Buffalo Zoo Welcomes New General Curator

The Buffalo Zoo has hired Ms. Malia Somerville as their new general curator.

Ms. Somerville grew up in Buffalo and attended City Honors High School. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Psychology from William Smith College, and a master’s degree in conservation biology from American University. Throughout her career, she has worked for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and has been at the National Zoo in Washington D.C.

Buffalo native Malia Somerville is the Zoo's new general curator.

The general curator is responsible for managing the Zoo’s animal collection.

The Buffalo Zoo wishes a very happy retirement to Gerry Aquilina, the Zoo’s former curator, who has been working at the Zoo since 1975.

Buffalo Zoo Ships Tadpoles As Part of a Major Wildlife Conservation Effort

by Katrina McIntosh, reptile keeper at the Buffalo Zoo

The Buffalo Zoo shipped out over 1400 Puerto Rican crested toad tadpoles on November 19 2013 to be released back into the wild in Puerto Rico!

The Puerto Rican crested toad is an amazing amphibian! Within 24 hours after eggs are laid, tadpoles hatch and cling to their egg strands.  At this point they look like swirly blobs. After another 12- 24 hours pass, they become free-swimming tadpoles. They develop back legs within 10 days. Front legs appear a few days later. Shortly after developing these front legs, they will emerge from the water and live on land. The tadpoles still have a little of their tails left when they start living on land. They will absorb the remainder of these tails within a day or two. Once they no longer have tails they will start to eat smaller versions of what the adult toads eat. This whole process takes about 21 days which is incredibly fast for an amphibian!

An emerging Puerto Rican Crested Toad tadpole.

Since these tadpoles grow so quickly, every day they look bigger and have new changes. As an animal keeper at the Zoo, it is exciting to see the changes and watch them grow into toads. The Buffalo Zoo usually ships tadpoles around a week after they hatch, so that they are still small enough to ship safely. We participate in a Species Survival Plan (SSP) for this species.

An adult Puerto Rican crested toad.

All of the tadpoles we released this year were from one set of parents. The female is about 7 years old and the male is 2 years old.  A lot of preparation is made for breeding these toads. First, the toads go through a cooling cycle. This is where they are placed in an area where they are cooled to 66°F for about a month.  This encourages the female to produce eggs. Once they are done being cooled, they are then fed for a week straight. After they have had a week at their normal temperatures of 86°F they are then placed in a large tub that is half-full of water. This tub is set up 2 months prior to the breeding to grow green algae which the tadpoles will eat. There are fake plants, ceramic pots, and floating hide huts in these tubs to give the toads access to land areas and lots of items for the female to lay her eggs around. We even set up a sprinkler to act as rain in the tub. The toads tend to breed during rain events in Puerto Rico, so the rain bar mimics rain. While the female lays her eggs, the male rides around on her back fertilizing them through external fertilization. Once all eggs are laid, the toads are removed from the tub and placed into tanks where they will be feed daily for a week and monitored closely. The parents are removed so as not to disturb the delicate eggs. Within 24 hours of the eggs being laid tadpoles will hatch.

Katrina McIntosh packs tadpoles before shipping to Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rican crested toads were nearly extinct by 1980 due to habitat destruction and predation. As a result of conservation efforts and programs by zoos, there are now some stable populations of these toads in the wild. It is very rewarding to work with this program and to know that the Buffalo Zoo is doing our part to help save the Puerto Rican crested toads.

Kick and stretch! Itty Bitty Animal Yoga is registering for Spring 2014

The Zoo is Sproutin’ Yoga!  The spring term for Itty Bitty Yoga at the Buffalo Zoo begins in February. Come join us for Itty Bitty Animal Yoga and let your little ones stretch their bodies and their imagination as we eagerly welcome spring. Through interactive games, animal encounters, animated postures, and basic yoga principles, we will enjoy a unique opportunity to foster creativity, focus, and movement while learning more about animals at the Buffalo Zoo.  This program is for children ages 6-23 months.  Visit the Zoo’s website or call (716) 995-6128 for more information.  

BlueCross BlueShield of WNY helps keep Polar Bears in Buffalo

--BCBS Employees Donate $5,000 for Construction of New Polar Bear Habitat--

 

BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York (BCBS) presented a check in the amount of $5,000 to Donna Fernandes, President of the Buffalo Zoo to help fund the construction of the zoo’s Arctic Edge Polar Bear Habitat. The $5,000 raised by BCBS employees, is in addition to the  company’s 5-year, $50,000 commitment to the habitat. 

Thursday’s presentation took place in the cafeteria at the BCBS headquarters in front of a large group of employees to honor them for their hard work. The money was raised through grass-roots efforts including a company bake sale and loose change jars. 

Steve Swift, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York and a trustee of the Buffalo Zoological Society, presented the check, along with two adorable stuffed polar bears, to Fernandes.

 “As a company we have always recognized how important the Buffalo Zoo is to our community.,” said Swift, “Our employees did a great job to support this regional asset, and especially the polar bears.”

Celebrate the Polar Bear Cubs' Birthdays at the Buffalo Zoo!

Come to a special birthday party for Luna and Kali the polar bear cubs at the Buffalo Zoo!

The event will take place on Saturday, November 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will be free with regular Zoo admission.

Polar Bear Cubs Kali and Luna (June, 2013)

There will be a variety of family-friendly activities in the Zoo’s reptile house, adjacent to the cubs’ current location in the tiger exhibit. Visitors will be able to warm up with hot chocolate, play pin the bear on the iceberg, sign a birthday card for the cubs, and learn about energy conservation while decorating light switch plates to take home.  There will also be special programs in front of the cubs’ exhibit during the event. The complete schedule follows: 

• 10 a.m. – Birthday cake for the cubs
• 11 a.m. – Birthday presents for the cubs
• 11:30 a.m. – Q&A with the cubs’ keeper and second mommy, Caitlyn
• 12 p.m. – Sing “Happy Birthday” to the cubs
• 1 p.m. – Birthday presents for the cubs
• 1:30 p.m. – Q&A with the cubs’ surrogate mommy, Alice

Luna was born at the Buffalo Zoo on November 27, 2012. She was hand-raised by the Zoo’s veterinary technician and keeper staff. Kali was orphaned in the wild and brought to the Buffalo Zoo in May. He is presumed to be about a month younger than Luna. The Zoo has decided to celebrate their birthdays at the same time with this special event for visitors.

The Buffalo Zoo 2014 Wall Calendar Is Here!

The Women’s Board of the Buffalo Zoo is pleased to present the 2014 Buffalo Zoo Calendar!

The wall calendar showcases the Zoo’s animals in stunning full-color photos taken during their annual photo contest. It highlights Zoo events as well as fun facts about all of the animals pictured.

Calendars are available for $10 each and may be purchased in the Zootique gift shop, by calling (716) 995-6131, or by mail using the form below. All proceeds from the wall calendars will benefit the Zoo’s Adopt An Animal program, which provides food for the animals.

Use this form if you want to order a calendar via snail mail!

The Buffalo Zoo would like to thank our generous sponsors of the 2014 calendar:

• Baby Room
• Blue Collar / Modern Nostalgia
• Bob & Johns La Hacienda
• Colvin Market Deli and Grill
• Ettore-Winter Photography
• Fairy Cakes Cupcakery
• Fleet Feet Sports
• Johnny’s Meats & Italian Specialties
• Markheim Tropical Fish & Pet Store, Inc.
• Michael Donnelly Interior Design
• Talking Leaves Books
• TreeHouse Toy Store

Want to see your photography featured in next year's calendar? Click here for more information about the Zoo's annual photography contest.

Tickets Now Available for Breakfast with Santa!

The Buffalo Zoo invites you and your family to celebrate the holidays with Santa and the Zoo animals!

