·News
Introducing Jaya
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Guests Voted and Choose the Baby Orangutans Name
Saint Paul, MN (February 18, 2008) – Guests voted and selected Jaya as the name of the baby orangutan. Como Zoo held a naming ceremony today and announce the name with the assistance of the Sumunar Youth Gamelan Ensemble. Jaya is an Indonesian name that means celebration and victorious.
Jaya, a male Sumatran orangutan was born via cesarean section- a medical first for the historic Saint Paul Zoo. The baby’s successful birth is the result of a partnership that merged the skills of Como Zoo’s zookeepers and veterinarians from University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, along with medical staff from University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital, Fairview including two OB-GYN physicians. There has only been 9 c-section births in over 1,600 orangutan births documented in zoos including this one.
Jaya's parents are Markisa, a 20 year old female orangutan and Jambu Aye, a 22 year old male. Mom and dad arrived at Como from other zoos in 1995 as part of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Program for future breeding purposes in an effort to boost the Sumatran orangutan population. This is the 14th orangutan birth at Como since exhibiting orangutans in 1959.
About 200 orangutans are currently on exhibit in zoos throughout the U.S. Their native population, found only in Sumatra and Borneo, has drastically dwindled due to logging, conversion of habitat to palm oil plantations, and a series of wild fires –all of which put the species under the treat of extinction, potentially within the next 10-15 years. Sumatran orangutans are critically endangered with approximately only 7,000 left in the wild. OrangutansOrangutans are the largest arboreal (tree-dwelling) mammal. “Orang-utan” means “person of the forest”. They are the only Great Ape found in Asia.
Visit Como Zoo’s Newest Additions
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Como Park Zoo and Conservatory welcomed the newest addition to its primate family on December 13 with the birth of a male Sumatran orangutan via cesarean section- a medical first for the historic Saint Paul Zoo. The baby’s successful birth is the result of a partnership that merged the skills of Como Zoo’s zookeepers and veterinarians from University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, along with medical staff from University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital, Fairview including two OB-GYN physicians.
When orangutan Markisa’s labor began it became apparent that something was not right and that keepers and vets had to intervene. Fortunately, a birth management plan was prepared in advance which outlined steps to take for such a crisis. Markisa was transferred to the Veterinary Medical Center at the University of Minnesota where a cesarean section was performed on the orangutan by vets and medical staff from both the Veterinary Medical Center and University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital, Fairview.
The male baby orangutan was in critical condition the first few hours after delivery and the mother was transferred back to Como Zoo to recuperate. Over the next 11 days, ICU staff and Como keepers spent 24 hours a day holding the baby while wearing an orange furry vest, which allowed the baby orangutan to cling to the keeper as he would cling to his own mother. To the best of Como’s ability, special care was taken to ensure he developed his natural orangutan instincts to help him with his reintroduction back to mom.
On December 16, the baby ape was brought back to Como Zoo to begin the reintroduction process back to mom Markisa. There was some concern as to whether or not she would care for (and nurse) him since she was a first-time mom and had not birthed him naturally. Fortunately, she had many factors stacked in her favor for positive maternal abilities: she was parent-reared and had the opportunity to observe the birth and rearing of another orangutan at Como. The reintroduction process began by first using scents, then sight and then touch. On Christmas Day, keepers passed the baby off to mom and her natural maternal instincts were immediately apparent and nursing was confirmed within 24 hours. The successful reintroduction was supported by expertise of Busch Gardens who has experienced a similar situation of reintroducing a mom and c-section infant orangutan. Busch Gardens sent a zookeeper over the Christmas week to help with the reintroduction process.
Mom and baby have been off exhibit allowing them to bond and be closely monitored. They will be spending limited time in the public exhibit space over the next several weeks as Como’s new mom becomes comfortable in her new role.
