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Milwaukee County

Annual Report 2010 Vision

The 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 of the world. Mission Statement

The 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 ...... 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: ! “Adventure ,” 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, of Fun welcomed a female sea 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 Exhibit, allowing these highly endangered great 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 .

Also of importance concerning the , 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 , , , 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 and 2003 Completion of Animal Health Center 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 Building, Island, Winter Quarters, Began initial design phase of new U.S. Bank Gathering Place; scheduled to open Polar and Brown 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 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 1990s An extensive renovation of the Aviary, construction of the new Apes of 2009 Completion of the Dohmen Family Foundation Hippo Home and the renovation of the Primates of the World Completion of the planning for the Underwater Hippo Viewing Exhibit Completed renovation of the Taylor Family Humboldt Penguin Exhibit 1995 Renovation of the Aquarium & Reptile Center; Began upgrades for storm water management program renamed the Aquatic & Reptile Center Hosted the 8th Annual Great Lakes Bat Festival 1998 Remodeling of the Small Mammals Building 2010 Design completion of outdoor Bonobo Exhibit 1999 Initiated a $28 million capital improvement plan Completion of indoor Bonobo Exhibit renovations Represents a significant partnership venture between the Zoo, Milwaukee Completion of extensive animal enclosure upgrades in Primates/Apes County and the Zoological Society Completion of indoor and outdoor Hippo Exhibit modifications Installed solar panels at admission gates 2002 Renovation and modernization of Lakeview Place restaurant Installed permanent exhibit, “The Language of Conservation” throughout Zoo Redesign of the Ice Cream Palace and Karibu Gift Shop Groundbreaking for the new Animal Health Center Major renovation (both indoor and outdoor quarters) to our landmark exhibit, Monkey Island; re-named Macaque Island

Milwaukee County Zoo 3 2010 Highlights

As previously mentioned, the major highlights of 2010 included: the Outdoor Bonobo Exhibit installation of a new permanent exhibit, “The Language of Conservation,” Also in 2010, the initial design phase got underway for a new outdoor throughout the Zoo grounds; the design completion of a new outdoor Bonobo Exhibit for our highly endangered bonobo troop. The exhibit Bonobo Exhibit; and the installation of solar panels at all of the Zoo’s will bring our bonobo troop outside to explore 400 feet of elevated mesh drive-in admission gates. In addition, the Zoo hosted a lecture by noted passageways coursing through the forest adjacent to the Stearns Family conservationist and founder of the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation, Apes of Africa Building. Dr. Willie Smits; received a diversity award from the Milwaukee County Council, Boy Scouts of America; and celebrated a special first birthday Some of the passageways will allow the public to view the bonobos at eye for our female Amur tiger cubs, Tula and Nuri. level, with the visitors standing on a large observation deck at the edge of the forest. Bonobos also can play in lofts and towers that will be constructed Listed here are some of these highlights and accomplishments up into the trees, both in and out of the public view. This recreation in greater detail: simulates how these animals would appear to us in their natural habitat in Congo. The Language of Conservation Exhibit In the summer of 2010, the Zoo unveiled a permanent poetry Interactive graphics will be displayed at the indoor Bonobo Exhibit, installation of more than 50 poems, creatively displayed throughout the including a -style diorama exhibit featuring the work of Dr. Gay E. park and the animal exhibits, as a way to blend the beauty of poetry Reinartz, Zoological Society Conservation Coordinator. She has spent the with the importance of conservation. past 13 years helping bonobos and people who share their habitat in Congo.

The Zoo partnered with the Milwaukee Public Library, as one of only In 2010, the bonobos’ indoor exhibit was renovated with new climbing trees five zoos and four libraries in the country chosen to participate in the and “vines,” which give the animals more climbing space. Behind-the-scenes exhibit. Longtime published poet, essayist and college professor, Pattiann access areas for the zookeepers and researchers also were improved. Rogers, was asked to serve as the Zoo’s poet-in-residence and select the Bonobo Exhibit construction. poetry to be displayed. An excerpt from one of Rogers’ poems, “Animals and People: ‘The Human Heart in Conflict with Itself,’” is featured in the exhibit.

The poems, or excerpts from poems, are on display and incorporated in a variety of ways: added to walls and exhibit glass, carved into rocks and projected with light displays. The poetry was specially selected by Rogers to complement the animals and habitats in the area it’s featured. For instance, an excerpt from a poem highlighting wolves is carved into a totem pole near the Wolf Woods Exhibit, and visitors can see it as they stroll the boardwalk near the wolves’ outdoor habitat.

The exhibit was made possible with the support of a National Leadership Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

4 Milwaukee County Zoo MCZ Receives Awards The Zoo was a proud recipient of a Diversity Achievers Award from the Milwaukee County Council, Boy Scouts of America. This award is presented to a corporation, individual and a community partner that best exemplify the values of scouting while endeavoring to raise the levels of diversity awareness within the Milwaukee community.

The award presentation noted that our Zoo hosts a special event, Conservation Weekend, annually in June. For the past 24 years, more than 1,000 Scouts from all over Milwaukee County and Southeastern descend on the park and bring Scouting to life for visitors to the Zoo. Each year, this event brings busloads of central city Cub Scouts to the Zoo for animal conservation, Pinewood Derby races and Cubmobile competitions. Also noted, the Milwaukee County Council is grateful for the unique opportunity that the partnership with the Zoo has allowed us throughout the years.

Every May, VISIT Milwaukee (the Convention Solar panels at Zoo admission booths. and Visitors Bureau/Milwaukee) holds its annual Solar Panels and “Green” Initiatives meeting to coincide with National Tourism Week. During this meeting, the In a continuing effort to implement capital projects which reflect our core organization presents the Lamplighter Award to an outstanding individual mission of conservation, in 2010 the Zoo installed “green” solar panels to or organization whose efforts and continuing contributions to the tourism all seven of its admission booths located at the main drive-in entrance. and hospitality industry have strengthened Milwaukee’s image nationally and internationally, and contributed to its appeal as a visitor destination. This major solar project will generate 10 kilowatts of power, sufficient for powering the normal operations of the booths in peak traffic hours. In In 2010, our Zoo was one of the proud recipients of the Lamplighter addition, the project allows the Zoo to participate in the power company’s Award, and it was presented during the meeting, held at the Zoo’s buy-back program during non-peak traffic hours. Peck Welcome Center.

The Zoo has been planning a number of green capital projects since The Zoo also received an honorable mention from the Public Policy 2007. A Green Committee, comprised of personnel from all Zoo Divisions, Forum in 2010 for our private-public partnership with the Zoological also has undertaken a variety of conservation-minded practices for the Society. The Public Policy Forum is a Milwaukee-based nonpartisan past several years. Some of the committee’s recycling efforts include cell research organization focusing on regional issues. The “Salute to Local phones, printer cartridges, paper, cardboard, aluminum cans, light bulbs, Government” awards were given to three honorable mention award food and motor oils, coffee grinds and scrap metals, to mention a few. The winners, including the Zoo. The award recognizes the successful Zoo’s energy savings program of upgraded electrical, natural gas, water partnership between the Zoo and the Zoological Society of and sewer infrastructure continues to produce savings in utilities. Milwaukee in the “Private-Public Cooperation Category.”

Milwaukee County Zoo 5 Other Highlights Also during the year, the Zoo hosted a special lecture by the founder of the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation, Dr. Willie Smits. The lecture focused on the dire situation currently facing orangutans in , and the future outlook for these highly endangered animals. It also touched upon the link with climate issues, and how orangutan protection and preventing forest destruction may actually come to be the most effective and cost efficient way to slow climate change.

Dr. Smits is an inventor inspired by the rainforest, who has revolutionized reforestation techniques and policies worldwide. He is also the world’s most prominent protector of orangutans and their natural habitat.

The Zoo continued to host temporary exhibits and special events throughout 2010. The year’s events included our summer exhibit, Adventure Dinosaur, sponsored by Lowe’s, and the unveiling of our new permanent poetry exhibit, The Language of Conservation. Our popular Amur tiger cubs,Tula and Nuri, celebrated their first birthday in July, much to the delight of our visitors. The cubs continue to do well, and have become a favorite of staff and patrons alike.

The special event and attraction lineup included: MillerCoor’s Oceans of Fun Seal and Sea Lion Show, Penzeys Spices’ Carousel, PNC’s Zoomobile, a 25-minute guided motor vehicle tour – this year featuring new trams, Behind the Scenes Weekend, sponsored by Tri City National Bank, Party for the Planet, sponsored by American Transmission Company and Family Farm Weekend sponsored ® by GG Golden Guernsey Dairy & Wisconsin Orangutan. Milk Marketing Board.

6 Milwaukee County Zoo 2010 Special Exhibit Adventure Dinosaur Sponsored by Lowe’s After a four-year hiatus, the dinosaurs were back with a roar, as Adventure Dinosaur, sponsored by Lowe’s, was featured as the Zoo’s summer exhibit. Located outdoors, behind the Small Mammal Building, the crowd-favorite touring exhibit of robotic dinosaurs was displayed May 27 through September 6.

This dynamic exhibit recreated a prehistoric land featuring 29 life-size dinosaurs, moving and rumbling in their outdoor habitat. Returning favorites included: the two-story tall rex with its child and nest of babies, the saliva-spitting Dilophosaurus and the alligator-jawed Baronyx. Eight new inhabitants were welcomed this year, making it even more difficult to believe dinosaurs were extinct!

Billings Productions in McKinney, created the dinosaur models. Billings has been making robotic dinosaurs since 2003 to educate the public about prehistoric life. “There are over 300 different species of dinosaurs (that we know about!), spanning a time frame of 165 million years. If you consider modern humans have been living for an estimated 200,000 years, dinosaurs lived in a time span 825 times greater than our own,” said Trey Billings, vice president of operations for Billings Productions.

Once visitors followed the T. re x footprints into the , kids were able to uncover a Deinonychus skeleton in the Dino Dig Box, as part of the exhibit’s interactive components.

The exhibit was made possible with support from Lowe’s and the Milwaukee County Zoo. Exhibit cost was $2.50 per person after regular Zoo admission.

Adventure Dinosaur sponsored by Lowe’s. Milwaukee County Zoo 77 2010 Animal Management and Health Division

The animal collection owned by our Zoo and out on loan to other Overview zoological institutions included 67 animals representing 32 species, The year 2010 included changes and additions to our existing animal as listed below: collection, the continuation and expansion of our conservation and research initiatives and major renovations and upgrades of animal facilities. Out on Loan: Species Specimens Animal Division Mammals 17 39 Collections Birds 7 14 Our Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Reptiles 8 14 Aquariums (AZA), the premiere association of zoological institutions in Amphibians - - North America with unequaled standards for animal care and management. Fish - - Many of the transfers and the breeding of animals described below are in Invertebrates - - ® accordance with AZA programs including Species Survival Plans TOTAL 32 67 (SSPs), Taxon Advisory Groups (TAGs), and Population Management Programs (PMPs).

