Zoo Run Run- A family event!

The Zoo Run Run was a smashing hit. The animals were out and about, Q. 106.3 was playing and there were young children. After the the 5K and 10K runners were started, the children got their chance to shine in the Roo Run.

This was a short "race", about a street long.

McKenna, a 2nd grader, was running with her two younger sisters. It was her first time running and she was doing it because she liked running.

If running isn't your thing though, they had plenty of other cool things to do. The carousel rides were free (normally 1$) and you could always go visit the animals, who were all out to play on this great day.

~Laura

Henry Vilas Zoo Run Run!!!

The music was blaring and the excitment was high. All throughout the zoo, you could see runners warming up for the 10 k, or 5k Zoo Run Run, and charity run/walk for our free Henry Vilas Zoo on September 26th, 2010. Time before the race was full of anticipation yet fun! There was a 'fill your own free gift bag' from Movin' Shoes, and Henry the Lion, the Zoo's mascot, was found taking pictures with kids of all ages! (Even us High Schoolers!) Some people wanted to dress up themselves, people like Alison and Carrie ran the race dressed as their favorite Zoo animal, the Flamigo! "You've got to support the Zoo!" Carrie said as she was getting ready for the race. Other people ran with family and friends. A woman I talked to had talked to ran with her son and her friends family. She told me she and her friend ran togeather on a daily basis, and saw the Zoo Run Run in a pamphlet that was being handed out at the Madison Half Maraton.
Runners of all ages participated in the races, even the real youngin's! Smaller kids got to compete in the Roo Run Run, and many dressed up as their favorite animal as well! There were frogs, gorrillas, giraffes, and more! People love to get creative!
People were tapping their feet to the rocking jams of Madison's Country Station, Q106! They had a D.J. there playing all kinds of music, and even Susie Favor Hamilton got into it! Susie is a famous Olympic runner, and as her charity run of the year, she decided to come back to our terrific zoo and lead the way for the 10k runners. She really got people into the race, talking to a bunch of people, rocking out and dancing to the some Black Eyed Peas music.
After the race, free cookies, bagels, water, and juice, was available to the runners for working so hard. The Zoo Run Run raises a lot of money for the zoo each year, and it's always tons of fun! If you missed out on it this year, I'm sorry! You're just going to have to come and run next year! See you there!
Thanks!
~Brooke

Geoffroy's Marmoset

The zoo now has a Geoffroy's Marmoset pair. Geoffroy's Marmoset are a breeding pair, meaning we're allowed to breed them. This is because the current status of the Geoffroy's Marmoset is Vulnerable.

Geoffroy's Marmosets are a squirrel like animal from the rainforests in Brazil. They live in groups of up to ten, where they have a dominate female, her mate, and their offspring. The offspring stay in the group, even when they grow into adults to help care for the younger Marmosets.

They sleep during the night and have a diet that consists of fruits, nectar, plants gum& sap, insects, and small lizards.

They are vulnerable due to the destruction of their habitat.

-Laura

Arowana

On your next trip to the zoo, don't forget to see the fish!!!!

Arowana are a really cool and pretty fish. Their bodies are covered in large,heavy, mosaic like scales.

These fish are jumpers. They have been reported as to have jumped almost 2 meters to grab a insect. They are nicknamed "water monkeys" for this very reason.

They take care of their young by having the eggs and babies live in their mouths!!!
A baby may leave the mouth and go back to the mouth until they are old enough to live on their own.

-Laura

Betcha Didn't know-

Did you know that the zookeepers can't just decide to breed an animal?

They have to have animals that are "approved for breeding" This basically means that a bunch of scientist look at all the animals in captivity for a certain species- let's say Lions. These scientist look at the genes of all the Lions in zoos around the world to establish the Lions' gene pool.

The zoo can only breed certain animals, the ones with the best genes to basically make the best cubs. Get it?

This gene pool changes every time an animal dies or is born, so it would be pretty hard to do your job if animals were always being born all over the world...

-Laura

The Badgers: At the Zoo and On the Field

Our Wisconsin Badger are the center of attention during the football season of fall. With their three victories over UNLV and San Jose State AND Arizona State, the Badgers have a hopeful season ahead of them. But the Badgers ture mascot is lonley at the Henry Vilas Zoo! He knows it's football season and he really needs some visiters to keep him company! Hurry and do it before Saturday, september 25 for the badgers next game vs. Austin Peay! It'll give the team some good luck!

Thanks
~Brooke

Snakes

Hey guys,
There is a lot going on at the zoo right now! I hope you have been there recently to see all the things that are happening. At the zoo right now there are 2 endangered snakes; one is the timber rattlesnake and the other one is the massassagua. These snakes specifically are very endangered. Many people are trying to save these precious animals. So come to the zoo soon to visit the animals and deffinetly our endangered snakes!
Also keep in mind that the zoo run run is right around the corner! Come visit the zoo and festival the day of the run!
Hope to see you there
Thanks
~Sarah

Funny Stories from the Zoo

When I visited my zoo keeper Laura at the zoo she told my a really funny story: The time she first worked with a tarantula.

She went to get it out of its cage. She opened the top and it ran out and straight up the wall. It then stop about halfway up the wall. "It was so freaky!!! But I was the only one there so I had to get it back in it cage!" She stood on a chair and managed to get the spider back into its cage. "It wasn't very hard" Laura then explained that tarantulas are like a cheetah. They can run really fast but have to stop.

So next time you freak out about a spider in your house, just remember- you don't have to get it back into a cage!

-Laura

Henery Vilas Zoo Cycling Team!!!

If you're looking to help the zoo and stay active, check out the Zoo's Cycling Team!

The team's mission is to cycle while raising awareness and funds for the zoo. Joining does cost money but it goes to things like
• Funding for EDUCATION about the animal world;
• Support in CONSERVATION of the animals and their habitats;
• Enhancement of quality RECREATION and foster community pride;
• Enrichment through creating or improving animal habitats

That's good stuff. Plus you get this AWESOME jersey!

-Laura

LAST 3 WEEKS!

Hey guys,
Hurry and sign up for the 5th annual zoo run run! Only 3 weeks left to sign up online. Sign up by Thursday September 23rd. The run is on Sunday September 26th, come join us for some fun. After the run there is a celebration with free food and beer and MUSIC! Register online at: Active.com
make sure to come run!
~Sarah