Zoo View - Spring 2023

SPRING 23 ISSUE

MAYOR OF LOS ANGELES

Karen Bass

COUNCILMEMBER, FOURTH DISTRICT

Nithya Raman

LOS ANGELES ZOO COMMISSION

Karen B. Winnick, President

Bernardo Silva, Vice President

Margot Armbruster

Christopher Hopkins

Daryl Smith

Richard Lichtenstein, Ex-Officio Member

LOS ANGELES ZOO ADMINISTRATION

Denise M. Verret, Chief Executive Officer & Zoo Director

Mei Kwan, Assistant General Manager

Beth Schaefer, Director of Animal Programs

Dr. Dominique Keller, Director of Animal Wellness Programs

Dan Keeffe, Director of Learning and Engagement

John Goodwin, Acting Construction and Maintenance Supervisor

Dr. Jake Owens, Director of Conservation

Carol Armstrong, Ph.D., Director of Sustainability and Capital Programs

Paola Ferrari, Director of Human Resources

Carl Myers, Communications Director

Jess Kohring, Director of Equity Programs

Cristina Flores, Executive Assistant

GLAZA OFFICERS

Brian Diamond, Chair

Erika Aronson Stern, Vice Chair

Phyllis Kupferstein, Secretary

Gregory D. Fuss, Treasurer

Tom Jacobson, GLAZA President

GLAZA TRUSTEES

Courtney Appell, Michael Armstrong, Alma

Banuelos, Esther Chao, Vivian Chow, Malissia R. Clinton, Richard Corgel, Marlyn Day, Wendy M.

Denham, Rob Ellis, Justin Enbody, Sam Enoch, Heather Evans, Alfred Fraijo, Jr., Cassidy Horn, Randy Hua, Tyler K. Kelley, Anthony Kitchener, Richard Lichtenstein, Alan G. Lowy, Patricia

Liu McKenna, Steve O’Connell, Beth Price, Naomi K. Rodriguez, Marc L. Sallus, Patricia

Silver, Slash, Jay Sonbolian, Madeline Joyce

Taft, Franco Terango, Ellia M. Thompson,

Laura Z. Wasserman, Jennifer Thornton

Wieland, Matthew Wilson

TRUSTEES EMERITI

Lloyd Levitin, Mrs. John F. Maher, Thomas R. Tellefsen

GLAZA ADMINISTRATION

Sara Rodriguez, VP, Operations and Events

Gretchen Humbert, VP, Chief Financial Officer

Janet Dial, VP, Institutional Advancement

Rob Woolley, Associate VP, Advancement

Dawn Petersen-Amend, General Counsel

Lisa Correa, Director of Membership

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

Copyright © 2023 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.

Periodical postage paid at Los Angeles, CA.

POSTMASTER send address changes to: ZOO VIEW, 5333 Zoo Drive,

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BIRTHS

Peek a Boo

Black howler monkey babies spend their first few months clinging to their moms. Our photographer caught a lucky shot of our new infant peering out from mother Chula’s belly fur.

Photo by JAMIE PHAM

SPRING 2023 VOLUME LVII // NUMBER 1

THE QUARTERLY MAGAZINE OF THE GREATER LOS ANGELES ZOO ASSOCIATION

EDITOR

Brenda Scott Royce

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Autumn Hilden

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE

Janet Dial, Tom Jacobson, Dan Keeffe, Dr. Dominique Keller, Mei Kwan, Emily Marrin, Carl Myers, Dr. Jake Owens, Beth Schaefer, Denise M. Verret

PHOTO EDITOR & PHOTOGRAPHER

Jamie Pham

DESIGN & PRODUCTION

Lisa Brink, The Brink Creative

PRINTING

LithoGraphix

PROOFREADERS

Michele Goodman, Laura Parada

ON THE COVER

The Zoo’s oldest resident is still turning heads at 57. Known for his friendly demeanor, Charlie the scarlet macaw is a veteran ambassador in the World of Birds Show. He arrived here as a hatchling in 1966. Photo by: Jamie Pham

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.

