Rattlesnake Roundups Killing Events Endanger Animals and the Environment

JANUARY 2017

A publication of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums

ARE YOU ON TRACK? EDGE OF EXTINCTION BY THE NUMBERS Thoughtful Evaluation Leads to AZA Animal Programs are One Year of Field Conservation Conservation Course Corrections Conserving Wildlife and the in the Association of Zoos and Habitat on Which the Animals Rely Aquariums Community (2015)

January 2017

Features 20 28 36 Rattlesnake Roundups - Are You on Track? Edge of Extinction Killing Events Endanger Thoughtful Evaluation Association of Zoos and Animals and the Leads to Conservation Aquariums Animal Programs Environment Course Corrections are conserving wildlife and the Rattlesnake roundups started Critical self-evaluation habitat on which the animals 50-60 years ago in states can be challenging and rely. Whether in Brazil, the like Texas and Oklahoma time-consuming. However, United States or elsewhere, and were advertised as a growing number of Species Survival Plan® events to help control snake Association of Zoos & programs and Taxon Advisory populations and protect Aquariums-accredited Groups can have a profound livestock and children. What facilities are relying on impact on the species on started as a niche event helpful tools like structured which they are focused. spread quickly, and states decision-making and the BY KATE SILVER including Alabama, Georgia Open Standards for the and Pennsylvania started Practice of Conservation to hosting their own roundups. monitor and measure their BY KATIE MORELL progress and evaluate the impact of their projects. BY MARY ELLEN COLLINS

January 2017 | www.aza.org 1

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7 Collaboration 11 Species Survival 15 Capital Campaign 48 Faces & Places Chicago Zoological Society Plan® Highlight Texas State Aquarium and and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Consolidating struggling HOLT CAT make major 49 Advertiser Index Service team up to help populations as a strategy to Campaign Caribbean 52 Exhibits save rhinos achieve sustainability announcement 53 Calendar 8 Green Tales 12 Fund Raising 16 Public Awareness The Akron Zoo won Green Young professionals raise Denver Zoo and CH2M 54 Announcements Award Top Honors cash for conservation at San volunteers participate in Francisco Zoo’s “Fur Ball” South Platte River clean up 60 Births & Hatchings 9 Conservation Spotlight The Coraciiformes TAG 13 Reintroduction 17 Research About the cover This month’s selection of makes connections to AZA-Accredited facilities Diamondback support field conservation help support release of what has been published Rattlesnake black-footed ferrets to 10 Conservation area where they were 18 New Facility Calgary Zoo opens greater Woodland Park Zoo rediscovered 35 years ago conservation program sage grouse breeding center becomes United Nations 14 Grant Equator Initiative case study The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk’s largest- 10 By the Numbers ever federal grant will One year of field conservation fund awareness of local in the AZA community environmental threats © Thinkstock

VISIT US ONLINE Editorial policy: Connect is published by the aza.org Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization dedicated to the LIKE US ON FACEBOOK advancement of zoological parks and aquariums for facebook.com/Association conservation, education, scientific studies and recreation. Issued to members OfZoosAndAquariums as a free service; not available as a subscription. Mailed during the first week of the month. Articles submitted for Connect do not necessarily reflect the FOLLOW US ON TWITTER opinions and policies of AZA. twitter.com/zoos_aquariums Mission: Connect is a forum for promoting AZA’s mission by highlighting zoo E-MAIL THE EDITOR and aquarium trends, industry initiatives, conservation efforts and member [email protected] achievements. Copyright policy: All items appearing in Connect are copyright of AZA. Permission to reprint items must be obtained by contacting AZA’s Publications Department at [email protected]. Advertising policy: Advertising is available. AZA reserves the right to refuse advertising not consistent with its mission. Ad contracts are issued on an annual basis, and ads are accepted on a one, three, six, nine or 12-time basis. Deadline for insertion orders is the first of the month preceding publication. Deadline for artwork is the 10th of the month preceding publication. Rates and mechanical requirements are available upon request.

January 2017 | www.aza.org 3 EDITOR Tim Lewthwaite GRAPHIC DESIGNER Lisa Cadigan, Cadigan Creative ADVERTISING Gina Velosky (301) 562-0777, ext. 254, [email protected] New Beginnings EDITORIAL BOARD Thom Benson | Tennessee Aquarium Julie Larsen-Maher | Wildlife Conservation Society This month, our country will swear in Donald Trump as our new president, and our Tim Lewthwaite | Editor Association will welcome Dan Ashe as the new president and chief executive officer. Kristin L. Vehrs | Interim President and CEO Changes in leadership occur at a national and organizational level all the time and present opportunities. They are a sign of a healthy democracy and a vibrant professional community. One clear opportunity that speaks to the strength of all Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)-accredited facilities is our ability to bring people together Interim President and CEO Kristin L. Vehrs and celebrate that which we all have in Chief Operating Officer common. Whether in a blue, red, or purple Jill Nicoll state, guests visit AZA-accredited facilities Senior Vice President of Conservation and Science Debborah Luke, PhD to enjoy a day out with their family and Senior Vice President of External Affairs experience a sense of wonder at the many Rob Vernon beautiful animals in our care. More than 185 Senior Vice President of Finance Phil Wagner million guests will visit our facilities in 2017, SAFE Project Manager presenting a powerful opportunity for each Jackie Ogden, PhD of us to engage with our local communities Vice President of Animal Programs Candice Dorsey, PhD and to understand what is important in Vice President, Conferences and Membership their lives. When we understand and Melissa Howerton empathize with our audience, our own Vice President of Congressional Affairs messages about conservation and welfare Jennifer Keaton Vice President of Accreditation Programs resonate even more deeply. Denny Lewis Dan Ashe joins AZA late this month Vice President of Federal Relations as the Association’s new president and Steve Olson For a full listing of AZA’s staff, visit www.aza.org/staff chief executive officer. Dan served with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through AZA BOARD OF DIRECTORS many administrations and cultural shifts in society. His deep knowledge of conservation Chair issues along with a wealth of experience will provide a fresh and positive perspective on Dennis W. Kelly | Director, Smithsonian National Zoological Park Association business and our community. Join me in welcoming him aboard. Chair Elect I look forward to the challenges and opportunities that 2017 will bring, confident that I Jim Breheny | Executive Vice President and General Director, Zoos am part of a vibrant and talented community that will embrace the new beginnings. and Aquarium, Jonathan Little Cohen Director of the Bronx Zoo Wildlife Conservation Society Vice Chair Gregg Hudson | Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dallas Zoo Management, Inc. Past Chair Steve Burns | Director, Zoo Boise Directors Dennis Kelly Jim Anderson | Executive Director, Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo Director, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute Bob Chastain | President & CEO, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Suzanne M. Gendron | Executive Director Zoological Operations and Education Ocean Park Corporation Chris Gentile | Director, Western North Carolina Nature Center Christopher Kuhar, PhD | Executive Director, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo John Lewis | Zoo Director, Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens Steve Marshall | Zoo Director, El Paso Zoo Adrienne Rowland | Director, Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay Peggy Sloan | Director, North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher

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ᰠ☠渀漀琀攀搀昀漀爀椀琀猀挀漀氀氀攀挀琀椀漀渀猀Ⰰ 爀攀猀攀愀爀挀栀Ⰰ 攀搀甀挀愀琀椀漀渀愀氀瀀爀漀最爀愀洀猀愀渀搀攀砀栀椀戀椀琀猀⸀⸀ᴠ ꀀ ᰠ☠愀爀攀昀甀最攀昀漀爀琀栀攀爀攀最椀漀渀ᤠ猀渀愀琀椀瘀攀愀渀椀洀愀氀猀愀渀搀瀀氀愀渀琀氀椀昀攀☠ᴠ Chicago Zoological Society and ᰠ䄀氀氀漀昀琀栀攀愀渀椀洀愀氀猀椀渀琀栀攀倀攀爀欀椀渀猀圀椀氀搀氀椀昀攀䌀攀渀琀攀爀挀漀洀攀昀爀漀洀攀椀琀栀攀爀爀攀猀挀甀攀漀爀爀攀栀愀戀椀氀椀琀愀琀椀漀渀挀攀渀琀攀爀猀⸀ᴠ ᰠ☠愀挀漀渀猀攀爀瘀愀琀椀漀渀猀甀挀挀攀猀猀猀琀漀爀礀☠ᴠ U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Team Up to Help Save Rhinos © USFWS

