Happy Halloweeeeeen!!!!!

So, the Newport Aquarium loves Halloween! And what better way to celebrate than getting everyone dressed up?! My favorite is a group of our co-workers dressed as "Shark Week" complete with shark fin hats, days of the week shirts and plenty of victims!

Here are some fun pictures from my fellow co-workers! Enjoy!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

What an orangutan has to say...

It is videos like this that really break a conservationist's heart. However, at least there is something we can all do to help. Be aware of what you eat and make the right choices! Please watch this short video below to see a heartwarming message from a little deaf girl communicating by sign language with an orangutan.

http://www.upworthy.com/what-an-orangutan-says-to-this-little-girl-is-a-message-we-all-need-to-know-about-2

Why should we avoid eating foods or using products made with palm oil?

Palm oil is an introduced agricultural crop and is destroying the natural rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra. When palm oil is not sustainably collected, the rainforest habitat is destroyed, and subsequently, many plant and animal species are affected. Simply making the choice to avoid foods with palm oil, we can decrease the demand for increased palm oil harvesting, and reduce the need for company expansion, which will overall help preserve the rainforest habitats.

Why is the WAVE Foundation and Newport Aquarium worried about this issue?

By losing the Borneo and Sumatra rainforests alone, we would lose over 400 mammal species, over 1000 bird species, almost 400 reptiles, over 200 amphibians, almost 700 fish, and over 30,000 plant species. That is something that no one should want to see happen! So by increasing the awareness of this issue, we hope people will be more aware of their food and products that they use, and overall help us help these wonderful animals.

Is there sustainable palm oil that I should support instead?

Yes! It is known as “sustainable palm oil”, and is rainforest friendly and provides a steady income for the local farmers and better supports the economy and needs of the local people overall.
The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (the RSPO) is a group made up of social and government organizations, companies and businesses that set the standards for sustainable palm oil. Visit www.rspo.org for more information. Or download the Sustainable Palm Oil App on your phone to help make the right choices.


Halloween is coming... and a lot of our candy choices have palm oil in them. Please help the rainforests and all the animals in it by picking a candy without palm oil. To help with this choice, visit the Halloween candy guide here... http://www.cmzoo.org/docs/PalmOilHalloweenGuide.pdf.

Also, for a quick reference, any products made by Nestle, Kellogg's, PepsiCo (Frito Lay), Hershey's, Mars, Walmart Great Value Brand, ConAgra, Kraft Foods and Nabisco are good choices because they are all members of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil and use sustainable palm oil in their products.

 

Sorry I disappeared...

I am very sorry that I haven't posted in a while. The WAVE Foundation has our biggest fundraiser of the year on the first Friday of October and we all get a bit caught up in the chaos of organizing the event!

The event is called Nauti Nite (Nautical Nite) or is also known as "The Blue Party" and takes place at the Newport Aquarium. It is a great event that we use to raise money for our conservation and education programs.

I am responsible for the animal-side of things for Nauti Nite. I have a staff of about 15 volunteers who are responsible for taking animals out to meet our guests. Some of these animals include snakes, alligators, turtles and penguins. My staff walks through the party and guests get to meet the animals up close and personal. So I make sure my staff is ready, the animals are ready, and everyone stays safe during these encounters.

Another interesting thing that I did this year was advertisement for Nauti Nite on the news. We set up two different spots prior to Nauti Nite on Channel 12 and Channel 19, and I took a penguin to help tell the local community about what Nauti Nite is and why they should come. It was a lot of fun to talk about the event that we all spend so much time planning, and I hope it brought in some more unlikely guests. Most of the community isn't aware of this event, but it is seriously a great time! We even overheard guests commenting about how the party was "so much better than Zoofari at the Cincinnati Zoo!" Comments like that really are amazing since Zoofari is supposed to be one of the biggest events in the area!

Check out these pictures below from Nauti Nite 2013 and from my news adventures!

I'm not quite sure what to think about all this...

Facebook is one of those things that can deliver both good and bad news about all kinds of topics. Lately, my Zoo/Aquarium friends have been posting about this Desert Tortoise sanctuary in Nevada that is no longer receiving funding, so the government's solution is to euthanize most of the tortoises. Of course, you could understand my outrage, and of course I wasn't the only outraged person. The Government has since said that they no longer intend to euthanize the animals and it was just a misunderstanding, but it got me thinking about situations like this and how heartbreaking it is. Check the story out at the link below...

