March 27, 2009
IT'S NOT EASY BEING RED: ZOO EXHIBITS RARE TOMATO FROG
Neither fruit nor vegetable, this tomato is a bright red amphibian native to Madagascar

Oregon Zoo visitors can now check out this rare, bright-red tomato frog, native only to Madagascar.
Photo by Michael Durham, © Oregon Zoo.

PORTLAND, Ore. — What's red and hops? A tomato frog! Local residents can get a peek at this rare species, native only to the island of Madagascar, in a new display at the Oregon Zoo's Bamba du Jon Swamp exhibit in the Africa Rain Forest.

True to its name, the Madagascar tomato frog (Dyscophus antongilii) looks quite a bit like a ripe, red tomato. Don't try to eat one though. One reason these amphibians are so brightly colored is to warn would-be predators about their toxic excretions. When threatened, a tomato frog puffs itself up to appear larger and, if that doesn't work, it secretes a white, sticky toxic substance from its skin.

But even though tomato frogs have defenses, it's not easy being red in Madagascar these days. The frogs' bright reddish-orange skin makes it easy for poachers in the pet-trade industry to spot them on the ground and pick them up. Yep, just like tomatoes.

Tomato frogs are also susceptible to pesticides and detergents found in irrigation runoff. The frogs often hang out in ditches near farms to catch the water, but this, along with the poaching, has caused their numbers to drop.

These problems have prompted conservation efforts by zoos in the United States and in Madagascar to educate the public and save tomato frogs from possible extinction. The Madagascar Fauna Group, an international consortium of zoos and other conservation organizations, has started an exhibit in the tomato frog's native country at the Parc Zoologique d'Ivoloina.

March 27, 2009
OREGON ZOO WOLF CELEBRATION PROMISES HOWLING GOOD TIME
Zoo launches WolfQuest game, hosts wolf lecture, celebrates wolves' birthdays

The gray wolf Yazhi (Navajo for "little one") turns 1 this April at the Oregon Zoo. The zoo will be celebrating wolves all month with a birthday party, lecture and free on-line video game.
Photo by Michael Durham, © Oregon Zoo.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Wolves take center stage at the Oregon Zoo this April with a new on-line video game called WolfQuest and the season finale of the Wildlife Conservation Lecture Series. Cheyenne and Yazhi, the zoo's two resident gray wolves, celebrate April birthdays as well.

The game launches April 22 during a birthday bash for the wolves. Cheyenne celebrates her ninth birthday April 22, and Yazhi her first on April 29. The pair arrived in Portland late last year, moving into the wolf habitat in the zoo's Elk Meadow exhibit. A keeper talk is planned and the wolves will receive special treats.

"WolfQuest: Amethyst Mountain" is a 3-D wildlife-simulation video game. Developed by the Minnesota Zoo and Eduweb, the game is funded by the National Science Foundation. It is available as a free download for both Macintosh and Windows.

"WolfQuest represents a new breed of video game," said Grant Spickelmier, assistant director of education at the Minnesota Zoo. "It marries state-of-the-art game design with scientifically accurate wolf content. The game attracts kids who are used to playing in virtual worlds. The game and Web site introduce them to real-world issues facing wolves."

WolfQuest includes single-player and multiplayer versions that allow gamers to take on the roles of wolves living in Yellowstone National Park. Through trial and error, instinct and experience, players learn to maximize both individual and pack survival. Each player discovers how to compete or cooperate, challenge or submit, and defend or attack during complex interactions with other wolves both within and outside their own packs.

For those who want even more exposure to wolves, Russ Morgan, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's wolf coordinator, will discuss the triumphant return of Oregon wolves on Tuesday, April 28, at 7 p.m. at the zoo, as part of the 2009 Wildlife Conservation Lecture Series.

In his lecture, "Wolf Conservation and Management in Oregon," Morgan will present a history of wolves in the West and discuss implementation of the state's new wolf conservation and management plan. He will also discuss his current research and provide an update on recent wolf activities in the state.

"Not only is it exciting to have wolves returning to Oregon after so many years, but it's essential," said Tony Vecchio, Oregon Zoo director. "Wolves and other large predators play pivotal roles in our delicate ecosystems. It is important that we learn the roles of all animals, especially those in the Pacific Northwest."

March 26, 2009
SUPERSIZE THAT CAKE! OREGON ZOO MARKS PACKY'S 47TH BIRTHDAY
Portland's 'biggest' celebrity to be feted at zoo's annual Elephantastic event

The Oregon Zoo's most famous resident, Packy, celebrates his 47th birthday during the zoo's annual Elephantastic festivities, April 18.
Photo by Michael Durham, © Oregon Zoo.

