Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Institute and the Institute for 2014 Conservation Medicine

Report for the Year A Message from the Saint Louis Zoo President and the Institute Director: Again, in this annual report, we list Thank you for looking over this The Saint Louis Zoo’s WildCare Institute spent its those who contributed in 2014 and report and for your interest in our Polar Bears 12th year focused on responding to threats, all the partners who were involved in research and conservation work Box Turtles 2014 projects. For a complete list of and in the future of saving wildlife in Missouri Native Species researching diseases, assessing animal health, all donors and partners, please visit wild places. www.stlzoo.org/wildcare. Hellbenders Pollinators educating and supporting communities, sustaining American Burying Beetles Mountain Vipers habitats, breeding endangered animals, reintroducing Horned Guans animals into the wild and augmenting wild populations. Birds With all 12 centers and our Institute for Conservation Amphibians Orangutans Medicine, we have focused on conservation work on a Grevy’s Zebras Galápagos Birds, Tortoises Asian Elephants Humboldt Penguins local scale in areas where we can make a difference and monitor results. WildCare Institute Centers Lemurs Locations of organizations the WildCare Institute supports Camels Partula Snail This report offers an update on the Although each Conservation Center Institute’s activities focusing on has focused on a species, our Cheetahs 2014 achievements. It also provides efforts have had an ecosystem-wide Chimpanzees, Gorillas and Okapis some background on each center impact, with our work resulting in Saharan Wildlife director and on key individuals the conservation of many other who have helped make each species. For example, the creation of Jeffrey P. Bonner, Ph.D. Eric Miller, DVM, Dipl, ACAM center successful. two new nationally protected areas in Armenia, based on our mountain From this report, you will see that Sincerely, both the WildCare Institute and the viper research, has also protected Institute for Conservation Medicine such species as Persian leopards. About the Saint Louis Zoo’s WildCare Institute rely heavily on the expertise of However, no matter how hard we Launched in 2004, the WildCare Institute is committed to wildlife Saint Louis Zoo staff. We also work and our partners work, the future management and recovery, conservation science and support of the closely with a range of partners to of the many species, both in our human populations that coexist with wildlife in 12 conservation hotspots address the needs of local people— care and in the world, can only be around the globe, including four in Missouri. educating local villagers, offering guaranteed through the generosity of opportunities for employment and individual donors, corporations and Jeffrey P. Bonner, Ph.D. Eric Miller, DVM, Dipl, ACAM, providing health services. foundations. We thank all our donors Dana Brown President & CEO Director, WildCare Institute for their strong support. Saint Louis Zoo Senior Vice President, Director of Zoological Operations Saint Louis Zoo Contents Bob Merz Center for Conservation of the American Burying Beetle ...... 6 Patricia Parker, Ph.D. Center for Avian Health in the Galápagos Islands...... 9 Steve Bircher Center for Conservation of Carnivores in Africa...... 12 Alice Seyfried Center for Conservation in Forest Park ...... 15 Jeff Ettling, Ph.D. Ron Goellner Center for Hellbender Conservation...... 18 Center for Conservation in Western Asia...... 21 Martha Fischer, Ph.D. Student Center for Conservation in the Horn of Africa ...... 23 Michael Macek Center for Conservation in Punta San Juan, Peru...... 26 Center for Conservation of the Horned Guan in Mexico...... 29 Sharon L. Deem, DVM, Ph.D., DACZM Institute for Conservation Medicine...... 30 Eric Miller, DVM, Dipl, ACAM Center for Conservation in Madagascar...... 34 Ed Spevak, Ph.D. Candidate Center for Native Pollinator Conservation...... 37 Bill Houston 4 Saharan Wildlife Recovery Center...... 40 History/Mission: states—Arkansas, Kansas, success. Center staff believes that & Wildlife Service, the Missouri An insect that embalms carrion Nebraska and Oklahoma—share with adequate research on what Department of Conservation and Center for Conservation with naturally secreted fluid, portions of their borders with has caused this animal to become The Nature Conservancy, the American burying beetle is a Missouri. The beetle was last seen lost, the species may hopefully the Zoo has reintroduced captive of the American Burying Beetle necessary part of our ecosystem– in Missouri in the mid-1970s, thrive in Missouri once again. beetles to Southwest Missouri removing dead and decaying and until the Center reintroduced The Center has been working since 2012. newly minted graduate with a Bob was drawn to the unit and handmade traps hoping animals naturally. These insects beetles into the wild, staff had for more than a decade toward Genetic work organized by the communications degree from Insectarium because of its to save his favorite species. are responsible for recycling monitored for existing American that goal, successfully breeding Center for Conservation of decomposing components burying beetles but with no St. Louis University, he found he dedication to visitor interaction. “When most people think of thousands of American burying the American Burying Beetle could not survive as a part-time He admits he has a more back into the environment. The beetles on the Zoo campus. has provided a firm base for endangered species, they American burying beetle is also newspaperman. He applied for intellectual bond with insects imagine exotic animals in some The Zoo is participating in the both reintroductions and a job as Primate Keeper thinking than he has with other animals. a proverbial “canary in the coal Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ breeding programs. In addition, far-off continent,” said Bob. “They mine,” providing warning to he’d stay for a few years. However, Bob has an “inordinate don’t think of beetles that once (AZA) American Burying Beetle educational opportunities us that something harmful is (ABB) Species Survival Plan expand awareness of the That was 25 years ago. Since fondness” for beetles—saying lived in their own backyards. The happening in our environment. then, he’s served as the editor that there are more species of fact is, we are often not even (SSP) and maintaining the North importance of this insect and of a quarterly prosimian taxon beetles than any other group aware that the natural world is This beetle has been in decline American Regional Studbook for the need to save it. Bob Merz advisory group newsletter and of animals on the planet— disappearing around us. That’s for many years. Once found in this species. The Center’s research on the Director, Center for Conservation created a training program for conservatively 300,000 to why I am so determined to solve 35 states, by 1989 the only Surveying for the endangered beetle genetics, breeding efforts of the American Burying Beetle Primate House docents. 450,000. “Compare that to the mystery of the disappearance known population was in Rhode beetles has comprised the and reintroductions to parts of Island. Since its listing as an Saint Louis Zoo Zoological Manager, He has been a long-term 9,000 species of birds or 30,000 of the American burying beetle— majority of the Center staff’s the beetle’s former range are the Invertebrates supporter and is director of the species of fish.” and to save it.” endangered species, field surveys efforts for the past several years. beginnings of the recovery of this have discovered populations in WildCare Center dedicated to The beetle he loves best is the In addition, working with U.S. Fish beautiful insect. saving an endangered bright, six other states. Four of these Called “Dutch” from the American burying beetle because red-orange beetle. German word, “Deutsch,” he argues it is pretty and has St. Louis’ Dutchtown was a close- Throughout his long career, Bob’s a fascinating life cycle, which knit neighborhood of red brick skills as a communicator have begins with the death of a bird, townhouses, where hundreds of served him well—particularly in fish, snake or small mammal. Select 2014 Achievements: German-Americans settled in the 1999, when he became a Keeper Beetle parents move the carcass 19th century. in the newly built Monsanto to a suitable burial spot by lying Zoo staff involved in a spring found offspring from beetles we jointly owned and managed managed by the Zoo’s WildCare Insectarium and in 2000 when he on their backs and using their 2014 survey found two of introduced and that the offspring by the Missouri Department of Institute Center for Conservation It was not a likely breeding was named Zoological Manager 12 little legs as a tiny conveyor the endangered beetles that made it through the winter–this Conservation and The Nature of the American Burying Beetle; ground for a pioneering specialist there. “I really loved primates. belt. They bury this carcass, and made it through the winter. “It is especially promising given the Conservancy. the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service; in beetles—a self-described Working with them opened up after mating, the female lays her was really encouraging to find harsh weather conditions of this the Missouri Department of “beetle fanatic.” For the first time, nearly a dozen a whole world for me. But in the eggs on or near it. The parents offspring from the beetles that past winter.” members of the Zoo ALIVE teen Conservation; and The Nature And Bob Merz is the first to admit Insectarium, I saw a way to really stay with their tiny white larvae, were reintroduced earlier,” In June 2014, approximately volunteer program at the Zoo Conservancy. Staff from that as the son of a commercial engage visitors in learning about feeding them like bird parents said Center Director Bob Merz. 350 Saint Louis Zoo-bred helped prep the beetles for partner organizations and local photographer and journalist, his insects, which are the broad feed their chicks. “The beetles do not necessarily American burying beetles were reintroduction and participated volunteers also helped with initial interest in the Zoo was emerge from their underground the reintroduction. foundation for the whole animal This fascination and the beetle’s reintroduced for the third year in the reintroduction on June 17 self-serving: he needed a job. In winter hibernation all at once; system—the base of ecosystems,” rapid decline have led Bob to in Southwest Missouri across (ALIVE stands for Active Leaders 1983 as a teenager, Bob worked so the number of beetles found he said. drive all around Missouri with the Wah’ Kon-Tah Prairie in St. In Volunteer Education). on the Zoo’s grounds crew for A thrilled Bob Merz reintroduces American in the spring surveys is not rotting chicken, a handheld GPS Clair and Cedar counties on land 6 a few years. Then in 1989, a burying beetles in Southwest Missouri. that telling. The key is that we This reintroduction was jointly 7 Talented Professionals Support the Center’s Work in the Field: Lou is also active in developing a number of other programs. Center for Avian Health He is Project Coordinator for the Karner Blue Butterfly habitat restoration and reintroduction in the Galápagos Islands project, New England Cottontail She received her bachelor’s home to endemic species ranging director of Amazon Programs Rabbit captive breeding program degree in zoology in 1975 and from migrants, land and sea birds for Conservation International and the head starting program her Ph.D. in behavioral ecology in to Darwin’s famous finches and in Brazil. A third earned a for timber rattlesnakes (working 1984—both from the University even penguins. prestigious National Science with state and federal agencies of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In her years on these islands, Foundation postdoctoral position to save these threatened and From 1985 to 1991, she was a at the University of Colorado. endangered species). In 2003, Dr. Parker has not only done visiting scholar and research major research; she has also She says these young scientists Lou participated in a bio- Daniel Koch, Saint Louis Zoo beetles from those original four, scientist at Purdue University. diversity survey in Papua, New Invertebrate Keeper, Manager but Zoo staff realized that the forged a close partnership offer the best hope for sustaining Guinea, where he and partner of the American Burying colony needed fresh genetics From 1991 to 2000, Dr. Parker with Ecuador’s Galápagos the Center’s work for years to Lou Perrotti, Director of organizations introduced Beetle Colony. An experienced to prosper. In the fall of 2010, Patricia served as an assistant professor National Park and the Charles come and for saving the avian Conservation Programs, a conservation education horticulturalist with a bachelor’s the Zoo received 12 individuals and then an associate professor Darwin Research Station. species of the Galápagos. “We American Burying Beetle SSP curriculum in remote village degree from Southeast Missouri (6 males, 6 females) from a in the Department of Evolution, Center scientists liberally share need to find answers now to Coordinator, Roger Williams Park schools. From 2007 to 2012, State, Dan joined the Insectarium beetle conservation area in Parker, Ph.D. Ecology and Organismal Biology their research findings with insure their survival while the Zoo. In 2006, the Association Lou established a feeder insect staff of the Saint Louis Zoo in Arkansas. After that infusion of Director of the Center for Avian at the Ohio State University. officials from both institutions potential exists to do something of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) breeding facility in Panama 2003. Growing up on a farm new genes, Dan saw the colony Health in the Galápagos Islands In 2000, she came to the and with the local community. about it,” said Dr. Parker. created a Species Survival Plan to support the Panamanian near Maeystown, Illinois, Dan flourish, yielding around 9,000 and the E. Desmond Lee Endowed University of Missouri-St. Louis This has endeared Dr. Parker (SSP) for the American burying Amphibian Rescue and developed a love for animals. offspring. The Saint Louis Zoo Professor in Zoological Studies (UMSL), where she is Biology and the Center to the people beetle, the first for a terrestrial Conservation Project. In 2007, He still helps out on the family has become one of the leaders and Chair of the Department Department Chair. Dr. Parker also of the Galápagos Islands. In invertebrate. Lou Perrotti was he started a working partnership farm and owns acreage, where he among conservation institutions of Biology at the University of was named the first endowed fact, in 2008, Dr. Parker was selected to manage the SSP— with the New England Zoo raises and shows poultry. Before in reproducing healthy beetles Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL). Des Lee Professor of zoological awarded the prestigious Order which involves coordinating and Aquarium community to coming to the Zoo, he had also thanks to Dan’s persistence in studies. The recipient of multiple of Scientific Merit by the people captive breeding at conservation encourage local and regional worked in landscape design and determining the best breeding prestigious awards, including of the island—an award she How does a native Texan with says recognizes the work of the organizations across the nation. conservation efforts in the field. landscaping so it was natural conditions and genetic matches. a warm Southern accent and the Saint Louis Zoo’s 2014 He manages breeding and Lou was also the founder of for Dan to begin taking care of He is always experimenting with Conservation Award, she has entire team. The medallion and an elegant manner end up certificate hang on her wall at reintroduction of the beetle for the first Rhode Island chapter Insectarium plants. Early in his ways to improve, including using spending years studying served in editorial positions his own zoo, where since 1995, of the now-AZA citizen science Insectarium career, Dan also a computer program to determine for several scientific journals and UMSL, where Dr. Parker has a wildlife in the rugged and exotic strong reputation for being 5,000 American burying beetles program FrogWatchUSA, which began breeding the common the best mate choices. The writer Galápagos Islands? in advisory positions for funding have been raised and more than in Rhode Island has trained over burying beetle, which was a good of several scientific articles and agencies and professional a great educator. 2,800 released into the wild. “Lou 600 citizen scientists to monitor training ground for taking on a presenter on this topic, A combination of curiosity societies. Her list of grants Many of her students have has been a great mentor to me, amphibian populations across breeding responsibilities for the Dan has become one of the and intellect, many would say. and publications numbers in gone on to significant offering husbandry and breeding the state. endangered American burying “go-to” persons for conservation A behavioral ecologist and the hundreds. accomplishments—one after advice and direction in terms of beetle. In the fall of 2005, the Zoo organizations interested in population geneticist, Dr. Patricia earning his Ph.D., did postdoc Parker began her career studying For a decade, Dr. Parker’s focus field support for the project,” said received four beetles that became breeding these remarkable has been on saving birds on work at Harvard University Bob Merz. the base colony for the Zoo. insects. social interactions between and is now on the faculty at animals. Her original focus was the Galápagos Islands where Galápagos hawk Dan’s breeding skills resulted avian species are noted for their the University of Arizona. 