July 30, 2009
PUTUMAYO KIDS PRESENTS 'PICNIC PLAYGROUND' AT OREGON ZOO
Johnny Bregar concert is free with zoo admission

On Sunday, Aug. 2, acclaimed children's musician Johnny Bregar takes the stage, filling the Oregon Zoo's concert lawn with rootsy, jazzy, bluesy sounds for the whole family. Bregar is headlining a show supporting "Picnic Playground," the latest CD from Putumayo Kids. The family concert begins at 1 p.m. and is free with zoo admission.

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Oregon Zoo's concert this weekend is all about the kids. And food. On Sunday, Aug. 2, acclaimed children's musician Johnny Bregar takes the stage, filling the zoo's concert lawn with rootsy, jazzy, bluesy sounds for the whole family. Bregar is headlining a show supporting "Picnic Playground," the latest CD from Putumayo Kids. The family concert begins at 1 p.m. and is free with zoo admission.

"Children not only get to spend the day visiting their favorite animals at the zoo, they also get to enjoy a fun musical performance," said Krista Swan, zoo event coordinator. "This concert may be aimed at the kids, but it's really an event everyone will enjoy."

"Picnic Playground," the latest release in the award-winning Playground series from Putumayo Kids, presents a multilingual collection of food-themed songs from around the world, including Bregar's "Shoo Fly Pie." To see a video of "Shoo Fly Pie," visit the Oregon Zoo's video archive.

A portion of proceeds from the sale of the CD will be donated to Vitamin Angels, providing essential nutrients to children in the U.S. and around the world. For updates on the Aug. 2 show and other Putumayo Kids releases and events, visit www.putumayokids.com.

July 29, 2009
OREGON ZOO 'ZAP' PROGRAM CELEBRATES 10 YEARS
Award-winning youth outreach program is stronger than ever

Zoo Animal Presenters Eddy and Lana prepare a snake for an educational presentation at the Oregon Zoo. Photo by Brock Parker, © Oregon Zoo.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Zoo Animal Presenters, the Oregon Zoo's award-winning youth education program, reached a milestone this year when it celebrated its 10th anniversary.

ZAP is a three-year paid internship program serving 27 low-income teenagers with diverse cultural and educational backgrounds from the Portland metropolitan area. Every year, more than 100 youths apply for 10 open positions and take part in an in-depth interview process led by current ZAP members.

Members of ZAP train for months in natural science, animal handling, interpretation methods and public speaking. They take these skills back to their neighborhoods to provide live animal-based outreach programs for children and families underserved by conservation programs. These programs are facilitated by the local Boys and Girls Clubs, Portland Parks and Recreation and other organizations serving low-income children and families.

"ZAP members gain confidence and real-world work experience through this program," said Pam McElwee, ZAP program coordinator.

ZAP currently serves 27 teens, including seven third-year members who comprise a Conservation Team that assists with local habitat and wildlife projects. Third-year ZAP teens also provide leadership for the zoo's Urban Nature Overnight program, assist with on-grounds education efforts and serve as mentors to first-year ZAP members.

"Coming back and watching the teens go through the ZAP program makes me so happy," said Cynthia Barron, an UNO staff member who participated in ZAP from 2002 to 2004. "I know how much of a difference it made in my life, and I want teens to continue having the same great experience in the program."

Since 1999, ZAP has employed 121 teens and provided thousands of outreach opportunities to more than 77,000 children and adults. UNO has taken 2,800 children on camping trips and provided school-year programming for more than 400 youth since its establishment in 2000.

"Through these programs, we hope to ignite young people's interest in wildlife and encourage them to pursue the outdoors through school, family and even careers," said Mike Keele, acting zoo director. "These programs truly focus on the zoo's mission to inspire the community to create a better future for wildlife."

"The 10-year anniversary of Zoo Animal Presenters is a notable milestone that celebrates a successful model of community collaboration," said Rick Horton, grants manager for The Oregon Zoo Foundation. "ZAP addresses documented needs of underserved youth of the greater Portland region. The Oregon Zoo is proud to have partnered with many of our communities social service agencies to attract the engagement and support of businesses, individuals and foundations."

The zoo has earned peer recognition for efforts to serve diverse audiences within the community. The ZAP and UNO programs received the 2008 Excellence in Diversity award from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The award honors "significant achievement in workforce and audience diversity by an AZA member institution." The evaluation plan for the ZAP and UNO programs also has been recognized as a model effort by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

"ZAP would not exist if not for financial contributions from sources throughout our community since 1999," Horton added. "Seven foundations, two federal agencies and three corporate sponsors contributed nearly $110,000 last year alone. ZAP has become a nationally-recognized example of a highly successful public-private partnership."

For additional information about the ZAP program, including donation and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Rex Ettlin at 503-220-5709.

July 29, 2009
OREGON ZOO WELCOMES BABY SAKI MONKEY
Parents Jackie and Bam-Bam are keeping baby close

Marcelo, the Oregon Zoo's baby white-faced saki monkey, spends most of his time hanging on to Mom. Photo by Michael Durham, © Oregon Zoo.

PORTLAND, Ore. — A healthy white-faced saki monkey was born at the Oregon Zoo in late April. The parents, 16-year-olds Jackie and Bam-Bam, have kept their baby close, so keepers have only recently ascertained that the baby is male.

The saki monkeys will be off exhibit indefinitely for the baby's welfare. Keepers want to give the family uninterrupted time to bond as Jackie and Bam-Bam teach their baby -- now named Marcelo -- how to run and climb. Currently, Marcelo spends most of his time hanging onto Mom's stomach.

"Jackie had a great pregnancy and birthing, and we are happy and excited about this new addition to the saki community," said Mike Marshall, primate keeper.

Keepers are closely monitoring Marcelo to ensure he grows into a strong adolescent, and so far, he's doing wonderfully. "We're pleased with Marcelo's development -- he's very active and alert," Marshall said.

Marshall describes Jackie as a "great mom" and Bam-Bam as a "protective father." Both parents are working hard to guarantee their baby's safety, health and happiness, he said.

White-faced saki monkeys are found in tropical rain forests in southern and eastern Venezuela, Guianas, and northeastern Brazil. These shaggy primates tend to be small, fast and shy. Although the monkeys are not endangered, their habitat is threatened by human destruction of rain forests.

"We hope Marcelo will inspire greater insight into wild saki monkeys and the deforestation of their natural habitat," said Mike Keele, interim zoo director. "People must care about an issue before they'll be moved to act, and it's pretty hard to resist Marcelo -- he's quite a charmer."

July 28, 2009
NEW HOWLER MONKEY JOINS ZOO'S AMAZON FOREST EXHIBIT
Stormy, a male howler monkey, finds a new home and friend at the Oregon Zoo

Stormy, a 5-year-old howler monkey, will soon be appearing in the Oregon Zoo's Amazon Flooded Forest exhibit. Photo by Brock Parker, © Oregon Zoo.

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Oregon Zoo's female howler monkey, J.P., has a new friend in Stormy, a 5-year-old male howler monkey who arrived recently from the Pittsburgh Zoo.

"We're thrilled to have Stormy here," said Amy Dunning, a primate keeper at the zoo. "J.P. is a social and playful monkey, and Stormy is very inquisitive and gentle. We think they will be a great match."

