Open Daily, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
$20 adults, $15 children
Open Daily, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
$20 adults, $15 children
For more information:
Ryan Bickel, 515-988-9485
rpbickel@blankparkzoo.org
Pupper the Sea Lion Passes Away
Pictures and Videos, located here: https://goo.gl/D3c9GJ
DES MOINES, Iowa (August 31, 2018) – Blank Park Zoo’s elderly female sea lion, ‘Pupper,’ passed away yesterday. She was 29 years old.
“Pupper was a favorite animal of many Zoo guests and will be missed,” said Mark Vukovich, Blank Park Zoo CEO. “She was a great ambassador for aquatic wildlife, reminding us to make sustainable seafood choices and reduce the use of plastics which are a major cause of problems for aquatic animals.”
Keepers described her as intelligent and having a strong-willed personality that kept everyone ‘on their toes.’
Visitors will remember Pupper for jumping out of the water, waving at guests, teaching people about sustainable seafood choices and performing behaviors that assisted in her healthcare. Keepers said that Pupper played a crucial role in the development of the Zoo’s sea lion training program and she made a lasting impact with everyone who worked with her.
A necropsy was performed at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine Department of Veterinary Pathology Diagnostic Services to determine the cause of death. Preliminary results show she had a chronic condition that will be fully diagnosed with additional testing. While she was under veterinary care for chronic age related conditions, she did not display any new outward symptoms or behaviors in the past few weeks that would indicate she was in any pain.
Pupper was born at Blank Park Zoo on June 7, 1989 and was the oldest resident at the Hub Harbor Seal and Sea Lion Pool. According to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the median life expectancy of a California sea lion in human care is 23.3 years.
Due to this news, Blank Park Zoo has decided to delay the release of the name finalists for the harbor seal pup until Tuesday, September 4.
About Sea Lions
Sea Lions are mammals and belong to a group of animals known as pinnipeds. They live in large colonies along the shoreline for protection and are highly intelligent animals. They are found in most of the worlds coastlines except the Northern Atlantic. While their conservation status is considered ‘least concern’ by the IUCN Red List, they are facing pressures such as lack of a food source from over fishing and plastic pollution in the ocean. Males can be much larger than females and the weight of a sea lion can vary as they gain weight in anticipation of the winter months.
About Plastic
One of the main hazards to ocean wildlife is discarded plastics, which affect nearly 700 ocean species. 18 billion pounds of plastic end up in the ocean every year. Animals become entangled and deaths occur from plastic exposure including non-biodegradable fishing nets and plastic packaging materials. More than 40 percent of plastics produced are used once and then disposed. Instead of biodegrading, plastics break down into smaller fragments, which can last for centuries, yet working life of many plastic bags is just 15 minutes.
How to Reduce Plastic Demand:
You can reduce the demand for plastic by not using plastic straws at home or at restaurants. Use reusable grocery/produce bags as well as reusable utensils. Use refillable water bottles instead of single use plastic bottles. Utilize reusable containers to store food. Re-use old containers and jars. Use a lunchbox to transport food to school or work instead of a plastic bag, and avoid produce wrapped in plastic.
Take the pledge to reduce plastic use and ‘stomp the straw’ at: https://www.blankparkzoo.com/stomp
About Making Sustainable Seafood Choices
Blank Park Zoo recommends using the Seafood Watch App from the Monterrey Bay Aquarium to help make good sustainable seafood choices.
Sources
Pictures and Videos, located here: https://goo.gl/D3c9GJ
About Blank Park Zoo
Blank Park Zoo, Iowa’s WILDEST Adventure, is open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. every day. Admission rates are $14 for adults, $8 for children under 12, and $11 for seniors and active military. Children two years and under and Blank Park Zoo members are free. The Zoo is located at 7401 SW 9th St., Des Moines, IA 50315. Visit the Zoo online at http://www.blankparkzoo.com. The Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) The AZA is America’s leading accrediting organization that sets rigorous, professional standards for zoos and aquariums. The AZA is building North America's largest wildlife conservation movement by engaging and inspiring the 143 million annual visitors to its member institutions and their communities to care about and take action to help protect wildlife.
