animal chatter Winter 2012/2013

Oh What a Year!

HOLIDAY SHOPPING Guide inside! Everyone can be an animal at the Zoo! Officers and Board Members Lake Area Zoological Society Donna Schoenbeck President Dale Christensen Vice President Steve Hageman Secretary/Treasurer Jeanne Flaherty Board Member Dean Gackstetter Board Member Georgia Fishman Board Member Lorraine Rittmann Board Member Brian DeBoer Board Member Dave Todd Board Member Will Morlock Board Member Mike Vener Board Member Rebecca Hoover Board Member Susan Munger Board Member

Park and Recreation Director Terry Jorgenson

Park and Recreation Board Jean Doyen Heidi Stoick Jim Stoudt Mike Danforth Scott Johnston Dennis Murphy Kim Bellum

Bramble Park Zoo Staff Dan Miller Zoo Director Jim Lloyd General Curator John Gilman Zookeeper LeAnn Stavig Zookeeper Bill Gallagher Zookeeper Michelle Miller Zookeeper zoo hours Joe Jipp Maintenance Winter Hours Kim Konrad Office/Visitor 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Daily Services Manager Jaime Stricker Educator admission fees 2 and under – Free Barb Struwe Roots & Shoots 3-12 years old – $5.00 + tax Coordinator 13 and over – $7.00 + tax Fees are subject to change Accredited by the without notice. Call for pricing during special events. 605-882-6269

2 Director’s Report Dear Members, The holiday season often serves as a reminder to offer thanks to all our friends who, in a multitude of ways, support Bramble Park Zoo and all of its programs. This year will welcome over 63,000 visitors to the zoo, which will be an all time record. The 1,500 Lake Area Zoological Society members and their families helped us achieve this exceptional attendance figure. Thank you for your continued support and interest. Volunteers who gave generously of their time, talents, and resources are sincerely thanked. Bramble Park Zoo is fortunate to have seven capable and willing volunteers who serve as Watertown Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Board members. We are also thankful for 13 Lake Area Zoological Society Board members who provide their continued support. Mayor Gary Williams and the City Council give us support for which we are very grateful. We are blessed with the Watertown Community Foundation, United Way, AWC Family Foundation, Community Foundation, Lake Area Veterinary Clinic, Prairie Lakes Healthcare System, HyVee, County Fair Foods, Midcontinent Communications, KXLG and all the weekly radio sponsors, Power 106, Watertown Radio, Sharp Chevrolet Pontiac Cadillac & Toyota, Sheehan Cycle, Watertown Ford Chrysler, Cowboy Country Stores, Crawford Funeral Chapel, Watertown Flowers, Watertown Monument Works, Redlin Art Center, Watertown Public Opinion, Plains Commerce Bank, Coca-Cola, Reliabank, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Burger King, Chamber of Commerce, CVB, Glacial Lakes and Prairies Tourism, Proud Angler Bait and Tackle Shop, Hurkes Implement, Barkley Truck Lines, Watertown Volunteer Center, Target, Salvation Army, The Wheel Inn, Express Photo, Charley’s, Makepeace Jewelers, Riddle’s Jewelry, Herberger’s, Lunker’s, Minerva’s Restaurant & Bar, JCPenney, 2nd Street Station, House of Wood, Mahowald’s, Sioux Valley Greenhouse, ProBuild, South Dakota Department of Tourism, Stein Sign Display, Cutting Technologies, Tool Time, Duane Hoffman, LATI, SDSU, Upper Big Sioux River Watershed Project and our many event sponsors. Our zoo staff also deserves heartfelt thanks. All staff, including animal care, maintenance, office, education, part-timers, visitor services, interns, Zoo Crew, Roots & Shoots, Girls Rule, Parks & Forestry, other city departments and all of the rest are appreciated. They work tirelessly to make certain every visitor has a wonderful experience.

To each and every one of our friends, THANK YOU! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! “WHO likes the

Dan Miller, Zoo Director Zoo? I do!” thank you thank upcoming events Breakfast with santa

Santa Claus is coming to town and he is visiting the Bramble Park Zoo! Bring your Christmas wish list and your appetite to Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 15.

