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The Recipients for the 2015 Africa and Asia Seed Grants Have Been Selected!
Posted: 3/16/2015
The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is excited to announce the recipients of this year's Asia and Africa Seed grants. Each year Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, with support from the Cleveland Zoological Society , awards individuals or organizations $1,000-$3,500 for conservation and researc...
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2014 Photo Safari Winners - Carousel
Posted: 11/26/2014
And now, the next set of 2014 Photo Safari winners are revealed! Today we reveal the winners in the Carousel category. Congratulations to Paul K. of Ashland, Jim S. of Parma Heights and Marissa B. of Macedonia for their award-winning photographs. Special th...
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2014 Photo Safari Winners - Friends and Family
Posted: 11/26/2014
And now, the next set of 2014 Photo Safari winners are revealed! Today we reveal the winners in the Friends and Family category. Congratulations to Emily S. of Chagrin Falls, Rhonda S. of Berea and Sheila S. of Diamond for their award-winning photographs. Special thanks to everyone who part...
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2014 Photo Safari Winners - Plants/Insects
Posted: 11/26/2014
And now, the next set of 2014 Photo Safari winners are revealed! Today we reveal the winners in the Plants/Insects category. Congratulations to Laurel R. of Mentor, Pierre J. of Cleveland and Patrice M. of Avon for their award-winning photographs. Special...
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2014 Photo Safari Winners - Reptile/Amphibian/Fish
Posted: 11/26/2014
And now, the next set of 2014 Photo Safari winners are revealed! Today we reveal the winners in the Reptile/Amphibian/Fish category. Congratulations to Francisco U. of Broadview Heights, John J. of Nottingham and Laurel R. of Mentor for their award-winnin...
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2014 Photo Safari Winners - Best of Show
Posted: 11/26/2014
It's hard to believe the 2014 Photo Safari Contest has come to an end! Today we are revealing the final winner - Best of Show. When it came to deciding the overall 2014 Photo Safari Best of Show winner, the judges had a lot to consider. Photo composition, imaginative...
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2014 Photo Safari Winners - Junior
Posted: 11/26/2014
And now, the next set of 2014 Photo Safari winners are revealed! Today we reveal the winners in the Junior category. Congratulations to Cameron E. of Cleveland, Sara Jo D. of Ashland and Adam S. of Garfield Heights for their award-winning photograph...
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2014 Photo Safari Winners - Bird
Posted: 11/25/2014
And now, the next set of 2014 Photo Safari winners are revealed! Today we reveal the winners in the Bird category. Congratulations to Lee G. of Mentor, Ursula A. of Euclid and Rebecca O. of Solon for their award-winning photographs. Special thanks to ever...
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2014 Photo Safari Winners - Mammal
Posted: 11/24/2014
And now, the time of year you have all been waiting for! That's right, it's time to announce the 2014 Photo Safari Contest winners! Today we reveal the winners in the Mammal category. Congratulations to Paul K. of Ashland, Laurel R. of Mentor and John J. of No...
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October 2014 Photo Safari "Pic of the Month" Winner
Posted: 11/4/2014
Congratulations to Sue I. of Lyndhurst for capturing the October Photo Safari "Pic of the Month" winning photo! An elephant's trunk can grow up to seven feet in length! Visit all of our African Elephants in African Elephant Crossing . Did You Know? Elephants may eat up to 660 lbs. of ...
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2014 Scott Neotropical Grant Recipients
Posted: 10/28/2014
Congratulations to the grant recipients of the 2014 Cleveland Metroparks Zoo / Cleveland Zoological Society 's Scott Neotropical Fund! The Scott Neotropical Fund supports the work of neotropical residents in their countries through direct project support, training opportunities, and/or technical ...
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September 2014 Photo Safari "Pic of the Month" Winner
Posted: 9/26/2014
Congratulations to Tracey B. of North Canton for capturing the September Photo Safari "Pic of the Month" winning photo! This tallest living mammal stands an average of 16 to 18 feet! Visit our giraffes in the African Savana . Did You Know? Giraffes give birth standing up, so newborns get an...
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August 2014 Photo Safari "Pic of the Week" Winner
Posted: 8/28/2014
Congratulations to Laura D. of Bentleyville for snapping the August Photo Safari "Pic of the Month" winning photo! Each of the Oriental small clawed otters is full of personality and attitude! Catch these spunky mammals swimming and playing across from the orangutans in The RainForest . Did You K...
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July 2014 Photo Safari "Pic of the Month" Winner
Posted: 8/6/2014
Congratulations to Robert of Wickliffe for snapping the July Photo Safari "Pic of the Month" winning photo! The Lorikeets' brilliant colors are captured beautifully in this photo. Venture through Lorikeet Aviary in Australian Adventure to feed nectar to these energetic parrots. Did You Know? Lori...
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June 2014 Photo Safari "Pic of the Month" Winner
Posted: 7/14/2014
Congratulations to LeAnn of Mentor for being our June monthly winner of the 2014 Photo Safari contest! Our grizzly bear playing in the water. This great photo was taken at our grizzly bear exhibit in Northern Trek . Don't miss the Amur tigers, Persian Onagers, Sloth bears, Mexican gray wolves and...
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May 2014 Photo Safari "Pic of the Month" Winner
Posted: 6/19/2014
Congratulations to Alan of Cleveland for being our May monthly winner of the 2014 Photo Safari contest! What a great picture of Mufasa! This great photo was taken at our lion exhibit in African Savanna. The lion exhibit is across from African Elephant Crossing and on the way to the new Circle of ...
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Red pandas, meerkats and golden lion tamarins…oh my!
Posted: 5/23/2014
What do you usually think of when you hear the word carousel? Carousel horses right? I always think of the scene from Mary Poppins, as Mary, Bert and the children ride their horses right off the carousel and through the chalk country-side. The new Circle of Wildlife carousel opening at Clev...
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April 2014 Photo Safari "Pic of the Month" Winner
Posted: 4/30/2014
Congratulations to Shannon of Chagrin Falls for being the first monthly winner of the 2014 Photo Safari contest! The colobus monkey statue is great for family photos! This adorable photo was taken near Monkey Island, home to the colobus monkeys and klipspringers. Did You Know? In the wild, colobu...
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Wild Ride at the Zoo was an idea 30 years in the making
Posted: 4/23/2014
Visiting Cleveland Metroparks Zoo was always a big deal when I was growing up. My family lived in a tiny house off Fulton Road, not too far south from Clark Avenue, and my mom was always looking for cost-effective ways to entertain us three kids. The Zoo was a great option (and still is) and it h...
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5 Fun Things to do During Cleveland Foundation Day
Posted: 4/2/2014
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is wild about The Cleveland Foundation's April 100 th birthday gift to Cleveland! Enjoy FREE admission to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and The RainForest on Saturday, April 26, Cleveland Foundation Day , from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Join us in celebration with crafts, educational e...
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Go Green and Celebrate Spring
Posted: 3/31/2014
Want to help raise money for Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, but don't have a lot of time to spare? Then myActions.org is the perfect way to support your favorite animal conservation fund. Chances are you're already doing a ton of things to help save our beautiful planet, and now you can ea...
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Recipients of the 2014 Africa and Asia Seed Grants
Posted: 3/17/2014
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is excited to announce the recipients of this year's Asia and Africa Seed grants. Each year Cleveland Metroparks Zoo , with support from the Cleveland Zoological Society , awards individuals or organizations $1,000-$3,500 for conservation and research projects in th...
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Balto & Togo
Posted: 3/3/2014
A few weeks ago we mentioned artist Mary Wawrytko's "Balto & Togo" statue. Many Zoo visitors recognize Balto, but do you know the whole story about the heroic pup? And who was Togo? Balto and Togo Statue located in Norther Trek In the early 1900s it was very difficult to transpo...
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Share your sustainable activity on MyActions.org!
Posted: 1/30/2014
Here at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo we are constantly seeking new ways to better support our animals and conservation efforts. We are proud to announce our participation in "One Million Actions for Planet Earth," a program by Arctic Action Teams and MyActions . This innovative program encourages you...
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Hop and Seek
Posted: 1/27/2014
Let's play Hop and Seek ! Three lucky winners will receive a family-four pack of tickets to the Zoo! We've hidden a Fairytales and Frogs graphic somewhere on our website and you just need to find it. We'll also be posting hints throughout the week on the Zoo's Facebook and Twitter pages to help y...
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Happy 82nd birthday to Dian Fossey!
Posted: 1/16/2014
Have you seen Google's graphic today about Dian Fossey? Dian Fossey was an American zoologist who extensively studied gorillas and wrote a recognizable book in 1983, Gorillas in the Mist. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and Cleveland Zoological Society are major supporters of the Dian Fossey Gorill...
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Discover Zoo Art Part II
Posted: 12/20/2013
In our blog post "Discover Zoo Art" we mentioned pieces by Andy Warhol, William McVey, Mary Wawrytko, and Tom Tischler. Part II introduces Walter Matia, Donna Dobberfuhl, Jack Curran, Ken Herlihy, and Larry Isard. Walter Matia "Eagle" - Wolf Wilderness "Great Blue Heron Pair" - Waterfowl La...
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A Special Holiday Treat!
Posted: 12/13/2013
As a special holiday treat from Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, see our baby giant anteater and mom get a snack every Monday and Thursday at 2 p.m. from December 16 to January 2. Stop by The RainForest on Mondays and Thursdays and say hello to our baby giant anteater!
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Discover Zoo Art
Posted: 12/10/2013
Have you ever adventured through Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and wondered if there was a story behind the wolf statue in Northern Trek? Perhaps you noticed the Brick Wall of Extinction when stopping by the Reinberger Education Center. Chances are you have posed with your family for a picture with th...
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2013 Photo Safari Winners - Best of Show
Posted: 11/27/2013
It's hard to believe the 2013 Photo Safari Contest has come to an end! Today we are revealing the final winner - Best of Show. When it came to deciding the overall 2013 Photo Safari Best of Show winner, the judges had a lot to consider. Photo composition, imaginative subje...
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2013 Photo Safari Winners - Friends and Family
Posted: 11/27/2013
And now, the time you have all been waiting for! The next set of 2013 Photo Safari winners are revealed! Earlier this month, five eager judges gathered at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo to review over 700 Photo Safari submissions. The judges did not have an easy road ahead of th...
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2013 Photo Safari Winners - Plants/Insects
Posted: 11/26/2013
And now, the time you have all been waiting for! The next set of 2013 Photo Safari winners are revealed! Earlier this month, five eager judges gathered at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo to review over 700 Photo Safari submissions. The judges did not have an easy road ahead of th...
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2013 Photo Safari Winners - Reptile/Amphibian/Fish
Posted: 11/25/2013
And now, the time you have all been waiting for! The next set of 2013 Photo Safari winners are revealed! Earlier this month, five eager judges gathered at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo to review over 700 Photo Safari submissions. The judges did not have an easy road ahead of th...
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2013 Photo Safari Winners - Junior
Posted: 11/24/2013
And now, the time you have all been waiting for! The next set of 2013 Photo Safari winners are revealed! Earlier this month, five eager judges gathered at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo to review over 700 Photo Safari submissions. The judges did not have an easy road ahead of th...
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2013 Photo Safari Winners - Dinosaurs!
Posted: 11/23/2013
And now, the time you have all been waiting for! The next set of 2013 Photo Safari winners are revealed! Earlier this month, five eager judges gathered at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo to review over 700 Photo Safari submissions. The judges did not have an easy road ahead of th...
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2013 Photo Safari Winners - Bird
Posted: 11/22/2013
And now, the time you have all been waiting for! The next set of 2013 Photo Safari winners are revealed! Earlier this month, five eager judges gathered at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo to review over 700 Photo Safari submissions. The judges did not have an easy road ahead of th...
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2013 Photo Safari Winners - Mammal
Posted: 11/20/2013
And now, the time you have all been waiting for! That's right, it's time to announce the 2013 Photo Safari Contest winners! Last week five eager judges gathered at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo to review over 700 Photo Safari submissions. The judges did not have an easy road ahead of them ...
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Dr. Kristen Lukas Visits Rwanda and Uganda
Posted: 11/18/2013
Dr. Kristen Lukas, Curator of Conservation & Science at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, is currently spending time in Rwanda and Uganda to work with gorilla conservation partners at Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International's Karisoke Research Center (Rwanda) and ape conservation education partners at...
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Boo by the Numbers
Posted: 11/13/2013
We had a fantastic time preparing for this year's Boo at the Zoo event. A lot of hard work and countless hours were dedicated to making Boo a celebration to remember. We do not have an official number of princesses, vampires or minions that celebrated with us, but we do have some other coo...
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October Photo Safari Winner
Posted: 11/4/2013
Congratulations to Cindy Dolansky of Brecksville, our October Photo Safari "Pic of the Month" winner! Cindy captured a great picture of two common squirrel monkeys smiling and playing. Common squirrel monkeys demonstrating brotherly love. Common squirrel monkeys can be found ...
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Try Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's Online Resource Library!
Posted: 10/9/2013
Try Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's Online Resource Library in your classroom and receive two free Zoo passes! Our newly designed Online Resource Library is ready to go, and we'd love to hear your suggestions for making it a better resource for teachers. What is it? An online database that...
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2013 Scott Neotropical Grant Recipients
Posted: 10/7/2013
Congratulations to the grant recipients of the 2013 Cleveland Metroparks Zoo / Cleveland Zoological Society's Scott Neotropical Fund! The Scott Neotropical Fund supports the work of neotropical residents in their countries through direct project support, training oppo...
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September Photo Safari Winner
Posted: 10/4/2013
Ken had his camera ready to capture this sassy facial expression from Cleveland Metroparks Zoo 's male African lion, Moufasa. Moufasa relaxing on a beautiful fall day The Zoo's African Savanna is currently home to three African lions, male Moufasa and females Nala and Serena. Moufasa,...
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Celebrate Slow Loris Outreach Week
Posted: 9/16/2013
Slow Loris Outreach Week 2013, September 14-20 Slow lorises are small primates that can be found foraging at night in the forests of Southeast Asia. Their endearing appearance hides a fascinating fact- they are the only known venomous primates. These unique creatures have become internet stars i...
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August Photo Safari Winner
Posted: 9/9/2013
Kathy captured an adorable photo of a few meerkats enjoying the beautiful weather at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo . Digging burrows all day can be pretty exhausting! African Elephant Crossing is not just for the elephants! Meerkats, naked mole rats, an African rock python and various birds also resid...
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Time Travel Tuesday: Apatosaurus
Posted: 8/27/2013
We've spent all summer traveling back in time to discover and learn about the different dinosaurs residing at Waterfowl Lake at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Now that school is back in session, it's only fair to give our brains a little rest. Luckily, this week's dinosaur, Apatosaur...
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Time Travel Tuesday: Acrocanthosaurus
Posted: 8/20/2013
Many of the dinosaurs we learned about during our trips back in time have had special adaptations that helped them fight off predators or attack prey. This week's dinosaur, Acrocanthosaurus , was able to use its adaptations for both purposes! The time machine is set to travel back 110 milli...
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Time Travel Tuesday: Deinosuchus
Posted: 8/13/2013
Modern crocodiles have ancestors that date all the way back to the late Cretaceous period - 80 million years ago. During this week's Time Travel Tuesday we will search for Deinosuchus ! Deinosuchus looked a lot like the crocodiles we know today, but here are some hints to help you find it: ...
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Cleveland Metropark Zoo's Give Back with Outback Night
Posted: 8/12/2013
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's Give Back With Outback Night is August 20. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's Australian Adventure is home to a variety of animals from the Land Down Under. From the kangaroo to koala, wallaby to wallaroo, dingo to echidna, did you ever wonder what these magni...
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Volunteer at the Zoo's Big Creek Clean-up Tuesday, August 13
Posted: 8/7/2013
Join us for Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's annual river clean-up! It's fun, you'll meet new people, and most importantly, help improve the natural beauty of the area while preventing pollution of our rivers and lakes! Big Creek is the local tributary of the Cuyahoga River that runs through the Zoo a...
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Time Travel Tuesday: Styracosaurus
Posted: 8/5/2013
If you enjoy spending time with the African elephants and black rhinos at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo you will not want to miss this week's trip back in time to meet Styracosaurus . We are once again headed to the late Cretaceous period to see what we can uncover about the dinosaur that shares...
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July Photo Safari Winner
Posted: 8/1/2013
David submitted a stunning photo of one of the poison dart frogs that resides in The RainForest amphibian exhibit. This poison dart frog stayed still just long enough to pose for a picture before hopping along. The RainForest at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is home to two different species of dart fr...
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Time Travel Tuesday: Dilophosaurus
Posted: 7/30/2013
If you have ever seen the movie "Jurassic Park" you should be able to recognize this week's dinosaur in the spotlight – Dilophosaurus . I bet you can guess which period we are going to travel to for our investigation! The time machine is set to go back 201 million years to...
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Thank You Zoo Keepers!
Posted: 7/29/2013
During National Zoo Keeper Week we asked fans of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo to write an electronic "thank you" to the keepers. We appreciate you taking the time to tell our keepers why we love them! Check out what people said. Your love of nature is what keeps our animals hap...
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National Zoo Keeper Week - Primate, Cat and Aquatics
Posted: 7/26/2013
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo would like to say "thank you" to the keepers of Primate, Cat and Aquatics today! The Primate, Cat and Aquatics building features one of the largest collection of primate species in North America including new world monkeys, gorillas, and several species of lemu...
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National Zoo Keeper Week - Australian Adventure and Waterfowl Lake
Posted: 7/26/2013
Anyone who has explored the eight acres that make up Australian Adventure can verify how many diverse animals and habitats there are. Bringing Australia to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is no easy task, and zoo keepers work hard every day to make sure their animals feel right at home! With over 15 dif...
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National Zoo Keeper Week - The RainForest
Posted: 7/25/2013
The RainForest is the next featured section of the Zoo during our recognition of National Zoo Keeper Week ! The two-acre, two-level exhibit opened in 1992 to the public. This unique building across from the main Cleveland Metroparks Zoo entrance includes a 25-foot waterfall, trop...
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National Zoo Keeper Week - Northern Trek
Posted: 7/24/2013
This Wednesday, as we celebrate National Zoo Keeper Week, the Zoo wants to say a special "thanks" to the keepers of Northern Trek. Did you know Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is home to one of the largest collections of bear species in North America? From the well-recognized Pola...
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National Zoo Keeper Week - African Elephant Crossing
Posted: 7/23/2013
The newest exhibit at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo , African Elephant Crossing (AEC), is the featured section for today's spotlight on zoo keepers, part of National Zoo Keeper Week . Located near the Zoo's main entrance, African Elephant Crossing opened in May of 2011 and is currently home to five e...
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Time Travel Tuesday: Deinonychus
Posted: 7/23/2013
Many of the dinosaurs we have met this summer have been carnivores, which means they survived by eating the flesh of other animals. This week's dinosaur, also a carnivore, had some pretty cool advantages when it came to attacking its prey. Today the time machine is traveling back to North A...
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National Zoo Keeper Week - African Savanna
Posted: 7/22/2013
When you take a trip to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo , you're not just driving to Cleveland. Once you step onto the Welcome Plaza you are invited to tour the world and visit animals from many different continents – the first one being Africa. The Zoo has 17 different species of animals l...
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It's National Zoo Keeper Week!
Posted: 7/19/2013
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is recognizing all of its amazing zoo keepers the week of July 21st during National Zoo Keeper Week ! This is a week dedicated to those that take care of wildlife at zoos across the country. Keepers devote their lives to care for animals, sustain species and educate the ...
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Time Travel Tuesday: Edmontonia
Posted: 7/16/2013
Have you ever been really upset with someone and purposely blushed to scare them away? Are you ever scared when someone turns pink and stares into your eyes? Scientists believe this week's dinosaur, Edmontonia , probably blushed pink to warn other dinosaurs that it was not messing around! S...
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Sauropod Sculptures are no Small Addition to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Posted: 7/15/2013
Have you seen the sauropod sculptures welcoming guests at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo this summer? Maybe you've spotted one at Crocker Park in Westlake or at a Northeast Ohio Menchie's. Zoo guests have been spotted snapping family photos with their favorite dino sculpture, but has anyone...
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June Photo Safari
Posted: 7/8/2013
Philip captured this breathtaking photo of our female tiger Dasha and won the June Photo Safari "Pic of the Month" contest. Dasha's appearance is "spotless" for her close-up Cleveland Metroparks Zoo was overjoyed in April 2001 when Dasha and her twin brother Danya we...
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Time Travel Tuesday: Quetzalcoatlus
Posted: 7/8/2013
Today's Time Travel Tuesday is not for those who are wary of flying! This week's dinosaur in the spotlight is Quetzalcoatlus , which scientists believe may have been the largest creature to ever take to the skies. Fasten your seat belts and look out your windows, because this week we ...
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Time Travel Tuesday: Coelophysis
Posted: 7/1/2013
Time for another segment of Time Travel Tuesday! This week we will learn about a dinosaur from the Triassic period, which was about 210 million years ago. Let's meet Coelophysis ! Before we learn about this unique dinosaur, we need to know what we are looking for. Here are some characterist...
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The Summer of Loris
Posted: 6/24/2013
This summer, big things are happening for the Zoo's conservation field partners at the Little Fireface Project.The Little Fireface Project (LFP) is a research initiative, founded by Dr. Anna Nekaris of Oxford Brookes University, with the mission of saving the slow loris in the wild via ecology, e...
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Time Travel Tuesday: Ornithomimus
Posted: 6/24/2013
Jump on board and get ready for take off! The time machine is set back 65 million years to the very end of the Cretaceous period. Hopefully you paid attention last week, because this Tuesday's dinosaur is Ornithomimus – a dinosaur that shares similar characteristics with last week&rsq...
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Help Cleveland Metroparks and VOTE!
Posted: 6/20/2013
Help Cleveland Metroparks win $100,000 to improve Edgewater , one of our newest Lakefront Reservation properties. Get active and help improve Edgewater Park by voting in Coca-Cola's " America's Favorite Park " contest! Coca-Cola will award the title of "America's Favorite Park" and a $100,000 rec...
