San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Journal January 2024

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

New Hope for Sumatran Tigers at the Safari Park

MAY 2 02 4

The Wilds of Borneo Safari among the world’s oldest rainforests.

Join Our Adventures to Borneo and Botswana to

EXPERIENCE THE WORLD’S WILDLIFE Travel with world-class safari guides and a San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance host to share the wonder of these amazing destinations.

J U N E 2 02 4

Botswana Explorer Safari Come explore where wildlife thrives.

For details about these trips and all our Adventures, visit: Adventures.sdzwa.org Photos provided by Natural Habitat Adventures

January/February 2024

Vol. 4 No. 1

Journey Through Our Conservation Work

Photos by: Ken Bohn/SDZWA

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance safeguards wildlife in eight conservation hubs around the world.

To learn more about our collaborative conservation programs, including our wildlife care at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, visit sdzwa.org.

Savanna

African Forest

Elephant & Rhino

Gorilla

Southwest

Oceans

Desert Tortoise & Burrowing Owl

Amazonia

Asian Rainforest

Australian Forest

Pacific Islands

Polar Bear & Penguin

Jaguar

Tiger

Platypus & Koala

‘Alalā

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Contents

2 President/CEO’s Letter 3 By the Numbers 4 Findings 6 Meet Our Team 8 Hot Topics 26 Events 28 Wildlife Explorers Page 29 Last Look

Cover Story 10

16

Two Steps Forward for the Sumatran Tiger The tiger cubs born this past July at the Safari Park are more than just cute. Puteri and Hutan also represent hope for the future of this critically endangered species.

Features 16

The Value of Experience

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By aligning daily life with the sensory signals from the environment, Outcomebased Care practices are creating a whole new world for the species in our care.

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Greener Pastures The Przewalski’s horse once teetered on extinction. But through the groundbreaking reproductive science taking place at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, the future is looking brighter for “the last wild horse.”

24

Visualize It Not all tails are created equal. From grasping ability to balance control, there’s almost no end to what this appendage can do.

On the Cover: Sumatran tiger cub Panthera tigris sumatrae Photo by: Ken Bohn, SDZWA photographer

LET TER FROM THE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

JOURNAL

MANAGING EDITOR Peggy Scott SENIOR EDITOR Eston Ellis STAFF WRITERS Elyan Shor, Ph.D. Alyssa Leicht Arwen Neski DESIGNER Christine Yetman PHOTOGRAPHERS Ken Bohn Tammy Spratt DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Kim Turner Lisa Bissi Jennifer MacEwen PREPRESS AND PRINTING Quad Graphics

Let's Stay Connected Follow @sandiegozoo & @sdzsafaripark.

Share your #SanDiegoZoo & #SDZSafariPark memories on social media.

The Zoological Society of San Diego was founded in Octo­ber 1916 by Harry M. Wegeforth, M.D., as a private, nonprofit corporation, which does business as San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.

The printed San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Journal (ISSN 2767-7680) (Vol. 4, No. 1) is published bimonthly, in January, March, May, July, September, and November. Publisher is San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, located at 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA 92101-1646. Periodicals postage paid at San Diego, California, USA, and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, P.O. Box 120271, San Diego, CA 92112-0271.

Copyright© 2024 San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. All rights reserved. All column and program titles are trademarks of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.

If your mailing address has changed: Please contact the Membership Department; by mail at P.O. Box 120271, San Diego, CA 92112, or by phone at 619-231-0251 or 1-877-3MEMBER. For information about becoming a member of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, please visit our website at ZooMember.org for a complete list of membership levels, offers, and benefits.

Paid subscriptions to San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Journal are available. Contact Membership Department for subscription information.

Inspiration drives a passion for conservation, brought forth in the countless moments that connect us with nature. More than one billion people annually are inspired by memories created at accredited zoos, aquariums, and botanical gardens—memories that engage them in caring more about the world—as they learn what these institutions are doing to support meaningful wildlife conservation efforts, both within their communities and globally. We are so grateful for your support, and the support of millions around the world who love the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

We were recently honored to host the international community of leading zoos, aquariums, and botanical gardens for the 2023 World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) annual conference, welcoming members of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). IUCN is the global authority on the health of our natural world and the need to conserve it, organizing efforts to secure a future for wildlife by striving to coordinate more strategic programs that support the most vulnerable plants and animals on the planet.

During the WAZA conference, we proudly announced our partnership with IUCN’s Species Survival Commission, with IUCN naming us their Center for Species Survival (CSS) for Biodiversity Banking. The IUCN CSS distinction recognizes institutions across conservation who are catalysts for innovation, and our partnership specifically amplifies our Wildlife Biodiversity Bank, including the Frozen Zoo®. We are the first organization to become a CSS for an area of expertise, rather than a specific ecosystem or taxonomy, as our Wildlife Biodiversity Bank is the most valuable resource of its kind in the world.