The Animal Division Collections serve to enhance visitors’ knowledge and appreciation of animals, and to contribute to animal species With such a large and diverse animal collection, there are a significant conservation. Our front-line animal care staff devotes more than number of births, transfers and deaths every year. In general, due to the 100,000 hours each year toward the care of our animals. level of husbandry and veterinary care, the life expectancy of animals at our Zoo may greatly exceed the life expectancy of animals in the wild. On December 31, 2010, the Milwaukee County Zoo animal These life expectancies vary dramatically with the species – small rodents collection on Zoo grounds included 2,283 animals representing are old after one or two years, while swans can live for decades. Female 333 species, as listed below: are ancient when 20 years of age, but our giant Amazon River turtle may be 100 years old. Animals also are subject to the same types of health conditions as humans, and these may result in earlier deaths. On Zoo Grounds Species Specimens The animal staff devotes much thought and time toward enriching the Mammals 81 400 lives of the Zoo animals. They provide mental and physical stimulation Birds 72 322 to the animals by varying their social structure, mixing compatible species Reptiles 51 128 together, varying their habitats, offering interesting scents, providing Amphibians 8 19 manipulation devices, engaging them in positive reinforcement training, Fish 101 761 offering food treats for foraging opportunities and supplying toys and Invertebrates 20 653 problem-solving reward devices. TOTAL 333 2,283 Aquatic and Reptile Center Long-term conservation programs for rock iguanas, Butler’s garter snake, Lake Victoria cichlids and Wisconsin’s endangered starhead topminnow and ornate box turtle continued this year.

8 Milwaukee County Zoo There were multiple changes in the animal collection this year, with lizards, North American/ snakes, turtles, fish and invertebrates coming in and out of the Center. New acquisitions in 2010 included the births of three red kangaroo joeys, Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia, a disease of freshwater fish, has arrived the arrival of two cow , and the additions of a female badger, Tink, from in Wisconsin. In order to prevent its transmission to our in our exhibit, the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, a female emu to be paired with our male, extraordinary procedures must be followed to acquire and quarantine fishes and a , a protected species, here on loan from the U.S. Fish destined for the Lake Wisconsin Exhibit. This exhibit is one of our most and Wildlife Service. popular, as it houses trophy-sized game fishes that stir the imaginations of avid fishermen. Dispositions included , Zero, to the Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester, New York in January. His move was in compliance with the Polar Bear SSP’s Aviary breeding recommendations. Hopefully Zero will sire several offspring while in New York. We also sent two female red kangaroos, born in 2009, to the The Aviary had a very successful year regarding its breeding programs. Detroit Zoo to augment their mob. Two new species at the Aviary, Taveta golden weavers and white-cheeked bulbuls, were introduced and immediately started producing chicks. We also Unfortunately, we also had animal losses during the year. The brief continue to breed hooded mergansers, Inca terns, our PMP (Population description here cannot adequately convey the tremendous efforts of the Management Plan ) managed species: red-billed hornbills, Abdim’s storks, animal care and veterinary staffs that were required to care for these animals, boat-billed herons, green-naped pheasant pigeons, blue-crowned mot some of whom have been with us their entire lives. We said goodbye to mot, and our SSP (Species Survival Plan) species: the Humboldt penguins, several longtime residents at the Zoo. In January our old brown bear, Waldrapp ibis, and Micronesian kingfisher. Most of these offspring were Jane, died at the age of 32. She tied the longevity record for a brown bear sent to other AZA institutions to continue in breeding programs, but here at the Milwaukee County Zoo. In April we lost our old male moose, many, like the hand-raised male kingfisher, the pheasant pigeon and Clifford. He was 13, and the longest-lived moose at the Zoo. September most of the birds in the East Flight Exhibit, are still here to enjoy. saw the passing of two of our caribou, Larry and Young Mother. Both In addition to the weavers and bulbuls, we paired our emu, marbled teal were in their declining years. And finally, due to age related complications, and bearded barbets with new birds this year, and also received a new pair we humanely euthanized our 20-year-old elk cow, Laurie. All of them were of sunbitterns and king vultures, all of which will hopefully reproduce in popular animals and will be missed. the future. We also added some birds from the rehabilitation community, including a green heron (blind in one eye) for our East Flight Exhibit and In other related news, thanks to our annual appeal, several additions and a sandhill crane (with a wing injury) into our Elk Yard. modifications were added to our Polar Bear and Seal Exhibits. For our polar bear, Snow Lilly, these include a sand area for digging, and an underwater The Aviary continued to support in situ conservation efforts again in 2010, shelf in the pool for relaxing in the water without having to swim. Our two sending a zookeeper to Michigan to aid in the Great Lakes Piping Plover harbor seals, Ringo and Sydney, also had modifications made to their pool. Recovery Program. The Zoo has participated in this program since 1996. These modifications included artificial kelp and a concrete ramp from the landing area to the island near the pool center. This enables the seals to Large Mammals have more room and easier access to lie in the sun and a larger area for the The Large Mammal Sections of the Zoo include: Big Cat Country, North keepers to train the seals. American/Australian, Pachyderms/Giraffe, and African/South American In addition, the staff was involved with a couple of research studies during Hoofstock/Camel areas. In all of these areas, the staff continued to manage an extensive animal training program using positive reinforcement, so the the year. The first was researching potential contraceptives in Dall’s sheep animals willingly volunteer to participate in animal care procedures, health and the second was tracking the reproductive cycle of female polar . exams and sample collections. The program enhances the animals’ care Overall, it was another busy year for the North American staff. and quality of life. The biological samples collected in stress-free conditions serve as a basis for reproductive, veterinary and husbandry research programs.

Milwaukee County Zoo 9 Big Cat Country African & South American Hoofstock/Camels The animal collection in this area was considerably modified in 2010, The Milwaukee County Zoo has breeding recommendations from and included the births of three - Blynn, Sondra and Amy, a male AZA for both African lions and . , Furlow, and a male alpaca, Enrique. We also received an In July 2009, two healthy female cubs, Tula and Nuri, were born to Amba, adult breeding male , Riccolini, from the Dallas Zoo and a pair of our Amur tiger. They are now beginning to act more like adult tigers than king vultures, Yeti and Gilbert, from the Honolulu Zoo and the World Bird cubs, so we will need to find homes for them in the near future due to the Sanctuary. There were five deaths in our collection: two were humanely limitations of our holding facilities. The available holding space will be euthanized — a female Bactrian camel, Rachel, due to an untreatable needed if our attempts to breed jaguars are successful. arthritic condition; and a male Speke’s gazelle, Benny, due to a progressive neurological disease. The other deaths were from natural causes: Peanut, a Our African lions, Themba and Sanura, have gained valuable red-footed tortoise; and the king vulture, King Tut (both 38 years old) and breeding experience during 2010. We hope they will prove to be Izzy, a male Speke’s gazelle. successful breeders in 2011. Female impala Cassia was born in One of the Zoo’s snow leopards, Boris, November 2009 to first-time mother, is now 18 years old, which is very old for Nutmeg, who didn’t allow her to nurse. a . He is now showing the She was taken to the Animal Health signs of his advanced age. Center for hand-rearing and was returned to the impala herd seven Pachyderms/Giraffe weeks later while still receiving four Positive reinforcement training continues bottles a day. The veterinary staff, to progress for all of the animals at zookeepers and night keepers worked Pachyderms, including the elephants, together to ensure that she would giraffe, rhinos, Asiatic black bear, , come to keepers for her bottle feedings Malayan tapir, and hippos. Much effort while remaining with the herd. Cassia has been focused on the newly arrived was completely integrated into our male hippo, Happy, to help him adjust impala herd, with little sign of human to his new home. We will be doing imprinting that is common in hand- in-house endocrinology to help ensure reared animals. When Nutmeg again that Happy will not impregnate our two gave birth on December 3, 2010, she older females, Patti and Puddles. Male Bactrian camel, Furlow, was born in 2010. was an exemplary mother and successfully raised her offspring, Blynn.

A Malayan tapir, Maggie, arrived from the Denver Zoo. A long-term project was initiated to collect baseline data on Baird’s tapir She was actually born at our Zoo in 1981. blood pressures. The staff has successfully trained Eve, our 26-year-old female Baird’s tapir, to calmly allow the procedure without chemical or We had three breedings from our wild-caught pair of black rhinos, physical restraint. The data collected will not only help monitor Eve’s Brewster and Mimi. Her endocrinology assay showed that she was not health, but will also provide information on what might be a normal pregnant. Further introductions will occur in 2011. blood pressure range for tapirs in general.

The Zoo hosted our first annual Elephant Awareness Day this year, The Network declared November 13, 2010 as the which was a great success. first International Red Panda Day. To celebrate the event, Zoo staff organized red panda keeper talks, informational outreach tables and children’s activities. The goal was to raise awareness of red pandas and their conservation. 10 Milwaukee County Zoo Apes of Africa and Primates of the World In Primates of the World, our young male orangutan, Mahal, began his third year with his adoptive mother, MJ. The bond between the two is strong A generous anonymous donor provided us with all of the funding and Mahal continues to thrive. Mahal is very popular with our guests. As needed for a unique outdoor Bonobo Exhibit, significant improvements an engaging ambassador for his species, he promotes awareness of the dire to the indoor Bonobo Exhibit, enhanced bonobo research opportunities situation orangutans currently face in the wild and how the expansion of in the bonobo behind the scenes area, and an interpretive center for the palm oil plantations are leading to the of this species. Zoo visitors featuring bonobo conservation efforts in Africa and our Zoo bonobos. Construction will be completed in 2011. The new outdoor exhibit Additional good news is the birth of two Goeldi’s monkeys in our center will feature more than 400 feet of elevated passageways in an oak forest exhibit. The first was a male born in July and the second, gender to be setting with a play area loft and two tall towers. determined, was born in December. All four, parents and offspring, are doing well. Other exhibit enhancements included new trees in the Mandrill Exhibit, additional resting platforms for several of the species, and additional Along with animals being added to our collection, we had several who climbing structures for the gorillas. Additions to the orangutan service were transferred to other zoos. Three spider monkeys, one male and two areas included a specially-designed female, went to their new home at the arm sleeve for drawing blood samples Audubon Park Zoo in New Orleans. and taking blood pressure as well as an overhead, enclosed platform for Unfortunately, 2010 also included the conducting cardiac ultrasonography. death of two female Japanese macaques. Silver was the matriarch of the troop Our Zoo’s Apes of Africa Building is for over 25 years and died at the age of home to one of the largest collections 33 years. Vivian was 19 years old, and of bonobos, or pygmy chimpanzees, in another high-ranking female. captivity. During 2010, our population of bonobos increased by two. Along Our animal care staff members have with the arrival of Ricky bonobo, a spent years diligently working with 15-year-old male, on loan to us from the great apes (bonobos, gorillas and Columbus Zoo, we had two bonobo orangutans) at our Zoo using positive births. The first birth was in February reinforcement training techniques. and the second was in November. As a result, our Zoo is a premier Orphaned orangutan, Mahal, continues to do well. Maringa, our bonobo matriarch, died facility for the study of the physiology this year at the age of 37. She came to us from the Dierenpark Wassenaar and behavior of these endangered animals. The apes willingly participate Zoo, Wassenaar, the Netherlands in 1986. in cognitive behavioral studies, ultrasound studies of the heart and fetal development and medical care procedures. These procedures and studies Two female gorillas, Linda and Ngajji, estimated ages 45 and 44 occur with a safety mesh barrier between the staff and the apes. The apes’ respectively, died this year and also were former residents of the Wassenaar participation is completely voluntary and without restraint. They can Zoo. Maringa, Linda, and Ngajji will be sorely missed by their conspecifics readily participate, and they can end the training, behavioral study sessions or and the staff who cared for them. examinations at any time. Cardiac disease is the number one killer of apes in captivity. Our keepers and veterinary staff are working diligently with other institutions and experts in identifying the causes and finding solutions for the health and welfare of our charges.

