NOTE: Dates indicate date of press release, not the date of the event.
February 2010
February 26 — New Oregon Zoo Director Begins March 1 February 24 — 'Best Supporting Otter'? Zoo Movie Stars Vie for Packy Award February 23 — Helping Green Roofs Go Mainstream February 18 — Zoo Workshop to Present Latest Buzz on Native Pollinators February 17 — Baby Red-flanked Duiker Makes His Zoo Debut February 11 — New Gibbon Exhibit Takes Zoogoers into Heart of Rain Forest February 5 — Oregon Zoo Orangutans Split Over Who Will Win Super Bowl February 4 — Oregon Zoo's 'Canned Doo' Attitude a Boon For Local Gardens February 2 — Colts or Saints? Oregon Zoo Orangs Set to Pick Winner February 2 — Oregon Zoo Hedgehog Forecasts Six More Weeks of Winter February 1 — Zoo to Honor Tigers as Chinese New Year Begins
PORTLAND, Ore. - The Oregon Zoo's governing agency, Metro, has announced that Kimberly A. Smith will serve as the zoo's new director. She begins her duties on March 1. Smith has 25 years of comprehensive zoo experience, most recently serving as the vice president of animal care at the prestigious Brookfield Zoo in Chicago. She will lead Oregon's No. 1 paid tourist attraction as it undertakes $125 million worth of bond-related improvements over the next 10 to 15 years.
"As the oldest zoo west of the Mississippi, the Oregon Zoo is truly the crown jewel of our community," said Michael Jordan, Metro's chief operating officer. "We are very pleased to have recruited such an outstanding zoo director. She is a proven community leader, manager, conservationist and educator - and is well positioned to lead us into a new era of excellence."
Smith has a strong conservation ethic, believing that local wildlife conservation programs should come first, serving as a solid foundation before taking on international efforts.
"When involved in global preservation efforts, the first thing the local community leaders will ask is 'What are you doing at home?'" Smith said. "If the answer is little or nothing, you lose all credibility - you have to walk your talk by taking care of endangered or threatened species in your own back yard."
Smith has built her exceptional reputation in the zoo community because of her collaborative approach to conservation. Her highest-profile efforts came when she was curator of birds at the Milwaukee Zoo. She worked closely with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, along with state and local wildlife officials, on several local conservation initiatives, including successfully releasing trumpeter swans to the wild, as well as participating in recovery efforts for piping plovers and whooping cranes.
Kimberly A. Smith was named the Oregon Zoo's new director. Smith has 25 years of comprehensive zoo experience, most recently serving as the vice president of animal care at the prestigious Brookfield Zoo in Chicago. She is a leader in the accredited-zoo community - both in animal welfare and conservation - and has a proven track record as a manager of complex capital projects. She will lead the zoo as it undertakes $125 million worth of bond-related improvements over the next 10 to 15 years. She begins her new position March 1. Photo by Jim Schulz, staff photographer, Chicago Zoological Society.
Smith has a solid track record of overseeing and implementing strategic and master plans. She is also adept at successfully completing large and complex capital construction projects, including the design and construction of the $27 million Great Bear Wilderness and a $4 million dolphinarium renovation at Brookfield. She also designed and managed the $1.3 million expansion of Brookfield's outdoor elephant habitat.
"Smith is absolutely a perfect fit," Jordan said. "We're thrilled that she will continue the important conservation work we've become known for, while overseeing capital construction projects that will make our great zoo even better."
A proven leader within the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Smith has chaired and vice chaired many conservation-related committees. She currently serves on the prestigious Wildlife Conservation and Management Committee and the Ethics Board. Also noteworthy are her conservation partnerships with state and federal wildlife officials on numerous native-species recovery efforts.
Metro, the zoo and The Oregon Zoo Foundation began the national search for a zoo director in July and were pleased with the many strong candidates.
"All of our candidates were highly qualified and each of them brought different strengths to the position," said Jordan.
Smith rose to the top of the list for many reasons, including the following:
- She is a strong advocate for conservation.
