North Carolina Zoo Field Conservation and Research Program 2009 and 2010

Saving wildlife around the world and in our own backyard.

Introduction to the North Carolina Zoo’s Field Conservation Program Year after year the natural world is coming do this alone; it is only through institutions such under ever-greater pressure from the activities as ours making a significant contribution as of a growing human population. Particularly part of that wider biological and conservation in developing countries, human populations community that we can hope to stabilize the are growing at alarming rates. However, the situation for our children and grandchildren. ecological footprint is as much as 30 times per individual greater in wealthier countries than The field conservation program of the North David Jones has been Director of the Carolina Zoo has been growing steadily for the it is in developing economies. Already, demands North Carolina Zoo since 1994. He from both the developing and wealthier last ten years, but we are currently planning to countries have passed the point where the take a significant leap forward in the range of previously worked for the Zoological Earth’s natural resources can be fully programs that we run, both regionally and Society of London for 25 years, ending replenished. If we continue on our present around the world. At present the Zoo and Zoo Society spend approximately 2% of our up as its CEO. David is a veterinarian pathway, by 2050 humankind will need and zoologist by training and has served two Earths to provide the required budgets on conservation of animals and plants natural resources. in the wild. However, we plan to extend that on the boards of numerous international commitment to at least 5% of our overall and local conservation organizations. The rapid consumption of natural resources budget within the next five years and up to threatens the survival of many of the 10% of our total budget within a decade. He has consulted on conservation and species with whom we share our planet. Apart from some salary costs, virtually all wildlife matters in over 50 countries Unsustainable use of natural products like that funding will have to come from private and has written over 100 scientific timber, along with environmental pollution and sources, including individuals, foundations, the conversion of natural areas for agriculture, government grants and through partnerships papers. David believes very strongly are just a few of the ways in which we are with like-minded organizations. that stewardship of our natural resources negatively affecting the environment. If we do will only succeed if people come to not change how we interact with the natural I hope that, in reading this report and world in significant ways, we will soon run out recognizing the steady expansion that we understand the links between their well- of resources, disrupt the ecosystems in which are undertaking with our field conservation being, the economy and the environment. we live, and push hundreds, if not thousands, program, that you will join us in supporting of species into extinction. It is therefore our efforts for the long-term future. imperative that every major biological institution around the world plays a significant role in the maintenance of biodiversity, and in so doing help to ensure the maintenance of David M. Jones, DVM healthy ecosystems. No single institution can Table of Contents International Conservation Projects Introduction...... 1 Tracking Elephants From Space...... 2 GPS Technology Helps Save Africa’s Most Endangered Ape...... 4 A New Subspecies Of Chimpanzee Under Threat...... 6 Working To Save The Unique Primates Of A Tropical Island Paradise...... 8 Training Conservation Staff in Nigeria’s Premiere Wildlife Reserve...... 10 Conserving One of the World’s Most Unusual Primates...... 12 Helping Develop The Next Generation Of Conservation Leaders In Uganda...... 14 Conserving Uganda’s Plant Life...... 16 Preventing Serious Injuries To Wild Chimpanzees...... 18 Grey Crowned Crane Trade Investigation And Mitigation...... 19 Expanding Our Field Conservation Work Into The Rain Forests Of South America...... 20

Regional Conservation Projects Introduction...... 23 Save Our Snot Otters!...... 24 Preserving Natural Areas Across Central North Carolina...... 26 Rescuing Endangered Sunflowers From Expanding Roads...... 28

On-site Conservation and Research Projects Introduction...... 29 Animal Projects...... 30 Conservation Fund Raising...... 33 Collaborative Research With Other Institutions...... 33 Research and Professional Training...... 34 International Projects

The zoo’s international conservation projects are focused on Africa, though we have recently begun exploring options for initiating projects in South America. By working internationally, the Field Conservation Program creates links between some of the richest wildlife areas in the world and the diverse range of animals and plants exhibited here at the North Carolina Zoo. Our international fieldwork helps to save the wild cousins of the animals enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of visitors to the zoo every year and provides a direct connection between the people of North Carolina and conservation issues around the world.

1 International Projects: Central and West Africa Endangered Elephants Elephant populations across Africa are By placing satellite tracking collars on the Tracking Elephants increasingly threatened by indirect and direct elephants, Dr. Loomis and his team can conflicts with humans. As human populations identify habitat that is important for elephants, From Space grow they convert and use this information for better manage- Project: elephant habitat into ment of protected areas.The elephant tracking farm land, leaving program also allows conservationists to follow Cameroon Elephant elephants with less migrating elephants and to intervene before Tracking and Conservation and less suitable area they reach farm lands, preventing conflict in which to live. between people and elephants. Expanding farms also bring people and New Sites, New Elephants Location: elephants into more 2009-2010 was a challenging time for the Elephants are the Cameroon, frequent contact. elephant tracking project. Over the last two largest land animals This is dangerous for years the team has begun working at several West Africa in the world. elephants and people. new sites in Cameroon that are very Elephants are often killed after eating people’s important for conservation. While Korup crops, and people can be injured when they National Park and the Dja Biosphere Reserve encounter wild elephants. Elephants are also are key conservation areas, they have proven hunted for their meat and ivory. tough for collaring elephants. As a result, during 2009 and 2010, Mike and his team were Using Satellites to Track Elephants The North Carolina Zoo has been involved with the conservation of wild elephants in Africa for over ten years. The Zoo’s Chief Project Leader: Veterinarian, Dr. Mike Loomis, works to Dr. Mike Loomis, conserve populations of elephants dwelling Chief Veterinarian, North Carolina Zoo in both the forests and savannas of Cameroon, one of the most biodiverse countries in Partners: Africa. Dr. Loomis’ project, conducted in World Wildlife Fund, Cameroon collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), uses sophisticated satellite Dr. Loomis works with the field team to place tracking technology to monitor the movements Cameroon Ministry of Forests a tracking collar on an elephant in Cameroon. and Wildlife of elephants at several sites across Cameroon.

2 International Projects: Central and West Africa able to deploy Even though we only collared two elephants only two during this period, the information they have collars. The provided has been valuable for elephant Staff Profile: first was conservation. Data from the elephant on Dr. Mike Loomis deployed Mount Cameroon, along with data from two on Mt. other collars we placed previously, were Cameroon, instrumental in defining the final boundaries an active of the newly created Mt. Cameroon National volcano Park. In addition, the team has collected data Elephants are closely monitored just off which indicate that the elephant population during field anesthesia. Cameroon’s on Mt. Cameroon my be divided into two coast. The separate populations separated by deep alleys second was placed on an elephant in the Dja which elephants cannot cross. Biosphere Reserve in southern Cameroon. This was the first elephant collar deployed in The Elephant Tracking this remote rainforest reserve. The Dja Project Helps NC Zoo Reserve is very important because it is Win an Exhibit Award Dr. Mike Loomis is the Chief Veterinarian at the adjacent to several other protected areas In 2009, the Association of Zoos and North Carolina Zoo and oversees the division which collectively form a large forest block Aquariums presented a significant achievement that provides all veterinary medical care for the spanning three international borders. We are award to the NC Zoo for its Watani Zoo’s animal collections. Mike graduated from trying to identify elephant movement corridors Grasslands the University of California, Davis College of across this area for future conservation planning. exhibit. The Veterinary Medicine and received a master’s award was degree in zoology from Indiana University. Mike’s based in career has included work as a veterinarian at part on the both the Los Angeles and San Diego Zoos as significant well as the NC Zoo. He is past president of the role that American Association of Zoo Veterinarians and information on of the American College of Zoological Medicine. the elephant He is also an Adjunct Associate Professor of tracking project Zoological Medicine at North Carolina State plays in the exhibit. This is a great example University College of Veterinary Medicine. of how the NC Zoo’s Field Conservation Mike began work on the Cameroon elephant Program feeds back into the zoo itself. tracking project in 1998 in order to find ways Each point on the map represents a location that humans and elephants could live together transmitted by a collared elephant. more harmoniously.