The orangutan baby was born to Markisa, a 20 year old female orangutan and Jambu Aye, a 22 year old male. Mom and dad arrived at Como from other zoos in 1995 as part of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Program for future breeding purposes in an effort to boost the Sumatran orangutan population. This is the 14th orangutan birth at Como since exhibiting orangutans in 1959. The last birth was Willie in 1999. Como currently has 6 six red apes including this new addition.
Como strives to educate the public about the many issues facing orangutans in the wild through its numerous educational programs, keeper talks, and its annual Orangutan Awareness Weekend. Como Zoo Primate Zookeeper & Lead Orangutan Trainer, Megan Elder, is currently the endorsed North American candidate to hold the International Orangutan Studbook- an important database used to track and manage the global orangutan population. To be selected amongst her peers is a huge honor for Miss Elder and Como Zoo. Como Zoo also has a successful cell phone recycling program that raises money to support the Orangutan Conservancy and in-situ field conservation projects.
About 200 orangutans are currently on exhibit in zoos throughout the U.S. Their native population, found only in Sumatra and Borneo, has drastically dwindled due to logging, conversion of habitat to palm oil plantations, and a series of wild fires –all of which put the species under the treat of extinction, potentially within the next 10-15 years. Sumatran orangutans are critically endangered with approximately only 7,000 left in the wild. Oranguntans are the largest arboreal (tree-dwelling) mammal. “Orang-utan” means “person of the forest”. They are the only Great Ape found in Asia.
You can sponsor the orangutan, whichis a unique way to help Como Zoo with its wildlife conservation efforts. Donations support enhanced habitats and efforts to maintain the best care possible for the animals at Como Zoo.
Como needs your help in selecting a name for the new baby orangutan. Vote, with your pocketbook, one of three choices and the money raised will go towards Como's orangutan training programs. Learn more.
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Como Zoo welcomes a new baby giraffe calf to it’s herd. The 5-foot-6 inch, 140 pound baby girl was born on September 21 and will be introduced to the public on Tuesday, October 2.
Over the last 14 years, Como Zoo has facilitated 11 giraffe births, including this recent birth. This is mom, Clover’s 2nd calf with father Jahari who has sired at total of 17, four at Como and 13 at Bush Gardens. Como’s herd also includes Daisy and her son Jenga, who will turn 1 in October. Como's other giraffe off-spring can be seen across the country at other AZA institutions.
“A successful breeding program for any animal here at Como,” states Mike Hahm, Como’s Campus Manager, “is a sign that the animals are healthy and are in a well cared for environment.”
The giraffe is the tallest of all land-living animal species. They can be as tall as 18 feet tall and have a prehensile (used for grasping) tongue as long as 18 inches. During the first two years of a giraffe’s life, it doubles it height and can be over 12-feet tall. Giraffe gestation lasts between 14 and 15 months, after which a single calf is born. Like human fingerprints, the markings or spots of a giraffe’s coat are unique to each individual. Reticulated giraffes are native to the dry savannahs and open woodlands of sub-Saharan Africa.
Over the next several weeks, the baby giraffe will only be on display for portions of the day to make her familiar to her new surroundings.
Como Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). AZA is America’s leading accrediting organization for zoos and aquariums, and accredits only those institutions that have achieved rigorous, professional standards for animal welfare and management, vet car, wildlife conservation and research, education, safety, staffing and more. With only 200 accredited members, AZA is building North America’s largest wildlife conservation movement and is your link to helping animals in their native habitats.
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Chino!
Como Zoo's newest California Sea Lion, is now on public display. The Sea Lion, dubbed Chino, arrived in April from a rehab center in San Pedro, California after the animal was deemed unreleasable due to his health after a serious injury from a possible commerical fishing line or plastic soda jug.
