Good News from the Rocky Coast
Willie, the popular Polar Bear, has returned to his exhibit at the Rocky Coast. Several months ago, veterinary staff grew sufficiently concerned about Willie’s health to take him off exhibit and move him into a mammal holding area near the veterinary center. While his prognosis is still guarded, Willie is better. He is on exhibit one day, and the Zoo’s other popular Polar Bear, Aquilla, is on exhibit
the next. Keepers will keep an eye on Willie to make sure that this schedule works for him.
Willie and Aquilla have a new neighbor at the Rocky Coast—a Bald Eagle. It is as big and beautiful as a bird can be and the perfect animal for visitors to see on the Fourth of July. This particular Bald Eagle was injured and spent some time in a rehabilitation facility. Because the bird’s injuries were too severe to allow it to make it on its own in the wild, the N.C. Zoo has taken it in as an exhibit animal.
Inside the Rocky Coast, keepers are looking for the Horned Puffins and Auklets to begin laying eggs (we hope) soon.
The Streamside exhibit has two new otters, one male and one female. They have adapted to their new exhibit quickly.
Recent Openings
Acacia Station is open and visitors can climb onto the platform for free, at least for now. Staff is continuing to train the Giraffes to approach the platform and eat out of visitors’ hands. While the Giraffes continue to learn, visitors can visit the deck without paying a fee. When the platform is open, keepers are there to answer questions about the Giraffes. The view from the top is phenomenal.
Currently, there is no charge to visit Acacia Station. When the Giraffes grow more comfortable with brushing up against the station, the Zoo will charge $3 for visitors to enter.
Sweet Honey Bees are buzzing at the Zoo, now, too. The
Honey Bee Garden is open and the working hive is working well. Another reason to visit.
Flower Power
The Zoo’s Horticulture Division created this cheery Sky Art during a recent Zoo-wide celebration of Plant Conservation Day. The staff sold T-shirts and arranged the buyers to resemble the face of a Rosy Periwinkle. Photographer Juan Villa snapped the T-shirt clad supporters in full bloom.
Funds raised from this event will benefit a Zoo conservation partner, Tooro Botanical Garden. Tooro Botanical Garden is located in Fort Portal, Uganda, in a region of Central Africa called the "Albertine Rift." Jutting down the western flank of the Great Rift Valley, the Albertine Rift's mountains, escarpments and valleys cross five countries and harbor some of Africa's rarest species and most diverse ecosystems.
The Tooro Botanical Garden will use funds raised by the N.C. Zoo to build a Plant Conservation Garden to protect both rare and endemic plant species growing in the region. The Plant Conservation Garden will include a First Aid Garden where local people can learn how to grow and use native medicinal plants.
Plant conservation supporters formed a Rosy Periwinkle for this photograph because this simple flower has given so much to humanity. Chemicals derived from the Rosy Periwinkle inspired miracle treatments for childhood leukemia, testicular cancer and Hodgkin’s Disease. The success of these and other medicines that rely on plant products (40 percent of pharmaceuticals use chemicals from plants) underscores the need to protect and continue to study plants from around the world. Tooro Botanical Garden will help conserve and study a bounty of potentially important plant species from Central Africa.
A few iconic Rosy Periwinkle shirts are still available for anyone who would like to support this cause. The pink and white shirts, which bear the icon show to the right, can be purchased by
clicking here. Proceeds from the sale of these shirts will support plant conservation at the Tooro Botanical Garden.
Tropical Plant Shows Blossoms at the Zoo
During July, more than 800 African plants will blossom throughout the Zoo's African Pavilion. The blooming is the second of three plant shows the Zoo is presenting this year. All of the plants in the July showing have African roots and many of them beautify yards and windowsills around the state.
An upcoming October show will feature African violets.
SPECIAL ZOO SOCIETY EVENTS
Boys only
07/17/2009
-
07/19/2009
Live the dream of becoming a Zoo Veterinarian!
07/25/2009
Learn how keepers train their animals and enrich their lives!
