Heat Wave: Keeping our Animals Cool

by Morgan Burnette, Director

Every year, as the summer heat cranks up, we get questions about how we keep our animals cool.

The care and comfort of our animals take priority over everything else. The vast majority of animals here in the Zoo can safely thrive in the South Georgia climate. Before we acquire an animal, we ensure that it can live its life here safely and comfortably. If we can’t guarantee them that, we don’t bring them here in the first place. Many of our animals are either native or come from regions with heat and humidity similar to ours. We also follow stringent guidelines on what temperatures are appropriate for each animal. 

National Zookeeper Week: A Thank You

by Morgan Seegmueller Burnette, Director

Zookeeping is a unique field, and as I’m sure most of them would agree with me, zookeepers are an even more unconventional bunch. This is not meant in a derogatory way in the slightest. In fact, I’d argue that almost anyone who chooses to work at a zoo for any length of time is a little unique themselves, myself included. As Director, I work in all Park departments and not just directly in the zoo field here at Chehaw. This gives me the opportunity to have a unique perspective into the lives of the zookeepers and animal staff. I say unique because I’m sure most of the zookeepers just accept all of this as normal day-to-day activity, and most outsiders don’t always get the opportunity to see it.

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Please Don't Feed the Animals

by Morgan Seegmueller Burnette, Director

Every once in a while we have a problem with guests behaving irresponsibly during their visit to the Zoo. We were recently disappointed to discover a Facebook photo of a visitor who had climbed a barrier in an attempt to pet and feed chips to our Red-Ruffed Lemurs. Unfortunately, this is not the only time we’ve run into an issue like this. Similar reckless incidents have continued to make national headlines over the past few years. Unfortunately, zoos across the country have discovered that it is impossible to design a Zoo that is completely human proof. No amount of barriers, signs, and cameras can combat what is either ignorance or entitlement.

 

Morgan Burnette, Public Relations Coordinator

2015

 I would bet that we’ve all been guilty of it at some point in our lives. Innocently releasing a balloon to float up and infinitely away into the universe and off to Neverland. Or maybe, we’ve been part of a mass balloon release, releasing hundreds of balloons at once in remembrance, celebration, or in the name of charity. The majority of us never bother to think where that balloon will end up once it leaves our sight. Most of us certainly never imagine that the balloon we so innocently released could float for miles, and potentially wind up killing an animal.

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Daily Hours of Operation

Monday – Sunday

Park:
8:00 am – 6:00 pm

Zoo:
9:30 am – 4:30 pm

229.430.5275