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Oregon Zoo is throwing an elephant-sized party to celebrate the species that made it famous. Elephantastic, held each year on a weekend close to Packy's birthday, takes place April 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the zoo. During this year's festivities, the zoo will mark Packy's 47th birthday.

Elephantastic, free with zoo admission, features a full day of activities, with games, crafts and that ever-popular fashion accessory: elephant ears. Visitors are treated to free birthday cake at noon, courtesy of Lamb's Wilsonville Market, and kids can enter a drawing for a chance to help keepers deliver Packy's giant birthday cake.

Beginning at 11:30 a.m., the Parkrose High School jazz band, directed by Michael Tolon, will play for an hour at the new Elephant Plaza picnic area, next to the sculpture garden. And from 1 to 2 p.m., a touring band from Billings Senior High School in Montana will perform, directed by Jeff Long.

At 2 p.m., Packy receives his cake and everyone can join in singing "Happy Birthday" while the prestigious pachyderm chows down. The cake, baked by the zoo's executive chef, Paul Warner, is a 40-pound whole-wheat concoction topped with frosting, apples, carrots and celery.

The fun continues through the afternoon with face painting, games, puppet shows, elephant-sized puzzles, crafts and a giant birthday card for Packy.

Elephantastic also celebrates the birthday of Packy's son Rama, the zoo's resident artist, who turned 26 on April 1. Rama is best known for a unique painting technique in which he blows nontoxic, egg-based paint across the canvas with his trunk. Art critics have dubbed the style "abstract eruptionism," comparing Rama to celebrated two-legged artists such as Jackson Pollock.

During Elephantastic, the zoo will display some of Rama's work at a "trunk show." (Get it?) For a separate fee, guests may commission a personalized Rama masterpiece to be created for them at a later date. See video of Rama and other elephants painting.

The Oregon Zoo is world-famous for its Asian elephant breeding program. More than 25 calves have been born at the zoo, including Samudra, the most recent addition to the herd, born in August 2008.

Packy put Portland on the map in 1962, making international news as the first elephant born in the Western Hemisphere in 44 years. Portlanders first learned of the impending birth through a January Oregonian article, and the city came alive with anticipation. Stuffed elephants appeared in toy departments and schoolchildren made drawings of what they thought the baby would look like. For three months, zoo veterinarian Matthew Maberry literally lived in the elephant house, keeping a close watch on the maternity ward.

The big event happened shortly before 6 a.m. on April 14, and news about the 225-pound baby spread rapidly. Newspapers and radio stations around the world announced the birth, and Life magazine covered the event with an 11-page spread describing "The Nativity of Packy." Gifts flooded the zoo — everything from gold-plated safety pins to hand-knit baby clothing — and visitors flocked to see the new pachyderm. Attendance soared, setting an all-time high with 1.2 million visitors for the year. It would be more than 25 years before zoo attendance reached a million again.

See vintage color footage from the time of Packy's birth.

Packy is now the oldest and largest Asian elephant in the United States, standing 10 feet 6 inches tall at the shoulder and tipping the scales at around 14,000 pounds. He has fathered seven calves, including 26-year-olds Sung-Surin ("Shine") and Rama, both of whom currently live at the zoo.

March 25, 2009
OREGON ZOO CONDORS ON TRACK FOR EGGS-CEPTIONAL YEAR!
Endangered birds produce seventh egg of season at zoo's off-site facility

California condor No. 147 suns her 9-foot wingspan at the Oregon Zoo's Jonsson Center for Wildlife Conservation. She is one of six condors at the center to lay eggs this breeding season. Photo by Michael Durham, © Oregon Zoo.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Endangered California condors are producing eggs at a near-record rate this year at the Oregon Zoo's Jonsson Center for Wildlife Conservation. Two eggs in the past week have brought the total to seven thus far, and the zoo anticipates one of its most successful condor-breeding seasons ever.

The latest egg arrived March 23, laid by condor No. 174. She and her mate, Mali, will sit on the egg for up to two weeks before it is removed for testing. Another egg, laid by condor No. 147, came overnight sometime late March 21 or early March 22, while the nest room was still dark. According to Condor Keeper Kelli Walker, No. 147 sat on the egg the entire first morning and then changed places with her mate, No. 137.

"The eggs are naturally incubated for 10 to 14 days," noted Shawn St. Michael, zoo assistant curator. "Then they are pulled, candled, put into an incubator and replaced with dummy eggs."

At about 57 days, the eggs are switched back, so that the chicks will hatch under their parents.

More good news arrived over the weekend, as the fifth egg of the season, laid by Sawlu on March 12, was determined to be fertile. Walker had removed the egg from Sawlu and her mate, Paxa, early Sunday afternoon, replacing it with a dummy egg.

