Spring 2019 Safari Magazine by The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium

SAFARI SEE: EYE SPY

The Official Magazine of the Toledo Zoo

Volume 28 |

Issue 1

Spring 2019

welcome LETTER See-- to perceive with the eyes. The Zoo is an incredibly visual place, filled with unique animals from across the world, exhibits and graphics to read and learn from, manicured gardens with vibrant hues and much more. In this issue of Safari, we are taking a few creative liberties with the term too. Along with fun animal sight facts, we also have a first person account of people-watching on grounds, ways to see more of the Zoo when you’re not on-grounds and even seeing under the sea. We hope you enjoy this visual issue and exploring all the sights of the Must-do Zoo!

Cover photo: Snowy Owl

JEFF SAILER Executive Director

AQUARIUM REFLECTIONS GALLERY

Safari is an exclusive benefit to Toledo Zoo members. Membership also includes free, unlimited, year-round admission and parking during regular Zoo hours; a subscription to the Zoo’s e-newsletter; early access to Summer Concert Series tickets; discounts on Zoo merchandise, classes, programs and more; and discounted admission to 150+ zoos and aquariums nationwide. toledozoo.org/membership

5K RACE • 5K WALK • KIDS’ FUN RUN

CONTACT INFORMATION

2 Hippo Way • P.O. Box 140130 Toledo, Ohio 43614-0130 419-385-5721 • fax 419-389-8670

QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?

Contact the editor at 419-385-5721, ext. 2145 or kim.haddix@toledozoo.org

MAY 18, 2019

CONNECT WITH US!

World Association of Zoos and Aquariums | W A Z A United for Conservation

EDITORS: JEFF SAILER & SHAYLA MORIARTY WRITER: KIM HADDIX DESIGNER: ANN KINSMAN PRINTER: HOMEWOOD PRESS Safari is published quarterly by the Toledo Zoo, P.O. Box 140130, Toledo, OH 43614-0130. Second-class postage paid at Toledo, Ohio and at additional mailing offices.

with Bruce Burkhart, exhibits manager

It has been said, many have sight but few have vision. Thankfully, when the Aquarium was renovated in 2015, the design team had both and put a lot of thought into making the new experience both sensory rich and beautiful. One of those visionary ideas was the Reflections Gallery, an area to showcase the talents of local artists. According to the Zoo’s exhibit manager, Bruce Burkhart, the name really set the tone. “The name Reflections Gallery is so cool. I love the concept. It can mean so many things. It suggests looking back but taking a closer look at what’s at hand too. To me it’s like a time and space continuum with an aquatic link. I really like it a lot.” Burkhart says the gallery, which has been enjoyed by more than one million visitors each year since its debut, opens doors for both the Zoo and the community. “It is a

An accredited member of

Reflections Gallery’s first display featuring historic images of the Toledo Zoo.

very cool but also unusual thing to have a community art space. It takes a lot of coordination on all sides, but it is always worth it. We have had art from Toledo, Maumee, Findlay and other places around the region. The variety of art we have displayed in a few short years is incredible. We have had everything from black and white photos to bright colors that really pop, large and small pieces, child and developmentally challenged artists to professionals and everything in between. The pieces don’t have to be aquatic or even animal themed. We had an exhibit called the memory project, which were faces of children from around the world, 3D sculptures and even a coral reef made from water bottles.”

technological advances. While is hasn’t happened yet, there is certainly that room to grow. Once one person or group does it, it will catch on. We are always looking forward to what’s coming next. The schedule is set months in advance and from what we’ve been told is a coveted list to be on!” Don’t forget to stop by the Reflections Gallery in the Aquarium each time you visit the Zoo, as there is sure to be something unique and new on display!

And innovative, new ideas just keep coming. “We have had discussions about web cams, skype live and other

toledozoo.org/dartfrog

Safari Magazine • Spring 2019

MUSEUM PROGRESS

with Kent Bekker, director of conservation and research and Jennifer Van Horn, director of construction and planning

As you hopefully know by now, the ProMedica Museum of Natural History at the Toledo Zoo will open in the footprint of the WPA-era Museum of Science this Spring. The Museum closed for renovation in the fall of 2017 and in this article we will pull back the proverbial construction fence to give you a glimpse at the progress!

