Posted on Tue, Apr. 18, 2006
News from San Diego County
Associated Press
SAN DIEGO - A five-month-old lion cub that won over thousands of San Diego Wild Animal Park visitors was euthanized hours after she was mauled by an adult lioness.
The cub, Koza, had been quarantined from the adult lions since her birth last year, but Monday morning a keeper mistakenly removed a wire barrier protecting the cub's area, park spokeswoman Christina Simmons said.
A lioness, Mina, attacked, biting Koza three times, severely damaging the cub's spinal cord before zoo keepers were able to separate the two animals. Park officials made the decision to euthanize the cub after several hours of treatment.
Koza was born in November by Caesarean section from a lioness carrying twins. The other cub died and the mother lion was unable to care for Koza after the birth.
Keepers gave Koza an Italian mastiff puppy, Cairo, as a social companion, and the two were put on public view in the park's nursery in January.
Fewer than 100 African lions live in an aging population of zoo animals throughout the nation. Koza, one of only 15 born in a U.S. zoo or animal park this past year, had been expected to eventually leave for another city to breed.
Simmons said that keepers were in the process of introducing Koza to the zoo's pride of lions. Adults were able to see and smell the cub through a heavy wire barrier. Simmons said its removal was simply "human error."
The lioness that attacked Koza was not the cub's mother, Simmons said, adding that the dog was not present during the attack.
**************
| zoo home | park home | zoo newsletters | videos & live cams | zoo postcards |
San Diego Zoo Weblogs home
Archives for the Animal Stories category.
Archives
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004
August 2004
July 2004
June 2004
May 2004
April 2004
January 2004
November 2003
October 2003
September 2003
August 2003
July 2003
June 2003
May 2003
Categories
Animal Stories (70)
Conservation (144)
Field Studies (5)
General (286)
Giant Pandas (110)
Girls in Science (15)
Hawaii Bird Project (28)
The Zoo Journal (43)
Zoo InternQuest (24)
Archive for the 'Animal Stories' Category
« Previous EntriesAn Enriching Weekend for Orangutans
Posted at 2:10 pm April 19, 2006 by Yvette Kemp
Last Saturday and Sunday were pretty fun days at the San Diego Zoo for many animals and guests. It was the first time keepers highlighted enrichment activities that they provide for the animals in their care. Enrichment is offered everyday for all the animals at the Zoo and Wild Animal Park; it is something that keepers make available to the animals to stimulate their minds, bodies, or both. It provides new things for them to do that day. Enrichment can be as simple as a pile of mulch to fling and dig through, or hiding the day's diet throughout the exhibit, or something more elaborate such as supplying paints for the animals to show off their artistic talents. Enrichment comes in many sizes and forms, and sometimes guests are not aware of what is going on. So this past weekend, keepers were able to meet with Zoo guests and provide them with information regarding the animals and enrichment.
The orangutans were provided with papier-maché balls and painted paper bags (supplied by the kids in the Education Department's Spring Camp program) stuffed with hay and treats, peanut butter/Cheerio/honey balls (supplied by keeper Victoria Zahn) hidden throughout the exhibit, palm fronds (supplied by the Horticulture Department staff), piles of hay, sugar-free gelatin eggs hidden throughout the Absolutely Apes exhibit, and a popcorn scatter. Oh, and I can't forget the giant bubble machine our Team Area Lead Kim Livingstone lugged all over the back wall to find the perfect spot! So, as you can see, not only does it take a village to raise a child, but a great support system to provide extra enrichment for an orangutan.
Needless to say, when the orangutans came out they were very excited. The hunt for treats was on! The peanut butter balls were a big hit. Little Cinta was even seen scrambling across the top ropes going to the other side of the exhibit to look for more hidden in the logs. His mom, Indah, could not keep up with him. Satu (pictured) loved the bubble machine the most. He would stand in front of it and just let the bubbles pop against him, like some great super hero blocking meteors from destroying the Earth. Karen and Josie made great use of the palm fronds and hay. They made some big beds out of them that day! Big Clyde delicately plucked gelatin eggs off branches and ledges, while Janey vacuumed up as many Cheerio balls as she could find. And after the treats were gone, Cinta wore half of the papier-maché ball on his head, Satu ran like a crazy man with the palm fronds, and everyone threw hay around the exhibit.
Yes, the exhibit was a huge mess the next day (many thanks to fellow keeper Fernando Covarrubias for helping me clean), but the orangutans had a great time and were able to have their own Spring Break celebration. When the animals are happy and healthy, the keepers are happy. For every keeper, it is worth the extra work setting up and removing enrichment and explaining to guests what enrichment is.
Next time you are at the Zoo and see different items in an exhibit, like piles of dirt, hay, or mulch, or something you think might be enrichment, it probably is. Feel free to tell the visitor standing next to you what you know about enrichment and perhaps they, too, will pass it on.
Yvette Kemp is a senior mammal keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
Posted in General, Animal Stories | Link to this post | 5 Comments »
In Memory of Koza
Posted at 3:32 pm April 18, 2006 by Valerie Stoddard
It was first thing in the morning and I was bringing some things back to the surgical areas for the registered veterinary technicians. I heard some commotion when I opened the double doors and right away noticed Koza's crate. He's been here so many times I'd know that crate anywhere, and even though there are millions of them that look just like it, there's only one crate that contains a hand-reared, five-month old lion cub like him.
I've had so many special encounters with Koza over the last five months, but mine pale in comparison to those the hospital, animal care center, and other Mammal Department staff members have had. I'm sure many of you have read the blogs written by some of Koza's closest caretakers and gained an appreciation for how much this lion cub was loved and cared for by all who were lucky enough to do so.
When I saw the look of anguish on the faces of the Mammal Department managers and keepers, I knew something was terribly wrong. Koza wasn't scheduled for an exam that morning (I always look at the veterinarians' calendar to see who's coming up, so I can see my favorite "furry kids" when they're here), and the activity going on in the large animal treatment room didn't appear at all routine. When I turned the corner, I saw Koza being rushed over to the table, limp and obviously in trouble.
I asked what had happened and was told that he had been attacked by one of the adult female lions. Although the keepers acted quickly and alerted medical staff immediately, he appeared to be severely injured. Animal keepers are trained to be careful about every move they make. They have to be aware of their own moves, the moves of animals around them, the moves of other animal care staff, and general changes in the environment. Even with training and experience, occasionally a mistake will happen…a wrong move will be made. This is because even with all their training, animal keepers are still human.
Dr. Nadine Lamberski was attending to Koza. She, along with Dr. Jim Oosterhuis, had delivered Koza by emergency caesarean section last November. It seemed so sadly ironic that Dr. Lamberski, who helped save the cub from the brink of death once, was now struggling to do it again. How was she able to keep her head and remain calm? As ever, she and the attending medical staff performed like the professionals they are. There wasn't another person in the room, however, who wasn't holding their breath hoping for another miracle.
After much deliberation over what was seen on the radiographs and what it meant for Koza's short- and long-term prognosis, the agonizing decision to humanely euthanize Koza was the only compassionate decision that could be made; the damage was too severe and ultimately irreparable.
After crying most of the night, mourning the loss of our bright, beautiful star, Koza, I thought I had given up all the tears I had. I came to work the next morning with a heavy heart and started to prepare for the day. When I brought up my e-mail, there was one from Karen Daugherty. Karen is one of our senior registered veterinary technicians and was with Dr. Lamberski in the last moments of Koza's life. Her words helped me replace the heartbreaking images I saw of him when he was first brought to the hospital with images of the essence of Koza:
I was wondering if you could write a blog for me regarding Koza? I wanted others to know he was adorable and a gentleman to the end. I got to spend the last few hours with him stroking his cheeks, behind his ears, and tickling his nose. I would hold his paw and if I let go he would put his paw out to me until I held onto it again. We played tug-of-war with a towel and he made little lion noises. He seemed happy even though I knew he felt really bad. Through all the tears, he looked up at me as if to let me know it was okay when the decision came down. We were willing to do anything to fix him but the injuries were too extensive. I held his paw and stroked his face until he went to sleep forever.
Thank you, Karen, for the gift of those peaceful images. And even though Koza didn't get his turn to be king, that bright and beautiful boy will always be our "little prince." No, he isn't "my" cub; he belongs to the stars.
We love you and miss you, Koza…
Valerie Stoddard is the senior administrative assistant at the Wild Animal Park's Harter Veterinary Medical Center.
Posted in General, Animal Stories | Link to this post | 66 Comments »
Okapi Calf Learning the Ropes
Posted at 9:52 am April 14, 2006 by Nerissa Foland
Kidomo, our seven-week-old okapi calf in Ituri Forest at the San Diego Zoo is growing by leaps and bounds. While he is still a youngster, his keepers have been using every opportunity to handle him and expose him to many different situations. It is very important to touch Kidomo (pictured here with keeper Jama Kasowicz) a lot while he is young, including picking up his legs and inspecting his hooves. All of this "desensitizing" is important in making him feel comfortable with us in the future, not to mention one of the best parts of any keeper's job!
Lately, Kidomo's keepers have been getting him used to wearing a
halter. He has been so good, the keepers were able to put it on him within a few days. Now, before being let out on exhibit, he wears this halter for a short time almost every day. But this is only one of the many new introductions to this little Kiddo's life. Every morning, on his way to the exhibit with mom, he walks through a hallway that contains a "squeeze" and scale. The squeeze has six doors at different levels on each side of the hallway that open, allowing keepers and veterinarians access to whatever body part of an okapi is of particular interest that day. The floor of the squeeze has a built-in scale for easy weighing. Making this daily trip through the squeeze now will help build Kidomo's confidence in it in the future and will help us take good care of him.
In addition to acclimating him to his environment, keepers are slowly
introducing him to his herd. Starting very soon, Kidomo will be on exhibit
with mom, Kelle, and the other two okapis: Safrani and Biscotti. His keepers just recently put up a fence to divide the yard so Kidomo can be introduced safely. This is an exciting time in Kiddo's life; be sure to visit him soon while he gets to know the other members of Ituri Forest.
Nerissa Foland is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
Read a previous blog about Kidomo's debut.
Posted in General, Animal Stories | Link to this post | 4 Comments »
Breakfast with the Orangutans
Posted at 8:01 am April 13, 2006 by Yvette Kemp
Since I've started working on a daily basis with the orangutans, I've really gotten to know them better. They are so different from each other and it has been fun getting to know each of their personalities. As I get to know each of them, I hope to share my stories with you so you can get to know them better, too.
We have seven orangutans at the San Diego Zoo; one female Bornean orangutan named Janey, and six Sumatran orangutans: Clyde, Satu, Josephine, Karen, Indah, and Cinta. Here's how our day begins…
I arrive at 6 a.m. and check that everyone is doing okay. Since it is still pretty early, I just turn on a dim light so that I can see them but not completely disturb them. The orangutans are not early-morning critters. (Well, Janey sometimes is but that's a different story!) As I walk by each of their bedrooms, I make sure to check their doors and say hello to them. Most of them acknowledge me by either putting out a hand for me to shake or looking up as I go by. Josie (pictured) will most likely have a bag or something covering her head, but she removes it to look at me and gives me her hand to shake. Janey is usually waiting to say hello at one of her side windows where I rub her lips as she holds them out to me. Once I have seen that everyone is fine, I turn the lights back off and clean the exhibit.
Breakfast is served around 7 to 7:30. I usually turn on the lights, turn on the radio (something soft to start the day with), then serve them each their own cup of juice. Cinta loves this part and will usually run over to his own room so his mom, Indah, doesn't drink it all. Each orangutan has his or her breakfast weighed out; it's hard maintaining that girlish figure, and by weighing the amount of food they eat we can help them stay healthy. Breakfast consists of folivore biscuits and mixed fruit, usually apples, oranges, bananas, grapes, melon, pear, raisins, and whatever novel fruit we receive that day. To make it easier for me to keep track, and a little more exciting for the orangutans, they each get their breakfast in a brown paper bag. They seem to like this presentation and it keeps them busy for quite a while.
