated more than $1 million to the zoo," said
Tony Vecchio, zoo director. "Through their generosity we're able to fund
many important education and conservation programs. The summer series would
not be possible without their strong support."
Fred Meyer is again a presenting sponsor of the series, having started their
participation in the concert series last year.
This year's concert series is also co-sponsored by KINK fm 102 and
Willamette Week.
May
29, 2007
EXPLORE THE SOLAR SYSTEM WITH OREGON ZOO'S NEWEST THRILL RIDE
Speed past the sun and beyond Pluto on the zoo's newest 3-D thrill ride,
"Solar Coaster"
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Launch into the cosmos aboard "Solar Coaster," the Oregon
Zoo's newest 3-D thrill ride. Visitors blast off from the Melyay Space
Amusement Park, speeding past the sun, through the solar system and out
beyond the dwarf planet Pluto. The feature, produced by SimEx-Iwerks, runs
from now through Labor Day.
"Solar Coaster" simulates a roller-coaster ride through space, complete with
loops, drops, twists and turns on a cosmic scale.
Nearly 372,000 people have experienced the zoo's simulation theater since it
premiered in May 2003, generating more than $1.3 million for many
conservation and education programs at the zoo.
"Solar Coaster" plays in the SimEx-Iwerks simulation theater located on the
former entry plaza directly across from the Amur tiger exhibit, close to the
Zoo Railway Station. In addition to regular zoo admission, a $4.50 ticket is
required. Members receive a 50-cent discount. Due to the limited number of
seats, a maximum of 800 visitors per day are able to experience the ride.
PORTLAND, Ore. -- For the first time, Taylor's checkerspot larvae raised in
the Oregon Zoo's butterfly conservation lab, have emerged as adults in the
wild, marking a significant milestone in the effort to save this endangered
Northwest butterfly.
For the past three years, the zoo has been collaborating with the Washington
Department of Fish and Wildlife, developing husbandry protocols and rearing
the checkerspots. In late March, the zoo, in conjunction with WDFW and the
Xerces Society, released 199 checkerspot larvae on a prairie preserve near
Olympia, Wash. Their work paid off this month, as colorful and distinctively
patterned adult checkerspots began to emerge.
Taylor's checkerspot butterflies are listed as a species of concern in
Washington state, and are currently under review for federal listing. Once
abundant in the Northwest, checkerspots historically occupied areas west of
the Cascades from Oregon's Willamette Valley up to British Columbia. Today,
their range is limited to isolated habitats in western Washington. There are
just 14 known locations in Washington with checkerspots, all of which are
threatened by the loss of upland prairie habitat.
"Butterflies continue to disappear, which is troubling because they are such
an important part of the ecosystem," says Mary Jo Andersen, zoo butterfly
conservationist. "They are incredibly sensitive to environmental factors,
making them perfect indicators of habitat health, and they also serve as
essential pollinators."
Rearing rare butterflies comes with many challenges. The Xerces Society has
helped the zoo overcome many of these challenges. "The Xerces Society has
been a valuable partner in all our butterfly conservation programs," says
David Shepherdson, zoo conservation scientist. "They provide advice and
counsel on all of the butterfly species that we are conserving."
One of the main challenges in rearing butterflies is growing the insects'
food. "If you raise caterpillars of any kind, your main concern is host
plants," says Andersen. The checkerspot's life cycle, like that of many
other butterfly species, mimics its host plant. For example, the larvae go
dormant when the plant is unavailable, but awaken when their host plant is
abundant. The checkerspot's two host plants are harsh Indian paintbrush,
Castilleja hispida, and plantago, Plantago lanceolota, both of which are
raised on zoo grounds by the horticulture department.
Labor is another challenge. Each day, the butterfly larvae are fed, watered
and have their enclosures cleaned. Record keeping is done each day.
Each stage involves different needs. During winter, when checkerspot
caterpillars are inactive, they are housed outdoors in yogurt containers
under terra-cotta pots until they are released.