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Onager Conservation Updates - from The Wilds!
Posted: 6/18/2013
We've got something new and exciting happening with Cleveland Metroparks Zoo this summer: an onager project! Dr. Mandi Shook, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's Associate Research Curator, and Jason Wagman, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's Graduate Research Associate are helming this project and assessing the ...
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Time Travel Tuesday: Troodon
Posted: 6/13/2013
Take a break from 2013 and grab a seat on the time machine. We are returning to the Cretaceous period to learn all about one of the smartest dinosaurs scientists know of. It's a bit smaller than most of the dinosaurs we have met, so keep your eyes open and get ready to meet the Troodon ! He...
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Time Travel Tuesday: Parasaurolophus
Posted: 6/7/2013
Time machine set back 65 million years? Check! Information to help us find Parasaurolophus ? Check! Everything is ready for another Time Travel Tuesday! This week we are returning to the Cretaceous period to look for a dinosaur different from all the rest. Here are some key traits of Parasaurolop...
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Why Summer Day Camp?
Posted: 6/7/2013
Why send your kids to Summer Day Camp at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo? Because they'll get to have some pretty awesome experiences! Like there: Explore all areas of the Zoo See many of the animals before the Zoo opens! Get an exclusive look at DINOSAURS! Experience Get-Close animal encounters daily!...
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Free Family Photo at the Zoo!
Posted: 6/4/2013
Free Family Photo at the Zoo! Visit the Windows Phone Photo Spots every Thursday - Sunday through June 30 and meet the smartphone that helps you point, shoot and share in an instant. All visitors who participate will enjoy a complimentary digital family photo and more. Upon arriving at the Zoo, ...
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May Photo Safari
Posted: 6/4/2013
Congratulations to Dawn Koukios of North Royalton for taking this awesome picture of the mighty T.rex ! T.rex bravely watches over four young kids while they make their way through Dinosaurs! Cleveland Metroparks Zoo welcomed Dinosaurs! back on May 9 and will continue to display them through Sept...
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Time Travel Tuesday: Citipati
Posted: 5/22/2013
It's Tuesday once again, and that can only mean one thing - it is Time Travel Tuesday! Hop on board and buckle up, because this week's trip is taking us back 100 million years to revisit the Cretaceous period. This week's mission: find the Citipati . Unlike the other dinosaurs w...
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Time Travel Tuesday: Brachiosaurus
Posted: 5/21/2013
It's that time again! Jump on board and join us for Time Travel Tuesday! We have our time travel machine set back 145 million years to visit the Jurassic period and learn about the beautiful Brachiosaurus . In order to spot the Brachiosaurus , look for the following characteristics: * Front legs ...
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Time Travel Tuesday: T.rex
Posted: 5/20/2013
It's Time Travel Tuesday! Jump on board as we travel back 100 million years to the Cretaceous period to meet the most famous dinosaur yet - the Tyrannosaurus rex ! Not exactly sure what to look for? Here are some basic characteristics of T.rex : * 15-20 feet tall. That's about 2.5 times the heig...
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Who's Who: Meet Education Specialist Katie Corr
Posted: 5/17/2013
Name : Katie Corr Residence : Hudson Hometown : Hiram, Ohio What do you do at the Zoo? I am an Education Specialist in the Conservation Education division. My main role is to coordinate and instruct the Advanced Inquiry Program, a master's degree program offered through a partnership betwe...
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April Photo Safari "Pic of the Month" winner!
Posted: 5/2/2013
Congratulations to Nick Cancilliere of Parma for capturing this beautiful photo of one of the Zoo's two female African lions. Nala, relaxing with exhibit-mate Serena in the Zoo's African Savanna Cleveland Metroparks Zoo welcomed two adult female African lions from a private sanctuary in Jul...
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Win a pair of tickets to Saturday's Wild Ride at the Zoo!
Posted: 4/29/2013
Win a pair of tickets to this Saturday's WILD RIDE AT THE ZOO! Wild Ride is an after-hours event offering visitors the opportunity to cruise around Cleveland Metroparks Zoo on their bicycle! HOW TO ENTER : To enter, follow the Zoo on Facebook and Twitter and answer Zoo ...
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Learn more about birds in Northeast Ohio and join NestWatch
Posted: 4/1/2013
Are you interested in learning more about birds in Northeast Ohio, getting outside, and maybe even benefiting bird conservation and science in the process? Consider joining NestWatch, a program of Cornell's department of Ornithology that allows you to become a Citizen Scientist and monitor...
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Dodd Camera Friday Photo Fun Winner!
Posted: 4/1/2013
Every Friday, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo posts a Friday Photo Fun picture and asks all of our friends and followers to help us write a great caption. Because we think all of the captions are great, we're going to randomly pull one winner from all of the captions submitted each month. The lucky win...
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Celebrate Lobo Week with Cleveland Metroparks Zoo March 23-30!
Posted: 3/22/2013
What's Lobo Week ? It's a celebration of the 15th anniversary of the return of the lobo, or Mexican Gray Wolf, to its ancestral home in the wilds of the Southwest. Help Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and the Wolf Conservation Center celebrate Lobo Week March 23-30. There are five subspecies of gray wo...
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Announcing the 2013 Africa and Asia Seed Grant Recipients!
Posted: 3/20/2013
Each year Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, with support from the Cleveland Zoological Society , chooses several individuals or organizations to receive seed grants ranging from $1,000-$3,500 for conservation and research projects. These projects support wildlife and their habitats, or they help fund edu...
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Win a WILD WEEK of Summer Day Camp at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo! Contest starts April 1!
Posted: 3/19/2013
Enter-to-win a WILD WEEK of Summer Day Camp for your lucky camper, ages 5-12, at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo . Summer Day Camp is presented by Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital with support from Earth Fare . Your little camper will spend the week of July 1-5, 20 13 at the Zoo participating in fu...
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Conservation update from Cameroon - Africa Ape Veterinary Outreach
Posted: 3/4/2013
Join Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's Dr. Pam Dennis on her trip to Cameroon for the Great Ape Heart Project! Dr. Dennis is an epidemiologist in the Zoo's Animal Care department and along with eleven other experts from across the U.S. has arrived in Cameroon as part of the Great Ape Heart Project (GAH...
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Finalist in PR Newswire's
Posted: 2/8/2013
Help Cleveland Metroparks Zoo win an "Earnie" from PR Newswire! We're a finalist in three different categories. Visit each category below and vote. Do it fast! Voting closes on February 20. Best Integrated Campaign on Shoestring Budget - The Zoo Olympics - VOTE HERE ! *See the Zoo Olym...
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Who's Who: Meet Executive Zoo Director Dr. Christopher Kuhar
Posted: 1/31/2013
Name : Dr. Christopher Kuhar Residence : Strongsville Hometown : Lorain, Ohio What do you do at the Zoo? I am the newly hired Executive Director of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. What was the first Zoo job you ever had? I was an intern in the Conservation & Science department at Cleveland Metropa...
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National Puzzle Day - January 29, 2013
Posted: 1/29/2013
Did you know that today, January 29, 2013 is National Puzzle Day? Enjoy a special Cleveland Metroparks Zoo word search for the occasion! CLICK HERE to download and print your own copy. Happy searching!
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The 12 Days of Cleveland Metroparks contest!
Posted: 12/12/2012
Ready to play The 12 Days of Cleveland Metroparks? It's easy! Starting December 14 and running until December 25, we'll post a trivia question on Cleveland Metroparks Facebook page and Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Facebook page . All you have to do is answer the question correctly in the...
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2012 Photo Safari Winners - Category: The RainForest
Posted: 11/15/2012
Last week, an enthusiastic group of seven judges gathered at the Zoo to choose the winners of the 2012 Photo Safari contest. As you can imagine, this is no easy task as more than 900 entries were submitted from all over the country. The judges were greeted by a room full of colorful photos laid o...
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2012 Photo Safari Winners - Category: Mammal
Posted: 11/15/2012
Last week, an enthusiastic group of seven judges gathered at the Zoo to choose the winners of the 2012 Photo Safari contest. As you can imagine, this is no easy task as more than 900 entries were submitted from all over the country. The judges were greeted by a room full of colorful photos laid o...
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2012 Photo Safari Winners - Category: Reptile/Amphibian/Fish
Posted: 11/15/2012
Last week, an enthusiastic group of seven judges gathered at the Zoo to choose the winners of the 2012 Photo Safari contest. As you can imagine, this is no easy task as more than 900 entries were submitted from all over the country. The judges were greeted by a room full of colorful photos laid o...
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2012 Photo Safari Winners - Category: Friends & Family
Posted: 11/14/2012
Last week, an enthusiastic group of seven judges gathered at the Zoo to choose the winners of the 2012 Photo Safari contest. As you can imagine, this is no easy task as more than 900 entries were submitted from all over the country. The judges were greeted by a room full of colorful photos laid o...
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20th Anniversary of The RainForest Scavenger Hunt
Posted: 11/14/2012
Not able to join us this weekend, November 17-19, for the 20th Anniversary of The RainForest? You can still get in on the fun and maybe even win a prize! Try your hand at our scavenger hunt! Take a look at all ten of our clues below and see if you know the answers. Remember, all of the answers to...
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2012 Photo Safari Winners - Category: Bird
Posted: 11/14/2012
Last week, an enthusiastic group of seven judges gathered at the Zoo to choose the winners of the 2012 Photo Safari contest. As you can imagine, this is no easy task as more than 900 entries were submitted from all over the country. The judges were greeted by a room full of colorful photos laid o...
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2012 Photo Safari Winners - Category: Plant/Insect
Posted: 11/14/2012
Last week, an enthusiastic group of seven judges gathered at the Zoo to choose the winners of the 2012 Photo Safari contest. As you can imagine, this is no easy task as more than 900 entries were submitted from all over the country. The judges were greeted by a room full of colorful photos laid o...
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2012 Photo Safari Winners - Category: Junior
Posted: 11/13/2012
Last week, an enthusiastic group of seven judges gathered at the Zoo to choose the winners of the 2012 Photo Safari contest. As you can imagine, this is no easy task as more than 900 entries were submitted from all over the country. The judges were greeted by a room full of colorful photos laid o...
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America Recycles Day - Rain Barrel Workshop
Posted: 11/7/2012
Join Cleveland Metroparks Zoo this Saturday, November 10 from 2-3:30 p.m. for a Rain Barrel Workshop. Part of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's America Recycles Day , this workshop teaches you how to learn to harvest rainwater for all your garden needs and to combat storm water pollution in your commun...
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Photo Safari October 'Pic of the Month'
Posted: 11/2/2012
Congratulations to amateur photographer Michael P. from Seven Hills for capturing this young meerkat, one of three kits born to the Zoo's resident meerkat mom in August 2012. Like their counterparts in the wild, the Zoo's breeding male and female and their three oldest offspring kept the three ki...
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Countdown to The RainForest 20th Anniversary!
Posted: 11/1/2012
It's a countdown to The RainForest 20th Anniversary celebration! Each day from November 1 to November 19 we'll post a fun fact and photo from The RainForest. Then join us from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. November 17-19 for a three-day celebration with activities, giveaways, animal enrichment demonstrations...
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Who's Who: Meet Staff Veterinarian Dr. Mike Selig
Posted: 10/17/2012
Name: Dr. Mike Selig, DVM Residence: Richfield, Ohio Hometown: Avon Lake, Ohio What do you do at the Zoo? Staff veterinarian What was the first Zoo job you ever had? I worked part time at the Akron Zoo for five years as a veterinarian while working full time in private practice. Favorite animal:...
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September "Pic of the Month"!
Posted: 10/2/2012
Diane B. from North Royalton, OH captured this beautiful photo of Colliet, 14, the Zoo's resident senior koala. Colliet shares her Australian Adventure exhibit with two female and two male koalas. Colliet was born at the San Diego Zoo and arrived in Cleveland in 1999. She has produced eight joeys...
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Hide and Boo! is back! Enter-to-win Boo at the Zoo tickets!
Posted: 9/25/2012
Hide and Boo! is back! We had a great response to last year's Hide and Boo! so we want to play again! The game is easy! We've hidden a Boo graphic somewhere on clemetzoo.com and you just need to find it. We'll also be posting hints throughout the week on the Zoo's Facebook page to help you navig...
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2013 Zoo Calendar On Sale Now!
Posted: 9/24/2012
It's your last chance to get your very own 2013 Zoo calendar! We'll even mail it to you -- free of charge while supplies last! Just call the Zoo Gift Shop at (216) 661-7603 and purchase one today. Offer ends January 31, 2013. The Zoo, in partnership with McHale & Koepke Communications and Duk...
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Celebrating Loris Awareness Week, September 16-22
Posted: 9/18/2012
Lorises are a small type of nocturnal primate known as a prosimian. Found throughout Southeast Asia, there are seven species of slender and slow loris, including the pygmy slow loris (which can be viewed in the Zoo's Primate, Cat, and Aquatics building). All loris species are classified as...
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Daughter of Cleveland Metropark Zoo's black rhino, Inge, is first-time mom at Pittsburgh Zoo
Posted: 9/14/2012
Congratulations to the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium on the birth of their first eastern black rhino calf in 47 years! The first time mom at the Pittsburgh Zoo is none other than Azizi, daughter of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's own Inge. The new female calf in Pittsburgh makes Inge a gran...
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The Amazing Monarch Migration
Posted: 9/12/2012
Have you noticed any orange butterflies floating through the air recently? Maybe you've seen them in your backyard, walking through Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and Cleveland Metroparks reservations or catching air currents over the road? If so, you might have seen a monarch butterfly preparing for ...
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August Photo Safari Winning 'Pic of the Month'
Posted: 9/5/2012
Mike H. from La Crosse, Wisconsin captured a tremendous photo of Tiram (left) and his son Daniel (right), two of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's five Bornean orangutans. Daniel, a 6-year-old male, lives with his father Tiram who is 26-years-old, mother Kayla, older sister Kitra and unrelated Kerawaka...
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Build and Float Your Plastic Boat at The 4th Annual Great Lake Erie Boat Float
Posted: 8/27/2012
For the past three years, boats made out of post-consumer recyclable materials floated on Lake Erie during a unique event to help raise awareness about the impact of plastic on our environment. Come join us for: The 4th Annual Great Lake Erie Boat Float will be taking place on Saturday, September...
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Ele's Day Off Trivia Contest!
Posted: 8/14/2012
*Contest now closed. Thank you for playing! Have you watched Ele's Day Off yet? Check it out, because we're starting an Ele's Day Off Trivia Contest! Enter-to-win a family four-pack of tickets to visit the elephants at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, and all of the other animals! HOW TO ENTER: To...
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18th annual Big Creek Clean-Up
Posted: 8/8/2012
Join Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and Friends of Big Creek volunteers at the Zoo's 18th annual Big Creek Clean-up event Tuesday, August 14th from 5-8:30 p.m. Download the flier HERE .
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Half-Price WILD WEEKDAYS!
Posted: 8/8/2012
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's Wild Weekdays are back by popular demand! We heard you loud and clear – you requested a Zoo discount for neighboring counties and we listened. Beginning August 14, residents from neighboring Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage and Summit counties can enjo...
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Zoo named Best Playdate and Best Rain Day Visit from Macaroni Kid
Posted: 8/6/2012
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has been named the 'Best Playdate' and the 'Best Rainy Day Visit' (for The RainForest) by Macacroni Kid Cleveland East and Macaroni Kid Cleveland West. Thank you to everyone who voted and everyone who visits the Zoo! Macaroni Kid Cleveland East Best of Family: Best Playd...
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July Photo Safari Winning 'Pic of the Month'
Posted: 8/1/2012
Chris D. from Ontario, Canada snapped this picture-perfect photo of Fen, one of the Zoo's three Allen's swamp monkeys. Fen, a 3-year-old male, lives with his older brother Peate and mother Fern in the Primate, Cat & Aquatics Building . Fen was born at the Zoo on August 1, 2009.&nb...
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Win Zoo Tickets Courtesy of Dave's Markets and Coca-Cola
Posted: 7/27/2012
How would you like the chance to win a Cleveland Metroparks Zoo family membership and a Behind-the-Scenes tour or one of the many family four-packs of tickets to see African Elephant Crossing at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo? It's as easy as 1-2-3. 1: Stop by any of the 14 locally owned Da...
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17 Days of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Olympics!
Posted: 7/26/2012
We're celebrating the 2012 Summer Olympics Cleveland Metroparks Zoo style. Each day we'll post a photo of one of our animals that coincides with an Olympic sport. Get ready to compete! Thursday, July 26: The Olympic warm-up! Kallie stretching in the Savanna Range in African Elephant Crossing. Fri...
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Who's Who: Meet Conservation and Science Curator Dr. Kristen Lukas
Posted: 7/20/2012
Name : Dr. Kristen Lukas Residence : Euclid Hometown : Eastlake What do you do at the Zoo? I am an animal behaviorist so I use science to better understand and sometimes modify the behavior of animals (and occasionally people!) here at the Zoo. Working with teams of talented staff members, unive...
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So You Want to be a Zoo Keeper?
Posted: 7/18/2012
In continuing our celebration of National Zoo Keeper Week , we thought we'd share some tips with you straight from our animal keepers' mouths on how you can become a zoo keeper. How to become a Zoo Keeper: Get experience working with animals. More than just having pets at your home, try getting ...
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June Photo Safari
Posted: 7/3/2012
Solomon Islands skink (prehensile-tailed skink) Alexandra B. from Cleveland captured the Zoo's 20-year-old Solomon Islands skink . The skink is one of only five animals living in The RainForest since opening day in 1992. The other long-time residents include a scarlet macaw and th...
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Duct tape and elephants stick together!
Posted: 6/28/2012
Presented by Duck brand duct tape, our duct tape elephant near the Zoo main gate. Stop by and see it today! Duck Tape Elephant Fun Facts: Hours: 130 Duct Tape: 5,600+ feet of tape (over one mile) Materials: wood, chicken wire, recycled newspaper print, ply-wood, urethane foam, Duck brand duct ta...
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A Colorful Herd of Elephants!
Posted: 6/20/2012
The Zoo's African Elephant Crossing exhibit is home to six African elephants, a family of meerkats, naked mole rats, an African rock python and a spectacular collection of colorful birds. And, this summer, the Zoo welcomes back a colorful new herd of elephants -- elephant sculptur...
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Who's Who: Meet Group Sales Manager Stacy DeChant
Posted: 6/12/2012
Name : Stacy DeChant Residence : Cleveland Hometown : Cleveland What do you do at the Zoo? I am the Group Sales Manager for the Zoo. Many areas of the Zoo are rentable for special events like weddings, picnics, meetings and parties. I help people find the perfect venue for their event, manage th...
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Governor Kasich Signs Exotic Animal Legislation Into Law
Posted: 6/5/2012
GOVERNOR KASICH SIGNS EXOTIC ANIMAL LEGISLATION INTO LAW June 5, 2012 - Today, Governor John Kasich signed Senate Bill 310 into law. The bill bans private possession and sale of dangerous wild animals in Ohio and is a major step toward protecting the welfare of exotic animals and a significant i...
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May Photo Safari
Posted: 6/1/2012
Amur tiger, Northern Trek David wins a family four-pack of Zoo tickets for this great photograph of one of the Zoo's two Amur tigers. Klechka, a 9-year-old male and Dasha, an 11-year-old female born right here at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo are on exhibit in the Zoo's Northern T...
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Meet Your Best Friend at the Zoo
Posted: 5/31/2012
The Zoo is teaming up with more than 20 animal rescue organizations to find loving homes for more than 100 dogs, cats, kittens and puppies most of which are available for immediate adoption. These rescue groups and shelters will also offer advice on choosing the right pet and how best to care fo...
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Join the UltraWalk or the UltraBird to Support Local Birds!
Posted: 5/24/2012
Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society 6th annual 31-Mile Ultrawalk Saturday, May 26, 2012, 6 a.m. -5:30 p.m. Buzzard's Roost in Hinckley Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks is the starting point for the 6th annual 31-mile Ultrawalk. Stan Searles, Tom Romito and several other walkers will step off...
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Stay Overnight at the Zoo!
Posted: 5/24/2012
Did you know you could spend the night at the Zoo? It's called Rising Waters Safari Camp and it's an African-themed overnight adventure in which campers stay in the Zoo's African Savanna! The Rising Waters Safari Camp program combines elements of African culture, such as the making of tribal mas...
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Egyptian goslings at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Posted: 5/18/2012
Four fuzzy Egyptian goslings hatched recently at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and guests can see them waddling around their exhibit in the African Savanna area. The first three chicks hatched on May 11, followed by the fourth on May 12, which means in these photos they are only four to five days old...
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April Photo Safari Pic of the Month
Posted: 5/12/2012
Judy captured this great shot of a common boa constrictor located on the first level of The RainForest. This is just one of the many reptile species you'll discover when you visit Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Judy wins a family four-pack of Zoo tickets. You could be a winner too! Take your bes...
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Live-tweeting from THINGS I'D DO IF I RAN THE ZOO
Posted: 4/29/2012
We spent the morning of Sunday, April 29 live-tweeting from our new Zoo event, THINGS I'D DO IF I RAN THE ZOO . Check out some of the kid sugggestions we received from what they would do if they ran the Zoo! Live-Tweets: If Grace, age 8 1/2, ran the Zoo, she'd "be a great person to the anim...
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Black-Footed Kittens
Posted: 4/26/2012
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's success with breeding black-footed cats continued earlier this month with the birth of two kittens to mom, Godiva, and father, Wyatt. The kittens, whose sexes have yet to be determined, are healthy and doing well on exhibit with their mom in the nocturnal animal ...
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Win a WILD WEEK of Summer Day Camp at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Posted: 4/23/2012
Win a WILD WEEK of Summer Day Camp at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo! Enter-to-win a WILD WEEK of Summer Day Camp for your lucky camper, ages 5-12, at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo , courtesy of Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital . Your little camper will spend the week of July 2-6, 2012 at the Zoo...