The historic Great Hall is being transformed into Ohio 13,000 Years Ago, complete with models, sculptures, murals and more ready to be installed!

As you walk up to the building you will notice a new ramp entry and new pavers beneath your feet.

The Indoor Theatre has been given new life as an event space with a new floor, walls and historic display cases.

You also can’t miss the brand new 2-story greenhouse, home to a huge collection of diverse plants, including orchids, fruits and more from the tropics.

The entire building now has operational life support, including water systems, bio-secure rooms, holding and exhibit areas, for the animals that will soon reside in the building.

The basement classroom, laboratories and storage areas are complete. The new Café has a bar and kitchen equipment being installed. The Gift Shop is framed in and almost ready for inventory to arrive.

The native prairie was seeded in the winter and will soon begin sprouting.

Construction is slated to be completed in March and the new animal collection will begin moving in shortly after. The Museum will open to the public later this spring! Please stay tuned to the Zoo’s website and social media for more updates and sneak peeks!

Plants are in and growing in the two-story Tropical Greenhouse.

Safari Magazine • Spring 2019

The many faces of our cute red heads.

RAISING UP RED PANDAS INTRO Red pandas are incredible (and incredibly cute) creatures from the mountains of Nepal, Myanmar, Bhutan and China. They are often recognized by their 12-20 inch long, bushy ringed tail that they can wrap around themselves to keep warm. They grow to be 12-20 pounds with a 20-26 inch body. Contrary to popular belief, red pandas are not related to giant pandas; they are their own unique scientific family. Red pandas live in trees, even sleeping aloft and eat bamboo, fruit and roots. Interestingly, they have an extended wrist bone that functions almost as a thumb. They are listed as endangered due to deforestation, logging and agriculture with less than 10,000 red pandas surviving in the wild.

Safari Magazine • Spring 2019

INITIATIVE Red pandas are endangered and need our help! Join our journey to constructing a new on-grounds but off-exhibit red panda breeding facility! Our hope is to continue serving the Red Panda Species Survival Plan and in the future share this amazing species with other AZA institutions across the country. Ours would be only the second breeding facility in the US! Help us raise up the plight of red pandas and the walls of a new facility.

INVOLVEMENT Throughout the fall of 2018, we spread the word about raising up red pandas during Luminous Nights, our Giving Tuesday campaign and on our social media platforms. During Luminous Nights, proceeds from beer sales at the new Beastro went toward our breeding facility fundraising. In the six weeks of the event we raised nearly $500. We also offered nightly keeper chats in front of the red panda exhibit to inform the public about our plans and answer any questions about our cute red-heads. Next, we focused our annual Giving Tuesday fundraiser around the new breeding facility. In addition to videos and informational posts on our social media platforms, we

also hosted a live feed with our three resident red pandas and their keeper, Koral Stoddard. Our one-day campaign raised over $2200. As this is still an on-going campaign, there is much more to do. We can’t wait to share all phases of this new facility that will hopefully result in baby red pandas that are sure to be cuter than words can ever hope to describe! Please check out toledozoo.org/redpanda for updates, more ways to get involved or to donate to raising up red pandas! LIVE FEED WITH KORAL

Safari Magazine • Spring 2019

THROUGH MY EYES

EAGLES VS OWLS

I am the administrative assistant to the Education Department at the Toledo Zoo. My job includes a lot of interaction with staff and visitors, whether it be in person, via email or on the phone. My office is located in the new Carson Family Education Center near the Anthony Wayne Trail entrance of the Zoo and from my window I can see the parking lot. As such, I see a lot- guests coming and going, picnic baskets, families and friends meeting up, children being dropped off for classes, people wandering in the building curious to know what it is and much more. Sometimes my eyes catch things that other people may not see and even if they did, they may not have the same perspective as I do, as I also grew up coming to the Toledo Zoo. I can vividly remember walking three miles to the Zoo, crossing the railroad tracks, sliding down the hill, entering the tunnel and spending the day in this wonderful exciting place (complete with birds of paradise roaming freely) then walking the five miles back home. Even with the renovation in progress, I can also still see the Museum of Science the way it was when I was a child, with the big stuffed Kodiak bear standing at the foot of the steps to the second floor library. While I am excited to see the new version, I will probably always remember it that way too. I guess it’s safe to say I have always loved my Zoo!

