January / February 2016

MEMPHISZOO.ORG SUMMER ZOOperheroes! Leader of the Pack Uncover animal superpowers and learn how K-2Prides, packs, parliaments and parades all some animal ZOOperheroes use these powers have a leader to follow. Examine the social 2015 ZOO CAMP to help save their species. structures of these groups and learn what it Send your wild child to the wildest HABITAT: WHAT’S THAT? camp around: ZOO CAMP. Campers will WEEKS OFFERED: JULY 6, JULY 20, AUG. 3 Everytakes animal to be needsthe top abanana place toin thecall animal world. WEEKS OFFERED: explore the fascinating world of animals home from water to JULYland. 13, Find JULY out 27 how while participating in fun games, crafts, Storybook Safari and6th–8th why animals Grade make their humble tours, keeper chats, live animal visits Storybook animals leap off the pages at the Memphis Zoo U ’15 and more. Parents must provide a non- Memphis Zoo. Discover habitats, features homes in different habitats. At Zoo University, experience the Zoo like never refrigerated, non-microwavable lunch. and more of your favorite storybook characters. WEEKS OFFERED: JULY 13, JULY 27 before. Participate in behind-the-scenes tours, create animal enrichment, perform hands-on (Weeks inside a GRAY BOX are sold out.) 1st–2nd Grade 3-5experiments, meet live animal ambassadors,

NOW–AUGUST 7 Nocturnal Adventures FORand seeBETTER how animals OR inspire WORSE: scientists to new What do bats, owls, and opossums have heights in technology and research. MONDAY–FRIDAY / 9 A.M. TO 3 P.M. SYMBIOSIS COST PER WEEK: in common? When we go to bed, they’re just WEEKS OFFERED: JULY 6, JULY 20, AUG. 3 $170/MEMBERS; $199/NONMEMBERS waking up! Find out how they survive their Not all animals get by all alone. PK-JK COST PER WEEK: nocturnal adventures and explore the DiscoverBeforecare which 7:45 animals A.M. TO form 9 A.M. a close adaptations of the animals of the night. $85/MEMBERS; $99/NONMEMBERS partnershipIf you need earlywith drop-off others for and your whichcamper(s), REGISTRATION DEADLINE: THE MONDAY WEEKS OFFERED: JULY 6, JULY 20, AUG. 3 beforecare is available for all ages. BEFORECARE animals come together to form an BEFORE REGISTERED CAMP WEEK. COST: $25/MEMBERS; $28/NONMEMBERS What a Watery Life animalAftercare “odd 3couple.” P.M. to 6 P.M.: If 3 p.m. PK–JK (This camp is ONLY half day: 9 a.m. Dive into the watery homes of aquatic animals is too early for your schedule, we offer aftercare. to 12 p.m. Aftercare will NOT be available for to explore their amazing habitat. From stingrays Aftercare consists of educational videos, exciting activities theseEDZOOCATION campers. To attend, child must be 3 years to sharks, sea lions to penguins, fish to turtles, 6-8and fun games for your child to unwind after a full day old and potty-trained by May 1.) your child will learn what animals need to live of camp. AFTERCARE COST: $85/MEMBERS Animal ABCs DNA & CELLULAR DEVICES in their watery home. $99/NONMEMBERS From aardvarks to zebras, campers will go Facetime with your inherited traits and Homeschool Day WEEKSHomeschool OFFERED: JULY 13, JULY 27 wild learning their ABCs with the animals This two-hour program takes our join the cellular network of organelles. at the Memphis Zoo. FALL HOMESCHOOL FrozenAcademy Safari WEEKSpopular OFFERED: zoo classes JULY 27 and adds a Students will download the apps of the ExploreThis theweeklong unique educationalanimals that braveprogram the homeschool twist. Meet live animals, microACADEMY world and discover more about frozenwill fractals provide of exciting the tundra. and Campers interactive will This weeklong educational program will provide JK–Kparticipate (To attend, child in hands-on must be 4 years activities old and plants and animals cells. potty-trained by May 1.) uncoverways thefor adaptationsstudents to of learn these about cool animals exciting and interactive ways for students and get a guided tour of exhibits. Zoo Chefs andscience. how the Eachcold never class bothers includes them animal anyway. to learn about science. Each class includes Become a master zoo chef and cater to WEEKSvisits, OFFERED: tours of JULY exhibits, 13, JULY chats 27 with animal visits, tours of exhibits, chats with the wildestThursday, eaters November around. Campers 19, 1 willto enjoy3 p.m. 9-12keepers, special projects, and more. Students 3rd–5thkeepers, Grade and more. learning1–12th about grade: animal Squid, eating habits Aquatic as well BIOLOGYbring a non-refrigerated, non-microwavable Engineered for Flight as theInverts, secret recipes and Pigeon of the zookeepers. Dissections* lunch. Registration begins August 3. Break down the inner mechanics of animals This unit will focus on the topics WEEKS OFFERED: JULY 13, AUG. 3 Monday–Friday $20/members; $23/nonmembers that can defy gravity. Your child will enjoy January 11–15, 10am to 2pm of hereditySEPTEMBER and 21–25 biodiversity. discovering more about flighted (as well as MONDAY–FRIDAY / 10 A.M. TO 2 P.M. Animals on the Move K–8th grade: $120/members; Register online at memphiszoo.org/ flightless) animals. This camp will feature TH Get up and get moving with the animals at K–8 GRADE COST PER WEEK: the$135/nonmembers new Steve Martin Bird Show. Registration begins November 1. the Memphishomeschoolprograms Zoo. Campers or bywill calling actively 333.6576 explore $120/MEMBERS; $135/NONMEMBERS WEEKS9th–12th OFFERED: grade: JULY $135/members; 6, JULY 20, AUG. 3 Call 333.6576 or visit memphiszoo.org/ the movements of different animals. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 17 homeschoolprogramsnd WEEKS OFFERED: JULY 6, JULY 20 $150/nonmembers K–2 Grade Energetic Eaters 3rd–5th Grade Science of Saving Animals 6th–8th Grade Biomes

