AUGUST 2016

A publication of the Association of & Aquariums

Innovative Husbandry Uncovers Keys to Sustainability

EMPOWERED BY INFOMATION THE AZA REPRODUCTIVE BY THE NUMBERS AZA Launches SSP MANAGEMENT CENTER AZA’s Programs Sustainability Database Taking on a New Role in Animal Population Sustainability

August 2016

Features 24 32 40 Innovative Husbandry The Survival The AZA Reproductive Uncovers Keys Plan® Sustainability Management Center to Sustainability Database The Reproductive The commitment of With funding from the Management Center husbandry professionals Institute of Museum and encompasses four main at Association of Zoos and Library Services, the areas of concentration: Aquariums-accredited Association of Zoos and contraception; infertility and facilities is creating optimal Aquariums recently launched more broadly, identifying management programs for the ® causes of reproductive the in their care, and (SSP) Sustainability Database. failure; lifetime reproductive this is inextricably linked to This new tool compiles planning; and Association of sustainability efforts. relevant SSP information into Zoos and Aquariums-level coordination and integration. BY MARY ELLEN COLLINS one location and connects the collection planning BY DR. MARY AGNEW AND process to SSP management. DR. CHERYL ASA BY LAUREN WILSON, DR. CANDICE DORSEY AND DR. DEBBORAH LUKE

August 2016 | www.aza.org 1 MASTER PLANNERS · PRODUCT STRATEGISTS · LEAD DESIGNERS · ARCHITECTS

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7 SSP News 12 Conservation 17 Education 50 Faces & Places The Blue-Billed Curassow Spotlight The Shark Cart at Newport Species Survival Plan’s® Training tomorrow’s Aquarium 53 Calendar journey to success conservation leaders 18 Partnership 55 Exhibits Lincoln Park and 8 Artificial Insemination 13 Award 56 Announcements The tangible benefits of Manager with Woodland DryHop Brewers partner on artificial insemination for Park Zoo’s conservation “Chimp Off The Old Block” 57 Advertiser Index conservation of Brazilian ocelots program is a recipient of the Whitley Award 19 Breeding Prorgam 76 Births & Hatchings 9 Conservation Breeding program for rare Grants Fund 14 Grants Hawaiian closes Community outreach in support Point Defiance Zoo & 20 Green Tales of vaquita conservation Aquarium’s Dr. Holly Reed About the cover Global Fund Mexican Gray Wolf water conservation 10 Scholarship awards 21 grants For future ocean stewards, 21 Research Oregon Coast Aquarium 15 By The Numbers This month’s selection of debuts youth scholarship AZA’s animal programs what has been published 11 International Vulture 16 Partnership Awareness Day Albuquerque Biological Park Africa vulture crisis: what Zoo partnership benefits you can do to help rehabilitated eagles © Jim Schulz, © Jim Schulz, Society Chicago Zoological

VISIT US ONLINE Editorial policy: Connect is published by the aza.org Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization dedicated to the LIKE US ON FACEBOOK advancement of zoological parks and aquariums for facebook.com/Association conservation, education, scientific studies and recreation. Issued to members OfZoosAndAquariums as a free service; not available as a subscription. Mailed during the first week of the month. Articles submitted for Connect do not necessarily reflect the FOLLOW US ON TWITTER opinions and policies of AZA. twitter.com/zoos_aquariums Mission: Connect is a forum for promoting AZA’s mission by highlighting zoo E-MAIL THE EDITOR and aquarium trends, industry initiatives, conservation efforts and member [email protected] achievements. Copyright policy: All items appearing in Connect are copyright of AZA. Permission to reprint items must be obtained by contacting AZA’s Publications Department at [email protected]. Advertising policy: Advertising is available. AZA reserves the right to refuse advertising not consistent with its mission. Ad contracts are issued on an annual basis, and ads are accepted on a one, three, six, nine or 12-time basis. Deadline for insertion orders is the first of the month preceding publication. Deadline for artwork is the 10th of the month preceding publication. Rates and mechanical requirements are available upon request.

August 2016 | www.aza.org 3 EDITOR Tim Lewthwaite ASSISTANT EDITOR Jennifer Fields ART DIRECTION LTD Creative GRAPHIC DESIGNER Lisa Cadigan, Cadigan Creative ADVERTISING Gina Velosky A Year of Transition (301) 562-0777, ext. 254, [email protected] EDITORIAL BOARD It is hard to believe that my year as the Chairman of the Association of Zoos and Thom Benson | Tennessee Aquarium Julie Larsen-Maher | Wildlife Conservation Society Aquariums (AZA) Board of Directors is nearly over. I look forward to completing my term Tim Lewthwaite | Editor on a high note with you next month at the AZA Annual Conference in San Diego. I know Kristin L. Vehrs | Executive Director that our hosts, San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld San Diego, are gearing up to make this conference very memorable. It will be a great time to learn about the latest developments in our profession and catch up with old and new friends. This has been a year of transition. However, we continue to make good progress on Interim President and CEO many AZA initiatives. AZA SAFE: Saving Species From is moving forward Kristin L. Vehrs Chief Operating Officer with the successful development of Jill Nicoll conservation action plans and excellent Senior Vice President of Conservation and Science progress on the Founder’s Circle Debborah Luke, PhD Senior Vice President of External Affairs fundraising effort. A big thank you to Rob Vernon all of the facilities that have contributed Senior Vice President of Finance to this important effort to date. I’d also Phil Wagner SAFE Project Manager like to thank the entire AZA SAFE Jackie Ogden, PhD Campaign Committee with a special call Vice President of Animal Programs out to Gregg Hudson of the Zoo Candice Dorsey, PhD Vice President, Conferences and Membership and Kevin Bell of the Lincoln Park Zoo Melissa Howerton for all the hard work on the fundraising Vice President of Congressional Affairs campaign. Other developments include Jennifer Keaton the new AZA website that was recently Vice President of Accreditation Programs Denny Lewis launched. We also have entered into a number of new marketing initiatives, including with Vice President of Federal Relations the Discovery Channel, and the Accreditation Commission recently met to decide on some Steve Olson new standards. For a full listing of AZA’s staff, visit www.aza.org/about-aza On behalf of the entire AZA Board, I would like to thank the AZA staff for all their AZA BOARD OF DIRECTORS hard work this year. I hope everyone realizes how hard our professional staff works and Chair how dedicated they are to providing us with high quality membership services. Steve Burns | Director, Zoo Boise I would also like to personally thank Kris Vehrs, who stepped up to serve as our Chair Elect Dennis W. Kelly | Director, Smithsonian National Zoological Park interim president and chief executive officer. Having Kris’ experience, wisdom and insight Vice Chair has made our transition go seamlessly. She has been a valuable part of AZA for a long time, Jim Breheny | Executive Vice President and General Director, Zoos and we have all benefitted by having the chance to know her and work with her. and Aquarium, Jonathan Little Cohen Director of the I will see you soon in San Diego. Wildlife Conservation Society Past Chair Dennis E. Pate | Executive Director and CEO, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium Directors Bob Chastain | President & CEO, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Lynn B. Clements | Director, Virginia Aquarium and Marine Steve Burns Science Center Director, Zoo Boise Suzanne M. Gendron | Executive Director Zoological Operations and Education Ocean Park Corporation Gregg Hudson | Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Management, Inc. Christopher Kuhar, PhD | Executive Director, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo John Lewis | Zoo Director, Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens Steve Marshall | Zoo Director, Amos Morris | Zoo Director, Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden Peggy Sloan | Director, North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher

4 www.aza.org | August 2016 4 www.aza.org | August 2016

years of communication, the SSP collaborated with the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) population to exchange between their managed populations: two birds were imported from Zoo Lourosa in Portugal to the and two were exported by Houston Zoo to Zoo Lourosa. The EAZA and AZA populations were completely unrelated at this time, and this exchange increased the genetic and demographic health of both populations. Shortly thereafter, a private partner and the Dallas World Aquarium separately imported three additional birds from a private collection in Mexico City; two of these hens were graciously loaned to the Houston Zoo. These three hens were also unrelated to the SSP population—a valuable genetic boost. In 2015, after 10 years of communication with the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums (JAZA), a female was exported from the Houston Zoo to JAZA to be paired with an unrelated male*. The SSP hopes that future offspring from this pair will be Species Survival Plan Update reincorporated into the AZA population to further increase the species’ gene diversity. A decade of intensive management, The Blue-billed communication and collaboration has paid off. The SSP population now has a projected gene diversity of 83 percent and Curassow SSP’s consists of 45 birds managed among 12 AZA organizations—the largest it has ever been Journey to Success in AZA and one of the largest documented populations in the world. by Christopher Holmes © Julie Larsen Maher, WCS © Julie Larsen Maher, The remarkable accomplishments of this SSP are due to the passion and dedication of The Blue-billed Curassow ( alberti), a Although the SSP population’s fate the people and organizations above, as well critically endangered endemic of , seemed bleak, the curassow team rallied as the AZA Blue Curassow SSP participants. was recommended for management by the together and focused efforts to recover These collaborations demonstrate what is Cracid Taxon Advisory Group (TAG) in this highly imperiled population. The two possible for even the bleakest populations 1994. Historically, the Species Survival Plan® reproductive hens were housed at White Oak when you develop strong partnerships and (SSP) population was very small and, due to Conservation in Yulee, Fla., and, to increase maintain relationships over time. Even if challenges in reproduction and recruiting space for the population, some of their an exchange is not currently needed or new holding institutions, growth was fertile were transferred to the Houston possible—keep communicating. You never extremely minimal. At the first Association Zoo in Houston, . After only a three know what the future might hold. of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Population year period, there were 11 hatchings (six at Management Center (PMC) planning session Houston and five at White Oak), making the Christopher Holmes, assistant curator in 2006 the population consisted of 10 population the largest it had ever been. of birds, Houston Zoo; AZA Blue- birds—only two of which were reproductive These hatchings were a critical first step. billed Curassow SSP coordinator and females—at four AZA-accredited facilities, However, the SSP population needed more TAG chair and the projected gene diversity for 100 years birds—and new genes—to successfully *With special acknowledgement to was a mere 37 percent. embark on the road to recovery. In 2010, after Kimio Honda, WCS

August 2016 | www.aza.org 7 oviducts of hormonally-synchronized females. In the past 20 years, five pregnancies have been produced in ocelots with laparoscopic AI, including three since 2010 through the efforts of scientists at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden’s Carl H. Lindner Jr. Family Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW) in Cincinnati, Ohio. These latter pregnancies are most relevant for illustrating the importance of AI for improving the genetic management and conservation of endangered felid species. Two of these AI pregnancies occurred in a single ocelot female, Kuma, who resides at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport, Conn. Kuma, as a young kitten, was accidently injured by her mother and lost her left rear leg as a consequence. This physical disability precluded Kuma from breeding naturally with a male but did not decrease her genetic value nor presumably affect her ability to bear and raise offspring—if she only could somehow conceive. Cue AI. Laparoscopic AI procedures in 2010 and 2012, using semen collected from a male (Ozzie) housed at the

© Dallas Zoo Salisbury Zoo in Salisbury, Md., produced two pregnancies and the birth of two Artificial Insemination healthy female kittens that Kuma raised herself without difficulty. Those two kittens, Milagre and Ayla, subsequently were The Tangible Benefits transferred to the Dallas Zoo in Dallas, Texas, and the Buffalo Zoo in Buffalo, N.Y., respectively, to be paired as adults with of Artificial Insemination nonrelated males. Both females have bred naturally and produced kittens of their for Conservation of own in the past three years (Milagre twice now), ensuring that their (as well as Kuma’s and Ozzie’s) genetic contribution will carry Brazilian Ocelots over into the future. These two AI births, By Dr. Bill Swanson and the subsequent breeding success of the offspring, have demonstrated the long-term Brazilian ocelots (Leopardus pardalis mitis) to 125 individuals and gradually replace benefit of this reproductive approach for are becoming increasingly endangered generic ocelots (i.e., intermixed subspecies) overcoming infertility caused by a physical in their native habitat due to human with a sustainable, genetically-defined impairment. A third ocelot AI pregnancy, population growth and associated habitat population. In some cases, however, the at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden loss/fragmentation. In North American SSP’s carefully selected breeding pairs in 2012, remedied a more common zoos, a small number (~35 cats) of these fail to reproduce naturally, sometimes cause of reproductive failure—behavioral ocelots are managed by the Ocelot Species due to behavioral incompatibilities or, incompatibility between breeding pairs. Survival Plan® (SSP), which makes occasionally, physical limitations. Based on the SSP’s recommendations, breeding recommendations based on each One proven solution for overcoming the Cincinnati Zoo imported a male individual’s genetic importance to the these reproductive barriers is artificial Brazilian ocelot, Marcel, from in population as a whole. The SSP’s goal is to insemination (AI), using laparoscopy to 2008 to breed with their resident female increase the number of Brazilian ocelots deposit semen directly into the uteri or ocelot, Sala. Over the next four years,

