For Members of Lincoln Park Zoo A Magazine of Conservation and Education • Fall 2010
A Community of Care Exploring the Countless Contributions that Shape Lincoln Park Zoo
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IN THIS ISSUE
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Your Stories
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Sleeping Gardens, Busy Gardeners
Volume 9 Number 2 • For Members of Lincoln Park Zoo
FEATURES
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Enriching the Lives of Zoo Animals Engaging enrichment is a key part of zoo efforts to enhance animal well-being.
DEPARTMENTS
Who’s the New Gorilla? It takes plenty of planning to add a new member to one of the zoo’s most dynamic social groups.
The Vet, The Keepers, The Curator, The Endocrinologist and Mom
Making a Move Project ChimpCARE’s busy summer culminated in 14 chimpanzees leaving the entertainment industry for sustainable homes in zoos.
Sheltering Snakes Zoo scientists lead the effort to reestablish smooth green snakes in the zoo’s backyard.
It’s vaccination season in the Serengeti, with benefits for the entire African ecosystem.
Leaving a Legacy
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Stocking the Waters
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1 Perspective Lincoln Park Zoo President and CEO Kevin J. Bell experiences the zoo’s community of care every day.
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The Wild File White-cheeked gibbons adjust to an empty nest, wildlife settles at Nature Boardwalk and trumpeter swans and hamerkops find homes at the zoo.
News of the Zoo Unveiling a new urban ecosystem, exploring “The Mind of the Chimpanzee” and looking back on an eventful summer season.
the Conversation 21 Continue Resources for planning your visit, getting the latest zoo news and exploring our world of wildlife.
Protecting People, Pets and Predators
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Volunteers share their contributions to the zoo’s community of care.
A busy fall makes for a green spring with the zoo’s gardens.
A big team checks up on one of the zoo’s youngest arrivals: a Grevy’s zebra colt.
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Love of Learning Daily chats and curiosity carts offer hands-on entries into a world of wildlife.
Heritage Society members enjoy an inside look at the zoo they’ve planned to preserve.
Denis Harrington’s commitment to keeping the zoo free and open can be seen in his 31 years of membership.
Sprouting Scientists A new summer apprentice program provides the grounding for a career in conservation.
“Painting” the Pond The introduction of painted turtles boosts the richness of Nature Boardwalk’s urban ecosystem.
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! QUESTIONS? Contact the We’d Like to Hear from You! Membership Department. Send your feedback on this Staff are on hand during issue of Lincoln Park Zoo normal business hours— magazine to phone 312-742-2322 magazine@lpzoo.org. Cover photo: Grevy’s zebra colt Enzi with mom in the Antelope & Zebra Area.
or visit us online at www.lpzoo.org.
LINCOLN PARK ZOO MAGAZINE President and CEO Kevin J. Bell
Editor James Seidler
Art Director Peggy Martin
Staff Writer Chris McNamara
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.
Cert no. SW-COC-001613
perspective A Community of Care
A Letter From President and CEO Kevin J. Bell
As I make my daily rounds through the zoo, I’m always amazed at the incredible community that visitors experience every day. This community isn’t limited to the animals, although I do enjoy my visits with the gorillas, tigers and, my favorite, our birds. It can also be seen in the keepers and curators who dedicate every day to making the animals’ lives as rich as possible. I love watching them design enrichment for the animals to play with, and I appreciate the care that goes into introducing each new gorilla to our groups at Regenstein Center for African Apes. Our educators are our public face, inviting guests into chats that can turn a moment’s contact into the lesson of a lifetime. Our scientists carry the community with them into the world’s wild places, vaccinating dogs in Africa, for instance, to prevent disease. As I walk, I come across volunteers and donors, people who’ve nurtured the zoo with their love and support. I also have the great joy of seeing our visitors interact with a world of wildlife, one that is free and open to the largest component of the Lincoln Park Zoo community: our guests. Each of these parts adds up to an amazing zoo that offers something for everyone. Seeing them featured in the pages of this magazine reminds me of how special Lincoln Park Zoo is and how lucky I am to spend every day here. I’m not alone in these feelings. You can see them echoed in this issue’s profile of Denis Harrington, who is so committed to keeping the zoo free and open to everyone that he’s been a member for 31 years. He points to our role as a place where city kids can learn about nature. He also cites how impressed he is with the new ecosystem at Nature Boardwalk (a sentiment I share wholeheartedly). But while Denis reflects a lifetime’s support for the zoo, the kids from Beidler Elementary School represent a new beginning. They helped introduce the first batch of painted turtles to the pond at Nature Boardwalk. In the process, they gained a new appreciation for nature, even as they made their own contribution to the zoo’s ever-growing community of care.
Kids from Beidler Elementary School join Coordinator of Wildlife Management Vicky Hunt in introducing painted turtles to Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo.
Kevin J. Bell President and CEO
FALL 2010 1
Enriching the Lives of Zoo Animals ON A SUNNY September afternoon, the chimpanzees demolished brightly painted boxes to get at the veggies hidden inside. Gourds at the Helen Brach Primate House were battered until they relinquished the goodies within. The ponies kicked, head-butted and chomped large colorful balls while the Amur tigers attacked motionless “deer” that had appeared in their yard. Mayhem at Lincoln Park Zoo? Hardly. This was a just another day of enrichment for the animals, when these piñatas, balls and preyshaped dummies were presented to the apes, monkeys, farm animals and big cats to prompt investigation, battery and demolition. Of course, enrichment can take many forms at Lincoln Park Zoo. The cardboard prey is easy to spot, but less obvious are the scents dabbled around snake exhibits, which prompt the slithering set to spend hours soaking up the novel smells. Frequent changes in exhibit design prompt climbing critters to devise new ways to explore their homes. Meals served within toys encourage animals to use their brains to fill their bellies. Caring for zoo animals extends beyond their physical well-being. Enrichment in these varied forms is provided to all animals at Lincoln Park Zoo, stimulating not only animals’ minds but also prompting them to exhibit behaviors they would in the wild, from pouncing to puzzle-solving. And these exhibitions of wild behaviors, in turn, enrich guests who happen upon the sight of a tiger attacking a deer, even if the prey is crafted of cardboard. l
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A New, Crucial Member of the Community WHEN KRISTI DELASKI, D.V.M., came onboard as Lincoln Park Zoo’s new associate veterinarian this summer, she was most excited about reconnecting with the female red panda at the Kovler Lion House. Delaski had worked with the little, crimson cutie in her last post at Cincinnati Zoo. Both are recent transfers to Chicago. Delaski gets to see the red panda on occasion here at Lincoln Park Zoo, but she’s got her trained hands full with a host of other duties. During a normal week she might examine birds before their shipment to another zoo, monitor a Francois’ langur who is under the weather and insert contraceptive devices into Allen’s swamp monkeys, all while scheduling transfers, meeting with curators and supervising veterinary students. “I’ve been surprised how busy the days are here,” she admits. She’s up to the challenge—the animals and animal-care staff depend on her and the rest of the zoo’s veterinary team. “The biggest way we contribute to Lincoln Park Zoo’s community of care is in preventive medicine,” Delaski says. “Through exams, vaccinations and constant communication with keepers, curators and zoological managers, we can provide the best care possible to the animals.” “Caring for zoo animals is a collaborative effort,” echoes Director of Veterinary Services Kathryn Gamble, D.V.M. She offers the example of training silverback gorilla Kwan to accept voluntary blood draws. Gamble (and now Delaski), keepers and the curator of primates have teamed up for the past three years to train the big gorilla to be comfortable with the process. “It never fails to amaze me at this zoo how people from all different areas pull together to solve problems.” l
Who’s the New Gorilla?
