May
May 25, 2004 - Media invited to preview zoo's Family Farm, July 9
May 21, 2004 - Zoo Reveals Close Encounters with Eagles
May 17, 2004 - Asian Elephant Celebrates Art Opening with a Zoo Party, May 20
May 15, 2004 - Zoo Celebrates Grand Opening of $2.4 Million Eagle Canyon Exhibit
May 14, 2004 - Zoo Concert Tickets Now Available Online and Through Ticketswest
May 13, 2004 - Zoo Welcomes Renowned Insect Conservationist, May 25
May 11, 2004 - Zoo Celebrates Wildflowers with Fun and Games Saturday, May 15
May 9, 2004 - After More than a Century, Endangered Condor Chick Hatches In Oregon
May 7, 2004 - Twist and Tilt on Ride The Himalamazon at Oregon Zoo
May 7, 2004 - It's Official - Elephant is Zoo Mother of the Year
May 5, 2004 - Portland Pachyderm Artist Paints for Patrons, May 12
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TRILLIUM CREEK FAMILY FARM OPENS AT OREGON ZOO, JULY 10
New hands-on exhibit is first in the nation to be run entirely by teens
PORTLAND, Ore. - Want to touch a Shetland lamb or brush a pygora goat? If so, visit the Oregon Zoo's new 18,000 square foot Trillium Creek Family Farm, opening July 10. Zoo visitors will learn about life on a traditional farm, while nuzzling farm animals like ducks, chickens, rabbits, as well as lambs and baby goats.
"Our new family farm will highlight all facets of farm living and the rich agricultural heritage of the Pacific Northwest," according to zoo Director Tony Vecchio. "Adults and children will discover what life on a working farm is all about-they can even shear sheep."
The Trillium Creek Family Farm will include a 3,000 square-foot barn, a 1,700 square-foot farmhouse, a farmyard and several animal corrals. The farm design was based on existing historic farms in Oregon.
"We're accurately replicating an authentic Heritage Farm as specified by the Oregon Historical Society," says Design Coordinator Pat Kaczmarek. "Heritage Farm designation means that a farm has been in a single family for more than 100 years."
Teen volunteers, trained by zoo staff will operate the new farm. The volunteers are part of the ZooTeen program, the zoo's award-winning youth development and education program. The ZooTeen program began more than 25 years ago and has grown into a program that staffs several hundred high-school volunteers from all over the state.
The farm will be the zoo's first ever exhibit run exclusively by teen volunteers. ZooTeens currently work in the zoo's pygmy goat kraal and tide pools in the summer.
"We're taking this concept even further, allowing teens to work in our farm exhibit all year-round - they'll feed, care for and train animals just as a zookeeper would," says Youth Volunteer Coordinator Mia Reager.
Trillium Creek Family Farm is a key component of the Zoo's Great Northwest Exhibit, which replicates several key areas of our region's diverse ecosystem from the crest of the Cascades to the Pacific coast and beyond.
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ZOO REVEALS CLOSE ENCOUNTERS WITH EAGLES
$2.4 million Eagle Canyon exhibit is the first of its kind
PORTLAND, Ore. - A bald eagle swoops down to a deep pool snatching at a salmon. Are you in a remote wilderness? No, you're visiting Eagle Canyon, the Oregon Zoo's new 20,800 square foot, $2.4-million exhibit, just five minutes from downtown Portland. Eagle Canyon is the world's first zoo exhibit to feature free-flying bald eagles, living with salmon, trout and sturgeon. The Eagle Canyon grand opening is slated May 29-31, 2004, and is a Rose Festival sanctioned event.