UPCOMING FUN at the Zoo
The Zoo’s educators have scheduled special programs for the five-and-younger set, Monday – Friday, in KidZone.
MUSIC MONDAYS – Programs get 4-5 year olds swinging to music.\
TODDLER TUESDAYS – Programs to get 2-year olds moving and grooving.
WATER WEDNESDAYS Splishing and splashing in shallow water
NATURE'S ART THURSDAYS – Geared to 4-5 year olds.
FREE PLAY FRIDAYS – Lots of playing for different ages.
Zoo Society members get a discount on many Zoo Education programs. To
register for camps and receive your discount, call Zoo educators at 336-879-7716.
Camps for Rising 1st Through 3rd Graders...Camps for Rising 3rd through 6th Graders...Overnight Camps for rising 4th to 6th gradersHerp
Hideaways, July 15-16. This program includes a night hike
and an overnight stay. To learn more or to register, click here.
Drive with Caring
Animals are on the move now, looking for mates and for food. And, young animals are starting to move, too, venturing out to find territories of their own.
Please keep their safety—and the safety of your family, friends and self—in mind when you are on the road. Watch your speed, especially when you are driving in neighborhoods or along secondary roads, and be mindful of birds, rabbits, snakes, turtles, frogs, squirrels, foxes and other animals that are sharing the route. Just take it slow and enjoy the ride.
unds raised
through this program will be used to protect native animals inside the
park and in North Carolina. Stickers are only $2.95 and are available
for the
Box Turtle (the official N.C. State Reptile), a
rabbit and a squirrel, and a
Black Snake. Size for each about 3 inches by 4 inches.
We have cute
Watch Out for Wildlife T-shirts, too.
Click here to learn more.
Travel
America’s National Parks *$3,867
July 22-August 6
Curator of Mammals Guy Lichty will lead this 16-day tour of some of America's most majestic natural parks and cultural icons. The itinerary includes Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Arches, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon and Zion national parks. The price covers 15 nights of lodging, 26 meals, 19 sightseeing tours, airfare and other taxes. Airfare is included but could fluctuate until final payment is made.
Destinations in 2010
Adventure to India $9,995* land only
April 8 - 21, 2010
Cocos Island $2,291 land only
April 12-18
The Best of Kenya $3,795* land only
May 31 -June 11
Journey to Ecuador
& The Galapagos Islands $3,595* land only
September 17–25
America’s National Parks $4,367*
October 1-16
May 31 - June 11
*Price based on double occupancy
For more information, contact Stephanie Gee
at 336-879-7253 or e-mail sgee@nczoo.com.
* Based on Double Occupancy, including airfare
** Based on Double Occupancy, and does not include airfare.
For more information, contact Stephanie Gee at 336-879-7253 or e-mail sgee@nczoo.com.
Planning a Legacy
Use Your IRA to Help Others
Don't
miss this second chance to make tax-free gifts from your IRA! Under the
reinstated charitable IRA legislation, individuals 70 1/2 or older can
make gifts to us using funds transferred directly from IRAs—without
reporting it as taxable income.
More
Giving In Tough Times Can Provide More for Your Heirs and Cut Taxes
Americans
today are anxious about their money. Their stock values are falling and
their 401(k) plans are so low that it’s hard to open the quarterly
statements. It may be the wrong time to think about charitable
giving—or is it?
More
What to Do After a Loved One Dies
The
death of a close relative is one of the most heartbreaking and
difficult events you can experience. In a time such as this, we hope
this list will help you navigate the important financial decisions
you’ll need to make in the first month.
More
3 Smart Ways to Support The North Carolina Zoological Society, Inc. on a Budget
With just a little planning, you can find a better way to help us carry out our mission.
More
Thanks to Valerie Abbott for the photographs of Willie, Aquila and the Honey Bee exhibit.
Thanks to Tom Gellispie for the photograph of the Calla LilySend questions and comments about this 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 Carolyn Parks at
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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