Vision The Milwaukee County Zoo will be a zoo of renown with a reputation as a leader in animal management, conservation, research and education within a wholesome recreational environment enjoying the admiration of the citizens of Milwaukee County as well as all zoo guests and other zoos of the world. Mission Statement The Milwaukee County Zoo will inspire public understanding, support and participation in global conservation of animal species and their environment by creating a unifying bond between our visitors and the living earth and provide an environment for personal renewal and enjoyment for our guests by: • Contributing to world wide animal management, conservation Table of Contents and research efforts; Address from the County Executive .........................1 • Fostering sound physical, psychological and social development Letter from the Director .........................................2 for the animal groups in our care Milwaukee County Zoo History................................3 • Sharing our knowledge with the intent to reinforce the 2012 Highlights ....................................................5 human-animal-earth bond; Animal Management and Health Division.................8 Administration and Finance..................................30 • Improving the quality of our professional development, administration and operating environment; Public Affairs and Services ...................................33 Operations .........................................................37 • Striving for the financial self-sufficiency of the organization; Operating Expenses ............................................40 The Milwaukee County Zoo • Continuing the public-private partnership with the Zoological and the Zoological Society................................42 Society of Milwaukee County. County Executive and Board of Supervisors............45 Dear Friends, A newly renovated entryway to the Zoo’s Northwestern At the Milwaukee County Zoo, the year 2012 was Mutual Family Farm rounded out the exciting year. This marked by a variety of noteworthy animal births, exhibit new interactive addition allows guests to learn firsthand renovations, facilitation of the Zoo’s next master plan about the agricultural history of Wisconsin. and the return of one of the Zoo’s most popular summer exhibits, “Adventure Dinosaur!”. In the years ahead, the Zoo is committed to reinventing itself; a response to the changing zoological marketplace. In the summer, the Zoo displayed the special exhibit, The future changes included in the master plan involve “Adventure Dinosaur!” sponsored by Sendik’s Food redeveloping exhibits and improving the visitor experience. Markets. Visitors were greeted by more than 25 prehistoric robotic dinosaurs, moving and rumbling I thank the staff of the Milwaukee County Zoo for their in a tropical outdoor habitat. The exhibit proved continued dedication and hard work. It is because of your popular to yet another generation of kids, intrigued efforts that the Zoo is able to grow and thrive. by these fascinating animals. I would also like to acknowledge the relationship between the Zoo In the fall, the Zoo was proud to announce the birth of a jaguar litter; and the Zoological Society of Milwaukee. Each year, this public-private the first at the Zoo since 1975. The two males were born to mother, partnership helps strengthen the Zoo’s projects and overall initiatives. Stella, and father, Pat. Because Pat was a wild-born animal from Belize, the genetic lines the cubs add to the captive population are significant. A birth such as this demonstrates the Zoo’s continued commitment to conservation efforts and raises awareness to the plight these animals Chris Abele face in the wild. Milwaukee County Executive 1 Letter from the Director The year 2012 was noted for significant animal additions, important conservation projects, special exhibits and the continuation of our comprehensive master plan, the first for the Zoo since 1997. During the summer, we displayed one of our most popular exhibits, robotic dinosaurs! Sponsored by Sendik’s Food Markets, “Adventure Dinosaur!” featured more than 25 life-sized re-creations of these prehistoric animals, moving and rumbling in their outdoor habitat. Fall was exciting as we welcomed two male jaguars, born to mother, Stella, and father, Pat. Because Pat is a wild-born cat, the cubs bring new and valuable genes into the captive population. The birth also was significant Charles in that it marked the first jaguar cubs born at our Zoo since 1975. Wikenhauser; jaguars in Water conservation efforts continued with several repaving projects throughout the grounds. Many large asphalt walkways were background replaced with permeable pavers resembling brick roadways. The pavers act like sponges to absorb