DOCSLIB.ORG

At Riverbanks Is Doing to Protect African Lions Robert G

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
At Riverbanks Is Doing to Protect African Lions Robert G riverbanks September-October 2007 1 Inside scoop The Observation Deck 3 In The Know 20 Riverbanks 4-1-1 26 Volume XXVI, Number 5 Riverbanks is published six times a year for members of Riverbanks Society by Riverbanks Zoological Park and Botanical Garden, Essentials Columbia, South Carolina. Plan Your Visit 6 Shoots and Blooms 10 Riverbanks Park Commission James E. Smith, Chairman Riverbanks Adventures and Class Calendar 14 Lloyd Liles Junior Zookeepers 23 Jan Stamps Bud Tibshrany Tracey Waring Robert P. Wilkins Features South Carolina’s Pride 4 Riverbanks Society Board of Directors Jeremy G. Wilson, President Learn what Riverbanks is doing to protect African lions Robert G. Davidson, Vice-President Fins or Scales? Trick or Treat 8 Mary Howard, Secretary Barbara K. Ryan, Treasurer Visit the Aquarium Reptile Complex to see some real creepy crawlies H. Perry Shuping, Immediate Past President Riverbanks ZOOfari Mike Brenan William H. Davidson II Discover treasures from around the world at the wildest fundraiser in town Thomas N. Fortson A Face Only a Zookeeper Could Love 18 Steve Graves Greg Lapointe Find out why it’s so important to breed, study and rehabilitate vultures Jonathan H. Nason Beyond Hollies 22 C.C. Rone, Jr. Find out why it’s so important to breed, study and rehabilitate vultures James S. Welch Dr. Anny Zalesne Botanical Garden Bulb Sale 28 Don F. Barton, Director Emeritus Brighten up your garden with these botanical beauties Riverbanks Senior Staff Satch Krantz Executive Director Kim M. Benson Director of Human Resources George R. Davis Director of Finance Ed Diebold Director of Animal Collections & Conservation Kevin Eubanks Director of Guest Services Eric Helms Director of Risk Management & Facilities 4 18 Melodie Scott-Leach Director of Horticulture Riverbanks Magazine Staff Riverbanks Hours of Operation Tommy Stringfellow Dixie Kaye Allan Open daily except Thanksgiving day & Christmas day Director of Marketing Executive Editor/Art Director 9am – 5pm Daily Keith Benson, DVM Monique Jacobs 9am – 6pm Weekends during Daylight Savings Senior Veterinarian Editor Andy Cabe Dargan Davis Curator of Horticulture Contributing Writer John Davis Ashley Walker Subscriptions to Riverbanks are $24 per year. Curator of Mammals Graphic Artist Members of Riverbanks Society are entitled to Scott Pfaff Larry Cameron one free subscription along with free admission Curator of Herpetology Photographer and guest passes, discounts at Zoo & Garden gift Martin Vince shops, invitations to special events and much more. Curator of Birds Front cover: African Lion To subscribe to Riverbanks or to join the Society, Photograph by Larry Cameron visit www.riverbanks.org or call 803.779.8717 x1111. Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and a member of the American Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta. The observation deck s a governmental No matter how good the Zoo and Garden, an aggressive agency, Riverbanks PR and marketing program is vital to maximizing attendance. operates on a Riverbanks has devoted considerable financial and human fiscal year which resources over the past 25 years in order to insure that our story ends on June 30. is told to the widest possible audience. AI am pleased to announce that A strong annual attendance is not just about bragging we ended the 2006-2007 fiscal rights. For Riverbanks, it is vital to our financial wellbeing. The year with just under 900,000 majority of the Zoo and Garden’s $8.7 million annual operating visitors, the fourth highest budget is funded through visitor-related income such as admis- attended year in Zoo and Garden sion fees and the sale of food and gifts. An additional $1 million history. I recently wrote a letter in operating support is provided by members of Riverbanks to the members of Richland Society. The remainder of Riverbanks’ operating budget, about and Lexington County Councils, $2.5 million, is provided by Lexington and Richland County Columbia City Council and com- Councils. The Riverbanks Park Commission joins me in thanking munity leaders pointing out the significance of this incredible the members of both councils for their continued support of our milestone. Some of the highlights of the letter follow: operating budget. By combining earned revenue with private What eats 3 tons of hot dogs, consumes 191,000 gallons and public support, Riverbanks stands as testament to the fact of soft drinks and uses 650 miles of