Milwaukee County Zoo 11 Small Mammals Northwestern Mutual Family Farm The Small Mammal Building saw some significant changes in its The Farm welcomed back the World Bird Sanctuary again in collection in 2010. Our Goeldi’s monkey pair had a male offspring in April. 2010 to present our popular bird show. The Dairy Complex also saw five Not to be outdone, our cotton-top tamarin pair had a set of twins in May calf births during the year. Two births occurred in January, a red-and and a single infant in December. Although this pair had difficulties raising white Holstein bull calf named Noel and an American brown Swiss heifer an infant in 2009, this year things went well with both parents working together. named Maggie. A black-and-white Holstein bull calf, Daniel, was born Our vampire bat colony grew this year with the birth of six infants. And in May, a milking shorthorn heifer named Dottie was born in July and finally, we acquired a male tayra on loan from the Papiliorama Swiss an Ayrshire heifer named Betsy was born in August. Our Dairy Barn won Tropical Gardens in Kerzers, Switzerland. He is a young male and a good another Superior Milk award, marking the 21st time the Zoo has received genetic match for our female. Hopefully next year’s report will include this award for outstanding dairy facilities. tayra pups. The Stackner Animal Encounter Building added a few new animals Along with births comes deaths, and we experienced a couple of significant during the year: a trio of ducks; one male Rouen and two female Pekin ones in 2010. The first was our female , Anubis, in January to ducks; as well as a pair of guinea pigs; and two female domestic rats. All cancer. Next came one of our meerkats in August and our female two-toed of these animals are used by the Education Department as well as for our sloth, Chewy, in September at age 13 from liver disease. And the Mohol’s Animal Encounter talks, which can be seen many times throughout the day in galago (Boing Boing, the summer. Sadly for us, our Julio left us to become part of the also known as Simon) breeding program at the St. Louis Zoo. died Christmas day. He shared his exhibit with We also changed the interior of the milking complex, with new floors and the springhaas and spent an upgraded play area for kids. many hours grooming them, although he was Animal Health Programs nearly blind. At 11 years The veterinary staff at the Animal Health Center (AHC) is of age he was Milwaukee responsible for the preventive animal health and nutrition programs, County Zoo’s longest-lived and the medical care of the entire collection. galago. These animals The staff includes two full-time staff veterinarians, three veterinary will be missed and we technicians, a hospital supervisor and a medical records secretary. Some of appreciate all that they the procedures performed in 2010 included: 340 anesthetic procedures, gave to us. 487 blood samples collected for a variety of analyses, 1,187 parasite Other dispositions for exams run on 559 samples, 1,801 written prescriptions, 213 radiographic 2010 included 15 straw- procedures including seven CT scans on various animals and 2,999 medical colored fruit bats to record entries for 673 individual animals representing 203 species. the Minnesota Zoo and Throughout 2010, an average of 12 animals per night were housed at the another 45 to the Hogle AHC, for a total of 4,309 patient-days. Many of these were new animals Zoo in Salt Lake City. kept in quarantine before releasing them to the main zoological collection, This reduction of nearly including two young elk. half of our colony means more space and increased Other hospital residents were being treated for a variety of illnesses. One individualized care for the memorable clinical case treated in 2010 was Marvin the Gentoo penguin. remaining bats. Marvin spent approximately the first six months of the year at the AHC Two-toed sloth, Chewy, will be 12 Milwaukee County Zoo missed by visitors and staff. A large number of veterinary procedures took place in 2010. being treated for a severe fungal infection to which penguins are prone. After successful treatment, he was returned to the Aviary where he stayed for about three months. He began acting ill again, and when brought to the hospital it was found that he had a gastrointestinal foreign body from trying to dismantle one of the underwater lights in the exhibit. This was successfully removed, but the stress from this foreign ingestion caused his fungal infection to recur briefly. He was successfully treated, but spent the rest of the year at the hospital while the exhibit was being repaired. Gentoo penguins are a sub-Antarctic species that require living in temperatures less than 50 F, preferably closer to freezing. Because of the customized enclosures at the Animal Health Center, we were able to house Marvin in the “cold room” while he was being treated. The “cold room” is a refrigerated ward with a pool that can be kept as low as 33 F.

Both the Zoo pathology-fellow program and the clinical medicine residency continued in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin- Madison School of Veterinary Medicine. The clinical residency program is a three-year program that provides specialty training in zoo and exotic animal medicine. We currently have two residents: one that is just completing her third year; and the other in his second year. The clinical residents alternate their time at the Zoo, each spending approximately four months out of the year here.

The pathology program offers specialized training to pathologists interested specifically in zoo and exotic animal pathology, and provides us with information crucial to managing our collection. Our fifth pathology fellow (since the program’s inception 1997) began in August 2010, and recently finished a two-year residency in general pathology at the University of Connecticut. The previous resident successfully completed her residency and went on to Washington State University as a Ph.D. candidate.

In addition to the three post-graduate veterinary programs, the veterinary staff also conducts a zoo-animal medicine preceptor program for veterinary students. The students spend between four and eight weeks at the Zoo.

The Zoo’s staff veterinarians continued to perform their duties as adjunct instructors at the UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine.

Milwaukee County Zoo 13 Animal Records or cooperative Species Survival Plans) and their own animal collections. The ISIS central database, located in Minnesota, contains information on Since the Milwaukee County Zoo opened in 1892, records have been kept 2.3 million animals – almost 15,000 taxa/10,000 species – held in more for the almost 20,000 individual animals that have been managed in the than 840 institutions in 76 countries, as well as some animals in the Zoo’s collection. Today, AZA-accredited zoos keep very detailed up-to-date wild that are participants in release and relocation projects. records for each animal, telling its life story from birth to death. In addition, our Zoo archives contain ephemeral material including animal inventories, Permits old log books, Zoo annual reports, published articles, prints, slides, 16mm International treaties and national and state laws regarding animal films, and general correspondence. We also maintain unique documents conservation, management, care, health and safety result in regulations and artifacts from 19th and 20th century zoological institutions from six and permit requirements. Examples of permits received by the Zoo continents. All of this stored information is available to support research. in 2010 include: We maintain up-to-date records on every animal that arrives at the Zoo. International: Individual animals are each assigned a unique accession number. The Convention on Trade in Endangered Species import permit animal care staff uses this number to track an individual animal’s records so that significant events or changes in its care can be documented. All of National: the information that the animal care staff observes is reported daily to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service registrar, who records the information electronically in a database called Captive Bred Wildlife permit the Animal Records Keeping System (ARKS). Migratory Bird Special Purpose permit Depredation permit The ARKS information includes primary data such as common and Native Endangered Species Recovery permit taxonomic name, parents (whether at our Zoo or at another facility), date U.S. Department of Agriculture and place of birth, gender, and the circumstances of acquisition such as Exhibitor Permit birth, loan, purchase, or donation. Similar facts are recorded when the Plant Pests, Noxious Weed, Soil Movement permit animal leaves the Zoo, such as the name of the recipient zoo, the date U.S. Department of Interior of transfer and terms of the contract or the circumstances of death. Marine Mammal Protection Act permit State of Wisconsin Identifying characteristics or marks, all background information, DNR Depredation permit measurements, behavior, breeding management, enclosure information, DATCP Johne’s Disease-Free Herd classification behavioral enrichment, training, diet/feeding, development, and medical DATCP CWD-Free Herd classification notes and procedures all are data recorded in the animal’s record. Library and Archive Animal medical information also is vital to the care of the animal collection. The Medical Animal Records Keeping System, known as MedARKS, The Milwaukee County Zoo Library and Archive is a research library that is a database that utilizes information stored in ARKS, creating a detailed provides information resources to staff of the Milwaukee County Zoo, the medical record for each animal containing clinical notes, prescriptions, Zoological Society of Milwaukee, Zoo Pride volunteers and the public. treatments, cryopreservation records and necropsy details. The Milwaukee County Zoo Library collection includes books and About once a month, the information in the ARKS database is sent to academic/science periodicals in the following subject areas: zoological ISIS (International Species Information System), which links the animals’ science; animal husbandry; management of animals in captivity; animal records as they move between institutions throughout the worldwide behavior; animal nutrition; veterinary medicine; wildlife conservation; zoological community. The merging of these data from each zoo birds; fishes; invertebrates; mammals; reptiles and amphibians; aquarium enables ISIS members to share information collected in the ISIS system management; aquatic life; horticulture; zoological gardens; history of for management of genetic and demographic programs (such as studbooks zoological science; zoo administration; and zoo, aquarium and museum exhibits. 14 Milwaukee County Zoo The library also collects ephemeral materials from U.S. and foreign zoos exhibit signage. Ten Zoo Pride volunteers assist the librarian with staffing and aquariums. This collection is the largest collection of zoo ephemera in and archive projects. In 2010, the volunteers helped archive 25 years (90 linear the country. feet) of daily keeper reports.

The Archive preserves materials that are crucial to the history of Conservation and Research Programs the Milwaukee County Zoo. This collection includes photos, slides, DVDs, VHS cassettes, 16mm films, historic postcards, veterinary records and In 2010, the Zoo managed an ambitious and diverse conservation MCZ historical records on paper and microfiche. These materials are and research program at local, regional, national and international levels. housed in a climate-controlled environment The Senior Animal Staff, including specialty Curators, staff Veterinarians for preservation purposes. and the Deputy Zoo Director, develop, implement and manage these programs. Front-line staff actively participates in many of these programs. The library also has a number of animal-themed art works, including prints, Collaborative efforts with other conservation-oriented institutions and sculptures, and paintings. agencies were essential to the effectiveness of these efforts.

