Creating a New Urban Ecosystem

For Members of Lincoln Park Zoo • A Magazine of Conservation and Education • Winter 2009

Creating A New Urban Ecosystem The Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo

in this issue Volume 6 Number 2 • For Members of Lincoln Park Zoo

The Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo Coming soon—a new urban ecosystem! This special section highlights Lincoln Park Zoo’s plans to transform the South Pond into the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo, a haven for native wildlife and an outdoor classroom for students of all ages.

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A Green Oasis in the Heart of the City The revitalized Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo will feature natural shorelines, native vegetation and a re-engineered pond, creating a spectacular place for local conservation, education and relaxation.

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Engineering a New Urban Ecosystem Learn what it takes to transform a man-made space into a naturalistic setting. Construction plans, a project timeline and Earth-friendly methods all factor in.

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Wildlife at the Nature Boardwalk Native species, including birds, bugs, frogs, fish and reptiles, will enliven the native landscape of the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo.

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Education at the Nature Boardwalk This new facility will serve as a living classroom. Find out how the zoo plans to present hands-on lessons on pond ecology.

(departments) 1 Perspective Lincoln Park Zoo President and CEO Kevin J. Bell explains how the creation of the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo reflects the zoo’s commitment to conservation and community.

17 Amazing Adaptations Animals have waves of adaptations for staying warm during winter, but one scaly species really takes the plunge.

20 the Wild File A swamp monkey family is reunited, caiman lizards lounge at Regenstein Small Mammal-Reptile House, a gorilla exercise program and the Year of the Frog in review.

22 the Back story There’s a new black rhinoceros at Regenstein African Journey. Zoo staff hope the renovated yard she’ll share with the resident male prompts a population boom.

24 news of the Zoo 10

Science at the Pond Zoo scientists are using their expertise to establish the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo as a living, local ecosystem.

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QUESTIONS? Contact the Membership Department. Staff are on hand during normal business Cold Temps, Cool Techniques hours—phone 312-742-2322 Think your winter jacket is the best way to beat Old or visit us online at Man Winter? Think again. Cold-weather animals employ www.lpzoo.org.

cool adaptations to stay toasty.

18 Snakes Need Saving Too An unexpected arrival makes a big difference for zoo plans to preserve the endangered eastern massasauga rattlesnake.

26 Warm, Welcoming & Winged The constant 70-degree temperature is nice in winter months, but the residents of the McCormick Bird House have the power to evoke the spirit of summer.

Perhaps New at the Zoo is more appropriate.

Explore plans for the new Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo, meet the new curator of birds and celebrate new awards granted to zoo staff.

Cover: A black-crowned night heron takes flight over the South Pond.

Right: The transformed Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo will welcome local butterflies, birds, frogs and fish.

LINCOLN PARK ZOO MAGAZINE President and CEO Kevin J. Bell Art Director Peggy Martin Editor James Seidler

Photographer Greg Neise 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.

28 Gombe Updates Probing for parasites and surveying maternal stress are the latest steps zoo scientists are taking to understand and conserve Gombe National Park’s chimpanzees.

Cert no. SW-COC-001613

Our printer buys Certified Renewable Energy green-e.org This brochure was printed using Green Energy Certificates

(perspective) The South Pond Transformed Lincoln Park Zoo has embarked on what may be the most ambitious project in our 140-year history. The South Pond, a destination for generations of visitors, is being transformed into the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo. This revitalized landscape will provide a haven for native birds, frogs, fish and insects while serving as an outdoor classroom for students of all ages.

This restoration continues a proud architectural tradition. From building the McCormick Bird House in 1904 to shaping the Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo’s north-woods landscape in 2005, the zoo has created facilities to meet the needs of animals and excite the imagination of visitors.

The creation of the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo represents an entirely new undertaking, however. Instead of constructing a building to house wildlife, the zoo is creating a fresh, natural ecosystem. Acres of native vegetation will cleanse waters and provide shelter for tadpoles and dragonflies. A deepened pond will provide a refuge for native fish and turtles during cold Chicago winters. An expansive interactive boardwalk will provide close views of local wildlife. And wide-ranging educational programs, anchored at the new Peoples Gas Education Pavilion, will help citizen scientists embrace the importance of pond ecosystems.

Once restored, the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo will be a living place—a refuge for native animals and a benchmark for local conservation, one that will hopefully be emulated around the globe.

Transforming this landscape will require $12 million. Thanks to the generosity of donors, we are close to that goal. By making a contribution to this project, you can help us fully realize the possibilities of the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo. The reenvisioned Nature Boardwalk is scheduled to be unveiled in spring 2010, at which point management of the area will be transferred from the Chicago Park District to Lincoln Park Zoo. We are proud to assume this responsibility to serve native wildlife and the local community.

The South Pond and Lincoln Park Zoo share a long history, stretching back to 1868, when the zoo’s first animals—a pair of swans—swam there. By committing to this restoration, we envision a far greater future, one that benefits the environment, animals, visitors and the wonderful city they share.

Join us in this transformation.

President and CEO Kevin J. Bell

WINTER 2009 1

A Green Oasis in the Heart of the City B y transforming the South Pond into the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo, the zoo isn’t just providing a facelift to a longstanding Chicago landmark. Instead, we’re creating an entirely new urban ecosystem.

Crumbling concrete pathways will give way to an interactive boardwalk offering beautiful views and new opportunities for visitors to experience nature. Steel barriers surrounding the pond will be replaced with native plants that shelter tadpoles and minnows and provide natural filtration to cleanse the water. The pond will be dredged to provide the depth necessary to shelter fish over cold winters. And the surrounding landscape will be transformed, with acres of native grasses providing a glimpse of the area as it existed in its native state.

“We’re creating a new habitat,” says Lincoln Park Zoo President and CEO Kevin J. Bell. “The Nature Boardwalk will establish a benchmark for green space, local conservation and environmental education.”

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Designed by a team led by Shaw Environmental & Infrastructure, the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo will be a welcoming spot for recreation and learning. The pond’s north end will highlight Café Brauer and Carlson Cottage, emphasizing the area’s historic ties to the Chicago community. On the pond’s west bank, signs and learning stations will address human impact on water, using the nearby Farm-in-the-Zoo Presented by John Deere as an educational tool.

The open space on the pond’s east side will be a nature retreat in the city, an undeveloped area where visitors can contemplate native plants and wildlife. The Peoples Gas Education Pavilion will provide a launching point for countless explorations of pond ecology while a reconstructed island near the pond’s south end provides a refuge for migratory birds seeking rest.

Scheduled for completion in 2010, this transformed ecosystem will serve as an oasis for people as well as a habitat for wildlife. It will stand as a symbol of Lincoln Park Zoo’s commitment to community and conservation. <<

South Pond

Transformed

Below: The Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo will provide a haven for native wildlife and an outdoor classroom for visitors of all ages. Above: A re-engineered pond, acres of natural habitat and an expansive interactive boardwalk will provide an amazing urban wildlife experience.

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(field note) Wood Duck Aix sponsa Newly hatched wood ducks have a rough introduction to the world outside of their nest.

After spending their first days snuggling with mom, they waddle to the edge of their tree cavity—as high as 20 feet off the ground—and leap out.

But the thing is, they can’t yet fly. Don’t have flight feathers. So at the end of that plummet, they splash into the water or they plop onto the earth below. “They’re slightly bouncy,” says Curator of Birds Colleen Lynch with a laugh. “They just get up and walk or swim away.”

