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This April, don’t just recycle your can—get off it! It’s time to get your party on with Mother Earth at the wildest spot in town.

 

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums is throwing a party; over one hundred parties throughout the country. The Salt Lake City version of AZA's "Party for the Planet" takes place at Utah’s Hogle Zoo from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for an Earth Day celebration Saturday, April 26. It’s a beautiful time of year to watch the animals enjoy the spring sunshine, and it’s also a great time for people to learn about how their actions affect the environment where the animals make their homes.

 

Hogle Zoo’s “Party for the Planet,” will feature fun for all ages. “Visitors can participate in hands-on activities, plus visit booths to sample local foods,” says Special Events Coordinator Song Stott. “There will also be entertainment from Irish dancers to Native American hoop dancers.” In addition, there will be numerous local organization stations where people can participate in fun activities, like making seed starting cards, which benefit the environment. Together people coming to the Zoo for this event will learn that what they do locally makes a difference globally, as well as learn about other communities around the globe do to keep their planet happy.

 

As a member of the AZA, Hogle Zoo is part of a massive conservation movement to preserve our environment. From the Wasatch Front to the mountains of Africa, Hogle Zoo strives to help the world in any way possible. Food Service Supervisor Seth Palmer says, “Whenever we can, we use paper products that are not only biodegradable and compostable, but also made from by-products of organic materials.” Conservation measures don’t stop at the concession stands, the animal care staff at Hogle Zoo works hard to provide the most innovative animal care practices and goes the extra mile to ensure species survival.

 

For more information about Hogle Zoo’s “Party for the Planet” celebration or affiliation with the AZA, contact Community Relations Coordinator Holly Braithwaite at (801) 584-1729 or email at hbraithwaite@hoglezoo.org. Party for the Planet is sponsored in part by Rocky Mountain Power’s Blue Sky renewable energy program.

Utah’s Hogle Zoo isn't sending out birth announcements yet, but officially confirmed today the pregnancy of one of its African elephants, 22-year-old Christie. If successful, this will be the first birth of an African elephant at Utah’s Hogle Zoo.
After a total of three attempts at artificial insemination in 2006 and 2007, Christie was confirmed pregnant through an ultrasound performed on Saturday February 16th by a team of German veterinary scientists from the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research in Berlin. This was the same team that performed the previous insemination procedures: the first in August 2006, one in March 2007 and the third in October 2007. Though the first two attempts proved unsuccessful, the veterinary team was optimistic about October’s attempt. “Not only was the timing good, but Christie’s cooperative behavior was good, and she was very receptive.” said German scientist Dr. Frank Goeritz. “She was very calm and it was as if she told us she was ready.” Commenting on Christie’s good behavior, scientist Dr. Thomas Hildebrandt added, “You can’t get pregnant if you’re stressed.” They both noted that the male semen sample brought to Hogle Zoo from a male elephant at the Pittsburgh Zoo was extremely viable, which was also promising.
Hogle Zoo animal care staff are also confident about the success of the final artificial insemination attempt, and further encouraged by the positive blood tests taken prior to the ultrasound. “When we got blood readings that showed what looked like a possible pregnancy, I knew something would happen that is great and wonderful,” said Doug Tomkinson, Hogle Zoo Lead Elephant Keeper. “I was hopeful and excited from the beginning, but in working with these animals, I still know to expect many challenges along the way.”
Even with the exciting possibility of a baby elephant, as with any pregnancy, there are still significant risks that can occur throughout Christie’s 20- to 22- month pregnancy, or gestation, period. Zoo animal care staff and veterinary team will continue to keep a close watch on Christie in the coming months. “As we enter the next phase of our goal to successfully have a baby elephant, the veterinary and elephant management teams will work closely together to enhance Christies health and fitness in preparation for the birth,” said Dr. Nancy Carpenter, Hogle Zoo’s Associate Director--Animal Health. “As with the pregnancy of any human or animal, problems can occur.  We will be working closely with the German team and our zoo colleagues to help us prepare for all contingencies throughout the pregnancy and post birth periods.” Tomkinson adds, “A lot can go wrong, but also there’s a lot that can go right.”

During her pregnancy, Christie will participate in her own version of aerobics classes; the elephant management team will encourage exercise through bending, stretching and climbing to help her maintain her weight, as well as the weight of the baby, and ease potential complications during delivery. If Christie carries the baby to term, she will likely give birth in late summer of 2009.