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/08/25/government-plans-to-euthanize-hundreds-of-desert-tortoises-after-budget-cuts-to-refuge/


Something else sad that I was reading about came from a similar turtle conservationist who was murdered in his attempts to protect the sea turtles along a beach in Costa Rica. This is an amazing but unreal story that I would like to share. I say this is amazing because of the amount of passion these conservationists had to protect these amazing animals. I am inspired by their passion, but I wish this man didn't have to lose his life. My heart goes out to him, his colleagues, his family, his friend and all the animals that he gave his life to protect. Check out the article...

http://www.vice.com/read/costa-rican-drug-addicts-are-killing-turtles-for-crack

BALLOONS! Who knew they were dangerous?

 

10 things you can do to save the ocean! (from National Geographic)

I came across this article on the National Geographic website and had to share!

1. Mind Your Carbon Footprint and Reduce Energy Consumption
Reduce the effects of climate change on the ocean by leaving the car at home when you can and being conscious of your energy use at home and work. A few things you can do to get started today: Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs, take the stairs, and bundle up or use a fan to avoid oversetting your thermostat.

2. Make Safe, Sustainable Seafood Choices (check out Seafood Watch, too at... http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/seafoodwatch.aspx)
Global fish populations are rapidly being depleted due to demand, loss of habitat, and unsustainable fishing practices. When shopping or dining out, help reduce the demand for overexploited species by choosing seafood that is both healthful and sustainable.

3. Use Fewer Plastic Products
Plastics that end up as ocean debris contribute to habitat destruction and entangle and kill tens of thousands of marine animals each year. To limit your impact, carry a reusable water bottle, store food in nondisposable containers, bring your own cloth tote or other reusable bag when shopping, and recycle whenever possible.

4. Help Take Care of the Beach
Whether you enjoy diving, surfing, or relaxing on the beach, always clean up after yourself. Explore and appreciate the ocean without interfering with wildlife or removing rocks and coral. Go even further by encouraging others to respect the marine environment or by participating in local beach cleanups.

5. Don't Purchase Items That Exploit Marine Life
Certain products contribute to the harming of fragile coral reefs and marine populations. Avoid purchasing items such as coral jewelry, tortoiseshell hair accessories (made from hawksbill turtles), and shark products.

6. Be an Ocean-Friendly Pet Owner
Read pet food labels and consider seafood sustainability when choosing a diet for your pet. Never flush cat litter, which can contain pathogens harmful to marine life. Avoid stocking your aquarium with wild-caught saltwater fish, and never release any aquarium fish into the ocean or other bodies of water, a practice that can introduce non-native species harmful to the existing ecosystem.

7. Support Organizations Working to Protect the Ocean
Many institutes and organizations are fighting to protect ocean habitats and marine wildlife. Find a national organization and consider giving financial support or volunteering for hands-on work or advocacy. If you live near the coast, join up with a local branch or group and get involved in projects close to home.

8. Influence Change in Your Community
Research the ocean policies of public officials before you vote or contact your local representatives to let them know you support marine conservation projects. Consider patronizing restaurants and grocery stores that offer only sustainable seafood, and speak up about your concerns if you spot a threatened species on the menu or at the seafood counter.

9. Travel the Ocean Responsibly
Practice responsible boating, kayaking, and other recreational activities on the water. Never throw anything overboard, and be aware of marine life in the waters around you. If you’re set on taking a cruise for your next vacation, do some research to find the most eco-friendly option.

10. Educate Yourself About Oceans and Marine Life
All life on Earth is connected to the ocean and its inhabitants. The more you learn about the issues facing this vital system, the more you’ll want to help ensure its health—then share that knowledge to educate and inspire others.

Something to make you laugh on a Monday!

I'm not going to lie, I am a complete sucker for these silly things that show up on Facebook. Of course, my favorites are the ones with animals... Enjoy! :)



My hobby!

Hatching baby speckled kingsnake. The pictures below are with the speckled kingsnakes as well.