Eagles versus Owls, while it may sound like the beginning of a football score- it is actually a battle of nature! With the help of our curator or birds, Chuck Cerbini, we will compare and contrast the eyesight of these two unique birds.

with Peggy Coutcher, administrative assistant to education

Here is a quick snapshot of things my eyes have seen… Excitement & Anticipation- the Zoo makes so many people so happy! Even before they enter the admission gates, I can see the anticipation build. • The eight foot tall banana trees that used to be in the parking lot and made you feel like you were in the tropics! • Children with such delightful happy faces skipping, hopping and running to the Zoo entrance.

Safari Magazine • Spring 2019

with Chuck Cerbini, curator of birds

Before we begin, here is a quick anatomy lesson on the eye… The Aquarium Adventure Trail Splash Pad.

• Preschoolers visiting the Zoo for the first time waving and making faces at me as they walk by my office window. • Watching the transformation of the Museum of Science and the tunnel being restored as an entry to the Zoo, especially as one who remembers their first go-around! The beauty of nature all around us is visible throughout the year too! • The transformation of the front of the new Education building from dirt to flowers, bushes and a future native prairie and waiting almost three months for birds to discover the bird feeder hanging in front of the building. Now we can’t keep it full! • Seeing a mockingbird land on one of the poles out front and a bald eagle fly over our building. • The beauty of the changing colors of the sky and trees, in all types of weather from rain and snow to sunshine and darkness. In the park, the excitement is palpable. • Smiling faces of children (and adults) riding the train or carousel, playing in the Splash Pad on a hot summer day and seeing live animals up so close! • Young children playing in the stream in Nature’s Neighborhood, getting to hold a guinea pig or pet a goat for the first time!

• The absolutely beautiful flowers on grounds, especially the formal gardens in the summer… that beauty is hard to describe. Courage & Challenges – Nothing is going to get in the way of a fun Zoo day. • Staff members assisting an elderly couple who were having a difficult time getting back in their car after a hot day vising the Zoo. • A car pulling up to the handicapped row, a man with one leg getting out and proceeding to pull down a ramp, remove his motorized scooter and begin his day at the Zoo all without any help. • The unbridled excitement of a little girl who with the aid of her walker and braces was running so fast I thought she was going to take off and fly. • Grandparents sitting at a picnic table trying to corral and feed five little ones, including an infant.

Light enters the eye through the cornea, which bends the rays as they pass through the pupil. The light then passes through the lens and gets focused on the retina. The retina contains millions of tiny nerve cells made up of rods and cones. Rods are light sensitive, while the cones perceive color information. These cells then convert the light into electrical impulses that the optic nerve sends to the brain which produces an image.

EAGLES Best vision of any group of animals on the planet- hence the term eagle eye. Have two fovea (or tiny pits in the retina that provides the clearest vision) in their eyes that provides awesome peripheral vision. Humans only have one. Fantastic long-distance vision- can see fish from 100 feet above water and land prey from more than two miles away.

OWLS Eyes are fixed in skull, meaning they cannot move or roll their eyes. Can silently rotate their head without moving their bodies to get a 270 degree field of vision.

Eyes angled 30 degrees from the midline of face allows for 340 degree field of vision. In comparison, the human field of vision is 180 degrees.

Eyes are more tube-shaped than ball which makes them more light sensitive.

Can focus rapidly to “zoom in” on prey.

Irises widen greatest at night allowing more light in.

Have 24/20 or 25/20 vision, which is 4-8 times better than the average human’s 20/20.

During the day vision is blurry and colors dulled.

See greater variety of shades of colors than owls or humans.

Have a tapetum lucidum, a thin layer that reflects light back into the eye after it has already passed through, allowing additional light to be collected. Are far-sighted- cannot focus on objects close up. Have great hearing, thanks to asymmetrical ear holes located behind their eyes on their flat face that receives sound and helps pinpoint prey’s location. BOTH Large eyes in relation to body size

As I hope you can see- the Zoo truly is for everyone. And now I know it’s safe to say, I will always love my Zoo!

