Fall 2019 | Member Magazine Reid Park Zoological Society ZooFriendZ is a very special circle of people who are invested in the future of Tucson’s Reid Park Zoo by donating $500 or more annually.

Join ZooFriendZ Today! ONLY $42 MONTHLY! For more information, contact Gail Brown at [email protected] or (520) 881-4753. Love at First Stripe In mid-May of 2019, our black feathers on his body two new Grevy’s zebras while female ostriches have Ben and Anna were in their brown back feathers. The Reid Park Zoological Society 1030 South Randolph Way habitat together for the zebras are less obvious about Tucson, Arizona 85716 P: (520) 881-4753 first time. Both zebras had breeding conditions. President & CEO lived with other zebras at Nancy J. Kluge By spending time with our former zoos, but had not Chief Development Officer zebras, animal care staff Gail Brown yet met each other. Any have observed appearance Director of Business Operations & CFO animal introduction can Tong Cheng and personality differences be nerve-wracking, as at that they use to tell them Director of Zoo Operations times they may not pair well Sue Tygielski, PhD apart. If you spend enough together. But Ben and Anna Director of Human Resources time watching the pair, you Helen Velez experienced what can only may see these differences Director of Marketing & Events be called "love at first stripe." Deborah Carr too. Each zebra has its own They ran together. Anna unique pattern of stripes, Chief Philanthropy Officer Diana Whitman kicked at Ben but continued like fingerprints in humans. to run in front of him, 2018 Board of Directors Since they are so difficult seemingly enjoying the chase. Society Board Foundation Board to tell apart, keepers use Chair Chair They raced throughout the Lisa Lovallo Dr. George Ball their personalities more than habitat and, soon, they bred. appearance. Ben is a very Vice Chair Vice Chair Dr. Shane Burgess Nate Clark Several weeks later, ostriches mellow zebra, usually relaxed Secretary Treasurer Ethel and Eiffel were and calm. Anna is much Robert Charles Steve Larsen introduced to the zebras. sassier and more playful. Treasurer Secretary Patricia O'Callaghan Bridget Stephenson Neither zebra nor ostrich Grevy’s zebra are endangered was too interested in one Past Chair Mica Bane in the wild due to habitat Mica Bane Susan Beesemyer another at this time. Having Chad Driedger loss. Reid Park Zoo partners Kathy Alexander Mike Halle the four animals together Susan Beesemyer Sheldon King with other organizations to Matt Bingham can be dynamic depending Neal Eckel support protection of wild Michael Hannley on breeding cycles. Certain Cathy Hutchens zebras and wild places. By E. Courtney Johnson times of the year Eiffel’s neck Steve Larsen visiting and supporting Reid Edmund Marquez turns bright red indicating Park Zoo, you too are helping Anita Simons he is in breeding mode. Eiffel Richard White protect these, and other is always easy to distinguish Emeritus Director animals in the wild. Denice Shepherd from Ethel due to his dark Dr. Gilbert Aguirre visits Reid Park Zoo He’s a “larger than life” sort ranching, rodeo and of gentleman and his tall western tradition. cowboy stature can sometimes Aguirre oversees all surprise you with his calming of Rancho Mission demeanor. Viejo’s ranching, On September 28, Dr. Gilbert farming, agricultural G. Aguirre visited the Zoo with and industrial leasing his nephew Lorenzo Quiroz. and related ranching Dr. Aguirre is the largest donor interests. He is a ever to the Reid Park Zoo. In member of the 2010, Aguirre donated a 765- ranch’s Executive Committee and has acre ranch to the Zoo and this Next to the Reid Park Zoo participated in all major land- most generous contribution Wildlife Carousel is a plaque development decisions for blazed the trail for what is now that honors Gilbert’s work more than 40 years. the Gilbert G. Aguirre Annual here and reminds visitors of his Giving Circle* at Reid Park Zoo. One of his many generosity after so many years Dr. Aguirre is a sixth generation accomplishments and claim- of calling Tucson, Arizona his rancher and Tucson native. He to-fame is the Annual Rancho home. Mission Viejo Rodeo which is graduated from the University *The Gilbert G. Aguirre Circle billed as “The Richest Two Day of Arizona’s College of honors a special group of Rodeo in America.” Aguirre Agriculture and Life Sciences in individuals who make an was elected to the California 1957 with a bachelor’s degree annual gift of $10,000 or Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2008 in animal science and received more to support the progress and his philanthropic work in a UA Honorary Doctorate in of Tucson’s Reid Park Zoo. A that state remains strong. 2018. After moving to San Juan dinner is held each Spring to Capistrano in the early years, In 2014, Dr. Aguirre visited the recognize the Circle with Mr. he now serves as Rancho Zoo for the first time in years. Aguirre as the guest of honor. Mission Viejo’s Executive Vice This up close and personal The next dinner will be held President of Ranch Operations. experience impressed him. "I in April of 2020. For more He is a leader in the ranching had no idea the little Zoo that information, please contact the industry and has devoted his I remembered years ago had Development Department at professional career to the grown to this.” 520-881-4753. advocacy and preservation of Geriatric Animal Spotlight The pair of tigers at the Zoo are both 18 years old and are sometimes hard As you travel the Zoo, you will see animals at all stages of their lives to tell apart. Sita, the female, has more white on her face above her eyebrows from youthful squirrel monkeys to elderly bears. When animals age and on her cheeks. Sita recently underwent treatment for severe arthritis but is responding well and moving throughout her habitat like a younger cat. Baheem, at the Zoo, they often face similar problems as older people. Animal the male, is a little lean—as older animals, and sometimes people, can be. care and veterinary staff do their best to monitor and manage the Both tigers take a variety of supplements and medications prescribed by the special needs of animals as they age. veterinarian. Median life expectancy = 16.1 years

