Spring 2021 | Member Magazine Reid Park Zoological Society ZooFriendZ is a very special circle of people who are invested in the future of Tucson’s Reid Park Zoo by donating $500 or more annually.

Join ZooFriendZ Today! ONLY $42 MONTHLY! For more information, contact Gail Brown at [email protected] or (520) 881-4753.

Reid Park Zoological Society 1030 South Randolph Way Tucson, Arizona 85716 P: (520) 881-4753

President & CEO Nancy J. Kluge TUCSON'S BIGGEST BABY Chief Development Officer Gail Brown Elephant 98,000-gallon pool, Director of Marketing & Events Deborah Carr calf Penzi is but her team has

Director of Business Operations & CFO nearly 1 year smaller pools and Tong Cheng old — and mud wallows that Director of Human Resources Helen Smart we're not she can explore.

Director of Zoo Operations exaggerating Sue Tygielski, PhD when we say Another important Chief Philanthropy Officer growth moment Diana Whitman she is one big baby! that happened 2021 Board of Directors recently for Penzi is the Society Board Penzi recently development of her tusks! Chair Foundation Board Dr. Shane Burgess Chair Nate Clark passed the 1,000-pound Penzi's care team recently felt Vice Chair mark. When Nandi was a calf, tiny tusks developing in Penzi's Cathy Hutchens Vice Chair Mica Bane she reached 1,000 pounds mouth. While it will be quite Secretary Robert Charles Treasurer about a month after her first a while before the tusks are Steve Larsen Treasurer birthday, so Penzi is outpacing visible from afar, this important Patricia O'Callaghan Secretary Bridget Stephenson her older sister by about two milestone reminds us of Past Chair Lisa Lovallo Dr. George Ball months for this milestone. Penzi's role as an ambassador Susan Beesemyer Kathy Alexander Chad Driedger for her species! Susan Beesemyer Mike Halle Penzi is very food-focused Matt Bingham Sheldon King Chad Driedger Jason Lazarow right now, and is often seen Our community loves Penzi, Neal Eckel Mike Halle trying to stuff more food in and we hope that love inspires E. Courtney Johnson Sheldon King her mouth than she can chew! conservation action to protect Steve Larsen Jason Lazarow She is learning about elephant elephants globally. Edmund Marquez Richard White manners and seeking out her own food instead of taking Standing up to poaching and Emeritus Director refusing to take part in the Denice Shepherd from the items her mother and Donna Warfield ivory trade is an important Jim & Terri Zarling sister collect for themselves. Her favorite snack right now is part of helping Penzi's wild cucumber slices! counterparts thrive. 1030 S Randolph Way See Page 11 for details on Tucson, AZ 85716 Right now, Penzi is still a little Penzi's 1st birthday bash! ZOO HOURS: hesitant to get in the herd's October-May 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. June-September 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Here's a look at the Zoo through your eyes! Tag us on social media to enter your own photos for the next issue of Zoo & You!

jocey.ohphotography on IG

danieljhartman on IG

stephpastore on IG Daniel Plumer on FB

Zoo & You 3 FLAMINGO

THE NEW FLAMINGO LAGOON IS OPEN! The Chilean flamingo flock’s vibrant pink feathers will welcome you during your next visit to the Zoo! This project is part of Phase 1 of the Zoo’s ongoing 10-year Master Plan. The newly renovated space offers the flock a 50 percent increase in their total landmass and walkable water space. The new habitat features many modern comforts to help the flock thrive, including misters, a separate feeding pool, a night house, and an advanced water filtration system.

As part of the move, the Zoo’s vet team performed ← a health exam on every flamingo in the flock, gently checking their weight, drawing blood, providing vaccinations, and giving each bird a physical examination. The flock is doing well in the new habitat.

