Unless Contests - Service Learning Imagine you and your students working directly with the Philadelphia Zoo to help save orangutans from extinction. Orangutans have lost approximately 80% of their habitat in the last 20 years due primarily to palm oil production. Palm oil is found in cookies, crackers, and breakfast cereals as well as in shampoo and makeup. Experts estimate that orangutans could become extinct in the wild in as few as 25 years UNLESS we can create a global groundswell for change. By participating in the Zoo's groundbreaking K-12 UNLESS contests, your class will be eligible for a free orangutan-focused field trip and will also be able to compete for between $250 and $2,500 in prizes (Grades K-5) or for between $500 and $5,000 in prizes (Grades 6-12). The contest application deadline is October 28, 2011. Click here to apply and to read more about the prizes for contest participants.   New 2011/2012 Teacher Guide With the fall field trip season in full swing, now is the perfect time to download a copy of our new 2011/2012 Teacher Guide. The Guide contains detailed information regarding our array of onsite educational programs for elementary, middle and high schools students as well as information about our extremely popular Zoo on Wheels program. All of our onsite and Zoo on Wheels educational programs tie directly to PA, NJ and DE curriculum standards. The Education Guide also contains information about our groundbreaking UNLESS service learning contests which can be distributed to your colleagues and school administrators. Click here to download the 2011/2012 Teacher Guide. Field Trips - Community Access Program As part of our Community Access Program (formerly the Earthsavers program), the Zoo is pleased to offer free admission to students attending Title I public, private, charter or parochial schools where 50% or more of the students receive free or reduced-priced lunches. Now Free admission under this program is available from September 6, 2011 through April 13, 2012. Please call (215) 243-5235 to confirm whether your school qualifies. Cub-Boom! We have recently welcomed three new additions to our Zoo family. Lucha, a male jaguar, was born on June 3rd to parents Kanga and Jutai. Lucha is the first jaguar born in First Niagara Big Cat Falls. In addition to Lucha, we also welcomed two new snow leopard cubs this past summer. These cubs are the first litter for Maya, the Zoo's 3-year-old female snow leopard, and the first offspring for Amga, the Zoo's 5-year-old male snow leopard. These are the first snow leopard cubs ever born at the Philadelphia Zoo. Click here to see a YouTube video of Lucha taking his first steps outside. Familar Faces, New Places With the construction of the new Hamilton Family Children's Zoo & Education Center, several of your favorite faces have moved to new spots in the Zoo. Unna and Cindy, our pair of female hippos, are now enjoying their new pool in African Plains next to the giraffes. And Kesho, our male okapi, has moved into his new home on the opposite side of the Zoo's Impala Lawn (close to the Zoo balloon). Make sure to come and say hello to Kesho on your next visit - he loves how close he can get to guests in his new exhibit. Click here to read more about okapis, rare and elusive animals native to the Congo. New Zoo Smartphone App Enhance your next field trip to the Zoo by downloading our new smartphone application. Some of the app's key features include a GPS enabled map which displays your location, a Today button which features a continually updated list of Meet the Keeper Talks, presentations and activities, an Animals button which provides photos, names and facts about our Zoo animals as well as a section which includes a live Twitter and Facebook stream. Read more about the app and download from either the iTunes App Store or the Verizon Media Store.