An interview with Zoo Mama/Lori Space Day/Tiger Lily/Beemerville,N.J-5-23-2013
28 photos
for sale
An interview with Lori Space Day, zoologist at Space Farms and tenderly known as Zoo Mama on her mission with the animals. In Day's words, Sharing her knowledge and animals with the public can help get people interested in protecting and preserving our natural wildlife.
For now, Day will be joined at the hip with new addition Tiger Lily, which started a week ago. There is a nursery at Days home as well as at work at Space Farms Zoo and Museum in Beemerville, N.J. It is complete with a crib, a germ free enclosure, stuffed animals to simulate siblings and a heated mattress pad for warmth. Lily gets fed 5 tablespoons of milk every two hours for now. Her eyes still closed and motor skills at a minimum she needs constant care. Day explained this is the start of her early training to get accustomed to human touch, smell and coming when she is called. This makes it easier for veterinarian visits. Although when small they are cute and friendly one should never mistake that they are always a wild animal and not to be considered tame.
Lily is a Bengal Tiger, one of the most common types. There are 7,500 in captivity which is said to be more than there are left in the wild.
The proud parents are 14 year old Tara (the mom) and 2 year old Blaze (the dad). It has been 10 years since the last set of cubs at the zoo.
Lily was born weighing 2 3/4 pounds. With paws the size of a quarter, by adulthood they will be the size of a dinner plate. The dew claws are extended and hook shaped to aid in catching prey. The cubs weight will double each week and at six months will be the size of a German shepherd. The umbilical chord fell off in 5 days and the eyes will be open soon along with teeth starting to poke through by three weeks old. The cubs are much like human babies when getting in their teeth as far as being irritable and running a low fever.
Day invented the cut and mark nipple special for feeding the cubs which caused an interest around the world whe it went viral. This special slit process allows one to regulate the flow of the milk from the bottle depending on the direction of the slit in the nipple. Day stated that in the wild 80 percent of the cubs are dead before their second birthday due to predators, diseases and people. This being known, she is very excited about already raising 13 tigers over the years. At adulthood the Bengal Tiger will weigh approximately six hundred pounds but for now Lily weighs in at 4 pounds 4 ounces at one week old, already close to doubling her weight. She will continue to receive hands on attention for about a year when she can be placed back in with her parents again.
You can visit Lily thru the nursery window at Space Farms and while you are there stop in at Extreme Pizza for lunch. It is the new eatery on the premises.
5/23/2013
Album ID: 1659015
Photos by Gale Miko
Thieving little cub, West Milford, NJ
1 photo
for sale
5/21/2013
Album ID: 1657475
Photos by Ginny Raue
Bear at Wawayanda State Park Bear Crossing Sign - Vernon, N.J. - 5/10/2013
5 photos
for sale
Bear at Wawayanda State Park Bear Crossing Sign - Vernon, N.J. - 5/10/2013
They’re back… and have they learned how to read and follow directions too? This bear follows a fence that separates Wawayanda State Park from a Vernon resident’s backyard.
5/13/2013
Album ID: 1653276
Photos by Chris Wyman
N.J.Pet Expo/Augusta,NJ-5/12/2013
75 photos
for sale
The N.J. Pet Expo was held at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta on saturday. Despite the uncertain weather it was a full house. Rescue and adoption groups had animals to adopt and information to give out. doggie tic tac toe was one of the games played with volunteers. There was also a spoon race, visiting with Blues Clues as he walked the area and demonstrations. Lori Space Day and Jennie Beckman were there to talk about the red fox and show two 5 week old babies that are being raised at Space Farms.
Kathleen Bell came with Julie, the #1 pet from the N.J. Herald pet contest 2013.
The Dog Dome did the agility course with various dogs of shape and size.