So when female western lowland gorilla Bana was to be added to Kwan’s group at Lincoln Park Zoo back in spring, a team of experts convened to map out the process. First, the new gorilla (a transfer from Brookfield Zoo) was given a complete physical by Lincoln Park Zoo’s veterinary staff. She was then placed in quarantine for 30 days. Next was the gradual how-do-you-do with the other animals, first through only visual contact, then “howdy” doors that enable sights and smells but minimal contact, then by giving the newbie access to the exhibit and its inhabitants (and access to leave should she choose). “Having conducted quite a few ape introductions, I helped advise the animal care staff,” explains Supervisor of Behavioral and Cognitive Research Steve Ross, who also managed a team of researchers in conducting daily behavior-monitoring studies of the introduction. These researchers worked in tandem with keepers to chart the apes’ actions. The pooled expertise has resulted in a smooth—if slow—assimilation for the new gorilla. “Bana is a socially savvy female and is slowly establishing herself within the hierarchy of Kwan’s gorilla troop,” says Curator of Primates Maureen Leahy. “She has developed a positive relationship with another teenage female, Rollie. And 5-year-old Amare has been soliciting play from her, as long as his mom, dominant female Kowali, isn’t watching.” Perhaps the term “baby steps” should be changed to “gorilla steps.” l Left, top: Chimpanzee Nana excavates fresh greens from a paper mache treat. Left: Veterinarian Kristi Delaksi, D.V.M., (right) is proud to partner with Director of Veterinary Services Kathryn Gamble, D.V.M., and other members of the zoo’s community of care. Right: Animal care staff carefully managed the introduction of gorilla Bana to her new group.
PHoto CouRtESy of CHiCAGo ZooLoGiCAL SoCiEty/JiM SCHuLZ
AS HIGHLY INTELLIGENT, highly social animals, great apes can be highly suspect of new individuals. This fact is always considered when introducing a gorilla or chimpanzee to an existing group at Regenstein Center for African Apes, where little is overlooked and much patience is employed in the process.
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THE BIG WOODEN door slid open, and the adult zebra poked her head out into the summer sunshine to cautiously survey the scene. Junior was not one to wait, though, and he bound past mom and skipped into the yard, a flash of black and white and youth.
The Vet, The Keepers, The Curator, The Endocrinologist & Mom 4 LINCOLN PARK ZOO
His excitement was visible—all kicks and leaps and head shakes. But the team of Lincoln Park Zoo staff members who have overseen the development of this foal since spring might have been even more excited during that early yard exploration. It’s a sizable community of care. Zookeepers in the Antelope & Zebra Area oversee the day-to-day husbandry of the foal. Curator of Mammals Dave Bernier developed extensive guidelines for care. Director of Veterinary Services Kathryn Gamble, D.V.M., monitors the youngster’s health with physical inspections and blood workups. Davee Center for Epidemiology and Endocrinology Director Rachel Santymire, Ph.D., charts the youngster’s progress via fecal sampling. Of course, the main caregiver for the rapidly growing zebra is mom, who has not spent a moment apart from her offspring, even while the youngster received checkups of all sorts from all sorts of experts. The elder zebra has nursed the colt, shielded it from the curious other female in the yard and taught him how to behave like a wild zebra, even with all these other, human eyes observing. l
Making a Move LOOKING BACK ON a summer of travel taking him from Denmark to rural Missouri, Steve Ross finds the most memorable trip to be one he didn’t make himself. Instead, it involved moving 14 chimpanzees from the entertainment industry into suitable homes in accredited zoos. Ross helped facilitate the move as leader of Project ChimpCARE, a group committed to advancing the well-being of chimpanzees in the United States. He has spent his career working with the species, serving as chair of the Chimpanzee Species Survival Plan® (SSP) in addition to being supervisor of behavioral and cognitive research at the Lester E. Fisher Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes. The researcher’s broad experience introduced him to the disparate living conditions chimpanzees experience in the United States. While the species is endangered in the wild, it remains legal for individuals in many states to own these complex— and dangerous—animals. “In the United States, you can find chimpanzees in roadside zoos, private homes, research facilities and the entertainment industry in addition to sanctuaries and accredited zoos,” says Ross. “With Project ChimpCARE, we wanted to evaluate chimpanzee living conditions and start a dialogue with all these different groups toward the ultimate goal of finding sustainable long-term housing for every chimpanzee.” Accordingly, Ross and ChimpCARE Project Coordinator Vivian Vreeman have spent the past year traveling the United States, gathering data on chimpanzee living conditions. Along the way, they have also found partners wishing to arrange better lives for the chimpanzees in their care. Longtime entertainment trainers Greg and Carol Lille were part of the latter group. After training chimpanzees for 30 years, the Lilles felt the time had come for them to leave the industry, a decision linked to increasing welfare concerns and research by Ross showing that the use of chimpanzees in entertainment leaves viewers falsely believing the species isn’t endangered. The Lilles reached out to Ross, beginning a relationship that culminated in their chimpanzees being placed in species-appropriate social groups at the Oakland Zoo, Maryland Zoo in Baltimore and Houston Zoo. “Through this collaboration, we saw a huge number of chimpanzees change basically overnight from being part of the entertainment industry to getting into the SSP, where they’ll have long-term sustainable care,” says Ross. “It was probably one of the most impactful moments I’ll be involved with in terms of chimpanzee issues.” l Left: it took a team to oversee the development of new Grevy’s zebra colt Enzi. Right: Project ChimpCARE is working with partners around the country to improve the lives of chimpanzees. FALL 2010 5
