Albuquerque Biological Park Calendar of Events
November 2008 |
Featured Events
- Sea Turtle Brown Bag Lecture at the Aquarium - November 1 and 6
- Senior Birding Club at Tingley Beach - November 5
- Free Fishing Clinic at Tingley Beach - November 8
- Snow Leopard Brown Bag Lecture at the Zoo - November 8
- Rozie the Elephant's 16th Birthday Party - November 8
- Ape Awareness Week - November 9-15
- Wolf Teacher Workshop - November 15
- Aquarium Overnight - November 14/15
- 12th Annual River of Lights - November 29 - December 30
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Sea Turtle Brown Bag Lecture at the Aquarium.
Saturday, November 1 and Thursday, November 6, 12:45 to 1:30pm.
Topic: Sea Turtles
Speakers: Jennifer Kraus & Melissa Levison,
Senior Aquarists, Albuquerque Aquarium
All species of sea turtles are endangered. While progress is being made to help some populations to recover, all species remain highly threatened by a variety of human actions, and other species are still declining. The current conservation status of each species will be discussed along with a survey of the various programs in place that are protecting them from further decline or enabling various populations to increase. Additional discussion will focus on the three species on exhibit at the Albuquerque Aquarium, including specific biographical information of the individual turtles that will explain how these animals came to be on exhibit.
Since 1994, informal Brown Bag seminars have been offered on a monthly basis to BioPark employees, volunteers, their guests and visitors. Topics include plant and animal themes relevant to the BioPark, and presenters may be BioPark staff or field experts. The same monthly seminar is offered twice--on different days--to give as many people as possible the opportunity to attend. When the Brown Bag is held at the Rio Grande Zoo, it is included with regular zoo admission. When it is held at the Aquarium/Botanic Garden, admission is not required. For more information, call BioPark education at 764-6245.
Senior Birding Club at Tingley Beach
Wednesday, November 5, 30 minutes past sunrise
Whether you are an expert birder or just want to learn more about our native birds, the Senior Birding Club is a great way to meet other bird enthusiasts and explore some wonderful avian habitats. Join the Senior Birding Club on the first Wednesday of each month. They meet at the Tingley Beach Train Station thirty minutes after sunrise. You'll visit the Tingley lakes and the adjacent bosque (forest) to identify and count birds, accompanied by the Tingley Beach Curator and BioPark volunteers.
No experience is needed. Wear weather-appropriate clothes and comfortable walking shoes. Bring your binoculars and a bird identification book. Participation is free of charge. For more information, please call (505) 248-8514.
FREE Fishing Clinic at Tingley Beach.
Saturday, November 8, 10:00am to 12:00pm
Location: Tent on lawn near train station.
With support from New Mexico Trout and the BioPark's Fishing Guide volunteers, this FREE Fishing Clinic will be offered at Tingley Beach every month on the second Saturday. Instruction may include basic fly-tying methods, fly-rod casting techniques, fishing etiquette, effective 'catch and release' practices and enhancement of advanced skills. Equipment and supplies are available for use during the clinic on a first come, first served basis and are free of charge.
Participants are welcome, however, to bring their own gear. In addition, Tingley Outfitters provides basic equipment for purchase inside the train station.
Snow Leopard Brown Bag Lecture at the Zoo.
Saturday, November 8, 12noon-1:00pm
Dr. Tom McCarthy, Director of Field Projects for the Snow Leopard Trust, will discuss the status of the snow leopard in the wild and the ways that allies, such as the Albuquerque BioPark, are helping with snow leopard conservation and education. He will share information about the research currently being funded by the Trust and detail their focus on critical partnership with communities that are impacted by the snow leopard. The Snow Leopard Trust was founded in 1981, and has over 25 years of success stories working with communities to increase conservation efforts, promote fair trade programs for local artisans, and educate the communities on the ecological importance of the snow leopard.
The snow leopard has been endangered since 1974. The BioPark is a member of the Snow Leopard Species Survival Plan (SSP), along with 70 other members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Bhutan, the young cub born here in July, is part of the SSP’s coordinated work to manage the captive population for genetic and demographic diversity.
The talk will be held in the Colores Education Building. After the talk, visitors can see Bhutan in his new habitat on the Catwalk.
