Otters at the Zoo
Eye On Conservation: Copperhead Snakes January / February 2009 Creature Feature: Timber Wolves
PUBLISHED FOR FRIENDS OF THE MEMPHIS ZOO EXZOO-
Exzooberance™ is a bimonthly Memphis Zoological Society publication providing BERANCE! information for friends of the Memphis Zoo. Send comments to MZS, 2000 Prentiss Place, Memphis, TN 38112, call (901) 276-WILD or log onto www.memphiszoo.org. 4 In this issue: Vol. XVIII, No. 1 Memphis Zoological Society Board of Directors 4 Serpent in the Forest as of December 2008 The Zoo’s Conservation Department is Officers: researching the urbanization of a sometimes Carol W. Prentiss, Chair Kelly Truitt, Vice Chair unpopular resident of the forest, the Gene Holcomb, Treasurer copperhead snake. Joseph C. DeWane, M.D., Secretary Directors: 5 Creature Feature: F. Norfleet Abston Karl A. Schledwitz MidSouth Chevy Robert A. Cox Lucy Shaw Timber Wolves Thomas C. Richard C. Shaw full page ad Farnsworth, III Diane Smith Diana Hull Brooke Sparks This fall, Teton Trek will become the new home Henry A. Hutton John W. Stokes, Jr. for timber wolves. Read about these canines’ Dorothy Kirsch Steven Underwood
JON DAVIS PHOTO Robert C. Lanier Joe Warren past and their future at the Memphis Zoo. Joyce A. Mollerup Robin P. Watson Jason Rothschild Russell T. Wigginton, Jr.
11 Zoo News Honorary Lifetime Directors: 5 Donna K. Fisher Elephants, otters and giraffes, oh my! The Zoo Roger T. Knox, President Emeritus has some big arrivals this year! Read about the Scott P. Ledbetter Frank M. Norfleet new faces you can’t miss at the Zoo in 2009. Senator James R. Sasser Rebecca Webb Wilson Ex Officio: Departments: Dr. Chuck Brady, Zoo President & CEO Pete Aviotti, Jr., Special Assistant to Mayor Jim Strickland, City Council Representative 3 Annual Report/Letter from Zoo president Nora Fernandez, Docent/Volunteer Representative Chuck Brady Credits: Abbey Dane, Editor / Writer Brian Carter, Managing Editor 6 Spot You at the Zoo Geri Meltzer, Art Director Jennifer Coleman, Copy Editor Toof Printing, Printer 7 Education Programs Exzooberance paper generously donated by International Paper employees 8 2009 Calendar of Events Zoo Admission Hours: March - October 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 6 November - February 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. 12 Kids’ Activity Page s 'ROUNDS CLOSE ONE HOUR AFTER LAST ADMISSION s :OO #LOSED 4HANKSGIVING $AY Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Our Mission: Our friendly staff and volunteers are dedicated to providing a naturalistic and The Memphis Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and enriching sanctuary for our animals and a Aquariums and a member of the clean, friendly, entertaining and educational World Association of Zoos and experience for our guests. Aquariums. ©2009 Memphis Zoo Memphis Zoo, Ya Ya and Le Le are trademarks of the Memphis Zoo. DREWPHOTO SMITH
1
Annual Report 2008 FINANCIALS F^fiablShheh`b\ZeLh\b^mrLmZm^f^gmh_:\mbobmb^l For the Year Ending June 29, 2008 (With Summarized Financial Information for the Year Ending June 24, 2007) Dear Zoo Friends,
Unrestricted Temporarily Permanently 2008 2007 Total K>O>GN>%@:BGL HMA>KLNIIHKM Restricted Restricted Total (Memorandum This year, the Memphis Zoo Only) Hi^kZmbg`K^o^gn^ celebrated several firsts. We City management fee $1,200,000 $ - $ - $1,200,000 $1,200,000 learned in July 2008 that one of Concessions income 403,528 - - 403,528 449,592 our elephants was pregnant, a Donations and bequests 120,688 - - 120,688 109,207 first in our 102-year history. We Education income 279,361 - - 279,361 375,660 also became the first institution Gate admissions 3,736,155 - - 3,736,155 4,055,934 to use in-vitro fertilization to Grant income 157,063 - - 157,063 311,785 breed amphibians. This was an Investment income 189,830 - - 189,830 173,413 Membership income 1,879,199 - - 1,879,199 1,908,700 important recovery and conserva- Other income 46,448 - - 46,448 34,646 tion milestone — especially for the Parking income 368,447 - - 368,447 382,471 critically endangered Mississippi Private events 1,340,366 - - 1,340,366 1,006,145 gopher frog. That said, it was Public relations & advertising 56,782 - - 56,782 36,373 fitting that this accomplishment Retail income 1,967,765 - - 1,967,765 2,072,845 came as the Association of Zoos Rides income 372,755 - - 372,755 375,042 and Aquariums celebrated the Special events 1,042,605 - - 1,042,605 913,383 Year of the Frog. Frogs shared the Total operating revenue 13,160,992 - - 13,160,992 13,405,196 international spotlight of conser-
