sign in sign up
<<
Home , Los Angeles Zoo

z Member Newsletter oftheLos Angeles ZooandBotanicalGardens MARCH–APRIL2017 The southwestern speckled rattlesnake is one of nine rattlesnake species found in —and one of the most beautiful. most the of one California—and in found species rattlesnake nine of one is rattlesnake speckled southwestern The animal’s the War,admirable as whatwereattributes—powerofseen because prudence.chosen and distinctiveintoArgentina. These southsnakes Revolutionaryhave since beforeAmericaniconsand the servedas Canada southern California), Arizona,as in ninein foundareWorld(19 north farNew these as foundsnakesare subspeciesrattlesnake 83speciesand the of most toMexico and Althoughsouthwesternhome are the U.S. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. a.m.–4 10 Sundays and Saturdays May 14, through 22 April WildForThePlanet. go exhibitor to and schedule, LAZoo.org/ information more ofpledge For own. your eco- take an footprints and take to environmental minimize their members staff visit, your what actions learn During appearances. will makeRaccoon special Recycling the Rascal mascotSwazzle’s and Show. Bowling for Puppet Rhinos The by promoteresources biodiversity. and interactive performances special Enjoy Pacificof the will show you how to safeguard help natural Aquarium and Rangers, Park Griffith Payne Foundation, Theodore the as such Exhibitors threatened species. Zoo’sspotlight to and the protect endangered efforts demonstrations, feedings, and keeper presentations enrichment animal festival. Special month-long this during facets many vital of conservation Explore Photo by Gene Kirkland ME ON TREAD DON’T the Planet Wild For o

BEASTLY

EDITION! SPECIAL

BALL o May 20 (Saturday), 6p.m. (Saturday), May 20 at 323/644-4753 Vazquez [email protected]. or Maricela Events Manager Special contact tickets, to or purchase event details year’s For this Ball at www.lazoo.org/beastlyball. about more Learn at $10,000. start reservations table and each $1,500 cost tickets Individual creatures. resident charismatic our of by some appearances guest and entertainment, engaging refreshments, Enjoy fine community. multicultural our in harmony and civic pride to promote for efforts or conservation, role wildlife in environmental and play who aleading professionals industry Award, entertainment recognizes which Tom Leadership the of Mankiewicz presentation the will Ball festivities include Beastly also challenges. survival species critical worldwide to address experts will coordinate help expertise, scientific and knowledge institutional of decades drawing on Zoo, L.A. The issues. conservation to urgent responding and identifying be will sole focus whose curator adedicated work of the initiative will define GLAZA-funded new important This (SCAN). Network Action Conservation Species the of Zoo’s announcement Ball slated for Saturday, Beastly L.A. event will special the a very May This 20. mark at house will the Slash rock member Board GLAZA longtime To Zoo’s and Angeles legend Los guitar anniversary, the golden celebrate Make It a Datea It Make end at 3 p.m. Gates will close at 4 p.m. We apologize for any inconvenience and hope to see you at the Ball! you at to the see hope and We inconvenience for any at apologize 4p.m. close Gates will at 3p.m. end will Saturday, sales on Ticket May 20. early close Zoo will Angeles Los the Ball, year’s Beastly for this to prepare order In NOTICE SPECIAL

s c 8:30–10 a.m. 8:30–10 (Saturday) 15 April 323/644-4244.phone To RSVP, 323/644-4770. phone please To public. to support, general your the before upgrade only it opens Family Deluxe level are invited higher to and enjoy early access to event the area at the members over on GLAZA celebrate to season! ZooHop and the the Big Bunny MemberPreview p.m. a.m.–4 10 (Sunday) 16 and (Saturday), (Friday), 14 15 April Zoo paid with admission. and members tofree GLAZA event This is characters. costume and entertainment fee), enjoy children’s (for and Bunny anominal musical have face have your painted, photo your Big taken with event features annual activities— aslewThis of fun Spring Fling Big Bunny’s

