sweet tony

last tuesday, sweet tony joined his sister emily and his companion tatiana, where i'm sure they are playing in a meadow in the afterlife. ... i could write alot on tony as he was one of the dearest zoo friends i've come to know. those who haven't had the opportunity to really know a non domesticated fur friend, have no idea how special they can be. tony was i would imagine, like no other tiger. he had a truly sweet nature to him. he seemed to love everyone and love life. he was always happy and chuffed at his keepers and his neighboring tigers, even when one might be in a mood and sass back at him. he would just seem to smile and continue on his way. one fond recent memory, my friend and i were talking with his keeper and tony come to the mesh between us to be included in the conversation. he was making eye contact as he always did, and stood there as if he had something to add to the chat. i know from experience that he most surely did, even if we couldn't hear his thoughts. ... this big guy was a sweetheart and you could feel it from him. i think if you went in with him, he would let you sit down bedside him and brush him. he had that kind of gentleness about him. ... i miss you tony tone tone. you will always be in my thoughts and heart. love to you and see you again in another lifetime.

birthdays!

happy belated birthday to sam, the herd's male giraffe! he turned eight years old on friday (6.11). i love this pic of him i snapped last year, becuz he looks so much like his son dozer! ... today the fishing cat girls angelfish and goldfish celebrated their seventh birthday! this pic is of goldfish that i took this past wknd. angelfish still lives up at the fcc, while goldfish and their brother sunfish (who's from another litter and bday is in september) have completed their move to their new enclosure. ... happy bday to all three of you cuties!

baby face!

one of the emperor tamarin pairs have twins born last saturday! i was lucky to not only get to see these babies riding on one of the parents back, but the parent came up to the window as if to show us the babies! soooooooo cute! got some decent snaps too! in case you can't tell the babies are so small, their head is probably not even the size of a half dollar. precious baby faces.

monkey business

i heard about this from a primate keeper before the monkeys had arrived at the zoo. i am so happy they were saved! and look forward to seeing them live a new happy life!

Zoo saves monkeys from euthanasia

By: Kamala Kelkar
Examiner Staff Writer
June 3, 2010

Monkey business: Squirrel monkeys can live into their late 20s, and they survive on fruits, nuts and sometimes small animals. (Getty Images file photo)

SAN FRANCISCO — Twenty monkeys who spent their lives undergoing behavioral testing at Stanford University are about to learn what normal monkey life is at the San Francisco Zoo.

The squirrel monkeys are among a group of 59 that needed homes after Stanford lost grant money and asked the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which accredits zoos for their commitment to wildlife, to help find them homes.

Now, the 3- to 5-pound monkeys are nearing the end of their mandatory quarantine before they can join the other animals at the zoo.

"They were in a research facility where they do not allow anything that can’t be sterilized and didn’t have any natural elements," -primates curator Corinne MacDonald said. "We’re slowly introducing them to natural things. They’re loving it."

The entire group has been spread out among at least six other zoos.

"Part of it is capacity. We want to make sure we have appropriate habitats and natural social groupings," zoo association spokesman Steve Feldman said.

San Francisco Zoo officials and the association would not disclose details about the monkeys’ testing or their living situation at the campus, and college officials declined to comment.

However, zoo officials did say it was a matter of life or death for the monkeys, which are most commonly found in the Amazon Basin. They were on the brink of euthanasia because the research facility lost its funds.

Feldman said it took more than a year to coordinate.

When MacDonald feels they are ready to revel in trees and dirt, the monkeys will temporarily live in the Primate Discovery Center.

In the meantime, the zoo will use a $250,000 donation specifically for the monkeys to extend an outdoor exhibit at the new South American Tropical Rainforest Aviary that’s still under construction.

"It’s actually unprecedented for this kind of a transfer," MacDonald said.

If they’re able, the monkeys may eventually coexist at the aviary with the world’s largest rodents, capybaras.

source:
San Francisco Examiner: http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/Zoo-saves-monkeys-from-euthanasia-95469744.html#ixzz0pqMe6T8v