EXZOOBERANCE is a bimonthly Memphis Zoological Society publication providing information for friends of the Memphis Zoo. Send comments to MZS, 2000 Prentiss Place, Memphis, TN 38112, or call (901) 333-6500 or log onto memphiszoo.org

VOL. XXVIII, No. 1

Our Mission Connecting people with wildlife MARCH/APRIL 2018

Memphis Zoo, Ya Ya and Le Le are trademarks of the Memphis Zoo.

Memphis Zoological Society Board of Directors as of June 2016

Officers THOMAS C. FARNSWORTH III, Chair RICHARD W. SMITH, Vice Chair DOROTHY KIRSCH, Secretary RUSSELL T. WIGGINTON, JR., Treasurer DIANE SMITH, Past Co-Chair GENE HOLCOMB, Past Co-Chair

Directors LYDIA BORS-KOEFOED CHANCE CARLISLE W. LYNN CARSON SAMANTHA BOGGS DEAN JOSEPH C. DEWANE DELISA EDDINGS MARY LOU GARDNER DAVID HOPKINS HENRY A. HUTTON MARIA LEGGETT JASON MAYKOWSKI SCOTT MCCORMICK JOYCE A. MOLLERUP BRANDON GARROTT MORRISON CAROL W. PRENTISS JERRY SHORE KELLY H. TRUITT MARIO L. WALKER BYRNE WHITEHEAD

Honorary Lifetime Directors DONNA K. FISHER ROGER T. KNOX SCOTT P. LEDBETTER SENATOR JAMES R. SASSER REBECCA WEBB WILSON Growing Up Ex Officio DR. CHUCK BRADY, Zoo President and CEO Winnie! BILL MORRISON, City Council Representative 4 Slow Credits KAREN MCDEVITT and Steady Editor-in-Chief Creature 13 LAURA DOTY FALLS Feature Managing Editor/Writer 6 Q&A with MANGAN HOLCOMB PARTNERS Art Director Matt Thompson

BRITNEY BOSWELL MOORE 14 Contributing Artist Special Events JENNIFER COLEMAN 8 Kid’s Copy Editor Page TOOF AMERICAN DIGITAL PRINTING Printer Edzoocation 16

ZOO ADMISSION HOURS Feature March – October 15 • 9 a.m. – 5p.m. 10 October 16 – February • 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Grounds close one hour after last admission Zoo closed: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Don’t forget, membership cards are The Memphis Zoo is accredited by the now printed at the Zoo Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is a member when you arrive. These Wanna talk? Give us a buzz. of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. will no longer be mailed. Membership © 2017 Memphis Zoo [email protected] Goes Green! Photo courtesy of Darla Todd 2 MEMPHISZOO.ORG EXZOOBERANCE 3 Winnie’s st birthday 1 celebration

March 23-25 10 am-2 pm GROWING UP WINNIE! Stories from her keepers

Nothing in the world could have prepared “me for the absolute happiness that I would feel when I saw Winnie for the first time. I have a habit of being in airports when huge events are happening, and this time I was flying to my brother’s wedding. I got the first picture right before I boarded the plane. I, of course, started crying tears of joy at the cute little bundle. Passengers around me probably assumed I was sad to leave loved n March 23rd, 2017 at 6:15 in the morning, our little peanut Winnie ones in Memphis as I boarded the plane, was born. To say we were excited is an understatement. It was love little did they know that in a few months Oat first sight for the entire Zambezi team. Winnie has proven to be a they would have another great reason to natural at all things hippo. Binti has also proven to be an amazing mother and be proud of their city! Knowing that I had has been very loving, playful and protective of her first daughter. Over the past our little peanut to come home to after the 10 months, Winnie has stayed very close to Binti’s side. Although Winnie is wedding was the best present ever, and I curious about new things, she can be shy and cautious like her Dad, Uzazi. still to this day am glad to see her everyday I That’s why each new milestone she makes as we work with her is so exciting. come to work. – Jamie McTyre ” – Rebecca Koller