Through our Wildlife Biodiversity Bank and our distinguished partners, we’ve experienced incredible conservation moments, from the cloning of a black-footed ferret and two critically endangered Przewalski’s horses—now living at the Safari Park—to cutting-edge commitments to save the northern white rhino.

There is a quote that hangs on the wall at our Wildlife Biodiversity Bank: “You must collect things for reasons you don’t yet understand.” This quote is from the founder of our Biodiversity Bank, Dr. Kurt Benirschke, and has been a North Star guiding our biodiversity banking efforts.

As it turns out, we are understanding more about the value of what has been preserved here every day, and, as we honor the 50th anniversary of the Wildlife Biodiversity Bank in 2024, the resources within its walls are now making conservation advances that were once beyond anyone’s imagination.

Our efforts are only possible because of people like you, who support San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and share your heart with us as allies for wildlife. Together we are making a hopeful difference in our commitment to a world where all life thrives.

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Onward,

Paul A. Baribault President and Chief Executive Officer

PHOTOS BY: KEN BOHN/SDZWA

As part of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s commitment to conservation, this magazine is printed on recycled paper that is at least 10% post-consumer waste, chlorine free, and is Forest Stewardship Council ® (FSC®) certified. FSC® is not responsible for any calculations on saving resources by choosing this paper.

Innovative Partnerships and Global Cooperation

BY THE NUMBERS

Steadfast Commitment

In addition to our collaborative conservation efforts across the world, our teams right here at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park continue to cement our legacy as a world-class leader in wildlife health, care, and conservation science through groundbreaking work.

2 million Between the botanical gardens at the San Diego Zoo and the Safari Park, we care for 2 million plants.

65,000,000

Over 65 million seeds representing 450 types of plants are conserved in our Wildlife Biodiversity Bank as we participate in global biobanking efforts to save endangered species.

2024 Board of Trustees OFFICERS Steven S. Simpson, Chair Steven G. Tappan, Vice Chair Rolf Benirschke, Vice Chair Gary E. Knell, Treasurer E. Jane Finley, Secretary TRUSTEES Kathleen Cain Carrithers Javade Chaudhri Adam Day Clifford W. Hague Bryan B. Min Kenji Price ‘Aulani Wilhelm TRUSTEES EMERITI Berit N. Durler Thompson Fetter Richard B. Gulley Robert B. Horsman John M. Thornton

Executive Team Paul A. Baribault

3-7

President and Chief Executive Officer

Days a multi-layered hunting experience may last for leopards at the San Diego Zoo.

Shawn Dixon

Chief Operating Officer

David Franco Chief Financial Officer

Erika Kohler Executive Director, San Diego Zoo

400-600

PHOTOS BY: KEN BOHN/SDZWA

With only 400 to 600 Sumatran tigers left in their native habitats, the birth of two cubs at the Safari Park last year brought hope to this critically endangered species.

Lisa Peterson Executive Director, San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Nadine Lamberski, DVM, DACZM, DECZM (ZHM) Chief Conservation and Wildlife Health Officer

Wendy Bulger

1+

The birth of Ollie, a Przewalski’s horse we care for at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, marked the first time cloning produced more than one individual of any endangered species. (The first was a colt named Kurt.)

General Counsel

David Gillig

Chief Philanthropy Officer

Aida Rosa

Chief Human Resources Officer

David Miller Chief Marketing Officer

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FINDINGS

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA) protects and restores nature in eight conservation hubs on six continents.

Below are recent discoveries and progress reports from around the world.

BIODIVERSITY BANKING MILESTONE

RANGELAND RESTORATION

The Chui Mamas­—a community-based women’s organization and our close partners in conservation in Kenya—are working with local community members to restore the rangelands in their home communities. The women have led over 400 volunteers in removing invasive species, reseeding perennial grasses, and constructing over 1,000 bunds (retention walls) for water and soil retention. This work was the beginning of what we hope will be a continued effort to rehabilitate rangelands in key grazing areas and locations, which will benefit livestock, wildlife, and community well-being in this region.

HABITAT RESTORATION

SDZWA has supported our conservation partners at the Red Panda Network (RPN) for over 10 years. Last year, we created an official partnership to help with RPN’s efforts to restore degraded red panda habitats in Nepal. RPN has planted around 700,000 trees as part of these habitat conservation efforts. The tree nurseries are maintained by the local communities, providing sustainable income and opportunities for ecotourism in the region. Due to these efforts, red pandas are regaining suitable forest habitats where they can thrive.

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Photos by: (Top, Bottom) Ken Bohn/SDZWA, (Middle) Ambrose Letoluai

Our team recently added 48 new cell lines to the Frozen Zoo®, part of SDZWA’s Wildlife Biodiversity Bank. The last of these additions—cells from a blue-eyed black lemur—represent the 11,000th individual to have a cell line banked in the Frozen Zoo! Cryobanked cells and gametes are critical for understanding and safeguarding biodiversity, and no other biodiversity bank in the world has a comparable number and diversity of viable cells. Our Wildlife Biodiversity Bank places us at the forefront of collaborative global biodiversity banking efforts.