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Three marine mammals have eye surgery at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Posted: 4/5/2012
Over the last two days, a team of marine mammal specialists and the Zoo's veterinary care staff collaborated on a series of delicate eye operations on California sea lions Buzz and Mikey and harbor seal Nemo. All three animals are now recovering in the Sarah Allison Steffee Center for Zool...
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Prairie Planting Event
Posted: 4/5/2012
Spring into summer by planting a native prairie! SATURDAY, APRIL 14TH | 10:00AM | Brookside Reservation
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Cleveland Metroparks Zoo introduces Quarters for Conservation
Posted: 3/27/2012
Zoo introduces Quarters for Conservation Program will help direct funds to worldwide conservation efforts Cleveland Metroparks Zoo supports many important conservation projects around the world, from North America and the Caribbean to Africa and Asia. This year, guests can take a direct role in ...
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Above Our Heads, Below Our Feet!
Posted: 3/21/2012
The natural landscape is degraded in our heavily developed area. Participants will learn how trees above and soil below improve our water quality, our urban landscape and our quality of life at the 3rd annual mini-symposium at the Zoo: "Above Our Heads, Below Our Feet," part ...
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Who's Who: Meet Horticulturist Jeff DeLuca
Posted: 3/13/2012
Name: Jeff DeLuca Residence : Broadview Heights Hometown : Cleveland What do you do at the Zoo? I'm a horticulturist. I take care of the plants mainly in the African Savanna area of the Zoo including African Elephant Crossing, Savanna Ridge and Main Gate. What was the first Zoo job you eve...
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Announcing the 2012 Africa and Asia Seed Grant Recipients!
Posted: 3/6/2012
Each year the zoo, with support from the Cleveland Zoological Society, chooses several individuals or organizations to receive seed grants ranging from $1000-$3000 for conservation and research projects. These projects support wildlife and their habitats, or they help fund educational and c...
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Radio Disney's Platypus Day at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Posted: 2/28/2012
In celebration of Disney's Platypus Day , Radio Disney AM 1260 , part of the #1 radio network for kids, tweens and families, hosts a family-friendly event Saturday, March 3 from 12 to 2 p.m. at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo with interactive entertainment including "Phineas and Ferb"-themed ...
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Help Cleveland Metroparks celebrate International Polar Bear Day
Posted: 2/23/2012
Celebrate International Polar Bear Day on Monday, February 27 at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo with meet-the-polar bear keeper talks, crafts, animal enrichment demonstrations and more! There's no better way to recognize polar bears than by taking a meaningful step to help reduce cardon dioxide, like ...
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Fairytales & Frogs Giveaway Contest Part 2
Posted: 2/17/2012
UPDATE 2/21/12: Congratulations to our winner: Jason from Parma Heights! Here's his winning entry: My Frog Prince Dream I went walking one day To a place I knew well The path taken by heart Exactly where, I cannot tell. To a pond I once found Was the goal before me With a warm summer breeze The d...
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Fairytales & Frogs Giveaway Contest Write Your Own Version of The Frog Prince
Posted: 2/13/2012
Fairytales & Frogs Giveaway Contest – Write Your Own Version of "The Frog Prince" Once upon a time there was a spoiled princess who reluctantly befriends a frog, who then magically transforms into a handsome prince. Do you know this story? It's Frog Prince!" In ...
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Elephants, attendance make 2011 a very 'big' year for Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Posted: 12/28/2011
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is on track to end the year with more than 1.3 million visitors for the fourth time in its history, an increase of 10 percent over 2010, despite the continuing recession and a Northeast Ohio record of more than 62 inches of rain. The May grand opening of the $25 million ...
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Who's Who: Meet Guest Operations Manager Weldon Maples
Posted: 12/14/2011
Name : Weldon Maples Residence : Cleveland Hometown : Lubbock, Texas What do you do at the Zoo? I am the Guest Operations Manager. I oversee the teams responsible for the daily operations of the Zoo that affect the visitor experience including trams, access control, rides, lost and found, first ...
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The Game's Afoot at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo (Contest)
Posted: 12/12/2011
UPDATE: Time to announce who took the ball and the winner of our contest! Did you figure it out? The culprit of the Missing Noon Year's Eve Ball is...Johari the black rhino! But culprit? Not really. It turns out she only wanted to play with the ball! She rolled it from the welcome plaza to...
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Answer to our First Elephant's Eye View (Originally posted February 10, 2011)
Posted: 12/5/2011
Originally posted February 10, 2011. Thanks for all your guesses (and creative answers) to our very first entry in the Elephant's Eye View. Many of you knew what the image was, and I suspect that some of you knew but chose to make up whimsical answers just to make us smile. And smile we did...
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The Elephant's Eye View (Originally posted February 8, 2011)
Posted: 12/5/2011
Originally posted February 8, 2011. Hey everyone, sorry to keep you waiting so long for new articles and photos, but we've been busy here at the Zoo making plans for a great 2011 with the opening of African Elephant Crossing on May 5! I bet you're all anxious to see what it's like inside the new...
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Elephants Jo, Moshi and Martika Return to Cleveland! (Originally posted December 1, 2010)
Posted: 12/5/2011
Originally posted December 1, 2010. The Zoo's three African elephants, Jo, Moshi and Martika, have returned to Cleveland from their two year stay at the Columbus Zoo and got the first look at their new home - African Elephant Crossing - late yesterday. The three female elephants were transported...
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There's Big News at African Elephant Crossing - and he's 11 Feet Tall! (Originally posted November 22, 2010)
Posted: 12/5/2011
Originally posted November 22, 2010. That's right! When the new African Elephant Crossing exhibit opens May 5, the biggest news in town will be Willy, a 13,000-pound bull African elephant – the largest animal to ever live at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Willy will be joining the Zoo's three f...
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Completion of South Pool Features (Originally posted November 4, 2010)
Posted: 12/5/2011
Originally posted November 4, 2010. It's been a while since I posted photos of African Elephant Crossing's South Pool. The first set of photos showed the construction process. They were taken when the rebar was still being laid for the pool and waterfall. At that time, I couldn't really mak...
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What is the
Posted: 12/5/2011
Originally posted September 29, 2010. The focal point of African Elephant Crossing is the actual "Crossing" -- the only place in the exhibit where African elephants and humans will commonly tread, albeit not at the same time. It's the feature that gives the exhibit its name and also th...
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Meerkat Exhibit Takes Shape (Originally posted August 4, 2010)
Posted: 12/5/2011
Originally posted August 4, 2010. The newest structure taking shape in the African Elephant Crossing construction landscape is the meerkat exhibit. You can locate it by spotting what looks like mounds of mud or dirt topped with "spires " or conical protrusions. These mounds, known as &...
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A View from Within (Originally posted July 28, 2010)
Posted: 12/5/2011
Originally posted July 28, 2010. By now, most of our audience is probably aware that African Elephant Crossing is expected to open in May 2011. The outdoor construction zone is obviously changing on a daily basis. But what's going on inside? When you enter African Elephant Crossing, the first th...
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A Village Takes Shape (Originally posted May 27, 2010)
Posted: 12/5/2011
Originally posted May 27, 2010. Hey all you construction junkies! Sorry it's been so long since my last update. While I was out on a photo mission yesterday, I noticed that the African village at African Elephant Crossing was beginning to look like a REAL village. And I wanted to share the lates...
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Construction of the South Pool (Originally posted April 29, 2010)
Posted: 12/5/2011
Originally posted April 29, 2010. Yesterday was a great day for photos and a great day for touring the construction zone at African Elephant Crossing (AEC). One of the newest features taking shape in the AEC landscape is the south elephant pool. The north and south pools are the north and south ...
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Building an Outdoor Aviary at African Elephant Crossing (Originally posted April 14, 2010)
Posted: 12/5/2011
Originally posted April 14, 2010. Along with elephants, the Zoo will exhibit colorful African birds at African Elephant Crossing (AEC). The birds will have an outdoor aviary and indoor space at the north corner of what used to be the old Pachyderm building (see schematic). The indoor enclosure f...
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Construction Update on the Front Elephant Pool (Originally posted April 6, 2010)
Posted: 12/5/2011
Originally posted April 6, 2010. One of the first noticeable features along the outskirts of African Elephant Crossing is a large trellis just inside the construction fence to the left as you walk across the Zoo's Welcome Plaza. This structure marks the public viewing area for the front elephant...
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Building a Huge Planter in the Savanna Range (Originally posted March 31, 2010)
Posted: 12/5/2011
Originally posted March 31, 2010. I'm always amazed at what these guys can do. They start by shaping a mass of rebar and cover it with a layer of gunite (or shotcrete) -- basically, sprayed concrete or, technically speaking, concrete "conveyed through a hose and pneumatically projected at h...
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Elefacts (Originally posted March 23, 2010)
Posted: 12/5/2011
Originally posted March 23, 2010. Fun Facts about Elephants: African elephants are the world's largest land animals As adults, they can weigh between 8,000 and 12,000 pounds each, eating as much as 350 pounds of food and drinking more than 18 gallons of water a day. Both male and female African ...
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African Elephant Crossing Update from August 2009 (Originally posted March 18, 2010)
Posted: 12/5/2011
Originally posted March 18, 2010. Meanwhile, much progress has been made on the new African Elephant Crossing habitat and education center, which is quickly shaping up to put Cleveland Metroparks Zoo at the forefront of modern elephant care. The 5-acre, $25 million project remains on track to op...
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Get to the Tip of the Iceberg on Climate Science with a Polar Bear Expert
Posted: 11/29/2011
Dr. Steven C. Amstrup, chief scientist at conservation organization Polar Bears International, will present "Polar Bear Population Projections: Reliability in the Face of Uncertainty" at 7:30 p.m. Friday, December 9 at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. In 2007, Am...
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2011 Photo Safari Winners!
Posted: 11/28/2011
Congratulations to all the winners of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's 2011 Photo Safari contest. View a list of all the winners and their photos below: Best in Show Kathleen Sheffield of Cleveland African Elephant Crossing 1st Place Jennifer Samperisi of Fitzwilliam, NH 2nd Place ...
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Who's Who: Meet Facility Operations, Service Maintenance Staff Member Lawrence Greene
Posted: 11/28/2011
Who's Who at the Zoo Name: Lawrence Greene Residence: South Euclid Hometown: East Cleveland What do you do at the Zoo? I work for Facility Operations, day crew - service maintenance. What was the first Zoo job you ever had? I started as a seasonal employee in service maintenance. Favorite ...
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October Photo Safari Winner
Posted: 11/3/2011
Gary captured this colorful, 1-year-old panther chameleon on exhibit in The RainForest. In the wild, this species of chameleon is found in the tropical rainforests of Madagascar. Did you know, the chameleon's intense colors change with temperatur...
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It's Boo time!
Posted: 10/20/2011
Boo at the Zoo kicks off tonight and a lot of planning and hard work goes into preparing the Zoo for eight nights of spooky fun. Take the Hay Maze for example. Even before the decorations line the path, Zoo staff built the maze out of 1,500 bales of hay. How much hay is that? To give you an idea...
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Enter-to-win tickets to LEGO KidsFest!
Posted: 10/17/2011
UPDATE: The LEGO KidsFest ticket winners are Kathryn DeGioia and Stephanie Murray! Congratulations! The sculpture was a shark! Check out this sculpture and two others at Boo! ___________________________________________________________________________ Guess what's new at Boo at the Zoo &nda...
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Help Conserve the World's Vanishing Species
Posted: 10/6/2011
The Save Vanishing Species stamp is now on sale at post offices across the country and online . The First Class stamp, which features a tiger cub illustration, costs 55 cents. Net proceeds—a total of 11 cents from the sale of each stamp—will go to tiger, rhino, great ape, marin...
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Go beyond the Zoo's exhibits with Channel 19 this Friday!
Posted: 10/5/2011
Want to get a peek behind the scenes at the Zoo? Make sure you tune in to "Cleveland Metroparks Zoo: Beyond the Exhibits," a new 30-minute special airing at 7 p.m. Friday, October 7 on WOIO Channel 19 and 6:30 p.m. Saturday, October 15 on WUAB Channel 43. In "Beyond the Exhibits,&...
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September Photo Safari Winner
Posted: 10/3/2011
Lisa captured a wonderful close-up of "Fringe", the Zoo's barred owl. "Fringe" is one of a variety of small animals seen at the Zoo during a get-close experience with a docent or education show staff representative. Also known as a swamp owl, barred owls are the fourt...
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Play HIDE AND BOO! to enter-to-win Boo at the Zoo tickets!
Posted: 9/26/2011
Hide and Boo! The game is easy! We've hidden a Boo graphic somewhere on clemetzoo.com and you just need to find it! We'll also be posting hints once a day Monday through Thursday on our Facebook and Twitter pages to help you navigate your way to Hide and Boo! success! The graphic loo...
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Dub the Cubs 2.0!
Posted: 9/21/2011
The list of potential names represents the history and geography of Wyoming, so please choose your favorite from the list of boy names and your favorite from the list of girl names and help us dub the cubs! The poll will run through September 30 and the results will be released on October 3. Fem...
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August Photo Safari Winner
Posted: 9/1/2011
Jodie captured one of the Zoo's Mueller's Gibbon. In the summer months at the Zoo, you can find a pair of gibbons dwelling in trees on Waterfowl Lake. Their daily diet includes munching on monkey chow, fruits and veggies. Grooming and playing are the most common socia...
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Who's Who: Conservation Education Librarian/Media Specialist Jason Schafer
Posted: 8/26/2011
Name: Jason Schafer Residence: Cleveland (Tremont) Hometown: Wheeling, West Virginia What do you do at the Zoo? I'm the Librarian/Media Specialist. I work with almost every department in the Zoo to answer research requests, organize digital information, and provide educational technology a...
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The Ohio Lottery contributes to education & the Zoo
Posted: 8/22/2011
The Ohio Lottery is a proud sponsor of Professor Wylde's Animal Show . The show celebrates the opening of African Elephant Crossing and is performed daily at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. at the Savanna Theater. Professor Wylde's Animal Show is free with regular Zoo admission. Haven't seen...
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Tour the Zoo's art through the iPhone app
Posted: 8/5/2011
Through the Zoo's iPhone app *, visitors can now take a self-guided tour of statues, sculptures, and screenprints. Whether you're an expert in art appreciation or you just want to learn something new at the Zoo, there's something for everyone in the tour. Original Andy Warhol s...
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Volunteer at the Zoo's Big Creek Cleanup Tuesday, August 9
Posted: 8/2/2011
Join Friends of Big Creek (FOBC) & Cleveland Metroparks staff at the Zoo's annual river clean-up on Tuesday, August 9, 2011. Big Creek is the local tributary of the Cuyahoga River that runs through the Zoo and Brookside Reservation. By volunteering at the Big Creek clean-up, you can hel...
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July Photo Safari Winner
Posted: 8/1/2011
John captured 5-month-old Cooper, one of the Zoo's grizzly bear cubs. Cooper and his brother, Cody, were officially named by voters who participated in an online "Dub the Cubs" contest. A total of 10,469 votes were cast over 18 days. Cody (the lighter cub) and Cooper (the darker cub) ar...
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Who's Who: Volunteer Manager and Self-declared 'People Person' Lynn Charles
Posted: 7/27/2011
Lynn Charles (left) with Zoo Volunteers Ann Krepps (middle) and Luanne Gallo (right) Name: Lynn Charles Residence: Cleveland (southeast) Hometown: Cleveland What do you do at the Zoo? My title is Manager, Volunteer Services. I recruit and train adult volunteers. I also assist with the coordinati...
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What's that Crane Doing in Northern Trek?
Posted: 7/13/2011
Visitors at the Zoo today may have noticed a heavy crane and some "flying" logs. The crane was moving tree stumps, logs and other wooden items up and over one of the walls in Northern Trek to get one of the exhibits ready for some new arrivals. We can't reveal what they are, but we know...
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It's movie time!
Posted: 7/8/2011
Zookeeper, a lighthearted fantasy starring Kevin James, opens in theaters today! To find out more about the movie visit the Zookeeper movie website or like it on Facebook .
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The Annual FLUTTER! Photo Blog
Posted: 7/6/2011
At least once every summer -- usually earlier than July -- I spend a few hours in the Zoo's Public Greenhouse snapping photos of summer exhibit FLUTTER! At FLUTTER!, the Greenhouse across from Wade Hall is transformed into a tropical paradise of bright colors and scents and, at times, misty rainf...
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June Photo Safari Pic of the Month
Posted: 7/1/2011
Emily captured the Zoo's 13,000 pound bull elephant taking a drink of water from one of the two pools at the new African Elephant Crossing exhibit. Willy arrived from Disney's Animal Kingdom earlier this year and shares the exhibit with Shenga, Moshi, Martika and Jo, the Zoo's four female elepha...
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Summer Day Camp Has Begun!
Posted: 6/20/2011
Summer Day Camp at the Zoo is off and running. Campers were greeted this morning by our friends at Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital who conducted a Let's Move It! early morning exercise program. It's a fun and healthy way to begin camp week. It's not too late to register your youngsters for ...
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A Day at the Zoo with Dear 'Ol Dad
Posted: 6/19/2011
Here are some more photos from today's Father's Day at the Zoo: Travis the giraffe gets a treat on Father's Day Cans for Conservation can crushing demonstration Happy Father's Day! Mom took her new cignets for a swim while dad waited on shore, Doesn't she look sweet in her elephant ears? Our scr...
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Father's Day at the Zoo
Posted: 6/19/2011
Here are a few early Father's Day photos at the Zoo. The Zoo is open today until 7 p.m. Best gift of all . . . Dad's get in FREE!
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Did you Meet Your Best Friend at the Zoo?
Posted: 6/17/2011
Twenty area humane organizations were on hand last weekend with dogs, cats, kittens and puppies in need of a loving home. The results are not yet final but more than 60 animals were adopted on site. Here are pictures of some of the families with their new best friends. Many thanks to Pet Supplie...
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Meerkat Names Chosen by Cast of Hot in Cleveland
Posted: 6/16/2011
As part of their visit to Cleveland to receive the keys to the City from Mayor Jackson, the cast of TV Land's "Hot in Cleveland" chose the names of the Zoo's male and female meerkats who are on exhibit at the Zoo's African Elephant Crossing . The names chosen were Lorato for the female...
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Inge, Johari and Betty
Posted: 6/16/2011
Following her giraffe encounter, Betty made her way inside the black rhino barn to get up close and personal with mother Inge and her 11-month-old daughter Johari. The three became fast friends as Betty fed them alfalfa cubes and rubbed their thick skin. She seemed to have an innate ability to c...
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Hot In Cleveland Star Betty White Visits the Zoo
Posted: 6/15/2011
Veteran actress and renowned animal lover Betty White visited the Zoo today for a personal tour by Zoo Director Steve Taylor. The first stop on the tour was African Savanna, where Betty had a ball feeding the Zoo's herd of Masai giraffes, especially the male Travis. She had him literally e...
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Who's Who: Elephant Education Specialist Angie Reynolds
Posted: 6/9/2011
Name: Angie Reynolds Residence: Brunswick Hometown: Glencoe, Illinois What do you do at the Zoo? I'm an Education Specialist at the brand new African Elephant Crossing exhibit. I have the opportunity to work with the keeper staff, volunteers, and of course, our fabulous guests on a daily b...
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Get a Free Day of Summer Day Camp for the Week of July 4!
Posted: 6/3/2011
Would you be interested in a discount for our Summer Day Camp? Do you have children that would love to spend a week of camp at the Zoo this summer? The week of July 4-8 (Session 3) of our Summer Day Camp is now being offered at a discount to both zoo members and non-members! Full-day campers can...
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May Photo Safari Pic of the Month
Posted: 6/2/2011
Tim T. captured a great photo of Brandon, a male golden-bellied Mangabey on exhibit in the Primate, Cat & Aquatics Building. The tails of these colorful primates are longer than their bodies. In the wild, the golden-bellied Managabey lives in the African rain forest. It's just one of the man...
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Who's Who: Meet Marketing Specialist Tom Robatin
Posted: 5/25/2011
Tom takes a break during Boo at the Zoo to pose with his nieces Name: Tom Robatin Residence: Garfield Heights Hometown: Garfield Heights What do you do at the Zoo? I am a Marketing & Public Relations Specialist. I help produce many of the Zoo's special events and assist with media rela...
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Brunswick High School Wins United For Conservation Aluminum Can Drive
Posted: 5/23/2011
The United For Conservation Teen Leadership Conference was held at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo on March 19 & 26. The conference was hosted by Zoo Crew teen volunteers. The six participating schools began a competition to see which school could collect the most aluminum cans and old cell phones/m...
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Annual UltraWalk for Birds is May 28
Posted: 5/18/2011
Join the WCAS for the annual UltraWalk which takes place Saturday, May 28. Stan Searles will lead the 31-mile trek through the IBA beginning at 6 a.m. at Buzzards Roost in Hinckley Reservation. The group will pass Cleveland Metroparks Ranger Headquarters and Park Operations on Valley Parkway in F...
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Say cheese!
Posted: 5/11/2011
To celebrate the grand opening of African Elephant Crossing at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, our friends at AT&T Yellow Pages have given us a new photo opportunity in the form of an African animal cutout. Next time you visit the Zoo, look for the cutout, put on your best meerkat face and strike ...
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April Photo Safari Pic of the Month
Posted: 5/2/2011
Shirley D. photographed one of two female green tree pythons on exhibit in The RainForest. Green tree pythons are native to New Guinea. In the wild, green tree pythons feed on small rodents and birds. They have extra long teeth designed to bite through their prey. It's just one of the many repti...
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It's a monster-sized mural
Posted: 4/29/2011
It's only fitting that we have a monster-sized mural to complement the grand opening of African Elephant Crossing. As you can see, the mural is three people long and one person tall! This giant coloring sheet is just one of the many fun opening weekend activities at the Z...
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Cleveland Metroparks Zoo at Lake County Captains
Posted: 4/28/2011
Come out and support the Lake County Captains when they take on the South Bend Silver Hawks tomorrow, April 29 at 7:00 PM. The first 1,000 children, 12 and under, will receive an Elephant Webkinz in anticipation for the grand opening of African Elephant Crossing (opening Thursday, May 5th)...
