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Name the
Alligator Snapping Turtle Contest
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One of the most popular residents at the Children's
Aquarium at Fair Park is more than 70 years old and he needs a name!
We are asking for your help in submitting a name suitable for this grand
old guy.
Entry forms for the contest can be found at the
Children's Aquarium and on their website. Deadline for entries is February 10. Judges
will review the names submitted and the winner and winning name will
be announced on February 20.
The winner will receive free annual passes to the
Children's Aquarium for his or her family (up to two adult and
four youth passes; an Adopt-An-Animal package for the turtle; a sign
at the exhibit announcing the turtle's and winner's names; and an invitation
to attend the announcement of the winning name.
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Meet Our New
Gorilla Girls
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Two female gorillas recently arrived from the Cincinnati
Zoo to join 21-year-old silverback Patrick in the Jake L. Hamon
Gorilla Conservation Research Center.
Madge and Shanta, a mother and daughter, were born and
raised at the Cincinnati Zoo. As members of a large gorilla
troop with several females, juveniles, and a silverback,
they were adept at dealing with the social structure and
hierarchy of the group.
Madge is 30 years old and weighs 214 pounds. She
is described as a laid-back mom with a calm demeanor. Shanta is
18 years old and weighs 184 pounds. She is inquisitive and
notices change immediately. When she was small, Shanta clung to
Madge's leg and back. Her name means "backpack" in
Swahili.
Madge and Shanta are now exploring their new home in the
Wilds of Africa. They will be introduced to Patrick
soon. Until then, the girls can usually be seen in the
outdoor habitat on weekday mornings.
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Shanta
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Madge
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Dallas Bird
Named Kori Bustard of the Year
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The Kori Bustard Species Survival Plan (SSP) named one
of our own flock as a kori bustard of the year! SSP
programs are a collaboration between zoos, field scientists, and
educators to learn more about how to save endangered
species. The award-recipient bird, known as Caldwell, came
to the Dallas Zoo in 1994 and has hatched 10 surviving
chicks. In addition, she has provided a lot of information to
the SSP about how koris interact with their chicks during rearing.
Zookeepers report that Caldwell has an incredibly
engaging personality and likes to be in the middle of things.
She walks along behind the keeper mowing the grass in her habitat and
digs through leaf piles that are raked up for removal in search
of tasty insect treats.
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EDUCATION PROGRAMS/CLASSES & CAMPS
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Register Now
for Spring Break Camps
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Spend your vacation Island Hopping at Spring Break Camp at the Dallas
Zoo! Registration is now open for camps for grades PreK -
5. Each day, children are divided into grade level appropriate
classes and take a trip around the world, island style, without ever
leaving the Zoo! Campers will learn about Madagascar, the
Galapagos Islands, Australia, and more. Each day features
a different exotic location.
Camps run Monday, March 12 through Friday, March
16 from
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Beforecare and aftercare
is available from
8-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m.
Dallas Zoo members receive a discount on the
camps as well as the before and aftercare. Class sizes are
limited, so make plans today to explore these island
adventures!
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Ocelot
Leopardus pardalis
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A native Texan, the
ocelot is about twice the size of an average house cat and has one of
the most beautiful coats in the animal world. It is a nocturnal
solitary animal that spends most of its time on the ground, but it
also is a good climber, jumper, and swimmer. An ocelot's eyes
have a special layer on the inside that collects light, so it
can see as well in the dark as it can in the daylight. Ocelots
can be found in extreme south Texas through Central America to
Argentina in South America. It is a protected species
across most of its range and threatened by habitat destruction,
hunting for its fur, and the black market pet trade. The Dallas
Zoo is home to a pair of ocelots that live in the Texas
Cats exhibit in ZooNorth.
You
can adopt an ocelot for yourself or someone special and let our
zookeepers take care of it! Ocelots are just one of the many
animals at the Dallas Zoo that can be adopted for as low as
$25.
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Free iPad Book
Chimps Should Be
Chimps
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The Lincoln Park Zoo's Project ChimpCARE recently
announced the release of a new children's book for iPad, Chimps Should Be Chimps,
which can be downloaded for free from the iTunes App Store. The
book is designed for early readers (ages 3 through 8) and offers
an interactive and engaging story that aims to educate and inform
kids and their parents about chimpanzees.
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The enrichment committee at the Dallas Zoo recently
introduced their newest fundraiser - magnets painted by some of our
own animals! There are seven different animal artists,
representing four different species, that use their talent to
make these one-of-a-kind keepsakes. The magnets are sold in the
Zoofari Market for $5 and all proceeds are used to fund new
enrichment items for our animals.
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No matter what you are planning - a group event,
company picnic, or family reunion - the Zoo has the perfect
setting. A variety of sites are available that can accommodate
a few people to several thousand. For more details call
469.554.7470.
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Remember
to present your current membership card when making a purchase in the
Zoofari Market or one of the restaurants to receive your member
discount.
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NOTABLE REPTILE HATCHINGS
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Shield tailed agama
baby
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Sri Lanka pitviper
baby
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photos by Matt Vaughn
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