J.P., who is 22, will also act as Stormy's mentor. "While Stormy is nearly full grown," Dunning said, "he still has a lot of learning to do, and J.P. will be a good teacher."

Before the two can go into their public exhibit together -- Stormy is currently living in a behind-the-scenes enclosure -- they must go through a careful introduction process. As J.P. and Stormy are gradually allowed more contact with each other, keepers will monitor the monkeys' behavior to ensure they develop a strong relationship. So far, the introduction is going smoothly, according to Dunning.

"It is wonderful to have a companion for J.P. again," Dunning said.

After some successful face-to-face encounters through a mesh divider last week, J.P. and Stormy were given complete access to each other yesterday. The pair were separated during feedings but remained together overnight with the late keeper checking on them. The howlers have been seen sitting together and following each other around -- and Stormy was seen grooming J.P. Once the two are completely comfortable with each other, Stormy will join J.P. in the Amazon Flooded Forest exhibit.

"Moving into a new home can be a little unnerving for animals," Dunning said, "but Stormy should acclimate quickly -- he'll have a friend to show him around."

The howler monkeys are part of the zoo's Amazon Flooded Forest exhibit, which also features caiman, turtles, poison dart frogs, pacu fish, an emerald tree boa and many other tropical species. The exhibit is modeled after the South American "várzea," a watery world created by the yearly flooding of the Amazon River basin. The várzea is home to some of the planet's most extraordinary and diverse plants and animals.

For more information about the Oregon Zoo's Amazon Flooded Forest exhibit, visit www.oregonzoo.org/Exhibits/amazon.htm.

July 27, 2009
RICARDO LEMVO BRINGS AFRO-CUBAN PARTY TO OREGON ZOO
Lemvo and band, Makina Loca, to add some salsa flavor to summer concert series

Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Loca bring their infectious Afro-Cuban dance tunes to the Oregon Zoo Aug. 19 as part of the zoo's summer concert series presented by NW Natural.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Congo-born singer, songwriter and composer Ricardo Lemvo will have hips swinging with his bold, rhythmic dance tunes Aug. 19 as part of the Oregon Zoo's summer concert series, presented by NW Natural.

Using an authentic blend of Afro-Cuban music and pan-African styles like soukous, Lemvo and his band, Makina Loca, take listeners around the world with lyrics in Spanish, Lingala, Kikongo, Portuguese, English, French, and Turkish.

"Lemvo's music is truly infectious in any language," said Krista Swan, zoo events coordinator. "You can't help but stand up and dance!"

Lemvo was born and raised in the Congo, but moved to Los Angeles at age 15 to pursue his studies and his passion for music. In 1990, he formed Makina Loca and began producing songs that celebrate life and inspire listeners to cast aside their worries and dance.

The recently released "Retrospectiva," Lemvo's sixth album, is a look back at the singer's career featuring updates and remakes of some of his best known songs.

This year, the zoo is once again selling a portion of the tickets for each of its Wednesday "Zoo Tunes" concerts in advance. Advance tickets for the Ricardo Lemvo show are available online or at the zoo for $10.50. Ticket price includes zoo admission. Remaining tickets will be available at the zoo after 4 p.m. on the day of the performance.

Zoo membership at the Plus level or higher includes free admission to all Wednesday concerts (subject to maximum capacity) and daily visits to the zoo. A limited number of tickets will be available to members for advance pickup at the zoo's reception office or ticket booths starting at 8 a.m. the Monday before each Wednesday concert.

No outside beverages are permitted. Beverages brought to a concert may be returned to the owner's vehicle or donated to Oregon Food Bank prior to entrance. (A collection box will be available and concertgoers are welcome to bring food donations as well.) The zoo will have several free water stations set up, and visitors may bring empty, refillable containers for water.

Other "Zoo Tunes" performers include Issa Bagayogo (July 29), the Wailers (Aug. 5) and Jonatha Brooke (Aug. 12).

The Oregon Zoo's summer concert series is presented by NW Natural with support from KINK.fm, Willamette Week, KOIN Local 6 and Portland Monthly. It features 18 performances from June to August and is the longest continuously running outdoor concert series in the Pacific Northwest. Tickets may be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com and at the zoo.

July 23, 2009
PRIDE OF PLACE: NEW LION SCULPTURES INSTALLED AT OREGON ZOO
Banfield Pet Hospital and local artist present zoo with life-size bronze lions valued at $100,000

Sculptor Jim Gion peers into the gaping mouth of a life-size bronze lion he created for the Oregon Zoo. Banfield, The Pet Hospital commissioned six lion sculptures for the zoo's upcoming Predators of the Serengeti exhibit. Photo by Michael Durham, © Oregon Zoo.

PORTLAND, Ore. — The live lions, cheetahs and African wild dogs inside the Oregon Zoo's upcoming Predators of the Serengeti exhibit certainly won't need guarding. But thanks to Banfield, they'll be duly honored.

The pet hospital commissioned six life-size bronze lions on behalf of the zoo. Designed by local artist Jim Gion and valued at $100,000, the sculptures were installed today near the entrance to the highly anticipated exhibit, which opens to the public this fall.

"These graceful sentinels will greet visitors as they arrive at the exhibit," said Brent Shelby, the zoo's exhibit and interpretive design manager. "The bronze pride consists of a majestic male lion caught mid-roar, two alert lionesses and three playful cubs."

"We are honored to partner with the Oregon Zoo to help them create this exceptional exhibit that families will enjoy for years to come," said Karen Johnson, DVM, client advocate for Banfield, The Pet Hospital. "We wanted to share our love of pets and animals by donating these sculptures, which we hope will serve as a reminder of the significant role they play in our lives."

Gion is making additional copies of the sculptures available to interested art collectors for $100,000 each, with proceeds donated to the Predators of the Serengeti exhibit.

With more than 730 hospitals nationwide, Banfield strives to make the highest quality of veterinary care available to pets in the communities it serves. Because pets play such a valuable role in the lives of families, Banfield provides expert care, computerized medical records, Optimum Wellness Plans® for preventive care, convenient locations and extended operating hours. In addition, Banfield helps to extend the lives of more than 4 million Pets each year.

July 23, 2009
SPOTS STILL AVAILABLE FOR ZOO'S POPULAR SUMMER CAMPS
Thanks to increased capacity, children can still register for this summer's camps

Summer camp kids watch a Harris hawk during the Wild Life Live show at the Oregon Zoo. The Oregon Zoo's camps are accepting more children than ever before, so there are still spots available for campers of all ages. Photo by Brock Parker,
© Oregon Zoo.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Looking for some summertime adventure for your kids? The Oregon Zoo's camps are accepting more children than ever before, so there are still spots available for campers of all ages.

Since 1983, the zoo's professional camp staff has been guiding children in exploring and discovering the wonders of the zoo through fun, hands-on learning.

"The camps give kids a chance to have a really good time while connecting with nature and exploring the zoo," said Rex Ettlin, education program manager. "It's an exciting opportunity, and I'm thrilled that we're able to include so many children this summer."

Each weeklong camp includes crafts, songs, stories, snacks, train rides, animal visitors and in-depth tours of the zoo. The zoo's summer events and shows are also incorporated.

