All Hands on Deck the Future of Coral Conservation

JUNE 2020

A publication of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums

All Hands on Deck The Future of Coral Conservation

SAVING CORALS, TOGETHER COLLABORATING TO SAVE THE CORAL ‘MATCHMAKER’ BREEDS Thriving Collaborations Include FLORIDA REEF TRACK THREATENED SPECIES Plenty of Success Stories

June 2020 J.C. Delbeek, California Academy of Sciences California Delbeek, J.C.

Features 18 24 32 38 All Hands on Deck Saving Corals, Together Collaborating to Save Coral “Matchmaker” More than 60 partners The mission sounded like the Florida Reef Tract Breeds Threatened have banded together to something out of a science Coral reefs support over Species help with the AZA Florida fiction film. A group of a quarter of all marine life Mote Marine Laboratory, and Reef Tract Rescue Project, conservationists descended at some point during their several other organizations, including numerous zoos on the shores of Puerto Rico life cycle, but these fragile are stepping in to assist with and aquariums, government to save endangered coral by ecosystems are heading coral sexual propagation, agencies, universities, and diving into the waters a few towards extinction. In the and research scientists, others. It’s a groundbreaking days after a summer full moon last three decades, Florida’s like Dr. Hanna R. Koch, are effort in its size and scope. to gather the gametes of waters have lost more than exploring novel reproductive BY KATE SILVER spawning coral. 90 percent of their corals in interventions for advancing BY KATIE MORELL certain areas. coral restoration strategies. BY HILLARY RICHARD BY HAYLEY RUTGER

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Member View Departments

7 Species Survival 11 Reintroduction 44 Faces & Places Rare giant pangolin rescued Plan Highlight 46 Exhibits African Penguin SSP®: and released by WCS and a leader within the flock partners in Congo 47 Announcements 8 Reintroduction 12 Partnership 47 Calendar In partnership with CSUN and Improved animal care and 48 Advertiser Index Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, guest and educational About the cover Aquarium of the Pacific experiences drive Ontario 56 Births & Hatchings releases hundreds of giant Tech University-Toronto Coral reef sea bass Zoo partnership 10 Reintroduction 13 Green Tales Saint Louis Zoo participates The greatest reason and in reintroduction of addax opportunity for change in Chad 14 Research Updates 9 By the Numbers This month’s selection of what Concern for corals has been published 15 Accreditation Preparing for game day © Nate Berkebile © Nate

VISIT US ONLINE Editorial policy: Connect is published by the aza.org Association of Zoos and Aquariums, a nonprofit, tax- exempt organization dedicated to the advancement LIKE US ON FACEBOOK of zoological parks and aquariums for conservation, facebook.com/Association education, scientific studies and recreation. Issued to members as a free OfZoosAndAquariums service; not available as a subscription. Mailed during the first week of the month. Articles submitted for Connect do not necessarily reflect the opinions FOLLOW US ON TWITTER and policies of AZA. twitter.com/zoos_aquariums Mission: Connect is a forum for promoting AZA’s mission by highlighting zoo E-MAIL THE EDITOR and aquarium trends, industry initiatives, conservation efforts and member [email protected] achievements. Copyright policy: All items appearing in Connect are copyright of AZA. Permission to reprint items must be obtained by contacting AZA’s Publications Department at [email protected]. Advertising policy: Advertising is available. AZA reserves the right to refuse advertising not consistent with its mission. Ad contracts are issued on an annual basis, and ads are accepted on a one, three, six, nine or 12-time basis. Deadline for insertion orders is the first of the month preceding publication. Deadline for artwork is the 10th of the month preceding publication. Rates and mechanical requirements are available upon request.

June 2020 | www.aza.org 3 EDITOR Tim Lewthwaite GRAPHIC DESIGNER Lisa Cadigan, Cadigan Creative ADVERTISING Gina Velosky Corals and the Power of Community (301) 562-0777, ext. 254, [email protected]

As Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited facilities, certified related partners, and commercial members look to the future and reopening, I‘d like to reflect on a remarkable conservation effort that has been underway throughout this health crisis and which is covered in some depth in this issue of Connect. President and Chief Executive Officer Dan Ashe The AZA Florida Reef Tract Rescue Project (AZA FRTRP), started in late 2018 in response to Executive Vice President the rapid advance of stoney coral tissue disease, has achieved impressive milestones in a short Craig Hoover period of time. General Counsel Jack Keeney Chief Financial Officer The aggressive disease started in a relatively small area off the Florida coast, but quickly Phil Wagner spread in pandemic-like proportions across Senior Vice President of Conservation, Management the Caribbean. Whole coral colonies can and Welfare Sciences die within days or weeks of contracting the Dr. Candice Dorsey disease, and for susceptible species of coral, Senior Vice President of Member Services Melissa Howerton the mortality rate can be 100 percent, and Senior Vice President of Accreditation approximately 55 percent of Florida reef Denny Lewis building coral species are susceptible. To date, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs susceptible corals have sustained between Steve Olson a 50 percent and 90 percent reduction in Senior Vice President of Communications and Strategy Rob Vernon abundance along the reef. Vice President of Conservation and Science Shelly Grow But AZA-accredited facilities with their Vice President of Congressional Affairs talented and dedicated aquarists offer hope Jennifer Keaton for these coral species and the larger Florida For a full listing of AZA’s staff, visit www.aza.org/staff Reef Tract. With 1,350 corals, representing 15 species, 20 percent of which are listed AZA BOARD OF DIRECTORS as Endangered Species, in the care of 19 AZA-accredited facilities across 13 states, Chair Dr. Christopher Kuhar | Executive Director, Cleveland our community is managing a monumental Metroparks Zoo environmental crisis response of their own Chair Elect during the COVID 19 pandemic. Bert Castro | President and CEO, Phoenix Zoo

Vice Chair There are 73 AZA FRTRP Holders and Friends involved in this project, a testament to the Dr. Brian Davis | President and CEO, Georgia Aquarium power of collaboration in the face of crisis. It is now five years since the disease was first observed and we still don’t know exactly what it is, or how it is transmitted, but with a Past Chair Peggy Sloan | Chief Animal Operations Officer, response rooted firmly in science and based on deep collaboration between AZA-member John G. Shedd Aquarium facilities, other NGOs, and federal, state, and local governments, I am confident that we will Directors come to grips with this disease. Christopher Dold, DVM | Chief Zoological Officer, SeaWorld Orlando The We Are AZA strategic plans speaks to the power of accredited aquariums and zoos as Dr. Alejandro Grajal | President and CEO, Woodland Park Zoo a community. Nowhere has that been more evident than in efforts to save the endangered Lisa New | President and CEO, Zoo Knoxville corals of the Florida Reef Tract. Thank you to all of our members that have stepped up in the Mark Penning, BVSC | VP Animals, Science and Environment, face of this crisis. We appreciate your leadership! Disney's Animal Kingdom Dr. Tara Riemer | President and CEO, Alaska SeaLife Center Dr. Christopher Kuhar Adrienne Rowland | Director, Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay Executive Director, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Dwight Scott | Director, San Diego Zoo Denise M. Verret | Chief Executive Officer & Zoo Director, Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens

4 www.aza.org | June 2020 4 www.aza.org | June 2020 June 2020 | www.aza.org 5 Stoneface Inc. The Sculpted Rock Artisans CA License 1001362 - AZ License 308722 - UT License 10614867-5501

Animal Exhibits Concrete Theming Water Features Wall Finishes Artificial Rock Work Stamped Concrete Decking

ww6w www.aza.org.ston | Juneef 2020aceinc.com 949-370-9880 [email protected] Species Survival Plan® Highlight African Penguin SSP: A Leader Within the Flock Found in the waters off southern Africa, the African penguin is an endangered species that once numbered in the millions. Today, wild population estimates are approximately 13,000 breeding pairs. The decline is rapid and ongoing with a 75 percent decline during the past 20 years mainly due to a scarcity of prey fish. In other words, the penguins are starving which leads to poor health and reduced reproductive success. Competition with commercial fisheries, habitat loss, pollution, human disturbance and extreme weather conditions are compounding the problems in Namibia and South Africa.

In Association of Zoos and Aquariums- “tag-team” approach have served the SSP promoted to our members SANCCOB’s accredited facilities, the African penguin well by engaging our members in effective Animal Professional Experience (APE), is thriving. With exceptional husbandry population management practices and and have three on-going medical projects and medical care, the African penguin is promoting a spirit of cooperation for the good to expand our knowledge of medical a cornerstone for conservation messaging of the zoo and aquarium collections. issues (avian malaria treatment, improving and educational outreach. This is a highly The goals of the African Penguin SSP aspergillosis diagnostics, and identifying recognizable and charismatic species which are to maintain a sustainable population causes of aberrant molting). A new SAFE makes them a prime candidate to engage our within the 51 AZA facilities, support field goal has been added to examine chick guests. Steve Sarro (Smithsonian’s National conservation efforts, and promote AZA’s mortality before one year of age to assess Zoo) and Gayle Sirpenski (Mystic Aquarium) SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction causes and develop solutions. have managed the African Penguin Species initiatives. The SSP population has grown The African Penguin SSP is very Survival Plan® program since its inception in by 47 percent since 2005 with 98.77 percent proud of our 25-year history of continuing 1995. During this time, eleven SSP Breeding genetic diversity maintained. Presently, accomplishments. We appreciate AZA’s and Transfer Plans have been published. the North American population stands at recognition of the African Penguin SSP The population has continued to grow and 587.537.18 (1,142 total) with our target set and remain dedicated to the penguins’ remains in excellent genetic and demographic at 1,500 penguins. We actively participate in sustainable future in zoos and aquariums standing. Our combined strengths for this the African penguin SAFE program, have and in the wild.

