Latest news with #BlankParkZoo
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
56 Threatened Turtles Born at Iowa Zoo Released Into the Wild
Dozens of Blanding's turtles were released back into their natural wetland habitat on June 4 Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the Blank Park Zoo, and Iowa State University joined forces to raise the turtles that are considered a threatened species The year-old turtles were released with tiny transmitters allowing their movements to be tracked for the next two monthsA group of year-old Blanding's turtles were released from the Blank Park Zoo and placed in their natural habitat. Blanding's turtles are a threatened species, and as part of a partnering project between the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the Blank Park Zoo, and Iowa State University, the agencies worked together to help the population. "Blanding's turtles are so cool, they've got this bright yellow chin, and they kind of look like an army helmet with this dome shape of their shell," Dr. Karen Kinkead, wildlife diversity program coordinator for the Iowa DNR, told WHO Des Moines. The turtles' parents are native to the Iowa wetlands. Now that their babies are one year old, they were released into a marsh in Guthrie County with tiny transmitters to track their movements and gather data. 'You definitely want to be putting them into a good Blanding's turtle habitat where they're gonna be able to thrive, so that's pretty much made up of wetlands,' Elizabeth Lang, a research associate at Iowa State University, told Iowa Local 5 News. WHO Des Moines reports that Lang will spend her summer in the marsh tracking the turtles and monitoring their whereabouts. Over the winter, the baby turtles made the Blank Park Zoo their home. "The zoo's kept them over the winter for us, and they've kept them awake instead of allowing them to go to sleep for the winter," Kinkead told KCCI News. "So they've grown bigger than they would in the wild. Because they're bigger, it will be harder for some of their natural predators to swallow them whole." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories. Kinead said she has concerns about the Blanding's turtle release: "I'm definitely a bit nervous. I hope that they do really well out there." "To my knowledge, this is the first opportunity we've had to track the juveniles," Kinkead told WHO Des Moines. "And we suspect that the juveniles are not using the habitat the same way as the adults do because we just don't find them the way we do adults." Kinkead said she believes the young turtles spend more time in the water than the adults. The turtle's transmitters will last two months, allowing Lang and partnering technicians to track how the turtles spend their summer. WHO Des Moines reports that the Blanding's turtle was placed on a threatened species list due to complications in successful nesting and habitat loss. DNR is working to rebuild the Blanding's turtle population following a late winter storm that devastated the species 10 years ago. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘Adventure Pass' is back at Iowa public libraries
DES MOINES, Iowa — Public library patrons across the state can again get free passes to attractions and cultural destinations. The Iowa Adventure Pass relaunched on Thursday after being paused at the end of 2024 because the original software company hosting the program's website went out of business. Iowa's high school musical theater talent on display in Des Moines Thursday The program lets cardholders at 70 of Iowa's public libraries check out passes to family-friendly destinations like the Blank Park Zoo, Grout Museum District, Science Center of Iowa, African American Museum of Iowa, Reiman Gardens, and Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. You can even get free tickets for movies at Perry Grand 3 Theatres. Check out a full list of the participating destinations here. Most of the passes include admission for two adults and two children, but it does vary from destination to destination, so make sure you check ahead of time. Not all destinations are available for each library. If your library participates in the program, you can reserve an Adventure Pass online with your library card here. Hawkeyes' kickoff times announced Johnston man killed in wrong-way, head-on Highway 30 crash 'Adventure Pass' is back at Iowa public libraries Iowa teen killed in head-on crash in Jefferson County Iowa's high school musical theater talent on display in Des Moines Thursday Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Blank Park Zoo breaks ground on roaring new lion conservation center
DES MOINES, Iowa — In April 2024, the Blank Park Zoo announced plans for the largest renovation project in its 60-year history, and on Tuesday morning, zoo leaders broke ground on phase one. The new lion conservation center will triple the space for the zoo's lions, while adding a trio of viewing experiences for guests, and even an immersive VIP viewing area. The exhibit is the first addition of the zoo's ongoing 'Expand the Impact' capital campaign an $18 million renovation project aimed at enhancing animal and guest experiences and conservation efforts. Quarry Springs Park in Colfax adds 40 new RV sites 'We're a part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and so those are partners that we have throughout the United States that partner with not only best practices for animal management, but also for conservation programming. And so we're excited to be a part of this network. This new space will allow us to become one of the leaders in lion conservation. So, our work will be done, not only here in the United States, but we also work with the African Lion Safe Program, which stands for Saving Animals from Extinction. And that'll be, our work will extend internationally into the wild as well,' said Anne Shimerdla, President and CEO of the Blank Park Zoo. Leaders with the zoo say once the lions are moved into this new area, their existing exhibit will be used to expand the tiger area. The zoo says they're hoping for the new lion conservation center to be open to the public beginning late spring/early summer of 2026. Metro News: Blank Park Zoo breaks ground on roaring new lion conservation center Juvenile assaulted at Walnut Creek Campus in West Des Moines MercyOne releases statement about split with Medical Center Anesthesiologists Exile Brewing Company wins gold at world beer competition Some metro trails closed because of flash flooding Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Who at the Blank Park Zoo is expecting twins again?
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Blank Park Zoo announced on Thursday that their cotton-top tamarin Kida is pregnant with twins! Kida might sound familiar as she's the mother of twins Caitlin and Clark who were born in February 2024. The zoo said it's excited to see Kida be a mother once again as both Caitlin and Clark have thrived under her care. Cedar Rapids granted casino license by IRGC 'Kida has been an exceptional mother, and we're thrilled to see her expanding her family once again,' Anne Shimerdla, Blank Park Zoo president and CEO, said. 'Each new birth is a crucial step in the conservation of this critically endangered species, and we're excited to share this journey with our community.' The zoo said the twins should arrive sometime this spring. To celebrate the news the zoo will be hosting a Guess the Birth Date Contest, where people can guess Kida's birth date for a chance to win a family membership to the zoo. A baby shower for Kida will be held during the Meet the Mayor event on February 15 and once the twins are born the community can help name them like they did for Caitlin and Clark. To learn more about the contest visit the zoo's website. Iowa News: Who at the Blank Park Zoo is expecting twins again? Forecast: When parts of Iowa could see snowfall Saturday and next week WHO 13 Farm Report: Thursday, February 6th Cedar Rapids granted casino license by IRGC Arrested Madison County Treasurer relieved of duties, board appoints interim treasurer Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Play + Do, Blank Park introduces new program for visitors
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Blank Park Zoo made use of some unused space and launched their new Play + Do program this year. Zoo educators invite children of all ages to enjoy immersive, hands-on activities designed to spark creativity, curiosity, and fun. Organizers say it's a great way to give kids a chance to explore the natural world that's all around them. Families explore thousands of reptiles at Iowa Reptile Show 'It's a really great opportunity for kids to get that early learning. So, we have some pretty awesome, like sensory materials,' said Nikki Dunbar, an educator at Blank Park Zoo. 'So, a lot of it is just colors and shapes and counting. And so, they're kind of getting that exposure.' Dunbar says the experience isn't just for young kids, teens and adults who visit are sure to enjoy themselves and learn a thing or two. 'There also are some awesome opportunities for older kids too, to really get into more reading or STEM based activities and work on their science and mathematics,' said Dunbar.' The exhibit will be open every weekend from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through March. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
