ZOONOOZ July 2013 by San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

San Diego Zoo Safari Park Brewmaster Dinner Saturday, July 13, 2013

Featuring Sierra Nevada Brewery Join us at Hunte Nairobi Pavilion in July for a delicious dinner featuring Sierra Nevada Brewery, with brews chosen to accompany each of the four courses of the meal.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park Winemaker Dinner Saturday, August 17, 2013 Featuring J. Lohr Winery In August at Hunte Nairobi Pavilion, the Safari Park welcomes J. Lohr Winery, presenting select wines perfectly paired with our chefâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s delightful four-course meal.

For both dinners, an animal presentation takes place from 6 to 6:30 p.m., and dinner is served from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Each dinner is $79 for members, $91 for nonmembers, plus tax and gratuity. Includes reception, four-course dinner, wine or beer pairings, and a souvenir wine glass or beer mug. Guests will be seated at tables of 8; limited seating. Guests must be 21 years of age or older.

To make your reservations, call 619-718-3000. Visit sdzsafaripark.org/planyourtrip for the complete menus and beer and wine selections.

inside july 2013

wildlife 8 The Monkey Behind the Mask Explore the colorful world of the mesmerizing, mysterious mandrill. BY KIM LIVINGSTONE

12 A Year Already? Xiao Liwu Turns One Our precious panda cub celebrates a milestone! BY WENDY PERKINS

22 Grass Hoppers: Stalking Australia’s Grassfinches Sow some seeds with these social, colorful little birds. BY KAREN E. WORLEY

conservation 18 Ten Big, Audacious Reasons for Hope San Diego Zoo Global continues its conservation work to help an array of species on the brink. BY KARYL CARMIGNANI

explore 11 It’s a G’day for Koalas The Zoo’s newest exhibit is open. Thank you, Conrad Prebys!

14 Frequent Flyers Gets an Upgrade Winged wonders soar in an updated version of the Park’s popular bird show. BY PEGGY SCOTT

more 2 Chairman’s Note 4 Through the Lens 5 Save the Date 6 You Said It 25 What’s in Store 26 Support 28 From the Archives

on the cover: Mature male mandrill Mandrillus sphinx on this page: Juvenile male mandrill Mandrillus sphinx

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Download ZOONOOZ for your iPad Download ZOONOOZ for your Kindle

Members get up close FREE all year long! Start your membership today. Call 619-718-3000 or visit sandiegozoo.org

chairman’s note

SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL OFFICERS

Looking Ahead—to Africa Rocks

s we approach the San Diego Zoo’s centennial in 2016, San Diego Zoo Global has plans for an exciting new exhibit: Conrad Prebys Africa Rocks, which will replace all of Dog & Cat Canyon, one of the oldest areas of the Zoo. Most of the existing exhibits there were built in the 1940s, and although they have been renovated over the years, the Zoo’s centennial is a perfect time to create something new. Africa Rocks, set to open in spring 2017, will create beautiful new homes for some of our popular African animal and plant species. It will also give us the opportunity to include species we haven’t seen at the Zoo in a long time—as well as some firsts that we have never had before. Not only will we exhibit new species of lemurs, including the elusive aye-aye, we will also feature patas and vervet monkeys, dwarf crocodiles, and a variety of African birds, including the carmine bee-eater and ground hornbill. To build an exhibit of this complexity in this area of the Zoo, we are estimating that the cost will be $50 million. Our policy at San Diego Zoo Global is not to begin construction on a project until we have raised the majority of the needed funds, so this summer begins the Africa Rocks fundraising campaign. As a nonprofit organization, we rely upon our members and donors to fund our conservation work and new exhibits at the Zoo and Safari Park, and Africa Rocks will be a wonderful addition to the Zoo that you may be interested in helping to support. To kick off the Africa Rocks fund-raising campaign, I am very pleased to announce that Ernest Rady has offered a generous challenge gift: $10 million, if San Diego Zoo Global can raise a further $20 million toward the project within the next 25 months. We are very grateful to Mr. Rady for his support of the campaign and this new exhibit. If you would like to contribute to the creation of this brand-new section of the Zoo and help us meet Mr. Rady’s challenge, please contact us at donate@sandiegozoo.org or call 619-231-1515, extension 4421. We are all very excited about Africa Rocks—it will be a great way to begin our next 100 years.

Rick Gulley Chairman

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JULY 2013

Richard B. Gulley, Chairman William H. May, Vice Chairman Sandra A. Brue, Secretary Robert B. Horsman, Treasurer

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

M. Javade Chaudhri Berit N. Durler Clifford W. Hague Nan C. Katona Patricia L. Roscoe Steven G. Tappan Judith A. Wheatley David S. Woodruff, Ph.D., D.Sc.

TRUSTEES EMERITI Frank C. Alexander Kurt Benirschke, M.D. Weldon Donaldson Thompson Fetter Bill L. Fox Frederick A. Frye, M.D. George L. Gildred Yvonne W. Larsen John M. Thornton Albert Eugene Trepte Betty Jo F. Williams

William E. Beamer, General Counsel Douglas G. Myers, President/CEO Charles L. Bieler, Executive Director Emeritus

THE FOUNDATION OF SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL OFFICERS

John E. Gartman, Chair Murray H. Hutchison, Vice Chair Margie Warner, Secretary Maryanne C. Pfister, Treasurer Mark A. Stuart, President Richard B. Gulley, Ex officio Douglas G. Myers, Ex officio

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Christine L. Andrews Richard A. Baldwin Joye D. Blount Rick Bregman Lisa S. Casey Douglas Dawson Berit N. Durler, Ex officio U. Bertram Ellis, Jr. Arthur E. Engel Fran Golden Craig L. Grosvenor Judith C. Harris Richard M. Hills Craig A. Irving Susan B. Major Susan N. McClellan Michael D. McKinnon George A. Ramirez Joyce Summers Thomas Tull

Happy Happens Again

at Albertâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Restaurant

Enjoy specialty cocktails, featured wines and beers, and tasty appetizers from our $6 and $7 menu from 3 to 5 p.m. daily during Nighttime Zoo, now through September 2, 2013. Stay for dinner and make it a special occasion! Seating is available until 8:30 every night, allowing you to dine and unwind at your leisure before departing the Zoo.

