I Live In The Zoo

Feeling the Love

2012-02-13T11:59:00.000-08:00

Love is in the air

Cherry Brook Zoo helps visitors and people find true love

Saint John, NB – As hopeless romantics scour local florists and chocolate shops for the perfect gift to show their valentine they care, Cherry Brook Zoo has a different kind of love in mind. Inspiring people of every age to nurture their love of animals and make a meaningful connection with nature is at the heart of a modern zoo’s mission.

It’s no secret that most visitors come to the zoo for a day of fun, but looking at animals “just for fun” simply isn’t enough, so educators spend a lot of time and energy making sure every visit is meaningful.

“From informal talks with our zookeepers to structured tours and programs – all of our education activities are based on helping visitors connect with live animals – everything from donkeys to tigers,” “Once they’re hooked we take it a step further and try to get them inspired to do what they can to help protect the animals they care about.”

Feeling the love (click to enlarge photo)

This week the Cherry Brook Zoo felt the love carried across the miles from

Lena Locke and her staff at Spartan Sports Ltd, in Redding, California.

They really fell for Spartan (our Black Spider Monkey.) The picture here is the card they sent from the Spartan Sport Fan Club USA and have become major corporate sponsors of the Cherry Brook Zoo to help care for their new friend. Lena Locke, Owner of Spartan Sports Ltd. said " Each employee has a picture of Spartan at their work areas and our company has adopted him as our mascot. Everyone is
so interested they formed the Spartan Fan Club USA.

Other corporations and businesses need to step up and support this facility; we did our research before deciding on what organization we wanted to work with and thank the Cherry Brook Zoo for proving each month that we put our money in the right spot.

" You can see the difference this has made in our employees as they are working for a cause that is
important to them and for our company; it has increased production and created a work force that has become more enthusiastic and team orientated. " You can really see the personal connection they have
made with this animal and want to know how their Spartan is doing."

Everyone at the Cherry Brook Zoo would like to thank Spartan Sports Ltd. and their employees for this wonderful card. It means a lot to everyone from the Staff, Board Members and Volunteers. To know you not only contribute financially but have forged a meaningful relationship with everyone, including the animals at the Cherry Brook Zoo.

Celebrate Valentines Day by Feeling the Love for the animals that call Cherry Brook Zoo their home.
The zoo is a registered incorporated nonprofit charitable organization working with exotic and endangered species. Maybe like Spartan Sports Ltd. your company can see the difference corporate sponsorship can
make in your employees lives!

Boy meets Girl - Black Handed Spider Monkeys

2011-11-17T10:32:00.000-08:00

Hi there, if you click the link below you can see a video of our 1st. meeting. I knew that something exciting was going to happen today because they hung Christmas decorations in the primate house..... As you may notice I was a bit excited at the beginning - if this link does not work just go to our website at

www.cherrybrookzoo.com and click on the FaceBook logo and it will take you to the animals FaceBook Page and you can see the video there..... Is it a beginning of a beautiful romance, you'll have to wait to find out

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150952823720327%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fvideo%2Fvideo.php

Today we introduced our male and female Black Handed Spider Monkeys to each other for the first time, it seems all went well. Maggie (named after our sponsor Maggie Zed) our female almost had to take the first step after a lot of posturing by the male (newly named Spartan after our sponsor Spartan
Sports Ltd. in California). Now we will wait and watch to make sure they are getting along and if all goes well we can hope for babies in the future. We are so excited by the arrival of new animals and these two beautiful species are the last to be introduced. Having breeding animals back in the zoo brings us new vigor and enthusiasm and we hope that you feel the same. Working in a registered nonprofit charitable organization can be difficult and it is through the generosity of donors and sponsors that we can continue to carry out our work to educate the public, do behavioural studies, work in conservation and create a learning recreational experience for all. So if you would like to make a donation just give me an email and make Christmas a happy one for these two wonderful animals and make a difference in all the lives of the animals that call Cherry Brook Zoo home.

A short video of the Spider Monkey

2011-11-16T17:02:00.000-08:00

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150950296160327

I can hear the zookeepers working away over there but I just can't seem to see what they are doing. I hear them saying that my girl Maggie will be joining me very soon so I really hope that's what is going on. In the meantime I am checking out my new digs at the Cherry Brook Zoo. I hope we're together soon so we can cuddle together when the snow comes.

Animals In The News

2011-11-10T11:20:00.000-08:00

http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/city/article/1454361

Another news article about our new arrivals. I hope this link works for you. Not only do these news articles give you updates on the happenings of the animals at the Cherry Brook Zoo they also talk

about how important the breeding of highly endangered species is to their future. I can't tell you how

important these international Species Survival Programs are and how proud I am that your zoo takes

part in several of them. With the arrival of new animals I look forward to seeing these important babies born here as we again take our place on the global stage.

I can't tell you how nice it is to once again look out my window and see Rory and Rosa the two Damara Zebra outside in their area. They have gotten use to my being on the back deck at night and look up to see what I am up to. It's a great way to do a little research on their movements and how they are getting along and at the same time gives me great pleasure to be able to watch them without any interference. I am happy to say they are very good at going into their building on their own at night and seem very comfortable with being in their building. That is a major first step as it is imperative that they know enough to go in to shelter (where there is radiant heat as well) to their being able to cope with different weather in our area. Rosa, though the youngest and so much smaller than Rory, sure has a mind of her own and it may take some time and perhaps maturity for her to settle into being an adult female. I think right now we have a teenager that is prone to want things her own way whether it is best for her or not. I think Rory will have his hands full with this feisty girl.

We are hoping to put the Black Spider Monkeys together as early as tomorrow. The two can see each other right now and are very aware that each is there so it should be interesting to see how their introductions work out. Work on expanding their area to include two enclosures is going well and is being done by the zoo staff. I hope to have pictures of introducing them for my next blog so watch for them. This is an exciting time and you never know how these introductions will go but I have the feeling that these two are going to get along just fine. There may be a few bumps along the way but I can almost see them together in my mind and if all goes well perhaps babies in the near future.

In the meantime please come out and visit us and welcome the new arrivals, we are having some great weather but as we all know that can quickly change. Hope everyone enjoys a safe and enjoyable long weekend and please think of our veterans.

This is the end of my blog from the zoo for today, I will be back to update you on how things are progressing.

How the New Animals Came to Cherry Brook Zoo

2011-11-08T11:24:00.000-08:00

Meet Rosa

and here's Rory

There is always a story behind a story so I thought I would tell you how the new animals finally came home to Cherry Brook Zoo in Saint John, NB. We always have an animal wants list and try to find the right ones to bring to our zoo. To be quite truthful if not for the kindness and support of many people we would not have been able to bring this about. The Damara Zebra (one of the rarer of the zebra species)were sponsored by a donation through lawyer Michael McCluskey through the estate of Rosa London so of course the female is named Rosa; then Rory Grant stepped in and added his donation, so of course the male is named Rory and we think Rory and Rosa are wonderful names for them. The Nilgai were sponsored by two bequests one from the Rev. Royden Ferris and another from Marie Annette Barton so their names are Ferris and Marie (we call her Sweet Marie). Another donation from Maggie Zed and along came a female Black Spider Monkey and a trade with another zoo brought in her mate who has not been named yet. These are the most costly of the animals we brought in so if there is a sponsor or corporation out there who would like their names on one of the remaining animals: the male Black Spider Monkey, a male Mouflon Sheep and his two female companions just let us know. The two male Callimico goldhi monkeys (sent to us from Granby Zoo in Quebec) are a part of an international Species Survival Program and are the rarest of the rare in primates, they are so highly endangered that Jack Hannah said that they are rarer than a Rembrandt. These two males selected by an international commission to come to our zoo to become mates to our own April who was born here and will be a second generation of breeding of these beautiful little black primates. Naming rights are available for them as well.

Leaving us were Lucas the Black Handed Spider Monkey who went to Jungle Cat World to be placed with two females and from all accounts is settled in and very happy with his new situation. Charlie the male Callimico goeldi monkey born at our zoo, April's brother, was also sent to Jungle Cat World and is now with a female. Last but not least Outlaw our male DeBrazza has gone on to Elmvale Zoo where he will be found a mate which we had not been able to do. So as you can see there was a lot of moving animals around, getting all their records and information sent out even what their favourite treats are and, what enclosure furniture they like best (including their favourite play things).