A few larvae remain at the zoo until they emerge as butterflies. Keepers
care for them in the conservation lab to observe their entire life cycle,
helping to further our understanding of the creatures. For these remaining
butterflies, keepers provide nectaring plants, a cotton ball drenched in
Fierce Melon-flavored Gatorade and a sponge soaked in water. Andersen
explains that the sugary nectar can build up on the bottoms of the
butterflies' feet, which is where their taste buds are located, so she often
moves them via Q-tip to the sponge to clean up.
In addition to conserving Taylor's checkerspots, the zoo has experienced
phenomenal success in its work with another endangered butterfly, the Oregon
silverspot. Silverspots laid a record 8,000 eggs in the conservation lab
last fall; the zoo plans to release the butterflies this summer at Cascade
Head near Lincoln City, Ore. And there is still more to learn about another
endangered northwest butterfly, the mardon skipper -- which represents the
zoo's next conservation effort.
More releases of zoo-reared caterpillars are planned in coming years on
state land and on the U.S. Army's Fort Lewis, where some of the best prairie
habitat in Washington remains.
The Nature Conservancy is working with Fort Lewis's Army Compatible Use
Buffer program to restore prairie habitat on lands surrounding the base,
noted Hannah Anderson, the Conservancy's rare species project manager. The
approach boosts chances for regional recovery of the species, she said,
while assuring that Fort Lewis maintains its soldier training capacity.
Fort Lewis ecologist Jeff Foster explained that, traditionally, ACUB program
funding has been used to purchase lands surrounding military installations
to act as lifeboats for rare species. "But here at Fort Lewis, we are using
Army funds for on-site land management and habitat restoration work," he
said. "Our partners at Fish and Wildlife, Department of Natural Resources
and the Conservancy have provided funds for land purchase and some
management."
Foster said the Fort Lewis ACUB program has received $1 million to date from
the Department of Defense, and total program funding is expected to be $2.2
million over five years.
The Oregon Zoo has been a longtime supporter of butterfly conservation on
the national level. The zoo is a charter member of the Association of Zoo
and Aquariums' Butterfly Conservation Initiative, which includes nearly 50
national zoos and aquariums. The initiative is designed to bring together
government and nongovernment agencies to aid in the recovery of imperiled
North American butterflies.
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Their naked, wrinkly appearance may have visitors wondering whether the Oregon Zoo has supersized its naked mole rats, but the zoo's two newest residents are actually babirusa pigs. The fine swine make their debut at the zoo's Island Pigs of Asia exhibit Saturday, May 26. Ten-month-old males Itchy and Scratchy arrived from the Los Angeles Zoo in April and weighed in at 40 and 35 pounds respectively. The zoo will celebrate their arrival with games and keeper talks between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
"Babirusas represent one of the most critically endangered pig species in the world," said Oregon Zoo Director Tony Vecchio. "They are only found on the island of Sulawesi and a couple of very small nearby islands. Their habitat is rapidly disappearing to logging and expanding human populations. And, most unfortunately for the babirusas, they are pigs -- which means they taste good and they're easy to hunt."
Babirusas are relatively large swine, reaching up to 3½ feet in length and weighing as much as 200 pounds. The most noticeable feature of babirusas is their tusks. Like many other species of pig, the male babirusa has a pair of lower tusks -- but it also has a second pair of tusks poking through its upper snout and curving toward its forehead. Scientists aren't quite sure what these impressive tusks are for, but they may be used to protect the face and eyes when males fight.
"While the zoo's mission is, first and foremost, conservation, we never lose sight of the fact that our visitors expect us to show them unique and fascinating wildlife," said Vecchio. "The babirusa fits that bill. Its eerie eyes and the male's unusual tusks, growing right through the roof of his snout, make this an animal like none other -- one that is sure to captivate our guests."
Since Itchy and Scratchy have not yet developed their tusks, visitors will be able to watch them grow in.
Babirusas prefer to live in moist forests along rivers on several Indonesian islands. Unfortunately, people like to live in the same areas. As the human population grows, the pigs are either killed or forced to move away from the rivers.
