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29 Jun 20:51
Ebola forms a ‘fist’ and punches its way into cells
by Josh Barney-Virginia
Researchers have discovered how the deadly Ebola virus—a disease that many fear may be used for bioterrorism—smashes its way into healthy cells and turns them into virus factories.
Outbreaks of the virus, which kills 90 percent of the people it infects, are now occurring in the African countries of Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. In addition to the toll on human life in these areas, there is significant concern that it could spread elsewhere around the world.
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Published in the Journal of Virology, the new findings offers important insight into how the virus works its way into cells and also identifies an important target to block the infection process.
After Ebola is engulfed by the cell, it is contained within a vesicle where it can do no harm. But the virus quickly escapes the vesicle, and now scientists say they understand how. The pH level inside the vesicle triggers the surface glycoprotein on the virus to form a “fist” that lets the virus punch its way into the cell’s cytoplasm, where it can effectively turn the cell into a factory for virus production.
Havoc in cells
“If it stayed in the vesicle, it would be not much of a problem. The cell could digest it,” says Lukas Tamm, a researcher in in the molecular physiology and biological physics department at University of Virginia.
“But then it escapes from that internal vesicle into the body of the cell, and that’s when the danger happens. It does that by fusing its own membrane with that cellular vesicle membrane, and that lets the RNA of the virus out into the cell to replicate, to basically cause havoc in those cells.”
Ironically, when the virus approaches a cell, what becomes the fist looks more like an outstretched hand. The virus forms its fist and identifies amino acids within the virus critical for the clenching to occur. “If you lose those,” Tamm says, “it would always be in the extended hand formation.”
Closer to stopping ebola
To test his findings, Tamm collaborated with Judith M. White, a researcher in the cell biology department, who has developed virus-like particles that act like Ebola, but pose no danger in the laboratory. The hypothesis held true—not just in test tubes, but in live cells as well. Peter M. Kasson of the molecular physiology and biological physics department then created a computer model of the process. The result is a remarkable new understanding of Ebola infection.
By understanding the process, researchers say they are significantly closer to being able to stop Ebola—and perhaps other viruses with similar structures as well.
“Once you have visualized the molecular shape changes that these structures undergo upon cell entry, you can see what molecules or potential anti-viral drugs could interfere with this process,” Tamm says.
“You have these contacts that need to be made to make the clenching of the fist happen—if you could find a molecule that throws a wrench into the gears of that mechanism, you could actually block that from happening.”
Source: University of Virginia
The post Ebola forms a ‘fist’ and punches its way into cells appeared first on Futurity.
29 Jun 20:50
Social seniors have healthier lungs
by Shilo Rea-Carnegie Mellon
There’s plenty of evidence that being married, having lots of friends, and belonging to social groups leads to better mental and physical health.
A new study adds more proof, showing that seniors who are very social have better lung function, which tends to decrease as we get older. In fact, researchers found that the more social roles people engaged in, the better their lungs functioned.
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Published in the journal Health Psychology, the study rebuffs the popular notion that marriage is the only social role required for health benefits. In fact, different social relationships can be substituted for each other and every added social role improves health.
“We knew that when older adults have friends and family and belong to groups, they have lower mortality rates and less disease and illness risk, but now we can start to understand why that happens,” says Sheldon Cohen, professor of psychology in Carnegie Mellon University’s Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
“We also answer critical questions about the importance of marriage for health. It has been suggested that marriage—and things that typically come with it such as kids and family—is the only social role that matters. The bottom line is that marriage is not required for better health—it is the total number of social roles that predicts improved health.”
For the study, the research team analyzed data collected from 1,147 healthy adults between the ages of 70 and 79 who participated in the MacArthur Study of Successful Aging. The data included a measure of the participants’ social roles and assessed their pulmonary function according to peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR).
The more, the better
While analysis of specific social roles indicated that marriage was the strongest positive connection to lung function, greater numbers of roles also were associated with better lung function even in those who were not married.
Being a relative or a friend were also individually linked to improved lung function, but more social roles also were associated with better lung function independent of being a relative or a friend.
“Older people need to get out because any sort of social interaction will improve their health,” says Crista Crittenden, visiting assistant professor of psychology at Carnegie Mellon in Qatar and the study’s lead author.
“I am really interested in how social and psychological factors influence lung health, and not only have we shown that more social roles, like being married or having friends, improve lung function, we found a link between more social roles and increased happiness and physical activity that could also help with lung function and overall health.”
Additional researchers from Carnegie Mellon, the University of California at Irvine, the University of New Mexico and the University of California at Los Angeles contributed to the study.
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation’s Network on Successful Aging and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine funded this research.
Source: Carnegie Mellon University
The post Social seniors have healthier lungs appeared first on Futurity.
29 Jun 20:50
This blindness drug (not that one) could save Medicare $18 billion
by Laurel Thomas Gnagey-Michigan
If all eye doctors prescribed the less expensive of two drugs to treat two common eye diseases that can lead to blindness in older adults, Medicare plans could save $18 billion over a 10-year period.
Further, researchers say patients who have the wet form of macular degeneration or diabetic macular edema could keep $4.6 billion in co-pays in their wallets, and the rest of the US health care system could save $29 billion in private insurance payments and other costs.
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The reason for the dramatic savings: bevacizumab (marketed under the name Avastin) costs $55 per treatment and ranibizumab (trade name Lucentis) runs $2,023 for each dose—nearly 40 times more.
Yet, the drugs have similar efficacy in treating these conditions, and both have fairly comparable side effects and safety profiles when used to treat eye disease.
