2014 Annual Report the Sacramento Zoological Society 2014 Annual Report

2014 ANNUAL REPORT The Sacramento Zoological Society 2014 Annual Report COVER PHOTO CREDIT: Erik Bowker BACK COVER PHOTO: Tonja Candelaria PHOTO CREDIT: Erik Bowker, Tonja Candelaria, Alison Mott, April Johnson, Christa Klein, Mike Owyang board & Amanda Watters president MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT My closing message is truly a bittersweet one. I’m grateful for the support that all of the Zoo community has given to the Board of Trustees this past year, and so sad for the painful loss of our beloved Zoo Director, Mary Healy. Mary was not only a cherished colleague in our shared love of the Zoo, but a loyal and valued friend. Of course we have to move on, but that doesn’t mean we will soon forget her untimely passing. I personally want to thank all of you who have generously offered gifts in Mary’s memory, and I assure you that they will be put to a use that would please her. As we move on, I want to give a special thanks to Dr. Adrian Fowler who has graciously assumed the role of acting director in the interim as we move forward with a search for Mary’s successor. As in past years, the Zoo has had an excellent year in no small part due to the dedication and hard work of the staff, docents and volunteers. As for myself, I am in no way leaving the zoo community. My term as Board President ended in December 2014, but my affection for the Zoo is as deeply held as it was when I first GREATER joined the Zoo Board many years ago. I’ll always be grateful ROADRUNNER that you’ve given me this wonderful opportunity to serve you. Thank you, James Naify President Board of Trustees The nonprofit 501(c)(3) Sacramento our mission Zoological Society, formed in 1957, serves as the managing and fundraising Mission Statement organization for the Zoo, providing funds for animal care, education and The Sacramento Zoo inspires 3930 West Land Park Drive conservation programs. appreciation, respect and a connection Sacramento, CA 95822 with wildlife and nature through 916.808.5888 education, recreation and conservation. director’sFROM desk THE DIRECTOR’S DESK “Great people like Mary and Murray have inspired new generations to do great things. And they’re all here, making Sacramento Zoo board a leader among America’s small zoos.” president MESSAGE FROM THE 2014 brought a year of highs and lows for Sacramento Zoo. Mary Healy was very much the face of the Zoo, and her presence is felt everywhere. From Tall Wonders BOARD PRESIDENT to Small Wonders, Mary’s vision is with us all. I share the sentiments of our Board President that her loss is immeasurable. Dr. Adrian Fowler, Interim Director It has been a privilege to continue Mary’s work, but it would not have been possible without the support and dedication of the Zoo’s professional staff. It has 2014 BOARD OF TRUSTEES been a difficult year indeed. James Naify, President As if Mary’s passing was not enough heartache for one year, we also lost another Jeff Raimundo, Vice President great friend who called Sacramento Zoo his home. Charles Dalldorf, Secretary Small Wonders of Africa Kevin Barri, Treasurer Like many kids, I had great aspirations of Starr Walton Hurley, Past President working with animals. As a youngster in Mary Healy, Zoo Director/CEO Britain, I had dreams of one day packing Dr. Adrian Fowler, Acting Director my bags and working with wildlife out in the bush. Not content with the Rebecca Bitter conventional reading for a twelve-year- Michael Broughton old, my Christmas wish list included the Nancy E. Cole latest copy of Fowler’s Zoo & Wild Animal Jeffrey K. Dorso Medicine, hot off the press as the all-new, Murray E. Fowler, D.V.M. 2nd edition. Judy Goldbar Steven Johnson At that age, I knew very little of Dr. Murray E. Fowler. But as I grew up, it became Irwin Karp obvious to me that his name was synonymous with wildlife medicine. Wherever in C. Emmett Mahle the world wildlife professionals were working, they had Murray by their side – or at Lynn Matsuda least his textbook, widely regarded as the “bible” for zoo veterinarians. John W. Otto Linda L. Price Murray’s 8th edition of that same textbook now sits on my shelf here in Jason Russell, C.P.A. Sacramento. For thousands of wildlife professionals, our careers have been heavily Adham Sbeih influenced by the work and writing of the one individual whom we all consider Susan Schoenig to be the father of zoological medicine. Murray passed away on May 18, 2014, Elizabeth Stallard leaving a legacy that veterinarians will admire for many generations to come. Mike Testa Jill M. Trainer, Ph.D. Great people like Mary and Murray have inspired new generations to do great Jody Ulich our mission things. And they’re all here, making Sacramento Zoo a leader among America’s Alan Yee, M.D. small zoos. Dr. Adrian Fowler, BVSc MRCVS