The staff of the library includes one part-time paid professional librarian In addition to the commitment of Zoo resources and the resources of who provides reference services, assists in research, maintains the catalogs, collaborating institutions, significant funding came from Zoo trust funds and manages both the library archival collection. The librarian also and the Zoological Society of Milwaukee. Public and private grants also works part-time for the Zoological Society as the information specialist, contributed to the support. managing the Society’s photo database and researching information for

African elephant.

Milwaukee County Zoo 15 Conservation and Research Program Collaborative Support The Zoo provides funding and/or staff support to selected conservation initiatives and research projects. Highlights for support in 2010 include:

IUCN Conservation Breeding Specialist Group ...... (Global) Zoological Information Management System Development...... (Global) The Zoo also provided funding for many collaborative Polar Bears International ...... (Pan-) conservation and research initiatives including: International Snow Leopard Trust ...... (Nepal) Phoenix Fund Amur Tiger Project ...... (Russia) International Iguana Foundation International Elephant Foundation ...... (Africa and Asia) Avian Scientific Advisory Group Tarangire Elephant Project ...... (Tanzania) Humboldt Penguin Species Survival Plan Tree Kangaroo Species Survival Plan ...... () Penguin Taxon Advisory Group Balikpapan Orangutan Society Project ...... (Borneo) Great Apes Taxon Advisory Group Orangutan Outreach ...... (Sumatra) International Penguin Conservation Conference Orangutan Conservancy ...... (Borneo) International Species Inventory System Salango Forest Bonobo Project ...... (Democratic Republic of Congo) Puerto Rican Crested Toad Species Survival Plan Kibale Community Firewood Project ...... (Uganda) AZA Wildlife Contraception Center Berggorilla and Regenwald Direkthilfe Gorilla Project ...... (Rwanda) WI Bureau of Endangered Species Herp Fund Fauna Group ...... (Madagascar) Lake Victoria Species Survival Plan Fennec Fox Conservation Project ...... (North Africa) Grenada Bank Tree Boa Blood Parasite Study Humboldt Penguin Census...... () Humboldt Penguin Artificial Burrow Project...... (Chile) Recovery Project ...... (U.S.) Piping Plover Recovery Project...... (Great Lakes) Grenada Frog Study ...... (Grenada) Grenada Bank Tree Boa Study ...... (Grenada) Grenada Reef Monitoring ...... (Grenada) Rock Iguana Conservation ...... (Jamaica) Rock Iguana Conservation ...... (Grand Cayman) Ornate Box Turtle Headstart Program ...... (Wisconsin) Butler’s Garter Snake Ecology ...... (Wisconsin) Massasauga Ecology Study...... (Michigan) Timber Rattlesnake Ecology ...... (Wisconsin) Starhead Minnow Spawning Research ...... (Zoo) Migratory and Resident Avifauna Study ...... (Zoo) Elephant Reproductive Hormone Study ...... (Zoo) Cognition Study ...... (Zoo) Bonobo Fetal Development Study ...... (Zoo) Great Ape Cardiovascular Health Study ...... (Zoo) Great Ape Ultrasound Studies ...... (Zoo) Bonobo Semen Freezing Project ...... (Zoo) Bonobo Cardiac Database ...... (Zoo) Timber rattlesnake.

16 Milwaukee County Zoo Species Survival Plans Our Zoo cooperates with all major zoos and aquariums in North America to enhance the survival of endangered species in our collections and in the wild. This is done through Species Survival Plans® of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Groups of zoo scientists and collaborating experts develop breeding plans to help protect the genetic variations of each of these species. Collaborative programs also are developed with range countries to assist in conservation of these animals and their habitats in the wild. Our Zoo participates in all Species Survival Plans that exist for the species in our collection, including:

Elephant Tapir, Malayan (Asian) Monkey, Goeldi’s Alligator, Chinese Tiger Orangutan Bear, Polar Toad, Puerto Rican Crested Spider Monkey, South American Seal, Harbor Tree Kangaroo, Matschie’s Tamarin, Cotton-Top Bongo, Eastern Baboon Tamarin, Golden Lion Bonobo Tamarin, Golden-Headed Lion Cichlids, Lake Victoria (13 spp.) Cat, Black-Footed Hornbill Iguana, Rock Colobus Kingfisher, Micronesian Fox, Fennec Mynah, Bali Leopard, Snow Gibbon Peafowl, Congo Lion Gorilla, Western Lowland Pigeon, Pink Panda, Red Guenon Rail, Guam Rattlesnake, Aruba Island Lemur, Mongoose Penguin, Humboldt Rattlesnake, Eastern Massasauga Lemur, Ring-Tailed Rhinoceros, Black Lemur, Ruffed Tapir, Baird’s (Central American) Macaque

Groups of Species The Zoo’s scientific staff are members of specialist groups devoted to the conservation and management of groups of species. These are called Taxon Advisory Groups (TAGs). We actively participate in the following TAGs:

Elephant Snake Ciconiiformes Amphibian Tapir Columbiformes Antelope and Giraffe Wild Pig, Peccary, Hippo Coraciiformes Aquatic Invertebrate Ape Galliformes Bear Chiropteran Gruiformes Canid and Hyaenid Marsupial and Monotreme PACCT (Passerines) Chelonian New World Primate Parrot Crocodilian Old World Monkey Pelecaniformes (Cervid/Tragulid) Pangolin, Aardvark, Penguin Equid Xenarthra Nocturnal Prosimian Piciformes Felid Prosimian Raptor Freshwater Fishes Rodent, Insectivore, Lagomorph Ratite Lizard Small Carnivore Turaco/Cuckoo Timber rattlesnake. Marine Fishes Anseriformes Rhinoceros Sheep and Goat (Caprid) Charadriiformes Fennec fox.

Milwaukee County Zoo 17 Moon jellies.

18 Milwaukee County Zoo Oceans of Fun Seal & Sea Lion Show.

Milwaukee County Zoo 19 Individual Conservation and Research Projects

Piping Plover study, a project involving the placement of artificial burrows for nesting at Algarrobo was initiated in 2009 with the intent of providing more sturdy Each year, Milwaukee County Zoo sends Aviary staff members to assist nests that can better resist flooding and destruction than the natural dirt Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) biologists in Michigan burrows. From 2009 to 2010, 35 artificial burros have been placed on the with the monitoring of active nests and the rearing of abandoned piping island, especially in areas where burrows have long disappeared, then were plover eggs and chicks. These eggs and chicks are brought in to the monitored to see if Humboldt penguins actually use them. To increase the University of Michigan Biological Field Station and are hatched for re- attractiveness of these previously burrow-less areas to the nesting Humboldt release into the wild. These activities support the long-term commitment penguins, hand-painted decoys of Humboldt penguins were conspicuously by our Zoo concerning the conservation of the piping plover. placed in the vicinity of these burrows. Penguins have been seen roosting in The Great Lakes population the nests, and in 2010, the first of the piping plover was breeding pair with eggs was listed as endangered in 1986 seen. Although chicks did not with only 17 nesting pairs. Its hatch, we are hopeful that the decline is attributed to habitat nests will be used again, with loss and degradation due to even greater success. the encroachment of humans on its nesting environment, In addition, our Zoo has which includes beaches, been coordinating funding for inland lakes, and rivers. Nest biennial population censuses disturbance and predation, of the wild penguins in Chile largely due to the presence of for the past 10 years. These humans, also has contributed to censuses not only provide us the population’s steady decline. information on the size of the wild population, but also Zoo staff has participated in allow us to detect trends in the development of captive population growth or decline, husbandry protocols and and also population movements, designated research projects particularly in reference to designed to benefit wild El Niño weather patterns. populations of piping plovers. This information is critical to In 2010, there were over 60 Piping plover. understanding the behavior pairs of nesting plovers that produced 93 fledged wild chicks, and activity of wild Humboldt penguins. Unfortunately, severe weather and and an additional 14 chicks were captive-reared and released. the large that struck Chile truncated the 2010 census, and an accurate census of the number of Humboldt penguins was not obtained. Humboldt Penguin Plans are currently underway to change the scope and focus of the census. In 1994, the Zoo initiated a long-term research program to study The previous censuses assessed the total number of Humboldt penguins a breeding colony of Humboldt penguins in Algarrobo, Chile. along the Chilean Coast, and these numbers were quite consistent over The ecology and health of these endangered penguins are being studied the past decade. The new census will try to assess the actual breeding with the goal of enhancing species conservation. As part of this overall population of Humboldt penguins, not just the total population.

