Get close to scales and tails at aquarium event

Make a connection with lizards, gators, snakes and more at Scales and Tails. The wild weekend at the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher on Saturday and Sunday, March 3 and 4, allows visitors to come face-to-face with reptiles and amphibians of all kinds in a safe and exciting learning environment.
During the two-day event, regional exhibitors and aquarium staff will show off scaly and exotic creatures from their collections while debunking myths and sharing facts about these amazing animals. This year’s event includes species from around the world, including Burmese pythons, boa constrictors, iguanas, sea turtles and giant tortoises.
“Scales and Tails offers a unique family experience,” said Hap Fatzinger, aquarium curator. “Where else can a child or adult reach out and safely touch a 6-foot python or an American alligator and talk with experts about why these animals matter?”
Author Bob Palmatier will also sign copies of his children’s books, “Stormy's Return” about spotted turtles and “The Tiny Turtle of the Marsh” about diamondback terrapins.
Attend Scales and Tails from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday, March 3, and Sunday, March 4. Regular Aquarium admission rates apply.
The N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher is located just south of Kure Beach. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $8 for ages 13 to 62; $7 for seniors; and $6 for ages 3to 12. Free admission for children younger than 2, registered groups of North Carolina school children and NC Aquarium Society members. For more information, visit the website.

March 2012 programs at N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher

For more information or to register for a program, call (910) 458-7468 or visit ncaquariums.com/fort-fisher. For all programs, children ages 14 and younger must be accompanied by an adult, except for camps. All programs require pre-registration and fees.

Behind the scenes
Aquarist apprentice
When: Saturday, March 10 and 24, at 2 p.m.
Check out a dirty job you’re sure to love. Join staff on a behind-the-scenes tour and learn about aquarium animals, what they eat, how they live and how to care for them. Then, assist aquarists with food preparation and help feed the animals. Participants also observe aquarists during daily care and maintenance tasks. This limited opportunity is only open to 10 participants.
Participants should wear closed-toe shoes and be prepared to smell fishy. For ages 10 and older. Ages 14 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Fee is $25 for ages 13 and older and $23 for ages 10 to 12. Aquarium admission is included. Pre-registration required.

Behind-the-scenes tour
When: Thursday, March 1 and 15, at 11:30 a.m. and Sunday, March 18, at 1 p.m.
Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at an aquarium? Space for animal holding, husbandry, life support systems and access to exhibits is hidden behind the aquarium walls. If you have ever cared for a home aquarium, you may have some idea of what it takes to operate a collection of salt and freshwater exhibits with hundreds of animals. Accompany aquarium staff on a guided tour of animal quarantine, life support, food preparation and access areas. Participants should wear closed-toe shoes. Children younger than 8 are not permitted. Children between 8 and 14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Fee is $15 for ages 13 and older and $13 for ages 8 to 12. Aquarium admission is included. Pre-registration required.

Extended behind-the-scenes tour
When: Friday, March 9 and 23, at 2 p.m.
It’s feeding time, and you’re invited to watch. Visit the top of our largest exhibit, the Cape Fear Shoals, during an expanded tour behind the scenes. Get a birds-eye view of this 235,000 gallon tank as sharks, stingrays, moray eels and other fish swim below! Aquarists feed the animals during the tour, offering a unique opportunity for close-up viewing. Participants should wear closed-toe shoes. Children younger than 8 are not permitted. Children between ages 8 and 14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Fee is $20 for ages 13 and older and $18 for ages 8 to 12. Aquarium admission is included. Pre-registration required.

Green behind-the-scenes tour
When: Saturday, March 17, at 11:00 a.m. at 2 p.m.
Celebrate St Patrick’s Day at the aquarium with our inaugural Green Behind-the-Scenes Tour. Come view the inner workings of various departments and witness firsthand our sustainability action plan. Check out where the animals are held and how we assist endangered species. See how our operations department uses eco-friendly products and maintains low-energy and water consumption and so much more! Accompany aquarium staff on this guided tour of animal quarantine, life support, food preparation and access areas. Participants should wear closed-toe shoes. Children younger than 8 are not permitted. Children between ages 8 and 14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Fee is $15 for ages 13 and older and $13 for ages 8 to 12. Aquarium admission is included. Pre-registration required.

For children and parents
Children's discovery time
When: Thursday, March 1, at 10 a.m.—Sharks
Thursday, March 15, at 10 a.m.—Amphibians
Creatures come alive in this story-telling and critter-creating program. For ages 3 to 5. Fee is $11 per child. Aquarium admission is included.
Parents pay admission only. Pre-registration required.

