There's a new sound...

Hi Everyone,
If you haven't heard, there is a new buzzword going around. And its this: ZOOCAMP!
There will be something for everyone, from 3.5 to 11 years old, there's Critter Club, Zoo Troop, Ardastra Explorers, and Art Ed-Zoo-cation. There is a 3 day camp and a 5 day camp, but only a limited amount of space so sign up soon. We'll be introducing the kids to all sorts of fantastic stuff, like veterinary health, ecology, animal arts and crafts, even music and photography! Get your passport stamped as you explore creatures from all corners of the globe... there is so much going on, take a peek for yourself at our website:http://www.ardastra.com/
See you there in June!

Proud Peacock Announcement

Drumroll please....

Its official! We have a new baby Flamingo! Just got word from Florence. Here's what she said happened:

The baby started to hatch on Thursday May 12^th.  She was born on lucky Friday May 13^th  and stayed with her Mom and Dad in the nest she hatched in for the weekend. On Monday, the animal caregivers realized that she was not in the nest and apparently had fallen out.  The baby was with her parents who were desperately trying to find her a new nest because their existing nest is so high.  For the first half of the day, they huddled against the enclosure on the ground.  Then the parents tried to take over another nest that was lower to the ground for the baby to rest in.  This started a fierce disagreement with the  owner of that nest, but they finally seemed to reach some sort of agreement, and the family were able move into the new nest.  Since then the baby has matured nicely, and at about one week, she started to climb out of the nest and walk around, with Mom and Dad getting very flustered and trying to push her back up into the nest. Plenty of time to stretch your legs and horizons soon, little babe!

But what is that redness around her beak you ask?

Well let me tell you. The redness is called "Crop-Milk". Whats a crop anyway? A crop is an expanded, muscular pouch near the gullet or throat in a birds' digestive system. It is a part of the digestive tract, essentially an enlarged part of the esophagus. (Thats the tube that goes from your mouth to your stomach, kids). 

So, the crop is used to temporarily store food. Not all birds have a crop. 

The crop milk is a secretion (oozy substance) from the lining of the crop of the mom and dad birds that is regurgitated to young birds as really nutritious food. Hey, whatever works, you know? This crop milking ability is found among all pigeons, doves, flamingos and some penguins. Pretty cool huh? 

Here is another picture of her. I love this one.

Today, she spent a lot of time playing and frolicking in the mud! She was having such a blast. We are so relieved that she is doing so well and that Mom and Dad are fine too. 

We do still need to name her though so send in your ideas to our Facebook page and if your name suggestion is chosen, you can win 2 passes to the zoo! 


Here is our link to Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ardastra-Gardens-Zoo-and-Conservation-Centre/153515658030637

Baby Pictures!

You think they are cute here on this blog? You should see them in bird! I mean, in person! 

Florence is still holding out on the baby Flamingo pictures, but don't worry, I'm on it. I'll post them right here as soon as I can.

The Babies are Here!

Hooray!
We are overjoyed at the arrival of peacock babies and some baby ducklings over the weekend. Photos are on their way soon, so until those are up, please enjoy another picture of me, Freddy. (My left side is better).

Welcome!

Hello and Welcome to our new blogspot. My name is Freddy and I am the resident Peacock in Charge of the Ardastra Gardens, Zoo and Conservation Centre here in Nassau, Bahamas.

I am very excited to tell you that there is so much going on at the zoo that I created this Blog so that you can get weekly updates and all the latest information at Ardastra.

I can tell you that as I am writing this first blog post, everyone here is hopping, flapping, and climbing the walls with excitement because any day now we are expecting two new flamingo babies!. I don't think names are being divulged yet but as soon as they hatch, Florence here will pass the word along, and I'll be sure to update the blog.

Don't forget you can also stay updated with us on facebook and twitter, and in the meantime, why don't you shake a tail feather and come visit us. Bring your camera so you can post your own pics!

See you soon,

Freddy.