September 29, 2008
ZOO HOSTS THREE EVENTS TO BENEFIT WILD CHEETAHS
Since 2000, Oregon Zoo events have raised more than $180,000 for cheetah conservation.

Cheetahs, the world's fastest land animals, can reach speeds of 60 to 70 mph. To help support their dwindling numbers in the wild, the Oregon Zoo and the Cheetah Conservation Fund have teamed up to host a variety of events at the zoo Oct. 10 and 11. Photo by Chris Pfefferkorn, © Oregon Zoo.

PORTLAND, Ore. -- With only 12,000 wild cheetahs left onearth, time is running out for these critically endangered animals. On Oct. 10 and 11, three cheetah-themed conservation events at the Oregon Zoo - Run for the
Cheetah, Cheetah Camp and "Big Cat, Big Party" - help raise awareness of the plight of the world's fastest land animal.

"Since 2000, the Oregon Zoo has helped us raise more than $180,000 to help save cheetahs in the wild," said Cheetah Conservation Fund founder Dr. Laurie Marker, a Time magazine "Hero for the Planet" award recipient and world-renowned cheetah expert. "Through the zoo's strong partnership, we've raised the conservation profile of this charismatic and critically endangered cat."

Run for the Cheetah

The fourth annual Run for the Cheetah takes place Saturday, Oct. 11. The event begins with a kids' half-mile dash at 8 a.m., followed by an 8K run-walk at 8:30 a.m. and a 5K run-walk at 8:45 a.m. Routes begin near the zoo entrance and wind through Washington Park.

The run is sponsored by the Oregon Zoo, National Geographic Kids Magazine, Java Jacket, CLIF Bars, the Marriott Downtown Waterfront hotel, Northwest
Paper Box, Can Do Kid, Comcast, Foot Traffic, NW Natural, KINK-FM and the Lake Oswego Review.

To register for Run for the Cheetah, visit www.runforthecheetah.org or call 503-644-6822. The Cheetah Conservation Fund is donating $5 from each 8K and 5K registration fee to support the Oregon Zoo. Kid's dash participants must be registered by Oct. 8.

Cheetah Camp

Children in kindergarten through sixth grade are invited to attend the zoo's Cheetah Camp, Saturday, Oct. 11, from 8:15 a.m. to noon. Campers will visit with members of CCF and their spotted friend Kgosi, an extremely rare king cheetah - one of only about 30 on earth. Campers will also create gifts for children in Namibia, where CCF has its headquarters. For further information
or to register, visit www.oregonzoo.org/Education/families/cheetahcamp.htm.

Big Cat, Big Party

For cool cats who like to party, CCF's seventh annual "Big Cat, Big Party" takes place Friday, Oct. 10, from 6:30 to 10 p.m. A delectable feast, created by the zoo's executive chef, Paul Warner, complements a discussion led by Dr. Marker, who will be accompanied by her spotted pal Kgosi.

Tickets are $140 per person or $1,750 for a table of 10. For reservations, go to www.bigcatbigparty.eventbrite.com or e-mail ccforegon@cheetah.org. Tickets must be purchased by Oct. 5.

"CCF and the Oregon Zoo have a true partnership in working together to save a species that is beloved by children around the world," said Teresa Delaney, CCF trustee. "Zoos and breeding facilities around the world play an important role in helping to save the cheetah for future generations."

September 26, 2008
SAMUDRA, REST OF ZOO ELEPHANT HERD GETTING COMFORTABLE
After initial tension, Shine is settling into role as baby elephant's 'auntie'

Shine (left), Rose-Tu and Samudra are getting along very well after the calf's rough start at the Oregon Zoo. Shine is now loving and accepting of the baby. Photo by Michael Durham, © Oregon Zoo.

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Sung-Surin, the Asian elephant familiarly known as Shine, didn't take a shine to the Oregon Zoo's new baby elephant when they met, but all that has changed, keepers say.

Shine, the matriarch of the zoo's elephant herd, took a while to warm up to Samudra (nicknamed Sam), but she is now taking on the role of "auntie" and showing signs of affection for the little elephant calf. Introducing Sam to Shine was a slow and methodical process, but keepers say the hard work seems to have paid off.

