The Times They Are a Changing...
The Zoo's winter hours go into effect on November 1. From then until March 1, the Zoo will open at 9 a.m. and close at 4 p.m. daily.
And so are some of the Places
A small fire in a Zoo bus has left the Zoo short on vehicles to shuttle visitors between the African
and the North American parking lots. So, we are asking everyone to
enter through the North American entrance and hop aboard the internal tram to ride to Africa.
The African parking lot and entrance will reopen in the spring, and the
African exhibits will be open throughout the winter.
Individual exhibits may close on cold days, but when the sun is out and
the temperature is above 45 or 50 degrees, most of the African animals
will be outside for you to see and enjoy.
Punkins' Will Be Pounded
This October 31, the Zoo will continue its Halloween tradition of
serving ripe pumpkins to elephants, chimpanzees and gorillas. All three
species enjoy the treats—both to play with and to eat.
The
Smashing Pumpkin event is part of an on-going animal enrichment program
that the Zoo's keepers maintain for the animals. The enrichment program
adds toys, treats and activities to the animals' daily lives with the
intent of spiking their curiosity, engaging them in play and getting
them involved with their surroundings.
This Halloween, the
day's games will not be limited to ordinary pumpkins. All of the
animals will also receive some treat-filled papier-mache pumpkins that
have been crafted by students associated with the Asheboro High Zoo
School.
The elephants will get top billing for the day's
performances. Their pumpkins will be in place when the elephants wander
into their exhibit at 9 a.m. The chimpanzees will receive their
pumpkins at 9:30, the gorillas at 10 a.m.
The Zoo's Ins and The Zoo's Outs~
Giraffes, Baby! Tall and small and the biggest news of all.
The two calves made their debut on Monday and, by Friday, they were outside palling around with the zebras and ostriches that already live in this expansive exhibit.
Although the two youngsters look tall when they are standing alone -- they already stand at heights of nearly 10 feet—they look small compared to Julie, the adult that shares the exhibit with them.
Visit WFMY-TV's Web site to see an
On the Wild Side video about the new giraffes. (The same Web site has an earlier video about one of the N.C. Zoo's keepers brushing a Grizzly Bear's teeth. It is well worth watching.)
Click here.
Cypress Swamp - Six new American Alligators just moved into this exhibit. Also, the Swamp keepers recently weighed the big bull gator that lives there. He tipped the scales at 520 pounds!
North Woods Prairie -The Black Bear cubs are doing well and growing like wildfires. They last weighed in at 100 pounds each.
North American Great Plains Exhibit - Two female bison will arrive in November.
Sonora Desert Exhibit - Black-necked Garter Snake, Western Hognose Snake, Banded Rock Rattlesnake, Tiger Rattlesnakes, Banded Gecko.
Watani Grasslands - This exhibit is hopping as keepers work to introduce all seven of the Zoo's elephants to this exhibit and to each other. On different days, Tonga & Batir are learning to share the exhibit with Nikki, Rafiki and Diamond. On other days, the bulls go out alone. They are both in musth—and too charged up with testosterone to make good company.
The African Plains exhibit will lose two young male rhinos in November. Both are headed for the Peoria Zoo in Illinois.
While we will miss the young rhinos, we are eagerly anticipating the arrival of five new animals—four Fringed-eared Oryx (left) will arrive in the fall, along with a new Waterbuck.
The Zoo's November Calendar
Don't forget
Batology 101 Fact vs. FictionNovember 1 & 2 at 10 a.m. through 3:15 p.m.
Flock to the Sonora Desert exhibit During Batology to enjoy educational displays, games and a children's activity station that unveil the truth about native bats!
Zookeepers and educators will be on hand to answer your questions and feed your curiosities about the world's only flying mammals.
Both days will end with a public feeding of the Zoo's Vampire Bats -- and Yes! They eat real blood. Yum, Yum!
Closing for a Few Days
The Zoo will close the R.J. Reynolds Forest Aviary from November 3rd through the 7th and the African Pavilion from November 17th throught the 21th. These short time-outs will give Zoo staff time to undertake some extensive pruning and in-house renovations that will spruce up these exhibits. Both buildings will be back up and running better than ever by the end of November.
Who Went Wild in October?
An update from the Valerie H. Schindler Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
The following table lists the animals that were nurtured back to health at the Zoo's rehabilitation center and released into the wild.
American Robin (2)
|
Eastern Bluebirds (2) |
Eastern Cottontail (6)
|
Carolina Wren (2) |
Canada Goose (1)
|
Gray Catbird (12)
|
Great Horned Owl (1)
|
Hermit Thrush (1) |
Red-Bellied Woodpecker (1)
|
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1) |
Southern Toad (1)
|
|
Zoo Vet Wins Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr. Mike Loomis, the N.C. Zoo's Chief Veterinarian, was this year's winner of the The Emil Dolensek award.
Dr. Loomis received the award at the concluding banquet of
the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians' annual conference.
Among the most prestigious honors presented in zoological medicine, The
Emil Dolensek Award is reserved for veterinarians who make major
contributions to the conservation, care, and understanding of zoo and
free-ranging animals.
The recipient receives a $1,000 cash award.
Great Holiday Gifts
Hoppy Holidays
This holiday, consider giving holiday gifts that communicate your values as well as your friendship. Consider:
that will help the Zoo build a conservation and research institute to protect North Carolina's frogs.
Hand-crafted in North Carolina, this is a limited-edition, exclusive from the Zoo Society.
A gift membership to the Zoo Society.
We are packing a plush seal with this year's Holiday Gift memberships.
Check
back on this Web site in November to purchase a gift membership or call
the Zoo Society, toll free (888-244-3736) during regular business hours to place your order for a gift membership now. Your package arrives with a plush seal pup, festive wrappings, a membership card and a gift message that you compose.
Gift memberships are $7 more than standard
memberships. The additional fee covers the cost of the plush seal and holiday packaging.
Adopt a Polar Bear
This year's Holiday Adoption is a cuddly Polar Bear. The adoption arrives with a picture of the Zoo's Polar Bear and an official adoption certificate.
The proceeds from this adoption will help the Zoo expand its existing Polar Bear exhibit and upgrade the existing pool to handle salt water. These changes will make the Zoo eligible to bring in more Polar Bears and start a breeding program here.
Adopt a Holiday Bear and help us see the time when Polar Bear cubs frolic in their N.C. Zoo exhibit.
Looking for a way to Honor or Remember a Friend? Sort through our Good Causes.
Elephants of Cameroon
Cross River Gorillas
Helping Native Wildlife
Amphibian Rescue
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
Password For Members section of the Web site is: ribbit.
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.
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.
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.
Send questions and comments about this Web site or Z-mail content to
Jayne Owen Parker, Ph.D. at jparker@nczoo.com.
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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.
