January 24, 2008
ZOO ANIMALS TREATED TO LOVELY VALENTINE'S DAY SURPRISES

Elephants receive Valentine treats. © Oregon Zoo

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Roses are nice, chocolates are too, but animals crave other treats at the Oregon Zoo. Keepers will be spreading the love Thursday, Feb. 14, beginning at 10 a.m., when they offer a sea otter and elephants some untraditional Valentine's Day gifts.

A valentine made out of ice might not be the best thing to give your sweetheart during winter, but nothing could sound tastier to sea otters. The zoo's festivities kick off at 10 a.m. when Thelma the sea otter receives a heart-shaped ice treat filled with shrimp and mussels.

If elephants never forget, how would they feel if they were left out of the fun? The festivities wrap up at 10:20 a.m. when the zoo's female elephants receive valentines from their favorite keepers. Hidden inside each heart-shaped box are apples, carrots, sweet potatoes and cereal, as well as some sugar cubes to satisfy an extra-big sweet tooth.

This is the eighth year that special Valentine's Day enrichment treats have been handed out to zoo residents. The Oregon Zoo is known internationally for its enrichment programs, which mentally stimulate the animals, and provide them with the opportunity to play, hunt and forage.

After watching the animals receive their gifts, visitors may enjoy a more traditional Valentine's Day dessert: a slice of Carnegie Deli cheesecake and strawberries in the zoo's Cascade Grill. Homemade fudge makes a great Valentine's Day gift, and is available in the zoo's gift shop. Purchase four pieces of fudge and receive a fifth piece free.

January 23, 2008
GIANTS OR PATRIOTS? OREGON ZOO ORANGS SET TO PICK WINNER
Zoo's uncanny orangutans ready to don T-shirts, predict Super Bowl outcome

Orangutan wearing superbowl t-shirt at the Oregon Zoo. Photo by Michael Durham. © Oregon Zoo

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Predictions can be a tricky business, but the Oregon Zoo is betting its orangutans are up for the challenge. As they have for the past several years, Inji, matriarch of the zoo's orangutans, and her grandson Kutai, will predict the Super Bowl winner on the Friday prior to the big game at 10 a.m. in the primate building's orang exhibit.

Each year, keepers provide the orangs with official T-shirts from the two competing Super Bowl teams. The team indicated by the first shirt Inji chooses to put on represents her pick for the winner. In the past, Inji has correctly predicted the winners of four Super Bowls and two Civil War games, and her overall record is 6-4. Her record began slipping with the arrival of her grandson Kutai.

According to Senior Primate Keeper Dave Thomas, Kutai has been inserting himself into the prediction process for the past three years and obviously wants to be part of the event. "It's becoming clear that while Inji seems to be losing her edge, Kutai is showing himself to be more perceptive, so to speak."

Kutai boasts a perfect record of three for three.

Thomas won't speculate as to whether Inji is stepping aside to allow her grandson to shine, or if he's taking over by force.

"He did take all the shirts from one team one year, so her choice was limited," concedes Thomas.

Inji's ability to choose the winner of football games was discovered several years ago by chance. A local sportscaster had seen the orangs receive clothing as enrichment items and wondered what they would do with T-shirts from the University of Oregon Ducks and Oregon State University Beavers prior to the Civil War football game. Inji, the more dominant of the group at that time, chose to wear the T-shirt of the school that eventually won the game. She was given the same challenge the following year, and again picked the winner. Due to exhibit construction and new animal introductions, Inji took some time off from her predictions. When conditions were again favorable, that year's Civil War game had passed, but the Super Bowl was only a few weeks away, so she began predicting Super Bowl outcomes.

Zookeepers are always looking for new and interesting ways to keep the animals engaged and active. Giving the orangutans T-shirts and other interesting items serves as environmental enrichment. The Oregon Zoo is internationally renowned for its environmental enrichment program, designed to keep animals mentally and physically challenged and stimulated.

