Winter 2011 Edition

Keepin’ it wild!
Winter 2011
A publication of the Zoological Society of Florida and Zoo Miami
Inside:
• Zoo Babies
• At a Glance
• Rare Baby Black Rhino Born “Ayana”
• Activities & Events
• Fun Facts
Zoo BABIES
Kelsey and her newborn Pygmy Hippo
Keepin’ It Wild is a quarterly Zoological Society of
Florida publication that provides information for the
friends and members of Zoo Miami.
For comments and donations send mail to:
Zoological Society of Florida,
12400 SW 152 Street, Miami, FL 33177,
call (305) 251-5551 or visit www.zsf.org.
Zoological Society of Florida’s Mission
To encourage an appreciation for the
world’s wildlife and help conserve it for
future generations.
Zoological Society of Florida Board of Directors
Chairman Robert W. Hudson Irene Korge
Norma Jean Abraham
Daniel J. Licciardi
Minnie Bandel
Sharon MacIvor, DVM
Harlan Chiron
Katharine McDonald
Jorge De La Torre
Lee Middleton
Pedro A. Fernandez
Harve A. Mogul
William J. Gallwey
Brian P. Mormile
Carlos F. Garcia
Marc A. Osheroff
Grizzel M. Gonzalez
Flora R. Perez
Manuel Gonzalez
Willie C. Robinson, PhD
Robert W. Hudson
Ailette D. Rodz
Juliet Johansson
Eric Stephens
Gordon M. Joost
Merrett R. Stierheim
Susan M. Kahn
Diana Udel
Michael E. Kavoukjian
Ana VeigaMilton
Bernard Klepach
Andrew H. Weinstein, Esq.
Filemon Lopez
President/CEO Benjamin H. Pingree
Zoo Admission Hours
Open 365 days a year from 9:30 a.m.-5:30p.m.
(ticket booths close at 4 p.m.).
Credits
Editor:
Penelope Suarez
Layout & Design:
Eddie Lorenzo & Jacques Rozier
Co-Editor:
Vanessa Moreno
Newborn Spider Monkey
Photography:
Ron Magill
Contributors:
Cindy Eisaman, Cindy Castelblanco, Danny
Elfenbein, Elaine Pasekoff, Jessica Casinelli,
Sabah Brinson, Susana Cortázar
The inaugural issue of Keepin’ It Wild is dedicated to
Merrett R. Stierheim, who has graciously served ZSF in
many leadership capacities, most recently as interim
President and CEO during a five month transition period.
Merrett has tirelessly served our community. Without
his service and dedication to ZSF and Zoo Miami, this
newsletter would not have been possible.
We also give a “special thanks” to Ana Vega-Milton
(board member), Manny Rodriguez (FPL), and Zoo
Miami for without them this publication wouldn’t be
possible.
Nyala Newborn & mom
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At a glance
SPONSOR
Amphitheater Renovation
Slated to reopen in November
2011, the amphitheater is currently
undergoing a complete face lift.
The remodeling project will
include the introduction of a
state-of-the-art sound and light
system, replacement of benches
with stadium seating and the
installation of a canopy to protect
from the elements.
24x36-CZ_Barn_render.pdf
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11/18/10
In 2010, Walmart showed their support for our
community and the environment by helping Zoo
Miami launch $5 Days presented by Walmart.
Through this partnership, we were able to make
your zoo more accessible with $5 admission to
all visitors and also provided a safe and fun place
for parents to take children during two school
holidays. Associates from the Walmart in Kendall
store volunteered their time to greet guests and
give out 1,000 reusable totes to help decrease the
use of plastic bags. We thank Walmart for their
support and for helping us serve the community.
4:16 PM
Wacky Barn
Currently being constructed
in the Children’s Zoo is the
brand-new Wacky Barn. The
new contact yards will allow
children to learn by seeing,
touching, smelling and
hearing the animals. The
Wacky Barn is scheduled to
open in Spring 2011.
FOR
KIDS
DS
R
A
W
E
R
R
E
MEMB
PROGRAM
Members can save more with our Members Rewards
Program. Bring your receipts from the purchase of
food, drinks and gift items to the Zoo Miami Gift Shop.
For every $50 in receipts submitted, you will get $5 in
Zoo Miami MEMBER BUCKS to be redeemed in the gift
shop. So don’t forget to collect your receipts and get
your rewards!
FREE SOUVENIR CUPS FOR MEMBERS!
As members, you can get a FREE 32 oz. souvenir
cup by bringing in the coupon attached to your new
membership cards. When you receive the colorful new
cards featuring one of our hummingbirds, look on the
back for a special offer. REFILLS ARE ONLY $1.00! So
keep coming back for more!
Our new Wild for Kids initiative is a unique
opportunity to enhance the enrichment and nurturing
of Zoo Miami’s animals, while greatly impacting the
lives of local youth. An extension of Zoo Miami’s
Adopt-an-Animal program, Wild for Kids serves
to connect our family of wildlife enthusiasts with
organizations that serve our communities children.
Zoo Miami supporters will now be able to personally
help spread the conservation message and present
adoption kits, as gifts, to a group of children at the
charity of their choice, chosen from the ZSF affiliate
list. At levels ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, donors
can design their own adoption experience.
RENEW EARLY AND GET MORE
We want everyone to renew and continue enjoying
Zoo Miami. This year, we are encouraging members to
renew early. We are offering a 2-month extension to
members who renew early. Plus, if you renew with our
new “GREENEWAL PROGRAM,’ you can save money,
save trees and get your extra two months.
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visit us at www.zoomiami.org
Ayana - Black Rhino Baby
By Elaine Pasekoff
Now, here’s a little fact about our not-so-little Ayana, who
weighed 92 pounds at birth! She was born at Zoo Miami on
August 23, 2010 to her mother, Circe, age 10, who came to
Zoo Miami from South Carolina. Her father, Toshi, age 33,
came from Japan. In addition to her parents, Ayana joins
males Eddie, age 11, and Jello, age 7.
The match-up of Ayana’s parents was no accident.
Endangered zoo animals of breeding age are entered into
the S.S.P (Species Survival Plan) database in an attempt
to pair the two most genetically diverse male and female.
Zookeepers and curators at all levels of animal management
access the S.S.P. to protect the genetic health of the captive
population. Ron Magill, Zoo Miami’s Communications
and Media Director, likens the S.S.P to a very successful
“computerized dating program.”
Ayana means “pretty flower” in Swahili, but it’s also
the name of one of the most exciting new Zoo Miami
resident in years—our new baby Black Rhino, born here
in August. Zookeepers and animal lovers across the nation
and around the world are hailing the birth of our Ayana as
a major achievement in the preservation of the endangered Black Rhinos are browsers, which means they eat leafs from
trees, bushes or shrubs. They live mostly solitary lives in the
Black Rhino.
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Is Born at Zoo Miami!
Fun Facts:
Did you know that Zoo Miami
has 2 Different kinds of Rhinos?
Asian Rhino:
• Mohan is the name of our oldest Rhino and
currently is the oldest Rhino in captivity.
• He is 40 years old.
• Juan Pur AKA Johnny is 20 years old.
• Kalu & Zuru are both 10 years old.
Black Rhinos:
• Eddie is 11 years old
• Jello is 7
• Circe is 10
• Toshi is 33
• Ayana, the newest edition is 5 months old.
bush of Eastern and Southern Africa. They can live up to age
45, and weigh up to 3,000 pounds. Their gestation period is
about 15 months. By comparison, the White Rhino—called
white not because of its color, but because of its wider
mouth, called “weid” in Dutch—weighs 6,000 pounds, and
is a grass grazer who lives in herds.
Black Rhinos are extremely endangered; there are only 3,500
in the wild, and only 70 in North America. By comparison,
White Rhinos number nearly 17,000 in the wild. The Black
Rhino population has seen a staggering decline of nearly
90 percent since 1970. One reason is that their picky, leafeating habits make it harder for them survive as forests are
cut down. Another reason is that, because they are so solitary,
poachers have found them to be easier targets.
Rebeccah Mulder is little Ayana’s zookeeper. “From her first
week, Ayana has been one very independent little lady. Her
baby antics include lying in her alfalfa and pushing around
almost anything she can. She loves to have her have belly
scratched.” Currently, Ayana weighs 400 pounds, and like
all young healthy Black Rhinos, is growing by about 25
pounds each week. Kim Harp, a senior keeper at Zoo Miami
shares, “I love to hear Ayana squeaking and huffing with
Mama. It’s something you’ve just got to see.” Both Mulder
and Harp agree that most rhino keepers in the world never
get a chance to work with a baby Black Rhino. It is a rare
and precious opportunity for them.
Black Rhinos are quite volatile and extremely sensitive to
their surroundings, thus zookeepers everywhere find them
to be a challenge to breed and raise to adulthood. “Having
the privilege of seeing this animal in the wild,” Ron Magill
shares, “has made me all the more appreciative of the role Indeed, visitors to Zoo Miami are among the privileged few
we play in propagating them in captivity. Zoo Miami is one in the country who can watch a baby black rhino grow. Make
of the most successful zoos in the country in reproducing sure to visit Zoo Miami regularly to see Ayana’s progress.
this highly endangered species.”
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Feast With The Beasts
Feast With The Beasts is one of South
Florida’s most iconic “taste of ” events. This
culinary extravaganza has evolved into one
of the most highly anticipated and cherished
events on the yearly South Florida cultural
calendar, which attracts the “Who’s Who” of
Miami philanthropists, socialites, community
and political leaders, and corporate executives.
Featuring tastings from over 40 of Miami’s
premiere restaurants, your taste buds will
come alive as you stroll the moonlit pathways
of Zoo Miami. Enjoy open bars, wild animal
encounters, live entertainment, a silent
auction, and much more.
You never know what awaits you around
the corner…
Beastkeeper VIP Kick-off party
Friday February 4 th , 2011 7pm-11pm
Feast with the Beasts
Friday March 4 th , 2011 8pm-Midnight
Your Event at Zoo Miami
For more information or to purchase tickets, call 305-255-5551 or visit www.fwtb.org
Whether a casual company picnic, formal
corporate meeting or fun team-building, a
dream wedding or festive holiday party for
your employees, Zoo Miami’s Group Sales
Department and Taste of the Wild Catering
will provide an unparalleled experience which
focuses on an exotic backdrop, detailed event
planning, incomparable cuisine, sensational
adventures, and superlative service.
To request a brochure or to reserve your next
event, contact the Group Sales Department at
305-251-0400 ext. 84939.
Activities & Events
Jan 22 to May 11 Scoop On Poop! at Dr. Wilde’s World
Back by poopular demand, this 5,000
square-foot traveling exhibit is the largest
ever on the science of what animals leave
behind and how they use it!
Jan to Sept
(last Saturday of every month) Dine with Nickelodeon’s Diego
Meet Nickelodeon’s favorite animal
scientist while having an all-you-can-eat
lunch buffet with your family and friends!
Feb 19 – Big Cat-Nap Campout
Bring your overnight camping gear and
camp out at the zoo! A night full of fun
activities and wilderness awaits you.
Pre-registration is required and space is
limited, so register early. Children must
be at least six years old and in first grade
to participate.
Mar 14 to 18 Bank of America Zoofari Spring Camp
Spring break with the animals is a lot of
fun at Zoo Miami! Children attend special
animal presentations, learn about wildlife
conservation and much more.