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For more information:
Ryan Bickel, 515-988-9485
rpbickel@blankparkzoo.org
Pupper the Sea Lion Passes Away
Pictures and Videos, located here: https://goo.gl/D3c9GJ
DES MOINES, Iowa (August 31, 2018) – Blank Park Zoo’s elderly female sea lion, ‘Pupper,’ passed away yesterday. She was 29 years old.
“Pupper was a favorite animal of many Zoo guests and will be missed,” said Mark Vukovich, Blank Park Zoo CEO. “She was a great ambassador for aquatic wildlife, reminding us to make sustainable seafood choices and reduce the use of plastics which are a major cause of problems for aquatic animals.”
Keepers described her as intelligent and having a strong-willed personality that kept everyone ‘on their toes.’
Visitors will remember Pupper for jumping out of the water, waving at guests, teaching people about sustainable seafood choices and performing behaviors that assisted in her healthcare. Keepers said that Pupper played a crucial role in the development of the Zoo’s sea lion training program and she made a lasting impact with everyone who worked with her.
A necropsy was performed at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine Department of Veterinary Pathology Diagnostic Services to determine the cause of death. Preliminary results show she had a chronic condition that will be fully diagnosed with additional testing. While she was under veterinary care for chronic age related conditions, she did not display any new outward symptoms or behaviors in the past few weeks that would indicate she was in any pain.
Pupper was born at Blank Park Zoo on June 7, 1989 and was the oldest resident at the Hub Harbor Seal and Sea Lion Pool. According to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the median life expectancy of a California sea lion in human care is 23.3 years.
Due to this news, Blank Park Zoo has decided to delay the release of the name finalists for the harbor seal pup until Tuesday, September 4.
About Sea Lions
Sea Lions are mammals and belong to a group of animals known as pinnipeds. They live in large colonies along the shoreline for protection and are highly intelligent animals. They are found in most of the worlds coastlines except the Northern Atlantic. While their conservation status is considered ‘least concern’ by the IUCN Red List, they are facing pressures such as lack of a food source from over fishing and plastic pollution in the ocean. Males can be much larger than females and the weight of a sea lion can vary as they gain weight in anticipation of the winter months.
About Plastic
One of the main hazards to ocean wildlife is discarded plastics, which affect nearly 700 ocean species. 18 billion pounds of plastic end up in the ocean every year. Animals become entangled and deaths occur from plastic exposure including non-biodegradable fishing nets and plastic packaging materials. More than 40 percent of plastics produced are used once and then disposed. Instead of biodegrading, plastics break down into smaller fragments, which can last for centuries, yet working life of many plastic bags is just 15 minutes.
How to Reduce Plastic Demand:
You can reduce the demand for plastic by not using plastic straws at home or at restaurants. Use reusable grocery/produce bags as well as reusable utensils. Use refillable water bottles instead of single use plastic bottles. Utilize reusable containers to store food. Re-use old containers and jars. Use a lunchbox to transport food to school or work instead of a plastic bag, and avoid produce wrapped in plastic.
Take the pledge to reduce plastic use and ‘stomp the straw’ at: https://www.blankparkzoo.com/stomp
About Making Sustainable Seafood Choices
Blank Park Zoo recommends using the Seafood Watch App from the Monterrey Bay Aquarium to help make good sustainable seafood choices.
Sources
Pictures and Videos, located here: https://goo.gl/D3c9GJ
About Blank Park Zoo
Blank Park Zoo, Iowa’s WILDEST Adventure, is open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. every day. Admission rates are $14 for adults, $8 for children under 12, and $11 for seniors and active military. Children two years and under and Blank Park Zoo members are free. The Zoo is located at 7401 SW 9th St., Des Moines, IA 50315. Visit the Zoo online at http://www.blankparkzoo.com. The Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) The AZA is America’s leading accrediting organization that sets rigorous, professional standards for zoos and aquariums. The AZA is building North America's largest wildlife conservation movement by engaging and inspiring the 143 million annual visitors to its member institutions and their communities to care about and take action to help protect wildlife.