Camps are available for kids 4 years of age to ninth grade. During Penguin camp, the zoo's youngest campers learn how animals use their senses, while rising eighth and ninth graders participate in one of the zoo's conservation projects during Animal SOS camp.

Full-day camps range in price from $270 to $379, and half-day Penguin camp costs $136. Zoo members pay a reduced amount. For more information and to register for camp, visit www.oregonzoo.org/Classes/SummerCamp/index.htm.

July 23, 2009
GERRY, OREGON ZOO'S GERIATRIC BLACK BEAR, EUTHANIZED
Veterinarians make decision after incurable medical problems overwhelm beloved bear

Gerry, a beloved geriatric black bear at the Oregon Zoo, was euthanized yesterday due to several incurable medical problems related to her advanced age. Pete, the zoo's one remaining geriatric black bear, is currently on exhibit at Black Bear Ridge. Photo by Michael Durham,
© Oregon Zoo.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Gerry, a 22-year-old black bear at the Oregon Zoo, was euthanized yesterday after veterinarians determined they could no longer treat the various ailments brought on by her advanced age.

"She had several serious incurable medical problems," said Lisa Harrenstien, zoo veterinarian. "Cancer in her chest, kidney failure, arthritis... She had been dealing well with all of it, until this week, when she took a big turn for the worse and we decided euthanasia was the only humane option for her."

Keepers and vet staff became concerned several days ago when Gerry no longer wanted to eat anything, even her favorite treat foods.

"She was a very picky eater," said Virginia Grimley, her primary keeper at the zoo. "But she would never turn down fish or honey."

"Gerry had never acted that way in the whole time any of us had known her," Harrenstien said. "It made us think that she was in too much discomfort, from untreatable disease."

Gerry was born in the wild in 1987. Orphaned as a cub in South Dakota, she was brought to Portland in June of that year and grew up in the zoo's nursery area with another cub, Patsy. Gerry lived at the zoo until 1997, when construction began on the award-winning Great Northwest exhibit complex. She spent the following decade at Wildlife Images in southern Oregon, before returning to Portland in 2007 for the opening of the zoo's Black Bear Ridge exhibit.

"Gerry was a very special bear," Grimley said. "Even though she was an old bear, she was young at heart. She would perk up whenever something new came into the exhibit. One of the things she loved to do was to throw feed bags and butcher paper around to turn them into a bed."

Senior North America Keeper Amy Cutting praised the lengths Grimley went to in personalizing Gerry's care: "Gerry was always provided with new and interesting bedding, since she was so meticulous about preparing the perfect little 'nest' every day."

"Gerry especially liked sleeping her days away in the cave or in the sun," Grimley said. "And if the other bears disturbed her, she became very feisty with them. Gerry was more social with her keepers than with the other bears. She would often present her back for us to scratch with our back-scratcher tool. Having an opportunity to work with a bear who was strong-willed up until the very end made every day a little extra special. She truly will be missed."

The black bear is the smallest of the three bear species native to North America, which include the grizzly and the polar bear. An estimated 600,000 black bears inhabit North America. They can grow up to 6 feet long and range from 90 to 400 pounds. They communicate through body and facial expressions, sounds, touch and scent markings.

July 22, 2009
FOLK LEGEND JOAN BAEZ TO PERFORM AT OREGON ZOO
Fifty years after her debut, singer-activist remains a vital force

PORTLAND, Ore. - More than 50 years after her debut at the first Newport Folk Festival, Joan Baez maintains the charisma and political edge that initially made her a star. The folk-music icon's three-octave vocal range and trademark vibrato will be on show Aug. 14, when she performs as part of the Oregon Zoo's summer concert series presented by NW Natural.

Baez has released more than 30 albums and recorded songs in eight different languages. In addition to her own body of work, she is known for her remarkable interpretations of songs by artists such as Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger and especially Bob Dylan - whom she famously dated for several years in the 1960s.

Some of Baez's best-known songs include her own "Diamonds and Rust" (rumored to be written about Dylan) and covers of Phil Ochs' "There But for Fortune" and the Band's "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down." Her songs are generally topical and cover a wide range of social, spiritual and political themes, including civil and human rights, nonviolence and the environment.

Baez's most recent album, "Day After Tomorrow," finds the singer building on and interpreting contemporary tales of social injustice by songwriters such as Tom Waits, Elvis Costello and Steve Earle. The album's acoustic arrangements and simple production values (courtesy of Earle) nicely showcase Baez's distinctive voice.

"Joan Baez's voice is radiant and righteous," said Krista Swan, the zoo's events coordinator. "And with such a vast catalogue of great songs to draw from, she's sure to put on an amazing show."

The Oregon Zoo's summer concert series is presented by NW Natural with support from KINK.fm, Willamette Week, KOIN Local 6 and Portland Monthly. It features performances from June through August and is the longest continuously running outdoor concert series in the Pacific Northwest. Tickets may be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com and at the zoo.

July 17, 2009
INDIE SINGER-SONGWRITER JONATHA BROOKE TO PLAY OREGON ZOO
Acclaimed folk-pop chanteuse delves into Woody Guthrie archives on latest album

Indie folk-pop chanteuse Jonatha Brooke brings her own songbook full of haunting, poignant melodies, as well as some collaborations with the late folk legend Woody Guthrie, to the Oregon Zoo Aug. 12 as part of the zoo's summer concert series presented by NW Natural.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Indie folk-pop chanteuse Jonatha Brooke brings her own songbook full of haunting, poignant melodies, as well as some collaborations with the late folk legend Woody Guthrie, to the Oregon Zoo Aug. 12 as part of the zoo's summer concert series presented by NW Natural.  

"Brooke's music transcends genres," said Krista Swan, zoo events coordinator. "Her commanding vocals and dramatic delivery make each song unique and exciting."

Since beginning her career in the mid-'80s, Brooke has produced seven solo albums, written and performed two tracks for Disney's "Peter Pan 2," and had songs featured on several television shows and commercials, including her theme song for the popular Fox series "Dollhouse."

After being one of a select few artists to be invited into the Woody Guthrie Archives to create new works from his vast collection of lyrics, Jonatha Brooke produced her most recent album, "The Works," in 2008.

"The combination of Guthrie's poetic and inspiring lyrics and Brooke's soaring melodies makes this a truly amazing album," Swan said. "Guthrie's lyrics are still relevant today, and Brooke's powerful voice carries their message home."

To see a video of Jonatha Brooke performing "Careful What You Wish For," visit the Oregon Zoo's video archive.

This year, the zoo is once again selling a portion of the tickets for each of its Wednesday "Zoo Tunes" concerts in advance. Advance tickets for the Jonatha Brooke show are available online or at the zoo for $10.50. Ticket price includes zoo admission. Remaining tickets will be available at the zoo after 4 p.m. on the day of the performance.

Zoo membership at the Plus level or higher includes free admission to all Wednesday concerts (subject to maximum capacity) and daily visits to the zoo. A limited number of tickets will be available to members for advance pickup at the zoo's reception office or ticket booths starting at 8 a.m. the Monday before each Wednesday concert.

