Riverbanks magazine - November/December 2018

the member magazine for Riverbanks Zoo and Garden | November - December 2018

Volume XXXVII, Number 6

Riverbanks is published six times a year for members of Riverbanks Society by Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, Columbia, South Carolina.

Riverbanks Park Commission Bud M. Tibshrany, Chair Robert G. Davidson, Vice-Chair Jan Stamps, Treasurer Alana Odom Williams, Secretary M.F. “Phil” Bartlett Mary Howard Michael Phemister Velasco

Riverbanks Society Board

Derrick L. Williams, President J. Anderson Folsom, Vice President Marie McGehee, Treasurer Susan S. Keenan, Secretary Chris Goodall, Immediate Past President Carl W. Blackstone Clifford Bourke, Jr. Sharon W. Bryant Jane Chao Kay Crapps Cecilia Fournil Jeffrey Gossett David G. Hodges Stephanie R. Jones Sarah Kirby Shelby Kay Leonardi William G. McMaster Stuart Moore Robin L. Rawl Don F. Barton, Director Emeritus

Riverbanks Executive Officers

Thomas K. Stringfellow, President & CEO Ed Diebold, Chief Life Sciences Officer Breta Rheney, Chief Financial Officer Dave Ruhl, Chief Operating Officer Christie Vondrak, Chief Human Resources Officer Lochlan Wooten, Chief Marketing Officer

Riverbanks Senior Staff

Rachael Bashor, Director of Education Andy Cabe, Director of Botanical Garden John Davis, Director of Animal Care & Welfare Kevin Eubanks, Director of Guest Services Eric Helms, Director of Risk Management & Facilities Monique Jacobs, Director of Riverbanks Society Susan O’Cain, Director of Communications Melodie Scott-Leach, Director of Habitat Horticulture Martha Weber, DVM, Director of Animal Health Paige Brock, DVM, Staff Veterinarian Colleen Lynch, Curator of Birds Scott Pfaff, Curator of Herpetology Sue Pfaff, Curator of Mammals Jennifer Rawlings, Aquarium Curator

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CONTENTS Inside Scoop Director’s View............................................................................ 1 A message from the President & CEO Conservation Corner.................................................................. 18 Saving species locally, regionally and around the world In the Know............................................................................... 22 Insider “tails,” tidbits and tips Keeper Corner............................................................................ 16 Behind the scenes with the animals

Essentials Animal Spotlight........................................................................ 12 Meet one of the Zoo’s residents Plan Your Visit........................................................................... 10 Mark your calendar Going Green................................................................................ 8 Easy ways to help make our planet a greener place Shoots and Blooms.................................................................... 14 What’s growing on in the Botanical Garden

Features Conservation: More than Saving Animals..................................... 2 Discover how Riverbanks is taking conservation to the next level Riverbanks Backstage…On Stage!................................................. 6 Get an inside look at the Sea Lion On Stage experience Open daily 9am - 5pm except Thanksgiving & Christmas Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, 500 Wildlife Pkwy, Columbia SC 29210 | www.riverbanks.org Subscriptions to Riverbanks are $24 per year. Members of Riverbanks Society are entitled to one free subscription along with free admission and guest passes, discounts at Zoo & Garden gift shops, invitations to special events and much more. To subscribe to Riverbanks or to join the Society, visit www.riverbanks.org or call 803.779.8717 and press 1.

Riverbanks Magazine Editor - Monique Jacobs Design - Majken Blackwell Contributors - Samantha Amstutz, Milo Anderson, Andy Cabe, Alyssa Castelluccio, John Davis, Grace Fields, Amanda Segura, Karyn Wheatley Contributing Photographers - Ron Brasington, Jo Marie Brown, Andy Cabe, Larry Cameron, Lynn Hunter Hackett, Michael Jones, Richard Rokes, Melodie Scott-Leach, Robin Vondrak Cover Photograph - Rockhopper Penguin Family by Ron Brasington Riverbanks Zoo & Garden is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and a member of the American Public Gardens Association.

DIRECTOR’S VIEW As we approach the giving season, I want to thank you again for your support of Riverbanks Zoo and Garden.