In the heart of Memphis, the trees has initiated a multi-year field study of and trails of Overton Park have provided these snakes to understand how copper- a refuge for locals seeking a momentary heads have become so successful in the escape from city life for over a century. city. JON DAVIS As urbanization enveloped Overton To identify specific benefits, we will Park, squirrels, rodents, and robins compare urban snakes on Zoo grounds
BY PHOTO remained conspicuous residents. Today, to rural snakes at Ames Plantation, a a leisurely stroll through the park rural forest about 50 miles east of the reveals that these inhabitants clearly Zoo. We surgically implant a radio This venomous snake is a master of enjoy urban living. transmitter in several copperheads at However, a closer look reveals each location so that we can relocate camouflage, going undetected by other another highly cryptic and formidable them weekly to compare habitat use, animals and easily blending in with the predator — the copperhead snake movement patterns, and behaviors. leaf litter as it glides across the surface (Agkistrodon contortrix). This venomous Moreover, we capture each snake once snake is a master of camouflage, easily a month to determine whether urban or sits coiled. blending in with the leaves as it glides snakes experience benefits like faster across the surface or sits coiled, growth, better body condition, and patiently waiting for prey to come ultimately increased reproductive success within striking distance; thus providing compared to their rural counterparts. an excellent form of natural pest control. We can use this information to Preliminary reptile and amphibian understand the lifestyle of copperheads surveys of the Zoo’s portion of the in Overton Park so that negative human- Overton Park forest (the future home to snake encounters may be reduced. Chickasaw Bluffs Trail) have revealed to Most notably, we hope to improve the surprise, and perhaps displeasure, of understanding of animal responses to many that copperheads have been quite urbanization, which is increasing world- successful urban inhabitants. Recently, wide and exerting greater pressure on the Conservation and Research Depart- species around the globe. Your support ment, with the help of the herpetology of the Memphis Zoo is crucial to the staff and students from Rhodes College, expansion and success of our research.
4 Creature Feature Timber Wolves by Houston Winbigler, Assistant Curator of Mammals
In 1890, Tennessee’s last timber wolf was killed near the site of Great Smoky (Canis lupus) Mountains National Park. For the next 10 to 15 years, there were occasional, unsubstantiated reports that someone had seen footprints or someone heard the sound of mournful howling. Nevertheless, hunters, loggers, naturalists and others who made a living in the wilds never saw another timber wolf in the Volunteer State. About 90 years later, the Memphis Zoo coaxed its last wolf into a crate and sent it to a zoo in the Midwest. The area, once inhabited by timber wolves, was changing into a home for spotted hyenas, aardwolves and a trio of endangered African wild dogs. Although there have been occasional sightings of urban coyotes in Overton Park, the timber wolf, largest of all wild canines, has remained only a fond memory. However, wolves return to stake out their territory next fall when the Zoo These timber wolves made their home at the opens its newest exhibit, Teton Trek. Memphis Zoo before leaving in 1981. In addition to being the largest wild canine, weighing up to 150 pounds, the reported to execute a running broad timber wolf is distributed over a large jump of well over 20 feet. part of the northern hemisphere. It Standards for exhibiting animals have ranges from Norway to Israel to Siberia greatly improved since the last wolves left in Eurasia and from Alaska to Mexico in Memphis. Instead of a concrete grotto, our North America. new timber wolves will live in a grassy The wolf is what is referred to as an enclosure located next to the grizzly bears apex predator, an animal at the top of and across from the exhibit’s Great Lodge. the food chain. Living in packs of four Their neighbors to the south, a herd of to 40, wolves prefer to hunt large elk, will remain secure, safe from these mammals — deer, moose and caribou. broad-jumping wolves. They regularly eat birds, rodents and rabbits as well. Their top speed is near 40 miles per hour, and they have been
Facts About Timber Wolves UÊÊTimber wolves typically live in groups called “packs.”ÊÊUÊÊThese canines communicate by howling to each other. ÊUÊÊTheir top speed is nearly 40 miles per hour. UÊÊThese large hunters are usually at the top of their food chain, prefering to eat deer, moose and caribou.