6 www.aza.org | June 2020 June 2020 | www.aza.org 7 Reintroduction CSUN, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, and Aquarium of the Pacific Release Endangered Giant Sea Bass in Local Waters After successful breeding programs in aquarium settings, the project partners hope to help local populations of this distinctive fish rebound © Aquarium of© the Pacific

California State University, Northridge Pacific is proud to directly contribute to the first public aquarium to successfully (CSUN), the non-profit Aquarium of the enhancing wild populations of giant sea bass hatch and raise a baby giant sea bass in 2016. Pacific, and Cabrillo Marine Aquarium by investing in this critically endangered That fish, named Yutaka, is now on view announced the success of a joint effort species’ culture and care. This iconic Southern in the Aquarium’s Amber Forest exhibit involving raising and releasing juvenile California species is key to healthy kelp forest near its parents, which have lived in the giant sea bass into the ocean. Giant sea ecosystems and is a wonder to behold,” said Aquarium’s Honda Blue Cavern exhibit since bass are listed as critically endangered on Aquarium of the Pacific Vice President of its opening in 1998. After this initial success, the International Union for Conservation Animal Husbandry, Dr. Sandy Trautwein. the Aquarium of the Pacific’s husbandry of Nature’s Red List. Their populations In the past, giant sea bass have been staff planned a regional meeting to gather are believed to be increasing slowly after notoriously difficult to breed in an aquarium aquarium professionals and local researchers years of decline. “The Aquarium of the setting. The Aquarium of the Pacific was who had been working with giant sea bass,

8 www.aza.org | June 2020 By the Numbers and multiple partnerships were formed between universities, aquariums, and government agencies. The Aquarium of the Pacific hosted its second Giant Sea Bass Concern for Symposium on 18 February 2020. Corals For this current project, CSUN shared giant sea bass eggs last summer with the In the last three years, Aquarium of the Pacific and Cabrillo Marine Aquarium to attempt to produce offspring. Association of Zoos and Aquariums- The Aquarium of the Pacific and the Cabrillo 38 Aquarium were able to successfully rear accredited facilities spent more than baby giant sea bass babies from these eggs. $5.8 million on conserving coral species. The Cabrillo Aquarium used new techniques developed by their animal care team. The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium produced over 300 juvenile giant sea bass raised in the Most projects focused on Staghorn Aquatic Nursery, an Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ award-winning laboratory and Elkhorn species both of which space dedicated to raising young sea animals are critically endangered and young scientists. Half of those giant sea bass were brought to the Aquarium of the Pacific in late 2019 as both partners prepared for the release of the fish. The new methods Conservation projects worked on for raising giant sea bass were immensely successful, and the Cabrillo Marine Habitat Restoration, Aquarium believes these techniques may end up having further reaching implications Conservation Biology, if applied as a model for growing other and Conservation Genetics. endangered species of marine fishes. The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium has shared many of its aquarium-raised giant sea bass with aquariums across the country to teach In 2018 alone, AZA-accredited zoos and aquarium visitors about this intriguing aquariums spent species and share the animal’s story, both $842,000 as a warning to the dangers of overfishing working to protect the SAFE species, and to demonstrate the potential success of species protection and aquaculture efforts. Atlantic Acropora corals. The young fish were released into the wild with approval from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Divers from both aquariums released several AZA members also conducted mission-focused hundred fish into the ocean at a time on two trips, the first of which has already research, spending over been completed. The release location since 2016 will be kept confidential among the $1.5 million project partners, allowing the young fish to acclimate to their new home. Divers, fishers, or others who see giant sea bass in Research projects focused primarily on Disease/ the ocean are encouraged to take a photo and upload it to a citizen science website Epidemiology, Habitat Preservation developed by researchers at the University and Restoration, and of California, Santa Barbara, who are working to track individual giant sea bass. Reproductive Biology. To learn more or submit your photos, visit spottinggiantseabass.msi.ucsb.edu.

8 www.aza.org | June 2020 June 2020 | www.aza.org 9 Saharan species numbers less than 100 in the wild by most estimates, scattered in small, isolated populations, primarily in Niger and Chad. The Saint Louis Zoo in Saint Louis, Mo., through its WildCare Institute Saharan Wildlife Recovery Center, has joined others within the international conservation community to answer an urgent call to action to address the extinction underway for addax and other Saharan species.

Saint Louis Zoo Support The Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Institute Saharan Wildlife Recovery Center is helping to underwrite the cost of the post-release monitoring of these animals through the generosity of an anonymous donor. All 15 addax were fitted with satellite tracking collars prior to their release. These collars take a position fix every two hours then relay these recent locations via satellite to the reintroduction team every 12 hours. The collars also broadcast a high frequency (VHF) signal for 12 hours each day. A Chadian tracking team on the ground in the reserve, led by Krazidi Abeye, ecological Reintroduction monitoring manager, Sahara Conservation Fund, use the satellite-relayed position data from the previous 12 hours each morning to direct themselves to the general area Saint Louis Zoo Participates where they will search for the VHF signal from the collars. in Reintroduction of The tracking team then uses the VHF signal to home in on the animals’ exact locations so they can observe how each Addax in Chad addax is faring as the animals adapt to Zoo Helps Provide Satellite Collars for Post-Release Tracking living in the wild. The satellite collar data also is relayed to the Smithsonian’s National On 18 January 2020, 15 addax (four males kilometers from the acclimation pens and Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, and 11 females), raised in managed care then released to the wild. whose research scientists developed the in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), were “We are so excited to see this coming monitoring protocols and now direct the released to the wild in the Ouadi Rimé- to fruition after years of planning,” said data analysis and interpretation. Ouadi Achim Wildlife Reserve in Chad. Bill Houston, director of the Saint Louis “The collar data provides insights into These animals had been selected, prepared, Zoo WildCare Institute Saharan Wildlife such behaviors as movement patterns, and transported to Chad by the UAE Recovery Center. “To connect the Saint seasonal preference for certain types of Environment Agency—Abu Dhabi (EAD) Louis Zoo’s conservation work with addax habitat, seasonal activity in response to on 13 November 2019. Upon arrival, they in such a meaningful way to help conserve temperature and weather patterns, social spent two months in a large acclimation pen this species in the wild is a dream come affiliations between individuals, and in the reserve to allow the addax to adjust to true for all of us.” movement patterns that might signal a local forage and climate conditions as well female is preparing to calve,” said Houston. as for observation. When it was determined Endangered Addax “Knowing how they are moving, utilizing that conditions were suitable, the addax The addax, the most desert-adapted habitat, and adapting to the wild informs were transported to a new temporary release antelope in the world, may also be the how subsequent releases can be fine-tuned pen located in an appropriate habitat 30 rarest. Critically endangered, this iconic to support the re-wilding of addax.”

10 www.aza.org | June 2020 Reintroduction Rare Giant Pangolin Rescued and Released by WCS and Partners in Congo Experts from the Tikki Hywood Foundation guided the WCS teams, instructing the care givers to keep the animal hydrated and release it as soon as possible. The female giant pangolin was a juvenile weighing nearly 40 pounds and measuring more than three-and-a-half feet in length. It was transported to the WCS Congo offices in the town of Ouesso, Republic of Congo, in a plastic laundry basket. The animal was cleaned of debris caught in the scales and provided water in an empty room where it would be safe and allowed to recover from its stress. Understanding that time was of the essence, the team transported the animal at first light. It was taken to the edge of the Nouabale-Ndoki National Park, a protected area in the northern part of Republic of Congo, where Dr. Alain Ondzie, a wildlife veterinarian with the WCS Wildlife Health Program in Congo, was able to examine the animal. It was determined that other than a minor injury to its leg, the pangolin was in good health considering what was likely a traumatic couple of weeks. It was then

© Emma Richards, WCS © Emma Richards, released and allowed to walk into the forest. Also known as the scaly anteater, A giant pangolin that was seized from poachers the animal is safely roaming in the forests of pangolins are sought for their large scales in northern Congo has been successfully the Nouabale-Ndoki National Park. that are made of keratin, the same substance rescued and returned to the wild by Wildlife “I am proud that WCS were able to assist as rhino horn and human fingernails. In Conservation Society staff and partners. with this release,” said Emma Stokes, WCS Africa their scales are used in spiritual and Pangolins are among the most Central Africa regional director. “Pangolins cultural rituals; in Asia they are used in commonly trafficked animals in the world are in trouble worldwide due to the illegal traditional medicines. Pangolins are also and WCS has been working to protect the wildlife trade, so whenever live animals trafficked for food and are considered a species through conservation science and caught in the trade can be seized and quickly delicacy in some cultures. international policy. released into good habitat, we will act to The giant pangolin is the largest of eight They are extremely sensitive and usually improve their chance of survival.” pangolin species and adults can weigh up die when taken from the wild by poachers. Pangolins are insectivorous and to 75 pounds. They are native to Central WCS staff in Congo were faced with an nocturnal mammals that are highly Africa and classified as Endangered by the enormous task when they received a call susceptible to stress and generally do International Union for Conservation of that a giant pangolin had been seized by not survive in managed care. They feed Nature. Estimates indicate that more than a Congolese authorities. The animal required exclusively on termites and wild ants million animals were poached between 2004 immediate attention if it were to survive. and dehydrate quickly, often leading to a and 2014. In 2016, the 186 countries party Thanks to the collaboration between teams rapid death. The female recovered from to the Convention on International Trade in from WCS’s Wildlife Health Program, the the poacher had already been in his or Endangered Species, the treaty that regulates Tikki Hywood Foundation, and the Sangha her possession for two weeks, making the the international wildlife trade, voted to ban Pangolin Project in Central African Republic situation dire. the commercial trade in pangolins.

10 www.aza.org | June 2020 June 2020 | www.aza.org 11 Partnership increase conservation impact, improve the wellbeing of animals, enhance guest experience, and more efficiently run the Zoo’s operations. It Improved Animal Care, Guest will also provide opportunities for the Toronto Zoo to contribute to the university experience at Ontario Tech by serving as a platform for and Educational Experiences youth leadership, research, and innovation. Initially proposed areas of collaboration Drive Ontario Tech University- include projects led by researchers and students in Ontario Tech’s Faculty of Toronto Zoo Partnership Business and Information Technology: • Developing computer applications that use physiological data and machine learning in veterinary procedures. • Exploring the use of computer vision in habitats, and machine learning to study stress, playfulness, and other behavior tied to environmental data and diet. • Enhancing guest experiences. • Building new apps, educational games, and augmented reality experiences. • Capturing and mapping Wi-Fi quality and provide recommendations. • Exploring the development of interactive data walls and an interactive Toronto Zoo Welcome Map with information that can help guests plan their experience. • Providing experiential learning opportunities for undergraduate and

© Toronto Zoo © Toronto graduate students at the Zoo. Dr. Michael Bliemel, dean, faculty of business and information technology, • Offering internships, co-op placements, Ontario Tech University (front left) and Dolf DeJong, chief executive officer, seasonal employment, and volunteer activities. Toronto Zoo (front right) alongside representatives of Ontario Tech University • Exploring opportunities to provide and Toronto Zoo. classroom or lab experiences. • Partnering on a new Conservation In recent years, the ethical application of But have you considered technology’s Campus (part of the Zoo’s Visitor/ technology has greatly improved quality potential to enhance the lives of animals and Welcome Centre) to provide space for of life for people. Mobile devices, machine improve our understanding of them? teaching and research. learning, big data analysis and artificial A memorandum of understanding • Holding regular educational outreach intelligence have drastically transformed the between Ontario Tech University and the events at the Toronto Zoo and Ontario way we communicate, educate, and deliver Toronto Zoo will promote the development Tech to highlight each organization’s health-care services. and deployment of innovative technologies to expertise and research capacities.

