Zoo Connections - March 2015

A newsletter for the valued supporters of the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium | March 2015

Sea Turtle Second Chance Program Conservation Beyond the Zoo

Donor Spotlight Building Hope for Cheetahs Fashion for the Wild

pittsburghzoo.org

Development Department Janet Rose Senior Director of Development & Conservation Initiatives 412-365-2540 jrose@pittsburghzoo.org Lori Elder Membership Manager 412-365-2534 lelder@pittsburghzoo.org Amy O’Neill Foundation and Grants Coordinator 412-365-2543 aoneill@pittsburghzoo.org Rachel Kisic Development Coordinator 412-365-2541 rkisic@pittsburghzoo.org Emily Beyer Development Associate 412-365-2503 ebeyer@pittsburghzoo.org Richard Kalson Chair, Board of Directors Dr. Barbara Baker President & CEO In compiling this report, the development office has made every attempt to ensure that the information is complete and all contributions are listed accurately. If there are omissions, misspellings, or other errors, please report them to the development office at 412-365-2541 and please accept our apologies.

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Conservation in Action

Sea Turtle Second Chance Program Sea turtles are among the most ancient of the earth’s creatures.

They’ve been around for millions of years. Their unique shell design is, you might say, streamlined to enhance their ability to swim. Unlike other turtles, they cannot draw their heads and legs into their shells. The fact that they have been around as long as they have might seem surprising, considering the high number of strandings annually. Stunned by a sudden cold snap off the coast of Massachusetts, this past year thousands of Kemp’s ridley sea turtles washed ashore. Chilled by freezing waters, tumbled by harsh surf, and tossed onto hard sand, the sea turtles, also

the smallest and most endangered of the world’s seven species, were suffering from hypothermia. Many had abrasions and deep bruises, and many were suffering from pneumonia and other serious health conditions.

Turtles are cold-blooded animals whose body temperatures depend on their environment. Early cold snaps such as the one that occurred off the Massachusetts coast can quickly drop their body temperatures. This causes young turtles to become too disoriented to find their way back to the Gulf Stream, home to the tropical warmth of the Gulf of Mexico.

As the waters continue to cool, hypothermia sets in and the turtles become lethargic, stop eating, and float on the surface of the water, where they’re exposed to environmental hazards such as boats or predators. Those who survive these immediate threats may eventually be washed ashore by the waves.

The New England Aquarium treats and rehabilitates several hundred sea turtles annually beginning in September when the water begins to cool. This past year, they rescued close to 900 turtles. Many of the turtles were young, ranging in from five to ten years of age. The numbers are staggering and overwhelming for any one facility so a call for help periodically goes out to aquariums and other facilities nearby. The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium was one of those contacted and stepped up once again to lend a hand. Fourteen Kemp’s ridley sea turtles were transported to the Zoo for medical care and rehabilitation. continues on page 4

“This year’s total of 900 stranded turtles was unprecedented” 3

Once the turtles were in hand, our Sea Turtle Second Chance team shifted into high gear. Josie Romasco, a PPG Aquarium aquarist and one of the team members with a passion for sea turtles, says, “We reached out to help the New England Aquarium handle the large numbers of hypothermic sea turtles with medical care and rehabilitation. Of those the PPG Aquarium brought in, all were suffering from various degrees of hypothermia.”

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Dr. Ginger Sturgeon, Director of Animal Health at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, explains, “When the turtles arrived, we saw conditions ranging from dehydration to lethargy to several animals with wounds likely incurred during their weakened state before being rescued. After allowing the turtles to rest overnight after their long journey to the PPG Aquarium, we conducted blood work, gave physical exams, and did radiographs to determine each turtle’s level of distress and the appropriate care plan.”

By supporting the Zoo, you help save wildlife and wild places. Gifts help us fulfill our mission to be a leader in zoological conservation, education, and research, while providing the region with exceptional exhibitry and unique family-centered recreation.

Right now we are closely monitoring their bloodwork and radiographs in order to determine when they can be started on small fillets of fish since cold stunning often decreases the GI tract’s ability to function.” Animal care staff placed the turtles into a tepid freshwater tank and evaluated their ability to move and swim on their own as body temperatures warmed.

