The Roar Report: Official Weblog of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

2008 Grants Recipients Announced

Mon, 12 May 2008 16:21:55 0000

Recipients of the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo/Cleveland Zoological Society 2008 competitive grants program have been announced. The program supports wildlife conservation and research projects in North America (Small Grants), Latin America (Scott Neotropical Fund), Africa (Africa Seed Grants) and Asia (Asia Seed Grants). 2008 is the first year for the Asia Seed Grants program and the second year for the Africa Seed Grants program.

View the 2008 grant recipients:

Science is Fun!

Mon, 12 May 2008 11:58:56 0000

On Saturday, May 3, 2008, Case Western Reserve and The Jason Project presented "Science is Fun." Whatever your science interest, it could be found there.

Stations throughout Nord Hall taught physics, chemistry, and biology in ways that were both educational and very entertaining. You could do everything from learning about the physiology of snakes to building a self propelled toy car -- you could even create fluorescent green slime to scare you mother with. An egg drop allowed "students" to create capsules for their eggs to be dropped from the roof. Then everyone watched in hope that their engineering solution kept their egg from cracking... or worse.

The Leap into Action booth was there selling passports and talking to students and adults about the global amphibian crisis and what they can do do help. Vern helped too, making sure that everyone knew about the Vernal Pool Project.

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo introduces 13 un-FROG-ettable sculptures this summer

Mon, 5 May 2008 15:35:54 0000

As part of our ongoing Year of the Frog celebration, we're getting into the public art game this summer. These colorful critters may not look like your ordinary bull frog but, no matter, if they inspire you to learn more about frog conservation then we've done our job.

Student Run Amphibian Conservation Education Project

Mon, 5 May 2008 15:35:08 0000

Fifth Graders at Dodge intermediate School in Twinsburg are participating in an amphibian conservation education project. They will be making an "Amphibians of Ohio" poster with the help of Treefrog Educational. These posters will be located around Twinsburg to highlight the need to protect amphibian habitat and to reduce pollutants. The fifth-graders are raising funds to pay for the professionally produced posters by selling t-shirts. The slogan and images are student-created. The sale continues until May 16th. Buy a t-shirt and help educate Northeast Ohio about amphibians.

Students in the picture: Hunter Spittler (left), creator of slogan and Lexie Dungan (right), artist

A-MAZE-ment: New Exhibit Takes Shape

Mon, 5 May 2008 13:58:16 0000

On Thursday, May 1, I wandered upon the newest construction at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. But this one didn't involve heavy machinery. It was the construction of one of the Zoo's new summer exhibits, the A-MAZE-ing Amphibians maze, presented by Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital. Check out how the maze went from boxes to A-MAZE-ing in less than one day with little more than a screw driver.

Art for Elephants

Mon, 5 May 2008 13:20:55 0000

We have kids to thank for bringing the Zoo its first elephant 100 years ago, and it turns out kids are helping again as we prepare to build a $25 million, expanded habitat for elephants.

North Coast Nature Festival

Thu, 1 May 2008 16:46:35 0000

We had beautiful weather over the weekend for the North Coast Nature Festival held at Rocky River Reservation in North Olmsted, Ohio. This three day festival for nature lovers featured guest speakers, hikes, live animal programs, children’s activities and appearances by Vern the wood frog.

Professor Wylde's Coming to the Zoo!

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:23:35 0000

This bow-tied academic is bringing his crew of critters to the Zoo's live animal show this summer, and The Roar Report has your exclusive sneak peek at the dress rehearsals!

Zoo Teens Improve Habitat for Native Plants

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:04:01 0000

Zoo Crew teen volunteers went on the road on April 26th to West Creek Reservation in Parma to pull as much invasive garlic mustard as we could in order to protect our native Ohio flowers and plants.

Vern the Wood Frog Meets Flat Stanley

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:03:15 0000

Vern and the Leap into Action crew met Flat Stanley this past weekend at North Coast Nature Festival in Rocky River.