Special programs
Alligator egg hunt
When: Saturday, March 31, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Friday, April 6, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Saturday, April 7, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Come join the fun on our Alligator Egg Hunt. Kids get to see a live baby alligator and learn about these fascinating animals. They create their own special alligator egg basket and then search for candy filled “alligator eggs.” Recommended for kids ages 3 to 10, however all ages are welcome. Limited space is available. Ages 14 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Fee is $17 per child and includes admission to the Aquarium. Cost is $11 for NC Aquarium Members. Adults will need to pay admission to Aquarium.
Preregistration is required by Wednesday, March 28, for the Saturday, March 31, programs. Preregistration is required by Wednesday, April 4, for the Friday and Saturday, April 6 and 7, programs.

The N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher is located just south of Kure Beach on U.S. 421. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $8 for ages 13 to 61, $7 for seniors and $6 for ages 3 to 12. Children 2 and younger, registered groups of N.C. school children and N.C. Aquarium Society members receive free admission. For more information, visit the website.

Orange County Animal Services celebrates Spay Neuter Day 2012

To combat pet overpopulation in Orange County, the animal services department is celebrating Spay Neuter Day on Tuesday, Feb. 28. This celebration is a local version of Spay Day, recognized nationally by the Humane Society of the United States, and is designed to raise awareness and help eliminate the need for euthanasia as a means of population control.
In recognition of Spay Neuter Day in Orange County, Animal Services—with assistance from the Department of Social Services—has partnered with Pet Overpopulation Patrol of North Carolina to offer no-cost spay and neuter surgeries to pets of households that receive services from Orange County DSS. It is the hope of Animal Services and Orange County that this celebration, along with other longer-term programs developed by the department, will increase the number of pets that are spayed and neutered in the county and in turn help eliminate the ongoing problem of pet overpopulation we face as a community.
For information on Spay Neuter Day and whether you qualify to receive services, call Sarah Fallin at (919) 942-7387, extension 224.

Humane Society president discusses new book

On Friday, Feb. 24, Humane Society of the United States President and CEO Wayne Pacelle will discuss his book, The Bond: Our Kinship with Animals, Our Call to Defend Them at Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill. The discussion will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and is being co-sponsored by Orange County’s Animal Services, which will have adoptable animals on site during the reading.
With the poignant insight of Animals Make Us Human and the shocking reality of Fast Food Nation—filled with history, valuable insights and fascinating stories of the author’s experience in the field—The Bond is an important investigation into all the ways we can repair our broken bond with the animal kingdom and a thrilling chronicle of one man’s extraordinary contribution to that effort.
HSUS is the world’s largest animal protection organization. It is highly visible and works on a variety of levels and issues to protect and improve animal welfare worldwide.
“Mr. Pacelle’s appearance is a significant opportunity to promote awareness and discussion of animal welfare and the contemporary humane movement," Bob Marotto, director of Orange County Animals Service, said. "It is also a significant opportunity for us to continue to promote the needs of homeless animals for new homes and tremendous efforts of shelter workers in our own and other communities.”
Flyleaf books is located at 752 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd in Chapel Hill, and information about their events—including this one—can be found on their website. For more information about the animals currently available at Orange County Animal Services, visit them at www.co.orange.nc.us/animalservices.

Column: Greetings from Ellie Kinnaird

Dear Friends,
I am a member of the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Justice and Public Safety. This week, we heard a report on a new judicial department program to help those who receive a traffic ticket avoid a court appearance (and lawyer’s fee) by paying the fine and court costs by credit card. Between March and December 2011, 167,473 total citation payments were made by credit card—330 per day. This saved not only the public, but 7,600 of courthouse staff hours.
In addition, in three pilot counties, court papers can be filed electronically and court notices and information can be retrieved online 24 hours a day.
While this seems logical and efficient, there are a couple of bumps in the way. First, while the fine and court costs are fixed, credit card companies charge a fee that can’t be taken out of the fine and court costs. So either the state has to eat the fees through an appropriation—which add up to a large amount—or the credit card companies have to allow a transaction surcharge. MasterCard and American Express allow the state a government discount, but VISA will not. (Now only the Revenue Department will take payment by VISA card.) The state also has not installed the machines in the court house for direct credit card payment at the site. The legislature could investigate that at a later time.
But a bigger concern is that under the present system a person can go to court and get a deferred prosecution if they attend driving school. But when a fine and court costs are paid by credit card, that opportunity is not available. In addition, the infraction is on the person’s record for insurance purposes. And under our appropriations system, those monies collected do not go to the courts to offset the costs to the court system but to the general fund.
Another report was presented to the committee by Legal Aid of North Carolina and the two independent legal service offices. The average person served by these entities has an annual income of $12,000 (contrast that with the 1 percent who may make $12,000 an hour.) Legal Aid clients are working families, children, the elderly, and 75 percent are women. In addition to attorneys, paralegals and support staff, thousands of lawyers throughout the state provide pro bono work for clients, including several legislator-lawyers. Legal Aid provides free legal services for low-income people facing the loss of a home, family livelihood and personal safely. They do not handle personal injury, medical malpractice or criminal matters. Legal Aid has suffered big cuts in the last few budgets, even as the need has increased during the recession.