"Shine was spooked by Sam's birth," said Bob Lee, senior elephant keeper, "so when they met initially, her first instinct was to harm him."

Elephant keepers slowly reintroduced the elephant calf to Shine, and the 26-year-old female has now fully accepted her role as "auntie."

Sam spends most of the day with his mother, Rose-Tu, and the rest of the herd. He is only separated from Chendra and Shine at night so as to promote an even stronger bond between him and his mother.

"It took a while to get adjusted," said Lee, "but now Shine is loving and protective of Sam."

Samudra, born Aug. 23 at the zoo, had a rough start to life when Rose-Tu and Shine became confused after his birth and nearly trampled him. Elephant keepers quickly intervened and were able to prevent any harm to the baby.

Lee believes Rose-Tu became confused because she had never seen a birth before. Until the new baby's arrival, she herself had been the last elephant born at the zoo. He believes Shine became agitated during the birth when Rose-Tu showed signs of distress and confusion.

Shine is the daughter of Packy and Pet. She shares many characteristics with her father. Her personality is nearly identical to his, and she also inherited Packy's height. She is the tallest female elephant at the zoo and weighs about 8,000 pounds. Physically, she can be distinguished from the
other elephants by a slit in her lower right ear.

As Samudra grows older, father Tusko -- a 13,500-pound, 36-year-old Asian elephant -- will be introduced and allowed to interact with him, as well. Tusko arrived at the zoo in June 2005 on a breeding loan. He has successfully sired three calves in the past -- two while living in Canada
and one in California.

Rose-Tu, born Aug. 31, 1994, is a popular elephant within the herd and with her keepers. She is always looking to tease her herd mates and shares a strong friendship with Chendra, who is nearly the same age. Rose-Tu is the second-smallest adult elephant in the herd, weighing about 7,600 pounds. She conceived in late 2006.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan for Asian elephants recommended that Rose-Tu be bred with Tusko. The AZA, of which the Oregon Zoo is an accredited member, strives to maintain a sustainable population of the endangered elephants in North America. Currently, birth
rates are lower than necessary to do so. With few bulls and low birth rates -- combined with an aging female population -- the North American elephant population is at of risk becoming extinct.

In the late 1990s, scientists warned zoos that unless a reproductive management program was undertaken, North America was in danger of not sustaining a viable elephant population. Statistics indicate that if females do not become pregnant by the age of 25, their ability to reproduce is severely diminished.

An endangered species, Asian elephants are represented by an estimated 38,000 to 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 has a renowned breeding program for endangered Asian elephants. More than 25 elephants have been born at the zoo, beginning with Packy in 1962. The new calf is the first third-generation elephant to be
born in the United States.

September 25 , 2008
OREGON ZOO OUTREACH PROGRAMS RECEIVE NATIONAL AWARD
Zoo association honors two programs aimed at underserved youth

Urban Nature Overnight camper Cameron, age 8, looks at a flower through a magnifying glass during an overnight adventure at the Oregon Zoo. Photo by Michael Durham, © Oregon Zoo.

PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Oregon Zoo's Urban Nature Overnight and Zoo Animal Presenters programs received the Excellence in Diversity award at the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' national conference last week in Milwaukee.

"We strive to create strong and diverse programs, and to promote conservation of nature to underserved Portland-area youth," said Tony Vecchio, zoo director. "We're very pleased that AZA has recognized these important and innovative programs."

The award honors "significant achievement in workforce and audience diversity by an AZA member institution."

The zoo's ZAP and UNO programs have been working to connect urban youth with animals and nature since 1999. Participants interact with live animals, go camping, raise salmon, visit local natural areas, learn about careers in conservation and form lasting connections with the natural world.

"It is such an honor to see that our efforts are being recognized nationally," said Pam McElwee, ZAP program coordinator. "ZAP and UNO are designed to foster an appreciation of nature and wildlife in underserved, ethnically diverse populations. These two programs have made such a difference in the lives of our kids."

