inside april 2015
Winsome Waddlers: African Penguins Back at the Zoo After a 35-year absence, penguins are once again making a splash at the San Diego Zoo. Meet our capelin-chomping charmers!
wildlife Dragons Among Us Rooted in ancient legend and lore, dragon trees hold many mysteries.
Basking in the Sixth Son at the Zoo Meet Jessica’s new little bundle of gorilla joy!
Who’s New? An Abundance of Babies From fuzzy to feathered and scaly to smooth, there are a lot of new faces around here—and oh, baby, are they cute!
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conservation The “Collar” of Polar Bear Conservation One of the Zoo’s polar bears, Tatqiq, was trained to wear an accelerometer collar to create an activity signature, which will benefit her wild counterparts.
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From the Archives
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Through the Lens Chairman’s Note Not Just Winging It: Training Birds of Prey Swoop in for a glimpse into the hows and whys of training freeflying hawks, owls, and their ilk.
on the cover: African penguins Spheniscus demersusl ©Ken Bohn, SDZG Photographer
You Said It
SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL
chairman’s note
OFFICERS
Robert B. Horsman, Chairman Sandra A. Brue, Vice Chairman Judith A. Wheatley, Secretary Steven G. Tappan, Treasurer
Changes Taking Shape at the San Diego Zoo 2015 IS A YEAR OF EXCITING CHANGES and renovations at our Zoo. In preparation for our centennial celebration in 2016, we are adding new exhibits in the Asian Passage zone and starting the monumental work for Conrad Prebys Africa Rocks, which will completely transform the old Dog and Cat Canyon area of the Zoo when it opens in 2017. We’ve also built a new Centennial Walkway that passes in front of the Zoo’s Otto Center buildings and leads to Balboa Park, to help celebrate Balboa Park’s centennial this year. The new walkway improves access and creates an inviting sense of arrival as people walk between the Zoo and Balboa Park. The elephant topiaries that used to be at the Zoo entrance have moved to be part of the new walkway— what better way to indicate that you are going to or coming from the Zoo than two towering elephants? This summer we will be opening an expansive new habitat for Amur and snow leopards in the Asian Passage zone at the Zoo, near Panda Trek. The beautiful multilevel, 16,500-square-foot habitat is now in the final phases of construction, and visitors will be able to enjoy seeing these big cats in their new homes during our annual Nighttime Zoo summer celebration. The new habitat also makes it possible for us to increase our participation in breeding programs for these leopards, an important step since both species are critically endangered. Our thanks go to the more than 1,000 generous donors who helped to make this habitat a reality. The Zoo’s Wegeforth Bowl will be playing a key role in our centennial celebration next year, with new features in the stage area, including a giant monitor screen for showing video and new sound
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and lighting, as well as shade cloth added over the seating area. Our staff is creating a wonderful new multi-media—and multi-animal—show for the centennial that you won’t want to miss, which will begin in spring 2016. We’re also creating the Centennial Plaza in front of Wegeforth Bowl, which will feature a large mural of photos from 10 decades of our history, a photo booth where visitors can take commemorative centennial photos, and special birthday celebration decorations. The Wegeforth Bowl renovations are underway, so the show is on hiatus until they are complete. But the new show will be well worth the wait! The Zoo’s biggest project by far is Conrad Prebys Africa Rocks, opening in summer 2017, which will completely change an entire canyon. We’re just getting started with this exhibit complex, which will represent habitats and animals of Africa including kopjes, grasslands, forests, swamps, and the rocky coastlines. Some of the key animals will be leopards, vervet monkeys, sociable weavers, Hamadryas baboons, geladas, lemurs, and African penguins. When you see the construction fences up around this large area of the Zoo during the next two and a half years, you’ll know that something big, ambitious, and spectacular is taking shape behind them. This is a great deal of construction within our 100-acre Zoo, but it heralds exciting times ahead for our centennial and beyond. We hope you will “pardon our dust” as we renew the Zoo!
