March
March 28, 2003 - Zoo Celebrates Famous Pachyderm's 41st Birthday
March 27, 2003 - Zoo Otters Hit the Road for Spring Break
March 26, 2003 - Baby Red-Flanked Duiker is now on Exhibit with his Mother
March 25, 2003 - Oregon Zoo Welcomes Spring With Annual Rabbit Romp
March 20, 2003 - Zoo Launches New Pre-School Program April 1
March 19, 2003 - Local Celebs Kiss Zoo Animals for Make-A-Wish
March 14, 2003 - Portland Family Adventure
March 14, 2003 - An Affair for Bears
March 14, 2003 - Polar Bears Play Irish Tug of War
March 5, 2003 - Oregon Zoo Recruits New ZooAmbassadors
View releases from:
January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
ZOO CELEBRATES FAMOUS PACHYDERM'S 41st BIRTHDAY
PORTLAND, Ore.--Packy, the Oregon Zoo's most famous elephant, celebrates his 41st birthday with the help of zoo visitors, Saturday, April 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Several new events are planned for Packy's Big Day, including:
. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.-Keepers share their insights about Packy;
. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.-Keepers demonstrate Packy's training program;
. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.-Elephant herd shares in Packy's celebration;
. 1:55 p.m.-The "girls" (Pet, Sunshine, Rose-Tu and Chendra) deliver Packy's birthday treats;
. 2 p.m.-Packy enjoys his birthday treats and cake
. 2:30 p.m.-The "girls" celebrate with their own cake;
. 2:40 p.m.-Rama celebrates his 20th birthday (belatedly) with a special cake in the indoor gallery. (Rama turned 20 on April 1.)
The highlight of the social event of the animal kingdom occurs at 2 p.m. when keepers present Packy with his giant birthday cake. Packy's fans are invited to sing "Happy Birthday" while the prestigious pachyderm eats (or stomps on) his cake.
Packy's cake, baked by the zoos own Chef Paul Warner, is a 40-pound whole-wheat concoction topped with peanut butter frosting, apples, carrots, and celery. After Packy has finished his cake, everyone is invited to stop by the Albertson's canopy for a piece of the "people" cake. This is the 20th year that Albertson's Food Stores has created the 4' x 8' masterpiece that feeds at least 5,000 people.
Floppy elephant ears are the fashion statement of the day, and enhance the fun of dancing the Packy Shuffle. Visitors can meet costumed elephants Eliza and Elliot while they enjoy face painting and games, and the day wouldn't be complete without taking a moment to sign the BIG guy's birthday card.
Packy, the first elephant born in the Western Hemisphere in more than 44 years, was born on April 14, 1962 making international news. Gifts poured in, a song was written in his honor and a radio station sponsored a naming contest. Gresham, Oregon resident Wayne W. French submitted the winning name.
Packy is the largest Asian elephant in the United States; he stands 10'6" at the shoulder and tips the scales at 12,200 pounds. He is the father of seven calves, including 21-year old Sung-Surin ("Sunshine") and 20-year old Rama, both of whom currently live at the zoo.
Packy's Birthday Party is presented by Verizon SuperPages and co-sponsored by Albertsons and Rosey 105. Packy's Birthday is free with regular zoo admission. General admission is $8 (12-64), seniors $6.50 (65+), children $5 (3-11), and children under 3 are free.
Back to top
ZOO OTTERS HIT THE ROAD FOR SPRING BREAK
Last chance to see them in Portland is this weekend
PORTLAND, Ore. - The Southern sea otter family at Oregon Zoo will head out of town Monday, March 31. Eddie, Thelma and Oz aren't suffering from a case of spring fever as much as a desire to escape the spring-cleaning planned for their exhibit.
"Their exhibit and holding pools are scheduled to be repainted," said Senior Marine Life Keeper JoEllen Marshall. "We decided to let the sea otters stay with friends at Tacoma's Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium 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.