To make your gift in support of the Zoo, please contact the Development Department by calling 412-365-2540.

Now they are being monitored constantly to ensure their recovery.

The Kemp’s ridley turtles are expected to stay at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium for the next several months before being released. Staff hopes that most if not all of the survivors can be returned to the wild but at this point, it is uncertain if that will be possible. They’re doing better now than when they arrived but they have a long road of recovery ahead of them.” Romasco said,

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“Everyone is swimming well, but there are a handful you can tell just aren’t feeling very well because those guys will stay toward the surface and just float for a while.”

The turtles are young but can live to be 60 to 80 years of age. “It happens every year, but this year is off the charts,” Romasco said. “Every time I check in, the numbers are so much higher.” The New England Aquarium sent turtles in stable condition to North Carolina and Florida in addition to Pittsburgh.

Over the course of the rehabilitation period, each turtle receives about an hour every day of medical care that includes antibiotics and fluids injected under the skin. The goal is for as many of the rescued turtles as possible to go on to live long, healthy lives.

Dr. Sturgeon adds, “We hydrated all of the sea turtles as soon as we could to prevent pneumonia or kidney disease from developing. We are also slowly warming them up so their temperature is back to normal at 78 degrees and holding.” Zoo officials say the turtles will remain at the PPG Aquarium until they are healthy enough for potential release. While there are no current plans for them to be on exhibit for the public, visitors might catch a peek at the young turtles swooping past the glass windows of the turtle rehabilitation tanks near the PPG Aquarium’s upper entrance. Romasco, who has a real heart for sea turtles, says, “They’re pretty beaten up, but they’re adorable little creatures. It’s like a daycare in here.”

If you would like to help the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Second Chance Program, please visit our webpage here or contact Janet Rose, Director of Development & Conservation Initiatives, to learn more.

The rescued turtles are closely monitored.

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Dear Friends of the Zoo, We have exciting news. As you probably know, we have four young cheetahs (two males and two females), who were born in South Africa and brought here to the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium this past year. They were not born in the wild but on a cheetah ranch and are considered extremely valuable for their new genetics that can be infused into current breeding efforts to help the endangered cheetah. By bringing them here, they will become part of an international effort to save this cat. Through the support of a generous donor and family, funding was secured that supported cheetah import permits, and the first phase of our far-reaching cheetah initiative was established, with a beautiful new outdoor exhibit and enrichment area. Thus began our new conservation initiative – Building Hope for the Future of Cheetahs.

Our next and most immediate challenge is to build a new indoor cheetah facility, complete with breeding, enrichment, research, and public viewing areas. This $200,000 construction project is key to future conservation efforts of wild cheetahs.

This week, we received exciting news as an anonymous donor stepped forward and contributed the first $50,000, or one quarter, of the funding needed to construct the indoor cheetah building.

We are now 25 percent of the way toward our Building Hope for the Future of Cheetahs initiative and we are about to break ground on the new building. This is a start. Now we need your help!

We are seeking an equal match to this anonymous donor’s gift, which will put us half way to our goal and allows construction to proceed further. Of course, a donor (individual or corporation) may give more, and take us all the way to the finish line. A naming opportunity for this building can also be arranged.

Rendering of the proposed indoor cheetah facility.

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If you are interested in matching this $50,000 gift and helping to ensure the future of cheetahs at the Pittsburgh Zoo, please feel free to contact Development anytime. When we talk about conservation

initiatives, this is a prime example. This is a project where our collective efforts and funding earmarked for a particular species can make a difference. This is one of those rare opportunities where what you give today and what we do now, will have a lasting impact for decades to come. We hope you can help us to make this happen. Thank you for considering this critical project.

For more information, please contact: Janet Rose, Senior Director of Development & Conservation Initiatives at 412-365-2540

Awards and Recognition We are trumpeting the news that Dr. Barbara Baker, President & CEO of the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, is a winner of the 2015 BusinessWomen First Awards, presented yearly by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The award recognizes women’s contributions to non-profits, corporations, and government agencies.

“I am very proud and honored to receive this award,” says Dr. Baker. “I would not be able to accomplish what I have without the tremendous support of the Board of Directors, staff, and volunteers who work very hard to accomplish our goals every year.”

