G.W. Exotic Animal Park Gives Birth to First Liger Twins in Oklahoma

On May 20, 2008 The G.W. Exotic Animal Park was able to announce the birth of long awaiting twin Liger cubs. "Two Females were born after 9 years of waiting," said Park Director Joe Schreibvogel.

These beautiful twin little girls are the first Ligers known to be born in Oklahoma. One other Liger lives within the State at Safari's Sanctuary in Broken Arrow Oklahoma.

The G.W. Exotic Animal Park also houses Oklahoma's only pair of Taliger cubs which were born last year. The Liger is an offspring of a Lion Father and a Female Tiger giving an offspring of a Liger. Now the Taliger is an offspring of a White Tiger Male and a Liger Female giving an offspring of a Taliger.

Millions of years ago back in the dinosaur age the world only had a Saber Tooth Tiger, which looked like a lion but with large K-9 teeth. When the continents divided it is believed that Saber Tooth Tigers got trapped on different continents and grew to the environment that which they lived in creating the Tigers and Lions. Being from the same feline family they are able to breed together creating the Liger which is born without the growth gene allowing the Liger grow much larger. Worlds largest being nearly 11 foot tall living in Miami Florida.

"The interesting thing is to find out through letting these cats grow up together, the Ligers and the Male Taligers if they will breed again without human interference. We plan to find out," said Joe Schreibvogel. "We are going to let the male Taligers and the female Ligers grow up together and see if they will breed again giving us offspring of giant Lion offspring. Since the Taligers already have ¾ Lion and the Liger has ½ lion this should in theory get rid of all the stripes and spots and produce even a larger offspring than that of a liger," says Joe. "Letting this all happen in a natural environment in a large habitat under trees and tall grass is the only way this will happen for us, we will not make them breed or use any artificial means to make this happen," Joe says.

The cubs will all be on display now and in late August of 2008 they will be moved to their 40,000 foot display with a pond, hills, and plenty of play room for interested people come watch them become part of Oklahoma's history. The G.W. Exotic Animal park is located south of Oklahoma City on Interstate 35 at exit 64. For more information contact www.gwpark.org.

2008 Doggie Dash in Peachtree City, GA

Enjoying The Last Days of Serenity

We just couldn't resist these shots! A couple of ducks were seen swimming at a pool in the south part of Peachtree City. We guess it was one of their last days to enjoy the peace and quiet before the summer season begins!








© 2008 A. S. Eldredge
Photos used with permission

Bad Dog Or Medical Condition?

NAPSI-If your dog has soiled your new carpet, attacked the door molding or shredded your favorite pair of shoes, he has likely been in the doghouse--figuratively.

But this behavior may not be a case of a good dog gone bad. It could be separation anxiety, an underdiagnosed and undertreated condition in which animals become so upset by their owner’s departure they resort to what is considered bad behavior to cope with the situation. It is estimated that up to 17 percent of all dogs in the U.S. may show signs of separation anxiety.

Separation anxiety is usually triggered when the owner leaves or shortly after. Because dogs are historically pack animals, the dog views the family as its pack and experiences distress when separated from that family. That stress leads to problem behaviors, including:

• Excessive barking, whining, howling

• Destruction, chewing, clawing or digging

• Urinary or bowel accidents indoors

• Depression/inactivity

• Constant pacing, circling

• Excessive licking, drooling.

Separation anxiety is a treatable condition. New medications have been introduced recently to help ease the pain of separation anxiety for dogs and their owners. Most veterinarians choose to use a combination of medication and behavior modification training, which offers the best chance of success in managing separation anxiety.

If your dog’s “bad behavior” sounds more like separation anxiety, talk to your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment. After all, wouldn’t it be nice to know that your “bad” dog isn’t so bad after all, just misunderstood?

