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Tag: zoo

  • Colorado bill backed by students could provide kids with free passes to the zoo, museums, and more

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    Politics

    Denver has offered free enrichment programs since 2013 through the MY Denver Card. Students hope lawmakers will create a similar My Colorado Card to expand access statewide.

    Sujie Kim reads to her daughter, Emerie, in a reading nook within the Denver Art Museum’s “Wild Things: The Art of Maurice Sendak” exhibit. Oct. 10, 2024.

    Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite

    This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters

    By Jason Gonzales, Chalkbeat

    Thomas Jefferson High School junior Mai Travi has visited Denver’s zoo, museums, recreation centers, and much more, thanks to the city’s MY Denver Card.

    The card has provided Denver youth ages 5 to 18 with free access to those opportunities since 2013. But she thinks more of her peers could benefit.

    “Students who live outside the Denver area often have fewer opportunities to explore the cultural, educational and enrichment experiences that help shape who they become,” she said.

    There’s a chance lawmakers will end up agreeing. House Bill 1055 would create a pilot program in a limited number of communities outside of Denver to give students in grades 6-12 a similar My Colorado Card. The card would essentially be a free pass, not a voucher with dollars attached to it.

    The bill passed its first hearing in the House Education Committee on Tuesday with a 7-5 vote.

    Students involved with a Denver-based nonprofit organization called FaithBridge helped craft the bill that’s sponsored by state Rep. Mandy Lindsay, an Aurora Democrat. FaithBridge is an advocacy organization that helps students advocate for educational improvements.

    “When students have access to out-of-school activities such as public museums and recreation centers, they’re able to explore their interests and find a passion, same as I was,” said Jack Baker, who is also a junior at Thomas Jefferson High School and is involved with the nonprofit.

    The program would be administered by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and sunset in 2031. The participating communities would be selected in December.

    Denver school board member Marlene De La Rosa, who testified in support, said the city has provided over half of Denver’s 90,000 students with a MY Denver Card, which is funded by Denver tax dollars approved in a 2012 ballot measure.

    “They represent safe spaces, friendship, physical activity, cultural exposure, academic reinforcement, and community connection,” she said. “And if one program and the city can reach 45,000 youth, imagine what a statewide investment can do.”

    The My Colorado Card program would have to be funded through gifts, grants, and donations, the amended legislation says. It would cost about $250,000 in its first year and about $80,000 in subsequent years, according to a legislative analysis. The bill would also require a report to lawmakers that would evaluate the program.

    Although no one testified against the bill during the Tuesday committee hearing, some lawmakers expressed reservations about the program, including its cost and whether it represented an appropriate role for state government.

    Rep. Lori Garcia Sander, an Eaton Republican, said she wanted to know more about how the card would be used and what data would be collected on students.

    Lindsay said the MY Denver Card helped her kids figure out their interests and more youth deserve that opportunity.

    “I think we really need to listen to young people when they are telling us and asking us for what they want,” she said.

    Correction: Feb. 25, 2026: A previous version of this story misstated the first name of student Jack Baker.

    Jason Gonzales is a reporter covering higher education and the Colorado legislature. Chalkbeat Colorado partners with Open Campus on higher education coverage. Contact Jason at [email protected].

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  • Wild bear stealthily enters California zoo, is found visiting the bear exhibit

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    A wild, very “polite” and possibly lonely black bear recently paid a visit to its neighbors at a Northern California zoo.

    Before opening for the day, staff at Sequoia Park Zoo in Eureka were conducting a routine inspection of the Redwood Sky Walk — a self-guided tour of local redwood history and ecology — when they were surprised by a unique visitor.

    On the tour trail was a wild American black bear leaning on a gate to peer in at the three black bears in their habitat within the park, according the zoo’s Facebook post.

    “The wild bear did not appear aggressive and was observed interacting with Tule, Ishŭng, and Kunabulilh through their habitat fencing,” the post said.

    The Eureka Police Department got a call about the curious visitor around 9:30 a.m. and responded to the zoo along with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

    Directly behind the zoo is the wooded area of Eureka’s 60-acre Sequoia Park, and that’s where the bear is believed to have come from, said Laura Montagna, public information officer for the Police Department.

    But how the wild bear entered the zoo is a mystery. Officials said the perimeter fencing that separates the facility from the park was intact and secure.

    Montagna said Fish and Wildlife took the lead on escorting the bear out of the zoo and back into the woods. The police officers ensured that no human visitors were nearby, “so that the bear wouldn’t get scared,” she said.

    During the wild bear’s visit, the Sequoia Park Zoo said, it didn’t enter any animal habitats and after a “brief exploration of the enrichment items” — objects that provide mental or physical stimulation for animals — “the bear was safely coaxed back into the woods through a service gate.”

    “Overall, he was a very polite visitor. He stayed on the boardwalk path, kept two feet on the ground and didn’t try to climb over the railings,” the zoo said on Facebook.

    There have been reports of several bears in the Eureka area in the last year and a half, she said.

    The most recent sighting occurred last month when residents noticed a bear, possibly female, that Montagna said could have been the zoo visitor that she believes is just lonely.

    The wild bear’s visit has sparked playful commentary from Facebook users including Priscilla Lange who said, “[The bear] was a very considerate guest. Some of your human visitors could probably take some lessons in behavior from him.”

    Facebook user David Wickizer joked the bear was “looking for an application. … He wanted to be an ambearssador!”

