critter SPRING 2016 Zoo Calendar Borders’ Donations Fund Surgical Room Spring Hours Expansion by Dave Webster, Assistant Director/Curator 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Weekdays Almost every animal at Scovill Zoo gets a thor- tor’s office into a veterinary exam room. 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Weekends ough, annual veterinary examination. Some Ramona paid to equip the room with Last admission 1 hour get additional exams and treatments. A spider an anesthetic machine, a gas anesthetic before closing monkey needs a contraceptive pellet implant- induction chamber, and a Bair Hugger Summer Hours ed under her skin. A meerkat needs treatment forced-air warming blanket to maintain for an abscess. A tamarin requires a tooth the sedated animals’ body temperature. May 28 - August 14 cleaning. Exotic animals aren’t particularly Finally, with the skills of Dr. Ken Welle, 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Daily cooperative and are easily frightened by hu- an exotic animal veterinarian from the Last admission at 5 p.m. man handling. They would struggle, bite, and University of Illinois College of Veteri- Zoo Admission scratch if we tried to handle them while they nary Medicine, we were able to anesthe- Children (under 2) - FREE were awake. Instead, they must be sedated for tize animals here at the zoo. The animals Children (2-12) - $4.00 anything more complicated than a hands-off benefitted from less handling and travel, Adults - $6.50 visual examination. In years past, this meant and we benefitted from more efficient Seniors (65+) - $5.50 the animal had to be transported to the vet- use of staff time. Whenever we’ve needed erinarian’s clinic, a long-distance, stressful additional veterinary equipment, Ra- Free admission days are undertaking. A few years ago, the level of ani- mona has purchased it: a blood analyzer, Thursdays beginning June 2 mal care at the zoo took a big jump forward. centrifuge, stretcher, and dental polisher. Ramona Borders generously donated funds In December, the zoo had a new request. to completely renovate the former zoo direc- We were outgrowing our exam room and (Continued on p. 2) Special Events Summer Zoo Camps Earth Day & World Penguin Day presented by Advanced Join us for unforgettable summer camp educational way to explore zoo careers. For Disposal programs that bring adventure and learning details about summer programs at Scovill April 23 together in one extraordinary classroom— Zoo, contact Maggie at 421-7435 or visit Scovill Zoo! In our new Critter Tales program, scovillzoo.com. Zippy Zoo Day with Mom youth aged 5 - 6 will enjoy short stories and May 7 hands-on activities to immerse themselves in the animal world. During Zoo Kids, campers Ice Cream Safari presented by aged 7 - 8 will explore the five senses as they Prairie Farms Dairy encounter animals that have unique ways July 17 of seeing, smelling, hearing, tasting, and Complete 2016 Zoo Calendar touching. Zoo Campers aged 9 - 10 will cook Scovillzoo.com up good times while learning about animal diets and the importance of the food web. Zoo Crew takes 11 - 13 year-olds on a week- long adventure into animal adaptations. Zoo Teens offers students aged 14 - 17 a fun, 71 S. Country Club Rd. • Decatur, IL 62521 • 217/421-7435 Email: [email protected] • www.scovillzoo.com 2 SCOVILL ZOO critter chatter • SPRING 2016 Zoo Leaders Surgical Room (continued from p. 1) needed more space. Without hesitation, we’ll be proud to show it off to the AZA Decatur Park Board Ramona underwrote the cost of expan- inspection committee. We greatly appre- Jack Kenny, President sion. Her only stipulation was that the ciate Ramona’s generosity and forward Bob Brilley II, Vice-President work occur quickly. Within a few short thinking in helping the zoo advance its Chris Harrison weeks, the Park District’s construction animal care. Chris Riley Stacey Young crew demolished a wall to a connect- ing room, put up new drywall, tiled the floor, installed ceiling lights, and painted Decatur Parks Foundation the original exam room and expansion, Dr. Bill Van Alstine, President doubling the usable space. We now have Jim Schwarz, Vice President Mindy Chadwick, Secretary room for several tables: one for the ani- Rod Schanefelt, Treasurer mal patient, one for a laptop computer Chris Riley, Park Board Liaison and paperwork, and another for instru- Stacey Young, Park Board Liaison ments. New storage cabinets hold an as- Erv Arends sortment of instruments and medicines. Natalie Beck The bright ceiling lights reflect off the Brandy Brown clean, white walls and floor. Our expand- Brian Byers ed exam room advances the capabilities Cindy