Sunday, March 29, 2015

minus 100 and starting a new journey

It has been too long since my last blog. That itching feeling to type has been nagging at me all staycation. yeah you heard me STAY-CATION. Any mid 20 something year old will tell you its the definition of a vacation at home because your too broke to go anywhere. Hey now I'm not complaining or anything. I'm on day 3 of painting, binging on netflix, baking vegan blueberry dutch chocolate chip cookies (yes that is one type of cookie), and playing with dogs. Sounds good to me! Whenever you choose the path of animal husbandry you almost certainly hand over any future chances of owning nice things and traveling often. Oh the life of a keeper.....

Why am I on a staycation you ask? That brings me to the "starting a new journey" part of the blog title.
I was recently offered a full time-seasonal position as a camp coordinator at the AK Zoo. Starting April 1rst ; I will be an employee of the AK Zoo. This job will focus mainly on summer camps and educating kids of all ages. I won't be doing as much animal husbandry. Wish me luck!
My family seems to be filled with teachers. Who knows; maybe I will decide being a future Education Director is more my forte vs. being a curator one day. My grandmother was a beautiful artist that loved teaching and talking about art. My cousin, Lindsay, followed my grandmother's footsteps with her beautiful art creations and inspiring others through her work. Both of my aunts are natural born teachers as well. My mother was simply a teacher by being my mother. I am sure more of my cousins will also become teachers. ok onward from the sappy talk. Let's talk Bison.

Minus 100. The Wood Bison reintroduction project has been nearly completed at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. On march 22-24th we loaded 100 bison onto conex containers. The containers where then driven to the Anchorage International Airport.

photo courtesy of: Alaska Department of Fish and Game

They were then flown on a C-130 to Shageluk, AK; where they were then released onto a few acres. After they are acclimated to the area they will then be lead by alfalfa cubes to the Innoko area for their final destination.

http://www.adn.com/article/20150322/first-wood-bison-head-release-southwest-alaska

http://www.ktva.com/wood-bison-on-the-move-from-wildlife-center-to-the-wilds-of-alaska-707

http://www.ktuu.com/news/news/wood-bison-returned-to-natural-habitat-for-first-time-in-100-years/31956846

On the last day of loading the bison the Lynden employees surprised us with a surprise fly over of the C-130 Plane with a load of 14 wood bison on it that we loaded earlier that morning! It was truly a moment I will never forget.

photos courtesy of the awesome adventurer and my forever favorite photographer Doug Lindstrand.
He even flew out to Shageluk to get these photos when the doors releasing the bison were opened!

More photos of the Wood bison project hopefully coming soon!

So with this blog being typed it may very well be one of the last ones about the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. I will continue to blog about my new work at The AK Zoo. I also have a few future projects in mind that I want to get involved with and bounce ideas of the blog readers. I do hope to have continued interest in this blog.

Speaking of other projects. My very first artwork was displayed today in preparation for the annual Skimeister Auction. It raises money for Challenge Alaska: an adaptive ski and snowboarding school.
Hope to see you there if you find yourself in Girdwood, AK!

Goodnight lower 48,

Erin and Zelda

AK Skimeister Challenge: Saturday, April 4th, 2015. ALL DAY EVENT

Details: Last Updated on Saturday, 07 March 2015 23:26; Published on Thursday, 14 February 2013 21:20

2015 AK Skimeister Challenge:

April 4th, 2014

Sunday, January 25, 2015

only 5 left...

In my last blog I mentioned using art as a means for conservation. It still continues to be a fun way to not only use as a hobby but to also spread awareness on different issues in the animal world.

I did a painting...

Sadly; this painting has already been outdated.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/15/us/san-diego-white-rhino-dead/

There are now only 5 White Rhinos left in the world.

well that was a depressing way to start a blog.

Now onto the update on what's been going on at the wildlife center.

Usually the month of January can be fairly slow and the animals (and staff) are just enjoying the time off from summer.

Rut is coming to a close (breeding season)...usually.....
however we still have one elk refusing to calm down and stop being the bad guy in charge.
He just loves to talk "trash" at those other loser elk that are separated from the herd across the way.

We have to separate the male elk from one another in order for them not to fight over the lady elk . This would be too dangerous to leave leave all the bulls in the same area with the herd. The herd of elk that the male bull protects is called a "harem".

The bull in charge also likes to cover himself in his own scent to show his dominance...

He is just a little stinky for a few months.....

Notice how there is no snow on the ground? This winter has been so mild that even our bears have hardly been hibernating! Until just 2 days ago we have zero snow on the ground!
"Patron" even looks a little confused as to if she is even hungry enough to eat this pear.

Hugo is wondering why she still has to walk on ice instead of snow....