January 17, 2008
ZOO HONORS WRINKLY RODENTS AS CHINESE NEW YEAR BEGINS
Visitors invited to celebrate 'Year of the Rat' -- naked mole rat, that is!

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Those who've already blown their resolutions for 2008 have a chance to start all over again. They can chuck the Gregorian calendar, which began its new year weeks ago, and embrace the Chinese calendar, which begins anew Feb. 7. And they can celebrate all over again too, at the Oregon Zoo.

The zoo celebrates the Year of the Rat by highlighting its unusual naked mole rats. Keeper talks take place at the naked mole rat exhibit at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Visitors can learn what makes these wrinkly, bucktoothed creatures some of the most interesting animals at the zoo. They can also check out the highly endangered Malayan sun bears, whose range includes southern China. Keepers will talk about the sun bears and their imperiled status at 10 a.m. at the sun bear exhibit.

"Chinese New Year is a great opportunity to highlight some animals that don't get as much attention as some of our larger animals," said Oregon Zoo Event Coordinator Krista Swan. "We want visitors who come to our events to have fun, but also make a connection with our animals, so they leave the zoo wanting to make the world a better place for wildlife."

And what would be the daily special at the zoo's Cascade Grill as we begin the Year of the Rat? Ratatouille? No. Oregon Zoo Executive Chef Paul Warner says he's sought expert advice on what to serve during Chinese New Year and has come up with some authentic fare for the day.

The zoo's gift shop is offering a 20 percent discount on naked mole rat plush purchases on Feb. 7. The "cute" little critters can serve as a yearlong reminder that 2008 is indeed the Year of the Rat.

January 16, 2008
GRIZZLY EXPERT KICKS OFF CONSERVATION LECTURE SERIES AT ZOO
Lance Craighead discusses large carnivores and their need for wide open spaces

Grizzly bear. Photo by Michael Durham. © Oregon Zoo

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Dwindling populations have become a common theme for countless animal species across the globe. Ecosystems are threatened by changing environments, lack of space and human encroachment. Dr. Lance Craighead, executive director of the Craighead Environmental Research Institute, discusses how to reverse this process when he kicks off the 2008 Wildlife Conservation Lecture Series on Tuesday, Jan. 29, at 7 p.m. at the Oregon Zoo.

In his lecture, "Planning the Persistence of Large Carnivores," Craighead demonstrates that grizzly bears, wolves, wolverines, lynxes and other mammals need large landscapes to maintain stable populations. He shows how developing conservation plans with cutting-edge technology and grassroots community connections has helped protect the last remaining habitats of these powerful predators.

"Developing conservation plans for large carnivores is incredibly important in sustaining ecosystems," said Oregon Zoo Director Tony Vecchio. "Providing these animals with larger habitats is an important first step and can provide some relief to the pressures these carnivores are facing."

These large animals have a high sensitivity to humans; therefore they have the greatest need for relatively large, undisturbed environments. By developing conservation plans for these large mammals, biologists can help boost populations of other animal and plant species.

Gray wolf. Photo by Michael Durham. © Oregon Zoo

Craighead, currently an adjunct assistant professor of biology at Montana State University, has worked as a volunteer, graduate student, consultant and employee on a variety of research projects. Most of his research has focused on birds and large mammals, particularly grizzly bears and other
carnivores. He is the author of the popular guidebook "Bears of the World" (Voyageur Press, 2000), and has also contributed chapters to the books "Metapopulations and Wildlife Conservation" (Island Press, 1996) and "Carnivores in Ecosystems" (Yale University Press, 1999).

He is an experienced field ecologist, population geneticist and Geographic Information Systems technician, with several years of experience in conservation area design. He is a member of World Conservation Union's World Committee of Protected Areas, the Society for Conservation Biology, the Society for Conservation GIS, and the Wildlife Society. He is also vice president of the Northern Rockies Conservation Co-op.