8 the Galápagos hawk. 9 in 18 generations of burying uniqueness. These islands are Another went on to become History/Mission: The Zoo’s WildCare Institute some of them from Ecuador, leave Talented Professionals Support the Center’s Work in the Field: The Galápagos Islands’ isolated Center for Avian Health in the islands with a global network Jamie Palmer, Technician, location, volcanic activities the Galápagos Islands was of co-workers and collaborators. Institute for Conservation Medicine and tropical currents create an established in 2004 as the first- More than 30 UMSL graduate (ICM), Saint Louis Zoo. Thanks environment that has served ever avian health program on the degrees have been awarded to to Jamie Palmer’s work in Dr. as a living museum and natural islands. For more than a decade, students who have conducted Parker’s lab, there is now a laboratory where scientists work Center scientists have worked to research on the islands. Center standardized ELISA (enzyme- with park officials to protect save some of the world’s rarest Director Dr. Patricia Parker and linked immunosorbent assay) native wildlife. However, the and most fascinating species her research team have also to test exposure to malarial cumulative effects of human and to help save captive birds written 85 scientific papers—all parasites in Galápagos bird contact, climate change and the because lessons learned on the in the interest of sharing their species. Students in Dr. Parker’s introduction of new diseases Galápagos Islands can be used findings so that conservationists lab have been studying the have taken their toll. with birds in the care of other can work together to come up prevalence of avian malaria conservation organizations. Ecuador has maintained the with long-term solutions for the parasite DNA through polymerase chain-reaction for many years. islands and its surrounding Galápagos penguins In fact, education is core to the survival of the critically important waters as a national park and Center’s mission. The Saint species on the islands and to Jane Merkel uses a net to catch and tag avian species in the Galápagos. However, knowing exposure marine preserve since the the area’s government leaders Louis Zoo has sponsored a build a secure, renewable future rates for those populations will 1950s, showing a commitment and the scientists like Dr. Parker, veterinary scientist in residence for the Galápagos Islands. Jane Merkel, Zoological Manager, park rangers and research center help scientists better understand to preservation and setting these islands now serve as a at the Charles Darwin Station Animal Health, Saint Louis Zoo. employees are often the first the pathology of this pathogen. strict procedures to limit the conservation model in their on the islands, conducting field After working in an emergency people on the scene when a Jamie standardized an ELISA Jamie Palmer in a lab at the Zoo. spread of environmental threats response to threats to the and laboratory research with veterinary clinic and a specialty bird is found, so they need to using a newly developed antigen, that caused species extinction survival of species and in their colleagues there. More than a surgical practice, Jane Merkel know how to take samples,” Jane provided by a collaborator, and Systematics. In 2013, Jamie in other places, like Hawaii. commitment to aggressively dozen nations are represented joined the Saint Louis Zoo in said. Her primary work in the to determine the presence rejoined the Zoo to work as a Because of the commitment of monitor the health of in the mix of students at the 1994. In the meantime, she went Galápagos has involved assisting of antibodies in Galápagos Lab and Field Technician for the wildlife populations. research center; these students, to UMSL, eventually earning both students or taking samples and penguins. This ELISA now allows ICM. There she works as the bachelor’s and master’s degrees making blood smears herself. UMSL scientists to test for right-hand person to the ICM in biology. As a student, she did Jane’s work has been presented plasmodium exposure in other Director, performing lab and Select 2014 Achievements: field work in Galapagos, Ecuador, at the European Wildlife Disease species. From the fall of 2009 field responsibilities, managing and later, worked at Punta Association Student Workshop to 2011, as an UMSL graduate databases and training and With more than a decade’s of mosquito is transmitting the UMSL undergraduates. The team requested by the Galápagos San Juan, Peru, to save marine in Annecy, France, and at the student in biology, Jamie puzzled working with interns on experience understanding disease. worked to determine the exact National Park staff to help them species by helping with health annual American Association over this problem while working ICM projects. assessments. In recent years, for the Advancement of Science. in the lab managed by Dr. Parker. disease threats to birds in the Two UMSL Ph.D. students led sites on the island where the manage a hawk population Jane has continued working in She has contributed to several Jamie earned her bachelor’s isolated Galápagos Islands, this a team of scientists who spent parasites are most prevalent. affected by rat eradication. Galápagos Islands where she has scientific papers on a range of degree in biology with an WildCare Center’s leadership six months on the islands An UMSL graduate student Center scientists published conducted training workshops topics. “I have loved being in the emphasis in zoology from San is now focused on determining gathering samples from birds began working to complete a seven scientific papers on their on creating an early warning field, learning about the people Francisco State University. She which bird species is serving and mosquitoes. To date, they thesis examining the disease- Galápagos work. Many of these system for avian disease and of these islands and working with then worked as a Keeper at the as the reservoir host for avian have screened the blood of more carrying potential of the Philornis published articles reported taught avian hematology to help wildlife. My field work in Peru Saint Louis Zoo before heading to malaria. This disease poses a than 5,000 samples from island fly, in a collaborative project with findings that are helping the park rangers and Charles Darwin and the Galápagos has been the graduate school at UMSL where major threat to the native bird birds for the malaria parasite. Ecuadorian partners. Galápagos National Park craft Research station employees highlight of my 20-year career at she earned a master’s degree populations of the islands. This summer and fall they management policy. A team of UMSL students take blood samples. “Galápagos the Zoo.” in Biology: Ecology, Evolution Researchers are also focused processed these samples with on determining which species completed a population genetic 10 a lab team that included five study of the Galápagos hawk 11 History/Mission cheetahs inhabit a broad section The Center’s initial focus was on of Africa, including areas of Center for Conservation conserving the world’s fastest North Africa, the Sahel and the land animal, the long-legged eastern and southern parts of cheetah, which is losing its race the continent. Over the past 50 of Carnivores in Africa for survival. The goal has been years, cheetahs have become Two months later, Steve was and Species Survival Plans. between in situ and ex situ to educate stakeholders about extinct in at least 13 countries. working with antelopes, rhinos, Steve is a contributor to both efforts are needed to create conserving cheetah, to support Their two remaining strongholds hippos, and in 1980 became a professional and mainstream similar successes for threatened sound scientific research and are in Kenya and Tanzania in Carnivore Keeper, taking care of scientific publications and has cheetahs in the wild. to develop programs in East East Africa and Namibia and bears, big cats, and sea lions. delivered numerous lectures to and southern Africa so that the Botswana in southern Africa. Under Steve’s leadership, cheetah’s race would be one of Although challenges confronting “I have always been fascinated explain the conservation the Zoo has expanded its with carnivores ever since I was needs of carnivores. survival, not extinction. the cheetah differ from range conservation efforts to include to range, habitat loss, ranchers a kid,” he said. He gained this Historically, cheetahs ranged However, his focus has been such other large carnivores as killing animals, poaching and early love for animals during trips widely throughout Africa and on conserving the endangered lions, hyenas and African painted competition with large predators as a child to a family farm. Those Asia dating back to the Great Ice cheetah. “I fell in love with dogs. These species have an are killing off the remaining Steve Bircher and Kenyan researcher Cosmas Wambua set a cheetah trap; the trapped trips continue to this day and Age. Today, fewer than 12,000 Steve Bircher cheetahs,” said Steve, who impact on cheetah survival and cheetahs. cheetah receives a satellite tracking collar to help monitor its movements. Director, Center for have helped relieve the stress during his career has befriended play a critical role in maintaining Carnivores in Africa of managing a large number of many fellow conservationists, a balanced environment. people who care for a diverse Curator of Mammals/Carnivores including Laurie Marker, who has group of animals. He also helped since become a renowned Select 2014 Achievements: develop features for the exhibits leader in cheetah conservation The Center supports the work understudied, the Ruaha its traps captured one of the British Wildlife conservation As a dedicated young chemist the Zoo has recently opened for in the wild. and a recent graduate of sea lions, African painted dogs, of Conservationist and partner Carnivore Project works with surplus cheetahs on Samara biologist who has studied the Saint Louis University, Malayan sun bears and Andean Steve and others at the Zoo Amy Dickman in Ruaha National partners to gather baseline Game Reserve in South Africa. African Wild Dog for over 20 Steve Bircher went to his lab bears. Steve is responsible for pursued cheetah research and Park in south central Tanzania. data on carnivore numbers and That cheetah has been relocated years. As founder and director despite a six-inch snowfall one the Zoo’s carnivore collection pioneered captive breeding of The Ruaha Carnivore Project, ecology to develop appropriate to a game reserve where he of the Painted Dog Conservation morning in 1978. When everyone and their habitats including this difficult-to-breed species. which Amy Dickman directs, conservation strategies. In brings some new genetics. The Project, he has worked in was told to go home, Steve McDonnell Polar Bear Point, set to Unlike other big cats, the cheetah is part of Oxford University’s addition, the project is focused Trust also has finally reached the Hwange National Park in Bircher went to the Zoo. open in 2015. has very different breeding and Wildlife Conservation Research on reducing human-carnivore its target of obtaining biological Zimbabwe, where he created behavioral practices. What began unit. Its goal is to help develop conflict. Project staff has samples from 25 percent of adult education and development Charlie Hoessle, the now-retired Over his 37 years at the Zoo, as an interest in discovering conservation strategies for documented an 80 percent metapopulation of cheetah. programs that target local Saint Louis Zoo Director, found this dedicated conservationist what makes these animals so large carnivores in Ruaha’s decline in carnivore killings by The metapopulation genetic communities. The organization’s him standing in a hall and began steadily moved up the ladder selective in their mate choices remote landscape—one of villagers in the area due analyses began in June 2014; direct action strategies, such chatting with the earnest young from Commissary Supervisor, has now become an international the most critical areas in the to community education the results will guide future as anti-poaching units and a man. “We had a lot in common,” which was then a stepping cooperative effort to link captive world for large carnivores. programs that stress the benefits cheetah relocations to ensure rehabilitation facility, combat recalled Steve. “I attended high stone position for promising breeding programs with The area supports around 10 of the presence of wildlife on the genetic health of the cheetah the ever-present threat from school with his daughter, and young employees, to Zoologist, research and protection in percent of all lions left in Africa, village lands. population. poaching. The organization’s we both were raised in South St. Assistant Mammal Curator and cheetah-range countries. as well globally important One of the Center’s partners, The Center has increased its visitor center offers information Louis City. Charlie had a local TV in the late 1980s, to his current populations of African painted to local and international The Zoo’s cheetah breeding the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s support for African painted dog show that I really enjoyed. I told position. In those years he dogs, cheetahs, leopards visitors about the plight of the program has already successfully African painted dogs are now a focus of Cheetah Metapopulation, conservation, providing radio him I worked in a research lab, also served on the Association Center support. and spotted hyenas. Because painted dogs and the produced over 40 captive- reported that after 335 nights, collars to Greg Rasmussen, a 12 but I really wanted to work with of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) these populations have been Hwange ecosystem. 13 animals. He hired me to work in management committees for bred offspring, but much more the Children’s Zoo.” several Carnivore Taxon Groups research and a stronger link The Center has been focused Talented Professionals Support on working with its partners to the Center’s Work in the Field: develop an effective cheetah Amy Dickman, Director of Ruaha Center for Conservation in Forest Park census technique, reduce Carnivore Project. Amy Dickman Ten months into that stint, Alice It is also a focus of the Emerson and behavior of the endangered livestock conflict, conserve has spent 16 years working to joined the Zoo as a Keeper at the Children’s Zoo, where hands- long-beaked echidna. The Center cheetahs outside protected save carnivores in Africa, first Antelope House, one of only two on experiences, opportunities sponsored a program to protect areas and address veterinary in Namibia with the Cheetah women employed as keepers in for play and an educational the endangered Matschie’s tree and health issues. Conservation Fund, and now in that unit in 1980. Not bad for show attract almost 400,000 kangaroos, using community In 2013, the Center expanded its Tanzania. The author of over 20 a city girl who learned to love visitors annually. The three-acre conservation education to save census and monitoring effort to scientific publications, Amy holds animals and the outdoors through Children’s Zoo is home to more the kangaroos’ habitat. include all 35 carnivore species a master’s degree and Ph.D. visits to her grandparents’ farm than 300 small mammals, birds, in Tanzania, while continuing from Oxford University and is In 2007, Alice turned her and by hanging on every word reptiles and amphibians, many of to support cheetah researchers the founder of Ruaha Carnivore attention to developing another from her animal-loving maternal them endangered and important and project managers in Kenya, Project (RCP). Established in WildCare Institute Center—the grandfather. After five years as a to conservation research and Botswana, Namibia and South 2009, RCP now has a permanent Center for Conservation in Forest Keeper and then six years staying species survival plan programs. Africa. These recent initiatives staff of 12 based at a camp a few Amy Dickson celebrates the success of her program with fellow Carnivore Project workers Park, which provides for the and scouts in Tanzania. home with her children, Alice include support for training miles outside the border of Ruaha However, Alice’s conservation preservation and study of native returned to the Zoo to work with researchers and managers in National Park among pastoralist their way. They also persuade receive veterinary care for their focus extends beyond her wildlife and for conservation primates and apes. the field, public awareness communities. The first challenge villagers to call off lion hunts. livestock, and RCP has provided Alice Seyfried own backyard. She is involved education in Forest Park. That campaigns and community for RCP was to address livestock These approaches are being medicines and equipment to the Director of the Center for In 1998, she was named the in a number of national and park is within walking distance participation programs in these security. Most lion attacks were shored up by community outreach area’s local clinic. In 2011, Amy Conservation in Forest Park Fred Saigh Curator of the international conservation of the home where Alice Seyfried range countries. taking place at night when initiatives. Local schools in was awarded the Rabinowitz- Children’s Zoo. “This position initiatives through the Association once dreamed of playing with Fred Saigh Curator of the herders had placed their goats Namibia are paired with U.S. and Kaplan Prize, which honors the was my dream come true,” she of Zoos and Aquariums. From monkeys for her birthday. The Center and its partners have Emerson Children’s Zoo and cattle within bomas made UK schools, which send books best of the next generation of recalled. “Over the years, I have 2004 to 2007, she served as been conducting workshops to of circles of thorn bushes – a and equipment. RCP also puts six wild cat conservationists. She pushed for development of new Director of the WildCare Institute’s train and educate citizens in local barrier that lions, in particular, “Simba Scholars”— students from was recently nominated as a At age 4, Alice Seyfried kidnapped habitats for a variety of animals Center for Conservation in Papua, communities, helping the people are able to overcome with ease. the pastoralist communities— finalist for the prestigious Tusk her neighbor’s poodle. At 9, she so children could have exposure New Guinea. Alice traveled to that living near endangered animals The project has introduced more through secondary school Conservation Award. wrote a letter to the head of the to many species. I have always area to support research projects realize that protecting these than 86 sturdy, predator-proof each year. In addition, herders institution not far from her home. deeply loved animals and wanted focused on studying habitats magnificent animals will help bomas, which have proved “Dear Mr. Zooman, all I want to share that love with children them attract tourists. This team of effective. To protect livestock on for my birthday is to play with who today are suffering from conservationists is also focused their daytime grazing grounds, the monkeys.” nature deficit.” on educating local youth through the team is testing the use of conservation clubs to ensure that She eventually got her wish. Alice That deficit is the result of fewer Anatolian shepherd dogs. RCP’s the next generation understands earned a degree in animal science wild spaces and urban children partnership with Panthera and the critical need to save wildlife in from the University of Missouri having less opportunity to explore the Lion Guardians project in their home countries. and came knocking on the Zoo’s the wild and learn informally. Kenya also brought protection door—only to be turned away. She Introducing local children to the to villages from designated went instead to Ralston Purina’s wildlife in varied habitats is a “lion guardians”–local youth dairy farm to milk cows at 2 a.m. primary goal of the Center Alice and expert trackers who, for a While there, Alice learned how to leads in Forest Park, where the salary, monitor the movements drive a manure spreader and got Saint Louis Zoo is located. of predators and warn livestock to wear a green polyester uniform 14 owners if trouble is heading with a checkerboard shirt. 15

