(Utica, NY – Aug. 2015) The greater Utica area has been a welcome center for immigrants and refugees from cultures all over the world.
“Joining the Utica Zoo team in 2011 opened my eyes to a new appreciation for the Mohawk Valley. Immediately, I put together the fact that we have animals from around the globe and in many cases, from the same countries of origin as our new neighbors joining our community. That’s when the planning began to celebrate the native art, music, dance, food and dress of these cultures alongside the animals from those parts of the world” said Executive Director Andria Heath.
To celebrate the Mohawk Valley’s diverse community, Utica National Group Foundation presents “Cultures & Creatures.”
A free admission cultural event at the Utica Zoo will be held Saturday Aug. 29 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Visitors will get to experience food, art, music, and dance from cultures all over the world.
Here are the Cultures & Creatures pairings: Nepali: Red Panda, Burmese: Burmese Python, Latino: Spider Monkeys, Somali-Bantu: Zebra, Malagasy: Ring Tailed Lemurs, Vietnamese: Vietnamese Pig, Bosnian: Glass Lizard. Each culture and animal pairing will have a booth set up where visitors can sample food (while supplies last), create arts and crafts, and learn about their language.
A stage will be set up for dancing and music performances throughout the day.
Cultures & Creatures is a rain or shine event with free admission for everyone.
Free parking at the Utica Zoo with overflow parking at MVCC and Parkway Rec Center with shuttle buses.
Food vendors will be selling food and drink.
Zoo hires Director of Animal Operations
The Utica Zoo is pleased to announce Chris H. Grassl as their new Director of Animal Operations.
Grassl is originally from Green Bay, Wis. and brings more than 18 years of experience working in the Zoo industry. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree with a minor in Captive Wildlife Management from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point. Grassl then spent two years working for the US Forest Service in Arizona fighting wildland fire before starting his zoo career. He was most recently the Animal Health Records Manager at the Kansas City Zoo in Kansas City, Missouri where he was there for three years. Prior to Kansas City, he also worked at: Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the Dallas Zoo and The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore.
Now in its 101st year, the Utica Zoo is undergoing an internal quality assurance analysis in preparation for accreditation with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). In early 2015, a consultant was brought into the process and found that with the growth and improvements of the zoo, an additional level of expertise and leadership was warranted. The Director of Animal Operations is a new position that was created as a result of this analysis. The role is to oversee the entire Animal Department; including keeper staff, exhibits, budget, husbandry and overall animal collection at the Zoo.
“Utica Zoo adds to the quality of life in the Mohawk Valley, not only for our regional neighbors but also as a tourist destination. We aspire to insure that every aspect of the zoo provides the standard of excellence that our visitors, staff, and the animals we care for deserve,” said Andria Heath, Executive Director. “Chris brings a level of expertise, insight and experience from outside of the Utica Zoo that will lead us into our next series of improvements” she continued.
Throughout his career, Grassl has worked with a wide variety of species, exotic and domestic, with his main background being with carnivores and hoofstock. His favorites are clouded leopard, African wild dogs and white rhino. Grassl looks forward to the many challenges ahead, including getting the Utica Zoo accredited with the AZA, expanding the collection and improving the guest experience.
“Utica Zoo has so much potential and is on the cusp of being so much more than it already is. I’m really excited to be tasked with getting this zoo to where it wants to be, not only within the zoo community, but within our own community, said Grassl.
Two Red Panda Cubs born at Utica Zoo
The Utica Zoo is excited to announce the birth of two Red Panda cubs. The cubs were born on July 14 at the Utica Zoo to Ming Yue (mother) and Muse (father). Red Panda cubs weigh approximately 100 grams at birth, meaning they can fit in the palm of your hand. Utica Zoo’s Red Pandas were recommended to breed as part of the Red Panda Species Survival Plan (SSP). Ming Yue is 2 years old and has been at the zoo for one year. Muse is 4 years old and has been at the zoo for three years.
Red Pandas are currently classified as vulnerable, with population numbers estimated between 10,000 and 13,000 between two subspecies. Red Pandas are the only species of their kind and liveinthemixeddeciduous-coniferforestsoftheHimalayasandthemajormountainrangesofsouthwesternChina.Red Pandas typically have one to three offspring and mothers spend nearly all their time in their nest area during the first several weeks after birth. Cubs are born with their eyes closed and have no defenses. The first 30 days of life are a critical time because that is when most problems can occur; both in the wild and at Zoos. The new cubs at the Utica Zoo will not be on view to the public for a minimum of 60 days, to allow Ming Yue the privacy needed to care for them. Care for Red Panda cubs is much different from other species. Hoofstock babies, like Blackbuck and Urial are able to walk within 30 to 45 minutes of birth, and you will see them running around their exhibit in their first week. Utica Zoo continues to work closely with the SSP, in order to have a successful breeding program.
Utica Zoo’s Red Panda Encounters have attracted visitors from all over the country and parts of Canada, creating a tourism boost for the Greater Utica Area. Utica Zoo is currently looking for additional donors to assist with building the Red Pandas a new home in the Asian Realm section of the Zoo. To become a donor, corporate partner, call the Zoo’s Communications Coordinator, Mike Beck at (315) 738-0472 Ext. 49 for additional details. You can also donate to their exhibit by going to www.uticazoo.org/donate.