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ZOO NEWS
Buffalo Zoo’s Snow Leopard Cubs on Exhibit!
 BUFFALO, NY— The Buffalo Zoo’s two male snow leopard cubs are now on exhibit!
Named Ketu and Makalu after mountains in the Himalayas, the cubs were born on June 2, 2010 to mother, Annapurna, and father, Dwaine. The breeding was recommended as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP), which is designed to help a species maintain a healthy and stable population.
First-time mom, Annapurna, was the last snow leopard to be born at the Buffalo Zoo. She continues to take good care of her little ones, who have remained with her in the nest box off exhibit since their birth. Keepers set up a Live Cam in the nest box so visitors could observe the cubs’ progress on the monitor inside Ecostation. Visitors can now view Annapurna and her cubs in their outdoor exhibit in Vanishing Animals (North) from approximately 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. daily. They will be exhibited on a rotational basis with Dwaine.
Found in the high mountains of Central Asia, including the Himalayas, Altai and Hindu
Kush, snow leopards are solitary animals that typically only come together for breeding Snow leopard cubs open their eyes at seven to nine days, eat solid food at two months and follow their mother on hunts at three months.
Snow leopards are highly endangered due to poaching for the fur trade, loss of habitat, dam projects and a loss of food sources.
Buffalo Zoo’s Male Giraffe Euthanized
Buffalo, NY – Buffalo Zoo officials announce that Cain, a 12-year-old male reticulated giraffe, was euthanized on Tuesday after his health rapidly declined.
The initial necropsy findings were inconclusive regarding the cause of death. Samples are being sent to several diagnostic laboratories for analysis. Final necropsy results will not be available for several weeks.
Cain was born at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs, Colorado on May 30, 1998. He arrived at the Buffalo Zoo on October 10, 1999. During his lifetime, Cain sired three calves.
The Buffalo Zoo Welcomes White-Faced Saki Baby to M&T Bank Rainforest Falls
 The Buffalo Zoo unveiled the latest addition to our M&T Bank Rainforest Falls animal family—a baby white-faced saki on August 12. Members of the media and the public got to meet Argyle. A male white faced Saki, Argyle was born on April 28 to mother, Katina, and father, Maracaibo. Katrina is taking good care of her newborn, who often rides on her back when not exploring the exhibit on his own. He has remained off exhibit to ensure proper development.
White-faced sakis are found in the tropical rainforests of eastern and southern Venezuela, the Guianas and northern Brazil. Mature females give birth to one offspring per year. Baby sakis are all born with female colorations. Males do not begin to acquire the striking white face, for which the species is named, until they are approximately two months old.
The white-faced saki monkey is considered to be a vulnerable species due to hunting, collection for the pet trade and habitat destruction.
The Buffalo Zoo’s white-faced saki monkeys are housed inside M&T Bank Rainforest Falls. Modeled after the unique habitat within the Amazon basin in Venezuela’s Caniama National Park, the fully enclosed Rainforest Falls exhibit provides the Buffalo Zoo with a signature four-season attraction. This state-of-the art exhibit features a two-story waterfall, as well as ramps and overlooks to enable visitors to encounter a remarkable collection of species. The 18,000 square foot complex is the centerpiece of the Zoo’s $75 million reconstruction plan and is designed to provide visitors with an unforgettable tropical experience! The exhibit opened to the public on Wednesday, September 10, 2008.
Shop For the Animals at Participating Tops Locations
Saturday, August 21, 2010
 Buffalo, NY – Help fill the pantry for the Buffalo Zoo’s animals this fall and winter! On Saturday, August 21, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., shoppers at participating Tops locations will have the opportunity to purchase an extra gift for the Zoo to help keep the animals happy and healthy.
After selecting items from the Zoo’s grocery wish list, which will be provided at each location, shoppers can leave their gift with a Zoo volunteer in the store lobby. All of these generous donations will then be used as special enrichment treats to promote the animals’ natural behaviors and to stimulate them physically and mentally.