toilet paper, all in a that a true public/private partnership can be attained. single year? The nearly 900,000 thousand people who visited And there is always the matter of economic impact. Nonprofit Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in the past 12 months. cultural institutions are constantly challenged to justify public Columbia is home to one of South Carolina’s biggest tourist support based upon economic impact. Over the years I have attractions (maybe the biggest) and one of North America’s tried to avoid the economic impact debate because I feel that best zoological park –Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. As evidence, there is no one model that produces consistent or credible look no further than the fact that since opening in 1974 results for differing organizations. Instead, I sometimes answer Riverbanks has attracted over 21 million visitors. this question with the following fact: This year, Riverbanks Zoo You might find it helpful to think of our attendance in terms and Garden will have almost as many visitors as EdVenture, the of University of South Carolina home football games. Each year, Columbia Museum of Art and the South Carolina State Museum more people visit Riverbanks than 10 sell-outs at Williams-Brice combined and doubled. Stadium. Or, you may wish to consider that Riverbanks has After more than 30 years at Riverbanks, I find these facts and averaged just under 3,000 visitors every day for the past 12 statistics almost impossible to comprehend. And I feel certain months. And these are not just Columbia-area residents. Last that none of this would be possible without the steadfast, year alone, Riverbanks attracted over 120,000 out-of-state and ongoing support of our Riverbanks Society members (cur- international visitors. rently 33,000 households strong). Thanks to you, our Society How do we do this year after year? We provide our guests is one of the top zoo support organizations in the Southeast. with a high-quality educational and recreational experience I look forward to creating more milestones with your support. and strategically combine that effort with a professional marketing and public relations program. We believe that Riverbanks stands as testament to the fact that residents of the Midlands support quality. They are proud of their zoo and they support it by visiting in record numbers. Mission statement It is our mission to foster appreciation and concern for all living things. We are dedicated to providing: u the highest standards of care for our animal and plant collections. u a diverse educational and high-quality recreational experience for all Riverbanks visitors. u all the resources at our disposal for the conservation of the earth’s flora and fauna. 3 south carolina’s pride Riverbanks Zoo & Garden is home to three African lions. Currently, there are only 115 pedigreed African lions in 39 North American zoos. By – Sue Pfaff, Assistant Mammal Curator When most of us dream about the perfect zoo, we often The results are sobering: lion populations are diminishing envision the most charismatic mammals, like “lions, tigers, quickly. As well-liked as these big cats are, it is difficult to and bears, oh my!” Riverbanks is proud to host many animal imagine that the need for conservation efforts in support of species that range from tiny pygmy sunfish all the way up to wild lions is necessary. 8,000-pound African elephants. When the Zoo first opened The International Cat Specialist Group responded promptly in 1974, some of the most requested animals were the big to this need, however, by developing a plan for saving wild cats—lions and tigers. To this day, the pride of African lions at African lions. A critical element of the plan was to protect Riverbanks continues to maintain its popularity. vast areas of wild land. The urgency for immediate actions suddenly fell into the hands of zoos as well. That’s where The Setting Riverbanks stepped up to the plate. Before we get into the really “fun stuff” that’s happen- To begin this process, a cooperative breeding program was ing right now with our three African lions, perhaps a bit of established for African lions. It was designed to establish hus- background information might be helpful to put things into bandry guidelines and coordinate breeding activities through perspective. Over the years, Riverbanks has hosted 19 African genetic analysis using an intricate database. Only African lions. They flourished under our care, and one pair success- lions with known origins, traceable to a specific location in fully bred and reared three cubs. The cubs were transferred