    Zoo officials struck a cautionary note: “Wild bears and other animals call Sequoia Park home, and we remind our guests to responsibly live alongside them by observing wildlife from a distance, staying on marked trails and always being aware of your surroundings.”

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    Karen Garcia

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  • Laughter as golden retrievers make unlikely best friends at wildlife park

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    Hearts have melted at a pair of golden retrievers who were determined to make best friends with otters at a recent trip to the zoo.

    Four-year-old Charlie, and Mollie the golden puppy who is less than a year old, recently joined their owners for a day out to a wildlife park in Washington, where they befriended a pair of otters.

    Becca McCloskey, curator at Northwest Trek Safari Park, explained to Newsweek: “These otters are extremely curious, playful, and perceptive to changes in their environment, so when Northwest Trek had our first-ever Dog Days event, they were just as excited as the dogs were.”

    And it’s clear from a viral video on their TikTok account, @charlie.and.mollie on September 6, that the dogs had a day they won’t soon forget.

    In a clip viewed more than 400,000 times, goldens Charlie and Mollie stand at the glass walls where the river otters live, staring into the water excitedly, and moving from side to side for the best view.

    And all of a sudden, an otter comes right up to the glass and begins interacting with them, soon joined by a second otter. They swim up and down, put their paws on the glass, and appear to be trying to play with the dogs on the other side of the glass.

    The dogs react excitedly, their noses pushed against the glass and their tails wagging furiously, as their owner can be heard giggling behind the camera.

    McCloskey told Newsweek: “Otters and dogs may not be close relatives, but they share plenty of body language cues; in this case, curiosity and fun won the day.”

    She identified the two otters in the video as sisters Blakely and Oakley, who “are active and curious for much of the day, but also enjoy taking long naps, cuddled together in their den.

    “They love interacting with their caretakers who provide frequent novel enrichment and training experiences to challenge their eager minds.”

    TikTok users loved it, awarding the video more than 86,000 likes, as one commenter joked: “Land puppies, meet water puppies.”

    “Hello water dogs! Am land dog!” another said, as another admitted: “I would kill to hear the inner monologue of both the dogs and the otters.”

    And as another put it: “Goldens will befriend anyone, haha.”

    River otters are highly intelligent and have tight social bonds with each other, according to conservation organization Mass Audubon. They are known to work in teams when hunting, and communicate with chirps, growls, whistles and body language.

    Golden retrievers, meanwhile, are known to be among the friendliest breeds of dog, showing huge affection towards families, and getting along well with young children and other dogs, according to the American Kennel Club.

    Mollie and Charlie interacting with the otters.

    TikTok @charlie.and.mollie

    In a video update, Charlie and Mollie’s owner explained they were on a day out at Eatonville, Washington’s Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. On September 4, the park hosted a Dog Days event, which allowed leashed dogs to join their humans for a trip to the zoo. More Dog Days are planned for the wildlife park in 2026.

    A poster for the event playfully advised that, during the event, “dogs must keep their humans on leash at all times.”

    Newsweek has contacted @charlie.and.mollie via TikTok for comment on this story.

    Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.

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  • Woodland Park Zoo Awarded Transformative Grant to Advance Empathy for Animals

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    Online, November 21, 2024 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Woodland Park Zoo is pleased to announce a $7.15 million grant from Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies (MACP) to advance and expand the zoo’s Advancing Empathy Initiative that fosters empathy for animals in Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)-accredited organizations.

    This three-year grant continues the zoo’s long-term partnership with MACP and organizations across the country to build strong empathic connections between humans and animals through research-based effective empathy practices while also amplifying the zoo’s mission to save wildlife and inspire everyone to make conservation a priority in their lives.

    Emerging behavioral science is showing that there are social and emotional components to changing our behaviors. Feeling empathy is an often overlooked but necessary step between learning about the need for change and taking action on behalf of another. Empathy allows people to connect their concern for the wellbeing of animals to the importance of acting in caring ways, including conserving the environment upon which both people and animals depend.

    “Millions of people each year visit AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums. We believe that building empathy is among the most powerful tools in our toolbox for galvanizing care and compassion for animals,” said Alejandro Grajal, PhD, President and CEO of Woodland Park Zoo. “Bringing people and animals closer is an innate strength of our field. By providing close encounters with animals, our institutions are uniquely positioned to help visitors feel empathy for wildlife, increase understanding of how animals are cared for, and encourage visitors to actively participate in our wildlife conservation efforts.”

    Woodland Park Zoo’s leadership in advancing empathy learnings and best practices within the zoo and aquarium community spans more than a decade. At the heart of this effort today is the Advancing Conservation through Empathy (ACE) for Wildlife™ Network, which began with 20 founding AZA-accredited partners in Alaska, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin. The Network has since expanded to 27 network partner organizations across 13 states and has grown to include more than 550 participating professionals across five continents. Founded and led by Woodland Park Zoo, with philanthropic funding from MACP, the ACE for Wildlife Network facilitates professional collaboration and catalyzes accredited zoos and aquariums’ capacities to develop, implement, and measure the impact of empathy programming. (For a full list of participating Network partners, see below.)