4 MEMPHISZOO.ORG I have been a keeper at the Memphis My favorite aspect of the job is being able In the beginning, she would only come all “Zoo nearly six years and I have hands-on “to build relationships with all of the animals “the way up to keeper staff if we pretended baby experience, but this is my first large under our care. I have been able to work we were not looking at her. So, after months mammal birth. It has been a life-changing with the hippos my entire time here, and of patience and gentle encouragement, experience watching Winnie grow and it it has been a joy to see the personalities of the first day she decided to walk up to her continues to make me a better keeper. I our hippos and how the dynamic between stall door and touch my hand with her nose GROWING UP WINNIE! remember the first day she went on exhibit them has changed over the years. One of while I was looking and talking to her was Stories from her keepers with Binti, swimming amongst the tilapia my fondest memories of working with the super exciting. As she gets older, we have fish and bobbing up in front of the viewing hippos was when our adult hippos, Splish continued to build on that relationship of glass in underwater viewing. and Uzazi saw Winnie for the first time, trust, just like we have with the adult hippos. – Sierra” Tranum shortly after she was born. Splish and Uzazi The journey we’ve had so far taking care were aware that something was different but of Winnie has been truly an unforgettable had not been able to see the new addition. one. And I cannot wait to see what new After a couple weeks, Splish and Uzazi were favorite memories she has in store for us in shifting onto exhibit, but took a detour to the the future. front of Binti and Winnie’s room. Binti and ” – Jamie McTyre Winnie were standing at the door to their room, when Splish and Uzazi individually got to see and check out Winnie for the first time. All hippos just stood at the door for several minutes. Winnie kept inching forward towards the door, but still at a distance trying to smell the other hippos. Splish and Uzazi rested their noses against the door and I have been a zookeeper at the Memphis Zoo continued to stare at her trying to figure out “for many years and had the opportunity to what they were looking at. This was the first work with Julie and Splish at the old Hippo time either hippo had seen a baby before. It was a precious moment seeing all of them building. There I learned just how fun and It has been a great experience to get to interacting for the first time and how gentle intelligent hippos can be, and now having “work with a baby hippo such as Winnie! and cautious they were in the beginning. the chance to work with them again and My most memorable moment was when Over the last 10 months, the relationships be a part of the new Zambezi River Hippo she was about six months old and was between Winnie and the other adults has Camp and see them in such an extraordinary attempting to crush melons on her own. One continued to grow. We can now see them exhibit has been a real milestone in my night while feeding Binti and Winnie their touching noses, licking each other, spending career. I have to say the biggest joy has been produce I noticed one of the cantaloupes time and playing with one another through meeting ‘Winnie’, and watching her grow was especially small. I tossed Binti a normal the door on a regular basis. and learn how to be a hippo. [From] her sized one and gave Winnie the small one. nightly swims in the pool, [to] porpoising – ”Kristin Vinisky After playing with it for a few minutes, she and interacting with her mother, Binti, finally gave it enough power and bit down [everything] makes you smile. She has on the melon. She had crushed her first blossomed into herself. melon and she was so excited! She flipped ” – Tammy Hill her head back so the melon juice would go down her throat and then drug the rest of the melon around her stall! ”– MJ Foletta

EXZOOBERANCE 5 CREATURE FEATURE

TWO SPECIES OF RUFFED LEMURS NOW CALL MEMPHIS ZOO HOME by LAURA DOTY FALLS, Communications Manager

