Dear Zoo Supporters This has been an exciting year to be a part of the Memphis Zoo family. On behalf of all Zoo staff, I would like to thank you for walking with us through a year that saw its share of celebration as well as loss. On a snowy day in March, we opened the doors to the all-new marine exhibit, Stingray Bay. Despite an unseasonably cold month, you welcomed this outdoor exhibit with open arms as more than 94,000 visitors came through our gates that month. Stingray Bay wasn’t the only new and exciting addition in 2013. During the past 11 months, the Zoo has welcomed several babies, including a baby giraffe, major exhibit will feature flamingos, Nile crocodiles, several Komodo dragon hatchlings, a baby bonobo, mandrills and, of course, hippos. As we begin the a clutch of West African crowned cranes and a snow construction process, our capital campaign continues leopard cub, just to name a few. In July a new female as we raise funds to complete this project in 2015. hippo was transferred to Memphis, and visitors In October, the Zoo was thrilled to announce the instantly fell in love with “Binti.” extension of its giant panda loan, which secured While we celebrated great success with these new pandas at the Memphis Zoo for 10 more years — the additions, the Zoo family also mourned the loss of two longest giant panda contract extension in the U.S. to of its beloved animals. “Julie” the hippo died March 16 date. Our researchers and keepers will continue to at the age of 51, and most recently, the Zoo said farewell work with pandas to help conserve this declining to its 41-year-old female rhino, “Tombi,” on September species. 27. Both of these animals lived full lives at the Memphis Thanks to each of you again for your continued Zoo and were loved by each of their keepers. support of the Memphis Zoo. We look forward to As we look toward 2014, the Zoo is gearing up for seeing you in the coming months and years as we an important step in its next phase of improvements. continue to work toward being one of the world’s great Next year we will break ground on the highly- zoos. Happy Holidays from all your friends at the Zoo! anticipated Zambezi River Hippo Camp. This all-new See you in 2014! Dr. Chuck Brady, President & CEO, Memphis Zoo PUBLISHED FOR FRIENDS OF THE MEMPHIS ZOO Exzooberance™ is a bimonthly Memphis Zoological Society publication providing information for friends of the Memphis Zoo. Send comments to MZS, 2000 Prentiss Place, Zoo Memphis, TN 38112, call (901) 276-WILD Hours or log onto www.memphiszoo.org. EXZOO- Change! Vol. XXIII, No. VI Memphis Zoological Society Now through February 28, Board of Directors BERANCE!BERANCE! last admission is at 4 p.m. as of August 2013 Officers: Joseph C. DeWane, M.D., Chair Dorothy Kirsch, Secretary In this issue: Russell T. Wigginton, Jr., Treasurer Larry Roesel, Vice Chair Gene Holcomb, Past Chair 5 Creature Feature — Snow Leopards Diane Smith, Past Chair July brought a bundle of joy to Cat Country when “Taza,” Directors: a male snow leopard, was born! But his arrival means more Gaurav Agarwal Joyce A. Mollerup than a playful new member of the Zoo family. Read more Brent Alvord Brandon Morrison about how this birth will contribute to the conservation of 5 Thomas C. Carol W. Prentiss this declining species. Farnsworth III Karl Schledwitz David Hopkins Jenna Shaw Henry A. Hutton Jerry A. Shore Scott McCormick Kelly Truitt 6 Memphis Zoo: Class of 2013 Mario L. Walker What an exciting year it has been at the Memphis Zoo! Honorary Lifetime Directors: We have celebrated births and new animal arrivals throughout Donna K. Fisher the year. Join us as we take a look back over 2013 and celebrate Roger T. Knox, President Emeritus this eventful year! Scott P. Ledbetter Senator James R. Sasser Rebecca Webb Wilson 8 Special Events Ex Officio: It’s hard to believe, but the holidays are here! Don’t miss all the Dr. Chuck Brady, Zoo President & CEO great activities happening in November and December. SunTrust Bill Morrison, City Council Representative Zoo Lights opens November 22 with Marvel’s Avengers, the opening Bettye Berlin, Docent/Volunteer Representative of Memphis Zoo on Ice and tons of great activities throughout the 6 Credits: season. We look forward to celebrating with you as you make the Laura Doty, Editor / Writer Zoo part of your holiday tradition. Abbey Dane, Writer Brannon Moore, Writer Geri Meltzer, Art Director Departments: Laura Horn, Contributing Artist Jennifer Coleman, Copy Editor 10 Education Toof Printing, Printer Exzooberance paper generously donated 11 Zoo News by International Paper employees 12 Kids Page Zoo Admission Hours: March - October 17 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. October 