According to Walker, the first two eggs of the season, laid by Ojai on Feb. 19 and Tama on Feb. 23, are also fertile. Both eggs were removed to incubators, though Ojai was not given a dummy egg in the hopes that she will lay again this season. This process, known as "double clutching," has dramatically increased the number of condors since captive breeding began.

The third egg of the season, laid March 4 by Squapuni, was infertile, but there are no plans to double-clutch her. Squapuni and her mate, condor No. 189, will serve as foster parents if Ojai produces another viable egg.

The season's fourth egg, laid on March 8 by Wiloq, proved fertile, and the condor is now sitting on a dummy egg by herself.

"Her mate, Woy, injured his foot and had to be taken to the hospital for treatment," Walker explained. "Woy will not be returned to his mate until after breeding season because an introduction at this time could compromise egg incubation."

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

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.

March 23, 2009
ZOO WELCOMES SPRING WITH ANNUAL RABBIT ROMP, APRIL 11
Oregon Zoo celebrates season with egg hunts, activities for all ages

Conrad the polar bear plays with a plastic egg at the Oregon Zoo. Animals enjoy enrichment activities during Rabbit Romp, the zoo's annual celebration of spring, taking place April 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Photo by Michael Durham, © Oregon Zoo

PORTLAND, Ore. — Things will be hoppin' Saturday, April 11, when the Oregon Zoo hosts its annual Rabbit Romp, a celebration of spring for all ages. Rabbit Romp is sponsored by PDX TV (Channel 49, Cable Channel 13) and is free with regular zoo admission.

Rabbit Romp features candy egg hunts every 20 minutes from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Children ages 3 to 10 are divided into age groups and invited to hunt for eggs filled with candy and prizes. Toddlers 2 and under can participate in a candy hunt organized especially for them. Rabbit Romp festivities also include a petting zoo, games and photo opportunities.

During their candy hunts, Rabbit Rompers may enter to win a chance to scatter treats such as apples and yams in the elephant yard for the giant pachyderms to find during their own "egg" hunt.

Sea otters and polar bears also receive egg-themed enrichment throughout the day.

The Oregon Zoo Store offers kids an opportunity to purchase and create their own furry animal friends at "Animaland." Kids can dress their newly created plush toys in custom outfits. The store also has a great selection of animal-themed spring baskets and plush rabbits.

March 23, 2009
AILING COUGAR TAKINI IS EUTHANIZED AT OREGON ZOO
Zoo staff unable to restore big cat's health following intestinal disorder

Takini, a 3-year-old Oregon Zoo cougar much beloved by keepers and staff, was euthanized Saturday following a long battle against an inflammatory intestinal condition. Photo by Michael Durham,© Oregon Zoo.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Takini, a 3-year-old cougar at the Oregon Zoo, was euthanized Saturday morning following a long battle against a tenacious and aggressive intestinal disorder. Zoo veterinarians made the decision after consulting with keepers regarding the cat's deteriorating condition.

"Takini's keepers went way above and beyond the call of duty," said Oregon Zoo Veterinarian Mitch Finnegan. "They were able to provide a level of care to Takini that I would not have thought possible had I not seen it myself."

Over the past few months, staff administered immune-modulating drugs as well as supportive treatments to maintain the cougar's hydration and electrolytes. They had been monitoring Takini closely, hoping the treatments would allow the cougar's appetite to return and enable her to regain her strength.

Finnegan praised the keepers' ability to get Takini to "take a staggering number of pills multiple times each day" and to keep up with a continually changing health regimen as vets worked to diagnose and treat the cougar's problems.

Takini came to the zoo as a clunky, spotted adolescent in May 2006. She had been orphaned as a cub and was spotted in a tree in Rapid City, S.D., on Mother's Day 2005, watching a local resident wax his boat. Officials with South Dakota's Game, Fish and Parks Department darted the 35-pound cat with a tranquilizer.

Michelle Schireman, an Oregon zookeeper and the Association of Zoo and Aquariums' puma population manager, suggested the name Takini, which means "survivor" in the Lakota language of Sioux Native Americans. Over the past several weeks, keepers and vet staff had been hoping against hope that the young cougar would live up to her name.

"Though I am sad and disappointed that we were unsuccessful in treating Takini," Finnegan said, "witnessing the dedication and care that her keepers invested in her truly was an inspiration, and reminded me of why I got into this line of work in the first place."

Takini's companion Chinook, a female cougar of about the same age, remains on exhibit in Cougar Crossing, part of the zoo's Great Northwest exhibit.

Cougars, also known as pumas and mountain lions, have a life expectancy in the wild of about 10 years. They have been known to live up to 20 years in zoos.