Zoo & You 4 A ZOO BUILT BY YOU

The new Flamingo Lagoon was built by and for the community with funding coming from a combination of tax dollar funds and private donations. Board Member Mica Bane and her husband Jeff Bane are the habitat’s lead sponsors. “These wonderful and colorful birds are such a delight to observe,” Mica said, reflecting on her long- time appreciation for this colorful species. Prior to moving to Tucson, the Banes were a part of a Flamingo Club — a group of friends that travelled both the improvements for board I quickly learned this together, golfed together, the community as well as is an active, working board and had regular flamingo- the birds. “Jeff and I love and each member brings a themed parties throughout animals and feel compelled distinct skill to the group.” the year. “Over the years for future generations to have our love of this bird came to opportunities to enjoy the “Outside of the zoo we are mean a great deal to us and is family environment created involved in our community centered around friendship, by zoos,” Mica said. “This and enjoy family, friends, family, fun and many new home for our flock will travel and golf. I retired cherished memories.” present a bright welcome of in 2017 during the time of my chairmanship of the She appreciates the role color to our zoo entrance, improve the breeding area for RPZS board. These were zoos play in providing years of growth and set the similar opportunities for the our birds as well as provide much-needed water filtration foundation for the 10 Year communities they serve. Master Plan as well as the “Zoos are critical and they and night house capacity. We are thrilled to be able to help management agreement are a very affordable way with the city,” she said. “The for families to spend time in accomplishing so much for our flock.” community passing the small together as well as learn sales tax in 2017 has allowed about our environment. It is Mica has been on the Reid the board to move forward always a joy to visit the zoo Park Zoo board for a decade. with reimagining the zoo, and see families enjoying the “I met a current board adding exhibits as well as outdoors as well as hear the member who encouraged upgrading infrastructure and laughter and see the smiles me to meet with the much-needed maintenance. on children’s faces.” management team and make Jeff and I are thrilled to be When the Banes heard about an application for the board a part of this great gift to this beautiful new habitat, due to my HR and insurance the City of Tucson and our they were excited to support background. Joining the community.”

Zoo & You 5 FOR THE BIRDS, LITERALLY! Conservation is most for each box successful when so they can partnerships are formed be installed and organizations work to provide the together. Reid Park Zoo ideal nesting has worked to protect both requirements native and non-native bird for each species by doing just that. species. Recently, Reid Park Zoo Additionally, received a grant from Zoo staff is Freeport-McMoRan Sierrita continuing Operations, which facilitated to develop a partnership with the AZA’s Andean for the flamingos but are at Tucson Audubon Society. As Highlands Flamingo SAFE risk due to unsustainable a result of this partnership, (Saving Animals From lithium mining, as well as a pollinator garden was Extinction) Program. Through changes in climate leading developed at the Zoo, and this program we are learning to unpredictable rainfall. nest boxes were installed to more about the three Along with its partners protect our native birds. The species of flamingo (Chilean, around the world, Reid Park pollinator garden provides James’s and Andean) that Zoo staff is developing an food and shelter, while the live in the salt flats — called educational toolkit that can 26 bird boxes will provide salars — at elevations of up be shared with other zoos nesting opportunities for to 14,000 feet in the Andes and aquariums to inform and kestrels, owls, Lucy’s warblers, mountains. Researchers engage our guests to take and brown flycatchers. have documented that these action to protect this vital Staff from Tucson Audubon salars provide vital feeding habitat. identified the best locations and nesting opportunities

Zoo & You 6 Our Most Important Partner in Conservation: YOU! We can protect species are being made around the world by taking to recycle lithium action together. To protect from batteries and local bird species, we to develop more encourage you to create environmentally- a bird friendly habitat at friendly mining your home or talk to your practices. You can apartment complex about help by letting landscaping in a way that companies know provides bird habitats. you care about this Tucson Audubon Society issue. has great resources to help Lastly, you can help you get started! native and non- You can help make a native species all difference in protecting the around the world habitat of Andean Highland by decreasing flamingos by joining in efforts the amount of to reduce the need to mine fossil fuels burned for new lithium, an element through your daily actions. Burning more carbon, the thicker the found in rechargeable blanket. batteries used in electronics fossil fuels, like coal, oil, and and electric cars. Buying gas, releases carbon dioxide Actions such as not idling new electronics only when into the atmosphere. Carbon your car, supporting absolutely needed is one dioxide is a heat-trapping alternative energy, and step. As consumer demand gas that forms a blanket turning off lights when you for more sustainability in around the E arth, trapping leave the room can help! products increases, advances in the Earth’s heat. The

Zoo & You 7 INTRODUCTIONS

NEW FACES AT THE ZOO No matter where you look in the Zoo, there's a good chance there's a new face looking back at you! Reid Park Zoo has welcomed several newcomers in recent months: giraffes Penelope and Sota, Tony the lion, Horton the trumpeter hornbill, Siren the capybara, and a pack of four African wild dog sisters!