While they eat breakfast, I continue to clean and set up the exhibit and prepare any needed medications. By 8:30 I am ready for them to start their day on exhibit. But before they go out, we do some training in a chute they must go through that leads them outside.
There are many behaviors they do as part of their training, but I'll have to save that for another time.
Yvette Kemp is a senior mammal keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
View the orangutans on Ape Cam and read their bios.
Posted in General, Animal Stories | Link to this post | 9 Comments »
Sun Bear Summary
Posted at 11:41 am April 10, 2006 by Suzanne Hall
You may recall a blog I wrote a few months back telling you of our hope that a sun bear cub would be born here this spring. I am sorry to report that our sun bear, Marcella, did not give birth.
We were crossing our fingers after her natural matings in November. After all, natural matings between Marcella and the male, Dibu, were responsible for the arrival of Danum, the first Bornean sun bear cub born in North America. Danum arrived in February 2004 and weaned from his mother in the summer of 2005. Marcella had a strong estrus in November 2005 and several copulations were observed. We even confirmed that there was semen in her genital tract. All signs looked good for another cub (or two) to arrive.
Marcella showed us some signs that she might be pregnant. She built a nest in her den with hay, shredded paper, and plant material. She had some mammary and gential swelling. Her appetite declined. In pandas, all of these are positive indicators that a female might be pregnant. Unfortunately, like pandas, sun bears may also exhibit pseudopregnancy. This means that a female might undergo several physiological and behavioral changes associated with pregnancy, and still fail to give birth.
But all is not lost. Unlike pandas, many sun bears in captivity cycle multiple times each year. That means there remains a possibility that Marcella will get pregnant again soon. Since Marcella's behavior has returned to normal, she has now been reintroduced to Dibu, with whom she spends most of her time. We'll be watching her closely for signs of estrus and sexual interest on the part of the male.
As for Danum, he has adjusted to life as a solitary bear quite well. Soon, he will undergo the next big experience in his life: a move to a new facility. In a short time, Danum will be sent to a zoo in Texas, where he will hopefully breed with a female there once he reaches sexual maturity. Come see this beautiful boy before he leaves. You'll find him in the San Diego Zoo's Bear Canyon, near the brown bear and next to another sun bear female, Ting Ting. We'll miss you, Danum!
Suzanne Hall is the senior research laboratory technican for the Office of Giant Panda Conservation
Posted in General, Conservation, Animal Stories | Link to this post | 4 Comments »
A Playground for Koza and Cairo
Posted at 4:02 pm April 7, 2006 by Marcia Redding
Life keeps getting more interesting for our lion cub and puppy duo. Early in the morning, they both get a ride from the Wild Animal Park's Animal Care Center to Lion Camp for a play session in the large, grassy exhibit.
Initially, all that space was a little intimidating, but now they wiggle in excitement as they approach their giant playground. Once inside they are off and running: chasing, pouncing, and exploring the many wonders available to them, such as their favorite, the "abandoned" safari vehicle parked in the enclosure (see image above). They both get inside and wrestle; Koza, the lion cub, has tried a few times to jump up on the hood like the big lions do, but hasn't managed it yet. He is growing so quickly, in no time he'll be hopping up there like the pros. Another favorite event is when the person from the Building and Grounds Department comes to clean the outside of the big window. Koza likes to chase the rag as it glides across the glass. I have a feeling this is a high point in the employee's day as well!
Next on the agenda will be introducing Koza to an adult lion through the mesh intro door inside the house. Helping us in this endeavor will be Mina, one of the females in Izu's pride. She is lively, playful, and intelligent, and is also very curious, so will be a good candidate to help Koza to realize he's a lion and not a dog! Koza will not be directly integrated with the adults at the Wild Animal Park: his future will be as a valued breeder in another institution, with his own pride. Until then, our job is to keep him healthy, happy, and well socialized with his own kind.
Koza and Cairo are on exhibit at Lion Camp every morning until 10 a.m. Come out and visit them soon!
Marcia Redding is a senior mammal keeper at the Wild Animal Park.
Read Marcia's previous blog about Koza and Cairo.
Posted in General, Animal Stories | Link to this post | 7 Comments »
Food for the Birds
Posted at 8:39 am April 6, 2006 by Nerissa Foland
Bird diets are as diverse as the bird collection at the San Diego Zoo. Every bird, in every enclosure, has a diet made up by our nutritionists (we have two on staff at the Zoo). Since keepers couldn't possibly offer a pan for every bird, not to mention teach the birds to eat from only "their" pan, one pan must have all of the correct items needed to fit many diets. To reduce competition of favorite items by a dominant bird, a few pans are placed throughout an aviary. Ground birds are offered food close to the ground, and those birds that do not stray far from the treetops are offered their pans high up on pedestals. Of course, that doesn't stop birds from sampling from each other's pans!
One of the main staples in a bird diet is some form of pellet. We have many types of dry food supplied by our Forage Warehouse, and designed with many animals' dietary needs in mind. These dry foods come in many sizes; sometimes so small we mix them in with birdseed and other times as large as a hunk of fruit. After that, the pans are tailored with some combination of fruit, meat, leafy greens, seed, and bugs!
Our milky storks in the Marsh Aviary across from the fishing cats in the Zoo's Tiger River, for example, eat mostly dog food, trout, and bugs. However, the little Java sparrows across from the tigers eat mostly seed, dry pellet, and a little fruit and greens. Since many of our aviaries are home to both large and small, I often wonder what the little seed eaters think when they fly to a pan that has a nice chunk of meat in it!
It's sometimes hard work to make sure each bird is eating what they need to stay healthy; fortunately for keepers, a bird's instinct usually guides it to eat the right foods. So next time you are visiting one of the Zoo's aviaries, check out where and what is in the pan. This will give you a great clue as to what kind of bird you're looking at!
Nerissa Foland is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo's Tiger River habitat.
Posted in General, Animal Stories | Link to this post | 5 Comments »
Zoo Veterinary Services Keeps a Watchful Eye 24/7
Posted at 2:16 pm April 3, 2006 by Bob Cisneros
The San Diego Zoo's Veterinary Services Department is excited about a new tool that is helping us improve animal care at the hospital around the clock. We have installed a camera system that allows us to watch animals from our computers and special monitors at any time. The system also has a server that stores video footage, allowing us to review archival video of animal activity that takes place while we are not working. This provides us with very important information and also answers some very basic questions:Is the animal eating after we leave at night?
How active is the animal?
Are there behaviors displayed that should concern us?
Can the animal stand, walk, fly, etc?
If housed with other animals, how do they interact with each other?
Are they interacting with their enrichment?
Currently, we have nine ceiling and track-mounted cameras. The cameras that are mounted on a track allow the keepers to slide the camera from one end of a room to another. This gives us more options for viewing in rooms with more than one cage. The benefits of this camera system in an animal care facility are numerous. With these cameras, we are able to pan, zoom, use a motion detector, and utilize many other options to further the quality of care that we provide for all of our animals. We can observe animals when they reach a critical point in recovery from procedures where anesthesia or sedation without "spooking" them with our presence. We can even determine how well an animal is eating or how often it eats. We have found that some applications are opportunistically discovered. For example, we recently weighed a L'Hoest's guenon that was staying at the hospital with the help of the new camera system. Because we had difficulty getting the animal to sit on a scale while keepers were present, we positioned the scale bars under a crate, placed some food on top of the crate, and set the scale reader outside the cage. We focused the camera on the reader and crate and were able to leave the room, go to our monitor, and record the weight without the monkey ever knowing we had done so (see image above). Another benefit is that we are also able to witness surgical procedures without having to "gown-up" and enter a sterile environment. This allows visitors and animal care staff to watch a procedure that they otherwise would not be able to view.
We are in the process of installing more cameras at the hospital. As we install more, we will undoubtedly discover new ways to improve our animal care. It is exciting to know that the applications for this new tool are as endless as our imaginations allow!
Bob Cisneros is a senior hospital keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
Posted in General, The Zoo Journal, Animal Stories | Link to this post | 5 Comments »
Okapi Calf Makes His Debut
Posted at 4:33 pm March 30, 2006 by Bridget Mulholland
Kidomo, our month-old okapi calf, went out to the exhibit in the San Diego Zoo's Ituri Forest for the first time with his dam, Kelle, on March 25. He immediately started exploring the large space, and every once in a while he would get so excited that he would start kicking with his hind legs and then run around like crazy! All the while, Kelle was busy nibbling on fresh browse that the keepers hung throughout the exhibit.
Kidomo's keepers have been working very closely with him ever since his birth on February 22. They have been getting him used to walking through the chute in the okapi barn, which is where medical procedures can be done without using any anesthesia. For example, Kelle had an ultrasound done in the chute so that the veterinarians and keepers could see how Kidomo was doing before he was born! There is also a scale set up in the chute to take monthly weights on all of the okapis. Kidomo's most recent weight was 108 pounds (49 kilograms). What a big boy he has become!
If weather permits, Kidomo will be spending time out on exhibit from noon until 2 p.m. daily. Be sure to stop by and see our youngster frolic around his new home!
Bridget Mulholland is a senior mammal keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
Read about Kidomo's birth in Bridget's blog: An Okapi is Born!
Posted in General, Animal Stories | Link to this post | 9 Comments »
Of Wallabies and Watermelons?
Posted at 9:56 am March 24, 2006 by Valerie Stoddard
I arrived at work and veterinarian Russ Burns was trying to find a medical record for one of our wildlife education animals. "Good morning, Valerie! We have a dusky pademelon coming to the hospital. Can you help me find the record?" A dusty watermelon…what? I've worked at the Wild Animal Park's Harter Veterinary Medical Center (HVMC) for two-and-a-half years, and this was the first time I'd heard that, and I really wasn't sure where to look – the produce section?
Obviously noticing the large question mark I had over my head, Dr. Burns informed me that a dusky pademelon is a type of marsupial, and can also be referred to as a southern scrub wallaby. I learned something new and hadn't even been at work ten minutes! Now equipped with this knowledge, I was able to help locate the medical record (well, I have to admit, the good doctor found it first).
With over 3,000 animals' medical records to sort through, having a good system in which to locate them is essential. Most of the people I work with have been employed at the Wild Animal Park for many years, and their knowledge and experience has been the catalyst for the creation of our unique record-keeping system, as well as the wonderful facility we treat our animals in. Here at HVMC, our medical records are filed first by species, then by common name, and finally by an accession number that is assigned as animals are born, hatched, or moved into the collection. Many of our animals also have "house" names, and this unusual, furry kid goes by the name "Sport."
An hour or so later, one of our registered veterinary technicians called me into the small animal treatment room, so I could watch while she and Dr. Burns delicately treated Sport's wound, and his trainer helped with positioning. After the brief procedure, he was released back to his home and Park family. As it turned out, his "owie" was very minor, and an opportunistic exam (as well as his gentle demeanor!) revealed that he is a happy, healthy wallaby.
As I always do when the opportunity arises, I felt so fortunate to be able to meet another of our exotic animals, and watch as Dr. Burns and the other staff members demonstrated their amazing sensitivity. Sport was very cooperative and I could see that he felt safe and cared for. What a joy this was to witness!
Valerie Stoddard is the senior administrative assistant at the Wild Animal Park's Harter Veterinary Medical Center.
Here's information about tours of the HVMC.
Posted in General, Animal Stories | Link to this post | 6 Comments »
« Previous EntriesTerms of Use | Privacy Policy | Contact us | About Us | Zoo Jobs
© 2006 Zoological Society of San DiegoAccredited, AZA
---
News from San Diego County
Associated Press
SAN DIEGO - A five-month-old lion cub that won over thousands of San Diego Wild Animal Park visitors was euthanized hours after she was mauled by an adult lioness.
