There’s a 5K coming…

It’s time for a nudge. Have you registered yet for the 2013 Jungle Jog being held Sunday, July 21^st?

Last year’s event was bigger than ever, and proceeds benefited your Zoo. There will be races for runners of all ages and abilities. The Jungle Jog 5K starts off the morning at 8:15 a.m. sharp, followed by the Seneca Park Mile at 9:30 a.m. Registration is required for both races and you may click here for a registration form. There are perks to registering early – the price to register for each race increases on race day from $20 to $30 for the 5K and from $13 to $15 for the Mile. Do you have a runner age 7 or younger? Participation in the Fun Run (following the mile race) is sure to be a hit! Each runner receives a prize, and no registration is required.

We have planned some improvements this year based on last year’s feedback. Race-day number pick-up and t-shirt pick-up for pre-registered runners will be more efficient and streamlined. Refreshments and restrooms will be available closer to the finish line. If you decide to register on race day, we have also moved up the time (6:30 to 7:45 a.m.) for those registering so you won’t need to run from registration to start.

Click here for a look at this year’s awesome t-shirt design.

You may register online, by mail, at the Zoo or by phone. Please contact me with any questions regarding your registration at (585) 336-7200 or mritchie@senecazoo.org.

Don’t miss the only race in Rochester that takes you through the Zoo!

-  Michele Schepisi-Ritchie, Office Assistant

Great events planned for the weekend!

Photo by Douglas Vanderwege

Start off the weekend in support of rhinos – Bowling for Rhinos takes place Friday, May 17^th at Empire Lanes in Webster. This fundraising event begins at 6:30 p.m. with 100% of the proceeds benefiting rhinoceros conservation. Our zoo keepers won’t spare any excitement as they roll for strikes! Sponsor a bowler, or bowl yourself. Click here for more information.

The Seneca Park Zoo Society holds its annual meeting Saturday, May 18^th in the Zoo’s Pavilion. This event is for Zoo members who have R.S.V.P.’d only, and will recap the 2012 operations of the Society.  Presentations begin at 8:30 a.m.

Photo by Jeff Gerew

Saturday, May 18^th is also World Turtle Day. This event promotes global awareness for all of the turtle and tortoise species across the world. Stop by the E.C.O. Center at 11 a.m. to hear a zoo keeper talk about the radiated tortoise, then at 2 p.m. head over to the Zoo’s Main Building to hear a zoo keeper talk about the African pancake tortoise. There will be raffles, craft stations, touch table stations and a scavenger hunt. Bring the entire family down for a day of turtle fun!

There is more! There will be an animal birthday that you will not want to miss – Amur tigers Katya and Anastasia will prove that it’s great to be eight! The party starts at 1 p.m. at the tiger exhibit. Tiger treats will be given to the birthday girls and you may join in a roaring rendition of “Happy Birthday” at 2 p.m. Docents will be on hand with a touch table station. Not sure what to give a tiger for her birthday? Click here for a wish list.

Enjoy your weekend Zoo fans, and when you stop by, check out our NEW photo booth by the ZooShop. It’s a great way to capture the memory of a great day at Seneca Park Zoo!

- Michele Schepisi-Ritchie, Office Assistant

Orangutan mothers are irreplaceable

Kumang and baby. Photos by Marie Kraus

Come see our golden lion tamarin baby!

Mother’s Day is fast approaching! Have you decided on the perfect way to honor and celebrate Mom? A trip to the Zoo is always a great way to spend time together as a family. While you are here, you can see how our “family” has grown. Visit the Main Building for a look at our adorable golden lion tamarin baby and our amazing orangutan baby.  A Step Into Africa will provide you a look at our mischievous goat kids. Please note: The Zoo’s lion cubs are currently NOT on exhibit.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 11 is Orangutan M.O.M. Day. Join us in paying tribute to Missing Orangutan Mothers. Because of the deforestation of the islands of Borneo and Sumatra to make way for palm oil plantations, orangutan habitats are being wiped out. Orangutan mothers, much like our own mothers, teach their young survival skills and raise them from helpless infant to adolescent. If a young orangutan loses its mother and becomes orphaned, there is no chance of survival but for the intervention of humans. The event  raises awareness about the plight of orangutans and what is being done to save these beautiful creatures in the wild. Learn how you can make a difference in the conservation of orangutans by avoiding products that use unsustainable palm oil, donating resources to the cause and more.

