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The Alaska Zoo
ANIMAL TRACKS
Fall 2015/Winter 2016 NEWSLETTER
Open zoo hours
SEPTEMBER: 9:00am-6:00pm
OCTOBER: 10:00am-5:00pm
NOVEMBER 1 THROUGH
FEBRUARY 28: 10:00am-4:00pm
MARCH: 10:00am-5:00pm
Last entry 30 minutes before closing
IN THIS ISSUE:
What’s New at the Zoo
Summer in Review
Breaking Ground
Mission/Board
Moose Madness Wolf Day
Zoo Boo
Zoo Lights
Other Winter Events Rental Facilities
Annual Passes
Winter EdZOOcation
Update: Polar Bear Project
Update: Creek Restoration
CORPORATE PARTNERS
SUPPORT YOUR ZOO
Food Donations
Volunteer
Pet Memorial
Animal Adoptions
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ALASKA ZOO STAFF
Executive Director: Patrick Lampi
Facilities Manager: Kevin Pickel
Curator of Animals: Shannon Jensen
Education Director: Stephanie Hartman
Volunteer Coordinator:Heather Doncaster
Development Director: Jill Myer
Events Manager: Doug Stewart
Coffee Shop: Jamie Gagnon
Gift Shop Manager: Sue Hedge
Admissions Manager: Elise Adams
Office Manager: Heather Schaad
Adoption Coordinator: Carrie Smoldon
STAFF PHONE DIRECTORY:
Call (907) 346-2133 to reach extensions
for all Departments.
Main Office
(907) 346-2133
Gift Store
(907) 346-1088
Information
(907) 346-3242
Facsimile
(907) 346-2673
www.alaskazoo.org
Follow us
on Facebook
and Twitter
Alaska Zoo
4731 O’Malley Road
Anchorage, AK 99507
Breaking ground
Phase I: The Polar Bear Transition Center
Little Campbell Creek Restoration Project
Summer 2015 in Review
We had an amazing summer at the
Alaska Zoo. It was filled with visitors,
programs, events, project milestones
and memories with our animals. Here
is an overview of our season:
May
Our busy animal season began May 7
when three male Kodiak brown bear
cubs arrived in need of care. They were
followed by the birth of a female calf to
our adult muskox Maya on May 9. The
calf was later named Charlotte. Camps,
tours, programs, projects and events
were kicking into high gear.
see page 3...add pics...
We broke ground on both our Polar Bear
Project Phase I and the Creek Restoration
Project this summer. Read more on page 3.
June
June brought our first moose calf of the
summer, an orphaned male who was
brought in by the Alaska Department of
Fish and Game on June 2. He was later
named Uncle Fudge and will stay at
our zoo. On June 16, we welcomed the
birth of a female harbor seal pup to our
adult Chloe. She was born healthy and
visitors watched her first days as Chloe
taught her to haul out of the water. We
then had our summer fundraiser “Feast
for the Beasts” with Jack Hanna during
which we raised $57,600 for the zoo, a
$5,000 increase over last year!
July
The fast pace continued in July when
we recieved Sasha, a porcupine from
Montana who will stay at the zoo and
be a member of our outreach program
team. We received a rooster who will
stay at the zoo and a porcupine who
will be transferred to the Pueblo Zoo in
Colorado. We eagerly broke ground on
Phase I of our Polar Bear Project.
NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO 69
ANCHORAGE, AK
August
As summer edged closer to fall, we continued
our tasks of animal rearing and programs for
visitors. Our staff presented Discovery Tours,
Adventure Camps, Wildlife Diaries, Friday Night
Live Music with performances by talented local
musicians, Storytime, Sing-a-long and more!
We also held our Birds, Bees & Wine tour for
adults and the Homeless Animals Day event.
We broke ground on yet another project, the
Little Campbell Creek Restoration Project to
increase fish passage.
While the Summer of 2015 was busy, it
doesn’t end there. We have even more to
offer during the winter, so bundle up and
we will see you at the Alaska Zoo!
Mission of the Zoo
To promote the conservation of Arctic,
sub-Arctic and like climate species
through education, research and
community enrichment.
Our Moose Madness Event is on
Saturday, September 5.
See Page 2 for Event Listings.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
David Brown - President
Lea Filippi - Vice President
Lynnette Sullivan - Treasurer
Kristina Woolston - Secretary
Celine Kaplan
Donna McCray
Matt Larkin
Patrick Cashman
Matthew Knell
Terri Mitchell
Michael Barnes
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Anchorage School District does not endorse these materials or the viewpoints expressed in them.
Animal tracks
FALL 2015/winter 2016
fall and winter zoo events
Name our harbor seal pup this September! See website for details.
September 5, Moose Madness, Noon to 4pm
Moose Madness is a festival celebrating the return of
fall and the temporary “madness” of bull moose during
this season. Bulls go through changes due to the rut,
or breeding season. Visitors will explore moose habits
through fun and educational activities including crafts,
moose enrichment, storytime for kids and more.
October 10, Wolf Day, Noon to 4pm
Wolf Day provides a focus on wolves in Alaska,
both our zoo wolf pack and their wild counterparts.