Thank You for Standing with Us to Save Wildlife San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance would like to thank our 2023 partners for their support of our worldwide conservation efforts.

Interested in learning more about partnership opportunities for your business?

Contact our partnership marketing department at partnership@sdzwa.org.

MEET OUR TEAM

Q

Q

Was there a cookbook or chef who inspired you early in your career?

Honestly, I didn’t have a very foodcentric background. I just fell in love with the artistry and problemsolving aspects of the culinary world.

As I progressed, though, I found a lot of inspiration in chefs like Thomas Keller, Sean Brock, David Chang, and the books of Yotam Ottolenghi.

Q

Grant Toraason

You have managed kitchens in restaurants, bars, hotels, and other culinary settings. What prompted you to come work at the Safari Park?

Know your seasons and know where your stores get their products. Buying seasonal produce and seafood are great ways to push sustainability forward; and also, for proteins, know where they are coming from. Talk to your local butchers.

Q

As an executive chef for SDZWA, Grant combines his extensive culinary It was fascinating to me how the talents with a hearty helping of Safari Park environment ran. So hospitality expertise as he cooks many different things going on in up exciting, imaginative menus one arena. Originally, I was hired at the Zoo as the Albert’s chef, which at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. was in my wheelhouse as a restaurant Supporting wildlife conservation chef; but while there, I got a taste of never tasted so good! the broad outlook of a Zoo chef.

Once the executive chef position opened at the Safari Park I knew I wanted the chance to lead a team.

Q

What’s the biggest difference between creating a menu for a restaurant and for a wildlife conservation facility like the Safari Park?

Not much, honestly. We live in a very food-conscious culture, so people of all walks of life are willing to try all sorts of things. Restaurants these days are also very aware of the value of local and sustainable, so it all fits.

Q

What’s the most memorable menu item you have created?

Q Q

SDZWA celebrates several cultural events throughout the year. How do you handle creating culinary experiences that go hand-in-hand with those events?

I try my best to represent those cultures and their techniques while also being sensitive to the fact that I am a student of those things, so I try not to do anything too “on the nose.” I’ll usually take ideas that I am comfortable with, and introduce flavor profiles and techniques that show homage to the culture rather than trying to replicate.

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Have you seen our guests’ tastes change over the years? How?

I think it’s more my view has changed. I’ve always wanted to impress with creative “oohs and aahs,” and there’s a time and place for that. As I’ve worked in this environment, I’ve also learned people are creatures of habit, and there’s a reason chicken tenders are the mostsold item at the Safari Park: people like to be safe with their purchases. So I’ve decided to make THAT experience the best it can be. Why not make the burger and fries the best burger and fries that person can ask for? Like most things, food has trends, and we also try to pepper those things in.

What menu item was the most fun for you to create for the Safari Park?

For me, it’s all the custom menus we get to do in catering. I feel like I’ve built up a reputation for doing custom menus, and it’s a lot of fun to work with the team and flex our creative muscles.

Q

What is your favorite food?

And your go-to comfort food?

Sandwiches. I’m a sucker for a good sandwich. I also love a creamy pasta. I can also say my favorite meal would be breakfast. I love doing breakfast for dinner, too.

PHOTO BY: KEN BOHN/SDZWA

One that comes to mind is one I did for a beer dinner: it was a braised pork belly dish over creamed corn, except the creamed corn was made of tapioca peels (think boba tea) that were hydrated in corn soup.

The flavor was exactly what creamed corn should be, but the texture was super interesting.

What are some ways people can create sustainable home menu options?

Seniors FREE

All February at the Safari Park From February 1 through 29, 2024, all visitors age 65 and older receive free admission to the Safari Park. Enjoy the sights on an Africa Tram, see the platypuses and other Aussie animals at Walkabout Australia, wander through Tiger Trail, take a stroll around Mombasa Lagoon, and relax with refreshments on the patio at Kijamii Overlook. There’s a world of sights to see, all at the Safari Park.

For full details, visit sdzsafaripark.org.

HOT TOPICS

Dynamic Care

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ildlife are dynamic: their behavior and physiology change as they age, as they process new experiences, and in response to environmental cues. And because

wildlife are dynamic, they require dynamic care. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance teams implement the highest standards of wildlife well-being by looking at the full life story of each animal—considering events that happen from birth through adulthood, in both daily moments and across seasonal

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fluctuation. With this comprehensive picture in mind, we create holistic wildlife care approaches that meet the timely biological needs of each species.