3 International Projects: Central and West Africa The Rarest computers using global positioning system GPS Technology of Rare (GPS) technology and a software package called Cybertracker. With this system, rangers Inhabiting the record all signs of gorillas (tracks, nests, Helps Save Africa’s rugged highlands sightings, etc.) they encounter in the forest. on the Nigeria- Most Endangered Ape They also record signs of illegal activity like Cameroon poaching. The device automatically stores their Project: border, the observation, along with its GPS position. Cross River Gorilla Cross River gorilla is the When the rangers return to base the data they Research and Monitoring The Cross River gorilla is most critically reclusive and rarely seen. have collected are downloaded to a desktop endangered of computer for analysis. The Cybertracker Location: all the African Nigeria and apes and one of the 25 most endangered primates in the world. This unique type of Cameroon, gorilla (a distinct subspecies) was once thought West to be extinct, but was rediscovered by Africa scientists less than 20 years ago. Unfortunately, the survival of these gorillas is threatened by both hunting and habitat loss. It is thought that only about 300 Cross River gorillas are left, fewer than half the number of their mountain gorilla cousins. These remaining gorillas are found only in very remote and mountainous forests where hunters are reluctant to go and Project Leader: where steep slopes prevent farming. Dr. Rich Bergl, Curator of Conservation and Research, North Carolina Zoo Ruggedized Mobile Partners: Computers Give Rangers Wildlife Conservation Society the Jump on Poachers One of the major challenges to improving Cross River State Forestry Commission the protection of the Cross River gorilla is making the work of park rangers more Cross River National Park Field workers now record data directly into effective. To help increase ranger effectiveness, hand-held, GPS enabled computers, making Cameroon Ministry of Forests the NC Zoo has developed a data data collection more efficient and effective. and Wildlife collection system based on rugged handheld

4 International Projects: Central and West Africa software package automatically maps their the Cybertracker devices and provided 25 patrol route, along with relevant observations of the devices themselves. Data ccollected Staff Profile: like gorilla sightings and evidence of illegal using the devices is already helping make activity. Using this information, park managers conservation of the gorillas more effective Dr. Rich Bergl can better understand where to target ranger and has been so successful that we have patrols and identify key habitat for the gorillas. expanded the system to other conservation The system helps protect not only the Cross projects in the region. River gorilla, but all the other wildlife that share the gorillas’ forest home as well. Dr. Bergl trains rangers and researchers in Working Across the Cameroon to use the hand-held computer system. Entire Range of the Gorillas and Beyond The Cross River gorillas have proven difficult to conserve since they are found across a large landscape spanning two different countries. The NC Zoo has therefore put the Cybertracker system in place at multiple Dr. Rich Bergl, the Curator of Conservation and sites across the gorillas’ range. Between 2009 Research at the North Carolina Zoo, has been and 2010 we trained over 200 rangers and conducting conservation-related research in researchers in Nigeria and Cameroon to use Africa for over ten years. Rich has done fieldwork in Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Liberia, Uganda and Kenya and has worked in genetics labs at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology and New York University. He is an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Evolutionary Anthropology at Duke University and at the North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine. In 2010 was named a Fellow at the Wildlife Conservation Society. In addition to his work on animal populations in the wild, Rich oversees research conducted at the NC Zoo. Mountainous habitat of the Cross River gorilla

5 International Projects: Central and West Africa A New Subspecies A New Subspecies of Chimpanzee Like its cousin the Cross River gorilla, the Of Chimpanzee Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee is highly endangered. As with the Cross River gorilla, Under Threat these chimpanzees have been significantly affected by hunting and deforestation. This Project: rarest of chimpanzee subspecies was only Chimpanzee Action Plan recently identified as different from other chimpanzee populations. In part because of this recent discovery, these chimpanzees have been understudied. Little is known of Location: The Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee is the most their distribution, behavior and habitat endangered chimpanzee subspecies. Nigeria and requirements. Even the number of Cameroon, chimpanzees remaining is unknown. West Africa chimpanzee subspecies. Attendees at the Developing a Conservation meetings presented data on chimpanzee Action Plan distribution, genetics, behavior and Like with any difficult task, achieving conservation work to date. meaningful conservation of the Nigeria- Cameroon chimpanzee has been made Conservationists analyze and discuss more complicated by the lack of a clear and data at the action planning workshop. defined plan. In order to address the problem, a number of organizations, including the North Carolina Zoo, came together to organize a Project Leader: series of meetings and create a comprehensive Dr. Bethan Morgan, conservation action plan for these chimpan- Zoological Society of San Diego zees. Under the auspices of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, these Partners: meetings brought together key researchers, government officials, wildlife managers and Zoological Society of San Diego conservationists share information about these Wildlife Conservation Society chimpanzees and to develop a framework for their conservation. These meetings were the SUNY-Albany first-ever gathering of all the experts on this

6 International Projects: Central and West Africa Making Maps to Save Chimpanzees Partner Profile: One of the major challenges in planning for the action plan and circulated to conservationists Dr. Bethan Morgan conservation of these chimpanzees is the lack in Nigeria, Cameroon and around the world. of a comprehensive understanding of their distribution. This is complicated by the fact that few good maps exist of the chimpanzees’ range. At the action planning workshop, North Carolina Zoo staff collected all the available records of chimpanzee presence from meeting attendees. We added these to a computer mapping database created specially for the chimpanzee action plan, and used the combined data to create a series of digital maps. These maps were used at the meetings to aid discussion and highlight conservation Dr. Bethan Morgan is Head of the Central needs. The map database was also used to Chimpanzees rescued from poachers Africa Program at the San Diego Zoo’s Institute create maps of the priority chimpanzee sometimes end up at rehabilitation centers, for Conservation Research. She oversees all conservation sites identified at the meetings. like this one in Nigeria. These maps will soon be published in the final aspects of the Institute’s activities in Central Africa, with a strong focus on the Gulf of Guinea forests – a biodiversity hotspot with a Researchers, conservationists and government officials contributed to the action plan. wealth of understudied and endemic species. She conducts and manages research and conservation activities at three permanently manned research stations in Cameroon’s Ebo Forest. Dr Morgan’s interests include the ecology and conservation of gorillas, chimpanzees, and a wide variety of monkey species, as well as of forest elephants. She is a member of the IUCN Primate Specialist Group (Section for Great Apes), and is an Honorary Research Fellow in the Department of Psychology at the University of Stirling, Scotland, and for the Zoological Society of San Diego.

7 International Projects: Central and West Africa An Island Hotspot Working To Save The of Biodiversity Bioko, part of the country of Equatorial Unique Primates Of A Guinea, is a large volcanic island just off Tropical Island Paradise the coast of Cameroon. Since it has been separated from the mainland for thousands of Project: years, Bioko is home to a unique and diverse The Endangered array of plants and animals. The monkeys of Bioko are particularly unique. Bioko’s forests Monkeys of Bioko contain nine different species of primates, including the Location: impressive Bioko Island, drill (a rainfor- Equatorial Guinea, est-dwelling Central Africa monkey similar to a baboon), the leaf-eating The rugged terrain of Bioko Island colobus monkeys (two Monitoring the Bushmeat species, red Market and Wildlife Populations and black), Though conservation threats on Bioko are less and the highly than in many other parts of Africa, growing endangered demand for meat from the forest is putting Pruess’s greater and greater pressure on the island’s A red colobus monkey, one Project Leader: monkey (found wildlife. Much of the wildlife research and of Bioko’s unique primates only at high conservation work currently being done on Drexel University Dr. Gail Hearn, altitudes). Bioko is carried out by the Bioko Biodiversity Partners: The large number of unique primates and Preservation Project (BBPP; bioko.org), Bioko Biodiversity other species on the island, in combination a collaboration between Drexel University in Preservation Project with relatively low levels of human Philadelphia and the National University of disturbance, make Bioko an important area Equatorial Guinea. Dr. Gail Hearn of Drexel Drexel University for conservation in West Africa. University leads the project and has been involved with research and conservation on Bioko since the early 1990s. Dr. Hearn and BBPP engage in a variety of activities,

8 International Projects: Central and West Africa

Photo by M.Kelly software, Dr. Hearn and her collaborators will be able to easily analyze and map the data Partner Profile: they collect in order to better study Dr. Gail Hearn and conserve Bioko’s unique wildlife.

