Public invited to say farewell to Zhanna, the zoo’s Amur tiger

WILMINGTON – The Brandywine Zoo’s Amur tiger, Zhanna, is scheduled to be transferred to the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo in New York early in January 2017, according to DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation in partnership with zoo officials and the Delaware Zoological Society.

The relocation is prompted by the Association of Zoos and Aquarium’s Species Survival Plan – a robust and scientific endeavor to manage the genetic diversity of captive species. Zhanna’s genetic profile and age make her a good candidate for breeding and consequently, for transfer to a zoo with a successful tiger breeding program.

“As an AZA Accredited institution, the Brandywine Zoo is committed to species conservation,” said Brandywine Zoo General Curator Lynn Klein. “We rely on the cooperation among zoos to ensure a healthy, genetically diverse population.”

Amur tigers are an endangered species, with fewer than 500 living in small populations in far eastern Russia and northeast China. The tigers are losing their habitat due to logging activities, human encroachment and poaching. The AZA supports habitat protection and anti-poaching programs and at the same time, also supports careful matching of breeding pairs in captivity within the AZA accredited facilities. Zhanna was born at the St. Louis Zoo and she is one of only 300 tigers in zoos accredited by the AZA.

“Zhanna is a beloved animal at the Brandywine Zoo and we will all miss her,” said Michael T. Allen, Executive Director of the Delaware Zoological Society. “We wish her the best and look at this as a new beginning for Zhanna and an opportunity to embark on a new phase of development at the Brandywine Zoo.”

Zhanna came to the Brandywine Zoo in 2011 at the age of three. She was born and reared by her mother with her siblings at the St. Louis Zoo in Missouri.

The tiger care and breeding program at the Bronx Zoo is considered exemplary by zoo officials around the world. Zhana’s new home at the Bronx Zoo’s Tiger Mountain is an open range exhibit with grasslands, trees and multi-level habitat for the tigers in public view, and also features a state-of-the-art, off-exhibit area

Zhanna’s keepers at the Brandywine Zoo will accompany the transport team and help Zhanna acclimate to her new home. They will work with the Bronx Zoo tiger keepers to transfer knowledge for a seamless transition of her care. There are no plans, at this time, to add another tiger at the Brandywine Zoo.

The public is invited to say farewell to Zhanna at the Brandywine Zoo Wednesday through Sunday in December, 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. – no admission will be charged. The Brandywine Zoo will celebrate her “New Beginning” on Saturday, Dec. 31 from 1 – 2 p.m.

Gates on Dec. 31 will open at 10 a.m. for the zoo’s “Noon Year’s Eve” event, a family-friendly celebration of the New Year with games and crafts. Admission will be charged until noon; $5 per person for ages three and older, and no charge to Delaware Zoological Members. Admission will be free from noon until 3:30 p.m.

The Brandywine Zoo is located at 1001 North Park Drive, Wilmington, DE 19802. It is open Wednesday – Sunday through February, and all week from March through mid-November from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.brandywinezoo.org or call 302-571-7747.

The Brandywine Zoo is part of the Delaware State Parks and is managed by the Delaware Division of Parks & Recreation with the support of the Delaware Zoological Society, the non-profit volunteer organization that supports the mission of the Brandywine Zoo.

Media contact: Beth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No. 425

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Reminder for the week: Know where to go to try out new ATVs, firearms

DOVER – To achieve public compliance through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public safety, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between Dec. 12-18 made 1,025 contacts with anglers, hunters, boaters and the general public, including 38 vessel boardings for boating safety, hunting and fishing regulation compliance checks, issuing 23 citations. Officers responded to 29 complaints regarding possible violations of laws and regulations or requests to assist the public. An increased Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence continued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area and associated recreational trail.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Incidents of note:

• On Dec. 17, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police cited five individuals for migratory waterfowl hunting violations near New Castle. Each person was cited for one count each of possession of unlawfully taken waterfowl – Canada Geese and hunting migratory waterfowl over illegal bait – corn. Fines for each individual were $330, including court costs.

• On Dec. 17, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrested a Smyrna man for multiple deer hunting violations near Woodland Beach. The individual was cited for failure to tag an antlerless deer, failure to retain antlerless deer tag, failure to check antlerless deer within 24 hours, removing antlerless deer parts prior to checking and possession of unlawfully taken antlerless deer. The subject was arraigned at Kent County Justice of the Peace Court 7 where he pled guilty to one count each of failure to tag an antlerless deer and failure to check an antlerless deer within 24 hours. Fines totaled $258, including court costs.

