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pronounced mah-GEE-zoh, meaning the message in Swahili pronounced mah-GEE-zoh, meaning the message in Swahili

VOLUME 56, NUMBER 1 SPRING 2017 SPRING 2017 Volume 56, no. 1 by Kyle Burks Spring is such an exciting time in . THE SACRAMENTO IS A 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION. The world feels fresh and vibrant and new life emerges all around us. I feel the same way about SACRAMENTO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BOARD OF TRUSTEES our great . My team and I are working hard to Jeff Raimundo – President Elizabeth Stallard – Vice President make the Zoo feel fresh and new and vibrant for Starr Walton Hurley – 2nd Vice President Adham Sbeih – Secretary the in our care and for you. Did you know Jason Russell, CPA – Treasurer James Naify – Past President that your beloved turns 90 this Kyle Burks, PhD - Executive Director/CEO

Fran Boland year? Our age shows in some areas – but I’m thrilled with the Michael Broughton Nancy E. Cole plans that will lead us to our 100th birthday in 10 years. Peter Colussy Jeffrey K. Dorso Marc C. Irish You are going to see some exciting things from us this year. Irwin Karp Lynn Matsuda We will be making significant improvements to our Jennifer A. Neal John W. Otto habitat to make sure our pride has a stimulating, complex Amisha Patel Susan Schoenig and comfortable home. We will be improving the indoor Mike Testa Dr. Janice Doucet Thompson homes for our great apes, too. You will see a much-needed Jody Ulich Alan Yee, MD shade structure for our and Fennec . You

ZOO ADMISSION HOURS will see two new aviaries for some incredible species.

February - October: 9 am - 4 pm* November - January: 10 am - 4 pm* The list goes on and on. As we improve the homes for the *Grounds close at 5 pm Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day animals, we also have improvements coming for you, too. We will have new events and new experiences to make HOW TO REACH US

916-808-5888 every visit an exciting adventure. saczoo.org [email protected] Hotline: 916-808-5885 Looking forward to our 100th birthday, we will be unveiling Development: 916-808-8815 Education: 916-808-5889 the final plans for our new Biodiversity Center and sharing our Meetings and Events: 916-808-8561 Membership/Zoo Parents: 916-808-5888 finalized Master Plan that will drive how we improve the Zoo in Volunteers: 916-808-7444

Maagizo is published by the Sacramento the next 10 years and beyond. Zoological Society. All rights reserved. EDITOR: Tonja Candelaria I hope you are as excited as me to be truly reimagining the COPY EDITOR: Amanda Cable PHOTOS: Marianne Hale, Mountain Lion Foundation, Sacramento Zoo. Union Island Conservation Program, Wild Nature Institute, Zoo Staff

The Sacramento Zoo is accredited by the Association of and Aquariums. www.aza.org calling all members

The Sacramento Zoological Society will hold a meeting for members on Wednesday, April 19, at 5:30pm in the Kampala Conference Room. The Board of Trustees and Zoo staff will host a special informative evening for members to discuss the Zoo’s role in the community, past and future. Your feedback is welcome. RSVP to 916-808-5888 by April 14. Seating is limited.

Printed on 55% recycled content CELEBRATING MILESTONE BIRTHDAYS IN 2017

This year as the Sacramento Zoo celebrates its 90th birthday, some of the Zoo’s residents are also celebrating noteworthy birthdays. In 2017……

• Aurora the White-faced Saki will be 19 • Cheli the Sumatran Orangutan turns 45 JOEY, • Ewell the White-handed Gibbon will be about 45 • Herkimer the Desert Tortoise will be about 90 • Joey the Chimpanzee will be about 54 • Obi the Red Kangaroo turns 15 CARRIBEAN FLAMINGO • Tolomaa the will be 17 • Val-lynn-tine the Reticulated turns 22 • Many of the Caribbean Flamingos are in their 40’s!

Age is relative to each species. Due to proactive veterinary care, TALOMAA, BOBCAT these residents and most others at the Sacramento Zoo have lived to ages that most of their counterparts in would never reach.

AURORA, WHITE-FACED SAKI

YOUR TREE TRIMMINGS CAN HELP FEED THE ZOO ANIMALS! Donate Browse

Browse /brouz/ noun nontoxic vegetation, such as leafy branches, eaten by animals.

