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Dear Members,
We continuously try to make each visit to The DWA a more comfortable, enjoyable and educational experience. In addition to the Jungle Jewels exhibit at the third level of the rainforest last year, the corner of Howler Junction was also "rounded" in order to eliminate the bottleneck that often occurred at the entrance into the rainforest. This modification was so helpful that we continued with the widening of the walkway at the other end of Howler Junction,
which is the beginning of the bridge that goes over the River and Otter exhibits. Other construction improvements can be seen with the newly completed bridge over the outdoor African penguin exhibit and improvements to the seasonal Madagascar display. The Lord Howe exhibit in the aquarium has just been renovated and will soon be teeming with new fish, as well as those moved to holding, such as the Spectacled angelfish, indigenous to the waters of this area.
Also adding to the ease and educational value of a visit to The DWA are new touch screens throughout the facility. More than 55 are currently active, with more being added as exhibits change. Touch screens give more specific information about the species in the exhibits. New on second level rainforest (near the Gift Shop entrance on the bridge before going downstairs via the stairs or the elevator) is our first directional kiosk, with three more soon to be installed.
Toucan Encounter, located near the Three-toed sloth "hangout" and Jungle Cafe, is the acrylic enclosure that serves as an avian day-care center for young birds. This transitional space provides an up close and somewhat personal encounter (particularly when feeding) with various species as they grow and adjust in a monitored portion of the rainforest, prior to their introduction into other larger exhibits, free flight or off-exhibit breeding areas.
If you were visiting on April 22nd, perhaps you received a package of our bluebonnet seeds given to guests on Earth Day. Over the years, The DWA has participated in Earth Day in many ways -- distributing various species of seedlings, wildflower seeds, etc. Earth Day was created in 1970 to help inspire awareness and appreciation for the environment. This year, we participated in an additional special way, although not first-hand for us, it was perhaps our most significant contribution, as discussed in the Earth Day article.
Our Amazonian manatee conservation project continues with much enthusiasm and success. Joining me on the most recent trip to Iquitos, were Rodrigo Pinho (DWA Conservation Biologist) and Dr. Murphy (Lowry Park Zoo DVM) to evaluate the project and check the medical status of the manatees. We also met with government officials to ensure the continued cooperation of all involved and plan for the future.
We have had the pleasure of two visits by Nigel Marven. Noted for his wildlife documentaries, Nigel continues to produce entertaining and educational films as owner, producer and presenter of Image Impact Productions. He is the spokesperson for a Dallas-based, on-line virtual world for kids that will soon be available (Webosaurs). Nigel will be participating in a national promotional tour and The DWA will be one of Nigel's first stops in late July! The book co-authored by Nigel, "Chased by Sea Monsters - Prehistoric Predators of the Deep" is a favorite in the Book Store and has been available for sometime.
Daryl Richardson,
Director
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The existing outdoor South Africa exhibit opened in June 1996. In an effort to provide more observation space and better movement around the exhibit, a bridge has been constructed over the water, somewhat in the center of the space.
The existing outdoor South Africa exhibit opened in June 1996. In an effort to provide more observation space and better movement around the exhibit, a bridge has been constructed over the water, somewhat in the center of the space. It gives visitors a different perspective, looking into the nest areas of the Black-footed penguins, where we hope they choose to lay eggs. Black-footed penguins have been favorites at The DWA since their arrival in 1992, when they were displayed in the current Dragons from Down Under exhibit.
Above the ground level Madagascar exhibit are additional South African species -- the beautiful black Lady Ross's turaco and the graceful Saddlebill stork. The seasonal, ground level Madagascar exhibit has some colorful, smaller residents. Some species remain in their habitats during the summer, some are removed at night and others are on display when the temperature permits. Those species available for your enjoyment during the summer are:
Shortly after the recent return from Iquitos, Peru, ACOBIA-DWA made a successful new baby rescue. The baby manatee arrived at the center on June 1, weighing 55 pounds and at last report, was doing quite well.
IIAP is a very important local institute that studies the Amazonian environment in its entirety. This partnership is very important, as it is the first joint effort to work with Amazonian manatees. Topographical surveying of the area is underway, with the site for the project being provided by IIAP.
The progress made with the baby manatees is observable and easily measured. In addition to the animal rescue and rehabilitation, ACOBIA-DWA have had excellent
results with the environmental education project. Since January 2009, more than 6,000 school children have learned about the importance of the conservation
of Amazonian manatees and their environment, in both student visits to observe the manatees first-hand and through out-reach programs by the staff. It is this portion of the project that will result in long-term effects for the future of the manatee through education.
In late 2008, we introduced "Toucan Encounter" on the third level of the rainforest near Jungle Cafe. This exhibit was opened for the holiday season and was an immediate hit.
In late 2008, we introduced "Toucan Encounter" on the third level of the rainforest near Jungle Cafe. This exhibit was opened for the holiday season and was an immediate hit. Intended for our younger visitors, we found that adults were equally ready to participate in feeding blueberries or papaya to the eager chicks.
The off-exhibit nurseries are, as one would expect a nursery to be, noisy, active and demanding of their keepers. Detailed records must be kept of feeding times, kinds and amounts of foods offered, foods eaten and the weights of the bird. Individual bands allow for identification of each chick. Toucan Encounter gives us a safe environment in which the birds can adjust to the activity, noise and presence of people, prior to their placement in less monitored habitats.
After spending several months at the quarantine facility in Rancho Grande, Maracay, the first group of 16 Orinoco crocodiles from The DWA was released into the Capanaparo River.
The other 39 crocodiles will stay at Rancho Grande and will be released in the the Cojedes River in June 2009. They will receive a more public and media-involved event, stressing the efforts to preserve this endangered species. Hopefully all 55 of the "Texas-Orinoco crocodiles" will become nesting females in the future and add to the survival of this critically endangered species.
The mission of AZA's Species Survival Plan program is to help ensure the survival of selected wildlife species.
We have previously discussed our first-born joey that came to be known as "Mattie." Mattie was born in March 2007 and remained here until March 2009, when she was transferred to the Calgary Zoo in Alberta, Canada. At Calgary, she is now part of the Australia and Creatures of the Night exhibit, where she has a new mate named Koloona. Hopefully, Mattie and Koloona will reproduce and the visitors to the Calgary Zoo will enjoy their offspring as much as we enjoyed watching Mattie grow and her continuing efforts to fit into the one-size-fits-all pouch. We are anxiously waiting to see if and when Reeses and Diego will have another joey.
Our book of the month choice is "CHASED BY SEA MONSTERS Prehistoric Predators of the Deep" by Nigel Marven and Jasper James.
The book is divided into the seven different time zones, with the earliest being The Ordovician and the latest being The Pliocene. Through the travel of time you will meet sea creatures such as tentacled Orthocones, sea-scorpions; Dunkleosteus who have giant teeth; Tanystropheus, with its incredibly long neck; Liopleurodon, a marine reptile that grew to more than 65 feet (20 m); giant Mosasaurs, a 56-foot (17 m) long marine reptile able to leap out of the water; Basilosaurus, a huge serpentine whale; and Magalodon, a large killer fish 20 times the weight of a great white shark with teeth the size of a man's hand!