Keepers at Point Defiance's Rocky Shores exhibit are looking forward to hosting the Oregon otters, and have prepared an off exhibit holding space and pools for their visitors. Eddie and Thelma lived at the Tacoma zoo for the year prior to the opening of Oregon Zoo's Steller Cove exhibit. This visit Oz will be joining his parents on the adventure.
Marshall, Oregon Zoo Marine Life Keeper Karen Rifenbury and Oregon Zoo Veterinarian Lisa Harrenstien will accompany the otters on the trip North to monitor the animals. The sea otters will travel in transport crates, which they've been trained to enter and will have ice at their disposal to cool themselves down en route. The otters will have visual access to one another and staff throughout the trip.
"Ear plugs are a necessity for anyone riding in the transport van," said Marshall. "Eddie and Thelma began sounding off half-way to Portland when they moved here from Tacoma. It's an amazingly loud shrill sound."
Rifenbury will stay in Tacoma with Eddie, Thelma, and Oz to provide a familiar face and maintain their training and routine as closely as possible.
"I'm busy packing for the trip," said Rifenbury. "We're taking numerous sea otter toys and other enrichment devices, like puzzle feeders and car wash strips, which resemble kelp for the otters during their stay."
And one can't forget the most important element of a road trip-food!
"We're taking enough clams, crabs, mussels, squid, urchins, and fish to last the entire visit," said Rifenbury. "They each eat eight to ten-pounds of meat daily, or 20-percent of their body weight. That's like a 150-pound person eating 30-pounds of Big Macs in one day!"
Sea otters have little body fat and need the nourishment to support their grooming and feeding activities and stay warm in 50-degree water. They have a very fast metabolism and are fed six times daily.
When they return to their Oregon Zoo home, the sea otters' exhibit will have a brand new coat of paint, which keepers hope will prove to be more "otter proof." The scratches will be 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 have taken a toll on the exhibit area's paint and acrylic windows."
The sea otters will be on exhibit through Sunday, March 30.
Back to top
BABY RED-FLANKED DUIKER IS NOW ON EXHIBIT WITH HIS MOTHER
PORTLAND, Ore. – A red-flanked duiker born on March 11 will make his Oregon Zoo debut on March 27. Duikers are one of the smallest members of the antelope family.
“The calf is inquisitive and her mom, Garnet, is very attentive as the baby explores his surroundings,” according to Chris Pfefferkorn, zoo curator and American Zoo and Aquarium Association’s studbook keeper for red-flanked duiker. “The calf is nursing, and his weight is good,” he added.
Zoo visitors may have difficulty spotting the calf for the first couple of weeks because mothers often hide their calves away in a brush pile and only collect them when it's time to nurse. This behavior is the mother's way of protecting the baby from predators. Within three to five weeks, zoo visitors should be able to regularly see the calf.
While not endangered, the red-flanked duiker is conservation dependent, which means it has high enough population numbers to have a sustainable population, but it is threatened. Jentink and zebra banded duikers are the only two duiker species currently listed as endangered, but all duiker species numbers are dropping dramatically due to the bushmeat trade crisis in Africa."People are hunting these animals relentlessly for meat to feed their families," said Pfefferkorn.
Pfefferkron oversees the red-flanked duiker population management plan, which is designed to insure that zoo populations are maintained and also develop the zoo's conservation links to in-country programs in Africa.
Duikers are found throughout sub-saharan Africa, in wetlands, rainforests and heavy timber forest. Duikers are classified as frugivores. In the wild they browse or graze on grass, leaves, shrubs and trees, but the main component of their diet is wild fruits, such as yams, sweet potatoes and carrots. They've also have been observed eating carrion and insects, so they have a protein need in their diet, which is different from most antelope. At the zoo they are fed a variety of vegetables and a milled grain, which has vitamins and minerals that they need. They are provided browse, as well as insects like mealworms and crickets for a little protein in their diets as well.
