Month: June 2018

June 26, 2018

Whenever summer rolls around, I find myself counting down the days until the Sunday in July when Seneca Park Zoo Society’s Jungle Jog event reunites me with family from near and far.

I participated in Jungle Jog for the first time six years ago in 2012, alongside my husband Alex, sister Kathy, and mother Kim. That year, my uncle Chris Zunner drove all the way from New York City to surprise us and has made the trip to run this race every year since.

Since 2012, we’ve had quite a few other family members join us at Jungle Jog, including cousins from Niagara Falls and family in Niagara County. In addition to everyone running, we bring with us our very own cheering section – including my dad, my aunt, and my brother’s wife. This event has become a great day for all of us to come together.

This year, Chris even organized a Facebook group to ensure the Zunner family is very aware of the event date. We’re hoping to get even more people involved this year that have yet to run or walk this 5K.We all run the Jungle Jog course at our own pace, and then wait for each other at the finish line. But there’s certainly some healthy competition amongst us!

What I enjoy most about this race is running the beautiful course that takes you through the Zoo and lower Seneca Park. It’s a beautiful park that we don’t get to see very often. The kids in the family really enjoy the Fun Run after the 5K and most years, we take advantage of free same-day admission to the Zoo.

It’s always fun to run a race that you not only enjoy, but you know the money you spend is going to a great cause. You also won’t find a happier or more fun crowd supporting you along the course.

Jungle Jog is a day our family looks forward to every year, knowing we’ll not only get to see other, but we’ll have a great time for a great cause.– Kelly Zunner Daniels

Runners:
Alex Daniels
Kim Zunner
Kathy Zunner
Christopher Zunner
Nick Sturdivant
Marc Sturdivant
Brianna McDougald
Kyle Zunner
Rodney FisherRegister for Jungle Jog

June 18, 2018

Summer break is right around the corner, which means the ZooCamp staff here at Seneca Park Zoo are preparing for months of non-stop fun for hundreds of ZooCampers! From helping zoo keepers and up-close animal encounters, to new, hands-on activities every day. How else would you want to spend a summer?

As a Camp Coordinator, it’s my job to make sure that counselors have everything they need to provide campers with an immersive and memorable week at the Zoo. This starts by cleaning the camp spaces and stocking them with craft materials, snacks, first aid kits, and plenty of games. A seemingly small task, but it makes a huge difference once the hustle and bustle of camp is in full swing. Putting together the daily schedules and making sure the campers have plenty of activities during their time at camp is also a big part of getting ready for the summer.After sitting in classrooms for a majority of the year, we know that kids are ready to get outside, meet new friends, and just have fun. ZooCamp allows kids to do exactly that while learning about new themes and subjects at the same time. Instead of teaching about conservation issues in a classroom, like climate change or habitat loss, we have the ability to give campers hands-on experiences with real-world conservation projects like testing how clean the local water is or making a mural out of recycled plastic. When discussing a theme such as animal poaching, the campers can look into the eyes of one of the four beautiful African elephants at the Zoo and see for themselves that this animal’s life is worth much more than what you could sell their ivory for.My favorite part about leading ZooCamp is being able to connect with the kids over a shared love of animals and the environment. To watch campers of all ages engage with some of their favorite animals up close and get excited about discovering ways that they can help conservation efforts from their own home is incredible. I believe it’s important for the younger generation to witness first-hand adults, young and old, who are excited about nature and animals just as much as they are. Being able to share my passion for conservation with young minds is so important to me; everyone can make a positive change in the world, no matter how old they are.

If you have a child that is curious about animals and nature, is interested in working at a zoo one day, or even just loves to be outside, then ZooCamp is the right choice. While talking to your child about their day at camp, you may even learn something new yourself!– Heidi Van Buskirk, Camp CoordinatorView Summer ZooCamp Options

June 11, 2018

Did you know you can help local wildlife simply by setting up a trail camera in your backyard? Trail cameras, or camera traps, are used by organizations around the world to study and help conserve wildlife. Cameras are a way to observe wildlife without disrupting animals or the environment.

