Calling all thrill-seekers to Expedition Africa! Aerial Adventure Course presented by Mercy Health! Come out and get up there- the view of the Africa! exhibit and all the animals that call it home can only be described as incomparable!
The Kihansi spray toad (KST) is a tiny, goldenrod colored amphibian that is native only to the spray zone (where the falling water meets the rocks) of the waterfall in the Kihansi Gorge in Tanzania. With a complex past worthy of its own documentary, Kihansi spray toads went extinct in the wild between 2003 and 2004, as the developing country looked for ways to spread electricity to its people.
Since the beginning of our conservation efforts, the Toledo Zoo has helped to release 4,555 back into the wild, in hopes of recreating a self-sustaining population.
Polar bears
(Ursus maritimus) are listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List as a vulnerable species and as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act due to loss of Arctic sea ice from climate change. Current IUCN estimates place the population status at approximately 26,000 bears in the wild. In recent years, some of the 19 known sub-populations of polar bears have seen decreasing numbers due to warming Arctic temperatures which causes a reduction in sea ice, the main location for polar bears to hunt seals, breed and construct dens. As the sea ice melts, polar bears are forced to walk or swim farther to reach their prey (seals). Although powerful short-distance swimmers, polar bears cannot swim for days or weeks on end. Mature bears starve to death and younger cubs drown. Additionally, the reduction in sea ice also causes polar bears to spend more time on land which has put them in greater contact and conflict with humans.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Oo7RObvJCs]
We can all work at reducing our individual carbon footprint. The term “carbon footprint” refers to how much carbon dioxide (CO₂) each person, group or company’s daily activities put into the Earth’s atmosphere. Contributing negative factors, include electricity usage, burning of coal and oil, length of commute to school or work and consumption of good and services produced overseas. Positive factors include, energy efficient vehicles and appliances, recycling and conservation efforts and even the number of trees and plants in your yard. Carbon footprints are important because CO₂ is a greenhouse gas, meaning it traps heat in the Earth’s atmosphere. This heat, in turn, is melting sea ice and warming air and water temperatures.
Your Zoo is also doing its part by participating in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) for polar bears. This cooperative breeding program helps to ensure a healthy, genetically diverse and lasting captive insurance population of polar bears. Over the last ten years there have been approximately 10 successful polar bear cub births in the U.S., with the majority happening at the Toledo Zoo. In fact, the Zoo’s own assistant director of animal programs, Dr. Randi Meyerson, is the polar bear SSP coordinator and advisor to the world-renowned polar bear conservation organization, Polar Bear International (PBI). PBI has also designated the Toledo Zoo as an Arctic Ambassador Center. Zoos designated as Arctic Ambassador Centers strive for bear-friendly exhibits with extensive enrichment activities to stimulate the bears to be active and content. Arctic Ambassador Centers also support PBI research projects, educating the public about climate change and providing leadership for greenhouse gas reductions. Come visit Hope and her mom, Crystal, in the Arctic Encounter exhibit that the Toledo Zoo!
Drop off your recyclable goods – including hard-to-recycle items– between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. in the Zoo’s Anthony Wayne Trail parking lot. Admission/parking charges do not apply to this special recycling project, which is made possible through partnerships with: Goodwill, AIM Ecycling, LLC., GoGreen Ohio, KTLCB/Lucas County Waste Management, Gateway Recycling and Waste Reduction, Inc., and TerraCycle.
As well as dropping off your recyclables, the Zoo is the perfect place to spend a great green day with your family! Get tips on how to be more ecofriendly through displays from local “green” organizations, enjoy earth-friendly activities in the award-winning Nature’s Neighborhood and witness animal feeding demonstrations all across the Zoo. These demonstrations are more than just fun to watch; they also serve to remind us that animals all across the world are relying on humans to take care of the land, water and air we all call home. Additionally, six local schools will have miniature gardens with recycled materials incorporated into their designs on display in the Great Hall of the Museum of Science both Saturday, April 22 and Sunday, April 23. All of the green activities are included free with Zoo admission.
Want to run or walk but not feeling ready? Here are some quick tips to get there in just six weeks!
Register by May 14 to be guaranteed an event t-shirt! Or, register by May 1 and upgrade to a Nike Dri Fit tech tee for a small fee!
Registrants & their cheering sections who arrive on Zoo grounds prior to 10 a.m. can stay and enjoy a day at the Zoo at no additional charge.
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Supporting Corporate Team Sponsors: Root, Savage & Associates inc.,Toledo Public Schools, EY-Team Chris Mabrey, and University of Toledo Eberly Center.
By 1956, all but 14% of that original population had disappeared. In 1980, 7% was left. In 2007, 4% was left. In 2012, only 2% of the healthy breeding population of 1,000,000 pairs of African Penguins was left in the world. This trend currently shows no signs of reversing. Learn what your Toledo Zoo is doing to help.
Nets are a big problem. These big nets travel across the bottom of the ocean and catch everything. Sometimes shrimp trolls will have up to a 90% waste ratio. So, for every 10 lbs of shrimp brought onto the boat, there are 90 lbs of other fish or animals, which are shoveled overboard or are simply dead. Including sea turtles.
For more about Tink: https://www.toledozoo.org/tinks-story
You can adopt Tink and support your Toledo Zoo.
Several studies show that play time in nature promotes physical and emotional well-being, healthy social interaction and stimulates higher level thinking. Attend play-based events at the Toledo Zoo, Toledo Metroparks and the 577 Foundation to explore nature in a new way, with safe play environments that encourage imaginative, wholesome play where children have control over every aspect of their play environment. The program is made possible through a generous grant from the Toledo Community Foundation.
