Cared for at Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Roseville, “unreleasable” bird gets second chance in Zoo Aviary
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The Minnesota Zoo is celebrating the birth of two litters of endangered Asian wild dogs.

The dogs, known as dholes (dohlz), are the first litters born at the Apple Valley zoo. Before these births, only nine litters have been recorded in the U.S.

The litters were born April 12 and April 14. Zoo officials say the exact number of pups is still unclear due to their behavior, but they estimate around four pups were born.

The pups can be seen in their exhibit on the Northern Trail.

Dholes are social pack animals that live in Thailand, Russia, China and India. The primitive canine species eats mostly small to medium-sized deer and wild boar.

The zoo says there are fewer than 2,500 dholes in the wild.

source: WCCO 4 video at source

The Minnesota Zoo's announcement that it would discontinue its popular dolphin exhibit has prompted protests, petitions and a clarification from zoo officials.
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source: Pioneer Press

Get your gardens ready for the season with Zoo-post, the most exotic compost available in Minnesota. As a conservation organization, the Minnesota Zoo is committed to making a positive impact on our environment by providing this completely organic product to the public. Zoo-post is 100% composted animal manures mixed with yard waste from the grounds of the Minnesota Zoo. You, too, can have bear poo in your garden!

Pick-Up Dates
May 5, 12 & 19
7:30 – 9:30 am
Online sales will close 24 hours prior to the pick-up date.

Prices
5-Gallon Bucket (1 cu ft) - $5.00
Skid Steer Bucket (½ cu yd) - $20.00

for more information and to order online visit mnzoo.org

The Minnesota Zoo is thrilled to announce the rare birth of a Southern Tamandua (pronounced tah-man-do-ah) infant. It is the first Tamandua ever born at the Zoo.

Born April 8, the Tamandua – a female – has been spending time bonding with her mom in their exhibit on the Tropics Trail. She weighs just under one pound; zoo keepers are still deciding on a name. There are just 30 Tamanduas in AZA-accredited institutions in North America.

Also known as Lesser Anteaters, Southern Tamanduas have long, curved snouts and long arms that end in sharp claws. Well-designed to take advantage of the abundance of insects living in the rainforest, their thick, coarse fur helps keep ants from biting their skin. They eat ants, termites, grubs, bees, and honey. Tamanduas can be found in a variety of tropical habitats, from rain forests to arid savannas, and are commonly found near rivers and streams. Clumsy on the ground, these animals spend most of their time in trees, using their long tails to grab branches while climbing. Sometimes called “the stinkers of the forest,” Tamanduas give off a strong smell to mark their territory and scare away other animals.

pictures and video at zooborns.com

The Minnesota Zoo is excited to announce the birth of a DeBrazza’s monkey which will make its public debut on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at 9 a.m.

The infant, born April 12, does not yet have a name and its gender is not yet known. This is the third infant born to the Zoo’s pair of adult DeBrazza’s monkeys, “Otis” and “Mashama.” The newborn joins its two siblings on exhibit.

The gestation period for a DeBrazza’s female is five to six months. The young monkey will stay with its mother, nursing for one year. As it grows, it will start nibbling at fruit and other food at about two months of age. Male offspring leave the family group when they mature at four years of age. A female will mature at about age three and remain with her family of origin.

What goes “Moo, cowBaa, Oink, Quack, and Peep?” Get up close and personal with all kinds of adorable baby animals during “Farm Babies,” an annual right of spring, at the Minnesota Zoo's Wells Fargo Family Farm, March 31 – April 30, 2012 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

One of the biggest (and cutest) Zoo events of the year, “Farm Babies” will feature the newest members of the Zoo family with baby chicks, piglets, lambs, calves, goat kids, bunnies and ducklings. Volunteers will be available for questions and assist with "hands-on" interaction with the baby animals. Peter Rabbit will be at the Farm on April 7 to greet kids. Farm Babies is sponsored by Wells Fargo, Dakota Electric Association, and Toyota.

Farm Babies Schedule:
9 a.m.–4 p.m. Minnesota Zoo open
9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Tractor Rides from the Grain Elevator to Farm (Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays)
10 a.m.–4 p.m. Farm Babies event
10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Peter Rabbit (April 7 only)
11 a.m.–2 p.m. Kid’s activities (April 6 & 7 only)

Here’s a Sneak Peak at the SUBWAY® Music in the Zoo lineup for this summer (full schedule and details coming April 2)!

-Feist with The Low Anthem on June 2!
-Gavin DeGraw and Colbie Caillat on June 27!
-Tower of Power on August 15!

http://www.suemclean.com/zoo/

Are you looking for a truly wild time this summer? Become a volunteer at the Minnesota Zoo and meet new friends, learn all about animals, and provide an invaluable service to the Zoo and its guests.

If spending your day educating guests amidst the beauty of the deep sea and marine animals in our Discovery Bay exhibit and interpreting at our summer “Dinosaurs!” exhibit excites you – you can do it all by volunteering at the Zoo as a summer seasonal volunteer.

The Zoo is currently seeking volunteers, age 17+, for its 2012 summer seasonal program.
Details:

-Volunteers work one morning or one afternoon per week.
-Interview and training dates can be found on mnzoo.org and are required.
-The application deadline is Tuesday, April 10.
-Great opportunity for college students and adults!

Every year, Minnesota Zoo volunteers donate about 100,000 hours of service to the Zoo. Space is limited, so apply online today at mnzoo.org (click on “Volunteers”). If you have specific questions, please call the Minnesota Zoo’s Volunteer Office at 952.431.9588.

A flower known for its rotting, deadly smell is now blooming at the Minnesota Zoo.

The zoo says the voodoo lily, which is similar to a corpse flower, has a nauseous odor that attracts insects - mainly flies - for pollination. The unique lily stands around four feet high and is located near the Bali mynah exhibit on the Tropics Trail.

Voodoo lilies, also known as "Devil's Tongue," are native to Japan, China and Indonesia. It's part of the same family that includes the native Minnesota species, Jack-in-the-pulpit and calla lily.

VIDEO at source: KSTP 5