    With this new round of grant funding, the ACE for Wildlife Network will continue to identify and disseminate effective empathy practices – such as Woodland Park Zoo’s kea enrichment program with the zoo’s kea TepTep and Jean Luc, where guests learn about these highly intelligent parrots, their food and enrichment preferences. Visitors step into the birds’ feathers to think about the animals’ perspective and needs and are given supplies to make them clever puzzles to hide treats. By observing the kea as they explore, play and problem-solve, guests can relate and build a sense of connection to these birds, and that connection is critical to fostering empathy.

    “We’re so proud of this innovative community of zoos and aquariums that is guiding our field into a new era of relationships between people and animals, while collectively impacting more than 17.5 million zoo visitors and program participants across the ACE for Wildlife™ Network partners,” said Marta Burnet, PhD, Director of Advancing Empathy at Woodland Park Zoo. “Our development of leading-edge empathy programs and rapid-response evaluation of their impact equips our institutions to more deeply engage visitors in conservation efforts while consistently applying new learnings to our practice. Ultimately, our holistic aim is to strengthen our guests’ empathy muscles through connections with animals, nature and each other.”

    During the three-year grant period, Woodland Park Zoo’s Advancing Empathy Initiative will re-grant $3.6 million to the Network’s founding partners, who are already developing pioneering programs and continuing to expand their influence across our field nationally and internationally. For example, Racine Zoo used a previous grant to develop a virtual animal encounter program that gives school children the opportunity to meet, learn about and name a Madagascar hissing cockroach – the most popular and frequently highlighted was named Georgia by a group of kids. Giving an animal a name is an important method for fostering empathy because it helps individualize the animal. Zoo staff utilize empathy best practices during these educational encounters – including describing Georgia’s unique personality traits and engaging students in perspective-taking – that can build positive attitudes towards underappreciated species.

    Thanks to grant funding from Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies, the ACE for Wildlife Network offers free resources and effective empathy-building practices online at www.aceforwildlife.org.

    About Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies

    Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies (MACP) provides meaningful assistance to society, the arts, and the environment. Based in Minnesota, MACP is the umbrella over two grantmaking foundations: Margaret A. Cargill Foundation and Anne Ray Foundation. Rooted in guidance from our founder Margaret Cargill, we engage with strategic partners to support work that makes a lasting difference for communities, with particular attention to overlooked causes. Our global funding spans seven domains connected through common strategies and approaches: Animal Welfare, Arts & Cultures, Disaster Relief & Recovery, Environment, Legacy & Opportunity, Quality of Life, and Teachers & Students. The collective assets of MACP place it among the largest philanthropies in the United States.

    This new grant supports Woodland Park Zoo’s vision to reimagine zoos through its 2018 through 2025 Strategic Plan. With the goal of being a catalyst for conservation, Woodland Park Zoo has undertaken a bold $110 million Forests for All comprehensive fundraising campaign to bring its Strategic Plan to life, which has already been supported by more than 110,000 donors with generous gifts at every level. To learn more about the Forests for All campaign, please visit www.zoo.org/forestsforall.

    List of ACE for Wildlife Network Partner Organizations

    Akron Zoo, Alaska SeaLife Center, Blank Park Zoo, Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, Conservation Society of California/Oakland Zoo, Dakota Zoo, Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, Henry Vilas Zoo, Idaho Falls Zoo, International Crane Foundation, Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, Lake Superior Zoo, Minnesota Zoo, NEW Zoo & Adventure Park, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Racine Zoo, Red River Zoo, Roosevelt Park Zoo, San Diego Wildlife Alliance, Seattle Aquarium, Saint Louis Zoo, Utah’s Hogle Zoo, Zoo Boise, Zoological Society of Milwaukee, ZooMontana

    View the original press release on newswire.com.

    Source: Woodland Park Zoo

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  • Cape Ann news in brief

    Cape Ann news in brief

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    Listings may be sent to: Goings On, Gloucester Daily Times, 36 Whittemore St.,Gloucester, MA 01930, or emailed to Joann Mackenzie at jomackenzie@gloucestertimes.com, at least two weeks prior to an event.

    Block Party

    Join the fun at Gloucester’s first Main Street Block Party of the summer, on Saturday, July 13, from 6-10 p.m. Downtown Main Street will be closed to cars and open for action with live music, music, street performers, non-profits, food vendors, great entertainment, and more for the whole family. No admission, just put on your walking shoes and join the fun.

    Literary tours

    {div class=”elementToProof”}The free Literary Gloucester Walking tours started in 2023 under the auspices of the Gloucester 400+ Literary Committee, and were so popular, they are continuing under the sponsorship of the Gloucester Writers Center on Saturdays, July 13 and 27, Aug. 10 and 17, and Sept. 7 and 21. Gloucester has been home to great writers since the 1700s when Judith Sargent Murray penned her feminist poems and essays. For T.S. Eliot, Nobel Prize winner, Gloucester was his boyhood summer home and the sea themes are a signature part of his poetry. Charles Olson and Vincent Ferrini maintained a poetic dialogue in the 20th century. Rudyard Kipling wrote “Captains Courageous,” while staying in Rockport, Henry Wordsworth Longfellow’s “The Wreck of the Hesperus,” was inspired by a ship that wrecked off Gloucester’s coast, to name but a few. Tours start at 10 a.m. in front of the Sargent House Museum and run till noon, guided by noted raconteur Phil Storey. Rain or shine.

    Exchange open

    The Annisquam Exchange opens it doors Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., through October. Offering Folly Cove designs, silver, collectibles, estate pieces, linens, fine jewelry, kitchenware, cards, Annisquam apparel from Annisquam Sewing Circle, artworks, toys, candy, and more, at 32 Leonard St. in Gloucester. To learn more, visit www.annisquamexchange.com or email annisquamexchange@gmail.com.