In addition to the meal provided by Burger King, there will be opportunities to visit with Santa and take free pictures with him. Parents are encouraged to bring their cameras. Other highlights include crafts in Santa’s Workshop, animal encounters, and caroling.

Tickets are $4 in advance or $5 at the door. Youth two and under are free. Tickets can be purchased at the Zoo.

Tickets are limited to the first 200 people.

3 HOLIDAY SHOPPING LAZS Memberships are available with many convenient ways to order. You can order your membership by phone 605-882-6269, by mail at PO Box 484, Watertown, South Dakota, 57201, by fax 605-882-5232, by e-mail “Wake us when [email protected] or stop by the Gift Shop in the Discovery Center daily from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. it’s Christmas!”

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIPS:

Individual Memberships - $40 per year • Free admission for one person named on membership card to Bramble Park Zoo for 12 months.

Family Memberships - $60 per year • Free admission for two adults named on membership card and their dependent children under the age of 18 living in the same household to Bramble Park Zoo for 12 months.

Grandparent Memberships - $60 per year • Free admission for two adults named on membership card living in the same household and any three grandchildren under the age of 18 per trip to Bramble Park Zoo for 12 months.

• Free or discounted admission to reciprocal zoos and aquariums • A one-year subscription to the Lake Area Zoological Society’s quarterly newsletter • Occasional specials for members only • An invitation to the Lake Area Zoological Society annual picnic • Not available for businesses

Donor Memberships - $100 per year • Same as Individual, Family or Grandparent, plus five free passes to Bramble Park Zoo for the guests of your choice.

Sustaining Memberships - $150 per year • Same as Individual, Family, Grandparent or if purchased for a business, free admission for one corporate, business or club member and four Memberships make guests at one time to Bramble Park Zoo for 12 months. • Ten free passes to Bramble Park Zoo for the guests of your choice. • A sustaining plaque for home or office, and name noted on a sustaining plaque at Bramble Park Zoo. great gifts!

4 “Wake us when it’s Christmas!”

Memberships make great gifts!

5 more behind the scenes tours

HOLIDAY SHOPPING PERPETUAL MEMBERSHIPS:

Life Memberships - One time donation of $1,000 or more • Life Memberships are limited to private individuals and their families. A Life Member will be considered a member for the remainder of their natural life. Includes all the benefits of an annual membership. • Same as Individual, Family, or Grandparent, plus ten free passes to Bramble Park Zoo for the guests of your choice, a lifetime plaque for home or office, and name noted on a lifetime plaque at Bramble Park Zoo.

Patron Memberships - One time donation of $2,000 or more • Same as Individual, Family, Grandparent or if purchased for a business, free admission for one corporate, business or club member and four guests at one time to Bramble Park Zoo, plus ten free passes to Bramble Park Zoo for the guests of your choice, a patron plaque for home or office, and name noted on a patron plaque at Bramble Park Zoo.

Benefactor Memberships - One time donation of $5,000 or more • Same as Individual, Family, Grandparent or if purchased for a business, free admission for one corporate, business or club member and four guests at one time to Bramble Park Zoo, plus ten free passes to Bramble Park Zoo for the guests of your choice, a benefactor plaque for home or office, and name noted on a benefactor plaque at Bramble Park Zoo.

• Patron and Benefactor Memberships may be held by individuals, corporations, businesses, and/or fraternal, social or service clubs and includes all benefits of an annual membership listed on the previous page.

One-time use passes & Gift Shop merchandise

BRAMBLE PARK ZOO GIFT SHOP Shop our gift shop for the perfect stocking stuffers and gifts. We have everything from clothing to toys, stationary to jewelry, magnets to games, books to figurines. We ordered extra inventory this year just for the holidays and are open 10:00 am - 4:00 pm daily!

DAILY ADMISSION TICKETS GREAT Adults (13 and over)....$7 +tax Youth (3-12 years)...... $5 +tax stocking STUFFERS!