Red-eared monkeys are frequently encountered in the forest. including regular wildlife monitoring in the Dr. Gail Hearn is a biology professor at island’s Southern Highlands Reserve, Drexel University and the founder of the operation of a wildlife research and training Bioko Biodiversity Protection Program, a center, and surveillance of the island’s main conservation project dedicated to preserving the bushmeat market. In 2009, the NC Zoo Photo by M. Andrews wildlife and natural habitats of Bioko Island. began a partnership with BBPP and Dr. Hearn Bioko Island is located in Africa’s Gulf of to help protect Bioko’s unique animals. Guinea; it is remarkable for its rare and endangered wildlife, including seven species of Using Cybertracker monkeys and four species of nesting sea turtles. Devices on Bioko Dr. Hearn has been a leader in successfully In order to increase the efficiency of data blending traditional academic research with collection on Bioko, the field team implement- applied conservation action. Her project has ed a Cybertracker-based data collection system partnered with the local university to deploy developed by the NC Zoo. Cybertracker is a wildlife patrols and establish the only field software package designed to allow easy research station in Equatorial Guinea. collection and management of biological data. All data collected are also stored with GPS Collecting data helps us better understand the coordinates to allow easy mapping of island’s wildlife, and how best to preserve it. observations made in the field. Using the

9 International Projects: Central and West Africa Nigeria’s Premiere Training Conservation Protected Area Staff in Nigeria’s Situated in northeastern Nigeria, Yankari Game enabled GPS units. These devices (which we Reserve was established in 1962. The beauty origainally developed for monitoring gorillas) Premiere Wildlife Reserve and the diverse wildlife populations of allow the easy and systematic collection of Project: Yankari Game Reserve make it the most biological data and integrate these data with popular reserve in Nigeria. Yankari is the best GPS information. The system is designed to Protection of Nigeria’s place in Nigeria to be used by people with little or no computer Yankari Game Reserve see elephants, lions, knowledge, though it can still be a challenge buffalo and antelope. when the rangers are not familiar with Because of its electronic equipment. Location: popularity, the park plays a crucial role in Using the Cybertracker system will allow Yankari Game Yankari’s managers to better understand Reserve, the development and promotion of Yankari’s elephant population, where human Nigeria, tourism and eco- activities are concentrated, and which areas are West Africa tourism in Nigeria. receiving the most protection attention from Even elephants with It is also home to the rangers. All this will help to better preserve the small tusks are largest population reserve’s animal populations. targeted by poachers. of elephants in the country. Ranger Training in Yankari Project Leaders: Though Yankari is one of the keystone Andrew Dunn, Director, protected areas for the future of Nigeria’s WIldlfie Conservation Society-Nigeria wildlife, its rangers are poorly paid and Stephen Haruna, equipped. They often lack the skills and tools General Manager, Yankari Game Reserve necessary to properly protect the reserve’s wildlife. The North Carolina Zoo, along with Dr. Rich Bergl, Curator of Conservation project partner The Wildlife Conservation and Research, North Carolina Zoo Society, initiated a program in 2009 to provide Partners: training and support for the ranger program Wildlfie Conservation Society-Nigeria at Yankari. One component of the training we have provided is teaching rangers wildlife Rangers collect data with a Cybertracker device. Yankari Game Reserve monitoring skills and the use of Cybertracker-

10 International Projects: Central and West Africa Partner Profiles: Stephen Haruna and Andrew Dunn

Stephen Haruna Haruna has served at many of Nigeria’s of state and federal conservation agencies and has over 36 years of experience in the field of conservation and wildlife One of Yankari’s elephant herds seen from the air during the aerial survey management. Haruna has worked at many of Nigeria’s protected areas, including Lame Burra Counting Yankari’s Elephants Game Reserve, Yankari Game Reserve, Old Oyo National Park, and Okomu National Park. He from the Air was Director of Okomu National Park from The most important measure of whether 2003-2005 and of Cross River National Park our efforts to conserve wildlife at Yankari from 2006-2007. are effective is the number of animals in the reserve. To better understand the Yankari’s Andrew Dunn has worked for the Wildlife elephant population, the North Carolina Zoo Conservation Society in Nigeria since 2004 and and its partners in Nigeria undertook an has been working on biological survey and aerial survey of the reserve. Methodically conservation projects in Africa since 1989. He has flying over the reserve in a small plane special expertise in large mammal monitoring and allowed us to assess wildlife populations and park planning. He is currently assisting the Nigeria also identify areas were iillegal activities, such National Parks Service with the production of a as cattle grazing, were occurring. The data changes in elephant and other wildlife from the aerial census will help us track populations over time. management plan for Cross River National Park.

11 International Projects: Central and West Africa What is a Bonobo? Conserving One of The bonobo is a species of great ape that is closely related to the chimpanzee and is the World’s Most sometimes referred to as the pygmy chimpanzee. Along with the common Unusual Primates chimpanzee, the bonobo is the closest living Project: relative to humans. The bonobo is endangered and is found in the wild only in the Democratic Bonobo & Congo Republic of the Congo. The bonobo Biodiversity Initiative population is believed to have declined sharply in the last thirty years. The NC Zoo is helping conserve bonobos by supporting Bonobos are closely related to chimpanzees, Location: the Bonobo and Congo Biodiversity Initiative but have a number of behavioral and Salonga (BCBI) through the AZA Ape TAG (see physical differences. National Park, sidebar at right). Democratic A Multi-Faceted Approach An Action Plan for Republic Initial surveys discovered five bonobo-rich of Congo Bonobos at Salonga sites and demonstrated that bonobo The Bonobo and Congo Biodiversity distribution was influenced by forest type Initiative, now in its 14th year, and hunting. We also found that the great- began as a direct outgrowth of the AZA’s est threat to the bonobo and to Salonga was bonobo Species Survival Plan. The species’ poaching. The park guards lacked salaries, action plan called for surveys in unstudied rations, basic field equipment, weapons, and sites across the bonobo’s range. Salonga training to combat heavily armed poachers. was identified as The discovered bonobo sites clearly needed a priority survey protection. Thus, BCBI evolved into a Project Leader: site, an multidisciplinary program that aims to meet Dr. Gay Reinartz important the formidable challenges posed by working Partners: conservation in one of world’s most beautiful, yet most Zoological Society site, and the impoverished, countries. of Milwaukee only national Today BCBI elements include: park potentially • bonobo ecological research and Ape TAG harboring population monitoring, the bonobo. • park support and guard training, • community empowerment.

12 International Projects: Central and West Africa Partner Profile: Progress in the Congo cooperative and agricultural training, assisting Based at the Etate research station, BCBI primary school teachers, and offering an adult Ape TAG Conservation Initiative studies the ecological and human factors literacy program, BCBI provides means for affecting bonobo distribution. Surveys help self-improvement. BCBI has collected critical researchers target important conservation baseline data on bonobo populations, trained areas, detect poaching hotspots, and under- guards who perform more effective patrols, stand which habitats are most likely to harbor and provided local villagers with economic bonobo populations. Surveys also provide the alternatives to hunting. basis for planning guard surveillance routes. The Etate guards are trained and provided with the equipment necessary to navigate Project Leader Dr. Gay Reinartz in the field through vast, uncharted forest. In turn, they with one of Salonga’s rangers. provide protection to Etate’s approximately The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), 500 bonobos. Likewise, support from the the organization that accredits North American Salonga communities is integral to successful zoos, has in recent years been increasing its support park management. Local villagers lack farming of animal conservation in the wild. One new skills, education, and opportunity to improve initiaitive is the Ape Taxonomic Advisory Group their lives. By supporting a farming (Ape TAG) Conservation Fund. This fund was created to increase zoo support of wild ape populations. The initiative does this by creating a BCBI helps remove snares set by poachers collective conservation fund specific to apes and from the forest. supported by AZA institutions. The proceeds of the fund are used to provide multi-year support to ape conservation projects. Almost 40 institutions have joined the Initiative, committing approximately $300,000 over the next three years. During the inaugural cycle, forty applications were received and reviewed. Eight projects were selected to receive support: one for each of the great ape species and two for gibbons/siamangs. Each of these eight projects will receive $50,000 spread over the next three years. Selected projects in- clude a range of conservation activities, from basic monitoring and protection to law enforcement to ecotourism to veterinary and disease monitoring.