EXZOOBERANCE 3 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, call (901) 276-WILD or log onto www.memphiszoo.org. Vol. XXVI, No. 1 JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016 Our Mission Connecting people with wildlife

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

Memphis Zoological Society Board of Directors as of February 2015

Officers DIANE SMITH, Co-Chair GENE HOLCOMB, Co-Chair DOROTHY KIRSCH, Secretary RUSSELL T. WIGGINTON, JR., Treasurer THOMAS C. FARNSWORTH III, Vice Chair JOSEPH C. DEWANE, M.D., Past Chair Directors Meet the Animals W. LYNN CARSON SAMANTHA BOGGS DEAN of Zambezi DELISA F. EDDINGS 2 DAVID HOPKINS HENRY A. HUTTON MARIA LEGGETT SCOTT MCCORMICK JOYCE A. MOLLERUP BRANDON GARROTT MORRISON Fifty-One-derful CAROL W. PRENTISS Creature Feature KARL SCHLEDWITZ Years JERRY A. SHORE KELLY H. TRUITT 4 7 MARIO L. WALKER BYRNE WHITEHEAD

Honorary Lifetime Directors DONNA K. FISHER Keeping the ROGER T. KNOX, President Emeritus Special Events & Calendar SCOTT P. LEDBETTER Golden Years SENATOR JAMES R. SASSER Golden 8 REBECCA WEBB WILSON 5 Ex Officio DR. CHUCK BRADY, Zoo President & CEO BILL MORRISON, City Council Representative

Credits Edzoocation LAURA DOTY Editor / Writer 11 ANGIE WHITFIELD Writer

COMBUSTION Art Director LAURA HORN Kids Page Creative Advisor JENNIFER COLEMAN 12 Copy Editor

TOOF PRINTING, Printer Exzooberance paper generously donated by INTERNATIONAL PAPER employees Membership

ZOO ADMISSION HOURS Goes Green! March – October 20 • 9am – 5pm October 21 – February • 9am – 4pm Don’t forget, membership cards are • Grounds close one hour after last admission now printed at the Zoo when you • Zoo Closed: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day arrive. These will no longer be mailed.

