My wife gave birth to a tortoise, man claims

Note: Ridiculous of course....but not the first time this has been claimed recently

The husband said doctors told them the foetus was not human.

A man, Emmanuel Abari, on Tuesday claimed that his wife, Catherine Emmanuel-Abari, gave birth to a tortoise in her Angwan Tiv II residence in Agyaragu town, headquarters of Jenkwe Development Area of Nasarawa State.

Mr. Abari said his wife gave birth to a “tortoise” around 12 a.m. on Saturday but the creature died shortly after 5 a.m.

“I was shocked, and then I shouted, which attracted other people. It took me a while before I called my elder brother who arrived the scene later to also contemplate our fate,” he said.

Mr. Abari said that his wife got pregnant sometime in March and started experiencing problems with the pregnancy during the fourth month.

“We noticed that, at about the fourth or fifth month, the pregnancy stopped growing and that was when I took her to a hospital,” he said.

He said he took her thrice to a hospital in Agyaragu, the Zhe Mighili Hospital, where doctors checked his wife, confirming she was indeed pregnant. However, on the third and final visit to the hospital, they were referred to another hospital in Lafia, the Sauki Hospital, located along Abuja Street.

It was there, Mr. Abari narrated, that doctors revealed that what Mrs. Abari was carrying in her belly wasn’t human.

He said on returning home to Agyaragu, he immediately summoned his elder brother to jointly discuss the matter. It was decided that they would consult a native doctor.

“The man checked her and promised us that he would do his best. She remained there for close to a week and when I visited, I saw some signs because she had already started bleeding”, he said.

Mr. Abari said that days after visiting the native doctor, his wife’s bleeding ceased and the oracle had to administer further medication. On a Thursday, nearly one week after she was taken to the native doctor, the wife went into labour and eventually delivered between 12 and 1 a.m. on Saturday morning.

Mr. Abari said they had, however, buried the tortoise.

No medical personnel could independently confirm the husband’s claim.

From: http://premiumtimesng.com/regional/150359-wife-gave-birth-tortoise-man-claims.html

And here is another:

 See Tortoise books at 

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African Painted Dog Conference

African Painted Dog Conference

29 April - 2 May

Brookfield Zoo, Chicago

We invite researchers, keepers, caregivers, veterinarians and others to present papers or posters regarding all aspects of painted dog care and management, both in captivity and in the field. Papers and roundtable discussions will include the status of the dogs in the wild, field projects, captive husbandry, and veterinary care.

http://www.czs.org/czs/APDconference

Interested in getting the word out about your zoo/wildlife related conference or symposium? Zoo News Digest reaches more people in the field than any other medium. Contact Peter Dickinson at elvinhow@gmail.com 

Zoo Conferences, Meetings, Courses and Symposia

Animal Training Conference 2014

Animal Training Conference 2014

Thursday 26 – Friday 27 June 2014

Conference theme

This conference provides opportunities to network and share practical applications and knowledge about basic and advanced animal training concepts.

In addition to keynote presentations, this conference will include panel discussions, workshops and plenty of networking opportunities.

Keynote speakers

Thad Lacinak and Angi Millwood are world renowned animal training and behaviour specialists. 

To register and learn more please click HERE

Interested in getting the word out about your zoo/wildlife related conference or symposium? Zoo News Digest reaches more people in the field than any other medium. Contact Peter Dickinson at elvinhow@gmail.com 

Zoo Conferences, Meetings, Courses and Symposia

Online Zoo Nutrition Course

Online Zoo Nutrition Course

Colorado State University offers Online Zoo Nutrition Course

Registration open until Friday, January 17, 2014

Course date Jan 21- May 9, 2014

Instructors

Nancy Irlbeck

(970) 491-6274 | Nancy.Irlbeck@colostate.edu

Nancy Irlbeck, Ph.D., is the Associate Dean of Academic Programs in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Colorado State University and serves as a nutrition consultant to the Denver Zoo.

