On Monday April 11, 2011 a baby giraffe was born at Brevard Zoo. This is the first baby for mother Milenna, one of our female Masai Giraffes! Milenna had a male calf measuring around 5 feet 11 inches. Africa keepers are keeping an eye on both of them, and both mother and calf are doing very well; in fact, Milenna seems to be a natural mother as she watches over her new son!

Brevard Zoo staff and volunteers had a great time on Friday planting Spartina alterniflora, Spartina patens and Sesuvium at Coconut Point Sanctuary with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Indian River Lagoon Shoreline Restoration Project. Coconut Point Sanctuary is a Brevard County Environmentally Endangered Lands' (EEL) property in south Melbourne beach, and the grasses planted (Spartina) will help prevent erosion from this dynamic shoreline and promote natural recruitment of mangroves.The Indian River Lagoon Shoreline Restoration Project (IRL SRP) was established in 1995 to address the loss of mangrove fringing habitat along the IRL shoreline while promoting community involvement and public awareness. The project was originally run by the Environmental Learning Center, but the Florida Department of Environmental Protection?s Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas (FDEP CAMA) Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves field office began managing the IRL SRP in February 2008. Thank you to the staff and volunteer who lent a hand on Friday! We will continue to have events for staff and volunteers to get involved in the Zoo's conservation projects, and hope everyone will get a chance to see our conservation in action!

On Sunday, May 29 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. join us for our first ever Ice Cream Social fundraiser in the Nyami Nyami River Lodge. The Zoo will showcase a multitude of vendors including Alpine Yogurt Cafe, Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, Cold Fusion Iced Cream, Ice Cream Junction, Steve's Frozen Chillers, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, and Twisty Cone Palm Bay. Attendees can sample delicious ice cream treats, all you can eat. The event also includes live music, crafts and games for the kids, and special animal encounters. Cost to attend is just $5 plus the price of regular Zoo admission. There is no pre-registration for this event. If your ice cream business is interested in participating in this event, please call 321.254.9453 x 235 or e-mail sadkins@brevardzoo.org.