Houston Zoo Articles RSS Feed

Cutest Animal in the World Makes Debut!

Kelly Russo — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 19:58:02 GMT

Hello [firstname],

Here's what's new at the Houston Zoo.

Cutest Animal in the World!

The moment you have all been waiting for has arrived. Toby, the red panda, is finally here!

He is on exhibit and living up to the hype of cutest animal in the world.

Watch this great video of Toby exploring his brand new Houston Zoo home for the first time.

Animal Updates

Meet Hana, Our New Malayan Tiger

All Hana, All The Time

Get To Know Your Koi

Koi, oh Koi!

Zoobilee – It's a Springtime Safari!

Discover the wild world in your own backyard.

Thursday, April 2, 2009 OR
Friday, April 3, 2009

5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Join us at the Zoo for a wildlife adventure just for members! It’s a family celebration with numerous keeper chats, a magician, and a children’s DJ. Children are invited to embark on a Zoo-style global trek to meet some of our remarkable residents and get a

special passport stamped from exotic lands.

Visit www.houstonzoo.org/zoobilee for all the exciting event details! Registration now open.

Party for the Planet

Waste Management Earth Day

April 18 & 19

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Join the Houston Zoo and Waste Management as we highlight Mother Earth. Learn how you can help protect the planet by recycling and conserving in your everyday life.

Learn more!

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny

You can see many animals here at the Zoo, but this is the only time you can see a bunny quite like this! Join us for Breakfast with the Easter Bunny, where kids can meet the Bunny himself!

Saturday, April 11, 2009

9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Hot breakfast included

Click here for tickets!

Early Bird Day

Ornithology and photography enthusiasts – join the early birds at the Houston Zoo on Saturday, April 11 for a behind-the-scenes bird watching tour and a one-on-one Q&A tour of our top-ranked bird collection hosted by our bird staff.

Click here to learn more and buy tickets.

Special Bonus – Photo Ops Of Our Brand New Cassowary

One of the most massive, colorful, and dangerous birds on earth will be out on exhibit for your viewing pleasure. Don't pass this chance up!

Lions and Tigers and Bears (Oh My!)

Come to the Houston Zoo on April 10, 11, & 12 as we join Broadway Across America's The Wizard of Oz to celebrate our carnivores.

Enjoy special Meet the Keeper Talks all weekend long:

1:00 p.m. – Specatacled Bears

1:30 p.m. – Tiger Training Window

2:30 p.m. – Lion Training Window

Be sure to visit the Emerald City and meet Dorothy at the Houston Zoo on April 10, 2009!

Learn more here!

Lemonade Day

On Sunday, May 3, join the Houston Zoo when we partner with Prepared 4 Life for the 2009 Lemonade Day. Youth learn how to create budgets, secure investors, purchase supplies, and give back to the community.

From March 17 - April 18, register your child online at www.houstonzoo.org/lemonadeday.

50 lucky kids will be selected to sell lemonade on Zoo grounds!

Green Tip of the Week

Ban Bathtime!

Have a no-bath week, and take showers instead. Baths require almost twice as much water. Not only will you reduce your water consumption, but the energy costs associated with heating the water.

This green tip is brought to you by the Houston Zoo's Green Task Force.
Learn more here.

Travel to Yellowstone & the Grand Tetons...

...with the Houston Zoo!

This one-of-a-kind program takes you off the beaten path and beyond the boardwalks of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks to a wild Wyoming that few have seen.

Click here for a full details, itinerary, and costs. Or email conservation@houstonzoo.org.

To view all of our current trips go to www.houstonzoo.org/safari.

Get Involved With Conservation

It's egg season once again and the Houston Zoo is involved with two projects where eggs are an essential piece of these species survival in the wild.

You can click here for more on the Houston Zoo's current effort to headstart Houston toads for release back into their native habitat.

The Attwater’s prairie chicken is critically endangered due to the combination of vanishing habitat, predation, and introduced species, which have taken a toll on the remaining wild population, which now numbers less than 100 birds at three protected sites. For more on the recovery of this species, click here.