Brett Kirch

(970) 491-6642 | brett.kirch@colostate.edu

Dr. Brett Kirch grew up on a small farm in the Nebraska Panhandle close to Lewellen, Nebraska. Brett received his B.S. in animal science from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and worked as an Extension aide in Garden County, Nebraska, during those years. He attended Kansas State University for an M.S. in ruminant nutrition where he was introduced to the forage-animal interface through his research project. Brett completed a Ph.D. at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in range and forage sciences working jointly between the agronomy and animal science departments in evaluating escape protein in grazed warm-season grasses. Following graduation, Brett took a position with Iowa State University as a regional extension beef specialist in west-central Iowa working in beef, sheep, and horse programming.

Brett’s career took a slight change in direction when he was accepted and graduated from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University, with clinical equine rotations at the University of California-Davis.

Brett’s return to research was as a result of a unique post-doctoral position with USDA-ARS Forage-Animal Production Research Unit on the campus of the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky. His work in Kentucky allowed the unique opportunity to marry his interests in veterinary medicine, forages, and nutrition.

In 2008, Brett became the head of the Youth Livestock Extension program and research at Colorado State University. His research programs continue to look at the health, production, and nutritional aspects of the forage-animal interface.

Course Description

Monkey biscuits, bones, crickets, reptile salad–these are just a few culinary examples of dietary components enjoyed by captive wild animals in our zoos. Proper nutrition for these animals is vital for their physical health and general well-being. This course provides students with an introduction to the amazing animal kingdom, and imparts an awareness of our world’s unique animal species and their nutritional needs.

Zoological institutions–zoos–provide the general public with glimpses of exotic animal species known only from books, stories and the Internet. The animal residents of zoos are in a sense a living museum, and it is our responsibility to provide for their basic needs to the best of our ability.

Students taking Zoo Nutrition learn to strategize on how to feed animals by learning animal dietary classifications and gastrointestinal morphology. Based on a few fundamental principles, students develop an awareness of HOW and HOW NOT to feed many new animal species seen in the companion animal trade. Application of these fundamentals saves animal lives and creates a better living environment.

The course is geared toward zoo professionals; employees of rescue, rehabilitation and animal shelter organizations; and undergraduate students majoring in animal sciences, natural resources, biology, zoology and similar fields. Or if you are someone who is just interested in the course topic (and who has met the necessary prerequisite), you are invited to enroll and enjoy the course.

This course has print-based exams that require a proctor. A Proctor Identification Form will be required. ProctorU is not available for this course.

Prerequisites:  There are courses listed as prerequisites, but the course is open for enrollment for anyone (including those who have NOT completed prerequisites) interested in the topic.

To register for this course, click here

ONE DAY INCUBATION TRAINING COURSE

ONE DAY INCUBATION TRAINING COURSE

Date and venue

14th  March 2014 – Cotswold Wildlife Park, Burford. Oxfordshire 

The RZSS Academy has arranged a one day specialist course on incubation designed to cover the essentials of incubation. This is suitable for bird keepers in zoological collections, or enthusiasts seeking to understand the process, first timers or individuals wishing to do refresher training to update knowledge and skills.

The content will include the following areas including practical aspects where appropriate:

 Egg & embryological development
 Selection of eggs for incubation
 Essentials of incubation: setting eggs, temperature & humidity regulation
 Hatching
 Recording systems types and suitable location of incubators
 Measurement of eggs
 Candling
 Sterilisation
 Setting
 Hatching
 Post incubation rearing

Presenters

Duncan Bolton
Duncan has extensive knowledge of the husbandry and management of many avian species from his career within the ‘zoo world’. Formerly senior curator at Bristol Zoo Gardens, he is now curator at Birdworld. During his career, Duncan has supervised breeding programmes for endangered species, liaised with academics and researchers in developing the technology of incubation and recording systems. He is well known in BIAZA and EAZA as an avian specialist.

Laura Gardner
Laura has had extensive experience as an aviculturist. Having grown up in Jersey she spent the majority of her school holidays volunteering at Jersey Zoo (now the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust). In 1988, Laura started working at Birdworld in Farnham where she gained experience in the incubation and rearing room eventually moving onto ratites and penguins. She then assumed curatorial responsibility for the specialist avian collection that was held at Leeds Castle in Kent until its dispersal in April 2012. Since then Laura has been
employed at ZSL with responsibility at both ZSL London and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. She has a particular interest in softbill species such as turacos and toucans.