The zoo had to cover costs of all the transport of these animals from three different zoos both ones that we sent animals to and zoos that the animals came from as well as any shortfall on purchases but we brought in eleven animals to add to our family and breeding animals which is very exciting for us. Without the support of all those people named above we would not have been able to make all these changes and are extremely grateful for their part in bringing these animals to your zoo.

Will keep you updated on how they are doing soon, that's all for now.

New Animals Are Out and About!

2011-11-03T09:17:00.000-07:00

Black Handed Spider Monkey left top, below Male and Female Mouflon Sheep and a male Nilgai below... these

pictures do not capture the beauty of these animals!

What a crazy day it was yesterday but today for the first time in a long time I look out my window and see zebra out in the field calmly eating grass and wandering around their new home, yes Rosa and Rory are here and getting settled, I am sure that the people they are named after will be proud. The little female has some small cuts and scratches on her face from kicking and pushing her way to our zoo and last night she broke down the door between her and the male. We decided we had better let them outside this morning and the fear is that they will run like crazy and break their necks, but thankfully everything went fine. Rory is quite a bit bigger than Rosa but he is a pretty calm guy, Rosa on the other hand has a mind of her own. Who would have thought it would be the small female to cause all the uproar.
The Nilgai are only a year old but very calm and easy going (so far) and seem quite content out in their area, the pictures we had seen do not do them justice, they are beautiful and a wonderful addition to the zoo, I think Ferris and Marie are a great tribute to those who supported the zoo with their bequests. We introduced the two male Callimico to April and she has accepted them without any problem, last night they were huddled together with their arms around each other. We let the female Mouflon out first and they were running together with our older female and today the male joined them and they are all running around the enclosure together, we were concerned that the older female may be picked on by the new ones but they are all getting along just fine. The male and female Spider Monkeys are still separated and it will take some time to enlarge one of the smaller and larger enclosures for them and get them together. The male went into the chute area with no problem and that is big issue as we have to be able to get them into the chute so that their area can be cleaned. It won’t take long before the female is doing the same, I think Maggie you will be happy when you see your namesake.
Arranging and transporting all these animals and then transferring out Outlaw the DeBrazza, Lucas the Spider Monkey and Charlie the Callimico made for a difficult journey for the transporter. he had to go to three different zoos to collect the animals coming to us and then transfer the three outgoing animals as well. Add to that he was dropping off other animals to other zoos and picking up animals on his way back means it depends on all those other zoos to be ready and able to unload and load their animals with safety. Time is also of the essence as all of us are waiting for him to arrive and trying to stick to a schedule for him depends on all those zoos and the cooperation of the animals. Brian is one of the few who not only delivers but helps with the unloading and loading and I can tell you that our little female zebra did not want to cooperate.
Breeding animals at the Cherry Brook Zoo, it has been a long time coming and who know what next spring will bring, we no longer have empty enclosures, we have young animals that will produce babies in the future and it brings a sense of newness to our zoo. The staff are excited and motivated and I am sure that the public will get a new sense of a zoo that is progressing instead of one that has empty areas and old animals.
Will keep you updated on how things are going...

NEW ANIMALS AT THE CHERRY BROOK ZOO

2011-11-03T09:05:00.000-07:00

(the female zebra who gave us such a hard time, she may be small but she has a mind of her own)

The new animals arrived late last night and were left in the trailer until this morning in the upper parking lot beside where we live. Len lent Brian (the transporter) his truck to go to a hotel for the night. What a racket all night long with those animals kicking and banging the sides
of the metal trailer in the upper parking lot, like babies as soon as the movement stops they do't like it. So not much sleep was gotten here LOL. Poor Bane (our Boxer) kept running to the window and to the door thinking he had to protect us against what he didn’t know.

The animals were unloaded this morning and all went fairly well, the female zebra (she’s only two years old) really did not want to leave the trailer and after a battle she finally went into the building, the male (who is five)just went right in without too much trouble. We will have to keep a close eye on them until the female is her full size. We thought the Nilgai would be the ones to give us a problem but they were no trouble at all and you really have to see them
to see how beautiful they really are. They are both only 1 year old so we will have to be careful of the cold with them. Right now they are out in their enclosure but the zebra are locked in their building to settle down. The Mouflon Sheep were carried up to their enclosure and are also in their building so that they can settle down for today. The new Spider Monkeys are gorgeous and until we can fix their enclosure they are separate , the female is fairly quiet but the male was not happy at all with alarm calls ringing all around the zoo. The two Callimico males have been taken down to the primate house but have not been introduced to April yet, that will take time.
It was an interesting time switching animals around but Lucas the Spider Monkey and Charlie the Callimico are now on their way to Jungle Cat World in Orono, Ontario and Outlaw the DeBrazza is on his way to Elmvale Zoo in Ontario.

One of our Zookeepers said "It is just like Christmas" and it really is!
Now we begin the work of changing the primate house to enlarge the Spider Monkey area and start introducing the animals to each other. Time and patience and with luck maybe some babies in the spring. As hard as it is to say goodbye to those who move on to new lives in other zoos it is exciting to have new animals at the zoo. I hope tomorrow we can let the media know about the new arrivals – they are just too stressed today. Will keep you updated on how things are progressing

Zoo People in the Mountains

2011-10-02T07:29:00.000-07:00

Well we are just finishing up at the CAZA (Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums) Conference here in Kicking Horse just outside of Golden, BC. What an amazing venue high in the Rocky Mountains so close to nature. On the door of our building there is a sign saying
Beware! Grizzly and Black Bears have been spotted around the area so please let us know if you see one. You don't see that everyday at your hotel. We are in one of the best known winter resorts and ski area with beautiful mountains surrounding us and Alpine green lakes and rivers abound. The people are friendly, and while not a large metropolis with Golden having a populations base of 4,000 the beauty and the people make up for any lack of emenities. You will find Boo the Grizzly Bear at Kicking Horse Resort high up in on of the plateaus of the mountians. He is the resident Grizzly who stays in a 20 acre preserve on the mountainside. The other ones posted about at the beginning of my blog are his wild counterparts. I cannot say enough about this conference and yes the long days and meetings but in this intimate setting you really got to talk with your zoo peers and friends from the zoos that make up CAZA from coast to coast. A learning experience with great presenters and papers, but more important is making contact with everyone and talking animal care and zoos which is what our lives are about. Last night even gave us a thrilling thunder storm on the mountain and wild rain, it was spectacular. Today is rain and fog which I am hoping will clear up so we can explore more of this beautiful country side. I also have to say how grateful I am that our friend Lena Locke from California made it here to spend some time with us. She is an avid supporter of our zoo and a friend to us that we greatly miss seeing; having her here to share this zoo adventure makes it all that richer. Will post more soon and hopefully have some pictures. In the meantime please visit my home at the Cherry Brook Zoo and if you do tell them I said hi, I'll be home soon and I miss being there. As much as this is an amazing place I miss Saint John, NB and the Bay of Fundy but most of all my family and my other family the animals at the Cherry Brook Zoo.

Where is the Sun ?

2011-08-22T12:43:00.001-07:00

Lucas on one of our rare sunny days! Look at how happy he is!

I have to say this has been the worst year for rain that I can remember in a long time. Not only does it affect people visiting the Zoo but it makes it hard on the animals and staff. The enclosures don't have a chance to dry up before another rain storm hits, we are still trying to get hay (normally all here by the first week of July), and it's been a drain on finances. We can compete against a lot of things but rain is not one of them.

I am sitting here once again looking at the rain pour down and the wind blowing through the trees. It has rained all spring, through the summer and now everyone says it will be a nice fall. The problem with that is our busy time is spring and summer and we cannot recoup what we have lost, we thought with a strong summer we would be OK,

but the summer has never appeared, at least not yet.

I can hear the lions roaring right now even in the rain, not sure if they think it's dusk as they usually are more vocal then or if they are also complaining about the rain. They want to lay out and soak up the sun, they want the feel of those warm rays on their bodies as they slumber away the lazy days of summer so my guess would be it's a complaint about the weather. Even the monkeys are not happy as they don't want to come out in the rain, a summer shower is fine but this constant downpour is not something they are use to. All I can tell them is what everyone keeps telling me

"The Sun Will Be Out Tomorrow" ... sounds familiar

So here's to tomorrow and some sun, it's about time we had some and when it does shine please come out and visit us at the Cherry Brook Zoo, the animals miss you.