Children's Fest

Visit the Houston Zoo’s “Spin-to-Win” booth at this year’s Houston Children’s Festival, presented by Baker Hughes, on Saturday & Sunday, April 4 & 5 from 10:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Benefiting Child Advocates, the event takes place in downtown Houston and offers seven stages of music and entertainment and more than 300 exciting activities, crafts, exhibits, participatory games, sports, and rides. Special Sunday guest celebrity is Keke Palmer, star of Nickelodeon’s “True Jackson, VP”, #2 kids' television show!

For more event information, visit www.houstonchildrensfestival.com.

Education Classes

Do You Know Your Z-O-Os? Kids ages 2 ½ - 12 will have an abzoolutely fun time on this alphabet safari as they learn their ABCs in a wild new way! Register for Natural Beginnings I or II by visiting www.houstonzoo.org/education.

A Stroller Safari through the A-B-Cs! Join us with your toddler ages 0 - 2 ½ for a wild ride around the Zoo every Tuesday and Thursday morning as we explore animals A-Z! Each week we’ll learn about a different letter and see a touchable animal. Visit www.houstonzoo.org/education for details.

What Are Your Kids Doing This Summer?! They can become a junior scatologist, learn what it takes to be a zookeeper, or take an African adventure in summer Camp Zoofari. Learn about the natural world, wildlife conservation, and the animals that call the Houston Zoo home in this exciting, action-packed camp. Register now at www.houstonzoo.org/summercamp!

Calling all Teachers! Register your class for a Wild Wink and spend the night at the Zoo on April 8 to celebrate the school year. This unique experience for school groups includes interactive activities, night hike around Zoo grounds, live touchable animals, sleep-in tents on Zoo grounds, free admission into the Zoo the next morning, and dinner and continental breakfast. Wild Winks are from 6 p.m. - 10 a.m. the following day and the cost is only $45 per person.

Don’t want to spend the night? Then what about a Night Prowl? On April 23 your class can enjoy an evening walkabout on Zoo grounds with fun activities and viewing the animals at night. Night Prowls are from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. and the cost is $20 per person.

For more information visit www.houstonzoo.org/overnights. To register for either of these great opportunities, contact Group Sales at (713) 533-6550.

Get Connected...

...to Houston Zoo friends, events, videos, photos, and breaking news.

Be a part of our community.

1-Apr-09 2:58 PM

Cutest Animal In The World Unveiled...

Kelly Russo — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 21:36:16 GMT

Hello [firstname],

Here's what's new at the Houston Zoo.

Cutest Animal in the World Announcement...

Members – check your mailboxes for the summer edition of Houston Zoo's Wildlife magazine. The answer is on the cover, but it's not too late to guess.

Click here!

Green Globes Contest

Can you show us how you conserve?

Submit your conservation videos now! Click here for details.

Are You Wild For Wine?

Join us on Thursday, March 12 from 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. in the Zoo's Natural Encounters building for our March wine event. You'll be treated to an elegant five-course meal, paired with seven wines from Geyser Peak and XYZin especially chosen for the evening.

As you dine, winemaker Ondine Chattan will share her extensive knowledge of the history, chemistry, and intuition that goes into each wine being served.

Click here to purchase tickets. Must be 21+. Seating is limited, so act now.

Lions and Tigers and Bears (Oh My!)

See Broadway Across America's The Wizard of Oz and support our carnivores. Proceeds from your tickets to the April 16 & April 18 shows will go directly to care for the Zoo's animals.

For more information and to buy tickets, please click here.

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny

You can see many animals here at the Zoo, but this is the only time you can see a bunny quite like this! Join us for this year’s Breakfast with the Easter Bunny, where kids can meet the Bunny himself!

Saturday, April 11, 2009

9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Hot breakfast included

Tickets are on sale now. Click here to buy them now.

This event sells out quickly so be sure to make your reservation today!

Amphibian Watch

Calling all frog fanatics and toad-a-philes:

The Houston Zoo is hosting an Amphibian Watch & Monitoring Workshop on Friday, March 20 from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

This is your chance to learn more about these charismatic creatures that call Texas their home. Tickets are only $5.00.