Your investment as a member is making a big impact. In 2018, membership dues and donations helped fund a number of important projects throughout the park including: • Building a new bird aviary to house Eurasian eagle owls, king vultures, troupials and Toco toucans • Construction of an ambassador animal building, providing much-needed space for educational animals involved in outreach and guest engagement programs • Addition of new surgical lights in the animal hospital to ensure the highest quality of care for the animals • Upgrade of Riverbanks’ fire alarm system, covering 16 buildings for the safety of animals and guests • Purchase of an additional tram and new kids’ train to maximize capacity, reduce lines and improve the overall guest experience • Acquisition of powerful new generators for the Aquarium-Reptile Complex and Birdhouse, providing back-up power for essential life support systems in the event of a long-term power outage All of these projects were critical and much needed. None of them would have been possible without your investment.

Thank you for all you do to make a difference at Riverbanks.

See you at the Zoo –

Thomas K. Stringfellow President & CEO

. . . and then there were eight

Riverbanks is excited to share that two more African lion cubs were born in October, expanding our lion pride to eight!

You can help feed our growing Zoo babies!

Visit www.riverbanks.org and click on Donate.

CREATING CONNECTIONS.

INSPIRING ACTION.

IMPACTING CONSERVATION.

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RIVERBANKS ZOO & GARDEN

CONSERVATION More than Saving Animals

-Andy Cabe, Botanical Garden Director

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden has long been known as a stalwart in local, national and global conservation. These efforts have been traditionally focused on animals‌ until recently! In late 2016, several organizations and individuals who are dedicated to preserving populations of rare, threatened and endangered plants started talking

about ways to combine forces and build a coalition focusing on plant species native to South Carolina. These discussions led to the creation of the South Carolina Plant Conservation Alliance. The SCPCA held its first meeting at Riverbanks Botanical Garden in January 2017, and a new mission statement followed:

The mission of South Carolina Plant Conservation Alliance is to coordinate rare plant conservation activities in the state to ensure no local extinctions. To achieve this goal, we connect university programs, botanical gardens, government agencies, land managers, environmental consultants, and botanical experts to facilitate collaboration and coordination of statewide plant conservation activities.

Schweinitz sunflower

Rocky Shoals Spider Lily

Helianthus schweinitzii

Hymenocallis coronaria

American chaffseed Schwalbea americana CREATING CONNECTIONS.

INSPIRING ACTION.

IMPACTING CONSERVATION.

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In the field with SCDOT after digging up Helianthus schweinitzii.

In May, in conjunction with South Carolina Department of Transportation, Riverbanks extracted a federally endangered sunflower, Helianthus schweinitzii, from a York County roadside where the sunflowers were growing in the path of new bridge construction. Schweinitz sunflower is native to the Piedmont region of North and South Carolina. The plants were transported to Riverbanks Botanical Garden where they were potted and will stay for about a year. Ultimately, the sunflowers will be replanted at their original site once construction is complete. While the sunflowers are at Riverbanks, horticulturists will propagate them from seed in order to continue to boost the population of this rarity.

Blooming from late summer through frost, Riverbanks visitors can see Schweinitz sunflower in the Welcome Border in front of the Botanical Garden’s Magnolia Center.

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RIVERBANKS ZOO & GARDEN

Helianthus schweinitzii seedlings growing in Botanical Garden greenhouse.

scpca

partners

ORGANIZATIONS SC Native Plant Society

American chaffseed Schwalbea americana

Upstate Forever

Riverbanks also is working with another federally endangered plant, Schwalbea americana (American chaffseed). The seedlings came from a population in Williamsburg County that was propagated at South Carolina Botanical Garden.

In an effort to safeguard the population from Williamsburg County, and keep it separate from the population that SCBG is housing from Francis Marion National Forest, Riverbanks was asked to keep the Williamsburg County population. This spring blooming native perennial is particularly interesting because it is hemiparasitic, meaning that it relies partially on another plant for nutrients yet also produces some of its own food from photosynthesis.

Naturaland Trust

In addition to saving these endangered plants, Riverbanks has been involved in conservation work with Hymenocallis coronaria (Rocky Shoals Spider Lily) for nearly 20 years. This beautiful bulb grows wild in the rocky shoals of rivers in several locations within the southeastern United States. While not endangered, it is considered a federal species of concern. Riverbanks staff monitors existing populations in Columbia’s Broad River and regularly participates in seed collecting efforts, propagating and reintroducing this plant back to the wild. Rocky Shoals spider lily blooms from mid-May through June and can be seen easily in the Broad River when crossing the I-126 bridge heading out of downtown Columbia. Just look for the flashes of white flowers in the middle of the water. A late spring kayak trip down the river is another great way to see them up close and in their full glory!

Fort Jackson

Nature Conservancy

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES SC Department of Natural Resources US Fish and Wildlife Service US Forest Service

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES Clemson University Furman University University of South Carolina The Citadel Coastal Carolina University Newberry College Francis Marion University

Riverbanks staff in the field collecting Hymenocallis coronaria.

BOTANICAL GARDENS South Carolina Botanical Garden Riverbanks Zoo and Garden

CREATING CONNECTIONS.

INSPIRING ACTION.

IMPACTING CONSERVATION.

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-Milo Anderson, Conservation Communication Manager

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RIVERBANKS ZOO & GARDEN

Have you ever just wanted to get closer...maybe inches away from penguins?

Or maybe you have been waiting for the chance to feel the scaly skin of a giant tortoise...

YOU’RE IN LUCK! Each weekend Riverbanks hosts special behind-the-scenes experiences that allow guests to get up-close and personal with some of our wildest residents. Riverbanks Backstage is your insider’s pass to meet animals like elephants, penguins, grizzly bears, giant tortoises or sea lions!

Riverbanks Backstage experiences give guests the opportunity to see firsthand the high quality care that the Zoo’s residents receive. Following each encounter, guests leave empowered to become a force for nature and encouraged that they can do something to help protect animals in their natural habitat.

Once the afternoon diets are ready, guests follow the keepers out on deck to the eagerly waiting sea lions!

During the training demonstration, On Stage participants stand right in front of all of the action. As the keepers cue the sea lions through their husbandry behaviors, each On Stage guest has the opportunity to capture some up-close photos and videos to share online later. Just to see the keepers interact with these animals from such a close perspective is an unforgettable experience! And, the excitement does not end there.

Following the training demonstration, guests head back into the kitchen to talk with Still not quite sure what all the one of the keepers and ask any splash is about? Let’s dive into the questions that sparked their details of one of our most popular curiosity. As the keepers share tours: Riverbanks On Stage their passion for these animals, with Sea Lions. This incredible each guest is handed a bucket experience allows guests to join with fish. Now it’s the guests’ the playful pinnipeds on deck at turn to create connections!

Sea Lion Landing during a training Each On Stage guest has the demonstration. Standing shoulder opportunity to toss a handful to shoulder with keepers, guests of fish to the sea lions. One by get closer to sea lions than they one, California sea lions Ranger could ever imagine! and Annette devour the fish.

As the sea lions gobble down But first, these special ‘On Stage’ their snack, guests hear about guests venture to the behindthe story of how both sea lions the-scenes kitchen area for a were rescued off the coast of peek into what it takes to feed California. Now they are able five sea lions and a harbor seal.

Photo courtesy of Aleta Braziel to thrive at Riverbanks while Most folks are pretty envious of receiving the highest quality care. the spacious kitchen—minus the fishy smell, of course!

Between the stainless-steel countertops and massive From beginning to end the Riverbanks On Stage refrigerators, guests are typically in awe of this space. But, experience is your opportunity to become fully immersed this kitchen isn’t just impressive to see. Imagine having to in the quality care provided to Riverbanks’ Sea Lion prep, cut and weigh nearly 120 pounds of seafood every Landing residents. Even as the packed, hour-long day. Zookeepers spend a large portion of their day making experience comes to a close, each guest is reminded that sure each diet is perfectly prepared and ready to be he or she can make a difference and join us in being a swallowed whole. That’s right; sea lions and seals typically force for nature! As a reminder, each guest takes home an skip chewing their food and instead just gulp it down in impactful souvenir that helps make keeping our oceans one big bite! clean and healthy a little easier.

Riverbanks On Stage with Sea Lions is just one of many Backstage experiences!

Check out the Riverbanks website today for schedules and to book your tour: riverbanks.org/plan-your-visit/backstage CREATING CONNECTIONS.

INSPIRING ACTION.

IMPACTING CONSERVATION.

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GOING GREEN

y a d i l o H

GREEN TIPS -Grace Fields, Education Coordinator/Green Team Member

Whether decorating, shopping or wrapping, you can stay “GREEN” this holiday season!

Here are some helpful tips to keep your festivities eco-friendly.

