Oakland Zoo auctioning paintings by its animals

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — An auction for 32 colorful paintings produced by elephants, giraffes, river otters, and even a cockroach at the Oakland Zoo is underway with more than half a dozen bids on the art work. Bids start at $200, and so far there are bids on works by a chimp and meerkats, an elephant and lemurs. But the sun bear is leading the pack with two bids. The painting sessions were conducted by zoo keepers who used only positive reinforcement, including plenty of treats, as they worked with the animals, zoo spokeswoman Nicky Mora said. None of the animals was forced to take part, she said. The bidding this year will end Sept. 20. The funds raised will benefit Oakland Zoo's conservation partners, who are working in the field to save wild animals.