Critter SPRING 2015

critter SPRING 2015

Zoo Calendar You Did What? by Ken Frye, Zoo Director It doesn’t happen often, but have you ever reverts to me, but I’d be Spring Hours tried on a new jacket or sweater, and you just a fool not to take the 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Weekdays knew it was the right fit? It felt perfect and guidance and ad- 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Weekends needed no alterations. Over the past six years, vice of Dave and Last admission 1 hour Dave Webster has been the Director of Sco- Office Manager before closing vill Zoo and I have been the Assistant Direc- Kathy, consid- tor. About a year ago, Dave approached me ering their Summer Hours with the idea of changing duties and job as- combined de- May 23 - August 16 signments. He wanted to get back to working cades of zoo 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Daily closer with the keepers, working on projects experience. We both Last admission at 5 p.m. in the zoo, and being more involved with the want people to know that they day-to-day care of the animal collection. My are always welcome to pitch new exhibit Zoo Admission new responsibilities would include budgeting ideas, new event suggestions, and bet- Children (under 2) - FREE and administrative responsibilities. I would ter ways to do what we do. We may or Children (2-12) - $3.75 also make the most of my PR skills with com- may not be able to honor your request, Adults - $6.25 munity engagement, media relations, and but we will take it seriously and give it Seniors (65+) - $5.25 donor development. We believe these respon- thorough consideration. Contact me at

sibilities are a better use of our skills. What [email protected] or 421-7435. Thank Free admission days are will not change is how well our team works in you for your continued support of Sco- Thursdays beginning June 4 the best interest of Scovill Zoo. Staff regularly vill Zoo. I look forward to making this meets to discuss issues and share opinions. position a good fit...just like my favorite The only difference is that now the final say jacket. Special Events Earth Day & World Penguin Summer Zoo Camps Day presented by Advanced Disposal If you’re looking for an exciting, edu- April 25 cational animal experience, try one of the great summer camps at Scovill Zoo! Zippy Zoo Day with Mom In Critter Encounters, students aged May 9 5 - 6 will participate in hands-on activi- ties with a different story, animal, and Ice Cream Safari presented by activity each session. “Houses, homes Prairie Farms Dairy and habitats” will be the focus of the July 19 Zoo Kids week-long camp, where students aged 7 - 8 learn the ways animal Complete 2015 Zoo Calendar homes are different from ours. During Scovillzoo.com Zoo Camp, participants aged 9 - 10 will 14 - 17, is a fun, educational way to ex- explore animal classifications in a week-long plore zoo careers. Please note: Zoo Teens adventure. Zoo Crew allows 11 - 13 year-olds applications are due May 1. For details to learn more about zoo animals and design about summer camps at Scovill Zoo, call their own exhibit. Zoo Teens, for youth aged 421-7435 or register at Scovillzoo.com.

71 S. Country Club Rd. • Decatur, IL 62521 • 217/421-7435 Email: [email protected] • www.scovillzoo.com 2 SCOVILL ZOO critter chatter • SPRING 2015