Wonder Where the Zebra Are

2011-08-17T12:25:00.001-07:00

Sounds like a title to a song but I am truly wondering where the zebra are. Finding and

transporting new animals to the zoo may sound easy but believe me when I tell you it's not.

I have been working on bringing in new animals for a long time and finally think I have everything ready and a date of arrival and all the paperwork done and suddenly there's a change in plans. Yes, I have new animals coming to the Cherry Brook Zoo, when will they be here, two months ago. So you must wonder what happened and truthfully so do I, but it is something that occurs more often than not. Finding the perfect animals in order to have breeding stock takes some doing and careful checks must be made, changes at the last minute can cause a back up on delivery. We have found the animals finally, and no I am not going to tell all as that would just ruin the surprise wouldn't it? But it is obvious from the title that Grants Zebra are one of them and yes they will be a breeding pair. Others slowly making their way to Saint John are part of an International Breed Program and are highly endangered species that are being paired up with ones at our zoo. Others are new animals that will also be breeding and still an other will be a mate for one of our lonely males here at the zoo.

So where are they you ask, well it's complicated. A change in animals to ensure a breeding pair, a new species coming again a breeding pair, mates for others that must be suitable and then a delay in transportation has set us back some. Then the discovery of another animal that will be perfect for us, add to that a breakdown and everyone is behind.

What can I say except that I am excited that new animals are coming to the zoo, in the end the delays actually worked in our favour by being able to find a mate for one of our males that was totally unexpected. So it will be the fall before they get here and who know what else I can come up with in that time. It does mean filling out all new paperwork for each animal but it will be worth it now that we finally can begin bringing in breeding animals and once again see babies at the zoo. Yes, it's a good feeling made all that better by anticipation of their arrival.

But before it's too late please come out and say goodbye to Outlaw our male DeBrazza who will be leaving us to go to a new home where he won't be alone. As much as we hate to say goodbye to him we are happy that we have found a place out west where he will be happy. Charlie our Callimico Goeldhi Marmoset will also be leaving soon to join a female at Jungle Cat World in Ontario. He is part of our Species Survival Program and we always knew that he would be moving on to a new place as he got older and soon he will be on his way. Yes, there are lots of changes happening at your zoo so keep in touch to find out what's happening at the zoo.

Writing a Blog with a new email

2011-04-13T09:08:00.000-07:00

It has taken me forever to finally get my changes made to write this blog. Trying to remember all the different passwords is like trying to remember the taxonomy of all the animals in the world. I will be getting back to my regular blog and talking about the animals at the Cherry

Brook Zoo. As spring is almost here our thoughts turn to getting our Vanished Kingdom Park open and the 18 hole Miniature Golf Course set up, this is what spring means to me.

Of course we are also looking at animal wants and surplus lists trying to find mates for our animals and to see what is available for new animals. We begin this with putting

what we are looking for on the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums web site, sorry this area is for members only. I am anxiously waiting for a reply to my wants list.

Top of the list is a pair of breeding zebra and then a mate for Lucas and Outlaw two of

our primate species. Thought I would add Wallaby's to the mix and see what comes up.

It takes time and a lot of emailing and phone calls to find new animals for the zoo, we must

be sure they are good stock without any genetic problems. I will be writing more on this subject

in my next blog.

Just wanted to get back online and let you know to keep watching for news from the Cherry

Brook Zoo. You can view this blog on our website cherrybrookzoo.com and be sure to join our

FaceBook page Cherry Brook Zoo as well. Hope to hear from you soon.

A MOOSE, A BEAR and RAINSTORMS

2010-10-13T12:13:00.000-07:00

So you must wonder what a moose, a bear and a rainstorm have in common. Well, as we headed out to Montreal, QC from Saint John, NB to attend the National Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums Conference, we were talking about all the moose fencing along the highway. As we motored along what do we see but a large Moose, yes you guessed it, on the wrong side of the fencing. Now we drive quite a bit through moose country but this is the first one I have really seen standing quietly chewing grass as the traffic rushes by. Interesting considering the conversation we were just having when on the opposite side of the highway what do we see but a black bear, same as the moose on the outside of the fencing and just quietly nibbling on grasses. Well then of course the topic became what if the bear and moose were on the same side of the highway instead of the opposite? The moral of this story is moose to the left and bear to the right and please do not cross the highway. Kind of makes me wonder if either knows how to get inside this fencing? The rain you ask? well that happened just after we saw the moose and bear and it was a downpour that followed us all the way to Montreal. But, after seeing the wildlife on the sides of the highway we decided that those signs really do mean to watch for animals on the road, it is only moose out there.

WHERE HAS THE SUMMER GONE?

2010-08-28T09:59:00.000-07:00

I know it has been some time since I have written but sometimes life just doesn't give you enough time to do all the things you want to do. It's been a pretty good summer here at the zoo and lots of things have happened and many yet to come. We are still looking for a female mate for Lucas the Black Handed Spider Monkey and a Debrazza M0nkey. Sure hope we find them soon. As much and I really love the upcoming fall and it beautiful blaze of colours I am also reminded that it signals my worry of funds to get us through those tough winter months that will soon follow. Yes, I am a worrier and always look ahead to the worst case scenario. I guess that way when everything turns out okay I am not disappointed. I have a lot of ideas for the future but to get there I have to take care of the present, and sorry to say it all depends on money. But, don't you worry about that I know that somehow we will be okay. Sometimes I can just go on belief alone and that means I know that people care and will somehow always come through for us. But back to the summer, it was really pretty good and I am hoping the next season will treat us just as well. I have some pictures I am going to add. There is our new refurbished Entrance Sign which is amazing thanks to the talent of Heath Morrell at Ez airbrushing FX. I also wanted to share a couple of shots of our Hair Today - Gone Tomorrow that was done in support of Breast Cancer Research, the four people who took part are wonderful and raised over $1400.00 towards this cause. And last but not least I wanted to share a couple of shots of Tina our female lion caught sitting down after her afternoon siesta and woke up roaring, she is just too funny!

A SPECIAL VISITOR TO THE ZOO

2009-10-31T12:40:00.000-07:00

A few pictures of David Copperfield at the Cherry Brook Zoo. The one below shows Lucas as he shows his excitement at the visit

Happy Halloween to everyone. Today we have a very magical visitor to the Cherry Brook Zoo. A quiet, unassuming man called to ask if he could have a tour of the zoo before he headed out to his next appearance. Yes, non other than David Copperfield came for a tour of the zoo today. As we walked through the zoo he had a number of questions and was very interested in our primates and the Vanished Kingdom. We were called the night before and asked if we minded giving a tour of the zoo to Mr. Copperfield, to be asked such a question has only proven to us that this gentle man who has been seen by millions is a thoughtful individual. It was a nice quiet day at the zoo and the tour was relaxed and I hope for him a short time of personal space that was an opportunity to just be himself. To say we enjoyed his visit does not do justice to how impressed we were with both the talented magician and illusionist, but the man himself. He was gracious enough to sign a few autographs and to have a few pictures taken. After a long night of weaving his magic spell in two shows in Saint John, NB we are pleased that he chose to spend some of his precious free time at the Cherry Brook Zoo among the animals and with us. A better Halloween surprise we could not imagine. His visit certainly made this a special day for us and maybe for just a little while we may have felt like kids again in the presence of this magical personality. For me it was an honour to have him here to spend time with us and his sincere interest only served to make us more passionate about what we do and has inspired us to continue to work to make the Cherry Brook Zoo the best it can be. Our citizens can take pride in their zoo and the possibilities that it can bring to them. This special visitor to our zoo certainly made us realize that you can dare to dream and it can be a reality. To Mr. Copperfield we truly enjoyed our time with you and thank you for your interest and hope that you may have taken some little bit of our zoo with you in your journey. As you can see from the pictures the animals were just as interested in David Copperfield as he was in them.

HALLOWEEN IS COMING TO THE ZOO

2009-10-19T09:52:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't posted like I said I would. Went to our conference in Edmonton, Alberta and got sick. But, enough of that, today I wanted to remind everyone about the Haunted Zoo being held at, of course, Cherry Brook Zoo in Saint John, NB. We are running haunted night tours October 23rd. 24Th. and 25Th. The tours begin at 6:00 pm and run on the half hour, we suggest you bring the younger ones to the early tours as the zoo gets darker and more haunted as the time goes by. You never know what you may find lurking in the dark woods of the zoo at night and our Halloween tours are filled with things that go bump in the night - throw in a few roars and you will be trembling in the dark.