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New Collectible from Cleveland Metroparks Zoo & the Hard Rock Cafe
Posted: 4/25/2011
This summer, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is partnering with the Hard Rock Cafe to bring you a new collectible - an Endangered Species pin. It's part of a joint partnership of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the Hard Rock Cafe. Twenty-five AZA-accredited institutions have partnered wi...
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Who's Who: Meet the Zoo's Newest Curator, Andi Kornak
Posted: 4/14/2011
Who's Who at the Zoo Name: Andi Kornak Residence: Parma Hometown: Jackson, Michigan What do you do at the Zoo? I am the curator of carnivores and large mammals What was the first Zoo job you ever had? I did my college internship with the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago. Favorite animal: African ...
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Zoo Director Steve Taylor at Cleveland City Club April 22
Posted: 4/12/2011
Join Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Director Steve Taylor as he discusses all that is new and exciting at the Zoo (hint: elephants!), as well as the Zoo's plans for the future. His presentation, Local Zoo/Global Reach: The Present & Future of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo will take place at the City Cl...
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Low Maintenance, Low Impact Landscaping Trends for Homeowners
Posted: 4/4/2011
A healthy watershed is important to everyone's quality of life and residents can have a positive impact on local water resources by choosing low impact landscaping. Over 80 guests joined a discussion of simple landscaping measures for residential areas. Participants were thinking spring an...
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Who's Who: Meet Animal Keeper Claire Winkler
Posted: 3/16/2011
Who's Who at the Zoo Name: Claire Winkler Residence: Norton Hometown: Hollywood, Florida What do you do at the Zoo? I am a keeper in the Africa/rhino/Monkey Island area. What was the first Zoo job you ever had? I worked in the Zoo gift shops. Favorite animal: I have worked with so many of our an...
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Join us for Jane's Journey at the Cleveland International Film Festival
Posted: 2/25/2011
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is serving as a community partner in bringing the documentary film Jane's Journey to the Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF). It was directed by Lorenz Knauer, produced by Michael Halberstadt, Philipp Schall and Philipp Wundt and features, in addition to Jane Go...
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Snapping Berries for Conservation
Posted: 2/23/2011
About 50 volunteers beat their cabin fever by removing invasive vines along the forest edge at Brookside Reservation. "Grape" work from our outstanding partners at Friends of Big Creek, Zoo Crew, Cleveland Metroparks Natural Resources, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Horticulture staff and me...
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Who's Who: Meet Zoo Director Steve Taylor
Posted: 2/18/2011
Who's Who at the Zoo Name: Steve Taylor, Zoo Director Residence: Rocky River Hometown: Inglewood, California What do you do at the Zoo? Responsible for daily operation and the future development of the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. What was the first job you ever had? When I was in high school I wor...
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Zoo's Conservation & Science Staff Treats Gorilla Heart Disease with Greener Diets
Posted: 2/17/2011
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Cleveland Metroparks Zoo at Winter in the Village
Posted: 2/8/2011
This Saturday, February 12, representatives from the Zoo will be at Winter in the Village at Legacy Village shopping center in Lyndhurst from noon to 4 p.m. Stop by and enter to win a One-Year Family Membership to the Cleveland Zoological Society. We'll also have giveaways and live animals on dis...
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Animal Keeper Tiffany Mayo Becomes Arctic Ambassador
Posted: 1/3/2011
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Animal Keeper Tiffany Mayo recently returned from a trip to the Arctic to see the migrating polar bears on the western shore of Hudson Bay. Now she's on a mission to spread the word about climate change, sustainability and most importantly, respecting the environment. May...
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The Spirit of Cleveland [Metroparks Zoo]
Posted: 11/24/2010
The Cleveland holiday wreath exhibit runs through December 10 as part of Winterfest at the Cleveland Plus Visitors Center. On display are 23 wreaths designed and donated by local non-profit organizations including the Zoo. You can view all the fanciful wreaths at the Visitors Center on Public Squ...
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2010 Photo Safari Winners Gallery
Posted: 11/22/2010
See a gallery of the winning photographs.Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's 2010 Photo Safari winners list (photos in gallery below): Best of Show Michael J. Pollock of Seven Hills Birds 1st Place Brian Walter of Erie, PA 2nd Place Bob Trinnes of Solon 3rd Place Kathleen Sheffield of Cleveland Pl...
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There's Big News at Cleveland Metroparks Zoos African Elephant Crossing -- and he's 11 Feet Tall!
Posted: 11/19/2010
The big fella is coming to Cleveland from Disney's Animal Kingdom in Orlando, Fla. He's 31 years old, has one tusk and stands 11 feet tall at the shoulder. His size affords him a lot of confidence and we suspect he won't be shy! While the three female elephants, each approximat...
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Zoo's Conservation Education Division adds Video-On-Demand
Posted: 11/4/2010
This year, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's Conservation Education Division has added Video-On-Demand (VOD) for grade levels 6-12. Learn about conservation and science topics within your classroom in a time and pace that best fits your schedule. Utilize VOD to guide through lessons, and then post respo...
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Boo at the Zoo Saturday Night (10/30) Gallery
Posted: 11/3/2010
Here is a photo gallery featuring your costumes and several of you with the Star Wars characters. (Photos by yours truly.)
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October Photo Safari Winner
Posted: 11/1/2010
Jim's award-winning photo captured a mated pair of gray crowned cranes sharing a moment in their exhibit in the Zoo's African Savanna. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has two mated pairs of gray crowned cranes. Did you know that gray crowned cranes and black crowned cranes are the only cranes able to r...
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Boo at the Zoo Thursday Night (10/28) Gallery
Posted: 11/1/2010
Thanks to all our visitors who came to Boo at the Zoo this year. We had sell-out crowds five of the eight nights of the event. We hope you had as much fun dressing up as we had taking your picture. Boo at the Zoo welcomed a special guest on Thursday, October 28 -- Cleveland Indians mascot, Slider...
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Palm Oil Crisis (Part 1): Whats in YOUR Halloween Candy?
Posted: 10/28/2010
Much of the candy that we seek out for Halloween contains palm oil (palmitate), an ingredient derived from the fruit of oil palm trees, which grow agriculturally on plantations in Malaysia and Indonesia. In fact, palm oil can be found in almost anything - from snack foods to household and beauty ...
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Boo at the Zoo Week One Photo Gallery
Posted: 10/25/2010
I've noticed something this year at Boo at the Zoo -- more adults than ever before are dressing up in costumes (and that includes our great Zoo staff too!). I love this trend. Did I catch you on camera? Find out in our photo gallery below and thanks to everyone who posed for pictures. We loved al...
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It's Autumn at the Zoo
Posted: 10/14/2010
If you love fall, the Zoo is a great place to be. Zoo staff has begun decorating for the season with pumpkins and cornstalks all over the park. If you are looking for something to do, now is a great time to visit with the cooler temperatures as well as the colorful fall foliage. Don't forget... ...
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Zoo Educator Next to Report on Polar Bears in Churchill
Posted: 10/5/2010
Last week we told you about Animal Keeper Tiffany Mayo's attendance at Polar Bear International 's (PBI's) Leadership Camp for zoo keepers. This week, we are happy to report that one of the Zoo's educators, Cathy Ryan-Smith, will be attending a similar camp in Churchill, Manitoba -- the PBI Commu...
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September Photo Safari Winner
Posted: 9/30/2010
Kimberlee's award-winning photo captured one of the Zoo's Asian small-clawed otters looking . . . well . . . please forgive me . . . " otterly" adorable. Did you know? Asian small-clawed otters are the smallest of the world's 13 otter species. In the wild, small-clawed otters are found...
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Zoo's Animal Keeper Blogging for Polar Bears International
Posted: 9/28/2010
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Animal Keeper Tiffany Mayo is in Churchill, Manitoba, this week attending Polar Bears International's Leadership Camp. As part of the keeper group, she'll be blogging about her experiences with polar bears in the wild and the conservation challenges they face. You can re...
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Big Creek Clean-Up: A Dirty Job Done Cheap!
Posted: 9/9/2010
Every one lives downstream! Pollutants in our waterways will eventually find their way into Lake Erie -- our region's primary source of drinking water and an important destination for recreation. Since 1995, committed Zoo staff and community volunteers have been active in stream stewardship at th...
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Don't miss the date!
Posted: 9/1/2010
Of course, you're wondering, "what's the dirt" behind the Zoo's garden calendar? Fortunately, I can answer that. Inspired by Niagara-on-the-Lake's "Floral Clock" in Ontario, Canada, the calendar garden at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo was created in the mid '50s and was originally...
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August Photo Safari Pic of the Month
Posted: 8/31/2010
Melanie P. captured this common snapping turtle coming up for air in the Beaver Pond inside the Wolf Lodge Arbor in Northern Trek. This 14-year-old, 19-pound, wild born turtle shares the pond with a female soft shell turtle. Animal Keeper Curt Gindlesperger affectionately calls this turtle the "g...
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V107.3 at the Zoo on August 23 - Buy Boo Tickets that Day, Get Complimentary DINOSAURS! Tickets
Posted: 8/19/2010
V107.3 on-air radio personality Ravenna Miceli is broadcasting live from the Zoo on Monday from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Anyone who purchases Boo at the Zoo tickets on Monday, August 23 at the Zoo Box Office ONLY (Box Office is open 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.) will receive an equal number of complimentary ticket...
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Dinner and a Dino!
Posted: 8/17/2010
Want to get up close to some small reptiles, birds and mammals? Then stop by our friends at Bob Evans in North Olmsted on Tuesday, August 17 (that's tonight) from 5 - 7 p.m. Enjoy a great meal inside and get close to some small animals outside under the Zoo tent. Keep an eye out for "Steggi...
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Volunteers Needed at the Zoo's Big Creek Clean-Up Event
Posted: 8/9/2010
Big Creek Clean-Up began as a grass roots after-work project by Zoo staff members of the Greater Cleveland Chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers' in 1995. Each year, members of the community join Cleveland Metroparks staff and Friends of Big Creek volunteers to sweep the creek....
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July Photo Safari Pic of the Month
Posted: 8/2/2010
Bobby C. captured a Wolf''s Guenon on exhibit inside the Primate, Cat & Aquatics building. In the wild, these colorful old world monkeys live in the rain forest and swamp forest of Central Africa. The guenon is just one of the many amazing primate species you'll discove...
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Build and Float Your Plastic Boat at The Second Annual Great Lake Erie Boat Float
Posted: 7/22/2010
The Boat Float will be taking place on Saturday, September 11, 2010 at Lower Edgewater State Park Beach here in Cleveland, Ohio. Boats will launch at 9AM . All boats are to be made out of post-consumer recyclable materials. Winners will be recognized in three categories: Fastest Boat Best Use of...
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Phone Book Recycling tomorrow at ZooBlooms
Posted: 7/16/2010
Join AT&T Yellow Pages and the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District tomorrow, July 17 at ZooBlooms at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. There will be fun activities for the whole family throughout the day. Please don't forget to bring your old phonebooks!
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Fulton Road Bridge Opens to the Public, a Video Tribute
Posted: 7/12/2010
On May 2, 2007, we said "bye bye" to the Fulton Road Bridge in an explosion heard 'round the Zoo and the local neighborhood. During construction, we made sure our visitors knew it was still easy to reach the Zoo through alternate routes and hoped that everyone would bear with us and th...
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June Photo Safari Pic of the Month
Posted: 7/1/2010
Shirley D. captured a beautiful blue morpho butterfly inside the Zoo's FLUTTER! exhibit located in the Public Greenhouse. Large and brightly colored, you'll find an exotic assortment of species including the blue morpho, crimson patch and pink cattle heart butterflies just to name a few. It's ju...
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Nestlé Commits to Ending the Deforestation of Rainforests
Posted: 6/30/2010
Palm oil is used in biofuel, cosmetics, soaps, snacks and candy, and is becoming more and more common as an alternative to other oils in numerous products. To date, the environmental effects of palm oil have been devastating, and this makes palm oil one of the most complicated environmental and e...
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Thousands of Seniors Enjoy Their Day at the Zoo
Posted: 6/28/2010
All seniors 55 and better enjoyed a day of health and wellness activities thanks to our good partners at Discount Drug Mart and Cleveland Clinic Healthwise Connection . Other activities included complimentary admission to the Zoo and DINOSAURS! exhibit, tram rides, photographs, Get Close animal ...
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Father's Day at the Zoo - Watch it Again!
Posted: 6/24/2010
With the Zoo's new elephant exhibit, African Elephant Crossing, under construction, Father's Day celebrated a construction theme inviting dads and their children to build memories to last a lifetime. Sporting their plastic yellow hard hats, the "kiddie construction" crews were ready to ...
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Zoo-Supported Asian Turtle Program Helps Create New Resources to Combat Turtle Crisis
Posted: 6/22/2010
The Vietnam-based program is led by the Zoo's ATP coordinator, Doug Hendrie and program coordinator Tim McCormack. They oversee and implement conservation plans for endangered species, education and public awareness efforts, training of students and wildlife protection officers, and coordinate su...
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Good Things Come in Small Packages
Posted: 6/15/2010
Want to get up close to some small reptiles, birds and mammals tonight? Then stop by our friends at Bob Evans tonight in Macedonia from 5 - 7 p.m. Enjoy a great meal inside and get close to some small animals outside under the Zoo tent. If you can't make it tonight, then mark your calendar for J...
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Resources to Help Wildlife Impacted by Gulf Oil Spill
Posted: 6/10/2010
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's mission to improve the future for wildlife has never been more important than it is right now as we're starting to see devastating images of animals caught in the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. For our Zoo visitors, web audience and people in our local community who are wond...
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DreamNight: A Night of Memories
Posted: 6/8/2010
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo held its 6th annual DreamNight, Friday June 4 for special needs children and their families. DreamNight was started by the Rotterdam Zoo of the Netherlands in 1996. Currently over 200 zoos in 36 countries have a night dedicated to special needs children and their familie...
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The Fish Coming to the Zoo Friday to Hype Meet your Best Friend
Posted: 6/8/2010
Our annual event Meet Your Best Friend at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo takes place on Saturday, June 12, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. That day, 20 area humane organizations will have over 100 dogs, cats, kittens and puppies available for adoption. But there's more! On Friday, June 11th, Mark Rein from WFHM ...
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May Photo Safari Pic of the Month
Posted: 6/1/2010
George F. captured Scruffy, a female sun bear in early May doing what she does best, basking in the spring sunshine. Rain or shine, bring your family to see all six bear species on exhibit in the Zoo's Northern Trek. It's just one of the many amazing experiences you can have when you visit Cleve...
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We Know it's Almost Summer: Giant Tortoises on the Move at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Posted: 5/27/2010
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's three male Aldabra tortoises -- Tom, Tim and Terry -- moved to their summer exhibit at the Primate, Cat & Aquatics Building on Saturday, May 22. All three tortoises were located in the Center for Zoological Medicine for the winter, but with the summer months upon u...
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FLUTTER!, A Feast for the Senses and a Photographer's Dream
Posted: 5/26/2010
FLUTTER! has at least three great photo opportunities. The first is the butterflies themselves. Whether you're new at photography or honing your skills, you can take some great close-up shots of intricate patterns and bright colors of these winged wonders. Try taking action shots of butterflies ...
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Snails Save the Day for Apes
Posted: 5/26/2010
The rare and critically endangered gorillas live in and around the region of Cross River National Park in Nigeria. Although many of the remaining gorillas live within the boundaries of the protected area, the population is still at risk of being hunted for bushmeat. To attempt to address the prob...
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The Green Wave: Zoo Crew Celebrates Biodiversity around the World
Posted: 5/24/2010
On May 22, 2010, The Green Wave was celebrated at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. The Zoo Crew teen-volunteers (with help from our Horticulture staff) along with other schools and youth organizations worldwide planted trees native to their area. At Cleveland Metroparks Zoo we planted two trees at the e...
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Join the UltraWalk for our Feathered Friends!
Posted: 5/20/2010
Join the 2010 UltraWalk & UltraBird Saturday, June 5th . Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society (WCAS) has been collecting data on breeding birds in the Rocky River Important Bird Area for five years. Cleveland Metroparks can use valuable information to acquire land in the Rocky River valley that m...
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Get the Scoop on Saturday
Posted: 5/20/2010
The Scoop on Poop is a traveling exhibition based on the popular book by science writer Dr. Wayne Lynch. It leads visitors on an investigation of what poop is and how both animals, people, and even power companies, use it. Visitors can listen in on an bear's digestive system, learn the language ...
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Plant Conservation, Seen From the Air (Bird's-Eye Zoo Photo)
Posted: 5/17/2010
Thanks to all who came out to support the Zoo's Horticulture department on Saturday for Plant Conservation Day! Our Bird's-Eye Zoo photo is now available for download. This was the first time the Zoo had attempted to create an image made up entirely of people -- or to create art of this scale --...
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Growing Local: Zoo to Plant a Culinary Herb Garden
Posted: 5/5/2010
If you've been over to The RainForest Cafe recently, you might have seen a little construction zone in the corner of the outdoor patio. Aramark's Chef Vinnie tells me that this is a special plot of land to be used as a culinary herb garden. The Zoo's Manager of Horticulture, Don Krock, adds that ...
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Learn Recycling from Zoo's Expert, Nancy Hughes, in Free Webinar
Posted: 5/4/2010
Come watch Nancy Hughes from the Cleveland Metropark Zoo talk about ZooPoo. Colette Barry had a very insightful interview with Nancy at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo on how to effectively reduce, reuse and recycle. Tune in Saturday, May 29, at Noon for a Live Webinar show with Colette at Healthy Fit S...
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What's that Smell?
Posted: 5/3/2010
It's been only three years, but it looks like the Zoo's titan arum will bloom again in 2010. How do we know? Because the plant is at the stage where the bright green spathe -- the grooved "petal" of the flower -- has been revealed surrounding the spadix -- the central spike, which is a...
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Photo Safari 'Pic of the Month'
Posted: 4/29/2010
This classic "bird vs. boy" photo captures just one of the many amazing experiences you can have when you visit Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Can you guess where this photo was taken? If you guessed the Lorikeet aviary in the Zoo's Australian Adventure exhibit you're right. Marie wins four...
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Zoo Crew Teen Urges Support of Youth Accord on Biodiversity
Posted: 4/2/2010
I was given the opportunity to represent Cleveland Metroparks Zoo at the Second International Youth Symposium on Biodiversity. The Symposium took place in Ottawa, Canada in July 2009. Upon arriving home I joined many international youth from the Symposium to create the Youth Accord on Biodiversi...
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It's a Picture Perfect Time to Visit the Zoo
Posted: 3/31/2010
A keen eye and a steady lens could lead to great prizes for aspiring photographers. The Zoo's Photo Safari contest begins April 1, 2010. Prizes include Zoo memberships, Zoo tickets, Cleveland Metroparks golf passes and Discount Drug Mart gift cards. The "Best in Show" winner receives an Adopt-an-...
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Zoo Partners with Cleveland International Film Fest, Director to Serve as FilmForum Panelist
Posted: 3/24/2010
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo invites you to attend a special screening of "The Elephant in the Living Room" at the Cleveland International Film Festival on Saturday, March 27 at 4:30 p.m. The film, directed and produced by Ohio native Michael Webber, documents the work of Tim Harrison, Day...
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2010 Asia and Africa Seed Grant Recipients Announced
Posted: 3/16/2010
Recipients of the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo/Cleveland Zoological Society 2010 competitive grants, Asia Seed Grants and Africa Seed Grants, have been announced. 2010 is the third year for the Asia Seed Grants and the fourth year for the Africa Seed Grants program. You can view the 2010 grant recip...
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Putting the 'U' in Urban Watershed Stewardship: A Mini-Symposium
Posted: 3/8/2010
The symposium will take place on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 from 6:00-8:40PM at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's Reinberger Education Center, next to the Zoo's main entrance ( 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland, OH 44109 ). This event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited. To register or for more in...
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Tune in for a Jungle Trek in The RainForest Wednesday Morning with WKYC
Posted: 2/23/2010
Got cabin fever? WKYC and the Zoo have the antidote! As part of "Cabin Fever Week," WKYC's Maureen Kyle will be live inside The RainForest from 5 - 7 a.m. on Wednesday, February 24. She'll be talking to the Zoo's Professor Wylde and learning about some of the features that make The Rai...
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Zoo Co-Sponsors Baldwin-Wallace College Sustainability Symposium March 1 and 2
Posted: 2/11/2010
This dynamic two-day symposium brings together world-renowned leaders, prominent local government representatives, members of the private sector, and experts who will discuss present and future issues relating to energy, climate and carbon as they impact our health and economic vitality of region...
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A Snowy Day at the Zoo
Posted: 2/1/2010
Even on the chilliest and snowiest days of the year, you'll find animals outside and enjoying the winter weather here at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. The Northern Trek area of the Zoo is home to quite a few of our cold-climate species, including grizzly bears, reindeer and tigers. Lonnie Timmo...
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Congratulations Nancy Hughes!
Posted: 1/14/2010
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is proud to announce that Nancy Hughes, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's Composting and Recycling Coordinator, was selected as a Champion of Sustainability Award winner by Entrepreneurs for Sustainability, also known as E4S. E4S is a network of over 7000 leaders who are putting...
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Noon Year's Eve Photo Gallery
Posted: 1/4/2010
The fourth annual Noon Year's Eve at the Zoo was a little wet, but almost 5000 Zoo visitors reminded us that our Cleveland weather never gets in the way of a good time and we want to thank you for that. You made eco-friendly noismakers, you made ReZOOlutions, you played games, you danced with the...
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Happy Zoo Year! (almost)
Posted: 12/30/2009
Join Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Dollar Bank and the AM 1260 Radio Disney Road Crew for an all out Noon Year's Eve spectacular, tomorrow, December 31, from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Radio Disney will be playing the hottest music from 2009 and giving you the chance to win a ton of prizes. Other activit...