Defend Your Bird Feeder and Send Squirrels Packing

ARA – The birds are back … and unfortunately so are the squirrels. There are few sights that ignite as much frustration in the hearts of bird-lovers as a squirrel’s bushy tail bobbing happily in the bird feeder. Serious birders and casual bird lovers alike know that when the squirrels move in there’s not often much left for the birds.

It is possible, however, to provide for your feathered friends and send the squirrels packing. With the right seed mix and some nature-friendly squirrel control tactics you might just be able to win the age old battle of the birds and the squirrels, and keep everyone happy in your backyard habitat.

The first step is to draw the birds to your back yard. Next, provide alternatives or deterrents to convince squirrels to stay out of the bird feeder. Here are some steps for doing just that:

Start with the Right Seed

Birds, like people, are selective – even picky – when it comes to food. To attract the most birds to your feeder, buy the best seed possible. Many commercial feed mixes contain cheap filler seeds like red milo that most songbirds just don’t like. They’ll sort through the undesirable mix to get to the “good stuff” – and leave the rest in the feeder or on the ground. What the birds won’t eat, the squirrels will love, so reducing the waste will help reduce your feeder’s appeal for squirrels.

Opt for a mix, like Cole’s Wild Bird Products, that offer birds select natural seed choices specially formulated just for them. Cole’s feed is comprised of top-of-the-crop seeds pulled from the top 1 to 2 percent of every crop. The complete line of wild bird feed was developed and based on factual research about what birds really eat.

Finally, select seed mixes that attract specific types of birds. A good mix will contain seeds that appeal to bright favorites like goldfinches, woodpeckers, cardinals and bluebirds, as well as colorful migrating species.

Birds are like people; give them what they like to eat and they'll keep coming back - and they’ll bring their friends. For more information on Cole’s products visit www.coleswildbird.com/products.html.

On to the Squirrels

Squirrels need not be an inevitable element of bird feeding. Love them or loathe them, most birders agree they don’t want squirrels in the feeder, where they can damage the feeder itself and devour seed meant for the birds.

One alternative is to stock your feeder with a seed that the birds will love, but squirrels will hate. Squirrels will eat just about anything you put out for birds … but they won’t like Cole’s Hot Meats. It’s top quality sunflower meats infused with an exclusive Habanero chili pepper and Safflower oil that birds find delicious but squirrels simply hate. The blend is a safe, effective and a humane way to feed the birds and not the squirrels.

Another option is to serve the squirrels something they’ll find even more appealing than bird seed. It is possible to enjoy both the squirrels and the birds in your back yard if you lure them away from the feeder. Squirrels love whole, dried corn-on-the-cob, loose dried corn and Critter Munchies, a blend of whole yellow corn, striped sunflower, peanuts in the shell, black oil sunflower and raw peanuts. Provide Critter Munchies on an open platform style feeder, an ear of dried corn on a stick, or even a stake (or pinecone) coated with peanut butter, and hopefully squirrels will be less of a problem at the bird feeding station.

Finally, if you just can’t stand the bushy-tailed pests in your back yard, consider an organic solution that sends them packing safely and effectively. Messina Wildlife Management’s Squirrel Stopper is an OMRI certified 100 percent organic animal repellent. Easily applied in a ready-to-use spray bottle, it dries clear, has a pleasant aroma and works for 30 days before reapplication is needed, no matter the weather. Spray it around your feeder and the squirrels will stay clear. It won’t harm the squirrels or the birds. For information of Squirrel Stopper, and the full line of Messina’s pest repellents visit: www.messinawildlife.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Thoroughbred Charities of America Given UPS Donation of $10,000

BUSINESS WIRE--The UPS Foundation (NYSE:UPS) has pledged $10,000 to Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) to support its mission of providing a better life for thoroughbreds, both during and after their racing careers.

“Although UPS was thrilled to see Big Brown cross the finish line first at the Kentucky Derby, we were saddened to learn of the tragic loss of Eight Belles,” said Ron Rogowski, UPS’s director of sponsorship. “The UPS Foundation wanted to honor this incredible filly by making a donation to TCA to support this organization’s focus on the continued humane treatment of animals.”