MEMPHISZOO.ORG

t 51 years old, “Tyranza,” one of the Memphis Zoo’s African elephants, A has the honor of being one of the oldest animals at the Zoo. She also holds the much larger distinction of being the FIFTY-ONE- oldest African elephant in North America. The average life expectancy for elephants in the wild is 42 years old, so “Ty” easily surpasses that mark. DERFUL Tyranza, or Ty for short, was born in the wild in Africa in 1964. She came to Memphis in 1977 from the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Ty is the matriarch of the herd of African YEARS elephants at the Memphis Zoo and resides by ANGIE WHITFIELD, Director of Marketing & Communications with two other cows, “Gina” and “Asali.” As matriarch, Ty keeps the peace and leads the herd. Ty is easily distinguished from the other girls because she has two tusks. Of the Zoo’s three elephants, Ty has taken the most interest in the new rhinos, “Maggie” and “Kito.” Ty shared a very special relationship with our old female rhino, “Tombi.” She could frequently be seen “petting” Tombi with her trunk. Ty and Kito now share a similar relationship. The two can be seen interacting with each other just about every day while on exhibit. Ty’s favorite treats include watermelons, sycamore leaves, jellybeans and bananas. Of all her toys, Ty loves her big tractor tire the most. She frequently likes to roll the tire between her front legs. She will rest her chest on the tire and take cat naps. Knowing how much she loves her tire, her keepers make sure she has it with her every single night. African elephants are the largest living land animal and are distinctly different from their cousins, the Asian elephant. The easiest way to tell the difference is by their ears. An African elephant’s ears, interestingly enough, are shaped like the continent of Africa.

4 MEMPHISZOO.ORG 51 47 18 17 38

Ty Debbie Chickie Koto Crystal AFRICAN ELEPHANT SIAMANG SUMATRAN ORANGUTAN ASIAN SMALL-CLAWED OTTER SOUTHDOWN EWE

s humans enter the golden years “Caring for a large variety of geriatric challenge for her. Her movements were of life, we experience the aches exotic animals in a zoo provides hindered. She walked slowly, cautiously Aand pains of growing older. We may veterinarians with a wide host of and hunched over like an elderly develop chronic health problems that challenges,” said Dr. Felicia Knightly, woman. In an effort to keep her active, affect our daily quality of life or require Senior Veterinarian. “Weighing the mobile and happy, her keepers made medical attention. benefits and effectiveness of certain alterations in the exhibit by changing Thanks to excellent care, animals medications while tailoring treatments the height of her ropes which made in zoos are reaching ages they would to ensure compliance can be very the trees more accessible. This simple likely never see in the wild. As they are difficult. When done successfully many adaptation has enabled Debbie to living beyond their life expectancy, the animals may live quite comfortably continue to be mobile and enjoy all the Memphis Zoo’s older animals face the for years beyond their normal life areas of her yard. same age-related health conditions and expectancy.” There are many other ways the daily challenges as humans: arthritis, In addition to addressing the keepers are improving the quality of life cataracts, diabetes, heart disease, and changing medical needs of the for the Zoo’s senior citizens. Through dental issues to name only a few. Zoo’s aging residents, keepers make their daily interaction and care for the The training of the Zoo’s animals adjustments based on the daily needs animals, the keepers can perceive even through positive reinforcement enables of the animals as they grow older. These the smallest change in an animal’s the keepers and the Zoo’s veterinary changes can be as simple as making behavior or routine which could indicate staff to provide medical care such as dietary adjustments or altering an a health concern or physical challenge. performing check-ups that may include animal’s exhibit to better accommodate “By nature, wild animals tend to drawing blood, obtaining blood pressure the animal’s needs. hide any kind of sickness or physical or even administering daily injections. “Debbie,” a 47-year-old siamang who weakness. It’s our job to recognize these For example, some of the Zoo’s has lived at the Memphis Zoo since changes,” said Matt Thompson, Director primates have been taught to voluntarily 1969, happily shares an exhibit with of Animal Programs. “As caretakers of receive insulin injections every day. her best friend, “Chickie,” a 38-year- these amazing animals, our number one old orangutan. Debbie can easily priority is their quality of life.” swing from limb to limb or climb As animals are living longer than the ropes without difficulty. But, ever before, their needs are changing. keepers began to notice her The animal keepers and veterinary staff KEEPING mobility at the Memphis Zoo are dedicated to on the providing medical care treating chronic, ground was age-related conditions of the Zoo’s senior becoming a members, yet they are also making THE GOLDEN simple improvements to enhance the quality of life for these animals as they YEARS GOLDEN age gracefully. by ANGIE WHITFIELD, Director of Marketing & Communications

