City Employees Club of Los Angeles • Alive! JULY 2015 11

Zoo Zoo

Story courtesy Zoo Story courtesy LA Zoo Photo by Jamie Pham, Zoo Photos by Jamie Pham, LA Zoo Bowling for Rhinos 11 Animal Keepers raise funds for critically endangered rhinos. Jaguars

oo animal care staff members go above and order to create awareness and inspire people Zbeyond every day to provide excellent care to care more about these critically endangered Parked for the animal residents at the Zoo, but what species in the wild.” many people may not realize is they donate Participating in the AAZK’s annual charity their free time to protect species in the wild as event Bowling for Rhinos for its seventh year, in New well. Just in time for Endangered Species Day the L.A. Zoo Chapter hoped to surpass last on May 15, Zoo employees who are members year’s goal and reach a new record high of of the American Association of Zoo Keepers $55,000. All of the proceeds raised throughout (AAZK), geared up for their seventh annual the year are funneled into several conserva- Home tion organizations including Lewa One of the Zoo’s jaguars explores its new habitat. Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya, Zoo opens new jaguar habitat. International Rhino Fund, Action he LA Zoo and Botanical Gardens have options for the male jaguar, Kaloa, while the for Cheetahs, and study and travel Topened a new habitat for the Zoo’s three male/female pair, Stewie and Johar, mark their grants. Once received by these jaguars, offering guests the opportunity to home ranges in the main exhibit space and organizations, the funds are used see jaguars as never before and marking the vice versa. This facilitates the jaguars’ natural to pay the salaries of park rang- momentous completion of the $180 million behavior, as they are solitary creatures except ers, provide the equipment and Master Plan Phase 1 that has transformed the for courting pairs or mothers and babies. vehicles used to track poachers, Zoo, placing it at the vanguard of animal care The exhibit also offers upgraded Zoo visitor and help educate locals about the and conservation. experiences by optimizing viewing, with two unique species in their own back The jaguars’ brand new home, like every glass areas allowing opportunities to see these yard. other LA Zoo Master Plan habitat, is designed magnificent animals up-close, and engaging The AAZK L.A. Chapter cel- for specific needs and natural behavior of the interpretive graphics, all designed to inspire ebrates a six-year winning streak species, incorporating state-of-the-art design appreciation for preservation of one of the as the highest grossing fundraising and technology to provide superior living spac- iconic animals of the rainforest environment. Randa the Rhino and Kris Willis, Animal Keeper. chapter and has raised more than es for the animals, maximize safety and keeper Since 1900, jaguars, which are “near threat- $216,000. management and accommodate changes in ened,” have disappeared from much of their Bowling for Rhinos fundraiser, in which the Zoo guests can get up close and personal zoo populations, including births. range due to persecution by livestock ranch- proceeds went to protect the endangered rhi- with the Zoo’s very own Indian rhino, Randa, The 7,100 square-foot jaguar habitat, built ers, degradation of habitat, and human hunting nos in Africa and Asia. and become inspired to help these critically on a hillside on Rainforest of the Americas’ of jaguar prey. “Rhino poaching in the wild is getting endangered animals in the wild. Randa, who northwest end, features a waterfall and pool Jaguars, the third largest of the cat spe- worse,” said Kris Willis, Animal Keeper, AAZK lost her own horn in 2007 due to cancer treat- in which the animals can swim, deadwood cies and largest in the Americas with the male L.A. Chapter Vice President, and Bowling for ments, can be seen in her habitat daily, weath- trees on which they can climb, and abundant averaging between 125 and 250 pounds, hold Rhinos Chairperson. “The animals here at the er permitting. Guests can also participate in landscaping through which they can wander, great religious and cultural importance in many L.A. Zoo are ambassadors for animals in the a behind-the-scenes Indian rhino encounter such as tall grasses, shrubs, ficus trees and cultures of Mexico, Central America and South wild, and while we love them we don’t want with Randa on weekends and holidays for an banana plants. A sophisticated 1,800 square- America. They once roamed from the southern these animals to be the only ones left. We additional fee. For additional information and foot animal holding facility includes six “bed- tip of the latter continent north to the region are passionate about volunteering our time in tickets visit http://www.lazoo.org/visit. rooms” and “day room” to provide off-exhibit surrounding the U.S.-Mexico border. The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens is in Griffith Park at the junction of the The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens is in Griffith Park at the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways. Admission is $19 for adults and $14 for Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways. Admission is $19 for adults and $14 for children ages 2 to 12. The Zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For information, children ages 2 to 12. The Zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For information, call (323) 644-4200 or visit the L.A. Zoo Website at www.lazoo.org. call (323) 644-4200 or visit the L.A. Zoo Website at www.lazoo.org.