U.S. Zoo Amphibian collections.

[kyle]

First, I want to make it known here that the Omaha Zoo has recently started on a project (mainly focusing on Anurans) which will help support amphibian conservation world wide. The projected plan is to open up an entirely new department in the zoo dedicated strictly towards amphibians, with a goal of eventually housing and breeding over one hundred of the endangered frogs from around the world.

Plans to start small are underway and the hope is with time, and a significant donation, a whole new building will be constructed. It will not be a public area, but minimal viewing will be available. The first few stages will be completed by February if all goes as planned.

I don't really know much beyond that, but if you have questions, please let me know. If you have comments, let me know, but obviously its hard for me to change anything, as all the planning is going on with the higher ups.

Now if you've made it this far in my post, maybe you all can help me out. I'm planning on taking a vacation this winter break, and would really like to visit another zoo which already has a large amphibian collection. If any one here has any recommendations for me, I'd love to hear them, and any existing info about the collections would be wonderful to know.

This is really important to me, and I'd really appreciate any help you can offer. For the record, I have already been to the St. Louis Zoo, which I would definitely recommend to anyone! Thanks.

Also, I will do my best to keep you guys updated on the progress of the project here in Omaha, and if anyone is interested in a visit to check out the completed project, feel free to let me know, it should be quite impressive!

 

[edward]

Hi Kyle,

Probably one one of the better zoos to visit for amphibian collections is the Detroit Zoo where they have a building dedicated solely to amphibians. (I would have invited you out here to see the collection here but it is not as diverse as it once was).
You may also want to check out the off exhibit setups at the Cinncinatti Zoo.

(And tell Jessi I said Hi).



Ed

(Message edited by Ed on November 15, 2005)

 

[kyle]

Thanks Ed! I will definitely look in to those for sure, as I've heard Detroit does a nice job... and maybe I can hit up Cinncinatti on the way!

Any other suggestions would be great!

 

[joan]

Kyle, if you do want to go to Detroit, I know some people who know some people and could probably pull some strings and get you behind-the-scenes to see their facilities.

 

[edward]

Hi Joan,
If as I understand Kyle's post, he works/volunteers for the Omaha Zoo and typically Zoos extend this courtesy if asked ahead of time to other Zoo's employees.
I know the acting curator for the Amphibian House and he is a great guy and I doubt Kyle would have any problems getting behind the scenes there as long as he lets them know ahead of time.

Ed

 

[joan]

I wish I worked at the zoo. You guys are lucky.

 

[ian]

I think I will start volunteering at Toronto zoo too.

 

[edward]

The job is great but the pay is generally terrible. A lot of Zoos require a bachelor's degree and at least one years experience and then pay about $12-$15 an hour.
One of the Texas Zoos is looking for a vet and offering $29,000 a year.....

Ed

 

[kyle]

heh... recently I noticed San Antonio looking for a head reptile keeper... starting wage 7 dollars an hour.

Requirements- associates degree in biology or related area. Venomous handling experience a must. Their collection is quite extensive I must say.

I sure hope the benefits for that job are amazing, because the pay definitely does not make me want to up and move to San Antonio lol.

I'm currently a non-paid intern... getting that experience I need while I'm still in school so once I'm out I can hopefully find a job. Ed is right though, I still do get some of the benefits that other keepers do, such as wonderful access to most other zoos.

 

[foster]

When I graduated 10 years ago with a BS in Biology I looked into zoo work. I had volunteered at the Mill Mountain Zoo in Roanoke for about a year. As Ed stated, the pay is not good. It is definitely a "love your work" kind of job. I decided to become an RN instead. The pay is better but I do miss working with animals.
Chip

 

[edward]

When I made the decision to work at a Zoo, I was also interviewing to work at a chem lab in the HPLC division. I took about a $20,000 a year pay cut but I am much happier (I had already worked a couple of years in the chem industry so I knew what it was like). I drive a twelve year old toyota pickup and my wife (who is also a zookeeper (gorillas)) and I had to buy a house 45 minutes or so from work so we could get one we could afford (the fact that it has a basement, a fireplace and 5.5 acres is a big plus). So we made some big sacrifices to do what we like (out of my close friends, I earn the least by far).
Well I think I have hijacked this thread more than enough already.
Ed

(Message edited by ed on November 16, 2005)

 

[TJ]

Kyle, I would think you'd find this article to be interesting (if you haven't read it already):

http://elib.cs.berkeley.edu/aw/declines/zoo/

Lots of potential contacts for you can be found in that article.

Ed, I find everything you said there to be of interest, so no worries on that score

I seem to recall that the Cincinnati Zoo had up a virtual guide to its Amphibian Collection, but I couldn't find it on the zoo's website when I just looked...

 

[wyatt]

Defiantly go to the detroit zoo. i have been there so many times. they have a building designated to amphibs. they have dart frogs, tree frogs, mudpuppies, salamanders(including a giant one) everything. it is also fairly new. opened about 3-4 years ago. Also, if you go there go to the reptile house and DO NOT miss the arctic ring of life. I LOVE that exhibit. largest of it's kind in the world. They also just got in a few white rhinos. our zoo used to be nothing. Now it is Great.

 

[joan]

Wyatt, they have more than one giant salamander. They've got at least 6 Andrias japonicus and more than 3 (I think) Cryptobranchus!

Ed, I agree with you. Biology pays beans. But that's why my little signature line is "Science is a wonderful thing if one does not have to earn one's living at it. - Albert Einstein". It's not about the money, but about the animals.

 

[kyle]

Wow Tim! Thanks so much for the heads up on that article, I haven't read through it yet, but I can't wait till I get a chance to... I have class here in a bit otherwise I'd get started right away.

And thank you Wyatt for the info about Detroit, I'll definitely be sure to check the rest of the zoo, and I believe I've seen some stuff about the "artic ring" and am really excited to see it in person.

*drools at the thought of all the Cryptobranchids I'll get to see ;-)*

I also found what you said to be very interesting Ed, and lucky for me, I've never had the intentions of getting rich .

 

[edward]

Unless there have been some changes Cinncinnati has a good collection of Andria off exhibit in a large stream system that is well worth seeing.
When I was there (over ten years ago) they also had Echinotriton andersonii, and Eurycea rathbuni.

Ed

 

[john]

If you'd like to make a southern swing, the Tennessee Aquarium usually has some salamanders on display in their Smoky Mountain Streams section. Check their website for details.

Zoo Atlanta's collection is pretty good, though overshadowed by the pandas and primates.