A newsletter for the valued supporters of the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium | November 2015
KaBOOM! Playground Open Ocean Tank Makeover Felid TAG Conference Shines Light on Wild Cat Conservation
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 Photography by: ©Paul A. Selvaggio unless otherwise noted 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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Play Time
Amy O’Neill, Foundation & Grants Coordinator In celebration of the twentieth anniversary of Kids Kingdom, the Zoo is excited to introduce visitors to a brand new playspace in the Animal Connections Playground. Working from the imaginative drawings of local grade school students, KaBOOM!, a national nonprofit dedicated to providing all kids with the opportunity to play and learn, joined Duquesne Light Company and the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium to create the ultimate playground experience. The students’ designs demonstrated what kids really want in a playground and many focused on the ways in which animals play. From climbing walls to stump jumps, the playground design committee incorporated many of the students’ ideas into the final plan.
Many hours, services, and products were donated to make the playground build a success. Work began in late September when volunteers from PPG, Actelion Pharmaceuticals, Kiski School, Highmark BCBS, and BNY Mellon worked alongside Zoo staff to clean, paint, and prepare the space. Meanwhile, students from Pittsburgh Public Schools Fulton and Sunnyside designed and painted game pieces including tic-tac-toe, dominoes, and alphabet letters, to be used by visitors to the playground. Local artist Maria DeSimone Prascak of Maria’s Ideas designed the animal art for the picket fence, and created the vibrant design on the wooden alligator drum. Environmentally-friendly reusable cups were donated by 4imprint Promotional Products, and food and drinks were donated by Sunnyside and Fulton PTOs, BreadWorks, Costco Wholesale, Church Brew Works, Eat’n Park Hospitality Group, Giant Eagle, Oakmont Bakery, Olive Garden Italian Restaurant, Paddy Cake Bakery, Sam’s Club, Service Systems Associates, SHOP ‘n SAVE, Silver Star Meats, Starbucks, Trader Joe’s, Turner Dairy Farms, Vocelli Pizza, and Whole Foods Market. On Friday, October 2 more than 200 volunteers from Duquesne Light, PPG Industries, BNY Mellon, Title Source, Erie Insurance, US Bank, Bank of America, and the local community as well as more than 100 students from Fulton and Sunnyside schools descended on Kids Kingdom. Moving mulch, painting fence pickets, and assembling playground equipment, the volunteers gave it their all and in less than six hours the playground was complete. In addition to the new playground equipment, former favorites, including the naked mole rat tunnels and the gibbon rope climb, have been revitalized as well. Many thanks to all of the staff, volunteers, and our partners, KaBOOM! and Duquesne Light, for helping to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of Kids Kingdom with the unveiling of this magnificent play space.
Over 200 volunteers lent a hand 3
Open Ocean Makeover
Written by Emily Beyer, Development Associate, and Dwayne Biggs, Curator of the PPG Aquarium Edited by Janet Rose, Senior Director of Development & Conservation Initiatives When the PPG Aquarium opened in 2000, the Pittsburgh Zoo became one of only six zoological institutions in the country to house an on-site aquatic facility. The new PPG Aquarium featured a penguin exhibit, freshwater fish and amphibians, saltwater specimens, and the two-story Open Ocean tank, spanning the first and second floors of the building. Fast-forward fifteen years and the massive tank was in need of‌ well, a makeover. Saltwater is an incredibly corrosive substance, and two of the major issues facing this beautiful facility included the necessity to reline the concrete that composes the gunite structures of the tank, as well as to repair the seals between the massive panes of glass. A makeover, however, was only part of the equation. There were also hundreds of animals that had to be relocated from their home. The large Open Ocean tank was not the only part of the project; the smaller ocean tank neighboring the exhibit was also in need of a full renovation.
The most challenging animals to remove from the tank were a pair of Queensland groupers. Special nets were made and shipped from the Florida Keys to aid in the process. 4
Dwayne Biggs, Curator of the PPG Aquarium, knew this was going to be a massive undertaking, but he and the aquarium staff were determined to have it go as smoothly as possible. In the time span since the PPG Aquarium was built, many new and innovative products for aquarium exhibits have been developed, including energy-efficient lighting, and it was time to bring more color and new aesthetics into the aquatic environment. Given that the Zoo is a conservation organization, the plan was to do this makeover in as green and sustainable a way as possible. The Open Ocean tank has four large windows, and the two largest panes in the middle are twenty feet tall. The tank is 27 feet deep
Every detail of refurbishing the tank was given special attention, all the way down to the gravel that was being replaced.