“As the Medicare-eligible population continues to grow, identifying savings while maintaining quality patient care is increasingly important,” says David Hutton, assistant professor of health management and policy at University of Michigan. “People don’t like to think there are tradeoffs between health and costs but we certainly do need to think about cost when health care is 18 percent of the GDP and growing.”
More than 2 million patients—most over the age of 65—currently have these eye diseases, and it is estimated that by 2020 nearly 3 million people will experience visual impairment from age-related macular degeneration.
The new report, published in the June issue of Health Affairs, comes on the heels of a national debate over data released in April 2014 by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, showing that 17,000 ophthalmologists collectively received $5.6 billion in Medicare payments in 2012.
The report shows that ophthalmologists had some of the highest payment totals among physicians, and the largest percentage of the reimbursements to these specialists was to cover the cost of ranibizumab.
Originally a cancer drug
In 2010, federal spending on the two drugs totaled $2 billion, approximately one-sixth of the entire budget for Medicare Part B, which covers the cost of doctor visits and other nonhospital services. Both drugs are injected into the eye by ophthalmologists during an office visit, so they are covered by Part B instead of the Medicare prescription drug benefit Part D.
To calculate the savings, researchers used sophisticated modeling methods to predict population-level costs for the decade spanning 2010-20 based on current use of the two drugs.
Bevacizumab originally was created as a cancer-fighting drug, given in much higher doses to slow the development of blood vessels, thereby inhibiting the growth of tumors. In diabetic macular edema and one form of macular degeneration, it is the abnormal growth of blood vessels in the retina that causes blindness.
Used in the eye, the medication targets the bleeding and swelling that occurs in the retina and shrinks the blood vessels, says coauthor Joshua Stein, assistant professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences.
Eye treatment revolution
For a number of years physicians have used bevacizumab to treat these eye conditions off label, meaning prescribed for a use other than the one originally intended. In its full dose for cancer treatment (at 150 times the concentration of the ocular injections), the drug is more expensive, but the cost goes down when reduced to smaller doses for the eye.
The same drug company that manufactured bevacizumab created ranibizumab, which was approved by the FDA as a drug targeted at these eye diseases. In doing so, the company attached the higher price to the new drug.
Both are in a class known as biologic drugs, which are large complex molecules manufactured within living cells and are costly to develop and manufacture.
“These relatively new drugs, the first available beginning in the mid-2000s, have revolutionized treatment for these eye diseases,” Stein says. “Not only have they prevented vision from getting worse for many patients, a number of patients have seen an improvement in their vision.”
Raise cost awareness
Today, about two-thirds of eye doctors prescribe bevacizumab. Because it was tested and approved by the FDA for cancer treatment, however, the original safety data addresses side effects at the higher dose. In some patients, these include stroke and heart attack. But data at the lower dose used to treat patients with ocular conditions is limited, Stein says, perhaps explaining some ophthalmologists reluctance to use the drug.
“In two large clinical trials that have been done on use in eye disease, the data did not show a difference in rates of serious side effects, but those studies didn’t have enough power to fully address safety,” he says.
The researchers want their analysis to capture the attention of health policymakers.
“I hope that this study raises awareness of the rest of the medical community, sheds light on the issue of the cost of biologic drugs, and brings attention to how long it takes to get biosimilars (generic versions) of these drugs approved,” Hutton says.
Other authors from University of Michigan include Paula Anne Newman-Casey, Mrinalini Tavag, and David Zacks. Hutton, Stein, and Newman-Casey are members of the Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation.
Source: University of Michigan
The post This blindness drug (not that one) could save Medicare $18 billion appeared first on Futurity.
17 Jun 19:59
Tree Kangaroo is Taronga's First in 20 Years
by Andrew Bleiman
Australia’s Taronga Zoo is celebrating the successful birth of its first Goodfellow’s Tree Kangaroo joey in more than 20 years! The female joey was born in September, but keepers have only just begun seeing her tiny head peeking out from first-time mother Kwikila’s pouch.
Photo Credit: Sam Bennett
Like all marsupials, female Tree Kangaroos have a well-developed pouch in which they carry and nurse their young. The joey, which has not yet been named, will remain in Kwikila’s pouch for several more months. As she grows, the joey will start exploring the world, but mom’s pouch will remain a favorite retreat until she can no longer fit inside.
Tree Kangaroos are different than their ground-dwelling Kangaroo cousins in Australia. They have shorter hind legs and stronger forelimbs to maneuver in the treetops. The long tail provides balance when leaping from branch to branch.
Goodfellow’s Tree Kangaroos are native to upland rain forests on the island of New Guinea. They feed on the tough, fibrous leaves of the silkwood tree. These leaves are digested by their specialized stomachs, which are similar to those of ruminants like cows.
Due to habitat loss and illegal hunting for their meat, Goodfellow’s Tree Kangaroos are listed as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
See more photos of the joey below.
17 Jun 19:59
Baby Gorilla Born by Rare C-Section at San Diego Zoo
by Andrew Bleiman
A baby Gorilla born by emergency C-Section at the San Diego Zoo on March 12 is recovering from pneumonia and a collapsed lung, but zoo officials are optimistic about her future.
Photo Credit: Tammy Spratt
When 18-year-old female Gorilla Imani showed no signs of progress during labor, zoo veterinarians performed an emergency C-section, a very rare procedure among Gorillas.
The full-term baby Gorilla weighed 4.6 pounds and was delivered by a team of San Diego Zoo Global staff and outside consultants, including a veterinary surgeon and human neonatal specialists from UCSD Medical Center.
By the time the baby was eight days old, she was strong enough to breathe on her own without supplemental oxygen. Veterinary staff were able to start giving the Gorilla bottles with an infant formula, which the baby Gorilla quickly gulped down.