hat’s black, white and along with everyone. Penelope is chestnut, colored fur that covers red all over? Two different larger and has a longer tail. Carmé most of their body. Their forehead, Wtypes of lemurs! A group is sassy, and has a white stripe on stomach, tail and inside of their of five-year-old triplet red-ruffed and her left foot. Puck has white stripes limbs, however, are black. They also two black and white ruffed lemurs on both feet, while Titan doesn’t have a white patch on the back of have called Memphis Zoo home since have any white stripes. their heads. Red ruffed lemurs are September 2017. Like all lemur species, ruffed the most vocal of all primates – “We’re thrilled to be able to share lemurs are found in the wild on the they have been known to use these amazing animals with the tiny African nation of Madagascar. 12 different vocalizations. Memphis Zoo family,” said Courtney They are prosimians, or a group Black and white ruffed lemurs Janney, Area Curator. “Lemurs of primates that include lemurs also get their name from their have a long and storied history at and lorises. They evolved before coloration. Their fur tends to Memphis Zoo, and we look forward to apes and monkeys. Both species of be longer than that of their continuing it with our new arrivals.” ruffed lemurs are the only primates counterparts. Although they all have The red-ruffed lemur group that keep their young in nests, black and white fur, the markings includes “Carmé,” a female, and her and don’t carry them around while and colorations differ by individuals. two brothers, “Titan” and “Puck.” they travel. The two groups are on exhibit in The white-ruffed lemur group are There are over 100 different Primate Canyon, across from the a pair, one female and one male, species of lemurs and are five Orangutan yard. They share their named “Pepé” and “Penelope.” distinct families of lemurs within exhibit space with the Asian small- According to Lexi Yang, a primate those species. Red-ruffed lemurs clawed otters. keeper, Pepé has a short tail and gets get their name from the rusty, or

6 MEMPHISZOO.ORG EXZOOBERANCE 7

SPECIAL EVENTS SEASONAL EXHIBITS OPEN ROAR AND POUR

SATURDAY, FRIDAY, March 3, 2018 April 20, 2018 Everyone’s favorite seasonal exhibits are returning Join the Memphis Zoo for Jaguar Bluff City Roar this Spring. Be sure to check out the Giraffe Feeding and Pour! This premier culinary and cocktail event Adventure, where you get up-close and personal with features heavy hors d’oeuvres from some of the South’s the Zoo’s tallest residents. It’s $5 per feeding. Don’t best chefs paired with unique adult libations. Purchase forget about our Camel Excursions, near the Outpost tickets online – $125 per person. Tickets are not restaurant, which are $5 per ride. Swing by Stingray Bay, available night of the event. For more information see which allows you to interact with stingrays and sharks for page 7. just $2/Members; $3/Nonmembers.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! also opens, and is PARTY FOR THE PLANET FREE, included with General Admission. SATURDAY, ST April 21, 2018 WINNIE’S 1 BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION INCLUDED WITH GENERAL ADMISSION.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY, March 23-25, 2018 MEMPHIS ZOO MEMORIAL DAY 10 A.M. – 2 P.M. Join us this holiday weekend to participate in these INCLUDED WITH GENERAL ADMISSION. great activities. More details to come! ANIMALS IN ACTION DAY THURSDAY, May 24, 2018

SATURDAY, ZOOM THROUGH THE ZOO

April 7, 2018 FRIDAY, May 25, 2018 Sarah, one of our keepers, explains that Animals in It’s Back! Action means several things at the Memphis Zoo! ZOO BREWP “We focus on animal encounters and shows for the public, animal training demonstrations between the animals SUNDAY, May 28, 2018 and their keepers, and enrichment items for the animals. These experiences encourage physical activity and mental MEMBERS NIGHT stimulation for the animals, which is very important to MONDAY, their well-being. Hope to see everyone enjoy the day as May 29, 2018 much as the animals will!” MEMORIAL DAY – WE’RE OPEN!