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DES MOINES, Iowa (August 31, 2018) – Blank Park Zoo’s elderly female sea lion, ‘Pupper,’ passed away yesterday. She was 29 years old.
“Pupper was a favorite animal of many Zoo guests and will be missed,” said Mark Vukovich, Blank Park Zoo CEO. “She was a great ambassador for aquatic wildlife, reminding us to make sustainable seafood choices and reduce the use of plastics which are a major cause of problems for aquatic animals.”
Keepers described her as intelligent and having a strong-willed personality that kept everyone ‘on their toes.’
Visitors will remember Pupper for jumping out of the water, waving at guests, teaching people about sustainable seafood choices and performing behaviors that assisted in her healthcare. Keepers said that Pupper played a crucial role in the development of the Zoo’s sea lion training program and she made a lasting impact with everyone who worked with her.
A necropsy was performed at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine Department of Veterinary Pathology Diagnostic Services to determine the cause of death. Preliminary results show she had a chronic condition that will be fully diagnosed with additional testing. While she was under veterinary care for chronic age related conditions, she did not display any new outward symptoms or behaviors in the past few weeks that would indicate she was in any pain.
Pupper was born at Blank Park Zoo on June 7, 1989 and was the oldest resident at the Hub Harbor Seal and Sea Lion Pool. According to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the median life expectancy of a California sea lion in human care is 23.3 years.
Due to this news, Blank Park Zoo has decided to delay the release of the name finalists for the harbor seal pup until Tuesday, September 4.
About Sea Lions
Sea Lions are mammals and belong to a group of animals known as pinnipeds. They live in large colonies along the shoreline for protection and are highly intelligent animals. They are found in most of the worlds coastlines except the Northern Atlantic. While their conservation status is considered ‘least concern’ by the IUCN Red List, they are facing pressures such as lack of a food source from over fishing and plastic pollution in the ocean. Males can be much larger than females and the weight of a sea lion can vary as they gain weight in anticipation of the winter months.
About Plastic
One of the main hazards to ocean wildlife is discarded plastics, which affect nearly 700 ocean species. 18 billion pounds of plastic end up in the ocean every year. Animals become entangled and deaths occur from plastic exposure including non-biodegradable fishing nets and plastic packaging materials. More than 40 percent of plastics produced are used once and then disposed. Instead of biodegrading, plastics break down into smaller fragments, which can last for centuries, yet working life of many plastic bags is just 15 minutes.
How to Reduce Plastic Demand:
You can reduce the demand for plastic by not using plastic straws at home or at restaurants. Use reusable grocery/produce bags as well as reusable utensils. Use refillable water bottles instead of single use plastic bottles. Utilize reusable containers to store food. Re-use old containers and jars. Use a lunchbox to transport food to school or work instead of a plastic bag, and avoid produce wrapped in plastic.
Take the pledge to reduce plastic use and ‘stomp the straw’ at: https://www.blankparkzoo.com/stomp
About Making Sustainable Seafood Choices
Blank Park Zoo recommends using the Seafood Watch App from the Monterrey Bay Aquarium to help make good sustainable seafood choices.
Sources
About Blank Park Zoo
Blank Park Zoo, Iowa’s WILDEST Adventure, is open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. every day. Admission rates are $14 for adults, $8 for children under 12, and $11 for seniors and active military. Children two years and under and Blank Park Zoo members are free. The Zoo is located at 7401 SW 9th St., Des Moines, IA 50315. Visit the Zoo online at http://www.blankparkzoo.com. The Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) The AZA is America’s leading accrediting organization that sets rigorous, professional standards for zoos and aquariums. The AZA is building North America's largest wildlife conservation movement by engaging and inspiring the 143 million annual visitors to its member institutions and their communities to care about and take action to help protect wildlife.
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