Grand opening events begin at 10 a.m. each day and run until 4 p.m. Activities include interactive games, such as:
- "Feeding the Forest" where visitors discover how eagles and salmon help maintain healthy forests
- "Who has a Rocky Start?" which explores the adventures and perils of life as a salmon
- "What's your Wingspan" where visitors compare their arm span to an eagle's wingspan
- "Build an Eagle's nest" where children can help create a life-size bald eagle nest
Other grand opening activities include an up-close visit with Chinook, the zoo's education bald eagle, and a visit with Rock E. Goat, the zoo's costumed character. In addition, visitors can test their knowledge of Northwest fish and plants with interactive games and "hunts" in the exhibit. Storytellers share fascinating tales of Native American lore, while ZooGuides highlight the featured animals.
Eagle Canyon explains how bald eagles and other species rely on salmon for their survival. Visitors begin their journey near a streamside where shiners, sculpin, newts, frogs and native passerine birds reside.
Nearby, a new conservation center gives visitors a peek at what goes on behind the zoo scenes. The center highlights the zoo's efforts to save local endangered animals, including western pond turtles, Washington pygmy rabbits, Oregon spotted frogs, Oregon silverspot butterflies and Fender's blue butterflies. Visitors glimpse daily activities, including animal feeding and weighing, and can ask zookeepers questions during posted times.
Walking through the underwater viewing area, visitors walk behind a cascading waterfall where they experience schools of shimmering salmon in a swift-moving stream.
"There are more than 100 salmon swimming in deep pools, along with several rainbow trout and sturgeon," says Michael Illig, a senior keeper. "Children can explore a bubble-which is inset into the pool-to get a nose to nose view of the salmon and other large fish."
As visitors walk further along the forest trail with old-growth trees towering above, they encounter cascading waterfalls. Children (and adventurous adults) can scramble up a hollow log, while intricate salmon sculptures beckon visitors to reach into the stream to touch them. Visitors move the salmon sculptures to and fro, giving them a clearer understanding of how perfectly streamlined these large fish are. A series of bridges span the trail, including a covered bridge inspired by historic bridges found throughout Oregon.
Near the covered bridge is an interactive watershed model. Here visitors can "be a cloud." The fun display teaches visitors how water travels from clouds to land and back again.
At the top of the canyon, visitors can stop and watch the bald eagles perched on a snag just 10 feet away. No netting or barrier separates visitors from these two large predators with their impressive six-foot wingspan. Behind the viewing platform, children can play in a giant eagle's nest and experience life as a bald eagle.
Several interactive displays can be found through out Eagle Canyon, including two video monitors with live-video feeds from a Cascades mountain site outside of Eugene, Ore. and a river site in the Columbia River Gorge, near Cascade Locks, Ore. The displays are designed to involve and educate people about healthy watersheds and native Northwest animals.
"We're constantly striving to educate the public about caring for local wildlife," according to Tony Vecchio, zoo director. "Eagle Canyon-with its impressive animals and state-of-the-art interactive displays-helps highlight the plight of salmon and other native animals found in our own backyards."
Eagle Canyon is an integral part of the zoo's Great Northwest exhibit, the most complex, multi-species habitat ever planned at the Oregon Zoo.
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ASIAN ELEPHANT CELEBRATES ART OPENING WITH A ZOO PARTY, MAY 20
PORTLAND, Ore. - Although the biggest phenomena to hit the Portland art scene has managed to get his work featured at the Mark Woolley Gallery in the Pearl District, he is unable to attend his own premier. Since Rama, the famous pachyderm artist, cannot attend his May 22 gallery opening, Oregon Zoo elephant keepers are throwing him a party complete with elephant hors d'oeuvres, belly dancers, and a painting demonstration by the master artist himself. Rama's pre-opening party is slated Thursday, May 20 at 10 a.m. at the zoo's indoor elephant gallery.
Rama, a 21-year-old male Asian elephant, appears to be a natural artist. He is the world's first elephant to combine a paintbrush with an innovative "trunk-spray" technique. His method involves collecting non-toxic, egg-based paint in the tip of his trunk, then spraying it across a canvas to create vivid, rich colorful backdrops. He then completes his unique image using a brush or the tip of his trunk. His paintings are reminiscent of Pollock's paint splatters and Miro's subconscious imagery. The result is an abstract creation with a vivid showering of colors set off with long, graceful strokes.