The Wildlife Conservation Lecture Series continues through April with the following additional lectures:

Gray wolves. Photo by Michael Durham. © Oregon Zoo

Tuesday, Feb. 26
Dr. Marc P. Hayes, Research Scientist, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife "Climate Change, Disease, Exotics and Humans: The Unique Case of the Oregon Spotted Frog"

Tuesday, March 25
Bob Sallinger, Conservation Director, Audubon Society of Portland
"Peregrines of Portland: Birds, Bridges and Urban Biodiversity"

Tuesday, April 29
Scott Black, Entomologist, Xerces Society
"What Good Are Bugs? The Case for Invertebrate Conservation"

The series is presented by Pro Photo Supply and Shiels Obletz Johnsen, with additional support from Portland General Electric. Hosts for the series are the Oregon Zoo, the Audubon Society of Portland 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.

The motivation for this series is the hope that community knowledge will be raised in the areas of wildlife conservation, environmental problems and ecological systems.

January 15, 2008
'WILD ABOUT ZOOS' PARTNERSHIP RAISES $82,000 FOR WESTERN ZOOS

A tiny western pond turtle emerges from its shell at the Oregon Zoo. The zoo raises the endangered turtles until they are large enough to avoid predation by non-native bullfrogs and largemouth bass, releasing them in the Columbia River Gorge each summer. Photo by Michael Durham. © Oregon Zoo

PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Seattle-based HomeStreet Bank has contributed $82,000 to four western zoos through its "Wild About Zoos" program. Through this partnership, HomeStreet has joined with the Oregon Zoo, Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma, Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, and Honolulu Zoo. In its most recent donation, HomeStreet granted the Oregon Zoo $12,540 for its Northwest conservation efforts.

Through the "Wild About Zoos" promotion, HomeStreet Bank donated $10 for every new bank account, mortgage, loan and insurance policy. HomeStreet successfully generated 1,254 new accounts in the Portland area. As a result, the minimum financial commitment of $12,500 to the Oregon Zoo was exceeded. The "Wild About Zoos" program is now in its sixth year. Since its inception, HomeStreet Bank has contributed nearly $400,000 to regional zoos.

"HomeStreet Bank has proven to be a great friend to the Oregon Zoo," said Tony Vecchio, zoo director. "The money will support efforts to save endangered western pond turtles, Washington pygmy rabbits, Oregon silverspot butterflies and other threatened Northwest species. We'd love to see this worthwhile program continue."

HomeStreet Bank has a tradition of community involvement that dates back more than 85 years, taking the form of community leadership, volunteerism and charitable contributions. Each year, HomeStreet donates 2 percent of its annual pre-tax profits to organizations in its communities. "Wild About Zoos" has been a major part of the bank's corporate mission to support, preserve and rehabilitate parks and open spaces.

January 14, 2008
PORTLAND GOES PREHISTORIC
Dinosaurs invade Portland as Mayor and Metro Council declare 2008 'Year of the Dinosaur'

A mother T. rex and her baby. © Oregon Zoo

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Dinosaurs are invading Portland in 2008, but don't head for the hills, because these creatures are friendly. Well, sort of. Throughout 2008, dinosaurs take the Rose City by storm, with stunningly realistic dinosaurs at attractions throughout the Portland metro area.

"The Portland metro area has not seen this many dinosaurs since the great extinction," said Robert Liberty, Metro Councilor. "It seems that at every corner of the city you'll discover a dinosaur either standing, walking, running or waiting to pounce."

Portland Mayor Tom Potter and the Metro Council have officially declared 2008 the "Year of the Dinosaur." The Year of the Dinosaur is designed to help celebrate the international importance of dinosaurs and the scientific field of paleontology.

"Our community and tourists alike will experience the most exciting dinosaur exhibits, shows and works of art ever to grace Oregon," said Liberty.

