One Mission P | 2

BLANK PARK ZOO FOUNDATION, INC. | 2010 ANNUAL REPORT 2,368 ANIMALS ONE MISSION P | 2 From the Outgoing Board Chairman From the CEO Mission Without question, 2010 was a year of both challenges and opportunities. In spite Blank Park Zoo’s annual report shows our supporters and prospects how Blank Park Zoo Foundation of a sluggish economy, visitors continued to flock to Blank Park Zoo to enjoy an we are acting as responsible stewards of the dollars contributed toward our 2011 Board of Directors To inspire an Matt Fryar, Chairman experience like no other in the State of Iowa. I assure you that our three boys never efforts. It is also a way to ensure that you are aware of the many amazing things appreciation Jonathan Wilson, Vice Chairman tire of visiting the Zoo with my wife and me. It’s truly a new adventure every visit! happening at our Zoo. Despite one of the wettest years on record and tough Cathy Lacy, Second Vice Chairman of the natural economic conditions, the Zoo had one of its best years! Jolene Veach, Treasurer Dean Whitaker, Past Chairman world through As Board Chairman, I have had the pleasure of observing a talented management Molly Catron conservation, team and staff committed to honoring the Zoo’s mission. Our commitment Blank Park Zoo is an educational gathering place – impacting more than 350,000 Rick Clark to education remains strong, as 113,127 children benefited directly from our people. I am proud to reflect on the many accomplishments we have made in my Chris Coleman education and Kaye Condon education programs at the Zoo and in classrooms throughout the state. I am also first full year as CEO. We: Paul Easter recreation. fortunate to have served with so many board members who are truly passionate » Expanded educational outreach and teacher workshops throughout the state James Fleming Sara Ghrist about ensuring the future success of the Zoo. The organization has also benefited » Established partnerships with the Des Moines Central Campus’ Rusty Goode from many collaborative efforts between the private and public sectors that are horticulture and animal husbandry programs James Hagenbucher paving the way for future Zoo expansion. » Began a relationship with Iowa State University’s School of Veterinary Pat Henson Vision Medicine, bringing vet students to the Zoo to obtain exotic animal Richard Hoffmann To be respected James Hourigan, DDS I am happy to report that we are focused on building lasting relationships with experience and enhancing the care of all our animals Michael Hubbell internationally and individuals and businesses to ensure future growth. While we strive to maintain » Built and opened an Australian parakeet feeding experience Scott Ivers Lisa Kruidenier the allure of our existing exhibits, we believe it is critical to add new attractions to » Added more Zoo Brews on Wednesdays and extended hours every Friday treasured locally Cathy Lacy keep the visitor experience exciting and fresh. We are thrilled that construction » Opened an interactive ostrich-feeding exhibit for leadership in Tracy Levine commenced in late November 2010 on a brand new Australian Adventure, the » Made conservation an integral part of every visitor experience through Daniel McCabe animal exhibition, first of many new exhibits including: Coins for Conservation and additional evening educational programs Mary Jean Paschen Dustin Petersen conservation » Connection to Africa including meerkats, baboon, wild dogs and more lions » Gave back to the community by giving disadvantaged and Billie Ray practices and » Completely renovated sea lion pool underprivileged children the opportunity to experience the educational Brian Rickert » New and improved Zoo entrance through A.H. Blank Park and recreational wonders that our Zoo offers Chris Shay education Loretta Sieman » New state-of-the-art animal quarantine barn » Created strategic plans to achieve long-term growth and sustainability Julie Stewart opportunities. » New, hands-on interactive components at Great CATS, Kid’s Kingdom, Collin Venenga and the Discovery Center Aquariums None of this would have been possible without our extremely dedicated staff, Stephanie Windsor » And much more! corporate partners and individual donors. Thank you! Blank Park Zoo Foundation Director Emeritus David Allen Thank you for your support. Come visit us soon and see Blank Park Zoo is an institution with statewide significance Judy Blank Design: what new adventures might await you at Blank Park Zoo! providing a unique recreational, learning and conservation Bob Burnett ZANDA Design experience. As we grow, we hope that our impact becomes Gloria Burnett Photo: Sincerely, even greater. Jo Ghrist Digital Suburbia Photography & Design Helen Hubbell Matt Forland Dean Whitaker Elizabeth Kruidenier On the Cover: Immediate Past