TCA is a fundraising organization that gives annual grants to equine-related non-profits that focus on the following sectors: thoroughbred rescue, rehabilitation and retraining for secondary careers post-racetrack; research in all equine scientific fields; equine educational organizations and thoroughbred-based educational programs; support of backstretch workers including disabled jockeys, farm and track employees; and therapeutic riding programs that incorporate thoroughbreds.

UPS long has been a sponsor of horse racing and its supporting organizations. The company became the Official Delivery Company of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association in 2006 and has created several cross promotions with its other sponsorships, including NASCAR. UPS also has an exclusive marketing agreement with jockey Kent Desormeaux and IEAH Stables, the ownership group for Kentucky Derby champion Big Brown.

Founded in 1951 and based in Atlanta, Ga., The UPS Foundation's major areas of focus include community safety, nonprofit effectiveness, economic and global literacy, environmental sustainability and diversity. The UPS Foundation pursues these initiatives by identifying specific projects where its support can help produce a measurable social impact. In 2007, The UPS Foundation donated more than $46 million to charitable organizations worldwide. Visit community.ups.com for more information about UPS's community involvement.

UGA researchers fight deadly game bird parasite

They look like pinecones with feet. But the baby quail, pheasants and chukar partridges that wobble around the University of Georgia poultry science farm in Athens will help save game birds everywhere.

Coccidia parasites can decimate a generation of farm-raised birds. In Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa, where large numbers of pheasants and chukars are raised, farmers report a 50 percent loss in severe outbreaks, said Larry McDougald, a poultry parasitologist with the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Birds that survive an outbreak typically don't grow as large as uninfected birds.

McDougald has spent 30 years studying coccidiosis, the disease caused by coccidia, in chickens and turkeys. “The problem with parasites was brought under control in chickens,” he said.

He now wants to help game birds. And the North American Game Bird Association and the Midwest Poultry Consortium have provided funding to control the parasites in their industry, he said.

Just like dogs and cats get sick from different germs than humans, different parasites affect different kinds of birds. A vaccine developed to fight coccidiosis in a chicken, for example, wouldn’t help pheasants, chukars or quail.

But a vaccine developed for each of these top game birds would work. It would also save farmers money. McDougald and molecular biologist Robert Beckstead, also with CAES, are guessing that each bird will have two to three important parasites.

A vaccine is the long-term goal. The first step in their work will be to identify which coccidia are most deadly for quail, pheasants and chukars. They will then identify parasite-controlling drugs for more short-term relief.

To do the testing, they’re using technology Beckstead is an expert in – polymerized chain reaction. It can quickly identify the parasites they’re seeing in the field.

“Until now, the only way to tell was to infect a bird,” Beckstead said. “Through PCR, we’re reducing times and also reducing the number of birds used in the study.”

By developing vaccines and treatments to control parasites in farm-raised birds, they can also help reduce the potential for wild birds to become contaminated with coccidiosis, Beckstead said.

The UGA researchers are getting help from undergraduate and graduate UGA students, a veterinary scholar from Iowa State University and two high school students in the summer Young Scholars Program. Researchers from North Dakota State University, Iowa State and Pennsylvania State University will send samples and help with grant applications.

Georgia farmers don’t raise many pheasants or chukars. But they do raise quail. Last year, farm-raised quail production in Georgia was worth $31 million, four times more than it was seven years ago, according to the recent UGA Georgia Farm Gate Value Report. The jump is due to the decline of the wild quail population, which has faded in recent decades because of land development and reduction of their habitat.

The birds are raised for specialty food markets as well as hunting.

“Game birds are a growing industry,” McDougald said. “Some people are raising several million birds per year. They get more for those than for chickens. It’s a good cash crop.”

By Stephanie Schupska
University of Georgia

Stephanie Schupska is a news editor with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.