Herpetologist & Hellbenders

NC Zoo Curator of Reptiles and Amphibians John Groves is off zoo surveying hellbenders again.

Short Tusk/Short Tusker

NC Zoo youngest African elephant Batir arrived here with Mom and a damaged tusk many months ago. Good dental and veterinary work was done to try to save the big "elephant tooth". That has failed and the tusk will no longer grow.

Efforts will now be made to save the short tusk in place. Batir will grow. It will not.

Puffin Chicks?

The NC Zoo will try to raise 2 or 3 puffin chicks this year.

Go Willy!

NC Zoo Polar bear Wilhelm has almost completely healed! Skin wounds had been health problem.

Ousted!

The NC Zoo's sole bongo (another is planned to arrive) was introduced to the Forest Edge habitat here Monday. All was going well until the giraffes were let onto the exhibit (long called "ZOG" here for the zebras, ostriches and giraffes it includes).

The bongo was quickly back in off-exhibit areas behind Forest Edge. Next try may come at the end of August.

Zoo animal introductions are long, involved and unpredictable processes which required zoo keeper knowledge, technique, effort and patience.

Heading to Sylvan Heights

For Friday dedication of tree house. Overlooks waterfowl swamp at Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park. ("Where the heck is Scotland Neck and why do they park in the middle of the street?")

Delicate balance

Delicate balance
Originally uploaded by ucumari

Ucumari took time out from her beloved bears and the NC Zoo's other "charismatic megavertebrates" (elephants, gorillas, rhinos, bison, elk, lions, etc., etc.) to point her wonderful Nikon D300, in her special way, to capture this other Zoo visitor and title the shot so aptly.

Light Weight

The adult tufted deer grows to just 16-20 inches in southern China and northern Myanmar. How small is a young fawn?

Check out photo of National Zoo Conservation Center tufted deer fawn on a small scale. (May be your last look; the "near threatened" fawn and its parents will not be on display.)

Zoo Director Cleans Up

Story includes photo of Cincinnati Zoo Director cleaning elephant yard. Thane Maynard spends Sat. mornings working different Zoo jobs.

Haven't been, but understand it's one of the very best zoos, 'though landlocked on small site.

Little baby giraffe butt!

Little baby giraffe butt!
Originally uploaded by ucumari

Miami MetroZoo "portrait" and title by ucumari.

Babies Arrive w/ "Own Rattles"

Someone had fun with this story ("Zoo Babies Shake Things Up") about nine eastern massasauga rattlesnakes born at the Detroit Zoo.

Michigan considers them a "species of special concern", protected by state law.

That's a Zoo Crowd!

Omaha's wonderful Henry Doorly Zoo had over 40,000 visitors Saturday! (The NC Zoo, within 500 develeoped acres, is quite crowded with 10,000 visitors.)

The Mutual of Omaha Company celebrated its 100th birthday with two days of free activities.

Some Like It Hot?

It was 94 degrees (F) and clear at the NC Zoo yesterday. There were 6,682 visitors.

Last year, this weekend's Saturday was 84 degrees and clear. Only 4961 came.

Then again it may not be about the weather. There is a new honeybee exhibit; there are four new young giraffes; there has been a lot of social media "traffic" about the Zoo, etc.

Patience II

Was on the Acacia Station giraffe deck with the donors Wednesday afternoon. Still a nice view of the zebras, ostriches and giraffes from there but the giraffes remain quite skittish about this new big thing (with humans on top) in the habitat. (Keeper Becca Wentz offered much good info to the donors and me.)

It must be much easier to make these things "work" in zoos where the giraffes are standing around in a much smaller, dirt exhibit. The NC Zoo giraffes are "distracted" by their very nice 3 1/2 acres, trees and other browse material, grass, water and sand holes, etc.

Patience.

Sleepy Willy & "Toy"

Just could not keep his eyes open!
Originally uploaded by ucumari

NC Zoo's Polar bear Wilhelm and an enrichment item. Ucumari captured Willy nodding off into said "toy".

Getaway Car

I drove an NC Zoo "escaped animal" to Greensboro Wednesday.