    Bandstand concerts

    David Benjamin, summer music director for the City of Gloucester, is again helming free seaside concerts at Stage Fort Park’s Antonio Gentile Bandstand, on Sundays, through Aug. 25. Performances start at 6:30 p.m. A highlight of the season will be the Cape Ann Community Band “Barbie, Ken and Taylor” concert Aug. 17, with vocalist Alexandra Grace and her music students singing tunes from the Eras tour and the Barbie movie. The full season schedule is July 14, Horizon (pop hits); July 21, Grupo Fantasia (Latin dance); July 28, Compaq Big Band with Marina Evans; Aug, 4, Daisy Nell & Capt. Stan (acoustic fun); August 11, 4Ever Fab (Beatles tribute band); Aug. 18, The Continentals (pop-rock band); and Aug. 25, Martin & Kelly Band (country 2estern). To learn more, visit www.DavidLBenjamin.com or telephone 978-281-2286. Parking’s free, bandstand located on Hough Avenue, Gloucester. Restrooms are ADA accessible. Bring lawn seating.

    Old Sloop Fair

    ROCKPORT — The First Congregational Church of Rockport, first organized in 1755, will host its annual Old Sloop Fair on July 12 and 13, at 12 School St., Rockport, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on both days. Local and regional arts and craft vendors will for the first time exhibit fine-art photography, hand painted glass, sea glass art, sea glass jewelry, other hand-made jewelry, resin crafts, and hand sewn items on sale. Children’s activities include face painting and games, and burgers and hot dogs will be on the grill. The church’s traditional yard sale will feature art, jewelry, tools, baked goods, and more. The church sanctuary welcome visitors and the church historian will be present to answer any questions. For more information, email info@oldsloopfair.org or call 978-546-6638.

    At Halibut Point

    ROCKPORT — Halibut Point State Park, 4 Gott Ave. in Rockport, offers a new schedule of programs and events, free to all. An adult must accompany children. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request. Guided group tours available with advance reservations by contacting 978-546-2997 or halibut.point@mass.gov, Questions? Email Ramona Latham at ramona.latham@mass.gov.

    When Granite was King!, Saturdays, July 13, 20, and 27, 10-11 a.m. Babson Farm Quarrying History Guided Tour, for ages 8 and older. Meet at parking area. Learn about the buildings, bridges, and breakwaters built to last. Touch tools of the trade. Find out how they moved these large, heavy stone pieces, and “paved” dirt streets in our nation’s growing cities.

    Tide Pool Exploration, Saturday, July 13, from 10-11 a.m. Observe great diversity of life at the rocky shore. Explore different tide level zones containing ranges of salinity and water coverage. Discover animals and plants and how they survive at each tide level. Meet at Visitor Center. A ages. Heavy rain cancels.{/div}

    Comedy Night

    Four of Boston’s top comedians will perform at the 18th Annual Rotary Club of Gloucester Comedy Night on Thursday, Aug. 29. Dave Rattigan returns to host Brad Mastrangelo, Jody Sloane and Jeff Koen at Cruiseport Gloucester, 6 Rowe Square, Gloucester. Rattigan, who has performed internationally and locally, will introduce Mastrangelo’s unique routine. Sloane, a Coast Guard veteran, cut her entertainment teeth doing her sit-down shtick as a cheeky “conducktor” named Penny Wise on the Boston Duck Tours. Koen’s family won $10,000 on America’s Funniest Home Videos. He’s known for playing the offensive “Uncle Rick” in the 2010 cult film “Heavy Times.” Doors open at 7 p.m. for the 8 p.m. show. Tickets are $30, available by calling or texting Mark Vadala at 978-490-0939 or emailing mark@vadalarealestate.com.

    Photo contest

    The Gloucester Rotary will publish a 12-month Cape Ann photo calendar for 2025 as a fundraiser. All profits support Gloucester Rotary’s many community and international activities. The 2025 calendar theme will be Flowers of Cape Ann. The club is requesting high quality digital photos that reflect the natural beauty of Cape Ann year-round, so need images from each season, from Gloucester, Rockport, Essex and Manchester-by-the-Sea. For full contest details, visit www.gloucesterrotary.org. Deadline for entries is noon Tuesday, Aug. 15. Details at www.facebook.com/RotaryGloucesterMA.

    Summer at Windhover

    ROCKPORT — At Windhover Center for the Performing Arts, the evenings are for the enjoyment of great performances on the outdoor tented stage and in the studio and chapel. Here’s a line-up of what’s in store this summer at the performing arts center, 257R Granite St.For tickets and more information, visit: https://windhover.org/ Or call 978-546-3611

    Theater: Lanes Coven presents Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream at Windhover’s outdoor stage July 12-28. Tickets, $10-45.

    Dance: Friday, Aug. 2, and Saturday Aug. 3, at 7 p.m. New York City’s Janie Brendel & Friends performs Brahms. Her seven dancers spent three years at a dance center retreat creating these works for the White Oak Dance Project, founded by dance legends Mikhail Baryshnikov and Mark Morris. Tickets, $20, $10 for students.