Call 619-685-3200 to reserve your table.

through the lens

Mandrill Mandrillus sphinx

ZOONOOZ

JULY 2013

ZOONOOZ

PUBLISHED SINCE 1926

save the date

JULY 2013 VOL.LXXXVINO.7 MANAGING EDITOR KAREN E. WORLEY ASSOCIATE EDITORS PEGGY SCOTT DEBBIE ANDREEN STAFF WRITERS WENDY PERKINS KARYL CARMIGNANI SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL PHOTOGRAPHER KEN BOHN DIGITAL IMAGING TECHNICIAN TAMMY SPRATT DESIGN AND PRODUCTION DAMIEN LASATER CHRIS MARTIN HEIDI SCHMID PREPRESS AND PRINTING TRANSCONTINENTAL/PRINTED IN CANADA The Zoological Society of San Diego was founded in October 1916 by Harry M. Wegeforth, M.D., as a private, nonprofit corporation. The Zoological Society of San Diego does business as San Diego Zoo Global. ZOONOOZ® (ISSN 0044-5282) is currently published bimonthly. Publisher is San Diego Zoo Global, at 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA 92103, 619-231-1515. Periodicals postage paid at San Diego, California, U.S.A., and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Membership Department, P.O. Box 120271, San Diego, CA 92112.

Summer’s in Full Swing WELCOME TO SUMMER IN SAN DIEGO! Sunshine, longer days, vacations, and all that our fair city has to offer—especially the Zoo and Safari Park—are all part of the season’s adventures. Our summertime events are well underway and ready to entertain your family and friends. In honor of our new Conrad Prebys Australian Outback exhibit at the Zoo, this year’s Nighttime Zoo is themed “Koalafornia Dreamin’” and is decked out in all things Aussie. Music, a new show in Hunte Amphitheater, animal encounters, and activities for kids will transport you to another continent. In addition, you can take a break and check out our new 4-D theater experience, “Rio’s Rainforest Adventure”; you’ll find this animated macaw and friends in the new theater in Discovery Outpost. Summer Safari is in full celebration mode at the Safari Park, with special animal presentations, lively musicians and acrobats, interactive experiences for family fun, and all of our exciting Safari options. New this summer is Lemur Walk, a walk-through exhibit of ring-tailed lemurs where you can really see these fascinating primates up close. Look for this fun, new exhibit in Nairobi Village, near Lorikeet Landing. Summer is always a great time at the Zoo and the Safari Park. Join us!

Copyright® 2013 San Diego Zoo Global. All rights reserved. “ZOONOOZ” Reg. U.S. Pat. Office. All column and program titles are trademarks of San Diego Zoo Global. Annual Memberships: Dual $114, new; $99, renewal. Single $94, new; $82, renewal. Each membership includes unlimited entrance to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. ZOONOOZ subscription: $25 per year, $65 for 3 years. Foreign, including Canada and Mexico, $30 per year, $81 for 3 years. Contact Membership Department, P.O. Box 120271, San Diego, CA 92112. As part of San Diego Zoo Global’s commitment to conservation, ZOONOOZ is printed on recycled paper that is 30% post-consumer waste, chlorine free, and is Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certified. Using this paper for a year will save approximately 200 tons of wood, or 1,400 trees; 965 million BTUs of energy, enough to run 10 homes for a year; 155,000 pounds of CO2 equivalent, the amount produced by 14 cars during a year; and 84,000 pounds of solid waste (estimates made using the Environmental Defense Fund Paper Calculator). FSC is not responsible for any calculations on saving resources by choosing this paper.

SAN DIEGO ZOO HOURS July 1—31: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. August 1—31: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

SAN DIEGO ZOO SAFARI PARK HOURS July 1—31: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. August 1—18: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. August 19—31: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

WEBSITE

sandiegozoo.org

SAN DIEGO ZOO PHONE 619-231-1515

ZOONOOZ®

Douglas G. Myers President/CEO

JULY

1 Nighttime Zoo continues (through September 2), at the Zoo 1 Summer Safari continues (through August 18), at the Safari Park 1 to 3 Summer Camp, at the Safari Park 6, 20, 26 Roar & Snore: Family Night— Amazing Animals, at the Safari Park 8–12 Summer Camp, at the Zoo and Safari Park 12 Roar & Snore: Junior—Alphabet Safari, at the Safari Park 13 Summer Brewmaster Dinner, at the Safari Park 13, 20, 27 Slumber Down Under sleepover, at the Zoo 15–19 Summer Camp, at the Zoo and Safari Park 19 Plant Day and Orchid Odyssey, at the Zoo 19 Roar & Snore: All Ages—Casual Camper, at the Safari Park 22–26 Summer Camp, at the Zoo and Safari Park 27 Shutterbug Photography, at the Zoo 29–August 2 Summer Camp, at the Zoo and Safari Park

AUGUST

2, 24 Roar & Snore: Junior—Alphabet Safari, at the Safari Park 3, 16, 23, 31 Roar & Snore: Family Night— Amazing Animals, at the Safari Park 5–9 Summer Camp, at the Zoo and Safari Park 10 Roar & Snore: All Ages—Casual Camper, at the Safari Park 12 to 16 Summer Camp, at the Zoo and Safari Park 16 Plant Day and Orchid Odyssey, at the Zoo 17 Summer Winemaker Dinner, at the Safari Park 3, 17, 24 Black & White Overnight sleepover, at the Zoo 18 Summer Safari ends, at the Safari Park

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you said it WOW! COOL POOL PARTY TONIGHT. Looks like there’s fun “Early EVENING at Elephants” as well as in the mornings. Swazi looked as if she was definitely queen of the pool party! Thanks for zooming in and catching the action! :-) DeborahS (No. Calif Bay Area)

I’m new to koala watching.…

Thank you! I am loving the chance to learn about and enjoy the gorgeous koalas. Is there such a thing as a koalaholic? Oh dear.

Jane

At the @sandiegozoo with my brother and reeeeeally

can’t wait for this #Koalafornia exhibit! You guys know how I love koalas!!!?

@omgsolomon

#butterflyjungle @sdzsafaripark is a little piece of heaven....took me forever to get one to land on me #success! @NathalieBasha

WOW, WHAT A GREAT BLOW-BY-BLOW DESCRIPTION OF THE HATCHING PROCESS! I’ve always wondered about how/why the [condor] chicks start pipping and such. I’ll be watching with new eyes now!

