150Th Anniversary Edition a MAGAZINE for MEMBERS of LINCOLN PARK ZOO PERSPECTIVE
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SUMMER 2018 150th Anniversary Edition A MAGAZINE FOR MEMBERS OF LINCOLN PARK ZOO PERSPECTIVE Soaring to New Heights I’ve been surrounded by great zoo people all my life. My father was an ornithologist. We lived at the Bronx Zoo, where I grew up with keepers and animals. In 1976 I joined Lincoln Park Zoo as curator of birds (pictured, left) under the supervision of Dr. Lester Fisher, one of the best zoo people I have ever known. Now, as Lincoln Park Zoo cele- brates our 150th anniversary, I am proud and grateful to be part of a great zoo commu- nity. Our staff, volunteers, members, partners, and supporters keep this institution free and open 365 days a year so locals and global visitors alike can connect to nature in the heart of Chicago. Planning our anniversary has brought back many fond memories; it has also encour- aged us to reflect on our evolution and future. We’ve come a long way. Our zoo began in 1868, when commissioners of New York’s Central Park gave Lincoln Park a gift of two pairs of swans. As was the culture of the time, we spent our early years as a menagerie showcasing a multitude of exotic species. Around 1950, we began to shift from focusing on quantity of animals to quality of life. Dr. Fisher built new facilities that reflected the animals’ natural habitats. He instituted regular preventive veterinary medicine. He set a foundation for the zoo to grow as a place that serves animals as well as people, and strives to conserve species in the wild. Today, we are rooted in science. We are a leader in animal care, conservation, com- munity partnership, and education, but we still have much to do. We will continue to improve animal habitats and the on-grounds experience with The Pride of Chicago capital campaign. Outside the zoo, we work with colleagues in Puerto Rico to support critically endangered Puerto Rican parrots, whose habitat was affected by Hurricane Maria. We will continue to expand the Urban Wildlife Information Network. In November, we will host the 2nd International Wildlife Reintroduction Conference, which will bring together experts to discuss the best ways to restore wildlife to their native habitats. Here in Chicago, we will continue our work with partners in communi- ties across the city to co-create nature experiences in their own backyards. I hope you’ll join our anniversary celebration by exploring our exhibition, From Years of Chicago’s Free Zoo Swans to Science: 150 Years of Lincoln Park Zoo, in the coming months. As always, thank 150 you for your ongoing support. Here’s to another 150 years. • KEVIN J. BELL PRESIDENT AND CEO 2 | LINCOLN PARK ZOO SPRING 2018 | 3 WILDFILE: NEWS OF THE ZOO 150th Anniversary Edition BY EMILY ALTIMARI LINCOLN PARK ZOO SUMMER 2018 DEPARTMENTS Happy Birthday to Zoo! VOLUME 17, NUMBER 2 • MAGAZINE FOR MEMBERS OF LINCOLN PARK ZOO Perspective / 3 It started with swans in 1868—a gift from New York’s Central Park to Lincoln Park’s Board of Commissioners. The striking Wild File / 5 CONTRIBUTING EXECUTIVE STAFF white birds were a sensation in Chicago and Lincoln Park Zoo FEATURES Take Action With Us / 7 came to be the forever-free urban oasis it is today. While you PRESIDENT AND CEO can still see swans (though a different species than the found- 150 Years of Chicago’s Free Zoo Family Album / 18 Kevin J. Bell ing waterfowl) at Hope B. McCormick Swan Pond, the science Zoo / 2 Green Scene / 21 EXECUTIVE VICE behind their care has changed. Over the course of 150 years, In honor of Lincoln Park Zoo’s 150th PRESIDENT science has shaped the zoo’s animal care strategy, conservation Field Note / 22 anniversary in 2018, we’ve wrapped Megan Ross, Ph.D. efforts, and community presence. this issue in a detachable, fold-out In celebration of the zoo’s sesquicentennial anniversary and VICE PRESIDENT OF timeline that chronicles the zoo’s Cover: The zoo’s original sea lion pool, built in 1879 the science that steers everything we do, we’re sharing stories MARKETING AND proud history. and shown here in a photo taken around 1900, from the past and looking toward the future with a free, fami- COMMUNICATIONS attracted visitors whose modes of fashion and ly-friendly summer exhibition: From Swans to Science: 150 Years Beth Krauss transportation were a bit different than those of of Lincoln Park Zoo, now through September 3. A History of Helping Apes / 8 today’s guests. What hasn't changed? Lincoln Park CREATIVE DIRECTOR Guided by an interactive Exhibition Pass Presented by At Regenstein Center for African Zoo is still free and open to all every day of the year. Lena McDonagh Wendella Tours and Cruises, history buffs and animal lovers will Apes, animal care is informed by a enjoy 10 