New Zoo Videos and Resources Pages

I just wanted to let you know that I've added two additional new pages to the Zoo Tails site to go along with the "Zoo Books" page I recently created. The first new page is entitled "Videos" and contains some of the zoo videos I have filmed and edited over the past several years. The second page is called "Resources" and contains some useful links to different services and tools I use to help keep this blog and my other websites up and running.

Cheetahs run loose on football field

Tampa, Fla. (March 5, 2012) – On Friday, March 9, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment (SEA)will broadcast the most recent installment of its Saving a Species series, which features some of Busch Gardens Tampa’s most popular new residents – the cheetahs – and St. Petersburg’s Tropicana Field.

With the stadium closed to outside visitors and the turf marked for the St. Petersburg Bowl football game, the cheetahs were encouraged to run the length of the field, chasing a lure system identical to the one in their Cheetah Run habitat. The cats’ efforts were captured by high-definition and slow-motion cameras. “Even though we have this awesome habitat at Busch Gardens, a 100-yard football field will give us the opportunity to showcase what that speed looks like on a field that people can relate to,” said Tim Smith, a Busch Gardens assistant curator who works with the cheetahs daily.

Virtual Queuing Coming to Zoombezi Bay

Are you looking for something to do this summer in Columbus, Ohio? One of the most popular activities in Columbus on a hot summer day is to cool off at the Zoombezi Bay waterpark, which is owned and operated by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium right next door (a tickets gets you into both). Zoombezi Bay is a very popular attraction in central Ohio but the good news is those long waits for the waterslides are about to vaporize. The waterpark just signed a five year deal with Lo-Q, a company that designs systems which allow park visitors to make reservations for attractions.

Here’s how it works: Using kiosks located throughout the park, Zoombezi Bay visitors rent RFID-enabled wristbands, call Q-Bands, which reserve a “virtual” place in-line for some of the park’s most popular rides and slides. Just like at a local restaurant, when your reservation time arrives you and your friends enter the attraction via a separate entrance after getting their wrist bands scanned. How cool is that!

Zoombezi Bay is the eleventh water park in the United States to sign-up for the Q-band system since its conception last year.

Read the full article here.

SeaWorld Orlando veterinarian removes lodged fishing hook from throat of loggerhead sea turtle

Press release from SeaWorld Orlando:

 

Feb. 27, 2012 (Orlando, Fla.) -- This morning SeaWorld Orlando’s senior veterinarian performed surgery on a rescued sea turtle, removing a large fishing hook from its throat. 

 

The animal was found by the Inwater Research Group - an organization committed to the research and conservation of coastal species and habitats – who also assisted in the animal’s transport. The turtle, a sub-adult weighing approximately 100 pounds, was rescued from the intake canal at the St. Lucie Power Plant in St. Lucie County, Fla.

The turtle arrived at SeaWorld Orlando last night (February 26) and underwent surgery this morning following x-rays and blood work procedures. According to the veterinary team, the 4-inch-long hook was successfully removed. The turtle’s behavior will continue to be monitored over the next several weeks, but is doing well following the procedure.

 

So far this year, SeaWorld Orlando has rescued nine sea turtles. It is the intent that upon recovery, this animal will be released back into its natural environment.

For 45 years, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment has helped animals in need -- ill, injured and orphaned.  More than 20,000 animals have been rescued by our experts.‪ SeaWorld’s animal rescue team is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. ‪

Chincoteague Island Zoo Model Tour

I recently found this video of the Chincoteague Island Model Zoo's New Orangutan Exhibit for 2012! See more pictures of their model zoo exhibit models here. I also emailed the creators of this extraordinary zoo model and found out this information from the creator:

"...have been working on our miniature zoological garden since 1997.  We have created a pretty unique layout that has grown to a size we can no longer easily accommodate in our home.  It's a large collection consisting of items found, modified, recycled, and fabricated by us, and includes a zoo train that slowly winds its way around the zoo.  It also contains a collection of pressed pennies, from zoos across the country, placed by their respective exhibits..."

See more pictures of the Chincoteague Island Model Zoo here.

Check out our other zoo model posts.

Gorillas Escape at Kansas City Zoo

Some exciting events happened at the Kansas City Zoo on Sunday when two gorillas were able to wander away from their habitat after zookeepers forgot to lock two interior doors. The public was never in any real danger but were required to go indoors until the all clear was given. The two male gorillas were herded back into their cages with water hoses and were not injured. All in all, its really just a non-story as no persons or animals were injured and proper procedures were followed. Move along now.

Zoo Miami Map - 2012

What is there to do in Miami, Florida? Go t the Miami Zoo! Zoo Miami's 327 developed acres are home to over 2,000 animals including the harpy eagle. Also known as the American Harpy Eagle, this bird of prey is the most powerful raptor found in the Americas but is almost extinct in Central America. The harpy eagle is featured in the Amazon and Beyond section of Zoo Miami. Below is an overhead map of Zoo Miami and the location of the harpy eagle encounter.

Learn how to draw zoo animals step by step