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    By Joann Mackenzie | Staff Writer

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  • Rare antelope dies from snack that zoo visitor snuck in. ‘Had a lot of life to live’

    Rare antelope dies from snack that zoo visitor snuck in. ‘Had a lot of life to live’

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    A sitatunga at Brights Zoo choked on a snack package brought in by a patron and died, the Tennessee zoo said.

    A sitatunga at Brights Zoo choked on a snack package brought in by a patron and died, the Tennessee zoo said.

    Screengrab from Brights Zoo’s Facebook post

    A rare African antelope choked on the packaging of a visitor’s snack and died, a Tennessee zoo said.

    Lief, a nearly 8-year-old sitatunga, “still had a lot of life to live,” Brights Zoo said June 10.

    On June 8, zookeepers posted a warning on social media telling visitors not to bring in human snacks because an animal had recently choked on a patron’s food.

    Two days later, they shared that Lief was the “beloved” creature that died from consuming a squeezable fruit pouch with a cap that probably looked like food to him.

    Brights Zoo said it conducts bag checks to make sure snacks aren’t brought in, but visitors still manage to sneak them in sometimes.

    “Not only are the keepers and all workers devastated, their herd can’t understand where their friend went,” zoo employee Connie Bright said on Facebook.

    The incident sparked outrage on social media.

    “It’s a sad thing when you decide that breaking the rules and having a squeezable pouch is more important than the life of an animal,” one Facebook user wrote.

    Many people commented on the zoo’s post saying they hoped the culprit will see the post and be held responsible. But the zoo wasn’t so optimistic.

    “We too hope they see this post, but don’t believe they will take responsibility for their actions,” zookeepers wrote on Facebook. They doubted they would ever know the person behind it.

    Many called Lief’s death heartbreaking and expressed condolences to the zoo and its animals.

    “Devastating to read this news. I’m so sorry,” one Facebook user wrote. “People need to realize they endanger these beautiful animals.”

    Sitatungas are well-adapted to aquatic environments, living in swamps and marshes in about 25 African countries, according to the African Wildlife Foundation. They can live up to 22 years in captivity.

    “People make me so mad. Rules are for a reason,” another person said. “I was just there yesterday. It breaks my heart to think one (of) those precious animals I saw yesterday is not here now.”

    Brights Zoo is a family-owned zoo in northeast Tennessee.

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    Olivia Lloyd

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  • Unprecedented Research: Houston Zoo to study animal reactions to total solar eclipse

    Unprecedented Research: Houston Zoo to study animal reactions to total solar eclipse

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    HOUSTON – The total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, will be a historical and rare event. Humans are generally excited to see this natural phenomenon, but it’s also important to consider how animals will be impacted by the unprecedented event. That’s what the Houston Zoo is hoping to do.

    The Houston Zoo is welcoming visitors to come witness the eclipse and see firsthand how a variety of different animals react to the experience.

    “Have you ever wondered how animals react during an eclipse? Now’s your chance to witness it firsthand,” the Houston Zoo’s website reads.

    Since a total solar eclipse creates fairly unique environmental conditions, the current data on how animals respond to them is spotty. KPRC 2 meteorologist Anthony Yanez sat down with Adam Rose, a biomedical science professor at North Carolina State University, to discuss his work with this under-researched topic.

    Rose is part of a team that he calls the “Solar Eclipse Safari Research Team.” As the name would suggest, Rose’s unit looks to study how animals in different areas and climates react to these conditions.

    “For humans, we feel like an eclipse is about the sun getting dimmed, but also during an eclipse, the temperature drops, the pressure changes, and a lot of species are more perceptive to that shift than we are.”

    Rose conducted a study at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, South Carolina, during the 2017 solar eclipse, and he was shocked by how dramatically many of the animals reacted to the event.

    A group of gorillas walked in unison towards the typical night area of their enclosure. Giraffes reacted with behaviors that convey anxiety, like galloping. Galapagos Tortoises, typically slow-moving animals, began moving around their enclosure quickly, and two of them began mating at the point of totality.

    “I don’t know if [the tortoises’ reaction] is a normal reaction, and no one does, because no one had ever witnessed these animals during an eclipse,” Rose said.

    Rose and his team will be watching the 2024 eclipse from a zoo in Fort Worth, Texas. His team is asking everyone to observe animals before, during and after the eclipse, by submitting their findings to his team’s official site.

    Jessica Reyes, the manager of public relations and communications at Houston Zoo, said many members of their staff are excited to observe this rare information.

    “We don’t know how animals will react, but our animal teams will be monitoring animal behaviors for any changes. If it gets dark enough, animals may believe there has been a disruption to their routine (i.e. feeding schedules) and begin to vocalize. Our zookeepers will monitor the animals and take notes of any behavioral changes.”

    For more information about visiting the Houston Zoo for the eclipse, click here.

    Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.

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    Michael Horton

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  • Zookeepers share some seedy secrets from behind the enclosures (15 GIFs)

    Zookeepers share some seedy secrets from behind the enclosures (15 GIFs)

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    Zoos are fairly transparent with what’s going on. If anything egregious ever happens like – I don’t know – say a child jumps into an enclosure and a gorilla gets murdered, we’re definitely going to hear about it on the news.

    But what about the stuff that goes unnoticed? It doesn’t take much for your imagination to go to some pretty wild places. So we’ve collected real stories from REAL zookeepers, sharing some secrets from behind the enclosures.

    Get ready for that tea.

