SUMMER
22 ISSUE
contents
MAYOR OF LOS ANGELES Eric Garcetti
SUMMER 2022 VOLUME LVI // NUMBER 2
LOS ANGELES ZOO COMMISSION Karen B. Winnick, President Bernardo Silva, Vice President Margot Armbruster Christopher Hopkins Daryl Smith Richard Lichtenstein, Ex-Officio Member
THE QUARTERLY MAGAZINE OF THE GREATER LOS ANGELES ZOO ASSOCIATION
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 Darryl Pon, Director of Planning and Development Carol Armstrong, Director of Sustainability and Capital Programs Mae Huey, Director of Human Resources Carl Myers, Communications Director Jess Kohring, Director of Equity Programs Denise Tamura, Executive Assistant
EDITOR Brenda Scott Royce ASSOCIATE EDITOR Autumn Hilden EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Janet Dial, Kait Hilliard, Tom Jacobson, Dan Keeffe, Dr. Dominique Keller, Mei Kwan, Carl Myers, Dr. Jake Owens, Beth Schaefer, Denise M. Verret
GLAZA OFFICERS Brian Diamond, Chair Erika Aronson Stern, Vice Chair Phyllis Kupferstein, Secretary Gregory D. Fuss, Treasurer Tom Jacobson, GLAZA President
PHOTO EDITOR & PHOTOGRAPHER Jamie Pham DESIGN & PRODUCTION Lisa Brink, The Brink Creative
GLAZA TRUSTEES Courtney Appell, Michael Armstrong, Alma Banuelos, Esther Chao, Jillian Romero Chaves, Vivian Chow, Malissia R. Clinton, Richard Corgel, Wendy M. Denham, Rob Ellis, Justin Enbody, Sam Enoch, Alfred Fraijo, Jr., Cassidy Horn, Tyler K. Kelley, Diann H. Kim, Anthony Kitchener, Richard Lichtenstein, Alan G. Lowy, Patricia Liu McKenna, Steve O’Connell, Beth Price, Naomi K. Rodriguez, Marc L. Sallus, Patricia Silver, Slash, Terri Soderstrom, Jay Sonbolian, Madeline Joyce Taft, Franco Terango, Ellia M. Thompson, Laura Z. Wasserman, Jennifer Thornton Wieland, Matthew Wilson
PRINTING LithoGraphix PROOFREADERS Michele Goodman, Laura Parada, Lynne Richter
TRUSTEES EMERITI Lloyd Levitin, Mrs. John F. Maher, Thomas R. Tellefsen
Periodical postage paid at Los Angeles, CA.
ZO O V I E W
12
BY THE NUMBERS STAY HYDRATED
13
DEPARTMENTS
6
SAVING A SPECIES
A PASSION FOR PRONGHORN
An animal keeper ventures to Baja to assist with a historic conservation effort.
EVERYTHING’S RELATIVE
Family connections play a role in bringing the Peninsular Pronghorn Visitor Center to life.
ZOO-M IN
Members’ photo gallery
DONOR SPOTLIGHT
14
15
EXPERT PERSPECTIVE
CLASSIFICATION COUNTS
Being labeled as endangered raises the stakes for peninsular pronghorn.
A LOVING LEGACY
A donor’s special bequest is inspired by Betty White.
The L.A. Zoo is currently home to six female peninsular pronghorn. Both males and females have horns, but the
N E W A R R I VA L
females’ are much smaller—often just a
It’s a Boy! The newest member of our giraffe herd (shown here with Dad Phillip) was a newsmaker from day one. At 6'7", the baby boy was the tallest calf ever born at the Zoo. Photo by: JAMIE PHAM
bump. 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.
POSTMASTER send address changes to: ZOO VIEW, 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027-1498
2
EMERGENCY APPEAL
8
Along with its partners, the L.A. Zoo is helping the fastest land animal in the Americas outrun extinction.
SU MME R 2022
PENINSULAR PRONGHORN RECOVERY PROGRAM
Copyright © 2022 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.
A DAY WELL SPENT
SU MME R 2022
4
8
JAMIE PHAM
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
ON THE COVER
4 4 5 5
F E AT U R E S
ARTHUR BOHLMANN
GLAZA ADMINISTRATION Kait Hilliard, VP, Marketing and Communications 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 BRIEFS
13 ZO O V I E W
3
contents
MAYOR OF LOS ANGELES Eric Garcetti
SUMMER 2022 VOLUME LVI // NUMBER 2
LOS ANGELES ZOO COMMISSION Karen B. Winnick, President Bernardo Silva, Vice President Margot Armbruster Christopher Hopkins Daryl Smith Richard Lichtenstein, Ex-Officio Member
THE QUARTERLY MAGAZINE OF THE GREATER LOS ANGELES ZOO ASSOCIATION
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 Darryl Pon, Director of Planning and Development Carol Armstrong, Director of Sustainability and Capital Programs Mae Huey, Director of Human Resources Carl Myers, Communications Director Jess Kohring, Director of Equity Programs Denise Tamura, Executive Assistant
EDITOR Brenda Scott Royce ASSOCIATE EDITOR Autumn Hilden EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Janet Dial, Kait Hilliard, Tom Jacobson, Dan Keeffe, Dr. Dominique Keller, Mei Kwan, Carl Myers, Dr. Jake Owens, Beth Schaefer, Denise M. Verret
GLAZA OFFICERS Brian Diamond, Chair Erika Aronson Stern, Vice Chair Phyllis Kupferstein, Secretary Gregory D. Fuss, Treasurer Tom Jacobson, GLAZA President
PHOTO EDITOR & PHOTOGRAPHER Jamie Pham DESIGN & PRODUCTION Lisa Brink, The Brink Creative
GLAZA TRUSTEES Courtney Appell, Michael Armstrong, Alma Banuelos, Esther Chao, Jillian Romero Chaves, Vivian Chow, Malissia R. Clinton, Richard Corgel, Wendy M. Denham, Rob Ellis, Justin Enbody, Sam Enoch, Alfred Fraijo, Jr., Cassidy Horn, Tyler K. Kelley, Diann H. Kim, Anthony Kitchener, Richard Lichtenstein, Alan G. Lowy, Patricia Liu McKenna, Steve O’Connell, Beth Price, Naomi K. Rodriguez, Marc L. Sallus, Patricia Silver, Slash, Terri Soderstrom, Jay Sonbolian, Madeline Joyce Taft, Franco Terango, Ellia M. Thompson, Laura Z. Wasserman, Jennifer Thornton Wieland, Matthew Wilson
PRINTING LithoGraphix PROOFREADERS Michele Goodman, Laura Parada, Lynne Richter
TRUSTEES EMERITI Lloyd Levitin, Mrs. John F. Maher, Thomas R. Tellefsen
Periodical postage paid at Los Angeles, CA.