Rama's talent was discovered through the Oregon Zoo's animal enrichment programs, which are designed to stimulate animals and keep them active and mentally challenged. Dr. David Shepherdson, Oregon Zoo conservation scientist and coauthor of Second Nature, a book about animal enrichment, says Rama benefits from painting. "Elephants are very intelligent and creative creatures," he explains. "We want to give them every opportunity to use those skills." He adds that the elephants, particularly Rama, seem to enjoy their painting sessions.
According to elephant keeper Jeb Barsh, Rama's advanced skills are due to his being a young, bright elephant who seems to relish creative time. "It's cool to see how much Rama's engaged in what he's doing," says Barsh. "He has the right to walk away, but he doesn't." Rama is the son of the Oregon Zoo's original elephant Rosy, and the famed Packy. "Rama has always lived in his father's shadow so this is his chance to shine," says Barsh.
Thursday's party, which includes a belly-dancing performance, is a way for Rama and zoo visitors to share the excitement of the gallery premier, and provide the pachyderm with a brand new experience.
"We're always trying to add variety to the elephants' lives," says Barsh. "Rama has never seen belly dancers-this is a great way to bring the gallery opening to the artist."
The belly dancing troop, part of The Circle Dance Company is a Portland based ensemble. They will be displaying improvisational neo-tribal belly dancing for the pre-opening party, and the exhibition debut at the gallery.
Elephant enthusiasts and art lovers alike are invited to attend Rama's debut, which takes place at the Mark Woolley Gallery, 120 NW 9th in the Pearl District, May 22-24. The opening party, slated May 22 at 8 p.m., allows zoo patrons and Pearl District art aficionados to peruse more than 30 paintings. The opening festivities feature belly dancers, fine cuisine donated by Lamb's Thriftway, contributions from Full Sale Ale Brewing and The Valley Wine Company. In addition, Bethany Frame Central in Beaverton donated their framing services for many of Rama's paintings.
Although Rama won't be attending his gallery opening party, elephant keeper Jeb Barsh will be on hand.
"I believe that because Rama's work is leaving the boundaries of the zoo, his paintings allow him to transcend his world," says Barsh. "He's touching the lives of the people of Portland on their turf, in the Pearl District. He's become one of us-he's able to join us in the playground of the human imagination."
The gallery show is Rama's official debut, but he has sold his art before. His first painting offered to the public sold for $1,300 at auction. A portion of the proceeds from Rama's painting benefit The Oregon Zoo Foundation's Future for Wildlife program.
In addition to Rama's Pearl District gallery unveiling, other prominent figures of the art world have been recognizing Rama's paintings. Oregon Public Broadcasting is featuring Rama on Oregon Art Beat on Thursday, May 20 at 8 p.m. (repeated on Sunday, May 23 at 6:30). Portland filmmaker Patti Lewis has created a documentary and Oregonian Art Critic D.K. Row has featured Rama in his column.
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ZOO CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING OF $2.4 MILLION EAGLE CANYON EXHIBIT, MAY 29-31
Free-flying bald eagle shares exhibit with salmon for the first time at any zoo
PORTLAND, Ore. - A bald eagle swoops down to a deep pool snatching at a salmon. Are you in a remote wilderness? No, you're visiting Eagle Canyon, the Oregon Zoo's new 20,800 square foot, $2.4-million exhibit, just five minutes from downtown Portland. Eagle Canyon is the world's first zoo exhibit to feature free-flying bald eagles, living with salmon, trout and sturgeon. The Eagle Canyon grand opening is slated May 29-31, 2004, and is a Rose Festival sanctioned event.
