HEDGEHOG FORECASTS SIX MORE WEEKS OF WINTER
Chriki sees her shadow, hunkers down until spring
PORTLAND, OR - Don't pack those snow tires and chains away just yet. Chriki, the Oregon Zoo's African pygmy hedgehog, saw her shadow today, indicating six more weeks of winter could be in store. Or not.
"The groundhog is a relative newcomer to the prognosticating game," said Metro Council President David Bragdon, who presided over the zoo's annual Hedgehog Day festivities. "The African hedgehog is actually more authentic -- not necessarily more accurate, but more authentic."
Historically, the hedgehog has been used in this centuries-old tradition to predict the onset of spring. Immigrants to North America substituted the groundhog when they found there were no hedgehogs in their new homeland.
Considering Chriki's track record though, authenticity -- and cuteness -- will have to count for a lot.
"Since she's been wrong three of the past four years, by the law of averages she's bound to be right this year," quipped Bragdon.
To watch highlights from this year's Hedgehog Day at the zoo, visit www.oregonzoo.org/VideoArchive/HedgehogDay2009.htm.
The zoo is a service of Metro and is dedicated to its mission to inspire the community to create a better future for wildlife. Committed to conservation, the zoo is currently working to save endangered California condors, Washington's pygmy rabbits, Oregon silverspot butterflies, western pond turtles, Oregon spotted frogs and Kincaid's lupine. Other projects include studies on black rhinos, Asian elephants, polar bears and bats.
The zoo opens at 9 a.m. daily and is located five minutes from downtown Portland, just off Highway 26. The zoo is also accessible by MAX light rail line. Zoo visitors are encouraged to ride MAX or take TriMet bus No. 63. Visitors who take the bus or MAX receive $1 off zoo admission. Call TriMet Customer Service, 503-238-RIDE (7433), or visit www.trimet.org for fare and route information.
General admission is $9.75 (12-64), seniors $8.25 (65+), children $6.75 (3-11), and infants 2 and under are free; 25 cents of the admission price helps fund regional conservation projects through the zoo's Future for Wildlife program. A parking fee of $2 per car is also required. Additional information is available at www.oregonzoo.org or by calling 503-226-1561.
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