The Zoo will host its annual Breakfast with Santa events on December 14, 15, 21, and 22. There will be two seatings each day at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Prepaid, nonrefundable tickets are required due to limited seating. Ticket prices for non-members are $15 for adults and $12 for children. Members will receive a $3 discount. Children under the age of 24 months will be admitted for free.

Tickets include a buffet breakfast provided by CJ’s Catering, family-friendly activities, and a visit with Santa!

For more information, please call (716) 995-6133. You can purchase your tickets below (or click here to purchase tickets)!

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Click Here to visit the Brown Paper Tickets event page.

Help the Bears Just by Helping the Planet!

Want an easy way to help the Buffalo Zoo build a new polar bear exhibit? We've teamed up with myActions.org, the social network for the planet to give you just that! By participating in our 15-day challenge, you'll be able to increase your own energy conservation efforts while helping us to raise money for the new Arctic Edge exhibit.

It's super easy! Starting on September 21, you can just click here to sign up and join the Arctic Edge challenge. Select one of our animal teams and then click the yellow "Sign up and Join this team" button.

The 15-day challenge is simple. All you have to do is complete 15 actions in 15 days. The actions can be almost anything that conserves energy, from riding your bike to recycling a can!  After joining a team, you can explore the site to see the categories of actions you and your family can start doing to help the planet (and save polar bears!) To choose an action, just click on the item that closely matches the action you have accomplished.

For every conservation action you do, myActions.org will donate up to $0.50 per action to the Arctic Edge exhibit. Not only will you be helping to protect the polar bears' shrinking natural habitat, but you'll be helping the Buffalo Zoo's polar bears too! Joining is free and easy, so please join the challenge today and become part of this great online green community!

Tashi is Pregnant! Celebrate with us on World Rhino Day!

The Buffalo Zoo’s Indian rhinoceros, Tashi, is pregnant.

Lead rhino keeper Joe Hauser, Tashi, Dr. Monica Stoops, and Dr. Kurt Volle

The Zoo participated in an experimental Artificial Insemination (AI) procedure, and is one of the first zoos in the world to have a successful Indian rhino AI pregnancy. A team of keepers and veterinarians from the Buffalo Zoo worked with Dr. Monica Stoops from the Center of Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW) based at the Cincinnati Zoo to help with the AI process.

Tashi the Indian Rhino

The procedure took place in February of 2013. If Tashi remains healthy and the pregnancy successfully goes to term, keepers expect that she will give birth in June of 2014. The pregnancy is an important step towards global rhino conservation, and is already proving invaluable to the research efforts of CREW and the rhinoceros species survival plan (SSP.)

Anyone interested in learning more about Tashi’s pregnancy, or about global rhino conservation should attend the Buffalo Zoo’s World Rhino Day event. On Sunday, September 22, the Zoo will host a special lecture by Joe Hauser, the Zoo’s lead rhino keeper. The event, which runs from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. in the Children’s Resource Center (CRC,) will also feature raffles and refreshments. Tickets are only $5 at the door, and all proceeds will benefit the International Rhino Foundation. Reservations are recommended, but not required. For more information, call (716) 995-6133.

World Rhino Day is a global day of recognition and celebration of the five species of rhinoceros. It was first celebrated by World Wildlife Fund (WWF) South Africa in 2010 and has since become a worldwide day of awareness and appreciation for these beautiful animals.

Polar Bear Cubs Temporarily Off Exhibit

The Buffalo Zoo’s two famous polar bear cubs, Luna and Kali, will be temporarily off exhibit beginning on Thursday, September 19.

The Zoo is moving the cubs to a different area of the Zoo in order to relocate them to a larger exhibit space.

Zoo officials expect that the cubs will take about a week to adjust to their new holding area. After that time, the cubs will be back on exhibit in the Zoo’s current tiger exhibit. The tigers, which are a nocturnal species, will take turns on the exhibit with the cubs, and will have access to the exhibit in the evening and overnight.

