The snow storm left the Zoo's walkways white and slippery. The Zoo will remain closed on Monday, February 1.
One of the best times
to visit the Zoo is during a warm stretch in winter.
The crowds are small, the animals are friendly and getting outside again is priceless.
Valerie Abbott—one of the Zoo's outstanding volunteers— took this giraffe photo.
Click here to visit the section of her site on Flickr that tours the North Carolina Zoo. The photos are amazing.
May Day is the Last Day!
Sign up now to become a charter owner of a Zoo Society specialty license plate—
or you may lose the chance to own one forever!
The Zoo Society needs to sell 165 more license plates by May, or the Department of Transportation may deny us the privilege of producing a specialty plate at all.
Don't let that happen! Help us make this plate a reality. Sign up now to purchase a specialty plate and, with your help, we will have a fancy Zoo tag cruising the nation's highways as quick as a zebra's wink.
Click here to learn more about the plates and
here to purchase your plate online. Then
download an application form here to provide the Department of Transportation with the information it needs to match your specialty tag with your car. Thank You!
Animal Ins and Outs
Gorillas
Jamani, a bright, young female Gorilla arrived at the Zoo last month. She flew in from California—a former resident of the San Diego Zoo—and is adjusting to her new surroundings in quarantine at the Zoo's Veterinary Center. (All incoming animals go into quarantine for at least 30 days. By isolating the animals this way, Zoo veterinarians can ensure that the newcomers are not carrying diseases that could harm the Zoo's other animals.)
Jamani came here at the request of experts working with the
Gorilla Species Survival Plan—an AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) program that manages North America's captive breeding efforts for this endangered species. The
Gorilla Species Survival Plan has called for another young female to arrive at the N.C. Zoo later this year.
We will all be watching with hopeful hearts that Jamani settles in comfortably with Nikosi, the handsome male Gorilla waiting for her at the Forest Edge exhibit.
The African Plains 
A Sitatunga—a swamp-adapted African antelope—was born at the Zoo in mid-January. In this photograph, Dr. Betsy Stringer, a veterinary resident at the North Carolina Zoo,
performs a routine neonatal exam on the two-day old calf. A zookeeper is holding and warming the youngster.(North Carolina Zoo photo by Dana High)
Snow on the Horizon
Polar Bear keepers are watching the weather so that they can make snow for the Polar Bear when conditions are right.
Thanks to a generous Society donor, the Zoo has a snowmaking machine that can blow up a pile of real flakes whenever humidity levels and the temperature allow.
RJ Reynold's Forest Aviary
Three spectacular new species of birds have been added to the Aviary.
A pair of
Blue Dacnis have joined the Aviary collectoin. The photo to the left is of a male. Blue Dacnis are forest birds. The species ranges from Honduras in Central America to Ecuador and Argentina in South America.
To see the original and other photos of this species taken by Flávio Cruvinel Brandão,
click here.
The Aviary has also added a pair of
Blue-breasted Kingfishers to its
collection. This species is widely distributed in western Africa, where it inhabits forests all year and savannas during the wet season.
(The photo to the right was taken by Valerie Abbott, a noted photographer and Zoo volunteer. To see more of her magnificent photostream on Flickr,
click here.)
A third new, and equally colorful, addition to the Aviary is the
Eastern Rosella Parrot. This parrot species is native to southeast Australia and Tasmania, where it inhabits lightly wooded areas.
This photo was taken by Steven King. To see more of his photographs on Flickr
click here .
Join Us For Earth Hour
March 27 at 8:30 p.m.
We are turning the Zoo's lights off at the Zoo on Saturday, March 27, from 8:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. We will be out in the dark to show our solidarity with the WWF, The World Bird Conservancy, The National Honor Society, a host of other nonprofits and with cities and towns all around the world. Together, we are stating that we care about climate issues and that we want to support programs that are looking for solutions to ease the climate crisis.
For Earth Hour, the Zoo will turn off its lights, enjoy an hour's drop in its electric bills, cut back an hour's worth of its greenhouse emission and give the Zoo's friends a chance to take a long look at the stunning beauty of the night sky.