Semi-regular car-pool buddy Dr. Rich Bergl played the role of an escaped baboon for an animal escape drill earlier that day.

An expert in primate behavior (specializing in the very rare Cross River gorilla), Rich did not run as straight and fast and faraway as he could once he "escaped". He tried to behave like a baboon, circling around before heading into the woods, climbing over rocks and fallen trees on the heavily wooded Zoo site before being "captured".

"good by elafents"

Philadelphia Zoo article.

"Even though we do not have elephants at the Zoo any longer, we continue to be involved with elephant conservation as both Asian and African populations are in peril throughout the world."

Just passing by

Just passing by
Originally uploaded by ucumari

Really like this NC Zoo photo by ucumari (her title too)!

lion - nc zoo

lion - nc zoo
Originally uploaded by vlmitchell1

Really nice portrait of NC Zoo African lion male by vlmitchell1.

Good Answers!

Terrific exchange - The New York Times and Bronx Zoo Director.

"We’ve pretty much stopped exhibiting animals. We’re exhibiting habitats. The message is, if you love the gorilla, you have to save the environment, and look who else you’re saving."

"We raised a couple of wallabies at home, little kangaroos."

"Favorite animal: Really, the dog. Any dog."

Movie Review IV

"Wild Earth - Africa", the 4D video at the NC Zoo, has been reworked. Watched it this morning.

The "gun scene" which had frightened some children has been toned down. Story-line is still rather difficult to follow. (Zoo Director David Jones and others plan to somehow explain the various characters before you enter; that will help you with the ambitious, three-stories-line.)

Open wiiiiiiide!

Open wiiiiiiide!
Originally uploaded by ucumari

Hamadryas baboon, NC Zoo, by ucumari. A primate yawn is often a threat. See why?!

Happy Week...

...zoo keepers!

Squirrels Use Trick...

...to Fool Rattlesnakes!

California ground squirrels use a tail-wagging, heat-distribution trick to fool Pacific rattlesnakes using infrared to hunt them. (Talk about cool adaptations and counter-adaptations!)

"When confronted, they harass the snake and wave about an upright tail. Among other benefits, this 'tail-flagging' tells the snake that it's lost the element of surprise, alerts other squirrels and distracts the predator from vulnerable young.

"But tail-flagging also has a hidden component that scientists have only just discovered. Aaron Rundus and colleagues from the University of California, Davis, found that the squirrels also heat up their upright tails, turning them into beacons of infrared light. It's a countermeasure specifically evolved to exploit one of the rattlesnake's deadliest abilities."

Tip of the hat to BoraZ.

Geezers Finish Second

Watched Tom Watson almost pull off "the impossible" at the British Open at age 59.

Watched Lance Armstrong move up to second in the very grueling Tour de France at age 37.

And finished second, myself, to a decent jogging pace as I shuffled for an hour on the trails of Guildford County's (NC) new Southwest Park trails at age 60. Despite the pace, I felt inspired by the other "Geezers". (Nice little Park; lots of birds.)

"Roll over..."

Roll over...play dead...that's a good boy!
Originally uploaded by ucumari

Another unique Philadelphia Zoo photo by ucumari. Great capture of zebra behavior.

Saw that Eagle

First visited that bald eagle now on exhibit at the Rocky Coast, NC Zoo. Looks good!

US zoos can only exhibit bald eagles if they can not fly. Injured.

Jitters?

Giraffes are handsome, wonderful, sensitive creatures.

On orientation tour of the NC Zoo with new NC Zoo Society Board Director Melanie Wilson, Dir. of Planning, Wake County, NC, we tried to feed a favorite leafy branch to any of the five who would come a little off-exhibit to browse.

Keepers Jay Peck and Dana Urbanski did their best to aid the process. A cautious young male came the closest. Even took a little from Jay. But we couldn't feed yesterday, as we have a couple recent times before.

There was some keeper speculation that the giraffes might have been as apprehensive as they were in anticipation of some bad weather yet to arrive at our Randolph County location.

The eagle has landed!