No outside beverages are permitted. Beverages brought to a concert may be returned to the owner's vehicle or donated to Oregon Food Bank prior to entrance. (A collection box will be available and concertgoers are welcome to bring food donations as well.) The zoo will have several free water stations set up, and visitors may bring empty, refillable containers for water.

Other "Zoo Tunes" performers include Riders in the Sky (July 22), Issa Bagayogo (July 29) and Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca (Aug. 19).

The Oregon Zoo's summer concert series is presented by NW Natural with support from KINK.fm, Willamette Week, KOIN Local 6 and Portland Monthly. It features 18 performances from June to August and is the longest continuously running outdoor concert series in the Pacific Northwest. Tickets may be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com and at the zoo.

July 17, 2009
ENDANGERED WASHINGTON TURTLES RELEASED IN COLUMBIA GORGE

A tiny western pond turtle emerges from its egg at the Oregon Zoo's Conservation Station. Nearly 60 of the endangered turtles, which have spent the past 11 months at the zoo growing large enough to avoid being eaten by non-native bullfrogs and large-mouth bass, are being released back into the wild in the Columbia River Gorge. Photo by Michael Durham,
© Oregon Zoo.

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Oregon Zoo is releasing nearly 60 endangered western pond turtles back to the wild with the help of local kids involved in the Gorge Explorers' Summer Stewards program.

The turtles have spent the past 11 months under lights, which simulate perpetual summer. "The lights trick the turtles into thinking it's still summer so they don't go into hibernation," said David Shepherdson, the zoo's conservation program scientist. "The turtles grow and grow, experiencing three years' growth in 11 months."

Once the turtles reach a suitable size of about 70 grams (a little more than 2 ounces), they are returned to their homes and monitored for safety. "Since the turtles are larger, predators such as non-native bullfrogs and large-mouth bass are no longer threats," Shepherdson said.

The turtle reintroduction is part of a collaborative effort by the Oregon Zoo, Woodland Park Zoo, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Bonneville Power Administration. As part of the Western Pond Turtle Recovery Project, conservation scientists "head-start" newly hatched turtles gathered from wild sites, nurturing them at both zoos for about 11 months. "Spending the first months of their life at the zoo gives the turtles a real edge," explained Shepherdson. "The Woodland Park Zoo and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife have been working to save Washington's western pond turtles for 19 years. We're glad we could provide additional assistance in helping save these highly endangered turtles."

Thirty local children enrolled in the Gorge Explorers' Summer Stewards program, at least half of them ESL students, will help biologists release the turtles in the Columbia River Gorge. "It is one thing to learn about conservation efforts, but it makes a much bigger impact when you actually see a zoo-reared turtle released back into the wilds of the Columbia Gorge," Shepherdson said.

The Gorge Explorers' Summer Stewards program provides students entering fourth grade in the fall with an opportunity to learn environmental stewardship, science literacy, improved language and social skills, confidence building, and working as a team, at no cost to the kids' families. It also provides six high school students with the opportunity for employment for the summer in a program designed to allow them to build job skills, work on a résumé, explore informal education career ideas through the development of mentoring skills with the younger children, and to provide environmental stewardship service projects in the community. The program is a collaboration between the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, the Columbia Gorge Ecology Institute, USFWS and the Northern Wasco County School District 21. "Going out to the release site helps us reach our aim, which is to provide the kids with a meaningful summer learning experience tied to their natural environment," said Jenny Gilbert, conservation education coordinator with the program. "It also provides the high school students an opportunity to practice their leadership skills and learn more about environmental stewardship."

Teens from the Oregon Zoo's Zoo Animal Presenters program, the Youth Conservation Corp and the Skamania Youth Forest Success program will also take part in the release.

Just a decade ago, western pond turtles were on the verge of completely dying out in Washington, with only 150 turtles left in the wild. Today, researchers estimate there are about 1,400. Habitat degradation and disease were, and still are, problems, but the biggest threat to fragile baby turtles is the bullfrog. Native to areas east of the Rockies, this nonindigenous frog has thrived throughout the West, driving pond turtles and a host of other small, vulnerable aquatic species to the brink of extinction.

Another non-native threat to western pond turtle survival is the red-eared slider. Sliders are native to the same range as the bullfrog and are winning the survival race against the native turtles. The sliders lay eggs later in the season and dig up existing turtle nests to use as their own.

Oregon Zoo conservationist Michelle Schireman weighs and tags an endangered western pond turtle in preparation for its transport to the Columbia River Gorge. On July 20, the zoo will release nearly 60 turtles into the wild. The turtles have spent the past 11 months growing large enough to avoid being eaten by non-native bullfrogs and large-mouth bass. Photo by Brock Parker, © Oregon Zoo.

To help restore these rare pond turtles to their natural habitat, recovery workers take to the field each year. Under the supervision of western pond turtle expert Kate Slavens, they count, trap and fit transmitters on adult female western pond turtles. The female turtles are monitored every two hours during the nesting season to determine where they nest. The nests, which the females dig in the ground and then cover after depositing their eggs, are protected with wire "exclosure" cages that help prevent predators from eating the eggs. The eggs are then allowed to incubate naturally, and the hatchlings are collected in the fall. The hatchlings are about the size of a quarter when they are removed and taken to the zoo facilities, where they can grow in safety. Unlike wild turtles, zoo turtles are fed throughout the winter, so by their summer release, the 11-month-olds are about as big as 3-year-old turtles that grew up in the wild.

Some of the juvenile turtles are equipped with radio transmitters before release, so biologists can learn more about post-release dispersal, habitat use during active and hibernation periods, and, ultimately, their survival rate. Scientists tracking the released turtles estimate that 95 percent of the turtles released back into the Columbia River Gorge have survived.

Now listed as an endangered species in Washington and a sensitive species in Oregon, the western pond turtle was once common from Baja California to Puget Sound. The Oregon Zoo's participation in the Western Pond Turtle Recovery Project is funded through The Oregon Zoo Foundation's Future for Wildlife conservation fund.

The Oregon Zoo is also helping turtles in Oregon. Working with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the zoo helped establish the Oregon Native Turtle Conservation Group, which helps field biologists monitor and track populations of western pond and western painted turtles in and around the Willamette River. The group created a Web site to educate the public about the plight of the native Oregon turtles, www.oregonturtles.com. The site includes an electronic form that allows the public to report turtle sightings to ODFW and the Oregon Zoo, which aids both agencies in the tracking process.

The western pond turtle captive-rearing effort is a project of the NW Zoo & Aquarium Alliance, which promotes collaboration on regional conservation among zoos and aquariums in the Pacific Northwest.

July 15, 2009
ZOO TRANSPORTS FOUR CONDORS TO BOISE, RETURNS WITH FIVE MORE
Last year's chicks prepare for release, new birds add to breeding program

The Oregon Zoo received five California condors from the Peregrine Fund in Boise, Idaho. Pictured are male No. 461, male No. 465 and female No. 464. They will be housed with Maluk in a large pre-release pen until the zoo receives release recommendations for them. Photo by Carli Davidson, © Oregon Zoo.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon Zoo staff transported four California condors to the Peregrine Fund's World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise, Idaho, and returned with five additional birds, which will integrate into its successful condor breeding program.

Females Yak'Mo (No. 496), Ewauna (No. 481) and Kalak-ala (No. 487), and male Atfa'lat'i (No. 479) were hatched and raised at the Oregon Zoo before being transferred to the Peregrine Fund, where they are preparing to soar into the open skies.