Chairman Sincerely, John Peterson Tim Urban Asian Bamboo Partidge Mark Vukovich David Wallace CEO P | 4 NEW SPECIES& SIGNIFICANT BIRTHS Top left to bottom right: Bearded Dragon, Lesser Kudu, Panamanian Golden Frog, Indian Star Tortoise, Screech Owl, Porcupine, Sloth, Giraffe, Milky Tree Frog, Vulture, Sting Ray, Penguin, Wallaby, Flamingo, Pink Pigeon DID » There are 1,539 railroad ties on the Zoo’s train tracks YOU » In 2010, 67,891 people rode the train KNOW? » 14,532 people rode the camel » 21,773 pieces of lettuce were fed to the giraffe last year by 18,951 Zoo guests » 144 people adopted a Blank Park Zoo animal in 2010 » The Zoo gave 499 discounts for zoo admission to military personnel » During the 2009 – 2010 school year, 25,696 people came to the Zoo for a field trip » 49,620 people attended a Blank Park Zoo special event » Last year, 359 people volunteered 11,514 hours of time to the Zoo » 16,839 bottles of Coke products were sold in Zoo Class # of Species Individuals vending machines Invertebrates ................................... 43............................ 602 » The gift shop sold 79,633 items, including 14,826 Fishes ............................................... 71 ......................... 1339 stuffed animals Amphibians ...................................... 11.............................. 31 Reptiles ............................................ 17 ............................. 40 » Last year, 1,625 tax-deductible contributions were Birds .................................................. 40 ........................... 225 made to Blank Park Zoo Mammals .......................................... 26............................ 131 Total 208 2368 P | 6 growing our family ANIMAL CARE There are no snow A Very Rare Bird Indeed California and Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, Washington. days at Blank Park In 2010, the Zoo added a male pink pigeon to our indoor Similarly, Blank Park Zoo sent out three young males to play Zoo! 365 days a year, Discovery Center, uniting a pair of the world’s rarest their part in reproduction. What does this mean? Blank Park our animal care staff pigeons. As hoped, a chick was hatched and Blank Park Zoo is playing an active role in the management of Bennett’s wallaby. In the future, institutions will look to Iowa’s Zoo are at the Zoo making Zoo has taken an active role in conserving an animal that exists in numbers less than 500 worldwide. In time, the pink when they have questions concerning the care and exhibitry sure each of our pigeon chick will be sent to another zoo where we hope of the Bennett’s wallaby. 2,368 animals are it will add to the population of this very rare bird. In 1974 fed, watered, have the pink pigeon wild population was less than 20. Wildlife Iowa Jellyfish? Jellyfish are certainly not seen swimming around Saylorville the proper veterinary organizations and zoos took an active role in bringing this species back from the brink of extinction. Lake or down the Des Moines river, yet nearly a dozen of care, and are living zoos and aquariums across the nation can say they have a good life. It isn’t Barnaby Cataract jellyfish from Iowa! Blank Park Zoo has become a leader in easy or inexpensive, Animal care is always a top priority at Blank Park Zoo. In the propagation of moon jellyfish, and over the past five years we have sent these amazing creatures to over 10 different but the rigorous 2010, an ophthalmologist from Iowa State University was able to perform an ultrasound on the eye of Barnaby, one of accredited facilities including Las Vegas’ Mandelay Bay, the standards established the Zoo’s Aldabra Tortoises. As you can imagine, examining Milwaukee Zoo, the Tennessee Aquarium, Omaha’s Henry by the Association of the eye of an animal weighing over 500 pounds, which has Doorly Zoo and Denver’s Downtown Aquarium. Blank Park Zoos and Aquariums the capability of retracting its head into a hard protective Zoo is proud of our success, and hopes to continue to show off our ability to grow jellyfish over 1,200 miles away from (AZA) and the shell, can be difficult. Thanks to the Zoo’s animal training programs, many of our animals, like Barnaby, are able to their natural habitat! dedication of the staff voluntarily participate in their healthcare. have helped Blank Animal Records Park Zoo become a Wallaby Management Program Like you, every animal at the Blank Park Zoo has a record tracking medical history, age, family information and more. leader in animal care In March 2010, Kevin Drees, director of Animal Care and Conservation, and Valene Hautekeete, zookeeper, assisted Records dating back thirty years are maintained on a daily nationwide. in producing the first Population Management Plan (PMP) basis, ensuring our animals receive

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