6 behind the scenes tours Penguin Encounter – Your mission: call to schedule a private one hour tour in which you will learn about the daily adventures of the penguins living in Watertown’s Bramble Park Zoo. Fee: $10.00 per person Behind the Scenes – Enjoy this unique 1 ½ hour program in which visitors spend time touring with a zoo biologist. This tour allows participants (minimum of four, maximum of eight people) to go behind HOLIDAY SHOPPING the scenes, get face-to-face with exotic animals in off-exhibit areas, prepare meals and feed the animals at Bramble Park Zoo. Fee: $15.00 per person Breakfast with the Beasts – Enjoy this unique two hour program in which visitors will have breakfast amongst the prairie gardens or inside the Terry Redlin Environmental Center and then spend time touring the zoo with a zoo staff member. This tour allows participants (minimum of four, maximum of ten) to go behind the scenes, get face-to-face with exotic animals in off-exhibit areas, prepare meals and feed the animals at Bramble Park Zoo. Fee: $20.00 per person

For any of these packages, you will receive a certificate with payment which can be presented to the recipient during the holidays.

When scheduling the program, Bramble Park Zoo must have at least two weeks advance notice and tours are subject to staff Sponsor availability. This program is appropriate for ages 4 and up and all participants under 16 must be accompanied by a paid adult. A Wild

animal Child sponsorships Brochure:Sponsor Give someone the gift of a “Wild Family” this holiday season…sponsor a “Wild Child” in their name at Bramble

Park Zoo. Animal sponsorships make great gifts. Your A $30 sponsorship fee will be used towards maintaining Wild comfortable living quarters, animal habitat improvements NEW! Child Brochure 11/7/12 8:49 AM Page 1 and providing care for an animal of your choice for one HOLIDAY SPECIAL! Be the first one to sponsor the new tiger cubs. year. Anyone can become a zoo parent: school groups, For $50 you could sponsor both the male and the female businesses, civic and service organizations, families for one year and be among the first ones to learn their names! and you! You’ll get two plush animals with your sponsorship.

———— APPLICATION FOR SPONSORSHIP ———— $50.00 for 1 Year - 2 tiger cubs � $30.00 for 1 Year Date Animal to be sponsored at � $50.00 for 2 Years Your name Address City State Zip Phone Email address Name to appear on Zoo Parents’ Board and Certificate (restrict to 20 letters, please)

If this sponsorship is a gift, complete section below. Recipient’s name Address City State Zip Phone GREAT Occasion for Gift: (birthday, etc.) � I will pick up sponsorship materials. Sponsorship Amount Lake Area Zoological Society stocking � Please send gift sponsorship materials directly to recipient with a card. P.O. Box 484 (I have enclosed an additional $2.00 for shipping.) Shipping (if needed) Watertown, SD 57201-0484 605-882-6269 � Please send gift sponsorship materials to me for presentation. TOTAL ENCLOSED STUFFERS! (I have enclosed an additional $2.00 for shipping.)

7 bramble park zoo’s endowment fund Endowment Fund Donation

Ways The Lake Area Zoological Society Endowment to Fund is a specific program to provide funds for the enhancement and development of the Bramble Park Zoo. This fund generates spendable income from give the earnings on the balance, yet preserves and protects the real value of the endowment principal. There are many ways to support the Bramble Park Zoo, from designating your cash gift to a particular project A donation to the Zoo’s Endowment Fund means to donations of in-kind goods you are contributing to your Zoo’s future. You are and services. helping ensure that the Bramble Park Zoo is here for you, your children and your community to Planned Giving enjoy, to learn from, and to appreciate the wonders Leave a legacy that will make a difference of wildlife. in the future of the Zoo.

Zoo Projects Enclosed in this holiday edition of Animal Chatter We are constantly updating older exhibits, you will find a small envelope with big meaning. or building new ones. See what projects Please consider making a tax-deductible donation. we are working on currently and find out The Lake Area Zoological Society is a 501(c)(3) how to help. nonprofit organization; the tax ID number is

Corporate Matching Gift 237294134. Many employers sponsor corporate matching gift programs that will match any charitable contribution made by their employees, including Memberships. It is a simple yet powerful way to increase your support of the Bramble Park Zoo.