Today, condors survive in three highly managed populations: one in Baja California, Mexico; one in Arizona near the Grand Canyon; and the other in the Southern California coastal range. Two of the females, Ewauna and Kalak-ala, will be released along the California coast, and the other, Yak'Mo, will be released in Arizona. Atfa'lat'i is destined for a Baja release.

"With every successful condor release we're another step closer to seeing condors fly over the skies of Oregon," said Shawn St. Michael, condor curator. "One day, Oregonians may again see what Lewis and Clark saw as they traveled along the Columbia River more than 200 years ago."

St. Michael and Oregon Zoo condor keeper Kelli Walker transported the birds to Boise and returned with five new condors, which will be housed at the zoo's Jonsson Center for Wildlife Conservation.

Two adult males, Alishaw (No. 90) and Maluk (No. 55), will be paired with hens at the facility, bringing the zoo's total number of breeding pairs up to 10. Alishaw will be paired with female No. 295, who currently lives with another hen at the facility. Maluk will likely be paired with a hen tentatively scheduled to arrive next year, but until then he will provide company and direction for three juvenile birds that were hatched last year.

Male No. 461, male No. 465 and female No. 464 will be housed with Maluk in a large pre-release pen until the zoo receives release recommendations for them.

The Oregon Zoo recently sent four California condors to the Peregrine Fund in Boise, Idaho. All four birds will be released into the wild sometime in the future. The zoo also received five condors from the Peregrine Fund, including Condor No. 465. Photo by Carli Davidson, © Oregon Zoo.

"Given the very social nature of condors, and the slow maturation of juveniles, it's important to keep the youngsters with a mentor so they learn proper behavior," noted St. Michael. "If left to their own devices, as is common for human teenagers, they will get into all sorts of trouble."

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 last wild condor was brought into captivity and a captive-breeding program was developed. The world's total population of endangered condors flying free in the wild is 169 in Arizona, California and Mexico.

The Oregon Zoo's condor recovery efforts take place at the Jonsson Center for Wildlife Conservation, located in rural Clackamas County on Metro-owned open space. The remoteness of the facility minimizes the exposure of young condors to people, increasing the chances for captive-hatched birds to survive and breed in the wild.

The center is currently home to 38 condors and has produced 23 fertile eggs since it was established in 2004. Of the 23 eggs hatched in Oregon, 19 chicks have survived; two eggs were sent to other facilities for hatching.

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.

July 13, 2009
BOWLERS HIT THE LANES TO HELP ENDANGERED RHINOS
20th annual 'Bowling for Rhinos' event slated for Aug. 23

The Oregon Zoo hosts "Bowling for Rhinos" to help raise money and awareness for endangered rhinos in the wild. The annual event is sponsored by the American Association of Zoo Keepers. Pete the rhino gets into the spirit of the event and knocks down some bowling pins. Photo by Michael Durham, © Oregon Zoo.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Rhinos aren't the most elegant bowlers, but Pete, the Oregon Zoo's black rhino, gave it his best shot before last year's Bowling for Rhinos event and successfully knocked over eight pins.

The 20th annual Bowling for Rhinos fund-raiser takes place Aug. 23 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Interstate Lanes, where Portlanders will lace up their shoes and prepare to bowl for rhino conservation. The event is sponsored by Blue Rhino and is the American Association of Zoo Keepers' national bowl-a-thon and largest conservation effort.

Bowling for Rhinos has raised $3.2 million since its inception, and Portland bowlers are responsible for $199,466 of the total, more than any other chapter in North America. This yearly fund-raiser is staffed completely by volunteers and sends 100 percent of its proceeds to the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Ujung Kulon National Park, Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park and Way Kambas National Park. These parks protect four species of rhinoceros -- black, white, Javan and Sumatran -- and provide habitats for hundreds of other endangered plant and animal species.

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

"Fewer than 4,300 black, 200 Sumatran and 60 Javan rhinos are left in the wild," Hash said. "While populations of white rhinos (estimated to be 17,500) and Indian rhinos (estimated to be 2,800) are more stable, they too are considered threatened. Saving every species of rhino is important, but the most critically endangered species drive our efforts."

Pete the rhino eyes some bowling pins at the Oregon Zoo. Each year, the zoo hosts Bowling for Rhinos to raise funds and awareness for endangered rhinos. Photo by Michael Durham, © Oregon Zoo.

The annual cost of operating conservation parks is more than $1 million, and fund-raising efforts are critical to their success. Funds are primarily used to create and train security patrol units for protecting endangered species.

Bowlers raise funds by gathering tax-deductible pledges. While bowlers are not required to collect pledges in order to participate, they are encouraged to make an effort. A $10 participation fee includes shoe rental and three games of bowling. The Portland event features door prizes and raffles for a variety of items.

Registration forms for both bowlers and sponsors are available at www.oregonzoo.org/Events/BFR/index.htm. In order to receive sponsor sheets, registration forms must be sent in by Aug. 21. Individuals and teams are encouraged to register early. Walk-ins are welcome, with a $25 suggested donation. Additional information is available by contacting Steve Hash at 503-226-1561, ext. 5255, or by e-mail at portlandaazk@aol.com.

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

To see Pete make a valiant effort to prove rhinos actually can bowl, visit www.oregonzoo.org/VideoArchive/BowlingForRhinos.htm.

For the past two years, the zookeepers association has awarded one of its most dedicated members a conservation tour in Kenya. Last year, the group recognized Oregon Zoo Assistant Curator Michael Illig for his longtime support of rhino conservation.

July 13, 2009
ZOO'S BUTTERFLY 'BABY BOOM' HELPS ENDANGERED NW SPECIES
Oregon Zoo rears thousands of Taylor's checkerspots for release into wild

Two rare Taylor's checkerspot butterflies alight on a wildflower. Oregon Zoo butterfly conservationists have produced and cared for more than 10,000 checkerspot eggs this season, hatching thousands of tiny caterpillars. Photo by Rod Gilbert,© Oregon Zoo.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon Zoo butterfly conservationists have produced and cared for more than 10,000 Taylor's checkerspot eggs this season, hatching thousands of tiny caterpillars. And scientists working to save this endangered Northwest species say the butterfly "baby boom" couldn't have come at a better time.

"These animals were a huge bonus in a year that was appearing disastrous for this butterfly," said Mary Linders, a species recovery biologist with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Once abundant in the Northwest, Taylor's checkerspots (Euphydryas editha taylori) are now listed as an endangered species by Washington state and are a candidate for federal listing under the Endangered Species Act. Today, their range is limited to isolated pockets of upland prairie. Without large, connected populations, the butterflies struggle to survive.

This year's "flight season" (the time when adults are active) was an especially poor one for the checkerspot population in south Puget Sound, Linders said.

Luckily, weather conditions and staff at the Oregon Zoo teamed up to produce a record number of Taylor's checkerspot larvae from adults reared in captivity. With the zoo butterfly lab way past its capacity of about 2,500 larvae, WDFW stepped in to take advantage of this unprecedented success.