Africa, are included in the proposed captive breeding popula- to other zoological destinations (accredited by the Associa- tion. Many zoos participate in these management programs tion of Zoos and Aquariums) to contribute their valuable to ensure genetic variation and population stability. Follow- genetic material to the North American captive population. ing considerable research through these programs, it was However, in the early 1990s it became apparent that captive soon discovered that full-blooded African lions were far and lions needed to be managed more intensely. Although wild few between. Currently, there are only 115 pedigreed African lions were plentiful within Africa’s National Park boundaries, lions in 39 North American zoos. biologists discovered obvious warning signs that lion popula- In the early 1990s, Riverbanks decided to quit “lion” around tions in Kenya, Zambia, Tanzania, Botswana and South Africa and pounced into action by importing lion cubs from Africa.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Red Wolf Brochure
    U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Endangered Red Wolves The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reintroducing red wolves to prevent extinction of the species and to restore the ecosystems in which red wolves once occurred, as mandated by the Endangered Species Act of 1973. According to the Act, endangered and threatened species are of aesthetic, ecological, educational, historical, recreational, and scientific value to the nation and its people. On the Edge of Extinction The red wolf historically roamed as a top predator throughout the southeastern U.S. but today is one of the most endangered animals in the world. Aggressive predator control programs and clearing of forested habitat combined to cause impacts that brought the red wolf to the brink of extinction. By 1970, the entire population of red wolves was believed to be fewer than 100 animals confined to a small area of coastal Texas and Louisiana. In 1980, the red wolf was officially declared extinct in the wild, while only a small number of red wolves remained in captivity. During the 1970’s, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service established criteria which helped distinguish the red wolf species from other canids. From 1974 to 1980, the Service applied these criteria to find that only 17 red wolves were still living. Based on additional Greg Koch breeding studies, only 14 of these wolves were selected as founders to begin the red wolf captive breeding population. The captive breeding program is coordinated for the Service by the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington, with goals of conserving red wolf genetic diversity and providing red wolves for restoration to the wild.
    [Show full text]
  • 2020 ANNUAL REPORT a Shared Commitment to Conservation TABLE of CONTENTS
    2020 ANNUAL REPORT A Shared Commitment to Conservation TABLE OF CONTENTS SAFE Snapshot 1 A Shared Commitment to Conservation 2 Measures of Success 3 Species Programs 4 Global Reach 6 Engaging People 9 Raising Awareness 16 Financial Support 17 A Letter from Dan Ashe 20 “ AZA-accredited facilities have a long history of contributing to conservation and doing the hard work needed to help save species. There is no question a global pandemic is making every aspect of conservation—from habitat restoration to species reintroduction—more difficult. AZA and its members remain committed to advancing SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction and the nearly 30 programs through which we continue to focus resources and expertise on species conservation.” Bert Castro President and CEO Arizona Center for Nature Conservation/Phoenix Zoo 1 SAFE SNAPSHOT 28 $231.5 MILLION SAFE SPECIES PROGRAMS SPENT ON FIELD published CONSERVATION 20 program plans 181 CONTINENTS AND COASTAL WATERS AZA Accredited and certified related members saving 54% animals from extinction in and near 14% 156 Partnering with Americas in Asia SAFE species programs (including Pacific and Atlantic oceans) 26 Supporting SAFE 32% financially and strategically in Africa AZA Conservation Partner 7 members engage in SAFE 72% of U.S. respondents are very or somewhat 2-FOLD INCREASE concerned about the increasing number of IN MEMBER ENGAGEMENT endangered species, a six point increase in the species’ conservation since 2018, according to AZA surveys after a program is initiated 2 A Shared Commitment to Conservation The emergence of COVID-19 in 2020 changed everything, including leading to the development of a research agenda that puts people at wildlife conservation.