a

p

e See pg. 2 pg. See

Photo by Jamie Pham Photo by Ian Recchio You know those things you wish is probably for the best that I can’t sing. Ball over the past years. I understand. you had done, wish you could do, Just imagine me blubbering though a The Ball is a great time to enjoy food or wish you had said? For example, version of “My Way” or “Happy.” Not from area restaurants and make new I wish I could sing. When I watch very impactful. friends who also support conservation talent reality shows, it seems like Fortunately, there are a lot of things I while strolling through the Zoo, enjoying zoo update everyone in the world except me can can do. I won’t bore you with the whole drinks and entertainment. But for some by John Lewis, sing. It is so expressive, so intimate, list, but there’s one ability that I do want reason—dogs will miss you, don’t want Zoo Director and potentially impactful. I have to mention: inspiring others to achieve to get dressed up, it’s on Saturday—you mentioned before that good singing their wishes. For example, I bet a lot of just haven’t done it. Well, it is time to often brings tears to my eyes, so it you wish you had attended the Beastly leap over those barriers, walk the hot

The great American statesman and citizen DON’T scientist Benjamin Franklin was a keen observer of nature and saw the distinctive features of the TREAD ON ME rattlesnake as metaphors for strength tempered The Sustainable Wine + Dinner series is Continued from page 1 a unique opportunity to learn more about with good judgement. In a letter published in the Zoo’s important conservation work the Pennsylvania Journal on December 27, 1775 while enjoying a seasonally-inspired, five- shortly after fighting had begun between the course farm-to-table dinner. Each course Colonists and the British, he noted that the features a wine pairing from a local vine- yard that shares the Zoo’s commitment to rattlesnake is unique to America and therefore sustainable living. Limited to 50 guests per an appropriate symbol. dinner, the intimate evenings include a wine “I recollected that her eye excelled in reception with one of our favorite animal brightness, that of any other animal, and that she residents, a brief discussion with a curator or animal keeper involved in a special has no eye-lids. She may therefore be esteemed conservation project, a five-course dinner an emblem of vigilance,” he wrote. “She never created by the Zoo’s executive chef, Brad begins an attack, nor, when once engaged, Robertson, and an introduction of the and Don Boyer Ian Recchio by Photos ever surrenders: She is therefore an emblem of wines by a representative of the winery. magnanimity and true courage. As if anxious to Prices are $130 per person for members and 1. $140 per person for nonmembers. Space is prevent all pretensions of quarreling with her, limited, so purchase tickets in advance at the weapons with which nature has furnished www.lazoo.org/sustainablewinedinners. her, she conceals in the roof of her mouth, so March 16 (Thursday) that, to those who are unacquainted with her, Sanford Winery (Lompoc) she appears to be a most defenseless animal; April 27 (Thursday) and even when those weapons are shown and Malibu Wines (Malibu) extended for her defense, they appear weak May 11 (Thursday) Palumbo Wines (Temecula) and contemptible; but their wounds however small, are decisive and fatal. Conscious of this, 2. she never wounds ’till she has generously given SAFARI SOCIETY ONLY notice, even to her enemy, and cautioned him Safari Society—GLAZA’s upper-level, against the danger of treading on her.” annual giving program—offers donors a range of exclusive events and unique 1. 2. 3. opportunities to explore the Zoo. To join Safari Society, phone the Development Black-tailed rattlesnakes are so named because Santa Catalina Island rattlesnakes are unique in that The masthead of Benjamin Franklin’s newspaper, the their tail scales are dark—though faint banding they lack rattles. Massachusetts Sun featured a rattlesnake that was office at 323/644-6035 or visit www.lazoo. is sometimes still visible. depicted in segments that represented the American org/support/safarisociety. Conscientious colonies at the time. corporate leaders support the Zoo through Business Partnerships. For details, contact Jan Frazier at 323/644-4722. Zoo Director’s Series This presentation includes wine and hors d’oeuvres. Safari Society donors, watch your in-box for a special invitation. March 12 (Sunday) Morning at the Zoo Safari Society donors and Business Partners are invited to enjoy a unique morning of keeper talks, special feedings, and animals at their most active. Current donors, watch your in-box for a special invitation with details and RSVP information. April 2 (Sunday) 3. 8:30 a.m.

