Meet the nursery class of 2010

spring 2010
wee
wonders
Meet the nursery class of 2010
senior leadership
team message
spring 2010
Table of Contents
Dear Members:
As you’ll see as you read through this issue of Wild Times, it’s been a busy first
quarter of the year for Zoo Atlanta! The Zoo family has enjoyed a very successful –
and fruitful – spring, welcoming the additions of several brand-new animal members
(with more on the way!). The Zoo is full of new life and brimming with expectations
for the coming months. Be sure to visit often to watch our youngsters grow!
Summer promises to be one of our most exciting seasons yet! Xander and Sabah,
two new sun bears, and Yoichi and Narita, two new tanuki, make their long-awaited
debut in June, as does Trader’s Alley: Wildlife’s Fading Footprints, a thought-provoking
new exhibit pathway dedicated to educating guests about the global problem of
the wildlife trade. And finally, after months of anticipation, our Sumatran tigers and
clouded leopard return in all-new habitats. It’s all new, and it’s all happening in June
2010! Whether you’re getting to know animals that are new to the Zoo, reintroducing
yourselves to charismatic cats, or walking an evocative path that gets you thinking
about the issues facing wildlife today, we can guarantee a season full of fun,
fascination and discovery.
Senior Leadership Team Message ........................................1
3
Cover Story:
Wee Wonders:
Meet the nursery class of 2010 ..............................................3
Indigo Generation:
A new head-start project could mean a comeback
for a native species ..................................................................9
9
Staff Profile: Sam Rivera, DVM ..........................................13
Staff Profile Extra:
Rivera lends a hand to Project Pinta ....................................14
Wild Buzz .............................................................................15
Wally’s Wild World ..............................................................16
13
In the meantime, enjoy the Zoo! Thank you as always for your support and commitment
to superior stewardship of more than 1,000 animals from around the world.
Mark Your Calendar ............................................................17
Meet the Animals .................................................................18
Zoo Atlanta thanks our Wild Times staff:
The Zoo Atlanta Senior Leadership Team
Managing Editor: Rachel MacNabb
14
Wild Times Designer: Kathy Cahill
Creative Director, Zoo Atlanta: Richard Hezlep
Contributing Writers: Laurel Askue, Rachel MacNabb, Lani Schoedler
Staff Photographer:
Adam K. Thompson
Contributing Photographers: Louis Cahill; Stephen Divers, University of Georgia;
James C. Godwin, Auburn University; Ed Kabay;
Dirk Stephenson, Project Orianne
1
18
On the cover: Ziggy and Jill. Photo by Adam K. Thompson.
2
Wee
Wonders
Meet the
nursery class of
2010
One by one they come. Two-legged, four-legged,
six-legged. Hoppers, climbers, wallowers, flyers, hissers.
And if reinforcements are needed, there are more on
the way. Call it a Code Pink-and-Blue, call it a full-scale
invasion, or call it a total saturation of REAL LIVE FUN.
The baby boom has officially begun. Throughout the Zoo,
mini-ambassadors are warming hearts with effortless
messages of hope, education and conservation.
by Rachel MacNabb
photos by Adam L. Thompson
4
Red Kangaroo
Special delivery: Out of the pouch in early 2010
Proud parents: Charlie and Uluru
Pontoof is Uluru’s and Charlie’s fifth joey, but her special
distinction is that she’s their first girl! Born as a jellybean-sized
neonate in early summer 2009, this doe-eyed juvenile has been
charming Members and guests since she began leaving Uluru’s
pouch at the beginning of the year.
Special delivery: March 18, 2010
Proud parents: Robin and Theo
Golden Lion Tamarin
The birth of their first offspring was a learning experience for Robin
and Theo, who are both new to parenting. Golden lion tamarin
fathers typically shoulder the majority of child care – a duty Theo
undertakes with much enthusiasm. Watch the family take to the
trees during free-ranging season this summer!
Spotted Dikkops
Special delivery: January 14, 2010
Proud parents: Jill and J.J.
Schmidt’s Guenon
Special delivery: March 27 and April 6, 2010
Proud parents: Mom and Dad haven’t been named.
These chicks’ parents unknowingly incubated faux eggs while the Bird
Department incubated the real thing – a strategy employed when the
pair destroyed previous clutches. This time, keepers watched the female closely for egg-laying behavior, then moved in and made the swap.
Ziggy was a surprise! No one in the Primate Department
knew that 17-year-old Jill was expecting until she delivered
this little bundle. Look for Ziggy as she cruises the trees of
The Ford African Rain Forest with her parents.