“The baby Gorilla is in critical care, but we’re optimistic she will have a full recovery,” said Nadine Lamberski, associate director of veterinary services.
The baby, who has not yet been named, is the first for Imani and the 17th Gorilla to be born at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
Zoo officials said Imani is recovering well from her surgery.
See more photos of the baby below.
17 Jun 19:59
Fantastic Leaf-tailed Gecko Hatches at Houston Zoo
by Andrew Bleiman
This tiny Fantastic Leaf-tailed Gecko hatched at the Houston Zoo on February 17 is easy to spot perched on top of a pencil. But in the wild, these lizards are so well camouflaged that they’re nearly impossible to find.
Photo Credit: Stephanie Adams / Houston Zoo
Fantastic Leaf-tailed Geckos are found only on Madagascar, where their coloration mimics dead leaves and twigs. Their legs look like tiny branches and their tails resemble dead leaves – complete with veins and ragged edges. Even zoo keepers have a hard time finding the lizards in their enclosure.
This species is also called the Satanic Leaf-tailed Gecko, due to their pointy, raised brow ridges. Like other Geckos, these lizards lack eyelids, so they clean their eyeballs with a swipe of the tongue. They are nocturnal, feeding mainly on insects.
Due to extensive habitat destruction from cattle grazing, logging, and agriculture, Fantastic Leaf-tailed Gecko populations are decreasing.
See more photos below.
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17 Jun 19:59
Asian Elephant Calf Joins a Welcoming Family at Twycross Zoo
by Andrew Bleiman
In the early hours of the morning on March 4, 18-year-old Noorjahan, one of Twycross Zoo’s four Asian Elephants, gave birth to a healthy female calf after a hefty 22-month long pregnancy! The young calf has yet to receive a name, but is now on view to the public with the rest of the elephant herd.
Dr. Charlotte Macdonald, Head of Life Sciences, said: "The calf was born at approximately 2:30 a.m. and was up on its feet after a matter of minutes. The infant has bonded very well with mum, who is doing an exceptional job of taking care of her."
Photo credits: Twycross Zoo / Simon Childs (2); Nikki Williscroft (4)
The young calf will suckle an incredible 2.9 gallons (11 liters) of milk a day from her mother until she is approximately 12 months old, after which she will also begin to take solids such as vegetables, fruit and hay. When she reaches adulthood, just like her mother, she will be munching her way through four bales of hay, several buckets of vegetables and fruit and numerous gallons of water a day to wash it all down!
See and read more after the fold.
Head of Veterinary Services Sarah Chapman said, "We have a natural all-female family herd at Twycross and so Noorjahan was artificially inseminated.
"This birth was another herd birth at Twycross Zoo with the mother having access to different substrates and lots of space, with the rest of the herd close at hand for support. The herd's behavior was monitored by the vet and animal teams via CCTV and it was good to see that all members of the herd were very excited by the new arrival and very interested in the infant. The birth was very quick which is great for both Noorjahan and the calf. The calf was able to stand with the help of her mother and that fact that she was on a deep bed of sand helped her soft feet to grip for her to take her first steps. All the females continue to take a huge interest in the calf and are very protective of her. This is perfectly natural, with aunties playing a very important 'babysitting' role in the natural herd structure."
Asian Elephants are classified as an Endangered species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species, and their numbers in the wild are suffering severely due to habitat destruction and poaching from the ivory trade.
17 Jun 19:58
First Check-up for Otter Pups at Woodland Park Zoo
by Andrew Bleiman
Four new otter pups at Woodland Park Zoo in Washington just received a clean bill of health during their first hands-on wellness exam. The Asian Small-clawed Otter pups—three females and one male—were born to 4-year-old mother Teratai (pronounced tear-a-tie) and 8-year-old father Guntur (pronounced goon-toor) on January 20.
The zoo’s newest additions underwent a thorough neonatal exam to check their ears, eyes, mouths and overall development. Each of the otter pups just barely tipped the scales at 1.2-1.5 pounds (about .5-.7 kg), a healthy size for their 8-week-old frames. Exam results indicate all four pups are growing healthily as expected.
Photo credit: Ryan Hawk / Woodland Park Zoo
See a video of the pups' first swimming lesson:
“Since their birth, the parents and four brothers, born last summer, have all pitched in to build their den nest, provide support and, most recently, teach the pups to swim in a behind-the-scenes pool,” said Pat Owen, a collection manager at Woodland Park Zoo. “The family has been busy introducing the pups to their new environment, and the pups are adjusting very well.”
See more photos and story after the fold.
The otter pups had access to the outdoors after receiving the green light from the zoo’s animal health staff, but their protective father kept them indoors. The practice introduction sessions will continue into the days ahead as zookeepers familiarize the young family with their new home in the Bamboo Forest Reserve. Viewing hours will be irregular during the introduction sessions. An official debut date will be announced soon.
Asian Small-clawed Otters range from India eastward through entire Southeast Asia, to the islands of Palawan and Taiwan, and to southern China. With numbers in decline due to habitat loss and poaching, they are listed as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List.
17 Jun 19:58
National Aquarium’s Turtle Hatchlings are the First Ever Born in Any Zoo
by Andrew Bleiman
Eight Northern Australian Snapping Turtles hatched at the National Aquarium this winter are the first of this species ever hatched in captivity.
Photo Credit: National Aquarium
The excitement began in September, when the aquarium’s female turtle laid her eggs. The staff immediately gathered the eggs and placed them in an incubator, where they were closely monitored. On the morning of February 14, the first hatchling emerged from its egg! Since then, seven other little turtles have hatched.
