Winter 2012

Creative Solutions US Postal Tiger Stamp ZOOpendous Drawings of Zhanna Calendar of Events

In This Issue

In This Issue On the Cover Conservation Corner ...... 3 Our llama (Llama glama) George Creative Solutions ...... 4,5 is a twenty year old male in our ZOOCamp ...... 6 herd. When he was fifteen, keepers EdZOOcation Programs ...... 7 noticed that he was having difficulty Ask the ZOO and meet BeeZee . . . . . 8 . Kid’s Corner ...... 9 breathing George was diagnosed Volunteers make our world . . . .10 with asthma. We also found out that Zoo Calendar ...... 12 horses can develop this as well and we were able to use an equine nebulizer to administer his medicine. He receives Delaware Zoological Society this treatment twice a day and has done Board of Directors very well.

Michael Allen Raymond E. Bivens Amy Colbourn, Vice President Greg Ellis Larry Gehrke Linda Gray September 28th, Brandywine Zoo visitors, staff and local staff of Dana Griffin the U. S. Postal Service celebrated the unveiling of the new Save Robert Grove, Treasurer Vanishing Species Amur Tiger stamp. Deborah Grubbe Suzi Harris Net proceeds from the sales of John S. Malik the Save Vanishing Species Megan McGlinchey, President semipostal stamp will be transferred Ron Mercer to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Susan W. Moran, Secretary to support the Multinational Species Richard Rothwell Conservation Funds. The funds U.will be S.divided Postal among the AfricanService to Help SaveElephant Conservation Vanishing fund, Asian Species Editors Design/Printing Elephant Conservation fund, Great Nancy M. Falasco* Professional Ape Conservation Fund, Rhinoceros Duplicating, Inc. Jill Karlson and Tiger Conservation Assist. to the EditorS Staff Writers Fund and Marine Turtle Sarah Zweigenbaum* Nancy Falasco* Conservation Fund. Photo Credits Melody Hendricks Nancy Falasco* Jill Karlson The Amur Tiger stamp Lynn Klein* Melody Hendricks features an illustration of a tiger Jill Karlson Sharon Smith* Sharon Smith* Leslie Simpson Brennan* cub by artist Nancy Stahl. These stamps are available for * Delaware State Parks Staff Member purchase at your local branch Post Office.

The Zoo News is a publication of the Delaware Zoological Society. www.brandywine- z o o . o r g

2 By Sharon Smith, Animal Keeper, Delaware State Parks In this day and age, there are so many ivory palm endosperm is often used as a being turned into solutions and that environmental issues to be addressed substitute for elephant ivory today, and descendants of pre-Inca cultures dating you’d think it would be easy for me to traded as vegetable ivory, palm ivory, back 10,000 years are proud to know come up with a topic to write about in corozo or tagua. When dried out, it can that they are custodians, for generations my Conservation Corner. The problem be carved just like elephant ivory; it is to come, of a unique part of this planet. is, there are so many topics to choose often used for beads, buttons, figurines In 1990, Conservation International from, that it’s hard to decide which one and jewelry, and can be dyed. More started its first conservation-based to address. recently, palm ivory has been used in the enterprise, the Tagua Initiative®, in production of bagpipes. Vegetable ivory A friend of mine went to Puerto Rico northwest Ecuador, based on providing furthers important environmental and and brought me back a gift. It was a economic incentives for sustainable socioeconomic goals by stimulating the beautiful pair of owl earrings carved out harvesting of the tagua palm nut, local economies and microenterprises in of what looked like ivory. Come to find Phytelephas Equatorialis. About 1,800 South America, provides an alternative out, that is totally not the case. They members of the Comuna Rio Santiago- to cutting down rainforests for farming, were carved out of something that I Cayapas now have jobs that depend and prevents elephants from being hadn’t heard of before. The Tagua Nut. upon keeping nearby rainforest lands killed for the ivory in their tusks. standing. They sustainably harvest tagua The tagua nut comes from palm trees nuts from the forest floor when the that are medium-sized to tall with cabeza containing the nuts ripens and pinnate leaves. In its original state, the falls. Each tree contains several cabezas “nut” is covered with pericarp, which and it may take three to eight years gets removed by various animals. The for the cabeza to fully mature. Other kernel is covered with a brown, flaky employment comes from the hand- skin and shaped like a small avocado, crafted creation of figurines and jewelry roughly 4-8 cm in diameter. by local artisans. While researching the material, I discovered many interesting tidbits So the next time you are shopping for a about its history and uses. Before the unique gift, take a minute and search the use of modern plastics, tagua was a very web for items made out of the Tagua common and popular material. Nut. You will be helping conservation of our planet in so many valuable Historically, it was used to make ways. As always, remember to visit buttons, dominos, chess pieces, www.brandywinezoo.org for netsukes (Japanese carvings), dice, and other valuable ways you help with many other small items. In the 1920’s, Over the last 15 years, villagers have conservation. 20% of all the buttons produced in the invited foundations and volunteers U.S. were made of tagua, and almost to work with them and their children 5 million dollars’ worth of tagua was towards the ecological, cultural, exported into the U.S. and Europe every and economic restoration of the year. In modern day, tagua has fallen region which has suffered greatly out of use for almost all manufacturing from deforestation and biological applications, but is becoming extinction. Today, they are working increasingly popular among craftsman on a rescue plan to reverse the trends and artisans alike. of destruction. Their handicrafts are Given trade restrictions in elephant evidence that a very important process ivory as well as animal welfare concerns, is taking place, that problems are