March 20, 2009
EXOTIC ANIMALS NOT WELL ADAPTED TO LIVING IN HUMAN HOMES
Oregon Zoo director warns public about realities of owning exotic pets

Charlie, the Oregon Zoo's male chimpanzee, was once a pet. Due to space limitations, the zoo can no longer accept exotic pets that outgrow their homes. Photo by Michael Durham, © Oregon Zoo.

PORTLAND, Ore. — The recent news of a pet chimpanzee attacking his owner's friend doesn't surprise staff at the Oregon Zoo.

"It's a sad story, but the reality is, whether a wild animal lives at a zoo, or in your back yard, it remains a wild animal," warns Oregon Zoo Director Tony Vecchio." Animals will do what comes naturally, and sometimes that means defending their territory in an aggressive manner."

While owning a chimpanzee or other exotic animal may seem exciting, the reality can be overwhelming. According to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, of which the Oregon Zoo is a member, keeping exotic animals as pets can come with hidden costs -- both for people and animals.

"Wild animals have complex behavioral, social, nutritional and psychological needs," noted a recent press release issued by the AZA. "Most people cannot meet the needs of wild animals kept as pets. Wild animals need to be with members of their own species."

The Oregon Zoo, Chimps Inc., the Humane Society of the United States, the Oregon Humane Society and many other organizations are supporting Senate Bill 391, introduced by Oregon state Sens. Mark Hass, D-Beaverton, and Brian Boquist, R-Dallas, to prohibit private possession of dangerous wild animals in the state, including alligators, monkeys, lions, tigers and bears. The bill was approved by the Senate committee on Environment and Natural Resources this week, with a full Senate vote expected to take place next week.

Most states prohibit the private possession of certain dangerous exotic animals. Across the United States, incidents involving exotic animals, such as the recent Connecticut mauling, reinforce the need for such legislation.

"This legislation will protect both public safety and animal welfare," said Kelly Peterson, Oregon lobbyist for the Humane Society. "The average citizen cannot meet the needs of these animals in captivity. Fortunately, state lawmakers are poised to address this issue, and we urge the Senate to pass SB 391."

Currently in Oregon a permit is required to possess certain wild animals as pets. The bill would prohibit future acquisitions of these animals and add alligators, crocodiles and caimans to the list. People who currently have these animals will be able to keep them, but not breed or replace them.

Primates are of special concern to the AZA. Apes — including chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans and gibbons -- are intelligent, sensitive, highly social animals. As our closest living relatives, they are fascinating, and ape infants are appealing. These attributes make apes popular as performers in entertainment and advertising — and, sometimes, as pets. But the popularity of apes masks the cruel and dangerous practices commonly required to make them compliant in such appearances. And when kept as pets, apes can unexpectedly cause severe injury if their natural instincts trigger fear, aggression or other powerful responses. Smaller primates such as monkeys also are prone to attack and cause injury, and they suffer when kept in small cages isolated from others of their kind.

At the federal level, Rep. Earl Blumenauer is the lead author of HR 80, the Captive Primate Safety Act, which would ban interstate commerce in apes, monkeys, lemurs, marmosets and other primates for the pet trade. It would complement state laws on the possession of dangerous exotic animals, since many of these animals are purchased over the Internet and through other interstate instruments. Blumenauer's bill passed the U.S. House overwhelmingly last month by a vote of 323-95, and is now pending in the U.S. Senate.

Owning exotic pets can also endanger species. Public demand can lead to illegal capture and trade, and many animals die while being captured or transported. For this reason, many state, county and city ordinances prohibit ownership of wild animals as pets.

Besides the threat to the animal world, there are dangers to exotic pet owners. Many animals can bite, scratch and attack an owner, children or guests. Owners can be legally responsible for damage, injuries or illnesses caused by animals they maintain. Wild animals can also carry diseases that may be dangerous or fatal to humans, including rabies, distemper, herpes viruses, salmonella, polio, tuberculosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and bubonic plague. Additionally, wild animals harbor parasites, such as intestinal worms and protozoa.

For owners who discover too late that an exotic pet is overwhelming, finding new homes for large, hard-to-handle animals can be difficult, if not impossible, particularly since most zoos are unable to accept them.

To help potential pet owners learn more, the zoo in collaboration with the Northwest Zoo & Aquarium Alliance, has set up a Web site called The Odd Pet Gazette.

Dogs, domestic cats, guinea pigs, domestic rats and mice, domestic gerbils, common hamsters, domestic rabbits, domestic chinchillas all make good pets. Shelters offer adoptable animals that do not have homes. Millions of dogs and cats that aren't adopted are destroyed each year.