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    Zach Nading

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  • Mourners leave flowers, letters for Flaco at his favorite tree in Central Park

    Mourners leave flowers, letters for Flaco at his favorite tree in Central Park

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    UPPER WEST SIDE, Manhattan (WABC) — At Flaco’s favorite oak tree in Central Park, many were leaving flowers and letters – it is just a glimpse at how loved he was.

    If only Flaco knew what he meant to New York City.

    Emily Einhorn of the Wild Bird Fund responded to the tragic discovery near West 89th Street on the Upper West Side Friday. An initial evaluation showed the Eurasian Eagle Owl flew into the window of a building and suffered fatal injuries.

    Flaco’s flight to stardom began in February 2023 when someone broke into the Central Park Zoo and freed him.

    He spent the last year out of captivity – roaming New York City, warming hearts and really defying odds – odds stacked so firmly against wildlife in the city.

    The Wild Bird Fund says light pollution at night is part of the problem – some activists are pushing for the city to pass ‘Flaco’s Law’ – anything to prevent the demise of a wild, beautiful creature.

    “Flaco’s loss is a big loss for the city. He was able to capture the imaginations of so many people,” said NYC Audubon Director of Conservation Dr. Dustin Patridge.

    ALSO READ | Newark holds first lottery to pick residents who can buy houses for $1

    Toni Yates has the story.

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    WABC

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  • Remembering Tusko the Elephant, Given Largest-Ever Dose of LSD | High Times

    Remembering Tusko the Elephant, Given Largest-Ever Dose of LSD | High Times

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    Guinness World Records—the definitive list of world records of both human achievements and the extremes of the natural world—recently posted a eulogy to Tusko the elephant, who was tragically given an extreme dose of LSD, for science.

    LSD research was conducted on animals such as dolphins or cats, starting in the ‘50s and ‘60s, with goals ranging from mind control to animal communication. A team of researchers in the early ‘60s came up with the brilliant idea of dosing a hormonal bull elephant with a massive dose of LSD, and lo and behold—the outcome was tragic. 

    Tusko was a male Indian elephant located at the Oklahoma City Zoo in Oklahoma. Tusko was a victim of the poor treatment of animals, and he did not survive the experiment. 

    But before his tragic end, Tusko earned a spot in the Guinness World Records. Other notable instances of massive LSD doses include a case study of an accidental dose during September 2015, when a woman took 55 mg of LSD—550 times the normal dose. But this animal was given 3,000 times the normal dose of LSD.

    Within an hour and a half, and after several doses of barbiturates to kill the trip, the elephant was dead.

    The Procedure

    Beginning on Aug. 3, 1962, (1963 by some accounts) the researchers dosed an elephant. Researchers injected nearly 300 mg of LSD into Tusko. 

    Doctors West and Pierce attempted to induce Tusko into a state known as “musth”, an aggressive, hormonal surge that bull elephants get, causing them to secrete a sticky fluid between the ears. It’s critical for the reproduction of elephants as their testosterone levels rise to 60 times the normal amount.

    “By way of a dart gun shot into his right buttock,” Guinness World Records writer Sanj Atwal wrote, “Tusko was injected with 297 milligrams of the hallucinogenic drug LSD. Almost 3,000 times greater than the normal human recreational dose, this remains the largest single dose of LSD administered ever.”

    This ingenious plot was whipped up by two ambitious psychiatrists, Dr. Louis Jolyon West and Dr. Chester M. Pierce, along with the Oklahoma City Zoo’s director at the time, Warren Thomas. The experiment took place amid a surge in mind control experiments conducted by government agencies.

    That’s when things went terribly wrong.

    Five minutes after the injection, Tusko trumpeted once, fell over, and defecated. 

    He then suffered a serious seizure; his eyes rolled back and closed, his legs became stiff, he bit his tongue, and he struggled to breathe. It didn’t take long until the elephant was dead.

    “Given that a human dose is around 25 milligrams, it comes as no surprise to hear that Tusko trumpeted once, ran around his enclosure then suffered a crippling seizure,’ Atwal continues. “He was administered a large dose of the antipsychotic drug promazine hydrchlroride, then the barbiturate pentobarbitol sodium, but died after 80 minutes, the victim of the largest single dose of LSD ever administered.”

    Also during the ‘60s, NASA-funded experiments by John C. Lilly, for instance, injected dolphins with LSD. Then in 1977, researchers dosed cats with LSD.

    “Dr. West was, put simply, an evil scientist,” Atwal writes. “He was a documented experimenter in Project MKUltra, an illegal human experimentation programme designed by the CIA to identify methods of brainwashing, psychologically torturing, and forcing confessions from people during interrogations.”

    LSD Experiments Involving the Government

    Beginning in 1953,  the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) launched Project MKUltra, a human drug experimentation involving hallucinogens, intended to develop procedures and identify drugs that could be used during interrogations to force confessions. The CIA attempted to develop more effective truth serums.

    “These methods included sensory deprivation, hypnosis, isolation, sexual abuse, the covert administration of psychoactive drugs, and various other forms of torture,” Atwal writes. “One of the most famous experiments overseen by Dr West occurred in 1959, when Peter Tripp, a radio DJ, attempted to break the record for the longest time to stay awake. Tripp went without sleep for eight days and nine hours, causing his mental state to temporarily deteriorate into what doctors labeled ‘nocturnal psychosis’.”

    Shortly after, drug experimentations would involve animals as well. 

