My Visit To The LA Zoo and DisneyNature’s BEARS

While we were in LA, we had the chance to visit the LA Zoo (the trip was inspired by the movie we screened, DisneyNature’s Bears out this Friday).  While there, we got the chance to tour, visit some of the animals, and learn about what makes the zoo such a great place.

randaOne of my favorite animals was Randa, the Indian Rhino.  Having suffered from illness, she is one tough cookie and doing well now.  You can meet her at the zoo, and for a VERY small fee, touch and even feed her if you make reservations to do so.  See below to make a reservation and for more info.

“Come meet Randa, our beloved Indian Rhino, up close and personal! The Indian Rhino Encounter includes a behind the scenes direct contact opportunity for participants that may include touching and feeding an Indian Rhinoceros.

The Indian Rhino Encounter is available every Saturday, Sunday, and on holidays (separate fee required). The encounter takes place at 1pm.

  • General visitors may purchase tickets on site at any Admissions Ticket Window.
  • Zoo Members may purchase tickets onsite at Admissions Window #11.
  • The minimum age requirement is four years old.  All children must be accompanied by an adult
  • All participants must sign the Waiver and Release of Claims included on the e-ticket.”

scoutAnother cool animal we met was Scout, the bear- which was fitting, since we just saw Disney Bears earlier.  Scout lives by himself at this time, but enjoys a close relationship with “his people” at the zoo.
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Two Babydoll Lambs are Born just in Time for Spring At the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Prospect Park Zoo

Prospect Park Zoo Hosts Annual Fleece Festival:

Saturday and Sunday, May 18 – 19

11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

spring lambs

 

Prospect Park Zoo Hosts Annual Fleece Festival:

Saturday and Sunday, May 18 – 19

Brooklyn, N.Y. – April 15, 2013 – Two babydoll lambs at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Prospect Park Zoo play in their pasture as mother, Ginger, watches closely.

Also known as the miniature Southdown, babydolls are the oldest known purebred sheep in the world. The brother and sister pair was born last month. The male, Arthur, weighed eight pounds at birth while his sister, Brooklyn, weighed six pounds. Both healthy youngsters are gaining weight daily. As adults, Arthur will weigh approximately 175 pounds and Brooklyn 120 pounds.

Both Arthur and Brooklyn have delicate features, a diminutive size, and downy coats of pure white.

The new lambs are a sure indicator that spring has arrived; and during spring the sheep at the Prospect Park Zoo get sheared during Fleece Festival, taking place Saturday and Sunday, May 18 and 19, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The highlight of the event is watching the zoo’s fluffy sheep get shorn in their barnyard quarters. Shearing occurs both days at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.

Other activities planned for this year’s event, include spring-themed crafts, games [Read more…]

Boo at the Zoo at the Bronx Zoo


Boo at the Zoo Returns to the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo

Boo at the Zoo Bronx Zoo

Celebrate a New York Halloween tradition at WCS’s Bronx Zoo

Safe, family-friendly activities include:

The Haunted Habitat Mansion

Creepy Hollows Hayride

Costume Parade

Music, Magic, and MORE

Master Carver Pumpkin carving demonstrations

kids haunted hayride

 

Boo at the Zoo festivities run FIVE weekends beginning this Saturday, Sept. 29!

Sept. 29-30; Oct. 6-8, 13-14, 20-21, 27-28

Boo at the Zoo returns to the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo for five full weekends of Halloween-themed family entertainment and activities. Attractions and activities embrace the spirit of the season while highlighting wildlife and conservation.

Annual favorites including a haunted walk-through adventure – The Haunting at Habitat Mansion – and the spooky Hayride through Creepy Hollows headline the festivities and have been enhanced for this year’s Boo at the Zoo. Visitors will enjoy magic shows, musical performances, and costume parades in addition to traditional guest favorites including the hay maze, haunted extinct graveyard and special seasonal craft workshops.