8 www.aza.org | August 2016 the Zoo repeatedly tried to pair Sala and Marcel using a variety of strategies, but aggression between cats was the recurrent outcome. As an alternative, CREW scientists conducted laparoscopic AI with Sala using freshly collected semen from Marcel. Sala conceived and, on New Year’s Eve (‘reveillon’ in Portuguese), gave birth to a female kitten, Revy, who grew up under Sala’s protective care. In 2014, Revy was moved to the Santa Ana Zoo in Santa Ana, Calif., and paired with a young male, Diego, Global © San Diego Zoo from the Oklahoma City Zoo in Oklahoma Conservation Grants Fund City, Okla. Breeding activity in late 2015 resulted in a pregnancy and the birth of Revy’s first kitten, a male (as yet unnamed), Community Outreach in early December, making Sala and Marcel first-time grandparents (despite their personal animosity to one another). Their in Support of Vaquita genetic legacy will live on into the next generation and beyond. These AI successes Conservation have helped zoos to address breeding challenges and provide positive evidence By Peter Gilson and Samantha Young that assisted reproduction can benefit management and conservation of ocelots The vaquita, the world’s smallest whale, is to train teachers in project-based activities and possibly other felid species. Without experiencing a drastic population decline. Its to engage them and their students in the AI option, these three ocelots, Milagre, biggest threat is accidentally getting caught in conservation actions. More than 50 Ayla and Revy—and all of their subsequent nets intended for fish and shrimp, placed in participants attended five workshops in offspring—would have never existed and the upper Gulf of California, Mexico, by local the northern Gulf. Teachers were assisted the long-term genetic viability of our fishermen making a living. Some nets are legal, in creating conservation-themed projects Brazilian ocelot population would have set for shrimp that is purchased by southern with their students and then tasked been further diminished as a consequence. Californians, and some nets are illegal, set for with implementing these with the larger a protected fish, the totoaba, that is purchased community. A field trip brought teachers Dr. Bill Swanson is CREW’s director of by communities in . Because the vaquita outside to try new skills such as bird animal research and one of the world’s cannot see miles upon miles of these nets with watching with binoculars and identifying authorities on breeding endangered its echolocation, it becomes entangled, and the seawater components through microscopes. small cats. population is down to less than 100 individuals. To highlight these school-run conservation San Diego Zoo Global in San Diego, projects, we held three community events Calif., partnered with Engineers for in San Felipe and El Golfo de Santa Clara. Exploration at the University of California, These include a festival to highlight projects San Diego, to develop underwater and like native desert gardens and recycling aerial equipment to film the vaquita. The programs, an exhibition of student artwork SphereCam is triggered when a vaquita culminating in student-inspired murals and vocalizes nearby and can record underwater a nature photography competition. video with its six GoPro cameras. A Mariner Ultimately, our goal is for programs waterproof copter with a GoPro camera such as these to function independently can take aerial footage. Both technologies and long-term. We’ve begun by hiring and were tested and deemed successful during a training a local middle school teacher as large-scale scientific population survey for our education coordinator in San Felipe. the vaquita run by the Mexican government and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Peter Gilson is an educator guide at San Administration (NOAA) Fisheries from Diego Zoo Global. September to December 2015. Samantha Young is a conservation San Diego Zoo Global also partnered education research technician at San © Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo Beardsley © Connecticut’s with the Mexican NGO Pronatura Noroeste Diego Zoo Safari Park.

8 www.aza.org | August 2016 August 2016 | www.aza.org 9 © Oregon Coast Aquarium Coast © Oregon

Scholarship For Future Ocean Stewards, Aquarium Debuts Youth Scholarship The Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport, young people and spur their interests in the The 2nd annual Ocean Steward Award Ore., strives to promote marine conservation sciences,” said Thrasher. “The Schlesinger- was presented to Elizabeth Starker Cameron, and stewardship at every turn, particularly Thrasher scholarship will help enable a Barte Staker and the Starker family, through its interpretative and educational student to take their interests in marine local foresters and longtime advocates of programs. What better way, then, to foster the science to a higher level in college, and numerous charitable foundations, including next generation of oceanographers than by hopefully to a career in the science field.” the Oregon Coast Aquarium. Matriarch offering a scholarship supporting youth who The scholarship is tailored toward Elizabeth “Betty” Starker, who passed away volunteer at the Aquarium? local students pursuing a college degree, 17 March 2004, served on the Aquarium’s This year’s Ocean Steward Celebration— particularly those involved with the founding board. The Starker family the Aquarium’s annual fundraiser in Portland Aquarium’s volunteer programs. Potential continues her generous legacy of supporting on 12 May 2016—marked the inaugural honorees are asked to describe how the Aquarium. presentation of the Schlesinger-Thrasher volunteering for the Aquarium impacted A keynote address by Jack Barth, Ocean Steward Scholarship. The $2,000 them personally, and how the experience will Oregon State University professor and scholarship is the brainchild of Ken Thrasher help further their goals. associate dean for research, revealed and Barry Schlesinger, dedicated Aquarium As in last year’s Celebration, the how new, sophisticated oceanographic board members impressed and inspired by Aquarium also commemorated its past moorings and underwater robots are the Aquarium’s educational programs. “They supporters by presenting the Al Gleason enabling scientists to track and understand saw an opportunity to link the Aquarium’s Ocean Steward Award, named for Oregon’s ever-changing coastal ocean. He efforts with the broader educational Aquarium emeritus board member and showed how the anomalously warm ocean community,” said Caryl Zenker, the retired chief executive officer of PacifiCorp, temperatures evolved over the last few Aquarium’s vice president of development. Al Gleason. The honor “acknowledges years, and what these changes mean for “The Aquarium’s amazing volunteers the individuals who made the Aquarium Oregon’s spectacularly productive coastal and staff support the inquisitive minds of possible,” said Zenker. marine ecosystem.

10 www.aza.org | August 2016 International Vulture Awareness Day Vultures are worth saving and AZA- accredited facilities can make a difference in their battle against extinction. Join African Vulture Crisis us in celebrating International Vulture What You Can Do to Help Awareness Day on Saturday, 3 September 2016. To learn more, contact the authors. By Scott Tidmus and Dr. Corinne Kendall Scott Tidmus is the AZA Raptor TAG Vultures—they may not be nature’s most the cultural medicine usage, power line Chair and can be reached at scott. charismatic animals, but they certainly collisions and veterinary drugs similar [email protected]. are some of its most valuable. As nature’s to diclofenac—all of which needs to be Corinne Kendall is the AZA TAG recycling crew, vultures help to keep the addressed. This past year alone, seven species Advisor and can be reached at environment disease free and clean. Sadly, of African vultures have been classified as [email protected]. these are critical services that we risk losing Critically Endangered or Endangered as vulture populations plummet throughout based on research demonstrating Asia and Africa. their continuing declines and the In Asia, several vulture species have severity of these threats. experienced dramatic declines, up to Efforts to abate the 98 percent throughout Pakistan, India causes of poisoning, develop and Nepal. With little known about the vulture-safe powerlines and species, the decline took several years address the poaching crisis to be noted and the cause even longer are underway. Solving these to pinpoint. We now know this drastic issues will save not only vultures, decline was caused by a veterinary drug, but the carnivores, rhinos and diclofenac—which was used to treat elephants with whom their fate injured or sick cattle. Once deceased, these is so closely linked. livestock carcasses were quickly consumed African vultures need by vultures. Unfortunately, diclofenac is our help. As part of a toxic to vultures and even small amounts new vulture initiative of from a treated cow can kill dozens being developed by of birds. Now, Asia is faced with a long the Association of road to recovery for these important birds Zoos and Aquariums and fighting an epidemic of rabies caused (AZA) Raptor Taxon by an increase in feral dogs that took the Advisory Group (TAG), place of the vultures. The toll on healthcare in partnership with the has been significant with the economic International Union costs of losing vultures estimated at nearly for Conservation of $34 billion. The drug has been banned Nature (IUCN) Vulture by the government and there is hope that Specialist Group and Asia is heading in the right direction now our partner associations with breeding centers and stabilizing around the world, we hope populations, but only time will tell. to leverage the potential of For Asia’s vultures the solutions the AZA community. We are were obvious, but the situation is not so in the process of developing straightforward in the African vulture communication points crisis. African vulture species are in sharp to raise awareness and decline and the reasons are as varied as the understanding with continent is large. Poisoning seems to be on our guests as well as the top of the list; from baiting carcasses to supplying crucial kill predators in retaliation for lost livestock resources to help to the newest threat—poisoning to cover our partners in up poaching incidences. The latter is truly the field to create a concern as this random act of cruelty is a global network wide ranging from East Africa through for vulture to Southern Africa. And finally, there are conservation.

10 www.aza.org | August 2016 August 2016 | www.aza.org 11 professionals, as demonstrated by our numerous professional development opportunities. The most effective initiatives teach interdisciplinary approaches—drawing from internal and external expertise in science, community engagement, communications, fundraising, policymaking, advocacy and coalition building. In 2004, the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders (EWCL) was formed as a unique collaborative effort to address capacity-building needs. The collaboration was guided by the vision and stewardship of set leaders from governmental agencies, non-profit and private conservation organizations, including AZA-accredited facilities such as White Oak Conservation, Houston Zoo, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and SeaWorld Busch Gardens. The knowledge, practical experience, and funding support of AZA-accredited facilities was integral in launching and sustaining the EWCL training program, and has been equally rewarding for these facilities. AZA-accredited facilities have a diverse cohort of employees working in communications, development, education, research and animal care—many of whom have participated in the EWCL program, contributed to the trainings or served on the Board of Directors. Their expertise, combined with that of specialists from governmental, non-profit and private sectors, provides participants training across a diversity of disciplines. Participants benefit from EWCL’s three pillars: (1) Training in leadership and Conservation Spotlight conservation-related skills; (2) Hands-on experience in designing, implementing and evaluating a real-world conservation Training Tomorrow’s campaign in partnership with established conservation organizations; and (3) Mentoring and networking opportunities Conservation Leaders with seasoned conservation professionals By Laura Gruber to foster collaboration, cross-pollination of ideas and sharing of best practices. As the world faces a 6th mass extinction ultimately relies on talented professionals “EWCL provided clarity to the complex event, the need for effective conservation being adept at applying creative actions issues surrounding conservation. Spending has never been more urgent. Zoos and and strong leadership. This requires future most of my career in zoos, this program aquariums are being called on to take conservation leaders to be experienced in introduced me to amazing leaders in a leading role in conservation and are implementing a diversity of disciplines in other realms of the conservation field, uniquely positioned to fill the role. order to successfully protect and restore including government agencies, NGOs and Zoos can work together to address wildlife. The Association of Zoos and international non-profits, who all share the the extinction crisis through a variety of Aquariums (AZA) community understands same goal to save animals in the wild. I still strategies, but the success of our efforts the value of investing in our early-career use this network of leaders as a resource

12 www.aza.org | August 2016 Award anytime I need professional advice or a sounding board. I have no doubt that my position today is a result of my experiences with EWCL and that my zoo, in turn, Manager with Woodland benefitted in so many ways from my new skills and expanded network,” said Melanie Sorensen, Sr. Director of Conservation Education Park Zoo’s Conservation at the Houston Zoo and EWCL alumni. Participants implement their learned Program is a Recipient skills while working on a real world conservation campaign. These projects have supported the conservation of 28 species of the Whitley Award and established more than 40 strategic A conservation strategies manager alliances worldwide, resulting in tangible for the Tree Kangaroo Conservation conservation impact on the ground. Program at Woodland Park Zoo In its 12-year existence, the EWCL in Seattle, Wash., has received a program has successfully hosted Whitley Award, a prestigious nature seven cohorts, training more than 140 conservation prize worth $50,000 conservationists from over 100 institutions in project funding. Princess Anne (including 13 AZA-accredited facilities) presented the award to Karau Kuna at and 20 countries. That translates to 140 a ceremony held in . professionals who have taken the knowledge Kuna was recognized for his work gained through EWCL and brought it with the Tree Kangaroo Conservation back to their organizations, agencies and Program (TKCP) to bring together institutions to further build upon their local landowners to ensure the protection in 50 villages throughout the YUS Area. conservation successes. of the YUS Conservation Area in Papua Pressure from logging and mining EWCL looks forward to continuing to New Guinea, which is home to a number companies threatens the traditional culture forge new zoo and aquarium partnerships to of , including tree of the indigenous people. TKCP has worked train early conservation professionals—inside kangaroos and birds-of-paradise. Situated for 20 years to help them conserve their and outside the zoo community—who will on the Huon Peninsula and named after the rich natural heritage for future generations lead the vital conservation efforts of tomorrow. three rivers that flow through the area— while increasing access to education and To learn more about EWCL partnership Yopno, Uruwa and Som—the 180,000-acre improving community health within the opportunities, please visit the website at YUS Conservation Area is home to more villages. Dabek asserts that conservation http://wildlifeleaders.org/ or email endemic birds and than any other is ultimately about people, and in order to [email protected]. like-sized area in mainland New Guinea. succeed in conserving endangered species, The Tree Kangaroo Conservation there must be a focus on community-based Laura Gruber is the conservation training Program was created in 1996 by Woodland conservation and sustainable living. programs coordinator for White Oak Park Zoo senior conservation scientist Kuna is one of seven recipients of Conservation and an EWCL alumni. and TKCP Director Dr. Lisa Dabek. Its the 2016 Whitley Award; Kuna’s Whitley mission is to foster wildlife and habitat Award was donated by The William Brake conservation and support local community Charitable Trust in memory of William livelihoods in Papua New Guinea through Brake. Edward Whitley, founder of the global partnerships, land protection and Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN), said, scientific research. “WFN focuses on conservation success For more member For two decades, Kuna and TKCP have stories and the progress that’s being made. news, visit been working with villagers—the indigenous The awards ceremony is about recognizing landowners own more than 90 percent of and celebrating that—winning those small www.aza.org/ Papua New Guinea land—and the Papua battles which cumulatively add up to New Guinea government. Together, they significant change at the national level. In press-room have developed resource use plans that are addition to the financial benefit of winning now recognized in national policy. With his an award, our winners receive professional Whitley Award, Kuna will create community communications training to turn scientists plans to manage and carry out conservation into ambassadors, so they’re able to actions in the YUS landscape to 2020. Efforts communicate what they’re doing to the there have reached more than 12,000 people public and to policy makers.”

