PAINTINGS BY ANIMALS! I know, I know… these are zoo animals – BUT, at least they are doing something interesting with their days AND the funds go towards more programs for them.

(Yesterday, our server went down due to “bloat”. I totally understand since I tend to go down when bloated, too. However, all is fixed now. Thank you for being patient! The below story is what I was going to write for yesterday – Sunday, Sept 13.)

I know, I know… every time I write about zoo animals, several of you get up in arms.

Yes, I get it that the animals are in zoos. And, yes, I know this is very sad for these animals. But, right now, this is the situation for them, and until it changes, I feel we may as well help them make the best of a bad situation. At least they are being given the stimulation of painting… and if this goes well, they may get even more opportunities to expand their environment.

So… anyone want to buy an original one-of-a-kind painting?! (I have 3 painted by elephants in my house. The stories behind each piece makes them very special to me.)

And, to me, hats off to the handlers who set this all up, made the particular methods for each animal, stood there while the animal painted, took photos, had the piece framed with the photos and then set up the auctions. That is a lot of work!

These pieces are on Ebay, hosted by the Oakland Zoo, until Sept 20.

Right now, the starting bids are $200 and most are hovering around $300 with some at and over $400.

Link to the painting auction is here.

HERE ARE JUST SOME OF THE PAINTINGS!

This is my personal favorite created by a Sun Bear! Here is what the auction says:This is an original painting by Ting Ting, a Sun Bear. It is framed and includes a photo of the artist. The framed art is 21″ X 31″Ting Ting is an elderly sun bear who was rescued from the pet trade when she was cub. Too old to be released back into the wild, she became an ambassador for her species by living at Oakland Zoo where everyone can come meet her. Ting Ting’s loves avocado, corn, dried fruits…and occasionally some peanut butter- one of her favorites. On this canvas, Ting Ting has captured her paw prints in order to raise money for conservation. Click here to go to this auction.

2) I like the tones in this one… Painted by Bernie the Chimp:

Thank you for supporting Oakland Zoo’s “Animal Art Show” to benefit animals in the wild. Every dollar of your purchase for this painting will go to help save animals in the wild through our conservation partners in the field, worldwide!

This is an original painting by Bernie, a Chimpanzee. It is framed and includes a photo of the artist. The framed art is 19″ X 15″

This is Bernie, a 23 year-old male common chimpanzee. You can see Bernie food barking (a “happy” sound associated with being excited about food) and holding a special treat in this photo, a frozen cantaloupe. To keep great apes mentally stimulated we provide them with different enrichment opportunities throughout the day to interact with and manipulate their environment. Painting is a great way for chimpanzees to challenge themselves and express creativity in a visible form. With 2,000 common chimpanzees in U.S. Zoos alone, we often forget that they are endangered with only 170,000 left in the wild. Bernie created two paintings for the auction – see his other listing!

Click here to go to the auction.

3) I think a painting by a bat is very interesting:

This is an original painting by Brutus, Malayan Flying Fox Bat. It is framed and includes a photo of the artist. The framed art is 21″ X 17″

Brutus is a 16 year-old male Malayan flying fox bat. He loves bananas and will follow keepers and volunteers all over the exhibit during feedings until they put out a piece of banana. Most people don’t realize it, but bats are very important to people. In the wild, fruit and nectar-eating bats are important pollinators and seed dispersers for many plants that are important to humans such as the agave plant (which makes tequila). Their insect-eating cousins are also extremely important to agriculture – they eat several hundred tons of pest insects saving farmers millions of dollars each year in pest control. By purchasing this artwork, you are supporting the conservation of these animals and many more like them.

Click here to go to this auction.

4) Birds fascinate me… this painting is by a sulfur-crested Cockatoo

This is an original painting by Jenny, Sulfur-Crested Cockatoo. It is framed and includes a photo of the artist. The framed art is 17″ X 13″

Jenny is a sulfur-crested cockatoo who is getting fancy with her paintbrush to help save endangered animals in the wild. Cockatoos come from Australia, where they live in large flocks. In order to communicate with flockmates, cockatoos make a very loud call daily. This natural behavior does not change in captivity, so her keepers have to be very patient working with her (and maybe wear ear plugs). While Jenny’s Zoo diet is primarily composed of a specialized type of pellet for parrots and chopped produce, her favorite treats are peanuts, sunflower seeds and waxworms.

To go to this auction, click here.

5) A giraffe did it!! Click here!

This is an original painting by Benghazi, a Giraffe. It is framed and includes a photo of the artist. The framed art is 21″ X 31″

Benghazi was born at the Oakland Zoo to his mom, Tiki. He is quite a unique gentleman and an extremely charismatic giraffe. “Ben” as we call him, loves to interact with keepers and other people that visit his area, especially if they have delicious snacks. He has quite an appetite! He is eager to participate in training sessions and is always the first one to approach the new toys we make for them. He not only enjoys painting with his keepers but also likes to play music with his tambourine, maracas, and jingle bells.