- She has demonstrated tireless dedication to improving and enhancing animal welfare in accredited zoos.
- She played a leadership role in creating Brookfield's comprehensive strategic plan and implementing the master plan.
- She is adept at managing complex capital construction projects, completing them on time and on budget.
- She has a proven track record working with community leaders, partners and donors.
Smith stated that she is "excited to be part of a zoo that is so clearly supported by its community."
"This is my dream job," Smith said. "The Oregon Zoo is renowned for its recovery and reintroduction efforts with California condors and many Northwest species. I look forward to working with the zoo's dedicated team of professionals - a team that is committed to conservation and environmental stewardship."
Smith began her career at the Phoenix Zoo and has worked at several accredited museums and zoos, including the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, the Dallas Zoo and the Milwaukee County Zoo. She holds a master's degree in science from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee and a bachelor's of science in zoology from Arizona State University.
February 24, 2010 'BEST SUPPORTING OTTER'? ZOO MOVIE STARS VIE FOR PACKY AWARD Fans are invited to vote for their favorite Oregon Zoo animal video of 2009
PORTLAND, Ore. –– As Hollywood gears up for the March 7 Academy Awards, local film buffs and animal lovers are preparing to bestow an award of their own. The Oregon Zoo has invited fans to help choose its best animal video of 2009, with the winner receiving a “Packy” award.
Fans are welcome to vote now through Thursday, March 4, on the zoo’s Web site: Click here to vote. The current choices are between two videos of baby elephant Samudra and one of Tilly the river otter. Both animals are visitor favorites.
Samudra was born in August 2008, the first third-generation Asian elephant born in the United States and the first elephant born at the Oregon Zoo since 1994. His birth has revitalized the zoo’s elephant herd and given new hope to Asian elephant conservation efforts. Sam can usually be found wandering close to his mother Rose-Tu in the zoo’s elephant yard.
Tilly also is new to the zoo. The otter pup was found orphaned late last summer near Milwaukie, Ore., with wounds from what looked like an animal attack. Veterinarians worked hard to bring the young otter back to health. Tilly has since fully recovered and is thriving in her new home at the zoo’s Cascade Stream and Pond exhibit, where she inspires visitors with her playfulness and boundless energy.
February 23, 2010 HELPING GREEN ROOFS GO MAINSTREAM Eco-roof expert Dusty Gedge shows how to transform roofs into living landscapes
Dusty Gedge, president of the European Federation of Green Roof Associations and world-renowned expert on urban rooftop habitats, will be continuing the 2010 Wildlife Conservation Lecture Series on Tuesday, March 30, at 7 p.m. at the Oregon Zoo with his lecture "Green Roofs and Living Walls for Wildlife." Photo by Bob Sallinger, courtesy of the Audubon Society of Portland.
PORTLAND, Ore. - "Green roof" is no longer just a joking term for a roof infested with weeds and moss. This new technology that combines horticulture and architecture is becoming a common sight around the world. People looking to make an impact on their local environment are learning that green roofs, or "eco-roofs," have many unseen benefits.
Dusty Gedge, president of the European Federation of Green Roof Associations and world-renowned expert, will discuss urban rooftop habitats on Tuesday, March 30, at 7 p.m. at the Oregon Zoo, as part of the 2010 Wildlife Conservation Lecture Series.
In his lecture, "Green Roofs and Living Walls for Wildlife," Gedge will focus on how we can convert our rooftops, big and small, into living landscapes.
The modern green roof revolution has really only taken off in the past three decades, mainly in Europe. Industry figures suggest that as many as 10 percent of German rooftops are now made with green roof technology. The practice of using sod and birch bark to create a turf roof dates back hundreds of years in Scandinavia. Green roofs have not caught on as much in the United States, but that is beginning to change. Notable buildings like the Millennium Park Garage in Chicago, Chicago's City Hall and Seattle's Ballard Library are causing people to take notice.