The Zoo will announce when the cubs are on exhibit in their new space. Anyone who plans to visit the Zoo to see a specific animal is encouraged to call the Zoo before visiting at (716) 837-3900.

Get Ready for Polar Obsession! A National Geographic Live Event

The Buffalo Zoo will team up with Kleinhans Music Hall to present the Western New York debut of National Geographic Live: An Evening with Paul Nicklen.

The event will take place on Tuesday, March 4, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. at Kleinhans.

Paul Nicklen is a renowned National Geographic photographer and biologist, working mostly in arctic climates. A unique childhood among the Inuit in Canada’s Arctic and a professional background as a biologist enable Nicklen to take on the most inhospitable places on our planet, often working in sub-zero temperatures. His images reflect a reverence for the creatures inhabiting these isolated and threatened environments, and he hopes that his work will put real faces on climate change, making it impossible to ignore.

Photo by Paul Nicklen. Courtesy of National Geographic.

Nicklen recently earned one of photography’s highest honors, the Veolia Environment Wildlife Photographer of the Year award (2012) for his photographs of emperor penguins under the ice, one of more than 20 top honors he has collected since he began his photographic career in 1995. He is the author of Polar Obsession (2009), a pictorial celebration of the polar ecosystems where he has spent most of his life.

The topic of Nicklen’s presentation will be Polar Obsession. The event will be an hour-long presentation with accompanying photography and video clips, followed by a question and answer session moderated by Dr. Donna Fernandes, President/CEO of the Buffalo Zoo.

General admission tickets cost $25. Members of the Buffalo Zoo and the Buffalo Museum of Science and Buffalo Philharmonic subscribers can purchase tickets for a discounted price of $20. Student tickets are available for $10 with a valid student I.D.

Special V.I.P. tickets will be available. The $75 package includes a one-hour meet-and-greet session with Paul Nicklen preceding the presentation, as well as refreshments, polar bear themed gifts, and priority seating. Tickets are available online or by calling the Kleinhans box office at (716) 885-5000.

Meet our latest addition!!

The Buffalo Zoo is celebrating the birth of a baby western lowland gorilla.

The baby was born on Wednesday, September 4 at 12:44 p.m. to first-time mother, 12-year-old Lily, and father, 26-year-old Koga. Lily has displayed strong maternal instincts and is taking great care of the troop’s latest addition. Keepers have not been able to get close enough to the baby to determine its gender, though they believe it is a girl. Both mother and baby are doing well.

Photos by Kelly Brown - Registrar, Buffalo Zoo

During Lily’s pregnancy, the keeper staff at the Buffalo Zoo was able to monitor the baby’s growth using ultrasound technology. Lily had been trained to present her abdomen to keepers and remain calm during the ultrasound process, so she did not need to be anesthetized in order to obtain images of the fetus. The team worked with Bridget Gilewski, RT, RDMS of Baby’s Bungalow in North Tonawanda, who volunteered to assist with the ultrasound readings. The Buffalo Zoo is one of the only zoos to have successfully measured the development of a western lowland gorilla in utero. Their research is important to the study and husbandry of gorillas.

The baby will join the gorilla troop, including her parents as well as females Sydney and Amari, in their exhibit daily. During this sensitive time, the gorillas will be given access to their interior holding areas, should they desire more privacy. Visitors are advised that the gorillas may not always be visible, but are encouraged to check back often!

The gestation period of gorillas is eight and a half months. Gorillas begin walking when they are between three and six months of age, and are weaned around three years of age.

Western lowland gorillas are found in the lowland tropical forests of central Africa. The species is critically endangered due to loss of habitat as well as the bush meat trade. 

Photos by Kelly Brown - Registrar, Buffalo Zoo

Shop for the Zoo Animals at Tops Friendly Markets

Help fill the pantry for the Buffalo Zoo’s animals this fall and winter! On Saturday, August 17, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., shoppers at participating Tops Friendly Markets locations will have the opportunity to purchase an extra gift for the Zoo to help keep the animals happy and healthy.

