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Buffalo Zoo Elephants Head to Columbus Zoo So Renovation of Elephant House Can Begin
 Buffalo, NY—Buffalo Zoo officials sent the Zoo’s three female Asian elephants—Buki, Surapa and Jothi—on holiday to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Powell, Ohio so renovations to their historic Elephant House can begin.
The elephants traveled in a specialty trailer built specifically for the transport of elephants. Accompanying the elephants are two of their keepers, the Zoo’s curator, veterinarian and a former Buffalo Zoo keeper who is now the large mammal curator at the Houston Zoo and president of the Elephant Managers Association.
“We looked at a number of plans but decided that sending them to the Columbus Zoo during construction was the best option for their health, comfort and well-being,” Buffalo Zoo President and CEO, Dr. Donna M. Fernandes said.
Buki, Surapa and Jothi will join four other Asian elephants housed at the Columbus Zoo but will not be exhibited with them. The elephant groups will be rotated between an indoor and outdoor exhibit. The Buffalo Zoo’s elephant keepers will remain with them on a rotational basis throughout the duration of their stay.
“This is just one great example of how zoological institutions such as ours work together for the betterment of the animals,” said Jerry Borin, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Executive Director.
Built in 1912, the Buffalo Zoo’s Elephant House is a fine example of classic zoo architecture, but the facility’s interior holding area currently falls short of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) updated regulations by 150 square feet. While the building’s exterior will not undergo any major changes, the interior holding area will be increased from the current 1,050 square feet to 1,800 square feet, which is well above the new standard of 1,200 square feet to house three female elephants. Other new or updated features will include a heating system, ventilation system, electrical system, plumbing system, cushioned flooring, upgraded lighting, roof, skylights and dedicated emergency power.
The cost of the project was estimated to be $1 million, and thanks to the generosity of the members of the Western New York community and the Margaret L. Wendt Foundation who supported the I ♥? Elephants Campaign to raise money for the renovations, the Zoo met its goal. In September 2007, the AZA also extended the Buffalo Zoo’s accreditation for another four years.
While the popular shows, Bathtime With Buki and Elephant Art With Surapa, will be cancelled for the summer, the Buffalo Zoo will announce a Welcome Home Party for the elephants sometime in late summer. Click Here for Buki’s Blog
Buffalo Zoo Welcomes Baby Indian Rhino, “Clover”
 Buffalo, NY – The Buffalo Zoo is proud to welcome its newest “wee little one”—an endangered baby Indian rhinoceros!
Born shortly before 3:30 a.m. on March 1, 2008, the female calf weighed in at approximately 135 pounds. Buffalo Zoo animal keepers have named their newest addition “Clover” in honor of the St. Patrick’s Day holiday.
Clover’s mother, Tashi, is taking excellent care of her young one, who is the first rhinoceros to be born at the Buffalo Zoo since September 15, 2004. The breeding of Tashi and Henry, Clover’s father, 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 captive population. Tashi and Henry’s first offspring, Ashakiran, now resides at the Toronto Zoo.
Found in northern India and southern Nepal, the Indian rhinoceros is the largest of the Asian rhino species. Fewer than 200 of them were thought to exist in the wild during the early 20th century, but due to strict protection from the Indian and Nepalese wildlife authorities, numbers have increased to approximately 2,500. However, as poaching still occurs, the species remains highly endangered.
Clover will be off exhibit until later this spring to ensure healthy development. When she makes her debut, she will be on exhibit every other day with her mom, Tashi. On alternating days, Henry will be in the exhibit. Tashi and Henry have been exhibited in the same half of the rhino yard on alternating days since late last summer. Henry was moved to Tashi’s outside space due to incompatibility with the axis deer with whom he previously shared the other half of the rhino exhibit.
Polar Bites 2008
 Buffalo, NY – The Buffalo Zoo and the Pro Zoo Board are proud to announce that Polar Bites 2008, held at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center, was a huge success as more than $30,000 was raised for the Zoo.
This ever-growing annual event featured food, beer and wine selections from 38 of the area’s finest establishments. Other highlights of the evening included a basket auction, silent auction, animal visits and music provided by JoyRyde. The Zoo wishes to thank Phillips Lytle LLP, Ten Eleven Group, M & T Bank, Try-It Distributing, Entercom, Fox 29/My TV 49, Buffalo Spree and the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center for their generous sponsorship of the event.