Special delivery: March 30, 2010
Proud parents: Miri and Sulango
Bornean Orangutan
Although Miri is an experienced mother, her newborn’s
tiny size and frail health necessitated that he be hand-reared
in the Veterinary Clinic. He has been aptly named Sandar,
which means “to lean on, to rely on, to depend on” in Malay
– an appropriate testament to the spirit of cooperation and
supreme dedication that has defined his care. At press time,
Sandar was benefiting from round-the-clock efforts by Zoo
staff and Children’s HealthCare of Atlanta. Join us in hoping
this very special youngster continues to progress!
Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches
Special delivery: March 15, 2010
Proud parents: Moms and Dads haven’t been named.
AWW! The Program Animals Department was delighted when their
education insect ambassadors multiplied in the Wieland Wildlife
Home. Madagascar hissing cockroach parents often stay close to their
little ones for some time after they hatch.
Warthog Piglets
Special delivery: April 7, 2010
Proud parents: Vern and Shirley
Wartful congratulations were in order again with the birth of this
adorable twosome. (Don’t take our word for it: the picture doesn’t
do these guys justice.) Look out for baby’s first mud wallow!
6
Great Expectations
When Wild Times went to print,
these expectant mothers still hadn’t delivered,
but we were watching … and waiting …
Giraffe
Parents-to-be: Glenda and Abu
It’s no tall tale: it’s just a matter of when. Giraffe calves are
around six feet tall at birth and can walk within two hours! The
calf will be the first for 3-year-old Glenda and 4-year-old Abu.
Parents-to-be:
Kuchi and Taz
Western Lowland Gorilla
R
She’s still the only known gorilla in captivity anywhere in the
world ever to rear twins independently, and her name has become
synonymous with “mom.” Kuchi is expecting her fifth offspring, with
a new brother or sister for 4-year-old twins Kali and Kazi.
Western Lowland Gorilla
Parents-to-be: Kudzoo and Taz
Kudzoo’s second infant (her first is Macy Baby, 4) will be the third
surviving grandchild of the legendary Willie B. The iconic gorilla’s
other grandchild is Sukari’s Gunther, 3, who will no doubt be a
willing playmate for his new half sibling.
7
Stay tuned for exciting news from the African Plains and The Ford African Rain Forest,
and visit often to watch all of our little ones grow!
8
Our neighbor the eastern indigo
Indigo snakes are North America’s largest native snake species,
reaching lengths of up to eight feet. Ranging from a deep midnight
blue to a shimmering black, their dark scales are easier to spot
than those of more cryptically colored species, such as the
copperhead or timber rattlesnake. Unlike these masters of
camouflage, indigo snakes are non-venomous, pose no danger
to humans, and are rarely known to bite unless provoked.
Sometimes referred to as gopher snakes, indigos make active
use of underground burrows dug by other animals. Their
preferred abodes seem to be those created by gopher tortoises,
and the two species often live communally – an example of
the interconnectedness of the ecosystem they share.
Relying on neither venom nor constriction, these large snakes
depend strictly on brawn. Indigos will eat almost anything they
can realistically subdue, including small mammals, amphibians
and other snakes. Pressed into submission by the indigo’s
powerful body, the prey is frequently swallowed alive.
Indigo
generation
A new head-start project could mean a comeback for a valuable native species.
By Rachel MacNabb
Everybody loves a baby. That sentiment seems to increase by
about 200 percent in the case of animal babies. Now, multiply
that by 37. Thirty-seven baby animals, all in their own selfcontained nursery environment, growing and thriving under the
expert care of dedicated professionals. It sounds like a winning
recipe for high-pitched cooing. Except – AWW! – they’re snakes.
Baby snakes don’t necessarily top the mainstream list of Earth’s
most adored animal offspring, but there’s no logical reason for
that. As adults, they’ll be beautiful; as ecological contributors,
integral; as representatives of biodiversity, incomparable. The
37 youngsters currently housed at Zoo Atlanta will be all of these
things and more. It’s hoped they’ll someday make their own
contributions to a landmark effort that seeks to see a native
species reinstated throughout its original range.
9
The eastern indigo snake head start project is a comprehensive
partnership between Zoo Atlanta, the Georgia Department of
Natural Resources, the Alabama Department of Conservation
and Natural Resources, Auburn University and Project Orianne,
a wildlife conservation organization devoted to the sustainability
of the species. While it could be years before indigo snakes
make a comeback in the Southeast, the near-term objective is
reintroduction of captive-reared indigos to predetermined sites
in Alabama’s Conecuh National Forest.
“Conservation of the eastern indigo snake is closely linked to the
conservation of the longleaf pine ecosystem and other species of
wildlife, such as gopher tortoises, red cockaded woodpeckers
and bobwhite quail,” explains Dr. Christopher Jenkins, Executive
Director of Project Orianne, Ltd. “We hope these efforts will
be viewed as a model for conserving additional iconic species
and habitats.”
