Brandywine Zoo - What's New at the Brandywine Zoo

Zoo Renews Accreditation

The Brandywine Zoo is proud to announce that it has again attained accreditation by the independent Accreditation Commission of The Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA). The Brandywine Zoo is located in Brandywine Park, Wilmington, Delaware. The 13- acre zoo is home to a variety of species of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians-mostly animals native to the Americas and the temperate areas of Asia.

To be accredited, the Brandywine Zoo underwent a thorough inspection to ensure it has and will continue to meet ever-rising standards, which include animal care, veterinary programs, conservation, education, and safety. AZA requires zoos and aquariums to successfully complete this rigorous accreditation process every five years in order to be members of the Association. The Brandywine Zoo first earned accreditation in 1981 and has maintained AZA standards to date. There are 214 accredited zoos in the United States. Zoo staff continues to work diligently to meet and improve upon the guidelines and standards of animal care that have been set before them.

"By meeting high Association of Zoos and Aquariums Accreditation standards, the Brandywine Zoo has demonstrated its leadership among zoos and aquariums," said AZA President and CEO, Jim Maddy. "Only the best of the best rise to this level, and we congratulate the professionals at the Brandywine Zoo for their hard work."

The accreditation process includes a meticulous on-site inspection by a team of trained zoo and aquarium professionals. The inspecting team observes all aspects of the institution's operation in areas such as animal care; keeper training; safety for visitors, staff, and animals; educational programs; conservation efforts; veterinary programs; financial stability; risk management; visitor services; and other areas. Finally, top officials appear at a formal hearing of AZA's independent Accreditation Commission, after which accreditation is granted, tabled, or denied.

"Brandywine Zoo is a great place for people to connect with the natural world and learn about animals," says Nancy M. Falasco, director of the Brandywine Zoo, "The Brandywine Zoo supports our community with affordable family recreation and conservation-based education programs." Ms. Falasco has served as Zoo Director of the Brandywine Zoo since 1981.

Nearly 80,000 visitors experienced the Brandywine Zoo in the last year. Admission and membership fees remain low and there are a number of events throughout the year that are free to the public. The zoo has a robust year-round calendar of educational activities for all ages, including spring and summer camps and school class tours, in addition to special events on weekends. Nearly all events and activities focus on animals and environmental conservation.

"For a small zoo, we have a significant impact in the world of animal conservation," says Ms. Falasco. The Brandywine Zoo participates in the Species Survival Program, directed by the AZA, which works with accredited zoos to test and inventory the genetic pool of captive animals and assist in pairing genetically diverse animals to result in continuation of the species and possible offspring released to the wild. Earlier this year, the zoo's Andean Condor "Mac" was transported to the San Diego Zoo to mate with a female there. "Chavin," a male from the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas, was matched as a mate for the Brandywine Zoo's female, "Miss. Gryphus." It is hoped that if the pairings are successful, the offspring will be released in their natural habitat in Columbia and Venezuela. Eighty-two condors have already been released under this AZA multi-zoo cooperative.

Because of the Brandywine Zoo's participation in the Species Survival Program, zoo visitors may get to know endangered species like the Andean Condor, Amur Tiger, Goeldis Marmosets, Golden Headed Lion Tamarins and the Golden Lion Tamarin.

The Brandywine Zoo is proud to acknowledge that it is a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, a distinction that marks its commitment to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for the visitor and a better future for all living things.

The Brandywine Zoo is part of the Delaware State Parks and is managed by the Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation with the support of the Delaware Zoological Society, the non-profit volunteer organization that supports the mission of the Brandywine Zoo.

The Brandywine Zoo is located at 1001 North Park Drive, Wilmington, Delaware. It is open every day of the year, 10am to 4pm. For more information, call (302) 571-7747.

ABOUT THE AZA: Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation. AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation, and your link to helping animals in their native habitats. For more information, please visit www.aza.org.

Giving Tree for the Zoo Animals and Wish List

By Sharon Smith, Zoo Keeper, Delaware State Parks

Have you ever wondered what many of the Zoo animals do doing the day besides eating and sleeping? They actually spend part of the day in training programs with the Zoo Keepers. The rest of their free time, they might choose to play with each other or play with items placed throughout their enclosures. Many of these items are considered "toys" and stimulate beneficial behavior in the animals.