    After the experiment on Tusko, West continued his work for the CIA, Guinness World Records reprots. Also in 1963, he was appointed as the psychiatrist to Jack Ruby, who murdered Lee Harvey Oswald two days after Oswald allegedly assassinated President John F. Kennedy. 

    West suggested that Ruby be interrogated under the influence of sodium thiopental and hypnosis in order to get the real story. 

    Pierce on the other hand went on to become the founding president of the Black Psychiatrists of America and spoke frequently about racism in the U.S., and he even coined the term “microaggression.” 

    A fitting end for a disturbing experiment at the expense of a rare Indian elephant.

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    Benjamin M. Adams

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  • Opinion: Why shouldn’t elephants have rights? They’re intelligent beings who can feel joy and sorrow

    Opinion: Why shouldn’t elephants have rights? They’re intelligent beings who can feel joy and sorrow

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    The California Supreme Court is considering whether to grant a hearing for three elephants — Nolwazi, Amahle and Mabu — at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo. If granted, the hearing would determine whether these elephants are being unjustly detained, and whether they should be relocated to a sanctuary.

    Elephants are sensitive, intelligent beings who feel joy and sorrow, have meaningful projects and relationships and often walk many miles per day in the wild. As a result, they tend to suffer in captive environments like zoos. When their freedom is restricted, they have an increased risk of developing joint disorders and damaged tusks. They also are more likely to experience boredom, depression and aggression.

    Accordingly, the Nonhuman Rights Project, which submitted the petition, is urging the court to recognize that Nolwazi, Amahle and Mabu have a right to bodily liberty in a habeas corpus hearing, which can be used to determine whether their detention is lawful. Scholars in a wide range of fields, myself included, are submitting amicus letters to the court in support of the basic idea of elephant rights.

    Why is it necessary to recognize elephant rights? Why not simply rely on existing welfare protections to prevent cruelty? When elephants are seen as lacking rights, we can protect them as “property” or as a matter of public interest. But such protections leave elephants vulnerable when their “owners” and the public are insufficiently concerned about them. By recognizing elephant rights, we can safeguard against abuse and neglect even when welfare protections are inadequate.

    The idea of elephant rights is surprisingly minimal. When we say that elephants have rights, we are not necessarily saying that they have the same rights as us. (Among human beings, for example, infants have different rights than adults.) We also are not saying that they have duties. (Again, infants can have rights without duties.) Our claim is only that elephants can have rights that reflect their own interests and vulnerabilities.

    Additionally, recognizing that elephants have a right to liberty does not necessarily mean releasing them into the wild; elephants, like humans, may not always be able to live independently. Instead, it simply means granting elephants as much freedom as possible for them. In the case of Nolwazi, Amahle and Mabu, that means being released to a sanctuary accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries.

    Last year the Fresno Superior Court denied a similar petition for the elephants at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo because they are not being held in state custody, and the 5th District Court of Appeal denied a second petition. Now, the Nonhuman Rights Project is urging the California Supreme Court to decide that privately detained individuals, including elephants, can qualify for habeas relief too.

    This case is not the first of its kind. The New York Court of Appeals recently considered a similar petition involving Happy, an elephant at the Bronx Zoo. In 2021, the court granted a hearing on Happy’s habeas claim, marking the first time that the highest court in an English-speaking jurisdiction allowed such a hearing for a nonhuman animal. But the court ultimately sided with the zoo.

    Thus far, the rationalizations courts have used to reject elephant rights show little basis in logic or the law. For instance, the majority in the Happy case argued that you can have rights only if you have specific genes (why?) and only if you can have duties (again, what about infants?). They also suggested that you can access habeas relief only if you can live independently (once more: infants).

    The majority in the Happy case also expressed concern about a slippery slope: If an animal in a zoo has the right to liberty, what about animals in farms and labs? And if those animals have that right, how can society still function? Perhaps a decision with this much disruptive potential is best made by legislatures.

    However, as two dissenting judges noted, this buck-passing argument fails too. It might be ideal for legislatures to address this issue. But at present, few are willing to do so. In the meantime, the judiciary has a duty to assess each case before it on the merits. When a petitioner makes a credible allegation about an unjust detention, the relevant court should hear that case.

    Moreover, if courts fear a slippery slope, the solution is not to ignore rights violations. Yes, when violations occur in large numbers, addressing them all might be disruptive. But to look the other way because of the scale of the problem would be to treat injustice, perversely, as too big to fail. Courts should instead make narrow rulings about particular violations, leaving the rest for another day.

    To be sure, legislatures should address this issue too. Last month, Ojai became the first U.S. city to recognize legal rights for nonhuman animals when it passed an ordinance declaring that elephants have the right to liberty. Such legislation can work in tandem with, not replace, judicial attention to current unjust detentions.

    The California Supreme Court needs to address the elephants in the room. However the judges decide this case, they should not refuse to hear it on the grounds that Nolwazi, Amahle and Mabu lack rights. Elephants, like humans, merit legal consideration for their own sake. Humans have both a right and a duty to give them their day in court.

    Jeff Sebo is an associate professor of environmental studies, affiliated professor of bioethics, medical ethics, philosophy and law, and director of the animal studies master of arts program at New York University. His most recent book is “Saving Animals, Saving Ourselves.”

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    Jeff Sebo

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  • WATCH: Boy surprised by military dad’s homecoming during zoo dolphin show

    WATCH: Boy surprised by military dad’s homecoming during zoo dolphin show

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    I’d like to bring out *** very special guest I heard you will go to the other side Mhm joe.