Unwrap & Recycle Most wrapping paper can be recycled. To make things easy while exchanging gifts, place a cardboard box in the middle of the room and toss all the unwrapped paper inside. It will be ready to put straight in the recycling bin.

Better yet, buy gift wrap made from recycled paper.

Wrap Green Most gift bags and boxes can be reused from year to year. Store them for the next holiday.

This will save habitats—and save money!

Eat Local When purchasing food for holiday meals, consider buying local. Shop at farmers markets or look for produce from local businesses and farmers.

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Time your Lights Use a timer on your tree and house lights. Set the timer to turn off when you go to bed and turn back on after the next day’s sunset. Timers save energy and cut down on electric bills. You can go even greener by using LED lights.

Recharge Consider buying rechargeable batteries and chargers for holiday gifts. Keep those electronics running with a one-time purchase energy source!

Give Green Consider gifts that help your friends and family go green. Beeswax wrap, refillable produce bags, reusable grocery bags or a kitchen compost bin are just the start!

Give the Gift of Time Instead of buying products, buy experiences. Give gift cards for restaurants, attractions or memberships— like one to Riverbanks!

Shop Green Use reusable bags for all your holiday shopping instead of plastic bags. Look for products that have little to no packaging waste.

CREATING CONNECTIONS.

INSPIRING ACTION.

IMPACTING CONSERVATION.

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Mark Your Calendars

November

3 | Pumpkin Smash 17 | Riverbanks Run 17-21, 23-30 | Lights Before Christmas

December

1-23, 26-30 | Lights Before Christmas 21 | Winter Camp (Session 1)

January

2-3 | Winter Camp (Session 2) Proceeds support ongoing conservation and education efforts at Riverbanks.

Register online at www.riverbanks.org

Now Now through through December December 14 14 In Incelebration celebrationofofthe thegrowing growinglion lionpride prideatatRiverbanks, Riverbanks, you giftholidays! recipientYour will be youcan can“adopt” “adopt”aalion! lion Your for the gift delighted this festive gift that contributes the recipient with will be delighted with this festive gifttothat care of the lions at Riverbanks.

For a Donation of $125

Adoption Includes...

• Wild Child portfolio • Lion cub plush animal • Lion cub magnet • Frameable photo • Personalized gift message Visit www.riverbanks.org *Adoption is symbolic only *Adoption is symbolic only

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RIVERBANKS ZOO & GARDEN

wrap up these wild gifts this Holiday

Season

For the Family Who Likes (Or Needs) to Get Out

Give a year full of wild adventures with the gift of Riverbanks membership. With free admission every day for a year, a free visit to Lights Before Christmas, guest passes, discounts, plus a whole lot more, you’ll have your gift recipients roaring with delight!

For Someone Wild About Wildlife

Choose an animal, pick a sponsor level and help save a species. For as little as $35, Wild Parents receive an attractive Wild Child portfolio with sponsorship certificate, color pictures, adopted animal facts and magnet. Higher sponsor levels offer even more perks. Order your gift by noon on December 14 to ensure Christmas delivery.

For Individuals Who Favor Flexibility Riverbanks gift cards are super stocking stuffers and perfect for those who prefer picking their own pastimes. Good on-site only for tickets, tours, membership, concessions and retail, gift cards can be re-used throughout the year by adding cash value at any time.

Purchase at the Guest Relations Center, Riverbanks Gift Shop or online.

For the Loved One Who Has Everything

Celebrate family members or friends with a lasting message on a 4”x8” engraved tribute brick, available for a tax-deductible donation of $200. A paperweight replica of your brick is available for an additional $40. Order by December 7 to ensure a certificate of engraving arrives before Christmas.

For the Kid at Heart

Sponsoring an Endangered Species Carousel animal is a wonderful way to honor family or recognize a business while benefiting local, regional and international conservation efforts.

Now through December 7, Riverbanks is offering carousel animal sponsorships for a taxdeductible gift of $1,500.

For the Proud Business Owner

Show your pride in your favorite entrepreneur while showing support to save species. For a limited time, engraved 12”x12” brick mosaics are available in the entry plaza for a taxdeductible contribution of $1,500. Order by December 7 to receive a certificate of engraving

by Christmas.

To learn more about these and other wild gift ideas, visit www.riverbanks.org.

