Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens. It is the only natural tropical rainforest zoo in the united states. Admission is Free.
Located off Highway 11 in Hilo on the Island of Hawai'i.
 

Friends of the Pana`ewa Zoo Newsletter
Newsletter August 2010

President’s Message

The Friends of the Zoo, first incorporated in 1981, is a (501-C3) not for profit organization registered with the state of Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Our primary mission is to promote the zoo to the community and to contribute to the well-being of the resident animals. Our goals remain education, enrichment for the animals, to foster concern and support for conservation of endangered animals and their environment, and to help the county zoo with new animals and exhibits.

The Pana’ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens is looking beautiful and continues to demonstrate why it is referred to as the “Crown Jewel of Hawaii”. Thanks to the ongoing work of the zoo volunteers, zoo staff and volunteers from all of the plant societies and the Water Garden Society, the zoo remains an amazing display of flora and fauna. What a glorious place to walk, visit with the animals and see some of the best plant specimens on the island.

Mahalo to all of our friends, volunteers, donors and community groups that continue to support and work to improve both the zoo and it’s botanical collections. Please visit often and consider a visit to the FOZ Gift Shop while you are here. The Gift Shop continues to offer unique gifts not found in retail stores on the island. And, please keep in mind that all the profits from the gift shop, just like your donations, are used to support the FOZ mission. This is a wonderful opportunity to do some early holiday shopping, and to give a gift that also supports the FOZ mission with your purchases.

If you get a chance to log onto our website: www.hilozoo.com, you will notice many changes and a wonderful new look. You are now able to see what is happening at the zoo, enjoy pictures from past events, join the Friends of the Zoo organization, adopt an animal, volunteer and or donate money to FOZ; Benches and Dedication Tiles may be ordered on the website as well. Thanks to Dawn and James Hawkins, our website masters and specialists, we have a link to the community that represents the Zoo, FOZ and our mission. Please take a look and let us know what you think.

Please join us on September 11, 2010 for the FOZ Annual General Membership Meeting and Elections. We will have a short business meeting and elections, followed by lunch and door prizes. You will have an opportunity to meet your board members, new and old, and learn more about our plans and vision for the zoo. I hear that some of our special animal friends might make a command appearance at the meeting too.

I would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions; please feel free to contact me at kgcasunshine@aol.com with your thoughts and ideas for FOZ.

--Karla Cook, President, Friends of the Zoo

....to read more of the August 2010 Newsletter

Download copy of past PDF Newsletters

News Briefs ...
July 2008
Max the Catalina MacawMax the Catalina Macaw celebrates his 20th birthday on the 15th, while the Zoo celebrates it's 30th Anniversary on the 26th.   corpse plantThere may be a special treat in the coming months as the amorphophallus titanum or "corpse plant" leaf has withered and after a dormancy period of 2-4 months, the plant may finally emerge with the rare "corpse flower"!
May 2008
Cotton-top TamarinsA pair of Cotton-top Tamarins have arrived! They are a gift from the University of Wisconsin Madison. Male "Opus" was born 4-13-2000, and female "Cousteau" was born 3-2-2002. They are enjoying their new enclosure between the kinkajous and the Primadome. You can see more photos of them on the "Zoo Interactive Tour" page of the website.   alligator snapping turtlealligator snapping turtleA 52lb. female alligator snapping turtle, caught in Lake Wilson on Oahu, is sharing an enclosure with the common snapping turtle. She may be hard to spot hiding under the water hyacinths of her pond. "Ms. Wilson"
April 2008
raffia palmraffia palmThe raffia palm is starting to bloom! This very versatile plant will take many months to complete the opening of the large pendulant stalks, flowering, and fruiting before it dies. This palm is located behind the axis deer enclosure, next to the new shade structure on the Petting Zoo walkway.
March 2008
Zoey Manu, a very friendly hyacinth MacawZoey Manu, a very friendly hyacinth Macaw, has finally made her public debut in her new exhibit. She has been working with a group of "Aunties" who have volunteered to be her new family, interact with her and eventually the public.Also on display are two painted honu from artists Dick Mortemore and Hopper Sheldon.
December 2007
Einstein the white umbrella cockatooEinstein the white umbrella cockatoo has announced his arrival in his new exhibit next to the Toucans.
April 2007
The kinkajous, Lilo and Stitch, have been moved to one of the new enclosures next to the Primadome and their new sleeping box should make it easier to see them while they sleep away the day. Their old spot will be used for Igorina the turkey vulture's new home.
March 2007
snapping turtleWe received a common snapping turtle and a bearded dragon from the Dept. of Ag in Honolulu. The turtle has been moved to the pond next to the pigs and the very friendly bearded dragon is across from him, next to the giant day gecko.
Zoo Open 9-4 daily, except Christmas and New Years's Day. Petting Zoo, Every Saturday 1:30-2:30. Tiger Feeding 3:30 daily.

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P.O. Box 738 Kea`au, HI 96749

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