The eastern indigo snake’s mode of operation might sound
brutish, but there’s no place for squeamishness in a well-balanced
Eastern indigo snake photo by Dirk Stevenson,
Project Orianne
Herpetology Keepers David Brothers (pictured), Jason Brock
and Ed Kabay joined an expedition to south Georgia to collect
wild indigo snakes. Photo by Ed Kabay, Zoo Atlanta.
ecosystem, nor is there usually a warm welcome in the hearts
of humans for rats and other home invaders. Like most snakes,
indigos are some of nature’s finest pest controllers, and their
presence is usually a good sign that the rodent population is
being kept in check.
Unfortunately, humans don’t always show their appreciation for
this natural check-and-balance system. Once common in many
parts of the Southeast, eastern indigos are now confined to a
significantly smaller part of their historical range. The species is
today found primarily in Florida and southeast Georgia. Although
now federally protected, indigos continue to suffer the ill effects
of human activities.
Despite protective legislation, indigo snakes are still sought after as
pets, largely because of their impressive size, luminescent coloration
and passive nature. Although many states now require a permit
for private ownership of an indigo snake, illegal exploitation for
the pet trade remains a strain on wild populations. Looming
larger for indigos is the ever-present threat of habitat loss caused
by commercial and residential development.
The science of fear
Tightened regulations, aggressive efforts by state governments
and stricter directives on land management have done much to
ameliorate some of the problems faced by this spectacular native
species. But even the long arm of the law can’t penetrate the
darkness of a human psyche programmed to believe that snakes
– mysterious, legless beings so completely unlike us – are bad
guys to be feared and destroyed.
The age-old misunderstanding of humans for their serpentine
neighbors is a tragic one. Fear of snakes is unusually widespread,
considering its targets are creatures that would almost always
rather flee than risk engaging animals so much larger than
themselves. To some, the only good snake is a dead snake, and
the only thing worse than a live snake is a big one. Indigo snakes
almost never benefit from this mentality. Fortunately, what’s
programmed can more often than not be un-programmed, with
a brighter chance at coexistence for both humans and snakes.
“Every person I’ve ever met who had an aversion to snakes has
changed their perspective once they’ve learned a bit more,” says
Dr. Joe Mendelson, Curator of Herpetology at Zoo Atlanta.
“There is nothing more rewarding than helping a reticent person
reach out and touch a living snake.”
Zoo Atlanta’s Wieland Wildlife Home houses eight such animal
ambassadors, snakes of various species that continue to have
untold numbers of positive impacts on guest perceptions. In fact,
one of Wieland’s most beloved education snakes was an eastern
indigo snake: Blue, a popular ambassador to thousands of Zoo
guests before he passed away in 2007 at the age of nearly 20.
10
The indigo snake head-start project
Known for its picturesque wooded hiking trails and abundant wildlife,
Conecuh National Forest is not the first locale tapped for an indigo
program in Alabama. In the 1970s and 1980s, Dr. Dan Speake of
Auburn University’s Cooperative Wildlife Unit attempted captive
rearing and release at several sites in the southern part of the
state, but none of the reintroduced individuals survived. Four
years ago, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources approached the Alabama Natural Heritage Program,
based at Auburn University, with a proposal for partnership on
a second reintroduction project.
“We spent a couple of years rethinking how and where to do
another snake reintroduction,” says Jim Godwin, a zoologist
with the Alabama Natural Heritage Program. “With our current
project, we hope to increase our prospects for success by
releasing many snakes at one site over a period of years.”
Once Conecuh was identified as the landing ground, the nuts and
bolts of the program began in earnest. As the effort now functions,
gravid females are located in the wild in southeast Georgia; held
in zoological facilities until they lay their eggs; and are returned to
the same locations where they were originally captured. Their
hatchlings are then reared to such an age and size when they can
be released into the wild. Each captive-reared snake receives a
Passive Integrated Transponder for permanent identification, and
snakes will be monitored via small radio transmitters to follow
their integration into the natural environment.
retriever leased annually to Project Orianne and trained by
PackLeader Dog Training, is one of the effort’s most talented
snake locators. (C.J. never harms the snakes; he merely alerts the
group to their whereabouts by enthusiastically wagging his tail.)
It will be at least two years before Zoo Atlanta’s indigos are large
enough for reintroduction. Auburn University currently holds 18
older individuals that are scheduled for release in 2010. But with
the program still in its infancy, there’s little information to predict
when or if the Conecuh habitat will reach carrying capacity.
“We don’t know how long it will be before the site reaches that
point,” says Jenkins. “We are dedicated to a sustained effort that
will work for however long is necessary.”
Central to that effort is education, primarily for people sharing
the eastern indigo snake’s native habitat. Jenkins, who also
conducts presentations on rattlesnake awareness and safety,
manages outreach programs that not only dispel fear of indigos,
but instill a sense of pride in the species as an important part of
the natural heritage of the Southeast.