BE THE LEADER Advertise Now For rate sheet and contract information, OF THE visit www.aza.org/advertise, or contact Jessica Heckendorn at (301) 244-3341 or PACK by email at [email protected].

Advertise Now 12 www.aza.org | June 2020 For rate sheet and contract information, visit www.aza.org/advertise, or contact Jessica Heckendorn at (301) 244–3341 or by email at [email protected]. EXPLORE SUSTAIN What oppportunities will be investigated? What ventures are ready to be systemized? Reorient • Incubate Structure • Maintain Sense opportunity Adaptive Cycle Scale opportunity

Indecision trap Rigidity trap fail to reinvest fail to adapt

LAUNCH RELEASE What new commitments will begin? What energy needs to be freed up? Give birth • Invest Creative destruction • Release energy Do opportunity Prune for opportunity © Verdis Group © Verdis

Green Tales Reason and Opportunity for Change Floods, hurricanes, economic recessions, pandemics.

We have navigated previous and current shows how change and rapid learning occur making showed financial resilience disruptions as individual organizations in ecosystems, also known as living systems. compared to their conventional peers and as an industry. What we choose to This cycle is constantly in motion. The more Sustainability success is not isolated to the learn and how we choose to prepare will we embrace the motion and move with current disruption. Sustainability saw a determine our resiliency and ability to it—such as releasing when we need to—we boost in adoption during and after the Great maintain our collective mission through free up energy and resources. These can be Recession due to its ability to reduce costs future disruptions. reinvested into a new way of operating that and increase efficiencies. More so, research The Green Scientific Advisory Group fits the changing conditions of the world highlights entities that maintained their (GSAG) launched a six-month adaptive around us.” commitment to sustainability practices that web series in April with immediate positive aligned with their mission performed better feedback. The intent of the first session 2) Sustainability provides us tools to during and after recovery. was to make participants feel a bit more prepare for and navigate disruption These three points taken together comfortable with uncertainty. It attempted Many organizations resist or postpone reinforce that sustainability is mission this through acknowledging three points commitments to sustainability due to critical for us. Sustainability not only reduces of particular value to zoos and aquariums perceived barriers of time and money. resource use and mitigates the direct impacts for ensuring the continuation of our Shifting our view and definition of toward the wildlife and wildlands we seek to conservation mission. sustainability can alleviate these barriers and conserve, but should also be paramount to position sustainability as core to our decision decision makers due to the proven business 1) Disruption is a consistent making, instead of an add-on that requires value of navigating disruption. phenomenon within living systems dedicated budget for specific initiatives. Unfortunately, we may lose organizations As conservation organizations, we inherently Sustainability is a science and to future disruptions. Sustainability ensures recognize the value of living systems— disciple of practice that ensures systems we don’t lose as many. Every member diverse interconnected dynamic ecosystems. (environmental, social, and economic) organization lost is less guest interactions, It is embedded in our missions to protect support the perpetuation of humanity. As a less revenue for conservation, less staff and these systems as a means toward conserving science, it has an established methodology volunteer advocates, and less direct action. wildlife and wildlands. for designing and evaluating interventions Learning to identify and embrace In addition to protecting living systems, in systems. As a discipline of practice, it has opportunities during disruption and many of us teach biomimicry (lessons from identified practitioner competencies—chief adopting sustainability competencies in nature). Daniel Lawse, chief century thinker among them, systems and futures thinking. decision making means a more resilient with Verdis Group, offered a direct lesson and adaptable industry that is more likely to during the April session with a walkthrough 3) Businesses that use sustainability weather future disruptions and maintain our of the Adaptive Cycle. “The adaptive cycle tools as part of their core decision collective conservation mission.

12 www.aza.org | June 2020 June 2020 | www.aza.org 13 Research Updates than their wild counterparts—suggesting a matched comparison. Cognitive testing Comparing Play in Zoo- that wild elephant calves have less time for occurred in touchscreen computer booths play to meet their own needs (i.e. feeding, that the monkeys were able to freely enter and Housed and Wild Elephants socializing, evading predators, etc.). exit during testing sessions. Overall, cognitive While not much is known for certain about testing had a minimal impact on indicators why animals play and how play relates to Webber, C., Lee, P. 2020. Play in Elephants: of welfare used in this study. However, a their survival in the wild or their welfare, it is Wellbeing, Welfare or Distraction? moderate but significant increase in aggression often used as an indicator of positive welfare. Animals, 10: 305. https://doi.org/10.3390/ was observed on days with cognitive testing However, to truly know about the relationship ani10020305 Correspondence to P.C. Lee compared to days without testing. between play and welfare, play in animals at [email protected]. The effects of cognitive testing were needs to be studied in varied contexts. further examined using a social network In this study, researchers examined zoo- Cognitive Testing of Group- analysis that revealed aggression was housed and wild populations of African and primarily directed from mothers to juvenile Asian elephant calves (ages ranging from Housed Primates offspring. Considering these results alongside birth to five years) and categorized their play Cognitive testing of primates in a zoo setting past studies documenting beneficial effects, by sociality and type of play. The four types may represent a unique form of enrichment. the authors argue in support of cognitive of play they studied were social (gentle and However, studies demonstrating potential testing and highlight considerations to escalated-contact) and non-social (lone- negative effects of cognitive testing on minimize aggression for cognitive testing locomotor, exploratory-object). welfare, such as increased frustration, have with group-housed primates. Both wild and zoo-housed calves raised concerns, especially when primates demonstrated the same kinds of play and are tested in a group setting. Jacobson, S.L., Kwiatt, A.C., Ross, had similar tendencies for play, such as male To explore the relationship between S.R., Cronin, K.A. 2019. The effects of calves playing more than female calves and cognitive testing and welfare, researchers cognitive testing on the welfare of zoo- frequency of play decreasing as the calf ages. compared the behavior of Japanese macaques housed Japanese macaques (Macaca Against what the researchers had on days with and without cognitive testing. fuscata). Applied Animal Behaviour originally expected, zoo-housed elephants Behaviors were observed for all individuals in Science, 212: 90-97. https://doi. (both Asian and African) played more the group at the same time of day to provide org/10.1016/j.applanim.2018.12.014

14 www.aza.org | June 2020 Accreditation Correspondence to Sarah Jacobson at [email protected].

Visitor Effects on Birds in a Preparing for Game Day Free-Flight Aviary By Jessica Hoffman Free-range enclosures that allow visitors to In a previous article, there was a great each one. We also determined whether items move through shared space with animals are discussion regarding being “ready for game could be addressed in-house, would need an attractive option for organizations looking day” from the Association of Zoos and to be contracted out, or could be addressed to promote a positive guest experience. Aquariums accreditation inspectors’ point through support from our city staff. Items However, the potential effects of visitors on of view. But how does this look from the were logged into an excel spreadsheet and the behavior and welfare of animals housed facilities perspective and how do we ensure categorized into red, yellow, and green within free-range enclosures has not been we are ready when inspectors arrive? By priorities. Red were items that were either well-studied and must be carefully considered being creative and dedicating time to a directly related to not meeting a standard or before advocating these habitat designs. pre-inspection plan, facilities can ensure were tied to animal or human safety concerns. In this study, the behavior and enclosure success. At the Greensboro Science Center Yellow were borderline issues or issues we use of 24 bird species in a free flight aviary in Greensboro, N.C, we took a multi-faceted thought could become a future concern. were monitored under varying levels of approach to make sure our facility was in top Green were generally housekeeping related, visitation by zoo guests. The authors recorded condition on game day. aesthetic related, or items we just really bird locations on a habitat map and used a To prepare for inspection, we started wanted to fix if we had excess time and budget laser rangefinder to document the height of about a year in advance. While also focusing left. Having a budget directly earmarked for birds. These location coordinates were then on written materials, we knew we needed AZA improvements was also an essential input into GIS software for analysis. Although a good amount of time to address any piece to ensure success. As the task-force, we several species did show enclosure usage concerns we may have for our facilities had direct oversight on managing these funds changes suggesting avoidance of visitors, and grounds. We were fortunate to have a and directing expenses. broader behavioral changes indicative of number of AZA accreditation inspectors Each week, for the entire year, we met stress were not observed. on staff, so this allowed us to do an initial to check-in on progress, review completed The authors argued that the choices assessment. Three teams of three (with items, and determine next steps. We also available to the birds in the free-flight two accreditation inspectors on each walked the grounds and buildings regularly aviary may mitigate any potentially negative team) each conducted mock inspections to monitor for any new developments, review responses to people. Detailed studies on complete with inspection report, photos, current work, and look for any new concerns. enclosure usage can provide a valuable tool in and narrative. We then met back up as a By the time our accreditation team arrived, assessing the impact of habitat designs on the group and presented our findings. All items we were definitely ready for game-day and welfare of their inhabitants. of concern were noted and consolidated to looked forward to showing all that we had one master document which became our accomplished. In order to ensure we also Blanchett, M.K.S., Finegan, E., Atkinson, punch list for the remainder of the year. To stay “AZA everyday,” the mock inspection J. 2020. The effects of increasing ensure accountability and forward progress, and task-force concept has continued yearly visitor and noise levels on birds a task force comprised of our vice president with different staff taking on these roles. This within a free-flight aviary examined of operations and myself was developed. has helped us to continue meeting standards through enclosure use and behavior. This allowed for perspectives from both an while also getting our teams more involved in Animal Behavior and Cognition, 7: animal position and a non-animal position. the accreditation process. 49-69. https://doi.org/10.26451/ The goal of our task force was to begin abc.07.01.05.2020. Correspondence developing a priority list with all the items Jessica Hoffman is the vice president to M.K.S. Blanchett at mackenzie. of note and determine how items should be of animal care and welfare at the [email protected]. resolved and the responsible party to oversee Greensboro Science Center.

