Author Bob Palmatier will Sign Copies of His Children’s Books

By Robin C. Nalepa

Kure Beach, NC- Make a connection with lizards, gators, snakes and more at Scales and Tails. The wild weekend at the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher, March 3 and 4, allows visitors to come face-to-face with reptiles and amphibians of all kinds in a safe and exciting learning environment.

During the two-day event, regional exhibitors and Aquarium staff will show-off scaly and exotic creatures from their collections while debunking myths and sharing facts about these amazing animals. This year’s event includes species from around the world including Burmese pythons, boa constrictors, iguanas, sea turtles and giant tortoises.

“Scales and Tails offers a unique family experience,” said Hap Fatzinger, Aquarium curator. “Where else can a child or adult reach out and safely touch a six-foot python or an American alligator and talk with experts about why these animals matter?”

Animal Art Photography Classes will Utilize Both the Classroom and the Nashville Zoo Trail

By Jim Bartoo

Nashville, TN - Nashville Zoo is offering three classes for amateur photographers of all levels wanting to explore the wild side of photography. Animal Art Photography I will be held Feb. 11, an Unseen New World Photography Workshop will be on Feb. 12 and Animal Art Photography II will be March 17. All classes are led by Zoo photographer Christian Sperka.

Participants in the Animal Art Photography classes will utilize both the classroom and Zoo trail as Sperka shares his technique of photographing animals all over the world. The courses cover every step of taking animal photos, from getting the perfect shot to picture selection and processing. Animal Art Photography II participants will also get a special photo opportunity behind the scenes.

550 Cars Unloaded Their E-Cycling Equipment in Virginia Aquarium’s Parking Lot

By Joan Barns

Virginia Beach, VA - Despite pouring rain on Saturday, January 21, volunteers and staff from the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, TFC Recycling and Goodwill Industries of Central Virginia, helped 550 cars unload their e-cycling equipment at the Aquarium’s east parking lot. The ‎31 tons of electronics was the largest amount collected to date.

Participant Mary Witwer shared that she had convinced her husband to part with four monitors, two printers, DVD players and other stored times. “It was great to have the opportunity to send them off for utilization by others,” Witwer said. “I was amazed to see all the semi-trucks at the event. Everyone was so happy, friendly and appreciative, even in the rain.”

Tennessee Aquarium’s Woodchuck, has a “Storm Team of Forecasting Friends”

By Thom Benson

Chattanooga, TN – Many people enjoy the fun of Groundhog Day each February 2nd, anxiously awaiting the fanciful forecast of a furry creature. According to folklore, if the groundhog sees his shadow he’ll be scared back into his den and we’ll have to endure six more weeks of winter. No shadow and we’ll see an early spring. But there’s one woodchuck that doesn’t have to rely on just his shadow.

Chattanooga Chuck, the Tennessee Aquarium’s woodchuck, has a “Storm Team of Forecasting Friends” to back him up. Although not widely known, many other animals have weather proverbs touting their weather predicting skills.

Throughout February, Aquarium guests can meet and learn about:

In 2011, 450 Volunteers Donated Their Time and Talents to the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher

By Robin Nalepa

Kure Beach, NC - The N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher rolled out the red carpet recently for a special group of individuals. Aquarium volunteers were treated to an Oscars-style evening honoring all their hard work and dedication at the annual Volunteer Appreciation and Awards dinner on January 26th.

The celebration featured ten awards for outstanding volunteers in various departments. Dave Dickson, of Wilmington, won the top honor of Volunteer of the Year.

Dickson contributed 180 volunteer hours to the Aquarium in 2011. He works primarily in the aquariology department doing anything that is needed from cleaning filters to feeding fish. He comes in early, stays late and has even generously given his time on holidays. Dickson began volunteering at the Aquarium in 2001 after retiring from a 35-year career in the pharmaceutical industry, where he was involved in animal health. Through the years, he has volunteered with community outreach, special events and even helped move the occasional alligator, devoting more than 1,900 total hours to the Aquarium.

Layla is Nashville Zoo’s First Reticulated Giraffe, One of Nine Different Sub-species of Giraffe

By Jim Bartoo

Nashville, TN - An 18-month old reticulated giraffe has joined Nashville Zoo’s animal collection. The female giraffe, named Layla, comes to Nashville from the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas.

“Layla has been a welcome addition to our collection,” said Connie Philipp, director of animal collections at Nashville Zoo. “She is a very spunky and curious. Being hand-raised has made her very interested in what we do all day.”

Layla is Nashville Zoo’s first reticulated giraffe, one of nine different sub-species of giraffe. Nashville Zoo’s other two, a female named Margarita and a male named Congo, are both Masai giraffe. Reticulated giraffe are known for their distinctive skin pattern of bright orange spots separated by cream lines. The pattern provides good camouflage in the dense vegetation of their native Eastern Africa. It is estimated that fewer than 5,000 remain in the wild.

Kiani, Bronx Zoo's Sea Lion Promptly Shook His Head in Favor of a New York Giants Victory

By Max Pulsinelli

Bronx, NY - Kiani, a 630-pound male California sea lion, joined Bronx Zoo animal keeper Cindy Maur; Jim Breheny, WCS Executive Vice President and Bronx Zoo Director; and Fox 5 reporter Jill Nicolini for a live segment on Good Day New York this morning. When asked for his prediction of Super Bowl XLVI, Kiani promptly shook his head in favor of a New York Giants victory. When asked about Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, Kiani lay on the ground to indicate Brady would be spending much of the game on the turf.

