A Publication of the Seneca Park Zoo Society July/August 2018

A publication of the Seneca Park Zoo Society OO OOZ Z N July/August 2018 Get ready for Animals of the Savanna!

Internationally, and in our own backyard, we play a key role in species survival. Seneca Park Zoo inspires On My Mind: Raising our Environmental Literacy A LETTER FROM our community to connect, Pamela Reed Sanchez President and CEO Seneca Park Zoo Society Larry Staub Zoo Director Seneca Park Zoo care for, and conserve wild Some big-league changes are on life and wild places. the horizon here at Seneca Park Zoo! been conducting research in Tanzania Later this summer, we will all be able Seneca Park Zoo Society for decades. He was featured in the to take a step further into Africa, Board of Trustees 2017 documentary “Trophy” and is also without ever leaving Monroe County. Gavin Brownlie, Chair author of multiple books, including the Just beyond our magnificent elephant Peter Lutz, Vice Chair above-mentioned Lions in the Balance. habitat, we’ll find ourselves on the Chris Stern, Secretary (See the event section, page 10 for ways African Savanna and among some Keith Wilson, Treasurer you can meet Craig when he is here in of the most impressive animals you August). will ever encounter. Giraffes, rhinos, Eric Allen David Riedman zebras, and ostriches will roam Leonard Bayer Gary Squires This month, we launched a pilot Stephen Brown Larry Staub* workforce development program expansive outdoor habitats… and Trisha Butera Matthew Terp* designed to connect teens living in the some will even be sharing the same spaces! I’ve just finished reading two Tim DeGrave Debby Wilson urban core with nature. Through this The architectural centerpiece of this newest section Maureen Dobies James Winebrake outstanding non-fiction books: Craig paid employment, they will be trained of our Zoo will be the Animals of the Savanna building, Shelly Doran Ben Wood Packer’s Lions in the Balance, and Darwin in urban ecology before conducting which will feature large indoor areas for the animals to Mary Ellen Brothers Comes to Town: How the Urban Jungle Guon * Ex Officio research and delivering programs in enjoy when the weather outside isn’t exactly enjoyable. Drives Evolution, by Menno Schilthuizen. Suzanne Hunt their own neighborhoods. These teens Our guests will be able to experience this space, as well, While on the surface the topics of these Eileen Kreutter* represent hope for our future; whether with public viewing galleries for the indoor yards. The books – lion conservation in Tanzania, James McElheny or not they ultimately choose careers public area of the building will also include an aquarium Michael Morse and natural selection in city-dwelling related to the environment, they will and several multi-species habitats of birds, reptiles, and Kevin Nowack animals – might seem wildly disparate, become environmental stewards, and small mammals. Looming large and spreading out above they are each at their heart about the environmental advocates. You can read visitors will be a tree teeming with life, incorporating Seneca Park Zoo Society impact of humans and animals sharing more about this program on page 8. a number of interesting micro-habitats for insects, habitats. How do humans – whether Trustees Emeritus arachnids, amphibians, and reptiles. Last, but certainly Ruth Baltzer William Strassburg they be Masai villagers or managers of There are many ways each and every not least, will be a peek below the surface of the African Ralph Code III, Esq. Robert Stiles trophy hunting companies – live with one of us can raise our environmental Savanna, into the curious world of the naked mole rat. In John Nuccitelli wildebeests and lions in ways that are literacy. There are countless books and addition to a social structure similar to those of ants and economically advantageous to all, while movies that can help you become more Larry hand feeds a giraffe at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Zoo Society bees, naked mole rats are remarkable for their longevity, as conserving the population of African informed on the important dynamics well as their resistance to cancer and oxygen deprivation. Leadership Team lions? And how do animals that have of your favorite species. With every reaches out to take it from your hand! You’ll be left When it comes to “fan favorites,” all of the other animals with slobber on your fingers and an awesome life-long Pamela Reed Sanchez Sharon Peterson urban habitats change their behaviors in the new building, including the iconic large land Sarah Hanson Tom Snyder (and, their DNA) to live side by side with memory! mammals, are in for some stiff competition from these Chuck Levengood Kelly Ulrich humans in urban settings? Finally, for our long linear Zoo, which is about to “In the coming weeks, we’ll captivating, diminutive rodents. As a Zoo committed to regional become even longer and more linear as we expand be opening the extraordinary Our journey on the African Savanna is designed to County Zoo and international conservation, from 15 acres to 20 acres, we are adding a tram service. Animals of the Savanna enhance the human experience, too. Guests are sure to you’ll find both topics explored in our Stations will be located just inside the main entrance Leadership Team habitats, where you’ll discover enjoy the convenience of the Savanna Outpost shop and programming and on grounds year- plaza of the Zoo and at the new African Savanna area, Monroe County David Hamilton two sets of new restrooms. Once our giraffes become round. These themes are reflected in more about the biodiversity with trams transporting guests from one end of the Zoo Executive Richard Mikiciuk acclimated to their new habitat, we will be offering Cheryl Dinolfo Kristen Miles-Pavia the replication of a Masai hut in A Step of East Africa, and the many to the other. The trams will be traveling on the lower road opportunities to feed these incredible animals from a John Adamski David Rinaldo into Africa, in the bear trap and camping species that share space with of Seneca Park, so they won’t be in conflict with guests specially-designed deck. Believe me, you haven’t lived Lindsay Brinda Larry Staub equipment installations by our polar along the Zoo’s pathways. Tram fares will be one-way Dr. Louis DiVincenti Kellee Wolowitz one another and with humans” until you hold a leaf of lettuce… and a long black tongue bear habitat, in the signage in our new and affordable… $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for youth snow leopard and red panda habitats, and seniors. Our tram service will make our Zoo even more accessible to families and all visitors, regardless of On the cover and all along the Genesee Trail. You’ll visit to your Zoo this summer you also experience it in the Center for age or physical ability. Guests will soon have this new, After years of planning, the 4.5 have many opportunities as well, convenient, and often requested transportation option acre Animals of the Savanna Biodiversity Exploration, our new through our summer programming immersive gaming space that connects available on a seasonal basis, during upcoming visits to expansion will be opening in offered hourly, seven days a week, or the Zoo! late August. Get to know some the actions we take with an otter’s through stations manned by docents or of the Zoo’s newest species in ability to find food in the Genesee River, ZooTeens. Thank you for your continued partnership and based on water quality. support. On behalf of County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo, this issue. Thank you for your support, and In the coming weeks, we’ll be our 29 Monroe County Legislators, and our dedicated Zoo your curiosity about living more staff, we look forward to welcoming you to the African opening the extraordinary Animals sustainably. of the Savanna habitats, where you’ll Savanna, our newest inspirational and transformational discover more about the biodiversity improvement at the Seneca Park Zoo! of East Africa, and the many species that share space with one another and with humans. And we will be treated to a visit with the engaging and brilliant lion researcher Craig Packer, . . head of the Lion Research Center at Our brand new Zoo Trams are ready to roll. . . 2 the University of Minnesota. Craig has 3 Seneca Park Zoo will be welcoming three Masai giraffes, one male and two females, as a part of the Animals of Getting to know the Savanna expansion. Masai Giraffes Katrina Shepard