animal activities

at your Zoo Winter births included a , two , November 1– a red-flanked duiker, and a pudu. The many hatchings included December 31 a golden-tailed gecko (a first for this species at the L.A. Zoo), seven knob-tailed geckos, ten batches of sunburst diving beetles, three batches of splendid tree frogs, and one Our yearlong 50th anniversary celebration blue-breasted kingfisher. continues!! A lot has changed at the Los Eight California condors arrived in need of veterinary Angeles Zoo in our first half century, but treatment; 13 were returned to the wild over the same period. many things have remained the same: our Among the new arrivals were a trumpeter swan, two blue- focus on education and conservation, our billed curassows, a Cape vulture, four Galapagos tortoises, a unwavering dedication to animal care and , four reindeer (seasonal visitors during the holiday welfare, our drive to continually improve season), one roadrunner, a male mandrill, two sacred ibises, a and innovate, and our commitment white-fronted marmoset, and four smoky jungle frogs. to the community. Go to Departing animals included a Masai giraffe, six gray short- ZooLAbrate50.org to learn about all the tailed opossums, a thick-billed parrot, a , one ways we’re commemorating our birthday Dunn’s hog-nosed viper, two koalas, a red-flanked duiker, a and how you can join in. Let’s ZooLAbrate. Neonate golden-tailed gecko; Sichuan takin, ten sunburst diving beetles, two white-crested Together. Motoyama Tad by Photo this is a protected species in Australia. turacos, and a white-fronted marmoset. coals, and discard the excuses as this will around the world by connecting far beyond what we have done so far. is a GLAZA trustee and he uses his be the best year to attend the Ball. We the best people and programs to And you can help by attending this celebrity platform to inform millions are celebrating our 50th anniversary, and find and effect solutions for urgent year’s Ball. If you buy tickets to the about animal conservation. Slash this party will be bigger and better than conservation needs. 2017 Beastly Ball and attend, I’ll make will perform for you if you come to ever! We will be raising money to fund SCAN is a major step foward and you a promise: I’ll see to it that a very the Ball. What more do you need? a new position and program to extend an appropriate way for the Zoo to important conservationist makes an Fullfill your wish and come to the the Zoo’s conservation programming. start the next 50 years. We have so appearance. Of course I am talking Ball. You’ll have a great time, support Species Conservation Action Network, many skills and so much knowledge to about the incomparable Slash! Though conservation, and, if you’re lucky, see or SCAN, will make a real difference share in conservation efforts. Working you may know him as a guitar legend, me crying off stage while Slash makes in the fight to save species here and together, we can amplify our impact what you might not know is that Slash his guitar sing. See you at the Ball.

Golden Opportunity

With milestones like the first 4. chicks hatched in the , the first gorilla successfully delivered by 5. Caesarean section, and the first birth of a Coquerel’s sifaka outside of Madagascar, the Los Angeles Zoo has been at the Franklin’s insights are a favorite quote of Los giant creature looming above them is going to do. forefront of wildlife conservation for more than 50 years. Our efforts have Angeles Zoo Curator of Reptiles and Amphibians All they know is that it’s potentially dangerous, so directly helped save species—from Ian Recchio. “He saw that rattlesnakes are a that’s the fourth and final line of defense. The last the Arabian oryx and mountain perfect example of what the United States resort is to strike and bite. Most bites occur when to the golden tamarin, California strives to be, what defense is about,” Recchio people get close enough to try and kill them. condor, and more. Celebrate these major achievements and support the Zoo’s surmises. “‘We will warn you, but we are not Leave them alone and they’ll leave you alone.” steadfast conservation work by making a afraid to defend ourselves when we’re cornered.’ Rattlesnakes have evolved venom that is donation! You can help save species. To And that’s how it is with rattlesnakes. adapted to disable their preferred prey—generally make a gift, visit www.lazoo.org/support. “Rattlesnakes are pretty shy animals and they small rodents that have high reproductive rates. Donations to GLAZA are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. really don’t want to be messed with,” Recchio So in serving their broader ecological function, to continues. “So they have a succession of keep prey populations at sustainable levels, they warnings. The first line of defense is camouflage. are actually helping people because rodents are

