The Daily Bleat - September Issue

Baby Otters Learn to Swim - Seneca Park Zoo

For the first time ever Seneca Park Zoo announced the birth of North American River Otters in their care. Otters Ashkii and Gary had 3 pups on January 28th this year. It’s a huge step for the zoo’s journey in wildlife conservation. These otters were threatened by human pollution of the water and illegal wildlife capturing. But after conservationists spoke up the Clean Water Act was passed in 1972, starting an ongoing mission to preserve animal populations relying on clean rivers. That includes the River Otters, which hunt crayfish and minnows in the water. Due to efforts done by organizations like the Seneca Park Zoo (SPZ) North American River Otter populations are stronger than ever.

Ashkii and Gary’s pups are thriving and have met all the milestones of otter pups. Two of them are female and one is male. Most of their time on exhibit is spent wrestling and playing in the water. They’re incredibly active and are becoming quite the trouble makers for their parents. As they get older their keepers are making arrangements for them to be transferred to a different zoo. “They stay with mom until they’re about a year old, then mom says ‘go find your own apartment’” a docent at SPZ explained. In the wild they wouldn’t stay with their mom for more than a year, so it’s normal for them to be moved.

Normally the father of the pups would be long gone by the time they’re born, however it's been observed in zoos that the father can sometimes stick around. However in this case Ashkii didn’t want anything to do with Gary, which was a sign that she was pregnant early on. Once the pups started to leave the nest on their own Ashkii decided it was time for swim lessons. The otter pups were slightly apprehensive about going in the water for the first time. To solve this Ashkii grabbed them by the scruff of their necks and tossed them in! Thankfully their attuned otter instincts made them excellent swimmers and they learned fast. Ashkii and Gary gave them great encouragement, showing them how to be otters.

As the pups’s curiosity grows the keepers ensure to foster their skills. They release live minnows into the water for the pups and parents to hunt. If the minnows weren’t given a chance to hide the otters would have them gone in as quick as 10 minutes. Their incredible hunting and swimming instincts makes them amazing animals in the water. Nonetheless they always seem to have a friendly disposition toward other otters. “When they meet each other at a boundary, they play. They’re very friendly”. Though the pups haven’t been named yet their personalities are starting to shine through. All three of them share a love for play, swimming and minnows! Ashkii and Gary’s pups will always be surrounded by caring people at the Seneca Park Zoo.

By, Clover Mahon

Seasonal Update

science corner

Crossword

Home Gardens - How to Start from Scratch

If you want to make an at home garden you first need to make a garden plan. Ask yourself questions like where and “How am I going to plant my garden?”, “Should it be in shade or sun?”, “What are you going to plant?”. These questions will get you started on your garden journey. You have to get to know what kind of gardener you are and how much time you’ll spend on this project. But once you’ve started the benefits of the garden will show great results.

You also need to think about which plants will grow back each season and ones that won’t. You can also think about your own climate and research foods that grow better with the weather you get. If you have rodents and animals in your yard you should put up a fence to protect your veggies. Think about the season you are planting in as well. If you are planting in the fall or if you are planting in the summer you need to think about plants that will thrive then. A very important rule of having a garden is to make sure that you water it once a day and if you are out of town get a friend to water it for you. If plants are not getting all the things they need and just the right amount they will die which could impact the rest of your garden. Make a compost bin for your garden to give it more nutrients to grow.

Wild animals can be a constant problem when you’re trying to make your garden, but don’t make them your enemies. They’re trying to survive in the harsh wilderness. Don’t be unnecessarily cruel toward local wildlife, even deer. It’s also important to control the weed population in your garden. Weeds will choke the plants and not let them grow. Learning to identify weeds is a vital skill when starting your first home garden. “I didn’t know if what’s coming up is a nice flower or a nasty weed” said home gardener Jessica Cantlon. She has been gardening for a long time and over the years has learned the best strategies for growing plants. Her garden has many different plants. Sunflowers, Lavender, Fox Gloves and Tulips are grown in her yard during their season. Her expertise at home gardening is evident as seen in her successful harvest of Thyme and Oregano.

Creating a thriving garden can be a harrowing journey, however with the right state of mind it can be done. When you plant flowers and shrubs you’re not just making a pretty backyard, you’re creating a space for nature to thrive. Pollinators will visit your plants, aiding in your garden mission. Gardening with local nature in mind will ensure a grand success in your home-grown plants. Its important to acknowledge them with every seed your place.

By, Lucky Warfe

Science Corner - Are Early Fall Colors a Bad Sign?

The fall equinox is upon us, it represents the transition from summer to fall. Many might wonder why trees’s leaves can change color as early as September. Researchers have noticed that some trees are turning red, orange and yellow although others are still green. Why is that? Well, according to horticulture outreach specialist Bruce Spangenberg the issue stems from trees current or recent injury and stress. Normally, when trees change color it is because they are finished with their growth period for the year.

As daylight decreases, green chlorophyll exits the leaves which turns them other colors from those remaining pigments. Trees that turn red or yellow early have lost green chlorophyll early. There are a few major types of stress or injury that accelerate changes in tree pigments. One is drought and it could be caused by previous years or it could be caused by this year. It reduces the nutrients that go to the roots, those go to the leaves and without those nutrients it doesn't have chlorophyll. Without chlorophyll it turns red and yellow colors. 

Another cause of early colors in trees is chronic root or trunk system problems where the roots or trunk aren't getting enough nutrients. This blocks nutrients from all other parts, including leaves. Trunks with physical damage have reduced transport tissue which leads to lower food production in leaves. Since the leaves aren't getting proper food sources this leads to them losing their colors early.

Often trees that are on the side of the road get exposed to harsh substances like salt and tar. Once those substances get into the tree the tree gets stressed and that leads to a shorter growth period with earlier change in color. When a tree changes from green to fall colors early in the season it's an indication that something has gone wrong.

By Wisteria

Credits

Seneca Park Zoo - Interview

Jessica Cantlon - Interview

University of Wisconsin-Madison - Information

Crossword Answers