20 Milwaukee County Zoo This will be a more labor intensive census, and will need to involve more remarkable findings, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Chilean scientists and staff, but probably will only need to be conducted (DNR) has designated the Milwaukee County Zoo as a recognized about every four to five years. migratory bird stopover habitat. In addition, a bird-banding demonstration is conducted each year during the Zoo’s special In 2010, our Zoo, with help from the Penguin Taxonomic Advisory Group, Earth Day event, Party for the Planet. Visitors have the opportunity provided funds for Dr. Alejandro Simeone, Director of the Department of to observe the banding process and release birds. Ecology and Biodiversity at the University Andres Bello in Santiago Chile, to attend the International Penguin Conference in Boston, Massachusetts. Ornate Box Turtle Dr. Simeone has been working with the Zoo on various penguin projects for 16 years. He gave two presentations at the conference, one on artificial This year, the Zoo raised 25 endangered ornate box turtles to be released burrows, and one on the threats of fishing net entanglements to the into a wild prairie remnant in south central Wisconsin. In 1996 and 1997, Humboldt penguin population. After the conference, Dr. Simeone came the Zoo developed raise-and-release procedures for this highly successful to the Milwaukee County Zoo for a week to work on data from the various DNR program. During a single winter at the Zoo, these turtles may grow projects, and repeated his presentations for Zoo and Zoo Society staff. More from a one-third ounce hatchling to as much as five ounces. In the wild, information about Dr. Simeone and Humboldt penguin research can be it may take as long as seven years to reach this size, at which time they found in the Spring-Summer 2010 issue of Alive Magazine, published by are practically predator-proof. the Zoological Society of Milwaukee. The also participates in this program, and the Nature Conservancy has adopted its protocols to help increase ornate box turtle Whooping Crane Recovery populations in its Wisconsin reserves. As of June 2010, more than 900 The Zoo assists the International Crane Foundation (ICF) and USFWS turtles were released. Of these, our Zoo raised 288 turtles. with whooping crane recovery by acting as a medical care location for injured whooping cranes that were part of the release program. In 2006, Grenada Frog a juvenile whooping crane, Torch, was received with a broken wing. This The Grenada frog was once widespread on the island nation of injury prevented the bird from ever being released into the wild. In 2008, Grenada. During the late 1880s, a related frog species, Johnstone’s frog, we received a female, Tiki, who will hopefully serve as a mate for Torch, was introduced. Since that time, Johnstone’s frog has spread throughout the once they establish the bond necessary for reproductive success. island and the Grenada frog has retreated to small isolated pockets (seven The Whooping Crane Recovery Program is responsible for bringing square miles) in the mountain rainforests. In 2004, our Zoo, the Milwaukee back the number of wild cranes from a low of 16 individuals in the 1940s Public Museum, and the Grenada Forestry and National Parks Department to more than 300 individuals currently in the wild. The International Crane initiated a field-study to determine if these two species can successfully coexist. Foundation uses donated funds to aid in the captive rearing, release and In 2009, the Racine Zoo joined our efforts. In February of 2009, we noted management of wild cranes and develop new release techniques to bolster the numbers of frogs observed had dropped for a third consecutive year. As the existing population. In addition, the organization provides outreach a result, frogs were sampled to determine if they were carrying the deadly programs to educate the public about the plight of the cranes. frog-killing fungus called chytrid. Unfortunately, the fungus was found at all of the sampling sites. Chytrid could lead to the extinction of the Migratory and Resident Avifauna Study Grenada frog. The MCZ and our collaborators began to develop a Conservation Action Plan for the frog in 2010. Zoo staff and volunteers are mist netting and banding wild birds on Zoo grounds to determine the numbers and species that use our grounds Grenada Bank Treeboa as a stopover site during migration. This is an ongoing project with 169 species of native migratory birds identified to date. Of these identified The Grenada Bank treeboa is only found on the islands in the Grenada species, 27 are listed as rare, threatened, or of special concern in Wisconsin, Bank. Although widespread, populations seem to be decreasing on the and 42 have been identified as nesting on Zoo grounds. Because of these island of Grenada. Our Zoo and the Racine Zoo have been cooperating

Milwaukee County Zoo 21 with the to conduct research on this treeboa. The Zoo is collaborating with Dr. Marie Rush of St. George’s University (Grenada) in a study to determine the snake’s normal blood parameters and identify the blood parasites of this species.

In May of 2010, the Curator of Reptiles and Aquarium conducted a workshop to train the personnel of the Grenada Forestry and Parks Department in methods to safely and humanely capture Grenada Bank tree boas.

Coral Reef Monitoring in Grenada In 2009, our research efforts in the Caribbean expanded to the surrounding . Our Zoo joined the Wisconsin Lutheran College’s reef monitoring program in Grenada. In 2010, the Racine Zoo joined our efforts. The purpose of this project is to compare the long-term health of the coral reefs found in Grenada’s marine protected areas with other areas that receive no protection. We hope to demonstrate the economic benefits of protected areas to the tourist industry and fishing communities of Grenada.

Rock Iguanas Our Zoo has been a longtime supporter of rock iguana conservation in the genus Cyclura. Since 2003, this support has increased with the addition of fieldwork studies of the Grand Cayman blue iguana and Jamaican iguana. Grand Cayman rock iguana. Blue iguanas are one of the most endangered lizard species in the world.

A 2003 census indicated there might have been as few as 12 Grand Cayman blue iguanas in the wild. Because of the efforts of several zoos, Butler’s Garter Snakes including ours, the population is now estimated to number more than 200. The Jamaican iguana was once thought to be extinct in the wild, and is still The Butler’s garter snake is an endangered species restricted to very much in peril. In 2010, the Zoo sent a zookeeper to Grand Cayman southeastern Wisconsin. In 2007, the Wisconsin Department of Natural to survey a natural area to determine the population density of Resources brought together developers, land owners, our Zoo and other this endangered lizard. conservation organizations to develop a management plan for this species. This plan identified numerous gaps in our knowledge that were crucial to Our Zoo has participated in the fieldwork for these collaborative efforts, the development of a successful plan. As a result, the Zoo joined hands resulting in successful releases of captive-hatched, raised-and-released with the Urban Ecology Center at Riverside Park to seek answers to iguanas back into the wilds of Grand Cayman and Jamaica. Also, through several questions. What is the dispersal distance of the snakes? What is observations and radio tracking, data has been collected for the first time on the population density of the snakes in Riverside Park? How fast do they the habits of these rare species from both raised-and-released iguanas and free-ranging wild individuals. More fieldwork is scheduled, and our Zoo will grow? These studies involve radio tracking, finding and capturing snakes be sending additional staff to assist fieldworkers with protection of nest sites, and marking them for individual identification. Hundreds of hours were nest monitoring, health screenings, and radio tracking. They also assist with spent on this research during the year, and several additional seasons of the maintenance of iguana raise-and-release facilities. work will be needed to adequately address these issues.

22 Milwaukee County Zoo Starhead Topminnows Program Management Starhead topminnows are an endangered fish species in Wisconsin. Zoo staff members hold management positions in national and Although there have been a few cases of successful captive reproduction international programs through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in the private sector, there are no reports of breeding in zoos or aquariums. and other conservation entities. These management positions include: Several pairs were collected in July 2007 with the intent of developing • Veterinary Advisor: Bonobo SSP, Ring-tailed Lemur SSP, spawning techniques that could be used by the Wisconsin DNR should a Humboldt Penguin SSP, Ape TAG captive breeding program become a necessity. Successful breeding occurred at our Zoo in December. Fishes from this program have been sent to the • Chairperson: AZA Charter and Bylaws Urban Ecology Centers in Milwaukee and other aquariums or nature • Vice-chair: Humboldt Penguin SSP, Raptor TAG centers that wish to display them. • AZA Delegate: Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species Great Ape Ultrasound Studies • AZA Accreditation Team Members For more than 15 years, Zoo staff and volunteer medical professionals • Steering Committee: Ape TAG, Sphenisciformes TAG, Freshwater Fish have performed ultrasound studies on our great apes. As a result of TAG, Amphibian TAG, Humboldt Penguin SSP, Conservation extensive positive reinforcement training by our staff, the great apes Action Partnership, Institutional Data Management Advisory Group, voluntarily participate in these painless studies – without restraints, sedation Veterinary Advisor Group, Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake SSP or anesthesia. The animals look forward to these procedures and willingly • PMP Manager/Studbook Keeper: Yellow-backed Duiker, cooperate. The ultrasound studies include heart studies of bonobos, gorillas Red Kangaroo, Rockhopper Penguin and orangutans, and fetal development studies of bonobos. Our Zoo has been the first in the world to do these types of studies with the great apes. • Zoological Information Management System: Subject Matter Expert • Management Group: Bonobo SSP, Rhinoceros Hornbill SSP, Great Ape Cardiovascular Health Research Humboldt Penguin SSP In 2010, our Zoo continued the comprehensive study of great ape • American Association of Zoo Veterinarians: Emeritus Associate Editor; cardiovascular health that was initiated by a national workshop hosted AZA Veterinary Advisor Liaison, Treasurer at our Zoo in 2009. The Great Ape Heart Project was funded by a start-up • Academy of Veterinary Zoological Medicine Technicians: President grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences. The workshop launched a concerted effort to identify the causes, and to enhance our Presentations/Publications ability to prevent and treat these diseases. Zoo staff, in conjunction with Animal Division staff delivers more than 1,000 formal presentations and medical consultants and a graduate conservation student, have developed innumerable informal presentations to the visiting public every year. In the Bonobo Cardiovascular Database, archiving and analyzing ultrasound addition, Zoo staff develop programs, publish articles and research papers studies performed on bonobos at zoos throughout North America. and deliver presentations locally, regionally and internationally to contribute to conservation efforts. Other Studies and Research The Zoo staff participates in many other scientific studies and collaborative Facilities and Improvements research projects. A few examples from 2010 that have been or are intended In addition to the exhibit improvements described previously, a to be published include: treatment of epilepsy in great apes; reproductive considerable number of infrastructure projects were planned or completed in hormones in elephants, rhinoceros and hippopotamus; fecal markers for 2010. Most of these are not noticed by the public, but are critical for the nutritional studies; identification of a disease agent in a brown bear; fetal continued operation of the Zoo. The projects included: animal life support development in bonobos; blood group types in bonobos; hypertension in systems, heating, ventilating, electrical and plumbing upgrades, bonobos; cognitive studies of bonobos; corticosteroids in rhinoceros; roof replacements and other repairs. and obstructive jaundice in macaques. Milwaukee County Zoo 23 Administration and Finance

Effective coordination of travel requests and expenditures continues to help Background and 2010 Review the Zoo minimize these costs. This Section oversees the following: Cash Management, Financial and Information Technology Capital Project Planning, Accounts Payable and Receivable, Personnel and Payroll, General Office Services (including coordination of security, Information Technology functions are provided by Zoo staff, Milwaukee emergency medical support, reception and switchboard, radio dispatch and County’s Department of Administration - Information Management clerical support), Information Technology and oversight of the Zoo’s Green Services (IMSD) and outside consultants. The Zoo continues to partner Committee. The Section also completed and submitted the 2010 year-end with IMSD for technical staff on site to assist the Zoo with its point-of-sale, financials. The Zoo ended the year with an adjusted tax levy deficit of inventory and event management systems. The IMSD staff helped control $1,197,278 and had an increase of $58,669 in the Zoo trust funds. the Zoo’s expenses by troubleshooting most register issues for the system on site, rather than contacting an outside vendor for support. Cash Management To improve operational performance of the new point-of-sale system, the This area’s responsibilities include reconciliation of cash receipts to our software was upgraded early in 2010 and a new server was installed on site point-of-sale system, preparation of the bank deposits, preparation of during that summer. cash register starting banks and daily support of the cashiers for change and deposits of funds, processing of contract ride revenues and improved The Zoo continued improving its monitoring of financial information monitoring of cashier discrepancies. through point-of-sale and Milwaukee County financial systems. Usage of the Internet Supply Store was enhanced for the Commissary and inventory Financial and Capital Project Planning and Control modifications began for the Stockroom and resale items. This Section involves coordination of the budget process. Balancing the Staff attended the point-of-sale conference during the winter allowing budget is challenging when support is reduced, while service, as well as for a deeper understanding of the system and networking opportunities. entertainment values are expected to be maintained, and new revenue sources are explored and priorities re-evaluated. Donations via cell phones Green Committee and new ride venue contracts were negotiated during the year. Financial The Milwaukee County Zoo has implemented recycling programs and reporting and analysis continued to be performed on a daily, monthly and conservation-minded projects for many years. Recycling efforts include cell annual basis, with comparisons to the budget as well as to the previous year. phones, printer cartridges, aluminum cans, light bulbs, food and motor oils, Revenue sharing contracts were improved to enhance vendor accountability. scrap metals, restaurant cups, plastic bottles and paper and coffee grinds. Online ticket sales were initiated early in the year, including promotions and The Zoo’s energy savings program of upgraded electrical, natural gas, marketing opportunities. These tickets, along with Group Sales event tickets, water and sewer infrastructure continues to produce savings in utilities. can now be scanned at our admission gates allowing for improved internal The Zoo also has used green-friendly practices in building controls and tracking. construction and other projects.

