Grieving the Loss of an Animal in Our Care

June 19, 2020

When a Zoo animal dies, we share the news and as many details as possible. We know how much our community mourns the loss of an animal at the Zoo.

While an animal’s death might seem like the end, for the animal care professionals who cared for that individual, it begins a grieving process. Although these animals are not pets, and not ours, there is a similar sense of loss, the same grieving that comes with losing a companion animal. We form relationships with the animals in our care, many of which last many years. And, just like when a pet ages, the relationship often becomes even stronger towards the end as a result of the increased care that geriatric animals require.

After an animal dies, there are food bowls, favorite toys or blankets that must be put away. Dens or shelters need to be cleaned, sometimes to be left empty for a long period of time. All are sad reminders of a living being that touched us in some way. On top of that, we need to answer questions from guests about the animal; like where they are (not everyone may know they passed away) or how they died. Legitimate inquiries for sure, and we welcome the genuine interest in them, but talking about an animal you cared for that is no longer with us while containing your emotions in the process can be difficult. Although zoo keepers have the best jobs in the world, this is an unfortunate part of a commitment to a lifetime of care.

The recent death of our older female otter Sara prompted me to reflect on these experiences. While we had been treating Sara for several age-related conditions and knew she had outlived her life expectancy, her sudden decline made things all the more difficult. However, after going through some video I took on my last day with Sara, I thought sharing both might bring some closure and peace of mind, not only for me and her other caregivers but the thousands of our guests who sent their thoughts to us since the announcement. It might also shed some light on a seldom talked about subject that everyone who cares for animals has experienced.

So, here’s Sweet Sara, casually chasing down some fish and generally enjoying herself the day before she died. In reality, this is the kind of the end-of-life experience we want, happy until the end. This was a great day for us both, and that is the memory of her that I will always carry with me.

– Brian Sheets, Zoologist

Celebrate Red Panda Starlight’s 3rd Birthday!

June 17, 2020

Our red panda Starlight turns 3 years old today –  June 17th. She will be celebrating with all of her favorite treats, including bamboo sprouts, grapes, apple slices, and apple-based biscuits.This will be in addition to her regular base diet of leaf eater biscuits and, of course, bamboo. She likes banana, pear, and the occasional blueberry as well. If she gets her “birthday wish”, it will be semi-cool and cloudy outside that day. If you recall, red pandas are not real big fans of the summer weather, especially mid-day. Like most of our carnivores, to help her get ready for it though, she is currently shedding her thick furry coat.

Many people had been asking when Starlight is going to get a new “friend”. Like a lot of our carnivores, red pandas are more solitary in nature. They interact during the winter breeding season, but the rest of the year, they tend to just co-exist. However, she was all set to get a new mate in March, and then the pandemic hit, so it has not been able to happen yet.

Once it is safe to travel with a red panda, then we will go and get him by car. At this point, we have no idea of when that will be, but until then, we will enjoy our one-on-one time with Starlight.

– Zoo Keeper Heidi Beifus

*Banner photo by Heidi Beifus

Invasive Species Week – Invasives at the Zoo

June 10, 2020

In honor of Invasive Species Week, we would like to highlight some of Seneca Park Zoo’s Ambassador Animals. These animals join programs to help the Zoo tell the unique stories of their species.

Invasive species are plants or animal species that are not native to a location. They have been introduced to the area and often cause damage to that ecosystem.

A great example of an invasive that has wreaked havoc in areas around the world is the marine toad, also known as the cane toad.

Marine Toad

Marine toads have been described as “the most introduced amphibian in the world”. Originally from southern Texas down through northern South America, this species was introduced by humans for pest control into places that it normally wouldn’t be found, such as Puerto Rico, Haiti, Hawaii, Florida and Australia.

How can a little toad cause big problems in an ecosystem? In many ways.

Marine toads are highly toxic at all stages of their life – including when they are eggs. Each female marine toad can lay up to the massive amount of 40,000 eggs at a time. Toxic eggs, tadpoles, and adult toads cannot be eaten by predators. Predators in the marine toad’s natural range have adapted to dealing with the toxins, but predators in the introduced areas have not. This makes it so that nothing can control the marine toad population, and their numbers increase exponentially as they out-compete the native animals for resources. This causes harm to the native animal populations.Normally, amphibians find food by seeing movement – an insect crawling or flying by. Marine toads utilize their sense of smell instead, and will eat practically anything that smells good to them – plants, dead or live small animals, trash, pet food, etc. Since they will eat almost anything, food is never limited. This gives them a high chance of survival, helping their populations to boom.

At Seneca Park Zoo, we have marine toads Bubba and Gump. As Ambassador Animals, they join outreach programs as well as programs within the Zoo. Bubba and Gump are wonderful ambassadors, bringing the messaging of invasive species to our community.

New Caledonian Crested Gecko

Seneca Park Zoo has another Ambassador species that helps to tell the tale of invasives.  While New Caledonian crested geckos are not an invasive species, they have been greatly impacted by one – almost to the point of extinction. 

These geckos are only native to the island of New Caledonia, off of Australia.  They were thought to be extinct until 1994, when they were rediscovered.  What would cause an entire species to seemingly disappear and then come back from the brink of extinction? The little fire ant.

These ants were able to travel to the island of New Caledonia by latching onto human supplies such as boots and suitcases.  Enough of these invasive ants arrived in New Caledonia to create a viable invasive population.  The fire ants prey on the geckos, with groups of ants stinging and attacking.  The ants also compete with the geckos for food by preying on the native insects.  The predation and competition were thought to have brought the geckos to extinction, until a few were found in select areas of the island in 1994.  

At Seneca Park Zoo, we have crested geckos Crazy Eye and Hopscotch, who are Ambassador Animals, just like Bubba and Gump.  Crazy Eye and Hopscotch are amazing animals, helping to educate our community on the impact of invasive species. 

Join us on our webpage and social media during Invasive Species Week to learn more about invasive species in our area, and how you can take action to help to lower their impact.

– Rhonda McDonald

*Banner photos by Elesa Kim (Marine Toad) & Wayne Smith (New Caledonian Crested Gecko)