Grand opening events begin at 10 a.m. each day and run until 4 p.m. Activities include interactive games, such as:
- "Feeding the Forest" where visitors discover how eagles and salmon help maintain healthy forests
- "Who has a Rocky Start?" which explores the adventures and perils of life as a salmon
- "What's your Wingspan" where visitors compare their arm span to an eagle's wingspan
- "Build an Eagle's nest" where children can help create a life-size bald eagle nest
Other grand opening activities include an up-close visit with Chinook, the zoo's education bald eagle, and a visit with Rock E. Goat, the zoo's costumed character. In addition, visitors can test their knowledge of Northwest fish and plants with interactive games and "hunts" in the exhibit. Storytellers share fascinating tales of Native American lore, while ZooGuides highlight the featured animals.
Eagle Canyon explains how bald eagles and other species rely on salmon for their survival. Visitors begin their journey near a streamside where shiners, sculpin, newts, frogs and native passerine birds reside.
Nearby, a new conservation center gives visitors a peek at what goes on behind the zoo scenes. The center highlights the zoo's efforts to save local endangered animals, including western pond turtles, Washington pygmy rabbits, Oregon spotted frogs, Oregon silverspot butterflies and Fender's blue butterflies. Visitors glimpse daily activities, including animal feeding and weighing, and can ask zookeepers questions during posted times.
Walking through the underwater viewing area, visitors walk behind a cascading waterfall where they experience schools of shimmering salmon in a swift-moving stream.
"There are more than 100 salmon swimming in deep pools, along with several rainbow trout and sturgeon," says Michael Illig, a senior keeper. "Children can explore a bubble-which is inset into the pool-to get a nose to nose view of the salmon and other large fish."
As visitors walk further along the forest trail with old-growth trees towering above, they encounter cascading waterfalls. Children (and adventurous adults) can scramble up a hollow log, while intricate salmon sculptures beckon visitors to reach into the stream to touch them. Visitors move the salmon sculptures to and fro, giving them a clearer understanding of how perfectly streamlined these large fish are. A series of bridges span the trail, including a covered bridge inspired by historic bridges found throughout Oregon.
Near the covered bridge is an interactive watershed model. Here visitors can "be a cloud." The fun display teaches visitors how water travels from clouds to land and back again.
At the top of the canyon, visitors can stop and watch the bald eagles perched on a snag just 10 feet away. No netting or barrier separates visitors from these two large predators with their impressive six-foot wingspan. Behind the viewing platform, children can play in a giant eagle's nest and experience life as a bald eagle.
Several interactive displays can be found through out Eagle Canyon, including two video monitors with live-video feeds from a Cascades mountain site outside of Eugene, Ore. and a river site in the Columbia River Gorge, near Cascade Locks, Ore. The displays are designed to involve and educate people about healthy watersheds and native Northwest animals.
"We're constantly striving to educate the public about caring for local wildlife," according to Tony Vecchio, zoo director. "Eagle Canyon-with its impressive animals and state-of-the-art interactive displays-helps highlight the plight of salmon and other native animals found in our own backyards."
Eagle Canyon is an integral part of the zoo's Great Northwest exhibit, the most complex, multi-species habitat ever planned at the Oregon Zoo.
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ZOO CONCERT TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE AND THROUGH TICKETSWEST
Oregon's premier outdoor concert series celebrates its 25th anniversary; tickets on sale nationwide
PORTLAND, Ore. - Oregon Zoo summer concertgoers can now purchase tickets through TicketsWest ticket centers at select Safeway stores. The Wells Fargo Summer Concert series features performances as diverse as the animals that live at the zoo-including Mary Chapin Carpenter, Lucinda Williams, Cowboy Junkies, Emmylou Harris, John Hiatt, David Byrne, Robert Cray, Indigo Girls, Greg Brown and others.
"This year's lineup has already been drawing nationwide attention," says Event Coordinator Krista Swan. "People have been calling from all over the country-from Florence to Florida, trying to plan their vacations around the zoo concerts."
<-- John Hiatt will perform with Lucinda Williams on Friday, July 23.