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By Lynn Klein, Assistant Curator of Animals, Delaware State Parks There are many different attributes that benefit ing, growing tissue. Obviously because of this the a person who works in the zoological field shell could not just be cut out to make room not the least of which is the ability to for Petal’s legs, we needed a more creative “think outside the box”. Whether solution. you are a keeper, manager or vet- erinarian you will be called upon Working with the talented veterinar- to use every problem solving ians at VHUP (Veterinary Hospital skill at your disposal, especially of the University of Pennsylvania) when it comes to solving the we devised a “bumper” system to unique medical problems that elevate Petal higher up off the can affect any given animal ground. Originally these bumpers at any given time. were made from a hard rub- ber dog toy that was cut in half. The Brandywine Zoo Creative SolutionsToday we use a golf ball cut in and its staff have had half and glued to her plastron. their share of challeng- While Petal was healing, because ing cases. One of these it was impossible to keep a ban- involved a Leopard dage on her, we would give her Tortoise (Stigmochelys (Geochelone) pardalis) named daily medication soaks. This process took about two Petal. When Petal was a hatchling or baby tortoise, months to complete but it worked splendidly! Every the theories on what constituted a balanced diet for once in a while Petals bumpers will fall off but we tortoises were very different from what they are just glue new ones back on. During the warmer today. Today we know much more about the nutri- months visitors can see Petal cruising around the tional needs of all animals and so are able to keep exhibit she shares with the other tortoises, ducks them healthier and in turn they live longer, better and porcupines. Even if you know to look for her lives. Because of the diet Petal received when she bumpers you will have trouble picking her out of was young, her shell did not grow properly. Instead the crowd, Petal doesn’t let anything slow her down! of growing in a dome-like shape her shell grew outward and in so doing ended up blocking the Now Petal isn’t alone in her story of overcoming a full and proper movement of her rear legs. This in medical obstacle. Another interesting story involves turn made it impossible for her to completely lift our llama (Llama glama) George. George is a twenty her shell off the ground year old male llama in when she walked. This our herd. When he was caused her bottom shell, fifteen, keepers noticed or plastron, to become that he was having diffi- abraded. Left untreated culty breathing especially she would be susceptible when the temperature to infection. Unlike what and or humidity were many people think, the high. He was taken shell of a tortoise is not by van to New Bolten just a hard unfeeling Center which is part home for the tortoise to of the University hide in, it is in fact liv- of Pennsylvania Vet

