A deer that jumped a wall at the National Zoo was fatally injured by two lions Sunday as dozens of startled spectators looked on.
Zoo spokeswoman Pamela Baker-Masson described the incident as highly unusual. It began about 2:50 p.m. as visitors lined the perimeter wall of an enclosure that contained two female lions, and it involved a deer that may have entered from Rock Creek Park.
"Everyone was cheering, 'Go, go, go' " to encourage the deer to reach safety, witness Josh Shpayher said. "Everyone was rooting for the deer."
As recounted by witnesses, the deer, over as much as 20 minutes, was in and out of a moat while the lions clutched, clawed or swatted it. A crowd of spectators grew. Some shrieked, cried out or took children away.
As the episode neared its end, one lion dragged the deer to a stairwell area. The deer, a female, broke free and bounded toward the moat, the lion in pursuit.
Zoo personnel sent visitors away and got the lions indoors. With the enclosure empty, the deer left the moat on its own. It was anesthetized and taken for evaluation by specialists.
They found it "pretty evident" that the deer "would not survive," and it was euthanized, Baker-Masson said.
United in what appears to be deep and profound grief, a phalanx of more than a dozen chimpanzees stood in silence watching from behind the wire of their enclosure as the body of one of their own was wheeled past.
This extraordinary scene took place recently at the Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Center in Cameroon, West Africa.
When a chimp called Dorothy, who was in her late 40s, died of heart failure, her fellow apes seemed to be stricken by sorrow.
As they wrapped their arms around each other in a gesture of solidarity, Dorothy's female keeper gently settled her into the wheelbarrow which carried her to her final resting place - not before giving this much-loved inhabitant of the centre a final affectionate stroke on the forehead.United in what appears to be deep and profound grief, a phalanx of more than a dozen... more
It was only a matter of time, but Aleksandr Orlov will be made into a cuddly talking toy in time for Christmas. The meerkat who fronts the comparethemarket.com ads will be going on sale in Harrods in December.
The toys will be sold at £19.95 each, and the London Zoo will receive a donation to support their conservation work with each sale.
SimplesIt was only a matter of time, but Aleksandr Orlov will be made into a cuddly talking... more
“ZooLogic” is an unexpectedly hilarious, widely acclaimed 4-minute animated short film that won the 2008 Student Academy Award Gold Medal in Animation. The vintage-looking, hand-drawn film tells the story of a pompous, over-controlling zookeeper who forces his animals to look and behave as he thinks the public would expect. The zookeeper’s absolute rule begins to falter, however, when he encounters a fat little penguin, who refuses to be whipped into shape by him. The mischievously comedic little penguin quickly gives the zookeeper his comeuppance, then teams up with an angry gorilla to lead the zoo's other animals through a successful revolution comprised of a hilarious ensuing chain of events.
As an important analogy, the animals come together against the zookeeper like children rallying to overcome a bully, but in a humorously light manner that young audiences can digest.
This piece includes a number of pictures and the animated short film, “ZooLogic.”“ZooLogic” is an unexpectedly hilarious, widely acclaimed 4-minute animated short... more
Cheetahs are the fastest land mammal! Capable of reaching speeds in excess of 70mph they are an amazing animal, unfortunately we are not working fast enough to save them in the wild. It is estimated their numbers globally have declined by over 90% in the last 100 years!
Namibia is one of the last refuges of the remaining world Cheetah population. A quarter of all the remaining cats are found in Nambia. A local thorn bush species is invading the savannah in the country, causing over US$90 million each year in lost revenue to Namibian farmers, whilst also destroying the native habitat of the fastest of the cats. Now the Cheetah Conservation Fund has pioneered a scheme to clear the thorn bush and turn it into cheap fuel briquettes. The project is creating jobs at the same time as helping to restore the hunting ground of the endangered cheetah.
No Place Like Home - New film exposes reality of zoo life
July 2009
No Place Like Home is the brand new film from CAPS exposing conditions in UK zoos and explaining why they should be phased out.
Zoos in the UK are often seen as amongst the ‘best’ in the world but as our exposé reveals, animals are still lingering in miserable conditions, all so people can enjoy a day out.
Filmed over the past two years in zoos across the UK, including safari parks and aquaria, No Place Like Home updates our 2000 production Sad Eyes and Empty Lives, which we still receive requests from campaigners, schools and colleges across the country and overseas every week. Both films are the only ones to look specifically at the state of UK zoos.
A gorilla repeatedly regurgitating food and eating itNarrated by CAPS patron Sally Banks, wife of the late Tony Banks MP, the new video looks at issues of conservation and education and reveals shocking conditions in zoos, including:
* A gorilla repeatedly regurgitating food and eating it
* Numerous cases of stereotypic behaviours such as big cats pacing, elephants weaving and reptiles pushing against glass
* Small enclosures restricting movement and offering no stimulation
Stereotypic behaviours, a sign of frustration, boredom and stress, appeared so common that we only had time to include a small sample in the film.