The cub, Koza, had been quarantined from the adult lions since her birth last year, but Monday morning a keeper mistakenly removed a wire barrier protecting the cub's area, park spokeswoman Christina Simmons said.
A lioness, Mina, attacked, biting Koza three times, severely damaging the cub's spinal cord before zoo keepers were able to separate the two animals. Park officials made the decision to euthanize the cub after several hours of treatment.
Koza was born in November by Caesarean section from a lioness carrying twins. The other cub died and the mother lion was unable to care for Koza after the birth.
Keepers gave Koza an Italian mastiff puppy, Cairo, as a social companion, and the two were put on public view in the park's nursery in January.
Fewer than 100 African lions live in an aging population of zoo animals throughout the nation. Koza, one of only 15 born in a U.S. zoo or animal park this past year, had been expected to eventually leave for another city to breed.
Simmons said that keepers were in the process of introducing Koza to the zoo's pride of lions. Adults were able to see and smell the cub through a heavy wire barrier. Simmons said its removal was simply "human error."
The lioness that attacked Koza was not the cub's mother, Simmons said, adding that the dog was not present during the attack.
**************
| zoo home | park home | zoo newsletters | videos & live cams | zoo postcards |
San Diego Zoo Weblogs home
Archives for the Animal Stories category.
Archives
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004
August 2004
July 2004
June 2004
May 2004
April 2004
January 2004
November 2003
October 2003
September 2003
August 2003
July 2003
June 2003
May 2003
Categories
Animal Stories (70)
Conservation (144)
Field Studies (5)
General (286)
Giant Pandas (110)
Girls in Science (15)
Hawaii Bird Project (28)
The Zoo Journal (43)
Zoo InternQuest (24)
Archive for the 'Animal Stories' Category
« Previous EntriesAn Enriching Weekend for Orangutans
Posted at 2:10 pm April 19, 2006 by Yvette Kemp
Last Saturday and Sunday were pretty fun days at the San Diego Zoo for many animals and guests. It was the first time keepers highlighted enrichment activities that they provide for the animals in their care. Enrichment is offered everyday for all the animals at the Zoo and Wild Animal Park; it is something that keepers make available to the animals to stimulate their minds, bodies, or both. It provides new things for them to do that day. Enrichment can be as simple as a pile of mulch to fling and dig through, or hiding the day's diet throughout the exhibit, or something more elaborate such as supplying paints for the animals to show off their artistic talents. Enrichment comes in many sizes and forms, and sometimes guests are not aware of what is going on. So this past weekend, keepers were able to meet with Zoo guests and provide them with information regarding the animals and enrichment.
The orangutans were provided with papier-maché balls and painted paper bags (supplied by the kids in the Education Department's Spring Camp program) stuffed with hay and treats, peanut butter/Cheerio/honey balls (supplied by keeper Victoria Zahn) hidden throughout the exhibit, palm fronds (supplied by the Horticulture Department staff), piles of hay, sugar-free gelatin eggs hidden throughout the Absolutely Apes exhibit, and a popcorn scatter. Oh, and I can't forget the giant bubble machine our Team Area Lead Kim Livingstone lugged all over the back wall to find the perfect spot! So, as you can see, not only does it take a village to raise a child, but a great support system to provide extra enrichment for an orangutan.
Needless to say, when the orangutans came out they were very excited. The hunt for treats was on! The peanut butter balls were a big hit. Little Cinta was even seen scrambling across the top ropes going to the other side of the exhibit to look for more hidden in the logs. His mom, Indah, could not keep up with him. Satu (pictured) loved the bubble machine the most. He would stand in front of it and just let the bubbles pop against him, like some great super hero blocking meteors from destroying the Earth. Karen and Josie made great use of the palm fronds and hay. They made some big beds out of them that day! Big Clyde delicately plucked gelatin eggs off branches and ledges, while Janey vacuumed up as many Cheerio balls as she could find. And after the treats were gone, Cinta wore half of the papier-maché ball on his head, Satu ran like a crazy man with the palm fronds, and everyone threw hay around the exhibit.
Yes, the exhibit was a huge mess the next day (many thanks to fellow keeper Fernando Covarrubias for helping me clean), but the orangutans had a great time and were able to have their own Spring Break celebration. When the animals are happy and healthy, the keepers are happy. For every keeper, it is worth the extra work setting up and removing enrichment and explaining to guests what enrichment is.
Next time you are at the Zoo and see different items in an exhibit, like piles of dirt, hay, or mulch, or something you think might be enrichment, it probably is. Feel free to tell the visitor standing next to you what you know about enrichment and perhaps they, too, will pass it on.
Yvette Kemp is a senior mammal keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
Posted in General, Animal Stories | Link to this post | 5 Comments »
In Memory of Koza
Posted at 3:32 pm April 18, 2006 by Valerie Stoddard
It was first thing in the morning and I was bringing some things back to the surgical areas for the registered veterinary technicians. I heard some commotion when I opened the double doors and right away noticed Koza's crate. He's been here so many times I'd know that crate anywhere, and even though there are millions of them that look just like it, there's only one crate that contains a hand-reared, five-month old lion cub like him.
I've had so many special encounters with Koza over the last five months, but mine pale in comparison to those the hospital, animal care center, and other Mammal Department staff members have had. I'm sure many of you have read the blogs written by some of Koza's closest caretakers and gained an appreciation for how much this lion cub was loved and cared for by all who were lucky enough to do so.
When I saw the look of anguish on the faces of the Mammal Department managers and keepers, I knew something was terribly wrong. Koza wasn't scheduled for an exam that morning (I always look at the veterinarians' calendar to see who's coming up, so I can see my favorite "furry kids" when they're here), and the activity going on in the large animal treatment room didn't appear at all routine. When I turned the corner, I saw Koza being rushed over to the table, limp and obviously in trouble.
I asked what had happened and was told that he had been attacked by one of the adult female lions. Although the keepers acted quickly and alerted medical staff immediately, he appeared to be severely injured. Animal keepers are trained to be careful about every move they make. They have to be aware of their own moves, the moves of animals around them, the moves of other animal care staff, and general changes in the environment. Even with training and experience, occasionally a mistake will happen…a wrong move will be made. This is because even with all their training, animal keepers are still human.
Dr. Nadine Lamberski was attending to Koza. She, along with Dr. Jim Oosterhuis, had delivered Koza by emergency caesarean section last November. It seemed so sadly ironic that Dr. Lamberski, who helped save the cub from the brink of death once, was now struggling to do it again. How was she able to keep her head and remain calm? As ever, she and the attending medical staff performed like the professionals they are. There wasn't another person in the room, however, who wasn't holding their breath hoping for another miracle.
After much deliberation over what was seen on the radiographs and what it meant for Koza's short- and long-term prognosis, the agonizing decision to humanely euthanize Koza was the only compassionate decision that could be made; the damage was too severe and ultimately irreparable.
After crying most of the night, mourning the loss of our bright, beautiful star, Koza, I thought I had given up all the tears I had. I came to work the next morning with a heavy heart and started to prepare for the day. When I brought up my e-mail, there was one from Karen Daugherty. Karen is one of our senior registered veterinary technicians and was with Dr. Lamberski in the last moments of Koza's life. Her words helped me replace the heartbreaking images I saw of him when he was first brought to the hospital with images of the essence of Koza:
I was wondering if you could write a blog for me regarding Koza? I wanted others to know he was adorable and a gentleman to the end. I got to spend the last few hours with him stroking his cheeks, behind his ears, and tickling his nose. I would hold his paw and if I let go he would put his paw out to me until I held onto it again. We played tug-of-war with a towel and he made little lion noises. He seemed happy even though I knew he felt really bad. Through all the tears, he looked up at me as if to let me know it was okay when the decision came down. We were willing to do anything to fix him but the injuries were too extensive. I held his paw and stroked his face until he went to sleep forever.
Thank you, Karen, for the gift of those peaceful images. And even though Koza didn't get his turn to be king, that bright and beautiful boy will always be our "little prince." No, he isn't "my" cub; he belongs to the stars.
We love you and miss you, Koza…
Valerie Stoddard is the senior administrative assistant at the Wild Animal Park's Harter Veterinary Medical Center.
Posted in General, Animal Stories | Link to this post | 66 Comments »
Okapi Calf Learning the Ropes
Posted at 9:52 am April 14, 2006 by Nerissa Foland
Kidomo, our seven-week-old okapi calf in Ituri Forest at the San Diego Zoo is growing by leaps and bounds. While he is still a youngster, his keepers have been using every opportunity to handle him and expose him to many different situations. It is very important to touch Kidomo (pictured here with keeper Jama Kasowicz) a lot while he is young, including picking up his legs and inspecting his hooves. All of this "desensitizing" is important in making him feel comfortable with us in the future, not to mention one of the best parts of any keeper's job!
Lately, Kidomo's keepers have been getting him used to wearing a
halter. He has been so good, the keepers were able to put it on him within a few days. Now, before being let out on exhibit, he wears this halter for a short time almost every day. But this is only one of the many new introductions to this little Kiddo's life. Every morning, on his way to the exhibit with mom, he walks through a hallway that contains a "squeeze" and scale. The squeeze has six doors at different levels on each side of the hallway that open, allowing keepers and veterinarians access to whatever body part of an okapi is of particular interest that day. The floor of the squeeze has a built-in scale for easy weighing. Making this daily trip through the squeeze now will help build Kidomo's confidence in it in the future and will help us take good care of him.
In addition to acclimating him to his environment, keepers are slowly
introducing him to his herd. Starting very soon, Kidomo will be on exhibit
with mom, Kelle, and the other two okapis: Safrani and Biscotti. His keepers just recently put up a fence to divide the yard so Kidomo can be introduced safely. This is an exciting time in Kiddo's life; be sure to visit him soon while he gets to know the other members of Ituri Forest.
Nerissa Foland is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
Read a previous blog about Kidomo's debut.
Posted in General, Animal Stories | Link to this post | 4 Comments »
Breakfast with the Orangutans
Posted at 8:01 am April 13, 2006 by Yvette Kemp
Since I've started working on a daily basis with the orangutans, I've really gotten to know them better. They are so different from each other and it has been fun getting to know each of their personalities. As I get to know each of them, I hope to share my stories with you so you can get to know them better, too.
We have seven orangutans at the San Diego Zoo; one female Bornean orangutan named Janey, and six Sumatran orangutans: Clyde, Satu, Josephine, Karen, Indah, and Cinta. Here's how our day begins…
I arrive at 6 a.m. and check that everyone is doing okay. Since it is still pretty early, I just turn on a dim light so that I can see them but not completely disturb them. The orangutans are not early-morning critters. (Well, Janey sometimes is but that's a different story!) As I walk by each of their bedrooms, I make sure to check their doors and say hello to them. Most of them acknowledge me by either putting out a hand for me to shake or looking up as I go by. Josie (pictured) will most likely have a bag or something covering her head, but she removes it to look at me and gives me her hand to shake. Janey is usually waiting to say hello at one of her side windows where I rub her lips as she holds them out to me. Once I have seen that everyone is fine, I turn the lights back off and clean the exhibit.
Breakfast is served around 7 to 7:30. I usually turn on the lights, turn on the radio (something soft to start the day with), then serve them each their own cup of juice. Cinta loves this part and will usually run over to his own room so his mom, Indah, doesn't drink it all. Each orangutan has his or her breakfast weighed out; it's hard maintaining that girlish figure, and by weighing the amount of food they eat we can help them stay healthy. Breakfast consists of folivore biscuits and mixed fruit, usually apples, oranges, bananas, grapes, melon, pear, raisins, and whatever novel fruit we receive that day. To make it easier for me to keep track, and a little more exciting for the orangutans, they each get their breakfast in a brown paper bag. They seem to like this presentation and it keeps them busy for quite a while.