EXZOOBERANCE 5 COMMUNITY DAY MID-SOUTH SCHOLASTIC JAN 30 | 10am - 2pm | FREE ART AWARDS EXHIBITION JANUARY 30 – FEBRUARY 28, 2016 Enjoy the exhibition Wonder Whimsy Wild: Folk Art in America while PRESENTED BY THE BROOKS MUSEUM LEAGUE creating artworks inspired by the exhibition, listening to live music, and The Scholastic exhibition showcases exemplary artwork watching artist demonstrations. of students in grades 7–12 and provides students with opportunities for recognition and scholarships. Chalkware Cat, unidentified artist, 1850-1900, gypsum and paint, Courtesy of the Barbara L. Gordon Collection Hannah Wisdom, SPF 0, Arlington High School

Wed 10 am - 8 pm | Thurs/Fri 10 am - 4 pm IN OVERTON PARK brooksmuseum.org Sat 10 am - 5 pm | Sun 11 am - 5 pm

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Proud to sponsor the Memphis Zoo for Over 15 Years!

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6 1/2_2016_Exzooberance_Animal_Ad.inddMEMPHISZOO.ORG 1 12/18/15 11:58 AM CREATURE FEATURE HIPPOPOTAMUS by ANGIE WHITFIELD, Director of Marketing & Communications

eighing in at up to 8,000 pounds, graceful in the water and very good The Memphis Zoo is home to two the hippopotamus is the third- swimmers. They spend up to 16 hours adult hippopotami, “Splish” and Wlargest land mammal after the a day in the water. Hippos can stay “Binti.” Both of the girls can be found elephant and the rhinoceros. They grow underwater for up to 5 minutes without in the hippo exhibit across from the to be up to fifteen feet long and five coming up for air. Their small eyes Herpetarium. “Splish” comes from feet high. The hippo’s hide alone can and ears are found on the top of their a long line of hippos at the Memphis weigh half a ton. heads. This allows the hippo to almost Zoo and was born, with her twin The word “hippopotamus” comes completely submerge itself except for “Splash” on Christmas Day, 1988. from the ancient Greek word for “river its eyes and ears, keeping them alert to “Binti” came to the Memphis Zoo horse.” While named after a horse, and any threat. in July 2013, from Disney’s Animal resembling a pig, the closest relatives During the day, hippos remain cool in Kingdom. “Splish” and “Binti” will of hippos are surprisingly cetaceans the African heat by staying in the water move to their new home, the Zambezi such as whales and dolphins. or basking in the mud on the shoreline. River Hippo Camp, in March 2016 Hippos are surprisingly fast for their They secrete a thick, oily red substance, and will be joined by a new male size. Even with their plump, bulky which may look like the animal is hippopotamus. bodies and short stumpy legs, they sweating blood. The liquid is actually a are capable of running up to 20 miles skin moistener and sunblock that may per hour. also provide protection against germs. Technically the hippo is a terrestrial They emerge at dusk to graze on mammal. Because it spends so much grasses and can eat up to 80 pounds of its life in the water, hippos have of grass a night. They may spend five adapted to their aquatic environment. or more hours grazing every evening and Despite their size and bulk, they are walk up to five miles during that time.

Over the past few months, we’ve featured a different animal that will make its home in our new Zambezi River Hippo Camp which opens in March. To learn more about this exciting new exhibit, visit memphiszoo.org/Zambezi

EXZOOBERANCE 7 2016 EVENTS

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

March March 5 Zambezi River MARCH Seasonal exhibits open Hippo Camp Opens (stingrays, camels, giraffes)

April 8 APRIL Wild World of Wine & Beer May 26 Zoom Through The Zoo May 27 MAY Zoo Brew May 29 Members Night

JUNE

July 30 JULY Members Night

AUGUST September 4 September 2 Members Night Zoo Brew September 24 & 25 September 10 Harvest Fest SEPTEMBER Zoo Rendezvous