5/13/2013
Album ID: 1653162
Photos by Gale Miko
Vernon Dog Park Grand Opening - Vernon, N.J. - 5/5/2013
13 photos
for sale
Vernon Dog Park Grand Opening - Vernon, N.J. - 5/5/2013
At center is Barbara Green, the president of DOGS (Dog Owners Gathering Society) of Vernon who remarked that the dedication of the group’s volunteers for nearly seven years brought about their “Field of Dreams” with the creation of Vernon’s dog park that is now officially open to the public. According to Green, “Approximately seven years ago a survey was sent out to residents to see how an off-leash dog park would be accepted in Vernon. Comments ranged from, ‘Yes, we’d love one! Are you biased against cats? Don’t raise my taxes.’ A few months later a small group of residents met for the first time to look into the possibility of building a dog park. Would it work? Could we do it? Was there interest? Monthly meetings were then planned, committees formed and the endeavor began. How difficult could it be? It’s a dog park, just put up a fence. Little did we know the nightmares that would invade our dream.”Later this year fundraisers continue and donations are still being accepted. The group will be holding their 7th annual dog wash/nail clipping/micro-chipping event this July. For more information contact Green at 201-230-3973 (barb@dogsofvernon.org) or visit DOGS at www.dogsofvernon.org.
5/6/2013
Album ID: 1649783
Photos by Chris Wyman
Mee-ouch! West Milford holds free cat rabies clinic, West Milford, NJ
2 photos
for sale
4/29/2013
Album ID: 1646426
Photos by Ginny Raue
Poodle Parade/April in Paris/Lafayette Village,NJ/4/27/2013
15 photos
for sale
The Poodle Parade was held Saturday at Lafayette Village, Lafayette, NJ. with poodles, dogs dressed like poodles and their owners marching in a doggie parade around the village.1st Place winner was India & Gingersnap, 2nd place Elyse Lane of New Milford, NJ with her apricot poodle Dakota and 3rd place was Alyson Capara of Green Township with Remy
4/28/2013
Album ID: 1645802
Photos by Gale Miko
Opening Day at Space Farms Zoo and Museum/Beemerville/Wantage,NJ4/6/2013
21 photos
for sale
Opening day for space Farms Zoo and Museum was held on Saturday. Locals, season pass holders and visitors came from as far as Florida to see the animals.
Extreme Pizza will be opening soon and will be open year round. Jill Space just returned from San Francisco, Ca. where Space learned about making a variety of pizza dough's from scratch and special sauce. The menus will offer calzones, desserts, assorted pizzas, wheat crust or gluten free and the toppings. Eat in, take out or delivery will be available. They plan to be open until 9 p.m. weekdays and 10 on the week ends.
4/6/2013
Album ID: 1635394
Photos by Gale Miko
DOGS of Vernon Easter Egg Hunt– Vernon, N.J. – 3/30/2013
10 photos
for sale
DOGS of Vernon Easter Egg Hunt– Vernon, N.J. – 3/30/2013
Barney the Beagle was but one of dozens of canines that attended the fourth annual Doggie Easter Egg Hunt Saturday at the off-leash dog park on Route 517 in Vernon. The dogs got a chance to hunt for plastic eggs containing dog treats. At the other end of Barney’s leash is his mom, Pat Lang of Highland Lakes.DOGS (Dog Owners Gathering Society) of Vernon, is also holding what they billed as a “Gigantic Garage Sale” at the Tractor Supply in Wantage on Saturday, April 27 and they will participate in Vernon’s upcoming EarthFest on Sunday, April 28.For more information contact Stu at 973-919-6963 (45stubaker@nac.net) or Barb 201-230-3973 (barb@dogsofvernon.org). Learn more about DOGS at www.dogsofvernon.org.
Barbara Green, President of DOGS (Dog Owners Gathering Society) of Vernon gets ready to bring one of her two golden retrievers, Savannah, for an off-leash walk in the dog park. The grand opening of the dog park is scheduled for Sunday, May 5. According to Green, “We hope the dogs of Sussex County and their humans, as well as visitors to Sussex County will enjoy the park. Even if you don’t have a dog, stop by for a visit. It’s great fun to just watch the dogs playing and exploring. If you and your dog had an enjoyable time, please don’t forget to drop a donation in the donation barrel. We still have a very hefty construction loan to pay off as well as the costs of maintaining the park.”