While they eat breakfast, I continue to clean and set up the exhibit and prepare any needed medications. By 8:30 I am ready for them to start their day on exhibit. But before they go out, we do some training in a chute they must go through that leads them outside.
There are many behaviors they do as part of their training, but I'll have to save that for another time.
Yvette Kemp is a senior mammal keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
View the orangutans on Ape Cam and read their bios.
Posted in General, Animal Stories | Link to this post | 9 Comments »
Sun Bear Summary
Posted at 11:41 am April 10, 2006 by Suzanne Hall
You may recall a blog I wrote a few months back telling you of our hope that a sun bear cub would be born here this spring. I am sorry to report that our sun bear, Marcella, did not give birth.
We were crossing our fingers after her natural matings in November. After all, natural matings between Marcella and the male, Dibu, were responsible for the arrival of Danum, the first Bornean sun bear cub born in North America. Danum arrived in February 2004 and weaned from his mother in the summer of 2005. Marcella had a strong estrus in November 2005 and several copulations were observed. We even confirmed that there was semen in her genital tract. All signs looked good for another cub (or two) to arrive.
Marcella showed us some signs that she might be pregnant. She built a nest in her den with hay, shredded paper, and plant material. She had some mammary and gential swelling. Her appetite declined. In pandas, all of these are positive indicators that a female might be pregnant. Unfortunately, like pandas, sun bears may also exhibit pseudopregnancy. This means that a female might undergo several physiological and behavioral changes associated with pregnancy, and still fail to give birth.
But all is not lost. Unlike pandas, many sun bears in captivity cycle multiple times each year. That means there remains a possibility that Marcella will get pregnant again soon. Since Marcella's behavior has returned to normal, she has now been reintroduced to Dibu, with whom she spends most of her time. We'll be watching her closely for signs of estrus and sexual interest on the part of the male.
As for Danum, he has adjusted to life as a solitary bear quite well. Soon, he will undergo the next big experience in his life: a move to a new facility. In a short time, Danum will be sent to a zoo in Texas, where he will hopefully breed with a female there once he reaches sexual maturity. Come see this beautiful boy before he leaves. You'll find him in the San Diego Zoo's Bear Canyon, near the brown bear and next to another sun bear female, Ting Ting. We'll miss you, Danum!
Suzanne Hall is the senior research laboratory technican for the Office of Giant Panda Conservation
Posted in General, Conservation, Animal Stories | Link to this post | 4 Comments »
A Playground for Koza and Cairo
Posted at 4:02 pm April 7, 2006 by Marcia Redding
Life keeps getting more interesting for our lion cub and puppy duo. Early in the morning, they both get a ride from the Wild Animal Park's Animal Care Center to Lion Camp for a play session in the large, grassy exhibit.
Initially, all that space was a little intimidating, but now they wiggle in excitement as they approach their giant playground. Once inside they are off and running: chasing, pouncing, and exploring the many wonders available to them, such as their favorite, the "abandoned" safari vehicle parked in the enclosure (see image above). They both get inside and wrestle; Koza, the lion cub, has tried a few times to jump up on the hood like the big lions do, but hasn't managed it yet. He is growing so quickly, in no time he'll be hopping up there like the pros. Another favorite event is when the person from the Building and Grounds Department comes to clean the outside of the big window. Koza likes to chase the rag as it glides across the glass. I have a feeling this is a high point in the employee's day as well!
Next on the agenda will be introducing Koza to an adult lion through the mesh intro door inside the house. Helping us in this endeavor will be Mina, one of the females in Izu's pride. She is lively, playful, and intelligent, and is also very curious, so will be a good candidate to help Koza to realize he's a lion and not a dog! Koza will not be directly integrated with the adults at the Wild Animal Park: his future will be as a valued breeder in another institution, with his own pride. Until then, our job is to keep him healthy, happy, and well socialized with his own kind.
Koza and Cairo are on exhibit at Lion Camp every morning until 10 a.m. Come out and visit them soon!
Marcia Redding is a senior mammal keeper at the Wild Animal Park.
Read Marcia's previous blog about Koza and Cairo.
Posted in General, Animal Stories | Link to this post | 7 Comments »
Food for the Birds
Posted at 8:39 am April 6, 2006 by Nerissa Foland
Bird diets are as diverse as the bird collection at the San Diego Zoo. Every bird, in every enclosure, has a diet made up by our nutritionists (we have two on staff at the Zoo). Since keepers couldn't possibly offer a pan for every bird, not to mention teach the birds to eat from only "their" pan, one pan must have all of the correct items needed to fit many diets. To reduce competition of favorite items by a dominant bird, a few pans are placed throughout an aviary. Ground birds are offered food close to the ground, and those birds that do not stray far from the treetops are offered their pans high up on pedestals. Of course, that doesn't stop birds from sampling from each other's pans!
One of the main staples in a bird diet is some form of pellet. We have many types of dry food supplied by our Forage Warehouse, and designed with many animals' dietary needs in mind. These dry foods come in many sizes; sometimes so small we mix them in with birdseed and other times as large as a hunk of fruit. After that, the pans are tailored with some combination of fruit, meat, leafy greens, seed, and bugs!
Our milky storks in the Marsh Aviary across from the fishing cats in the Zoo's Tiger River, for example, eat mostly dog food, trout, and bugs. However, the little Java sparrows across from the tigers eat mostly seed, dry pellet, and a little fruit and greens. Since many of our aviaries are home to both large and small, I often wonder what the little seed eaters think when they fly to a pan that has a nice chunk of meat in it!
It's sometimes hard work to make sure each bird is eating what they need to stay healthy; fortunately for keepers, a bird's instinct usually guides it to eat the right foods. So next time you are visiting one of the Zoo's aviaries, check out where and what is in the pan. This will give you a great clue as to what kind of bird you're looking at!
Nerissa Foland is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo's Tiger River habitat.
Posted in General, Animal Stories | Link to this post | 5 Comments »
Zoo Veterinary Services Keeps a Watchful Eye 24/7
Posted at 2:16 pm April 3, 2006 by Bob Cisneros
The San Diego Zoo's Veterinary Services Department is excited about a new tool that is helping us improve animal care at the hospital around the clock. We have installed a camera system that allows us to watch animals from our computers and special monitors at any time. The system also has a server that stores video footage, allowing us to review archival video of animal activity that takes place while we are not working. This provides us with very important information and also answers some very basic questions:Is the animal eating after we leave at night?
How active is the animal?
Are there behaviors displayed that should concern us?
Can the animal stand, walk, fly, etc?
If housed with other animals, how do they interact with each other?
Are they interacting with their enrichment?
Currently, we have nine ceiling and track-mounted cameras. The cameras that are mounted on a track allow the keepers to slide the camera from one end of a room to another. This gives us more options for viewing in rooms with more than one cage. The benefits of this camera system in an animal care facility are numerous. With these cameras, we are able to pan, zoom, use a motion detector, and utilize many other options to further the quality of care that we provide for all of our animals. We can observe animals when they reach a critical point in recovery from procedures where anesthesia or sedation without "spooking" them with our presence. We can even determine how well an animal is eating or how often it eats. We have found that some applications are opportunistically discovered. For example, we recently weighed a L'Hoest's guenon that was staying at the hospital with the help of the new camera system. Because we had difficulty getting the animal to sit on a scale while keepers were present, we positioned the scale bars under a crate, placed some food on top of the crate, and set the scale reader outside the cage. We focused the camera on the reader and crate and were able to leave the room, go to our monitor, and record the weight without the monkey ever knowing we had done so (see image above). Another benefit is that we are also able to witness surgical procedures without having to "gown-up" and enter a sterile environment. This allows visitors and animal care staff to watch a procedure that they otherwise would not be able to view.
We are in the process of installing more cameras at the hospital. As we install more, we will undoubtedly discover new ways to improve our animal care. It is exciting to know that the applications for this new tool are as endless as our imaginations allow!
Bob Cisneros is a senior hospital keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
Posted in General, The Zoo Journal, Animal Stories | Link to this post | 5 Comments »
Okapi Calf Makes His Debut
Posted at 4:33 pm March 30, 2006 by Bridget Mulholland
Kidomo, our month-old okapi calf, went out to the exhibit in the San Diego Zoo's Ituri Forest for the first time with his dam, Kelle, on March 25. He immediately started exploring the large space, and every once in a while he would get so excited that he would start kicking with his hind legs and then run around like crazy! All the while, Kelle was busy nibbling on fresh browse that the keepers hung throughout the exhibit.
Kidomo's keepers have been working very closely with him ever since his birth on February 22. They have been getting him used to walking through the chute in the okapi barn, which is where medical procedures can be done without using any anesthesia. For example, Kelle had an ultrasound done in the chute so that the veterinarians and keepers could see how Kidomo was doing before he was born! There is also a scale set up in the chute to take monthly weights on all of the okapis. Kidomo's most recent weight was 108 pounds (49 kilograms). What a big boy he has become!
If weather permits, Kidomo will be spending time out on exhibit from noon until 2 p.m. daily. Be sure to stop by and see our youngster frolic around his new home!
Bridget Mulholland is a senior mammal keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
Read about Kidomo's birth in Bridget's blog: An Okapi is Born!
Posted in General, Animal Stories | Link to this post | 9 Comments »
Of Wallabies and Watermelons?
Posted at 9:56 am March 24, 2006 by Valerie Stoddard
I arrived at work and veterinarian Russ Burns was trying to find a medical record for one of our wildlife education animals. "Good morning, Valerie! We have a dusky pademelon coming to the hospital. Can you help me find the record?" A dusty watermelon…what? I've worked at the Wild Animal Park's Harter Veterinary Medical Center (HVMC) for two-and-a-half years, and this was the first time I'd heard that, and I really wasn't sure where to look – the produce section?
Obviously noticing the large question mark I had over my head, Dr. Burns informed me that a dusky pademelon is a type of marsupial, and can also be referred to as a southern scrub wallaby. I learned something new and hadn't even been at work ten minutes! Now equipped with this knowledge, I was able to help locate the medical record (well, I have to admit, the good doctor found it first).
With over 3,000 animals' medical records to sort through, having a good system in which to locate them is essential. Most of the people I work with have been employed at the Wild Animal Park for many years, and their knowledge and experience has been the catalyst for the creation of our unique record-keeping system, as well as the wonderful facility we treat our animals in. Here at HVMC, our medical records are filed first by species, then by common name, and finally by an accession number that is assigned as animals are born, hatched, or moved into the collection. Many of our animals also have "house" names, and this unusual, furry kid goes by the name "Sport."
An hour or so later, one of our registered veterinary technicians called me into the small animal treatment room, so I could watch while she and Dr. Burns delicately treated Sport's wound, and his trainer helped with positioning. After the brief procedure, he was released back to his home and Park family. As it turned out, his "owie" was very minor, and an opportunistic exam (as well as his gentle demeanor!) revealed that he is a happy, healthy wallaby.
As I always do when the opportunity arises, I felt so fortunate to be able to meet another of our exotic animals, and watch as Dr. Burns and the other staff members demonstrated their amazing sensitivity. Sport was very cooperative and I could see that he felt safe and cared for. What a joy this was to witness!
Valerie Stoddard is the senior administrative assistant at the Wild Animal Park's Harter Veterinary Medical Center.
Here's information about tours of the HVMC.
Posted in General, Animal Stories | Link to this post | 6 Comments »
« Previous EntriesTerms of Use | Privacy Policy | Contact us | About Us | Zoo Jobs
© 2006 Zoological Society of San DiegoAccredited, AZA
---
Posted on Tue, Apr. 18, 2006
News from San Diego County
Associated Press
SAN DIEGO - A five-month-old lion cub that won over thousands of San Diego Wild Animal Park visitors was euthanized hours after she was mauled by an adult lioness.