Two years ago, a bill was introduced to regulate and curtail the offenses of puppy mills. The bill passed the Senate but did not pass the House because special interest groups lobbied to kill the bill, e.g. the Pork Council was concerned because such humane treatment requirements might be applied to their industry. Last week a bull dog puppy mill was discovered and hundreds of dogs in terrible condition were rescued from deplorable surroundings. These businesses go on throughout the state, as are revealed by news items. Time to pass the bill.
I also attended the circus with my granddaughter and was upset to see magnificent tigers, elephants and horses forced to perform tricks such as standing and walking on their hind legs and laying down in formations on command. Some years ago, Orange County banned circuses with animals, and, after seeing these animals forced to perform unnatural activities, foreign from their natural habitat, I understand why.

I have written in the past about Person Industries that serves the disabled. PI operates the recycling for Person County, employing many Person Industries people and helping the environment. PI has now have added another environmental measure: LED lighting and motion sensors to activate lights in rooms used infrequently. They are indeed leaders in the community.

On Feb. 20 at 11 a.m., a Town Hall Meeting will be held in the Legislative auditorium, titled “Bring Our War Dollars Home/Restore Our Communities." It will connect the huge amount spent (more than $1 trillion for Iraq and Afghanistan) on wars while our schools, mental health and other needs are not being met at home. Congressmen Walter Jones, David Price and Brad Miller will speak along with Matthew Hoh, the State Department officer to Afghanistan and former Marine who resigned in protest over our policy in Afghanistan. The public is invited.

An interesting observation from Rapper Ja Rule, serving time in prison, commenting on his fellow inmates, former N. Y. State Comptroller and Tyco International CEO, “Outside, you don’t meet guys like this every day.”
Ellie

Triangle area’s only assistance dog organization to hold open house

Eyes Ears Nose and Paws will hold an open house with training demonstrations on Saturday, Feb. 18, from noon until 2 pm. Members of the public are invited to come to EENP’s training facility at 209 Lloyd St., Suite 320, in Carrboro to learn more about how EENP’s assistance dogs change the lives of individuals with disabilities.
The open house is an opportunity to get to know this young assistance dog organization. Demonstrations from our dogs-in-training will happen at 12:30 and 1:30 pm. Visitors will get to meet some of our dogs in training; see our training facility; talk to staff, Board members, and volunteers; and learn about our client placements, volunteer opportunities and how to become involved.
Eyes Ears Nose and Paws was started in 2008 to make assistance dogs more available to local residents and remains the only nonprofit assistance dog organization in the Triangle area. According to Executive Director Maria Ikenberry, “nationally, there is a two-to-four year waiting list to receive a service dog, and it can be nearly impossible for NC residents to get a diabetic assistance dog that has been trained by an organization.”
Kayley Thorpe was partnered with her EENP service dog Mack in August 2011, and she recently said, “Mack and I are in our second semester of high school together. I am doing so much with him that I could never do without him.”
EENP placed its first two dogs with clients in August 2010 and made a third placement in August 2011. The group has nine dogs currently in training to become assistance dogs and is planning the next public graduation ceremony for June 23. It takes up to two years to train an assistance dog.
For additional information, contact Maria Ikenberry, Eyes Ears Nose and Paws, 209 Lloyd St., Suite 320, in Carrboro; (919) 926- 0457; maria@eenp.org.
Eyes Ears Nose and Paws trains and places assistance dogs with individuals with disabilities. Diabetic assistance dogs use their noses to detect changes in blood sugar and alert their human diabetic partners before those changes become dangerous. Service dogs assist with a variety of tasks for individuals with mobility impairments. These tasks include opening doors, retrieving dropped items, flipping light switches and helping with balance. EENP was started in 2008 as the first assistance dog organization in the Triangle area, with the intent of making assistance dogs more available for local residents.

Pet of the Week

Meet Seinfeld! This adorable black-and-white kitty is around 1 year old and ready to find a home of his own. He is a big teddy bear of a cat with a sense of adventure and play. He also has a softer side and likes to lounge and just be petted. Seinfeld’s awesome personality is so charming that an admirer has fully sponsored his adoption fee, meaning you can adopt him at no cost! Visit him today at Orange County Animal Services, 1601 Eubanks Road in Chapel Hill. You can also see him and other adoptable animals online at www.co.orange.nc.us/animalservices/adoption.asp.

