INSIDE: Red panda becomes fir t time mom — to twins
In this issue of Habitat, we have a lot to celebrate — including the birth of a baby gorilla and red panda twins!
As we celebrate these achievements, I also want to acknowledge that our DZS family is stru ling with profound sadness. One of our team members, Associate Curator of Mammals Betsie Meister, unexpectedly passed away right before this issue went to print. Betsie was a cherished member of our life sciences team and a lover of all things red panda. She was instrumental in providing the guidance, expertise and support to the team that cares for the red pandas during the critical time leading up to the twins’ birth.
Betsie dedicated her talents, energy and heart to our mission for more than 24 years. Her contributions were invaluable, and her spirit was infectious. Whether through her tireless work ethic, her ability to inspire others or her genuine care for those around her, etsie le an indelible mark on us all.
Thank you, Betsie, for being more than just a DZS team member. You were also a friend, mentor and bright light for so many. As we grieve this tremendous loss, we will also celebrate the legacy you leave behind — a legacy of kindness, professionalism and excellence.
Our thoughts are with Betsie’s family and loved ones.
Dr. Hayley Murphy
PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT AND DESIGN
CONTACT
Habitat is produced quarterly for members of the Detroit Zoological Society. The Detroit Zoological Society — a renowned leader in humane education, wildlife conservation, animal welfare and environmental sustainability — operates the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Center. The Detroit Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. Recipient of the 2020 Environmental Sustainability Award.
Crain's Content Studio
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Sarah Culton
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Christina Ross
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Karen Dybis
Detroit Zoological Society 8450 W. 10 Mile Road Royal Oak, MI 48067
Phone: (248) 541-5717 www.detroitzoo.org
For questions about membership, please contact: info@dzs.org
AN INTERVIEW WITH AMPHIBIAN SUPERVISOR
MIKE ANDRUS
Mike Andrus spends his days caring for frogs, toads and salamanders at the Detroit Zoo’s National Amphibian Conservation Center. Having worked at the Zoo for 10 years, Mike has a passion for animal well-being and conservation.
What do you do at the Detroit Zoo?
Every day is different. I do a lot of hands-on work with the zookeepers and the amphibians. I also spend time in my office answering emails and making schedules. Of course, I prefer the more handson stuff.
What is your favorite aspect of your job?
My favorite part is interacting with the animals, specifically working on our conservation projects and reintroducing animals into the wild. Having that impact on wild populations is my favorite thing. The Wyoming toad project is a really cool project I have participated in. It’s a lot of hands-on work to save an endangered species, so that’s really rewarding.
How did you get into this line of work?
As a kid, I liked the weird animals — the bugs, the reptiles, the amphibians. I always thought I would like to work in a zoo, so when I picked out a college, I chose Michigan State University because they have an excellent zoology program. Despite my family saying I would never get a job at the Zoo, I stuck with it. I interned at the Detroit Zoo during school and asked to work with the amphibians. oming here confirmed my belief that this is what I wanted to do.
“Being able to go out and see animals in the wild that wouldn’t otherwise exist ithout oos is a pre cool thing to witness.”
— Amphibian
Supervisor Mike Andrus
Why do you feel your work is important?
We are making a difference in the conservation of endangered species. We can raise animals here at the Zoo, some of which are extinct in the wild, and release them back into the wild.
ou can’t really get better than that. Being able to go out and see animals in the wild that wouldn’t otherwise exist without oos is a pretty cool thing to witness.
Do you have any advice for young people o i to e ter t e a imal care field
Get all the experience you can. Help with different field projects and look up different internships — those are good ways to get your foot in the door. Everybody wants to work at a zoo, so anything you can do to help yourself stand out is going to be helpful.
“Bandia had an easy pregnancy and birth. She is a great mom — very attentive and protective.”
— Melissa Thueme, primate supervisor
BABY BLISS
Zoo welcomes first baby gorilla born in its 96-year history
By Sarah Culton, Communications Manager
Outside a lush, green habitat, a crowd gathers, murmuring in anticipation of something big, something historic.
