KIDS FOR CONSERVATION
Presents
ENDANGERED & ENDEARING:
BLACK-FOOTED FERRETS
S A V IN G S P
E C IE S :
N A t u r E IN N
EE d
By Kathleen Johnson, Educator I
Hi Zoo Friends! If you love read- may be hidden in a bag or a box for
ing the Trunkline Magazine, have
him to find)! His eyes are bright and
you checked out the Louisville Zoo’s alert. Rigatoni is always aware of
magazine JUST for kids? It’s the
everything around him — especially
Toyota Backyard Action Hero Guide- when it’s dark and he is wide
book! You may have picked one up
awake. When you see how fast he
in school or even at the Zoo. It’s full
is and how sharp his teeth can be,
of fun information about nature,
it’s easy to understand how even
the Zoo, and great ways you can
this small, cuddly-looking animal is
make a difference for our planet.
actually a tough predator. After all,
The latest issue is called “Saving
in the black-footed ferret’s native
Species: Nature in Need”
habitat, the grasslands
and is all about really cool
of North America, the
His name is
but endangered animal
ferrets hunt prairie
“Rigatoni.”
species that could use
dogs that can be even
our help. One of my
We are so lucky to bigger than they are!
favorite animals is
species
be able to care for was Rigatoni’s
featured in this issue:
actually declared
this amazing
a long, thin, mammal
extinct in 1979 but
that loves moving
fortunately, 18 more
little guy!
underground at night, and
were found in 1981.
looks like it’s wearing a black
Since that time, zoos have
mask. Did you guess black-footed
been helping to repopulate these
ferret? If so, you’re right!
ferrets and release
We actually have one on exhibit
them back into
here at the Zoo in the MetaZoo
their native envi-
Discovery Center; his name is
ronments. In fact,
Rigatoni. We are so lucky to be able the Louisville Zoo
to care for this amazing little guy!
has been dedicated
Each day when I come to work,
to raising and sav-
I always make sure to take a few
ing these awesome
minutes to watch little Rigatoni
little animals for
scampering about his home, going
over 25 years.
up and down through tunnels and
You can learn
even searching for his food (which
even more about
LOOK INS
IDE!
Activities and
articles that
align with
grades K – 5
science and Eng
lish language
arts standard
s.
Rigatoni, other fascinating species
and ways you can help by visiting
the Louisville Zoo. Join us at the
Zoo for Backyard Action Hero day
on April 21, 2018 and be sure to
pick up your very own copy of the
Toyota Backyard Action Hero maga-
zine to get started on the path to
becoming a conservation hero in
your own community!
Rigatoni peeks out from behind some
grass in the MetaZoo.
Did you know?
Like Rigatoni, many of the animals featured in the Backyard Action Hero
Guidebook are also part of the international Saving Animals From Extinc-
tion (SAFE) Program: a coordinated effort between 230 Association of Zoos
and Aquariums accredited institutions to help protect animal species that are
desperately in need — animals that they are best able to help. See more of what
zoos are doing to help endangered animals at LouisvilleZoo.org/SAFE
Louisville Zoo Trunkline • Spring 2018 • 23