Fun Activities (advance reservations required)
Behind-the-Scenes Tours
Zoo Inns
Bring your youth group, scout troop,
biology class or adult group to spend the
night! This sleepover program provides a
behind-the-scenes walking tour of the zoo
after dark and a special morning activity.
Zoo Inns include a pizza dinner, continental
breakfast and souvenir. Minimum group
size is 15 people.
Take a 90-minute tour with one of our
experienced tour guides throughout the
zoo. You’ll meet knowledgeable zookeepers
along the way and collect memorable
experiences with some of our animals.
• Giraffe Feeding at Samburu Station from
11 am to 4 pm - $2 per veggie treat
Wild Nights
• Humpy’s Camel Ride at the Children’s Zoo
from 10 am to 4 pm - $5 per ride
An evening adventure takes you “up-close”
to selected wildlife in a behind-the-scenes
tour of the zoo. Beginning at 6:30 pm, a
pizza dinner is served, followed by a 2 to 3
hour guided walking tour. Minimum group
size is 15 people. Children must be at least
six years old to participate.
Animal Interactions (open daily)
• Kaziranga Camp Rhino Encounter from
10:30 am to 12:30 pm and 2:30 to 4:30
pm $5 per person per encounter
For more information and pricing visit our
website at www.zoomiami.org.
What Am I ?
Our Animals
Depend
On People Too
You probably have a favorite Zoo Miami animal,
a hairy, furry or feathered friend who makes your
visits to the zoo special. So why not adopt it? When
you become an annual sponsor, your tax-deductible
gift will help our zoo keepers feed, care for and
enrich the lives of our special animal residents.
Anyone can adopt an animal - individuals, families,
school groups (special packages available),
businesses, social or service clubs, even sports
teams. The best part of adopting an animal is that
you can match “adoptee” and personalities. Adopt
a team mascot, give a stork to an expectant mother;
or monkey to a climber.
t
Star
End
For more information please visit our website
http://www.miamimetrozoo.com/support-the-zoo.asp
Co n n e c t t h e d o t s
7
2011
SAVE THE DATE!
Feast
With The
Beasts
Beastkeeper VIP Kick-Off Party
Friday, February 4th, 2011 • 7 pm - 11 pm
$500 Passport ticket includes admission to
the Beastkeeper VIP Party and the Feast With
The Beasts main event at Zoo Miami.
NON-PROFIT ORG.
US POSTAGE
PAID
MIAMI, FLORIDA
PERMIT #4358
Zoological Society of Florida
12400 SW 152 Street
Miami, Florida 33177-1499
www.zsf.org
NEW: Featuring a special presentation by Ron Magill
Feast with the Beasts
Friday, March 4th, 2011 • 8 pm – Midnight
$175 ticket includes general admission to the
main event at Zoo Miami.
An evening at Zoo Miami with tantalizing tastes
from 40 of South Florida’s premier restaurants.
Enjoy open bars, wild animal encounters,
live entertainment, a silent auction, luscious
desserts, and much more!
For more information or to purchase tickets,
call 305-255-5551
or visit www.fwtb.org
Sponsorships Available
Creature Feature
The Keeper & the Creature
They’re soft, they’re adorable – but they’re not bears!
By Tere Dardon
What’s cute and cuddly looking, round and fuzzy, and looks
like a bear? Why, of course, the koala! Contrary to popular belief,
the koala is not truly a bear; in fact these animals are marsupials
– they carry their baby in a pouch – and are related to kangaroos
and wallabies. Zoo Miami is proud to be the home of DandaLoo and
Cobber, our 14-year-old koalas. Native to Australia, they are found in
the Australian exhibit at our zoo.
Maria Sider, one of their zookeepers, would love to give you
exclusive information on these slow-moving, sleepy animals that
usually live high in eucalyptus trees. Perhaps one day we will see
DandaLoo give birth to and carry a joey (a koala baby) inside
her pouch!
visit us at www.zoomiami.org