Plus, be sure to stop by the Riverbanks Gift Shop for an assortment of animal-themed toys and Riverbanks clothing—Zoo members receive a 10% discount!

CREATING CONNECTIONS.

INSPIRING ACTION.

IMPACTING CONSERVATION.

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ANIMAL SPOTLIGHT

O

rnate

HORNED FROG Ceratophrys ornata

- Karyn Wheatley, Herpetology Keeper

Measuring Up

An adult ornate horned frog is fairly large in size, ranging from 3 to 7 inches from snout to vent. Females are larger than males, making them sexually dimorphic.

Zoo’s Who

One ornate horned frog has lived at Riverbanks for the past 10 years. He can be seen on exhibit in the Tropical Gallery inside the Aquarium-Reptile Complex.

Where on Earth

Ornate horned frogs live buried beneath soft soil in grasslands near temporary pools. Native to three different countries in South America, these frogs are found in the Pampean region of Argentina, Uruguay and the southern region of Brazil.

Least Concern

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Near Threatened

Vulnerable

Endangered

RIVERBANKS ZOO & GARDEN

Critically Endangered

Extinct in the Wild

Did You Know?

Ornate horned frogs are ambush predators. Nicknamed the “sit and wait” frog, studies have shown that this species rarely moves. It has powerful jaws lined with sharp teeth allowing it to prey on small vertebrates like rodents, birds, snakes and other frogs that pass by its large camouflaged mouth. True to its nickname, Riverbanks’ horned frog can remain stationary for long periods of time. He will lunge forward to eat his food but still not leave his burrow.

Whenever he does move, it’s an indicator to keepers that he left something behind for us to clean up!

Nicknamed the “sit and wait” frog, studies have shown that this species rarely moves.

Weird but True

The ornate horned frog is a type of amphibian, which means it has two life-cycles. The first life cycle is a tadpole stage. Researchers have found that horned frog tadpoles use sound to communicate under water with distress signals. This is the first known vertebrate larva to use sound.

Conservation Connection

Horned frogs are common in the pet trade. While most sellers of this species have captive bred programs, it is still a reminder that these frogs along with many other animals found in the pet trade may not be captive bred.

Instead, they were removed from wild populations by local villagers. Riverbanks continues to educate guests that the illegal pet trade is a leading cause of many species suffering from population decline.

CREATING CONNECTIONS.

INSPIRING ACTION.

How You Can Help One way you can help support ornate horned and other frogs is by making knowledgeable and informed decisions about pets, and then passing your knowledge on to your friends and family!

IMPACTING CONSERVATION.

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SHOOTS & BLOOMS

TIPS

PROS from the

F

7 As soil temperatures cool down, now is a great time to plant spring blooming bulbs such as daffodils, tulips and hyacinths.

7 Make sure your sprinkler system is winterized and cover any exposed water pipes to protect from freezing.

7 It’s still a good time to divide perennials as long as temperatures are not too extreme.

7 Plant trees and shrubs so they can begin to get established before warm weather hits.

7 Mulch tender perennial/tropical plants to protect crowns and roots from freezing temperatures.

resh

from the Garden Living Art: Air Plants

November 17 | 10am-11am $20 per participant Air plants make an interesting addition to the home plant collection and can be used in a variety of ways for a fun and fresh look in your home décor.

Participants will choose air plants to work with and use both a shell and glass orb to create two different planters. Learn how to care for your air plants and how they grow successfully without any soil.

Terrariums

December 1 | 10am-11am $30 per person Terrariums have been popular since the late nineteenth century and are in vogue once more. Bringing nature indoors can be an interesting way to observe the water cycle with children while adding a beautiful accent to your home décor. Join us in making small terrariums in a glass container. Learn how to care for your terrarium and how to troubleshoot any problems that may occur.

Holiday Wreaths

December 15 | 10am-noon or 1pm-3 pm $25 per participant Create a fresh wreath with a variety of evergreen material from Riverbanks.

We will teach the basics of wreath making and provide an array of seed pods and natural materials to adorn your creation!

To register visit www.riverbanks.org 14

RIVERBANKS ZOO & GARDEN

Get This Look

Create an intense show in late winter/ early spring by packing a container full of bulbs. While you wouldn’t pack them this tightly in the landscape, it makes a wonderful display in a container. After flowering, bulbs can be separated and planted in the garden for next year. This container is loaded with Narcissus ‘Peeping Tom’.

