Largest Sitatunga Herd at Mesker Park Zoo

Happy Holidays from yours truly, Pico! I have several new sitatunga friends at the Zoo.  Read below to find out more! 

Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden is proud to boast the largest herd of sitatungas (Tragelaphus spekii) in the United States! This summer and fall, there was a population growth in the Zoo’s sitatunga collection due to our institutions successful breeding program. A total of seven sitatungas were born at the Zoo from late July through mid November, four being male and three female. These sitatunga babies all have the same father, but each have a different mother. The father was born on February 13, 2009 and came to Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden from the San Diego Safari Park, where he was born and hand reared. He is owned by the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore.  The herd is exhibited in the Zoo’s African Rift and can be viewed during all seasons.

According to Dr. Susan Lindsey, Animal Curator, “There are just a few institutions currently holding this species and even fewer with successful breeding programs. Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden is making an extremely significant contribution to the conservation of this species of antelope. Our ability to breed this number of females and produce these precious calves is made possible by the large natural exhibit that we have in place. The calves are certain to have an important impact on the future of this species.”

 Sitatungas are an African swamp-dwelling antelope and are called the most aquatic of all antelope species. The current 48 sitatungas in North America are managed by five participating Association of Zoos and Aquariums institutions. Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden boasts a total of sixteen sitatungas at this time and contributed seven of the fourteen sitatunga births in 2011. We invite you to enjoy these animals on your next visit to our Zoo.

Mother and baby in their exhibit.

Zoo’s Involvment in Palm Oil Crisis

Hello! Pico, here! I have some very interesting, yet startling information for you to read about the palm oil crisis and how one of our very own zookeepers has helped out the cause.  I like treats as much as the next toucan, but reading this will really make you think twice before grabbing your favorite snack! It makes me glad I have a freshly prepared toucan diet every day! 

In July 2011, Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden was excited to help sponsor zookeeper Jessica McCauley’s travels to Borneo where she witnessed the effects of palm oil farming firsthand. The trip was under the auspices of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums® Orangutan Species Survival Plan®. Palm oil is an additive widely used in food and cosmetic products. In preparation for creating a palm oil plantation, the rainforest is cleared by logging and then by burning. The resulting land is not fit for animals to live. Although the most recognizable species affected by palm oil is orangutans, all rainforest denizens are affected, including clouded leopards, gibbons, hornbills, tigers, rhinoceros… the same kinds of animals which can be seen during a visit to Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden.

 

The startling difference between rainforest and a palm oil plantation.

 Jessica also visited an orangutan rehabilitation center. The orangutans found there are mostly orphaned babies whose mothers were killed for trespassing on palm oil plantations. Normally orangutans stay with their mothers for seven years before venturing off on their own. The rehabilitators raise the orangutan babies in such a way that they learn the necessary life skills that their mothers would have taught them, such as how to climb in the rainforest, what to eat, and how to make a sleeping a nest.               

 

A 3-year-old female orangutan learns to climb trees at Sepilok Rehabilitation Center.

Two other conservation initiatives in the part of Borneo that Jessica visited on the Kinabatangan River are tree planting and fire hose bridges. The area was clear-cut logged 40 years ago, but thanks to some caring local people was starting to regrow. Jessica helped plant 80 saplings that will eventually fill in a gap in the forest. Orangutans are able to live and thrive in secondary growth forest. The orangutans and other primates of the area (long-tailed macaques, leaf monkeys, and proboscis monkeys) also utilize fire hose bridges that cross the river. These bridges in effect give them access to a larger habitat and increase their opportunities to encounter a large number of species of their own kind. This increase in space helps encourage greater genetic diversity in their populations.

 

Zookeeper Jessica McCauley plants trees in Borneo.

There is no easy answer to the widespread issue of palm oil plantations, but the important thing to know is that it’s not too late to do something. Consumers can avoid purchasing products with palm oil, writing letters to companies asking them to use an alternative ingredient, or support companies that belong to the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden wants to promote palm oil awareness so we can continue to foster the preservation of the Earth’s diverse species.

 

 

Supporting the American Marten

Hi, this is Pico here! I’d like to introduce you to my friend, the Marten.  No, this is not a friend from the Zoo, but a friend from far away.  We have helped the Marten and I’ll let Dr. Spriggs tell you how!

Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden Provides Veterinary Support for Marten Conservation
Maria Spriggs, DVM

The American marten is a small but fierce carnivore belonging to the weasel family.  It weighs about 1.5 pounds, has a unique yellow marking on its chest, and lives in pine forests of the Upper Midwest.  Although many people have never heard of a marten, it is a “species of concern” in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan and an important indicator of forest quality according to the US Fish and Wildlife Service.  In fact, the US Forest Service and Michigan Department of Natural Resources have requested research to be done to learn more about the status of marten in Michigan in order to better manage the forests.

