CONNECT FEATURES 10 THE LATEST BUZZ April 2014 Updates from the Terrestrial Invertebrate Taxon Advisory Group ERIN SULLIVAN 12 SAVING A DIFFERENT KIND OF TIGER A Collaborative Conservation Effort to Save One of the Most Endangered Beetles in America KAY KLATT 14 SAVING LIVING FOSSILS IN A HIGHLY URBANIZED CITY JOE CHEUNG AND SUZANNE GENDRON 16 PARTULA SNAILS Are You a Glass Half Empty or a Glass Half Full Person? BOB MERZ 20 2013 ACCREDITATION: A BUG’S EYE VIEW LAURA CHISHOLM 36 BEES AND BUTTERFLIES The Plight and Promise of Pollinators EDWARD SPEVAK 40 TRAILS OF AFRICA AT THE BIRMINGHAM ZOO KELSEA RUSSO IN EVERY ISSUE 3 A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO 6 CONSERVATION & RESEARCH 24 MEMBER NEWS 32 A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD 33 BIRTHS & HATCHINGS 43 EXHIBITS 44 ANNOUNCEMENTS ON THE COVER The Salt Creek tiger beetle is a critically endangered species endemic to the saline wet- 49 MEMBER UPDATES lands of Lancaster County near the capitol city of Lincoln in Nebraska. Because of its 51 INDEX OF ADVERTISERS niche specificity, the Salt Creek tiger beetle has evolved a slower than usual lifecycle when compared to other members of the Cicindela genus. The adult beetles emerge in the sum- 52 CALENDAR mer and only live for a few weeks. In their short adult stage, they are capable of laying hundreds of eggs. The eggs hatch into fossorial (living underground), predatory larvae in less than two weeks. See page 12 for the full story. SALT CREEK TIGER BEETLE © JOEL SARTORE 2 CONNECT April 2014 A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO t last month’s Mid-Year Meeting hosted by the Memphis Zoo, in Memphis, Tenn., AZA president ABoard Chair Jackie Ogden announced a ground breaking initiative to combine the power of our 180 million visitors with the resources and collective expertise of AZA members and partners to save critically endangered species from extinction. AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums have achieved remarkable successes in the conservation of endangered wildlife both in our institutions and in the wild. According to the 2012 Annual Report on Conservation and Science published in January, AZA-accredited institutions contributed over $160 million to important field conservation projects around the world, a figure of which we should all be proud. Dozens of species, from the American bison to the California condor have been brought back from the edge of extinction by zoos and aquariums. But given the threats that face many species and habitats, more needs to be done. This initiative, with the working title of “Species Survival Institute” (SSI) will allow the AZA community to address a wide range of in-situ and ex-situ wildlife and population sustainability challenges. Through the SSI, AZA will develop detailed & One Plans to save targeted species both inside and outside their natural range and under all conditions of management, including by AZA’s Animal Programs. AZA will also grow support for species conservation and engage the public in im- portant conservation action. ceo Focusing on saving species in the wild, increasing the sustainability of animals in AZA-accredited institutions, and en- gaging the public, the SSI will build on the vast expertise found in AZA’s Species Survival Plan® (SSP) programs, Taxon Advisory Groups (TAGS) and Board-level Committees. The SSI will be providing support and resources to these groups to identify specific obstacles and then strategically develop the partnerships necessary to reach goals for saving species. Creation of the SSI has been guided by a steering group that includes Doug Myers, president and CEO at San Diego Zoo Global; Dr. Jackie Ogden, vice president animals, science and environment at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts; Dennis Pate, executive director and CEO at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium; Steve Burns, director at Zoo Boise; Jim Hekkers, managing director at Monterey Bay Aquarium; Ron Forman, president and CEO of the Audubon Nature Institute; and Kevin Bell, president and CEO of Lincoln Park Zoo. More information on the SSI and its public rollout will be presented at the AZA Annual Conference being hosted by Disney’s Animal Kingdom, The Seas and SeaWorld Orlando this September. Another important way that AZA supports its members’ conservation work and overall operation is to work with federal agencies and Congressional offices. While AZA works on these relationships year-round, once a year we invite you