Available just in time for holiday reading, a new children’s book for iPad, Chimps Should Be Chimps is now available for download fre free from the App Store.

Published by Lincoln Park Zoo’s Project ChimpCARE, Chimps Should Be Chimps is designed for early readers aged 3 to 8 years of age and offers an interactive and engaging story that aims to educate and inform kids – and their parents – perceptions about chimpanzees.

“Too often, first impressions about chimpanzees are formed by seeing them in human clothes performing in movies or television shows,” said Steve Ross, PhD, founder of Project ChimpCARE.

“Unfortunately, recent research suggests that these impressions can be lasting and have detrimental consequences for this endangered species,” added Ross.

Chimps Should Be Chimps provides kids, and their parents, with a different impression – one that looks at life from the perspective of the chimpanzee. Through rhyming, lyrical prose, the story is told through the eyes of two chimpanzee characters: wise old Poe and his granddaughter Lulu who live amongst other chimps at a local zoo.

The engaging story is highlighted with bright, colorful and playful illustrations which seem to come to life with the stroke of a finger on the iPad screen. The multisensory book includes the sounds of waterfalls, music and birds to bring the characters to life.

The story highlights things that chimpanzees love to do including climbing and swinging in trees, fishing for termites, building nests and playing with other chimpanzees.

The story carefully conveys a message about things that do not make chimpanzees happy, such as being separated from their mother at an early age and being isolated from their peers to be used for performances in movies or TV shows.
“The inspiration for the book came from trying to talk to my own children about chimpanzees,” explained Ross. “The story aims to relate how chimpanzees deserve to be free from these antiquated practices of being dressed up for human amusement. But perhaps just as importantly, it conveys to kids the importance of being yourself and believing in what comes naturally to you.”

Chimps Should Be Chimps was created in partnership with Manning Productions. Find out more about this free iPad book, see illustrations, view the book trailer and get details behind the scenes interviews about the creation of this children’s app and the work of Project ChimpCARE when you visit www.chimpsshouldbechimps.com.

One lucky person could win a brand new iPad! Sign up to win when you visit www.lpzoo.org/chimpcare until December 31. The lucky winner will be notified on January 16, 2012.

This exciting event taking place on Saturday, July 23 is a part of TXU Energy presents Chill Out at the Houston Zoo. TXU Energy’s team will be here with the opportunity for you to win FREE Blue Bell ice cream! Stop by their tent in the front entry plaza to pick up a scavenger hunt that will take you on a fun adventure through the Zoo to each of our indoor, air-conditioned “Chill Zones”, and once you complete your hunt, you will have earned some delicious Blue Bell ice cream. Finish your scavenger hunt by 3 p.m. to get your free Blue Bell coupon. The Blue Bell coupon is only good for July 23, so be sure you come hungry!

The chimpanzees will be getting some interesting frosty treats too! Head over to their exhibit in The African Forest at 9:30 a.m. to see how the chimps feel about the appearance of suprise snowmen in their yard!

We’re also working with Sunny 99.1 and Theatre Under the Stars to bring you an unusual SNOW experience on Saturday, July 23 from 9:00-11:00 a.m. on the lawn next to the Okapi exhibit. While we can ensure that the sight of snow in late July will be a thrill, we can’t guarantee that it will last, so be sure to be here between 9:00-9:30 a.m. to behold this rare sight.

Interested in more ways to beat the heat? Check out our website www.houstonzoo.org/chillout/ to find out more about how to stay cool at the Zoo and at home with TXU Energy.

Did you know that aluminum cans are what’s known as a sustainable metal, meaning it can be recycled not just once, but again and again?  And it’s unique in that it can go through the recycling process and be back in stores in new use in as little as 60 days!  So how much of a difference could you make if you made that extra little effort to recycle yours? A LOT!

We make it easier than ever to do this at the zoo with our new recycling bins. They’re easy to spot because they look like big silver bottles, and there are 100 of them all through the Zoo.

