VISION The Milwaukee County Zoo will be a zoo of renown with a reputation as a leader in animal management, conservation, research and education within a wholesome recreational environment enjoying the admiration of the citizens of Milwaukee County as well as all zoo guests and other zoos of the world. MISSION STATEMENT The Milwaukee County Zoo will inspire public understanding, support and participation in global conservation of animal species and their environment by creating a unifying bond between our visitors and the living earth and provide an environment for personal renewal and enjoyment for our guests by: • Contributing to world wide animal management, conservation and research efforts; • Fostering sound physical, psychological and social development for the animal groups in our care; • Sharing our knowledge with the intent to reinforce the human-animal-earth bond; • Improving the quality of our professional development, administration and operating environment; • Striving for the financial self-sufficiency of the organization; • Continuing the public-private partnership with the Zoological Society of Milwaukee. Cover photo: Western lowland gorilla, Sulaiman Inside cover photo: Cownose ray TABLE OF CONTENTS Address from the County Executive . .1 Letter from the Director . .2 Milwaukee County Zoo History . .3 2014 Highlights . .6 Animal Management and Health Division . .8 Zoo Staff Conservation and Research Projects . .18 Additional Conservation Efforts . .22 Cooperative Animal Management Programs . .24 Administration and Finance . .27 Operations . .33 Operating Expenses . .36 Th e Milwaukee County Zoo and the Zoological Society . .38 County Executive and Board of Supervisors . .41 DEAR FRIENDS, For the Milwaukee County Zoo (MCZ), the year was marked by noteworthy conservation efforts, in the way of several significant animal births and acquisitions to the collection. The births were additions to the captive population of endangered and threatened species – once again positioning the Zoo as one of the leaders in captive propagation. The Zoo’s next 20-year of a species facing dire threats in the wild. Also of major master plan initiatives significance was the birth of a male western lowland gorilla moved forward, with the named Sulaiman. Born in November to first-time mother, Zoo’s new west entrance Shalia, gorilla Sulaiman represents quite a rare birth in being among the first North American zoos. to be addressed. This new auxiliary parking and I thank the Zoo staff for its continued dedication and ticketing area is a result hard work. It takes the effort of everyone to make this of the Zoo Interchange organization prosper, and to continue to be considered Project reconstruction, such a treasure in our community. and the loss of 700 I would also like to acknowledge the relationship between parking spaces in the the Zoo and the Zoological Society of Milwaukee. Each year, Zoo’s existing lot. By May this public-private partnership helps strengthen the Zoo’s 2016, this plot of land overall mission. behind the Small County Executive Chris Abele Mammals building will be a functioning visitor entrance, complete with restroom facilities and merchandise and concession areas. During the summer, the Zoo welcomed a jaguar birth; Chris Abele the second offspring for female Stella, and wild-born male, Milwaukee County Executive Pat. The birth of cub Francisco marks the propagation Humboldt penguin 1 LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR The year 2014 was marked by much activity, both with significant births as well as acquisitions to the collection. We also continued to navigate new construction hurdles in and around the Zoo, as the Zoo Interchange Project continued to progress. This substantial project will continue to impact the Zoo through 2018. northwest corner of the Zoo. Set to open in 2015, this entrance area will eventually include ticketing kiosks, restrooms, concessions and merchandise areas. I’d like to acknowledge two long-time senior staff members who retired during the year: Deputy Zoo Director of Animal Management and Health, Dr. Bruce Beeler; and Primate and Small Mammal Curator, Jan Rafert. Together, their tenure at the Zoo combined for 60+ years of dedication and service. They will be missed. We thank them for their hard work throughout the years and wish them all of the best as they begin new experiences separate from the Zoo. We once again extend a thank you to the county executive, the county board and the Zoological Society and their partners for their continued support. A number of our initiatives, renovations and special exhibits are possible Zoo Director Charles Wikenhauser because of their assistance. For a second consecutive summer, the Zoo welcomed Please read on as each division shares highlights from back a popular live-animal exhibit, Sting Ray & Shark Bay, the year. sponsored by Sendik’s Food Markets. As in years past, visitors were thrilled to interact with harmless species of both sting rays and sharks in our 14,000-gallon touch pool. In August, our female jaguar, Stella, gave birth to a male cub named Francisco. This is the third offspring