On World Rhino Day, 22 September 2016, as well as informing our guests about the pieces are legal and are cleared. However, the Chicago Zoological Society in Brookfield, plight of these magnificent creatures in the every week or two, an illegal item, which Ill., helped to make a difference in putting wild and how the import and export of their can be anything from a drink cup or a knife an end to the smuggling of items made with horns is affecting the wild population.” handle to a whole horn, is found. These are rhino horn, which unlawfully enter and leave In addition to Chicago, these units— the results of poaching. the United States. Recently, the Society, which consisting of one dog and one handler— “It has been great to collaborate with manages Brookfield Zoo, teamed up with U.S. also operate in Los Angeles, Anchorage, the Chicago Zoological Society in obtaining Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) Office of Miami, Houston, and San Juan, Puerto the rhino horn,” said Dickson. “This will Law Enforcement by donating a small portion Rico. Currently, the dogs in the program allow us to have enough rhino horn for of a rhino horn that is being used to train one are trained to detect the scent of products training purposes, and hopefully will make 吀栀攀倀攀爀欀猀圀椀氀搀氀椀昀攀䌀攀渀琀攀爀椀猀瀀愀爀琀漀昀瀀栀愀猀攀漀渀攀漀昀琀栀攀洀甀猀攀甀洀ᤠ猀挀攀渀琀攀渀渀椀愀氀琀爀愀渀猀昀漀爀洀愀琀椀漀渀瀀爀漀樀攀挀琀Ⰰ 眀栀椀挀栀眀椀氀氀戀攀挀漀洀瀀氀攀琀攀搀昀漀爀椀琀猀㄀琀栀 of the service dogs. With it, the dog will learn from five types of animals: elephants a difference in the illegal trade of these and 礀攀愀爀愀渀渀椀瘀攀爀猀愀爀礀椀渀㈀㈀ ⸀ꀀ 吀栀攀爀攀愀爀攀㐀㠀猀瀀攀挀椀攀猀琀漀琀愀氀椀渀最洀漀爀攀琀栀愀渀㄀椀渀搀椀瘀椀搀甀愀氀愀渀椀洀愀氀猀氀椀瘀椀渀最椀渀倀攀爀欀椀渀猀Ⰰ 椀渀挀氀甀搀椀渀最渀甀洀攀爀漀甀猀猀瀀攀挀椀攀猀漀昀 to sniff out items made from rhino horn. (specifically ivory), pythons, seahorses, sea other items.” 洀愀洀洀愀氀猀Ⰰ 戀椀爀搀猀Ⰰ 爀攀瀀琀椀氀攀猀Ⰰ 愀洀瀀栀椀戀椀愀渀猀愀渀搀昀爀漀最猀⸀ “The Chicago Zoological Society is turtles and rhinos. Dickson said that, for the dogs, which are dedicated to the conservation of animals Sadly, there is a need for the coverage. typically Labradors and often obtained from across the globe, including black rhinos,” On an average day at O’Hare International shelters and pounds from around the country, said Amy Roberts, curator of mammals for Airport, the team of Amanda Dickson, the program is more like a “game.” They 㠀㘀㈀䔀⸀ 伀氀搀嘀愀椀氀刀搀⸀Ⰰ 匀琀攀⸀ ㄀吀甀挀猀漀渀Ⰰ 䄀娀㠀㔀㜀㐀㜀 the Society. “Partnering with USFWS on wildlife inspector canine handler, and her search luggage, packages and cargo behind 倀栀㨀㔀㈀ ⸀㐀㌀㐀⸀㠀㈀㠀㄀簀䘀愀砀㨀㔀㈀ ⸀㐀㌀㐀⸀ ㄀㔀㄀ this project is helping us fulfill our mission partner, Lancer, will find items. Most of the the scenes, which keeps them mentally 䔀洀愀椀氀㨀椀渀昀漀䀀愀琀栀爀甀稀⸀渀攀琀簀圀攀戀猀椀琀攀㨀栀琀琀瀀㨀⼀⼀眀眀眀⸀愀琀栀爀甀稀挀愀最攀猀⸀挀漀洀 January 2017 | www.aza.org 7 Green Tales stimulated and physically alert. Training is done using positive reinforcement—when Lancer performs a behavior correctly, he is rewarded with a treat. Congratulations, Green The horn donated to USFWS was trimmed from one of Brookfield Zoo’s rhinos. It is made of keratin (the same Award Top Honor Winner material as human fingernails), and grows At the annual Association constantly. If left sharp and untrimmed, the of Zoos and Aquariums horn can obstruct the vision of a rhino or (AZA) Conference in even injure another animal, especially during San Diego, Calif., Akron introductions between two animals. The Zoological Park in Akron, procedure, which does not hurt the animal, Ohio, was awarded the is done occasionally and with the rhino’s AZA Green Award for cooperation. In the wild, conservationists their sustainable business trim rhino horns so that poachers won’t hunt operations initiatives. the animals. They “provide an Items confiscated by USFWS are opportunity for all staff to sometimes sent to schools, museums, or be active in conservation nature centers so they can be used for every day, both at home educational purposes. Other times, they are and at work,” said Akron © Akron Zoological Park Zoological Akron © sent to the Service’s repository or destroyed. Zoo President and Chief Executive Officer, Douglas M Piekarz. commit to recycling electronics, light bulbs, For over two decades, Akron’s Green tires, batteries and many other items that Team has pushed for sustainable business commonly end up in landfills. The Komodo practices including alternative energy, Kingdom Café was the first 4-star green waste reduction and innovative methods to certified restaurant in a North American manage storm water. Home to the first solar zoo in April 2012, with 100 percent powered train in North America, Akron diversion of all organic wastes. The Café also Zoo has saved over 259,000 pounds of CO2 incorporates local food, vegetarian fare, and from entering the atmosphere in the past green cleaning agents, as well as providing five years. Over 70 percent of the Zoo’s lights guest education. have been converted to LED, including all Akron Zoological Park continues to look of the parking lot security lights. For energy towards the future, thinking about how both The black rhino is listed as critically efficiency, Akron Zoo installed sixty-three everyday decisions and large-scale projects endangered on the International Union 350-foot-deep heat wells, the first ground can impact their carbon footprint. All for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of source heat pump of this size in the nation. future construction will be held to USGBC Threatened Species™. The main reason the Akron Zoo’s water management target LEED-Silver standard or higher. The Zoo species is being decimated throughout its was to reduce consumption by 50 percent, also continues to explore innovative waste range in Africa is for their horns, which but the Zoo surpassed that goal to reduce management techniques, like a vegetable- are used for medicinal purposes in Asia. their use by 79 percent since 2009. That is wax ink for printing throughout the Zoo. According to the International Rhino over 307 million gallons have been saved The Green Team, with backing from the Foundation, “The black rhino has suffered since the Zoo’s sustainability initiatives Zoo Board, sets and refines goals annually the most drastic decline in total number of began. Continuous improvements have and recognizes that sustainability requires all rhino species. Between 1970 and 1992, been made, from fixing leaks throughout constant adjustment as new opportunities the population of this species decreased the park to the installation of a parking lot and technologies are developed. by 96 percent. In 1970, it was estimated storm water catchment system that saves that there were approximately 65,000 rain water from being discharged into the Contributors: Douglas M Piekarz, black rhinos in Africa, but by 1993, there sewer system. president and chief executive officer; were only 2,300 surviving in the wild. The Since 2011, Akron Zoo has diverted and Chris Norman, director of capital black rhino population is recovering and millions pounds of organic waste from projects and sustainability, Akron increasing very slowly, but the poaching landfills, ensuring all sponsored events are Zoological Park. threat remains great.” The current wild zero-waste, and eliminating styrofoam and If you have a sustainable story to population is estimated to be just over disposable plastic utensils. Going beyond share with Green Tales from your zoo 5,000 individuals. traditional recycling, Zoo staff members or aquarium, please contact sophia.

8 www.aza.org | January 2017 © Sanjitpaal Singh, Jitspics.com © Sanjitpaal Singh,

Conservation Spotlight Making Connections to Support Field Conservation: The Coraciiformes TAG The Coraciiformes Taxon Advisory Group over the past several years from West hornbills, or other species in conservation (TAG) has been focused on enhancing Kalimantan, Borneo, document the increase need, should contact the TAG. their role as field conservation facilitators as in poaching and smuggling of these casques Already, at a recent World Association part of the latest update and revision to the to China. of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) Regional Collection Plan. By highlighting At the 6th International Hornbill conference in Mexico, several Association urgent in situ conservation needs for conference researchers presented data of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)-accredited Coraciiformes species, the TAG aims to (Hadiprakarsa and Beastall et al) that facilities pledged to support the anti- leverage support and targeted funding indicated that more than 2,000 casques had trafficking work of TRAFFIC-Southeast to address the threats facing these birds. been confiscated between 2012 and 2016 Asia as they attempt to curb the hunting Often, facilities will only support programs in just West Kalimantan. It is estimated and smuggling of this species and involving species that they exhibit. In many that each casque was worth about $1,000 others. Even though this species is not cases, this excludes some critical species that (USD). Given that this data only indicates exhibited in AZA-accredited facilities, require more immediate attention. One such the numbers that had been confiscated the Coraciiformes TAG is encouraging case is the current crisis facing the helmeted by customs, it is uncertain but likely that zoos and aquariums that exhibit other hornbills (Rhinoplax vigil) in Southeast Asia. many more of these casques actually made Asian hornbill species to highlight this Helmeted hornbills occur from Thailand, their way to the destination market. Given conservation issue in their programs, through Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and this increased threat from hunting, the graphics and conservation resources. Indonesia. This is the only hornbill species International Union for Conservation of For more information, visit www. that has a solid casque (a keratinous growth Nature (IUCN) recently uplisted this species coraciiformestag.com/. on the upper mandible). Gram for gram, to the category of “critically endangered.” these casques are worth more than elephant While the Coraciiformes TAG does not Literature cited: ivory. Historical evidence indicates that these have a dedicated conservation fund, the Claire Beastall, Chris R. Shepherd, Yokyok casques have been carved into decorative TAG is dedicated to making connections Hadiprakarsa and Debbie Martyr Trade objects as far back as the Ming Dynasty for the benefit of this species and other in the Helmeted Hornbill Rhinoplax vigil: (1368-1644). A recent increase in hunting Coraciiformes. Facilities that are interested the ‘ivory hornbill’. Bird Conservation this species for their casques has become a in more information about how they can International, Available on CJO 2016 major concern for their survival. Reports help raise awareness or support for helmeted doi:10.1017/S0959270916000010

8 www.aza.org | January 2017 January 2017 | www.aza.org 9 Conservation Woodland Park Zoo Conservation Program Becomes United Nations Equator Initiative Case Study

Woodland Park Zoo’s international field on our program,” conservation program, the Tree Kangaroo said Dr. Lisa Dabek, Conservation Program (TKCP), was founder and director featured in a new case study published by of TKCP and senior the United Nations Development Program’s conservation scientist Equator Initiative. The case study is one in at Woodland Park a growing series by the Equator Initiative Zoo. “We hope that describes vetted and peer-reviewed the study helps best practices intended to inspire the policy other conservation dialogue needed to take local success to scale, organizations improve the global knowledge base on local incorporate more environment and development solutions, and community-based serve as models for replication. initiatives into their programs to ensure sustainable living, we will not succeed TKCP has been working for 20 years sustainable health and prosperity for living in conserving endangered species. That with local communities in Papua New landscapes, biodiversity, people and culture.” is why, over the years, TKCP has grown Guinea (PNG) to protect endangered The Yopno-Uruwa-Som (YUS) and evolved into a comprehensive species and a diverse and valuable habitat. Conservation Area, which TKCP helps program that includes local landowners in The program manages a community to manage, covers over 187,000 acres of decision-making and works directly with conservation area and locally-owned forest, habitat committed to conservation by the indigenous communities to provide the first of its kind in PNG and a model for local landowners to protect endemic and them the skills, knowledge and resources community-based conservation in other endangered wildlife species, including they need to manage the area effectively parts of the country. the Huon tree kangaroo. To support these and protect native species, like the tree Case studies developed by the Equator communities, TKCP has partnered with the kangaroo, forever.” Initiative highlight the work of former private sector and the PNG government on In addition to the Equator Prize, TKCP winners of the Equator Prize which a conservation livelihoods program and a received the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ recognizes local sustainable development coffee harvesting project, which has already (AZA) International Conservation Award solutions for people, nature and resilient brought in more than $75,000 for local in 2002 and 2014, and TKCP’s Conservation communities. TKCP was awarded the farmers and their families. Farmers use this Strategies Manager Karau Kuna won the Equator Prize in 2014 for its extraordinary additional income to pay for their children’s 2016 Whitley Award, a highly esteemed community-based conservation initiatives school fees, family health expenses and basic international nature conservation prize. In and livelihoods development. “We were household necessities. 2016, Dabek was nominated for the prestigious incredibly honored to receive the Equator “Conservation is ultimately about Indianapolis Prize in recognition of her Prize in 2014 and we are thrilled the Equator people,” said Dabek. ”If we do not focus groundbreaking wildlife conservation efforts Initiative chose to publish a case study on community-based conservation and through the program. By the Numbers One Year of FIELD CONSERVATION 2015 in the ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS COMMUNITY $186 million Population Biology/Monitoring and Reintroduction was spent on field were the most frequent keywords selected conservation $22.5 million spent on projects with these keywords

10 www.aza.org | January 2017 Species Survival Plan® Highlight Consolidating Struggling Populations as a Strategy to Achieve Sustainability

By Jeff Sailer and Jamie Sincage

The pink-necked fruit dove (Ptilinopus Concerned that this dove would transactions, shipping or quarantine. The porphyreus) is an attractive species from disappear from AZA-accredited zoos species has never been simple to breed the montane forests of Sumatra, Java and aquariums, the final 9 birds in the and behavioral issues within pairs can and Bali. Unlike many fruit doves, it population were moved to the Toledo Zoo cause frustration—the ability to quickly lives up in the cool cloud forests of these & Aquarium in Toledo, Ohio, in 2013-2014. offer alternative mates was a real boon tropical islands. The species was imported While the Taxon Advisory Group’s (TAG) for the population. Within two years of sporadically throughout the 1980s and Candidate Program’s coordination and the flock being assembled at Toledo Zoo, early 1990s and housed in both zoos and population management was concentrated the population more than doubled to 23 some specialist private collections. The at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Lake Buena birds. As we continue to emphasize the population within the Association of Zoos Vista, Fla., off-exhibit breeding space was breeding of the initial flock, pairs that are and Aquariums (AZA) community waxed allocated for the remaining pairs at the poor genetic contributors to the population and waned over the last four decades Toledo Zoo. Bringing all of the birds to one still play a valuable roll by fostering eggs and had nearly disappeared by the end facility greatly facilitated pair formation. and rearing chicks from good genetically of the last decade. At the same time, the Individual birds could be provided with matched pairs. This allows those matched few private enthusiasts who held them a choice of mates, and pairs that were not pairs more opportunity to breed and either became defunct or, in one case, the successful could be re-paired quickly with increases their reproductive capacity within preeminent private breeder passed away. other birds without the need to plan for the population.