The cub, Koza, had been quarantined from the adult lions since her birth last year, but Monday morning a keeper mistakenly removed a wire barrier protecting the cub's area, park spokeswoman Christina Simmons said.
A lioness, Mina, attacked, biting Koza three times, severely damaging the cub's spinal cord before zoo keepers were able to separate the two animals. Park officials made the decision to euthanize the cub after several hours of treatment.
Koza was born in November by Caesarean section from a lioness carrying twins. The other cub died and the mother lion was unable to care for Koza after the birth.
Keepers gave Koza an Italian mastiff puppy, Cairo, as a social companion, and the two were put on public view in the park's nursery in January.
Fewer than 100 African lions live in an aging population of zoo animals throughout the nation. Koza, one of only 15 born in a U.S. zoo or animal park this past year, had been expected to eventually leave for another city to breed.
Simmons said that keepers were in the process of introducing Koza to the zoo's pride of lions. Adults were able to see and smell the cub through a heavy wire barrier. Simmons said its removal was simply "human error."
The lioness that attacked Koza was not the cub's mother, Simmons said, adding that the dog was not present during the attack.
**************
| zoo home | park home | zoo newsletters | videos & live cams | zoo postcards |
San Diego Zoo Weblogs home
Archives for the Animal Stories category.
Archives
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004
August 2004
July 2004
June 2004
May 2004
April 2004
January 2004
November 2003
October 2003
September 2003
August 2003
July 2003
June 2003
May 2003
Categories
Animal Stories (70)
Conservation (144)
Field Studies (5)
General (286)
Giant Pandas (110)
Girls in Science (15)
Hawaii Bird Project (28)
The Zoo Journal (43)
Zoo InternQuest (24)
Archive for the 'Animal Stories' Category
« Previous EntriesAn Enriching Weekend for Orangutans
Posted at 2:10 pm April 19, 2006 by Yvette Kemp
Last Saturday and Sunday were pretty fun days at the San Diego Zoo for many animals and guests. It was the first time keepers highlighted enrichment activities that they provide for the animals in their care. Enrichment is offered everyday for all the animals at the Zoo and Wild Animal Park; it is something that keepers make available to the animals to stimulate their minds, bodies, or both. It provides new things for them to do that day. Enrichment can be as simple as a pile of mulch to fling and dig through, or hiding the day's diet throughout the exhibit, or something more elaborate such as supplying paints for the animals to show off their artistic talents. Enrichment comes in many sizes and forms, and sometimes guests are not aware of what is going on. So this past weekend, keepers were able to meet with Zoo guests and provide them with information regarding the animals and enrichment.
The orangutans were provided with papier-maché balls and painted paper bags (supplied by the kids in the Education Department's Spring Camp program) stuffed with hay and treats, peanut butter/Cheerio/honey balls (supplied by keeper Victoria Zahn) hidden throughout the exhibit, palm fronds (supplied by the Horticulture Department staff), piles of hay, sugar-free gelatin eggs hidden throughout the Absolutely Apes exhibit, and a popcorn scatter. Oh, and I can't forget the giant bubble machine our Team Area Lead Kim Livingstone lugged all over the back wall to find the perfect spot! So, as you can see, not only does it take a village to raise a child, but a great support system to provide extra enrichment for an orangutan.
Needless to say, when the orangutans came out they were very excited. The hunt for treats was on! The peanut butter balls were a big hit. Little Cinta was even seen scrambling across the top ropes going to the other side of the exhibit to look for more hidden in the logs. His mom, Indah, could not keep up with him. Satu (pictured) loved the bubble machine the most. He would stand in front of it and just let the bubbles pop against him, like some great super hero blocking meteors from destroying the Earth. Karen and Josie made great use of the palm fronds and hay. They made some big beds out of them that day! Big Clyde delicately plucked gelatin eggs off branches and ledges, while Janey vacuumed up as many Cheerio balls as she could find. And after the treats were gone, Cinta wore half of the papier-maché ball on his head, Satu ran like a crazy man with the palm fronds, and everyone threw hay around the exhibit.
Yes, the exhibit was a huge mess the next day (many thanks to fellow keeper Fernando Covarrubias for helping me clean), but the orangutans had a great time and were able to have their own Spring Break celebration. When the animals are happy and healthy, the keepers are happy. For every keeper, it is worth the extra work setting up and removing enrichment and explaining to guests what enrichment is.
Next time you are at the Zoo and see different items in an exhibit, like piles of dirt, hay, or mulch, or something you think might be enrichment, it probably is. Feel free to tell the visitor standing next to you what you know about enrichment and perhaps they, too, will pass it on.
Yvette Kemp is a senior mammal keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
Posted in General, Animal Stories | Link to this post | 5 Comments »
In Memory of Koza
Posted at 3:32 pm April 18, 2006 by Valerie Stoddard
It was first thing in the morning and I was bringing some things back to the surgical areas for the registered veterinary technicians. I heard some commotion when I opened the double doors and right away noticed Koza's crate. He's been here so many times I'd know that crate anywhere, and even though there are millions of them that look just like it, there's only one crate that contains a hand-reared, five-month old lion cub like him.
I've had so many special encounters with Koza over the last five months, but mine pale in comparison to those the hospital, animal care center, and other Mammal Department staff members have had. I'm sure many of you have read the blogs written by some of Koza's closest caretakers and gained an appreciation for how much this lion cub was loved and cared for by all who were lucky enough to do so.
When I saw the look of anguish on the faces of the Mammal Department managers and keepers, I knew something was terribly wrong. Koza wasn't scheduled for an exam that morning (I always look at the veterinarians' calendar to see who's coming up, so I can see my favorite "furry kids" when they're here), and the activity going on in the large animal treatment room didn't appear at all routine. When I turned the corner, I saw Koza being rushed over to the table, limp and obviously in trouble.
I asked what had happened and was told that he had been attacked by one of the adult female lions. Although the keepers acted quickly and alerted medical staff immediately, he appeared to be severely injured. Animal keepers are trained to be careful about every move they make. They have to be aware of their own moves, the moves of animals around them, the moves of other animal care staff, and general changes in the environment. Even with training and experience, occasionally a mistake will happen…a wrong move will be made. This is because even with all their training, animal keepers are still human.
Dr. Nadine Lamberski was attending to Koza. She, along with Dr. Jim Oosterhuis, had delivered Koza by emergency caesarean section last November. It seemed so sadly ironic that Dr. Lamberski, who helped save the cub from the brink of death once, was now struggling to do it again. How was she able to keep her head and remain calm? As ever, she and the attending medical staff performed like the professionals they are. There wasn't another person in the room, however, who wasn't holding their breath hoping for another miracle.
After much deliberation over what was seen on the radiographs and what it meant for Koza's short- and long-term prognosis, the agonizing decision to humanely euthanize Koza was the only compassionate decision that could be made; the damage was too severe and ultimately irreparable.
After crying most of the night, mourning the loss of our bright, beautiful star, Koza, I thought I had given up all the tears I had. I came to work the next morning with a heavy heart and started to prepare for the day. When I brought up my e-mail, there was one from Karen Daugherty. Karen is one of our senior registered veterinary technicians and was with Dr. Lamberski in the last moments of Koza's life. Her words helped me replace the heartbreaking images I saw of him when he was first brought to the hospital with images of the essence of Koza:
I was wondering if you could write a blog for me regarding Koza? I wanted others to know he was adorable and a gentleman to the end. I got to spend the last few hours with him stroking his cheeks, behind his ears, and tickling his nose. I would hold his paw and if I let go he would put his paw out to me until I held onto it again. We played tug-of-war with a towel and he made little lion noises. He seemed happy even though I knew he felt really bad. Through all the tears, he looked up at me as if to let me know it was okay when the decision came down. We were willing to do anything to fix him but the injuries were too extensive. I held his paw and stroked his face until he went to sleep forever.
Thank you, Karen, for the gift of those peaceful images. And even though Koza didn't get his turn to be king, that bright and beautiful boy will always be our "little prince." No, he isn't "my" cub; he belongs to the stars.
We love you and miss you, Koza…
Valerie Stoddard is the senior administrative assistant at the Wild Animal Park's Harter Veterinary Medical Center.
Posted in General, Animal Stories | Link to this post | 66 Comments »
Okapi Calf Learning the Ropes
Posted at 9:52 am April 14, 2006 by Nerissa Foland
Kidomo, our seven-week-old okapi calf in Ituri Forest at the San Diego Zoo is growing by leaps and bounds. While he is still a youngster, his keepers have been using every opportunity to handle him and expose him to many different situations. It is very important to touch Kidomo (pictured here with keeper Jama Kasowicz) a lot while he is young, including picking up his legs and inspecting his hooves. All of this "desensitizing" is important in making him feel comfortable with us in the future, not to mention one of the best parts of any keeper's job!
Lately, Kidomo's keepers have been getting him used to wearing a
halter. He has been so good, the keepers were able to put it on him within a few days. Now, before being let out on exhibit, he wears this halter for a short time almost every day. But this is only one of the many new introductions to this little Kiddo's life. Every morning, on his way to the exhibit with mom, he walks through a hallway that contains a "squeeze" and scale. The squeeze has six doors at different levels on each side of the hallway that open, allowing keepers and veterinarians access to whatever body part of an okapi is of particular interest that day. The floor of the squeeze has a built-in scale for easy weighing. Making this daily trip through the squeeze now will help build Kidomo's confidence in it in the future and will help us take good care of him.
In addition to acclimating him to his environment, keepers are slowly
introducing him to his herd. Starting very soon, Kidomo will be on exhibit
with mom, Kelle, and the other two okapis: Safrani and Biscotti. His keepers just recently put up a fence to divide the yard so Kidomo can be introduced safely. This is an exciting time in Kiddo's life; be sure to visit him soon while he gets to know the other members of Ituri Forest.
Nerissa Foland is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
Read a previous blog about Kidomo's debut.
Posted in General, Animal Stories | Link to this post | 4 Comments »
Breakfast with the Orangutans
Posted at 8:01 am April 13, 2006 by Yvette Kemp
Since I've started working on a daily basis with the orangutans, I've really gotten to know them better. They are so different from each other and it has been fun getting to know each of their personalities. As I get to know each of them, I hope to share my stories with you so you can get to know them better, too.
We have seven orangutans at the San Diego Zoo; one female Bornean orangutan named Janey, and six Sumatran orangutans: Clyde, Satu, Josephine, Karen, Indah, and Cinta. Here's how our day begins…
I arrive at 6 a.m. and check that everyone is doing okay. Since it is still pretty early, I just turn on a dim light so that I can see them but not completely disturb them. The orangutans are not early-morning critters. (Well, Janey sometimes is but that's a different story!) As I walk by each of their bedrooms, I make sure to check their doors and say hello to them. Most of them acknowledge me by either putting out a hand for me to shake or looking up as I go by. Josie (pictured) will most likely have a bag or something covering her head, but she removes it to look at me and gives me her hand to shake. Janey is usually waiting to say hello at one of her side windows where I rub her lips as she holds them out to me. Once I have seen that everyone is fine, I turn the lights back off and clean the exhibit.
Breakfast is served around 7 to 7:30. I usually turn on the lights, turn on the radio (something soft to start the day with), then serve them each their own cup of juice. Cinta loves this part and will usually run over to his own room so his mom, Indah, doesn't drink it all. Each orangutan has his or her breakfast weighed out; it's hard maintaining that girlish figure, and by weighing the amount of food they eat we can help them stay healthy. Breakfast consists of folivore biscuits and mixed fruit, usually apples, oranges, bananas, grapes, melon, pear, raisins, and whatever novel fruit we receive that day. To make it easier for me to keep track, and a little more exciting for the orangutans, they each get their breakfast in a brown paper bag. They seem to like this presentation and it keeps them busy for quite a while.
