Become a Hero to an animal at the Utica Zoo
Calling all superheroes: the animals at the Utica Zoo need you!
The Utica Zoo has announced a new animal adoption program, the Utica Zoo Animal Heroes program. Members of the community may now choose any of the more than 200 individual animals to symbolically adopt and support on a monthly basis. The program offers three different commitment levels and is designed to help community members become a larger part of the Utica Zoo by helping with the monthly costs each animal has.
From the tiniest Brazilian Cockroach to the largest animal, Furlow the Bactrian Camel, Animal Heroes can elect to support an animal of their choice at levels of $25, $50 or $100 per month. Throughout the year, Animal Heroes will also receive a variety of special Zoo items, including a greeting card from their animal, a collectible trading card, impact statement, invitation to the Animal Heroes Breakfast and more.
“We are very excited to launch this program,” said Director of Administrative Operations Nikki Sheehan. “Imagine the excitement of receiving a greeting card from Donovan the African Lion, then coming to the Zoo and seeing Donovan and his siblings, knowing you are contributing to his food, enrichment, veterinary care, exhibit maintenance and conservation. The hero program makes it possible for the public to form a stronger connection with our animals and their environments and contribute to making our mission possible all year long.”
Become an Animal Hero today by visiting www.UticaZoo.org/Hero.
Zoo debuts new species of critically endangered warty pig
The Utica Zoo has debuted a trio of Visayan warty pigs as their newest animal species to call the Zoo home. The three pigs, named Axl, Ace and Ozzy, are a species of Critically Endangered pig native to The Philippines.
Visayan warty pigs are most noted by their distinctive crests and manes that run down the tops of their backs, as well as their tusks. Due to their Mohawk-like manes, the pigs got their names in homage to rock greats Axl Rose, Ace Frehley and Ozzy Osbourne, earning them the nicknames “The Rockstar Pigs of the Utica Zoo.” Warty Pigs are found in the central Philippine Islands and feed on fruits, vegetables and roots.
As a result of a sharp decline in population numbers, the IUCN Red List, the leading authority on conservation status of animals worldwide, has listed this species as critically endangered. Caused by growing industry, farming, over-hunting, hybridization and human interactions, the wild population of the Visayan warty pig has declined more than 80 percent in the last 20 years. Visayan warty pigs have been eliminated from half of the Philippine Islands and are considered functionally extinct on two of the six islands.
“We care for more than 10 critically endangered and endangered species, and we view each one as a great responsibility,” said Mark Simon, marketing coordinator at the Utica Zoo, “but our animal care staff are the best at what they do, and the pigs already seem to be fully comfortable inside their exhibit space. Being able to watch them run and wrestle together is really interesting, and we hope our visitors will appreciate being able to view and learn about another critically endangered animal.”
The Visayan warty pig exhibit is located near the scenic overlook next to Bactrian camels and Trans-Caspian Urial.
Zoo earns Woman’s Fund grant, develops STEAM program for Girls
The Utica Zoo has announced that they have earned a grant from the Woman’s Fund for the purposes of holding a STEAM program for girls. The new program will introduce 12- to 15-year-old girls to STEM/STEAM-based careers and different aspects of running a zoo.
According to data from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, women make up a mere 24 percent of STEM workers, despite representing 47 percent of the work force. As society and technology advance at a feverish pace, it is essential that girls engage in STEM/STEAM activities from a young age.
In order to be successful in a STEM/STEAM career field, it is imperative that girls are exposed to the critical thinking skills and integrated, hands-on approach to STEM programs. Because of this need, the Utica Zoo successfully applied for a $4,500 grant from the Woman’s Fund for the purposes of developing and running a program for girls in Oneida and Herkimer counties. The new program, titled “STEAMing the Urban Forest” will be held eight consecutive Saturday mornings at the Utica Zoo starting May 11.
The new program will focus on real world problems and will immerse the students in open-ended exploration and problem-solving. By using the elements of STEAM, students will work together as a group to solve problems while being exposed to a variety of STEAM-based careers and methods.
Students will be tasked with exploring and inventorying a section of the North Trek Urban Forest, researching the needs of an animal of the Urban Forest, working with animal care and veterinary staff to learn what constitutes a healthy habitat, enhancing the environment for the benefit of their chosen animal, developing interpretive and informational materials and ultimately presenting their findings to family, friends and zoo staff.
In addition, female representatives from various supporting organizations will serve as guests to introduce the girls to real life, STEAM-based careers.
Classes will be held from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. consecutive Saturday mornings at the Utica Zoo from May 11 through June 22. The cost is $50 per girl with a limited number of need-based scholarships available. Registration for “STEAMing the Urban Forest” is now open and may be done by contacting Mary Hall at mary.hall@uticazoo.org or 315.738.0472 ext. 36. Contact Hall for more information.
The Utica Zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. daily, including Easter Sunday.
For all things Utica Zoo, visit UticaZoo.org, follow on Facebook or Twitter and Instagram @uticazoo.