Tiny okapis? Little giraffe? Yes, please!
If you haven’t read about the cuteness happening at the Oklahoma City Zoo yet, it’s time. In a half-word: adorbs.
Oklahoma representative asks for stronger poaching laws
This press release came out of the House of Representatives this week. It’s strange to think poaching still happens in America, but it does. Very interesting.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation by state Rep. Pat Ownbey would deter poaching by increasing the fine and mandating that poachers lose their hunting and fishing licenses.
“The current minimum fine of $50 for poaching is so weak that there’s not much point in even enforcing it and a repeat offender is treated the same as a first-time offender,” Ownbey, R-Ardmore, said. “I had a constituent whose horse was shot by a poacher who was illegally hunting deer on the property. This might not have happened if current laws provided for a stricter poaching penalty.”
House Bill 2573 would increase the minimum fine for poaching to $100 and mandate the loss of the poacher’s hunting and fishing licenses for one year. The legislation makes the penalty for a second offense a fine of $500-1000, six months in county jail or both.
“Poaching is a big problem across the state and our current law does a poor job of protecting landowners’ rights. It is costing people money and I think repeat offenders should face stiff penalties that might make them think twice about their behavior,” Ownbey said. “It’s time to put a stop to this illegal activity.”
House Bill 2573 will be eligible for a committee hearing when the Legislature reconvenes on Feb. 6.
Happy Penguin Awareness Day!
Is it really Penguin Awareness Day? You better believe it. Here are some photos to celebrate. Not enough? Click here for some cute children’s crafts in honor of this special day.
Could elephant death happen here?
Earlier this month, an African elephant at the San Diego Zoo died of injuries her keepers suspect came from an aggressive attack by another elephant. Such a startling tragedy raises the question, “Could this happen here?” The Oklahoma City Zoo is home to two adult Asian elephants and one offspring, shown here at right. I asked the OKC Zoo spokeswoman, Tara Henson, if it was possible. She checked with Assistant Zoo Director Alan Varsik. Here’s what she said:
In domestic or wild animals…this could happen. It’s a day to day, ongoing process to maximize our chances for success in any social situation. In any accredited zoo, we are concerned about the physical and social well-being of all of the animals in our care. Interpreting their behaviors and looking for any indications of a behavioral issue is a constant. Any species in a social situation presents this challenge. This is on a case by case basis according to the species as well as the individual animals. Individual and species specific behaviors must be taken into consideration. There is a level of unpredictability in anything we do and we try to minimize that.
Guest post: Playing possum
From our lovely society editor, Peggy Gandy:
Just what you always wanted to read – a first person account of a possum caper. Possums terrify me. So when one walked up on my front porch to peer in the front door where I was standing and made eye contact, it scared the wee willie out of me and raised Meg’s, my Bichon, barking up past the hysterical level.
So I called Animal Welfare, which I might add are very professional, and they brought a no kill cage out, opened a can of cat food and set the door. First I caught a cat – I think -a Houdini cat. The cage door was shut and the cat food messed with a little and a tiny bit of cat hair caught on the outside. of the cage, but no cat.. So, my neighbor suggested peanut butter and that did the trick, a possum can’t resist peanut butter, probably would have liked jelly too but that semed a little much. There he was in the cage, unhurt, waiting to be picked up and taken to Noble to be released. (watch out for possums crossing when you drive through Noble- there could be a large extended family there) I just hope he isn’t like one of those lost animals who spend three months on the road and finally find their way back home. LIKE I SAID, WE DID NOT BOND.
My soft hearted neighbors gave the possum a puppy treat while he was waiting to be picked up . They felt bad we had left the jelly off. ‘These are the same softhearted neighbors that made a sign and put it in my front yard. When you view these pictures of the sign and possum, you can mail me the $5 or if you look at the possum twice, it will be $7.50.
Possum waiting on a ride to Noble.
- Possum sign in my front yard that did not make a significant amount of money for me.
Delicious for people, dangerous for pets
While many of us will eat way too much on Thanksgiving Day, there are some family members who should watch their diet: pets. I’m going to be honest. I’m horrible about giving my dogs table scraps. (It’s their adorable faces! I am such a wimp!) But there are several things you won’t find even me sneaking under the table for my dogs. Here’s a list from the ASPCA of the most toxic Thanksgiving foods for animals:
- Sage.
- Chocolate.
- Candy with xylitol.
- Bread dough.
- Batter with raw eggs.
- Onions and garlic.
- Macadamia nuts.
- Raisins and grapes.
- Rich or spicy foods.
- Alcohol.
There is good news, though, for pushovers like me. You can share turkey. Make sure it’s cooked and bone-free. That’s one way to safely give in to those puppy-dog eyes.
Horses available at Pauls Valley adoption center
When you’re driving along Interstate 35 near Pauls Valley, take a peek at the horse heard on the western side of the highway. Those are all animals pulled off the Western plains and offered for adoption. The wild horse adoption center in Pauls Valley is hosting an adoption event tomorrow. Here’s a quick video or you can read the full story here.
Oklahoma City Zoo tiger cub bobbing for apples
Pumpkin eating at the Oklahoma City Zoo
For the next two weekends, animals at the Oklahoma City Zoo will enjoy some Halloween-themed treats. It’s free to check out these animal feedings with admission. The pumpkin chompin’ will be Saturdays and Sundays. Here’s the schedule:
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)
Harpy eagle is feeling good
The Oklahoma City Zoo vet reported yesterday afternoon that an ailing harpy eagle has recovered. Here’s an excerpt from a story about the zoo trust meeting:
A male harpy eagle that was acutely ill has recovered, said Jennifer D’Agostino, director of veterinary services. The bird had stopped eating and was lethargic. “Hopefully it was just a passing bug we took care of,” D’Agostino said. The eagle was caught in the wild as an adult and has been at the Oklahoma City Zoo since the 1970s.