    WATCH: Boy surprised by military dad’s homecoming during zoo dolphin show

    The Indianapolis Zoo’s marine mammal team recently helped surprise a 9-year-old boy during a dolphin show.As Joseph got up close and personal with the zoo’s dolphins, he was surprised with the return of his dad, Petty Officer 1st Class Joe Thomas of the U.S. Navy, who is stationed in San Diego.Watch Joseph’s reaction to his dad’s homecoming in the video above.

    INDIANAPOLIS (Video above: Indianapolis Zoo via CNN) —

    The Indianapolis Zoo’s marine mammal team recently helped surprise a 9-year-old boy during a dolphin show.

    As Joseph got up close and personal with the zoo’s dolphins, he was surprised with the return of his dad, Petty Officer 1st Class Joe Thomas of the U.S. Navy, who is stationed in San Diego.

    Watch Joseph’s reaction to his dad’s homecoming in the video above.

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  • Zoo Miami Earns Certified Autism Center Designation

    Zoo Miami Earns Certified Autism Center Designation

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    Press Release
    –


    updated: Nov 15, 2018


    MIAMI, November 15, 2018 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Zoo Miami is committing to ensure all visitors, even those with sensory needs or on the autism spectrum, have an amazing experience. As part of this commitment, the Zoo recently earned the Certified Autism Center designation, which is awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) to organizations who have completed a training and review process with the goal to better serve individuals with autism and other sensory needs.

    “Zoo Miami aims to provide each guest with an enjoyable visit and is proud to be designated as a certified autism center. Our staff has undergone training to be able to better serve guests with autism and other special needs,” said Carol Kruse, Zoo Miami Director.

    Zoo Miami aims to provide each guest with an enjoyable Zoo visit and is proud to offer specialized services to guests with autism and other special needs. We have highly trained staff to serve the fastest growing population of developmental disorders.

    Carol Kruse, Zoo Miami Director

    Parents with children on the autism spectrum often find new experiences and traveling to new destinations a challenge due to sensory needs, dietary restrictions and safety concerns. For almost 20 years, IBCCES has been the industry leader in autism training for licensed healthcare professionals and educators around the globe. IBCCES recognized that many families with children with special needs have limited travel options and created programs specifically for the hospitality and travel industry.

    “We believe it’s important to ensure all guests can experience the world around them in a safe way,” said Myron Pincomb, IBCCES Board Chairman. “Our Certified Autism Center designation is awarded to premier organizations who have completed rigorous training and meet the highest industry standards, and we’re so excited to work with Zoo Miami on this initiative.”

    In addition to the certification, Zoo Miami is working on creating sensory bags for special needs guests that contain noise-canceling headphones and fidget toys or stress balls before the end of the year. Quiet places will also be identified within the zoo by the first quarter of 2019. In preparation for Autism Awareness Month in April, Zoo Miami will also provide Zoo Sensory Guides to ensure the best possible experience for guests with disabilities.

    Rather than relying on the growing number of organizations promoting “autism-friendly” options that can vary widely, more parents are now seeking out destinations that have completed research-based training and professional review. IBCCES also created AutismTravel.com, a free online resource for parents that lists certified destinations and connects families to other resources and each other. Each destination listed on the site has met Certified Autism Center requirements.

    ###

    About IBCCES

    Delivering The Global Standard For Training and Certification in The Field of Cognitive Disorders –
    IBCCES provides a series of certifications that empower professionals to be leaders in their field and improve the outcomes for the individuals they serve. These programs are recognized around the world as the leading benchmark for training and certification in the areas of autism and other cognitive disorders. As part of our commitment to sharing the latest innovations and research, IBCCEs also hosts the International Symposium on Cognitive Research and Disorders to create a forum for collaboration among industry stakeholders.

     About Zoo Miami

    With nearly 1 million annual visitors, Zoo Miami is part of the Miami-Dade County Parks Recreation and Open Spaces (PROS) Department and home to more than 3,000 animals from all over the world. Among many sights, visitors can enjoy Florida: Mission Everglades expansion with alligators, bobcats, bald eagles, a Florida panther, and more impressive Florida natives. Guests can slide along otters, come face to face with bears, crawl through a tunnel in the crocodile exhibit, float along the Lostman’s River “airboat” ride, play in the Cypress Landing Playground and more!

     Zoo Miami is open every day of the year from 10:00 AM – 5:00PM with the last ticket being sold at 4:00 PM. Admission is $22.95 plus tax per adult and $18.95 plus tax per child ages 3-12. Children under three are free. Zoo memberships offer free access year round. For tickets, membership, and information, visit www.zoomiami.org or call (305) 251-0400.

     About Zoo Miami Foundation

    As a 4-star charity by Charity Navigator, Zoo Miami Foundation is the non-profit 501(c)(3) that supports Zoo Miami through education, conservation and outreach programs; marketing and public relations; volunteer services and financial support for the construction of new exhibits. The Foundation serves more than 20,000 member households through its zoo membership program. For more information, visit www.zoomiami.org or call (305) 255-5551.

    MEDIA CONTACTS:

    Meredith Tekin
    IBCCES
    904.508.0135
    meredith@ibcces.org

    Cindy Castelblanco
    Zoo Miami Foundation
    305.255.5551 ext. 111
    ccastelblanco@zoomiami.org

     

    Source: IBCCES

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