Latest news with #MarylandZoo
Yahoo
5 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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
25-06-2025
- Science
- CBS News
Maryland Zoo makes adjustments to ensure animals are safe in dangerous heat
The Maryland Zoo is making accommodations that will keep its animals safe and protected from this dangerous heatwave. Zookeepers are monitoring the animals, giving them extra water, spraying them off, and keeping them from the sun's powerful exposure. Special attention for hot days On Wednesday morning, the chimpanzees cooled off with icy fruits and vegetables. "Chimpanzees are very smart. They're going to know when they're getting a special treat," said Margaret Innes, the general curator with the Maryland Zoo. "They're going to recognize the keepers coming down with that, and they're going to make sure they're front of the queue to get whatever is being offered." But it's not just the chimpanzees getting the special treatment. Each animal gets monitored to make sure they are not overheated. "We do have keepers who are monitoring them very closely, and they try to make sure that the animals have what they need to make sure they stay cool," Innes said. Splashing away the heat Additionally, many of the animals have a choice to spend their day outside with extra water and shade, or inside in the air conditioning. Meanwhile, the African Elephants cool off with a spray shower. "It's like us going to the pool and enjoying it," said zookeeper Steven Schweiger. Schweiger says every time, 42-year-old Tuffy the Elephant chooses to stand under the shower. "In the wild, he would go to a mud wallow or a pool that would actually throw mud on him," Schweiger said. Acclimating to the weather While these extra ways to cool down certainly help, Innes says it's incredible the way Tuffy and most of the animals at the zoo can follow their instincts to adapt to the heat. The African penguins handle the intense heat better than you'd expect! And of course, the zookeepers are keeping an extra eye out for issues during the heat, but Innes says for the most part, the animals know how to take care of themselves. "Overall, animals, if they are healthy and don't have any issues that they're dealing with, can adapt and deal with the heat," Innes said. "And generally, if we give them the option, they will make good choices." WJZ was told the same protocols are made during extreme cold weather events so the animals at the zoo are safe, happy, and healthy year-round.
Washington Post
24-06-2025
- Science
- Washington Post
Animals cool off at the Maryland zoo
D.C., Md. & Va. Animals cool off at the Maryland zoo June 24, 2025 | 8:25 PM GMT Elephants, chimpanzees and otters cool off from the heat with water and ice treats at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore on June 24.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Yahoo
Baby giraffe Titali ready for limited public viewing at Maryland Zoo tomorrow
A three-month-old baby giraffe named Titali is ready to meet her first visitors at the Maryland Zoo starting tomorrow. The Giraffe House, which has been closed since Titali's birth in March, will open to limited groups of visitors who purchase special viewing passes.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Maryland Zoo offers exclusive passes to see giraffe calf
(WHTM)– Eager to see Maryland Zoo's new giraffe calf? The zoo is offering special visitation passes to the public to see the newest member of its giraffe family inside the Giraffe House. The Maryland Zoo initially closed off its Giraffe House to the public after the surprise birth of Titali in March. Titali's mother, Kipipeo, was transferred to the Maryland Zoo, and surprised zookeepers by giving birth shortly after. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Starting June 20, the zoo says it is offering special visiting passes that will allow a limited number of guests to see Titali and her mother inside the Giraffe House. 'At her young age, Titali can be easily startled by new experiences, so we've been adjusting her environment every day, getting her used to all the sights, sounds, and smells she'll encounter once we reopen Giraffe House,' said Erin Cantrell-Grimm, Mammal Curator at Maryland Zoo. Visiting Hour passes are $25 and are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Main Gate. The Zoo says passes can also be purchased on Two hundred passes will be issued each day. Money raised will support the future growth of the Zoo's giraffe herd, the zoo says. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
