Cincinnati zoo & BotanICal Garden 2018-2019 Annual Report Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden 3400 Vine Street, Cincinnati OH 45220 2018–19 Annual Report Fiscal Year: April 1, 2018–March 31, 2019 PHOTOGRAPHY Cover photo of Tulivu by Lynn Smart Abbi Atkinson I never lack hope. Although there are sobering realities we Dana Burke must address, such as the report published by the United Display Dynamics, Inc. DJJAM Nations earlier this year outlining rates of extinction and loss Mark Dumont of biodiversity, I remain rooted in the role the Cincinnati Zoo Teagan Dumont & Botanical Garden plays in mitigating crises like these. Ron Evans Greg Hanson Hope abounds when I see the progress we are making as a Erica Hill community that plants pollinator gardens in backyards; when Lisa Hubbard I look to the successes of our CREW scientists as they unlock Kathy Newton David Orban the mysteries of jaguar reproduction; or as I watch us move Lynn Smart toward sustainable actions of water and energy conservation Fernando Von Zuben that have a positive impact on our neighbors throughout Avondale and beyond. EDIT The Zoo’s greatest strength is our reach. Through our Krista Powers myriad programs we are cultivating passionate advocates DESIGN willing to take action. It is a myth that saving wildlife or reducing pollution is bad for business. What’s good for business is Greg Hanson doing things smarter. That’s how we do it at the Cincinnati CONTRIBUTION Zoo, where every day we make a difference for the animals Michelle Curley and plants we love and need. Marci Miller It’s easy to remain hope-filled here. Our collective actions Shannon Silk Lori Voss as a community have secured the title of #1 Zoo and the Greenest Zoo in America. That inspires me and feeds my hope for all that lies ahead. Thank you for being on this journey with us! Sincerely, Thane Maynard Zoo Director 2018/19 Cincinnati Zoo Board of Trustees EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TRUSTEES W. Stuart Dornette John Benevides Chairman of the Board Christopher Bevacqua Doug Brendamour Francie S. Hiltz Vice Chair Craig Buchholz Robert Castellini ** George Molinsky Sheila Cole Treasurer Jane Novak-Cook Pete Ragland Anne DeLyons * Secretary Marc Dizard Brett Heekin Audit A little over a year ago, our More Home to Roam campaign Stephen Hightower Eileen Barrett Chris Hock kicked off with a challenge from Linda and Harry Fath: raise Cathy Crain George Joseph $100 million toward your mission and we will contribute Lynn Marmer Margaret Lafley Matt Schroeder another $50 million. By their incredible generosity, the Faths Jan Michele Kearney** Craig Young demonstrated a faith and confidence in our Zoo and the people Joshua Lorentz who make it great every day. In the months that followed, tens ex officio Tim Massa Mayor John Cranley of thousands in our community have joined them to help us Amy Murray * Cora Ogle, PhD raise more than 25 million dollars, bringing us a quarter of the * City Appointee Jack Oliver way to our goal. ** County Appointee Mitch Quint With the faith that others have shown for us comes a Ashwin Ramprasad * responsibility. We can transform our Zoo into a place of wonder Oscar Robertson ** Scott Robertson for generations to come – to engage people with plants and William Weyand animals and to foster conservation both in our community William Witten and in far off lands. We do not shirk from that responsibility. As the pages of this annual report reflect, this is an exciting 2018/19 Foundation Board Members time. Construction is underway on new facilities including Roo Valley set to open next year bringing new levels of Tim Bonacci TRUSTEES engagement to our visitors. We continue to learn and Chairman Peter Barrett advance the care of our animals across the board, to enhance Murray Sinclaire Kelly Brown sustainability of our operations and accessibility to all, and to Vice Chairman Otto Budig Carri Chandler take our messages of education and conservation ever deeper Patrick Dolle Ron Christian into our community. Treasurer John Dovich Your continuing support – as member, donor, advocate, Jim Ellerhorst Sally Leyman cheerleader – is helping shape the future for our Zoo, our Secretary Katie Heekin Donald Hudson animals, and their counterparts in the wild. Eric Kahn We thank you. We could not be where we are today Cal Kalnow without you. Leah Lepof Phil Myers Fred Robbins Sincerely, David Valz Sarah Zamary Portfolio Manager Bret Parish W. Stuart Dornette Johnson Investment Chair 3 Highlights during the fiscal year: April 1, 2018–March 31, 2019 June 2018 The Zoo announced an historic gift that allowed us to embark on a bold campaign to ensure our future. Local philanthropists, Harry and Linda Fath, who April 2018 also made a generous donation AUGUST 2018 Wings of the World bird house re- to help the Zoo complete its The Zoo, in partnership with