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| BLANK PARK ZOO ANNUAL REPORT 2013 Mission: to Inspire an Appreciation of the Natural World Through Conservation, Education and Recreation

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| BLANK PARK ZOO ANNUAL REPORT 2013 Mission: to Inspire an Appreciation of the Natural World Through Conservation, Education and Recreation 2 | BLANK PARK ZOO ANNUAL REPORT 2013 mission: To inspire an appreciation of the natural world through conservation, education and recreation. vision: To be respected internationally and treasured locally for leadership in animal exhibition, conservation practices and education opportunities. BLANK PARK ZOO ANNUAL REPORT 2013 | 3 Dear Zoo Friends, In 2013, Blank Park Zoo made great school programs and field trips to 2013 Board of Directors progress in accomplishing our the Zoo. Also, 350 Iowa teachers Jonathan Wilson | Chairman mission of conservation, education, attended AEA approved workshops Cathy Lacy | First Vice Chair and recreation. to expand their STEM (science, Ray Hansen | Second Vice Chair technology, engineering, math) Jolene Veach | Secretary/Treasurer The Blank Park Zoo Foundation, teaching skills. Matt Fryar | Immediate Past Chair board, staff and volunteers James Fleming | Member-at-Large believe that helping to save the This year, Blank Park Zoo set an Michael Hubbell | Member-at-Large endangered species of the world all-time audience record of 458,907, Lisa Kruidenier | Member-at-Large is not just a part of our mission, with record attendances for Zoo Amanda Rinehart | Member-at-Large but is a responsibility that we Brew and a second best all-time Dean Whitaker | Member-at-large take very seriously. The National record for Night Eyes. This spring Chris Coleman Geographic (October 2013) stated opened the new African exhibit Kaye C Condon it best, “As the wild shrinks, zoos (Jamaa Kwa) featuring black Russell Cross are increasingly being looked to as rhinos, eland, Stanley cranes, kori Rusty Goode modern day arks: the last refuge bustards and spurred tortoises Jim Hagenbucher against a rising tide of extinction.” with indoor heated viewing. Other Pat Henson projects included replacing the Richard W Hoffmann The Zoo has invested over Koi dock with an ADA accessibly James A. Hourigan DDS $100,000 (dollars and in kind) dock for fish feeding, updating Scott Ivers in conservation projects locally, and replacing the barn with Kids Toby Joseph nationally and around the world. Kingdom with a larger visitor Daniel McCabe This effort has grown from a zero friendly facility and adding indoor Lisa Nolan budget five years ago. It is our heated underwater viewing of the Ben Page belief that one small zoo, one seal and sea lion exhibit. Dustin Petersen individual or one small deed can Billie Ray make a difference. With that as our Finally, this fall brought about the Brian Rickert guiding principle, we established opening of a new state of the art Chris Seiberling a Conservation Alliance made up tortoise and penguin exhibit with David Stark of six teams. Each has a specific indoor heated viewing and new Jamie Stephens mission under the conservation entrance exhibit with year-round Julie Stewart umbrella and are composed of staff, viewing of Bactrian camels. Dotty Thurston volunteers and board members. Stephanie Windsor In addition to the implementation None of these successes would be of the Conservation Alliance, the possible without the dedication Directors Emeritus Zoo hosted the International Zoos and support of our staff, volunteers, David Allen and Aquarium: Committing to donors, and corporate partners. Judy Blank Conservation (ZACC) Conference We truly appreciate your Robert Burnett in July that brought over 200 zoo involvement in Iowa’s only Zoo. Gloria Burnett personnel and field researchers Paul Easter to meet and develop partnerships Jo Ghrist to benefit wildlife and wild places Helen Hubbell around the globe. Attendees came Elizabeth Kruidenier* from over 40 different countries. Suzy Muelhaupt Mary Jean Paschen Education programs soared with John Peterson Zoo educators traveling to over 200 Sincerely, Kevin Prust libraries for science and learn-to- Mark Vukovich Terry Rich read programs and engaging over Blank Park Zoo President/CEO Loretta Sieman 51,000 students through on-site Jonathan Wilson Tim Urban Board Chairman David Wallace *deceased 4 | BLANK PARK ZOO ANNUAL REPORT 2013 honors & awards AZA Reaccreditation Accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums This summer, Blank Park Zoo underwent a thorough (AZA) ensures the highest level of excellence in review that included a detailed accreditation application animal care, exceeding professional standards for as well as a multiple-day on-site inspection by a team of animal welfare and management, veterinary care, experts from around the country to ensure it has and will behavioral enrichment, nutrition and staff training. AZA continue to meet ever-rising standards for animal care, accreditation standards exceed currently established veterinary programs, conservation, education and safety. local, state and federal guidelines. AZA continually monitors accredited organizations and every On September 8, 2013, Blank Park Zoo received accredited zoo and aquarium must go through the offcial reaccreditation by AZA. entire process every five years. 