Media - In The News - Evansville Convention & Visitors Bureau

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Willard Library located on First Avenue in Evansville is said to be haunted by the Grey Lady. Take a peek on their webcam at www.willard.lib.in.us

Jun 09, 2008

Moving In Day at Amazonia

AMAZONIA RAIN FOREST EXHIBIT RECEIVES ITS FIRST INHABITANTS

Evansville, IN. - Four howler monkeys are the first residents of the Amazonia rain forest exhibit. They were moved there Tuesday after full medical examinations by veterinarians Neil Phillips and Tom Kilbane, who help out part time at Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden.
Before making the trip from the zoo's veterinary building, where they have lived since arriving at Mesker, the monkeys were sedated.
By its tentative opening date of late July, Amazonia will feature 250 animals from about 50 species, including mammals, insects and fish. "We're moving real fast and furious," said Erik Beck, the zoo's general curator.
Zoo officials want to minimize disruptions to groups of animals, so all members of a species will be moved at the same time. The howlers would have had to be sedated for medical checkups anyway, zoo officials said, because they don't cooperate well during blood sampling.
Three squirrel monkeys, which will share an area with the howlers, tentatively were scheduled to move Tuesday, but the veterinarians decided to keep them in the vet building for a few more weeks. The squirrel monkeys will be moved to Amazonia in about three weeks, and the two species will have time to get used to each other in a private holding area before they are introduced to their exhibit space.
"Some animals may go in and be comfortable and never know the difference," Beck said. "Sometimes you take two steps forward and one step backward."
Beck had saidthat a few bird species, including the keel-billed toucans that inspired the Amazonia logo, might be the first to move into Amazonia. They might be moved in the next couple of weeks, Beck said.
The zoo acquired the keys to the $11 million exhibit from Industrial Contractors last month, but workers still are putting on finishing touches, Beck said.
A plan to repair a new road that partially collapsed behind Amazonia is in the design phase, Beck said. It was unknown Wednesday who will pay for the repairs.

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