"We decided to incorporate a green roof into our Eagle Canyon exhibit here at the zoo," said Brent Shelby, Oregon Zoo exhibit and interpretive design manager. "It's important when creating habitat for our animals that the space accurately depicts nature. Green roofs are not only great in that aesthetic sense but they also help us live out our values and mission of being sustainable."
A green roof is constructed by placing a lightweight growing medium on top of the basic structural support of the roof. Various layers for drainage, vapor control, root barrier and insulation are also added. The right green roof can support vegetation ranging from simple grass and shrubs to an intricate garden or park.
Benefits of green roofing include the creation of new habitat for wildlife such as native bees and butterflies. Photo by William M. Ciesla, Forest Health Management International, Bugwood.org.
Benefits of green roofing include reduction of the heat-island effect in urban areas, sound insulation, savings on energy and cooling costs, creation of new habitat for wildlife, increased possibility for food production, and refuges for biodiversity. And it doesn't hurt that green roofs can have aesthetic appeal in an urban environment where gray is the dominating color.
Gedge has spent the past 10-plus years working as an urban ecologist in his native U.K. In 2004, he co-founded livingroofs.org as an independent resource of green roof information and received the Andrew Lees Memorial Award for promoting environmental values in the media. Gedge can also been seen on the British wildlife program he helps present, "Wild Thing: I Love You." An expert in the field of green roofing, Gedge frequently travels, sharing his knowledge of the practice.
The Wildlife Conservation Lecture Series continues through April with the following additional lectures:
Tuesday, April 13
Chris Parish
Director, Condor Reintroduction Program, The Peregrine Fund
"Returning Condors to Arizona"
Tuesday, April 27
Stanley Gehrt
Assistant Professor and Extension Wildlife Specialist, Ohio State University
"Urban Coyotes"
The series is presented by Pro Photo Supply and Shiels Obletz Johnsen, with additional support from Portland General Electric. Gedge's lecture is co-sponsored by the City of Portland. Hosts for the series are the Audubon Society of Portland, the Oregon Zoo and the World Forestry Center. Lectures are held in the zoo's Banquet Center and begin at 7 p.m. The cost for each lecture is $10 for nonmembers and $8 for members of host organizations, students or seniors.
The host organizations hope the lecture series will strengthen the community's knowledge base on ecological systems and environmental issues — motivating people to make a difference in the environmental future of the region.
February 18, 2010 ZOO WORKSHOP TO PRESENT LATEST BUZZ ON NATIVE POLLINATORS Experts promote conservation practices in urban, agricultural and natural settings
A bumblebee approaches a red currant flower from below. In May, the Oregon Zoo and the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation will co-host a workshop on conserving Oregon's native pollinators. Photo by Mace Vaughan, courtesy of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
PORTLAND, Ore. - Recent studies show that pollinator populations are declining in North America, and scientists do not really have an explanation. Honeybees alone pollinate more than 130 crops in the United States and add $15 billion in crop value each year. If populations decline further, global food webs (and with them the economy), biodiversity and human health will be significantly threatened.
On May 14, the Oregon Zoo is teaming up with the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation to host a daylong workshop aimed at helping bees and other pollinators. Experts will discuss the unique biology of Oregon's native bees, explain how to identify them and present ways of creating habitats that support pollinators around the home, garden or farm.
A leaf-cutter bee sits atop a blanket flower. In May, the Oregon Zoo and the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation will co-host a workshop on conserving Oregon's native pollinators. Photo by Mace Vaughan, courtesy of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
The workshop is intended for land and park managers, landscape architects, golf course managers, conservation groups, biologists, researchers, educators and homeowners who want to create a suitable habitat for pollinators in their back yard.
A morning session will provide information about bee ecology and pollinator conservation, and in the afternoon, participants will take a walk outside to look at pollinators and habitats around the zoo.
PORTLAND, Ore. - One of the Oregon Zoo's newest and smallest four-legged babies recently made his debut. A 2-month-old red-flanked duiker is now on exhibit with his mother in the zoo's Africa Rainforest area. Duikers are among the smallest of antelope species and generally weigh only 20 to 26 pounds when fully grown.
