See this video on TV!

RIGHT THIS MINUTE, Jan 27, 2012

See this video on TV!

RIGHT THIS MINUTE, Feb 1, 2012

FOX News’ RED EYE, Feb 2, 2012 (link pending)

NBC’s THE TODAY SHOW, Feb 2, 2012 (link pending)

Happy New Year, Teddy Bear!

See this video on TV!

RIGHT THIS MINUTE, Jan 2, 2012

FOX News’ RED EYE, Jan 5, 2012 (at approx. 40:50)

As Teddy is quick to tell you — Merry Christmas! (And, never share your holiday cookies.)

See this video on TV!

RIGHT THIS MINUTE, Dec 14, 2012

Dallas, Texas, USA, December 7, 2011

The video, entitled "Teddy Bear, the porcupine, doesn’t like to share," went viral in late November 2011, when YouTube viewers shared the clip on dozens of other video sites. Within days the video topped half-a-million views. Why? Well, the corn-hungry porcupine is rather vocal about not wanting to share his corn and English-speaking viewers insist they heard him protesting in human words, saying "It’s my corn," "Stop that," and "Get Back" — or even some stronger explitives. Then, the video went global. German viewers say he is speaking German, Dutch viewers insist it’s Dutch, and now Russian viewers hear Russian words in his grunts and groans. Even more surprising, some folks feel that his human-like sounds are more than coincidental. The International Business Times (UK) writes "the video has gained soaring popularity among viewers with most agreeing that it is an example of animals borrowing the human language to communicate with us, and have labelled it as "clear intelligence"." Huh?

National TV shows quickly jumped to air the popular video. "Teddy Bear" has already been featured on THE TODAY SHOW (link pending), GOOD MORNING AMERICA, INSIDE EDITION, RIGHT THIS MINUTE and RED EYE (at 19:50). Numerous regional TV and radio stations across the U.S. have also broadcast the video, but it has surprisingly not yet hit the radar of local Dallas/Fort Worth media.

And, the Internet is continuing the buzz. Videos are popping up of people recording the reaction of their pet while watching Teddy’s video. And, some websites are featuring the video to illustrate their mission – several Christian sites are sharing it as "an example of God’s amazing creation," and a healthy eating site says that Teddy’s corn gluttony "is nothing more than a porcupine version of our human snacks laden with high-fructose corn syrup."

Zooniversity’s owner, Allison Blankenship, hand-raised Teddy since he was an ophaned baby and says "Teddy’s always been vocal…and a bit spoiled. But, the viral video came as a huge surprise. I never heard the human-like words when I posted it ." Teddy is a popular education animal at the Dallas-based wildlife education company. As one of their animal ambassadors, Teddy travels to schools, libraries and events throughout Texas and is known for his ewok-like chatter while he nibbles on a wedge of sweet potato during  his part of the wildlife show. "He’ll usually mumble and moan into my microphone, while I teach audiences about his natural behaviors, " says Blankenship, "He always steals the show." Well, it looks like he stole it again!

Watch Teddy’s NEW video: "Teddy, the talking porcupine, likes pumpkin, too!"

Teddy now has a Facebook fan page www.facebook.com/TeddyPorcupine and he’s on Twitter www.twitter.com/TeddyPorcupine

UPDATE 12/04/11: Teddy’s video aired on ABC’s GOOD MORNING AMERICA.

UPDATE 12/03/11: Hit 750,000 views.

UPDATE 11/29/11: Teddy’s video aired on NBC’s TODAY show, CBS’s INSIDE EDITION, FOX’s RED EYE, and E’s THE SOUP — hit 500,000 views.

UPDATE 11/28/11: Huffington Post Cute/Ridiculous Animal Thing of the Day

"Zoo’s Clues"

The Texas State Library Commision has selected "Get A Clue" as next summer’s school-age theme. We’ll be offering a new course to match the theme: "Zoo’s Clues." As always, we’ll be featuring rescued animals your readers haven’t met in  recent years, so you’re guaranteed a fresh new show. Or, if you prefer, you can ask us to teach one of our other 20 memorable programs.