Because of improvements in elephant management and training at Hogle Zoo, the risks of an insemination procedure such as Christies is minimal compared to the benefits. This procedure was a non-surgical procedure removing the risks that would normally be associated with anesthesia and surgery.  The ability to work with Christie in a positive environment will translate into a comfortable birthing situation. Still, the benefits of a successful elephant birth at Hogle Zoo far out weigh the risks. The Association of Zoos & Aquariums' Species Survival Plan for African elephants recommended Christie as a good candidate for breeding, in part due to her age. The AZA, of which Hogle Zoo is an accredited member, strives to maintain a sustainable population of elephants in North America. Elephants have been historically difficult to breed in captivity, and their future in North American zoos is at risk. The renovations of Hogle Zoo’s Elephant Encounter enabled participation in the artificial insemination program, furthering a commitment to elephant survival.

Conservation, education and research work done at Hogle Zoo also plays a significant role in the survival of species in the wild. With successful elephant breeding of this nature, Hogle Zoo continues to live out its mission to nurture respect and appreciation for the natural world by providing diverse educational, recreational, and conservation opportunities that will benefit generations to come.

Position: Seasonal Education staff – Eco-Explorer
Start Date: Saturday training begins March 8th
Department: Education Division of the Programs Department
Wage: $8.00 + Depending on Experience
Hours: 30 - 40/week

Seasonal Education staff are an integral part of the Zoo’s public education and interpretive programs. Effective public
speaking and ability to initiate play with children of all ages are essential functions of the job. Staff members will perform
both formal and informal programs about wildlife and conservation topics. In some cases, team members may participate
with special events. For interested employees there will be opportunities to develop and facilitate formal education programs.
Both bio-facts (animal artifacts) and live animals will be used in programs.
Training is provided for necessary animal handling. Eco-Explorers must
have the ability to acquire a working knowledge of plants, animals, conservation,
and interpretive techniques. Additionally, Eco-Explorers must be
customer service oriented and demonstrate a high level of energy and enthusiasm
when interacting with Zoo guests, co-workers, and volunteers.
All applicants must be at least 18 years of age, and have at least one year of college. Interested
applicants should understand the role of zoos in the worldwide conservation movement and their value in
protecting wildlife and wild lands.
Applicants must be able to work a varying schedule including weekdays, weekends, holidays, evenings some overnights
and in all weather conditions. This job also requires standing for long periods of time.
Verification of a current, negative tuberculosis and drug test is a pre-employment
qualification for this position. Criminal background checks will be conducted.

Please send résumé and cover letter,
by February 4, 2008 to:
Rebekah Egbert
Utah’s Hogle Zoo
Visitor Experience Coordinator
2600 East Sunnyside Avenue
Salt Lake City, UT 84108
Email: regbert@hoglezoo.org

(Salt Lake City, UT) - A threatened Eastern black and white colobus monkey was born at Utah’s Hogle Zoo early Saturday morning, August 18.

The baby, whose sex is still unknown at this time, was born to Hogle Zoo colobus monkeys Toledo and Henry. Right now, the monkey is stark white against his mother’s black fur, but will develop black and white fur between four to six months. “Both mom and baby are doing really great. The baby is healthy, strong, and already clinging to Toledo’s chest,” said primate keeper Kalyn McKenzie. “We are really excited to watch this baby grow up with us.”

The colobus are part of the Zoo Species Survival Plan (SSP), a cooperative program among zoos to maintain genetic diversity within populations of endangered animals. “The new baby colobus is already on exhibit, and we can’t wait for the public to come see our new addition,” said Community Relations Coordinator Holly Braithwaite. The new baby will share and exhibit with mom, dad and her four-year-old big sister named Macari.

Asian Highlands is Hogle Zoo's newest feature, focusing on the cats of Asia. The old Feline Building and area has been renovated to depict an Asian Highlands village with outdoor yards for our Amur tigers, Amur leopards, snow leopards and Siberian Lynx. From various locations throughout the village you will be able to view our cats in naturalistic environments.

*Open every day of the year, except Christmas and New Years Day.

We’re going on safari and we want folks to come with! Travel to the heart of Africa on a safari of wonder and adventure with Hogle Zoo Art Director Jameson Weston!
The trip will visit Amboseli National Park at the foot of Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, the Great Rift Valley and Lake Nakru National Park and the Maasai Mara Reserve.

See many of Africa’s most popular wild animals, including lion, cheetah, elephant, black rhino, hippo, leopard, buffalo, waterbuck, baboon, giraffe and thousands of flamingos!
Cost of the trip is $4,845, which is all-inclusive from the Salt Lake International Airport.
For more information, see Guest Services at Hogle Zoo, or call (801) 584-1739.