In hour of Earth Hour, will leave the Africa Parking lot open that night so that people can gather there with us to look up in wonder and show their support for the Arctic, the world's Polar Bears and all of nature.
To become part of the Earth Hour gathering at the Zoo, just
send us an email, tell us who you are and how many people will be in your group, and we will leave the lights off for you. Please park at the first parking lot you come to on the left and bring a flashlight with you to come to the Zoo entrance. Place red cellophane over the end of the flashlight that contains the light -- and secure the cellophane with a rubber band. Use the flashlight to find your way to the Zoo entrance.
Click here to learn more about this international event and sign in with WWF about turning off your lights for an hour.
Got a Beary Special Sweetheart?
We have the perfect Valentine Gift to make your feelings known.
Click here to learn more about this year's Valentine Adoption.
Update on Project: Polar Bears
The Zoo continues to march toward its goal of enlarging and improving its existing Polar Bear exhibit.
Currently, zoo staff is meeting with project designers as they draw up the Preliminary Designs for the changes. The plans should be available by mid-February.
The Society received two major gifts for
Project: Polar Bears at the end of 2009. The Society has pledged to raise $2 million for this expansion project and has raised $1.45 million so far. To learn more about this project
click here, or to donate to it, please
click here.
Hungry on a First-Monday in Randolph County?
Eat at Chili’s of Asheboro and help the Polar Bears at the Zoo.
Beginning on Monday, March 1st, 2010 and continuing on every first Monday of the month thereafter, Zoo Society members and anyone who has visited the Zoo can help the Zoo's Polar Bears by eating at Chili’s of Asheboro. Eat at Chili's and show a Zoo Society membership card or a Zoo ticket stub when you pay your bill, and the restaurant will give 10 percent of the gross sale of your meal to the Zoo Society.
The Zoo Society will invest the proceeds from Chili's "give back days" into
Project: Polar Bears, a capital campaign that is helping the Zoo expand and improve its existing Polar Bear exhibit. Chili's gifts will help the Zoo open up a larger exhibit for the bears and increase the Zoo's involvement in Polar Bear conservation.
Be sure to thank Chili's for being cool with our Polar Bears.
Travel 2010
All prices are based on double occupancy. Unless otherwise stated, airfare is not included in the quoted prices.
Adventure to India $9,995
April 8 - 21
Travel
with Zoo Director David Jones to visit Bandhavgarh and Panna and view
wildlife from safari vehicles and elephant back. This luxury tour
travels through cities, rural villages, ancient forts, temples and
palaces.
Click here to learn more.
Cocos Island $2,291April 12 - 18
Set
sail on the
Pacific Explorer to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site
that Jacques Cousteau once called "the most beautiful island in the
world." Lying off the coast of Costa Rica, Cocos Island occupies the
epicenter of the world's largest population of Hammerhead Sharks and
intersects with the ranges of 90 species of birds.
Click here to learn more.The Best of Kenya $3,495
May 31 - June 11
This
safari will have Giraffes eating out of our travelers' hands at the
AFEW Nature Center, and will visit the Maasai Mara during the Great
Wildebeest Migration. Other stops include Samburu Reserve, the Great
Rift Valley and Lake Nakuru National Park.
Click here to learn more.
Family Dinosaur Adventureto the Rocky Mountains July 3 - 9
Adult $3,195 Child $2,650Looking
for fossils at Split Rock, Colorado; taking a horseback (or wagon ride)
to the edge of the 10,000-foot Uncompahgre Plateau; hiking along the
"trail through time" to see dinosaur fragments from 145 million years
ago; and rafting down the Colorado River! A dream trip for anyone who
loves dinosaurs, learning and the wild, wild west. Led by a National
Geographic paleontologist! Fun for the whole family.
Journey to Ecuador& The Galapagos Islands $3,595
September 17 – 25
Join
Zoo Society Executive Director Russ Williams to visit Quito and the
Ecuadorian Highlands before boarding the
MV Santa Cruz to visit the
island chain that inspired Darwin's theory of natural selection.
