April
April 29, 2003 - Zoo Sea Otters Return to Spruced-Up Exhibit
April 28, 2003 - Mom and Me at the Oregon Zoo
April 21, 2003 - Oregon Zoo Announces 2003 Wells Fargo Summer Concert Series
April 21, 2003 - New Survey Finds Children Want to Help Save the Environment
April 21, 2003 - Oregon Zoo Participates in Million-Minute Reading Challenge
April 21, 2003 - Governor & Zoboo Help Zoo Celebrate 2003 Earth Day Expo
April 21, 2003 - Bowlers Gather to Help Save Endangered Rhinos
April 2, 2003 - State of the Zoo Address Slated For April 2
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ZOO SEA OTTERS RETURN TO SPRUCED-UP EXHIBIT
PORTLAND, Ore. - The Southern sea otter family at Oregon Zoo return to Portland this week after a month-long stay at Tacoma's Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. The zoo's marine life keepers chose to send Eddie, Thelma and Oz on "vacation" while the exhibit and holding pools were repainted rather than try to keep them in an adjacent holding area. The grinders and construction noise can be stressful to them.
"Stress can adversely affect otters causing them to become agitated and over-groom.," said senior marine life keeper, JoEllen Marshall.
Keepers at Point Defiance's Rocky Shores exhibit were anxious to host the Oregon otters. Eddie and Thelma lived at the Tacoma zoo for the year prior to the opening of Oregon Zoo's Steller Cove exhibit. This was Oz first venture away from home.
The sea otters traveled in transport crates, which they've been trained to enter and had ice at their disposal to cool themselves down en route. The otters also had visual access to one another and staff throughout the trip.
Marine life keeper Karen Rifenbury stayed in Tacoma with Eddie, Thelma, and Oz to provide a familiar face and maintain their training and routine as closely as possible.
"Everything went well at Point Defiance and they were great hosts," said Rifenbury. "But we're all really glad to be home."
In the sea otters' absence, their exhibit received a brand new coat of paint, which keepers hope will prove to be more "otter proof." The scratches were polished out of the viewing window, as well.
"Sea otters are very hard on exhibits due to their pounding behaviors," explained Marshall. "Their zoo diet is as close as possible to what they'd eat in the wild and includes clam shells and mussels, which they bang against the exhibit walls and windows to open. The shells and their toys had taken a toll on the exhibit area's paint and acrylic windows."
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MOM AND ME AT THE OREGON ZOO
PORTLAND, Ore. - The Oregon Zoo invites moms and their families to Mom and Me at the Zoo on Sunday, May 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event, sponsored by Washington Mutual, Portland Family Magazine, 97.1 KISN-FM, and 105.1 The Buzz, is an opportunity for mothers and their children to enjoy the zoo and participate in a variety of activities.
Mom and family can visit the zoo's new babies and their mothers, which include a baby red-flanked duiker born in March and her mom Garnet, and a 7-month old Swamp Monkey named Bleu and his mother Dannon. Mom will also receive surprise treats and kids can play zoo games.
Washington Mutual will offer discounted coupons of $.50 off a childs' admission (ages 3-11) and $1 off an adult admission. Coloring pages will also be available at local financial centers.
Other zoo events honoring mothers include choosing the Zoo Mother of the Year for 2003 and bringing mom to the zoo's Mother's Day Brunch on May 11. Voting is currently underway for Zoo Mother of the Year. The three finalists for this special honor are Coco, a chimpanzee, Dannon, a swamp monkey and Thelma a Southern sea otter. An on-line ballot featuring photos of the zoo moms with short biographies is posted on the zoo's Web site located at www.oregonzoo.org. Votes from the public will be accepted through Thursday, May 8, 5 p.m. The zoo will announce the winner on Friday, May 9.
Mother's Day Brunch will be served at the zoo's Cascade Grill, Sunday, May 11, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The brunch buffet includes seasonal fruits, assorted pastries, scrambled eggs, potatoes O'Brien, bacon and sausage, omelets, French toast, penne pasta primavera, smoked salmon tortellini, spinach salad, bay shrimp and cucumber salad, fresh asparagus, and desserts. Cost for the brunch is $15.95 Adults (12 and older) $ 7.95 Youth (ages 3-11). Zoo admission is not included in the price of the brunch. Reservations, which are highly recommended, can be made by calling 503-525-4299.