CREATING CONNECTIONS.

INSPIRING ACTION.

IMPACTING CONSERVATION.

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KEEPER CORNER

DAY 9

Behind the Scenes with

PENGUIN CHICKS The 2018 nesting season produced two

rockhopper penguin chicks in late June at Riverbanks.

Some guests were lucky to catch a glimpse of the parents feeding their chicks through mid-July. Prime rockhopper real estate is located high along the back wall of the exhibit, so it can sometimes be quite tricky to see nesting activity from the public viewing area.

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-Samantha Amstutz, Bird Keeper

Rockhopper chicks grow up quickly—they are capable of being self-sufficient and become independent from their parents by three months of age! Before that time, however, the chicks spend their first month on the nest brooded by both parents. They become more exploratory about 30 days later, leaving the nest for their first steps into the bigger world.

RIVERBANKS ZOO & GARDEN

At this time keepers need to intervene for their safety; the fuzzy babies can accidently tumble into the pool, and they are not yet capable of swimming or staying warm in the 40-degree water. It is time to relocate to a more “babyproof” setting, so the whole penguin family is moved behind the scenes to the penguin holding area.

This area is safe, dry and baby-ready. For the next two months, the parents continue to care for the chicks as they grow up behind the scenes. During this time the chicks go through a transition molt from fuzzy babies into sleek, “water-proof” young penguins.

When the chicks are about three months old, keepers fill up a small pool for supervised swims. They ensure that the chicks are comfortable in the water before they can graduate back to the exhibit with the rest of the colony and the big pool. Following several successful test runs, it’s time for the rockhopper families to move back to Penguin Coast! Mom and Dad are excited about their first deep dive after two months off-exhibit, while the kids are typically tentative about the change of scenery—but they catch on quickly and often take the plunge on their first day out.

Young rockhoppers can be distinguished easily from the adults.

Juvenile rockhoppers lack the characteristic yellow head tufts until they go through their first adult molt, around one year old.

DAY 27 On your next visit to Riverbanks, be sure to stop by the Penguin Coast habitat inside the Birdhouse and see if you can spot this year’s chicks!

What’s in a Name?

Thanks to a generous winning bid made during the 2018 ZOOfari live auction, the rockhopper chicks now have names!

Longtime Zoo patrons Robbie Barnett and Kathy Olson won the opportunity to name both penguins, so they enlisted help from their granddaughters.

The girls decided to honor the birds’ beauty by naming them after two of the world’s great artists—Picasso and Rembrandt.

Welcome, Pablo and Remy, to Riverbanks’ rockhopper rookery!

MANY THANKS to the Barnett family and all of the 2018 ZOOfari attendees and auction bidders for your significant contributions to conservation at Riverbanks and beyond!

CREATING CONNECTIONS.

INSPIRING ACTION.

IMPACTING CONSERVATION.

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CONSERVATION CORNER

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RIVERBANKS ZOO & GARDEN

WORKING IN THE FIELD

my wildsumaco journey -Samantha Amstutz, Bird Keeper

"...it was exciting and rewarding to be able to represent the Zoo in this continued affiliation...

CREATING CONNECTIONS.

At the end of May 2018, I had the extraordinary opportunity to travel to the WildSumaco Biological Station in Ecuador, thanks to the Riverbanks Field Conservation Associates program. I spent two weeks at a research station, along with students and professors from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, learning about tropical ecology and assisting with a mammal camera trapping project.

The Satch Krantz Conservation Fund has assisted researchers at WildSumaco for numerous projects over the past few years. Other Riverbanks staff members had previously assisted with this field project, so it was exciting and rewarding to be able to represent the Zoo in this continued affiliation with WildSumaco.

The station was constructed in 2012 and focuses on education, research and conservation. The primary goal of the project I assisted with was to determine mammalian biodiversity of the east Andes foothills.

The margay, a small feline native to Central and South America, is a major focus of this project.

Margays were hunted illegally until the 1990s and this contributed to a drastic population decline. As of 2008, this cat has been listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List due to increasing habitat loss. Data collected at WildSumaco about the local population of margays will aid researchers in making conservation recommendations for this species.

INSPIRING ACTION.

IMPACTING CONSERVATION.