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School. After completing arrived and did very well for radiographs and ultrasound a couple of years. However, testing the veterinarians were because of his bumble foot able to diagnose George with he had built up scare tissue on asthma. We also found out both of his feet. We were able that horses can develop this to manage the problem with as well and we were able to medication but we wanted to use an equine nebulizer to find an even better solution administer his medicine. if possible. Again, on Sandy’s behalf, Tri-State was called on This device looks like a to help. The vets wasted no plastic liter soda bottle with time coming up with a solu- an attached cylinder that the inhaler fits onto. The tion that was both simple and brilliant! They made nebulizer fits over George’s muzzle so when the him a pair of shoes. The shoes are made of foam inhaler’s plunger is depressed the medicine enters and are held in place with a bandaging material the chamber and George breaths it in. He receives called “vet-wrap”. They are light weight and water this treatment twice a day and has done very well resistant. The shoes take enough pressure off the since he was started on it even through the hot soles of Sandy’s feet to enable him to walk com- humid days of our Wilmington summers. fortably. This is extremely important for an animal that spends a lot of time on top of two very long Last but not least, let me tell you about our Sandhill legs. Fortunately he does not have to wear them all crane (Grus canadensis) the time. The keepers can Sandy. When Sandy was always tell when Sandy’s a juvenile crane living in feet are a little sore and New England he missed that is when they scoop the migration flight with him up and help him put his flock and as a result his shoes on. he was orphaned. He was taken to a rescue facility I could go on and on with and while he was there he stories about the amazing unfortunately developed a lives of the animals in the foot issue. He developed zoo but they would never a type of bumble foot, all fit in one issue. Instead, a fairly common ailment let me encourage everyone with avian species. The to stop by the zoo, visit rescue organization asked the animals and when you Tri-State Bird Rescue see a keeper or other staff for help with Sandy and member going about their they stepped in with their daily routine don’t hesitate medical expertise. Tri- to ask them about the ani- State then placed him mals. Take it from me, the here at the Brandywine animals are our favorite Zoo. We already had one subject and we love to talk Sandhill crane who we felt about them! needed a friend. Sandy

5 Zoo Camp isn’t just for summer! We have a ton of Winter, Spring, SUMMER, and Fall camp fun planned for those that are Brandywine Zoo Camp fans…all just a mere click away! Visit our website at www.brandywinezoo.org for the lat- est camp information for 2012. Camps to choose from include: Martin Luther King Day Camp; President’s Day Camp; two weeks of Spring Camp; Summer Camp running June 6-August 17; and ColumbusZoo Day Camp!Camp 2012!

6 The Brandywine Zoo has a plethora of family fun planned for kids of all ages, from 18 months to 108 years! We’ve got something for everyone! Enjoy some unique and fun learning opportunities at one of our programs or events…something is always hap- pening at the zoo! For more information about the various programs we offer, visit our website at www.brandywinezoo.org. EdZOOcation Programs for Everyone 2012!

www.brandywinezoo.org

7 Hi there! My name is BeeZee and I’m a junior explorer H i here at the Brandywine Zoo. I know all kinds of facts the re! My name i and information about the zoo and its’ inner workings. s BeeZeeFeel! free to ask me any questions you can think of about Delaware’s only zoo! We’ve already had a few questions…

Q: Melissa, age 10, asked “What happens to Q: Paulie, Age 5, asked “How is Zhanna the animals in winter?” doing?”

A: You can come and visit our animals even in win- A: We love Zhanna, our new Amur tiger! She has ter! The ones that are on exhibit are adapted to live gotten used to her new home and we have gotten in Delaware’s climate. Our keepers also do a great used to her and her likes and dislikes! She likes job of helping them stay warm by providing heat chicken, goat milk as a treat, toys (boxes with treats lamps, warm dens, and extra bedding. The animals inside), and piñatas. She dislikes; loud noises, rakes that are not from a similar climate are kept indoors and ladders. where we can provide a nice warm home for them all winter.

If YOU have a question about the zoo, you can ask the zoo by emailing one of our zoo staff at [email protected]. It may end up being published here in Zoo News!