African lion Urban youth check out wildlife during a Center outreach program at Forest Park. History/Mission: group of five goats to remove the and decorative arts and reflected All these programs support Talented Professionals Support the Center’s Work in the Field: In Forest Park, a variety of animal invasive bushes that crowd out what they had seen in their own the preservation and study of Ben Woodruff, Emerson Children’s but disliked teaching grade dip net to pick up a dragonfly species rely upon the health and native plants. art. They also observed and native wildlife through education Zoo Keeper. Ben Woodruff school. The newlyweds came to nymph, they scream,” he said. vitality of park habitats. More than Through another project, sketched the local habitat as focused on what is the closest spent his early years visiting his St. Louis where Ben applied for “But then they examine this 200 species of birds have been students armed with digital they visited natural habitats in wild area available to St. Louis grandmother’s farm and his teen a Naturalist Instructor position amazing creature, and you see sighted there. Some are migratory, cameras, guidebooks and field Forest Park. City youth—Forest Park. years white water rafting and at the Zoo. In 1998, he was hired something click. They understand and others are regular denizens, journals joined Zoo researchers hiking the Appalachian trail in instead as a part-time outreach the wonder of nature. We hope to like the great horned owl and in conducting a scientific survey his native West Virginia. While he educator. In 2000, he joined be igniting an interest in nature Northern flicker. of bee and other pollinator loved the outdoors, Ben never the Emerson Children’s Zoo as and paving the way for future This 1,371-acre park is the populations in Forest Park’s thought about being a zookeeper a Keeper. He finally was named conservationists.” Saint Louis Zoo’s “backyard.” In restored prairies. Information during those years. For college, he Naturalist Instructor in 2002 but Michael Dawson, Conservation supporting wildlife in the park, the gathered about the diversity and moved in with an older sister who went back to the Children’s Zoo Education Liaison. Michael Zoo’s WildCare Institute advances abundance of pollinators in the was living in Minnesota, while he as a Keeper in 2007. During all of Dawson has worked as an its own promise to make the world park helps Zoo experts work with earned a degree in elementary the moves, he’s managed to use educator for the Saint Louis a better place for living things and other agencies to improve and education from St. Cloud State his background as an educator to Zoo’s Education Department for to educate the community on the modify habitat. These surveys University. A southerner at heart, reach children who did not grow over 12 years—first as Naturalist importance of conservation. also provide valuable data about he disliked the cold winters. After up among wild animals as he Instructor and most recently as invertebrate populations and a summer working in Cape Cod, did. Ben shows them that their Mike Dawson conducts a BioBlitz– With the Zoo’s partner, Forest Park Conservation Education Liaison. an exploration and inventory of the colonization. he planned to join a friend in perceptions of snakes as fierce Forever, the WildCare Center for He also serves as the Saint Louis biodiversity of urban parks. Arizona and look for a teaching creatures are all wrong; he takes Zoo’s Curator of Biofacts (animal Conservation in Forest Park works Another multi-institutional job. But his sister had recently birds of prey into schools and has engaged in conservation and who to engage area youth—particularly initiative linked science and art artifacts, skulls, skins, etc.), as moved to Missouri, so he stopped children touch all kinds of insects. well as the Saint Louis FrogWatch allow scientists to collect large those young people with little to improve young participants’ by St. Louis. He made the Show Ben is a driving force behind quantities of data that can help opportunity to learn about natural observation and critical thinking Chapter Coordinator. Through Me State his home from then on. the Center’s outreach programs’ FrogWatch USA, a national citizen identify population deviations, habitats. skills, while helping them Ben’s first job in education was in efforts to address the nature geographic range shifts, and gain awareness of their local science program for frogs and Many Center programs involve Salem, Missouri, where he taught deficit found in urban children changes in the physical or environment. Students visited toads, Michael trains interested hands-on activities like working third graders from the Ozark who are more familiar with a biochemical characteristics the Saint Louis Art Museum to individuals and groups to identify to eradicate honeysuckle—using a Gathering samples from Forest Park lakes helps ignite an interest in nature. Mountain area. He met his wife computer screen than a screech of amphibian species. “This view nature-oriented paintings different species by their calls there and enjoyed the mountains owl. “When these kids use a and to properly record and submit information can then be this information to the program. incorporated into conservation “I have always had a passion practices,” Michael added. In Select 2014 Achievements: for reptiles and amphibians, addition to his duties at the Zoo, especially frogs and toads,” he Michael is an adjunct instructor The Center for Conservation Forest Park and the development fourth through sixth graders to the students used dip nets to said. “Working with FrogWatch for Webster University, where in Forest Park is currently of a pollinator garden and a Forest Park. In the classroom, catch such species as crayfish USA was a way for me to become he teaches an animal behavior collaborating with the Center for pollinator-themed nature play Center educators showed 90 and dragonfly nymphs, and more personally involved in course. Michael holds a master’s Native Pollinators, Washington area are all components of this students native butterflies, bees they used magnifying glasses frog and toad conservation and degree in secondary education University and Confluence project. and insects. The children were to study frogs and toads. With to share my enthusiasm, love with an emphasis on biology, Academy Old North in the inner also able to see and learn about binoculars, they checked out This project has involved and knowledge of frogs and a bachelor of science degree in city of St. Louis on a project a native screech owl, prairie king arboreal creatures. The students classroom visits to discuss toads with others.” He adds that biology and an associate involving pollinator and other snake, rabbit and box turtle. recorded all they had seen and wildlife and conservation issues this program and others like it of science degree in zoo native species habitats. done in journals. and trips by the Academy’s In their visit to Forest Park, have built a strong network of animal technology. 16 Classroom visits, field trips to 17 volunteers who are now actively

Ben Woodruff explains wildlife found in Forest Park to schoolchildren. 2011 announced the world’s first maturity was challenging. No one for head-starting juvenile captive breeding of the species had managed to do it. hellbenders. The room has Ron Goellner and later bolstering hellbender Behind the scenes at the 96 aquariums which will provide populations in Missouri rivers by Saint Louis Zoo Charles H. needed space for raising Center for Hellbender Conservation releasing them into the wild. The Hoessle Herpetarium, the Center juvenile hellbenders. tireless efforts of his team led the built fully-functioning, simulated The Center has also been hognose snake. Even though, Representative for the Association and population structure of AZA to select the Zoo’s hellbender streams, complete with a rock actively involved in working I was the only one in my family of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) Armenian vipers in two different program for a prestigious bed, the occasional afternoon with the Missouri Department of deeply interested in science, snake, amphibian, chelonian, landscapes. conservation honor—the 2012 rain shower and the freshest and Conservation in releasing head- Edward H. Bean Award. Jeff is my parents allowed me to have crocodilian and lizard taxon “Looking at this endangered purest water in the area. Tweaking started animals, coordinating a plethora of snakes and other advisory groups. He has served also the author of more than temperatures and water quality disease research, and monitoring snake’s movements and habitat three dozen book, journal animals at home.” as the Zoo’s representative on the usage across a large area gives and mimicking the conditions populations in the wild. In 2008, multiple species survival plans. and magazine articles about in nature, the hellbender team three dozen Ozark hellbenders At age 10, he acquired his first us a better understanding of the conservation topics. snake. As a senior in high school, Jeff has also studied the impact that human modifications managed to successfully breed that had been head-started An Ozark hellbender he examined his first Eastern Armenian viper for more than a to the landscape are having on He’s definitely come a long way hellbenders in late 2011–after a at the Zoo were outfitted with hellbender on the Big Piney River decade, making at least annual this viper’s continued existence,” since the days of keeping snakes hellbender populations have decade-long effort. This first-ever, radio-transmitters and released Jeff Ettling, Ph.D. in southwest Missouri. trips to Armenia to monitor the said Jeff. “Our Center is the only in his parents’ basement. been threatened by stream decade-long success yielded 165 at two sites where the eggs impoundments, pollution and baby hellbenders. were collected in south-central His professional career began in movements and population organization with 10 years of siltation, and by the early 2000s, Missouri. In subsequent years, Director of the Ron Goellner Center 1985 when at Southern Illinois status of this endangered spatial movement data on the In November 2012, the Center History/Mission: the Ozark hellbender subspecies the Center has worked with for Hellbender Conservation and University in Edwardsville, Illinois, species. His work has led to the Armenian viper.” A Missouri resident, announced that eight female had experienced a sudden the Conservation Department the Center for Conservation in he managed and maintained the expansion and establishment However, it is his work with the the hellbender is the largest Ozark hellbenders had laid a of several protected areas in decline of more than 70 percent. total of 2,809 fertile eggs in the to release more adolescent Western Asia university’s rabbit and rodent endangered Ozark hellbender that species of salamander native hellbenders, with more than colonies as well as the pit viper Armenia. has won the greatest attention. to North America. These The hellbender has been an Zoo’s artificial nest boxes. By late Curator of Herpetology & Aquatics November, the Center had more 1,000 placed in Missouri rivers collection. In 2013, Jeff earned his Ph.D. For the past decade, Jeff has salamanders are perfectly ongoing interest to the Saint to date. The Center and MDC adapted to their stream Louis Zoo for 30 years. However, than 1,000 larvae. For the first Jeff earned a bachelor’s degree in in Biology: Ecology, Evolution partnered with the Missouri scientists are monitoring their Snakes and rock bands occupied habitats with their flattened to establish a captive breeding time, all three of the Zoo’s river biology in 1986. In 1987, while and Systematics from the UMSL. Department of Conservation to movements, health status and the Ettling basement in Wood River, head and body, short stout program and a husbandry populations had reproduced. working toward his master’s His dissertation focused on the save this species of salamander, survival rate. Illinois, for more than a few years. legs, long rudder-like tail, and protocol for successfully rearing degree in biology, he joined spatial ecology, genetic diversity supervising the team that in In 2014, the Zoo constructed a very small, beady eyes. The hellbender larvae to sexual Jeff Ettling’s tolerant parents let the Saint Louis Zoo as a Reptile third climate-controlled room him pursue both passions. They Keeper, responsible for the daily even encouraged his interest in care of reptiles and amphibians. nature—paving the way for this Select 2014 Achievements: conservation pioneer. In 1991, Jeff moved to Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas, Busy with the rearing of With support from the Edward K. November 9 through 12, help breed a group of Missouri “My interest was first peaked by to become the Curator of thousands of young hellbenders, Love Conservation Foundation the Zoo hosted a hellbender Eastern hellbenders (just two elementary school teachers Herpetology. He rejoined the the Center also worked with and the Missouri Department of husbandry course at the request as endangered as the Ozark (Jan and Terry Primas) who had Saint Louis Zoo in 1995 as the Missouri Department Conservation, a third hellbender of the AZA Amphibian Taxon hellbender) from the Meramec all kinds of animals in their Associate Curator of Herpetology of Conservation to release head-start room opened. Advisory Group. River—three males came to the classrooms—snakes, turtles, and Aquatics and moved on to approximately 700 juvenile Equipped with 96 aquariums, Zoo in late August. rabbits. I was hooked early on,” Also for the first time in 2014, become Curator in 1996. hellbenders into Missouri this new room offers extra space Jeff recalled. “My dad was an avid the Missouri Department of Ozark streams. needed to raise outdoorsman and would bring For more than 20 years, he Conservation asked the Zoo to 18 juvenile hellbenders. 19 me the occasional box turtle or has been the Institutional

Dr. Tara Brooks (left), a volunteer veterinarian from St. Louis, assists Dr. Ettling in measuring an Armenian viper. Talented Professionals Support the Hellbender Center’s Work in the Field: going through 16 hours of training underwater hellbenders. What do my goal,” she said. Josie’s Holding Japan’s hellbender Chawna Schuette, Senior Chawna has been at the Zoo wonderful to go to the river and in a pool. Keepers in 2014 her parents—both city dwellers— adventurous spirit has also led equivalent—the Japanese giant Hellbender Keeper/Herpetarium for 17 years. At home, she has find eggs from animals we’ve made countless dives, including think of her choice of profession? her to travel in exotic locations— salamander, of course. Keeper, Saint Louis Zoo. Chawna another boa and two tortoises. head-started here at the Zoo. That snorkeling, in all kinds of weather “They are extremely proud that I including all over Japan. Her Schuette grew up in Louisiana, The boa she took on as a teenager would be the best.” to check on the condition of worked toward this and reached favorite memory of Japan? Mississippi and Missouri. She is now 18! Chawna became a full- Josie Kenkel, Hellbender Keeper, graduated from Francis Howell time Keeper at the Zoo in 2000 Saint Louis Zoo. This native of North High School in St. Charles, in the Emerson Children’s Zoo, the City of St. Louis did not have Missouri and went on to study caring for reptiles, amphibians, much exposure to animals. “I Center for Conservation in Western Asia biology at St. Louis Community and a variety of other animals. recall loving the garter snakes in College and the University of In 2005, she returned to the good soil.” Growing up there, Three of the 34 biodiversity Since 2004, the Zoo’s WildCare staff from the Ministry of Nature between researchers has created the yard,” said Josie Kenkel. But hotspots designated by Institute has focused its efforts Protection, the Republic of a model for future conservation Missouri-St. Louis. She is the Herpetarium where she became Amanda would agree—the soil after earning a degree in biology “mother” to 150 hellbenders and and the living were good. She was Conservation International in Western Asia on the Armenian Armenia, the Scientific Center of and habitat protection projects. from Southeast Missouri State are in Western Asia. As the viper, which has a fragmented Zoology and Hydroecology, the helped expand the hellbender constantly around horses, cows, University, she knew she wanted conservation project to include cats and dogs. Living on the Big biological crossroads between distribution in Armenia, eastern National Academy of Sciences, to work with animals. Josie joined Europe and Asia, this region is Turkey, Azerbaijan, northwestern Republic of Armenia and the thousands of hellbenders. “I River, Amanda went fishing and the Saint Louis Zoo as an intern in love being part of something looked for crayfish and other home to a unique assemblage Iraq and northeastern Iran. Russian Academy of Sciences. the Herpetarium—an assignment of species found nowhere else. These areas have experienced Together these partners work that is bigger than myself and interesting animals. Little wonder, she coveted. “I just thought herps having an opportunity to make Amanda considered majoring The area’s wildlife and habitats an 88 percent decrease in viper on long-term ecology and were fascinating, so I was thrilled are threatened by overgrazing, population