NEWS FROM THE ZOOS

New England Aquarium scientist awarded Pew Fellowship in Conservation and the Environment

In October, the Pew Charitable Trusts awarded Greg Stone of the New England Aquarium one of ten Pew Fellowships in Conservation and the Environment for 1997. The award is intended to recognize and support marine conservation and is considered one of the most prestigious awards of its kind. Stone, the Aquarium's Director of Conservation, will put the $150,000 award primarily toward marine mammal conservation. In response to the entanglement of rare Hector's dolphins and other South Pacific marine mammals in fishing nets, Stone will work to develop nets armed with acoustic alarms. He will also develop a course at the University of the South Pacific focused on reducing the incidental catch of marine mammals as well as seek funding for such measures.

U.S. Secretary of Education praises Columbus Zoo

In mid-September, U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley paid a visit to the Columbus Zoo as part of an initiative to promote community support for education. Calling the Columbus Zoo an example of "education at its very best," Riley said it showed "what you can do with the zoo and make it an important educational place." In particular, he commended the institution's "Zoo Kids Program", which promotes reading. The Columbus Zoo has made education one of its top priorities, spending $1.2 million in 1997 for education programs that in turn generated $415,000 in revenues. The net cost for the program is covered by memberships, donations, and a county tax.

Woodland Park Zoo receives donation from Boeing to support raptor conservation

The Woodland Park Zoological Society was recently awarded $150,000 from The Boeing Company to launch "Save Our Amazing Raptors" (SOAR), a project which begins its two-year pilot phase in January, 1988. The program is an opportunity for students, teachers, and the public to learn raptor conservation through a hands-on approach. SOAR will provide workshops and materials for Washington teachers and allow zoo staff to travel to local schools to deliver presentations that include live raptors. Although schools are the initial target for the program, future plans include outreach programs for area community centers and groups. The grant will also enable the zoo to increase its on-site raptor programs for the public through additional indoor and outdoor raptor demonstrations. By the end of SOAR's pilot phase it is predicted that the expanded programming at the zoo, together with outreach and teacher training, will reach an estimated 1.4 million people. It is hoped that with staff increases made possible by the grant, SOAR will stimulate more cooperation with other conservation organizations.