Dr. Baker is celebrating her twenty-fifth anniversary at the Zoo this year. “I look back and I can’t believe how much we have accomplished and what we are looking to do into the future. I am very excited this year because we are opening a

new exhibit, The Islands. I can’t wait to introduce our visitors to this wonderful addition and all the amazing animals.”

Winners were honored at a special banquet on Wednesday, March 11. The Pittsburgh Business Times has been presenting the BusinessWomen First Awards since 2009.

Margie Marks, Curator of Education Conservation, is a finalist for the Consortium for Public Education Champions of Learning Award for the Zoo’s community outreach programs. “I am thrilled that our Zoo outreach programs are being considered for the Champions of Learning Award” says Marks. “This is an opportunity for us to be recognized for the outstanding programs that we have developed to engage the community to learn more about animals and the environment.” continues on page 9 7

2014 Individual Donors (Annual gifts received from September 1, 2014 – January 31, 2015)

The Value of Annual Giving Annual giving is vital to the successful operation of the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium.

Membership and ticket sales alone do not cover the cost of all that we offer in sustaining our mission.

Annual giving helps to fill this gap. Contributing to the Zoo plays an important role in providing care for our animals, supporting our educational programs, and aiding in our on site and international conservation efforts. Thank you to the individuals on the following pages for being a part of our donor family.

$50,000 and above

Compton Family Foundation

PPG Industries Foundation

Dominion Foundation

PPG Industries

Cathy & Jack* Demos

Richard King Mellon Foundation

Frank B. Fuhrer Wholesale Company

$25,000 to 49,999

Patsy & Don McKinney

BNY Mellon

Sue Weigold & Robert Butella

PNC Bank

Robert & Mary Weisbrod Foundation

$10,000 to 24,999

Snyder Brothers, Inc.

Fair Oaks Foundation

$2,500 to 4,999

EQT Corporation

Regan Lee & Jeremy Kubica Alice & Patrick* Loughney Scott Electric Foundation Somerset Trust Company

The Anne L. & George H. Clapp Charitable & Educational Trust

The Pittsburgh Foundation

Wimmer Family Foundation

$5,000 to 9,999 ComDoc Inc.

Community Foundation for the Alleghenies 8

LANXESS Corporation

The Norbell Foundation Anonymous

Barbara* & Dayton Baker Dorothy L. Boyer*

Stephanie & Michael Bozic

Marilyn & Howard* Bruschi Carol Caroselli

Mary & David DeFide Eat’n Park Restaurants Eaton Corporation

Linda Bailey & Mark Fairhead

First Commonwealth Bank

Michele & Robert Howland

Kristin & Richard* Kalson Kristine* & Christopher McGinley

Ralph & Dorothy Hartwell Schugar Charitable Foundation Rita* & Robert Randall

Robert M. & Thelma Y. Brown Foundation

Rosalind Chow & Jeff Galak Charitable Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation Sarah and Robert* Woodings

$1,000 to 2,499 Jacob Allebach

Allegheny Technologies Mary & Leonard* Bach Suzanne Barley

Deborah* Bergren

Susan & Glenn* Bost

Susan & David Brownlee Louise & David Cannon Gloria & Donald Casey JoAnn & Gary* Claus

Columbus Zoo & Aquarium Sarah & G. Henry* Cook

Courtney Babcock Borntraeger Foundation* Diane & William Damon

David McL. Hillman Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation Colette* & John Dugan Joan Ellenbogen*

Beverlynn* & Steven Elliott ESB Bank

Awards and Recognition, continued In 2014, the Zoo visited 852 schools with students ranging in age from preschool to high school. The adult community outreach program also reached an all-time high for attendance, reaching 1,000 participants.

A Note to Our Donors We make every attempt to accurately recognize the generous support of our donors. If you notice an error, please contact the Development Department by calling 412-365-2541 or by email at donate@pittsburghzoo.org.

Thank you for your understanding.

Over 75 submissions were received for the Champions of Learning Awards which is broken down into seven categories: Arts, Community Outreach, Leadership, Business Partnership, Classroom Teaching, Nominator Choice, and Technology Integration. Winners will be announced Saturday, March 28. The Consortium for Public Education works with western Pennsylvania school districts to develop programs that strengthen and broaden school leadership, engage the community, and empower students.

