Month: January 2018

January 28, 2018

Seneca Park Zoo is home to four African elephants, three African lions and 12 olive baboons. And I’m sure it comes as no surprise that Rochester, NY can experience some extreme winters, so what do the African animals do in the winter time?

Many people may be deterred from visiting the Zoo during the winter because they believe it’s too cold for many of the species. In fact, almost all the animals have access to their habitats and enjoy being out in the snow. It’s a new environment for them, so it is very enriching!The lions and baboons have heat rocks in their yards that give them a warm, dry place to lie if they choose to be outside. Adding pine shavings or straw beds make it even more inviting for them. The keeper staff shovels pathways through the snow to make it easier for the animals to move through their habitats, and make sure any objects or perching areas are clear of snow as well. Providing enrichment outside also encourages the animals to spend more time in their habitats. Scattering food, putting spices and perfume on bins or logs, and making snowmen for the animals are just a few of my personal favorites.Indoor areas are always accessible and are kept at approximately 65-70 degrees. The elephants and rhino are susceptible to hypothermia and frost bite, so they can’t be outside for extended periods of time if it’s below 40 degrees and they must be dry if they do go out.There are some days that the animals just prefer to stay indoors, which is usually on the bitter cold days. This is when it is most crucial to provide an assortment of enrichment for them. Providing new scents, objects, or changing their normal routine keeps the animals mentally and physically stimulated. The baboons are natural foragers, so giving them finely chopped produce and seed mix in their bedding material allows them to exhibit these natural behaviors. Both the baboons and lions enjoy receiving their food in cardboard boxes and bags, not only do they get something delicious to eat but they get to shred the cardboard in the process! Doing more training routines throughout the day helps keep the elephants engaged and is also great exercise for them.Keepers are always coming up with new ideas for enrichment, whether it’s building different structures or rearranging the logs and other furniture in their habitats. I recommend everyone visit the Zoo in the winter to see what it’s like. It’s a completely different experience and it’s quite fun watching all the animals explore their habitats in the snow!– Randi Conway, Zoo Keeper

January 16, 2018

In the beginning of November, Seneca Park Zoo welcomed two young female California sea lions; Mary Lou and Daley, from SeaWorld Orlando. General Curator David Hamilton and I, flew to Orlando, Florida and spent three days learning about Mary Lou and Daley, as well as preparing for a long trip back to Rochester. SeaWorld trainers shared any knowledge they had about each of the girls, including insight into their personalities. We were also able to watch a few feeding and training sessions. The trip itself only took three days, but planning for their arrival started several months before that.

Our resident sea lions, Lily and Bob, had been living together in Rocky Coasts since Bob’s birth last June. Bob voluntarily weaned himself from his mother at an early age and had bonded with staff, but had never experienced another sea lion. Lily has lived with other sea lions, but her laid back personality changed after she gave birth and she was very protective of Bob. The sea lion staff was fairly certain that Bob would get along well with Mary Lou and Daley, but we didn’t know if Lily would allow anyone to be near Bob. Our concern was that she would try to protect Bob and show some aggressive behavior towards the new girls, as well as the keeper staff.Before Mary Lou and Daley arrived, lots of information was shared between Seneca Park Zoo and SeaWorld. We learned when the girls were born, who they currently lived with, who their parents are, how much they weighed, and their current diets. The vet staff was consulted and we had sea lion staff meetings to discuss how we would handle things once the girls arrived. After all the details were collected, it was decided that Daley and Mary Lou would be placed inside the sea lion behind-the-scenes holding area with the larger pool upon arrival. This would allow them to have access to a heated indoor area with a pool, but also be able to see Lily and Bob through the gates. Lily and Bob would have outside access, the other indoor pool, and the rest of the indoor holding area.A couple days prior to Mary Lou and Daley’s arrival, staff limited access to the larger pool area in our sea lion holding, so that Lily and Bob could adjust to the area not being available to them at all times. This was important, especially for Bob, who spent significant time in there. Additional heaters were hung in three different indoor locations, allowing all the sea lions supplementary heat, since winter was fast approaching and the new additions were used to warmer Florida temperatures.The morning Daley and Mary Lou arrived, staff was ready to help make the transition from SeaWorld to Seneca Park Zoo. Lily and Bob were outside and we gave Mary Lou and Daley access to the pool room. They adjusted fairly well and there was little to no stress observed. Staff offered them food, and then gave Lily and Bob indoor access so they could see each other. Over the next couple days, we observed how the sea lions interacted through the gate and kept a log of any and all behaviors. We also allowed Mary Lou and Daley to explore inside while Lily and Bob were outside so they could become comfortable and familiar with their new surroundings. Three days after their arrival, we kept Lily and Bob separated inside another area and opened the door to the outside. Both Mary Lou and Daley peeked out the door but chose to stay inside. We wanted everything to be as positive as possible, so we allowed them to make the decision to stay where they were most comfortable.Four days after their arrival, we opened all the indoor and outside doors, allowing Daley and Mary Lou to meet Bob and Lily. The introduction could not have gone any smoother! Keeper staff remained with the sea lions inside at first, but ultimately had to exit because Bob was more interested in the keepers than the new sea lions. Within 15 minutes of the introductions, all the sea lions were swimming outside together. Pushing, shoving, chasing, open mouth lunging, and biting are some typical signs of aggression in sea lions. Luckily for us, everything worked out as we hoped it would and we saw no signs of aggression.The behind-the-scenes holding area has three cameras inside and one camera outside, so we can observe their behaviors at all times. This is important because we don’t always know what is going on overnight when sea lion staff isn’t there. One of the ways we were certain that everyone was comfortable with each other was when we saw all the sea lions sleeping next to each other inside. The sea lions were also playing, eating, and interacting with staff, all of which are very good signs that everyone has accepted each other. If I had to rate the sea lion introductions, I would give it an A+!– Kellee Wolowitz, Assistant Curator

January 11, 2018

Have you ever wanted to wake up next to a sea lion? Every time I lead an overnight program at Seneca Park Zoo, I continue to be amazed that this is something I get to do as part of my job. And the best part is, I get to share the experience with groups equally as excited to be at the Zoo as I am. 