Since 1994, informal Brown Bag seminars have been offered on a monthly basis to BioPark employees, volunteers, their guests and visitors. Topics include plant and animal themes relevant to the BioPark, and presenters may be BioPark staff or field experts. The same monthly seminar is offered twice--on different days--to give as many people as possible the opportunity to attend. When the Brown Bag is held at the Rio Grande Zoo, it is included with regular zoo admission. When it is held at the Aquarium/Botanic Garden, admission is not required. For more information, call BioPark education at 764-6245.
Rozie the Elephant's 16th Birthday Party
Saturday, November 8, 1:30-3:30pm
What do you get an elephant for its birthday?
- A hula-hoop made from a giant tire?
- A big box of colorful paint?
- A boomer ball full of peanuts?
Rozie, an Asian elephant, would enjoy all of those presents!
Join the Zoo staff and volunteers in celebrating elephants during Rozie's Birthday Party on Saturday, November 8 from 1:30-3:30pm. Visit hands-on discovery stations about these pachyderms, see if you can get treats from the boomer ball, view paintings by elephants, and learn more about how the Zoo and our herd are helping with elephant conservation around the world.
Rozie has been in the news this year because she is expecting a calf. Her pregnancy is going well, and the staff is cautiously optimistic about an elephant birth in September 2009. Elephants reach maturity between ages 13-20. In the wild, young females like Rozie often have a calf of their own or act as a caregiver to other calves in the herd.
Asian elephant numbers in the wild are decreasing, and they are classified as endangered by the International Union of Conservation Nations. Elephants are targeted in a number of conservation efforts, one of which is the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Elephant Species Survival Plan (SSP). A primary goal of the Elephant SSP is to boost elephant reproduction efforts in order to build a self-sustaining elephant population among North American zoos and wildlife centers. The Albuquerque Biological Park has been designated as an Elephant Breeding Facility by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. In captive breeding programs, researchers strive to keep populations as diverse as possible. Because Rozie is the only offspring from her parents, she is genetically significant and her offspring will have unique genetics that will help increase diversity among the population.
Ape Awareness Week
November 9-15, 10:30am-12:30pm
Orangutans, chimpanzees and gorillas face many threats in the wild – from habitat loss and destruction to poaching – and all three animals are listed as endangered species. The good news is: you can help!
Find out how by visiting the Rio Grande Zoo for the first annual Ape Awareness Week. You’ll learn about conservation efforts underway, get your copy of our orangutan-friendly gift guide and discover the fascinating natural history of these large primates. On Thursday and Friday, visitors can help create enrichment items to be given to the zoo’s apes.
Download an Orangutan-Safe Gift Guide. 
For more information, please call (505) 764-6214.
Mexican Gray Wolf Teacher Workshop at the Zoo
Saturday, November 15, 9:00am-4:00pm
Come learn about the wolf in New Mexico and how you can use this dynamic animal to capture your students’ attention for lessons about science, math, social studies and language arts. Get a copy of Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge’s teacher guide to the Mexican gray wolf, packed with lessons coordinated to the State Standards and Benchmarks. Discover ways to make your next zoo field trip even more educational.
Call (505)764-6214 to register or for more information.
Aquarium Overnight
Friday, November 14, 7:00pm through 8:00am Saturday, November 15
Sleep next to the sharks at this family-friendly event. Participants will learn about interesting facts about ocean species and their nighttime behavior during this special Aquarium sleepover. Includes games and crafts, Touchpool visit and ocean film fest in the theater. Children under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Cost: $25/person. Call (505) 848-7180 for more information and to pre-register (required).
12th Annual River of Lights
November 29-December 30, 6:00pm-9:00pm
Rio Grande Botanic Garden visitors can enjoy the magic of hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights and dazzling holiday displays at New Mexico’s largest walk-through light show. Since 1997, the River of Lights has been sparkling and raising funds for the ABQ BioPark's BioVan educational outreach program.
You can make special plans to ice skate or attend Holiday Nature Crafts. Many evenings feature live entertainment and the G-scale model railroad. The Shark Reef Cafe will also be open some evenings for special holiday dining.
Tickets are $7 for adults; $3 for children 3-12.
Read more about the River of Lights and buy tickets.
Thank you to the following River of Lights sponsors:
