Archive for the ‘Bumblebees’ Category

Apr
17

Danger from above! By Peter Riger, Houston Zoo’s, Vice-President of Conservation reporting from Borneo

Posted by in Borneo,Bumblebees,community-based conservation,Conservation,Elephant,Endangered Species,Field Research,Series,Staff assisting wildlife protection in the wild,Travel

Vice President of Conservation, Peter Riger is visiting Borneo to find out how the Houston Zoo can be of further assistance in the race to save Asian wildlife.

I woke up this morning to what sounded like a helicopter outside my screen window but it was only the largest bee I had ever seen and he was not happy that it was 5:30am and I was still asleep. When he finally went away I could hear a pair of gibbons calling from across the river. Although difficult to see, they can be heard for miles, usually in the very early morning, and it would have been a great sound to wake up to, if not for the bee.

Everything seems to fly here; Proboscis Monkeys and Red leaf Monkey fly overhead as they jump from tree to tree, there are flying snakes, flying frogs, flying giant squirrels and the  little seen colugo which is also called the flying lemur.

So when walking here, your eyes have to be on the trail as well as in the trees as witnessed this morning by two research students walking to the station when an orangutan mother and baby decided to drop things from above we will not talk about here and just miss them by a few feet. By the time I arrived on the trail a minute later, dung beetles were already busy at work “cleaning up”. How did they know so quickly? They must have a poo alert early warning system.  The forest is alive in Borneo, as are the skies.

There is a fairly straightforward routine here for everyone except the nocturnal prosimians researcher who spends her time looking for slow loris and tarsier from midnight to 6am. Whether you are a crocodile researcher or checking cameras  for bears, you get up early and either hit the trail or grab a boat and head out to your site, some of which overlap. Hopefully you return by lunch and then repeat or work on projects at the centre before dinner, then try and get a working Internet signal to catch up with the outside world and the lights out when generator goes off at 11pm. Some of these projects go on for years and everyone genuinely enjoys being here despite what would seem like difficult conditions at times.

Outside of the projects, there is another initiative here managed by local staff called River Keepers who patrol the Kinabatangan to make sure there are no illegal activities in the reserve here ( hunting, logging, etc.). They are as much part of the team and live here at the centre along with all the visiting students and guests. I mentioned the other day there were 6 countries represented here thus year (so far) which include Canada Malaysia, France, US, Spain, UK, Belgium and Mexico – okay, that’s 8 countries.

These, along with wildlife health units, are part of a larger network to look at how to protect this region on a landscape level. That is, not simply focus on one species at a time but understand how all these species interact within their habitat and what is needed to support everything together.

Stay tuned for more from Peter in Borneo.

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Dec
26

The Year in Blogs

Posted by in Africa,amphibians,Animal Origins & Fun Facts,Attwater's Prairie Chicken,Borneo,Bumblebees,Carnivores,Chimpanzee,community-based conservation,Conservation,Elephant,Featured,Field Research,Going Green,Gorilla,orangutan,Painted Dog,Panama,Rhino,Sea Turtles,Texas,What You Can Do

I do not even know where to start to make sense of some of our blog posts in 2012, all written to try and bring your attention to both the successes and issues facing our environment. I really have no idea what may or may not have caught your attention. No matter how often our IT and web team send me graphs and charts showing reader algorithms, viral feeds (unrelated to a blog on emerging infectious diseases), hits and views – it is beyond my grasp of the new world we live in. Remember, I have a smart phone and do recall saying it was making us all a little dumber, me especially.

So a quick look back at MacGyver, Cheddar Bacon and Peppermint Shakes, Chicken Pants and the fact that  Groundhogs are not the Nostradamus of the rodent world as they can barely remember which drawer they left their pants in, let alone predict the changing of the seasons.

These were all very important topics, near and dear to my heart from pollinators to climate change and even Chicken Pants which I have no idea what I was thinking of at the time that spurred that thought process. But the point is simply this – the world is a messy place, our role in the zoo is to focus on wildlife and so most of what you see and read here is about the environment and the people who work tirelessly to protect wildlife and their habitats around the clock.