Eyes bigger than brain in mass

EDUCATION PROGRAMS

See UV light that humans cannot The national bird of the U.S.A.

Use keen eyesight to stalk prey

Safari Magazine • Spring 2019

animal SIGHT FACTS Hamsters don’t open their eyes until two weeks after birth and are nearsighted and colorblind.

of the other, making them able to look in two places at once.

Camels have three eyelids to protect their eyes; two eyelids have lashes and the third comes from the corner of the eye. baby camel live feed

Cuttlefish have powerful “w” shaped eyes and are colorblind, yet can change their skin color to closely match their surroundings.

Goats have rectangular pupils to give them a wide field of vision- 320-340 degrees- that provides great peripheral and night vision. Dolphins sleep with one eye open, to rest half of their brain and avoid predators at the same time! Ostrich

Bactrian Camel

The largest eye on the planet belongs to the Colossal Squid, and measures around 11 inches across- about the size of a soccer ball.

Safari Magazine • Spring 2019

Mantis shrimp have the most complex eyes of any animals with 12 color receptors, trinocular, ultraviolet, infrared and polarized light vision and depth perception! Sea stars have one eye on each of their five arms. Lemurs can make out colors even in complete darkness.

Pigeons can see millions of different hues, and have better color vision than most animals on earth.

Bird feathers reflect UV light, showing off their colorful plumage.

Eyes on horses and zebras point sideways, giving them tremendous peripheral vision, to the point of almost being able to see behind them, but it also means they have a blind spot right in front of their noses.

Pit vipers utilize their pit organs (specialized holes between the eye and nostril) to “see” heat radiating from prey with the help of a special protein.

Chameleons can rotate their eyes to have a 360 degree field of vision. They can also rotate each eye independent

Leaf-tailed gecko do not have eyelids, instead the whites of their eyes are patterned to aid in full body camouflage.

An ostrich’s eye is bigger than its brain.

The walleye is named for its reflective eyes, which are a result of a layer of pigment called the tapetum lucidum, which helps them see and feed at night or in murky water.

Mang Viper

Dragonflies have very large, globular eyes that provide a 360 degree field of vision!

Raptors can see UV light, making them able to track prey on the ground by urine trails! Contrary to popular belief, naked mole rats are not blind, but do rely more on sound, smell and touch than their tiny eyes.

Zebra Safari Magazine • Spring 2019

SERVICE SPOTLIGHT

CONSERVATION IN ACTION with Kent Bekker, director of conservation and research

I spy with my own eye… conservation in action happening from the ground to the sky! WILD TOLEDO’S NATIVE PRAIRIES throughout grounds, the Anthony Wayne Trail median and NW Ohio

eggs collected in native streams at the Zoo, where survivability of the young can be much higher than in the wild. The hellbenders are later released in the same creeks and streams in which they were collected or used to repopulate streams that historically supported hellbenders.

NATIVE TURTLES on exhibit behind Reptile House

PINK-NECKED FRUIT DOVES on exhibit in the Aviary

LAKE STURGEON on exhibit in Aquarium and off-exhibit streamside facility

In the fall of 2014, Wild Toledo began converting previously mowed lawn and abandoned lots to environmentally beneficial urban prairies, which save resources through reduction of mowing, improve rain water management and reduce runoff. These plantings also provide aesthetically pleasing habitat for important native species, like birds and pollinators. We are also helping residents to realize the benefits of native plants in residential landscaping. HELLBENDERS on exhibit in pod facility behind Reptile House The eastern hellbender, Cryptobranchus alleganiensis, is a state-endangered species, with pollution and loss of habitat eliminating wild populations throughout much of their historic range. The Zoo is helping to restore wild populations by rearing hellbenders from

Safari Magazine • Spring 2019

We constructed a modular facility near the Maumee River to rear hundreds of lake sturgeon from eggs collected in U.S. and Canadian waters until the fish are approximately six months old. At that point, the sturgeon will be released into the Maumee River and their population monitored by fisheries biologists. The goal is to rear the fish in Maumee River water from a young age and capitalize on the homing ability of the species in hopes that they will return to the waterway to spawn at adulthood in approximately 20 years. LAKE STURGEON CONSERVATION LIVE FEED - STURGEON

