Transitions by Lincoln Park Zoo

For Members of Lincoln Park Zoo 路 A Magazine of Conservation and Education 路 Spring 2014

Transitions Exploring the Animal Life Cycle

IN THIS ISSUE Volume 12 Number 4 · For Members of Lincoln Park Zoo

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FEATURES Bringing Up Babies

Black rhino King, gorillas Patty and Nayembi and white-cheeked gibbon Daxin are growing fast, but they still need special attention from mom…and caregivers.

Jumping Juveniles

Bachelor gorillas, growing Sichuan takins and reintroduced trumpeter swan cygnets—they’re all learning on the fly.

All Adult

What’s it like to be all grown up? African lion Sahar, black bear Katai and DeBrazza’s monkeys Kianga and Andy give us a look.

Pairing Up

Crowned lemurs and lesser green broadbills look to grow the next generation—all under the guidance of the zoo-led Population Management Center.

Slowing Down

The zoo’s senior citizens receive specialized care, from small bites for female lion Myra to antiinflammatories for vulture Lurch.

Expert Care for Every Age

From baby check-ups to geriatric care, the zoo’s veterinary team is ready for anything.

How Long Do They Live?

Zoo science is helping us build a better understanding of life expectancies for the animals in our care.

Fond Memories

Even when animals are gone, they never truly leave us. We share memories of iconic animals including Adelor, R1 and Keo.

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DEPARTMENTS Perspective

President and CEO Kevin Bell looks back on 38 years of animal memories.

From Seed to Sky

The zoo’s gardens have their own life cycles, ranging from budding annuals to massive oaks that predate the zoo itself.

News of the Zoo

A scientific journey to the heart of the Congo, students studying Chicago wildlife and an update on Regenstein Macaque Forest.

The Wild File

A new “squeeze” at SMRH, golden girls at RCAA and eye surgery for a Henkel’s leaf-tailed gecko.

Calendar

Celebrate spring with Easter Egg-Stravaganza, Wine & Wildlife: Prairie Pioneers and the Auxiliary Board’s annual fundraiser, Zoo-ologie

Membership Matters

Getting ready for the LPZ VIP treatment and looking back at Member Appreciation Month and Members-Only Night at ZooLights.

Continue Your Visit Online Visit www.lpzoo.org for Lincoln Park Zoo photos, videos and up-to-date info on events and animals. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter! We'd Like to Hear from You! Send your feedback on this issue of Lincoln Park Zoo magazine to magazine@lpzoo.org. Cover: Baby gorilla Nayembi continues to grow and play LINCOLN PARK ZOO MAGAZINE

QUESTIONS? Contact the Membership Department. Staff are on hand during normal business hours— phone 312-742-2322 or visit us online at www.lpzoo.org.

President and CEO Kevin J. Bell

Editor James Seidler

Art Director Peggy Martin

Communications Specialist Craig Keller

Designer Joann Dzon Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60614, 312-742-2000, www.lpzoo.org. Lincoln Park Zoo is supported through a public/private partnership between the Chicago Park District and The Lincoln Park Zoological Society. The only privately managed free zoo in the country, Lincoln Park Zoo relies on membership, individual, foundation and corporate support as well as earned revenue.

perspective A Letter From President and CEO Kevin J. Bell

The Cycle Continues In my 38 years at Lincoln Park Zoo, I’ve watched animals move through every stage of their life cycle. Cute new arrivals become unruly adolescents before growing into adulthood. Some are paired up, giving rise to the next generation. Eventually, like us, they all age and pass on, leaving memories in their wake. The past and present are never too far apart. For instance, I love seeing baby gorilla Nayembi fearlessly climbing through her exhibit and cuddling with her mom, Rollie. But I also remember when Rollie was born at the Lester E. Fisher Great Ape House. And Rollie’s mom Kowali before her, part of a legacy that stretches to Kowali’s mom, Kumba, the first gorilla ever born at Lincoln Park Zoo. That’s four generations in one zoo. Like all our animals, they received the expert care they needed throughout their life cycles. Nayembi was bottle fed around the clock when keepers had to

intervene for her recovery. Rollie receives regular checkups to ensure she’s healthy as she cares for her little one. And as Kumba experienced kidney failure in 2005, our veterinary staff did everything they could to make her comfortable and then made the difficult, humane decision to say goodbye. I have so many fond memories of animals that are no longer with us. When I first arrived, silverback gorilla Sinbad ruled the Primate House, reflecting the zoo’s groundbreaking work with the species. In recent years I started every day seeing Adelor perched on his throne at the Kovler Lion House. One favorite memory, though, happened during our tribute to polar bear Thor. A little boy came over and shared how Thor “knew him.” It turned out he would put his hand on the glass, and Thor would swim over to place his paw against the glass on the other side before pushing off for another lap. For me, that story epitomizes how zoos can foster connections between people and wildlife. Memories like those are made every day at Lincoln Park Zoo. The animals grow and change, like us, but that only means there’s always something new to discover. Kevin J. Bell President and CEO

In 38 years at the zoo, Kevin, with his sons above, has seen countless animals make an impact, including baby gorilla Nayembi, silverback Sinbad and polar bear Thor.

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Bringing Up Babies

BY CRAIG KELLER

The zoo’s newest arrivals need special attention—from parents and from animal care experts. Here’s how some zoo babies are making the transition to independence as they grow. Mom Knows Best

King, the eastern black rhinoceros born at the zoo last August, now weighs more than 600 pounds, and his two horns are looking more formidable. But he still shadows mom Kapuki wherever she goes. “She’s his safety zone,” says Zoological Manager Laszlo Szilagyi. “He’s become more comfortable away from her, but anything unfamiliar can send him back to her side.” That isn’t the case with food or leafy browse provided by animal care staff at Regenstein African Journey. While King will be dependent on mom’s milk for another year or so, he now nibbles some solid food—and “mouths things all the time,” says Szilagyi. He carries twigs and sticks around the yard and will also explore keepers’ hands with his prehensile upper lip. Such familiarity will facilitate King’s participation in routine health checkups as he grows. For now, there’s one bond that matters most. “Kapuki’s a protective mom and tolerates his playing—even when he tries to head-butt her.”