The wildlife care we provide centers on a set of core welfare principles, developed by SDZWA, that ensure every animal has opportunities to thrive—

Photos by: (Top) Ken Bohn/SDZWA, (Right) Tammy Spratt/SDZWA

SDZWA science writer Elyan Shor, Ph.D., outlines the core principles around which our holistic wildlife care practices known as Outcome-based Care were developed—here at the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park.

these include a balanced diet; a safe and supportive physical environment; efficient and effective health

The enriching experiences we provide for wildlife are informed by research. care; and the ability and control to express species-specific behaviors. These guiding principles are now recommended by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and SDZWA is proud to be at the forefront of continuous innovation that elevates

these opportunities for zoos and aquariums around the world.

At the San Diego Zoo, Safari Park, and SDZWA’s conservation centers outside of San Diego, our wildlife care begins with exceptional attention to detail on a daily basis. Expert teams prepare diets, maintain habitats, keep records, provide medical care, and monitor behavior for animals as diverse in species as they are in needs. All our care and health decisions are based on the best available scientific data.

The enriching experiences we provide for wildlife are also informed by research. These experiences are thoughtfully designed to encourage animals to utilize their natural skills and adaptations in suitable contexts. This means that we set up experiences for animals that allow them to express behaviors appropriate to their current life stage, environment, and time of year. For example, to encourage a herbivorous bird to forage for a fruit that ripens only in the spring, we might introduce cues (e.g., flowering buds and the smell of fruit) into the habitat over several days in April, and then culminate with distribution of the fruit in pertinent areas of the habitat (e.g., hanging from high branches). In this example, the bird would learn to interpret the cues, create an association with feeding, and employ the necessary skills (e.g., flying, searching, and picking) to obtain the fruit.

Layered experiences like this one are an integral part of our approach to care, and they are organically woven into our

daily, monthly, or yearly care plans so that they occur as relevant events within each animal’s life history.

SDZWA is pioneering the integration of enriching experiences into wildlife care. These efforts are spearheaded by the animal behavior experts of SDZWA’s Applied Wildlife Welfare team, in close collaboration with wildlife care specialists and wildlife health teams. This approach—known as Outcome-based Care—focuses on using animal behavior, as well as animals’ physical and cognitive adaptations, to inform care, and on fostering opportunities for wildlife to engage meaningfully with their environment.

Outcome-based Care encourages both expression of innate behaviors and development of critical thinking skills to master learned behaviors.

For a look at how Outcome-based Care principles are being applied, turn to page 16.

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TWO STEPS FORWARD FOR THE SUMATRAN TIGER

BY KRISTI BURTIS, D.M. | PHOTOS BY KEN BOHN

I

n July 2023, just weeks before International Tiger Day, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (and parents Diana and Dumai) welcomed two Sumatran tiger cubs. The cubs—a male and female—were born on July 12, and we were well aware of the significance of their arrival, as it had been seven years since the Safari Park’s last tiger cub birth. This was a joyous outcome for a collaborative project that paired our team of carnivore specialists with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Program (SSP), to support the propagation of this incredible species. The current SSP population consists of 67 animals (30 males, 37 females) in managed care at 28 AZA facilities. The process—and logisitics—of wildlife conservation are governed by strict protocols, but there are still facets that can defy predictability.

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PHOTO CREDIT

DID YOU KNOW? The Sumatran tiger is the smallest tiger subspecies.

Mammalian Matchmaking— and Maternity

SSPs don’t just involve introducing male and female animals; they have to be the right male and female. Several recommended pairings were not successful. Then in March 2023, the wildlife care team at the Safari Park’s Tull Family Tiger Trail habitat welcomed Dumai, an 11-year-old male Sumatran tiger from another facility, where he successfully sired two cubs. Dumai’s demeanor has been described as calm and accepting, and Diana showed immediate interest. Estrus lasts between two and five days, and behavior was monitored by wildlife care specialists to determine if the introduction between Diana and Dumai was safe.

At nearly 10 years of age and with multiple attempts to breed, Diana had never conceived. This was her last breeding recommendation by the SSP. After a week of courtship and successful introductions, the wildlife care specialists began to see changes in her body condition, as well as nesting behavior.

Diana started showing signs of labor around 9 a.m. on July 12. She was grooming and having contractions until about 10:45 a.m., when her first cub, an approximately 2.5-pound female, was delivered. Diana seemed startled at first, until her instincts kicked in, and she started cleaning the cub and immediately showing attentiveness to her first offspring. At 1:13 p.m., her second cub—a male weighing 2.5 to 3 pounds—was born after a short delay of contractions and pushing. Once her cubs were cleaned, Diana had a well-deserved rest.

Shortly thereafter, the cubs began to nurse. Diana rested most of the afternoon into the evening; the next day, she began taking her cubs to new parts of the nesting area and spending quality time together.

Family Dynamics

The wildlife care specialists were thrilled to watch the cubs thrive. At her first official weigh-in on July 20, the female had grown to 4 pounds. By late October, she was tipping the scale at 25 pounds.