Citations issued by category, with the number of charges in parentheses, included:

Wildlife Conservation: Trespassing to hunt (2), possession of unlawfully taken antlerless deer (1), failure to tag antlerless deer (1), failure to retain antlerless deer tag (1), removing antlerless deer parts prior to checking (1), failure to check antlerless deer within 24 hours (1), possession of unlawfully taken antlerless deer (1), hunting migratory waterfowl without required federal waterfowl stamp (1), hunting migratory waterfowl without required HIP number (1), hunting migratory waterfowl before/after established shooting hours (1), hunting migratory waterfowl over illegal bait (5), possession of unlawfully taken migratory waterfowl – Canada Geese (5), and trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (1).

Public Safety: Failure to stop at a red light (1).

Are you AWARE?
With the holidays come days off from work and school, and Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind wildlife area visitors – especially those with brand-new ATVs or dirt bikes – of restrictions on driving motor vehicles on state wildlife areas and public roads.

Registered motor vehicle use in state wildlife areas is limited to designated roadways. Unregistered motor vehicles, such as ATVs and dirt bikes, are totally prohibited in state wildlife areas, both off-road and on established roadways, and are also illegal to operate on any state or county public roadway in Delaware.

“Off-roading is very destructive to areas reserved for wildlife conservation and harmful to some of our more fragile species. In addition, Division staff have to replant vegetation, repair ruts and clean up after these activities,” said Sgt. John McDerby, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police. “Driving ATVs on public roads is a safety hazard to the rider and motorists. If you want to take that new ATV out for a ride, it’s best to do so on your own property or on private property with the owner’s prior permission.”

Hunters who find new firearms under the tree are reminded that target practice is prohibited on state wildlife areas. However, the state-owned Ommelanden Hunter Education Training Center and Public Shooting Range, located at 1205 River Road, New Castle, is an excellent place to try them out. Operated by DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife, the Ommelanden Center also provides Delaware hunters with required hunter education courses and training opportunities.

Ommelanden’s range is open year round for public use on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. The facility is closed on state holidays, including Christmas and New Year’s Day. The range includes 25- and 50-meter rifle and pistol ranges, skeet and trap fields and a practice archery field. For more information, call 302-323-5333 or visit Ommelanden Range.

Those unwrapping new shotguns can also try them out at Owens Station Shooting Sports & Hunter Education Center, located at 12613 Hunters Cove Road, Greenwood, DE 19950. Downstate Delaware’s first and only state-owned public shooting sports range, the Division of Fish & Wildlife property is operated as a public-private partnership and features a circular 60-station sporting clays course, a trap shooting range and “five-stand” warmup range. For more information, click Owens Station Sporting Clays or call 302-349-4334.

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife recognizes and thanks the majority of anglers, hunters and boaters who comply with and support Delaware’s fishing, hunting and boating laws and regulations. Citizens are encouraged to report fish, wildlife and boating violations to the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police by calling 302-739-4580. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030 or online at http://de.gov/ogt.

Like Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/DEFWNRPolice/

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Twitter, https://twitter.com/DE_FW_NRPolice.

Media contact: Sgt. John McDerby, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913 or 302-354-1386.

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DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife is pleased to announce that its full-color 2017 calendar is available now, just in time for the New Year. Each month of the calendar depicts seasonal photographs of the division’s public wildlife and fishing areas and education facilities. New features in this year’s annual calendar include daily sunrise and sunset times and 2017 hunting and fishing season dates, as well as the usual monthly seasonal outdoor activity reminders and a convenient Division of Fish & Wildlife contact directory.

This year’s calendar features photos by Division of Fish & Wildlife staff members Stew Michels, Jay Davis, Kim Gadow, Craig Rhoads, Karen Bennett, Wayne Lehman, Denise Husband, Rob Gano, Audrey DeRose-Wilson, Bill Jones and Mary Rivera.

“The 2017 calendar showcases the natural beauty of Delaware’s public wildlife areas, fishing ponds and nature centers,” said Division of Fish & Wildlife Director David Saveikis. “These are just some of the sites the division manages in serving the public as we fulfill our guiding slogan ‘We Bring You Delaware’s Great Outdoors through Science and Service.’ Get your calendar today to enjoy pictures of some of Delaware’s best wild places and outdoor scenery as you use the calendar throughout the year.”