SATURDAY, MAY 13 5 PM TO 8 PM 21 and over

TASTE LOCAL WINES & CRAFT BEERS Food available for purchase from local food trucks & Kampala Café For our Edible Plant List and Event proceeds and 10% of all food sales benefit the Sacramento Zoological Society. donation information visit: tickets & info saczoo.org/browse 916-808-5888 Top: African Hedgehog ’s Guenon, Kaci chatter

PRIMATES A lot of activity is happening in the Wolf’s Guenon exhibit! The group grew to four in June 2016 and over the last eight months the young female, Kaci, is proving to be an active adolescent – irritating her father, playing with her older sister and gaining confidence in her environment.

The new Coquerel’s Sifaka pair are getting used to their husbandry routines, keepers and their exhibit. The pair arrived in October from two different AZA zoos per the AZA Coquerel’s Sifaka Species Survival Plan ® (SSP) recommendation.

Phantasmal Dart Frogs Make sure to visit the North American River exhibit. Our new one- year-old female otter, Kai, is gorgeous and energetic. The AZA North American River Otter (NARO) SSP moved Kai to Sacramento as part of the planning process for the AZA NARO population.

This spring our young male lion, Demarcus, will be moving to New Jersey’s as part of the AZA African Lion SSP planned transfers. As part of the SSP, he will be gaining his own pride of females. His parents and sisters did a wonderful job of socializing him for this big “adult” move!

Based on Sumatran Species Survival Plan® recommendations, we have welcomed Jillian and have said farewell to Mohan. Jillian, a four-year-old Sumatran Tiger from Zoo will be introduced to her new exhibit in late March. Plans are in the works North American River Otter, Kai to move Mohan to another zoo. For now, the Sacramento Zoo will house only Jillian. The Sacramento Zoo and the AZA Sumatran Tiger SSP Program will continue to work together for future tiger planning.

REPTILES Phantasmal Dart Frogs are a new species in the amphibian exhibits at the House. These young frogs weigh less than two grams and eat tiny fruit flies as a staple of their diet (at least until they become larger!). Although they may look alike, each frog has unique spots and patterns on its underside to help zookeepers identify them.

INTERPRETIVE CENTER The Interpretive Center now has four young African Hedgehogs under their care. These IC Animal Ambassadors are instrumental in teaching school children and visiting guests about animals, adaptations, curriculum, and conservation messages. Hopefully, during your next visit you will be able to see these amazing poky in an animal encounter or stage presentation.

Sumatran Tiger, Jillian pardon our dust

As a facility that opened in 1927, celebrating 90 years means there is Lake Fence: We have replaced the dated 25-year-old lake fence with always something under construction or being updated at the Zoo. a new one that will provide more visibility and better experiences for Often, renovations happen without being noticed. Recently the Zoo’s animals and guests. Facilities crew have been busy putting all their specialized skills to work on a variety of projects. Exhibit: Updates included re-grading the terrain, better irrigation and drainage, reseeding/plant work, and adding more Den: The substrate in the Aardvark holding area den was climbing levels and places for the pandas to explore. changed in order to give the Aardvark different textures in order to help wear her nails and pads more effectively. A sand pit was also added for Lemur Housing: The Facilities team is working on behind-the-scenes her digging enjoyment when she is behind-the-scenes. space expansion for the Coquerel’s Sifaka and Black and White Ruffed Lemurs. Additionally, tunnels will be added in outdoor and indoor African Lion Housing: An expanded off-exhibit space for the holding so that space usage is more flexible between the species and African to give them even more options of where to lounge is near animals can more easily move from one location to another. This gives completion. The space includes a small pool and adds more options for zookeepers more flexibility for animal shifting and voluntary husbandry zookeepers to move animals from space to space depending upon the training with these prosimians. animal’s needs and social dynamics at any given time.

Hornbill Haven: A new shed was added between the hornbill exhibits. This shed houses the nest boxes for the and allows keepers to better monitor, in person or via camera, any egg-laying activity.