A lot of people always ask me what I like to do in my free-time. Well, I actually have animals at home that I care for and breed (all reptiles). It is an interesting situation being a Conservation Biologist and keeping animals at home, but the animals I have are all from captive-born situations (so they are not collected from the wild) and most of them are acquired from less-than-great homes. I decided to try breeding a few of my snakes this year for a few different reasons. First, because breeding in captivity decreases the need to collect those animals from the wild. Second, it takes quite a bit of skill and persistence with breeding, incubating eggs and raising the young and I both have experience with, and wanted to practice that skill. It is almost a hobby with how much time and dedication goes into the process and I really do enjoy it! I know it is a little unconventional, but it really is a great experience. And, I don't only have snakes, I am also a crazy cat lady! Which I'm sure I will post about my cats at another time...

Fear and Fascination

Wow, there really is a day for EVERYTHING! So I just wanted to recognize that July 16th, 2013 is world snake day!

I understand that a lot of people are afraid of snakes, and it always makes me sad. WAVE does a lot of animal outreaches where we take some of the Newport Aquarium's animal ambassadors to schools, camps and businesses around the tri-state (Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana). Whenever I take a snake with me, I always have to worry about how people are going to react. I really want to educate people about the snakes and teach them to respect the snakes that they might see in the wild, but I also don't want to terrify or devastate anyone. Usually, the people who are scared will politely move to the back of the room and almost hide, but one of the best feelings is that over half of them will work up the courage to touch the snake by the end of the program. And most of them say "oh, that's kinda cool" or "that's not so bad", etc.

One of the things that makes me more sad is the kids during the program who quickly raise their hands and tell a horrific story about how their dad, mom, grandpa, uncle, etc. has killed a snake with a shovel or some other quickly made weapon. This type of behavior is always unnecessary. The snake is simply there to live life. They never hunt you down, seek you out and cause pain to you or your family as long as you leave them alone. Yes, there are situations where you might happen across a venomous snake in the wild, and yes, you should always be cautious and safe in those circumstances, but no, that doesn't mean that the snake should be killed.

The best thing to do with snakes is to leave them alone. They are extremely important for the food chain/ecosystem and they do a great job at keeping the rodent and insect populations in check. So if you see a snake in the wild, just leave them be. Chances are you won't see them very often and they won't harm you in any way. If you have kids and you are worried about them being curious, then you should talk to them about the snakes in your area and learn about them. There are a lot of great local parks who have local snake books/guides that you can look at, or make a trip to the library and research the animals in your area. This could be a great educational opportunity for your family to learn how to be "snake safe!"

If you have any questions about this, leave a comment and I'd be happy to talk to you! Snakes are one of my favorite animals and our world wouldn't be the same without them! Happy world snake day, everyone! (Here are some pictures of me on outreaches with our Western Hognose snake and Kenyan Sand Boa).

A Conservation Biologist's vacation!

I'm sorry that I have been offline for about a week. I was on vacation! :)

So, what does a Conservation Biologist do for a get-away vacation...? Go camping, of course! Don't get me wrong, I love to be on the beach and relax in the sun, but getting out into the middle of nowhere with no cell phone reception and the chance to see amazing animals is priceless. I love to look for wildlife in the different states. If I wasn't a Conservation Biologist, then I'd probably be a wildlife photographer. Hiking in the middle of no where and getting the chance to see wild pig, rattlesnakes, box turtles and owls all sharing the same habitat is amazing. And depending on where you are will depend on what you see!

This vacation took me to a National Forest in Alabama with my boyfriend, Caleb and our good friend, John. As a conservationist, I was WOWED at the amount of Eastern box turtles that were there. I was blown away! We had to stop our car frequently to help a box turtle cross the road (and always take them to the side that they were heading toward). I remember being a kid and seeing Eastern box turtles all the time in Ohio and Kentucky, but I haven't seen one in YEARS. So I was both incredibly please and a little sad to see so many box turtles. Pleased because they are amazing, unique and beautiful animals, and sad because I remember them being more prevalent and their population is obviously being affected. We actually caught a box turtle laying her eggs in Alabama and it was truly an amazing sight! She was digging with her back feet and we knew exactly what she was getting ready to do. So we quickly left her alone to lay her eggs in peace (see picture below).

Another amazing experience was also with turtles. I got to see one of the rarest and hard-to-find turtles in the entire United States! The flattened musk turtle! They can only be found in a small part of this river in Alabama and we were able to find 3 adults and 3 babies. It was amazing to be able to see some of the babies in the wild. It is always a great sign to see babies from a rare species (see picture to the left).