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-San Antonio Zoo Facebook Page

The numbers were staggering. In 2018, with corals along the Florida Reef Tract in crisis because of stony ALL coral tissue loss disease, Jennifer Moore, the protected coral recovery coordinator with National Oceanic and HANDS Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Southeast Regional Office, began calculating how many corals ON DECK needed to be collected to allow for a genetically diverse population to one THE FUTURE OF CORAL CONSERVATION

day repopulate the reef. BY KATE SILVER As the many partners work together, people like Beth Firchau, AZA FRTRP coordinator, are watching and learning. Because looking ahead, she expects that AZA-accredited facilities will have a more important role than ever in driving and supporting conservation efforts. “With environmental crises coming with every news cycle, we can’t expect our government agencies to handle it all. We when a challenge arises, everyone in the have to pitch in,” said Firchau. “Aquarium equation knows where to turn early on. conservation in general needs to take “If you want us to get involved, and notice, because the trend is more crises, less you’re seeing a problem coming down the resources, and increased need for directed, way, let us get involved early so we can do well-orchestrated response efforts.” the planning,” Olson said. For Sarah Fangman, superintendent Strength in AZA Numbers of the Florida Keys National Marine AZA is no stranger to working with Sanctuary with NOAA Office of National government agencies and non-profits in Marine Sanctuaries, these resources and nowing she’d rather wildlife management and conservation relationships have been invaluable for the have too many than efforts. In the past, AZA-accredited facilities coral project. too few, she determined have collaborated in projects that they needed to collect involving the red and Mexican © The Florida Aquarium up to 200 of 15 high- wolf, black-footed ferrets, “We basically put out priority species. “That whooping crane, the California is 3,000 corals,” she condor, Wyoming toad, and said. “It’s a lot.” numerous other species. this plea, and we said we Each of Dr. Christopher Kuhar, those corals, she further chair of the board of AZA and need your help, and we determined, would need to have up to a executive director of Cleveland square foot of space to thrive. “We did Metroparks Zoo in Cleveland, can’t give you anything all the math and we’re like whoa, we are Ohio, said zoos and aquariums never going to have that with our existing are uniquely positioned to for it ... It was so amazing ALL partners,” she said. help conservation efforts, She talked with colleagues in partner because they have expertise, organizations about who could help, experience, physical space, and to see the response and Lisa Gregg, programs and policy a strong network. coordinator with the Florida Fish and “I think the biggest asset we’ve gotten.” Wildlife Conservation Commission and a that AZA has is the strength of HANDS member of the state’s Coral Rescue Team, all of the combined member suggested reaching out to the Association organizations. So when AZA organizations “AZA brings tremendous capacity of Zoos and Aquariums. really focus their efforts, there’s a in terms of the ability to hold, keep and "We basically put out this plea, and we tremendous amount of resources that can maintain corals. Many of the species that said we need your help, and we can’t give be used to address a particular conservation are being affected by this and have been ON DECK you anything for it,” said Moore. “It was so topic,” said Kuhar. rescued and turned over to the capable amazing to see the response we’ve gotten.” Steve Olson, AZA’s senior vice president hands of our AZA partners have never been To date, more than 60 partners of government affairs, said the organization in managed care before. So the aquarists have banded together to help with the has learned a number of lessons from that are caring for them are on the front AZA Florida Reef Tract Rescue Project past partnerships in conservation. First lines of this disease response, and they’re (AZA FRTRP), including numerous and foremost is the value of relationships. using every one of their best skills to help zoos and aquariums, government It’s critical, he said, for AZA members keep those corals alive, and maybe even agencies, universities and others. It’s a to invest in building relationships with help propagate them,” she said. groundbreaking effort in its size and scope, organizations doing conservation work in “The problem is daunting, but we are and one that blends both crisis efforts with the field, whether they’re government, non- committed to not letting this come to the strategic management plans for the future. government, or even other zoos, so that worst possible conclusion,” said Fangman.

June 2020 | www.aza.org 19 Leading with Conservation In order to become a part of large-scale conservation efforts in the future, zoos and aquariums must let the public know about the work they’re doing now. That work should be a part of all of their messaging, and not an afterthought, said Roger Germann, president and chief executive officer of The Florida Aquarium in Tampa, Fla. The Florida Aquarium has been focusing on the reef tract for several years, and its conservation work is at the center of everything the facility does, said Germann. “We are dramatically talking to our public and our guests and we are saying that everything we do here is based in conservation. Even when you walk in our doors and you pay for a ticket, proceeds from that ticket go to conservation and saving wildlife. When you’re here and you’re looking at an exhibit, we’re going to have a conservation message with action items, not just inspiration,” he said. “It “We have a lot of very loyal and P. Haerther Center for Conservation and really truly is going to take a conservation passionate donors that love the stories,” Research in Chicago, Ill., has been the way village in order to save this reef.” said Warmolts. “We bring them in, we it has united different people. A facility in Ohio might not be the give them tours, we get them involved, “It’s brought together folks who are first place you’d expect to find coral, we give them that special access behind doing basic science as well as applied but Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in the scenes, get them excited about science. It’s bringing together state and Powell, Ohio, has been involved in coral what we’re doing, and then we can start local agencies. It’s bringing together parts conservation efforts for years. So when supporting some of these projects through of the federal government that haven’t the opportunity arose to participate in the philanthropic donations to support the worked together. It’s even bringing together Florida Reef Tract Rescue Project, Doug Zoo’s conservation.” republicans and democrats,” she said. Warmolts, who is vice president of animal He adds that conservation initiatives And within zoos and aquariums around care, didn’t hesitate. like the coral projects allow the Zoo to the country, messages about the coral “We have about a 1,500-square-foot educate guests about things they can do project aim to educate and inspire countless warehouse about a mile from the Zoo, to make a difference for the environment, visitors. They, in turn, have the power to physically separated, and we set it up with beginning in their own backyard. “Every reach out to their elected officials and urge holding systems for the reef track corals,” river, every stream, every lake leads to the them to pass legislation that protects coral, he said. ocean. We all have a connection, and it is and emphasize the need for increased Warmolts said the organization had the important that we care about that,” he said. funding for coral conservation programs. financial wherewithal to step up because “It’s a multifactorial process that’s going the facility allots a portion of its annual Mobilizing for Change to make it happen, and it’s really mobilizing budget to conservation programs. Those One of the most powerful aspects of the our supporters at the front and using efforts resonate with visitors, who in turn coral rescue project, said Andrea Densham, science to do that,” said Densham. “We are generous with their donations, which senior director, policy and advocacy have to use science as our first and most enables more conservation work. with John G. Shedd Aquarium’s Daniel important driver as we move forward.”

20 www.aza.org | June 2020 © Richard Ross, California Academy of Sciences California Ross, © Richard

20 www.aza.org | June 2020 June 2020 | www.aza.org 21 22 www.aza.org | June 2020 © SeaLife Michigan The coral situation is dire. But the work that’s being done to collectively address the challenges is inspiring. Moore said it’s important to be able to take a step back and take pride in the progress that’s being made, thanks to this concerted group effort. Even during the recent COVID-19 pandemic, with the threat of staff illness, facility closures to the public, and reduction in resources, AZA FRTRP coral husbandry teams banded together. Gathering strength through collaboration, and fortified by their combined expertise and passion, coral holding facilities are © The Florida Aquarium maintaining optimum care of rescued corals and ensuring that the corals were not affected by the “I think we have to show that we’ve been pandemic’s challenges. Far before the global health resilient in being able to address those crisis, the concerted efforts of the AZA FRTRP were problems, and that is what gives me hope for noticed. The stony coral tissue loss disease observed in the reefs off Florida has now been the future. We’ve got the right people doing reported across the Caribbean. In Europe, similar efforts to this. We just need to be able to do more.” address various critical coral reef issues across the globe are When Firchau considers the efforts put being organized. These efforts are watching forth on the reef tract project, she’s proud the AZA project, reaching out for support of what’s been done. And yet, she said, and using the AZA FRTRP as an example there’s so much more to do to make a lasting when building other programs. impact. AZA-accredited facilities will be a “We have done so much in such a little vital part of keeping up that momentum. time with few resources that we have to “We cannot do coral conservation be able to celebrate those successes while without aquariums and zoos involved. trying to address all of the problems that Things are happening way too quickly,” get thrown at us,” Moore said. “I think we she said. “What we’re doing now with have to show that we’ve been resilient in the Florida Reef Tract coral rescue is an being able to address those problems, and example of what our approaches need to that is what gives me hope for the future. be in the future.” We’ve got the right people doing this. We

just need to be able to do more.” Kate Silver is a writer based in Chicago, Ill. Michigan © SeaLife

June 2020 | www.aza.org 23 24 www.aza.org | June 2020 SAVING CORALS, TOGETHER Thriving Collaborations Include Plenty of Success Stories

BY KATIE MORELL

24 www.aza.org | June 2020 June 2020 | www.aza.org 25 THE MISSION sounded like something out of a science fiction film. A group of sea life-loving conservationists from all over the world descended on the shores of Puerto Rico to save endangered coral in the best way they knew how, which included diving into the waters a few days after a late

summer full moon. The task: to gather the gametes (eggs and those in the Association of Zoos and sperm) of spawning coral, bring them back Aquariums community. Many trips in the to an on-land aquarium, watch fertilization, early 2000s were focused in Puerto Rico grow young into genetically independent and done on a shoestring budget. Today’s adults, and then release them back into trips are elsewhere in the Caribbean and the wild several years later to help restore Mexico and are more well-funded. damaged coral reefs. But back in the early 2000s, among The variables for this mission were the AZA aquarists in attendance extreme. Corals spawn only one time per were Justin Zimmerman, who is now year, during a roughly 30-minute stretch aquarium supervisor at SeaWorld in around 9:45 p.m. a few days after the Orlando, Fla., and Greg Whittaker, now August full moon. It is at that time when animal husbandry manager at Moody they release hundreds of thousands— Gardens in Galveston, Texas. sometimes millions—of gametes. Those “Going down to Puerto Rico was one gametes then fertilize in the water of the many workshops put on by SECORE column (a.k.a. the water above the coral designed to aid in sexual reproduction of reef), stabilize, and grow on the reef. corals,” said Zimmerman. “I remember The problem: Because of reef showing up at our rental house and degradation, sperm and eggs were creating aquariums out of storage bins; we not reaching each other, therefore not had to do everything on the fly, we were fertilizing, and creating baby corals. all ‘MacGyvering.’ We put together a lab in This trip was one of many workshops two or three days and had one of the most put on by SECORE International, an successful coral spawns, it was incredible.” independent non-profit focused coral Whittaker was equally impressed. reef conservation. Each workshop was “Moody Gardens sent down a few conducted in collaboration with many aquarists to the inaugural spawning other coral conservationists, including workshops and tried to build a wetlab setup

