2 0 0 7 Annu Al Repor T
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
2007 ANNUAL REPORT S FW Director’s Letter US alifornia condor | alifornia C 2007 was the year of “hurry up and wait” as professional staff is already working on ways to the Zoo’s Phase I projects crept through the ensure that the experience of our visitors is fun, City review and permitting process. Though safe, easy, and educational as we anticipate breaking we received approval for the projects from the ground early in 2008. Planning Commission in December 2006, it took all year to respond to questions from City These dramatic improvements to the Zoo are departments, complete the review process with the made possible through the generosity of our Historic Landmarks Commission, and fill in some many friends in the community. Don’t miss out! EXECUTIVE NOTES EXECUTIVE additional details on project plans. There are still many opportunities to participate in the Wild California campaign to help complete We are excited about getting started on the Phase I the funding for these important projects. This projects, a collection of exhibits and guest services is a great investment in the Zoo and shaping our facilities that will invigorate the Zoo’s hilltop community’s future as millions of young people experience. The new condor exhibit (Condor experience the Zoo in the coming years, with their Country) and the hilltop restaurant and restrooms families or as a part of organized field trips. (The Wave) were both part of the revised master plan that the Board approved in 1999! Condor Country is We are excited to feature the native species that at the heart of a series of exhibits celebrating native have been the focus of the Zoo’s field conservation species that call this part of California “home.” programs in an effort to inspire guests to care about our local wildlife. I hope you will visit often in The Channel Island foxes and desert tortoises get 2008 to watch our progress as we create the Zoo’s new homes as the Zoo creates an exhibit experience next great guest experience, California Trails! that we refer to as “California Trails.” This California- themed complex is connected through a series of new accessible pathways that will run from the Dreier Family Elephant Junction (opened in 2004) to the gorillas’ Forest’s Edge habitat (opened in 1996). Rich Block CEO/Director The challenge in 2008 will be maintaining a quality guest experience while building this ambitious $6 million complex of new exhibits and guest | 2007 SANTA BARBARA ZOO ANNUAL REPORT ANNUAL ZOO BARBARA SANTA 2007 | service facilities. The Zoo’s outstanding 2 Board President’s Letter This past year has been a milestone for the Zoo: more solely by memberships, guest admissions, and the generosity have these gifted people with us. than 479,000 visitors during the year 2007, the largest of our donors. Without all of you, the Zoo would be attendance in our history! And there’s more on the unable to provide exciting – and fun – experiences, create And none of this would be possible without you: our way that will continue to make the Zoo one of the most innovative education programs, assume a leadership role guests, visitors, and members. We look forward to attractive features of our marvelous community. in conservation activities, and conduct a myriad of other sharing the excitement as new facilities and additions projects. Currently, we are looking forward to completion of to the animal collection are completed, and we bring to The Zoo finally obtained its approvals and permits for the the design, planning and approval process for the Discovery fruition the years of planning underlying the return of the construction of three new facilities during 2008: Pavilion, an innovative educational facility that will support condors to Santa Barbara. See you at the Zoo! the Zoo’s school and young visitor programs. • The exciting Condor Country exhibit, a combination of visitor attraction and conservation program, This past year, in addition to reaching the milestone for places the Zoo among only two other facilities in the attendance, the Zoo achieved a second record equally country that exhibit this fragile species. Zoo staff of note: the Zoo now enjoys over 14,000 household Terry Schwartz and programs already support wilderness release and memberships, and much of this growth has come from President, Board of Directors stewardship over birds bred in captivity, and the new Ventura County and other points to the south. It is exciting exhibit will provide our visitors the rare opportunity for us to have our neighbors outside of the Santa Barbara to see these amazing animals up close and personal. area join us in enjoying the Zoo and its many programs. 