2013 ZACC Conference Host Selection Early this year, Blank Park Zoo was selected to host the Zoo welcomed more than 200 people from all over the international 2013 Zoos and Aquariums Committing to world, which resulted in increased involvement of many Conservation (ZACC) Conference July 8-12, 2013. This zoos and aquariums in support of field conservation – biennial conference provides opportunities for zoo locally, national and internationally. and aquarium personnel and field researchers to meet and develop partnerships that benefit wildlife and wild As host, Blank Park Zoo is showing the important places around the globe. Past hosts include zoos like contributions it has made to conservation with our the Columbus Zoo and Houston Zoo. Blank Park dedicated staff and volunteers. BLANK PARK ZOO ANNUAL REPORT 2013 | 5 new species Bearded Dragon Red Fox, Penny 2 African Spurred Tortoises 2 Stanley Cranes 4 Common Eland 10 Naked Neck Chickens 2 Eastern Black Rhinoceros, 2 Bactrian Camels, Nicolai Kiano and Ayana 2 Kori Bustards and Tuya Births, Hatchings, and Acquisitions: 50 Peacock Clownfish Boa Constrictor, Jersey Hooded Pitta 10 Guinea Fowls Chilean Rose Tarantula 6 Chilean Flamingo 3 Mauritius Pink Pigeons 6 Nigerian Dwarf Goats 4 Emperor Scorpions Chicks 8 Speckled Pigeons 4 Bennett’s Wallabies 4 Burrowing Frogs Ostrich Sun Bittern California Sea Lion, Zoey 4 Mexican Tree Frogs 6 Emerald Doves 4 Superb Starlings We are deeply saddened over the passing of a few of our Gavivi the Daphne the Red the Sea Clarence the RT the Aldabra dear friends African Lion Porcupine Lion Sloth Tortoise 6 | BLANK PARK ZOO ANNUAL REPORT 2013 by the numbers 3,837 people 458,907 fed the ostriches-a lives touched new experience at the Zoo! 34 weddings 97,134 riders 1,119 volunteers took place at the Zoo. set a new train record helped at Night Eyes x OVER 16,000 64,642 miles 576,180 minutes were sold were traveled by of Blank Park Zoo beads education staff to 744 videos were watched at the Jamaa Kwa libraries around the on YouTube Africa retail stand state of Iowa. 47,196 guests DID YOU KNOW? learned a little extra through Deuce the Lion keeper chats, training and eats 7.5 pounds of demonstration shows at the meat a day! Critter Corner BLANK PARK ZOO ANNUAL REPORT 2013 | 7 8 | BLANK PARK ZOO ANNUAL REPORT 2013 significant happenings Connection to Africa 2013 was BIG as the Zoo opened ‘phase one’ of the largest capital expansion it has seen to date – Jamaa Kwa ‘Connection to’ Africa. This 3.5 acre exhibit features an immersion of African culture, the severely endangered black rhino, eland, kori bustard and spurred tortoise, amongst an aviary, interactive signage and opportunities to feed the ostriches and even play African drums. In addition, Jamaa Kwa Africa features a new retail stand where Zoo guests can assemble a homemade necklace using handmade recycled paper beads from the Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust (CSWCT) project in Uganda while learning about sustainable livelihoods and conservation. Of all the tremendous new opportunities Jamaa Kwa Africa has to offer Zoo guests, the greatest may be the opportunity to encounter the two eastern black rhinoceros that now call Blank Park Zoo home. The Zoo is honored to include Kiano and Ayana in our Zoo family and we look forward to the opportunities these magnificent creatures present to inspire us all to take greater responsibility for our planet. Kiano and Ayana have spent the year acclimating to their new indoor and outdoor exhibits, and have grown to 3,000 pounds combined! BLANK PARK ZOO ANNUAL REPORT 2013 | 9 A Zoo for All Seasons Opened in September was the Zoo’s new indoor tortoise and penguin exhibit. This new building is home to the Aldabra tortoises and Magellan penguins during the winter months, improving both the visitor and animal experience. The tortoises will enjoy a sand pit, exposure to UV rays year- round for vitamin D, a nursery area, heated floors and indoor water access. The penguins will have access to an indoor pool, allowing them to swim all year-round! The space also features improved ventilation in addition to padded floors, which protects the animals from arthritis and joint pain. 10 | BLANK PARK ZOO ANNUAL REPORT 2013 Partnerships and SSP One-of-a-Kind Experience The Zoo has over 2,300 animals in its collection, Also reaching completion in 2013 was the new year- representing over 208 different species. Through round viewing exhibit at the entrance of the Zoo which partnerships at home and abroad, the Zoo works to features two Bactrian camels, Nicolai (male) and Tuya advance the protection of wildlife species and habitats (female). This visitor experience unlike any other at-risk. This includes participating in the Species allows Zoo guests to enjoy viewing the Bactrian camels Survival Plan (SSP) breeding program for endangered year-round all while driving into the Zoo, playing in animals for repopulation into the wild. the playground or enjoying lunch in the park.
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