Unlike most ducks, which nest on the ground, wood ducks make homes out of tree holes. They are among the most colorful of ducks, particularly the males, which are adorned with green, maroon and beige feathers against a black body. Females are drab by comparison, but their brown coloration helps when hiding from predators among trees.

Both males and females have webbed feet equipped with sharp claws that facilitate perching on tree branches throughout North America. Broad wings help wood ducks maneuver among branches when in flight. Both of these adaptations were on display when the birds populated the South Pond. They should be seen again once the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo is complete.

Clawed feet. High-performance wings. It’s daredevil stuff. Similar to that dramatic drop early in life, which doesn’t seem to stick with the birds long. Females often return to the same tree cavity in which they hatched to lay their own clutches.

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South Pond

Transformed

Engineering a New Urban Ecosystem

When complete, the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo will offer a transformed landscape—a home to native plants, fresh water and countless eager visitors. Before this natural setting can be unveiled, though, the engineers of Christopher B. Burke Engineering Ltd. have to completely reinvision the existing pond.

Their task can be divided into two phases: draining the pond and then building a native ecosystem around it. Stage one is already complete. The pond was gradually lowered in December, with project managers taking advantage of winter weather to allow the waterlogged substrate to dry.

In May 2009, the intensive work will begin. Front-loaders will dismantle asphalt pathways and steel edging as backhoes dig into the pond substrate, dredging decades worth of accumulated silt and deepening the pond bottom to create a more hospitable habitat. The pond bottom will be inspected for structural flaws to ensure a sound base, and by mid-summer the interactive boardwalk and educational pavilions will be under construction.

All construction has been planned to minimize the corresponding environmental impact. Materials dredged from the pond will be re-used as fill on site, reducing the need to import or export dirt. The 5,220-foot-long boardwalk will be constructed from reclaimed materials; recycled plastic and wood will be used to establish a classic plank-and-railing structure. Even the timing of the restoration was scaled to nature’s rhythms, with construction scheduled to avoid disrupting migratory birds that frequent the site.

By fall 2009, landscape architects WRD Environmental will be creating a new, natural ecosystem, planting acres of native plants around the pond to ensure a sound home for local wildlife. The pond is slated to be refilled by late fall, with spring 2010 plantings at the water’s edge coinciding with the Nature Boardwalk’s unveiling.

“We are proud to assume the responsibility of transforming the South Pond into the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo,” says Vice President of Facilities Neal David. “The new landscape will provide our visitors with an unparalleled urban-wildlife experience.” <<

Below, left: New, native shores will shelter tadpoles and fish while cleansing water with natural filtration. Above: A team of engineers, architects, environmental consultants and educators planned the transformed Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo. Front row, left-to-right: Darren Olson, Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Beth Zacherle, Studio Gang Architects, Jan Schuler-Hicks, Shaw Environmental & Infrastructure, Jeanne Gang, Studio Gang Architects, Robert J. Kirschner, Chicago Botanic Garden. Back row, left-to-right: Nicole Kehl, Lincoln Park Zoo Wildlife Research Manager, Frank Jakubicek, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Bill Abolt, Shaw Environmental & Infrastructure, Steve Thompson, Lincoln Park Zoo Senior Vice President of Conservation Programs, Lee Fell, Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Neal David, Lincoln Park Zoo Vice President of Facilities, Geoff Deigan, President, WRD Environmental, Meredith Sessions, WRD Environmental. Below: Construction began in November 2008. The transformed Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo is scheduled to be unveiled in early 2010.

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Wildlife at the Transformed Nature Boardwalk South Pond

Before renovation began, there was plenty of wildlife at the South Pond—birds and fish, turtles and insects. The problem was, much of it wasn’t native to the area. For every wood duck there were countless introduced European starlings. For every native blue gill swimming through the pond, there were invasive carp as well.

The species making their homes at the South Pond were a hodgepodge. How did they get here? Many fish and turtles were dumped by owners who’d grown tired of them. Some of the birds had stopped during migration and never left.

When the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo is completed in spring 2010, zoo experts hope that all wildlife will be native to this region. Cooper’s hawks and blue herons will soar overhead. Green sunfish and bluegill will dart through the water. Dragonflies will buzz past visitors’ ears.

“We’re transforming a place that’s currently unnatural into something much more naturalistic,” says Senior Vice President of Conservation Programs Steve Thompson, Ph.D., who is helping engineers create elements that will welcome and support native wildlife. A deeper pond will support cleaner water and help native fish winter at the bottom. A natural edge will help animals enter and leave the water. Native plantlife will provide shelter and food.

The area has been and will continue to be a resting spot for migrating birds. It’s natural that some regionally unnatural birds will show up on occasion, but the core species of birds will be native to the region.

“After renovation, we expect to see a lot of species already seen at the zoo,” says Curator of Birds Colleen Lynch. “The black-crowned herons that summer on the pond’s island will return to the area after the construction crews leave. This is one of two spots in Illinois where they have been sighted, and they’ll play a crucial role in the new ecosystem.” <<

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The Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo’s transformed landscape will provide habitat for animals in every niche of the pond ecosystem. Native prairie plants (bottom right) will supply food and shelter for insects such as the polyphemus moth caterpillar (left).

The pond’s waters will provide a place for mating 12-spot skimmer dragonflies (top left) to lay their eggs, although many of their aquatic offspring may fall prey to pond fish such as blue gill (bottom left) before maturing. In turn, blue gill and other freshwater fish provide meals for black-crowned night herons (top right), completing the circle of the pond ecosystem.

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(field note) American Kestrel Falco sparverius Lincoln Park Zoo exhibits North America’s most prolific raptor. No, not the bald eagle. Nor the snowy owl. Rather, it’s a bird no larger than a blue jay (and no more fearsome looking). Standing just a foot tall with a 21-inch wingspan, the American kestrel is among the smallest, most successful—and possibly cutest—winged predators in North America.

The Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo can be seen as both a retirement home and boarding school for a pair of American kestrels. The aged female can be identified by the narrow black bands on her tail. Her companion (pictured here) just recently lost his juvenile plumage and now displays the characteristic blue wings of adult males. “It’s important to give children an understanding of the range of life stages in wildlife,” says Lead Keeper Michael Brown-Palsgrove, whose gloved hand is pictured as a perch in the photo. “The younger male, for example, is much more active and inquisitive than the female. And that’s natural.”

In the wild, kestrels are more like squatters than developers.

They opt to nest in natural tree cavities or woodpecker holes rather than making their own homes. “If you provide the right habitat for them, you could even tempt them to nest in your backyard,” says Curator of Birds Colleen Lynch. “Especially since urban development has eradicated a lot of natural cavities in which the birds would nest.”

The transformed ecosystem of the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo may offer suitable habitat to entice the birds of prey, great news for those who will enjoy seeing these prodigious predators in action and undoubtedly dispiriting news for the species on which the kestrel preys.

BY LYDIA WOOD

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South Pond Education at the Transformed Nature Boardwalk In its current condition, the South Pond is a passive learning environment. If visitors were really motivated to learn about wetlands wildlife, they could glean a few things from the birds flying overhead and any fish or insects they could spot in the water. An educational cart staffed by a zoo volunteer is often at the water’s edge, providing a more structured form of education.

But when the South Pond is transformed into the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo in early 2010, the educational opportunities will be as exciting and expansive as the natural elements. The habitat will reach its full potential, as will the opportunities to learn.

“We are planning a diverse suite of new programs for the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo,” says Vice President of Education Rachel Bergren. “School groups have utilized the South Pond as a learning laboratory for many years, and we will definitely welcome the students and teachers back to the pond. However, we also want to provide exciting learning experiences for zoo members, our everyday zoo guests, neighborhood families and the Chicago community at large.”