For more information, please email Rachel Rommel at rrommel@houstonzoo.org, call (713) 533-6836, or Amphibian Watch online.

Visual Advocacy: Photography as a Tool for Conservation

This Thursday, March 5, science and nature photographer Kevin Schafer will give guests an exclusive look into how photography can inspire vast conservation efforts across the globe.

Schafer's award-winning natural history photos have appeared in publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian, Natural History, and National Wildlife.

Click Here To Buy Tickets Now...Only Two Days Left!

Conservation Tour - Brazil

This summer, the Houston Zoo will give you another chance to travel with our conservation team on a very special trip to Brazil's Pantanal.

The Pantanal is the largest inundated plain in the world and is a refuge for endangered species like the jaguar, hyacinth macaw, the giant anteater, and the giant otter.

Learn more about this amazing part of the world here. You can always email conservation@houstonzoo.org with any questions you might have about this and other efforts.

Zoobilee – It's a Springtime Safari!

Discover the wild world in your own backyard.

Thursday, April 2, 2009 OR Friday, April 3, 2009

5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Join us at the Zoo for a wildlife adventure just for members! It’s a family celebration with numerous keeper chats, a magician, and a children’s DJ. Children are invited to embark on a Zoo-style global trek to meet some of our remarkable residents and get a special passport stamped from exotic lands.

Visit www.houstonzoo.org/zoobilee for all the exciting event details! Registration opens soon.

Members-Only Sea Lion Experience

Don't miss your chance to learn more about our sea lions Deano, Cali, and Kamia at the next Member Morning this Saturday, March 7 at 9:15 a.m. Meet our expert sea lion keepers and ask questions in this VIP information session.

Make sure you register 24 hours in advance by clicking here.

Education Classes

A Stroller Safari through the A-B-Cs – Buy your ticket at the gate! Join us with your toddler ages 0-2 ½ for a wild ride around the Zoo every Tuesday and Thursday morning as we explore animals A-Z! Each week we’ll learn about a different letter and see a touchable animal. Visit www.houstonzoo.org/education for details.

Animal Antics for Kids ages 2 ½ -12! Have a swinging good time as we strut our stuff and learn to move and groove like the animals. Sign up for Natural Beginnings I or II today! To register, please visit www.houstonzoo.org/education .

Summer Camp Zoofari 2009 – Registration now open to the public! Learn all about wildlife and the animals that call the Houston Zoo home in these fun-filled, educational camps. For more details, visit www.houstonzoo.org/summercamps.

Tiger Cub Scouts: Join us for a Cleanup Treasure Hunt at the Zoo on Sunday, March 8 from 1 - 3 p.m. Cost is $15/Scout; details at www.houstonzoo.org/education.

Nighttime Scout Safaris: Join us for a unique overnight adventure for just $45/person – including dinner, breakfast, tents, and lots of activities! March 20 – boys ages 7 and older. Can’t commit for the entire night, but want a fun nighttime discovery? A 2-hour Night Prowl includes a nighttime excursion and activities around the Zoo for only $20/person. March 28 – Girl Scouts. Info and additional dates at www.houstonzoo.org/scouts.

Get Connected...

...to Houston Zoo friends, events, videos, photos, and breaking news.

Be a part of our community.

3-Mar-09 3:36 PM

[firstname], Make plans for this summer

Kelly Russo — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 21:31:21 GMT

Upcoming Events:

February 14
Wild for Love Lecture
Details...

February 23
Sea Turtle Saturday
Details...

Looking Ahead: March

March 2 & 7
Member Mornings - Sea Lions
Details...

March 7
Members First Saturday
Details...

March 5
Wildlife Lecture: Visual Advocacy: Photography as a Tool
Details...

Hello [firstname],

Summer is fast approaching, and with it comes Camp Zoofari! Camp Zoofari is an action-packed, hands-on day camp for children ages 4-12 in which kids learn about the natural world, conservation, and the animals that call the Houston Zoo home. All Zoo members are eligible for priority registration based on membership level, beginning on February 11. To help you through the registration process, click here for step-by-step instructions.

