Summer Fashions at the Zoo...
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Velvet
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Fur
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Stripes
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and Horns
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We're Celebrating....
The Governor signed the budget and the Zoo will receive funding (that the Zoo Society will match on a 40 to 60 ratio) to expand the Polar Bear exhibit and make it ready for birthing some Polar Bear cubs!
The Zoo will need a couple of years to design and construct the changes—and the Zoo Society will need some time to complete its share of the fund raising, too. But, thanks to the state—and to all the friends who signed the petition the Zoo Society presented to the legislature—the North Carolina Zoo now has Polar Bears cubs in its future!
Eating Out of Their Hands
If you enjoy watching animals enjoying tasty treats, you can time your travels around the Zoo to see Seals & Sea Lions, Gorillas, and Chimpanzees eating in their habitats.
Keepers feed the Gorillas at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., daily...
The Zoo's new Curator of Mammals, Terry Webb, initiated the two public feedings last month, in response to recent findings on gorillas' nutritional needs.
These findings suggested that gorillas benefit from eating four times a day—rather than three times—especially if their diet includes a high proportion of fresh, leafy greens and fiber. Mr. Webb responded to the findings by following both recommendations: adding a fourth feeding session to the gorillas' daily schedule and boosting the percentage of fresh produce in their diet. Watching the feeding sessions can be quiet interesting since the gorillas become more active while they forage.
Keepers feed the Chimps at 2 p.m. ...
... and the Chimpanzees respond like the Great Apes that they are. They become even more active and fun to watch as they gobble down the healthy treats. The Zoo's Chimpanzee troop is one of the largest in the United States. Signage at the exhibit explains the relationships among most of the troop members. Another signage board explains a few of the facial expressions chimpanzees use to communicate with one another.
The Seal and Sea Lion feedings...
take place at different times every day, but keepers update a sign in front of the exhibit to show the day's schedule. These feeding sessions are actually training sessions for the Sea Lions and Harbor Seals.
During the training, keepers engage the Sea Lions in behaviors that help them cooperate in their own care and build a trusting relationship with their keepers. Because the Harbor Seals are still so young, most of their training still consists of building trust and learning to wait their turn.
Both the keepers and the Pinnapeds seem to enjoy the training, which relies exclusively on positive reinforcement. At the end of each training session, keepers invite questions from the audience.
Zoo Surprise Coming
Baby Black Bears Invade Zoo Exhibit! Click here to read more.
Hot Snot-Otters?
John D. Groves, Curator of Amphibians and Reptiles, just returned from another
trip to the Smoky Mountains to survey Hellbenders. The good news is that he and other researchers working with the N.C. Wildlife Commission found several Hellbenders (a.k.a., "Snot-Otters") in both the Tuckaseegee and the Little Tennessee rivers. The bad news, (or, rather, the may-be-bad news) is that both research teams recorded fairly warm temperatures in the two river systems.
Water temperatures climbed above 70 degrees in both places. Curator Groves is currently researching historical data on the rivers to determine if these temperatures fall within the recorded range of temperature variation or if they suggest a warming trend that might bode trouble for the Hellbenders.
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has taken the lead on these surveys, which have biologists splashing through mountains and streams looking for Hellbenders. These salamanders—the largest in North America—live in clean water systems coursing through the mountains, and there is growing concern that the species may be in decline inside the State. John and his fellow biologists are helping with this survey to establish baseline data that can be used to monitor the health of the species.
In addition to working with the Wildlife Commission to survey and protect salmanders, Mr. Groves heads up the N.C. Zoo's emerging
Frog Rescue Program. This program will add an amphibian breeding, conservation and research center to the Zoo site. The new center will specialize in protecting amphibians--especially frogs--that are native to the Southeast.
Please consider donating directly to the Frog Rescue Program or supporting it indirectly by
adopting Grace -- the Green Treefrog pictured here.
Zoo Society To Open Valerie H. Schindler Wildlife Learning Center in August
The new building will serve as a residential center for interns working at the Zoo and will also provide space for meetings and conferences. As many as 16 people can sleep in the house's five bedrooms--each of which contains a small refrigerator and microwave.
The house also contains a full kitchen, a great room, a meeting room for up to 50 people, a
screened porch and a basement conference room. Each room in the facility is served by wireless Internet connections, and the meeting room is equipped to handle conference calls.
Local businesses will be able to rent the meeting rooms, kitchen and great room for retreats. Staff with the Zoo and the Zoo Society will use the facility to provide educational programs for families, teachers, youngsters and other groups. The facility will be most helpful in providing college and graduate students with a comfortable place to stay and study while they participate in learning opportunities at the Zoo.
Built entirely with private donations, the Learning Center will significantly improve the Zoo's ability to meet the needs of college and university students who want to work or conduct research at the Zoo.
Zoo Happenings
August
9 &10 Zoo Cool 
A summer snow shower will drift down on the North America entry bridge, and zoo keepers will turn down the heat inside the Zoo as they explain how they keep their animals cool.
Click here to learn more.
Three more days of summer camps-
Your last chance to sign up!
Click here to learn more.
September
6 Randolph Telephone's Zoo To Do --
Join Randolph Friends of the Zoo for THE party of the Year. TIckets $150 each. Click here to learn more.
13* Tracking Wild Turtles
Spend the day with the Zoo's Chief Veterinarian, Dr. Mike Loomis, to master the basics of using radio telemetry to find and track wild animals as they roam freely around the Zoo. The class will be hands on—and fun. For Ages 12 and up.
Click here to learn more.