13 International Projects: East Africa Promoting Conservation by Helping Develop The Next Helping Schools NC Zoo’s Michelle Slavin works with teachers in rural Uganda. Generation Of Conservation The North Carolina Zoo’s UNITE conservation education and teacher training Leaders In Uganda project in Uganda has been operating in the Project: villages around Kibale National Park for ten years. Kibale National Park is a world-famous Uganda and North Carolina reserve and home to many unique and International Teaching for the endangered animal and plantspecies. UNITE Environment (UNITE) provides teachers with training and materials that allow them to effectively convey Location: conservation messages to their students. UNITE trains teachers in student-centered Uganda, teaching methods, basic environmental sity and the need for protection of this unique East Africa knowledge and environmental activities ecosystem), a wetland sanctuary (where they and games that can be integrated into get the chance to learn about ecosystem their classrooms. Since its inception, UNITE services and see wildlife), and a botanical has promoted innovative ways to teach garden (where they study the medicinal rural communities about conservation and the properties of plants and herbs). Exposing environment. By helping educate young people students to the natural wonders around them about environmental issues and giving them the skills to make the right decisions, we are helping to ensure the future of one of Africa’s most important national parks.

Project Leaders: Out of the Classroom John Tinka and Michelle Slavin, and into the Forest NC Zoo UNITE Program One of UNITE’s newest initiatives is provid- Partners: ing field trips to natural areas for students in The Kasisii Project rural schools. Although these children live next to one of Africa’s most-visited national parks, The Jane Goodall Institute most have never seen the park and many have rarely been out of their villages. Field trips UNITE gives rural school children a chance take students to places like Kibale National Nature for Kids to visit and learn about the rainforest. Park (where they learn about its rich biodiver-

14 International Projects: East Africa and educating them about the interdependence treated to environmental songs, dances, Staff Profiles: of all living things will promote the conserva- poems and plays presented by students and tion of wildlife and wild spaces. UNITE also local dance and drama groups. Participants John Tinka & Michelle Slavin works with staff at each of these natural areas, enjoyed walks in the Bigodi Wetland providing professional development that offers Sanctuary, nature movies, tree planting, and teaching strategies and inquiry-based learning demonstrations of fuel-efficient stove building, techniques geared to enhance the experience wind energy, and solar oven cooking. of visiting school children. Close to 1,000 students participate in the field trips each year. Professor Eugene Rugamayo, a guest of honor at Uganda’s first Earth Day, plants a seedling Movies for Conservation with two local children. Films can be a powerful way to convey environmental messages. In 2010 UNITE partnered with Nature for Kids (a Dutch John Tinka was born in the village of Bigodi, organization that produces child-focused short near Kibale National Park, Uganda and has a movies about environmental issues) to long history of working to strengthen his translate four films and associated educational community. He is a founding member of materials into Rutooro, the local language of KAFRED, a successful community organization our Ugandan students. Screenings of the films that promotes the develoment of Bigodi. He have been conducted in each of the UNITE worked elsewhere in Uganda to promote cultural communities. For many of the students, these sites for tourism. Tinka has coordinated UNITE’s were the first movies they had ever seen. activities since 2004. Students and teachers have responded enthusiastically and are learning how their A native of Washington state, Michelle Slavin actions can protect the natural resources upon holds master’s degrees in both International which they depend. After seeing the films, Affairs and Sustainable Development. Michelle many students spontaneously organized served in the Peace Corps in the Phillipines and environmentally-friendly activities such as taught environmental education to young people village clean-ups. there. Prior to working for UNITE, Michelle worked as a Program Manager for Science Uganda’s First Earth Day Education Reform at the Smithsonian’s In a monumental accomplishment, UNITE National Science Resource Center. Michelle organized Uganda’s first Earth Day celebration is based in Uganda and leads UNITE’s in 2010. Hosted at Bigodi Primary School, over teacher-training activities. 1500 people attended the event. Guests were

15 International Projects: East Africa A Place Like No Other Botanical Garden Conserving The Albertine Rift is a deep valley between Development some of the highest mountains in Africa. It Tooro Botanical Garden’s (TBG) work is Uganda’s Plant Life covers areas in Uganda, Rwanda, Democratic significant because of the importance of Republic of Congo, Burundi and Tanzania. the Albertine Rift as a genetic hotspot of Project: Approximately 5,800 species of plants have biodiversity. TBG is assisting with the been recorded in the Rift, and many of these implementation of practices that best fit Tooro Botanical plants are found nowhere else. The number botanical gardens around the world. Garden Development of plant species found there is the result of Understanding and documenting plant diversity the large number of different habitats in the and working with herbaria and TBG living region, from high mountain ice fields, collections contributes to and supports the volcanoes and hot springs, through cloud Location: development of a working list of known plant forest and savanna, down to lowland forests species. After understanding what is known, Uganda, and deep lakes. Like much of the wildlife conserving plant diversity by supporting the East Africa of the Rift, many of the plant species are capacity of Tooro Botanical Gardens through also endangered. improved staff resources, knowledge, funds and materials will help conserve biologically important areas and rare species in the country of origin. Ongoing developments include im- proving the capacity of the garden to process Project Leader: plants for sale to improve sustainable income, Gin Wall, and to provide a suitable structure that houses Curator of the garden’s records, botanical herbarium Horticulture, specimens and staff offices. North Carolina Zoo Partners: Native Trees and Healing Plants Work on TBG’s living plant collections centers Tooro Botanical Garden around Ugandan indigenous trees and medici- Mountains of the Moon University nal plants. TBG field assistant Chris Kaija visits Atlanta Botanical Garden important natural areas in and around Kibale National Park, and other important natural Botanical Garden TBG supervisor George Bwambale with a areas in the Albertine Rift, to document plants Conservation International rare African cycad rescued from a dam of significance and to collect seeds, wildings Montgomery Botanical Garden construction project. and cuttings of these plants of known prov- enance, for ex situ conservation at the gardens. Smith College

16 International Projects: East Africa Many plants able to help Tooro Botanical Garden conduct Staff Profile: found in research on medicinal plants, provide the forests supplies for better record keeping, improve Gin Wall of Uganda the herbarium started at the garden in 2007 have and extend the employment of trained medicinal and experienced field assistants working proper- with the garden’s living plant collections. ties. These NC Zoo helped to construct new range from facilities at Tooro Botanical treatments NC Zoo Sky Art 2009 Garden, including this office, for malaria herbarium and work facility. to cures for upset stomachs. One species of importance was exported to the North Carolina Zoo, and is now being used at the Kitera Forest Chimp exhibit during the summer as a decorative plant. As the Curator of Horticulture at the North Carolina Zoo, Gin Wall is responsible for the Raising Funds For care and management of all the zoo’s plant Continued Success collections. One of the original founding One of the key roles for the North Carolina members of the Association of Zoo Zoo’s international plant conservation program Horticulture (AZH), she has been a stalwart is fundraising. Fundraising efforts by the Tooro defender of zoological horticulture as well as a Botanical Gardens in Uganda and through leader in conservation on an international scale partnerships with the North Carolina Zoo and since she started in this industry over 30 years other North American institutions exceeded ago. For her work, Gin has received many targeted goals in 2009. In an effort to blend individual awards, including the 2009 Chuck both conservation and fundraising, the first Rogers Conservation Award. Additionally, under Plant Conservation Day Sky Art event was held her administration, the Horticulture Division has in 2009. Proceeds from the event were used received numerous awards for zoo landscaping, to improve the communication capacity at the environmental stewardship and conservation garden, including the purchase of equipment programs. Gin has a strong interest in plant con- such as computers and GPS units. Through a servation and her goal is to create connections grant from the Association of Zoological between Zoo audiences, the Zoo’s plant collec- Horticulture, the North Carolina Zoo was tions and the wild habitats where they are found.

