At the Utica
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• UTICA ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER Volume 27, No. 3 JUNE 1992 New, New, New - At The Utica Zoo ••• Each summer we try to bring in new animals to the Children's Zoo as well as the zoo to entice our visitors and their children to learn more about the Animal Kingdom. Some of the newest residents which can be found in our Children's Zoo include: Tennessee fainting goats, St. Croix sheep, a Vietnamese pot-bellied pig, a domestic horse and a South American llama. Along with these new residents you will find the two snowy owls we talked about in our last issue. Among these highlights, the Children's Zoo will also have a display of educational interactive graphics. These graphics will highlight certain animals and their special adaptations by allowing children (and adults) to manipulate the graphic to demonstrate the concept. We are also looking forward to the arrival of a Rocky mountain goat which will be displayed in the former Himalayan tahr exhibit. These goats are known for mountain climbing abilities and for their dramatic white coloration. We have a great homed owl which is now on exhibit outside our Cats & Primates Building across from the Red Panda exhibit. These owls are native to New York State and are the most powerful bird predator in the Northeast. These owls do not actually have horns, but receive If the ESA is not reauthorized ana amended by their name because of their distinctive horned shape ear tufts at each side of the head. HR 4045, then the Grizzly Bear would be one of Please stop by and visit all our new visitors this summer!! many animals no longer protected by the ACT. Conservation: The Big Picture - The Honorable Endangered Species Act Update United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 This year, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) is under fire. Originally passed by • Daniel Patrick Moynihan Congress in 1973, authorization for the Act will expire on September 30, 1992 and it is • Alphonse M. D' Amato the responsibility of Congress to reauthorize it. The ESA protects plant and animal species in danger of extinction in the United States and around the world. While environmental groups are lobbying to strengthen the ESA, they are meeting much Sherwood P. Boelhert, 25th District: opposition by special interest groups such as developers and the lumber industry. Federal Bldg., Room 200, 10 Broad St., There are currently two targets of dispute surrounding reauthorization of the Act. Utica, N.Y. Currently, the ESA protects species, subspecies, and some vertebrate populations. (315) 793-8146 Some critics want to eliminate protection below the species level. This would mean that the California sea otter, the northern spotted owl, the peregrine falcon, the bald House of Representatives, eagle, the gray wolf, and the grizzly bear would be among the animals no longer 1641 Longworth House Office Bldg. protected by the act. Washington D.C. 20515 The second area of dispute is a provision stating that decisions about whether an animal should be listed as endangered or threatened must be based solely on biologi cal considerations. Opponents want the law changed so that a new listing could be prohibited if the possible economic impacts were deemed "too great". They say that the needs of plants and animals are being considered over the needs of humans. However, the current law does specify that economic, social, and other nonbiological factors must be weighed during the process of determining what steps are needed to protect a listed species. If you would like to help ensure that the ESA amendments of 1992 are passed, write to your congressional representatives and urge them to support H.R. 4045. Because such letters influence whether or not bills are passed, letter writing is an effective way of voicing your opinion. Addresses are listed to the left of this article. ,.. 2 ~ fP THE ZOOTICA NEWS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S • REPORT••• Zoos and summers go together SUMMBK SAFARI l!l ZOO SCHOOL CLASSBS naturally. While the Utica Zoo is Summer Safari: open year round and each sec.son • July 6-10 Ages4&5 9:00 am-12 noon has its strengths, summer typifies • July 13-17 Ages6& 7 9:00 am-12 noon the best of your zoo. All the animals • July 13-17 Ages6& 7 1:00 pm-4:00 pm are on display, the trees are green, • July 20-24 Ages8& 9 9:00 am-12 noon the flowers are at their peak color, • July 27-31 Ages 10& 11 9:00 am-12 noon and numerous programs and • August 3-7 Ages4& 5 9:00 am-12 noon • August 10-14 Ages4& 5 9:00 am-12 noon special events offer a