Second positive rabies test for 2012

On Wednesday, Feb. 8, Orange County Animal Services received its second positive rabies result of the year from the North Carolina Rabies Laboratory. The case originated the previous day, Feb. 7, when a Hillsborough resident in the vicinity of Borland Road and Old Woods Road witnessed her dog killing a raccoon on his property. The resident called Animal Control, which removed the raccoon from the property to have it tested for rabies.
In this case, fortunately, the dog was currently vaccinated against rabies and has received a booster shot pursuant to North Carolina statute. According to the law, if there is a reasonable suspicion of exposure, a dog or cat with a current vaccination must receive a booster shot within 120 hours, or five days. By contrast, an unvaccinated animal must either be destroyed or quarantined for a period of six months.
As a result of the positive result, a communicable disease nurse from Orange County’s Health Department will contact the dog owner to evaluate her risk of rabies exposure. The concern in this cases is the possibility of secondary exposure from the dog, as it licked the owner in the face after the incident. As is always the case, a decision about the post-exposure prophylaxis that protects people from rabies is based upon an assessment of all the factors involved in a situation of this kind.
As with any confirmed rabies case, this one underscores the importance of effective rabies control to ensure the health of people and their animal companions. Animal Services Director Bob Marotto stressed the importance of prevention and knowledge in our communities and the county as a whole.
“Knowing not to handle any animal that has possibly been exposed to rabies, even if it is your own pet, is an important piece of information for all citizens of Orange County to know,” he said.
This is the second positive rabies result this month, and the second of 2012. There were 11 positive cases in the county in 2011.

About rabies
Raccoons are a host (or reservoir) species to rabies in our area and the region. Any other animal that becomes rabid in this area is likely the victim of the spillover effect. When an animal other than the dominant reservoir species contracts the virus, it is called spillover. The other species that are most susceptible to getting rabies from raccoons are dogs and cats, groundhogs, skunks and foxes.
The other host species of rabies—in our region and others—is bats. Of the few cases of rabies in humans in our country in recent years, most have been traced to bats. If there is any possibility of exposure from a bat, it is critical that citizens immediately contact their animal control program. If an incident involving a bat—or other rabies vector such as a raccoon or skunk—should occur outside regular hours of service, an Animal Control Officer should be reached right away through Emergency Communications (911).

2012 low-cost rabies vaccination clinic schedule
Low-cost ($10) rabies vaccination clinics for 2012 have been scheduled and are now available on the Animal Services website. The next clinic will be held Thursday, Feb. 16, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Animal Services Center. Authorized by North Carolina State law, such clinics provide pet owners with substantial savings on rabies vaccinations while ensuring that pets have a current vaccination.

Did you know?
• It is a law in North Carolina that dogs, cats and ferrets older than 4 months must have a current and valid rabies vaccination at all times.
• Orange County’s ordinance also requires that all pets wear a rabies vaccination tag.
• Pets with current rabies vaccinations that may have been exposed to rabies must be revaccinated within five days, or 120 hours, or they will be treated as unvaccinated pets.
• Unvaccinated pets that may have been exposed to rabies must either be destroyed or quarantined at a veterinary office for six months at the owner’s expense.
• Rabies can be transmitted through secondary exposure as well, so do not touch your animal without gloves if it has had any possible exposure to a rabies vector.
• If a rabies suspect is alive, do not attempt to capture the animal. Keep visual contact with the animal until Animal Control arrives.
• If you discover a bat inside your house, be sure not to release it, but do remove yourself and any animals from the area.
• Always call Animal Control immediately if you find a bat in your residence, even if there is no evidence of a bite.

Jordan Lake State Recreation Area will conduct prescribed burn

The N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation will conduct a prescribed burn at Jordan Lake State Recreation Area in February when conditions are suitable, according to Park Superintendent Shederick Mole.
The burn will be conducted in cooperation with the N.C. Forest Service at the Vista Point access on a date to be determined. A 155-acre area will be affected from near the public entrance to the RV campsites and shoreline. The public will not be allowed to enter this area during the burn event.
Prescribed burns are used as a resource management tool by the state parks system. Some plant communities and animal species rely on periodic fire for their existence. The prescribed burn also will reduce the amount of potential wildfire fuel. The prescribed burn will help protect the park’s resources and neighboring landowners if lightning, arson or carelessness sparks a wildfire.
In order to minimize smoke and assure the fire is controlled, the low-intensity, prescribed burn will only be carried out under strictly defined weather conditions of a fire management plan. On the selected day, the burn will begin in the late morning and will likely end by mid-afternoon.
On the day when the fire is to begin, an alert will be posted on the Jordan Lake State Recreation Area page of the division’s website. For further information, call the park office at (919) 362-0586.