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and holds 100,000 gallons of water. That much water puts about eight pounds of pressure per gallon on the windows. The water had to be drained slowly so as to not cause the glass to collapse, and it was originally thought the windows might have to be completely taken out. As the water was lowered clamps were applied to secure the glass.
Donate to the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium By supporting the Zoo, you help save wildlife and wild places. Your gift helps us to 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. To make your gift in support of the Zoo, please contact the Development Department by calling 412-365-2540.
The first animals to be removed from the tank were the fish, followed by the sharks, as both types of animals were among the easiest to catch. The zebra sharks are specially trained, and aquarists were able to easily use target poles to call the sharks to them. Using nets, aquarists safely lifted the sharks out of the water and into portable tanks, which were then transferred them into quarantine tanks. The blacktip reef sharks were next, followed by the two large Queensland groupers, Eugene and Brutus. The staff knew these animals would be the most challenging to remove, so custom oval-shaped nets with aluminum frames were shipped from the Florida Keys. These nets were used as stretchers that hoisted each 175-pound grouper one at a time into a large saltwater cart used as a holding tank. During the process, a large net was placed toward the bottom of the tank to corral the smaller species still inhabiting the exhibit. The goal was to keep them calm and prevent the groupers from chasing them, allowing for a less stressful environment for all involved. Eugene and Brutus were comfortably kept in their holding tanks and then sent to the Newport Aquarium in Kentucky, as this facility was well equipped to hold these big fellows. All of the other animals in the exhibit were kept in quarantine tanks behind-the-scenes but still within the PPG Aquarium. At the beginning of 2015 with the tank emptied and dry, all of the sealant was removed by hand using various grinding tools and
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picking. The sealant itself was 10 inches thick. Throughout the process the temperature and humidity had to be just right, or nothing would set or cure properly. From start to finish, it took over two months for the sealant to cure. Next came the tank contents, including 20,000 pounds of gravel sand with new ledges that were added as resting places for fish. The tank was slowly filled with freshwater and new sand was placed in the filters. This was followed by the addition of salt. Many of the original corals that were removed, while still in fairly good condition, were faded and seemed to blend in with the background of the exhibit, so they were replaced by more colorful specimens. New lighting was added that highlights the corals’ brilliant hues. Every detail of refurbishing the tank was given special attention, all the way down to the gravel. Toward the end of the process, extensive bacteria were added to start the filtration process and begin reestablishing the balance of the water. Finally, animals were slowly and carefully added. The smaller tropical fish, which were added a few at a time, were introduced first. Next came the eels, then the Queensland groupers, Brutus and Eugene, and last but not least, the blacktip reef sharks and zebra sharks. After a painstaking process to ensure the health and well being of the animals, the exhibit was gleaming and ready for viewing just in time for the busy months of summer. Today, our hope is that our thousands of visitors, guests, and staff will enjoy the beautiful new tank for a very long time. Even Brutus and Eugene seem happy to be home again at their PPG Aquarium Open Ocean tank.
The large Open Ocean tank receives a makeover 7
25th A nniversary Felid TAG Conference Shines Light on Wild Cat Conservation By K en K aemmerer, Curator of M ammals, and Janet Rose , Senior Director of Development & Conservation Initiatives
Participants of the Felid TAG conference enjoyed a special day at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium 8
The wildly successful twenty-fifth Felid TAG Conference was held in Pittsburgh and hosted by the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium this past July. This year’s conference was the largest attended Felid TAG meeting with approximately 200 attendees representing 95 zoos, universities, and other organizations from around the nation and around the world. Zoo, field experts, and academic professionals mingled and mixed extensively with interested and concerned members of the Zoo and the general public while discussing the future of endangered wild cats.
The inspiring week began with the ninth Felid Husbandry Course, which included 13 felid instructors and 45 participants. This was followed by two days of Species Survival Plan meetings in which 11 felid Species Survival Plans were discussed for a variety of felid groups including animals such as small African cats and North American cats. During these meetings, the professionals who are involved in assessing the status of wild cats in zoos and in the field shared their insights, observations, research, and scientific goals. The final three days of the conference featured the main presentations for the Felid TAG Conference, of which there were 34 dynamic presentations and films. Invited speakers included Jo Cook, Coordinator of Amur Leopard and Tiger Alliance; Dr. Luke Hunter, President of Panthera, an international cat conservation organization; Nisar Malik, Founder and CEO of Walkabout Films; Kelly Marnewick, Manager of the Carnivore Conservation Program for the Endangered Wildlife Trust; and Dr. Bill Swanson, past Felid TAG Co-Chair and Director of Animal Research for Cincinnati Zoo’s Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife. Participants also enjoyed a special day at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, and were treated to dinner under the stars at the new Jambo Grill. The evening, held outdoors at The Islands, featured a silent auction, which raised over $4,000. Attendees and Zoo personnel agree, the twenty-fifth Anniversary Felid TAG Conference was a resounding success. 119
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.