The white rhino Yebonga is 46 years old and can be Both lion-tailed macaques are getting older. Hadji, the male, identified by her blunt horn. She moves more slowly is 27 years old and Beanie, the female, is 31 years old. You throughout her habitat compared to the younger male, and can distinguish them based on size, with Hadji being much has more frequent foot radiographs to help the vet check larger and having a large lower mane around his face, her foot health. She has occasionally received special looking beard-like. Hadji is currently being trained foot care of ointments rubbed on her lower legs, and for insulin injections as he is pre-diabetic. Beanie is oral medications to help with old age foot issues. being monitored as well. Median life expectancy = 31.4 years Median life expectancy = 26.6 years

Tina, the 38 year-old female east African grey The South America Aviary is home to two crowned crane lives with her mate and can be birds whose age is notable: Strawberry, the identified by the band on her left leg. While an 25 year-old spoonbill, is a type of bird that older bird, she still dances, bows and jumps. lives in the South America Aviary and is She can be quite vocal and is a stunning bird pink in color like a flamingo. As the name to observe. The keepers monitor her weight indicates, her beak looks like a spoon to carefully as she tends to be on the lean side. swish the water and filter out her food. Median life expectancy = 25 years Median life expectancy = 15 years

Billy the 46 year-old gibbon can be heard early in the morning and late in the day vocalizing. His song Leslie the King Vulture is 54 years old and carries across the Zoo, and on some days, he can be also lives in the South America Aviary. She is heard beyond the Zoo perimeter. While he still swings the third oldest king vulture in AZA zoos. across his habitat well, he faces arthritis and heart disease, While being an old bird, so far Leslie is in good just like older people do. health. Median life expectancy = 45-48 years Median life expectancy = 16.4 years

Denver, our 30 year-old giraffe, is the smaller of the two giraffes and is lighter Worf, the Zoo’s 26 year-old male Andean bear, can be Spotted-necked otter Pfeiffer is 21 years old and in great in color. Denver receives more frequent recognized by the grey and tan hair on his muzzle and health. While being an older animal she enjoys swimming and veterinarian attention due to her advanced around his nose. As he has aged, his facial markings have throwing things into the air and catching them. Her active age and finicky eating habits. She often gotten lighter, just like people "go grey". Andean bears are lifestyle keeps her healthy. You can spot her by looking for refuses various food items that she excellent climbers, but due to Worf’s age, he often stays the heart shaped white spot on her throat; she is also is previously liked, challenging her keepers lower to the ground and spends more time wading in his smaller and darker than the male otter. to keep varying her diet. Median life pool. Worf receives special foot soaks to help keep his paws Median life expectancy = 14 years expectancy = 19.4 years in good health. Median life expectancy = 25 years EDUCATION PROGRAMS - Where Learning Gets Wild!

