Don't miss a spectacular bonsai show featuring more than 60 beautiful bonsai trees and a collection of wildlife artwork, only on exhibit for two days, November 7 and 8, in the Nyami Nyami River Lodge. The free exhibit will be open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is hosted by the Bonsai Society of Brevard.

FROM THE FIELD, feedback on soccer uniforms and a new webcam that Brevard Zoo plans to launch next year. The webcam is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Suntree.

Hi Beth,
We had a great happening beginning of October when we delivered the soccer uniforms for the Catholic School in Batoke. Batoke is a village nearby Limbe, which is well known for hunting and eating of bush meat. Drills are found on Mt. Cameroon near Limbe, but they have almost disappeared because of hunting. As the drill is the animal on the shirts, Glenn has done some special education about drills for the children of the classes 4, 5 and 6. On the day of the delivery Glenn did a presentation about drills for the children and their parents. Later this year we will plan a tournament for 'our' team and neighbouring schools.

Sign up today for this fall's Conservation Evenings, a series of talks by guest speakers Jack Hanna, Director Emeritus of the Columbus Zoo; Ian Nichols, wildlife photographer and conservationist; and Dr. Paul Andreadis of Denison and Stetson Universities. To reserve a seat, please call 321.254.9453 x 234 or email lpalardy@brevardzoo.org. Ticket prices vary per evening and can be sold individually. However, the Zoo is offering a discounted ticket on the entire Conservation Evenings series, all three for $95, a savings of $10. All proceeds will benefit Brevard Zoo’s wildlife conservation programs.

Brevard Zoo has posted its fall and winter Toddler Programs, which provide activities geared towards children ages 2 to 3 along with the parent or caregiver. The cost to attend any of the four-week long programs is $65 for Zoo members and $80 for non-members. Program times are 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. Parents can choose the series of their choice. To register for the program, call 321.254.9453 x 219 or email edregistrar@brevardzoo.org.

Did you know that Florida Scrub-Jays are the only bird found in Florida? Just 30 counties of mostly Central Florida provide homes for these threatened birds. Their habitat is restricted to dry, sandy areas with shrubby oaks and very few trees. But, over the past century, this land was developed or converted to agriculture, and then with suppressed fires, the remaining land has become too tall for Florida Scrub-Jays. At last count in 1992, the total population was estimated at 9,500 to 11,000.

About a year ago, Brevard Zoo, in collaboration with a variety of public and private partners, completed a successful translocation of a family unit of Florida Scrub-Jays in Brevard County.

This fall, join us each month for a new Jr. Zookeeper program recommended for youth ages 10 to 12 who are interested in animals and the environment. Activities are offered on the second Saturday of every month. Each activity will focus on a different topic and lasts about 90 minutes. Participants will receive a pin at the end to add to their Jr. Keeper badge. Jr. Keepers are supervised by Zoo education staff during these events. Collect as many pins as you can! Activities may include:

--Enrichment Workshops (making toys/treats for the animals)
--Assisting with conservation projects
--Special animal talks
--Treasure hunts in the Zoo
--Behind the scenes tours
--Crafts and Games

In May, Brevard Zoo gave an education suitcase to JACK, an animal sanctuary in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Even though it was the end of the school year, a member of JACK was able to test the suitcase and its contents on kindergarteners.

Recently Dr. Jane Goodall was in South Africa watching a Roots & Shoots youth group perform a skit on the plight of Chimpanzees using the Chimpanzee puppet. The puppets are from an educational suitcase Brevard Zoo created for the Chimp Eden facility in South Africa.