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CONSERVATION CORNER continued

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RIVERBANKS ZOO & GARDEN

New Reconyx Professional Covert IR Trail Cameras Photo courtesy of Samantha Amstutz

Surveys of the WildSumaco area took place in the early 2000’s. In recent years, there has been a lull in surveying the sanctuary area as other areas around the Sumaco volcano were prioritized. Over time, cameras malfunctioned or became damaged from the rainy climate. Funding from the Satch Krantz Conservation Fund purchased 12 new Reconyx Professional Covert IR Cameras for deployment in the field.

I assisted Dr. Arbogast (from UNCW) in taking down old cameras along trails within the Sumaco sanctuary and installing new cameras in previously known “hot spots” around the area. Before the end of our trip, Dr. Arbogast collected an SD card from one of the cameras closest to the research station, and we were thrilled to see a margay on the camera after just a few days of deployment! As more data is collected from the new cameras, researchers will soon be able to determine the status of the wildlife in the Sumaco area.

Camera trapping is a non-invasive method utilized to monitor animal activity and reduces any human-animal interactions. This is ideal for this particular research setting as populations can be passively determined without disrupting the local fauna.

Margays are naturally solitary and nocturnal, so they are rarely observed without the aid of cameras. Cameras not only assist in determining if margays are active in a certain area, but they also identify individuals by the spot patterns in their fur.

riverbanks is proud to support this important work!

You can help support this and other conservation projects with a gift to the Satch Krantz Conservation Fund.

Visit www.riverbanks.org and click on Donate.

CREATING CONNECTIONS.

INSPIRING ACTION.

IMPACTING CONSERVATION.

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IN THE KNOW

The INs and OUTs of

ANIMAL WELFARE

-John Davis, Director of Animal Care and Welfare

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden’s animal welfare program involves a number of important, proactive measures:

are measureable assessments of the contributing factors, or “outputs.”

• Performing daily health and behavioral assessments

“Inputs” are the resources, exhibits, housing and management practices that contribute to an animal’s overall experiences. Inputs are determined by the natural history of the species and based on what welfare experts call the five opportunities for animals to seek out a positive welfare state: nutrition, environment, health, behavior, choice and control.

• Promoting behavioral diversity and choice • Developing lifelong care plans, and training staff on the most current progressive approaches to animal welfare.

Evaluating the wellbeing of animals can be challenging with no single form of measurement. Welfare can be “Outputs” are what the animal actually experiences and influenced by a variety of factors, which may vary from are objective measures of welfare. They are derived from poor to excellent; however, at the Zoo, we strive to scientific literature and animal management experience ensure all of the animals are healthy, comfortable, wellas well as what we’ve learned from each animal’s wild nourished and safe, and are able to show species-typical counterparts. Rarely is it relationships, behaviors sufficient information to and the ability to All facilities accredited by the assess welfare by relying remove themselves from Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) on just one source of unpleasant conditions. information (output) have an enormous responsibility to keep In order to make like behavior. Instead, certain that the highest animals healthy, safe and in environments the assessments welfare standards are are performed and maintained consistently, that allow them to thrive. documented by zookeepers have daily zookeepers on a procedures in place to regular basis, evaluating each animal’s diet, housing, body evaluate animal housing, health, behaviors and care so condition, weight, compatibility with others and behavior that any potential issues can be corrected immediately. towards the animal care staff.

While the animal care staff (i.e., veterinarians, curators, All facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos and and keepers) monitors welfare daily through direct care Aquariums (AZA) have an enormous responsibility to and observation, they also evaluate each animal’s wellkeep animals healthy, safe and in environments that allow being through a more critical and formalized process, them to thrive. Far advanced from the earlier days of only which allows for the development of corrective action feeding and cleaning, today’s animal care professionals plans as needed. provide sound animal welfare by monitoring inputs and Zookeepers assess and document each animal’s welfare measuring outputs. Tracking these ins and outs with based on a checklist of factors that can affect physical and reliable and well documented assessments reinforces the behavioral wellbeing. Some of these factors contribute to value and importance of animal welfare and rounds out an animal’s welfare, serving as “inputs,” whereas others our comprehensive animal welfare program at Riverbanks.