“In general, I do think it is more difficult to conserve a reptile,
especially a snake, because many people have a negative
perception of these animals,” Jenkins believes. “But so many of
the people we’ve encountered, particularly children, have a great
deal of interest in and curiosity about snakes.”
David Brothers inspects one of the 37 young indigos currently
housed at Zoo Atlanta. Photo by Adam K. Thompson.
In 2008, there were 26 hatchlings produced by three females; in
2009, 51 hatchlings from eight females, according to Godwin.
Thirty-seven of these arrived at Zoo Atlanta in January 2010.
Housed behind-the-scenes, the snakes are not nor will ever be
on exhibit. While the Herpetology Department provides meals
and general husbandry, the indigos are kept carefully unaccustomed
to visitors or man-made disturbances – an approach that will
preserve their natural avoidance of humans when they are someday
returned to the wild. Although the young reptiles are the Zoo’s
first potential head-starters, they’re unlikely to be the last.
Backyard beginnings
By mere virtue of its mission and relatable approach to wildlife,
the Zoo regularly overturns unfounded fears of snakes with a
mixture of education, appreciation and fascination. The creatures
in question deserve all three. Aesthetically, they are exquisite.
Biologically, they are superbly adapted. Behaviorally, they are
endlessly intriguing, and not just for the differences between
our kind and theirs.
“We aim to work with our collaborators to expand this program
so that one day, citizens of Georgia can find them in all areas of
their historical range,” Mendelson shares. “Ramping up our
operation to include more head-started babies, more re-releases,
and more long-term radio-tracking in the wild is the first step.”
A future starts in the field
Zoo Atlanta Herpetology Keepers Jason Brock, David Brothers
and Ed Kabay have joined expeditions to southern Georgia in
search of gravid female indigos. Not everyone involved in these
missions is a scientist, a zoologist, a curator or zookeeper. In fact,
one of the key players isn’t even human. C.J., a Labrador
11
It will be two years or more before this hatchling is ready for release in the wild. Photo © James C. Godwin, Auburn University.
And then there’s the fact that we need them. They also need us.
They need us as champions, stewards, and spokespersons for
their irreplaceable role in our ecosystems. Somehow, these
relationships become even more imperative when they are our
own, native Georgians, parts of our state’s rich natural history.
Conservation, so often, begins in our very backyards.
Project Orianne’s education programs include activities for
children, tours of field sites and opportunities to interact with
indigo ambassadors – a parallel to Zoo Atlanta’s worldview that
knowledge and personal experience can trample even the
deepest-held opinions on lesser known – and as a result
lesser-loved – species.
“I am so proud of Zoo Atlanta’s commitment to research and
conservation. The world is facing a biodiversity crisis, and our
own native wildlife is not exempt from that,” Mendelson says.
“Programs like this one prove that Zoo Atlanta is not just
talking about it. We’re doing something about it.”
SUMMER SAFARI DAY CAMP
Book the kids now for good times, new friends,
educational explorations and wildlife adventures!
Camp runs weekly, June 1 through August 13.
Register today on zooatlanta.org.
12
Staff profile:
Staff profile extra:
Sam Rivera, DVM
Associate Veterinarian
When asked the question, “Why Zoo Atlanta?” Dr. Sam Rivera
replied, “It’s the best zoo in the universe!” Could it be that his
trademark sense of humor was behind that statement? Or is it
that he fundamentally loves his job? More than likely, it’s both.
In November 2009, Zoo Atlanta’s Dr. Sam Rivera was invited to
assist a group of American veterinarians in performing 41 surgical
procedures that will result in the return of giant tortoises to the
Galapagos island of Pinta. His patients are crucial players in Project
Pinta, a long-term initiative dedicated to a complete ecological
restoration of the island.
Fondly known by many as “Dr. Sam,” Rivera has always known
that he wanted to be a zoo veterinarian. A native of Ponce,
Puerto Rico, he volunteered at a zoo in his first two years as
an undergraduate at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez.
He later transferred to Kansas State University (he moved to the
U.S. in 1988), earning a Bachelor’s in Microbiology, a Master’s in
Veterinary Pathology and a doctoral degree in Veterinary
Medicine. He served preceptorships at the St. Louis Zoo and
Bronx Zoo before moving to Georgia, where he worked in a
private practice in Acworth.
Although he has been most visible in recent years as one of the
veterinarians to Atlanta’s most famous animal celebrities, Rivera’s
career at Zoo Atlanta actually spans more than a decade. He
joined the Zoo family part-time in 1999 and has served full-time
since 2005. Over the past 11 years, the unforgettable moments
have been too numerous to name, according to Rivera, but we
can think of a few. Rivera’s greatest hits include assisting in a
delicate surgery on a tortoise to remove rocks from the animal’s
stomach. (Prior to its confiscation, the reptile had been force-fed
stones to increase its weight for an Asian food market, where its
value was to be assessed by the pound.) Then there was the
sighting of a fetal Xi Lan on Lun Lun’s ultrasound days before his
arrival. (Big sister Mei Lan’s existence wasn’t confirmed until her
birth.) That’s not counting hundreds of Zoo house calls, training
adventures, exams and procedures on everything from African
elephants to Wildlife Theater rats. And no one knows better than
the Zoo’s Veterinary Team that in the wild world of animals,
things don’t always go according to plan.