At about 11 feet tall each, newcomers Sota and Penelope are quite a bit taller than the average Zoo guest — but they are the shortest members of the giraffe herd at Reid Park Zoo! Jasiri and Denver, the Zoo's other two giraffes, are being slowly and methodically introduced to their new companions.

Tony, the male African lion, is long, lanky, and tall. You can immediately recognize him by his medium-sized mane. He is fast moving when playing with his enrichment items in the lion habitat. His curiosity is piqued by the sight and smell of the female lions. Soon he will have the chance to meet the girls in the habitat!

Zoo & You 8 The four wild dog sisters — Grommet, Sandy, Cricket, and Terra — have settled into their new home well. They love to interact with objects floating in their pool – watching leaves swirl and pumpkins bob in the water. The pack works together to explore all-new sensory items placed in their habitat such as elephant dung, treats like yogurt smears and suspended, dangling vegetation. Sometimes new things can be scary to approach, but not when you have your three sisters with you for back-up!

Capybara introductions are Horton, the always done trumpeter with great hornbill, was thoughtfulness hatched last and care. Siren, summer with our newest significant addition, and challenges. He was Hendrix had a incredibly small and few chases when his feathers grew in months first meeting but have later than usual. Because settled into a comfortable he has spent so much time relationship. While not with staff caring for him, he yet sleeping in a capybara pile, they officially is moving in with the get closer as time goes by! Ambassador Animals, those that participate in programs.

We hope you will enjoy meeting and getting to know all the newcomers!

Zoo & You 9 FUN & GAMES

Zoo & You 10 UPCOMING EVENTS

BUNNY HOP 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. April 4

Enjoy a socially- distanced visit with the Easter Bunny and take your own photos. Then, see if you can spot special eggs and bunnies located throughout the Zoo. Kids will receive a pre-filled candy bag from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. while supplies last courtesy of First Watch.

FLAMINGO A-GO-GO WILD WEDNESDAYS April 17-23 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month $15 to $100 dollars Free Shake a tail feather and Join us for our member exclusive virtual animal support your Zoo and experiences on Wild Wednesdays twice a month at 9 a.m! flamingos too in this fun Watch your email for a schedule of topics and links to virtual exercise event! register. View recordings of previous Wild Wednesdays on There is no official race our YouTube channel or email membership@reidparkzoo. course or contest — just org to request a link for particular program. set a personal goal to complete one to five miles EARTH DAY through the exercise of Saturday, April 24 your choice. Go at your Join us for a virtual event throughout the day in celebration own pace and in your own of Earth Day. Blogs and activities posted throughout the space. Your can log miles week prior will inspire your family to take action to protect one day or every day wildlife and wild places. Details along with info on how to during our race dates of join us will be posted at reidparkzoo.org March 22-28, 2021. Run or walk, skate or treadmill, outside or inside. Move SUMMER CAMP 2021 your own way and in Offered weekly from June 7 -July 30 your own style. Whether you are running a 5K by yourself, Mondays - Thursdays or doing a one-mile fun walk with family or friends, you can 8 a.m. - Noon at the Zoo make a impact and help flamingos stay in the pink. A portion of proceeds will benefit Flamingo SAFE (Saving Animals from Fridays - 9 a.m.- 11 a.m. virtual camp session Extinction). $145 for the week for zoo members ($175 for nonmembers) Register on our website, and post your progress and share This year's camp includes 4 days of camp at the Zoo and photos, plus get the wing-side story on flamingos through one day of virtual programming. Registration is for all 5 fun facts. Participants at the $50 and above level get a days. Registration required. Scholarships are available. commemorative t-shirt. Limited capacity due to COVID-19.

For more information on these and other upcoming events Interested in becoming a sponsor and education programs, please visit our website at of Reid Park Zoo events? www.ReidParkZoo.org Check back often to see what's new at your Zoo! Call 881-4753 or email [email protected]

Universal Avionics Thank you to our Business Members! Bisbee Breakfast Club Small Town Storage Zoo & You 11 Non-Profit Org. Reid Park Zoological Society U.S. Postage 1030 South Randolph Way PAID Tucson, Arizona Tucson, Arizona 85716 Permit No. 1257

Penzi’s First Birthday Celebration April 3, 2021 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Activities at the Zoo 2 p.m. Free Zoom Virtual presentation Join the herd in celebrating Penzi’s 1st birthday with a raffle, cupcakes, and enrichment for the whole family! For more information visit ReidParkZoo.org