The male’s first official weight was 4.25 pounds, and he reached 24 pounds by late October. While both cubs measured approximately 26–27 inches (plus tail) on that day, there are differences in their appearance. The female has darker shoulders and very thick stripes that go across the crown of her head. She tends to be more confident and curious about her environment, and has been observed to be more independent. The male cub is identified

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Sumatran tigers can reach 12 feet in length, including the tail. Males are larger than females.

We could not engage in the important work that we do if it were not for our generous donors—even when choosing names for our newest arrivals.

We are thrilled to share that our donors have carefully selected names that share the complex story of the Sumatran tiger and their plight. The female has been dubbed Puteri, which means “princess” in Malay, and represents the majesty

PHOTO CREDIT

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by two thick triangles on top of his head pointing toward his tail. His coat also sports a diamond pattern made of stripes on the right side of his neck, just above the shoulder area. He tends to be more of an observer in his environment and will often choose to stay closer to Diana.

Both cubs are becoming very mobile and active, and are even starting to become more playful with each other.

of the species and the significance of this female’s potential to further it. Her brother has been named Hutan, which translates to “forest” in Malay. His name creates an opportunity to discuss deforestation and challenges to humanwildlife coexistence. For example, the Sekalak village in southern Sumatra lies in one of the last remaining strongholds of the Sumatran tiger. The locals revere the Sumatran tiger as both an ancestral spirit and the guardian of the forest.

Safeguarding the Future

Species sustainability efforts are just one aspect of the many important roles zoos play in conservation. The population of Sumatran tigers in managed care has increased on average over the past five years by 1.4 percent annually. The species is categorized as Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List due to the small and fragmented native populations.

Tigers face many challenges, including habitat loss and fragmentation, challenges to human-tiger coexistence, and the illegal wildlife trade. Population estimates range from 350 to 600 tigers in 6 major protected areas to possibly 300 or fewer.

Every Sumatran tiger birth is critical to their conservation status in the wild.

As an accredited AZA institution, the Safari Park is thrilled to play a role in the effort to combat the worldwide threat to tiger conservation. We are collaborating with local scientists to conserve the region’s unique wildlife, and we work with partners to support efforts to advocate for sustainable palm oil and measures that protect wildlife from illegal trafficking.

Puteri and Hutan represent the hope we have for the future of their species. We are so excited to share these two critically important births, and demonstrate how our Alliance members and guests contribute to the protection and preservation of the Sumatran tiger.

Family album: Page 10: Diana the Sumatran tiger is always watching; Page 11: Puteri (left) leads Hutan on an adventure; Page 12: Diana and Puteri share a little mother-and-cub time (Hutan rests in the background); Page 13: Diana plays with Hutan.

Page 14: (top) Puteri practices her stalking skills; (bottom) Puteri sneaks up on Hutan during a play session.

Kristi Burtis, D.M., is vice president of wildlife care at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

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The Value of EXPERIENCE

BY GREG VICINO | PHOTOS BY KEN BOHN

A

Looking ahead: Enrichment may not be the answer in the future, and our teams are dedicated to innovation that makes supplemental enrichment redundant in a rich, experiencefilled life.

s humans, we tend to assign a significant value to our experience, whether that be the skills that make us good at our professions and hobbies, or if it is the experiences we have that shape our world view. As a concept, experience is quite easy to grasp, and it almost seems we are born with an innate understanding of its value throughout life.

If we take a broader look at the wildlife we share the world with, you start to notice how this applies directly to their lives as well. In fact, in most cases, it follows the same patterns as our lives do: periods of intense learning at the beginning of their life, individual experiences build upon each other to form a skill set, and that skill set is practiced and refined over time to ensure that the individual is thriving. By opening our eyes to this connection, we at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance have begun the transition from traditional wildlife care to our own experience-driven form of Outcome-based Care.

In Sync with Nature

Our outcome-based wildlife care programs enroll every possible input that an individual may face (or may need to face) in their lifetime, and then layer them with the appropriate sensory signals from the environment, based on

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life cycle, with the goal of outcomes that are aligned with natural history. One of the clearest illustrations of this approach can be found with our big cat programs. For example, the Amur leopards’ care program is primarily based on outcomes related to the cats making choices about how to gain the maximum benefit from their environment. As predators, significant time and energy must go into not only learning how to hunt, but when to hunt, and what to hunt. All of these outcomes change based on inputs like season, weather patterns, and even lunar cycles.

Our wildlife care specialists design multiple day “experiences” based on these inputs and stitch them all together in a pattern that matches what these cats would be facing in their native range. During certain times of the year, these cats would only be hunting large prey items—thus overall, less time is dedicated to hunting, as they get more food from each hunt. In this instance, although the time decreases, the difficulty increases significantly. By allowing the cats to predict how much effort they need to put into acquiring food by making “large prey” available only in one season and only during specific phases in the lunar cycle, we strengthen their relationship with the natural world.

