PRESS RELEASE FLIGHT OF THE CONDOR LEADS BIRDS FROM U.S. TO COLOMBIA

On Wednesday, the largest bird of the Americas took flight aboard a plane bound from Miami to Bogotá, Colombia. Two juvenile Andean condors will soon spread their 10-foot wing span and soar above the clouds as part of a successful international collaborative program that has been reintroducing this endangered species for two decades.

     One bird hatched at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, the other at the Denver Zoo. The pair was being prepared for their release into the wild while at the White Oak Conservation Center in Florida. After their arrival in Colombia, the birds will spend approximately one month in an acclimation aviary before their release into a wilderness area 50 miles northeast of Bogotá.

     "It's an incredible experience to see endangered animals that were hatched through conservation programs in zoos, like the Andean condor, released and flying among the mountaintops in their native habitat," said Michael Mace, curator of birds for the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and coordinator of the condors' trip to Colombia. "One of the most rewarding aspects for zoos and conservation organizations is to be able to participate in reintroduction programs to aid in re-establishing a species in the wild for hopefully generations into the future."
     The two condors will be received by CORPOBOYACA, a natural resources management agency, on behalf of Parques Nacionales de Colombia, with the help of the Colombian federal agency Ministerio de Medioambiente de Colombia and the private organization Fundación Neotropical.

     "Denver Zoo is very excited to be a part of this reintroduction process and we're happy to contribute to the recovery of this magnificent species in the wild," says John Azua, Denver Zoo curator of birds. "This is a very important project and we want to continue to see the numbers of these amazing birds climb. We also appreciate being able to work with local agencies to secure a better world for animals through human understanding."

     The Andean condor program is international in scope with assistance from federal and local agencies in North and South America. Forty organizations within the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) have assisted and 18 zoos in the United States have hatched condors that have been sent to South America as part of this conservation program. Conservation centers play an important role in rearing and preparing animals for release projects.
     "For the past two years the two condors have been living in a large flight enclosure, receiving natural prey diets, and were isolated from contact with people, all important factors in creating excellent candidates for the release program in South America," said Mike Taylor, avian collection manager at White Oak Conservation Center.

     For more than 20 years, the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park have been working with South American government agencies and conservation organizations to send Andean condors to both Colombia and Venezuela. Including these two birds, 82 Andean condors have been sent to these two countries. The San Diego Zoo and Safari Park have sent 31 Andean condors to South America over the last 16 years, while this is Denver Zoo's first bird sent to South America.
     This species of vulture is found throughout the Andes Mountains from Colombia to Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. Primarily, the Andean condor lives in high mountainous regions and open grasslands.

AFRICAN ELEPHANT EXHIBIT EXPANDS AS HERD GROWS

With only one month to spare before the San Diego Zoo Safari Park's African elephant herd grows by one more with the birth of a calf expected in January-for a total of 17 elephants-the elephant habitat has nearly doubled in size to 5½ acres.
     The Safari Park's six adult female elephants and eight youngsters, ranging in age from 7 months to 6 years old, moved as a unit while exploring the new area on Tuesday. Although most of the adults kept close together to protect the herd, the calves enjoyed playing in a pile of soft dirt, rolling in hay and pulling up grass bunches.
     The exhibit expansion provides a second pool for swimming, another barn to warm up in during the winter months, if needed, and additional enrichment items to keep the elephants mentally and physically fit. The new space was vacated in 2009 by four Asian elephants that found a new home at the San Diego Zoo's Harry and Grace Steele Elephant Odyssey, a 7.5-acre exhibit housing more than 30 species of animals including lions and California condors.
     After months of planning and fund-raising, hydraulic gates were built to connect the two yards to create one large habitat for the herd that has doubled its size since the adults were rescued in 2003 from the Kingdom of Swaziland. There, they faced being killed because elephant overpopulation was destroying habitat.
     The 1,800-acre San Diego Zoo Safari Park (historically referred to as Wild Animal Park) is operated by the not-for-profit San Diego Zoo and includes a 900-acre native species reserve. The organization focuses on conservation and research work around the globe, educates millions of individuals a year about wildlife and maintains accredited horticultural, animal, library and photo collections. The Zoo also manages the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research. The important conservation and science work of these entities is supported in part by The Foundation of the Zoological Society of San Diego.

WILD ANIMAL PARK NURSERY BRIMMING WITH BABIES

More Than a Dozen Young Exotic Goats, Sheep and Antelope hopping about

There's quite a springtime baby boom going on at the San Diego Zoos Wild Animal Park- about 100 young exotic animals are playing in the field exhibits right now. Guests to the Wild Animal Park don't need binoculars to get a close-up view of the adorable antics of the Parks adolescents because 14 more goats, sheep and antelope are growing up in the nursery. At the nursery, Wild Animal Park guests can watch bottle feedings and see the young animals at play. Among the delightful creatures practicing their leaps and head-butting are fuzzy Turkomen markhors,  striped nyalas and spotted East African sitatungas.