17 International Projects: East Africa An Important Site for Chimps Snare Removal Preventing Serious Ngogo, in Uganda’s Kibale National Park, has Beginning in 2010, the NC Zoo supported Injuries To been the site of long-term research on the regular patrols to remove snares that threaten behavior of chimpanzees. With over 150 the health and welfare of the Ngogo Wild Chimpanzees chimpanzees, the Ngogo chimpanzee chimpanzees. Patrol teams are led by Mr. James Project: community is the largest thus far described Tibisimwa, a long-time employee with the in the wild. Research there has provided new Ngogo Chimpanzee project. Mr. Tibisimwa Chimpanzee Research insights into several aspects of chimpanzee has implemented this project by leading and Conservation in behavior, and continues to generate patrols and by training two other individuals widespread publicity. to learn the forest and to find snares and signs Kibale National Park of poachers. These data will allow project The Problem of Wildlife Snares leaders to determine if poachers are targeting Location: Enclosed entirely by forest on all sides, any specific areas. Subsequent patrols will Uganda, Ngogo has not been the site of frequent focus on these areas and will lead to better poaching activity historically. This situation management decisions in the park. East Africa has changed recently, however, as signs of poachers and the number of chimpanzees Chimpanzees can get caught in snares with wounds from snares has increased meant for other animals. dramatically. Chimpanzees at Ngogo inadvertently get caught in snares snares set by poachers seeking bushmeat in the park. While chimpanzees are not the target of snares, snared chimpanzees nonetheless suffer deleterious consequences. Snared individuals are easy targets of aggressive attacks by chimps from other communities. Further, even if they Project Leader: escape, injured chimps can suffer due to Dr. John Mitani decreased agility and locomotor skills, and may have difficulty caring for young offspring. University of Michigan While chimpanzees are a critically endangered Partner: species, they are not the only animals affected University of Michigan by snares at Ngogo; essentially all terrestrial animals are threatened.

18 International Projects: East Africa Rapid Decline Grey Crowned Crane Since 1985, the East African Grey Crowned and Endangered Wildlife Trust in 2006. The Crane population has declined from over project aims to better understand the African Trade Investigation 90,000 to as few as 43,000 individuals. crane trade and to develop measures to Grey Crowned Cranes are highly valued as minimize its impact on wild populations. And Mitigation ornamental birds for private collections throughout the world. As a result, trade is Trade Case Study in Uganda Project: now one one of the key threats to Grey Four preliminary in situ case studies were Crowned Cranes. The African Crane Trade conducted in localized areas in Kenya, South International Crane Trade Project was initiated under African Cranes, Africa, Uganda and Tanzania to determine Wetlands and Communities, a partnership whether or not the removal of cranes from between the International Crane Foundation the wild poses a significant threat to the Location: species and whether mitigation measures Uganda, are required. In Uganda, local community East Africa members gathered information on any cranes removed from the wild and, through questionnaires and interviews, gained broad understanding of the crane trade in their area. Information gathered indicates that a large number of cranes were caught and sold illegally; however, cranes were also used for traditional purposes. Study Outcomes In part as a result of this work, the Grey Project Leaders: Crowned Crane has been uplisted in 2010 to Ken Reininger Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List because of General Curator, NC Zoo habitat loss and the illegal removal of birds Jimmy Muheebwa, and eggs from the wild. Further clarification International Crane Foundation of the rate of decline across its range may result in a further uplisting to Endangered. Partners: In addition, partner Jimmy Muheebwa recently International Crane Foundation was the recipient of the prestigious Whitley Fund for Nature Award, which will fund Endangered Wildlife Trust Crowned Crane, National Bird of Uganda continued work on Crowned Crane of South Africa conservation in Uganda.

19 International Projects: South America Intact Amazon Rainforest Expanding Our Field Suriname is located these are assisting in the monitoring of sea Conservation Work Into on the northern coast turtle nesting beaches and protecting of South America. It wading birds, like the striking scarlet ibis. The Rain Forests Of is roughly the size of Our first contribution will be to purchase South America Florida with a human a new boat to patrol turtle nesting beaches on the coast. While this is a small start, we Project: population of only about 500,000 people. plan to increase our involvement in Suriname Suriname Wildlife Because of this, over time. Suriname is home to the largest area of Conservation Pilot Study undisturbed tropical rainforest in the world. In 2009, staff from the North Carolina Zoo Location: partnered with like-minded staff at the Suriname, Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, South Carolina South America to investigate ways we could help conserve this important haven for biodiversity. Investigating Potential Projects In February 2009 we began to assess the potential for getting involved with nature conservation in Suriname. Several projects emerged with a foothold in the area. Among The brilliantly colored scarlet ibis

Staff Profile: As head of the Animal Division, Ken Reininger oversees animal care, acquisition Ken Reininger and exhibits at the zoo. In his 30-plus years as a zoo professional, Ken has had Project Leader: significant involvement with several bird conservation and science Ken Reininger, programs for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) as General Curator, well as serving on the association’s Animal Welfare and Wildlife North Carolina Zoo Conservation Management committees. Ken’s professional and Partner: research interests include zoo collections sustainability, survival rate comparisons of wild and captive birds, the impact of fungal spores Riverbanks Zoo on bird health, seabird nutrition, and the evaluation of well-being in captive animals.

20 Regional Projects

The zoo’s regional conservation programs are focused in our home state of North Carolina. By working in a number of natural areas around the state, we support research on, and conservation of, North Carolina’s impressive array of plant and animal species. Our state-based activities vary widely, ranging from field surveys of threatened salamanders to management of unique plant communities. We work with a number of public, private and non-profit partners across the state, including the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, and the Piedmont Land Conservancy. Our efforts in North Carolina serve to demonstrate that wildlife conservation is not something that only happens on the other side of the world, but in our own backyard as well.

21 Regional Projects: Western North Carolina The Biggest Salamander in SAVE OUR North America Hellbenders, affectionately known as “snot SNOT OTTERS! otters” due to their slimy skin secretions, are one of North America’s largest salamander Project: species. This species occurs in three Hellbender Salamander different places in the United States: the southern Ozark Mountains, the northern Conservation and Research Ozark Mountains, and the Appalachian Mountains. Hellbenders are found in fast- Location: moving mountain streams, usually underneath The mountains of rocks or boulders. As is the case with western North Carolina amphibians globally, many hellbender Information about hellebenders and their populations are experiencing steep declines‚ habitat is recorded to better understand what is some up to 77%. Despite these declines, little happening with populations of these amphibians is known about hellbender populations in the in the mountains of North Carolina. wild, and the Appalachian hellbenders are particularly understudied. Project Leader: Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, John Groves, Zoo Staff Search North other state and federal agencies, and several Curator of Amphibians and Reptiles, Carolina’s Mountain Streams universities — has been surveying and North Carolina Zoo monitoring mountain streams in the state Over the last four years the the North for hellbender populations. Survey teams Lori Williams, Carolina Zoo — in partnership with the North spend long hours wading, snorkeling and North Carolina Wildlife swimming in chilly mountain waters looking Resources Commission Hellbender, North America’s largest salamander under rocks for this elusive study subject. Partners: Four of the five river systems in North North Carolina Wildlife Carolina where hellbenders are known to Resources Commission occur have been surveyed. During these Western Carolina University surveys, hellbenders were found at most of University of North the sites investigated. However, sites in Carolina-Asheville the far west of the state tend to contain North Carolina Natural hellbenders more frequently, and in larger Heritage Program numbers, than locations further east. Though North Carolina State Parks this finding needs additional confirmation,

22 Regional Projects: Western North Carolina

or development permits are requested. Staff Profile: In 2009 and and 2010 the project continued collecting data on hellbenders in the John Groves mountains of North Carolina, working to create a more accurate picture of the status of these amphibians.

Swift moving streams are the are the preferred habitat of hellbenders.

North Carolina Zoo Curator of Amphibians and it suggests that higher levels of development Reptiles John Groves has worked in the zoo along rivers in the eastern mountains are industry for more than 45 years. In addition to negatively affecting hellbenders. Future his zoo work, John has been active in field-based research will look more closely at this conservation biology throughout most of his relationship and will try to identify specific career. His work includes research and factors that influence the presence of conservation projects in South and Central these amphibians. America, Mexico, Hawaii and the Marianas Islands, as well as in various parts of the United Better Protection For States. Much of his research has focused on the Hellbender Habitat natural history, behavior and conservation needs As a result of our hellbender research, the of amphibians, reptiles and birds. John’s research North Carolina Division of Water Quality programs at the NC Zoo include studies of the upgraded one river in the French Broad life history of the Cape Fear Shiner (an endemic Drainage system to the status of Outstand- North Carolina minnow) and the hellbender. ing Resource Water (ORW). This designation Field team members sometimes have to John also supervises monitoring of native wildlife will allow more protection of this river and its don wetsuits and snorkels to find hellbenders. on N.C. Zoo grounds, particularly the park’s box resident hellbenders when future construction turtles and venomous snakes.