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Sharon & Jeffrey Evans

Janel Skelley*

Deborah & Robert Fidel

Lilya Lorrin & Daniel Sleator

Joanne & William* Fallon Karen* & R. Kent Galey Sarah & Michael Hand Stacey & Jason Harper Don’t just make a purchase; make a difference for endangered species with the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium and International Conservation Center credit card.

A percentage of each transaction you make on your card will be donated to the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, with a special focus on support for the work of the Zoo’s International Conservation Center (ICC) in Somerset, PA.

Darlene & Andrew* Hasley Hefren-Tillotson, Inc.

Honkus-Zollinger Foundation Sara Horsman

Donna & James Hudson

Susan & John Skowron Deborah Smith

Leslie & Richard Snow

Speyer Family Foundation Susette* & Charles Stone Karen & Donald Stump The Burke Foundations The F.B. Robinson Family Fund*

International Marine Animal Training

The Tippins Foundation

Knoxville Zoo

UPMC

Rebecca* & Leo Keevican Vicki Helgeson & Mark Kochvar

Erika & Glenn Kolod

Karen & Thomas* Kublack Debra & Kurt Limbach Mary & Don Lucidi

Peggy* & Steve McKnight

Elizabeth & Jason Thomas Gail & Jim Titus

Tracey & Carey Vinson Sally Wiggin*

Lisa & Stuart* Wise

$500 to 999

Church Brew Works Foundation

Kristin & Vaughn Cook

To apply for the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium and International Conservation Center credit card, visit pittsburghzoocard.com

Richard Prosser Mellon

Jeanne Minnicks*

Tracy & John Geyer

The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium and International Conservation Center credit card is provided through the Somerset Trust Company.

Kathleen & Ryan Neupaver

Edward Goncz*

Stephanie Schneck-Jacob & Timothy Jacob

John & Audrey Sapida Charitable Fund

William Singer

Rosalind & Julius* Jones

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Merwin Memorial Free Clinic for Animals

Gail & H. William Doring Lin & Donald Ewing

Jade & Brian Morel

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

Shirley & H. Ward Olander

Gail Hunter & Joseph Klutz

Juliet Lea Hillman Simonds

June & Hans Jonas

Kana & Detlef Koll

Denise Letcher & Joseph McDonough Paula Lockhart

Mary McCormick

Pam & Kenneth* McCrory Lynn & William McIlroy Merrill Lynch

Natalie & Kenneth Moritz Nancy & Bernard Picchi

Reddinger, Will, Gallagher & Dickert, LLC Janet & Eric* Renner

Ruthrauff Sauer, LLC

Ryan Memorial Foundation Amy & Edward Sorr Carol Tasillo

Belinda & Mike Terzich

The Academy of Science & Art of Pittsburgh The Anne R. Monroe Foundation Nancy & John Traina Thomas Wagner

Carla & John Weidman

Amy & Gregory Winokur

$100 to 499 Anonymous

Mary & Ned Aland Terry Alford

Karena & William Allsopp

Amshel Charitable Foundation

Anne Amster

Lori & John Brinker

Sandy & James Artzberger

Leah & Daniel Broudy

Jeri Ann Marlowe

Mary & John Azzarello Terri Babich Jan Bache

Loretta & Bob Barone Janine Barr

Beehive Coffeehouse

Philip Broskin

Louise* & Jim Brown Albert Burchfield III

Karin & Robert Burchianti Joseph Burcik

Martha & John Burkholder Barbara & David Burstin

Anne & Henry Bent

Cassandra & Michael Butterworth

Danyele & Craig Bernick

Karen Carosa

Jim & Carolyn Bouchard

Victoria Center

Kathy & James Braham

Christian Church of Connellsville

Susan & Paul Bell Susan Beringer

Nicole & Brian Cardis

Sue Bonk

Joanna Carrier

Beverly Brady

Nava Chernoff

Christine Cicotello

Annual giving is vital to the successful operation of the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium.