FEATURES

8 GROWING OLD GRACEFULLY From physical therapy to modified habitats, some of the Zoo’s senior residents need a little extra TLC. But this individualized attention starts before they enter their golden years.

11

SATURDAY, JUNE 3

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Formulating animal diets—and adjusting them for different life stages—is the job of the Zoo Nutritionist.

12

OPEN WIDE

A dentist from the Zoo’s Animal Health Consultant Network pays a house call on a pot-bellied pig.

Get Involved!

The Zoo’s Conservation Crew continues its ongoing restoration efforts in Griffith Park’s Fern Dell West Trail. So far, staff and volunteers have removed more than 17,000 invasive plants and identified 36 bird species in the work site. Restoring native habitat preserves biodiversity, and the Zoo is extending an open invitation for all our communities to join us in this local conservation effort. Weather permitting, events occur on the first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. We’ll be conducting habitat and wildlife surveys, collecting trash, and removing invasive plants to make space for crucial native flora.

BEST LAID PLANS

OUR FEBRUARY FUNDRAISER, WALK FOR THE WILD, WAS CANCELED due to safety concerns as a severe Arctic storm struck Southern California, flooding parts of the planned route. Though we didn’t get our steps in, there’s still plenty to celebrate! Thanks to the generosity of our registered walkers, donors, and sponsors (presenting sponsor Skechers; associate sponsors California Credit Union and Kennedy Wilson; and contributing partners Pepsi, GoGo squeeZ, and Don Francisco’s Coffee), Walk for the Wild raised more than $260,000—a hefty increase over last year’s tally of $158,000. We hope to bring back the event in 2024 under sunny skies.

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

Remembering P-22

December saw the loss of L.A.’s beloved mountain lion, P-22, and an outpouring of love in memory of the wild cougar. The famed Griffith Park resident was known for nighttime romps captured on cameras around the area and is believed to have been the sole mountain lion living in the urban oasis, separated from others in the Santa Monica mountains by freeways on all sides. In celebration of his remarkable life, the Zoo played host to a memorial in P-22’s honor, which was organized in collaboration with Los Angeles Council District 4. So that the memorial was accessible to the public, it was erected outside Zoo gates and decorated with colorful banners.

“We wanted to engage the community and create a sense of belonging between Griffith Park visitors and the wildlife that share our home,” says Elise Lolli-Bregoff, the Zoo’s outreach coordinator. More than 750 visitors shared kind words and read dedications to the cougar, and 341 celebrants wrote and left tributes, created artwork, and made imprints with a life-size cougar paw print stamp.

The Zoo’s heartfelt display was one of several local memorials, including a star-studded celebration of life held at the Greek Theater—fitting tributes to a feline who left his mark on our community in more ways than one. — Autumn

Hilden

Save the Date

JUNE 3

ONE OF L.A.’S MOST HIGHLY ANTICIPATED EVENTS

EACH YEAR, the Beastly Ball brings together celebrities, civic leaders, champions of conservation, and other Zoo supporters for a wild night of food, fun, and fundraising in support of the Zoo’s mission to save species and connect people with wildlife. This spectacular after-hours bash features dazzling entertainment, iconic L.A. eateries, an eclectic silent auction, and a program featuring actor, comedian, and host Joel McHale. This year we’re excited to honor two of our local heroes: GLAZA Trustee Diann H. Kim and the beloved, late Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge (above), our Betty White Conservation Hero.

JAMIE PHAM

JAMIE PHAM

ZOO-M I N

On the Fly

Many guests come to the Zoo to photograph exotic animals, especially colorful and charismatic species. But if you take your time—and focus your powers of observation—you’ll spot an abundance of native wildlife that’s just as photogenic. One such subject is the flame skimmer that alighted near Carol J. Chihara on a springtime stroll at the Zoo. “It was flying, and I was thrilled to see it land close enough for a photo,” she says. A GLAZA member since 2019, Chihara visits the Zoo several times a year. “Sometimes with my grandchildren, sometimes just to walk, enjoy, and take photos,” she says. “The Zoo is such a wonderful place to just go for a walk!”

Large members of the dragonfly family, flame skimmers are often seen near water features in the Zoo during the spring and summer months. They are helpful in controlling mosquitoes and other pest insects.

LEFT PAGE

Photo by CAROL J. CHIHARA

RIGHT PAGE

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT

Spotted thick-knee by KERI KILGO; jaguar Kaloa by JULIO CASTRO; chimpanzee high jump by DEBORA SUTERKO; serval by ARTHUR BOHLMANN; Grevy’s zebra by Mary McMurrin

SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS

To be considered for inclusion in future installments of Zoom-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. If there’s a special story behind the photo, let us know!

SUBMIT PHOTOS BY EMAIL photos@lazoo.org

MEMBER PHOTO GALLERY

Growing Old Gracefully

by BRENDA SCOTT ROYCE

t 54 years old, Eloise is the oldest Bornean orangutan in North America. She’s had physical challenges since birth, most likely caused by oxygen deprivation that occurred during delivery (the umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck). As a result, she has her own unique style of locomotion—crawling, rolling, and using her upper body strength to compensate for weakness in her lower limbs.

APhysical therapy has been part of Eloise’s routine for more than a decade, helping her maintain her strength and mobility. As she aged, concern arose that her condition could deteriorate. Staff ramped up her regimen—increasing the frequency of her treatments and introducing new elements.

“The animal care staff and our veterinary technicians have been working with Eloise intensively for the last few years,” says Dr. Brandon Boren, one of the veterinarians overseeing her care. “That includes providing physical therapy, massage therapy, and herbal supplements.”

Today’s session starts with cold laser therapy, which uses low-intensity light beams to relieve pain or inflammation. “It helps stimulate blood flow to the targeted area to help the healing process,” veterinary technician Megan Duncan explains as she administers the treatment.

Eloise’s feet are her primary problem areas, but when keepers noted some puffiness around one knee, they extended the laser treatment to her knees.

Animal Keeper Kathryn Vivian instructs Eloise to touch a target with her left foot. The ape complies, receiving verbal praise and a food reward for her efforts.

Eloise sits in her bedroom behind the scenes at the Red Ape Rain Forest habitat, feet clenched like fists, waiting for physical therapy. It’s clear she looks forward to these sessions: She’s positioned herself in front of a door that has been specially modified to allow her keepers access to her limbs, and she keeps a watchful eye on their movements until they’re ready to begin.

SPECIAL SENIORS

Left: Most weeks, Eloise enjoys physical therapy and laser treatments on alternating days. She looks forward to the sessions and allows keepers to trim her toenails as needed.

Right: AC-6’s wing tag doesn’t refer to his name but rather his studbook number (#5). The lower the number, the older the condor.

and MATTHEW CAREY

“Good girl!” Vivian coos, as Animal Keeper Tania Prebble doles out a piece of sliced fruit. Prebble is there not only to offer positive reinforcement, but also to ensure Eloise maintains her grip on the PVC handholds provided for this purpose. Orangutans are very strong, curious, and grabby. The handholds, called “grab-its,” keep Eloise’s hands occupied and the keepers safe.

After the laser therapy, it’s massage time. The keepers wrap Eloise’s foot and lower leg in a hot towel to warm her muscles. Then they rub medicated cream into her joints and use a massage wand to work out the kinks.

“Now we do some exercises,” Vivian says, encouraging Eloise to stretch her leg out to one side. “We ask her to move sideways to get her hip involved,” she explains. Then it’s on to those clenched toes. “Can you open toes?” she asks Eloise, and the ape’s long toes slowly unfurl.

Prebble takes this opportunity to file Eloise’s toenails—an especially important task due to Eloise’s tendency to curl her toes inward. “We keep a close eye on her nails to make sure they don’t grow too long and pierce her skin,” Vivian explains.

One side finished, Eloise shifts position. The keepers close one access door and open the other. Eloise thrusts her right foot through the small opening, and the entire process is repeated.

Throughout the session, Eloise remains focused and engaged. The sessions are voluntary, and Eloise nearly always wants to participate. If anything, she can be a little sassy if keepers end her therapy before she’s ready. “One time we tried to finish quickly because we needed to do something else,” Vivian recalls, “and she banged her foot on the door in protest.”

This special attention has paid spectacular dividends for the senior ape. “She’s regaining some of the things she had when she was younger,” says Vivian. “We’ve noticed her using her feet more. She grips things with her feet and uses them when climbing. I’ve even seen her walk on all fours recently, and it had been a long time since she’d done that.”

Boren concurs. “Her mobility has increased significantly. She’s building up strength in her feet and using muscles that she hadn’t been using for years. It’s also great for her overall wellbeing—she looks forward to these sessions and gets a lot out

of it besides the physical benefits.”

Age takes its toll on all of us—humans and animals alike—and Eloise’s example is inspirational, says Dr. Dominique Keller, Director of Animal Wellness Programs. “It shows that improvements are possible at any age, as long as you’re willing to put in the effort.”

WITH AGE COMES ADAPTATION

Eloise isn’t the only current record holder at the Los Angeles Zoo. Brittany the fossa will turn 25 in July. She’s the oldest fossa in North America, if not the world. (In the wild, this Madagascan species has an average life expectancy of 15 years.)

With trained caregivers and veterinarians expertly attending to their needs, it’s not surprising that animals in human care often survive well past the average life expectancy of their wild counterparts. Long lives mean these animals may experience degenerative changes or illness related to aging, including heart and kidney disease, arthritis, and dental issues. These conditions are often treated with the same medications and supplements humans take—such as meloxicam for inflammation or

Photos by: JAMIE PHAM

glucosamine for joint health. But addressing age-related changes in zoo animals goes far beyond the medicine cabinet.

“We look at the whole picture,” explains Director of Animal Programs Beth Schaefer. “And we ask questions such as: Does their habitat need modification? Do they need their perches lowered, so they don't have to get up so high? Or do they need a new perch in a particularly sunny spot, because now they’re seeking out heat, whereas they didn’t when they were younger? Are they still functioning normally in their social group? Can they compete for food, or do we need to feed them separately? Do they need more time alone to sleep more, without the others bugging them? We always try to keep them in their social group, but we may modify how we manage the group. Or we’ll hand feed an older animal to make sure they get all their needed nutrients and any medications they might require.”

Fossas are tree-dwelling animals known for making spectacular leaps, but as she nears the quarter-century mark Brittany’s not as spry as she used to be. She’s being treated for arthritis and has also experienced hearing loss. “When she started slowing

down, we decided it wasn’t good for her to have perching that was too high off the ground,” says Senior Animal Keeper Kevin Gorowski. “So, we removed it for her safety.”

“She still has opportunities to climb, just not as high,” adds Animal Keeper Molly Sgriccia. “Meanwhile, we’ve given her access to other spaces, so she can choose to spend time where she’s most comfortable.” To one side of the main fossa habitat is a den with a heat lamp above and heated floor below. On the other side, an annex offers natural sunshine and views to the keepers’ work area.

When Brittany was younger, her keepers would routinely hide or hang food items at various heights throughout the habitat to encourage her to climb and explore. “But at this point, we pretty much serve it up on a silver platter,” says Sgriccia.

“It’s fun to cater to her,” Gorowski adds. “At this age, she deserves to get what she wants, as long as it’s balanced and appropriate and approved by our nutritionist.”

THE HEART OF THE MATTER

His exact age is unknown, but California condor AC-6 is one of the oldest living members of his species. Wild hatched in

Food for Thought

Formulating animal diets—and adjusting them for different life stages—is all part of the job for Zoo Nutritionist Emily Schwartz. “Age definitely factors into the equation,” she says. “Older animals typically don’t expend as much energy as their younger counterparts, so they require fewer calories in their diet. If they’re having dental issues, we’ll make their food softer. For example, we’ll boil yams instead of giving them raw yams.”

Schwartz works with the veterinary staff to adjust diets based on an animal’s medical history, for example, by adding supplements to address a calcium deficiency. If an animal is having trouble keeping weight on, she may add a high calorie supplement or flaxseed oil to their diet.

“Sometimes older animals become picky eaters,” she adds. “I could have the perfect diet, but if the keepers say the animal won’t eat this or that, then my diet is no longer going to be perfect for them. So, we analyze the diet and see what kind of nutritional modifications we need—and then match that to what the animal will actually eat.”

Open Wide

by BRENDA SCOTT ROYCE

PUA, A FIVE-YEAR-OLD POT-BELLIED PIG HAD A DENTAL DILEMMA, Senior

Animal Keeper Mallory Peebles explained. The sweet-natured swine hadn’t complained, but his keepers noticed occasional redness on his upper cheek. They alerted the veterinary staff, who decided it was time for the pig’s first dental exam.

“It’s kind of a rite of passage for pigs,” says Dr. Dominique Keller, the Zoo’s chief veterinarian. Pigs’ canine teeth—or tusks— grow throughout their lifetime, with males’ tusks growing more rapidly than females’. As they age, they require periodic trimming to prevent poten tially painful problems. She recruited Dr. Lewis Overbey, a local endodontist and member of the L.A. Zoo’s Animal Health Consultant Network, who agreed to pay a house call to the pig.

The network consists of members from a broad range of medical specialties who volunteer their time and expertise on special cases as needed. Most of Dr. Overbey’s patients are of the two-legged variety, but animal teeth are surprisingly similar to humans, he explains. That’s especially true with primates, as he learned with his first Zoo patient, western lowland gorilla Rapunzel.

“It was about two years ago,” he says. “She broke a tooth, and the nerve was exposed—a situation that could lead to infection.” A fellow dentist recommended Dr. Overbey due to his expertise in root canal surgery. “We did a root canal procedure and capped it off.”

The procedure was a success, and Dr. Overbey was hooked. “I grew up loving animals, so I’m very happy and honored to come to the Zoo to help out.”

Another recent primate patient was Charlotte, a 36-year-old siamang with an infected tooth. In a younger animal, extraction would likely have been the best course of action. “But with a geriatric animal, the easiest thing is to do a root canal procedure,” Overbey explains. “We disinfect the inside of the tooth and then seal it off—as opposed to doing a surgical procedure and trying to extract this large tooth, which could be traumatic for her.”

In Pua’s case, the doctor quickly determined the root of the pig’s problem.

One of his upper canines had overgrown to the point it was protruding into the soft tissue, causing discomfort and bleeding.

Dr. Overbey trimmed all four canines, a delicate procedure because pigs’ teeth— like humans’—have an inner layer of pulp made up of blood vessels and nerves.

“We did radiographs to see where the pulp was,” he explains. “You want to avoid that.”

Pua was anesthetized for the procedure, and as they usually do in such cases, the veterinarians made the most of his immobilization. While the dentist tended to Pua’s teeth, keepers trimmed his hooves, and vet staff took blood samples and monitored his vitals. All went well, and within a day, Pua was back on his feet and chomping contentedly on his food.

“The expertise of the members of the L.A. Zoo Animal Health Consultant Network continues to be of tremendous help to the Animal Health Center team,” says Keller. “Consultants like Dr. Overbey, who are willing to give their time and knowledge to assist in our animals’ medical care, are part and parcel of making sure we provide the best for all our animals.”

the 1970s, he was brought to the Zoo as an adult in 1986 as a founder for the breeding program. He’s performed exceptionally well in that role, fathering 29 chicks, several of which have been released to the wild.

“He’s had three different mates over the years, and he always did really well breeding and rearing chicks,” says Condor Keeper Mike Clark. “And then we started to see him slowing down.”

Veterinarians performed an ultrasound, which revealed the bird was suffering from heart disease.

Administering AC-6’s prescribed medications proved challenging for his keepers. “He’s a wild bird,” Clark says. “And if he doesn’t want to take his meds, you can’t make him.”

The team instituted a training protocol, hiding AC-6’s pills in a small piece of meat. He has to eat the medicated morsel before receiving the rest of his meal. “They’re very intelligent birds,” Clark explains. “AC-6 knew exactly what we wanted him to do—and he wanted to do anything except what we wanted. He’d jump up on the feeding platform, flap his wings, and knock it off. So, it’s a little chess game.”

Eventually, the training paid off, and for

JAMIE PHAM

the last several years AC-6 has been successfully taking his meds … most of the time. “If he’s breeding or incubating an egg, he’s not going to do it,” Condor Keeper Chandra David says, “but he’s pretty consistent.”

More recently, keepers noticed other changes. Rather than sporting the speciestypical bright hues on his head and neck, AC-6’s skin appeared pale. And his feet began to swell.

“Just like with people, one of the common signs of heart failure is swelling of the legs and feet,” says Dr. Boren. “So, when we saw that, we began to add other heart medications to his regimen.”

Cardiac disease in avian species is less well understood than in mammals. It’s especially understudied in California condors, given their rarity. The Zoo’s veterinary staff called in a cardiologist from VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital to consult on AC-6. “He helped us tailor AC-6’s meds as his condition has progressed,” Boren says. “And since then, he’s been relatively stable.”

HEART BREAKER

Another recent cardiac case involves Esmeralda, a Raggiana bird of paradise who’ll

There are risks associated with anesthesia at any age, so team members work together to perform a swift yet thorough exam on Mia, minimizing her time under sedation.

turn 23 in May. (The species’ life span in the wild is unknown, but in human care they can live up to 30 years.)

Birds of paradise have a lek mating system, in which the brilliantly colored males compete for the attention of females. “They perform elaborate displays,” says Curator of Birds Rose Legato, “and then she gets to pick which male she wants to be with.”

As it turns out, Esmeralda has a type. “We have two males—one is very gentle and sweet and would just kind of follow her around,” Legato says. “The other is much more aggressive. But he’s the one she wanted.”

In recent months, keepers noticed Esmeralda was spending more time on the ground than usual. She had difficulty getting onto her perching, especially in hot weather. The veterinary staff consulted a cardiologist, who discovered that the bird had fluid around her heart. She’s seen some improvement with medication, and she’s also been given new digs.

“First, we added different perching so she could access her food and water more easily,” says Legato. “We also gave her some shelving, so she can rest on a flat surface instead of having to perch, if that’s what

she wants. We added a mister to help keep her cool on hot days. Eventually we moved her to a space that’s close to the keeper building. The keepers spend a lot of time there preparing diets, and they keep an eye on Esmeralda through the window. She likes to check them out, too.”

PLAYING IT COOL

Many animals instinctively hide signs of illness or infirmity that would make them more vulnerable to predation in the wild. The same is true of animals in zoos. “It’s a true testament to how incredibly tough these animals are,” Keller says. “They can be experiencing extreme symptoms, but they remain stoic.”

“It’s total survival instinct,” adds Schaefer.

This natural tendency to mask their symptoms makes it difficult for outside observers to know when something is wrong with an animal. That’s where keepers come in. Animal keepers are on the frontlines, best able to notice subtle shifts in behavior or routine that may signal a medical problem.

“Part of it depends on the relationship they have with the animal, and part

KANGAROO CHECK-UP

Photos by: JAMIE PHAM

BRITTANY

depends on their observational skills and their training and experience,” says Dr. Keller. “But they can tell you when a tiny little thing was different than the day before.”