* This date is currently tentative, and may have to be shifted back a week. We will confirm a final date as soon as possible.October
10 Snore and Roar
Strictly B.Y.O.T. - Bring Your Own Tent
Click here to learn more.11 Adult Photography Safari
Spend the day with professional photographer Vinny Colucci,
learning the techniques he uses to capture memorable photographs of
wildlife.
Click here to learn more.18 Interactive Veterinary Tour
It's back. Our annual tour of the Zoo's veterinary hospital and wildlife rehabilitation center.
Click here to learn more.
Sometime, Somewhere, Someone...
will present a program on this Mystery Animal -- Keep checking back to find out when, where, who and what.
This pug-nosed cutie is not on exhibit at the Zoo -- but participates in a special veterinary program here. Among the Earth's rarest species, this creature lives inside the crevices deep in limestone caves.
Photo Contest Winners
Professional photographer Vinny Colucci led a children's photography safari for the Society in June and here are the winning shots from this class of 5 - 12 year old shutter bugs.
Valerie H. Schindler Wildlife Rehabilitation Center News **
Who Went Wild in June?
Don't forget that the Zoo's veterinary staff and volunteers provide free medical care to injured and orphaned North Carolina animals. This services is provided at the Zoo's Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.
The veterinary staff and wildlife rehabilitators at the Rehab Center successfully raised, healed and released the following orphaned and injured animals during June:
7 American Robins
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2 Brown Thrashers |
1 Canada Goose
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| 3 Carolina Wrens |
2 Eastern Bluebirds |
2 Eastern Box Turtles
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| 9 Eastern Cottontails |
2 European Starlings |
1 Mourning Dove |
2 Opossums
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1 Red-bellied Woodpecker
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1 Snapping Turtle |
1 Yellow-bellied Slider
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We want to thank all the members of the Zoo Society's
Community of Caring for their donations to the Center. Gifts from
Community of Caring members help purchase foods, medicines, surgical equipment and other necessities for the Center. If you would like to join this caring community - or just make a donation to support the Center,
please click here.
International News with the Zoo
The N.C. Zoo and the N.C. State College of Veterinary Medicine are offering advice and assistance to Iraqi veterinarians through a satellite video link. Donations from the N.C. Zoological Society purchased and shipped the equipment that Iraqi veterinarians use to receive the satellite imagery and benefit from the teleconferencing link. The equipment was installed at the Baghdad Zoo.
Iraqi veterinarians can now gather at the Baghdad Zoo to
listen to lectures and interact with classmates and instructors housed in the veterinary school in Raleigh. The faculty at the veterinary school and the Zoo's veterinarians conduct these classes, which are transmitted live to Baghdad. In addition, Iraqi veterinarians can use the equipment to consult directly with the veterinary staff at the N.C. Zoo.
Funding for this project was provided by people who asked the N.C. Zoo Society to accept donations to help the Baghdad Zoo after the United States invaded Iraq. Donors sent in around $100,000 which has been used for exhibit repairs, capacity building and animal welfare improvements.
Buying Green?
The N.C. Office of Environmental Education's Web site includes an Informed Consumer section with information on choosing environmentally friendly products. Click here to visit http://www.eenorthcarolina.org/consumer.htm.
The site also provides an Eco-Smart Consumer Blog!
They Are Here At Last - N.C. Zoo Society exclusive collector's ornament for 2008.
This year's ornament commemorates The Year of the Frog.
The $24.99 price includes the member discount and shipping costs for this year's ornament. Click here to purchase
Handcrafted and hand painted by North Carolina artist Chris Gabriel, each ornament depicts one of the state's most beautiful frog species - the Green Treefrog.
Society members are also invited to adopt a Zoo Greentree Frog—Grace—as an easy way to help the Zoo build a conservation center for frogs and other amphibians.
To learn more about Saving Grace, click here.
Planning a Legacy
Protect Your Financial Future
Helping
others is as American as apple pie, and each year millions of U.S.
citizens make donations to support
charities. But are liquid assets the best option
for every charitable giving situation?
More
Little by Little: An Endowment Plan Can Make a Big Impact
In a year facing economic instability, you may find it difficult to give as your heart desires. Thankfully you can make a gift that will make a lasting difference.
More
The Best Is Yet to Come...Will You Be Ready?
With
proper preparation, retirement can be a 30
year or more vacation. But, you need to prepare.
More
Russ's Blog
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
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.
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
Don't let the allure of Polar Bears alone draw you northward. Think, too, of the northern lights, a setting Midnight Sun, sleigh bells and tundra buggies.
Start Planning Your Wild Adventures for 2009
Journey to Costa Rica
February 18-29, 2009
A journey through tropical rainforests and down exotic waterways. The trip explores Tortuguero National Park and Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge.
The Wonders of India, March 5-22, 2009
Travelers will visit ancient temples, explore exotic cultures and search for magnificent wild Tigers.
South AfricaJuly 3-17, 2009
Botswana’s Tuli Circle and Kruger National Park, the grand lady of Africa’s wild lands, mark the high points on this 14- day safari across southern Africa.
America’s National Parks July 22 - August 6, $3,967
A 16-day tour, by motor coach, to America’s most acclaimed Parks—Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Arches, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon and Zion.
Whales & Wilderness Adventure to Alaska August 8-16, 2009
Slip down Alaska’s Inside Passage with Executive Director Russ Williams as he leads his fifth trip north to Alaska
For prices, and other information, contact sgee@nczoo.com or call 336-879-7253.
Send questions and comments about the Society Web site or Z-mail content to
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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.