Louise & Gerry Cipriani

Citizens Charitable Foundation Kathleen & Elry Cramer Denise Crosby Frank Curka

Carolyn Davis Joan Davis

Stephanie Dinges Anita Donaldson Nan Dotts

Emmerich Family Trust

Linda & Roy Engelbrecht Tracy Enscoe

Michele Fallon 11

Marsha & Robert Fidoten

Ann Kelton & Ricardo Hritz

Nathaniel Foster

Joseph Kenney, Jr.

Suzanne Flood Kara Freed

Alyshia Funk

Sandy Gallagher

Garden Club of Forest Hills

Give the Gift that K eeps on Giving : A Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium Membership A Zoo Membership is a passport to family fun and adventure. Treat somebody you love to a gift Membership.

It includes 12 months of unlimited free admission to the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, discounted admission to 130 other zoos, education and program discounts, exclusive access to events, and much more.

Click here for more information.

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Paula & Francis Gesselberty GiftCards.com

Charles Gilbert, Sr.

Susan & Harry Givelber Michael Golde

Marlene & Herbert Goldstein Debra & Christopher Gray Tish & Eric Grimm

Bonnie & Bob Guyan

Theresa & Pierre Haan Sharon & John Hadley

Mary & Michael Hansen John Harper Felice Hart

Curt Helffenstein

Phyllis & Mark Hoge Bev Honchorek

Lisa & Timothy Honkala Susan Hoppe

Pamela Huber

Becca & Neal Huntington

Aimee Kane Jim Kerna Jody Kind

Katherine Kody

Jonathan Kopinski Deborah Kost

Mary & A. Frederick Kroen Diana Lamer

Mary Lancaster Eric Larson

Larry Leahy

Patricia LeClere

Alice & Martin Lieb Eva Light & Friends Joyce & Steven Lish Angie Longo Kim Macey

Roberta & John Mather Amy Mattson

Anne & Tom Medsger

Moira & Dean Meixner Merck Foundation

Patricia & Charles Miller Jeff Mitchell

Danielle Mueller

Marissa Mutmansky

Charity Imbrie

Dana Kellerman & Nathaniel Myers

Helen Justh

Kay Neuhausen

Deborah Hurrell

Lisa & Robert Jones

Carol & Theron Myers

Stephen Kalinowski

Nan & David* Newell

Norfolk Southern Corporation

Lee & John Oehrle Deb Orpen

Georgette Osman

Mary Ann & David Owens Kenneth Patterson John Peth

Gerald Pitzer

Shirley Placke

Leslie Anne & Charles Rankin

Dedra & Scott Rantovich Poornima Rao Ramdev Rao

RB Control Systems Patricia Redshaw & Jerry Heller Frederick Reeb Edward Reese

Keith Reisinger

Dee & Forton Remington Brenda & Frank Renner

Nancysue & Ronald Riggle Dana & John Scarpino

Virginia & Edward Schatz Janis Schmidt

Jenny and Floyd Schuchert Sheri & Robert Sclabassi Jennifer Seng*

Soile & Curt Shaw

Nicole & Serban Sida

Karon & Daniel Siewiorek

Myrna & Lee Silverman Paul Skirtich

Mariane Spampinato Sue & Wayne Sloan Ann Slonaker

Carleen Sluganski Andrea Spade

Susan & Jon Spate David Stalder

Graham Stevens Nancy Stinger

Kathleen Szoszorek

Upcoming Events*

Mike Taljan Brian Tarr

Sandra & Mark Taylor Jennifer Tis

Mary & Raymond Tomasello Alan Traugott

Barbara Turiak

Cathy & Josh Walzak

April 9 6–9pm Fashion for the Wild Presented by BNY Mellon

Tara Ann Ware

Linda & Charles Watson

Michele & Paul Weisensee Marjorie Wertman Kimberly White

Mary & Mark Wilkins Victoria Winkeller

Carol & John Woolford Carrie & David Work Genevieve Hower & Haakan Younes Susan Zeff

July 31 6:30–11pm Summer Safari Presented by BNY Mellon *Event dates are subject to change

*Indicates board member 13

Donor Spotlight Generous Kids Support Zoo Animals Emily Beyer, Development Associate & A dopt an A nimal Coordinator

In a time when it seems that so many young children and teenagers are all-consumed with smartphones and various forms of social media, it is refreshing to know there are kids who still feel a connection to wildlife and nature.