Wild Toledo is evaluating local turtle populations in the Toledo-area wooded areas and marshes through mark recapture and radio telemetry techniques with painted turtles, common snapping turtles, spotted turtles, box turtles and Blanding’s turtles. This data allows conservation biologists to determine the population health of these species and the habitat necessary for survival at each study location. TASMANIAN DEVILS on exhibit in Tembo Trail We have an adjunct biologist working with Save the Tasmanian Devil Program to help study and conserve this iconic species. In recent years, Tasmanian devils have seen a rapid decline in wild populations due to communicable cancerous facial tumors spread during shared, ferocious feeding of a kill. It is estimated that 90% of wild devils have died from this disease, leading devils to be listed as an endangered species. SAVE THE TASMANIAN DEVIL PROGRAM

While total wild population numbers are unknown, it is thought they are declining due to habitat loss. To help support the population, we began breeding and rearing the Doves in 2014 and have now started transferring birds to other AZA institutions. Since the beginning of our rearing, hatch rates have increased from two a year to more than 20. Additionally, what we have learned about this species’ husbandry needs has also been applied to two other species of imperiled fruit doves. HUMAN WILDLIFE CONFLICT Cougars on exhibit in Tiger Terrace, Brown bears on exhibit in Tembo Trail

When space is available, AZA zoos offer placement for orphaned wild animals, many times due to human wildlife conflict. This hard to define term can refer to any competition of resources between wild animals and humans that ends with a negative result for one side or the other. Our three cougars, Rainier, Columbia and Cascade, came to reside at the Zoo after the state of Washington’s Department of Fish and Wildlife reached out to find the young cats new homes following the loss of their mothers. Additionally, zoos accredited by the AZA do not breed brown bears, but instead reserve all brown bear exhibit areas as rescue space for bears unable to remain in the wild. Montana and Cody, our female grizzlies and Kodiak bear, Dodge, were orphaned at young ages due to human wildlife conflict and needed human intervention to survive. Keep your eyes open for additional conservation efforts throughout grounds, detailed on our website and updated on our social media feeds! CONSERVATION INITIATIVES

Our Development Volunteer of the Year is an experienced hand, first volunteering at the Zoo over 15 years ago. She is a friend of Tana Benford’s, our Assistant Director of Membership and Development, and when your friend works in Development you get asked to help with fundraising events. Of course, there is a difference between doing a favor for a friend and diving head-first into the Zoo world. Our VOY chose the latter path, helping with everything from the gates, to VIP areas and selling drink tickets at ZootoDo, Rock n’ Roar and more. She was also a celebrity wine server at Once Upon a Vine and Feast with the Beasts. Whatever Development needed her to do, she was happy to pitch in. Over time she has built positive relationships with many of our donors and sponsors, helping keep them excited about events and the whole Zoo. According to Benford, “She proudly wears her Zoo volunteer name badge and we are grateful for all the time that she has donated to making our guests and sponsors feel welcome and appreciated.” We are delighted to make our Development Volunteer of the Year: Kim Broadway feel just as welcome and appreciated. Thank you for your service!

Safari Magazine • Spring 2019

SEEING UNDER THE SEA

underwater and gets duller as it goes down. In fact, at approximately 50 feet, blood, which is bright red at the surface, flows green at depth. Dissolved materials and particles filter out light even faster, which is why the shallower waters of say the Maumee River look almost brown from above. Blue is actually the last color to be filtered out and at 10,000 feet down there is no visible light. Underwater, color and the details it provides lose contrast and appear washed out and dull. To really see the colors of underwater creatures, we have to bring them to the surface.”

with Jay Hemdal, general curator

Large Reef Tank

In our best Sebastian the crab from The Little Mermaid voice… “Under the sea Under the sea Darling it’s better Down where it’s wetter Take it from me Up on the shore they work all day Out in the sun they slave away While we devotin’ Full time to floatin’ Under the sea!”