numbers over the population genetics studies and an impact on conservation in in science when she moved to my internship was with the my own back yard,” she said. St. Louis. After finishing high mining, agricultural development, last 20 years. In those years, development of conservation reptiles and amphibians.” When poaching and overharvesting of this Center forged a truly unique strategies for the Armenian viper. “Over the 10 years I have cared school in the St. Louis suburbs, the Zoo did not have an opening, for hellbenders, I can’t say I was she earned a bachelor’s degree timber for fuel wood. international partnership with The free exchange of information ever bored. I am always learning in biology at the University of An Armenian viper something. Hellbenders are Missouri-St. Louis. “I was on track always challenging me in new to go into optometry school,” ways.” Others have noticed her Amanda recalled. “But I joined Select 2014 Achievements: dedication. In 2013, she was the Zoo in the fall of 2010 as an The Center’s research team has been affected by human continuing to gather information In July, Center Director Dr. Jeff awarded the Zoo’s top employee extern, and that was it. I loved has been using radio-telemetry alterations to the landscape. on Armenia’s amphibians and Ettling, Missouri Department single mother to an 8-year-old award, an American Association working with hellbenders.” She to study the spatial ecology reptiles. A 2015 survey of of Conservation Herpetologist boy, Rylan. Chawna became of Zookeepers award for merit quickly moved up the ranks from As a result of these studies, and habitat preferences of the boundaries of Khosrov Armenian mouflon sheep is in Dr. Jeff Briggler, and Zoological fascinated with snakes when in conservation and the Laszlo extern to seasonal worker to Josie went to work at Grant’s Armenian vipers inhabiting Forest State Reserve and the planning stages. Manager of Herpetology and she got her first pet snake at Award from the International part-time Keeper and in 2013 to Farm and at Purina PetCare, human-modified and natural Shikahogh State Reserve have The team is also working to Aquatics Mark Wanner went age 15 after it bit her sister. Herpetological Symposium— full-time Keeper. Amanda doesn’t where she took care of dogs and landscapes. With radio been enlarged, and Center develop a conservation breeding to Armenia and surveyed That fascination led Chawna all for her work in hellbender deny that the work is demanding. cats. In 2012, she returned to telemetry, scientists can data was used, in part, to center in Yerevan, Armenia. herpetofauna of Shikabogh and to approach Saint Louis Zoo conservation. Feeding and checking the the Zoo again as an intern and estimate the home range size establish Zangezur Sanctuary It will focus on breeding 11 caught and PIT-tagged 12 new Curator Jeff Ettling about giving Amanda Pedigo, Hellbender health status of 4,000 animals then as a part-time Keeper for of this endangered species and and Arevik National Park. The endangered native Armenian snakes (including 4 Armenian her an internship at the Zoo’s Keeper, Saint Louis Zoo. Bonne is daunting—to say nothing of hellbenders. In October 2014, evaluate the factors influencing research protocols developed amphibian and reptile species— vipers, 4 blunt-nosed vipers, 2 Herpetarium in her junior year of Terre, a Missouri River town of keeping the records straight for all Josie became a full-time Keeper home range size differences. In for the Armenian viper will be leading to the augmentation red whip snakes and 2 blotched high school. She joined several 6,864, was originally settled by those salamanders. “It is all worth as the workload in the hellbender addition, genetic analyses are used to study other mountain of remaining wild populations rat snakes.) college students to become a the French in 1720 after lead ore it—it is amazing to be part of a rooms continued to increase. being used to study population vipers in the future. The Center to increase genetic diversity of member of the first group of was discovered there. The French conservation program for a native Like all hellbender keepers, she 20 structure to see if gene flow and its Armenian partners are species in their native habitats. 21 interns at the Herpetarium. named it La Bonne Terre, “the species,” she said. “It would be earned her SCUBA certification– In the same period, the Saint With the goal of creating a found in Armenia and wildlife in Armenia and eventually Louis Zoo has become a leader sustainable future for both the in surrounding Western Asian other countries in the region. in breeding and raising captive biodiversity and the people that countries. The Center is also working to Center for Conservation vipers—experience that has inhabit the region, the Center The creation and expansion of build partnerships to develop provided useful information on is expanding the scope of its wildlife reserves is a major focus, alternative, non-disruptive ways in the Horn of Africa reproduction and behavior. conservation work to include as are educational programs to make use of natural resources. other mountain vipers, reptiles, that involve local communities career as a biology teacher and She also supports amphibians, birds and mammals sharing with his little sister his other accredited zoos love for nature. by serving as Chair of two Association of Zoos Talented Professionals Support the Western Asia Center’s Work in the Field: Clearly, those early years left their Dr. Aram Aghasyan, Senior In fact, his involvement was as a scientific researcher at the mark on the imagination and and Aquariums (AZA) Scientist with the Academy of critical to establishing Zangezur Laboratory of Vertebrates, in the direction of one of the zoo world’s Taxon Advisory groups– Sciences and Head of Protected Sanctuary and Arevik National Scientific Center of Zoology and leading conservationists. for Antelope & Giraffe Areas with the Ministry of Nature Park, parks that were formally Hydroecology at the National and for Elephants. A “I always knew I wanted to do Protection in Armenia. With dedicated by the Armenian Academy of Sciences in Armenia. member of the AZA something with animals when expertise in zoology, herpetology government in October of 2009. He has worked closely with Field Conservation I grew up,” said Martha, who and ecology, Dr. Aghasyan’s Center scientists on research Martha Fischer, Committee, Martha Throughout his career, Dr. lives on 20 acres in Wildwood, primary interest is herpetology, projects related to the spatial is the coordinator of Saint Louis Zoo CEO Dr. Jeffrey Bonner (left), Martha Fischer Aghasyan has served in a Missouri with her family– a field in which he received his ecology and habitat preferences three species survival and Risto Odesa. number of progressively senior Ph.D. Student husband Frank (a 28-year Zoo Ph.D. in 1996 when Armenia was Dr. Levon A. Aghasyan, Head of of the Armenian viper. He has plans for Grevy’s zebra, positions from directing the Director of the Center for employee), three children and still part of the Soviet Union. He the Sustainable Development of also participated in multiple Asian elephants and African When the Zoo launched Scientific Center of Applied Conservation in the Horn of Africa multiple pets—including a earned his Ph.D. while serving Natural Ecosystems. Dr. Aghasyan international projects, such elephants. She is also a member its WildCare Institute as a Zoology and Botany for the Curator of Mammals/Ungulates and Panama Amazon parrot she has on the faculty of Yerevan State earned his Ph.D. in biology from as those aimed at developing of the International Union for focused approach to saving Ministry of Nature Protection to Elephants owned since 1970. “I thought University. His Ph.D. mentor was Yerevan State University, where conservation measures for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) global ecosystems, Martha his current position. A participant about becoming a veterinarian, Dr. Ilya Darevsky, Russia’s most he also received bachelor’s and threatened Armenian reptiles, Specialist Groups for Antelope Fischer became Director of a in multiple international projects but then discovered the Animal well-known herpetologist. master’s degrees in biology. conservation of the critically At age 5, her backyard was a and Equids. Center established to provide and seminars, he is the author of Science curriculum at the Since 2006, he has worked as endangered endemic Darevsky’s Panama jungle and her playmates Martha is a Co-Founder and conservation support for the more than 48 articles published exotic butterflies, ants, even University of Missouri-Columbia.” wildlife of the Horn of Africa. She in scientific journals. the head of the nongovernmental vipers and biodiversity protection Chair of Grevy’s Zebra Trust organization, Sustainable measures. He has participated snakes. Riding her horse through Right out of college in 1986, she (GZT) Board of Trustees. also continued to champion the In 2011, Aram was awarded Development of Natural in multiple international the jungle was a daily after-school became a Saint Louis Zoo Keeper This independent wildlife Institute’s Elephant Conservation the Biodiversity Medal by the Ecosystems. This organization is conferences focused on pastime. in the Antelope Area, and the conservation trust addresses the Program, established to conserve Asian and African elephants. Minister of Nature Protection dedicated to increasing public addressing conservation issues At 9, Martha Fischer moved back Grevy’s zebra quickly became the urgent need to conserve Grevy’s for his dedication to conserving awareness of environment issues and is the author of nearly to the United States. Her dad favorite species of this long-time zebra in community rangelands African elephants, Grevy’s zebra Armenia’s wildlife and wild particularly in the area of wildlife 20 publications. retired from the Navy to Hannibal, horse lover. In 1996, Martha was of Kenya and Ethiopia. Martha is and the beisa oryx are now places and the prestigious and habitat conservation and Missouri, became a history named Curator of Mammals/ also on the Board of Directors and the focus of her dissertation Saint Louis Zoo Conservation to drafting environmental laws teacher and later earned a Ph.D. Ungulates and Elephants; she Past-President of the International research. Her field work in Award in recognition of that would protect wildlife and in Education Administration. manages a staff of 25 who care Elephant Foundation. Kenya with staff from GZT and extraordinary lifelong dedication for a family of 10 Asian elephants, A dedicated conservationist, wild places. This organization Her mom was a middle school the Northern Rangelands Trust to creating a sustainable future 22 ungulate, 8 bird, 2 marsupial Dr. Aghasyan has played a vital also focuses on creating librarian. She credits her big (NRT) in northern Kenya should for the wildlife and people and 2 small carnivore species— role as a member of a team conservation development brother, Matt for letting her tag provide important information of Armenia. not to mention thousands of fish. that proposed a number of new projects and educational along with him as he explored about conservancy land use 22 national parks and sanctuaries. programs. While heading up this nature, fished and camped, all by herbivores and about the 23 NGO, Dr. Aghasyan also serves the while practicing for his future movement and migration patterns of these three key species within History/Mission: in Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea and a national conservation and Talented Professionals Support the Center’s Work in the Field: and beyond the community In recent years, the countries in Djibouti. Center activities are management strategy that Warrior programs became unique In 2003, Rikapo was recruited conservancies. the Horn of Africa have endured supporting conservation efforts includes engaging communities community-based initiatives. as one of the first Grevy’s Zebra This information will be used enormous hardships from for several unique Horn of Africa in monitoring and protecting She was a founding member of Scouts. A young Samburu warrior to enhance community-based drought, famine and political species, such as the Grevy’s Grevy’s zebra. Kenya’s Grevy’s Zebra Task Force wearing traditional dress and conservation efforts in northern turmoil. Outside assistance is zebra, mountain nyala, hirola, The Center also supports the in 2004 and a member of the speaking very little English, he Kenya. “By understanding the often needed to nurture and Ethiopian wolf, African elephant NRT’s community-led initiative team charged with drafting two quickly proved to be an excellent movement and migration patterns, grow their fledgling conservation and other Horn of Africa wildlife. that forms a true union of Kenyan five-year national strategies to scout. Rikapo was quickly it will be possible to predict the efforts. Since 2004, the Center has communities through field guide Grevy’s zebra conservation promoted to the position of future dispersal of these species, The Center for Conservation in supported field initiatives that conservation and education and management in Kenya. She Coordinator of the Grevy’s Zebra enabling conservationists the Horn of Africa supports these have included building the programs. Its community-based also sits on the Grevy’s Zebra Scout Program. Under Rikapo’s to proactively plan future efforts by linking dedicated capacity of communities that conservation programs have Technical and Disease Response direction the Grevy’s Zebra Scout conservancies when wildlife conservationists at zoos with surround the habitat of these successfully re-established Committees and is a member of Program instigated a sustained disperses beyond the current NRT those in the field and fostering animals. For example, the Center important wildlife-friendly areas Belinda Low Mackey, Executive the Equid Specialist Group of the change in community behavior Director, Grevy’s Zebra Trust. IUCN. In recognition of the Trust’s towards the species. Rikapo was boundaries,” she said. partnerships to provide long- supports the GZT’s work in Rikapo Lentiyoo visits classrooms to and re-established historic term support to wildlife programs developing and implementing tell children about the need to conserve migratory corridors for a range Born and raised in Kenya, this achievements, the Association vital in the founding of the Grevy’s wildlife and wild places. of species. conservationist has worked with of Zoos and Aquariums in 2012 Zebra Trust in 2007 and is a key Grevy’s zebra for more than 15 awarded the Trust and its AZA member of the management In Ethiopia, Center support goes years. After earning her master’s partners (the Center/Saint Louis team that built the Trust from Select 2014 Achievements: to capacity building, research and degree in conservation from the Zoo is the primary partner) its the ground up. Rikapo’s career education programs to protect University of Kent, UK, she joined top honors for international path has led him to serve in a Grevy’s Zebra Trust (GZT) revived In 2014, the Center supported Since 2004, Northern NRT conservancies maintain rare and endemic species, such Lewa Wildlife Conservancy for conservation. leadership role as the Trust’s traditional story-telling by elders the first-ever Grevy’s Zebra Rangelands Trust (NRT) has peace and support during as the little understood mountain Earthwatch Institute to study Regional Coordinator in El Barta, who pass down traditions. Disease Strategy Workshop increased the number of challenging periods. During the nyala and the Ethiopian wolf, the Grevy’s zebra. In 2003, Belinda the largest and most remote Indigenous knowledge plays a sponsored by the GZT and conservancies from 6 to 27. In first half of 2014, NRT reported world’s most endangered canid. helped initiate the Grevy’s Zebra region where the GZT is working. critical role in the management the Kenya Wildlife Service. 2014, six new conservancies a 28 percent reduction in the The Center has also helped Scout Program, which engages of natural resources. GZT is The Grevy’s zebra population joined NRT—including three number of poached elephants in Growing up, Rikapo’s formal finance the education of a pastoral communities in zebra working to document wisdom appears to be stabilizing. in the remote Marsabit region NRT conservancies, compared to education was unfortunately number of young conservationists conservation. In 2004, she for future generations, visiting However, the impact of disease where elephants still exist. The 2012—the lowest levels in three limited by his family’s inability who have earned graduate developed NRT’s Endangered communities and recording the on the species is understudied, Northern Kenya Biodiversity years. Conservancies have also to pay his school fees. Rikapo degrees from African and Species Program—initiating the stories, in addition to editing a so GZT is working to develop Conservation Project began been the source of job growth, was always keen to pursue a European universities–building crucial expansion of Grevy’s zebra short film and book showcasing research models, identify in May 2014 to promote reducing overdependence on more formal education, and in their knowledge base and skills conservation into community- Rikapo Lentiyoo, of Grevy’s Zebra Trust the best narratives. prevention and control measures sustainable use of natural livestock. More than 1,600 jobs (left), Martha Fischer and Senkele Muriira, December 2013, with support to return to this region to raise owned lands where the majority work together to save animals in Kenya. from the WildCare Institute, GZT established and trained an and develop a framework resources in and around were created in 2013 up from awareness in local communities; of the remaining animals Rikapo Lentiyoo, Regional Rikapo graduated with a one- umbrella conservation council for disease mitigation and Marsabit Forest. This area is 792 in 2011. lead scout, ambassador and are found. In 2007, she co- Coordinator/El Barta, Grevy’s year Higher Certificate in Nature that includes one elder and monitoring. a vital resource for water and The year also marked the warrior programs; and conduct founded Grevy’s Zebra Trust—an Zebra Trust. Born into a pastoral Conservation from the Southern one warrior from 11 different Thanks to financial support grazing for local communities launch of NRT’s women research on endangered species. organization dedicated to the family, Rikapo Lentiyoo grew up African Wildlife College. Rikapo communities. The goal of the from the Center and other and vulnerable wildlife species. empowerment initiative—which Finally, this Center has conservation of this species. The in Samburu, northern Kenya. has a genuine devotion to Grevy’s conservation council is to reach partners, 2014 marked the 10th For the first time in northern aims to encourage women in contributed nearly $250,000 to Trust now employs 58 people—90 He spent his childhood herding zebra. His gift is the connection out to migrating communities anniversary for both NRT and Kenya, elephants can retrace an the communities to take on Asian elephant conservation and percent of them from pastoral his family’s cattle, and his daily he has with Grevy’s zebras, which and warriors to discourage the Kalama Community Wildlife ancient migration route using leadership roles. $720,000 to African elephants communities in Grevy’s zebra interactions with wildlife inspired guides him as he does everything illegal hunting and address Conservancy. a safe corridor of community for a total of nearly $970,000. range. Under her leadership, the an interest in nature and the within his power to change the 24 resource use. wildlife conservancies. 