23 Regional Projects: Central North Carolina An Important Site for A Nature Preserve All of North Carolina Ridges Mountain Nature Preserve is located On Our Doorstep west of the North Carolina Zoo in Randolph County. The Natural Heritage Inventory of Project: Randolph County lists Ridges Mountain as a Ridges Mountain Natural site of State significance (i.e. one of the best in the State). Several uncommon natural Area Management communities are found on the mountain, including Basic Piedmont Monadnock Forest, Basic Oak-Hickory Forest, Upland Pools and Windflower blooming on Ridges Mountain Upland Depression Swamp Forest. The Location: mountain supports several wildlife corridors Randolph County, North Carolina that provide a link to other Natural Heritage development, so the NC Zoo has embarked priority areas. Ridges Mountain also provides on a variety of activities to protect this breeding habitat for wildlife, including forest important natural area. Since 2000, the zoo interior bird species and Central and South has worked with its partners to manage American migrants. Unfortunately, the integrity Ridges Mountain for conservation, research, of the Ridges Mountain area has been recreational and educational activities. threatened in recent years by timbering and Project Leader: An Archeological North Carolina Zoo, Grassy hummock sedge grows in an upland Treasure Chest Horticulture Department depression on Ridges Mountain at the Part of the end of April. significance of Partners: Ridges Mountain Piedmont Land Conservancy is its long history of human occupation, first by Native North Carolina Natural Americans, and Heritage Program later by early settlers of the Piedmont. With U.S. Forest Service archeology the help of U.S. interns screen excavated soil, Forest Service sifting for artifacts.

24 Regional Projects: Central North Carolina archeologist Joel Hardison, the NC Zoo is These surveys are part of a project Staff Profile: assessing archeological and 2010 the project documenting vertebrate and invertebrate continued collecting data the National Register populations throughout the state, and Moni Bates of Historic Places. In the summer of 2010, an currently focusing on the Uwharrie region. archeological survey of the preserve began The information collected in this study will with an old home site located on the east improve our understanding of which sites slope of the mountain. Future plans include are most important for conservation. Hall investigating earthen works that probably is focusing on sampling moths in the genus once supported portable sawmills, along with Catocala, commonly called underwing moths. stacked stone walls at the top of the mountain They get this name because, when predators that might have been part of the fencing for disturb these moths, the flash of the hind- draft horses used in timbering operations. wings as they fly off may serve to startle or distract the predator, at least momentarily. A Hotspot for Underwing Moths During Hall’s recent trip, he captured several Ridges Mountain has also become an species of hickory-feeding underwing moths important destination for researchers that were his main target. interested in the natural world. Dr. Stephen Hall, invertebrate zoologist for the North New Lands Expand Moni Bates is the biologist in charge of biological Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Nature Preserve inventories for North Carolina Zoo regional projects. conducted several moth surveys at Ridges In 2010, three tracts of forested land totaling She received her B.S. from Iowa State University in Mountain Nature Preserve during 2010. 91 acres were added to the 181-acre Ridges biology, an M.A. in Teaching from the University of Mountain Nature Preserve. The largest tract North Carolina, and an M.S. in botany from UNC The tearful underwing moth feeds on hickories. of land, 51 acres, includes the rocky northern at Greensboro. As a graduate of the Natural peak of the mountain. Two smaller tracts Resource Leadership Institute through NC State added part of the forested eastern flank of University, Moni creatively merges her knowledge the mountain and a portion of the ridgeline with other disciplines and provides leadership to to the existing nature preserve. The new create natural areas for plants, animals, and lands include the rare Basic Oak-Hickory people. Ms. Bates’ areas of expertise include plant community type, habitat for many botanical inventories, natural area restoration and animal species, and a wildlife travel corridor management, rare plant monitoring design and that connects Ridges mountain to other analysis, plant reproductive biology research, and natural areas to the north and east. conservation site planning. Ms. Bates serves on the The Land Trust for Central North Carolina Board of Directors, and is a member of the Association of Southeastern Biologists.

25 Regional Projects: Central North Carolina Adding to a Trail Corridor Preserving Natural Following two and a half years of collaborative Areas Across Central work, a new nature preserve has been created on 323 acres of forested North Carolina land south of the zoo. This Project: is one of the few remaining Selma Cornelison Ward Nature large forested areas near the zoo and it connects to zoo Preserve and Arnett Branch lands by way of a 272-acre Longleaf Pine Forest tract purchased by the Zoo Society in 2008. By acquiring Location: this land the zoo has protected a large area of Randolph County, North Carolina uninterrupted high-quality mature hardwoods. It is also an important wildlife travel corridor linking forested areas on the NC Zoo property to other wooded tracts. The zoo received $1.5 million in funding granted by the Natural Heritage Trust Fund. A Place for All to Enjoy The headwaters of Bachelor Creek flow through Project Leader: the zoo’s newest nature preserve. North Carolina Zoo The zoo will manage this area as a nature Horticulture Department preserve, with a greenway usable by nature-based recreational audiences. Partners: It will also expand existing high school environmental education programs to this . ...Piedmont Land Conservancy natural area. A hiking trail will join the new nature preserve to the zoo, passing through the North Carolina Zoological Society’s Uwharrie Conservation connecting tract. The zoo will also expand Partnership programs to these lands. Management began in Fall 2010, when 50 zoo school students removed more than a ton of trash and scrap metal from an old dumping site on the preserve. Volunteers help to clean up the nature preserve.

26 Regional Projects: Central North Carolina Saving one of the Piedmont’s This biologically significant site is located in Staff Profile: Last Longleaf Pine Forests the heart of the Greater Uwharries region, In partnership with the Land Trust for an area of unique biological diversity, and is Nell Allen Central North Carolina, the North Carolina adjacent to a corridor of other natural lands Zoo received a grant of $150,000 from the in an increasingly fragmented landscape. North Carolina Natural Heritage Trust Fund A conservation-minded private donor has to preserve a portion of the 112-acre Arnett contributed $50,000 to purchase a two-year Branch Longleaf Pine Forest. Located in option agreement to hold the property until northern Montgomery County (about 15 complete funding for purchase is found. miles from the zoo), this forest is more than 200 years old and is the last remaining old growth longleaf pine forest stand in the region.

Old longleaf pines grow tall and straight in northern Montgomery County.

Nell Allen is the Rare Plant Curator at the North Carolina Zoological Park. Following eight years as the Administrator for Sandhills Area Land Trust in Southern Pines, Nell returned to school and, in 2007, received a Master’s Degree in Natural Resources, with an Ecological Restoration Technical Option, from NC State University. Her research focused on Piedmont prairie restoration in North Carolina. She joined the zoo’s Horticulture Department in May, 2007

27 Regional Projects: Central North Carolina A Brief History Continued Protection Rescuing Endangered Schweinitz’s sunflower was named for Lewis and Recovery von Schweinitz, an intrepid Moravian botanist Since 2001, the North Carolina Zoo has been Sunflowers From who traveled North Carolina’s Piedmont in working with other conservation groups to the early 1800s. This late-summer and transplant Schweinitz’s sunflowers from road Expanding Roads fall-blooming flower is widening projects and to manage several found in only 12 Project: recovery sites in Randolph and Davidson counties in the North Counties. Unfortunately, a combination of Schweinitz’s Sunflower Recovery Carolina Piedmont and dry weather and hungry deer has stunted the two counties in South growth of some of the most recent sunflower Carolina. This transplants. In 2010, temporary fencing and Location: sunflower thrived in the deer repellent sprays were used to protect Randolph, Davidson and open, grassy Piedmont some of the young plants. This intervention has Montgomery Counties, prairies which were allowed the plant to grow and establish, common in the Southeast before European resulting in larger plants and more flowering. North Carolina settlement. The tuberous root, similar to that of a Jerusalem artichoke, once provided a In the summer of 2010, the zoo also helped food source for Native Americans. rescue a number of Georgia asters and transplant them to restoration sites. Like Threatened by Development the endangered Schweinitz’s sunflower, the Project Leader: The sun-loving Schweinitz’s sunflower was Georgia aster mostly lives in the sunny open North Carolina Zoo, probably frequent in open grassy savannas habitat provided by roadsides and power lines of the North Carolina Piedmont hundreds and is threatened by development. Although Horticulture Department of years ago, but this species has lost much it is found in the counties of six southeastern Partners: of its habitat through conversion of land to states, it grows in agriculture and forests. Farming and the lack only a few places North Carolina Department of frequent fire in the landscape have reduced in each one. It is of Transportation the once widespread grasslands to small, most widespread isolated patches, which are often located along in Georgia and sunny roadsides or power line corridors. As Piedmont Land Conservancy North Carolina, the roads of the Piedmont are upgraded by where it occurs widening and paving, an unintended side effect in eight counties is sometimes the destruction of populations in each state. So of this now endangered plant. far, three Georgia aster sites are known in Randolph County.

