Zoo View - Summer 2023

MAYOR OF LOS ANGELES

Karen Bass

COUNCILMEMBER, FOURTH DISTRICT

Nithya Raman

LOS ANGELES ZOO COMMISSION

Karen B. Winnick, President Bernardo Silva, Vice President

Mark Gonzalez

Daryl Smith

Elnie Vannatim

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

GLAZA OFFICERS

Erika Aronson Stern, Chair

Rob Ellis, Vice Chair

Phyllis Kupferstein, Secretary

Matthew Wilson, Treasurer Tom Jacobson, GLAZA President

GLAZA TRUSTEES

Courtney Appell, Michael Armstrong, Alma Banuelos, Shainaz Donnelly Burg, Esther Chao, Vivian Chow, Malissia R. Clinton, Marlyn Day, Wendy M. Denham, Brian Diamond, Rob Ellis, Justin Enbody, Sam Enoch, Heather Evans, Alfred Fraijo, Jr., Gregory D. Fuss, Cassidy Horn, Randy Hua, Tyler K. Kelley, Anthony Kitchener, Richard Lichtenstein, Alan G. Lowy, Patricia Liu McKenna, Steve O’Connell, Beth Price, Marc L. Sallus, Patricia Silver, Slash, Jay Sonbolian, Madeline Joyce Taft, Franco Terango, Ellia M. Thompson, Laura Z. Wasserman, Jennifer Thornton Wieland, Matthew Wilson, Grant Withers

TRUSTEES EMERITI

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

GLAZA ADMINISTRATION

Sara Rodriguez, VP, Operations and Events

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

CONSERVATION

Sweet Melody

Jolie the Indochinese green magpie survived being smuggled inside a suitcase on a flight from Vietnam to Los Angeles. Read her story on page 12.

Photo by JAMIE PHAM

SUMMER 2023

VOLUME LVII // NUMBER 2

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

This young ring-tailed lemur was rescued from the illegal pet trade. Unlike a private home, the Zoo has the resources and expertise these primates need to thrive.

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

6 ZOO-M IN Members’ photo gallery

FEATURES

8 KEEPING IT WILD

12

14

The Zoo joins a national campaign to bring attention to the exotic pet trade.

JOEL & JOLIE

A smuggled songbird captures the attention of a famed photographer.

EXPERT

CARING FOR CONFISCATED ANIMALS

Los Angeles is a major hub for the illegal wildlife trade, and L.A. Zoo experts are often called in to assist with confiscations.

AZA BY THE NUMBERS

238 ACCREDITED ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS

780,000+ ANIMALS 8,600+ SPECIES CARES FOR ACCREDITED

WEARE READ MORE

54% NONPROFIT

35% PUBLIC

4

WE ARE

Lots of Lambs

Four desert bighorn sheep were born at the Zoo this spring, one to each of the four adult females. “It’s an exciting time to have new babies in our bighorn sheep habitat,” says Senior Animal Keeper Kevin Gorowski. “These four lambs will help foster lasting appreciation for biodiversity.” The largest wild sheep in North America, bighorn sheep are named for their majestic horns, which can arc in a spiral more than three feet long. Both males and females have horns, but the male’s horns grow much larger.

ACCREDITED

ONLY A SELECT GROUP OF ZOOS can display the logo of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Of the approximately 2,800 animal facilities across the country that are licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), less than 9 percent are accredited by the AZA. In March, the Los Angeles Zoo was awarded accreditation for another five years, extending this status through 2028.

“The Los Angeles Zoo has been accredited by the AZA since 1979,” says Zoo Director and CEO Denise Verret. “It is a testament to the highest level of care and wellbeing of the animals, our commitment to conservation, our impact in learning and engagement programs, and achieving the accreditation standards in a variety of other areas.”

The AZA accreditation process includes a meticulous, multi-day inspection by an independent team of zoological professionals. All aspects of the Zoo’s operations are examined, including animal welfare and wellbeing, veterinary care, keeper training, safety, education programs, conservation efforts, financial stability, and guest services. We are proud to be one of only 238 institutions accredited by the AZA as of March 2023.

FOR MORE ABOUT THE AZA, VISIT www.aza.org

JAMIE PHAM

A Magnet for Success

The Zoo’s longstanding partner, the North Hollywood High School Zoo Magnet Center (aka Zoo Magnet), received national recognition in April. The school won the 2023 Dr. Ronald P. Simpson Merit Award of Excellence, the highest honor given by the Magnet Schools of America. The award recognizes the school’s commitment to diversity, academic excellence, and curriculum innovation. Founded in 1981, the school offers a rigorous science-based curriculum along with opportunities to utilize the resources of the Zoo. Several graduates have gone on to become L.A. Zoo animal keepers.

Dan Keeffe, the Zoo’s Director of Learning & Engagement, says, “The Magnet school is one of our longest running and most cherished partners, and I couldn't be more thrilled for them winning this well-deserved award!”

COMMUNITY RESOURCE

WHEN A SCHOOL WORKERS’ STRIKE SHUT DOWN LAUSD SCHOOLS for three days in March, many families were left scrambling for childcare options. The Zoo stepped up in a big way, offering free admission to K-12 students and special “Community Safari Days” programming for kids in kindergarten through fifth grade.

A total of 138 children participated in Safari Days. The first two days were rainy, so most of the activities were held in indoor spaces such as the LAIR and Australia House. According to Director of Learning & Engagement Dan Keeffe, the students didn’t let the rain dampen their spirits. “One group was on their way out into the Zoo when a particularly large downpour hit, so they detoured to the auditorium and held an impromptu dance party!” Blue skies returned by the last day of the strike, resulting in the program’s highest attendance.

Keeffe and his team were pleased that the Zoo could be a resource to the community during the strike, providing a safe, fun experience for kids impacted by the closures. “Parents were full of thanks,” he says, “and we were equally grateful to be able to provide this community service.”

@LAZoo on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TheLosAngelesZoo on YouTube

SHARE your memories and photos on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook using #LAZoo

Falcon’s Crest

With her dark crest and fancy ruff of feathers around her neck, crested caracara Ike appears almost regal. It’s easy to see why she attracted the attention of featured photographer Jenn Rose, a SoCal native who visits the Zoo “as often as I can but not as often as I’d like.” On the day she captured this image, Rose had just finished reading a book about caracaras and went to the Zoo specifically to see Ike, her longtime favorite. “She was sitting out on her branch for quite a while, preening and looking beautiful in the light,” she says. “I could have sat there watching her for hours. Her coloration and the way she moves—it’s truly like watching a dinosaur.”

LEFT PAGE

A large member of the falcon family, the crested caracara is native to the southern United States and parts of Central America. Photo by: JENN ROSE

RIGHT PAGE

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Chinese goral by ARTHUR BOHLMANN; mandrill by DEBORA SUTERKO; meerkat nap by JEN HANSON (Jen’s Lens); Grevy’s zebra by JOHN JOULAKIAN; superb starling by ARTHUR BOHLMANN

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

Keeping It

by BRENDA SCOTT ROYCE photograhy by JAMIE PHAM

The illegal pet trade is a major threat to the world’s wildlife. Learn how the Zoo is helping to end this cruel trade— and you can, too!

Exotic animals are undeniably ap pealing. They’re a major reason we visit zoos and aquariums, watch wildlife documenta ries, and go on nature hikes or safaris. This fondness and fascination lead some to consider bringing exotic animals into their homes. (Estimates indicate that more exotic animals live in American homes than are cared for in AZA-accredited zoos.) But many wild animals have hard-to-meet needs, including specialized diets, climate requirements, and expensive medical care. While some exotics can make good pets, others absolutely do not. American alligator Reggie, who has made his home at the Los Angeles Zoo since 2007, is a prime example.

Prior to his arrival at the Zoo, Reggie was illegally kept as a pet. An alligator may seem manageable when it’s a few inches long, but these animals never stop growing. When Reggie grew too large and dangerous, his owner dumped him in a lake in L.A.’s Harbor Park—a popular recreation spot in southern Los Angeles County. His presence not only posed a serious threat to public safety but also put native wildlife at risk by introducing a non-native apex predator. Abandoning an exotic animal is also a crime.

Today, Reggie shares his habitat with Tina, an alligator with a similar history. Once someone’s pet, she was rescued by the Pasadena Humane Society, where she lived for many years. As the gator grew and grew—eventually reaching seven feet in length—so did the need for a better home. She moved to the L.A. Zoo in 2016.

NOT A PET

To bring attention to these and other problems inherent in exotic pet ownership, the Los Angeles Zoo joined the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Wildlife Trafficking Alliance (WTA) and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) in the “Not a Pet” campaign. We kicked off the campaign in March, sharing stories about some of our animals that were rescued from the illegal pet trade via our website, social media, and a series of attention-getting signs in the Zoo. Combatting the illegal wildlife trade is one of the six focal areas of the Zoo’s Conservation Strategic Plan. That’s why Dr. Jake Owens, the Zoo’s Director of Conservation, was eager to participate in the campaign. “The illegal wildlife trade increases the threat many animals already face due to habitat loss, climate change, and other human activities,” says Owens. “We want our guests to appreciate and enjoy the animals at the Zoo but avoid contributing to the conservation threats they face in the wild.”

Owens also warns that removing animals from the wild increases the potential for another global pandemic. More than two-thirds of the world’s emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic, meaning they can be transferred between animals and humans. Wild animals in the pet trade are often kept in cramped, unsanitary conditions that increase the spread of disease. Stressed animals are more susceptible to disease and can more easily shed viruses, further increasing these risks.

Laws regarding exotic pet ownership vary by state. For example, it is illegal to own any primate in California, but there are states where it is still permissible to own a monkey. That doesn’t make it a good idea. “A primate is cute when it’s a baby, but in the blink of an eye

SAFE HAVEN

Many animals recovered from the illegal wildlife trade have found refuge at the Zoo, including (left to right) a Bali myna, tomistoma, and ring-tailed lemur.

it’s going to be a mature adult who wants to climb up the social ladder, and then it’s not so fun anymore,” explains Director of Animal Programs Beth Schaefer. “And you’ve got an animal that may live for 30 years or more, but it doesn’t have adequate space or a social group, or its nutritional needs aren’t being met.”

And that’s just the beginning. Wild animals have natural instincts that can inflict serious injury upon humans or other pets. Then there’s the expense—the AZA estimates a lifetime of care for a spider monkey at more than $165,000.

“You also have to ask where the animal in question came from,” Schaefer continues. Many exotic animals are bred, bought, and sold legally. But oftentimes, animals are illegally taken from the wild to fill the demand for exotic pets. It has become so easy to buy unusual animals as pets online that many would-be owners don’t realize that purchasing one may be harming the animals and hurting conservation efforts.

RISK OF EXTINCTION

The Madagascar radiated tortoise is critically endangered due to its declining population and extremely limited range. Importing these tortoises is not only illegal but also puts the entire species at risk of

extinction. Many of the Zoo’s Madagascar radiated tortoises are here because they needed a safe home after federal agents rescued them from the illegal pet trade.

One of the biggest reptile confiscations in U.S. history, dubbed “Operation Chameleon,” occurred in 1998. Authorities brought down an international exotic animal smuggling ring, and in the process, they recovered a cache of rare reptiles. The L.A. Zoo received the majority of the seized animals, some of which still reside here, including a male tomistoma. “I hand-fed him as a baby,” recalls Curator of Amphibians and Reptiles Ian Recchio. “Now he’s like a huge, fire-breathing dragon!”

Fire-breathing may be an exaggeration, but at more than 12 feet long, this crocodilian’s size is no joke. That, and its 76-plus pointy teeth should be enough to dissuade anyone from attempting to keep one as a pet.

WILDLIFE CONFISCATION NETWORK

Southern California is a hub for wild animal trafficking. In 2020, the Southern California Wildlife Confiscations Network (SCWCN) was formed by the WTA to rapidly place animals seized by law enforcement agencies.

“Calls can come in at any time of the day or night,” says Schaefer, who has been

involved with the SCWCN since its founding and serves on its steering and vetting committees. “Different agencies, from L.A. Animal Control, all the way up to U.S. Fish and Wildlife, will contact us when they’ve confiscated an animal or group of animals. Animals may need to be held temporarily while the legal case is pending, or they may need a permanent home.”

Depending on the location of the seizure and the species involved, authorities may reach out to the L.A. Zoo or another facility. The SCWCN is working to streamline the process, and recently hired a staff person to serve this vital function. “Now, there will be one point person who will answer the call and then identify the best course of action for each individual animal,” Schaefer explains.

Once the network is fully up and running, it will help to place seized animals into appropriate facilities, enabling officers to carry out law enforcement duties without the added burden of trying to care for exotic animals.

TAKE ACTION!

What Can You Do?

Be Curious

Before bringing any pet into your home, research the species’ needs and make sure you can commit to caring for it for its lifetime. Ask about the animal’s origins. Find out whether that animal is legal to own in your state/ county/city.

Spread the Word

Once you understand the realities and pitfalls of owning exotic animals, tell your family and friends.

Sign the Pledge

Show your support for wildlife by signing the Not a Pet Campaign pledge at notapet.net.

Visit

Learn about additional actions you can take to help protect animals.

Joel & Jolie

by BRENDA SCOTT ROYCE

Joel Sartore is a man on a mission. The award-winning photographer and founder of the National Geographic Photo Ark set out to document the world’s wildlife before it disappears. He views every photograph as an opportunity to inspire conservation action. Most of his subjects are photographed at zoos and aquariums, including here at the Los Angeles Zoo.

Jolie is an Indo chinese green magpie, known for her bright colors and bold personality. When the stunning bird struck a pose for Sartore in the spring of 2023, the photographer was instantly smitten. “She was grooming and fluffing up and making little vocalizations, and she was absolutely a great subject,” he says.

His affection deepened when he learned about Jolie’s heartbreaking past. In 2017, she was one of 93 Asian songbirds smuggled inside a suitcase on a flight from Vietnam to Los Angeles. The birds were confiscated at the airport by U.S. Fish and Wildlife and brought to the Los Angeles Zoo. Only eight survived the trip, and more died shortly thereafter. Such statistics are not uncommon—a high percentage of animals bought and sold on the black market die in transit. That number is especially high for birds (up to 90 percent).

Jolie was immobilized throughout the long flight, stuffed into a small sleeve and packed in a basket. Under the attentive care of the experts at the Zoo, she recovered, eventually joining other birds in a mixed-species aviary.

Curator of Birds Rose Legato, who feels very protective of Jolie, was on hand to supervise her photo session. “She’s always been special to us, so it was neat to see her through someone else’s lens, so to speak,” she says. Sartore had never before laid eyes on an Indochinese green magpie. “His eyes lit up, and he was excited and eager to learn more about her story.”

The session marked a major milestone in Sartore’s project—Jolie represents the 14,000th species added to the Photo Ark. He made the announcement on Good Morning America on May 19, bringing national attention to Jolie and the L.A. Zoo’s work to combat the illegal wildlife trade.

The Indochinese green magpie, also known as the yellow-breasted magpie, is a member of the Corvid family, which includes crows and ravens. As with their well-known relatives, they are intelligent and curious. The same traits that make these birds so endearing also put them at risk, Legato says. “They’re very expressive and reactive, so they have a great personality, which unfortunately makes them attractive for the pet trade. That, and their beautiful colors.”

A red bill and flight feathers complement Jolie’s bold green and yellow body. A mask of black feathers around her eyes may reduce glare from the sun and give her an advantage when hunting small prey. The species is native to southeast Asia and China, where populations are declining in part due to the international pet trade.

“She is an amazing ambassador for her species,” says Legato. “If sharing her story can cause bigger ripples—maybe sparking someone to want to learn more or donate or get involved—that makes me happy.”

A photographer and a songbird put a face to the illegal wildlife trade JAMIE PHAM

Caring for CONFISCATED ANIMALS

by IAN RECCHIO

Curator of Amphibians and Reptiles, L.A. Zoo

Geography can shape lives, and for the Los Angeles Zoo it has shaped our role in assisting with confiscated wildlife. That’s because we are located near one of the United States’ busiest ports of exit and entry. All things legal and illegal make their way into the consumer market through Los Angeles. When those “things” are wild animals being transported illegally, the Zoo is often called upon to help. This help could take many forms—from identifying species and status (wildlife traffickers often intentionally mislabel paperwork, trying to pass off endangered species as ones that can be imported legally) to providing short- or long-term care to seized animals. For decades, we have been an invaluable resource to law enforcement—and to the animals themselves.

The trade in illegal wildlife has exploded in recent years, but the desire for certain species has evolved. In years past it was not uncommon to receive primates and wild cats via confiscation, but that trend has somewhat changed. Make no mistake, these mammals still show up at our doorstep, but nowadays the largest number of confiscated animals in need of speedy placement and care are ectotherms (cold-blooded species). Already in 2023, the Zoo has assisted with placing turtles, snakes, giant Asian centipedes, and several hundred tarantulas.

No one zoo or aquarium has the resources to hold the vast numbers of these animals being seized; this is where communication and relationships in the zoo community are paramount. One of my most valued resources is the listserv of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). This network allows me to reach out to hundreds of zoo professionals at a click of the mouse. A simple email blast to the “terrestrial invertebrate list” can help law enforcement place a truckload of rare arachnids in a proper facility.

While on vacation recently, I was contacted by a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agent I had worked with before. He had just seized 380 exotic tarantulas. These spiders would perish in a matter of days without the proper humidity and housing, which only an experienced professional could provide. Due to my location at the time, the listserv was not an option, but a call to a close colleague at the San Diego Zoo would be all these spiders needed. This example of rapid cooperation between colleagues in a less-than-ideal situation resulted in the survival and placement of the spiders.

Under normal circumstances, animal acquisitions are a strategic and deliberate process. Months of planning and preparation go into these zoo-to-zoo transfers. But confiscated animals have often traveled in less-than-ideal conditions and arrive in poor health. Determining proper husbandry and welfare requirements is often a mystery to be unraveled at a moment’s notice. It is not uncommon for our Zoo to receive multiple requests in a week to hold or place exotic confiscated wildlife. As I write this article, I’ve just received notice of a confiscated three-toed box turtle in need of placement.

While the Zoo could never hold all these confiscated species within our own walls, it is the expertise of our staff and network of professionals that is invaluable in identifying, triaging, and safeguarding these animals. When dwarf chameleons arrive in a box from Madagascar and need immediate hydration, who would know this species only drinks from raindrops? Who would know that the hundreds of leaf-tailed geckos seized at the airport could only be positively identified by the color of the interior of their mouths? Who would know that the monitor lizards in a plastic tub confiscated from a shipment out of Asia belonged to a species once thought to be extinct? Who would you call to safely unpack one of the world’s deadliest scorpions, wrapped in newspaper and stuffed inside a toy camel? Who would know that the colorful little snake hidden inside a can of potato chips was in fact a baby king cobra?

The answer: the professionals at the Los Angeles Zoo.

When dwarf chameleons arrive in a box from Madagascar and need immediate hydration, who would know this species only drinks from raindrops?