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Three Ways You Can Get Involved Locally to Help Afghan Refugees see page 2.
Desert Hot Springs, CA PERMIT NO 00005
Friday, August 27, 2021 Vol. 24 No. 67
‘Wreaths Across America’ All Californians are Invited to Join in the National Flag Waving Effort Before September 11. By Desert Star Staff COLUMBIA FALLS, ME – National nonprofit Wreaths Across America (WAA) urges all Americans to join together on
Tuesday, September 7, 2021, in waving the American flag in remembrance of the 20th Anniversary of September 11. The event will be hosted LIVE
on its official Facebook page and broadcast over Wreaths Across America Radio. It will include Gold Star Families, whose loved ones answered
the call to serve after 9/11, show support for those whose Veterans, First Responders service, courage, and sacrifice, and their families. Now more help keep America free. than ever, it is so vital that we come together as Americans to Continues on Page 3
(Wild) Dog alpha pair, Kiraka and Beatrix, have contributed to the SSP by having 17 puppies. As a result, they are
now very well-represented in the human care population. Soon, five of the boys from the first litter will be heading
Did You Know...
By Desert Star Staff • Mean kinship is a widely accepted conservation method used within zoos. It is a measure of the importance of an animal as it relates to genetics. This is achieved by limiting the selection and reducing the loss of alleles due to inbreeding. This is done by selecting individuals with less represented alleles to breed. • Animals with a low mean kinship are genetically important and are advised to breed. • Animals with a higher mean kinship are well represented within the population. • There are only 58 black rhinos in AZA human care. Jaali and Nia, the black
rhinos who will be calling the zoo home soon, have been chosen to pair up and breed together as they mature. This breeding recommendation is thoughtfully calculated years ahead of sexual maturity. • Peninsular pronghorn are part of an ongoing reintroduction program in Baja California, Mexico, which The Living Desert has been a part of for many years. The herd here at the zoo has been prolific and has contributed to developing a viable breeding population in zoos. We have also been involved with neo-natal care, relocation, and creating a Species Action Plan onsite in Baja. • Here at The Living Desert, the African Painted
to a new home at another AZA organization to be ambassadors for their species.