Celebrating our Aquarists!

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and its members celebrate the important work of zoo keepers and aquarists this week. National Zoo Keeper Week highlights the significant role of zoo keepers and aquarists in animal care and conservation.

“The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is proud of the hard-working zoo keepers and aquarists who care for more than 700,000 animals in 218 AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums,” said AZA President and CEO Jim Maddy. “Zoo keepers and aquarists are highly-educated, hard-working, and dedicated to the animals in their care.”

“We hope that when people visit zoos and aquariums all year-round, they will thank the zoo keepers and aquarists they meet,” says Maddy.

Created by the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK), National Zoo Keeper Week is celebrated each year beginning on the third Sunday in July. During the week, zoos nationwide honor animal care professionals and the work they do in animal care, conservation, and education. There are approximately 6,000 animal care professionals in the United States.

The NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher would like to thank its aquarists and aquarist technicians for all their hard work:

Aquarists:
Rich Bamberger
Keith Farmer
Julie Johnson
Melissa Johnson
Marc Niell
Mike Suchy

Aquarist Data Technician:
Ginger Black

Aquarist Technicians:
Matt Babineau
Monica Dudley
Michael Romano
Karrie Stall
Kari Ysland
April Zild

Biodegradable Lipstick?

Trendy new PlantLove Botanical Lipstick from Cargo is making its mark in the beauty world for its revolutionary new environmentally friendly packaging. The tube is made from corn, a renewable and biodegradable resource, and the packaging is made of flower paper, embedded with real flower seeds. Simply moisten, plant, and wait for a bouquet of wild flowers to grow!

This environmentally-friendly innovation also emits less greenhouse gases, which many scientists believe to be the major cause of global warming. The lipstick contains no mineral oils or petroleum, and the botanical formula is kind to lips.

Considering the amount of lipstick manufactured, let's hope that more cosmetics giants follow suit!

Calling All Photographers!

Grab your camera and dive into the North Carolina Aquariums’ Photo Contest. The annual competition for amateur and non-professional photographers puts the focus on the state’s diverse aquatic life.

Images from the waters off North Carolina’s coast or within the state’s freshwater system can be entered in “Underwater Open” or “Underwater Close-ups,” depending on the scene depicted.

Don’t do the deep sea? Stay high and dry while snapping shots for the “Aquatic Life in the Aquariums” category. The North Carolina Aquariums at Pine Knoll Shores, at Fort Fisher and on Roanoke Island offer ample photo opportunities, with thousands of animals and dozens of exhibits.

Participants can submit up to three photographs in each of the three categories. Cash prizes of $500 for first, $200 for second, $100 for third and $50 for honorable mention will be awarded in each category. East Carolina Bank sponsors the contest.

The deadline to enter is Dec. 31, 2008. See the Aquariums’ website for detailed rules and entry forms, and to see the 2007 winners.

* Photo: NCA - Black-barred soldierfish, first place 07 Open Category, photo by Chris Smith