Jack Hanna "Meet and Greet" Tickets Now Available!

Black Pine is excited to be hosting "Jungle Jack" Hanna on Sunday, May 18 at the park for a personal "meet and greet" session beginning at 12 noon for about one hour.  Tickets are now available for purchase online, or by calling the park office at (260) 636-7383.  Cost is $10 per person ages three and up and includes admission to tour the sanctuary and enjoy the animals. (Rain or shine, no refunds.)  HURRY!  There are a limited number of tickets available and if we sell out before May 18 there will not be a chance to purchase admission at the door!  Guarantee your chance to see America's favorite zoologist, get your tickets now!  Tickets are also available for "Jungle Jack" Hanna and Friends at the Embassy Theatre Sunday, May 18 at 4 p.m.  Cost is $15 and up, including a $125 VIP package that includes a private reception at the Indiana Hotel Lobby after the show.  Call the Embassy box office at (260) 424-5665 or visit any Ticketmaster outlet.  All proceeds direclty benefit the animals at Black Pine.  Thanks for your support!!

"Mae", Black Pine's resident hamadryas baboon, is the latest animal to enjoy a new Phase II habitat.  Mae was released into the new area just outside her winter house last week.  When the door was first opened allowing her to enter the outdoor addition she was typically hesitant to venture out.  But within minutes she had her "baby" (a stuffed frog) in hand and was foraging for bugs and other treasures in the dirt and grass.  Work will continue on more Phase II permanent habitats as funding and volunteer labor allows.  If you would like to help with a construction project or materials, call our office at (260) 636-7383. 

Noble County P.U.L.S.E. Brings New Yorkers to Albion

Several Noble County student members of Philanthropists Utilizing Lifelong Service and Education (P.U.L.S.E.) welcomed students from New York participating in a cultural exchange to join them at Black Pine last week for a volunteer project and guided tour.  Students worked in four areas of the park, and in just 40 minutes were able to rake leaves for composting, help with fence repairs, pick up trash left over winter along the roadway and entrance, and add wood chips to the floor of two of the big cat habitats.  After their hard work was over the group enjoyed a guided tour, then posed for a group photo.  Black Pine thanks all the students and their adult advisors for their contributions in support of our mission!

Seeking Candidates for Temp Zookeeper Position

Black Pine's Board of Directors is now seeking applicants for a temporary senior zookeeper.  This position will commence August 15, 2008 and continue for a minimum of eight weeks.  This temporary, full-time position includes overseeing and carrying out animal husbandry for approximately 75 animals including primates, felines, reptiles, birds, and a variety of other mammals.  Work days are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. five days a week, including some weekend days.  Some occasional overtime may also be required.  To apply, mail resume with references to:  Black Pine Animal Park, P.O. Box 02, Albion, IN 46701 and mark envelope "Attention:  Renee Runkle".  Letters of recommendation are also appreciated and may also be enclosed.

CDP Awards Grant for Bi-Lingual Intern Position

Community Initiatives, Inc., a supporting organization of the Noble County Community Foundation, Inc. has approved a grant for $4,595 through the Celebrate Diversity Project.  The purpose of this money is to subsidize the cost for Black Pine to hire a college-age intern to work at the park for the 2008 summer season and help with translation of park materials and tours.  Black Pine is now seeking applicants for this internship.  The ideal candidate will be enrolled, or planning to enroll, in a college program related to communications, business administration, hospitality, and/or tourism and recreation.  Candidates must be fluent in both English and Spanish.  To apply, send a resume and references to:  Black Pine Animal Park, P.O. Box 02, Albion, IN 46701, Attention:  Bi-Lingual Internship.  The intern position is slated to commence on May 15, 2008 and continue for a minimum of eight weeks this summer. 

Tune in INC May 3 & 4 for Black Pine Segment

Jessica Price, Senior Zookeeper, and Lori Gagen, Director of Development, took park residents "Peaches" and "Wilson" on a field trip last week to tape a segment of News Now with host Linda Jackson at Indiana's News Center.  The News Now segment covered a variety of topics including the park's mission, updates on the relocation project, volunteer and internship programs, and the animals.  We want to thank Linda Jackson and the production crew for their warm welcome and for helping inform viewers about Black Pine!  The program will air on NBC channel 33 at 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 3 and again at 11 p.m. on Sunday, May 4.  Tune in!

Donate once, monthly, quarterly, or annually!  Quick, easy & safe!

Share Our News - Tell Other to Subscribe!

Forward this e-Bulletin to your contacts and encourage them to subscribe.  To subscribe, simply send an e-mail request to blackpine@blackpineanimalpark.com.  Or visit our home page at http://www.blackpineanimalpark.com/ and find the "Subscribe to our e-Bulletins" link.  We do not ever share our e-mail lists, so your privacy is protected!

JOIN!  PARK PAL MEMBERSHIPS

BECOME A VOLUNTEER

APPLY FOR A STUDENT INTERNSHIP

COMING UP...

Sunday, May 18

JACK HANNA!

Tickets on sale now!

Saturday, May 3

OPENING DAY!

WISH LIST

 DUSHANBE ZOO

IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

U.S. project team members, including four staff members from Black Pine, recently returned from a two-week visit to Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The $75,000 grant awarded by the American Association of Museums for this project has thus far funded several improvements at the Dushanbe Zoo, including excavation for a new playground, new playground equiipment including swingsets, a see-saw, and animal-themed "riders"; the planting of over 100 new trees and fruit-bearing plants that will help feed zoo animals; improvements to bear and pig habitats; construction of a new "naturalistic" lion habitat; and a newly remodeled volunteer resource center.  The grant is also funding travel by Tajik project members to the U.S. for two weeks this summer, as well as translation of volunteer program materials, habitat signs to better educate Dushanbe Zoo visitors, and various grant administrative costs.  Black Pine will eventually benefit through the installation of some Tajik-style artwork at the park. It has been an honor and pleasure sharing Black Pine's knowledge and successes with the people of Dushanbe!  Check out our project blog for ongoing updates!

We are so fortunate to have such wonderful volunteers, like Lynn Barlow.  Lynn has been putting the finishing touches on faux rock work in the alligator and snake habitats in the new Reptile House.  This new addition to housing for displaced exotic animals has been made possible through the extraordinary support of Corporate Construction of Auburn, IN.  The 1,600 square foot facility is expected to be unveiled in coming weeks

PARC, Inc.

Black Pine Animal Park

1426 W. 300 N.

P.O. Box 02

Albion, IN 46701

(260) 636-7383