2016 Fall WILD Magazine

us g n i p l e h r u fo Thank yo

Presenting Sponsor

On Saturday, June 27th, Zoobilee 2015 raised over $280,000 to support Roger Williams Park Zoo’s education and conservation programs.

Elephant Entourage

We gratefully thank our sponsors, volunteers and party guests:

Leopard League

Janci Foundation

Chair Patrick Wholey President and General Manager, WPRI 12/Fox Providence/myRITV

Bison Brigade Delmyra Kennels, Inc., Ruth & Scott Gordon Sophie F. Danforth

Susan Aguiar B Street Foundation Bank of America Chicago Title Insurance Company National Services Seattle

Rhode Island Monthly TM Crowley & Associates, Inc. WPRI 12 & Fox Providence

Maribeth, Abby & Sam Williamson Yelp Providence

Kangaroo Crew

DCI Construction, Inc. Dimeo Construction Company Fiona’s Family & Friends First Hartford Realty Corporation

Meridian Printing Jonathan & Judy Nelson NESCTC Security Agency LLC Pawtucket Credit Union

Santander Bank Starkweather & Shepley Insurance The Washington Trust Company Yoder & Tidwell, Ltd.

Gibbon Gang A.B. Munroe Dairy, Inc. AAA Northeast Bank Rhode Island Ellen & Mark Borreliz Bowen Marketing Consultants

Citizens Bank Sandra L. & Domenic M. Coletta Corporate Building Services Coventry Lumber David Renaud DDS, Ltd. Feinberg & McBurney Realty/Development LLC

Ferguson Perforation & Wire Co Halstead, LLC Jocelin Hamblett Dr. and Mrs. James S. Harper, III Hart-Redd LLC

J. Mack Studios, LLC Patrick T. Lebeau & Meghan Rawson Massage Envy Spa Liz & Frank Mauran Miles River Direct Jane S. Nelson

Phenix & Coventry Home Care Sensata Technologies, Inc. Stone Road Capital Partners Tarbox Hyundai Textron Mark E. Zimmerman

Thank you to our Zoobilee 2015 Food & Beverage Providers Aspire Seasonal Kitchen Barefoot Wine & Bubbly Boloco Boston Culinary Group Cabot Cheese Cape Cod Ice Catering by Dave’s Marketplace Clean Cuisine & Classy Creations* Corner Bakery Café Cozy Caterers Douglas Wine & Spirits Ebisu Japanese Restaurant Edible Arrangements Edible Creations by Gerry

El Rancho Grande Mexican Restaurant The Flatbread Company Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse &Wine Bar Fox Point Pickling Company* Go Nuts, Co. Gregg’s Restaurant Harpoon Brewery Hemenway’s Seafood Grill & Oyster Bar Hope & Main Culinary Incubator India Restaurant Julians Restaurant & Catering Leah’s Recipe* Legal Sea Foods Little Rhody Foods (Del’s Lemonade)

The Melting Pot Mill’s Tavern NAMI New Harvest Coffee Roasters Not Your Average Joe’s Orange Leaf Yogurt P.F. Chang’s China Bistro Papa Razzi Trattoria Pure Beverage Systems Red Stripe Restaurant Rhody Fresh Milk & Cheese Rick’s Roadhouse (Part of Chow Fun Food Group) The Sconette Company*

Rhode Island Zoological Society • Roger Williams Park Zoo T (401) 941-3910 • F (401) 941-3988 • rwpzoo.org

Spicy Penguin* Starbucks Coffee Company Sweet Indulgence Texas Roadhouse Tito’s* Trinity Brewhouse** Union Station Brewery** Uno Pizzeria and Grill *Denotes a Hope and Main Company **20 year participant

SEPTEMBER, 2015 VOLUME 18, ISSUE 2

PUBLISHED FOR FRIENDS OF ROGER WILLIAMS PARK ZOO

Day of Honor Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular Plus, Spooky Zoo, Visits with Santa & More

Upcoming Events

A message from the Executive Director What’s New at the Zoo

Zoo News

WHAT’S INSIDE:

Rhode Island Zoological Society, Inc. Roger Williams Park Zoo 1000 Elmwood Ave. Providence, RI 02907-3659

O C TO B E R 1 – N OV E M B E R 1 !

The nationally acclaimed Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular presented by Citizens Bank will return with nightly showings of this autumn tradition. Last year this important Zoo fundraiser drew over 125,000 people from all over the county and the world, providing much needed support for animal care, education and conservation programs, and Zoo improvements.

One 2014 visitor called it “Autumnal Bliss!” and another said “A fabulous night of gorgeous artistry!” This year’s show, “The People’s Choice,”

will feature visitors’ favorite intricately carved artworks from the past 27 years of shows, with new lighting effects and of course, the “Laughing Tree” grand finale with its spooky fog, iconic beat and laughter.

RWP Zoo members receive $2 off adult admission and $1 off child admission for individuals included in the membership.

For complete event details, hours, ticket prices and other information, visit rwpzoo.org.