“This job can be stressful at times. Cases can be very timesensitive, our plan for the day can change in a heartbeat, and the
unexpected can usually be expected,” Rivera says. “I always feel
that a good sense of humor is always helpful, even though it gets
me in trouble sometimes!”
Rivera, who specializes in avian medicine, is working toward
board certification in zoological medicine – an obvious next step
for someone who is so clearly a generalist at heart when it comes
to animals. At last count, there were over 1,330 mammals, birds,
reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates at the Zoo, and one of
Rivera’s most noticeable and impressive professional traits is
that no one case outweighs another.
13
Rivera lends a hand to Project Pinta
“My first reaction was excitement, because of my interest in
turtle surgery and endoscopy,” Rivera says, “but I’m also extremely
honored to be part of a project that takes such a holistic approach
to conservation.”
Pinta’s giant keystones
“We are responsible for ALL the animals under our care,” he
affirms. “I feel it is of the utmost importance that we provide the
best medical care we can, whether it’s a giant panda or a rat.”
Rivera’s interests in animal health transcend his many Zoo
patients, extending to cutting-edge research and important
conservation initiatives in the wild. Current projects include
ongoing health assessments for wild sea turtles, and in November
2009, a prestigious invitation to participate in Project Pinta, an
ambitious effort to restore one subspecies of giant tortoise to its
native Galapagos isle. (See Staff Profile Extra on the facing page.)
When he’s not working to keep Zoo residents in tip-top shape,
Rivera pursues turtle and reef aquarium hobbies, reading and
camping with his wife Brenda and two daughters. Daughters
Keiandra, 9, and Keimarya, 6, apparently follow in the footsteps
of their father’s indecision as to choosing just one species to
follow, value, and love.
“They love the Zoo and can never make up their minds about
which are their favorite animals,” Rivera says. “They like them all
… except maybe the cockroaches!”
It’s a blessing in more than 1,330 individual lives that Dad likes
even those.
Originally native to the island, Pinta tortoises had been hunted to
extinction by whalers in the 19th century. Complicating matters
further, whalers introduced another readily available food source
– domestic goats – to the island, where they could be easily
hunted. Over the decades, these non-native animals fundamentally
damaged the structure of the island’s vegetation. Goats were
removed from Pinta in 2003, but with the end of generations
of grazing came new problems for the ecosystem. Some plant
species ran rampant, to the detriment of others. Pinta’s natural
equilibrium was clearly out of whack.
Contemporary research suggests that giant tortoises may be
more critical to their ecosystems than any other species in their
environment. Their large size and feeding and resting habits are
known to have an important balancing effect on vegetation and
seed germination, directly or indirectly affecting every other
species sharing the habitat. If Pinta was to be restored to its original
order, then Pinta was going to need its original tortoises.
Back to the island
That might have been easier said than done. While the supersized reptiles of the famed archipelago are often lumped by the
catch-all name “Galapagos tortoise,” there are actually some 14
subspecies, each carrying recognized genetic variations. Until the
mid 1970s, many of the animals housed at the Charles Darwin
Research Center on Santa Cruz Island had been allowed to
reproduce, resulting in a number of hybrids of mixed genealogy.
Because conservationists now seek to preserve genetic variations
endemic to individual Galapagos islands, male and female hybrid
tortoises had for some time been maintained separately. Given
that these are some of the animal kingdom’s longest-lived creatures
– giant tortoises have been known to live well over 100 years – it
seemed unfortunate that these individuals were unlikely to ever
return to the wild.
While in the Galapagos, Rivera also assisted in an exam on the iconic Lonesome
George (pictured). Lonesome George, who may be as old as 90, is the last known
surviving member of the Pinta subspecies. Photo by Dr. Stephen Divers.
That all changed last fall, thanks to Rivera and his colleagues. Led
by Dr. Joseph Flanagan, Director of Veterinary Services at the
Houston Zoo, and Dr. Stephen Divers of the Department of
Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine,
University of Georgia, and in collaboration with Galapagos
National Park, the team successfully surgically sterilized 26 male
tortoises and 15 females, all of which were later permitted to
share a corral at the Center for the first time in decades. Scheduled
to be released on Pinta in May 2010, these individuals can now
complete their unusually long lives at home in the wild.
As the tortoises work their ecological wonders, it’s hoped they’ll
recondition their habitat to its original balance. Ultimately, Project
Pinta will seek to establish a reproductive group of animals that
are as genetically close as possible to the area’s original tortoise
natives – a new beginning for Pinta Island, and an encouraging
step forward for the world-famous biodiversity of one of Earth’s
most cherished wild places.
“As zoological professionals and as veterinarians, we’re often
called upon to devote our expertise to something far bigger than
ourselves. On some level, I’m able to do that every day,” Rivera
says. “It’s an honor to be able to contribute to an effort that could
still be making a positive impact a century from now.”
Wild Buzz
News of Zoo Atlanta’s Animals and Staff
Hi, l’m Wally!
Congratulations to the Marketing and Public Relations
and Communications Teams! The Zoo Atlanta Give So They
Stay campaign has received two Atlanta Marketer of the Year
(AMY) Awards. The AMY Awards, which recognize excellence
and achievement in results-driven marketing programs, are a
prestigious annual competition presented by the Atlanta Chapter
of the American Marketing Association. The Zoo was a finalist in
two categories, General Advertising and Integrated PR Campaign,
and took both honors on March 11.
Richard Hezlep, Creative Director, and Becky Scheel,
Graphics/Web Designer, were recently honored with a 2010
American Inhouse Design Award from Graphic Design USA.
The national contest recognizes outstanding work by companies
with in-house design teams.
new faces
The Zoo Atlanta family welcomes Lauren Hytinen, Camp
Programs Supervisor; Amber Merkel, Assistant Marketing and
Sales Manager; Julia Mitchell, Horticulture Tech I; Dave Skillen,
Horticulture Tech II; and Ryan Stephanoff, Keeper I, Mammals.
STAFF EXTRAS
Zoo staff provided leadership at the AZA Midyear Meeting in
Virginia Beach, Va., in March: Curator of Birds James Ballance,
Vice Chair of Ratite TAG; Director of Animal Programs Lori
Perkins, Immediate Past Chair, AZA Animal Welfare Committee;
and Manager of Conservation Partnerships Dr. Tara Stoinski,
member of the inaugural meeting of the AZA Research and
Technology Committee.
Laurel Askue, Manager of Education Marketing and Development,
and Erin Delahunty, Overnight Programs Supervisor, served as
conference exhibitors at the Georgia Science Teachers Association
annual conference in Savannah, Ga., in February.
Mammal Keeper Jenny Brink attended the Otter Keeper
Workshop in Cincinnati, Ohio, April 15-18.
Director of Education Stacy Graison furthered environmental
education initiatives for formal and informal educators at the
annual conference of the Environmental Education Alliance in
Kennesaw, Ga., in March.
15
Curator of Herpetology Dr. Joseph Mendelson taught an
AZA course on amphibians at the Toledo Zoo in late April.
Find me in each issue of WILD Times so I can share some really ssssuper stuff with you!
In this issue, I’ll be sharing fun facts about some of the world’s best hoppers – the red kangaroos!
Director of Veterinary Services Dr. Hayley Murphy recently
served on a panel discussing heart disease in gorillas at the Gorilla
Workshop at Oklahoma City Zoo.
Ssssee if you can find me on another page of this magazine. If you can, email
education@zooatlanta.org with your name, address, age and page number
and be registered to win your very own plush Wally!
Curator of Mammals Dr. Rebecca Snyder attended the annual
workshop of the Giant Panda SSP at Memphis Zoo in January.
Assistant Curator of Mammals Dr. Megan Wilson and Mammal
Keeper Erin Tompkins attended the International Association
of Giraffe Care Professionals Conference in Phoenix, Ariz., in
February. Sponsored by the Phoenix Zoo, Reid Park Zoo and
Oakland Zoo, the meeting was the first conference ever dedicated
exclusively to giraffe and their care staff.
ANIMALs on the move
Zoo Atlanta welcomes Blaze, a 14-year-old female Sumatran
orangutan from the Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans,
La. Blaze has been recommended by the Orangutan SSP as a
potential mate for longtime Zoo resident Alan, who is currently
ranked as North America’s most genetically valuable male.
The Zoo has equally high hopes for Andazi, a 3-year-old
female eastern black rhino from Miami Metrozoo. The Rhino
SSP has recommended that Andazi, who arrived on April 21,
be paired with 23-year-old male Boma.
TRAINING ADVANCES
Gumby and Zazu the ground hornbills have joined Zoo
Atlanta’s thriving artist community. The birds are now painting on
canvas, courtesy of training behaviors achieved by Bird Keepers
Chris Watkinson and Katie Bagley.
Have you seen Kelly and Tara the African elephants swimming
together – in the deep end of their pool? The pachyderms have a
new inclination for this activity, thanks to positive reinforcement
training by Mammal Keepers Nate Elgart and Heather
Baskett.
Mammal Keeper Katie Ongtingco trained Shirley the warthog
for ultrasounds leading up to the births of her new piglets.
by Lani Schoedler,
Individual and Family Programs Supervisor
book nook
Marsupial: Marsupials are animals with pouches. Baby
marsupials are born very small, and they grow and develop
inside these pouches. There are more than 270 different kinds
of marsupials, including kangaroos and koalas. The Virginia
opossum is the only marsupial that lives in North America.
➤ Ages 4 and under: Joey the Kangaroo by An Vromabt
➤ Ages 4-8: Marsupial Sue by John Lithgow
➤ Ages 9 and up: Dot and the Kangaroo by Ethel C. Pedley
Beastly bookmarks
Make your own
joey in a pouch!
Materials
• Construction paper or card stock
•Large paper plate
•Hole punch
•String
• Crayons
•Glue
Instructions
1.Draw a kangaroo joey on the construction paper or card stock.
If you’re not sure what a joey should look like, check the picture for ideas or ask an adult to help.
2.Cut the large paper plate in half, and put the two halves together. (This will be your pouch.)
3.Color your joey and the pouch.
Mammal Keeper Heather Roberts has scale-and-crate-trained
Shandy the red panda.
4.Glue the joey to the inside of your pouch so that his head is peeking out.
Spotlight
Lion cubs Christos, Mikalos and Athanaisi were trained for
voluntary blood draws, injections and crate entry by the time
they departed for their new home at African Safari in Puebla,
Mexico – kudos to Mammal Keepers Jenny Brink, Layla
Dampier and Kenn Harwood.
5.Punch a hole on each side of the pouch. Use the string to tie the plate halves together.
common Name:
Red kangaroo
6.Tie the strings around your waist, and hop around with your joey!
Scientific name:
Macropus rufus
Cut out this cool bookmark!
awards
16
Mark
your
Calendar
for these Wild Times!
SATURDAY, MAY 22, 5:30 P.M. TO 8:30 P.M.
Members Only Night – The Zoo is yours and yours alone! The animals stay up late as a gesture of appreciation, and we’ve
planned a lineup of family entertainment in your honor. Don’t miss our annual extravaganza of fun activities, special encounters and
exclusive after-hours animal viewing just for Zoo Members. Free to all current Members.
Meet the Animals:
MAX
PREHENSILE-TAILED PORCUPINE
Place of origin:
Max was born at the Fresno Zoo and arrived at Zoo Atlanta
in January 2010.
SATURDAY, MAY 29, 5:30 P.M. TO 9:30 P.M.
Brew at the Zoo – Brew at the Zoo is back – just bigger, better, hoppier and bubblier! Zoo Atlanta’s signature seasonal event features
sampling of more than 30 beers, 12 wines and a variety of champagne. Live music ranges from rock to 80's new-wave to hip-hop, featuring
headline act Guilty Pleasures. Advance tickets are $35 for Members; $40 for non-Members; $45 on the day of the event. Get
tickets now on zooatlanta.org/brew.
Range in the wild:
WEEKLY, JUNE 1-AUGUST 13
Status in the wild:
SUMMER SAFARI DAY CAMP – Campers, get ready for a journey around the world and back! Discover and learn about amazing animals
from around the globe and their native habitats. Each week features unique themes, projects and activities for potty-trained 4-year-olds to
5th graders. Book a program today. Visit zooatlanta.org for more info on Summer Safari Quest, an action-packed new
experience for rising 6th to 8th graders.
Foods in the wild:
Beastly bookmarks
red kangaroo
Kangaroos are social animals
that live in groups called mobs.
Red kangaroos live in the plains
and grasslands of Australia. It is
very hot and dry here, so red
kangaroos cool themselves off
by finding shade or licking
themselves.
Kangaroos are herbivores, or
plant eaters. Red kangaroos eat
grass in the wild. The
kangaroos at Zoo Atlanta eat
hay and a dry pellet food.
Peanut butter sandwiches are a
special treat for them!
Kangaroos are very common in
the wild and are not considered
endangered. Several other
types of marsupials are
endangered, including tree
kangaroos and wallabies.
Red kangaroos are the largest
marsupials. They have long
back legs and long tails designed
to help them hop. In fact,
kangaroos cannot walk! They
hop by pushing both feet off
the ground at the same time.
These super hoppers can cover
15 feet in one jump and can go
over 30 miles per hour for
short distances.
17
Forests in South America, including but not limited to Bolivia,
Brazil, Venezuela and parts of Peru
The species is not currently listed as endangered, although
habitat loss could pose a threat in the future.
Leaves, stems, other plant and tree matter, and fruits
MOMMY AND ME
Kids too little for Winter Safari Day Camp? Check out crafts, games and animal
encounters for 2 to-3-year-olds and their favorite grownups! Programs run Tuesdays,
Wednesdays, Thursdays or Saturdays. Call 404.624.WILD to inquire about NEW
one-day programs! Book a program today on zooatlanta.org.
FAMILY NIGHTCRAWLERS
Spend the night in the Zoo! Share a nocturnal adventure for the entire family.
NightCrawler overnights feature themed games and activities, animal encounters,
scavenger hunts and exclusive tours. Sleep in climate-controlled facilities, and wake to
a continental breakfast and a private guided tour of the Zoo. NightCrawlers run from
6 p.m. to 10:30 a.m. the following morning. Book a program on zooatlanta.org
or call 404.624.WILD to register.
Diet at the Zoo:
Fruits, vegetables, plant browse and commercially-prepared
browser pellets and rodent chow
DISTINGUISHING
characteristics:
The porcupine’s most distinguishing characteristics – its formidable quills – are actually hairs made of keratin. Contrary to
popular myth, porcupines cannot use their quills as projectiles.
Dislodged quills will grow back, in the same way as human hair
would.
BEHAVIOR:
Wild on the Rocks
The all-new Discovery Talk Series
on the
Rocks
Get an edge on Atlanta’s wildest evening out – before the rest of the city finds out
about the Zoo’s best-kept secret! Mix, meet, and mingle with cocktails and exclusive
after-hours exhibit visits, followed by an evening you’ll be talking about all year.
Wild on the Rocks is FREE for Adventure Pack Members and up; $5 for Family and
Companion Members; $10 for non-Members. Reservations include open bar, light
hors d’oeuvres, special exhibit viewing and theater seating. Space is limited,
and reservations are required. Mark your calendars now! Registration will be
available online three weeks prior to each event.
Thursday, May 20, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. – Secrets of the Zoo
Thursday, June 17, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. – Trader’s Alley: Wildlife’s Fading Footprints
Thursday, September 16, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. – Cycle of Life
Go to the Member events page to learn more and to make your
reservation. Programs are designed for adults; some content may
not be suitable for children.
Proudly supported by Southern Comfort. Please drink responsibly.
Also known as Brazilian porcupines, prehensile-tailed porcupines
are nocturnal animals that may sleep in small groups for safety
during the day. The inquisitive Max is anything but shy, but his
counterparts in the wild will sometimes roll into a ball if approached in an open or unprotected area.
Max is in training at the Wieland Wildlife Home as
we anticipate his big debut! Look forward to meeting
this lovable new ambassador in Amy’s Tree shows and
animal encounters in coming weeks.
Natural enemies:
Reproduction:
Little is known about mating behavior, as the species spends most
of its time in trees. Newborns, known as porcupettes, are born
with red hair and soft quills that harden with age. Porcupettes are
able to climb within hours of birth and are weaned by 10 weeks.
Prehensile-tailed porcupines are hunted for meat and quills by some
indigenous South American tribes; they may also be taken by jaguars
and other predators, although the quills are effective deterrents to
many aggressors. Primary care staff:
Lifespan:
Up to 15 years in zoological settings; Max is just 6 months old!
Mat Hodges, Rebecca Kreh, Caroline Ledbetter, Jay Pratte and
Shelley Raynor
18
800 Cherokee Avenue, SE
Atlanta, GA 30315
404.624.WILD
zooatlanta.org
contact us!
Get in the know … get eUpdate!
Have you moved? Need to update your Membership card?
Want to increase your benefits? Do we have your email address?
If you enjoy reading the latest Zoo news in Wild Times, but aren’t
currently signed up for eUpdate, subscribe to our biweekly email
newsletter today! Sharing your email address with us also enables
you to receive timely Membership notices, renewal reminders,
early bird discounts, breaking news alerts and special offers. We
respect your privacy and will never share your information with
third parties. Subscribe today by calling 404.624.WILD or
emailing membership@zooatlanta.org.
Help us serve you better by updating your records at membership@
zooatlanta.org or 404.624.WILD, or use the online form on the
Membership page of zooatlanta.org.
Stay in touch with Zoo Atlanta! Find us on Facebook! Join as our
MySpace friend: www.myspace.com/zooATL.
Follow us on Twitter: Twitter.com/ZooATL.
COMING IN JUNE!
Meet the NEW sun bears and tanuki, and
welcome the Sumatran tigers and clouded
leopard back to Atlanta in all-new habitats!
Don’t miss Trader’s Alley: Wildlife’s Fading
Footprints, an evocative new exhibit pathway
introducing guests to the controversial world
of global wildlife trafficking. It’s all happening in
June 2010 – a great month to be a Member!
Stay tuned for exciting updates.
Your bumper can battle extinction
New Zoo Atlanta specialty license plates are available for purchase now in the Zoo Atlanta
Trading Company Gift Shop! These plates are official car tags issued by the Department of
Motor Vehicles and are not novelty items. Purchase your specialty panda plate today! Stay
tuned for details on extended availability of the tags on zooatlanta.org.