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Zoo Wins Four 2009 PSRA Cleveland Rocks Awards
Posted: 12/4/2009
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has won a total of four Cleveland Rocks Awards -- three gold, one silver -- from the Greater Cleveland Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America . The Gold Awards were for the following categories in Government, Associations, Nonprofit: Community Relations, for ...
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All Dressed Up for the Holidays...Wolf Lodge
Posted: 12/2/2009
The Wolf Lodge is a "must-see" this season, beautifully decorated by our friends at Petitti Garden Centers. Oh yeah, it's warm and cozy too!
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Tiny Endangered Toadlets
Posted: 12/1/2009
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has successfully bred its Puerto Rican crested toads, Bufo (Peltophryne) lemur , as part of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums Species Survival Plan (SSP, read more ). The toads have recently morphed from tadpoles to toadlets, and thanks to amphibian keeper Joe Ropel...
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Orangutans Celebrate Thanksgiving with Dessert First
Posted: 11/25/2009
Here's the play-by-play of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's orangutans receiving pumpkin treats. Animal Keeper Steve Kinczel shows off the pumpkin pies (actually, ground up fresh pumpkin in pie shells): Female Kitra determined the quickest way to the bottom of her pie: Kayla and son Daniel used a more ...
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That's Enrichment! Black Howler Monkeys Go Fishing
Posted: 11/23/2009
While I was checking in on the red pandas up at the Primate, Cat & Aquatics Building last week, I noticed some new enrichment going on with the Zoo's black howler monkeys ( Alouatta caraya ). Their keeper wanted them to go fishing... for... spinach! Now, I like spinach as much as the next guy...
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Cleveland Recycles!
Posted: 11/20/2009
I just read the statistics from Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's participation in America Recycles Day on November 15. Zoo Attendance that day was 2,137 visitors and we collected the following from 115 families that participated: Computers = approximately 8 pallets Aluminum (Cans For Conservation) = 21...
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Mary the Tortoise Gets a More Masculine Name
Posted: 11/18/2009
Mary the Aldabra tortoise is now Terry the Aldabra tortoise. For the 50-plus years that 400-pound Mary has lived at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, she showed all the tell-tale signs of being a female. (Flatter shell, shorter tail, lower weight.) But last week, during a physical exam, Mary decided...
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Sunday, November 15 is America Recycles Day
Posted: 11/12/2009
What can you bring to recycle? Computer equipment (no televisions please) Printer cartridges Cell phones and accessories Documents for on-site shredding Newspapers and magazines (no phonebooks please) Aluminum cans (Proceeds from this "Cans for Conservation" drive benefit the Mbeli Ba...
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Zoo Crew Review: Education Open House
Posted: 10/27/2009
On Tuesday October 20, 2009 the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo had its annual the Education Open House. This event was for educators interested in what the zoo could do for their students. There were approximately fourteen stands for educators to learn about all the zoo has to offer. Stands included th...
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2010 Zoo Calendar On Sale Now
Posted: 10/23/2009
From cover to cover, the 2010 Zoo calendar is filled with amazing photos of many of your favorite animals at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Most of the photos were captured by amateur photographers entered in the Zoo's annual Photo Safari contest ( view 2009 winners ). Special thanks to McHale &...
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You Dressed Up, We Took Pictures: Another Boo Gallery
Posted: 10/23/2009
Thursday night. Boo at the Zoo. The weather was great. There were bubble machines in the Welcome Plaza. The adults were having as much fun as the kids, dressing up in their Halloween costumes and enjoying the sights and sounds of Boo. There are still tickets available for tonight (Friday) and Sun...
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Zoo Makes Readers' Choice List
Posted: 10/20/2009
Thanks to the readers of Cleveland Scene for choosing Cleveland Metroparks Zoo as their choice for "Best Place to Take Kids." Scene announced its "Best of Cleveland 2009" winners earlier this month, and the Zoo is proud to receive the honor -- for the second year in a row. (A...
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Boo! It's a Thursday Night Photo Gallery
Posted: 10/16/2009
The rain didn't spoil Boo at the Zoo, as we kicked off the event's 20th anniversary last night, October 15. Even the DINOSAURS! were decked out in masks and costumes. New this year were a trio of singing witches in Northern Trek, a cowboy with a lasso and an alien spaceship in... well, we're not ...
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Pumpkins: the New Canvas?
Posted: 10/14/2009
Yesterday, the Zoo received a shipment of airbrushed pumpkins from Westlake High School. We'd like to thank the students in the school's Airbrush Illustration 1 classes who donated them for Boo at the Zoo. The students designed their own pumpkins and art teacher, Staci Peltz, guided them through ...
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Did the Plastic Boats Float at the Great Lake Erie Boat Float?
Posted: 10/14/2009
It all started on September 26, 2009 with 27 Zoo Crew members and three Zoo employees building what turned out to be two boats out of recycled materials. The materials consisted of items like plastic bottles, old signs, wood, plastic barrels and we also used plastic bags to make rope. We got all ...
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The 12 Days of Boo, Day 13: Skella Fella
Posted: 10/13/2009
Today, staff from the Cleveland Museum of Art's Community Outreach Department installed two giant, and we mean GIANT, skeletons that will greet guests at The Hay Maze. Skeletons over 20 feet tall loom overhead and you won't want to miss it! On Fridays and Saturdays, costumed dancers from the CMA...
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The 12 Days of Boo, Days 9-12: Larger than life
Posted: 10/12/2009
Here's what you missed over the weekend. Preparations are still underway at the Zoo, gearing up for the city's biggest Halloween event! And when we say big...we mean big. What does is take to get a 168 acre Zoo ready for thousands of Halloween fans? Lots of larger-than-life decorations. This yea...
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The 12 Days of Boo, Day 5: Signs of the Season
Posted: 10/8/2009
Boo at the Zoo season is a colorful time of year, and things have gotten even more colorful today when the Zoo received shipments of pumpkins, cornstalks and mums. It's the way we make everything look a lot more like fall here at the Zoo. Seasonal decorations of cornstalks and pumpkins will be di...
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The 12 Days of Boo, Day 4: Costumed Characters
Posted: 10/7/2009
Giant frogs, friendly tigers and geckos with British accents will all take part in Boo at the Zoo this year. Each night, nearly a dozen costumed characters will greet guests as they arrive in the Welcome Plaza. Take a picture, grab a hug or pass along a high five as you encounter each of these fr...
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The 12 Days of Boo, Day 3: Hay
Posted: 10/6/2009
In the weeks leading up to Boo at the Zoo, we get lots of deliveries. Two of those deliveries are all about hay (actually, wheat straw). The hay comes in two shipments on a huge flatbed semi-truck. All available Zoo staff members are called in to lend a hand, to carry and stack about 1,200 bales ...
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The 12 Days of Boo, Day 2: Chips
Posted: 10/5/2009
Yesterday we gave you the scoop on our mouthwatering sweet treats. Today we cover the savory! In addition to the dozen pieces of candy each child will receive at the event, they'll also get a bag of chips. This year, Shearer's has generously donated their new "Shapers" -- de...
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The 12 Days of Boo, Day 1: Candy
Posted: 10/4/2009
Welcome to the 12 Days of Boo. For the next 12 days, we'll give you an insider's peek at the preparations for the Zoo's spooktacular Halloween event, Boo at the Zoo . This year is our 20th anniversary and you won't want to miss the monstrous fun we have planned. DAY 1: CANDY! Have you ever ...
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'Good Company' at the Zoo
Posted: 10/1/2009
Andrea Vecchio from WKYC Channel 3's "Good Company Today" recently stopped by Cleveland Metroparks Zoo to meet our harbor seals and California sea lion, "Mickey." Tune in to the show at 10 a.m. tomorrow, Friday, October 2, to see how it went. (Andrea got a chance to go be...
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Don't Forget the Great Lake Erie Boat Float Saturday!
Posted: 9/30/2009
Zoo Crew, Cleveland Metroparks teen volunteers, and the Sea Scouts have registered their homemade junk rafts for the Boat Float. Come join the fun and find out if they will be successful in their endeavor to sail Lake Erie on a boat made entirely of plastic. Here are some of photos of the rafts: ...
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AEC Construction Inside the Fence, Part 3: Up Above and In Surrounding Areas
Posted: 9/28/2009
Now that we've seen the changes on the inside of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's old Pachyderm Building, let's look up at the ceiling then venture out into the yards of African Elephant Crossing. As you know, elephants are extremely tall. But did you know that they are very resourceful, intelligent an...
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2009 Photo Safari Winners Gallery
Posted: 9/23/2009
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's 2009 Photo Safari winners list (photos in gallery below): Birds 1st Place Jim Johnston of Bedford 2nd Place Bob Trinnes of Solon 3rd Place Jeff Burcher of Valley City Plants/Insects 1st Place Paul Keske of Ashland 2nd Place Dennis Earle of N. Canton 3rd Place Sh...
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Zoo Crew Teens Clean Up Euclid Beach Park
Posted: 9/21/2009
Coastweeks is part of a national celebration of the nation's waters and shorelines. Ohio's program focuses on the theme "I Can Help Lake Erie" to encourage people to be part of the solution, not the pollution that finds its way into the lake. The debris collected at Ohio's cleanups and throughout...
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Congratulations to Our 1 Millionth Visitor of 2009
Posted: 9/21/2009
She's Nancy Kichurchak of Richfield. She came to visit the Zoo on Sunday, along with her husband, son, daughter-in-law and two grandsons. She was pleasantly surprised when Zoo staff pulled her aside to congratulate her on being our 1 millionth visitor of 2009. Nancy's prizes included a family Zo...
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Leapin' Lizards...Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Opens GEICO Gecko Traveling Exhibit
Posted: 9/14/2009
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is proud to welcome the traveling GEICO Gecko exhibit. The traveling exhibit is located inside the Zoo's Exhibit Hall today through December 31 and features five giant day geckos in a naturalistic habitat. Day geckos are a unique group of lizards native to Madagascar and...
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The Cuteness Factor has Tripled with the Births of Three Red Panda Cubs
Posted: 9/11/2009
The arrival of "Mei Mei" and her two siblings is quite extraordinary considering endangered red pandas are rarely born in threes. "Mei Mei," is being raised by the Zoo's veterinary technicians at the Center for Zoological Medicine because she required medical treatment shortl...
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Help the Zoo Crew to Help Lake Erie
Posted: 9/10/2009
Our Zoo Crew teen volunteers are hosting a beach cleanup at Euclid Beach Park at 9 a.m. on Saturday, September 19, which is International Coastal Cleanup Day. The effort is part of Ohio's Coastweeks. What is Coastweeks? It's part of a national celebration of the nation's waters and shorelines. Oh...
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Shoulda, Coulda...Woulda...Just Zoo It!
Posted: 9/4/2009
This weekend, you can still catch the final few performances of Professor Wylde's Animal Show , take a ride on a dromedary camel (camel rides end September 7) and witness a colorful array of butterflies in the Zoo's FLUTTER! exhibit (closes September 13). And, you still have time to submit your ...
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AEC Construction Inside the Fence, Part 2: What's in the Building?
Posted: 9/3/2009
The previous home of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's elephants was the Pachyderm Building which opened to the public in 1956 ( read more ). If you've been to the Zoo lately, you'll notice that the building shell remains. The interior has been gutted to make way for a larger and more modern facility fo...
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Will You be Our Millionth Visitor?
Posted: 9/3/2009
Within the coming days -- or maybe weeks -- Cleveland Metroparks Zoo will welcome its one millionth visitor of 2009. Will it be you? We hope so, because we'll be giving Lucky No. 1,000,000 a Zoo prize package including plush animals, $50 in ZooBucks, a family Zoo membership, an Adopt-an-Animal p...
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Robin Swoboda Spends a Night at the Zoo!
Posted: 8/31/2009
Tune in to "That's Life with Robin Swoboda" at 10 a.m. next Monday, September 7, on Fox 8 for another episode taped right here at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Robin and some friends slept over at the Zoo's Rising Waters Safari Camp to experience what the Zoo has to offer in its popular overnight pro...
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AEC Construction Inside the Fence, Part 1: Elephant Pool and Filtration
Posted: 8/28/2009
Because everyone's been asking and we love the feedback, I'll be posting a series of construction photos from behind the scenes, or as we like to put it, "inside the fence," of African Elephant Crossing. About a month ago, I was treated to a tour of the construction zone from RFC Contra...
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African Elephant Crossing Update
Posted: 8/27/2009
Nearly one year has passed since Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's three female elephants packed their trunks and headed to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium to make way for construction of their brand new home. Meanwhile, much progress has been made on the new African Elephant Crossing habitat and educati...
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Sixth Annual Conservation Symposium at CMNH
Posted: 8/25/2009
You can register now for the Cleveland Museum of Natural History's sixth-annual Conservation Symposium, Ecology Underfoot: The Secret Life of Soil . This year's event will be held on Friday, September 11, and will feature morning and afternoon keynote addresses: Jeff Lowenfels , author of Teaming...
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Zoo Crew Enters Natures Backyard
Posted: 8/24/2009
On July 30, six Zoo Crew members embarked upon an exciting adventure that took us all the way to Huron, Ohio. It was at the Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve that our group of teenagers participated in a bio-blitz. "What is a bio-blitz?" you might ask. A bio-blitz i...
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Sloth Bear Gets (and Gives) a Creature Comforts Warm-up
Posted: 8/13/2009
I never cease to be amazed at this bear. Wanna see more enrichment? Then come to Creature Comforts on Saturday, August 15. We'll have demonstrations and activities from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. More information and activity schedule for Creature Comforts is on our event page .
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Sneak Peek at the Art Behind the Enrichment
Posted: 8/11/2009
Creature Comforts -- Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's annual enrichment day -- is this Saturday, August 15. Of all the annual events at the Zoo, this is my personal favorite! It's a day dedicated to showing Zoo visitors how animal keepers enrich the lives of their animals. Keepers will be on hand to ex...
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Zoo Animals Star in National Ad Campaign
Posted: 8/10/2009
When the folks at Fuji EnviroMAX called us to see if they could film segments of their new commercials at the Zoo, we thought it would be a nice match. Fuji EnviroMAX was launching a campaign for the first eco-respectful, high-performance batteries on the market; and the Zoo's core mis...
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That's Life .... at the Zoo!
Posted: 7/30/2009
Robin Swoboda is a big fan of the Zoo, and we're big fans of her. Tomorrow's episode of "That's Life" is all about her adventures at the Zoo. We don't want to give too much away, but we will tell you that she got up-close and personal with a rhino and helped to feed a troop of ring-tai...
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Bulkee Celebrates a Birthday!
Posted: 7/30/2009
The Zoo's new male koala, "Bulkee," turned six yesterday and we had a little celebration for him in his outdoor exhibit. I wanted to share some photos of the event with all our readers. If you missed our birthday party and want to know more about Bulkee, you can read about him in our ne...
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The Great Lake Erie Boat Float is Saturday, October 3 at 9 a.m. Edgewater Park
Posted: 7/29/2009
The Great Lake Erie Boat Float will be held on Saturday, October 3 at the Lower Edgewater State Park Beach. The boat launch is scheduled for 9 a.m. rain or shine. Marcus Eriksen, visiting scientist, author, and world traveler, draws attention to the impacts of plastic waste on the world's o...
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Frame your Summer with Bob Evans and the Zoo
Posted: 7/24/2009
Heads up everyone - especially families! Our partner, Bob Evans Restaurants, is hosting a fundraiser for Cleveland Metroparks Zoo by selling $1 DINOSAURS! magnetic photo frames at 25 Cleveland area Bob Evans restaurants. The magnetic photo frames include a perforated Free Kids Meal coupon in add...
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Big Creek Cleanup Wed. August 19, 2009 5- 8pm
Posted: 7/16/2009
RSVP: Please call or email Gayle Albers at (216)635-2526 or email@example.com
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Take Your Best Shot and Enter the Zoo's Photo Contest
Posted: 7/14/2009
It's not too late to enter the Zoo's Photo Safari Contest. Just mail us your favorite Zoo photos taken between May 25 & September 7, 2009. You could win a Zoo family membership, Zoo passes, and Discount Drug Mart gift certificates. And, the Best of Show winner will receive a behind-the scene...
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Have you FOUND your wild side?
Posted: 7/8/2009
How would you like to take a ginormous, powerful, destructive dinosaur with a horrible terrible temper and lots of sharp teeth around Cleveland with you? What if I told you there was a killer grand prize? Okay, there's really no need to panic. The T-rex isn't real, but the prizes sure are! ...
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It's Bigger, it's Better, it's Bluer, it's Redder!
Posted: 7/2/2009
Remember this from last year ? Well, you should see what we've done THIS year. Zoo horticulturist Jeff DeLuca had red, white and blue on his mind in creating another floral masterpiece for this year's Red, White & Zoo event. On Saturday, July 4, you'll see it as you walk in the front gate of ...
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Get Ready for Zoo Week on Channel 3
Posted: 7/2/2009
Tune in to "Channel 3 News Today" from 5 to 7 a.m. next Monday through Friday to see what's hot at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo this summer. You'll get up close looks at lots of our animals, including "Bo," the greater sulfur-crested cockatoo; our herd of black rhinos; koalas and...
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The Gardeners of Tomorrow
Posted: 7/1/2009
On Thursday June 25, Nicole Barnes and I had the chance to visit the Benjamin Franklin Elementary School Garden. This garden is planned and also maintained by the Fourth grade students of the school, the Cuyahoga County Master Gardeners and The Ohio State University Extension. Every Thursday dur...
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The World is One Beach Cleaner Thanks to Zoo Crew
Posted: 7/1/2009
On Tuesday June 23rd, 5 Zoo Crew members venture on what some of us thought would be a nice easy stroll down on the beach. When we arrived at Edgewater Park at the Beach area, we discovered it would not be that easy. Our goal was to clean up the beach and take water samples. This was part of the...
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A New Bird in Town (Photo Gallery)
Posted: 6/30/2009
The newest bird to land at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is a six-year-old female Steller's sea eagle ( Haliaeetus pelagicus ). On loan from the Cincinnati Zoo, the magnificent raptor, one of the largest in the world, can be seen in the flight cages along Waterfowl Lake. Her most striking characterist...
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Cleveland Indians' Slider on Safari at the Zoo
Posted: 6/30/2009
On Sunday, Cleveland Indians mascot, Slider, was treated to a behind-the-scenes "meet & greet" with Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's giraffe keepers and Masai giraffe herd. Slider brought along a herd of his own -- three "Baby Sliders" -- miniature versions of himself with...
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Baby T. rex Roaring Around Cleveland
Posted: 6/24/2009
In promotion of DINOSAURS! at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, the Zoo's "baby" T-rex will be out and about, making appearances in and around Cleveland. He will be accompanied by Zoo staff and some of the Zoo's small animals. Look for Baby T (as we like to call him) at the following dates and...
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Half a Million Zoo Visitors and Counting ...
Posted: 6/24/2009
Yesterday marked an attendance milestone here at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, as we welcomed our 500,000th visitor of the year! For the year, our attendance is nearly 10 percent ahead of the same time in 2008, and we're hoping for that trend to continue. There's a lot of Zoo to do this summer withou...
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Creatures Great and Small at the Zoo
Posted: 6/22/2009
Special thanks to Jeannette Cook and family of Pennsylvania for sharing some pictures from their visit last week to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. They got a great shot of polar bear Aurora: A Masai giraffe: A sleeping koala: And one of the Zoo's "unofficial" residents. Yes, it's ...
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Come Walk on the Wild Side and Walk for Wishes
Posted: 5/27/2009
Guess who I saw at the Zoo today? Channel 19 news anchor Denise Dufala stopped by to tape a public service announcement promoting the upcoming Walk for Wishes on June 27th. Accompanying Denise was an amazing young lady named Sarah. This adorable seven year old is the honorary wish child for Walk...
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Aldabra Tortoises Return to Their Summer Home
Posted: 5/22/2009
Ah, Memorial Day weekend. It's the unofficial start of summer for many of us. And for the three giant tortoises at the Zoo, it's definitely the start of summer. Earlier this morning our animal keepers moved the Aldabra tortoises from their winter quarters inside the Center for Zoological Medicin...
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Return to Nature(scape)
Posted: 5/21/2009
On Sunday May 3rd, nine Zoo Crew volunteers, including myself, got their hands dirty as they helped out in a Tremont neighborhood. You may remember that some Zoo Crew members helped to "lasagna mulch" a lot in Tremont last October ; we spent the day picking up trash and transporting mul...
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2009 UltraWalk for WCAS Takes Place Saturday, May 23
Posted: 5/16/2009
This is the fourth year of a five-year survey to provide important scientific data to Cleveland Metroparks for conservation of the Rocky River watershed. The Metroparks uses this information to support requests for funds to purchase land parcels in the Rocky River valley IBA in order to protect t...
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FLUTTER! is a Photographer's Paradise (a Gallery)
Posted: 5/13/2009
I don't yet know all the names of the butterflies and flowers in Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's FLUTTER! exhibit, but you can see by my photos below that there are many new ones this year. And these aren't all of them. How do I know? Because many of them have not yet emerged. While you're in the exhi...
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Camels (and Camel Rides!) Return to Australian Adventure May 9
Posted: 5/7/2009
Three dromedary camels return to their summertime home in Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's Australian Adventure on Friday, May 8. And with the return of the camels comes the return of camel rides! Starting Saturday, May 9 at 10 a.m., camel rides will be offered to Zoo visitors at $4 per person and $6 ...
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Just in Time for Mother's Day: Baby Langur Photos
Posted: 5/7/2009
The Francois' langurs in The RainForest are always fun to observe because they come right up close to the viewing window and often seem as curious about us as we are about them. It's great for a photographer because you can get fantastic photos of them. And it's doubly great now because there's a...
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How Can Bowling Rhinos Promote Mother's Day AND Help Manage a Species?
Posted: 5/7/2009
The Zoo's female black rhinos, Inge and daughters Zuri and Kibibi, promoted Bowling for Rhinos as well as Mother's Day weekend. Bowling for Rhinos is an annual fundraiser held by the Greater Cleveland Chapter of the American Association of Zookeepers to benefit rhinos. The event takes place on Sa...