Aquarium staff have observed healthy behaviors in all the hatchlings, including swimming and basking in open areas. The hatchlings will remain behind the scenes until they are large enough to move into exhibits. At hatching, the turtles weighed less than one ounce (24 g). As adults, they will weigh more than 11 pounds (5 kg).
The National Aquarium is the only aquarium in the United States to exhibit this species.
17 Jun 19:58
"Our team is always prepared to intervene and hand-rear a cub if it appears that a cub is not thriving,” said Tony Barthel, curator of Asia Trail. “We already had developed a plan for hand-rearing before Khali gave birth, and our ability to act quickly was critical.”
Sloth Bear Cub Gets TLC 24/7 at National Zoo
by Andrew Bleiman
A Sloth Bear cub is alive today because keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo decided to hand-raise the cub rather than leave her with her mother, Khali. The cub is now active and growing thanks to the round-the-clock care she receives from zoo keepers.
The photos below chronicle the cub’s growth from two weeks old to two-and-a-half months old.
Photo Credits: Smithsonsian's National Zoo, Courtney Janney, Connor Mallon
The cub was one of three born to Khali on December 29, 2013, and she is the only cub that survived longer than seven days. Khali ingested the first cub about 20 minutes after she gave birth. It is not uncommon for carnivores, including Sloth Bears, to ingest stillborn cubs, or even live cubs if they or the mother are compromised in some way. Khali, an experienced mom, appeared attentive to her two remaining cubs, and keepers monitored her closely via closed-circuit cams before, during and after the births. However, she ingested a second cub seven days later and spent several hours away from her remaining cub in the early morning hours of January 6, which is not normal for a Sloth Bear with a newborn cub.
Read more and see additional photos below.
"Our team is always prepared to intervene and hand-rear a cub if it appears that a cub is not thriving,” said Tony Barthel, curator of Asia Trail. “We already had developed a plan for hand-rearing before Khali gave birth, and our ability to act quickly was critical.”
At that point, keepers decided the only way the remaining cub would likely survive was to retrieve her from Khali’s den. Keepers rushed the cub to the veterinary hospital around 7:30 a.m. Veterinarians examined her and determined that she was hypothermic and weak. Khali had not been cradling her, which would have regulated the cub’s temperature and kept her warm. Veterinarians treated her with antibiotics, vitamins and fluid therapy. They also placed her in an incubator to help stabilize her body temperature. By 9 a.m. she was nursing from a bottle. For the next several days she was bottle-fed eight times each day. The cub was healthy enough to leave the veterinary hospital on January 9 and was returned to the Sloth Bear habitat, but keepers could not return her to her mother.
Keepers searched for other Sloth Bear cubs, or different bear species cubs, currently being hand-raised at other Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited institutions, but were unable to find any. Instead, a team of National Zoo keepers, veterinarians and nutritionists immediately stepped up as surrogates for the cub.
“Carrying the cub around for hours at a time gave us a unique opportunity to bond with her,” said Stacey Tabellario, animal keeper. “We quickly became in-tune with her vocalizations, movements and sleep patterns. With past cubs at this stage, we mostly only viewed them via closed-circuit television, so this has been a great chance to learn more about cub development.”
Keepers stay with the cub 24 hours a day and bottle feed her at regular intervals. After the cub first returned to the Sloth Bear habitat, keepers bottle-fed her seven times each day, but that was gradually reduced to six and now five times each day.
When the cub’s eyes opened on January 26, keepers started to increase their level of interaction with her to provide her with the social stimulation she needed. Sloth Bear cubs stay with their mothers for about three years. As newborns they are cradled by their mothers, and as they grow they ride on their mothers’ backs. To simulate those types of interactions, the keepers initially carried the cub in a baby sling with them during their daily routines. Now that she is a little bigger, keepers play with the cub in her den or in a specially designated play area to encourage natural behaviors like climbing.
“It is always preferable for cubs to be raised by their mothers, but that was not possible this time,” said keeper and Sloth Bear expert Mindy Babitz. “We had to become this cub’s ‘mothers.’ We are caring for her needs around the clock—not just physical, but social, cognitive and emotional needs; it’s very encouraging to watch her develop and grow.”
The Sloth Bear team would like her to interact with other Sloth Bears. In the coming weeks keepers will allow the cub to explore the indoor dens of the Zoo’s adult Sloth Bears while they are outside. They plan to visually introduce her to the adults over the next few months. If the gradual introductions go well, the cub may eventually be reintroduced to Khali, or introduced to her father François for companionship. The cub will likely not be on exhibit until summer.
Khali has successfully raised two cubs, born in 2004, before. She gave birth to another cub in 2002, but the cub only survived for about one month. François, the Zoo’s adult male Sloth Bear, sired the cubs born Dec. 29, 2013. Khali is only the second Sloth Bear to give birth to a litter of three cubs in North America.
17 Jun 19:57
Zoo Miami Welcomes Their First Clouded Leopard Cubs
by Andrew Bleiman
Zoo Miami has announced their first successful births of highly endangered Clouded Leopards. The two female kittens were born on March 13 and have been secluded in a den with their mother since then to avoid any external stress and allow the new mother to properly bond with them.
Zoo staff were able to separate the mother from her cubs for the first time this week to do a neonatal exam in order to evaluate the condition of the kittens and accurately determine their sexes. Both offspring are doing well and the mother continues to be attentive and nurse them on a regular basis. The mother and kittens will remain off exhibit for the next several weeks until zoo staff determine that they are established and stable enough to face the public.