Linders coordinated two releases in south Puget Sound, introducing more than 5,000 hatched larvae into the wild with the assistance of WDFW staff and staff from Fort Lewis, The Nature Conservancy, Wolf Haven International and a student from WSU-Vancouver,

A total of 5,443 larvae were released -- a figure that, according to Linders, may approach the total number of adult checkerspots observed in the wild across the species' entire range.

The zoo's achievement in producing these larvae is significant not only for the numbers involved, but also because it was entirely the result of breeding captive-reared butterflies. The zoo still has more than 2,500 Taylor's checkerspot larvae, which it will continue rearing for educational and scientific purposes until they are released into the wild next spring.

"Butterflies continue to disappear, which is troubling because they are such an important part of the ecosystem," said Melissa Arnold, zoo butterfly conservationist. "They are incredibly sensitive to environmental factors like climate change, making them perfect indicators of habitat health, plus they help pollinate prairie plants."

A Taylor's checkerspot butterfly perches on a paintbrush plant at the Oregon Zoo's butterfly lab. For the past six years, the zoo has collaborated with WDFW and other agencies to develop husbandry protocols and raise the checkerspots. Photo by Melinda Holland, © Oregon Zoo.

Rearing rare butterflies comes with many challenges. One of the most difficult tasks is feeding the ever-munching larvae, which consume vast quantities of specific plants.

"It's all about the plants," Arnold said. "Without our gardeners growing completely organic, chemical-free vegetation, these critters would have no chance of survival."

Thanks to the zoo's horticulture department, the caterpillars are able to feed on the host plants they would eat in the wild, harsh Indian paintbrush (Castilleja hispida) and narrow-leaf plantago (Plantago lanceolata).

For the past six years, the zoo has collaborated with WDFW and other agencies to develop husbandry protocols and raise the checkerspots. This conservation effort is funded by the Fort Lewis Army Compatible Use Buffer program through WDFW. In addition, Parks Canada joined as an international partner, supporting the zoo's butterfly program for the past two years.

In addition to conserving Taylor's checkerspots, the zoo has enjoyed phenomenal success in its work with another endangered butterfly, the Oregon silverspot. The zoo has raised and released thousands of these butterflies in the past 11 years.

As a charter member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Butterfly Conservation Initiative, which includes nearly 50 national zoos and aquariums, the Oregon Zoo is strongly committed to butterfly conservation. 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.

July 9, 2009
BOB MARLEY'S LEGENDARY WAILERS TO PLAY AT OREGON ZOO
All-star reggae group keeps Marley's spirit alive in zoo concert

The Wailers, Bob Marley's legendary backing band, return to Portland Aug. 5 as part of the Oregon Zoo summer concert series presented by NW Natural. Photo by Bob Scott.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Bob Marley's legend lives on through his immortal band, the Wailers. The band, pioneers of Jamaican reggae music, will perform Aug. 5 as part of the Oregon Zoo's summer concert series, presented by NW Natural.

The original Wailers were a vocal trio made up of Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer, but the music section they added in the late 1960s quickly adopted the name -- and kept it when Tosh and Wailer split for solo careers.

The Wailers have since played for more than 24 million people worldwide and, together with Bob Marley, sold more than 250 million records. In England, the group has produced more than 20 chart hits, including seven Top 10 entries. Though some of the members have changed over time, the band's heart and soul have remained in Aston "Family Man" Barrett.

Barrett joined the Wailers in 1968 when it was Bob Marley's backing band. His original bass lines quickly became an essential part of the group's sound and Barrett became known as Marley's musical director. After Marley's death in 1981, Barrett stepped into the role of bandleader and has anchored the group ever since.

This year, the zoo is once again selling a portion of the tickets for each of its Wednesday "Zoo Tunes" concerts in advance. Remaining tickets will be available at the zoo after 4 p.m. the day of the performance on a first-come, first-served basis. Advance general admission tickets for the Wailers show are sold out, but reserved blanket seating can still be purchased through Ticketmaster.

Zoo membership at the Plus level or higher includes free admission to all Wednesday concerts (subject to maximum capacity) and daily visits to the zoo. A limited number of tickets will be available to members for advance pickup at the zoo's reception office starting at 9 a.m. the Monday before each Wednesday concert.

No outside beverages are permitted. Beverages brought to a concert may be returned to the owner's vehicle or donated to Oregon Food Bank prior to entrance. (A collection box will be available and concertgoers are welcome to bring food donations as well.) The zoo will have several free water stations set up, and visitors may bring empty, refillable containers for water.

Other "Zoo Tunes" performers include Vieux Farka Touré (July 15), Riders in the Sky (July 22), Issa Bagayogo (July 29), Jonatha Brooke (Aug. 12), and Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca (Aug. 19).

The Oregon Zoo's summer concert series is presented by NW Natural with support from KINK.fm, Willamette Week, Portland Monthly and KOIN Local 6. It features 18 performances from June to August and is the longest continuously running outdoor concert series in the Pacific Northwest. Tickets may be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com and at the zoo. For more information, visit www.oregonzoo.org/Concerts.

July 9, 2009
THREE NOCTURNAL BEAUTIES FIND NEW HOME AT ZOO
Oregon Zoo provides shelter for rescued owls

A barred owl, rescued from a roadside near Carthage, Mo., is one of three new owls at the Oregon Zoo's Great Northwest exhibit. Photo by Carli Davidson, © Oregon Zoo.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Two magnificent saw-whet owls and one wide-eyed barred owl are the newest residents of the Cascade Stream and Pond section of the Oregon Zoo's Great Northwest exhibit. All three birds were rescued following injuries sustained in the wild.

Pip and Squeak, the saw-whet owls, were found in the Oregon wilderness and rescued from life-threatening situations -- one from the claws of a house cat and the other from a roadside, where presumably it had been hit by a car. The owls' ages are unknown; one is female and the other male.

"Pip and Squeak are very cute and seem quite happy in their new home," said Kristina Smith, a keeper at the zoo. "Both owls appear to be fully recovered. They spend most of the day sleeping, but they are curious about afternoon feedings and occasionally arise to greet us."

Saw-whet owls, also called Acadian owls, are exceptionally small, making them easy targets for house cats and other, larger predators. They generally weigh less than a quarter of a pound and measure about 7 or 8 inches long. The wingspans of these yellow-eyed beauties, which reach lengths of 18 to 22 inches, assist them in warding off predators. Saw-whets are strictly nocturnal and begin hunting every evening around dusk.

The zoo's other nocturnal survivor, a barred owl found injured on a roadside near Carthage, Mo., was rescued by staff from McCune-Brooks Regional Hospital and turned over to the Missouri Conservation Department. After weeks of nursing it back to health, doctors transferred the owl to Dickerson Park Zoo in Springfield, Mo., but the facility unfortunately didn't have the capacity to hold it. Because the bird had sustained significant injuries and was nearly blind, it couldn't be released back into the wild, so the Oregon Zoo offered help.

The gender of the barred owl is still undetermined since it's a wild animal, but zookeepers are in the process of finding out and naming the bird. The owl has acclimated well to its new home and currently weighs more than a pound and a half.

Barred owls are medium-sized, varying in length from about 15 to 29 inches and in weight from about 1 to 2 pounds. Their plumage is marked by white horizontal barring about the chest and vertical barring on the belly.