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The Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA): 'Celebrating a Decade of Primate Conservation and Rehabilitation'
Posted: 5/7/2009
The Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA) will stage the 10th anniversary PASA 2009 Management Workshop for the first time outside of Africa, from May 19-21 in Columbus, Ohio. As part of this historic meeting, the Columbus Zoo will present a public event at the Ohio State University Fawcett Cent...
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Bowling WITH Rhinos
Posted: 5/5/2009
Here's an exclusive heads-up for readers of The Roar Report. In preparation for Mother's Day weekend and the annual Bowling for Rhinos fundraiser, black rhino "Inge" and her two daughters, "Zuri" and "Kibibi" will take their horns to some human-sized, treat-fi...
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A Word about the Tiger Building...
Posted: 5/1/2009
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's Amur tigers will be off exhibit for a short period of time as the roof is being replaced on their building in the Zoo's Northern Trek area. The Zoo apologizes for any inconvenience this causes -- we expect the construction to run through May 15. Replacing the current 3...
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Elephant Update! from Columbus
Posted: 4/22/2009
As most of you know, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's three female elephants - Jo, Moshi and Martika - have been living in Columbus since September 2008 ( read the press release ). To address the many requests for an update on their progress, we've decided to just SHOW you. Here's a great photo of ele...
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The RainForest Features more than just New Animals
Posted: 4/21/2009
If you haven't been to The RainForest at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo since 2008, you're in for a surprise when it comes to catching a bite to eat. The Crocodile Café is completely new and improved - in food AND speed of service. When you first walk in, you might think nothing has changed - t...
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Fun in the Sun Photo Gallery: Animals, Babies and Blooms
Posted: 4/17/2009
For me, yesterday's weather was the first indication that Northeast Ohio is finally awakening from its winter slumber. The sun was warm and the sky was a deep blue. The photographic possibilities were endless. In Wallaby Walkabout in Australian Adventure, the kangaroos and wallabies were very act...
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And Then There Were Three...
Posted: 4/9/2009
The yearly hatching of Northern spider tortoises is becoming routine for reptile keeper Brad Poynter. In 2007, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo became the second North American zoo to hatch a Northern spider tortoise ( Pyxis arachnoids brygooi ) and the first to do it under artificial light ( read the p...
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2009 NEO Environmental Awards: Call for Nominations
Posted: 4/8/2009
Biodiversity Alliance has just announced that nominations are now being accepted for the 2009 Northeast Ohio Environmental Awards. The awards program recognizes and honors the outstanding achievements of organizations, businesses and individuals in a wide range of environmental initiatives throug...
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The Zoo Thinks Cleveland ROCKS!
Posted: 4/3/2009
We hope you enjoy our new video that we put together to celebrate our great city of Cleveland during Rock Hall induction week!
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Marching Dinos Caught on Camera
Posted: 3/30/2009
What are these white dinosaurs? What does the Zoo have to do with them? So far, we only know a few things, but as we find out more about them, we'll reveal it right here in The Roar Report. Here are the exclusive rumors (and we invite you to share more if you know more): We know that they will n...
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Thanks for Getting Your Green On!
Posted: 3/17/2009
Thanks to everyone who took advantage of Tuesday's beautiful St. Patrick's Day weather and got green at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo! More than 2,500 people took part in our "Wear Green and Save Green" promotion to get half-price Zoo admission on St. Patrick's Day. And 25 people ...
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St. Patty's Day - Go Green and Save
Posted: 3/12/2009
You don't need the luck of the Irish to enjoy these St. Patty's Day deals at the Zoo. All you need to do is wear something green to the Zoo on March 17, and you'll receive half off zoo admission that day - making your ticket just $3.50 per person, $2.50 for kids ages 2 to 11 and free for childre...
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Baby Chimp Update from Knoxville
Posted: 3/2/2009
Our friends at the Knoxville Zoo recently sent us a picture of their baby chimpanzee "George" interacting for the first time with both his mother, "Daisy," and father, "Jimbo." Some of you may recall, Jimbo was a longtime resident of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo before ...
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By Replanting the Earth's Trees, We can Rebuild our Planet
Posted: 2/12/2009
While in Ottowa, our two Zoo Crew teens will meet other teens from all over the world who have local biodiversity projects and tell them about our own amazing project. Our teens will also participate in a Bio-blitz (a biological survey with local scientists and naturalists). Zoo Crew's project is...
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Zoo has Heart-to-Heart Chat with 'Biggest Loser' Star
Posted: 2/10/2009
Everyone is invited to Heart to Heart Day to meet up with Jerry from noon to 1p.m. on Monday, February 16 at the Zoo's Primate, Cat & Aquatics Building. The "Biggest Loser" star will sign autographs and answer your questions about his quest for heart health. Here's what Jerry told ...
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Back Home Update (from Maribeth)
Posted: 2/9/2009
My life's taken quite an astonishing turn since I've been back home from the Polar Bears International Leadership week-long camp in Churchill. To my surprise, I've become quite the media queen! I've been fortunate enough to be featured in multiple news publications across ...
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Knee Deep In It: Forest Hills Nature Hike
Posted: 2/3/2009
During the hike, I learned how mammals store fat in their bodies during the winter season. This way, when food becomes scarce or it gets too cold; they can wait out the conditions by sleeping through the winter, while their bodies feed off the stored fat. Not many animals were seen on the trip, b...
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Calling ALL Teachers!!
Posted: 2/2/2009
The Zoo is polling our terrific teacher bloggers and blog readers out there to see which online sites and resources you, as educators, use for professional networking. The Zoo has a lot of WILD educational resources to share with Ohio educators and we are looking for the most useful online avenue...
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Zoo Crew Take a Hike
Posted: 2/2/2009
On Saturday January 24th, a few teen Zoo Crew members got to go on a naturalist guided hike at Forest Hill Park. Wendy Weirich did a fabulous job teaching us not only about the surrounding wildlife, but also about the park's history. We learned about how the park had been donated by John D....
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A Night with the Monsters
Posted: 1/26/2009
The Zoo will be on the road this weekend, making an appearance on Saturday, January 31 at the Lake Erie Monsters hockey game. All of your favorite zoo animals will be on hand, including snakes, lizards, birds and even a few furry friends. Game time is 7:30 p.m. and the animals will be roaming the...
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Remembering Timmy the Gorilla on his 50th Birthday
Posted: 1/16/2009
When I began my career in 1977 as an Animal Keeper at the Zoo, the gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans, cats and various monkeys were housed in the old Main Building. Tim was our male gorilla, and he lived side-by-side with an older female named Yogi. They lived in separate enclosures and were not ...
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Zoo ushers in 2009 with Noon Year's Eve celebration!
Posted: 1/2/2009
The celebration began at 10 a.m. with the first 2500 kids under 12 getting a complimentary Noon Year's Eve souvenir cup, beverage and chips courtesy of Coke and Shearer's. This family was the first to arrive -- braving the elements -- all the way from Madison, Ohio! Children of all ages to...
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Keeper and Animal Relationships
Posted: 1/2/2009
When I tell people that I work with animals at the Zoo, their initial vision may be that of a keeper who spends his day playing with the animals. This is an expected response from a public who often sees Jack Hanna on TV handling zoo animals or countless other animal programs portraying similar s...
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Zoo Volunteer Named One of Cleveland's 'Most Interesting People'
Posted: 1/2/2009
Congratulations to Maribeth Flowers, a teen volunteer here at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, for being named one of 2009's "Most Interesting People" by Cleveland Magazine. A Zoo Crew volunteer for the past three years, Maribeth was selected to go on a trip to the arctic last year to st...
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What's up with Coyotes?
Posted: 12/31/2008
On Saturday, November 22, 2008, Zoo Crew, a handful of other Metroparks volunteers and park visitors joined naturalist Dave Dvorak on a hike titled "Coyotes Fact or Fiction" at the Cleveland Metroparks Rocky River Reservation. Bundled up in heavy coats, scarves, gloves and boots (some ...
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More Ways to Interact with the Zoo Online
Posted: 12/29/2008
It's almost 2009 and Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is celebrating by expanding its online presence to include Twitter and Flickr. Follow us on Twitter ( http://twitter.com/clemetzoo ) -- we'll be tweeting daily about what's happening at the Zoo and any new updates, changes and additions to our activit...
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Check out the Zoo on Channel 3 Tomorrow Morning
Posted: 12/26/2008
Channel 3 News Saturday will feature some of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's winter-loving animals tomorrow morning from 9 to 10:30. Tigers, wolves, a red-tailed hawk, a chinchilla and a crested-sulfur cockatoo are among the scheduled guests. Plus, we'll feature all the latest news about the Zoo's De...
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'Buddy the Elf' Scopes Out Reindeer for Christmas Voyage
Posted: 12/23/2008
According to zoological folklore, every year Santa sends his elves to zoos around the world in search of reindeer that can help him make his all-important deliveries on Christmas Eve. This year was no different, as the big guy sent "Buddy the Elf" to Cleveland to see if our reindeer co...
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Zoo Brings Home the Gold
Posted: 12/11/2008
We don't think we're rock stars, but Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and the Cleveland Zoological Society recently scored some top honors at the Public Relations Society of America's Cleveland Rocks Awards. The Zoo took home a gold award in the Media Relations category for the Gorilla Health ...
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Bob Evans Presents Generous Donation to Zoo's Vernal Pool Project
Posted: 12/9/2008
I was fortunate enough to attend a Bob Evans holiday party last night during which Zoo Marketing & Public Relations Specialist Jo Clemens accepted a very generous contribution to Cleveland Metroparks' and Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's Vernal Pool Project. The contribution was the result of a fu...
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A Rare Look at the Rarest Turtle
Posted: 12/3/2008
The last known Swinhoe's soft-shell turtle in the wild nearly ended up on someone's dinner table last week after it was caught by a fisherman in Vietnam. Luckily, field conservation workers from Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's Asian Turtle Program intervened and saved the rare reptile (Rafetus s...
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By the Numbers: Thanksgiving at the Zoo
Posted: 11/21/2008
To celebrate the holiday, everyone receives free admission to the Zoo and The RainForest on Thanksgiving Day, and there will be lots of opportunities to see special animal feedings throughout the day. To tide you over until then, here are some highlights from the animals' daily diets at Clevelan...
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'Giraffe' Sightings Reported in Zoo's Neighborhood
Posted: 11/17/2008
The Zoo's two baby giraffes, Grace and Lily, are doing great; and I've been visiting them every chance I get. (I'd definitely encourage your family to check out our newest family members soon!) Meanwhile, some local business owners around the Zoo are celebrating giraffes themselves wi...
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Warm Up at The RainForest This Week
Posted: 11/17/2008
In honor of The RainForest's 16th birthday, we're offering buy one, get one free admission to everyone all day Wednesday, November 19, for both the Zoo and The RainForest. (Offer valid for tickets of equal or lesser value only on November 19.) During the Sweet 16 celebration, you'...
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Zoo Makes 'Best of Cleveland' List
Posted: 11/5/2008
Good news, Zoo fans: The readers of Cleveland Scene recently named Cleveland Metroparks Zoo as the "Best Place to Take Kids." Of course, we appreciate being so prominently featured in Scene's "Best of Cleveland 2008" poll, but we're hoping that next year we can move up in...
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Zoo Crew Teens Helping Out in the Neighborhood
Posted: 11/5/2008
The typical Saturday routine for most teens is to get up at noon and lounge around the house all day. But not our Zoo Crew! On Saturday, October 25, seven teens from Zoo Crew, including myself, were up bright and early in order to clean up an abandoned lot in Tremont in association with the Eart...
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Do the Zoo for Less!
Posted: 10/31/2008
Don't forget: Starting tomorrow, November 1, your admission to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is discounted to the winter rates of just $7 per person, $5 for kids ages 2 to 11 and free for children under 2 and Zoo members. The discounted rates remain in effect through March 31, 2009. There's plenty of ...
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Final Saturday of Boo at the Zoo
Posted: 10/27/2008
Cleveland Metroparks Boo at the Zoo this year saw only one night of rain and six nights of sell-out crowds. I want to thank everyone who came out and everyone who posed for pictures for our photographers. We hope you had as great a time as we did at Boo. Here are some photos from Saturday night,...
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Boo Week Two: Photo Gallery from Thursday Night
Posted: 10/25/2008
Photos from Boo at the Zoo on Thursday, October 23, 2008. It just keeps getting more fun for me to take these photos. Keep smiling for the camera everyone!
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Boo by the Numbers
Posted: 10/21/2008
With one weekend down and one to go for Boo at the Zoo, here's your insider's look at what goes into this eight-night event: 240,000 pieces of candy are given out during the event. 21,652 people attended the first weekend of Boo. 5,000 pounds of pumpkins decorate the Zoo. 1,500...
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Sunday Night Boo at the Zoo Photo Gallery
Posted: 10/20/2008
Last night's Boo at the Zoo saw a sell-out crowd and slightly warmer temperatures than Saturday. All in all, the first week of Boo was lots of fun and we managed to get by with no rain (although we did have a little scare on Thursday but it cleared up before the event). Thanks to everyone who cam...
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A Wolf Named Gage!
Posted: 10/20/2008
Thanks to everyone who voted to name our new male grey wolf. We received a total of 1579 votes (702 online votes and 877 paper ballots). The winning name was "Gage" and the final tallies for each name were as follows: Gage: 712 Joshua: 357 Merrill: 261 Garth: 247 We also had creative wr...
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Boo at the Zoo Photo Gallery - Friday, October 17
Posted: 10/18/2008
Here are my newest shots from Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's Boo at the Zoo on Friday, October 17. Thanks to all of you who let me take photos - the costumes were awesome.
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Exclusive Look: First Batch of Boo at the Zoo Photos
Posted: 10/18/2008
Here's a look through the lens of our first night of Boo at the Zoo. Were you there? Did you smile for the camera? ( photos by Jim DeBonis )
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Cleveland Browns Visit the Zoo
Posted: 10/17/2008
Very soon you'll be able to find out what happens when a bunch of professional football players come nose-to-nose with exotic creatures both great and small. Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Cribbs and four of his teammates brought their kids to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo earlier this month to ...
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What is the Relationship Between the Zoo's Lions?
Posted: 10/14/2008
Hi Linda, I am glad to hear you love our lions. I agree, they are very cool. Moufasa and Chloe both came to us from Zooworld in Panama City, Florida. Moufasa will be 11 years old very soon. His birthday is November 2, 1997. Chloe is 10 years old and will turn 11 on January 30, 2009. They are rela...
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Help us Name our New Grey Wolf
Posted: 10/10/2008
Tomorrow, October 11, is Wolf Awareness Day at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo -- kicking off National Wolf Awareness Week, October 12 - 18. As part of the festivities, we're asking Zoo visitors to help us name our new 2-year-old male grey wolf recently acquired from the Wildlife Science Center i...
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So You Want to be a Zookeeper - Part 2
Posted: 10/6/2008
Being a Zookeeper is a very physical job. You will be lifting, bending, twisting and on your feet many hours a day. Some of the lifting will be heavy: you may be part of a group carrying an anesthetized 500-pound-plus polar bear on a sling, picking up elephant poo or throwing heavy bales of hay t...
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Seasons Changing at the Zoo
Posted: 10/3/2008
Temperatures dropped this week, and the sun is setting a lot earlier these days. But it wasn't until arriving at the Zoo today that I finally realized summer is pretty much over. Our seasonal exhibit TOUCH! Amazing Rays & Sharks closed on Sunday, and the dozens of stingrays that made it a hu...
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2008 Photo Safari Winners Gallery
Posted: 9/23/2008
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's 2008 Photo Safari winners list (photos in gallery below): Birds 1st Place Ernie Aranyosi of Uniontown 2nd Place Rochelle Murdock of Strongsville 3rd Place Edward Sivon of Henderson, Nevada Plants/Insects 1st Place Bob Trinnes of Solon 2nd Place Jim Kennedy of Se...
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Winning Photo Safari Entries Announced Next Week!
Posted: 9/19/2008
Attention Photo Safari participants -- Yesterday, a panel of judges poured through more than 800 entries. It wasn't easy but first, second and third place winners (and Best of Show) have been selected. All of the winners along with their photographs will be available for view...
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Will You Be Our Millionth Visitor of 2008?
Posted: 9/17/2008
So far this year, 970,903 people have visited Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. I'm guessing we'll hit the 1 million mark within the next few weeks. And if you're our lucky millionth visitor of 2008, we'll hook you up with a prize package including a one-year membership to the Cleveland Zoological Societ...
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Maribeth Says Farewell to Summer and Prepares to Journey into the Subarctic
Posted: 9/15/2008
It's been quite a while since I've sent in an update to the Zoo, and I have quite a bit to share with all of you! The Roar Report has made me notorious; I've had people recognize me in the grocery store now! As I'm writing this, there are exactly thirty- three days left until I fly to Winnipeg, a...
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The Pachyderm Building Has Closed
Posted: 9/11/2008
Originally opened in 1956, the Pachyderm Building was the first stop for generations of visitors to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. As of this week, the building is closed to the public to allow for construction of African Elephant Crossing, an expanded and enhanced elephant habitat at the site o...
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Experience TOUCH! for Free This Month
Posted: 9/8/2008
TOUCH! Amazing Rays & Sharks is the hands-down hit of the summer -- with more than 235,000 people experiencing the interactive exhibit so far this summer. To celebrate its success, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo will be offering free admission to TOUCH! beginning Wednesday through t...
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Farewell Wishes
Posted: 9/4/2008
It appears that the staff and volunteers at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo are not the only ones who will miss the elephants while they're in Columbus. Many of you have shared your elephant pictures and stories with us. A few of you have even sent in hand-made farewell cards for the elephants (a...
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Weekend Amphibian Adventures
Posted: 9/4/2008
The project is surveying amphibians around northern Ohio looking for the deadly chytrid fungus . It is thought that this fungus, which is decimating amphibian populations in the humid tropics, has been here in Ohio for many years, but because of our temperate climate the fungus doesn't thrive. On...
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Our Baby Giraffe Has Been Named!
Posted: 8/29/2008
Thanks to everyone who voted at myfoxcleveland.com to help us pick a name for the new baby giraffe here at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. The winning name, announced this morning, is "Grace." The giraffe keepers suggested the name because the baby is, well ... let's just say she's still learning to be...
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Do Gorillas have Personalities?
Posted: 8/26/2008
Cindy recently commented on how much she loves our gorillas and wondered how their personalities differ. I was immediately impressed that Cindy recognized gorillas have distinct personalities. I am always somewhat surprised when people are amazed to hear that our gorillas are very much individua...
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Time's Running Out to Experience TOUCH!
Posted: 8/26/2008
Although I had seen photos from last year's TOUCH! exhibit, I really didn't know what to expect. As I got closer to the pool, I heard children and adults giggling. I could see the awestruck look on their faces as they reached down into the pool as the rays swam past. Now, it was my t...
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Help Us Name Our Baby Giraffe!
Posted: 8/26/2008
Our adorable baby giraffe needs a name, and you can help us pick one for her. Watch Fox 8 News in the Morning all week long for details, or visit their website to vote (voting is now over) for your favorite name. We'll announce the winning name right here on The Roar Report on Friday morning. And...
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The Trunk Party: A Celebration WE Will Not Forget
Posted: 8/25/2008
Saturday's Trunk Party was an opportunity for thousands of Northeast Ohio elephant fans to send off Moshi, Martika and Jo with their best wishes for a safe journey to Columbus. We signed a huge farewell card. We listened to music by the amazing "Cellephants." We made elephant ears. We w...
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Creature Comforts 2008 Wrap Video
Posted: 8/20/2008
In the midst of planning for our upcoming Trunk Party this weekend, I've been scrambling to put together some clips of the amazing enrichment demonstrations we witnessed at the Zoo's annual Creature Comforts event which took place on August 9. So, for all of you who have been asking me for it, th...
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Calling All Amateur Photographers!
Posted: 8/19/2008
Photo Safari entries are coming in fast and furious. For you procrastinators, I want to remind you that you have less than two weeks left to send in your favorite photos for consideration. Looking for that perfect picture? There's a plethora of photo opportunities at the Zoo including our n...
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Pets Respect Amphibians and Wildlife
Posted: 8/12/2008
Cairn terriers Wylee (left) and Koko (right) and their owners visited Medina County's Summer Celebration on July 26th, and made a personal pledge to "Leap into Action" and always be kind to amphibians. They learned that it is important for dogs (and cats) to respect amphibians and ot...
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Photo Gallery of Creature Comforts
Posted: 8/11/2008
Thanks to everyone who came out on August 9 for Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's Creature Comforts -- our day devoted to animal enrichment. The Zoo's staff and volunteers worked very hard to make this our best day of enrichment ever. From very realistic papier-mâché prey items to Pet-richm...
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Creatures get Comforts (and some get Watermelons)
Posted: 8/7/2008
In promoting the Zoo's annual animal enrichment day, Creature Comforts, we gave our two male gorillas, Mokolo and Bebac, a breakfast of whole watermelons on Thursday. They were hidden in the outdoor gorilla exhibit in burlap bags, but that didn't deter the gorillas. They knew exactly where to fin...
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Two Hundred Celebrate 'Year of the Frog'
Posted: 8/7/2008
On Sunday, August 3, 2008, over 200 people came out to the F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm at Summit County to celebrate "The Year of the Frog." We had games, crafts, a lecture, and a hike to our vernal pool to keep people busy. Families had a blast as they looked at some of our native ...
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Amphibians Spotted in North Carolina Excursion
Posted: 8/7/2008
Well, we only had two afternoons for the "hunt" but we did pretty well. We particularly liked the group of salamanders called "Plethodontids." The plethodontids breathe right through their skin like all amphibians, but these guys take it a step further; these species do not ev...
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Nature Club Students Travel to West Creek Reservation
Posted: 8/7/2008
Incarnate Word Academy Nature Club students were fortunate enough to learn about "The Year of the Frog" efforts first hand on their May 2008 field trip to West Creek Reservation . Tim Krynak, a Metroparks naturalist, taught these eager students about the importance of the health of the amphibian ...