Photo credit: Zoo Miami
The mother, Serai, was born in May of 2011 at the Smithsonian’s Conservation and Research Center in Virginia. The father, Rajasi, was born in March of 2011 at the Nashville Zoo in Tennessee. This is the first successful litter for both parents.
See and read more after the fold.
Clouded Leopards are a very secretive cat found in the forests of Southern China, Taiwan, and Malaysia. Adults usually weigh between 30 and 50 pounds (18-23 kg) and they have a very long tail with relatively short legs and large paws to facilitate their frequent arboreal lifestyle. Their diet includes a variety of birds and mammals including monkeys, deer, and porcupines. Clouded Leopards have the longest canine teeth relative to their size of any wild cat. They are highly endangered over most of their range due to hunting for their attractive pelts which have ceremonial value in a variety of cultures.
17 Jun 19:57
Otter Pups Take It Outside!
by Andrew Bleiman
Four Asian Small-clawed Otter pups born at Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo in January have finally taken their first steps outdoors – despite the protests of their overprotective dad, Guntur.
The four pups—three females and one male—have had only a few tiny adventures outdoors so far. Though the pups step outside their den for only a few minutes at a time, the good news is that dad seems to be getting more comfortable each time.
Photo Credit: Dennis Dow/Woodland Park Zoo
You first met the pups on ZooBorns a few weeks ago. Now two-and-a-half-months old, the Otter pups have a lot to learn about the world outside their den. Luckily they have their 4-year-old mom Teratai, 8-year-old dad Guntur, and four older brothers to show them the ropes. In these photos, you can see the pups getting help scaling walls, navigating waterways, and getting a friendly nuzzle on the neck.
Asian Small-clawed Otters are native to waterways in Southeast Asia. The smallest of the world’s Otter species, they weigh only about 11 pounds (5 kg) as adults. They feed on small crustaceans and mollusks. Due to habitat destruction, Asian Small-clawed Otters are listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
See more photos of the Otter pups below.
15 Jun 15:33
Hi, my name is Leia. I'm a pitbull mix from Philadelphia. My favorite things, in order, are eating, snuggling, eating, playing fetching, eating, and climbing on things like a little mountain goat. I absolutely love everyone and everything! If you want to see me happy, give me a kiss or a scratch behind the ears!
Leia-the-Mixed-Breed
Hi, my name is Leia. I'm a pitbull mix from Philadelphia. My favorite things, in order, are eating, snuggling, eating, playing fetching, eating, and climbing on things like a little mountain goat. I absolutely love everyone and everything! If you want to see me happy, give me a kiss or a scratch behind the ears!
15 Jun 15:33
Crumble very affectionate. She's a quick learner and has managed to sit, paw, fetch, stay and wait within a week of bringing her home. She lives in the United Kingdom and is one spoiled little girl who loves to be with us.
Crumble-the-Cockapoo
Crumble very affectionate. She's a quick learner and has managed to sit, paw, fetch, stay and wait within a week of bringing her home. She lives in the United Kingdom and is one spoiled little girl who loves to be with us.
15 Jun 15:33
I arrived home to the Jersey City waterfront neighborhood of Paulus Hook, where I quickly became a well-known fixture prowling the streets in my pet stroller, hanging out in the Canine Canteen pet store, nibbling (OK, scarfing down is more like it!) a side order of tasty chicken at the French Bistro, and romping in the Hudson River. I'm a typical bulldog--sweet, easygoing and lazy. I love people, small children, and can run around and play in the park with my four-legged friends for hours! Just don't ask me to walk around the block, I may not do it...
Clementine-the-Bulldog
I arrived home to the Jersey City waterfront neighborhood of Paulus Hook, where I quickly became a well-known fixture prowling the streets in my pet stroller, hanging out in the Canine Canteen pet store, nibbling (OK, scarfing down is more like it!) a side order of tasty chicken at the French Bistro, and romping in the Hudson River. I'm a typical bulldog--sweet, easygoing and lazy. I love people, small children, and can run around and play in the park with my four-legged friends for hours! Just don't ask me to walk around the block, I may not do it...
15 Jun 15:33
Weighing in at a whopping 2 pounds and 1 ounce, Spud is ready to take on the world. He is adventurous, brave, and bold. He never stops exploring even though he is smaller than everything and everyone around him. This pup is just as sweet as he is curious, providing his family with unlimited kisses. His days are filled with running, rolling, jumping, cuddling, and following around his older sister Maude.
Spud-the-Dachshund-
Weighing in at a whopping 2 pounds and 1 ounce, Spud is ready to take on the world. He is adventurous, brave, and bold. He never stops exploring even though he is smaller than everything and everyone around him. This pup is just as sweet as he is curious, providing his family with unlimited kisses. His days are filled with running, rolling, jumping, cuddling, and following around his older sister Maude.
13 Jun 20:42
Monterey Bay Aquarium Raises Snowy Plovers for Release
by Andrew Bleiman
Staff at the Monterey Bay Aquarium are raising three Snowy Plover chicks, an Endangered species. The aquarium's experienced rehabilitators believe these little guys have an excellent chance of being successfully re-released back into the wild.
Some well-meaning beachgoers brought two tagged chicks to the aquarium for care, thinking that they had been abandoned. Because breeding pairs and nest sites are carefully monitored, it was possible to figure out what nest the chicks had come from and to discover that the father was still caring for his one remaining chick.
Photo credit: Monterey Bay Aquarium
Representatives of California State Parks and Point Blue Conservation Science carefully placed a cage over the chick to keep the parent close by until aquarium staff could arrive with the other two chicks. They then placed all three chicks in the enclosure to give the dad a chance to see them. After ensuring that the male was interested in the chicks, the cage was removed the cage and he began caring for all three once again.
