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Little Rock Zoo 2015 Annual Report

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Little Rock Zoo 2015 Annual Report Little Rock Zoo 2015 Annual Report 2 Letter from the Director The Little Rock Zoo has always gained strength from the many partnerships we’ve built with docent volunteers, loyal Zoo Members, community supporters, generous donors, sponsors and public officials. As we continue to grow and develop we strive to create a better zoo that provides more opportunities for discovery, excitement, research, education and conservation while also providing optimal care for our animals. The year 2015 launched us into the Zoo’s 90th Anniversary. In 2016 Zoo staff and partners have been busy building new exhibits, developing new plans, designing new educational programs, upgrading facilities and preparing the Zoo for the future. We’re grateful for the support that our community has shown us the past 90 years and look forward to what’s in store for the next 90! The Little Rock Zoo Sincerely, creates engaging Michael E. Blakely, Director experiences that Little Rock Zoo inspire people to value and conserve our natural world. 3 Zoo Sr. Staff Table of Contents Zoo Director .....................Michael E. Blakely Letter from the Director ....................2 Zoo Asst. Director ......................Susan Altrui Marketing Comm. Director..........L. Lamor Williams Zoo Leadership ...........................3 General Animal Curator ...................Fran Lyon Our Story .................................4 Veterinarian ........................Dr. Sarah Kline Education Curator ...................... Mark Shaw The Evolution of Zoos......................6 Facilities Operations Manager . .Tony Dawson Protect: Animals ...........................8 Guest Services Manager .............. Terri Branson Care: Animal Enrichment ...................9 Board of Governors Sustain: Conservation ..................... 10 Brad Cazort Educate: Inspire ...........................11 Ben Hollowell Fred Knight Development: Fundraising .................12 Chris McCall Empower the Future: What is Next? ..........14 Blake Perry Impact: Local & Global .....................15 Kimara Randolph Wally Waller Engage: Special Events ................... 16 Wendie Weare The Zoo at a Glance .......................18 Shana Woodard Partnerships/Recognition & Awards ......... 19 Board of Directors Volunteer Opportunities ...................20 Mark Stodola, Mayor Bruce Moore, City Manager LR Cent Accomplishments ................22 Tom Carpenter, City Attorney Arkansas Heritage Farm ..................24 Joan Adcock Dr. Dean Kumpuris Financials ...............................26 Brad Cazort Ken Richardson Gene Fortson Kathy Webb Erma Hendrix Doris Wright Lance Hines B.J. Wyrick Report prepared by Jj Muehlhausen, Edited by Lamor Williams & Susan Altrui 4 Our Story 1930’s Zoo undergoes 1950’s large expansion as Zoo builds hay barn part of WPA project for elephants and and acquires new acquires Ellen the animals. This includes elephant and Arkie the cat house, 1926 the alligator. Civitan monkey house and Club dedicates the The Little Rock hoof stock barn. Kiddie Zoo. Zoo started with an abandoned timber wolf and a retired circus trained bear. A buffalo pen is built 1960’s the following year as Zoo installs new train the zoo’s first official with the help of the exhibit. 1940’s Civitan Club. I-630 constructed and Zoo starts educating cuts-off portions of the public about the Zoo. Duck pond, animals and encour- and small animal aging professional cages were added. development for Zoo constructs new staff. entrance complex. 5 1970’s 1990’s Zoo completes new Monkey Island, Zoo acquires Mary Chimp Island, and the elephant and Exotic Bird House. opens Lemur Island. Zoo gains AZA Accreditation. Zoo docent program established. 1980’s Zoo opens new big cat display. Accredi- 2010’s tation awarded again. 2000’s Laura P. Nichols Elephant exhibit Penguin Pointe expanded, lorikeet exhibit and Cheetah aviary built, new Outpost opened. Café Africa opened, Zoo acquires new grizzly bear exhibit Diamond Express renovated, and new train ride. Construc- entry plaza built. tion begins on new Zoo acquires Over- Arkansas Heritage the-Jumps antique Farm exhibit. carousel. 