10 www.aza.org | January 2017 January 2017 | www.aza.org 11 The advantages of managing a large number of individuals at one facility cannot be overstated within this program. Working with a very large group allows us to tease apart behavioral, nutritional and housing challenges for the species. In the past, a given pair isolated in a single zoo might have bred well, but the factors behind its success could not be elucidated. We now have the ability to develop more effective husbandry guidelines that will lead to a more sustainable population. We are currently focused on growing the population quickly to preserve genetic variability and maintain stable demographics. The AZA Columbiformes TAG is working collaboratively with the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) to identify additional pink-necked fruit doves within its members to further bolster the population in the future. The TAG Candidate Program’s goal is to grow the population to 50 birds at the Toledo Zoo, then incorporate additional AZA

facilities and establish the program as an SSP. Zoo © San Francicso The Toledo Zoo will continue to hold a large core population to hedge against another Fund Raising boom-bust cycle for this species. This strategy could be explored with other bird species as well and provide for increased sustainability Young Professionals Raise of additional populations. Our one regret with regards to the pink-necked fruit dove population is that the consolidation of the Cash for Conservation at population did not occur sooner. It would have been a much easier climb to a robust San Francisco Zoo’s “Fur Ball” population if the work could have begun with 20 or 25 birds. Nearly 300 young professionals enjoyed an then posed for pictures in the TomFoolery This strategy is not limited to only large elegant evening of exotic animal encounters, Photobooth and danced to the beat of famed zoos; Toledo Zoo is moderately-sized but gourmet food, well-crafted cocktails and 1980s-and-more band Notorious. had facilities conducive to work with fruit lively entertainment at Fur Ball 2016 – Where Silent Auction items included tickets doves and a commitment to do so. The key the Wild Things Are at San Francisco Zoo to watch the Warriors, Giants and 49ers, with this approach is to select a species & Gardens in San Francisco, Calif., on 30 Nob Hill Spa day passes, VIP passes to tailored to the attributes of an individual September 2016. Outsidelands and much more. The event AZA facility, find a champion, and be Guests began the night with a VIP raised nearly $60,000 with all proceeds willing to sacrifice individual short-term reception in the Bernard Osher Giraffe Lodge benefitting the well-being of Zoo animals and exhibit potential for long-term population where they learned about reticulated giraffe the organizational mission to connect, care viability. We believe when this approach is conservation and had an opportunity to feed and conserve. taken and everyone coperates, even very a giraffe. The evening was brought to life Fur Ball 2016 was chaired by Willa small populations can be turned around with lighting by MEGA Event Production Moore and organized by Zoo II, a group of and set up for success. and food and drinks from Del Popolo, Belly young professionals dedicated to expanding Burgers, Nick’s Crispy Tacos, Sugar & Spun, wildlife conservation, raising awareness Jeff Sailer is the director of the Toledo Zoo. Frozen Kuhsterd, Pacific Puffs, Kasa Indian and encouraging financial support of Jamie Sincage is the Pink-Necked Fruit Eatery, Beran Wines and Golden State Cider. San Francisco Zoo & Gardens through Dove Candidate Program leader at Following animal encounters, guests quarterly fundraisers. The President of Zoo Disney’s Animal Kingdom. took rides on the historic Dentzel Carousel, II is Will Andereck.

12 www.aza.org | January 2017 Reintroduction AZA-Accredited Facilities Help Support Release of Black-footed Ferrets to Area Where They Were Rediscovered 35 Years Ago

Thirty-five years after the species was rediscovered after having been believed to be extinct, a historic reintroduction has taken place, marking another positive step toward recovery for the black-footed ferret, one of North America’s most endangered mammals. On 26 July 2016, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the owners of two ranches, released 35 black-footed ferrets to honor the special anniversary. The release occurred near Meeteetse, Wyo., on the Lazy BV and

Pitchfork Ranches, where the species was Zoo National © Mehgan Murphy, first rediscovered, and was supported in part by the Association of Zoos and Beginning in 1986, the Wyoming Game in other ways, we are proud to work with Aquariums (AZA) and four of its accredited and Fish Department and U.S. Fish and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, facilities: the Phoenix Zoo in Phoenix, Ariz., Wildlife Service founded a successful captive U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and other Louisville Zoo, in Louisville, Ky., Cheyenne breeding program for black-footed ferrets. conservation partners so that we can all Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs, Colo., Breeding under managed care continues do our part in protecting the future of this and Santa Barbara Zoo in Santa Barbara, today, and the ferrets have been released important endangered species,” said AZA Calif. The zoological facilities contributed throughout western North America. interim President and Chief Executive funds to support the necessary dusting of Black-footed ferrets currently reside at Officer Kris Vehrs. the prairie dog colonies with the insecticide five AZA-accredited facilities: the Cheyenne The release of black-footed ferrets back deltamethrin (Delta Dust) to address the Mountain Zoo, Louisville Zoo, Phoenix onto private land is possible due to the 10(j) presence of sylvatic plague, a flea-borne Zoo, Smithsonian National Zoological Park rule of the Endangered Species Act that disease that has decimated the prairie dog in Washington, DC, and Toronto Zoo in creates special provisions to give landowners population. Black-footed ferrets almost Ontario, Canada. Additionally, between protection if a ferret is killed during legal exclusively eat prairie dogs and rely on 2011 and 2015, 22 AZA-accredited facilities activities. Last year, a statewide rule was prairie dog burrows for shelter, safety and a contributed approximately $5.8 million to put in place to give landowners assurance place to raise young. Each ferret requires 50- 32 field conservation projects benefitting they will be able to manage their properties 100 acres of prairie dog colonies to survive. black-footed ferrets. These projects primarily without the concern they might break “This is a historic moment for the focus on reintroduction, monitoring of the law by inadvertently harming a ferret. recovery of this species. It is an honor for reintroduced ferrets, and ecological studies Implementation of the 10(j) rule ensures the men and women who serve the public focused on strengthening long-term the concerns of private landowners and and wildlife in Wyoming to be a part of sustainability of the population, such as landowners adjacent to reintroduction areas this effort. This is a biologically sound and those investigating the species’ relationship are addressed comprehensively. historical place to host a reintroduction with its prey, the black-tailed prairie dog. The national Black-footed Ferret and we thank the ranch owners for their “Conservation is a top priority of Recovery Implementation Team has released commitment to recovery of black-footed facilities accredited by the Association ferrets at 24 sites across North America. ferrets. The decades of hard work from of Zoos and Aquariums, and species Current ferret numbers in the wild are Game and Fish and our numerous partners recovery is often complex and requires encouraging, but more reintroduction sites show in these recovery efforts,” said Scott much collaboration. Whether our member are needed to fully recover the species so Talbott, director of Game and Fish. facilities are rearing the ferrets or assisting that it no longer requires federal protection.

January 2017 | www.aza.org 13 • to identify local environmental threats, such as hurricanes and storm surge, flooding, winter storms, erosion and runoff; • to identify locations and activities vulnerable to those hazards; • to understand the science behind those threats and how scientists measure them; • and to discover current and potential efforts to minimize those threats. “In the classroom, students and teachers will learn about key environmental threats that impact their communities, the specific sites where those threats are most relevant, and resilience projects that are under way or will be necessary in the future,” said Tom Naiman, the Aquarium’s director of © Maritime Aquarium education. “Then, they will examine the Grant coastline from the water, where they also will take part in science that will allow a deeper understanding of threats and the way The Maritime Aquarium they may be impacted by climate change. The ability to approach these issues, and the underlying science, literally from the land and at Norwalk’s Largest- the water will provide a unique perspective and a truly holistic educational experience.” Ever Federal Grant will The Maritime Aquarium will begin to develop educational content by using NOAA educational resources and collaborating Fund Awareness of Local with the Western Connecticut Council of Governments (WCCOG), the University Environmental Threats of Connecticut’s Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA) Nearly 2,000 students from 10 Fairfield In addition, professional-development and Connecticut Sea Grant. It also will County towns will explore how severe workshops will benefit more than 150 work with an advisory board to review key storms, erosion and other environmental teachers from those towns. educational strategies and resources and to hazards threaten their communities—and “We thank the USDC and NOAA for identify participating schools. also how they can participate in lessening endorsing this innovative program,” said Programming for students and teachers the effects—thanks to a three-year, $484,955 Dr. Brian Davis, president of The Maritime will start in 2017. Content will be aligned federal grant to The Maritime Aquarium at Aquarium at Norwalk. “It is critical that closely with national educational standards for Norwalk in Norwalk, Conn. residents of our shoreline communities earth science and engineering and technology. The grant, from the National Oceanic understand the complexity of environmental For Aquarium guests, a related new exhibit and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issues and are able to engage in civic will explore the ways that people and marine is the largest federal award received in The dialogue that addresses the new challenges— life in Long Island Sound are impacted by Maritime Aquarium’s 28 years. both physical and financial—produced by a extreme weather and climate change. It will fund an initiative called “Sound changing climate. “Weather events including related Resilience—Get On Board!” Over the “We are excited to work with NOAA, flooding, storm surges and erosion are some next three years, The Maritime Aquarium as well as with local schools and agencies, of the most relevant and recurring hazards will use the grant to involve as many as to bring a deeper understanding of faced by the 10 communities this program 1,875 middle- and high-school students environmental issues to students and will reach,” Davis said. “In light of the in Greenwich, Stamford, New Canaan, teachers through interpretative experiences hurricanes, tropical storms and blizzards of Darien, Norwalk, Westport, Wilton, Weston, that this grant will support. Our nearly the last five years, there has been tremendous Fairfield and Bridgeport. Education and 500,000 guests of the Aquarium will benefit momentum in Fairfield County for action. research will occur in school classrooms and from this information as well,” Davis added. This grant and ‘Sound Resilience’ will help also aboard the Aquarium’s hybrid-electric The program has four main goals for encourage a collaborative, energized and research vessel, R/V Spirit of the Sound™. students, teachers and Aquarium guests: informed community.”

14 www.aza.org | January 2017 Capital Campaign Texas State Aquarium and HOLT CAT Make Major Campaign Caribbean Announcement © Texas Aquarium State © Texas

The Texas State Aquarium in Corpus “The Texas State Aquarium is truly a state The $55 million Caribbean Journey Christi, Texas, announced another major treasure. The Holt family and HOLT CAT building—which completes the final two contribution for Campaign Caribbean, the are grateful that we can support the growing phases of the Aquarium’s original master plan Aquarium’s capital campaign that is funding education and wildlife conservation programs —will make the Texas State Aquarium one of the largest expansion in its 26-year history. that the aquarium offers,” said Corinna Holt the largest aquariums in the nation. HOLT CAT and the Holt family announced Richter, HOLT CAT senior vice president. In late 2012, the Texas State Aquarium a generous in-kind gift of $400,000 towards “We are so grateful to the Holt family launched the leadership phase of Campaign a Caterpillar® G3516, 1,000 kW low emission and HOLT CAT for their long-term support Caribbean, a capital campaign to raise the natural gas generator for the Caribbean of the Texas State Aquarium and continued necessary funds for construction of the Journey building. commitment to its mission to engage people Caribbean Journey building. At 71,000 square This is the third generator donated by with animals, inspire appreciation for our seas, feet, the new Caribbean Journey building will HOLT CAT to the Texas State Aquarium. and support wildlife conservation. They’ve include a Caribbean Shark exhibit, tropical The first generator was donated in 1989 for been with us since before we opened our doors lowland forest, Mayan ruins, Blue Hole, the Aquarium’s Gulf of Mexico Building, and to the public in 1990,” commented Texas State Caribbean Coral Reef, Cenote, 4-D theater, the second in 2003 for Dolphin Bay. Both are Aquarium President & CEO Tom Schmid. private event space overlooking Corpus still in use today providing back-up power to “This generator set will be used to provide back- Christi Bay and downtown Corpus Christi, those buildings. up power to our Caribbean Journey building.” and more.