The educational hub will be the innovative Peoples Gas Education Pavilion, designed to anchor a wide range of learning programs. The structure will resemble the shell of one of the turtles splashing through the nearby water. The programming inside will touch on all aspects of life at the Nature Boardwalk and be geared to a wide range of audiences, from young schoolchildren to adults who happen to wander into a lecture.

Mobile labs will promote hands-on lessons on pond ecology while trained pond naturalists interpret wetlands wildlife. An interactive boardwalk circling the pond will engage visitors and provide new opportunities for experiencing nature.

At the Nature Boardwalk, the pupils will be enriched as much as the environment. “New programs will begin in spring 2010,” adds Bergren. “We look forward to seeing you there.” <<

Above: Learning kits and pond naturalists will guide visitors of all ages in exploring the pond ecosystem. Below: Modeled on a turtle’s shell, the Peoples Gas Education Pavilion will serve as a launching point for pond learning.

South Pond

Transformed

Science at the Pond In the years leading up to its transformation, the South Pond served as a living laboratory, hosting students of all ages as they performed experiments. Middle-school scientists scanned the skies, recording birds that made their homes at the pond. High-school researchers probed the waters, investigating oxygen levels and pollution. These studies played a key role in helping budding scientists better understand the field of research.

The South Pond’s greatest experiment lies ahead, however, as the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo seeks to create a new natural space in the heart of the city. Researchers in the zoo’s Conservation & Science Department are playing a major role in this endeavor, pooling their expertise to develop a living, local ecosystem.

“The goal of the Nature Boardwalk is to naturalize this space,” says Senior Vice President of Conservation Programs Steve Thompson, Ph.D. “We’re taking something that was completely manmade and transforming it into a natural habitat.”

“Restoration ecology” is the name scientists use for such landscape-rehabilitation efforts. By revitalizing the area with clean water and native vegetation, the researchers hope to create a hospitable habitat for a full variety of pond animals, including fish, amphibians, reptiles and insects.

The zoo’s diverse scientific expertise is well-suited for such a wide-ranging endeavor. Population biologists at the Alexander Center for Applied Population Biology will apply experience gained in Tanzania and Argentina to the zoo’s backyard, planning reintroduction programs for local frogs and fish. Epidemiologists from the Davee Center for Epidemiology and Endocrinology will monitor the health of pond animals. Field researchers affiliated with the Urban Wildlife Institute will lend a hand in monitoring new arrivals, keeping tabs on turtles, for instance, to better inform management decisions.

“We’re creating a natural habitat, but we’ll need to manage that ecosystem over time to ensure that it stays natural,” says Vice President of Conservation & Science Dominic Travis, D.V.M. “It’s going to be a dynamic ecosystem. It’ll be exciting to experience the change.” <<

Below, left: The zoo’s Urban Wildlife Institute will play a leading role in monitoring the health of the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo. Urban Wildlife Institute interns Kirsten Almberg (left) and Aaron Nash can be seen collecting nest-predation data in the field along with Research Assistant Colleen O’Donnell. Below, right: Establishing a living ecosystem in the heart of Chicago is the challenge before zoo scientists.

(field note) Eastern Screech Owl Megascops asio With a name like “screech owl,” you might get the wrong idea about this small and elusive bird. See, the screech owl doesn’t really screech. Those who have heard its characteristic call describe it as tremulous. Ghostly even. Curator of Birds Colleen Lynch describes it as “a weird horse whinny.” It may not be musical, but that call works wonders at fending intruders off the screech owl’s territory.

Measuring 10 inches from beak to tail and weighing just one-third of a pound, the screech owl is one of the smallest North American owls. Like larger cousins, they have mottled feathers with prominent ear tufts and eyes like flying saucers.

Interestingly, this species comes in two color phases, gray and rufous, that do not seem to vary by gender, season or age.

The Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo houses an owl of each color, but keen eyes are required to spot them. These tiny birds avoid detection by maintaining an upright, motionless position amid similarly colored tree branches.

Small and still, these birds are difficult to imagine as successful hunters in the wild. But they feast on insects, small mammals, reptiles and birds; the Eastern screech owl enjoys the most varied diet of any North American owl. Ironically, Lead Keeper Michael Brown-Palsgrove has never seen them indulge. “They’re really shy eaters,” he explains. “They won’t eat during the day at all.”

The transformed habitat of the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo may attract these diminutive predators, which are monogamous and cooperatively rear offspring. But in order to spot a pair, visitors should rely less on their eyes than their ears.

And maybe even their goose bumps.

BY LYDIA WOOD

WINTER 2009 11

(field note) Bufflehead Bucephala albeola It sounds like an insult—“You bufflehead!” But rather than being a putdown, that name refers to the bird’s occasionally bulbous “buffalo head,” most apparent when the male puffs his feathers in display.

Buffleheads are common around North American bodies of water, where they dive for snails, insects and seeds. They were frequently spotted at the South Pond and should return once the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo is completed.

Males have white chests, black wings and dark heads with two large white dots. These dots are smaller on females, which are brown in coloration. During breeding season, the male’s head changes from black to an iridescent mixture of purple and green—a signal of virility to females.

Largely monogamous, breeding pairs return to the same abandoned woodpecker holes to nest each year. When chicks hatch, the female leads them—undeveloped feathers and all—in jumping out of the nest to the forest floor below.

This leap of faith so early in life is a brave move. So brave, you might say, that one day the term “bufflehead” could become a compliment. Then we can get to work on behalf of the dodo.

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“ArcelorMittal is proud to partner with Lincoln Park Zoo in creating the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo. We hope the project will sustain and enhance the local environment while increasing environmental awareness among zoo and Lincoln Park visitors.”

South Pond

Transformed

Bill Steers, President, ArcelorMittal USA Foundation

“We consider Lincoln Park Zoo and the South Pond to be in our “backyard” and derive great enjoyment from our daily walks through the area. John and I had noticed deterioration in the South Pond, and we were very happy to learn that Lincoln Park Zoo had launched a campaign to restore and re-imagine this great Chicago resource.”

Geraldine and John Fiedler

Community Contributions While the transformed landscape of the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo will provide a place of refuge and learning for the Chicago community, it’s the generosity of this same community—businesses and individuals throughout the region—that has helped make this project a reality. Lincoln Park Zoo gratefully acknowledges the following contributors, who have supported this project with a significant gift.

ArcelorMittal Mary and Nick Babson Bank of America Foundation Chicago Park District Efroymson Family Fund/a CICF Fund Geraldine and John Fiedler Anne and Charles C. Haffner Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Illinois Tool Works Foundation McCormick Foundation Courtney and Roger McEniry Midwest Generation Northern Trust Peoples Gas Kay and Jay Proops Regenstein Foundation The Siragusa Foundation Tawani Foundation Women’s Board of Lincoln Park Zoo While construction is underway, more work remains to be done. By making a donation today, you can establish the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo as a haven for native wildlife and an outdoor classroom for students of all ages.

Visit www.lpzoo.org/support/natureboardwalk.html or call 312-742-2332 to find out how you can make a difference.

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COLDTemps,

COOL Techniques When we get cold, we shiver. Muscle groups around our vital organs quake and, in creating that motion, generate heat to warm us up. The European white storks at the Regenstein Birds of Prey Exhibit donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t shiver as visibly as we do. Those knobby knees donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t clack together. Rather, like all birds, they experience less drastic muscle contractions, invisible to our eyes but capable of generating heat and keeping the animals comfortable. (Of course, if it gets too cold, the storks just amble inside to warm up. All Lincoln Park Zoo animals have the option to come indoors during inclement weather.)

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BY CHRIS MCNAMARA

Cool? You bet. But the storks’ behavior is just one cold-battling technique on display at Lincoln Park Zoo, where the animals—and the staff who care for them—employ such a wide range of warming tricks that it makes our winter coats look downright pathetic. Take a look…

Hot Rocks and Warm Hollows As the species on display at the Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo are native to wintery regions, they’re built for the cold— thick coats on red wolves, layers of fat on black bears, waterproof fur on the river otters and American beavers.

But that doesn’t mean the red wolves don’t snuggle atop the heated rocks within their exhibit or the black bears won’t curl up inside the heated tree hollow. The beaver lodge has a heated floor—perfect for afternoon naps—and the otters scamper inside when rocketing down their frozen waterslide gets tiresome.

Hardy Birds with Bare Feet The hardy souls at the outdoor Birds of Prey Exhibit, including the European storks, alter their metabolic rate in winter in order to generate more body heat. To recoup this extra energy, they eat more food. More meaty bones for the cinereous vultures. More rats for the snowy eagles, which employ dense layers of feathers—including special flaps that extend to cover the feet—to trap heat even while nesting on the frozen ground.

(Look closely…those white feathers are good camouflage.)

Layering Native to elevated regions of cold swaths of central Asia, the white-lipped deer at the Antelope & Zebra Area grow a second coat in the fall for added insulation. (Layering, your mom might say.) And just as their wild cousins fatten up for colder months, deer at the zoo receive an increased winter diet to fuel extra energy for keeping warm.

Nearby, the Sichuan takin get to use their concealing coloration when the white stuff falls. Native to the mountains of China, these ox revel in cold weather. “They have a heavy coat all year round but grow a seasonal winter coat that serves as insulation and protection from the elements,” says Curator of Mammals Dave Bernier. “Even newborn takin are comfortable in cold weather.”

Attitudinal Adaptation As most primates are native to tropical regions, they experience little physiological change in cold months. And since the temperature in their exhibits is constant, it’s life as normal.

Those with the option to go outside adapt well to Chicago’s climate. “The gorillas will grab handfuls of snow and eat it,” says Zoological Manager of Primates Maureen Leahy. “The chimpanzees love to play in it.”

Left: Arctic animals, such as polar bears, are naturally adapted to icy conditions. Right: Cinereous vultures adapt their metabolism to stay toasty in their exhibit (although an indoor refuge always awaits if they get too chilly).

More Please As anybody who hits the gym each spring to shed winter weight can tell you, animals—including you and me—often eat more in winter to bulk up and combat the cold. So when the temperature drops, Lincoln Park Zoo Nutrition Manager Shana Lavin, Ph.D., ups the output from the zoo commissary.

“Every animal is different, but most have increased energy needs,” she explains. Big cats at the Kovler Lion House are given more meat with a higher fat percentage. Many animals require Vitamin D supplements to account for limited sun exposure.

Some winter foods double as enrichment, like the rabbit carcasses given to the African wild dogs at Regenstein African Journey. The extra protein is important, sure, but the dogs enjoy playing with their meals in the snow too.

Then there are those species that eat less. Bears’ metabolisms’ slow—they eat less and sleep more, mimicking (in a truncated fashion) the hibernation that their wild counterparts are undergoing. And the polar bears eat less chow, fish and produce in winter than summer. Their bodies are attuned to long stretches of food scarcity in the extremely cold months of their native Arctic Ocean region.

Winged residents of the McCormick Bird House don’t see much change in their diet, unless they are breeding and food factors into their courtship/mating behavior. More calories are required by birds that are breeding, which is yet another way to keep temperatures up.

WINTER 2009 15

Above: Amur tigers and snowy owls are native to cold climates and can be seen lounging in snowflakes. Below: White-lipped deer grow a thicker coat to keep comfy during winter months.

Snowballs are used as enrichment for swamp monkeys. Keepers will hide food in clumps of snow for drills to dig out. Busy hands and minds are warm ones.

Indoor/Outdoor Zoological Manager of Regenstein African Journey and Carnivores Mark Kamhout has the full spectrum of species under his watch.

Some thrive in cold months; others require special (warm) attention.

Most of the big cats at the Kovler Lion House increase their activity when temperatures plummet. Female lions romp outside, and the older male follows them.

Amur tigers, native to frosty regions of China, Russia and Korea, burrow into snow banks quite comfortably. The Afghan leopard lounges in the frost, as does the red panda, which wraps its tail around itself. “It looks like a big, red puffball,” says Kamhout.

The African animals vary. Giraffes’ long

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legs may be graceful on the savanna, but they don’t do well on ice, so Kamhout is cautious about letting them into the yard when it’s frozen. Often times, that’s just fine. “The giraffes prefer to be inside much of the winter,” says Kamhout. “They’re not much different from people in that regard.”

When they choose to be outside, the warthogs huddle together in their wallow.

The African wild dogs also snuggle together in a ball of furry warmth. “You can’t tell where one wild dog starts and another ends,” says Kamhout. “It’s just a big pile of fur and tails and ears.”

As you’d expect, the residents of the McCormick Bear Habitat display a wide range of cold-weather behavior. While the polar bears are busy sliding down snow banks, the Andean and Malayan sun bears most often lounge within heated indoor enclosures nibbling on grub. “These bears don’t undergo a true hibernation,” says Kamhout. “They just slow down a bit in << the winter.”

(amazing adaptations) Waiting Out Winter People can build snowmen, hurtle down hills on toboggans and warm up with a mug of hot chocolate, but winter weather is no fun for most animals living in temperate climates. Wind blows, snow falls and food becomes increasingly hard to find.

To get through winter, animals rely on a range of well-honed survival strategies. Ducks and geese migrate south in search of food and open water. Black bears bulk up and bunker down. Deer develop thick coats to shield themselves from chilly gusts.

Eastern massasauga rattlesnakes have their own strategy for making it through the leaner months. Coldblooded creatures native to the north-central United States (see page 18), massasaugas are

especially vulnerable to ice and cold, as they rely on ambient temperatures to maintain their metabolism. To stay warm, the snakes winter in what may seem to be an unlikely place: underwater.

As temperatures decline, eastern massasauga rattlesnakes make their way to abandoned crayfish burrows and other sheltered tunnels that are full of water. The snakes then submerge themselves to wait out winter. The underground burrows stay warm enough to keep the water within from freezing, and the extremely cold water induces a hibernation-like state where the snakes can survive on suspended oxygen. Come spring and warm weather, the massasaugas resurface, still chilled, perhaps, but far from frozen.

Active during warm weather, eastern massasauga rattlesnakes retreat underwater to wait out winter.

WINTER 2009 17

Here’s a population-planning riddle for you—how do you know when two eastern massasauga rattlesnakes aren’t the same gender? The answer? When you come in one morning and find six other rattlesnakes sharing their exhibit.

An Ontario nature center found itself in this position in July. Their permit allowed them a pair of snakes—both male—to educate visitors on the viper’s role in the local ecosystem and the threats it faces in the wild. But the gender gaffe and six new arrivals put them in violation. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources confiscated the snakes, and after a brief stop at the Toronto Zoo, they were shipped to Lincoln Park Zoo, which houses the Eastern Massasauga Species Survival Plan (SSP).

In transit, the snakes represented a large chunk of the zoo population. Just 40 eastern massasauga rattlesnakes live in North American zoos. This scarcity reflects their status in the wild. While the massasauga isn’t federally endangered, every state across its range offers the species protected status.

The primary threat facing the massasauga is habitat loss.

Houses and farms have overtaken the woods and wetlands where the reptiles make their homes. New roads establish deadly barriers; automobiles are the leading cause of massasauga deaths. Compounding the challenge is peoples’ attitudes toward the snakes. Many homeowners and hikers are uncom-

Snakes Need Saving Too Rattlesnake Conservation Benefits from Careful Planning…and a Little Chance The Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo will promote local conservation by providing a natural habitat in the zoo’s backyard. But the zoo’s efforts to conserve native species extend far beyond Chicago. One animal that’s benefiting is the eastern massasauga rattlesnake. This small, shy, cryptically colored reptile is scattered throughout the central United States, occupying wetlands, moist grasslands and forests. It’s endangered in Illinois due to habitat loss. And thanks to a mating mix-up, efforts to establish a stable zoo population have received an unexpected boost.

BY JAMES SEIDLER

18 LINCOLN PARK ZOO

fortable with the thought of protecting venomous snakes, even though the shy species poses a negligible threat to humans and plays a crucial role in managing wetlands rodent populations. Even worse, some poachers illegally collect the snakes, further impacting an already-endangered population.

Conservation planning is further complicated by the fact that the snakes’ needs change with the seasons. Eastern massasauga rattlesnakes spend warm months roaming in search of the small rodents that make their meals: mice, shrews and voles. As winter descends, the snakes shift to wetlands, hibernating underwater in old holes and burrows (see page 17). Wide-ranging much of the year, the snakes congregate during winter in the same specialized hibernation spots. As a result, even small-scale local development can disrupt an entire massasauga population.

In Illinois, these threats led the state Department of Natural Resources to join with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to develop a species-recovery team. One of the team’s first steps was to seek a population biologist to contribute to long-term planning. Lincoln Park Zoo’s expertise in planning for small populations, coupled with its existing interest in the eastern massasauga rattlesnake—Diane Mulkerin, Curator of Regenstein Small Mammal-Reptile House, served as studbook keeper for the species—led to a perfect fit.

“We had a series of meetings, and I realized that the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) needed to match what was being done at the state levels,” says Joanne Earnhardt, Ph.D., director of the Alexander Center for Applied Population Biology.

Earnhardt petitioned the AZA to boost its emphasis on massasauga conservation, elevating the species from PopulationManagement-Plan status to the SSP level, which requires greater zoo coordination. The AZA agreed, and Lincoln Park Zoo became host to the newly created Eastern Massasauga SSP. Earnhardt was named SSP coordinator, Mulkerin continued to serve as studbook keeper and Research Biologist Lisa Faust, Ph.D., was named field advisor for the species.

The SSP’s first step was surveying the existing zoo population.

“The SSP determines how many snakes should breed, which snakes should breed and with whom,” says Earnhardt. “To make those decisions, we needed to know the origins of the snakes in our care.”

By pairing animals that are as distantly related as possible, zoo population planners maintain the diversity of the wild. But these breeding recommendations come from analyzing studbooks, detailed records of the family trees of each individual within the zoo population. In the case of eastern massasauga rattlesnakes, much of the zoo population has been confiscated from institu-

tions lacking permits or poachers illegally collecting the animal.

Zoos didn’t know where the snakes originated, making effective population planning extremely difficult.

Enter Richard King, Ph.D., professor of ecology and evolution at Northern Illinois University. A snake researcher, King had tested eastern massasaugas throughout their range and developed genetic profiles unique to each region. “Snakes don’t move around a lot—they’re not like birds, they can’t fly,” says Earnhardt.

“Because of this lack of mobility, snakes in a given region tend to move in a similar genetic direction. These shared differences make it possible to distinguish a Michigan massasauga from an Illinois one.”

The zoos housing massasaugas provided blood samples from the snakes in their care. King analyzed the samples, identifying each snake’s place of origin, and Earnhardt and collaborators used this information to develop the first breeding plan for the species.

While the population remains small, Earnhardt hopes the new arrivals will spur future growth toward a larger, healthier zoo population. “Eastern massasauga rattlesnakes are great ambassadors for local conservation,” says the scientist. “People often don’t realize that snakes face many of the same threats as other endangered species. We can all work together to stop their decline.” <<

Left: Local conservation isn’t limited to the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo. The zoo is leading the way in conserving the eastern massasauga rattlesnake, endangered in Illinois. Below: Individual scale patterns and radio-transmitting tags help researchers keep tabs on the snakes in the wild.

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(wild file )

Above, left-to-right: This infant swamp monkey was recently reunited with her family at the Helen Brach Primate House. Caiman lizards are a colorful new addition to Regenstein Small Mammal-Reptile House. Opposite: An exercise program has led to weight loss for silverback JoJo in the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums Year of the Gorilla.

A Family Reunited New arrivals are joyous occasions at the zoo, and the keepers at the Helen Brach Primate House were excited with the Species Survival Plan-recommended birth of a female Allen’s swamp monkey in June. Elation quickly turned to sorrow, though, as the mother passed away from complications due to pregnancy just one day after giving birth.

The remaining monkeys in the group—the father and three siblings—were all male and unequipped for caregiving. So zookeepers stepped in to fill the gap, offering round-the-clock care to steer the infant to maturity. (Human rearing of zoo animals is always undertaken as a last resort.)

Formula was served every two hours to ensure that the new arrival was nourished. To minimize human influence, all feedings were delivered via a “surrogate”—a stuffed bear that served as a rough stand-in for the missing mother. These feedings occurred in sight of the family group, which immediately took an interest in the new arrival. “Any time she was fed, they came right up to the mesh separating them,” says Zoological Manager of Primates Maureen Leahy. “Of course, they may have wanted the bottle too,” she laughs.

Thanks to the keepers’ dedicated care, the young female thrived.

After a month, she was placed in a “howdy” enclosure adjacent to the main exhibit to let the family group become more familiar with

20 LINCOLN PARK ZOO

her. Branches and vines were added to the “howdy” to encourage her to climb, jump and swing, just like her older brothers. Bottle feedings were eventually replaced with solid foods, including fruits, vegetables, leafy greens and monkey chow.

Behind the scenes, keepers gradually introduced her to the rest of the family, starting with the youngest, a 2-year-old, and working their way up to dad. Everything went smoothly—the two youngest immediately took to playing with her—and so the entire group was reunited in November.

“She’s probably had to grow up a little faster than she would have otherwise, but everything’s going great,” reports Leahy. “It’s good to see them all together.”

Lizards Lounge at Regenstein Small Mammal-Reptile House The Ecosystem Area at Regenstein Small Mammal-Reptile House (SMRH) saw a new addition in November as three caiman lizards were introduced to the cotton-top tamarin and Hoffman’s two-toed sloth exhibit. While the tamarins and sloths hang out in the upper reaches of their enclosure, the brightly colored caiman lizards can be seen basking on the lower levels.

Native to South America, these large lizards can reach up to 3 feet in length. The zoo’s trio—all siblings—were born at Shedd Aquarium, but before the reptiles could make the short trip to their new home, keepers at SMRH had to get a handle on caring for

another new species. Caiman lizards feed primarily on snails, and the Shedd shipped over a starter colony of apple snails—the preferred escargot—to give the zoo a head start. Keepers quickly learned what the slimy newcomers needed to thrive, ensuring that the lizards’ diet was available when they arrived.

“It’s exciting to have new and unusual lizards in the building,” says Curator Diane Mulkerin. “Visitors will enjoy the diversity.”

Good Health in the Year of the Gorilla The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) has declared 2009 to be the WAZA Year of the Gorilla. This conservation event will highlight the threats facing gorillas in the wild and encourage efforts to conserve the majestic species.

As a leader in gorilla science, Lincoln Park Zoo has a number of exciting efforts already underway. Scientists at the Lester E. Fisher Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes are analyzing ape cognition with touch-screen technology and collaborating in field projects to protect western lowland gorillas in the Republic of Congo’s Goualougo Triangle.

At the same time, keepers and veterinarians are taking steps to monitor the health of the gorilla groups living at Regenstein Center for African Apes. The endangered animals underwent their annual physicals in October, with veterinarians conducting a range of exams to check the great apes’ health. A team of cardiologists and pulmonologists affiliated with the zoo’s Medical Advisory Committee also participated, providing expert analysis of hearts and lungs. Much like people, gorillas are vulnerable to cardiovascular disease as they age—particularly silverbacks like JoJo, who is 28 and weighs 500 pounds.

All of the apes checked out well. And some of the credit may be due to an ape exercise program that has seen some of the…uh, bulkier…gorillas shed excess weight. Keepers use conditioning sessions with the gorillas to encourage activity–the apes sit and stand, move back and forth in the exhibit. It started slowly, but keepers are now seeing a lot more endurance.

Other changes have helped encourage weight loss. Nutrition Manager Shana Lavin, Ph.D., tweaked diets to make them more healthful. Keepers discouraged excess snacking by placing supplemental protein biscuits in “puzzle feeders” at the upper reaches of the exhibit. The climb encourages activity, and small openings prevent big hands from snagging more snacks than they need.

The results have been impressive. JoJo lost 25 pounds while female Kowali has dropped twice that amount. Sleeker and healthier, these gorillas are well-equipped to showcase their species during the WAZA Year of the Gorilla.

A Look Back at the Year of the Frog As 2009 marks the beginning of the Year of the Gorilla, it also marks the end of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Year of the Frog, a collaborative effort in which zoos and aquariums across the country joined together to highlight the threat facing amphibians worldwide. Habitat loss, pollution and disease have placed large numbers of frogs, salamanders and newts at risk of extinction. In response, zoos have made their conservation a priority,

jumpstarting breeding programs for at-risk species.

New arrivals, such as axolotls, Oriental fire-bellied toads and emperor newts, marked Lincoln Park Zoo’s Year of the Frog. At the same time, successes in breeding programs for dyeing poison arrow frogs and Solomon Island leaf frogs gave populations a boost, as the zoo transferred new hatchlings to other institutions to further their conservation.

“The Year of the Frog may be over, but we’re still working to conserve amphibians,” says Mulkerin.

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(back story )

New Home, New Horns

Newlyweds commonly move into homes larger than they presently need, predicting a future filled with bouncing babies. Architects and curators at Lincoln Park Zoo are taking the same tack. Of course, the black rhinoceros newborns they’re hoping for weigh up to 100 pounds, have two nubby horns jutting from their heads and use steel kegs as playthings.

In September 2008, renovation began on the exhibit at the north end of Regenstein African Journey, which had most recently housed Bactrian camels. Around that time, a 3-year-old female black rhinoceros was transferred to Lincoln Park Zoo from the Great Plains Zoo, complementing the current resident—a 22-year-old male.

Great planning by the Black Rhinoceros Species Survival Plan went into the animal transfer, ensuring that this female represents the best possible genetic match for the male. Great planning also went into the design of the facility they’ll share.

The project, expected to cost $1 million, will be completed in early 2009 and is underwritten by the generosity of the Caryn and King Harris family. The new exhibit will provide three separate rhino areas connected by state-of-the-art transfer chutes. There will be wallows and shady areas in which to relax, a scale to weigh the massive mammals and protected-contact setups where veterinarians can perform checkups. The public space around the exhibit will present a dynamic black rhino educational experience, highlighting the status of the species in the wild as well as zoo efforts to conserve it.

The added space will also facilitate breeding, as the animals will have plenty of space in which to get comfortable with one another.

Should breeding go well, the large yards will provide space for young rhinos to romp and enable the adult male to be separated from the female and offspring if need be. New arrivals will be part of a comprehensive Association of Zoos and Aquariums conservation program for the species, considered by some to be the world’s most endangered mammal.

For now, the male and female are not allowed physical contact beyond some nuzzling between adjacent holding areas. While both are given outside access, they won’t share a space (indoor or outdoor) until she grows up a bit. At just 1,600 pounds, she’s much smaller than her 3,000-pound potential paramour.

But Zoological Manager of Regenstein African Journey Mark Kamhout is happy to see that the two appear to be interested in each other. In addition to that nuzzling, they bob heads, sniff and snort at one another. Good signs…honestly.

“The new rhinoceros space is going to be great,” beams Kamhout.

“It’s going to enable us to become a leader in rhino breeding and conservation. The expanded yards will be better for the animals and give guests a more accurate approximation of wild rhino behavior.”

Everyone is hoping that behavior results in new residents at the new exhibit.

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KEY NOTES 1. New Barrier Wall with Gates to Separate Yard Areas

5. Pool Converted to Mud Wallow

2. Enhanced Viewing Areas

6. Improved Drainage at Existing Yard

3. New Transfer Chute Connecting Yards

7. Paved Special Observer Area

4. Redesigned Rhino Holding Area

2 5

4

6

1 7

2

3

2 2

Left: This new arrival, a 3-year-old female, will occupy the expanded rhino yard. The extra space is designed to accommodate offspringâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a hope for down the road. Above: The renovated enclosure will feature shared and separate yards, a necessity for breeding. (Drawing by Interactive Design Inc.) Below: Work began in September 2008. The project is slated to be completed in early 2009.

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(news of the zoo)

Above, left-to-right: For its work supporting elephant conservation in Tanzania, Lincoln Park Zoo received an Association of Zoos and Aquariums 2008 Significant Achievement Award for International Conservation. Expanded 2009 summer camps will provide more opportunities to learn about nature. Opposite: ZooLights 2008 was another big success, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors to see more than 1 million lights.

Accolades for Elephant Work In September, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) announced that Lincoln Park Zoo, jointly with eight other zoological institutions, received its 2008 Significant Achievement Award for International Conservation for providing critical support to the Tarangire Elephant Project in Tanzania.

For 15 years, members of this project have studied and protected elephants in Tanzania’s Tarangire National Park and the surrounding area, in addition to local zebras, wildebeest and buffalo.

For more than a decade, Lincoln Park Zoo has provided research funding and essential scientific expertise. The zoo’s Research Biologist, Lisa Faust, Ph.D., works directly with the project’s founders and directors, Charles and Lara Foley, to analyze data and model the ecosystem. They have several scientific publications in the works.

“In addition to their groundbreaking elephant behavioral research, the Foleys have made real contributions to assessing and protecting key habitat essential to a healthy Tarangire ecosystem,” says Faust. “Their work protects the elephants and the ecological dynamics of Tarangire.”

Having documented a gradual increase in the elephant population over the years (linked to a decline in the massive ivory poaching of the 1970s and 1980s), the research team is aware that other threats now loom. These include intense competition and conflict with a burgeoning human population. However, in an exemplary, long-term partnership of zoos, governmental and non-govern-

24 LINCOLN PARK ZOO

mental bodies and local communities, the Tarangire Elephant Project uses sound science and a heartfelt appreciation of this unique ecosystem to lead a model conservation program.

Now back working in Lincoln Park Zoo’s Alexander Center for Applied Population Biology, Faust continues to collaborate with the Foleys on demographic analyses and finalizing a scientific paper on the elephant population’s history. “Being recognized by the AZA for this award was a huge honor,” says Faust. “It pays tribute not only to our longstanding conservation work with the Foleys but to the collaborative nature of this project, which includes contributions from many AZA zoos on behalf of elephant conservation.”

Lincoln Park Zoo Summer Camp 2009 Sneak Peek In 2009, Lincoln Park Zoo’s popular summer camp program will be bigger, better and wilder than ever. The Education Department is busy making plans, collaborating with colleagues in the Conservation & Science and Collections Departments, and working hard to ensure that summer camp 2009, made possible in part by a grant from HSBC, exceeds the expectations of zoo campers and their families. The final schedule is still being determined, but camp sessions are slated to begin June 15 and run through August 14.

New in 2009, Lincoln Park Zoo will offer two uniquely themed weeks of camp per age group (ages 4–14). Week A and Week B will be independent of one another, so campers can enroll in one or both weeks of camp. Campers looking for a two-week experience can

enroll in consecutive or non-consecutive weeks. This flexibility lets busy campers and their families take a couple weeks off between sessions for vacation or other summer plans. More summer camp information will be made available soon. In the meantime, please visit www.lpzoo.org/education/classes or call 312-742-2056 with questions.

New Curator of Birds Colleen Lynch was named the Hope B. McCormick Curator of Birds in September after serving as a population biologist with Lincoln Park Zoo’s Population Management Center (PMC) for six years. “I am very excited to be working directly with the animal collection, combining the management and analytical skills I developed at the PMC with my roots as a keeper at San Diego Zoo,” says Lynch. “Of course, I am also continuing to work as a population biologist on specific projects related to Micronesian kingfishers, Guam rails, Puerto Rican parrots and Santa Cruz scrub jays.”

Studying the Results of Scientific Matchmaking In September, Lincoln Park Zoo Research Biologist Lisa Faust, Ph.D., received a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to evaluate and improve the cooperative-animal breeding programs used in zoos. These Species Survival Plans and Population Management Plans are overseen by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Species Survival Plans pool animals of an individual species across all accredited zoos in North America and manage them cooperatively by issuing recommendations on which animals should breed and/or be transferred to other zoos based on genetics. Currently, there is no system in place to determine the outcomes of these recommendations, making it difficult to systematically assess how to improve the management system. Faust’s threeyear project will create a comprehensive system to monitor and assess the success of these recommendations, thus ensuring that zoos are taking the best-possible steps to safeguard the populations in their care. This unprecedented effort will provide a wealth of information to inform future population planning.

Public Greets the Nature Boardwalk In October, just as construction was getting underway, more than 60 neighbors of Lincoln Park Zoo gathered at an open house to learn about the transformation of the South Pond into the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo. Project leader and Vice President of Facilities Neal David, AIA, discussed architectural plans, which include building vegetationrich banks that will help animals move in and out of the water as well as the open-air education pavilion and over-water gazebo.

Vice President of Conservation & Science Dominic Travis, D.V.M., educated residents about the native frogs, turtles, fish and birds that the restored pond will welcome.

Vice President of Education Rachel Bergren explained how the Nature Boardwalk will be a 14-acre outdoor classroom, complemented by new programs, interpretive elements and unique opportunities to connect the community to nature.

Divers Maintain Kovler Sea Lion Pool As part of a series of efforts to maintain and improve the water quality of the Kovler Sea Lion Pool, SCUBA divers plunged into the water in October to attach new diverters to the existing filteredwater inlets. The purpose was to redirect and slow the velocity of clean water as it entered the pool to more evenly distribute it. An animal-safe dye was injected into the water to confirm that the diverters were acting as planned. The divers returned again in November to make some final adjustments and add two more diverters, further improving the already-welcoming habitat for the zoo’s harbor and gray seals.

Building Bonds between Chicago and Tanzania In June 2008, the zoo signed a conservation agreement with the Tanzanian Wildlife Research Institute, the governmental body in charge of that nation’s wildlife and conservation research. “Lincoln Park Zoo has always had a strong commitment to conservation in Tanzania,” says Vice President of Conservation & Science Dominic Travis, D.V.M. “This agreement formalizes that relationship and will enable us to take our efforts to a new level.”

A Preview of the Nature Boardwalk Lincoln Park Zoo will display a model of the Nature Boardwalk at the Chicagoland Flower & Garden Show, beginning March 7, 2009 at Navy Pier. The replica will be about 2,800 square feet, enabling attendees of the show to walk through a compressed version of the landscape. “The Flower & Garden Show is showcasing cultural institutions,” says Lincoln Park Zoo Vice President of Communications & Public Affairs Marybeth Johnson. “The audience is environmentally conscious and educated on gardens and ecology, so this is a great venue to showcase what will be the Nature Boardwalk.”

ZooLights Shines Bright ZooLights was again a smashing success this holiday season, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors to marvel at more than 1 million lights. Lincoln Park Zoo would like to thank presenting sponsors ComEd and Charter One Foundation as well as Pepsi, WBBM-AM and NBC 5.

BY CHRIS MCNAMARA

American avocet, piping plover—in a beach setting. It’s easy to remember sunny days on the sand while admiring these birds.

The nicobar pigeons add iridescent flash to the Forest Edge Exhibit, while the scarlet ibis fancies up the Wetlands Area with its bold, pink feathers.

A simulated tropical river flows through the Free Flight Area, enlivened with golden-breasted starlings and orange bishops, sunbitterns and the comically mustachioed Inca tern. The humid tropical scene painted on the walls, dense foliage and natural sunshine courtesy of skylights help you forget about conditions outside (see sidebar).

If you can peel your eyes off the Guam Micronesian kingfisher within Tropical Forest II, look up. Notice how the pond reflects waves of light onto the ceiling. It’ll warm your eyes, at least.

Within the nearby Deep Forest Exhibit, the burly Blyth’s hornbills romp among the branches. Next door in the Mountain Clearing, the bluefaced honeyeater flashes around the kookaburra.

And finally, in the Riverbanks Exhibit, the stunningly beautiful Bali mynahs grace their

Warm, WelcomiNg & WiNged When the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo opens in spring 2010, it will play host to a spectrum of feathered residents.

But during construction, bird lovers have an indoor refuge in the McCormick Bird House—a facility brimming with color and song courtesy of some 31 species.

It’s warm. It’s welcoming. It’s a winter retreat. The Bird House is filled with bright and beautiful creatures that remind us that the cold won’t last forever. “The building is 70 degrees year-round,” says Curator of Birds Colleen Lynch. “When it’s 20 degrees outside, this is a good place to be.”

Head South! Head South!

Immediately upon entering the building you’ll spot a flock of birds on the wall flying in formation. It’s as if they’re migrating to warmer climates and inviting you along—Head south! Head south!

Your first stop is the Tropical Forest I Exhibit, where the lush green foliage is enlivened with flashes of color courtesy of the lesser green broadbill and red-legged honeycreeper. To round out the palette, the fairy bluebird flits between the branches like…well…a fairy.

A few steps away resides the Guam rail, a native of the Pacific island with the bare legs to prove it. Then you encounter the Seashore Exhibit, which houses birds native to this region—

26 LINCOLN PARK ZOO

verdant surroundings like blue-eyed ghosts. It’s no wonder they’re cherished in their native Indonesia.

On your way out of the Bird House, wave to the keepers who are likely in the kitchen preparing meals for the birds. Their short sleeves can provide one last bit of vicarious warmth before you head back out into the cold.