This is a fund raiser put on by our zoo volunteers so be sure to support the zoo by attending - It's Spooktacular!

BACK HOME AT THE ZOO

2009-10-08T15:58:00.000-07:00

Yes, we are back home at the Cherry Brook Zoo. While in Edmonton, Alberta I managed to come down with a bad cold/flu which made getting back a fun filled airplane ride of popping ears and deafness, but I would do it again just to get back to New Brunswick and back to our zoo. The national conference of the Canadian Associations of Zoos and Aquariums is something we look forward to attending each year meeting in a different place but more importantly gathering with our peers to find out what is happening on the national and international scenes. Our work with Species Survival Programs and Endangered Species is important to us and it is a chance to meet with those working across Canada to save rare and endangered species. The most important part of the conference is getting together with fellow zoo directors and just talking animal talk. There is nothing as invigorating and sometimes amusing as talking to like minded people who understand what you are saying and having an opinion on all things animal. It is a great mixture of new people and their ideas linked with experienced people. We listen, we engage and we learn at every opportunity and at the same time we pass on our experiences and our concerns. It is a constant exchange of ideas and it enables us to elevate our communities to people who are interested in hearing the differences in how their facilities are run. It is good for us to go and realize that the Cherry Brook Zoo is a well respected and established zoological facility that plays its role on not only a national but international stage. We return with a purpose to make sure that we are able to continue to keep the status of accreditation and the respect of our colleagues. I guess that sometimes even we forget what a valuable contribution our zoo in Saint John, New Brunswick makes to conservation of animals, education of our communities, gathering research for the betterment of animal husbandry and contributions to recreations. It is with this in mind that I can honestly say that this national conference has once again renewed our vision and our determination to be the best that we can be. On this note I will update you on Baikal, the Siberian Tiger who left us in July for his new life at the Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg.He his healthy, he has adjusted to his new home and he is waiting to be introduced to their female once she goes into her heat cycle and they have great hopes of cubs in the future. They are so pleased with this magnificent creature and his future role in conservation of his species. We are proud to have played a role in this international species survival program and will continue to do so. Perhaps one day a cub from this pair will return to it's roots at the Cherry Brook Zoo.

We are glad to be back to the Cherry Brook Zoo, there is something unique about our zoo, it is a caring place, the animals come first, the staff do not look at clocks or complain when they are asked to do something. We are an intimate zoo that puts thought and caring into everything we do. That is not to say that other zoos do not care, but that this zoo may be small is size but big in conservation and it shows well on the national stage. We should all be proud of what we have accomplished so far, and what we can accomplish in the future.

CAZA Conference in Edmonton, Alberta

2009-10-04T15:22:00.000-07:00

Well here we are in Edmonton, Alberta for the National Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums Conference. What a ride getting here and after a $60.00 cab fare to get to the hotel we got into our room. The conference hotel is the Fantasy Land Hotel in the West Edmonton Mall. The room is great and the mall is something else. Not being a mall person it is a bit over whelming. The best part is the California Sea Lions and the Marine Center that is part of the mall. I have watched them train and then saw the show three times. This place has more water flowing than the Saint John River, it is unbelievable that with all this water we had not water the first night we arrived ... so much for that relaxing hot tub in the room for the first night.

We did take in some really interesting meetings ( they ran concurrent sessions so it made it hard to choose) but we really did enjoy Jay Ingram's Keynote Address. Listen to some interesting ways they are working with animals with utilizing food as a training tool, but to be honest we already do that. They did go in depth with clicker or whistle training that we may want to look at in the future. We took the tour of West Edmonton Mall's Sea Life and their Ring Tailed Lemur and Sloth exhibit. Then on the the Valley Zoo where we started off on a tour but being us we finally just went on our own and got a chance to talk to the keepers and staff. They have about 50 animal and a staff of 18, not including night staff. They use golf carts to a great extent and we got a look at their new Lemur building that cost 2.3 million dollars. All I can say is 2.3 million will go a lot further in Saint John than it does here.

Well I managed to get really sick while out here and I am just beginning to feel human again. I can tell you I miss Saint John, NB and it seems no matter where we travel we always are glad to head home. The hotel is nice but we miss the Zoo, we miss the people and we miss our dogs. We are unusual in that most of the people here work at their zoo but they don't live there. I think we may have a different outlook than most of them and I can honestly say that despite the problems we may face I would rather be there. Our corner of the world is the best place to live, work and have family and travelling just reinforces that when we leave. Can't wait to get back to the zoo.

UPDATE ON THE ZOO

2009-09-27T09:18:00.001-07:00

I thought it was time I gave a quick update on the zoo and how things are going. I can't believe the summer has past and fall is here. It has been a rather hectic year so far with Baikal leaving us and the new female Siberian Tiger joining us. I guess one of the animals that I feel I have neglected in introducing to you is Lucas our new Species Survival Program monkey. He is a male Black Handed Spider Monkey that arrived the same day and the Siberian Tiger and perhaps that overshadowed his arrival. Lucas is a rare species listed on appendix 1 of the Endangered Species List. We are actively searching for a female to introduce to him. Sounds easy, well it's a little more complicated than one might think. We require a female that is unrelated in any way, she must have registered blood lines and has to be registered with the International SSP Commission. On top of that Lucas has to get along with her and just because a male and female are put together does not mean it will be a good match. So the hunt continues and I hope in the near future I can announce that we have the perfect mate for him. Lucas has endeared himself to everyone and is full of personality and vigor. He really wants a mate, I know this because he has demonstrated breeding postures since he has arrived. I hope this bodes well for when we find a female for him.

Our other new arrivals this year were three Miniature Donkeys. I have to say personally the male Ben has a special place in my heart already from the day we first saw him. Despite being miniatures these animals are strong and our Animal Enrichment Volunteers have been working with them and they are coming along nicely. The females Lily and Belle seem to pick up training much faster than Ben, not because Ben is less intelligent, but because Ben is stubborn and being the strongest of the three uses his strength when he wants to. I know that Ben will soon settle down and has come a long way since his first training lesson. We have a beautiful cart just waiting for the day these three will be trained to pull it and I really look forward to seeing that.

We had to purchase boots for the front hooves of the Miniature Horses this year as the gravel pathways were causing problems. Again, should be easy one would think, but after a lot of research and thank heavens for the Internet we finally found boots for them from the Ozarks.

They have taken quite well to wearing them and don't mind when we have to lace them up just like sneakers, in fact that is what they look like. When we first found the boots the price said $65.00 US and foolishly I thought this meant a pair but was soon set straight that it was per boot. Who would have thought that you buy one boot at a time? I guess it's live and learn.

I am getting ready to head to Edmonton, Alberta for our Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums National Conference. It is held in a different place each year and I'll have to be honest when I say I have no idea what to pack but I have the feeling it will be cold and will rain. Before I head out next week I have to make sure that everything is taken care of here at the zoo, including my two Boxers. I will write some more about the conference and the meetings and of course the zoo people that we get to see once a year to exchange ideas, ask about surplus animals (keep your fingers crossed for Lucas), and to learn new ways of doing things. Guess that is it for now. Keep checking for my next post. One last thing, Please don't forget World Animal Day on October 4 Th. The Cherry Brook Zoo will be celebrating so please check out the web site and also give the zoo a call at 634-1440 for more details.

WHERE DID SUMMER GO?

2009-08-11T08:50:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of my two Boxers - Boo with the grey face and Bane the really big puppy. Boo will be 12 years old in October and Bane is two and a half, he weighs in at 85 pounds. They live in the zoo too so I thought it would be nice if you could see the zoo dogs.

Well, it's official, we have had the rainiest July in history. Not good for numbers of people visiting the zoo or wanting to play miniature golf. We are holding our own in this summer of wet, and the weeds are growing like crazy, more than I can say for my tomatoe plants on the back deck. I don't think I will be having fresh tomatoes this year, but they struggle along with a few green tomatoes in the hope that the sun will stay out long enough to turn them red. It is difficult for us for we depend on summer to be our busiest season that will bring in enough money to help get us through the long winter months so it is worrisome. I guess all we can hope for is a good August and even saying that I know rain is in our forecast. Despite the rain we have had our Zoo Camps filled every week, visitors come rain or shin (just not as many in the rain) and when the sun does decide to come out we are really busy. So now I hope for a beautiful fall when the zoo is in all its splendor and the animals are more active than the lazy days of summer.