14 www.aza.org | January 2017 January 2017 | www.aza.org 15 By the Numbers Public Awareness

One Year of FIELD CONSERVATION in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Community 2015

of the 3,300 submissions were designated strictly as a grant or financial contribution to another organization

of targeted species and subspecies are also part of an AZA Species Survival Plan®

Species supported by the most Denver Zoo and CH2M AZA organizations were tiger, cheetah, snow leopard, and Volunteers Participate in African and Asian elephants South Platte River Clean-Up

Denver Zoo in Denver, Colo., and CH2M, originates from activities on land and flows presenting sponsor of the Zoo’s traveling down rivers to oceans. art exhibit, Washed Ashore: Art to Save Denver Zoo partnered with CH2M the Sea, joined forces on 15 October, to because of the firm’s commitment to clean up trash that had “washed ashore” sustainability and resiliency, including on the South Platte River. Employees from deep expertise in water, transportation Learn more about the AZA both organizations worked to collect and and environmental services. CH2M helps Community’s 2015 conservation recycle debris, supporting the mission of clients and communities around the world work in 2015 Highlights Denver Zoo’s current art installation: to solve complex challenges by advancing www.aza.org/annual-report- raise awareness about plastic pollution sustainability in the development of on-conservation-and-science and minimize the amount of debris left on infrastructure and industry, balancing social, beaches and in water sources. economic and environmental priorities. Washed Ashore features 15 giant CH2M is sponsoring the exhibit and cleanup sculptures of marine life, made almost to promote awareness, education and entirely from trash collected from beaches. community involvement, protecting natural Though Denver is far from any ocean, it is resources and ensuring public access to safe, estimated that 80 percent of ocean pollution reliable water supplies.

16 www.aza.org | January 2017 Research interactions, the impact of training on wolf socialization, but trainer identity and stress Stress Reduction on Human stress levels was previously unknown. Dogs did not affect stress in dogs or wolves they Socialized Wolves and Dogs and wolves were kept in identical conditions worked with. This study provides evidence to ensure a valid comparison. Saliva was that training may have positive impacts on Depending on conditions and the species, collected to measure glucocorticoid levels. welfare in both domesticated and human- contact with humans can either heighten or Training sessions included behaviors and socialized wild canids. reduce stress in human-managed animals. trainers already known to the animals. This This study used behavioral indicators study found that stress hormones were Vasconcellos, AdS, Virányi, Z, Range, F, and stress hormones to assess the impact reduced in both dogs and wolves during Ades, C, Scheidegger, JK, Möstl, E & of positive-reinforcement training on training sessions. Dogs and wolves stayed Kotrschal, K (2016) Training Reduces domesticated dogs and human-socialized near trainers throughout training sessions Stress in Human-Socialised Wolves wolves. In addition, they assessed stress levels and did not show behavioral signs of to the Same Degree as in Dogs. Plos in trainers to assess how trainer stress may distress. Trainer identity had a measurable One, 11(9): e0162389. doi:10.1371/ impact animal response. impact on time spent close to the trainer journal.pone.0162389. Correspondence While domesticated dogs might and proportion of cues responded to to Angélica da Silva Vasconcellos: be expected to benefit from training correctly, reflecting a range of human-animal [email protected]

Effects of Viewing Zoo African Elephants on Visitor Conservation Perceptions, Attitudes and Behaviors

To reliably impact visitors’ conservation relationship between conservation behavior, zoos will need to have a greater intent and whether or not understanding of visitors’ underlying visitors had talked with staff perceptions and attitudes. This study assessed or volunteers. More personal perceptions of elephant behavior at San and focused conversations Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido, Calif., to with staff using framed determine its effect on conservation-related message techniques may be attitudes and behavioral intent. more effective for impacting Visitor surveys were administered with behavior than broader questions related to elephant behavior presentations given to a large observed, attitude towards elephant audience. Zoo members conservation and welfare, intention to had a greater desire to do various conservation actions, and preserve nature. Further demographics. Principal component analysis research on the impact revealed that variation in visitor perception of seeing elephants could be explained by their concern for on visitor emotions having elephants in zoos, importance of is needed to better maintaining elephants in the wild, or desire understand how to preserve nature. Visitors that had up-close best to convey encounters with elephants reported greater conservation importance of having elephants in the wild messages and and scored higher on willingness to do possibly shape conservation actions. Visitors viewing active attitudes over time. behaviors or greater behavioral diversity also had higher conservation intent scores. Hacker, CE & Miller, Designing exhibits that enable elephants to LJ (2016) Zoo Visitor display a full breadth of natural behaviors Perceptions, Attitudes, and and remain active is thus important in terms Conservation Intent After of its impact on visitor perception as well as Viewing African Elephants animal welfare. at the San Diego Zoo Safari Contrary to other research, the study did Park. Zoo Biology, 35, 355- not find a relationship between conservation 361. Correspondence to intent of visitors and whether or not they had Charlotte Hacker: Charlotte. attended a keeper talk. However, there was a [email protected].

16 www.aza.org | January 2017 January 2017 | www.aza.org 17 New Facility Calgary Zoo Opens First Greater Sage-Grouse Breeding Facility in Canada

With fewer than 400 greater sage-grouse Conservation Centre (DWCC), will focus Alberta from Montana. There are currently in Canada, the Calgary Zoo in Calgary, on all aspects of captive breeding including 18 sage-grouse in the Zoo’s new facility at Alberta, opened the first breeding facility planting sage brush and other native the DWCC. in Canada for one of the nation’s most vegetation. The facility will also house Greater sage-grouse are one of 189 plant endangered birds. Now entering the cameras to monitor the grouse and space and animal species in western Canada that third year of its reintroduction breeding for research to improve approaches for are listed as threatened or higher under program, the goal is to build a sustainable incubation, survival and breeding. the national Species at Risk Act (SARA). captive population that will one day bolster Once commonly found in Canada’s In 1998, these birds were designated as wild populations. prairie region and northwestern U.S., the Endangered by the Committee on the “I see the greater sage-grouse as an greater sage-grouse now inhabit only half of Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. iconic part of our Canadian heritage; a their historic range. Threats such as habitat Their wild population numbers decreased key component of our prairie ecosystem,” destruction and human development have to such an extent that in 2013, the Federal says Dr. Axel Moehrenschlager, director caused their wild population numbers Government announced an emergency of conservation and science at the Calgary to diminish. In the spring of 2016, it was order to protect them. Zoo. “Our new facility, the Snyder-Wilson estimated that the population of greater The Calgary Zoo appreciates the Family Greater Sage-Grouse Pavilion, will sage-grouse in Canada was between 250 to financial support of Alberta Environment help to build a strong, wild population for 350 individuals. and Parks toward this important this species.” In the 2016 field season, eggs were environmental stewardship. This project was This 31,000 square foot world-class collected from Grasslands National Park in undertaken with the financial support of facility, built at the Zoo’s Devonian Wildlife Saskatchewan and from birds relocated to Environment and Climate Change Canada.

18 www.aza.org | January 2017 6_Aquarium & Zoos 8.5 x 11 Ad_dueFEB10_v3.pdf 1 2/3/16 2:49 PM

CMY

18 www.aza.org | January 2017 January 2017 | www.aza.org 19

KILLING EVENTS ENDANGER ANIMALS AND THE ENVIRONMENT

BY KATIE MORELL

22 www.aza.org | January 2017 He would race home from school every day snakes alive and chopping their heads off, to to play in the dirt and subscribed to several lighting pits of live snakes on fire and shooting animal magazines to learn about species not them in the heads with nail guns. The largest native near his home in Long Island, N.Y. One rattlesnake roundup happens every March day in the early 1990s, at just 11 years old, he in Sweetwater, Texas, and at the event, small came home, opened a reptile magazine and saw children dip their hands in the blood from several photos that horrified him. freshly killed snakes to make artwork. “The article was about rattlesnake Snakes are “milked” for venom at several roundups. It was the first time I’d ever heard of roundups, an activity billed as vital to create drugs them, and I remember seeing graphic pictures for cancer research and anti-venom for snakebites. of decapitated rattlesnakes, guys making While word of roundups hasn’t spread to a spectacle out of the snakes and piles of every corner of the U.S., the Association of rattlesnakes in unhealthy conditions,” he said. Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and other animal “I couldn’t believe it.” welfare groups have perked up to them over Mendyk, now 35 years old, cares for and the past 25 years with a mix of confusion, protects reptiles and amphibians in his role as anger and concern. In March 1999, AZA made supervisor of herpetology at the Jacksonville Zoo its opinion known by releasing the following and Gardens in Jacksonville, Fla. But, like Mendyk position statement: as a child, many people are still unfamiliar with The AZA condemns the cruel and the concept of rattlesnake roundups. ecologically destructive practice of rattlesnake So, what are they and why do they exist? roundups and encourages its member institutions to actively oppose such activity through public Introducing Roundups education and the support of relevant legislation. Rattlesnake roundups started 50-60 years Increased attention has resulted in the ago in states like Texas and Oklahoma and scrutiny of the claims around each roundup, were advertised as events to help control snake specifically around milking demonstrations. populations and protect livestock and children. “There are legitimate milking laboratories, What started as a niche event spread quickly, where scientists milk venom out of snakes and and states including Alabama, Georgia and that venom is used for things like anti-venom Pennsylvania started hosting their own roundups. and cancer drugs, but none of that venom Activities at many of these festival-style comes from rattlesnake roundups,” said Ruston events (some of which include beauty pageants Hartdegen, curator of herpetology at the Dallas and a variety of vendors) range from skinning Zoo in Dallas, Texas. “We’ve reached out to all

22 www.aza.org | January 2017 January 2017 | www.aza.org 23 © The Lyda Hill Texas Collection of Photographs in Carol M. Highsmith’s America Project, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.

“The article was about

It was the first time I’d ever heard of them, and I remember seeing graphic pictures of decapitated rattlesnakes, guys making a spectacle out of the snakes and piles of rattlesnakes in unhealthy conditions ...”

24 www.aza.org | January 2017 is that rattlesnakes—specifically the Western diamondback rattlesnake, which is used in Texas roundups—shares a den with more than 350 species. Animal welfare organizations have been working hard to legalize a ban on the gassing of rattlesnake dens. A few years ago an advisory group was formed to determine if the ban was necessary, and on 24 October 2016, John M. Davis, wildlife diversity program director with the Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPW) Department, sent out an email with the following message to a select number of people who had expressed interest in the issue: “The TPW Commission has decided that, at this time, there is insufficient support from legislative oversight or the potentially regulated community for the department to move forward with regulating the use of gasoline to collect rattlesnakes. TPWD staff still believe that there are better options for collecting snakes that do not adversely impact non-target species, and we will continue to work with the snake collecting Diamonback rattlesnake © Dirk J. Stevenson of the manufacturers who make these drugs, community to develop and implement best and none of them will confirm that they use practices that reduce potential venom from roundups because the snakes impacts to these species.” there are stored in inhumane conditions and While deeply the milking isn’t done in a sterile environment.” disappointed, Hartdegen isn’t surprised. “I grew up Environmental Concerns and Failure in Texas, so this is not of the Gassing Ban shocking, but I thought Rattlesnake roundups have struck a chord that people cared enough even in people who don’t like snakes because to say that pouring of negative environmental impacts associated gasoline into the ground with the events. Rattlesnake hunters are a huge should be against the law,” part of roundups and, especially for some of he said. “Enforcement the largest events, are asked to corral thousands would have been difficult, of snakes by a certain date. Most roundups but it would have been take place in the late winter/early spring, which a first step. At the same time, means hunters find and collect the snakes in them doing this sheds more light their dens. on the subject, which means that In places like Texas, hunters have been maybe it will eventually get kicked back known to pour gasoline into rattlesnake dens when enough people outside the state become to drive them out for capture. The problem infuriated by it.”