The eagle has landed!
Originally uploaded by ucumari

"Actually the Apollo mission lifted off 40 years ago today and landed on the surface of the moon on July 20. But we finally have landed our own Bald Eagle at the zoo!"

Photo of NC Zoo's new eagle, title and very educational quote by our ucumari.

Do You Tweet?

If you are on twitter, check out the NC Zoo Society @NCZooSociety.

Faraway Vet Applicant

There is an applicant for next year's NC Zoo veterinary camp. She lives in South Korea!

Don't Feed the Animals

The Nathan's Famous hot dog vendors at the NC Zoo were getting an odd request. Some people just wanted to buy hot dog buns.

Turns out the purchases were to feed the Canada geese! The Zoo is bringing in border collies to keep the geese away from the food service, and other, areas of the Zoo. (There are sanitation rules and ratings!)

Often seen at a zoo are the "Don't Feed" signs. The message usually relates to the unique dietary needs of exotic wildlife. Signs will now be put up near Nathan's here to help out the overworked border collies!

Chimp's Unique Story

NC Zoo keeper Becky Oathout Kloepfer sent this by Facebook: "Hey all! Kendall's on YouTube (but in a good way!)."

Field Trip Earth Honored

Field Trip Earth is honored as one of about 20 "Landmark Websites" by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL).

Considered one of the "best of the best" by AASL, the NC Zoo Society website is on this list with GoogleEarth, NASA, the Library of Congress, Smithsonian Education and Edutopia.

300 Cross River Gorillas

Dr. Rich Bergl and NC Zoo Director David Jones explain efforts to save the few remaining Cross River Gorillas through a partnership of the Zoo, NC Zoo Society and World Conservation Society:

Saving Elephants

Dr. Mike Loomis and Dr. David Jones, of the NC Zoo, describe the Elephants of Cameroon efforts of the Zoo, NC Zoo Society, WWF Cameroon and the Cameroonian government:

Shady Trails

Jogged for the first time at the new Southwest Park in Guilford County, NC. Ran (shuffled really, on a very hot and humid day) on the shady Southern, Lake, Bear and a couple other Trails. (Will have to return to jog the Scout Trail and a different combination of the other trails.)

Unlike many Greensboro/Guilford trails, the lake (Randleman Lake in this case) is not in sight as you jog. (I did follow the Park road down to the future marina office and put-in.)

Southwest Park is aiming for an especially natural setting..."the grass is naturally higher and the plants are not cut way back", they point out. And there are many bird houses and bird feeders on the trails and in the Park, which boasts dozens of bird species.

Phabulous Phountain at Philly!

Phabulous Phountain at Philly!
Originally uploaded by ucumari

"I laboured over which animal photo to upload and somehow decided on this! It is a really great fountain near the endangered species building."

Philadelphia Zoo photo of public art, title and quote by ucumari (Dave Matthews' phavorite photographer).

Field Research Challenge

Things can go like this (when you are doing field research like NC Zoo's Dr. Rich Bergl is now doing in Nigeria):

"After a long journey that involved the breakdown of the WCS vehicle and the subsequent breakdown of two separate taxis, we arrived at the airport, only to find out that our flight had been canceled."

Field Report: Nigeria (III)

Another from Dr. Bergl:

"There were about 100 elephants browsing from the low woodland trees... they didn't seem too afraid. We were able to see them up close and were the targets of a few bluff charges. Even one of the smallest elephants, only about three feet high, trumpeted and flared its ears at us...something I won't forget for a long time."

Field Report: Nigeria (II)

More excitement from Dr. Bergl in Nigeria:

"Some exciting news today. One of the ranger patrols caught two poachers in the reserve. The poachers were carrying "Dane guns," which are old-fashioned muzzle-loading rifles that are commonly used for hunting in this part of Nigeria. Though they look like something out of the 1800s, they can be deadly. The poachers had shot a roan antelope, but were carrying bullets that could have been used for elephant hunting. Controlling this kind of activity is essential for the survival of Yankari's wildlife, and elephants in particular."