Soon I will be back to my regular curfew of 4:30 in the afternoon, yes that is my curfew for fall, winter and spring and for a glorious two months I get to go out until 8:00 pm. I know it sounds awful to many people but it is how we (my husband and I) have lived for thirty years, it is just our way of life and to be honest it is nice to be able to sit on our back deck among the tree tops and listen to the sounds of the zoo. The fall is my favourite time when the air is just a little cooler and the animals are more active, we sit and drink coffee and hear the pounding of hooves, the cries of the birds, the chatter of foxes and of course the roars of lions, tiger and snow leopards. Mixed among these are our own native animals with squirrels running through the trees, loons calling before they leave us for the winter and the hoot of the night owls. It is a time when we can gaze at the night sky and see it so clearly. Yes, summer has sped by us like a blink of the eye, but there is so much more to look forward to. That is one of the joys of living in a zoo.

WHERE IS THS SUN?

2009-07-26T08:58:00.000-07:00

At least the snow has gone!

I can't believe it's not sunny today. The weather station promises sun but it's overcast and cloudy and does not feel like summer at all. For us, at the zoo, it has been difficult as we depend on spring and summer to bring in lots of visitors to help get us through those winter months.

All spring we said it must be going to be a good summer, now here we are nearing the end of

July and so far it has not been good. Even getting hay has been difficult, we can't get hay when

it rains and we need at least two days of steady sun before we can go pick it up. That means we

need three days of sun and those have been few and far between so far. Even though we are

open year round the spring and summer are the times we have the most visitors and we have

a short season as it is. The animals even react to this weather, what is supposed to be the time of year they are out and about they seem to have accepted the rain better than most of us humans, of course the primates would really appreciate some sun.

If anyone sees the sun please let me know, maybe we can go get a load of hay. Just so everyone doesn't feel too bad I am putting in a picture that will ease some of the depression .... at least we don't have to clear pathways. OH LET THE SUNSHINE IN - PLEASE!

The Lions are Roaring

2009-07-23T21:36:00.000-07:00

It is 1:30 am and I am sitting here at my computer writing a blog. What is wrong with me you must wonder? Well, I am trying to catch up on things and the only time it is quiet is at 1;00 am in the morning. Well as quiet as the zoo is through the night. The lions are roaring and I can hear them loud and clear, they are answered by the low toned roars of the Snow Leopard and the moaning roar of the Tigers. The fox answer in unison and the peacock makes a racket above all of it. The sounds of hooves on the hard packed ground means the Zebra is making her nightly rounds and the Gnu has finally come out of hiding. Yes, it is a peaceful blend of the night noises that I am so use to hearing and yet at times sit in wonder at the sounds. I guess what I mostly take for granted is something that others may find compelling or even scary, but tonight the sounds of the zoo soothes me and make me realize what wonders we have in our midst. I wonder as the houses build up around us if our neighbours are as comforted by these sounds as I am, or do they wish for silence in the night? I cannot imagine silence, the very thought terrifies me as I have grown so accustomed to my nightly music blended into the sounds of wind and rain. Yes, it is a comforting sound that moves my heart as I understand how important it is that these animals that I live with are cared for with dignity, respect and most of all survival. Silence to me means we have failed to save a species from extinction, or to teach someone how important the works of nature are. So if you live in my neighbourhood please revel in the sounds that come to you in the darkness, for you hear the music of creatures large and small that can soothe your soul and lull you to sleep.

Christmas In July Mardi Gras Style

2009-07-20T17:32:00.000-07:00

King Parts Clouds at the Zoo

Despite the rumbles of thunder and the bright flashes of lightning in the early afternoon the Zoo’s Christmas in July Mardi Gras Style on Saturday July 18th went off as planned.

The torrential rain halted just in time for the King of Mardi Gras to appear before his loyal subjects gathered at Cherry Brook Zoo for the 3rd annual Summer Festival celebrating Christmas and Mardi Gras in July. “All Hail Rex” cheered the crowd as they, and even Penny the Llama, bowed before King Gary Sullivan, resplendent in crown and sceptre. He issued a special welcome to the visiting children from Belfast, Northern Ireland and their Canadian hosts, and to military families from Base Gagetown invited for the day.

Led by Penny, a jazz duet, and Rex, the Mardi Gras Parade followed a much shortened route due to the imminent threat of more rain. Revellers wore brightly coloured feather masks and beads brought in from New Orleans for the occasion while children carried jingle sticks decorated with ribbons and bells.

Upon return to the main building, where activities were centered due to inclement weather, children broke into a loud version of “Here Comes Santa Claus” who then appeared in a grand entrance to meet Mrs. Claus and accompanied by his Elf, Frances Dunn, and a chaperone from Belfast. The Elf and Santa had just finished a visit with kids at the paediatrics department of the Regional Hospital where he presented stuffed animals, jungle sticks, and Mardi Gras beads to the children and even feather masks for the nurses.

As children lined up to spend individual time with Santa and Mrs. Claus, who had a small gift for each of beads and a special picture of his Reindeer Clarice, who lives at the Cherry Brook Zoo. Meanwhile, everyone enjoyed free cake and juice and had great fun making their own ice cream sundaes. Face and nail painting along with Christmas crafts kept children entertained while the jazz duet continued to play. There was time too for a bit of science as kids made snow that later became the highlight of a unique Belfast Kids Project photo – a special souvenir photo of the children in the midst of a Saint John “snow storm”.

UPDATE ON BAIKAL

2009-06-30T18:33:00.000-07:00

Thought I would send a quick update on how our male Siberian Tiger Baikal is doing now that he has moved to the Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg. The latest is that he has been moved from his temporary enclosure to the permanent one. Baikal and his soon to be mate Kendra are getting to know each other slowly. I guess courting may be an old term but seems appropriate in this situation. They have seen each other through the screen, sniffed and woofed (a good sign as this is a friendly greeting), and I have been told that Kendra will lay as close as she can by the screened in area to be next to Baikal. Sounds promising. This journey for Baikal and Kendra could mean the future survival of this highly endangered species, they will hopefully be adding to the numbers of Siberian Tigers alive in the world. Through a long process and what has to have been one of the most interesting moves on our part we have managed to put these two special animals together. I would like to thank the people of Winnipeg for opening their hearts to Baikal and know that he is where he belongs. As difficult as it was to see him leave the updates and connection from the staff at the Assiniboine Park Zoo make us proud to be a part of this important pairing. Most important is that Baikal is happy, healthy and hopefully soon to meet his fair lady Kendra face to face. I will keep you posted as news is sent to us. I also wanted to thank the people of our communities for understanding how important it was for Baikal to leave us to enter into this new junction of his life. We can only hope that the day will come when perhaps one of Baikal's cubs will come back to the Cherry Brook Zoo. Make us proud Baikal!

Baikal Has Left the Building

2009-06-05T07:06:00.000-07:00

Well as much as I really did not want Baikal, our magnificent male Siberian Tiger to leave he is on his way to Winnipeg. After a year of paperwork and transport arrangements he is finally on his way West to the Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg. Moving an animal of this size is not an easy task but on Wednesday morning we finally accomplished loading a 700 pound animal into a transport crate that weighed 400 pounds and loaded onto a transport trailer. We are grateful to the staff and people who volunteered to help us achieve this monumental task. To our Zoo Vet Dr. Justason thank you for the care you gave to him. Believe me when I say we will not rest easy until we know he has arrived safe and sound at his new home where a female is anxiously awaiting his arrival. We will miss Baikal as he has been a part of our lives here for many years, but the need to preserve these endangered animals outweighs any personal feelings we have. Baikal is on his way to fulfilling his destiny by mating and producing cubs that will hopefully add to a species and continue their existence. One step further in our quest to save a species from extinction. We have been tracking his progress and he has had a stop in Granby Zoo in Quebec where he was checked and given water, then early this morning he stopped at Toronto Zoo and was fed and again watered and is now getting closer to arriving at his new home in Winnipeg. He left Toronto after roaring at some staff there and then settled down for the last leg of his journey to his new life. We will let you know when he has arrived at the Assiniboine Park Zoo as their staff are watching for his arrival and with much fanfare as he deserves. For those of us here at the Cherry Brook Zoo it is a bitter sweet time but we are grateful that we have played a role in this international program to Save the Siberian Tiger. This is not an end but a beginning as we look forward to a young female companion for our senior female tiger Pam. And once again the circle continues with this species as we usher in a new arrival that will call Cherry Brook Zoo home. Make us proud Baikal and we hope one day one of your cubs will be coming back to us. To be continues...