Raccoon is first positive rabies test for 2012

On Tuesday, Feb. 1, Orange County Animal Services received the first positive rabies result from the North Carolina Rabies Laboratory for 2012. The case involved a raccoon submitted because of possible exposure it may have had with two household dogs in the vicinity of Bethel-Hickory Grove Church Road and Dairyland Road in Chapel Hill.
The case originated on the morning of Monday, Jan. 30, when a Chapel Hill resident discovered a dead raccoon in her driveway. The resident called Animal Control since she had let her dogs out unsupervised earlier and was unsure as to whether they killed it but assumed that they had. Animal Control removed the raccoon from the property to have it tested for rabies.
Fortunately in this case, the dogs were both currently vaccinated against rabies and will receive a booster shot pursuant to North Carolina statute. According to the law, if there is a reasonable suspicion of exposure, a dog or cat with a current vaccination must receive a booster shot within 120 hours, or five days. By contrast, an unvaccinated animal must either be destroyed or quarantined for a period of six months.
Because of the positive result, a communicable disease nurse from Orange County’s Health Department will contact the dog owner to evaluate her risk of rabies exposure. The concern in these cases is usually the possibility of secondary exposure from the owner’s handling of his or her own dogs after the attack.
As is always the case, a decision about the post-exposure prophylaxis that protects people from rabies is based upon an assessment of all the factors involved in a situation of this kind.
As with any positive rabies test result, this case underscores the importance of effective rabies control to ensure the health of people and their animal companions. Animal Services Director Bob Marotto stresses the importance of prevention and knowledge in our communities and the county as a whole.
“Knowing to call Animal Services immediately and booster your animal within the 120-hour period required by NC General Statute is always of extreme importance,” Marotto said. “As important as having a current vaccination, knowing to booster can make a tremendous difference for a dog or cat, and for its human household.”
This is the first positive rabies result for Orange County in 2012. There were eleven positive cases in the county in 2011.
Raccoons are a host—or reservoir—species to rabies in our area and the region. Any other animal that becomes rabid in this area is likely the victim of the spillover effect. When an animal other than the dominant reservoir species, which is the raccoon in North Carolina, contracts the virus, it is called spillover. The other species that are most susceptible to getting rabies from raccoons are dogs and cats, groundhogs, skunks and foxes.
The other host species of rabies in our own region and others is bats. Of the few cases of rabies in humans in our country in recent years, most have been traced to bats. If there is any possibility of exposure from a bat, it is critical that citizens immediately contact their animal control program. If an incident involving a bat—or other rabies vector such as a raccoon or skunk—should occur outside regular hours of service, an Animal Control Officer should be reached right away through Emergency Communications (911).


2012 low-cost rabies vaccination clinic schedule
Low-cost ($10) rabies vaccination clinics for 2012 have been scheduled and are now available on the Animal Services website. The next clinic will be held Thursday, Feb. 16, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Animal Services Center. Authorized by North Carolina State law, such clinics provide pet owners with substantial savings on rabies vaccinations while ensuring that pets have a current vaccination.

Did you know?
• It is a law in North Carolina that dogs, cats and ferrets over the age of 4 months must have a current and valid rabies vaccination at all times.
• Orange County’s ordinance also requires that all pets wear a rabies vaccination tag.
• Pets with current rabies vaccinations that may have been exposed to rabies must be revaccinated within five days, or 120 hours, or they will be treated as unvaccinated pets
• Unvaccinated pets that may have been exposed to rabies must either be destroyed or quarantined at a veterinary office for six months at the owner’s expense.
• Rabies can be transmitted through secondary exposure as well, so do not touch your animal without gloves if it has had any possible exposure to a rabies vector.
• If a rabies suspect is alive, do not attempt to capture the animal. Keep visual contact with the animal until Animal Control arrives.
• If you discover a bat inside your house, be sure not to release it, but do remove yourself and any animals from the area.
• Always call Animal Control immediately if you find a bat in your residence, even if there is no evidence of a bite.

Pet of the Week

Meet Bear! This adorable pup is around 9 months old and has better manners already than any of the other dogs around! It’s incredible how well-behaved and eager-to-please this boy is at such a young age. He already knows sit and shake, and he does them on command even when the temptation of escaping for a run is in front of him! You don’t find dogs that listen this well very often, and he’s sure to become even better as a new family continues to train and work with him! If you want a dog you can take anywhere and be proud of, Bear is definitely at the top of the list! Visit him today at Orange County Animal Services, 1601 Eubanks Road in Chapel Hill. You can also see him and other adoptable animals online.