Zoo visitors may have difficulty spotting the new addition during his first several weeks on exhibit because mother duikers often hide their calves in brush piles, retrieving them only when it's time to nurse. This is the mother's way of protecting the baby from predators. The calf, yet unnamed, is a second-generation Oregon Zoo duiker. His mother, Kandungo, was also born at the zoo.
"With any luck, visitors should be able to see the little guy regularly within a couple of weeks," said Gwen Gerdsen, senior keeper. "Duikers are fascinating creatures. They look like something from a fairy tale."
The red-flanked duiker is not endangered, but it is conservation-dependent; while the population is large enough to be considered sustainable, it is still a threatened species. The Jentink, Aders and zebra duikers are currently endangered, and numbers are dropping dramatically for all duiker species due to the bushmeat trade crisis in Africa.
"People are continuously hunting these animals for meat to feed their families," noted Chris Pfefferkorn, Oregon Zoo general curator. "It's important to address these issues before the problem is too severe and the animals become endangered."
Pfefferkorn oversees the red-flanked duiker population management plan, designed to ensure longevity and maintenance of zoo populations. He also develops the zoo's conservation links to programs in Africa.
The calf will stay with his parents for six months to a year before venturing out on his own. Red-flanked duikers become sexually mature after about a year, so the calf will need to be removed from its parents before that time to avoid inbreeding. Where the animal goes next depends on the population management plan and the needs of the population at the time it's ready to move.
Duikers are found throughout sub-Saharan Africa in wetlands, rainforests and timber-heavy regions. Although they browse on grass, leaves, shrubs and trees, duikers are classified as frugivores because the main component of their diet is fruit. They have also been observed eating carrion and insects, which isn't common among most antelope but provides protein to their diet.
At the zoo, duikers are fed a variety of vegetables and milled grains with necessary vitamins and minerals. They are also provided browse, as well as insects like mealworms and crickets for a source of protein.
February 11, 2010 NEW GIBBON EXHIBIT TAKES ZOOGOERS INTO HEART OF RAIN FOREST Giant log tunnel gives Oregon Zoo visitors a sneak preview of Red Ape Reserve
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Ever wanted to venture through the heart of a Southeast Asian rain forest and observe animals among the trees? The Oregon Zoo takes you one step closer with the opening of its new gibbon exhibit, which puts visitors nose-to-nose with the "cheeky" animals.
Red Ape Reserve, the zoo's highly anticipated indoor-outdoor space housing orangutans and white-cheeked gibbons, will open this summer, providing visitors unprecedented opportunities to observe the animals in a naturalistic setting. The completion of the indoor gibbon exhibit represents the most recent milestone in the construction of Red Ape Reserve.
At the center of the exhibit, a specially designed artificial tree provides the gibbons with several natural resting places as they navigate up and down, allowing them to nestle among the privacy of branches or venture right up to the viewing glass.
"Gibbons are naturally curious animals, and they love observing people," said Mike Marshall, primate keeper.
The exhibit also incorporates movement into its climbing structures, allowing the gibbons to move among the vines with ease.
"Gibbons are extremely dexterous and lively," Marshall said. "Structures in the new exhibit include naturalistic, flexible vines coated with a soft rubber, creating an easy grab-and-release surface for the gibbons."
The gibbon exhibit is located at the end of an earlier Red Ape Reserve construction milestone, the enormous log tunnel pathway. Nearly 60 feet long and 8 feet wide, the log tunnel cuts directly through what will be Red Ape Reserve's outdoor animal area. Once the exhibit is complete, orangutans and gibbons will be able to climb freely about the log while visitors watch safely from inside. And until then, it allows visitors to walk straight through the construction site and observe progress as workers complete the outdoor exhibit.
The faux log is made of concrete and painted to look like wood. Lights set inside it illuminate the pathway, while nine porthole windows, 30 inches in diameter and larger, enable visitors to see out the top and sides.