Children 12 and under wearing a Halloween costume will receive free general admission with one paid adult general admission. All Boo at the Zoo activities are included with the price of general admission with the exception of the hayride and haunted mansion.. The Creepy Hollows Hayride and the Haunting at Habitat Mansion walk-through adventure are included with the purchase of a Total Experience Ticket.

From Monday, Sept. 17, guests that purchase four or more Total Experience Tickets online will receive a plush snake hat created in the spirit of Boo at the Zoo. Offer is good while supplies last.

Guests are encouraged to visit www.bronxzoo.com for a complete schedule of keeper chats, animal enrichment sessions, and family activities.

Boo at the Zoo activities include:

The Haunting at Habitat Mansion

The Habitat Mansion, once owned by wildlife conservationist Dr. Benton Broome, is said to be the most haunted landmark in the Bronx Zoo. Dr. Broome left his legacy of preserving animal wildlife, habitats and conserving the earth’s precious ecological resources to his son, Dusty. But Dusty is not up for the challenge and the ghost of his father wants to ensure the memory of all endangered species is not forgotten. In the Haunted Habitat mansion, ghosts of the past, visions of extinct animals, and the messages of Dr. Broome’s ghostly house servants encourage guests to remember the importance of protecting wildlife from the threat of extinction. Mansion admission is included with Total Experience Tickets.

Location; By Somba Village

Time; 11:00am- 5:00pm

Creepy Hollows Hayride

Enjoy a thrilling hay ride beneath a canopy of beautiful fall foliage past the Birds of Prey exhibit and through the animated town of “Creepy [Read more…]

The Wildlife Conservation Society Announces Second Annual WCS Run for the Wild At the New York Aquarium

This year’s WCS Run for the Wild 5K run/walk in Brooklyn

is dedicated to saving walruses and other wildlife

Event date:

Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012

5K Run: 8 a.m.; Family Fun Run/Walk: 8:45 a.m.

Registration is now open at:

wcsrunforthewild.org/nyaquarium

Brooklyn, N.Y. – July, 2012 – Time to lace up the sneakers – and perhaps snowshoes – as the second annual Wildlife Conservation Society Run for the Wild in Brooklyn kicks off at WCS’s New York Aquarium on Saturday, Oct. 6 at 8 a.m. to help WCS save walruses and other wildlife.

The route of the 5K run and family fun run/walk will take participants along the famed Coney Island Boardwalk of WCS’s New York Aquarium, where real walruses swim.

The 5K run will begin at 8 a.m. and casual runners and walkers can take part in the Family Fun Run/Walk at 8:45 a.m.

“Walruses are facing serious environmental threats. Climate change is resulting in melting sea ice in the Arctic which is impacting walrus habitat,” said Jon Forrest Dohlin, WCS Vice President and Director of the New York Aquarium. “Everyone who participates in the WCS Run for the Wild – by running, walking, or sponsoring a runner or team – will be helping WCS save walruses and wildlife around the world.”

Said John Calvelli, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs at the Wildlife Conservation Society: “This year’s WCS Run for the Wild in Brooklyn promises to be a fun and rewarding experience for all those who participate. Everyone who runs, walks, or sponsors an individual or team can be proud that they are helping WCS save wildlife and wild places.”

Walruses [Read more…]

Visit the Columbus Zoo- in the winter? You bet!

What kind of zoo visit can you have in a snow storm? A surprisingly fun one, actually. Especially at a zoo which is open year round as the Columbus Zoo and Aquariumis.

The morning we decided to check out the zoo, we pulled into the parking lot as some small flurries started to fall from the sky. As we found our parking spot, the snow storm picked up. We bundled up and began our trek. The zoo was very quiet in terms of visitors and also animals. We did a quick walk through a few exhibits, but unfortunately most of the animals were not out and about. We saw the gray wolves which were out and very active. Also, the interactive barn was open. The sheep and goats were very happy to see others walking about. Our main objective was to see the polar bears in their new enclosure.<br/>

Their [Read more…]