In 1979, the Oregon Zoo became the first zoo in the nation to host a summer concert series. Since then, the series has become one of the top outdoor venues in the Northwest, and is the region's longest-running outdoor series. A portion of concert proceeds helps support the zoo's extensive conservation and education programs
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the concert series, the zoo's popular birds of prey will fly over the concert lawn shortly before the premium performances. In addition, guests can pre-order gourmet picnics, and reserve spots on the concert lawn.
The zoo's concert series is a favorite among both animal lovers and music enthusiasts.
According to Swan, "Concertgoers not only get the unique experience of enjoying the performance alongside the elephants, they have the opportunity to tour the entire zoo before settling in for a great night of music."
By purchasing your tickets through TicketsWest (1-800-992-TIXX and Safeway outlets), zoo concertgoers can help save endangered California condors by adding $1 to their ticket price. The zoo is breeding rare condors for release back into the wild. In May the zoo welcomed its first condor chick hatched in Oregon in more than a century. Still, the zoo must raise $500,000 to build its flight nursery-an investment crucial to prepare these impressive birds for the wild.
Concert tickets are also available at the Oregon Zoo's reception office (no phone calls please) with no service charge.
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ZOO WELCOMES RENOWNED INSECT CONSERVATIONIST, MAY 25
Scientist reveals how critical bees and other pollinators are to world's food supply
PORTLAND, ORE - The Oregon Zoo welcomes Dr. Steven Buchmann, renowned entomologist, as the final speaker in the Wildlife Conservation Lecture series on Tuesday, May 25 at 7 p.m. Buchmann has worked with honey bees, native bees and other pollinators for three decades. Buchmann's lecture, which is sponsored by Pro Photo Supply with support from Portland General Electric and Southwest Airlines, will highlight his work with stingless bees and traditional, sustainable Mayan beekeeping as a model for rainforest conservation.
"What many people do not realize is just how important these tiny animals are to our survival," says Buchmann. "The unique relationships between plants and native bees highlight the mysterious but vital links among people, plants, and pollinators."
Buchmann has authored four books, including the best-selling non-fiction The Forgotten Pollinators and more than 150 scientific articles. He was a co-founder of The Forgotten Pollinators Campaign, and most recently, he co-authored the Pollinator Conservation Handbook published by the Xerces Society of Portland, Oregon.
"The importance of pollinators is often overlooked," says Zoo Director Tony Vecchio. "Pollinators are essential for plant growth, and healthy plant life is critical to the entire planet. We're very excited for Dr. Buchmann to share his knowledge about the role of pollination in maintaining a healthy, productive ecosystem."
Buchmann is also the founder and president of The Bee Works-an environmental consulting company in Tucson, Arizona, professor of entomology at University of Arizona, and a research associate at the American Museum of Natural History in New York and the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Buchmann has been an active participant in creating international laws and suggesting conservation strategies for pollinators and their plants.
"Steve Buchmann is one of the first scientists to draw attention to declines in pollinators and their critical link to healthy ecosystems-and our food supply," said Scott Hoffman Black, Executive Director of the Xerces Society. "His is an important voice on this important issue."
With a goal of spreading awareness about sustainable beekeeping, Buchmann was Associate Producer of the TBS nature documentary "Pollinators in Peril," hosted by Peter Fonda, and is a frequent guest on National Public Radio broadcasts and the PBS television program "The Desert Speaks."
This is the final lecture of the 2004 Wildlife Conservation Lecture Series. The lecture, hosted by Oregon Zoo, Audubon Society of Portland and Xerces Society, will be held in the Oregon Zoo's Cascade Crest Banquet Center. Cost for the lecture is: $10 general admission, $8 for members of host organizations, students and seniors. For more information, visit the zoo's Web site at www.oregonzoo.org or call 503-226-1561.