The Warming Quality of Birds The polar bears are fun to watch as they romp through the snow, but they don’t offer much relief from Chicago’s winters. It’s neat to see the snowy owls employ their camouflage feathers, but after a few minutes standing still, your toes get cold. And it’s a treat to see the steam emit from the white-lipped deer buck as he patrols his yard, but a drag to see your own.

Inside the McCormick Bird House, however, the residents are acting like it’s summer in the Bahamas. And if your imagination isn’t frozen, you can picture yourself there with them. << The colorful forms of the lesser green broadbill (above), Nicobar pigeon (opposite, top) and red-legged honeycreeper (right) make the McCormick Bird House a welcoming winter destination. The building’s Free Flight Area (top right) offers tropical heat and lively birdcalls.

You are Cleared for Takeoff The Free Flight Area within the McCormick Bird House is the most immersive experience at Lincoln Park Zoo. Visitors literally walk through the birds’ world. Curator Colleen Lynch offers the following tips to optimize the experience: •Come in and relax for a couple minutes. Wait for the activity to begin around you. When people enter Free Flight, the birds often stop and stay quiet for a minute. Once they realize you’re going to hang out, they get back to doing their own thing.

•Look down. People instinctively look up, but you’ll never spot species like the pheasant pigeons and crested wood partridges unless you look on the ground.

•Focus on the waterfall. There’s always a lot of activity there, especially with the Mandarin ducks and Inca terns.

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gombe Updates

BY JAMES SEIDLER

While the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo will serve as a flagship for local conservation projects, the zoo continues to advance the well-being of animals around the globe. A focal point for zoo efforts to conserve endangered animals is Gombe National Park, the home of Jane Goodall’s groundbreaking chimpanzee research. By monitoring the health of the park’s roughly 100 chimpanzees, the Gombe Ecosystem Health Project gathers information that can be used to protect the apes throughout Africa.

Probing for Parasites In order to know whether a population is sick, you must first know what it means to be well. That may sound like the latest mantra for new-age living, but it’s really the illuminating principle behind the Ecosystem Health Project. “Before we can analyze health issues in Gombe’s chimpanzees, we need to establish a baseline for what’s normal,” says Elizabeth Lonsdorf, Ph.D., director of the Lester E. Fisher Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes.

One method that’s being used to gauge normalcy is a parasitology study conducted in collaboration with specialist Tom Gillespie, Ph.D., of Emory University and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To gauge how parasites are affecting the park’s chimpanzees, Gillespie is examining fecal samples collected by Fisher Center researchers from 2004 to the present to identify parasites contained within. His preliminary analysis has turned up a number of “bugs,” including serious pathogens, such as cryptosporidia and giardia (the latter may be familiar to backpackers who have sampled untreated water on the trail).

While some nasty parasites have been identified, more information is needed to determine whether they’re impacting the park population. “For parasites like giardia, we know they’re not good to have, but we’re not sure at what level they start influencing health,” says Lonsdorf. Under normal circumstances, low

levels of a parasite may not cause illness, but if conditions change—if there’s increased stress, more contact with domestic animals or harsher weather—sickness may occur.

To better understand this balance, Gillespie and Fisher Center scientists are taking a number of innovative approaches. One simple concept that’s having a big impact is the use of a standardized surveillance method. Previous parasitology projects used different procedures to gather and process samples, making it difficult to compare results. In contrast, Gillespie has developed a standard protocol at Gombe, the zoo’s Goualougo Triangle research site and other study areas throughout the region. This will enable easy comparisons, helping to establish a link between parasites and chimpanzee health.

At the same time, Gillespie is using advanced molecular-diagnostic techniques to identify parasites more precisely. By nailing down the species of each pathogen—something that’s impossible with traditional visual IDs—Gillespie and collaborators can begin to map how parasites pass through the Gombe ecosystem. “This will give us a much better idea of the source of each pathogen,” says Lonsdorf. “We can begin to identify whether parasites are chimpanzee-specific or whether they’re shared with humans or domestic animals that live in the surrounding area.”

Lonsdorf cautions that time will be needed to develop a clear baseline. “Five years of data is good; 10 years is better,” says the scientist. Every bit of information will help formulate a clearer picture of chimpanzee health, though, making it easier to preserve a population in peril.

New Research: Studying Maternal Stress Chimpanzee communities are complicated. Groups can number from 20–100 animals, but all of these chimpanzees rarely gather in the same space at one time. Instead, the apes move through the forest in loose aggregations: males patrol the borders for rivals, females in estrus are surrounded by eager suitors and lone chimpanzees forage for food or shelter.

Families often travel together as well. In chimpanzees, the family group consists of a female and her offspring; males don’t contribute to parenting. As a result, the mother-child relationship is an enduring one, reflecting the fact that young chimpanzees nurse until 3–4 years of age and continue to be socially dependent until 8–10. Even after reaching maturity, many chimpanzees continue to travel with their mothers. Male offspring receive maternal support as they attempt to climb the dominance hierarchy, and older siblings lend a hand in caring for new arrivals.

The importance of the mother-child connection makes it a rich subject for study. To better understand this bond, Lonsdorf, Endocrinologist Rachel Santymire, Ph.D., of the Davee Center for Epidemiology and Endocrinology and collaborator Carson Murray, Ph.D., have embarked on a new study. Its focus probably won’t surprise anyone who’s had children: the scientists are looking at maternal stress.

Specifically, they aim to examine how maternal stress affects the health and development of offspring. By analyzing fecal samples from chimpanzee mothers, the scientists can map levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, over time. These results can be compared with Gombe’s wealth of observational and health data to try to determine how a mother’s stress levels affect her offspring.

“We’re looking to answer several questions,” says Lonsdorf.

“What factors influence stress? Is there a relationship between a mother’s stress levels and those of her offspring? Does maternal stress influence maternal behavior? How does this impact the offspring’s long-term development?”

With sample collection just beginning, these questions won’t be answered for some time. Still, by examining the mother-child relationship in our closest living relative, the zoo researchers may eventually shed light on the same relationship in our own species. Stress, after all, is part of the parenting process, whether you’re a chimpanzee in Gombe National Park or a mom here in the city. <<

To better conserve endangered chimpanzees at Gombe National Park, zoo scientists are studying their health. Behavioral observations (right) and analyses of fecal samples for parasites and stress levels (above) help provide a baseline on well-being.

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Don’t forget!

Zoo members receive a discount on registration.

SAVE THE DATE! Members-Only Open Houses Join us on March 27–28 and April 4–5 for membersonly open houses at the Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo. Learn about the wild residents (all native to this region of North America). Ascend into the heavens in the Treetop Canopy Climbing Adventure. Partake in cool activities and make a craft to take home. Tickets are available for Household-level members and above. Call 312-742-2322

Visit www.lpzoo.org for a calendar of programs and special events

to make a reservation.

Valentine’s Day Treats ADOPT This Valentine’s Day, treat your loved one to a red wolf, harbor seal or snowy owl ADOPT package and know that you’re helping to feed the animals their favorite treats.

Proceeds from ADOPT purchases help Lincoln Park Zoo buy meaty bones for red wolves, herring for harbor seals and mice for snowy owls. (You can stick with chocolates.)

Each Valentine’s Day Treats ADOPT package costs $40 (plus $5 for shipping) and includes a red wolf, harbor seal or snowy owl plush animal, ADOPT certificate, animal fact sheet and animal photo.

ADOPT packages can be purchased at www.lpzoo.org, by calling 312-742-2322 or on zoo grounds.

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