If you have not previously registered your child(ren) on our website, please do so prior to registering for your camps. This will save you time, as you will only have 30 minutes to register for your camps in one transaction. The 30 minutes starts from the time you put your first item into your Shopping Cart. After 30 minutes, your cart will be automatically emptied.

Priority registration for Zoo Summer Camp is a benefit of being a Houston Zoo Member. Your membership level determines when you can register. Upgrade your membership today and receive priority registration for Camp Zoofari.

Membership Level	Priority Registration Date
Asante Society	February 11
Conservator ($500)	February 16
Sustaining ($250)	February 16
Supporting ($130)	February 18
Grandparent ($90)	February 25
Family Plus ($90)	February 25
Family ($80)	February 25
Individual ($55)	February 25
Non-Members	March 4

For more information on these fun-filled, educational camps, including registration dates, check out www.houstonzoo.org/camps. Camps fill quickly, so be sure to register early!

Thank you for supporting the Houston Zoo!

Stay up to date with our RSS feeds.

5-Feb-09 3:31 PM

Houston Zoo News - February 3, 2009

Kelly Russo — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 19:15:05 GMT

Hello [firstname],

Here's what's new at the Houston Zoo.

New Babies!

We are proud to announce two recent and exciting births at the Houston Zoo. One newborn is a rare Coquerel's sifaka. Mom and baby can be seen on exhibit in the Wortham World of Primates.

Our other birth is a very tall and very cute baby Masai giraffe. The baby boy, named Miles, was born early last Friday and is doing great.

Watch our new babies' first moments.

The Zoo relies on contributions from our friends for the care and feeding of its animals. To make a gift in honor of our new babies, click here.

Cutest Animal in the World Coming Spring 2009

Can you guess what it is?

Cutest Animal in the World Photo Contest

Submit your photos of cute animals here and win a VIP chance to meet the cutest animal in the world. Keep checking here for clues and contest details.

Wild for Love

Join Houston Zoo Director Rick Barongi and special guests for a lighthearted look at courtship in the animal kingdom. Explore the naturally wild world of animal mating and dating with your special someone at the Zoo's "Wild for Love" Valentine's dinner and lecture Saturday, February 14 at 7:00 p.m. Buy tickets now!

Photo Day at the Houston Zoo

Photography enthusiasts - come out to the Houston Zoo on Saturday, February 21 at 8:00 a.m. to capture images of the Zoo’s animals and lush landscaping an hour before our normal opening time. Take advantage of morning lighting and cool weather and get memorable shots of some of the Zoo’s early risers.

Paul Swen, prominent photographer of worldly art, culture, and wildlife will give a brief presentation on animal photography. Swen’s dynamic imagery has led to a well-worn passport and a long list of happy clients, which includes Nike, Chase, Continental, HP, Shell, and Hilton. Details and registration information will be posted on our website soon!

Visual Advocacy: Photography as a Tool for Conservation

March 5, 2009

Kevin Schafer, National Geographic Photographer

Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Lecture begins at 7:00 p.m.

Kevin Schafer is an award-winning natural history photographer, whose photographs appear in all of the major science and nature publications in the U.S., including National Geographic, Smithsonian, Natural History, and National Wildlife. He works regularly with the Nature Conservancy and the World Wildlife Fund, and is a founding Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers. Click here for tickets to attend this special presentation.

Sea Turtle Saturday

Saturday, February 28, 2009
Brown Education Center Auditorium, Houston Zoo
8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Registration Fee $5.00
Seating is limited

Speakers will also address the affect that Hurricane Ike had on Galveston and Bolivar beaches, wiping out critical nesting area for the world's most endangered sea turtle - the Kemp’s Ridley. Ike has caused severe erosion in these areas, washing away dunes and sand in critical nesting areas. Learn what you can do to save the sea turtles. Click here for tickets and more information.

