Happy Birthday Betty White!

By Mary Healy, Zoo Director

“Best experience in the whole world.” That is how Betty White, the hottest babe in Hollywood, described feeding the giraffes at the Sacramento Zoo. Betty was on the Tonight Show earlier this year and talked about her visit to the Sacramento Zoo in November 2009.

Seems like ever since that visit to Sacramento her career has been on a meteoric ride! The staff at the zoo knows it couldn’t happen to a nicer or more deserving person. Betty has always been a champion of zoos and the well-being of all animals.

When we heard there was an invitation to send birthday greetings to her on the Hot in Cleveland Facebook page, we knew we had to be a part of that. Betty will be celebrating her 89th birthday on January 17, 2011.

Happy Birthday Betty!

Betty White at the Sacramento Zoo, November 2009

Happy Holidays!

By Jaime Wilson, Zoo Blog Keeper

Don't forget that the Zoo is FREE on Christmas Eve from 10 am to 1:30 pm. Come on out in your best PJs and enjoy the holiday season with family and friends at the Zoo.

The Zoo is closed on Christmas Day but open regular winter hours, 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday, December 26th and continuing into the new year.

Happy Holidays from the Zoo to you!

It's a Primate Party!

By Brooke Coe, Greater Sacramento AAZK Liaison

Join the celebration! Our young female chimp Maria, is celebrating her 10th birthday this New Year’s Eve, and you can be a part of the celebration. The Greater Sacramento chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) will be selling hand or footprints of Maria to benefit Chimpanzee conservation.

Purchase yours at the Member and Visitor Services office and either write a personalized message to her or decorate it! Then come back on her birthday to see it strung up around the exhibit. She will also be tearing apart a paper mache birthday cake and will be enjoying many other birthday treats. Do your part to help wild chimps while celebrating Maria’s 10th birthday!

NOTICE: posted 12/29/10
Maria and the rest of the troop will be let out into their exhibit at 10 am on Friday, December 31st to enjoy the special treats.

HO, HO, HO, the keepers have mistletoe!

By Brooke Coe, Greater Sacramento AAZK Liaison

Help support your local chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) while bringing home some holiday cheer! During the December weekends, AAZK members will be selling zoo-grown mistletoe, bundled nicely to hang in your house. We will also have a limited number of beautiful, real Christmas wreaths for sale made by our very own horticulturist, Michaele. So, even if you missed Holiday Magic at the Zoo, you can still bring home some holiday magic of your own with our home-grown mistletoe and wreaths! Find us near the front of the Zoo at the AAZK table on the weekends in December. Hope to see you there!

Dinosaur Train, KVIE Kids Game

By Marisa Hicks, Marketing Coordinator

The Zoo is excited to partner with the KVIE Kids so that you can join your favorite Dinosaur Conductor for an adventure on the Dinosaur Train! With the newest game from kviekids.org, children can explore, play, and learn while embarking on an auditory cyber-adventure through the Sacramento Zoo!

For a limited time, you can also find it in the Kids World on saczoo.com!

Give Your Ride, Support the Zoo

By Pam Williams, Development Director

Do you have a clunker in your driveway? A boat that's no longer seaworthy? Or just looking to give your ride to a good cause? You can donate your car, truck, trailer, boat or RV to benefit the Sacramento Zoo!

To start the process of donating your car to benefit the Zoo, or for more information, please call the toll free number 1-866-570-7318.

What can I donate?
We accept most vehicles including cars, trucks, trailers, boats and RVs.

Can I still donate my car if it doesn’t run?
Yes, we are able to accept most vehicles running or not.

What do I need to donate my vehicle?
You will need to have the title to the vehicle in your possession before it can be donated.

What information will you ask me for?
Please have the location of the car, your mailing address, the vehicles license number, VIN number, year, make and model. We would also like to know any sort of damage or flat tires, that would effect the towing of the car.

Can you pick up vehicles in all 50 states?
Yes.

How will my car be picked up?
We will arrange to have your vehicle towed away by a professionally licensed towing company.

How long will it take to pick up my car?
We will arrange for a towing company to contact you via telephone within 3-4 business days.

Is my donation tax deductible?
Yes! Your car donation will help feed and care for animals at the Sacramento Zoo!

How does my tax deduction work?
The IRS allows you, the taxpayer, to claim a tax deduction of (a) the value of your vehicle up to $500 or (b) if we sell the vehicle for more than $500 we will mail a postcard with that value for your taxes.

To start the process of donating your car to benefit the Zoo, or for more information, please call the toll free number 1-866-570-7318.

Red River Hog Piglet Update

The three Red river hog piglets are now 4 months old and beginning to change their coat to a more adult-like color. The family of five are EVERYWHERE and the piglets in particular spend a lot of time with the father. The one male piglet can now be picked out of the lineup by his developing “male” face.

New Anteater Species, Tamandua!

By Jaime Wilson, Zoo Blog Keeper

We are very excited to announce a new species of anteater on exhibit at the Sacramento Zoo! The Southern tamandua, or Lesser anteater has a prehensile tail that it uses as an extra hand or foot. The underside and end of the tail are hairless which helps the tamandua to grip while foraging for food.

Like the giant anteater, the tamandua eats approximately 9,000 ants each day in the wild. At the Zoo, tamanduas are fed a blended diet that has all the necessary nutrients.

A smelly scent gives tamanduas the nickname “stinkers of the forest.” The tamandua uses this smell as a form of protection against predators. Some say the aroma is four times more pungent than a skunk’s scent!

Tamanduas live in the rainforest and scrub forests of South America including Venezuela, Trinidad, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. They are at home both in trees and on the ground so when you visit our newest addition in the Rare Feline Courtyard, make sure to look up!

During our recent cold weather, the Zoo's tamandua has chosen to stay cozy inside his den. Look for him out on exhibit on warmer, sunny days. In the meantime, watch the video below of his first day on exhibit or you can view it on Youtube.

How Do You Look in Yellow?

By Ann Geiger, Education Director

Who are those people in yellow? They are Sacramento Zoo volunteer educators and are an important part of the Zoo experience!

The Sacramento Zoo is taking applications for the 2011 Docent Training class until January 9, 2011. Zoo Docents are volunteer educators who have a love for wildlife and enjoy people. Docents conduct tours and station talks at the Zoo and with additional training, docents can also participate in live animal presentations, both on and off-site.

An orientation meeting will be held on January 8, 2011 and the training class will begin on January 15th. The mini-course in Zoology runs every Saturday through mid-March. Visit the Docent webpage for more information or email the Education Department or call (916) 808-5889 for an application.