8 I Q S O T T E R D I W M O Q B E T Q T I G E R T D X G I R Y U S A P I V BINTURONG Q A D T N V M A C A W I BOBCAT T D A X A T A S F A A B CAIQUE COATI G O R O Y M U L W B W U CONDOR Talent G V L U L E R R A R V G GOAT Abounds W J F L U O C P O O Q B LLAMA MACAW to O N A Q D K U F E N X H OCELOT Welcome IBrandywine M I N T O L E C OZoo G N OTTER A A O C E T A C B O B K SERVAL Zhanna! TIGER Check out these ZOOpendous CAnimal C H X Q M CFind O A T I V drawings submitted in cel- ebration of our new Amur Tiger, Zhanna! Each picture was sub- mitted by a creative and artistic young person to help us welcome Zhanna to the Brandywine Zoo. If you would like to welcome her yourself in person just visit us during one of our upcoming events or programs. For more details, please visit www.brandywinezoo.org/events. html. And make sure next time you are at the zoo you stop by to welcome Zhanna!

7 5 The Brandywine Zoo couldn’t do what it does to If you have an interest in joining the Brandywine make our zoo the small gem that it is without the Zoo Volunteer Team, we invite you to attend our help of our ZOOpendous volunteer team! Our Volunteer Open House during our Spring Event volunteers, docents, and interns range in age from on Saturday, March 10, 1:30-3pm. You can visit 13-80 years young! These amazing folks assist with our website at www.brandywinezoo.org for special events; lead story times; lead tours; man dis- more information or contact Melody Hendricks at covery carts and stations; assist with traveling zoo [email protected]. programs; education school children; greet the pub- lic; attend a variety of training sessions, meetings, and lectures to increase their knowledge base…all for the love of the zoo! We’d like to thank them for a terrificVolunteers 2011 and express to Make them what faith our World ZOOpendous! we have in their abilities to make 2012 even better! Thank you!

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11 1001 North Park Drive, Wilmington, DE 19802 Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Wilmington, DE Permit No. 601

The Brandywine Zoo is managed by the Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation with the support of the Delaware Zoological Society. For more information about the Division or Delaware State Parks, call (302) 739-9220 or visit our web site at www.destateparks.com. The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity and the diversity of its work force.

Please let us know when you move; don’t miss special invitations and Zoo News. Write to Brandywine Zoo, 1001 North Park Drive, Wilmington, DE 19802 or call 302-571-7788.

Printed on recycled paper

January March 26 *Story Time at The Zoo: “I Can Help” by David Hyde 10 & 11 Brandywine Zoo’s SPRING Event! (All Ages) Costello (All Ages) 10-10:30am 10am-3:30pm 31 *Pint-Sized Planeteers Program: The Tortoise and the 10 Volunteer Open House (Ages 18-Seniors) 1:30-3pm Hare (1 ½ -6 yrs) 10-11am 17 *Scout Day at Brandywine Zoo (Boy & Girl Scouts) February 9am-12pm 19-23 *Spring Zoo Camp 2012 (Ages 4-13) 8:30-5:30pm 4 Zoo Camp Open House 9:30-11am 4 Open House: Summer Zoo Internships for High School *program fee and/or registration required. Members MAY be Students (Ages 14-18.) 1:30-3pm. free for some programs/events. For detailed information visit 4 Open House: Education Internships for College our website at www.brandywinezoo.org. Students. (College Students) 1:30-3pm 9 *Story Time at The Zoo: “My Heart is likeZoo a Zoo” byCalendar Michael Hall (All Ages) 10-10:30am 11 *Cupid’s Creatures, A Valentine Event for Everyone! (All Ages) 1-2:30pm 14 *Pint-Sized Planeteers Program: I Love ZOO! (1 ½-6 yrs) 10-11am 16 *Celebrating Africa! (All Ages) 10am-12pm 20 *Presidents Day Camp (Ages 4-13) 8:30am-5:30pm 23 *Story Time at The Zoo: “Flip Flap Fly” Phyllis Root (All Ages) 10-10:30am 28 *Pint-Sized Planeteers Program: Llama-rama (1 ½-6 yrs) 10-11am

Questions? For a complete listing of our programs and events, visit our website at www.brandywinezoo.org, Calendar of Events. If you have questions please email our Education Department at [email protected].