LITTLE CRITTERS: A FEAST FOR even clean an animal night house. THE BEASTS (AGES 2-5) We will do and see it all, just like a NATURE PLAY: SEASON’S Saturday, November 9, 9-10 a.m. Zoo Keeper! Have your child leave GREETINGS (ALL AGES) $12 members, $20 non-members their best clothes at home and be Saturday, November 30, Thanksgiving is right around the prepared to get down and dirty on 10 a.m.-1 p.m. this behind the scenes adventure! corner! Food is on our mind in this Free with regular zoo admission Little Critters program. Up close Advance registration is required. The seasons are upon us, year round experiences with animal ambassadors here in Tucson! At this month’s will introduce your little DR ZOO (AGES 8-12) Nature Play, we’re learning all critter to different types of Sunday, November 17, Saturday, about our favorite seasons: Winter, animal eaters. Then we will December 21, 9 a.m. -11 a.m. Spring, Summer, and Fall. Make ice investigate animal diets $15 members, $20 non-members sculptures, use water colors and and learn how often some Does your child dream of becoming nature items to create beautiful works animals need to eat. You a Zoo veterinarian? Your child will of art, practice puddle jumping, and will be full of knowledge travel behind-the-scenes to the Zoo’s much more! by the time this program state-of-the-art Animal Health Center is done! Advance for a day in the life of a Zoo Vet. registration is required. Participants will utilize the Freeport- NATURE PLAY: NATURE’S McMoRan Education Gallery to view PLAYGROUND (ALL AGES) Saturday, Dec 28 LITTLE CRITTERS: HOLIDAY the surgery, treatment and pharmacy TREAT (AGES 2-5) rooms of the Animal Health Center. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, December 14, 9-10 a.m. They’ll experience first-hand the Free with regular zoo admission importance of math and science $12 members, $20 non-members Let your imagination come alive The holidays are here, and we want in diagnosing and treating animal at this month’s Nature Play. We’ll to celebrate with you! Warm up in ailments through hands-on activity provide large and small tree rings, the Zoo’s Conservation Learning stations that are based on real- pinecones, river stones, small Center while helping make holiday life zoo scenarios. After they’ve branches and sticks, and much more enrichment that the animal care finished helping all of their patients, for your child to investigate and team will give to the animals at Reid they’ll earn their Dr. Zoo certificate! engage in imaginative play. Learn Park Zoo later. Enjoy an up-close Advance registration is required. from our specially trained Nature Play visit from some of the Zoo’s animal Partners about why unstructured ambassadors as you learn how the FAMILY BEHIND THE SCENES play in nature is so important for your Zoo uses all kinds of treats—including TOUR (AGES 5 AND UP!) child’s development, and get some the ones you will make—to help Friday, Nov 29, 9:30-10:30 a.m. AND fresh ideas for encouraging these keep our animals healthy. Advance 12:30-1:30 p.m.; Saturday November practices at home. registration is required. 30, 12:30-1:30 p.m. only; Saturday, December 28; Sunday, December 29, WINTER CAMP (GRADES 1-2 YOUNG ZOO EXPLORERS 9:30-10:30 a.m. AND 12:30-1:30 p.m. AND GRADES 3-6) SERIES: HIBERNATION STATION $18/member participant, Thursday, December 26 and Friday (AGES 6-12) $23/non-member participant December 27, 9 a.m. -3 p.m. Sunday, November 10, 9-11 a.m. Journey behind the scenes with your $45/day members, family over the holidays! Find out $55/day non-members $15 members, $20 non-members what it takes to care for over 250 Winter discoveries await your child Bearing down for the winter? We animals every day, why zoos are during this special camp! Your child are finishing off this series focusing important, and learn what YOUR Zoo will explore how wildlife survives on different types of dormancy in is doing to protect wild animals and during the winter season and how animals. We will find out what can wild places. The adventure begins the Zoo prepares to keep its animals affect dormancy patterns and meet in the giraffe barn, continues to the safe and warm. Each day of camp some animal ambassadors up close! Zoo’s kitchen, includes a behind the will focus on a different theme and From hibernation and brumation to scenes visit with the rhino and ends will be filled with up close animal estivation, you will be an expert on at the giraffe encounter. After the encounters. Advanced registration is animals that slow down in different tour, you and your family can choose required. seasons or for different reasons. to remain in the Zoo to explore for as Advance registration required. long as you like. Please note this is a one-hour walking tour on dirt roads. JUNIOR ZOO KEEPER Advance registration is required. (AGES 6-12) Sunday, November 3, Sunday, December 15, 9-11 a.m. $15 members, $20 non-members Does your child want to be a Zoo Keeper? Through this interactive, hands-on program your child will experience a snapshot of a day in the life of a Zoo Keeper. Travel behind- the-scenes to the Zoo’s kitchen to prepare a meal for one of the animals at the Zoo, watch a training demonstration with an animal ambassador, feed the giraffes, and Dr. Zoo (Ages 8-12) CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Kick back with some music and take home a collectible souvenir glass. Café and Gift Shop will be open for dinner and shopping.

