Posts Tagged ‘cats’

Feb
02

Big Cats Don’t Make Good Pets, Part 4

Posted by in Carnivores,Conservation,Endangered,Keepers,Mammals,Zoo News

A student at Texas A & M University at Galveston where she studies marine biology, Kaitlin McGraw interned at the Houston Zoo last summer.   “When I came to the Zoo, I heard stories about the animals, and where they came from,” said Kaitlin. “I was surprised to learn how many of the animals in the Zoo’s Carnivore Department came from private owners who had kept them as pets,” Kaitlin added.   “I wanted to do something to help people understand that keeping big cats as pets is not a good idea,” Kaitlin added. The result was a series of video presentations profiling the ‘rescued cats’ at the Houston Zoo and recounting their individual stories. The videos were produced using a Canon PowerShot camera and edited on the iMovie platform.   “In the future, I hope to work with an organization like the Houston Zoo, promoting conservation education or traveling to new locales, working with marine and wildlife sanctuaries,” said Kaitlin.

 

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Jan
27

Big Cats Don’t Make Good Pets, Part 3

Posted by in Carnivores,Keepers,Mammals,Zoo News

A student at Texas A & M University at Galveston where she studies marine biology, Kaitlin McGraw interned at the Houston Zoo last summer.

“When I came to the Zoo, I heard stories about the animals, and where they came from,” said Kaitlin. “I was surprised to learn how many of the animals in the Zoo’s Carnivore Department came from private owners who had kept them as pets,” Kaitlin added.

“I wanted to do something to help people understand that keeping big cats as pets is not a good idea,” Kaitlin added. The result was a series of video presentations profiling the ‘rescued cats’ at the Houston Zoo and recounting their individual stories. The videos were produced using a Canon PowerShot camera and edited on the iMovie platform.

“In the future, I hope to work with an organization like the Houston Zoo, promoting conservation education or traveling to new locales, working with marine and wildlife sanctuaries,” said Kaitlin.

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Jan
14

Big Cats Don’t Make Good Pets, Part 2

Posted by in Animal Info,Carnivores,Keepers,Mammals,Zoo News

A student at Texas A & M University at Galveston where she studies marine biology, Kaitlin McGraw interned at the Houston Zoo last summer.

“When I came to the Zoo, I heard stories about the animals, and where they came from,” said Kaitlin.  “I was surprised to learn how many of the animals in the Zoo’s Carnivore Department came from private owners who had kept them as pets,” Kaitlin added.
“I wanted to do something to help people understand that keeping big cats as pets is not a good idea,” Kaitlin added.  The result was a series of video presentations profiling the ‘rescued cats’ at the Houston Zoo and recounting their individual stories.  The videos were produced using a Canon PowerShot camera and edited on the iMovie platform.

“In the future, I hope to work with an organization like the Houston Zoo, promoting conservation education or traveling to new locales, working with marine and wildlife sanctuaries,” said Kaitlin.

 

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Jan
05

Big Cats Don’t Make Good Pets

Posted by in Carnivores,Keepers,Mammals,Zoo News

Houston Zoo Intern’s Videos Tell the Real Stories

A student at Texas A & M University at Galveston where she studies marine biology, Kaitlin McGraw interned at the Houston Zoo last summer.

Through the ExxonMobil Community Summer Jobs Program, Kaitlin spent 8 weeks working with the Zoo’s carnivore staff.

Kaitlin has a special appreciation for predator species. “Ever since I was little I’ve loved animals and a special place in my heart has always been reserved for predators,” she said.

“When I came to the Zoo, I heard stories about the animals, and where they came from,” said Kaitlin. “I was surprised to learn how many of the animals in the Zoo’s Carnivore Department came from private owners who had kept them as pets,” Kaitlin added.

“I wanted to do something to help people understand that keeping big cats as pets is not a good idea,” Kaitlin added. The result was a series of video presentations profiling the ‘rescued cats’ at the Houston Zoo and recounting their individual stories. The videos were produced using a Canon PowerShot camera and edited on the iMovie platform.

“In the future, I hope to work with an organization like the Houston Zoo, promoting conservation education or traveling to new locales, working with marine and wildlife sanctuaries,” said Kaitlin.

Below is the first installment of Kaitlin’s videos featuring Houston Zoo big cats.  Stay tuned each week as we post a new video.

 

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Nov
29

Houston Zoo Featured in National Geographic Magazine

Posted by in Carnivores,Conservation,Endangered,Jaguars,Keepers,Mammals,Media,Zoo News

Houston Zoo Jaguar "Cocoy"

December Issue of National Geographic Magazine
Spotlights 8 “Cats in Crisis”

National Geographic, December 2011

Planet Earth is home to 37 species of cats. All are facing an uncertain future. Even though humans have coexisted with predators for thousands of years, the world’s cats are losing ground to habitat loss, illegal hunting and retaliatory killing when they prey on livestock. Yet conservationists see hope.