Zoo Leaders Reptile Roundup by Ryan Kirkland Scovill Zoo recently began an exciting and other new herps. One is a Woma Decatur Park Board new partnership with Muffley Elementary python, a uniquely patterned snake Jack Kenny, President School. The first project involved students with a big personality and the ability to Bob Brilley II, Vice-President determining which new reptile should survive in the harshest of climates. We Chris Harrison fill a vacant exhibit. They researched Chris Riley have also acquired some new European Stacey Young four animals and then voted on their “legless” glass lizards. Glass lizards get their favorite, with the name because if they are attacked by a winner being the predator, their tails will break off Decatur Parks Foundation blood python. and move around to distract the Dr. Bill Van Alstine, President Each grade predator, allowing them to escape. Erv Arends then selected Natalie Beck Their other unique feature is Brian Byers an aspect of the that they have no legs. A lizard Melinda Chadwick blood python such with no legs is not a snake! Kara Demirjian-Huss as the digestive system, This animal has eyelids and ears Tom Hostetler habitat, color deviations, and (snakes don’t) and chews its food Dr. Stephen Huss if it would make a good pet. Their findings while snakes swallow theirs whole. Glass Kara Johnston were presented to school guests. We now lizards are a mobile zoo favorite but will Jack Kenny have acquired two female blood pythons also be on display at the zoo. Chuck Kuhle Cindy Laegeler Judith Locke Penguin Update James Neff What’s black and white and black and birds, kids in the pop-up dome, and the Chris Riley white and black and white? A penguin Rod Schanefelt exhibit itself. The penguins eat 12 – 14 Jim Schwarz rolling down a hill! Our penguins are pounds of fish per day. They prefer trout Cyndy Smith rolling along just fine here at Scovill and herring, but their main diet is cap- Mark Tupper Zoo. Over the past year, the keepers have elin. They will also occasionally eat smelt. Kathy Wiesemann been learning each penguin’s individual This summer, we will get to watch the likes and dislikes, which ones are easy to penguins molt their feathers. Prior to the

work with, and which ones are going to Executive Director molting season, penguins’ fish consump- Decatur Park District be stubborn when trying to get the group tion increases to 24 - 30 pounds per day. Bill Clevenger to go inside the building. They have all In July and August, the birds will lose adjusted well to Illinois weather and the most of their feathers and grow in new new exhibit. The response from guests Zoo Staff ones. Visit these amazing animals soon Ken Frye, Director has been very positive. People love the to learn more about their conservation Dave Webster, Assistant Director underwater viewing window, and hun- issues and interesting habits. Mary Barnes dreds of pictures have been taken of the Ryan Kirkland Heather Purdeu Mindy Weaver Camp Out at Scovill Zoo! Kent Winchester Kathy Winter Why travel hundreds of miles for a fam- light breakfast. The event on June 26 will Nicole Zinn ily camping trip when you can enjoy a feature birds, birds, and more birds! On wild adventure in the middle of Scovill September 18, we will highlight animal Zoo? 2015 marks the fourth summer for fossils. Early risers may also help open our unique, family-friendly camp outs. some of the exhibits and get the animals For the best discounts and Up to 50 campers will pitch their tents ready to meet the public. Call the zoo of- benefits, become a and spend the night, listening to sounds fice to reserve your spot (421-7435). The only our zoo can offer. Campers enjoy cost is just $25 per person or $100 for a Friend of the Zoo! dinner around the campfire, an evening family (up to six total). tour, animal encounters, train ride, and critter chatter • SPRING 2015 SCOVILL ZOO 3 Unlimited Rides Pass! Camel Humps by Amanda Ott Do you love to ride the Scovill Zoo’s camel herd has grown February 2014. He is Certificate train and carousel? Now by two humps! Jack Frost (Jack for currently housed next to Scovill Zoo Unlimited Rides Pass you can increase the This pass entitles the holder to unlimited rides on the Z.O. & O. Express and Endangered Species Carousel. short), came from the Mona-Sasha, our female 2015 Season fun...and your savings... Cincinnati Zoo in No- camel. She weighs around $100 with the Unlimited Value! vember. A baby moni- 2,000 pounds, while Jack Rides Pass! Purchase a tor was used to keep weighs just 750 pounds. zoo membership and add the pass for an an eye on him during Due to their size difference, they have extra $100. All you have to do is show transport. He traveled not yet been introduced, but we hope to your membership card, then ride the very well and spent a lot do so in the very near future. Jack is fairly train and carousel as much as you want! of time munching on hay calm and will be a great companion for Perfect for families that visit the zoo ten and taking naps. Jack got Mona-Sasha. When you visit the zoo this or more times each season. Just another his name because he was season, stop by and welcome Jack! example of how Friend of the Zoo mem- born during a snowstorm in berships are the best deal around!