Learn about Charles Darwin and his legacy at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

Why do oystercatchers have long, sharp bills? Why are chili peppers spicy? Why do servals (a kind of African wild cat) have such long legs? Come explore the answers to these questions and more at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences on Darwin Day, Saturday, Feb. 11. The free event runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will span the first three floors of the museum as well as outside in the Bicentennial Plaza. Visitors will learn more about Charles Darwin and his research as well as the legacy that he has left behind.
On the plaza, staff from the Conservators’ Center of Mebane will show off a serval and discuss the advantages that the cat has gained through evolutionary adaptations. Inside the museum, on the first through third floors, museum and visiting educators will be available to explain more about Darwinism, natural selection and research that has stemmed from Darwin’s original theories.
At 11:30 a.m. in the auditorium on the first floor, don’t miss keynote speaker Dr. Roland Kays, the museum’s new biodiversity and earth observation research lab director, at the new Nature Research Center and Chef Josh DeCarolis, from Jujube in Chapel Hill, in their combination lecture and cooking demo. Kays will discuss the evolution of chili peppers while DeCarolis demonstrates cooking methods incorporating those chilies. There will be samples provided for visitors to taste.
Windows on the World on the third floor will host two more speakers. At 2 p.m., Dr. William Kimler will discuss the “Discovery of Evolution.” At 3:30 p.m., Ted Simons will present “Adapting to Dynamic Environments: American Oystercatchers on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.”
There will also be several fun activities for kids, including arts and crafts, button making and interactive exhibits about Darwin. For more information about Darwin Day, contact Bonnie Eamick at (919) 733-7450, ext. 554, or by email at bonnie.eamick@ncdenr.gov.

Pet of the Week

Meet Janny! This gorgeous brown tabby is around a year old and super sweet. Janny is laid back and mellow but still social and friendly. She likes company but won’t demand it, making her an easy companion to get along with in just about any environment. Don’t miss out on this easy-to-please girl! She will make an excellent addition to a very lucky new home!
Visit her today at Orange County Animal Services, 1601 Eubanks Road in Chapel Hill. You can also see her and other adoptable animals online.

N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher February events

For more information or to register for a program, call (910) 458-7468 or visit ncaquariums.com/fort-fisher. For all programs, children ages 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult, except for camps. All programs require pre-registration and fees.

Behind the scenes
Aquarist apprentice runs Saturday, Feb. 11 and 25, at 2 p.m. Check out a dirty job you’re sure to love. Join staff on a behind-the-scenes tour and learn about aquarium animals, what they eat, how they live and how to care for them. Then, assist aquarists with food preparation and help feed the animals. Participants also observe aquarists during daily care and maintenance tasks. This limited opportunity is only open to 10 participants.
Participants should wear closed-toe shoes and be prepared to smell fishy. For ages 10 and older. Ages 14 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Fee is $25 for ages 13 and older and $23 for ages 10 to 12. Aquarium admission is included. Pre-registration is required.

Behind-the-scenes tour runs Thursday, Feb. 9 and 23, at 11:30 a.m. and Sunday, Feb.12 and 26, at 1 p.m. Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at an aquarium? Space for animal holding, husbandry, life support systems and access to exhibits is hidden behind the aquarium walls. If you have ever cared for a home aquarium, you may have some idea of what it takes to operate a collection of salt and freshwater exhibits with hundreds of animals. Accompany aquarium staff on a guided tour of animal quarantine, life support, food preparation and access areas. Participants should wear closed-toe shoes. Children younger than 8 are not permitted. Children ages 8 to 14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Fee is $15 for ages 13 and older and $13 for ages 8 to 12. Aquarium admission is included. Pre-registration is required.

Extended behind-the-scenes tours will run Friday, Feb. 10 and 24, at 2:00 p.m. It’s feeding time, and you’re invited to watch. Visit the top of our largest exhibit, the Cape Fear Shoals, during an expanded tour behind the scenes. Get a birds-eye view of this 235,000 gallon tank as sharks, stingrays, moray eels and other fish swim below. Aquarists feed the animals during the tour, offering a unique opportunity for close-up viewing. Participants should wear closed-toe shoes. Children under 8 are not permitted. Children ages 8 to 14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Fee is $20 for ages 13 and older and $18 for ages 8 to 12. Aquarium admission is included. Pre-registration is required.

For children and parents
Children's discovery time will be held
• Saturday, Feb. 4, at 10 a.m. featuring spiny-skinned animals
• Thursday, Feb. 9, at 10 a.m. featuring crabs
• Thursday, Feb. 23, at 10 a.m. featuring reptiles
Creatures come alive in this story-telling and critter-creating program for ages 3 to 5. Fee is $11 per child. Aquarium admission is included. Parents pay admission only. Pre-registration is required.

Daddy and me will run Saturday, Feb. 11, at 9 a.m. Dads and their children interact and learn together about aquarium animals. Afterwards, you can enjoy free playtime in our Freshwater Wonders Room, which will be reserved just for program participants. The program is for adults and kids ages 1-2. Fee is $13 for one adult and one child ($1 for each additional child) Admission to the aquarium is included. Pre-registration is required.