Several Portland-area attractions are participating in 2008's Year of the Dinosaur through a number of activities, including:

Jan. 16-20: "Walking With Dinosaurs: The Live Experience" at the Rose Garden. Fifteen life-size dinosaurs walk the arena floor -- feeding, fighting, protecting their young, defending their territory and convincing a live audience that dinosaurs are alive and present. The biggest dinosaurs are enormous, with the adult Brachiosaurus standing more than 40 feet tall. They represent state-of-the-art new 360-degree animatronic technology going beyond current techniques that have been developed for the film and TV industries. The dinosaurs have been praised for their realistic movement and attention to detail. Based on the award-winning BBC series, "Walking With Dinosaurs: The Live Experience" is both a study in natural history and an engaging, innovative piece of live entertainment. (www.rosequarter.com)

Feb. 2-Sept. 1: "Dinosaurs: China's Ancient Giants" at OMSI. Travel back in time 200 million years and witness China's most spectacular ancient inhabitants in the largest collection of authentic Chinese fossils ever toured. "China's Ancient Giants" features 20 complete dinosaur skeletons (both casts and fossils), interactive touch screens, activity carts, a "dig pit" where kids of all ages can become paleontologists for a day, and a 67-foot-long adult Mamenchisaurus, the longest-necked dinosaur ever! Other rarely seen dinosaurs featured in the exhibit include the fierce Velociraptor, the feathered Caudipteryx, the plant-eating Lufengosaurus and the duck-billed Tsintaosaurus. (www.omsi.edu/dinos)

Feb. 20-24: Children's dinosaur garden display at the Portland Expo Center Home & Garden Show. Leach Botanical Garden hosts the plant sale area at the spring show, which includes a wide selection of plants from area nurseries. Enjoy 25 beautiful garden showcase designs with a focus on sustainability - plus a special children's dinosaur garden display. Admission: $12 general; $5 ages 6-12. (www.otshows.com)

March 1-June 1: "Hatching the Past: Feathered Dinosaur Eggs and Babies" at
the Portland Classical Chinese Garden. Take a rare and exciting look at the life of feathered dinosaurs through their eggs, nests and embryos. This remarkable exhibition gives credence to long-debated theories that dinosaurs and birds are closely related. A captivating experience for all ages, "Hatching the Past" invites visitors to dig for eggs, experience hands-on exploration stations, view an animated video presentation and see colorful illustrations of dinosaur family life. Free with garden admission. (www.portlandchinesegarden.org)

May 17: Children's Nature Fair, featuring "Dina Spore," at Leach Botanical Garden.
Kids of all ages can meet the garden's new native plant mascot, Dina Spore, and experience a variety of hands-on educational activities. Learn about dinosaurs and where they lived, find fossils and learn about the plants that dinosaurs ate. Donation: $2 per child. Dina Spore will be unveiled at the garden's Spring Soiree on Feb. 19, and will also make an appearance at their plant sale on April 19. (www.leachgarden.org)

May 17-Sept. 1: "Dinosaurs!" outdoors at the Oregon Zoo, presented by Wells Fargo. Take a walk through an ancient rainforest and discover towering dinosaurs. Come eye-to-eye with 20 animatronic prehistoric creatures that roar, snarl and move with lifelike ferocity. Discover the impressive brachiosaurus and the fierce T. rex, the flying Pteranodon, the Deinonychus ("terrible claw"), and other favorites including Stegosaurus and Triceratops. Kids can dig for fossils, find dinosaur egg nests and track a T. rex! (www.oregonzoo.org/dinos)

May 17-Aug. 2: "Ancient Trees: Walking in the Footsteps of Dinosaurs" at the World Forestry Center Discovery Museum. What were trees like when dinosaurs roamed? Which ones did the dinosaurs eat? Follow the giant footsteps through this intriguing look back in time, and explore 25 living specimen trees representing ancient plant groups and the herbivores that ate them. (www.worldforestry.org)

May 22-Sept. 1: "Dinosaur Revolution" at the Portland Children's Museum. Become a dinosaur and take a journey through the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods before landing in the present and discovering evidence of dinosaur doings as a Junior Paleontologist! (www.portlandcm.org)

Nov. 1: "Godzilla in the Garden" at the Portland Japanese Garden. A matinee showing of the classic Japanese film. The movie, which shows at 1 p.m., is free with regular paid admission. Reservations are required, and may be made starting six weeks before the event. (www.japanesegarden.com)

As part of the 2008 Year of the Dinosaur, organizations throughout Portland are showcasing 9-foot dinosaur statues that have been painstakingly painted by local artists and schools. Each statue has a distinct theme and helps demonstrate Portland's appreciation for these prehistoric creatures.