The side effect of this approach is that it lessens the dependence on signals from their human caretakers and strengthens the cats’ ability to make meaningful decisions without our influence. As each one of these experiences builds on learned behavior from the last experience, we add a richness to their lives that is more aligned with their capabilities.

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PHOTO CREDIT

DID YOU KNOW? Amur leopards are some of the most endangered big cats on Earth.

Forecasting Success—for All

This approach becomes even more important and applicable to our conservation breeding programs, in which the goal is to return wildlife to their native habitat. Our Hawaiian bird programs have begun to embrace this approach, as these birds are not only being protected, but also prepared for reintroduction. The complexities of the island environment must be replicated in our care programs, and the outcomes for each of the birds can help us identify if they have enough experience to thrive in their native ecosystem. In this instance, weather plays a critical role in how the birds will access what resources, and when.

Certain insects, fruits, or prey may be in abundance following a rain event, while others may be more accessible during specific seasons. Replicating rainfall and pairing it with certain food items that must be acquired in a very specific way is how our avian recovery specialists build that experience for the birds. Not unlike the cats, layering those experiences with other natural inputs reinforces that relationship and allows the birds to make choices based on signals they receive from the environment.

Developing the skill of seeing the environment and the source of things the birds need is essential to maximizing their success in the wild.

The true beauty of Outcome-based Care programs is that they are applicable to all species, regardless of specialization. All wildlife have several basic outcomes that determine whether they have an opportunity to thrive, regardless of the habitat they find themselves in. For instance, West African dwarf crocodiles have the same needs as a Hawaiian crow when it comes to acquiring resources and navigating the environment. They need to make decisions about when and how to get food, how to avoid predators, how to find a mate, and even how to raise young. The only thing that differs are the inputs. It is up to us to make sure those inputs are balanced, appropriate, and inexorably linked to the natural world, if we want all wildlife to thrive.

Greg Vicino is vice president of wildlife care at the San Diego Zoo.

PHOTO CREDIT

Immersive experience: (Opposite page, top) An Amur leopard rests after a multi-day hunting experience.

(Opposite page, bottom) The 'alalā will have to acquire a complex suite of experiences to thrive in its wild home. (This page, top) The 'akikiki is a dynamic forager and has many ways to acquire different insects, depending on the season. (Bottom) Despite its size, the West African dwarf crocodile is just as fierce and cunning a hunter as its larger cousins.

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DID YOU KNOW? Przewalski’s horses weren’t scientifically described until 1881.

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GREENER PASTURES An Unusual Set of Twins Is Duplicating Hope for Przewalski’s Horses

T

BY ARWEN NESKI

|

PHOTOS BY KEN BOHN

ails swishing and necks bent, twin horses graze on soft, green grass in fields set a few hundred yards apart. These two live parallel lives here at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, but they’re no ordinary set of twins. To start, they don’t share a mother, or even a birthday. And they’ve never met. In fact, the enigmatic duo was born two and a half years apart.

While the colts may seem like a puzzle, they’re actually one of today’s most exciting conservation solutions. Meet Kurt and Ollie—two Przewalski’s horses that represent the essential next step in securing the future for this endangered species.

Not only are Kurt and Ollie genetic twins, they’re clones. The first and second of their kind, their births are a conservation feat that’s been decades in the making. To understand their story, and the profound impact they will have on their species, we look back to where it all began, more than 40 years ago.

Blazing a Trail

Przewalski’s horses were once widespread, roaming the vast, sweeping plains from northern Asia all the way to present day Portugal and Spain. But habitat loss and a changing climate forced them into areas they weren’t well adapted for, and populations plummeted. By the 1980s, they had disappeared from their native range, and the “last true wild horses” were declared extinct in the wild.

Although the situation was dire, all hope was not lost. A number of Przewalski’s horses remained safe in

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Biobanking on It: Our Wildlife Biodiversity Bank’s Frozen Zoo is an invaluable conservation resource, containing over 11,000 living, cryopreserved biological samples from 1,200 species—many of which are endangered or extinct. Each sample opens the door for cutting-edge genetic rescue efforts including assisted reproduction and cloning, making births like Kurt’s and Ollie’s possible.

human care—including at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park—and efforts to save the species were well underway.

Since the 1970s, we’ve collaborated with partners around the world on a groundbreaking conservation breeding program for Przewalski’s horses. Together, we’re helping populations recover, and have reestablished herds in their native habitats across the grasslands of China and Mongolia. These are remarkable conservation successes, and because of them, the species is no longer extinct in the wild. However, they remain endangered—and the work to save them isn’t over yet.

Until recently, all living Przewalski’s horses were descended from just 12 individuals. Lack of genetic diversity is one of the greatest challenges today’s populations face, and addressing this threat is key to a sustainable and continued recovery for the species. With strong partnerships, innovative reproductive technologies, and the visionary foresight of conservation scientists, we’re finding solutions.