18 - February 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. • Grounds close one hour after last admission Membership Goes Green! • Zoo Closed: Thanksgiving Day, 8 Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Don’t forget, membership cards are now printed directly at the Zoo Our Mission: when you arrive. These will no Connecting people with wildlife longer be mailed. Memphis Zoo, Ya Ya and Le Le are trademarks of the Memphis Zoo. The Memphis Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and a member of the World Assoc- iation of Zoos and Aquariums. ©2013 Memphis Zoo ® Have a question? E-mail us at [email protected], or call (901) 333-6500 3 WE TELL THE STORIES YOU WON’T READ ANYWHERE ELSE. SEA LION KINGDOM Pup born from rescued parents now irresistible zoo attraction. Missed this? Search “Teva” at commercialappeal.com or on our apps. Premium Subscription includes home delivery and access to tablet, mobile and 4 online. Visit us at commercialappeal.com/subscribe to get started today. PUTTING YOUR WORLD IN YOUR HANDS. SnowSnow Leopards:Leopards: LetLet itit Snow!Snow! Did You Know? • A snow leopard is elusive and hard to spot in the wild. • It has fur on the bottom of its feet, acting as a natural snow shoe. • The snow leopard can jump as far as 50 feet. • The Memphis Zoo is helping preserve this endangered species. Creature Feature • Taza is the first snow leopard cub at the Zoo in more than a decade. by Brannon Moore, Marketing Specialist The Memphis Zoo is home to many jump as far as 50 feet, the snow leopard snow leopard cub. “Taza” was born endangered animals. The snow leopard, has no problem getting around in its July 19 to parents “Ateri” and “Darhan.” which has been a part of the Memphis mountain terrain. Ateri is a first time mother. “Taza is Zoo family since 1971, is an animal with Unfortunately, the snow leopard growing like a weed and very playful,” dramatically declining numbers. To see population is on the decline as a result of says Morgan Powers, Memphis Zoo cat one in the wild is a rarity because they illegal poaching as well as habitat loss. keeper. Taza is growing quickly and can are very elusive and hard to spot. Recently, Not only are poachers a problem but live- now be seen on exhibit Cat Country. the Zoo was blessed with its first snow stock herders as well. Snow leopards have The Memphis Zoo is very proud to leopard cub in over a decade. big appetites and go after the larger prey, be the home of this amazing animal WE TELL THE STORIES In the wild, snow leopards live in the which happen to be owned by farmers in and to be a part of preserving this mountains of Central Asia, and they are those regions. The International Union endangered species. For continued YOU WON’T READ known for their beautiful fur. A snow for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) put updates on Taza’s progress, photos and leopard even has fur on the bottom of its the wild snow leopard population around videos please visit memphiszoo.org or feet, acting as a natural snow shoe for the 4,080 - 6,590. Human interaction and visit our Facebook page. ANYWHERE ELSE. animal. This comes in very handy since vanishing habitats continue to affect the Snow leopard adopts are available. they move mostly on snowy surfaces. population today. Your contribution will help us care for With those fur-covered feet comes some The Memphis Zoo was excited to Taza. pretty powerful legs. With the ability to close out the summer season with a new SEA LION KINGDOM Pup born from rescued parents now irresistible zoo attraction. Missed this? Search “Teva” at commercialappeal.com or on our apps. Premium Subscription includes home delivery and access to tablet, mobile and online. Visit us at commercialappeal.com/subscribe to get started today. PUTTING YOUR WORLD IN YOUR HANDS. 5 6 7 SPECIALSPECIAL SPECIALSPECIALSPECIAL Nov. 22 - Dec. 30 EventsNov. 22-23 SunTrust Zoo Lights Marvel’s Avengers at Select NightS • 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. SunTrust Zoo Lights $6 MEMBERS; $8 NONMEMBERS (901) 333-6500 FOR MORE INFORMAtiON Show timeS: Nov. 22: 7 p.m.; Nov. 23: 1 & 7 p.m. meet aNd greet: Nov. 23 at 1:30 p.m. SunTrust Zoo Lights is back with lots of INCLUDED WitH GENERAL ZOO ADMissiON PRICE OR great additions for the most exciting holiday ZOO LIGHts ADMissiON. CALL (901) 333-6500 event ever! We’ve added all-new lighting Nov. 22 displays that transform the Zoo’s Courtyard Marvel’s Avengers are returning into a blizzard of light! You’ll even be able to to the Memphis Zoo this holiday Tree-Lighting Ceremony walk through a 200-foot tunnel of light! Many season! You will have three great chances to see 5 P.M.