As there isnt a major thread for Oakland Zoo all news,updates,etc of the zoo please post below. Ginger the four year old North American river Otter gave birth to two pups a male-Ahanu and a female Tallulah both were born 15th february.
Oakland is the latest zoo to jump on board the "Quarters for Conservation" project. Just in the past couple of months Oakland, Greater Vancouver, Woodland Park and others have announced that they will all have tokens ready to be put to use for conservation efforts: The Bay Area's Oakland Zoo Kicks Off Quarters for Conservation
Oakland Zoo now has an additional 4 female tigers to join the 1 that they currently have, and the news link mentions that owning a tiger is still legal in 21 U.S. States. Ahhh, America, why are some of your laws such a joke? A tigers' tale: Oakland zoo rescues 4 sisters
I'm curious about the zoo's elephant breeding situation. Their last birth was in 2001, eleven years ago. Their two cows appear to still be breeding animals. Donna's last calf was in 1999, and she's currently 32 years old (two calves in total). Lisa's last calf was in 2001, and she's currently 35 years old (three calves in total). Osh was imported from the U.K. in 2004 at the age of nine. He's now 18, and hasn't even been used for AI. The zoo says he has out grown his holding in their current barn, so they are constructing him a personal bull barn. Hopefully it's equipped with AI facilities. I would think with a bull in the U.S. who's lines aren't represented there would be more effort to breed him. Does anyone have any information on any of this?
Osh apparently was quite a ladykiller back in the U.K. but is intimidated by the ladies at Oakland who are quite a bit older than he is. I think that his lack of interest in the ladies is a source of some frustration. I have no idea what their thoughts/plans for AI is, but things don't seem to be following the natural course that they hoped they would...
This link contains information about the new giraffe barn: We Raised the Roof: Oakland Zoo Unveils New Giraffe Barn
A new veterinary hospital recently opened up. Oakland Zoo opens new, state-of-the-art veterinary hospital - San Jose Mercury News
It's pretty nice, too. Apparently my camera isn't actually waterproof up to a hundred feet, so the only pictures I have are from my mobile. They're decent, but nothing like you'd expect. In other news, the Oakland Zoo has successfully gotten Measure A1 onto this November's Ballot. If successful, it would raise approximately $5-million a year over the next 25 years from Alameda County residents. I'm leaning towards voting yes, but this quote puts me on edge: I greatly appreciate what the Oakland Zoo has done for the four tiger sisters they opted to take in, but I do not want it to turn into a rescue center. There seems to be an unnecessary burden of martyrdom that the Bay Area's two zoos have shouldered. You can find the full text of the measure here. The San Francisco Chronicle is for it; the East Bay Express is against it; and here's the It's Your Zoo site the Oakland Zoo put up. Man, I could probably build an awesome zoo for a hundred and twenty-five million bucks.
Ballot Measure A1 did NOT pass. After fierce fight, Oakland Zoo parcel tax measure fails | Oakland North Apparently any tax increase in that county (or maybe the entire state of California - I am not sure) requires a two thirds majority to pass. In other words at least 67% of the vote. Measure A1 got 63% of the vote, which is pretty close and is obviously a majority (but not quite a two thirds majority). Opponents of the plan are calling it a major victory, but what world are they living in? The majority of the people voted for A1 and the people on their side are a minority. How is that a major victory?
Despite failure of Measure A1, Oakland Zoo to go ahead with California Trails project | Local: In Oakland | an SFGate.com blog
After a couple of weeks on getting used to her knew exhibit, Gladys, has finally been announced to the general public. Coming to us from the Gladys Porter Zoo, she replaces Nikko's mate who passed away last year from illness. You can read the full article here. There's an embedded video too.
Oakland Zoo receives anonymous $1-million donation. Full article @ the San Francisco Chronicle here. You can also read Oakland Zoo's press release here.
Three Spotted Hyenas have come from UC Berkeley! UC Berkeley hyenas decamp to Oakland Zoo - SFGate A marijuana-guarding caiman discovered on Tuesday by the zoo died today. Caiman Found Guarding Pot Dies at Oakland Zoo - Union City, CA Patch
Funny. The Chronicle said it was a five-foot gator. Now they've retracted that statement because he was "previously misidentified by authorities as an alligator". Guess I need to leave a sign that informs the authorities that my meth guarding tiger is a pure Bengal, not a Sumatran. Don't want the authorities confusing anything. Update: The Oakland Tribune is reporting that Mr. Mayar has been charged with animal cruelty. Caiman Owner Charged With Animal Abuse
Oakland Zoo to treat endangered California condors for lead poisoning | Local: In Oakland | an SFGate.com blog
Three new Meerkat pups have been born at the zoo. Oakland Zoo welcomes 3 new meerkat pups - San Jose Mercury News
