Keeping an eye on Atlanta's animal scene

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has a couple of gems so far this week related to the Zoo.

Yesterday, the AJC published some new photos of the giraffe calf born July 13.

Today, Laura Raines has a beautiful story about the children’s hospital nurses who cared for baby orangutan Sandar in his final days.

Credit: Zoo Atlanta

Boma, a 23-year-old male eastern black rhinoceros, died at Zoo Atlanta yesterday, just a few months after the zoo welcomed a female rhino that it hoped would be a potential mate for the rhino who never sired any offspring in his more than 20 years at the zoo.

The animal had undergone two weeks of aggressive treatment for gastrointestinal problems, zoo officials said.

The rhino was born at the Zoo Dvur Kralove in the Czech Republic and came to Atlanta in 1989, helping in the zoo’s rebirth in the late 1980’s, the zoo said.

The estimated life span of a black rhino is 50 to 60 years, according to the World Wildlife Fund.

Zoo Atlanta president Raymond King said in a statement, “Bo was a special member of the Zoo Atlanta family for more than 20 years and was an important ambassador for a critically endangered species.”

Boma’s condition went from guarded to grave since the week of July 12, the zoo said.

Police in northwest Georgia arrested four people and confiscated 33 pit bulls and pit-bull mixes from what they said was the largest dog-fighting facility they had ever encountered, the Cedartown Standard reported.

“This is the largest one we’ve ever encountered,” said Capt. Randy Turner of the Polk County Police Department.

In addition to the police, the investigation, raid and arrests involved the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Polk County Animal Control, Atlanta Humane Society and the private investigation firm of Norred & Associates in Atlanta, which specializes in gathering information on dog-fighting.

The investigation began with a tip to Norred & Associates investigators about a dog-fighting operation in the woods of Aragon.

None of the dogs had access to food or water, but they appeared in pretty good health, Capt. Randy Turner of the Polk County Police said.

Read the full story.

Glenda the giraffe and her new baby (Source: Zoo Atlanta)

Zoo Atlanta has a new baby giraffe.

First-time mom Glenda, aged 3, gave birth to the zoo’s tallest baby on Tuesday at Zoo Atlanta, zoo officials said.

The newborn was 6 feet tall and weighed between 100 and 150 pounds.

Mother and calf will bond for a few weeks privately before joining the African Plains habitat.

“We are extremely excited about the birth of the calf,” Raymond King, President and CEO of the zoo, said in a statement. “Giraffes have long been a very popular and charismatic part of the collection.”

As is typical for giraffes, Glenda gave birth standing up and her calf was born feet-first.

Glenda was born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in October 2006. She and her half-sister, 4-year-old Mona, arrived at Zoo Atlanta in October 2007. The females share their habitat with the calf’s father, 4-year-old Abu.

Credit: Zoo Atlanta

Sandar, a 3-month-old orangutan at Zoo Atlanta who had been ill since birth was euthanized July 1, the zoo said.

The male Bornean orangutan was born March 30 to mother Miri and father Sulango. Zoo officials said the Animal Management and Veterinary Teams made the decision to euthanize “based on a progressive deterioration in his condition over the last two weeks and no hope of improvement in his prognosis.”

Sandar had been under round-the-clock care by zoo veterinarians and nurses from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

“The Zoo staff and the many dedicated nurses, doctors and specialists from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta went above and beyond the call in doing everything possible to combat Sandar’s many challenges and health complications. With his physical and developmental problems, he would never have survived this long in the wild,” Dr. Dwight Lawson, Senior Vice President of Collections, Education and Conservation for Zoo Atlanta, said in a statement.

Shortly after birth, Sandar was removed from his parents shortly after birth for hand-rearing. The zoo said he experienced a succession of illnesses and needed supplemental oxygen and a feeding tube.

A necropsy will be performed at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, as is customary after zoo deaths.

Catios — enclosed patios for cats — are the new trend for indoor cats who want a taste of the outside life, the New York Times reports. (See the Times’ cute catio slideshow and catioshowcase.com.)

Catios have made inroads in the suburbs, where they range from small, practical structures — like a box made of wood and chicken wire — to all-out fantasy cat playgrounds, replete with tunnels and scratching posts. But such enclosures remain a rarity in the city, where giving up even a square foot of real estate to a litter box can seem like a sacrifice.

Atlanta cat specialist Drew Weigner is quoted saying outdoor space offers cats emotional benefits:

While it is safer for them to stay inside, “in an enclosed yard, they’re going to get more exercise,” Dr. Weigner said. “Plus, there’s the intellectual stimulation, quote-unquote.”

Dr. Weigner advises suburban cat owners to keep outdoor enclosures off the ground, to guard against fleas and other parasites. He pointed to the American Association of Feline Practitioners’ Web page on environmental enrichment, which recommends several types of fencing for suburban cats.