26 www.aza.org | June 2020 26 www.aza.org | June 2020 June 2020 | www.aza.org 27 under a rental house in Puerto Rico,” he first thing that comes to mind when said. “It was a tremendous team building thinking about the word ‘collaboration,’ effort among aquarists from all over; we and they are likely to point to the current “The success of these workshops were using garden hoses, duct tape and zip efforts in the AZA Florida Reef Tract ties. After the spawn occurred, we collected Rescue Project, or AZA FRTRP. This has been tremendous in improving the gametes and mixed them up as if they project was established in late 2018 to understanding about sexual were in their actual environment but with combat stony-coral tissue loss disease, artificial wave activity. Then we watched a disease that is threatening the Florida reproduction of corals, proving them over the course of three days as they Reef Tract and as many as 25 coral that collaboration among the became settled larvae. These would, in species within it with up to a 90 percent time, become colonies to be transplanted mortality rate. coral conservation community is back into the reef.” The project is enormous and The success of these workshops dozens of organizations, many of them possible, and building the expertise has been tremendous in improving AZA-accredited facilities, are working needed to meet the challenges understanding about sexual reproduction in tandem on the issue, making it of corals, proving that collaboration arguably the largest coral conservation coral reefs are facing around the among the coral conservation collaboration of all time. world and here at home." community is possible, and building the Yet, as wonderful as the efforts expertise needed to meet the challenges around the AZA FRTRP are, the project coral reefs are facing around the world would not be possible without the long and here at home. history AZA facilities have with coral conservation and managing corals in Coral Collaboration: managed care. In fact, collaborative A Historical Perspective efforts to save corals have been going Ask many people in the coral on for more than 30 years, and continue conservation community to tell you the in many areas of the world. Numerous

28 www.aza.org | June 2020 projects involving hardworking aquarists It was then that the coral community spawn. They then take the spawn to The from the AZA, have set the stage for was starting to communicate more about Florida Aquarium so the settled larvae can AZA FRTRP success. husbandry, reproduction, and stewardship. grow in a safe environment. Pete Mohan has a helpful historical Over time, AZA aquarists interested in “We were doing it at the Aquarium perspective to this end. While he retired corals would gather in small groups at until around 2016 when we opened from the Akron Zoo in Akron, Ohio, in conferences and by the late 90s/early 2000s, our Center for Conservation,” said Keri mid-2018, he still works part-time at the formal collaborations—like SECORE’s O’Neil, senior coral scientist at The Florida Zoo as a consultant for aquatic systems workshops—started popping up. Aquarium’s Center for Conservation, and director of animal operations. He Since then, numerous collaborations located on Apollo Beach, Fla., about 15 remembers diving in the Florida reefs in have taken place to help save coral reefs miles south of the Aquarium. “When the the mid-70s and just how pristine they around the world. Many are starting now corals spawn in the ocean releasing sperm were at that time. After researching oyster while others are still underway. and eggs in the water, we collect it and on reef studies for his master’s degree in the land bring them together so the eggs get late 70s/early 80s, he joined SeaWorld Coral Spawning Partnership fertilized.The fertilized eggs settle to the of Ohio (which, today, is no longer in For more than 10 years, The Florida bottom and become coral larvae.” operation) in the late 80s and remembers Aquarium in Tampa, Fla.,—along with This process is important because the formation of the AZA’s Aquatic many other AZA-accredited facilities many corals are not reproducing sexually Invertebrate TAG in the late 80s/early 90s. and other research organizations—has in the wild—there are too few males and “We had to really start networking been working in tandem with the Coral too few females left to find each other to back then because that was a time when Restoration Foundation (CRF) on a coral mate and create unique coral offspring. there were a lot of new aquariums spawning project in the Florida Keys Over time, the collaboration to help corals being built around the country,” Mohan focused on the restoration of staghorn coral. reproduce has resulted in incredible results. remembered. “Collaborations between Every summer, the Aquarium and its “In 2019, we released 3,000 new, us built up organically and became even partners travel down to the CRF’s coral tree genetic individuals of staghorn coral back more commonplace.” nursery to conduct research and collect the into the waters of Florida,” said O’Neil.

28 www.aza.org | June 2020 June 2020 | www.aza.org 29 “This is one of the most inspiring projects I’ve ever worked on. We’ve made a difference. I’m comfortable saying that because of this project, this coral will not go extinct in the state of Florida.”

The process wasn’t easy; it took more Pillar Coral Rescue Project than two years to construct the proper The Atlantic pillar coral is a notoriously equipment and systems to mimic the difficult species of coral to breed and exact natural cues the corals would need keep alive. These facts are today made to spawn in managed care. But it worked, even more concerning because pillar and now, once per year, pillar coral gametes coral is being impacted by disease on the are created and larva are settled inside the Florida Reef Tract. To help this species, Center for Conservation in Florida. The Florida Aquarium and the Horniman “We have six baby pillar corals from Museum and Gardens in London got our 2018 coral spawning, and 11 from together in 2017 to help save this species. 2019,” said O’Neil.“ Considering we only “A lot of our partners had been have 40 genetic individual pillar corals in monitoring the population of pillar coral the wild, now we have an extra 17, and and noticing how quickly it was dying eventually they will go back into the reefs. from disease,” said O’Neil. “We were “This is one of the most inspiring taking corals from sick colonies and sick projects I’ve ever worked on. We’ve made sites and treating the disease and trying to a difference. I’m comfortable saying that stabilize them.” because of this project, this coral will not With the help from NOAA researchers go extinct in the state of Florida.” and other scientific partners, the Commenting on the many, many corals were treated, and since then, the collaborations in coral conservation, collaboration has helped them even spawn. O’Neil doesn’t hesitate. “Dr. Jamie Craggs at the Horniman “The coral conservation world is fairly Museum in London developed a small and close-knit,” she said. “Those technique to induce corals to spawn who understand how much trouble coral in an aquarium,” she said. “He’d done reefs are in realize that supporting each this successfully with many species of other and collaborating is the only way we Pacific corals, so we took his technique are going to save our coral reefs.” and adapted it for use on Atlantic pillar coral—for them to spawn in the tanks at Katie Morell is a writer based the Center for Conservation.” in Sausalito, Calif.

30 www.aza.org | June 2020 © NOVA Southeastern University Southeastern © NOVA 30 www.aza.org | June 2020 June 2020 | www.aza.org 31 © NOVA Southeastern University Southeastern © NOVA BY HILLARY RICHARD

32 www.aza.org | June 2020 © Adventure Aquarium It started as a

mysteriouswith no clear pattern of infection. disease Soon, it went rampant, baffling even the most seasoned scientists and researchers. Regardless of what it was or where it came from, the evidence was clear: a new disease was decimating Florida’s coral reefs at an alarming rate. Something drastic needed to be done. An emergency task force–the Florida Coral Rescue Plan–took shape, an unprecedented initiative to address an unprecedented problem. Partner organizations including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Florida Fish and Wildlife, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the National Park Service, and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, ten response teams, a steering committee, and an executive coordination team are in charge of rescuing and propagating corals from North America’s largest bank reef. The goal is to save the delicate Florida Reef Tract from stony coral tissue loss disease by rescuing a cross section of healthy corals, caring for them in land-based nurseries and holding facilities, propagating them, and then eventually outplanting them back onto the reef. Coral reefs support over a quarter of all marine life at some point during their life cycle, but these fragile ecosystems are heading towards extinction. In the last three decades, Florida’s waters have lost more than 90 percent of their corals in certain areas. In a matter of years, stony coral tissue loss disease moved very rapidly, attacking over 96,000 acres of the Florida Reef Tract and surrounding Caribbean areas. “With other diseases we always saw abatements during cooler temperatures, but we haven’t seen any kind of pattern with this disease. Every time we think we know what it’s going to do, it does the unexpected,” said Lisa Gregg, program and policy coordinator with the Fish and Wildlife Commission, who is also a co-leader of the Coral Rescue Team for this project.