Charlotte

1:27 am and instead of sleeping like a normal person, I’m reading about lions on the @sandiegozoo’s website. I am absolutely in love. @sandiegogirlie

Blowing bubbles, having a snack and keeping cool…ahh the life of an SDZ polar bear. ReAnne_P

We are members but Mom had to drop hers. Since she is unable to go to the Zoo anymore she LOVES the web cams. Her favorite is the Panda Cam. THANK YOU for allowing her to enjoy the Zoo from home. —Susan Smullen

Had an amazing time at the Safari Park today! The baby

gorilla and rhino were adorable. #toocuteforwords

@katemeffs

Document your Nighttime Zoo experience on Instagram and tag your photos with #NighttimeZoo for a chance to win a San Diego Zoo Safari Park adventure for four.

Summer is the perfect time for a sleepoverâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;or two, or three! What better way to spend a night under the stars than in an exotic place like the Safari Park or the Zoo? Surround yourself with amazing animals, have a great time around the campfire, enjoy special guided walks, and so much more. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have some wild stories to tell about what you did on your summer vacation!

Call 619-718-3000 to make your Roar & Snore Safari or Zoo Sleepover reservations.

Monkey THE

Behind the Mask

ZOONOOZ

JULY 2013

By Kim Livingstone LEAD KEEPER, SAN DIEGO ZOO

Photos by Ken Bohn SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER

arrive at the Zoo at 6 a.m. It’s damp and dark outside, but soon the sun will burst over the horizon. As I wander under a gibbous moon toward Lost Forest, I hear a loud, almost human-like scream, followed by a series of rapid, deep, guttural grunts. I see a flash of brilliant red and blue—the mandrills Mandrillus sphinx are awake and preparing for another day! Jasper, the 15-year-old alpha male, rises first and announces his presence. He shares the habitat with two adult females, Tami and Kesi, and a two-year-old male named JJ. The females react to Jasper’s call and respond with human-like screams of their own. JJ is last to respond, as he is still finding his voice and learning the appropriate language. Mandrills have distinct vocalizations that are used in both long- and short-range communication. They also have expressive faces and striking markings. How did these primates come together at the Zoo, and what are those colorful facial and body markings all about? Who are the monkeys behind the mask?

Monkey Business

Mandrills are closely related to baboons and even more closely to drills Mandrillus leucophaeus. Both mandrills and drills were once classified as baboons, but recent research suggests that they should be separated into their own genus, Mandrillus. The forest-loving mandrill fills the same ecological niche that the savanna baboon fills in eastern Africa. Mandrills are the largest and most colorful of the Old World monkeys. Males can weigh up to 77 pounds and females weigh about half that. They live in the rain forests of equatorial Africa in southern Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, and the Republic of the Congo. They live in large, stable groups called hordes that contain hundreds of individuals; one of the largest groups documented numbered over 1,200 mandrills!

Above: Grooming behavior cements relationships while also keeping the monkeys’ fur parasite free. Middle and lower right: Males sport a colorful face and rump, which are attractive to females. Young males are not as colorful, but they are still handsome primates.

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duced to Tami and Kesi.” Jenny also observed an increase in scent marking from Jasper upon introduction to the females. Male mandrills have a sternal scent gland located in the center of their chest. The role of the scent gland is not completely understood in free-ranging mandrills, but research suggests that it could serve as a means of passing pheromone cues between individuals in a group. This appears to be the case with Jasper, as he actively rubs his chest on numerous objects within his habitat. JJ the juvenile is still too young to show any coloration changes. His secondary sexual characteristics will most likely stay suppressed while living in the presence of alpha male Jasper, as would be the case in the wild.

Body Talk

The difference in coloration between the adult male and female is striking. Here alpha male Jasper, at left, grooms one of his female companions.

Hordes are extremely noisy, with the animals communicating in deep grunts and high-pitched screams while foraging and traveling through the forest. The groups are made up of multiple males and females, with only the most colorful and social males siring the majority of the offspring. This is no easy job! It’s tough being a dominant, high-ranking male mandrill, as it basically comes down to sheer survival.

Flashy Fellows

In The Descent of Man, Charles Darwin wrote, “No other member in the whole class of mammals is coloured in so extraordinary a manner as the male mandrill.” He proposed that the male mandrill “appears to have acquired his deeply furrowed and gaudily coloured face from having been thus rendered attractive to the female.” Male mandrills do not reach full adult maturity until they are about nine years old. This is a challenging time in their life, because they must find their own food, snatching up a variety of tasty morsels including fruits, roots, insects, and small reptiles and amphibians. They fight other males and assert themselves as they work their way up the ranks. During this time, their secondary sexual characteristics continue to develop, including a bright red stripe covering the entire nose with blue flanges framing it, and rump and genitalia that are bright blue, purple, mauve, and red. The intensity of these colors is regulated by the circulating levels of testosterone in the body—the more testosterone, the more vibrant the coloration, and the more attractive he becomes to the females. This color change varies extensively among males and is also related to dominance rank. Ultimately, the females choose which males they want to socialize and breed with.

Males Will Be Males

Senior Keeper Jenny Hale noticed Jasper’s rapid color change when the new girls arrived. “We saw an exaggerated change in Jasper’s coloring on both his face and rear end shortly after he was intro-

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There are other ways in which mandrills communicate with one another, such as facial expressions and body language. Mandrills make a silent, bared-teeth face, as if they are smiling, and shake their head back and forth. This is not a threat but a form of peaceful communication. However, when agitated or frustrated, mandrills grunt and stomp or slap the ground—a convincing hint to back off!

Stats and Status

The new females, 13-year-old Tami and 10-year-old Kesi, came to the Zoo as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan for mandrills. The San Diego Zoo’s first mandrills arrived in 1923, and 34 mandrills have been born here. The last time the Zoo exhibited a breeding group of mandrills was in 2002. Since then, we have had a nonbreeding group of one adult male and two adult females. Recently, those two females retired to the San Francisco Zoo, thus providing the opportunity for us to form a breeding group in the Zoo’s Lost Forest exhibit, with funding from Sandra Brue, a San Diego Zoo Global trustee. Mandrills are currently listed as an endangered species, according to the Endangered Species Act. Reestablishing a viable breeding group of mandrills at the Zoo is a priority for Dean Gibson, curator of primates. “With the establishment of this group, we are not only providing our guests with the opportunity to experience this spectacular primate but also supporting the long-term sustainability of this species in zoos,” she said.