Unfortunately, the father seems to have changed his mind, and all three chicks are now being raised at the aquarium. Fortunately, they have been rehabilitating Snowy Plover chicks since 2000, with dozens of successful releases.
See and learn more after the fold.
In order to be released, the rehabilitated birds will have to demonstrate that they will be able to live in the wild. The have to reach a minimum healthy weight, demonstrate wariness of humans, and be able to fly and find food on their own.
Once numbering in the thousands, U.S. Pacific coast western snowy plovers were listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 1993. Today it’s estimated that only about 2,100 plovers breed along the coast, with the largest number found from south San Francisco Bay to southern Baja California. They are threatened by human disturbance and loss of nesting habitat on beaches.
To help keep adult plovers from abandoning their nests, beachgoers can keep dogs on a leash on beaches during snowy plover breeding season and stay out of areas that have been blocked off as bird nesting sights. Learn more about Snowy Plover rehabilitation here on Monterey Bay Aquarium's website.
13 Jun 20:41
Z is for Zebu at Zoo Basel
by Andrew Bleiman
A shy Dwarf Zebu calf born on April 14 at Switzerland’s Zoo Basel is becoming more spirited as it grows.
The male calf is the second for the mother, five-year-old Conny. Zoo officials were especially pleased with the smooth delivery of this calf, because Conny had already delivered one calf by Cesarean section and had miscarried another calf.
Zoo officials say the Dwarf Zebu calf was so shy that he hid behind his mother’s legs most of the time. But curiosity has gotten the better of the calf, and he has started approaching the other cows, looking for milk.
When the calf approaches the bull, he is immediately chased away and runs to his mother. But during his photo session, the calf was not at all shy about checking out the photographer.
Dwarf Zebu are one of more than 700 domestic cattle breeds worldwide. They have a large hump on their shoulders, a droopy dewlap, and large ears. Because they are tolerant of hot, humid conditions, Zebu are widely used in tropical countries to pull heavy loads and for their milk and meat. Zebu originated in Southeast Asia.
13 Jun 20:36
Shy Porcupette Gets a Treat at Woodland Park Zoo
by Andrew Bleiman
The smallest new arrival at Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle is a female North American Porcupine, born April 4 in the zoo's Northern Trail exhibit. The baby porcupine, called a porcupette, was born to Molly and Oliver, both three-year-old residents of Northern Trail. This is their second offspring.
Porcupettes are born with a soft coat of quills that begins to harden within hours of birth. This immediately protects them from predators. Keepers handle the baby carefully, using thick gloves to avoid a handful of quills. She has doubled her weight the past couple of weeks, currently weighing just over 2 pounds.
Photo credits: Ryan Hawk / Woodland Park Zoo
Deanna Ramirez, a collection manager at the zoo, explained that the porcupette has access all day and night to the porcupine exhibit in the Northern Trail but prefers spending most of her time exploring in a den behind the scenes.
“She grooms herself a lot and is experimenting with different solid foods, such as leafeater biscuits and different types of browse (plant materials). I think our visitors will begin seeing her more frequently on exhibit as she becomes more active and curious.”
Porcupettes become active quickly and, as natural tree dwellers, their climbing instincts take hold within weeks of delivery. Climbing makes foraging easier for the young, and they exercise these skills early in their development as they wean themselves from mom and transition to an herbivorous diet of leaves, twigs and bark.
13 Jun 20:35
Far from the Galápagos, Breeding Program Hatches Tiny Tortoises
by Andrew Bleiman
Success! As a result of a special breeding program, two endangered Galápagos Tortoises have hatched at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Australia. The tiny tortoises emerged from their shells on January 24 and 26.
These hatchlings follow the zoo's breakthrough breeding achievement in 2011 when Taronga Western Plains Zoo became the first zoo in Australasia to successfully breed Galápagos Tortoise. Now three years old, RJ weighs about 2.4 pounds (1100 g).
Photo credit: Taronga Western Plains Zoo
One of the longest-living vertebrates, Galápagos Tortoises can live for over 100 years in the wild and reach weights of around 880 pounds (400 kg) and lenghths of up to 5 feet (1.5 m). They are found only on the Galápagos archipelago, west of continental Ecuador.
Now a protected species, Galápagos Tortoises were reduced by centuries of exploitation as a food source for sailors. Today, only about 15,000 remain in the wild. Released tortoises from captive breeding programs, as well as efforts to restore habitat and manage competing species, are helping to revive populations in the wild.
See more after the fold.
13 Jun 20:35
Wombat Breeding Could Help Save a Species
by Andrew Bleiman
Taronga Zoo in Australia is celebrating the arrival of its second Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat joey in three years, a breeding success story that could also help the Critically Endangered Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat.
The female joey, which has been named Sydney, has just begun venturing outside mom Korra’s pouch at eight months old, to the delight of keepers and visitors.
Photo credit: Taronga Zoo
Keeper Brett Finlayson said the birth was particularly exciting as Southern Hairy-nosed Wombats are notoriously difficult to breed.
“Compatibility and timing seem to be crucial ingredients for success, as the female is only receptive to the male for a 12-hour window. Korra and our male, Noojee, have proven to be a great pairing as this is their second joey in three years,” said Brett.
See photos and learn more after the fold.
Discovering the successful “formula” to breed Southern Hairy-nosed Wombats is also seen as an important step towards saving their Critically Endangered cousin, the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat, of which there only around 200 left in the wild.
“There’s no zoo-based breeding program for Northern Hairy-nosed Wombats at this time. However if we can perfect and apply what we learn from our breeding program here to Northern Hairy-nosed Wombats in the future, the ramifications for this critically endangered species could be immense,” said Brett.