What you can do to help There are many simple actions you can take to help secure a more sustainable future for giraffe species throughout Africa. First, you can help spread the word about giraffes being at risk of extinction.

Katrina Shepard Become an advocate for wildlife preservation and support initiatives that help find and fund solutions for giraffe conservation. You can also participate in Giraffes are one of the most widely Latest estimates by The Giraffe citizen science initiatives like Wildwatch Kenya from recognized, majestic creatures in the world, but Conservation Foundation (GCF) wherever you are. Finally, commit to decreasing your many don’t realize the important role they play and IUCN indicate that in the past own environmental footprint by reducing waste, using in their ecosystem. Their height allows them to three decades, the giraffe population less energy, and living more sustainably. Giraffes and detect predators from a distance and act as an has plummeted across Africa by other wild animals need us to learn to live in harmony early warning to nearby animals. approximately 40% with nature. The Conservation Story to less than 100,000 Katrina Shepard Historically, giraffes have been under- represented in terms of research and individuals conservation, but over the last five years, The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ (IUCN): What do the categories mean? considerable progress has been made in The IUCN is widely recognized as the most comprehensive, objective global approach for evaluating the conservation status of compiling and producing a species-wide Masai Giraffe at the Zoo plant and animal species. Often there is confusion about what each of the levels mean, so this provides further clarity. assessment of population size. Giraffes, as a Recent research has shown that there are Least species, have been listed as Vulnerable by the When the species is widespread and abundant actually four distinct species of giraffes in Africa Concern IUCN Red List. – Masai giraffe, reticulated giraffe, southern Near Human population growth poses the greatest giraffe, and northern giraffe. All species and The species is close to qualifying for or is likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future. threat to giraffes in Africa today. Habitat loss subspecies live in geographically distinct areas Threatened and changes through expanding agriculture across the continent. Vulnerable The species is considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild and mining, illegal hunting, increasing Seneca Park Zoo will be welcoming three human-wildlife conflict, and civil unrest, are Masai giraffes, one male and two females, as a The species is considered to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild all factors threatening giraffe population. As part of the Animals of the Savanna expansion. Endangered giraffe habitat continues to shrink, fewer trees The Masai giraffe is usually noticeably darker Critically will remain from which they can eat, making than the other subspecies. Its spots are large, The species is considered to be facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild Endangered survival increasingly difficult. dark brown, and distinctively leaf-shaped This year, Seneca Park Zoo Society has with jagged edges, and separated by irregular, Endangered When the species is known only to survive in cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalized population (or partnered with The Giraffe Conservation creamy brown lines. in the Wild populations) well outside the past range. Foundation (GCF) to help save giraffes from Masai giraffes are found across central and When there is no reasonable doubt that the last individual has died. A species is presumed Extinct when extinction. GCF is the only non-governmental southern Kenya and throughout Tanzania. Extinct exhaustive surveys in known and/or expected habitat, at appropriate times (diurnal, seasonal, annual), organization (NGO) in the world that Historically, they are the most populous giraffe throughout its historic range have failed to record an individual. concentrates solely on the conservation and species, with about 32,500 Masai giraffes in Data When there is inadequate information to make a direct, or indirect, assessment of its risk of extinction management of giraffes in their natural range natural range. However, increased reports of Deficient based on its distribution and/or population status throughout Africa. GCF works closely with poaching in the area suggests their population Not African and international partners to achieve When the species has not yet been assessed against the criteria. is decreasing. Evaluated . .long-term sustainability and conservation . . 4 success for giraffes. 5 Naked Mole Rats: What’s their story?