Eventually, the moment arrives. A great gorilla emerges, carrying with her a tiny bundle of joy. As the infant reaches up to grip her mother’s hair, the crowd coos, delighted by the rare sight they have just witnessed.
This moment comes not long after the Detroit Zoo welcomed the first gorilla born in its 96-year history on Aug. 8. Born to first-time mom Bandia, 26, and father Mshindi, a 36-year-old silverback, the baby girl was named Motema, meaning “heart” in the Lingala language.
“This is a huge moment not only for Bandia but for the Zoo as well,” says Tami Brightrall, associate curator of mammals. “This is a historic time, and I am so glad we get to be a part of it.”
A SPECIAL DELIVERY
In the dark early hours of Aug. 8, Primate Supervisor Melissa Thueme was awakened by a phone call. After nearly eight-and-a-half months of waiting, Bandia was exhibiting signs of labor. Thueme needed to get to the Zoo immediately.
BABY’S NAME
“It was a rollercoaster,” Thueme recalls. “It was night, so we didn’t want to turn on all the lights or disturb her, so we checked on Bandia with flashlights and watched the labor progress.”
All went well, and Thueme’s team celebrated the successful birth of the first gorilla born at the Detroit Zoo.
“Everything went smoothly, better than we hoped,” Thueme says. “Bandia had an easy pregnancy and birth. She is a great mom — very attentive and protective.”
Zoo staff say the new arrival is as sweet as a bag of sugar — or at least the same size. Weighing just 4 to 5 pounds at birth, Motema is a little miracle for the Detroit Zoo, but preparing for her arrival was no small feat.
“Months of anticipation went into preparing for her birth,” Brightrall says. “As soon as we got that positive pregnancy test, we had to shift our mindset. Everything we had went into ensuring we were as prepared as possible and that Bandia had all the tools she needed to be a great mom. Throughout her pregnancy, she continued to participate in routine ultrasounds using positive reinforcement training methods, which allowed our team to check on the baby and ensure everything was going well.”
(Continued on page 6)
The public was invited to be a part of this momentous occasion through a donationbased naming contest. Five potential names were chosen by the primate care team to honor the baby and lands where wild gorillas live. The names included:
Usala – from the conservation corridor in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; means “forest” in the Kikumu language
Amateka — meaning “history” in the Kinyarwanda language
Mbere — meaning “first” in the Kinyarwanda language
Lobéké — from the national park in Cameroon, which is home to the highest density of western lowland gorillas in the world
Motema — meaning “heart” in the Lingala language
Motema received the most donations, making it the winner!
(Continued from page 5)
Weeks after the birth, Bandia and Motema are thriving, making the hard work all worth it, Brightrall and Thueme say.
A NEW FAMILY
Motema’s story begins long before her birth.
Until the summer of 2023, the Detroit Zoo was home to a bachelor group of three brother gorillas — Kongo-Mbeli, Chipua and Pendeka. For 20 years, the brothers thrived at the Detroit Zoo, becoming one of the longest-running bachelor groups in a U.S. zoo and stealing the hearts of guests and staff alike.
However, a new opportunity arose when the Association of Zoos and Aquariums recommended the brothers move to a different zoo as part of the Gorilla Species Survival Plan, a cooperative management program ensuring the sustainability of healthy, genetically diverse and demographically varied captive animal populations.
As part of the program, in July 2023, a new troop arrived: Silverback Mshindi and Bandia — along with two other females, 20-year-old Tulivu and 11-yearold Nayembi.
This troop brought new personalities, new challenges — and a new opportunity to grow a gorilla family.
“It’s been a privilege to see and work with all these new personalities and breeding behaviors,” Brightrall says. “The primate team was especially excited as we got to see the process from the beginning of the new troop arriving to now, with the birth of a very special baby.”
Before Motema’s birth, the Zoo’s animal care team trained the entire troop to properly care for a baby gorilla, ensuring that each gorilla was prepared for the new arrival. This training included staff carrying a plush gorilla around the habitat to demonstrate how to properly hold a baby. The team also taught the gorillas to gently touch the plush, pick it up off the ground and bring it to a zookeeper at a mesh barrier.
The zookeeper team says this training was vitally important as each gorilla will have a role in Motema’s upbringing. While Bandia
PARTNERSHIPS HERE AND ABROAD
The DZS is involved in a number of partnerships and programs that have a common goal of helping gorillas thrive and saving them from extinction, including:
The Great Ape Heart Project
Based at the Detroit Zoo, this program addresses a critical need within the zoo community to investigate and understand cardiovascular disease in great apes.
The Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education (GRACE) Center
A nonprofit organization in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The DZS provides financial support to help introduce orphaned eastern lowland gorillas into the wild.
and Mshindi are the doting parents, Tulivu and Nayembi will be involved aunts. Thueme has high hopes that Nayembi will take on the role of “fun aunt,” as she is the youngest of the troop and has the energy to play with the baby as she grows.
“Raising a baby is really a group project,”
Gorillas on the Line
A partnership with the SAFE Gorilla (Saving Animals from Extinction) program to raise money from recycled cell phones and small electronics. Proceeds directly support gorilla conservation initiatives in Africa.
The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
This organization uses an integrated approach to collaborate closely with local governments, communities and partners worldwide, including the DZS. The nonprofit is dedicated to conserving, protecting and studying gorillas and their habitats in Africa.
she says. “Yes, this is Bandia’s baby, but the whole troop gets to interact with her and be a part of this.”
A BRIGHT FUTURE
For the foreseeable future, Motema will continue to stick close to Mom and grow while learning everything she
needs to be a great gorilla. Though her personality has yet to develop and shine fully, the Zoo team is looking forward to the type of primate she will one day become.
“I hope she grows with the entire troop,” Thueme says. “I hope she learns a lot from Bandia, who is so smart. I hope she gets some of her silliness from Tulivu and some playfulness from Nayembi. I hope she gets to interact with everybody and take little personality cues from each of the gorillas.”
Both Thueme and Brightrall say the infant has a bright future ahead of her — one that will hold significance far outside of the Zoo’s 125 acres.
“We know this baby girl will grow up to be a fantastic ambassador for her species, the critically endangered western lowland gorilla,” Brightrall says. “Motema is already shining a light on gorilla conservation needs and inspiring people far and wide to protect animals and nature. She may be small — at least right now — but she is making a big impact.”
MEET THE TROOP
Bandia is the mother of the first baby gorilla born in the Zoo’s history. Born Sept. 13, 1997, this smart and quiet primate is the troop’s dominant female.
Mshindi is Motema’s father, and his name means “winner” in Swahili. This silverback male was born Oct. 17, 1987. He is a slow eater, always letting the female gorillas eat first. He is sensitive to the weather and enjoys playing with female Tulivu.
Despite her name meaning “quiet” in Swahili, Tulivu loves to make cheerful vocalizations, says her animal care team. Tulivu was born May 2, 2004.
Nayembi, a female gorilla whose name means “to sing” in the Lingala language, was born on Nov. 16, 2012. When she was an infant, Nayembi suffered a facial injury that required surgery. After months of care, she made a great recovery. Today, Nayembi is a healthy gorilla who loves to play, eat and cause mischief.
BANDIA TULIVU
MSHINDI NAYEMBI
DID YOU KNOW?
Crowned lemurs are native to Madagascar and primarily eat a fruit-based diet.
New species adds extra dynamic to Zoo lemur group
By Sarah Culton, Communications Manager
If you were to gaze in the lemur habitat at the Detroit Zoo, you would see one animal who doesn't look like the others.
Set apart by his brown fur and the crown-shaped coloring atop his head, the habitat’s newest resident can often be found jumping from rock to rock, branch to branch. The differences don’t stop there — weighing in at just under 3 pounds, this curious primate is much smaller than the other lemurs who share the space.
“He’s easy to pick out of the crowd,” Melissa Thueme, primate supervisor, says of the new arrival. “It’s been really fun to see him move in and find his place here.”
The Zoo team recently welcomed Lenny, an 8-year-old crowned lemur. The first of his species to call the Zoo home, Lenny now shares a habitat toward the back of the Zoo with a group of red ruffed and ring-tailed lemurs.
Lenny came to Detroit on a recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to better meet his social needs. Even though he is of a different species, Lenny is getting along great with the eight other lemurs who call the Zoo home.
“We have some really friendly lemurs, so we thought this would work out well,” Thueme says. “And it has. He has adjusted well. He’s really interested in all the other lemurs, and they are interested in him.”
It's not just the lemurs who have taken a liking to Lenny. He quickly stole the hearts of the animal care staff with his charming personality and cheerful vocalizations.
“He’s the cutest boy ever,” says Keenan McCormick, primate zookeeper. “He’s very sweet and a little shy at first. Once he is comfortable, he likes to explore and check things out.”
The Zoo team believes Lenny’s arrival
HOW CAN YOU HELP LEMURS?
98% of all lemur species are threatened with extinction and face threats like deforestation, poaching and the exotic pet trade. One way you can help lemurs like Lenny is by taking the Not a Pet pledge and these three steps:
LEARN: Visit NotAPet.net to learn the facts about exotic pets.
ASK: Research where an animal came from and what care they need to thrive before you consider buying a pet.
SPEAK UP: Share what you learn with your friends and family.
benefits everyone — Lenny, his habitat mates and everyone who gets to meet him during their Zoo visit.
“This is enriching for everybody and adds a new dynamic to the group,” Thueme says. “Plus, it’s good for our guests. There are more than 100 lemur species, and they are all endangered. Lenny is another great animal ambassador who is igniting positive change by illuminating the threats lemurs face in the wild and what we can do to help.”
INTRODUCING FALL FEST
This October, you can fall for the Detroit Zoo in a whole new way! Throughout the month, visitors can enjoy autumnal scenery and décor, festive food and beverages, education stations, animal enrichments and much more. Plus, our events lineup has something for everyone — from family fun to 21-and-older happenings.
EXPLORE EVERYTHING FALL FEST HAS TO OFFER: dzoo.org/fallfest
JACK O’ LANTERN JOURNEY
5 TO 10 P.M. OCT. 5-6 AND 25-27; ALSO AVAILABLE DURING SELECT FALL FEST EVENTS; TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Get ready to carve out new memories as you venture through the brand-new Jack O’ Lantern Journey! This trail of festive fun features enchanting, illuminated pumpkin displays, fall décor and photo opportunities where the magic of the season comes to life.
Great for: Adults, families and couples
ZOO BOO
5 TO 9 P.M. OCT. 11 AND 18
2 TO 9 P.M. OCT. 12-13 AND 19-20
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Get ready for some spook-tacular fun at Zoo Boo, presented by Corewell Health! Explore the Zoo, experience festive pumpkin displays and strolling entertainment, and capture memories with themed photo opportunities — all while visiting each of the treat stations throughout the Zoo. You’ll also explore our Jack O’ Lantern Journey and meet some of your favorite characters!
Great for: Families with young children
PRESENTED BY
SPOOKY SPIRITS
6 TO 10 P.M. OCT. 4
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Enjoy ghoulish libations and spine-tingling entertainment at Spooky Spirits, presented by KeyBank. At this exclusive 21-and-older tasting event, you’re sure to have a frightfully good time filled with festive drinks, live entertainment and much more.
Great for: Anyone 21 and older
PRESENTED BY
ENGAGING WITH FALL
DAILY IN OCTOBER; INCLUDED WITH ZOO ADMISSION; FREE FOR MEMBERS
See your favorite animals engage with festive treats, enrichment and more! Available daily during regular Zoo hours, these fall-themed engagements are the perfect way to connect with the animals who call the Zoo home.
Great for: Everyone!
BLAKE’S MARKET
10 A.M. TO 4 P.M. OCT. 3-6, 10-13, 17-20 AND 24-27; PLUS SELECT PUBLIC EVENTS; ITEMS FOR PURCHASE
Immerse yourself in autumn at Blake’s Market, the ultimate shopping destination for everything fall. At this unique pop-up market, you will find delicious seasonal food for sale, a photo-ready pumpkin patch or a gourd-geous addition to your seasonal décor to take home.
Great for: Everyone!
MORE EVENTS
From family-friendly festivities to adults-only happenings, every event hosted at the Detroit Zoo furthers our mission of creating meaningful connections between people, animals and the natural world so all can thrive. Check out our featured events for November through January:
EXPLORE OUR FULL EVENT LINEUP: dzoo.org/events
WILD LIGHTS
SELECT EVENINGS NOVEMBER THROUGH JANUARY; TICKETS COMING SOON
Wild Lights, presented by Corewell Children's, has been a holiday tradition for more than a decade. You’ll encounter animal-themed light sculptures that create a magical experience for all ages. Prepare to be mesmerized by millions of twinkling LED lights transforming the Zoo into a winter wonderland.
POLAR BEERS
6 TO 10 P.M. DEC. 5
TICKETS COMING SOON
Enjoy two events for the price of one! Polar Beers, presented by KeyBank, is an exclusive 21-and-older tasting event where you can sample a variety of local favorites and seasonally themed brews. You also get to experience all the magic of Wild Lights in the same evening!
DREAM BIG
Students can earn a master’s degree through collaborative Zoo program
By Claire Lannoye-Hall, Director of Education
Pursue your passion with the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS) while earning your master’s degree online from Miami University through the Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP). Created for working professionals, the AIP is a one-of-a-kind master’s program that immerses students in collaborative inquiry and action as they champion change. Through web-based coursework from Miami University and face-to-face experiential learning and field study at the DZS, you will connect with classmates, university faculty, DZS experts and community leaders locally, nationally and globally.
The AIP is designed for students from a range of backgrounds and career stages. With professional and academic mentoring and self-designed master plans, students can tailor their degree path to fit their interests in such fields as:
• community-engaged conservation
• inquiry-driven education
• environmental justice
• learning across K-12 and informal settings
• animal care and welfare
• green business innovation
• climate change
• urban ecology
• human-nature relationships
• environmental restoration
• public engagement in science.
MEET MOM
MEET DAD
Ravi, a 7-year-old red panda
Ginger, a 3-year-old red panda
TWIN WIN
Zoo celebrates birth of red panda cubs and the valuable learnings that came with them
By Karen Dybis
All pregnancies bring new challenges, but the need for care and support is heightened when the mom is a 3-year-old red panda who’s about to be a parent for the first time.
The Detroit Zoo is celebrating both the birth of a surprise set of twin red pandas as well as the work that went into a successful pregnancy for mom Ginger. The learnings around her gestation will inform the Zoo’s efforts toward red panda conservation not only in metro Detroit but around the world.
Ginger has become a great mom to the female cubs, named Patti and Ponya, who were born June 17, says zookeeper Sarah Allan, who was instrumental in supporting Ginger during her pregnancy. Allan’s observations on how a red panda prepares for motherhood also will be shared with the Detroit Zoo’s conservation partners.
This birth story starts with the partnership between Ginger and Ravi, a 7-year-old male red panda. This was their second breeding season together, and the Zoo was hopeful for a pregnancy. Ginger
reached maturity in 2023, but that first season didn’t produce a pregnancy, Allan says.
To prepare for and evidently track a pregnancy, Allan started ultrasound training with Ginger last year. What does that involve, exactly?
“Red pandas are very food-motivated, and Ginger loves grapes,” Allan says.
“That made her very cooperative with the training. It was easy once she got used to the machine and the sound it made.”
(Continued on page 16)
(Continued from page 15)
Allan says she and other zookeepers brought the duo together earlier this year and gave them lots of time. Before too long, the Zoo team prepped the ultrasound machine, got the grapes ready and confirmed that Ginger was expecting. As things progressed, Allan noticed Ginger started making nests of grasses, bamboo and straw inside her behind-the-scenes habitat area. To Allan, this nesting behavior was a natural and positive sign that all was going well with the pregnancy.
Red pandas have an average gestation period of 134 days, so Allan and the other zookeepers had a window when they thought Ginger might give birth. They kept a keen eye on Ginger throughout her pregnancy, providing her with supplemental food as well as any additional materials to bolster her nesting.
And there were a lot of ultrasounds. Ginger enjoyed her grapes each time, Allan says. “You have to make sure you get a good image, just like in a doctor’s office,” Allan says.
However, Ginger had one secret that she kept until she gave birth: She was carrying twins. The ultrasounds showed only one baby throughout the pregnancy, Allan says. So when Ginger gave birth to two healthy cubs, the Zoo was ecstatic. A veterinary visit later confirmed Ginger had two daughters. The team continued to provide Ginger and her cubs the highest quality of care after the birth, which included temporarily closing the pedestrian rope bridge over their outdoor habitat to give them all the peace and quiet they needed.
Red pandas are an endangered species with fewer than 10,000 in existence; the current number is likely around 2,500, says Dr. David Dimitrie, Detroit Zoological Society (DZS) director of conservation. Dimitrie says the Detroit Zoo supports red panda conservation in the wild, working with organizations such as the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA).
“Numbers in the wild are quickly dwindling,” Dimitrie says. “With numbers so low, it’s great that we have Ravi and Ginger as educational ambassadors to teach our guests about conservation and conservation challenges in the field. We work with the Red Panda Network and AZA with the hope of helping animals in the wild.”
Observing Ginger’s pre-mating behaviors, pregnancy and successful birth are all things the DZS and its staff can share with their national and international partners. Plus, Zoo visitors eager to meet the twin red pandas can help with conservation efforts, like maintaining a quiet space for the young mother to take care of her girls.
Betsie Meister, associate curator of mammals, spoke with us in early August about the process of Ginger’s care and the pride the team felt about their shared success.
“The No. 1 goal was to set Mom up with
ADOPT A RED PANDA
Want to help your favorite red pandas at the Detroit Zoo and in the wild? You can symbolically adopt Ravi, Ginger or their twins through our ADOPTS program! When you symbolically adopt an animal at the Detroit Zoo, you receive an adoption certificate, photo of your chosen animal and so much more. Best of all, your purchase supports the animals and the Zoo — and the conservation of their wild counterparts. Learn more at detroitzoo.org/adopts
“With numbers so low, it’s great that we have Ravi and Ginger as educational ambassadors to teach our guests about conservation and conservation challenges in the field.”
— Dr. David Dimitrie, DZS director of conservation
everything she needed, like extra food because she’s a nursing mom or nesting materials so she can take care of the cubs, who will be with her for about three months. The building they’re in also is air-conditioned, so they’re comfortable in the summer. We also have cameras and microphones in case we need to step in, but it’s best if Mom is the one in charge.
“Ginger has been so attentive; her maternal instincts kicked in right away. We’re so proud of how she’s taking care of them — she’s doing a great job. They’re giant fluff balls now, taking their first steps and getting ready to explore the world soon enough.”
Above: Twin red pandas Patti and Ponya spent their first few months of life growing up in a nest built by their mother, Ginger. Below: One of the cubs is weighed in a behind-the-scenes area.
IN LOVING MEMORY
Associate curator of mammals leaves enduring legacy at the DZS
The Detroit Zoological Society (DZS) family is heartbroken to announce the passing of Associate Curator of Mammals Betsie Meister.
Meister, 48, passed away peacefully on Aug. 26 following 24 years of service and dedication to the DZS. She leaves behind her loving husband and three children, countless family members and friends — and many of the animals she cared for throughout her career.
“Betsie Meister was an incredible leader, team member and friend throughout her time at the DZS, and her sudden and tragic passing has left an irreparable void in our hearts,” says Dr. Hayley Murphy, DZS executive director and CEO. “She truly embodied our mission and made an impact far beyond the borders of the Detroit Zoo.”
A lifelong animal lover, Meister pursued her passion for zoology in all things and always worked to ignite positive change for animals — both in human care and the wild. She began her post-college career at the DZS, where she steadily rose to become associate curator of mammals.
Meister spent countless hours ensuring the mammals who called the Zoo home received the highest level of care, and one of her favorite tasks was building enrichment items for the animals. Meister also served as the chair of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Bear Taxon Advisory Group and has been integral in the hand-rearing of several animals, including river otters, a red panda, a lion, a polar bear and a chimpanzee. Though she loved all the animals under her care, she held a special place in her heart for Barle, a rescued polar bear who called the Zoo home from 2002 to 2012.
“Betsie was more than just a team member — she was a friend to many in all areas of the DZS,” Murphy says. “Her kindness, approachability and can-do attitude extended far beyond her role as associate curator of mammals. Betsie’s contributions to the DZS and the AZA community and her kind and positive spirit will be greatly missed.”
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“Betsie Meister was an incredible leader, team member and friend throughout her time at the DZS, and her sudden and tragic passing has left an irreparable void in our hearts.”
— Dr. Hayley Murphy, DZS executive director and CEO
Betsie Meister was a cherished and dedicated DZS team member for 24 years. Below right: Meister poses in construction gear outside the Arctic Ring of Life habitat with a fellow DZS team member. Bottom right: She takes part in a project to observe wild bears in Alaska. Bottom left: Meister (far left) poses with members of the DZS team at the 2024 employee appreciation picnic.
IGNITE POSITIVE CHANGE
Make a year-end gift in support of wildlife
By Tony Zick, Grants Coordinator
With the fall season upon us, now is the perfect time to consider your year-end giving priorities and how your contributions can make the world a better place. Giving to the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS) is a wonderful way to serve your community, support the well-being of animals and spark positive global change for wildlife and nature.
Gifts of any size to the DZS help support conservation locally and around the world. The more than 2,000 animals in residence at the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Center are ambassadors for their species; guests who connect with them are inspired to protect wildlife. The DZS relies on donors to help provide for the animals’ daily needs, including individualized diets, care and enrichment. In addition,
TO MAKE A GIFT
Please contact Andrea Richards at (248) 336-5729 or visit detroitzoo.org/donate
donations help fund DZS research and fieldwork that conserve endangered species in their native habitats, such as Wyoming toads in the United States, penguins in the Falkland Islands and red pandas in Nepal.
Gifts to the DZS also help maintain the beloved Zoo and Nature Center campuses, host exciting events that bring the community together, offer high-quality science programming for underserved
students in southeast Michigan and fund innovative practices that support environmental resilience.
If you have the option of rolling over funds from an Individual Retirement Account, giving appreciated securities or giving from a donor-advised fund, you may be eligible to receive a tax benefit as well.
The DZS is grateful to receive contributions from generous individuals, corporations and foundations. Thank you for your commitment to creating meaningful connections between people, animals and the natural world so all can thrive.
14 to 19 feet
Average height of giraffes, making them the tallest land mammals on Earth
6 feet
Height of a newborn giraffe
35 miles per hour
Giraffes’ running speed
170 beats per minute
Giraffes’ heart rate — twice as fast as human hearts
The Detroit Zoo is home to a group of giraffes.
