JUNE 2016 A publication of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums Origins Sustainability and Transparency in Aquatic Collections RAISING THE REEFS A NEW “SPIRIT” OF DISCOVERY BEYOND COMPLIANCE Corals in Crisis The Maritime Aquarium’s National Aquarium is Creating New Hybrid Electric Research Vessel Accessible Environments June 2016 Features 20 30 36 42 ORIGINS: Sustainability RAISING THE REEFS: A New “Spirit” of BEYOND COMPLIANCE: and Transparency in Corals in Crisis Discovery National Aquarium is Aquatic Collections Coral—elkhorn and staghorn The Maritime Aquarium sits on Creating Accessible The aquatic animal chain coral, in particular—has been the edge of the Long Island Environments as a Way of custody is a complicated decimated throughout the Sound in Norwalk Harbor, and to Inspire Conservation topic. Overfishing, illegal Caribbean in the last four a vital part of its mission is to As a public institution, the capturing practices, animals decades. Both are listed as reveal the unseen wonders in its National Aquarium plays infected with diseases and threatened species under backyard to Aquarium guests an essential role in creating poor working conditions for the Endangered Species Act and coastal communities. Since inclusive environments. those doing the fishing all and have suffered declines last June, the Aquarium has Universal design was a raise concerns about how of more than 90 percent, had a powerful new tool in its guiding principle throughout animals are collected. according to the National efforts to expose and study the design process. The Oceanic Atmospheric the life of the Sound —the first BY KATIE MORELL Aquarium’s goal was Administration. research vessel in the country to design a welcoming BY KATE SILVER that runs on hybrid-electric environment that is usable power, serving as a one-of-a- by everyone with the least kind floating classroom and amount of adaptation. scientific platform. BY JENNY HAMILTON BY TOM NAIMAN AND NICOLE ROSENFELD June 2016 | www.aza.org 1 8 12 17 Member View Departments 7 Habitat Restoration 10 Green Tales 14 Sustainable 50 Faces & Places Making way for turtles in Ripley’s Aquarium of the Populations off-leash dog park Smokies harnesses the New Tomistomas 51 Calendar power of the sun. at Virginia Aquarium 8 By the Numbers 53 Exhibits The AZA community and 11 Conservation 15 Workshop 54 Advertiser Index aquatic conservation Grants Fund Virginia Zoo implements Building public support zookeeper training 54 Announcements 9 Promoting Plastic for Bornean sun bear workshops in the Philippines Waste Reduction conservation 72 Births & Hatchings Plastic pollution is a critically 17 Research important issue that 12 Animal Health Lincoln Park Zoo’s Urban About the cover resonates with the public, Jacksonville Zoo and Wildlife Institute expands Tigerfish but traditional informational Gardens contributes to The across the Midwest campaigns aren’t spurring Great Ape Heart Project enough action. 17 Research 13 Award This month’s selection of Short Film by Toledo Zoo staff what has been published. members wins film festival © Todd Stailey, Tennessee Aquarium Tennessee Stailey, © Todd 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. 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Deadline for artwork is the 10th of the month preceding publication. Rates and mechanical requirements are available upon request. June 2016 | www.aza.org 3 EDITOR Tim Lewthwaite A Wealth of Knowledge ASSISTANT EDITOR Jennifer Fields and Resources ART DIRECTION LTD Creative At the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ (AZA) Mid-Year Meeting in March, I had the GRAPHIC DESIGNER chance to spend some time with my friend John Frawley, who is the newly appointed Lisa Cadigan, Cadigan Creative ADVERTISING director of the Minnesota Zoo. John is one of the most innovative guys I know. Walking Gina Velosky through the aquarium at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, it was great to get his (301) 562-0777, ext. 254, [email protected] perspective on our profession and how we can push forward to become one of the greatest EDITORIAL BOARD forces for wildlife conservation in the world. When John speaks, I always listen because Thom Benson | Tennessee Aquarium Julie Larsen-Maher | Wildlife Conservation Society he is never bound by convention. He is always willing to ask why we do things a certain Tim Lewthwaite | Editor way and how we can improve. Since Zoo Boise is