These birds live up to 23 years in zoos and about 10 years in the wild. Most deaths in the wild are the result of human activities, including shootings and auto accidents, but great horned owls are also natural enemies, preying on animals up to two or three times their own weight.

July 8, 2009
PORTLANDERS TO GO WILD AT 'ZOOLALA' FUND-RAISER
Oregon Zoo Foundation hosts its 10th annual summer gala, July 18

Samudra climbs on top of Chendra as the two play in the pool at the Oregon Zoo. Photo by Carli Davidson, © Oregon Zoo.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Portlanders get a chance to wine and dine among the animals July 18, as The Oregon Zoo Foundation hosts its 10th annual summer gala at the zoo, "Zoolala: Fifty Wild," presented by Spirit Mountain Casino.

This year's theme, "Fifty Wild," is a reference to the zoo's half-century at its current site. In July 1959, the zoo opened at its present location with great fanfare, including a brand-new railway and lots of colorful "modern" design accents. The zoo first began in 1887 when Richard Knight, a local pharmacist who collected animals as a hobby, officially presented his menagerie to the city. It is the oldest zoo west of the Mississippi.

Zoolala features culinary delights from nearly 30 of Portland's premier restaurants, bakeries, breweries, wineries and coffee hosts, plus live music from 5 Guys Named Moe.

Several restaurants, including Legends at Spirit Mountain, Timberline Lodge, Bay 13, Le Bistro Montage, Salty's on the Columbia, and Paragon Restaurant and Bar, are making a return appearance. The Old Spaghetti Factory, Beaverton Bakery, Espresso Volare and Huber's Restaurant have been with Zoolala from the beginning.

"Zoolala gets bigger and better every year," said Mike Keele, interim zoo director. "There is no better place to enjoy such a diverse array of Oregon cuisine."

Also contributing to the success of Zoolala are the local businesses and philanthropists who support the event in record numbers. 1190 KEX returns to support the event for the third year.

The gala begins at 7 p.m., when the old zoo entrance opens its doors to all ticket holders, and the restaurants open their booths, uncork the wine and tap the kegs.

"Zoolala is a night of great music, food and beverages," said Kris Terich, the zoo foundation's special events coordinator. "I can't think of a better venue for a warm July gala than the Oregon Zoo."

Admission is $135 for Oregon Zoo members and $150 general admission. A portion of the cost is tax deductible. Proceeds from Zoolala will go toward purchasing equipment for the zoo's new veterinary hospital.

To purchase tickets and see a complete list of participating restaurants, bakeries, wineries and breweries, visit www.oregonzoo.org/Zoolala.

July 8, 2009
GROWING UP IN PUBLIC: 'EAGLE CAM' CHICK PREPARES FOR TAKEOFF
Oregon Zoo visitors, Web viewers can watch baby eagle learn to fly

Bald Eagle. Photo © Oregon Zoo

PORTLAND, Ore. — Cascade and Lady Odell, a charming bald eagle pair from Deschutes National Forest, celebrated spring this year by hatching a new chick, Pengra Cascade Odell. The chick was first observed in mid-May on the U.S. Forest Service's Eagle Cam, which streams live video of the majestic birds in and around their nest.

Pengra's development, from fledgling to flight, can be watched on a display at the Oregon Zoo's Great Northwest exhibit or online at the Forest Service's NatureWatch Web site: www.fs.fed.us/outdoors/naturewatch/eaglecam.html.

Cascade and Lady braved this year's late snow and cold weather to produce Pengra, the pair's first successful hatch since 2006. The chick emerged from its egg May 15.

Eaglets are completely dependent on their parents for several months, requiring food, warmth and protection from predators. Pengra recently began eating without help, from fish delivered by Mom and Dad, and could begin flying within two to four weeks.

The Eagle Cam was placed as part of a cooperative project to bring live-streaming video of wild eagles and salmon to the Web and to the zoo, where eagles and salmon are on exhibit. The videos aim to raise awareness, appreciation and understanding of wildlife's connections to ecosystems, landscapes and people.

July 7, 2009
ENDANGERED WASHINGTON TURTLES RELEASED IN COLUMBIA GORGE

A tiny western pond turtle emerges from its egg at the Oregon Zoo's Conservation Station. Nearly 60 of the endangered turtles, which have spent the past 11 months at the zoo growing large enough to avoid being eaten by non-native bullfrogs and large-mouth bass, are being released back into the wild in the Columbia River Gorge. Photo by Michael Durham, © Oregon Zoo.

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Oregon Zoo is releasing nearly 60 endangered western pond turtles back to the wild with the help of local kids involved in the Gorge Explorers' Summer Stewards program.

The turtles have spent the past 11 months under lights, which simulate perpetual summer.

"The lights trick the turtles into thinking it's still summer so they don't go into hibernation," said David Shepherdson, the zoo's conservation program scientist. "The turtles grow and grow, experiencing three years' growth in 11 months."

Once the turtles reach a suitable size of about 70 grams (a little more than 2 ounces), they are returned to their homes and monitored for safety.

"Since the turtles are larger, predators such as non-native bullfrogs and large-mouth bass are no longer threats," Shepherdson said.

The turtle reintroduction is part of a collaborative effort by the Oregon Zoo, Woodland Park Zoo, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Bonneville Power Administration. As part of the Western Pond Turtle Recovery Project, conservation scientists "head-start" newly hatched turtles gathered from wild sites, nurturing them at both zoos for about 11 months.

"Spending the first months of their life at the zoo gives the turtles a real edge," explained Shepherdson. "The Woodland Park Zoo and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife have been working to save Washington's western pond turtles for 19 years. We're glad we could provide additional assistance in helping save these highly endangered turtles."

Thirty local children enrolled in the Gorge Explorers' Summer Stewards program, at least half of them ESL students, will help biologists release the turtles in the Columbia River Gorge.

"It is one thing to learn about conservation efforts, but it makes a much bigger impact when you actually see a zoo-reared turtle released back into the wilds of the Columbia Gorge," Shepherdson said.

The Gorge Explorers' Summer Stewards program provides students entering fourth grade in the fall with an opportunity to learn environmental stewardship, science literacy, improved language and social skills, confidence building, and working as a team, at no cost to the kids' families. It also provides six high school students with the opportunity for employment for the summer in a program designed to allow them to build job skills, work on a résumé, explore informal education career ideas through the development of mentoring skills with the younger children, and to provide environmental stewardship service projects in the community. The program is a collaboration between the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, the Columbia Gorge Ecology Institute, USFWS and the Northern Wasco County School District 21.

"Going out to the release site helps us reach our aim, which is to provide the kids with a meaningful summer learning experience tied to their natural environment," said Jenny Gilbert, conservation education coordinator with the program. "It also provides the high school students an opportunity to practice their leadership skills and learn more about environmental stewardship."

Teens from the Oregon Zoo's Zoo Animal Presenters program, the Youth Conservation Corp and the Skamania Youth Forest Success program will also take part in the release.

Just a decade ago, western pond turtles were on the verge of completely dying out in Washington, with only 150 turtles left in the wild. Today, researchers estimate there are about 1,400. Habitat degradation and disease were, and still are, problems, but the biggest threat to fragile baby turtles is the bullfrog. Native to areas east of the Rockies, this nonindigenous frog has thrived throughout the West, driving pond turtles and a host of other small, vulnerable aquatic species to the brink of extinction.