Even though babirusas have been protected in their native Indonesia since 1931, their forest homes have not. Recently, the Indonesian government has started to protect the forest homes of the babirusas and other wildlife.
The Oregon Zoo is one of 16 zoos in North America to exhibit babirusas. The pigs are closely monitored by the Species Survival Plan, a cooperative program developed by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to manage genetic diversity and population.
PORTLAND, Ore. -- For the sixth year, HomeStreet Bank is "Wild About Zoos." The Northwest bank is partnering with the Oregon Zoo to raise money for conservation and education programs, including those benefiting endangered local species such as western pond turtles, Washington pygmy rabbits, and Oregon silverspot and checkerspot butterflies.
Through July 31, HomeStreet Bank will make a $10 donation to the Oregon Zoo for every bank account, mortgage, loan and insurance policy opened at branches in Oregon and southwest Washington.
As part of Wild About Zoos, HomeStreet is also offering "Ten for You, Ten for the Zoo," a special savings account for children 18 and under. When a child's savings account is opened for $50 or more, HomeStreet adds $10 to the child's account and donates $10 to the zoo.
"The Oregon Zoo provides a vital service to the community through recreation, education and the critical work they do in animal conservation," said Kathryn Williams, HomeStreet Bank, community relations director. "We're thrilled to continue our support of the Oregon Zoo with our Wild About Zoos program."
Through its Wild About Zoos program, HomeStreet has contributed more than $316,000 to regional zoos, including the Oregon Zoo, Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo, Tacoma's Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, and the Honolulu Zoo Society. HomeStreet has donated $107,556 to the Oregon Zoo since 2002.
"HomeStreet Bank is a great friend to the Oregon Zoo," said Tony Vecchio, zoo director. "Its donations help imperiled and threatened Northwest animals. We're very pleased to see this worthwhile program continue."
The Oregon Zoo's mission is to inspire the community to create a better future for wildlife. As the largest fee-based attraction in the state of Oregon, the zoo hopes to educate the public about the importance of environmental stewardship. Special promotions, such as Wild About Zoos, help fund the zoo and its conservation message.
HomeStreet Bank is one of the largest privately owned banks in the Northwest. For more than 80 years, HomeStreet has actively partnered with local organizations through employee volunteer service, charitable contributions, products and services and sponsorships. Each year, HomeStreet donates at least 2 percent of pretax profits to organizations in its communities.
For more information about Wild About Zoos or for a list of HomeStreet Bank branch locations, call 800-719-8080 or visit online at www.wildaboutzoos.com.
For information about supporting the Oregon Zoo's conservation efforts, please contact The Oregon Zoo Foundation at 503-220-5734 or visit www.oregonzoo.org.
PORTLAND, Ore. -- You may be squeamish around spiders, or think insects are dreadful, but one species has the power to change your mind. Bewitching butterflies will soon bedazzle even the most obdurate bug basher as Winged Wonders, the Oregon Zoo's popular butterfly exhibit, reopens June 2.
This year's exhibit, presented by HomeStreet Bank as part of their Wild About Zoos partnership, features more than 450 Central and South American butterflies and highlights conservation messages encouraging zoo visitors to create or enhance their own backyard habitats.
"I'm always surprised how such a small and delicate creature can have such a huge impact on our visitors," says Tony Vecchio, zoo director. "We hope that once visitors have been surrounded by these captivating fliers, they'll want to create an environment to attract butterflies in their own backyard."
As visitors wind through the butterfly habitat, the colorful creatures sometimes land on them. From the glittering blue Morpho from Nicaragua, to the orange-polka-dotted Grecian Shoemaker from southern Brazil, the butterflies surround the guests. Other butterflies on exhibit are native to Costa Rica, Ecuador and the Amazon Basin.
Just before leaving the exhibit, visitors can view dozens of pupae as they develop and grow. The newly emerged butterflies are released into the exhibit. Visitors can learn more about butterflies at the exhibit's interpretive center, where hands-on activities show how a butterfly uses its senses of sight, smell and taste.