currently working on our strategic plan, Kristin L. Vehrs | Executive Director I listened carefully. It made me think about who else I turn to when I look for the latest zoological thinking. Here’s my list. If you want to know how you combine a zoo or aquarium with a conservation organization, talk with Jim Breheny, director of the Bronx Zoo. The Wildlife Interim President and CEO Conservation Society has been doing Kristin L. Vehrs Chief Operating Officer this for more than 118 years. Nobody Jill Nicoll does it better. Jim is a generous guy and Senior Vice President of Conservation and Science not only will he answer your questions, Debborah Luke, PhD Senior Vice President of External Affairs but he also will most likely give you Rob Vernon a laugh. If you want to know how to Senior Vice President of Finance design exhibits that will connect your Phil Wagner SAFE Project Manager visitors to your conservation work, talk Jackie Ogden, PhD with Lee Ehmke, the director of the Vice President of Animal Programs Houston Zoo. Candice Dorsey, PhD Vice President, Conferences and Membership If you want to know how to Melissa Howerton put together zoo field conservation Vice President of Congressional Affairs partnerships, talk with Tony Vecchio, Jennifer Keaton director of the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. Tony was my first true zoo mentor, and he Vice President of Accreditation Programs Denny Lewis is still teaching me things. If you want to know how a small to medium size institution Vice President of Federal Relations can constantly evolve exhibit design, animal care standards and conservation programs, Steve Olson talk with Bob Chastain, director of the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, or Keith Winsten, For a full listing of AZA’s staff, visit www.aza.org/about-aza director of the Brevard Zoo. If you are wondering the same thing for a big zoo or AZA BOARD OF DIRECTORS aquarium, call Kevin Bell, director of the Lincoln Park Zoo. I learn new things every time Chair I am around him. And if you need no nonsense advice on everything I just mentioned, Steve Burns | Director, Zoo Boise talk with Pat Simmons, director of the North Carolina Zoo. Chair Elect Dennis W. Kelly | Director, Smithsonian National Zoological Park I share this partial list of my mentors with you to illustrate this point: we are an Vice Chair incredibly talented and smart group of people. As an AZA member, I encourage you to Jim Breheny | Executive Vice President and General Director, Zoos take advantage of your colleagues and your Association. There is a wealth of knowledge and Aquarium, Jonathan Little Cohen Director of the Bronx Zoo and resources at your fingertips. Wildlife Conservation Society Past Chair These dedicated mentors have broadened my horizons and helped to evolve my Dennis E. Pate | Executive Director and CEO, Omaha’s Henry thinking. Next month, the AZA Board of Directors will be hiring a new chief executive Doorly Zoo and Aquarium officer. Soon it will be time to plan our Association’s future, and, in turn, our profession’s Directors future. I will be looking to this group, and to all of you, to challenge ourselves to become Bob Chastain | President & CEO, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Lynn B. Clements | Director, Virginia Aquarium and Marine the profession the natural world needs us to be. Science Center 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 Steve Burns John Lewis | Zoo Director, Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens Steve Marshall | Zoo Director, El Paso Zoo Director, Zoo Boise Amos Morris | Zoo Director, Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden Peggy Sloan | Director, North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher 4 www.aza.org | June 2016 PREMIUM NUTRITION FOR YOUR CARNIVORES Your animals are your zoo. Protect and care for them with the most nutritious carnivore entree in the industry. The first all-pork complete diet formulated specifically for zoo carnivores, Carnivore Essentials is backed by years of extensive field research and testing, and proven to be a safe, nutritious diet for all carnivores. Your animals deserve only the very best. Feed them Carnivore Essentials. www.CarnivoreEssentials.com 800-890-7039 [email protected] 4 www.aza.org | June 2016 Take a Walk on the Wild Side with Digital Signage Make a statement & replace dull poster board signs with Peerless-AV’s outdoor digital signage solutions.