Sheltering Snakes New Hatchlings Tip the Scales Toward Recovery THE SMOOTH GREEN SNAKE hatchlings are tiny, six inches long and as thin as a twig. They glide along the bottom of the container that holds them, questing skyward at the corners and falling back into intertwined bundles of long bodies and soft green scales. Named for their namesake color, these young snakes are acclimating for release into the Lake County Forest Preserve District. Well, a graduated release, at least. Zoo scientists have teamed with Forest Preserve wildlife biologists to restore the snakes to their native homes. As a first step, two enclosures have been built in the tall grass prairie— shelters sealed off with roofing material and wire mesh where the snakes can adjust to the sights and smells of their new home. “This species has suffered throughout its range because of habitat destruction,” says Lincoln Park Zoo Reintroduction Biologist Allison Sacerdote, Ph.D. The smooth green snake’s favored landscapes—fields, prairies, sedge meadows and oak savannas—were also prime real estate for development or conversion into agriculture. Even after the habitats were restored in recent years, the snakes remained absent from many sites. So the Lake County Forest Preserve District, in an effort led by wildlife biologist Gary Glowacki, partnered with Lincoln Park Zoo to formulate a recovery plan for the species. Zoo biologists, including Sacerdote and Joanne Earnhardt, Ph.D., director of the Alexander Center for Applied Population Biology, are collaborating with Curator Diane Mulkerin and Zoological Manager Dan Boehm to develop a breeding program for the species at the zoo and manage snakes recovered from the wild for eventual release. The ultimate goal is to increase the number of wild sites housing snakes while also increasing smooth green snake numbers at existing sites. Even as the zoo builds its breeding population, the outdoor enclosures in the Forest Preserve District—stocked with young snakes rescued from land slated for development—provide a parallel population for release. Growth and survival rates will be compared between the zoo and wild shelters to scientifically map the best path to recovery. Sacerdote provides the first nudge by carefully placing the small snakes into the enclosures. They quickly wiggle toward shelter, blending in among the grasses of their new home. The habitats, open to air and earth, will provide plenty of the insects and spiders that make up the species’ diet. Let the buffet begin. l
top-to-bottom: Smooth green snakes emerge from recovered eggs at Regenstein Small Mammal-Reptile House. Reintroduction Biologist Allison Sacerdote, Ph.D., weighs an adult smooth green snake found at the recovery site before releasing it back into the wild. 6 LINCOLN PARK ZOO
Protecting Pets, People and Predators IT’S VACCINATION SEASON in the Serengeti. Throughout the fall, Lincoln Park Zoo–sponsored veterinary teams travel to villages surrounding the world-famous African wildlife reserve where they find residents lined up and waiting for their dogs and cats to receive inoculations against rabies and canine distemper. These little shots benefit a massive ecosystem. Inoculated dogs no longer threaten to introduce diseases to park predators such as lions and African wild dogs. People are spared the scourge of rabies, and they’re also secure in knowing they’ve helped protect the health of their pets. “At first the villagers weren’t sure if the vaccinations would help,” says Director of Tanzanian Programs Felix Lankester, D.V.M., who oversees the project. “But now that they’ve seen their dogs are free of rabies and their children are safe, they’ve really welcomed what we’re doing.” The decrease in rabies in dogs has led to a decline in human cases as well, which have fallen from 150 a year to zero since the vaccination campaign began in 2003. The benefit to wildlife has been no less dramatic. Where rabies was once a leading contributor to carnivore deaths—playing a large role in the disappearance of African wild dogs from the ecosystem—only a single case of wild rabies has been observed since vaccination began. To maintain that success—and benefit surrounding wildlife— a vaccination team returned to Serengeti’s Kangariani village in
August. The Tanzanian team, led by Project Coordinator and Veterinarian Imam Mzimbiri, D.V.M., vaccinated 237 dogs and 13 cats, helping to build valuable immunity. While pet vaccinations recur annually, zoo scientists are leading other efforts to study the ecosystem and the impact of the inoculations. Wildlife monitoring and disease surveillance let researchers keep tabs on the numbers—and health—of park predators. These surveys have confirmed the recovery of Serengeti lion populations and the return of African wild dogs to the ecosystem since vaccination began. Zoo scientists are also investigating the impact of the vaccination program on the dogs themselves. Graduate student Anna Czupryna has been in the Serengeti since August, interviewing villagers and counting domestic dogs to see how the growth and structure of domestic dog populations have changed due to the vaccination campaign—important information for future planning. “Vaccination day has become a positive day in these communities,” says Lankester. “It’s beneficial for humans, pets and wildlife alike.” l
Serengeti villagers are eager for their dogs to be vaccinated against distemper and rabies. the resulting immunity is beneficial for people, pets and predators such as lions.
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wild file
Left-to-right: the adult white-cheeked gibbons are sharing an empty nest in the Helen Brach Primate House. Hamerkops are a new addition at the McCormick Bird House. Native animals, including Cooper’s hawks, have filled the urban oasis at Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo.
White-Cheeked Gibbons Adjusting to an Empty Nest
Hamerkops at the McCormick Bird House
While there’s no actual nest within the white-cheeked gibbon exhibit in the Helen Brach Primate House, there is a figurative empty nest considering that the youngsters have recently been transferred to other zoos, leaving just the adult male and female to occupy themselves. “In the absence of their offspring, we’ve seen a significant and positive shift in the adults’ behavior,” says Curator of Primates Maureen Leahy. “The male and female have redirected their attention to one another, spending a greater amount of time in close proximity and engaging in much longer bouts of grooming. You could say they are re-discovering their relationship.” These two are still young enough to reproduce and have a breeding recommendation, so little white-cheeked gibbons might be in the future. If so, the figurative nest will be enlivened once again.