Accounting (Accounts Payable and Receivable) Human Resources During 2010, Accounts Payable and Receivable processed contracts, The Human Resources Section consists of the Human Resources purchasing requisitions and receipts, monitored the credit card system, Coordinator, Administrative Specialist and a seasonal Payroll Assistant. reviewed sales documentation, prepared invoices, tracked accounts Responsibilities include coordinating and performing a variety of technical receivable and entered financial transactions into the general ledger. and professional personnel-related tasks. General duties performed entail

24 Milwaukee County Zoo managing the payroll and human resources function to include grievance Safety and Training handling, recruitment, promotion, training, disciplinary actions, transfers, The Safety and Training Section is comprised of the Safety and Training employee benefits and departmental diversity issues. Specialist and a seasonal Training Assistant. The Section is responsible Also, the Human Resources Coordinator represents the Zoo as part of for instructing Zoo employees in regulatory compliance, customer service, committees; appeal boards, meetings and hearings related to various security and emergency response programming and training. The Section personnel issues. also is responsible for maintaining first aid kits, fire extinguishers and emergency chemical exposure stations. In addition, assessing workplace Highlights from 2010 include: hazards, developing safe work • Took part in job fairs in practices and assigning proper Milwaukee County to ensure The Diversity Committee is a group formed within the parameters of personal protective equipment a diverse work force the Human Resources Section with a primary function of providing are tasks assigned to this Section. • Worked together with the opportunities for better understanding of civil rights by Zoo personnel. This Section also coordinates Milwaukee County Department The Diversity Committee consists of seven representatives from various and provides identification of Human Resources to process Divisions who annually make recommendations concerning equal badges and distributes employee applications and hire zooworkers opportunities for all employees regardless of race, color, sex, sexual uniforms, and conducts annual and Family Farm attendants orientation, religion, national origin, age, handicap and other non-merit seasonal orientations, informing • Worked together with the factors. the seasonal staff at the Zoo Milwaukee County Department The committee acts as a resource for all Zoo staff by providing information of workplace policies and of Human Resources to enable and addressing particular concerns or complaints. Members attend procedures. The Section performs the Zoo to advertise current “hot quarterly training sessions that emphasize diversity-related issues in the routine hazardous waste removal jobs” on the County Web site workplace. Committee members also provide outreach through activities and storage and identification • Accomplished most of the 2010 that promote diversity in the workplace. Diversity Committee goals and audits to ensure compliance with identified tasks for 2011 state and federal regulations. Material Safety Data Sheets • Assisted in the hiring of two (MSDS) management, pesticide usage reports and annual Tier II reports individuals for full-time employment with the Zoo are processed and completed by this Section. The Safety and Training • Worked in cooperation with the Milwaukee County Department Specialist and the assistant are responsible for accident investigation and of Human Resources to inform, train and provide guidance to Zoo on site security system maintenance along with Zoo Access Contol and employees regarding Milwaukee County’s new time and attendance, surveillance programming. payroll, benefits and recruitment system State and federal compliance regulations mandate the annual safety training programming conducted by this Section. In addition to required programming, the Safety Section continues to promote the annual Employee Safety and Health Fair which includes the Department of Public Works. The 2010 Fair included the following topics: Forestry Safety, Bloodborne Pathogens, Working Safely at Heights, Electrical Safety & Respiratory Protection (including Respirator Fit Testing), Zookeeper Safety and Zoonotic Disease Prevention.

Moose. Milwaukee County Zoo 25 Public Affairs and Services

Regardless of the group size, Group Sales has serviced events ranging 2010 Highlights from 50 to 15,000 guests. Throughout the years, and again in 2010, The Public Affairs and Services Division consists of four Sections: Group Sales has been proud to host prestigious corporate events that Group Sales, Public Relations, Special Events and Special Programs. In included Northwestern Mutual Life, Robert W. Baird & Company, M&I addition to these areas, the Division is responsible for the overall marketing, Bank, Children’s Health Systems, Marcus Corporation and Assurant promotion and advertising of the Zoo. The staff includes: a Division Health, among many others. Director, four Coordinators, four full-time staff and approximately 50 In addition, Group Sales has been very proud to host and assist with seasonal zooworkers. the fundraising efforts of several well-known non-profit events on the Zoo grounds including the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Arthritis Foundation, Group Sales the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the Vince Lombardi Cancer The Zoo’s Group Sales Section is responsible for the implementation of all Foundation and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. contractual agreements and the management of corporate, non-profit and private events held annually on the Zoo grounds. Group Sales duties also Special Events include the sale and distribution of all advanced and consignment tickets Each year, the Public Affairs and Services Division coordinates more than throughout Wisconsin and Illinois. 20 special events held on Zoo grounds. In 2010, this Section coordinated As in past years, thousands of Group Sales guests participated in events Elephant Appreciation Day, a new event held in September. This event related to corporate, non-profit and private functions. A Group Sales highlighted the unique role elephants play in our natural world and the event may incorporate the rental of a picnic area, a facility rental such conservation efforts now underway to save these precious animals. Here as the Peck Welcome Center, an animal building like Big Cat Country are a few highlights from the year: or an entire Zoo grounds rental. Party for the Planet. Party for the Planet May 15 and 16 Sponsored by American Transmission Company Zoo visitors learned more about what they can do to preserve resources by visiting numerous outreach booths located in the U.S Bank Gathering Place. Kids took part in a migration game and “flew” through the Zoo to learn the different challenges birds face on their annual migration journeys. Attendance: 16,689

Sunset Zoofari June 30, July 7, 14, 21, 28 and August 4 Sponsored by Tri City National Bank The Zoo was open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. during these select summer evenings, and included the backdrop of popular local bands, as visitors toured the park. Most of the animal buildings were open for guests, as well as the special exhibit, Adventure Dinosaur. It’s a unique experience to enjoy both the animals and the musical performances under the stars. Attendance: 14,118

26 Milwaukee County Zoo The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel a la Carte Special Programs August 19 –22 The Special Programs Section of the Milwaukee County Zoo is Milwaukee summers wouldn’t be the same without the Zoo’s annual responsible for overseeing these areas: MillerCoors Oceans of Fun Seal “Feast with the Beasts,” as more than 25 area restaurants served up tasty and Sea Lion Show, our temporary summer special exhibits, audiovisual dishes while local and national entertainment performed on six stages services, outreach activities and the Peck Welcome Center. In addition, throughout the park. National entertainment for 2010 included: The Stray this Section works directly with the Zoological Society, serving as a liaison Cat, Lee Rocker, Gin Blossoms and Jon Anderson, The Voice of Yes. for all Zoological Society events taking place at the Zoo. Attendance: 69,093 Following are the 2010 highlights: Elephant Appreciation Day September 18 The MillerCoors Oceans of Fun Seal and Sea Lion Show is a 20-minute presentation sponsored by MillerCoors, which entertains This first-time event focused on one of the most fascinating and intriguing and educates visitors about seals and sea lions through a live animal show. animals at the Zoo – our ! Activities for the day included The shows generated more than $128,000 in revenue for the year. behind-the-scenes tours of the elephant barns, trunk-sized crafts for the kids including making their own set of elephant ears and displays of Also during the summer, visitors were treated to the return of robotic elephant food and treats. The Zoo hopes to offer this special event dinosaurs with the exhibit, Adventure Dinosaur, sponsored by Lowe’s. to visitors annually. The popular exhibit was displayed May 29 through September 6, and Attendance: 8,661 attracted 276,274 visitors. The Special Programs Section coordinated Elephant Appreciation Day. and supervised staff for the exhibit.

The Special Programs Section continued its partnership with the Zoological Society, serving as a liaison to facilitate all of the Society’s events that took place on Zoo grounds. There were 25 events during a total of 34 dates during the year. This partnership serves to strengthen the overall relationship between the Zoo and the Zoological Society.

Finally, Zoo operations were enhanced by the efforts of the Audiovisual Section. Areas served included: the Animal Division, Public Relations, Group Sales and Special Events. Photos, videos and visual presentations were used for newspaper and magazine articles, animal identification, Zoo Web site, marketing and promotional campaigns, collateral pieces and the audiovisual needs for Group Sales clients.

Milwaukee County Zoo 27 Media Relations In 2010, the Zoo received positive media coverage from broadcast, print and electronic media outlets. Following are a few media highlights from the year: The Zoo was featured in an April Journal Sentinel (Milwaukee’s daily newspaper) cover story entitled “New Kids in Town,” which featured many of the new animals at the Zoo for the 2010 spring/ summer season. Some of the animals included our Matschie’s tree kangaroo joey, moose Robin and Bella and our newest impalas, Korintje and Cassia. Our new permanent exhibit, “The Language of Conservation,” also was featured as a cover story in the Journal Sentinel during the month of June. The article focused on the history and course of the project, and highlighted the fact the Milwaukee County Zoo was chosen from only a small number of zoos throughout the country to display such an exhibit. Our poet-in-residence, Pattiann Rogers, was interviewed, and several of the installations were featured through photos.

Concerning general topics, the Zoo was featured in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on many occasions during the course of the year, as well as a regular feature on the newspaper’s Web site, JSOnline.

On a regular basis throughout the year, the Zoo received positive coverage in numerous community and statewide newspapers, including: WawatosaNOW and The Ozaukee News Graphic.

Also on a continuing basis, coverage on the Zoo appeared on local television stations (Channels 4, 6, 12 and 58). Topics featured included: Elephant Appreciation Day, Halloween Trick-or-Treat Spooktacular, our new Humboldt penguin chick and Matschie’s tree kangaroo joey and our special exhibit, Adventure Dinosaur, to mention a few.

Our Zoo’s special project, the “Giving Tree” also received positive media coverage at the end of 2010. The “Giving Tree” is displayed in the U.S. Bank Gathering Place and gives visitors a chance to donate gifts or monetary contributions to our animals during the holiday season. This second-year project, coordinated by our zookeepers, with the support of Zoo Pride volunteers, was featured on several television programs, including live shots on FOX-6’s Real Milwaukee, and Channel 4’s Live at Daybreak.