for wild- Charles Wikenhauser born father, Pat, once again adding new and extremely Director valuable genetic diversity into the captive population. Jaguars Stella and Francisco In November, the entire staff was thrilled to announce the birth of a male western lowland gorilla named Sulaiman. The birth of this particular species is extremely rare in captivity, and the primate staff and entire animal care staff should be commended for this monumental birth. Western lowland gorillas are currently critically endan - gered in the wild. As a result of construction on the Zoo Interchange Project, our existing parking lot lost approximately 700 parking spaces. During 2014, plans continued for the construction of an auxiliary Zoo entrance on an eight-acre parcel of land on the 2 T H E M I L W A U K E E C O U N T Y Z O O O U R H I S T O R Y Home to more than 3,100 mammals, birds, fish, amphibians and reptiles, we’re proud our Zoo continues to be recognized as one of the finest in the country. Our history at a glance: 1892 . .The Milwaukee County Zoo (MCZ) started as a miniature mammal and bird display in Milwaukee’s downtown Washington Park 1902 . .Expanded to 23 acres; now home to 800 animals 1910 . .The Zoological Society was founded, lending financial support to the Zoo 1934 . .Became an entity of the Milwaukee County Park Commission, which helped provide resources to expand the Zoo 1958 . .Moved to its present location on 200 acres of parkland Washington Park Late 1960s . .Completion of: the Primate Building, Monkey Island, Winter Quarters, Polar and Brown Bear Exhibits, and the Feline, Pachyderm, Giraffe, Bird, Small Mammal, Aquarium and Reptile and Australian Buildings 1970s . .Added the Children’s Zoo, Train Shed, Zoo Hospital, Dall Sheep Exhibit and the Gift Shop. The Zoological Society’s volunteer organization, Zoo Pride, was established. The Zoological Society develops education programs at the Zoo. 1978 . .Was one of only 22 institutions in North America accredited by the American Association of Zoological Parks & Aquariums, now named the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. 1980s . .Initiated a $26 million capital improvement plan, representing a significant partnership venture between the Zoo, Milwaukee County and the Zoological Society. Completion of: Wolf Woods, underwater viewing in the Polar Bear and Sea Lion Exhibits, Oceans of Fun, the Dairy Complex, Humboldt Penguins and the Peck Welcome Center 1988 . .Hosted the Association of Zoos & Aquariums Annual Conference Early 1990s . .Extensive renovation of the Aviary and Primates of the World, and the completion of a new Apes of Africa Exhibit 1995 . .Renovation of the Aquarium and Reptile Center; renamed the Aquatic and Reptile Center 1998 . .Completed remodeling of the Small Mammals building 1999 . .Initiated a $30 million capital improvement plan, representing a significant partnership venture between the Zoo, Milwaukee County and the Zoological Society 3 Timber wolf 2002 . .Renovation and modernization of Lakeview Place restaurant Redesign of the Ice Cream Palace and Karibu Gift Shop Groundbreaking for the new Animal Health Center Major renovation (both indoor and outdoor quarters) to our landmark exhibit Monkey Island; renamed Macaque Island 2003 . .Completion of Animal Health Center Initiated design phase of renovation to the Feline Building; animals relocated A king penguin receives care in the new Animal Health Center. Began initial renovations to the Stackner Heritage Farm and construction of the Karen Peck Katz Conservation Education Center 2004 . .Completion of the Karen Peck Katz Conservation Education Center Began demolition and finalized designs for Northwestern Mutual Family Farm Continued construction of the new $7.2 million Florence Mila Borchert Big Cat Country 2005 . .Completion of the Florence Mila Borchert Big Cat Country Completion of the Northwestern Mutual Family Farm Completion of the redesign and renovation of the Safari Train Station 2006 . .Completion of the MillerCoors Giraffe Experience Began initial design phase for the new U.S. Bank Gathering Place 2007 . .Began construction for the new U.S. Bank Gathering Place, and the new Idabel Wilmot Borchert Flamingo Exhibit and Overlook 2008 . .Completion of the U.S. Bank Gathering Place Completion of the Idabel Wilmot Borchert Flamingo Exhibit and Overlook Received accreditation by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums Hosted the AZA Annual Conference 2009 . .Completion of the Dohmen Family Foundation Hippo Home Completed renovation of the Taylor Family Humboldt Flamingos Penguin Exhibit Began upgrades for storm water management program 2010 . .Installed solar panels at admission gates Installed permanent poetry exhibition The Language of Conservation, located throughout Zoo 4 2011 . .Completion of the new outdoor Bonobo Exhibit, and new interpretive graphics and interactive displays to the indoor Bonobo Exhibit Opened new permanent visitor activities with Sky Trail® Wisconsin Adventure Zone Added Kohl’s Wild Theater programming to Zoo’s Northwestern Mutual Family Farm, made possible by donation to the Zoological Society 2012 .