Interim Zoo Director The Sacramento Zoological Society 2014 Annual Report IN MEMORY Mary Healy Dr. Murray E. Fowler 1953-2014 1928-2014 A TIRELESS ADVOCATE FOR THE FATHER OF WILDLIFE AND WILD PLACES ZOOLOGICAL MEDICINE 2014year YEAR IN REVIEWin review 2014 brought great sadness to the Sacramento Zoo community with the loss of two key advocates. Largely due to the life’s work of these two remarkable Director/CEO Mary Healy’s tragic and unexpected passing people, the Zoo proudly continues on the path of success. In in August left a great void in the Zoo family. Her undaunted September, the opening of the new Small Wonders of Africa spirit and visionary dreams are everywhere. Since 1999 when habitat was celebrated, bringing six new species of animals to Mary began her tenure in Sacramento, she was a valued Sacramento. Visitors can now enjoy Straw-colored Fruit Bats, community leader, a respected colleague to her peers in the an Aardvark, Wolf’s Guenons, Red-billed Hornbills, Crested Association of Zoos & Aquariums, and a passionate champion Guineafowl and Fennec Foxes at the new exhibit. of animals and the Sacramento Zoo. She is greatly missed. A treasured Sacramento amenity, nearly a half million people This year also marked the passing of Dr. Murray E. Fowler. flock to the Zoo every year. In 2014, 498,419 visitors spent A forerunner in his field, an outstanding and gifted teacher, time with family and friends connecting with wildlife and a prolific author and international authority in zoological nature on the Zoo’s tree-lined campus in Land Park. An medicine, Dr. Fowler was part of the Sacramento Zoo for 46 additional 10,978 individuals attended on-site special events, years. His contributions to the zoo industry are legendary, and including King of Feasts, Ice Cream Safari, Boo at the Zoo his loss was felt worldwide. and Wild Affair. Sumatran Orangutan Veterinary Examination JAGUAR Offering education opportunities to adults as well as children, the Zoo hosted engaging speakers on a variety of topics including conservation efforts for Red Pandas, giraffes and cheetahs; and rescue of oil-contaminated birds. Facing another year of extreme water shortage, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services released a PSA showcasing how the Zoo has been proactive with water conservation efforts. Highlighted efforts included the use of water efficient lixit spigots for the animals, filtration and recirculation systems and drip irrigation. Further conserving water, a succulent garden was installed and watering times were reduced on sprinklers. Book Signing with Dr. Laurie Marker year in review 2014 was a year of transition in the Veterinary Department. The zoo community suffered a great loss with the death of Dr. Murray E. Fowler, and we are currently working with the UC Davis Library system to archive his extensive works and collections. In addition, the Zoo’s medical record system of over 45,000 records was updated to a more modern web-based system. In collaboration with the Wildlife Health Center at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, the Zoo’s veterinary staff continues to provide first-rate healthcare to every animal at the Zoo. The Zoo proudly displayed a new playground structure, largely funded by the Sacramento King’s Foundation “SacramenTENs Assist” program. Children of all ages Boo at the Zoo and abilities are drawn to the creative design that includes two slides, a small climbing wall and sound game. People are the heart of any nonprofit organization, and the Sacramento Zoological Society is no different. Staff and volunteers at the Zoo provide first-rate animal care while continually working to improve both the facility and the guest experience. In 2014, a group of 1,745 volunteers – including talented trustees, dedicated docents, terrific teens, capable Keeper Aides, gifted groundskeepers, and enthusiastic event helpers – donated 42,649 hours of expertise and hard work to the Zoo. We extend a sincere and heartfelt note of thanks to them all. Zoo Playground The Sacramento Zoological Society 2014 Annual Report Zoo Teens Docents Child at Summer Camp EDUCATIONeducation The Education Department provided a wide variety of programs and experiences that appealed to children and adults alike. Ably assisted by trained volunteer docents and a select group of talented teens, Zoo staff provided an extensive list of programs and educational opportunities throughout the year. In 2014, the Zoo reached over 144,089 young and young-at-heart individuals with inspiring messages about animals. Dedicated docents volunteered 16,259 hours with 140 teens adding an additional 13,987 hours of volunteer service. For the many hours spent outside in cold rain or hot sun, for sharing time and knowledge with young and old alike, and for

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