Milwaukee County Zoo Annual Report 2010 Vision The Milwaukee County Zoo will be a zoo of renown with a reputation as a leader in animal management, conservation, research and education within a wholesome recreational environment enjoying the admiration of the citizens of Milwaukee County as well as all zoo guests and other zoos of the world. Mission Statement The Milwaukee County Zoo will inspire public understanding, support and participation in global conservation of animal species and their environment by creating a unifying bond between our visitors and the living earth and provide an environment for personal renewal and enjoyment for our guests by: • Contributing to world wide animal management, conservation and research efforts; • Fostering sound physical, psychological and social development for the animal groups in our care • Sharing our knowledge with the intent to reinforce the human-animal-earth bond; • Improving the quality of our professional development, administration and operating environment; • Striving for the financial self-sufficiency of the organization; • Continuing the public-private partnership with the Zoological Society of Milwaukee County Table of Contents Address from the County Executive ..............................................1 Letter from the Director ................................................................2 Milwaukee County Zoo History ....................................................3 Special Exhibits ..............................................................................7 Animal Management and Health Division ...................................8 Administration and Finance ........................................................24 Public Affairs and Services ..........................................................26 Operations ...................................................................................29 Operating Expenses .....................................................................31 The Milwaukee County Zoo and the Zoological Society ............34 County Executive and Board of Supervisors ..............................37 Bactrian camel youngster, Furlow. DearThe year 2010 Friends, marked the return of one of the most popular Zoo special exhibits: Dinosaurs! “Adventure Dinosaur,” sponsored by Lowe’s, ran May 29 through September 6, and once again proved to be a huge attraction for children of all ages. In addition to the returning favorites like the T. re x , the exhibit also added several new species, and educated visitors about these dynamic animals and the prehistoric periods in which they lived. The Zoo’s animal collection welcomed two orphaned moose from Alaska, Robin and Bella. Making their exhibit debut in 2010, these youngsters are crowd favorites, and can be seen running and jumping in their outdoor North American Yard. Also in the animal collection, the Zoo celebrated a first birthday for the Amur tiger cubs, Tula and Nuri. Now on regular indoor exhibit, the cubs can be seen romping and playing with their mother, Amba, in the Florence Mila Borchert Big Cat Country. Rounding out the year, Oceans of Fun welcomed a female sea lion pup, Sequoia. The pup was making regular appearances in the daily shows by summer’s end, delighting audiences. The future of the Zoo remains bright, as animal projects move forward. The Zoo has initiated construction of a new outdoor Bonobo Exhibit, allowing these highly endangered great apes to enjoy lofted areas in the forest, recreating their lives in the wild. This outdoor public area will feature 500 feet of elevated passageways for the animals. The Zoo continued its “green” efforts in 2010 with the addition of solar panels to the admission gates generating enough power to the admission booths during peak hours. I would like to thank the staff for their continued support. Your loyalty and hard work help the Zoo to prosper, continuing to draw more than 1.2 million visitors each year. “The Language of Conservation” Exhibit at Wolf Woods. I would also like to recognize the successful working relationship between the Zoo and the Zoological Society of Milwaukee. This public-private partnership helps foster many of the Zoo’s initiatives and projects undertaken each year. Scott Walker Milwaukee County Executive (through 12.20.10) Milwaukee County Zoo 1 Letter from the Director July 2010 For the Milwaukee County Zoo, 2010 was marked by new animal additions, significant conservation projects and the return of one of our most popular special exhibits – dinosaurs! Significant additions to the animal collection included the birth of a Matschie’s tree kangaroo in July and two bonobo births: one in February, the second in November. With the addition of an infant bonobo, this brings the total number of individuals