24 www.aza.org | January 2017 January 2017 | www.aza.org 25 A snake handler at the world’s largest rattlesnake roundup in Sweetwater, Texas. © The Lyda Hill Texas Collection of Photographs in Carol M. Highsmith’s America Project, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.

The Argument for Roundups “The number of and the Concept of Conversion Economic impact is the main reason rattlesnake roundups still exist. In 2015 alone, the Sweetwater Rattlesnake Roundup brought a reported $8.4 million into the has declined in recent years, but local economy—a huge boon to the rural, 10,000-person community. Several roundups there are still several of them donate money to local charities. The events provide jobs for residents and serve as a occurring in Texas, Oklahoma, cultural touchstone for recent generations. Roundup organizers have long opposed Alabama, Georgia and Pennsylvania.” welfare organizations asking them to shut down, but in 2012, something interesting happened: another one of the country’s largest roundup—located in Claxton, Ga.,—converted

26 www.aza.org | January 2017 and one of the former venom milkers sued me, but it ended up getting thrown out,” said Jensen, adding that the DNR has also been successful in convincing the organizers of a former roundup in Fitzgerald, Ga., to convert the event to a wild chicken festival. “Several zoos supported the Claxton roundup conversion; we are planning to go to the roundup in 2017,” said Mendyk. “I’m hoping the organizations in Texas will put an end to roundups, change opinions and have those events transferred over to festivals.” Starting in 2014, Rogers partnered with experts at the Dallas Zoo to offer a video AZA class to students on the history and biology The number of rattlesnake roundups has of rattlesnakes. “We had 800 students tune declined in recent years, but there are still in from places like New York, Florida and several of them occurring in Texas, Oklahoma, Wisconsin,” she said. “In 2016, we had 638 Alabama, Georgia and Pennsylvania. And students participate in the 45-minute class.” while AZA-accredited facilities aren’t outright fighting the events, member organizations are Everybody Can Make a Difference trying to celebrate biodiversity and teach the AZA-accredited facilities outside of the public about snakes with the introduction of roundup states can still do a lot to help put an events like the Lone Star Rattlesnake Days in end these events. “It is important to use our Round Rock, Texas, near Austin. audience of visitors to tell everybody what is “Our first one was in spring 2016,” said going on,” said Hartdegen. Hartdegen. “It was a two-day event during Vicky Poole, assistant curator of ectotherms which we brought in live animals from several at the Fort Worth Zoo in Fort Worth, Texas, zoos. I work with the Rattlesnake Preservation encourages AZA-member facilities to get Trust, and our goal with the event is to spread involved in future Lone Star Rattlesnake Days. its event to a rattlesnake and wildlife festival information about snakes and provide an “Last year we had people from 11 AZA- and took the “roundup” part out of it. alternative, no-kill event to roundups.” accredited facilities fly in and help out,” she said. “We started talking to the organizers of Nearly 200 miles north in Dallas, Texas, “It is all about advocacy and awareness. We all the Claxton roundup in the late 1990s and Whitney Rogers is working to educate students need to show up to help be a part of an effort they weren’t interested in changing, but over from schools nationwide on the beauty of that can change people’s perceptions.” the years we made the case that changing the rattlesnakes. As ScienceCast Coordinator at Can the public do anything to help? roundup to a no-kill event wouldn’t hurt their the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, she Absolutely. Hartdegen recommends contacting bottom line; it would actually boost it,” said collaborates yearly with the Dallas Zoo on a legislators if you live in a participating state. John Jensen, senior wildlife biologist with the video course titled Rattlesnake Debunked. “If you don’t live in a state that has roundups, Georgia Department of Natural Resources “A few years ago, we saw a long distance write in to the Texas Parks and Wildlife and (DNR). “It ended up doing just that. They have learning program sponsored by the people petition them,” he said. “If the national opinion a very successful event now.” who put on the Sweetwater Roundup, and is that this is ridiculous, it will have an impact. Several years later, the group came around, we decided to do the opposite—to do our Right now, it is a dirty little secret.” but not without some serious pushback. own program based on natural history and “The president of the Evans County Wildlife the biology of rattlesnakes to counteract their Katie Morell is a writer based Club, which puts on the event, got death threats program,” she said. in San Francisco, Calif.

26 www.aza.org | January 2017 January 2017 | www.aza.org 27 ARE

ON TRACK?

28 www.aza.org | January 2017 THOUGHTFUL EVALUATION LEADS TO CONSERVATION COURSE CORRECTIONS

BY MARY ELLEN COLLINS

28 www.aza.org | January 2017 January 2017 | www.aza.org 29 ticking with Practice of Conservation to monitor and the status quo measure their progress and evaluate the may be an easy impact of their projects. choice, but it’s not In some cases, monitoring and always the right one. evaluation tools can help define the path As landscapes evolve to a solution for a specific problem. They and new threats emerge, can also provide significant value to an conservationists must be willing to assess the overall conservation effort, according to Dr. relevance of their goals and the effectiveness Rebecca Garvoille, a conservation social of their strategies, and be flexible enough to scientist in the department of conservation make changes when necessary. and research at Denver Zoo in Denver, Colo. Critical self-evaluation can be “We are using the Open Standards for challenging and time-consuming, and the Practice of Conservation to rethink the prospect of altering strategies that the logic and focus of all our conservation have been in place for years can feel programs, and we embrace it as a best daunting. However, a growing number practice for strategic conservation planning of Association of Zoos and Aquariums and evaluation,” she said. “It is helping (AZA)-accredited facilities are relying us bring a new level of clarity and critical on helpful tools like structured decision- thought to our programs so we can tell a making and the Open Standards for the more compelling story about the work we

30 www.aza.org | January 2017 Denver Zoo is using the Open Standards for Practice of Conservation to rethink the logic and focus of their conservation programs.

are doing, how we are doing it, and the impact [we are making] on the species and ecosystems Louisiana pine snake we care about.” As transparency becomes increasingly important across the nonprofit sector, funders are particularly pleased to see organizations using a scientific approach to evaluate and report on the effect of their conservation efforts. “Funding is more competitive and donors want to know more about the impact of their money,” said Garvoille. “Historically, monitoring and evaluation was not always a priority because of the financial resources it required and because it wasn’t as appealing [to funders] as directly supporting meaningful conservation actions on the ground. But now funders are asking for detailed evaluation plans in applications. And they want conceptual models if you have them, to show your theories of change,” explaining why you believe the actions you are taking will have a specific forecasted outcome. © Sara Hasenstab © Sara

30 www.aza.org | January 2017 January 2017 | www.aza.org 31 he recent uptick in the use of planning, monitoring and evaluation tools among zoo-based conservationists is inspiring positive changes across the AZA community, as more people are willing to put their work under a microscope and adjust their actions depending on what they see.

Species Consolidation Conservationists who were working toward reestablishing the Louisiana pine snake population in the wild turned to structured decision-making to help them work through a significant challenge. “Twenty-three zoos had at least a pair of snakes,” says Dr. Steve Reichling, the curator of reptiles at the Memphis Zoo in Memphis, Tenn. “We had 40 to 50 adult females, and I assumed half would reproduce every year. That didn’t happen. We were struggling to release 10 to 20 snakes a year, and we were releasing offspring at the expense of banking hatchlings in the zoo populations. “We spent a year debating and discussing the issue without reaching a consensus on what to do. We had about ten possible options, and every one seemed to have negative consequences.” Through a contact at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Reichling learned that Mississippi State University at Stockville had a department that conducted the structured decision-making process. “They were inviting organizations to submit their issues and they were going to choose from the group, then a compromise that four to work on,” he explains. “We were one included that input, then a move to the next of the four.” stage, and never looking back, only forward.” Although Reichling had not been At the end of the process, the participants familiar with structured decision-making, he determined that the best strategy for meeting describes the five-day process as “really good their goal was to consolidate the snakes and for untangling a spaghetti knot. You have a send all of them to one of four facilities: the coach who leads you through the process, Memphis Zoo, the Audubon Nature Institute starting with defining the problem. Ours was in New Orleans, La., the Ellen Trout Zoo in something like, ‘maximize the number of Lufkin, Texas, and the Fort Worth Zoo in sustainable releases from the SSP population.’ Fort Worth, Texas. Each facility has received Once defined, we never went back to tweak funding for a new or reequipped building or change it, and that was key to progress. In dedicated to the intensive study and breeding essence it seemed to be a process of full input of the snake.

32 www.aza.org | January 2017 © North Carolina Zoo Carolina © North

“We did the structured decision-making consolidation breeding season, and Reichling In an effort to determine if their in late summer, and the following spring at hopes for a robust breeding season in 2018. conservation education program in the herpetological Taxon Advisory Group After using structured decision-making to Uganda was on the right track, North meetings, we presented on how we reached arrive at consensus about the pine snake, he Carolina Zoo began an evaluation the decision,” Reichling said. “Reaction and his colleagues are considering using it to process using many terms defined in varied, but everyone understood and went address similar issues regarding the release of the Open Standards. along with it.” zoo-bred dusky gopher frogs. The consolidation allows flexibility with a larger population, so that curators can make An Education Refocus sure male snakes are paired with females When Dr. Rich Bergl, curator of conservation that are ready to breed. It also facilitates and research, joined the North Carolina Zoo more research on issues related to the size in Asheboro, N.C., ten years ago, he evaluated of the eggs and the percentage of eggs that all conservation projects, including a Uganda- hatch. Spring 2017 will be the first post- based conservation education program.

32 www.aza.org | January 2017 January 2017 | www.aza.org 33 e started getting involved in conservation education in Uganda about 15 years ago, and the initial focus was on teacher training. Education staff from the Zoo and teachers from North Carolina went to Uganda to lead workshops for Ugandan teachers, primarily focusing on teaching methods. We also brought Ugandan teachers to North Carolina. This was going on for a while without carefully assessing what the ultimate conservation impact of the work was.” In an effort to determine if that approach was the best one possible, Bergl began an evaluation that “used the principles and many of the terms defined in the Open Standards. The key thing was taking a logic model approach to assessing the project [to determine] whether there were clear links between our goals, objectives, actions and desired outcomes. The project had been very focused on ‘How do we build the teaching skills of the teachers, but we took a step back and asked, ‘Is that really our mission?’” They identified the need for change and Bergl said, “We needed to take an approach that better acknowledged both the cultural context in Uganda and the challenges faced by teachers there, such as teaching 100 kids in a small classroom with a mud floor and no electricity.” In addition to the lack of cultural understanding, teachers and Zoo staff were in Uganda for a short time and workshops that focused on conservation there was no serious follow-up or evaluation topics and arranging follow-up visits to of the program. help teachers implement the content. They As a result of the process, Bergl said, also created conservation films featuring “We decided that ultimately our goal was Ugandan actors; adopted a more inquisitive to change attitudes toward the wildlife approach to education that included taking and conservation in and around Kibale students into the park on field trips; and National Park. We decided we would stay added a more formal evaluation system that focused on the kids because they would be measured the extent to which the teachers the ones who will ultimately decide what taught the topics and employed the new happens to the park.” methods. That first self-evaluation led to a They hired two full-time people in second retooling a year ago that resulted in a Uganda who understood and could assess new component to the education project. the suitability of the educational material. “We still do the teacher training, field Additional changes included holding teacher training and films,” said Bergl. “But we’re also

34 www.aza.org | January 2017 © North Carolina Zoo Carolina © North

emphasizing concrete things that people can the effect you wanted them to?’ You can say North Carolina Zoo decided to do, such as building fuel-efficient stoves and the training was done and the films were stay focused on the children, as using sustainable farming practices. We’re not produced, but what was the actual impact? they will be the ones who decided just changing attitudes and knowledge; we’re You have to think about how your action is the fate of the park. working to actually change behavior.” going to accomplish your goals.” Although evaluating education A strategic focus on monitoring and programs is challenging because it is a evaluating conservation projects may lead step removed from conservation impact, to unexpected tweaks or complete paradigm according to Bergl, it is worth the effort changes. But in either case, those who to closely examine how well your actions invest the time and effort will be rewarded reflect your desired outcomes. with funder interest and clearer paths to “There is always room for improvement,” achieving their critical conservation goals. he said. “There’s a difference between ‘Did you accomplish the tasks you said you were Mary Ellen Collins is a writer based going to accomplish?’ and ‘Did they have in St. Petersburg, Fla.