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Knoxville's Baby Chimp Has Cleveland Ties
Posted: 7/28/2008
Tried-and-true fans of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo may remember "Jimbo," the male chimpanzee who lived at our Primate, Cat & Aquatics Building for 18 years before moving to Knoxville Zoo in 2006. During his time here in Cleveland, Jimbo fathered two chimps -- one in 1989 and another i...
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So You Want To Be A Zoo Keeper
Posted: 7/28/2008
When I started as a Zookeeper (back in the bronze age), the zoo profession was starting to apply more stringent educational requirements, and we were beginning to see people entering the field with exotic animal husbandry and management as their professional career goal. Today, it is common for ...
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Robin Swoboda is Back at the Zoo
Posted: 7/25/2008
She was here last summer and now she's back! Don't miss "That's Life with Robin Swoboda" at 10 a.m., Monday, July 28 on Fox 8 for an entire hour featuring Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. The recently-taped show also features Jen Toohey and Rebecca Wilde from Cleveland's Q104 radio station an...
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Thank a Keeper this Week
Posted: 7/24/2008
This week marks National Zoo Keeper week across the country. Created by The American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK), National Zoo Keeper Week recognizes the significant role of zoo keepers and aquarists in animal care and conservation. There are approximately 6,000 animal care professionals i...
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Zoo Week on WKYC-TV3, July 21-25
Posted: 7/21/2008
Another heads-up! NBC affiliate WKYC-TV3 will be broadcasting its morning show live from the Zoo every day this week, July 21 through 25. I've been informed that there will be some cool giveaways like being a vet for a day, having a birthday party at the Zoo, being a cast member in "Profess...
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Is That a TV Anchor Shoveling Elephant Poo?
Posted: 7/17/2008
After doing "Channel 3 News Today" this morning, co-anchor Abby Ham made her way down to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, looking to learn about how we turn elephant dung into compost that you can use in your own gardens. What better way to learn than by doing? So we armed Abby with a wheelba...
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Get Close to Animals at Select Bob Evans Locations
Posted: 7/17/2008
Beachwood Bob Evans customers got a surprise two nights ago when Cleveland Metroparks Zoo animals greeted them on their way into the restaurant. Zoo staff and small animals will be visiting two more Bob Evans locations in the next two weeks. On Tuesday, July 22 , from 5 to 8 p.m., you can get cl...
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Zoo to be Featured in Living Green Special on WEWS-TV5
Posted: 7/15/2008
Heads up! I just received word that local ABC affiliate WEWS-TV5 will be airing a special program called "Living Green" tomorrow night, Wednesday, July 16, at 8 p.m. The special will feature Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's Resource Management Coordinator, Nancy Hughes, discussing some of the...
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A Look at Animal Care at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Posted: 7/14/2008
Hello everyone. Just a quick introduction and then I will tell you what this blog will be about. My name is Tad (AKA, Tad the Primate Guy) I am an Animal Care Manager (ACM) here at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. ACMs (there are four of us) supervise the Animal Keeper staff and are the link between Ani...
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Celebrating Our Rhino's First Birthday
Posted: 7/10/2008
At 1,300 pounds, it's hard to believe the youngest black rhino at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is just a baby. But "little" Zuri has her first birthday tomorrow, July 11. In honor of this mondo milestone, the rhino keepers will be making Zuri a special "cake." (OK,...
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Starbucks Stirring Up a Buzz at the Zoo
Posted: 7/2/2008
Wow...I can hardly believe my own eyes! My favorite part of the morning -- sipping my "venti" size cup of Starbucks brew -- is now available for me at the Zoo. It's like a dream come true...arriving at a job I enjoy and having my coffee order ready and waiting for me, thanks in part to...
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New Found Friend
Posted: 7/2/2008
Well I was sure that I could that I had no way to make a difference in my own backyard. But thanks to Kathy (Amphibian keeper) at the Cleveland Zoo, I made a few upgrades to my back yard and I will have new friends living in it. Here is just one of the many new friends. Blog and photo submitted ...
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Old Glory
Posted: 7/1/2008
An eight-foot long, giant American flag is taking shape in the center of the Zoo's Welcome Plaza. Beautiful red and white begonias and blue ageratum create the stars and stripes in this giant garden. It's just a part of the patriotic fun at Red, White & Zoo weekend July 4-6 . Don&rsquo...
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National Geographic Searches for Amphibians in Ecuador
Posted: 7/1/2008
This last trip was particularly exciting because National Geographic visited us at RLG to work on a story about the global amphibian crisis. We took them out into the field to document the work we are doing with amphibians on RLG. One of our goals of this visit was to find and collect a rare glas...
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Zoo has New Faces and Spaces
Posted: 6/27/2008
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is reaching out to fans wherever they are. Connecting with our increasingly web-savvy audience and participating in community-focused websites is becoming a necessity and we want our web users to be able to share experiences, exchange information and provide feedback in a...
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Safety First at the Zoo
Posted: 6/25/2008
Today was the annual Safety Day event here at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, and lots of kids had a blast playing games, learning safety tips and meeting some fine law-enforcement officers. Our friends at the Greater Cleveland Safety Council organized Safety Day and brought along all kinds of fu...
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The Singing Dogs Now Have Names
Posted: 6/23/2008
The votes have been counted, and our pair of New Guinea singing dogs have been named. Say 'hello' to Koko and Karai! Our pups got their names courtesy of Zoo fans and Fox 8 viewers who voted online last week. If you're wondering, 'Karai' means 'howl' and 'Koko' means 'cocoa' in a native language ...
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First Ever Red, White & Zoo!
Posted: 6/20/2008
Oh say can you see...the red, white and blue at the Zoo? Join us at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo on July 4-6 for the first ever "Red, White & Zoo" celebration. We'll be offering holiday weekend discounts and the first 2,000 kids on Friday will recieve a patriotic prize. Visitors c...
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Something's Brewing at the Zoo!
Posted: 6/19/2008
We don't want to spill the beans just yet, but there'll be a perky new addition to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's Welcome Plaza very soon! Any guesses what it'll be???
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Help Us Name Our New Guinea Singing Dogs!
Posted: 6/11/2008
All you have to do is tune in to Fox 8 News in the Morning all next week for details. You'll have a chance to vote on names for the Zoo's two New Guinea singing dogs, and the winning names will be announced on the air Friday, June 20. We don't want to give away too much, but among the options yo...
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Rhinos Bowling - Caught on Film!
Posted: 5/29/2008
The annual Bowling for Rhinos fundraiser is coming up this weekend, and rhino keeper Heather Strawn tells me we're in need of more bowlers. Last year everyone had a great time. On a personal note, my third-ever attempt at bowling (yes, 'tis true) was a complete disaster, but I did manage to walk...
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They're Here...
Posted: 5/20/2008
New frog exhibits are scattered around the Zoo for the grand opening of Frogs, Hogs & Dogs, the Zoo's new summer attraction. You'll see giant Marine toads and tiny blue poison dart frogs. But, you'll also find larger-than-life frogs that mark buildings with new frog exhibits. Look for giant ...
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Guitar Frog?
Posted: 5/20/2008
While learning about the plight of amphibians, students in kindergarten through eighth grade helped boost the frog population, at least momentarily. Each of the 500 students at the school created two of their very own frogs to attach to two giant murals. The 20-foot works of art depict two wetla...
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Grants Obtained for the Vernal Pool Habitat Project!
Posted: 5/20/2008
We are happy to announce the receipt of several grants that have been obtained to support Leap into Action's vernal pool habitat project . We received $1,500 from the Aquarium and Zoo Facilities Association (AZFA) Clark Waldram Conservation Fund , $750 from the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Cans for C...
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Maribeth Ponders her Upcoming Opportunity with PBI
Posted: 5/19/2008
Last week, I was lucky enough to meet two very inspirational people: Robert Buchanan, president of Polar Bears International, and his wife, Carolyn Buchanan, the foundation's director of development. After spending only two minutes with them, we were already joking together, and bonding over our...
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(Butter)Flying into Summer
Posted: 5/15/2008
In preparing for opening weekend of the Zoo's summer 2008 exhibits, I've been spending much of my time snapping photos around the Zoo. Today while I was out, I sneaked into the Public Greenhouse to check out the butterflies of Butterfly Magic. The greenhouse (across from Waterfowl Lake, next to ...
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2008 Grants Recipients Announced
Posted: 5/12/2008
Recipients of the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo/Cleveland Zoological Society 2008 competitive grants program have been announced. The program supports wildlife conservation and research projects in North America ( Small Grants ), Latin America ( Scott Neotropical Fund ), Africa ( Africa Seed Grants )...
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Science is Fun!
Posted: 5/12/2008
Stations throughout Nord Hall taught physics, chemistry, and biology in ways that were both educational and very entertaining. You could do everything from learning about the physiology of snakes to building a self propelled toy car -- you could even create fluorescent green slime to scare you m...
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Cleveland Metroparks Zoo introduces 13 un-FROG-ettable sculptures this summer
Posted: 5/5/2008
Just like Chicago had Cows on Parade and Cleveland had GuitarMania, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo introduces 13 un-FROG-ettable sculptures this summer. The colorful creations will be scattered throughout the Zoo starting Thursday, May 22, courtesy of some generous sponsors and local students. The rib...
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Student Run Amphibian Conservation Education Project
Posted: 5/5/2008
Fifth Graders at Dodge intermediate School in Twinsburg are participating in an amphibian conservation education project. They will be making an "Amphibians of Ohio" poster with the help of Treefrog Educational . These posters will be located around Twinsburg to highlight the need to protect amph...
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A-MAZE-ment: New Exhibit Takes Shape
Posted: 5/5/2008
The Zoo's new summer exhibit, A-MAZE-ing Amphibians , was constructed entirely by manpower in one day - Thursday, May 1, 2008. It went from from wooden boxes to fully-formed structure in a matter of hours. But the real question is: how long will it take all you froglets out there to navigate thr...
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Art for Elephants
Posted: 5/5/2008
Delaney (age 7) and Macy (age 5) held an art show and sale to help raise money for the Zoo's new elephant exhibit – African Elephant Crossing. The girls created numerous works of art from puppies and rainbows to landscapes and portraits. Friends, family and neighbors toured the galle...
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North Coast Nature Festival
Posted: 5/1/2008
The festival started on Friday, April 25th with evening presentations by well known photographer and author, Rod Planck. All day activities took place both Saturday and Sunday. Visitors could choose from a wide variety of activities such as specialized nature hikes, classroom presentations and s...
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Professor Wylde's Coming to the Zoo!
Posted: 4/30/2008
Those of you who've checked out the live animal show at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in summers past may remember the star -- Dr. ZooLittle. Well that guy's history, thanks to trademark issues with the San Diego Zoo. But this summer, we've got an even better character to headline our summer animal s...
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Zoo Teens Improve Habitat for Native Plants
Posted: 4/30/2008
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's teen volunteer group, Zoo Crew, went on the road on April 26th to West Creek Reservation, located in Parma. It was a beautiful day to meet Naturalist Debra Shankland, and hike the hills of the newest Cleveland Metroparks reservation. Our main reason for going was to pu...
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Vern the Wood Frog Meets Flat Stanley
Posted: 4/28/2008
Flat Stanley is the title character in a book written by Jeff Brown. In the book, a boy named Stanley Lambchop is flattened when a bulletin board falls on him. He's not hurt, he's just flat. When he is invited to visit a friend who had moved away, his parents put him into a large envelope and ma...
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Medina County Earth Day Celebration
Posted: 4/28/2008
Vendors were plentiful and focused on such topics as organic gardening, soil and water conservation, green building design, recycled products, and, of course, amphibian awareness (just to name a few). Activities were also abundant and the kids were kept busy with games, crafts, fishing and kite ...
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Remember Cronus? Zoo's Titan Arum Enters Leaf Stage
Posted: 4/24/2008
After blooming in 2007 , the Zoo's titan arum, Cronus, entered a dormant period for several months. But he is back and dazzling us again. Cronus has produced a leaf and oh what a leaf! A single huge umbrella-like leaf has appeared at the top of Cronus' stalk. The Zoo's Manager of Horticulture, D...
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Only Six Months 'til Boo at the Zoo!
Posted: 4/23/2008
All of your friends here at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo are busy getting ready for our summer season and our new Frogs, Hogs & Dogs attraction. But we got a friendly reminder this week that Boo at the Zoo is just about six months away. Sharifa Atkins, a loyal Zoo member, emailed us this great p...
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Salamanders in North Chagrin
Posted: 4/22/2008
There are also a few groups of Jefferson Salamanders and Red-Spotted Newt that join in. Many Frogs and snakes can be seen at the pools including Wood frogs,spring peepers, green frogs, pickerel frogs, American Toad,and Nerodia. Submitted by: Michele in Willoughby, Ohio
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Zoo Staff Adopts a Local Beach
Posted: 4/10/2008
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is part of a Great Lakes Consortium of Zoos and Aquariums dedicated to improving the Great Lakes and beaches for wildlife. In February we "tested the waters" by kicking off a new Lake Erie Adopt-a-Beach program with the Alliance for the Great Lakes. Twelve staff...
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Zoo Crew Teen Headed to Canada for Polar Bear International's Leadership Camp
Posted: 4/9/2008
A Zoo Crew teen going to see polar bears in Churchill, Canada? What an exciting opportunity!! The Conservation Education Division and the Cleveland Chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers were able to select one teen to attend Polar Bears International's Leadership Camp in October 200...
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Twinsburg Yellow Spotted Salamander Migration
Posted: 4/3/2008
We found many salamanders in the vernal pools and also many spring peepers, wood frogs, and a few northern leopard frogs. The salamanders were fascinating and the noise from the tree frogs was deafening! WOW! Under the guidance of the naturalist that led our group, we studied these salamanders i...
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Love is in the Air
Posted: 4/3/2008
Spotted and Jeffersons salamanders and Eastern Newts made their way across ditch and road in search of love while spring peeper and wood frog males sang romantic ballads appealing to many a female frog. Some of the male wood frogs were so excited by the season that they might have been "loo...
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Spider Tortoise Baby Video
Posted: 4/2/2008
Check out the video debut of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's spider tortoise hatchling: Video (also available in windows media or quicktime formats):
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Chytrid Resistance Study
Posted: 4/2/2008
Chytridiomycosis, or cutaneous infection with the fungus Bactrachochytrium dendrobatidis , has caused significant depletion in global amphibian populations. This chytrid fungus has been found in the native habitat of Panamanian golden frogs, now extremely rare in the wild. A few Panamanian golden...
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Carrikeri Harlequin Frog Re-discovered
Posted: 4/1/2008
The Carrikeri harlequin frog ( Atelopus carrikeri ) is listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as Critically Endangered, because a population decline of more than 80% was projected as a result of the effects of the virulent chytrid fungus. Chytrid fungus is known to be causing devastat...
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The Smell of Spring at the Zoo
Posted: 3/28/2008
Spring is almost in the air - and so is the smell of ZooPoo! The pungent piles of poop have cooked away all winter long, producing mounds of the richest and most exotic compost in Northeast Ohio. Now is your chance to purchase a bulk scoop (approximately one cubic yard) of that rich elephant, gi...
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Spider Tortoise Hatchling - a Repeat Success!
Posted: 3/27/2008
Remember this story? It's one year later and we've got another one! Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Herpetologist Brad Poynter has repeated his success in hatching a Northern spider tortoise at The RainForest ( read the press release ). Although its gender is unknown, the little tortoise has been nickn...
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Frozen Frogs
Posted: 3/24/2008
Wood frogs are amazing creatures. They are the only frog that lives north of the arctic circle, that's even colder than Cleveland! Believe it or not wood frogs actually freeze solid when temperatures get too cold, then "thaw out" when temperatures warm up and it is time for them to mat...
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Twinsburg Salamander and Frog Fest
Posted: 3/17/2008
The event was a success. Visitors were able to view a Tiger Salamander, compete in a coloring contest, meet the Zoo's mascot Vern the Wood Frog, and even create their own slimy critters out of clay. We recently received this email from Gabriella of Twinsburg. She wanted to share her experiences ...
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Leap Frog Day - Were You There?
Posted: 3/5/2008
Never mind the Cleveland weather, Leap Frog Day had the Zoo hopping with activity on Friday, February 29. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo celebrated Leap Day in style with our event highlighting the Zoo's frog collection and Year of the Frog. There were activities for all ages, and Vern the Wood Frog gr...
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Teacher Thanks Zoo Conservation & Science Curator
Posted: 3/4/2008
On Tuesday, February 26th, Kristen Lukas, Conservation & Science Curator at the Zoo, visited the third grade students at Cuyahoga Heights Elementary School. 50 plus children listened intently while Kristen talked about conservation and amphibian decline due to loss of habitat and fungus. Kri...
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Can you name that frog?
Posted: 3/3/2008
Once you do this, take the next step and become involved in a citizen science project to monitor amphibians in your area, such as Frog Watch or the Great Lakes Marsh Monitoring Program . Citizen volunteers contribute much needed information about the state of amphibian populations through these ...
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Learning about Ohio's Amphibians
Posted: 3/3/2008
I just had to share a photo of my family turning over a log to look for salamanders at Cleveland Metroparks North Chagrin Reservation last fall. We were rewarded when we found and held several salamanders before returning everything back to the way we found it. Submitted by: Kristen, Cleveland, ...
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Echidnas Now on Exhibit... What ARE they?
Posted: 2/29/2008
During their time in quarantine in Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's Steffee Center for Zoological Medicine, the two echidnas underwent medical exams to determine their gender and overall health and we caught it all on camera. Watch our behind-the-scenes video for an introduction to these very unusual ...
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Biodiversity Alliance Kicks Off Environmental Lecture Series
Posted: 2/21/2008
Edgardo vividly told the story of the global amphibian crisis and used the EVACC facility as a prime example of how an ark-like rescue facility can and is saving the endemic amphibian species of Panama from certain extinction. To help support Edgardo's and the EVACC facility's efforts, the...
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Meet the Zoo's New Frog Mascot
Posted: 2/21/2008
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo will introduce "Vern," our new frog mascot, at our Leap Frog Day event on Friday, February 29 at The RainForest. The costumed character is named after "vernal pools," which are the wetland habitats where some species of frogs live. Vern is modeled after the wood frog, whi...
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Gorilla Update on Today!
Posted: 2/15/2008
On Friday, February 15, 2008, the Today Show aired a special report on Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's Gorilla Health Project and the recent gorilla health procedure performed at the Sarah Allison Steffee Center for Zoological Medicine. ( watch the video ). The Zoo's two gorillas, Bebac and Mokolo, a...
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Local and National Coverage of Gorilla Project
Posted: 2/14/2008
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's Gorilla Health Project and our recent gorilla check-ups have been receiving quite a bit of local and national media coverage. Lucky for us, much of the coverage has also been made available online. For those who missed the broadcasts, check out these links: Plain Dealer...
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Remembering the 'American da Vinci'
Posted: 1/28/2008
Since 1956, the massive "Mammoth" and "Mastodon" sculptures have welcomed millions of visitors to the Pachyderm Building at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Undoubtedly among the most memorable sights at the Zoo, the 32-ton pieces were the work of world-renowned Cleveland artist Vik...
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The Search for an American Toad
Posted: 1/23/2008
Back in August we went to an evening event at North Chagrin Nature Center and I spent the majority of the time scoping the pond for frogs. I was so excited to finally catch this American toad! After my mom took this picture, I released him back into the pond. Made my whole night! Submitted by: H...
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Zoo's Amphibian Keeper Hopping to It
Posted: 1/19/2008
2008 Year of the Frog is off to a great start! Kathy Krynak, the Zoo's Amphibian Keeper has been keeping ultra busy, as 2008 is the official year to celebrate her "cold and slimeys!" On Tuesday, January 15, she spoke at the Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society's meeting, delivering the facts about th...
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Takin' it to the Streets
Posted: 1/15/2008
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's amphibian keeper, Kathy Krynak, has been doing double duty lately educating the public on the global plight of amphibians. Yesterday morning, January 14, she was joined by husband and Cleveland Metroparks Naturalist Tim Krynak and Biodiversity Alliance conservation pro...
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Start Leaping into Year of the Frog at Great Lakes Brewery
Posted: 1/12/2008
Join Kathy Krynak, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Amphibian Keeper, and Tim Krynak, Cleveland Metroparks Naturalist, on January 14, 2008 for Science Café Cleveland at Great Lakes Brewing Company. Kathy and Tim will be discussing the global amphibian crisis in two sessions, 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Reser...
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Happy Noon Year! The Video
Posted: 1/4/2008
Were you caught on film? (also available in windows media or quicktime formats)
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Zoo Year Began at Noon - Were You There?
Posted: 1/2/2008
2008 is a new, ZOO, year and we would like to start off by thanking all our visitors for coming out to the Zoo's Noon Year's Eve event on December 31, 2007. The number of visitors more than doubled last last year's attendance. We would also like to thank our presenting sponsor, Dollar Bank, our ...
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It's Almost Noon Year!
Posted: 12/31/2007
The grown-ups can celebrate later tonight, but kids get to celebrate 2008's arrival during daylight hours at the second annual Noon Year's Eve party at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. today Monday, December 31. Admission to Noon Year's Eve is free for residents of...
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So Much to do in December at the Zoo
Posted: 12/21/2007
December Days at the Zoo has something for everyone. If you like it cold, check out our ice sculpting demos by Artic Creations from noon to 2 daily on the Welcome Plaza. Then take a stroll through Northern Trek where you can meet our animal keepers, view our cold-weather animals and warm up in W...
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Video: Zoo Vet Staff Fosters 'Foster'
Posted: 12/12/2007
Meet Foster, he's an eight-month-old Parma wallaby joey being hand-raised by Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's veterinary care staff at the Sarah Allison Steffee Center for Zoological Medicine. Vet Technicians became foster parents to the young wallaby in October when Foster's mother was no longer able...
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And the Winner is...
Posted: 12/11/2007
The Zoo's Marketing & Public Relations Department received two silver PRSA Cleveland Rocks awards at a luncheon held at Windows on the River in the Powerhouse in the Flats (photo to right). The Zoo received its first award in the category "Special Events and Observances, Seven or F...