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ZOO CELEBRATES WILDFLOWERS WITH FUN AND GAMES SATURDAY, MAY 15
PORTLAND, Ore. - The Oregon Zoo will showcase Oregon wildflowers and their part within the web of life during Celebrating Wildflowers May 15 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. The event, which is sponsored by the Bureau of Land Management, offers an opportunity to see the interdependence of plants and wildlife throughout Oregon while engaging in fun, family activities.
Special activities include craft making, seed planting and face painting. Children can play the Flower Game, where they dress like butterflies and bees, carrying "pollen" balls from flower to flower. Adults can take advantage of on site experts who will demonstrate how to attract butterflies and other pollinators by planting native flowers.
"Wildflowers and other native plants are critical to a healthy ecosystem," says Tony Vecchio, Oregon Zoo director. "Their vital role is often taken for granted. This event, while involving people with conservation programs, highlights the importance of wildflowers in ways that are fun and exciting for both children and adults."
Celebrating Wildflowers is an annual event that emphasizes the importance of conservation and management of native plants and their habitats. The event highlights the aesthetic, recreational, biological, medicinal, and economic values of wildflowers.
For more information about Celebrating Wildflowers nationwide, visit www.nps.gov/plants/cw/. Celebrating Wildflowers is free with zoo admission.
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AFTER MORE THAN A CENTURY, ENDANGERED CONDOR CHICK HATCHES IN OREGON
PORTLAND, Ore.- The first California condor chick to hatch in Oregon in more than a century emerged from its shell Sunday, May 9 at the Oregon Zoo's Condor Creek Conservation Facility in rural Clackamas County.
As the chick's foster parents-condors 137 and 147-looked on, the chick began to pip (break its shell) Thursday afternoon and emerged fully from its shell on Mother's Day. Foster mother 147 monitored the egg constantly assisting with the removal of eggshell fragments as needed.
Condor keepers closely monitored the egg hatching process via a surveillance camera positioned on the ceiling of the mock nest cave. Keepers caught brief glimpses of the egg when foster mother switched positions with the foster father.
In the weeks prior to receiving the real egg for hatching, condors 137 and 147 incubated a fake "dummy" egg. For seven week, keepers closely monitored the real condor egg as it was artificially incubated. Keepers have seen the chick develop from the earliest stages of life as an embryo inside the egg to taking its first breath, and receiving its first meal from its foster parents.
"I'm very relieved the chick has survived hatching," says Joe Burnett, assistant condor curator. "Hatching is a life and death struggle, but this is just the beginning for this chick. From here it will grow and learn from its foster parents over the next six months, and then, eventually, face its ultimate challenge-release into the wild."
Once released into the wild, the young condor's struggle for survival will be part of its everyday existence.
"We're going to do everything possible to maximize the success of this young bird," says Burnett.
The chick's biological mother is Tama. Tama arrived in Oregon with 11 other endangered condors last November 11. She laid her egg on March 10. She and her mate, Mandan, came to Oregon as an established breeding pair from the Los Angeles Zoo. In an effort to produce as many eggs as possible, staff double clutched, which means they took Tama's first egg and incubated it artificially in hopes she and her mate would produce another. Tama laid her second egg April 27.
Keepers decided to place Tama's first egg with a condor foster pair, 137 and 147. Condors 137 and 147 have not produced an egg of their own, but did successfully raise a foster chick at the Los Angeles Zoo in 2003. Keepers hope to return the second egg, if fertile, to its biological parents, Mandan and Tama.
With the arrival of the new chick, there are now 219 California condors living in the wild and in captivity.
The arrival of this chick challenges the zoo to secure the final $500,000 need for construction of the next phase, which will double the capacity of the facility and allow the zoo to house 16 breeding pairs producing up to 32 young a year. The next phase will include a training facility and flight nursery-both of which are critical for teaching young condors survival skills.
"The pressure is on for us to raise the final $500,000 to build the flight nursery for this chick, and the others that are sure to follow," says Tony Vecchio, zoo director. "But with the help of the community, I'm confident we'll make it happen."