"While we prefer that our baby animals are raised by their mothers in our wide-open field exhibits at the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park, sometimes that isn't possible due to medical problems or a mother's inexperience," said Kevin Yates, a senior keeper. "In those cases, we raise them in our nursery where guests can watch them grow up.

"We have babies on view here in the nursery almost year-round; some days it is cheetahs and rhinos and on others, like today, its leaping goats and antelope."

The 1,800-acre San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park is operated by the not-for-profit San Diego Zoo and includes a 900-acre native species reserve. The San Diego Zoo focuses on the conservation of endangered species and their habitats, engages in conservation and research work around the globe, educates millions of individuals a year about wildlife, and maintains accredited horticultural, animal, library and photo collections.  The Zoo also manages the San Diego Zoo's Beckman Center for Conservation Research.  The important conservation and science work of these entities is supported in part by The Foundation of the Zoological Society of San Diego.

THINGS ARE LOOKING UP FOR ELEPHANT CALF BORN AT WILD ANIMAL PARK

Celebration of Elephant Herd Begins June 19 at African Summer Festival

After a slow start the outlook for a male African elephant calf born at the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park is now upbeat. The calf was healthy and nursing after his birth on May 12, but a medical condition with his mother caused him to lose rather than gain weight. His mother, Umoya, is now recovering, which means the calf is too.

The unnamed baby elephant is the third calf born at the Wild Animal Park in 2010. He weighed 220 pounds at birth, lost weight and is now up to 229 pounds and is interacting with other elephants daily, including the two other male calves born in February and April. Thursday some of the youngsters were seen wrestling in the mud.
        
To celebrate the success of this group, the Park is highlighting elephants during African Summer Festival. Visit the elephant exhibit at 11 a.m. daily to watch the elephants search the 3-acre habitat seeking goodies hidden in the grass, trees or rocks.

The festivities continue during African Summer Festival, which runs June 19 through Sept. 6, with a swirl of activities that represent the wonders of the African continent, including acrobats, storytellers, live drum bands, bead working, a new animal show and Robert, the digital talking zebra.
         
There are now eight youngsters in the 16-member African elephant herd, ranging from 3 weeks to 6 years old. The herd has doubled its size since the eight adults were rescued from the Kingdom of Swaziland, a small southern African country, where they faced being killed because elephant overpopulation was destroying habitat.

The 1,800-acre San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park is operated by the not-for-profit San Diego Zoo and includes a 900-acre native species reserve. The San Diego Zoo focuses on the conservation of endangered species and their habitats, engages in conservation and research work around the globe, educates millions of individuals a year about wildlife, and maintains accredited horticultural, animal, library and photo collections.  The Zoo also manages the San Diego Zoo's Beckman Center for Conservation Research.  The important conservation and science work of these entities is supported in part by The Foundation of the Zoological Society of San Diego.

DOUGLAS MYERS ELECTED CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF MUSEUMS

Douglas Myers, executive director of the Zoological Society of San Diego, has been elected chair of the board of directors for the American Association of Museums (AAM). Myers will assume this position at the AAM Annual Meeting and MuseumExpo™ in Los Angeles May 23. AAM is the largest museum service organization in the world, encompassing nearly 20,000 members representing all types of museums: art, history, children's, natural history, science and technology centers, historic sites, zoos, aquariums and public and botanic gardens.

"AAM and its members are privileged to have Myers at the helm of our board for the next two years," said AAM president Ford W. Bell. "His wisdom and experience in guiding one of the country's great institutions will be integral to AAM's future success."

Myers assumes the chairmanship from Carl Nold, chief executive officer of Historic New England, who has served in that capacity since April 2008.

"These are exciting times at AAM, and I am proud to serve this vital organization," Myers said. "Under Carl Nold's leadership, AAM has developed a new strategic plan and vision that clearly defines its goals for the future. All of us are eager to implement this plan so that AAM may better support the wide-ranging museum community."

Myers has been chief executive officer for the Zoological Society of San Diego since 1985. During this time he has moved forward the global conservation efforts for the organization; securing a long-term giant panda loan with China, launching a cross border release program with California condors in Mexico and overseeing a collaborative effort with the country of Abu Dhabi to support the Al Ain Zoo. Myers came to the Zoological Society of San Diego in 1982 as general manager for the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park.

In addition to his work with the San Diego Zoo, Myers has been active in the museum world; serving as a member of the National Institute of Museum Library Services, the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership, the Central Balboa Park Association and as a past member of the Advisory Council of the Museum Trustee Association. He is also a current member of the Rotary Club of San Diego, the California Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Conservation Breeding Specialists Group Steering Committee, and is a fellow of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

The 100-acre San Diego Zoo is dedicated to the conservation of endangered species and their habitats. The organization focuses on conservation and research work around the globe, educates millions of individuals a year about wildlife and maintains accredited horticultural, animal, library and photo collections. The Zoo also manages the 1,800-acre San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park, which includes a 900-acre native species reserve, and the San Diego Zoo's Institute for Conservation Research. The important conservation and science work of these entities is supported in part by The Foundation of the Zoological Society of San Diego.