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Voices for Conservation A New Wildlife Conservation Speaker Series
A new speaker series highlighting the international heroes and heroines of wildlife conservation worldwide. Meet and mingle with some of the world’s leading wildlife experts, learn about some of the most critical issues as well as ground breaking efforts to save endangered wildlife. All at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. $15 Grow Wild member; $20 General members Light refreshments provided. RSVP: 412-365-2541. December 3, 6:30 pm Dr. Rodney Jackson Founder and Director Snow Leopard Conservancy
December 9, 6:30 pm Roger Parry, Wildlife & Research Manager Jessica Dawson, General Manager Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust
Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium and International Conservation Center
Credit Card 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. To apply for the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium and International Conservation Center Credit Card, visit pittsburghzoocard.com. The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium and International Conservation Center Credit Card is provided through the Somerset Trust Company.
A Note to Zoo Members The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is a proud member of the Association of Nature Center Administrators (ANCA), a nonprofit organization that promotes and supports leadership and best practices for nature and environmental centers. Zoo Members now have the opportunity to use a Zoo Membership to visit over 120 nature centers around the country. To plan a visit to a participating nature center, visit pittsburghzoo.org/ membership/reciprocal.
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2015 Annual Giving (Annual gifts received from June 1 – August 31, 2015) ©Kelley Bittner
$50,000 and above
BJ Ferguson
PPG Industries
Jack*, Karen, Hillary, & Max Friedman Philanthropic Fund, Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh
Colcom Foundation
PPG Industries Foundation Service Systems Associates
Upcoming Events Please join us for a speaker series, Voices for Conservation, debuting in December with two exceptional wildlife experts. December 3, 6:30 pm Rodney Jackson Snow Leopard Conservancy December 9, 6:30 pm Roger Parry & Jessica Dawson Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust $15 Grow Wild member; $20 General members Light refreshments provided RSVP: 412-365-2541 Fashion for the Wild Spring 2016 at the PPG Aquarium Zoo Gala 2016 June 3, 2016 VIP reception with Jack Hanna sponsored by the Vein Institute of Pittsburgh Event dates are subject to change
BNY Mellon
The Frank E. Rath* Spang & Company Charitable Trust Alba & Thomas Tull
$5,000 to 9,999
Kerrish Family Trust
Marianne Sufrin CLAT
Jeanne P. Furrie Living Trust Stephanie Martin
Merwin Memorial Free Clinic for Animals Maria & Sean O’Brien
Shirley & H. Ward Olander Linda & William Roemer
Schreiber Industrial Development Company
Karen Tritten
Seattle Aquarium
$2,500 to 4,999
Cara & Doug* Stirling
Columbus Zoo & Aquarium Sandra & Henry* Mordoh
Elizabeth Spence
Patricia & Michael Sunseri
Nancy & Maurice Nernberg
$1,000 to 2,499 Jane Barnes
Stephanie & Michael Bozic Bruce & Barbara Wiegand Family Foundation Colette* & John Dugan
©Kelley Bittner
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$10,000 to 24,999
Janet & William Hunt
The J. Christopher & Ann C. Donahue Charitable Fund
Nancy Tan & W.R. Holewa
Suzanne & William Warnick
Edith & Frank Klebacha
Becky* & Herbert Torbin
Wendy Hosking & Steve Sternberger
Laurie & Gregory* Weingart
Leona LaValley
James Donnell Kim Macey
Sara* & David Scaife Gail & Jim Titus Elizabeth Turner
Winchester Thurston
$100 to 499
Alan & Marsha Groover Family Fund Judith & Marvin Bellin Dorothy Boyer*
Susan & Daniel Callaghan The Dennis Family
Barbara Carpenter & Michael Miller Sheila & Alvin Catz
Kathleen Chester Evans & Stephen Evans
Lois & Tom McMuldren
Patricia & Charles Miller Frances Modugno & Jeff Eppinger
Norfolk Southern Corporation Pepsi
Suzanne & Thomas Ralph Rita* & Robert Randall Leslie Anne & Charles Rankin Keith Reisinger
Michele Rice & Sally Bosserman Kathy Ruffing
Cindy* & Andy Russell Bryan Schroeffel
Carleen Sluganski Andrea Spade
Leonard Weitzman Worth New York
Christine Cicotello
Rebekah Yanowitz
Carolyn Davis
*Indicates board member
Kathleen & Elry Cramer
ŠKelley Bittner
$500 to 999
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.