Twilight Walk on the Wildside Tour

Back by popular demand, we are offering a very unique opportunity to take a nighttime tour at the Zoo on February 20, 2009. Your journey will take you on a flashlight-guided tour to see these amazing animals after dark. Your adventure will begin at 6:30 p.m. and last until approximately 8:00 p.m.

This tour will highlight our resident cougars, jaguar, margay, plus our grizzly bears and spectacled bears.

Members - Adults/children $30 per person
Non-Members - Adults/children $40 per person

Questions? Call (713) 533-6713.

Education Classes

Fun for kids ages 2 ½ -12! Find a bird’s ears, a snake’s tail, and an elephant’s hair as we explore animals from nose to tail this February. Sign up for Natural Beginnings I or II today! Details here.

Conservation projects for teens! Join our Conservation Crew on Saturday, February 21 as we work with Texas Parks and Wildlife in the 8th Texas Abandoned Crab Trap Removal Program. To register, please visit our website.

Summer Camp Zoofari 2009! Learn all about wildlife and the animals that call the Houston Zoo home in these fun-filled, educational camps. Priority registration is given to all Zoo members and begins on February 11. For more details, please visit us here.

After-Hours Adventures: Fly with your family, skedaddle with your scouts, or sashay with your school to an evening or overnight of fun at the Zoo. Hands-on activities and nighttime animal viewing are exciting experiences for ages 7 and older. Check out the details here.

Get Connected!

One of the easiest ways to stay up to date with Houston Zoo happenings is to connect with us online. Be our friend on on Facebook, Flickr and YouTube!

Stay up to date with our RSS feeds.

3-Feb-09 1:15 PM

[firstname], Happy Holidays from the Houston Zoo

Kelly Russo — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 20:59:51 GMT

19-Dec-08 2:59 PM

December at the Zoo

Kelly Russo — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 22:35:19 GMT

Upcoming Events:

December 1

Member Mornings Giraffes

Details...

December 6

Members First Saturday

Details...

December 13

Member Mornings Giraffes

Details...

January 1

New Year's Day - Free Day

Looking Ahead...

January 3

Members First Saturday

Details...

January 19

MLK Jr. Day -

Free Day

Hello [firstname],

Here's what's happening at the Zoo in December.

Breakfast with Santa

December 20 & 21

Join us this December for a scrumptious meal, fuzzy animals to get up close and personal with, and a visit by the jolly guy himself - Santa Claus! This year each child will receive a special memento of their Houston Zoo visit. Buy tickets here.

Saturday, December 20
Two Seatings

8 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

10:30 a.m. - noon

Sunday, December 21

10:30 a.m. - noon

Help Feed the Animals!
Planning a meal for 10 this holiday season? Imagine having 4,500 of your closest friends over for dinner. Here at the Zoo, we do it every day; our animals require the freshest produce and the best cuts of meat, pushing our grocery bill well over $600,000 each year.

Each day our animals eat an amazing variety of foods, many of which you may find on your holiday table, including turkey, butternut squash, shrimp, walnuts, pecans, lettuce, green beans, figs, and much more.

Make a donation in your name or in the name of a loved one that will provide food for our animals. Your gift of $25 or more will help us feed some of Houston's biggest appetites. Give a gift and help us care for our wild friends. Click here to make your donation today.

Answer the Call of the Wild
Join the Houston Zoo this spring for exciting presentations about rare, unusual, and charismatic creatures. Proceeds from an evening of hor d'oeuvres, breathtaking photographs, and first-hand stories all benefit our local and global conservation initiatives.

Proyecto Tití: Conserving the Cotton-top Tamarin in Colombia
January 22, 2009

Rosamira Guillen, Director of Proyecto Tití and Anne Savage, Conservation Biologist at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Brown Education Center
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Sea Turtle Saturday 2009

Saturday, February 28

8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Fee: $5.00

There are five species of sea turtles inhabiting the Gulf of Mexico, all of which are considered to be either threatened or endangered. Please join the Houston Zoo for a sea turtle restoration symposium with a line up of informative lectures given by the regions most renowned sea turtle experts.