Arctic White in the Zoo

2009-03-30T12:54:00.000-07:00

The Arctic has moved to New Brunswick with the arrival of our two young Arctic Fox. Why Arctic Fox you ask? for any reasons. We know that climate change is affecting their natural territory with the Red Fox moving further north and claiming more space it makes the Arctic Fox vulnerable. These two snow white tiny pups arrived at the Cherry Brook Zoo without any fanfare, but we feel that they deserve accolades as they will be a breeding pair that will aid in captive populations that may well be the first line of defense for these beautiful creatures. We do not know at this time how much territory they have lost, or will lose in the future if Red Fox continue to move in on their space and the ratio of predator prey becomes unbalanced.

For now we are just pleased that we can play a role in looking to the future survival of this species. Zoos as a safety net are an integral part of our conservation efforts.

Welcome to the Cherry Brook Zoo little ones. We hope to have names for you in the very near future. Any ideas just email us at noahsark@rogers.com

BUSY AT THE ZOO

2008-06-03T06:24:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't been writing lately, with the kidnapping of April the Callimico and her safe return things have gotten away from me. I thought it was time I gave a quick update on what has been happening at the zoo. I promise I will write more often and keep you informed of what we are up to.

Well things are really getting busy around here. School tours are booking in, lots of visitors coming to the zoo, and we are working on a secret project that we hope to announce soon. Hiring students for the summer and trying to get ready for our summer season is keeping us busy as well. April and her family seem to have settled in and are beginning to act normally again, that is such a relief.

We are looking for new primates but that is proving to be a challenge , we have sent a wants and surplus list out to other accredited Canadian zoos. If that doesn't work we will have to widen the search outside of Canada. That will mean a ton of paper work to get animals imported here. One of our female tigers has a really bad ingrown nail that we will have to take care of. We will need to tranquilize her to work on it. This is always a major concern both for our staff and for the animal. This lion is close to twenty years old making it even more difficult. Will keep you updated on what is happening at the zoo

Municipal Election

2008-04-17T14:56:00.000-07:00

Please take the time to read this and the information on the meetings. I am trying to line up people who will commit to being at each of the meetings so please let me know if you can do that. I am also hoping that many of you will contact each candidate and ask about funding for the zoo. If enough people ask about the Cherry Brook Zoo maybe the new Mayor and Council will realize how important it is to all citizens and that would help us with budget in the fall.

I am writing to all of you to ask for your help on behalf of the animals of the Cherry Brook Zoo. I am sure you are aware that there is a municipal election coming in the near future and with your help we should be able to contact every candidate regardless of what ward they represent. As supporters of the zoo, past, present and future I am asking you to go to a meeting - the schedule is below - and ask each candidate if elected will they be willing to return funding to the Cherry Brook Zoo. We need to know where each and every one stands in regard to the zoo. Just saying they support it is not enough, we need the city's financial support as well. You do not have to live in Saint John, or in any particular ward to call, got to the meeting or contact those people who will be our future Mayor and Council. The zoo is for all communities and if you can make it know that the zoo is not only wanted, but needed it may make all the difference to our future.

If you can attend one of the meetings please let me know - if you can call the list of each and every candidate - also below and ask them how they will support the zoo if elected - please let me know. If you can write to the Telegraph Journal to
http://www.blogger.com/ and ask these questions please let me know.

We now have a chance to make our voices heard, but only if we are willing to take action. Before the election we need to ask these questions and know how each candidate would financially support the zoo ... we asked for 1/14 of 1% of the city budget to ensure the Cherry Brook Zoo not only remains as a part of our communities but can enhance and grow. So much could be accomplished with operational funding from our city so please take the time to let them know our Zoo is important.

Please pass this message on to everyone you know and ask them to become a voice for the zoo. Thank you so much for any support you can give and for taking the time to support us in this extremely important time. Feel free to contact me with any questions or information you may need. Sorry about the crooked scan but wanted to get this to everyone I could as soon as possible. If you cannot read the scans below please let me know and I will send the into to you.

On behalf of the animals

Lynda M. Collrin, Director Zoo Development/Primatologist ,Cherry Brook Zoo Inc.
901 Foster Thurston Drive Saint John, NB, E2K 5H9Phone (506) 634-1440 Fax (506) 634-0717
http://www.cherrybrookzoo.com/

2008 Election Debates

Ward 3 - Central - Wednesday April 23, Saint John Boys and Girls Club (Paul Harris St.) 7-9 PM
Ward 2 North - Sunday April 27, North End Community Centre (Victoria St - 2-4 PM
Ward 1 - West - Tuesday April 29, Branch 69 Legion (Wilson Street) 7-9 PM
Ward 4 - East - Wednesday April 29 Latimore Lake Community Centre (Latimore Lake Rd) 7-9 PM

Mayor's Debate - May 2, St. Malachy's 7-9 PM
Candidates running:
Mayor
Ivan Court - 693-2008 or http://www.ivancourtformayor.ca/
John Ferguson - 652-5646 or http://www.fergusonformayor.ca/
Michelle Hooton - 633-7592 or http://www.michellehooton.ca/
Norm McFarlane - 652-6676 or http://www.normmcfarlane.ca/
Mike Richardson - 333-5406 or Facebook key words "Michael New Blood Richardson)

At Large
Stephen Chase - 652-2966 or http://www.stephenchase.ca/
Susan Huestis-Toner - 651-4494
Danny Jardine - 333-3711 or http://www.dannyjardine.com/
Mark LeBlanc - 640-2791
Rick Mantle - no contact info
Anne-Marie Mullin - 634-8272
Chris Titus - 672-6261 or http://www.saintjohn.ca/ the click councillors
Albert Vincent - no contact info

Ward 1 –
Owen Boyle - no contact info
Bill Farren - 674-8102 or www.billfarren.ca
Vic Fitzgerald -0 634-8608
Peter McGuire - http://www.saintjohn.ca/ then click councillors
Kathy E. Rogers -no contact info

Ward 2 - this is where the Cherry Brook Zoo is located
Patricia (Patty) Higgins - no contact info
Debbie McCormack - 634-7362
Gary Sullivan - 6321285 or http://www.garysullivan.ca/
Carl White - 650-3320 or http://www.saintjohn.ca/ then click councillor

Ward 3
Craig Allen -no contact info
Chris Belyea - 650-6451
Jay-Young Chang - 650-2351
Shelia Crouteau - no contact info
Carl Killen - 693-4229 ir http://www.carlkillen.com/
Tony Mowery - no contact info
Kurt Peacock - 333-1489
Christine Saumure - 652-8853
Donnie Snook - 693-8956 or http://www.donniesnook.com/
Carl Trickey - 639-2350

Ward 4
Bruce Court - no contact info
Teresa Debly - no contact into
Kevin Goggan - 646-0896
Carole Keddy - no contact info
Ralph Landers - 652-9512
Joe Mott - 696-9512
James (Jamie) Whelly - 696-7499

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE ZOO?

2007-12-02T07:04:00.000-08:00

Well to say it has been busy is an understatement. Since getting back from Vancouver we have held our Halloween Haunted Zoo which was a smashing success. Then it was on to getting our budget proposal to the City of Saint John, it is the first time we have sent in a request for funding since our budget was cut in 2002 so it was like doing it for the first time all over again. The bad news is I haven't heard back from them at all but I am always optimistic. So keep your fingers crossed, or better yet send an email and help us support the Zoo.

Then it was getting prepared for winter and of course making sure Gwen the DeBrazza monkey was doing just fine. I guess it is a bit of a trial separation for Outlaw and Gwen and we will be getting them back together pretty soon. Now we are working on transporting out one of our surplus Callimico marmosets, the tiny black monkey, that is part of our species survival plan. What a time to get this animal transported from Saint John to Quebec. We have had tests done and then more tests but we think we are close. Of course we had to get our permit to transport from the government as well so it looks like all may be ready to go. The next problem is waiting to see how the weather is going to be as we have to have the crate in Moncton at 4:30 AM sometime next week. Just waiting to see how the weather goes and if this coast to coast storm really hits us on Monday. Wish us luck as there is a deadline when they stop transport of animals in early December. The picture shows veterinarina Dr. Tompkins, assistant Charity and staff doing a health exam on the female Callimico and drawing blood to be sent for testing.

