Zoo View - Spring 2020 by Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association

SPRING

20 ISSUE

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR MEMBERS

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LOS ANGELES ZOO ADMINISTRATION Denise M. Verret, Chief Executive Officer & Zoo Director Beth Schaefer, Director of Animal Programs Mei Kwan, Director of Admin. and Operations Tom LoVullo, Director of Construction and Maintenance Dan Keeffe, Director of Learning and Engagement Darryl Pon, Director of Planning and Development Denise Tamura, Executive Assistant

Each zoo resident is unique—and it’s the job of the Zoo Registrar to maintain detailed records for every one. The data are shared with zoos around the world and used in countless animal management, health, and conservation-planning decisions.

GLAZA OFFICERS Beth Price, Chair Brian Diamond, Vice Chair Laura Z. Wasserman, Vice Chair Phyllis Kupferstein, Secretary Gregory D. Fuss, Treasurer Tom Jacobson, GLAZA President

THE QUARTERLY MAGAZINE OF THE GREATER LOS ANGELES ZOO ASSOCIATION

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Photo by JAMIE PHAM

EDITOR Brenda Scott Royce ASSOCIATE EDITOR Sandy Masuo EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Kait Hilliard, Tom Jacobson, Dan Keeffe, Dr. Jake Owens, Beth Schaefer, Eugenia Vasels, Denise M. Verret

GLAZA TRUSTEES James K. Bray, Alexis Miller Buese, Michael Bustamante, Jillian Romero Chaves, Richard Corgel, Wendy M. Denham, Rob Ellis, Cassidy Horn, Laura Kaplansky, Tyler K. Kelley, Diann H. Kim, Anthony Kitchener, Richard Lichtenstein, Alan G. Lowy, Betty White Ludden, Marc L. Sallus, Patricia Silver, Slash, Jay Sonbolian, Erika Aronson Stern, Madeline Joyce Taft, Franco Terango, Ellia M. Thompson, Jennifer Thornton Wieland, Angela Yim-Sullivan

ZOO PHOTOGRAPHER Tad Motoyama PHOTO EDITOR & PHOTOGRAPHER Jamie Pham

TRUSTEES EMERITI Willard Z. Carr, Jr., Lloyd Levitin, Mrs. John F. Maher, Shelby Kaplan Sloan, Thomas R. Tellefsen, Polly Turpin

DESIGN & PRODUCTION Lisa Brink, The Brink Creative

Copyright © 2020 Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents of this publication without written permission is prohibited. POSTMASTER send address changes to: ZOO VIEW, 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027-1498

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F E AT U R E S

10 WILD CHILD Meet Angela, the newest member of the

ROAD TO RECOVERY BY THE NUMBERS

AUSSIE ASSISTANCE PARKLINE DEBUT

DEPARTMENTS

6 ZOO-M IN Members’ photo gallery 8 CASSOWARY PROFILE: DOUBLE-WATTLED 23 MEMBERSHIP MATTERS News and updates for GLAZA members DONOR SPOTLIGHT

GAYLE GARNER ROSKI

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Los Angeles Zoo gorilla family.

BUILDING BONDS

Teaching is a two-way street for gorillas and their keepers.

PRECIOUS MOMENTS

Gorilla keeper Tania reflects on the baby’s first days.

ANGELIC APE

An animal lover’s legacy lives on.

SAVING WILD GORILLAS

How the Zoo helps gorillas in the wild.

LET’S ZOO SCIENCE

A scientific study carried out at the Los Angeles Zoo shows that yawning is contagious in chimps—just as it is in people.

COUNTING CRITTERS

With the 2020 U.S. Census underway, we decided to check in with the Los Angeles Zoo’s Registrar—or official record keeper.

PRINTING LithoGraphix

GLAZA ADMINISTRATION Eugenia Vasels, VP, Institutional Advancement Kait Hilliard, VP, Marketing Gretchen Humbert, VP, Chief Financial Officer Lisa Correa, Director of Membership Dawn Petersen-Amend, General Counsel Sara Rodriguez, Director of Special Events Martin Marcuse, Director of Information Technology Kirin Daugharty, Director of Volunteer Programs ZOO VIEW (ISSN 0276-3303) is published quarterly by the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association as a benefit to members. For information about membership, visit www.lazoo.org/membership

ZOO BRIEFS

PROOFREADERS Laura Parada, Lynne Richter

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ON THE COVER Big news in a tiny package: Baby Angela was the first gorilla born at the Los Angeles Zoo in more than 20 years. Photo by JAMIE PHAM

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LORI CONLEY

Stand Up and Be Counted

JAMIE PHAM

LOS ANGELES ZOO COMMISSION Karen B. Winnick, President Bernardo Silva, Vice President Margot Armbruster Christopher Hopkins Daryl Smith Richard Lichtenstein, Ex-Officio Member

SPRING 2020 VOLUME LIV // NUMBER 1

RYEL KEN CASTILLO

MAYOR OF LOS ANGELES Eric Garcetti

contents

CENSUS

17 ZO O V I E W

GLAZA OFFICERS Beth Price, Chair Brian Diamond, Vice Chair Laura Z. Wasserman, Vice Chair Phyllis Kupferstein, Secretary Gregory D. Fuss, Treasurer Tom Jacobson, GLAZA President

THE QUARTERLY MAGAZINE OF THE GREATER LOS ANGELES ZOO ASSOCIATION

Photo by JAMIE PHAM

EDITOR Brenda Scott Royce ASSOCIATE EDITOR Sandy Masuo EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Kait Hilliard, Tom Jacobson, Dan Keeffe, Dr. Jake Owens, Beth Schaefer, Eugenia Vasels, Denise M. Verret

ZOO PHOTOGRAPHER Tad Motoyama PHOTO EDITOR & PHOTOGRAPHER Jamie Pham

TRUSTEES EMERITI Willard Z. Carr, Jr., Lloyd Levitin, Mrs. John F. Maher, Shelby Kaplan Sloan, Thomas R. Tellefsen, Polly Turpin

DESIGN & PRODUCTION Lisa Brink, The Brink Creative

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F E AT U R E S

10 WILD CHILD Meet Angela, the newest member of the

ROAD TO RECOVERY BY THE NUMBERS

Los Angeles Zoo gorilla family.

AUSSIE ASSISTANCE

Teaching is a two-way street for gorillas and their keepers.

PARKLINE DEBUT

ZOO-M IN

PRECIOUS MOMENTS

Gorilla keeper Tania reflects on the baby’s first days.

ANGELIC APE

An animal lover’s legacy lives on.

Members’ photo gallery

8 PROFILE: DOUBLE-WATTLED CASSOWARY 2 3 News MEMBERSHIP MATTERS and updates for GLAZA members DONOR SPOTLIGHT

1 4 15 16 17

DEPARTMENTS

BUILDING BONDS

GAYLE GARNER ROSKI

SAVING WILD GORILLAS

How the Zoo helps gorillas in the wild.

LET’S ZOO SCIENCE

A scientific study carried out at the Los Angeles Zoo shows that yawning is con tagious in chimps—just as it is in people.

COUNTING CRITTERS

With the 2020 U.S. Census underway, we decided to check in with the Los Angeles Zoo’s Registrar—or official record keeper.

PRINTING LithoGraphix

ZOO BRIEFS

PROOFREADERS Laura Parada, Lynne Richter

19 S P R I N G 2020

ON THE COVER Big news in a tiny package: Baby Angela was the first gorilla born at the Los Angeles Zoo in more than 20 years. Photo by JAMIE PHAM

SP R I N G 2020

LORI CONLEY

Stand Up and Be Counted

JAMIE PHAM

LOS ANGELES ZOO COMMISSION Karen B. Winnick, President Bernardo Silva, Vice President Margot Armbruster Christopher Hopkins Daryl Smith Richard Lichtenstein, Ex-Officio Member

SPRING 2020 VOLUME LIV // NUMBER 1

RYEL KEN CASTILLO

MAYOR OF LOS ANGELES Eric Garcetti

contents

CENSUS

17 ZO O V I E W

JAMIE PHAM

TAD MOTOYAMA

JAMIE PHAM

briefs

Road to Recovery

n January, Director of Animal Programs Beth Schaefer, Curator of Mammals Alisa Behar, and Director of Conservation Jake Owens traveled to Baja California Sur, Mexico, for a workshop of El Programa de Recuperción del Berrendo Peninsular (PRBP). The workshop brought together stakeholders from the U.S. and Mexico, from conservationists to local cattle farmers, to develop the first comprehensive, long-term plan to recover berrendo (also known as peninsular pronghorn) in Baja and California. The berrendo is the most endangered of the four pronghorn subspecies. Human impacts have resulted in a drastic decline in the wild population, which dropped as low as 26 individuals in recent decades. As a founding member of the species’ recovery project, the L.A. Zoo not only launched the U.S. breeding program but has also provided key funding and field assistance since 2000. “We left the meeting energized, ready to enhance the actions being taken to save this unique subspecies,” says Owens. “There is considerable work to be done, and numerous ways we will be able to aid the PRBP. The Zoo and our partners are on a path to not only stop this species from going extinct, but to enable it to flourish within its historic range.”

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HISTORIC POPULATION LOW

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BERRENDO BY THE NUMBERS CRITICALLY ENDANGERED

LESS THAN 450 WORLDWIDE

FAWNS BORN AT LOS ANGELES ZOO SP R I N G 2020

Aussie Assistance

ustralian wildlife experts estimate that at least one billion animals have been lost to the devastating bushfires that raged across the continent for several months, burning more than 27 million acres as of February 2020. The fires are now contained, but the conservation impacts of this crisis will be substantial and long-term. To help support rescue and recovery efforts, the Los Angeles Zoo launched its Australian Bushfire Relief Fund, collecting donations online and at food and retail concessions throughout the Zoo. GLAZA donors Erika Aronson and Adam Stern additionally pledged to contribute $1 for every person who visited the Zoo on January 26, a balmy Sunday that drew more than 7,200 guests. These combined efforts have raised $23,340 and counting! TO DONATE, VISIT www.lazoo.org/australiawildlife

LET’S BE SOCIAL! FOLLOW us @LAZoo on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TheLosAngelesZoo on YouTube SHARE your memories and photos on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook using #LAZoo

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PARKLINE DEBUT GOOD NEWS FOR ZOO GUESTS: You no longer need a car to travel throughout Griffith Park on weekends. A free shuttle service, the Griffith Parkline, launched in December 2019. The Parkline transports passengers to more than a dozen destinations within Griffith Park, including the L.A. Zoo, the Griffith Observatory, Greek Theater, Travel Town, Mt. Hollywood, the train and pony rides, and the ranger station. The shuttle system aims to expand access to all Griffith Park has to offer, while also alleviating parking and congestion in the area. “This addition to Griffith Park now gives our community the opportunity to easily access some of L.A.’s most historic treasures,” said Denise M. Verret, CEO & Zoo Director of the L.A. Zoo. “Our guests look to the Zoo for a unique connection to wildlife while enjoying the natural beauty of the park, so we are committed to supporting sustainable alternatives that protect and preserve the environment.” The green-and-white buses are equipped with bike racks and are ADA accessible. The Parkline runs from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, with buses running 15 to 20 minutes apart.

TO LEARN MORE, VISIT www.laparks.org/griffithpark/planyourtrip

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JAMIE PHAM

TAD MOTOYAMA

JAMIE PHAM

briefs

Road to Recovery

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HISTORIC POPULATION LOW

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BERRENDO BY THE NUMBERS CRITICALLY ENDANGERED

LESS THAN 450 WORLDWIDE

FAWNS BORN AT LOS ANGELES ZOO SP R I N G 2020

Aussie Assistance

LET’S BE SOCIAL! FOLLOW us @LAZoo on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TheLosAngelesZoo on YouTube SHARE your memories and photos on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook using #LAZoo

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TO LEARN MORE, VISIT www.laparks.org/griffithpark/planyourtrip

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MEMBER PHOTO GALLERY

SUB MIT YOUR PHOTOS To be considered for inclusion in future installments of Zoo-m In, submit your best images taken at the L.A. Zoo. No more than two images per member per month, please. Include your name in the file name for each photograph (e.g., Giraffe-John Smith). Do not send images that include people unless you will be able to provide a signed release from all parties pictured in the event your photo is selected for publication.

ZOO-M IN

Setting the Stage I like to simplify my portraits so that the animals take center stage, free from distracting elements, allowing the viewer to make a deeper connection. Always keep in mind that the background is equally as important as your main subject. Sometimes, simply shifting your shooting position a few feet left or right can help a composition greatly. Another strategy is to select a pleasing background with great lighting and wait for your subject to (hopefully) pose in that location. — JAMIE PHAM, GLAZA

SUBMIT BY EMAIL photos@lazoo.org

Photographer & Photo Editor LEFT PAGE A parent’s pattern forms a frame for Setchan, a female Masai giraffe born at the Zoo in October. Photo by: JAMIE PHAM RIGHT PAGE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Caiman lizard by MICHAEL ELLIOTT, superb starling by ARTHUR BOHLMANN, Chilean flamingo by DEBORA SUTERKO, Sumatran tiger by SANDY DAVIS, white-faced saki by GARY EARL, black bear by CARL RICHARDS

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MEMBER PHOTO GALLERY

ZOO-M IN

SUBMIT BY EMAIL photos@lazoo.org

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PROFILE

Double-Wattled Cassowary Big and Bashful

by DIANE TUCHMAYER

hough the cassowary is reputed to be the this cassowary species (one of three) its name. world’s most dangerous bird (due to the The function of the birds’ casque—the large, pointed helmet lethal damage it can inflict with its central on top of its head—is up for debate. Czupryna speculates that it dagger-like claw), it is not an aggressive may be used to lure mates, help them plow through dense rainanimal. “Hearing about forest, and perhaps even assist the birds in the dangerous nature of regulating their internal temperature. These cassowaries can lead to a spongy, keratin-covered structures grow SPECIES misunderstanding of these larger with age. SPECIFICS birds,” says Animal Keeper Leah Czupryna, Cassowaries can defend themselves from who cares for the Los Angeles Zoo’s pair. predators by jumping about six feet into the “Cassowaries are territorial. Most attacks in air while striking out with their feet. Their the wild occur because they feel threatened— powerful legs enable them to run up to 30 most likely because an animal or person has miles per hour. When threatened, they may wandered into their space.” hiss, whistle, and rattle or raise their quills. The world’s second heaviest bird after the They also produce booming sounds from deep ostrich, cassowaries lead solitary lives in the within their chests. rainforests of northern Australia and New Slim, a long-time L.A. Zoo resident, is still Guinea. Evolving from flighted ancestors, these warming up to Max, who arrived last April. shy birds traded the ability to fly for their It is hoped that the two will eventually mate imposing size. Females are larger than males. and produce offspring. At present, the two are The Zoo’s female cassowary, 24-year-old Slim, separated by a gate in their spacious enclostands about five and a half feet tall and weighs sure. While Slim enjoys lounging in her pool approximately 130 pounds. Max, her ten-yearfor long periods on hot days, Max has so far old male counterpart, is a foot shorter and tips avoided his water feature. As he grows more the scales at a mere 110 pounds. confident, he is spending more time exploring. Both flaunt cobalt blue and purple heads, glossy black bodies The two birds also differ in their favorite foods. While they are covered with two-quilled feathers, and two long, bright red watmainly fed fruits and vegetables, Slim loves mice while Max ignores tles dangling from their throats. The latter feature is what gives that tidbit. Both enjoy grapes, bananas, and bugs.

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FLIGHTLESS EXCELLENT RUNNER MALES INCUBATE EGGS SHY AND SOLITARY FRUIT EATER

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PROFILE

Double-Wattled Cassowary Big and Bashful

by DIANE TUCHMAYER

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FLIGHTLESS EXCELLENT RUNNER MALES INCUBATE EGGS SHY AND SOLITARY FRUIT EATER

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HEAD TURNER Slim is a sight to behold, from the casque atop her brilliant blue head to her reptilian feet with their dagger-like central claws. Scientists suspect the cassowary’s “wattles” (brilliantly colored folds of skin hanging from the bird’s neck) may communicate mood and social cues. Photo by JAMIE PHAM

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wild

by BRENDA SCOTT ROYCE

child

JAMIE PHAM

Meet ANGELA, the newest member of the Los Angeles Zoo gorilla family.

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wild

by BRENDA SCOTT ROYCE

child

JAMIE PHAM

Meet ANGELA, the newest member of the Los Angeles Zoo gorilla family.

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S P R I N G 2020

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JAMIE PHAM

“Awwww, sweet!” ampo Gorilla Reserve is Squeal Central, a chorus of “oohs,” “ahs,” and “wows” rising whenever new mom N’djia strolls into view, her days-old infant tucked against her chest. With each step, she is shadowed by silverback Kelly—the baby’s father, who takes a protective stance a few feet away when she stops to rest. Schoolkids jockey for position in front of the glass divider, as photographers with extralong lenses stake out positions off to either side, and the main viewing area fills nearly to capacity. A member of the Zoo’s Learning and Engagement team, her own tones hushed, reminds guests to speak softly so as not to startle the baby. It’s a refrain she’ll repeat all morning as crowds at the gorilla habitat ebb and flow. The first gorilla born at the Los Angeles Zoo in more than two decades, this baby is big news in a tiny package—and people have been streaming in to see her ever since her January 18th birth was announced.

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JAMIE PHAM

K E E P E R C H AT Twenty-five-year-old N’djia spent her first day as a mother bonding with her newborn behind the scenes. Since then she has shifted on- and off-exhibit as she chooses, spending more and more time outdoors as her comfort level increases. More squeals erupt now as N’djia shifts position, giving guests a better view of the baby whose head she gently cups in one palm. Moments later, N’djia straightens and strolls out of view, proud papa Kelly trailing a few paces behind. Onlookers sigh and smile; some move on to explore the rest of the Zoo while others settle in to wait for another glimpse of the baby.

FAMILY PLANNING

A gorilla’s gestation period is about eight and a half months— similar to a human’s—but the story of this particular bundle of joy dates back much further. It was the result of years of planning and premeditation, beginning with construction of the gorilla habitat itself. Completed in 2008, Campo Gorilla Reserve was designed with growth in mind. “The exhibit’s holding area was built to be flexible enough to accommodate breeding and expansion of the population,”

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says Curator of Mammals Candace Sclimenti. “That was part of the design—and our hope for the future.” Western lowland gorillas are critically endangered, and one of many species for which the Zoo participates in a Species Survival Plan (SSP). Managed by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), SSPs cooperatively manage zoo animals in order to ensure sustainable, genetically diverse populations. Often compared to computerdating services, SSPs recommend transfers that offer the best possible chance for successful pairings. In making these matchmaking decisions, SSP managers not only consider genetics, but also space, staffing, resources, and the personalities of the individual animals. “We were thrilled when the Gorilla SSP—looking at the Los Angeles Zoo and our history with gorillas and our conservation of the species—selected N’djia to

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Building Bonds "We have a gorilla baby!" I exclaimed in a whisper, my hands in the air. This was my reaction moments after I realized N’djia had given birth and was holding her newborn. It was surreal. It was hard to believe that this tiny life—which we had been hoping and waiting for, for so long—was finally here! I am extremely grateful that my fellow great ape keeper Tania and I were both there to share a few quiet moments with N'djia, her baby, and the rest of the gorillas before the birth was announced to the world. The animals we work with become part of our family, so to have these special moments with them is an extraordinary thing. The maternal training I did with N’djia during her pregnancy was a fantastic learning experience. I've trained a number of behaviors but have never had an animal dislike something and resist it as much as N'djia did the ultrasound gel! What I thought was going to be a challenging but straightforward behavior to teach turned into a labor of love and patience. It prompted us to come up with new and creative ways to help her become more receptive to the gel. Throughout the process, I developed a strong bond with N’djia, earning a trust from her that was not there before since she was still a new addition to our gorilla family. Trust is such an important aspect of the relationship with the animals in our care. It allows us to more easily persuade them to voluntarily participate in health checks and other husbandry behaviors. I am sometimes surprised by—but always very grateful for—what the animals end up teaching me! — LEIGH ANN FLETCHER, Great Ape Keeper ZO O V I E W

JAMIE PHAM

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JAMIE PHAM

FAMILY PLANNING

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Precious Moments

come here and be paired with Kelly,” says Sclimenti. “As part of a social group at the San Diego Zoo, N’djia had been around other moms and infants, and had witnessed proper maternal care.” N’djia arrived in May 2018 and was soon integrated into the family group, which includes two other females, Rapunzel and Evelyn. Kelly took an immediate interest in the newcomer, and in November 2019 the Zoo announced N’djia’s pregnancy.

When we found out that N’djia was pregnant, we were ecstatic. The planning and preparation was one thing, but nothing prepared me for the day when I came into work to find a newborn gorilla. It began as a normal Saturday. I came inside the building and began my usual morning check, saying good morning to all the gorillas. Then something caught my eye. The waiting game was over! That first sight of N’djia cradling and staring lovingly at her newborn will be forever etched into my memory. My emotions were instantly overloaded as I watched N’djia, a loving mother already, so proud of her newborn, surrounded by her supportive troop members. This is Kelly’s third offspring, and his parental duties kicked right back in. He kept a watchful eye over his family. In those early moments I had the pleasure of observing Kelly bond with his brand-new baby. N’djia was laying on her back with the baby on her chest. Kelly approached with caution, then he gently put his lips on the baby’s head, giving it a little kiss. I still get goosebumps thinking about it. Rapunzel and Evelyn, both experienced mothers, are being very supportive. Rapunzel takes her auntie duties seriously, while Evelyn is acting like a respectful grandmother, giving N’djia the right of way. The family’s bond was already strong before this new arrival but watching them grow stronger every day makes all the hard work and dedication to their care worth it. I am blessed and extremely lucky to be part of this little miracle. It has been a privilege to share this newborn’s journey with the rest of the world. — TANIA PREBBLE, Great Ape Keeper

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JAMIE PHAM

PARENTING 101

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As her pregnancy progressed, N’djia received positive reinforcement training in behaviors designed to enhance her prenatal care. Given N’djia’s background, Zoo staff was optimistic she’d take to parenting naturally. “That said, we do want to be prepared,” Sclimenti adds. “Parenting behavior isn’t innate among primates, it is learned. With a first-time mom, you don’t really know how she will react. Will she take to the infant, will she not? Will she know how to hold and nurse the baby? Will the baby be able to nurse?” Using a stuffed gorilla as a stand-in, keepers trained N’djia to retrieve the “baby” and bring it to the mesh. “If she were to set the baby down and it cried and she didn’t immediately retrieve it, that’s where the maternal training would come in,” explains Sclimenti. Keepers also desensitized N’djia to a baby bottle, so that if they needed to bottle-feed the baby, the bottle would be a familiar object. Contingency plans were made in the event of complications. An incubator was set up in the gorilla building, and staff discussed how they’d deal with a range of potential issues. Keepers also coached N’djia to press her abdomen against the exhibit mesh so that they could perform ultrasounds. N’djia was a great student who enjoyed the interaction with her keepers and the treats she received as encouragement. But she was not a fan of the ultrasound gel! “Even when we warmed it up, she just didn’t like it,” says Sclimenti. How do you get a gorilla to sit still for an ultrasound when she’s just not in the

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mood? You don’t, according to Sclimenti. “The gorillas always have free choice, so it depended upon her willingness to participate on any given day. We did several ultrasounds where she just wouldn’t hold still long enough for us to get the wand in a good position.” Persistence paid off, and enough scans were performed to show that the baby was developing normally. As the big day grew closer, veterinarians visited the gorilla building with increasing frequency, while night keepers peeked in after hours. “We have camera systems set up in the gorilla building,” says Sclimenti, “so the night keeper would look at the monitors without having to disrupt the gorillas while they were sleeping.”

BIRTH DAY

Most zoo births happen as they would in the wild … naturally. Staff don’t intervene in delivery unless the health of the mother or infant is compromised. It’s fairly typical for zoo gorillas to give birth during the night, and N’djia followed suit. When keepers Leigh Ann Fletcher and Tania Prebble reported for duty on the morning of January 18, they were delighted to find N’djia cuddling her already clean and dry newborn. “All indicators are that the baby is strong and healthy,” Sclimenti said soon after the birth, pointing to the newborn’s bright eyes, loud cries, and strong grip as positive signs. “The baby started nursing pretty soon on that first day, which was exciting because that’s a very important milestone that you want to see.” N’djia has been a model mother from the start. “Day one, she was cradling the baby perfectly, had her in the proper position for nursing. She’s attentive, and her behavior has been absolutely spot on. She’s a superstar.” The rest of the troop also score high marks for appropriate behavior, showing interest in the baby but also respecting N’djia’s space. As the baby grows, Rapunzel and Evelyn will likely become more hands-on, playing the role of “aunties” typical in gorilla society. Dad Kelly has already proven his parenting prowess. Readers may remember his loving and playful relationship with

JAMIE PHAM

K E E P E R C H AT

ANGELIC APE A special gorilla needs a special name. Fortunately, when N’djia’s long-awaited baby was born, the perfect name was already waiting in the wings. A devoted animal lover, Angela Collier passed away in 1997 at age 36. The foundation she established to support animal welfare lives on today. The Angela Collier Foundation supports numerous animalrelated organizations in California. Previous gifts to the Zoo helped fund construction of Campo Gorilla Reserve, the Angela Collier World of Birds Theater, and the future Angela Colliers Gardens. “We have long hoped for the birth of a female gorilla so that we could name her in honor of our daughter, Angela, who spent her short life believing that the most important contribution she could make to the world was for the welfare of animals,” says Basil Collier. “Naming the baby after Angela is a confirmation of the fine work of the Los Angeles Zoo in saving animals from extinction.” Funds from the Animal Naming Program support the Zoo’s breeding programs and conservation projects around the world. The generous contribution of the Angela Collier Foundation will help fund this important work while also paying tribute to her memory.

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PARENTING 101

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BIRTH DAY

JAMIE PHAM

ANGELIC APE A special gorilla needs a special name. Fortunately, when N’djia’s long-awaited baby was born, the perfect name was already waiting in the wings. A devoted animal lover, Angela Collier passed away in 1997 at age 36. The foundation she established to support animal welfare lives on today. The Angela Collier Foundation supports numerous animalrelated organizations in California. Previous gifts to the Zoo helped fund construction of Campo Gorilla Reserve, the Angela Collier World of Birds Theater, and the future Angela Collier Gardens. “We have long hoped for the birth of a female gorilla so that we could name her in honor of our daughter, Angela, who spent her short life believing that the most important contribution she could make to the world was for the welfare of animals,” says Basil Collier. “Naming the baby after Angela is a confirmation of the fine work of the Los Angeles Zoo in saving animals from extinction.” Funds from the Animal Naming Program support the Zoo’s breeding programs and conservation projects around the world. The generous contribution of the Angela Collier Foundation will help fund this important work while also paying tribute to her memory.

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let's

MADAME AMBASSADOR

The birth of N’djia’s baby is not only a triumph of cuteness, it’s also a big win for conservation. “These animals are critically endangered in the wild, so having an insurance population in zoos is extremely important,” says Beth Schaefer, the Zoo’s Director of Animal Programs. Maintaining healthy, genetically diverse populations in zoos will enable us to ensure their survival in the event of a population crash in the wild. It also shines a spotlight on a species in desperate need of our attention, Sclimenti adds. “Every birth is special, no matter the species. But if this baby gets people to slow down and spend a little extra time with the gorillas—watch their behavior, see how they socialize— hopefully it will spark their passion and focus some energy on what really is a desperate cause. If a birth like this, in such a majestic and dynamic species, can prompt us to take action—whether it’s a simple matter of being smart consumers and knowing how our choices affect wild gorilla habitat—that’s really exciting.” Serving as an ambassador for the welfare of wild gorillas is a big job, but someone’s gotta do it. And if the googly-eyed reactions she’s garnering from L.A. Zoo guests, members, and online fans is any indication, this little charmer is up to the challenge.

BABY BONUS The Zoo shared the journey of this historic gorilla birth through videos and social media with the hashtag #LAZooGorillaBaby. Follow along @lazoo on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and TheLosAngelesZoo on YouTube.

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SAVING WILD GORILLAS

SCIENCE

by BETH SCHAEFER, Director of Animal Programs

orillas are threatened throughout their range by illegal hunting, habitat degradation, and diseases such as the Ebola virus. The Los Angeles Zoo participates in their conservation in many ways, including through conservation grants and bootson-the-ground field work. Or both, in the case of the Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Center (GRACE), a sanctuary for rescued Grauer’s gorillas in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In my role as Co-Chair of GRACE’s Animal Welfare Advisory Group, I’ve made several trips to the region to assist with staff training and consult on animal management issues. Funding from the Zoo has helped to fund vaccinations, veterinary care, education programs, and sanctuary operations. It has been 10 years since the first gorillas arrived at GRACE in 2010. The gorilla family has grown from six young orphans to a group of 14, ranging in age from 8 to 18. The staff

at GRACE is made up completely of Congolese from the surrounding villages. They have grown into a group of animal care experts whose knowledge is sought after by other ape sanctuaries throughout the DRC. In the fall of 2019, GRACE became the first gorilla sanctuary on the continent of Africa to be certified by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS)—quite a feat in a region that has a high level of civil unrest and has also been hit with Ebola. The Los Angeles Zoo is currently demonstrating its commitment to wild gorillas in a unique way. We are testing anklets that may someday be used to track gorillas that are translocated back to the wild. The anklets will ultimately hold GPS tracking devices, allowing researchers to track the movements of wild gorillas through the forest. The gorillas here at the Zoo will test anklets of materials like leather and carbon fiber for strength and durability. This testing will help ensure that wild gorillas will always exist in their historic ranges in the DRC.

CELL PHONE RECYCLING

LORI CONLEY

daughter Glenda, who lived here from 2007 to 2014. After a first day of behind-thescenes bonding, N’djia began bringing the baby out for ever-increasing stints of sunshine in the enclosure. Since gorilla babies cling tightly to their mothers’ chests, a few weeks passed before keepers could confirm the baby’s gender and announce to the world, “It’s a girl!”

YAWN, YAWN, PASS IT ON A scientific study carried out at the Los Angeles Zoo shows that yawning is contagious in chimps— just as it is in people. by CARL MYERS, L.A. Zoo Public Relations Specialist

Whether they’re old, locked, broken, or bedazzled, we want your old cell phones. Deposit them in the green bin the Zoo’s Entry Plaza, or send them directly to our recycling partner ECO-CELL (eco-cell.com). Each contribution directly benefits conservation programs and reduces the need for mining in the Congo, where the activity has wreaked havoc on gorillas and other animals that share their embattled habitat. Keeping electronic devices from landfills also reduces greenhouse gas emissions, the main driver of global climate change.

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Between September 2015 and September 2017, the Los Angeles Zoo was host to groundbreaking observational research of yawning patterns in chimpanzees. The nearly 170-hour observational study was facilitated by Dr. Cathleen Cox, director of research at

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the L.A. Zoo, and carried out by Dr. Matthew Campbell, assistant professor of psychology at California State University – Channel Islands. This foundational research—published in September 2019 in the journal Scientific Reports—revealed that yawning

is contagious in the normal, daily life of a chimpanzee. If you’ve ever watched someone yawn and found yourself suddenly yawning too, this finding may not surprise you. After all, chimps are our closest nonhuman relations, and many of their

behaviors mirror ours. But this research furthers our understanding of the social behavior of these primates in important ways. The fact that a chimpanzee is more likely to yawn when sensing another yawning is an indicator of empathy between the animals.

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MADAME AMBASSADOR

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SAVING WILD GORILLAS

SCIENCE

by BETH SCHAEFER, Director of Animal Programs

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LORI CONLEY

YAWN, YAWN, PASS IT ON A scientific study carried out at the Los Angeles Zoo shows that yawning is contagious in chimps— just as it is in people. by CARL MYERS, L.A. Zoo Public Relations Specialist

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“Confirming that contagious yawning is a natural phenomenon will be a big help to future researchers,” said Dr. Campbell, who adds that the study built on previous research. “The main issue we were trying to verify was whether contagious yawning existed in the normal, social world of chimpanzees. Our results not only support the previous experimental studies, they also lay a foundation for future research on wild animal behavior versus zoo animal behavior.” The researchers hope that this pivotal study will spur continued examination of this social behavior. The methodology can also be applied to other species. By observing which animal yawns at a given time, and which animal could have seen or heard the yawn, researchers can test for yawn contagion without using experimental methods. These types of observations can shed light on the evolution of contagious expressions—and the socioecological factors that may have shaped this behavior. Zoological facilities like the L.A. Zoo provide critically important opportunities to carry out studies that would not be possible in the wild. “The L.A. Zoo is a wonderful place to conduct research,” says Dr. Cox. “The questions that can be answered here are endless, and we encourage observational studies such as Dr. Campbell’s. The Zoo is particularly rich for those interested in questions involving social relationships. We know the genetic relationship between individuals as well as which individuals have the opportunity to interact while developing; observers can quantify behaviors between mature individuals and explore the contributions of these factors to sociality.”

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COUNTING CRITTERS by KAREN POLY With the 2020 U.S. Census underway, we decided to check in with the Los Angeles Zoo’s Registrar—or official record RESEARCH AT T H E Z O O

keeper—whose job includes keeping careful track of all the

More researchers are encouraged to use locations like the Zoo to examine behavioral and social interactions between animals. Skilled observers are invited to become research volunteers at the L.A. Zoo, while newcomers with an interest in learning more about observational research can take Dr. Cox’s UCLA Extension course, “Observing Animals: Behavioral Studies in Zoos,” which is taught on Zoo grounds each fall. For class dates and information, visit lazoo.org/education/adulteducation Photos by LORI CONLEY

Zoo’s creatures, large and small.

Los Angeles Zoo Registrar

Karen Poly started her journey as a student volunteer. Eventually, she took the Animal Keeper Training Course and was hired as an animal keeper in 1983. She became registrar in 2016.

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hen the first zoos were established in North America in the 1870s, few institutions kept track of the animals in their care. Records were limited to basic information such as when the animals came in and from whom (sometimes), when they went out and to where (possibly), when they died and from what (occasionally), and when they were born and to whom (maybe). You get the picture. When they existed, written records were kept in the form of logbooks and keeper journals, index and punch cards, and even the occasional note on a paper towel—but details were lacking. Animals were often not individually identified, which led to inaccuracies. For example: Keeper A places Jane, a little brown deer, in with a herd of other little brown deer, and they all start having little brown deer babies. All the while, Keeper A swears that he remembers which little brown deer is Jane. Years pass, keepers come and go, and Jane’s identity gets confused with other little brown deer. In the end, you find yourself with a purported 50-year-old little brown deer when the normal lifespan for the species is only 12 years. Why? Because proper records were

not being kept. The original Jane actually died years earlier, and the offspring that supposedly belonged to Jane actually belonged to another deer, Susie. Hence the importance of properly maintained records and the person who maintains them: the zoo registrar. Proper records maintain detailed data about animals so that information remains consistent for individuals, populations, and species. The data are used in species management programs such as Species Survival Plans, Population Management Plans, Taxon Advisory Groups, and studbooks. In fact, accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) requires a record keeper. Right up front in the ginormous manual of AZA standards is Section 1, Paragraph 4: “The institution must show evidence of having a zoological records management system for managing animal records, veterinary records, and other relevant information.” The L.A. Zoo must adhere not only to strict AZA regulations, but also abide by laws set forth by governmental agencies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA). Each entity requires detailed annual reporting before issuing the various permits and licenses necessary to maintain operations. Registrars are also responsible

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COUNTING CRITTERS by KAREN POLY With the 2020 U.S. Census underway, we decided to check in with the Los Angeles Zoo’s Registrar—or official record RESEARCH AT T H E Z O O

keeper—whose job includes keeping careful track of all the

Zoo’s creatures, large and small.

Los Angeles Zoo Registrar

Karen Poly started her journey as a student volunteer. Eventually, she took the Animal Keeper Training Course and was hired as an animal keeper in 1983. She became registrar in 2016.

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veterinary staff to make decisions about husbandry, medicine, reproduction, and socialization. Computer-based programs like ZIMS are now the norm and allow for standardized formatting and greater ease in sharing information. It is used to produce various reports that can be shared with the international zoological community, government agencies, and the public. As an animal keeper, I was fortunate to be part of the first few years of the California Condor Recovery Program. Past experience had demonstrated that animals hand-raised have a certain disregard for humans that can be hazardous because they associate humans with food. Because these birds were hatched for release to the wild, we needed to prevent them from being conditioned to humans. So we fed the chicks with condor hand puppets through one-way glass and adjusted how they were managed as adults, all to prevent them from connecting humans with food. Our efforts were heavily documented, so after we released the first birds into the wild, we could determine if what we were doing was in fact working. Adjustments were made and documented each year, and each year we got better at it until the world’s population of California condors soared from 22 birds to more than 500. The L.A. Zoo also manages a successful breeding and release program for the local southern mountain yellow-legged frog. Kept in an isolated, bio-secure facility, water temperatures and light cycles are monitored and adjusted throughout the year to mimic conditions in the wild and to encourage breeding. How did we know this would work? Because we learned from information documented during prior attempts. For conservation projects to thrive, we must become detectives of sorts. We sift through the data from the past and formulate a plan for the future. This carefully recorded and globally shared information can help develop protocols for similar programs while promoting optimal husbandry standards for animals in human care everywhere. And that’s what really counts.

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JAMIE PHAM

U.S. Census data not only determines our representation in Congress, but also how much federal funding is spent each year on schools, healthcare, and other vital programs in our communities. Make sure that you’re counted.

for maintaining animal transfer agreements and other legal documentation. Additionally, the Zoo participates in global scientific research. Thanks to detailed record keeping, scientists can analyze data from zoos around the world and publish their findings. An animal’s life history includes common and scientific names, birth date and location, ownership and transfer history, parentage, rearing type, diet information, behavior patterns, medical history, physical condition, exhibit and shelter types, social and reproductive history, training methods and behaviors, and favored enrichment items. When we transfer an animal to another institution, this life history is shared with the new institution in order to ensure the best transition for that animal. Not only does this provide information for the animal’s future care, it also yields meaningful archival material. But for this to happen, data needs to not only be collected, compiled, reported, and analyzed—it needs to be shared in a consistent manner. How does this happen? The L.A. Zoo uses the Zoological Information Management System or ZIMS, a global database of current and historical animal collections. Every day, animal keepers submit a Keeper Daily Report into ZIMS. Data collected may include births, acquisitions, transfers, and deaths, as well as enclosure moves, gender, weights and lengths, and animal identifiers such as ear notches, wing tags, and leg bands. Developmental milestones are also noted: eyes open, fledging, first teeth, emergence from pouch, transformation of amphibians, and so on. Animal keepers also report details on positive reinforcement training, responses to enrichment strategies, and husbandry-related observations such as reproductive activity, medical or physical condition, parental care, and changes in diet, behavior, or environment. There’s even a separate module to document environmental details such as water quality and temperature. All this info is entered and stored in ZIMS for review by animal managers and

COURTESY OF GAYLE GARNER ROSKI

DONOR SPOTLIGHT

A Gift from the Heart by BRENDA SCOTT ROYCE AMONG THE ITEMS UP FOR AUCTION AT THIS YEAR’S BEASTLY BALL IS A PRINT OF A VERY SPECIAL PAINTING. The whimsical watercolor by Gayle Garner Roski depicts iconic L.A. Zoo structures and

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a few dozen of its beloved residents. Condors soar, zebras graze, jaguars prowl, and elephants splash in a vertical panorama also populated by people of all ages enjoying a day at the Zoo.

“Every painting I’ve done has a story,” says Roski, a Los Angeles native who has been visiting the L.A. Zoo for as long as she can remember. “And this one is about being in the Zoo so many times, painting the animals.”

An abiding love for animals and unquenchable thirst for adventure have led Roski to travel the globe. Whether climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro or communing with mountain gorillas in Africa, she is seldom without her

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JAMIE PHAM

COURTESY OF GAYLE GARNER ROSKI

DONOR SPOTLIGHT

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a few dozen of its beloved residents. Condors soar, zebras graze, jaguars prowl, and elephants splash in a vertical panorama also populated by people of all ages enjoying a day at the Zoo.

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DONOR SPOTLIGHT

You Are Heroes.