34 www.aza.org | January 2017 January 2017 | www.aza.org 35 Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Animal Programs Conserve Species BY KATE SILVER

36 www.aza.org | January 2017 36 www.aza.org | January 2017 January 2017 | www.aza.org 37 Golden lion tamarin

Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Animal Programs are conserving wildlife and the habitat on which the animals rely. Whether in Brazil, the United States or elsewhere, Species Survival Plan® (SSP) programs and Taxon Advisory Groups (TAG) can have a profound impact on the species on which they are focused.

The threat each species faces and the surrounded the biological reserve, Poço approach each Animal Program takes may das Antas. “It doesn’t sound like a lot, but vary, but time and again, AZA Animal those animals were really the base for what Programs have preserved—and even now is a much healthier wild population,” brought back from extinction in the wild— said Mickelberg. Now on about the sixth species around the globe. generation, the descendants of zoo-born individuals make up about half of the wild Golden Lion Tamarins population, according to Mickelberg. “It’s In the 1970s, it was rare to spot a golden lion pretty spectacular,” she said. “Along the way, tamarin in the Atlantic Coastal Forest in zoological experts have applied the genetic Brazil. Deforestation and the pet trade took management tools and insights they usually a toll on the primate population, and only apply to their managed programs, and that about 200 remained. Today, there are nearly expertise has been invaluable to the recovery 3,000 of the orange-yellow monkeys living in project.” the wild, thanks to the Golden Lion Tamarin “The golden lion tamarin has not Association (GLTA), a Brazilian non-profit been saved—we are not done yet,” said organization, a coalition of zoos and the Mickelberg. “But we know so much more Brazilian environmental agency. about the species and we know what we In the 1980s, as part of the recovery need to do to keep the population going.” effort, zoos began working together to breed The latest challenge confronting the golden lion tamarins, sharing information team has to do with the land. As it stands, about the animals, and also sharing the the different forest fragments are separated animals themselves, to maintain a viable by vast cow pastures, and crossing the large population. “It really was one of the role swaths of open space can be deadly for the models for how we manage SSP programs tamarins. The team is working on building today,” said Dr. Jennifer Mickelberg, senior forest corridors so that the tamarins can director of collections and conservation with travel more freely and have access to a larger Zoo Atlanta in Atlanta, Ga., International population for breeding purposes. The team Golden Lion Tamarin Studbook keeper and also moves animals from one area to another scientific advisor for the GLTA. for genetic management. A reintroduction program was The story of the tamarin is one that launched in 1984 and ran until 2000; and can give hope and inspire activity in zoo 146 tamarins born in managed care were visitors. “Most people I meet may never released into private forested lands that have a chance to go into the field and see a

38 www.aza.org | January 2017 38 www.aza.org | January 2017 January 2017 | www.aza.org 39 Prezwalski horse

40 www.aza.org | January 2017 “The hope is that if the horses would use more of the available space, the population would grow ...”

wild golden lion tamarin. But they can come to Mongolia to work with the herds, and to Zoo Atlanta and see these animals and said that the program has been a successful hopefully they become inspired either to collaboration among Hustai National protect them or another species in their own Park staff, the Minnesota Zoo and the backyard,” said Mickelberg. Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Va. Minnesota Zoo staff, Asian Wild Horses such as herself and Tony Fischer who is head Fragmented habitat has also been a of Asian Wild Horse SSP, are able to apply challenge facing another SSP that began their knowledge about the horse to help their involvement in species recovery with build the wild population. The Minnesota their expertise in population management Zoo is also home to a number of Asian wild and reintroduction. Stout, with a mane horses, which opens up opportunities to standing on end like a Mohawk, the Asian educate the public about the species. wild horse resembles a horse seen in cave Jenks said a challenge they’re dealing drawings from the Paleolithic era. Today, with now has to do with land use. There are about 500 of these horses can be found in two groups of horses that are divided on the wild—which is a drastic improvement the east and west sides of the park, avoiding from the 1960s, when they went extinct in the central area and therefore not mixing the wild, said Dr. Kate Jenks, a conservation with one another. The Park’s managers biologist at the Minnesota Zoo in Apple believe their avoidance of the area is due to Valley, Minn. Back then, there were only a water shortage, so a year ago they installed 14 known horses remaining, thanks to artificial water holes—equipped with collectors, and they were carefully managed cameras—to see if that makes a difference. until they and their offspring could be “The hope is that if the horses would use reintroduced into the wild. In 1990, the more of the available space, the population Minnesota Zoo contributed a stallion named would grow,” said Jenks. She’s enlisted 17 Amraa to the breeding program, and 82 Minnesota Zoo volunteers to go through the of his descendants are still living in Hustai thousands of water hole camera-trap photos National Park, one of three sites where the from Mongolia and enter information about the horses live in Mongolia. horses into a master database. “It’s one way we Through a program that’s largely have engaged volunteers and our zoo members funded by grants, Jenks regularly travels to support the horse’s recovery,” she said.

40 www.aza.org | January 2017 January 2017 | www.aza.org 41 Wyoming toad

“Over the years, they’ve had some successes, and since 1995 the program has released more than 228,000 tadpoles and toadlets at several different locations.”

When Jenks travels to Mongolia to work with the staff and the horses, she’s in awe of what she sees. “It is amazing to know that this is a species that zoos have had a part in returning to the wild, and it’s a conservation program that’s working,” she said.

Wyoming Toad Seeing animals back in the landscape after they had gone extinct in the wild reinforces the enthusiasm and dedication of several long-term Animal Program conservation programs. The Wyoming Toad was presumed extinct in the mid-1980s. In 1987, a small population was discovered at Department of Herpetology at the Toledo Mortenson Lake in the Laramie Basin of Zoo & Aquarium. The SSP was officially Wyoming. To protect the toad, the lake was established in 1996 and today includes eight turned into a wildlife refuge and closed to AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums, two the public. But when that population started U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to decline, the Wyoming Game and Fish facilities in Wyoming, and a new holding Department collected about 10 toads and facility in Colorado. asked for breeding help from a handful of Over the years, they’ve had some zoos, including the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium successes, and since 1995 the program in Toledo, Ohio. has released more than 228,000 tadpoles “It would seem like a simple thing to and toadlets at several different locations. take care of toads, but they turn out to be Hornyak said it has been a collaboration very challenging to care for and breed,” among a number of parties, including said Val Hornyak species coordinator for Wyoming Game and Fish Department and the Wyoming Toad SSP and lead keeper, USFWS, who manage and monitor the wild

42 www.aza.org | January 2017 population and the habitat, and the SSP, probably came from tadpoles that you sent which maintains the studbook and makes back for release, that has been wonderful recommendations for pairings. for The Toaders and it’s kept them very In addition to breeding toads and determined to succeed and very dedicated to toadlets for release, participants in the SSP the program and to each other’s success.” program—who refer to themselves as The Toaders—meet in Wyoming each year and North African Ostrich work with the USFWS and other partners When the Struthioniformes TAG to survey for the toads in the wild. And that, (previously called the Ratite TAG) formed said Hornyak, is the biggest reward. in 2005, a conservation project awaited: “To know that you repopulated a species the North African (aka red-necked) ostrich that was off the landscape, that’s a really big needed help. deal,” she said. “But, to be out and see them This bird had been extirpated across 95 and know that some of the toads you’re percent of its range, and was locally extinct seeing probably came from your facility, in Niger. Sahara Conservation Fund (SCF),

42 www.aza.org | January 2017 January 2017 | www.aza.org 43 North African ostrich (female) © Bill Houston, Saint Louis Zoo Saint Louis © Bill Houston,

“Over the last few years, an ‘Adopt an Ostrich’ time,” she recalled thinking. “Boy, were we wrong.” These ostriches, it turned out, didn’t program coordinated by the TAG has produce nearly as many eggs as other ostrich species. But that wasn’t the only challenge. brought in more than $50,000 from zoos The ostriches hadn’t been getting a proper diet. On top of that, there was no electricity and aquariums within AZA and beyond to at the main breeding site, no trained ostrich caretaker and there were language barriers support the project.” to contend with when communicating with people in country. Plus, Niger can be a tricky a non-profit, was in the early stages of trying Houston, along with Sara Hallager, place from time to time. Al Qaeda has a to put together a partnership with private curator of birds at Smithsonian National presence there and westerners had been individuals who collectively held roughly Zoological Park in Washington, D.C.; kidnapped. When visiting, the team had to 40 North African ostrich in small flocks Mike Mace, curator of birds at San Diego be very careful. Team Ostrich had a lot of scattered across southern Niger. Through Zoo Safari Park in Escondido, Calif.; Scott challenges from the get go. one of its board members, Bill Houston, who Tidmus, zoological manager at Disney’s And the ostriches, themselves, are is also director of the WildCare Institute’s Animal Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.; challenging to handle. “Honestly, how we Center for Saharan Wildlife Recovery and and Dr. Pete Black, senior veterinarian at all survived wrangling those 38 ostriches for assistant general curator at the Saint Louis Busch Gardens Tampa in Tampa, Fla., came genetic testing is beyond me,” said Hallager. Zoo in Saint Louis, Mo., SCF reached out together with other partners within the “It was a rodeo.” to the newly formed AZA Struthioniformes international zoo community to aid in the But there’s reason to be optimistic. Over TAG. SCF sought advice and support in recovery program in Niger. the last few years, an “Adopt an Ostrich” areas such as genetically testing birds and in At first, said Hallager, they expected program coordinated by the TAG has developing the capacity and infrastructure the project to be fairly straightforward. brought in more than $50,000 from zoos within Niger to build and operate an in Ostriches are, after all, prolific when it and aquariums within AZA and beyond country breeding program that could one comes to egg production. “We’ll have a to support the project. And the team has day produce birds for reintroduction. population of ostrich up and running in no had some small victories on the ground