Safari Magazine • Spring 2019

How do those who live under the sea see? We sat down with Jay Hemdal, to learn more about the relationship of water and light and sense of sight in the world beneath the waves! “The only light underwater is from the sun, except for some bioluminescent creatures. However, sunlight is altered because of refraction when it hits the water.” As we all know there is a whole spectrum of colors (think of the rainbow and all the various shades) and each of those colors is on a different wavelength. Each wave length gets absorbed by water at different rates. “For example, red gets absorbed first at about 15 feet

Research has proven looking through water makes a sea creature (or anything) appear 33% larger and 25% closer than it really is. However, underwater human sight is a tricky thing. “Just think about opening your eyes underwater in the pool as a kid. Contrary to popular belief, it is not just the chlorine and chemicals impacting your vision. Everything appears blurry to us underwater. We need air space between our eyes and the water for focus; this is where a dive mask comes in. This is the same reason mild nearsightedness disappears underwater. Because I have worked around water for so many years, my brain must compensate for these factors though, as I can no longer see the differences.” Creatures who live under the sea have adaptations to help them see too. “The four-eyed fish is a fun example. Despite its name, it only has two eyes, but each eye has two lenses and two retinas! These fish swim at the surface to feed on insects and the extra eye parts help keep watch for predators from above and below, as its exposed nature makes it easy prey.” Hemdal points out though that it is not accurate to assert that creatures who live in deeper water have bigger eyes.

Octopus

“There is such a thing as nocturnal fish and also some fish live where there is no visible light so eyes don’t matter. For example, cave fish do not have functioning eyes. The Mexican Blind Cave Tetra is almost transparent and lives deep in underwater caves. They can’t actually see because their eyes are covered with scales. However, there are other species of this fish that live in open water and have eyes and color on their bodies.”

do not create a blind spot. “Marine mammals, such as sea lions and seals, are unique as they live both in water and on the ground. These creatures have highly developed eyes with specialized retinas and varying pupil shapes to allow in different amounts of light.” There you have it; the science behind sight…under the sea! FLASHLIGHT FISH

Some other interesting examples of underwater sight include octopus and marine mammals. “Octopus have really good sight.” Research has shown that is thanks to u-shaped pupils which let large amounts of light in and

Safari Magazine • Spring 2019

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Toledo, OH Permit No. 707

P.O. Box 140130 • Toledo, OH 43614-0130 HOURS: Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. | January through April 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Memorial Day to Labor Day 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Monday-Friday • May & September 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Weekends • May & September 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. | October 1 - November 21 Lights Before Christmas Hours: November 22 - December 31 10 a.m. - 2:59 p.m. | Zoo Daytime hours Sun -Thu 3 p.m. - 8 p.m. | Lights Before Christmas activities Fri & Sat 3 p.m. - 9 p.m. | Lights Before Christmas activities All Lucas County residents receive free Zoo admission every non-holiday Monday 10 a.m. - noon. (Must show valid proof of residency.) The Zoo remains open for one additional hour after gates close to allow visitors to complete their visit. However, many animals may be off exhibit during the last hour.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS FEBRUARY 15 16

Cabin Fever Weekends (Saturdays & Sundays) toledozoo.org/cabinfever Wine Tasting & Dinner (Aquarium) toledozoo.org/wine Happy Hearts Day toledozoo.org/valentine

16-18 18 21

President’s Day Weekend free admission for Lucas County residents Camp for a Day toledozoo.org/camps Climate Change Symposium

MARCH 1 22 23

Once Upon a Vine toledozoo.org/vine Wine Tasting (Aquarium) toledozoo.org/wine Teddy Bear Care Fair toledozoo.org/teddybear

26-28 Spring Break Camp toledozoo.org/camps 28 YPAC After Hours: Tasmanian Devil toledozoo.org/ypac

APRIL 2-4 13 16-18 19

Spring Break Camp toledozoo.org/camps AAZK’s Bowling for Rhinos Spring Break Camp toledozoo.org/camps Animal Egg Hunt toledozoo.org/egghunt

19-20 26 27

Breakfast with the Bunny toledozoo.org/bunny Wine Tasting (Arctic Encounter®) toledozoo.org/wine Party for the Planet toledozoo.org/planet

OPENING SPRING 2019 For more information about these and other events, visit toledozoo.org/events