Celebrity judges voted for their favorite food and beverage selections falling under seven different categories:
Winners
Best Beer
Flying Bison Brewing Co. Winter Seasonal Scotch Ale
Best Entrée
Risa’s Deli & Catering Chicken Divan
Best Dessert
Hyatt Regency Buffalo Chocolate Crème Brulée
Most Unusual Fare
The Gourmet Store Artichoke Brie Soup
Best Presentation
Rich Renaissance Catering Prosciutto Melone Lollipops
Best of Show
The Fairdale Banquet Center Tenderloin Crostini
Best Wine
Niagara Landing Wine Cellars Misty Niagara
Visit Our New Tiger Cubs
 Our new Amur tiger cubs, Thyme and Warner, met the media on February 19th. You can come see them daily between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. approximately. Please understand that special circumstances may require that they be removed from public viewing to ensure the best possible care. Sorry, there are no refunds due to animal unavailability or weather. Click Here for more Information.
New Zoo Prices for 2008
Effective March 1st, the Buffalo Zoo admission prices are rising due to increased operating costs. We have worked very hard to keep to our increases to a minimum. This is the first increase in admission since 2005.
Children 23 months and under: FREE
Children (2-14): $6.00
Full Time Students: $7.00 (up to age 22 with valid school id)
Adults: $9.50
Seniors (63+): $7.00
Como Park Zoo’s Polar Bears to Find Another Temporary Home
 Buffalo, NY—The Buffalo Zoo’s Board of Directors, in agreement with Zoo officials, has made the decision to decline the loan of two polar bears from the Como Park Zoo in Minnesota.
The board decided against accepting the bears during a meeting on January 29, 2008 after Como Park Zoo officials requested that a section of the Buffalo Zoo’s off-exhibit holding area, which is currently not in use, be reconfigured to accommodate training protocol currently used at Como Park. The training protocol utilized at Como Park requires keepers to interact face-to-face with the bears across a fence barrier. The Buffalo Zoo’s front moated exhibits cannot accommodate this particular training method. The requested modifications to the Zoo’s off-exhibit holding area were estimated to cost between $30,000 - $60,000.
“It doesn’t make sense to invest a lot of money in an exhibit slated for demolition in the next few years. We’d rather spend the capital funds on design of our new Arctic complex scheduled for Phase II of the Master Plan,” said James W. Smyton, chairman of the Zoological Society of Buffalo’s Board of Directors.
While the Como Park Zoo’s polar bears can be exhibited together, Como Park also recommended separating the bears at night. Devoting two separate and distinct exhibits to the Como animals would have precluded the planned receipt of two endangered spectacled bears.
“We appreciate being considered to house Como Park’s bears, but unfortunately, we had to decline because we feel our exhibit is not configured to maintain their method of training. We are pleased, however, to welcome two more spectacled bears so we can continue our involvement in the conservation of this species,” said Buffalo Zoo president/CEO, Donna M. Fernandes, Ph.D.
The two spectacled bears, a 19-year-old female from Ross Park Zoo in Binghamton, NY and a 17-year-old male from Zoo World in Panama City in Florida, are scheduled to arrive in early spring.
Python Physical
Zoo’s reticulated python gets her annual physical
 The floor of the Reptile house might not seem like a typical doctor’s office. On January 3rd, the doctor was in for Rita, the reticulated python as she got her annual physical with the help of 18 caring hands of our Zoo Keepers and Vet Staff. After checking her length and weight, Dr. Volle and Veterinary Technician Alice Rohauer checked her heartbeat and drew what would be a routine blood test for any patient getting their physical. Rita let herself be carried back to her habitat without a problem. Backing her into the exhibit 1 foot at a time went without a issue.
Each year, Rita, receives a routine veterinary exam during which her overall health is assessed and she is weighed and measured. The reticulated python is the world’s longest reptile, averaging between 10 and 20 feet, with the longest on record measuring 35 feet. They are characterized by a vivid scale pattern with a diamond-shaped configuration highlighted by white spots. Reticulated pythons primarily kill their prey by constriction and have about 100 teeth that point backward to help them hold the prey. Found in Southeast Asia, their numbers are decreasing due to habitat loss. They are also killed for their skins, the Asian rituals of blood drinking and gall bladder removal and when humans encounter them in the wild.
Rita checked in at 16 feet long and 110 pounds and great health. She has resided at the Buffalo Zoo since 1991.
The Elephant House Open for “Nutty Business”
Perry’s presents Zoo with a check
 Executives from Perry’s Ice Cream came down to the Buffalo Zoo on December 18th to present President/CEO Donna Fernandes with a check in the amount of $6,749.20 from proceeds from the sale of Perry’s “Nutty Business” Ice Cream. The funds raised go directly to the “I Love Elephants” campaign to benefit the renovations of the Zoo’s Elephant House.
