SATURDAYS:

10:30 a.m. African Wild Dogs (Wild Dog Drive)

11:00 a.m. Children’s Zoo (Barnyard)

1:15 p.m. Elephant Behavioral Presentation (Elephant Pavilion)

1:30 p.m. Andean Condor & Harpy Eagle (across from picnic pavilions)

1:30 p.m. Great Apes (Great EscApe Building)

2:00 p.m. Upper Aquarium (Noble Aquatic Center)

2:30 p.m. River Otters (Oklahoma Trails)

3:00 p.m. Grizzly Bears (Oklahoma Trails)

3:00 p.m. Sea Lion Habitat (Noble Aquatic Center)

3:30 p.m. Indian Rhino

4:00 p.m. Alligators (Oklahoma Trails)

SUNDAYS:

10:30 a.m. Giraffes

11:00 a.m. Children’s Zoo (Underground)

11:30 a.m. Galapagos Tortoise (Island Life)

1:15 p.m. Elephant Behavioral Presentation (Elephant Pavilion)

1:30 p.m. Andean Condor & Harpy Eagle (across from picnic pavilions)

1:30 p.m. Great Apes (Great EscApe Building)

2:00 p.m. Lower Aquarium (Noble Aquatic Center)

2:30 p.m. River Otters (Oklahoma Trails)

3:00 p.m. Grizzly Bears (Oklahoma Trails)

3:00 p.m. Sea Lion Habitat (Noble Aquatic Center)

3:30 p.m. Indian Rhino

4:00 p.m. Turkey Vulture (Oklahoma Trails Aviary)

• Anglers find dead alligator. (Broken Bow)
• Senate rejects puppy mill measure. (state capitol)
• PBS special touts Canine Assistants. (nationwide)

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

• Humans, animals don’t mix. (state capitol)
• Customers are going wild over cats bred in Oklahoma. (Ponca City, video below)

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

• Alligator sighting reported at park. (Oklahoma City)
• Shelter gets funds for pet tag study. (Oklahoma City)
• Horse, owner get super win at show. (Oklahoma City)
• Shelter seeks pet gifts. (Oklahoma City)
• Giraffe suffers from neck injury during move. (Tulsa)
• Delays continue in state’s poultry waste pollution trial. (Tulsa)
• Swooping in: Oklahoma hosting national event for handlers of eagles, hawks and falcons. (Woodward)
• Rare birds seen in state. (Woodward)
• Horse country tour. (Texas)
• 5,600 species found during ocean census. (Louisiana)
• Cruelty brings no contest plea. (New Mexico)
• Ducks in trouble, Ducks Unlimited says. (northwestern United States)
• New books for birders. (nationwide)
• Jaguar blamed in miner’s death. (Guyana)
• Bulls escape from movie set. (Spain)
• White tiger gets new home. (Serbia)
• “Fantastic Mr. Fox” full of fun. (movie review)

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

• Gator removed from home. (McAlester)
• Animal groups seek share of inheritance. (New York)

Also, check out this amazing story that was posted to NewsOK.com this morning: Dog wakes up man and alerts him to house fire in The Village. Here’s a video:

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

Come join the Oklahoma City Herpetological Society on the first Thursday of each month at the Midwest City Library! If you are interested in reptiles and amphibians, these meetings are for you. The OCHS promotes the scientific study and conservation of herps, emphasizing regional herpetology. This is your chance to learn about herps, and even show off your own. Any properly caged, nonvenomous reptiles or amphibians are welcome. For more information, call Larry Daniel at 737-8331, or send him an e-mail at jostoy1@aol.com.

The event is free and open to all ages.

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

Why is this alligator smiling? Because you’re not wearing him.

It’s one of the signs the economy is tanking. Yes, really. I read this by Don Mecoy on The Business blog, and it piqued my interest. There are all kinds of quirky signs the economy is struggling, according to a report by Kiplinger.com. The report lists everything from romance novels to eye makeup. Here’s what they said about alligators:

What do 100,000 alligators have to do with the economy? They’re all residents of Savoie’s Alligator Farm, one of the largest in Louisiana. Yet, the farm, which sells gator-skin hides to tanners who in turn sell them to luxury designers like Louis Vuitton, says it hasn’t sold a single hide since November.

People just aren’t buying alligator skin handbags and luggage. Yes, it’s tough on the gator farmers. They’re trying to keep the hides they already have in stock from spoiling. But it’s good news for alligators everywhere—if they only knew.

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

• Flu outbreak alarms hog farmers. (statewide)
• Alligators, hunger threaten Brazilians. (Brazil)
• Unbridled enthusiasm greets wild-horse sale. (Kellyville)

And check out these story now at NewsOK.com -

• Bartlesville police shoot pit bull.

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

The tornadoes that ripped through Oklahoma were a reminder to pet owners how important identification is.

Severe weather can rip down fences, pull down walls and leave pets confused and scared. At least one veterinarian is helping reunite lost dogs with their owners. The best way to ensure a pet is returned is by microchipping, he said. Collars and tags can sometimes be caught and torn by debris. Microchips stay under the skin and can be tracked by any vet or shelter official.

Here is some more information from the ASPCA about disaster readiness: 

• The Pet Evacuation Transportation Safety (PETS) Act, passed after Hurricane Katrina, allows owners to take their companion animals with them to shelters. Contact the shelter before you show up to make sure it’s OK. Some shelters are designed for animal owners.
• Practice getting your animal out of the house so it isn’t scary or difficult. This is especially important for cat carriers.
• Owners with pets that require special temperature settings, such as reptiles, need to have duplicates of everything, such as heaters. Fish owners should have a small, transportable tank ready.
• Socialize your pet as much as possible in case they come in contact with rescuers or other people at the shelter.
• Keep an emergency kit of your pets needs, such as any medicines and some food, that you can take with you. Be sure to keep a photo of you with your pet if you get separated and have to claim him.

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

Check out these animla-related stories in The Oklahoman today -

• Bear hunts considered. (Oklahoma, page 3a)
• Workers find mammoth. (California, page 8a)
• Recovery of pet alligator becomes large-scale effort. (Wynnewood/Stuart)
• Poultry firms cite conflicting positions. (Colorado, page 18a)
• Agency to conduct state forest survey.

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll