Spring 2013 Can you say “quasquicentennial”? We can, but only because we’ve been practicing. It’s a fancy word And, of course, we could not do the work we do without you. – coined by Funk & Wagnalls editor Robert L. Chapman in 1962 – and it means 125th anniversary. Maybe you’ll want to Thank you, voters, who approve bond measures and levies that start practicing too. November 7 marks the Oregon Zoo’s 125th help fund zoo operations and build new exhibits. Thank you, anniversary, and we’ll be celebrating our “quasquicentennial” this donors, for your commitment to animal welfare and investment Kim Smith fall with a collaborative exhibit at the Oregon Historical Society. in our community (see page 26 for our list of donors who Director, Oregon Zoo helped the zoo in 2012). Thank you, volunteers, who weave In this issue of ZooTracks, we take a look back at our first 125 your enthusiasm and knowledge into the zoo’s educational years, tracing the zoo’s progress from its unlikely beginnings as a offerings. And lastly, thank you to our members and to all collection of exotic animals donated to the City of Portland by visitors who help fund the zoo’s work. pharmacist Richard Knight. It’s amazing when you think about it: The zoo has been community supported since 1888 – a time With your ongoing support, we will continue to build a better when there were no cars, no planes and only 38 states in the union. future for wildlife. We hope you’ll enjoy revisiting the past in these pages, and also hope you notice the important areas where the zoo has set its sights on the future. From a small menagerie in a downtown Kim Smith Jani Iverson pharmacy to a world-class center for wildlife preservation and Director Director field research, the zoo’s 125-year journey has seen vast leaps Oregon Zoo Oregon Zoo Foundation in zoological knowledge and animal enrichment, and an increasing focus on sustainable operations, wildlife education and conservation. Jani Iverson Director, Oregon Zoo Foundation 2 COVER PHOTOS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 11 10 12 13 14 1. Packy is surrounded 9. TV and radio personality by admirers on his 20th Heck Harper visits birthday. 1982. Kennedy during Western Days at Foresman. the Portland Zoological Gardens. Circa 1967. 2. Portland Zoo Railway kiosk, Photographer unknown. sponsored by Hyster. Circa 1960s. Jim Anderson. 10. Presidential candidate Jimmy Carter visits the 3. Rosy upon her arrival in Washington Park Zoo 1953. James Hainds, from in 1976. Photographer the collection of Jack Marks. unknown. 4. A family takes a boat tour 11. Former Washington Park through the Children’s Zoo Director Warren Zoo. Circa late 1960s. IIiff. Circa late 1970s. Photographer unknown. Photographer unknown. Happy 125th Birthday, Oregon Zoo 5 5. A vintage glimpse of the 12. Baby hippos arrive in shiny, new Zooliner built Portland, bound for the in 1958. Photographer Zoological Gardens (now unknown. the Oregon Zoo). Circa 1958. Photographer 6. The entrance mural for unknown. Flock this way the Portland Zoological TABLE OF CONTENTS Gardens. Circa 1975. 13. Asian elephants (from left Photographer unknown. to right) Pet, Hanako and HAPPY 125TH BIRTHDAY, OREGON ZOO 5 Tuy Hoa. Date unknown. 7. Baby camel Blazer, Matthew Maberry. appears with its mother, OREGON ZOO THANKS ITS 2012 DONORS 26 Fawzia. Circa late 1970s. 14. Visitors aboard the ZooBoo Photographer unknown. 30 Express during this former MEMBER NOTES Halloween event at the 8. Asian elephant calf, Me-Tu, is zoo. Now visitors celebrate EVENT CALENDAR 32 helped to her feet by Morgan Howloween with trick-or- Berry (left) and keeper treating annually. Date and Denslow Robbins (right) Lesser flamingo 30 photographer unknown. shortly after her birth in 1962. Photographer unknown. 3 Oregon Zoo Foundation The Oregon Zoo Foundation Board of Trustees represents individuals in our community who share a passionate commitment to fostering community Save the Date! pride and involvement in the Oregon Zoo, and to securing financial support for the zoo's animal welfare, conservation and education programs. Saturday, July 20, 2013 Board of Trustees Mark Loomis ································································································Chair Jeff Nudelman ·····················································································Vice Chair Mark your calendars for a spectacular Rob Erickson ························································································Treasurer Cynthia Malen ······················································································ Secretary evening of fine dining, live music, Dan Jarman ·······································································Immediate Past Chair Michael Baele Kim Overhage Presented by featured animals and so much more! Heidi Bell Keith Parker Stan Bland Jared Short Laurie Christensen Tony Ueber A benefit supporting the Tracey Clark Metro Councilor Ryan Deckert Carlotta Collette, ex officio Oregon Zoo hosted by Steffeni Mendoza Gray Metro Councilor Raimund Grube Shirley Craddick, ex officio Nancy Hinnen Trustee Emeritus Aili Jokela C. Kregg Hanson, ex officio Campbell Kidd Zoo Director Craig Norris Kim Smith, ex officio Oregon Zoo Foundation Staff Jani Iverson .............................................................................................Director Christine Alexander ................................... Development Systems Administrator Treat Mom to Something Wild and Wonderful this Mother’s Day! Kym Amador ....................................................................Development Assistant Tony Arnell ....................... Membership and Development Systems Coordinator Nicole Barnes .................................................... Membership Services Manager Menu features will include: Jody Brassfield-English ........................................................... Finance Manager Mother’s Day Brunch Melinda Burpo ........................................................... Communications Manager • Starters like house cured salmon lox with capers, Kristine Caldicott ..................................................................... Finance Assistant at the Oregon Zoo Shannon Christianson ...................................Major Gifts/Gift Planning Manager onions, cream cheese and bagels Dustin Devitt ..................................... Development and Administrative Assistant Rick Horton ................................................................................ Grants Manager Sunday, May 12, 2013 – 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. • Selection of salads using locally sourced produce Chelsie Kinney ..................................................................... Executive Assistant Paula Little ............................................................... Capital Campaign Manager • Made-to-order omelet station Chelsea Sokolow ........................................................ Development Coordinator Beth Smith ............................................... Events and Special Projects Manager • Maple and chicory glazed ham carving station ZooTracks • Traditional favorites like Eggs Benedict, French toast is published by the Oregon Zoo Foundation Melinda Burpo .............................................................................. Editor-in-Chief and Applewood smoked bacon Krista Hofmeister .......................................................................Design & Layout Contributors and Photographers • Assorted pastries and desserts Kevin Brown Shervin Hess Reservations Required – 503-525-4299 Julie Cudahy Melinda Holland Carli Davidson Don Nelson Adults (age 12 and older): $26 members, $29 non-members Michael Durham Brock Parker C. Bruce Forster Kathy Street Ian Gillingham Sandy Thompson Children (ages 2 -11): $10.50 members, $12 non-members Printed on recycled paper. More at oregonzoo.org Printed in the USA on 30% PCW recycled paper with vegetable based inks. 4 Happy 125th Birthday, Oregon Zoo! This November, the Oregon Zoo will officially turn 125 years old. And what a century and a quarter it’s been! From its world-renowned Asian elephant program to its internationally recognized conservation and education efforts, today’s Oregon Zoo is a place where the joy of a child’s discoveries merge with the knowledge of a responsibility we all share – to conserve the world’s wildlife and natural habitats for future generations. As we reflect on the zoo’s history – the achievements, the milestones and the growing pains – it is clear that the Oregon Zoo did not become what it is today, overnight. It is also clear that there are many things to be proud of: among them, the incredible community that has made this zoo part of the fabric of the Portland region since 1888. The Oregon Zoo did not start with a grand intention, but with an unexpected gift. When the City of Portland accepted bears, monkeys and birds from a former sailor on November 7, 1888, it hadn’t planned to create a zoo. The community, though, was instantly enamored of these new animals living in a park above the city. And so it began. Girls from a local Brownie Girl Scout troop bring Asian elephant Packy a cake to celebrate his first birthday. 1963. Donated snapshot. 5 From a pharmacy, a zoo is born It was the 1880s and Portland was evolving from a rough settlement into a proper city. Electric street lights had just been installed; a paid fire department organized; and in 1887 the Morrison Bridge opened, the first bridge to span the river. The Park Blocks were adorned by mansions and elms, while people