Travelers can snorkel with Fur Seals; follow the antics of Sally
Lightfoot Crabs, iguanas, Blue-footed Boobies, Magnificent Frigatebirds
and Waved Albatrosses; and add an optional extension to Sacha Lodge in
the heart of an Amazonian Rainforest.
Click here to learn more.
America’s National Parks $3,967 (Includes air fare)October 1 - 16
Think about it -- a Rocky Mountain Autumn.
Travel
with the Zoo Society to see some of America's most breathtaking sights.
The tour visits Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Arches, Monument Valley,
Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon and Zion.
Click here to learn more.For more information, contact Stephanie Gee at 336-879-7253 or e-mail sgee@nczoo.com.
Keep in Touch!
Prefer to get your updates via Twitter? We have close to 500
followers who do. Go to http://twitter.com/NCZooSociety
to get our latest tweets and retweets.
Our Vet Camps are Back and Better Than Ever!
We have added behind-the-scenes tours and even more hands-on activities to 2010's camps—including first-aid training
for small animals (dogs and cats). Campers will learn CPR, and more,
working with sophisticated mannequins that breathe and have a pulse.
Veterinary
Camp - A fun place to mingle with the Zoo's veterinarians, our camp
counselors - all currently top students at N.C. State Veterinary School
- and other campers who share a passion for animals. To apply or learn
more, click here.
Day Camps for Students, Ages 12 up to 15
The
cost for day camps is $230 for Zoo Society members and $279 for
non-members. (Payments may be scheduled over two months.)
Want to Know More?
Find who is eligible and how to apply by clicking here.
Learn details about camp counselors, staff and facilities by clicking here.
Download a draft schedule to see how our campers will be spending their time.
Want to Apply? Just complete two easy steps:
Fill out an online Day Camp Application by clicking here.
Download, complete and mail in a Health Form for your camper.
Three-day, Overnight Camps for Students, Ages 15 - 18
Girls Only, 9 a.m., Friday, July 16 - 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 18
Boys Only, 9 a.m. Friday, July 30 - 4 p.m. Sunday, August. 1
Cost is $539 for Members $579 for Non-members (Payments can be scheduled over three months.)
Want to Know More?
Find who is eligible and how to apply by clicking here.
Learn about our camp dates, our counselors and staff by clicking here.
Download a draft schedule to see how our campers will be spending their time.
Want to Apply? Just complete two easy steps:Fill out an online Application by clicking here.
Download, complete and mail in a Health Form for your camper.
Planning a Legacy
If you have any
questions or would like to discuss your gift plans, please contact Russ
H. Williams at 336-879-7252 or at rwilliams@nczoo.com.
Check Out Our Monthly Feature Articles:
Will New Tax Laws Affect My Estate Plan?
It's
an extraordinarily uncertain time—tax wise, that is. This is the first
year in decades that American tax law repealed the federal estate tax.
As of Jan. 1, 2010, federal estate taxes are repealed for any deaths
that occur during this calendar year, regardless of the size of that
person's estate (state estate/inheritance taxes will still apply).
More
Now's the Time to Review This Important Estate Planning Checklist
As
the new year gets under way, now is the perfect time to take the
necessary steps to update your estate plans so they reflect any life
changes you experienced in the past year.
More
Use Your Will to Change the Future
Do
you hesitate to give to your favorite causes because you are concerned
about needing your assets in the future for you or your family? A gift
in your will, called a bequest, could be the right option for you.
More
3 Steps to Change Beneficiaries in Your Will or Living Trust
If
you wanted to name or change a beneficiary in your will, would you know
what to do? The process is actually easier than you might think.
More
Surviving the Loss of a Loved One: Estate Planning Help
Life
is challenging. The loss of a loved one makes it even more so. But
don’t let stress over your finances make it even harder—ease your way
through the tough times with these smart financial strategies.
More
Thank you for your continued support of the North Carolina Zoological Society. Send questions and comments about this Web site or Z-mail content to Jayne Owen Parker, Ph.D.
To unsubscribe from this mailing list, please email 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.
Last modified
01/11/2010 09:50am