And this is where Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden comes in….We have collaborated with the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians in Manistee, MI and Grand Valley State University (GVSU) in Grand Rapids, MI to study the marten population in the Manistee National Forest in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan.  The marten is a culturally significant clan species to members of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, and it continues to be an important furbearer species for tribal members in Michigan. 

Marten populations across the upper Midwest have declined during the 20th century due to habitat loss and excessive trapping.  Some marten were re-introduced into the Manistee National Forest in the mid 1980’s, but little or no follow-up research has been done on the population numbers, habitat, and health of these marten. 

Mesker Park Zoo’s staff veterinarian, Maria Spriggs, and zoo director, Amos Morris, travelled to the Manistee National Forest for the initial pilot project in 2011, and Dr. Spriggs will return in January 2012 for the next trapping session.  The team will use snowmobiles to get into the forest to set and monitor traps, hoping to capture 20 martens.  They will bring them back to a heated truck where Dr. Spriggs will sedate the martens using a portable anesthetic machine.  They will collect blood samples, fecal and fur samples, weights and measurements, and place a radiocollar on each marten.  Biologists will track the martens for the next year and a half.  When the project is complete, the team will trap the martens again to remove the collars.  The results of this research will be critical if future reintroductions of marten are considered.  In this way, the Zoo is gaining a reputation as a consistent and significant partner in wildlife conservation.

Wildlife research often takes place without the expertise of a veterinarian.  However, due to the vulnerable nature of these animals, the Little River Band and GVSU wildlife professionals sought out Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden to provide the most modern techniques in wildlife anesthesia.  This is an important way in which the Zoo can support wildlife conservation in situ.

Lonely Lemurs Find Love at Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden

Jerry & Camille

No one likes to be alone, and Jerry was no exception.  Jerry, a ring-tailed lemur at Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden, had lost his companion in mid-April.  Since lemurs are a very social species, Animal Curator, Dr. Sue Lindsey, immediately began looking for a companion for Jerry.  

Ring-tailed lemurs are endangered animals, so their populations in accredited zoos are managed by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums through the Species Survival Plan (SSP).  An SSP is something like match.com for zoo animals.  Through the SSP, Dr. Lindsey learned of a lone female “Camille” at the Tautphas Park Zoo in Idaho Falls, Idaho. 

Camille, about 10 years old, was described as very sociable and easy going.  She had been ousted by her group at Tautphas Park Zoo after another female gave birth.   Her keepers tried several times to reincorporate her in the colony.  Even though this group included some of her grown offspring, they were not successful.  By the time Dr. Lindsey called, Camille had been alone for two months.

 Camille arrived at Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden in June and was found to be in good health.  After a short quarantine period, she was introduced to “Jerry”.  While we can’t say it was love at first sight, they immediately began to groom one another—a very good sign.  Initially, Camille was timid about going out on exhibit, hesitating in the doorway of her indoor living area.  Jerry began moving back and forth repeatedly from the outside exhibit to where Camille would linger, or step just inside her indoor living area, presumably to encourage her to come outside.  

Camille has now ventured out and their keepers report they are eating well and enjoying each other’s company.  This companionship pairing appears to be a wonderful solution for two lonely lemurs.

Great Prizes for ZooFari Winners!

Dennis Jon Bailey appears to be ready for ZooFari!

WIKY’s Dennis Jon Bailey is getting into the ZooFari spirit, are you? Don’t forget to purchase your ZooFari tickets now at www.meskerparkzoo.com! A morning or evening of fun and great prizes await! The grand prize for the Kid/Parent Hunt presented by Deaconess Riley Children’s Service is a game table donated by Escalade Sports.  The grand prize for the Adult Hunt presented by Fifth Third Bank is a drive away vacation and gas money from Heritage Federal Credit Union.  Get your team together today! LOTS of fun ZooFari prizes could be yours!

Look at all of the prizes you can win!

 

Special ZooFari Offer for Pico’s Followers!

 

 Special Rate for ZooFari for Families

Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden

We would like to extend a special offer to all followers of Pico’s Weblog —2 for 1 admission to ZooFari for Families on Saturday, August 20!  To take advantage of this special offer, you must call (812) 435-6143 ext. 407 or 422, and mention that you heard about this offer on Pico’s Weblog.  Please read below for more details!!

 Grab your budding explorer and come to Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden for a day of fun. You and your junior partner will be treated to an exciting quest to solve zoo-related puzzles and riddles and earn cool prizes—and you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch and animal visits too.

 How Does it Work?  Each team will answer a clue or riddle at each of 11 locations around the Zoo.  There will be a set time limit to answer all clues.  Once the clues are answered or the time has run out, all clue books will be turned in.  At this time, all participants will eat lunch and the winners will be announced. 

 Grand Prize: Sports Table from Escalade Sports valued at $700.   Prizes for other top finishing teams, and prize for Best Team Name/Costume.  Prizes include gift cards, movie passes, stuffed animals, games, toys and more!