32 www.aza.org | June 2020 June 2020 | www.aza.org 33 The AZA Community Gets Involved “We reached out to AZA because we realized this is an amazing network of skilled, highly professional aquariums across the country that may be able to help us out,” said Moore. In November 2019, AZA joined the Coral Rescue Team, and the Florida Reef Tract Rescue Project was formed. Knowing what they didn’t know and then being able to learn as they go has been key from the start. Through the experiences of AZA coral holding facilities and their teams it was learned by breaking up the numerous partner organizations into teams and small areas of expertise, the project could surpass the typically slow A Path to Restoration pace of similar academic studies. There are several steps in the reef restoration loop. “We’ve worked very hard to curate a community It starts with gathering a diverse collection of coral that’s very open and to share information as soon as we colonies, keeping them healthy, and monitoring their get it. Often, in science, you don’t publish your failures, growth. Then the corals need to have their genetic both because it’s not encouraged by journals but also, varieties tested for resilience to factors like disease, perhaps, out of personal pride. One of the unique things climate change, and environmental stress to predict about our response is that we’ve shared what’s going how they can eventually be outplanted onto reefs. well but also what’s really not going well, which has To begin, scientists identified more than 20 coral been essential in moving us forward so quickly” said species susceptible to stony coral tissue loss disease. Maurizio Martinelli, the Florida coral disease response Of those, they narrowed it down to 15 that were coordinator at Florida Sea Grant. considered high priority, taking into consideration “We’ve tried to have this be as organic as possible, factors like their conservation status, levels of not top down. We do have two leadership bodies abundance, and overall importance to the reef as that try to provide high-level guidance and goals, foundational species. The original goal was to collect but a lot of the work is coming from the bottom up. 200 corals of each species to ensure at least 50 unique That’s been instrumental in getting so many people individuals. By March 2020, they were about halfway on board because they can see that their thoughts, to their 3,000 specimen target, which was purposefully recommendations, and ideas are incorporated. It’s a over-ambitious. model that can be replicated in conservation in general,” “The problem is that we didn’t, at the time, have said Martinelli, adding that AZA has been especially the genetic tools to tell individuals apart for most of good with communicating best practices. these corals. We’re developing that now. But we couldn’t As of April 2020, the collected corals are being wait before we started collecting, so to hedge our bets, housed by a number of partners, including 19 AZA- we oversampled,” said Jennifer Moore, protective accredited facilities. The Mote Marine Laboratory coral recovery coordinator at the National Oceanic and Aquarium in Sarasota, Fla., is currently holding and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Southeast approximately 75 rescued coral colonies in three Regional Office, who is the other co-leader of the Coral systems. Mote Aquarium already had several live Rescue Team alongside Lisa Gregg. coral displays, so the staff had expertise in live coral The collections team partnered with local dive husbandry. Two of their holding systems are visible to shops on day trips, keeping coral specimens in coolers, the public, with signage highlighting the rescue project then bringing them back on land for cleaning and and Mote’s involvement. processing. They quickly learned that collecting under “Anyone who has ever cared for coral knows it’s this system would take three years, so they changed no easy task, but, it just makes sense to tap into AZA’s course. They moved onto live-aboard dive boats for nationwide wealth of knowledge to come together for three-day expeditions, collecting corals in large tanks Florida’s coral reef. AZA members also reach a large that could hold 350 specimens, and processing them at audience—the more awareness we can bring to our the same time. audiences about reefs in general and the threats they During the pilot phase, it became apparent that face around the globe, the better chance we have of everyone underestimated the space it would take to creating action and change,” said Stephanie Kettle, public house 3,000 corals. relations manager at Mote.

34 www.aza.org | June 2020 © The Florida Aquarium

Left: Fertilized and unfertilized eggs Above: Underwater rescue corals

34 www.aza.org | June 2020 June 2020 | www.aza.org 35 36 www.aza.org | June 2020 “The disease on the Florida Reef Tract really made us have to think outside the box and outside the norm of what we usually do. There was no way Florida would be able to do this on its own ...”

success is knowing at what point we can put it at scale Disney’s The Seas in Bay Lake, Fla., which has back in the water. We are all collectively making great been involved in coral conservation for decades, is strides,” said Roger Germann, president and chief contributing through the Disney Conservation Fund. executive officer at The Florida Aquarium in Tampa, Fla. “When we heard about the crisis facing the Florida In August 2019, The Florida Aquarium was the first Coral Reef Tract, we naturally answered the call to see to successfully reproduce Atlantic coral in human care. how we could not only provide support, but also join Germann said he would like to see people from AZA’s coral together with our local AZA institutions to help make holding facilities visit to learn more about coral genetics a meaningful difference for species so important for to help boost the reproductive success of this project. healthy ocean ecosystems, resilient coastlines, and our “The disease on the Florida Reef Tract really made economy,” said Dr. Mark Penning, vice president of us have to think outside the box and outside the norm animals, science and environment at Disney Parks. “I of what we usually do. There was no way Florida would encourage any AZA zoo or aquarium to get involved be able to do this on its own,” said Gregg. “AZA is where they can. We can all share the story of the Florida essentially working on an extensive training program coastline crisis and encourage behavior change that will to teach people how to take care of Caribbean corals make a difference.” based on their experience so far with the project. AZA-accredited facilities play a critical role in the There will be people from the larger coral restoration success of this coral rescue program, but it goes beyond community worldwide that will be chomping at the bit providing space and care. AZA aquariums are operating to take this training and learn from AZA.” as coral gene banks and developing breeding stock. The Florida Reef Tract Rescue Project created The immediate goal is replenishing the damaged reef an unprecedented collaborative response to an in approximately three years, but the hope is to have a unprecedented environmental problem. In a few years, genetically diverse and robust collection of coral available everyone hopes to be discussing this project in terms of to outplant in case of future environmental disasters. its unprecedented results for a thriving reef system. “Success for us is still trying to crack a lot of the codes and reproduce coral in human care. The greater Hillary Richard is a writer based in Bloomfield, N.J.

36 www.aza.org | June 2020 June 2020 | www.aza.org 37 CORAL ‘MATCHMAKER’ BREEDS THREATENED SPECIES BY HAYLEY RUTGER Florida’s coral reefs have enough problems—unprecedented levels of coral disease, climate change, pollution and hurricanes—without struggling to reproduce sexually. But struggle they do.

As environmental stress grows and coral Laboratory, and several other organizations, president and chief executive officer, Dr. populations shrink worldwide, coral sexual are stepping in to assist with coral sexual Michael P. Crosby. cycles are becoming disrupted and failing propagation, and why research scientists, “Now, our one organization can do altogether in some locations and for some like Dr. Hanna R. Koch, are exploring novel every step essential for resilient coral species, which has serious implications for reproductive interventions for advancing reef restoration, and I think this is a big the survival and long-term persistence of coral restoration strategies. deal,” said Muller, science director for natural and restored populations. Sexual Koch is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow Mote’s IC2R3. “We can complete the reproduction—in which the DNA of with the German Research Foundation sexual reproduction steps of spawning, gametes (sperm and eggs) from two different and Visiting Research Scientist at Mote’s fertilization, and larval settlement; we can corals of the same species recombine Elizabeth Moore International Center grow corals out, identify individual coral through a cyclic process of spawning and for Coral Reef Research & Restoration genotypes (genetic varieties) and test them fertilization—provides the next generation (IC2R3). She is collaborating with Mote for resilience to multiple stressors; and we of genetically diverse coral offspring that can scientists Dr. Erinn Muller and Erich can produce more coral colonies through replenish depleted adult populations and Bartels to investigate the heritability of asexual fragmentation and outplant them disperse to establish new reefs. disease resistance and establish a managed to depleted reefs. Then those adult colonies Genetic diversity, powered by sex, breeding program for generating more can produce more offspring to start the is a safety net that promotes population resilient offspring for coral restoration. cycle all over again.” resilience by providing a buffer against This summer, Koch took a big step environmental change and the flexibility to forward: turning Mote’s nursery-raised Preparing Corals for Their Big Day adapt. When sexual reproduction breaks staghorn corals—which are scientifically In spring 2019, Koch and partners laid down, so does that safety net, just when well studied and genetically documented— the groundwork for their managed sexual corals need it most. into parents for a carefully managed sexual reproduction effort using staghorn coral Since the 1980s, coral cover has reproduction effort that will feed fresh (Acropora cervicornis), a species whose declined by approximately 80 percent in genetics into future restoration and research. populations have declined 95 percent in the Caribbean and 50 percent worldwide. "This step, adding new genetic diversity the past 40 years due to whiteband disease, The resulting small patchy populations have with a new level of control, represents a high ocean temperatures, and other less successful spawning, fertilization, and critical new link in the chain of Mote’s stressors. Now listed as Threatened under recruitment of new individuals back into uniquely comprehensive strategy for the U.S. Endangered Species Act, staghorn the population. This is why Mote Marine science-based reef restoration," said Mote coral is one of several focal species of Mote’s

38 www.aza.org | June 2020 CORAL ‘MATCHMAKER’ BREEDS THREATENED SPECIES © Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium and © Mote Marine Laboratory

38 www.aza.org | June 2020 June 2020 | www.aza.org 39 Photos © Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium and Photos © Mote Marine Laboratory

40 www.aza.org | June 2020 research and restoration programs that have data is crucial to developing a successful is declining in the wild as populations raised and documented numerous staghorn breeding regime,” Koch said. “Interestingly, and environmental conditions become genotypes with varying traits. In April 2019, the genotypes that are whiteband disease degraded. The team collected the gamete Koch, joined by Bartels and intern Allyson resistant did not spawn during the predicted bundles and allowed them to break up DeMerlis, set up Mote’s first coral spawning window, indicating more research is needed in the lab, releasing sperm and eggs. nursery within Bartels’ staghorn restoration to understand why,” she added. Then they combined eggs and sperm nursery off Looe Key. The team modified Fortunately, certain coral colonies from genetically different parents—cross the coral “trees”—that usually hold small released their gametes with enough fertilization—to produce diverse offspring. coral fragments being propagated Breeding success between two corals asexually—to hold larger colonies. Colony can vary depending on which parent size, not age, determines sexual maturity: provided the sperm and which provided when these hermaphroditic corals the egg, so Koch allowed each coral in a produce both male and female gametes. pair to be mom, then dad. In July 2019, Koch and DeMerlis The next day, the team gazed through sampled their corals and found that half their microscope to spot developing contained developing gametes—a better embryos—irregular blobs distinct from percentage than typically seen on stressed, the round, unfertilized eggs. “Fertilization wild reefs. For this reason, Koch said, rates were quite high, with one batch “spawning nurseries have the potential reaching 50 percent and the other 80 to provide greater and more reliable percent,” Koch said. access to coral spawn that can be used for research and restoration.” She added, Growing and Glowing “We grew these sexually mature colonies Within a few days, Mote’s staghorn from large fragments in less than a year coral babies had developed into larvae, in this nursery, which speeds up progress which Koch settled on ceramic plugs. significantly for this type of work— By 1 September, Koch had 50 percent especially since wild or outplanted corals settlement and was raising 200 coral may need two or more years.” settlers, also called sexual recruits, which will add fresh genetics to Mote’s staghorn Romantic Sunsets restoration and research efforts. Each and Moonlit Nights settled larva develops into a coral polyp— Humans aren’t the only ones who get a bit one of many that will ultimately form the amorous under the full moon. Staghorn coral colony. Polyps start out transparent corals spawn at night, primarily two to and later gain color from special algae six days after the August full moon. To that enter their tissues and play a critical prevent field operations being disrupted role in their survival. by unpredictable weather, Koch and Mote New recruits are hard to see, but Koch staff brought 62 nursery-raised staghorn uses blue light to detect fluorescence corals into outdoor tanks at IC2R3 and naturally emitted by the coral. provided the sunset and moonlight cues “I’m using this method for more needed for spawning. quickly identifying and more accurately Koch and her team spent eight quantifying microscopic sexual recruits,” long nights on spawning duty, wearing she said. “Fluorescence starts during the full-body clothing to protect against larval stage, and this natural ability helps mosquitoes, as bug spray and other researchers in many ways, in addition to chemicals aren’t allowed around sensitive being absolutely beautiful!” coral gametes. They used red lights to These glowing coral babies represent watch for corals “setting”—where gamete the possibility of a brighter future of bundles are moved into position for release, restored reefs in the wild, and they’re the a helpful signal that spawning is imminent. latest reminder that Mote’s coral science and restoration—newly strengthened Little Bundles of Joy synchrony (similar timing) to allow through managed breeding—are a match Of 62 coral colonies, nine colonies of four breeding between genetically different made in heaven. genotypes spawned. parents. Corals must spawn on the same “I was very pleased with the results, night to combine their sperm and eggs, Hayley Rutger is the content as these colonies were relatively small and which are only viable for a few hours. development manager at Mote Marine first-timers; this initial spawning behavior However, coral spawning synchrony Laboratory and Aquarium.