    [Show full text]
  • Article Talks About a CHARLES M
    Magazine of the NC Zoo So ciety www.n czoo.com Dear Friends of the Zoo Summer 2 01 4 Issue No.77 SOCIETY BOARD MONTY WHITE, JR. Chair his issue of the Alive magazine flew the youngsters here during the Raleigh explores some of the major high - height of some of the winter’s worst EARL JOHNSON, JR. lights of the Zoo’s history, begin - weather. The Lighthawk pilots regularly Vice-Chair ning with its birth and progressing up to volunteer their time, their skills and their Raleigh Tthe present. This theme coincides with planes to fly wildlife and companion BILL CURRENS, JR. the extended 40th anniversary party that animals to safety. We are deeply indebted Treasurer the Zoo is holding this year. This cele - to these brave people for helping our Charlotte bration began in March, with the open - kittens and for all the good works these THERENCE O. PICKETT pilots accomplish for animals. Secretary ing of Bugs: An Epic Adventure, and the Greensboro reopening of kidzone, and will conclude The pages of this issue also list some NICOLE A. CRAWFORD with the reopening of the Polar Bear early details of our 2015 travel program Greensboro exhibit this fall. KEITH CRISCO Along with updating Asheboro our readers on the MICHAEL J. FISHER progress that the Zoo Winston-Salem has made toward reno - MINOR T. HINSON vating and expanding Charlotte this Polar Bear exhibit, JIM KLINGLER this issue of Alive also Raleigh provides an update on MARJORIE M. RANKIN Patches, the Zoo’s Asheboro newest Polar Bear. She SCOTT E.
    [Show full text]
  • Summary of Riverbanks Conservation Support Fund Activity for Fiscal Year 2015-2016 (I.E., Total of the 1 December 2015 and 1 June 2016 Funding Cycles)
    DATE: 30 August 2016 TO: SAS, Directors FROM: Ed Diebold SUBJECT: Summary of Riverbanks Conservation Support Fund activity for Fiscal year 2015-2016 (i.e., total of the 1 December 2015 and 1 June 2016 funding cycles) In 1996, the Riverbanks Zoological Society Board of Directors appproved the establishment of the Riverbanks Conservation Support Fund (CSF) with the objective of providing assistance to carefully selected conservation initiatives originating both from within and outside of Riverbanks. This is the twenty-first year of existence for the CSF. This year the availability of funding was announced on the Riverbanks Web Site. Twice annual grant submission deadlines were as follows: 1 December 2015 and 1 June 2016. Grant awards, including Field Conservation Associates grants arre summarized below: 1 December 2015 Deadline 1) $5000 to Barry T. Hartup, DVM, MS, PhD of tthe International Crane Foundation (ICF) and Nyambayar Batbayar, PhD of the Wildlife Science and Conservation Center, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia for their projeect titled, “Non-invasive Biomonitoring of Heavy Metals and Persistent Organic Pollutants in the Endangered White-naped Crane in Mongoliaa.” The project aims to implement a pilot biomonitoring project for heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) using non-invasive feather/eggshell collection from White-naped Cranes. Specific conservatiion/management objectives of this project are to: Determine if concentrations of heavy metals are greater in adult crane feathers than young birds. Determine if concentrations of metals in feathers vary among birds geographically within the large study site. Determine if eggshells of White-naped Cranes contain concentrations of heavy metals and POPs considered elevated based oon comparative studies.