12 www.aza.org | August 2016 August 2016 | www.aza.org 13 Grants Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium’s Dr. Holly Reed Wildlife Conservation Fund Awards 21 Grants Totaling $131,360 From the jungles on the Indonesian island honor of longtime Point Defiance Zoo head Andrew Derocher and Geoff York intend of Sumatra, to the cold waters of Bristol Bay, veterinarian Dr. Holly Reed, who died in 2012. to fit five males with GPS ear tags to Alaska, to the sea ice of Hudson Bay, Canada Many of the grants support the monitor their distribution, movement and and to a collaboration of zoos from Thailand continuation of longstanding species survival habitat selection in Western Hudson Bay to Washington, DC, money donated in and anti-poaching partnerships, while some during the sea ice break-up period. The Tacoma will promote animal welfare, aid provide for new or expanded scientific data collected will help scientists make conservation efforts and advance scientific study. Here are a half-dozen examples of decisions for the long-term conservation study this year. conservation work to be funded this year: of the species at a time of increasing Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in • Tracking Polar Bears in Canada: As environmental challenges. The two Tacoma, Wash., awarded grants totaling climate change intensifies, polar bears are researchers have long worked with Polar $131,360 to 21 projects for 2016. The money increasingly threatened. These massive Bears International (PBI). is allocated from the Dr. Holly Reed Wildlife mammals depend on sea ice platforms for • Sumatran Tiger Conservation: Poachers Conservation Fund, which is administered catching their main prey, seals. Throughout are tracked and brought to justice. Tigers by The Zoo Society. The grants bring the much of their range, polar bears live caught in snares are rescued and released. total awarded through the program to more on sea ice year-round. But in Hudson Wildlife Response Units work with than $1.4 million since 2002. Bay, the sea ice melts entirely during the villages to address human-tiger conflict The Zoo Society works with Point summer. The bears are forced ashore for and prevent illegal habitat loss. Only a Defiance Zoo & Aquarium to conserve extended periods and deprived of food few hundred Sumatran tigers remain wildlife and wild places at home and abroad. for up to five months. Earlier ice melts in in the wild on their native Indonesian Donations from Zoo visitors, community the summer and later freezes in the fall are island of Sumatra. Grants from the Dr. members and other sources provide money prolonging their time on the mainland. Holly Reed Fund help the Association for the conservation fund, which is named in Respected polar bear researchers Dr. of Zoos & Aquariums’ (AZA) Tiger

14 www.aza.org | August 2016 By the Numbers Species Survival Plan® (SSP) Tiger crime, rescue wildlife, reduce elephant- Conservation Campaign’s support this human conflict by herding wild elephants ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS AND critical conservation work. The Tiger away from settlements and provide Conservation Campaign aids several education and outreach programs to AQUARIUMS (AZA) MEMBERS on-the-ground programs through the villages in and around the park. PROTECTED AND STUDIED Wildlife Conservation Society, which • Protecting Walrus Habitat in Alaska: The supports Sumatran Wildlife Crime Units Walrus Islands State Game Sanctuary in and Wildlife Response Units. In the last Bristol Bay, Alaska, protects one of the ANIMAL year, efforts from these ongoing programs largest terrestrial Pacific walrus haulout led to the arrest of eight poachers and the sites in North America. Round Island, PROGRAM removal of 197 snares. the best known of seven sanctuary SPECIES • Working on Behalf of Endangered Clouded islands, gives walruses a large area of IN 2014 AND 2015 Leopards: They are shy. They are elusive. rocky beaches on which to rest every They are so difficult to spot in their rapidly summer. Up to 14,000 walruses have dwindling natural habitat that no one been counted there in a single day. Steller members spent knows for sure how many endangered sea lions, other marine mammals and more than clouded leopards remain in the wild. But several species of also use the it is universally acknowledged that the habitat. The grant from the Dr. Holly Reed species is in trouble. Point Defiance Zoo Fund continues Point Defiance Zoo & on field & Aquarium works with partners across Aquarium’s longstanding support of this Taxon the nation to collaborate with zoological sanctuary, which was established in 1960 conservation Advisory officials in Thailand on a clouded leopard and is managed by the Alaska Department projects in Groups breeding and research program that of Fish and Game. It is the only wildlife collaboration (TAGs) is crucial to continued research and sanctuary of its kind in North America. with and understanding of these exotic, arboreal • Saving the Red Wolf Through Reproductive cats. The Clouded Leopard Consortium, Science: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium Species Survival established to improve and maintain is known worldwide as the Zoo that husbandry practices, has produced brought the red wolf back from the brink Plans® (SSPs) successful results: more than 50 cubs of extinction. But the species, native to have been born in the last few years at the Southeastern , remains a breeding and research program in critically endangered. A grant from the Thailand. The work being done overseas Dr. Holly Reed Fund will aid researcher is also critical to the success of the AZA Dr. Ashley Franklin in work to increase a Clouded Leopard SSP. The Clouded genetically diverse stock of frozen semen Leopard Consortium was just one of that can be used to help manage the The Ape TAG was the most three programs involving clouded leopard species’ small population and safeguard frequently reported Animal Program breeding or research to receive grant against loss due to natural disasters or money from the Dr. Holly Reed Fund this disease. The project includes expanding conservation collaborator, followed year. The Zoo also supports field studies semen collection, evaluation, processing by the Tiger SSPs (especially Amur), across Southeast Asia to better understand and cryopreservation to ensure greater Puerto Rican Crested Toad SSP, where clouded leopards range and how genetic diversity among zoo-based Panamanian Golden Frog SSP and deforestation and oil palm plantations can populations of red wolves. Artificial Red Wolf SSP. affect them. insemination programs help researchers • Elephant Conservation in Sumatra: study the viability of the frozen semen. Rapid conversion of Sumatran elephant “We’re pleased that money raised in Tacoma Most Animal Program species-related habitat for development has led to can have such a tremendous impact on the conservation funding went to the increased contact between people and conservation of varied species around the California Condor, Sea wild elephants. A Dr. Holly Reed Fund world,” said Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium Otter, Black- grant supports work being done by General Curator Dr. Karen Goodrowe Footed Ferret, Conservation Response Units in the Beck, who holds a PhD in reproductive Attwater’s Prairie Way Kambas National Park, Lampung biology. “We know that even small grants province, southern Sumatra, to address can yield big rewards, particularly when we Chicken and these conflicts. Formerly neglected strategically create long-term partnerships Panamanian elephants are trained to carry with other zoos and wildlife organizations at Golden Frog. rangers into elephant territory to fight home and abroad.”

14 www.aza.org | August 2016 August 2016 | www.aza.org 15 Partnership Albuquerque Biological Park Zoo Partnership Benefits Rehabilitated Eagles Helps Zuni Pueblo Maintain Cultural Traditions The Albuquerque Biological Park (ABQ the Zuni provides this BioPark) in Albuquerque, N.M., is part of long-term care.” an ongoing partnership that helps the Zuni The aviary serves as a Pueblo continue important religious and direct source for , cultural practices, while giving rehabilitated which are used for cultural eagles a second chance. and religious purposes. Non- The Pueblo maintains a U.S. Fish and releasable eagles come from Wildlife Service-Migratory Birds Permit wildlife rehabilitators across Office (USFWS-MBPO) permitted eagle the United States, and the aviary, the first facility permitted by the aviary offers a second chance USFSW-MBPO to keep live eagles for Indian home for eagles that have religious purposes. sustained various injuries, Birds must be examined by a certified such as wing fractures and avian veterinarian once a year as part of eye injuries, that would make the permitting requirements, and the ABQ survival in the wild impossible. BioPark has contributed medical expertise The Pueblo currently has 14 to the Pueblo since 2000. In the process, the golden eagles and 10 bald ABQ BioPark has developed a mutual trust eagles. Caretakers know each and working relationship that respects the bird by name and personality. privacy of the Pueblo. ABQ BioPark vet staff

“The eagles are beautiful, majestic administered annual vet exams Zoo Biological Park Albuquerque © birds and I am honored to be a part of this at the Pueblo on 5 April. program that provides excellent long-term During the visit, vets examined each bird BioPark will soon transfer two bald eagles to care for birds that otherwise would not be to identify any problems, determine overall the Zuni aviary in order to allow construction able to survive on their own,” said Carol condition, administer de-wormer and for the facility’s new penguin exhibit. Bradford, ABQ BioPark staff veterinarian. vaccinate for West Nile virus. The ABQ BioPark also offers veterinary “Golden and bald eagles can live 25 to 30 This year’s examinations found the eagles care and assistance to the Pueblo’s aviary years or more, and we are certainly glad that to be in good general health. The ABQ staff throughout the year, as needed.

By the Numbers ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS (AZA) MEMBERS PROTECTED AND STUDIED

ANIMAL PROGRAM IN 2014 AND 2015SPECIES members spent more than The Black-Footed Cat, Cheetah, African Elephant, Orangutan and Guam Kingfisher received the most on research endorsed or led by SSP program-related research funding. Animal Programs and targeting SSP-managed species and subspecies. The most common Animal Program research topics were health and disease, reproduction and genetics.

16 www.aza.org | August 2016 © Albuquerque Biological Park Zoo Biological Park Albuquerque © © The WAVE Foundation WAVE © The

Education The Shark Cart

The WAVE Foundation’s education outreach The goal of this program is to better encourages students to think systematically. program, WAVE on Wheels, focuses on educate people in northern Kentucky about The Foundation’s partnership with SD1 creating deeper student engagement with how they can make a difference in marine is impactful as it takes the Shark Cart to marine conservation through inquiry-based ecosystems. The Foundation works directly SD1’s facility to inspire a connection with learning, problem-based learning scenarios with the Newport Aquarium in Newport, the live sharks. Success is realized through and forming collaborative relationships with Ky., to provide unprecedented experiences a demonstration during which students see local organizations. The Foundation believes for community members. But inspiring how pollutants flow from streets and yards that education without tangible conservation community members with wildlife that lives into small creeks, then to larger rivers, action is an injustice to wild species and to thousands of miles away often does not lend like the Ohio River, and ultimately to the its mission. The challenge is to make marine itself to changing people’s behavior. However, ocean. This is where the Shark Cart enters conservation a relevant topic in Northern by forming a new partnership with the local the equation. The Shark Cart is placed at Kentucky. With a large donation from the Sanitation District (SD1) and building on a the end of a water flow demonstration to Elsa Sule Foundation, a local community collective interest to conserve watersheds, the show students there is a direct connection foundation focused on enhancing education, learning gap between backyard watersheds between local behavior and the wildlife the Foundation was able to purchase an and oceans is being bridged. living in oceans. By adding the Shark Cart The most common Animal Program research topics outreach vehicle and a traveling aquarium— A blended education model aligns with to the experience, the students learn how were health and disease, reproduction and genetics. the Shark Cart—to connect the local state educational standards and expands their behavior impacts first freshwater community to distant marine ecosystems. the scope of learning beyond backyards and systems and then marine systems.

16 www.aza.org | August 2016 August 2016 | www.aza.org 17 conservation work to better understand and save chimpanzees. “This collaboration brings much-needed attention to this imperiled species,” said Dr. Steve Ross, director of the Lester E. Fisher Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes. “Our work both at Lincoln Park Zoo and in the field with the Goualougo Triangle Ape Project helps us understand more about our closest living relatives and how we can help conserve them.” For more than a decade, Lincoln Park Zoo scientists have worked to study chimpanzees in their native habitat in Africa as well as those living in zoos and sanctuaries in the United States. Chimpanzees are highly intelligent and adaptable, and those living at the Regenstein Center for African Apes have access to touchscreen computer systems, allowing scientists to study their cognition and emotions. “Lincoln Park Zoo is thrilled to again partner with DryHop in such a unique and delicious way,” said Debra Rosenberg, director of corporate alliances at Lincoln Park Zoo. “Having DryHop commit funds Partnership and support to the animals both in our care and the wild is encouraging and humbling, and to be able to share that with the beer- Lincoln Park Zoo and lovers of Chicago is exceptional.” DryHop Brewers Partner on “Chimp Off The Old Block” New Beer to Support the Lester E. Fisher Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, Ill., and Lincoln Park Zoo’s annual signature DryHop Brewers are partnering on the fundraiser. The beer was then release of a new beer to raise money for released at DryHop. For each pint the Lester E. Fisher Center for the Study of Chimp Off The Old Block sold, and Conservation of Apes. This is the third DryHop will donate a dollar to the consecutive year that the Zoo and DryHop Lester E. Fisher Center for the Study are collaborating on a beer; in 2015, a and Conservation of Apes. Cantaloupe & Clementine Wit was brewed to This year, Lincoln Park Zoo and support the Crowned Lemur Wish List Fund. DryHop Brewers’ collaboration On 14 May, “Chimp Off The Old Block,” beer is inspired by ingredients was exclusively released at Zoo-ologie: from the chimpanzee’s diet and Urban Zoo-Fari, the Auxiliary Board of will support vital research and