The Houston Zoo will also host the CSTEM Sea Turtle Robotics Challenge, which supports project-based learning experiences for children. Come cheer on these children and their sea turtle robots in the afternoon after the morning presentation session of Sea Turtle Saturday!

Holiday Zoo Gifts

Give someone a special gift from the Houston Zoo. We offer a wide range of one-of-a-kind gifts, including behind-the-scenes tours and memberships as presents. For a full list of creative zoo gifts, visit us online at www.houstonzoo.org/gifts.

Houston Zoo Holidays sponsored by:

Education

Are you having a hard time trying to decide what to get Fido or Fluffy for the holiday season?

Register now for Natural Beginnings I or II and discover what fun games and toys the animals at the Zoo enjoy year-round and learn how to make them for your pets at home. Sign up here.

Give a little green this year

Join Conservation Crew on Saturday, December 6 as we work with Trees for Houston to make our community a little greener. Join the cause right here.

Camps make great gifts

This winter join "A View of the Zoo" to discover the ins and outs of animal care, food preparation, and exhibit construction. Register for Winter Camp Zoofari today. Learn more here.

Help us plan for even wilder weekends at the Zoo! Tell us when and what type of education program you are interested in by taking our survey!

For more information on these programs and to register, please visit the Houston Zoo's education page.

Gift Memberships - 15% Off
A Houston Zoo membership is a gift that keeps on giving all year long. Being a member, you know the great benefits of having a membership. So why not give a gift that will provide a year’s worth of memories?

Discounts are now available on Individual, Family, Family Plus, Grandparent, and Supporting Level memberships purchased as a gift for someone in another household.
Purchase online now!

Offer expires December 31, 2008. Be sure to enter promotional code: MHG2186.

Zoo Gift Shop Special Shopping Days
Members receive 20% OFF on purchases in the gift shop during special member shopping days. The Zoo is a wonderful place to do your holiday shopping. Forget the mall crowds, and do all of your gift shopping at the Houston Zoo. There is something for everyone on your list!

Open early for members only on these days, but you may shop all day at a discount.
Saturday, December 6 – 8 a.m. - 9 a.m.
Saturday, December 13 - 8 a.m. - 9 a.m.
Saturday, December 20 - 8 a.m. - 9 a.m.

For more great gift ideas, visit www.houstonzoo.org/gifts

Happy Holidays and thank you for supporting the Houston Zoo!

1-Dec-08 4:35 PM

Houston Zoo Conservation Biologists Featured in New Animal Planet Documentary

Brian HILL — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 18:00:00 GMT

Houston Zoo Conservation Biologists Featured in New Animal Planet Documentary

The Vanishing Frog Debuts Thursday, November 20 at 7 p.m. on Animal Planet

(HOUSTON) November 14, 2008 … From the forests of Puerto Rico to the jungles of Central America to the high Sierras of the American West, the world's frogs are mysteriously vanishing. Experts believe that as many as one-third to one-half of the planet's 5,743 known amphibian species are in danger of disappearing -- victims of the most significant mass extinction since the dinosaurs.Why are amphibians in such dire straits? And how can we take action to save them? THE VANISHING FROG, a new documentary from Animal Planet in partnership with The Clorox Company, sends Jeff Corwin on an international mission to uncover clues about the frogs' deadly plight. The documentary premieres Thursday, November 20 at 7 p.m. Houston time.

During his trek through a remote rainforest in Omar Torrijos National Park in central Panama, Jeff Corwin was joined by biologists Bill Konstant and Edgardo Griffith of the Houston Zoo. Our intrepid explorers uncovered a small population of a critically endangered frog species that scientists feared had disappeared from the wild.

Last fall, Clorox became the first corporate sponsor of the "Year of the Frog" and signed on to THE VANISHING FROG project while it was still in development. In addition, Clorox is providing funding to complete the construction of a visitors and education center at the El Valle Amphibian Conservation Center in Panama, a project designed to help save amphibians that are disappearing in the wild.

THE VANISHING FROG is produced for Animal Planet by Discovery Studios. The executive producer for Animal Planet is Melinda Toporoff, and the executive producer for Discovery Studios is Chris Weber.