ASIAN LANTERN FESTIVAL February 13-16, February 20-23 and February 27-March 1 , 6-9 p.m. Nightly March 5 – March 29, 6-9 p.m. $18 for Adults, $16 for Children ages 2-14, $2 off for Zoo Members Back by popular demand with over 80% new lights and sights this year! ZOO LIGHTS HOLIDAY MAGIC A dazzling display of custom-made Presented by Tucson Electric Power Chinese lantern structures will Member Preview Night: illuminate Reid Park Zoo this spring! Wednesday. December 4, 6-8 p.m. Colossal by day and radiant after Special admission of $4 for Member dark, guests will discover over 40 Adults: $2 for Member Children spectacular scenes representing Ages 2-14 (December 4 only) traditional Chinese folklore along with Regular Admission Nights: fantasy settings and larger-than-life December 5-23, 6-8 p.m. replicas of animals from around the Encore Nights: world. Explore Asian culture with December 26-30, 6-8 p.m. captivating live performances and $10 for Adults, $6 for Children ages sample Asian-inspired dishes in the 2-14, $3 off for Zoo Members Zoo’s Café. Tickets go on sale online Group ticket packages available for in January. Watch for details at groups of 20 or more www.ReidParkZoo.org It’s the most wonderful time of the year at Reid Park Zoo. Sip New Fenghuang (Phoenix) Lantern hot cocoa as you stroll through a winter wonderland of over one million glittering lights, illuminated sculptures and brilliant holiday scenes. Bring the kids to visit Santa through December 23, enjoy festive entertainment and falling snow in an enchanted forest of sights and sounds sure to put you in the holiday spirit.

BREW LIGHTS Saturday, December 7, 6-8 p.m. $35 Adult VIP (ages 21+), $30 Zoo Member VIP (ages 21+) Zoo Lights Only: $10 Adult General Ticket, $6 Children ages 2-14 General Ticket $3 off for Zoo Members Drink in the sights and sample craft beers from local breweries under the twinkling lights of Tucson’s favorite holiday tradition: Zoo Lights, presented by Tucson Electric Power.

For more information on these and other upcoming events Interested in becoming a sponsor and education programs, please visit our website at of Reid Park Zoo events? www.ReidParkZoo.org Check back often to see what's new at your Zoo! Call 881-4753 or email [email protected]

Caterpillar, Inc. Aetna Susan Denis, Realtor with Tierra Antigua Realty Thank you to our Business Members! Sabbagh Tax & Accounting, LLC Non-Profit Org. Reid Park Zoological Society U.S. Postage 1030 South Randolph Way PAID Tucson, Arizona Tucson, Arizona 85716 Permit No. 1257