in our troop to 17, making it one of the largest captive populations in North America. Our staff diligently continues conservation work on behalf of these highly endangered primates. Also of importance concerning the bonobos, the Zoo began initial construction on a new outdoor Bonobo Exhibit which will closely replicate the Congo habitat from which these animals originate. Further details are included in the “2010 Highlights” section. The exhibit is slated to open in the spring of 2011. A permanent poetry exhibit also was unveiled during 2010. Combining the beauty of poetry with the importance of conservation, “The Language of Conservation,” includes more than 50 poetry vignettes creatively displayed throughout the Zoo. This unique exhibit serves as a creative addition to the overall visitor experience. Proudly, the Zoo was the recipient of several awards during the year: the Lamplighter Award from VISIT Milwaukee; the Diversity Achievers Award from the Milwaukee County Council Boy Scouts of America; and the Public/Private Cooperation Award from the Public Policy Forum. We are grateful to all of our partners for recognizing the Zoo in such an honorable light. Several conservation projects were initiated during the year, including: the addition of solar panels to both the drive-in admission gates and the Lakeview Place restaurant; the construction of rain gardens; and installation of pavers in select areas throughout the grounds. More specific information regarding these projects is included in this year’s report. We once again extend a thank you to the County Executive, the County Board and the Zoological Society and their partners for their continued support. A number of our initiatives, renovations and special exhibits are possible because of their assistance. Please read on as each Division shares highlights from the year. Charles Wikenhauser Director 2 Milwaukee County Zoo The Milwaukee County Zoo Home to more than 2,280 mammals, birds, fish, amphibians and reptiles, we are proud our zoological park continues to be recognized as one of the finest in the country. Our history at a glance: 1892 The Milwaukee County Zoo (MCZ) started as a miniature mammal and 2003 Completion of Animal Health Center bird display in Milwaukee’s downtown Initiated design phase of renovation to the Feline Building; animals relocated Washington Park Began initial renovations to the Stackner Heritage Farm and construction of the Karen Peck Katz Conservation Education Center Mid 1890s The Zoological Society was founded, lending financial support to the Zoo; Society helps to promote MCZ by capital fundraising campaigns 2004 Completion of the Karen Peck Katz Conservation Education Center for building renovations and other new exhibits Began demolition and finalized designs for Northwestern Mutual Family Farm The mission of the Society is to support the Zoo, educate visitors on Continued construction of the new $7.2 million Florence Mila Borchert the importance of wildlife and the environment and to conserve Big Cat Country endangered species 2005 Completion of the Florence Mila Borchert Big Cat Country 1902 MCZ expanded to 23 acres; now home to 800 animals Completion of the Northwestern Mutual Family Farm Completion of the redesign and renovotion of the Safari Train Station 1934 MCZ became an entity of the Milwaukee County Park Began initial design and renovation phase of the Giraffe Exhibit; groundbreaking Commission, which helped provide resources to expand the Zoo occurred in summer of 2005 1958 MCZ moved to its present location on 200 acres of park land 2006 Completion of the MillerCoors Giraffe Experience Late 1960s Completion of: the Primate Building, Monkey Island, Winter Quarters, Began initial design phase of new U.S. Bank Gathering Place; scheduled to open Polar and Brown Bear Dens and the Feline, Pachyderm, Giraffe, in 2008 Bird, Small Mammal, Aquarium & Began design of a new Flamingo Exhibit Reptile and Australian Buildings 2007 Began construction for the new U.S. Bank Gathering Place; opening in 2008 1970s MCZ added the Children’s Zoo, Train Shed and Zoo Hospital Broke ground and began construction of the Idabel Wilmot Flamingo Exhibit The Dall Sheep Exhibit, the Gift Shop and Zoo Pride and Overlook; opening in 2008 also were established 2008 Completion of the U.S. Bank Gathering Place 1980s Initiated MCZ Master Plan Completion of the Idabel Wilmot Borchert Flamingo Exhibit and Overlook Completion of: Wolf Woods, underwater viewing in the Polar Began conceptual design for new Hippo Exhibit and service areas Bear and Sea Lion Exhibits, Oceans of Fun, the Dairy Complex, Received accreditation by the AZA’s independent Accreditation Commission; hosted Humboldt Penguins and the Peck Welcome Center the 2008 Annual Conference Early