After selecting items from the Zoo’s grocery wish list, which will be provided at each location, shoppers can leave their gift with a Zoo volunteer in the store lobby. All of these generous donations will then be used as special enrichment treats to promote the animals’ natural behaviors and to stimulate them physically and mentally.

Requested grocery items include: Kellogg’s Apple Jacks® and Froot Loops® or plain cereals; dog biscuits (all sizes); extracts and spices; peanut butter; plastic toys (Frisbees and balls); rawhide chews; Purina® Whisker Lickin’s® cat treats (soft); as well as a variety of other items. The items may be purchased at the following Tops locations:

• TOPS Friendly Markets 2101 Elmwood Ave. Buffalo NY 14207
• TOPS Friendly Markets S 6150 South Park Ave. Hamburg NY 14075
• TOPS Friendly Markets 1740 Sheridan Dr. Buffalo NY 14223
• TOPS Friendly Markets 2351 Maple Rd. Williamsville NY 14221

With an annual grocery bill of $250,000, providing food and treats for the 1,200 animals at the Zoo is a tremendous task. The Buffalo Zoo wishes to thank shoppers in advance for helping the animals and supporting Tops Friendly Markets, one of the Zoo’s most generous sponsors!

For more information about the Zoo’s annual adoption program, please call (716) 995-6131
or visit us online at www.buffalozoo.org.

Zooper Saturday Featuring Horticulture Tours and M&T Bank Rainforest Falls This Weekend at the Buffalo Zoo

The Buffalo Zoo will hold a Zooper Saturday event featuring the M&T Bank Rainforest Falls and the Horticulture Department on Saturday August 3.

The Zoo is home to over 300 species of plants! Learn about them on a special horticulture tour of the Zoo. Then, experience animal keeper talks and enrichments in M&T Bank Rainforest Falls. Zooper Saturday events are free with regular Zoo admission.

A full schedule of activities follows:

• 11 a.m. -3 p.m. ̶   Face painting in the M&T Bank Rainforest Falls lobby
• 11 a.m. ̶   Honey bee talk at Delta Sonic Heritage Farm
• 12 p.m. ̶   Behind-the-scenes horticulture tour (meets in front of M&T Bank Rainforest Falls)
• 1 p.m. ̶   Baby porcupine keeper talk on front lawn of M&T Bank Rainforest Falls (weather permitting)
• 1:30 p.m. ̶   M&T Bank Rainforest Falls keeper talk at the waterfall bridge
• 2:00 p.m. ̶   Giant anteater keeper talk & enrichment in M&T Bank Rainforest Falls
• 2:30 p.m. ̶   Vampire bat feeding & demonstration in M&T Bank Rainforest Falls
•  

For more information about the Zooper Saturday event, call (716) 995-6133 or visit
www.buffalozoo.org

Zooper Saturday Featuring Rhinos and a Barn Party This Weekend at the Buffalo Zoo

The Buffalo Zoo will hold a Zooper Saturday event featuring the Indian rhinos and Delta Sonic Heritage Farm on Saturday, July 6. Learn all about the Buffalo Zoo’s endangered Indian rhinos during a keeper talks, animal enrichments, and a rhino raffle. Then stop by the Delta Sonic Heritage Farm for their first ever barn party! There will be animal trainings, and musical performances. Zooper Saturday events are free with regular Zoo admission. July’s Zooper Saturday is part of Report Card Weekend sponsored by Winning Smiles. A full schedule of activities follows:

 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. - face painting

11:00 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. - rhino raffles

11:00 a.m. - rhino keeper talk & enrichment

 11:30 a.m. - rhino keeper talk & enrichment

12:00 p.m. - rhino keeper talk & enrichment

12:30 p.m. - rhino keeper talk & enrichment

1:00 p.m. - rhino keeper talk & enrichment

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. - Barn Party at Delta Sonic Heritage Farm

1:30 p.m. - pig training

2:00 p.m. - early american traditional folk musical performance

2:30 p.m. - mule training

For more information about the Zooper Saturday event, call (716) 837-3900 or visit
www.buffalozoo.org

A Party for the Planet!