Kenya. Since they don’t travel above ground, Two colonies of naked mole rats have joined burrowing is the only way these animals will the Seneca Park Zoo family as part of the find food. The underground parts of plants Animals of the Savanna expansion. And while that they feed on also serves as their source of they may not be as iconic as giraffes, naked water – they do not drink. mole rats have a lot to offer, including the potential to save human lives. Not all wildlife Naked mole rats are one of two mammals is pretty, but everything serves a purpose. that are eusocial, meaning they live in colonies much like bees and ants, with one queen. The Also known as sand puppies, naked mole queen isn’t born the queen, but must earn rats are neither moles nor rats – but like moles the position, and becomes the only breeding and rats, they are rodents. Their closest living female in the colony. Colonies are complex relatives are porcupines, chinchillas, and social structures, with worker roles including guinea pigs. Naked mole rats also aren’t naked. gathering food, maintaining and guarding Their bodies are covered in approximately the nest, and caring for the young. About 70 100 fine hairs that act like whiskers. The hairs individuals make up a colony, but colonies of between their toes allow their feet to function up to 295 have been observed. The animals in as brooms with which they sweep soil. these groups are very closely related. Workers By aerating the soil through their digging, are generally raising their siblings, since a and adding mineral-rich urine and feces, single queen may reign for many years. naked mole rats promote plant diversity and growth. Naked mole rats also have incredible What you can do to help adaptations that allow them to survive without Listed under Least Concern by the IUCN Red much oxygen, resist aging, and resist cancer. List, naked mole rats are widely distributed, Scientists are studying these adaptations to and their populations don’t currently face any learn how they work, and to see if we can major threats. But if agriculture continues to apply them to saving human lives. expand they could be viewed as pests, as they Virtually blind with no external ears, will readily consume roots and bulbs. naked mole rats depend on their strong We can help maintain stable populations of sense of smell. They are also very sensitive to naked mole rats by appreciating their potential Naked mole rats can survive 18 vibrations in the ground and the movement to save human lives. The more we understand minutes without oxygen of air currents. This unique-looking species that we can learn information vital to our lives lives in underground burrows and tunnels, through other animals, the more we will come Researchers have discovered that their bodies specifically in grasslands throughout Somalia, to value each and every species. adapt to use fructose to fuel vital organs, like the central Ethiopia, and northern and eastern heart and brain, when oxygen isn’t available. . 6 . Source: National Geographic . 7 . Sarah Hanson Elesa Kim