Activities will include touch tables, coloring stations, face painting, activity booklets and visitors can enter to win in two raffle drawings (the first is for an iPad drawing done by one of our Bornean orangutans; the second is a palm oil-free gift basket) plus:

11 a.m.: Orangutan Enrichment Demonstration at the Orangutan Exhibit

2 p.m.: Keeper Talk at the Orangutan Exhibit

- Michele Schepisi-Richie, Office Assistant

What is Polar Bear Awareness Day?

Photo by Marissa Smithler

Polar Bear Awareness Day is one of the Animal Conservation Days hosted by your Zoo. The intent of this event, held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday (May 4) is to educate our visitors on the challenges polar bears now face in the wild and what is being done to protect them.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the polar bear as a vulnerable species and cites loss of polar sea ice and pollution as the primary reasons for concern. Human factors such as shipping, poaching and development of oil and gas industries also pose threats to the species. Learn about the actions you can take, both big and small, to assist this majestic creature’s survival.

This event also showcases our resident polar bears, Aurora and Zero. The couple remain perennial favorites with the Zoo’s visitors and staff. They resides in the Rocky Coasts section of the Zoo, where you may watch from our indoor, underwater viewing area, or from outside the perimeter of the bears’ enclosure. Whether they are swimming or sunning on the rocks, you are sure to be mesmerized by these beautiful, intelligent creatures.

The Polar Bear Awareness Day schedule is as follows:

11 a.m.: Polar Bear Feeding

Noon: Polar Bear Enrichment

1:30 p.m.: Polar Bear International presentation by  Assistant Curator Kara Masaschi in the Rocky Coasts Gallery

2:30 p.m.: Polar Bear Feeding

Our docent staff will be available to answer questions and oversee touch table stations and activities. A painting done by one of the polar bears will be raffled at the event, too. We hope to see you here for a fun-filled day with an important purpose! This event is free with Zoo admission.

- Michele Schepisi-Ritchie, Office Assistant

You’ll find plenty to do at the Zoo in May

 Your Zoo is ramping up for a May full of events and fun!

Photos by Kelli O’Brien

There will be something for everyone to enjoy – animal birthdays, animal conservation days, ZooBrew and Summer Programs. Animal birthdays are a big deal here at the Zoo. They allow us to highlight some of our most popular animals while giving you the opportunity to watch them enjoy treats and special enrichment. Animal conservation days, which take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays throughout the year, help you learn about the challenges some of our animals’ relatives face in the wild and what is being done to save species and habitats from destruction. Both animal birthdays and conservation days feature touch table stations, family-friendly activities and animal enrichment or keeper talks.

Come to the Zoo on May 4th for Polar Bear Awareness Day. Learn why polar bears are vulnerable to climate changes and what can be done to help them survive.

On May 11th, join us for Orangutan M.O.M. Day. M.O.M. stands for Missing Orangutan Mothers. The goal of our event is to aid in orangutan conservation and raise awareness that, with our help, there is hope for these animals.

On May 18th, come to the Zoo prepared to sing because we will be celebrating the eighth birthday of our Amur tigers, Anastasia and Katya! The celebration begins at 1 p.m. with a birthday song at 2 p.m. and special treats for the birthday girls. Would you like to bring a gift? Click here for some ideas. May 18th is also World Turtle Day. We hope to raise awareness for the challenges many of the world’s turtle species are facing and what can be done to overcome them. Touch-table stations and family crafts will highlight this event.

The wildest happy hour in town is back – our 21-and-older ZooBrew will take place from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on Friday, May 24th, with live music by Steve Grills and the Roadmasters and Dog House. A selection of wines and beers will be available at our cash bars, and other beverages and food will be available through the Zoo’s concessions. Please note: No one under 21 will be allowed to enter the Zoo.