Robert B. Horsman Chairman
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
M. Javade Chaudhri Berit N. Durler Richard B. Gulley Clifford W. Hague Linda Lowenstine, D.V.M., Ph.D. Patricia L. Roscoe
TRUSTEES EMERITI Frank C. Alexander Kurt Benirschke, M.D. 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
James Lauth, General Counsel Douglas G. Myers, President/CEO Charles L. Bieler, Executive Director Emeritus
THE FOUNDATION OF SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL OFFICERS
Murray H. Hutchison, Chair Maryanne C. Pfister, Vice Chair Susan N. McClellan, Secretary Richard M. Hills, Treasurer Mark A. Stuart, President Robert B. Horsman, Ex officio Douglas G. Myers, Ex officio
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Christine L. Andrews Joye D. Blount Rick Bregman Lisa S. Casey Douglas Dawson Berit N. Durler, Ex officio U. Bertram Ellis, Jr. Arthur E. Engel Craig L. Grosvenor Judith C. Harris Michael E. Kassan Susan B. Major Michael D. McKinnon George A. Ramirez Thomas Tull Margie Warner Ed Wilson
Members get up close FREE all year long! Start your membership today. Call 619-718-3000 or visit sandiegozoo.org SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL
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you said it Mommy/Daughter date day at the @sandiegozoo. Thanks to Mr. Mike for letting Reagan hold the REAL elephant tusk. @RebeccaKelley12
Spent all day at the zoo Sunday with friends from out of the country. They were very impressed with our fantastic zoo! Got some great shots of the beautiful animals. Stacey Kuhns
1st graders learn the power of the Internet to take a virtual field trip to the @sandiegozoo @IAmMrsSimone
Your volunteers are world class! Shows great service comes from size of people’s heart and not their paycheque. @tedkouri
Orangutan #selfie at the #zoo ! #animalposer #funnyanimal @Katie_102
If you’re ever sad, just go to @sandiegozoo tumblr page. @tristannallysaa
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We are super excited to visit the San Diego Zoo very soon, coming all the way from Canada. We are so excited that an animal craft was a must today!! See you soon!! ~Brielle Crystal Dyck Lavoie
Got engaged at @houstonzoo and now honeymooning at @sandiegozoo! #pandas #zoolove @qcait
Giraffic Park. #giraffe #selfie #safari #caravan #sdzsafaripark @knoeau
Spent the morning making some new friends at the @sdzsafaripark @bakeritablog
#tbt to feeding the absolutly stunning rhinos at one of my favorite places in SD #sdzsafaripark @mailenoel
The koala Cam at the @sandiegozoo is the best thing that has ever happened to me. @rochellegoplen
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through the lens Photo by Ken Bohn SDZG
Baby western lowland gorilla Gorilla gorilla gorilla
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Waddlers African Penguins Back at the Zoo
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One way to tell the brothers apart is to look for their bands: little brother’s is on his left wing and big brother’s is on his right.
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Children seem to be of particular interest to the penguins, and the birds enjoy an up-close look.
By Peggy Scott ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Photos by Ken Bohn SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER
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pril 25 is World Penguin Day, but thanks to an adorable pair of feathered siblings, every day can be penguin day at the San Diego Zoo—for the first time in 35 years! Two almost three-year-old African penguins Spheniscus demersus have taken up residence in the Children’s Zoo, and visitors are flocking to see the black-and-white brothers. “Guests get so excited when they see them,” says Kelly Lee, a senior keeper at the Zoo. “They’re just so cute!”
Not Quite Black and White Whether it’s their comical gait, dapper tuxedo-like coloring, or even the males’ legendary parenting skills, the appeal of the penguin is undeniable. Even the fact that they share a name with a DC Comics super
Three meals a day have the boys in ideal penguin shape. Sardines are a dietary favorite.
