 Sunny Future for New Zoo Additions and Children’s Futures
with ScholarShare Partnership
Visitors to the Los Angeles Zoo have more reasons to smile this spring with the welcome of several babies. Visitors can look forward to seeing all of the new additions which are on exhibit. Just as Zoo visitors can watch these youngsters grow up, parents can look forward to their own child’s future with confidence with ScholarShare, California's official 529 college savings plan. When children are at a young age, parents must begin thinking about their children’s future. The ScholarShare plan provides a simple and smart way for families to save for their children's education. Over the course of the next year, ScholarShare will provide opportunities for Zoo visitors to learn more about the 529 college savings plan and how they can begin to save for tomorrow.
Video of the giant otter pups can be viewed on the Los Angeles Zoo’s YouTube channel: http://bit.ly/LbzxVc
Desert Bighorn Sheep Lambs (Born April 4, April 26, May 5, 2012)
The Zoo delightfully welcomes bighorn sheep births annually. This spring, the Zoo has welcomed three lively additions - two females and one male. The three lambs join a family of five adult females, one adult male, and one male kid. The desert bighorn sheep has been listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act since 1998 due to loss of habitat, disease brought by introduced domestic sheep and cattle, and predation.
Giant Otter Pups (Born March 21, 2012)
Last year’s pair of giant otter pups was a fan favorite. This year visitors can vist our two new male pups on display in the nursery at the Winnick Family Animal Care Center. Visitors can view various feedings scheduled throughout the day. The giant otter is classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Hunting otters for pelts is now illegal, but laws against poaching are difficult to enforce in their wild range within north-central South America. They are also threatened by chemical pollution in the water caused by runoff from farms, oil drilling and mining operations, and deforestation.
Coquerel’s Sifaka Baby (Born January 15, 2012)
The newborn had keepers worried during his first few months because he seemed to struggle with nursing from his mother. Keepers kept a close eye on him to make sure he received the proper nutrients. Today, the youngster is showing strong signs of good health. He’s also receiving plenty of “oohs and awws.” Sifakas are a large, long-legged lemur found in the dwindling forests of Madagascar and the Comoro Islands. They are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Yarrow’s Spiny Lizards (Born March 7, 2012)
At the new LAIR (Living Amphibians, Invertebrates and Reptiles) exhibit that opened in March, a triplet of lizards were born. Adult Yarrow’s spiny lizards can reach nearly five inches long, but the newly hatched lizards are a mere three inches. Guests of the LAIR can catch a glimpse at these rock-dwelling lizards in the exhibit’s Arroyo Lagarto habitat.
The ScholarShare College Savings Plan
The ScholarShare College Savings Plan provides a simple, smart way for families to save for their children's education. Over the course of the next year, ScholarShare will provide opportunities for Zoo visitors to learn more about how they can begin planning for their child’s future with the ScholarShare 529 plan - with information available at selected Zoo events, informative articles in Zooscape magazine, and information online.
ScholarShare is a proud sponsor of the L.A. Zoo and supports a shared commitment to education. More information is available at www.ScholarShare.com. |