Wild World

Wild mandrill populations have suffered drastic population declines due to hunting for the bushmeat trade. (Bushmeat is the hunting of wildlife for food.) Unfortunately, this trade has become lucrative, and, as human populations increase, it is a greater threat today than ever before. Additionally, as human settlements expand, mandrills are losing their habitat to logging and clearing of forests for agricultural use. Strikingly beautiful, intelligent, and fascinating, these primates can be observed up close in the spacious exhibit they share with Schmidt’s spot-nosed guenons at the Zoo. As we continue to care for mandrills, we hope to discover even more about the mysterious monkey behind the mask.

PHOTO BY KEN BOHN, SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER

Conrad Prebys and his partner, Debbie Turner, meet Burley the koala.

It’s a G’day for

PHOTO BY GEORGEANNE IRVINE, SDZG

KOALAS

THE CONRAD PREBYS AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK is officially open: our koalas, wombats, parma

PHOTO BY KEN BOHN, SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER

wallabies, and many species of birds are already thriving in their new homes. On May 22, our Founder’s Circle of Friends members celebrated the opening of this new exhibit complex that showcases nearly two dozen koalas, the most in any zoo outside of Australia. San Diego Zoo Global Chairman Rick Gulley and President/CEO Doug Myers presented framed, hand-painted boomerangs to special benefactors Conrad Prebys, Peter and Olivia Farrell, and Barbara Menard and the Menard Family Foundation for their leadership gifts, which ensure a bright future for Australia’s unique animals at the San Diego Zoo. We sincerely appreciate their support, as well as gifts from 1,500 additional friends who helped us create the best koala habitat beyond Australia!

Top right: Barbara Menard stands with a trail marker recognizing her gift. Bottom right: Peter Farrell (center) receives his boomerang from Chairman Rick Gulley (left) and President/CEO Doug Myers.

SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL

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By Wendy Perkins STAFF WRITER

Photos by Ken Bohn SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER

A YEAR ALREADY?

XIAO LIWU TURNS ONE

t this time last year, there was a lot of wondering, watching, and waiting going on at the San Diego Zoo’s Giant Panda Research Station—and in the homes and offices of Panda Cam viewers around the globe. The source of the suspense was Bai Yun: was she or wasn’t she pregnant? The answer came in the form of a hearty squawk from a healthy cub—the sixth born at the Zoo—on July 29, 2012. Millions of people checked the Zoo’s online Panda Cam to watch the little male’s development, and thousands voted for their favorite from a list of potential names. At just over 100 days old, the cub was crowned Xiao Liwu, meaning little gift. You might say that “Mr. Wu,” as his keepers affectionately call him, is a gift who keeps on giving—providing joy and delight to everyone who watched his eyes and ears open, witnessed his first steps, and observed other milestones. One year later, he’s an adorable acrobat climbing trees and learning the rules of being a panda from his devoted mother. Has it

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really been a year already? Time flies when you’re watching a giant panda cub grow up! “Mr. Wu is extremely brave,” says Jennifer Becerra, a senior keeper at the Zoo. “He entered the exhibit space before his mother on the first day he was seen by the public!” Like his brothers and sisters before him, Xiao Liwu is a playful bundle of energy. Yet Jennifer points out that “he is unique among his siblings. He seems to enjoy his time with the keepers and wants to play with us at times when we are working.” As Xiao Liwu has grown, his world has expanded. His first trips out of the den occurred when Bai Yun carried him by the scruff of the neck. The new smells, sights, and textures stimulated his developing brain. In January of this year, he and his mother began spending time in a large, plant-filled yard. Mr. Wu was a busy boy; he had logs to learn to climb, plants to investigate, and, across a moat, people—with their different scents and sounds (exclamations of delight

and the constant click of cameras). In March, the little fellow got his first taste of snow, thanks to many generous donors who provided the funds to make it. Although Bai Yun enjoyed the cold, crunchy stuff, Xiao Liwu seemed less than impressed. For him, this time of his life was all about tree climbing—accompanied by, as expected, a few tumbles, which may have given Panda Cam watchers some gray hairs. In the wild, a young panda climbs high into trees to stay out of reach of predators while its mother forages. Xiao Liwu doesn’t have to worry about predators at the Zoo, but his instincts tell him to climb, so up he goes. Just as a human toddler takes some spills while learning to walk, getting the hang of reaching, grabbing, hoisting, and balancing while climbing a tree has its, well, downfalls! Xiao Liwu learned how to climb—and how to fall. As the weeks went by, there were fewer falls and more finesse. Learning new things seems to be something Mr. Wu really enjoys. “He is extremely smart,” says Jennifer. “At eight months old, he was already touching his nose to a target [part of husbandry training] to get a reward of applesauce.” When Xiao Liwu and Bai Yun moved into a new yard in late March, his keepers were confident that the change would be good for the keen cub. Sure enough, the new space quickly became home, sweet home, complete with tall trees to take him to new heights—and oh-somany other wonderful ways to keep growing up panda.

Above: Climbing is “job one” for panda cubs. Right: Xiao Liwu often initiates play with his mother. Bai Yun patiently puts up with nips from her son. But she is far from a pushover, and makes him “work for it” during their wrestling matches.

On his first, special “snow day,” Xiao Liwu seemed unsure about the man-made icy stuff on the ground. However, after a bit of hesitation, he rolled and romped in it, to everyone’s delight!

Frequent Flyers Gets an Upgrade!

The Show Must Go On—and Up

By Peggy Scott ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Photos by Ken Bohn SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER

ZOONOOZ

ometimes, a great show isn’t just on the stage—it’s in the “wings.” Such is the case with the Frequent Flyers bird show at the Safari Park. The twice-daily performances, which have had audiences flocking to see amazing examples of avian athleticism since 2005, have been enhanced, and the experience soars higher than ever! “We are bringing the birds closer, so guests aren’t just watching the show— they’re part of it,” explains Heather Gunn Pens, lead animal trainer for the show. “It’s an incredibly immersive experience.”

JULY 2013

Frequent Flyers is the quintessential chance to see these winged wonders do what they do best—f ly and hunt. But the fun starts even before the first bird sets foot onstage. A “Meet the Stars” slide show offers birdrelated trivia and whimsical tidbits about the cast. And while some “facts” may seem tongue-in-cheek (Is Spike, the Harris hawk, really a huge basketball fan? Are painted stork Frieda’s favorite colors truly pink and orange?), others are rooted in reality.

