Category: Enrichment

American / Common Crow

American Crow Latin Name: Corvus brachyrhynchos Order: Passeriformes Family: Corvidae Photo courtesy of kopperheadpix, Akron Zoo Corvus is Latin for “raven” and brachyrhynchos breaks down to “short beak”.  Corvids are a widespread family of passerines and include birds such as crows, ravens, jays, and magpies. Overview  Crows have the potential to be very impactful ambassador…

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Winter 2021

Download Winter 2021 (01-11-2021) newsletter This issue includes: AASAG Committee Updates AASAG Communications Committee Update: 2020 Ambassador Animal Collections Survey Results AASAG Best Practices Initiative Update AASAG Professional Development and Research Initiatives Update Articles Socially Distanced Guest Engagement in the Time of COVID-19 SHOW AND TAIL: To Every Animal, There is a Season (Barn Owl)…

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Straw- Colored Fruit Bat

Eidolon helvum Order: Chiroptera Family:Pteropodidae Straw- colored fruit bat Chiroptera is the family of bats. Overview  Natural History Information  Range and Habitat  The straw- colored fruit bat can be found throughout Africa in tropical forests, savannas, and any other area that contains many trees and enough food. They most commonly roost in trees during the…

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Scarlet Macaw

Ara macao Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psitticidae Scarlet Macaw    The class Aves comes from the Latin for both birds and flight. Overview  Natural History Information  Range and Habitat  Scarlet macaws are native to Central and South America. They inhabit woodland areas and the humid lowland tropical rainforest (up to 3,000 feet). These macaws spend most…

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Goffin’s Cockatooo

Cacatua goffini Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psitticidae Overview  Natural History Information  Range and Habitat  Living in both forest and agricultural land, the Goffin’s Cockatoo can be found in coastal, lowland areas of the Tanimbar Islands of Indonesia.   Longevity  Median life expectancy in the wild: unknown Median life expectancy in captivity: up to 75 years Ecosystem…

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Fall 2020

Download Fall 2021 (09-28-2020) newsletter This issue includes: Articles AMBASSADORS IN ACTION: A Giant Rabbit with a Giant Notion (Domestic Rabbit) SHOW AND TAIL: Extreme Monotremes (Echidna) AMBASSADORS IN ACTION: The Swallow-tailed Kite SPECIES SPOTLIGHT: Frilled Lizard (Frilled Dragon) SPECIES SPOTLIGHT: Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula SHOW AND TAIL: From Bug in a Box to Out…

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summer 2020

Download Summer 2020 (07-08-2020) newsletter This issue includes: COVID-19 Special Articles Our 2-Team Approach During COVID-19 Taking Care of Program Animals Without Programs Moving Our Ambassador Program Forward During the COVID-19 Pandemic SPECIES SPOTLIGHT: Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula SHOW AND TAIL: Beyond the Water Spout – Training Itsy, Bitsy Spiders SHOW AND TAIL: Fernando and…

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spring 2020

Download Spring 2020 (04-17-2020) newsletter This issue includes: Ambassador Animal Acquisition AMBASSADORS IN ACTION: Individualization in our Ambassador Animals: A Goat isn’t Just a Goat Page SHOW AND TAIL: A Flocking Good Time (Chilean flamingo) AMBASSADORS IN ACTION: Heroes Arrive at Point Definance Zoo & Aquarium (African giant pouched rats) RESEARCH CORNER: Impact of a…

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Winter 2020

Download Winter 2020 (01-27-2020) newsletter This issue includes: AMBASSADORS IN ACTION: Close Encounters of the Wild Kind: Linneaus Two-toed Sloth SHOW AND TAIL: Assessing 2.1 Straw Colored Fruit Bats (Eidolon helvum) for Ambassador Work SHOW AND TAIL: A Touching Experience (touch tanks) AMBASSADORS IN ACTION: Interpretive Tools for Incorporating Empathy into Live Animal Presentations SHOW…

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