Deadrick-Wolfer of our veterinary care at Scovill Zoo, and Kara Demirjian-Huss Tom Hostetler Dr. Stephen Huss by Kevin Rairdin Kara Johnston Azule & Bud Chuck Kuhle We have all seen adorable videos that quently spotted grooming his capybara Judith Locke show two very unlikely animal friends. best friend. As cute as this friendship is, James Neff Scovill Zoo is home it can cause issues with Bruce Nims to just such an un- the keepers. Although Michelle Reynolds usual friendship. Azule weighs just two and Cyndy Smith While the zoo is a half pounds, he can be open for the season, very protective of his 100+ Executive Director Azule, the blue and pound capy friend. When Decatur Park District gold macaw, and the keepers enter the pen Bill Clevenger Bud the capybara for cleaning or feeding, cannot be seen to- Azule lets us know if we Zoo Staff gether, but during get too close to Bud! This Ken Frye, Director the cold winter months, they become in- spring, you will find Azule high on his David Webster, Assistant Director separable roommates. In the mornings, perch in the walkthrough aviary where he Maggie Duewerth, Grace Erker, zookeepers often find the two snuggled can keep an eye on Bud across the way. Ryan Kirkland, Heather Purdeu, next to each other. Azule is also fre- Kevin Rairdin, Mindy Weaver, Kent Winchester, Kathy Winter, Brad Yetter, Nicole Zinn Camp Out at Scovill Zoo! Why travel hundreds of miles for a fam- around the campfire, an evening tour, ily camping trip when you can enjoy a animal encounters, train ride, and light wild adventure in the middle of Scovill breakfast. Early risers may also help open For the best discounts and Zoo? 2016 marks the fifth summer for some of the exhibits and get the animals benefits, become a our unique, family-friendly camp outs. ready to meet the public. Call 421-7435 Up to 50 campers pitch their tents and to reserve your spot. The cost is just $25 Friend of the Zoo! spend the night, listening to sounds only per person or $100 for a family (up to six the zoo can offer. Campers enjoy dinner total). critter chatter • SPRING 2016 SCOVILL ZOO 3 Members Ride Pass! Happy Companions by Heather Purdeu Do you love to ride the When Tilly the wolf lost her nephew ran along the fence line Certificate train and carousel? Now Mowgli in 2014, we knew she could not together, with no signs Scovill Zoo Unlimited Rides Pass This pass entitles the holder to unlimited rides on the Z.O. & O. Express you can increase the and Endangered Species Carousel. continue living without a companion. of aggression. Although 2015 Season fun...and your savings... Wolves are very social, and a solitary they seemed to enjoy $100 with the Members Ride Value! life is not ideal. We traditionally receive each other's company, we Pass! Purchase a zoo wolves from Wolf Park near Lafayette, were still a little concerned membership and add the pass for an Indiana, but when we discovered that ac- about their compatibility in the same ex- extra $100. All you have to do is show quiring a pup in 2015 was not going to hibit. Wolf Park staff paid a visit, and af- your membership card, then ride the be possible, we began considering other ter they saw the interactions through the train and carousel as much as you want! options. The Wolf Park staff suggested fence, they believed there was a great pos- Perfect for families that visit the zoo ten that a male dog could be housed in the sibility the two could successfully reside or more times each season. Just another adjoining exhibit, so Tilly could interact together. So in January, with the help of example of how Friend of the Zoo mem- with another canine through the fence. Wolf Park staff, we formally introduced berships are the best deal around! One of our USDA in- Timber to Tilly. spectors contacted us Luckily, we didn't $20 Zoo Fun Pack about a wolf/dog hy- have much to worry If you visit the zoo regularly, consider a brid at an animal shel- about. They imme- Zoo Fun Pack that offers the following ter in Fairfield, IL, so diately greeted and benefits at a $7 savings! we drove to Fairfield to showed submission • 2 admission tickets check out this potential to each other. They • 2 Endangered Species Carousel tickets neighbor. After meeting did have to be sepa- • 2 snow cone tickets “Timber,” we believed rated during feed- • 4 Z.O. & O. Express Train tickets he would definitely be a good compan- ing, since Tilly didn't want to share her Call 421-7435 or visit the Gift Shop to ion for her. Although he looks and acts food with Timber. After several months, purchase your Fun Pack today! more like a dog, he definitely has the en- however, they peacefully eat in the same ergy and spunk to keep up with Tilly.