We can do more to help our partners and the environment and it is so simple it hurts my head to think about it.

Have 30 seconds to spare? Try this: Recycle a cell phone – protect wildlife in Africa. Lets make this a friendly disease called the Responsible Consumer Syndrome. You can catch this syndrome by also understanding where the Palm Oil in your products originates – and protect Orangutans in Southeast Asia

The great plastic debate? Not really a debate – we are addicted to plastic shopping bags and water bottles. Do you think Krogers, Randalls, HEB and others realizes how much money they could save by not providing its customers millions of plastic bags every year which in turn would protect the environment and wildlife? Probably equal to the economy of a small country. Interesting someone thought enough of the water bottle issue to ban them from Grand Canyon National Park – I guess they think it is prettier than the other parks since it is the only one that bans plastic water bottles.

Who would have thought the National Park System would be following the lead of these countries  (mild disclaimer – these countries have banned plastic bags but they still drink water): Papua New Guinea, Germany, Kenya, South Korea, Belgium, Sweden, Bhutan, Botswana and a handful of others. You may recall I ranted about this on my  bestselling blog Doggie Doo’s and Doggie Dont’s (another disclaimer, my blogs are not for sale but I found a quarter after posting that one).

So for 2013 – we can do better. Smartphones and Smart tablets can inform us but cannot lead us to action – that is a human trait that we need to figure out how to enhance if we are going to continue to protect the worlds wildlife in the face of growing human populations and habitat loss. We have to care more to do more.

One thing I really do not care to learn more about is Poutine which my Canadian colleague tried to poison me with this year. I like my french fries with ketchup thank you, not brown gravy and curd cheese. But what we want you to learn more about are all are wonderful partners which can be found on our website or at a few of the links below:

Niassa Lion Project Mozambique, Cheetah Conservation Botswana, Hutan-Kinabatangan Orangutan Conservation, Danau Girang Elephant Conservation, Painted Dog Conservation Zimbabwe, Gorilla Doctors, Education for Nature Vietnam, Faleme Chimpanzee Conservation Senegal, Coastal Prairie Partnership, Lowland Tapir Project Brazil, El Valle Amphibian Conservation Panama, Jane Goodall Institute, International Rhino Foundation, Art of Conservation Rwanda, NOAA’s Sea Turtle Program, USFWS, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Texas State University, National Marine Fisheries Service, Human Wildlife Conflict Collaboration, Terra Incognita Ecotours, Wildlife Conservation Network, Galapagos Tortoise Program, Natural Habitat Adventures, and a Thank You to all of our zoo staff, zoo members and supporters including Land Rover UAE, Anadarko, Chevron, numerous private foundations, individuals and followers.

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Sep
27

The Bee’s Knees

Posted by in Bumblebees,Conservation,Going Green,Texas,What You Can Do

One of the most important aspects of the Houston Zoo is the commitment its employees have to conserving wildlife and connecting people to these efforts. This passion for wildlife extends far beyond the impressive Zoo exhibits and day-to-day programming our guests typically see. The Zoo has found a creative way to foster our employees’ passion for the Zoo’s mission: the Houston Zoo Staff Conservation Fund (SCF).

The SCF offers unique opportunities for staff to participate in a variety of conservation efforts. The Fund builds exclusively upon donations from Houston Zoo staff, and these funds contribute directly to the projects that staff members propose and execute. By providing employees with an excellent opportunity to build capacity for conservation, the Houston Zoo accomplishes an integral part of its core mission.

One of the recent recipients of a staff funded grant is Karen Sprague, a Senior Keeper in the Zoo’s Herpetology Department. Karen had the following to say about her successful SCF pollinator project:

One of the new bee houses on grounds!

“My project started mainly because I have a fascination with native bees… while looking for bee ID resources for the Houston area, I was surprised to learn that not much bee diversity research had been done in southeast Texas, and that nobody really knows what species are present here.  Most of the funding for bee research is funneled into European honeybees since we rely on them heavily to pollinate the majority of our crops (excluding wind-pollinated crops of course).  In talking to friends and family, I realized that most people are familiar with the honeybee and MAYBE the bumblebee and are completely unaware that native bees even exist.