ACTIVITY: GIRAFFE PUZZLE
Each giraffe has a unique pattern of dark brown spots surrounded by white lines. This pattern helps them to camouflage, or blend in, with their surroundings. You can create your own giraffe pattern by making a sequenced puzzle with a partner. By making this puzzle, you will practice spatial reasoning, which helps you visualize how objects relate to each other and is an important skill that engineers use in their work. You will also practice problem-solving and planning skills as you add more pieces to your puzzle.
Directions for two or more people
• Cut out a piece of the brown paper bag into a square, about 7 inches by 7 inches.
• Cut your white paper into a square, about 8 inches by 8 inches.
• Each person will take turns making one cut on the brown paper.
• After each cut, pass the pieces back to your partner. Your partner has to assemble the puzzle.
• Each partner will make four cuts, totaling eight cuts.
• After all the cuts have been completed, build the puzzle on the white paper, leaving a little space between each piece.
• You just made a giraffe pattern!
Tools
Brown paper bag
White paper
Scissors (blunt-tip style for younger children)
Glue
To make your puzzle easier: Use a paper bag with writing on it on one side or reduce the number of cuts you make in total To add more difficulty: Make the cuts with a little wave in them or increase the number of cuts
FINDING ART IN NATURE
Eco Artists program fosters connections for Detroit children
On a bright and crisp autumn morning, Belle Isle Nature Center educators lead preschoolers and their caregivers on a neighborhood nature hike to find leaves and other natural materials that inspire their sense of wonder and beauty. As children observe the world around them, their hands grasping the crunchy and brittle textures of leaves and sticks, they excitedly choose just the right leaf to create their printmaking artwork — just like the ones they recently saw on a museum tour.
This inspiring scene was made possible by Nature Tots Eco Artists, a partnership between the Detroit Zoological Society’s Belle Isle Nature Center and the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) to bring nature-based art and literacy programming to early childhood learners in Detroit. Funded through a grant from the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation, the program focuses on art inspired by subjects found in nature, building connections between the local landscape and sense of self, belonging and meaning making in young learners.
In the initial phase of the program, the DZS and DIA provided outreach education to early childhood learners and their caregivers at a variety of Brilliant Detroit locations, including the Brightmoor district. Children in these locations took field trips to the DIA, the Detroit Zoo and the Belle Isle Nature Center — all with the same goal of promoting a sense of inclusiveness and connection while allowing them to engage with the natural world surrounding them. This sense of community and connection is at the heart of the Nature Tots Eco Artists program.
Each participant received art supplies, materials and their own copy of the children’s book shared during that session. Caregivers received a curriculum guide to reinforce the content, including simple activities to do at home to further the connection to art and nature. Staff from all three organizations trained and taught together in a bilingual and joyful atmosphere.
“The rhythm of the Nature Tots curriculum — music and movement, literacy, adventures in nature and art — reinforced sensory-rich and experiential exploration of art through nature’s textures, colors, materials and even temperatures,” says Amy Greene, nature centers director for the DZS. “Project activities were designed to be developmentally appropriate, artand nature-focused, and fun!”
While much of the art in the program is intended to be ephemeral and process-rich, an exhibit at the Detroit Zoo of art created by Nature Tots Eco Artists participants was displayed, culminating in a celebration of learning and community.
“This is a fantastic program that made a true impact,” Greene says. “Nature and connection are huge parts of the DZS identity, and we are so glad to have been a part of this.”
The Belle Isle Nature Center connected Detroit early learners to nature-based education through Nature Tots Eco Artists, a partnership with the Detroit Institute of Arts.
CONSERVATION CONNECTION
The Detroit Zoological Society has been an integral part of the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake Species Survival Plan to establish a monitoring program for these rattlesnakes in southwest Michigan since 2009. This long-term monitoring allows scientists to determine critical ecological characteristics of the snakes and their populations, which informs conservation decisions and management plans for the species.
WANT TO SUPPORT MICHIGAN’S ONLY RATTLESNAKE?
Donate to the DZS to support their care and conservation at detroitzoo.org/donate