Cost of course
The fee is £132 (incl. VAT) for the day which includes refreshments throughout the day and course notes. An early discount of £120 (incl. VAT) exists for bookings confirmed before 23rd January 2014.

Booking places
To reserve a place on this course please contact Daniela Bennett, at RZSS on 0131-314 0315 or dbennett@rzss.org.uk

Training Penguins at Ski Dubai

Training Penguins at Ski Dubai

I hope you enjoyed it!

Al Ain Zoo 45th Anniversary Celebrations

H.H. Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan

Leads Al Ain Zoo 45^th Anniversary Celebrations

-- VIP event commemorates zoo’s accomplishments as the destination prepares to kick off UAE National Day activities --

Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, 26 November 2013: Al Ain Zoo today welcomed guests for its 45th anniversary celebration, a spectacular event held under the patronage and in the attendance of His Highness Sheikh Tahnoun Bin Mohammad Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in the Eastern Region of the Abu Dhabi Emirate; His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and Chairman of the Zoo & Aquarium Public Institution in Al Ain; and His Excellency Sheikh Hazza Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Undersecretary of Dewan of Ruler’s Representative in the Eastern Region of Abu Dhabi.

Hosted by His Excellency Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri, Director General of Al Ain Zoo, the event programme paid tribute to the zoo’s notable achievements as a global leader in arid wildlife conservation and as a major UAE tourist destination, as the zoo prepares to welcome the public to enjoy National Day activities until 2^nd December.

Speaking at the event H.E. Ghanim Al Hajeri said:

“We are here to recognise where we have come from and how Al Ain Zoo has developed into a key player in wildlife conservation as well as a much-admired visitor destination, contributing to a much greater vision – Abu Dhabi Vision 2030. We have much to celebrate as we are also approaching the 42^nd National Day, a symbol of pride for the entire UAE.”

The event kicked off with a ribbon-cutting of the new Main Entrance, followed by a tour throughout the zoo to the latest enhancements including the new Cat House, Mixed Asian Exhibit, and Children’s Zoo. Guests then took in a traditional Harbiya performance, before a video presentation showcasing Al Ain Zoo’s past, present and future into 2015, with Al Hajeri then taking centre stage to speak of the zoo’s future aspirations in further detail: 

“Through its distinguished education, research and conservation programmes, Al Ain Zoo is building a reputation for excellence and leadership in the international zoo community. Among our chief objectives is the education and inspiration of youth – and Emiratis in particular – to cultivate the next generation of scientists and environmentalists and engage them in our mission. But our efforts do not end with Al Ain Zoo alone; we are continuously making progress in the expansion project, and we intend for the experience to be so profound that it will set new standards for design and provide an innovative arena for interaction between people and wildlife.”

The 45^th anniversary celebrations will carry in through National Day, for which Al Ain Zoo has prepared an action-packed programme of activities. Until and including 2^nd December, visitors can immerse themselves in UAE history and culture with a specially-designed heritage village, a photo exhibition, henna, an Emirati fashion display and local cuisine. Guests can also take in traditional Harbiya dance performances, a marching parade, a bird show, and other festivities.

Al Ain Zoo was founded in 1968 by the Late Sheikh Zayed with the vision of promoting conservation and preservation of the desert habitat and its creatures. The zoo has successfully introduced conservation and breeding programs for a number of species over the past decades, including oryx, gazelle, the Arabian Leopard and the Houbara bustard. The zoo remains actively involved in conservation projects around the world and is a member of the World Association for Zoo and Aquariums (WAZA), with plans to host WAZA’s annual conference in 2015. Additionally, it recently founded the Arabian Zoos and Aquariums Association, the first of its kind in the region.

Home to roughly 4,000 animals, Al Ain Zoo is one of the UAE’s leading tourist attractions. In October, the grounds reopened following a summer of enhancements that introduced upgraded exhibits, activities and dining choices. The zoo contributes to the steady growth of Al Ain’s tourism sector not only as an entertainment destination, but also by educating youth about wildlife through a range of activities and programmes in close coordination with educational institutions.