6 The Evolution of Zoos Zoos have evolved from simply displaying animals in cement pens behind iron bars to places where education of guests and enrichment of the animals’ lives take center stage. This approach helps highlight the importance of conservation by combining animal exhibits with educational messaging that goes beyond basic placards with animal information. In the past, just seeing animals on display allowed many people to grow to love and appreciate them. However, that did little to raise awareness of perils, such as habitat destruction, that many species face in the wild. Today, zoos seek to grow understanding and compassion for the animals in their care. Endangered animals born in zoos are only given to other accredited zoos with the recommendation of the Species Survival Plan (SSP) of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). This is done for specific breeding and companionship purposes and is all for the conservation of particular species. Zoos are inspiring the next generation of wildlife conservationists, biologists, researchers and wildlife advocates. Bear exibit 1930’s Central High Yearbook Zookeeper working Camel rides in the Current Lorikeet-Landing 1966 with animal 1970’s 1980’s an interactive exhibit 7 8 Protect: Animals The Little Rock Zoo works with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and its partners to ensure the long-term survival of species and to ensure that animals are given the best care possible. As such, the Zoo participates in the following: SAFE Program (Saving Animals From Extinction) – a program that combines the resources of all AZA accredited institutions to conserve species in the wild. Animal Exchanges – the Zoo will often exchange or ship animals to other AZA accredited zoos for breeding and companionship. The Species Survival Plan (SSP) - is a group of experts who work with a particular endangered species to make breeding recommendations to zoos to ensure the long-term survival of the species. 9 Care: Animal Enrichment Animal Care Enrichment – Items and activities provided to animals to encourage species-specific behavior. Educate – Animal enrichment educates the public about the natural behaviors animals display in the wild. Exercise – Enrichment items given to animals often encourages them to exercise their bodies and their minds; this keeps them healthy and active. Animals have fun and get exercise, too. Excite – Enrichment is playtime for animals! Nothing is more exciting for a tiger than tearing open a cardboard box full of catnip or batting around a large Boomer Ball!® 10 Sustain: Conservation Conservation Contributions – The Little Rock Zoo works to save endan- gered animals in the wild by partnering with organizations working to save those species. These partnerships inform Zoo education efforts and drive our passion to change our planet. Green Efforts - Recently, the Zoo replaced all trashcans with new recy- cling cans to encourage guests to recycle soda bottles and other trash. Inspiration – the Zoo’s Education Department teaches sustainability and how we can all do our part to help save animals in the wild through its Animal Ambassador program where guests can see animals up-close- and-personal and in some cases, even touch them. 11 Educate: Inspire Outreach Programs, Community Career Day! Lunch with a Zookeeper! Activities and Classes Ever wonder what it is like to be a If you have a strong interest in working In 2015, the Zoo’s Education Depart- zoo keeper? Or do you want to be a with animals but want to have a more ment hosted 357 programs on grounds veterinarian one day? Come check out informal chat with our keepers, this is and throughout the state. Through one of our Career Days and talk to the your chance! Get the inside scoop on these classes and other events, the people who live this life every day! the steps our very own keepers have education department was able to Get your questions answered and learn taken to get into this field of work! reach 46,202 individuals, helping them how to jump ahead of others to start connect with the natural world and the your animal care career path! Zoo Snooze! Zoo’s conservation message. These classes are tailored for students Spend a night at the zoo sleeping with a strong interest in pursuing a under the stars! You’ll have a chance to Animal Exploration! career in animal care. check out some of our animals that just These classes are designed to give stu- love to stay up all night! Grab your tent dents a deeper look into six of our most Family Birding! and sleeping bag (optional sleeping popular areas of the zoo: Great Apes Looking for something fun to do with quarters inside) and come join us for and Primates; Reptiles; Elephants; Big your family on the weekends? Why not an evening of fun! Cats; Birds of Prey and Penguins; Bears try one of the most popular hobbies in and Small Carnivores. the world, birding! Learn all about this Zoofari - Zoo Clues During classes, students learn the ins addictive pastime, and start your own Calling all Zoo detectives! Explore the and outs of what makes these animals bird spotting list! We’ll teach you what Zoo, play games and use all of your so unique! Guests get the inside scoop you need to know to get started on senses to uncover the clues and solve on our animals, and peer into the eyes this adventure and give you the tips the mystery during this three-day camp. of some of our coolest animals! and tricks
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