Page 82 - 2002 DT 12 issues

The Spice of Life ○ suring animal reactions and behaviors to ○ While these enrichment experiences
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○ new objects and situations. ○ can’t match the variety of stimuli found
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○ Keeping life interesting involves the ○ in the wild, researchers anticipate that
iamonds may be a girl’s best ○ ○ ○
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friend, but the right perfume will ○ element of surprise. A new smell, ○ improving the quality of life for animals
Dsurely win her heart . . . at least ○ ○ sounds, objects—even games—are used ○ in zoos and aquariums may return to the
at New York’s Bronx Zoo. In an effort ○ ○ to test and entertain the zoo’s residents ○ ○ animals some of the pleasure they give
to create a more stimulating environment ○ and challenge their keepers as well. ○ to visitors.
○ Creative feeding is one method of ○
for captive animals, zookeepers have ○
tried spraying about 19 different ○ ○ encouraging natural foraging behavior. ○ ○
perfumes on logs and grass within the ○ All inhabitants at the Bronx Zoo are part ○ ○ Run! Run! Run!
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cheetah enclosure. Calvin Klein’s Ob- ○ of the program, even such un-cute crit- ○ ○
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session is the clear winner. According ○ ters as the South American poison dart ○ ○ hey’re off and running on
to National Geographic News, it drives ○ ○ frog. Tuck a picnic of crickets into a co- ○ ○ November 9, in the Friends 1st
the female cheetahs wild! ○ conut shell, drill a few holes in it, and ○TAnnual Tortoise Trot to benefit
○ ○ Red Rock Canyon! Final entries must
○
When the cologne is sprayed on a ○ ○ an army of frogs emerges from the brush
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log, a female may play for 15 minutes ○ to relish the culinary challenge. Or feed ○ be in by November 8. Pre-registration
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with it seeking out the scent, then roll, ○ an octopus his fish sealed in a jar (which ○ and packets may be picked up at Land
rub, and paw the log, even defending it ○ he’s never seen) and watch him unscrew Rover of Las Vegas, 5255 West Sahara
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against an approaching male by chasing ○ ○ it in two minutes flat. The octopus loved ○ on November 8.
him off. The attraction may be related ○ (or hated) the screw top so much, he hid ○ Pre-registration entry forms are
○ ○ it from his keepers. ○
to one particular ingredient: musk, a ○ available on our website at
○ Even medical exams can be fun. ○ www.friendsofredrockcanyon.org.
component of many perfumes and a ○
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natural substance that animals exude. ○ Small monkeys learn to stand on scales, ○ ○
climb into crates, show their hands, ○
feet, stomach, tail, and back upon ○ Help! Help! Help!
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request. They love to interact with ○ ○
their handlers, often waiting at the ○ e need volunteers for various
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door of their enclosure to ○ Tortoise Trot jobs on Octo-
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visit the “doctor.” Medi- ○ Wber 30, November 8 and 9.
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cal exams have become ○ Contact Pat Williams at 395-7080 to sign
so popular that over- ○ ○ up for assignments.
eager monkeys have ○ ○ All volunteers will wear BRIGHT
to be trained to stand ○ yellow “Friends Volunteer” t-shirts on
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on the scale one at a ○ race day.
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time. The monkeys ○ Wednesday, October 30, 10 a.m. -
also enjoy water ○ ○ 4:30 p.m. - Prepare race packets at the
fights with juice ○ Visitor Center.
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bottles and playing ○ Friday, November 8, 10 a.m. - 1 :30
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with mirrors. ○ p.m. and 1:30 to 5 p.m. at Land Rover
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Although zoos can never provide a ○ of Las Vegas - Assist with pre-registration,
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totally natural environment, even small ○ distribution of race packets and t-shirts.
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This seemingly frivolous experiment ○ ○ adjustments to an animal’s daily routine ○ ○ Saturday, November 9, 6:30 - 11
is part of the science of “animal enrich- ○ ○ can make a difference. New York’s ○ a.m. - Registration and refreshments;
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ment.” By using various tactics, the ○ ○ Wildlife Conservation Society is plan- ○ water handlers at the 2 mile turn; route
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science seeks to relieve the boredom as- ○ ning a new “arctic river” enrichment at ○ monitors to provide runner assistance;
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sociated with never having to worry ○ ○ Central Park Zoo to allow Polar bears ○ parking guides; start and finish point di-
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about your next meal or whose next meal ○ ○ to swim against a current, as they would ○ rectors; All volunteers are requested to
you might become. It is also about mea- ○ in nature. ○ stay for clean-up detail.
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Page 2 FORRC/November, 2002