Chino was found stranded on November 24, 2006 in San Pedro Harbor, the animal was lethargic, underweight and was admitted at a mere 85 lbs. He is approximately three years of age and for a male of his age and length (4.5 feet) a healthy weight would range from 140-160 lbs. He had a partially healed wound around his head and jawbone that completely encircled his skull and whatever he had been entangled in had cut deeply into the muscles of his face. Radiographs (x-rays) revealed that one of the bones of his skull had also been partially cut before the entangling debris finally broke. This sea lion had a severe injury to his jaw that does not allow him to successfully hunt for fish on his own.
His unhealthy low weight was due to the scar tissue that had formed where the wound occurred restricted his ability to open his mouth, creating a challenging situation when hunting for food. In addition to this permanent injury, he had a severe case of pneumonia and was too weak to swim. After being admitted to the
Marine Mammal Care
Center
he was able to eat small herring which was fed to him by animal care volunteers and staff. He eventually recovered from the pneumonia and became more active and vocal, but because of his jaw injury he still cannot open his mouth more than a couple of inches and will never be able to catch enough fish in the wild to sustain him. Because this injury does not allow him to be returned to the ocean he will have a new permanent home at the Como Zoo.
Since arriving at Como, zookeeper staff have been working with him through daily training sessions and slowly becoming familiar with people. This fall, Chino will be introduced to Sparky and may eventually become an understudy to the popular Sparky Show.
Como Zoo is currently home to three other California Sea Lions, including Sparky and two Harbor Seals.
California
sea lions are known for their intelligence, playfulness, and noisy barking. They are typically found from
Vancouver Island
,
British Columbia
to as far south as
Baja California
in
Mexico
. The
California
sea lion population is growing steadily and the current population is approximately 200,000. The presence of a California Sea Lion at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory has been seen for over 50 years with the Sparky the Sea Lion show. Sparky shows run through Labor Day Weekend.
Other News
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Polar Bear International (PBI) has declared 2008 the "Year of the Polar Bear", a program that will utilize key zoos as centers of conservation education. Como Zoo has been selected to participate in the top level of this program to assist in developing plans for the "Year of the Polar Bear".
At the core of this program, PBI and Como Zoo will be looking to inspire, inform and create forward action for change that encourages people to understand the importance of thinking globally and acting locally. The goals of the "Year of the Polar Bear" are to inspire audiences, utilize Como Zoo and other facilities as centers of Arctic conservation through interactive educational tools, launch the top research projects as defined and prioritized by PBI's Scientific Advisory Council and provide hope for the future.
Polar Bear International is dedicated to understanding and communicating all points of view on issues affecting polar bears throughout the world. Their goals are to be a key educational resource for polar bears worldwide, to develop strong communications that represent PBI as a key resource and to create an organization that is internationally inclusive in scope. The Board of Directors and Advisory Council are made up of individuals that have dedicated their life's work to conservation and education of polar bears.
Besides 2008 the "Year of the Polar Bear", Como Zoo is embarking on a new $14 million dollar polar bear exhibit, scheduled to open in 2010. The new polar bear exhibit is designed to engage visitors with interactive and educational experiences in a natural landscape immersion exhibit environment. The exhibit provides unique animal viewing opportunities for the public and innovative amenities for the animal collection. The public will have a 'behind the scenes' view of the keeper/polar bear interaction and training, as well as exciting underwater and above water views of the polar bears. The bears will have numerous choices for places to dig, swim, and feed.
The new exhibit promotes conservation through its design, breeding opportunities, interpretive message and through the staff's contribution to the exhibit species' conservation programs. Conservation is a major theme in the interpretive message, creating awareness on the fragility and interdependent nature of that ecosystem. Through the design process, members of Polar Bear International and Manitoba Conservation will be integral. This exhibit will be one of the first to comply to the new American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) and Manitoba Conservation requirements.
Representing Como Zoo was Stephanie Kappel, school and group coordinator and Michelle Furrer, marketing and public relations manager The workshop took place March 27 through March 30 in
Columbus
Ohio
.
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Como Zookeepers were awarded first place for a presentation in Animal Husbandry Training at the International Marine Animal Trainers Association conference in November.
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