Lecture: Linking Zoos to the Wild

Join Dr. Jeffrey Bonner, president and chief executive officer of Saint Louis Zoo, as he looks at how successful zoos can be as field conservation organizations. He will also explore what zoos are doing to care for some of the most exotic creatures in the world, and how the role of zoos plays out in today's society.

For more information or to make reservations, call (708) 485-0263, ext. 297. Tickets are $16 per nonmember, $13 per member, and free for Bison Circle, Supporting, Sustaining, and Living Legacy members. The lecture will take place on Tuesday, January 23 at 7:30 p.m. in Brookfield Zoo's Discovery Center.

Bonner is the author of Sailing With Noah: Stories from the World of Zoos, a travelogue and collection of animal short stories interwoven to illustrate the larger story of conservation and education programs within the zoo community.

This title is available in the CZS-BZ Library collection via SWAN: http://swan.sls.lib.il.us QL76.B66 2006.

Database Recommendation: Global Amphibian Assessment (GAA)

The Global Amphibian Assessment (GAA) is a comprehensive database of the nearly 6,000 known amphibian species, along with their conservation status. It is searchable by common or scientific species name; taxonomic tree; country, region, or habitat; threatened status on the IUCN (World Conservation Union) Red List; or type of threat, such as habitat loss or disease. Combinations of these criteria can also be searched.

The data is compiled by scientists from the World Conservation Union and other conservation agencies, with contributions from over 600 specialists worldwide.

The database's release in 2004 marked the first complete assessment of the coonservation status of amphibian species. One of the assessment's key findings is that 32 percent of amphibian species are currently threatened with extinction - a much higher percentage than birds or mammals.

GAA's search interface is easy to use. Search tips and help links are prominent and clear. The search screen refers users to the Amphibian Species of the World Online Database for detailed taxonomy information. The search results for a particular species include a precise map of the geographic range; comments on habitat, threats, and conservation efforts; and a bibliography.

The site links to Google Images for finding photographs and to Amphibia Web for accounts of life history and other aspects of the species. A glossary spells out the two-letter country abbreviations used in describing species ranges.

Brookfield Zoo Teacher Classes

To register please send fees (check payable to Brookfield Zoo) with your name, address, e-mail and phone number to: Teacher Workshops, Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Road, Brookfield, IL 60513.

Classes are each 2 days, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. unless noted. Teachers outside the recommended grade ranges are welcome to attend and adapt materials for their own use.

Please note: costs includes a $25 non-refundable registration fee, optional graduate credit ($100 per hour through Aurora University) is available for most classes for an additional fee.

Natural Habitat Series: Grades K-8, $125 per individual 2 day class, 1 optional graduate credit, 3 ceu’s, optional CPS Lane credit. 8:30-a.m.-4:30 p.m. each day. Fee includes materials and AV.

Rainforests January 20 (Chicago Botanic Garden) and 27 (Brookfield Zoo)
What’s the difference between a temperate and a tropical rain forest? Find out the answer to this and information about soils, insects, energy transfer, and the plants and animals that inhabit these lush green ecosystems.

Deserts February 10 Chicago Botanic Garden) and 17 (Brookfield Zoo)
Learn about deserts worldwide and the survival strategies and adaptations that have been developed by desert inhabitants.

Teachers for Tigers: February 2 (4:30- 10:00 p.m.) & 3 (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.)
Grades all grades (curriculum materials emphasize grades 4-6)
$125, 3 CEU’s, 1 optional graduate credit

Receive the beautiful “Teacher for Tigers” curriculum and join with staff from the Wildlife Conservation Society (Bronx Zoo) and Brookfield Zoo as we study the role of predators in ecosystems around the world. Classroom activities range from ideas for young children to High school, with an emphasis on the middle grades. Participants receive pictures and a CD of predators in our animal collection.

Animals of the Night: February 23 (4:30-10:00 p.m.) &24 (8:30 a.m. -4:30 p.m.), Grades Pre-K – 4, $125, 1 optional graduate credit, 3 CEU’s.

Is Halloween your favorite day? Then you need to learn more about bats, owls and the other creatures that fly, swim, slither and crawl through the darkness! Have fun as we focus on animal information and reading / writing activities.