ZAP is a two-year, paid internship program that trains students in natural science, animal handling, interpretation methods and public speaking helping participants build confidence and providing them with real-world work experience. ZAP team members receive training and mentoring to become teachers in their communities. This year, the zoo is piloting a third year of the ZAP internship. Third-year members work with the UNO program as mentors and trainers and conduct hands-on field-conservation work.

UNO provides children ages 8 through 11 with overnight camping and outdoor education opportunities. Second-year ZAP members serve as UNO counselors, teaching campers about animals and nature while they camp overnight at the zoo and other local natural areas. UNO also provides after-school programs that continue educational experiences for youth participants and ZAP members.

Since 1999, ZAP has employed 111 teens and provided more than a thousand outreach opportunities to more than 75,000 children and adults. Since 2000, UNO has taken more than 2,000 children on camping trips and provided school-year programming for 400 youth.

September 23 , 2008
OREGON ZOO WELCOMES THREE LITTLE PIGS
Marge, a rare Visayan warty pig, surprises keepers with three piglets

© Oregon Zoo.

PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Oregon Zoo had months to prepare for its new elephant baby, but three smaller newborns have arrived on a much shorter schedule.

Marge, a rare Visayan warty pig, gave birth to three piglets Sept. 9, just weeks after zoo staff confirmed she was pregnant.

"We couldn't be more pleased," said Tony Vecchio, zoo director. "These new babies will be charismatic ambassadors for their species. They'll help educate people about the importance of saving these rare pigs -- and their ever-shrinking habitats."

Visayan warty pigs, considered critically endangered, are native to only six islands of the Philippines, and they have become extinct on four of them. Their habitat is being destroyed at an alarming rate due largely to slash-and-burn farming, which has left only small pockets of the species in the wild. The remaining populations are isolated from each other and face dwindling food sources.

"It's very exciting anytime you can breed an endangered species that has such a tough time out in the wild," said animal keeper Bonnie Chatham-Stephens. "We're hoping we can help save another species and just help do our part to improve their lot in life."

Keepers did not know the piglets were on the way until recently. When veterinarians anesthetized both female pigs for a routine physical in late August, an X-ray of Marge revealed the skeletons of two late-term fetuses. Zookeepers isolated the expectant mother and gave her a farrowing box, in which she quickly began nesting.

"We had seen some breeding behavior, but it had been a while," Chatham-Stephens said. "Our first indication that Marge was pregnant was that she was looking a little rounder. Another indication is their teats develop about four weeks prior to birth, and we started noticing that as well. It was basically confirmed through the physical exam."

Keepers say the piglets -- a male and two females -- are very vocal and nursing well. At their most recent exam, the piglets weighed between 1 and 2 pounds. Marge and her babies have been off exhibit for the past two weeks, but are ready to join the other warty pigs in the zoo's Island Pigs of Asia exhibit.

"I know visitors will want to see these 'three little pigs,'" Vecchio said. "With their stripes, they resemble little melons with legs."

To see video of the piglets, visit www.oregonzoo.org/VideoArchive/VisayanWartyPiglets.htm.

When the Association of Zoos and Aquariums sent out an urgent nationwide appeal for emergency Visayan warty pig breeding programs, the Oregon Zoo answered the call, becoming the fourth zoo to join the effort along with the San Diego, St. Louis and Los Angeles zoos.

Marge came to the Oregon Zoo from the Los Angeles Zoo, joining Samar and Maganda, who arrived in 2006. A typical breeding group consists of one male and several females.

Little is known about Visayan warty pigs, which develop spiky, Mohawk-like manes during mating season. They have only been recognized as a separate species since 1993 and are named for the three pairs of fleshy "warts," or bumps, on their faces.

They tend to breed during the dry season, which occurs between January and March in their native habitat. Average litter size is one to three piglets, and gestation is about 122 days.

September 17 , 2008
ZOO SET TO CELEBRATE WORLD'S CULTURES, ANIMALS
World Animal Festival features music, crafts and animal-enrichment activities

A young Oregon Zoo visitor plays the "Predator Pounce" game during World Animal Festival. The festival, a celebration of how animals have influenced humans throughout history, takes place Sept. 27 through Oct. 5, and is free with zoo admission. Photo by Michael Durham, © Oregon Zoo.