All of them have amazing color patterns that not only frequent agricultural pests, but also a Sy Oskeroff by Photo hide them in the landscape so that animals who public health concern. “Rodents can be vectors might want to eat them can’t see them. If that for horrible diseases that affect humanity,” doesn’t work, they will rattle and give you an Recchio observes. “So snakes are the check that audible warning that they’re there and that you keeps things balanced.” don’t want to accidentally mess with them. So 6. hopefully that prevents whatever large animals are in the area from stepping on them. Defense mechanism number three is escape, and this is where the misconceptions happen about them coming after you. Rattlesnakes are just little animals really, compared with a human being, and it’s quite easy for people to kill them. So they become nervous with this large animal Animal Keeper Natalie White with Caesar, the hovering over them, and in that case they want first gorilla ever delivered by Cesarian section. to crawl away quickly. Often times in this panicky This photo was taken on June 16, 1977, when 4. The red diamondback is a large and impressive rattlesnake. Caesar was just two weeks old. state, they become confused and will crawl right toward you. If you were to keep still, the 5. Neonate timber rattlesnake; this species is found through the eastern U.S. and was probably the rattlesnake that Benjamin Frankin wrote about. As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans snake would go right past you or realize that it’s with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles and the crawling toward you and make a U-turn to go 6. One of the earliest flags representing our nascent nation was the Gadsen Los Angeles Zoo do not discriminate on the basis of flag, which depicted a coiled rattlesnake above the words “Don’t tread on disability and, upon reasonable advance notice, will the other way. But it’s hard for a little animal me.” Old Glory supplanted it, but the rattlenake and the motto are still provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal used by the U.S. Navy on the maritime flags flown on the jackstaff in the access to its programs, services, and activities. Sign that’s on the ground to anticipate what this big bows of American vessels that are moored or anchored. language interpreters, assistive listening devices, or other auxiliary aids and/or services may be provided upon request. To ensure availability, you are advised to make your request with reasonable advance notice prior to the event or activity you wish to attend. For further information, please contact: 323/644-4200 (voice/TTY).

Volume XL Each year, American Association of Zoo Keepers chapters across the Number 5 country organize Bowling for Rhinos events. Since 1990, zookeepers have Zoo Association Annual Memberships: Individual $55, Individual Plus $75, Family $126, Family Deluxe $165, raised more than $6.6 million for conservation! Because the events are run Contributing Associate $250, Wildlife Associate $500, Conservation on a completely volunteer basis, 100 percent of the money raised goes Associate $1,000. Each membership category includes unlimited admission to the Los Angeles Zoo for one year, one-year to programs that successfully protect ecosystems that support rhinos subscriptions to Zoo View and Zooscape, 10-percent discount at Zoo restaurants and shops, and invitations to special events. and the countless species that share their habitat. In 2009, the first year Students and seniors receive $10 off an annual membership. Los Angeles took part in BFR, the top money-raising chapter to date had The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens is located in at the junction of the Ventura (134) and the Golden State brought in about $15,000 annually. The AAZK–Los Angeles chapter now (I-5) freeways. We are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except raises more than $50,000 annually and has become the all-time leader December 25. For information, phone 323/644-4200, or visit us in BFR fundraising with a total in excess of $321,000. Join us at Jewel City on the Internet at www.lazoo.org. Bowl in Glendale for an evening of festivities that includes a silent auction, Sandy Masuo, Editor Pickle Group, Graphic Design raffles, food, costumes—and, of course, bowling! Learn how to register, Tad Motoyama, Zoo Photographer Jamie Pham, GLAZA Photo Editor sponsor a team, make a cash donation, or donate items for the silent Copyright © 2016 GLAZA. All rights reserved. auction at www.aazklosangeles.org (click on Bowling For Rhinos 2017), or Printed on 30-percent recycled stock contact BFR 2017 Chair Jill Werner at [email protected] or leave Nurturing wildlife and enriching the human experience a message with your name and phone number at 323/644-6004. May 13 (Saturday)

