First Things FIRST

We need to say it again: Thank you! So far, 3,770 people have signed our petition urging the state legislature to fund the Zoo's capital request to expand the Polar Bear exhibit, plan major repairs for the African Pavilion and build a Children’s Nature Zoo.

We double our thanks to the 2,665 signers who jotted down, in their own words, why they supported these projects. Your words and your signatures were priceless! Thank you.
Seen Around the Zoo

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Seen Around the Zoo

Willie chillin' out in his bear feet

Starting Monday, June 30: The Zoo will expand the Zoo's Gorilla feeding program. Under the new system, keepers will add two additional feeding times to the Gorilla's schedule. Both of the new times (11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.) will take place when the Gorilla's are on exhibit.  The new schedule will increase the amount of time the Gorillas spend foraging every day, making their schedule even more similar to the one followed by wild gorillas.  The increased foraging should make the exhibit more lively and educational for Zoo visitors.

Who's In and Who's Out?

Lion Cubs, Out

One lion and two lionesses will be leaving us on July 8. All three of the exiting lions are youngsters who were born here about two years ago. The three lions are nearly adults and are ready to be placed with potential mates. All three are going to AZA approved zoos (the male to Potter Park, one female to Ft. Wayne’s Children Zoo and one female to the Peoria Zoo) and AZA has recommended that all three have the opportunity to breed in the future.

Meanwhile, the cubs' parents will stay here and AZA has recommended that they breed again, too. So, look for some lion romancing in the next few months, with a good chance that we will hear the patter of little paws in our Lion exhibit sometime soon. (The average gestation period for lions is around 15 weeks.)

Baby Bears, In

Two five-month old Black Bears landed at the Zoo last week and should be released from quarantine and put on exhibit sometime in late July. Weighing in at about 35 pounds each, the teddy bear mimics are too cute for words. They grow like shoots, though, so do not expect them to stay cute little cubs forever.

The youngsters arrived from Arkansas as part of an AZA facilitated move. Both cubs are females. One is named Star, the other one Moon, and both will light up the Black Bear exhibit soon!

Hamadryas Baboons, In

Two young females (4 years old) have arrived and will join the Zoo’s Pavilion troop after spending at least 30 days in quarantine.

Sealing the Deal*

The baby Harbor Seals are still adorable. If you have not seen them yet, now is the time to visit the Rocky Coast exhibit—before these pups lose their chubby baby charms.

Come Feed our Fish, Please!

The Zoo has added a school of Grass Carp to the moat around the Cato Patas Monkey exhibit and has placed some food dispensers on the bridge by the moat. A quarter buys a handful of food for feeding the fishies. Although the new carp are only about 14-inches long, they will grow rapidly and should reach lengths of two feet or longer in no time.Grass Carp

The Zoo decided to add Grass Carp to the Patas moat, because this variety of fish is sterile. Grass Carp have a chromosomal abnormality. They are triploid rather than diploid—a fancy way of saying that they have three copies of their chromosomes rather than the normal two copies. The extra set of genetic material disrupts the mechanisms that generate sperm and eggs, so Grass Carp cannot reproduce. Because they don't add fry to the gene pool, they won't over-populate the moat.

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Conservation Updates

Searching for Snot Otters**

John D. Groves, Curator of Reptiles and Amphibians, and Dr. Rich Bergl, Ph.D. Curator of Research, just returned from a trip to the North Carolina mountains where they were counting Hellbenders**—a large species of salamander that also goes by the name of “Snot Otter.”

The counting process sent John and Rich wading through sections of the Nantahala River, turning over rocks in their search for Hellbenders**. This work, which was funded by an AZA Conservation Grant, has staff from the N.C. Department of Wildlife Resources and the N.C. Zoo surveying Hellbender numbers in the Appalachian Mountain river system.

The counts will help researchers monitor the stability of Hellbender populations in the state. At present, Hellbenders are protected in North Carolina as a Species of Concern. The ongoing surveys will document the species’ range and population density, alerting officials to Hellbender population declines or increases.

Hellbenders spend most of their time under rocks in streams—so, counting them is never easy. The out-of-sight-out-of-mind nature of their daily living habits makes it possible for whole populations to disappear without anyone noticing that they are gone.

Because Hellbenders live in clear, clean streams and vanish from polluted waterways, keeping tabs on these populations can alert people to unhealthy changes in streams and rivers. (Important information to have if you live downstream!)

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The Zoo in the News

The Zoo has been been in the news recently as journalists, such as Martha Quillin with The News & Observer (Raleigh), have written about several major funding requests that the Zoo has presented to the State Legislature. You can read her original article, Aging Zoo Needs Millions, here.

The News & Observer in particular concerned some of our members, and we want to assure everyone that the Zoo is still a wonderful, vibrant and healthy place for families and friends to visit.

David Robb, the Chairman of the Zoo Society board, wrote a telling response to Ms. Quillin's article.

"Your critique of the Zoo's situation is timely and captures a real situation in that some of our Zoo's facilities are very much in need of repair.  From its earliest years, the State of North Carolina, which owns the Zoo, supported it with operating and capital funds, as well as money for repair and renovations.  With the exception of last year, when $3.45 million was appropriated by the State, the Zoo endured a drought of almost 15 years without capital support for its facilities.