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Globetrotters on a budget can travel the world without leaving Portland during the Oregon Zoo's 10th annual World Animal Festival, Sept. 27 through Oct. 5. The festival, free with zoo admission, celebrates the many ways animals influence cultures, beliefs and customs around the globe. Festival hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays.

"Animals have influenced humans for thousands of years, inspiring them to create music, stories, dances and art," said Krista Swan, Oregon Zoo events coordinator. "World Animal Festival will highlight amazing music and dance from nearly every continent, and professional storytellers will weave animal tales, representing the world's animals in legends and myths."

The multicultural celebration provides a chance to discover more about wildlife and the unique places around the world where animals live. Visitors can learn about the threats animals face in the wild and watch zoo animals interact with culturally inspired enrichment items.

On Saturday, Sept. 27, at 1 p.m., the zoo's polar bears receive a Native American totem-pole ice treat. And on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 1 p.m., they get an ice treat in the shape of an Inuit inukshuk.

At various times throughout the festival, guests will be treated to live Brazilian music, Irish dancing, traditional West African drumming, folkloric belly dancing and even a couple of concerts by pirate rockers Captain Bogg and Salty.

Visitors can also take part in games, educational activities and traditional crafts such as:

· origami, the Japanese art of paper folding
· Middle Eastern mosaics
· animal mask-making
· henna tattoos, popular in Africa and southern Asia

For a complete schedule of activities, visit www.oregonzoo.org/Events/WAF.

World Animal Festival at the zoo is sponsored by KINK.fm, New Country 98.7 KUPL and Fox 12 Oregon.

September 17 , 2008
ZOO CELEBRATES ENDANGERED BUTTERFLY SUCCESSEs
Threatened Northwest beauties are flourishing in Oregon Zoo butterfly lab

The Oregon Zoo released zoo-reared Oregon silverspot butterfly pupae this month and last on the Oregon coast. Photo by Michael Durham, © Oregon Zoo.

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Things have been heating up in the Oregon Zoo's butterfly conservation lab -- literally.

After months under lamplight, Taylor's checkerspot butterflies at the zoo laid a record-breaking 3,000 eggs this year.

"This is a groundbreaking year for checkerspots," said Mary Jo Andersen, zoo butterfly conservationist. "We were almost a little too successful."

The success of the zoo's checkerspot program, headed by Elayne Barclay and Melissa Arnold, was due in part to new breeding methods.

"We put a female into a tiny tent with multiple males, creating a sense of competition," said Andersen. "Butterflies are essentially solar-powered, so we put the tents up to the window, and were amazed by the positive results."

While the checkerspots won't be ready for release into the wild until next spring, 300 pupae of the Oregon silverspot butterfly, another threatened species reared at the zoo, were released at three coastal sites over the past several weeks.

The Oregon Zoo will release rare Taylor's checkerspot butterfly pupae next spring near Olympia, Wash. Photo by Michael Durham, © Oregon Zoo.

The Oregon silverspot release and future checkerspot release are part of the zoo's ongoing efforts to stabilize and revitalize native butterfly populations. The Taylor's checkerspot butterfly, a candidate for federal endangered status, is "in imminent danger of going extinct," according to the Butterfly Conservation Initiative. The Oregon silverspot has been federally listed as a threatened species since 1980.

"Rearing butterfly larvae and pupae for eventual release serves as a model for rebuilding ecosystems," said Tony Vecchio, zoo director. "Butterflies are crucial to ecosystems because they are sensitive to environmental factors and indicate whether a habitat is healthy. They are also important pollinators."

According to Andersen, one of the main challenges in rearing butterflies is growing their food.

"If you raise caterpillars of any kind, your primary concern is having enough of the correct host plants," she said. "The plants cannot be treated with any strong chemicals, which could harm the caterpillars."

A butterfly's life cycle mimics its host plant. The larvae go dormant when the plant is unavailable and awaken when the host plant is abundant.

