Tuesday April 3, 2012

We went to the Zoo today with the aim to hear the lecture, but didn't get to it.  A few thoughts on the lecture tho.  SO, the Zoo hosts a lecture about Bear Conservation.   Ironic since the Zoo seems to care-less about creating a natural habitat for its Bears to live in.  Leaving the Andean Bear Wishbone living exclusively on concrete for four years straight and a majority of his 25 year life this way as well.  Recently dying having not felt grass under his feet for over 1400 days.  

con·ser·va·tion

[kon-ser-vey-shuhn]  

noun

1.

the act of conserving;  prevention of injury, decay, waste,or loss; preservation: conservation of wildlife; conservation ofhuman rights.

2.

official supervision of rivers, forests, and other naturalresources in order to preserve and protect them throughprudent management.

Last night I read a tweet by the head of the Zoo Docents "Learning about Bear Conservation challenges in India."    What about the challenges of the Bears that live in our Zoo?  

Moving on...

Mama Wallaby w/ baby sticking its head out of pouch :)
See an earlier video of the baby moving about within the pouch :)
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKKuwFDKfCs

Sun Worshiper!

Courtship :)

Boomer! 

Kachina enjoying her bone and footies!

Peccarry tres!

Precious Walter :)

Tuesday March 27, 2012 - Another Rainy Day

Another Rainy day at the Zoo.  I actually like it because there are less people, and for me seeing less people harassing the Animals makes for a better visit.  There's always going to be something that bothers me, either visitor misbehavior or something zoo management related.  Today was no different.  

The TODAY AT THE ZOO sign at the entrance stated "Animals have access to the inside, due to weather."  Not noting an individual Animal, I would assume that meant all Animals.  Not the case.  I was specifically bothered that Elly, the Black Rhino, who is 41 years old, was stuck outside all day in the rain.  I went by her after 4p and she was eating some acacia and then went over to the door and just stared at it.  Awful.  This is a Senior Animal, who has given the Zoo fourteen babies and they force her out on exhibit all day in the rain.  Complete Disrespect.  I also didn't like seeing the new Peccary girls huddled against the fence in what looked like an attempt to get some shelter from the tree branches above.  These are new Animals, who came from Los Angeles (where it rarely rains) and they were stuck outside in the rain.  When I walked up they moved from the fence and stood about staring towards the door.  Gauhati the Asian Rhino was also stuck outside, and Walter the Stork who I've noted about his lack of shelter, is still of course, without a shelter and left to fend off the cold, wet weather day and night.

Elly "Can I come in now?"

 Peccarries unhuddled

Gauhati looking at the door

 Ulu has access and shelter

She was happily rolling about in her hay :)

Even the Peacocks wanted shelter

This was the third one I saw under a tree

see the videos here:

miss elly
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyOtvbsIGCk


peccarries
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY1wLHa4t04



ulu bear
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGHSNAA5Da8

squirrel monkeys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpHT0XMRo6c

Thursday March 23, 2012 - pt two

Photos of some fun friends :)

Boomer, male Emu
was right up front and hung out there while grooming his gorgeous feathers!

see the video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFRL1UBn6vI

Kiona, female Grizzly Bear 

(check how she's got a grip on her footies!)

female Pecarries, i love the one above where she's laughing :)

& the one below, one in a hole and the other beside it :)

(they one beside just finished grooming the one in the hole)

see the video 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CJl1cNroUo

Ulu enjoying her bone

Goober!  Enjoying a nice day in the sun!

Sunday March 18, 2012 - We are the Peccarie!

Will always miss my passed friends and with so many lately, every turn at the Zoo is frown invoking.  Thankfully there are still great friends to put a smile on my face and these newbies did just that.  New to the Zoo, Chacoan Peccary,  there are three so they are Peccarie!  I've seen them on TV, but this was the first time in person, adorable!   I took 100 photos of them exactly and five videos :)   These are my favs!  and the link to the video I'll post at the bottom of the page.  Enjoy these cuties!

They seem super friendly!  Came up to the barrier many times to make eye contact :)

peccarie the video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oNaSTCI3lo