In the December issue of National Geographic Magazine, on newsstands November 29 and available now as a digital magazine, author and world-renowned field biologist George B. Schaller proposes bold action to ensure their survival.

Schaller’s essay, Politics Is Killing the Big Cats is accompanied by a 5-panel pullout poster featuring stunning photos of 8 of the world’s big cats, seven of which are cats from the Houston Zoo, captured in stunning detail by National Geographic photographer Vincent J. Musi.

“We are proud and honored that our Houston Zoo big cat ‘ambassadors’ were chosen to accompany George Schaller’s essay and grateful that National Geographic’s Big Cat Initiative is raising awareness about the conservation status of the world’s cat species,” said Houston Zoo Carnivore Curator Beth Schaefer.

Assisted by Houston Zoo carnivore keepers, Vincent J. Musi photographed the Zoo’s male African lion Jonathan and 6 other cats (clouded leopard, jaguar, cougar, leopard, cheetah, and Malayan tiger) during a week-long photo session in February. Each cat was photographed in its off exhibit ‘bedroom’ against a black backdrop. Each photo in the pullout poster is accompanied by a brief profile that includes the cat’s estimated wild population and its conservation status. The National Geographic Society is working to save big cats through its Big Cats Initiative; find out more at www.causeanuproar.org.

Houston Zoo African Lion "Jonathan"

“We are deeply appreciative of the Houston Zoo’s hospitality. It is unusual for one facility to have such a diversity of big cats, and their generousity in facilitating Vince’s photo shoot helped us to illustrate the animals’ beauty and power for our 40 million readers worldwide,” said Kathy Moran, senior photo editor in charge of the National Geographic magazine’s natural history coverage.

The December issue of National Geographic magazine is available on newsstands November 29 and as a digital magazine at the National Geographic App Store, http://nationalgeographic.com/apps. Prints of Musi’s photographs are available at http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/bigcats-purchase.

 

Houston Zoo Clouded Leopard "Rama"

 

Houston Zoo Cougar "Rocky"

 

 

Houston Zoo Leopard "Kadu"

 

 

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Nov
04

Climbing for Clouded Leopards

Posted by in Carnivores

Think you can climb as well as a clouded leopard?  Think again!

Clouded leopards are arboreal, meaning they spend much of their time in the trees.  Fittingly, they are one of the best climbers in the cat family.  Their long tails help them maintain balance as they maneuver through the branches, and large paws give them a bigger surface area for gripping.  Their coolest feature for climbing, however, is their back ankles.  These are shaped in such a way that the clouded leopards can rotate their back feet, allowing them to climb down a tree head first!

Even the best human climber can’t match the feats of a clouded leopard, although as a rainforest animal the cats are probably not scaling a lot of cliffs.  That doesn’t mean that you can’t come enjoy some rock climbing and help AAZK raise money to help protect and study these beautiful cats!  On November 9, 2011  they’ll be hosting Climbing for Clouded Leopards at the Texas Rock Gym from 5-10pm.  All proceeds will be donated to the Clouded Leopard Project.

Though clouded leopards are solitary, you don’t have to climb alone!  You are welcome to bring a friend and we’ll have volunteers available to belay anyone who comes without a partner.

By Leigh Spencer, Senior Education Specialist

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Oct
20

The Clouded Leopard: Elusive, Enigmatic and Endangered

Posted by in Carnivores

The Houston Zoo is home to a species of cat that has evaded researchers for years.  The clouded leopard is a well-hidden secret of Southeast Asia.  This beautiful cat is named for the nebulous spots on its coat.  Even the scientific name, Neofelis nebulosa, refers to the shape of the spots! 

Clouded leopards are found in the dense rainforest of Southeast Asia, where they spend most of their time up in the canopy.  As they are shy, nocturnal, and well-camouflaged, these cats have proven a challenge to study.  Camera traps have proven an effective way of documenting the presence of these cats; these motion-activated cameras are set along trails used by prey animals and can sometimes catch images of the cats as well.Even exhibited at the Zoo, this species can be a tricky one to find.  The exhibit includes many good places to hide, and often the only thing that can be seen is a long tail draped over the edge of the rockwork, or maybe a foot or the tip of an ear.  Keep looking when you visit, though.  When the cat is moving around or even just more easily seen, it’s definitely a reward for your efforts!

Climbing for Clouded Leopards, an event hosted by our AAZK chapter to help support the study and protection of these cats, will be held on November 9.  Come enjoy rock climbing with us and help AAZK raise money to help protect and study these beautiful cats!  On November 9,  they’ll be hosting Climbing for Clouded Leopards at the Texas Rock Gym from 5-10pm.  All proceeds will be donated to the Clouded Leopard Project

By Leigh Spencer, Senior Education Specialist

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Jun
28

FOTO Friday Winner of the Week

Posted by in Carnivores,Contest,Funny

Welcome to the Houston Zoo’s FOTO FRIDAY Caption Challenge results post from Friday, June 24!

