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ZooNooz - Summer 2010


What a Spring!
We were able to open the weekend before March Break,and have had wonderful weather right up to this heatwave, which gives me some time to get you caught up on events around the old zoo!
First of all you no longer have to pack a lunch when you come to the Zoo!
We have a guy doing hot dogs and sausages from 11:30-2 daily.
All of the meat is locally sourced and as the staff can attest, that where our money goes each noon, delicious!

We have had some extra-special babies born.
Willow, the wallaby, has been growing up in leap and bounds, as a little kangaroo would. Before everyones eyes she went from a timid little pouch potato to a much larger total sweetheart.She is one of the nicest we have ever raised and takes her love out on anyone who can handle it.Either in her pouch or out in her enclosure, she loves to interact with people!
Whiskers the calf, so named for her long white whiskers on her otherwise black muzzle, is also a sweet little girl.
Most people don't know that most bottle raised animals simply revert to ordinary sheep, cows, goats...or whatever after they are weaned.
Sometimes we get a special one that really has a gentle nature and becomes a friend for life.
Whiskers is the first cow that we think will be like that since Rose the Yow 25 years ago.
Our volunteer Laura goes into her pen and lays down beside her rubbing her belly just like a big dog!
We also have a baby camel on the bottle.
Dorry is a big girl, born at 75lbs. versus 45 normal birth weight!
She has kept up the growth and become a chatty social girl.
Definitely a favorite among or young bottle feeders.
As promised this year had been an infrastructure year.
(No we didn't get one of those cheques Mr. Harper was handing out.)
Normal maintenance aside, we had the crew from Kingsway College out.
They helped us build new fences, repair gates and treat all of our sheep to make sure they didn't have ticks!
Those sheep were no match for 12 kids!
It was funny, and effective!
We also have developed a working partnership with Dunbarton High School in Pickering's woodworking shop.
Under the instruction of Jeff MacKenzie,these kids surprised us with 2 micro barns for our potbellied pigs last fall and a plan to build 2 sheds to replace our entrance building and add a souvenir kiosk.
Did they ever come through!
Those kids built the two sheds, only they don't look like shed's...
THEY LOOK FABULOUS!
Mr. MacKenzie's skill as a builder and obvious enthusiasm for the kids will certainly lead some of these guys to be the home builders of the future!
Thank you all!
So come out and see some of the changes.
I realize that most of you are season pass holders, but for those of you who aren't there is still lots of time to make use of one!
Just come twice and the rest of the summer is free...
but that's where we get you... the animals are so nice you'll want to buy a bag or two of food every trip!
By the way, for all you Rocky the camel fans,he's back at the zoo for the summer!
And their are 2 less macaws on display. Harley and Toby are sitting their first clutch of eggs! It will probably be another 10 days before they hatch....keep you fingers crossed!
Have a great summer... we'll see you at the zoo!
Alan

http://www.oshawazoo.ca

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