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OREGON ZOO ANNOUNCES 2003 WELLS FARGO SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
PORTLAND, Ore.- The Wells Fargo Summer Concert Series at the Oregon Zoo begins Sunday, June 29 and runs through August. This year the concert series celebrates its 25th anniversary. The zoo's concert series is Portland's longest running outdoor summer music series.
This year's series will highlight 26 performances, featuring well-known artists such as John Scofield, Aimee Mann, Roseanne Cash with Iris Dement, Suzanne Vega, Dark Star Orchestra, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Asleep at the Wheel and the Afro Celt Sound System to name just a few. Performances will take place on the zoo's park-like concert lawn.
"Through Wells Fargo's generous support, the zoo is able to bring a variety of nationally renowned musicians to Portland," said Tony Vecchio, zoo director. "In addition to being a family-friendly series for the community, the revenue generated helps support a variety of endangered species, including ones found here in the Pacific Northwest."
Concerts will be held on Wednesday through Sunday evenings, with music as diverse as the animals that reside at the zoo. The result will be a series filled with an eclectic mix of folk, jazz, country, blues, salsa and world music. Cost for concerts range from $9-$22 and include zoo admission. All concerts will be subject to maximum capacity. Tickets to the $9 concerts are available at the zoo office on the day of the concert beginning at 4 p.m. Tickets to all concerts are available beginning May 16 at the zoo office without a service charge, or at Safeway TicketsWest ticket centers or online at www.oregonzoo.org subject to service charges.
Wells Fargo has supported the concert series since 1997. Last year the concert series attracted 72,162 visitors and helped generate $1.2 million, which helps support zoo conservation programs that benefit a variety of animals.
In 1979, the Oregon Zoo became the first zoo in the nation to host a summer concert series. The concert series serves as a means to generate additional revenue to assist the zoo in fulfilling its mission of conservation and education.
In addition to Wells Fargo, generous support for the concert series is provided by The Oregonian A&E. Concert artists can soon be heard on The Oregonian's Inside Line by calling 225-5555, extension 3350. A complete roster with Inside Line extensions and artists' biographical information can soon be found at the zoo's Web site at www.oregonzoo.org.
See the 2003 Wells Fargo Summer Concert Series for the complete schedule and ticket information.
The Oregon Zoo is a service of Metro. The zoo is located five minutes from downtown Portland, just off Highway 26. The zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The zoo is also on the MAX light rail line. General admission is $8 (12-64), seniors $6.50 (65+), children $5 (3-11), and under 3 are free. For additional information, please visit the zoo's web site at www.oregonzoo.org or call 503-226-1561.
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NEW SURVEY FINDS CHILDREN WANT TO HELP SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT
Senator Bill Bradley Announces Results of "Aza's Poll For The Planet"
PORTLAND, Ore.-Children worldwide want to get involved in conservation efforts, and most think young people are doing a good job of caring for wildlife, according to a new survey released today by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA), of which the Oregon Zoo is a member.
The global opinion poll asked children to share their thoughts about the environment and questioned them on who they thought was doing the best job caring for the planet. Sixty thousand children and adults worldwide responded to "Aza's Poll for the Planet" via the Internet or on-site at AZA accredited zoos and aquariums across the country. The Oregon Zoo participated in the national poll last summer by handing out thousands of AZA postcards to it visitors. The postcards encouraged children to go to AZA's Web site and take the kid poll.
"Children around the world have made their feelings clear," according to former Senator Bill Bradley, who is announcing the full poll findings on Earth Day. "Kids want to get involved and they believe they can make a difference and help save the planet. This is an exciting message of hope for all of us, and an opportunity for AZA to further engage the resource of children as partners and other energetic volunteers to make conservation work."
Key findings from "Aza's Poll for the Planet" include:
. 67% of poll respondents age 6-8 believe that Kids are taking care of wildlife;
. 82% of poll respondents age 6-8 believe Volunteers are taking care of wildlife, and, as respondents age, their confidence in volunteerism grows (ages 9-12 = 83%; 13-17 = 87%);
. 95% of poll respondents age 6-8 want to know "How I can help."