From left: Tom Snyder, Director of Programming and Conservation Action, Ann Marie Casillas, student at School of the Arts, Dave Will, Lead Naturalist for Transforming Citizen Science, Ruben Likoke, student at Leadership Academy for Young Men, Kevin Dailey, student at Rochester Prep High School, Pamela Reed Sanchez, standards of other grade levels is just one of President/CEO of Seneca Park Zoo Society, Naaman Jones student at Joseph Wilson High School, Erin Regan, Naturalist. the many directions this program can take. The Field Trips at the Zoo Education team has a goal of turning the ZooScholars Teens hired as Zoo’s first Urban Ecologists New ZooScholars program fosters the model into a resource for teachers to use themselves next generation of conservationists while visiting the Zoo with their classrooms. In her four years leading the Seneca Park Zoo environmentally literate,” said Seneca Park Zoo Ulrich continued, “now, the question we have is: Society, Pamela Reed Sanchez has seen first-hand Society President and CEO Pamela Reed Sanchez, can we take the model we created for second graders that the fields of ecology and conservation have “Whether or not they pursue career opportunities This spring, Seneca Park Zoo Society partnered and turn an alarming lack of diversity. This, in part, is what in the areas of conservation or ecology, they’ll with Rochester City School District (RCSD) for a it into a sparked the Zoo Society’s creation of an Urban likely be the next generation of civic and business first-of-its-kind curriculum. Over a two-day period, program Ecologist Workforce Development Program for urban leaders, armed with knowledge about environmental nearly 1,300 RCSD second graders visited the Zoo that core youth. sustainability. At its base, this program is about to participate in the new ‘ZooScholars’ program, an allows integrated, inquiry-based program designed to drive In July, four teens were hired for a six-week helping to ensure clean air and clean water for teachers everyone, and preventing another Flint, Michigan science, math, and English Language Arts standards. to self- pilot of a program designed to introduce them The Zoo Society’s Education team developed the to careers in environmental science and ecology, from happening.” guide custom program in conjunction with RCSD staff to their while also empowering them The Urban Ecologists will be include interdisciplinary lessons based on state and to be ambassadors and role creating and delivering programs students Next Gen science standards. through models for the environment in their own neighborhoods, and in Elesa Kim and sustainability in their own “Ultimately we’ll locations around Rochester including During the two-hour on-site visit, students activities neighborhoods. the City’s Rec Centers, 540 West Main, completed a field guide-based study of four different and create a cadre of animals. As they made their way through to the lessons at the Zoo? We want them to come here to In the program, the youth and the Taproot Collective’s First Market Farm. Zoo, students were expected to draw, measure, collect data, and then take it back to their classrooms are gaining the skills needed to urban core youth read, and write about their experiences. The lesson and utilize it.” become urban naturalists, from This summer’s pilot program is who are engaged, didn’t end at the Zoo. Once students returned to With this program, more schools will be given the training in urban ecology and made possible thanks to funding their classrooms, they had additional activities and citizen science to understanding and partnership from the City of opportunity to get their students outdoors and use knowledgeable and assignments related to their Zoo experiences to real-life examples at the Zoo to integrate all their environmental justice and Rochester Summer of Opportunity complete. sustainability. They will also be environmentally program, coupled with a grant disciplines together. working on the Zoo Society’s from the Joseph and Marie Wilson After seeing about half of the City’s second graders Students come to the Zoo and collect data as a urban trail camera program, literate” Foundation. A thirteen-person in the first year of ZooScholars, Director of Education scientist might, and then they can mathematically and gaining access and building -Pamela Reed Sanchez advisory committee including a and Visitor Studies, Kelly Ulrich, and her staff, are graph