28 On-Site Projects

In addition to our work around the world and across North Carolina, the Zoo has active conservation and research programs on site. We monitor wildlife on the zoo’s extensive 1,500 acre property, conduct research into the behavior and management of the animals in our care, work with universities across the state to facilitate external research projects, and train students in field and research techniques. So, while the Zoo is a great place to spend the day, it is also a valuable scientific and learning resource.

29 On-Site Projects

“Trapping” Wildlife using Cameras detailed description of the local population, Natural History of the The large NC Zoo property is home to many including its unique characteristics, needs and Endangered Cape Fear Shiner native wildlife species. Even predators like factors affecting its sustainability. One of the smallest animals in the NC Zoo bobcats can be Radio-Telemetry of Snakes collection is also one of the most endangered. found in the woods It might be a surprise for some zoo visitors to The Cape Fear Shiner is a small minnow (only around the zoo. learn that two vemous snakes, the copperhead two inches long) that is found only in central In 2010 we began and the timber rattlesnake, occur naturally on North Carolina’s Cape Fear River and its placing automated, the NC Zoo tributaries. Over the last 100 years, dam motion detecting site. For several construction along the Cape Fear River has cameras years zoo disturbed their habitat, leaving few areas where (“camera traps”) keepers and the fish can survive. Only five populations of at strategic points veterinary staff the Cape Fear shiner remain in the wild. In in some of the more wild areas of this land to have been order to better understand their biology and monitor predators and other wildlife placing radio habitat requirements, the North Carolina Zoo species. This study will document what species transmitters in has maintained a study population of this are present and give us more insight into how some of these endangered species for over ten years. native wildlife uses our land. This information snakes to monitor their movements and This is the only captive population of Cape will help us manage the wildlife with which we activity patterns. This study helps us learn Fear shiners in the world. Our research in the share the zoo property more effectively. about the behavior of the snakes and to zoo helps better conserve the few remaining In a relatively short period of time we have develop ways to avoid visitor-snake interac- wild populations of this fish. photographed lots of deer and coyotes and tions throughout the zoo. even a few bobcats. Gorilla Evolutionary History Box Turtle Tracking In collaboration with Dr. Linda Vigilant of The NC Zoo has more active baby box the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary turtles than most known localities. Using GPS Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, the North technology, we are mapping the locations Carolina Zoo is participating in a study of the where box turtles have been found at the zoo. evolutionary history of gorillas. The zoo is Over the long term, this study will allow us to gathering gorilla blood samples from across identify preferred habitat, follow yearly and North America for genetic analysis. The large seasonal changes in habitat use, and estimate number of samples that are being collected will home ranges. We are collecting extensive allow scientists to better understand how and data on each located turtle. This is a time- when gorillas evolved in Africa and how the consuming process in the field but, over a different subspecies of gorillas are related. period of years, will allow us to compile a

30 On-Site Projects

Red Wolf Breeding and savannas, which may be low in nutrients but gorillas). Across the board the gorillas in the Reintroduction are sunny and open. Unfortunately, the unique- study have also lost weight. This is significant The red wolf was once common throughout ness of these plants has made them a target as obesity may be a risk factor for the the southeastern United States. However, for poaching by plant dealers and collectors. In development of heart disease in gorillas (like habitat loss and persecution drove the wolves some cases, whole populations of flytraps have in humans). In the next stage of the study we to extinction in the wild in 1980, with the only been dug up and taken away. The NC Zoo plan to work with our partners to examine risk surviving wolves living in zoos. Following an maintains a colony of Venus flytraps for both factors of heart disease in detail and how these intensive captive breeding program, wolves conservation and educational purposes. The may be related to diet. from zoos were released into the wild at the zoo also maintains a carnivorous plant garden Alligator River featuring several other insect-eating plants in Treating a Medical Condition in National Wildlife order to educate visitors and increase their Giraffes with Hay and Leaves Refuge in coastal appreciation for these vulnerable plants. In 2009, the N.C. Zoo, in collaboration with North Carolina. The the Chicago Zoological wild population has Developing a More Natural Diet for Zoo Gorillas Society, the Wilds and now grown to 26 the Oakland Zoo, began packs (totaling over The North Carolina Zoo is home to gorillas, a study to determine 70 wolves) with the world’s largest primate. In the wild, the prevalence of 11 breeding pairs. gorillas eat large amounts of green vegetables uroliths (urinary tract The North and consume over a hundred different species stones) in captive Carolina Zoo of plants. In 2008, North Carolina Zoo’s gorilla giraffes. The disease maintains a colony group was placed on a new diet. This was occurs in many ruminants of red wolves as part formulated to be heart-healthy (lower starch and can be fatal, especially in males due to the of the overall red and higher in fiber) and to also encourage anatomy of their urinary tract. Treatment of wolf conservation natural behaviors. In 2010, this diet change uroliths can be difficult, and often involve risky program. Several was expanded into a multi-institutional study surgery to remove calcified deposits from the wolves from the Zoo have been reintroduced including Cleveland bladder or urethra. to Alligator River and now live in the wild. Zoo, Toronto Zoo, Woodland Park Zoo Our study looked at whether diet management Growing Vulnerable and Columbus Zoo and promotion of water intake may prevent Venus Flytraps and Aquarium. This or deter urolith development. By studying The Venus flytrap is a plant that has a naturally new diet has increased the chemical composition of giraffe urine at small home range, and is only found within activity levels in gorillas multiple zoos, we found that providing a about 60 miles of Wilmington, North Carolina. up to 50-60% of their high-fiber diet, including hay and tree cuttings, It’s very particular about its natural habitat. It time (comparable to decreased the risk of animals developing likes acidic, low-nutrient bogs and wet what is seen in wild this potentially life-threatening condition.

31 On-Site Projects

Planting Trees for Polar Bears Veterinary Research Effects Some scientists predict that in five years of Meloxicam Administration the levels of carbon dioxide in the Earth’s on Inflammation in the atmosphere will reach the point of destroying sea ice forever. Sea ice is used by polar bears North American Bullfrog to find mates, construct maternal dens, give Amphibians are an important part of the zoo’s birth to cubs, and as a platform for hunting. animal collection but, compared to mammals, As the top predator of the Arctic, the decline the best options for their veterinary care are of polar bears would affect the entire arctic poorly studied. Vets at the North Carolina ecosystem. To help address this problem, the Zoo studied the effect that a common NC Zoo joined the Acres for the Atmosphere anti-inflammatory drug (meloxicam) had on program. Acres for the Atmosphere is a joint North American Bullfrogs. During the study, project of the polar bear conservation an anti-inflammatory values (analysis of blood samples is a common organization Polar Bears International (PBI) drug was administered tool for determining the health status of zoo and the American Association of Zoo Keepers to the frogs and animals) for these snakes is not well-known. (AAZK). The goal of the program is to plant measurements taken The zoo’s Dr. Ryan Devoe is leading a project trees in local communities and help educate of the frogs’ inflamma- to obtain blood samples from wild cotton- the public about the benefits of tree planting tory response. Frogs mouths in order to establish what the blood to counteract a warming climate. Zoo receiving the drug had parameters for healthy snakes should be. keepers from the North Carolina Zoo a significantly lower These data will make diagnosis and treatment have been planting trees in communities inflammatory response of disease in captive cottonmouths easier and all around the zoo to help keep the world than frogs who did not receive treatment. more effective. just a little bit cooler for polar bears. These results suggest that anti-inflammatory drugs are an effective treatment for amphibians Diet Evaluation of North receiving veterinary treatment. American River Otters North American river otters are a popular Health Assessments of Free- and charismatic species at many zoos. In the Ranging Cottonmouth Snakes wild these otters eat primarily fish, but also in North Carolina consume amphib- The cottonmouth is one of the most widely ians, crayfish, small recognized venomous snakes in the southeast- mammals, birds and ern United States and consequently is displayed insects depending as an exhibit animal at many zoos around the upon the region and country. However, the range of normal blood season. In zoos, the