ZO O V I E W
12
BY THE NUMBERS STAY HYDRATED
13
DEPARTMENTS
6
SAVING A SPECIES
A PASSION FOR PRONGHORN
An animal keeper ventures to Baja to assist with a historic conservation effort.
EVERYTHING’S RELATIVE
Family connections play a role in bringing the Peninsular Pronghorn Visitor Center to life.
ZOO-M IN
Members’ photo gallery
DONOR SPOTLIGHT
14
15
EXPERT PERSPECTIVE
CLASSIFICATION COUNTS
Being labeled as endangered raises the stakes for peninsular pronghorn.
A LOVING LEGACY
A donor’s special bequest is inspired by Betty White.
The L.A. Zoo is currently home to six female peninsular pronghorn. Both males and females have horns, but the
N E W A R R I VA L
females’ are much smaller—often just a
It’s a Boy! The newest member of our giraffe herd (shown here with Dad Phillip) was a newsmaker from day one. At 6'7", the baby boy was the tallest calf ever born at the Zoo. Photo by: JAMIE PHAM
bump. 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.
POSTMASTER send address changes to: ZOO VIEW, 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027-1498
2
EMERGENCY APPEAL
8
Along with its partners, the L.A. Zoo is helping the fastest land animal in the Americas outrun extinction.
SU MME R 2022
PENINSULAR PRONGHORN RECOVERY PROGRAM
Copyright © 2022 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.
A DAY WELL SPENT
SU MME R 2022
4
8
JAMIE PHAM
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
ON THE COVER
4 4 5 5
F E AT U R E S
ARTHUR BOHLMANN
GLAZA ADMINISTRATION Kait Hilliard, VP, Marketing and Communications 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 BRIEFS
13 ZO O V I E W
3
briefs
BY THE NUMBERS EMERGENCY APPEAL
Devices collected at the Zoo during the recent “Gorillas on the Line” campaign:
392
CELL PHONES
JAMIE PHAM
IN TIMES OF TURMOIL, THE ZOO COMMUNITY RALLIES to the aid of our
I
A Day Well Spent
n March, the Zoo welcomed 24 volunteers from corporate sponsor New York Life’s Southern California Office to the animal enrichment department. The visitors painted and filled boxes with food, nesting materials, and scented items for our spring Wild for the Planet celebration. These new tastes, textures, and smells stimulate animals’ intellects and senses, so they are an important part of our animal care program. Creating the boxes is also fun for volunteers. Corporate volunteerism is a win-win for the Zoo and its business partners, helping the Zoo while also providing unique team-building activities and increasing employee engagement. “Feeling a closer connection to the animals is rewarding,” says New York Life Financial Services Professional Raymond Stellhorn-Tavera. His colleague, agent Chanel Jones, agrees. “Even though I knew the boxes would probably last only a few minutes, I still tried my best to make them as fun and vibrant as I could. It was a day well spent and worth doing again.” A repeat visit is already planned. GLAZA’s Senior Manager of Corporate Partnerships Oscar Dizon is glad to see the team deepening its involvement with the Zoo. “They’ve been a fixture at the Zoo with their complimentary Child ID program, and we’re thrilled that they’re now playing a hands-on role in supporting the Zoo’s mission and conservation efforts.” — Autumn Hilden
4
ZO O V I E W
friends in need, whether down the street or across the globe. Among innumerable devastating impacts of the war in Ukraine, the conflict came too close for comfort for three zoos. Many animals were transferred to Polish zoos, while others remained behind with devoted caregivers who moved into the parks to protect them. In response to the unfolding crisis, the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) put out a global call for assistance. The L.A. Zoo and GLAZA have proudly contributed to the cause, along with 134 other institutions and more than 11,000 individual donors. “The L.A. Zoo joins many of our fellow AZA-accredited zoo and aquarium organizations in supporting Ukraine and the courageous animal care and health teams fighting to keep their animals safe at the Mykolayiv, Kharkiv, and Kyiv zoos,” says CEO & Zoo Director Denise Verret. “Their dedication and courage, in the midst of incredible challenges, are emblematic of zoo professionals worldwide.”
22
HERE AT THE ZOO, WE ARE ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT FOR WAYS TO INCORPORATE EARTH-FRIENDLY PRACTICES into our operations and to
TABLETS 5
CAMERAS 14
IPODS
&
LOTS OF CABLES
Recycle small electronic devices in the green bin at
HOW TO HELP
partner with other agencies and organizations to meet those goals. We recently worked with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to install 12 hydration stations throughout the Zoo. Replacing many of our traditional drinking foundations, hydration stations allow guests to refill bottles with clean, refreshing drinking water. Bring your own bottle, or you can purchase a refillable aluminum bottle at restaurants and food stands throughout the Zoo. Photo by: JAMIE PHAM
LET’S KEEP IT GOING!
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
the bachelor gorilla habitat year-round.
To donate or learn more, visit www.eaza.net
SU MME R 2022
STAY HYDRATED
SU MME R 2022
ZO O V I E W
5
briefs
BY THE NUMBERS EMERGENCY APPEAL
Devices collected at the Zoo during the recent “Gorillas on the Line” campaign:
392
CELL PHONES
JAMIE PHAM
IN TIMES OF TURMOIL, THE ZOO COMMUNITY RALLIES to the aid of our
I
A Day Well Spent
n March, the Zoo welcomed 24 volunteers from corporate sponsor New York Life’s Southern California Office to the animal enrichment department. The visitors painted and filled boxes with food, nesting materials, and scented items for our spring Wild for the Planet celebration. These new tastes, textures, and smells stimulate animals’ intellects and senses, so they are an important part of our animal care program. Creating the boxes is also fun for volunteers. Corporate volunteerism is a win-win for the Zoo and its business partners, helping the Zoo while also providing unique team-building activities and increasing employee engagement. “Feeling a closer connection to the animals is rewarding,” says New York Life Financial Services Professional Raymond Stellhorn-Tavera. His colleague, agent Chanel Jones, agrees. “Even though I knew the boxes would probably last only a few minutes, I still tried my best to make them as fun and vibrant as I could. It was a day well spent and worth doing again.” A repeat visit is already planned. GLAZA’s Senior Manager of Corporate Partnerships Oscar Dizon is glad to see the team deepening its involvement with the Zoo. “They’ve been a fixture at the Zoo with their complimentary Child ID program, and we’re thrilled that they’re now playing a hands-on role in supporting the Zoo’s mission and conservation efforts.” — Autumn Hilden
4
ZO O V I E W
friends in need, whether down the street or across the globe. Among innumerable devastating impacts of the war in Ukraine, the conflict came too close for comfort for three zoos. Many animals were transferred to Polish zoos, while others remained behind with devoted caregivers who moved into the parks to protect them. In response to the unfolding crisis, the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) put out a global call for assistance. The L.A. Zoo and GLAZA have proudly contributed to the cause, along with 134 other institutions and more than 11,000 individual donors. “The L.A. Zoo joins many of our fellow AZA-accredited zoo and aquarium organizations in supporting Ukraine and the courageous animal care and health teams fighting to keep their animals safe at the Mykolayiv, Kharkiv, and Kyiv zoos,” says CEO & Zoo Director Denise Verret. “Their dedication and courage, in the midst of incredible challenges, are emblematic of zoo professionals worldwide.”