25 Grevy’s Zebra Ambassador and environment at a very young age. future for this species. Michael credits his dad for History/Mission: shelf to the coast line, creating connecting him to pigeons, This Center was founded an upwelling of cold, nutrient-rich Center for Conservation which led to an enriching career to secure the future of the water. These conditions provide a saving wild things in wild places. threatened Humboldt penguin fertile environment for anchoveta, “None of my other siblings cared and other vulnerable marine the primary food source of the in Punta San Juan, Peru so much about pigeons, but wildlife in Punta San Juan. penguin and many other sea pigeons. They offered my first in the conceptual development persistence and diplomacy as he caring for pigeons connected me Although most people think birds and marine mammals. The exposure to wild animals.” and design of new habitats and works to make the status of the to wildlife and most importantly, of penguins as cold weather presence of large numbers of it connected me to my dad,” birds, many live in temperate or sea birds has produced some of One day on his way home from interpretative programming. Humboldt penguin and horned Michael is actively involved in the guan and other species in the he said. semi-arid habitats. The largest the most fertile guano fields in school, Michael discovered a population of Peruvian Humboldt the world. Guano, the excrement fledged pigeon under a viaduct Zoo’s strategic planning efforts habitats where they live more His dad no longer keeps pigeons and participates in numerous visible to wildlife agencies, permit on the roof of the family home. penguins live and breed where of these birds, provides a soft and brought it home. His dad one of the earth’s driest deserts substrate the penguins can use to knew just what to do. He had Association of Zoos and offices and local communities. Once Michael left home, the Aquariums education programs, pigeons left, too. They had done meets one of the coldest ocean dig their nesting burrows. raised pigeons and used this Michael’s overseas work has currents in Punta San Juan. opportunity to cultivate Michael’s workshops, advisory groups and included everything from trans- their job. Initially, Center partners worked animal management programs. Approximately half of Peru’s to have these marine waters interest in animals. “Throughout locating endangered birds to Humboldt penguin population Michael Macek the years, my dad and I raised His focus as director of two analyzing migration patterns formally declared a protected calls Punta San Juan home thanks area. In 2009, Punta San Juan was Director of The Center for many varieties of pigeons and conservation centers is on and facilitating comprehensive to the proximity of the continental Conservation in Punta San went to pigeon shows together.” saving endangered species health assessments, leading included with 33 other “guano” Juan, Peru and of the Center for Michael graduated from pigeons through habitat management, to international recognition of Conservation of the Horned Guan to earn a zoology degree from wildlife health assessments, the his skills and expertise. He has Curator of Birds Eastern Illinois University development of environmental presented before audiences Select 2014 Achievements: and a master’s of business education programming and of scientists all over the world In 2009, the government of units were used to determine the marine habitat for these species not-for-profit organization with administration degree from involvement with government and has taught ornithology, In the shadows of south side agencies and international zoo biology, and conservation Peru took the first step toward direction, distance, duration and in future years. managing the area for a certain Chicago’s steel mills, a working Loyola University of Chicago. committees dedicated to saving management courses at conserving marine habitats by depth of penguin foraging trips. Peruvian government agencies time period. The hope is that the class father ignited his young In 1986, he joined Brookfield Zoo threatened and endangered two major St. Louis-based creating a network of Marine Similar studies were conducted and conservation partners Center and its partners would son’s love for animals with one to care for a diverse collection species. Michael’s efforts involve universities. Protected Areas (MPAs) along using telemetry units on both fur assembled a 50-person summit eventually manage Punta San act: he built a pigeon coop. of birds and primates. Since the Peruvian coast. This included seals and sea lions. These were to set the stage for establishing Juan on behalf of the Peruvian 1990, Michael has worked at the “I grew up in an area called ‘The terrestrial, and for the first the first steps to determining a governing framework focused government. Management of the Saint Louis Zoo. He started at the Bush,’ named for a kind of local time, oceanic ecosystems. how three of the area’s top five on sustainable development area would involve establishing Zoo as Zoological Manager and coastal shrub long gone by the However, from an ecological predator species use the marine for the Punta San Juan reserve. site security, eco-tourism and in 1993 was named Curator of time my family moved there,” standpoint scientists realized ecosystem. Next, using this Since the current institution in education programs in addition Birds, a position that makes him recalled Michael Macek. “We the MPAs should investigate equipment, the partners will try charge of the area–the Peruvian to developing hotels and other responsible for one of the most lived just a couple of miles from further marine habitat where to identify more precisely the protected area’s Servicio commercial enterprises to comprehensive avian collections Lake Michigan and the mills that threatened species feed. Marine foraging area of the cormorant Nacional de Áreas (SERNANP), support tourists and create jobs in North America. brought my Polish grandparents wildlife in Peru faces numerous and booby. Determining the an agency of the Peruvian for local people. The goal is self- to the U.S. My ecosystem was In his role at the Zoo, Michael threats from environmental shape and scope of their government–does not have the sufficiency so that the Center mostly concrete with a few initiates, manages and contamination from coastal movements will allow the Center financial resources to adequately and its partners could eventually patches of green along railroad participates in numerous grant- poultry farming, refuse and and its partners to press for manage the area, the partners turn over the full operation of the tracks. But the skies above my supported research projects and sewage to overfishing. In 2013 changes in the protected area to recommended a management area to Peruvians. and again in 2014, bio-logging 26 house were filled with starlings, is a team member and leader Humboldt penguins in Peru. ensure an adequately protected contract that would entrust a 27 house sparrows, gulls and islands and peninsulas in Peru’s of penguins is growing; 2014 also pushed for, and supported, biological data, improve Peruvian moved in 1991 to the Emerson been active in the field. For seven around in small fishing boats snakes. She has participated in protected areas system—a major numbers peaked at 20,000 multiple sustainable harvests fisheries management and Children’s Zoo and in 1992 to the years, she has been the Zoo’s for hours on end. “You have developing successful captive conservation milestone. Humboldt penguins. That’s still a of guano. These harvests have increase awareness of marine Bird House, a place she considers representative in Punta San to be able to hold binoculars, husbandry methods and in A wildlife census was another tiny percentage of the population demonstrated that this valuable conservation issues. By forging her second home. In 2000, Anne Juan helping to run the annual count birds and not get seasick!” translocating birds to snake- significant step. For 12 first discovered in the beginning Peruvian resource could be a bond between the staffs of was promoted to Zoological Peruvian Humboldt penguin said Anne, who is known for free islands. “It’s thrilling to consecutive years, the Zoo and of the 19th century along the collected without negatively North American zoos, Peruvian Manager, a job that requires her census. Conducted every January, her seafaring skills. For several participate in the translocation its partners have participated same coastline. affecting the area’s marine partners, government and non- to oversee the daily operation of the census helps scientists years in the Marianas Islands in process from start to finish and to in a comprehensive census of In addition to the census, the species. governmental organizations, this the department and a staff of 15 determine how many birds call the South Pacific, Anne has also see every step it takes to possibly the entire Peruvian Humboldt partners have conducted health The Center also strives to Wildlife Institute Center has built who care for about 850 individual Peru home and what coastal worked alongside other dedicated save a species!” penguin population. This assessments of the marine secure funding to maintain a true conservation coalition. birds from approximately 200 habitats are preferred. Census biologists and scientists to save census shows that the number wildlife population, and they have adequate personnel to collect different species. Anne has also work requires scientists to bump birds threatened by invasive tree

Talented Professionals Support the Center’s Work in the Field: conditions of the Humboldt species as pheasants, doves and Current ecosystem have on raptors. This was the beginning Center for Conservation of the Horned Guan in Mexico marine predators. Susana is now of her love for birds. After earning the Director of the Punta San Juan a bachelor of science degree Project, doing project planning in Wildlife Conservation and History/Mission: Field researchers are working utilization are little understood. and supervising activities and Management from Southwest The horned guan (or pavon) lives to learn more about the basic Nutrition and plant ecology research at the site. Susana also Missouri State University, Anne in the high montane pine/oak biology of the horned guan and studies will help illuminate works for the Chicago Zoological thought she would work with forests of southeastern Mexico how it uses its critical habitat this role. Society as their Field Program and Guatemala. By the early and resources. Determining The Center also is Coordinator for Peru and is the 1930s, logging, coffee farming, exact population numbers are encouraging improved habitat Institutional Representative for and hunting had greatly reduced difficult due to the challenges management—advocating for the WildCare Center’s Peruvian its numbers. Today there are of conducting a census in very Susana Cardenas-Alayza cuddles a fur seal at Punta San Juan. increasing the protected area partner, CSA. This role allows her only 1,000-2,000 birds left in difficult terrain: a cloud forest in that is home to the horned Susana Cárdenas-Alayza, MSc. her thesis for her Licentiate to serve as a direct link between the wild, and the pavon is listed the Sierra Madres de Chiapas, guan and working to limit the Field Programs Coordinator, degree in Biology at Universidad the Punta San Juan Project and a by the International Union for Mexico, and throughout west factors that threaten vulnerable Peru Chicago Zoological Society/ Peruana Cayetano Heredia in primary supporting organization. Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as central Guatemala. In these wildlife in this area. Since 2004 with enforcement action, Brookfield Zoo and Director, 2007. Susana has continued She has been a contributing critically endangered. The Saint areas, decades of hunting, the Center has contributed are expected to help reduce Punta San Juan Project, Center to work closely with the Punta author of several publications and Louis Zoo has a pair of horned logging, firewood gathering $95,000 to support the Cloud the threats caused by illegal for Environmental Sustainability San Juan Project, analyzing has given a dozen presentations guans—the only U.S. zoo ever to and agricultural expansion and Forest Ambassadors Program and timber removal and hunting. (CSA), Cayetano Heredia population data of fur seals to on conservation issues. She is exhibit this species. (In addition, climate change have resulted in associated cloud forest/horned In addition, the reduction of University –Peru. Susana arrived carry out her master’s research also the recipient of eight study the Zoo was also the location for extensive deforestation. As much guan research. coffee plantations and the at Punta San Juan in 2004 as at the University of British grants. Almost annually Anne Tieber braves rough the first ever hatching of a chick as 60 percent of inland cloud formation of additional reserves The Center has also initiated local part of a study evaluating the Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. waters to conduct a census of Humboldt from the artificial insemination forests have been lost. can provide potential for eco- Anne Tieber, Zoological Manager, penguins in Peru. education programs to teach reoccupation of the principal Between 2008 and 2012, her of a cracid species. Cracids are tourism, resulting in alternative Birds, Saint Louis Zoo. When a The Horned Guan Conservation local communities how to farm colony of South American fur focus was on prey abundance and native bird species in wetland game birds, like the horned guan, economic opportunities for local young Anne Tieber visited the Center staff has worked for in more habitat-friendly ways seals after a great decline caused population dynamics. She has a conservation programs. But in that are found predominantly communities. Saint Louis Zoo with her father, a decade with its partners to and to strengthen community by the effects of the 1997-98 El genuine interest in understanding 1990, when a Keeper position throughout the Latin they always headed straight for conduct research on this elusive conservation participation. Niño. She used her research data the impact the variability of the bird areas, where they were opened up at the Zoo’s The Living American tropics.) species. The complex dynamics 28 These programs, coupled 29 from that field work to defend environmental and oceanographic able to see such exotic bird World, Anne gave it a try. She of seed dispersal and habitat Institute for Conservation Medicine Select 2014 Achievements: The Disney World Conservation of Missouri-Columbia, United comfortable taking blood samples Center for Avian Health in the She has been selected for 30 Fund awarded ICM a $23,950 States Geological Survey, from camels in Kenya as she Galápagos, a position she left in grants and fellowships and has one-year grant to fund ongoing and Westminster College in does seeking grants from beltway 2010 to become ICM Director. taught at four universities. collaborative health and studying the effects of endocrine ecological scientific studies of disrupting compounds insiders. Sharon’s international field Sharon is the author of 75 the box turtle populations in (EDCs) on the behavioral and In her early 20s, Sharon won a veterinary experience includes refereed articles, 16 book Forest Park and Tyson Research reproductive traits of fish, grant to work in Zimbabwe as work in over 25 countries, chapters and numerous non- Center. The funds will support reptiles and mammals. This a vet student doing research including projects in five African refereed articles—adding up to continued education and research is significant because on gender-related issues. The nations, six Central and South nearly 200 published pieces on outreach working with Zoo increasingly prevalent EDCs have study involved working with American countries and in scientific topics. Education Department staff. health implications for wildlife, African women to improve Asia (Mongolia, Thailand and domestic animals and humans. their livestock management Myanmar). She has worked with ICM and the Zoo’s Education June 30, the Zoo announced Sharon L. Deem, practices. From 1991 to 1993, Asian and forest elephants, Department are conducting in a front page St. Louis Post- she returned to Africa doing field parrots, pumas, coatis, turtles one of the first human health Dispatch story that this study DVM, Ph.D., and laboratory research for her of every variety, maned wolves, studies at an AZA institution by is being funded by a one-year Ph.D. dissertation, again working foxes, jaguars, armadillos and evaluating both psychological $250,000 grant from The Mizzou DACZM, in Zimbabwe this time on the raptors, among others. and physiological health benefits to visitors from an Advantage initiative. Director, Institute for epidemiology of heartwater—a As director of ICM, Sharon is Dr. Deem has supported conservation in Madagascar by assessing the health of lemurs. immersion animal experience ICM Director Dr. Sharon Deem Conservation Medicine tick-borne disease afflicting building partnerships locally in a zoological setting. Funded and Dr. Stephen Blake, along livestock and wildlife. and across the globe to by an AZA Conservation with a University of California- Health—a new and rapidly Westminster College, Missouri After becoming