1/27/10 Zookeepers Report....
Zookeeper Ryan reports that there were 4 African Pygmy goats born on Wed Jan 20th to one mom. All four are doing great and mom is wonderful! Here is Ryan checking on momma goat and her babies!
Here is a recent picture of Patsy....she is getting anxious and ready to have her baby! The borneo Bearded Pigs are in the same building as Patsy...look at their beautiful eyes! The Tigers love to cuddle and play together!
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1/08/09 Zookeepers Report....
Babies are being born here at Southwick's Zoo! Vervet Monkeys were born on December 29, 2009 and Jan 6, 2010. Baby African Crested Porcupines were born on Jan 6, 2010, a Debrazza Monkey born November 15, 2009. We're still keeping a close watch on Patsy our Dromedary Camel....she is due to give birth this winter! The Cats loved the last snowfall! Some of our friends have asked us what we do with the alligator and tortoises in the winter? We bring them indoors to the winter quarters housing for the animals that do not have proper indoor/outdoor enclosures. The alligator enters a state of dormancy, kind of like a hibernation during the winter! Here are some pictures of our recent babies!
11/19/09 Zookeepers Report....
Wow! We sure were busy this summer and the animals are doing great adjusting to the winter months. The Big Cats enjoy the brisk weather and the falling leaves. We've had a few babies born recently. We've had to hand raise an African Crested Porcupine that was born on Sept 8th and twin Patagonian Cavies born Oct. 14th. We weren't sure if the Cavies were going to make it, but under the steadfast dedication of Rowland Gravel and the Southwick's Zoo & Earth Discovery Center's team, they are now thriving! We'd like to thank the volunteers from Uxbridge School District for helping rake and make animal enrichment activites! Pictures: African Crested Porcupine, with children's author Valarie Giogas, and a baby Patagonian Cavy.
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08/16/09 Zookeepers Report....
The Tigers are really loving their Wading Pool in this hot weather! The girls can be seen swimming or lounging by the waterfall/pool on the hot days! Tigers are one of the few cats who love water! Dan, our Hoofstock/Big Cats/ Reptile keeper reports that our Reticulated Python (longest snake in the world) has reached a length of over 13 feet! Here are some pictures taken of the reticulated python last week....isn't she beautiful!.
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08/06/09 Animal Awareness Day on August 1st was a wonderful Day! Thanks to EARTH Discovery Center for sponsoring a great event! Here are some pictures we took of the day! Visit www.earthltd.org to become member. 
07/22/09 Zookeeper's Report:
The Zookeepers & Staff would like to thank everyone who donated to "Bowling for Rhinos". Southwick's raised $1673.00 and combined with Franklin Park Zoo, $3700.00 was raised for this great cause! Thanks Again!
06/28/09 Zookeeper's Report:
There have been a lot of babies born here at the zoo in the last few weeks. The Bearded Pig babies can be found at the Earth Discovery Center during the day...they are so cute! The baby chimpanzee has developed her teeth and her mom is starting to teach her how to walk! The baby mandrill monkey is getting more adventurous! He can be seen jumping off mom, playing, bouncing and being very much an active toddler!
Here are some pictures we've taken from the zookeeper's eye...Schmidt's Guenon Feeding Time, Baby Roo, and the Gold Bengal Tiger (they're growing so fast!).
04/30/09 Zookeeper's Report:
The last few weeks have been really exciting here at the zoo, the babies are coming out more and are getting used to the people. The primates are really social and love interacting with the visitors. The big cats are loving the attention the humans provide and can be seen stalking and watching the visitors with keen interest. The mommy chimp and baby have been out in their exhibit a lot lately due to the warm weather, such a sight to see...especially from the SkyFari sky ride! We'd like to thank all of you who have dropped off donations or sent us donations through amazon.com....it is greatly appreciated! Thanks Again!
Here are some pictures we've taken from the zookeepers eye...aoudad famlily, chimp baby, & gibbon.
We've had a very exciting week here at Southwick's Zoo! We've had a baby Mandrill born on 2/17/09, early in the morning. Mom and baby are doing great!