Overnights are one of my favorite programs to lead. It’s such a privilege to be at the Zoo when it’s closed to the public and it’s just you and the animals. You feel more deeply connected to the animals and want to help their counterparts living in their natural ranges.During an overnight, you will be the only people at the Zoo. It’s so different from the busy summer days most people think of when they picture a trip to the Zoo. You don’t have to worry about crowds or any animals seeking shade from the sun. Many animals prefer the cooler nighttime weather and the quiet after everyone has gone home. Animals that are primarily nocturnal, like the wolves, tigers, lynx, and snow leopards, are usually more visible to groups staying overnight than they might be during the day. The sea lions are also usually outside, since they only really sleep for about 20 minutes at a time, and that is especially neat for groups to see when the overnight is in Rocky Coasts Gallery, right next to the sea lion habitat.Throughout the private Zoo tour, educators like me provide groups with interesting facts about the animals. We share information appropriate for all levels and leave plenty of time for questions so everyone in the group can get the most out of their overnight stay. This is also an opportunity for us to share what makes the animals so interesting from our perspective with the hopes that others can connect to these animals like we have. We also choose hands-on projects for the night that adults and kids can work on together, because the program should be as much about the people you are with as the animals you get to visit.

It’s so special to wake up, look out the window, and realize there is a sea lion swimming right next to you. If you are lucky, you may even see the polar bear exploring in the morning because that time of day seems to be her favorite. I can’t think of a better way to start the day.

– Tricia Chapman, Family Programs Coordinator

Interested in spending a night at the Zoo? Learn more:

UPCOMING FAMILY SLEEPOVERSBUNK WITH BEASTS FOR SCOUTS

January 8, 2018

Last July, Seneca Park Zoo officials broke ground on the first phase of the Zoo’s master plan transformations. The ground-breaking ceremony took place where a four-acre expansion of A Step into Africa will open in 2018.

Other significant changes coming to the Zoo this year as a part of the transformation include the beginnings of a new Cold Asia area with snow leopard and red panda habitats and a passenger tram. The historic Main Building will be razed in 2018, paving way for the next phase of enhancements.

The new snow leopard habitat will be adjacent to the animal hospital and provides opportunities for the snow leopards to climb rock formations as they would in their natural range. Red pandas, a species new to the Zoo, will arrive in the summer and live in a new habitat next to the snow leopards.As of mid-December, the walls of the support space for the snow leopard and red panda habitats have gone up. There is also a dramatic gradation to provide more realistic landscape and better viewing of the animals for guests.

Click image to enlarge and learn more.Construction crews have also made great progress on expanding A Step into Africa.

The exhibit will be home to giraffes, zebras, and ostriches, as well as a new, larger habitat for the Zoo’s beloved white rhino, Bill. In addition, the Animals of the Savanna will have indoor spaces for the large animals, an aviary, an aquarium of Lake Malawi cichlids, and numerous small habitats for animals like naked mole rats and rock hyrax.As your Zoo changes and transforms, we’ll be providing you with the latest construction updates so you can look forward to all that’s coming to Seneca Park Zoo. Learn more about the improvements and the A Wilder Vision Capital Campaign here.

January 8, 2018

Check out the following local news coverage to learn how Seneca Park Zoo ensures the animals stay safe and warm during frigid temperatures.Spectrum: Keeping animals warm throughout the winter

WROC: Frigid temperatures impact household pets and Zoo animals

Zoo Tram2021A Tram will give guests the opportunity for transportation from one end of the Zoo to the other. Tram stations will be in the front of the Zoo by admissions and by the giraffe feeding platform in the Animals of the Savanna area.See more of what’s changing

Razing of the 1931 Main BuildingDONEAs of November 2018, the Main Building at the south end of the Zoo has been demolished.  The building was built in 1931 and did not meet current best practices for animal care, so it was razed. Removal of the outdated structure paves the way for a second phase of Master Plan improvements, to include a new Tropics Complex featuring animals from the ecosystems of Borneo and Madagascar.FAQQuestion 1: Why is the Main Building going away?
Answer: The Main Building,  which was built in 1931, does not meet today’s standards for animal welfare or guest experience. Therefore it will be demolished in 2018 which will pave way for a new, state of the art Tropics Complex.Question 2: Where did all the animals in the Main Building go?
Answer:  Each of the animals were sent to another zoo or moved to a different area at Seneca Park Zoo.  Zoo leadership worked very closely with the AZA Species Survival Plan to find the most appropriate home for each animal.Question 3: When will the Tropics Complex be complete?
Answer:  The footprint the Main Zoo Building once occupied will graded and planted with grass, for the time being. Planning and design of the new Tropics Complex, which will take its place, as well as entry plaza improvements will begin in 2021, with construction commencing in 2022 and an anticipated opening date of 2023.See more of what’s changing