ZOO MEMBERS MEMBER-ONLY PERK: Admission morning or afternoon; tickets not required. Wait times may be significant to enter Zoo. MEMBERS ONLY! JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL BREAKFAST WITH THE EMPIRE $20 for kids (2-11), $25 for adults, Under 2 Free Two seatings available: 8:30 – 9:15 am or 9:45 –10:30 am Reserve your seat at saczoo.org/starwarsday starting March 6

NON-MEMBER TICKETS AVAILABLE Two entry times available: 9 am – 1 pm or 1 – 4 pm Special ticketed event; tickets required; extremely limited availability; wait times to enter Zoo may be significant; limited tickets may be available day of event Pre-purchase highly recommended; tickets available starting March 6 General admission tickets/passes not valid The Sacramento Zoo proudly supports more than In addition to the money allocated by the Zoo’s three dozen animal conservation programs locally Conservation Committee, the Sacramento Zoo also distributes conservation dollars with the help of visitors and throughout the world. These programs vary from through the Quarters for Conservation program. working with local populations to protect native In 2016, more than 530,000 Zoo visitors helped divide species, to using unique animal identifications in $50,000 among three programs through the Zoo’s Quarters for Conservation program. tracing certain species to help us learn more about As guests entered the Zoo, they used a token them and what we can do to protect them in their representing 25 cents to vote for one of three projects. natural habitats. The money will be allocated accordingly with each As part of the Sacramento Zoo’s mission to support conservation project receiving at least $5,000. In 2016, the Greater programs and educate the public, everyone who visits the Zoo Sandhill Conservation program received 91,290 votes, contributes directly to conservation. This means that while you’re the South African Vulture Conservation program having a great time, you’re also doing a great thing by supporting received 100,700 votes and the highest number the Zoo and the Zoo’s animal conservation partners. Visiting the went to the Borneo Small Wild Conservation Zoo, purchasing a membership, riding the Conservation Carousel with 177,291 votes. Each year the Zoo’s Conservation or Zoo Train, traversing the Kilimanjaro Climb, participating in a Committee selects three new organizations to support Giraffe Encounter, and even experiencing the Cyclone through the Quarters for Conservation program. all support more than three dozen conservation projects The 2017 nonprofit animal conservation programs are around the globe. the Mountain Lion Foundation, Red Panda Network, and Union Island Gecko Conservation. MOUNTAIN LION FOUNDATION Once ranging freely throughout North and South America, the Mountain Lion (a.k.a ) was on the brink of extinction across the entire United States by the early 1960s. While Mountain Lion population levels have since rebounded within some western states, Mountain Lions still face extermination in areas where human development is greatest. Today, there are fewer than 4,000 Mountain Lions in California –a number that continues to decline.

Not enough is known about the movements, habitat, and resource use of Mountain Lions in the valleys and river systems of California. The Mountain Lion Foundation is working with volunteers to locate Mountain Lions on camera to record their presence and behavior. The data will enable scientists to find and track individual lions, and to make the effort visible so the public can better understand the challenges Mountain Lions face in California as well as the contributions people can make to further Mountain Lion conservation.

RED PANDA NETWORK

Red Pandas live in high altitude temperate with understories in the and high mountains of . Red Pandas are currently classified as Endangered; their primary threats are habitat loss and degradation, human interference and . Researchers believe that the total population of Red Pandas has declined by 50% over the past two decades.

The Red Panda Network (RPN) is committed to the conservation of wild Red Pandas and their habitat through education and empowerment of local communities. RPN’s community-based program integrates scientific research, community education and conservation to promote long-term success.

UNION ISLAND GECKO CONSERVATION

The Union Island Gecko is one of the most threatened animals in the Caribbean. This beautiful lizard’s home is restricted to 130 acres of an exceptionally species-rich above Chatham Bay on Union Island. Here, it is highly vulnerable to a variety of threats including invasive predators, habitat loss, and unregulated collection for the international pet trade. In 2011, this gecko was listed as , signifying its extremely high risk of becoming extinct.