Memorial & Tribute Gifts Looking for a unique way to honor a special person or event? The Zoo has several options to display your personalized message for years to come.

In-Kind Donations The Bramble Park Zoo accepts in-kind donations of goods or services that help offset our operating budget. Photos in this issue courtesy of Andrea Jean Pulscher, Keith and Betty Raitz, Cheryl Dunning, Sara Kranz and Bramble Park Zoo Staff.

8 bramble park zoo’s endowment fund Curator’s Comments Endowm Another year goes by and once again the animal collection ent remains in good condition. We have seen some notable additions to the zoo such as timber wolf pups, long horn cattle, baby red kangaroos of all sizes and of course the Fund Donati tiger cubs. What a hit they have been. The black bear exhibit on opened last spring and has been working out real well. If you have never gotten nose to nose with a bear before, you can now. The collection is in constant motion. Although the collections do not grow much, it continues to evolve on a daily basis and is as healthy as it has ever been. It gets pretty wild around here trying to keep up with all the characters.

This past year has also has been a year of great generosity in the animal department. I am always amazed how the community supports the animals. There has been numerous times when we have gone out into the community to ask for something we need. Many times it is borrowing a piece of equipment, getting a special medication formulated or just help moving something. Not a day goes by when the phone doesn’t ring with someone trying to donate something to the animals.

These small acts of generosity is what makes this zoo special. It’s not the fact that we are a big zoo in a small community, not the fact that we have supportive community leadership, it is not the fact that the zoo has a 100 year tradition in the area. What truly makes it all work is the individuals and businesses in Watertown. The endless giving is the reason we are able to keep the animal species we do. From the entire animal staff and all the wild creatures at the zoo we thank you for all that you do for us.

Happy Holidays! Jim Lloyd

Donation Tree at Library Trees Are Set For Holiday Fundraiser

Plans for the 3rd annual Watertown Community Foundation Christmas Tree Fundraiser are under way. Nonprofits participating this year are: Codington County 4-H, Codington County Heritage Museum, Glacial Lakes Humane Society, Habitat for Humanity, Lake Area Zoological Society, Mellette House, Senior Center, Watertown Area Special Olympics, Watertown Area Transit, Watertown Regional Library, Watertown Resource Center and the Watertown Volunteer Center.

The 12 nonprofits will decorate their trees and have them on display at the library. The public is invited to view the trees and donate to their favorite trees/organizations onsite. The Foundation will match up to $250 for each organization’s total donations. The organization with the most in donations will receive an additional $500 grant from the Foundation.

9 o s& o s special events rot sho t re-cap update MARCH This October 7th and 8th, the Roots & Shoots program at the 4,500 guests celebrated Bramble Bramble Park Zoo hosted the 2nd annual Roots & Shoots Multi- Park Zoo’s 100th Birthday and cultural Camp. Participating in this year’s camp was 16 year old participated in Roots & Shoots Rashaun Bull Bear of Kyle, SD. The multi-cultural camp was activities during free day, courtesy Rashaun’s idea from several years ago when he was just 12 of the Watertown Community years old. While returning from the Bramble Park Zoo and a joint Foundation’s Youth Council. Bramble Park Zoo and Pine Ridge Roots & Shoots Peace Day MAY Celebration, Rashaun expressed an interest in hosting a camp 232 people helped on Pine Ridge for non-native Roots & Shoots youth. Gwen, the lemur, celebrate her 28th “It was pretty cool!” Rashaun said of the experiences he had birthday with homemade at this year’s camp, “I liked the bag-pipers. I’d read about them cupcakes for all! in history class, but seeing and hearing one play up front and in person. That was cool.” This year, Bill Dempsey, came to play several songs and talk about Scottish culture and the pipes for the youth participating in the camp. It was important to Patricia JUNE Hammond, the Roots & Shoots group leader from Pine Ridge, that the Lakota youth get to hear a little bit about the culture and World Oceans Day brought 189 history of the non-native participants as it was her original goal visitors to the zoo for activities to begin to bridge the gap between native and non-native South about the wonders of water. Dakotan youth, thus, beginning a greater cultural understanding between the two. JULY 322 friends came to Nine youth from Pine Ridge the zoo for Tika the traveled with Patricia Hammond Tiger’s 21st birthday and Jason Schoch to this year’s Bash sponsored by camp. Also traveling from Pine Glacial Lakes and Ridge was cultural presenter Prairies Tourism and and Lakota singer, Larry Swallow Great Western Bank. (aka Swalley). Larry is a fluent Lakota speaker and cultural pre- 370 visitors attended Conservation senter who has performed before Connections to interact with local the Queen of England. Mr. Swal- conservation organizations and low hosted a free presentation for learn about their goals, missions the general public at the Bramble and projects. Park Zoo’s Free Day on the 6th and followed it up on the 7th with a presentation on Lakota cul- AUGUST ture, treaty rights and language, along with songs and drum- 367 members enjoyed a special ming for the camp’s participants. Camp participants also got a meal in their honor provided by behind the scenes tour of the zoo, including the most popular, the LAZS, Hy-Vee and Coca-Cola. the baby tigers and getting to feed the lemurs. These exotic A lot of people (4,326 to be animal ambassadors really touched the Lakota youth, many of exact) enjoyed the zoo during whom had few if any opportunities to visit a zoo before, let alone Midcontinent Free Day. get to go behind the scenes and see a little bit of what it takes to work at the zoo.