Thawing Hope

For decades, a safeguard for Przewalski’s horses has been carefully cryopreserved in our Wildlife Biodiversity Bank’s Frozen Zoo®. Kept at an icy -320 degrees Fahrenheit, a cell line from a stallion who lived more than 40 years ago—and whose DNA was largely absent from the current population—has been frozen in time, awaiting its second life.

Our teams, alongside partners ViaGen Pets & Equine and Revive & Restore, are unlocking this frozen potential to bring back lost genetic diversity through cloning.

And now, that stallion has been cloned not once, but twice, resulting a set of twins like no other: Kurt and Ollie.

Two of a Kind

Kurt was born in August 2020—making history and headlines worldwide as the first-ever Przewalski’s horse clone. His existence is a dream fulfilled. When his namesake Dr. Kurt Benirschke founded the Frozen Zoo in the 1970s, it was with the

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hope that cryopreserved cells might somehow, one day, be used in conservation. Kurt the horse was named in honor of this biobanking pioneer, and is a testament to how much science has advanced in the decades since—and to the power of hope.

Last year, that hope was renewed, and history was made again when Ollie was born. His birth marks the first time cloning has produced more than one individual of an endangered species, and has proven that

Hope Realized: (Above) Ollie, the world’s second-ever Przewalski’s horse clone, and his mom—a domestic horse surrogate mare—are thriving at the Safari Park. They’ll live in a private area off view from guests until he’s ready to join a herd of other young Przewalski’s horses. (Left) In honor of his groundbreaking work to save endangered species, including Przewalski’s horses, the second cloned foal was named “Ollie”, after Dr. Oliver “Ollie” Ryder.

this technique is a viable tool for genetic rescue. Ollie was named in honor of Oliver “Ollie” Ryder, Ph.D., our Kleberg Endowed Director of Conservation Genetics—a longtime champion of Przewalski’s horse conservation, and one of the trailblazing scientists who have made the clones’ existence possible.

Born to domestic horse surrogate mares, each clone carries the same vital genes that otherwise would have been lost to the world.

Eventually, when they breed, they will pass on crucial DNA—creating a ripple effect that will help ensure the health and genetic viability of Przewalski’s horses for generations to come.

Until they mature into breeding stallions, the young clones will need to learn the language and behavior of their fellow Przewalski’s horses at the Safari Park. Since 2022, Kurt has been thriving with his horse

“mentor,” a filly named Holly. Ollie will follow a similar path when he’s ready, joining other horses who will help him successfully integrate into the herd.

These unusual twins are a double dose of hope for the future—both for Przewalski’s horses, and for all species that will benefit from these revolutionary genetic rescue techniques. With each historic birth and conservation milestone, we’re reminded that there is no limit to what we can achieve when we think outside the box and work together to save wildlife.

As an ally for wildlife, you make it all possible! Discover more about Przewalski’s horse conservation at stories.sandiegozoo.org, and visit the herd through select tours to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s Central Asia savanna habitat.

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VISUALIZE IT

GET A GRIP

For a wide variety of wildlife, tails are critical for balance and movement. Not all tails are created equal, however. Some species have prehensile tails—an adaptation for grasping objects that makes them almost as handy as a fifth limb.

By Alyssa Leicht | Illustration By Amy Blandford

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The black-bellied or “longtailed” pangolin Phataginus tetradactyla has the most caudal (tail) vertebrae of any living mammal—47. It is the most arboreal of the pangolins, and its tail can be twice as long as its body.

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Tails containing many short vertebrae provide greater flexibility and are more likely to be prehensile than those with fewer vertebrae. Scientists believe that prehensile tail vertebrae offer more strength and rigidity than those of non-prehensile tails, yet also bend and twist more easily, thanks to a greater number of facet joints near the base of the tail.

In some cases, prehensile tails have friction pads on their grasping surfaces, packed with mechanoreceptors. These specialized cells transmit the sensation of touch, providing tactile sensitivity, neural control, and strength for grasping.

Plus, their maze of ridges and lines creates unique “tail prints,” similar to our fingerprints.

SCAN TH E Q R CO D E TO LE AR N M O R E

Only two carnivores have prehensile tails: the binturong and the kinkajou. Kinkajous can hang by the tip of their tail, then turn their body and climb back up their own tail.

To share more on this subject with youth, visit our Wildlife Explorers website: sdzwildlifeexplorers.org/stories/tale-talented-tails

WHAT MAKES A TAIL PREHENSILE?

In addition to their utility for grasping and swinging, prehensile tails provide support and stability. Under the sea, wildlife like seahorses and pipefish use their tails to anchor their bodies while eating.

Prehensile-tailed primates can support their entire body weight using only their tail, which frees up their hands and feet to forage while suspended.

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January & EVENTS

SAN DIEGO ZOO

O F F E R E D DA I LY Wildlife Wonders At the Zoo’s Wegeforth Bowl amphitheater, wildlife care specialists will introduce you to wildlife ambassadors representing San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s conservation work around the world in Wildlife Wonders, presented daily at 2 p.m. Learn about amazing wildlife—from the Amazon to right here in our own backyard in San Diego—and find out what everyone can do to help conserve wildlife and the world we all share.