44 www.aza.org | January 2017 in Niger. The birds have responded to dietary improvements, going from no egg production at all to lots of eggs, and, more recently, fertile eggs and chicks. Hallager said they recently hired an onsite manager to oversee the project and are in the process of developing a facility dedicated to incubation and chick-rearing. Thanks to a generous grant from AZA CGF, they are also acquiring and installing a solar array so they’ll have electricity on site, which will allow them to pump water, run computers and operate incubators and hatchers. And just recently, SCF and Team Ostrich have agreed to partner with Marwell Wildlife in the United Kingdom, an organization that is engaged in a parallel project to restore the North African ostrich in Tunisia. By sharing North African ostrich (female) information and other resources between these complementary initiatives, there is real hope for accelerating the recovery effort for this bird across North Africa. While the future of the bird, itself, is unclear, Team Ostrich is determined to do what it can. “It’s really about bringing awareness to ostrich in general,” said Hallager. “It’s the world’s biggest bird. And we’re in danger of losing it.” From breeding animals for reintroduction to lending their population management expertise to struggling populations in the wild, and from supporting land managers addressing threats on the landscape to building infrastructure and skillsets around the world, AZA’s Animal Programs have made long-term commitments to the animals in their care and their counterparts in the wild. Furthermore, by introducing these animals and their stories to visitors, Animal Programs are also enlisting the public’s support for species protection everywhere. Mickelburg from the golden lion tamarin program said, “I think one of the powers of Animal Programs for conservation is not just reintroduction, it’s about the power of these animals to inspire people and inspire action, which is what we really need.” North African ostrich (male)

Kate Silver is a writer based in Chicago, Ill. Zoo Saint Louis © Bill Houston,

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46 www.aza.org | January 2017 January 2017 | www.aza.org 47 Faces & Places

Member News Oregon spotted frog and the Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit. Gary Geddes to Retire In addition, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is a Leaving a Legacy of Conservation and Growth at conservation partner in a Houston Zoo Northwest Trek Wildlife Park and Point Defiance number of worldwide efforts Welcomes Two Zoo & Aquarium to save endangered species. New Vice Presidents: The Zoo Society’s Dr. Holly Dr. Adrian Fowler When Gary environment,” Geddes said. Reed Wildlife Conservation and Kristin Finney Geddes “Most importantly, I’ll have Fund, using donations Dr. Adrian Fowler has taken arrived in more time to spend with from zoo visitors, members over the role of vice president Eatonville my family, particularly my and others, has awarded of animal programs, replacing in 1981, growing grandchildren.” more than $1.2 million to recently retired Sharon Joseph. Dr. Northwest Jack Wilson, executive conservation research and Fowler has spent his entire career Trek director of Metro Parks wildlife protection efforts at dedicated to the welfare and care Wildlife Park was just six Tacoma for the past 17 home and abroad over the of animals, first as a veterinarian years old and drew an annual years, praised Geddes’ last 14 years. then as a zoo leader. Born and attendance of 103,676. commitment to the The Zoo is the national raised in England, he has worked Nineteen years later, community, to wildlife leader in bringing the with zoos and conservation when he was appointed conservation and to his endangered red wolf back organizations on three continents, director of zoological staff in the Zoological and from the brink of extinction including considerable time in and environmental Environmental Education and is known across the the U.S.—recently in Sacramento, education for Metro Parks Department of the park district. nation and around the Calif., as Sacramento Zoo’s Tacoma—and thus became “Gary Geddes has made world for its participation assistant director, interim chief director for Point Defiance a significant contribution in a number of Species executive officer and general Zoo & Aquarium—the to this community as a Survival Plans® (SSP), curator, and before that as curator Zoo’s attendance was result of his leadership and including the addition of of mammals for North Carolina approximately 510,000. dedication to the mission many Sumatran tiger and Zoological Park in Asheboro, N.C. Now, as he prepares to of Northwest Trek and clouded leopard cubs to In his new role, Dr. Fowler retire after 35 years with Point Defiance Zoo,” Wilson the zoo-based populations will oversee all aspects of animal Metro Parks Tacoma, both said. “These two facilities of those animals. care, health and welfare at the zoos are thriving, robust are among the very best “In each of these cases Houston Zoo in Houston, organizations that showcase accredited zoos in the nation.” where we’ve succeeded, Texas. From leading a team endangered and threatened Last year, the Zoo and it’s been through the hard of 173 dedicated animal care species while educating Northwest Trek each work, expertise and intellect and veterinary professionals the community about the received the Quarter Century of a very talented group of to working with architects animals. Each has a nationally Award from the Association employees who care deeply and designers on the Zoo’s recognized record of of Zoos and Aquariums about the conservation of continued transformation, Dr. excellence in conservation (AZA), honoring them for species and protection of the Fowler’s experience in veterinary work. And both recently set more than 25 years of environment,” Geddes said. medicine and wildlife care will all-time attendance records. continuous accreditation That legacy will continue certainly prove to be a major Geddes, 66, announced through rigorous inspection for future generations. asset to the evolving Zoo. that he will retire in early processes that occur every Construction is underway Kristin Finney joins the January 2017. He plans to five years. on the $51.6 million, Houston Zoo as vice president spend time with his family, During Geddes’ 35,000-square-foot Pacific for human resources, directly indulge in his passion for the tenure, the conservation Seas Aquarium, which will from her role as a Houston outdoors and continue his legacies of both zoos open in 2018 to replace Zoo consultant with the work as a local volunteer. grew right along with the aging North Pacific Achilles Group where she “Although I am leaving one their attendance. In recent Aquarium. And renovations world closely with the Zoo conservation organization of years, Northwest Trek are in progress at the on HR management. Finney which I am extremely proud, was twice awarded the Rocky Shores area of the brings more than 15 years of I will remain active in the prestigious North American Zoo, home to walruses, HR experience to the Zoo from community and find new Conservation Award from California sea lions, sea organizations like Achilles Group ways to participate in the the AZA for programs otters, tufted puffins and and Nike. As vice president for protection of wildlife and the to save the endangered common murres. human resources, Finney will

48 www.aza.org | January 2017 directly manage the team of management, international HR professionals and human conservation policy, university Advertiser Index relations operations for the more teaching, conservation of than 425 Zoo employees. biodiversity, watershed ATM - Acrylic Tank Manufacturing...... 20-21 management and fundraising. A Thru Z Consulting and Distributing, Inc....6 Denver Zoo Hires Immediately before coming Aqua Logic, Inc...... 19 New Vice President to Denver Zoo, Patterson was Cemrock Landscapes, Inc. for Conservation the assistant director of field Naturalistic Environments...... 56 and Research operations for the National Central Nebraska Packing, Inc..... Back Cover Denver Zoo in Ecological Observatory Network Denver, Colo., (NEON) in Boulder, Colo. Global Innovation LLC...... 2 welcomed Dr. Formerly, Patterson spent iZone Imaging...... 57 Graeme Patterson 14 years based in sub-Saharan K & K Insurance Group, Inc...... 57 as its new vice president for Africa researching aquatic McRoberts Sales Co., Inc...... 59 conservation and research. ecology and the management Midwest Tongs, Inc...... 46 Patterson brings more than 30 and conservation of aquatic Nets Unlimited, Inc...... 47 years of experience in the field, resources. He has also taught 14 of which he spent as deputy marine ecology, conservation Richards-Wilcox, Inc...... 56 director of the Africa Program biology, environmental pollution RodentPro.com, LLC...... Inside Back Cover for the Wildlife Conservation and other related courses at Skulls Unlimited Society (WCS), based at the universities in the United International, Inc...... Inside Front Cover Bronx Zoo in Bronx, N.Y. In Kingdom, Nigeria and Kenya, as Timberline Live Foods...... 51 his new role, Patterson will lead well as authored dozens of science Tom Tischler Bronze...... 49 Denver Zoo’s comprehensive publications. conservation projects in areas Patterson holds a doctorate Vortex Insurance Agency...... 5 such as Mongolia, Botswana, in botany from the University of Zoo Med Laboratories, Inc...... 58 Peru, Vietnam and the Rocky Durham, in the United Kingdom, Mountain-Great Plains region. and a Bachelor of Science in “We know that with Graeme’s botany with marine botany, from experience and leadership, the University of Wales. Denver Zoo will uphold our high While Denver Zoo’s standards while strengthening Conservation and Research our commitment to conservation” department participated in 60 said Senior Vice President for field projects in 2015 alone, Animal Care and Conservation efforts are most concentrated Brian Aucone. “Graeme’s in six areas – Botswana, awareness of the important role Mongolia, Peru, Bolivia, Rocky zoos play in conservation and Mountain/Great Plains and thoughts on how we can bridge Vietnam. Last year, Denver our onsite programs with our Zoo played an important conservation efforts in the field role in the reintroduction of will help us better tell the story of the Laramie Foothills Bison our great work to guests and the Conservation Herd, and community.” became the only facility in the Patterson’s expertise and northern hemisphere to house experience includes conservation the critically endangered Lake project planning, staff and project Titicaca frog.

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48 www.aza.org | January 2017 January 2017 | www.aza.org 49 Faces & Places

Member Updates Keeper, Oakland Zoo Imagine Exhibitions has been Jessi Vigneault, Mammal instrumental in creating, Welcome New Members Keeper II, Dallas Zoo producing and marketing Michelle Witek, Supervisor some of the world’s most The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is pleased - Children’s Zoo, Houston popular exhibitions, which to warmly welcome new Professional Affiliate, Professional Zoo, Inc. have been seen by nearly Fellow, Conservation Partners, Accredited Institutions, New Professional 40 million people around Certified Related Facilities and Commercial Members. Fellow Members the world. We currently Jennifer Lynn Kuypers, have more than 30 traveling Senior Animal Keeper, Los exhibitions touring. New Professional Connor Livingston, Senior Angeles Zoo and Botanical Utilizing our large collection of Affiliate Members Keeper, Little Rock Zoo Gardens life-like animatronic dinosaurs, we Joseph Armstrong, Business Justin Eugene Marren, Melissa Lamar, Zoological offer unique outdoor and indoor Development Manager, Large Hoofstock Keeper, Manager - Conservation traveling exhibitions designed Centerplate Little Rock Zoo Station, Disney’s Animal for zoos and aquariums. We Morgan Becker, Education Lauren McDaniel, South Kingdom work with the most up-to-date Assistant, Mesker Park Zoo & Carolina Aquarium Corey Robert Leet, CEO, animatronics as well as the Botanic Garden Aaron Prince, Keeper 1, Lake Superior Zoo leading Paleontologists to create Clarice Brewer, Lead Rhino Phoenix Zoo a immersive experience. Specialist, White Oak Johnny Renuard, Elephant New/Reinstated Conservation Center Manager, Little Rock Zoo Commercial Members Micro-TES, Inc. Christian Alexander Jessica Lynn Ritch, Event Imagine Exhibitions 12500 Network Blvd Ste 201 Dobosiewicz, Specialist, Buffalo Zoo 2870 Peachtree Rd # 418 San Antonio, TX 78249-3308 Communications Specialist, Lucy Dee Sheppard, Primate Atlanta, GA 30305-2918 Email: [email protected] Buffalo Zoo Department Supervisor, Email: tzaller@ Phone: (210) 558-4757 Amelia Jerome, Education Houston Zoo, Inc. imagineexhibitions.com micro-tes.com/ Keeper, Sunset Zoological Park Kathryn Sippel, Lead Phone: (404) 514-0385 Primary Contact: Bill Botto Eric E. Lee, Art Director, Zookeeper, Binder Park Zoo www.imagineexhibitions.com/ Manufacture and sales of live Buffalo Zoo Virginia Valentine, Animal Primary Contact: Tom Zaller liquid microbes.

BE CONNECTED THE AZA MARKETPLACE Building a network of AZA Commercial Members

AZA community connections. For questions on how to Collaboration and information search, how to use various exchange with colleagues. features and more, please feel Exploration of product and free to contact Gina Velosky service providers. at [email protected].

50 www.aza.org | January 2017 50 www.aza.org | January 2017 Exhibits

Did You See?

