City Island News BX: Little Penguins Land at Bronx Zoo

City Island News BX: Little Penguins Land at Bronx Zoo: Little Penguins Land at Bronx Zoo Photos by Julie Larson  BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 20– A colony of little penguins (Eudyptu...

Little Penguins Land at Bronx Zoo

Little Penguins Land at Bronx Zoo

Photos by Julie Larson 

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 20– A colony of little penguins (Eudyptula minor) has made its debut in the Aquatic Bird House at WCS’s (Wildlife Conservation Society) Bronx Zoo.

Named for their small size and characteristic bluish hue, little penguins are also known as blue penguins, little blue penguins, and fairy penguins. Full-grown adults are only about 13 inches tall and weigh 2 to 3 pounds. They are the smallest of the 18 penguin species and native to coastal southern Australia and New Zealand.

These are the first little penguins to be on exhibit at the Bronx Zoo and there are only three facilities in the U.S. that currently have them.

All of the birds in the colony were hatched at the Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia and brought to the Bronx Zoo as part of a breeding program. Approximately 15 penguins a year hatch at Taronga, making it the most successful little penguin breeding program in the world. The Bronx Zoo penguins will help ensure continued genetic diversity in the little penguin populations in the U.S.

“The little penguins are acclimating well to their new home and are quite a sight to see,” said Jim Breheny, WCS Executive Vice President and General Director of the WCS Zoos and Aquarium. “The Bronx Zoo is focused on the conservation of the species we exhibit, and international partnerships and breeding programs like that of the little penguin are vital to ensuring the survival of the species in the wild through education, awareness, and connecting people to nature in a way that can only be accomplished through close, in-person encounters.”

Taronga Zoo Director and Chief Executive, Cameron Kerr, said: “The little penguins at the Bronx Zoo have taken on 

the role of international ambassadors for their species. Visitors to the Bronx Zoo from around the world can come to learn about these wonderful Australian marine animals. This group of little penguins will ensure a thriving population in the U.S. for many years to come.”

The species occurs in temperate marine waters and feed on fish, cephalopods and crustaceans. They nest colonially in burrows on sand dunes or rocky beach areas. Like other penguin species, they use a wide range of vocalizations to communicate with each other. In the wild, their populations are threatened by climate change and human activities.

The Bronx Zoo is supporting Taronga Zoo’s little penguin conservation programs in Sydney Harbor. The work includes monitoring, awareness campaigns, rescue and rehabilitation, breeding programs, and more. Man-made nest boxes can provide safety from introduced predators and guard dogs have been used in some places to discourage predation.

#Penguins #BronxZoo

City Island News BX: Celebs Get Sign on Walk of Fame

City Island News BX: Celebs Get Sign on Walk of Fame: Celebs Get Sign on Walk of Fame Bronx Week Parade, Music, and Food Festival Ends Bronx Week (Photos by Gary Quintal) ...

Celebs Get Sign on Walk of Fame

Celebs Get Sign on Walk of Fame

Bronx Week Parade, Music, and Food Festival Ends Bronx Week

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

By Robert Press

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 18- Sunday’s Bronx Week Parade, Music, and Food Festival was the perfect ending to the 10 days of Bronx Week. 

The weather was perfect, and hundreds and hundreds of people marched along Mosholu Parkway in the Bronx 

Week Parade. After the parade they joined hundreds of others who were enjoying the food and informational tables that were set up along the other side of Mosholu Parkway. The topper to all this was the Music Festival that could be heard blocks away that rocked the streets.

It appears the city spruced up the island between both sides of Mosholu Parkway with up to 50 newly planted trees, and the day before the parade much gardening was done to the grass. The only thing left to do was to repave the roadway, but maybe that will happen before next year’s Bronx Week Parade across Mosholu Parkway.