image- and fact-filled stops throughout the zoo that pioneering past and research that DIRECTOR OF trace its commitment to community, care, and conservation over gives gorillas and chimpanzees a PUBLIC RELATIONS 150 years. Enter code words to form a message in the Exhibition voice through science. Jillian Braun Pass as you make the circuit, and you can enter a drawing to win monthly prizes, including ADOPT packages and special boat MAGAZINE STAFF Look for this icon to find great tours and cruises from Wendella! Transforming the Zoo / 14 gifts from Lincoln Park Zoo. EDITOR You can also sidle up to a piece of zoo history Dr. Lester Fisher and Kevin Bell, Craig Keller during daily noon “Meet an Artifact” chats at whose past and present leadership Regenstein Small Mammal-Reptile House at Lincoln Park Zoo spans decades, ART DIRECTOR Members save on throughout summer. On July 17 and August share how the zoo has evolved and Joann Dzon Twilight Safari. 21, join ticketed, 150th anniversary-themed what it means to them. Sign up at lpzoo. CONTRIBUTORS Twilight Safaris led by zoo history experts org/calendar. Emily Altimari after hours! I Spy, Zoo Spy / 16 Chris Bijalba The zoo’s history is written on the Beth Botts walls—literally! Explore the zoo in a Jillian Braun whole new way by using these clues Michelle Falco to find some hidden (and not-so- Julia Fuller Product: 4x6 Postcard Date: 00-00-00 Front Customer: Xxxxxxxxxxxx Version: 1 hidden) features of the zoo, with Hyson Gibbon Job#: 00-XX00 Option: A Code: 46 designs dating back to as early as Artist: XXXXX Kelly McGrath Item#: 0000000 1904. Allison Price Send family and friends some Mollie Rotmensch Product: 4x6 Postcard zoo history! Eight reproductions Customer: Xxxxxxxxxxxx Job#: 00-XX00 Date: 00-00-00 of vintage postcards depict past Kate Silver Code: 46 Option: A Version: 1 Artist: XXXXX animal residents and beloved zoo landmarks during earlier eras. Item#: 0000000 Front Product: 4x6 Postcard 150th Anniversary Logo Customer: Xxxxxxxxxxxx April 2018 Date: 00-00-00 Job#: 00-XX00 Version: 1 Option: A Available at Code: 46 Artist: XXXXX Front Wild Things Item#: 0000000 gift shop at the (152x109mm bleed) 148x105mm Go Online for More zoo or online at Duelfer Ryan by Photo Our Impact Depends on You lpzoo.org/shop. Visit lpzoo.org/magazine for 2 1 of Celebrate the zoo’s 150th anniversary with these and other Who funds Lincoln Park Zoo? You do! Zoo members, donors and visitors Page special web-only features— $.50 each. help cover around 80% of our annual operating costs to keep this commemorative keepsakes, from a laptop pack to a wine 150th Anniversary Logo including photos, video and *Actual imprint color, position, size and product color may vary. ©IMPACT PHOTOGRAPHICS April 2018 tumbler to a plush swan! non-profit, privately managed institution open and free every day and blog posts—inspired by the support its mission of wildlife conservation, animal care and learning. stories in this issue. Printed in the USA Available at Wild Things gift shop at the zoo or online at 150th Anniversary Logo April 2018 Support the zoo at lpzoo.org/donate. 148x105mm (152x109mm bleed) lpzoo.org/shop. (152x109mm bleed) *Actual imprint color, position, size and product color may vary. 4 | LINCOLN PARK ZOO 148x105mm 1 2 SPRING 2018 | 5 Printed in the USA ©IMPACT PHOTOGRAPHICS Page of 1 2 Page of *Actual imprint color, position, size and product color may vary. ©IMPACT PHOTOGRAPHICS Printed in the USA WILDFILE: NEWS OF THE ZOO Take Action With Us BY MEGAN ROSS, PH.D. New Chick on the Block EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Come Play at the The zoo’s African penguin colony got a Farm! lot fuzzier on February 10 when its first We know you care about the chick hatched. It’s a boy! Lincoln Park zoo, and that means you care Early Childhood Learning Zoo Trustee Mayari Pritzker named about wildlife. At Lincoln Programs at the Farm Presented the chick Oliver. Oliver is the offspring Park Zoo, we protect ani- by Peoples Gas offer free activi- of penguin pair Robben (female) and mals around the world, from ties for the littlest learners at the Preston (male), and will retain his downy the Republic of Congo to Farm-in-the-Zoo! gray feathers until he molts into his Clark Street! You might be waterproof, juvenile plumage. After one surprised at how many wild Play Days at the Farm to two years, African penguins molt into animals live right here in Chicago. (Main Barn) Tuesdays and their iconic, tuxedo-like adult plumage. How can we help make Chicago a wel- Saturdays, 10 a.m.–noon Fuller byJulia Photo Bird keepers slowly introduced coming place for people and wildlife to thrive Join our Play Assistants for Oliver to the rest of the colony behind together? Here are a few suggestions from hands-on nature play activities! the scenes.