18 www.aza.org | August 2016 Breeding Program Breeding Program for Rare Hawaiian Bird Closes Captive-reared puaiohi flew into the of Kaua‘i on 31 March 2016, marking the end of a successful breeding program for the species and beginning the next step in its recovery. Conservation biologists from the Kaua‘i Forest Bird Recovery Project (KFBRP), State of Hawai’i’s Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DLNR-DOFAW), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office (USFWS-PIFWO)

and San Diego Zoo Global’s Hawaiian © Jim Denny Endangered Program (HEBCP) worked together to bring the breeding populations for two other critically Global. As a leader in conservation, the work group of birds to the forest for release. endangered Kaua‘i species, the ‘akikiki and of San Diego Zoo Global includes onsite “This is a bittersweet moment for those ‘akeke’e, while continuing to manage habitat wildlife conservation efforts (representing of us who have been working with these and other threats for these three endangered both and animals) at the San Diego birds on a daily basis,” said Bryce Masuda, birds, so that we can eventually release them Zoo, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and conservation program manager, San Diego back into the wild,” said John Vetter, wildlife San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Zoo Global’s Hawai‘i Endangered Bird biologist for DLNR-DOFAW. Research, as well as international field Conservation Program. “We will miss seeing A total of 18 birds were released on 31 programs on six continents. The work of them every day but are delighted to be part March 2016, joining an existing population these entities is inspiring children through of the collaborative effort to ensure this of puaiohi in the area. The KFBRP will the San Diego Zoo Kids network, reaching species survives into the future.” monitor the birds and continue to control out through the Internet and in children’s In the late 1990s it was believed introduced mammalian predators such hospitals nationwide. The work of San Diego that there were fewer than 300 of this little as rats, which are a significant threat to Zoo Global is made possible by the San Hawaiian bird left on the island of Kaua‘i. puaiohi and other Hawaiian forest birds. The Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy and Eggs from the species were brought to bird continual removal of invasive species and is supported in part by the Foundation of centers so that a population protection of the forest by many agencies San Diego Zoo Global. could be established. Since 1999, 240 captive and organizations also give hope to the long- Kaua’i Forest Bird Recovery Project raised puaiohi have been released into the term recovery of puaiohi and other endemic (KFBRP) is a collaboration between the wild. With approximately 500 birds in the forest birds on Kauai. Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit of the wild population today, the decision was “The puaiohi is an example of how the University of Hawai’i and the State of made to close the captive breeding program strong partnerships in Hawaii’s conservation Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural to focus on other species in . For community and lots of hard work can Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife. puaiohi, the focus will be on addressing change the outlook for a species,” said Megan KFBRP’s mission is to promote knowledge remaining threats in the wild, including Laut, vertebrate recovery coordinator, U.S. and conservation of Kaua’i’s native forest introduced predators and habitat loss from Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Islands birds, with a particular focus on the three degradation and invasive weeds. Fish and Wildlife Office. endangered species: puaiohi, ‘akikiki and “Following the model used for the Bringing species back from the brink ‘akeke‘e. For more information, please see puaiohi, we are now working to build of extinction is the goal of San Diego Zoo www.kauaiforestbirds.org.

18 www.aza.org | August 2016 August 2016 | www.aza.org 19 Green Tales San Diego Zoo Global Water Conservation By Adam Ringler

The San Diego Zoo in San Diego, Calif., at each park, with weekly meetings to water with graphics installed around the and San Diego Zoo Safari Park near determine new best practices for water facilities. Low-flow aerators were installed Escondido, Calif., have been through a conservation and this became one of the at sinks and waterless urinals, and daily year of changing drought scenarios. Both main strategies of the organization’s new grounds maintenance was altered to reduce parks responded quickly to save water when strategic plan. The Zoo and Safari Park hosing. The 2015 mandated water reductions the California Governor implemented sent surveys to all employees to get water were 16 percent compared to a base year of mandatory reductions. San Diego normally saving ideas that could be implemented 2013. SDZG bested those numbers when gets approximately 10 inches of rain each immediately. An email address was created conservation was most critical. year; therefore most water is imported from to easily report leaks. San Diego County has a new $1 billion the California State Water Project and the We instituted daily water meter readings desalination which just opened on the Colorado River. During years of normal and sought to determine the different coast in Carlsbad, Calif., and contributes rainfall, local San Diego supplies provide quantities and uses of water. Irrigation an additional 8-9 percent of the county’s about 16 percent of the total water supply, makes up a huge part of our needs so we water needs. The plant provides a drought- but those sources dry up in drought years. obtained a variance to water more than the resistant supply of water and because of it, With several years of below normal allotted two days per week. San Diego Zoo restrictions are easing slightly in 2016. rainfall and snowfall the state was left Global was recognized as a major attraction Although water use is reduced, the in dire circumstances. Snowpack in the that needed to remain well irrigated for the costs for water are rising as the same Sierra Mountains on 1 April 2015 showed sake of the plant and animal collection and infrastructure is required to transport, store bare ground. As a result, the Governor of to provide guests with a great experience. and deliver the water locally. San Diego Zoo California implemented mandatory water Some locations received artificial turf, Global is up to the challenge, and we will consumption reductions. The lush grounds and the grassy area outside the Safari continue to keep our water conservation of the San Diego Zoo and the many pools Park was allowed to go brown as a symbol of methods in place as the new normal. make the Zoo one of the larger water users our efforts to conserve water. The Park and in San Diego. Zoo also worked closely with the San Diego Adam Ringler is the director of San Diego Zoo Global (SDZG) formed County Water Authority to provide visitors performance improvement at San Diego two Water Task Force Committees, one with helpful reminders on how to conserve Zoo Global.

20 www.aza.org | August 2016 Research that participated in feeding programs. Baird, BA, Kuhar, CW, Lukas, KE, Giraffe Feeding Programs Nonetheless, stereotypic behavior was Amendolagine, LA, Fuller, GA, Nemet, and Giraffe Behavior significantly reduced as time spent feeding J, Willis, MA and Schook, MW. 2016. increased, suggesting that management Program animal welfare: Using strategies that increase time spent feeding, behavioral and physiological measures like guest feeding programs, could reduce to assess the well-being of animals used stereotypic behavior. Pre- and post-guest for education programs in zoos. Applied feeding program comparisons of giraffe Animal Behaviour Science 176:150-162. behavior are needed to fully understand Correspondence to Bonnie Baird: their impact on giraffe welfare. [email protected].

Orban, DA, Siegford, JM, and Snider, RJ Citizen Science Programs 2016. Effects of guest feeding programs Lead to Conservation Action on captive giraffe behavior. Zoo Biology 35:157-166. Correspondence to David Increases in knowledge may be insufficient to Orban: [email protected]. lead to changes in responsible environmental behavior. Taking action may require Program Animals: Impact greater cognitive and affective learning, attachment to a system and ability of the of Handling on Animal individual to commit to devising solutions. Welfare Measures Citizen science projects have the potential While the impact of program animals on to create these kinds of experience and education has been assessed, there are limited thus lead to conservation action. Using the studies looking at the impact of handling Coastal Observation and Survey on animal welfare. This study assessed both Team as a case study, this paper found behavioral and physiological measures of that citizen science programs can improve welfare in program animals and looked at both conservation literacy and action. the impact of handling times on welfare This program allows participants to assist indicators. They assessed the impact of in collection of bird mortality data along handling on and found that beaches on the west coast of the United States Giraffe feeding programs have become program animals did not have significantly and the study assessed their knowledge, skills increasingly common in zoos and currently higher levels of fecal glucocorticoid and beliefs pre- and post-involvement in the an estimated 63 percent of Association of metabolite (FGM), a measure of stress. program, as well as looking at participants Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)-accredited However, the type and depth of substrate who had been in the program for more than zoos with giraffes have some sort of provided and enclosure size did have a a year. The program increased people’s sense program. This study assessed the impact of significant impact on FGM concentrations. of place, improved their understanding guest feeding of giraffes on giraffe welfare Education armadillos had slightly lower levels of bird ecology and related ecosystem with particular attention to its impact on of rest than exhibit or off-exhibit animals. In processes, gave them a greater sense of behavioral stereotypies at nine zoos. The a second experiment at 11 AZA-accredited practical actions that they can take to reduce amount of time spent in the guest feeding facilities, researchers assessed the behavior environmental degradation and encouraged program was related to an increase in and hormone levels in armadillos, hedgehogs them to take action, particularly in the form idleness and a decrease in rumination and red-tailed hawks during periods when of participation in additional citizen science among the 30 giraffes observed, 9 of which they were and were not handled. FGM was programs and communicating program were not exposed to guest feeding. Increase positively correlated with the duration of results to fellow community members and in idleness seemed to be influenced by handling for all species. However, phases civic leaders. Citizen science experiences all-day feeding programs that had open but of no handling did not have significantly create a meaningful sense of place, which may not active feeding programs where giraffes different FGM levels or different behaviors increase people’s willingness to act to protect waited near platforms. Similarly, a decrease than phases with handling, though some it through advancing conservation literacy. in rumination was most pronounced in all- individuals did show an effect. Findings day feeding programs and may result from suggest that management type (education, Haywood, BK, Parrish, JK, and Dolliver, J. elevated stress that could reduce rumination exhibit or off-exhibit) did not have a 2016. Place-based and data-rich citizen during the day. Time in the guest feeding significant impact on these measures of science as a precursor for conservation program did not have a significant animal welfare but that handling duration action. 30:476-486. impact on stereotypic behavior, though can, and thus limits to amount of time Correspondence to Benjamin Haywood: stereotypic behavior was lower for giraffes handled should be considered. [email protected].

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24 www.aza.org | August 2016 24 www.aza.org | August 2016 August 2016 | www.aza.org 25 Seeking animal advocates who possess an The husbandry pros who fulfill those receiving the 2005 Edward H. Bean Award requirements tackle challenges to for long-term propagation and captive investigative nature, population sustainability on a daily basis, husbandry of the leaf-tailed geckos was ingenuity, persistence and making significant contributions to the neither short nor direct. future of endangered species. “In the early years, we tweaked patience. Experience solving “It starts with researching and enclosures, lighting, heat and humidity,” puzzles preferred. understanding what happens in the he said. “Leaf-tailed geckos are susceptible real world and trying to recreate that,” to bacterial infections and females have said Colleen Lynch, curator of birds at reproductive challenges. If we’re not getting Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, eggs, I might change the temperature, S.C., and consulting population separate the males from the females or biologist for the Association of Zoos change up the groupings. It’s a lot of trial and Aquariums’ (AZA) Population and error…and there’s always room for Management Center at the Lincoln Park improvement. As soon as you think you Zoo in Chicago, Ill. “We’re always striving have everything perfect, something else to make things better and that is an will happen.” ever-evolving process that starts with our The strategies that curators use to knowledge of the animals and ends with encourage breeding are as varied as the our creativity.” animals for which they provide care; Reviewing past data and collecting despite all obstacles, an overall sense of new information is the basis for what optimism prevails. can be a long process of addressing health and breeding challenges. For In the Air example, Sean Foley, a herpetologist at “One of the main challenges with birds is the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden and the that they are so diverse,” said Diane Olsen Species Survival Plan® (SSP) coordinator the assistant curator at for five leaf-tailed gecko species, has and Aquarium in Galveston, spent years determining best practices Texas, and Taxon Advisory for maximizing the animals’ juvenile Group (TAG) chair and Avian Scientific survivorship by pooling information from Advisory Group (SAG) chair. “What works researchers in Madagascar and other SSP for one doesn’t work for another, and coordinators with a helpful website (www. there is still a lot of guesswork.” For some trherp.com). He knows that the path to species, simply managing demographics

26 www.aza.org | August 2016 has led to breeding successes. in 20 to 30 years, “Originally, we managed and bred we had to focus the blue-gray tanager and the red-capped on breeding.” cardinal in pairs,” said Tim Snyder, Myers reports curator of birds at the Chicago Zoological that SeaWorld Society – Brookfield Zoo in Brookfield, Orlando in Ill., and Passeriformes, Coliiformes, Orlando, Fla., was Capimulgiformes, and Trogoniformes one of the first TAG chair. “It can sometimes take a institutions to make while to find a suitable breeding pair, and frogmouth breeding we might miss as many as two breeding a priority and has seasons waiting. We now have multiple since become a helpful resource for institutions holding single sex flocks from other institutions that joined that effort. which we can easily find a match.” “We’ve really turned the corner, and we The blue-gray tanager population has now have a good base of young animals increased by more than 50 percent, and that can breed.” even though the red-capped cardinal has With other birds, adjusting the struggles with survivorship, Snyder expects physical environment holds the key. “The that once that issue is addressed, the sub-Antarctic penguins live where the light cardinal will follow the tanager model. [goes from] bright light for 18 hours a day In 2003, the tawny frogmouth and no real dark to barely any light for a population was aging and heavily skewed few hours a day, and that change tells their toward males, according to Mark Myers, bodies when to breed and when to molt,” the curator of birds at Woodland Park Zoo said Olsen. “By re-creating these extremes, in Seattle, Wash., and Tawny Frogmouth we are providing the most natural light SSP coordinator. He began to import birds cycle we can. We also added new UV from Europe and and sent them lighting because research tells us that they to institutions that had proven success in use UV reflectance off of their feathers as breeding them. a sign of health and fitness. We are already “Frogmouths have always been popular seeing courtship behavior we wouldn’t as ambassador animals, and there was a big normally see at this time of year, and we demand for them within that community. are really looking forward to seeing what But if we wanted the population to be here happens during breeding season.”