What kind of birthday includes a watermelon-eating contest? An elephant birthday, of course! Lilac and Genny C. celebrate May 25th and these iconic ladies love attention. Enjoy special enrichment activities, family-friendly activities and docent touch table stations. Each animal birthday will feature “Animal Art by Mike”. The celebration begins at 1 p.m. and you won’t want to miss a minute.

With such excitement on the agenda, what more could you expect? Summer programs return May 25th! Click here for a full schedule of our ever-popular feedings, enrichment demonstrations and Stage Shows. Our programs run daily through Labor Day weekend, and each day of the week brings new adventures, so stop by your Zoo and experience them all. Check back here as these events get closer to find out more.

- Michele Schepisi-Ritchie Office Assistant

Conservation events are key to the Zoo’s mission

Photo by Kelli O’Brien

Did you test your skills at the Critter Challenge on March 16th? Many families came out to enjoy this docent-run event!

Touch tables and activities provided information and entertainment inside each of the Zoo’s indoor venues. Docents drew upon their experiences and passion for animals to teach about adaptations, behaviors and survival of some of the Zoo residents’ and their relatives in the wild. Docent-run events are a great way to enjoy the Zoo. Our docents are well-traveled, enthusiastic and ready to share great information about the species that reside at your Zoo.

Mark your calendar for the Zoo’s next event, Party for the Planet, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 20th. This Earth Day celebration is the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ signature event. The Zoo’s event will include docent touch table stations, family-friendly activities and more. Local vendors and conservation agencies will be here to share their ideas for helping the environment.

Many of you have asked about our next recycling event. In conjunction with our Earth Day celebration on April 20, the Go Green! Recycle Rally will be held in the Zoo’s main parking lot from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. that same day. Recycling is free, so now is a great time to start your spring cleaning and bring your items to be recycled! Click here for more information about these events.

- Michele Schepisi-Ritchie, Office Manager

Stay connected to the Zoo!

Find these graphics on the left-hand side of our homepage!

Did you know that there are many ways to stay connected with the happenings at the Zoo? Our blogs are a great place to start, but are you a fan on Facebook? Are you receiving e-Nooz? And being a Zoo member ensures you a copy of our quarterly publication – ZooNooz. These are the best venues to learn about Zoo events, contests, giveaways and news.

Our e-Nooz is our connection to Zoo fans via e-mail. News and reminders are delivered right to your inbox in a concise, informative format. Signing up for e-Nooz is easy – just go to the Zoo’s Web site, click on the icon button with the elephant (Genny C.) and submit your name and e-mail address. Just below Genny C. on the Web site is the link to our blogs. Click on the button with the African grey parrot (Minnow) to be directed to the Zoo’s blogs. These blogs are the best way to get frequent, behind-the-scenes looks into the activities of the animals, zoo keepers, staff and volunteers.

For those who just can’t get enough of the Zoo, our Facebook page is updated daily, often more than once. Fans can see excellent photos taken by docents, zoo keepers, visitors and staff. Our page will also alert you whenever a new blog is published on our Web site. Recent giveaways included a painting done by female polar bear, Aurora, and $75 worth of winter Zoo gear from the ZooShop. We received many entries that resulted in three very happy winners! To become a fan on Facebook, visit the Zoo’s Web site and click on the tiger with the arresting eyes (Katya). You will be redirected to Facebook where you just click the “like” button to receive our updates to your wall. So, be sure to become a fan and check in with the Zoo daily.

If you enjoy print publications with beautiful color photos and well-written articles, consider becoming a member to receive ZooNooz. Members enjoy many benefits at the Zoo, including special events, discounts and early in-season entry. ZooNooz is only one of the benefits of being a member of the Zoo.

The Zoo’s award-winning Web site is your gateway to information regarding your Zoo, so visit and explore by clicking here.

- Michele Schepisi-Ritchie, Office Assistant for the Seneca Park Zoo Society