Even though Winged Wonders offers a rare viewing opportunity, it isn't the only place to see butterflies. Individuals can attract native butterflies and other wildlife to their own backyards by planting native plants. "Butterfly lovers should avoid the use of pesticides to make the environment less hostile to other creatures," suggests Vecchio. "If a garden is good for butterflies, it's also good for birds and other wildlife."
The butterfly exhibit complements Metro's Nature in Neighborhoods initiative, a region-wide conservation effort that brings people and government together to ensure a healthy urban ecosystem. The Oregon Zoo's "Habitat Begins at Home" program encourages the creation of backyard habitats. Creating sanctuaries in urban areas with backyard habitats helps slow habitat loss, which is the foremost threat to wildlife today.
"Only through the public's efforts to make their backyards into more suitable wildlife habitats will butterflies continue to astonish us with their delicate beauty," says Vecchio.
The Winged Wonders exhibit also highlights the zoo's conservation efforts on behalf of two Oregon butterfly species, the Fender's blue and the Oregon silverspot. The zoo is a charter member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' butterfly conservation initiative, which includes nearly 50 national zoos and aquariums. The zoo and AZA are committed to butterfly conservation. A portion of the proceeds from the butterfly exhibit helps support the zoo's butterfly education and conservation efforts.
Winged Wonders is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and runs through Labor Day. Admission to the exhibit is $2, in addition to the zoo entrance fee. The exhibit is located near the concert lawn, across the railroad tracks.
PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Oregon Zoo will highlight past successes of and future challenges to the world's endangered species as it observes Endangered Species Day, Friday, May 18. The public is invited to mark this special day at the zoo, where visitors can experience the beauty of endangered animal species, learn about their plight in the wild -- and how the zoo is helping the animals -- and discover how they too can make a difference.
"Endangered Species Day provides us another opportunity to raise awareness about the threats to endangered species and the success stories in species recovery," said Oregon Zoo Director Tony Vecchio. "Educating the public about the importance of protecting endangered species and the everyday actions individuals can take to help protect wildlife and their habitat is a crucial part of our mission."
Events kick off at 11 a.m. with a mini Wild Life Live! show featuring endangered species on the zoo's concert lawn. Visitors who want to learn more about the zoo's endangered species can attend special keeper talks from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
" 11:30 a.m. - ocelots / sun bears
" 12 p.m. - western pond turtles in the turtle lab at Cascade Stream and Pond exhibit
" 12:30 p.m. - elephants
" 1 p.m. - penguins / polar bears
" 1:30 p.m. - bats
" 2 p.m. - Steller sea lions
Zoo volunteers wearing "Ask me about endangered species" buttons will be available throughout the day to answer visitor questions.
Conservation organizations will be on hand to educate visitors about their missions and answer questions. Oregon Wild, Save Our Wild Salmon, the Endangered Species Coalition, the Sierra Club and the Marine Fisheries Network will be there to support Endangered Species Day and hand out information all day.
More than 1,800 species worldwide are now listed as threatened and endangered, and thousands more are threatened with extinction. Currently, 22 species at the Oregon Zoo are endangered/CITES I, and 70 are threatened and/or CITES II. The zoo is active in 24 Species Survival Plans and 32 Population Management Plans.
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and others recently introduced a resolution in the U.S. Senate to declare May 18, 2007, as Endangered Species Day, which is a nationwide campaign. Zoos, parks, schools, conservation organizations and other groups will recognize the day. In 2006, a resolution was passed creating the first Endangered Species Day with the goal of sparking wonder and interest in conservation efforts across the country. The resolution has the full support of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, of which the Oregon Zoo is an accredited member.
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.
Zoo Brew, 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 in advance or $30 at the door, and includes a commemorative glass and 10 tastings. Additional samples are available for $1 each. Zoo Brew, 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, Big Sky Brewing Co., BridgePort Brewing Co., Deschutes Brewery, Fish Tale Ales, Full Sail Brewing Co., Hair of the Dog Brewing Co., Kona Brewing Co., Laurelwood Public House and Brewery, MacTarnahan's Brewing Co., New Old Lompoc Pub and Brewery, Pelican Pub and Brewery, Pyramid Breweries, Raccoon Lodge and Brew Pub, Redhook Ale Brewery, Rock Bottom Brewery, Rogue Ales, Terminal Gravity Brewing Co. and Widmer Brothers Brewing.