"Our exhibits team did an amazing job painting the tunnel," said Mike Keele, the zoo's interim director. "It fits the naturalistic design of Red Ape Reserve -- it really looks like a massive tree has fallen to the forest floor."
The primate building, constructed in 1959, has undergone significant renovations the past five years. Following the theme "Fragile Forests," the zoo has been transforming the building into a state-of-the-art, naturalistic experience for visitors and animals. Red Ape Reserve continues the transformation, becoming the cornerstone exhibit for the Asian wing of the building.
Gibbons have the longest arms of any primate and can leap from 10 to 30 feet in their treetop homes in the wild. Due to habit destruction in their native Laos and Vietnam, gibbons are considered highly endangered.
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Predictions can be a tricky business, and this year's Super Bowl picks by the Oregon Zoo orangutans may be a perfect example. In a tradition dating back to 1996, the zoo's orangs put on T-shirts indicating their picks for winner of the big game. Inji and Batik chose one team, while Kutai chose the other.
Inji, matriarch of the zoo's orangutans, donned a New Orleans T-shirt, signaling a Saints win in Sunday's big game. Her grandson Kutai, who is four for five in Super Bowl picks, chose an Indianapolis Colts T-shirt. The zoo's other orang, Batik, followed Inji's instinct and chose a Saints shirt. This is only the third year Batik has shown an interest in this event. Her record is 1-1.
"This should be quite a Super Bowl," commented Chris Sulages, head football coach at Lewis & Clark College who provided play-by-play for the event. "The last time these orangutans were split on their decision, the game was decided in the final minute. The underdog Giants scored a touchdown with 35 seconds left to knock off the previously undefeated Patriots."
Sulages also noted that snacks may be the highlight Sunday, due to the orangutans' interest in food treats over T-shirts.
"Inji's pick has been the official prediction in the past," said senior primate keeper Dave Thomas. "But as the other orangutans, particularly Kutai, have shown interest, we have to give their input some credence."
Inji's ability to predict the winner of football games was discovered by chance back in 1996. A local sportscaster had seen the orangs receive clothing items as enrichment and wondered what they might do with Beavers and Ducks T-shirts prior to the teams' 100th Civil War game. Inji, the most dominant of the orangs at the time, put on an Oregon shirt, and the Ducks went on to win, 49-13.
Two years later, she was given the same challenge and again picked the winner -- the Beavers this time, in a 44-41 double-overtime thriller. Still somewhat skeptical, keepers put Inji to the test in that season's Super Bowl, and she correctly chose Denver over Atlanta.
After a forced hiatus due to exhibit construction, Inji resumed her predictions in 2002, raising a few eyebrows when she picked the New England Patriots over the St. Louis Rams, who were 14-point favorites. As usual, Inji was right: The Patriots upset the Rams, 20-17. Inji eventually attained a record of 6-1 in her predictions, but became less reliable once her grandson Kutai began participating.
According to Thomas, Kutai, youngest of the zoo's orangs, began inserting himself into the prediction process five years ago and seems to have a knack for picking winners.
He has correctly predicted the winner in four of the past five Super Bowls, including the Giants' upset victory over the heavily favored Patriots in 2008. Many zoo staffers privately believe Kutai would now be 5-0 if not for some questionable calls by the refs during last year's Cardinals-Steelers game.
Thomas won't speculate about whether Inji might be stepping aside to allow her grandson to shine, or if he's taking over by force.
"One year, he took all the shirts from one team, so sometimes her choice has been limited," Thomas conceded.
Zookeepers are always looking for new and interesting ways to keep the animals engaged and active. Giving the orangutans T-shirts and other interesting items serves as environmental enrichment. The Oregon Zoo is internationally renowned for its environmental enrichment program, designed to keep animals mentally and physically challenged and stimulated.
February 4, 2010 OREGON ZOO'S 'CANNED DOO' ATTITUDE A BOON FOR LOCAL GARDENS Zoo offering its surplus ZooDoo to local community gardens and municipalities
PORTLAND, Ore. -- In an effort to keep community gardens from withering due to low budgets and a slow economy, the Oregon Zoo is offering something that's sure to stimulate growth: free poop.
