Zoo

Students and teachers attending Sharpsburg Elementary Summer School visited the Catoctin Zoo June 19. Principal Carl Stark and school secretary Vickie Winston accompanied the students and teachers. Based on the summer school program theme "Safari animals," students are learning about animal habitats, animal classes and animal foods. Students and teachers spent the morning at the zoo, ate lunch and returned to Sharpsburg.

andrews@herald-mail.com As Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo in Thurmont, Md., prepares to build a home for a domesticated Washington County raccoon, the animal's owner is still battling to get him back. The plight of Onix, the longtime pet raccoon of Carrie "C.J. " Giffin, appeared to be settled last month when the zoo agreed to accept the animal. But Giffin, who took the raccoon in as a baby, said Wednesday she opposes letting Onix go. "He's 131/2 years old and he has no business being in the zoo," she said.

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Two jaguars at the Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo were in quarantine Monday after at least one of them attacked and critically injured an animal care worker. The woman was attacked around 11 a.m. Sunday while working in the interior den area of the jaguar enclosure, the zoo said in a statement. When she called for help, staff moved the animals from the interior den to the exterior exhibit area, the statement said. The woman was given first aid by staff and emergency medical technicians before being brought to Maryland Shock Trauma in Baltimore.

The Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo will host its second annual Wildlife Walk and Fitness Safari from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 26. Children will learn how to move like the animals at the zoo while exploring the 25-acre wooded park. All children who complete the 1K circuit will win a free pass to be used later in the summer. Teams can be formed. The team with the highest number of participants wins the right to adopt the animal of the team's choice for a whole year, receive a full-color Adoption Packet and a plaque with the organization's name displayed on the animal's habitat.

Sheba, a tiger at Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo in Thurmont, Md., finds a giant egg filled with meat as part of the "Easter Egg Hunt for the Animals" held over the weekend. Colorful hard boiled eggs and papier mch eggs filled with healthy treats were hidden in the enclosures of monkeys, bears and tigers as part of their enrichment program.

Here comes Santa Claus Santa arrives at the Valley Mall at 10 a.m. Saturday after Raggedy Ann and Andy do a little singing and dancing. Then kids get to climb up on Santa's lap and share their greatest desires -- peace on earth? No. Guitar Hero! Music by the military Continue your feelings of patriotism and listen to The U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band Brass Quintet from Langley Air Force Base, Va., at 7 p.m. on Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 15 Randolph Ave., Hagerstown.

By KAREN MASTERSON Staff Writer An area talent makes her debut tonight on NBC's "Late Night with Conan O'Brien. " Ethel, of the Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo near Thurmont, Md., was invited to appear on "Late Night" because of her gregarious personality and love for raisins. But the South American coatimundi - a cousin to the raccoon with an anteater-type nose - may have overstayed her welcome when she urinated on the host. "She was a little nervous," said Clyde Peeling, who invited Ethel and Catoctin Zoo Administrator Whitney Hahn to appear with him on the show.

CLEAR SPRING - Watching the snake eat the mouse. That was the best part, said Daniall Masood, 9, of Hagerstown. Daniall went with about 15 other children Tuesday to the Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo in Thurmont, Md. The children, including many Washington County students, are enrolled in the Maryland Summer Center program operating this week at the Fairview Outdoor Education Center near Clear Spring. Daniall is one of about 80 children learning about five different topics - geology, wildlife, visual art, creative writing and the Battle of Gettysburg.

On a whim last week, my boyfriend and I took his 7-year-old son and my daughter on a day trip to Lake Tobias Wildlife Park in Halifax, Pa. Neither he or I were familiar with the park, but it came highly recommended by a co-worker of his. I had been searching for a large petting zoo within commuting distance to take my daughter to, and this park just northeast of Harrisburg, Pa., seemed to fit the bill. The park offered “safari tours” through 150 acres of mostly grassland, home to herds of animals from around the world.

MARION, PA. chambersburg@herald-mail.com An Antrim Township couple found an unexpected visitor in their goldfish pond Wednesday morning - a 28-inch alligator. There were no goldfish in the old decorative pond, which Sue Hartman said was fortunate. "Otherwise, they'd have been goners for sure," she said. Hartman spotted the reptile about 10 a.m., but could not quite make out what it was. "It's head was sticking up out of the water and it was as big as my fist," she said.

Lynn and Rick Bibbee's story is one of hope and heart. It's a story about caring and compassion and taking dedication to a whole different level. It's about putting their efforts into preserving a place where all of God's creatures, big and small, exist in harmony. It's about saving a zoo. A few years ago, the Hagerstown couple didn't even know Tri-State Zoological Park existed in Cumberland, Md. - despite the fact that they had lived there for many years. But during a visit to the area last March, Rick Bibbee picked up a local magazine and spotted a discount coupon for admission to the zoo. When he returned home, he shared the information with his wife and the two decided to make it a destination.