Opposite page: Grover, the southern ground hornbill, is the cast’s “biggest chatterbox” and has a variety of showstopping behaviors in his repertoire. Above left: The Park’s Frequent Flyers is the only bird show in the US to showcase the (rubber) snake-stomping skills of a secretary bird. Above right: The Victoria crowned pigeon is a vision in blue. Right: Taji, the East African crowned crane, soars over the audience. Below: Heads up, or rather, down, as our Harris hawk comes in for a landing.

Beethoven, the Eurasian eagle owl, is revealed to “treasure his bath time, and he loves curly haired blondes.” “He’s our Don Juan and really likes Kim [Caldwell, the bird show supervisor],” Heather explains. “He uses his best Barry White voice to impress her and wants to get her in his nest.” The show may not have that kind of drama, but it has an energy all its own. An East African crowned crane glides overhead, close enough for you to feel the breeze from his wings. Multicolored macaws trace loop patterns in an arc around the stadium, a beautiful blur of hues. Bukura, the lanner falcon, exhibits her need for speed as she rockets by. And Frequent Flyers is the only SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL

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Left: The wingspan of an Andean condor is an amazing sight to behold. Below: Rooty, the red river hog, is our resident show crasher. What a ham!

bird show in the US to showcase a secretary bird—the tallest raptor in the world—demonstrating its unique talent for stomping snakes (in this case, the rubber kind). Part of the excitement of the show comes from the fact that the action is closer than ever. As trainers showcase the abilities of their winged stars, the birds’ landing platforms are positioned throughout the audience seating area, giving everyone the chance to have a “front-row” seat. “If you feel the need to duck, you should duck,” Heather advises.

“Soaring” Inflation While longtime Park visitors may recognize some of the featured performers, the cast of characters has expanded, and guests are now treated to a slew of newcomers. The show’s cast of parrots, macaws, Nicobar pigeons, helmeted guinea fowl, owls, and Andean condors has grown to include new taloned talent. “The number of birds that appear in each show has tripled since Frequent Flyers opened in 2005,” Heather says. “We have 50 birds representing 25 species. And we feature some unique species, compared to other bird shows, thanks to the skills of San Diego Zoo Global’s breeding programs.” Frieda, the painted stork, Grover, a southern ground hornbill, Victor, a Victoria crowned pigeon, and eastern yellow-billed hornbills Trouble and Bruiser are among the avian ingénues that have joined the Frequent Flyers flock. Trouble even interacts with a few lucky audience members during the show. And then there are Thelma and Louise, the rose-breasted cockatoos, who are fast becoming guest favorites. “People love them. The girls come out screeching and zooming—they love to perform,” Heather says, noting that the pair gets the biggest audience response next to some other brightly colored starlets—the scarlet ibises. “Those splashes of color against the hillside as the birds come flying down to the stage—it’s so eyecatching!” Heather notes.

Star Power As the trainers have come to know their new performers, they’ve noticed distinct personalities emerge, and some of them are A-list level. “Ed, our vulturine guinea fowl, is particular about his ‘set.’ If a flower has grown where it wasn’t before, or a puddle of water forms on stage, Ed stops and ‘yells’ at it. Then he goes on with the show,”

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Heather says. “And his sister, Sue? Her favorite ‘go home’ (off stage) enticement—even better than a food treat—is her dirt bath. She just lays there, all dirty. She loves it.” While Frequent Flyers fans are loving the show, the performance of a particular cast member from the previous version had to be addressed. “Rooty (a red river hog) is still in the show,” Heather says. “He’s our show crasher, and people love him. What better way to end the show than with a wave from a pig?” Frequent Flyers has two shows daily, and guests can get a little preview during an animal encounter and training session at 11 a.m. each day. Wing your way to the bird show amphitheater, and enjoy the show!

Jump into Summer Safari— and Meet the Lemurs! The Safari Park’s annual Summer Safari celebration is in full swing, with a colorful and lively African flair. Enjoy live music, acrobats, and animal encounters, plus fun activities for kids, food treats, and special presentations. And brand-new this year is Lemur Walk, a walk-through exhibit experience where you can get close to a group of ring-tailed lemurs as they leap, play, and sunbathe around you. The Safari Park is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., June 29 through August 18—don’t miss the excitement!

Visit sdzsafaripark.org/summersafari for more information.

TEN BIG, AUDACIOUS REASONS FOR By Karyl Carmignani STAFF WRITER

HOPE

AS A CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION COMMITTED TO SAVING ENDANGERED SPECIES from extinction worldwide, San Diego Zoo Global tackles some of the most daunting environmental challenges of our time. Expanding human populations, the cutting down of forests, pollution, habitat fragmentation, and climate change all pose grave threats to flora and fauna. But San Diego Zoo Global is actively working to help 170 species in 38 countries, with 25 reintroduction programs underway—there is hope for wildlife! Thanks to ongoing commitments from our partners, supporters, donors, and volunteers, our urgently needed conservation projects around the world can thrive. Let’s take a moment to appreciate these big, audacious reasons for hope.

Shrike the Pose: Songbird Rebounding ~ In

New Biodiversity Reserve in Ecuador ~ Considered one of the world’s most endangered ecosystems, the Ecuadorian government is committed to protecting a 780,000-acre reserve to save its tropical seasonal forests. Home to scores of endemic species, these unique forests are confined to a small portion of Ecuador and Peru. Adding this reserve will connect to Peru’s Noroeste Biosphere Reserve, forming an immense, bi-national area dedicated to “environmental, economic, and social sustainability.” Photo by Bryan Endress, SDZG

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1998, the population of the San Clemente loggerhead shrike was down to 14 birds. A collaborative effort with the US Navy has helped this songbird rebound to 80 breeding pairs, a major recovery milestone. This comeback was the result of the successful release and recruitment of shrikes hatched in San Diego Zoo Global’s on-island breeding facility. Photo by Daniel Clark, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Iconic Marsupial Protected in Native Land ~ San Diego Zoo Global scientists are collaborating with Australian biologists to help the government determine the koala’s level of vulnerability. This iconic marsupial was recently listed as vulnerable in three Australian territories, providing increased protection for this endearing species, although the remaining two territories did not nominate the animal for more protection. We continue to support field conservation and research, vegetation mapping, planned community development, and studies to better understand koala behavior and ecology in the remaining unprotected parts of its range. Photo by Kellie Leigh, Australian Ecosystems Foundation

The Point of Cactus Wren Conservation ~ The prickly habitat of the coastal cactus wren was decimated by the Witch Creek Fire in 2007, which ravaged much of the wren’s preferred habitat across the Safari Park’s 800-acre Biodiversity Reserve. In addition to planting and restoring the prickly pear cactus to speed up the recovery of the landscape, there is a multi-divisional effort by San Diego Zoo Global researchers to monitor the surviving birds. Using innovative, high-tech audio recording equipment and sensitive microphones, “vocal fingerprints” are being developed for each wren on the reserve. The calls will reveal where the birds are and what they are doing, even when researchers cannot see them. This broader understanding of the wren’s behavior will determine the beneficial effects of our habitat restoration efforts. Photo by Demi Dambrino, SDZG

Counting (Bighorn) Sheep ~ Partnering with The Nature Conservancy, San Diego Zoo Global in 2012 initiated a project to study Peninsular bighorn sheep in the Sierra Juarez Mountains in northern Baja California, Mexico. Researchers hope to discover if this subpopulation is mingling with the US population of bighorn sheep. Connectivity along the Peninsular Ranges, which extend from the San Jacinto Mountains in California southward into Baja California, has been compromised by habitat fragmentation, human disturbances, development, several major highways, and the recently constructed fence along the US-Mexico border. Despite this, ground and aerial surveys and camera traps revealed an increase in bighorn sheep numbers along the border. This year, we plan to use genetic techniques to evaluate population structure and gene flow between subpopulations and GPS telemetry to track the animals’ movements. We are collaborating with Mexican researchers who are planning to establish a bighorn sheep research center in Baja California. Photo by Eduardo L. Prieto Valles, SDZG Field Assistant

New Audubon Alliance Partnership ~ San Diego Zoo Global is delighted to partner with the Audubon Nature Institute to establish a breeding center in New Orleans to help replenish animal populations that face possible extinction. Called the Alliance for Sustainable Wildlife, the project will provide a haven for more than two dozen endangered and threatened mammal and bird species. The Alliance will be housed on a 1,000-acre property equipped with enclosures for a variety of species, including whooping cranes, okapis, bongos, and Masai giraffes. Alliance partners envision the facility’s purpose to be the creation of self-sustaining populations of wildlife. Construction is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2013, and the breeding program is anticipated to begin the following year. Photo by SDZG

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Two Tiny Mammals Get a Big Boost ~ Through a pioneering breeding program and the establishment of new populations, two of Southern Californiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s smallest mammals are taking huge steps toward recovery. The Pacific pocket mouse was considered extinct for 20 years until it was rediscovered in 1994. San Diego Zoo Global and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service created a conservation breeding facility for this rodent at the Safari Park, with the goal of reintroducing new populations into the wild. Stephensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; kangaroo rats are nocturnal, seed-eating, burrow-living animals native to grasslands and coastal sage scrub in Southern California. Urban development threatens their existence, so the Habitat Conservation Plan allows for half of their occupied habitat to be developed, with the remaining half placed in reserves and managed for kangaroo rat survival. Our hard work has paid off, with four new, growing populations. Photo by Maryke Swartz, SDZG

Crash Course: Reducing Bird Collisions ~ Many North American bird species migrate vast distances. As the birds navigate the often-unfamiliar territory, they can suffer fatal collisions with glass on buildings. It is estimated that at least 100 million birds are killed in this way each year in the US alone. Based on published research findings, San Diego Zoo Global is testing a transparent window film that has thin, vertical, grayfrosted stripes that are visible to birds and decrease collisions. We are also developing an architectural toolkit for use in future building design so that we can choose the most appropriate window collision prevention strategy for each project. Photo by Trent R. Stanley

Partnership Helps Andean Bears ~ Working closely with the Spectacled Bear Conservation Society in northwestern Peru, researchers at San Diego Zoo Global are gaining a deeper understanding of a unique population of about 38 Andean bears in the La Leche River watershed. With a field team comprising trained local citizens, we are gathering insights into this elusive bear by using GPS satellite collars, remote camera traps, and direct observations. We are working with teachers to create and implement a curriculum to help spread conservation knowledge and practices. We are also training local women in various craft techniques, to foster sustainable livelihoods by selling what they create. This will help raise awareness internationally about the conservation of Andean bears and their dry forest habitat. Photo courtesy of the Spectacled Bear Conservation Society

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Uncovering the Mysteries of the Brown Kiwi ~ After three years of intensive research on the North Island brown kiwi in New Zealand, researchers found that 90 percent of these birds roost in forest habitat and spend most of their time inside burrows beneath living trees. This endangered nocturnal bird requires a mosaic of habitat, including a large, dynamic forest, to meet its roosting needs. One interesting discovery revealed that nests with more males incubating the nest had less successful clutches of eggs, perhaps due to sparring males damaging the eggs. These findings will benefit conservation efforts when managers are deciding which eggs to pull and incubate in care centers. Photo by Stephanie Walden

To support the San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy, please visit www.endextinction.org.

Summer is here, and that means Nighttime Zoo! This year’s event celebrates the opening of the Zoo’s Conrad Prebys Australian Outback exhibit, with activities, music, food, shows, and more to pay tribute to the Land Down Under. Bring family and friends for a grand good time! The Zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. through September 2, 2013. See you there, mate!

Rio Comes to the Zoo! Brand-new this summer, a second 4-D theater in the Zoo’s Discovery Outpost will be showing the exciting 4-D version of the popular animated film, Rio. Bring the kids and check it out!

Grass Hoppers Stalking Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Grassfinches

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By Karen E. Worley

MANAGING EDITOR

n a sea of grass, stalks bending and swirling with the breeze, there are splashes of color and bursts of activity. Tall grass seed heads suddenly disappear into the field, then bob back up stripped and plucked. Short, soft “weee” calls punctuate the field, and with a ruffle of wings, a pair reunites. It’s foraging time for Australia’s grassfinches, and they take full advantage of the bounty of seeds ripening in the sun.

