Akron Zoo Akron Zoo News 2014
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The bat building has reopened, but the two bat exhibits and the red-tailed boa exhibit are currently empty because the residents have not moved back in yet. It has been repainted and looks exactly the same as before.
TNT, a Komodo Dragon died after a short illness.
Akron Zoo?s Komodo dragon dies after brief illness - News - Ohio
Akron Zoo?s Komodo dragon dies after brief illness - News - Ohio
AKRON ZOO SADDENED TO ANNOUNCE PASSING OF KOMODO DRAGON
It is with great sadness that the Akron Zoo announces the passing of their male Komodo dragon, TNT. TNT passed away February 17 after a brief illness.
TNT had a chronic degenerative condition of his spine which was causing him to have trouble with his rear legs and GI tract. Problems that developed due to a GI shutdown caused his health to decline rapidly over the past week. He was being closely monitored by the zoo's vet staff, which was keeping him comfortable, but his condition was not treatable.
TNT was born on October 18, 1998, at the Miami Metro Zoo. He arrived in Akron October 26, 2001, and has been on exhibit in Komodo Kingdom since the exhibit opened on October 1, 2005.
The median life expectancy of a female Komodo dragon in captivity is 12.2 years. However there is no statistical data on males in captivity. Because this species’ population size in zoos and aquariums is small and they have not been in zoos long enough, there is not enough information right now to give an accurate statement about how long a male of this species typically lives in zoos and aquariums that are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
“We are saddened by our tremendous loss. TNT was a great ambassador for the Akron Zoo and so many in our community have learned a great deal about Komodo dragons during his time here,” commented L. Patricia Simmons, president & CEO. “Our staff did such an amazing job caring for him and he will be greatly missed.”
The zoo has two other Komodo dragons, Draco and Charlie. These three-year old sisters have been on exhibit since last April after arriving from the Denver Zoo. They will be on exhibit daily together in Komodo Kingdom.
Komodo dragons, a type of monitor lizard, are the world’s largest living lizard. Komodo dragons are indigenous to a few Indonesian Islands, including the Island of Komodo. They are typically found in tropical savanna forests. Komodo dragons will scavenge carcasses or eat live prey ranging from large rodents to water buffalo. Juvenile Komodo dragons like Draco and Charlie, typically will eat small lizards or insects. Komodo dragons are an endangered species due primarily to habitat destruction.
https://www.akronzoo.org/News.aspx?P=1
It is with great sadness that the Akron Zoo announces the passing of their male Komodo dragon, TNT. TNT passed away February 17 after a brief illness.
TNT had a chronic degenerative condition of his spine which was causing him to have trouble with his rear legs and GI tract. Problems that developed due to a GI shutdown caused his health to decline rapidly over the past week. He was being closely monitored by the zoo's vet staff, which was keeping him comfortable, but his condition was not treatable.
TNT was born on October 18, 1998, at the Miami Metro Zoo. He arrived in Akron October 26, 2001, and has been on exhibit in Komodo Kingdom since the exhibit opened on October 1, 2005.
The median life expectancy of a female Komodo dragon in captivity is 12.2 years. However there is no statistical data on males in captivity. Because this species’ population size in zoos and aquariums is small and they have not been in zoos long enough, there is not enough information right now to give an accurate statement about how long a male of this species typically lives in zoos and aquariums that are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
“We are saddened by our tremendous loss. TNT was a great ambassador for the Akron Zoo and so many in our community have learned a great deal about Komodo dragons during his time here,” commented L. Patricia Simmons, president & CEO. “Our staff did such an amazing job caring for him and he will be greatly missed.”
The zoo has two other Komodo dragons, Draco and Charlie. These three-year old sisters have been on exhibit since last April after arriving from the Denver Zoo. They will be on exhibit daily together in Komodo Kingdom.
Komodo dragons, a type of monitor lizard, are the world’s largest living lizard. Komodo dragons are indigenous to a few Indonesian Islands, including the Island of Komodo. They are typically found in tropical savanna forests. Komodo dragons will scavenge carcasses or eat live prey ranging from large rodents to water buffalo. Juvenile Komodo dragons like Draco and Charlie, typically will eat small lizards or insects. Komodo dragons are an endangered species due primarily to habitat destruction.
https://www.akronzoo.org/News.aspx?P=1
So sad, I remember running away from TNT the one time, I remember seeing TNT eating a goat, it was so dang cool
The two komodo dragon sisters, Draco and Charlie are looking well
Both fruit bat exhibits and the red-tailed boa exhibit in the bat building are still empty after the building’s refurbishment. Komodo Kingdom Café has been repainted and looks really nice.