March 19, 2009
OREGON ZOO ANNOUNCES PLANS TO HIRE 150
Applications now being accepted for summer jobs

The Oregon Zoo is the No. 1 fee-based tourist attraction in the Northwest and is home to nearly 2,000 mammals, fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. A sturdy hippo relaxes in her watering hole. Photo by Michael Durham, © Oregon Zoo.

PORTLAND, Ore. — As grim stories of economic doom and gloom dominate the news in Oregon and throughout the United States, one beloved local institution continues to buck this trend. The Oregon Zoo is enjoying record attendance and membership numbers, and is proceeding with plans to fill 150 seasonal staff vacancies in its warehouse, catering, food service, security and custodial operations.

The jobs, which include mostly part-time positions, could start immediately. Applications are being accepted on-line.

"Despite the economic downturn, the Oregon Zoo continues to see an increasing number of visitors, and we expect even more this summer," said Metro Council President David Bragdon. "The zoo will need to fill quite a few positions, and is looking for competent, customer-service-oriented people who want to be part of the zoo team."

Last year the zoo welcomed nearly 1.6 million visitors through its gates, and is on track to break another all-time attendance record this year, with 100,000 more visitors than last year. Zoo membership is also at an all-time high with close to 45,000 member households.

"People are hungry for local recreational opportunities that are an excellent value," said Tony Vecchio, Oregon Zoo director." The zoo is a close-in resource for local residents to visit, and an even better place to work, he added." Vecchio notes that he got his start in the zoo community working at a concession stand.

The Oregon Zoo is the No. 1 fee-based tourist attraction in the Northwest, and is home to nearly 2,000 mammals, fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. Two new exhibits will open later this year: Predators of the Serengeti in fall and Red Ape Reserve in winter.

Most famous for its Asian elephant program, which has welcomed more than 25 babies into the world, the zoo welcomed the arrival of Samudra last August.

The $125 million zoo bond measure, which voters passed last November, should also prove to be a strong economic engine. The measure funds construction projects to improve outdated exhibits and make the zoo more sustainable.

The zoo is a service of Metro and is dedicated to its mission to inspire the community to create a better future for wildlife. Committed to conservation, the zoo is currently working to save endangered California condors, Washington's pygmy rabbits, Oregon silverspot butterflies, western pond turtles, Oregon spotted frogs and Kincaid's lupine. Other projects include studies on black rhinos, Asian elephants, polar bears and bats.

March 13, 2009
ZOO VISITORS MAX-IMIZE SPRING BREAK SAVINGS WITH TRIMET
Oregon Zoo offers $1 off admission to visitors who ride MAX or take the bus

The zoo is offering $1 off its regular admission fee for spring break visitors who arrive by MAX Light Rail or TriMet bus with proof of ridership. The Zoo's Gone Wild spring break celebration takes place March 23 through April 5.
Photo by Michael Durham © Oregon Zoo.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Can't afford Fort Lauderdale? No way to swing Palm Springs? The Oregon Zoo has just the ticket for a fantastic spring break in a tough economy: two weeks of tropical-vacation-themed activities — plus discounted admission.

The sixth annual Zoo's Gone Wild spring break celebration takes place March 23 through April 5, and the zoo is offering $1 off its regular admission fee for visitors who arrive by MAX Light Rail or TriMet bus with proof of ridership.

"Every year, the zoo presents a great alternative to a tropical getaway for spring break," said Tony Vecchio, zoo director. "I know many people in our community eagerly anticipate spring break at the zoo, and look forward to the many new touches we add each year. In the process, we wanted to make the experience a little greener for the community."

The zoo has teamed up with TriMet to encourage alternate forms of transportation that will be beneficial to the environment and wildlife.

Tigers play with Boomer balls during the Zoo's Gone Wild spring break celebration, which runs March 23 through April 5. The zoo is offering $1 off its regular admission fee for spring break visitors who arrive by MAX Light Rail or TriMet bus with proof of ridership.
Photo by Michael Durham © Oregon Zoo.

"We care so much about animals and their habitats, and it's because of our passion for them that we try to serve as a model for earth-friendly operations," Vecchio said. "When people leave their cars at home, they help the environment by reducing pollution and greenhouse-gas emissions. By taking the bus or using MAX, riders not only save money, they save our wildlife as well."

In addition to avoiding gas pumps, traffic jams and the hassle of finding a parking spot, visitors who take TriMet to the zoo also avoid a $2 parking fee.

"If you drive to the zoo, you have to pay to park, so when you take MAX your total discount is actually two dollars plus another dollar for each person in your party," Vecchio said.

With room to accommodate bicycles and collapsible strollers, and a station located just steps from the zoo entrance, MAX offers a convenient way to travel for groups both large and small, Vecchio said.