The Buffalo Zoo and the WNY Earth Day Committee will host Party for the Planet on Saturday Jun 22, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Join area environmental groups to explore what we can all do to become more earth-friendly and how to protect our planet. There will be live performances by Mama Earth’s Kitchen Band with Sue Rotzler at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. All activities are FREE with Zoo admission.

Participants will include:

• Alexander School
• Batavia School
• Buffalo Museum of Science
• Buffalo Zoo Earth Smart Squad
• Compeer
• Daeman CSCCE
• Erie Co. Recycling
• Erie Co. Stormwater
• Food & Water
• Green Party
• Make N Mold
• Modern Waste
• Orchard Park School
• PUSH Bflo
• Recycling Alliance
• School House #8
• Sierra Club
• Solar Liberty
• UB Regional Institute
• Unitarian School
• Weather Medic/WNY Peace Center
• WNY Reading Council
• WOYP

 For more information about the Party for the Planet, please call the Zoo at (716) 837-3900.

The event is sponsored by the Buffalo Zoo, Daeman College Center for Sustainable Communities and Civic Engagement, and WNY Earth Day Committee, with special thanks to Star 102.5.

Zumba for Luna

Looking Good for Luna

Kids help the Zoo and "Our Bears Belong in Buffalo"

The fundraising for our planned Arctic Edge exhibit isn't done, but we are making progress and getting some terrific help from Western New York. The exhibit is slated to be the permanent home for Luna as well as future polar bears, arctic fox, canadian lynx and bald eagle. 

Kindergarten students, as well as first, second, and third graders along with children in the "Life Skills" from Big Tree Elementary raised $1000.00 for the campaign. They presented the money and two birdhouses decorated for Luna and Kali to Zoo Marketing Manager, Michael Powers, on a recent visit to the Zoo.

Students over at the Frederick Law Olmsted School, (School 64) had a variety of fundraisers and faculty came by the Zoo to present a $1500.00 donation to the campaign.

You don't need an entire class to help build a home for Luna. Jacob Frederiksen, a fourth grader at St. Francis of Assisi school in Tonawanda, ran a "Lemonade for Luna" stand on his own and was able to bring $40.00 to contribute to the campaign. 

If you want to help out in getting a permanent home built for Luna with a fundraiser of your own, just let us know. If you would like to donate to the campaign, text "Zoobear" to 56512 or visit the Zoo online at http://www.buffalozoo.org/bear_campaign.html.

BuffaLoveFest Vendor Profile - Luna Bear Designs

You've probably heard about our friend, 7-year-old Aly, who is making and selling jewelry for the Our Bears Belong in Buffalo campaign. Her Luna-inspired designs have already raised over $2,000 for the campaign to help build the new Arctic Edge exhibit and keep Luna in Buffalo. While Aly can't attend the 21 and up event, her mom Tracey will be at BuffaLoveFest selling the Luna Bear Designs jewelry. Be sure to stop by and say hi!

How do you embody “BuffaLove?”
I have lived in Buffalo, NY my whole life and am happy to be raising my family here.  The business my daughter and I started to raise money for the Bear Campaign has only reinforced my love of the area.  I am blown away by the generosity of Western New Yorkers who have fully embraced our efforts by donating not only money by buying our Luna Jewelry, but also their time in continuing to promote the business.

What do you consider your claim to fame?
My 7-year old daughter Aly wanted to raise money for the Zoo.  She drew all of the original designs that our pieces are based on.  In the short time that our web store has been live (since April 9, 2013) Luna Bear Designs has been featured on Winging It Buffalo Style, Channel 2 Daybreak and we were hosted by Buffalo Adore in South Buffalo for an entire day of fundraising.