A new pollinator sign at the Zoo!

There are about 4,500 species of bee in North America alone (including around 50 species of bumblebee, not just one). Not only do native bees pollinate many of our crops (tomatoes, blueberry and alfalfa for dairy cattle… to name a few) but have evolved with and are responsible for the pollination of the vast majority of our native flowering plants, shrubs and trees.  Even though all these interactions may go unnoticed by us humans, the plant-pollinator relationship makes the world go round… if either were to disappear, our ecosystems would come crashing down and we would all perish in short order.

Can you find this sign and bee house the next time you visit the Zoo?

I started this project not only because I wanted to photo-document the bees of the Houston area, but because the distressing fact is that people don’t know how important our native bees (and all other pollinators) are.  We developed 4 graphic panels (coupled with wooden bee nest boxes) on Zoo grounds to teach people how to help pollinators through gardening, providing nesting areas, supporting organic farms and by simply not using pesticides.  You can start a native bee conservation project in your own back yard - they rarely interact with humans (meaning its near impossible to get them to sting) and it is incredibly entertaining to watch them work.  You get an extra-bountiful garden out of the deal, and you’re helping some very important species, many of which are in serious decline due to extensive habitat loss and rampant pesticide use.  Bees give us so much: 30% of the food we eat every day, spices, coffee, vanilla, cotton for clothing, the list goes on and on… It’s time we give something back.”

Look at that clever hiding spot for our pollinator friends!

You can visit our pollinator webpage created by Karen and our web team to learn more about these fascinating animals.

Another wonderful spot for pollinators at the Zoo.

May
09

Wildlife Heroes is an awesome book, and we have the author coming to the Zoo!

Posted by in Africa,amphibians,Bats,Birds,Borneo,Bumblebees,Carnivores,Central America,Chimpanzee,community-based conservation,Conservation,Cotton-top Tamarin,Elephant,Endangered Species,Field Research,Going Green,Gorilla,Okapi,orangutan,Painted Dog,Panama,Rhino,Sea Turtles,South America,What You Can Do

Join us on May 19th and 20th for Wildlife Heroes weekend at the Houston Zoo.  On May 20th we welcome Jeff Flocken, co-author of Wildlife Heroes: 40 Leading Conservationists and the Animals they are Committed to Saving for a book-signing and presentations by zoo staff on the focus species of the book. Wildlife Heroes will be available for sale at the zoo on May 20th, quantities are limited!  Books are also available for  pre-order on the Houston Zoo website at: http://www.houstonzoo.org/wildlife-heroes/for a dicounted price until May 17th.

My first heroes were animal people.  When I went to zoos my heroes were the zoo keepers and when I watched animal documentaries the researchers were my heroes.  We all need amazing people to inspire us and that is why the new book Wildlife Heroes is so wonderful. 

The book includes 40 people overcoming impossible odds to save endangered species all over the world.  If you are looking for real heroes for your children to look up to look now further! 

The unique stories in this book of local communities becoming involved in anti-poaching, education and research efforts for wildlife in their own back yard are immeasurably inspiring!  In one story a young boy, Thia grew up in Northern Vietnam watching his village hunt the very species he fights to save today.  His passion to help a unique species called the pangolin will warm your heart!
 
I have had the honor of meeting many of the heroes in this book (including the authors) over the years and they inspire me to move forward in my own wildlife conservation work.  These are real people making a real difference! 

This book introduces readers to pollinator and amphibian decline and other environment issues that continue to threaten our world.  But it also offers great messages of hope.  In the last chapter Jack Hannah suggests ways the reader can help, and the good news is that by purchasing the Wildlife Heroes book you are already helping- 100 % of the proceeds go to the projects featured in the book.  A win for everyone!

Hope to see you at the Houston Zoo for our Wildlife Heroes weekend May 19th and 20th!

