Dear Friends:
I want to thank everyone who stopped by to see me or who posted condolences on our Facebook and blog pages remembering Rocky. I really appreciate all of your comments and well wishes. Rocky was very popular here at the zoo and I know that he will be missed by many, especially me. I was Rocky’s keeper for the past 12 years and during that time he and I became good buddies. I wanted to share these photos of Rocky enjoying two of his favorite treats.
Thanks again!
-Mo
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Kids ages 5-12 can enter our baby elephant art contest for a chance to win a behind the scenes tour! For details, click the image below. Entries must be received by Sept. 15, 2010.
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Date
Saturday, Sept. 25
Time
9:30-11:30 a.m.
Cost
Members – $10 per person, child or adult
Non-members – $18 per person, child or adult
Help the zoo tag and release monarch butterflies that will eventually travel 3,000 miles south to Mexico. This family-friendly event will teach you how to protect and conserve these fascinating and beautiful animals.
Registration is by mail only. Form is available here.
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Hello, I’m Bob Snowden, an aquarist at the PPG Aquarium. I’m writing this update from the Caribbean island of Curaco, where I’m part of a team working on conserving and restoring endangered coral reefs.
The project, called SECORE (SExual COral REproduction) is an ongoing non-profit initiative that combines the knowledge of top aquarists and leading scientists from around the world. [Click to Continue]
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It is with great sadness that the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium announces that Rocky, our 28-year-old Kodiak bear, and a favorite among our visitors, has passed away.
Rocky suffered from severe arthritis in multiple joints along with bridging of the vertebrae along his spine. This caused nerve abnormalities in the spinal cord that resulted in Rocky’s decreased ability to use his rear limbs and he was in constant pain. Our veterinary staff did everything they could to help alleviate Rocky’s pain and slow the progression of his disease but Rocky’s quality of life continued to decline in the past several months. [Click to Continue]
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The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is co-sponsoring a fundraiser to help save the life of a cancer-stricken Haitian boy.
Tassy Filsaime, 19, survived the earthquake that destroyed much of Port-au-Prince in January – the deadliest natural disaster in the Western Hemisphere – but his life is now threatened by a fast-growing cancer on his face.
Now Tassy has the chance to receive the two surgeries that will save his life for a fraction of their normal cost at Allegheny General Hospital. To make this happen, a fundraiser is being held on August 26 to help raise the $30,000 needed.
The event will be held on August 26 at the Great Hall at the Priory on the North Side. Hors d’oeuvres begin at 6 p.m., followed by a silent auction. Auction items include a special zoo gift basket. The event is also sponsored by the Priory Hospitality Group, Nick Finochio Photography, and the Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel.
Tickets are $50 in advance and $65 at the door. For more information, visit www.meettassy.org (you can also make direct donations online).
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Today’s Post-Gazette has a nice story about the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium’s sea turtle rehabilitation project. The zoo is currently vying for $25,000 in grant money from Pepsi to expand the project.
Rehabilitation centers along the Gulf Coast are running out of space to house injured and sick sea turtles because of the influx from the oil spill. Facilities in the Gulf would most likely keep oil-covered sea turtles that are in critical condition while the zoo would receive those needing longer-term care.
Those turtles are in need of “tender loving care,” said Josianne Romasco, keeper aquarist at the Pittsburgh Zoo. They could have suffered boat injuries, need medications or be lethargic, she said.
At the zoo, they would be part of a functioning rehabilitation facility, complete with life-support systems and everyday care.
You vote for the zoo in the Pepsi competition by visiting the Refresh the Gulf page.
Read the entire Post-Gazette article here.
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The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is competing for a $25,000 Pepsi Refresh Project grant for our sea turtle rescue program. We can only win with your votes, and you can vote daily up until August 31.
The grant will be used to modify the PPG Aquarium quarantine area, and to transport, house, and care for sick or injured sea turtles until they are ready to be released.
Pepsi will announce the grant winners on September 22nd.
Here’s the link to the Zoo’s grant request via the Pepsi Refresh Project: http://gulf.refresheverything.com/seaturtlespghzoo
Please share this link with friends (through email, Facebook, Twitter, etc) and VOTE everyday!
More pictures after the jump. [Click to Continue]
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It was once again time to weigh and measure Pepper, one of the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium’s green anaconda. As you can see, Pepper put on quite a bit of weight since last year.
With her in the reptile holding area is her mother, Ma, who is a comparatively svelte 88 pounds.
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A polar bear gets a frozen treat during Kids' Zoofari 2009
When
Saturday, August 14 – Friday, August 27
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Get ready to get wild!
It’s one last blast of summer fun during Kids’ Zoofari.
Kids get free train and carousel rides every day!
Plus, on weekends we’ll have:
Sponsored by:
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