5 LIHMRHN:MMA>SHH
Colin King — Butterflies: In Living Color
Tracy Carkeet, Wendy Ward, Kristen Jones, Katie Leslie — Zoo Rendezvous BY DREW SMITH PHOTOS
Braxton and Kristen Hawkins — Le Bonheur Zoo Boo
Kim Speros — Black Cat Bash Pbe]
EhobgÍ LZmnk]Zr%?^[knZkr0 F^f[^klHger%:`^l+*Zg]he]^k 0mh*)i'f' -)i^ki^klhg K^`blmkZmbhg=^Z]ebg^3?^[knZkr* Procreation is essential for all species to survive. Through this program, you’ll learn about the odd, strange, beautiful and sometimes awkward ways animals court and mate! Join us for this one-of-a-kind event. 6 %JTDPWFSNPSFQSPHSBNT Ì)2Edzoocation BOEHFUNPSFJOGPSNBUJPOBU NFNQIJT[PPPSHFEVDBUJPO IKH@K:FL Ik^D(Dbg]^k`Zkm^g Badge-In-A-Day (must be 4 years old by 12/1/08) FEBRUARY 7, 21, OR 28 Sense-able Animals 10 AM-1 PM Horticulture Tour Ever wonder how animals see $25 PER MEMBER CHILD (INCLUDES ONE after dark, hear under the water, JANUARY 31 ADULT); $35 PER NONMEMBER CHILD Zoo Academy 2009 and feel without fingers? In this class 9:30 TO 11 A.M. (INCLUDES ONE ADULT) we will see how animals make “sense” $5 FOR MEMBERS AND $8 FOR NON-MEMBERS. NONMEMBERS MUST PAY GATE ADMISSION JANUARY 12-16 AND JANUARY 19-23; of things as they explore their homes. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED FOR VERY IN ADDITION TO PROGRAM PRICE MONDAY-FRIDAY; 10 AM-3 PM LIMITED SPACE. MUST MEET MINIMUM 15 PARTICIPANT COST PREK-8TH GRADE: @kZ]^l* + REQUIREMENT FOR PROGRAM TO TAKE PLACE $100 PER MEMBER CHILD / Web of Life Come take a tour of the plants of MUST RESERVE TWO WEEKS IN ADVANCE $110 PER NONMEMBER CHILD Predators or prey, food webs, Northwest Passage! Find out which NUMBER OF SPACES: 30 GIRL OR CUB SCOUTS COST 9TH-12TH GRADE: food chains, and energy pyramids evergreen and deciduous shrubs and (DOES NOT INCLUDE PARENTS) $115 PER MEMBER CHILD / — learn about these topics and more trees give this beautiful exhibit the $125 PER NONMEMBER CHILD as we explore how all things are look of the Pacific Northwest. Then DISCOUNTS: RECEIVE $20 OFF WEEK’S connected in the great web of life. An exciting program geared toward warm up with a walk through the Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts, the Badge- TUITION FOR ONE CHILD IF YOU SERVE AS Zoo’s greenhouses, and see where A ZOO ACADEMY AIDE FOR THE WEEK @kZ]^l,&. in-a-Day program will give your scout Fabulous Fish & their our bananas, palms, and other tropical the opportunity to earn a badge while (MUST BE 18 OR OLDER). plants are spending the winter. Our (901) 333-6765 TO REGISTER. Watery World participating in fun, educational, and walking tours take place outside, rain interactive activities including crafts, Dive into aquatic environments, or shine. Please dress appropriately! This week long educational the water cycle, ocean conservation live animal visits, experiments, and program will provide exciting and and the wonderful animals that call it tours of the Zoo! Please visit the Zoo’s interactive ways for students to learn home in this fun and exciting class. Web site for available badges. Limited about science. Each class includes space and dates available. animal visits, tours of exhibits, @kZ]^l/&1 All participants are responsible for chats with keepers, special projects, Feathers, Beaks and Talons acquiring the earned badge through (grades 9-12 only will perform Learn about bird designs, the phys- Spring Break Camp their local council. dissections) and much more! ics behind flying, the adaptations that MARCH 16 - 20 Students bring a non-refrig- help them forage for food, and how 9 - 3 PM; AFTERCARE 3 -5:30 PM erated, non-microwavable lunch. they live in some of the most barren AM $35/MEMBERS PER DAY & $45/NONMEMBERS An afternoon snack is provided. and lush environments on our planet. PER DAY; AFTERCARE $10/MEMBERS PER DAY, LOOKING AHEAD Ik^D&1ma@kZ]^ 2EGISTRATION LINE s WWWMEMPHISZOOORGEDUCATION 0RE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED 0RICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE 4HE %DUCATION $EPARTMENT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CANCEL A PROGRAM DUE TO INSUFlCIENT REGISTRATION 7 +))2SHH>O>GML YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS ANYTHING