8 MEMPHISZOO.ORG

S M T W T F S

onal Exhibits 1 Seas 2 Open 3

’s Believe Ripley It or N ns ot! March Ope 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 SPRING BREAK CAMP 9AM – 3PM Daylight Saving Time Begins St. Patrick’s Day 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

ST First Day WINNIE’S 1 BIRTHDAY of Spring CELEBRATION 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

WINNIE’S 1ST BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION Good Friday 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ANIMALS IN ACTION April DAY 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 PARTY Homeschool FOR THE Day PLANET 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

30 31

EXZOOBERANCE 9 EDZOOCATION SPRING BREAK CAMP 2018 HOMESCHOOL DAY Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Conservation Camp: Going, going, This two-hour program takes our popular zoo classes and adds saved! Each day spring break campers will focus on a a homeschool twist. Meet live animals, participate in hands-on vulnerable or endangered species or an endangered species activities and get a guided tour of exhibits. success story while they explore related Ripley’s Believe It or Not artifacts and participate in fun games, crafts and tours. MONDAY Seeing is believing at Spring Break Camp! April 16th MONDAY-FRIDAY TWO SESSIONS: 9:30-11:30 A.M. OR 1:00-3:00 P.M. March 12-16 $20/members; $23/nonmembers 9:30-11:30 A.M. SESSION 9:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M. COST PER DAY: $40/members; $50/nonmembers GRADES: 1ST-4TH COST PER WEEK: $170/members; $199/nonmembers Squid Anatomy AFTERCARE COST PER DAY: $20/members; GRADES: 5TH-8TH $25/nonmembers AFTERCARE COST PER WEEK: $85/members; Scorpion Anatomy $99/nonmembers 1:00-3:00 P.M. SESSION GRADES: JK-6TH GRADES: 1ST-4TH (To attend, child must be at least 4 years old and potty-trained.) Squid Anatomy Aftercare 3-6:00 P.M.: If 3 p.m. pickup is too early for your GRADES: 1ST-4TH schedule, we offer aftercare each day. A way for your child to Scorpion Anatomy unwind while you finish your work day, aftercare consists of educational videos, exciting activities, and fun games. GRADES: 9TH-12TH Skate Anatomy REGISTER ONLINE AT MEMPHISZOO.ORG/ZOOCAMP REGISTER ONLINE AT OR CALL 901.333.6576 MEMPHISZOO.ORG/HOMESCHOOLPROGRAMS Please note: Cancellations made prior to one week before the first day of camp OR CALL 901.333.6576 will forfeit 50% of the program cost. Cancellations made within one week of the first day of camp will not receive a refund. No-shows will not receive a refund.