This baby will stay with its parents between six months to a year. Red flanked duikers become sexually mature at around one year of age, so it will need to be removed from its parents before it becomes sexually mature to avoid inbreeding. Where the animal goes will depend on the population management plan and the needs of the population at the time it's ready to move.
See our Baby Duiker in action in our Video Archive Gallery.
The Oregon Zoo is a service of Metro. The zoo is located five minutes from downtown Portland just off Highway 26 and is also accessible by MAX light rail line. The zoo is open 9 a.m. daily. General admission is $8 (12-64), seniors $6.50 (65+), children $5 (3-11), and children under 3 are free.
Back to top
OREGON ZOO WELCOMES SPRING WITH ANNUAL RABBIT ROMP
PORTLAND, Ore. - The Oregon Zoo invites families to celebrate spring during Rabbit Romp on Saturday, April 19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The traditional candy "egg" hunt begins at 9:30 a.m. and is repeated every 20 minutes. Children age three to ten will be divided into five age groups with each group having a chance to find a "magic" egg, which contains a special prize. Other activities include a petting zoo, games, puppet shows, face painting, photo opportunities and a Mad Hatter's Tea Party by the Young People's Theater Project. The Oregon Humane Society will be in the Cascade Plaza with information about rabbit adoptions and to provide proper pet care instruction.
Toddlers age two and under can participate in a candy “egg” hunt organized especially for them.
Zoo animals will also celebrate Rabbit Romp with special Easter-themed enrichment. At 10:30 a.m., polar bears will receive large wooden crates (“Easter Baskets”) filled with hay and watermelon-sized plastic eggs. Once the polar bears find their pastel-colored eggs, they are sure to play catch with them and may even take them underwater as visitors watch. In addition, the zoo’s elephants will receive special Easter-themed surprises at 11:30 a.m.
The Oregon Zoo is internationally renowned for its enrichment programs, which provide animals the opportunity to play, hunt and forage as they would in the wild. The zoo is always looking for innovative way to keep the animals engaged.
Rabbit Romp is free with regular zoo admission. General admission is $8 (12-64), seniors $6.50 (65+), children $5 (3-11), and children under 3 are free. Rabbit Romp is co-sponsored by Safeway and Rosey 105.
Back to top
ZOO LAUNCHES NEW PRE-SCHOOL PROGRAM APRIL 1
New Zoo Pre-School Program Explores Animals From A to Z
PORTLAND, Ore. - The Oregon Zoo will launch Animals A to Z, a new program for pre-schoolers and parents this spring. Each day will feature a different animal and includes a tour, craft, games, activities and a special hands-on opportunity with a touchable animal.
"Classes will focus on developing preschool skills, including number and letter recognition, colors and shapes, listening skills and cooperative play," said Rex Ettlin, program coordinator.
The program, which will be held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, begins April 1 and runs through mid-June. Two 90-minute sessions are available each day beginning at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Fees for each one-day class are $23 for one child and one adult and $11.50 for each additional child. Members of the zoo receive a discount.
For further information visit the zoo's Web site at www.oregonzoo.org, or call 503-220-2781. Registration must be received at least one week in advance of class date.
The Oregon Zoo is a service of Metro. The zoo is located five minutes from downtown Portland just off Highway 26 and is also accessible by MAX light rail line. The zoo is open 9 a.m. daily. General admission is $8 (12-64), seniors $6.50 (65+), children $5 (3-11), and children under 3 are free.
Back to top
LOCAL CELEBS KISS ZOO ANIMALS FOR MAKE-A-WISH
8th Annual Make-A-Wish® Penny Drive Concludes with Kissing an Animal at the Oregon Zoo
WHAT: The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Oregon celebrates the conclusion of its 8th annual Make a Million for Make-A-Wish® penny drive by having coin drive partners kiss an animal at the Oregon Zoo.