villain isn’t enough to temper our affection for this flightless bird. And at least with these two, the feeling appears to be mutual. “They spend a lot of time interacting with guests through the glass,” Kelly says, noting that their exhibit, which used to house otters, makes it easy for the penguins to people-watch. “They’ll dive down and check visitors out through the window. They really seem to like the kids, but they’re aware of everyone.” While the boys currently don’t have official names, keepers affectionately call them “big brother” and “little brother,” which is also a nod to their relationship. “Big brother is the more mature, laid-back type, while little brother is a bit more high strung— chasing the hose water when we spray, and following our every move,” Kelly says. “Big brother tries to get little brother to calm down.” At first glance, the brothers may appear identical, but a closer look reveals them to be as different as, well, black and white. “Big brother molted some of his head feathers, and when they grew back, they SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL
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Swimming at speeds of up to 15 miles per hour helps African penguins catch prey such as capelin and anchovies.
were white. So he has a little white patch on his head,” Kelly says. “And if you look at their little identification bands, big brother’s is on his right wing while little brother’s is on his left.”
Fancy Feathers As appealing as penguins’ “black-tie-andtails” appearance may be, as with most characteristics in the Animal Kingdom, it’s more a matter of functionality than a fashion statement. The contrasting colors that penguins sport actually serve as camouflage when the water-loving birds are swimming. When viewed from above, their black backs blend into the dark ocean water, and from below, their white bellies match the bright surface lit by sunlight. Predators, such as leopard seals, Cape fur seals, and sharks might not spot the birds, which are hunting for their favorite foods: schooling fish like sardines, anchovies,
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It’s been 35 years since penguins have been at the Zoo, and these brothers are splendid representatives for their species!
pelagic goby, and herring. At the Zoo, the penguin brothers dine on the types of seafood they would consume in the wild, and they have their preferences. “They love their sardines,” Kelly says, “And they’ll eat capelin fish. But night smelt is their least favorite.” This diet has helped the brothers reach—and maintain—an almost ideal weight of five to six pounds. Big brother is, well, slightly bigger than little brother. As leisurely as they seem on land, penguins are fast fliers in the water. Capable of reaching speeds of 15 miles per hour when swimming after prey, penguins also have staying power—they can remain underwater for more than 2 minutes. Their solid bones—an uncommon trait in birds—add density, which counteracts their natural buoyancy and helps propel them, torpedolike, through the sea.
Fair-weather Penguins Unlike their more distant penguin relatives that hail from cooler climes, such as the emperor or Gentoo penguins, the African penguin is the beachy type, as are its closest kin, the Galápagos, Magellanic, and Humboldt penguins. The African penguin is known to breed on 24 islands between Hollamsbird Island, Namibia, and Bird Island in Algoa Bay, South Africa. When they’re not breeding, the birds can be found across Africa’s southern shore, from Gabon to Mozambique. African penguins are usually monogamous and live in groups that can grow quite large. There are records of a colony that included 13,000 penguin pairs! Not only would a colony that size be enormous, it would also be amazingly noisy. “There have been several different African penguin ‘calls’ identified,” Kelly says. “There are ‘where are you?’ calls, a greeting call, and territorial warning calls.” She adds that one call—of the amorous variety—earned the African penguin one of its other common names: the jackass penguin. “It does sound like a donkey’s bray,” Kelly admits with a laugh.
Make Way for Penguins The ease with which the African penguin brothers took to their new home is due, at least in part, to the careful planning that preceded their arrival. Modifications were made to an old exhibit to provide the birds with the opportunity to thrive and dive. A water-filtration system was added, along with a shade structure and a water chiller so the penguins can swim in cool water at 55 degrees Fahrenheit. As nice as their digs are, there are much bigger things (and places) in the birds’ future. “This home for our penguins in the Children’s Zoo is actually a temporary home,” explains Dave Rimlinger, curator of birds at the Zoo. “They’ll be here for the next two-and-a-half years while we’re building our new, state-of-the-art exhibit, Penguin Beach, which will be part of a larger project called Conrad Prebys Africa Rocks.”
Wing flapping is believed to be a comfort behavior among African penguins.