Look for our 100 new recycling bins and toss your cans and bottles there.

Larry Cummings, a staff member at Earth911.com wrote an informative, easy-to-read fact sheet that you can find HERE to learn much more.

I make the effort to recycle all my aluminum. I even pick them up when I see them laying somewhere, and stash them in a bag in my car to take the next time I drive to my local recycling facility. Why bother? Think about it… besides saving the planet’s precious metals and energy, you are also contributing to preserving natural habitats that the animals we all love need to live in.  That’s all the motivation I require, but it also makes me feel good to do it.  And that part is priceless.

Isn’t that a great reason to make the effort?  Not just on one day, but most days, if not every day?

The Houston Zoo invites you to bring an aluminum can to the recycling booth at the Main Entry or the Medical Center Gate during our Waste Management Earth Day Weekend party, this coming Saturday and Sunday, April 24-25th.  From this simple good deed of recycling your can, you’ll receive a coupon for $1 off, redeemable at any Houston Zoo ticket booth!!!

We’ve got lots of fun in store. See you then!

For more information on Earth Day Weekend at the Houston Zoo, go to http://www.houstonzoo.org/earthday/

This promotion is not valid with any other coupon or offer. Receive one dollar off per person/per can.  Maximum discount of $6 per family or group.

Written by Rochelle Joseph. Visit me at my personal animal and nature blog at www.naturegirrrl.blogspot.com

Aluminum can photo at:  jtw2962.k12.sd.us/…/ lab1-1whalen/pictures.htm.

It was a tough decision, but here are our three winning photos:

Steve Brown’s – “For The Birds” wins 2 tickets to our Princess Party!

Lucrece Borrego’s – “Giraffes Are Romantic” wins 2 tickets to our Valentine’s Day Brunch!

Megan Welch’s – “One Word: Tucker” wins 2 tickets to either our Princess Party or Valentine’s Day Brunch (our Wild for Love Lecture has been canceled)

Check out all the 52 of the great photo submissions!

If you are a winner please email your contact information to interactivemarketing@houstonzoo.org to be put on the guest list.

For those of you who participated but did not win, we encourage you to attend either or Valentine’s Day Brunch or our Princess Party – both will be a lot of Valentine’s Day fun!

Thanks for reading our blogs!

Show us why you love the Houston Zoo & be entered to win a free pair of tickets to one of our Valentine’s Weekend events at the Houston Zoo.

Here’s the idea: In 3 words, show us why you love the Houston Zoo. Snap a photo of it, and upload it to us on the Houston Zoo’s Facebook page, tweet it to us at twitter.com/houstonzoo,  or even e-mail it to interactivemarketing@houstonzoo.org.

We’ll announce the 3 big winners on February 9 to win a pair of tickets to our Wild for Love lecture, our Valentine’s Day Brunch, or our Princess Party.

It’s as easy as that. Just 3 words.

Here are a few examples to get your creative juices flowing:

Meet The Keeper

Living The Dream... errr I mean Exploring The Unknown

Lounging Lace Monitor

Touch and Feel

Have fun!

*Note – You can take your photos at home, the Zoo, or anywhere – as long as it shows your 3 words of Houston Zoo love.

The prize is FREE TICKETS FOR TWO to the Houston Zoo’s annual food and wine extravaganza — Feast with the Beasts – coming up on November 6th.  That’s exciting folks — it’s only 8 days away!

BUT FIRST, this just in:

Still trying to please his gal after last year’s fiasco, our hungry Feast-seeking beast was seen taking her to Franks Chop House . The whole thing was caught by our roving cameras. Take a look!

He wasn’t far off in his efforts since Franks’ Chop House is one of the 50 participating restaurants who will serve you mouthwatering food and drink at our party this year.  And after sampling them all, you can join in the Beastly Battle by voting for your favorite dish. Which will win this year?

Speaking of winners, it’s time to Name That Gorilla!