"Fortunately, the State has come to recognize the great treasure we have in the NC Zoo.  No list of America's - or perhaps the world's - five best Zoo's would exclude North Carolina's.  Our world-class facilities have a couple of areas that need attention, but we still have among the finest animal and plant collections anywhere. With the recent grand opening of the privately funded Watani Grasslands, we now have a premier elephant and rhino facility.

David K. Robb
Chairman, NC Zoo Society"

The Governor’s budget, as well as the House and Senate budgets, include $2.7 million to fund improvements to the Polar Bear. The Zoo Society has committed another $1.8 million to that project. The Governor’s and the House budgets have $600,000 in to plan for new exhibits to replace the African Pavilion. The Society has promised $400,000 more for that…and will match the State $1 for $1 to build those new exhibits.

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Upcoming Special Events

Independence Day

July 4th is a monster visitor day at the Zoo. Crowds pour in to enjoy the holiday. So, if you visit, dress for the weather and the multitude.

Programs for Children

Email Melinda Prior  Phone (336) 879-7715 or toll free 1-800-488-0444 ext. 7715

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More to Look Forward to

August 9 & 10 ZooCOOL

Learn how animals chill out at the Zoo -- and look for snowstorms to cover the North American entry bridge!

Society Upcoming Programs

Click on a program's title to learn more.

Randolph Telephone's Zoo To Do on September 6
A wild Silver Anniversary Party

Tracking Turtles and Other Wildlife on September 13
A hands-on class with the Zoo's veterinarian to learn to use telemetry and radio tracking equipment to keep tabs on wild animals.

Snore & Roar  October 10-11
Sleep under the stars at the Zoo. Strictly B.Y.O.T. - Bring Your Own Tent

Interactive Veterinary Tour  October 18
It's back. Our annual tour of the Zoo's veterinary hospital and wildlife rehabilitation center.

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Looking to Do Some Good?

The Valerie H. Schindler Wildlife Rehabilitation Facility is always looking for volunteers to help take care of injured and orphaned animals at the Center. A great place for young people to learn compassion and find out if they really want to work with animals.

For more information, call Toy Jarrett, Volunteer Coordinator, 336-879-7712.

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Funding News

The Belk Foundation provided the Zoo Society with a $25,000 grant to become the signature sponsorship of the kidZone exhibit at the N.C. Zoo. kidZone is a fun filled, wild outdoor playground where children can explore nature. kidZone is one of the Zoo’s most popular exhibits and the gift from the Belk Foundation will fund supplies and materials to keep the fun flowing inside the exhibit.

“The Belk Foundation is pleased to support the North Carolina Zoo’s innovative kidZone exhibit,” said Paul Wyche of Charlotte, Trustee of the Foundation. “It’s a fun way to educate the children of our state about the importance of conservation and to encourage their enjoyment of nature and the outdoors.”
Links of Interest

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Do you have questions about estate planning? Planned giving? Your will? 

Each month, we feature new articles and interactive features that cover such topics. We hope it will be a useful resource for you.

Five Mistakes That Can Undermine Your Will
Even an updated will may have undesired consequences if not planned carefully--in this article we share the five flaws that could reshape your intended inheritances More

Q&A: How to Increase Your Income and Support a Cause You Care About
Would like to increase your income and also make a donation to your favorite charity? There is a trust that will satisfy both of these goals. More

A Good Defense Against Capital Gains Taxes
Although a cash gift is easy--and always appreciated--contemplate a new way to support our mission, because a gift of the asset itself may be more advantageous to you than writing a check. More

Russlings — Visit the Zoo Society Executive Director’s personal blog site for current photos and discussion on the N.C. Zoo, animals and conservation.
Reminders

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Don’t Stand in Line at the Zoo!

New Zoo policies are in place to streamline the entry process for Zoo visitors. The policies require Society members to enter through the Express Entry, Member’s Only Ticket Booths.  These booths are on the far left when you face either Zoo entrance.

To enter, show us your membership card and a picture identification card. We require picture identification cards to protect the value of Zoo memberships. We appreciate your cooperation.

Password For Members section of the Web site is  elephant.

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Come Travel With Us

The Zoo Society offers a travel program for people who care about nature and enjoy the company of expert guides who have a history with the N.C. Zoo Society. Only one trip left for 2008:

Manitoba Adventure, October 15-31, to see Polar Bears.

Start Planning Your Wild Adventures for 2009

 Journey to Costa Rica
 February 18-29, 2009

  The Wonders of India, March 5-22, 2009

    South Africa
    July 3-17, 2009

    Whales & Wilderness Adventure to Alaska
     August 8-16, 2009.

For prices, and other information, contact sgee@nczoo.com or call 336-879-7253.

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* Photos by Valerie Abbot
** Photos by Rich Bergl, Ph.D.
Contact Info

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Send questions and comments about the Society Web site or  Z-mail content to

Jayne Owen Parker, Ph.D.,at jparker@nczoo.com.

To unsubscribe from this mailing list, please e-mail cparks@nczoo.com and type “unsubscribe” in the subject line.

Our mailing address is:  North Carolina Zoological Society, 4403 Zoo Parkway, Asheboro, N.C. 27205. Phone 336-879-7250, toll free 888-244-3736. Web address: www.nczoo.com.

Thank you for your continued support of the North Carolina Zoological Society.

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Last modified 07/02/2008 01:25pm.