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Mar
22

The Pollinator: A Superhero of Superheroes

Posted by in Animal Origins & Fun Facts,Bats,Birds,Bumblebees,Conservation,Endangered Species,Featured,Going Green

Dressed in a multitude of colors, this superhero fights crime like no other – the potential of declining food production due to lack of pollination. They leap (flitter above actually) tall buildings, see through walls (sniff through backyard fences), and have super strength (you try flying around all day).

He/She is The Pollinator! Really, right there in the photo below. Yes that green cocoony thing with the three gold dots and as you can see he or she is amassing his or her forces of pollinator buddies in my backyard. 33 of them to be exact as of today.

Monarch Butterfly chrysalids hanging out on a fence post after a feast of Milkweed plants (Asclepia species)

Pollination occurs when pollen is moved within flowers or carried from flower to flower by pollinating animals such as birds, bees, bats, butterflies, moths, beetles, or other animals, or by the wind. In our case above, a Monarch Butterfly. The transfer of pollen in and between flowers of the same species leads to fertilization, and successful seed and fruit production for plants.  Pollination ensures that a plant will produce full-bodied fruit and a full set of viable seeds.

Here is why it is important according to our friends at the Pollinator Partnership:

  • Worldwide, roughly 1,000 plants grown for food, beverages, fibers, spices, and medicines need to be pollinated by animals in order to produce the goods on which we depend.
  • Foods and beverages produced with the help of pollinators include: apples, blueberries, chocolate, coffee, melons, peaches, potatoes, pumpkins, vanilla, almonds, and tequila.
  • In the United States, pollination by honey bees, native bees, and other insects produces $40 billion worth of products annually.

    Monarch Buttrefly Caterpillar finishing breakfast before metamorphosis into chrysalid

It is simple to help pollinators – just plant a small garden – apartment dwellers can also place pollinator plants in pots out on balconies and porches – and before you know it (and I am not sure exactly how they find me, but they do) butterflies, bees, hummingbirds and more will be at your door wearing their little Superhero capes and saving the world through pollination. Get the BEE SMART Pollinator APP for planting tips here.

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Jun
24

Bee Bloggin

Posted by in Animal Origins & Fun Facts,Bumblebees,community-based conservation,Conservation,Featured,Texas,What You Can Do

Bees. You either love em, or you run away from them – there is a rarely a moment in between. I know a little about bees. They like our Mexican Heather plant, and our Fosters Holly when it is blooming. But I am not nearly the bee genius our Herpetology keeper Karen S. is and here is what she has to say about Bees:

Most people are familiar with European honeybees, some people are familiar with bumblebees, but very few people are familiar with solitary bees.  It may interest you to know that the United States is home to an estimated 4,000 species of solitary bee (compare this to the ~5,000 mammal species found in the entire world).   Experts say that about 200 bee species can be found in the greater Houston area.  So… European honeybees are but one species (and not even one native to this country, hence the name “European”), there are a handful of bumblebee species, but the vast majority are solitary bees.  Individual solitary bees may nest in the same general area, but they are in it for themselves – they do not form hives, live in a colony or help each other out in any way. 

About 70% of the solitary bees found in the US are ground nesters, digging tunnels in the soil to lay their eggs – the remaining 30% of solitary bees are cavity nesters, laying their eggs in natural holes in wood, reeds, etc.  The cavity nesting species are the bees our wooden houses will hopefully attract. These particular bees do not drill holes in your house and ruin your brand new wooden patio furniture (those are carpenter bees, which are cool in their own right…), they use only existing holes.   There are a few early emerging bees that you may see around in spring, but the active season for most species is mid to late summer.

 

Q&A:

Do solitary bees sting?

All female* bees have the ability to sting, but solitary bees are not aggressive and are not interested in human interaction – if you leave them alone, they will return the favor.

(* A bee/wasp/hornet/ant stinger is a modified ovipositor [egg-laying tube] used for venom injection.  Most bees you encounter are females, males don’t do much other than mate and die…)

What do solitary bees look like?

Some may approach the size of a honeybee, but most are much smaller – some species are so small you might mistake them for a gnat.  These bees are variable in appearance too. They can be smooth or fuzzy (or both) and range in color from solid black to metallic blue or green.  Some even have stripes or blotches of different colors.  