that data and use it to write a story, or draw to relationships with academicians Seneca Park Zoo Society President diverse array of representatives focusing on fine-tuning the activities and expanding apply art skills. and professionals in the field who and CEO with experience in conservation, the program to bring even more second graders to the Zoo. ZooScholars is just one example of using the can help them gain important education and urban youth workforce Zoo as a learning center and an extension of the experience and perspectives as development is helping to guide the “We’re going back to the table to see how we can classroom. The program was made possible, in part, they consider pursuing a career in environmental program. Funding is presently being sought to run make this program even bigger and better for next by a grant from the ESL Charitable Foundation. science and ecology. this program year-round with a total of 16 youth, year,” Ulrich stated. “Internally, we’re looking at ways “There are many different ways you can utilize the “Ultimately we’ll create a cadre of urban core each of whom make a two-year commitment to the to be able to offer this program for other districts, program. schools, and grade levels.” Zoo for learning, and I think we’re just scratching the youth who are engaged, knowledgeable and surface with this program,” Ulrich stated. .8 . Adapting ZooScholars to meet the learning .9 . Calendar of events AUG Party Mad at the Zoo Mark your calendars for what’s next at your Zoo. 24 Enjoy a festive evening with the Seneca Park Zoo Society’s docents for this annual 21+ fundraiser. Conservation Days Browse the unique goods at the International Marketplace, spin the AUG AUG AUG wine wheel, and take part in a wine and chocolate tasting. Funds raised from this event go to help conservation and 10 12 26 education programs in Madagascar. Food and beverages will be available for purchase while listening to live music and at the zoo experiencing the Zoo at night. Tina Fess Date Time August 24 5:30 – 9 p.m.

Cost $10 in advance $15 at the Front Gate Proper I.D is necessary for this 21+ event.

Tickets senecaparkzoo.org/partymad Wayne Smith

Lori Whitney-Brice Ron Kalasinskas

World Lion Day World Elephant Celebrate Introducing the Learn about these big cats Day Giraffes Day Center for Biodiversity during your visit on World Lion Day. Meet Craig Packer, head See how an elephant gets a Come and celebrate the return of Exploration! of the Lion Resesarch Center bath! Learn about what they eat giraffes to Seneca Park Zoo. and how the keepers care for On your next Zoo visit, check out the new at University of Minnesota, and Date these majestic creatures during a Center for Biodiversity Exploration in the area author of critically accliamed, August 26 previously occupied by the Z.O.T Zone. This “Interactive Lions in the Balance. keeper chat. Time interactive gaming experience is designed to Date gaming in a Date 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. engage guests of all ages in the role we all play August 10 August 12 in ensuring continued biodiversity in our region. whole new way Cost With 24 stations, players choose different paths Time Time to engage guests Free with Zoo admission to understand and protect biodiversity in regional 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. waterways. This original game and experience was to take action for Cost Cost created in conjunction with co-op students from animal survival.” Free with Zoo admission Free with Zoo admission Rochester Institute of Technology. Funding was - Tom Snyder, provided, in part, by the AVANGRID Foundation Director of Programming and the Pollution Prevention Institute (P2I). and Conservation Action 10 11 Calendar of events Naked Mole Rat night at the Red Wings JULY Mark your calendars for what’s next at your Zoo. Join us for Naked Mole Rat cap night at the Rochester Red Wings game! JULY The Red Wings play the Louisville Bats at 7:05pm, but you’ll want to get 16 National Zoo there extra early, because the first 1,000 fans will get a special Naked Keeper week Mole Rat-themed baseball hat. There will also be an auction of the 15 - 21 players game-worn, autographed naked mole rat caps, with proceeds Come celebrate the keepers that take benefiting Seneca Park Zoo Society. care of the animals in our care. See the summer program guide for special Where Date Time keeper chats. Frontier Field July 16 7:05 p.m.