"This is first time an organization has polled children on such a large scale regarding their feelings on this critical subject. They want very much to work with a leader in conservation so they can help make a difference," says Senator Bradley. "AZA, by virtue of its unmatched collective body of scientific and educational work, is qualified to be that leader, and in partnering with young people, can help ensure that we will all be able to enjoy the rich diversity of species in our environment for generations to come."
A complete analysis of the poll findings are being released on Earth Day, April 22, 2003, in a White Paper directed to decision makers.
"We appreciate Senator Bradley taking our conservation message to the nation," said Tony Vecchio, Oregon Zoo director. "This poll reveals that children want to help save animals; they want to learn more about what they can do to help protect the environment and our wild places. The desire and willingness is there."
"More than 134,000,000 people visit AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums each year," Vecchio continued. "Unfortunately, few understand the important conservation work we do every day. "It's our job to help children find ways to participate in our conservation efforts; help them find ways to make a difference. I think we're up to the challenge."
In conjunction with Earth Week and the "Aza's Poll for the Planet results," the Oregon Zoo is hosting its own earth-friendly events, including the Race to Stop Global Warming and an Earth Day Expo (both on April 27), as well as a spring butterfly exhibit (opening May 24), which highlights the zoo's conservation efforts with endangered Oregon silverspot and Fender's blue butterflies.
The AZA was founded in 1924 and currently represents 212 accredited zoos and aquariums in North America. Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation, and your link to helping animals in their native habitats. For more information visit www.aza.org
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OREGON ZOO PARTICIPATES IN MILLION-MINUTE READING CHALLENGE
PORTLAND, Ore. - The Oregon Zoo and North Marion Primary and Intermediate Schools have teamed up to sponsor a million-minute reading challenge. As a reward, 35 students will visit the zoo to watch their principals Matthew Wilding and Regina Renaldi clean the hippo pool on Monday, April 21, from 10 a.m. to 11:50 a.m.
According to Kathy Kenyon, a reading instructor with North Marion School District and an Oregon Zoo volunteer, "Having our two principals clean the hippo pool has been a great incentive for the kids to accomplish their goal of collectively reading a million minutes."
The incentive helps fulfill the districts reading program, which asks students to read with someone for 20 minutes every night. Once a week, teachers tally the results and "water" is added to the "hippo pool" graphs found on bulletin boards in each school. Both buildings loudly cheered in celebration the morning of April 4th when they reached the million-minute mark!
One student representative from each reading class will attend the event to cheer on the principals in their cleaning quest. They will also have an opportunity to go behind the scenes for a first hand look.
Immediately following the cleaning, keepers will fill the pool and let the hippos out, allowing everyone to see the animals make their debut in their recently cleaned environment.
"This was a terrific idea!" said Tony Vecchio, zoo director. "If having these principals clean out our hippo pool serves as an incentive to get kids excited about reading, we're happy to do it."
The remaining 800 students, who were not able to attend the actual event, will watch a video of the hippo cleaning moment during an assembly. Vecchio will attend the assembly program and provide colorful commentary about the principals' pool cleaning experience.According to Kenyon, "Tony is completely committed to making reading fun for kids. He's been a long-term volunteer for the SMART program (Start Making A Reader Today) and has seen firsthand how kids' confidence can grow as they become good readers. We're so pleased he agreed to do this."
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GOVERNOR & ZOBOO HELP ZOO CELEBRATE 2003 EARTH DAY EXPO
It's a full zoo day beginning with The Race to Stop Global Warming and an appearance by Zoboomafoo!
PORTLAND, Ore - The Earth Day Expo 2003 will take place on Sunday, April 27 at the Oregon Zoo with a special appearance by Governor Ted Kulongoski and PBS's leaping lemur, Zoboomafoo. Sponsored by Bonneville Power Association, Green House Network, McCormick and Schmick's, NW Natural, Oregon Public Broadcasting, Oregon Zoo, and PGE, the expo features more than 30 local businesses, nonprofits and government agencies displaying earth-friendly information, activities, product innovations and samples.