10 MEMPHISZOO.ORG EXZOOBERANCE 11 12 MEMPHISZOO.ORG SLOW AND STEADY WINS OUR HEARTS by KAREN McDEVITT, Director of Marketing and Communications t’s been a year of firsts, not only for Memphis Zoo staff, but for the Sloth mothers must teach their young basic behaviors. For a typical youngest member of the Zoo’s Linne’s two-toed sloth family. When a sloth, these behaviors include climbing along branches, foraging for Inew baby arrived to mom “Marilyn” and dad “Sparky,” the decision food and descending to the ground. Because sloths have such a slow had already been made by Memphis Zoo Senior Veterinarian Dr. Felicia digestive system comprised of compartmentalized stomachs, they Knightly, as well as animal care staff, to hand-rear the infant. process food for days and come down from their perches once a week “Ideally, our preference is to have to relieve themselves. In Lua’s case, all our new born animals raised by she could lose up to two pounds after their mothers,” shared Dr. Knightly. such a “break,” only to gain it back – “Only when there is a significant and more – the following week. medical concern do we intervene Lua needed round-the-clock care to either assist or assume maternal during the first months of her life. care completely. In this instance, She was fed every few hours which we needed to be proactive due to meant a member of the staff was Marilyn’s history, so a birth plan with her 24 hours a day. When she was created early in her pregnancy. transitioned to solid foods, the staff Although Marilyn had shown quickly learned that her favorites appropriate maternal instincts and were steamed sweet potatoes, green care in her previous births, her babies beans and carrots. At 10-months of had not survived.” age she was weaned from formula On March 17, 2017, little “Lua” – and remains on a balanced diet of meaning “moon” in Portuguese – solid foods. made her appearance to the delight The learning curve for Dr. Knightly’s of everyone at Memphis Zoo, and she team has been challenging. “When we immediately became the responsibility put together our plan in preparation of the veterinary and animal care for Lua’s birth, there was very little staff. The result has been an adorable information available for a situation sloth infant that has transitioned like ours,” shared Dr. Knightly. remarkably to a successful and “During this process with Lua, our thriving one‑year‑old. team has accumulated a large amount Typically, a mother sloth chews of detailed records. As a result, Lua through the umbilical cord allowing the has provided us with crucial data newborn to climb up onto her chest regarding successful hand-rearing where they cling tightly for about the of this species. These offspring can first six months of their lives. In Lua’s then contribute to the population in a case, Zoo staff cut the cord and began positive way.” evaluating Lua within minutes. This When keepers introduced Lua to timely neo-natal assessment allowed her exhibit area, they found that Lua Dr. Knightly to assess the newborn preferred having her surrogate stuffed sloth’s health status, while establishing elephant with her. Little by little they benchmarks for future examinations. decreased the amount of time the Lua’s feedings began with warm elephant was with her until it was no Pedialyte, and within 12 hours she longer necessary. was introduced to a formula consisting “Lua has taught us so much,” of canned goats’ milk. stated Dr. Knightly. “Through this “We needed to duplicate mom’s care as much as possible,” stated experience, we now have a ‘handbook’ for similar situations. Not Dr. Knightly. “In our situation, we immediately visited the Zoo’s only is Memphis Zoo better prepared, but we’re able to share this Elephant’s Trunk gift shop to find an appropriate substitute for Lua to case with other zoo colleagues. Lua is an amazing ambassador for cling to. We found a soft stuffed animal close to Marilyn’s size which her species.” happened to be a stuffed elephant. Lua immediately clung to it and it Lua currently resides in her habitat in the Animals of the quickly became her surrogate.” Night exhibit.

EXZOOBERANCE 13 With Matt Thompson

In this issue, we’re spotlighting Matt Thompson, Director of Animal Programs.

How long have you been at Tell us about your job. Q Memphis Zoo? Q It’s the greatest. I am Since July of 1995 A responsible for our Zoo’s A incredible collection of animals. I head up a team of animal care professionals (veterinarians, curators and zookeepers) that are some of the best in the field. These are the specialists that make Did you always want to be sure that the animals at Memphis Q a Zookeeper? Zoo receive the best possible care. Being a part of this team is special. Almost! I always wanted to A work with animals and in an animal-related field. I thought about marine biology and veterinary medicine, but I was most intrigued by the zoo field. I still am. Memphis Zoo itself has Q changed a lot in the last 25 years. What are you most proud of?

A I am proud that we’ve We havebeen systematically a progressive rebuilt zoo. a How, in your opinion, has significant part of our campus. zookeeping changed? China, Northwest Passage, Teton Q Trek and Zambezi River Hippo Zookeeping has taken a Camp - these are all exhibits

more professional turn over aimed at immersing our visitors A Matt with “Elok” in 2000, the first into various parts of the world the years. Today’s zookeepers are orangutan born at the Memphis Zoo and celebrating the wildlife found in many years. well educated and much more there. These exhibits make the focused on conservation and animal Memphis Zoo unique. welfare. They are generally good communicators and understand their role in educating and informing our visitors about the important work that they do.

14 MEMPHISZOO.ORG You’ve seen several new Q exhibits come to fruition. What’s your favorite?

It’s hard to pick one. CHINA, What’s your favorite Memphis A Northwest Passage and Zoo memory? Zambezi are all special. Q I have so many good ones! A Probably traveling to China to pick up our pair of giant pandas. That was an exciting time.

Keepers go to extreme lengths to provide exciting enrichment for their animals. Here, Matt works on improving the gorilla yard.

Keeper relationships with their animals are very important. Here, Matt works with “Tombi” the rhino to acclimate her to human touch.