Click here to go to this auction.

6) Is there anything cuter than a goat getting into mischief (other people’s mischief)? Click here.

This is an original painting by Maggie, a Nigerian Dwarf Goat. It is framed and includes a photo of the artist. The framed art is 25″ X 21″

Maggie Goat was the last of quadruplets to enter the world. She had a rough beginning. Being the last of four babies squished in a space built for two, she came out a bit crumpled. Her left leg needed a splint and she had to be assisted during nursing bouts. But very soon her leg strengthened and she was scooting around with her three siblings! She now spends her days being groomed by guests, eating browse and chewing cud. She is contemplating writing a memoir called ‘Rumen’ Board about growing up at Oakland Zoo.

Click here to go to this auction.

7) This is currently the highest bidded piece at $430! A team effort by Meerkats!

This is an original painting by the Meerkat mob. It is framed and includes a photo of the artist. The framed art is 25″ X 21″

Meerkats in the wild work as a collective to build tunnels, look for food, keep the group safe, and raise their pups. Our group at the Oakland Zoo, made up of related family members, are just like their wild counter parts. They are curious by nature and enjoy investigating any novel items the keepers put in their environment. This art piece was a collective effort of exploration and curiosity.

Click here to go to this auction!

8) This is currently the lowest bid, for some reason?… by a ferret. Only $205!

This is an original painting by Carmella, a Ferret. It is framed and includes a photo of the artist. The framed art is 19″ X 15″.

Carmella is a three year-old domestic ferret that lives at Oakland Zoo as an ‘education animal’. This means she can be seen in zoo classes and birthday parties hosted by our Education department or sometimes out on Zoo grounds with one of our docents. Like most ferrets, she is very inquisitive and often on the move. Carmella tends to be more reserved, while her sister Marcella is known for letting her curiosity get the best of her.

Click here to go to this auction.

9) I liked this one because she looks like she just couldn’t be bothered to paint… Love the expression!

This is an original painting by Zoe, a Hyena. It is framed and includes a photo of the artist. The framed art is 21″ X 31″

Meet Zoe, our matriarch female Spotted Hyena. At age 23, she is the oldest female in our clan and likes to remind everyone that she is in charge. Zoe joined our Oakland Zoo family in 2012 and became a breast cancer survivor this summer. Zoe loves laying in the sun and eating everything available- keepers reward her with milk to get her colorful footprints on canvas. She is happy to support conservation for her fellow carnivores as long as she gets a treat out of it!

Click here to go to this auction!

10) Of course, the elephant….

This is an original painting by Donna, an African Elephant. It is framed and includes a photo of the artist. The framed art is 21″ X 31″

Donna, 35, came to OZ in 1989. She very quickly became the the dominant female because she had the biggest attitude. She is the most playful out of the girls and loves to have big play bouts at nighttime with large tractor tires and will charge into the pool for a cool down! Personality-wise Donna is impatient, loves to participate in training, and is closely bonded with Lisa, whom she sleeps with every night. Donna is a naturally playful elephant whose exuberance is demonstrated in her Zoro-like brush strokes. Each elephant has a different method of painting, Donna’s is long forceful strokes.

Click here to go to this auction.

11) And who wouldn’t want an original from a lion?!

This is an original painting by Sandy, a lion. It is framed and includes a photo of the artist. The framed art is 21″ X 17″

Sandy was just a four month-old cub when police discovered her in a suspect’ home in Houston, TX back in 2000. Both she and her brother were starving, dehydrated, flea ridden, and their coats were patchy and dry. She and her brother, Leonard, came to Oakland Zoo a month later and today have taken ownership of the lion exhibit, hearts of staff, ZooKeepers and guests alike. While their beginnings in the exotic animal trade surely could have destined them to a life of cruelty, we were fortunate to have been able to provide them with a safe and forever home here at the zoo.

Click here to go to this auction.

12) Last but not least, the one that looks like it was so much fun to make!!! Squirrel Monkeys!

This is an original painting by Pythagoras and Peru, Squirrel Monkeys. It is framed and includes a photo of the artist. The framed art is 21″ X 17″

Squirrel monkeys are naturally curious and some are more bold than others. Here is Pythagoras (a 3 year old male) and Peru (a 16 year old female) two of our bolder monkeys that were the first to interact with the canvas. Squirrel monkeys have at least 25 different vocal calls, and you can hear our group of 12 “twittering” to each other as they explore the trees of their exhibit.

Click here to go to this auction!