Another non-native threat to western pond turtle survival is the red-eared slider. Sliders are native to the same range as the bullfrog and are winning the survival race against the native turtles. The sliders lay eggs later in the season and dig up existing turtle nests to use as their own.

Oregon Zoo conservationist Virginia Grimley readies an endangered western pond turtle for release back into the wild in the Columbia River Gorge. On July 20, the zoo will release nearly 60 turtles, which have spent the past 11 months growing large enough to avoid being eaten by non-native bullfrogs and large-mouth bass. Photo by Michael Durham, © Oregon Zoo.

To help restore these rare pond turtles to their natural habitat, recovery workers take to the field each year. Under the supervision of western pond turtle expert Kate Slavens, they count, trap and fit transmitters on adult female western pond turtles. The female turtles are monitored every two hours during the nesting season to determine where they nest. The nests, which the females dig in the ground and then cover after depositing their eggs, are protected with wire "exclosure" cages that help prevent predators from eating the eggs. The eggs are then allowed to incubate naturally, and the hatchlings are collected in the fall. The hatchlings are about the size of a quarter when they are removed and taken to the zoo facilities, where they can grow in safety. Unlike wild turtles, zoo turtles are fed throughout the winter, so by their summer release, the 11-month-olds are about as big as 3-year-old turtles that grew up in the wild.

Some of the juvenile turtles are equipped with radio transmitters before release, so biologists can learn more about post-release dispersal, habitat use during active and hibernation periods, and, ultimately, their survival rate. Scientists tracking the released turtles estimate that 95 percent of the turtles released back into the Columbia River Gorge have survived.

Now listed as an endangered species in Washington and a sensitive species in Oregon, the western pond turtle was once common from Baja California to Puget Sound. The Oregon Zoo's participation in the Western Pond Turtle Recovery Project is funded through The Oregon Zoo Foundation's Future for Wildlife conservation fund.

The Oregon Zoo is also helping turtles in Oregon. Working with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the zoo helped establish the Oregon Native Turtle Conservation Group, which helps field biologists monitor and track populations of western pond and western painted turtles in and around the Willamette River. The group created a Web site to educate the public about the plight of the native Oregon turtles, www.oregonturtles.com. The site includes an electronic form that allows the public to report turtle sightings to ODFW and the Oregon Zoo, which aids both agencies in the tracking process.

The western pond turtle captive-rearing effort is a project of the NW Zoo & Aquarium Alliance, which promotes collaboration on regional conservation among zoos and aquariums in the Pacific Northwest.

July 7, 2009
OREGON ZOO STAGE PROVIDES IDEAL SETTING FOR JEWEL
Multifaceted (and multiplatinum) singer-songwriter to perform July 31 at zoo

Photo by James Camp

PORTLAND, Ore. — From humble beginnings singing in local taverns in Homer, Alaska, through a poverty-stricken time living out of her van, to international stardom as a singer-songwriter, actress and poet, Jewel has come a long way, never giving up on her desire to create inspiring music. She performs at the Oregon Zoo July 31, as part of the zoo's summer concert series presented by NW Natural.

After one of the most successful debut albums of all time with "Pieces of You" - 12 times platinum - Jewel has gone on to sell more than 27 million albums worldwide.

Billboard smashes like "Foolish Games," "Who Will Save Your Soul" and "You Were Meant for Me" quickly established Jewel as the face of a new crop of female singer-songwriters in the mid-'90s. In 1997, she played the first Lilith Fair tour and earned a spot on the cover of Time magazine, becoming a poster girl for what one writer dubbed "coffeehouse pop."

"Perfectly Clear," Jewel's first exclusively country album, showcased the singer's musical diversity and debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's country charts last year. The album is a mixture of new material and reprised fan favorites, including a countrified version of "2 Become 1." Jewel's latest release, "Lullaby," which came out in May, is a collection of sleepy-time songs that's "not just for children."

"Jewel's songwriting talent and beautiful, ethereal voice continue to win her new fans year after year," said Krista Swan, the zoo's event coordinator. "She's always been a great live performer, and the zoo is a perfect place to see her play."

Opening for Jewel is up-and-coming Nashville singer-songwriter Ashley Monroe, whose debut album, "Satisfied," came out last month. While launching her own career, Monroe penned several songs for other artists, including Carrie Underwood's "Flat on the Floor" and Norah Jones' "It's Not You, It's Me."

"You'd never guess she's only 22," Swan said. "Her delicate, haunting voice carries the wisdom of a singer well beyond her years."

Among the other popular acts set to play the zoo this summer are legendary East L.A. rockers Los Lobos (July 17), folk-music icon Joan Baez (Aug. 14) and soulful singer-songwriter Susan Tedeschi (Aug. 17).

The Oregon Zoo's summer concert series is presented by NW Natural with support from KINK.fm, Willamette Week and KOIN Local 6. It features 18 performances from June to August and is the longest continuously running outdoor concert series in the Pacific Northwest. Tickets may be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com and at the zoo.

Samudra the baby elephant, along with a blockbuster dinosaur exhibit, camps, concerts and family-friendly events, helped boost the Oregon Zoo's attendance to more than 1.6 million for the fiscal year ending June 30 -- the highest figure in the zoo's 122-year history. Photo by Michael Durham,
© Oregon Zoo.

PORTLAND, Ore. — A blockbuster dinosaur exhibit, a baby elephant, camps, concerts and family-friendly events helped boost the Oregon Zoo's attendance to 1,621,521 for the fiscal year ending June 30 -- the highest figure in the zoo's 122-year history.

"The strong attendance is a testament to our community's support of the zoo," said Metro Council President David Bragdon. "The zoo not only provides a rich family experience, but also supports conservation education and our vision to create a better future for wildlife."

Oregon Zoo Director Tony Vecchio attributed the record year to the popularity of its dinosaur exhibit last summer and the arrival of Samudra, the charismatic baby elephant who has stolen the hearts of zoo visitors. Vecchio noted that zoo attendance might have been even higher if severe winter storms hadn't forced the zoo to close for nearly a week in late December, a peak time for its popular ZooLights winter light display. ZooLights, a holiday tradition featuring more than a million brightly colored lights, had been on-pace to set its own attendance record before the closures.

Events such as the summer concert series and the World Animal Festival also brought in big numbers, while the increased revenues help the zoo fund its many conservation and education programs.

"We attract large audiences because of our commitment to offer new exhibits and programs," Bragdon said. "With work under way on the new Red Ape Reserve exhibit and the highly anticipated opening of Predators of the Serengeti this fall, I'm very optimistic that we'll continue to be the most well-attended zoo in the Pacific Northwest."

The first time the zoo's attendance topped a million was during 1962-63, the fiscal year immediately following Packy's birth in April 1962. The baby pachyderm drew 1,010,964 spectators from all over the Northwest, eager to see the first elephant born in the United States in 44 years. It wasn't until 1988-89 that the zoo broke the million mark again. Since then, the zoo has welcomed more than a million guests in 17 of the past 20 years.

The Oregon Zoo continues to have the highest attendance of any fee-based tourist attraction in Oregon.