An insider’s view of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo SUMMER 2020 P8 NEW ANIMAL HEALTH CENTER TO BREAK GROUND IN 2020 P3 AMUR LEOPARD WOODLAND UPDATE P10 1 Summer 2020 | rosamondgiffordzoo.org INSIDE: ANIMAL UPDATES | EVENTS | MYZOO JR. A Message from the Friends IN THIS ISSUE Interim Executive Director Animal Health Center Allow me to introduce myself: my name is Quentin Lockwood III, 3 though nearly everyone calls me Skip. I have been selected by the Animal Updates Board to serve as the Interim Executive Director of the Friends of the 4 Rosamond Gifford Zoo during this time of transition and I bring more than 20 years of experience building and growing high-performance, Creature Feature national nonprofit organizations. The Rosamond Gifford Zoo is a jewel 5 of the Syracuse community and I am honored and excited to lead the Friends of the Zoo Celebrates Friends organization as we build on the strong foundation of the last 50 years. 8 50th Anniversay I like to say that times of transition are also times of opportunity. Little did any of us know that we Zalie and Bob Linn Amur were headed for a global pandemic that would close our zoo and every other cultural institution Leopard Woodland Announced for over two months. 10 As we embark on reopening with many new health protocols in place, I still see this as a time EcoNotes of opportunity. We and our county partners have spent the zoo closure innovating, reimagining 11 and planning to continue engaging with you, our wonderful supporters, in new ways that go MyZoo Jr. beyond the physical zoo experience. For details on our new safety protocols, see page 14. 12 Even as we joyfully return to our zoo, we also look forward to offering virtual events and distance Adopt an Animal learning opportunities to bring our conservation mission to an ever wider audience. 13 Member Notes/ This year marks the Friends’ 50th anniversary year! We are proud to say that since the founding of our non-profit in May 1970, the Friends has helped the zoo become a world-class conservation 14 How to Visit Guidelines center entrusted with caring for some of the most vulnerable species on earth, educating the public about them and working to save them from extinction. 15 New Zoo Route You can learn more about how the Friends supports the zoo in this issue of MyZoo Magazine. Monthly Photo Contest Winners You may be surprised to discover how many routine parts of your zoo visit, from having lunch at the Jungle Café to buying your child a special t-shirt or animal plush at the gift shop, directly 16 benefit the important work of your zoo. This year, we are hoping to start the next 50 years strong with a $50K for 50 Years fundraiser. See page 9 for details. Also in this issue, Zoo Director Ted Fox offers the inside story on the zoo’s next big project – a new Animal Health Center that will meet the high standards set by our accrediting body, the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA). The project will ensure the best healthcare possible for the amazing array of animals in our care. Since I arrived at the zoo – and especially through the recent crisis – I have been continually impressed by the dedication of our zoo family, including the many members who support the zoo year after year. Thank you for all you do! ON THE COVER: Female Sichuan takin Jaio had Quentin “Skip” Lockwood, III her second calf on April 6 (see page 4) Interim Executive Director, Friends of the Zoo Photo by Maria Simmons BOARD of DIRECTORS EX OFFICIO: Timothy Barnhart Benjamin Hussong MyZoo Magazine Staff OFFICERS: Quentin “Skip” Lockwood, Dr. Zina Berry Laura Iorio Senior Editor/Creative Director: Maria Simmons Heidi Holtz, Chair Interim Executive Director Andrew Bobrek Carl Isley Editor: Janet “J” Gramza Designer: Ryan Wood Al Gough, Vice Chair Henry Ted Fox, John C. Dougherty Margaret Martin Jamie Card, Treasurer Ryan Elliott Kathy O’Connell Zoo Director Contributors: Ted Fox, Director Peter Belyea, Secretary Ellenrose Galgano Melissa Piper William Lansley Allison Angona, Kim Coons, Ted Fox Commissioner of Parks Terry Hopkins James Rowley and Recreation Jaime Hunsicker Michael Sgro Contributing Photographers: Donna Barry, Jessica Gifford, J Gramza, Seth Groesbeck, Nicole Hube, Crystal Jacob, Karyn Knaul, Robyn Monteleone, Terri Redhead,, Maria Simmons, Chris Sinclair, Cathy Stolz The Rosamond Gifford Zoo One Conservation Place, Syracuse, NY 13204 is owned and operated by Onondaga County. William Lansley Printing by: Upstate Printing Friends of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing a level of excellence Commissioner that makes the Rosamond Gifford Zoo a national leader in animal care, conservation and