Seed Me Australia’s grassfinches are hardy little birds in the waxbill family Estrildidae that make their living eating the seeds of grasses. They spend most of their time close to the ground rather than in trees, with mated pairs and small groups foraging in the grasslands during the day. They have a variety of gathering techniques: picking up dropped seeds, hopping up with a flit of the wings to pluck seeds from the seed head, and perching sideways

on the stem to get at the seeds. The most ambitious technique is to perch on the stem until it bends, then hold the seed head down on the ground with one foot while running the seed head through its bill to strip off the plump morsels. The bird can then dine leisurely on the handy pile. The seeds aren’t swallowed whole, however. The husks must be removed first, and finches have just the beak to do it: conical and pointed, with cutting edges. The bird grasps a seed in its bill and uses its tongue to maneuver it into position. Rapid movements of the bill then crack the seal and shear the husk from the kernel. Imagine doing that much work for every bite of food you eat!

I’ll Preen Your Feathers If You Preen Mine

Grassfinches usually live near water, and some species live in marshlands and feed on the seeds of reeds and marsh grass. Since all those seed husks are pretty dry, these birds drink water from shallow pools or the edges of waterholes every day when it’s available. In the wild, small groups might gather for a drink and a bath, followed by some social preening—a regular finch frolic. Grassfinches are considered to be among the most social of birds, Plum-headed finch Neochmia modesta and mated pairs spend nearly all Painted finch Emblema pictum of their time with each other. For Long-tailed grassfinch Poephila acuticauda most species, preening one another, called allopreening, is an Gouldian finch Erythrura gouldiae important behavior that reinforces Double-barred finch Taeniopygia bichenovii social bonds and establishes hierStar finch Neochmia ruficauda archy in family groups of parents and their fledged young. Although Blue-faced parrotfinch Erythrura trichroa these finches do not have elaborate calls, they do use short, soft chirps and trills to communicate, especially among pairs. The male has the added skill of song: he sings

Finch Hit: The Finches in the Zoo’s Australian Outback

directly to a female at close range during courtship, when he also attempts to impress her with zigzag movements, bowing, and fluffing of feathers. The female does not sing—so if she’s thinking, “Oh, that old song and dance,” she’s keeping it to herself.

Variety, Thy Name Is Finch Finches are a very successful type of bird, and there are so many different species that even taxonomists continue to discuss how they should be classified. Charles Darwin famously found that even in the confines of the Galápagos Islands, the finches there diversified into an array of colors and beak shapes. Grassfinches, too, are a varied bunch, and the ones native to Australia sport eye-catching patterns and some spectacular colors. The Zoo’s new Conrad Prebys Australian Outback exhibit shows off seven of these species, demonstrating their grassbending and seed-cracking skills. Look for the red-streaked and whitespeckled painted finch, the nicely coiffed plum-headed finch, the scarlet-faced star finch, and the dapper long-tailed finch with its orange beak, among others. The species you can’t miss is the Gouldian finch, adorned in gold, purple, red, turquoise, and green. This unique species has three naturally occurring color phases: one with a black face, the most common; one with a scarlet face; and one with a gold face, which is very rare. Gouldian finches are also endangered, and habitat restoration efforts are taking place in their native range in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Whether it’s seed gathering, allopreening, or building their hollow, ball-shaped nests, grassfinches are active, industrious, and fun little birds to watch. Come by Australian Outback and spend a little time with these grass hoppers.

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THAT’S YOUR STOMACH GROWLING, NOT THE LIONS. Satisfy your hunger. Head over to Denny’s and try one of the $8 meals on our 16-item $2 $4 $6 $8 Value Menu.® With sides and drink included, they’re as much of a meal as they are a value.

$8 Chicken Parmesan

KIDS EAT FREE! Show your San Diego Zoo Global Membership Card at participating Southern California Denny’s and your child will receive a free kid’s meal with the purchase of an adult entrée and beverage. Offer valid Monday – Friday only. Offer ends 9.5.13 Proud Supporter of the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park.

© 2013 DFO, LLC. At participating Southern California Denny’s restaurants for a limited time only. Selection and prices may vary. The San Diego Zoo is a registered trademark of The Zoological Society of San Diego, Inc. © 2013 The Coca-Cola Company. “Coca-Cola” is a registered trademark of The Coca-Cola Company.

WIN A

Trip for Four! Zoo Pals Make Eating Fun!

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Discover our new Rainforest Collection!

VIP Experience Visit zoopals.com to enter No purchase necessary.

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is a proud contributor of $10,000 to the San Diego Zoo’s worldwide conservation efforts.

what’s in store

Visit our shops at the Zoo and Safari Park to purchase these featured items. Items and prices may vary based on availability. Available in select stores.

1. Peruvian animals $475 2. Butterfly purse $110 3. Scenes from the town $300 4. Hummingbirds $140 5. Hawks and falcons $160 6. Hummingbirds and trumpet flowers $895

e’re out of our gourds for these amazing works of art! Pablo Teodoro Hurtado Laveriano, from Huancayo, Peru, and other talented local artists create beautiful pieces from an unusual source, the Lagenaria vulgaris gourd. The artists carve scenes of animals, farm life, and Peruvian towns by using a scalpel called a buril to etch fine lines into the gourd. Some take advantage of the gourds’ natural colors or add flair with stains or paint. A finished gourd might become a bowl, box, birdhouse, or basket. The artful pieces can be purchased at the Zoo, and you can see Pablo in person as he conducts carving demonstrations there, June 25 through September 2, 2013 (he is off on Tuesdays), from midday at the Zoo Brew shop and after 4 p.m. at the ZooStore.

support

PHOTO BY DAVE SHARPE

PHOTO BY GEORGEANNE IRVINE

Dave and Karen Sharpe have traveled to several exotic locations with San Diego Zoo WorldWild Tours. They are avid photographers, and some of their favorite photos from India are featured on the left.

WorldWild Tours A “Sharpe” Way to Travel! PHOTO BY DAVE SHARPE

DAVE AND KAREN SHARPE are truly lifelong fans of the San Diego Zoo. Dave, a retired administrator from San Diego State University (SDSU), fondly remembers childhood picnics in Fern Canyon. Karen, a retired librarian from SDSU and the University of San Diego, recalls family outings to the Zoo via the bus from East County. Dave and Karen, who have been married 44 years, are donors to the Zoo as well as volunteers extraordinaire. They helped with our first Rendezvous In The Zoo (R•I•T•Z) 30 years ago as members of Ocelots, a San Diego Zoo Global support group, and they haven’t stopped since! They’re still helping with R•I•T•Z as well as creating enrichment items for the animals and sharing artifacts with visitors at The Harry and Grace Steele Elephant Odyssey. In recent years, Dave and Karen have stretched their wings and traveled with the Zoo to exotic places, including Peru and India, through our WorldWild Tours program. We asked them to share some of their experiences and why they like to travel with the Zoo. Why did you decide to go to Peru with the Zoo? Dave: We’d heard good things about Zoo trips from others. We trust the Zoo and felt it would have a quality product. Also, we would be traveling with people of like minds and similar interests to ours—people who were interested in wildlife, conservation, and culture. That was a big draw. Karen: We knew the accommodations would be nice, too. And we liked being able to wear our hiking clothes—meaning we didn’t have to be totally dressed up during this trip. We enjoyed getting into the backcountry and seeing the world.

