A Message from - Rosamond Gifford Zoo

A Message from...
A Joint Message from the President of the Board and the Executive Director for the Friends
of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo
Not too long ago, while on zoo grounds, we overheard a little girl telling her mother,
“This is going to be the best day EVER!”
On behalf of the staff, volunteers, animals and guests, we’d like to thank you for
helping us deliver on the expectations of the people – including that little girl – who
walk through our doors every day. The projects and programs you’ll read about in this
report are the things that make the Rosamond Gifford Zoo one of Central New York’s
premier attractions.
As part of the Parks for Tomorrow II initiative, we will soon begin construction on
the Pachyderm Pavilion. This new state-of-the-art facility will be more than just a home
for the elephants – it will offer extraordinary opportunities for learning, and promises
unforgettable memories for everyone, continuing the tradition of excellence our visitors
expect from our zoo.
Thank you for all you’ve done over the past year. We hope you’ll continue supporting
us with your memberships, contributions and visits, helping us make a trip to the zoo
“the best day ever.”
Sincerely,
Judy Graham
Board President,
2008-2009
1
Janet Agostini
Executive Director
Asian Elephants
New Animals
Kookaburra
Sand Cats
African Hedgehogs
Vietnamese Mossy Frogs
• Mali, one of the zoo’s two female Asian
elephants on loan to the African Lion Safari in
Cambridge, Ontario, gave birth to a healthy male
calf on July 15. The calf was named “Chuck” by
the staff at the African Lion Safari after the
director of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo.
• Born on May 22, Stitch the kookaburra was
hand raised by the staff after his parents stopped
taking care of him. Kookaburras can easily be
distinguished by their “laughing” call, one of the
best known calls in the animal world, which is
used to communicate between family members.
• Chelbi and Kamilah, two female sand cats,
became residents of the Zoo in June. Sand cats
are among the smallest of all the wild cat species
and are found in arid desert areas throughout the
Middle East.
• Four Vietnamese mossy frogs joined the
outreach collection. Because of the color
and texture of their skin, mossy frogs have
amazing camouflaging abilities, which helps
keep them hidden from predators in the wild.
• Two African hedgehogs, named Boris and
Harrison, are a popular addition to the Zoo to
You program because of their unique appearance.
They are covered with short spines and when
threatened, they tuck their legs and head inward
to resemble a small, spiny ball.
• New to the seahorse tank is a porcupine pufferfish.
Named for its ability to inflate its body with air
or water until it is almost completely spherical,
coupled with the fact that its body is covered in
sharp spines, the porcupine puffer is very well
protected against predators.
Porcupine Pufferfish
Attendance
“Your zoo was probably the most enjoyable of many zoos I've visited in
the last 10 years. You all are doing an excellent job!”
Cindy Best, Newark
3
Dream Night
Event Highlights
“I give your zoo a ‘10’ and hope to visit again next year!!!!”
Diane Logiudice
Snow Leopard Soirée
• The Snow Leopard Soirée, a new fundraiser in
2008, was the place to be “spotted” in January.
Guests at this black tie optional event enjoyed
a cocktail reception and dinner, followed by
dancing and silent auction. More importantly,
they raised more than $42,000 in support of
the Zoo.
• The Association of Zoos and Aquariums
declared 2008 as the Year of the Frog in order
to help raise awareness of the extinction crisis
facing amphibians worldwide. Through various
activities and fundraisers, the Friends of the
Zoo raised more than $7,900 to assist in frog
and amphibian conservation.
• More than 20 species of animals received
pumpkins at the annual Squishing of the Squash.
Guests enjoyed watching as the animals enjoy
eating and playing with the pumpkins at this
gourd-filled gala of fun.
• The great Zoo Boo is a “kooky not spooky”
event that allows children and families to have
Halloween fun without fright. Zoo Boo is one of
the Zoo’s premier family events with dozens of
characters, incredible decorations and lots of
children dressed in their costumes.
• New this year, the Zoo was proud to host
Dream Night, a special evening at the Zoo for
children who are chronically ill or have special
needs and their families. Dream Night is an
international event held on the first Friday in
June at zoos around the world.
• Historically a June event, Brew at the Zoo was
held in August for the first time ever in 2008.
The addition of a wine garden and a Zydeco
band made the annual event more festive and
a good time was had by all.
Squishing of the Squash
Education
“Our 5-year-old son really had a great experience and is already talking
about zoo camp for next year! Each day he came home with tons of animal
facts to share with the family and so very proud of all the crafts he made.
Your counselors are very professional, knowledgeable and really have a knack
for keeping the kids interested and engaged in learning and having fun.”
Christina & James Fuller, Brewerton
364
Zoo to You programs,
11,507
participants.
Zoo to You is a traveling educational program that involves the use of live animals and biofacts
(animal related artifacts). Zoo to You is appropriate for all ages, and visits schools, senior centers/residences,
community centers, daycare centers, scouts, and other groups.
Zoo Camp is offered for seven weeks in the summer, as well as during winter and spring school breaks.
Zoo Camp is for children between the ages of 5-14, and involves Zoo tours, animal demonstrations, and crafts
and activities.
Roars and Snores Overnights are a unique opportunity offered to both private groups and the public.
Children and their chaperones go on a tour of the Zoo after dark and early in the morning, receive a visit
from some of our outreach animals, and engage in games and activities. Participants bring their sleeping
bags to “camp out” in the classrooms.
Number of kids attending EdZOOcation:
674
552
Number of kids attending camps:
Number of kids attending overnights:
5
657
Zoo Camp: Onondaga Lake Explorers was
a camp funded by a grant from the Onondaga
Lake Partnership. In order to reach the target
population of this camp (children living within the
city of Syracuse), we partnered with the Syracuse
Department of Parks and Recreation. Campers
were bused from community centers within the
city to the Zoo each day. The camp focused
on conservation issues concerning the Onondaga
Lake watershed, with an emphasis on what the
campers could do within their own families and
communities to help. This unique camp included
a number of field trips to areas around Onondaga
Lake, including Onondaga Lake Park, the Tully
valley mudboils, and the Metropolitan Syracuse
Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Number of campers:
New in 2008
New in 2008
EdZOOcation provides monthly classes for
3-9 year olds and their parents that focus on a
particular Zoo animal or concept each month,
and can include behind the scenes visits, a
take-home craft, stories, animal demonstrations,
and keeper talks.
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Camp for children with special needs was a joint
project between the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, the
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central New
York and Familycapped, Inc. Ronald McDonald
House Charities of Central New York provided
grant funding for this unique camp; the Zoo worked
closely with Familycapped to design the camp
experience and recruit campers to participate.
The camp was a huge success, and everyone had
a great time!
Number of campers
with special needs:
15
Capital Improvements
Thanks to the generous support of our Friends, we were able to make a number of improvements at the
Rosamond Gifford Zoo.
• Raised $26,000 and established the Animal Health Care Fund; the first purchase was a portable ultrasound
machine for use by the veterinary staff.
• To provide our guests with a beautiful place to relax we invested more than $30,000 to replace the picnic
tables and install pavers throughout the picnic area.
• For the comfort of our guests and staff we invested more than $51,000 and installed a new HVAC system in
the gift shop.
• Enhanced the beauty of the park with several landscaping and horticulture projects throughout the Zoo.
• Painted/renovated several exhibits including the tropical river exhibit (home to the river turtles, caimans
and rhinoceros iguana) and fennec fox exhibit.
• Via a grant provided by the Harder Foundation we installed an interactive primate display near the
vervet exhibit.
• Completed Phase I of the lion exhibit renovation by replacing the substrate in the exhibit.
• Corrected the erosion problem in the markhor exhibit and installed new feeding stations, giving guests an
opportunity to see these majestic animals closer than before.
• Installed airlocks in the Egyptian fruit bat and Prevost squirrel exhibits to increase animal and keeper safety.
• Purchased a squeeze chute for the fossa exhibit to improve husbandry and management.
• In an effort to educate our guests, we installed a digital display in the social building.
• Replaced a number of signs and graphics throughout the park.
7
Fennec Fox
Revenue & Expenses
Statement of Operating Finances
2008
2007
$
%
$
%
480,357
694,351
244,315
343,586
62,825
137,204
258,151
30
44
15
22
4
9
16
467,036
679,883
225,093
374,925
60,878
104,617
189,457
20
29
10
16
3
4
8
Support & Revenue
Membership
Retail Operations
Education Program Fees
Contributions
Grants & Sponsorships
Fundraising & Events
Catering & Rental Income
Net change in market
value of investments
Interest Income
-771,175
126,717
$1,576,331
-49
8
100%
114,181
109,209
$2,325,279
5
5
100%
906,725
162,465
236,849
223,881
$1,529,920
44
8
11
11
74%
720,428
184,408
231,702
201,451
$1,337,989
37
10
12
10
69
265,392
279,304
$544,696
$2,074,616
13
13
26%
100%
247,196
355,935
$603,131
$1,941,120
13
18
31
100%
Egyptian Fruit Bat
Expenses
Program services
Zoo support
Gift shop
Educational programs
Facility rentals/catering
Total program services
Supporting services
Management & general
Fundraising
Total supporting services
Markhor
Increase in net assets
-498,285
Net assets at beginning of year
3,016,834
Net assets at end of year
$2,518,549
384,159
2,632,675
$3,016,834
A full set of financial statements, including a report of independent auditors, is available during normal business hours at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo
2008-2009 Board of Directors
Staff
Judy Graham, President
Robert Linn, Vice President
Jonathan Shaw, Immediate Past President
Al Gough, Treasurer
Patricia C. Higgins, Secretary
Kimberly G. Jeffery, Member at Large
Janet Agostini, Executive Director
Rose Belanger, Financial Manager
Sharon DeGaramo, Gift Shop Manager
Nathan Keefe, Director of Education
James Mahler, Director of Food & Beverage
Ellen Vaughn, Volunteer Coordinator
Lorrell Walter, Director of Public Relations
Ex Officio:
Janet Agostini, Executive Director
Charles Doyle, Zoo Director
Robert Geraci, Commissioner of Parks
and Recreation
James C. Burns
Nalisa Clark
Debra Donlon
Lorne Elder
Henry W. Fust
Michael Hamidi
Carolyn Hofmann
Kevin Holmquist
Phil Jefferis
Wendy Jefferis
James Keib
Ms. Tarrie Kissane
Edward Kochian
Pamela J. Kopiel
Jack Luchsinger
Jerry Mathews
Kenneth L. Pacioni
Horace H. Smith, Ph.D.
Heather Sunser
Mike Younis
Glen Zinszer
Volunteers
The Friends of the Zoo could not support the
Zoo to the extent that is does without the services
of the volunteers. Volunteers assist the Zoo in a
variety of ways, from interacting with guests and
taking care of animals, to painting structures and
working in the gardens.
Volunteers at the zoo come from many different
ages and backgrounds. Various corporations in
the community have assisted with events and
other special projects. Additionally, the new zoo
ambassador program increased the number of family
members volunteering together.
The Zoo’s 497 volunteers spent 27,725 hours at
the Zoo. Their time is valued at $725,830.
Photo Credits: Kate Woodle, Amelia Beamish, Dante Fenolio /
Antheca Images / Photoresearchers, African Lion Safari,
Jeanette Liddle, Annette Cerrone, Janet Wisneski, Phil Jefferis,
Jim Walter, Liz Schmidt & Nate Keefe
Design: Hopko Designs
Printing: Action Printwear, Inc.
Joanne M. Mahoney, Onondaga County Executive • Robert Geraci, Commissioner of Parks & Recreation • Charles Doyle, Zoo Director
Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park
One Conservation Place • Syracuse, NY 13204
Phone: (315) 435-8511 • Fax: (315) 435-8517
e-mail: info@rosamondgiffordzoo.org • web: www.rosamondgiffordzoo.org