Lincoln Park Zoo received a pair of hamerkops (mid-sized wading birds whose heads resemble hammers) in April and May, transfers from the Denver Zoo and the San Diego Wild Animal Park. While they are cousins and have a non-breeding order, they do exhibit courtship behavior, build nests and produce eggs. (Keepers replace the eggs with fakes before chicks develop.) “Allowing them to complete the nesting cycle enables the female to take breaks between laying and not overtax her body by laying eggs repeatedly,” explains Curator of Birds Colleen Lynch.
Male Trumpeter Swan Arrives in Chicago Lincoln Park Zoo received a trumpeter swan in mid-May. The male was delivered by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. By mid-June, he had cleared quarantine and was moved to the Hope B. McCormick Swan Pond, where he immediately began swimming side-by-side with the resident female swan. They’ve been steady companions since. Lincoln Park Zoo has participated in trumpeter swan reintroductions in Illinois and Iowa for the past 10 years. Thirty-eight cygnets hatched here have joined their wild counterparts, and some have become successful breeders in the wild. In 2007, a Lincoln Park Zoo male that had been transferred to the wild sired the first wild nest in Illinois in 100 years. “We hope the new male will be as productive as his predecessor and that we will see cygnets on the pond again in the future,” says Curator of Birds Colleen Lynch. “We hope those cygnets, once they come of age, will continue to supplement wild populations.”
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Nature Boardwalk Wildlife Update As fall changes the colors around Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo, the wild oasis continues to serve a number of purposes for a number of species. Though the black-crowned night herons, green herons and wood ducks have departed for warmer locales, birds migrating from the north to the south use the water body as a rest stop. “They’re stopping to refuel,” says Coordinator of Wildlife Management Vicky Hunt, advising birdwatchers to be on the lookout for sandpipers, red-breasted mergansers and whitethroated sparrows. Canada geese, Cooper’s hawks, American kestrels, belted kingfishers and mallards should remain around the pond, toughing out the winter by surviving on the vegetation and prey that remain. On the fish front, the bluegill and pumpkinseed will slow their activity and rest in the water at the pond bottom beneath the cover of ice. “Things definitely slow down, but there’s a lot going on under the surface, figuratively and literally,” says Hunt. l
field note Red Wolf Canis lupus rufus There are few sights at Lincoln Park Zoo as breathtaking as the red wolves standing atop the hills in their exhibit amid a brisk, white snowfall. But it takes a hearty coat to withstand those conditions, and each fall the pack—currently consisting of an adult male, his mate and their six offspring (some of which are slated for transfer this season)—begins growing the dense layer of fur that will last throughout the coldest months. Though native to the warm climate of the southeastern United States, red wolves adapt to the wide temperature swings throughout the calendar. These are slight animals (they have no fatty protection from the elements as bears do) so the thickened coat of fur is critical in maintaining body temperature. Of course, adding layers isn’t the only activity red wolves undertake this time of year. Mating pairs—in Lincoln Park Zoo’s case just the adult male and female—begin breeding in winter, which is initiated by cues that zoo visitors with keen eyes can spot. The male will nuzzle the female, who will flirt in return with her body language. (After producing litters three of the past four years, Lincoln Park Zoo’s red wolves do not have a breeding recommendation for this season. While the female is contracepted, the pair will exhibit all of the mating behaviors.) By February, the female will have built a den underground or, as they do here at the Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo, within a cavity formed by large rocks. In this den the wolves will spend much of their time while it’s coldest outside, taking periodic breaks to roam their surroundings and offer guests that breathtaking scene of their thickened reddish coats amid white precipitation. l
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Leaving a Legacy THE CATERED LUNCH at the end of the conference table offers a powerful distraction, but Endocrinologist Rachel Santymire, Ph.D., holds the center of attention at this midday gathering. The director of the Davee Center for Epidemiology and Endocrinology has come to share her work with six members of Lincoln Park Zoo’s Heritage Society. By laying out tales of black-footed ferret “boot camp” and black rhinoceros pregnancy tests, she connects these key supporters with some of the work their contributions make possible.
Members of the Lincoln Park Zoo Heritage Society enjoy an inside look at conservation and care, including updates on rhino recovery from Rachel Santymire, Ph.D., director of the Davee Center for Epidemiology and Endocrinology.
Composed of people who’ve let the zoo know of their intention to make a gift through their estate, the Heritage Society comprises some of the zoo’s strongest supporters. “We’re so grateful to members of the society,” says Director of Planned Giving Marilyn Schaffer. “They’ve created a legacy for the zoo in their estate plans, and we appreciate their investment in our future.” The gathered donors are eager to discuss their support for the zoo. Most have zoo memories that stretch back to their childhoods. Kathe Gross says that after spending several decades as a microbiologist out of state, she made her plans to come back to Chicago, where she stipulated she would have to be close to the zoo. “I lived in New York for 45 years; I came back to the zoo,” she says. Gross was inspired to join the Heritage Society by a desire to support the zoo’s wide-ranging conservation and science programs. Others cite their commitment to keeping the zoo free and open to all as their main motivator to give. “It takes money to accomplish that,” says Dick Foster. “Maybe in tough times a place like this is even more important.” After offering their thoughts on giving, the group transfers their attention to their lunches and Santymire’s energetic talk. The endocrinologist outlines how the non-invasive analysis of hormones collected from feces helps zoo scientists predict pregnancies, evaluate stress levels and gauge the success of reintroduction and recovery efforts. The presentation ends with a tour of Santymire’s lab and a visit to the Harris Family Foundation Black Rhinoceros Exhibit. There the guests see firsthand how the zoo’s rhinos made possible new techniques to help their wild cousins in South Africa. But they also see the impact their gifts will have, both in the wildlife being conserved and the happy people they pass on their walk, visitors enjoying a zoo that will continue to be free and open to all. l Want to learn more about making a planned gift to Lincoln Park Zoo? Visit www.lpzoo.org/support or contact Director of Planned Giving Marilyn Schaffer at 312-742-2167 or mschaffer@lpzoo.org. 10 LINCOLN PARK ZOO
Stocking the Waters A 31-YEAR MEMBER of Lincoln Park Zoo, Denis Harrington can’t pinpoint exactly what prompted him to first join in 1979. But he’s eager to share why the zoo has continued to receive his support over the years. “I think it’s terrific,” he says. “It’s one of the best places for inner-city kids to learn about animals and wildlife. The central location and the fact that it’s free make it an even more valuable asset to the city.” Harrington grew up in the western suburbs and became a frequent zoo visitor after moving to Chicago in the early 1970s, where he established a career managing manufacturing and engineering projects for a number of local companies. The Kovler Lion House and Children’s Zoo quickly became favorite destinations. “I’ve always been pretty fascinated by lions and tigers,” he says. “With the Children’s Zoo, I like that you can see up close animals and birds that you might also be able to see in the wild.” Harrington was able to see another zoo showcase for local wildlife when he was honored along with other 30plus-year members at the grand opening of Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo. As a longtime fisherman, he was impressed with the new urban ecosystem—and especially eager to learn which fish will make their homes in the pond. (His interest wasn’t inspired by his hobby, however. He was happy to hear the bluegill (left), pumpkinseed and largemouth bass will be able to establish the ecosystem without fear of rod and reel.) Even as he’s witnessed the zoo grow and change over the course of his membership, Harrington remains excited about what it can offer the city and its residents. “I never cease to be amazed that an urban zoo can continue to evolve and provide the programs and displays this zoo does. This speaks highly not only of the management of the zoo, but also of those people who contribute their time and money to keep it an integral part of the city.” l A member for 31 years, Denis Harrington sees Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo as another example of the zoo’s service to the city that surrounds it.
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field note A Home for Hatchlings Lincoln Park Zoo’s nests were filled to the brim this past breeding season as a number of new arrivals enlivened the zoo with bright songs and budding feathers. At the McCormick Bird House, two fairy bluebirds and five lesser green broadbills (below, right) provided some small splashes of color. The latter chicks came in two separate clutches—a record for the species at the zoo. In the building’s Free Flight Area, a new nicobar pigeon developed its distinctive iridescent plumage and flowing neck feathers. Nearby, a small sunbittern started to spread its wings, displaying the colored spots that—resembling eyes—are used to drive off predators. A laughing kookaburra chick (below, left) added its signature noise to the chatter echoing through the building’s halls. A Blyth’s hornbill (above, left) emerged from a nesting hole shared with its mother in July, already adult-sized thanks to fruits passed through by its father. Behind the scenes, two Guam Micronesian kingfisher chicks helped boost zoo recovery efforts for the species, which is extinct in the wild. In the Blum-Kovler Penguin-Seabird House, three Atlantic puffins and four common murres emerged from their parents’ rocky dens. Nearby, at the Hope B. McCormick Swan Pond, four hooded mergansers, four northern pintails and three ruddy ducks learned to paddle the waters. But the season’s most notable hatchlings may have been the three European white storks (above, right) at the Regenstein Birds of Prey Exhibit. These new arrivals were the first for their species in the zoo’s 142-year history, and they grew up in full view of visitors, with a nest located near the edge of their exhibit. “We were very excited by the storks hatching—it’s an infrequent event in accredited zoos,” says Hope B. McCormick Curator of Birds Colleen Lynch. “The parents did a great job rearing them.” Many of these new arrivals have grown and moved to new institutions, where they will play an important role in ensuring the long-term health of their populations. The parents’ nests stand empty now…at least until next summer. l
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news of the zoo
Left-to-right: Chicago Mayor Richard Daley heralds the opening of Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo. Zoo Ball co-chairs Peggy White and Kim theiss tune up for Zoo Ball 2010: Rock and Roar. Guests gathered on the South Lawn for Jammin’ at the Zoo.
Unveiling a New Urban Ecosystem On June 24, the zoo unveiled Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo to an eager crowd. Mayor Richard Daley, State Representative Sara Feigenholtz and many supporters and donors took part in a ceremony introducing the visionary green space in the heart of the city. While the event culminated in a ceremonial introduction of fish to the pond, wildlife had already begun to colonize the welcoming urban oasis. Dragonflies buzzed overhead, endangered black-crowned night herons nested on the island and native plants bloomed on the site’s 14 transformed acres. “This changes the lives of many children,” said Daley. “It’s an opportunity to be educated on how important wildlife, animals and fish are to our city.” That evening, the 52nd Annual Meeting of the Lincoln Park Zoological Society introduced the zoo’s Board of Directors to the fruit of their vision. Longtime members were also welcomed to the site, with the zoo specially recognizing 30-plus-year members. “We hope this will be a model for other cities around the country—that they’ll look at creating places equally good for animals as well as people,” President and CEO Kevin J. Bell remarked at the occasion. A summer of growth has shown the new Nature Boardwalk to be a success on both counts.
Mind of the Chimpanzee With their work at the Lester E. Fisher Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes, Elizabeth Lonsdorf, Ph.D., and Steve Ross have done much to increase our understanding of the ape mind. Lonsdorf, the center’s director, and Ross, the supervisor of behavioral and cognitive research, have led wide-ranging investigations into ape tool-use, social groups, hunting, cognition and behavior. In their most recent effort, though, they’ve been joined by 30 of the world’s leading chimpanzee scholars. “The Mind of the Chimpanzee,” edited by Ross, Lonsdorf and colleague Testsuro Matsuzawa, Ph.D., is a definitive scholarly volume collecting the latest knowledge on our closest living relative.
Originating from the international Mind of the Chimpanzee conference held at the zoo in 2007, the book brings together experts from zoos, research centers and the wild to present a comprehensive view of these amazing animals. Collectively, the volume offers an up-todate synthesis of current research into the chimpanzee mind along with critical contributions on how investigations of the mind intersect with care, welfare, ethics and conservation.
An Eventful Season Jogging through zoo grounds, jammin’ on the South Lawn, painting pumpkins at the Farm-in-the-Zoo Presented by John Deere and dancing the night away on the Main Mall—the past months saw plenty of splendid Lincoln Park Zoo events. United Run for the Zoo sold out in advance, drawing 4,750 runners on June 6 to try their times in the city’s wildest race. United Airlines, Lifeway, Starfruit Café and New Balance Chicago contributed to smooth running. On July 9, Zoo Ball 2010: Rock & Roar attracted 1,000 of Chicago’s civic leaders for a night of rocking good times. This signature Women’s Board of Lincoln Park Zoo event was co-chaired by Peggy White and Kim Theiss and generously supported by sponsors J.N. Pritzker/Tawani Foundation/Pritzker Military Library and Sears Holdings Corporation. The gala raised $820,000 to support zoo educational initiatives and Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo. This year’s Jammin’ at the Zoo concert series featured the music of Lifehouse, Collective Soul and Guster. More than 10,000 people enjoyed the summer sounds, sponsored by Mirassou, Bud Light, Pepsi, United Airlines and 101.9 The Mix. Finally, families celebrated fall by coming to the Farm-in-theZoo for Harvest Days on October 2 and 3. Crafts, pumpkins, animal activities and more were part of the fun sponsored by Whole Foods and Lifeway. l
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Sprouting Scientists MONDAY-WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY: Split time cataloguing wildlife at the new Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo and making behavioral observations of Grevy’s zebras and cinereous vultures. Tuesday: Head into the woods surrounding Chicago to install mist netting and camera traps with the Urban Wildlife Institute. Thursdays: Examine feces for hints into animal well-being with the zoo’s endocrinology lab. Jessica Roldan’s summer internship was a little different from most. The filing and fetching was kept to a minimum as the zoo apprentice spent the summer experiencing zoo-based conservation firsthand. “It was amazing,” says the Latin School graduate. “It showed me what each individual thing is like: field work, lab work, zoo work. It really helped me narrow down what I want to do.” The rare opportunity was made possible through an extension of the Malott Family Zoo Intern Program (ZIP), which offers annual summer internships to 10–15 Chicago-area high school students. Interns have traditionally staffed interpretives throughout the zoo, introducing visitors to wildlife under the supervision of zoo educators. But while second-year interns have returned as mentors in recent years, Roldan’s turn as a third-year zoo apprentice represented a new vision for the program.
A summer spent observing Grevy’s zebras and cinereous vultures cemented Zoo Apprentice Jessica Roldan’s interest in a career in science.
“Adding a third year let us match the zoo’s commitment to fostering the development of future conservationists,” says program benefactor Barbara Malott Kizziah. “It was a natural step.” Roldan’s first step at the zoo came with the After School Matters program, which exposed her to Lincoln Park Zoo’s wide-ranging research. She then enjoyed two summers with ZIP, one as an intern, one as a mentor, spending a lot of time, she reports, in carts at the old South Pond. She credits these experiences with moving her toward the science track, but the hands-on experience gained this summer is what cemented her ambition to pursue a career in wildlife biology. Roldan is currently enjoying her freshman year at the University of Southern California, where she has a full scholarship as a prestigious Trustee Scholar. She’s majoring in biology and psychology (“for behavioral research”) with a minor in photography (a skill she employed to help identify the dragonflies at Nature Boardwalk). Given her impressive resume, it’s no surprise that the budding scientist is excited for the future. “It doesn’t feel like work,” she says. “I know exactly what I want to do.” l
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“Painting” the Pond AFTER BEING RELEASED into the water by students from Beidler Elementary School, each of the 10 painted turtles quickly submerged themselves, seeking shelter in the pond that would now be their home. But even as the reptiles sunk out of sight, five remained accessible thanks to miniature radio transmitters attached to their shells. Coordinator of Wildlife Management Vicky Hunt will be one of the people following the colorful new arrivals as they establish themselves in Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo. “Each turtle will have a different frequency, and we’ll use handheld receivers to track them as they move around the pond,” says the scientist. The shell-based broadcasts will help Hunt monitor how the turtles adapt to living in the new urban ecosystem. Their adjustment will be eased by their fall introduction, which was carefully timed to their natural rhythms. The turtles will be slowing down—well, even more than usual—as the weather cools and hibernation at the pond bottom beckons. The scientists also avoided disrupting the turtles’ spring breeding season…and having to deal with the wanderlust that accompanies it. “We thought that if the turtles overwinter here, they might be more comfortable sticking around,” Hunt explains. While winter may now beckon, at the time of their September introduction the turtles entered a landscape stocked with a summer of growth. A healthy first season at the new Nature Boardwalk had left plenty of plants, fish and insects for the new arrivals to feed on. “We’ve seen lots of insects, the fish are breeding, the water quality is good,” says Hunt. “It’s been very successful.” Success breeds success, they say. And come spring, when the painted turtles emerge from the mud, they may be doing some breeding of their own. l
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Love of Learning BY INVITING VISITORS to glide their hands along the scales of a corn snake or ball python, Guest Engagement Coordinators Kristina Crist and Mark Harrison are doing more than providing a hands-on encounter with wildlife. “The animal encounters are springboards to dispel rumors and teach appreciation,” says Crist. “We can use them to introduce guests to topics ranging from caring for their own pet to the difference between reptiles and mammals.” Under Crist and Harrison’s leadership, part-time guest engagement leaders and volunteer guest engagement ambassadors provide plenty of these springboards for learning. In addition to the daily Animal of the Hour encounter at Regenstein Small Mammal-Reptile House, guest engagement leaders offer daily chats introducing visitors to the meticulous care offered to the zoo’s gray seals, cows and western lowland gorillas. Volunteers stationed at carts throughout zoo grounds engage guests on topics ranging from population planning to the use of poop to monitor animal well-being. (The latter has led to some interesting smells—and preservation challenges—in the Education office.) Regardless of the topic, the approach is the same. Volunteer and paid educators are carefully trained on subject matter, but they’re also encouraged to meet guests at their level of interest. “It’s about making a connection between the concept and that person’s life,” says Harrison. “We do that by using questions, visual materials, props and being fun!” The two coordinators have plenty of fun on the job, whether they’re interacting with guests or planning the next season of on-grounds talks. Both “Science Superfans” arrived at the zoo after realizing that education in the classroom wasn’t for them. And both thrill at the daily chance to connect with visitors. “The zoo is way more than what you can see on the surface,” says Harrison. “We are a leader in conservation science, a pioneer in animalcare methods that are used around the world. That personal connection—along with seeing the animals—tells the whole story.” l
Fall Daily Activities Establish your own connection with the zoo’s animals by attending one of our daily programs! 10:30 a.m. Feed the Cows Farm-in-the-Zoo Presented by John Deere Step outside Chicago and into rural farm life by coming nose-to-nose with Holstein dairy cows. 11 a.m. Meet an Animal Regenstein Small Mammal-Reptile House From nose to tail, scales to fur, the zoo’s ambassador animals connect you to the natural world. 16 LINCOLN PARK ZOO
1:30 p.m. RCAA Training Session Regenstein Center for African Apes Join us at Regenstein Center for African Apes for a window into the world of animal care. 2 p.m. Seal Feeding Kovler Sea Lion Pool Looking to connect to the aquatic world? Watch keepers as they train and care for the zoo’s gray seals.
YOUR STORY—Zoo Volunteers THE MEN AND WOMEN who volunteer at Lincoln Park Zoo are a vital component of our community of care. Some educate and assist visitors as they explore the zoo’s world of wildlife. Other volunteers direct their focus toward the earth, helping maintain the gardens that enliven the grounds. “Our volunteers make the zoo a part of their lives,” says Lauren Pike, volunteer services manager at Lincoln Park Zoo, who notes that her team ranges from newcomers to individuals who have donated their time and talents to the zoo for more than 20 years. “The zoo is a place they are passionate about, and it shows through their commitment to the volunteer program and the zoo. All roles— from gardening to guest services to education—are vital to keeping Lincoln Park Zoo one of Chicago’s favorite destinations.” Rather than speak for the zoo’s volunteers, we’ve decided to let them describe—in their own words—how they contribute to the zoo’s community of care. l
We Want to Hear Your Zoo Stories! Visit www.lpzoo.org/stories to share your favorite Lincoln Park Zoo memories. FALL 2010 17
Sleeping Gardens, Busy Gardeners WHILE SOME OPT to chill in the fall and winter, Lincoln Park Zoo’s landscaping team keeps active. Fall is the time when gardeners can take a break from their green work, kick back in the cooler temps and let their green thumbs go soft for a few months, right? “Absolutely not,” retorts Brian Houck, Lincoln Park Zoo’s director of horticulture. “Fall is the time for good gardeners to prepare for the next spring. You have the opportunity to get plants established and correct plant placements. You should be putting in your spring bulbs. You should be planning for the following year’s spring and summer annuals. Fall is the time to be thinking ahead.” The sun-warmed soil and cool nights of fall are ideal for establishing new plant roots—plants direct energy to underground
fall work by volunteer gardeners ensures a green spring at Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo.
growth rather than aboveground foliage development. If the bottom part of a plant—the foundation—has time to develop in the fall and winter, the top part will perform better come spring. “If a plant has to grow roots and foliage in the spring, it will never reach its maximum size,” explains Houck. “By transplanting six months ahead, you kickstart a year’s worth of growth.” So what must be done at the zoo each fall? Plenty. •September is always a cleanup month. Landscaping crews removed some of the Boston ivy from brick buildings such as the William C. Bartholomay Center for Conservation & Science. (Pruning the older ivy limits the damage caused to bricks and mortar.) Crews also remove debris from garden beds, bolster mulch where needed and wrap young trees to protect against winter sun scald.
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•By October, crews were busy plunging daffodil and tulip bulbs into the earth—some 11,000 bulbs near the East Gate, in the planters on the Main Mall and around Eadie Levy’s Landmark Café. In spring, purple, orange and red flowers should bloom, though not all at once. “They’re all on a slightly different cycle, which extends the window of time we get to enjoy them,” says Houck. •Meanwhile over at Nature Boardwalk, crews spread native plant seeds where there were bare spots. Some of these plants require a winter cycle to activate germination, so the seeds must be sown before snowfall. Seed will also be sown on the island within the pond, which should help limit erosion once the plants take root in the soil. In the pond itself, the lack of heat began inhibiting algae growth. As winter beckons, the top of the water will freeze, and the bottom layer will remain a liquid oasis for burrowing amphibians and chilling fish. •Houck uses the term “winter interest gardening” to describe November’s planting of evergreens, grasses and herbaceous perennials that withstand Chicago’s cold climate and remind visitors that gardens can be a year-round pleasure. “There is structure to these plants so that when they are covered with snow or lose their foliage they continue to provide beauty to the landscape.” •After ZooLights finishes in January, crews will begin pruning trees. (Doing so in cold weather is easier without having to work around leaves. Cooler temps also reduce trees’ exposure to bacterial and fungal infections and minimizes trees “bleeding” sap when cut.) •Finally, the Board of Directors garden committee continues to develop a strategic plan for the zoo’s grounds. “The goal is to create consistency throughout the zoo—good garden design,” explains Houck. “We want to develop a conversation between the elements, transitions between buildings and rocks and public spaces. By the summer of 2011 we hope to have finalized our master plan.” While Lincoln Park Zoo is a garden, it is a unique one, even beyond the fact that lions and trumpeter swans call it home. The trees that provide shade to animals and visitors, and the proximity to Lake Michigan, which offers a refreshing breeze, make our gardens about five degrees cooler in the warm months than most in Chicago. “As a result, in spring our plant life is a little slower getting started. In summer those cooler temps are a good thing. In winter it’s a bit of a challenge,” says Houck, who like any good gardener relishes the challenge. “I get excited about every season. I’m kind of crazy that way—looking forward to the turning of the seasons and seeing the dramatic changes.” l
Garden Tour Guide Director of Horticulture Brian Houck offers this guide to finding the brightest fall spots at Lincoln Park Zoo. •Ornamental grasses known as CHINESE SILVERGRASS can be found throughout the zoo. Look for their feathery plumes to remain standing into winter. •OAK LEAF HYDRANGEA continue to provide some showy ornamentation as their many tracts of flowers fade to tan. •HONEY LOCUSTS throughout the zoo bloom yellow each fall.
•The RIVER BIRCH trees within the Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo have a nice yellow foliage in the fall. Nearby grapevines growing up the trellis on the west wall of the Children’s Zoo building turn yellow each fall. •SUGAR MAPLES turn orange and red near the McCormick Bear Habitat.
•Clumps of LITTLE BLUE STEM can be seen around Nature Boardwalk. They turn an orange-red this time of year. •There is a MAIDENHAIR TREE—the only one in the zoo—near the chute that connects the rhinoceros exhibits. This is a broadleaf conifer, with leaves that have veins like fans.
fall colors at Lincoln Park Zoo. Clockwise from top-left: oak leaf hydrangea, Chinese silvergrass, sugar maple, river birch, honey locusts.