From the Zoo's Facebook page:
One benefit of the cold weather - we will continue to do penguin feedings past the end of Feb. The carousel will not open March 1 and penguin feedings will continue as long as it is 55 degrees or below until further notice. We are not meteorologists but we are betting we will not hit this mark anytime soon!
One benefit of the cold weather - we will continue to do penguin feedings past the end of Feb. The carousel will not open March 1 and penguin feedings will continue as long as it is 55 degrees or below until further notice. We are not meteorologists but we are betting we will not hit this mark anytime soon!
The zoo has finally updated the species list on their website. It is not complete, but contains most of the major species at the zoo.
https://www.akronzoo.org/OurExhibts.aspx?P=1
https://www.akronzoo.org/OurExhibts.aspx?P=1
The alpaca and condor portion of Legends of the Wild are closed while the railings are replaced. Everyone is back in the nocturnal building except for the red-tailed boa. An otter shower button as been added to the new otter exhibit with a shower over the pool area. The pot-bellied seahorses have reproduced again. There are now at least four different sizes of seahorses in the exhibit.
Let's hope they don't tear it up again by Sunday.
Here is the zoo’s current bat population numbers:
2 Rodrigues fruit bats
29 straw-colored bats
4 Jamaican fruit bats
583 Seba’s short-tailed bats (approximately)
2 Rodrigues fruit bats
29 straw-colored bats
4 Jamaican fruit bats
583 Seba’s short-tailed bats (approximately)
HATTIE'S GARDENS AT THE AKRON ZOO
The Akron Zoo and Hattie Larlham are pleased to announce a newly formed partnership, Hattie’s Gardens at the Akron Zoo. Hattie’s Gardens will transform two acres of unused land at the Akron Zoo into sustainable gardens that grow chemical-free produce for Akron and Northeast Ohio residents. The partnership will focus on making healthy eating possible through accessibility, affordability and environmental responsibility. Hattie’s Gardens is a Hattie Larlham vocational program that employs adults with developmental disabilities. The garden site project will begin in April for the 2014 growing season. A community celebration is planned for the end of June.
Hattie’s Gardens at the Akron Zoo is a partnership dedicated to the health and environment of the community. In addition to supplying food for local residents, fresh produce will be supplied to the Akron Zoo’s Komodo Kingdom Café for its visitors. The café is certified by the Green Restaurant Association (GRA) and is the first 4-star, green-certified restaurant in any zoo or aquarium in North America.
“I'm thrilled with our partnership with the Akron Zoo,” said Dotty Grexa, Hattie Larlham vice president of vocational and enterprise services. “It will allow us to apply what we've learned at our two Hattie’s Gardens locations to an urban setting where we can be part of the neighborhood community.”
Local residents will have access to affordable fresh produce to encourage healthy eating. Hattie’s Gardens will open a farm stand on the corner of Copley Road and Edgewood Avenue where residents will have access to produce in the late spring. Zoo members and visitors will receive a discount on produce. The location achieves the zoo’s goal of creating affordable, fresh produce within a food desert. A food desert is a geographic area where affordable and nutritious food is difficult to obtain. With this addition, area residents will now have an option within walking distance to purchase fresh produce. Producing and purchasing locally reduces the use of fossil fuels, lowering costs and benefitting the environment. Hattie’s Gardens at the Akron Zoo plans to share healthy recipes and tips for preparing its produce.
"We are excited to collaborate on such a unique project with a first-class organization like Hattie Larlham that will benefit our community," commented L. Patricia Simmons, president and CEO of the Akron Zoo. "Our neighbors will be able to take advantage of affordable and healthy food options and our visitors will be able to enjoy this locally-grown food in our 4-star, green-certified restaurant, Komodo Kingdom Café."
“Being able to provide fresh produce to the community and sharing nutritional information is a privilege for our team,” said Grexa.
Hattie’s Gardens at the Akron Zoo is located at 389 Edgewood Avenue, Akron, Ohio 44307. The gardens will be outside the zoo perimeter fence, but on adjacent property owned by the zoo.
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See the next post for a correction to the actual location of Hattie's Garden and the farm stand.
The Akron Zoo and Hattie Larlham are pleased to announce a newly formed partnership, Hattie’s Gardens at the Akron Zoo. Hattie’s Gardens will transform two acres of unused land at the Akron Zoo into sustainable gardens that grow chemical-free produce for Akron and Northeast Ohio residents. The partnership will focus on making healthy eating possible through accessibility, affordability and environmental responsibility. Hattie’s Gardens is a Hattie Larlham vocational program that employs adults with developmental disabilities. The garden site project will begin in April for the 2014 growing season. A community celebration is planned for the end of June.