Inside or outside, cat experts recommend setting up a playground for your feline to exercise their bodies and minds. Learn more about cat playgrounds and how you can set up your own in this video.

Credit: Zoo Atlanta

The gorilla exhibit at Zoo Atlanta is closed for repairs after a nervous silver back gorilla on Sunday charged a glass panel in the viewing area and cracked it. The zoo said guests and staff were never in danger.

Zoo officials said Taz, the 20 year old gorilla, “exhibited this behavior most likely because he had undergone a routine medical exam the previous day and was concerned about the presence of veterinarians in the viewing area.”

“Gorillas often associate their veterinarians as the ones giving vaccinations and can react nervously – much like many people do with a visit to the doctor or dentist,” said Dr. Hayley Murphy, Director of Veterinary Services.

The animal management and veterinary teams quickly evacuated the Willie B. Conservation Center and brought the gorillas, including Taz, into their overnight holding area. No animals or people were injured. The exhibit is designed with several glass viewing panels and a moat barrier with electric wire between the yard and the public viewing areas.

Flying Change Equine Therapy, an Atlanta-based non-profit organization, is offering two week-long camps for teens this summer, “Learning with Horses” and “Healing with Horses.” The Equine Assisted Learning and Equine Assisted Psychotherapy-based programs use activities with horses to help teens in Vinings and South Atlanta develop emotional skills.

“Learning with Horses”
A fun, week-long camp that partners horses in activities to help girls learn essential emotional and life skills to become confident, thriving young women.

Who: Girls only ages 11-15
Cost: $250
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday
Dates:
June 7-11 (Fairburn location)
June 14- 18 (Vinings location)
June 21-25 (Fairburn location)
July 26-July 30 (Vinings location)
Registration: Call Jennifer Huffaker, Program Director at (678) 462-8905
Please bring a bag lunch and wear sneakers or boots.

“Healing with Horses”
An equine assisted psychotherapy camp partnering horses to help youth
Learn: communication, coping skills, impulse control, anger management, teamwork, and problem-solving. Camp is facilitated by a licensed therapist and an equine specialist with
advanced training with using horses in mental health.

Who: Girls and Boys, ages 11-15
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday
Dates:
July 5-9 (Fairburn location,Girls only)
July 12-16 (Vinings location, Girls only)
July 19-23 (Vinings location, Boys only)
Registration & Cost: Call Jennifer Huffaker, Program Director (678) 462-8905 to register
Please bring a bag lunch and wear sneakers or boots

For more information on Flying Change Equine Therapy, please contact Kristin Hauch, Director of Marketing, Flying Change Equine Therapy, 404-502-0283 or visit www.flyingchange.org.

Beltline Dog Walk

Times like this I really wish I had a dog.

Atlanta City Councilmember Kwanza Hall is inviting dogs and dog owners to join him for a walk on the Beltline tomorrow, June 12, at 9 a.m.

Irwin Street Market at 660 Irwin Street is the meet up location. The market will have free gourmet doggie treats, a water station, and for humans, gourmet coffee and tea.

Hall recommends that dog walkers wear sturdy walking or tennis shoes.

From the Irwin Street entrance to the Beltline, Hall will lead the group north to Somerset Avenue, where Hall will point out progress on the City’s newest greenspace, Historic Fourth Ward Park. Along the way, walkers will view temporary art installations included in this month’s Art on the Beltline initiative. See more about Art on the Beltline activities here.

Before heading back to Irwin Street, the dogs will enjoy refreshments and receive coupons for discounted spa treatments at Barking Hound Village Dog Spa.

For more information about the Beltline Dog Walk with Councilmember Hall, contact Hall’s office: 404-330-6038 or khall@atlantaga.gov. For information on the morning of the walk, contact 404-406-5296.

See more June events for Atlanta pet lovers.

PAWS Atlanta will be featured on a special episode of Animal Planet’s It’s Me or the Dog with Victoria Stilwell. The episode is scheduled to air Saturday, June 19th at 9 PM.

PAWS Atlanta provides medical care, shelter, food and basic training to homeless cats and dogs until their permanent, safe homes are found. The episode will show the nonprofit receiving upgrades, courtesy of Lowe’s Home Improvement.

The group is holding a viewing party in the High Ballroom at the Hotel Palomar that evening from 7:30 to 10:30 PM. Enjoy food from Chef (and dog-lover) Keira of Pacci Ristorante. Prizes will be raffled off during the commercials! A full cash bar will be available.

Tickets are $30 each if purchased online by Thursday, June 17th. Tickets may be purchased at the door for $35 with cash or check only. Click here for details.

Please note that pets are not allowed in the High Ballroom of the Hotel Palomar.