Dates Time Tickets July 15-21 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. daily Order online RedWingsBaseball.com or call 423-WING

Cost Free with Zoo admission Celebrate Penguins Day JULY Seneca Park Zoo is one of the top zoos nationally in the successful breeding of African penguins. Visit the Zoo on Celebrate Penguin Day to learn about these fascinating 22 animals. JULY 2018 Date Time Cost JULY July 22 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Free with Zoo admission AUG Ron Kalasinskas 15 SEPT JULY AUG 28 11

Wayne Smith Wayne Smith Jungle Jog 5K Run & Walk ZooBrew Join us for the Seneca Park Zoo Society’s popular Jungle Drink beer and save elephants at ZooBrew! Animal Jog 5K Run & Walk. Participants of all ages will experience experiences, live music, wine and beer and tasty food a beautiful course through Seneca Park Zoo and adjacent offerings for purchase provide a great Friday evening. Add Park Cleanup Seneca Park. New this year, we’ll be raising funds and an elephant barn tour for $25 and get an extra special Invasive Species Pull Join us as part of Seneca Park Zoo’s partnership with the awareness for giraffe conservation to celebrate the arrival opportunity to learn more about our African elephants, Join us at Braddock Bay for a water chestnut pull. City of Rochester’s Department of Recreation and Youth of the species later this summer. Jungle Jog is sponsored while knowing your ticket purchase for this goes directly Water chestnuts can cover large expanses of water, Services for a park clean-up day at Seneca Park! Meet by M&T Bank, Woods Oviatt Gilman, Best Times Financial, to our conservation partner, the International Elephant altering water quality and clarity, eliminating the growth of at the Wegman’s lodge in Seneca Park (adjacent to the and MedVed. Foundation. Sponsored by Lake Beverage and Zweigles. native aquatic plants, and making boating, fishing, and Zoo). Tools, gloves and snacks will be provided. Dress for Pre-register online by July 11, or in person at MedVed on swimming hazardous. Help us prevent the spread of this the weather and bring water! July 13th or 14th. There will be no registration on the day Date Time July 20, August 10, September 7 5:30 - 9 p.m. aquatic invasive species! Visit senecaparkzoo.org/cleanup to learn more. of the event. Participants must bring their own canoe or kayak. Cost Dates Time Date Time August 11 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. July 15 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. $8 in advance $10 at the Front Gate Dates Time Proper I.D is necessary for this 21+ event. July 28 9 a.m. Location Cost Cost To register Marie Kraus $25 senecaparkzoo.org/junglejog Get tickets now Location Cost Wegman’s lodge in Seneca Park Free senecaparkzoo.org/zoobrew Braddock Bay Free 8 Marie Kraus 9 Seneca Park Zoo Society Staffupdates adds new trustees Earlier this year, the Zoo welcomed Richard Mikiciuk as Assistant Zoo Director – On May 19, Seneca Park Zoo Society’s Annual Meeting was held. Trustees Stephen Brown and Gary Squires were unanimously elected Facilities, a new position. Richard’s responsibilities include overseeing Animal Life to an additional term. Members also elected four new trustees: Support, Maintenance, Grounds and Housekeeping, as well as lower Seneca Park. After spending 18 years with Monroe County Planning & Development, most recently as a Project Manager, Richard has found his wheelhouse in this new leadership role at the Zoo. “There’s so much going on at the Zoo, and you get to use a lot of brainpower and coordination. In facilities it’s all about teamwork and working together – that’s my favorite part.” Seneca Park Zoo is up for accreditation this year by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), a process that Richard is most excited to be a part of. “To see the Zoo go through accreditation this time, and to see it happen again five years from now, I hope to see quite of bit of growth - for accreditation purposes and as a Eric Allen Trisha Butera Shelly Doran Kevin Nowack team. As we continue to expand and have more opportunities to re-evaluate facilities, I’m committed to maintaining the existing building and habitats. It’s extremely important. Eric Allen, Vice President and Trisha Butera, Controller at Shelly Doran, Senior Vice Kevin Nowack, Vice President We’re in the service industry, so it’s my goal to make the Zoo nice for our guests. For Relationship Manager for the the Max and Marian Farash President and Director of at DGA Builders, LLC. Kevin them to enjoy.” Upstate New York market in Charitable Foundation. Trisha’s Investor & External Relations brings a background in Commercial Banking at Bank of passion for the Zoo began as for Five Star Bank and Financial environmental engineering as Growing up, Richard and his family would often picnic at the Zoo after church on America Merrill Lynch. Eric has one of the Zoo’s auditors which Institutions, Inc. A relative well as construction and project Sundays. First-generation Polish, Richard is a father of three - a son, daughter, and step- served as Vice Chairperson of led her to her current position newcomer to Rochester, management expertise to the Richard Mikiciuk daughter - and currently resides in Webster with his wife, where he enjoys spending his the Development Committee on the board. Shelly and her husband Kirk Zoo Society board. Assistant Zoo Director downtime gardening or landscaping. for the Seneca Park Zoo both serve on committees for Society. Seneca Park Zoo Society.