Zoo herbivores produce more than a million pounds of waste per year, according to staffers, 100 percent of which is composted on-site. And with more nutrient-rich manure than it can currently use in its own gardens -- 170 yards of surplus ZooDoo, or about 13 dump-truck loads -- the zoo is hoping to spread that wealth around.
"We use ZooDoo to keep our zoo gardens lush and beautiful," said Linda Richardson, zoo horticulture supervisor. "We've got more than enough, so we're willing to share."
Containing authentic elephant, hippo and other herbivore dung, this "magical" manure is one of a kind. Even baby elephant Samudra, a newcomer to the ZooDoo game, is contributing in a big way.
At the moment, ZooDoo is not available to the general public, but local municipalities or agencies that sponsor community gardens are encouraged to contact zoo horticulturist Rick Hanes (Rick.Hanes@oregonzoo.org) for more information.
With low-budget community gardens sprouting up across the state, ZooDoo is providing gardeners an excellent source of manure. Last year, the zoo gave away 575 yards (about 48 dump-truck loads) of ZooDoo, with 400 yards going to community gardens across the region and 175 yards to neighboring agencies such as Hoyt Arboretum and Washington Park.
The pachyderm-sanctified fertilizer is produced at the zoo's state-of-the-art onsite composting facility, which uses a special aeration system to produce fresh, 100 percent recycled manure.
"We used to pay to have our manure removed and recycled by others," Richardson said. "Now we reuse it and save a lot of money every year."
The composting facility uses two covered structures over two 260-square-foot bays. The bays include a forced-airflow system to maintain an EPA-standard composting environment. This airflow helps maintain compost temperature and aerobic conditions through each compost pile, while reducing odor.
Launched in 2006, the compost facility was made possible in part through a sustainability grant from Metro's Environment Action Team, which coordinates environmental efforts and oversees an annual sustainability grant program for Metro facilities.
The facility is part of the zoo's overall conservation and sustainability efforts. Of the 2.5 million pounds of waste generated at the zoo last year, nearly 1.8 million were diverted from the waste stream through recycling or composting -- about 72 percent.
February 2, 2010 COLTS OR SAINTS? OREGON ZOO ORANGS SET TO PICK WINNER Zoo's prognosticating primates ready to don T-shirts, predict Super Bowl outcome
PORTLAND, Ore. — Gamblers take note: Before placing any bets on this year's Super Bowl, you might want to consult the area's foremost football prognosticators, the orangutans at the Oregon Zoo. In a tradition dating back to 1996, Kutai and Inji will don T-shirts to predict the Super Bowl winner at 10:30 a.m. on Feb. 5, the Friday prior to the big game.
Kutai, youngest of the zoo's orangs, has correctly predicted the winner in four of the past five Super Bowls, including the Giants' upset victory over the heavily favored Patriots in 2008. Many zoo staffers privately believe he would be 5-0 if not for some questionable calls by the refs during last year's Cardinals-Steelers game. Kutai's grandmother, Inji, has picked the winners of four Super Bowls and two Civil War games.
Each year, keepers provide the orangs with official T-shirts from the two Super Bowl teams. The uncanny primates make their picks known by trying on a shirt from one of the teams.
To watch Kutai and Inji make their predictions prior to last year's Super Bowl, with play-by-play provided by Chris Sulages, head football coach at Lewis and Clark College, visit www.oregonzoo.org/VideoArchive/SuperBowl2009.htm.
Inji's ability to predict the winner of football games was discovered by chance back in 1996. A local sportscaster had seen the orangs receive clothing items as enrichment and wondered what they might do with Beavers and Ducks T-shirts prior to the teams' 100th Civil War game. Inji, the most dominant of the orangs at the time, put on an Oregon shirt, and the Ducks went on to win, 49-13.
Two years later, she was given the same challenge and again picked the winner — the Beavers this time, in a 44-41 double-overtime thriller. Still somewhat skeptical, keepers put Inji to the test in that season's Super Bowl, and she correctly chose Denver over Atlanta.