"It's all about habitat," said Andersen. "In addition to restoring butterfly populations, we hope our efforts help educate the public about the importance of maintaining natural habitats. If you compromise their food source, you lose the animals."

For the past nine years, the zoo has collaborated with the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Nature Conservancy, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Xerces Society to successfully raise and release checkerspots and silverspots.

"The Xerces Society has been a valuable partner in all our butterfly conservation programs," said David Shepherdson, zoo conservation scientist. "They provide expert advice and counsel on all of the butterfly species that we are trying to protect."

In 2007, the zoo, in conjunction with USFW, the Woodland Park Zoo and Lewis and Clark College, released almost 2,000 Oregon silverspots at Cascade Head, Bray Point and Rock Creek, near the Oregon Coast.

The zoo also partnered with WDFW to release hundreds of checkerspot larvae on a prairie preserve near Olympia, Wash.

The Oregon silverspot and Taylor's checkerspot captive-rearing efforts are projects of the NW Zoo & Aquarium Alliance, which promotes collaboration on regional conservation among zoos and aquariums in the Pacific Northwest.

September 16 , 2008
WILDLIFE CROSSINGS EXPERT VISITS OREGON ZOO
Free lecture Oct. 19 highlights need for ecologically responsible planning

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Think of them as pedestrian walkways for bears, wolves, deer and other critters.

Wildlife crossings are just one solution to the problem of habitat
fragmentation caused by human development, which will be addressed at the Oregon Zoo in a free public lecture Oct. 19 at 7 p.m.

Wildlife biologist Dr. Anthony P. Clevenger, who has been instrumental in researching underpasses and overpasses allowing Canadian wildlife to traverse busy highways, will address "The Changing Landscape of Transportation: Designing Roads to Conserve Wildlife Populations."

"In many parts of North America, roads are becoming a serious obstacle to maintaining population connectivity and are threatening the long-term persistence of key wildlife populations," Clevenger says. "The effect of transportation on wildlife and biodiversity in general are a primary reason
why the public raises questions about the environmental impact of roads and vehicles. Calls for new solutions are increasingly heard from environmental scientists, the transportation community and local decision makers."

Clevenger, a research wildlife biologist with the Western Transportation Institute at Montana State University, has spent the past 12 years assessing measures to reduce habitat fragmentation on the Trans-Canada Highway in Banff National Park, which contains 24 wildlife crossings.

The lecture kicks off the five-day Pacific Northwest Wildlife Connections conference, a joint effort between the Oregon Zoo, Metro, Oregon Department of Transportation, Washington State Department of Transportation, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Forest Service, Federal Highway Administration and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Coordinators of the event seek to unite biologists, planners, designers and conservationists toward the common goal of connecting wildlife across the landscape.

The public can also attend an all-day symposium Oct. 20 about habitat connectivity issues and projects, the importance of creating and protecting wildlife crossings, and public outreach in this arena. The symposium lasts from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and costs $35, including lunch. Registration deadline is Oct. 6.

Information and registration forms are available at www.oregonzoo.org/Conservation/PNWC.

September 12 , 2008
ZOO, PLANNERS TEAM UP TO CREATE WILDLIFE CONNECTIONS
Workshop addresses need for wildlife corridors, responsible planning

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Highways link people from one part of our habitat to another. But for animals, they do the opposite. They create barriers to movement, cutting wildlife off from important feeding or breeding grounds.

Preventing habitat fragmentation in the Pacific Northwest and discovering what can be done to overcome the barriers created by human development will be the focus of Pacific Northwest Wildlife Connections, a series of lectures and workshops at the Oregon Zoo Oct. 19-23.

Coordinators of the event seek to unite biologists, planners, designers and conservationists toward the common goal of connecting wildlife across the landscape.

"Human development fragments wildlife habitats," said Suzanne Rosen, conservation workshop coordinator for the Oregon Zoo. "Transportation infrastructure such as roads can create barriers that separate wildlife populations from suitable feeding or breeding areas. Because attempted road crossings endanger animals and drivers, there is a great need for wildlife corridors and crossing structures that allow animals to move safely between different parts of their ranges."