    [Show full text]
  • North American Zoos with Mustelid Exhibits
    North American Zoos with Mustelid Exhibits List created by © birdsandbats on www.zoochat.com. Last Updated: 19/08/2019 African Clawless Otter (2 holders) Metro Richmond Zoo San Diego Zoo American Badger (34 holders) Alameda Park Zoo Amarillo Zoo America's Teaching Zoo Bear Den Zoo Big Bear Alpine Zoo Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park British Columbia Wildlife Park California Living Museum DeYoung Family Zoo GarLyn Zoo Great Vancouver Zoo Henry Vilas Zoo High Desert Museum Hutchinson Zoo 1 Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens Northeastern Wisconsin Zoo & Adventure Park MacKensie Center Maryland Zoo in Baltimore Milwaukee County Zoo Niabi Zoo Northwest Trek Wildlife Park Pocatello Zoo Safari Niagara Saskatoon Forestry Farm and Zoo Shalom Wildlife Zoo Space Farms Zoo & Museum Special Memories Zoo The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens Timbavati Wildlife Park Turtle Bay Exploration Park Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium Zollman Zoo American Marten (3 holders) Ecomuseum Zoo Salomonier Nature Park (atrata) ZooAmerica (2.1) 2 American Mink (10 holders) Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary Bear Den Zoo Georgia Sea Turtle Center Parc Safari San Antonio Zoo Sanders County Wildlife Conservation Center Shalom Wildlife Zoo Wild Wonders Wildlife Park Zoo in Forest Park and Education Center Zoo Montana Asian Small-clawed Otter (38 holders) Audubon Zoo Bright's Zoo Bronx Zoo Brookfield Zoo Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Dallas Zoo Denver Zoo Disney's Animal Kingdom Greensboro Science Center Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens 3 Kansas City Zoo Houston Zoo Indianapolis
    [Show full text]
  • State City Zoo Or Aquarium Reciprocity Contact Name Phone
    Updated February 6th, 2020 State City Zoo or Aquarium Reciprocity Contact Name Phone # CANADA Calgary -Alberta Calgary Zoo 50% Stephenie Motyka 403-232-9312 Granby - Quebec Granby Zoo 50% Mireille Forand 450-372-9113 x2103 Toronto Toronto Zoo 50% Membership Dept. 416-392-9101 If the zoo or aquarium to which you Winnipeg - Manitoba Assiniboine Park Zoo 50% Leah McDonald 204-927-6062 belong has 50% in the Reciprocity MEXICO León Parque Zoológico de León 50% David Rocha 52-477-210-2335 column, you can expect to receive a Alabama Birmingham Birmingham Zoo 50% Patty Pendleton 205-879-0409 x232 50% discount on admission at all the zoos and aquariums on this list Alaska Seward Alaska SeaLife Center 50% Shannon Wolf 907-224-6355 (except, of course, those that are Arizona Phoenix Phoenix Zoo 50% Membership Dept. 602-914-4393 FREE TO THE PUBLIC ). Tempe SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium 50% Membership Dept. 877-526-3960 ALWAYS CALL AHEAD* Tucson Reid Park Zoo 50% Membership Dept. 520-881-4753 If the zoo or aquarium to which you Arkansas Little Rock Little Rock Zoo 50% Kelli Enz 501-371-4589 belong has 100% and 50% in the Reciprocity column, you can expect California Atascadero Charles Paddock Zoo 100% & 50% Becky Maxwell 805-461-5080 x2105 to receive free admission to the Eureka Sequoia Park Zoo 100% & 50% Kathleen Juliano 707-441-4263 zoos and aquariums that also have Fresno Fresno Chaffee Zoo 50% Membership Office 559-498-5921 100% and 50% in the Reciprocity column and those that are FREE TO Los Angeles Los Angeles Zoo 50% Membership Dept.
    [Show full text]
  • Wildcare Institute
    WildCare Institute Saint Louis Zoo Many Centers, One Goal. The WildCare Institute is dedicated to creating a sustainable future for wildlife and for people around the world. WildCare Institute A Remarkable Journey From an Urban Park, Down the Stream, Around the World ...................... 6 The Story Behind the Saint Louis Zoo’s WildCare Institute ........................................................ 8 Some of the Institute’s Top Achievements ................................................................................ 11 Center for American Burying Beetle Conservation ..................................................................... 16 Center for Avian Health in the Galápagos Islands ...................................................................... 18 Center for Cheetah Conservation in Africa ................................................................................. 20 Center for Conservation in Forest Park ...................................................................................... 22 Ron Goellner Center for Hellbender Conservation ..................................................................... 24 Center for Conservation in the Horn of Africa ............................................................................ 26 Center for Conservation of the Horned Guan (Pavon) in Mexico ................................................. 28 Center for Conservation of the Humboldt Penguin in Punta San Juan, Peru ................................ 30 Center for Conservation in Madagascar ...................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Summer 2008 Issue No.53 SOCIETY BOARD of DIRECTORS DAVID K