"Earth Day at the zoo is always a fun celebration," said Tony Vecchio, zoo director. "Visitors will learn about many exciting ways to connect and protect our environment."
The Expo follows Portland's Fourth Annual Race to Stop Global Warming, sponsored by NIKE, Aveda and Toyota Prius. The race serves as a high profile forum for people across the country to express public concern about the need for action in regard to global warming-other cities participating include New York, Seattle, and Denver. Portland had over 1,000 participants in last year's race.
The race, which consists of an 8k run and a 5k walk around Washington Park and Hoyt Arboretum, will begin at the World Forestry Center and end inside the zoo. Alberto Salazar, a three-time New York City Marathon winner, will lead the race.
There will also be the chance for children to participate in a Fun Run/Diaper Dash around the concert lawn. Children can enjoy a guest appearance by Zoboo, the loveable lemur from the PBS television show Zoboomafoo. The costumed character will be available for photos and signing autographs from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The expo will also feature live music by Boka Marimba and Harmonic Convergence, and face painting, theater performances and various other artists. In addition, the event will feature great food, games and educational activities.
In conjunction with Earth Day, the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA), will release its "Aza's Poll for the Planet" results. Sixty thousand children participated in the world-wide poll, which found that children are concerned about the planet and are eager to help save it. The poll results also showed that children believe that zoos and aquariums are helping lead the way in saving the planet and educating the public about conservation. The Oregon Zoo is an accredited member of AZA and is working to facilitate a conservation ethic in children and adults alike. The Race to Stop Global Warming and the Earth Day Expo 2003 are just two examples of steps in that direction.
The expo is free to the public after zoo admission. Visitors who take the "Earth Day Challenge" can also receive $1 off an adult zoo admission and 50 cents off for children. The Challenge contains five simple action items citizens can take to reduce their environmental impact in a meaningful way. The five action items are:
1. Sign up for green power
2. Eat organic or locally-grown food
3. Conserve water
4. Volunteer for a watershed restoration activity
5. Commute car-free one or more day per week
More information about the challenge can be found at www.chinookbook.net/earth_day_challenge_OR_2003.asp.
The Oregon Zoo is a service of Metro. The zoo is located on the MAX line, five minutes from downtown Portland just off Highway 26, and is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. General admission is $8 (12-64), seniors $6.50 (65+), children $5 (3-11), and under 3 are free. To learn more about the Earth Day Expo, visit the BPA Web site at www.bpa.gov/earthawarenessweek.
Earth Day Expo Schedule - Sunday, April 27
7 a.m. -10 a.m. Race to Stop Global Warming
7 a.m. -7:45 a.m. Registration
8 a.m. Race to Stop Global Warming 8K Run
8:05 a.m. Race to Stop Global Warming 5K Walk
9 a.m. -3 p.m. Zoboomafoo in Elephant Museum
9 a.m. -3 p.m. Earth Day Expo
9:30 a.m. Free Children's fun Run (around concert lawn; pre-registration required*)
9:45 a.m. Toddler Trot / Diaper Dash
10 a.m. Race Awards
11 a.m. -1 p.m. Harmonic Convergence (on the stage)
*Must be pre-registered; does not include free admission for parents or guardians.
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BOWLERS GATHER TO HELP SAVE ENDANGERED RHINOS
14th Annual Bowling for Rhinos slated for Saturday, April 26th
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Hundreds of bowlers will hit the lanes Saturday, April 26th to save the world's endangered rhinos. Bowling for Rhinos, an annual fundraiser in its 14th year takes place at Beaverton's Brunswick Sunset Lanes in two afternoon sessions beginning at noon and 3 p.m. The Portland Chapter of the American Association of Zookeepers sponsors the event.
Bowling for Rhinos is a national program that has raised more than $1.7 million since its inception. Portland bowlers have raised more than $143,000 of that amount, more than any other city in the country. Money raised goes directly to three specific rhino conservation projects working to protect three of the world's five species of rhinos.
Bowlers raise funds by collecting tax-deductible pledges. The Portland event features door prizes and a raffle for a variety of items. Nationally, the top two fundraisers win a two-week trip to Kenya, and will be the guests of the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.