Pacific Northwest Wildlife Connections is a joint effort between the Oregon Zoo, Metro, Oregon Department of Transportation, Washington State Department of Transportation, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Forest Service, Federal Highway Administration and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

"Our goal is to gather people who focus on different aspects of wildlife connectivity so they can learn from each other and form collaborations," Rosen said. "We also want the public to learn about habitat connectivity issues and how they can be part of the solution."

The public is invited to a free lecture Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. on "The Changing Landscape of Transportation: Designing Roads to Conserve Wildlife Populations," presented by Dr. Anthony P. Clevenger, a research wildlife biologist for the Western Transportation Institute. Clevenger has been instrumental in researching wildlife crossings in Banff National Park in Canada.

"In many parts of North America, roads are becoming a serious obstacle to maintaining population connectivity and are threatening the long-term persistence of key wildlife populations," Clevenger said. "The effect of transportation on wildlife and biodiversity in general is a primary reason why the public raises questions about the environmental impact of roads and vehicles. Calls for new solutions are increasingly heard from environmental scientists, the transportation community and local decision makers."

The following day, Oct. 20, the public can attend an all-day symposium about habitat connectivity issues and projects, the importance of creating and protecting wildlife crossings, and public outreach in this arena. The symposium lasts from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and costs $35, including lunch. Registration deadline is Oct. 6.

Information and registration forms are available at www.oregonzoo.org/Conservation/PNWC.

Two additional workshops will be aimed primarily at professionals in the transportation and land-use fields.

"Designing Highways for Wildlife Connectivity," Oct. 21-22, will bring transportation designers face to face with the question of how to create safe and effective wildlife crossing structures, such as underpasses and overpasses.

"Linking Conservation Data With Transportation Planning," Oct. 23, will offer transportation and land-use planners ways to incorporate ecological considerations into their strategies.

Registration for these two workshops is by invitation only. To learn more, visit www.oregonzoo.org/Conservation/PNWC and click on the link for the event flyer.

September 12 , 2008
OREGON ZOO'S NEW ELEPHANT CALF CAN SAY, 'SAM I AM'
Community overwhelmingly favors Hindi name Samudra in online voting

The Oregon Zoo's baby elephant -- shown here with mom, Rose-Tu -- finally has a name: Samudra, or Sam for short. Photo by Michael Durham, © Oregon Zoo.

PORTLAND, Ore. -- The zoo's baby elephant finally has a name. Samudra, or Sam for short, is Hindi for "lord of the ocean." The name was deemed appropriate by keepers, since the calf loves his baths.

"We received more than 17,000 votes," said Mike Keele, the zoo's deputy director. "Our mission is inspiring our community to create a better future for wildlife. The number of votes and the many e-mails show us just how inspired our community is by this calf."

Last week, Oregon Zoo elephant keepers submitted five names to the public for a vote, Samudra along with four others:

· Amul: Hindi for "priceless, of inestimable worth."
· Bao: Chinese for "precious treasure."
· Duc (rhymes with look): Vietnamese for "good, moral, desire." (Also is a portion of former Trail Blazer Kevin Duckworth's name, honoring the late basketball player.)
· Hugo-Tu: Honoring the baby's mother, Rose-Tu, and maternal grandfather, Hugo. Hugo comes from the Germanic word for "mind, heart or spirit" and Tu is Vietnamese for "tree."

Samudra was the overwhelming favorite among voters. Of 17,372 votes cast, Samudra received 6,102 -- more than 35 percent. Hugo-Tu was the runner-up, receiving nearly 23 percent of the votes, while Bao came in third with around 17 percent. Duc (14 percent) and Amul (10 percent) completed the ballot.

"We believe with the public's help we've succeeded in giving the calf a name that suits his personality," Keele said.

Samudra, born Aug. 23 at 3:56 p.m. at the zoo, had a rough start to life when Rose-Tu became confused after giving birth and nearly trampled him. Elephant keepers quickly intervened and were able to prevent the new mother from causing any harm to her baby. Keele believes Rose-Tu became confused because she had never seen a birth before. Until the new baby's arrival, she herself had been the last elephant born at the zoo.