A sampling of 2010 media clips. 28 Milwaukee County Zoo Operations

2010 Highlights Grounds and Horticulture The Horticultural Section is part of the Buildings and Grounds Section. The Milwaukee County Zoo’s Operations Department consists of the Comprised of two full- time staff employees and nine seasonal employees, following Divisions: Visitor Services, Concessions and Catering, Grounds they make the Zoo grounds colorful and attractive for our visitors. Our and Horticulture, Maintenance and Trades, Custodial, Merchandising and pleasing grounds were accomplished in many ways, but the overall goal is to Warehouse and Time and Material/Major Maintenance/Capital Project maintain our 200 acres of landscape, and ensure our patrons have a safe and Construction Management. enjoyable visit. Following are the 2010 highlights from 2010 Highlights: the Operations Division: • Installed a new feature to our summer Dinosaur Exhibit, Visitor Services a pond and bubbling stream • Transplanted 200 trees and shrubs, 300 perennials, 5,000 fall The Section greets every guest entering the Zoo providing them bulbs, 35,000 annual plants, from spring pansies to summer with essential information for their visit. In 2010, the Visitor Services annuals and fall mums staff admitted more than 1.2 million visitors to the Zoo. This Section’s responsibilities include: collecting fees for admission, parking, operating • Created 6,000 square feet of new turf space from areas once infested with buckthorn or eroding due to lack of vegetation the miniature train, carousel and zoomobile rides and assisting individuals Grew our own mum crop for the first time with lost family members or misplaced vehicles. Groups with special needs also are accommodated through various discounted rates for admission and • Identified and helped distribute browse to supplement animal diets rides and attractions. This Section also operates stroller rentals, dog kennels, • Removed from the Aviary’s East Flight and replanted in a camel and pony rides and the mold-o-rama machines. The Visitor sheltered outdoor location to continue providing leafy food for Services Division is comprised of two full-time Managers, two our red panda full-time Train Engineers and as many as 60 seasonal employees. Zoo Train topiary. 2010 Highlights: • Generated more than 45% of the Milwaukee County Zoo’s total revenue for the year • Installed solar panels at the entrance gates • Replaced admission booths at the drive-in entrance booths • Replaced the zoomobiles which used propane as a fuel source, with a new, updated fleet of vehicles that run on electricity • Worked with Creative Employment Opportunities, Inc., which is designed to assist individuals with special needs to enter the workplace and increase their level of self esteem and independence • Provided staff support for all events that occurred during regular Zoo hours or after-hours events in conjunction with the Group Sales, Public Affairs, Education and Zoological Society Divisions

MilwaukeeMilwaukee CountyCounty ZooZoo 2929 • Watered, fertilized and maintained 6 topiaries, 40 flower beds, Concessions and Catering 55 perennial areas, 60 shrub areas, 280 containers, 5,000 square The Concessions and Catering Section provides our guests feet of greenhouse space and nearly 10 acres of turf space with service, snacks, food and beverages while visiting the Zoo. • Decorated 15 Christmas trees for the holiday season • Helped in the preparation of Halloween displays and The staff consists of 175 diverse, seasonal employees and two full-time helped carve 500 pumpkins food service professionals. There are nine food service facilities, four popcorn wagons, three ice cream kiosks and six areas of “grab and go” • Performed annual trimming work in the Aviary and Primate carts throughout the grounds. The “grab and go” coffee shop, featuring Building in order to maintain tropical plants at sustainable indoor Alterra coffee, bakery and snacks, continues to be successful. growing conditions Maintenance The Concessions Department is in the process of fine-tuning the POS Inventory Control System used at the Zoo. Once completed, these A considerable amount of infrastructure work is completed each year. improvements will allow for managing our business more effectively and Most projects are not noticed by the public, but are critical in the day-to-day enhance guest value and service. operations of the Zoo. Maintaining the buildings, grounds, exhibits and public areas also are vital to daily operations. Merchandising

Behind-the-scenes electrical, plumbing and general maintenance include: The Merchandising Section is responsible for $1.6 million of gross revenue operating HVAC and Metysys interface computer boards, repairing animal with a net profit of more than $1 million. This was made possible by the exhibits, hanging event banners for special events and maintaining lighting efforts of 1 full-time staff member and 50 seasonal employees. By keeping which includes green initiative lamps to help reduce the impact on the our labor costs under budget by $31,000, we were able to maximize profits. environment and reduce utility costs. This Section also handles emergency Merchandise is responsible for all aspects of the retail sales at the Zoo. calls on a 24 hour, 7- day-a-week schedule, sets up general events and This includes purchasing, displaying, stocking, selling, and providing handles landscaping and construction project management. customer service. We have continued our relationships with area and 2010 Construction Project Highlights national retailers, all feeling the result of the changing economy. • Zoo Terrace upgrades including: re-grading, paver The year 2010 served as a success regarding revenue generated through installations, new freezer and beer lines and trash enclosure areas our dinosaur exhibit. The exhibit generated $82,000 of revenue, over • Replacement of exit drive roadway asphalt budget. There also was a drastic increase in book sales as patrons were looking for additional substance for their dollar. We also continued • Replacement of rusted feeders located between the with our untraditional revenue sources, those being our front entrance Humboldt Penguin Exhibit and the Peck Welcome Center photo-taking, face painting, air brush tattoos, dog tag machines and • New electrical panels for zoomobile chargers a 60-foot working sluice. • Pumphouse upgrades: rebuilding and replacement of booster pumps, saltwater pumps and siding replacement In 2011, we look forward to a great year. We’ll be adding a three-story-high zip line, a ropes course and climbing wall as additional adventure • New HVAC rooftop replacement at Small Mammal Building options for guests. • Roof replacement at Special Exhibits Building Custodial • Primate enclosure and Apes climbing structure enhancements • Upgrades to electrical distribution system including new panels The Custodial Section is responsible for keeping buildings clean for both our visitors and staff. Custodians also work with vendors and event • Continual manhole repair/replacements in managers, from small companies to large corporations, along with the parking lots and throughout the park Group Sales Section. Custodial works to ensure that the event plans • Replacement of fire hydrants and preparation requests are met for each client’s function.

30 Milwaukee County Zoo Operating Expenses (Financials)

Zoological Department (Unaudited)

2010 Adjusted Budget 2010 Actual Year-to-Date Variance ( ) = Deficit REVENUES Total Admissions $6,396,399 $4,547,315 $(1,849,084) Less Group Sales $1,580,207 $990,138 $(590,069) Net Operational Admissions $4,816,192 $3,557,177 $(1,259,015)

Concessions $3,804,544 $3,506,051 ($298,493) Catering $151,406 $136,410 ($14,996) Novelties $1,915,367 $1,686,602 ($228,765) Parking $2,799,345 $2,734,939 ($64,407) Special Exhibit Admissions $539,054 $425,841 ($113,213) Sea Lion Show $193,900 $128,518 ($65,383) Vending Machine Commissions $367,872 $239,860 ($128,012) Strollers $130,000 $109,256 ($20,744) Animal Rides $60,000 $45,501 ($14,499) Total Group Sales $2,470,651 $1,665,100 ($805,551) Carousel $216,850 $187,942 ($28,908) SkyRide $250,000 $149,726 ($100,274) Society Memberships $238,771 $67,848 ($170,923) Donations $199,000 $194,451 ($4,549) Other Private Funding $624,865 $624,865 $0 Sponsorships $365,750 $362,407 ($3,343) Miscellaneous Revenue $1,188,457 $897,713 ($290,744) Performance Contract Escrow $0 $0 $0 Sales Tax ($460,256) ($444,759) $15,497 TOTAL REVENUES $19,871,768 $16,275,447 ($3,596,322)

EXPENDITURES Personnel Services $8,141,807 $7,869,994 $271,813 Fringe Benefits $4,817,780 $4,783,356 $34,424 Contractural Services $5,597,243 $4,566,212 $1,031,031 Internal Service Charges $1,511,594 $1,401,940 $109,654 Commodities $3,388,854 $2,840,812 $548,042 Depreciation $0 $0 $0 Capital Outlay $573,171 $405,842 $167,329 Other Expenditures $0 $0 $0 TOTAL EXPENDITURES $24,030,449 $21,868,157 $2,162,292 Less Abatements: DAS Allowable Adjustment $0 ($236,752) $236,752

NET EXPENDITURES $24,030,449 $21,631,405 $2,399,044 TAX LEVY $4,158,681 $5,355,958 ($1,197,278) ATTENDANCE 1,350,000 1,266,315 (83,685)

Milwaukee County Zoo 31 Operating Expenses

Zoo Trust Fund (Unaudited) - Railroad Trust

2010 Adjusted Budget 2010 Actual Year-to-Date Variance ( ) = Deficit REVENUES Zoomobile Revenue $129,501 $66,690 ($62,811) Miniature Train Revenue $660,000 $630,996 ($29,004) Earnings on Investments $21,000 $1,622 ($19,378) Donations and Reserve Contribution $104,486 $676 ($103,810) Other Revenue $93,911 $65,600 ($28,311) Sales Tax ($42,278) ($33,462) $8,816 TOTAL REVENUES $966,620 $732,123 ($234,497)

EXPENDITURES Personnel Services $361,358 $285,244 $76,114 Fringe Benefits $82,240 $82,240 $0 Contractual Services $301,328 $209,280 $92,048 Internal Service Charges $3,275 $459 $2,816 Commodities $34,941 $19,605 $15,336 Conservation Projects $15,000 $0 $15,000 Capital Outlay $170,343 $91,074 $79,269 TOTAL EXPENDITURES $968,485 $687,901 $280,584

NET INCOME (LOSS) ($1,865) $44,221 $46,087

Fund Balance January 1, 2010 $455,572 Net Income $44,221 Fund Balance December 31, 2010 $499,793

32 Milwaukee County Zoo Operating Expenses

Zoo Trust Fund (Unaudited) - Specimen Trust Fund

2010 Adjusted Budget 2010 Actual Year-to-Date Variance ( ) = Deficit REVENUES Earnings on Investments $4,249 $613 ($3,636) Animal Sales/Milk Sales $16,200 $10,948 ($5,252) Giraffe Experience $26,376 $21,479 ($4,898) Gifts & Donations $1,500 $1,121 ($379) Other Miscellaneous Revenue $0 $0 $0 Reserve Contribution $0 $0 $0 TOTAL REVENUE $48,325 $34,161 ($14,164)

EXPENDITURES Contractual Services $36,230 $17,305 $18,925 Commodities $14,496 $2,408 $12,088 Internal Service Charges $0 $0 $0 TOTAL EXPENDITURES $50,726 $19,713 $31,013

NET INCOME (LOSS) ($2,401) $14,448 $16,849

Fund Balance January 1, 2010 $172,165 Net Income $14,448 Fund Balance December 31, 2010 $186,613