Zoo Brew is expected to sell out. Tickets are available at www.ticketswest.com, 503-224-TIXX and all TicketsWest ticket centers until Friday, May 18 at noon. If supplies last, tickets may be available at the door for $30 beginning at 4 p.m.
For more information, contact Kris Terich at 503-220-2492 or kris.terich@oregonzoo.org.
PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Oregon Zoo's first musical performance of the summer
is all about the kids. On Thursday, May 31, Trinidad-born children's
musician Asheba takes the stage, filling the zoo's concert lawn with sounds
from the Caribbean -- folk, reggae, calypso and more. Asheba is headlining a
tour supporting "Animal Playground," the latest CD from Putumayo Kids. The
children's concert begins at 11 a.m. and is free with zoo admission.
"Children not only get to spend the day visiting the animals at the zoo,
they also get to enjoy an energetic musical performance alongside the
largest land animals on the planet, the elephants," says Krista Swan, event
coordinator.
Asheba's love for music began at an early age as he was influenced by
Carnival, the spectacular festival of Trinidad. He first began singing with
his primary school choir and progressed over the years, forming his own
band. Later, he learned to play Trinidad's national instrument, the steel
drum.
Asheba moved to the United States in 1989 to hone his craft, supporting
himself with work as a dishwasher, entertainer and baker. Eventually
focusing on young audiences, he played open-air markets, street fairs and
birthday parties while fine-tuning his show to be more family-oriented with
a strong emphasis on reaching preschoolers.
He has now become one of the top world-music artists. Aheba's most recent
CD, "Children Are the Sunshine," celebrates kids and reflects the
performer's Caribbean heritage.
"The concert may be aimed at the kids, but it's really an event everyone
will enjoy," 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 and the huge Asian elephants nearby watching the performance -- it's
a magical venue! There's no place like it."
"Animal Playground," the latest release in the award-winning Playground
series from Putumayo Kids, presents a multilingual collection of
animal-themed songs from around the world, including Asheba's "No More
Monkeys." (To see a video of "No More Monkeys," filmed on location in
Trinidad, please visit http://www.oregonzoo.org/VideoArchive/asheba.htm)
A portion of proceeds from the sale of the CD will be donated to the
Wildlife Conservation Society, headquartered at the world famous Bronx Zoo,
in support of its activities that save wildlife and wild lands. For updates
on the May 31 show and other Putumayo Kids releases and events, visit
www.putumayokids.com.
May
11, 2007
SECOND CONDOR CHICK OF 2007 HATCHES AT OREGON ZOO
PORTLAND,
Ore. -- Attentive might be a bit of an understatement when describing
new dad Atishwin, the California condor whose first chick hatched May
6 at the Oregon Zoo's Jonsson Center for Wildlife Conservation.
The chick, the second to hatch this year at the Jonsson Center, is the first
that Atishwin and his mate, Ojai, have produced together, and -- though Ojai
has produced and raised several chicks in the past -- it is Atishwin's first
chick ever.
Both parents have stayed very close to the young condor during its first
days. Female and male condors take turns feeding and warming their
offspring -- but even during their "off time," Atishwin and Ojai have
preferred lying next to each other to taking a break outside the nest cave.
And Atishwin has even taken it a step further. At one point, he let Ojai
scoot the chick under her for brooding, but then apparently felt a little
left out -- so he went and retrieved the chick's empty eggshell and settled
on that so he could have something to brood as well.
"It was very sweet and pretty funny to watch," says Kelli Walker, condor
keeper. "The pair have been great parents. Even though Atishwin is a
first-time dad, he has shown none of the faults that first-time parents
sometimes experience."
The egg was laid Feb. 24 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 May 3.
By the following day, the chick began to pip externally, and on the
afternoon of May 4 keepers switched the egg with the "dummy egg" the pair
had been sitting on.