Rose-Tu, born Aug. 31, 1994, is a popular elephant within the herd and with her keepers. She is always looking to tease her herd mates and shares a strong friendship with Chendra, who is nearly the same age. Rose-Tu is the second-smallest adult elephant in the herd, weighing about 7,600 pounds. She conceived in late 2006.

The Oregon Zoo has a renowned breeding program for endangered Asian elephants. More than 25 elephants have been born at the zoo, beginning with Packy in 1962. The new calf is the first third-generation elephant to be born in the United States.

As Samudra grows older, father Tusko -- a 13,500-pound, 36-year-old Asian elephant -- will be introduced and allowed to interact with him, as well. Tusko arrived at the zoo in June 2005 on a breeding loan. He has successfully sired three calves in the past -- two while living in Canada and one in California.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan for Asian elephants recommended that Rose-Tu be bred with Tusko. The AZA, of which the Oregon Zoo is an accredited member, strives to maintain a sustainable population of the endangered elephants in North America. Currently, birth rates are lower than necessary to do so. With few bulls and low birth rates -- combined with an aging female population -- the North American elephant population is at of risk becoming extinct.

In the late 1990s, scientists warned zoos that unless a reproductive management program was undertaken, North America was in danger of not sustaining a viable elephant population. Statistics indicate that if females do not become pregnant by the age of 25, their ability to reproduce is severely diminished.

An endangered species, Asian elephants are represented by an estimated 38,000 to 51,000 individuals living in fragmented populations in the wild. Agriculture, deforestation and conflict with humans pose a constant threat to wild Asian elephants.

September 8 , 2008
CATCH UP WITH CHEETAHS AT THE OREGON ZOO
Zoo hosts two fun-filled days to benefit Cheetah Conservation Fund

Cheetahs, the world's fastest land animals, can reach speeds of 60 to 70 mph. To help support their dwindling numbers in the wild, the Oregon Zoo and the Cheetah Conservation Fund have teamed up to host a variety of events at the zoo Oct. 10 and 11. Photo by Chris Pfefferkorn, © Oregon Zoo.

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Though the cheetah can outrun all other land animals, its most important race right now is the race for survival. On Oct. 10 and 11, Oregon Zoo visitors can help these spotted cats by participating in three events: Run for the Cheetah, Cheetah Camp and "Big Cat, Big Party."

The events benefit the Cheetah Conservation Fund, an organization working to ensure the species' long-term survival.

"With only 12,000 wild cheetahs left on earth, time is running out for these endangered animals," said CCF founder Dr. Laurie Marker, a Time magazine "Hero for the Planet" award recipient and world-renowned cheetah expert.

Run for the Cheetah

The fourth annual Run for the Cheetah takes place Saturday, Oct. 11. The event begins with a kids' half-mile dash at 8 a.m., followed by an 8K run-walk at 8:30 a.m. and a 5K run-walk at 8:45 a.m. Routes begin near the zoo entrance and wind through Washington Park.

The run is sponsored by the Oregon Zoo, National Geographic Kids, Java Jacket, Columbia Sportswear, the Marriott Downtown Waterfront hotel, Northwest Paper Box, Can Do Kid, Comcast, Foot Traffic, NW Natural, KINK-FM and the Lake Oswego Review.

To register for Run for the Cheetah, visit www.runforthecheetah.org or call 503-644-6822. The Cheetah Conservation Fund is donating $5 from each 8K and 5K registration fee to support the Oregon Zoo. Kid's dash participants must be registered by Oct. 8.

Cheetah Camp

Children in kindergarten through sixth grade are invited to attend the zoo's Cheetah Camp, Saturday, Oct. 11, from 8:15 a.m. to noon. Campers will visit with members of CCF and their spotted friend Kgosi, an extremely rare king cheetah - one of only about 30 on earth. Campers will also create gifts for children in Namibia, where CCF has its headquarters. For further information or to register, visit www.oregonzoo.org/Education/families/cheetahcamp.htm.

