Friday, July 31, 2009
Baby Bear Cubs
So as many of you have heard through the media we fostered three baby bear cubs for a few days. They came from Wyoming after their mother was killed, go here and here to read the article about the attack and their move to the Memphis zoo. Of course all of us here got a attached to the little guys and we all wanted to share some behind the scenes pics of the baby bear cubs.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Change in Hours for Friday Only
Tomorrow (Friday July 31st) we will be closing admissions at 3:00 and the zoo grounds at 4:00 due to the Billings Clinic Picnic. All of the exhibits will be open as usual but the plaza is inundated with various tents, tables, and trailers. Regular hours will resume on Saturday but the big tent will still be set up for a Military picnic on the plaza. Please don't let these events (or the road construction) deter you, it should be perfect weather to come out and see all of the animals!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Wild Wine Walks
Don't forget the Wild Wine Walk tonight from 6:00-9:00! Wine and hour de vours by Simply Wine and Beyond Basil. Come out and enjoy art, wine, the great weather, and good friends!
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Caption Contest
Want to win a FREE family DAY pass? it's soooo easy! all you have to do is leave a comment or caption for this picture with your email (I will edit your email out before I post it). Next sunday, August 2nd I will then choose the best comment and the lucky winner will recieve a free family day pass! The prizes will be different each week so if you dont win this time, don't fret.....you will have another picture and another chance to win! Im looking forward to reading some pretty creative captions!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Dogs Looking Like People
I came across this blog, Dogs Looking Like People , that I had to share with all of you! Not only are the pics great but the captions are hilarious! This will definately be added to the list of blogs I check daily.
July ZooCamp
Our 2nd week of ZooCamp wrapped up on friday and I wanted to share some pics with all of you! The kids stayed busy learning about zoology and "living a day in the life of a zoo keeper." They also got to make enrichment toys for the animals out of paper mache. if you like what you see you can still enroll your child for the August camp! It runs from August 17th - 21st and will have a focus on energy topics and conservation. It will be the perfect last hooo-ra before summer ends! the deadline is coming up on August 3rd so please call, email education@zoomontana.org, or just stop in if you have any questions.
"I dare you to go in"...."No, I dare you to go in"...
Jessie and Courtney (and me waaaaaay in the background) with the kiddies making enrichment toys for the animals
Prince enjoying/destroying the enrichment toys from the picture above as the ZooCampers watch
ZooCampers behind the scene with ZooKeeper, Debra
"I dare you to go in"...."No, I dare you to go in"...
Jessie and Courtney (and me waaaaaay in the background) with the kiddies making enrichment toys for the animals
Prince enjoying/destroying the enrichment toys from the picture above as the ZooCampers watch
ZooCampers behind the scene with ZooKeeper, Debra
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
While browsing a few of my favorite blogs I came across these cool ideas for turning everyday objects into cool planters. Wouldn't it be a nice surprise to turn the corner and instead of seeing an abondened flyer box , you could stop and smell the roses (or marigolds for that matter)? Or maybe turn your old college text books (in my case high school text books that I managed to steal, for what reason I am still unsure) into a cute little Honbachi flower pot (this site is in Japanese but the pictures are self explanatory). West High Biology and English Department, and possibly the Spanish department you have one week if you still want to claim your stolen text books before they become flower pots and I decorate my room with them! Do any of you have exciting ideas for turning every day blah objects into interesting flower pots? let me know.....I would love to post your ideas and pics!
I have a few intersections downtown in mind that would look much better with some flowers!
I have a few intersections downtown in mind that would look much better with some flowers!
Monday, July 13, 2009
Montana Mountain Lions
ZooMontana will be the host for WildEarth Guardians and the Sierra Club’s traveling lecture series, Mountain Lions in the West: Natural History, Conservation, & Co-Existence on July 13th at 6:30 PM. The presentaion will raise awareness for mountain lion issues and address tips for living in mountain lion country. The lecture is free to Zoo members and open to the public.
“Mountain lions contribute to the richness and complexity of Montana’s ecosystems,” said Wendy
Keefover-Ring, Carnivore Protection Director at WildEarth Guardians who is based from the group’s Bozeman office. “By creating an awareness and understanding of these native cats, we can promote common sense
procautions to eliminate potential human-lion conflicts.”
Montana’s rugged foothills and mountains provide critical habitat to mountain lions, also commonly called pumas, cougars, or panthers. These large, golden cats, are shy and unsocial by nature and prefer living around rugged terrain that is suitable for ambushing prey, such as deer and elk. They require expansive habitats because their food supply is dispersed over long distances and because they are an “obligate carnivore,” which means they only eat meat.
“This presentation is a great fit for ZooMontana,” said Zoo Director Jackie Worstell. “Our goal is to
educate our visitors on the importance of wildlife and wildlands conservation using species ambassadors. While we do not currently house mountain lions, we feel they are a crucial species for Montana and the health of our
ecosystems.”
“Mountain lions contribute to the richness and complexity of Montana’s ecosystems,” said Wendy
Keefover-Ring, Carnivore Protection Director at WildEarth Guardians who is based from the group’s Bozeman office. “By creating an awareness and understanding of these native cats, we can promote common sense
procautions to eliminate potential human-lion conflicts.”
Montana’s rugged foothills and mountains provide critical habitat to mountain lions, also commonly called pumas, cougars, or panthers. These large, golden cats, are shy and unsocial by nature and prefer living around rugged terrain that is suitable for ambushing prey, such as deer and elk. They require expansive habitats because their food supply is dispersed over long distances and because they are an “obligate carnivore,” which means they only eat meat.