    THE ISSUE... Summer 2008 Issue No.53 SOCIETY BOARD OF DIRECTORS DAVID K. ROBB The Value of Values Chair Charlotte his issue of Alive wraps its stories million or more species cooperate to pro- MARY F. FLANAGAN around the grand, as well as the vide the raw materials that life needs to Vice Chair humble. The stories swing from live. Biologists know that plants free oxy- Chapel Hill TT R. SEAN TRAUSCHKE the peak of animal majesty—African gen for animals to breathe, that fungi fix Treasurer Elephants and Southern White Rhinos— nitrogen for trees to absorb, that bacteria Charlotte to the meekest of creatures—frogs and feed mammals by digesting cellulose and HUGH “CRAE” MORTON III that trees make rain by transpiring water Secretary dragonfly larvae. Linville While the gaps among these beasts through their leaves. Biologists under- ALBERT L. BUTLER III seem large, their differences amount to stand that biodiversity—the full comple- Winston-Salem mere pinpricks in the tapestry of life that ment of life on Earth—matters because EMERSON F. GOWER, JR. Florence, SC inhabits Earth. Quite possibly, our planet biodiversity drives survival. LYNNE YATES GRAHAM harbors 30 million or more different kinds When we plan for our future and the Advance of animals, plants, fungi, bacteria and future of our children, biologists want us EARL JOHNSON, JR. other life forms. And, scientists would to fold biodiversity into the mix of what Raleigh we value. Partly, they want us to value ADDIE LUTHER have us value each of these species—all Asheboro 30 or 50 or 100 million—whatever the biodiversity because our lives depend on MARK K.
    [Show full text]
  • Additional Member Benefits Reciprocity
    Additional Member Benefits Columbus Member Advantage Offer Ends: December 31, 2016 unless otherwise noted As a Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Member, you can now enjoy you can now enjoy Buy One, Get One Free admission to select Columbus museums and attractions through the Columbus Member Advantage program. No coupon is necessary. Simply show your valid Columbus Zoo Membership card each time you visit! Columbus Member Advantage partners for 2016 include: Columbus Museum of Art COSI Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens (Valid August 1 - October 31, 2016) King Arts Complex Ohio History Center & Ohio Village Wexner Center for the Arts Important Terms & Restrictions: Receive up to two free general admissions of equal or lesser value per visit when purchasing two regular-priced general admission tickets. Tickets must be purchased from the admissions area of the facility you are visiting. Cannot be combined with other discounts or offers. Not valid on prior purchases. No rain checks or refunds. Some restrictions may apply. Offer expires December 31, 2016 unless otherwise noted. Nationwide Insurance As a Zoo member, you can save on your auto insurance with a special member-only discount from Nationwide. Find out how much you can save today by clicking here. Reciprocity Columbus Zoo Members Columbus Zoo members receive discounted admission to the AZA accredited Zoos in the list below. Columbus Zoo members must present their current membership card along with a photo ID for each adult listed on the membership to receive their discount. Each zoo maintains their own discount policies, and the Columbus Zoo strongly recommends calling ahead before visiting a reciprocal zoo.
    [Show full text]
  • North Carolina Zoo Conservation Report
    North Carolina Zoo Conservation and Research International 4 Conservation Conservation is at the Heart of Everything We Do. Regional 30 Conservation © Lo ri Wi lliams Conservation © N at rd 38 Education han Shepa © D r . G ra s ham Reynold 44 Research Animal 50 Welfare Our mission is to protect wildlife and wild places and inspire people to join us in conserving the natural world. The North Carolina Zoo’s staff are dedicated to local and global wildlife conservation, educating future generations, and ensuring the best possible care and wellness for the animals under our care. Green Practices We do these things because we believe the diversity of nature is 56 & Sustainability critical for our collective future.” L. Patricia Simmons Director of North Carolina Zoo International Conservation Since 2013, the North Carolina Zoo and the Wildlife Conservation Society have partnered to conduct Tanzania’s first substantial vulture monitoring program. This important collaboration continues to provide guidance to wildlife managers in terms of the overall status of various vulture species, the impact of poisoning events as well as providing protected areas with near real-time poaching-related intelligence to guide their protection operations.” Aaron Nicholas Program Director, Ruaha-Katavi Landscape, Tanzania, Wildlife Conservation Society Tracking Tanzania’s Vultures Vultures are currently the fastest declining Since 2013, the Zoo has worked across group of birds globally, and several African southern Tanzania in two important vulture vulture species are considered Critically strongholds encompassing over 150,000 km2: Endangered. The primary threat to vultures the Ruaha-Katavi landscape and Nyerere is poisoning - often from livestock carcasses National Park.