Big Cat, Big Party

For cool cats who like to party, CCF's seventh annual "Big Cat, Big Party" takes place Friday, Oct. 10, from 6:30 to 10 p.m. A delectable feast, created by the zoo's executive chef, Paul Warner, complements a discussion led by Dr. Marker, who will be accompanied by her spotted pal Kgosi.

Tickets are $140 per person or $1,750 for a table of 10. For reservations, call 503-519-6864 or e-mail ccforegon@cheetah.org. Tickets must be purchased by Oct. 6.

September 5, 2008
ZOO SEEKS HELP IN NAMING NEW ELEPHANT CALF
Keepers ask public to vote for favorite name

PORTLAND, Ore. -- The zoo's baby elephant needs a name. Oregon Zoo elephant keepers are asking the public to help them choose a name for the 2-week-old elephant calf. Keepers have come up with five names and are asking people to vote for their favorite on the zoo's Web site: www.oregonzoo.org.

"The community's outpouring of love and support for the zoo and our newest resident has been very gratifying," said Mike Keele, the zoo's deputy director. "We've had to take things very slowly to ensure that Rose-Tu and her calf are completely bonded and comfortable with the rest of the herd. Now we are ready to move onto the next step, and that is giving the calf a name that suits his personality."

Keepers are considering the following five names:

1. Amul: Hindi for "priceless, of inestimable worth."
2. Bao: Chinese for "precious treasure."
3. Duc (rhymes with hook or look): Vietnamese for "good, moral, desire." (Also is a portion of former Trail Blazer Kevin Duckworth's name, honoring the late basketball player.)
4. Hugo-Tu: This name honors the baby's mother, Rose-Tu, and maternal grandfather, Hugo. Hugo comes from the Germanic word for "mind, heart or spirit" and Tu is Vietnamese for "tree."
5. Samudra (nickname Sam): Hindi for "lord of the ocean." (The calf loves his baths!)

Votes will be accepted through Thursday, Sept. 11, at 5 p.m. The zoo will announce the winning name on Friday, Sept. 12.

The Asian elephant calf, born Aug. 23 at 3:56 p.m. at the zoo, had a rough start to life when Rose-Tu became confused after giving birth and nearly trampled him. Elephant keepers quickly intervened and were able to prevent the new mother from causing any harm to her baby. Keele believes Rose-Tu became confused because she had never seen a birth before. Until the new baby's arrival, she herself had been the last elephant born at the zoo.

Rose-Tu, born Aug. 31, 1994, is a popular elephant within the herd and with her keepers. She is always looking to tease her herd mates and shares a strong friendship with Chendra, who is nearly the same age. Rose-Tu is the second smallest elephant in the herd, weighing about 7,600 pounds. She conceived in late 2006.

The Oregon Zoo has a renowned breeding program for endangered Asian elephants. More than 25 elephants have been born at the zoo, beginning with Packy in 1962. The new calf is the first third-generation elephant to be born in the United States.

As the infant grows older, father Tusko -- a 13,500-pound, 36-year-old Asian elephant -- will be introduced and allowed to interact with him, as well. Tusko arrived at the zoo in June 2005 on a breeding loan. He has successfully sired three calves in the past -- two while living in Canada and one in California.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan for Asian elephants recommended that Rose-Tu be bred with Tusko. The AZA, of which the Oregon Zoo is an accredited member, strives to maintain a sustainable population of the endangered elephants in North America. Currently, birth rates are lower than necessary to do so. With few bulls and low birth rates -- combined with an aging female population -- the North American elephant population is at of risk becoming extinct.

In the late 1990s, scientists warned zoos that unless a reproductive management program was undertaken, North America was in danger of not sustaining a viable elephant population. Statistics indicate that if females do not become pregnant by the age of 25, their ability to reproduce is severely diminished.

An endangered species, Asian elephants are represented by an estimated 38,000 to 51,000 individuals living in fragmented populations in the wild. Agriculture, deforestation and conflict with humans pose a constant threat to wild Asian elephants.