In several zoos animals continue to be used as circus performers - sealions balancing balls, elephants and parrots performing tricks.
The zoos featured in the film were not selected because of any particularly bad record of animal care. Many are classed as the ‘best’ zoos in the country.
The film compares footage of captive animals to some amazing scenes of animals living naturally in the wild. It encourages people to explore the wildlife in their own area as well as support conservation projects protecting and restoring natural habitats.
Interviews are included with Professor Marc Bekoff, a leading authority on animal behaviour and a patron of CAPS, our scientific consultant David Spratt and two CAPS supporters.
The film includes unreleased tracks from the American musician Moby, a supporter of animal rights campaigns.No Place Like Home - New film exposes reality of zoo life
July 2009
No Place Like... more
Berlin's star polar bear Knut met another polar bear for the first time on Tuesday. And aside from an initial round-house delivered by the visiting Gianna, zookeepers pronounced the date a success.Berlin's star polar bear Knut met another polar bear for the first time on Tuesday.... more
A baby rhinoceros rejected by her mother at birth is being hand-reared by zookeepers in the north-western German city of Münster. It's round-the-clock-work: she drinks large quantities of special milk and needs to be stroked regularly.A baby rhinoceros rejected by her mother at birth is being hand-reared by zookeepers... more
I had the pleasure of shooting the various animals in the Franklin Park zoo. It was an amazing experience! What really amazed me was the communication capability I had with the gorillas. They were able to understand me...I had the pleasure of shooting the various animals in the Franklin Park zoo. It was an... more
Now that they are a month old these meerkats from Bristol have been allowed to play outside. They have begun digging like their parents - but frequently fall over as they try to find their feet.
Just adorableLook at them!
Now that they are a month old these meerkats from Bristol have been... more
This ad tells the story how the HP Photosmart Premium helped a little boy have a great day at the zoo.This ad tells the story how the HP Photosmart Premium helped a little boy have a great... more
Seeing this here today is really a delightful eye-opener! This gal's hair is pure Harlow gold, and her red lips a tasty sweet surprise. I can tell that her little hands there never get cold, and she's got those cute, cute Bette Davis eyes! She looks so much like a model, or some kind of old-timey movie starlet...the photographer who took this picture-portrait really captured her eyes very well, so beautiful.
You should have this picture tattooed to the inside of your brain, so you can remember it for all time and forevers. And also, you should go ahead and cancel your plans for the rest of today, so you can print out a bunch of copies of this picture to send to all your friends-peoples, and also to paste some in your own family photo-album. Plus, see here that it's got a music video that plays along with it. Sure it do. It's got Miss Kim Carnes, belting out that old 1980's tear-jerker, “She's Got Those Bette Davis Eyes.” It's all good.Seeing this here today is really a delightful eye-opener! This gal's hair is pure... more
Using my camera to help raise money for the Franklin Park Zoo, in Boston...I had the pleasure of photographing Joe at Franklin Park Zoo. I was really surprised that he allow me to photograph him. I used Photoshop to put emphases on his eyes.Using my camera to help raise money for the Franklin Park Zoo, in Boston...I had the... more
Visitors to the Bristol Zoo are unknowingly part of the animal attractions and can read all about the species Homo sapiens in this plaque hung by the window of the zoo’s cafe. It says, in part:
"After a gestation period of nine months, humans usually live in their parents’ nest for around 16 years. While the parents are out foraging for food, juveniles are looked after in large groups by other adults.
In adolescence, the offspring adopt a more nocturnal lifestyle and engage in ritualized activities of drinking fermented liquids and dancing to rhythmical sounds, which scientists believe help them to find a mate..."
More at the link!Visitors to the Bristol Zoo are unknowingly part of the animal attractions and can... more
Seeing as animal feed is one of the largest expenses a zoo has, coupled with the fact that transportation of said feed has an enormous carbon footprint, the Paignton Zoo in South Devon has begun a vertical farming project inside the zoo aimed at producing some of the food needed to feed the animals. And boy does this farm produce!Seeing as animal feed is one of the largest expenses a zoo has, coupled with the fact... more
Ralph, a Humboldt penguin, baffled staff at a zoo near Winchester when he suddenly went bald, losing all his feathers in one day. Humboldt penguins normally shed old feathers over a few weeks while they grow new ones. But Ralph only kept the feathers on his head, putting him at serious risk of getting sunburnt.
This year, instead of spending three weeks indoors and away from his group (as he's had to do every year when his feathers fall out), his keepers have found him a mini wetsuit that lets him swim, fish and play with the other penguins.