Zoo's Gone Wild features two weeks of spring break activities for the animals as well as for zoo visitors. Guests can watch as black bears party at the beach, lorikeets receive fruit leis, and sea otters relax by the pool.

Animal enrichment activities and keeper talks take place from 10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. daily from March 23 through April 5. Visitors can learn about animal training from the keepers and get a more intimate look at sea lions, elephants, crocodiles, ocelots, penguins, river otters and tide pools.

The TriMet discount will continue after spring break and be offered to the public through 2009. Call TriMet Customer Service, 503-238-RIDE (7433), or visit www.trimet.org for fare and route information.

March 13, 2009
OREGON ZOO ANIMAL-CARE STAFF BATTLES TO SAVE AILING COUGAR
Takini's fragile health being anxiously monitored by keepers, vet staff

Takini, a 3-year-old Oregon Zoo cougar much beloved by keepers and staff, is suffering from an inflammatory intestinal condition that has vets battling to save her life.
Photo by Michael Durham © Oregon Zoo.

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Oregon Zoo's 3-year-old cougar Takini is undergoing treatments every other day in an effort to save her life. The fragile feline suffers from an inflammatory intestinal condition.

According to Mitch Finnegan, zoo veterinarian, Takini is being given immune-modulating drugs as well as supportive treatments to maintain her hydration and electrolytes.

"Keepers are monitoring Takini closely and offering lots of food to try to maintain her weight," Finnegan said. "Her prognosis is guarded."

Keepers and veterinary staff hope the treatments will allow the cougar's appetite to return, and enable her to regain her strength.

Takini came to the zoo in May 2006 as an orphaned cub. She had been spotted in a tree in Rapid City, S.D., on Mother's Day 2005, watching a local resident wax his boat. Officials with South Dakota's Game, Fish and Parks Department darted the 35-pound cub with a tranquilizer.

Zoo North America Keeper Michelle Schireman, the Association of Zoo and Aquariums' puma population manager, suggested the name Takini, which means "survivor" in the Lakota language of Sioux Native Americans. The zoo hopes the young cougar lives up to her name.

When not receiving medical treatment, Takini lives in Cougar Crossing, part of the zoo's Great Northwest exhibit, with her companion, Chinook, a female cougar about the same age as Takini who also was orphaned as a cub.

Cougars, also known as pumas and mountain lions, have a life expectancy in the wild of about 10 years. They have been known to live up to 20 years in zoos.

March 12, 2009
ZOO CELEBRATES SPRING BREAK WITH FLUMPA AND WENDY
Singing scientist and 6-foot-tall tree frog to perform at Zoo's Gone Wild party

Flumpa, a giant tree frog, joins Wendy Whitten (aka the "Singing Scientist") for two shows at the zoo Sunday, March 29.
Photo © Oregon Zoo.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Spring-breakers at the Oregon Zoo will be treated to a glimpse of a very rare creature: a 6-foot-tall tree frog. As part of the annual Zoo's Gone Wild celebration, Flumpa, a giant tree frog with a love of science, and Wendy, the "Singing Scientist," will perform two shows on Sunday, March 29, at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. The performance is free with zoo admission.

"'Flumpa and Friends' is a lively musical stage show rich in science content," said Krista Swan, zoo events coordinator. "Through singing and dancing, kids learn about the world's endangered rain forests and oceans. They also learn about protecting the environment and, of course, all about frogs."

Wendy Whitten is the creator of "Flumpa and Friends." Her show has won many honors, including National Parenting Center and Parents' Choice awards.

Whitten graduated from the University of Maryland, majoring in agriculture and life science with a minor in vocal performance and dance. After working as a flavor chemist, she returned to performing, this time with Flumpa, an amphibious character she had created to entertain her younger brother when she was only 7.

"Wendy Whitten has turned Flumpa, her childhood invention, into a vehicle for teaching children the wonders of science and love of the natural world," Swan said. "She is a renowned singer, songwriter, author and she's a real scientist."

"Flumpa and Friends" has toured full-time since 1995, performing to more than 3 million people nationwide.

March 10, 2009
OREGON ZOO ANIMALS CELEBRATE ST. PATRICK'S DAY
Everyone's Irish on St. Patrick's Day — even sea otters and polar bears!

An Oregon Zoo polar bear licks a delicious cream-cheese shamrock off the glass during last year's St. Patrick's Day celebration.
Photo by Codi Hough, © Oregon Zoo.

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Oregon Zoo's sea otters will receive green, shamrock-shaped ice treats filled with their favorite foods Tuesday, March 17, in honor of St. Patrick's Day. Polar bears will receive a "pot of gold," and their exhibit windows will be decorated with a colorful cream-cheese rainbow.

