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Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tech Talk: Maryland Zoo takes visitors to the Great Migration in Africa through VR
MARYLAND () — The Maryland Zoo is taking visitors to Africa — virtually, that is, allowing them to come face to face with migrating animals in the wild. And it's all through an immersive simulation of the Great Migration 'We are first and foremost a conservation organization. For all our signature animal species, we have programs in countries on the ground working with partners in the natural habitat for some of our key animals,' said Mike Evitts, Spokesperson for the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. Rather than sitting on a plane for hours, the Maryland Zoo transports visitors instantly to an African safari with headsets and 3D chairs. Tech Talk: See yourself in any outfit online with Google's AI Try On 'To give people a 360-degree firsthand look at what it means to be, for example, in the middle of massive animal migration in the middle of Africa,' said Evitts. 'We can't take them all over to Botswana or down to South Africa or Namibia. Virtual reality, however, can do that.' The zoo isn't new to VR, but noted this is its first safari film title in the immersive experience with 360 panoramic views. 'You're sitting in a chair that's basically like a big egg. So, you're surrounded by the audio and the chair moves. So as the camera soars about the plains of Africa, you feel the motion,' said Evitts. The zoo partnered with the company Immotion to bring this virtual reality experience. 'It just takes you into the middle of what their work looks like, and it gives you a real sense of why zoos are important and why saving habitats in the wild are equally important,' said Evitts. 'It takes months if not years to get this footage done in the wild. There are thousands of 360-degree cameras placed.' Evitts said the crew with Immotion had to stake out where the animals would be on their annual migration and try to get the timing down to be able to film the migration that visitors at the zoo see in virtual reality. 'You'll see in the film at the end it looks like a big cat actually found the camera takes it down. You'll see wildebeest running and knocking over cameras. And it puts you in the middle of it. And as they're running, you feel the earth move because the chair is shaking you,' said Evitts. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
American Press
03-07-2025
- Business
- American Press
George E. Williams
It is with profound sadness we announce the death of George E. Williams. His family knew him as 'Bud,' professionally he was known as Junior Williams. Born in Hodge, La. on May 22, 1930, he was the beloved son of Ruben Daniel Williams and Ophelia Ferguson Williams. His family moved to Lake Charles in 1944, where he graduated from LaGrange High School in 1947. He went to work for Augenstein Construction Co., Inc. as a timekeeper and was the youngest employee at the time, thus he was named Junior. He later purchased the company, employing hundreds of construction workers over the years. Junior was also part owner of Sulphur Electric Co., Inc. and Buyer's Enterprises, Inc. In 1981, Junior founded West-Cal Construction Co., Inc. and diligently managed it until he began retirement in 1986. Bud enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially during his many trips to the Coastal Club with his friend, Bill King. His trophy room included many prized mounts from his adventures in the marshes of Southwest Louisiana and an African Safari. While Junior was a well-respected business owner in the community, his greatest accomplishment was his family. He conducted business and life with the utmost integrity, always placing his family first. Junior was appointed to the Board of the Lake Charles Port Commission, wherein he served as Treasurer for six years. He was a member of the Lake Charles chapter of Rotary International. Additionally, he was a member of the Lake Charles Country Club, The City Club of Lake Charles, and The Pioneer Club. George is survived by his wife of nearly 75 years, Ramona A. Williams; his sons, Ron Williams and wife, Kim, Dr. Ray Williams, and wife, Monica; his daughters, Susie Williams and husband, Bob Waggener, and Phyllis Foster and husband, Dr. Bill Foster. Affectionately known as 'PePaw,' he leaves a proud legacy for his grandchildren, Chris McGee and wife, Jessica, Joel D. McGee, Bryan Williams and wife, Anna, Kyle Williams and wife, Liz, Lindsey Perry and husband, Brooks, William Foster and wife, Ann, Angie Kinsel and husband, Scott, Amber Williams, Ricky Williams, Brittnei Boutte and husband, Marcus, Brooke Mouton, Josh Mouton and Emily Mouton, along with 19 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ruben Daniel Williams and Ophelia Ferguson Williams, and his brothers, Gilbert Williams and Carl Williams. Bud's funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 6, 2025 in the Johnson Funeral Home of Lake Charles Chapel, with the Rev. Don Barrett presiding. Burial will follow in Consolata Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Saturday evening, resuming on Sunday from 12 p.m. until the start of the service at 2 p.m. Pallbearers are Dr. Ray Williams, Chris McGee, Joel McGee, Bryan Williams, Kyle Williams, and William Foster. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Samaritan's Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607. try/donate-online Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Gorewada Zoo to launch African Safari with 22 species in 18 months
Nagpur: A thrilling new chapter awaits wildlife enthusiasts as the Balasaheb Thackeray Gorewada International Zoological Park prepares to unveil its African Safari in the next 18 months. On Tuesday, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between FDCM Gorewada Zoo Limited and the National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC-India) in the presence of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and forest minister Ganesh Naik in Mumbai. This landmark agreement paves the way for a transformative addition to Nagpur's tourism landscape. This ambitious project, part of the zoo's Phase-II expansion, follows the successful inauguration of the Indian Safari on January 26, 2021. Under the Phase-II safari, African fauna such as giraffe, zebra, gemsbok, blue wildebeest, lion, cheetah, white rhinoceros, and hippopotamus, among 22 animals, will be exhibited in different enclosers. The MoU signing ceremony, held at the Vidhan Bhavan's committee hall in Mumbai, saw NBCC's chairman and managing director KPM Swami, executive director Pravin Doiphode, FDCM Gorewada Zoo Limited's CEO Chandrasekaran Bala, and Maharashtra Forest Development Corporation's managing director Naresh Zhurmure formalise the agreement. Additional chief secretary of the forest department, Milind Mhaiskar, and CM's additional chief secretary, Vikas Kharge, were also present. The project, with a total sanctioned budget of Rs517.76 crore via a govt resolution dated October 14, 2024, and approved on May 19, 2025, will develop a 63-hectare African Safari, a Safari Plaza, and an enhanced entrance gate, with completion targeted within 18 months from the MoU's signing. The African Safari will be developed within the zoo, featuring around 22 African species. The African species to be featured include free-ranging herbivores and moated carnivore exhibits, set in an open savannah habitat. Additionally, an African Kopje Walk will offer visitors a unique, walk-through experience with themed enclosures, showcasing the rich biodiversity of African ecosystems. Out of the total project cost, approximately Rs285 crore has been earmarked for the safari, hospital, quarantine facility, and safari plaza. The remaining amount has been approved for other works. Once completed, the African Safari will establish Nagpur as a significant tourism hub, promoting environmental awareness and biodiversity conservation. Project Highlights - Phase-2 Initiative: Builds on the Indian Safari's success with an African-themed expansion - Investment: Rs517.76 crore allocated for the safari, plaza, entrance gate, and other works - Initially, Rs285 crore to be spent on the safari, entrance plaza, quarantine facility and hospital - African Safari to be developed on 63 hectares - Completion expected within 18 months - To promote biodiversity and environmental education - Construction will be carried out by NBCC, a national-level organisation Featured Animals - Free-Ranging Herbivores: Ostrich, Hippopotamus, Impala, Gemsbok, Common Eland, Blue Wildebeest, Giraffe, Burchell's Zebra, Kudu - Moated Island Exhibits: Spotted Hyena, White Rhinoceros, Patas Monkey, Red River Hog, African Lion, Chimpanzee, Hamadryas Baboon, Cheetah - Kopje Walk Species: Ring-Tailed Lemur, Vervet Monkey, Meerkat, Klipspringer, Naked Mole Rat, Serval, African Wild Dog, Barbary Sheep, Southern Ground Hornbill, Banded Mongoose, Rock Hyrax Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
Indian Express
01-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
‘African Safari' to open soon at Nagpur's Gorewada Zoo