In the past few months, the zoo has received challenge grants from M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust and Spirit Mountain Community Fund that must be matched in order to secure the condor funds.
The Oregon Zoo is only the third zoo in the nation invited to join the California Condor Recovery Program. With the first phase of the breeding facility completed last November, 12 condors arrived from Program members at the Los Angeles Zoo, San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park and The Peregrine Fund's World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise.
The condor facility is located in Clackamas County on Metro-owned open space. The remoteness of the facility minimizes the exposure of young condors to people, increasing the chances for captive-hatched birds to survive and breed in the wild.
The last condors were seen in Oregon in 1904, near the town of Drain, in southwest Oregon. Condors held out a little longer in California, but in 1987, there were only 17 left in the wild. In an attempt to save the species, biologists decided to place all the remaining condors into a captive breeding program. When Congress passed the Endangered Species Act in 1973, the California condor was one of the original animals included on the list.
Condors have a long history in Oregon. Archeologists have unearthed nine thousand year old condor bones from Native American middens. The condor was a common design motif of the Wasco people, who lived along the Columbia River from The Dalles to Cascade Locks-the condor was considered a helper to the native peoples and a key character in many myths.
Once construction of the off-site breeding facility is complete, zoo officials plan to build a $1 million condor exhibit at the zoo.
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TWIST AND TILT ON RIDE THE HIMALAMAZON AT OREGON ZOO
PORTLAND, Ore.— Zoo visitors can take a ride down a steep mountain, careen through deep ravines and caves, and splash into a lake on Ride the Himalamazon, Oregon Zoo’s new thrill ride, opening June 5. Ride the Himalamazon, produced by SimEx-Iwerks, is the zoo’s latest simulator ride, which replaces the popular Dino Island thrill ride.
The ride is set sometime in the near future, where looming environmental disaster due to years of over harvesting in the Amazon forests have forced scientists to develop a Super-Tree that quickly generates desperately needed wood and life-giving oxygen. Super-Trees are grown in a simulated "super world" called "Himalamazon," where a uniquely developed combination of the attributes of the Himalayas and the Amazon has been created. The ride, which is described as a “roller-coaster with an ecological message,” follows the Super-Trees from seed to harvest.
“The thrill ride simulator theater has been a tremendous success,” according to Tony Vecchio, Oregon Zoo director. “More than 119,000 people have experienced the simulator theater, which generated $410,700. The revenue helps pay for many conservation and education programs at the zoo,” he added.
Vecchio believes Ride the Himalamazon will continue the success.
Ride the Himalamazon is a high-action, animated simulation that relies on computer-controlled hydraulics, moving the entire audience in synchronization with the actions on the screen.
The thrill ride has two strong attributes according to Vecchio, “It’s one heck of an exciting ride and it contains a strong environmental conservationist message.”
Ride the Himalamazon is in the air-conditioned SimEx simulation theater located on the former entry plaza directly across from the Amur Tiger exhibit, close to the Zoo Railway Station. In addition to regular zoo admission, a $4 ticket ($3 for members) is required. Proceeds from ticket sales help pay for the zoo’s conservation and education programs. Due to the limited number of seats, a maximum of 800 visitors per day are able to experience the ride.
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IT’S OFFICIAL – ELEPHANT IS ZOO MOTHER OF THE YEAR
PORTLAND, Ore. - The public has chosen the Oregon Zoo’s Asian elephant Pet as Zoo Mother of the Year for 2004. Pet won convincingly with 40 percent of the on-line vote, while the other finalists Coco the chimpanzee and Garnet the red-flanked duiker received 31 percent and 29 percent respectively.
"We think this is a great honor for Pet," said Pat Flora, Oregon Zoo elephant keeper. "Pet is not only the herd matriarch but a great ambassador for the entire zoo. She’s just a sweet and lovely lady."