Field Report: Nigeria

Recently from Dr. Rich Bergl, NC Zoo Curator of Research:

"...we saw many animal tracks, including a lion track that was just a few hours old. This was particularly exciting since lions have become very rare in Nigeria."

Border Collie It Is

Saw the border collie and her/his human handlers at the NC Zoo's constructed wetland this morning. (We were holding our weekly staff meeting in the nearby Solar Pointe picnic/solar panel array area for the first time.)

Not too many Canada geese to be found as a result.

Willy Improves

Willy continues his "slow improvement", General Curator Ken Reininger, recently reported about the NC Zoo polar bear (A.K.A. Wilhelm).

chileense flamingo

chileense flamingo
Originally uploaded by belgianchocolate

Chilean flamingo photo and title by belgianchocolate. Captured in France.

Enrich Lives of Zoo Crocs?

Enrichment for crocodilians and other "herps". It can and should be done says NC Zoo General Curator Ken Reininger.

Arctic Ambassador

The NC Zoo is joining Polar Bear International's network of Arctic Ambassador Centers, General Curator Ken Reininger reported last Wednesday. About three dozen, mainly U.S. zoos are in the network.

"In addition to offering educational programs, the centers focus on animal well-being issues and actively support research that will help wild polar bears."

Big May!

May was a big month for snow leopard births at zoos around the world.

red clay elephant

red clay elephant
Originally uploaded by ucumari

NC Zoo photo & title by ucumari.

Up & Away

The new honeybee hive at the NC Zoo has swarmed and most of those bees have departed.

These things happen. That is why the Zoo had a back-up "frame" of honeybees waiting in "the wings". The replacements were put in place.

We hope they are here to stay.

Shy, but...?

The new male North American river otter is "intimidated" by the new female and often does not want to go "off-exhibit" with her, reports NC Zoo General Curator Ken Reininger.

But, they have bred.

That's the Ticket!

"If you are looking for a cheaper ride to the zoo, the Piedmont Transportation Authority has the ticket."

PART started offering Greensboro, NC to the NC Zoo express trips today, at a real bargain.

Herding Geese

The company which provided canine help to the North Carolina Zoo when Canada geese were deconstructing its constructed wetland, will now bring a dog to the “North American” entrance a few times daily to herd the geese away from the Nathan’s “Famous” hot dog stand here.

Tips of hat to Stephanie Gee and Dana Cox.

Arranged Marriage

The National Zoo has rare baby clouded leopards because they arranged this breeding when mother and father were youngsters.

"In captivity, the male will sometimes kill the female it is paired with..."

Peacock Falls

Peacock Falls
Originally uploaded by ucumari

Phantastic Philadelphia Zoo photo and title by ucumari.

115 More

NC Zoo reports attendance of 729,615 for fiscal year (7/1-6/30). That's 115 more than last year.

Growing Zoo School

The Zoo School at the NC Zoo began with 100 students. There were 115 last year and 130 are coming in August. On the waiting list are 40 more.

A school official feels it could grow to as many as 300.

Zoo School students are Asheboro High Schoolers who opt for the unique learning opportunity here. Dressed as light bulbs (the old inefficient kind and the new "green" one), recycling bins and Mother Earth, some Zoo Schoolers have taken "green" advice and help to Asheboro elementary students.

Blue-breasted Kingfisher (Halcyon malimbica)

Blue-breasted Kingfisher (Halcyon malimbica)
Originally uploaded by ucumari

"Beautiful little bird right when you enter the new Aviary!"

Photo, title and quote by ucumari. Philadelphia Zoo.

Julie "to Blame"?

A young male giraffe came up to the Acacia Station deck for the first time recently.

There is now speculation that the four young giraffes are looking to Julie (perhaps the second oldest zoo giraffe anywhere) for their cue that it is safe to approach. Julie is "rather set in her ways" and has not approached the big, new object in her habitat.

General curator Ken Reininger expects the youngsters to get more independent with time.

Dogs Work!

Dogs are keeping the Canada geese out of the NC Zoo's constructed wetland and the plantings are taking hold.

Interesting to hear Zoo General Curator Ken Reininger refer to "our herding dog consultant" this morning.