South Puget Sound Kids' Directory Blog
Tiger cubs make their public debut
Two 8-week-old Sumatran tiger cubs made their public debut 7/23/10 at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. The cubs, born on May 25, will be on exhibit intermittently with their mother Jaya starting Friday, July 23.
“Jaya is a fantastic first-time mom,” said staff biologist Andy Goldfarb. “She’s done a great job raising her cubs behind the scenes, so they’re ready now to explore their new home out on exhibit.”
The male and female cubs, weighed about 2 lbs. at birth and have grown to more than 14 lbs. and 13 lbs. respectively.
“They just keep getting cuter and cuter!” Goldfarb said. “Of course they were adorable as newborns, but now they’re big enough to really toddle around and show off their personalities.”
Goldfarb noted their similarities and differences saying, “The’re both very curious about their new environment, but she is much more timid than he is. He acts like a typical male tiger, stomping right out there and acting like he owns the place. The female, on the other hand, tends to wait and see what will happen to her brother first.”
Though the cubs are old enough and active enough to explore their outdoor exhibit with their mother on a daily basis, staff say the family won’t be viewable all day long.
“We will have them in their exhibit for short periods of time at first and gradually get them used to being out all day,” Goldfarb said. “They really need their naps and down time with Jaya because if they don’t, they wouldn’t have enough opportunity to nurse.”
Estimated viewing times will be updated daily on the zoo’s website http://www.pdza.org.
“We’d love to be able to say exactly when they’ll be in their exhibit,” added Goldfarb, “but it’s ultimately up to their mom, Jaya.”
The two new cubs bring the total number of Sumatran tigers in North American zoos to 74. With fewer than 300 left worldwide and only two litters born in North America this year, zoo staff stress the significance of the cubs to the species as a whole.
Goldfarb noted, “They’re sure to be crowd pleasers, but they’ll also be educational ambassadors, bringing a note of optimism about their species directly to Northwest families.”
“Sumatran tigers are among the world’s most critically endangered species,” said general curator Karen Goodrowe Beck. “These cubs not only add to the overall population, but they also provide invaluable genetic diversity to the Sumatran tiger breeding program.”
Point Defiance Zoo participates in the Sumatran tiger Species Survival Plan (SSP®), coordinated by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The SSP manages the Sumatran population in North America.
The SSP made the recommendation that Point Defiance Zoo breed Jaya with the cubs’ father, Bali, last summer, and he was transferred to Tacoma from the San Francisco Zoo in the fall.
The zoo is holding a naming vote for the cubs through Wednesday, July 28. The staff biologists who care for the tigers came up with five options for each cub, and the public is invited to pick their favorites at http://www.pdza.org. The chosen names will be announced on Thursday, July 29.
For more information about Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, visit http://www.pdza.org or call 253-591-5337.
Rodnee Raccoon Fun with Fitness!
Rodney Raccoon is doing some great things with health & fitness. Follow the links and you will get a sneak peek as Rodney Raccoon and his friends have Fun with Fitness! Check out his health & nutrition commercial, video and Dove award review!
Youtube exercise clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kf-arEWLaig
Dove review
http://dove.org/reviewpopup.asp?Unique_ID=8347
Round Table Takeover FUNDRAISER!!!
WHEN: Monday, July 26th
5PM- 8PM
WHERE: HOMSMER ST. ROUND TABLE PIZZA
COME EAT PIZZA WITH RODNEY RACCOON!
(A portion of the day's total earnings will be donated back to us, including lunch & delivery! So don't cook, come and hang out with Rodney & his friends. There will be prizes, games, music & lots of fun!)
Summer Playground Program
The Summer Playground Program, offered in parks throughout Tacoma through August 27, provides free, organized drop-in play activities for kids ages 6-12. Seven of the sites offer lunch and an afternoon snack Monday through Friday, made possible by USDA. Each playground site features a wading pool or sprayground, games, and arts and craft activities.
Monday-Friday, 11am - 6pm at all sites; Saturday-Sunday, noon - 4pm at three parks only*. Ages: 6-12
Cost: Free
Franklin Park, 1201 S Puget Sound Ave.
Jefferson Park, 801 N Mason Ave.*
Jane Clark Park, 4825 N 39th St. (no USDA meal program)
McKinley Playfield, 4321 McKinley Ave*
Portland Ave. Park, 3513 Portland Ave.
South Park, 4851 S Tacoma Way*
Manitou Park, 4421 American Lake Blvd.
Stafford Elementary School/Byrd Park, 1615 South 92nd Street
253-305-1022
http://www.MetroParksTacoma.org
Foss Waterway Seaport Science Camp
Foss Waterway Seaport, 705 Dock Street, Tacoma, WA 98402
Foss Waterway Seaport brings science “alive” with this week-long marine science day camp for students ages 9 to 12 on July 12th – 16th from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. These “young scientists” will spend two days out on the water exploring Puget Sound sea critters on board the 65 ft. marine research vessel “Indigo," performing a service learning project at Point Defiance Park, and learning basic navigation skills, plus three days of games, crafts and hands-on marine science activities at Foss Waterway Seaport on Tacoma's downtown waterfront. Parents and other supporters can join the July 16 "Open House" to experience all the students' discoveries! Cost: $150/per student / per week – Monday through Friday. This camp will show students how to use “real science” to study “real life” ocean issues and solutions in the “real world!” For details and to register, visit http://www.fosswaterwayseaport.org or call (253) 272-2750 ext. 100.
2010 Adventure Salmon Camps
Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group, Adventure Salmon Camp is a rare opportunity to explore and learn of the Hood Canal Watershed and the life cycle of salmon. Campers get outside, explore nature, swim, kayak, learn native culture, journal, hike, and track critters. Also, games, storytelling, science, and salmon fun are some of the numerous activities available at this unique camp which develops outdoor awareness skills and fosters good stewardship. For more information and an camp application form, visit our website at http://www.hcseg.org or call 360-275-3575.
Location: Belfair, WA
Day Camp, July 20-22nd, 4-5th graders
Overnight Camp, August 10-14th, 6-9th graders
Members receive a discount!
Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group