Male Snow Leopard is Leaving

By Harrison Edell, General Curator

Based on recommendations by the Snow leopard Species Survival Plan, our male Snow leopard, Ramir will be leaving us soon for the Potter Park Zoo in Lansing, Michigan. Ramir will be joining two other Snow leopards in Lansing and is a potential match for one of their females. We know he’ll make a good father and continue to contribute to the future survival of this critically endangered species. Be sure to stop by the exhibit to say “Goodbye!”

Spirit of Giving: Food & Toy Drive

By Marisa Hicks, Marketing Coordinator

During the holiday season bring a non-perishable food item or a new and unwrapped toy when you visit the Zoo and receive $1 off your Zoo admission!

Partnered with 101.9 The Wolf the Zoo will raise donations for Toys for Tots and Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. The Zoo won the 2009 “Holiday Spirit of Giving” award for most pounds of food raised by a small company!

Through visitor donations in 2009 the Zoo raised 4,295 lbs. of food for the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services and contributed to the 34,371 toys collected by Toys for Tots in Sacramento. We hope to do it again with your support!

The Zoo is proud to partner with two organizations that make such an impact on our community. The Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services provides free emergency goods and services to nearly 20,000 men, women and children every year. The Toys for Tots program ensures that families in need will be able to provide Christmas gifts through their annual services and toy donations. In 2009 they distributed 54,262 toys within Sacramento County from monetary donations and toy drives like the Zoo’s.

Fallen Trees into Furniture

By Jaime Wilson, Zoo Blog Keeper

When the weather is stormy Zoo staff are still working, hoping the power stays on and that the trees stay upright! In rare cases, like today when the winds are gusting up to 45 mph, we close the Zoo to visitors for safety reasons. This only happens a couple times a year - but today one of those days!

Our Zoo keepers and maintenance department are tirelessly working on clearing debris and making sure the animals are safe and comfy. What is that saying? "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." Well, in the zoo world it should be "When storms give you fallen trees, make furniture!"

This tree went down in front of the White-faced saki exhibit (the exhibit was unharmed), and as soon as the radio call was out the Zoo keepers were scrambling to get a piece of it! Ungulates will use the leafy parts for browse to feed to the hoof stock, the Vets will use some branches as furniture for a bird enclosure - you get the idea!

Every piece will be used so even though we are less one tree, we have gained some good, useful items!