Bella turns 4!

Bella-is-4Seneca Park Zoo’s Bornean orangutan Bella turns 4 on April 29!

Being that orangutans are critically endangered, every birthday of every orangutan is an important milestone.  We celebrate Bella’s special day not only for that reason, but also because of what an amazing animal she is growing up to be.

Proficient at tool use, energetic and playful, with regular training sessions Bella has already mastered more than a dozen husbandry behaviors that keepers rely on to help monitor the orangutan’s health.

We wish Bella many more birthdays; it has been a joy and a privilege to see her develop into the very special orangutan she is today.— Brian Sheets, Zoo KeeperThe Zoo partners with the nonprofit organization Health in Harmony to help save orangutans from extinction in their natural range.LEARN MORE

Going green at the Zoo

As a conservation organization, the Zoo is saving species by inspiring guests to take action on behalf of animals. But we’re working to conserve more than just the animal species in our care: every day, nearly every part of the Zoo participates in small but important sustainability practices that save energy, reduce waste, and help maintain a greener environment.

Photo by Kelli O'Brien

Animal care staff participates in the Zoo’s efforts to move toward more sustainable practices by composting leftover produce in addition to animal manure. The rich compost is then used on grounds to nourish plants and flowers throughout the Zoo!

Photo by Sue Rea
Photo by Sue Rea

Any paper, cardboard, metal, or plastic that is left over from deliveries of food or other animal care necessities is recycled. One of the companies that is always delivering things to the Zoo, B. Gimabrone & Co. Produce, reuses the boxes in which it packages bananas. Many of the animals at the Zoo receive browse, or branches and leaves, which is sourced from nearby Seneca Park and surrounding areas.

Everyday items can be reused to create enrichment for the animals, allowing them to use their minds and bodies to stay mentally and physically healthy.  These objects can be boxes, blankets, barrels, and more. Staff also uses reusable plastic bucket lids in the place of plastic bags.

Photo by Kelli O'Brien
Photo by Kelli O’Brien

In the Animal Hospital, staff reuses and repurposes hard plastic disposables such as syringes and syringe caps. They also reuse fluid bags as heating pads for animals. When they need to dispose of supplies, they find ways to do so responsibly if reuse is not an option.

To help cut down on waste, our facilities staff uses green cleaning products and reuses towels instead of paper towels for cleaning. The staff that manages electric and water power at the Zoo recycles UV light bulbs and repairs equipment instead of replacing it whenever possible.

There are lots of ways to help with the Zoo’s sustainability efforts as a guest at the Zoo.

The Programming and Conservation Action department of the Seneca Park Zoo Society collects light bulbs and toner cartridges for recycling. Next time you visit, bring these items to the Education Center and they will be recycled for you!

Elephant-(north)Use the bottle and can recycling bins around the Zoo to deposit any empty bottles as you explore. Better yet, bring your own reusable water bottle and fill it up at a water fountain when you visit!

Having a snack during your visit? At the Eagle’s Landing Café and Crater Canteen, hamburgers, hot dogs, and sausages are sourced from locally-owned distributers Palmers and Zweigles. All food containers and plateware are 100% compostable, while cutlery is biodegradable. Food service is moving to compostable straws and lids as well.

eagles-landing
Photo by Kelli O’Brien

IMG_5836When you stop by the ZooShop for a souvenir of your day, ask to add a reusable bag in your purchase so you can carry your items home and use it again. On Earth Day, the ZooShop will aim not to use any paper bags.

If you’re coming to the Zoo for a Birthday Party soon, you’ll be attending a Zero Waste event. In the coming months, our parties are transitioning to using only compostable and recyclable party plates and non-petroleum-based bioplastic cups and cutlery. Already, we have significantly reduced our use of plastic party souvenirs and continue to look for sustainable and fun options for other take-home items. Our hosts share information about reducing the amount of refuse that goes into the landfill, and in the future we hope to compost as well as recycle our party waste.

Learn more about how your Zoo and other local organizations are working to protect the planet at Earth Day at the Zoo on Saturday, April 22, and discover what you can do to live more sustainably to help save animals from extinction.GO TO EARTH DAY

Giraffes coming to the Zoo in 2018

April 2017

Check out a summary of news coverage of the Zoo’s plan to bring giraffes in 2018!D&C: Birth of giraffe gives Seneca Park Zoo plenty to think about

Spectrum: Giraffe Exhibit Highlighted in Seneca Park Zoo’s Master Plan Unveiling

WHAM: Seneca Park Zoo adding three giraffes by 2018

WHEC: Seneca Park Zoo to get new giraffe exhibit, 3 giraffes

WROC: Three giraffes coming to Seneca Park Zoo in 2018

WXXI: Seneca Park Zoo to add 3 giraffesLearn more about what’s changing at your Zoo

Celebrating Lions

There are few animals as iconic as the African lion. Nicknamed “King of the Jungle” and synonymous with pride, bravery, and strength, the lion has been ingrained in our culture for countless decades. But like many revered animals, the true nature and behavior of the African lion is often misunderstood. With Celebrate Lions Day coming up at the Zoo on Saturday, April 15, here are some interesting facts about these spectacular cats and their importance in maintaining a healthy ecosystem in Africa.

James Weinpress 2In Africa, lions are apex predators and the largest predatory cat roaming the continent. They are the only truly social cat living in family groups called “prides” composed of adult females, juveniles, cubs, and typically one adult male. These family ties are beneficial to the pride by turning hunting into a coordinated effort increasing the likelihood of making a successful kill. Lions will often target the old, weak, and sick individuals in a herd leaving only the healthiest individuals to reproduce.

Despite their impressive hunting skills and social living groups, lions face a multitude of threats including loss of habitat, trophy and retaliation hunting, and the introduction of diseases from domestic cattle. Without lions, prey species populations experience unchecked growth that can create problems for other animals and humans alike. When lions are protected, they keep herbivore and smaller predator species in check and provide residents with opportunities for income through eco-tourism.

Our Zoo is home to three adult African lions: Chester, Zuri, and Asha. The three have lived together since coming to the Zoo in 2012 for the opening of A Step Into Africa. A lot goes into caring for these intelligent animals. As one of their keepers, I am responsible for providing them with stimulating enrichment. Lions have an incredible sense of smell and enjoy searching for the spices, perfumes, and even elephant droppings that may be hidden on exhibit.

James Weinpress 4

Training is also a large component of their care. Almost every day I sit down with the lions (on the opposite side of the mesh, of course!) and work on training them to do behaviors that allow them to take an active role in their own healthcare. Important behaviors include showing me their paws and opening their mouths for visual inspections. The vet staff also comes down to help with voluntary vaccinations and radiographs. When the lion performs the correct behavior, they are rewarded with a meatball or other meaty treat. This way, they associate physical exams with receiving rewards and their relationship with the animal care staff is strengthened.

I hope that this year’s Celebrate Lions Day will give people a new appreciation for the Zoo’s lions and their counterparts in Africa. Chester, Zuri, and Asha are ambassadors for their species, and I encourage you to take some extra time during your visit to stop at the various stations to learn more about their adaptations, care, and conservation.— James Weinpress, Zoo KeeperGO TO CELEBRATE LIONS DAY