WHO: John Erickson and Tom Parker, air staff of penny drive partner K103FM, will do the honors as part of a challenge they created on air during the morning show. Local school kids visiting the zoo will be on hand to cheer for the two DJs as they kiss either a Blue-Tongued Skink, Rosy Boa Constrictor, an Opossum, a Madagascar Hissing Cockroach, or a mystery animal.
WHERE: Oregon Zoo, 4001 SW Canyon Rd, Portland
WHEN: Thursday, March 20, 2003 at 11:00 a.m.
WHY: Kissing a zoo animal will conclude the Make-A-Wish penny drive. Throughout the month of February and part of March, K103 listeners have been urged to support local wishes for children will life-threatening illnesses by collecting pennies.
Participants have made deposits at U.S. Bank branches throughout Oregon and Clark County, Washington to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Oregon.
This year, the penny drive has raised more than 9 million pennies ($90,000) statewide for local wishes. Donations will still be accepted at any U.S. Bank throughout Oregon and Clark County, Washington.
Great photo opportunity!
Back to top
PORTLAND FAMILY ADVENTURE
Pack the kids in the car and head for Portland!
PORTLAND, Ore.--Oregon Zoo, OMSI and La Quinta Inn are teaming up this spring to provide a low cost package that includes lodging and tickets.
Between now and the end of May, a night's lodging for four plus four tickets to either the Oregon Zoo or OMSI is $93, taxes and fees included.
Oregon Zoo is beautiful in the spring. The blooming trees and flowers are almost as much of an attraction as the animals. Animals are more active on cool spring days than they are in the heat of summer.
Spring events at the zoo include Bear Fair on March 22 (bring the kids AND their teddy bears,) Packy, the elephants 41st birthday party on April 12, Rabbit Romp on April 19, Oregon Safe Kids Day on May 3 and Celebrating Wildflowers on May 17.
OMSI opens its newest museum-built and designed exhibit on May 17.
" Moneyville" is a colorful, vibrant town-like exhibit that explores everything about money, from what it is to how it works. The interactive exhibit helps to build math skills and promote economic literacy in a fun, immersive urban environment. Explore how is money made, who invented it, and what it takes to make a million in the stock market.
Accommodations at La Quinta Inn include an indoor pool and free breakfast.
For reservations, call 800-531-5900 or visit La Quinta's web site at www.lq.com. For more information about the zoo and OMSI, go to www.oregonzoo.org and www.omsi.edu.
The Oregon Zoo is a service of Metro. General zoo admission is $8 (12-64), seniors $6.50 (65+), children $5 (3-11), and children under 3 are free. The zoo is located five minutes from downtown Portland just off Highway 26 and is also accessible by MAX light rail line. The zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Additional information on this event and other activities at the zoo are available at the zoo's web site at www.oregonzoo.org or by calling 503-220-3687 (recording).
Back to top
AN AFFAIR FOR BEARS
A party even Goldilocks wouldn't miss!
PORTLAND, Ore. - Do bears hibernate in the winter? Visitors will discover the surprising answer to this question and learn other facts about bears during Bear Fair, on Saturday, March 22 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the Oregon Zoo.
Bear Fair will star polar, grizzly, and Malayan sun bears as well as teddy bears. Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. many of the bears will receive special treats, including, toys, feeder balls, large barrels, and huge piles of ice. Other Bear Fair activities include stories, activity stations, and experiments that will educate visitors about the different habitats and characteristics unique to each bear.
A special Teddy Bear Picnic area will be set up for children of all ages to bring or purchase their lunches and feast with their teddy bears or other stuffed buddies.
According to Krista Swan, Oregon Zoo event coordinator, 'Repair-A-Bear', a special surgical mending station, will be set-up for operations, check-ups, shots, chiropractic adjustments and emergency patchwork "in case your teddy bear or other stuffed buddy needs a little extra loving care."
The zoo's costumed bear mascot, Honey Bear, will be making friends during her appearance, along with Smokey Bear.