Doesn’t the Houston Zoo have enough bees already?

The bees you see in and around the trash cans on Zoo grounds are European honeybees – you may also see hornets, flies and various other insects exploiting our wastefulness.  To be blunt, human beings are enormous slobs and eat entirely too much sugar.  When a honeybee finds a huge deposit of cotton candy or a melting sno-cone in the trash you can imagine the bee’s excitement:  “Now that I’ve found this mountain of free sugar, why bother visiting all those flowers for nectar – its so time consuming… I’m going to tell ALL of my sisters so they can come here too!”  Again, honeybees are colonial animals working for a common purpose – solitary bees have their own agenda, it is not in their best interest to “spread the word”.  Solitary bees stick to flowers, but even if they were desperate enough to visit a discarded churro, they simply wouldn’t have anyone to tell about it.

Will solitary bees disturb the guests/ruin my sister’s wedding/form a huge swarm and abscond with my children?

No.

What exactly is going on in those wooden bee houses?

When the female bee finds a suitable hole to nest in, she starts gathering provisions (nectar and pollen).  She forms these goodies into a food ball, places the food ball in the far end of the hole and then lays an egg on it or next to it.  Then she walls off the egg and food ball with mud or leaf-cuttings and starts the process again.  The end result is a number of chambers along the length of the hole – in the last two or three chambers closest to the opening of the nest hole she lays unfertilized eggs.  These will be males.  After the eggs hatch, the larvae will have enough food to last through the summer/fall as they grow.  The larvae will then pupate and rest over the winter  – in the spring or summer (depending on species) mature bees will emerge from their nests.  The first to emerge are males (since they are the closest to the opening of the hole) – they buzz around the nest holes waiting for the females to emerge so that they have first dibs when it comes to mating…  Then the whole process starts again.  Adult solitary bees only live for a few weeks, so the entire life cycle (egg-larva- pupa-adult) lasts about 1 year.

Why should I care about any of this?

Bees pollinate an estimated 30% of our food crops and we depend heavily on European honeybees to do the all the work.  If we lose the honeybees (look up “Colony Collapse Disorder” – CCD – for more info), we darn well better have a back-up plan if we want to continue eating…  Nurturing our native bees is a very wise choice for this reason.  Plus they pollinate scores of other plants, plants that directly or indirectly support virtually every other organism in the ecosystem – birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fishes, insects.  Yes, it’s all a big, crazy food web we can’t afford to screw up.  So our job is to inform the public so that they can make wise decisions such as using biological controls instead of pesticides in the garden, planting lots of bee-friendly flowers (native if possible), providing backyard habitats, etc…  The kinder we are to Mother Nature, the greater the rewards.

For more information about pollinator conservation, please visit The Xerces Society website: http://www.xerces.org/pollinator-conservation/  And, come to the Zoo this weekend for Pollinator weekend!  For more information about this event go here.

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Jun
23

Come to Pollinator Weekend (June 25th and 26th here at the Zoo) and Love Bumblebees!

Posted by in Animal Origins & Fun Facts,Bumblebees,What You Can Do

Go here to find out more about this very cool event at the Zoo!

Remember to love the bumblebee!

Bumblebee fun facts:

Bumblebees are able to fly in very cold weather because they can raise their body temperature by revving up their strong flight muscles.

Bumblebee queens nest underground in old rodent burrows or under grass tussocks – keep a piece of your property’s habitat “wild” to accommodate these fuzzy little wonders.

Bumblebees pollinate certain flowers (tomatoes for example) by vibrating their wings at a certain frequency to shake the pollen loose – some plants depend solely on this bumblebee behavior for pollination.

Bumblebees are the chief pollinators of red clover, alfalfa, field beans, peas, runner beans, tomatoes and in some areas cotton, raspberries, apple, plum blossom, oilseed rape, sunflowers, strawberries, currants and brambles.

There are about 50 kinds of bumblebee in North America, 2 of which have most likely gone extinct in recent years due to habitat loss and pesticide use.

Find out how you can help bumblebees:    http://www.bumblebee.org/helpbees.htm

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