TIMES, THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2014 • 34 ©Times Newsweekly - 2014 - RʼWOOD^SVGS Porcupine Comes To Qns. Wildlife Society’s Aviary Native To Canada, Northern U.S. The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Queens Zoo has welcomed a new porcupine to its animal family. A young, one year old North American porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) born at the Bronx Zoo rests on a tree branch now resides at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Queens Zoo. Porcupines are known for their sharp quills that cover the majority of their bodies. Although a porcupine will first try to flee or climb its way out of danger, it will use its quills if cornered. A common misconception is that porcupines throw their quills. Instead, they raise the quills in defense, turning their backs to strike at potential predators. The quills have a small barb at the tip, causing them to stick in a predator and cause great pain. The North American porcupine is a rodent native to much of Canada, the western United States, New England, and northern Great Lakes states. It is North America’s second largest rodent, only surpassed in size by the beaver. The Queens Zoo’s North American porcupine lives in the zoo’s aviary, which also houses birds native to North and South America including macaws, egrets, quail and many species of ducks. The aviary is a remnant from the 1964 World’s Fair. The geodesic dome design is an original structure that was on display during the historic exposition held in Flushing Meadows Corona Park 50 years ago. In 1968, the dome was rebuilt and repurposed, becoming the aviary it is today. Congrats To Graduates Queens Library's Adult Learner Program helped 50 adults earn their high school equivalency diplomas by giving them the free educational resources, special tutoring, peer support and professional referrals that they needed to take this courageous step and achieve. The new graduates celebrated Friday, May 30, with all the “Pomp and Circumstance” that they have worked so hard to achieve. Highlights included moving speeches from three graduates and one of their teachers. Jasmine Hu, tearfully spoke about coming to the library in Flushing shortly after arriving from China in 2010. Ernesto Martinez, one of a pair of twins who celebrated their graduations, said “I really appreciate what all the staff of this facility has done in helping us in everything that we need to continue in the right direction.” Queens Library offers high school equivalency preparation in person, online, in structured workshops and through self-study. The library offers lifelong learning opportunities for all ages, from toddlers who are just learning to read to professionals who are adding new skills for their professional portfolios or their own life goals. Pictured are the Martinez bothers, Carlos and Ernesto, in full graduation attire, holding their diplomas.
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