After studying the mountain of suggestions, our panel of expert judges confessed it was tough to pick a moniker for man who monkeys all around town.  But it had to be done.  Ladies and Gentlemen, our heretofore unnamed gorilla will now be affectionately referred to as Banana Bob!

Congratulations go to Sarah Hay!!

Keep an eye out for  Banana Bob as you go about your day.  If you see him, take a picture and post it on our flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/groups/spot-the-gorilla/. Or you can e-mail it to us at interactivemarketing@houstonzoo.org and we’ll post it for you. Why? Because it’s fun.

For those who still don’t have tickets, CLICK HERE right now and in less than 5 minutes you’ll be booked to join us just one week from tomorrow!  Put it on your calendar!

Written by Rochelle Joseph. View her animal blog @www.naturegirrrl.blogspot.com

I sat down with the here-to-fore unknown Houston Zoo gorilla that is quickly achieving celebrity status around town and asked him all the questions inquiring minds might want to know.

R: You’ve been spotted around the Zoo — mostly trying to get into our cafes.  Then you’ve been seen trying to get into restaurants around town. And your man bag appears to be stuffed to the gills with bananas… It seems like food is really important to you.

G: You have no idea what a foodie I am!

R: So you must be a fan of the Zoo’s big food fest — Feast With The Beasts – coming up on November 6th.

G: Oh yes. And I know how popular it is… I learned that the hard way. Last year I waited too long to get my tickets and they sold out! My girlfriend was tres upset.  She likes it because it’s one of the few times we can be at the zoo where it’s 100% grown ups.

R: How did that happen if you’re such a fan of this fabulous annual Zoo party?

G: Well, I do banana tricks in my spare time.  It’s easy to end up eating them, and when I’m full… I get sleepy… and well, you know what they say…

R: What do they say?

G: He who snoozes loses.

R: Well time is of the essence then. You know November 6th is only 2 1/2 weeks away.  I supposed you’re not going to make that same mistake again…

G: No way! It’s already done. I bought my tickets online at www.Houstonzoo.org/Feast

What’s more, I’ve decided to make it my mission to roam the city and remind people. I mean, think about it — Amazing food, live music, dancing, keeper chats, animal experiences, scrumptious libations — all going on in one of the most the romantic and exotic settings in Houston.  This party is not to be missed.

R: I know!  My friends rave at what a good date night it is… especially the ones with kids…

G: Quite a bargain when you consider that there’s over 50 restaurants participating and this year, my favorite band is playing: BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY. I really encourage people to join me, so they don’t have to go to the lengths I have. I mean,  running all over town in this fur is HOT.

R: What dedication! 

At that, the Gorilla showed me how to open a banana upside down  instead of peeling it. As he wolfed it down, I had to ask:

R: Are you a real Gorilla?

G: That’s getting a little personal, don’t you think?

R: Well, at least tell us your name then!

But he didn’t answer… An ape with a mission, he was off in a flash, compelled to go out and spread the word.

Turns out this tall, dark and hairy guy is Feast’s number one fan, a champion of our cause. He cannot remain anonymous!  It’s just not right!

Can you help us give him a name?  Think: strong, committed, good hearted, hungry, and hairy.  Wait…Harry? Harry!  That’s my official submission. What’s yours?

Please leave your entry in the comment area.

The winner will be named Thursday, October 29th, in a follow-up blog  and will be awarded FREE tickets for two to — you guessed it –Feast with the Beasts!!! Just post a comment below with what you think his name should be and you’ll be entered to win. Good luck!

Written by Rochelle Joseph. View Rochelle’s personal animal blog @www.naturegirrrl.blogspot.com

**Update** The winner has been announced here.

All you have to do is post a response to this blog with your favorite Zoo memory. It can be the first time you came as a youngster and saw a baby giraffe, or the first time you brought your child and saw how excited they were when a tiger walked by.

Or maybe it was even partyin’ it up at Feast with the Beasts last year.

We’ll announce 2 winners on Friday, September 11 for FREE Zoo admission for them and a guest. Let’s hear it!