Animal Planet Media (APM), a multi-media business unit of Discovery Communications, is the world's only entertainment brand that immerses viewers in the full range of life in the animal kingdom with rich, deep content via multiple platforms and offers animal lovers and pet owners access to a centralized online, television and mobile community for immersive, engaging, high-quality entertainment, information and enrichment.

APM consists of the Animal Planet television network, available in more than 93 million homes in the US; online assets http://www.animalplanet.com, the ultimate online destination for all things animal; the 24/7 broadband channel, Animal Planet Beyond; Petfinder.com, the #1 pet-related Web property globally that facilitates pet adoption; and other media platforms including a robust Video-on-Demand (VOD) service; mobile content; and merchandising extensions.

*Clorox Regular Bleach is an EPA-registered fungicide.

15-Nov-08 12:00 PM

Important News from the Houston Zoo

Kelly Russo — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:51:51 GMT

Houston Zoo Mourns Passing of Beloved Elephant Mac

Mac, the Houston Zoo’s two-year-old Asian elephant whose mischievous nature endeared him to thousands of Zoo guests died last night following a brief struggle with the elephant herpesvirus. The entire Zoo staff is devastated. It’s difficult to put into words and describe the attachment that has developed over the past two years. This is a terrible loss especially for the elephant keepers and veterinary medical staff who cared for Mac during his time with us.

We are also aware how important Mac has become to our family of members, donors, volunteers, guests and the entire Houston community and we know that you share in our grief. Thank you to everyone who has supported the Houston Zoo and shown an amazing amount of affection for Mac in his two years at the Houston Zoo.

Houston Zoo elephant keepers alerted the Zoo’s veterinarians Sunday morning when they saw indications that Mac was exhibiting initial symptoms of elephant herpesvirus. Our keepers perform regular inspections of all our elephants and are trained to look for indications such as loss of appetite, lethargy, and swelling in certain areas of the head.

The Zoo’s veterinary medical team immediately began administering Famciclovir, an antiviral medication that has shown some limited success in past elephant herpes cases. “Veterinarians administered two doses of Famciclovir over a period of about seven hours.The early indications were encouraging. Mac’s appetite rallied and he took some water. Despite the early intervention and the best efforts of the Zoo’s keepers and veterinary staff, Mac passed away last night with his mother Shanti and his Aunt Methai at his side. The keepers and vet staff gave Shanti and Methai time alone to mourn Mac’s death. A necropsy, an animal autopsy, will be conducted at the state veterinary diagnostic lab at Texas A&M University. The results will not be known for several weeks.

Elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) is a recent discovery. The virus was identified in 1995 by researchers at the Smithsonian National Zoo and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Many animals and humans carry herpesviruses throughout their lives and never become sick. For reasons not fully understood, herpesviruses can come out of latency and circulate through the bloodstream. Most elephants are able to fight the virus and survive when it comes out of latency. Calves appear to be most susceptible to the virus after they have been weaned.

Herpesviruses are not limited to elephants in zoos; herpesviruses are found in wild elephants. In fact, wild elephants in Asia have died from EEHV. The Houston Zoo, the AZA, the International Elephant Foundation and other zoos and institutions are supporting the effort of the National Elephant Herpesvirus Laboratory at the Smithsonian National Zoo on testing and treatment for the disease that will contribute to the long-term survival of the species in both zoo and wild. populations

There is no cure for herpesvirus in animals or humans. It is only when an elephant is demonstrating clinical illness that zoos are able to detect the EEHV virus in blood or tissue. There is not yet a direct test to detect elephant herpes virus in a healthy animal with a latent (hidden) infection.

Mac was born October 1, 2006 at the Houston Zoo and set a birth weight record for Asian elephants – 384 pounds. Playful, intelligent, curious, and mischievous, Mac quickly became a favorite of Zoo guests and staff alike. Mac enjoyed interacting with his keepers and proved to be a good student, learning more than 30 “behaviors,” activities that provided exercise for him and gave his keepers the tools they needed to care for him.

