WINNIPEG - March 25, 2009 - The public is advised that the City has initiated a truck plowing operation on main routes in response to this morning’s snowfall, and will continue throughout the day and evening. Front-end loaders are being used to clear snow at intersections and bus stops. Truck plows will also be used on bus routes and collector streets later in the day. Salting and sanding of streets is ongoing to improve traction on the roadways.

Thawing activities to open catch basins and culverts are continuing, though inclement weather conditions such as sub-zero temperatures and the accumulation of snow and ice are impacting operations. Pothole patching activities have been temporarily suspended until conditions improve.

Ongoing snow clearing operations include:

• Truck plowing of main routes is underway, followed by truck plowing of bus routes and collector streets;
• Salting and sanding of streets to improve traction on roadways;
• Clearing of snow at intersections and bus stops by front-end loaders;
• Plowing of sidewalks on main routes is underway and will be followed by plowing of sidewalks on bus routes and collector streets; and
• Plowing of back lanes will start Thursday morning and will take place daily between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. until completed.

Motorists are reminded to drive to road conditions and to use extreme caution when driving near any plowing or salting/sanding equipment.

The estimated cost of this snow clearing operation is approximately $750,000.00.

Plowing operations commenced in accordance with the City Council-approved Snow Cleaning and Ice Control Policy, which can be found online at www.winnipeg.ca/publicworks/Snow_Clearing_Policy/default.asp.

WINNIPEG - March 25, 2009 - After repeated introductory attempts, the Assiniboine Park Zoo’s Slender-tailed Meerkats have finally formed a compatible group. Often seen on television advertisements and nature shows because of their charming antics, Meerkats are so colonial that it is notoriously difficult to add new individuals into an established group. In October 2008, the Zoo brought in five females from Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, Florida, to join three lonely bachelor males in Winnipeg. Prior to introduction, all eight animals and the enclosure were dusted with scented baby powder in the hopes of confusing individual recognition.

During eight weeks of growling and squabbling, two females and one male were ejected from the new group. The compatible individuals (two males and three females) are back on display in the Kinsmen Discovery Center. Mating has been observed and young may be produced later this spring. Offspring will be sent to other Canadian facilities.

The Zoo first imported Meerkats in 1988, but needed to acquire unrelated individuals to keep the colony going. The Slender-tailed Meerkat is related to mongooses and is native to the savannas of southern Africa, where individuals take turns standing on guard on top of a termite mound to watch for approaching predators. The Meerkats have been one of the Zoo’s most-popular exhibits because of their charming features and fascinating behaviour. This species may live up to 20 years in captivity.