While enjoying an animal experience New: Behind the Scenes or keeper chat at Seneca Park Zoo this summer, you’ll likely find yourself interacting with a Zoo Naturalist. with Lions Tours! “Zoo Naturalists are trained to help our guests interact with, and Seneca Park Zoo is delighted to introduce Behind the Scenes with Lions appreciate the Zoo as a nature space. tours. This exclusive experience lets you get up close with the Zoo’s We focus not only on the animals in African lions while you learn about these animals and their care. You’ll be their habitats but also on all of the within inches of these amazing creatures. Guests will tour the diet kitchen nature found at the Zoo,” said Tom and learn about the food the lions eat each day, participate in behavioral Snyder, Director of Programming and training with the lions and their zoo keeper, and observe the indoor and Conservation Action. outdoor areas that the lions live in when they are not in their public habitat. Zoo Naturalists strive to connect These exclusive tours will be offered on a limited basis: every other Sunday guests to the natural world around afternoon at 2 p.m., with only six spots available each tour. Fees are $125 them, inspiring them to take action to per person ($100 for Zoo members) and the majority of the costs go to help save wildlife, locally and abroad. lion conservation. Children under six are not allowed, and there must be at least one adult for every two children included in the tour. Tom adds, “Our hope is that after speaking with a Zoo Naturalist, Learn more and book your tour at senecaparkzoo.org/lions. you will walk away with a better understanding of the importance of healthy populations of Zoo animals in their natural range, as well as understanding the importance of a Mina Johnson balanced ecosystem here at home in Meet the Zoo Naturalists Western NY.” (from top left) Katelyn Chatterton, Tom Hilling, Olivia Orton, Erin Regan, Tiffany Tierson, Annie Wheeler (Lead Zoo Naturalist for Programs), and Dave Will (Lead Zoo Naturalist for Citizen Science)

Walter Brooks 7 Animal comings & goings

MORE FREAKY

John Magnus Champlin Preparations under way for Animals of the Savanna Our four-and-a-half acre expansion of A Step into Africa will focus on animals of the African Savanna. Over 20 species will be incorporated, and as of press time, preparations were in full swing to transport all the animals to Seneca Park Zoo. Over the course of the next several months, members and guests will be introduced to Masai giraffes, plains zebras, ostriches, naked mole rats, Lake Malawi cichlids, and an array of reptiles, insects and birds.