“When you work with an animal five days a week, you know their personality and their behavior and their routine,” Sgriccia elaborates. “If it’s just a little bit off, you go, ‘Okay, what are you telling me?’ They might just be having an off day. The next day everything could be fine. But if it becomes a pattern, then you know something is up, and that’s when we elevate that concern.”

For Western gray kangaroo Mia, it was something in the way she moves. “When kangaroos walk quadrupedally, their whole foot goes down,” says Animal Keeper Krissy Parada. “And when they’re uncomfortable, they tend to not let their heels touch the ground.” Mia is in her early teens, the oldest member of her social group, which includes another female and her offspring. (The species’ average life span in the wild is 10 to 12 years.) “She was still moving with the mob, but she wasn’t hopping on two feet as much, and she was a little more methodical in her movements overall.”

Parada communicated her concerns, and Mia was scheduled for a thorough examination, including bloodwork and radiographs. Results revealed that Mia is in good health overall but has mild arthritis. Parada is grateful that staff acted proactively and

WHOLE LIFE APPROACH

were able to rule out more serious illness. “We caught her arthritis very early,” she says, adding that the kangaroo is being trained to accept injections of an arthritis management medication.

Parada places multiples piles of hay in the habitat for the kangaroos to choose from as the sunlight shifts throughout the day. “They love to bask in the sun,” she explains.

A few days after her visit to the Health Center, Mia has bounced back—literally. She hops through her habitat at a slightly slower pace than the other ‘roos, Parada scrutinizing her posture and foot placement as she moves. Smiling, the keeper says, “She’s in a good place.”

STILL GOING STRONG

The idiosyncrasies of aging mean that different animals experience age-related changes at different rates—and some never slow down at all.

Charlotte, a 36-year-old siamang, has some gray hairs among her otherwise black pelage, but she swings like a much younger ape, brachiating throughout her habitat with ease. “She has a little bit of arthritis in her hips, but otherwise she’s doing great,” says Animal Keeper Nicole Miller. Perhaps it’s in the genes; Charlotte’s mom, Becky, lived to 46. (The species’ life span averages 25 to 30 years in the wild.)

Six years ago, Charlotte gave birth to her first offspring. Siamangs are reproductively

As the examples in this issue illustrate, many of our geriatric animals require and receive extra TLC. But that individualized attention doesn’t begin when they reach their golden years. “It’s more of a whole life approach,” says Dr. Dominique Keller, Director of Animal Health Programs. “From the cradle to the grave, so to speak.” “We perform periodic preventative health exams on each animal, which includes bloodwork and urinalysis,” she adds. “As animals get older, we monitor them more frequently, looking at some key indicators—basically what makes an animal ‘them.’ If we start seeing a decline in those indicators, that lets us know we need to do an indepth assessment of their overall life at the Zoo. We look at their environment, their routine, their diet, their medications. We do a very detailed analysis to see if we can give them the best possible life—no matter what their age happens to be.”

ESMERALDA

Female birds of paradise are less colorful than males, who use their showy feathers to attract a mate.

P hoto by JAMIE PHAM

CHARLOTTE

Charlotte’s son Remy, now six years old, recently transferred to Port Defiance Zoo.

P hoto by JAMIE PHAM

Fossas are known for their acrobatic agility, but at nearly 25, Brittany is starting to slow down.

P hoto by JAMIE PHAM

mature by about seven or eight years old, but Charlotte and her first mate didn’t click in that way. “She’d watched the gibbons nearby have lots of babies throughout the years, but never had the chance to be a mom herself,” Miller relates.

Things changed after her new partner, Bahasa, arrived. “We were shocked but overjoyed,” says Director of Animal Programs Beth Schaefer of Charlotte’s later-in-life pregnancy.

The ape did well during her pregnancy, but labor proved problematic. “Things weren’t progressing, so the decision was made to take her to the Health Center,” Miller says. Ultimately, the veterinarians ended up delivering the baby by Cesarean section. The surgery went smoothly, but staff worried what would happen when Charlotte woke up.

Schaefer explains that primates who undergo C-sections sometimes fail to recognize their newborn as their own. “Because they haven’t had the experience of the birth process, the hormones don’t always kick in.”

Compounding those concerns, Charlotte was a first-time mother, and she was raised in the nursery. She hadn’t been around other siamang moms and offspring. “We were worried that when she woke up after surgery, she wouldn’t bond with the baby or know how to take care of it,” Miller shares.

As Charlotte began to rouse, the infant—a boy later named Remy—was placed on her chest. To everyone’s relief, her maternal instincts kicked in immediately. “She reached down and gave him a lick on the head, and our hearts just melted,” Miller says.

Charlotte was a doting mom, even resisting Bahasa’s efforts to help out. Siamang fathers are typically hands-on, taking turns carrying their babies, Miller explains. “Bahasa would position himself like he was ready for her to hand off the baby, and she was like, ‘Nope! He’s mine!’”

Siamangs are known for their booming vocalizations, and Charlotte sings more often than most. These aerobic arias may play a part in her good health, Miller muses. “Her diaphragm gets a great workout, that’s for sure!”

Sharper Image

by BRENDA SCOTT ROYCE

Keeping zoo animals healthy requires an array of special diagnostic tools. At the top of the list is radiography (or X-ray). When our Gottlieb Animal Health and Conservation Center opened, it was outfitted with a ceilingmounted radiography unit. Last year, after two decades of regular use, the machine ceased to function. The veterinarians turned to a smaller unit normally reserved for making house calls on animals in their habitats.

“The portable unit works, but it isn’t as powerful,” says Dr. Dominique Keller, Director of Animal Wellness Programs. “We needed a replacement that could take images of animals up at the Health Center—and one that could handle larger animals.”

The veterinary team needs to perform rapid, high-quality imaging on a wide range of species. The ideal solution would combine speed and maneuverability with crystal-clear resolution. Such a system had been on Keller’s wish list even before the existing unit failed. Her wish was finally granted when the Angela Collier Foundation funded a new Canon digital radiology unit, which was delivered earlier this year. Rather than being mounted to the ceiling, the new unit is mobile—a big plus, according to Keller. “It was developed for use in human hospitals so they could take it to patient’s rooms for bedside exams.” This flexibility makes it adaptable to nearly any situation, setting, or species.

Passionate about animal wellbeing, Angela Collier passed away in 1997 at age 36. The foundation she established to support animal welfare lives on today, helmed by Mohammad Virani, foundation president. “Angela was an avid lover of animals,” Virani says, “and the Angela Collier Foundation was set up in her lifetime devoted to their health, welfare, and safety.”

The Angela Collier Foundation has been a major donor to the Los Angeles Zoo for two decades, providing significant gifts to the Campo Gorilla Reserve, the Angela Collier World of Birds Theater, and a new event and garden space currently in development. The Zoo’s youngest gorilla was named in Angela’s honor. “And now we are delighted to provide funding for this state-of-the-art radiology equipment, which helps the veterinary hospital,” says Virani.

GL AZA is proud to count the Angela Collier Foundation as one of its most treasured philanthropic partners.

LEARN MORE

To learn how you can support the Zoo’s animals and mission, please visit www.lazoo.org/support, or call the Development Division at (323) 486-4253.

JANET S. DIAL

The Angela Collier Foundation

Don’t miss the first event of the 2023 Sustainable Wine+Dinner Series! An unforgettable evening featuring a gourmet farm-to-table menu, expert wine pairings, and a fascinating take on conservation and sustainability.

Ampelos Cellars

MAY 18, 2023

6 P.M. TO 9 P.M.

TICKETS AND INFO: LAZOO.ORG/SWD

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