The clouded leopards at the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo weren’t ready to meet the public yet, but members of the Zoological Society got to have close encounters with other animals Saturday at their annual meeting.
Lenny the opossum is a new addition to the zoo that will become an “ambassador animal” that can be introduced in programs. Great Bend Zoological Society President Aaron Emerson and other members got to meet Lenny on Saturday. From a safe distance, they also got to toss some food to the bears – something that isn’t usually allowed because the zoo animals are on special diets. Zookeepers provided the bear treats and supervised the humans.
The clouded leopards arrived a few months ago from Florida, but they are still not acclimating well to GB, their new home. Therefore, they are still off-exhibit.
Zoo Supervisor and Curator Ashley Burdick reported on the past year at the zoo and its upcoming projects:
• 2023 has been a difficult year full of losses for our zoo, both expected due to age and unexpected. These included Winnie the grizzly bear, who died in January, Mrs. B the bald eagle, who died in March, and Toby the African Leopard, who died around the first of May.
• The storm caused the zoo to be closed in July, but luckily there was only one exhibit damaged, the turkey vultures, and it was an easy fix. The zoo took in 20 injured birds due to the storm.
• The cougar yard expansion was completed at the end of last year. The cougars, Tanner and Tommie, have triple the amount of space now.
• The playground is finished and is a giant success with children.
• The new raptor rehab cages are complete and came in useful with all the injured birds taken in this year. The zoo took in 49 rehab birds this past year; 26 were rehabilitated and 12 were released. This is a 46% success rate, which is slightly above the national rate of 45%.
• The construction on the second lion yard will begin in a couple of weeks, with Eldridge Fencing doing the fence work.
• Additionally, the zoo is replacing the old wooden fencing with chain links, creating a much nicer viewing experience for guests.
• A pair of bobcats now live in Ms. B’s old enclosure.
• The dart frogs are multiplying like crazy. The zoo hatched and raised 10 this year.
The meeting included a treasurer’s report and board election. John Cross, Lori Waters and Brad McCune were all up for re-election and were elected for another three-year term. A catered meal was provided by Delgado’s.
The Great Bend Zoological Society is a nonprofit organization that supports the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo in its efforts to provide educational and public benefit to our community. Memberships are available online at greatbendks.net/306/Zoo-Society.