PHOTO BY KAREN SHARPE

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What were some highlights of that trip? Dave: The overall river and jungle experience was great. It’s challenging to see wildlife in

the rain forest, but we saw iguanas, capybaras, lots of monkeys, and even pink river dolphins. Karen: We particularly loved the ruins at Machu Picchu but also our visits to small, obscure villages along the Upper Amazon River where tourists usually don’t stop. Why did you select the India trip? Dave: Initially, India wasn’t on the list of places that we wanted to visit, but when we saw the Zoo’s itinerary and noted that it was going to the national parks—with the possibility of seeing tigers—and that it also included a rhinoceros reserve, we signed up. Did you see tigers? Dave: We had the ultimate tiger experience in Bandhavgarh National Park, one that was even special for our naturalist and guides. About 20 yards away and behind some bushes, we witnessed—well, primarily heard—a tigress take down a boar to feed her three cubs. Karen: When all was quiet, the tiger crossed the road in front of us and then flopped down to rest about 12 feet from our vehicle. She was panting from her struggle with the boar. Dave: It was amazing to see a tiger in the wild, surviving and— Karen: Doing her job, so to speak.

What were some of the other wildlife highlights? Dave: Being so close to the rhinos and other animals in their natural environment was incredible. We’ve done the Caravan Safari and fed rhinos and petted their horns at the Safari Park, but this was a different experience: we were where they live in the wild. Karen: One of my favorite experiences was when our naturalist kept track of all the greater one-horned rhinos we saw in a day in Kaziranga National Park. He could remember each and every one: “We’re up to 86 rhinos.” “Now we’ve seen 121.” Finally, we were up to 157 different rhinos—all in the same day! Dave: India also has a lot of colorful and interesting birds. We enjoyed being with the “birders” in the group because they got so excited when they saw new species. Their enthusiasm rubbed off on all of us. Karen: The jackals were fascinating as we watched them establish their territory. Two jackals trotted in a huge circle around our safari vehicle, on both sides of the road, marking the bushes along the way. They didn’t pay any attention to us. Dave: Also, at a lodge in one of the parks, the staff realized it was my birthday—they noticed it when I checked in and showed my passport—so they baked a cake, made

a birthday card, and then sang to me—it’s those little touches that count. What cultural aspects of India did you enjoy? Dave: The tour included a nice mix of culture with wildlife adventures. Seeing the tiger is almost matched by walking among the local people along the Ganges River in Varanasi, witnessing cremations from afar, and being immersed in a new world of sensory perceptions. Karen: It was just an amazing experience— not just to watch a TV program on India but to really be in the midst of it all.

What’s next on the Sharpe’s travel agenda? In summer of 2014, they’re heading to China with the Zoo, where they look forward to close encounters with giant panda cubs and a hike along the Great Wall. For more information about the tour to China and our other WorldWild Tours adventures, visit www.sandiegozoo.org/travel or call Julia Altieri at 619-685-3205.

You can help secure the future for wildlife!

Coming SOON

Jet Tour: Around the World February 1 through 23, 2014

Costa Rica for Families July 26 through August 2, 2014

Tanzania with Rwanda extension March 1 through 12, 2014

Pantanal of Brazil August 2014

Jet Tour: Oceania March 16 through April 7, 2014

Galápagos—with Machu Picchu extension October 2014

China and Giant Pandas July 3 through 14, 2014

India Early 2015

Heritage Guild

By creating a Charitable Gift Annuity or including the Zoological Society of San Diego in your will or trust, you can help protect wildlife. To receive more information, please call 619-744-3352 or visit our website at

www.zoolegacy.org. SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL

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from the archives

A Real Songbird In the early days of the bird show at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (then the Wild Animal Park), a true star was born—er, hatched. Pancho, a Mexican double yellow-headed parrot, emerged as a vocal virtuoso, delighting audiences with a talent that earned him the title of “premier soprano of the bird world.” So enchanting were his renditions of such classics as “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” that in 1981, the perch-clutching crooner released a single of that Tony Bennett tune, along with “When It’s Springtime in the Rockies,” and “Bali Hai.” Fame didn’t go to his feathered head, of course, and he remained as down to earth and grounded as a high-flying parrot could be. Bravo, Pancho, bravo!

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on sa le no w

An unforgettable evening on San Diego Bay supporting coastal wildlife, conservation & education

Dozens of food and beverage partners including: • Andrew Spurgin™– Chef Andrew Spurgin • Plancha Baja Med – Chef Chad White • The Red Door – Chef Miguel Valdez • The Wellington Steak & Martini Lounge • Grant Grill – Mixologist Jeff Josenhans • Sushi on a Roll – Chef Jeff Roberto • Brooklyn Girl – Chef Colin Murray • Sea Rocket Bistro – Chef Tommy Fraioli • Kitchen 4140 – Chef Kurt Metzger • Via Lago – Chef Joe Busalacchi • Terra American Bistro – Chef Jeff Rossman • Top of the Market – Chef Ivan Flowers • Stone Brewing Company • SIP Certified Sustainable Mediterranean • Blind Tiger Cocktail Company • Romesco Mediterranean Bistro • Blind Lady Ale House/Tiger!Tiger! • Automatic Brewing Company • Wiens Family Cellars

Sample San Diego’s best local and sustainable restaurants, wineries, breweries and spirits. Enjoy live music, auctions, animal encounters and more.

saturday, Aug. 3, 2013 5:00 - 9:00pm // Tickets: $50 (Members: $45)

www.thelivingcoast.org

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

www.thelivingcoast.org 619-409-5900 1000 Gunpowder Point Drive, Chula Vista, CA 91910

Andrew Spurgin: Culinary Chair