22
HERE AT THE ZOO, WE ARE ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT FOR WAYS TO INCORPORATE EARTH-FRIENDLY PRACTICES into our operations and to
TABLETS 5
CAMERAS 14
IPODS
&
LOTS OF CABLES
Recycle small electronic devices in the green bin at
HOW TO HELP
partner with other agencies and organizations to meet those goals. We recently worked with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to install 12 hydration stations throughout the Zoo. Replacing many of our traditional drinking foundations, hydration stations allow guests to refill bottles with clean, refreshing drinking water. Bring your own bottle, or you can purchase a refillable aluminum bottle at restaurants and food stands throughout the Zoo. Photo by: JAMIE PHAM
LET’S KEEP IT GOING!
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
the bachelor gorilla habitat year-round.
To donate or learn more, visit www.eaza.net
SU MME R 2022
STAY HYDRATED
SU MME R 2022
ZO O V I E W
5
m MEMBER PHOTO GALLERY
IN
ZOO-M IN
Rule of Thirds GLAZA member John C. Joulakian visits the Zoo often to photograph the animals, often with his family in tow. “As a family we are truly excited about visiting the Los Angeles Zoo whenever we can.” His photo of Charlie the two-toed sloth was taken during a past L.A. Zoo Photo Day event. Aiming to capture the sloth’s peaceful nature, Joulakian says he employed the “rule of thirds” technique in framing this shot. “I divided the image into thirds: the face, the eyes, and the arms. Then the entire photo took shape.”
SUB MIT 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
LEFT PAGE Charlie’s thin, curved claws provide an extra point of interest. “I wanted to show the expression of the sloth’s face and the position of its arms,” Joulakian explains. “The claw was a bonus. I think it reveals the true form of the animal.” Photo by: JOHN C. JOULAKIAN RIGHT PAGE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP Chimpanzee family time by JOSEPH PAGUIO; giant otter underwater by ARLO WILLIAMS; nursing giraffe calf by ROBIN RIGGS; white-faced saki monkey by GARY EARL; flamingo by BOSTON SCHULZ
6
ZO O V I E W
S U MME R 2022
SU MME R 2022
ZO O V I E W
7
m MEMBER PHOTO GALLERY
IN
ZOO-M IN
Rule of Thirds GLAZA member John C. Joulakian visits the Zoo often to photograph the animals, often with his family in tow. “As a family we are truly excited about visiting the Los Angeles Zoo whenever we can.” His photo of Charlie the two-toed sloth was taken during a past L.A. Zoo Photo Day event. Aiming to capture the sloth’s peaceful nature, Joulakian says he employed the “rule of thirds” technique in framing this shot. “I divided the image into thirds: the face, the eyes, and the arms. Then the entire photo took shape.”
SUB MIT 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
LEFT PAGE Charlie’s thin, curved claws provide an extra point of interest. “I wanted to show the expression of the sloth’s face and the position of its arms,” Joulakian explains. “The claw was a bonus. I think it reveals the true form of the animal.” Photo by: JOHN C. JOULAKIAN RIGHT PAGE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP Chimpanzee family time by JOSEPH PAGUIO; giant otter underwater by ARLO WILLIAMS; nursing giraffe calf by ROBIN RIGGS; white-faced saki monkey by GARY EARL; flamingo by BOSTON SCHULZ
6
ZO O V I E W
S U MME R 2022
SU MME R 2022
ZO O V I E W
7
CONSERVATION
Saving a Species The many prongs of pronghorn conservation
JAMIE PHAM
by BRENDA SCOTT ROYCE
8
ZO O V I E W
SU MME R 2022
W SU MME R 2022
hen it comes to conservation, there is seldom a single solution to the problem—or even a single problem to solve. There may be many factors contributing to a species’ decline, and a multitude of ways to approach each one. The Los Angeles Zoo’s multi-pronged approach to conservation can perhaps best be illustrated through one of its flagship species: the peninsular pronghorn (also known as the berrendo). ZO O V I E W
9
CONSERVATION
Saving a Species The many prongs of pronghorn conservation
JAMIE PHAM
by BRENDA SCOTT ROYCE
8
ZO O V I E W
SU MME R 2022
W SU MME R 2022
hen it comes to conservation, there is seldom a single solution to the problem—or even a single problem to solve. There may be many factors contributing to a species’ decline, and a multitude of ways to approach each one. The Los Angeles Zoo’s multi-pronged approach to conservation can perhaps best be illustrated through one of its flagship species: the peninsular pronghorn (also known as the berrendo). ZO O V I E W
9
Left: White hairs on the pronghorn’s backside bristle at the slightest alarm, serving as a warning signal to other group members. Middle and right: These “ghosts of the desert” are now roaming terrain where they hadn’t been seen in decades. Photos courtesy of: PENINSULAR PRONGHORN RECOVERY PROJECT
Today the total population of peninsular pronghorn is approximately 600, with 42 of those in U.S. zoos and the rest in the wild or on protected reserves in Baja California.
N
ative to Baja California, Mexico, the peninsular pronghorn is perhaps the most threatened of the three recognized pronghorn subspecies. By 1997, the population had dropped to around 60 individuals. Similar to other long-term recovery efforts, the
10
ZO O V I E W
early stages of the peninsular pronghorn program involved bringing animals in from the wild to establish a breeding program. Established in 1998, the Baja-based breeding program started the species on the road to recovery. But there was more work to be done. In 2000, the L.A. Zoo, the Living Desert Zoo & Gardens, and San Diego Zoo Global formed a consortium whose goal was to further pronghorn conservation efforts led by the Mexican organization Espacios Naturales. Over the past two decades, we have provided critical funding, advisory support, and on-the-ground assistance to
SU MME R 2022
the Peninsular Pronghorn Recovery Project (PPRP) in Mexico. The consortium also established the first breeding program for this subspecies in the United States. In these pages, you’ll learn more about this amazing animal and some of the ways we’ve worked with our partners to prevent its extinction.
MANY NAMES
The word pronghorn comes from the animal’s horns, which branch into two parts or “prongs.” These structures are horns, not antlers, and they are unique to the species. While most horns are permanent structures, pronghorn shed the outer part of theirs each year. They are the only animal with branched horns. Though they are often referred to as pronghorn antelope, they are not a member of the antelope family. The pronghorn is more closely related to the giraffe than it
SU MME R 2022
is to deer or antelope. In their native Mexico, peninsular pronghorn are known as “berrendo.” They are also called los fantasmas del desierto or “ghosts of the desert.” There is good reason for this nickname—able to run at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour, pronghorn can vanish in a flash.
the L.A. Zoo’s Director of Animal Programs, “but they don’t like to do it.” Fences disrupt pronghorn migration and can prevent them from reaching food and water resources. Moreover, overgrazing by livestock reduces ground cover and quality of vegetation available for pronghorn.
MANY THREATS
MANY PARTNERS
Hunting and habitat loss led to drastic declines in pronghorn populations through the early 20th century. Other threats include drought, habitat fragmentation, predation by coyotes and feral dogs, car collisions, competition with livestock, and climate change. Pronghorn habitat is populated with cattle ranches—and ranches are surrounded by fences. Fences pose a problem for pronghorn, because, despite being spectacular runners, they aren’t great jumpers. “They can jump,” explains Beth Schaefer,
Saving any species takes teamwork, and the PPRP is no exception. In addition to the other zoos and conservation organizations involved in the recovery project, the cooperation of community stakeholders is absolutely critical to the success of the PPRP. “The land in Baja is managed under a collective system called an ejido, which is like a community-managed farming or ranching group,” says Schaefer. “The PPRP worked very diligently to gain the cooperation of the ejido managers—to get them to agree to not hunt pronghorn and
ZO O V I E W
11
Left: White hairs on the pronghorn’s backside bristle at the slightest alarm, serving as a warning signal to other group members. Middle and right: These “ghosts of the desert” are now roaming terrain where they hadn’t been seen in decades. Photos courtesy of: PENINSULAR PRONGHORN RECOVERY PROJECT
Today the total population of peninsular pronghorn is approximately 600, with 42 of those in U.S. zoos and the rest in the wild or on protected reserves in Baja California.
N
ative to Baja California, Mexico, the peninsular pronghorn is perhaps the most threatened of the three recognized pronghorn subspecies. By 1997, the population had dropped to around 60 individuals. Similar to other long-term recovery efforts, the
10
ZO O V I E W
early stages of the peninsular pronghorn program involved bringing animals in from the wild to establish a breeding program. Established in 1998, the Baja-based breeding program started the species on the road to recovery. But there was more work to be done. In 2000, the L.A. Zoo, the Living Desert Zoo & Gardens, and San Diego Zoo Global formed a consortium whose goal was to further pronghorn conservation efforts led by the Mexican organization Espacios Naturales. Over the past two decades, we have provided critical funding, advisory support, and on-the-ground assistance to
SU MME R 2022
the Peninsular Pronghorn Recovery Project (PPRP) in Mexico. The consortium also established the first breeding program for this subspecies in the United States. In these pages, you’ll learn more about this amazing animal and some of the ways we’ve worked with our partners to prevent its extinction.
MANY NAMES
The word pronghorn comes from the animal’s horns, which branch into two parts or “prongs.” These structures are horns, not antlers, and they are unique to the species. While most horns are permanent structures, pronghorn shed the outer part of theirs each year. They are the only animal with branched horns. Though they are often referred to as pronghorn antelope, they are not a member of the antelope family. The pronghorn is more closely related to the giraffe than it
SU MME R 2022
is to deer or antelope. In their native Mexico, peninsular pronghorn are known as “berrendo.” They are also called los fantasmas del desierto or “ghosts of the desert.” There is good reason for this nickname—able to run at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour, pronghorn can vanish in a flash.
the L.A. Zoo’s Director of Animal Programs, “but they don’t like to do it.” Fences disrupt pronghorn migration and can prevent them from reaching food and water resources. Moreover, overgrazing by livestock reduces ground cover and quality of vegetation available for pronghorn.
MANY THREATS
MANY PARTNERS
Hunting and habitat loss led to drastic declines in pronghorn populations through the early 20th century. Other threats include drought, habitat fragmentation, predation by coyotes and feral dogs, car collisions, competition with livestock, and climate change. Pronghorn habitat is populated with cattle ranches—and ranches are surrounded by fences. Fences pose a problem for pronghorn, because, despite being spectacular runners, they aren’t great jumpers. “They can jump,” explains Beth Schaefer,
Saving any species takes teamwork, and the PPRP is no exception. In addition to the other zoos and conservation organizations involved in the recovery project, the cooperation of community stakeholders is absolutely critical to the success of the PPRP. “The land in Baja is managed under a collective system called an ejido, which is like a community-managed farming or ranching group,” says Schaefer. “The PPRP worked very diligently to gain the cooperation of the ejido managers—to get them to agree to not hunt pronghorn and
ZO O V I E W
11
CONSERVATION
12
ZO O V I E W
QUARANTINE & CARE
S U MME R 2022
BRINGING THE OUTSIDE IN The design of the Visitor Center places the exhibitry in the center of the space, leaving the windows open to views of the surrounding land. “The windows are an important element of the design, so that guests can look out and potentially see pronghorn,” says Keeffe. “And Museografica had the expertise to make that happen.”