MORE FUN Walter Brooks Wayne Smith Main Building moves Alligators are here Members and guests will see the Main Zoo Building has had We welcomed three American Alligators, back in time for the many animal moves in preparation for the demolition of the summer season. The Alligators join us from St. Augustine ANIMALS OF THE SAVANNA building in September. The king vultures, ring-tailed lemurs Alligator Farm and Zoological Park in Florida and will be OPENING IN AUGUST and spider monkey have all moved to exterior habitats, and here until Labor Day weekend. the main atrium of the main building is now closed. 4 5

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2018

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goes goes cash. The tram does not go through the Zoo, it it Zoo, the through go not does tram The cash. for your feeding! Zoo staff will provide provide will staff Zoo feeding! your for

the ZooShop or at the Savanna Outpost. Tram drivers won’t take take won’t drivers Tram Outpost. Savanna the at or ZooShop the be at the giraffe feeding platform in time time in platform feeding giraffe the at be

$1 for youth and seniors, and can be purchased at the front gate, gate, front the at purchased be can and seniors, and youth for $1 be for a specific time, so you’ll want to to want you’ll so time, specific a for be

Outpost shop. Tickets for a one-way ride are $2 for adults and and adults for $2 are ride one-way a for Tickets shop. Outpost

or at the Savanna Outpost. Tickets will will Tickets Outpost. Savanna the at or

the Zoo by the ZooShop, or in the expansion area by the Savanna Savanna the by area expansion the in or ZooShop, the by Zoo the

be purchased at the front gate, ZooShop ZooShop gate, front the at purchased be

You can catch the tram in either of two locations: in the front of of front the in locations: two of either in tram the catch can You

tickets per day. Tickets are $5 and can can and $5 are Tickets day. per tickets

staff. There will be a set number of of number set a be will There staff.

Take a tram ride! ride! tram a Take

future at the discretion of animal care care animal of discretion the at future

Giraffe feedings will be offered in the the in offered be will feedings Giraffe

Feed Giraffes! Giraffes! Feed

crowds, take advantage of new experiences, and more! more! and experiences, new of advantage take crowds,

hope to open by late August. We want to make sure you, our members, have everything you need to beat the the beat to need you everything have members, our you, sure make to want We August. late by open to hope

The whole community is excited about the Animals of the Savanna expansion of Seneca Park Zoo, which we we which Zoo, Park Seneca of expansion Savanna the of Animals the about excited is community whole The – An Insider’s Guide Insider’s An –

the Savanna the of Animals ACCREDITED BY THE A portion of the printing donated by SENECA PARK ZOO SOCIETY 2222 St. Paul Street Rochester, NY 14621-1097 | senecaparkzoo.org Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Rochester, NY ZooNooz is printed on recycled paper. Permit No. 42 When you’re finished, please share it with a friend.

Designer: Sarah Pearlman Ventura Contributing writers: Pamela Reed Sanchez, President and CEO, Seneca Park Zoo Society Larry Staub, Zoo Director Sarah Hanson, Director of Marketing Mina Johnson, Communications Coordinator LaDonna Court, Receptionist & Marketing Assistant Internationally, and in our own backyard, Seneca Park Zoo plays a key role in species survival. Chartered as an educational institution in 1957 by New York State, the Seneca Park Zoo Society plays an integral role in supporting Monroe County, the owners and operators of the Zoo. Together, we are working to bring animals back from the brink of extinction.

Wayne Smith Wayne

July/August 2018 ZOONOOZ July/August A publication of the Seneca Park Zoo Society Zoo Park Seneca the of publication A