Predator Conference: Lions and Tigers and Bears!!! Saturday March 3 (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) and Sunday (noon-4:30 p.m.), All Grades, $125, 1 optional graduate credit, 3 CEU’s.

Join us for our annual animal conference: a Saturday morning of teacher activities followed by two afternoons of engaging speakers, exploring social structures, nutrition, genetics and husbandry. We will focus on some favorite zoo residents the big cats and bears! Learn about the care that Brookfield Zoo provides for these wonderful animals and how this impacts the conservation of their species.

Animal Colors: Friday, April 13, 4:30-9:30 p.m. and Saturday April 14, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. All grades, $125, 1 optional graduate credit, 3 CEU’s

Camouflage, warning colors, attracting a mate, and declaring a territory: color plays many roles in the animal world. Discover the purpose of a zebra’s stripes, a fish’s white belly and the dots on a tiger’s ears through activities and guided animal observations. Take home AV and activities for your classroom.

Marine Mammals and Birds
April 28 at Lincoln Park Zoo & May 5 at Brookfield Zoo, K-8, $125, 1 optional graduate credit, 1 optional graduate credit, 3 CEU’s.

Two great zoos are right in your city! Explore animal collections at both zoos to find out why marine animals have the same shape and are adapted to life in a salty, wet and often hostile environment. Take home activities and more!

Exploring Nature with Children
May 12 at Brookfield Zoo, May 19 at Spring Valley Nature Center, Schaumburg. K-8, $125, 1 optional graduate credit, 3 CEU’s. (Please note this class was offered in previous years as Play Zoo Adventures, Aurora #OEDW6374)

You don’t have to be an “expert” to share nature with children through activities ranging from nature yoga, crafts, and games to nature walks, collecting and identifying plants, and guided observations. Discover the fun that you can find in Brookfield Zoo’s Hamill Family Play Zoo or the natural world: in your own back yard and nearby Nature Centers and Forest Preserves.

Animal Communication: Do you hear me now?
May 18 (4:00-10:00 p.m.) & 19 (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.), $125, 1 optional graduate credit, 3 CEU’s., recommended for grades 6-12

From the obvious roaring lion to the nearly undetectable infrasound used by elephants, from the bright colors of the male peacock to subtle postures of some species as individuals meet, animal communication is a fascinating topic! Observe animals and experience learning activities for your classroom.

The Secret Life of Dolphins
June 8 (4:00- 10:00 p.m.) and 9 (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.), $130, 1 optional graduate credit, 3 CEU’s, recommended for grades 6-12.

Explore Brookfield Zoo’s newest CONNECTIONS unit, an inquiry based learning opportunity for middle and High school students. Discover dolphin characteristics, analyze scientific data and learn how our research can be useful in maintaining healthy dolphin communities in the wild and in zoos. Fee includes unit and software. Please bring a laptop computer to this class.

The Good Life: Animal Behavior and Training
June 29 (4:00 – 10:00 p.m.) and 30 (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.), $130, 1 optional graduate credit, 3 CEU’s

Find out about work done in zoos to ensure quality of life for our animal residents. From the Dolphin Show to training predators to show their teeth on command, training and enrichment programs improve animal husbandry and the environment our animals live in. Participants receive activities for classroom use and the “Training Game” video.

Reading Connections
July 10 and 12 at Fullersburg Nature Center
Grades 3-7, $130.00, 1 optional graduate credit, 3 CEU’s

Staff from Brookfield Zoo, Dupage County Forest Preserves, the Conservation Foundation, Jurica Nature Museum and Fermilab, are collaborating to offer this fun filled class that focuses on teaching reading with non-fiction and teaching science with fiction resources You’ll experience a mix of hands-on, indoor and outdoor, activities for your class. Participants will receive take home activities, posters, and fiction and nonfiction resources. To Register: please contact Sue Sheehan at Fermilab, 630-840-8258.

Animal Senses
July 16-20, Grades K-8, $325, 3 optional graduate credits, 9 CEU’s.

The focus is on the amazing world of animal senses from the echolocation of bats and dolphins to touching and feeling animal fur, skins and scales. Learn stories from keeper staff about some of our special residents such as Leah bald eagle who is blind in one eye and Harley California sea lion who is deaf. The class will work to develop curriculum materials for teaching about the senses.