a veterinarian, conduct research and educate Sharon Deem is where political Endowment Fund grant, this Davis veterinary student, Julie growing field combining Department of Health and Senior earning her Ph.D. and completing the public about the need to savvy meets rugged pragmatism. study involves monitoring the Sheldon, spent a month on human medicine, veterinary Services, and the University of a residency in Florida, Sharon form multidisciplinary teams heart rate variability of visitors Santa Cruz island, Galápagos medicine and environmental Missouri-Columbia. The meeting She grew up in the suburbs of joined the veterinary team at the to address the impact of the as they interact with animals at Islands, for the 2014 summer conservation to study global brought representatives from Washington, D.C., in a politically Wildlife Conservation Society at growing ties between the health the Zoo’s Stingrays at Caribbean field season to collect movement interconnectedness. Zoos have major local and state institutions connected family, but at age the Bronx Zoo in New York, where of humans and the rest of the Cove presented by Mercy Kids data and health samples on a significant roles to play within together to explore current 13, Sharon started working on she was a clinical vet and later animal kingdom. exhibit. The field component of number of the tagged tortoises conservation medicine and One wildlife health issues in Missouri her father’s 2,500-acre ranch a field vet. In 2002, she went to She is also focusing her research the study, Human Health and that are part of the project. Health initiatives. and collaborative approaches to in the shadow of the Cascade the National Zoo in Washington on the spread of disease Zoological Institution Visitation, Julie Sheldon has a University On December 8, 2014, the ICM address these issues. Mountains. There she wrangled as a Veterinary Medical Officer. between domestic animals and was completed in the summer of of California-Davis Star grant hosted a meeting at the Zoo Texas longhorns, rode Arabian She worked at National Zoo for Dr. Deem works with fellow scientists wildlife and the effects of the 2014. The Zoo team interviewed with Drs. Deem and Blake to on Wildlife Health in Missouri. ICM Mission horses and shadowed the three years before serving as a to assess the health of giant tortoises, environment and human contact and gathered data from 165 perform a comparative blood Twenty-five participants local veterinarian. Research Veterinarian in Gabon, conducting cutting edge applied science The Institute for Conservation on wild animals. Sharon, along and tortoise-based outreach and participants. Data analyses were parameter study. attended, representing the Saint Medicine takes a holistic Sharon now holds a doctorate Central Africa. with other scientists, believes education programs on the Galápagos conducted over the last several ICM is working with Fontbonne Louis Zoo, Missouri Department approach to research on in veterinary medicine from In 2007, Sharon joined the Saint that animals at zoos may serve as Islands. months—results will be reported University to offer students of Conservation, U.S. Fish & wildlife, public health and the Virginia-Maryland Regional Louis Zoo working as a Veterinary sentinels for emerging diseases in 2015. a program on the One Wildlife Service, Fontbonne sustainable ecosystems to College of Veterinary Medicine Epidemiologist in the Galápagos of humans and animals in ICM continued work with Health movement. ICM is University, the University of ensure healthy animals and and a Ph.D. from the University of Islands at the WildCare Institute surrounding areas. researchers from the University deeply involved in One Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL), healthy people. 30 Florida. Little wonder she feels as 31 Research on Endocrine Human Health Benefits Health Assessment of Lemurs Talented Professionals Support the Center’s Work: Disruptors: ICM is participating Associated with Visiting in Madagascar: Dr. Deem has offer an occupational therapy in a study of endocrine disrupting Zoological Institutions: ICM is worked with the staff of the program. In addition to several compounds. Researchers are partnering with other Zoo staff WildCare Institute Center for other activities to enrich the conducting the first comparative and the University of Missouri’s Conservation in Madagascar educational experience of her “cross taxa” analysis to evaluate College of Veterinary Medicine conducting biomedical surveys students, Dr. Rayhel coordinated how these chemicals change to investigate the role zoos play on lemurs and placing collars the first annual intercollegiate the way genes are expressed in stress reduction in a world on animals for behavior undergraduate research day. in species ranging from fish to disconnected from nature. The studies and to track their Her outreach efforts have also turtles to mice. Exposure to these partners are evaluating the movements. Dr. Deem, with the included younger students. In chemicals that mimic and can measurable psychological and Washington University Medical 2013, Dr. Rayhel created and interfere with natural hormones physiological health benefits to School, discovered two new ran Zombie Camp, a summer adversely affect human and Zoo visitors that interact with picornaviruses from collection experience in epidemiology for animal health—particularly stingrays and sharks. lemurs. The team may now look at Institute of Conservation Medicine students from the Hazelwood Technician Jamie Palmer helps children reproductive and neural systems. the prevalence of these viruses in School District in North St. Louis Fredy Cabrera measures a turtle as part of his work with the Galápagos Tortoise Movement learn about box turtle health by weighing Box Turtles in Missouri: With a Madagascar lemurs. County. Dr. Rayhel earned her a turtle. Ecology Programme. number of partners, the Institute Dr. Elizabeth Rayhel, Associate Ph.D. in Physiology from Indiana Professor, Fontbonne University, State University and completed Fredy is a tortoise tracker, who indispensable when tracking History/Mission: documents box turtle movements Conservation medicine research and their health status in urban Chair of Biological and Physical a post-doctoral fellowship has fitted small GPS tags onto tortoises over large, remote focuses on diseases that affect and rural areas around St. Louis. Sciences at Fontbonne University. at Washington University many giant tortoises on multiple areas. Since joining the program, threatened and endangered ICM has reached out to 10 In 2014 Dr. Rayhel added School of Medicine, Division islands. The tags record the Fredy has developed computer wildlife species. Scientists schools to educate youth about Fontbonne University to the of Rheumatology. In 1998 she tortoises’ position every hour skills to improve his capacity for study the origin, movement the need to protect box turtles list of only a handful of U.S. became a lecturer at Fontbonne, and record the data onto memory data management and analyses. and risk factors of diseases to and all wildlife. institutions offering credentials Webster University and St. Louis cards in the tag. The data are During his work with tortoises under the global One Health Community College and in 2002 later downloaded by scientists, he lost the tip of his index finger better understand their impact Dromedary Camels in on wildlife. They explore the Certificate Program. With ICM joined Fontbonne as an assistant who analyze the movements due to a tortoise bite, had a Northern Kenya: ICM is doing support, Dr. Rayhel is giving professor. She was given tenure in relation to environmental half-inch thorn buried in his foot links between the health of zoo health assessments of dromedary animals and free-living wildlife students an opportunity to learn as an associate professor at factors to understand tortoise for six months, spend many long camels in Kenya used for milk. about the interrelated nature of Fontbonne in 2008. A frequent movements, in particular the days in pouring rain and mud, populations and monitor the The lack of pasteurization results movement of diseases diseases in animals and humans presenter on scientific topics, Dr. evolution of migration. Fredy, and counted every seed in over in millions of humans being in the context of environmental Rayhel is the author of several who grew up on the Galápagos 200 tortoise dung piles. Still he between wildlife, domestic exposed to zoonotic pathogens, animals and humans. change. This is one of many published articles. Islands, spent seven years remains hardworking, meticulous since camel milk may carry collaborative programs Dr. Rayhel working for the Galapagos and conscientious. “Even with Since its founding in 2011, the bacteria, viruses and parasites. Fredy Cabrera, Principal Field has developed. She worked with Technician for the Galápagos National Park and Charles erupting volcanoes, long days Institute has been involved in Galápagos Tortoise Movement Mercy Hospital in St. Louis to offer Darwin Foundation on a goat under the hot sun and driving several projects, including: Tortoise Movement Ecology Ecology Program: With its a medical laboratory sciences Programme. For over five years eradication effort— one of the rain—even with the risk of life, partners, ICM is conducting program. She provided programs Fredy Cabrera has worked most successful conservation limb and digit, I love what applied science and developing on chiropractic medicine for with the Galápagos Tortoise efforts ever undertaken on I do. Every day we are learning outreach and education programs These herders rounding up camels for morning milking were observed by Dr. Deem, Fontbonne nursing students, Galápagos. Fredy understands so much that is new about the who was in Kenya in the 2015 as part of a project assessing the health of dromedary Movement Ecology Programme, in the Galápagos Islands on the camels used for milk. This is the third year the Institute has been involved in this study. working with Logan University and which includes the collaborating the terrain, knows most of the hidden lives and ecology of these giant tortoise to help conserve By working to ensure the health of domestic camels in Kenya, the Institute’s work benefits Barnes Hospital Goldfarb School partners of the Max Planck land owners, and has a good wonderful creatures,” he said. human health and the health of wildlife that share the habitat with the camels. these animals. of Nursing. She also collaborated Institute for Ornithology, ICM overall knowledge of tortoise 32 33 with Washington University to and State University of New York. distribution. These qualities are multidisciplinary program that The Center also supports the endangered ruffed lemur, are focuses on four strategies: MFG-managed Parc Ivoloina and found nowhere else in the world. Center for Conservation in Madagascar research, education, capacity the Forestry Station. Parc Ivoloina Although rich in biodiversity, building and conservation action. offers a zoo for the conservation Madagascar is one of the poorest Early on, Eric knew he wanted medicine, but as habitats change, Over his 30-plus years at the This collaborative effort involves and breeding of endangered and least developed countries in to be a veterinarian at a zoo. new diseases are emerging in Zoo, Eric has served as the working to conserve the species and as a safe haven for the world. Conservationists are In 1981, after earning both his animals—from Ebola to malaria. President of the American island’s animal species through confiscated endangered animals. faced with the dual challenge of bachelor’s degree and doctor of These zoonotic diseases are now College of Zoological Medicine reproduction, field research and In addition, largely funded helping increase the Malagasy veterinary medicine degree from an even greater threat to human (ACZM), and of the American training programs for rangers and through the WildCare Institute, people’s standard of living, while the Ohio State University, he health. That makes our work in Association of Zoo Veterinarians wardens, and through acquisition the Ivoloina Conservation combating factors that contribute joined the Saint Louis Zoo and the the field even more important— (AAZV). In 2003, AAZV awarded and protection of native habitat Training Center offers a meeting to environmental degradation and University of Missouri-Columbia, because we are using what we him the Dolensek Award for on the island. room, laboratory, dormitory and biodiversity loss. where he completed a residency have learned about animal care his “exceptional contributions refectory—all these facilities in zoo animal medicine. in zoos to save animals in the in conservation, care and The Center’s work is focused are dedicated to educating With the doubling of the human on the 5,505-acre Betampona population on the island, 85 For more than 10 years, Eric wild and to better understand the understanding of zoo and conservation practitioners. Natural Reserve, a diverse percent of the original forest area served as the Saint Louis Zoo’s transmission of diseases from free-ranging wildlife.” He has Ring-tailed lemur remnant of the eastern lowland In 2003, the Zoo staff assumed has disappeared. There has been Eric Miller, DVM, Director of Animal Health and animals to humans.” served on the AZA Board and rainforest and the site of the first the chairmanship of MFG, and its significant habitat fragmentation Conservation, leading a team Eric said a key to the success of written and/or co-written more organizations. Formed in 1988, and only reintroduction of captive international office was moved and erosion-related siltation of of veterinarians in caring for the now-12-year-old WildCare than 60 scientific articles and MFG is committed to conserving Dipl, ACZM, born lemurs back into the wild. to the Zoo. Eric Miller is also the the island’s rivers and lakes. more than 600 species and Institute’s conservation work is textbook chapters. Malagasy biodiversity, with Director, WildCare Institute This reserve is home to the only Chair of MFG. 19,000 Zoo animals. not only improving animal health, With the late Dr. Murray Fowler, focus on lemurs and other Much of MFG’s success can be known populations of several key MFG’s work is among the highest Director, Center for Conservation population size and diversity but Eric also was co-editor of the endangered plants and animals in attributed to maintaining an In the field, he also worked on species of critically endangered of conservation priorities because in Madagascar also on building collaborations 4th, 5th, 6th, and Editor of the Madagascar’s eastern rainforests. in-country office and staff who biomedical surveys of captive plants and animals and is of the many of Madagascar’s animal and Senior Vice President of Zoological The MFG’s holistic approach can evaluate, recommend and South China tigers and giant with organizations around 7th and 8th editions of Zoo Operations, Saint Louis Zoo addresses conservation problems highest conservation priority. plant species, like the highly monitor projects. pandas, and free-ranging the world. and Wild Animal Medicine—the by building an integrated avifauna in the Galápagos “A major part of my job as major textbook on exotic animal While most boys were reading Islands. In addition to his role as Institute Director is forging care used in veterinary medical education programs across the “Charlie and the Chocolate Director of the WildCare Institute, partnerships,” he said. “We Select 2014 Achievements: Factory,” at age 8, Eric Miller was Eric continues to have the realized early on that the globe. He has continued in that role after Dr. Fowler’s death. devouring Rachel Carson’s book, Zoo’s Research, Animal Health, Zoo’s contributions to global The Madagascar Flora and Conservation Society, the Lemur The Center is planning to work be planted to restore degraded “Silent Spring.” the Institute for Conservation conservation efforts would Fauna’s annual meeting was Conservation Foundation, with 300 local people to plant forests. As an incentive for Medicine and the Education go much farther if we worked held at the Saint Louis Zoo Madagascar National Park, Yale native rainforest tree species planting trees, participants will The famous book on the History/Mission: damaging effects of chemicals on Departments under his direction. with other zoos, conservation To conserve Madagascar’s in early August. Attendees University, Zurich Zoo, Seneca to restore a 100-meter Zone of receive corn and bean seeds the environment left an indelible Over his career, he has learned organizations and academic unique and globally important included representatives from Park Zoo, Taipei Zoo, Ueno Zoo Protection” around the reserve. and be given an opportunity impression on this young that the key to conservation is institutions.” He added that biodiversity, the Center for the Duke Lemur Center, the (Tokyo), San Antonio Zoo and Four tree nurseries, each to attend sustainable hillside conservationist, whose grade larger than just medical care. “You another critical component of Conservation in Madagascar University of Missouri-St Louis, the Naples Zoo. A general board operated by two permanent agriculture training courses. school science projects focused can’t just look at the diseases, the Institute’s work is involving joined with the Madagascar Missouri Botanical Garden, meeting was followed by a tree nursery workers form local The Center is also planning to on these issues. In high school, or just the breeding, it has to be local communities and providing Fauna and Flora Group (MFG). Omaha Zoo, Kansas State three-day workshop to establish communities aim to produce a offer environmental education Eric analyzed contaminants in the all linked together,” Eric said. training/education, jobs and In fact, the Zoo was a founding University, Washington University, conservation priorities for research minimum of 4,000 trees each to programs and family planning local water supply to win the top “A phrase a lot of people use health care for people in member of this international Appalachian State University, at the Betampona Natural Reserve distribute to project participants. services. science prize and expose a local is ‘conservation needs a really those areas. consortium of 20 zoos, botanical Hunter College, Columbus Zoo, and Parc Ivoloina. Annually, expectations are that 34 company’s polluting practices. big toolbox.’ One of the tools is gardens, universities and related St. Louis University, Wildlife approximately 16,000 trees will 35 Talented Professionals Support the Center’s Work in the Field: She directs the work of eight writer at a publishing company full-time conservation agents and a project officer at Catholic Center for Native Pollinator Conservation and eight part-time research Relief Services. She was founder assistants, communicating and president of her own non- “I loved reading about joined the Bronx Zoo as Assistant In 2010 Ed began to work with international and national profit development association paleontology and animal behavior Curator of Mammals and Curator with a range of national and experts to address key research and a development and and avidly read the works of of Invertebrates. At the Bronx international organizations questions. She is charged with communications coordinator in researchers like George Schaller Zoo, Ed designed and opened to save bumble bees. He has actively recruiting researchers Panajachel, Guatemala. Her other who studied wildlife around the the largest native butterfly house expanded that work to include to address important themes experience includes working as world,” Ed recalled. in North America, receiving the other pollinators, and in 2011, relevant to the management an international trip leader, a But Ed Spevak was not just a prestigious AZA Exhibit Award. He he founded the Center for Native of the reserve. These include disaster response consultant and bookworm—this ambitious also trained the staff on butterfly Pollinator Conservation. assessing the effect of invasive a development consultant. She youth spent his late adolescence care, while managing 31 keepers Ed’s expertise in behavior and plants and controlling their began her career in Maroantsetra, and early 20s working in zoos who worked with species ranging population genetics has led to his growth, GIS monitoring of habitat Madagascar, working as and aquariums. Ed was a part- from primates to sea lions to advising dozens of conservation Dr. Karen Louise Mary Freeman, quality, species distributions and Environment Volunteer for the time marine mammal keeper snow leopards to reptiles to fish breeding and reintroduction Research Director, Madagascar illegal logging activity, population Wildlife Conservation Society. She Ed Spevak, at Brookfield Zoo and then an and invertebrates. programs as an adjunct to the Fauna and Flora Group. Karen genetics, species inventorying trained more than 100 farmers, aquarist at Shedd Aquarium, In 1999, Ed left New York City to AZA Population Management Freeman came to her current and socio-economic studies. The Maya Moore, Program Director, 30 Peace Corps volunteers and Ph.D. Candidate participating in field research move to South Carolina where Center. Ed is also a member of position having served for aim of this coordinated approach Madagascar Fauna and Flora extension agents on sustainable Biology, University of Illinois at in Serengeti National Park in he lived on Hilton Head Island the Conservation and Science four years as MFG Programme to research is to address key Group. Maya Moore oversees the agricultural techniques and Urbana-Champaign Tanzania and in the Bahamas. and worked with designers and Committee of the Sahara Manager. Before that, she conservation management issues daily operations of MFG’s project designed and implemented He then became a full-time architects to build what would Conservation Fund. was Field Coordinator for to better protect the reserve. in Parc Ivoloina and Betampona initiatives to increase food Director, Center for Native Primate Keeper at Brookfield have been the world’s largest He is finishing his Ph.D. Mauritian WildLife Foundation. She also must organize, analyze Natural Reserve and supervises security, while decreasing slash Pollinator Conservation Zoo, and volunteered as a Bird butterfly house. Ed moved on dissertation on population She holds a Ph.D. from Queen and publish data collected over a staff of 50 Malagasy nationals. and burn farming. Maya holds a Curator of Invertebrates Keeper at Lincoln Park Zoo. To to the Cincinnati Zoo where genetics and reproductive Mary, University of London and the past 15 years at Betampona, She represents MFG to local master’s degree in sustainable expand his experience, he also he was Mammal Conservation behavior of addax antelope at the earned her bachelor’s degree supervise student theses, help and international members and international development became a docent and managed Program Manager, supervising As a child wandering around University of Illinois at Urbana- from Cambridge University. researchers publish data and partners. Maya has held this from the Heller School for an animal wholesale operation 42 keepers. In 2007, he came the Field Museum in Chicago, Champaign. As an adjunct She is the author of many facilitate information exchange position since February 2012, Social Policy and Management that supplied animals to zoos, to the Saint Louis Zoo as Curator Ed Spevak checked to make sure assistant professor, he is also publications on scientific topics among independent researchers. coming to MFG from Madagascar at Brandeis University, and a aquariums and pet shops. of Invertebrates. At the Zoo’s the mounted animals on display teaching Environmental Biology related to conservation of Ankizy Fund where, as Chief bachelor’s degree in biology from Monsanto Insectarium, Ed began were correct in every way. After completing his at University of Missouri-St. Louis Malagasy animals. In her current Operations Officer, she directed Georgetown University. A native undergraduate degree and building regional pollinator and General Zoology at position, she is responsible all in-country project operations English speaker, she is fluent in Raised in the suburbs of Chicago while working on his graduate awareness by partnering with Webster University. for coordinating all research and managed a $60,000 school Malagasy, highly proficient in in a multi-generation household, degree, Ed took a job as a University of Illinois and Pollinator activities at Parc Ivoloina and construction project. She also French and proficient in Spanish. Ed was introduced to the study of salaried researcher at Fossil Rim Partnership to create the first Betampona Nature Reserve. served as a senior research and nature by his aunt, a sixth-grade Wildlife Center in Texas. There local guides for pollinators. History/Mission: school teacher, who often took he studied the behavior and He began meeting with many Pollination is the cornerstone of him to museums. population genetics of addax local organizations to create most ecosystems—80 percent of antelope. He also developed pollinator programs and classes. flowering plants need pollinators that organization’s first computer He also created the Zoo’s Annual to produce seeds and fruit for record keeping system and Pollinator Dinner. reproduction. In addition, many coordinated the animal care wild and domestic animals are 36 37 intern program. In 1993, he dependent on pollinators for Select 2014 Achievements: first guide of bumble bees in Talented Professionals Support the Center’s Work in the Field: Awarded a grant from the citizens to plant milkweed. The milkweed have been planted & Community Collaborations Illinois and Missouri. That guide 2013 project bringing together Robert J. Trulaske, Jr. Family Pollinator Center distributed to determine which species are Abroad). Museums Connect is routinely updated for use 28 young people to design and Foundation, the Center will begin seeds of common and marsh most attractive for monarch is made possible by the U.S. as a reference for students, establish pollinator gardens and building pollinator habitats on milkweed to develop 100 butterfly egg laying and Department of State’s Bureau researchers, farmers, and citizen pollinator habitat sculptures in Missouri roadsides, working community and school gardens. caterpillar survival. Also various of Educational and Cultural scientists. The Center also works Missouri, Arizona and Kenya. with the Missouri Department of The Center also provided signs species of wildflower have been Affairs and administered by the with a range of community groups Dr. Gikungu is currently leading Transportation and the Missouri to identify the gardens. placed in between the rows of American Alliance of Museums. to establish pollinator gardens a range of research projects in Department of Agriculture. With the help of the Saint Louis milkweed to help determine the The remaining costs were and develop best bee practices Kenya focusing on food security Seeding of native vegetation Zoo’s Horticulture Department, attractiveness of wildflowers to shared by the Zoo and its project for local gardens. related to climate change and begins this spring on Interstate bees and butterflies. co-sponsors – the National St. Louis City officials and Ed Spevak (far the Zoo’s Invertebrate right) kick off Milkweeds for Monarchs to The Center has teamed up with environmental health. She 50 west of Jefferson City and Department distributed 500 The Center helped spearhead Museums of Kenya in Nairobi encourage the planting of milkweed to the Missouri Department of has completed projects on Interstate 60 east of Springfield, milkweed seed packets and 500 the creation of the Honey Bee and Tohono Chul Park of Tucson, increase monarch butterfly habitat. Transportation and Missouri conserving commercial insects, MO. Through this project, Center AZ. In Missouri, trees and milkweed plants to pollinator Health Coalition of beekeepers, those fruits and seeds. Moreover Department of Agriculture to bee populations and their food staff will create additional native shrubs are being planted and a enthusiasts at the Zoo’s annual growers, researchers, 75 percent of crop plants grown develope pollinator roadsides sources, aquatic invertebrates, habitat for pollinators, reduce community garden is thriving, pollinator dinner. The Zoo’s government agencies, across the globe need pollinators. and pollinator gardens at rest pesticide risks to pollinators, bee roadside maintenance costs and where more planting will be entrance area milkweed garden agribusinesses, conservation All this means that food security areas and welcome centers. evolution and behavior and the provide pollinators for nearby done in 2015. includes educational signs about groups and manufacturers and ecosystem stability are impact of forest fragmentation on agricultural crops. In 2011, with the Xerces Society, the value of milkweed in saving to improve the health of In Kenya, thanks to a WildCare threatened as pollinator numbers Mary Wanjiju Gikungu, Ph.D., plant and pollinator interactions, University of Illinois, and USDA- Associate Professor, Jomo to name a few. She established The Pollinator Center along the monarch butterfly, and Zoo pollinators. Leaders of the new Institute grant, conservationists decline. ARS Bee Research Laboratory, the with the City of St. Louis employees planted milkweed Honey Bee Health Coalition have are beginning a comprehensive Kenyatta University of Agriculture the Center for Bee Biology The Center for Native Pollinator Saint Louis Zoo organized and Sustainability Initiative, the seed in non-landscaped areas. submitted letters to the Federal biodiversity inventory of bee and Technology, Nairobi, and Pollination Ecology at the Conservation was established in hosted a Species Conservation Missouri Botanical Garden Environmental Protection Agency pollinators and their associated Kenya. For more than 20 years, National Museums of Kenya and On the 13.5 acre site the Zoo 2011 to focus on the importance Strategy Workshop for North and the Missouri Department offering assistance; the Coalition flora in Amboseli National Park Dr. Gikungu worked as Senior developed a Kenyan reference purchased in 2012, the Center and diversity of native pollinators American Bumble Bees. This event of Conservation launched is also supporting research on (the best tourist site for seeing Research Scientist at the National piece on bees. She has also has planted a sustainable, for the maintenance and survival drew experts from across the the Milkweeds for Monarchs diseases that kill pollinators. free ranging elephants and Museums of Kenya, leaving that helped develop pollinator native grass lawn that is of wildlife, ecosystems and world who have since developed initiative. The goal is to increase giraffes) and in the surrounding position in 2014 to join Jomo gardens in a number of Kenyan slow-growing and tolerant The Center continued its agriculture. The Center works a comprehensive conservation habitat for monarch butterflies agro-ecosystems. One Kenyatta University. A Pollination locations. Dr. Gikungu is the to prolonged drought and work on a community garden to save pollinators on several and research action plan for North by establishing monarch project goal is to identify the Ecologist, Dr. Gikungu specializes author of, or a contributor to, extreme temperature changes. in Florissant, MO, a project levels—from backyards to the American bumble bees. gardens and planting milkweed. primary food sources for bees in research on the impact of almost 20 published articles. Educational signs offer created through a program far corners of the world, Center City leaders are committed to and to build capacity in bee Internationally, the Center helped climate change on the ecosystem. messages about the value of that brought together 28 activities focus on educating planting 50 gardens and have identification and monitoring establish and organize the She also is a specialist on bio- native grasses and explain young people, age 17-22, to people about the importance of challenged others to plant among rangers and local Bumblebee Specialist Group. monitoring of ecosystem health how individuals can plant a design and establish pollinator pollinators in their own lives and an additional 200 milkweed community members. Within Today, a world-wide network using pollinators and aquatic low-maintenance, pollinator gardens and pollinator habitat on developing and supporting gardens in the City of St. Louis. Kenya, a noticeable decline in of bumble bee researchers is invertebrates as indicators of friendly lawn. Pollinator-friendly sculptures in St. Louis, Tucson, local, national and international Signs have gone up at various pollinators essential to food working to examine all 250 system health. Dr. Gikungu works plantings extend around the Arizona and Nairobi, Kenya. collaborations to establish gardens to increase awareness production has become a grave species of bumble bees to in the areas of sustainable use of perimeter of the site where Called P.A.U.S.E, Pollinators/ pollinator conservation programs about the plight of pollinators concern. However, little research establish their conservation natural resources to improve the pollinator and nectar sources Art/Urban Agriculture/Society/ and conduct research. status. This will help focus livelihood of Kenyans and has and the need to plant milkweed. will help support bees and and the Environment, the has been done on the extent In 2008, the Center, with the conservation efforts on the done environmental assessments The Pollinator Center has butterflies. In addition, an nearly $200,000 project was of the problem. Project results University of Illinois at Urbana- bumble bee species of greatest and audits. She worked with launched an initiative with experimental garden is planted supported by a one-year will be disseminated through workshops and publications. Champaign, produced the concern. the Center in establishing a 38 Gateway Greening, called Yards near the pollinator garden. $86,000 grant from Museums 39 for Monarchs, to encourage There, six species of native Connect (formerly Museums are given priority. Some great service to wildlife conservation. work has been done protecting SCF leverages support it receives Saharan Wildlife Recovery Center large numbers of diverse species through the Saharan Wildlife this way. Unfortunately, this Recovery Center and others to Whether chasing hogs on the He has been an active member triage approach introduces a bias raise awareness about the silent family farms in Iowa, exploring of the Sahelo-Saharan against desert-based species, crisis of extinction in the Sahara, creeks in St. Louis County Interest Group (SSIG) since its where scarcity of water leads to apply the tools of science to searching for crayfish, frogs inception. Bill is also a founding lower biodiversity. The deserts of better understand the threats, and snakes or lying out in board member of the Sahara the world stand in the wings while develop workable solutions the backyard at dusk on the Conservation Fund (SCF), more biologically rich areas take and generate additional project family trampoline just to catch serving first as treasurer and the conservation spotlight. funding from international a glimpse of a family of flying currently as vice president for the The first hurdle to overcome was agencies and organizations. squirrels emerging from their organization. He has participated finding the right people with Through SCF, the Saharan Wildlife hollow in a tree overhead, Bill in numerous field programs in the whom to partner, and the right Recovery Center has worked looked for opportunities to be Sahara, including the repatriation mechanism through which to with zoos to bring zoo-born around animals and find joy and of addax and scimitar-horned funnel the WildCare Institute’s addax and scimitar-horned inspiration in their existence. oryx to Tunisia, ongoing wildlife Bill Houston efforts. The solution was to oryx back to national parks in surveys in the Termit/Tin Director, Saharan Wildlife In 1981 at Cornell University, partner with other zoos and Tunisia. SCF helped bring about Toumma region of Niger, and the Wildlife in the Saharan desert is remarkably diverse and includes everything from ostriches Recovery Center he earned his bachelor of science institutions to create Sahara the establishment of Niger’s development of in situ captive to antelope to geese. degree in animal science. Setting Conservation Fund (SCF), the Termit & Tin Toumma National General Curator breeding facilities for the critically SCF also established a breeding his sights on a zookeeping career, Red-necked ostrich only organization dedicated Nature Reserve (the largest endangered Saharan race of the and reintroduction center for the he then moved to Gainesville, exclusively to the conservation of protected area in all of Africa) to red-necked ostrich in Kellé, Niger. speak for Saharan wildlife, who critically endangered Saharan Sunday evenings were special in Florida, to get his associates of Saharan wildlife. SCF is directed preserve the last