Give a bear for a birthday, a tiger to your team, or a howler monkey for the holidays. Adopting an animal is a great gift for any occasion.

When you adopt, your gift helps to provide for the care, feeding, and enrichment of Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium animals.

All resident animals are available for adoption with packages ranging from $30 to $500 per year.

Visit our website at pittsburghzoo.org for adoption packages.

Please call 412-365-2503 to learn more about this rewarding gift idea or email adopt@pittsburghzoo.org.

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The Adopt an Animal program at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium gives people a personal stake in the care of their favorite Zoo animals. A donation can be made to adopt an animal who resides at the Zoo, and donors become their honorary caretakers by contributing to their well-being. Several young people have very consciously and thoughtfully participated in this program, which is an inspiration not only to other kids, but to adults as well.

We would like to recognize a few of these special efforts.

Eva Light, a very energetic first grader, wanted to forego presents for her sixth birthday, and instead asked her friends and family to donate money to help her adopt the snow leopard, Chaney. When you are turning six-years-old, the thrill of thinking about what kinds of presents you may receive can be exciting, but her ability at such a young age to look beyond herself and to act so unselfishly is incredibly admirable. Between her efforts, her family, and her friends, she raised $440 to adopt Chaney. She shares the honor of being one of Chaney’s adopters with several other generous spirits.

Leanna Paul recruited one of her good friends, Taylor Weiss, to help her create some beautiful rainbow-hued craft items with her weaving loom. As a sixth grader, Leanna has busy weeks filled with homework and extracurricular activities, but she devoted at least thirty minutes every day to making the crafts. She and Taylor took their “Rainbow Loom Creations” to a craft fair at Paynter Elementary School with a goal of making $30. They also created

colorful posters to explain how and why they would use the money they hoped to earn. They included facts about the jellyfish to help educate people about why these animals are, in Leanna’s words, “very cool.” At the end of the craft fair, Leanna and Taylor made $73! The girls donated every penny to help care for the jellyfish in the PPG Aquarium.

Leanna’s brother, Evan, also played a role in helping her come up with the idea of donating to the Zoo, and enthusiastically encouraged his sister. Leanna and her supporters are another hopeful example of young people who care about animals and recognize the importance of their existence.

Another young philanthropist, Kayla Singley, also felt driven to help a favorite animal. Kayla came to the Zoo on a lovely fall day around Thanksgiving, and was offered $20 by her mom, Jessica, to get anything she wanted during her visit. Instead of buying something from the gift shops or a tasty treat, Kayla wanted to put it towards helping an animal. After her visit, she saved an additional $30, and donated $50 to adopt an Amur tiger. Most people would be excited about receiving $20 just for fun and would spend it quickly, but using that money for something other than herself demonstrates Kayla’s passion for animals. Imagine what could be accomplished if we all donated $20 to a favorite cause.

In addition, several school classrooms have chosen to pool their money to adopt. Students often choose an animal they have studied in class, a school mascot, or simply the favorite amongst a group of Zoo-lovers. These students and their teachers, are a wonderful example of educating the next generation about the importance of protecting creatures that share our world, both in the present and for the future.

On behalf of the animals, we want to thank not only those mentioned in this article, but to extend our gratitude to each and every thoughtful donor to the Adopt an Animal program. We hope this inspires others to support their favorite furry, feathered, smooth or scaled creature, and to visit them often.

Instead of gifts for her birthday, Eva Light asked for donations so that she could adopt the snow leopard.

Leanna Paul and Taylor Weiss sold crafts and created posters to raise money to adopt jellyfish.

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Coral conservation research

Conservation Above and Beyond the Zoo

PASA

Many people express great surprise when they learn that the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is actively involved in wildlife conservation, not only here at home but around the globe.

Through the PPG Conservation & Sustainability Fund, which is administered by the Zoo, we are able to proactively support wildlife conservation projects that reflect the Zoo’s mission. Last year alone, we were able to award grants to 15 projects that enabled these conservation projects to move forward.

Above is a global map that provides a visual snapshot of where the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, through the PPG Conservation & Sustainability Fund, is supporting field projects.