October 21-23 October 5 Senior Day Zoo Boo OCTOBER e October 21 appy N w Year October 27-31 H Zoo Boo Winter Hours Begin October 30 NOVEMBER November 18 Seasonal Exhibits Close Zoo Lights Opens

DECEMBER Zoo Lights (select nights)

8 MEMPHISZOO.ORG SMTWTFS 1 2 January January Skate Night Skate Night 5:30–9:30PM 5:30–9:30PM 3 4 5JANUARY6 7 8 9 January Skate Day National CLOSES 4:30PM Bird Day 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 HOMESCHOOL ACADEMY 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 National Penguin Day 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

31 1 2 3 4 5 6

7 FEBRUARY8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Homeschool Day 1–3PM 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 National Polar Bear Day 28 29

They are the first penguin chicks at the Zoo in two years. The new HThe Memphisa Zoop py Nchicks are currentlyew being hand- Year is excited to announce reared by zoo keepers and the hatching of three will be in the penguin African penguin pool next spring.

chicks. HATCHED BETWEEN OCTOBER 17 AND 21

EXZOOBERANCE 9 DJ JEFF COWENS from DeepBlu Entertainment Homeschool Academy Winter 2016 This week-long educational program will provide exciting and interactive EDZOOCATION ways for students to learn about science. Each class includes animal Homeschool Days K–8th Grade visits, tours of exhibits, chats with This two hour program takes our SPINELESS WONDERS keepers, and more. popular zoo classes and adds a Monday, February 15th homeschool twist. Meet live animals, Afternoon Session (K–8th grade) 1 P.M. to 3 P.M. January 11–15, 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. participate in hands-on activities and $15/Members; $18/Nonmembers K–8th grade: $120/Members; get a guided tour of exhibits. $135/Nonmembers Register online at memphiszoo.org/homeschoolprograms or by calling 333.6576 9th–12th grade: $135/Members; $150/Nonmembers K – 2nd Grade Spring Break Camp 2016 HABITAT: WHAT’S THAT? CONSERVATION CAMP AFTERCARE 3 P.M. TO 6 P.M. Going, going, saved! While exploring If 3 p.m. pickup is too early for your 3rd – 5th Grade the Zoo and participating in fun games, schedule, we offer aftercare each day. FOR BETTER OR WORSE: crafts, and interactive experiments, A way for your child to unwind while SYMBIOSIS spring break campers will learn how you finish your work day, aftercare 6th – 8th Grade special our endangered animals are and consists of educational videos, exciting DNA & CELLULAR DEVICES what they can do to help save these activities, and fun games. important animals from extinction. 9th – 12th Grade Aftercare Cost per Day: $20/ BIOLOGY: HEREDITY March 7–11 and March 21–25 Members; $25/Nonmembers & BIODIVERSITY 9 A.M. to 3 P.M. Aftercare Cost per Week: $85/ Cost per Day: $40/Members; Members; $99/Nonmembers Register online at memphiszoo.org/ $50/Nonmembers homeschoolprograms or by calling Cost per Week: $170/Members; Register online at memphiszoo.org or by 333.6576 $199/Nonmembers calling 333.6576 Grades: JK–6th

EXZOOBERANCE 11 OTS E D TH CT NE N O C

DID YOU KNOW... George Washington’s false teeth were not made The term, “Hippopotamus” is derived from of wood, as is commonly two Greek words, ‘hippo’ meaning horse believed, but were and ‘potamos’ meaning river. That is why carved from the tusks it is also known as “River Horse.” of a hippopotamus.

Unscramble these 7 words that can be found in this issue of Exzooberance.

TMHUIPPPOSOA ______PHTNEEAL ______ASIGAMN ______WEE _ _ _ ETROT _ _ _ _ _ ANOUTAGRN ______NZATYRA ______

12 MEMPHISZOO.ORG TYRANZA 7. ORANGUTAN; 6. OTTER; 5. EWE; 4. SIAMANG; 3. ELEPHANT; 2. HIPPOPOTAMUS; 1.

® Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Memphis, TN Permit No. 1124 Requested in-home dates AprilAugustDec 29-Jan21-May 23-29 4 1 2000 Prentiss Place Memphis, TN 3811238112 (901) 276-WILD