Waynesboro native Steve Graham has a dog and cat at home, which is a far cry from the years he spent with 400 large exotic animals outside his bedroom window. On some of the nights he spent living at the Detroit Zoo, Graham would mimic the squeal of a tapir to answer one that cried out. The tapir, which resembles a pig, was just one creature within the zoo's 200 acres. Graham retired as director of the Detroit Zoo 20 years ago. On Thursday, he will share some of his memories during a Renfrew Institute program about the role of zoos in conservation efforts.

The Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo will host its second annual Wildlife Walk and Fitness Safari from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 26. Children will learn how to move like the animals at the zoo while exploring the 25-acre wooded park. All children who complete the 1K circuit will win a free pass to be used later in the summer. Teams can be formed. The team with the highest number of participants wins the right to adopt the animal of the team's choice for a whole year, receive a full-color Adoption Packet and a plaque with the organization's name displayed on the animal's habitat.

For Friday through Sunday Movie times listed are those provided as of noon Wednesday and may be revised by theaters at any time. MARYLAND LEITERSBURG CINEMAS 20145 Leitersburg Pike, Hagerstown, 240-329-2093 www.leitersburgcinemas.com The Adventures of Tintin (PG) - Fri./Sat. - 10:55 a.m., 2, 4:25, 7:15, 9:50 p.m.; Sun. - 1:55, 4:25, 7:15 p.m. Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (G) - Fri./Sat. - 10:50 a.m., 1:15, 3:20, 5:30, 7:35, 9:35 p.m.; Sun. - 1:30, 3:30, 5:30, 7:30 p.m. The Darkest Hour (PG-13)

On a whim last week, my boyfriend and I took his 7-year-old son and my daughter on a day trip to Lake Tobias Wildlife Park in Halifax, Pa. Neither he or I were familiar with the park, but it came highly recommended by a co-worker of his. I had been searching for a large petting zoo within commuting distance to take my daughter to, and this park just northeast of Harrisburg, Pa., seemed to fit the bill. The park offered “safari tours” through 150 acres of mostly grassland, home to herds of animals from around the world.

Ravenwood Lutheran Village will host Farm Day from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11. The family-friendly event is free. Highlights include a petting zoo, pony rides, live music games, barrel train, food and more. Ravenwood Lutheran Village is behind Food Lion just off Frederick Street, Hagerstown, For information, call 240-420-4133.

Sheba, a tiger at Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo in Thurmont, Md., finds a giant egg filled with meat as part of the "Easter Egg Hunt for the Animals" held over the weekend. Colorful hard boiled eggs and papier mch eggs filled with healthy treats were hidden in the enclosures of monkeys, bears and tigers as part of their enrichment program.

May 18, June 1 and 8: Bingo at VFW Post 10502, 7 p.m. May 18: Hancock Chamber of Commerce meeting at Weaver's Restaurant, 6:30 p.m. May 19: Big Pool Ruritan Club meeting at Big Pool Community Building, 6:30 p.m. May 19 and 26, June 2 and 9: Hancock Rotary Club meeting at Park-n-Dine, 12:30 p.m. May 20 and 27, June 3 and 10: Story time at Hancock Library, 1 p.m.; free for ages 3 to 5. Call 301-678-5300. May 22: Teens After Hours at Hancock Library, 7 to 9 p.m.; free for ages 12 to 18. June 6: Summer reading club kickoff at Hancock Library, 1 to 3 p.m. with musical zoo theme June 8: Hancock Lions Club meeting at Park-n-Dine, 6:30 p.m. June 8: Hancock Lioness Club meeting at Park-n-Dine, 6 p.m. June 10: Hancock Town Council meeting, 7 p.m.

THURMONT, Md. (AP) -- Two jaguars placed under quarantine after one attacked a zookeeper have been released from quarantine. The two animals at the Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo were released from quarantine on Monday after animal control officials evaluated their temperaments and found them acceptable. June Bellizzi, administrative director for the zoo, says, "We are very pleased. " The male and female jaguar were quarantined after the male attacked a zookeeper on Jan. 18. Thirty-two-year-old Deborah Gregory of Severn was seriously injured but has been released from Shock Trauma.

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Two jaguars at the Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo were in quarantine Monday after at least one of them attacked and critically injured an animal care worker. The woman was attacked around 11 a.m. Sunday while working in the interior den area of the jaguar enclosure, the zoo said in a statement. When she called for help, staff moved the animals from the interior den to the exterior exhibit area, the statement said. The woman was given first aid by staff and emergency medical technicians before being brought to Maryland Shock Trauma in Baltimore.