"The bears come right up to the window to lick off the cream cheese," says Julie Christie, marine life keeper. "It's a great treat for them — and for visitors, who get to see the bears with just a pane of glass separating them."

Sea otters Thelma and Eddie will receive their treats at 10:30 a.m. Conrad and Tasul, the zoo's brother-and-sister polar bears, will receive their treats at 10:50 a.m. All are expected to enjoy the festivities as if they were native to the Emerald Isle.

This is the ninth year that special St. Patrick's Day enrichment treats have been handed out to zoo residents. The Oregon Zoo is known internationally for its enrichment programs, which provide animals with the opportunity to play, hunt and forage as they would in the wild.

To watch highlights from a previous year's St. Patrick's Day event, visit The Video Archive.

March 10, 2009
EXPERT SHEDS LIGHT ON MISUNDERSTOOD HYENAS
Kay Holekamp debunks myths surrounding a fascinating species during zoo lecture

Kay Holekamp, professor of zoology at Michigan State University, helps dispel the myths surrounding the spotted hyena during her lecture "The Spotted Hyena: Fact and Fiction," March 31, at 7 p.m. at the Oregon Zoo.
Photos by Charis Henrie, © Oregon Zoo.

PORTLAND, Ore. — The predicament facing spotted hyenas is no laughing matter. Branded as a nuisance, thief and scavenger, this species has consistently been given a bad rap.

Kay Holekamp, a Michigan State University zoology professor, helps dispel the myths surrounding this much-maligned predator when she speaks at the Oregon Zoo on Tuesday, March 31, at 7 p.m. Her lecture, "The Spotted Hyena: Fact and Fiction," is part of the 2009 Wildlife Conservation Lecture Series.

Holekamp has spent the past 20 years researching the hyena, and has uncovered some amazing attributes of the animal. In her lecture, she addresses hyenas' hunting behaviors, unusual reproductive biology and complex social lives, concluding with a discussion of current threats to the conservation of these surprising animals.

Researchers like Holekamp are changing the world's perspective on spotted hyenas as they look deeper, past the animals' perceived grotesque behavior and bone-chilling cackle.

"Like all species, the spotted hyena has a purpose and is a critical component of the circle of life," said Tony Vecchio, zoo director. "It is important that we learn the true nature of these predators and their important roles in the ecosystems we all share."

Researchers like Kay Holekamp are changing the world's perspective on spotted hyenas as they look deeper, past the animals' perceived grotesque behavior and bone-chilling cackle. Holekamp helps dispel the myths surrounding the spotted hyena during her lecture March 31, at 7 p.m. at the Oregon Zoo.
Photo by Charis Henrie © Oregon Zoo

When not teaching, Holekamp can be found in Kenya with a team of researchers, studying the behavioral ecology of several large hyena groups, mainly in the Masai Mara National Reserve and Amboseli National Park.

Holekamp grew up in St. Louis and began her career in animal behavior at the St. Louis Zoo. She attended Smith College and received her doctorate from the University of California at Berkeley. Holekamp is now a professor of zoology at Michigan State and works in the university's interdisciplinary program in ecology, evolutionary biology and behavior.

Although the spotted hyena is not listed as threatened or endangered, its conservation status depends largely upon the amount of habitat it shares with its prey. As cattle farming and people encroach on its habitat, the hyena will come into conflict with humans. The result of this invasion and loss of food will only have negative consequences for the hyena.

The Wildlife Conservation Lecture Series concludes April 28th at 7 p.m. when Russ Morgan, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's wolf coordinator, discusses the triumphant return of wolves to their historic home and strategies for preserving the species in Oregon.

Hosts for the lecture series are the Oregon Zoo, the Audubon Society of Portland and the World Forestry Center.

March 9, 2009
A TROPICAL VIBE AT ZOO'S ANNUAL SPRING BREAK PARTY
Zoo's Gone Wild celebration offers fun for visitors, animals alike

The Oregon Zoo's hippos play with an enrichment ball during the annual Zoo's Gone Wild spring break party. Animals throughout the zoo receive various treats during the two-week-long event which takes place March 23 through April 5.
Photo by Michael Durham, © Oregon Zoo.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Can't take a trip to Fort Lauderdale, Palm Springs or the Caribbean for spring break? Why not "go wild" with pygmy goats or party with a pachyderm or polar bear. It's all happening at the Oregon Zoo during the sixth annual Zoo's Gone Wild celebration, March 23 through April 5. Animal enrichment activities and keeper talks take place from 10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. daily.

"Portland may not be the Caribbean, but Northwest residents have great imaginations," said Tony Vecchio, zoo director. "We can all put on our Hawaiian shirts and just pretend."