    [Show full text]
  • January–February 2008
    riverbanks January–February 2008 1 Inside scoop The Observation Deck 3 In The Know 20 Volume XXVII, Number 1 Riverbanks is published six times a year for members of Riverbanks Society by Riverbanks Essentials Zoological Park and Botanical Garden, Columbia, South Carolina. Plan Your Visit 10 Riverbanks Park Commission Riverbanks Adventures and Class Calendar 13 James E. Smith, Chairman Earl F. Brown. Jr. Junior Zookeepers 24 Lloyd Liles Shoots and Blooms 26 Jan Stamps Bud Tibshrany Tracey Waring Robert P. Wilkins Features Riverbanks Society Board of Directors The Global Amphibian Crisis Is Upon Us 4 Jeremy G. Wilson, President Unearth the facts about one of the world’s most pressing environmental concerns Robert G. Davidson, Vice-President Mary Howard, Secretary Collaborations for Conservation 6 Barbara K. Ryan, Treasurer Learn how partnerships are helping to protect reptiles and amphibians from extinction H. Perry Shuping, Immediate Past President Ella Bouknight Responding to Amphibian Declines 8 Mike Brenan Find out what steps the zoological community is taking to address the amphibian crisis James A. Compton William H. Davidson II Standards–They’re Not Just for Humans Anymore 18 Steve Graves Discover what Riverbanks is doing to meet national standards in elephant care Greg Lapointe Dr. Louis Lynn Who’s Who of the Gentoos 22 Jonathan H. Nason Match personalities with names in this fun-filled penguin update Richard McIntyre C.C. Rone, Jr. What Is AZA Accreditation and Why Is It Important? 28 Christopher H. Scott Find out what it takes to become accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums Dr. Anny Zalesne Don F.
    [Show full text]
  • FORECASTING TOURIST DECISIONS REGARDING ZOO ATTENDANCE USING WEATHER and CLIMATE REFERENCES David Richard Perkins IV a Thesis Su
    FORECASTING TOURIST DECISIONS REGARDING ZOO ATTENDANCE USING WEATHER AND CLIMATE REFERENCES David Richard Perkins IV A thesis submitted to the faculty of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in the Department of Geography Chapel Hill 2012 Approved by: Peter Robinson Conghe Song Pat Long Charles Konrad ©2012 David Richard Perkins IV ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ii ABSTRACT DAVID RICHARD PERKINS IV: Forecasting Tourist Decisions Regarding Zoo Attendance Using Weather and Climate References (Under the direction of Peter Robinson) Tourism climatology studies relationships among people, business, weather, and climate within the tourism industry. This research tests these interfaces in the southeast United States at the North Carolina Zoo and Zoo Atlanta. Historical weather data are paired with zoo attendance. Weather variables include observed variables of temperature, humidity, cloud cover, and wind speed; derived variables of wind chill and heat index; and biometeorological index variables of Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET), Standard Effective Temperature (SET), and Predicted Mean Vote (PMV). Three analyses are used: correlation, multiple regression, and probabilistic. Correlation analysis compares direct relationships between weather variables and attendance. Multiple regression analysis combines standard variables in predictive models. Probabilistic analysis studies seasonal scale climate-attendance relationships. Results indicate weather influences on zoo attendances change by season, social influences, and geography of the zoo. Complex composite weather variables improve attendance predictability as they provide better assessments of how humans sense outdoor environments. iii To Mom & Dad iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The completion of this research has taught me many lessons, some of which I associated with graduate work and others I certainly did not expect but have experienced and learned from nonetheless.
    [Show full text]