Member News within a few months to begin African River. Barton will Texas State Aquarium Stuart Strahl to Retire the in-depth process of selecting continue in his position through Commemorates after 17 Years the right candidate to guide the the summer to aid in the search Employees’ at the Chicago evolving footprint of Brookfield for his successor and the 30-Year Career Zoological Society Zoo that includes future exhibits transition to new leadership. As the Texas State After 17 years as and capital projects. Barton stated, “I am very Aquarium in Corpus president and chief “We brought Stuart in to proud of our accomplishments Christi, Texas, executive officer of take CZS to the next level, and over the past 11 years and approaches its the Chicago he has guided our institution am always impressed by 30-year anniversary, staff are Zoological Society (CZS), which through three strategic the remarkable support for celebrating two unsung heroes that manages Brookfield Zoo in plans and has positioned us Fresno Chaffee Zoo from our have been with the facility since Brookfield, Ill., Dr. Stuart Strahl for success in animal care, community. Our team’s mission before day one—Ignacio “Nacho” has informed the Board of conservation leadership, and a has always been to provide the Rodriguez and Doug Lewis. Directors that his future plans family-friendly destination for Central Valley with a sustainable, In July 1990, the Texas State are to retire and not renew current and future generations,” world-class zoo experience. I’m Aquarium first opened its doors another long-term contract. said John Grube, chairman confident the next generation to the public, but even before Under Strahl’s leadership, of the board of trustees for of leadership will continue this then, employees were being there has been much progress, CZS. “We are happy for vision at the Zoo.” hired to prepare the much- growth, and many positive Stuart and wish him the best Mayor Lee Brand praised anticipated attraction for its changes at Brookfield Zoo. as he now focuses on family Barton’s leadership, “Scott grand opening. Among those These include furthering and his outside interests in has truly transformed Fresno brought on to tackle this task the Society’s mission with conservation. We look forward Chaffee Zoo into one of were Nacho and Doug. the development of the to working with him as we go California’s leading zoos and a And to this day, these programmatic Centers of through this transition.” first-class experience. A strong dedicated members of the Excellence—Center for the leader with a vibrant vision, Aquarium’s Physical Plant Science of Animal Care Fresno Chafee Zoo Scott is deeply committed to the maintenance crew are still at and Welfare and Center for Chief Executive welfare of animals in his charge it. Along the way, Nacho and Conservation Leadership. Officer, Scott Barton, and he’s leaving big shoes to fill.” Doug have helped the Aquarium “It has been an honor to Announces Retirement Zoo Corporation Board grow many times over, from a serve as CEO of the Chicago On 3 March 2020, Chair Kyle Kirkland stated, regional attraction to what is Zoological Society,” said Strahl. Scott Barton, chief “Through Scott’s vision, Fresno now the largest aquarium in “The Society was chartered executive officer of Chaffee Zoo has become a world- Texas and one of the top-rated nearly 100 years ago. As we the Fresno Chaffee renowned zoo and a top tourist aquariums in the nation. reach this significant milestone, Zoo in Fresno, Calif., attraction in the Valley, providing As members of Physical we celebrate the strong public- announced his intention to award-winning exhibits and Plant, Nacho and Doug are private partnerships that have retire in the fall of 2020 after 11 a first-class guest experience responsible for keeping a been developed throughout the years in the position. During his to our community. The Board myriad of systems operating, greater Cook County region. I tenure, Barton led the Zoo thanks Scott for his leadership, 24 hours a day, seven days a look forward to working with through transformational dedication, and passion and week. In addition, Doug leads the Board and staff to ensure the projects including Sea Lion looks forward to his insight the Aquarium’s in-house exhibit completion of CZS’s master plan Cove and African Adventure, in identifying the next leader fabrication program, and with and to support a successful and the latter of which doubled the to educate and inspire greater Nacho’s electrical expertise, smooth transition of my successor.” size of the Zoo. Barton also appreciation, respect, and care for the two have been involved in The timeline for a new CEO is shepherded the Zoo through the animals and the environment.” the production of every major unknown at this point; however, second passing of Measure Z in Barton was named chief exhibit program since the with the dialog just beginning, 2014 and the design and executive officer/executive Aquarium’s 1990 opening. the Society’s Board of Trustees planning of the Zoo’s future director of the Fresno Chaffee After long and storied expects to choose a search firm exhibits Kingdoms of Asia and Zoo in May 2009. careers, Nacho and Doug are

For more member news, visit www.aza.org/press-room

44 www.aza.org | June 2020 looking towards the next phase National Aviary for 17 years Medicine for the National Her unparalleled expertise in of their lives. While Doug and develop health care and Aviary,” said Cheryl Tracy, avian medicine, her incredible plans to continue work at the veterinary education programs. executive director at the enthusiasm for her work, Aquarium, Nacho will retire I am very excited to have a National Aviary. “Dr. Fish has and her compassion for each this year. At a staff meeting at new role in education and played an integral role in the individual bird in her care the Aquarium, both men were highlighting the work zoos do National Aviary’s growth since have helped to set her, and the recognized for their years of behind-the-scenes supporting she joined our team in 2003. National Aviary, apart.” service with a framed picture of wildlife conservation,” said Dr. the Aquarium’s building and a Fish. “The National Aviary is lifetime membership to visit the dedicated to inspiring people Member Updates Aquarium with the families. to take action and learn more “As we look forward to our about birds as sentinels for Welcome New Members 30-year anniversary, we’re also the environment. I’m looking looking back in gratitude at the forward to opportunities to help The Association of Zoos and Aquariums is pleased to members of our team like Nacho connect more people with the warmly welcome new Professional Affiliate, Professional and Doug, who have helped National Aviary’s mission and Fellow, Conservation Partners, Accredited Institutions, carry us this far,” said Texas conservation programs.” Certified Related Facilities, and Commercial Members. State Aquarium President and Dr. Fish joined the National Chief Executive Officer, Tom Aviary in 2003 as director New Professional Zoo New England Schmid. “We’re beyond proud of veterinary medicine. Affiliate Members Taylor Smith, Commissary, to have had Nacho and Doug as Recognizing a need among Mrs. Amber M Alink, Senior Zoo Boise part of our team for these past veterinarians for specialized Zookeeper of Elephants, Tina Vega, Henson 30 years, and so very thankful training in avian medicine, she Albuquerque Biological Park Robinson Zoo for their incredible work ethic, launched a teaching hospital Ms. Megan Buecher, Melissa Vindigni, extensive knowledge base, and program, which trains and Indianapolis Zoological Zookeeper, North commitment to the Aquarium mentors over 50 students from Society, Inc. Carolina Zoo and its mission.” around the world each year. Miss Annie Butchko, Mr. David Zaitz, Urban As a leading expert in Animal Care Professional I, Advantage & Professional National Aviary avian medicine, Dr. Fish has Birmingham Zoo Development Coordinator, Announces New Senior developed new protocols John Campbell, Director of Staten Island Zoo Director of Zoological for numerous bird species Facilities, the Wilds Advancement and in preventative medicine, Brian Denham, Chief New Professional Avian Medicine geriatric care, neonatal care, Operating Officer, Arizona- Fellow Members The National Aviary and emergency care. She has Sonora Desert Museum Kristin Society Heller, Vice in Pittsburgh, Penn., established techniques for treating Mark Echevarria, Gladys President of Development, announced that Dr. egg-bound birds, beak repairs Porter Zoo Oakland Zoo Pilar Fish will serve using dental acrylics, orthopedic Alanea Nicole Fink, Mr. Mark Stuart, Vice as senior director of zoological surgery, and skin-grafting. Zookeeper III African President of Operations, advancement and avian Dr. Fish graduated from Carnivores, Audubon Zoo Oakland Zoo medicine, a newly created University of Florida’s College Shelby Groves, Bird position. Dr. Fish will maintain of Veterinary Medicine where and Mammal Keeper, St New/Reinstated the lead role in the National she continued training in Augustine Alligator Farm Commercial Members Aviary’s Veterinary Department wildlife and zoological medicine Lauren Harster, Creative Coral Design while expanding her engagement by completing five years in Saint Louis Zoo 6601 Lyons Rd Suite F6 in a number of advancement internship and residency Lynda Johnson, Coconut Creek, FL 33073 opportunities. This multifaceted programs. Dr. Fish has practiced Development Officer, Email: info@ position will expand Dr. Fish’s zoo medicine for 25 years and Bermuda Aquarium, creativecoraldesign.com public role supporting the has worked throughout Africa Museum and Zoo Phone: (754) 212-2879 National Aviary’s work to reach and Latin America teaching Kathryn Rouse, http://creativecoraldesign.com new audiences through avian medicine and assisting Learning Specialist, Primary Contact: Robin Arce philanthropy, education, and wildlife rehabilitation centers. John G. Shedd Aquarium Artificial Coral and Reef outreach in the media, and “I am thrilled to have Dr. Melissa Rutten, Zookeeper, Inserts, Custom Themed ecotours around the world. Pilar Fish in this important Lincoln Children's Zoo Environments and Habitats, “It has been incredibly role overseeing Zoological Maggie Sawyer, Aquarium Consultation, rewarding to be part of the Advancement and Avian Lead Zookeeper, Design, and Installation.