Requested grocery items include: Kellogg’s Apple Jacks® and Froot Loops® or plain cereals; dog biscuits (all sizes); extracts and spices; peanut butter; plastic toys (Frisbees and balls); rawhide chews; and Purina® Whisker Lickin’s® cat treats (soft).
The items may be purchased at the following Tops locations: 2101 Elmwood at Hinman; Sheridan Drive at Delaware Road (Tonawanda); Maple and Transit (Williamsville); and South Park (Hamburg).
With an annual grocery bill of $250,000, providing food and treats for the 900 animals at the Zoo is a tremendous task. The Buffalo Zoo wishes to thank shoppers in advance for helping the animals and supporting Tops Friendly Markets, one of the Zoo’s most generous sponsors!
Wines in the Wild 2010 a Huge Success!
 Buffalo, N.Y. – The Buffalo Zoo, the Pro Zoo Board and the Women’s Board are proud to announce that this year’s Wines in the Wild event, held on Wednesday, July 28, was a huge success! More than $90,000 was raised for the Zoo’s Adopt an Animal program, which helps to feed the Zoo’s 1,200 animal residents.
The Buffalo Zoo would like to extend special thanks to this year’s event sponsors,
City Mattress and Bank of America, as well as media sponsors, 97 Rock, Classic Hits 104.1, 103.3 The Edge, Fox 29, My TV and Buffalo Spree Magazine.
More than 2,500 guests sampled food, beer and wine selections, as well as specialty services, from more than 45 of the area’s finest establishments. Other highlights of the evening included a basket auction, silent auction and animal visits.
Celebrity judges voted for their favorite food and beverage selections falling under eight different categories:
Winners
Best Beer Cole’s Restaurant
Best Entrée The Riverstone Grill
Best Dessert Dessert Deli
Most Unusual Fare Lake Effect Artisan Ice Cream
Best Presentation Rich’s Catering
Best of Show Lebro’s
Best Wine Niagara Landing Wine Cellars
Specialty Vendor Spa Go of WNY
The following is a list of generous participants:
Vendors
AgriAmerica, LLC Lake Effect Artisan Ice Cream
Applebee's Lakewood Vineyards
Beastro at the Zoo Lebro's Restaurant
Boston Beer Long Trail Brewing Company
Bruno's Market Pizzeria Matt Brewing Company
Buffalo Brew Pub May Jen
Bully Hill Merritt Estate Winery
Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Niagara Landing Wine Cellars
Cole's Restaurant Old Orchard Inn
Cookie Cutters Bake Shop Passport Wine & Liquor
Dessert Deli Perry's Ice Cream
Dr. Frank's Vinifera Wine Cellars Pizza Plant Italian Pub
Flying Bison Brewing Company Quantum Conditioning & Wellness
Fulkerson Winery Rich's Catering
Gates Circle Liquor Risa's Restaurant & Catering
Glenora Wine Cellars Southern Wine & Spirits
Global Group Wine & Spirits Spa Go of WNY
Great Lakes Brewing Co. The Advantage Company
Greek Goddess Products, Inc. The City Wine Merchant
Jack Astor's Bar & Grill The Wine Thief
Johnson Estate Winery The Winery at Marjim Manor
Knapp Winery Try-It Distributing
Labatt USA – Dundee Verbena Restaurant
Vetter Vineyards Wilson Farms
Yancey's Fancy
“Buy the Animals Lunch” Campaign to Run Through Labor Day BEGINS July 26, 2010
 Buffalo, NY– Help show your support for the animals at the Buffalo Zoo by buying them lunch!
Beginning Monday, July 26, 2010 until Labor Day (Monday, September 6), you can add $1 to your gift, food or membership purchases at the Zoo. All proceeds will benefit the Adopt an Animal program and go toward the purchase of food for the Zoo’s animal residents.
Visitors can “buy the animals lunch” at the Zootique Gift Shop, Beastro concession stand and Membership Satellite Office located at the main gate on Parkside Ave. Those who support this campaign will receive an “I Helped Buy the Animals Lunch” heart-shaped card. After filling the card out with your name, you may opt to keep the card or have it displayed at the Zoo.