surface water from rainstorms, filter it and release it back into the earth. The largest of these repaved areas was Zoo Terrace, used for a multitude of special events and after-hours gatherings. At the end of 2012, we suffered a great loss in our animal collection with the death of one of our most beloved animals, 5-year-old Bornean orangutan, Mahal. His death was sudden, and came as a shock to staff and visitors alike. He will be sorely missed. We once again extend a thank you to the County Executive, the County Board and the Zoological Society and their partners for their continued support. A number of our initiatives, renovations and special exhibits are possible because of their assistance. Please read on as each Division shares highlights from the year. Madagascar giant day gecko Charles Wikenhauser Director 2 Our History Home to more than 3,000 mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles and amphibians, 1892 2002 we’re proud our Milwaukee County Zoo continues to be recognized as one of the finest in the country. The Zoo was founded 120 years ago, and our partnership with the Zoological Society began 103 years ago, and continues today: 1892 1902 1910 1934 1958 The Milwaukee County Zoo MCZ expanded to 23 The Zoological Society was MCZ became an entity of MCZ moved to its present (MCZ) started as a miniature acres; now home to founded, lending financial the Milwaukee County Park location on 200 acres of mammal and bird display in 800 animals support to the Zoo Commission, which helped park land Milwaukee’s downtown provide resources to expand Washington Park the Zoo 1988 1980s 1978 1970s Late 1960s Hosted the Association • Initiated a $26 million • The Milwaukee County • MCZ added the Children’s Completion of: the Primate of Zoos and Aquariums capital improvement plan, Zoo was one of only Zoo, Train Shed, Zoo Hospital, Building, Monkey Island, Winter Annual Conference representing a significant 22 institutions in North Dall Sheep Exhibit and the Quarters, Polar and Brown partnership venture between America accredited by Gift Shop Bear Exhibits and the Feline, the Zoo, Milwaukee County the American Association • The Zoological Society’s Pachyderm, Giraffe, Aviary, and the Zoological Society of Zoological Parks and volunteer organization, Zoo Pride Small Mammal, Aquarium & • Completion of: Wolf Woods, Aquariums, now named was established Reptile and Australian Buildings underwater viewing in the the Association of Zoos • The Zoological Society develops Polar Bear and Sea Lion Exhibits, and Aquariums (AZA). education programs at the Zoo Oceans of Fun, the Dairy Complex, Humboldt Penguins and the Peck Welcome Center Early 1990s 1995 1998 1999 2002 An extensive renovation Renovation of the Completed Initiated a $30 million capital • Renovation and modernization of Lakeview Place restaurant of the Aviary and Primates Aquarium & Reptile remodeling improvement plan, representing • Redesign of the Ice Cream Palace and Karibu Gift Shop of the World, and the Center; renamed of the Small a significant partnership venture • Groundbreaking for the new Animal Health Center completion of a new the Aquatic & Mammals between the Zoo, Milwaukee • Major renovation (both indoor and outdoor quarters) to our Apes of Africa Reptile Center Building County and the Zoological Society landmark exhibit, Monkey Island; renamed Macaque Island 3 Our History 2003 2004 2005 2006 • Completion of Animal • Completion of the Karen Peck • Completion of the Florence • Completion of the Health Center Katz Conservation Education Mila Borchert Big Cat Country MillerCoors Giraffe • Initiated design phase of Feline Center • Completion of the Northwestern Experience Building renovation; animals • Began demolition and finalized Mutual Family Farm • Began initial design relocated designs for Northwestern • Completion of the redesign phase for the new U.S. • Began initial renovations to Mutual Family Farm and renovation of the Safari Bank Gathering Place the Stackner Heritage Farm • Continued construction of the Train Station and construction of the Karen new $7.2 million Florence Mila Peck Katz Conservation Borchert Big Cat Country Education Center 2010 2009 2008 2007 • Installed solar panels at • Completion of the • Completion of the U.S. Bank Began construction for the admission gates Dohmen Family Foundation Gathering Place new U.S. Bank Gathering • Installed permanent poetry Hippo Home • Completion of the Idabel Wilmot Borchert Place, and the new Idabel exhibition, “The Language of • Completed renovation of Flamingo Exhibit and Overlook Wilmot Flamingo Exhibit Conservation,” located the Taylor Family Humboldt • Received accreditation by the Association and Overlook throughout Zoo Penguin Exhibit of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) • Began