While they eat breakfast, I continue to clean and set up the exhibit and prepare any needed medications. By 8:30 I am ready for them to start their day on exhibit. But before they go out, we do some training in a chute they must go through that leads them outside.
There are many behaviors they do as part of their training, but I'll have to save that for another time.
Yvette Kemp is a senior mammal keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
View the orangutans on Ape Cam and read their bios.
Posted in General, Animal Stories | Link to this post | 9 Comments »
Sun Bear Summary
Posted at 11:41 am April 10, 2006 by Suzanne Hall
You may recall a blog I wrote a few months back telling you of our hope that a sun bear cub would be born here this spring. I am sorry to report that our sun bear, Marcella, did not give birth.
We were crossing our fingers after her natural matings in November. After all, natural matings between Marcella and the male, Dibu, were responsible for the arrival of Danum, the first Bornean sun bear cub born in North America. Danum arrived in February 2004 and weaned from his mother in the summer of 2005. Marcella had a strong estrus in November 2005 and several copulations were observed. We even confirmed that there was semen in her genital tract. All signs looked good for another cub (or two) to arrive.
Marcella showed us some signs that she might be pregnant. She built a nest in her den with hay, shredded paper, and plant material. She had some mammary and gential swelling. Her appetite declined. In pandas, all of these are positive indicators that a female might be pregnant. Unfortunately, like pandas, sun bears may also exhibit pseudopregnancy. This means that a female might undergo several physiological and behavioral changes associated with pregnancy, and still fail to give birth.
But all is not lost. Unlike pandas, many sun bears in captivity cycle multiple times each year. That means there remains a possibility that Marcella will get pregnant again soon. Since Marcella's behavior has returned to normal, she has now been reintroduced to Dibu, with whom she spends most of her time. We'll be watching her closely for signs of estrus and sexual interest on the part of the male.
As for Danum, he has adjusted to life as a solitary bear quite well. Soon, he will undergo the next big experience in his life: a move to a new facility. In a short time, Danum will be sent to a zoo in Texas, where he will hopefully breed with a female there once he reaches sexual maturity. Come see this beautiful boy before he leaves. You'll find him in the San Diego Zoo's Bear Canyon, near the brown bear and next to another sun bear female, Ting Ting. We'll miss you, Danum!
Suzanne Hall is the senior research laboratory technican for the Office of Giant Panda Conservation
Posted in General, Conservation, Animal Stories | Link to this post | 4 Comments »
A Playground for Koza and Cairo
Posted at 4:02 pm April 7, 2006 by Marcia Redding
Life keeps getting more interesting for our lion cub and puppy duo. Early in the morning, they both get a ride from the Wild Animal Park's Animal Care Center to Lion Camp for a play session in the large, grassy exhibit.
Initially, all that space was a little intimidating, but now they wiggle in excitement as they approach their giant playground. Once inside they are off and running: chasing, pouncing, and exploring the many wonders available to them, such as their favorite, the "abandoned" safari vehicle parked in the enclosure (see image above). They both get inside and wrestle; Koza, the lion cub, has tried a few times to jump up on the hood like the big lions do, but hasn't managed it yet. He is growing so quickly, in no time he'll be hopping up there like the pros. Another favorite event is when the person from the Building and Grounds Department comes to clean the outside of the big window. Koza likes to chase the rag as it glides across the glass. I have a feeling this is a high point in the employee's day as well!
Next on the agenda will be introducing Koza to an adult lion through the mesh intro door inside the house. Helping us in this endeavor will be Mina, one of the females in Izu's pride. She is lively, playful, and intelligent, and is also very curious, so will be a good candidate to help Koza to realize he's a lion and not a dog! Koza will not be directly integrated with the adults at the Wild Animal Park: his future will be as a valued breeder in another institution, with his own pride. Until then, our job is to keep him healthy, happy, and well socialized with his own kind.
Koza and Cairo are on exhibit at Lion Camp every morning until 10 a.m. Come out and visit them soon!
Marcia Redding is a senior mammal keeper at the Wild Animal Park.
Read Marcia's previous blog about Koza and Cairo.
Posted in General, Animal Stories | Link to this post | 7 Comments »
Food for the Birds
Posted at 8:39 am April 6, 2006 by Nerissa Foland
Bird diets are as diverse as the bird collection at the San Diego Zoo. Every bird, in every enclosure, has a diet made up by our nutritionists (we have two on staff at the Zoo). Since keepers couldn't possibly offer a pan for every bird, not to mention teach the birds to eat from only "their" pan, one pan must have all of the correct items needed to fit many diets. To reduce competition of favorite items by a dominant bird, a few pans are placed throughout an aviary. Ground birds are offered food close to the ground, and those birds that do not stray far from the treetops are offered their pans high up on pedestals. Of course, that doesn't stop birds from sampling from each other's pans!
One of the main staples in a bird diet is some form of pellet. We have many types of dry food supplied by our Forage Warehouse, and designed with many animals' dietary needs in mind. These dry foods come in many sizes; sometimes so small we mix them in with birdseed and other times as large as a hunk of fruit. After that, the pans are tailored with some combination of fruit, meat, leafy greens, seed, and bugs!
Our milky storks in the Marsh Aviary across from the fishing cats in the Zoo's Tiger River, for example, eat mostly dog food, trout, and bugs. However, the little Java sparrows across from the tigers eat mostly seed, dry pellet, and a little fruit and greens. Since many of our aviaries are home to both large and small, I often wonder what the little seed eaters think when they fly to a pan that has a nice chunk of meat in it!
It's sometimes hard work to make sure each bird is eating what they need to stay healthy; fortunately for keepers, a bird's instinct usually guides it to eat the right foods. So next time you are visiting one of the Zoo's aviaries, check out where and what is in the pan. This will give you a great clue as to what kind of bird you're looking at!
Nerissa Foland is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo's Tiger River habitat.
Posted in General, Animal Stories | Link to this post | 5 Comments »
Zoo Veterinary Services Keeps a Watchful Eye 24/7
Posted at 2:16 pm April 3, 2006 by Bob Cisneros
The San Diego Zoo's Veterinary Services Department is excited about a new tool that is helping us improve animal care at the hospital around the clock. We have installed a camera system that allows us to watch animals from our computers and special monitors at any time. The system also has a server that stores video footage, allowing us to review archival video of animal activity that takes place while we are not working. This provides us with very important information and also answers some very basic questions:Is the animal eating after we leave at night?
How active is the animal?
Are there behaviors displayed that should concern us?
Can the animal stand, walk, fly, etc?
If housed with other animals, how do they interact with each other?
Are they interacting with their enrichment?
Currently, we have nine ceiling and track-mounted cameras. The cameras that are mounted on a track allow the keepers to slide the camera from one end of a room to another. This gives us more options for viewing in rooms with more than one cage. The benefits of this camera system in an animal care facility are numerous. With these cameras, we are able to pan, zoom, use a motion detector, and utilize many other options to further the quality of care that we provide for all of our animals. We can observe animals when they reach a critical point in recovery from procedures where anesthesia or sedation without "spooking" them with our presence. We can even determine how well an animal is eating or how often it eats. We have found that some applications are opportunistically discovered. For example, we recently weighed a L'Hoest's guenon that was staying at the hospital with the help of the new camera system. Because we had difficulty getting the animal to sit on a scale while keepers were present, we positioned the scale bars under a crate, placed some food on top of the crate, and set the scale reader outside the cage. We focused the camera on the reader and crate and were able to leave the room, go to our monitor, and record the weight without the monkey ever knowing we had done so (see image above). Another benefit is that we are also able to witness surgical procedures without having to "gown-up" and enter a sterile environment. This allows visitors and animal care staff to watch a procedure that they otherwise would not be able to view.
We are in the process of installing more cameras at the hospital. As we install more, we will undoubtedly discover new ways to improve our animal care. It is exciting to know that the applications for this new tool are as endless as our imaginations allow!
Bob Cisneros is a senior hospital keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
Posted in General, The Zoo Journal, Animal Stories | Link to this post | 5 Comments »
Okapi Calf Makes His Debut
Posted at 4:33 pm March 30, 2006 by Bridget Mulholland
Kidomo, our month-old okapi calf, went out to the exhibit in the San Diego Zoo's Ituri Forest for the first time with his dam, Kelle, on March 25. He immediately started exploring the large space, and every once in a while he would get so excited that he would start kicking with his hind legs and then run around like crazy! All the while, Kelle was busy nibbling on fresh browse that the keepers hung throughout the exhibit.
Kidomo's keepers have been working very closely with him ever since his birth on February 22. They have been getting him used to walking through the chute in the okapi barn, which is where medical procedures can be done without using any anesthesia. For example, Kelle had an ultrasound done in the chute so that the veterinarians and keepers could see how Kidomo was doing before he was born! There is also a scale set up in the chute to take monthly weights on all of the okapis. Kidomo's most recent weight was 108 pounds (49 kilograms). What a big boy he has become!
If weather permits, Kidomo will be spending time out on exhibit from noon until 2 p.m. daily. Be sure to stop by and see our youngster frolic around his new home!
Bridget Mulholland is a senior mammal keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
Read about Kidomo's birth in Bridget's blog: An Okapi is Born!
Posted in General, Animal Stories | Link to this post | 9 Comments »
Of Wallabies and Watermelons?
Posted at 9:56 am March 24, 2006 by Valerie Stoddard
I arrived at work and veterinarian Russ Burns was trying to find a medical record for one of our wildlife education animals. "Good morning, Valerie! We have a dusky pademelon coming to the hospital. Can you help me find the record?" A dusty watermelon…what? I've worked at the Wild Animal Park's Harter Veterinary Medical Center (HVMC) for two-and-a-half years, and this was the first time I'd heard that, and I really wasn't sure where to look – the produce section?
Obviously noticing the large question mark I had over my head, Dr. Burns informed me that a dusky pademelon is a type of marsupial, and can also be referred to as a southern scrub wallaby. I learned something new and hadn't even been at work ten minutes! Now equipped with this knowledge, I was able to help locate the medical record (well, I have to admit, the good doctor found it first).
With over 3,000 animals' medical records to sort through, having a good system in which to locate them is essential. Most of the people I work with have been employed at the Wild Animal Park for many years, and their knowledge and experience has been the catalyst for the creation of our unique record-keeping system, as well as the wonderful facility we treat our animals in. Here at HVMC, our medical records are filed first by species, then by common name, and finally by an accession number that is assigned as animals are born, hatched, or moved into the collection. Many of our animals also have "house" names, and this unusual, furry kid goes by the name "Sport."
An hour or so later, one of our registered veterinary technicians called me into the small animal treatment room, so I could watch while she and Dr. Burns delicately treated Sport's wound, and his trainer helped with positioning. After the brief procedure, he was released back to his home and Park family. As it turned out, his "owie" was very minor, and an opportunistic exam (as well as his gentle demeanor!) revealed that he is a happy, healthy wallaby.
As I always do when the opportunity arises, I felt so fortunate to be able to meet another of our exotic animals, and watch as Dr. Burns and the other staff members demonstrated their amazing sensitivity. Sport was very cooperative and I could see that he felt safe and cared for. What a joy this was to witness!
Valerie Stoddard is the senior administrative assistant at the Wild Animal Park's Harter Veterinary Medical Center.
Here's information about tours of the HVMC.
Posted in General, Animal Stories | Link to this post | 6 Comments »
« Previous EntriesTerms of Use | Privacy Policy | Contact us | About Us | Zoo Jobs
© 2006 Zoological Society of San DiegoAccredited, AZA
---
News from San Diego County
Associated Press
SAN DIEGO - A five-month-old lion cub that won over thousands of San Diego Wild Animal Park visitors was euthanized hours after she was mauled by an adult lioness.