A
The L.A. Zoo also acquires all the import permits required to bring pronghorn from Mexico into the U.S. and provides care for the animals during the yearlong quarantine process that follows. Schaefer explains that regardless of their destination zoo, all imported peninsular pronghorn enjoy an extended stay at the L.A. Zoo. “We’re the only zoo that has the permit to quarantine pronghorn,” she says. “They have to stay in our quarantine facility for six months, then they spend another six months at our pronghorn area.” It’s a very long process compared to
B
aja is a hotspot for whale watchers. The annual migration of gray whales—who birth their calves in the warm waters of Baja’s lagoons—draws tons of tourists to the area. Seeing an opportunity to educate these animal lovers to the plight of the pronghorn, the PPRP constructed a Visitor Center near the reserve. Built by one of the biologists, the structure itself was a “labor of love” in the words of Coral Barreiro, the Zoo’s Manager of Community Programs. But just building it wasn’t enough to make the tourists come. When Director of Conservation Dr. Jake Owens and Director of Animal Programs Beth Schaefer visited the site, they saw a space with lots of untapped potential—and another way the Zoo could lend a hand. “We have people that create interpretive graphics and think strategically about community engagement,” says the Zoo’s Director of Learning & Engagement Dan Keeffe. “So, this was a place that we might be able to help.” Over several months, members of the Zoo’s Learning & Engagement, Conservation, and Animal Care teams met virtually with the PPRP’s Victor Sanchez Sotomayor and Aidee Sanchez Ramirez to learn about their storytelling goals. They were cautious not to impose their own narrative on the process. “It was not us deciding what the story was,” says Keeffe. “It was the story they felt was important to tell—and we lent our ability to organize information to that process.” That’s when Barreiro, who has family in Mexico, decided to make some calls. “Although I’ve visited a thousand museums in Mexico, I wanted to find out how they do their signage. I wanted to find someone who worked in a museum there and knew about the culture of Mexicans reading signs and infographics. So, I put it out to my relatives: ‘Do you know anybody in museums?’ And one of my aunts said ‘yes.’ I couldn’t believe it!” That contact led to someone who put Barreiro in touch with Museografica, a Mexicobased design firm with an impressive list of credits including the Anthropology Museum in Veracruz. “When we told them about the pronghorn—and the conservation effort led by the Mexican government—they were excited to get involved,” says Barreiro. Recruiting a firm already embedded in the Mexican community was critical, says Keeffe. “We don’t know what’s best for other audiences. But what we could do was connect these two groups that previously had no connection. Then we were able to step back pretty quickly, and it was really Museografica and PPRP working together to make the best Center for their community. We helped with gathering information and other ways where necessary, but we were able to not be a critical part of it after a point. And that’s the best part.”
MU SE OG RA FIC
PHOTO COURTESY OF MARK LINGGI
F
or more than six years I’ve had the privilege of being the primary keeper for peninsular pronghorn at the Los Angeles Zoo. Originally, I was attracted to pronghorn because of their unique adaptations that set them apart from most mammals. Over time, their curiosity and friendly demeanor made me look forward to working with them every day. As I worked with them more, I learned about the steps the Los Angeles Zoo and the Peninsular Pronghorn Recovery Project (PPRP) are taking to help them avoid extinction. I knew that because of barbed-wire fences, hunting, and other threats, there were fewer than 100 individuals in the wild—a fact that surprises most Zoo visitors. It wasn’t until last November that I became more hopeful about the species’ survival. I was part of a team that traveled to the Vizcaino region in Baja California Sur, where we helped fit GPS tracking collars on eight pronghorn and released them into the wild. The experience had a tremendous impact on me—and on my work at the Zoo. As we headed down the last hill toward the PPRP pre-release pens, I caught a glimpse of my first pronghorns in Baja. To say that seeing these animals run in a vast field was an emotional moment for me would be an understatement. The pre-release pens are huge, and pronghorn spanned as far as I could see. It wasn’t just the number of pronghorns that surprised me, but the amount of vehicles in the area, too. We quickly met the people involved with the day’s activities and learned that not all of them were part of the PPRP. Many were ranchers and landowners from the surrounding area who came to help with corralling, handrestraining, and releasing pronghorn. Each day we released pronghorn into the wild, the ranchers and landowners were there. I will never forget their passion and pride, knowing that the pronghorn roaming on their land are part of the first steps in saving the species. Since coming back from my trip, I still tell guests that the peninsular pronghorn is endangered due to human activity. But now, in addition to discussing the work that the Los Angeles Zoo and the PPRP are doing, I also tell them about the local community in the Vizcaino area and their passion for restoring pronghorns to their native lands. I hope that after spending time with our herd and hearing their story, our visitors feel the same way.
M E LO D
In 2006, the L.A. Zoo imported four pronghorn fawns from Mexico, laying the groundwork for the U.S.-based breeding program. To date, 55 fawns have been born at the L.A. Zoo. Other zoos, including San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, the El Paso Zoo, the Living Desert, and Arizona’s Wildlife World Zoo have since joined the program, allowing for exponential growth of the U.S. population. A healthy, thriving zoo population is critical for the subspecies’ survival. It serves as a safeguard against potential population crashes in the wild and also gives guests the opportunity to observe these rare and remarkable animals up close. The breeding program hit a stumbling block in 2020, as COVID restrictions put a hold on most animal transfers, and the Zoo’s current crop of pronghorn were all female. With restrictions easing, the L.A. Zoo is slated to bring in a new male soon.
Animal Keeper
by BRENDA SCOTT ROYCE
I TA YL E
BREEDING SUCCESS
by MARK LINGGI
Everything’s Relative
A
A Passion for Pronghorn
AL UC LTUR TION ORA B A L L CO
S , S DZ W
to provide food in the event of drought or other shortage. And they’re all very much on board. They are proud to have pronghorn on their ejidos.” Bringing the community into the partnership has had a tremendous impact on the project. Take the issue of fencing. “By working with the ejidos, they were able to convince the cattle ranchers to remove the bottom layer of barbed wire,” says Schaefer. “This keeps the cattle in but allows the pronghorn to crawl underneath.” An easy solution that could only have been achieved through community collaboration.
The Zoo’s involvement in the Peninsular Pronghorn Visitor Center project was made possible thanks to generous funding from William & Karen Timberlake and Diane & Mark Montgomery.
SU MME R 2022
ZO O V I E W
13
CONSERVATION
12
ZO O V I E W
QUARANTINE & CARE
S U MME R 2022
BRINGING THE OUTSIDE IN The design of the Visitor Center places the exhibitry in the center of the space, leaving the windows open to views of the surrounding land. “The windows are an important element of the design, so that guests can look out and potentially see pronghorn,” says Keeffe. “And Museografica had the expertise to make that happen.”
A
The L.A. Zoo also acquires all the import permits required to bring pronghorn from Mexico into the U.S. and provides care for the animals during the yearlong quarantine process that follows. Schaefer explains that regardless of their destination zoo, all imported peninsular pronghorn enjoy an extended stay at the L.A. Zoo. “We’re the only zoo that has the permit to quarantine pronghorn,” she says. “They have to stay in our quarantine facility for six months, then they spend another six months at our pronghorn area.” It’s a very long process compared to
B
aja is a hotspot for whale watchers. The annual migration of gray whales—who birth their calves in the warm waters of Baja’s lagoons—draws tons of tourists to the area. Seeing an opportunity to educate these animal lovers to the plight of the pronghorn, the PPRP constructed a Visitor Center near the reserve. Built by one of the biologists, the structure itself was a “labor of love” in the words of Coral Barreiro, the Zoo’s Manager of Community Programs. But just building it wasn’t enough to make the tourists come. When Director of Conservation Dr. Jake Owens and Director of Animal Programs Beth Schaefer visited the site, they saw a space with lots of untapped potential—and another way the Zoo could lend a hand. “We have people that create interpretive graphics and think strategically about community engagement,” says the Zoo’s Director of Learning & Engagement Dan Keeffe. “So, this was a place that we might be able to help.” Over several months, members of the Zoo’s Learning & Engagement, Conservation, and Animal Care teams met virtually with the PPRP’s Victor Sanchez Sotomayor and Aidee Sanchez Ramirez to learn about their storytelling goals. They were cautious not to impose their own narrative on the process. “It was not us deciding what the story was,” says Keeffe. “It was the story they felt was important to tell—and we lent our ability to organize information to that process.” That’s when Barreiro, who has family in Mexico, decided to make some calls. “Although I’ve visited a thousand museums in Mexico, I wanted to find out how they do their signage. I wanted to find someone who worked in a museum there and knew about the culture of Mexicans reading signs and infographics. So, I put it out to my relatives: ‘Do you know anybody in museums?’ And one of my aunts said ‘yes.’ I couldn’t believe it!” That contact led to someone who put Barreiro in touch with Museografica, a Mexicobased design firm with an impressive list of credits including the Anthropology Museum in Veracruz. “When we told them about the pronghorn—and the conservation effort led by the Mexican government—they were excited to get involved,” says Barreiro. Recruiting a firm already embedded in the Mexican community was critical, says Keeffe. “We don’t know what’s best for other audiences. But what we could do was connect these two groups that previously had no connection. Then we were able to step back pretty quickly, and it was really Museografica and PPRP working together to make the best Center for their community. We helped with gathering information and other ways where necessary, but we were able to not be a critical part of it after a point. And that’s the best part.”
MU SE OG RA FIC
PHOTO COURTESY OF MARK LINGGI
F
or more than six years I’ve had the privilege of being the primary keeper for peninsular pronghorn at the Los Angeles Zoo. Originally, I was attracted to pronghorn because of their unique adaptations that set them apart from most mammals. Over time, their curiosity and friendly demeanor made me look forward to working with them every day. As I worked with them more, I learned about the steps the Los Angeles Zoo and the Peninsular Pronghorn Recovery Project (PPRP) are taking to help them avoid extinction. I knew that because of barbed-wire fences, hunting, and other threats, there were fewer than 100 individuals in the wild—a fact that surprises most Zoo visitors. It wasn’t until last November that I became more hopeful about the species’ survival. I was part of a team that traveled to the Vizcaino region in Baja California Sur, where we helped fit GPS tracking collars on eight pronghorn and released them into the wild. The experience had a tremendous impact on me—and on my work at the Zoo. As we headed down the last hill toward the PPRP pre-release pens, I caught a glimpse of my first pronghorns in Baja. To say that seeing these animals run in a vast field was an emotional moment for me would be an understatement. The pre-release pens are huge, and pronghorn spanned as far as I could see. It wasn’t just the number of pronghorns that surprised me, but the amount of vehicles in the area, too. We quickly met the people involved with the day’s activities and learned that not all of them were part of the PPRP. Many were ranchers and landowners from the surrounding area who came to help with corralling, handrestraining, and releasing pronghorn. Each day we released pronghorn into the wild, the ranchers and landowners were there. I will never forget their passion and pride, knowing that the pronghorn roaming on their land are part of the first steps in saving the species. Since coming back from my trip, I still tell guests that the peninsular pronghorn is endangered due to human activity. But now, in addition to discussing the work that the Los Angeles Zoo and the PPRP are doing, I also tell them about the local community in the Vizcaino area and their passion for restoring pronghorns to their native lands. I hope that after spending time with our herd and hearing their story, our visitors feel the same way.
M E LO D
In 2006, the L.A. Zoo imported four pronghorn fawns from Mexico, laying the groundwork for the U.S.-based breeding program. To date, 55 fawns have been born at the L.A. Zoo. Other zoos, including San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, the El Paso Zoo, the Living Desert, and Arizona’s Wildlife World Zoo have since joined the program, allowing for exponential growth of the U.S. population. A healthy, thriving zoo population is critical for the subspecies’ survival. It serves as a safeguard against potential population crashes in the wild and also gives guests the opportunity to observe these rare and remarkable animals up close. The breeding program hit a stumbling block in 2020, as COVID restrictions put a hold on most animal transfers, and the Zoo’s current crop of pronghorn were all female. With restrictions easing, the L.A. Zoo is slated to bring in a new male soon.
Animal Keeper
by BRENDA SCOTT ROYCE
I TA YL E
BREEDING SUCCESS
by MARK LINGGI
Everything’s Relative
A
A Passion for Pronghorn
AL UC LTUR TION ORA B A L L CO
S , S DZ W
to provide food in the event of drought or other shortage. And they’re all very much on board. They are proud to have pronghorn on their ejidos.” Bringing the community into the partnership has had a tremendous impact on the project. Take the issue of fencing. “By working with the ejidos, they were able to convince the cattle ranchers to remove the bottom layer of barbed wire,” says Schaefer. “This keeps the cattle in but allows the pronghorn to crawl underneath.” An easy solution that could only have been achieved through community collaboration.
The Zoo’s involvement in the Peninsular Pronghorn Visitor Center project was made possible thanks to generous funding from William & Karen Timberlake and Diane & Mark Montgomery.
SU MME R 2022
ZO O V I E W
13
EXPERT
DONOR SPOTLIGHT other new arrivals. “For most mammals, the quarantine is 30 days,” says Director of Animal Wellness Dr. Dominique Keller. “That’s because there’s been a lot of pre-testing that has taken place, and we get the animals’ history from the zoo they are coming from. But because the pronghorn are being imported from a native area and we don’t know their medical history, they have to undergo a much longer quarantine.” The federally mandated quarantine is “quite a commitment,” Schaefer adds, “but it’s one that we’ve undertaken for the good of the project.” In addition to overseeing the quarantine process, Keller and her staff also provide veterinary care for members of our Zoo herd. “They get annual vaccines, at which time we do full physical exams, draw blood, and check their hooves,” says Keller. “The rest of the year, unless a keeper notices that something is amiss, we try to be relatively hands-off.”
A Loving Legacy by BRENDA SCOTT ROYCE
A
ctress, author, and animal advocate Betty White touched millions of people around the world with her ability to make us laugh, cry, and care. Throughout her career, she used her influence to make the world a better place for all creatures. And since her death in December, the Golden Girl has cast a warm glow over the world, inspiring countless others to follow her lead—donating or volunteering for zoos, rescues, and other animal welfare organizations. For Trudy Beach, Betty’s passing inspired self-reflection—and the kind of soul-searching that leads to life-altering decisions. “It sparked something in me,” she says. “I thought, I have to do something in this life to make a difference.” Like Betty, Trudy has a soft spot for animals—and a special fondness for big cats. Having once worked for a wildlife facility that brought critters into classrooms, she believes passionately in the importance of educating children about our planet’s vanishing wildlife. “Animals are so important, and so many people take them for granted. They’re beautiful, majestic, and magical—and we need to protect them.” With no children of her own, the sixty-something Beach had been uncertain what to do with her estate. “And then we lost Betty, and I thought, ‘Oh my God, maybe I could help carry on her work in some small way,” she says. “Maybe in the end I can do something great.” The lifelong Angeleno ultimately decided to include the Los Angeles Zoo in her estate plan through GLAZA’s planned giving program, the Selig Legacy Society. “Betty wouldn’t have devoted decades of her life to somewhere that wasn’t doing good,” says Beach. “So, I knew I was picking the right spot.” The fact that Beach’s mother was also named Betty makes the tribute doubly sweet.
BRINGING IT HOME
to nurture and protect wildlife.
TO LEARN MORE about the Selig Legacy Society and its benefits, please contact Rob Woolley at 323-486-4213 or email rwoolley@lazoo.org.
14
ZO O V I E W
JALIEN TULLEY
Bequests like Beach’s ensure that future generations will continue to be inspired
Earlier this year, Schaefer, Keller, and Animal Keeper Mark Linggi traveled to Guerrero Negro to participate in a particularly historic event—the first-ever release of collared pronghorn to the wild. Eight captive-reared pronghorn were fitted with GPS tracking collars to assist with monitoring, then released. (Read Mark’s story on page 12.) For Keller, the experience not only stoked her own passion for conservation but also provided invaluable insights that she brought back to her staff. “Understanding an animal’s natural ecology helps in terms of ensuring its health and well-being,” she explains. “Pronghorn are such hearty animals, and they’ve evolved in tune with their environment. Being able to see them firsthand in the field—to see how they live and what they face on a daily basis—really brings it home.” Upon her return, Keller gave a presentation to the veterinary and nutrition staff. “Everyone was excited to be able to see the animals in such big numbers, and to understand the conditions they’re living under,” she says. “It put things into context. They could see what they’re doing with our little group of pronghorn—and understand what it means for the bigger picture.”
S U MME R 2022
CLASSIFICATION COUNTS
JAKE OWENS
PERSPECTIVE
by DR. JAKE OWENS Director of Conservation, L.A. Zoo Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences, Drexel Univ. Member, Reintroduction Specialist Group, IUCN Species Survival Commission Founding Member, Human-Wildlife Interactions Working Group, IUCN Species Survival Commission Former Manager of Research & Development, Giant Panda Reintroduction Program,
T
he IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (“Red List”) is the most comprehensive global database of the conservation status of biological species. Since 1964, experts around the world have followed increasingly rigorous assessment guidelines to evaluate the relative risk of extinction for more than 142,000 species. This Red List status provides a consistent system for managers, policymakers, researchers, and others to focus conservation resources and actions, and it ultimately helps guide global conservation priorities. In 1988, the peninsular pronghorn (Antilocapra americana peninsularis) was classified as Endangered on the Red List, however it was subsequently removed from the list due to disagreement within the scientific community about its subspecies designation. Instead, all three living pronghorn subspecies—American (A. a. americana), Sonoran (A. a. sonoriensis), and peninsular (A. a. peninsularis)—were combined into one listing for the species. Because there are approximately one million American pronghorn in North America, this grouping resulted in a Red List status of Least Concern. More recent phylogenetic research has
SU MME R 2022
Chengdu Panda Base, Chengdu, China
confirmed that there are indeed three subspecies, and those in Mexico have a series of adaptations and ecological differences that distinguish them from pronghorn populations in the United States and Canada. Unfortunately, the lack of distinction in the Red List has limited the resources available to conservation efforts for peninsular pronghorn. In January 2020, L.A. Zoo staff attended and co-facilitated a Peninsular Pronghorn Recovery Program (PPRP) Species Action Plan Workshop. At the workshop, it became clear that a reassessment of peninsular pronghorn on the Red List was necessary. As a member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Species Survival Commission (IUCN SSC) with experience assessing species, I was confident that we would be able to drive the reassessment forward, particularly because the Species Action Plan we had collaboratively planned and developed with the PPRP provided all the necessary data. Despite not being an antelope, pronghorn fall under the purview of the IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group, and so I worked directly with the group’s leadership and coordinated with other PPRP members to conduct the Red List evaluation. The Red List has five specific criteria for determining whether any given
species should be considered Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, or Least Concern. These criteria include: A) population size reductions, B) geographic range, C) small population size and decline, D) small or restricted populations, and E) extinction probability. The severity or time frame in which these occur ultimately determines their category. With an estimated population of fewer than 100 mature individuals free-ranging in the wild, peninsular pronghorn clearly fit in Criteria D as an Endangered subspecies. And so, in late summer of last year we published the assessment—and peninsular pronghorn joined the more than 15,400 Endangered species on the list. While being labeled Endangered might seem negative, getting this classification was an important step forward. It places higher priority on peninsular pronghorn conservation and opens up new funding and grant opportunities. It also provides additional support for conservation actions, such as acquiring permits to import pronghorn from Mexico to diversify the U.S. breeding program. We at the L.A. Zoo are excited to continue collaborating with our partners in Mexico and the U.S. to save this unique animal, and hope that in the next Red List assessment we see them down-listed to Vulnerable … and on the way to Least Concern.