Big brother and little brother are living in the Children’s Zoo while they await the completion of their new home, Penguin Beach, which is under construction as part of Conrad Prebys Africa Rocks.
are hoping that the inherent likeability of penguins, and awareness of their plight in the wild, will help secure a brighter future for the species. “African penguins are one of the most endangered penguins,” Dave explains. “Their total world population has declined by 60 percent over the last 28 years. These two penguins are just the beginning of a large flock that we hope to have to start breeding this species.” As animal ambassadors, the brothers
will play an important role in those plans. Through guest interactions, along with media and public appearances, the penguins will help spread the word about threats faced by their wild brethren, which include commercial fishing, human disturbance of habitat, and oil spills. In short, they will put a face—an expressive, adorable face—to conservation efforts. And that’s a face only everyone could love. You’ll be able to see those happy little penguin faces—and feet!—from your computer when the Zoo’s centennial website launches. Beginning April 15, you can march on over to sandiegozoo100.org and catch the boys in action via our new Penguin Cam! n
To support or learn more about the Zoo’s new Penguin Beach habitat and care center, please visit sandiegozoo.org/ penguins.
Aspiring Avian Ambassadors Along with reintroducing a perennially popular animal to wildlife lovers, the San Diego Zoo and other conservation organizations SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL
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BASKING in the
SIXTH SON at the Zoo
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At birth, gorillas are about half the size of full-term human newborns.
By Karyl Carmignani STAFF WRITER
Photos by Ken Bohn SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER
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or 34-year-old Jessica, it may have been just another day in paradise, but for Nerissa Foland, senior keeper at the Zoo, it was marked with a jolt of excitement. It was the day after Christmas, and Nerissa had brought some new nature DVDs for the gorillas to watch (yes, they enjoy such entertainment!). In the pre-dawn chill, Nerissa began her day quietly preparing the diets for her charges. But instead of the typical stillness punctuated by snores, she could hear the gorillas moving about, wide awake, well before their usual rising hour. Nerissa peeked into their bedrooms to discover that Jessica was holding a still-slick infant to her chest and gingerly grooming him. The tiny ape was about one hour old. Nerissa described the feeling among the gorillas as “nervous but happy.” She quickly took a picture of mother and baby and sent it off to her supervisors to share the joyous news. Though the baby was a tad early according to the keepers’ estimate, “Jessica is an experienced, competent mother, so we weren’t worried about her delivery,” said Nerissa, “and the baby was nursing well.” Rather than disrupt their routine, she let the troop out on
exhibit that afternoon, and visitors got to see the still damp, teddybear-sized infant up close!
Telltale Signs Jessica was taken off birth control in March 2014, and she soon began soliciting Paul Donn, the silverback of her troop. Breeding was frequent for about a month, and then tapered off. Later, when Jessica started rejecting food items like bananas, certain nuts, and fruit juices (except orange flavored) that she usually enjoys, it was the telltale sign of morning sickness, gorilla style. “Gorillas don’t gain much weight during pregnancy, and it’s normal for their weight to fluctuate a few pounds,” explained Nerissa. An early pregnancy test was used—the human kind. The little stick read positive! “Every baby gorilla is important, because lowland gorillas are critically endangered,” said Nerissa. “We haven’t had a baby gorilla at the Zoo since Frank was born in 2008.” (He now lives at the Safari Park.)
Due Date While humans have an average gestation period of 266 days, gorillas are pregnant for about 257 days, which is 3 days less than an orangutan’s gestation and a full month longer than a chimpanzee’s. Gorillas give birth to tiny infants—about half the size of a human newborn—and the mother’s labor tends to be short. Keepers noticed that toward the end of SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL
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Above: Mother gorillas must continue to eat, especially while nursing their young, so infants need to hang on and stay out of the way. Left: Hard to imagine that this little fellow will grow into a big, burly silverback when he reaches maturity in 13 years or so.
her pregnancy, Jessica became much more friendly to people she trusts, like Nerissa. Perhaps Jessica is softening with age. Though she was an attentive and protective mother with her previous five sons (Mike, Maka, Tatu, Mandazzi, and Ekuba), with this little one she seems to be really enjoying and doting on him. “She even pats him and gently jostles him while he’s sleeping,” said Nerissa.
