Thought I would start a new thread for the new year. Heres hoping 2014 is a better year than the disaster that was 2013. The recovery from the flood is well underway. The zoo is open again. And there havent been any penguin deaths in a couple of months so things are looking up even at the end of 2013.
Heres an article about Jake Veasey the zoos director of animal management. Its more about the zoo using him as a publicity tool then factual but still interesting. Compelling Calgarians: Fighting floods, saving animals just a day in the life of a zookeeper extraordinaire
Sad news out of the zoo today. Sparky the hippo gave birth to stillborn twins yesterday. They think the twins umblical cords had twisted and both were dead prior to birth. While sad a pair of rare hippo twins died, they would have been a massive boost to visits to the zoo much needed after last summers flood, its best they didnt make it. Sparky is Lobi's grandmother. The inbred babies could have faced a life time of health problems and the zoo would have been stuck with them forever because no one else will want hippos they cant at least breed occassionally. It wasnt an intended pregnacy so dont get your hopes up for more. They had Sparky on birth control and given her advanced age and Lobi's "immaturity" they didnt think it was possible. Hippo delivers stillborn twins at Calgary Zoo | Metro
Heres two more articles on the hippo birth. Each has a tidbit or two of info not already mentioned in the first article. Calgary zoo hippo delivers stillborn twins in surprise pregnancy | CTV News Calgary zoo hippo surprises keepers with delivery of stillborn twins
For anyone interested the zoo is hosting a breakfast with the penguins Feb 8th. Cool idea. Breakfast with the Penguins | Calgary Zoo
For those of you in the Calgary area a gala is being thrown Feb 8 in by a local business woman to help raise funds for the zoo. It is the third event this woman has held to help raise funds for the zoo. Sounds like with some of her auction items she could bring in some big bucks to help rebuild. Good for her. Calgary entrepreneur CorryAnn Struik shows heart with Valentine fundraiser for flood-ravaged zoo | Calgary | News | Calgary Sun
Samkha and Vasili, the Amur Tigers, are headed to Assiniboine this week. Sister Kira will stay at the zoo unti shes ready for a mate. Happy tails to you: Calgary Zoo tigers heading to Winnipeg this week | Metro
The penguin walk has begun again but is much shorter in light of all the penguin deaths last fall. And only a few gentoos are still under treatment. Popular Penguin Walk starts once again at the Calgary Zoo | Calgary | News | Calgary Sun
I believe you are correct. One did die of avian malaria or they suspected it did. Given the Aspergillosis in the rest they might have reexamined the death of that penguin and found it wasnt malaria. I dont know but you are right they did report one avian malaria death at some point in the last 12 months.
The zoo will be developing the Greater Sage Grouse breeding program in an attempt to save the species in Alberta. The birds will be located at the zoos off site breeding center which is already home to whooping cranes, burrowing owls, swift foxes and other species. They think the population in Canada could be as low as 90 birds, with only 13 breeding age males recorded in Alberta the last 2 years. Sounds like they are considering capturing the remaining population for the program to get as high a genetic diversity as possible then import any other birds they need from the US (whose population is not endangered). Endangered sage grouse target of Calgary Zoo breeding program Sage grouse breeding program to start at Calgary Zoo - Calgary - CBC News
The zoo has added breakfast with the giraffes and elephants to its popular breakfast with animals program. The elephants is a last chance deal before the girls go. Also part of the breakfast with animals opportunities are bears, tigers, penguins and gorillas. Giraffes join in on breakfast program at the Calgary Zoo | CTV Calgary News
The rhinos were already mentioned in the previous thread when the announcement was first made. Rhinos werent the only addition announced at that time. The original press release mentioned the arrival of the white black bear, Eurasian wild boars and Himalayan monals and the impeding arrival of a bachelor troop of mandrills, Komodo dragons (in the spring) and of course the rhinos. It all a really good start to the zoos rebuilding following the flood. A lot of work Im sure will go into the Eurasian section in the coming years as preparation for the arrival of the pandas in 2018 or possibly later from Toronto (cub dependant). Calgary Zoo?s animal family growing! | Calgary Zoo
A new red panda male named Dusk has arrived from Assiniboine in hopes that he will take a liking to Malika and panda cubs will arrive this breeding season. Calgary Zoo hopes for red panda cubs after bringing in new stud | Metro
Ok this isnt news but you all need to go to the Calgary Zoos facebook page. In the recent posts by others section someone has posted an amazing photo of a leaping snow leopard. It is such an incredible shot and fantastic timing. You really need to take a look it will bring a smile to your face.
Are the Indian rhinos a species brand-new to the Zoo, or were they displayed sometime in the past? And did Calgary ever have white or black rhinos sometime in the past too?
Yes, they did have a pair white rhinos from the late sixties. The male Duncan died in 1987 and the female in 1994. Another male rhino named Bender joined in late 1988, leaving the collection on October 6, 1995 to Racine Zoo (would you believe ..). No other rhino taxa were ever present at Calgary. So, as far as the GOHR is concerned it is a first for the zoo. It will be the third Canadian zoo with the species in its collection!!!
The other two zoos with Indian Rhinos are Toronto with Vishnu born to a Toronto owned male at the Bronx and Ashakiran born in Buffalo. African Lion Safari has a pair, a female Clover from Buffalo (Ashas full sister) and male Jiibito from San Diego Safari Park or Jaunipor also born in San Diego but coming from Miami if the transfers happened. In other news the zoo will be hosting a new Chinese Garden Festival in the fall in honor of all of their new Asian animals (and honestly probably in preparation for bigger festivals in honor of the Panda's arrival in 2018 give or take). http://www.calgarysun.com/2014/01/3...tival-will-brighten-the-calgary-zoo-this-fall
Help name the female penguin chick born last summer. Calgary Zoo launches online contest to name penguin | Metro