Cincinnati opened with a major face lift, featuring indoor gorilla facility and Africa Children’s Hospital Medical Center, new interactive elements to engage habitat, have stepped up with an celebrated Access for All Day. The Zoo guests in learning about birds and unprecedented, transformation- has been working hard to become how to become better bird neighbors. al matching gift of $50 million. the most welcoming, accessible, and Bird-watching tips, seek-and-find inclusive zoo for individuals with When fundraising is complete opportunities and bird identification developmental disabilities and their activities are featured in games and in 2025, this matching gift will families. colorful, Charley Harper-inspired signs. have represented one third of the $150 million goal of the More JUNE 2018 Home to Roam capital campaign. SEPTEMBER 2018 In collaboration with the animal care The Zoo was awarded a $22,000 grant staff at the Arizona-Sonora Desert from the Duke Energy Foundation that Museum, scientists from CREW will support key parts of a project to produced their second pregnancy in create more pollinator friendly ocelots using a novel fixed-time habitats in the urban landscape. artificial insemination (AI) method. 4 JANUARY 2019 1,000 people walked 1,000 meters to celebrate Fiona hitting the 1,000 pound milestone on the scale! Social Media Superstar! October 2018 The Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) recognized the Zoo with the 2018 Excellence in Marketing Award for innovation in the Zoo’s instagram #TeamFiona campaign. @CincinnatiZoo has 346K followers DECEMBER 2018 Five conservation-related PNC Festival of Lights took items typically posted per day = the top spot in USA Today’s 100,000 reach per 2018 10-Best Poll for Best 24 hours Zoo Lights. Instagram posts reach an average of 116K people February 2019 The first jaguar cub ever born from artificial insemination (AI) arrived at the Associação Mata Ciliar in Brazil! The birth is a result of an AI procedure performed by CREW scientists and twitter represents a major scientific @CincinnatiZoo has advancement for the conservation of this species. 226K followers December 2018 They see an average of three conservation-related The Cincinnati Zoo, aka the Greenest March 2019 tweets per day. Zoo in America, achieved Platinum We were voted Best Instagram LEED certification for the new indoor Account, and, for the second year Gorilla World habitat. in a row, Fiona was voted “Best Cincinnatian” in CityBeat’s 2019 Best Of Cincinnati issue. facebook @CincinnatiZoo has 903K follows 5 births and arrivals Named for the winter solstice, Winsol made his public debut at the end of March 2018 6 Good-bye We also said good-bye to some beloved members of the Zoo family this past year. Red panda cubs, Audra and Lenore, joined the Zoo family in June Daphne, an orphaned manatee, moved into Manatee Springs in April Popsy Two Guam rail chicks hatched in August, keeping A blue death-feigning beetle emerged hope alive for this extinct-in-the-wild species in August, in time for the 40th anniversary of World of the Insect Imara Kwasi Gabriele Mani the tamandua arrived in Pierogi and Toast, two little blue penguins, hatched December to much social media fanfare just in time for the new year 7 animal welfare & excellence 8 ANIMAL WELFARE & EXCELLENCE Referring to an animal’s collective physical, mental, and emotional states over a period of time, animal welfare is measured on a continuum from good to poor and is at the core of everything we do at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. The continuous pursuit of not just good, but optimal animal welfare is how the Zoo defines animal excellence. Committed to Outstanding Care The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden takes a scientific in order to promote physical activity, ultimately improving approach to caring for animals. This is done by implement- the health of the little blues. Not only are the lives of the ing a holistic and evidence-based approach to understanding Cincinnati Zoo’s little blue penguins improved, but we are and enhancing the lives of animals in the Zoo’s care. With an sharing this research and information with Zoos across the innovative animal excellence initiative, the Zoo is focusing nation in order to drastically improve the lives of little blue efforts on ways to best care for animals so they can thrive. penguins everywhere. The Cincinnati Zoo defines animal excellence as the To help ensure optimal animal welfare is being considered, continuous pursuit for optimal animal welfare. Combining the Zoo’s animal excellence team was an integral part of the this new science with the Zoo’s experienced team of expert design process for new animal habitats and renovations care staff is the best approach for promoting animal planned as a part of the More Home to Roam initiative. Best excellence.