Family Ties The infant’s dad, Paul Donn, has fathered four offspring and is always gentle with the little ones and engaged in their upbringing. “He investigates the baby, and if he emits a distress call, Paul Donn ‘answers’ with a reassuring grumble.” The other member of the troop, 20-year-old Ndjia, is also interested in the infant. “That first day, she did some ‘drive-bys’ while they were on exhibit, trying to get a good look at the baby,” said Nerissa. She still sits close to Jessica, seemingly excited to offer her services as playmate or caregiver to the little guy, but so far Jessica is keeping him to herself.
Training for the Future The Zoo’s gorillas are trained in a variety of husbandry behaviors through positive reinforcement. These behaviors help keepers monitor the animals’ health in a safe and stress-free manner. For instance, individuals are trained to “station” at a certain spot (sometimes separate from other gorillas) and present various body parts like a hand, foot, open mouth, back, chest, or tongue. The animals are also trained and desensitized to having a wound irrigated, should the situation arise.
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Hang on! Baby gorillas instinctively grab with their hands and feet onto their mother’s fur to stay close to her. They travel ventrally (on mom’s chest) for the first three months or so, then ride on her back for the next couple of years.
Since male gorillas can suffer from heart disease later in life, keepers train them to present and hold still for an ultrasound exam on the heart. “So far, we’ve done successful ultrasounds on two of our males!” said Nerissa, which is a huge accomplishment. Both male and female gorillas are trained to accept a stethoscope exam. Nerissa explained that the keepers use favorite fruit and nuts from their daily diet as positive reinforcement and keep the training sessions brief, which keeps the animals engaged.
Comforts of Home The keepers will eventually work with the newest baby gorilla, but for now they just want to ensure he feels comfortable around them. “We don’t want to interrupt the bonding process with his mother,” said Nerissa. “But we still provide the opportunity to work with us.” And that is how calm and contented gorilla troops are made. Come see for yourself! n
Jessica’s new baby boy gets everything he needs from his attentive mother. SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL
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Dragons AMONG US
Leaving a lasting impression on world travelers and locals alike, the ancient, iconic dragon’s blood tree Dracaena cinnabari is endemic to Socotra, a small archipelago in the Indian Ocean.
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Growing more slowly than its mythical namesake, a dragon tree D. draco may grow for about 10 years before flowering and branching. It can then take another 10 to 15 years of development for the next branching event to occur.
By Wendy Perkins
Photos by Ken Bohn
STAFF WRITER
SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER
In the mythical Garden of Hesperides grew a tree that bore golden apples, guarded by Ladon, a hundred-headed dragon. As one of his historic labors, Hercules fought and killed Ladon in order to obtain the golden apples. According to legend, wherever the slain dragon’s blood pooled on the ground, a new form of tree sprouted.... With their multiple, twisting branches, it’s easy to see how the connection was made between this ancient legend and what have long been called dragon trees. Even their genus name reflects their mythical origin: Dracaena is derived from the Ancient Greek word drakaina meaning “female dragon.” Some plants in this group are commonly called dragon blood trees because of the dark red sap that oozes forth when a branch or trunk is cut. Yet despite—or perhaps because of—the connection to fearsome dragons, the resin has always been highly valued. The Guanche, aboriginal people of the Canary Islands, used the sap in their mummification process and to color their hair. In ancient Rome and China, it was used as a colorant, especially for wooden chests and tables. It is still
used today, but as part of a mixture with sap from other plants.
Have You a Little Dragon in Your Home? The genus Dracaena belongs to the same order of plants as asparagus. Among the 110 species of Dracaena are many easily recognized indoor plants and garden specimens. The popular “lucky bamboo,” for example, is not a bamboo at all but a Dracaena—D. braunii to be exact. Another houseplant staple commonly called the corn plant is botanically known as D. fragrans. And D. marginata, with its slender, red-edged leaves, is often mistaken for a type of palm tree. Africa is home to the majority of Dracaena
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The berries shift in color from green to black to red over the course of five months. The fruits remain on the tree for about one year and most are eaten—and dispersed—by birds.
How to name your dragon: Rough, peeling bark is an identifying characteristic of D. cinnabari.
For hundreds of years, humans wove the tough fiber of the leaves into sturdy rope.
