Binghamton’s Ross Park Zoo on Southern Tier Close Up

Binghamton's Ross Park Zoo is closed for the season but, speaking on the December 3rd edition of the weekly local public affairs program: Southern Tier Close Up, the zoo's Rachel Davenport there is still a lot of activity at the facility on Morgan Road.

Davenport says, of course, the animals all have to be cared for daily, no matter the weather.

Ross Park also has a couple new arrivals.  Chao and Redford, 2 year old male endangered Red Wolves are paired with the current Red Wolf females, Piglet and Miku with the hopes of successful breeding as part of the Species Survival Plan.

Davenport says the program that looks to increase the population of the critically endangered animals so they can be reintroduced to the wild is in jeopardy with a threat of the federal government cutting the program and allowing the species to go extinct.

In addition to talking about what goes on at the zoo during the winter, Davenport says there are opportunities for residents to help through the adopt an animal program, gifts at the zoo's shop at the Oakdale Mall, reserving a spot in the Wild Encounter program where people can go into the two-toed sloth or penguin exhibit for a personal meet-and-greet with the animals, volunteering at the zoo or through outright donations.

For more information, go to www.rossparkzoo.com or call (607) 724-5461.

 Southern Tier Close Up is heard Sunday at 6 am on 99.1 The Whale.