The campaign was launched on Valentine’s Day, 2007 to raise $1 million to increase the size of the interior holding area from 1,050 square feet to 1,800 square feet, which is well above the new AZA standard of 1,200 square feet to house the Zoo’s three female Asian elephants. This public campaign was widely supported throughout the Western New York community with residents and companies like Perry’s holding their own fundraisers and making donations. All the necessary funds have been raised, and the renovations will begin in the spring of 2008.
The Zoo Disputes Incomplete Report on Polar Bears
Finds PETA’s charges inaccurate and misleading and disagrees with conclusions
 Buffalo, NY – Nov. 26, 2007 – Buffalo Zoo President Donna M. Fernandes Ph.D. today disputed reports – that said four polar bears died at the Zoo over 16 months due to neglect or inattention.
All four bears – ranging in age up to 29 – died of natural causes, including heart disease and cancer, as verified by necropsies and independent pathology reports from a lab in Washington state. “The preliminary report is incomplete. It is factually incorrect,” said Fernandes. “The four polar bears cited in the preliminary USDA report died of natural causes, including heart failure, cancer of the gall bladder, kidney disease and a defective heart valve. None of those bears died because they ate or swallowed garbage.”
A review of more than 1,000 animal keeper reports about the bears from the last three years found two of those 1,000 mentioned finding parts of plastic bags in the bears’ exhibits. In only one case, part of a plastic bag was found in the stool.
“Thus I want to emphasize: the bears did not consume garbage. No plastic was ever found in the intestines of these bears. None died from anything other than natural causes,” Fernandes said.
The Zoo is highly respected by its peers and national regulators for increasing the captive population of the threatened polar bear, Fernandes said.
The Buffalo Zoo’s polar bears gave birth to 11 cubs between 1977 and 1997 – polar bears only breed every three years. The program was so successful that the national committee that regulates polar bear breeding under its “Species Survival Plan” asked the zoo to stop breeding polar bears for the last 10 years because the gene pool overflowed with the Zoo’s offspring.
In addition to the success with the polar bears, over the last three years, the zoo – led by the curators, veterinarians and animal keepers – nurtured 544 births and hatches from 51 different species – 11 of them endangered.
“I know I speak for the entire board when I say that we have complete confidence in our zoo’s leadership, curators and staff,” said board President James Smyton. “Western New Yorkers can be confident that we have a superior zoo.”
Nonetheless, reports have emphasized PETA’s interpretation of Buffalo’s zoo.
“PETA never visited our zoo, didn’t call me, didn’t speak to our curators, and never observed our animals,” Fernandes said. “What makes PETA the expert on our zoo?”
Not only does the zoo emphasize proper care for animals and is properly certified and inspected, but it is functioning at a high level, she said.
It is in the middle of a $27 million investment in new facilities.
Since 2002, the number of zoo visitors rose by 5 percent each year, from 329,000 people to a record 415,000 this year.
Over the same five years, membership increased by 50 percent from 12,000 households to 18,500.
The budget rose from $4.8 million to 5.8 million between 2002 and 2007.
In September, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums re-accredited the zoo for five more years after a comprehensive examination of everything it does. Buffalo can be proud to have one of only 214 first-class zoos or aquariums in America, she said.
And once a year for the last 30 or more years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture inspected the zoo and found only the most minor infractions – like peeling paint – but none having to do with animal neglect.
“Western New Yorkers should be outraged that an organization that barely knows the zoo should criticize the good people who work at and operate this facility,” Fernandes said. “This zoo has provided Western New Yorkers – especially their children and grandchildren – with decades of happiness and fostered their introduction to some of the world’s most important and rare animals.”
She said that she is confident when the final USDA report is issued early next year, the facts will show that the polar bears died of natural causes and that the Buffalo Zoo does not neglect its animals.
Amur Tiger Cubs born at the Buffalo Zoo
The Buffalo Zoo is pleased to announce the much-anticipated births of two endangered Amur tiger cubs!
 Born during the late evening and early morning hours between October 6 and 7, the male and female cubs each weighed in at approximately two pounds. Their births are a huge success for the Buffalo Zoo, as these are the first surviving tiger cubs to be born at the Zoo since 1988. The breeding of the cubs' parents, Sungari and Toma, 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 captive population.
Sungari, the cubs' mother, continues to take good care of her little ones in their indoor holding area. While the cubs will be off exhibit to the public for at least three months to ensure healthy development, visitors can still view Toma, the cubs' father, and Sahib, the Zoo's golden tiger, on a rotational basis.
Amur tigers are the largest of the tiger species and are native to eastern Russia, northeastern China and northern regions of North Korea. Formally called Siberian tigers, these animals no longer inhabit Siberia and are now referred to as Amur tigers after the Amur River, which flows through their current range in Russia. Scientists have listed these animals as being critically endangered, as only 350 to 450 Amur tigers are estimated to survive in the wild.
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