2014 ANNUAL REPORT ANNUAL 2014 2014 ANNUAL REPORT Photo: Tony Luna 2014 ANNUAL REPORT CONSERVATION & RESEARCH At the end of 2013, we asked ourselves if the Zoo could con- tinue its record-setting pace into 2014, and the answer was a resounding “Yes!” The year When it comes to recognition, the Zoo continued to capture 2014 proved to be another the attention of the media. Nancy McToldridge (Zoo Director), landmark in the Zoo’s 51-year Carol Bedford (CFO), and Estelle Sandhaus, PhD (Conservation history. While attendance & Research Director) were all honored by the Pacific Coast Busi- kept pace with the 490,000+ ness Times for their professional contributions to the Zoo and visitors trend, revenues topped our community. The Zoo also remained in its position as the $10 million for the first time. second-most attended museum-like venue in the tri-counties; This means that while receiv- second only to Hearst Castle. And the Zoo continued to reign ing no support from public as the most popular family attraction in the Santa Barbara News- funds, the Zoo’s ability to Press Readers’ Choice Awards. generate revenue covered the cost of operations. That’s great In August, Zoofari Ball: Spy-fari set an all-time revenue record. news for donors, because their Sponsorships were also at an all-time high, with long-time Zoo designated essential support partner Union Bank leading the way as they stepped up for the goes right into the capital second year in a row to be the event’s “naming sponsor.” projects and programs that make the Zoo a valued com- Animal births made headlines throughout the year, especially munity resource. the births of baby anteaters in April and November and the arrival of a baby giraffe on November 13. Buttercup, the baby Thanks to the generosity of individuals, corporations, and male Masai giraffe hit the ground at 6’8” tall and 186 pounds. foundations, we were able to bring a new Zoo facility on line in The timing was perfect. In just over two weeks, Buttercup had March: the long-awaited Discovery Pavilion! This energy-friendly made headlines in more than 220 media markets across the U.S. education center quickly became the hub of Zoo programming Thanks to the Pryor family, the baby giraffe entered the world and conservation activities. So many anticipated benefits of with a name and his very own Ty Beanie Baby. the $7.5 million, 9,500-square-foot facility are already being real- ized. In fact, it’s difficult to imagine how we got along without Is the Zoo’s team of highly-skilled, enthusiastic, and professional it for 50 years! Guests now enjoy the opportunity to observe staff and dedicated, passionate volunteer crew ready to face the the inner workings of the Ridley-Tree Animal Kitchen following challenge of making more record-setting progress in 2015? You their walk through the Volentine Family Gallery with its chang- bet we are! We are committed to delivering memorable and ing exhibits; Zoo Camp has new space for camper projects in inspiring guest experiences, meeting the highest standards of the Children’s Activity Zone (sponsored by Deckers Outdoor animal care, and participating in important field conservation Corporation); Zoo volunteers have a place all their own in the programs. It’s worth repeating that the significant improve- Diane Pearson Volunteer Lounge; the field conservation team ments to our facilities and enhancements to our programs has a dedicated space to call home; the education team has would not be possible without the generous support of our offices befitting a group of outstanding professionals; financial donors, members, and friends. Thank you for believing in our management expanded into the Dreier CFO Office; Zoo staff mission and having the confidence to invest in our vision for a and educators can find valuable resources in the Mimi & Dennis treasured community resource that will touch millions of lives in Muraoka Library; the new evening adult lecture series has a the years to come. home in the Frank Jordano and Sharon & David Bradford class- rooms; and special and private events find ample space in the Thomas Caleel, Board Chair classrooms and on the Crawford Family Terrace. It’s fantastic! The Zoo’s three celebrity dinosaurs starred in a new, always-pop- ular summer show, “Chomp! Chomp! Dinosaurs are Picky Eaters.” With his participation in the shows and special events off Zoo Rich Block, CEO grounds, such as the Downtown Santa Barbara Holiday Parade, Duncan the T-Rex remains the rock star of our dino trio, who are all sponsored through the generosity of the Duncan family. SANTA BARBARA ZOO | 3 IT’S A BOy (x5)! The Zoo had several notable births in 2014, including golden lion tamarin (GLT) twins, two giant anteaters, and a giraffe calf…all males! Both the golden lion tamarin and the giant anteater adult females are first-time moms, adding to the excitement. heri Horiszny heri