“This presentation is a great fit for ZooMontana,” said Zoo Director Jackie Worstell. “Our goal is to
educate our visitors on the importance of wildlife and wildlands conservation using species ambassadors. While we do not currently house mountain lions, we feel they are a crucial species for Montana and the health of our
ecosystems.”
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Highland Games
Pipe bands performing at the Opening Ceremonies
Enjoying the sunshine!
Visitors hagning out at the ampitheatre listeneing to The Clumsy Lovers
To be honest these guys just scared me
Keepers, Jessie and Kari, getting in touch with their Scottish side (I promised them this would not make it on the blog)
This past weekend we held the 2nd annual Highland Games. The weather could not have been better and despite the road construction on Shiloh over 900 people come out for the festivities. It was not a bad day to be at work either; we all got to enjoy pipe bands, celetic dancers, vendors, great food (I chowed down on on the fish and chips), and the band The Clumsy Lovers played for us! All in all, a pretty great day. Next year we will be hosting this event again so be on the lookout for the dates!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Luna - we will miss you
Luna pictures start on page 43 of scrapblog.
ZOO MOURNS LOSS OF TIGER
ZooMontana’s female tiger dies unexpectedly
Just with the untimely and unexpected death of Michael Jackson, so was the sudden death of ZooMontana’s female Amur tiger, Luna. Luna passed away Sunday morning, June 28th, at 5:00 AM in the presence of her keepers.
Zoo keepers noted her loss of appetite and disinterest in Saturday afternoon’s enrichment. They kept a close eye on her throughout the day, and at 3:00 PM contacted the veterinary staff when they noticed she had difficulty getting out of the small pond in her exhibit.
Every attempt was made to assess her and provide Luna with proper care. The keeping staff stayed with her throughout the night, but by early Sunday morning her health took a turn for the worse and she stopped breathing. At this time, it is unclear what caused the rapid decline in health that led to her death. Results of the necropsy are pending, which will hopefully provide answers as to what happened. The Zoo’s other Amur tiger, Prince, will be temporarily off exhibit pending assessment of all plants in the exhibit as well as a review of the exhibit enclosure to make sure no foreign objects were thrown into the exhibit. This will rule out any environmental factors that may have contributed to her death.
“As we try to come to grips with this tragic loss, we will always remember how unique Luna was,” said ZooMontana Curator Travis Goebel. “In recent years she really came out of her shell and displayed some exciting behaviors both for our staff and visitors alike. I personally will deeply miss the way Luna would greet me in the morning with an affectionate chuff or a snarly roar! The countless hours of work with Luna were both the most challenging of my zoo career and the most rewarding. She will be great missed by all who were fortunate enough to know her.”
“This is an extremely difficult time for the entire staff here at the Zoo,” said Director Jackie Worstell. “Luna touched everyone she came in contact with and will be deeply missed.”
Amur tigers are the largest cats in the world and the biggest subspecies of tigers. Their native home is a harsh environment with extremely cold temperatures and deep snow. Their bodies are well adapted to these conditions. Amur tigers are currently listed as endangered; ZooMontana’s participates in the Species Survival Program (SSP), which is a captive breeding program, to ensure the survival of the species. The Amur tiger SSP was the very first created by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is one of the most successful.
Further information will be released once ZooMontana receives results from the necropsy.
ZOO MOURNS LOSS OF TIGER
ZooMontana’s female tiger dies unexpectedly
Just with the untimely and unexpected death of Michael Jackson, so was the sudden death of ZooMontana’s female Amur tiger, Luna. Luna passed away Sunday morning, June 28th, at 5:00 AM in the presence of her keepers.
Zoo keepers noted her loss of appetite and disinterest in Saturday afternoon’s enrichment. They kept a close eye on her throughout the day, and at 3:00 PM contacted the veterinary staff when they noticed she had difficulty getting out of the small pond in her exhibit.
Every attempt was made to assess her and provide Luna with proper care. The keeping staff stayed with her throughout the night, but by early Sunday morning her health took a turn for the worse and she stopped breathing. At this time, it is unclear what caused the rapid decline in health that led to her death. Results of the necropsy are pending, which will hopefully provide answers as to what happened. The Zoo’s other Amur tiger, Prince, will be temporarily off exhibit pending assessment of all plants in the exhibit as well as a review of the exhibit enclosure to make sure no foreign objects were thrown into the exhibit. This will rule out any environmental factors that may have contributed to her death.
“As we try to come to grips with this tragic loss, we will always remember how unique Luna was,” said ZooMontana Curator Travis Goebel. “In recent years she really came out of her shell and displayed some exciting behaviors both for our staff and visitors alike. I personally will deeply miss the way Luna would greet me in the morning with an affectionate chuff or a snarly roar! The countless hours of work with Luna were both the most challenging of my zoo career and the most rewarding. She will be great missed by all who were fortunate enough to know her.”
“This is an extremely difficult time for the entire staff here at the Zoo,” said Director Jackie Worstell. “Luna touched everyone she came in contact with and will be deeply missed.”
Amur tigers are the largest cats in the world and the biggest subspecies of tigers. Their native home is a harsh environment with extremely cold temperatures and deep snow. Their bodies are well adapted to these conditions. Amur tigers are currently listed as endangered; ZooMontana’s participates in the Species Survival Program (SSP), which is a captive breeding program, to ensure the survival of the species. The Amur tiger SSP was the very first created by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is one of the most successful.
Further information will be released once ZooMontana receives results from the necropsy.
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