Save the Date!
Learn in a living classroom this winter with these exciting Lincoln Park Zoo programs.
November 11
December 3
Animal Fashion: Cool Coverings From lizards to armadillos, an animal’s covering is more about survival than good looks. Meet program animals up-close to discover how their attire helps them succeed in the wild.
Friday Night Lights: Penguin Party Waddle on over to learn how our feathered friends from the southern hemisphere are suited for life in ice-cold waters. Stroll through ZooLights, join us for some “cool” activities and then visit some real penguins after dark. 5:30–6:30 p.m. or 7–8 p.m. $16 ($13 for members) Suitable for 4–6-year-olds
9–11 a.m. or 1–3 p.m. $20 ($17 for members) Suitable for first–third graders
November 19 Bedtime Buddies in the Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo The Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo is a blast when the sun goes down! Come say “goodnight” to some animals and “hello” to the nocturnal critters that stay awake all night. Explore what it means to be a backyard naturalist by learning about some amazing North American animals, from beavers to birds to corn snakes. Wear your pajamas and join us for the nighttime festivities! Snacks and drinks will be provided. 7–9 p.m. $35 per person ($30 for members)
Suitable for families with children between the ages of 3–10.
December 17 Friday Night Lights: Polar Bear Party Beginning their lives at the size of a soda can and growing to be the largest land carnivores, polar bears are kings of the Arctic. Join us at ZooLights to explore the fascinating life cycle—and lifestyle—of the polar bear. 5:30–6:30 p.m. or 7–8 p.m. $16 ($13 for members) Suitable for 4–6 year olds To register, visit www.lpzoo.org/education!
ZooLights Returns to Illuminate the Night Sky One of the brightest parts of Chicago’s winter— ZooLights—returns in late November. ZooLights is free and open to all. Join us for ice carving demonstrations, visits with Santa, warm drinks, cool crafts and more than 1 million beautiful lights.
5–9 p.m. nightly • Nov. 26–28 Dec. 3–5, 10–12, 17–23 and Dec. 26–Jan. 2 MEMBERS— don’t forget to visit the Members Lounge, open nightly from 5–8 p.m. in the Tadpole Room.
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Continue the Conversation LINCOLN PARK ZOO MAGAZINE keeps you informed about the latest in Lincoln Park Zoo conservation, education and care. Learn more about everything the zoo has to offer!
Come Visit! Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo is free and open every day of the year. We invite you to stop by to experience our animals in a beautiful fall setting. Go to Plan Your Visit at lpzoo.org for hours, directions, restaurants, rides, shops and more! See Daily Activities From Feeding the Cows to Meeting an Animal at Regenstein Small Mammal-Reptile House, the zoo offers plenty of exciting daily programs. See a list at lpzoo.org /activities or sign up for real-time updates at twitter.com/visitlpz. Enjoy Exciting Events Experience the brilliance of ZooLights or explore the zoo after hours with Bedtime Buddies. You can find a full listing of upcoming events at lpzoo.org/calendar. Get The Latest Zoo News Subscribe to the Lincoln Park Zoo blog to receive the latest animal updates, slideshows, videos and more! Sign up for ZooMail to receive regular zoo updates in your inbox. You can also like Lincoln Park Zoo on Facebook, follow the zoo on Twitter and use both outlets to tell us what you think! Visit lpzoo.org to learn more. Explore A World of Wildlife Wonder what an African lion eats or where western lowland gorillas can be found in the wild? Find fact sheets for every Lincoln Park Zoo animal at lpzoo.org/animals.
Engage in Education Start on your Pathway to Primatology or learn about life on ice with Friday Night Lights: Polar Bear Party. Browse all of the zoo’s engaging Education programs at lpzoo.org/education. Protecting the World’s Wild Places Zoo scientists are learning about animals and helping to conserve wild populations from Tanzania to the zoo’s backyard. Find out what they’re up to at lpzoo.org /conservation. Members Benefit Encourage your friends to become members and enjoy benefits that extend beyond receiving Lincoln Park Zoo magazine. Review member rewards at lpzoo.org/membership. Support Chicago’s Free Zoo Lincoln Park Zoo’s mission of conservation and care depends on its dedicated donors. Learn how you can support the Annual Fund, make a tribute gift or take part in planned giving at lpzoo.org/support. Volunteer From planting the zoo’s gardens to welcoming visitors from around the world, volunteers are an integral part of the zoo community. Learn how you can help at lpzoo.org/volunteer. Zoo Multimedia See slideshows, movies and interactives and browse back issues of Lincoln Park Zoo magazine at lpzoo.org/multimedia.
Experience the Ecologists’ Circle Members of the zoo’s newest donor club enjoy exclusive benefits while supporting the zoo’s mission of conservation, education and care. Learn more at www.lpzoo.org/annualfund.
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Your membership supports everything we do, from animal care to publishing Lincoln Park Zoo magazine. Thank you. PO Box 14903 Chicago, IL 60614 www.lpzoo.org
Non-profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Lincoln Park Zoo
We’d Like to Hear From You Send your feedback on this issue of Lincoln Park Zoo magazine to magazine@lpzoo.org.
The Holidays Will Be Here Before You Know It Luckily, Lincoln Park Zoo’s 2010 holiday catalogue is nestled between the pages of this magazine. Take a look before making your gift lists this season—there’s something wild for everyone.
Keep Lincoln Park Zoo Free with Just Your Thumb Offering support to Lincoln Park Zoo has never been easier. Our new Give By Cell program enables you to donate $5 using your
cell
phone.
The
tax-
deductible donation is added to your monthly phone bill. To Give By Cell, simply text lpzoo to 20222. Messaging and data rates may apply. To learn more, visit www.lpzoo.org/mobilegiving.
Holiday ADOPT— The Gift for the Person Who Has Everything If you get stumped each holiday season while shopping for the person who has everything, consider getting him or her something unexpected, something unique, something wild. This holiday season, Lincoln Park Zoo is offering special holiday ADOPT packages that feature chimpanzees, silverback gorillas, polar bears, lions or beavers. Your holiday ADOPT purchase will not only delight the recipient, it will also support the animals and programs at the zoo. To learn more or to place an order, visit www.lpzoo.org or call 312-742-2322.