Photo credit: Amur tiger, Chicago Zoological Soceity @ Brookfield Zoo

http://www.brookfieldzoo.org

Endangered Wildlife Ringtones

Center for Biological Diversity Offers Free Endangered Wildlife Ringtones
By: Center for Biological Diversity

The Center's free ringtones allow cell phones to come alive with the haunting hoots of rare owls from around the world, the sensational songs of tropical birds, the crazy croaks of more than a dozen imperiled amphibians, or the underwater orchestras of Orcas and Beluga Whales.

The free Web site allows users to listen to the wildlife ringtones, send ringtones directly to their phones with one easy click after entering an e-mail address, and download photos and fact sheets for each of the featured wildlife species.

Users who download any one of the fact sheets can take action - with just one click - to save endangered species worldwide.

"Animal Coverings" -- Educational Offerings from CZS - Brookfield Zoo

The Conservation, Education, and Training Department of the Chicago Zoological Society - Brookfield Zoo has developed many tools to assist educators in sharing information about animals, science, and caring - the things that form the basis of conservation at the zoo and in the wild. We encourage educators to use the information gathered by the zoo to share concepts about data gathering and scientific research, and to use the zoo's charismatic animals to help inspire excitement for learning.

Ann Roth, School Partnerships Coordinator, developed an educational program for students with disabilities called, Do the Zoo. Students “learn by doing” and using all of their senses. Brookfield Zoo continually strives to make the zoo accessible for guests with disabilities. The zoo is a leader in services to people with disabilities, and was recognized in 1999 with the American Association of Museum's Accessibility Award for having a universal design that accommodates all people, regardless of ability.

Most recently, two of the program’s instructors, Tara Alamilla and Lou Tomes, taught a class entitled “Animal Coverings” to blind and visually impaired children in grades K-8 from Chicago’s James Otis Elementary School.

“Animal Coverings” is a tactile class that encourages students to explore real animal artifacts to find out how different animals use their fur, skin, or feathers. Alamilla and Tomes modified the traditional class for James Otis Elementary by adding additional animal artifacts and matching sounds to enhance the sensory experience. Students are encouraged to handle a variety of skulls to compare the sizes and shapes. In this class, the students handled many artifacts including: a lion mane and lion skull, snow leopard pelt and skull, beaver skull, bear claw, porcupine quills, feathers and a giant python skin. The students also listened to specific animal sounds while handling artifacts of the specific animal. The instructors played a dolphin sound and passed around a replica of a dolphin’s body; an elk sound and passed around elk antlers; a mule deer sound and passed around antlers for comparison. For most of the students, it was their first opportunity to interact with several different live animals. Jim Painted Turtle, Slinky Boa Constrictor, Puff Bearded Dragon, and Gus Guinea Pig were a huge hit.

“Brookfield Zoo is so visual. Providing a class like “Animal Coverings” to students with disabilities is a great opportunity. The students benefit from the sensory experience and we’re able to reach out to all audiences,” says Alamilla.

If you’re interested in the educational opportunities offered at the Chicago Zoological Society – Brookfield Zoo, please visit www.brookfieldzoo.org for more information.

OARE: Online Access to Research in the Enivronment

Online Access to Research in the Environment (OARE), an international public-private consortium coordinated by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Yale University, and leading science and technology publishers, enables developing countries to gain free or low cost access to one of the world’s largest collections of proprietary environmental science literature.

Launched in October 2006, OARE has a mission to improve the quality and effectiveness of environmental research, education and training in low-income countries. In doing so, OARE will help achieve four primary development objectives:

• Growth in the number of national scholars and experts who will, through their knowledge and reputation, integrate into and facilitate the development of more progressive, science-driven policy development processes, regulatory frameworks, and governance structures.
  
• Strengthen the intellectual foundation of universities so as to enable faculty to perform research on a par with peers in industrialized countries, develop their own publishing record, and enable students to conduct research and seek education in new and emerging subjects.
  
• Build the capacity of independent national organizations to gather, interpret, and disseminate to the public global scientific research.
  
• Increase the participation of developing-country scholars and experts in international debates relating to the management of global natural resources.
  