Kiani has never been wrong with his Super Bowl picks. (This is his first!)

Shedd Aquarium is One of the Country’s Top Marine Mammal Conservation Organizations

By Sheena Quinn

Chicago, IL - Shedd Aquarium, a national leader in sea otter rehabilitation, announced today that it has acquired a 10-week-old orphaned southern sea otter pup (Enhydra lutris nereis) from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as part of the conservation effort for the threatened population in California. The female pup, weighing in at 15 lbs., is the first southern sea otter to reside at the aquarium. She will soon join her Alaskan relatives, some of whom have lived at Shedd for decades.

In early December, the pup was found stranded near Cayucos (ky-YOU-cos), Calif. Shedd worked closely with its West Coast sister institution, Monterey Bay Aquarium and its Sea Otter Research and Conservation program staff, to assist with the animal’s rescue and stabilization. Due to the significant amount of resources needed to care for a pup, there are only a handful of facilities in the United States equipped with available housing space and the experience needed for appropriate care. Understanding the urgency of the situation and needing immediate action for the pup’s survival, Shedd officials and animal care staff quickly made arrangements to provide her with a permanent home.

College Students, Faculty and Staff Will Have an Opportunity to Check In on These Romantic Rays

By Thom Benson

Chattanooga, TN – Aquarists at the Tennessee Aquarium are hoping February is a romantic month for a pair of stingrays. A new tiger stingray was recently added to the Freshwater Ray exhibit inside the Ocean Journey building. This male ray is on loan from the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. According to Carol Haley, the Tennessee Aquarium’s assistant curator of fishes, these beautiful animals are not being imported outside of South America and there is no captive breeding taking place in the United States. “Their markings are amazing, which makes these rays very popular with guests,” said Haley. “So participating in population management programs like this, with other Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited institutions, helps maintain genetically diverse and healthy populations of these amazing creatures.”

Throughout the month of February, college students, faculty and staff will have an opportunity to check in on these romantic rays and all the other Aquarium animals for half price. To receive the College Days discount, visitors must present a valid college ID when purchasing tickets. Family members may also receive this discount when accompanied by a student or faculty member with current college ID. This offer is valid for admission to the Tennessee Aquarium, IMAX 3D Theater or combination tickets to both attractions. The discount is also extended to cruises aboard the River Gorge Explorer.

Visit Living Coasts Aquarium to Find Out Which Species Make Their Own Light, How and Why

By Philip Knowling

Torquay, UK - Torquay’s coastal zoo is glowing in the dark this half term.

A new event entitled Glow is shining a light on the mysterious world of bioluminescence.

Living Coasts senior presenter Chloe Garland explained: “Bioluminescence is the production and emission of light by a living organism. Also known as living light, it’s a natural phenomenon – it’s produced by chemical reaction.”

Snake Mom Took Around 3 Hours to Complete the Birth of Her 18 Babies

By Angeliné Schwan

Pretoria, South Africa - Visitors to the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, in Pretoria, were treated to a rare spectacle last week with the birth of 18 Puff adder youngsters. Manager of Commercial Services and Business Development, Craig Allenby says, “We are delighted that all went so well and the lucky visitors to the zoo on this day had the once-in-a-lifetime chance to witness this species of snake giving birth”.

The female took around 3 hours to complete the birth of her 18 babies. Adds Allenby, “The successful breeding of the Puff Adders and several other reptiles already this year is testament to the skill and dedication of the reptile park conservation staff. The breeding of even fairly widespread species like the Puff Adder is an important part of us gaining and refining the skills that we use for breeding our rare and threatened species for conservation at the National Zoo.”

This is the First Time that the Aquarium Congress will be Held in Africa and Indeed in the Southern Hemisphere

By Helen Lockhart

Cape Town, South Africa - The Two Oceans Aquarium is proud to announce the guest speakers for the 8th International Aquarium Congress (IAC) which is set to take place in Cape Town, South Africa from 9 to 14 September 2012. Internationally renowned scientists Dr Camille Parmesan, Doctor Elin Kelsey and Professor George Branch have all confirmed their attendance and will deliver key note addresses during the opening ceremony of the 8th IAC on 10 September 2012.

Named "Outstanding Woman Working on Climate Change," by the IUCN, and as a “Who’s Who of Women and the Environment” by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), Dr Camille Parmesan was ranked by Reuters ISI Web of Science as the second most highly cited author in the field of climate change in 2010.

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Name: Julie Packard

Actual title: Executive Director

Name of your aquarium: Monterey Bay Aquarium

Location: Monterey, California, USA

URL for your facility: www.montereybayaquarium.org

Number of species at your facility: 550

Your favorite critter at the facility: Ocean sunfish

Total number of animals or fish at your facility: 35,000

Number of visitors annually: 1.9 million

Number of employees: 404

Number of volunteers: 1,200

Annual budget: $58 million

Name: Patrick T. Mangus

Actual title: Executive Director

Name of your zoo: National Aviary

Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

URL for your facility: www.aviary.org

Number of species at your facility: 200

Your favorite critter at the facility: African Penguins

Total number of animals or fish at your facility: 600

Number of visitors annually: 153,000

Number of employees: 45

Number of volunteers: 20

Annual budget: $4 million

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