Once keepers return an egg to its parents, they employ a hands-off strategy.
"It's critical that we do not disturb the parents or allow the chick to
imprint on people," says Condor Curator Shawn St. Michael. "We'll monitor
how things are progressing with the chick through cameras mounted in the
condor nest cave."
The condor team has been closely monitoring the behavior of the parents and
the chick. The new chick has received its first feeding and appears very
strong on the video monitor.
Keepers will wait until the chick is a month old before it receives its
first checkup and a vaccination to protect against West Nile virus.
The new chick is part of a record year for Oregon Zoo condors: An
unprecedented seven eggs have been laid, including two eggs by pairs who had
never produced before. Unfortunately, an abundance of eggs doesn't guarantee
an abundance of chicks.
This season, three eggs were infertile and a fourth proved to be not viable
part way through incubation. The low fertility is likely due to the number
of young females in the program. California condors don't reach sexual
maturity until about 5 to 7 years of age.
This year's first condor chick, which hatched April 14, is impressing
keepers and has already doubled in size.
"The chick is doing great and is one of the most precocious chicks we have
had," says Walker. "Most chicks stay in the corner where they are hatched,
only coming out a few feet for the first month, but this one was scooting
around the nest room at only a couple of weeks."
The parents, Mandan and Tama, have been leaving this chick alone more often
than they've done with previous chicks, according to Walker. This could be
because the chick does not give them a moment's peace, she says. When it is
not being fed, it nibbles at their feet, legs and anything else it can
reach.
"So far it looks like Mandan and Tama will produce another great chick,"
says Walker.
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. Funding for the Oregon Zoo's California
Condor Recovery Program comes in part from a grant from The Kenneth A. Scott
Charitable Trust, a KeyBank Trust.
The Jonsson Center is currently home to 17 adult condors. This season, 7
eggs have been laid, bringing the total to 15 since the Jonsson center was
established and, with last week's birth, eight 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.
PORTLAND,
Ore. -- The public has chosen the Oregon Zoo's Alice as the Zoo
Mother of the Year for 2007. The ocelot mother was the overall winner with
nearly 50 percent of the online votes while Mali, the Colobus monkey, came
in second with about 38 percent. Bonita, a Humblodt penguin, was the third
runner-up with a little more than 12 percent.
"Alice is a great choice for Zoo Mother of the Year," said Oregon Zoo
Director Tony Vecchio. "She's new to the zoo and has an important
conservation message to tell."
Shortly after arriving at the zoo last spring, 14-year-old Alice and her
mate, Ralph, had settled in well enough to produce a cub, Rio, who was born
Sept. 14, 2006.
"We were very pleased with how protective she was with her cub," noted 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."
Vecchio viewed the Zoo Mother of the Year vote as an opportunity to educate
the public about animals that are either threatened or endangered.
"Once people make an emotional connection with an animal, they're much more
likely to care about the future of that species," said Vecchio. "This online
vote has helped bring attention to the plight of these animals."
Hunting and habitat destruction are directly linked to ocelots' dwindling
numbers in the wild. Alice is of the southern Brazilian species, Leopardus
pardalis mitis, which inhabits the tropical and subtropical forests of
southern Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. Since 2002, the 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.
May
4, 2007
BABIRUSAS DOUBLE OREGON ZOO'S PIG POPULATION
Babirusas join Visayan warty pigs in the zoo's Island Pigs of Asia exhibit
Babirusa pigs like this one will move into their new home in the
Oregon Zoo's Island Pigs of Asia exhibit on May 26.
Photo courtesy of the Zoological Society of San Diego.
PORTLAND,
Ore. -- With their naked, wrinkly appearance, visitors may wonder
if the Oregon Zoo has super-sized its naked mole rats, but they are actually
babirusa pigs. The two fine swine make their debut at the zoo's Island Pigs
of Asia exhibit Saturday, May 26. Ten-month-old males Itchy and Scratchy
arrived from the Los Angeles Zoo in April and weighed in at 40 and 35 pounds
respectively. The zoo will celebrate their arrival with games and Keeper
Talks between 10 and 2 p.m.