wide variety • August 17-21 Ages6& 7 9:00 am-12 noon of opportunities. • August 24-26 Ages6& 9 9:00 am-12 noon We continue to strive for stable • Summer Camp infarT~U~tion will be mailed to all Utica Zoo members . governmental funding. Often this Zoo$chool: aspect of our support seems out of •pets" .. .In Cold Blood-June 13, 9 am-12 noon our hands. We have more control Everything you ever wanted to know about keeping reptiles as pets but didn't know to ask. over non-governmental sources: This class will cover all aspects of obtaining and caring for the scaly critters. Emphasis will admissions, concessions, gift shop, be placed on topics such as veterinary care and reptile husbandry. Handling techniques rides, special events, fundraisers, will also be demonstrated. membership, Zoo Parents, Animal Ages: All children are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult). Appeal, etc. We are seeing many Cost: $5.00, Members $8.00, Non-members positive results in these areas. Breakfast With the Beasts-July 11, 9:00 am-11 :00 am Grants are increasingly becoming Families are invited to "breakfast with the beasts", while learning about the importance of more important and we are animal health and nutrition. Participants will enjoy breakfast with some of our exotic aggressively pursuing all possible education animals and also tour the kitchen and animal care areas. A continental breakfast granting sources to meet several will be served. much needed improvement Cost: $5.00, Members $8.00, Non-members • projects. Feathers, Fur & Scales-July 18, 10:00 am-12 noon We have several trips planned: the Parents, enjoy this class with your pre-school child. Come to the Utica Zoo to meet some of Bronx Zoo, July 11; Kenya & our tame education animals, enjoy a story and create a craft together. Each registration must Tanzania, November 6-22, and in include at least one adult. February of 1993, Belize in Central Ages: Children aged 3-5 and parents America. The Bronx Zoo day trip Cost: $10.00/2 persons, Members $15.00/2 persons, Non-members costs $80 per person and is offered Additional persons, $5.00 through Utica College's Continuing Into the Night. .. Exploring the World of Nocturnal Animals Education Department (792-3344). Friday, July, 24-7:00 pro-Saturday, July 25-10:00 am A more detailed itinerary and Children aged 9 through 12 are invited to spend the night at the Zoo and learn about its application packet for the Kenya & nocturnal inhabitants. After setting up "camp", the children will tour the zoo and experience Tanzania trip can be obtained by many animals at their most active time. Touring will be followed by hands on animal calling the zoo office (738-0472). contact. The morning will bring more animal activities and a continental breakfast. Our Belize trip's itinerary is still Participants must provide their own sleeping bags. being developed and should be Ages: 9-12 available soon. Wildlife safaris are a Cost $20.00, Members $25.00, Non-members unique and fun way to experience Crotty Critters-August 1, 10:00 am-12 noon the cutting edge of conservation in Let's get WILD and create animal crafts! Children will enjoy creating these crafty critters the best national parks and un while they learn about the animals at the Zoo. And Moms, don't be afraid when your child spoiled areas of the world. brings a tiger or snake home from this class! Earlier I said that zoos and summer Ages: 6-8 go together. Actually, there is one Cost: $5.00, Members $8.00, Non-members vital ingredient missing there ... you! Beastly Story Hour-August 8, 11 :00 am-12 noon The Utica Zoo needs you to come to Bring your pre-schoolers to listen to exciting stories about the Animal Kingdom. Animal learn, enjoy, and participate. We characters will come alive with our books. And although we'll be reading about fictional hope to see you here this summer. animal characters, children will have the opportunity to meet their real life counterparts. • Ages: 3-5 Mark Rich Cost $2.00, Members $5.00, Non-members ,.. ~ fl' ZOOTICA NEWS 3 A Teddy Bear Grandparents ZoorREK'92 A-Fair! Day Mark Nelson and Zack Rogers, On Air personalities from 96.9 WOUR Enjoy a beary special day at the Last year our Grandparents Day radio station, will"Walk for the Utica Zoo on August 8th from was rained out, but back by popular Wildlife" on June 5 & 6. Last year 10 am to 5 pm. We ask all children demand Grandparents Day will be these two Zoo supporters walked to bring their teddy bear or their on August 19th rain or shine. from one end of the county to the lovable stuffed critter to the Zoo for Special activities will include: other to benefit the Utica Zoo.