Pricing & Travel Fees

Both our large group stage shows and our small group classroom programs still start at $250. Travel fees are charged for any location beyond 50 miles roundtrip from our North Dallas location. You can cut your travel charges in half or more if you plan ahead — help us to book a neighboring library (or two) on the same day and we’ll split the travel charges, making it affordable for even the most budget-challenged libraries.

Preschool, ‘Tween & Teen, and Adult & Senior Programming, Too!

You may not know that some of our most popular programming is designed for other age groups. We can adjust our curriculum and animal selections to appeal to preschoolers (3 years and older only), ‘tweens & teens (no "baby" programming here), and your adult and senior audiences. We’re happy to refer you to librarians where these shows have been a HUGE success — they’ve been some of our favorites, too! Animals are fascinating for all ages — keep us in mind for year-round programming and for all age groups.

Need a part-time job for a little extra cash? Need to gain more exotic animal husbandry experience? Have another job or school or kids and need flexible scheduling? If you are an experienced zookeeper, vet tech, rehabber or animal caretaker, then consider joining our animal care team! We have a rare opening in our animal keeper schedule and are seeking an experienced individual for part-time work on Sundays and for relief work. Here are all the details:

PART-TIME ANIMAL KEEPER, NW DALLAS, NEEDED FOR SUNDAY SHIFT & RELIEF WORK, 4-5 hrs per day, flexible scheduling

Zooniversity LLC, a Dallas-based wildlife education company, seeks a reliable, self-motivated, responsible individual for the position of part-time animal keeper. Work 4-5 hours per day, NEEDED FOR SUNDAYS; hours are flexible to work around your other job, school or family commitments. Relief keeper days also available, as needed by other keepers. NOTE: this position is strictly husbandry duties – no public speaking (so, wanna-be educators shouldn’t expect additional opportunities).

Must have experience in the care of multiple species as a zookeeper, veterinary technician, rehabber or animal caretaker. You must be willing to handle arthropods, amphibians, reptiles, birds and small mammals.

Daily duties include:

- Maintenance and cleaning of animal cages and surrounding areas

- Daily diet preparation

- Inventory and pick-up of food and supplies i.e. produce, feed & bedding

- Washing/disinfecting of animal dishes and laundry

- Conduct "rounds" to ensure enclosures are secured & animals have fresh water and food

- Administer medications or treatments

- Monitor health and behavior of animals

- Construct and provide behavioral enrichment

It takes more than a love of animals. It takes a solid respect of animal boundaries and behaviors and an ability to follow directions. Candidates must be at least 21 years old, have a high school diploma and valid driver’s license, be able to lift 25 pounds, and have a strong work ethic. Must work well on your own and be responsible, reliable, punctual, and committed. Additional hours available for the right individual. Pay is commensurate with experience. Training time is paid. Located in North Dallas, near Hwy 635/LBJ and Marsh Lane.

Learn more about us at www.zooniversity.org. Send inquiries and resume to Allison at allison@zooniversity.org.

UPDATE 11/28/2011: The position has been filled – thank you to all who interviewed for the position.

If you enjoyed our wildlife programs, will you please take just a moment to go to the voting page and vote for ZOONIVERSITY in the following categories:

        Party Birthday Parties: Best Entertainer

          Birthday Parties: Best Themed Party

                 VOTE FOR US HERE

You only need to vote once — and you don’t even have to vote in all categories, just the ones that you’re interested in…or just the ones we’re in! Hurry – deadline is November 30th.  Winners will be announced in December and we’d love to be on the winners list!

Why do we bother with this stuff? No, it’s not an ego feed – this kind of public recognition helps us to market our services and, in turn, we can then better support the animals that have been entrusted to our care. We sincerely thank you in advance for helping us to get the word out.