"Where are my snow shoes?"

Luckily with claws like these even walking on ice isn't too difficult...

Jade, our red fox, has been getting a lot of hands on training by myself and 2 other girls that I work with. We are hoping to be able to take him into classes one day soon. Maybe even in the next couple of months? We have been so lucky to have a great volunteer arrive at the center last year and volunteer her time to teach us different training techniques for Jade. This training not only can be used in programs; but also provides enrichment for Jade. Fox in general are very smart and need a variety of stimuli in their environment.

One thing I love about the winter time is having our local wildlife return each year.
We get pairs of bald eagles that return in the winter time. I love this photo that Doug Lindstrand captured through the fog.

and this one of the intern bunkhouse with the mountains in the background.

Once rut is actually over animals such as moose begin to drop their antlers. They are not needed anymore since they are done fighting for dominance during the breeding season. Usually captive animals in rut retain their antlers a bit longer since their diets are a little different than their wild counterparts. "Teddy" here has had one antler for nearly a 2 months now; which is longer than the average moose to shed both antlers.

and with that zelda and I will leave you dear reader to enjoy the rest of this Sunday....Zelda sure is enjoying hers.

-good day lower 48
E and Z

Monday, November 17, 2014

a different approach to conservation

Lately I have been asking myself; "am I doing my best in conserving the earth's animals?".

While I still love my job at the AWCC; I have been wondering if there are also other animals I could be helping.

I have been picking up a new hobby in my down time. I have really taken an interest in art ; more specifically acrylic painting. I always thought being an artist meant you were good at drawing perfect portraits, or sitting in class and drawing a nude person. What I didn't realize is that there are all types of art. You can mix this with that and get a different combination each time. I realize every painting is as unique as a thumbprint. Everyone has their own combinations in art that they like to use.

So for the heck of it I started making "animal art portraits" .

I recently joined a website named " The Dodo"

https://www.thedodo.com

It is a good source for update news in the animal world. I have a read a few concerning articles:

https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3705644897911403394#editor/target=post;postID=960817088519693694

Both the Elephants and Rhinos are suffering from one large concerning issue: the illegal ivory trade.
I felt suddenly like I wanted to draw an elephant. The below picture is an attempt at taking on animal conservation from a new approach. I also happen to have my very first art show going on at The Java Haus in Girdwood, Ak. If the painting sells; 100% of the proceeds will go to "Save Elephant Foundation"

http://www.saveelephant.org

price: $200

When I read an article on a Northern White Rhino death I was shocked to hear that there are now only 6 Northern White Rhinos left in the world!

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/10/141020-rhinoceros-death-suni-kenya-science-world-endangered-animals/

The next piece will also have 100% of the proceeds donated to: "Ol Pejeta Conservancy"

Price $100
1ftX2ft

These are just my first 2 conservation paintings. If they don't sell.....well that won't stop me from trying to paint others. This is something I am going to really put some sweat into for the time being.
I will keep you posted on how things are going in this animal art project. Until next time....

Goodnight Lower 48,
E and Z

Friday, October 3, 2014

Fall:looking back on summer 2014

Well, it isn't the best picture but you tell a Sitka black Tailed deer to stop and smile for the camera. HINT: It doesn't work.

Solo is the 2 year old deer on the left of the photo that we cared for when he was found as an orphan.

"Solo" 2 years ago in the photo on the right.

Photo courtesy of Doug Lindstrand

"Solstice" was smaller deer on the right with Solo. He looked a lot smaller when he was born on June 21rst (Summer Solstice). The longest day of sunlight in Alaska every year. It is basically a holiday here.

Next photo is how big he has gotten!
Leia is his mother. Also a 2 year old orphaned we raised.

photo courtesy of Doug Lindstrand

Every year we still get the veggies that were used in the Palmer State Fair vegetable competitions. Here is a display of the largest veggies we received. Cabbages are lining the ground with a large rutabaga on each end. A large zucchini is on the right side of the table. In the center is a cauliflower head surrounded by various other types of veggies like turnips, squash, radishes, rhubarb, and peppers.

The bears appreciated them very much. photo courtesy of Doug Lindstrand

We also start to clear our own garden out that we take care of all summer. The musk oxen really enjoy the cabbages from our garden.

photo courtesy of Doug Lindstrand

Now the other thing I really enjoy about the fall is the fact that things in general slow done at the center. This means I get to play with the animals more! I started my work day by playing with Jade our handsome red fox.

Remember when Tectonic looked like this?

Now he looks like this!!!!! He lost his baby coat of fur and is finally filling in his lanky body.

alright. moose play time!

Hey Tectonic let's both stick our tongues out at the same time for a selfie.

1.2.3!