Colobus monkey feeding ecology and conservation 16

The breadth and scope of our conservation program is extensive. Its impact on threatened and endangered species, on habitat and the environment, is also far-reaching. Wildlife conservation projects, carried out through the PPG Conservation & Sustainability Fund, begin locally at your Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, but our vision and our projects are truly global. The future is bright with possibilities and hope.

The following are just some of the many and varied projects that we are involved in around the globe.

• Conservation of red pandas and their habitat in the midwestern Himalayan region of Nepal • Raising awareness of the endangered Abronia (alligator-like lizard) species in Guatemala through education • Using genetic markers to assess the status of captive African painted dogs in the United States

Livestock guardian dog program

• Noninvasive fecal testing of wild canids and felids compared to domestic canids and felids in three different landscapes in Kenya (comparing wild dogs and cats to domestic dogs and cats in different landscapes within Africa).

• Conservation education and field survey on bird species vanishing in the Ako-Mbembe forest reserves of Cameroon, Africa • The crocodilian and freshwater turtle research and conservation project in India • In-Situ (in the field, in the wild) study of polar bears by Polar Bears International in Canada • Coral conservation research in Puerto Morelos, Mexico

Red panda conservation

• PASA primate emergency healthcare and rehabilitation program in Africa • Livestock guarding dog program; dogs savings wild cats, a project of the Cheetah Conservation Fund, South Africa • Feeding ecology and conservation of south coastal Kenya’s black and white colobus monkeys in Kenya • Reducing freshwater turtle deaths from fishing entanglement by developing alternative fishing methods in India • Production of a multi-faceted poster of the endangered Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee and creation of school clubs around chimp habitat sites in Nigeria and Cameroon

Polar Bears International 17

How close do you want to get?

Join the Grow Wild Society and get close to the animals.

Your membership in this VIP group supports the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium’s growth and its mission to save wildlife. Grow Wild Society membership gives you a personal and unique perspective through behind-the-scenes tours and special events for both families and adults.

Become a Grow Wild Society member today and enjoy a closer partnership with the Zoo, satisfaction in supporting critically important initiatives, and unforgettable, up-close experiences.

Click for more information.

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25th annual Felid TAG Conference at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is proud to be the 2015 host of the twenty-fifth annual Felid TAG Conference in Pittsburgh July 10-16. Wild cat experts from around the world are invited to attend as well as the general public who may have a special interest in wild cat populations. Registration is through the Zoo. Learn about the latest advancements and updates in wild cat conservation. The theme for the 25th Felid TAG Conference is “Felid Global Management” with discussion on in situ and ex situ felid management, plus the latest information on felid conservation, genetics, nutrition, reproduction, and health.

For more information about registration or sponsorship of the Conference, please contact Janet Rose, Director of Development & Conservation Initiatives at 412-365-2540.

25th

FELIDTAG July 10 -16, 2015 • Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium

Fashion for the Wild If you love women’s and men’s fashions, trends, parties, shopping, exotic cocktails, and most of all, wildlife, then you will not want to miss the second annual Fashion for the Wild event at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. On Thursday, April 9, Fashion for the Wild is exactly as the name implies: a fashion show and a fashion-conscious event that supports the Zoo animals and wildlife conservation efforts around the world.

Join us for a truly wild evening in the elegant PPG Aquarium, set aglow with atmospheric lighting and shimmering sights produced

by Luxe Creative and our very own PPG Aquarium. Enjoy music by DJ Mike Mason, food by Vanilla Pastry Studio and other generous restaurants, Zootini vodka cocktails stirred up by Blue Diamond Vodka, Marc Mondavi’s The Divining Rod wine, celebrity models including news anchor Sally Wiggin wearing some of the latest and most trendy fashions, and accessories from the likes of Larrimor’s, Kiya Tomlin, Little Black Dress, Lana Neumayer, and Sandra Cadavid.

Tickets are $75 and going fast. Fewer than ninety tickets remain.

Please contact us at 412-365-2541 to reserve your tickets today or click here to purchase online.

Last year’s Fashion for the Wild event

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Zoo Connections is a newsletter for the valued supporters of the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium

One Wild Place Pittsburgh, PA 15206 412-665-3640