visitor experience. MyZoo Magazine is published by Friends of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo. J. Ryan McMahon II Our printing process complies with the highest social and environmental standards on the market. When you’re finished with County Executive Membership Development Zoo to You your copy, please share it with a friend or family member or recycle it. (315) 435-8511 x8503 or x8537 (315) 435-8511 x8518 (315) 435-8511 x8531 Catering & Events Volunteers Gift Shop Please direct questions regarding this (315) 435-8511 x8589 or x8577 (315) 435-8511 x8528 (315) 435-8511 x8539 or x8563 publication to [email protected]. Birthday Parties & Event Registration Education Programs (315) 435-8511 x8589 (315) 435-8511 x8560 2 Summer 2020 | rosamondgiffordzoo.org NEW HEALTH CENTER ANIMAL VITAL STATISTICS Current zoo clinic and quarantine: HEALTH 2,500 square feet Planned animal health center: CENTERBy Ted Fox, Zoo Director 20,000 square feet State-of-the-art medical care for zoo animals Cost to Teaching facility for future zoo veterinarians Onondaga County: When the Rosamond Gifford Zoo’s animal health clinic $7.5 million was built in the 1980s, it was ahead of its time. Besides providing an exam room, X-ray station, operating room and Friends of the Zoo quarantine rooms for zoo animals, our clinic was among the contribution: first to have public windows offering zoo visitors a live view $1.1 million for medical and of animal health care in action. diagnostic equipment That was 40-plus years ago. Since then, the number of animals in our care has grown to include many more threatened and endangered species. We’ve seen huge advances in medical technology and zoological medicine. Our participation in global wildlife conservation projects and research has intensified, and we now must consider how the ANIMAL HEALTH CENTER... continued on pg. 6 Summer 2020 | rosamondgiffordzoo.org 3 ANIMAL UPDATES A baby Sichuan takin was born April 6 to mother Jiao and father Bo. The male calf, named A.C., is the second calf born here as part of the Species Survival Plan for this endangered species of Chinese mountain goat. A male fennec fox, Taz, arrived from the Capron Park Zoo in Giant Pacific octopus Ollie passed away from natural causes Attleboro, MA, on November 7 to join our female, Pink. on March 14. Giant Pacific octopuses live 3 to 4 years at most. The zoo is slated to welcome a young GPO from Canada as A group of Heritage Breed livestock that were all born at soon as the situation allows. the zoo last year moved to the Children’s Zoo at Celebration Square in Saginaw, MI. San Clemente Island goats Troy, Two more baby Black Welsh Mountain sheep were born on Verona, Savannah, Elmire, Sidney and Ithaca all relocated, as April 22, to dam Beauty and sire Beast. The lambs are a male did Black Welsh Mountain sheep Aurora and Mumford. The and female named Brutus and Bristol. goats and lambs were named during the zoo’s “I Love New York” naming theme, which continues this year. A baby American bison was born on May 25, Memorial Day, to mother bison Sue and father Harley. The male calf’s name Two Chinese muntjac (tiny deer), Abner and Walter, left is Liberty. He joins big sister Abigail, born in 2017, and big for the Mesker Park Zoo in Evensville, IN, in December. Our brother Madison, who was born on exhibit last year. remaining pair, Rosalyn and Alfred, have moved to a shared exhibit with our red pandas on the Wildlife Trail. Humboldt penguin Malia went on loan to the Columbus Zoo on May 26. Two baby Black Welsh Mountain sheep were born to mother ewe Belle and ram Beast on January 20. The lambs, Four female Turkmenian markhor were acquired from the a boy and a girl, are named Bronx and Brooklyn. Columbus Zoo to join our markhor herd. Their names are Rose, Dorothy, Sophia and Blanche. A male baby San Clemente Island goat was born to parents Pop and Lydia on February 13. He was named Clyde as part of Two baby San Clemente Island goats were born on the zoo’s “I Love New York” naming theme. May 27 to Ruby and Pop. The kids are males named Chester and Sterling. Several new fish and invertebrates were acquired for the zoo’s aquariums on February 16, including blue and yellow damsel fish, urchin crab, fairy basslet and Antillian tooth snail. Two African pied crows, Sundance and Cassidy, went on loan to the Indianapolis Zoo on March 6. 4 Summer 2020 | rosamondgiffordzoo.org CREATURE FEATURE: CRESTED COUA AT THE ROSAMOND GIFFORD ZOO: 2 Males: Joe and Al Madagascan Crested Coua by Nicole Hube, Winner January 2020 Pic of the Month See other winners on back cover. Two birds considered among the most beautiful in the world joined our animal family in recent months.