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Maharashtra Forest Development Corporation (FDCM), Gorewada Zoo Limited, Nagpur, and the National Building Construction Corporation NBCC – India for the development of an African Safari at the Balasaheb Thackeray Gorewada International Zoological Park, formerly known as Gorewada Zoo in Nagpur. The MoU was signed in presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Forest Minister Ganesh Naik on Tuesday in Mumbai. A formal signing ceremony was held in the Committee Hall of Vidhan Bhavan. K.P.M. Swamy, Chairman and Managing Director of NBCC, along with Pravin Doiphode, Executive Director, Naresh Zhurmure, Managing Director of the Maharashtra Forest Development Corporation, and Chandrasekaran Bala, CEO of FDCM Gorewada Zoo Limited, were present. Under this project, the African Safari will be developed on approximately 63 hectares of land within the Gorewada Zoo and will include around 22 African species. This project, estimated to cost around Rs 285 crore, aims to be completed within 18 months. Once the African Safari is completed, Nagpur's zoo is expected to become a significant tourism hub, promoting environmental awareness and biodiversity conservation. The African Safari at Gorewada will feature a diverse range of animals, offering visitors a chance to observe both island-dwelling and free-roaming species. On the Mottled Island Exhibit, visitors can see Spotted hyenas, White rhinoceroses, Patas monkeys, Red River hogs, African lions, chimpanzees, Hamadryas baboons, and cheetahs. In the open safari areas, animals such as ostriches, hippopotamuses, impalas, gemsboks, Common elands, Blue wildebeests, giraffes, Burchell's zebras, and kudus will roam freely, providing an immersive wildlife experience. Balasaheb Thackeray Gorewada International Zoological Park, known earlier as the Gorewada Zoo, is envisioned to be the largest zoological park in India with international components.
Hans India
01-07-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Maha govt signs MoU for hydropower project and safari plaza, to generate 300 jobs
Mumbai: The Maharashtra government, on Tuesday, signed two MoUs, one in the energy sector and another in forest sector, in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The state Water Resources Department signed an MoU with Shree Tatysaheb Kore Warana Cooperative Navshakti Nirman Sanstha in Warananagar for the 240 MW Tillari Pumped Storage hydropower (PSH) Project. This entails an investment of Rs 1,000 crore and generate 300 jobs. The Chief Minister's Office in a post on its official X account said, "Powering Progress. Fueling a Green Future. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis presided over the MoU signing an exchange between the Maharashtra government's Water Resources Department and Shree Tatysaheb Kore Warana Cooperative Navshakti Nirman Sanstha in Warananagar for the 240 MW Tillari Pumped Storage Project. As the 16th MoU under Maharashtra's renewable push, this partnership further accelerates the state's journey toward a greener and energy-secure future. Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, MLA Vinay Kore and other senior officials were present." According to the state Water Resources Department, the PSH project ensures stable support during peak loads providing an uninterrupted power supply and it allows for the integration of variable renewable energy sources without grid disruptions. Such projects also have a lower carbon footprint when compared to fossil fuel-based plants, the department said. Meanwhile, the MoU was also signed between Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM) Gorewada Zoo Limited, Nagpur and National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC) for the development of the African Safari, Safari Plaza, and associated works under Phase-2 of the Balasaheb Thackeray Gorewada International Zoological Park in Nagpur. The Chief Minister's Office in a post said, "CM Devendra Fadnavis presided over the MoU signing and exchange between the FDCM Gorewada Zoo Limited, Nagpur and NBCC for the development of the African Safari, Safari Plaza, and associated works under Phase-2 of the Balasaheb Thackeray Gorewada International Zoological Park in Nagpur. State Forest Minister Ganesh Naik and other senior officials were present." According to the Forest department sources, FDCM Gorewada Zoo (FGZ), located in Nagpur, is a pivotal wildlife conservation and education centre. Under its umbrella, the facility includes the Balasaheb Thackeray Gorewada International Zoological Park, a rescue centre, and the Wildlife Research and Training Centre. FGZ is dedicated to promoting biodiversity, providing recreational opportunities, and enhancing public awareness of environmental issues. It also features a conservation breeding programme for endangered species. FDCM Gorewada Zoo plays a vital role in fostering a culture of conservation and advancing wildlife preservation in the region.