We thought that perhaps you would like the opportunity to purchase some of these "toys" for the animals. Zoo Keepers again this year will be setting up the Annual Giving Tree for animal toys on the Zoo grounds. This tree will be decorated with picture ornaments. These ornaments will show different items that we would love to have as donations for our animals. Just like the toys and other items you buy for your pets at home, the animals here at the Zoo greatly enjoy them also. Information of where you can purchase this toy is also on the ornament. The tree will be up through the New Year.

As keepers we all give 100% to ensure that all of our animals' needs are well taken care of. By purchasing the item listed on the ornament you choose, it will help us continue the great care we give to all the animals in our care. For health and safety reasons, we must ask that all items be new and still in the original package. So when you come out to visit us at the Brandywine Zoo, stop by our "Giving Tree" and pick an ornament or two. If you don't think you'll be able to visit the zoo, click here for the Giving Tree Wish List.

We already do a lot of our animal supply ordering through Animal Specialties and Provisions and Concord Pet. If you choose an ornament with an item from Animal Specialties and Provisions you will be able to choose an item to donate. Visit their website, click on the "Giving Tree" logo on the bottom right of the website. This will take you to a list of items that you can choose from that you wish to donate. The item you choose will then be shipped to us directly with our next order at no shipping charge to you. If you choose the "gift card" selection, you can make a monetary donation that will be put into our account so that we purchase an item of our choice. A Concord Pet gift card would allow us to order any items we may need directly from them, and have it delivered as well.

We would also appreciate any gift cards from your favorite pet supply provider. All donations should be dropped off between our regular business hours of 10:00 am and 3:30 pm, at the Administration Building (located next to our concession stand). If you have any questions, feel free to call us at (302) 571-7788. Everyone at the zoo wants to thank you in advance for your help. We look forward to seeing you at the Brandywine Zoo.

Postal Service Unveils New Tiger Stamp at Zoo

Greg Ellis of DZS unveiled tiger stamp

The Brandywine Zoo hosted a press conference for the unveiling of the Save Vanishing Species stamp with the Amur Tiger Cub on the stamp on September 28.

The U.S. Postal Service is helping to save vanishing species 11-cents at a time - specifically tigers, African and Asian elephants, rhinos, great apes and marine turtles. The net proceeds from the sales of the new Save Vanishing Species semipostal stamp will be transferred to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to support the Multinational Species Conservation Funds.

Zoo Director, Nancy Falasco talked about the blight of Amur Tigers in the wild and the bright future for Zhanna, the Amur Tiger at the zoo. She introduced Dorita Barnes, USPS Wilmington Postmaster, who talked about the good conservation work being accomplished through the funds from the sale of the stamps. And with the help of Gregory Ellis, Board President, Delaware Zoological Society, the stamp was unveiled.

More information about the purchase of these stamps may be found on www.usps.com and www.stamps.com.

Zoo Visitors pose with new stamp.

Greg Ellis, DZA President, Nancy Falasco Zoo Director and and Wilm Postmaster Dorita Barnes with new Amur tiger stamp.

Welcome "Zhanna" - Amur tiger

The Brandywine Zoo welcomes its newest resident, a three-year-old, female Amur (Siberian) tiger named Zhanna (pronounced ZAN-ah). Zhanna is out and about and ready to greet zoo visitors. The Brandywine Zoo is open every day from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M.

"Zoo staff is looking forward to caring for Zhanna," said Brandywine Zoo Director Nancy Falasco. "Her new home has been almost completely redesigned and rebuilt. We are so pleased that our zoo keepers, experienced and trained in working with large cats will have the opportunity to work with this magnificent animal."

Zhanna was born on April 28, 2008 at the St. Louis Zoo. Her mother was born at the Philadelphia Zoo and her father came from Russia as an orphaned tiger (his mother was killed by poachers). Zhanna is part of a litter of five. Amur tigers are critically endangered; there are fewer than 500 living in small populations in far eastern Russia and northeast China. Loss of habitat due to logging activities, human encroachment and poaching are the main threats to their survival in the wild.

Amur tigers are part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Tiger Species Survival Plan. The plan is responsible for maintaining a genetically healthy population of tigers in North American Zoos, including the Amur. There are approximately 300 tigers in this program.

The Brandywine Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and a participating zoo in the AZA Tiger Species Survival Plan.

AZA facilities are dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for visitors and a better future for all living things. With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader is global wildlife conservation, and an important link to helping animals in their native habitats. The Zoo is managed as part of Wilmington State Parks by the Division of Parks and Recreation with the support of the Delaware Zoological Society.

WATCH OUR VIDEOS:
Delaware 28TV video about Zhanna
WWTV 22 video about Zhanna

Learn more about Amur Tigers.