26 www.aza.org | August 2016 August 2016 | www.aza.org 27 On the Ground having success, but space restrictions are For the white rhinoceros, being paired off an ongoing problem.” is not the path to breeding and animals are Sometimes sustainability requires a shift more successful when managed in herds, in perspective among , as it did according to Adam Eyres the hoofstock with efforts related to the southern tamandua. curator at Rim Wildlife Center in “They are such stellar ambassadors, Glen Rose, Texas, and White Rhino SSP they are often taken out to classrooms,” coordinator. “When we started bringing said Harrison Edell the senior director white rhinos over in the 1960s and 1970s, of living collections at the Dallas Zoo we brought them in pairs and lost a in Dallas, Texas, and the Ciconiiformes number of generations because they didn’t and TAG chair and breed. San Diego was one of the first zoos Southern Tamandua SSP coordinator. to put them out in a herd with one boy and When two thirds of the population were many girls, and they did breed. The eight comprised of solo animals for educational zoos that are managing in larger groups are outreach, with only one third having the

28 www.aza.org | August 2016 The team at Central Florida Zoo's Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation in Sanford, Fla., is experimenting with new housing as a way to encourage breeding of the eastern indigo snake ... "The indigo snake is unusual because it is always moving and foraging and it needs a lot of room ..."

opportunity to breed, Edell encouraged in Sanford, Fla., is experimenting with new a female. It’s too soon to tell how successful colleagues to change their approach. housing as a way to encourage breeding this will be, but we’ll be watching.” “If outreach managers wanted access of the eastern indigo snake, according to to ambassador animals, we made it clear Michelle Hoffman, snake specialist and Under the Sea that we would give priority to zoos that Eastern Indigo Snake SSP coordinator. Understanding the breeding habits of fish would make room for two and breed “The indigo snake is unusual because it is definitely a work in progress, according them. It was a huge paradigm shift to is always moving and foraging and it needs to Beth Firchau, director of husbandry at get [outreach staff] to think differently a lot of room. A lot of zoos and breeders the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas in about the animals in their programs.” keep them in rack systems, which is not ideal New Orleans, La., and Marine Fishes TAG Since approximately a dozen zoos have because of the artificial light and air. We’ve chair and vice chair of AZA’s Aquarium implemented this plan, population analyses created 28 outdoor enclosures that are 6 ft. x Affairs Committee. “There are thousands have demonstrated a significant increase in 9 ft., each of which houses one snake. When of species of fishes…and it’s just recently the SSP’s population sustainability. breeding season starts, we will introduce a that we can track fish long-term through The team at Central Florida Zoo’s mate selection process with the males, and their life cycle. We’re still cracking the nut Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation depending on the results, we will introduce on what fishes need in order to reproduce.”

28 www.aza.org | August 2016 August 2016 | www.aza.org 29 "We have learned that sand tiger sharks are migratory, so we have started to track the movement of certain groups and found that they can tolerate temperature swings. When the water starts to warm up, they're inclined to seek others' company." Factors affecting the managed breeding of the sawfish include the small number of species within AZA-accredited facilities, the fact that many of the animals are not paired and many are too young to breed. The one reproductive success in this species took place at the Atlantis Paradise Island Aquarium in the Bahamas. “They’re in natural sea water and exposed to natural sunlight there,” said Stacia White, senior aquarist at Ripley’s Aquarium in Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Sawfish SSP coordinator. That location makes it easier, but it’s logistically impossible in other places.” Initial efforts to promote breeding include shifting animals among facilities to create more male/female pairs and adjusting the water temperature. The Dallas World Aquarium in Dallas, Texas, houses its sawfish in an aquarium within a larger greenhouse/aviary exhibit, said director of husbandry Paula Carlson, who also serves as Marine Fishes TAG vice chair and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Sawfish Specialist Group member. “They receive natural lighting through the greenhouse canopy, and the temperature of the exhibit fluctuates seasonally. I believe both of these factors are important to promote breeding, and we’ve seen some very encouraging behavior with our sawfish trio.” movement of certain groups and found Temperature adjustments may also be that they can tolerate temperature swings. the answer for the sand tiger shark. “To When the water starts to warm up, they’re my knowledge, no AZA institution has inclined to seek others’ company.” had successful breeding of the sand tiger By fluctuating the temperature shark,” said Chris Schreiber, director of anywhere from 2 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, operations, fish and invertebrates at the Schreiber and colleagues at other Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, Ga., and facilities have seen the sharks’ successful Sand Tiger Shark SSP coordinator. We act of copulation, but they don’t know have learned that sand tiger sharks are if fertilization has taken place. And in migratory…so we have started to track the addition to tracking natural insemination,

30 www.aza.org | August 2016 Schreiber’s team is also experimenting with management programs for the animals artificial insemination with the sharks. As in their care is inextricably linked to their experimentation continues, Schreiber sustainability efforts. “If we don’t learn said, “Facilitating communication among how to effectively breed and manage all stakeholders shortens our learning animals, we won’t have a future and they curve. If everyone maintains an open might not have a future,” said Lynch. mind and open lines of communication, “We can’t meet any other goals without everyone stands to benefit. Success will be a excellent husbandry.” little sand tiger.” The husbandry professionals’ Mary Ellen Collins is a writer based commitment to creating optimal in St Petersburg, Fla.

30 www.aza.org | August 2016 August 2016 | www.aza.org 31 32 www.aza.org | August 2016 © Lauren Augustine THE SPECIES SURVIVAL PLAN® (SSP) SUSTAINABILITY DATABASE BY LAUREN WILSON, DR. CANDICE DORSEY AND DR. DEBBORAH LUKE

32 www.aza.org | August 2016 August 2016 | www.aza.org 33 AZA Taxon Advisory Groups (TAGs) create comprehensive documents called Regional Collection Plans (RCPs) that are intended to act as a guide for collection planners by identifying and recommending taxa for cooperative management among AZA-accredited facilities (i.e., SSPs). However, incorporating these recommendations into an ICP is not always as simple as one would hope. “Some RCP documents are more developed and detailed than others,” said Joe Barkowski, vice president of animal conservation and science at Tulsa Zoo in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Wildlife Conservation Management Committee (WCMC) vice chair of SSPs and studbooks. “Historically, it was up to institutional collection managers to sort through 46 different plans if and when they were available. Before documents were routinely posted online, you could also access printed studbooks and SSP Masterplans ith funding from the Institute of or you might review the International Species Information System (ISIS) Abstracts Museum and Library Services publications. Overall, the tools that existed were (IMLS), the Association of Zoos and ones you had to work to use. In short, while accessibility to documents has increased greatly, Aquariums (AZA) recently launched there has been no easy way to review 46 RCPs or more than 500 Studbook or Breeding and the Species Survival Plan® (SSP) Transfer Plan publications to evaluate how TAG Sustainability Database. This new tool recommendations can be incorporated into an institutional collection plan.” compiles relevant quantitative and qualitative SSP Meanwhile, the AZA Hawk-headed SSP Coordinator, Kathy Russell of the Santa information into one location and connects the collection Fe College Teaching Zoo in Gainesville, Fla., planning process to SSP management. would love for collection planners to consider this species. The population of fewer than 40 The SSP Sustainability Database auto-generates birds cannot increase as a direct result of space SSP Sustainability Reports, which contain being limited in facilities. “We need more zoos two main sections: Exhibit Design and and aquariums to provide space for these birds Management, which summarizes husbandry so that the collective increase in space will practices and typical exhibit features; and the support the level of breeding needed to grow SSP Sustainability Profile, which describes the population,” said Russell. “At this point, zoos the current status of the SSP population and and aquariums are reluctant to breed the birds identifies management priorities and challenges. in their care because there are few spaces to These reports are accessed through a search place offspring.” portal by permitted users who occupy many Enter the SSP Sustainability Report Search different niches, and for a variety of goals. Portal. With 24 fields, this search engine scans the Sustainability Database for SSP species that Collection Planning meet the exhibit criteria entered by the user At least every five years, collection planning and returns the SSP Sustainability Reports for teams at AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums appropriate species. In this case, as Russell and at certified-related facilities develop points out, “this species is a fun, playful species Institutional Collection Plans (ICPs), evaluating which is very engaging to visitors in an exhibit the need for the species to be cared for and with tamarins or marmosets.” At the same identifying the facility’s plan to manage specific time, a curator at an AZA-accredited zoo may population sizes for those species. The 46 be looking for an economical and dynamic

34 www.aza.org | August 2016 Hawk-headed parrot The SSP Sustainability Report Search Portal offers opportunities for people like AZA Hawk-headed Parrot SSP Coordinator, Kathy Russell of the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo in Gainesville, Fla., to share information so that collection planners can consider this species.

mixed-species opportunity for his New World monkey exhibit. This curator can now use the Search Portal to select these features in the two appropriate search fields (Species Opportunities in Multi-Species Exhibits and Species Appeal). One of the species that meets these criteria is the hawk-headed parrot, and therefore this SSP’s report will be returned. The curator can easily learn that the hawk-headed parrot is able to cohabitate with a variety of species, including New World monkeys, and is a relatively inexpensive addition. The SSP Sustainability Database and user-friendly Search Portal provides a unique “match-making” opportunity that facilitates the work of collection planners while also conveying the critical needs of this at-risk population. Whether it’s a Florida facility looking for a heat-tolerant residing outdoors, a curator searching for species to add to a rainforest exhibit with fruit bats, or a conservation-minded director interested

34 www.aza.org | August 2016 August 2016 | www.aza.org 35 cooperation could cover a wide range of topics, but for Lauren Augustine with the Smithsonian National Zoological Park in Washington, DC, and the AZA Flowerback Box Turtle SSP the issue is optimal husbandry for successful reproduction. Breeding success has been somewhat unpredictable, and management practices have been variable among institutions. “Many facilities are getting eggs, but fertility and development is low,” said Augustine. This are low for could be a result of a number of environmental the flowerback box turtle, so Lauren Augustine sends factors such as lower temperatures over winter or duration of reptile’s hibernation-like winter out annual husbandry surveys to collect information on state, diet and substrate. What could address this problem? husbandry practices and their results each season. This Information. Augustine sends out annual way, she can connect the dots between the protocols and husbandry surveys to collect information on husbandry practices and their results each offspring outcomes. season. This way, she can connect the dots in developing a climate change exhibit, the between the protocols and offspring outcomes. Search Portal can facilitate all of these searches However, in order to accomplish this, she needs and more, always with a focus on SSP species. communication from as many facilities as possible. This has enormous potential for population “The biggest influence is an institutional sustainability, as collection planners empower culture of science and data records. If every themselves to better support SSP populations. keeper kept a pencil in their pocket and recorded daily husbandry practices, we would Communication and Cooperation have a huge data set that could elucidate the For other programs, the challenge may be factors affecting reproduction.” And she’s related to cooperation between the Program not only thinking short-term: “Additionally, Leader and the institutions that participate collecting long-term data on the current in the SSP. This population will help the husbandry and breeding practices evolve and aid in creating a more effective Breeding and Transfer Plan.” This is an important message for Institutional Representatives (IRs), who serve as the contact between the zoo or aquarium caring for that species and the SSP Coordinator managing the population. If an IR is not familiar with the priorities of the SSP population or unsure whether the SSP has made institutional requests, they now have a resource to obtain this information: SSP Sustainability Reports. The SSP Sustainability Profile in each report includes a “Challenges to SSP Population Sustainability” table, which breaks down the

36 www.aza.org | August 2016 © Lauren Augustine Flowerback box turtle Collecting long-term data on the current population will help the husbandry and breeding practices evolve and aid in creating a more effective Breeding and Transfer Plan. © Augustine Lauren

goals, actions and needs of the SSP. Here, IRs may find phrases such as “institutions can support the SSP by…” or “institutions are encouraged to....” In the case of the Flowerback Box Turtle SSP, the message is clear: Population management relies on communication and cooperation between the Program Leaders (SSP Coordinators, Studbook Keepers, and TAG Chairs) and all of the institutions which participate in the program. Institutional staff, particularly the Institutional Representative, play a crucial role in population sustainability, and now information will be at their fingertips, making an even stronger team to tackle population sustainability. 36 www.aza.org | August 2016 August 2016 | www.aza.org 37 Sand cat A healthy population needs demographic stability and genetic diversity.

Research Targets The importance of Animal Program management recommendations, whether from the TAG RCP or the SSP Breeding and Transfer Plan, is clear. A healthy population requires demographic stability, and sufficient genetic diversity, which are preserved through careful breeding recommendations. Managed breeding is critical, and the AZA Reproductive Management Center (RMC) at in St. Louis, Mo., conducts applied research to help the AZA community do just that. For genetic purposes, often due to an over- represented lineage or limited opportunities for offspring placement, it may be just as important for certain individuals not to reproduce as it is for other pairs to successfully breed. Historically the focus of the RMC (previously known as the Wildlife Contraceptive Center) has been developing reversible contraceptive options for various species, primarily mammals. Reversibility is key, as some contracepted individuals may be recommended to breed in the future. “It was very problem-focused,” said Dr. Cheryl Asa, the former director of the RMC. “Communication with Animal Program managers, veterinarians, curators and others has been critical from the beginning. We addressed problems that arose by finding solutions or alternatives.” The greatest need for contraception has historically been in mammals. However, the expanded focus of the RMC includes an array of reproductive research and technology, including endocrine monitoring or other evaluations to solve reproductive challenges in individuals across taxa. “This new direction is charting new territory in terms of taxonomic breadth. We’ve recognized the value in a mixed-disciplinary advisory board, with veterinarians, curators, endocrinologists and others,” said Asa. “Now we’re identifying is charting new territory in terms of taxonomic breadth. We’ve recognized the value in a mixed-disciplinary advisory board, with veterinarians, curators, endocrinologists and others,” said Asa. “Now we’re identifying specialists in other taxa to specialists in other taxa to bring on board to bring on board to tackle many more reproductive tackle many more reproductive challenges facing our animal populations.” challenges facing our animal populations. Now that the RMC has grown, communicating with so many different animal Working Together take advantage of this fantastic resource. To managers to determine the challenges they are Collection planners have gained a new tool to encourage and facilitate this shift, AZA has facing would be an enormous task. However, facilitate their searches while simultaneously developed several online resources, including the Sustainability Database collects this type directing spaces and resources to SSP a webinar series now available on the Online of information and makes it easily accessible populations. Institutions have a direct line to Training Modules for Animal Programs page. through a “Research Opportunities” search SSP priorities, and Program Leaders have a Go to www.aza.org/ssp-population-sustainability field. For example, searching “reproductive new venue for communicating needs to all of to learn more. biology” in the SSP Sustainability Report Search the Institutional Representatives in their SSP Portal returns more than 80 SSP Sustainability program. Research groups now have access Lauren Wilson is the former sustainability Reports for programs that identify a need to a wealth of information on research needs database project manager at AZA and is a for reproductive biology research. This could and opportunities that will benefit Animal PhD student at Rutgers University, School of be narrowed by using the Taxon field, or the Programs. Together, the AZA community can Criminal Justice. search could be more specific (for example, have a collective impact on SSP sustainability Dr. Candice Dorsey is the AZA vice “endocrinology” or “contraceptive”). by integrating SSP Sustainability Reports in president of animal programs. Dr. Asa and her team have already begun decision making and learning how to use the Dr. Debborah Luke is the AZA senior vice using this resource to shine light on the various SSP Sustainability Report Search Portal to president of conservation and science. reproductive challenges that exist. “We don’t have to create a dataset from scratch— SSP Coordinators have contributed the information, and AZA has organized it into a searchable database. Now we can use those data to identify which groups of species tend to have more challenges, and what common problems exist among particular groups. It’s a great platform for us to start to identify where to put our attention and resources.” Not just for use by reproductive biologists, the Research Opportunities search field will be useful to anyone in an AZA Scientific Advisory Group (SAG), research center or other research-focused organization. This is one more example of good data in an organized structure equipping the AZA community to more strategically impact SSP sustainability, in this case through directed research efforts that align with population needs.