The horrifying number of elephant deaths in Tanzania years ago are part of what inspired our 96 Elephants campaign. This report shows how far we’ve come in combating the poaching crisis and how far we have left to go. http://bit. ly/2hAK2ei - Wildlife Conservation Society Facebook Page

After being extinct in the wild for over a decade, ‘Alalā have returned to the forests of Hawaii! Help us wish them luck! © Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo Park Lowry Tampa’s ©

African Penguins Return to Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo

Peer into the life and plight of and educate our guests about components provides an endangered African penguins the needs and perils of the wild engaging opportunity for guests - San Diego Zoo Facebook Page at the newly renovated Penguin population.” to learn more about individual Beach campus at Tampa’s A new 750-square-foot members of the colony along Most folks have trouble Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, Fla. building provides greater with the collaborative efforts of sleeping when the furnace The 11 birds have returned to opportunities for penguin accredited zoos and aquariums is on the fritz. Polar bears their outdoor beach-themed pairing, mating and nesting, to protect the population. don’t share our frailties. habitat following an extended while improving the capacity The Zoo participates in the Proof? Here’s a photo “staycation” during construction, for the Zoo’s professional staff Penguin Species Survival Plan® of 6-year-old male polar welcoming new colony member to care for future offspring. This (SSP), a cooperative breeding bear Siku taking a nap at Marcus, a 1-year-old male new facility is critical to the and conservation program of Walter Family Arctic hatched in California who has Zoo’s role as a leader in African the Association of Zoos and Tundra when the mercury arrived as a future mate for penguin conservation. Since Aquariums (AZA). Over the had plunged to 10 female Tyra. opening the Penguin Beach last 30 years, the population of degrees Fahrenheit. “We are doubling our habitat in 2007, the Zoo has the species in its range country Learn more about this commitment to African successfully hatched nine chicks. has declined by more than 60 species’ adaptations at penguins with a new Today, the Zoo is home to the percent. The Zoo is grateful www.lpzoo.org/polarbear. conservation center which only breeding colony of African for the support of a number #FromACurator encompasses animal care and penguins in the state of Florida. of public and private partners Photo: Anthony Nielsen educational components,” The Penguin Beach campus who made this project possible: said Dr. Larry Killmar, chief also includes a new interpretive Department of State, Division zoological officer, senior vice conservation education center of Cultural Affairs, the Florida president and zoo director. “The for guests, featuring colorful Council of Arts and Culture, expanded penguin campus graphics illustrating the Integral Systems, Jacqueline - Lincoln Park Zoo will help us do what we do plight of African penguins Preis, Richard and Marilyn Facebook Page best—provide excellent animal and two television monitors. Stohler, Triad Foundation and care for this endangered species The addition of audio visual friends of the Zoo.

52 www.aza.org | January 2017 Hippo Cove Opens at Cincinnati Zoo © Cincinnati Zoo © Cincinnati FEBRUARY 2017 Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical from the Saint Louis Zoo in Nile hippos, also known as 24-27: Elephant Care Workshop Garden in Cincinnati, Ohio, Saint Louis, Mo., hit it off almost river hippos or river horses, are Phoenix Zoo opened Hippo Cove. Visitors immediately after they arrived in vegetarians and can weigh as Phoenix, Ariz. marveled at hippos Bibi and Cincinnati. “From the moment much as 8,000 pounds. Males Email: [email protected] Henry for the first time as the pair he laid eyes on her, Henry was are typically much larger than enjoyed their 70,000-gallon pool. intent on trying to find a path to females. Although hippos spend MARCH 2017 Henry, a 34-year-old male Bibi. Henry, a proven breeder, much of their day in the water, 26-31: 2017 AZA Mid-Year Meeting hippopotamus from Dickerson has already sired offspring in the they actually can’t swim at all. Albuquerque Biological Park Park Zoo in Springfield, Mo., past, but he has been without a They float or walk along the Albuquerque, N.M. and Bibi, a 17-year-old female mate for 20 years. bottom of the water. www.aza.org/conferences-meetings

APRIL 2017 E TE DTEE TE DTE17-20: African Painted Dog Conference Topeka Zoo AZAAZA20172017Topeka, Kan. ANNUAL CONFERENCEANNUAL CONFERENCEwww.topekazoo.org/APDconference Indianapolis Indianapolis| September |9–13 September 9–13 MAY 2017 15-19: 13th International Network with moreNetwork than 2,000 with colleagues more than 2,000 colleaguesEnvironmental Enrichment Conference (ICEE) who share a passionwho for share what a they passion do, for what they do, Parque Jaime Duque- a drive to ﬁ nd newa solutions, drive to ﬁ andnd new an solutions, and Bioparquean Wakatá eagerness to makeeagerness a difference to makein the azoo difference inBogota, the zoo Colombia www.parquejaimeduque.com/ and aquarium community. Plan to attend. and aquarium community. Plan to attend. enriquecimiento.html

www.aza.org/annualconferencewww.aza.org/annualconferenceSubmit calendar postings to: tlewthwaite@ aza.org

52 www.aza.org | January 2017 January 2017 | www.aza.org 53 Announcements

The Inspector of the Year Award

This award, first presented in 2003, originated as a means of recognizing Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Accreditation Inspectors who, throughout their years of service, have donated their time to a large number of inspections, and/or whose work has consistently been of exceptional quality. The award is presented annually to three individuals whose selection is based on those criteria.

Serving as an accreditation inspector is a difficult task and is critically important to the integrity of the accreditation process. The enormous amount of time and effort required in preparing for and performing these inspections is astronomical. The Accreditation Commission and AZA are sincerely thankful for the contribution of time and expertise that all of our inspectors make to the success of our accreditation process. Here are AZA’s Inspectors of the Year.

shortly after the professionalism of was named the number one graduating from the zoological field and tourist attraction in the State the Southampton ensuring the highest of Alabama by the Alabama College of Long standards in all aspects of Bureau of Tourism and Travel. Island University. animal care and operations. Under Dr. Foster’s tenure, He then moved to the the Zoo is living up to the National Aquarium in AZA’s tough accreditation Baltimore, Md., where he standards, which only the spent 15 years working as very best zoos in the United an aquarist, volunteer diver States achieve. coordinator, and assistant Dr. Foster, a leading zoo curator of fishes. management authority on He is now the vice the national scene, is past president of husbandry chair of the Board of AZA as at the Aquarium of the well as past chair of the AZA Pacific in Long Beach, Calif., Accreditation Commission. where he was worked He has also participated as since 1997. He was heavily an accreditation inspector involved in the startup of Veterinary on 28 teams since 1985, Animal Management/ the Aquarium and feels that William Foster, DVM, serving as chair on 13 Husbandry the experience was one of President & CEO occasions. In addition to Perry Hampton, Vice the most rewarding of his Birmingham Zoo AZA, Dr. Foster is involved President of Husbandry career. Perry has been an in numerous other efforts, Aquarium of the Pacific AZA member for over 22 Dr. William Foster received including serving on the years and has served as a Bachelor of Science in Board of Directors of the Perry Hampton has an accreditation inspector zoology from the University Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund always had a passion for since 2002. He has also of South Florida and Doctor International, a worldwide learning about animals, served on AZA’s Honors of Veterinary Medicine and effort to preserve the nurtured from an early and Awards Committee, Bachelor of Science degrees endangered mountain age through exposure and has been a member from Tuskegee University. gorilla of Africa for future to the diverse wildlife of of the Accreditation He has been the president generations. He is a his native hometown in Commission since 2014. and chief executive officer past president of the Northeastern Pennsylvania. Perry believes very strongly of the Birmingham Zoo in American Association of Perry began his career as that AZA’s accreditation Birmingham, Ala., since Zoo Veterinarians, and has a volunteer aquarist at the process is one of the most 2004. Dr. Foster has led the published several academic New England Aquarium important functions that Birmingham Zoo to record articles on veterinary in Boston, Mass., in 1981, AZA provides, elevating attendance and the Zoo medicine during his career.

54 www.aza.org | January 2017 accepting a position at the Louisville Zoo in 1985. AZA’s Conservation Grants Fund After overseeing and Since 1991, the Association of Zoos and Aquarium’s managing more than $30 Conservation Grants Fund (CGF) has provided more million in Zoo expansion, than $7 million to support the important conservation, Walczak was promoted animal management, and education projects of AZA- to director in 2004. As accredited zoos and aquariums and their partners. director, Walczak led the Application materials for the 2017 grants cycle will be successful design and available in mid-January with proposals due 15 March. completion of the $26 Support the CGF either by applying for funds or by million Glacier Run Capital donating at: www.aza.org/cgf. Operations Campaign that funded John Walczak, Director exhibit openings from Louisville Zoological Garden 2006 to 2013, growing the Zoo’s business through the John Walczak has served recession with more than as an accreditation 900,000 guests in 2012. inspector for a quarter That same year, Glacier of a century, and Run earned the highest enthusiastically champions award of the AZA: Exhibit the importance of AZA of the Year. The Louisville accreditation. His service Zoo was likewise awarded in AZA has spanned the the Association’s 2013 Ethics Board, Accreditation Significant Achievement Commission, and Board of Award for Excellence in Directors. He is the current Education, earned as a Chair of AZA’s Membership result of the School at Committee, and is also the the Zoo program. John is Director of the Louisville passionate about pursuing Zoo in Louisville, Ky. the Zoo’s mission in serving Walczak began his career the Louisville community. at the Palm Beach Zoo in He believes that it is Palm Beach, Fla., in 1978 imperative for the Zoo to after graduating from Penn engage people through State University. He then amazing experiences with worked as a supervisor at animal ambassadors as a the Oklahoma City Zoo way to impart advocacy for in Oklahoma City, Okla., living in better balance with for several years before our planet’s ecosystem.

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58 www.aza.org | January 2017 January 2017 | www.aza.org 59 CINCINNATI ZOO Cincinnati, Ohio A Maasai giraffe was born on 27 July 2016 at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. This was a Species Survival Plan® (SSP) recommended birth. Unlike many ZOO MIAMI species, there is no true breeding season for the Maasai giraffe and Miami, Florida females can become pregnant The Bird Department at Zoo Miami beginning at just four years of age. announced the hatching of a helmeted curassow on 12 July 2016. This is the first successful hatching of this endangered species at the Zoo. This monogamous, turkey-sized bird is found in isolated TORONTO ZOO patches of cloud forests in the Andes of Venezuela and Colombia and feeds Toronto, Ontario on a variety of seeds, insects, fruits and The Toronto Zoo announced occasionally small vertebrates. that Tori, a 6-year old female Grevy’s zebra, gave birth to a filly on 26 July 2016. This birth is important for Grevy’s zebra conservation IDAHO FALLS ZOO AT as the species is currently listed as Endangered on TAUTPHAUS PARK the International Union Idaho Falls, Idaho for Conservation of Nature A snow leopard cub was born on 10 (IUCN) Red List of Threatened May 2016 and is being raised by his Species™ with only approximately mother, Sundarii. Sundarii is a 10-year- 2,500 left in the wild. old snow leopard that has successfully raised cubs in the past. The father of the cub is 6-year-old, Ketu. This is the first male offspring for the pair. The cub has been monitored closely by veterinary BRONX ZOO and zoo-keeping staff since his birth in Bronx, New York May. This was a SSP birth. The colony of little penguins that debuted in 2015 as a new species at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo has successfully produced a SENECA PARK ZOO chick that is now on exhibit with the rest of the colony. The chick Rochester, New York hatched 10 May 2016. This is the Two ring-tailed lemurs were born first time this species has bred at Seneca Park Zoo in August at the Bronx Zoo in its 120-plus 2016. The island of Madagascar, year history. where ring-tailed lemurs are native, is a conservation priority for the Seneca Park Zoo, which has been raising funds and doing field work in the African island nation for decades. Ring-tailed lemurs are endangered in their natural range due to habitat loss and hunting.

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