Oregon Zoo is a service of Metro. The zoo, which opens at 9 a.m. daily, is located five minutes from downtown Portland just off Highway 26 and is also accessible by MAX light rail line. Teddy bears can ride MAX for free. Bear Fair is free with regular zoo admission. General admission is $8.00 (12-64), seniors $6.50 (65+), children $5.00 (3-11), and under 3 are free. Additional information can be obtained by visiting the zoo's web site at www.oregonzoo.org or calling 503-226-1561.
Back to top
POLAR BEARS PLAY IRISH TUG OF WAR
PORTLAND, Ore. - A game of Irish tug of war is expected to break out in the Oregon Zoo polar bear winter exhibit. In honor of St. Patrick's Day keepers will furnish the bears with green car wash strips attached to green buckets.
"Conrad and Yugyan love to play with the car wash strips," said Marine Life Keeper Julie Christie. "It's a great amount of fun for them, and for our visitors."
Windows in the summer exhibit will be decorated with green cream cheese, giving visitors an opportunity to see the bears up close, as they lick the windows clean.
Keeping in the holiday spirit, green ice treats filled with seafood will be given to Steller's sea lions, Julius and Gus. This will be Julius' third year celebrating St. Paddy's Day at the Oregon Zoo, but the festivities will be a first for newcomer, Gus who arrived at the zoo in December.
This is the third year that the special St Patrick's Day enrichment treats have been handed out to zoo residents. The Oregon Zoo is known internationally for its enrichment programs, which provide animals with the opportunity to play, hunt and forage as they would in the wild.
Oregon Zoo is a service of Metro. General zoo admission is $8 (12-64), seniors $6.50 (65+), children $5 (3-11), and children under 3 are free. The zoo is located five minutes from downtown Portland just off Highway 26 and is also accessible by MAX light rail line. The zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Additional information on this event and other activities at the zoo are available at the zoo's web site at www.oregonzoo.org or by calling 503-220-3687 (recording).
Back to top
OREGON ZOO RECRUITS NEW ZOOAMBASSADORS
Volunteers discover fun facts about lorikeets and butterflies, while helping educate visitors about the importance of conservation.
PORTLAND, Ore.- Do you enjoy butterfly watching and hand-feeding colorful lorikeets? Have you ever wanted to learn more about attracting local wildlife to your backyard, including birds and butterflies? The zoo is seeking volunteers to work at least one 3 1/2-hour shift per week from mid-May to Labor Day.
ZooAmbassadors will provide general animal and exhibit information to visitors, while spending time with highly-social parrots in the lorikeet exhibit and colorful butterflies in the butterfly garden.
According to Oregon Zoo Director, Tony Vecchio, "Being a ZooAmbassador is a great way to get involved in the care of some beautiful birds and butterflies. Our volunteers also make a difference in the community by educating the public about the importance of conservation."
ZooAmbassadors' duties include: talking to zoo visitors; insuring the safety of the birds and butterflies; monitoring the exhibit doors to prevent birds and butterflies from flying away; and many other duties.
There are many benefits to volunteering. ZooAmbassadors will meet people who share similar interests and values; receive free zoo admission and a complimentary train ride; have the opportunity to volunteer at zoo concerts; learn about how to attract local wildlife; and participate in training opportunities only available at the zoo.
ZooAmbassadors will be required to attend one orientation session. The orientation will be offered on the following days:
Tuesday, April 1, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Thursday, April 3, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 9, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Friday, April 11, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, April 19, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Upon completion of the orientation, ZooAmbassadors will receive ten hours of training.
The zoo is seeking families to volunteer. Children ten to 14 can volunteer with a parent, while teens 15 and older can volunteer without one.
The Oregon Zoo is a service of Metro. The zoo has one of the largest zoo volunteer programs in the country. More than 1,500 individuals volunteer more than 117,000 hours per year.
Please RSVP for the date of your choice by calling 503-220-2783 or e-mail