ZO O V I E W
15
EXPERT
DONOR SPOTLIGHT other new arrivals. “For most mammals, the quarantine is 30 days,” says Director of Animal Wellness Dr. Dominique Keller. “That’s because there’s been a lot of pre-testing that has taken place, and we get the animals’ history from the zoo they are coming from. But because the pronghorn are being imported from a native area and we don’t know their medical history, they have to undergo a much longer quarantine.” The federally mandated quarantine is “quite a commitment,” Schaefer adds, “but it’s one that we’ve undertaken for the good of the project.” In addition to overseeing the quarantine process, Keller and her staff also provide veterinary care for members of our Zoo herd. “They get annual vaccines, at which time we do full physical exams, draw blood, and check their hooves,” says Keller. “The rest of the year, unless a keeper notices that something is amiss, we try to be relatively hands-off.”
A Loving Legacy by BRENDA SCOTT ROYCE
A
ctress, author, and animal advocate Betty White touched millions of people around the world with her ability to make us laugh, cry, and care. Throughout her career, she used her influence to make the world a better place for all creatures. And since her death in December, the Golden Girl has cast a warm glow over the world, inspiring countless others to follow her lead—donating or volunteering for zoos, rescues, and other animal welfare organizations. For Trudy Beach, Betty’s passing inspired self-reflection—and the kind of soul-searching that leads to life-altering decisions. “It sparked something in me,” she says. “I thought, I have to do something in this life to make a difference.” Like Betty, Trudy has a soft spot for animals—and a special fondness for big cats. Having once worked for a wildlife facility that brought critters into classrooms, she believes passionately in the importance of educating children about our planet’s vanishing wildlife. “Animals are so important, and so many people take them for granted. They’re beautiful, majestic, and magical—and we need to protect them.” With no children of her own, the sixty-something Beach had been uncertain what to do with her estate. “And then we lost Betty, and I thought, ‘Oh my God, maybe I could help carry on her work in some small way,” she says. “Maybe in the end I can do something great.” The lifelong Angeleno ultimately decided to include the Los Angeles Zoo in her estate plan through GLAZA’s planned giving program, the Selig Legacy Society. “Betty wouldn’t have devoted decades of her life to somewhere that wasn’t doing good,” says Beach. “So, I knew I was picking the right spot.” The fact that Beach’s mother was also named Betty makes the tribute doubly sweet.
BRINGING IT HOME
to nurture and protect wildlife.
TO LEARN MORE about the Selig Legacy Society and its benefits, please contact Rob Woolley at 323-486-4213 or email rwoolley@lazoo.org.
14
ZO O V I E W
JALIEN TULLEY
Bequests like Beach’s ensure that future generations will continue to be inspired
Earlier this year, Schaefer, Keller, and Animal Keeper Mark Linggi traveled to Guerrero Negro to participate in a particularly historic event—the first-ever release of collared pronghorn to the wild. Eight captive-reared pronghorn were fitted with GPS tracking collars to assist with monitoring, then released. (Read Mark’s story on page 12.) For Keller, the experience not only stoked her own passion for conservation but also provided invaluable insights that she brought back to her staff. “Understanding an animal’s natural ecology helps in terms of ensuring its health and well-being,” she explains. “Pronghorn are such hearty animals, and they’ve evolved in tune with their environment. Being able to see them firsthand in the field—to see how they live and what they face on a daily basis—really brings it home.” Upon her return, Keller gave a presentation to the veterinary and nutrition staff. “Everyone was excited to be able to see the animals in such big numbers, and to understand the conditions they’re living under,” she says. “It put things into context. They could see what they’re doing with our little group of pronghorn—and understand what it means for the bigger picture.”
S U MME R 2022
CLASSIFICATION COUNTS
JAKE OWENS
PERSPECTIVE
by DR. JAKE OWENS Director of Conservation, L.A. Zoo Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences, Drexel Univ. Member, Reintroduction Specialist Group, IUCN Species Survival Commission Founding Member, Human-Wildlife Interactions Working Group, IUCN Species Survival Commission Former Manager of Research & Development, Giant Panda Reintroduction Program,
T
he IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (“Red List”) is the most comprehensive global database of the conservation status of biological species. Since 1964, experts around the world have followed increasingly rigorous assessment guidelines to evaluate the relative risk of extinction for more than 142,000 species. This Red List status provides a consistent system for managers, policymakers, researchers, and others to focus conservation resources and actions, and it ultimately helps guide global conservation priorities. In 1988, the peninsular pronghorn (Antilocapra americana peninsularis) was classified as Endangered on the Red List, however it was subsequently removed from the list due to disagreement within the scientific community about its subspecies designation. Instead, all three living pronghorn subspecies—American (A. a. americana), Sonoran (A. a. sonoriensis), and peninsular (A. a. peninsularis)—were combined into one listing for the species. Because there are approximately one million American pronghorn in North America, this grouping resulted in a Red List status of Least Concern. More recent phylogenetic research has
SU MME R 2022
Chengdu Panda Base, Chengdu, China
confirmed that there are indeed three subspecies, and those in Mexico have a series of adaptations and ecological differences that distinguish them from pronghorn populations in the United States and Canada. Unfortunately, the lack of distinction in the Red List has limited the resources available to conservation efforts for peninsular pronghorn. In January 2020, L.A. Zoo staff attended and co-facilitated a Peninsular Pronghorn Recovery Program (PPRP) Species Action Plan Workshop. At the workshop, it became clear that a reassessment of peninsular pronghorn on the Red List was necessary. As a member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Species Survival Commission (IUCN SSC) with experience assessing species, I was confident that we would be able to drive the reassessment forward, particularly because the Species Action Plan we had collaboratively planned and developed with the PPRP provided all the necessary data. Despite not being an antelope, pronghorn fall under the purview of the IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group, and so I worked directly with the group’s leadership and coordinated with other PPRP members to conduct the Red List evaluation. The Red List has five specific criteria for determining whether any given
species should be considered Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, or Least Concern. These criteria include: A) population size reductions, B) geographic range, C) small population size and decline, D) small or restricted populations, and E) extinction probability. The severity or time frame in which these occur ultimately determines their category. With an estimated population of fewer than 100 mature individuals free-ranging in the wild, peninsular pronghorn clearly fit in Criteria D as an Endangered subspecies. And so, in late summer of last year we published the assessment—and peninsular pronghorn joined the more than 15,400 Endangered species on the list. While being labeled Endangered might seem negative, getting this classification was an important step forward. It places higher priority on peninsular pronghorn conservation and opens up new funding and grant opportunities. It also provides additional support for conservation actions, such as acquiring permits to import pronghorn from Mexico to diversify the U.S. breeding program. We at the L.A. Zoo are excited to continue collaborating with our partners in Mexico and the U.S. to save this unique animal, and hope that in the next Red List assessment we see them down-listed to Vulnerable … and on the way to Least Concern.
ZO O V I E W
15
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