Our animals have been loving the warm weather, too

Despite the rain as of late, we’ve been having gorgeous weather lately here at the Zoo!

Photo by Jenna Bovee

It’s not just the visitors that enjoy the sunshine, our baboons love it too! In the photo to the left, this baboon’s name is Pearl. Earlier this week while the sun was out, Pearl found a new spot to sun herself and take a nice afternoon nap. Come visit them today!

 - Jenna Bovee, zoo keeper

The Zoo’s Veterinary team gears up for health assessments

Photo by Kyle Walker

Every year, the Zoo’s veterinary staff and zoo keepers prep and plan for annual health assessments (AHA’s as we like to call them) of the Zoo’s animal collection. AHA’s allow the vets to evaluate all the animals in the Zoo and keep track of their well being even when they are feeling at their best.

Each health assessment varies based on the animal involved and their specific needs. Some may require anesthesia, while others just need a visit from either of the Zoo’s two veterinarians. Health assessments always begin with a look at the animal’s weight trends. An animal that is gradually losing or gaining weight may need more testing than an animal that has maintained a steady weight over a long period of time. Could the change in weight be a reflection of too much or too little food or is there an underlying cause? Diet evaluation is a part of the AHA and can be used to help answer weight questions and get a feel for the animal’s overall nutrition. A balanced, wholesome diet will reflect in an animal that shows good body condition. A diet that is lacking in any nutrients can be adjusted to better benefit the animal’s needs.

Age plays a role in the extent of an animal’s health assessment. For some of the Zoo’s more geriatric animals, more testing is often required to monitor the changes in the body that old age can bring. Blood work for an aging system, radiographs for aging joints and dental exams for the wear and tear of time are important for animals that may begin to show the effects of old age. Younger animals that are not typically prone to some of these issues are given these tests at more infrequent intervals. Perhaps they will have blood work done every other year.

During the AHA, the veterinarians will do a full body assessment on the animal. This will vary from animal to animal and will certainly depend on whether the animal is asleep or wide awake. Beginning with the head, they will examine the eyes, ears, nose, mouth and continue down the length of the animal. The wings of birds are extended and examined. The joints of mammals are examined for range of motion and any signs of arthritis. Every inch of the animal is checked for any abnormalities.

The AHA is completed by examining the most non-glamorous part of any animal. Feces are tested to check the animal for any internal parasites. Parasites can cause digestive problems and can compromise the animal and allow for other disease to take hold. Keepers play an integral part in the animals AHA. They provide information on the animal’s behavior and recent history of eating, drinking, etc. Keepers may be called on to help the vets prepare the animal for tranquilization or may help to handle the animal if anesthesia is not required. Keepers make the AHA as least stressful as possible for the animal.

As we move through 2013, stay tuned for more information on the Zoo’s Annual Health Assessments.

- Robin English, veterinary technician

It doesn’t get any better than this!

Photo by Tina Fess

A brand new baby orangutan! I can hardly believe it! For a keeper, this is definitely an event that is a dream come true.

Kumang, our 35-year-old Bornean orangutan, had her 4^th baby, a girl, the morning of April 29. She has previously had two sons, Bandar and Datu, who have gone to other zoos. Her daughter, Dara, is still here at the Zoo.

This is an important event, not just for our Zoo, but for other zoos as well. Orangutans are a species that is critically endangered and the birth of such a valuable animal is one of the important missions of zoos that are involved in Species Survival Plans (SSP). Each SSP has a committee that meets each year in order to make recommendations for successful breeding pairs.

It all started when Denda, the father of Kumang’s baby, came here from Brookfield, Illinois in April of 2011. I was fortunate to be part of the team that made the trip to transport him here to our Zoo. When Kumang and Denda first met, it was pretty much love at first sight! Since that time, we had been doing of a lot of observing, tracking information, looking for signs of pregnancy and just letting nature take its course. Once we were able to determine that a pregnancy had occurred, the planning began to ensure a successful and safe birthing process.

Some of the things considered are exhibit space, bedding and nesting requirements, the histories of the animals involved and any health and welfare concerns. Once we were sure that we were well prepared, the waiting game began!

Everyone involved was put on alert when we knew the time was close. We have personnel on grounds at all times so we were able to monitor Kumang continuously. That is how we know that our newest addition arrived between 6 and 8 a.m. in the morning.

I am happy to say that mother and baby are doing well! Better yet, stop by the Zoo and visit our beautiful baby girl and the rest of our orangutan family so you can see and hear the latest news.

What an amazing and wonderful experience this has been, to be able to see and participate in such an incredible event from the very beginning! It is a privilege to be a part of it all!

- Linda Velasquez, zoologist

Pachyderm pedicures

Did you know that every 4 to 6 weeks Genny C. and Lilac get pedicures!?

Photos by Grace Savoy-Burke

The elephants have a thick pad on the bottom of their feet that keepers trim. Keepers open up any cracks in the pad and trim and file their nails. The elephants are trained to stand still for this procedure and are rewarded with their favorite treat, bagels.

It is very important to keep up on elephant foot care and the keepers take great pride in how healthy Genny C. and Lilac’s feet are!

- Sue Rea, zoo keeper

There are lots of way to enrich our animals

Photo by Mary Ellen Ostrander

Last summer, Lou, our spotted hyena, had some neighbors come to visit. The goats and goats’ keepers came calling – Lou loved the activity and the goats and keepers loved the walk from their exhibit.

The entire morning was enriching and fun – stop down and visit our goats in A Step Into Africa and Lou at his exhibit near our Amur tigers and Mexican wolves!

- Mary Ellen Ostrander, zoologist

More animal training fun!

Photo provided by Mary Ellen Ostrander

Recently, our Amur tigers, Katya and Anastasia, were trained to receive injections.

They both received their feline vaccine and rabies vaccine – the vet visit was enjoyable instead of scary because they think of training as a game where they receive treats for participating! They couldn’t wait for a third injection – I couldn’t believe it! Maybe next year!

- Mary Ellen Ostrander, zoologist

Did you know…

Photo by Mary Ellen Ostrander

…that we are the only Zoo in New York State (and perhaps the nation) that has a holding tank that is filtered to keep live fish alive and healthy for environmental enrichment for our animals?

The stimulation, exercise and natural behavior improve the animals’ lives greatly!

- Mary Ellen Ostrander, zoologist