On Saturday, June 16, Seneca Park Zoo will be hosting Camera Traps as Conservation Tools, a day dedicated to showing guests how camera traps are used to contribute to conservation. Interactive stations and animal experiences will provide an in-depth look at conservation methods with the goal of empowering guests to support organizations that use camera traps, like Snow Leopard Trust or even your Zoo, or by setting up their own cameras to observe the wildlife right in their backyards!

Kirk Doran, a member of the Zoo Society’s Education Committee, moved to Rochester from Indiana four years ago and now calls Bushnell’s Basin home. A nature enthusiast with a house near Powder Mills Park, Kirk has set up trail cameras to capture images of the animals that venture onto his property.Q: Where did you set up your trail camera?
Kirk: We have about two to three acres of land with mature trees behind our home. Initially, I set up a camera just in the backyard and it caught foxes, skunk, the neighbor’s cat, lots of deer, wild turkey, coyotes, and more. But two years ago, in February, I noticed we had some baby foxes playing behind our fence – the den was about 10 feet from the back of the fence – so I put a camera next to one of the den openings.

Q: What was it like to have a family of foxes living on your property?
Kirk: It was amazing to watch the babies grow up, being nursed, and the parents bringing back game for them. I set up a second trail camera that records video to get even more footage of the foxes growing up. My wife and I watched them all summer long. We hoped they would return the following year and indeed – the same father, with a new female, was back in the den with a new liter. Our cameras captured images the babies coming out of their den for the first time but soon after, the mother moved them to a different location.

Q: Have your experiences with trail cameras taught you more about wildlife?
Kirk: I’ve always had an interest in wildlife, and now I find myself doing research to learn more about the behaviors of species we catch on camera. You wouldn’t think of some of these animals living around here, but you’d be surprised at what the camera captures.Q: What type of trail cameras do you have?
Kirk: Trail cameras are easy to find, whether online or in stores like DICKS or Field & Stream. But there are an overwhelming number of options out there. You can find something simple, easy-to-use, and affordable that still captures quality images.

I have a basic Moultrie trail camera that I got as a gift about five or six years ago. My other camera that captures video is one I bought right off Amazon.

Q: Can anyone use camera traps to observe wildlife?
Kirk: Camera trapping is easy for anyone to pick up. Whether you live in a more residential or rural area, you’d be surprised at the animals you see traveling through your backyard.

Q: What have you enjoyed most about camera trapping?
Kirk: Being able to witness those baby foxes grow up was incredible. It was almost like having a family of pets that we grew attached to. We were sad when they left. I can’t really put into words how exciting it was. Almost every evening at dusk we’d see them playing in the background.

Q: Did you do attempt to do anything for the animals?
Kirk: Wildlife always needs water, so at the end of one of the seasons, I put a big pan of water in our backyard. Within three weeks, the cameras captured many images of foxes, skunks, birds, opossums, deer, and more – all using that dish as a source of water. Even in a more residential neighborhood, water can bring in all types of wildlife.While the family of foxes has moved on, Kirk recently noticed a family of groundhogs has moved into the den and had baby groundhogs! He’s looking forward to following their journey.

 

Be sure to visit the Zoo Saturday, June 16, for Camera Traps as Conservation Tools Day to learn how you can get involved.

June 6, 2018

On Friday, June 1, 2018, Seneca Park Zoo officials joined Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo, members of the Monroe County Parks Department, and members of the public to cut the ribbon on the new Cold Asia area. Cold Asia features a habitat for the Zoo’s newest members, two red pandas named Blaze and Starlight, as well as a brand-new home for the existing snow leopards, Kaba and Tamila.

Read the official press release here.Check out local coverage of the event:

D&C: You won’t see anything cuter all day: Red Pandas join Seneca Park Zoo

WROC: Seneca Park Zoo opens red panda exhibit

WHAM: Red panda, snow leopard habitats open at Seneca Park Zoo

WHEC: Seneca Park Zoo welcomes new red pandas

RBJ: Red pandas, snow leopards make home at zoo’s new Cold Asia Exhibit