The Zoo’s Adopt an Animal program raises funds to feed its 1,200 animal residents. With an annual grocery bill of more than $250,000, imagine how vital your support can be! In addition to the “Buy the Animals Lunch” summer campaign, animal adoptions are available year-round. Several categories with corresponding benefits are offered. Choose your own favorite animal to support or purchase a gift adoption to help make a difference!
For more information about the Zoo’s annual adoption program, please call (716) 995-6131.
Baby Boom at the Buffalo Zoo!
BUFFALO, NY—There’s a baby boom taking place at the Buffalo Zoo, as a white-faced saki, Japanese macaque and two snow leopard cubs have joined the collection!
 White-Faced Saki
A baby saki monkey was born on April 28, 2010 to mother, Katrina, and father, Maracaibo. The birth of this white-faced saki is a first for the Buffalo Zoo!
Katrina is taking good care of her newborn. Keepers do not wish to disrupt bonding between Katrina and her baby, so they have not separated them to determine the baby’s gender.
White-faced sakis are found in the tropical rainforests of eastern and southern Venezuela, the Guianas and northern Brazil. Mature females give birth to one offspring per year. Baby sakis are all born with female colorations. Males do not begin to acquire the striking white face, for which the species is named, until they are approximately two months old.
The white-faced saki monkey is considered to be a vulnerable species due to hunting, collection for the pet trade and habitat destruction.
The Buffalo Zoo’s white-faced saki monkeys are housed inside M&T Bank Rainforest Falls. However, for their health and safety, the saki family is not on exhibit at this time.
 Japanese Macaque
The baby Japanese macaque, who keepers have named Niko, was born on June 1, 2010 to mother, Debbi, and father, Eric. Keepers believe that the baby is a male, but as with the saki monkey, the keepers do not wish to separate Debbi from her baby to determine the gender. Niko is growing fast and discovering new things each day.
The newborn is Debbi and Eric’s third offspring. Their two previous offspring, Ohno and Yuki, remain in the troop as well.
Also called snow monkeys, Japanese macaques live farther north than any other non-human primate. Thick coats help to maintain their body heat so the snow monkeys can survive the cold temperatures of central Japan’s highlands. They spend a good deal of time sunbathing, huddling together, sleeping and bathing in hot springs. Japanese macaques also play a special role in mythology, folklore and art of Japan. Most familiar are the three snow monkeys that represent the wisdom of Buddha: “See no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil.”
The Japanese macaque is an endangered species due to human encroachment and habitat destruction.
Buffalo Zoo visitors can find the Japanese macaques in Vanishing Animals (South). The Zoo has two macaque troops, which are exhibited on a rotational basis. Niko is on exhibit with his troop every other day.
 Snow Leopards
For the first time in five years, the “pitter patter” of little paws can also be heard in the snow leopard exhibit!
Two male cubs were born on June 6, 2010 to mother, Annapurna, and father, Dwaine. The breeding was recommended as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP), which is designed to help a species maintain a healthy and stable population.
First-time mom, Annapurna, was the last snow leopard to be born at the Buffalo Zoo. She is taking good care of her little ones, who remain with her in the nest box off exhibit. Keepers have set up a Live Cam in the nest box so visitors can observe the cubs’ progress on the monitor inside Ecostation. Video of the cubs with their mother can be viewed when you click here. Visitors can still view Dwaine in his outdoor exhibit in Vanishing Animals (North).
Found in the high mountains of Central Asia, including the Himalayas, Altai and Hindu Kush, snow leopards are solitary animals that typically only come together for breeding. Snow leopard cubs open their eyes at seven to nine days, eat solid food at two months and follow their mother on hunts at three months.
Snow leopards are highly endangered due to poaching for the fur trade, loss of habitat, dam projects and a loss of food sources.