The Union Island Gecko Conservation Action Plan was developed using a participatory process involving many individuals and organizations, including agencies with a mandate for managing wildlife on Union Island. The Action Plan’s objective is the preservation of Chatham Bay Forest. This includes public outreach and education designed to increase understanding of the need to conserve the Union Island Gecko and its habitat. Also, the establishment of systems to prevent the introduction of harmful, invasive species. giraffes vulnerable to extinction

By Monica L. Bond, Principal Scientist, Wild Nature Institute

We all hear of poaching for ivory and for horn, but did you know that giraffes have also experienced a massive decline in the wild? Giraffe populations across have plummeted in the last few decades by nearly 40 percent, to the point where they now number only 98,000, far fewer than African elephants. The IUCN Red List of globally threatened species was recently updated by the world’s giraffe experts who re-categorized giraffes from ‘least concern’ to ‘vulnerable to extinction’. The main causes of giraffe population declines are habitat loss and illegal killing for bushmeat markets, resulting in giraffes now restricted mostly to lands in and around national parks.

One of Africa’s largest giraffe research and conservation programs is run by Dr. Derek Lee of the Wild Nature Institute, with long-term support from the Sacramento Zoo. The Wild Nature Institute’s goal is to assist wildlife agencies to locate, protect, and connect areas important for giraffes, so healthy populations can continue to thrive. Using the unique spot patterns every giraffe is born with, the Wild Nature Institute is studying births, deaths, and movements of more than 2,100 individually identified Masai giraffes in the Tarangire ecosystem in . With this information, the Wild Nature Institute is discovering why some areas support high giraffe survival and while other areas do not. This information is then used to inform land-use planning, anti-poaching efforts, and other effective conservation measures. Wild Nature Institute is also engaging and linking African and North American communities with giraffe-themed children’s books and other environmental education materials to build conservation awareness and action. You can learn more about giraffe research, conservation, and children’s books at www.wildnatureinstitute.org. You can learn about all the animal conservation programs the Sacramento Zoo supports at saczoo.org. TUESDAY, MAY 16 / 6 – 7:30 pm Kampala Conference Room

THIS FREE INFORMATIVE SEMINAR will navigate through a jungle of estate planning topics presented by local attorney Mark S. Drobny, California State Bar Certified Legal Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. Mr. Drobny is widely regarded as one of the top experts on estate planning, providing information on a variety of topics in an entertaining manner that will help you design a plan that fits your needs. TOPICS WILL INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: • Living Trusts vs. Wills • Probate – How Can it be Avoided? • Who Needs Durable Powers of Attorney for Financial Management and Advance Health Care Directives? • Charitable Gift Annuities Seating is limited. RSVP to Amanda Cable at [email protected] or 916-808-8815 by May 12 to guarantee your seat. ANIMAL PROFILE | LINNE’S TWO-TOED SLOTH

Linne’s Two-toed Sloths are found in the tropical of Central and South America. This nocturnal, arboreal species is named for the two digits with long curved nails on their front feet. These specialized nails (along with the three on their back feet) allow the sloths to hang upside-down onto branches high in the canopy where they eat plant matter such as leaves, flowers and fruit. A Linne’s Two-toed Sloth’s large multi-chambered stomach assists with digesting this material and the whole process may take more than a month! The low nutritional value of their diet and their slow metabolism are some of the reasons for the sloths’ infamously slow speed.

The Zoo’s resident Linne’s Two-toed Sloth, Edwina, came to the Sacramento Zoo in 1992 from the and has been “hanging” around ever since. Edwina is 25-years-old and her favorite snacks are sweet potatoes, with grapes and broccoli as close runners-up. During the day, she is often napping inside – visitors are most likely to catch a glimpse of her in the cool mornings or during rainy weather. She is one of the few animals at the Zoo who loves venturing outside in the rain and getting her soaked!

Though not threatened in the wild, remains a concern for the Linne’s Two-toed Sloth along with many other species that also inhabit tropical rainforests. The Sacramento Zoo participates in the AZA Linne’s Two-toed Sloth Species Survival Plan® (SSP).

Give Mom an unforgettable Mother’s Day at the Sacramento Zoo. • Enjoy french toast, eggs, bacon, bottomless mimosas and more! • Spend the rest of the day exploring the Zoo • Visit mother/baby pairs like Shani and Rocket the giraffes

Three seatings available: 9:30 am, 11 am, and 12:30 pm

EARLY BIRD (through May 8) $23 kids • $28 adults ($2 off for members) GENERAL $25 kids • $30 adults Bottomless mimosa upgrade: $12 Visit saczoo.org/mothersday to purchase tickets. Tickets on sale March 1. Growing up at the Zoo

Sam Bailey, a former Zoo camper and then camp counselor, has spent a lot of time at the Sacramento Zoo. His time at the Zoo and everything he learned has helped him to his current stop, UC Davis. We asked him a few questions about how the Zoo has helped guide him.