Cathy & John* Demos
Beverlynn* & Steven Elliott
Paula & Francis Gesselberty Edward Goncz*
Phyllis & Mark Hoge 13
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 150 other zoos, education and program discounts, exclusive access to events, and much more. Click here for more information.
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Tuesday, December 1st On Tuesday, December 1, organizations throughout the world join the #GivingTuesday movement, an effort to put giving back in holiday season. On the heels of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday brings together charities, families, businesses, and communities for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give. This year, you can be a part of the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium’s season of giving celebration. Our online Giving Tree is a special way to make a difference in the lives of our animals. We’ve had our Zoo staff identify their most pressing animal care and wildlife conservation needs, and we hope that you will help us by selecting one or more of their requests to support:
• Food– Animals eat fresh fruits, veggies, meat, and grains every day. Just one sea otter eats $25,000 worth of restaurant-quality seafood every year, while a variety of primates require specific produce that cannot be locally grown. • Medical Care– Our Zoo has a five-person, full-time veterinary staff, and with the wide range of species in our collection, we work with a variety of specialists depending on the animal needs that arise throughout the year. Keeping our animals healthy can mean meeting needs as diverse as the animals themselves. • Breeding– It’s no secret that animals around the world are disappearing at an alarming rate. Endangered species breeding at the Zoo is helping to ensure a future for these threatened animals. • Enrichment– Enrichment is more than simply toys for animals to play with; it is a well-organized system of activities and items that encourage playful behaviors, learning, and mental stimulation. • Education– Did you know that 300,000 people of all ages participate in Zoo educational programs each year? We’re working to foster understanding, respect, and appreciation of wildlife and our natural world. • Wildlife Conservation– Conservation begins in Pittsburgh with breeding efforts and education, but has a global reach. Through the PPG Conservation & Sustainability Fund, we support projects in all seven continents.
To make a donation to the Zoo’s Giving Tree, visit pittsburghzoo.org/Donate/GivingTree, call the Development Department at 412-365-2541, or mail a gift to: Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, Attn: Giving Tree, One Wild Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15206.
How close do you want to get? Join the Grow Wild Society and get close to the animals. Your membership in this special group supports the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium’s growth and reach, 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. 15
wish
LIST
Pitt sbur gh Zoo & PPG Aqu ariu m & Inte rnat iona l Con servatio n Cen ter
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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There is always a need for help in supporting the care, feeding, training, and management of our animals at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium and at our International Conservation Center in Somerset County. If you would like to help with any of the following wish list items, any level of support is worthwhile and very much appreciated. By supporting these needs, you really can make a difference in the lives of our animals.
Cheetahs Cheetah breeding area at the ICC: $50,000 Black Rhinos Breeding barn naming opportunity: $250,000 Rhino stall at the ICC in the Maternal Health Center, now under construction: $25,000 Galápagos Tortoises Name the Galápagos tortoises: $25,000 each Two naming opportunities available. This is a wonderful opportunity for your family or company to be a part of the Zoo’s new exhibit area, The Islands. Aquarium & Marine Life Three-year coral conservation initiative: $16,500
Giraffes Giraffe barn: $300,000 Scale for the giraffes and ungulates: $3,200 This portable scale system allows keepers to easily track how well the animals are eating.
Animal Care Center Jolly balls and plastic enrichment balls for quarantine animals: $300 Little Tykes plastic playground for young animals in quarantine: $400
Elephants 5 all-terrain vehicles at the ICC & elephant exhibit: $50,000 $40,000 4 more needed The cost is about $10,000 each and would help the elephant care team with transporting hay, moving manure, and many other tasks.
Gym mats for animal recovery post-anesthesia: $1,000
Animal Nutrition Browse freezer: $3,000 One of the challenges we face in winter is how to supply fresh browse to the animals who need it. A browse freezer would solve that problem.
Flexible endoscopy: $90,000
Lions & Leopards Lion chute: $9,000 A lion chute is used for transferring the animals from their indoor holding area to their outside enclosure, something that is done on a daily basis.
Thermography: $10,000 Special caging for holding room, used for quarantined/ hospitalized animals: $10,000-$15,000
Staff Development Parelli Natural Horsemanship Program: $10,000 (Sponsor)
For more information, please contact Janet Rose, Senior Director of Development & Conservation Initiatives by calling 412-365-2540 or email donate@pittsburghzoo.org. Thank you!
United Way Contributor’s Choice #223611 Please consider the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium #223611 for your United Way contribution. Your gift supports Zoo education programs that provide low-income, at-risk children with unique hands-on science education. The children enjoy Zoo visits and animal encounters that teach them life sciences, raise conservation awareness, and enhance school readiness. Thank you in advance for choosing Contributor’s Choice #223611. Your gift makes all the difference.
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