The cub, Koza, had been quarantined from the adult lions since her birth last year, but Monday morning a keeper mistakenly removed a wire barrier protecting the cub's area, park spokeswoman Christina Simmons said.
A lioness, Mina, attacked, biting Koza three times, severely damaging the cub's spinal cord before zoo keepers were able to separate the two animals. Park officials made the decision to euthanize the cub after several hours of treatment.
Koza was born in November by Caesarean section from a lioness carrying twins. The other cub died and the mother lion was unable to care for Koza after the birth.
Keepers gave Koza an Italian mastiff puppy, Cairo, as a social companion, and the two were put on public view in the park's nursery in January.
Fewer than 100 African lions live in an aging population of zoo animals throughout the nation. Koza, one of only 15 born in a U.S. zoo or animal park this past year, had been expected to eventually leave for another city to breed.
Simmons said that keepers were in the process of introducing Koza to the zoo's pride of lions. Adults were able to see and smell the cub through a heavy wire barrier. Simmons said its removal was simply "human error."
The lioness that attacked Koza was not the cub's mother, Simmons said, adding that the dog was not present during the attack.
**************
| zoo home | park home | zoo newsletters | videos & live cams | zoo postcards |
San Diego Zoo Weblogs home
Archives for the Animal Stories category.
Archives
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004
August 2004
July 2004
June 2004
May 2004
April 2004
January 2004
November 2003
October 2003
September 2003
August 2003
July 2003
June 2003
May 2003
Categories
Animal Stories (70)
Conservation (144)
Field Studies (5)
General (286)
Giant Pandas (110)
Girls in Science (15)
Hawaii Bird Project (28)
The Zoo Journal (43)
Zoo InternQuest (24)
Archive for the 'Animal Stories' Category
« Previous EntriesAn Enriching Weekend for Orangutans
Posted at 2:10 pm April 19, 2006 by Yvette Kemp
Last Saturday and Sunday were pretty fun days at the San Diego Zoo for many animals and guests. It was the first time keepers highlighted enrichment activities that they provide for the animals in their care. Enrichment is offered everyday for all the animals at the Zoo and Wild Animal Park; it is something that keepers make available to the animals to stimulate their minds, bodies, or both. It provides new things for them to do that day. Enrichment can be as simple as a pile of mulch to fling and dig through, or hiding the day's diet throughout the exhibit, or something more elaborate such as supplying paints for the animals to show off their artistic talents. Enrichment comes in many sizes and forms, and sometimes guests are not aware of what is going on. So this past weekend, keepers were able to meet with Zoo guests and provide them with information regarding the animals and enrichment.
The orangutans were provided with papier-maché balls and painted paper bags (supplied by the kids in the Education Department's Spring Camp program) stuffed with hay and treats, peanut butter/Cheerio/honey balls (supplied by keeper Victoria Zahn) hidden throughout the exhibit, palm fronds (supplied by the Horticulture Department staff), piles of hay, sugar-free gelatin eggs hidden throughout the Absolutely Apes exhibit, and a popcorn scatter. Oh, and I can't forget the giant bubble machine our Team Area Lead Kim Livingstone lugged all over the back wall to find the perfect spot! So, as you can see, not only does it take a village to raise a child, but a great support system to provide extra enrichment for an orangutan.
Needless to say, when the orangutans came out they were very excited. The hunt for treats was on! The peanut butter balls were a big hit. Little Cinta was even seen scrambling across the top ropes going to the other side of the exhibit to look for more hidden in the logs. His mom, Indah, could not keep up with him. Satu (pictured) loved the bubble machine the most. He would stand in front of it and just let the bubbles pop against him, like some great super hero blocking meteors from destroying the Earth. Karen and Josie made great use of the palm fronds and hay. They made some big beds out of them that day! Big Clyde delicately plucked gelatin eggs off branches and ledges, while Janey vacuumed up as many Cheerio balls as she could find. And after the treats were gone, Cinta wore half of the papier-maché ball on his head, Satu ran like a crazy man with the palm fronds, and everyone threw hay around the exhibit.
Yes, the exhibit was a huge mess the next day (many thanks to fellow keeper Fernando Covarrubias for helping me clean), but the orangutans had a great time and were able to have their own Spring Break celebration. When the animals are happy and healthy, the keepers are happy. For every keeper, it is worth the extra work setting up and removing enrichment and explaining to guests what enrichment is.
Next time you are at the Zoo and see different items in an exhibit, like piles of dirt, hay, or mulch, or something you think might be enrichment, it probably is. Feel free to tell the visitor standing next to you what you know about enrichment and perhaps they, too, will pass it on.
Yvette Kemp is a senior mammal keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
Posted in General, Animal Stories | Link to this post | 5 Comments »
In Memory of Koza
Posted at 3:32 pm April 18, 2006 by Valerie Stoddard
It was first thing in the morning and I was bringing some things back to the surgical areas for the registered veterinary technicians. I heard some commotion when I opened the double doors and right away noticed Koza's crate. He's been here so many times I'd know that crate anywhere, and even though there are millions of them that look just like it, there's only one crate that contains a hand-reared, five-month old lion cub like him.
I've had so many special encounters with Koza over the last five months, but mine pale in comparison to those the hospital, animal care center, and other Mammal Department staff members have had. I'm sure many of you have read the blogs written by some of Koza's closest caretakers and gained an appreciation for how much this lion cub was loved and cared for by all who were lucky enough to do so.
When I saw the look of anguish on the faces of the Mammal Department managers and keepers, I knew something was terribly wrong. Koza wasn't scheduled for an exam that morning (I always look at the veterinarians' calendar to see who's coming up, so I can see my favorite "furry kids" when they're here), and the activity going on in the large animal treatment room didn't appear at all routine. When I turned the corner, I saw Koza being rushed over to the table, limp and obviously in trouble.
I asked what had happened and was told that he had been attacked by one of the adult female lions. Although the keepers acted quickly and alerted medical staff immediately, he appeared to be severely injured. Animal keepers are trained to be careful about every move they make. They have to be aware of their own moves, the moves of animals around them, the moves of other animal care staff, and general changes in the environment. Even with training and experience, occasionally a mistake will happen…a wrong move will be made. This is because even with all their training, animal keepers are still human.
Dr. Nadine Lamberski was attending to Koza. She, along with Dr. Jim Oosterhuis, had delivered Koza by emergency caesarean section last November. It seemed so sadly ironic that Dr. Lamberski, who helped save the cub from the brink of death once, was now struggling to do it again. How was she able to keep her head and remain calm? As ever, she and the attending medical staff performed like the professionals they are. There wasn't another person in the room, however, who wasn't holding their breath hoping for another miracle.
After much deliberation over what was seen on the radiographs and what it meant for Koza's short- and long-term prognosis, the agonizing decision to humanely euthanize Koza was the only compassionate decision that could be made; the damage was too severe and ultimately irreparable.
After crying most of the night, mourning the loss of our bright, beautiful star, Koza, I thought I had given up all the tears I had. I came to work the next morning with a heavy heart and started to prepare for the day. When I brought up my e-mail, there was one from Karen Daugherty. Karen is one of our senior registered veterinary technicians and was with Dr. Lamberski in the last moments of Koza's life. Her words helped me replace the heartbreaking images I saw of him when he was first brought to the hospital with images of the essence of Koza:
I was wondering if you could write a blog for me regarding Koza? I wanted others to know he was adorable and a gentleman to the end. I got to spend the last few hours with him stroking his cheeks, behind his ears, and tickling his nose. I would hold his paw and if I let go he would put his paw out to me until I held onto it again. We played tug-of-war with a towel and he made little lion noises. He seemed happy even though I knew he felt really bad. Through all the tears, he looked up at me as if to let me know it was okay when the decision came down. We were willing to do anything to fix him but the injuries were too extensive. I held his paw and stroked his face until he went to sleep forever.
Thank you, Karen, for the gift of those peaceful images. And even though Koza didn't get his turn to be king, that bright and beautiful boy will always be our "little prince." No, he isn't "my" cub; he belongs to the stars.
We love you and miss you, Koza…
Valerie Stoddard is the senior administrative assistant at the Wild Animal Park's Harter Veterinary Medical Center.
Posted in General, Animal Stories | Link to this post | 66 Comments »
Okapi Calf Learning the Ropes
Posted at 9:52 am April 14, 2006 by Nerissa Foland
Kidomo, our seven-week-old okapi calf in Ituri Forest at the San Diego Zoo is growing by leaps and bounds. While he is still a youngster, his keepers have been using every opportunity to handle him and expose him to many different situations. It is very important to touch Kidomo (pictured here with keeper Jama Kasowicz) a lot while he is young, including picking up his legs and inspecting his hooves. All of this "desensitizing" is important in making him feel comfortable with us in the future, not to mention one of the best parts of any keeper's job!
Lately, Kidomo's keepers have been getting him used to wearing a
halter. He has been so good, the keepers were able to put it on him within a few days. Now, before being let out on exhibit, he wears this halter for a short time almost every day. But this is only one of the many new introductions to this little Kiddo's life. Every morning, on his way to the exhibit with mom, he walks through a hallway that contains a "squeeze" and scale. The squeeze has six doors at different levels on each side of the hallway that open, allowing keepers and veterinarians access to whatever body part of an okapi is of particular interest that day. The floor of the squeeze has a built-in scale for easy weighing. Making this daily trip through the squeeze now will help build Kidomo's confidence in it in the future and will help us take good care of him.
In addition to acclimating him to his environment, keepers are slowly
introducing him to his herd. Starting very soon, Kidomo will be on exhibit
with mom, Kelle, and the other two okapis: Safrani and Biscotti. His keepers just recently put up a fence to divide the yard so Kidomo can be introduced safely. This is an exciting time in Kiddo's life; be sure to visit him soon while he gets to know the other members of Ituri Forest.
Nerissa Foland is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
Read a previous blog about Kidomo's debut.
Posted in General, Animal Stories | Link to this post | 4 Comments »
Breakfast with the Orangutans
Posted at 8:01 am April 13, 2006 by Yvette Kemp
Since I've started working on a daily basis with the orangutans, I've really gotten to know them better. They are so different from each other and it has been fun getting to know each of their personalities. As I get to know each of them, I hope to share my stories with you so you can get to know them better, too.
We have seven orangutans at the San Diego Zoo; one female Bornean orangutan named Janey, and six Sumatran orangutans: Clyde, Satu, Josephine, Karen, Indah, and Cinta. Here's how our day begins…
I arrive at 6 a.m. and check that everyone is doing okay. Since it is still pretty early, I just turn on a dim light so that I can see them but not completely disturb them. The orangutans are not early-morning critters. (Well, Janey sometimes is but that's a different story!) As I walk by each of their bedrooms, I make sure to check their doors and say hello to them. Most of them acknowledge me by either putting out a hand for me to shake or looking up as I go by. Josie (pictured) will most likely have a bag or something covering her head, but she removes it to look at me and gives me her hand to shake. Janey is usually waiting to say hello at one of her side windows where I rub her lips as she holds them out to me. Once I have seen that everyone is fine, I turn the lights back off and clean the exhibit.
Breakfast is served around 7 to 7:30. I usually turn on the lights, turn on the radio (something soft to start the day with), then serve them each their own cup of juice. Cinta loves this part and will usually run over to his own room so his mom, Indah, doesn't drink it all. Each orangutan has his or her breakfast weighed out; it's hard maintaining that girlish figure, and by weighing the amount of food they eat we can help them stay healthy. Breakfast consists of folivore biscuits and mixed fruit, usually apples, oranges, bananas, grapes, melon, pear, raisins, and whatever novel fruit we receive that day. To make it easier for me to keep track, and a little more exciting for the orangutans, they each get their breakfast in a brown paper bag. They seem to like this presentation and it keeps them busy for quite a while.