We understand that Mac’s passing will have a significant impact on our entire Houston Zoo family and we share in your grief. Thank you for your love and support of Mac and the Houston Zoo elephant family.

10-Nov-08 11:51 AM

Join the Houston Zoo for Mac's Second Birthday!

Kelly Russo — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 16:19:42 GMT

We're celebrating the “Not So Terrible Twos”
with Mac and his new friends.

Mac's Second Birthday Party
November 2
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Win a Snack with Mac Contest!
Enter to win one of three great prizes!

After you celebrate Mac's birthday party on November 2, visit our Houston Zoomobile at the Turkic Festival!

Sponsored by:

For more information, visit us on the web by clicking here.

24-Oct-08 11:19 AM

[firstname], Last chance for Feast with the Beasts tickets

Kelly Russo — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:55:20 GMT

Only 3 days left to buy your
Feast with the Beasts tickets!

This fall, the Houston Zoo brings back its most anticipated culinary event.

Feast with the Beasts
October 10
7 - 11 p.m.
Food served from 7 - 9 p.m.

Join the Houston Zoo October 10 for the third-annual Feast with the Beasts! Enjoy great food from over 50 of Houston's best restaurants, including Crapitto's Cucina Italiana, TwoRows Restaurant & Brewery, Joyce's Ocean Grill, Spencer's for Steaks and Chops, Maggiano's Little Italy, Taste of Texas Restaurant, and many more.

And this year, the restaurants will compete in a Beastly Battle! Join us for an evening of exotic culinary fare from Houston’s hottest restaurants and vote for your favorite.

You'll also enjoy live music from Katie Stuckey and the Swagger, Urbana, and Nobody's Fool while surrounded by the Houston Zoo's lush, tropical environment, which is home to more than 4,500 animals from around the globe!

Ticket prices:
$75 Zoo Members
$80 Non-Members
$100 at the door

Must be 21 and over to attend.

For more detailed event information, click here or call
Catherine Haralson at 713-533-6876.

Restaurants participating in Feast with the Beasts this year include:

Arcodoro • Bistro Lancaster - A Valencia Hotel • Bistro Le Cep • Bradley Manchester Executive Chef Hotel ZaZa • Cafe Express • Cavatore Italian Restaurant • Cookies in Bloom • Crapitto’s Cucina Italiana • Cupcake Cafe •
Cyclone Anaya's Mexican Kitchen • Danton's Gulf Coast Seafood Kitchen •
Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House • Fountains of Chocolate
Frank's Chop House • Hungry's Cafe and Bistro • Illy Caffe/Tea & Coffee America • Jackson and Company • Jamba Juice • Joyce's Ocean Grill • LaVillette Catering and Special Events • Maggiano's Little Italy • Masraff's • Melange Catering & Special Events • Merlion Restaurant • Mi Pueblito • Molina's Cantina • Ooh La La Dessert Boutique • Ouisie's Table • Pagoda Vietnamese Bistro & Bar • P.F. Chang's China Bistro • Picnic • Pico's Mex-Mex Restaurant • Prima Pasta Restaurant • Rao's Bakery & Coffee Café • Reef • Rio Ranch • Ruth Meric Catering
• Salúd! Winery & Bistro • Smith & Wollensky Steakhouse • Solarus Catering • Spencer's for Steaks and Chops • Strip House • Taste of Texas Restaurant • The Capital Grille • The Grove • The Lakehouse • The Oceanaire Seafood Room Houston • Tokyohana • TwoRows Restaurant & Brewery •
Zoe's Kitchen

Presenting Sponsors:

Beverage Sponsors:

Media Sponsors:

Supporting Sponsors:
Bill Young Productions, Inc., Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, Comfort Systems USA, Devon Energy Corporation, Haynes and Boone, LLP, Houston Texans, Memorial Hermann, Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell LLP/The Kayser Foundation, Oceaneering International Inc., Service Systems Associates, Waste Management, 2020 Exhibits, YMCA of the Greater Houston Area

Special Thanks to:

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7-Oct-08 3:55 PM