Join us for a fun afternoon of learning, hands-on
activities, a howling contest and more.
October 31, Zoo Boo on Halloween, 5-9pm
Zoo Boo has become one of Anchorage’s premier
family trick-or-treating events and one of our most
popular zoo events of the year! Come in costume
and enjoy our spooky, decorated trails as you visit
volunteers at trick-or-treat stations throughout the
zoo. Be sure to bring your buckets and all of your
little goblins and ghouls. Tickets will be available
online and at admissions, $6 per pass holder and
$8 per non-pass holder.
Other Winter
Events in the
2015/2016 Season
Sept. 7: Labor Day (Zoo Open)
Sept. 9 & 16: Access Zoo Days
Nov. 9: Veterans Day (Military 1/2 Price)
Nov. 26: Thanksgiving (Zoo Closed)
Nov. 29: Scout Day
Dec. 5: Christmas Bird Count for Kids
Dec. 13: Christmas for the Animals
Dec. 25: Christmas (Zoo Closed)
Jan. 1: New Years Day (Zoo Open)
Jan. 8: Trivia Untamed
Jan. 16: Polar Bear 5K Fun Run
Feb. 13: Valentines for the Animals
Mar. 12: IditaZootm
Mar. 26: Earth Hour
presenting
sponsor:
Zoo Lights Begin on
November 27
Zoo Lights will return this winter season! Bring
your friends, family or special sweetheart and take
a walk under our trail canopies of lights. You will
marvel at the dazzling, animated light displays
throughout zoo grounds. Tickets will be available
Supporting both online and at admissions, $6 per pass holder
and $8 per non-pass holder.
sponsors:
Event details are online under
‘Events’ at www.alaskazoo.org.
Zoo Lights Schedule:
November 27 - January 31
Thursdays to Sundays 5-8pm*
February 4 - March 6
Thursdays to Sundays
6:30-8:30pm
*Bonus Days! Zoo Lights will be on 7 days a week
for ASD winter break, Dec. 20 - Jan. 3, 5-8pm.
rental facilities
Buy an annual pass
The zoo offers three different rental
venues for birthday parties of any size,
weddings, receptions, business meetings
and conferences for groups of up to 200
people. Visit our ‘Rentals’ link online
and email rentalevents@alaskazoo.org
to schedule an appointment with Events
Manager Doug Stewart.
Enjoy unlimited zoo visits year-round
with an annual pass, good for one year
from the date of purchase. For families,
this is one of the best deals in town and
it pays for itself after just a few visits
to the zoo! A complete listing of rates,
packages and details are listed online
under the ‘Admissions’ link.
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FALL 2015/winter 2016
winter edzoocation
Get the full scoop on all of our winter programs at www.alaskazoo.org.
Look for the program categories under the ‘Education’ link.
Winter Adventure Camps
Distance Education
Winter Adventure Camps are incredible experiences for kids
ages 6-12. Camps are on ASD holidays and in-service days
and include fun on our trails, meetings with staff, going
behind-the-scenes with animals and cool projects. Fees,
schedules and registration are all online. Contact our Camp
Coordinator with questions at camp@alaskazoo.org.
Let us connect from our trails to your classroom,
meeting or workplace using videoconferencing
technology! We offer distance education for schools
and organizations all over Alaska and across the
world. Contact our Distance Learning Coordinator at
dlearning@alaskazoo.org for scheduling.
Scout Programs for Boys and Girls
Outreach Programs
Our popular Zoo Snoozes, Create-a-Camps and Scout
Safaris have been a staple for scouts across the area for
years and so many amazing memories have been made. All
programs are aligned to scout requirements. Contact our
Camp Coordinator at camp@alaskazoo.org for scheduling.
Zoo outreach programs bring the zoo to you! We
offer Animal Ambassador programs with our traveling
outreach animals, Hands-on Animal Detectives and
Guest Speaking. Email outreach@alaskazoo.org to
reach our Outreach Coordinator for scheduling.
Wildlife Wednesdays Free Science Lecture Series
Field Trips to the Zoo
These popular FREE lectures are held in the Gateway
Hall on second Wednesdays monthly, October to April.
Lectures begin at 7pm, covering wildlife research topics
in Alaska. The list of partners and lecture schedules
are online. Contact Education Director Stephanie
Hartman with questions at slhartman@alaskazoo.org.
Our field trips are unlike any other in Anchorage! Let
your students have an unforgettable time with our
zoo animals. Programs include Self-Guided Safari, Zoo
School, Critter Tales, Hands-on Animal Detectives and
Guided Encounters. Visit our ‘Field Trips’ page under
the ‘Education’ menu for scheduling information.
Toddler Programs Year-Round at 10:30am: Sing-a-long every Monday, Storytime every Wednesday
The Polar Bear Project
Phase I Update
By Jill Myer, Development Director
First and foremost, we would like to extend a HUGE THANK YOU to
everyone who has donated to the Polar Bear Project. You are making a
difference whether you are a Corporate Partner or a person who bought
polar bear mugs, Binky prints, made a monetary donation online or ran
in the Polar Bear 5K Fun Run. Your support is vital to this project.