The Storm That Didn't Come

2007-11-05T16:39:00.000-08:00

Well I guess everyone was on high alert for the storm predicted last Saturday. I know that we tied down anything we could, removed anything we thought might blow away and then did a lock down of all the animals at the Zoo. We had a Birthday Party scheduled for Saturday afternoon and they were uncertain about being able to hold it. For many moments in time our whole concentration and efforts were put into making our animals safe and preparing for the worst. For those of us living in Saint John, New Brunswick I can only say we seem to be in one of the best areas around. We caught just the tail end of this storm that has done so much damage and destruction. Here we once again did not experience the torrential downpours and damaging winds that many other areas encountered. Yes it rained and yes it was windy but it was just a storm, no more and no less. The Birthday Party came anyway despite the fact that we had ordered no birthday cake, no food and had no tour guide for their party. They were just happy to be able to have the party at the zoo. Thanks to Marthe and Warren we managed to make this party a great one as they treated the guests with a visit from Penny the Llama and the Birthday Girl received a special ride in the cart with our Miniature Horses. All in all a good outcome for everyone concerned.

On a different note our DeBrazza Monkey's had a quarrel and Gwennie ended up with quite a cut on her hand. What is unusual is that it is normally Gwennie the young female that is being the bully to Outlaw our male. I guess Outlaw decided he had better stick up for himself and as he normally doesn't I guess Gwen got hurt in the process. She did get to visit the veterinarian Dr. Adams who put a number of stitches in her hand and she is on medication to make sure of no infection. Gwen is back home at the zoo resting quite comfortably in her recovery area and Outlaw is sitting in his enclosure most likely wondering what went wrong. We do hope these two will kiss and make up as we would very much like to see some babies in the future. I wonder if flowers would help? I will keep you updated on " The Young and The Nestless " as we follow their courtship. Wish us luck, I think we may need it. As you can see from the photo above poor Outlaw doesn't know quite what to do

Scary Brook Zoo

2007-10-29T22:21:00.001-07:00

Well we did it, another Halloween at the Cherry Brook Zoo. I know for most of you Halloween hasn't arrived yet, but here at the zoo it arrives early every year the weekend before Halloween night. As you may have read our Friday night tours were a great success, but on Saturday as show time arrived so did the rain. I thought that this would be a quiet night but to my great surprise many people showed up for the Haunted Zoo Tours. It just goes to show you how wonderful people are and despite the rain and wind they all had a great time. One more night, Sunday, and we would have made it through another Halloween. At 5:30 PM people were lining up at the door and at the Main Entrance were just myself and Len wondering where all the volunteers were and honestly beginning to get a little nervous. But as usual our volunteers came through. But what a night. The people just kept streaming in, some coming in groups of fifty at a time. With a limited number of volunteers that night and only three tour guides we wondered how we would accommodate the growing numbers of people. We ran out of supplies for my Witches Brew and suckers for the kids, but managed to get them in time for the tour coming out and the people were still lining up. We had tours leaving every fifteen minutes there were so many people. It was crazy just trying to keep up, but keep up we did. The last tour at 8:00 PM was so large we had to split it into three groups. What a night and by far the busiest we have ever had.

Thanks to the people who came out for our Halloween event over the weekend our volunteers raised over $6,000.00 for the Zoo. But to be truthful it was our volunteers and staff that came out every night that made this event a success. They were here from beginning to end and each has a story to tell about their part and there was a lot of laughter and enthusiasm from all of them. They stayed through the rain and wind and cold and made this event not only a success in raising funds for the zoo but in showing how much they truly care. For me personally their generousity and spirit only reinforces how much this zoo means to them. Thank You seems inadequate but these two words are said with my heartfelt gratitude to each and everyone of them. I don't have a full number of how many people were here for us but as soon as I do I will pass it on. I hope that you understand how important you are to the Cherry Brook Zoo and to us, for without you we could never have done it. I also want to thank you for the laughter and support, it is not only that you were here but you were here in the true spirit of volunteering and sharing your stories and laughter truly means a lot to me. You made this more than just a special event and fund raiser, you made it fun. In fact I am already thinking of new ideas for next year!

Our Halloween Special Event

2007-10-27T11:46:00.000-07:00

Well I began Friday morning watching the sun come up with Gary Mittleholtz ,from CBC Radio's Information Morning, at the Zoo. He came out to chat about Accreditation and our Callimico Goldie's and of course our Haunted Zoo taking place this weekend. We also had a visit from CBC Television to take a few shots of our preparations. It seems that CBC does read this blog, which makes me wonder how many people do. I have received a few emails that people are enjoying our new web site and the blog. Please feel free to make a comment anytime. I also hope you understand that this is a new site for us and we are on a learning curve so please bear with us.

Friday night the Cherry Brook Zoo was filled with people taking our Haunted Zoo Tours and as a fund raiser by our volunteers it was heartening to see the line ups at the door. For me it was also wonderful to see so many volunteers taking part and making this event work. I will let you know how the rest of the weekend goes and how much funds we raise doing this weekend event. I will also try and figure out how many volunteers it took so you will have an idea of how much work goes into an event such as this. Just in case you missed it on our web pages we are still running our Haunted Tours tonight (Saturday) and again tomorrow night (Sunday). Tours begin at 6:00 PM and last tour is 8:00 PM and they run on the half hour. It seems to me that everyone here truly enjoyed themselves last night and hopefully we did scare some of you. Okay from the sounds of the screams in the zoo I think we did make an impression. Our zoo has become filled with things that go bump in the dark and creatures wander the pathways and you never know what may pop out. I hope those of you who haven't made it out yet will come join us over this weekend.

As for me I have been busy gathering my potions for our Witches Brew at the end of the tours. Just a dash of this and that to warm you up before you go on your way.

I would like to say how grateful I am to so many people putting so much effort into this event, we couldn't do it without you.

Back Home at the Zoo

2007-10-24T17:37:00.000-07:00

Well we are back in the Cherry Brook Zoo and it sure feels good to be home. The plane ride home was something else and we landed at the Saint John airport amid a raging rain storm with high winds and fog. I didn't even see the runway coming just seemed to drop right out of the sky with our midnight landing. My admiration to the pilot who landed us safely back home. After a week in Vancouver, BC the day we left the sun finally came out at the airport as we were ready to leave. Had been hearing from everyone how nice the weather back home was but it seems we brought the Vancouver weather with us. Finally arriving back at the zoo at 1:00 AM we were given a wonderful greeting by our dogs who seemed happy to have us back. I have to say I missed the sounds of the zoo at night and despite the weather the sounds of the lions roaring and the tigers answering were much more normal to us than the sound of traffic in downtown Vancouver. The pile or work waiting for me does not discourage me at all, it's back to living in the zoo for me. We are getting ready for our Halloween Haunted Zoo this weekend so be sure you check out the rest of the website for info. As for me I am still stuck between BC and NB time zones so think I will call it a night. Just happy to be back in Saint John, New Brunswick a place where it's home and though it is nice to travel and see other places Saint John and the Cherry Brook Zoo are the place s where I belong.

Cherry Brook Zoo Receives Accreditation Certification

2007-10-22T15:22:00.000-07:00

Well this is our last day in Vancouver, BC and tomorrow morning we head for home in Saint John, NB. I guess the highlight of our trip to our National Conference was receiving our framed Accreditation Certification at the Awards Banquet in front of our fellow peers from across Canada. The newly revised accreditation process is a rigorous one encompassing Canadian, US and European standards all in one. Being one of the first few zoos in Canada to receive Accreditation under these new standards displays the hard work and constant efforts of Staff, Volunteers and Board Members to the Cherry Brook Zoo. Being a small facility leads some people to think we cannot work in the global environment along side the big facilities but we are here to prove you wrong. Accreditation shows we can and do meet the standards that are required; that we work in global conservation with may international breeding programs; we educate our young people and make a difference in what is happening in our world. The next time you visit us at the Cherry Brook Zoo know that you are in a facility with high standards and that work tirelessly to protect and preserve those species that struggle for survival.

Thank you to the Staff, our Volunteers and our Board of Trustees for this Award is yours to be proud of.