Lewa was the first rhino program supported by the bowling event. Two additional Indonesian programs now receive funds - Ujung Kulon National Park on the island of Java, a tropical lowland rainforest area home to the reclusive Javan rhino; and Bukit Barasan Selatan National Park, on the island of Sumatra. Bukit Barison is home to the rare Sumatran rhino and other endangered animals, including Asian elephants, tigers, clouded leopards and Malayan sun bears.
Michael Illig, a senior keeper and local coordinator for Bowling for Rhinos, noted that globally, all rhino populations are low.
"There are less than 2,700 black, only 300 Sumatran and less than 60 Javan rhinos left in the wild," said Illig. "While populations of white rhinos (estimated to be 10,400) and Indian rhinos (estimated to be 2,400) are more stable, they too are considered threatened. Saving all species of rhinos is important, but the most critically endangered species drive our efforts."
Oregon Zoo Director Tony Vecchio is pleased that the zoo's keepers and the greater zoo community have done so much to save rhinos.
"The primary mission of the Oregon Zoo is conservation," said Vecchio. "It's gratifying to see that our staff believes so strongly in that mission that they've devoted much of their own time and resources to this important effort."
Registration forms for both bowlers and sponsors are available on the zoo's web site at www.oregonzoo.org. Individuals and teams are encouraged to register early, but walk-ins are welcome. Additional information is available by calling the zoo's Michael Illig at 503-226-1561, extension 5275.
The Oregon Zoo is an accredited member of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) and is working to facilitate a conservation ethic in children and adults alike. Bowling for Rhinos is an event that can involve the entire community.
In conjunction with the Oregon Zoo's conservation efforts, on Earth Day the AZA will release its "Aza's Poll for the Planet" results. Sixty thousand children participated in the worldwide poll, which found that children are concerned about the planet and are eager to help save it. The poll results also showed that children believe that zoos and aquariums are helping lead the way in saving the planet and educating the public about conservation. The Oregon Zoo participated in the poll by handing out thousands of postcards to its visitors as well as linking its Web site to "Aza's Poll for the Planet."
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STATE OF THE ZOO ADDRESS SLATED FOR APRIL 2
Director discusses the year in review and future plans at the zoo
PORTLAND, Ore.-Oregon Zoo Director Tony Vecchio will deliver his annual State of the Zoo address on Wednesday, April 2, at 11:30 a.m. in the Cascade Crest Banquet Center. The State of the Zoo address is sponsored by Stoel Rives LLP.
Vecchio will discuss a wide variety of topics from the zoo's education programs to its national conservation efforts, including the zoo's recent acceptance into the high profile California Condor Recovery Program. In addition, Vecchio will provide insight on why he believes the zoo has achieved record attendance, despite difficult economic times.
Vecchio is expected to share his vision for the future and discuss what new exhibits visitors can expect to see in 2003 and 2004. He will also discuss the importance of continued corporate support for new exhibits such as this summer's butterfly exhibit, Eagle Canyon (opening Spring 2004) and Family Farm (opening Summer 2004). In addition, he will highlight some of the award-winning educational programs such as Zoo Animal Presenters (ZAP) and ZooTeens and thank the corporate sponsors of those programs.
More than 100 leaders of Oregon's businesses will attend the State of the Zoo Address and Vecchio plans to publicly recognize all of them for their outstanding support of the zoo in 2002.
"Corporations and businesses are important partners in helping us achieve our mission 'of inspiring our community to care for the future of wildlife,'" said Vecchio. "Their contributions are vital and help us create world-class conservation efforts, educational programs, special events and exhibits," he added.
Companies that have generously supported zoo programs include:
AT&T Wireless
HomeStreet Bank
KeyBank
McDonald's Restaurants of Portland/Vancouver
ODS Health Plans
Portland General Electric
Spirit Mountain Community Fund
US Bank
Verizon Information Services
Wells Fargo
Weyerhaeuser
For more information about innovative partnerships that can benefit both businesses and the Oregon Zoo, please call Cynthia Thompson, the zoo's corporate relations manager, at 503-220-5734.
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