What are your day-to-day Q duties? Lastly, what advice would Q you give to young people Not your average house cat! Here Matt prepares One of the many great wanting to get into the field? “Maya” the jaguar cub for a vet checkup. A things about my job is that it is different everyday. With over Steering your education 4,500 animals under our care, the towards biology, animal staff is very busy. But as A zoology, etc... would be highly What do you think most for day-to-day, I supervise 75+ recommended. A 4 year degree people would be surprised to animal-related care staff. I meet Q in these or a related field has learn about the zoological field? with our veterinarians and curators become standard. Volunteering to discuss what is going on for at a zoo or other animal related It’s hard work. People the day and any problems that facilities is a great idea and can don’t realize the amount have arisen. I then read reports A help you decide if this field is of physical work that the animal from all of our animal areas to a good fit for you. If you are care field involves - particularly hear from the keepers what is interested in research, plan on in zoos. Keeping exhibits looking going on throughout the Zoo. The post graduate work. nice, talking with the public and rest of my day varies, but is some providing excellent animal care combination of emails, meetings makes for a very busy schedule. and walking the zoo.

EXZOOBERANCE 15 Find 12 Differences

True or False? Circle ‘T’ for True, or ‘F’ for False Lemurs are native to Madagascar. T or F 1 Lemurs listen to the top male lemur. T or F Their tails can be longer 5 than their entire body. T or F 2 They have two tongues. T or F They have scent glands in 6 their feet. T or F 3 Lemurs are a type Some species of lemurs 7 of monkeys. T or F

4 have “stink fights.” T or F

Answer Key:

7. F 7. T 6. F 5. T 4. F 3. T 2. T 1.

16 MEMPHISZOO.ORG GET OUT OF THE SUN AND INTO THE SPOTLIGHT!

CAMP SERIES

-2018-

NOW REGISTERING FOR SUMMER THEATRE CAMPS. VISIT ORPHEUM-MEMPHIS.COM/CAMPS FOR DETAILS.

Sponsored in part by: LURA & STEVE TURNER WINSTON WOLFE © Copyright Memphis Zoo 2015 Exzooberance is mailed with a bulk permit and cannot be forwarded. (901) 276-WILD Memphis, TN 38112 2000 Prentiss Place Requested in-home dates April 21-May 1 (901) 276-WILD 2000 Prentiss Place (901) 276-WILD 2000 Prentiss Place Memphis, TN 38112 Requested in-home dates November 10-13 (901) 276-WILD Memphis, TN 38112 2000 Prentiss Place Requested in-home dates August 23-29 Memphis, TN 38112 Requested in-home dates Dec 29-Jan 4

® ® Non-ProfitNon-Profit

OrganizationOrganization® U.S. PostageU.S. Postage Paid Paid Memphis,Memphis, TN TN PermitPermit No. 1124 No. 1124 RequestedRequested in-home in-home dates AprilAugustDecdates 29-Jan21-May AprilFebAugustDec 23-29 26-28 29-Jan21-May 4 123-29 4 1 2000 2000Prentiss Prentiss Place Place

Memphis,Memphis, TN 2018 3811238112 TN 3811238112 (901) 276-WILD(901) 276-WILD Permit No. 1124 Memphis, TN Organization U.S. Postage ExzooberanceExzooberance is mailed is mailed with a withbulk apermit bulk permit and cannot and cannot be forwarded. be forwarded. Non-Profit © Copyright© Copyright Memphis Memphis Zoo 2015 Zoo 20152018 Paid

ISIS IT I TT ITMIMEE T OTO MMEEMMBBEERRSSHHIPIP B BEENNEEFFITITSS RREEZZOOOO??

FoFr oinr fionrfmoramtiaotnio onn o onu oru urp uppepr eler vlevl eml emmebmebrsehrsiphsip, vsi, svitis mit emmepmhpishzioszoo.oor.ogrg