Calendars are available for $5 at the following locations:

• DNREC’s licensing desk at 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, open 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday;
• Owens Station Shooting Sports & Hunter Education Center, 12613 Hunters Cove Road, Greenwood, DE 19950, open 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tuesday thru Sunday; and
• Ommelanden Hunter Education Training Center and Public Shooting Range, 1205 River Road, New Castle, DE 19720, open 12:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Calendars also may be ordered for $6 including postage and handling by calling the Division of Fish & Wildlife at 302-739-9910, Monday thru Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., or by sending a check made out to “Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife” to Jennifer Childears, Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901.

Media contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Vol. 46, No. 425

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Entries accepted through Jan. 31

DOVER – There’s still time to take that great hunting photograph while afield and enter the Division of Fish & Wildlife’s 2016/17 Delaware Hunting Photo Contest, with the Jan. 31, 2017 contest deadline a few weeks away. The winning photo will be featured on the cover or inside of the 2017/18 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide to be published next year.

A judging panel comprised of DNREC staff will be looking for photos that best portray this year’s contest theme, “Hunting with Family or Friends.” Judges also will look at technical criteria including resolution, clarity and composition.

“The hunting photo contest is a great chance to showcase and share adventures with other hunters,” said Division of Fish & Wildlife Director David Saveikis. “The theme helps reinforce and capture the fun of a shared outdoor hunting experience.”

The contest is open to all Delaware residents, with a maximum of three entries per person. To be eligible, photographs must have been taken in Delaware. Portrait orientation is preferred; landscape photos, if chosen among contest winners, may be cropped for presentation.

Photographs must be submitted as 8×10-inch photo quality prints, with no frames or mats and no markings or signatures on the front or back. Winning entries must be available in a digital version with resolution of 300 dpi or greater (when enlarged to 8×10 inches).

Normal processing of RAW image files, minimal cropping and minor adjustments to color and contrast are acceptable. HDR and focus stacking are permitted as long as manipulation is disclosed upon entry. Nothing should be added to the image or, aside from dust spots, taken away. The entrant must hold all rights to the photograph and must not infringe on the rights of any other person. Images that involve unlawful harm to wildlife or damage to the environment should not be submitted and will not be accepted. Entries will not be returned.

Entries may be mailed to the DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Photo Contest, Attention: Jennifer Childears, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901. All entries must be postmarked or delivered by Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017, and must include a completed and signed entry form. A photo release form is also required for photos that include images of children younger than 18. Information and forms are available on the Division of Fish & Wildlife’s website or may be requested by calling Jennifer Childears at 302-739-9910, or email jennifer.childears@delaware.gov.

Media contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Vol. 46, No. 423

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Dover – DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation is initiating the Corporate Pass Program to offer participating businesses discounted annual passes for employees and other benefits. The Corporate Pass Program gives employers a way to promote health and wellness in the workplace, while providing employees with a benefit they can feel good about.
“We are very excited to partner with businesses and offer employers a new benefit for their employees,” said Delaware State Parks Enterprise Development Coordinator Caroline Foltz. “An annual park pass gives employees a way to spend time with their families, enjoy outdoor activities and programs, and support Delaware State Parks’ mission of environmental preservation in Delaware.”
The Corporate Pass Program includes:
• An annual pass in a personalized gift card for each employee;
• A presentation to employees to present the many programs and services offered in the state parks;
• Copies of seasonal publications of available programs, concerts, special events, and educational opportunities available in Delaware State Parks;
• 10 percent off RV, tent and cabin rentals in a Delaware State Parks campground;
• Five percent off water-front cottages at Indian River Marina.

Business benefits include:
• 20 percent off the price of any special event and meeting facility in Delaware State Parks;
• A free pavilion rental for the purchase of 50 to 250 passes;
• Two free pavilion rentals for the purchase of more than 250 passes;
• Free one-hour boat rental for each pass purchased;
• Free use of the picnic area for businesses that purchase passes for less than 50 people.

Rate Structure:
• The cost of a pass is $30.00 per employee, discounted from the regular $35 per person. Programs and activities can be designed to fit the needs of individual companies.
• Corporate Pass Benefits good for one year.

Awarded the National Gold Medal Award for the best managed state park system in the country for 2016 and 2017, Delaware State Parks has 16 beautiful parks featuring hundreds of miles of multi-use trails, guarded beaches, water craft rentals, a newly renovated water park, five campgrounds, nature centers, historical monuments and sites with incredible living history programs, summer concert series, theBrandywine Zoo, two golf courses and two equestrian centers.

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