Camp participants also helped prepare a traditional Lakota SEPTEMBER meal, including a buffalo camp soup and traditional ceyaka The Watertown Radio (chey-yaka) wild gathered tea. Native youth from Sisseton, SD Chili Cook-off brought also participated in this year’s camp and for some, who had trav- 1,373 visitors to the zoo eled to Pine Ridge last year, it was a chance to reconnect with for great chili and fun. Lakota youth they had met just a year ago.

OCTOBER 832 residents enjoyed the zoo during a chilly Thrivent Free Day event. 2,736 trick-or-treaters attended ZOO BOO sponsored by Power 106.3 and County Fair. 35 treat stations and six monetary sponsors made this event a howling good time. 10 memorials animal update In Memory of: Contributed by: 3.2.1 = 3 males, 2 females, and 1 unknown sex. To save space when Bill Scott Rodney & Crystal Bender communicating with other zoos, we use this system to indicate the number and sex of each group of animals. animal sponsorships ACQUISITIONS DEATHS CON’T 0.0.1 Arowana (unknown) 2.1 Impeyan pheasant Zoo Parent Wild Child 0.0.1 Red-footed tortoise 1.0 Impeyan pheasant (unknown) 0.0.8 (Pseudomonas) Zachary Connor Hognose Snake DISPOSITIONS 0.0.1 Inland bearded dragon Holy Rosary 8.2 Pygmy goats (broken jaw) 3rd/4th Grade DeBrazza’s Monkey 2.1 Peafowl Tim & Mei Oviatt Sicilian Donkey 1.1 Temminck’s tragopan BIRTHS & HATCHES 0.0.4 Fire-bellied toads (loan to school) 0.0.1 American bison zookeeper DEATHS 1.0 Reindeer (died under anesthesia) wish list 0.1 Sun conure (unknown) You can help the zoo animals by donating items from the following list: REHAB BIRDS STATUS • Fake plants/trees • Milk crates Red-tailed hawk Euthanized: Aspergillis • Rubbermaid totes • Air kennels Red-tailed hawk Euthanized (small and large) • Clean towels/rags Cooper hawk Euthanized: broken shoulder Turkey vulture Non-releasable • Canned veggies or fruit Red-tailed hawk Euthanized: possible West Nile Virus Please remember…new, clean, gently used Red-tailed hawk Euthanized: very thin, old shoulder break or recycled items are welcome! Monetary Euthanized: right wing compound fractures in three spots donations are also appreciated as there are some Turkey vulture Released special enrichment items that can only Swainson’s hawk Released be purchased through zoo supply companies.