Presentation runs 15 to 20 minutes. (Z)

January Hours* San Diego Zoo 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

February Hours* San Diego Zoo 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

sdzwa.org

619-231-1515 *Exceptions apply.

Please check our website daily for the latest updates on opening and closing times.

(Z) = San Diego Zoo (P) = Safari Park

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Plant Days On these special days, guests can take a rare look inside the Zoo’s Orchid Greenhouse from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., learn about the Zoo’s botanical collection on the Botanical Bus Tour at 11 a.m., and check out the Carnivorous Plant Greenhouse from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

A variety of plants grown by Horticulture staff will be available at the Plant Sale, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of the Orchid Greenhouse entrance. (Z) O F F E R E D DA I LY Wildlife Walking Tours Lace up your walking shoes and trek through the San Diego Zoo to see a variety of wildlife in our exciting new Wildlife Walking Tours. Along the way, your guide will share fascinating insights into wildlife behavior. Call 619-718-3000 to make your reservations. (Z)

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FO R M E M B E RS J A N U A RY 7 A N D F E B R U A RY 4 Member Exclusive Early Hours Rise and shine with the sights and sounds of the San Diego Zoo. Members can enter the Zoo one hour before the general public.

To join us, simply present your membership card at the main entrance beginning at 8 a.m. (Z) E V E RY DAY Wild PerksSM San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance members are eligible for SM Wild Perks . Show your membership card each time you make an on-grounds purchase and save up to 20%, depending on your membership level. Some exclusions apply; for details, visit sdzwa.org/membership/ wild-perks. (Z)

February SAFARI PARK

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Seniors Free at the Safari Park Seniors age 65 and older get free admission to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park throughout the entire month of February. For full details, visit sdzsafaripark.org. (P) O F F E R E D DA I LY Journey into the Wild Join our wildlife care specialist team as they introduce you to wildlife ambassadors representing San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s conservation work in our Amazonia Conservation Hub in South America, and right here in our own backyard in the Southwest. This new conservation presentation begins at 2 p.m. daily at Benbough Amphitheater. (P) O F F E R E D DA I LY Wildlife Trek Walk through the Safari Park to see a variety of wildlife in this exciting walking tour! Your knowledgeable guide will share insights into the behavior of our wildlife and the excellent care they receive. (P)

FO R M E M B E RS J A N U A RY 7 A N D F E B R U A RY 4 Member Exclusive Early Hours Rise and shine with the sights and sounds of the Safari Park. Members can enter the Safari Park one hour before the general public. To join us, simply present your membership card at the main entrance beginning at 8 a.m. (P) E V E RY DAY Wild PerksSM San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance members are eligible for Wild SM Perks . Show your membership card each time you make an on-grounds purchase and save up to 20%, depending on your membership level. Some exclusions apply; for details, visit sdzwa.org/ membership/wild-perks. (P) SAN DIEGO ZOO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE / SDZWA.ORG / 27

Visit the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Explorers website to find out about these and other animals, plus videos, crafts, stories, games, and more!

SDZWildlifeExplorers.org

Spotting a Pattern Some types of wildlife win at hide-and-seek by hiding in plain sight! Thanks to an adaptation called camouflage, the color or pattern of an animal’s covering is similar to the animal’s surroundings, and therefore helps hide it.

Below are a few examples of wildlife that excel at being hard to spot. Can you guess what they are?

Check your guess with the answers below.

A. TAP

IR

B. JAGUAR

C. HELMETED GUINEAFOWL

This mammal’s spots are called rosettes.

D. LEOPARD ORCHID

Even feathers can have camouflage-type spots.

Photos by: Ken Bohn/SDZWA

Hint: Its name can be found on a certain car.

In some species, the patterns disappear once wildlife reach adulthood.

This example’s name contains the name of a completely different spotted species.

Hint: This one isn’t an animal.

Answers (Clockwise starting from the left): B, C, D, A

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Klipspringer is Dutch for ”rock jumper,” and with its specially adapted, dime-sized hooves, this diminuitive African antelope can jump 10 to 12 feet onto a landing pad the size of a silver dollar.

Photographed by Ken Bohn, SDZWA photographer.

LAST LOOK

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JOURNAL

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance P.O. Box 120551, San Diego, CA 92112

You Can Help Save Wildlife.

You are our greatest ally as we work together to help protect and save wildlife. When you become a monthly donor, your recurring gift fuels critical conservation efforts around the globe. Our monthly donors are the heartbeat of everything we do at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, and every sustaining gift adds up to make lasting impact for wildlife in need.

You can inspire hope for wildlife worldwide and make a brighter future possible.

Become a Monthly Donor today at sdzwa.org/hero.