"Babirusa are one of the most critically endangered pig species in the
world," said Oregon Zoo Director Tony Vecchio. "They are only found on the
island of Sulawesi and a couple of very small nearby islands. Their habitat
is rapidly disappearing to logging and expanding human populations. And,
most unfortunately for the babirusa, they are pigs; which means they taste
good and they're easy to hunt."
Babirusa are relatively large swine, reaching up to three and a half feet in
length and weighing as much as 200 pounds. The most noticeable feature of
babirusa is their tusks. Males have a pair of lower tusk like many other
species of pigs. They also have an impressive pair of curved tusks poking
through their upper snout and curving toward their foreheads. Scientists
aren't quite sure what they are used for, but they may be used to protect
their face and eyes when the males fight.
"While the zoo's mission is, first and foremost, conservation, we never lose
sight of the fact that our visitors have come to expect us to show them
unique and fascinating wildlife. The babirusa fits that bill," continued
Vecchio. "Their eerie eyes and the male's unusual tusks growing right
through the roof of his snout make these an animal like none other that is
sure to captivate our guests."
Babirusas prefer to live in moist forests along rivers on several Indonesian
islands. Unfortunately, people like to live in the same areas. As the
human population grows, the pigs are either killed or forced to move away
from the rivers.
Even though babirusas have been protected in their native Indonesia since
1931, their forest homes have not. Recently, the Indonesian government has
started to protect the forest homes of the babirusa and other wildlife.
Oregon Zoo is one of 16 zoos in North America exhibit babirusa. They are
closely monitored by the Species Survival Plan (SSP) which is a cooperative
program developed by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to manage
genetic diversity and population.
PORTLAND,
Ore. -- The Oregon Zoo's Bear Fair is a day to celebrate, honor
and protect all bears -- from the cuddly teddy bear at home on your bed to
an 800-pound grizzly with an appetite for almost anything, including deer
and salmon. Bear Fair is on Saturday, May 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
"People have such a fondness for bears," says Krista Swan, event
coordinator. "We want Bear Fair to be an opportunity for visitors to come
and learn more about these great mammals and the conservation efforts being
made to protect them."
During Bear
Fair, visitors can participate in a zoo-wide scavenger hunt and learn
about bears during scheduled keeper talks. The nation's most famous
bear, the U.S. Forest Service's Smokey Bear, makes his much-anticipated
return.
"Smokey Bear is really looking forward to having his picture taken with all
of the children and adults," says Swan. "The zoo is one of his favorite
stops on his whirlwind tour."
This year
Bear Fair has three new guests of honor: Gerry, Homer and Pete, North
American black bears who recently moved into the zoo's $2 million Black
Bear Ridge exhibit. Black Bear Ridge opened to the public March 10.
For more information on the exhibit, including the zoo's three newest
bears, please visit:
http://www.oregonzoo.org/Exhibits/GreatNW/BlackBearRidge/index.htm.
Also returning
this year is the Repair-A-Bear station.
"Repair-A-Bear specializes in stuffed-animal operations, checkups, shots,
chiropractic adjustments and emergency patchwork," says Swan.
Additional
Bear Fair activities include:
10:30
a.m. - Early lunchtime for Bug the grizzly! A keeper feeds the bear
from the visitor side, while discussing how this huge animal is trained
for health checkups.
11:30
a.m. - Bugs for the sun bears! These small bears use their extra-long
tongues to forage for bugs and retrieve treats from see-through plastic
containers. Keepers discuss sun bear issues, including habitat destruction,
poaching and the inhumane conditions in the bear bile farming industry.
12:30
p.m. - ZooTeen Kourtney Kuiper shares highlights from her trip to
the Arctic to study polar bears in the wild. As an "Arctic
Ambassador,"
Kuiper talks about what she learned on her trip to Churchill, Canada,
and describes the effects of global warming on polar bear habitat.