What is your favorite animal at the Buffalo Zoo and why?
Well, we’re partial to Luna right now, but we love all the zoo animals – some of our favorites are the elephants, Isaac the donkey and the ray in the gorilla house.  The Rainforest is always changing – for as often as we go, there is always something new and wonderful to see.

What are you selling at BuffaLoveFest on May 31st?
Jewelry inspired by Luna and her fabulous name. 

How does your business contribute to our community?
A generous portion of the proceeds are being donated to the Buffalo Zoo Bear Campaign. 

Check back here for more vendor profiles leading up to BuffaLoveFest on Friday, May 31! You can find more vendors featured by our pals at The Good Neighborhood!

Don't have your tickets to BuffaLoveFest yet? Get them here.

BuffaLoveFest Vendor Profile - Buffalo History Buff

Our goal for the inaugural BuffaLoveFest at the Buffalo Zoo is to showcase all things Buffalo, and to celebrate our Buffalo pride! The fine folks at Buffalo History Buff embody that spirit with their posters of retro Buffalo company advertisements.

1. How do you embody "BuffaLove?"
Buffalo History Buff is very much the manifestation of our love for Buffalo. Our mission is to remind Buffalonians, near and far, of how great our city once was and continues to be. Our prints of restored vintage local advertisements flash back to a time when Buffalo was the industrial center of the United States of America. Our images educate, entertain and inspire, but most of all provide ourselves and our customers with opportunity to show pride in our city, the Buffalo we all love.

2. What do you consider to be your claim to fame?
While Buffalo History Buff is far from famous, our love of our city and its history evolved from the love of our home and studio. We are lucky enough to live and work from Allentown's Coatsworth mansion. Our house has appeared in the newspaper, magazines and even in the book "City of Light". We hope that our upcoming participation in the Buffalo Zoo's BuffaLoveFest and the exposure to the hundreds of Buffa-lovers in attendance will allow Buffalo History Buff to enjoy some of the same "fame" as its inspiration.

3. What is your favorite animal at the Buffalo Zoo and why?
While the majority of the attention may currently be on the cubs, our favorite animals at the Buffalo Zoo are all of our polar bears. Our polar bears and their habitat requirements are the catalyst for the Buffalo Zoo's current, and most ambitious renovation project. The new Arctic Edge exhibit will be a beacon of pride and progress, and has already been the impetus for the "Our Bears Belong in Buffalo" campaign, with billboards and commercials not just reminding us to help, but to also be proud of the Buffalo Zoo. Recently, when visiting the Zoo with our three small children, we were lucky enough to see the future parents of Luna spend some quality time cuddling. These amazingly enormous beasts deserve not only our respect, but our adoration.

4. How does your business contribute to our community?
Our mission is all about community pride. Whenever people view our images, inevitably somebody says something to the affect of "I didn't know there was this much in Buffalo". Buffalo was once the eighth most populous city in the United States. Buffalonians have now established communities all over the country. In a sense, Buffalonians are very much our own immigrant ethnicity in many cities. Every national story seems to have a Buffalo connection. Our goal is simply to perpetuate the civic pride that exists within all Buffalonians; whether or not you've fled the snow, we all share Buffa-Love!


Check back here for more vendor profiles leading up to BuffaLoveFest on Friday, May 31! You can find more vendors featured by our pals at The Good Neighborhood!

Don't have your tickets to BuffaLoveFest yet? Get them here.

BuffaLoveFest Vendor Profile - My Buffalo Shirt

The types of Buffalo-centric goods you'll find at BuffaLoveFest range from chocolates and jewelry to tea cups and craft beers. But you can definitely expect to see a whole lot of Buffalo-themed t-shirts because as we all know, Buffalonians LOVE Buffalo t-shirts! One of the many shirt companies you'll be able to check out at the event is My Buffalo Shirt.