 Ticket includes:  Admission to the zoo, lunch, party favors for each child, adopt an animal opportunities, and visits from some special animal friends.  A drink cart will be on grounds to keep you cool.  Special ticket price is $20 for a team of 2.

 Suggested ages:  Children ages 7-11.  Every child must be accompanied by at least one adult.

 Team registration/orientation: 9:30 at the Fountain Plaza by the Front Gate. 

Proceeds to benefit the Zoo’s new reptile exhibit!

Don’t forget Zoofari for Adults.  Check meskerparkzoo.com for details!!

Zoo Employee Receives a Special Delivery

Mary Meier, Education Assistant at Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden, received a hand delivered surprise from the Galapagos on Friday, July 8. While touring the Galapagos just days before, Steve Bohleber, a local attorney, Evansville Parks Board President, and Zoo Docent paid a visit to Post Office Bay on the island of Floreana. While there, Bohleber was searching through the many postcards left for friends and family by travelers at Post Office Bay. Knowing Bohleber was from Indiana, a fellow tourist asked what city he was from. When Bohleber told him he was from Evansville, the other tourist handed him a postcard. Not only was this postcard for Meier, someone Bohleber knew quite well, it was also written by another person associated with the Zoo. Morgan Hirsch, a volunteer in the ZooTeen program, coordinated by Meier, sent the postcard while traveling with his family the prior week. Delighted by the find, Bohleber carried the postcard back from the Galapagos and surprised Meier and Hirsch by the speedy delivery service. Meier said she was very touched to know that one of her ZooTeens was thinking of her while he was on vacation.

Over 200 years ago, a barrel was placed above the beach of what later became known as Post Office Bay. In the early days, whalers and sailors in that area of the Pacific put out a barrel to be used as a post office box by passing travelers. This custom allowed sailors to not only communicate with each other as their travels took them near the Galapagos, but also allowed for communication with loved ones back home, as sailors were encouraged to search the letters and deliver them to the recipients if their travels took them close by. Today, visitors are encouraged to leave postcards and search for those close to their homes and personally deliver them, in much the same way that the whalers did hundreds of years ago. Native Ecuadorians joke that this system is more reliable and faster than the country’s postal service. Over 90% of the cards are delivered, sooner or later.

Father’s Day is Special at the Zoo!

Father’s Day is this Sunday and here’s a tip….dad doesn’t need another tie! How about a fun family outing instead? Bring your father to Evansville’s Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden this Sunday, June 19, and he will get in free! Creating memories with the whole family is what Father’s Day is all about! Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden is open from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. All fathers will receive free admission with one paid Zoo admission. Visit meskerparkzoo.com for more information.

Zoo-Zoo-Zumba!

This Saturday, support Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden’s American Association of Zookeepers and wake up dancing! Participate in Zoo-Zoo-Zumba, an exciting hour long Latin dance workout. Cost to participate is $8 or $6 for Zoo members, and also includes free admission to the Zoo to either use after the class or save for a later date. Zoo-Zoo-Zumba will take place on Saturday, May 14 from 8 – 9 a.m. in the Zoo’s spacious entry plaza. Cash or checks made payable to MPZ AAZK will be accepted. In the event of rain, Zoo-Zoo-Zumba will be cancelled.

Created in 1967, American Association of Zoo Keeper’s (AAZK) purpose is to foster a professional attitude in animal keepers by encouraging them to become active members in furthering today’s zoos and aquariums. Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden’s AAZK does this by supporting local, national, and worldwide conservation efforts, and also providing funding for keepers’ professional development and continuing education. Additional support is given to the Zoo’s animal enrichment program and education department.

Bloomin’ Zoo Garden Festival is THIS WEEKEND

Wow, our botanic staff has been busy this winter! The 10th Annual Bloomin’ Zoo Garden Festival is this Saturday and Sunday, and we have a larger amount and wider variety of plants than ever before! Here are some of the rare and unusual botanic species that will be available for purchase at the festival. Bloomin’ Zoo Garden Festival will be held this Saturday and Sunday, May 7 & 8 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. As always, Zoo members are welcome to come early and shop on Saturday from 8 – 9 a.m. The photos on this post are taken by one of the Zoo’s loyal Bloomin’ Zoo parton. Create the same look at your home!

We are hosting a special Sneak Preview Party & Herb Affair for Zoo Members only this Friday from 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. This free event will offer an exclusive opportunity to shop early, enjoy live music, and sample delectable food prepared using herbs featured at the sale. Yum!!! No reservation is required and a cash bar will be available. If you are a Zoo member, you don’t want to miss this great event! If you aren’t a member, purchase a Zoo membership now so you can be part of the fun!

Please call (812) 435-6143 with any questions about Bloomin’ Zoo Garden Festival and the Sneak Preview Party & Herb Affair!