The N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher is located just south of Kure Beach, a short drive from Wilmington, on U.S. 421. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $8 for ages 13-61; $7 for seniors; $6 for ages 3-12. Free admission for children 2 and younger, registered groups of N.C. school children and N.C. Aquarium Society members. General information can be found online.

Orange County Animal Services—pet of the week

If you are the type who appreciates a kind, gentle soul, look no further. Jack is a 4-year-old lab mix who is as sweet and gentle as they come. He doesn’t ask for much and is appreciative for any and every thing he gets. Jack would do well in most environments but perhaps would be most fitting in a calm household where he and his owner could lounge on the porch or enjoy long walks and naps together.
Whatever type of home he does end up with, one thing is for certain—Jack will be a loyal and grateful life companion who will never forget to show his appreciation. Visit him today at Orange County Animal Services, 1601 Eubanks Road in Chapel Hill. You can also see him and other adoptable animals online.

2012 low-cost rabies vaccination clinics begin

Orange County’s Animal Services Department will hold its first $10 low-cost rabies vaccination clinic of the year on Saturday, Jan. 28, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Animal Services Center in Chapel Hill.
Authorized by North Carolina State law, such clinics provide pet owners with substantial savings and allow cats and dogs to remain up to date on their vaccinations. This year, Animal Services will offer 1-year vaccinations at each of the clinics scheduled.
The vaccination fee is $10. Dogs must be on leashes, and cats must be in individual carriers. Animals that may be nervous or unsettled should be kept inside a vehicle for their vaccination. The Animal Services Center is located at 1601 Eubanks Road in Chapel Hill.
The next clinics are:
• Thursday, Feb. 16, at the Animal Services Center from 1 to 4 p.m.
• Thursday, March 22, at the Public Market House on Margaret Lane in Hillsborough from 5 to 7 p.m.
• Thursday, April 19, at the Animal Services Center from 1 to 4 p.m.
• Thursday, May 10, at the Public Market House in Hillsborough from 5 to 7 p.m.
• Saturday, June 16, at the Animal Services Center from 10 a.m. to noon
See the website for a full list of the 2012 low-cost rabies vaccination clinics.

Did you know?
• It is a law in North Carolina that dogs, cats and ferrets over the age of 4 months must have a current and valid rabies vaccination at all times.
• Orange County’s ordinance also requires that all pets wear a rabies vaccination tag.
• Pets with current rabies vaccinations that may have been exposed to rabies must be revaccinated within five days (120 hours) or they will be treated as unvaccinated pets.
• Unvaccinated pets that may have been exposed to rabies must either be destroyed or quarantined at a veterinary office for six months at the owner’s expense.
• Orange County had 11 positive rabies cases during 2011 and 2010.
• Rabies can be transmitted through secondary exposure as well, so do not touch your animal without gloves if it has had any possible exposure to a rabies vector.
• If a rabies suspect is alive, do not attempt to capture the animal. Keep visual contact with the animal until Animal Control arrives.
• If you discover a bat inside your house, be sure not to release it, but do remove yourself and any animals from the area.
• Always call Animal Control immediately if you find a bat in your residence even if there is no evidence of a bite.

Free and fun at the Aquarium

Visit the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher this holiday weekend for fun family time and take advantage of free admission on Monday, Jan. 16. Pre-registration is required for all programs. Register online at ncaquariums.com/fort-fisher or call (910) 458-7468.

For parents and children
Daddy and Me
Date: Saturday, Jan. 14
Time: 9 a.m.
Ages: For adults and children ages 1-2
Fee: $13 for one adult and one child ($1 for each additional child); Admission to Aquarium is included.
Dads and their children interact and learn together about aquarium animals. They also enjoy free playtime in our Freshwater Wonders Room.

Mommy and Me
Date: Tuesday, Jan. 17
Time: 9 a.m.
Ages: For adults and children ages 1-2
Fee: $13 for one adult and one child ($1 for each additional child); Admission to Aquarium is included.
Mothers and their children interact and learn together about aquarium animals. They also enjoy free playtime in our Freshwater Wonders Room.

Children
AquaCamp-Aquatic Critters
Dates: Monday, Jan. 16
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Ages: Children 5 to 12 years old
Fee: $40
Children spend a fun day learning about aquatic critters from alligators to wood ducks. Happy campers play games, create art and watch live animal presentations. Snacks are provided. Campers will need to provide bag lunch. Limited transportation available from/to Monkey Junction area for additional fee.