$20 Zoo Fun Pack It’s a Boy...a Girl...and another Boy! If you visit the zoo regularly, consider a by Dave Webster, Curator/Assistant Director Zoo Fun Pack that offers the following Goat births in the Contact Area are always hairless circles on top of the kid’s head. benefits at a $7 savings! exciting. The babies, or kids, often arrive Scabs will fall off in a few weeks. • 2 admission tickets in twos and threes. Many times, lucky zoo • 2 Endangered Species Carousel tickets 3 weeks after birth: Male kids are neu- • 2 snow cone tickets visitors witness the births. Here’s a time- tered, which makes them nicer animals line of the early life of our kids. • 4 Z.O. & O. Express Train tickets to be around as adults. Unneutered Call 421-7435 or visit the Gift Shop to 15 minutes after birth: Baby goat stands males have powerful scent glands, and purchase your Fun Pack today! up for the first time. buck goats reek during the fall. Bucks also butt and fight with one another. 30 minutes after birth (or sooner): Kid Animal Adoptions nurses milk from 6 weeks after birth: Veterinar- Do you have a favorite animal at Scovill his mother for the ians give the kid a physical Zoo? Adopt it! Donation amounts range first time, acquiring exam and first vaccinations. from $15 for leopard geckos and glass important antibod- Boosters happen at 9 weeks. lizards to $75 for penguins and wolves. ies that keep him 6-10 months: Young goats Benefits include a personalized adoption healthy. leave for permanent homes certificate, subscription to the Critter Chatter newsletter, and invitation to the 1 hour after birth: in other zoos. Few zoos breed goats, because they don’t want annual Zoo Parents picnic. Call the zoo Keepers spray the to learn more! kid’s umbilical cord to deal with the adult males. with iodine solu- Our small, friendly goats are in demand. Over the winter, two Farewell, Amanda! tion and weigh the Congratulations to former lead keeper kid. Zoo visitors so- groups of kids and one lamb left Scovill Zoo for homes at Amanda Ott on her recent move to Flori- cialize the baby to da to work at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. humans by petting the Binder Park Zoo (Battle Creek, MI) and the Tulsa Zoo. We thank her for 13 great years at Scovill the newborn kid. Zoo and wish her success at the second 1 year: 1 week after birth: The kid is disbudded A few kid goats remain at Scovill happiest place on earth (We’re sure Sco- with a heated tool that destroys the horn- Zoo to become part of our adult herd. vill Zoo will always be #1 in her heart)! forming cells on top of the head. Horns Our veterinarians vaccinate them annu- can cause injuries to visitors, other goats, ally against rabies. They enjoy a lifetime and even to the goat sporting them if they of being hand-fed, petted, and scratched Schedule your next party or get caught in a fence or feeder. After dis- by zoo visitors. Life expectancy for a goat special event at Scovill Zoo! budding, visitors will notice two distinct at Scovill Zoo is about 10-14 years. PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID DECATUR, IL PERMIT NO. 330 71 S. Country Club Road Decatur, IL 62521

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SPRING 15 2015 Foundation Events

Scovill Zoo Open Golf Outing Date: Friday, May 15 Time: 12:15 p.m. Shotgun Start 5 p.m. Reception & Prizes Place: Hickory Point Golf Course 2015 Save the date for the best golf outing of the year! You’ll enjoy a great day of golf, lunch on the patio, and a fun afternoon reception. Fee is just $500/team of four. For details, call Kurt Rogers at 422-2211. All proceeds benefit Scovill Zoo! Scovill Zoo offers a Zoo-rific Evening at Scovill Zoo variety of camps for w w youth aged 5 - 17! August 22, 2015 Evening begins at 5 p.m. $75/person Mark your calendars for a Zoo-rific Evening at Scovill Zoo, featuring animal For details, visit encounters, entertainment by ISU’s Gamma Phi Circus, music, specialty scovillzoo.com or call drinks and hors d’oeuvres, and a chance to bid 421-7435. on spectacular prizes! Stroll the grounds and get a behind-the-scenes look at the zoo’s exciting inhabitants. All proceeds benefit upcoming renovations in the center of the zoo. For facebook.com/scovillzoo tickets and sponsorship information, call the Foundation office at 422-5911.