Q. What you are going to school for and how do you plan to use your degree?

I am going to UC Davis to earn a degree in Biological Systems Engineering. I hope to combine my love of biology and animals with mathematics and engineering. This is a very broad field of engineering that lets me explore fields from agriculture and food sciences to biotechnology to environmental engineering. I’m hoping to find a career where I can stay close to animals daily.

Q. Tell us about the influence the Sacramento Zoo has had on your life.

I started visiting the Zoo at a very young age and I learned about all of the animals that surround us and how they impact our world. Just seeing all the different creatures that existed made me love animals. This understanding of the importance of animals drew me toward biological sciences.

Q. What is your favorite Zoo program?

My favorite Zoo program is definitely summer camp. Since the age of five I have been involved in the program every year. I was a camper through elementary school and middle school and I became a camp counselor in high school. While I was a camper I learned about animals and the environment through numerous activities and games that made each day at camp fun and exciting. I looked forward to coming back to the Zoo and I when I was finally old enough, to be a counselor. I was excited to give back to the program that I’d grown up with.

Q. Why is animal conservation important to you?

Animal conservation is important because our world is reliant on the animals around us. Without animals, our planet wouldn’t be the way it is. Every animal is one piece of a larger picture and without even just one of these pieces the whole system can fall apart. As our world changes and technology and society grows we must still consider the animals around us and how we may impact them.

To learn more about how you can get involved in Zoo programs, visit saczoo.org. Non-Profit Org. 3930 West Land Park Drive U.S. Paid Postage Sacramento, CA 95822-1123 PAID saczoo.org Sacramento, CA Permit No. 651

PHANTASMAL DART FROG The Phantasmal Dart Frog is native to Ecuador.

Tuesday, March 14 Thursday, May 4 SUMMER CAMP – MEMBER ONLY REGISTRATION – NOON BIG DAY OF GIVING Starting at midnight, the Sacramento region will come together for Saturdays, March 25, April 29 & May 27 one BIG Day of Giving. Join the Sacramento Zoo and more than 500 NATURE EXPLORERS – 10 AM TO 2 PM nonprofits for a celebration of philanthropy and put your money where Get wild about nature at the Sacramento Zoo! Join the Zoo and the your heart is! Sacramento Library as young explorers and their caretakers read stories, and explore the wonders of the natural world. Saturday, May 13 WINE & BREW AT THE ZOO – 5 TO 8 PM Sunday, March 26 Stroll through the lush setting of the Sacramento Zoo while you enjoy ZOOZOOM – FIRST RACE BEGINS AT 8 AM tastes of local wines and craft beers - all while supporting the Zoo and Join the stampede as thousands of walkers and runners raise funds to seeing the animals. Zoo closes early at 1:30 pm. benefit the Zoo. There are options for everyone from 5K to 10K and a kids fun run. Sunday, May 14 MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH – SEATING BEGINS AT 9:30 AM Saturday, April 22 Celebrate Mother’s Day with a bevy of brunch favorites in a location EARTH FEST – 9 AM TO 4 PM like no other. Afterward, stroll the Zoo as you celebrate all species of It’s a party for the planet! Learn how to protect and preserve the Earth mothers. Reserve your seat in advance. through keeper chats and Stage Shows, games, crafts and face painting – all focused on the planet! Tuesday, May 16 ESTATE PLANNING WITH MARK S. DROBNY Mondays, May 1, 8 & 15 6 TO 7:30 PM SENIOR TEA & TOURS – 9:30 AM TO NOON Well-known local attorney and estate planning specialist Mark S. Drobny will Enjoy a refreshing cup of tea and a guided tour of the Sacramento Zoo! help you navigate through a jungle of topics in this free informative seminar. Designed especially for seniors ages 55 and over. Register at 916-808-5889. Register at 916-808-8815.