Girl Power

What a difference a year makes. Last year at this time female western lowland gorilla Nayembi was receiving around-theclock expert care to nurse her back to health after a facial injury. Her half-sister Patty, born in October 2012, one month prior to Nayembi’s arrival, was still too tiny to venture far from mom Bana. Today it’s all about play, play, play. As the two girls grow more independent and start foraging on solid foods, they often venture away from moms Bana and Rollie to play together and explore their family troop’s home at Regenstein Center for African Apes. If you haven’t caught them sliding down a bamboo pole yet, you’re missing quite a sight. The grownups aren’t left out, including Kwan, the troop’s prodigious silverback leader and father of both girls. “We’ve seen a lot of play between Kwan and Patty,” says Curator of Primates Maureen Leahy. “Little Patty puts on her play face, runs up to dad and runs away. Kwan puts out his hand and pats her. He’s super gentle.” Likewise for Nayembi? Not quite yet. “She’s becoming more comfortable being close to him,” says Leahy. “He wants to play, but she’s still warming up to it.”

Cling Then Swing

Before too long a different sort of ape will be dazzling guests as he swings and leaps among branches and vines. Male whitecheeked gibbon Daxin, born last August at the Helen Brach Primate House, spends much of his time clinging to mom Burma. But that’s beginning to change, just as his golden-hued baby fur will soon completely turn to black. Animal care staff first saw Daxin independently hang onto a vine next to mom this winter. He’s also engaged in limited play with dad Caruso and brother Sai. “Sai sits close by and gently bats at him with his arms,” says Leahy. “Not too much is known about these guys in the wild, but in zoos we see paternal and older-sibling interaction and caregiving.” Daxin nibbles on the fruits and leaves that comprise this Southeast Asian species’ diet, but he hasn’t started foraging yet. 2 LINCOLN PARK ZOO

Baby play at the zoo includes gorillas Nayembi and Patty, black rhino King, white-cheeked gibbon Daxin and a jumping joey at the Antelope & Zebra Area.

“Smaller ape species are slower in terms of infant development than monkeys,” says Leahy, who draws a comparison with Primate House neighbor Pierre, the Francois’ langur born one month earlier. “Pierre was running around after 2–3 months.”

Getting a Jump Start

Anyone doubting the hopped-up energy of a red kangaroo baby hasn’t visited the Antelope & Zebra Area recently. The young joey, born in May 2013, laps its spacious yard in mere seconds while the adults in her mob sedately look on. The youngster, a female, didn’t poke her head out of the pouch until last November. “The mob’s adult males were curious about her,” says Curator Diane Mulkerin, “but she wasn’t too sure about them. She’d stick by mom after doing a lap and crawl back in the pouch.” The speedy marsupial—about one-fourth the size of her mom—is now out of the pouch for good but will likely continue to stick her head back in to nurse for a few more months.

See videos of all the babies playing at www.lpzoo.org/magazine! SPRING 2014 3

Jumping Juveniles BY JAMES SEIDLER

Growing humans aren’t the only ones who need to stretch their wings upon entering adolescence. The same applies to a range of animals…although they tend to do it more literally.

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Moving Out

Take last summer’s trumpeter swan cygnets. The five birds left the nest in September, just three months after they hatched—the same timeline they’d follow in the wild. The growing waterfowl moved to a 20-acre site in Iowa where they spent the winter giving those wings a workout and learning how to live in the wild, preparation for their eventual release as part of the Iowa Trumpeter Swan Restoration Project. “They’re getting a little more help, but this is similar to how they’d disperse to new homes in the wild,” says Hope B. McCormick Curator of Birds Sunny Nelson. Other species are more prone to butting heads with parents as they grow. Grevy’s zebra Kito, who was born at the Antelope & Zebra Area in August 2012, has progressed from being a cute colt to an active adolescent. The young male was separated from mom Adia and female Delrie this spring, part of the natural pathway that would eventually see him establishing his own territory in the wild.

A Committed Bachelor Pad

If you’re looking for active adolescents at Lincoln Park Zoo, the first place to visit is Regenstein Center for African Apes. There you’ll find the raucous bachelor troop consisting of four males: 10-year-old Azizi, 8-year-old Umande, 8-year-old Amare and 7-year-old Mosi. The group was formed last summer to accommodate a natural fact of gorilla biology—males and females are born in equal numbers, but each mature male-and-female group can only have one male, the dominant silverback. In the wild, and in zoos, this alpha ape will chase off maturing males, who can be perceived as up-and-coming rivals. Leaving home, these adolescent gorillas often band together for companionship, a process that’s been carried over to zoos looking to provide growing males with natural social groups. Unsurprisingly, these dynamic pairings of young apes feature plenty of chasing, play and high-climbing activity. “We provide a lot of enrichment, including plenty of things they can throw and bang around,” says Curator of Primates Maureen Leahy. Even with enrichment, it took some effort by the zoo’s animal care experts to develop a smooth social fabric for the bachelors. The eldest male, Azizi, has doubled in size in the past four years, leaving the other bachelors looking like kids by compar-

Grevy’s zebra colt Kito, growing bachelor gorilla Azizi (seen in the same tub in 2009 and 2013) and last summer’s trumpeter swan cygnets have all matured out of their birth groups.

ison. In early introductions, Azizi was prone to using this bulk to assert his authority…just as Mosi, Umande and Amare were eager to egg him on. The zoo’s caregivers responded to the developing dynamic by putting the full-group introduction on pause. Instead, while keeping Azizi in visual contact with his peers, they had Mosi, Umande and Amare spend time together to deepen their bond. Once that trio was tight-knit, the caregivers slowly introduced the troop elder, bringing the whole group together full time this fall. “Since then, the bachelors have been remarkably stable,” says Leahy. “They’re spending more and more time in close proximity with each other, and we’re even seeing play interest between Azizi and Amare.”

Growing in Place

Another zoo social group that’s accommodating some adolescent energy is the Sichuan takin herd at the Antelope & Zebra Area. Growing males Mengyao and Xing Fu both turned 1 this winter. This milestone sees them about halfway to their adult size—and roughly a year away from leaving the herd. Right now, though, things are harmonious between the two youngsters and the adults in the group: male Quanli and moms Jinse and Mei Li. To keep the growing guys engaged, keepers furnish the outdoor yard with piñatas, scattered produce and takin-sized boomer balls. Mengyao and Xing Fu also provide their own enrichment by hopping up on yard features like fallen trees to scope out their surroundings. Watching the herd interact, it’s easy to wish the two climbers could stay kids forever. But as every family knows, that’s not possible…and growing up holds its own rewards as well. SPRING 2014 5

All Adult

BY CRAIG KELLER

These individuals have made the leap to adult bodies and adult social groups. Sure, they may not be as playful as they used to be, but animals “in their prime” showcase a species’ full-grown behaviors. He’s Got His Pride

When African lion Sahar moved from the Bronx Zoo to Lincoln Park Zoo in 2012, he was an immature 2-year-old—and Myra let him know it. The latter, an 18-year-old female, had previously shared her home at the Kovler Lion House with the late Adelor, who was two years her senior when the zoo made the difficult decision to euthanize the iconic, but geriatric, male. “She kept Sahar at bay, but since then they’ve worked out their differences,” says Zoological Manager Laszlo Szilagyi. “They know they’re in a pride. Myra had been the leader, but that has turned.” Sahar, who turned 4 in January, is now an adult with an impressive frame and full mane. He shows the behavior typical of a territorial pride leader. “He’s very observant and responds to the presence of people he 6 LINCOLN PARK ZOO

feels are his challengers,” says Szilagyi. “Sadly, I’m one of those! He’ll come to the window when I’m there to let me know he sees me.” Sahar, like all felines, spends much of his time catching cat naps. He roams at will between his indoor and outdoor exhibits, to which he always has access. On cooler days, he often heads straight for the heated rocks in the yard. Animal care staff provide both lions with enrichment like beef bones to encourage natural behavior. Play isn’t one of them. “He’s no longer the kid, but he would love to play with Myra,” says Szilagyi. “She’s older and not too interested in that.”

Bear Essentials

When Curator Diane Mulkerin picked up Katai, one of the zoo’s two black bears, at the airport in 2005, he weighed 5 pounds. The

little cub had been found orphaned in the wilds of Oregon and was about to become one of the first residents of the new Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo, a 3-acre, densely wooded home for native North American species. What Katai lacked in size, he made up for in attitude. “He threatened me,” recalls Mulkerin with a chuckle. Fast-forward nine years. Katai weighs 400 pounds and shares his spacious habitat with Papa, an elderly, 26-year-old black bear who arrived here a month after Katai. Males are typically solitary in the wild, and these two rarely interact with each other. A mutually understood hierarchy governs their living arrangement. “Papa is clearly the dominant bear,” says Mulkerin. “It only takes a look.” Their daily diet, including omnivore bear chow and leafy greens, is placed throughout the exhibit to encourage natural foraging behavior. An artificial tree with branches at different levels allows the powerful younger bear to sharpen his climbing skills— used in nature by these navigationally adept mammals to survey surroundings, seek safety or raid a beehive. “Katai loves the enrichment we hang on the tree—like toys to bat at or containers filled with honey,” says Mulkerin. “At 9, he still acts like a young bear.”

Oh, Brother

In the swampy forests of central Africa they call home, adult male De Brazza’s monkeys compete for breeding dominance in social groups with as many as 35 individuals or in smaller family parties or harem-style groups. Bachelor troops are not common. Likewise at zoos exhibiting this fruit- and insect-eating guenon species, whose white facial fur resembles a wizard’s beard. Brothers Kianga, 13, and Andy, 11, however, live together peacefully in the same exhibit at the Helen Brach Primate House— that is, since mom moved to the Portland Zoo a few years ago. That transfer, part of a breeding recommendation made by the Guenon Species Survival Plan®, led to another birth in Oregon. “They’re compatible, but we’re mindful about giving them the social spacing they need,” says Curator of Primates Maureen Leahy. “They choose to remain within visual proximity of each other but have access to off-exhibit areas so they can separate whenever they want.” Keepers also provide the simian siblings with multiple feeding locations since they forage independently. De Brazza’s monkeys have cheek pouches in which they can conceal the fruits, vegetables and insects they eat—a strategy that offers benefits while the species is competing for food in the wild. Kianga and Andy are clever problem solvers who also receive tasty treats hidden inside puzzle feeders as extra enrichment. Fraternal squabbles do arise, but the brothers eschew physical contact in favor of dominance displays. “They’ll yawn to expose their extraordinarily impressive canines or bob their heads while flashing their eyelids,” says Leahy. “Most of the time, though, they’re more vigilant about scanning visitors than each other.”

Male lion Sahar, black bear Katai and De Brazza’s monkey brothers Kianga and Andy are all in their prime.

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Pairing Up

BY JAMES SEIDLER

Time doesn’t stop for any species. One day you’re watching new arrivals, tiny chicks packing on the pounds or little monkeys chasing mom through the treetops. Then, before you know it, they’ve found mates and are starting the next rotation in the great circle of life. In zoos, of course, the pairing process is an expert affair. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums Population Management Center, headquartered at Lincoln Park Zoo, works with hundreds of species—and zoos throughout North America—to ensure only the most suitable matches are made to sustain the genetic health of zoo populations. But while every match is recommended, each pairing is unique. Here we look at a couple of the zoo’s mated pairs, exploring how courtship works across species. 8 LINCOLN PARK ZOO

Left: The female lesser green broadbill is drawn to the male’s vibrant plumage during breeding season. Above: White-cheeked gibbons Caruso and Burma (with baby) and crowned lemurs Sokkwi and Tucker are among the zoo’s successful breeding pairs.

Bobbing and Weaving

The lesser green broadbills are easy to spot at the McCormick Bird House. Even among the rich foliage of their exhibit, their spectacular green plumage stands out, calling attention to this songbird native to Malaysia and Sumatra. Of course, one member of the breeding pair is more likely—and more eager—to draw the eye. That would be the male, who can be distinguished by his iridescent feathers as well as black bands across the wings and a black dot behind the ear…all features intended to attract the attention of a prospective mate. As far as breeding pairs go, the male and female broadbills at the Bird House are relative short timers. They just produced their first clutch of chicks last year, leaving Hope B. McCormick Curator of Birds Sunny Nelson impressed by the skills of the feathered first-time mom. “We have high standards for the species, as we had a great breeding hen here who passed away in 2011,” the curator says. “It was nice to see the new mom take up that mantle.” So how do you know if lesser green broadbills are ready to breed? Animal care staff keep a close eye on the pair. When the male starts bobbing his head and begins actively pursuing his mate, keepers know its time to add nesting material to the broadbill habitat.

Another Practiced Pair

The Helen Brach Primate House has its share of breeding pairs. White-cheeked gibbons Caruso and Burma, Francois’ langurs Pumpkin and Cartman and Allen’s swamp monkeys Ocala and Delasol have bonded and reared babies under the guidance of Species Survival Plans®. But last fall saw the addition of a new breeding pair at the Primate House…well, new to the zoo anyway. Crowned lemurs

Sokkwi and Tucker moved into the building’s south habitat. They were accompanied by sons Nuru and Azizi—proof of previous breeding success—and quickly reestablished a comfy group dynamic. “The lemurs have a different social structure than other Primate House species,” says Curator of Primates Maureen Leahy. “They’re more seasonal breeders—and the female is the dominant one.” Breeding season runs roughly from October to January and marks a notable shift in group behaviors. Sokkwi, the male, spends a lot of time scent marking the exhibit and following Tucker around. Tucker, in turn, is more likely to claim the most desirable food or scoot Sokkwi out of a preferable resting location. Females can become more aggressive during breeding season in some crowned lemur groups, which typically number five to six individuals. Fortunately, that wasn’t an issue at the zoo, although Leahy did report an uptick in vocalizations. “Meows, growls—everyone was making a lot more noise,” she said. Things have since quieted down, but there’s sure to be plenty of activity if another lemur baby makes an appearance this summer.

Other Potential Pairs

The crowned lemurs and lesser green broadbills aren’t the only prospective parents as spring turns to summer. The trumpeter swans should once again line the nest at the Hope B. McCormick Swan Pond. The red river hogs may nuzzle together at Regenstein African Journey. The sand cats may make another fierce match at Regenstein Small Mammal–Reptile House. Nothing is certain, of course. While the matches are a science, the pairings are more an art, subject to each animal’s preferences. But in some cases, at least, we’ll see a new generation, starting the whole cycle over again. SPRING 2014 9

Slowing Down BY CRAIG KELLER Tummy Troubles

African lions in the wild can’t take a gastro-protectant medication after a meaty meal. But Myra, an 18-year-old female lion at the Kovler Lion House, receives daily doses of Pepcid to soothe her sensitive stomach. “Most of the medications animals receive are ones we’d use for humans too,” says Dr. Lester E. Fisher Director of Veterinary Medicine Kathryn Gamble, D.V.M. “So Myra receives the dose as her stomach isn’t quite as hardy as she’s gotten older. The dose is just a bit larger than we would take.” It’s a better option than Pepto-Bismol, which contains an aspirin derivative toxic for cats. Keepers also separate Myra’s daily diet into smaller portions to aid digestion, but they haven’t had to make any other alterations for the elderly carnivore. Her joints are healthy, and she still roams about her indoor and outdoor exhibits without any difficulty. “Myra is quite comfortable and aging differently at 18 than Adelor did,” says Gamble, referring to Myra’s late mate, who had kidney disease in old age. “You can’t stop arthritis, heart disease or kidney failure. In the end nature wins. But we can slow things down as long as we can so comfort and function persist.”

The Beat Goes On

Every week, in a behind-the-scenes habitat at Regenstein Center for African Apes (RCAA), the zoo’s 50-year-old chimpanzee Vicky presents her chest to keepers, who wave an EKG reader over it. Electrocardiograms—recorded images of the heart’s electrical rhythm—are downloaded from a loop recorder device implanted in the geriatric chimpanzee’s chest. They may produce a better understanding of the species’ susceptibility to heart disease. Although Vicky is the oldest chimpanzee at the zoo, she isn’t the sole participant in this innovative welfare monitoring project begun three years ago. The other three adult females in her group also have implants (see page 19), as do nearly all the members of another RCAA troop led by 23-year-old Hank. “We know what these devices can tell us about cardiac disease in humans because thousands of people are being monitored. Not so for chimps,” says Gamble. “We’re trying to establish a normal baseline with Hank’s troop to compare with older chimps

Chimpanzee Vicky, cinereous vulture Lurch and African lion Myra are among the animals who’ve seen accommodations to age… but are still thriving. 10

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“You can’t stop arthritis, heart disease or kidney failure…But we can slow things down as long as we can so comfort and function persist.”

like Vicky. We know she has abnormal rhythms, but we need context to understand what is expected for a 50-year-old chimpanzee.” For Vicky, the sophisticated diagnostics amount to preventive care. She also volunteers for teeth brushing to guard against dental issues. Steamed veggies are also on the menu for older chimps who have trouble chewing harder foods. “She’s remarkably agile for her age,” says Curator of Primates Maureen Leahy, “so we haven’t had to modify any part of her activity or exhibit.”

Joint Venture

Bruno and Lurch, the elderly cinereous vulture breeding pair at Regenstein Birds of Prey Exhibit, have successfully raised a daughter, Sophia, who’ll celebrate her first birthday on June 7. Yet for several years prior to Sophia’s arrival the couple were unable to produce healthy chicks—and an arthritic ankle may have been part of the reason. Roughly a decade ago Lurch, 25, started nesting on the

ground—not at higher elevations as is common for this scavenger species. Gamble examined her and found joint abnormalities in her left ankle. Not only was Lurch unable to nest up higher, she also couldn’t properly lower herself over the egg to control its temperature during incubation. Humidity and ground moisture further affected the process. Not to mention overeager parents. “Females aren’t the only ones to incubate,” says Hope B. McCormick Curator of Birds Sunny Nelson. “If Lurch let him, Bruno would incubate the majority of the time.” That makes for a crowded nest. There’s also a history of egg breakage with some breeding pairs at zoos. The Cinereous Vulture Species Survival Plan®, a joint management effort by zoos throughout North America, recommends removing eggs for artificial incubation and returning them to the nest—replacing an intermediary dummy egg—when chicks are about to hatch. Chicks aside, caregivers want Lurch to be comfortable. So she receives a joint supplement in her daily diet as well as an anti-inflammatory medication if the ankle starts acting up after she’s sat too long or the weather changes. “One or two doses are enough to get her back on track,” says Nelson. As is the case when all of us age, a small adjustment can make a big difference.

See video of the chimpanzees enjoying “heart-y” treats at www.lpzoo.org/magazine!

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Expert Care for Every Age Kumba

1970–2005

Kowali

1978–

Rollie

1996–

Nayembi

2012–

Lincoln Park Zoo is situated in a big city. From the perspective of the staff veterinarians who care for its animal residents, however, the zoo sometimes seems decidedly more like a small town. “We often say that zoo veterinarians are like country doctors,” says Dr. Lester E. Fisher Director of Veterinary Medicine Kathryn Gamble, D.V.M. “We’re really tapped into a community in the same way—who’s related to who, who gets into squabbles and who’s gotten pregnant. We know all the ‘gossip’ because we live with and care for these animals and their families throughout their lives.” In some cases, that means an unbroken connection of caregiving to several generations within the same family tree. Gorillas, for example. “When Nayembi joined us, we took care of her,” says Gamble of the female western lowland gorilla born at the zoo in 2012. “Just like I also took care of Nayembi’s mother Rollie, her grandmother Kowali and her great-grandmother Kumba.” Gamble’s team depends on the zoo’s keepers to flag unusual behavior, help medicate animals, manage special dietary needs and monitor the effectiveness of treatments. “They’re our eyes and ears,” says Gamble. “They help us ‘see’ all 1,000 animals every day.” Behavioral observation can be misleading though. Zoo animals can hide infirmities and injuries for a long time—behavior that can be a positive adaptation in the wild. “These are patients who can’t speak for themselves,” says Gamble, “and sometimes these things can be misinterpreted.” Besides follow-up observation and regular exams that include blood collection, radiographs, ultrasounds and many other possibilities, Gamble’s toolkit is honed by a holistic overview. The zoo’s animals, unlike people, get one centralized medical team, not several disconnected doctors for various ailments. That team includes expert help from the Animal Health Council, a group of medical doctors and veterinary specialists who assist the zoo’s veterinarians in their areas of expertise. The cohesive approach eliminates the possibility of conflicting treatments and prescriptions. “One of the really neat things about being a veterinarian is being able to care for all 11 body systems,” says Gamble. “All the body systems, all the animal species and all the ages. It gives us a global, lifelong perspective of our patients.”

The zoo’s veterinary team, led by Dr. Lester E. Fisher Director of Veterinary Medicine Kathryn Gamble, D.V.M., has overseen expert care for animals of all ages—including four generations of gorillas! 12 LINCOLN PARK ZOO

How Long Do They Live?

Birth to death. As we see in this issue, that’s the scale of any life cycle, encompassing the beginning, the end and all the experiences in between.

Life expectancies vary across—and within—species including Guam Micronesian kingfishers, chimpanzees, Pallas’ cats and cactus mice. Zoo scientists are analyzing decades of population records to offer scientific answers about median life expectancies.

Species vary considerably in their life cycles, of course. A 7-year-old Guam Micronesian kingfisher is middle aged while a 7-year-old chimpanzee is just entering puberty. A new generation of cactus mice can appear every couple months while a developing eastern black rhino spends more than a year in the womb. Beyond that, every individual has its own life cycle. Just like humans, some may be cut short before their prime; others, like chimpanzee Keo, thrive well past what’s thought to be old age. So how do you measure an animal’s life? How do you know, as people often ask, if an individual at the zoo lived “long enough”? You can’t just use the longest-lived members of a species as the measuring stick. They might be outliers, individuals whose life history falls far outside the norm. The record for human longevity is 122 years, but few of us think we’ll come close to that mark. To answer the question scientifically, the zoo community

turned to a group of biologists led by Vice President of Conservation & Science Lisa Faust, Ph.D. With additional support from Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, these experts scoured decades of population records from institutions throughout the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). In doing so, they were able to define median life expectancies for 110 species. Instead of representing a maximum, like the 122-year figure above, median life expectancy is more like a midpoint. It’s the age at which just as many individuals continue to live as have died. For a Bactrian camel in an AZA zoo, that’s 17.9 years. For a Pallas’ cat, it’s 8.6. As zoos collect more data, our experts hope to expand the number of species with calculated median life expectancies. Right now, though, these figures give us a scientific way to discuss how long animals are likely to live…even as every individual follows its own unique path.

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Fond Memories Lincoln Park Zoo always has something new to celebrate. It might be baby gibbon Daxin taking his first swing through the treetops. It could be bachelor gorillas learning to play together or an old black bear showing cublike enthusiasm for new enrichment. At the same time, the zoo has celebrated more than 145 years as a Chicago landmark. This proud past includes generations of memories, for people and animals alike. While Bushman, Adelor and Keo are no longer with us, they still have a place at the zoo—and in the thoughts of everyone who shared a wild encounter with them. In our final Life Cycle segment, we look back at a few animals, big and small, who’ve left a lasting mark on Lincoln Park Zoo.

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A Roaring Tribute

When African lion Adelor passed away in February 2012, the response from friends of the zoo was heartfelt and sustained. Hundreds of people shared their memories of the big cat, who first arrived at Lincoln Park Zoo in 1995, recalling the male’s powerful roars from his perch at the Kovler Lion House or seeing him lounging in the sun with mates Myra and Helene. One friend of the zoo did more than that, though. An anonymous donor was moved to honor Adelor’s memory with a bronze sculpture. Created by local artists Anna Koh Varilla and Jeffrey H. Varilla, the statue welcomes guests at Lincoln Park Zoo’s East Gate. By encouraging visitors to pose with the big cat, this life-sized tribute shares Adelor’s impact with a new generation of visitors. “The sound of Adelor roaring was a big memory for so many visitors,” says Curator of Mammals Mark Kamhout. “It seems appropriate to have him out there welcoming people.”

Small and Special

Of course, you don’t have to be rendered in bronze to leave a lasting impression. Countless animals live on in photos, memories and stories from those who knew them best. Take former dwarf crocodile R1, for instance. Named for his top spot in the zoo census—he was Reptile One—this endangered predator was Lincoln Park Zoo’s longest-lived resident before passing away in 2010. In 70 years at the zoo, R1 lived at the old Reptile House (now Park Place Café), Regenstein Small Mammal–Reptile House and Regenstein African Journey, never showing much sign of

African lion Adelor, dwarf crocodile R1 and chimpanzee Keo are among the beloved Lincoln Park Zoo residents who continue to live on in memories.

age as guests—and caregivers—advanced through the generations. He made a mark as the zoo’s oldest parent, siring his first, and final, clutch of offspring at the distinguished age of 67. Beyond memories, R1’s legacy lives on in the five offspring growing at Regenstein Small Mammal–Reptile House. “Who knows how long they’ll be here?” says Curator Diane Mulkerin.

Commemorating Keo

Chimpanzee Keo lived at Lincoln Park Zoo for more than 50 years. Ultimately, the beloved great ape’s experience heightened how much zoos grew and matured over his long lifespan. “When Keo first arrived at the zoo in 1959, the world was a different place,” says Steve Ross, Ph.D., director of Lincoln Park Zoo’s Lester E. Fisher Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes. “Animals were still treated more like objects of amusement than treasured ambassadors of wild, endangered wildlife.” How much has changed? The baby chimpanzee came to Lincoln Park Zoo from Africa, a practice that no longer takes place. He was raised by people instead of within the natural social group that would be his first option today. He arrived at an institution that had a miniscule conservation and science outreach presence, a far cry from the dozens of dedicated scientists working to conserve species today. By the time Keo matured, the zoo had come a long way toward giving all species the naturalistic social groups and settings they need to thrive. And when Keo was humanely euthanized in September 2013 due to the irreversible effects of advanced cardiac disease, he’d received the state-of-theart care that’s helped animals live longer, healthier lives than ever before.

Beyond the revolutionary arc of his life, though, Keo is remembered most for the personal impact he had on his fellow chimpanzees—and the people who cared for him. “Keo had an unbelievable talent to make those around him feel special,” says Ross. “He related well with other chimps, but he knew how to interact with people too. It amazed me how he mastered overt communication, like when he’d see you down the hallway and start bouncing up and down to solicit play, and very subtle communication, like when you would sit quietly across from him at the end of the day, and he’d just offer a slight nod of his head to acknowledge your presence.” “I still think of Keo every day I come to work,” he says. It’s these types of memories—the bonds formed between humans and animals—that are Lincoln Park Zoo’s strongest legacy.

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From Seed to Sky

BY CRAIG KELLER

In another kind of life cycle, the zoo’s gardens feature green life ranging from first shoots to tallest trunks. One-Hit Wonders

They appear onstage in just one scene, but annuals turn their brief cameo into a tour de force. “They give the big show,” says Director of Horticulture Brian Houck. “Annuals are all about flower power.” These ornamental plants live it up for one growing season from Memorial Day weekend into October. Sprouting from containers artfully arrayed throughout zoo grounds, annuals deliver a vibrant constellation of color that varies year to year. Two years ago fuego pink verbena and bubblegum petunias powered a pink-themed palette. Yellow, orange and blue took a turn last summer. Starring this season: medium lavender. “We alternate between cold and hot—this is a cool year,” says Houck. Look for the metallic purple–striped leaves of Persian shield, violet-hued snapdragon-like flowers of “Angelface” angelonia and compact clusters of blue-lavender-silver “Shock Wave” petunias. Timing and planning are key. Staff and volunteers organize plants and containers and plant everything in the week leading up to Memorial Day. “It’s a few days of madness but very fun,” says Houck.

Roots Rockers

Where annuals provide a single-note exclamation mark, perennials are the workhorses of the zoo’s gardens. Essentially root crops, different perennial species bloom in spring, summer and fall. They come in an infinite variety and can be dug up, divided and moved around to create new garden spaces. “Part of my job as a horticulture designer is to integrate those different types so we have beauty in the landscape during all seasons,” says Houck. Perennials can be short-term or long-term. Potentially, they can live decades. Large masses of a particular species—like the sprawling lily-of-the-valley beds near the Antelope & Zebra Area and flamingo dome—indicate impressive longevity. The zoo’s horticulture database catalogues hundreds of perennials, but some to look for include flowering hibiscus, buddleia (a.k.a. “the butterfly bush”), Russian sage, yellow coneflowers and grasses like little bluestem. How perennials appear when they’re in and out of bloom, as well as how they’re juxtaposed with other plants, is key to a coherent landscape scheme. 16 LINCOLN PARK ZOO

Clockwise: Perennials like yellow coneflower and flowering hibiscus enliven the gardens year after year while annuals including “Angelface” angelonia, Persian shield and "Shock Wave" petunias (above) are part of this year’s medium lavender color scheme.

“It can’t all be the same, but we want it to feel like it’s the same garden theme as you walk from the south end to the north end of the zoo,” says Houck.

Living on the Edge

Shrubs like boxwood, viburnum and juniper aren’t there to take up space. These versatile, hardy plants—capable of living for decades—furnish a sculptural framework for landscape-design vignettes within the zoo’s gardens. They also conceal unattractive facilities infrastructure and— notably the evergreens—provide pleasing tones, shapes and textures in winter. Fruiting shrubs like viburnum even contribute in a small way to animal diets at the zoo.

Trunk Show

Lincoln Park Zoo is four years shy of its 150th birthday. The bur oak on the South Lawn just west of the Helen Brach Primate House’s gibbon exhibit is just as old or older. Five other oaks— including two near the polar bear exhibit, one in the alpaca yard and another behind the Regenstein Birds of Prey Exhibit—also exceed the century mark. “You can see how the Primate House was built around that old bur oak,” says Houck. “Likewise, the pavement was adjusted around two gigantic elms on the west side of Park Place Café when that structure was built. These trees remember a time before all this stuff was here.” Caring for such historic trees requires acting as a steward of the landscape, Houck adds. His team is building on that stewardship at Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo, where they’ve planted a nascent black oak savanna along the northwest shore of the South Pond. “Ten years from now the branches will be wide enough to provide shade over a bench,” says Houck. “But oaks can live 100, 200 or 300 years. Aside from shade and their beauty in every season, they evoke such a sense of time. If you’re planting an oak tree, you’re planning for it to be enjoyed 30 years down the road by your children and grandchildren.”

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news of the zoo

Zoo experts visited pristine habitat for chimpanzees in the Goualougo Triangle, work continues on Regenstein Macaque Forest and Ice Skating at Lincoln Park Zoo opened with a visit from Congressman Mike Quigley and Chicago Blackhawks mascot Tommy Hawk.

Checking In on the Congo

The Goualougo Triangle is famous for its isolation. Indeed, one of the reasons zoo scientists conduct research in this pristine landscape in the Republic of Congo is to study gorillas and chimpanzees untouched by human influence. The remote setting has spurred groundbreaking findings into great ape behavior, tool use and the impact of logging. Of course, the same factors that make Goualougo special also make it a tough place to visit. But three zoo experts made the trip from Chicago in February, traveling by plane, boat and arduous hike to see the Triangle’s wonders firsthand and plan the next phase of conservation research. Who made the trip? Vice President of Conservation & Science Lisa Faust, Ph.D., Curator of Primates Maureen Leahy and Fisher Center Director Steve Ross, Ph.D. They were welcomed by zoo research fellow Dave Morgan, Ph.D., who leads the Goualougo Triangle Ape Project (GTAP) with wife and research partner Crickette Sanz, Ph.D. The scientists spent a portion of the trip exploring the growing conservation challenge posed by palm-oil plantations, which threaten to clearcut areas around Nouabale-Ndoki National Park. But there was also time to observe chimpanzees and gorillas in their native habitat—a first for Leahy and Faust—and check in on GTAP efforts to habituate a gorilla group to daily behavioral monitoring. Read their updates from the field at www.lpzoo.org/magazine.

A Snowy Foundation

Closer to home, construction efforts for the zoo’s next great exhibit, Regenstein Macaque Forest, continue to advance. Crews from Pepper Construction Company spent the winter months shaping the future home for Japanese macaques, or snow monkeys. The zoo's West Gate will be closed until June for construction, and the new exhibit, complete with a wild-inspired hot spring, will open this fall.

Experts in Innovation

The Hurvis Center for Learning Innovation and Collaboration unveiled another exciting initiative this fall. The Partners in 18 LINCOLN PARK ZOO

Fieldwork program, conducted with the zoo’s Urban Wildlife Institute, reached out to five Chicago high schools to help students study wildlife in their academic backyards. It’s a win-win partnership. The students get equipment like motion-triggered camera traps and special audio devices to record the calls of Chicago’s bats. In turn, zoo scientists gain valuable new data in their effort to map Chicago-area wildlife. “We tell the students they’re studying wildlife just like scientists, and they are,” says Youth Research Facilitator Matthew Mulligan. Every squirrel sighting and opossum ID builds the body of knowledge on which species make their home in the city. Beyond inspiring students, the Hurvis Center is also bringing together education leaders to discuss opportunities for innovation. The “Innovation and the Living World” symposium, to be held at Lincoln Park Zoo April 28–30, will gather representatives from zoos, aquariums, nature centers and botanical gardens to discuss how institutions with living collections can collaborate and change. Thanks to the Caerus Foundation for sponsoring this exciting meeting of the minds.

Wild Winter Fun

For the 19th straight year, ZooLights Presented by ComEd and Charter One was a highlight of Chicago’s holiday calendar. This year’s fun stretched to the Farm-in-the-Zoo as 2 million lights— and a sea serpent at Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo— enchanted more than 300,000 visitors. Thanks also to United, Pepsi and 93.9 MY FM for supporting this fun, free event. Another cold-weather celebration, running in parallel with ZooLights, was the inaugural season of Ice Skating at Lincoln Park Zoo. The zoo built a rink right in the heart of the Farm-inthe-Zoo, with Congressman Mike Quigley and Chicago Blackhawks mascot Tommy Hawk taking the first laps on the ice. Thanks to everyone who strapped on their skates. Finally, on November 14 the Women’s Board brought together 180 guests for their ZooLA live auction. Sponsored by Abbott and chaired by Women’s Board members Bridget Campbell and Denise Stefan Ginascol, ZooLA 2013 was held at The Casino and raised funds that totaled more than $300,000, the most ever raised by a Women’s Board Live Auction.

wild file Rock and Rattle

Weighing less than half a pound each, they don’t look so intimidating now. But the two African rock pythons now residing at Regenstein Small Mammal-Reptile House will one day measure 16–20 feet long and weigh 100–120 pounds. These powerful, nonvenomous carnivores—representing one of the largest snakes in the world—kill prey in the wild by suffocating it via constriction. With the aid of flexible upper and lower jaws connected by long tendons and muscles, adult rock pythons can consume prey as large as an antelope! The genders of the zoo’s two individuals, who hatched two years ago at Florida’s Jacksonville Zoo, have not yet been determined. Two male Mexican lance-headed rattlesnakes have also arrived at the zoo. Born in 2010 at Buffalo Zoo, they’re managed as part of the Species Survival Plan® for this small venomous rattlesnake native to south-central Mexico, where the species’ grassland habitat is increasingly being cleared for farming.

Golden Girls

Lincoln Park Zoo recently welcomed two female chimpanzees. Magadi, 22, and Cookie, 30, came to Chicago from Madison’s Henry Vilas Zoo in October. After fulfilling their standard quarantine period, they moved in with resident females Vicky, 50, and Kibali, 33, in an off-exhibit auxiliary area at Regenstein Center for African Apes. “We affectionately refer to them as the ‘Golden Girls’,” says Curator of Primates Maureen Leahy. Magadi is actually Vicky’s daughter! Since it was necessary for animal care staff to intervene and hand-rear Magadi at birth, the two had almost no contact. Still, Magadi now shares a home with her mother and her half-sister (Kibali is also Vicky’s daughter). It’s a reunion of sorts, even if it’s not clear the chimpanzees recognize it. Cookie spent much of her life as a pet and performer before she and Magadi moved to Henry Vilas Zoo in 1995. Here, she continues to live in a natural setting, a process enhanced by the larger social group she’s joined. Her new home is all the more appropriate given the focus of the zoo’s Project ChimpCARE initiative, which advocates suitable living conditions for all chimpanzees.

Miniature Mongooses

Two dwarf mongooses born November 19—and another litter of four born in January—are thriving with their family at Regenstein Small Mammal-Reptile House. The young pups are the happy result of a breeding recommendation made by the Dwarf Mongoose Species Survival Plan®, a shared conversation effort among zoos throughout North America. The parents arrived at the zoo last fall. Families of this highly social, carnivorous mammal native to eastern Africa are led by one dominant breeding pair. The births are the first dwarf mongoose litters at Lincoln Park Zoo since 1998. The babies, genders not yet known, are already eating solid foods, including insects and produce for enrichment. They

Two dwarf mongoose litters arrived at Regenstein Small Mammal– Reptile House, and female chimpanzees Cookie and Magadi joined the behind-the-scenes group at Regenstein Center for African Apes.

started moving about on their own at 1 month. When they’re not napping, they can be seen actively navigating the rocky inclines and logs in their dual-level exhibit.

Optic Verve

Henkel’s leaf-tailed geckos, native to Madagascar and the nearby island of Nosy Bé, are difficult to see as they blend into the forest foliage. But for a 10-year-old female living at the zoo, the vision challenge was her own. Recently, zoo veterinarians led by Dr. Lester E. Fisher Director of Veterinary Medicine Kathryn Gamble, D.V.M., performed cataract surgery on the elderly insect-eating reptile. Cataracts are easy to see through the pupil of the eye as opaque white spots. Keepers often see eye changes and report them to Gamble, who can then diagnose the situation. “We were able to take the cataract out safely and remove the crystallized protein material that had accumulated over time,” says Gamble. “Now she won’t have inflammation off and on in that eye for the rest of her life and doesn’t have to be on medication. It’s an exciting procedure we probably wouldn’t have been able to do a few years ago.” The lizard, who like all geckos uses a broad, fleshy tongue to keep her lidless eyes clean, is fully healed and living comfortably in an off-exhibit space at Regenstein Small Mammal-Reptile House. SPRING 2014 19

calendar Starting to Spring

After a long winter, Lincoln Park Zoo is always happy to return to the rhythms of spring! White-cheeked gibbons swinging outdoors at the Helen Brach Primate House, red river hogs rooting in the mud, European white storks searching for the perfect twig—these are all signs that we can stop knotting our scarves and look forward to life outdoors again. The zoo has plenty of events planned to take advantage of the change in seasons. On Saturday, April 19, families can join us for the outdoor fun of our annual Easter Egg-Stravaganza. The fun for little ones includes egg hunts, seasonal crafts and photos with the Easter Bunny. The Thursday after that, April 24, we’ll have zoo experts discuss our efforts to restore Illinois ecosystems with Wine & Wildlife: Prairie Pioneers. Enjoy a glass of wine as you hear how the zoo is helping meadow jumping mice, ornate box turtles and smooth green snakes return to the great outdoors. Not long after, the season will really spring into action with two outdoor events. The Auxiliary Board of Lincoln Park Zoo will host their annual fundraiser, Zoo-ologie, on May 17, giving guests a chance to dance under the stars…and benefit Chicago’s free zoo. Next, United Run for the Zoo will lace up June 1, giving participants a chance to support the zoo—and burn off some of that winter hibernation.

Upcoming Events Breakfast with the Apes March 23 Animal Art March 29 Spring Break Camp March 24–28, April 14–18 Parent & Toddler Yoga at the Zoo Four-part series: April 3, 10, 17 & 24 Morning Safari: Designing Nature— Success at Nature Boardwalk April 26 LEAP: Learn, Explore and Play Four-part series: May 1, 8, 15 & 22 Cinco de Mayo Piñata Party May 4

The zoo will welcome spring with Easter Egg-Stravaganza, Zoo-ologie and United Run for the Zoo.

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See the full calendar at www.lpzoo.org/calendar

membership matters Members-Only Night at ZooLights

ZooLights Presented by ComEd and Charter One is a highlight of the Lincoln Park Zoo calendar. Whether you like to visit with Santa, watch chimpanzees bed down for the evening or simply enjoy the glow of 2 million lights, this holiday event has something for everyone. This year’s ZooLights featured all those old favorites, but it added one extra perk: a night just for members. On December 5, we welcomed members and their guests for a free, fun evening at the zoo. Ice skating, the holiday train and rides on the AT&T Endangered Species Carousel were all on us—just one way to show how much we appreciate your support. More than 2,100 members and guests joined us for Members-Only Night at ZooLights. We were happy to hear how much you enjoyed the event…and we look forward to seeing you again this year. Mark December 4 on your calendar now!

Don’t Miss the VIP Treatment!

Be sure to show off your membership card in your specialty lanyard next time you visit the zoo. Beyond discounts at zoo shops and restaurants, you may also receive surprise perks— and plenty of smiles from zoo employees.

Showing Our Appreciation

We’re grateful for members every day of the year—without you, it wouldn’t be possible for the zoo to stay free, open and amazing. To emphasize how much we care, we once again set aside all of February for a special member celebration! This year’s Member Appreciation Month featured members-only keeper chats, expert-led Zoo Safari Tours and bonus discounts and free parking for all members. Whether you “Stepped into Africa” or saw lions Sahar and Myra receive enrichment, we hope you could learn more about the institution you love. Thanks again for your support!

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May 3 Members-Only Morning

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June 13 SuperZooPicnic

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Follow Us Online! Lincoln Park Zoo magazine isn't the only way to stay up to date on the zoo's world of wildlife. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and the zoo blogs at www.lpzoo.org. New animal arrivals, special events, field reports by zoo scientists—they all await your discovery online.

Members enjoyed free visits with Santa and the fennec fox too at Members-Only Night at ZooLights as well as inside looks at zoo enrichment with Member Appreciation Month.

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PO Box 14903 Chicago, IL 60614 www.lpzoo.org

Your membership supports everything we do, from animal care to publishing Lincoln Park Zoo magazine.

Slow, Steady…and Super Cute The Hoffman’s two-toed sloths at Regenstein Small Mammal-Reptile House aren’t known for moving fast. These poky herbivores spend most of their time hanging from rainforest branches, napping the day away and eating fruit and leaves at night. But animal lovers don’t expect speed from a Lincoln Park Zoo plush ADOPT; instead, they’re looking for a good snuggle. Our Hoffman’s Two-Toed Sloth ADOPT fits the bill perfectly, coming complete with a fact sheet, photo and cuddly stuffed animal. ADOPT a sloth—and support the care of every animal at Lincoln Park Zoo. Visit www.lpzoo.org/adopt today!

Get the Latest on King How’s King adjusting to spring? Subscribe to our weekly email digest to get the latest news—and photos—of Lincoln Park Zoo’s growing rhino. www.lpzoo.org/ZooMail

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