The picture to the right shows an adult male in his natural habitat. (See, I saw a beach during my vacation!).

Overall, despite a little bit of car trouble and a couple small scrapes and bruises from falling down a rock cliff, we had a great time, saw some great animals and had a great adventure. Which is all I ever ask for.

I think the next place we are going to go to will be Illinois. Who knows!

Summer is here, which means Camp WAVE is back!

Starting next week, our WAVE Summer Camp is kicking into full gear!

I may be a little biased, but to be honest I have taught at four different summer camps in the tri-state throughout my teen/college years, and Camp WAVE is by far the most unique and exciting camp out of them all! At Camp WAVE you can touch sharks, penguins, sea stars, crabs, snakes, alligators, turtles, skinks, etc.; explore the Ohio River; make crafts, play games, talk to Biologists, Ride the Ducks on the Ohio River, learn how to test water, meet Rocky the giant rockhopper penguin, play the game Frogger and explore our Frog Bog play area, and see the Newport Aquarium every day all while discovering the wonders of the natural world and making new friends! And some of our weeks have special activities like going to a day-time Red's game! Each week is themed with appropriate games and activities for that theme!

So if you know of anyone who has kids who are interested in marine animals, or even if they are thinking about being a marine biologist when they grow up, or even if they just love the Newport Aquarium or animals in general, then send them to the WAVE Foundation's website! The link is below for more information and for general registration...

http://www.wavefoundation.org/education/summer-camp/

Here are some pictures from last year's camp! This is a sample of the fun things kids get to do and experience at Camp WAVE!

World Turtle Day! (see, I don't ONLY talk about penguins...)

HAPPY WORLD TURTLE DAY!!!!

World Turtle Day started in 2000 by the American Tortoise Rescue to bring attention to turtles and tortoises and encourage people to help with their conservation. There are a lot of really simple ways that we can help turtles in the wild. Especially with vacation season coming up. Check out the information below to learn how to help these amazing animals!

 Ways you can help turtles and tortoises:

• Never remove any turtles or tortoises from the wild unless they are hurt or injured and need care.
• If you see a turtle crossing the street, carefully move them to the side in the direction they were heading. If you take them back to the side they started on, they will just turn around and try to cross again (they usually have a mission in mind!).
• Never buy a turtle or tortoise from a pet store. This just increases demand from the wild.
• If you go on vacation, remember to leave the beach EXACTLY how you found it! Almost everyone goes on vacation at some point in their lives, and almost everyone visits a nice, warm, relaxing beach location! Yet most people do not realize that their fun day at the beach could end up being a possibly fatal night for sea turtles if we leave the beach a mess! Here are some points below that explain how you can help sea turtles and other aquatic animals during your vacation.

Remove anything from the beach that you brought with you. Do not leave lounge chairs, umbrellas, garbage, towels, toys, boats or anything else on the beach overnight. These items can get in the way of nesting mother sea turtles trying to find a good place to lay their eggs, or even in the way of hatchling sea turtles who are trying to make it to the water.

Fill in any holes that are dug in the sand, and flatten any sand castles that were made. I know it sounds sad to destroy all that hard work with those holes and sand castles, but these are HUGE obstacles to the hatchling sea turtles. Many hatchlings fall into these dug holes and cannot get back out and end up dying, or they become an easy target for predators such as gulls or raccoons. Also, with obstacles such as sand castles, turtles can bump into them and get confused and turn back the wrong way. Anything that stands in their direct path can cause trouble for turtles.
 
Clean-up all the garbage you see: both yours and anyone else’s. This might seem like a simple task, but it makes a HUGE difference for sea turtles and other aquatic animals. Turtles can easily mistake plastic bags and other trash for their favorite food – jellyfish. This trash gets stuck in the turtle’s digestive tract and can seriously injure or kill the turtles.

Thanks for reading! Hopefully we can all do our part to help these amazing animals! Especially when on vacation! If you are going to Florida this summer, check online for any Sea Turtle Rescues in the area and see if they offer tours of their facility. These places really are amazing and could offer a very unique experience for your typical vacation! Let me know if you end up visiting anywhere! I'd love to hear about it!