32 On-Site Projects diet otters receive varies widely, from a com- Conservation Bowling for Rhinos bination of fish, shellfish, rodents, fruit, veg- Bowling for Rhinos is a fun way for zoo keepers etables and chicken to one that mixes Fund Raising and other interested people to raise money several commercially prepared diets. The Pocket Change for for rhino conservation. The North Carolina North Carolina Zoo is currently participating Rainforest Conservation Chapter of the American Association of Zoo in a study to evaluate the appropriateness Keepers (AAZK) has been involved with When visiting the zoo you may have noticed of three different diets being fed to North Bowling for Rhinos since 1991. Since that time, our conservation parking meters. What were American river otters. The results of the study keepers at the NC Zoo have raised almost once ordinary parking meters have been will allow new diet formulations to be based $100,000 to help save rhinos. Nationally, AAZK modified to accept change donations that will on precise measurements of digestibility of has raised over 3.7 million dollars for rhino con- go toward habitat preservation. Conservation energy and nutrients. This will help ensure servation. Funds raised through Bowling parking meters make it easy for zoo visitors that otters in zoos are receiving the best for Rhinos go directly to conservation projects, to help protect wildlife since every penny possible diet. conserving the four species of rhino, their donated is used to protect rainforest habitat. habitats, and hundreds of other endangered Conservation parking meters at the NC Zoo Puerto Rican Crested Toads plants and animals. The Puerto Rican Crested Toad is declining and 150 other institutions have collected precipitously in the wild. As a result, about four million dollars for rainforest Collaborative reintroductions of captive-bred tadpoles ecosystem protection in eleven countries. have been suggested as a way to supplement Sky Art Research With natural populations. Keeping these amphibians in large enough colonies to produce sufficient The zoo’s horticulture department has for Other Institutions numbers of tadpoles several years taken a fun approach to raising Ape Bio-Bank money for its plant conservation projects. The presents many It is always unfortunate when a much-loved annual sky art event brings volunteers togeth- challenges; gorilla or chimpanzee at the zoo passes away. er to form an outline of an image that is then however, the North However, much in the same way that humans photographed from above. The Carolina Zoo can become organ donors, the NC Zoo is work- coordinated use of maintains a colony ing with Duke University to ensure that animals colorful t-shirts adds of several hundred from the zoo can continue to be useful even to the effect. Each of these toads. Zoo after their deaths. Working with Duke and other sky art event has a veterinarian Dr. Ryan DeVoe is also working zoos around the country, we are trying to estab- plant theme. In 2010 with biologists studying these toads in their lish a “bio-bank” to preserve tissues from apes volunteers formed natural habitat to identify causes of mortality for future study after they die. These materials the outline of a in the wild population. are extremely rare and valuable for study of a chimpanzee and an diverse range of topics — from primate behavior aframomum plant. and evolution to human health and disease.

33 On-Site Projects

Cutting Edge Research on the of these microorganisms to look at the links from seabirds in its Intellectual Abilities of Apes between them and the food types consumed. collection here at the She found clear differences between animals Zoo, whose age is Since 2007 the North Carolina Zoo has that are primarily fruit-eaters and animals that known. These supported the research of Duke University’s eat mostly green, leafy vegetation. samples will allow Dr. Brian Hare on the cognitive abilities of Dr. Kitaysky to chimpanzees validate his new technique for application to and other wild populations of these arctic animals. primates. Dr. Hare and his students Research and study how Professional Training apes and humans differ Helping Train African Scientists in their social While the NC Zoo does conservation work problem in a number of countries around the world, solving ability and in what ways the differences the future of wildlife in these places ultimately between human and ape behavior is depends on local people. To encourage the biologically based. In order to do this, These findings suggest that both the creation of a new generation of African Dr. Hare and his students present the zoo’s primates and the bacteria in their guts scientists, the zoo’s Dr. Rich Bergl is helping primates with fun games that test their have evolved in response to the foods supervise the Ph.D. studies of Nigerian ability to solve problems. While this research they preferentially consume. biologist Inaoyom Imong. Imong is studying is valuable for the insights it provides into how the distribution of plants and patterns of human and ape evolution, it also has NC Zoo Birds Help Scientists human activity influence the presence and ab- implications for better understanding things sence of the critically endangered Cross River like autism, conflict between human cultures, Gain a Better Understanding gorilla. Imong’s study will be useful for gorilla and animal welfare. of Global Warming conservation, and his training will prepare him Global warming is predicted to have a to be a future conservation leader in Nigeria. Bacteria of Primate pronounced impact on arctic species. Digestive Tracts In order to better understand the effects Monitoring Forest Health for Graduate student Erin McKenney from NC of climate change on arctic seabirds, Dr. Conservation and Education State University studied the various Alexander Kitaysky of the University of The forest health-monitoring project at the microorganisms living in the digestive tracts of Alaska is developing a new method for zoo is a collaboration between regional high several primate species. Using fecal samples determining the age of puffins and other schools and the North Carolina Zoological collected from chimpanzees, gorillas and species from blood samples. The NC Zoo is Park. This project provides meaningful hands- baboons at the zoo, Erin analyzed the DNA supporting this research by providing samples on experience with science and field research

34 On-Site Projects in the Zoo’s natural areas. Students from possible for students and teachers to interact environment that promotes animal welfare. Asheboro High School, the Zoo School and with field-based wildlife researchers at work This is particularly true for elephants, which Randolph County Early College participated in around the world. Developed by the North require large amounts of space and a variety this project. Data collected by these students Carolina Zoological Society, Field Trip Earth of sources of mental stimulation. Following have guided the management of the Basic is a vehicle for sharing the products of field the renovation of the NC Zoo’s elephant Mesic Forest and Purgatory Mountain. research — field facility several years ago, we embarked on a These sites are important due to their mature diaries, photographs, research project to study how the elephants forests and the presence of rare plant video, datasets, behaved in their new surroundings. Since species of special concern to the state of maps, and so on — such a study requires many hours of careful North Carolina. This collaboration provides with classrooms and observation, we worked with the State a unique opportunity for environmental others interested of North Carolina Internship Program to education in Randolph County and is a in wildlife create an opportunity for college students to model for conservation research and the conservation. learn how to do behavioral research while development of future conservationists. These “raw simultaneously gathering the data needed to materials” are better understand our elephants’ behavior. Veterinary Internship and provided by more Interns learn about elephant behavior and Residency Program than 100 researchers who have written for the data collection, then spend the summer The North Carolina Zoo veterinary training site, and are designed to be easily integrated observing the elephants both on-exhibit and program provides in-depth and hand on into day-to-day teaching activities across all of in their behind-the-scenes quarters. experience for interns and residents at the the academic disciplines. For example, many Hanes Veterinary Medical Center. Zoo vets teachers use researchers’ field diaries to teach Mike Loomis and Ryan DeVoe train interns journaling and other literacy skills, while and residents in all aspects of clinical others use geographic location datasets zoological medicine. This competitive generated by animal tracking projects to teach and well-regarded program has produced their students mapping concepts or coordi- graduates that have gone on to work with nate systems. Field Trip Earth has been named wild mountain gorillas, obtain positions as one of the top 21 websites in the world for professors of veterinary medicine, and learning and curriculum development by the become veterinarians at other zoos around American Association of School Librarians! the country. Behavioral Research Internship Bringing Wildlife Research Into through the State of The Classroom North Carolina Field Trip Earth (FTE), at fieldtripearth.org, is a One of the most important tasks facing conservation education website that makes it any zoo is to provide its animals with an

35 Our Mission is to encourage understanding of and commitment to the conservation of the world’s wildlife and wild places through the recognition of the interdependence of people and nature.

The Mission of the North Carolina Zoological Society is to support the North Carolina Zoological Park in its missions of conservation, education, research, and recreation.

I hope to see you at the zoo!

Richard A Bergl, Ph.D. Curator of Conservation and Research

The Zoo is an agency of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, State of North Carolina. Beverly Eaves Perdue, Governor