August 2016 | www.aza.org 39

The AZA REPRODUCTIVE MANAGEMENT CENTER

Taking on a

in AnimalNew Population Role Sustainability with a Little Help from Friends BY DR. MARY AGNEW AND DR. CHERYL ASA To reflect its expanded scope in AZA-managed populations, increase its research capacity and to advance its role in the Association’s sustainability initiative, the AZA funded a second full-time staff member and the WCC was rebranded the AZA Reproductive Management Center (RMC). Currently, the RMC encompasses four main areas of concentration: contraception; infertility and more broadly, identifying causes of reproductive failure; or more than 25 years, the Association Lifetime Reproductive Planning (LRP); and AZA-level coordination and integration. of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Wildlife Contraception The RMC continues to run its longstanding Contraception Center (WCC) has Contraception Program, providing recommendations on product efficacy, safety and reversibility, as well been the in providing as facilitating contraceptive availability to the zoo leader community. As part of the Program, the RMC will recommendations on fertility control in strengthen its existing collaborations with various Species Survival Plans® (SSP) (e.g., Lion, Asian managed animals. Small-clawed Otter, Guereza Colobus) and form new collaborations. Thanks to the increase in staff, the An active research program has always been a vital RMC will have more resources to mine the more than component of the Center’s activities, and projects 31,000 records amassed in its Contraception Database are often prioritized in response to threats to for future projects and for refining recommendations. population sustainability. When the Center started receiving an increasing Infertility number of reports of pyometra, a potentially fatal Many SSP populations’ sizes are successfully managed uterine infection, in canid species, it launched a through a variety of methods, including contraception retrospective analysis of medical and necropsy reports and physical separation. The RMC is working to to identify risk factors. One of the most surprising identify infertility-related issues that arise in some results of the canid study indicated that simply of these populations, especially as they relate to the separating females from males was associated with “use it or lose it” phenomenon. Few studies have an increased risk of developing pyometra and the systematically evaluated the effects of separation precursor condition, endometrial hyperplasia, which on female fertility, so it’s critical to understand itself compromises fertility. how taxonomically widespread the issue is and to This “use it or lose it” phenomenon serves as the what extent it applies to taxa beyond mammals. basis for Lifetime Reproductive Planning (LRP), a Moreover, if these effects are found for some species, novel approach to management in which a female’s research will be conducted to identify the length of reproductive life is mapped out soon after birth. Females are recommended to breed early and often to establish and maintain fertility, which should increase overall reproductive success rates. Another highlight of the Center’s recent activities included organizing an Infertility Workshop at the 2014 AZA Mid-Year Meeting, which brought together outside experts on domestic animal reproduction, animal managers, veterinarians, reproductive physiologists, AZA staff and AZA Population Management Center (PMC) representatives. Among other outcomes, the workshop produced two diagnostic reference tools that can be found on our webpage (www.stlzoo.org/contraception). In 2015, AZA recognized that the WCC had gradually expanded its scope to include additional aspects of reproductive management, such as infertility, pathology/animal health, pair compatibility and alternative reproductive management strategies.

42 www.aza.org | August 2016 African wild dog

42 www.aza.org | August 2016 August 2016 | www.aza.org 43 “While breeding early and often is ideal for maintaining female fertility, the effects on population demography and genetics must be considered before the strategy can be implemented.”

time females can be separated from males before AZA-level Coordination and Integration fertility is impacted and to identify ideal breeding Maximizing the sustainability of SSP populations intervals. The RMC’s partner, the Reproductive requires the coordinated effort of individuals Health Surveillance Program (RHSP), with its historic who are committed to AZA’s mission and who archive of reproductive tissue, will be essential to represent diverse expertise. Fortunately, these people establishing these intervals, along with comprehensive already serve AZA in some capacity through their analyses of historic breeding recommendation involvement in AZA Committees and Scientific outcomes. The RMC has several infertility initiatives Advisory Groups (SAGs). As part of the RMC’s underway, including the investigation of pyometra expansion, AZA requested that the RMC integrate in African painted dogs, coordinating transcervical and work more closely with the relevant SAGs endometrial biopsies to diagnose early-stage uterine and Committees toward addressing population- pathology in carnivores, and communicating with level challenges to sustainability. The first planning the AZA community on the importance of regular breeding. The next step is to extend research to other mammalian taxa and to bird species, e.g., those that are reported to cease -laying after prolonged periods with artificial eggs.

Lifetime Reproductive Planning While breeding early and often is ideal for maintaining female fertility, the effects on population demography and genetics must be considered before the strategy can be implemented. The RMC is working with Conservation Breeding Specialist Group advisors and the PMC to model possible approaches to LRP, with analyses for the Fennec Fox, Mexican Wolf and Asian Small-clawed Otter SSPs underway. The first step of LRP identifies factors that have historically been associated with reproductive success (e.g., age, breeding history), and the second step involves sophisticated modeling to evaluate how breeding early and often will impact population genetics and demography. The results of the first step provide useful baseline information for Program Leaders, and plans are underway for the RMC to make the data collection Fennec fox template available to additional SSPs.

44 www.aza.org | August 2016 Spotted hyenas 44 www.aza.org | August 2016 August 2016 | www.aza.org 45 Asian small-clawed otter

maximizing impact. The group decided that the RMC’s scope would be to focus on the big picture: to address reproductive challenges at the population level, and the Reproduction and Endocrine SAG will be the on-the-ground experts who will address infertility issues with individual animals and pairs of animals. A number of available resources were identified to advance these areas of focus, including the newly launched AZA Sustainability Database, PMCTrack, the documents produced at the Infertility Workshop and AZA Animal Care Manuals. And perhaps most importantly, the group identified the most recognized challenges to SSP population sustainability and the expert groups most suited to address them. For example, the Behavior SAG has the expertise to provide advice on pair incompatibility, whereas the Biomaterials and Banking SAG has the proficiency needed to raise awareness of the value of banking genetic material for future use. The Animal Health Committee and Reproduction and Endocrine SAG can advocate for regular reproductive assessments, while the Nutrition SAG can recommend diet evaluations. In other words, each expert group has an essential role to play, and collaboration among “... each expert group has an the groups will have a synergistic effect that could not be achieved by each group working alone. The RMC will organize regular in-person and to play ...” phone conferences to maintain momentum across role the various AZA SAGs and Committees. With its essential expanded scope in mind, the RMC will continue to respond to new reproductive areas of concern meeting for this initiative, hosted by the RMC whenever they arise. The RMC and its Advisory Board in April, included RMC’s staff and Advisory are identifying new members who have expertise in Board members, AZA’s Vice President of Animal bird, herp and aquatic species to complement the Programs and representatives from the PMC, AZA current Board members who are mostly mammal Committees (Animal Health, Animal Welfare, specialists. Thus, while the RMC has turned a new and Research and Technology, and Wildlife Conservation exciting page, its priorities will continue to evolve to and Management) and SAGs (Avian, Behavior, meet the needs of AZA and complement the activities Biomaterials and Banking, Nutrition, Reproduction of the PMC, relying on the involvement of other and Endocrine, and Small Population Management). committed individuals who embrace AZA’s dedication The goal of the meeting was to develop the scope to species conservation and animal welfare. of the RMC, identify priorities and action items and discuss development of tools that could be used to Dr. Mary Agnew is the director of the AZA sustainably manage AZA SSP Programs. Although Reproductive Management Center. there is some overlap among the membership of Dr. Cheryl Asa is the chair of the RMC SAGs and Committees in attendance, this planning Advisory Board. meeting was noteworthy because it was the first time all of these individuals were sitting at the same References proverbial table, working toward one common goal. Asa CS, Bauman KL, Devery S, Zordan M, Because there are inherent similarities between the Camilo GR, Boutelle S, Moresco A. 2014. Factors purview of the newly revitalized Reproduction and associated with uterine endometrial hyperplasia Endocrine SAG and the RMC, the roles of each were and pyometra in wild canids: Implications for clearly defined to avoid duplication of effort while fertility. Zoo Biology 33:8-19.

46 www.aza.org | August 2016 Mexican gray wolf

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48 www.aza.org | August 2016 Faces & Places

Member News Society Board of Directors. “He “I was particularly attracted of 12 zoological institutions, New President and CEO is a well-regarded animal welfare to Woodland Park Zoo because universities and NGOs. He also of Woodland Park Zoo advocate whose work is known of its commitment to inspire directs numerous partnerships Tapped in March to and respected throughout the patrons—not only to learn about with schools and universities. be President and country. Beyond that, Alejandro endangered species and habitats— Grajal oversaw all of Chief Executive is a wonderful man with natural but to take individual action to Brookfield’s education and Officer of Woodland leadership skills, who has preserve them,” Grajal said. interpretation programs, which Park Zoo in Seattle, Wash., dedicated his life to connecting “Zoos have a duty to educate annually serve 2.1 million Alejandro Grajal assumed his people to nature and the world and inform their communities visitors and more than 200,000 new duties May 16. around them. He’s going to fit about the impact of climate school children. Most recently, Grajal has right in here in Seattle.” change by connecting them with On a global scale, he has been senior vice president In Seattle, Grajal takes over animal species from around been part of conservation for conservation, education management of a 92-acre urban the world,” Grajal said. “Zoos programs with the United and training at the Chicago zoo with an annual budget must be an active part of their States Agency for International , which of more than $36 million. communities and show people Development, the Global manages the Brookfield Zoo in Attendance in 2015 was 1.33 what’s at stake. But we must Environmental Fund, the World Brookfield, Ill. Before coming million, a record. go further than that. We must Bank and the European Union. to Chicago 10 years ago, Grajal The Zoo contains more than motivate them to act on behalf was a top executive at the 1,200 animals representing 300 of our planet.” Oklahoma City Zoo National Audubon Society, species, including 55 endangered Grajal has published more and Botanical Gardens where he founded and ran its and 18 threatened or vulnerable than 45 peer-reviewed articles Appoints Two Latin America and animal species. The Zoo’s and books. Much of his writings New Curators Programs. After earning a PhD botanical collection includes have focused on conserving in from the University of more than 92,000 plants and wildlife and how climate change Florida, Grajal started his career trees representing more than will affect animals throughout at the Wildlife Conservation 1,300 species. the world. In 2013, he was Society as executive director for In addition, Woodland co-author of Climate Change The Oklahoma City Zoo and Latin America programs. Park Zoo conducts or supports Education: A Primer for Zoos Botanical Garden in Oklahoma “Alejandro Grajal brings more than 45 field conservation and Aquariums. City, Okla., announced the an unequaled set of skills and projects at sites in the Pacific As a senior member of the appointments of two new values to Woodland Park Zoo,” Northwest and around the world management team in Chicago, curators. Dr. Rebecca J. Snyder said Laurie Stewart, chair of including Papua New Guinea, Grajal’s duties were focused joins the Zoo as curator of the Woodland Park Zoological Borneo and . globally as well as locally. conservation and science, a new He was in charge of 15 field position that will oversee the START DISCUSSIONS. programs in North America, management of the Zoo’s AZA network Latin America and Africa. He growing and diverse INVITE COLLEAGUES. directed an audience research conservation and research SHARE RESOURCES. program that explores the initiatives. Lance Swearengin has attitudes and understanding been promoted from the Zoo’s of Zoo visitors toward animal horticulture and grounds welfare and conservation. He supervisor to horticulture and GET CONNECTED. oversaw the Global Species grounds curator. He will oversee Your zoo and aquarium online Conservation Toolkit, a suite 160 acres of exhibit and networking community. of biological modeling tools landscape development. to forecast conservation risks Snyder will further and outcomes for critically identify and evaluate the Zoo’s small populations. An example conservation partnership includes the Sarasota Dolphin opportunities, establish a Program, a 40-year research strategy for conservation program based in Florida. spending and messaging, He also developed conduct research on the Zoo’s and managed a number of animal collection and publish partnerships for the Zoo. He findings and expand partnerships leads the Climate Literacy Zoo with other zoos, local universities Education Network, a coalition and nonprofit organizations.