While they eat breakfast, I continue to clean and set up the exhibit and prepare any needed medications. By 8:30 I am ready for them to start their day on exhibit. But before they go out, we do some training in a chute they must go through that leads them outside.
There are many behaviors they do as part of their training, but I'll have to save that for another time.
Yvette Kemp is a senior mammal keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
View the orangutans on Ape Cam and read their bios.
Posted in General, Animal Stories | Link to this post | 9 Comments »
Sun Bear Summary
Posted at 11:41 am April 10, 2006 by Suzanne Hall
You may recall a blog I wrote a few months back telling you of our hope that a sun bear cub would be born here this spring. I am sorry to report that our sun bear, Marcella, did not give birth.
We were crossing our fingers after her natural matings in November. After all, natural matings between Marcella and the male, Dibu, were responsible for the arrival of Danum, the first Bornean sun bear cub born in North America. Danum arrived in February 2004 and weaned from his mother in the summer of 2005. Marcella had a strong estrus in November 2005 and several copulations were observed. We even confirmed that there was semen in her genital tract. All signs looked good for another cub (or two) to arrive.
Marcella showed us some signs that she might be pregnant. She built a nest in her den with hay, shredded paper, and plant material. She had some mammary and gential swelling. Her appetite declined. In pandas, all of these are positive indicators that a female might be pregnant. Unfortunately, like pandas, sun bears may also exhibit pseudopregnancy. This means that a female might undergo several physiological and behavioral changes associated with pregnancy, and still fail to give birth.
But all is not lost. Unlike pandas, many sun bears in captivity cycle multiple times each year. That means there remains a possibility that Marcella will get pregnant again soon. Since Marcella's behavior has returned to normal, she has now been reintroduced to Dibu, with whom she spends most of her time. We'll be watching her closely for signs of estrus and sexual interest on the part of the male.
As for Danum, he has adjusted to life as a solitary bear quite well. Soon, he will undergo the next big experience in his life: a move to a new facility. In a short time, Danum will be sent to a zoo in Texas, where he will hopefully breed with a female there once he reaches sexual maturity. Come see this beautiful boy before he leaves. You'll find him in the San Diego Zoo's Bear Canyon, near the brown bear and next to another sun bear female, Ting Ting. We'll miss you, Danum!
Suzanne Hall is the senior research laboratory technican for the Office of Giant Panda Conservation
Posted in General, Conservation, Animal Stories | Link to this post | 4 Comments »
A Playground for Koza and Cairo
Posted at 4:02 pm April 7, 2006 by Marcia Redding
Life keeps getting more interesting for our lion cub and puppy duo. Early in the morning, they both get a ride from the Wild Animal Park's Animal Care Center to Lion Camp for a play session in the large, grassy exhibit.
Initially, all that space was a little intimidating, but now they wiggle in excitement as they approach their giant playground. Once inside they are off and running: chasing, pouncing, and exploring the many wonders available to them, such as their favorite, the "abandoned" safari vehicle parked in the enclosure (see image above). They both get inside and wrestle; Koza, the lion cub, has tried a few times to jump up on the hood like the big lions do, but hasn't managed it yet. He is growing so quickly, in no time he'll be hopping up there like the pros. Another favorite event is when the person from the Building and Grounds Department comes to clean the outside of the big window. Koza likes to chase the rag as it glides across the glass. I have a feeling this is a high point in the employee's day as well!
Next on the agenda will be introducing Koza to an adult lion through the mesh intro door inside the house. Helping us in this endeavor will be Mina, one of the females in Izu's pride. She is lively, playful, and intelligent, and is also very curious, so will be a good candidate to help Koza to realize he's a lion and not a dog! Koza will not be directly integrated with the adults at the Wild Animal Park: his future will be as a valued breeder in another institution, with his own pride. Until then, our job is to keep him healthy, happy, and well socialized with his own kind.
Koza and Cairo are on exhibit at Lion Camp every morning until 10 a.m. Come out and visit them soon!
Marcia Redding is a senior mammal keeper at the Wild Animal Park.
Read Marcia's previous blog about Koza and Cairo.
Posted in General, Animal Stories | Link to this post | 7 Comments »
Food for the Birds
Posted at 8:39 am April 6, 2006 by Nerissa Foland
Bird diets are as diverse as the bird collection at the San Diego Zoo. Every bird, in every enclosure, has a diet made up by our nutritionists (we have two on staff at the Zoo). Since keepers couldn't possibly offer a pan for every bird, not to mention teach the birds to eat from only "their" pan, one pan must have all of the correct items needed to fit many diets. To reduce competition of favorite items by a dominant bird, a few pans are placed throughout an aviary. Ground birds are offered food close to the ground, and those birds that do not stray far from the treetops are offered their pans high up on pedestals. Of course, that doesn't stop birds from sampling from each other's pans!
One of the main staples in a bird diet is some form of pellet. We have many types of dry food supplied by our Forage Warehouse, and designed with many animals' dietary needs in mind. These dry foods come in many sizes; sometimes so small we mix them in with birdseed and other times as large as a hunk of fruit. After that, the pans are tailored with some combination of fruit, meat, leafy greens, seed, and bugs!
Our milky storks in the Marsh Aviary across from the fishing cats in the Zoo's Tiger River, for example, eat mostly dog food, trout, and bugs. However, the little Java sparrows across from the tigers eat mostly seed, dry pellet, and a little fruit and greens. Since many of our aviaries are home to both large and small, I often wonder what the little seed eaters think when they fly to a pan that has a nice chunk of meat in it!
It's sometimes hard work to make sure each bird is eating what they need to stay healthy; fortunately for keepers, a bird's instinct usually guides it to eat the right foods. So next time you are visiting one of the Zoo's aviaries, check out where and what is in the pan. This will give you a great clue as to what kind of bird you're looking at!
Nerissa Foland is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo's Tiger River habitat.
Posted in General, Animal Stories | Link to this post | 5 Comments »
Zoo Veterinary Services Keeps a Watchful Eye 24/7
Posted at 2:16 pm April 3, 2006 by Bob Cisneros
The San Diego Zoo's Veterinary Services Department is excited about a new tool that is helping us improve animal care at the hospital around the clock. We have installed a camera system that allows us to watch animals from our computers and special monitors at any time. The system also has a server that stores video footage, allowing us to review archival video of animal activity that takes place while we are not working. This provides us with very important information and also answers some very basic questions:Is the animal eating after we leave at night?
How active is the animal?
Are there behaviors displayed that should concern us?
Can the animal stand, walk, fly, etc?
If housed with other animals, how do they interact with each other?
Are they interacting with their enrichment?
Currently, we have nine ceiling and track-mounted cameras. The cameras that are mounted on a track allow the keepers to slide the camera from one end of a room to another. This gives us more options for viewing in rooms with more than one cage. The benefits of this camera system in an animal care facility are numerous. With these cameras, we are able to pan, zoom, use a motion detector, and utilize many other options to further the quality of care that we provide for all of our animals. We can observe animals when they reach a critical point in recovery from procedures where anesthesia or sedation without "spooking" them with our presence. We can even determine how well an animal is eating or how often it eats. We have found that some applications are opportunistically discovered. For example, we recently weighed a L'Hoest's guenon that was staying at the hospital with the help of the new camera system. Because we had difficulty getting the animal to sit on a scale while keepers were present, we positioned the scale bars under a crate, placed some food on top of the crate, and set the scale reader outside the cage. We focused the camera on the reader and crate and were able to leave the room, go to our monitor, and record the weight without the monkey ever knowing we had done so (see image above). Another benefit is that we are also able to witness surgical procedures without having to "gown-up" and enter a sterile environment. This allows visitors and animal care staff to watch a procedure that they otherwise would not be able to view.
We are in the process of installing more cameras at the hospital. As we install more, we will undoubtedly discover new ways to improve our animal care. It is exciting to know that the applications for this new tool are as endless as our imaginations allow!
Bob Cisneros is a senior hospital keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
Posted in General, The Zoo Journal, Animal Stories | Link to this post | 5 Comments »
Okapi Calf Makes His Debut
Posted at 4:33 pm March 30, 2006 by Bridget Mulholland
Kidomo, our month-old okapi calf, went out to the exhibit in the San Diego Zoo's Ituri Forest for the first time with his dam, Kelle, on March 25. He immediately started exploring the large space, and every once in a while he would get so excited that he would start kicking with his hind legs and then run around like crazy! All the while, Kelle was busy nibbling on fresh browse that the keepers hung throughout the exhibit.
Kidomo's keepers have been working very closely with him ever since his birth on February 22. They have been getting him used to walking through the chute in the okapi barn, which is where medical procedures can be done without using any anesthesia. For example, Kelle had an ultrasound done in the chute so that the veterinarians and keepers could see how Kidomo was doing before he was born! There is also a scale set up in the chute to take monthly weights on all of the okapis. Kidomo's most recent weight was 108 pounds (49 kilograms). What a big boy he has become!
If weather permits, Kidomo will be spending time out on exhibit from noon until 2 p.m. daily. Be sure to stop by and see our youngster frolic around his new home!
Bridget Mulholland is a senior mammal keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
Read about Kidomo's birth in Bridget's blog: An Okapi is Born!
Posted in General, Animal Stories | Link to this post | 9 Comments »
Of Wallabies and Watermelons?
Posted at 9:56 am March 24, 2006 by Valerie Stoddard
I arrived at work and veterinarian Russ Burns was trying to find a medical record for one of our wildlife education animals. "Good morning, Valerie! We have a dusky pademelon coming to the hospital. Can you help me find the record?" A dusty watermelon…what? I've worked at the Wild Animal Park's Harter Veterinary Medical Center (HVMC) for two-and-a-half years, and this was the first time I'd heard that, and I really wasn't sure where to look – the produce section?
Obviously noticing the large question mark I had over my head, Dr. Burns informed me that a dusky pademelon is a type of marsupial, and can also be referred to as a southern scrub wallaby. I learned something new and hadn't even been at work ten minutes! Now equipped with this knowledge, I was able to help locate the medical record (well, I have to admit, the good doctor found it first).
With over 3,000 animals' medical records to sort through, having a good system in which to locate them is essential. Most of the people I work with have been employed at the Wild Animal Park for many years, and their knowledge and experience has been the catalyst for the creation of our unique record-keeping system, as well as the wonderful facility we treat our animals in. Here at HVMC, our medical records are filed first by species, then by common name, and finally by an accession number that is assigned as animals are born, hatched, or moved into the collection. Many of our animals also have "house" names, and this unusual, furry kid goes by the name "Sport."
An hour or so later, one of our registered veterinary technicians called me into the small animal treatment room, so I could watch while she and Dr. Burns delicately treated Sport's wound, and his trainer helped with positioning. After the brief procedure, he was released back to his home and Park family. As it turned out, his "owie" was very minor, and an opportunistic exam (as well as his gentle demeanor!) revealed that he is a happy, healthy wallaby.
As I always do when the opportunity arises, I felt so fortunate to be able to meet another of our exotic animals, and watch as Dr. Burns and the other staff members demonstrated their amazing sensitivity. Sport was very cooperative and I could see that he felt safe and cared for. What a joy this was to witness!
Valerie Stoddard is the senior administrative assistant at the Wild Animal Park's Harter Veterinary Medical Center.
Here's information about tours of the HVMC.
Posted in General, Animal Stories | Link to this post | 6 Comments »
« Previous EntriesTerms of Use | Privacy Policy | Contact us | About Us | Zoo Jobs
© 2006 Zoological Society of San DiegoAccredited, AZA
---
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