Many organizations are participating in the OARE consortium. Partners providing scientific content through the program include the world's leading publishing houses and the world's most prestigious scientific societies and associations. Today, over a thousand scientific journal titles owned and published by OARE partners are now available to environment institutions in 70 eligible low income countries.

Research in a wide range of disciplines is available through OARE, including biotechnology, botany, climate change, ecology, energy, environmental chemistry, environmental economics, environmental engineering and planning, environmental law and policy, environmental toxicology and pollution, geography, geology, hydrology, meteorology, oceanography, urban planning, zoology, and many others. OARE also provides access to important Abstract and Index Research Databases (A&I Databases), intellectual tools the scientific and professional community uses to search for specific information within thousands of scholarly publications.

OARE leverages proven information and communication technologies, recent digitization of vast quantities of proprietary scientific literature, and an international public-private co-operative structure to help reduce the North-South scientific gap, an objective of both the United Nations Agenda and Millennium Development Goals, with unparalleled efficiency and scale. The OARE portal is built and managed in close cooperation with initiatives launched by the WHO servicing the medical and health community HINARI, and FAO and Cornell University servicing the agricultural and food science community AGORA.

Enabled by technology and guided by shared vision, the OARE consortium is increasing in the number and diversity of its participating organizations and in the richness of its scientific holdings. The partners encourage developing-country organizations to explore the resources available in OARE, and encourage institutions interested in joining the consortium to contact them to learn more about how they can contribute to the OARE mission and UN millennium development goals (MDGs).

PASSWORDS and REGISTRATION
Institutions that would like to access full-text articles and use the A&I database search tools must register with OARE and receive an institutional password. Upon successful completion of the registration process, all employees, staff, faculty, administrators and students of that institution may use the password to access OARE resources. A password is not required to access journal abstracts. To register click here.

Contact OARE
OARE United Nations Environment Programme P.O. Box 30552 Nairobi, Kenya Email: adminunep@oaresciences.org

Contact OARE
OARE Yale University P.O. Box 20710 1New Haven, CT 06520 USA Fax: 203-432-8527 Email: adminyale@oaresciences.org

© Online Access to Research in the Environment, 2006

Resource Recommendation: National Primate Research Center

National Primate Research Center
http://www.primate.wisc.edu

Devoted solely to the primatology literature form 1940 forward, this Web site has documents found nowhere else: journal articles, book chapters, dissertations and fact sheets (complete with references and photos). An additional 1,000 fact sheets have been identified from various Web sites around the world and links to these are provided.

The Washington and Wisconsin Regional Primate Centers are responsible for this content.

New title: Essays in Animal Behaviour

Essays in Animal Behaviour - edited by Jeffrey Lucas and Leigh Simmons

To celebrate the recent 50th anniversary of its publication, the journal Animal Behaviour published a series of essays by prominent behaviorists each presenting a critical and celebratory summary of their own specialties- a roll-call of the most influential names in the field. These contributions are both retrospective and prospective, asking where the field of behavior has been, where we are now and where we are going?

Essays in Animal Behaviour presents revised versions of these 12 original essays - plus seven entirely new ones to offer a glimpse of the study of behavior which looks in all directions. Blending history, present and future, the essays capture the development, the relevance, the excitement and the challenges of a subject that entwines and integrates some of the greatest themes in modern biology.

Unique personal reflections on the history of animal behavior are provided from John Alcock, Stuart and Jeanne Altmann, Steve Arnold, Geoff Parker, and Felicity Huntingford. Gene Robinson discusses the enormous promise of modern molecular biology in studying the genetic basis of social behavior.

The development of behavior is covered by Bennett Galef, Judy Stamps, Patrick Bateson, and Meredith West, Andrew King, and David White.

The adaptive significance of behavior, emphasing sexual selection and animal communication, is addressed by Malte Andersson, Andrew Barnes and Linda Partridge, Patricia Gowaty, Michael Greenfield, Peter Slater, Roswitha and Wolfgang Wiltschko, and Amotz Zahavi.

In the last chapter, Marian Dawkins shows us the importance of studying animal behavior for animal welfare.

This title is available in the CZS-BZ Library collection via SWAN: http://swan.sls.lib.il.us. QL 751.E65 2005