ZOO TRUST FUNDS Total Trust Revenue 2010 $766,283 Less Total Trust Expenditures 2010 ($707,614)

2010 NET INCOME (LOSS) $58,669

Milwaukee County Zoo 33 The Milwaukee County Zoo and the Zoological Society of Milwaukee

A Public-Private Partnership • The launch of Kohl’s Wild Theater, thanks to a major donation from Kohl’s Cares. The ZSM hired a theater director and began planning The mission of the Zoological Society of Milwaukee is to participate in a new public-education program featuring professionally staged plays conserving endangered species, to educate people about the importance of with drama, puppetry, humor, songs and a conservation message. wildlife and the environment, and to support the Milwaukee County Zoo. Plans included an at-Zoo program and an outreach program into Zoological Society Support of the the community. Milwaukee County Zoo • Plans to expand the Zoo’s bonobo exhibit and upgrade its graphics began, thanks to a significant grant to the ZSM from an It was the kind of year that comes around only once a century. anonymous donor. The Zoological Society of Milwaukee (ZSM) celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2010 with a kickoff party in January, safaris to Kenya • Zootastic!—A first-time spring ZSM family event at the Zoo drew a crowd. and centennial mini-celebrations at all ZSM events during fiscal year 2009-2010. Zoo Pride, the ZSM’s volunteer auxiliary, also celebrated • Zoo Brew—A first-time fall ZSM evening event at the Zoo was held. its 35-year anniversary. • Adventure Dinosaur! This summer exhibit sponsored by Lowe’s To mark 100 years of supporting the Zoo, the ZSM offered major new attracted 246,274 people. The ZSM secured the sponsorship. projects and events, including: • Wild Things upgrade: The ZSM’s member newsletter introduced an all-new format in full color with an easier-to-read size. • “The Language of Conservation” poetry project—The ZSM’s Creative Department created or coordinated more than 50 specially • History recorded: The ZSM’s Alive magazine featured stories designed artworks displaying excerpts from nature poems in a partnership throughout 2010 on the history of its three missions, and the ZSM also with the Zoo and the Milwaukee Public Library. Designed to promote installed an archive of publications on the ZSM Web site dating to 1951. The ZSM created historical displays for events throughout the year. poetry and nature, the new artwork at the Zoo was part of a nationwide effort by Poets House, a national literary center in New York City, with a The ZSM’s total Zoo support in 2009-2010 was more than grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. $5.9 million. The support came from several areas, including: • Membership: The ZSM brought in more than $4.67 million in A family views a poem and art for the poetry-at-the-Zoo project. Zoo Pass memberships from 14,601 new Zoo Pass members and 37,899 renewing members. • Platypus Society: Members of the ZSM’s premier annual-giving group donated $761,082 to help the Zoo. • Sponsors: The ZSM acquires sponsors for most of the Zoo’s major events and attractions, and ZSM 2009–’10 direct cash sponsorship support to the Zoo was $260,000. • Fund-raisers run by the ZSM Associate Board: The 27th annual Zoo Ball, sponsored by American Airlines, raised more than $435,065. The 21st annual MillerCoors Birdies and Eagles Golf Tournament raised $107,247. All other fund-raising events run by the Associate Board — ranging from a Zoo campout to a family bike ride — raised $169,305. 34 Milwaukee County Zoo Richard Brodzeller photo • The ZSM’s animal sponsorship program raised $170,557 in the The Zoological Society’s Education last fiscal year to support the Zoo’s animals. Especially popular was the Programs at the Zoo sponsorship of Happy the hippo. By offering extensive education programs nearly year-round, the • Volunteers: The Zoological Society’s volunteer auxiliary helps with Zoo ZSM helps the Zoo qualify for national accreditation by the Association of and ZSM events and programs and provides Zoo guides. Of 560 Zoo Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). In 2010, the ZSM’s Conservation Education Pride volunteers, 418 active members donated 42,437 hours last year. Department was awarded a $1,000,000 grant from Kohl’s Cares to establish • Annual Appeal: The ZSM’s Kohl’s Wild Theater, a professional theater company producing original annual appeal raised $219,923 to plays with conservation messages. A theater coordinator was hired in support and renovate the Zoo’s September to begin building the company and its repertoire. seal and polar bear habitats. Ongoing Zoological Society education programs included: • Additional cash support: ZSM Summer Camps, which are the third largest zoo- or aquarium- The ZSM provided $95,966 run camp program in the nation, drew 12,183 participants: 9,169 children to Zoo projects and $528,800 and 3,014 parents in 529 camp sessions. Children who normally couldn’t additional cash support afford to go to summer camps attended, thanks to renewed support from ® to the Zoo. U.S. Cellular , an anonymous donor, the Evinrude Foundation, the Peters Foundation and the Milwaukee Urban League’s Safe Alternatives for Youth Among the areas that the fund. The ZSM served 390 children from seven neighborhood and

ZSM supported were: photo Brodzeller Richard community centers. Our summer college intern program provided 20 • Conservation: The Zoological students (including three teaching interns) hands-on job training, thanks, in Society provided $24,358 to part, to generous support from the Alice Kadish Foundation, the Antonia help support, with the Zoo, Foundation and the Jerome and Dorothy Holz Family Foundation. several conservation projects in ZSM September-May programs served 13,675 people in 2009-2010, many involving Zoo individual child or parent-child classes. In addition, 25,066 schoolchildren staff. This was in addition to Debbie Aarestad of Pewaukee lights the candles also learned about animals and science through ZSM-run programs at the ZSM’s own international on a five-layer cake at the Zoological Society of the Zoo or presented at schools. An additional 97,165 schoolchildren Milwaukee’s Centennial Celebration Kickoff. bonobo-conservation project. The used the Zoo as a science laboratory on field trips and had ZSM curriculum ZSM’s conservation coordinator, available to them during self-directed tours. Programs for schoolchildren Dr. Gay Edwards Reinartz, were funded in part by gifts from the Ladish Company Foundation; U.S. continued to serve as coordinator of the Association of Zoos Cellular®; U.S. Bank; A.O. Smith Foundation, Inc.; Brady Corporation; and Aquariums Bonobo Species Survival Plan while also coordinating Posner Foundation; Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation; Orth ZSM efforts in Africa to save bonobos. Charitable Lead Trust; and Badger Meter Foundation. The ZSM’s Animal • Exhibits and buildings: The ZSM gave $543,455 in direct cash Ambassador program has brought the world of animals and conservation support to Zoo exhibits, including $50,000 for the 2010 summer touring to schools in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, thanks to exhibit: Adventure Dinosaur!, sponsored by Lowe’s, and initial funds corporate, foundation or civic-group sponsors. The program reached 595 for the Munchkin Dairy Farm, presented by the Northwestern Mutual second-grade students and 635 third-grade students at 12 schools; 1,140 Foundation. Also included were ZSM payments for maintenance fourth graders at 19 schools; and an additional 319 students in 5 schools contracts on various Zoo buildings and some equipment ($136,537). who experienced a modified program. • Veterinary help: The ZSM paid $36,804 for two veterinary residents In total, our conservation-education programs served 173,287 people in from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and $53,055 for a pathology fiscal year 2009-10. The ZSM reached thousands more with conservation fellowship and pathology services, aiding the Zoo’s veterinary staff. messages through publications, Web sites, signage, e-mail news and more.

Milwaukee County Zoo 35 Zoological Society of Milwaukee County (ZSM) -- Year ending September 30, 2010 Financial Summary

SUPPORT & REVENUE COST OF SUPPORT AND REVENUE (Support Services) MEMBERSHIP DUES from all Zoological Society MEMBERSHIP DUES and Platypus Society members...... $5,469,308 Expense of providing benefits to all Zoological Society and Platypus Society members...... $1,226,153 CONTRIBUTIONS toward capital projects and specific programs...... $867,050 SPECIAL EVENTS/PROGRAMS Expense of providing and promoting ZSM SPECIAL EVENTS PROGRAMS/SPONSORSHIPS special events/programs...... $456,110 including animal sponsorship, Zoo Ball, education, ZSM and Zoo special events and sponsorships ...... $2,037,447 TOTAL COST OF SUPPORT & REVENUE (Support Services)...... $1,682,263 INTEREST INCOME...... $49,156

GRANTS...... $551,892 EXPENSES TOTAL SUPPORT & REVENUE...... $8,974,853 DIRECT PROJECT COSTS Expenses relative to capital projects and specific programs...... $348,693

RECEIPTS ZOO SUPPORT Membership Dues: 61% Expense of providing, promoting and supporting education, graphics, conservation Special Events/Programs: 23% programs, special exhibit projects, and ZSM and Zoo special events; payments to the Contributions: 10% Zoo for all ZSM events; parking for Zoo Pass Plus; and coupons...... $5,997,399 Grants: 6% RESEARCH/CONSERVATION EXPENSES Expenses relating to state, national and international Zoo Support, Capital & programs supporting species preservation...... $605,227 Direct Project Costs: 71% Support Services: 18% GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE Research/Conservation: 7% Expenses relating to daily ZSM operations...... $366,765 General & Administrative: 4% TOTAL EXPENSES...... $7,318,084

TOTAL COST OF SUPPORT, REVENUE AND EXPENSES...... $9,000,347 ZSM Cash-Flow Summary 2009-2010 Cash at start of the year...... $886,334 Cash at end of the year...... $1,162,465 Net increase in cash...... $276,131

36 Milwaukee County Zoo Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker...... (Through 12.20.10) Milwaukee County Board Chairman Lee Holloway...... 5th District Vice Chair Michael Mayo, Sr...... 7th District Board of Supervisors Mark A. Borkowski...... 11th District Gerry Broderick...... 3rd District Paul Cesarz...... 9th District Elizabeth Coggs...... 10th District Lynne De Bruin...... 15th District Marina Dimitrijevic...... 4th District Nikiya Q. Harris...... 2nd District Willie Johnson, Jr...... 13th District Patricia Jursik...... 8th District Christopher Larson...... 14th District Theodore Lipscomb...... 1st District Joseph A. Rice...... 6th District Joe Sanfelippo...... 17th District Jim Schmitt...... 19th District Johnny Thomas...... 18th District John F. Weishan, Jr...... 16th District Peggy West...... 12th District

The Milwaukee County Zoo offers equal opportunities for employees and visitors alike.

Editor: Jennifer Diliberti-Shea Designer: Isaiah Chentnik Photographer: Michael Nepper Ribbon snake (endangered in Wisconsin). snake (endangered Ribbon

Milwaukee County Zoo 37 10001 W. Bluemound Rd., Milwaukee, WI 53226 414.771.3040 • www.milwaukeezoo.org

World Association of Conservation Breeding Zoological Information Zoos and Aquariums Specialist Group Management System