AUGUST 2016 A publication of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums Innovative Husbandry Uncovers Keys to Sustainability EMPOWERED BY INFOMATION THE AZA REPRODUCTIVE BY THE NUMBERS AZA Launches SSP MANAGEMENT CENTER AZA’s Animal Programs Sustainability Database Taking on a New Role in Animal Population Sustainability August 2016 Features 24 32 40 Innovative Husbandry The Species 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 Species Survival Plan® causes of reproductive the animals 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 ANTARCTICA: EMPIRE OF THE PENGUIN seaworld orlando, florida Immersed in a 320F chilled environment, Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin is home to more than 250 Gentoo, King, Adelie, Chinstrap, and Rockhopper penguins, making it the largest penguin colony outside of Antarctica. 144,300 gallons of chilled water fill two massive pools, allowing the penguins to dive up to 16 feet, reach natural speeds, feed, and play. Authors and publishers of pgavdestinations.com | 314.231.7318 | 8 11 19 Member View Departments 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 Zoo 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 bird closes Community outreach in support Point Defiance Zoo & 20 Green Tales of vaquita conservation Aquarium’s Dr. Holly Reed About the cover San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservation 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 Safari Park 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 Extinction 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 Dallas 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 Bronx Zoo 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, Dallas Zoo Management, Inc. Christopher Kuhar, PhD | Executive Director, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo John Lewis | Zoo Director, Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens Steve Marshall | Zoo Director, El Paso Zoo 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 birds between their managed populations: two birds were imported from Zoo Lourosa in Portugal to the Houston Zoo 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