significant wild will?” red-necked ostrich in Niger. the Houston family. “My mother science degree in biological parks People often ask Bill “why the by John Newby, a man known population of addax, along with gathered us on the sofa to invite management at Santa Fe Teaching Sahara?” The question brings as the Voice of the Sahara for dama gazelles, desert cheetah, Marlin Perkins and Wild Kingdom Zoo. Bill returned to St. Louis in out the zealous preacher in him: his 40-plus years of dedicated Barbary sheep and other species. into our home for an hour. History/Mission: 1982 to take a Keeper position in “The Sahara is both austere There’s a reason the plight of It was like religion for us,” the Zoo’s Antelope Area. and lively, with landscapes, Saharan wildlife is little-known: recalled Bill Houston. From that point on, Bill Houston plants and animals that seem very little has been done until That time sitting on his mother’s has dedicated 32 years of his otherworldly. To wake up each recently to study these animals Select 2014 Achievements: lap watching giraffes, sloths, life to working with the captive morning in the midst of such and raise awareness about In February a pair of Saharan Center was launched by SCF hunting and harassment of the Nature Reserve, to better elephants and anacondas left breeding and conservation of a harsh and seemingly lifeless them internationally. This is red-necked ostrich hatched ten in and around the Termit & birds. The campaign was picked understand the distribution an indelible imprint on a little antelope and other ungulate place and discover ‘life stories’ partly due to location. Many eggs and successfully reared Tin Toumma National Nature up on both regional and national and abundance of this critically boy’s soul. species. In addition to his Zoo written overnight as footprints of these species are found in eight of those chicks at SCF’s Reserve to draw attention to television and radio stations. endangered gazelle with an duties, Bill serves on a number in the sand all around you is some of the most impoverished “I knew two things: I wanted to Ostrich Recovery Center in the alarming decline of vulture eye towards establishing of national committees for both humbling and inspirational. and remote countries in all of The Center helped underwrite somehow work with wildlife, and Kellé, Niger. species like Rueppell’s, lappet- protected wildlife corridors that the Association of Zoos and Some of the rarest animals on Africa. In addition, most major and raise additional funds for this great man on television was faced and Egyptian vultures. will allow for genetic exchange Aquariums (AZA), including his the planet cling to life in the most conservation organizations take a In December two pairs of ostrich dama gazelle survey work in from our very own hometown Zoo. The campaign targeted local between these important sub- role as Species Coordinator for overlooked and impoverished triage approach in deciding where hatched five more chicks and are Chad’s Ouadi Achime/Ouadi It was not hard for a 4-year-old communities to bring their populations. the AZA’s Addax Species Survival countries in Africa. People can to spend their money and time. incubating additional clutches. Rimé National Game Reserve, boy to figure out that the Saint attention to the decline and ask Plan (SSP). only care about something if they Areas like tropical rainforests the Manga in Niger and the Louis Zoo would be a great place An awareness campaign funded for their assistance in protecting know about it. That’s our mission. with higher numbers of endemic Termit & Tin Toumma National 40 to work!” by the Saharan Wildlife Recovery the birds by reporting illegal 41 If we don’t raise our voice and species and overall biodiversity Talented Professionals Support the Center’s Work in the Field: John Newby, CEO, Sahara Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Institute Donors Conservation Fund (SCF). John Edward Newby studied zoology This list reflects those who $9,999 - $5,000 Mr. & Mrs. Philip Taxman Mr. Steven B. King and ecology at Aberdeen have made direct donations City of Greenville The Phoenix Zoo Diane Kull to the WildCare Institute or to University in Scotland and Detroit Zoological Society Webster Groves Nature Study Kent P. & Kathleen E. Lannert graduated in 1971 with a organizations that it manages San Francisco Zoological Society Society Jane Feigenbaum Morris bachelor’s of science honours and supports. degree. In 1971, he left the UK for Seneca Park Zoo Society $999 - $250 Mr. & Mrs. Tom Neill a position with the United Nations $99,999 - $50,000 Trio Foundation of St. Louis Randy Agolia & Lilly Althaus Mr. & Mrs. George D. Nelson Volunteers (UNV) as a Wildlife The Liz Claiborne & Art Ortenberg Woodland Park Zoo Mr. & Mrs. Steven R. Peyton Biologist with the National Parks Foundation American Association of Zookeepers Little Rock Chapter Joseph A. & Katrina Y. Pfeiffer Service in the Republic of Chad. Edward K. Love Conservation $4,999 - $1,000 In 1972 he was dispatched to the Foundation Anonymous Dr. Jorge A. Pineda desert for a short trip that was to Akron Zoological Park Trulaske Family Foundation Arrowhead Zoological Society, Inc. Jim & Nita Raby last eight years and included a job Matthew E. & Mary M. Badler Zoological Society of San Diego Ms. Kathryn A. Aschenbrenner Saint Louis Zoo Primate Keepers with World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Mr. A. Dale Belcher a civil war or two, a marriage and Ms. Elizabeth A. Biddick Teresa E. & Daniel C. Stoeckel Kaye A. Campbell-Hinson & Phillip four beautiful daughters. John $49,999 - $25,000 Terry & Jeanne Carmack Mr. & Mrs. Ed Streit Endangered Species Program. D. Hinson worked in one of Africa’s largest Naples Zoo Ms. Karla Carter Ms. Patricia Taillon-Miller All told, John spent 28 years with Dickerson Park Zoo protected areas to save the last Mr. & Mrs. Rex Sinquefield remaining population of the now WWF. Eastern States Veterinary Mr. & Mrs. Albert E. Cawns Washington University in St. Louis Association, Inc. Mr. Joseph P. Dougherty Mr. Warren H. White extinct scimitar-horned oryx and Ever the Voice of the Sahara, $24,999 - $10,000 other desert species, including John brings his 40-plus years of Ms. Sandra Graham Meredith Durso the addax, dama gazelle and the AFB International experience to bear on growing Mrs. Maureen K. Hamilton Dr. & Mrs. Daniel Fraser area’s birdlife. SCF as the only non-profit Chicago Zoological Society Mark & Becky Humphrey Mr. & Mrs. Steven Fuchs In 1980, he moved to Niger to NGO devoted exclusively to Cleveland Zoological Society Indianapolis Zoo Goshawk Environmental assist the wildlife authorities conservation of Sahelo-Saharan Sue Dexter and to establish Ténéré wildlife and their habitats. Along Maryland Zoological Society, Inc. Consulting, Inc. the way, he was decorated twice Disney Worldwide Services, Inc. National Nature Reserve and Milwaukee County Zoo Mr. & Mrs. Dean A. Graves World Heritage Site. He also in Niger for services to nature Mrs. Karen A. Goellner Donald A. & Elaine F. Moore Greater St. Louis Jaguar Club helped establish one of the first conservation and once by the Elizabeth Green government of Chad, winning a Frederick Pitzman Fund Mr. & Mrs. J. Philip Hellwege integrated conservation and Kansas City Zoo development projects. He served Rolex Award for Enterprise, and Reid Park Zoological Society Robert M. & Jeri F. Herold as the official representative having been made an Officer Missouri Botanical Garden Mr. & Mrs. Eric Reifschneider Richard M. Hills of both WWF and International in the Order of the Golden Ark Ms. Ingrid J. Porton Sacramento Zoological Society Ms. Sandra Hirsch Union for the Conservation of by HH Prince Bernhard of the San Antonio Zoological Society Nature in Niger for many years Netherlands. Most recently, John Sedgwick County Zoological Mr. Scott G. Holley Toledo Zoo and moved to Switzerland in Newby was named the winner Society, Inc. Mr. & Mrs. Thomas A. Hutton of the 2013 Saint Louis Zoo William E. Weiss Foundation 1991 to head WWF International’s South Carolina Aquarium Mr. & Mrs. Edward W. Jastrem Africa & Madagascar Program, Conservation Award. Mr. Clarence A. Zacher 42 43 eventually taking over WWF’s St. Louis AAZK John & Salvina Kemper

Addax Institute for Centro Para La Sostenibilidad Taipei Zoo Center for Ambiental Conservation Medicine Zoo Zurich Native Pollinator Conservation Charles Darwin Foundation Ameren Missouri Partners Colchester Zoo, Britain Zoological Society of London Ecology Project International City of Florissant, MO A truly unique international Minnesota Zoo Harewood Bird Garden, Britain Center for Conservation of Ron Goellner Center for Sponsoring Members ESF State University of New York The Harris World Ecology Center City of St. Louis, MO collaboration has been formed that Carnivores in Africa Hellbender Conservation Northern Rangelands Trust ($5,000/year) brings an unprecedented level of College of Environmental Science Ruaha Carnivore Project Arkansas Game and Fish MELCA-Ethiopia Kansas City Zoo Forest Park Forever conservation. WildCare Institute Commission and Forestry Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Tanzania Carnivore Program Phoenix Zoo Moody Gardens Gateway Greening partners number over 180. Below Tanzania Wildlife Research Missouri Department of Forest Park Forever Greenville Zoo (SC) are partners for each of the 12 Princeton University Sedgwick County Zoo IUCN SSC Bumble Bee Specialist Institute Conservation Fontbonne University Indianapolis Zoo Group centers for the year 2014. Reid Park Zoo Woodland Park Zoo Tanzania National Parks Missouri State University Galápagos National Park, San Francisco Zoo Jomo Kenyatta University of Association Missouri University of Science Reid Park Zoo Teens Houston Zoo Utah’s Hogle Zoo Agriculture and Technology, Center for American Burying The Zoological Society of London and Technology Sacramento Zoo International Livestock Center for Conservation in Zoo Leipzig Nairobi Kenya Beetle Conservation Cheetah Conservation Fund, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service San Diego Zoo Global Research Institute Madagascar Missouri Botanical Garden The Missouri Department of Namibia Madagascar Fauna and Flora Group Contributing Members Conservation University of Missouri-Columbia St. Louis AAZK Chapter Max Planck Institute for Missouri Botanical Garden ($2,500/year) Missouri State Beekeepers Cheetah Conservation Botswana Ornithology Association Missouri Department of University of Oslo University of Antananarivo Akron Zoo Transportation Action for Cheetahs in Kenya Mpala Research Center Missouri Department of Center for Conservation University of Wyoming University of Missouri St. Louis Allwetter Zoo, Munster, Germany Kenya Wildlife Service Tyson Research Center Conservation The Nature Conservancy in the Horn of Africa Wildlife Conservation Network Whitney R. Harris World AZA Antelope & Giraffe TAG, Cango Wildlife Ranch, Missouri Department of Roger Williams Park Zoo Endangered Wildlife Trust United States Geological Survey Ecology Center South Africa South Africa Conservation Grant Fund, Equid Zebra Pen Agriculture University of Missouri College of University of Missouri - Columbia U.S. Army (Fort Chaffee, AR) TAG, Grevy’s Zebra SSP Dickerson Park Zoo Missouri Department of Painted Dog Conservation Veterinary Medicine Research (Veterinary College and Animal U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Brevard Zoo (Springfield, MO) Transportation Zimbabwe Center for Conservation of the Center for Human Animal Nutrition Department) United States Forest Service Interactions Isle of Wight Zoo (UK) Museum of Natural History, Wildlife Conservation Society Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Horned Guan (Pavon) in Mexico University of Tamatave London Communities of Northern Kenya African Safari Park/Mexico University of Missouri – Columbia Seneca Park Zoo (Rochester, NY) AZA Galliformes Taxon Advisory Washington University in St. Louis South Carolina Aquarium National Museum of Kenya Center for Avian Health in the Disney Worldwide Washington University in Center for Conservation Group St. Louis Thirty-one Madagascar Fauna and (Nairobi, Kenya) Galápagos Islands Conservation Fund The Living Rainforest (UK) in Forest Park Flora Group Member Institutions North American Pollinator Charles Darwin Research Station Academy of Science Ethiopian Wolf BirdLife International Westminster College Tropical Butterfly House (UK) in addition to the Saint Louis Zoo: Protection Campaign Des Lee Professorship in Conservation Program The Cloud Forest Ambassadors Forest Park Forever Ueno Zoo (Tokyo, Japan) Pollinator Partnership Zoological Studies at the Grevy’s Zebra Trust Program Managing Members Missouri Department Center for Conservation in Punta University of Missouri-St. Louis Instituto de Ecologia ($10,000/year) Friends of the MFG Tohono Chul Park (Tucson, of Conservation Isaqbini Hirola Community San Juan, Peru (<$2,500/year) Arizona) The Galápagos Conservancy The International Committee for Cologne Zoo Saint Louis Art Museum Conservancy Acquario di Cattolica, Italy Galápagos National Parks the Conservation of the Horned Maryland Zoo University of Illinois – Urbana- IUCN Antelope Specialist Group, Guan and its Habitat Alteris, Netherlands Duke Lemur Center St. Louis Department of Parks Milwaukee County Zoo Champaign, Department of Genetics, Pathology, Equid Specialist Group Lemur Conservation Foundation Washington University in St. Louis IUCN: The Cracid Specialist Group AZA Humboldt Penguin SSP Entomology Epidemiology Laboratory of Kalama Community Wildlife Sacramento Zoo Galápagos The Nature Conservancy AZA Penguin Taxon Missouri Botanical Garden USDA – Agricultural Research Conservancy Fundacion Natura Wellington Zoo (New Zealand) Advisory Group Naples Zoo Service (ARS) – Logan Bee Lab The Peregrine Fund Kenya Wildlife Service The Brookfield Zoo Perth Zoo The Xerces Society for The Swiss Friends of Galápagos Liz Claiborne-Art Ortenberg Invertebrate Conservation The Zoological Society of London Foundation San Antonio Zoo 44 45 Merrill Lynch San Diego Zoo Saharan Wildlife Fresno Chaffee Zoo Saint Louis Zoo Docents Center for Conservation in Recovery Center Gilman International Conservation San Antonio Zoo Western Asia AAZK-Dallas Zoo The Ministry of Nature Protection Houston Family San Diego Zoo Global AAZK-Kansas City Zoo – Republic of Armenia Houston Zoo Sedgwick County Zoo Abilene Zoo National Academy of Sciences – IGF Smithsonian National Republic of Armenia Addax & Oryx Foundation John Ball Zoo Zoological Park Scientific Center of Zoology and Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort Kansas City Zoo Steadfast Engineering Hydroecology You Can Help AZA Conservation The Russian Academy of Sciences Endowment Fund Kolmarden Zoo Stuttgart Zoo “Wilhelma” As you have seen through this report, the become a champion for conserving wild Saint Louis Zoo’s WildCare Institute has things in wild places. The WildCare Institute AZA Ratite Advisory Group La Fondation Internationale pour The Living Desert la Gestion de la Faune accomplished a great deal in 2014. This vital offers you an opportunity that many others AZA Antelope & Giraffe The Wilds Le Pal Zoo work has been undertaken and completed do not – a way to support programs that help Advisory Group WAZA through strategic partnerships, staff save wildlife directly – and cost effectively. Lisbon Zoo Bamberger Ranch Preserve West Midlands Safari Park expertise, and passionate donors. We simply It also offers many choices: You can give to Living Desert Berlin Zoo WildCRU could not have done it without your help. a species that caught your eye, a story that Beyond Motion Productions Longleat Safari Park Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium 2015 brings new opportunities to protect made sense, or a Conservation Center that wildlife in wild places. Old threats remain, connected with your desire to see things Brevard Zoo Los Angeles Zoo Woodland Park Zoo Marwell Wildlife and new challenges must be addressed if made right – for an animal, an ecosystem or Bronx Zoo Zoo Atlanta conservationists across the world are to our world. Brookfield Zoo Mohamed bin Zayed Species Zoo d’Amneville succeed in saving threatened species and Conservation Fund Your gift to the Saint Louis Zoo’s WildCare Buffalo Zoo Zoo de la Palmyre vulnerable ecosystems. All of us have been Institute will make a difference today and for Mulhouse Zoo entrusted to preserve and safeguard these Calgary Zoo Zoo Hannover future generations. Nashville Zoo animals and their habitats today and for Chester Zoo Zoo Miami future generations. For more information on contributing to the North Carolina Zoo work of the WildCare Institute, Cincinnati Zoo Zoo New England Nuremberg Zoo Together we have the chance to make a please visit stlzoo.org/wildcare or contact the Convention on Migratory Species Zoo Osnabrück lasting investment in preserving unique Zoo’s Development Office at Oklahoma City Zoo species and their native environments. By Dachser Logistiks Zoo Praha (314) 646-4691. Oregon Zoo using the enclosed response envelope, you Disney’s Animal Kingdom Zoo Zlin Lesna Peace River Wildlife Refuge Dublin Zoo Zoological Society of London Philadelphia Zoo Emirates’ Center for Wildlife Plzen Zoo Propagation Photos by Stephen Blake, Republic of Tunisia Jeffrey P. Bonner, Roger Brandt, “When the last race of a living thing goes extinct, Erie Zoo Elizabeth Brennan, Vicki Brown, Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure Christopher Carter, Sharon Deem, another heaven and another earth must come to European Union Sacramento Zoo Amy Dickman, Jeff Ettling, Bill Graham, pass before such a one can be again.” Exotic Endeavors Grevy’s Zebra Trust, Shari Hardin, Safari Enterprises Diana Linsley (Webster Kirkwood-Times), 1906 quote from William Beebe, an American naturalist with Exotic Wildlife Association Safari West Ray Meibaum, Bob Merz, David Merritt, the New York Zoological Society Fonds Français pour Jessica Ninneman, Jane Padfield, Sahara Conservation Fund Sahara Conservation Fund, Alice Seyfried, l’Environnement Mondial Ed Spevak, Walt Suhre, Mark Wanner, 46 Saint Louis AAZK Catherine Werner, Noah Whiteman, 47 Fossil Rim Wildlife Center Robin Winkelman and Mary Wykstra. Our Mission The WildCare Institute is dedicated to creating a sustainable future for wildlife and for people around the world.

For more information on contributing to the work of the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare institution, please contact our Development Office at (314) 646-4691.