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BEHAVIOR INPUTS Environmental components Behavioral training Enrichment program and documentation Species-appropriate social groupings

ANIMAL WELFARE INDICATORS

POSITIVE OUTPUT

NEGATIVE OUTPUT

Diversity of species and ageappropriate behaviors

Evidence of abnormal behaviors

Absence of stereotypic behavior

Evidence of inadequate grooming, preening, hygiene

Well-groomed and preened body surface

Low levels or absence of species-appropriate behavior

Social interaction and breeding

Lack of social interaction

Species-typical sleep and rest patterns

Apathy or inability to react to environmental stimuli

Appropriate reaction to environmental stimuli Participation in training programs

Limitations on sleep/rest

Lack of participation in environmental enrichment or training programs

DIETARY INPUTS Nutrition program with appropriate nutritional expertise Access to a well-balanced, safe and high-quality diet Species-appropriate diet delivery, frequency and access Presence of dietary variety and choice

ANIMAL WELFARE INDICATORS

POSITIVE OUTPUT

NEGATIVE OUTPUT

Appropriate appetite

Reduced or absent appetite

Species-appropriate feeding behaviors

Absence of speciesappropriate feeding behaviors

Good body condition for age class Good conditioning and muscle tone Species and individual appropriate weight Normal fecal consistency and frequency Evidence of dietary variety and choice Lack of nutrition-related health issues Good fur, skin, feather, scale health

Poor body condition/ emaciation/obesity Over-conditioning or underconditioning Abnormal fecal consistency and/or frequency Evidence of nutritionrelated health issues Inability to consume species-appropriate diet Lack of dietary variety or choice

CREATING CONNECTIONS.

INSPIRING ACTION.

IMPACTING CONSERVATION.

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Creative Creatures

Get creative with us as we discover how creatures around the world create beautiful pieces of art every day!

TWO SESSIONS Sign up for one or both!

SESSION 1

December 21 only | 9:00am-4:00pm

SESSION 2:

January 2 and 3 | 9:00am-4:00pm

AGES 5-10 | REGISTER online at www.riverbanks.org

travel with riverbanks to

tanzania july 4-15, 2019 HOSTED BY SATCH KRANTZ President Emeritus

book your adventure by january 30, 2019

Fridays & Saturdays through January 5

For details, email mjacobs@riverbanks.org or call 803.602.0809 24

Members $50 | Public $65 For more information visit www.riverbanks.org

RIVERBANKS ZOO & GARDEN

Give Kids a Smart Start to Saving!

Our youth savings club teaches kids 1-10 good money habits for life. How? By making it fun.

Here’s what’s buzzing!

Activities & coloring books Online games I got the

Prizes for saving FREE Bugg Club tees

A local name you can trust.

Learn more at growbuggclub.org

BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina has been taking care of South Carolinians’ health insurance needs for more than 70 years.

We offer health and dental coverage for individuals, families and businesses, and supplement coverage for those enrolled in Medicare. We have trusted agents to help you find a plan that’s right for you.

Open Enrollment for Individuals and Families is Nov. 1 — Dec. 15.

Find a BlueCross authorized agent today.

Call 877-259-6110 or visit www.AgentFinderSC.com

Official sponsor of Grandma’s Garden

Enroll your child at any Grow Financial store.1 Columbia

2710 Devine Street 803.978.2018

Village at Sandhill

163 Forum Drive, Suite 1 803.705.8121

Lexington

805 Highway 378 803.358.3668

Membership required – Subject to eligibility. Membership requires purchasing a share in the credit union for $5.00 and paying a one-time, non-refundable membership fee of $5.00. 1A valid Social Security card for minors is required to open a Basic Savings Account.

BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

Insured by NCUA

800.839.6328

Holiday Parties During Lights Before Christmas PACKAGES NOW AVAILABLE! PROCEEDS SUPPORT CONSERVATION ONSITE EVENT SPECIALIST CATERER FOUR FESTIVE EVENT SPACES CAPACITIES UP TO 350 GUESTS

Wedding Venue Conference Venue Caterer

T (803) 602-0900 E PlanYourEvent@Riverbanks.org W Riverbanks.org/PlanYourEvent CREATING CONNECTIONS. INSPIRING ACTION. IMPACTING CONSERVATION.

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riverbanks society 500 Wildlife Parkway Columbia, SC 29210-8014

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID

Columbia, S.C. Permit No. 90

November 17 - December 30

5:00-9:00pm

(Closed Nov. 22, Dec. 24 and 25)

Presented by

All members receive one FREE visit with a valid membership.

Guest passes do not apply.