The Little Rock Zoo

.The Little Rock Zoo needs to step up and care for the animals better! Please read the several artciles here with deaths, sickness and a bald chimp!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

First Gorilla, Colo, born in captivity celebrates 54th Birthday

The party honored birthday girl Colo, the world’s first gorilla born in human care and oldest living in a zoo, Wednesday morning at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

Colo’s indoor habitat area was decorated with adding machine paper (an enrichment item). She had a few wrapped boxes, a crate of oranges and a gorilla-safe cake, made of whole-grain flour, fruits and spices and nut butter frosting.
As customary, the public was invited to Colo’s 54th birthday festivities, filling the African Forest indoor gorilla habitat with more than 100 people. Colo was separated from her birthday room while people filed in to watch the ceremony.

Dale Schmidt, Columbus Zoo President and CEO, welcomed the public to the celebration. As Colo’s door was opened, which was separating her from her birthday feast, members of the public sang “Happy Birthday” and wildly snapped pictures.

Colo headed directly to her crate of oranges. Members of the public were impressed that she ate her treat so politely.
Groveport resident Sarah Fosnaugh celebrated her birthday at the zoo Wednesday. Just turning 6-years-old, she shares the same birthday as Colo. Her mother, Michelle Fosnaugh, thought it would be a nice way to spend the day.

“We didn’t realize that she shares her birthday with Colo until this year,” Michelle Fosnaugh said.

Sarah Fosnaugh, crowned with a birthday girl tiara, didn’t mind sharing her birthday with Colo.
“It’s fun,” she said.

Colo has lived at the Columbus Zoo since her birth on Dec. 22, 1956. (Those sharing the same birth year and turning 54 received free admission to the zoo Wednesday, zoo officials said.) She weighed 3 pounds, 5 ounces at birth and was named through a national “Name the Baby Gorilla” contest. Her name is short for Columbus, Ohio.
“Colo holds a special place in all of our hearts,” said Dale Schmidt, Columbus Zoo president and CEO.

Columbus Zoo docent Kathy Goldsmith said that Colo is in good health and lives by herself in her habitat by choice. There are only two other gorillas that have lived to be 55-years-old, she said.

Colo gave birth to three children. Her family tree, which is displayed pictorially in the African Forest indoor habitat, includes 16 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. One daughter, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren of Colo’s also reside at the Columbus Zoo.

Miscellaneous paraphernalia from Colo’s previous birthdays, like scrapbook pages, pictures and government-issued proclamations, were on display for the public to view.

Author Nancy Roe Pimm was on hand Wednesday signing copies of her book Colo’s Story — The Life of One Grand Gorilla. Those in attendance could meet the author and celebrate with birthday cake, courtesy of Costco.
Story Credit Here

No comments:

Post a Comment