A few of the locals at the Placitas Appreciation Day event.
Photos By Tom Ashe
A male siamang gibbon (Hylobates syndactylus). Siamangs are small apes from the mountainous rainforests of Indonesia.
BioPark babies are welcome additions to rare species
The ABQ BioPark is pleased to announce several significant births: a siamang gibbon, a takin, and three blue suckers. These births are important additions to their species, which are endangered or threatened in the wild.
A male siamang gibbon (Hylobates syndactylus) was born on March 16, 2010. Siamangs are small apes from the mountainous rainforests of Indonesia.
Even after several efforts by staff to help, the first-time mother could not position the baby, named Noah, for feeding. When he started losing weight and showing signs of illness, zoo staff decided to hand-raise him.
Like a human baby, Noah needs milk every couple of hours and sleeps a lot. Exercise is an important part of his daily routine. In the wild, a newborn clings to the mother as she swings through the trees. Keepers help this young one build strength through stretches and exercise.
The baby siamang cannot be seen by the public yet. Zookeepers hope to reintroduce him to the siamang exhibit after he is old enough to come to them for feedings.
The breeding was a recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Siamangs are part of a Species Survival Plan, which helps ensure a healthy and genetically diverse North American population. Siamangs are endangered due to illegal pet trade and deforestation for palm oil production.
A takin (Budorcas taxicolor tibetana) was born on April 22, 2010. The young female has been named Kai Xin, which means joy in Mandarin. Mother and baby are doing well and can be viewed in the takin exhibit near the giraffes and zebras.
Takin are goat-like animals with stocky bodies, shaggy fur, and curved horns. Baby takin, called kids, walk almost immediately.
Takin are native to eastern Asia. At home in the harsh Himalayas, they are built to withstand cold with oily, water-repellent skin and a dense undercoat. Takin live in herds ranging from 20-300 members. Large in size, they have few natural predators to fear. However, habitat destruction and overhunting by humans threaten their survival. All takin subspecies are either threatened or endangered.
Three blue sucker fish (Cycleptus elongates) hatched at the aquarium in May. Blue suckers are native to the Rio Grande. These fish can grow to around 30 inches in length. Their downward-facing mouth is ideal for eating algae and insect larvae from the river bottom.
The BioPark cares for seven adults from a rare subspecies, whose entire population may consist of fewer than 20 individuals. Blue suckers are rare in the wild due to pollution and drought.
The blue sucker fry are being raised behind-the-scenes at the aquarium’s Native Species Rearing and Breeding Facility. The facility is home to several other rare and endangered species, including the Rio Grande silvery minnow and Texas hornshell mussel.
In addition to these rarities, the BioPark is pleased to announce several more births:
• A female Grant’s zebra was born on May 18. The zebra has been named Mandy.
• Five roadrunners hatched in late May and are being hand-reared by zookeepers. Zoos in Europe are interested in roadrunners, and these hatchlings may one day introduce Europeans to our state bird.
• Aquarists are caring for a baby clownfish and a redfin needlefish. The eggs were collected from aquarium exhibits. The young fish are very small and will remain off exhibit for several more months.
Diana Stetson, “Look Just Look.” —Limited Edition Etching Image 12x12
Framed with acid free mat and plexiglass. Framed approx. 24x24’
Artists for animals
The work and achievements of the Humane Society of New Mexico are worth celebrating. Since 2006, the Humane Society has successfully reported adoption rates nearing 100% for all healthy cats and dogs. They have also managed to decrease the euthanasia rate by over 55% while assisting shelters statewide with adoption assistance and animal take in. For an animal shelter, this is nothing short of a great achievement and its success is due in part to the annual “Artists for the Animals” charity art soiree and auction.
“Artists for the Animals” will be hosted at the National Hispanic Cultural Center on Saturday, August 14th from 6 to 9pm. The event will feature a silent auction, a raffle with non-art prizes, live music from Hill & Hip Pocket, a groovy R&B band, hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and even a handful of adorable pups who can be adopted. Tickets to the event are $60.00 and are available for purchase online at www.animalhumanenm.org.
The “Artists for the Animals” fundraiser brings together New Mexico’s burgeoning art community in honor of its animal population. Artists from around New Mexico, including works from the Corrales Bosque Gallery as well as Cynthia Cook, recipient of the 2010 Santa Fe Spanish Market best-in-show award, and over 150 other well known and hobby artists, donate their works to benefit New Mexico’s cats and dogs. This event offers both art and animal lovers a unique opportunity to enjoy some of New Mexico’s finest art.
All donations and funds raised from the event help to ensure the success of the Humane Society’s numerous proactive animal care programs. Located in Albuquerque and its surrounding areas, the humane society offers dog training classes, low cost animal care, spay and neuter services, and even an animal behavior hotline for both pets and pet owners. These programs have proven to be so successful and necessary that on any given day, the animal health clinic on Zuni and Wyoming, the Humane Society’s headquarters, has a line around the block as loving pet-owners bring their animals in for emergency care or spay and neutering services. The goal, says the Humane Society, is to ensure that pet owners are not forced to surrender their family pets due to lack of financial resources or animal care and training.
Offering New Mexicans an opportunity to properly care for their animals helps to ensure that the cat and dog population is maintained at a healthy level, a task that is not easy to achieve. The ultimate goal for the Humane Society of New Mexico is to help keep animals in loving homes while also decreasing the costs of animal care for families in need.
Corrales Bosque Gallery Featured artists:
Jeanine Allen
Barbara Clark
Britt Densford
Roger Evans
Margot Geist
Andy Goldschmidt
Elzbieta Kaleta
Mel Miller
Mariana Roumell-Gasteyer
Dianna Shomaker
Diana Stetson
Emily Timberlake
Karen Umland
Juan Wijngaard
Fred Yost
Judith Young
Allen Edgar |
Other participating artists include:
Cynthia Cook
Charlie Burk
JD Wellborn
Fernando Delgado
Ann Dunlap
Marjie Bassler
Mary Ann Weems
Krysteen Waszak |