THAT’S IN STORE FOR YOU THIS YEAR AT THE MEMPHIS ZOO! JAN. Horticulture Tour 31 May 11-15 — Bear Awareness Week Sept 6 — Members Night May 16 — International Migratory Bird Sept 7 — Labor Day 9:30 -11 a.m. $5 for members, Day and World Turtle Day Celebrations Sept 12 — Zoo Rendezvous $8 for nonmembers. Pre-registration Memorial Day Weekend: Sept 26 — Harvest Fest required for very limited space. May 21 — Zoom through the Zoo October February May 23 — Zoo Grass Oct 2 — Murder Mystery Mayhem Feb 7 — Wild Lovin’ May 24 — Members Night Oct 7 — Senior Day Feb 12 — Valentine’s Dinner in May 25 — Memorial Day Oct 9 — Fantastic Family Campout Northwest Passage May 30 — Horticulture Tour Oct 16/17, 23/24, 30/31 — Zoo Boo Feb 28 — International Polar Bear Day- June Oct 31 — Kids Spooktacular Snooze March June 1 — Summer Zoo Camps begin November Mar 7 — Horticulture Tour June 19 — Father’s Day Zoo Snooze Mar 16-20 — Spring Break Camp Nov 13 — Haunted Zoo Tour Mar 28 — Discovery Day July Nov 14 — Winter Wildlife Snooze July — Summer Zoo Camps (all month) Nov 27 — Zoo Lights begin April July 11 — Members Night Apr 3 — Wild World of Wines and Beers December Apr 18 — Earth Day Celebration August Zoo Lights continue (select dates) April 30 — Safari Soiree Aug 7 — Summer Zoo Camps end Dec 31 — New Year’s Eve Snooze Apr 24-26 — Plant Sale September May Labor Day Weekend: May 8 — Mother’s Day Zoo Snooze Sept 4 — Zoo Brew Special thanks to our Le Bonheur Zoo Boo ‘08 event partners Le Bonheur Zoo Boo Title Sponsor: Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center Presenting Partner: Mid-South Chevy Dealers Event Sponsors: Fred’s, Inc., Joseph C. DeWane, M.D., Dorothy Orgill Kirsch, McVean Trading & Investments, LLC, Woodland Presbyterian School, Brooke and Brian Sparks Family, Corky’s BBQ Media Sponsors: FM100, Memphis Parent, Midsouthmoms.com Madisyn Maley BY DREW SMITH PHOTOS Special thanks to our SunTrust Zoo Lights ‘08 event partners SunTrust Zoo Lights Tree Lighting: WMC-TV 5 and Ron Childers Title Sponsor: SunTrust Media Sponsors: Activity Sponsors: Chef’s Choice Malco Theatres, WRVR 104.5 The Catering by Kroger, Fred’s, Inc. River, Midsouthmoms.com Light Sponsors: Anonymous, Avenue of Animals: FedEx, The “B-K’s” Bors-Koefoed Edward DeWane, Erich DeWane, Family, Brad & Dina Martin Family, Mary Katherine DeWane, Glassman, The Prentiss Family, Pinnacle Airlines Edwards, Wade, Wyatt PC, Gene & Corp., Joseph C. DeWane, M.D., Nancy Holcomb, Horne CPAs & CB Richard Ellis, Dick & JoAnne Leike, Business Advisors, Henry T. Knox, Armstrong Relocation, Dorothy Lipscomb and Pitts Insurance, Orgill Kirsch, Riverfront Development Moonshine Lighting, Brooke & Brian Corporation, WMC-TV 5 8 Sparks Family, Valenti Management Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 123 New Year’s Day Zoo open 4567 8 910 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Zoo Zoo Academy Academy 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Zoo Zoo Academy Academy Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 C:GN:KRÍ)2 C:GN:KRÍ)2 Feb.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Wild Lovin’ Groundhog Day Badge- In-A-Day 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Valentine’s Valentine’s Dinner Day 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 President’s Day Badge- In-A-Day 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Badge- In-A-Day ?>;KN:KR ?>;KN:KR 9 10 Zoo News ElephantElephant ArrivalArrival This winter when you visit the Zoo, you won’t have any trouble spotting one of the Zoo’s newest residents. “Gina,” an African elephant, just joined “Ty” and “Asali” in the African Veldt. Gina is 25 years old and came to the Zoo from a private owner. Growing this herd at the Zoo will be good for each of the elephants as these are very social animals. Asali is currently pregnant Watch new with her first baby! Stay tuned elephant videos at as we prepare to welcome the memphiszoo.org. first ever elephant to be born at the Memphis Zoo! DREWPHOTO SMITH The Zoo’s new elephant, Gina, arrived in November. In Otter News The Zoo is very excited to announce the arrival of nine new otters to the Say What?? CHINA