13 Jun 20:34
Meet Mesker Park Zoo's First Takin Calf
by Andrew Bleiman
Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden in Indiana has welcomed its first-ever Takin calf, a female named Ching Lan, which means 'beautiful orchid' in Chinese. In the wild, this little calf would be following her mother on steep mountain paths at three days-old. It looks like she's practicing those motor skills by sneaking up on mom!
Born to first-time parents, the calf is thriving and zoo staff are very pleased with the attention her parents are giving her.
Zoo Director Amos Morris said, “The Takin are doing exactly what they need to be doing for their offspring and we are all enjoying watching wildlife at its best.”
Photo credit: Mesker Park Zoo & Botanical Garden
There are four subspecies of Takin that live throughout the eastern Himalayas, in Tibet, some Chinese provinces, Bhutan, and northeast India. Once thought to be related to muskox, the Takin is now known to be more closely related to sheep.
In the wild, baby Takin begin to follow their mothers along steep paths when they are just three days old – a crucial survival skill for these leaf-eating animals that travel seasonally to find food. Though heavily-built, Takin are surprisingly agile on the rocky cliffs of their homeland. Their large hooves have a spur that makes them sure-footed even on steep terrain. Males can weigh up to 800 pounds. Both males and females have thick upward-turning horns.
Equipped for life at higher altitudes, they can withstand very cold temperatures. In winter, they grow a secondary coat as protection from freezing temperatures. Long nasal passages warm frigid air before it reaches the lungs.
Because Takin live in remote areas, not much is known about their wild populations. But habitat loss, hunting, and human disturbance have caused Takin to be listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
13 Jun 20:33
Otter Pup Beats the Odds at Dallas Zoo
by Andrew Bleiman
Dallas Zoo in Texas is celebrating the successful birth and nurturing of an Asian Small-clawed Otter pup. She was born on January 25, but needed more than 100 days of devoted care from her keepers, because otter pups born without siblings usually do not survive.
The pup’s mother, Daphne, became the oldest female otter in the national Species Survival Plan’s breeding population to give birth. Now 13, Daphne was age 12 years, 9 months when the pup was born. The pup has been named Tasanee, which means 'beautiful view' in Thai. Dad Jimmy, eight years old, was born at the Dallas Zoo in 2006.
Photo credit: Dallas Zoo
See video of the otter pup:
Otters typically give birth to three or four pups. The survival rate for single otter pups is extremely poor, possibly due to their mothers’ insufficient milk production and lack of stimulation from litter-mates. Since 2000, only 18 single pups have been born in U.S. zoos, and 76 percent have died. Tasanee is the first female single pup to survive longer than 30 days.
“This is a remarkable accomplishment for our team,” said Dr. Lynn Kramer, D.V.M., vice president of animal operations and welfare at the Dallas Zoo. “The safe birth of a single pup to the oldest otter mother to give birth has required skilled, dedicated care.”
See and read more after the fold.
Tasanee weighed just a little over 2 ounces (57 g) at birth, about the size of a C battery. While strong and healthy at birth, she didn’t gain weight as fast as her keepers would have liked. Keeper Emily Roberts, who had previous experience feeding otter pups, led the initial feedings for Tasanee. She mentored the team, which also documented daily weight gains, body condition and developmental milestones to ensure Tasanee stayed on track. Keepers wore disposable medical gloves so no human scent was left on the pup. Tasanee first crawled on March 1 and began walking March 9. By March 22, she began trying to swim in a shallow tray of water. By mid-April, her parents had taught her to swim in a small in-ground pool.
“This has definitely been a group effort; we collaborated with our nutritionist, veterinarians and zoo colleagues,” said Linda King, mammal supervisor. “Our entire section participated in pup monitoring. We were very fortunate to have otter parents who accepted our assistance. Tasanee has a sassy survivor attitude, and we are overjoyed to see her progress.”
She now is a healthy 2.3 pounds (1 kg), and was introduced to the otters’ outdoor habitat last week. Because the pools and river in the Betty Moroney Norsworthy Otter Outpost are deep, Tasanee is being watched closely to ensure that she’s a strong swimmer and can navigate the sloping edges of the stream. She’s very curious and loves to explore, but her mother had to do a bit of encouraging to get her into the large pool. Guests to the zoo over the weekend were treated to the little otter’s tumbling, squeaking explorations.
Asian Small-clawed Otters are monogamous and both parents play roles in rearing the young. While Daphne has been nursing Tasanee, Jimmy has been an excellent, very protective father. It’s his job to take food to both mom and pup, patrol the area and help teach the pup to swim. Tasanee has learned to vocalize, making loud chirps to communicate with her parents.
The Dallas Zoo is part of the Asian Small-clawed Otter Species Survival Plan (SSP), a collaborative conservation and breeding program of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums that manages efforts to help ensure survival of endangered species. As a member of the SSP, the Dallas Zoo supports conservation efforts to protect animals in the wild while striving to ensure a future for them through breeding efforts that keep the gene pool healthy and genetically sound.
Asian Small-clawed Otters are found in the wetlands of southern Asia, India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Philippines, Borneo, Palawan Islands and Southern China. The smallest of the 13 otter species, they are two to three feet (60 to 90 cm) long, including the tail, and weigh five to 11 pounds (5 kg). They have unique and sensitive paws, with toes that have very little webbing and almost no claws. Their fur is extremely dense and soft.