Wait wait wait! Tectonic you stuck you tongue out too early!

OK
1.2.3!
Danggit! Now I did it to early!

Ok let's just smile.

Goodnight lower 48,
E and Z

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Favorite pictures

I have worked with many species of animals. I Started with the basics: dogs, hamsters, fish, hermit crabs, birds and guinea pigs. you know the one every parent ends up taking care of. I like to think I was decent at taking care of my "pet".

Then in College I upgraded to volunteer work at the Houston Zoo. -Which by the way if you think you are ever interested in working with animals I recommend volunteering as early in age as possible and applying for internships all through college.

The Houston zoo taught me a lot about farm animals. Goats, chicken, Llamas, pigs, ox, sheep, ducks were all a part of the children's zoo area. You definitely learn how to rake really well as a volunteer in that area.

Alligators, Eagle, otters, snakes, rabbits, chinchilla, raccoon, white tail deer, fox, are also some more of the species in the children' zoo there. This was the time that I decided "I don't know if I want to work in a zoo". Don't get me wrong I think zoos are a very important factor in conservation. I was more interested in the training aspect of animals. I didn't really want to go the vet route since I want to work more with healthy animals and raising them. I also wanted to work more in natural settings.

After I graduated College I soon found myself saying "What do I do now?"

Luckily with a little bit of persistence and annoying phone calls; I got my first internship at TGR Exotics.

Again, I took another step up in varying animal species. Camels, lemurs, tiger, serval (that tall cat in pictures standing next to egyptians, you know the one), PORCUPINE, kangaroo, muntjac deer, sloth, and others I can't remember; were all new species for me to work with.

After hearing from my supervisor that there was this cool place in Alaska looking for an intern to train bears; I thought "It can't hurt to try."

Again, with lot's of luck (and I mean lots from above) I got the internship. Well 3.5 years later I am still working at that same place. The Alaska wildlife Conservation Center has taught me so much about myself. Working with (and I can name them all) black bear, brown bear, coyote, porcupine, eagle, owls, red fox, sitka Black Tailed Deer, reindeer, elk, moose, bison, and Canadian Lynx has never been a boring day. There is never a boring day here. I have realized over the past year that my purpose in life to work in conservation. All the days at work here have left me with a lot of cool pictures. This blog is dedicated to my favorite pictures working at the AWCC. ENJOY.

PHOTO COURTESY:DOUG LINDSTRAND

PHOTO COURTESY: DOUG LINDSTRAND

PHOTO COURTESY:DOUG LINDSTRAND

Goodnight lower 48,
E and Z

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Many adventures in the past few weeks

Been a very busy month....

First off I would like to give credit to the amazing interns we have had this summer. Sadly some of these interns have already returned back to their hometowns for College.
From left: Kayla Jackson -New York, Suzanne Steinert-Kentucky, Jeremy Brooks-Montana, Connor O'Brien-Georgia, Hanna Sundstrom-Minnesota, Erin (Me), bottom row from left Allison Dahl-Alaska,
Rachel Skrobot-Ohio, Katelyn Dotson-Kentucky. Without these fabulous interns we wouldn't be able to do all the animal programs or have healthy baby animals. Thank you interns for all your hard work this summer!

photo credit: Doug Lindstrand

We also added a new intern to our group..

Meet Amanda from New Jersey

The baby animals are doing great! Our 2 moose calves Richtor and Tectonic are growing so fast!

The Musk Oxen calves are also continuing to thrive at the AWCC. Tsuni Must weigh near 100 pounds!

On a separate note; my mom visited Alaska about 3 weeks ago. We went to Denali National Park where we then hopped on the bus and rode through the park. Denali National Park is roughly 6 million acres in size! The first thing we saw as we entered the park was something hiding in the bushes. Any guesses? I will tell you at the end of the blog. Hint: Either a moose or a caribou.

Me and my mom posing for a few pictures in the park. :)

This little guy was my favorite animal that we saw in the park. Just after we left the rest stop called Eilson to return back; this red fox was spotted walking along the side of the road.

Reminded me of Jade at the center

A few days ago I was lucky enough to give a private tour to the one and only John Oates.

They were a group of 6 and all very nice to tour with. They even shared their bananas with a tourist so they could feed the moose.

The latest adventure that I went on was back to Homer, Alaska. This is the Halibut capital of the world. We had a very kind lady named Cyndy ask a few of us to go on a halibut Charter in her place. Cyndy always donates a bunch of bananas for the moose when she visits the center. Thank you again Mrs. Cyndy!

The charter was based out of Ninilchik,AK. We camped about an hour away in Homer,Ak. As I was waking up this morning their was a Bald Eagle perched on a nearby satellite.