Zoo's Gone Wild features two weeks of tropical-vacation activities for the animals as well as for zoo visitors. Zoogoers can party with a real "Caribbean amphibian" and learn about oceans, rain forests and frogs when Wendy Whitten, the "Singing Scientist," brings her friend Flumpa the tree frog to the zoo for two shows on Sunday, March 29, at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Spring break would not be complete without a little sand between the toes. Bert Adams, master sand sculptor creates his artworks March 23-26 and March 30-April 2. Kids can get their hands dirty with several sand-sculpting lessons March 23-26.

Zoo's Gone Wild is designed to showcase the Oregon Zoo's internationally renowned animal enrichment programs. Animal enrichment challenges animals with complex tasks that require problem solving.

"Our activities are a great way to engage the animals, but are also fun to watch," said Vecchio. They help people make strong emotional connections with the animals so they'll care more about their wild counterparts."

For more information see the 2009 schedule of events.

March 4, 2009
SCIENTISTS PROPOSE SOLUTIONS TO HELP RARE NORTHWEST TURTLES
Oregon Zoo to host native turtle conservation forum on March 20

Oregon and Washington's two native turtle species (western pond turtle and western painted turtle) are in peril due to poaching and other issues. Northwest scientists help find solutions to these pressing issues during an all-day, turtle conservation forum at the Oregon Zoo March 20, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Photo by Michael Durham © Oregon Zoo.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon and Washington's two native turtle species are in peril due to poaching, habitat alteration and competition from non-native turtles and bullfrogs. Northwest scientists will help find solutions to these pressing issues during an all-day turtle conservation forum at the Oregon Zoo on March 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Community members can join scientists and turtle conservationists as they discuss research and management options that may help lead to recovery of native turtles.

"Both the western pond turtle and western painted turtle are listed as sensitive species in Oregon," noted Tony Vecchio, zoo director. "This turtle forum is critical because it brings together researchers, biologists and land managers so they can share data, population information and methods for habitat conservation and restoration."

Oregon zookeeper Virginia Grimley readies a western pond turtle for release into a wetland in the Columbia River Gorge. The turtle had been given a head start at the zoo's Turtle Conservation Lab, growing large enough to avoid being eaten by non-native predators such as bullfrogs and large-mouth bass.
Photo by Michael Durham © Oregon Zoo.

The conservation forum also fosters networking and future information-sharing, while encouraging partnerships and more coordinated approaches for grant opportunities.

The forum is co-sponsored by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Bureau of Land Management, the City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forest Service, Metro and the Oregon Zoo.

Visit Native Turtles of Oregon for a schedule, registration form and general information about the plight of native turtles. The cost to attend the forum is $24, which includes lunch. Registration forms must be received by March 10.

March 2, 2009
OREGON ZOO ANNOUNCES 'HOMESCHOOL SAFARI'
Zoo offers special package and activities for home-school families, March 10

Home-school students will discover a variety of animals, including Amur leopards, during the Oregon Zoo's HomeSchool Safari March 10.
Photo © Oregon Zoo.

PORTLAND, Ore. — With an informal environment designed to make learning fun, the Oregon Zoo is inviting home-school students and their families to an educational "safari" Tuesday, March 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is $7 per person and includes a $2 food coupon that can be used anywhere inside the zoo.

"Our 'safari' is a great way for home-school students and their families to learn about wildlife together," said Oregon Zoo Director Tony Vecchio. "We are providing experiences that complement and enhance home-school activities. Kids have the opportunity to see extraordinary animals and learn about the importance of conservation while having a great time."

Home-schoolers can stop by the zoo's Kalahari Room (adjacent to the concert lawn), where a number of hands-on discovery stations give children and their families the chance to learn more about "animals in motion." Activities showcase the ways animals walk, run, hop, swim and slither. Migration also will be demonstrated through games and activities.

Stations will feature live animals such as snakes, mammals and birds. Safari-goers also can examine bones, fur and feathers while learning about how and why animals move the way they do.

Each station offers activities and questions geared toward children 8 to 10 years old, but parents with older or younger children can easily adapt the activities and questions for their individual students. Oregon Zoo staff will be on hand to facilitate the learning process and answer in-depth questions.

After visiting the discovery stations, safari-goers receive an activity guide for some self-directed exploration of the zoo. Families can visit animals around the zoo and see firsthand how they move.

"Education is our No. 1 priority at the Oregon Zoo," said Vecchio. "By facilitating family learning, we can help spread the word about the importance of environmental stewardship and conservation to people of all ages."

HomeSchool Safari tickets must be purchased on-line in advance and space is limited.