AFRICAN ELEPHANT BORN AND A SECOND GETS HIS NAME

Wild Animal Park to Celebrate Elephants in a Summer Festival

The San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park has another 268-pound reason to celebrate: the second birth of an African elephant this year. A third elephant is due in late spring.

The unnamed male calf was born on Thursday to 20-year-old Swazi. A male calf born two months ago, on Valentine's Day, was recently bestowed a very fitting name: Lutsandvo (loot-sund-vor), or "love" in the SiSwati language.

The elephant herd has nearly doubled its size since the eight adults were rescued from the Kingdom of Swaziland, a small southern African country, where they faced being killed because elephant overpopulation was destroying its habitat. The herd has successfully given birth to seven calves since the adults arrived at the Wild Animal Park in 2003.

This summer the Park is celebrating the success of the herd by embracing the spirit of Africa. Join zookeepers daily at 11 a.m. to watch the elephants search their 3-acre habitat seeking goodies hidden in the grass, trees or rocks. New activities are planned throughout the Park as well as a new animal show during African Festival, running June 19 through September 6.

The San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park are committed to elephant conservation by educating visitors to both parks and by conducting elephant studies on nutrition, daily walking distance, growth and development and bioacoustic communication. In Africa, the Zoo has a researcher studying human-elephant conflicts as well as habitat range and use. In 2004, the Zoo committed to contributing $30,000 yearly to Swaziland's Big Game Parks though 2014 to fund programs like anti-poaching patrols, improved infrastructure and the purchase of additional acreage for the Big Game Parks. In addition, the Zoo supports other elephant conservation projects through donations to the International Elephant Foundation, an organization that funds these types of projects around the world.

The average gestation period for African elephants is 649 days or 22 months. A newborn calf is about two feet tall and averages 200 to 250 pounds. Calves can be weaned at 2 to 3 years old.

An adult African elephant is larger than its cousin, the Asian elephant. A male African elephant weighs 7 to 8 tons and can stand about 10.5 feet tall at the shoulders; a female can weigh approximately four tons and stand 8.2 feet at the shoulders.

The young calf is 1.5 feet tall. He is dwarfed by the size of the other elephants, but they are very careful around him. The calf was even seen nursing from his aunties. The older calves spend time following him, touching him and trying to coax him to play. He is not yet big enough to play with the others but at 268 pounds he is the largest calf born to this herd and will catch up in size very quickly.

The 1,800-acre San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park is operated by the not-for-profit San Diego Zoo and includes a 900-acre native species reserve. The San Diego Zoo focuses on the conservation of endangered species and their habitats, engages in conservation and research work around the globe, educates millions of individuals a year about wildlife, and maintains accredited horticultural, animal, library and photo collections. The Zoo also manages the San Diego Zoo's Beckman Center for Conservation Research. The important conservation and science work of these entities is supported in part by The Foundation of the Zoological Society of San Diego.

BUTTERFLIES TAKE WING AT SAN DIEGO ZOO’S WILD ANIMAL PARK

15 new bird species added to annual springtime event

Spring has landed at the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park as blue morphos, orange-barred tigers, zebra longwings are among thousands of butterflies emerging during Butterfly Jungle, the annual springtime event that runs through April 18.

New this year are 15 species of African birds. The purple-crested turaco spends much of its time in a large ficus tree calling loudly, while the male paradise whydah may fly by displaying its beautifully long tail. A pair of African gray parrots charm guests entering the aviary with their playful antics, as finches and lovebirds add lovely sounds to a colorful display of plants and butterflies.

Butterfly Jungle celebrates mimicry in the animal world. Some species of butterflies use toxins to deter predators from eating them. Other species have evolved to mimic the patterns or colors of toxic butterflies to protect themselves. The giant owl butterfly, on the other hand, has a large spot on the underside of its wing that looks like the eye of an owl. It flashes this “eye” at potential predators to confuse them.

Butterfly Jungle is included with admission to the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park. Admission is $37 for adults and $27 for children ages 3 to 11. Children 2 and younger receive free admission.

The 1,800-acre San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park is operated by the not-for-profit San Diego Zoo and includes a 900-acre native species reserve. The organization focuses on conservation and research work around the globe, educates millions of individuals a year about wildlife and maintains accredited horticultural, animal, library and photo collections. The Zoo also manages the San Diego Zoo, and the San Diego Zoo’s Institute for Conservation Research. The important conservation and science work of these entities is supported in part by The Foundation of the Zoological Society of San Diego.