Horiszny S The GLTs were born on July 20, and both boys grew quickly. They were the first offspring for our new breeding pair of GLTs, and are expected to be ex- cellent big brothers in the near future. auren Daniels; California condor & Masai giraffe, & Masai giraffe, condor Daniels; California auren L heri Horiszny S 2014 ANNUAL REPORT hoto: hoto: anteater, giant hotos: P P ANIMAL CARE & HEALTH The giant anteater pups were born The final birth of the year was Buttercup, March 1 and November 6. Since a big, healthy male giraffe calf born on zookeepers hand-reared the male born November 13. Buttercup weighed 168 in March, his mom quickly became pounds and was 6’8” tall at birth, then pregnant again. She took to mothering grew another 12 inches in his first two well with the pup born in November, months of life! and is raising him on her own. The Santa Barbara Zoo has a long history of success with breeding giant anteaters; how- ever, these two pups are the first giant anteater pups born here in the past nine years. The prospect of having a success- ful breeding pair again is exciting! THE INS & OUTS At the close of 2014, the Zoo’s animal collection consisted of A necessary part 585 individuals representing 144 species. We participated in of collaborating Species Survival Plan programs with 44 of these species, col- with other zoos laborating with other zoos to maximize the genetic diversity is the transfer- and overall health of each population via breeding (or not), ring of animals in transfers, and information sharing. (acquisition) and out (disposition) of our Zoo to cre- ate new breeding 100 pairs or social groupings in 80 14 other parts of the Acquisi4ons country. We com and - 60 Disposi4ons pleted 62 moves 48 in 2014, from 40 73 Births and heri Horiszny heri Horiszny Deaths rosy boas and a S 20 green iguana to 21 two giraffes and a 100 0 In Out giant anteater… 80 14 not to mention the transfer of a Acquisi4ons and 60 Disposi4ons California condor 48 to Mexico on 40 73 Births and Deaths short notice! 20 auren Daniels; California condor & Masai giraffe, & Masai giraffe, condor Daniels; California auren 21 L 0 In Out heri Horiszny S SANTA BARBARA ZOO | 5 hoto: hoto: anteater, giant hotos: P P The Santa Barbara Zoo is committed to local conservation! In 2014, more than 45 Santa Barbara Zoo employees participated in offsite conservation efforts to help preserve, restore, and protect local natural resources. Through established partnerships, the Zoo contributed more than 2,214 hours in the field to help southern sea otters, Channel Island foxes, California condors, amphibians, and other local species. Thank you to the following organizations for their 2014 financial commitment to local conservation efforts ($1,000+): Bernice Barbour Foundation Christine Stevens Wildlife Award Disney Conservation Fund Earth Island Institute Fresno Chaffee Zoo S G National Fish & Wildlife Foundation US Phoenix Zoo oche/ R Santa Barbara County Coastal a L Resources Enhancement Fund icole icole Southern California Edison N Southern California Wetlands Recovery Project US Fish & Wildlife Service iley Jimison, R Thanks to a partnership with Gold Coast Toyota Dealers (including DCH Toyota of Oxnard, Toyota of Lompoc, Toyota of San Luis Obispo, Toyota of Santa Barbara, Toyota of Santa Maria, and Ventura Toyota), Santa Barbara Zoo staff raises awareness about ryor, Kristen Wieners, Wieners, Kristen ryor, local species of concern while riding in style out to rugged field sites in Santa Barbara, P Ventura, Los Angeles, and Kern counties. The Gold Coast Dealers Association’s generous donation of three 2014 Toyota 4Runners (4x4 Trail Edition) allows the Zoo to support multiple local conservation programs simultaneously and safely. rad Hill rad B 2014 ANNUAL REPORT hoto: left: Devon top clockwise from hotos, P P CONSERVATION & RESEARCH CALIFORNIA CONDOR The California Condor Nest Guarding Program, a collaborative effort between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Santa Barbara Zoo, has shepherded the successful fledging of 25 wild condor chicks since 2007. In addition to helping fledge three chicks this year, the team also assisted with critical nest entries, remote streaming nest camera installation and maintenance, and CHANNEL ISLAND FOX general monitoring. A generous grant from Disney Conservation Approximately 15 years ago, four subspecies of Channel Island Fund provided assistance for nest guarding equipment and staff. fox were at risk of going extinct. Today, thanks to the work of the Additionally, support from the Phoenix Zoo enabled the Santa Santa Barbara Zoo and its partners in island fox recovery, many Barbara Zoo to purchase motion-activated game cameras, allow- of the populations are returning to historic numbers that were ing the team to capture social interactions, chick development, recorded prior to the dramatic decline.