03/20/09 Zookeeper Ruth Reports:
We are really excited that spring is coming and we are getting the zoo ready for opening day. For enrichment, we have been filling pvc pipes and wire boxes with food and hay for the animals to investigate and dig out. Now that the snow is mostly gone we have been hiding food and treats for the animals to forage. On the warmer days, the Big Cats can be seen lounging out in the sunshine and the leopard has been seen sprawled out on his highest tree limb. Here is a picture of the chimpanzees as they enjoy eating snow, settling down for a nap, a muntjac deer, and the coatimundi I took with my camera!
We've had a Grivet Monkey born on December 31, 2008 and more recently a Schmidt's Guenon baby born on January 11, 2009. Moms and babies are doing great and they're growing so fast. We've been focusing on enrichment for the primates and getting creative. We've made newspaper pinatas and stuffed boxes with hay and food treats, then wrapped them for the animals to open. The primates were very interested in these items and especially had fun making a mess getting to the goodies!
All enrichment activities and food treats are approved by the veterinarian.
A baby Aoudad (Barbary Sheep) was born on January 2, 2009. The Tigers (1 yr old) have been having a blast playing in the snow as it is their first winter able to go outdoors. We've watched them pouncing, stalking, and wrestling in the the snow piles during the day. They're able to go inside when they get cold, but so far they are really enjoying going outside during the winter!
01/21/09 Primate Zookeeper Ruth & Michelle Report:
It has been great watching the primates that like to go outside in the winter. If the weather is nice enough, the Chimpanzees, Mandrills, and Colobus Monkeys like to go outside. Just after the last big snowfall, the male chimpanzee was trying to make his way outside towards his favorite tree. He didn't like getting his feet wet so he kept hopping from one foot to the other all the way to the tree! It was such a funny sight and then one of our female chimpanzees followed in his exact footsteps! How intelligent these animals are!
- The Zookeeping Staff at Southwick's Zoo have provided a wish list of items that they would like to see donated to the zoo for the animals. Many of these items are for enrichment ( act of making fuller or more meaningful or rewarding) activities for the animals. These items can be brought in person or mailed to:
- Southwick's Zoo, Attn: Zookeeping Department, 2 Southwick Street, Mendon, MA 01756.
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- Boomer Balls Kong Balls Jolly Balls Hoola Hoops
- PVC Pipes (heavy duty, all sizes) Laundry Baskets Chain & Carabineers
- 2" Fire Hose Jello Molds Traffic Cones Kiddie Pools
- Sheets, Towels Blankets, Socks Pillows, Panty Hose Baby Toys & Activity Boards
- Portable Radio Food Processors Gift Wrap Wind Chimes
- Spices & Perfume Large Rubbermaid Bins Large Natural Rope Simple Green
- Bird Houses, Homemade or Store Bought...Audobon, Wren, Chickadee houses would be great!!
There are also items from enasco.com/farmandranch that would be greatly appreciated.
6 Gallon Feed Tub round
Gallon Stock Tank (plastic)
Fortiflex 2 1/2 Gallon square low pan
Stock Tank Plastic (any size)
Grain Shovel Metal
21" Bow Saw
Shrub Rake
Spring Rake
30" Leaf Lake
30" Bow Saw
30" Squeegee w/ handle
- Portable Radio Food Processors Gift Wrap Wind Chimes
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The Zookeeping Staff would like to thank everyone who have donated to Southwick's Zoo,
your kindness and generosity are greatly appreciated.
Hoof Stock & Big Cats: Duane, Dan, Ryan, Mike, Kevin, Levi, Luke, Maryanne, Jon
Primates: Michelle, Ruth, Jess
Earth Discovery Center: Tim
Veterinarian: Dr. Peter Brewer, DVM
Southwick's Zoo has set up Wish List at Amazon.com. These items may be directly purchased from the site and sent to the Zoo. Thank You!
To view the Southwick's Zoo Wish List on Amazon.com, click on the
Amazon button.