44 www.aza.org | June 2020 June 2020 | www.aza.org 45 Exhibits

Did You See? The Florida Aquarium has made history once again! This time becoming the first in the world to reproduce ridged cactus coral in human care. Thanks to CNN for sharing our conservation story! #FloridaAquarium #ConservationNever Closes

- The Florida Aquarium Facebook Page

Zoo Atlanta Announces the Opening of Savanna Hall

A historic treasure comes alive advocates for our mission architecture, Savanna Hall served for an exciting new chapter as of conservation.” for more than 90 years as the Atlanta’s newest premier event The building, which home of the Cyclorama painting destination with the debut of originally had two floors, now The Battle of Atlanta. Following Savanna Hall, now open for has four, with event spaces on the move of The Battle of Atlanta special events at Zoo Atlanta the third and fourth floors and and other artifacts to the Atlanta in Atlanta, Ga. Savanna Hall administrative spaces on the first History Center, Zoo Atlanta is the second phase of the and second floors. A highlight engaged in meticulous efforts Zoo’s landmark Grand New of the Savanna Hall experience to preserve historic elements of View, which roared to life with is the Michael & Thalia Carlos the structure so that it retains the opening of the all-new Ballroom, a two-level grand many nods to its past. These African Savanna in August ballroom with sweeping views include the building’s original 2019. The roughly $55 million into the African Savanna. The granite façade; original, hand- transformation represents the ballroom includes two terraces laid terracotta brick walls now The Guam rail is only the most ambitious reimagining in over the Savanna, one covered visible in the Michael & Thalia Zoo Atlanta history. and one open-air. Other venues Carlos Ballroom; a portion of second bird in history to “This is a milestone years include the Delta Savanna Terrace the original center column that come back from being in the making for Zoo Atlanta. at the front of Savanna Hall, with supported the building’s roof; the declared extinct in the wild. We are still experiencing the views into Grant Park; multi- rail system that was originally Replay today’s livestream excitement of opening the new purpose meeting and conference used to hang the massive painting; African Savanna, and with the rooms; and the Savanna Vista, an and restored terrazzo floors. and see our Ambassador completion of Savanna Hall, intimate venue immersed in the Savanna Hall’s first-floor lobby Guam rail, Hurao, and we are now able to unite the center of the African Savanna. features a history wall celebrating golden lion tamarins: two with an event experience In addition to offering the intersecting histories of Zoo bit.ly/2wHMYBw unlike any other in the city,” said inspired, locally sourced menus Atlanta, the Atlanta Cyclorama, Raymond B. King, president for a variety of occasions, Savanna and Savanna Hall. Learn how we’re helping and chief executive officer. Hall also features two kitchens: “It was very important to us “Our hope is that Savanna Hall one a standard banquet kitchen that the Savanna Hall of the 21st save birds in the Mariana will attract many new guests and the other a specialty kitchen century should preserve some of Islands: bit.ly/2Ls7LNw who might not otherwise have equipped for kosher events. the aspects that made it such an - Houston Zoo Facebook Page thought of visiting the Zoo, Built in 1921 and famed for iconic site throughout most of the bringing new friends and its grand scale and neoclassical 20th century,” King said.

46 www.aza.org | June 2020 Announcements

April 2020 Accreditation Results

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums is pleased to announce the results of the Accreditation Commission hearings held virtually in April 2020. JUNE 2020 16: World Sea Turtle Day We would like to welcome two newly accredited member institutions: 21: World Giraffe Day Atlantis, Dubai, Dubai, Landry’s Downtown SeaWorld San Diego, United Arab Emirates Aquarium Denver, San Diego, Calif. JULY 2020 Honolulu Zoo, Denver, Colo. St. Augustine Alligator Farm, 1: Nominations due to honor Honolulu, Hawaii Landry’s Downtown Saint Augustine, Fla. colleagues and programs Aquarium Houston, Virginia Living Museum, www.aza.org/honors-awards Continuing Accreditation Houston, Texas Newport News, Va. For Another Cycle: Mystic Aquarium, Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta, Ga. SEPTEMBER 2020 Abilene Zoo, Abilene, Texas Mystic, Conn. Zoo Knoxville, Knoxville, Tenn. Arizona-Sonora Desert San Diego Zoo, Zoo Miami, Miami, Fla. 13-17: AZA Annual Conference Museum, Tucson, Ariz. San Diego, Calif. ZooTampa at Lowry Park, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Caldwell Zoo, Tyler, Texas San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Tampa, Fla. Columbus, Ohio www.aza.org/conferences- Discovery Cove, Orlando, Fla. Escondido, Calif. meetings#annual Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Santa Barbara Zoo, Continuing Certification Orlando, Fla. Santa Barbara, Calif. For Another Cycle: Send calendar listings to Jacksonville Zoo and SeaWorld Orlando, Lubee Bat Conservancy, Gardens, Jacksonville, Fla. Orlando, Fla. Gainesville, Fla. [email protected]

SAVE THE DATE Grahm S. Jones Grahm

Hosted by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium www.aza.org/annualconference

46 www.aza.org | June 2020 June 2020 | www.aza.org 47 Announcements

2020 AZA Photo Contest Format for Submission Photos must be taken in 2020 the digital version of Connect. Submissions should or the last three months of The December issue will not include the name of the 2019 by staff or volunteers at be printed. Other exceptional photographer, the AZA an Association of Zoos and photos will be highlighted institution, the species, the Aquariums-accredited institution. inside the digital magazine and date of the picture, and Connect staff will judge the on AZA’s website. The photos the equipment used. Only photos, and the winner will appear may also appear on AZA’s other one photo entry will be on the December 2020 cover of promotional materials. accepted per photographer, so send in your best image. Pictures can include animals, people, and zoo Advertiser Index or aquarium scenes – if you think it will make a good cover, send it in. Aqua Logic, Inc...... 42 By entering the contest you also represent, acknowledge and BioOne...... 55 Deadline: The deadline for entries is 15 warrant that (i) the submitted Cemrock Landscapes, Inc...... 43 September 2020. photograph is an original work created solely by you, and you Central Nebraska Packing, Inc...... Back Cover Format: are the sole owner of all right, JPG, TIFF or EPS; 300+ dpi and title, and interest in and to Fauna Research, Inc...... 51 9”x12” in size (jpgs preferred). your photograph, including the copyright; (ii) AZA’s Hanart Culture...... 2 Send to: publication of your photograph Both electronic and hard copy as authorized herein will not Imagine Exhibitions...... 50 images will be accepted – though violate or infringe any right, electronic images are preferred. title, or interest of any person K & K Insurance Group, Inc...... 43 All submissions become the or entity; (iii) AZA’s publication property of AZA and will not of your photograph will not LGL Animal Products, Inc...... 52 be acknowledged or returned. violate any right of privacy or Send electronic images to Tim publicity nor create any other Milliken Meat Products...... 53 Lewthwaite at TLewthwaite@aza. liability in tort and that you have org with “Photo Contest” in the obtained a valid model release The Paly Foundation...... 5 subject line. from any identifiable, individual person who is the subject of the Polly Products...... 55 License: photograph; (iv) you are not a By entering the contest, you party to and your photograph RodentPro.com, LLC...... Inside Back Cover grant to AZA, and its successors is not subject to any contract or and assigns, the non-exclusive, arrangement that would conflict Skulls Unlimited worldwide, perpetual right and with your permission herein; International, Inc...... Inside Front Cover license to use, display, reproduce, and (v) you agree to indemnify Stoneface...... 6 publish, transmit, and distribute and hold harmless AZA against your photograph on AZA’s any damages, losses, or expenses Tianyu Arts & Culture, Inc...... 16-17 website, in our magazine, and/ occurring as a result of any or in any other promotional claimed breach of warranty. Tom Tischler Bronze...... 49 materials. Your grant and license shall also apply to any reprints, Release Form: Triple A Brand Meat Company...... 49 revised editions, or derivative To be considered for publication works in any media or format, in Connect, all contest photos University of SanDiego Extension...... 49 whether now or hereafter known, that include people must be including without limitation accompanied by AZA’s Model WA Davidson of Jax, Inc...... 54 other kinds of print media and Release Form signed by each electronic media. person depicted.

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48 www.aza.org | June 2020 June 2020 | www.aza.org 49

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The Helga Beck Asian Elephant Preserve “The most trusted name in animal restraint.” expansion opened in July 2019 and is home to 3.5 Asian Elephants. The expan- The pre-hung, hydraulic roller gates can be rapidly installed on sloped or uneven terrain sion added 2 acres to the existing 4 acre and require no floor tracks. The hydraulic cylinder is mounted within the gate track and exhibit and features rolling hills, a large protected from the elephants. watering hole and a tunnel that the elephants traverse on a regular basis.

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June 2020 | www.aza.org 55 POTTER PARK ZOO Lansing, Michigan Jaali is the first black rhino calf born at the Zoo in its 100 year history. He was born on 24 December 2019 and made world wide news. His birth was featured on the Today Show, CBS nightly news, NY Times print, Washington WOODLAND PARK ZOO Post, and NPR All Things Seattle, Washington Considered. This was a Species A baby western lowland gorilla Survival Plan® birth. was born on 4 March at the Zoo. Woodland Park Zoo's dedicated team of animal keepers are making sure these two (and the rest of the group) have all they need to thrive.

AUDUBON AQUARIUM OF THE AMERICAS New Orleans, Louisiana Audubon Aquarium of the Americas introduced Zion, the newest addition to the African NASHVILLE ZOO penguin colony in a Facebook Live Nashville, Tennessee as part of the Virtual Community Connection Series on 24 March. The A giant anteater pup was chick hatched on 17 February. born at the Nashville Zoo. The 17-year old mother delivered the male on 28 February at a normal weight of 2.69 pounds. Both she and the newborn are doing fine. Since 2001, 20 giant anteaters have been DENVER ZOO born at Nashville Zoo’s off- Denver, Colorado exhibit breeding facility. The Zoo welcomed its first greater one-horned rhino calf when resident female, Tensing, 13, welcomed her first calf in late February. Initial reports VIRGINIA ZOO from the animal care team indicate that both Tensing Norfolk, Virginia and her calf are doing very The Zoo welcomed its first-ever Malayan well, and Tensing immediately tapir baby who was born on 20 January. started showing appropriate Malayan tapirs are a unique species maternal behaviors, including closely related to rhinos and horses nursing and grooming. that can be found in moist grasslands and tropical rainforests in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. Malayan tapirs grow to be between 5 ft. 11 in. and 8 ft. 2 in., and weigh between 550 and 710 pounds.

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