13 Jun 20:33
Roger Williams Park Zoo Welcomes Endangered Tree Kangaroo
by Andrew Bleiman
Roger Williams Park Zoo in Rhode Island has just announced the birth of a Matschie’s Tree Kangaroo, born in October last year. The female joey, named Holly, is the first tree kangaroo birth at the zoo in over 20 years, and one of only one of three born in captivity in the U.S. last year.
Tree Kangaroos are an Endangered species, and are part of a Species Survival Program – a cooperative breeding program through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) that aims to rehabilitate endangered and threatened species populations.
Photo credit: Roger Williams Park Zoo
See video of mother and baby:
Zoo keepers discovered that the female tree kangaroo was pregnant after the announcement of the zoo’s plans to build a new tree kangaroo exhibit in the Australasia building by spring 2014.
“The first six months after birth is a critical time for both mother and baby. For this reason, we have put construction of the new exhibit on hold until late June 2014,” said Zoo Executive Director Dr. Jeremy Goodman, DVM. The exhibit will feature indoor and outdoor viewing areas with easy access for the animals between both spaces, giving guests a much improved view of the animals. Opening of the new exhibit is planned for early fall.
See and read more after the fold!
The Matschie’s Tree Kangaroo is indigenous to the rainforests of Papua New Guinea. It is estimated that there are less than 2,500 tree kangaroos left in the wild, because of factors like habitat loss due to logging and mining, as well as hunting. Currently, there are only 53 tree kangaroos in the U.S. living in captivity, and seven in international facilities.
Along with its tree kangaroo breeding program, Roger Williams Park Zoo has also supported and worked with the Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program (TKCP) since its inception. The TKCP is an organization with the mission of establishing an officially recognized conservation area in Papua New Guinea for tree roos to live without human interference.
Until the exhibit is completed, images of the baby roo’s development in the pouch will be displayed in the Australasia building so zoo visitors can appreciate the baby’s first months of life.
13 Jun 20:33
International Day of Biological Diversity 2014
by Andrew Bleiman
International Day of Biological Diversity 2014 is upon us and ZooBorns is participating by joining zoos and aquariums around the world in helping to bring attention to the threats species face from climate change. Led by the Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, the campaign is called the Wild Face of 350 (#Wild350)
What does 350 mean?
350 parts per million (ppm) is what scientists say is the safe upper limit of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere and contributes to climate change. Right now, the atmosphere contains over 400 ppm of CO2 and is increasing every year.
Scientific evidence increasingly shows that climate change will become a primary driver of species extinction in the coming century. ZooBorns wants to remind all our readers that many of the animals you know and love will not survive if we continue on the current trajectory.
The Conservation Breeding Specialist Group's mission is to save threatened species by increasing the effectiveness of conservation efforts worldwide. They provide species conservation planning expertise to governments, specialist groups, zoos and aquariums, and other wildlife organizations.
Climate change could affect almost every species but here are ten of the most vulnerable, which includes Arctic Foxes, Clownfish, Koalas, Emperor Penguins, Leatherback Turtles, Staghorn Corals, Ringed Seals, Quiver Trees, Salmon and Beluga Whales.
Follow the Conservation Breeding Specialist Group and there Wild350 campaign throughout the day!
13 Jun 20:32
Rare Warty Piglet Born at Chester Zoo
by Andrew Bleiman
One of the world’s rarest wild Pigs has been born at the United Kingdom’s Chester Zoo. Only about 200 Visayan Warty Pigs remain in their native habitat in the Philippines.
Photo Credit: Chester Zoo
The baby, whose gender is not yet known, sports yellow and brown stripes which act as camouflage. The stripes will disappear at around 9-12 months.
Zoo keeper Lucy Edwards said, “Visayan Warty Pigs are critically endangered and face an extremely high risk of becoming extinct in the wild."
“They’ve suffered a drastic population crash in recent times with widespread commercial logging, illegal logging and agricultural expansion devastating vast amounts of their natural habitat. They’re also being over-hunted and their meat can often command at least double the price of domestic pork in local markets and some restaurants.”
These wild Pigs get their name from the three pairs of fleshy warts on the boar's face. The warts protect them from rival Pigs' tusks during a fight.
Visayan Warty Pigs are small, forest-dwelling Pigs that feed on roots, fruits, and some cultivated crops. Little is known about their wild habits. They are found only in the small patches of remaining forest on the Visayan Islands in the central Philippines.
Chester Zoo’s latest arrival is vitally important to the breeding program which seeks to maintain a genetically viable population of Visayan Warty Pigs in zoos around Europe. The zoo also provides financial assistance for an education and breeding program in the Philippines.
13 Jun 20:32
Teeny Tortoises Have Big Conservation Impact
by Andrew Bleiman
Four Western Swamp Tortoises hatched at Australia’s Adelaide Zoo may be small, but they are extremely important to the future of this critically endangered reptile species.
The first of the Tortoises hatched on March 28, but the three remaining eggs hatched over a three-day period from May 13-15. It is not unusual for Western Swamp Tortoises to remain in the egg, fully developed, until the right weather conditions are present for hatching.
Zoo staff report that the baby Tortoises are developing well and feast regularly on their favorite foods – brine shrimp and mosquito larvae.
In the wild, these small Tortoises live in fresh water and rarely weigh more than one pound (500g) as adults.
With these four hatchlings, Adelaide Zoo now holds fifteen Western Swamp Tortoises. In the wild, these reptiles are found in just two reserves in Western Australia - Ellen Brook Reserve and Twin Swamp Reserve. Only about 200 of these Tortoises are thought to remain in these areas. Adelaide Zoo and Perth Zoo work together to reintroduce the species to the wild and many of the zoo’s Tortoises will be released into their native habitat.
See more Tortoise photos below the fold.