Hattie’s Gardens at the Akron Zoo is a partnership dedicated to the health and environment of the community. In addition to supplying food for local residents, fresh produce will be supplied to the Akron Zoo’s Komodo Kingdom Café for its visitors. The café is certified by the Green Restaurant Association (GRA) and is the first 4-star, green-certified restaurant in any zoo or aquarium in North America.
“I'm thrilled with our partnership with the Akron Zoo,” said Dotty Grexa, Hattie Larlham vice president of vocational and enterprise services. “It will allow us to apply what we've learned at our two Hattie’s Gardens locations to an urban setting where we can be part of the neighborhood community.”
Local residents will have access to affordable fresh produce to encourage healthy eating. Hattie’s Gardens will open a farm stand on the corner of Copley Road and Edgewood Avenue where residents will have access to produce in the late spring. Zoo members and visitors will receive a discount on produce. The location achieves the zoo’s goal of creating affordable, fresh produce within a food desert. A food desert is a geographic area where affordable and nutritious food is difficult to obtain. With this addition, area residents will now have an option within walking distance to purchase fresh produce. Producing and purchasing locally reduces the use of fossil fuels, lowering costs and benefitting the environment. Hattie’s Gardens at the Akron Zoo plans to share healthy recipes and tips for preparing its produce.
"We are excited to collaborate on such a unique project with a first-class organization like Hattie Larlham that will benefit our community," commented L. Patricia Simmons, president and CEO of the Akron Zoo. "Our neighbors will be able to take advantage of affordable and healthy food options and our visitors will be able to enjoy this locally-grown food in our 4-star, green-certified restaurant, Komodo Kingdom Café."
“Being able to provide fresh produce to the community and sharing nutritional information is a privilege for our team,” said Grexa.
Hattie’s Gardens at the Akron Zoo is located at 389 Edgewood Avenue, Akron, Ohio 44307. The gardens will be outside the zoo perimeter fence, but on adjacent property owned by the zoo.
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See the next post for a correction to the actual location of Hattie's Garden and the farm stand.
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Garden, farm stand to open at Akron Zoo - News - Ohio
The Akron Beacon Journal had a map in the paper where it will be located. The gardens will be located across the street from the zoo on Edgewood Avenue near Copley. The farm stand will be built at Edgewood and Copley. See map below.
Location Map – 389 Edgewood Avenue
https://maps.google.com/maps?oe=utf...=us&ei=GoNIU9bCDNO20AHRo4CoBw&ved=0CCcQ8gEwAA
The Akron Beacon Journal had a map in the paper where it will be located. The gardens will be located across the street from the zoo on Edgewood Avenue near Copley. The farm stand will be built at Edgewood and Copley. See map below.
Location Map – 389 Edgewood Avenue
https://maps.google.com/maps?oe=utf...=us&ei=GoNIU9bCDNO20AHRo4CoBw&ved=0CCcQ8gEwAA
Easter Update:
The condor/alpaca area has reopened. The zoo has modified the railing by the alpacas by having it come outwards to make more distance between the alpacas and the guests.
The Keeper Kitchen, next to the lion exhibit, is now closed and boarded up.
Several of the items from the old aviary were setting outside on the path. The wooded area next to the old aviary has some marked trees. It looks like they are going to thin out the trees. The three old Asian houses have been removed.
The red-tailed boa is not yet back on exhibit in the nocturnal building.
The porkfish and the hogfish have grown and are now located in the schooling fish exhibit joining the lookdowns and the flagtails.
The condor/alpaca area has reopened. The zoo has modified the railing by the alpacas by having it come outwards to make more distance between the alpacas and the guests.
The Keeper Kitchen, next to the lion exhibit, is now closed and boarded up.
Several of the items from the old aviary were setting outside on the path. The wooded area next to the old aviary has some marked trees. It looks like they are going to thin out the trees. The three old Asian houses have been removed.
The red-tailed boa is not yet back on exhibit in the nocturnal building.
The porkfish and the hogfish have grown and are now located in the schooling fish exhibit joining the lookdowns and the flagtails.
They were along the path before the barking deer exhibit. They were little shops for kids to look at and to add a little decoration when Asian Trail opened in 1999. They have been deteriorating for a while. You can still see where they were located. A fourth one still remains because it is part of the barking deer exhibit.