We broke ground on Phase I in July and things are moving fast. The
foundation has been poured for the new Transition Center, the utilities
are installed and the forms for the poured concrete walls are built. The
interior work will take place during the winter months and we expect to
be finished next spring. Please like our zoo Facebook page and sign up
for weekly emails through our website to stay in the loop on progress.
creek restoration project
Fish Passage in Little Campbell Creek
By Patrick Lampi, Executive Director
Many visitors are familiar with the creek
that runs through the back of the zoo.
This is the south fork of Little Campbell
Creek which runs down the Anchorage
hillside. Little Campbell Creek and its
drainages make up an urban watershed
in the Municipality. Ten federal, local
and state agencies along with nonprofits
joined Municipal Watershed Management
Services to develop a plan with priority
to increase fish passage.
The creek runs by the old elephant house.
Several structures that stop fish passage
are being removed, the two ponds will be
replaced by three smaller ponds, the stream
will take a curved path and an elevation
drop will be in place. The natural stream bed
will be restored by placing boulders, tree
roots and stumps for fish habitat.
All of this work is taking place downstream
of the small bridge by the swan area. The
creek quality in the zoo is good upstream
from the bridge due to the protected nature
of the area on grounds. At the end, a trail
will extend to the middle of the restoration
area and signs will educate visitors about
this important watershed in our ecosystem.
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FALL 2015/winter 2016
Corporate pARTNERS
Your investment in the Alaska Zoo represents a
partnership with one of Anchorage’s most popular family
destinations. Thank you for your support!
Odom Corporation
ACE Transport
Pet Stop
Alaska Airlines
Rabinografix
Alaska Denali Winery
Alaska Dream Catering
Renegade Equipment
AK Employee Benefit Specialists Simmons Masonry
STG, Inc.
Alaska Glazing
TelAlaska
Alaska Northern Outfitters
United Rentals
Alyeska Pipeline
Alaska Railroad
Watterson Construction
Alaska USA Federal Credit Union Weidner Apartment Homes
Wells Fargo
Anchorage Daily News
Anchorage Well and Pump Supply WineStyles
ARAMARK Park & Destinations
Arctic Office Products
foundations
Arctic Wire and Rope
Atwood Foundation
BDO USA, LLP.
BP Foundation
Body Renew
ConocoPhillips Foundation
BP
ExxonMobil Foundation
California Closets
M. J. Murdock Foundation
Carlile Transportation Systems
Rasmuson Foundation
CIRI
Clarion Downtown Suites
Coffman Engineers
ConocoPhillips
Contach /Culfabco
CRW Engineering Group
Dittman Research & Communications
Dowland Bach
ExxonMobil
Global Diving & Salvage
GMW Fire Protection, Inc.
Hattenburg Dilley and Linnell
H. Watt and Scott
K Refrigeration
Kincaid Grill
KOHL’s
KTUU
McDonald’s of Alaska
McKinley Capital
Microcom
MOA Solid Waste Services
NMS Lodging
Nordstrom
The photo below shows a wild merlin
observed on zoo grounds by our Curator.
All newsletter photos by John Gomes,
Official Zoo Photographer. View John’s
images and videos at www.akjohn.com.
support your zoo
The Alaska Zoo operates on revenue from admissions,
education, events and donors. We receive no federal,
state or municipal funding for operations. Please
consider making a donation to help us maintain and
grow. Contact Development Director Jill Myer at (907)
341-6435 or jmyer@alaskazoo.org to discuss options.
We have online donation and support options listed at
www.alaskazoo.org under our ‘Support Us’ link.
Food Donations
We accept frozen fish, poultry, red meat, animal treats
and bones. Drop off seven days a week while parking
lot gates are open (closed 10pm to 6am). Location is a
freezer near the greenhouse in our lower lot. Donations
must be less than two years old, no freezer-burn, no
smoking or seasoning.
Other ways to support
The alaska zoo:
Fred Meyer Community Rewards
Amazon Smile
Memorial Donations
Planned Giving
Pick.Click.Give
Join Our Volunteer Team
We rely on our amazing zoo volunteers to help make
zoo events, programs and special occasions happen.
Our volunteers show their support and dedication by
donating time and energy. Visit our ‘Volunteer’ page
online under the ‘Support Us’ link to learn more.
Pet Memorial Program
You can honor the memory of your beloved pet by
purchasing a Pet Memorial plaque in their name. Each
plaque will be displayed on our Pet Memorial board
located across from the Sitka black-tailed deer. You can
join this program online today.
Animal Adoption Program
The Alaska Zoo is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to
promoting conservation of Arctic, sub-Arctic and like
climate species through education, research and
community enrichment. Your adoption helps to support
the feeding and care of our zoo animals.
Adoptive parents receive a letter, certificate, animal
story and invitation to Zoo Parent Night each summer.
Adoptions are valid for one year from purchase date and
make great gifts for animal lovers! Visit our Adoption
page or contact Adoption Coordinator Carrie Smoldon at
(907) 341-6430 with questions.
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