2007 Board of Directors • The Channel Island fox exhibit, home to another During 2007, the Zoo created a new and enticing threatened species, will enable Zoo visitors to observe children’s playground, conducted a snow day in December Executive Committee Directors these shy creatures that have made their homes on when 40 tons of shaved ice were available for sledding, and Mr. J. Terry Schwartz, Mr. John Cleese President Ms. Molly Dolle Santa Barbara’s Channel Islands for centuries, and hosted the annual Dignatarios party in collaboration with Ms. Harriet Miller, Mrs. Ginni Dreier provide the opportunity to safeguard and perpetuate Santa Barbara’s fabled Old Spanish Days celebration. Vice President Mrs. Patricia Griffin this important local animal. Mr. Jon Bull, Treasurer Ms. Cyndee Howard Mr. George Burtness, Dr. Brian Kopeikin The 76 full-time Zoo staff members, comprised of animal Secretary Mr. Thomas Luria • The Wave guest service facility, located at the hilltop, keepers, curators, educational specialists, food service, Mrs. Kelly Magne Mrs. Melinda Mars will provide additional opportunities for food and security and other dedicated individuals, continues to Honorary Directors Mr. William Brace Dr. Glenn Miller refreshment during your visit and will enhance the be a source of inspiration to those of us whose privilege Mr. Arthur Henzell Mr. M. Barry Semler Zoo’s ability to serve the many weddings and other it is to be involved in the institution’s oversight and Mr. Peter Jordano Mr. Eldon Shiffman Mr. Mark Singer private events that are attracted to our unique locale. management. Their commitment to the care of the Mr. Robert Kallman Mrs. Barbara Merritt Dr. Alex Soffici animal collection and obvious eagerness to share their Mr. Chip Turner Because the Zoo receives no income from governmental knowledge and insights with our guests is surpassed by no Director Emeritus entities, all of the Zoo’s facilities and programs are supported other group of staff anywhere. We are indeed fortunate to Mr. Edward R. McToldridge Scoring 100% Our conservation and research programs continued more accurately identify the stage at which nesting to soar to new heights in 2007. We established attempts are breaking down and failing so that we two full-time internships to support our growing can ultimately solve the issues contributing to failure. in situ activities, and completed a highly successful Our pilot year was a great success – 100% of the wild pilot year of a California Condor Nest Guarding chicks in southern California fledged. This is an ONSERVATION Program in southern California. unprecedented achievement! C The Zoo’s partnerships supporting local conservation Our role associated with the Los Padres National & & efforts continued to grow. The number of staff hours Forest continued as we assisted the United States H spent in the field, and in support of field activities, Forest Service with the monitoring of the California reached a new high of more than 6,200 hours! Once red-legged frog, the arroyo toad, and other reptiles again, the greatest number of hours was devoted and amphibians. The Forest Service is working to to work with the California condor. Participating determine these species’ occupancy of areas within staff included members of the Animal Care the forest, monitor the effects of forest activities, ESEARC R Department, the Animal Health Department, and determine current habitat usage, and document the our maintenance team. Tasks ranged from training presence of introduced flora and fauna that may California condor nest monitors in the Sespe affect the populations of these species. Wilderness to animal husbandry and veterinary care on the Channel Islands. We continued our strong tradition of both in situ and ex situ Channel Island fox conservation in Also in 2007, the Santa Barbara Zoo partnered with 2007. Animal Care and Veterinary staff continued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to launch the pilot to donate time on the northern Channel Islands, year of a California Condor Nest Guarding Program supporting the captive breeding, reintroduction, in southern California. The program was designed to and long-term monitoring that is being done by the address nest failure, a primary factor in the recovery National Park Service. The Santa Barbara Zoo also of this critically endangered species. This project maintains the Island fox studbook, and the Zoo consists of nest monitoring by trained observers hosted the 2007 Fox Festival, an annual educational to collect quantitative behavioral, developmental, After administering vaccinations event that celebrates the Channel Island fox. and physiological data; intervention strategies to to a 60-day-old wild chick in its nest, SB Zoo vet Dr. Karl Hill increase nest success; and public education efforts to A wide variety of Zoo staff contributed time to worthy ascends a sheer cliff face. boost community awareness and support of condor local conservation organizations through participation . Brandt | 2007 SANTA BARBARA ZOO ANNUAL REPORT ANNUAL ZOO BARBARA SANTA 2007 | conservation. This will not only increase the nesting C in Conservation Days. Staff from Administration, 4 success of free-flying condors, but will enable us to Joseph Development, Membership, Facilities, Animal Care, 2007 Annual Appeal Donors The Santa Barbara Zoo is grateful to the following people who gave generously to the Kallman Family Play Area and Children’s Garden through the 2007 Annual Appeal.