Photo by Jamie Pham 6 p.m.–12 a.m. calendar of events

MEMBERS ONLY PEPPA PIG AND Breakfast with a Keeper Member Tours Please make reservations at least Where did that bird just come from? P.J. MASKS WEEKEND two weeks in advance by phoning GLAZA members at the Wildlife Circle New this year! Did you ever wonder Animals use their fur, feathers, and Enjoy a meet-and-greet at the 323/644-4244. Meet at the waterfall and Conservation Circle levels are how acquire animals? Or why scales to disappear—or appear to be L.A. Zoo with popular children’s invited to enjoy a special morning and you sometimes don’t notice an near the entrance to the International something else. This month we take a television characters Peppa Pig a delicious breakfast with an animal animal in its exhibit? Or what zoo Marketplace at 10:30 a.m. look at some of nature’s tricksters. and P.J. Masks! keeper. After breakfast, you will visit animals are fed? Special themed April 1 (Saturday) and 9 (Sunday) with some of our animal residents and tours are now available each month Amazing Adaptations Peppa Pig: March 17 (Friday) learn how Zoo staff keep them active for members only, offered on the Did you ever wish you had a third hand Conservation Conversation and 18 (Saturday) and healthy by providing enrichment first Saturday and second Sunday of to help you carry things? Or yearn to The Zoo is a great place to learn about P.J. Masks: March 19 (Sunday) that encourages natural behaviors. each month. Each month will focus swim without a wetsuit year round? animals, but did you know that zoos 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Wildlife and Conservation Circle on a different aspect of the animals Find out how animals can do these also help preserve animals in the wild? members, watch your mailbox for in our collection. Docent-led tours things—and more! Look at some success stories and PEPPA PIG MEMBER an invitation with more details. To are available to GLAZA members March 4 (Saturday) and 12 (Sunday) some ongoing projects that the Los PREVIEW upgrade your membership support only and are free for everyone Angeles Zoo has helped make possible. April Fools! GLAZA members at the and attend this special event, phone eligible on your membership. May 6 (Saturday) and 14 (Sunday) 323/644-4244. No confirmations will be mailed. Where did that go? Contributing Circle levels and March 25 (Saturday) higher can enjoy an early Peppa 8:30–10 a.m. Pig meet-and-greet with costumed SPECIAL TOURS characters. To RSVP or upgrade Members’ Appreciation Morning These tours are free to GLAZA your membership level to attend, Early morning is the ideal time to Happy Bird-day! Spring Collection Garden Tour members, but space is limited. To International Migratory Bird Day Early spring is the peak period of please phone 323/644-4244. see many of the Zoo’s residents at Watch your mailbox for a special their best, and GLAZA offers three register, e-mail [email protected] (IMBD) spotlights bird migration, bloom for the Zoo’s native plants, invitation. opportunities a year for our members or telephone 323/644-4703. Please one of the most significant and now flowering throughout the Zoo. March 18 (Saturday) at all levels to explore the Zoo before provide your first and last name, spectacular events in the Americas. Enjoy this annual floral display with a it opens to the public. RSVP for this membership number, telephone You can celebrate with a bird walk at garden tour! 8:30–10 a.m. event by phoning 323/644-4770. number, e-mail address, the number the Zoo, which is home to a dazzling April 1 (Saturday) March 4 (Saturday) of people attending, and the age of array of local birds and migratory 8–10 a.m. 8:30–10 a.m. any children attending. guests. Learn more about IMBD at www.birdday.org. May 13 (Saturday) 8–10 a.m.

MARCH–APRIL 2017 Member Newsletter of the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens Zooscape (ISSN 1060-3859) is published bimonthly by the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association, 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027. 323/644-4200 www.lazoo.org Periodical Postage paid at Los Angeles, CA. zoo scape POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Zooscape, 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027-1498 Inside this issue

1 Don’t Tread on Me

2 3 Animal Activities Golden Opportunity

ED-ZOO-CATIONAL FOR MORE DETAILS, GO TO WWW.LAZOO.ORG/EDUCATION/CHILDRENSCLASSES/. TO REGISTER, GO TO WWW.LAZOO.ORG AND CLICK ON “BUY TICKETS.” Registration Policy: Registration for Ed-zoo-cational Adventures begins two months prior to the program date. Adventures Please check www.lazoo.org for class availability. For more information, phone 323/644-4211.

