The Akron Zoo has a new mascot: a river otter. The zoo will be accepting potential name suggestions until September 6th and a favorite will be chosen. The mascot will debut September 8th.
If anyone is going to the AZA Conference in Seattle, here is the information on the session that Pride of Africa and Wild Asia will be discussed. See links for details: http://annual.aza.org/profile.cfm?p...F04D-A206-2B64-F71125DEFC3D&xdetail&xtemplate http://annual.aza.org/profile.cfm?p...5F8D10B-F04D-A206-2B64-A48F47734394&xtemplate
If anyone is going to the AZA Conference in Seattle and you are going to this presentation, please post what is said about there exhibits. The greater ZooChat community and my nerves would appreciate it. Waiting for this announcement has been driving me crazy.
The zoo’s presentation on Pride of Africa and Wild Asia took place this afternoon here (morning in Seattle). I am very curious what was presented. I am also curious how much longer until we get an announcement. Hopefully before the chaos of Boo at the Zoo and Wild Lights.
This was the first time I have been to the zoo since Labor Day and there has been some changes. Not where I would have expected though. Portion of the snow leopard plaza is being renovated because the wooden trellis portion above viewing had begun to deteriorate. A new fence wall has been put up near the Wild Prairie restrooms. Nothing noteworthy with Pride of Africa, but there have been some work done. The biggest surprise is that the former burrowing owl exhibit (that has been closed off for at least a year) has been removed. Grasslands Café has been expanded. Three sets of service windows have been added. The entrance is no longer there. Photos from several of these projects have been added to the zoo's gallery.
From Facebook: We are sad to announce the death of our 14-year-old female golden lion tamarin, Ana. Ana was humanely euthanized on Thursday, Sept. 27. Ana has been treated for age-related illnesses such as cataracts, and most recently, chronic pneumonia. The latter caused severe breathing issues. After Ana stopped responding to treatment, the veterinary staff made the decision to humanely euthanize her. Ana was born on June 4, 2004 at the Woodland Park Zoo and came to the Akron Zoo in 2008. The median life expectancy for golden lion tamarins is 11 years, 6 months. Ana gained media attention in June 2017 when the Akron Zoo, along with Clear Choice Laser Center, Cleveland Eye Clinic and Great Lakes Veterinary Specialists, performed surgery to remove her cataracts. It was believed to be the first cataract surgery on a primate of that size – Ana weighed in at only approx. 1.25 pounds. The cataract surgery was a success, but Ana never truly regained her full eyesight. Akron Zoo animal care staff were able to create a special, modified bedroom for Ana and her limited eyesight. The keepers worked daily with her to train her to rely on her others senses, such as hearing and touch, to move around her bedroom. Ana’s brother, Rio, remains in the rainforest habitat in the Komodo Kingdom Education Center daily. Golden lion tamarins are endangered due to habitat loss from deforestation in Brazil. The Akron Zoo participates in the Golden Lion Tamarin Species Survival Plan (SSP) as an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility. The Akron Zoo also collects aluminum cans for Cans for Corridors, a program that recycles cans to replant trees in the Brazilian rainforest. Cans for Corridors was implemented by the Akron Zoo Chapter of AAZK (American Association of Zookeepers ).
The zoo has learned from the amusement and theme parks and hide teasers in the Boo at the Zoo decorations. I have photos and will post them later today.