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5 Days to December Days
Posted: 12/10/2007
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's December Days runs from December 15 through December 30 (the Zoo is closed on December 25). Activities will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. A schedule of activities is now available on the event page, including performers and times for The RainForest's Crocodile Caf&...
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Dr. Z Needs a New Name!
Posted: 12/6/2007
We used to call him Dr. ZooLittle, but it's time to rename the lead character in Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's wild animal shows and traveling road show. (Let's just say some trademark issues got in the way.) The good news is that you can help us pick a new name! We've already gotten some great sug...
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Elephants vs. Pumpkins: The Video
Posted: 11/20/2007
Not only will the elephants be getting more pumpkins, but if you come to the Zoo on Thanksgiving Day, November 22, 2007, you'll see several special enrichment demonstrations involving our animals and their favorite holiday treats: swamp monkeys "bobbing" for grapes, grizzly bears forag...
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Smashing Pumpkins With the Elephants
Posted: 11/19/2007
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's three elephants will enjoy a pre-Thanksgiving feast of pumpkins at 1 p.m. Tuesday, November 20. Stop by the Zoo and see if the elephants will smash, eat or smash and eat these tasty treats. The elephants will enjoy more pumpkins on Thanksgiving Day, when all visitors t...
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See the Zoo at The Q!!!
Posted: 11/14/2007
It'll be a Zoo at The Q this weekend, that's for sure. Dr. Z and friends from Cleveland Metroparks Zoo will be heading to the Quicken Loans Arena for some exciting hockey action as the Lake Erie Monsters take on the Manitoba Moose at 5 p.m. Sunday, November 18. Look for Dr. Z on the councourse b...
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Stuffing a Van at the Zoo
Posted: 11/14/2007
Thanks to everyone who supported the "Stuff the Van" promotion at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo this past weekend. More than 700 food items and $800 in cash and checks were donated to provide struggling families and individuals with meals this holiday season. Special thanks to Rebecca Pasin...
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A Bear of a Winter Ahead? Ask the Expert.
Posted: 11/1/2007
What does Mother Nature have in store for Cleveland's weather in the final months of 2007? The animals already know, and Tim Pappas, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's bear keeper, will interpret for us. Tim gives his winter weather forecast to meteorologist Jason Nicholas of Cleveland's News Channel 5 ...
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Boo at the Zoo Wrap and Photos from Sunday Night
Posted: 10/29/2007
Attendance broke a record for this year's Boo at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo: over 41,000 people showed up to enjoy the performances, the activities and the animals. We thank all the new and repeat performers, the volunteers, the staff members and especially Zoo visitors who made 2007 Boo at the Zo...
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Last Chance to Boo and Photos from Friday Night
Posted: 10/28/2007
There are still tickets remaining for tonight's Boo at the Zoo, but only a few. Below are some photos taken on Friday night. As you can see, despite the rain, a great time was had by all, even the animals. ( photos by Jungle Jeanne )
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Educator's Open House
Posted: 10/26/2007
164 educators and their family members enjoyed private access to The RainForest on Tuesday, October 23rd for our annual Educator's Open House. This year's event drew in the largest number of educators since it began in 2000. Did you know you can talk to students in Georgia through Distance Learn...
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Deja Boo at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Posted: 10/26/2007
Boo is back this week, and it's even better than last week. We have some additional performers in the lineup including a band, Zydeco Kings, now playing at Boo Bayou. I wanted to share with you some of the photos we took last night and also give three cheers to all the adults who are dressing up...
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Sunday Night Boo Video and Photos
Posted: 10/22/2007
We hope everyone had as much fun as we did on Sunday night at Boo at the Zoo. Were you caught on film by the photo ghouls? Check out our video clips and photos of the festivities. If you missed it, there are still four days left of Boo: Thursday, October 25 through Sunday, October 28. Get your t...
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Boo Opening Night - Caught on Film!
Posted: 10/19/2007
Boo at the Zoo opened with a bang as 2315 people showed up, most of whom were in costume and ready for a great time. It was one of the Zoo's best-attended Thursday nights ever at Boo, and fortunately we caught a lot of it on film. Were you there? Check out our video and photo gallery below. If y...
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Boo at the Zoo - By the Numbers
Posted: 10/18/2007
As Cleveland's biggest Halloween event for kids and families, Boo at the Zoo takes a LOT to pull together each year. Here's a look at just how much... 220,000 pieces of candy will be given out during Boo at the Zoo 1,500 bales of hay will be used to build this year's Hay Maze 225 pumpkins will d...
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Zoo gets Boo-ier by the Minute
Posted: 10/16/2007
Things are really shaping up like Halloween season here at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo as we prepare for eight nights of spooky fun. If you want to see more than a glimpse, make plans to be at Boo at Zoo, October 18-21 and 25-28. The only thing scary about it is that tickets are going fast. October...
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Boo at the Applebee's
Posted: 10/12/2007
Below are photos of the winning northeast Ohio area Applebee's locations. Be sure to stop by the Applebee's booth at Boo at the Zoo on October 18 & 25. Meet the "Apple-BEE" and create an Apple-Lantern craft. Winner Area 1 - Wooster (no photo) Winner Area 2 - Medina: Winner Area 3 -...
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Gorilla Project to be Highlighted in Cleveland Plain Dealer
Posted: 10/11/2007
Here's a heads-up: Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's newly launched Gorilla Health Project will be featured in Donna J. Miller's "Animals in the News" column in the Metro section of the Cleveland Plain Dealer on Sunday, October 21, 2007. You can also read the column online at cleveland.com . ...
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Those Hay-zee Days of Boo
Posted: 10/9/2007
Autumn in Cleveland means only one thing for Cleveland Metroparks Zoo: time to get ready for Boo! Boo at the Zoo preparations are well underway beginning with the construction of the hay maze. Before it becomes haunted, the maze is laid out on the floor of the Palava Hut by brave marketing perso...
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Photo Safari Winners to be on Display in Time for Boo
Posted: 10/5/2007
The winners of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's 2007 Photo Safari contest are scheduled to be on display in the Zoo's Exhibit Hall by the first day of the Zoo's annual Halloween event Boo at the Zoo. Last year's Photo Safari winners, on display since December 2006, have been removed, and the new winner...
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Giant Bobblehead Comes to Zoo
Posted: 10/1/2007
Hoping to get Clevelanders more hyped up for the Indians' return to the Major League playoffs later this week, Time Warner Cable sent a giant bobblehead to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo on Saturday. The massive Cleveland Indians "doll" stood on the Zoo's Welcome Plaza so fans could get thei...
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Zoo Plays Ed McMahon for Millionth Visitor
Posted: 9/21/2007
There was no oversized check to present, but Cleveland Metroparks Zoo welcomed its millionth visitor of the year with open arms and a big prize package, including a one-year family membership to the Cleveland Zoological Society. So who was lucky Number 1,000,000? Hope Minor, a teacher who came t...
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More Photos from ZOObilee!
Posted: 9/19/2007
Enjoy another gallery of photos taken on September 15, 2007 at ZOObilee! Do you recognize anyone in these photos? Are you in any of them? Let us know in the comments, or, if you were there, let us know what you thought of ZOObilee! (Photos by Cleveland Metroparks Photographer Casey Batule)
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2007 Photo Safari Winners Gallery
Posted: 9/18/2007
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's 2007 Photo Safari winners list (photos in gallery below): Category Place Name Best of Show George Fraatz Mammal 1st Tom Weber 2nd Clinton Buhler 3rd Pete Sefcik Plant/Insect 1st Julie Cross 2nd Tiffany Gillespie 3rd Tom Weber Reptile/Amphibian/Fish 1st Pete Sefc...
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The Animals Amazed: ZOObilee! Enrichment Photos
Posted: 9/16/2007
Below is a snapshot of the animal enrichment activities that happened on Saturday, September 15, 2007 at ZOObilee!, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's 125th anniversary celebration. I'd like to give a big round of applause to all the Animal Care staff who did a fabulous job in showcasing their animals a...
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The Day has Arrived!
Posted: 9/15/2007
ZOObilee! morning, at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo:
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Final Preps for ZOObilee!
Posted: 9/14/2007
Here are a few photos of the final preparations for ZOObilee! Marketing staff members Haley Rinas and Jo Clemens setting tables: The STICKERS have arrived!: On the way to the BP Amphitheater: The weather forecast has changed and there's no rain in sight for Saturday, Septemb...
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The ZOObilee! Homestretch
Posted: 9/13/2007
We're in the final two days of preparing for Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's biggest party of the year, ZOObilee!, on Saturday, September 15, 2007. Today saw the arrival of the pansies for the paper-pot activity (a big thank you to BFG Supply Company, which generously donated them): and the walking-t...
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Creature Comforts '07 Photos
Posted: 9/13/2007
Here's a smattering of some of the photos taken at Creature Comforts 2007: ( photos by Haley Rinas and Jim DeBonis)
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Posted: 9/12/2007
Today we received several of our ZOObilee! banners made by Cleveland Metroparks Visual Communications division. Here are Marketing and P.R. Specialists Jo Clemens (left) and Amanda Majewski showing off one of the new arrivals: Shortly thereafter, I caught (from left to right) Marketing Specialis...
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Make Plans for ZOObilee!
Posted: 9/11/2007
Signage and flags: here, Zoo Marketing & P.R. Specialist and special event planner Amanda Majewski gathers up some of the signs from the warehouse. The photo below it shows the currently-unassuming bag of colorful flags that will be flying 20 feet above your heads at the Zoo on Saturday: This...
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Animals to Open Anniversary Gifts at ZOObilee!
Posted: 9/10/2007
On Saturday, I was honored to be part of a group of Zoo volunteers that assembled and wrappped ZOObilee! anniversary presents for the Zoo's animals. Under the guidance of Animal Keeper Heather Strawn, this particular group of volunteers meets on a regular basis to create animal enrichment items....
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Frog Hunter Discovers New Species
Posted: 8/30/2007
Kathy Krynak, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's amphibian keeper and part-time frog hunter, shared field notes with me from her most recent expedition, during which she traveled to Ecuador with a team of volunteers to conduct an amphibian survey of the land of Reserva Las Grelarias. The survey, sponsor...
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2007 Scott Neotropical Fund Recipients
Posted: 8/30/2007
The grant recipients of the 2007 Cleveland Metroparks Zoo/Cleveland Zoological Society's Scott Neotropical Fund have been announced. The Scott Neotropical Fund supports the work of neotropical residents in their countries through direct project support, training opportunities, and/or technical as...
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A Match Made in ... the Zoo
Posted: 8/23/2007
Who knew you could find love at the Zoo? As part of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's 125th anniversary celebration this year, we asked people to share their favorite Zoo memories with us. We received lots of great responses, but one stood out and really captured our hearts. Here it is: "My ...
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Elephantennial Recap and Photos
Posted: 8/10/2007
The elephants enjoy a cake made of ice, filled with fruit and veggies and topped with ketchup and popcorn - an elephant delicacy! Visitors learned about elephants... and about plans for their new exhibit, African Elephant Crossing, from Zoo Director Steve Taylor. Guests learned about how we care...
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ZooTube is Now on YouTube
Posted: 8/6/2007
To meet our users' growing demand for streaming web content and to decrease the time necessary to download large files, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has created a YouTube channel. Our video podcasts and other video content are now available at YouTube.com/cmzootube . We've even created a rhino playl...
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Two Weeks in the Life of a Titan
Posted: 7/26/2007
Zoo electronics technician Paul Valley isn't taking chances - even before Cronus blooms. Education interpreter Tony Wrobel prays for a weekend blooming. Horticulturist Kevin Mackin expresses his true feelings for Cronus. (Rumor has it that Kevin guessed the exact bloom date well before it happen...
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A Bloomin' Good Time
Posted: 7/10/2007
The animals weren't the only ones getting all of the attention on Sunday. The Zoo's gardens took center-stage at the annual ZooBlooms celebration. Seasoned gardeners and amateur green thumbs alike participated in activities throughout the Zoo. Not only did butterflies flit around the gardens, bu...
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T. Rex on Tour
Posted: 7/5/2007
To promote our summer '07 DINOSAURS! exhibit, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has created an outreach program that includes the following: Live animals Trained Zoo staff members will exhibit small animals and answer questions about them. Animatronic Dinosaur A juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex standing six-fe...
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Oh What a Day!
Posted: 7/3/2007
Yesterday (Monday, July 2) was the busiest day at the Zoo so far this year with more than 18,000 people visiting. The beautiful weather and extended holiday weekend make this a great time to visit the Zoo. Stop by and check out our 3,000 animals and special summer exhibits TOUCH! Amazing R...
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Traffic Alert for July 4 Holiday Weekend
Posted: 6/29/2007
With nice weather predicted and a long holiday weekend ahead, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is asking its visitors to allow extra travel time through July 4. The Fulton Road Bridge closure and big crowds could cause some traffic delays, particularly this weekend and Monday. For alternate routes and a...
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Visit Madagascar With the Zoo Director!
Posted: 6/19/2007
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Director Steve Taylor invites you to join him on an expedition to explore the magnificent island of Madagascar. On your journey to the Island at the End of the Earth, you may encounter some of its 250 species of beautiful birds, various kinds of lemurs, chameleons, leaf-...
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That's Life ... At the Zoo: Part Deux
Posted: 6/14/2007
We had a great time with Robin Swoboda earlier this week when she visited the Zoo to tape segments of an upcoming episode of her daytime talk show. Be sure to watch "That's Life" at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 21 on Fox 8 for an entire hour dedicated to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo! We don't wa...
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Monkey Biscuits? Just what the Doctor Ordered.
Posted: 6/13/2007
Fortunately for her family, Dr. Pam Dennis is moving biscuit production to the Zoo Commissary, since biscuit demand now exceeds the capacity of her own kitchen. The biscuit baking is all part of a day's work for Dr. Dennis, who is currently looking at the effects of a high-fiber diet as treatmen...
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That's Life ... at the Zoo
Posted: 6/12/2007
Cleveland TV personality Robin Swoboda will be at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo today, taping segments for her daytime talk show, "That's Life" on Fox 8. Her fans will be able to catch her during today's 1:30 p.m. Dr. ZooLittle show at the Amphitheater, and she'll be doing a Meet-and-Greet a...
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Sea Lions Rise Up for the Cavs!
Posted: 6/7/2007
The San Antonio Spurs may have Eva Longoria in their corner, but the Cleveland Cavaliers have Huck and Mikey the sea lions backing them. In preparation of the Cavs' first-ever NBA Finals appearance tonight, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's sea lions showed off their basketball prowess i...
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92 New Best Friends
Posted: 6/5/2007
You couldn't have asked for a better day to adopt a pet. The weather was warm, as were our hearts, as we watched 92 precious puppies, dogs, kittens and cats go home with loving families. The pictures speak for everyone: M.C. and animal lover Denise Girard with a volunteer showing off one of the ...
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Puerto Rican Crested Toad Project: a Success Story
Posted: 5/29/2007
In 2004 there were less than 250 PRCTs in existence and were listed as Critically Endangered by the USFWS. Their numbers had dwindled due to habitat loss and the introduction of nonnative species like the marine toad. Today, crested toads are making a comeback with the help of AZA zoos including...
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Zoo Crew Helps Plant Tremont Rain Garden
Posted: 5/29/2007
We all arrived early and worked very hard to plant this garden. We worked together to plan the placement of the plants and learned about the tools and methods needed to plant a garden. The cool part was actually placing the plants into the soil and seeing the finished product; a garden full of p...
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Studying Infant Development in African Monkeys
Posted: 5/24/2007
The Zoo added two new rare African monkeys to its collection last fall when births occurred in family groups of Allen's swamp monkey and Wolf's guenons housed in the Primate, Cat & Aquatics building. Conservation and Science staff have been studying the development of these infants since the...
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The Science of Managing Gorillas
Posted: 5/24/2007
This year, I became the Chair of the Gorilla Species Survival Plan (SSP) for the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. The Gorilla SSP met last month at the Columbus Zoo to review the status of gorillas in AZA institutions and make recommendations for breeding and transfer animals. There are curr...
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Who Says Rhinos Can't Bowl?
Posted: 5/17/2007
We're just over a week away from the annual Bowling for Rhinos fundraiser, and we're still in need of more bowlers to help us out . Animal Keeper Heather Strawn assures us it's a very fun night, and it's for a great cause -- helping to ensure a future for endangered rhi...
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News of Our Dinosaurs Reported Across the Pond
Posted: 5/14/2007
News of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's upcoming summer exhibit, DINOSAURS!, has made it all the way to London. A slide show of our dinos appeared on the CBBC web site on May 11 - view it at Dinosaurs take over American zoo . DINOSAURS! makes its debut at the Zoo on May 24, 2007 and is open daily thr...
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Butterfly Magic about to Take Flight
Posted: 5/10/2007
The greenhouse is filling with the most beautiful colors now that the butterflies are beginning to hatch. But butterflies never seem to stop moving - I had to sneak up on several of them from behind in order to get the shots below. Although I can't identify them all, the Butterfly Magic exhibit ...
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Which Way to the Restroom?
Posted: 5/8/2007
Special thanks to Kathy Petkoff, who works here at the Zoo, for sharing this classic photo of her grandmother during a 1963 visit to the Zoo. It appears that back then a trip to the Zoo "loo" meant a trip to the ol' giraffe barn. Oh, how things have changed.
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Gone in 10 Seconds
Posted: 5/3/2007
Check this out, a nice image sequence from Cleveland Metroparks photographer Casey Batule showing a single span of the Fulton Road Bridge as it was being imploded (you can view a video of the full demolition on the Zoo's web site ):
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Bridge Demolition Part Deux
Posted: 5/1/2007
The entire Zoo is scheduled to be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday. Zoo admission today, May 1, 2007, will be discounted to $7 per person and $4 for kids ages 2 to 11. Admission is free for children under 2. As was done during the first demolition attempt last Saturday, the Zoo's anima...
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Fulton Road Bridge: Three's a Charm
Posted: 4/28/2007
After two unsuccessful detonations this morning, one span of the Fulton Road Bridge was demolished today around 11:50 a.m. An update and short video are available on the bridge page of the Zoo's web site . The animals are doing just fine following the blast. The Zoo's Northern Trek area was clos...
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Hoping for the K-next Knut!
Posted: 4/27/2007
That adorable little polar bear cub in Germany has become an international sensation! Known as Knut, the little guy made the cover of Vanity Fair with Leonardo DiCaprio. But Knut's got K-nothing on us! Cleveland Metroparks Zoo had multiple polar bear cubs back in the '80s, and some of them...
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NOT Sanjaya!
Posted: 4/27/2007
Good news to report from The RainForest at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Our new Northern spider tortoise has been named "Shelly," thanks to lots of Fox 8 viewers who cast votes for the name. We couldn't be happier that "Sanjaya" was the lowest vote-getter with just 1...
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EarthFest 2007 - It's a Wrap
Posted: 4/23/2007
We couldn't have asked for a better day for EarthFest yesterday (April 22). It was warm and sunny with a clear blue sky -- I managed to capture the festive mood of the day in photographs: The Welcome Plaza and pavillion were all decked out: Mayor Jackson came and spoke to us about the importance...
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Name Our New Spider Tortoise!
Posted: 4/23/2007
Our new spider tortoise needs a name, and you can help decide what it will be. Fox 8 and Cleveland Metroparks Zoo invite you to vote online for the little tortoise's name. Your choices are Shelly, Peek-A-Boo, Spidey, Tippy and Sanjaya. Yes, I just said Sanjaya. But before you vo...
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Spider Tortoise Baby Photos
Posted: 4/19/2007
Below are my photos of our newly-hatched (on March 27) spider tortoise. You can read more about the hatching in the Zoo's online news room . In the RainForest with the other spider tortoises: With mom: In animal keeper Brad Poynter's hand: And, as we all know that tortoises are news-junkies, rea...
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It's Poo Time
Posted: 4/17/2007
Here at the Zoo, we are committed to recycling a wide range of items every day, from cardboard and used batteries to elephant manure and leftover straw from the giraffe barn. The animal waste is combined with straw, wood shavings and leaves in compost piles and later sold to the public by the bu...
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Happy 1st, Daniel!!!
Posted: 4/17/2007
Since I started working at the Zoo last fall, I've been especially partial to the baby orangutan at The RainForest, and I just realized it must be because we share April birthdays. Yes, I'm happy to report that little Daniel turned 1 last week, while I hit the big 3-0. Daniel seems to be doing q...
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Let Us Know What You Think
Posted: 4/17/2007
Dear Blog Readers , We want your feedback. Let us know what you think about Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's new weblog, The Roar Report . You can comment here, or feel free to leave your thoughts as comments on the individual articles. Blog registration is not required for posting comments. However, ...
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Fulton Bridge is Coming Down
Posted: 4/12/2007
On one of the unusually sunny (but cold) days this week (April 10, 2007), I managed to get out of my office and take some pictures of the Fulton Road Bridge before it's completely destroyed. The wrecking crews have made quite a dent in the demolition process, no pun intended. Check it: On the wa...
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Have You Visited Our Koala Joeys Yet?
Posted: 4/11/2007
Swing by GumLeaf Hideout at the Zoo's Australian Adventure soon so you can see one of our two koala joeys. Our little marsupials are getting bigger every single day! And they're becoming quite the "celebrities," too. So far, they have been featured in The Pl...
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Summer of '67 at the Zoo!
Posted: 4/11/2007
In the summer of 1967, I was a counter clerk at a concession stand at the Cleveland Zoo! I was 16 years old and this was my first job ever! Sometimes my dad would even let me drive his 1963 Chevy Impala convertible to get there. My best friend and I were freshmen at nearby Broo...
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Share Your Zoo Memories
Posted: 4/9/2007
To celebrate the 125th anniversary of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, we invited everyone to share with us their favorite Zoo memories, old snapshots and classic souvenirs. We've gotten some great submissions so far -- from an original ZooKey to a 1965 Zoo coloring book. We've go...
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