50 www.aza.org | August 2016 “We are delighted that Dr. reviewed publications and to rehabilitate a portion of in zoological horticulture, Snyder has joined the Zoo technical reports citing her Oklahoma’s Cross Timbers including the feeding of team. With the amount of giant panda research and ecosystem that encompasses animals through growing conservation support the Zoo conservation programs. Zoo grounds. This unique animal browse and the work of gives through both monetary Snyder is a professional ecosystem is the meeting place animal habitat landscape. and in-kind work all over the member of the Association of of the eastern forest and the Before coming to the Zoo, world, we needed someone Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). tall grass prairie extending Swearengin worked as a curator who could help oversee this She was a member of a team that from southern Kansas through on the Bellamy Parks Jansen large and significant range of received the AZA International Oklahoma and into northern botanical illustrations collection projects,” said Barry Downer, Conservation Award for giant Texas. The program, made housed in the OSU Special Zoo deputy director. “With a panda conservation in 2012 possible through a grant from Collections Department of the diverse background in animal and is chair of the AZA’s Bear the Association of Zoological Edmon Low Library, and the management and global Taxon Advisory Group (TAG). Horticulture (AZH), will OSU Herbarium, where he research and conservation, In addition to being a wife allow Swearengin to establish worked on the curation and she will help the Zoo expand and mother, Snyder has been a a tree nursery to grow native accessioning of herbarium its influence and effect on the regular lecturer and presenter cross timber oak species and specimens. Swearengin wildlife we all treasure.” at zoos and zoo-related introduce them back into the completed his Master of Science Snyder grew up on a symposiums and conferences Zoo’s champion and historic degree in horticulture at OSU in Iowa where her love for around the United States, oak groves. in May. animals and curiosity about Thailand and China. In 2015, the Zoo and Swearengin is a professional animal behavior originated. Swearengin has been with Swearengin were recognized member and current director-at- She earned a bachelor’s degree the Zoo’s horticulture team since by the Oklahoma City large board member of the AZH in zoology from Iowa State 2010. As the new horticulture Water Utilities Trust with a and a chapter member of the Pi University and a master’s and curator, he will oversee the Resolution of Appreciation Alpha Xi National Horticultural doctorate in experimental health of the Zoo’s lush botanical for efforts installing a water Honor Society. psychology from the Georgia collection, which has been conservation garden at the Institute of Technology (GIT). accredited by the American Zoo in partnership with Becky Dewitz Named Snyder comes to the Oklahoma Alliance of Museums as both a Oklahoma State University New Director of Minot’s City Zoo from in living museum and botanical (OSU). The drought-resistant Roosevelt Park Zoo Atlanta, Ga., where she served garden since 1998. Swearengin garden is one of only three in The Minot Park District has for 24 years in various capacities, will further develop the Zoo’s the area. The 10,000-square- named Becky Dewitz as the from education instructor and animal habitat landscapes, foot garden was an effort to new director of Roosevelt Park curator of giant panda research thoroughly renovate the public educate the public on the Zoo in Minot, N.D. Dewitz and management, to curator of garden areas, introduce new importance of conserving water replaces David Merritt, carnivores, curator of mammals botanical collections, restore by landscaping businesses and who retired as zoo director and, most recently, giant panda plant and ecosystem conservation homes with plants and flowers in March after serving for program coordinator. and educate the public on the resistant to drought. five years. Zoo officials said Snyder’s professional Zoo’s horticulture practices and Swearengin grew up in Dewitz’s experience and experience also includes service conservation programs. Oklahoma and received a understanding of Roosevelt as an associate editor of the “Lance has always bachelor’s degree in public Park Zoo has provided her Journal of Applied Animal been a steward of resource garden management from the insight into the complexity of Welfare Science’s zoo and wildlife conservation, which has OSU College of Agricultural zoo operations. division, adjunct professor of impacted the Zoo in many Sciences and Natural Resources Dewitz has been involved psychology at Georgia State positive ways,” Downer said. in 2013. While pursuing his at Roosevelt Park Zoo since University (GSU), a faculty “Focusing on areas like water- education, Swearengin was 2006, when she was hired as member at Atlanta’s Center for wise gardening, planting selected for the OSU Special the education coordinator. She Behavioral Neuroscience and for pollinators and saving Collections: Horticultural served in that role until 2011. research assistant in psychology the unique Cross Timbers Botanical Illustrations Dewitz has remained actively at GIT. Snyder has also served ecosystem, he is bringing new internship and three involved with the Minot Zoo as a GIT and GSU committee thought processes to how our horticulture internships with Crew, the Zoo’s nonprofit member for six master’s theses plant collections should look The Walt Disney Company support organization. She and four doctoral dissertations and be maintained so they thrive at the Magic Kingdom, served as treasurer from in the areas of psychology, for centuries to come.” EPCOT and Disney’s Animal 2011-2013 and development biology and education. Snyder Currently, Swearengin is Kingdom in Orlando, Fla., director of the Minot Zoo has an extensive list of peer- implementing a tree program where he developed an interest Crew since 2013.

50 www.aza.org | August 2016 August 2016 | www.aza.org 51 Faces & Places

Member News

National Aquarium Announces Marketing Department most recently served as director In his new role as director of markets. Barr joined the National Reorganization of communications. Forr began digital strategy, Barnes will lead Aquarium team in 2008. As a result of a departmental working at the Aquarium in 2012 in developing, launching and As manager of visual restructuring, the National as communications manager. scaling innovative and valuable productions, Coffey will oversee Aquarium in Baltimore, Md., As director of media digital experiences that will a team of photographers and announced the reorganization relations, Rowe will continue ensure consumers learn, interact videographers focused on of their marketing department to support the National and transact with the National capturing and telling the stories and the promotions of Amanda Aquarium’s day-to-day media Aquarium on their terms, time of the organization’s animal care, Forr to vice president of brand relations efforts with a focus and channel of choice. Barnes conservation and community communications, Kate Rowe on increasing awareness of the joined the National Aquarium engagement efforts, both to director of media relations, institution’s education programs, in 2013 as digital marketing inside and outside the National Emma Connor to director of conservation initiatives and manager and was responsible Aquarium. Coffey joined the marketing programs, Bryan partnerships. Rowe joined the for the strategic development, National Aquarium in 2014 as Barnes to director of digital Aquarium in 2011 as media planning and execution of all senior visual productions specialist. strategy, David Coffey to visual relations manager. digital marketing campaigns. After successfully leading productions manager, Scott Barr As director of marketing Barr, previously the National the National Aquarium’s social to sales manager and Nabila programs, Connor will now Aquarium’s assistant supervisor media program as social Chami to social media manager. lead the Aquarium’s marketing of admissions, now serves as media strategist, Chami will In her new role as efforts to drive attendance and sales manager in the National now expand her role and vice president of brand revenue for the organization, as Aquarium’s sales department. work closely with internal communications, Forr is well as enhance the organization’s In his new role, Barr will be and industry stakeholders responsible for leading all phases brand within the community. responsible for planning and to highlight their stories and of external communications Connor has worked at the implementing marketing and sales foster meaningful connections projects for the Aquarium, Aquarium since 2011 when she strategies to lead the Aquarium’s between the Aquarium’s online including planning, development, joined as marketing coordinator. consignment ticket and group community and the natural implementation and creative Since then, she has held several sales efforts. He will be responsible world. Chami joined the brand work. Forr has worked positions, including marketing for acquiring new business and National Aquarium in 2012 after to strengthen the Aquarium’s manager and special events and attending trade shows in both receiving her degree in journalism communications programs and tourism marketing manager. the tour operator and military from American University.

52 www.aza.org | August 2016 AUGUST 2016 Member Updates Rentals Manager, Museum 16: Orangutan SSP Husbandry Course of Life and Science Henry Vilas Zoo, Madison, Wisc. www.orangutanssp.org/ The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is pleased Laurie Sowd, Sr VP 2016-workshop.html to warmly welcome new professional affiliate, professional Operations, California fellow, conservation partners, accredited institutions, Science Center 17-19: Orangutan SSP Husbandry Workshop certified related facilities and commercial members. Jacqueline Smith Wong, Henry Vilas Zoo, Madison, Wisc. Educator, South Carolina www.orangutanssp.org/ New Professional Janet Hoshour, Senior Aquarium 2016-workshop.html Affiliate Members Director of Member and Anna Young, Director SEPTEMBER 2016 Elizabeth Berkeley, Guest Experience, Museum of the Zoo and Conservation Otterbein University of Life and Science Science Program, 7-11: AZA Annual Conference Nicole Blevins, Aquarist, Travis Hughes, Director Otterbein University San Diego Zoo Global and SeaWorld San Diego, San Diego, Calif. Ripley’s Aquarium of the of Safari Experiences, San www.aza.org/annualconference/ Smokies Diego Zoo Safari Park New Professional 21-25: 2016 Regional Conference of Nicolle Burnham, General Dara Kelly, , Fellow Members the Association of Zoo and Aquarium Manager, Happy Hollow Zoo Chicago Zoological Society - Andrew Carter Batten, Docents and Volunteers Sydney Carlile, Relief Brookfield Zoo Director of Safety and Risk El Paso Zoo, El Paso, Texas Keeper & Indian Flying Fox Matthew Klepeisz, Public Management, www.azadv2016.squarespace.com Candidate Program Leader, Relations Manager, Virginia Stacie Cole, Supervisor, 25-30: Applications Rolling Hills Zoo Aquarium and Animal in Zoo & Aquarium Settings Ronald Jesse Daniel, Onsite Caitlyn Koser, Zookeeper, Ambassadors, Discovery Cove Denver Zoo , Denver, Colo. Interpretation Manager, Alexandria Zoological Park Ian Gereg, Curator of Birds, www.aza.org/animal-training- applications-zoo-aquarium-settings.aspx Birmingham Zoo Randy Laxer, Volunteer Elisa Escobar, Membership Coordinator, Rachel Audrey Handbury, 25-30: Managing Animal & Admissions Manager, The Becky Lynn, Director of HR / Manager of Sustainability, Enrichment & Training Programs Employee Communications, Denver Zoo, Denver, Colo. Living Desert Detroit Zoo www.aza.org/managing-animal- Kyle Foster, Public Programs San Diego Zoo Lance King, Chief enrichment-and-training-programs.aspx Lead, Steinhart Aquarium Jennie Miller, Development Officer, Marni Friedman, Education Communications Manager, Denver Zoo OCTOBER 2016 Interpreter, South Carolina Detroit Zoo Hannah Kistner, Education 1-5: Otter Keeper Workshop Aquarium Matthew P Mills, Wild Associate, Santa Barbara Buffalo Zoo, Buffalo, N.Y. www.otterkeeperworkshop.org Kelly Dawn Gallo, Public Animal Keeper III, Akron Zoological Gardens Programs Coordinator, Zoological Park Carl Lum, Park President, 6-9: CBSG Annual Meeting ’s Hogle Zoo Devin Murphy, Public Affairs SeaWorld San Antonio , Puebla, Mexico www.cbsg.org Guy Graves, Zookeeper Specialist, Smithsonian Judillee Marrow, Staff II Conservation Center, National Zoological Park Veterinarian, Binder Park Zoo 5-9: From Good Care to Great Welfare Workshop Louisville Zoological Garden Jamie Ohrt, Primate Keeper, Shayla Bell Moriarty, Detroit Zoo, Royal Oak, Mich. Tia Gustafson, Aquarist, Albuquerque Biological Park Director of Communications, E-mail: [email protected] Ripley’s Aquarium of Jeffrey Pera, Horticulturist, Toledo Zoological Gardens 6-9: Advancing Bear Care 2016 the Smokies Oregon Zoo Peggy Pellett, Registrar, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Myra Guzman, Interactive Abby Peterson, Primate Nashville Zoo, Inc. Aquarium, Omaha, Neb. Marketing Manager, The Keeper, Denver Zoo Dawn Petrick, Director of www.bearcaregroup.org Living Desert Lead Zookeeper, Park Services and Guest Claire Roy, 12-16: Elephant Managers Sarah Hanson, Director of Binder Park Zoo Relations, The Living Desert Association Conference Marketing, Seneca Park Zoo Madelyne Rush, Guest Joey Powell, Public Oklahoma City Zoo, Jan Hawkins, Director Services Manager, Museum Relations and Marketing Oklahoma City, Okla. of Development, The of Life and Science Director, Dickerson Park Zoo http://elephantmanagers.com Living Desert Lizzy Schultz, Marketing Breta Rheney, CFO, 17-23: Zoological Registrars Trevor Holbrook, Tree and Communications Riverbanks Zoo & Garden Association Annual Conference Kangaroo Conservation Coordinator, Children’s Zoo John J Russell, SVP, Guest Africam Safari, Puebla, Mexico http://zooregistrars.org/conference.php. Program Coordinator, at Celebration Square Experience & Development, Woodland Park Zoo Josh Siemieniec, Events & Georgia Aquarium 18-22: International Zoo Educators Association Biennial Conference Fundación Temaikèn, For more member news, visit www.aza.org/press-room Buenos Aires, www.temaiken.org.AR/IZE2016

52 www.aza.org | August 2016 August 2016 | www.aza.org 53 Faces & Places

Member Updates www.hdrelay.com/ Live Streaming, webcams. New/Reinstated Commercial Members Holmes Murphy & Global Security Glazing Associates 2917 Pointeview Dr 7600 E Orchard Rd Ste 330 Tampa, FL 33611-5343 Greenwood Village, CO Email: 80111-2518 [email protected] Email: Tennis@ Phone: (724) 283-3672 holmesmurphy.com Primary Contact: Gil Hernan Phone: (800) 247-7756 www.security-glazing.com/ Primary Contact: Trish Ennis Laminated glass and www.holmesmurphy.com/ composites for zoo and aquarium exhibits. Multi- ZeroEdge Aquarium Corp. layer laminated glass and 800 Schneider Dr composites. Lexgard laminated South Elgin, IL 60177-2641 polycarbonate. Security glazing. Email: info@ zeroedgeaquarium.com HD Relay Phone: (630) 365-6770 3688 Midway Drive Primary Contact: Brett Perry San Diego, CA 92110 www.zeroedgeaquarium.com Email: [email protected] Acrylic Aquarium Mfg; touch Phone: (866) 883-8717 tanks, specialty tanks, filtration/ Primary Contact: life support. Custom oven Bernice I Lopez forming, 2 part museum bonds.