Orange County 10th and 11th rabies cases for 2011

On Tuesday, Dec. 20, Orange County Animal Services received two positive rabies results from the North Carolina Rabies Laboratory. One was for a skunk that was submitted because it was found dead in the pen of a dog at a residence on N.C. 57 several miles north of Hillsborough. The other was submitted because two household dogs had a deceased raccoon in their mouths at a Hurdle Mills residence in the vicinity of Hawkins Road and N.C. 86.
As a result of the positive test results, communicable disease nurses from Orange County’s Health Department have contacted the dogs at both households to evaluate their risk of rabies exposure. The concern in these cases is the possibility of secondary exposure since residents were not bitten by and did not handle the rabid animals.
In the case of the skunk, the dog’s owner patted the dog’s head after discovering the skunk. In the case of the rabid raccoon, the resident handled both dogs in order to get them penned after discovering that they both carried the rabid animal in their mouths. As is always the case, a decision about the post-exposure prophylaxis that protects people from rabies is based upon an assessment of all the factors involved in a situation of this kind.
These two cases underscore the critical importance of a current rabies vaccination. As both dogs were currently vaccinated in the case of the raccoon, they only need to receive a booster shot within 120 hours (five days).
In the skunk case, by contrast, the dog was not currently vaccinated and consequently the owner surrendered the dog for euthanasia. Under North Carolina’s General Statutes, an unvaccinated dog must be destroyed to protect the health of the public unless it can be quarantined for a period of six months. In most instances of this kind, the six month quarantine is cost-prohibitive since it is ordinarily conducted at an approved veterinary establishment.
As with any confirmed rabies case, this one underscores the importance of effective rabies control to ensure the health of people and their animal companions. Animal Services Director Bob Marotto stresses the importance of pet owner responsibility.
"Being sure that your dog or cat is currently vaccinated can be the difference between their life and death when there is a rabies exposure,” he said. “As important as having a current vaccination, knowing to call Animal Services immediately and booster your animal within the 120-hour period required by NC General Statute is also of extreme importance."
These are the 10th and 11th positive rabies results for Orange County in 2011. There were a total of 11 positive cases for Orange County in 2010. The number of rabies cases last year (11) and the year before (12) are far fewer than in preceding years. However, rabies is known to cycle through a host or reservoir species over periods of time. In the case of Orange County, data from the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health suggests that this cycling occurs over time periods of several years.
The host species of rabies in our region is raccoon, which is the dominant reservoir species. When any other animal contracts the virus, it is referred to as the spillover effect. The species that are most susceptible to getting rabies from raccoons are skunks, foxes, groundhogs, and dogs and cats.
The other host species of rabies in our own and other areas is the bat. Bats can infect a human without leaving a mark, so anyone finding a bat inside their home or other enclosure where they may have slept should be aware that unknown exposure is possible. If there is any possibility of exposure from a bat, it is critical that Orange County residents immediately contact Animal Services. If an incident should occur outside regular hours of service, an Animal Control Officer should be reached right away through emergency communications (911).

Low-cost rabies vaccination clinic
The 2012 low-cost rabies vaccination clinics have been scheduled and are listed on the Animal Services website. The first clinic will be Saturday, Jan. 28, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Animal Services Center, 1601 Eubanks Road in Chapel Hill. Authorized by North Carolina State law, such clinics provide pet owners with substantial savings on rabies vaccinations while ensuring that pets have a current vaccination. The schedule for low-cost clinics is available on the Animal Services website.

Rabies rescources
Animal Services now has a video collection of rabies resources from the Global Alliance for Rabies Control available on their website. The videos are broken into short installments and cover the following topics:

• What is rabies?
• What animals are most likely to be rabid?
• Rabies symptoms
• Rabies diagnosis
• Preventing rabies
• World Rabies Day
• Rabies medical research

Carolina Tiger Rescue receives retired Christmas trees for animals

Who: One of the oldest animal sanctuaries in the Eastern US, Carolina Tiger Rescue rescues abandoned, abused or confiscated “big cats” such as tigers, lions and other select carnivores, primarily in the cat family. More than 11,000 people visit Carolina Tiger annually to learn about tigers, lions, ocelots and other wild cats through public tours and field trips. Carolina Tiger also provides community presentations and exhibits.
What: Carolina Tiger Rescue has been blessed with a mountain of retired Christmas trees. Every year we deliver these donated trees to the animals for enrichment.
When: Saturday, Jan. 7, Sunday, Jan. 8, Saturday, Jan. 14, and Sunday, Jan. 15.
Where: Carolina Tiger Rescue, 1940 Hanks Chapel Road in Pittsboro.For accurate directions go to the website.
Why: Christmas trees are very fragrant and serve as a form of enrichment, meant to stimulate the animals’ interest and activity. Animals will wrestle with them, scratch them, rub and sniff them, and generally have fun with this new toy in their habitat.

New K9 joins Hillsborough Police Department

A new K9 officer is joining the Hillsborough Police Department in January, filling a vacancy that will be created by the retirement of one of the department’s current K9s, Sampson.
See the Wednesday, Jan. 11, edition of the News of Orange for more information on new K9 officer Viper.