To watch a video of Kuiper on her trip, please visit:
http://www.oregonzoo.org/VideoArchive/GlobalWarming_PolarBears.htm
1 p.m.
- Polar bears pounce on large barrels, trying to extricate the hidden
treats inside. Meanwhile, keepers share their insights about these
impressive animals and the pressure their wild counterparts face
as a result of global climate change. To watch video of the bears'
enrichment activities, please visit:
http://www.oregonzoo.org/VideoArchive/PolarBear_Enrichment.htm
2 p.m.
- It's a scattered feed for the black bears! As Gerry, Pete and Homer
graze, keepers discuss ways people can minimize negative encounters
with bears.
2 p.m.
to 3 p.m. - A storyteller shares bear stories at the Alaska Tundra
exhibit.
In conjunction
with the zoo's effort to bring attention to climate change -- which
is rapidly decreasing the polar bears arctic habitat -- Metro shares
tips on how to save time and money (and reduce pollution) with
trip-chaining, carpooling and other travel options available in the region.
Metro's "Drive Less/Save More" booth is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
As in years
past, Bear Fair falls on the last day of Bear Awareness Week. Defenders
of Wildlife designated May 13 through 19 as National Bear Awareness
Week. The weeklong celebration honors polar, grizzly, black and Malayan
sun bears. The Oregon Zoo is participating in this nationwide effort
to educate the public about the integral role bears play in nature,
as well as the importance of respecting biological diversity.
In addition,
during Bear Fair and Bear Awareness week the Zoo Store is donating
10 percent of all plush-bear sales to the zoo's Future for Wildlife
fund for bear conservation, with an overall goal of $500. The Cascade
Grill has "Mint Polar Bear" drinks, and bear cookies
can be purchased at food outlets and table tents throughout the zoo.
PORTLAND,
Ore. -- The Oregon Zoo will highlight past successes of and future
challenges to the world's endangered species as it observes Endangered
Species Day, Friday, May 18. The public is invited to mark this special day
at the zoo, where visitors can experience the beauty of endangered animal
species, learn about their plight in the wild -- and how the zoo is helping
the animals -- and discover how they too can make a difference.
"Endangered
Species Day provides us another opportunity to raise awareness about
the threats to endangered species and the success stories in species
recovery," said Oregon Zoo Director Tony Vecchio. "Educating the public
about the importance of protecting endangered species and the everyday
actions individuals can take to help protect wildlife and their habitat
is a crucial part of our mission."
Events kick
off at 11 a.m. with a mini Wild Life Live! show featuring endangered
species on the zoo's concert lawn. Visitors who want to learn more
about the zoo's endangered species can attend special keeper talks
from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
11:30 a.m. - ocelots / sun bears
12 p.m. - western pond turtles in the turtle lab at Cascade Stream
and Pond exhibit
12:30 p.m. - elephants
1 p.m. - penguins / polar bears
1:30 p.m. - bats
2 p.m. - Steller sea lions
Zoo volunteers
wearing "Ask me about endangered species" buttons will
be available throughout the day to answer visitor questions.
Conservation
organizations will be on hand to educate visitors about their missions
and answer questions. Oregon Wild, Save Our Wild Salmon, the Endangered
Species Coalition, the Sierra Club and the Marine Fisheries Network
will be there to support Endangered Species Day and hand out information
all day.
More than
1,800 species worldwide are now listed as threatened and endangered,
and thousands more are threatened with extinction. Currently, 22 species
at the Oregon Zoo are endangered/CITES I, and 70 are threatened and/or
CITES II. The zoo is active in 24 Species Survival Plans and 32 Population
Management Plans.
Sen. Ron
Wyden, D-Ore., and others recently introduced a resolution in the U.S.
Senate to declare May 18, 2007, as Endangered Species Day, which is
a nationwide campaign. Zoos, parks, schools, conservation organizations
and other groups will recognize the day. In 2006, a resolution was
passed creating the first Endangered Species Day with the goal of sparking
wonder and interest in conservation efforts across the country. The
resolution has the full support of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums,
of which the Oregon Zoo is an accredited member.