54 www.aza.org | August 2016 Exhibits

Polk Penguin Conservation Center Opens at Detroit Zoo

The Detroit Zoo in Royal of water in their former habitat, Oak, Mich., has built a home the —with plenty fit for a king—penguin, that of room to swim and dive. An is—and a gentoo, macaroni and underwater gallery with a vast rockhopper, too. More than 80 acrylic window and two acrylic of these aquatic birds are settling tunnels provides spectacular into their spacious new home at views of the penguins above, the Polk Penguin Conservation around and below, and allows Center. The Zoo unveiled the guests to get nose to with facility to the public in April. the charismatic birds. The 33,000-square-foot, $30 While the facility provides million conservation center sits a remarkable experience for on 2 acres at the front of the people, the penguin habitat itself Zoo. The penguins’ sprawling is designed to ensure an optimal residence boasts an open floor atmosphere for the welfare of plan, soaring ceilings, expansive the birds. Their air temperature windows that bathe the space is set to a near-freezing 37 in natural light and a large degrees Fahrenheit and the swimming pool. water at 40 degrees Fahrenheit, A 326,000-gallon chilled and the environment is intended aquatic area affords the penguins to encourage wild behavior, 10 times the amount from diving and porpoising on conservation that offers an and send massive cascades of ice to nesting and rearing young. extraordinary and authentic crashing into the sea. Since the march experience for our guests.” Before exiting the building, to their new The design of the Polk guests can find gifts, toys, home, the Penguin Conservation Center T-shirts, books, coffee mugs and penguins have was inspired by the harsh but other penguin-themed items at been experiencing new majestic ice world of Antarctica, the Drake Passage Gift Shop. features at every turn, from which included the design team An outdoor plaza sits at rocks for climbing to lapping traveling to the southernmost the base of a 25-foot waterfall waves, falling snow and continent and observing tens cascading from the building’s plenty of ice—all planned to of thousands of penguins in the roof—simulating a cracking simulate conditions found wild. The building’s exterior and melting iceberg—and in their native habitat. resembles a towering tabular includes a large window “The penguins iceberg with a crevasse and that provides a vista into the are adapting well waterfall. Polar explorer Sir penguins’ habitat. The plaza to their new home Ernest Shackleton’s legendary features a 1,400-square-foot and appear to Antarctic expedition and epic fountain with 32 jets over be discovering crossing of the Drake Passage an outline of Antarctica and their many new influenced an immersive surrounding oceans. The opportunities entry experience where guests fountain area will be converted for deep diving, descend a series of ramps—as into a 1,100-square-foot skating porpoising and if aboard Shackleton’s ship, the rink in the winter months. even sliding Endurance—surrounded by The penguin center is in snow,” said 4-D effects, including blasts of named for the Polk family, Ron Kagan, executive polar air and sea mist. A unique led by longtime Detroit Zoo director and chief executive video and sound feature called supporters Bobbi and Stephen. officer of the Detroit projection mapping depicts Their $10-million gift from the Zoological Society. “We iceberg calving—one of nature’s Polk Family Fund represents have created a penguin most dramatic visual and aural the largest gift in the Zoo’s 88- environment centered spectacles where icebergs split year history.

54 www.aza.org | August 2016 August 2016 | www.aza.org 55 Announcements

Central Florida Zoo NatureStart Scholarship

The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens in Sanford, Fla., and Zoo Conservation Central Florida Zoo Outreach Group (ZCOG) President & CEO, Phillip Flynn are proud to announce the III, adds “As a conservation establishment of the Central resource providing experiences Florida Zoo NatureStart that excite and inspire children Scholarship. The annual and adults to learn and act scholarship will promote the on behalf of wildlife, we are professional development privileged to partner with of conservation educators ZCOG. By supporting the 2nd Joint TAG Chairs Meeting working in Latin American NatureStart Scholarship zoos and aquariums by funding program, we are empowering 164 attendees from 24 countries meeting was very successful participation in the Chicago our Latin American colleagues convened at the 2nd Joint and provided an opportunity Zoological Society’s NatureStart to engage their visitors to Taxon Advisory Group (TAG) for attendees to further develop course. This course provides respect, value and care for Chairs meeting held prior to working collaborations for educators with the skills to wildlife and wild places. The the Association of Zoos and several species managed among develop interactive, play-based provision of innovative and Aquariums (AZA) Mid-Year regions, explore the successes learning environments in zoos creative solutions through Meeting in Omaha, Neb. and challenges of existing and aquariums, which have collaboration, practices and Delegates included TAG chairs partnerships that have started or become important locations partnerships complements and vice chairs, International grown since the first Joint TAG for children and their families the Central Florida Zoo’s Union for Conservation of Chairs Meeting, identify new to learn about and connect commitment to contributing Nature (IUCN) staff and potential areas of partnership with nature in an increasingly globally to the conservation and Specialist Group members, and strengthen ties among urbanized Latin America. preservation of wildlife.” World Association of Zoos regional programs and IUCN According to ZCOG’s ZCOG’s Conservation and Aquariums (WAZA) Specialist Groups. We look Executive Director, Dan Training Scholarship Program and regional association forward to sharing more about Hilliard, who will administer supports wildlife conservation staff, population biologists, the collaborations in global and the scholarship, “Building and stewardship by providing registrars, zoo directors, inter-regional management conservation education Latin American zoo and research biologists and regional and population sustainability capacity in Latin American aquarium professionals with association management resulting from this very zoos and aquariums is an opportunities to obtain the committee members. The important meeting. important component of skills necessary to manage and conservation, and preserve wildlife. Since 2005, the new NatureStart Scholarship the group has awarded nearly Have your Zoo & Aquarium sales figures left you out in the cold? complements both ZCOG and 100 training scholarships to Central Florida Zoo’s commitment individuals representing 45 to conservation education and zoological institutions in 15

Did you forget to Did You See? connecting children and their different countries. Information families to nature.” about ZCOG’s Conservation “ZCOG is proud to Training Scholarship Program partner with the Central and the new Central Florida For rate sheet and contract information, Florida Zoo on this important Zoo NatureStart Scholarship scholarship initiative,” added can be found at www.zcog.org. visit www.aza.org/Advertising Hilliard, “and we hope that For additional details, please or call (301) 562-0777, ext. 254. other AZA institutions will contact [email protected]. join our effort to promote the professional development For more information, visit of our international zoo and www.zcog.org aquarium colleagues.”

56 www.aza.org | August 2016 2016 AZA Photo Contest

Photos must be taken in 2016 License: By entering the or the last three months of contest, you grant to AZA, and 2015 by staff or volunteers at its successors and assigns, the an Association of Zoos and non-exclusive, worldwide, perpetual Aquariums (AZA)-accredited right and license to use, display, institution. Connect staff will judge reproduce, publish, transmit, and the photos, and the winner will distribute your photograph on appear on the December 2016 AZA’s website, in our magazine, cover. Other exceptional photos and/or in any other promotional will be highlighted inside the materials. Your grant and license magazine. The photos may also shall also apply to any reprints, appear on AZA’s website and/or revised editions, or derivative works other promotional materials. in any media or format, whether now or hereafter known, including Format for Submission: without limitation other kinds of Submissions should include the print media and electronic media. name of the photographer, the By entering the contest you AZA institution, the species, also represent, acknowledge and the date of the picture, and warrant that (i) the submitted the equipment used. Only one photograph is an original work photo entry will be accepted per created solely by you, and you are Advertiser Index photographer, so send in your the sole owner of all right, title, and A Thru Z Consulting and Distributing, Inc...... 61 best image. Pictures can include interest in and to your photograph, Aqua Logic, Inc...... 75 animals, people, and zoo or including the copyright; (ii) AZA’s Beanstalk Builders...... 59 aquarium scenes—if you think it publication of your photograph as Cemrock Landscapes, Inc. Naturalistic Environments...... 63 will make a good cover, send it in. authorized herein will not violate or Central Nebraska Packing, Inc...... Back Cover infringe any right, title, or interest CLR Design...... 74 Corners Limited...... 5 Deadline: The deadline for of any person or entity; (iii) AZA’s COST of Wisconsin, Inc...... 73 entries is 15 September 2016. publication of your photograph Dan Inject Dart Guns...... 59 will not violate any right of privacy Fauna Research, Inc...... 62 Format: JPG, TIFF or EPS; or publicity nor create any other Global Innovation LLC...... 60 300+ dpi and 9”x12” in size liability in tort and that you have LGL Animal Care Products, Inc...... 71 (jpgs preferred). obtained a valid model release M.E. Gifts...... 48 from any identifiable, individual Met-Pro Global Pump Solutions - Fybroc...... 48 Send to: Both electronic and person who is the subject of the Midwest Tongs, Inc...... 64 hard copy images will be accepted, photograph; (iv) you are not a Milliken ...... 68 though electronic images are party to and your photograph Neptune Benson...... 70 preferred. All submissions become is not subject to any contract or Nets Unlimited, Inc...... 23 the property of AZA and will not arrangement that would conflict Peerless AV...... 22 Pentair Aquatic Eco-Systems...... 72 be acknowledged or returned. with your permission herein; PGAV Destinations...... 2 Send electronic images to Tim and (v) you agree to indemnify PMI® Nutrition International, LLC...... 49 Lewthwaite at TLewthwaite@aza. and hold harmless AZA against The Portico Group...... 67 org with “Photo Contest” in the any damages, losses, or expenses Richards-Wilcox, Inc...... 54 subject line. Hard copies may be occurring as a result of any claimed RodentPro.com, LLC...... Inside Back Cover mailed to: breach of warranty. Skulls Unlimited International, Inc...... Inside Front Cover Tenji, Inc...... 66 2016 Photo Contest, Release Form: To be Timberline Live Foods...... 58 Tim Lewthwaite considered for publication in Tom Tischler Bronze...... 73 AZA Publications Manager Connect, all contest photos Torre Design Consortium, Ltd...... 63 8403 Colesville Road that include people must be Triple A Brand Meat Company...... 54 WA Davidson of Jax, Inc...... 65 Suite 710 accompanied by AZA’s Model WDM Architects...... 6 Silver Spring, MD Release Form signed by each Zoo Med Laboratories, Inc...... 69 20910-3314 person depicted.

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74 www.aza.org | August 2016 August 2016 | www.aza.org 75 BRONX ZOO Bronx, New York Two ring-tailed lemurs and one brown collared lemur were born in late March and are making their public debut. Both species live in a naturalistic habitat depicting the Malagasy Spiny Forest along with critically LINCOLN PARK ZOO endangered radiated tortoises and several bird species including vasa , red Chicago, Illinois fodies, grey-headed lovebirds and ground A crowned lemur was born at doves. The Bronx Zoo has had tremendous Lincoln Park Zoo on 17 April. The success breeding lemurs as part of the dam and sire were recommended Species Survival Plan® (SSP). to breed as a part of the Crowned Lemur SSP, which cooperatively manages threatened or endangered species. The infant lemur is the BUFFALO ZOO seventh offspring of this breeding Buffalo, New York pair, and third crowned lemur The Buffalo Zoo announced the birth birth at the Zoo. of a male African lion cub to first time parents Lelie and Tiberius. This is the first lion cub in 25 years at the Zoo. Both adult lions are the offspring of native African lions and were paired as a result of a SSP SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL recommendation. Lelie was born San Diego, California at Smithsonian’s National Zoo in San Diego Zoo Global experienced Washington, DC, in 2010, and Tiberius continued success with a breeding was born at the Seneca Park Zoo in program for the endangered Pacific Rochester, N.Y., in 2013. They arrived at pocket mouse. The fourth breeding Buffalo in 2013 and 2014, respectively. season started in February 2016, and it has already yielded 19 Pacific pocket mouse pups. The Pacific pocket mouse TOLEDO ZOO is the smallest mouse species in North Toledo, Ohio America, and adults typically weigh Nine-year-old, ring-tailed lemur twins, between 6 and 7 grams. Fresca and Fanta, gave birth to offspring just days apart. Fresca gave birth to twins on 24 March and then Fanta gave birth to a single offspring on 1 April. Ring-tailed lemurs are an endangered primate species native only to the dry forests of southern Madagascar and the surrounding islands. They are easily Tampa, Florida recognized by their long, black and white Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay announced striped tails and piercing eyes. These social the two newest additions to the park— animals live in female dominated groups two baby sloths, weighing only 6 to 19 called troops and huddle together in “lemur ounces each. The newest Hoffman’s balls” to stay warm and maintain social bonds. two-toed sloth was born on 24 March, and a Linne’s two-toed sloth was born on 2 April. As a leading zoological facility, Busch Gardens will share information about these newest babies with the scientific community, as not much is documented about the gestation of these species.

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