ONE OF L.A. MOST HIGHLY ANTICIPATED FUNDRAISING EVENTS EACH YEAR, THE BEASTLY BALL brings together celebrities, industry experts, city officials, and Zoo supporters for a wild night of food, fun, and fundraising in support of the Zoo’s conservation and education mission. This year’s event will honor Dr. Barbara Natterson-Horowitz and Kathryn Bowers, coauthors of Zoobiquity and Wildhood, for their groundbreaking work illuminating the parallels between animal and human health and development. Chris and Martin Kratt (known as the Kratt Brothers), the wildly popular hosts of Zoboomafoo and other educational nature shows, will receive the 2020 Tom Mankiewicz Leadership Award.

We always knew our members were special. Your ongoing support and commitment to the Zoo’s mission has enabled countless achievements in animal care and conservation. That support has never been more keenly felt than in the days since we decided to temporarily close the Zoo to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Almost immediately after this difficult decision was announced on March 13, we began to hear from you—an outpouring of care and concern that truly touched our hearts. At a time when our global community is facing unprecedented challenges, we are grateful beyond words for your understanding and compassion.

The Beastly Ball has been postponed due to public health concerns related to the coronavirus (covid-19). For updates, please visit www.lazoo.org/beastlyball.

As of this writing, the Zoo remains closed to the public, but rest assured that our animals continue to receive exemplary care from their dedicated caretakers. Our animal health experts remain in communication with public health officials and local and global veterinary networks to monitor developments. Thanks to you, while our gates are closed, our work continues. Members have always played a vital role in the life of the Zoo. You are our greatest advocates—our voice beyond the Zoo—sharing our conservation message within and beyond your communities. Your membership supports daily operations, providing funds for animal diets, veterinary care, enrichment, and much more. It also enables our conservation initiatives and scientific research that benefits not only the animals at our zoo but also their counterparts in increasingly fragile wild habitats. JAMIE PHAM

COURTESY OF KATHRYN BOWERS

sketchbook. “Everywhere I go in the world, I paint plein air,” she says. Back home, she gets her wild animal fix by painting the animals at the Zoo. The size of this particular piece — 23.5" x 40.5" — made plein-air painting impractical, says Roski. “So I walked around the Zoo and took a lot of photographs, then I came back home and did it in my studio.” The piece is part of a series entitled The Gift of Los Angeles, a collection of more than 40 paintings of local landmarks, which she plans to soon publish in book form. “Gayle has created an extraordinary and wide-ranging watercolor series celebrating iconic Los Angeles sites and cultural institutions,” says GLAZA President Tom Jacobson. “It’s an honor for the Los Angeles Zoo to be featured in this series, and I’m deeply moved by Gayle’s thoughtful and well-researched depiction of the animals Angelenos can meet at our Zoo. Her love for Los Angeles shines in every painting.” “I love when the Los Angeles Zoo can inspire art that supports our effort to save animals from extinction,” said Denise Verret, CEO and Zoo Director of the Los Angeles Zoo. “Gayle Garner Roski has a true talent for beautifully illustrating the world around her, and we are honored to be one of the iconic Los Angeles locations she features in this series, The Gift of Los Angeles.” Roski says the Zoo itself is a gift to the people of Los Angeles—“and we’re very fortunate to have it!” She and her husband, real estate developer Ed Roski, have contributed to the Zoo and its conservation and education initiatives since the mid-1980s. The artist has gifted a rare print of her Zoo painting to this year’s Beastly Ball so that its sale will raise funds to support the animals she loves—many of which are threatened in the wild. “Things have changed in the world,” she says simply. “That’s why we need a zoo.”

EVENT UPDATE

IMPORTANT UPDATES FOR GLAZA MEMBERS

Now, more than ever, your membership matters. And we thank you.

Tom Jacobson PRESIDENT, GREATER LOS ANGELES ZOO ASSOCIATION

COURTESY OF KRATT BROTHERS COMPANY LTD.

arts at the University of Southern California. Her “Gift of Los Angeles” series is currently on display at the USC Caruso Catholic Center. Learn more about the artist at www.gaylegarnerroski.com.

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JAMIE PHAM

Gayle Garner Roski studied fine

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We know that for so many of you, a trip to the Zoo offers a welcome respite from the stressors of daily life, and we look forward to welcoming you again as soon as possible. As we are readying this magazine for print, the situation is still rapidly unfolding. Please visit www.lazoo.org/covid-19 for updates.

MATTERS

Melissa C I will miss my zoo family, but thank you for making the best decision for the animals, zoo community and your guest visitors. Please take good care of yourselves, kiss Ranger for me and tell the Red River hogs that I will be back to see them soon. Love you all. XXX Michele K Glad to hear. It’s a wise decision! I hope all major attractions in California close. We will miss going up there as we had planned this month, but anything to help stop the spread of this virus, I am all for it. Take care! Kathy G-B Better to be safe than sorry. Hope your employees and animals stay healthy. Susan M We will miss Peppa on Sunday— but, we must come together during this frightening and uncertain time and make responsible decisions that help protect the most medically vulnerable among us. I completely support this decision—thank you for putting public health first. Susan T Hope the zoo employees will be safe. Thank you so much for taking care of these beautiful and wonderful residents of the zoo. Hopefully the animals will not get sick. Please say hello to Angela for me. I look forward to seeing all the animals when we get past this difficult period.

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DONOR SPOTLIGHT

You Are Heroes.

The Beastly Ball has been postponed due to public health concerns related to the coronavirus (covid-19). For updates, please visit www.lazoo.org/beastlyball.

COURTESY OF KATHRYN BOWERS

EVENT UPDATE

IMPORTANT UPDATES FOR GLAZA MEMBERS

Now, more than ever, your membership matters. And we thank you.

Tom Jacobson PRESIDENT, GREATER LOS ANGELES ZOO ASSOCIATION

COURTESY OF KRATT BROTHERS COMPANY LTD.

arts at the University of Southern California. Her “Gift of Los Angeles” series is currently on display at the USC Caruso Catholic Center. Learn more about the artist at www.gaylegarnerroski.com.

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JAMIE PHAM

Gayle Garner Roski studied fine

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MATTERS

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