Visitors can view statues at OMSI, the Oregon Historical Society, the Portland Children's Museum, the Oregon Zoo, the World Forestry Center, Leach Botanical Gardens and the Rose Quarter. The Art Institute of Portland, Portland Trail Blazers and the Portland LumberJax will also have statues on display around the city.

"The 9-foot dinosaurs should spark a heightened interest in the prehistoric period sweeping our region," said Liberty.

The Year of the Dinosaur has been made possible through the combined efforts of the aforementioned organizations alongside the Office of Mayor Tom Potter, Metro Council and the Portland Oregon Visitors Association. For more information, please visit www.travelportland.com.

January 4, 2008
POPULAR EXHIBITS, EVENTS HELP OREGON ZOO TO RECORD-BREAKING 2007

Visitors enjoy an up-close encounter with Homer, a 600-pound black bear, at the Oregon Zoo's popular Black Bear Ridge exhibit. The March 2007 opening of Black Bear Ridge helped boost zoo attendance to an all-time high of 1.5 million visitors last year. Photo by Mary Faber. © Oregon Zoo

PORTLAND, Ore. -- For the second year in a row, and the third time in the past four years, the Oregon Zoo has broken its all-time calendar-year attendance record, with 1,503,565 visitors in 2007. This marks the first time zoo attendance has topped 1.5 million in a calendar year. The zoo's previous record, set in 2006, was 1,447,116 visitors.

"We continue to open new exhibits and host events visitors expect and enjoy," says Tony Vecchio, zoo director. "We're always trying to make new and innovative additions to draw in first-time visitors and bring back our loyal supporters."

Vecchio added that creative marketing and public relations helped the zoo garner strong media coverage, which translated into more visitors.

The zoo had a strong spring with the March opening of its Black Bear Ridge exhibit, featuring black bears and bobcats, and its "Zoo's Gone Wild" spring break activities. In late May, a pair of charismatic babirusas joined the Island Pigs of Asia exhibit, alongside the zoo's popular Visayan warty pigs. Summer was characteristically busy with the return of the Winged Wonders butterfly exhibit combined with the well-attended Wells Fargo Summer Concert Series. August was the zoo's busiest month, with 224,788 visitors.

After a record-breaking 2007, the zoo's director anticipates an even better year for 2008.

"We have big plans for 2008," says Vecchio. "In May, the zoo will be overtaken by a blockbuster summer exhibit of lifelike robotic dinosaurs. And later this summer, Red Ape Reserve, the new orangutan and white-cheeked gibbon exhibit is set to open." This $1.8 million indoor-outdoor space will be more than 3.5 times larger than the orangs' current exhibit.

"If that isn't enough," Vecchio adds, "Rose-Tu, our second-youngest Asian elephant, is expecting a baby in the fall of 2008. Our visitors will have a lot to see in the coming year."

The first time the zoo's attendance topped a million was during 1962, the year Packy was born. The baby pachyderm, born that April, helped draw 1,211,170 spectators from all over the Northwest, eager to see the first elephant born in the United States in 44 years. It wasn't until 1989 that the zoo broke the million mark again. Since then, the zoo has welcomed more than a million guests in 16 of the past 19 years.

The Oregon Zoo continues to have the highest attendance of any fee-based tourist attraction in Oregon. Only Multnomah Falls and Spirit Mountain Casino, which do not charge admission fees, have more annual visitors.