Oakland Zoo’s Celebrating Elephants, May 3rd & May 9th

4/28/2008

Saturday, May 3: 10:00am-3:00pm Celebrating Elephants Day Experience a special once-a-year, behind-the-scenes tour of the elephant barn and learn about Oakland Zoo's progressive elephant management program! A $5 donation is requested per person. Tours begin at the Elephant Exhibit and will run throughout the day. Elephant Information Stations: How big is your foot compared to an elephant? How much does a 9,500 pound elephant eat? Learn the answers to these questions when you visit special elephant information stations. Visit Camp Amboseli: Stop by Camp Amboseli, a life-size elephant research camp replica. Use binoculars and data collection sheets to do your own research. Talk to the camp researchers and learn about life on the savanna. Friday, May 9: 6:00pm-9:00pm – Reception and Silent Auction followed by a Lecture featuring, Pat Derby , co-founder of the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and leader in animal welfare and rescue. Since 1984, PAWS has been at the forefront of efforts to rescue and provide appropriate, humane sanctuary for animals who have been the victims of the exotic and performing animal trades. PAWS is home to seven Asian and five African Elephants. The elephant habitat provides the elephants with hundreds of acres of varied natural terrain to roam, lakes to bathe in, and state-of-the-art elephant barns equipped with heated stalls and therapeutic jacuzzis. Pat Derby has much news to share with us! Just in the last year, four new elephants now call PAWS home, including Maggie the African Elephant who lived most of her life alone in Alaska. The lecture event will be held in the Snow Building at the Oakland Zoo. A minimum donation of $20 is requested. For more details, please call (510) 632-9525, ext 161. All proceeds from this event go to elephant research and conservation. The award-winning Oakland Zoo is home to over 440 native and exotic animals. Nestled in the Oakland Hills, in 525 acre Knowland Park, the Zoo is located at 9777 Golf Links Road, off Highway 580.

Oakland Zoo Welcomes New Giraffe

4/8/2008

Oakland, CA – Oakland Zoo announces the arrival of a new bull giraffe named Mabusu; this is Swalhili for “Kisses.” Mabusu was transported to Oakland in a special giraffe trailer, which is a bit taller than a standard horse trailer. “He proved he is a very adaptable, stoic fellow over his lengthy journey. He loaded the trailer calmly, shipped calmly, and unloaded into our barn very quietly. He began eating right away,” says Amy Phelps, Zoo Keeper. The Oakland Zoo acquired him from the San Diego Wild Animal Park, where he was specially chosen to participate in the Oakland Zoo’s giraffe breeding program. The young giraffe is a recommended match to our females by the AZA’s Giraffe Population Management Program. It will most likely be a few years before his is able to sire a calf, but once he does, he will help the Oakland Zoo contribute to the captive breeding programs within AZA facilities. Mabusu remained separated from his new family for the past month in order for Zoo Keepers to properly acquaint him with his new surroundings. He was formally introduced to the giraffe herd just days ago. At only a year old, he is already ten feet tall and weighs approximately 800 pounds. That may seem large, but he actually looks much smaller next to his sixteen foot companions. You’ll definitely be able to pick him out at the giraffe exhibit! If his height doesn’t give him away, his love for peanut butter sure will says Zoo Keeper Amy Phelps. “Kids visiting the exhibit can keep an eye out for colored balls or logs hung up on poles and fences with peanut butter on them.” This type of enrichment activity is designed to keep Mabusu and the other veldt animals busy throughout the day. The award-winning Oakland Zoo is home to over 440 native and exotic animals. Nestled in the Oakland Hills, in 525 acre Knowland Park, the Zoo is located at 9777 Golf Links Road, off Highway 580. For more information please call (510) 632-9525 ext. 130, or visit our web site at www.oaklandzoo.org.