exhibit. These Asian small-clawed Not sure how to otters came to the Zoo from the Newport pronounce the names Aquarium in Kentucky. of our new friends? This new family of otters is a lively Check out the back bunch. The father “Koto,” is 11 years old, and his mate, “Chiko,” is 11 1/2 years cover for a complete old. Among their offspring there are pronunciation guide four females, “Xia,” “Ndari,” “Leela” for each one. and “Jaina,” and three males, “Tanaka,” “Amiri” and “Onkar.” These otters are used to large families. They typically live in extended family groups of up to 12 otters in each group. Chickasaw Bluffs Trail What’s New Online The Zoo’s previous otter resident, The Zoo is continuing to work on If you haven’t visited our Web “Lucy,” has made the move to the research for the Chickasaw Bluffs trail. site recently, you’re missing out! Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. Since August 2008, Zoo staff members Memphiszoo.org now features an all- have been working with botanists new look and major updates in Zoo Giraffe Named and scientists from the University of videos, keeper logs and event informa- The votes are in! The Zoo’s baby Memphis and Rhodes College to tion. You’ll see similar changes for the giraffe born in October was recently catalogue and plot the location of all e-newsletter which is sent FREE to named after a poll taken on the Zoo’s plant life within the Zoo’s forested subscribers each month. As the Zoo Web site gave readers a chance to vote on land. When the survey is completed in works toward more efficient ways to their favorite name. After 19,816 votes in early 2009, the Zoo will combine this keep you informed, you can stay updated the contest, “Sesi” was the name chosen research with its fauna-related data to through our fan page on Facebook, our for the new calf, receiving 9,330 votes. develop the direction of the trail YouTube videos and our Twitter feed. She is doing very well and is getting along through the forest. Stay tuned to Check out our new look by visiting with the other giraffes. memphiszoo.org for more updates. memphiszoo.org. 11 Kids’ Activity Page WHAT YOU NEED U Assorted color felt scraps U Tube sock — gray, white, tan, U Craft glue black, or light brown U Scissors (you may need Mom U Permanent or fabric markers or Dad to help you with the U Small yellow buttons cutting) WHAT YOU DO 1. Put your hand inside the sock (all the 6. Make a pink or red felt tongue for way to the end!) to decide where your your wolf and glue it on the inside of wolf’s face will be. Use a marker to the mouth. (Be sure to leave the mouth make small dots for the eyes. open for the glue to dry.) 2. Take your hand out and lay the sock 7. Make teeth for your wolf by cutting flat, with the eyes on top. several small triangles out of the white 3. Glue the buttons over the eye dots felt scraps and glue them around the Cold and antsy? Some animals, like that you just made so that your wolf edges of the open mouth. Now turn can see. your sock back over so the eyes are on the timber wolf, keep warm in the 4. Use a marker to draw a triangle nose top. on a felt scrap, make two nostrils on 8. Cut out a furry, felt tail and glue it at winter with thick coats and lots of the nose, and then glue it on the end of the end of the sock. your wolf’s face. 9. Put your hand in the sock and your activity. Create your very own timber 5. Cut two more triangles out of the felt wolf is ready to roam! scraps to give your wolf ears and glue wolf sock puppet to keep the fun these on your sock behind the eyes. action-packed and your hands toasty- warm! Wolves are social animals, so repeat these steps to make a wolf pack for you and your friends. When the weather warms up, bring your friend pack to the Memphis Zoo for our Spring Break Camp, March 16-20. ellie bennett $IIÕOLDWH%URNHU 12 Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Memphis, TN Permit No. 1124 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Requested in-home dates January 2-5 2000 Prentiss Place Memphis, TN 38112 (901) 276-WILD Exzooberance is mailed with a bulk permit and cannot be forwarded. © Copyright Memphis Zoo 2009 ÊDhmhËÈDHA&mh^ Ê