How do you embody "BuffaLove?" 
This is easy, Buffalo is the focus of what we do. We create shirt designs around the great things in Buffalo, from sports to heritage.  Being born and raised in Buffalo enables us to put our heart and soul into each design.

What do you consider to be your claim to fame? 
Our very first shirt was our blue Buffalo Hockey design to which My Buffalo Shirt was built around. It stemmed various other designs and many more are being worked on as we speak. 

What is your favorite animal at the Buffalo Zoo and why?
Hands down Lion; it's a ferocious yet beautiful creature.

How does your business contribute to our community?
We donate shirts from time to time to not-for-profit companies and events for silent auctions to raise money for their overall cause. 

Check back here for more vendor profiles leading up to BuffaLoveFest on Friday, May 31! You can find more vendors featured by our pals at The Good Neighborhood!

Don't have your tickets to BuffaLoveFest yet? Get them here.

Donate Your Unwanted Items to the Buffalo Zoo Animals!

Want to help out some of the animals at the Zoo, but don't know how? The animals have put together a wish list of some items they need (okay, their keepers wrote the list, but the animals will be super grateful to receive any of these items from you!) You might be able to find some of these items around your home. Some things, such as Kongs, and Jolly Balls can be found at your favorite pet store. Take a look at the list below to see what your favorite animals need!

Animal/Exhibit Area	Items
M&T Bank Rainforest Falls	Kongs macaw toys Boomer Balls large dog houses kitty litter bins
Reptile House	live and/or artificial plants coconut hides pillow cases edible flowers locking Tupperware
TOPS EcoStation	artificial plants extracts (vanilla, coconut, almond, banana) food processor humidifier
Delta Sonic Heritage Farm	water buckets large Jolly Balls
Giraffes	extra large Kongs Jolly Balls
Hoofstock (Zebras, Antelope, and Bison, etc.)	large yard paper clean up bags (no plastic) extra large Boomer Ball plastic barrels
Vanishing Animals North	5 gallon plastic buckets basketballs, footballs, soccer balls

For more information about what kinds of items the Zoo animals need, visit the Wish List section of our website. If you have some items you would like to donate, please call (716) 995-6158.

Thank you so much from all of the animals!

Arctic Edge Assistance from Forestville

Thanks to the great kids of Mrs. Faxlanger’s third grade class at Forestville Elementary for helping out the Our Bears Belong in Buffalo campaign.

 

To get "Our Bears Belong in Buffalo" banks to raise funds for the Arctic Edge construction, please call the Zoo's development office at (716) 995-6131 during normal business hours. If you would like to make a donation, you can call the same number or go online.

Thanks again to the great third graders in Mrs. Faxlanger's class. Great job, kids, we couldn't have said it better ourselves.

Zoo Teen Naturalists

 

Are you interested in animals and the environment, and are between the ages of 13 and 17?  Are you looking for something wild to do this summer? Then become a Zoo Teen Naturalist!  Applications are now available at http://www.buffalozoo.org/summer_teen_program.html

Junior Zoo Teen Naturalist

For teens 13-14 years old

Program Fee:  $275 members/ $305 non-members

Session 1:  July 8-26, 2013

Session 2: July 29- August 16, 2013

Days/Times:  Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays from 10:00-3:00

Program is limited to 15 participants per session.

Zoo Teen Naturalist

For teens 15-17 years old

Program Fee:  $300 members/ $330 non-members

Session 1:  July 9-26, 2013

Session 2: July 30- August 16, 2013

Days/Times:  Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays from 10:00-3:00

Program is limited to 6 participants per session.  The Buffalo Zoo must receive your completed application by Friday, May 17^th, 2013 to be considered for the older teen program.

HOW TO APPLY:  You can find more program information and download an application form from our website, buffalozoo.org.  Mail your completed application to the Buffalo Zoo’s Education Department.  If you have any questions or would like an application mailed to you, please call (716) 995-6128.