Presenting Sponsor Master Carver Sponsors

Giant Pumpkin Sponsor

Pumpkin Patch Sponsors

A Message from the Director

Jeremy Goodman, DVM Executive Director, RWP Zoo and RI Zoological Society

New Master Plan promises exciting times ahead In order to be a truly great institution, you must have a plan for the future. Roger Williams Park Zoo has been around since 1872 when it was a far different place, spread throughout the Park. While all zoos must constantly evolve to meet changing visitor needs and standards, we also aim to achieve consistent growth to ensure that we continue to be New England’s great zoo for many years to come.

We recently completed a new master plan that was developed from over a year’s worth of staff input, public surveys and analysis of national and international trends in the industry. It calls for exciting new animal

Working to Save Elephants from Extinction

exhibits, improved dining options and pedestrian flow, additional restrooms located in key areas, more parking spaces, improvements to meet standards for people with disabilities, high end rental facilities and event space, and more experiential features for our guests.

$25 million needed to complete all of the projects in the first seven year phase of the plan. Design for our first project, an exciting new Rainforest, has begun and we expect to begin construction next summer. I hope you are as excited as I am as we build our new zoo together.

Zoo staff and our Board believe in everything we put in the new plan and we strongly believe it is achievable. We are fortunate that the voters of Rhode Island overwhelmingly supported the Yes on 7 campaign. As a result, the $15 million approved for Roger Williams Park Zoo provides a great foundation for the total

Hope to see you here real soon!

Working to save highly endangered species here in Rhode Island and across the globe is a major focus in our conservation work. Last year, we signed on in support of 96 Elephants, a worldwide campaign started by the Wildlife Conservation Society to help raise public awareness of the increased rate of African elephant poaching.

would not be outlawed, only their sale, and because whale ivory is not included in this bill, this legislation would have minimal affect in these areas. By significantly reducing the market for these products, we can begin to eliminate the monetary value of the ivory and horns on living creatures. That is what will ultimately save them from certain extinction.

In 1980 there were 1.2 million elephants in Africa. By 2012, only 420,000 remained. If allowed to continue at its current rate of 96 elephants killed every day, the world will see the end of this magnificent species in our children’s lifetime. Equally critical is the rate of killing rhinoceros for their horns. The fact is, sales of elephant ivory and rhinoceros horn bring millions of dollars to the criminals who ruthlessly harvest them. Though there are federal laws restricting import, export and interstate sale of ivory, this has not been enough to stop the killing. Several states have passed laws to ban the sale of elephant ivory and rhinoceros horn, and products made from those animal parts.

How you can help A bill introduced in the 2015 Rhode Island legislative session generated valuable discussion. Some individuals were concerned about the impact this bill might have on museums and antique dealers. Because ownership of these items

Jeremy Goodman, DVM Executive Director, RWP Zoo and RI Zoological Society

As a part of our commitment to the 96 Elephants campaign we ask for your help now in getting the message to our legislators that we all care about this issue and want a bill passed in 2016 banning the sale of ivory in the state of Rhode Island. Please add your name to the petition for a Rhode Island Ivory Bill today at rwpzoo.org/save-elephants.

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What’s NEW

ZOO

the RogeR Williams at PaRk Zoo

masteR Plan - PRePaRed by glmV Zoos & aFH design

A 5 year old white-cheeked female gibbon from Nashville Zoo arrived to join our male, Ba Hee in their exhibit on the Wilderness Plaza. Her name is Aranel (elvish for Princess), and we call her Ari for short.

Prehensile tailed skinks, Wedge and Solomon, now live inside the Australasia building, while up in the Alex and Ani Farmyard, four giant Fleming rabbits have joined the collection beside the Farmhouse.

Two new female river otters from Prospect Park Zoo now reside on the pathway behind Australasia. Nkeke and Mishontoo are one and a half years old, and they are enjoying their wooded enclosure and entertaining visitors in their swimming pool with the glass wall.

Thinking about the holidays?

Fierce

• A year full of fun with a gift membership

Gift Ideas:

• A just-right token of love from our gift shop, such as the Alex and Ani Charity

by Design “Ode to the Owl” bangle.

¡ Holiday

• Priceless memories with day passes, or certificates for animal encounters

M A R K YO U R C A L E N DA R S !

FALL FUN Day of Honor September 13

Free admission for veterans and members of our armed forces, active and retired police, fire and ambulance personnel, and other emergency responders. Get details at rwpzoo.org

Boo at the Zoo! **+ October 24 & 31

A family Halloween experience complete with VIP admission to the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, creepy crawly creature myth busting, and a fun sleepover.

Preregistration is required.

Spooky Zoo – Daytime Fun! October 24 & 25

A time-honored fall tradition full of wild trick-or-treating fun for families. Kids in costume get in for half price!

Santa’s Arrival & Holiday Parade November 28

See the Jolly Old Elf himself arrive in grand style at the Zoo.

Visits with Santa*

November 28, 29, December 5, 6 Enjoy a tasty treat and a craft, then meet Santa and take your own photo. Adults accompanying children are free.

Whether at the Zoo or the Carousel, we’ve got the perfect location for your holiday fun!

Contact gsales@rwpzoo.org for details.

Get details for all events in the online event calendar at rwpzoo.org * ticketed event ** preregistration required + discount for RWP Zoo members