to Washington, D.C., to connect with your Congressional representatives and bring them personal stories about the facilities in their districts. This year’s advocacy events on Capitol Hill will take place on May 6th and 7th, with the AZA signature Capitol Hill reception being held on Wednesday, May 7th. This is an exciting event and much anticipated on Capitol Hill. I encourage you to attend. Editorial policy: CONNECT is published by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization dedicated to the advancement of zoological parks and aquariums for conservation, education, scientific studies and recreation. Issued to members 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 opinions and policies of AZA. Mission: CONNECT is a forum for promoting AZA’s mission by highlighting zoo and aquarium trends, industry initiatives, conservation efforts and member 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 require- ments are available upon request. April 2014 CONNECT 3 AZA BOARD & STAFF AZA STAFF AZA BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONNECT STAFF 2013 - 2013 Tim Lewthwaite, Editor OFFICERS Lisa Cadigan, Designer, Cadigan Creative CONNECT EDITORIAL BOARD CHAIR Melinda Arnold, Dickerson Park Zoo Jackie Ogden, PhD Martha Fischer, Saint Louis Zoo Vice President, Animals, Science and Environment, Julie Larsen-Maher, Wildlife Conservation Society Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Tim Lewthwaite, AZA Publications Manager Ph: (407) 938-2831, E-mail: [email protected] Kristin L. Vehrs, AZA Executive Director CHAIR ELECT AZA STAFF Dennis E. Pate Jim Maddy, President & CEO Executive Director and CEO, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium Kristin L. Vehrs, Executive Director Ph: (402) 738-2014, E-mail: [email protected] Paul Boyle, PhD, Senior Vice President of VICE CHAIR Conservation & Education Jill Nicoll, Chief Operating Officer Steve Burns Director, Zoo Boise Rob Vernon, Senior Vice President of External Affairs Ph: (208) 384-4125, x203, E-mail: [email protected] Debborah Luke, PhD, Vice President of board & staff Conservation & Science PAST CHAIR Denny Lewis, Vice President Accreditation Programs Tom Schmid Jennifer Keaton, Vice President, Congressional Affairs President and CEO, Texas State Aquarium Steve Olson, Vice President Federal Relations Ph: (361) 881-1242, E-mail: [email protected] Phil Wagner, Senior Vice President of Finance DIRECTORS Candice Dorsey, PhD, Director, Animal Programs Jim Breheny Jeff Dow, Director of Sales & Marketing Executive Vice President and General Director, Zoos and Aquarium Jennifer DiNenna, Manager, Accreditation Jonathan Little Cohen Director of the Bronx Zoo Wildlife Conservation Society Jennifer Fields, Communications Coordinator Ph: (718) 220-5101, E-mail: [email protected] Allegra Formento, Marketing Assistant Lynn B. Clements Rachel Gauza, Citizen Science Program Specialist Director, Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center Rebecca Greenberg, Program Assistant, Conservation Ph: (757) 385-0241, E-mail: [email protected] & Science Jim Hekkers Shelly Grow, Director, Conservation Programs Managing Director, Monterey Bay Aquarium Melissa Howerton, Vice President, Conferences & Membership Ph: (831) 647-6825, E-mail: [email protected] Tim Lewthwaite, Publications & Brand Manager Gregg Hudson Nette Pletcher, Director of Conservation Education Executive Director and Chief Executive Offi cer, Dallas Zoo Management, Inc. Barbara Pueschel, Board & Committees Liaison Ph: (469) 554-7510, E-mail: [email protected] Nancy Ramos, Receptionist Amy Rutherford, Professional Development Program Manager Dennis W. Kelly Ana Maria Sanchez, Controller Director, Smithsonian National Zoological Park Barbara Skewes, Manager, Member Information Services Ph: (202) 633-4442, E-mail: [email protected] Sarah Sullivan, Manager, Digital Media Kevin Mills Gina Velosky, Manager, Business Development & Marketing President and CEO, South Carolina Aquarium Cheryl Wallen, Meeting Planner Ph: (843) 579-8555, E-mail: [email protected] Amos Morris Association of Zoos & Aquariums Zoo Director, Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden 8403 Colesville Road, Suite 710 Ph: (812) 435-6143 x401, E-mail: [email protected] Silver Spring, MD 20910 Douglas G. Myers 301-562-0777 (phone); 301-562-0888 (fax); President and CEO, San Diego Zoo Global www.aza.org Ph: (619) 557-3999, E-mail: [email protected] John T. Walczak Director, Louisville Zoological Garden Ph: (502) 238-5335, E-mail: [email protected]