The FDNY opened the parade, with Bronx Walk of Fame Honorees. The daughter of the late businessman and philanthropist, Alfredo Thiebaud, Actor and activist Malik Yoba; and NBA Legend and Hall of Famer Dolph Schayes arrived next to be escorted to the reviewing stand where parade co-hosts Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr., and Dr. Bob Lee. Actress, author and television commentator Stacey Dash missed the parade as she had to catch a flight right after the induction ceremony.

As the marchers marched across Mosholu Parkway it was school after school, organization after organization, and company after company. The parade was so long that after people marched they joined in the viewing area (or just lined the parade route) until the Bronx Week Parade was over, several hours after it began.

I for one can not wait for Bronx Week 2016, and to enjoy “The Bast the Bronx Has to Offer”. However we Bronxites get to enjoy the Bronx each and every day.

#Stacey Dash #BronxWeek #Bronxnews

City Island News BX: Fans Honor Hero Cop

City Island News BX: Fans Honor Hero Cop: Fans Honor Hero Cop (Photos by Gary Quintal) NYCFC Draws Chicago Fire  By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 16- NYCFC  (1-6-...

Fans Honor Hero Cop

Fans Honor Hero Cop

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

NYCFC Draws Chicago Fire 

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 16- NYCFC  (1-6-4) returned to Yankee Stadium Friday night, but the result of the match could be considered disappointing or uplifting depending on one’s point of view. The 2-2 draw with the Chicago Fire ((3-5-1) extended NYC’s winless streak to nine, but ended its losing streak at four.

The support of the fans in the Bronx has been consistent as 23,315 attended on Friday. Each match at Yankee 

Stadium has drawn more than 20,000. 

The visitors from the Mid-West scored first as Razvan Cocis scored on an assist from Shaun Maloney in the 12th minute. In the 26th minute, NYC defender R.J. Allen was ousted from the contest after receiving a red card. Thus, NYC was required to play the final 64 minutes with a one man disadvantage. In the following minute, Jeff Larentowicz’s kick raised the Chicago lead to 2-0.

Chicago dominated the match throughout the first 45 minutes. They controlled the ball for the major period of the first half and took 14 shots on goal contrasted with only five for NYC.

In the one minute of stoppage time allotted at the end of the half Mahdi Ballouchy scored NYC’s first goal of the match. His third goal of the season broke his tie with teammates David Villa

and Patrick Mullins as the club’s leading goal scorer. Ballouchy commented on his goal, “I think the timing was very good for us.”

The effort made by the players of NYC in the second half was a great contrast with that of the opening stanza. The match was scoreless during the 45 minutes of the second half until the addition of five minutes of stoppage time.

As in the first half, NYC netted its only goal in stoppage time. Rookie Khiry Shelton scored a goal that was set up by 

experienced international David Villa. The 21 year old, who had entered the match at the 60 minute mark, scored his first MLS goal. The PAC-12 Player of the Year while at Oregon State university was a high draft pick by NYC this year. NYC coach Jason Kreis believes the goal will be a pivotal event in Shelton’s professional career, “I believe that [goal] could move him to the next level.” The young player agreed with his coach, “It will definitely build my confidence.”

Although NYC did not obtain a victory, the win the draw and added point, under the circumstances of the match, was a very positive development to the participants. Kreis remarked, “The entire team was willing to do anything to get that result. I’m very hopeful that this is set as a landmark. We believe we’re a better team than our points (7) indicate.”

The veteran Villa was in accord with his coach, “The team is much better than our position in the league (8thof 10

teams in the Eastern Conference) shows. This can be a turning point.” 

NYCFC travels west next to face Real Salt Lake on Saturday, May 23.

#NYPD #NYCFC #YankeeStadium #ChicagoFire #Soccer #Bronxnews

City Island News BX: Bronx Week Caps Off This Sunday

City Island News BX: Bronx Week Caps Off This Sunday: Bronx Week Caps Off This Sunday 100 PERCENT By Robert Press BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 15- If you read the first sentence of last ...