Page 14 • Palms West Journal • July 2022
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NATURAL CALLS
Endangered Red-Crowned Crane born at Palm Beach Zoo
Baby red-crowned crane, Obi, hatched at the Palm Beach Zoo May 4.
Photos by Palm Beach Zoo
By Mel Page Palms West Journal A baby bird has arrived at Palm Beach Zoo. Obi, an endangered red-crowned crane, hatched May 4 after incubating for 35 days. The chick’s parents, mother Akai and father Yuki, are experienced partners familiar with raising young. The chick is on track with red-crowned crane milestones and will reach his full height of about 4½ feet at approximately 3 months old.
Despite his “Star Wars” birthday, Obi is not named for Jedi master Obi-Wan Kenobi, but for a part of a Japanese kimono, a nod to the hatchling’s Asian origins. Native to Russia, China, Mongolia and Japan, redcrowned cranes live 30 to 40 years and produce two eggs with an incubation period between 29 and 34 days, though it is common for only one egg to survive. Seen as a symbol of loyalty in Asian cultures, redcrowned cranes often mate for life, as is the case with Akai and Yuki. The Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society announced Obi to the public May 20, Endangered Species Day. Red-crowned cranes are endangered because of the loss of breeding and wintering grounds in wetlands, caused by human destruction. Officially, the birds are “vulnerable” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species. Agricultural, industrial and economic human impacts have caused the loss of land for cranes and other birds. Aside from whooping cranes, red-crowned cranes are the most endangered cranes in the world, with probably fewer than 2,000 adults in the wild. In the early 1900s the birds were believed to be extinct. Captivity breeding plays an essential role in the
survival of the species. The Palm Beach Zoo & Conservatory is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which is dedicated to animal welfare and conservation. What started over 50 years ago in West Palm Beach as the Dreher Park Zoo changed its name to the Palm Beach Zoo in 1997 and the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society in 2014 to reflect its support for protecting wildlife through conservation efforts. Obi and his parents are safely nestled within the zoo and can be seen by visitors. The zoo is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. Tickets are $24.95 for adults, $22.95 for those 60 and older, $18.95 for children 3 to 12 and free to younger children. Visit palmbeachzoo.org/generalinfo for information on tickets and group rates.
Why you need dental insurance in retirement.
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Medicare doesn’t pay for dental care.1
As good as Medicare is, it was never meant to cover everything. If you want protection, you need to purchase individual insurance.
Early detection can prevent small problems from becoming expensive ones.
The best way to avoid large dental bills is preventive care. Experts recommend checkups twice a year.
Previous dental work can wear out. Your odds of having a dental problem only go up as you age.2
Treatment is expensive — especially the services people over 50 often need. Unexpected bills, like $189 for a filling, or $1,219 for a crown3 can be a real burden, especially if you’re on a fixed income.
When you’re comparing plans ... Look for coverage that helps pay for major services. Look for coverage with no deductibles. Shop for coverage with no annual maximum on cash benefits.
Simply put — without dental insurance, there may be an important gap in your healthcare coverage. 1 “Medicare & You,” Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2021. 2 “How might my oral and dental health change as I age?”, www. usnews.com, 11/30/2018. 3 American Dental Association, Health Policy Institute, 2018 Survey of Dental Fees, Copyright 2018, American Dental Association.
DENTAL Insurance from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company
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1-844-860-9427 Dental50Plus.health/Palms Includes the Participating (GA: Designated) Providers and Preventive Benefits Rider. Product not available in all states. Acceptance guaranteed for one insurance policy/certificate of this type. Contact us for complete details about this insurance solicitation. This specific offer is not available in CO, LA, NY; call 1-800-969-4781 or respond for similar offer. Certificate C250A (ID: C250E; PA: C250Q); Insurance Policy P150 (GA: P150GA; NY: P150NY; OK: P150OK; TN: P150TN). Rider kinds B438, B439 (GA: B439B). 6247-0121
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