???The stress of wrapping up the semester makes it difficult for students to break away from academic obligations, but a short escape to heed the call of the wild and embrace the spring air presents a refreshing experience before finals.
???By checking out the new additions to The Buffalo Zoo, located in Delaware Park, students are able to see mammals, reptiles, fish and birds of wild and exotic backgrounds go about their daily routines.
???The Buffalo Zoo is the third oldest zoo in the United States and it not only offers a safe new home for a variety of baby animals, but also helps provide sanctuary for endangered species. However, this year, newborn animals are some of the biggest new additions to the zoo.
???Shortly after the New Year, a baby giraffe named Malia was born at the zoo, giving visitors a miniature look at the tallest animal species living on and.
???The female calf was named after President Obama's daughter Malia because she was born so close to Inauguration Day. Malia is currently only on display through glass doors due to the necessary mother-daughter bonding time and the construction going on to expand the Zoo's Veterinary Hospital connected to the giraffe house, according to www.buffalozoo.org.
???But Malia isn't the only zoo baby making headlines in Buffalo.
???According to the Web site, a male black howler monkey named Mochima was born just before Christmas, but didn't make his debut until early March. What makes this little guy special is the fact that he was the first primate to be born in the fairly new exhibit known as Rainforest Falls.
???Mochima was named in honor of a National Park located along Venezuela's breathtaking northeast Caribbean coastline, close to the South American rainforests, which are known to be home to his breed.
???The newest baby at the zoo to grace visitors with her presence is Clover, an Indian rhino, a species native to northern India and southern Nepal, according to the Web site.
???Indian and Nepalese wildlife authorities enforce strict protection policies over the Indian rhinos, due to their endangered status, making Clover a unique addition to the zoo's collection.
???Clover is not the only endangered species residing at the Buffalo Zoo. According to the Web site, the zoo has recently decided to provide a safe and temporary home for a pair of turtles that were caught in the crossfire of a messy legal battle involving illegal turtle trafficking.
???The two Yellow Spotted Amazon River turtles are currently being held at the zoo while the case is still pending. The zoo may be a permanent home for them depending on the court's decision.
???According to the Web site, biologists indicate that this species plays a crucial role in the general health of an ecosystem. The scary truth is that there are only an estimated 100 Spotted Amazon River turtles living in captivity in North America.
???Another endangered animal that has found a new home at the zoo is a polar bear named Nanuq, who was rescued when he was a cub in the wild. His placement at the Buffalo Zoo is due to its reputation in successfully breeding polar bear cubs among a captive population, according to the Web site.
???Since polar bears only breed once every three years, it is an amazing accomplishment that the Buffalo Zoo has produced 11 cubs at the facility in a 20-year time span. Nanuq has been brought to the Buffalo Zoo in hopes that he will mate with a female polar bear, Anana, who already resides there.
???It may be necessary to take a break from stressful studying in order to retain sanity. The opportunity to experience animals from all over the world right in Buffalo is a great way to spend an afternoon away from school.
???The Buffalo Zoo is open everyday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and only costs $7 for full-time students up to the age of 22 and $9.50 for adult admission.