TODDLER TOTES CRITTERS ’N’ KIDS ZOO EXPLORERS SLEEPOVERS ZOO CAMP Age 24–35 months Age 3–4 years Age 5–6 years Zoopendous Nights Welcome the season with us during Members: $18 per child/adult pair Members: $24 per child/adult pair Members: $30 per child Bring your pack or troop to the Zoo spring break! Children ages four Nonmembers: $20 per child/adult pair Nonmembers: $27 per child/adult pair Nonmembers: $35 per child for an indoor all-night, interactive through nine will have a blast turning Class Times: 9 a.m. (Wednesdays, Class Time: 9 a.m. (Wednesdays, Class Time: 9 a.m. experience. Tour the Zoo after dark, over a new leaf during Spring Zoo Fridays, and Saturdays) and 11 a.m. Fridays, and Saturdays) E-ticket required for class admission. enjoy a pizza/salad feast, participate Camp. Registration fee for each day of (Fridays and Saturdays) E-ticket required for class admission. Come to the Zoo and learn about in hands-on animal activities, and fall animal exploration is $60 for members E-ticket required for class admission. Critters ’n’ Kids classes take your child the world’s biomes, from deserts to asleep to beastly bedtime stories. and $65 for nonmembers. Registration Toddler Totes classes are educational and you on an exploration of the Zoo’s mountains, grasslands to rainforests. In the morning, enjoy a continental is now open. For details, visit www. adventures for your child and you. animal collections, from cool cats This drop-off class is designed for chil- breakfast while meeting some of the lazoo.org/education/zoocamp/. Learn about adaptations as you and exciting elephants to slithering dren independent of their parents. All Zoo’s animal ambassadors. This event Extended care is available for an investigate the Zoo’s animal collection snakes and fabulous flamingos. Each children must bring water and a snack is designed for children, ages seven additional fee. Registration for the and discover the ways animals use 90-minute class includes a variety for this three-hour class. through twelve. Cost is $55 per person. spring session is now open. Summer different parts of their bodies. Each of fun, age-appropriate, hands-on Schedule for the 2016–2017 school Zoo Camp registration will open 75-minute class includes a variety activities such as storytelling, art, Great Grasslands year can be found at www.lazoo.org/ online on March 19 (Sunday). of fun, age-appropriate, hands-on games, and adventures on Zoo April 8 (Saturday) education. For more information or April 10 (Monday)–14 (Friday) activities such as storytelling, live grounds. Delving into Deserts to be placed on the wait list, please animal encounters, and explorations May 27 (Saturday) contact Sean den Bok at 323/644-4212. on Zoo grounds. Exciting Elephants March 8 (Wednesday), 10 (Friday), YOGA IN THE ZOO FAMILY CLASSES Eyes on the Side and 11 (Saturday) March 1 (Wednesday), 3 (Friday), Connect with your child through a All Ages These 90-minute classes offer a unique and 4 (Saturday) Go, Go, Gorillas! morning yoga adventure in the Zoo. Members: $10 per person/children opportunity for families to come April 19 (Wednesday), 21 (Friday), Visit with those masters of breathing, under 2 are free together and share in an adventure I’m All Ears and 22 (Saturday) the seals, discover inspiring poses with Nonmembers: $20 per adult/$15 per while learning about amazing animals. March 29 (Wednesday), March 31 flamingos, and enjoy fitness moves child (ages 2–12)/children under 2 free (Friday), and April 1 (Saturday) Loveable Lemurs with the giant river otters. No yoga Home Sweet Home May 10 (Wednesday), 12 (Friday), Class Time: 9:30 a.m. (Sundays) experience, no mat—no problem. This March 18 (Saturday) and 13 (Saturday) E-ticket required for class admission. Wiggle Squiggle Zoo class is designed for beginners, and May 3 (Wednesday), 5 (Friday), Bring your family to the Zoo and join us Backyard Buddies mats will be provided. and 6 (Saturday) for a special adventure. April 15 (Saturday) March 25 (Saturday), 9 a.m.

Cancellation Policy: The Zoo must receive at least two weeks (14 days) advance notice by phone (323/644-4211) or fax (323/644-4299) in order to issue a full refund. No refunds will be issued after this period. No refunds or transfers will be honored for no-shows. Prices and program dates are subject to change without notice. For more details about cancellation, transfer, refund, and booking policies, visit www.lazoo.org.