NOTE TO THE MEDIA: For the health and safety of the animals as well as limited space in the holding facilities, please be advised that the opportunity to take photographs and/or video of the babies is not available at this time. However, video of the birth of the snow leopards is available upon request.
Earth Day Family Expo at the Buffalo Zoo
Buffalo Zoo and the WNY Earth Day Committee are proud to present the WNY Earth Day Family Expo on Saturday, June 19, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the Buffalo Zoo.
Join area environmental groups in exploring what we can all do to become more earth-friendly and how to protect our planet. Live performances by Mama Earth’s Kitchen Band will also take place 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. Exercise demonstrations by Gymboree will be held at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. (weather dependent). All activities are FREE with Zoo admission.
This year’s participants include:
Buffalo Audubon Society, Buffalo ReUse, Buffalo Museum of Science/Tifft Nature Preserve, Community Action Organization—Hoop House,Citizen’s Campaign For the Environment, Clean Communities of WNY, Compeer Greater Buffalo, CSCCE (Daemen College), Daemen Service Learning Department, Green Party, Lost Ladybugs Project (Cornell University), Netohatinawkwe Okwehoweh (NETO), New York State Power Authority, People’s Park (Canisius College), Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve, ReTree WNY, Sierra Club, The Belle Center, The Buffalo News, The Buffalo Zoo, Westside Ministries World on Your Plate.
From 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., the Niagara Frontier Reading Council will also be distributing free childrens’ books (while supplies last), as well as holding storytime, to help promote literacy in the city of Buffalo.
Buffalo Zoo Celebrated the 135th Birthday Jamboree on May 22, 2010 in Conjunction With the Opening of the Delta Sonic Heritage Farm
 Honoring the Zoo’s rich history, the 135th Birthday Jamboree offered a fun-filled day of activities, live entertainment and great animal experiences. From 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., visitors of every age enjoyed old-time snacks, live music along with some old-fashioned games and crafts!
In conjunction with the event, the Buffalo Zoo will also be celebrated the public opening of its newest exhibit—the Delta Sonic Heritage Farm!
The Delta Sonic Heritage Farm is the first project to be built as part of Phase II of the Buffalo Zoo’s master plan. The family-friendly exhibit recreates a historic farm from the 1850s and replaces the former Children’s Zoo. This Erie Canal-era homestead features heritage breeds of domestic animals and includes an adjacent wetlands and a historic replica of an Erie Canal lock.
Major funding for this project came from a public/private partnership, which included leadership gifts from Erie County, The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Delta Sonic, The Benderson Family and the NxGen Program of the East Hill Foundation.
The exhibit was designed by Gwen Howard of Foit-Albert & Associates.
The 35’ x 45’ historic barn was donated to the Buffalo Zoo by David Homes President David Stapleton and his family. The donation was made not only to save this historic structure from being demolished as new properties are built in its place, but also to ensure that the community can learn about the significance of the Erie Canal era.
The Buffalo Zoo is the third oldest zoo in the country and welcomes more than 460,000 visitors per year. In 2002, a master plan was launched to transform the Zoo. To date, more than $30 million has been raised toward construction of new exhibits, including Vanishing Animals, EcoStation, Otter Creek, Sea Lion Cove, M&T Bank Rainforest Falls and the Delta Sonic Heritage Farm.
New Playground Now Open at the Zoo
 Every visitor who comes to the Zoo has his or her favorite place to go, that one stop that is essential to their Zoo visit. For many of our young visitors, that spot is the Zoo’s playground. A space of young kids to take a breather from the exhibits, the playground has been one of the most well-traveled locations in the Zoo. To coincide with the May 22 opening of the Buffalo Zoo’s new Delta Sonic Heritage Farm, the Zoo has opened a brand-new playground with the assistance of Fisher-Price! With a design that complements the barnyard theme of both the Heritage Farm and Fisher-Price’s signature barn playset, the new playground will feature a three-level spiral slide, a spacious tube crawlway, small “peaks” for climbing fun, balance beams, a fun forest and a concentration blocks panel for some mental playtime!
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