Last Friday, we posted a photo on Facebook and asked you to leave your best caption in the comment section. Then readers could “like” each caption comment to vote for their favorites. Their votes, combined with those of our own panel, determined the caption to appear under the picture right here on the Official Houston Zoo Blog this week. We hope you’ll come back for the fun EVERY FRIDAY.

YOUR VOTES HELP DETERMINE THE WINNERS!

Here is the picture that was posted on Facebook last Friday, with the top voted  caption by two time winner –Guppy Man!!! (insert appreciative Big Cat yawn!)

THE HANGOVER-PART ZOO

 
FIRST RUNNER UP:

Kay Sutton Koci: Next time I’ll COUNT the sheep….Not eat them!! 

  SECOND RUNNER UP:

Michael Byron: Soft kitty, warm kitty Little ball of fur. Happy kitty, sleepy kitty Purr purr purr.

THIRD RUNNERS UP:

Elaine Thompson: One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor.

Kelly Van Gelder: Seriously… who designed this lounge area???

And some wildly funny HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Jeff Bricmont: Where did I get all these tattoos from???

 Megan Neal: I HOPE the photos from last night don’t end up on Facebook!!

Erik Burington:  Ohhhh! I knew I shouldn’t have gone to that party with Blanco

last night!

Bridget Robbins Haines: I don’t care what you say, I don’t believe I have narco-zzzZZZZZ.

  

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!

Thanks for joining in the fun!

And please come on back for next Friday!


TXU Energy Presents Chill Out at the Houston Zoo:

Houston summers are hot, but the Houston Zoo is cool.

Guess what’s new? Starting today, you can enjoy four brand new misting stations in addition to the mister fans that are spread out all over our grounds! You can find them here:

*at the lawn by the okapis

*off Duck Lake on the side near our Wortham World of Primates

*next to the wishing well at the start of the McGovern’s Childrens Zoo

* at the entrance to The African Forest.

Click here for all our chill activities and tips.

*******

Check out our Facebook page to see the rest of the entries. We hope this brought a smile to your face. And stay tuned for next Friday’s photo! Tell your friends, share this on Facebook, Twitter or your own blogs, and start your office pools to see who can come up with the best lines. (To show the picture and link on your social media, just click the little icons under the title SHARE THIS on the lower left of this post).To find us on Facebook, type in Houston Zoo Inc. in the search field or go to http://www.facebook.com/houstonzoo and become a fan.

  

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Apr
22

Are those cats in the Swap Shop?

Posted by in Swap Shop

Penny

Cats?  In the Naturally Wild Swap Shop?  Yes!

Penny and Bagherra are a part of our education collection and actually have a job at the zoo.  Are you wondering what they do when they are working?They both go to classrooms and presentations as part of the Houston Zoo’s outreach program.  They are wonderful ambassadors and can help us when we teach about animals, especially cats.  We cant bring a big cat like a tiger to a classroom but, we can bring a small cat and teach about the big cats.  We can also use the small cats to talk about predator vs. prey or what animals would make a good pet.

When they are not working,  they live in the building that houses the Swap Shop.

Bagherra

They are very popular in the Swap Shop and some of our visitors come in not only to trade but to visit Penny and Bagherra too.  If you dont know about making trades in the Naturally Wild Swap Shop, click here for more info.

Recently the swap shop even had a visit from a different kind of cat – some of the cast of the Broadway show CATS!  The members of the cast of Broadway Across America’s Cats On Tour stopped by.

You never know what – or who – you will see in the Naturally Wild Swap Shop!

Suzanne from the Swap Shop with Cats cast members

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Apr
12

Win a Sneak Preview to Disney’s “African Cats” in Time for Earth Day!

Posted by in Carnivores,Contest

Here’s your chance to attend a special sneak preview of the new Disney Film – “African Cats”!

Leaping into theatres on Earth Day, 2011, “African Cats” features the real-life love, humor and determination of the kings of the African savannah: Mara, an endearing lion cub who strives to grow up with her mother’s strength, spirit and wisdom; Sita, a fearless cheetah and single mother of five mischevious newborns; and Fang, a proud leader of the pride who must defend his family from a once banished lion.

You can win a special early screening pass to this unforgettable movie, by simply submitting your name, e-mail address and a statement about what you do to conserve in your daily life in the comment section below on this blog post. We will not use your e-mail for anything else and it will be kept confidential. This screening will take place at Regal Edwards Grand Palace theater.

The first 75 people who enter by Friday, April 15 will get a confirmation e-mail from us with the actual screening pass for two attached by no later than April 19. These passes are “jump the line” passes, which means you will be able to move to the front of the line upon arrival. In order to take advantage of the jump the line offer, you must arrive no later than 6:30 p.m.

African Cats

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

7:00 PM

Edwards Greenway Plaza

If you’re a cat-lover and feel inspired to support the African Cats here at the Zoo and in the wild, click here to learn about our conservation efforts of cheetahs living in Botswana.

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