After a forced hiatus due to exhibit construction, Inji resumed her predictions in 2002, raising a few eyebrows when she picked the New England Patriots over the St. Louis Rams, who were 14-point favorites. As usual, Inji was right: The Patriots upset the Rams, 20-17. Inji eventually attained a record of 6-1 in her predictions, but became less reliable once her grandson Kutai began participating.
According to Senior Primate Keeper Dave Thomas, Kutai began inserting himself into the prediction process in 2005 and has shown he knows how to pick a winner: "While Inji's record has slipped, Kutai's is nearly perfect."
Thomas won't speculate about whether Inji might be stepping aside to allow her grandson to shine, or if he's taking over by force.
"One year, he took all the shirts from one team, so sometimes her choice has been limited," Thomas conceded.
Zookeepers are always looking for new and interesting ways to keep the animals engaged and active. Giving the orangutans T-shirts and other interesting items serves as environmental enrichment. The Oregon Zoo is internationally renowned for its environmental enrichment program, designed to keep animals mentally and physically challenged and stimulated.
PORTLAND, Ore. — Don't pack those snow tires and chains away just yet. Jabari, the Oregon Zoo's African pygmy hedgehog, saw his shadow today, indicating six more weeks of winter could be in store. Or not.
"The groundhog is a relative newcomer to the prognosticating game," said Metro Council President David Bragdon, who presided over the zoo's annual Hedgehog Day festivities. "The African hedgehog is actually more authentic — not necessarily more accurate, but more authentic."
Historically, the hedgehog has been used in this centuries-old tradition to predict the onset of spring. Immigrants to North America substituted the groundhog when they found there were no hedgehogs in their new homeland.
Considering the track record of the zoo's hedgehog though, authenticity — and cuteness — will have to count for a lot.
"Our hedgehog predicted correctly last winter, but it's been wrong every other year since 2004," Bragdon quipped. "I wouldn't be stocking up on supplies for a major snowstorm."
PORTLAND, Ore. — A couple of the Oregon Zoo's most famous residents, Amur tigers Mikhail and Nicole, will be honored Feb. 14, as the Chinese New Year ushers in the Year of the Tiger. Visitors to the zoo this day can catch animal talks, receive prizes and watch Mik and Nic enjoy some celebratory treats and enrichment.
In addition to celebrating its tigers, the zoo will mark Chinese New Year by highlighting the highly endangered Malayan sun bear, whose range includes southern China. Animal talks will take place at the tiger exhibit at 10 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m. and at the sun bear exhibit at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. At 10 a.m., Mikhail and Nicole will be presented with some tasty hard-boiled eggs, dyed red for the holiday. At 11 a.m., the sun bears will also receive treats.
Zoo staff will be giving out celebratory red packets, a Chinese New Year tradition, to attending children while supplies last. The packets contain a treat and a message for good luck in the coming year. At a booth near the tiger exhibit, visitors can also learn about the origin of the 12 zodiac animals and the importance of tiger conservation.
"Chinese New Year helps us bring attention to Asian animals that are imperiled," said Krista Swan, zoo event coordinator. "We want visitors to have fun but also make a connection with tigers and other animals, so they leave the zoo wanting to make the world a better place for wildlife."
Amur tigers, also known as North China tigers, are the largest felines in the world. A male of the species can weigh more than 600 pounds. The tiger's fur is relatively long and thick to help it survive in the cold and rocky mountainous regions of Siberia, Manchuria and North Korea. These magnificent animals are endangered due to loss of habitat and poaching, their bones being prized for use in folk medicines. According to some estimates, fewer than 400 individuals are left in the wild.
Other Oregon Zoo animals represented in the traditional Chinese zodiac's 12-year cycle include rabbits, snakes, sheep, goats, monkeys, roosters and pigs.
Kids looking for a way to remember the event can take a piece of the New Year back home with them. The Zoo Store will be offering a tiger plush, normally $29.99, for $14.99 with any purchase.