We love community The Bear Crossing outreach! exhibit was a great addition to the zoo.

membershipMembership Renewals list . . . These members have joined or renewed since the last newsletter. zoo Become a Lake Area Zoological Society member today. SUSTAINING - $150 FAMILY - $60 Kazemba, Jim & Kim Smith, Andrea & Nicole INDIVIDUAL - $40 Holien, Dennis & Michele Brown, Cerrisa Kiefer, Dr. Gary & Nancy VanLandingham, Allan & Carrie Hauge, Lori Chase, Chris & Mary Johnson, Dick Gray Construction Co. McNamara, Ryan & Amy GRANDPARENT - $60 DeBoer, Tyler & Katie Lindner, Deloris Sodak Pest Control Pickerill, Tom & Angi Hiedeman, Patty & Steve Esche, Lindsey & Dustin Watertown Cooperative Reiter, Bob & Cheryl Leiner, Wayne & Carol Fonseca, Rebecca Nelson & Dave Elevator Ries, Jason & Laura Lloyd, Patrick & Darlene Haagensen, Teri & Jesse Watertown Rotary Club Robison, Bill & Heather Peterson, Gene & Gail Hirtz, Carsten & Rosemary Salchert, Rick & Mary DONOR - $100 Walder, Don & Pat Holien, Darrin & Carolyn Schneck, Brian & Sherri Spies, Jim & Francene Waterman, Harley & Betty Junger, LeAnn & Troy Siemens, James & Deborah Stone, Rick & Shana Animal Chatter, the quarterly Lake Area Zoological Society Newsletter, is going GREEN! If you would like to help us save money on printing and postage costs, please drop us an email at [email protected] with the words “Going Going Green” in the subject line and we will start sending your newsletter electronically. You’ll get the same great information and pictures, without wasting paper and money. You’ll even get the news sooner if you choose to receive Animal Green Chatter via email! Find us on We now have over 1,500 facebook fans. Join our facebook family today to keep up with current events at the Bramble Park Zoo. Our page is the Lake Area Zoological Society Facebook and the Bramble Park Zoo! 11 LAKE AREA ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE P.O. BOX 484 PAID WATERTOWN, SD 57201 WATERTOWN, SD PERMIT NO. 608

Check out our AWARD-WINNING website at Printed on recycled paper www.brambleparkzoo.com

Zoo Education programs include a hands-on approach to animal discovery, activities, games, art and interaction with zoo animals. events • Deadline to register is one week before each program begins. • To register, please contact the Bramble Park Zoo at 882-6269.

EARLY OUT School 2013 EVENTS ZOO CLASSES Ages Be a competitor in your EARLY OUT Saturday, March 23 • 10am-4pm - Roots & Shoots Free Day favorite TV show during TIMES & FEES The Jane Goodall Institutes service learning free day these after school programs Wednesdays – 12:20-4:00 pm Saturday, June 8 • 1pm-4pm - World Oceans Day at the zoo. includes a snack. Water activities and canned food drive Wed., November 28 Fee: $15.00 + tax per program Saturday, July 27 • 11am-3pm - Conservation Connections Minute To Win It Organizations coming together to promote environmental Wed., February 27 awareness through hands-on activities Gator Boys Tuesday, August 13 • 6pm - LAZS Member Appreciation Picnic Wed., March 27 Food drive and members only grill-out donated by Hy-Vee and Survivor Coca-Cola Thursday, August 15 • 10am-7pm - Midcontinent Free Day Free admission, pop, popcorn, giveaways and canned food drive Saturday, September 21 • 10am-4pm Watertown Radio Chili Cook-off Chili contest, music, prizes and canned food drive Saturday, October 26 • 2pm-6pm - ZOO BOO Trick-or-Treating in a fun and safe environment Saturday, December 14 • 8am-10am - Breakfast with Santa Breakfast provided by Burger King, photos with Santa, reduced zoo admission and canned food drive new program ANIMALS A-Z Ages Dates, times and fees are subject to change without notice. April 6 – 10:30 am-12:00 pm 3-10 Please call 605-882-6269 for more information on these events FEE: $10.00 + TAX and other activities presented by Bramble Park Zoo.

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