Canadian Zoo and Aquarium National Conference

2007-10-21T10:37:00.000-07:00

Well it's been very busy here in Vancouver, BC. for us. We have been in session and workshops and most importantly renewing our contacts with zoos from across Canada. We are excited that our work with the Callimico Goeldi (tiny monkeys from South America) is finally showing success. We began working to bring in a group to Canada for the first time seven years ago, it took five years for this to finally happen. The total group consisted of 17 primates of which the Cherry Brook Zoo took five, two breeding and three holding. We had originally opted for the two breeding pair but due to lack of space we took the holding group to ensure that this Canadian Species Survival Program would not fall through at the last minute. We met with the Callimico Management Group while in Vancouver and have made some ground breaking advances. Our two breeders have produced two offspring in October 2006 and July 2007 and all is going as it should. After the meeting with our Goeldi Management Group we are finally able to move out the holding group to three other zoos across Canada. We will be setting up breeding pairs in the Granby Zoo, Quebec, in the Valley Zoo in Edmonton, Alberta and at the Calgary Zoo in Alberta. This is a great advancement for this small group of 17 founders and allows us to establish a viable breeding population within Canada and future breeders will be produced for this highly endangered primate. It is through such cooperative species breeding programs that we at the Cherry Brook Zoo can be a part of a global species survival program, not only as a partner but as one of the founder zoos that worked for five years to establish bringing these animals into Canadian zoos for the first time. We are extremely proud of our part in the international program and the fact that it is a successful program. The future survival of these tiny primates rests on the zoos that work on the front lines and may very well be their last line of defense against extinction.

Being a part of our national association gives us the opportunity to meet and take part in this type of important conservation work that is the true mandate of our Zoos. To be a major player in the international arena shows that smaller zoos can and do work as a catalyst in species survival.

Without the support of people and corporations we would not be able to do such important work.

Zoo's From Across Canada Meet

2007-10-18T14:43:00.000-07:00

Well we are here in Vancouver, BC on the West Coast. Yes, it is beautiful here but so different from the East Coast. Never mind the rain, and I do mean rain, it is surprisingly cold. In fact I wish I had brought my winter coat and a pair of gloves. I would like to see a survey done of people that live in Vancouver to see if they ever leave home without an umbrella. When I look down from the balcony of the hotel it is a sea of umbrellas. I have to say I miss the Bay of Fundy and the beautiful fall colours that are blazing right now. It makes me appreciate where I live even more.

Well I guess I should explain what we are doing here on the West Coast. We are attending the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums national conference. We have attended a few sessions and workshops and have a few new ideas to take home with us just from the first day. We have met with our counterparts from zoos all across Canada and it gives us a chance to talk about what is happening and how they see things in their perspective. We always find that we get the most out of these conferences just from gathering and talking. We had sent some material on what the Cherry Brook Zoo did for our first annual National CAZA week last July. The committee was pretty impressed with our presentation and the idea of a barbecue seems to be a big hit and will be shown to all the delegates at our National AGM later this week. I guess that proves that you don't have to be big to have great ideas.

Well time to get back to sessions, but I will be keeping in touch and let you know more about our visit and the conference. Before I go I would like to thank everyone back home for making it possible for us to be here without worrying.

We're in Vancouver

2007-10-17T09:40:00.000-07:00

Well hi from beautiful downtown Vancouver. We are out of the Cherry Brook Zoo and into a hotel. To be honest it is a little different waking up in a hotel room with all the traffic sounds compared to waking up in the zoo with what we consider normal animal sounds. Sure miss those sounds I can tell you. The time change is also difficult to adjust to as well, four hours earlier on the East Coast which means we see the sun long before they do out here. But I don't think we will be seeing the sun while we are here as so far the weather is calling for rain every day up until Sunday and then we'll see. I did hear it is sunny at the Cherry Brook Zoo though and that makes me miss it even more. Looking down from the balcony at the hotel it seems every person in Vancouver carries an umbrella.

Rain or no rain we are heading out to find the conference hotel to register for the National Canadian Zoos and Aquariums Conference so time to put on the trench coat and head out.

Will write more later tonight now that I have the inter net working on my laptop.

I do have to add that I miss my dogs terribly, two Boxers Boo my senior girl is at home at the zoo but Bane my one year old today is at Muldoon's Kennels run by one of our zoo keepers until we come back. I hope he is doing okay.

We Are Heading for the National Conference!

2007-10-14T14:54:00.000-07:00

Yes, I'm leaving town in just two day. We are headed to Vancouver, BC for the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums National Conference. We seldom leave the zoo so this takes a lot of planning and many arrangements. First we have to have someone stay here 24/7 to take our place (that would be my daughter and her husband with my son on call just in case). Then we have to make sure the dogs are taken care of, with two Boxers that can be a problem. Okay the problem is the 65 pound puppy named Bane who has no manners and will be going to stay with one of our zoo keepers at her kennel's Muldoon's Kennels, had to mention the name for her. The older Boxer will be remaining at home at the Zoo. Okay, that's taken care of, I hope. Now just have to make sure the zoo staff are all on call and that other staff are lined up. One can only hope. To be truthful we have great staff and they always come through for us so not much to worry about there. But worry I do, that's just the way it is, I guess because we are so used to being here all the time it makes it difficult to just go.

Attending these conferences are important and we cannot miss being there. This is the time each year that decisions are made and national board members are elected so if you want to be a part of the big picture you have to make the effort to be invoved. After all it is this organization that is responsible for our Accreditation inspections and this year we can relax as we were Accredited once again in 2007 for a five year term. Not as easy as it might sound and something that we are greatly proud of. But I will explain that sometime later.

I will be bring my laptop so that I can keep in touch and send you some info on this years conference, so stay tuned for some updates from Vancouver, BC.

Last Week Of Zoo Camp and Summer Students

2007-08-27T08:13:00.000-07:00

This is the last week for our Junior Zoo Keeper Day Camp. I know that next Monday will be a quiet one here in the zoo. Believe it or not I will miss the sounds of all the kids when they arrive on Monday morning so excited and enthusiastic. This does not mean we will not be busy, now is the time of year we begin preparing for our fall activities. We will be holding a Volunteer Recruitment in September ( near the end but give us a call at the zoo or email after the long weekend and we will have a date set). Of course recruitment means training sessions so they will also have to be set up. We will also begin our plans for our Halloween Haunted Zoo that is held every hear the weekend before Halloween and we will be adding some new twists for you this year so keep and eye on the web site for upcoming news in October.

Sadly to say this will also be the last week of our summer students, and we will miss then greatly. For my husband Len and I it may be a selfish reason as it means we are back to our curfew of 4:00 PM. Yes you read that right, we have to be in the zoo by 4:00 PM everyday now until the students arrive next summer. During the summer months we are allowed out together until 8:00 PM and can even go out to supper. I know that right now some of you are thinking are we crazy? Maybe we are, but this is the life we chose and this is the commitment we have made. Most of the time it is pretty nice and we have shared quiet walks through the zoo together after everyone is gone, and it is here that we find our passion and belief in this Zoo has not changed since we moved in so many years ago. Maybe my next blog will be the beginning, for to understand where the zoo is now we sometimes have to look to the past. Thanks for joining me. Hope you have a great week. For now it is time for me to get back to work :-)

Near Summers End

2007-08-22T11:19:00.000-07:00

As much as I hate to see it summer is soon coming to an end.
I can feel the crispness in the air and the animal sounds seem
to echo in the dusk. Last night I watched a flock of eight loons
pass over my deck getting ready for their journey. There are
certain things that indicate seasons to me and the loons are
one of them. In the spring I see the buds coming out on the
trees and soon I find it difficult to spot the zebra in their
field below me and then I see the loons coming back and
I know that spring is truly here. Today I noticed that the
zebra are pretty visible and now the loons winging their
way past my deck in the zoo tells me it is time to look
to the fall season. Not an end but a beginning of another
beautiful season at the zoo when the trees erupt in colour
and the animals become more active.

Big Cats and Meteors

2007-08-13T19:34:00.000-07:00

I thought the first thing I would share would be something that seems simple but when I think about it is actually pretty amazing.

I was waiting for the meteor shower to begin on Saturday night, clear sky, not too much ambient light and a great view from my deck in the Zoo. I was patient waiting for any sign in the clear night sky and sure enough I saw two meteors shoot across the sky in mere seconds. It was then the African Lions began roaring and the Siberian Tigers called back and the unique sound of the Snow Leopard came through the night and amidst this call of the wild in my back yard four more meteors shot across the sky. This is when it came to me how special things I take for granted are, standing in the dark among the tree tops watching meteors streak across the sky with the sound of animals roaring, each with their own special sound I can pick each one out. What was simple suddenly seemed so much more.