The wetsuit is causing quite a stir amongst visitors to the zoo, but Ralph seems to love it.Ralph, a Humboldt penguin, baffled staff at a zoo near Winchester when he suddenly... more
Two giant pandas at San Diego Zoo are probably GIGANTIC pandas after their birthday party, Monday.
Zhen Zhen turned 2 on August 3rd and Su Lin turned four on the 2nd. They were given a cake befitting their species (they were giant, okay!) And who couldn't resist a birthday crammed with apples, carrots and bamboo, eh?Two giant pandas at San Diego Zoo are probably GIGANTIC pandas after their birthday... more
Standup comedian Dan Bialek discussing rappers and eugenics, why Bigfoot doesn't exist, cholos at the zoo and his Vietnam veteran father's bloodlust at the 12 Shiny Nickels Showin Los Angeles, CA on 07/31/09.
For more about Dan please visit: http://www.thatjerkdan.comStandup comedian Dan Bialek discussing rappers and eugenics, why Bigfoot doesn't... more
A male polar bear Yukio tries to eat vegetables inside a block of ice presented to promote the German polar bear film 'Knut und seine Freunde' and to help beat the summer heat at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo. The temperatures in Tokyo soared to over 30 degrees Celsius at noon.
(photos & video)A male polar bear Yukio tries to eat vegetables inside a block of ice presented to... more
IDA Exposes Another Los Angeles Zoo Cover-Up - This week, IDA again exposed the Los Angeles Zoo’s attempt to hide the truth, revealing that it paid a paltry USDA penalty of $3,281 for its FAILURE TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE veterinary care to the elephant, Gita, as she lay dying overnight in June 2006.
The fine also INCLUDED the death of a chimpanzee in July 2006, making the amount even more shockingly scant.
At the time of her death, the L.A. Zoo failed to report that Gita had been observed down on the ground overnight in a perilous position and that zoo personnel took no action to help the suffering elephant. She died soon after keepers found her in the morning.
According to one report, Gita may have laid there for as long as 17 HOURS.
The truth may never have been told if not for IDA, which received a zoo insider tip and exposed the L.A. Zoo’s negligence that caused Gita to suffer a slow and agonizing death.
What gives this latest revelation even more importance is the fact that the fine was paid, according to an L.A. Times report, in January, 2008, yet the zoo kept this information hidden from the public and the Los Angeles City Council, which spent months that year deliberating whether the L.A. Zoo should continue to display elephants.This piece of critical information may have changed the council’s ultimate vote to continue keeping elephants at the zoo.
As if the story so far isn’t enough to make you feel outraged, from the token amount of the fine to the L.A. Zoo withholding vital information from city leaders, there’s MORE...
In May 2008, after Gita’s USDA file was officially closed, IDA submitted requests to the L.A. Zoo and the USDA, requesting information on the case. Neither public entity (the zoo is city owned and run) provided any information regarding the penalty, as both are required to do by law.
In response to IDA’s exposé of the L.A. Zoo, Los Angeles City Council member Tony Cardenas presented a motion before the city council this week that would force the zoo to account for this outrageous cover-up and direct the City Attorney to investigate and report back on any possible criminal and/or civil violations by the L.A. Zoo of the California Public Records Act and the U.S. Freedom of Information Act.
IDA was only able to learn about the L.A. Zoo’s fine because we sent a letter last month, signed by actress Lily Tomlin and leading animal protection organizations, to the USDA, blasting the agency for its failure to protect captive-held elephants.
The USDA’s response letter contained scant information about Gita and the zoo’s fine, as well as unacceptable and incomplete explanations regarding their inaction for other elephants.
This is one more case where the USDA is failing to protect elephants and to hold those who violate the Animal Welfare Act truly accountable.
What the L.A. Zoo received is nothing more than a slap on the wrist, despite the fact that Gita, an endangered Asian elephant, suffered for hours in terrible pain without veterinary care.
Help IDA hold both the L.A. Zoo and the USDA accountable for this travesty of justice.
1) If you live in the City of Los Angeles, please contact Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and your city council member and express your outrage at yet another L.A. Zoo cover-up and the fact that critical information was withheld from the council during hearings on the future of the elephant exhibit. Urge your council member to take action to whether construction on the $42 million dollar display should continue.
2) Write to your Congressperson and urge her or him to hold the USDA accountable for its utter failure to protect elephants in circuses and zoos and uphold federal law.
3) The other elephants that the USDA is failing to protect, including Tina, Queenie and Jewel, three elephants who are suffering and in danger, held by an abusive circus trainer. https://secure2.convio.net/ida/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1307IDA Exposes Another Los Angeles Zoo Cover-Up - This week, IDA again exposed the Los... more