Oregon Zoo Director, Tony Vecchio viewed The Zoo Mother of the Year vote as an opportunity to educate the public about chimpanzees, elephants and red-flanked duikers, which are either threatened or endangered.
“Once people makes an emotional connection with an animal, they’re much more likely to care about the future of that species,” said Vecchio. “This on-line vote has helped bring attention to the plight of these animals.”
The on-line vote total was 13,878 with Pet receiving 5486, Coco receiving 4367 and Garnet receiving 4025.
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PORTLAND'S PACHYDERM ARTIST PAINTS FOR PATRONS, MAY 12
PORTLAND, Ore.-Portland has been known to inspire artists of all mediums, but the latest art buzz has reached mammoth proportions. Rama, resident pachyderm artist at the Oregon Zoo is trumpeting into the public spotlight with yet another revolutionary Portland artistic movement. Rama will be featured in the Portland area's first-ever elephant art show debuting at the Pearl District's Mark Woolley Gallery, May 22-24.
Rama, a 21-year-old male Asian elephant, isn't the first painting pachyderm. Elephants in Asia have gone to painting school, but Rama appears to be a natural. He is the world's first elephant to combine artistic methods, creating paintings that are reminiscent of Pollock's paint splatters and Miro's subconscious imagery. Rama's exhibition kicks off with an opening party complete with fine cuisine and belly dancers. The artist will not be attending the premier, but his fans can visit him in the elephant yard at the Oregon Zoo.
Rama's artistic technique involves collecting non-toxic, egg-based paint in his trunk, and then spraying it across a canvas creating vivid, rich colorful backdrops. He then completes his unique image using a brush to add long, graceful strokes. Rama has also perfected his "signature"-by pressing the tip of paint-soaked trunk against the canvas and was able to sign his own gallery contract.
Rama's talent was discovered through the Oregon Zoo's animal enrichment programs, which are designed to stimulate animals and keep them active and challenged. David Shepherdson, Oregon Zoo conservation scientist and coauthor of Second Nature, a book about animal enrichment, says that the elephants definitely benefit from the painting. "Elephants are very intelligent and creative creatures," he explains. "We want to give them every opportunity to use those skills." He adds that the elephants, particularly Rama, seem to enjoy their painting sessions.
According to elephant keeper Jeb Barsh, Rama's advanced skills are due to his being a young, bright elephant who seems to relish creative time. "It's cool to see how much Rama's engaged in what he's doing," says Barsh. "He has the right to walk away, but he doesn't." Rama is the son of the Oregon Zoo's original elephant Rosy, and the famed Packy. "Rama has always lived in his father's shadow so this is his chance to shine." says Barsh.
Although the artist himself won't be attending his gallery opening party to meet his many anticipated admirers, trainer Barsh will be on hand. "I believe that because Rama's work is leaving the boundaries of the zoo, his paintings allow him to transcend his world," says Barsh. "He's touching the lives of the people of Portland on their turf, in the Pearl District. He's become one of us-he's able to join us in the playground of the human imagination."
Rama will however be celebrating his gallery premier-he and his pals will receive special enrichment activities designed to replicate his opening party when the belly-dancing troop performs for the elephants on Wednesday, May 19.
The gallery show is Rama's official debut, but he has sold his art before. His first painting offered to the public sold for $1,300 at the zoo's annual Zoolala at the 2003 auction event. Rama's proceeds benefit The Oregon Zoo Foundation's programs for wild elephant conservation.
In addition to Rama's Pearl District gallery unveiling, other prominent figures of the art world have been recognizing Rama's paintings. Oregon Public Broadcasting is featuring Rama on Oregon Art Beat on Thursday, May 20 at 8 p.m. (repeated on Sunday, May 23 at 6:30). Portland filmmaker Patti Lewis has created a documentary about the phenomena of Rama. She has encouraged art patrons to share their feelings about Rama's novel art at his gallery debut. Also, Oregonian Art Critic D.K. Row has featured Rama in his column.
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