Growing pains: Dried “dragon’s blood” can be seen at the branching point of this D. draco limb—likely the result of the bark cracking slightly as the branch split.
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species. A few are found in southern Asia and a single species is native to parts of Central America. For the most part, the species we have taken inside our homes are the smaller, shrublike species that, in the wild, grow as understory plants in rain forests. Other Dracaena, those that have stout trunks and stiff leaves, grow in arid, semi-desert areas. These are some of the most iconic and visually stunning “dragons.”
intervals—from 10 to 11 years. This results in a mature plant that has an umbrella-like crown with several orders of branches. There are scientists working on a system of estimating dragon tree age based on the branching pattern, but for now, the mystery continues.
First Blood
Although D. draco and many other dragon trees contain red sap, the resin from D. cinDoubly Dragon nabari has a special place in history. It is beThrough linguistic links and legends, D. draco lieved that this iconic plant of Socotra was the is forever connected to the image of the drag- original source of “dragon’s blood” and likely on. Endemic to North Africa, the Canary Is- reigned supreme until resin from other plants lands, and Madeira, Spain, this species reaches was substituted in the Medieval and Renaisa gigantic size. The biggest on record, known sance periods. Yet its reputation endured, and locally as the “Monster of Orotava,” stood just sap from this species was used as a source of over 68 feet tall and varnish by 18th-century had a trunk diameter Italian violin makers. of about 26 feet. TragiWhile D. cinnabari cally, it was destroyed has been at home on by a severe storm in the Socotra for millions of late 1800s. years, it, like so many Yet there are still plants, is becoming botanical giants among more rare. One of the the human residents species’ greatest threats of Tenerife, Canary Isis the gradual drying lands. One famous tree, out of the Socotra ArDrago Milenario (also chipelago, which has called El Drago) meabeen an ongoing prosures 55 feet tall with cess for the last few a trunk circumference hundred years. This of nearly 20 feet. It was has resulted in nonLeaves sprout only from the end of once declared to be the f lourishing trees. The a dragon tree’s youngest branches, world’s oldest living duration of mist and creating an open, leafless network of tree by 18th century low-lying cloud banks twisting, branching limbs within the German scientist Alexthat the trees rely on for canopy of a D. draco. ander von Humboldt, moisture seems to be who estimated the tree continuing to decrease. to be between 500 and 3,000 years old. That’s a This new arid environment could lead to a wide range of possibility, but even if the tree’s 45-percent reduction in the available habitat age is at the lower end of that estimation, it for D. cinnabari by the year 2080. Additionstill makes the tree older than the town build- al threats to the dragon’s blood tree include ings around it! How old is El Drago? Finding harvesting of its resin and use of the leaves to a way to anwer that question with a degree of make rope. certainty is challenging. All Dracaena species have protected staDetermining the age of a dragon tree is tus, which provides some help. But if D. cinnadifficult because they don’t have growth rings bari and other Dracaena are to be preserved, that can be related to the amount of time a variety of measures will need to be taken. they’ve lived. A distinctive feature of the larg- While the mythical origin of these amazing er Dracaena species is a unique growth pat- plants began with the death of a dragon, it is tern referred to as dracoid habitus. Vegetative time now to do what we can to care for the growth and flowering occurs over long time dragons among us. n
Frond familiarity: Many Dracaena species are popular houseplants. From top: Janet Craig compact dracaena D. deremensis ‘Janet Craig’; Madagascar dragon tree D. marginata; corn plant D. deremensis.
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Who’s New? An Abundance of Babies By Karen E. Worley MANAGING EDITOR
Photos by Ken Bohn SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER
During the past year, the Zoo and Safari Park have seen quite a bit of successful reproduction, and babies abound at both places. From furry to fluffy-feathered and scaly to hoofed, tap on each of the photos on the next page to revisit the arrival of these youngsters and see what they’re up to now.
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Andean Cock-of-the-Rock
Angolan Colobus Monkey
Hatched June 22, 2014 No, this isn’t a Jim Henson creation—it’s a cock-of-the-rock chick! This species is native to the cloud forests of the Andes Mountains in South America and is the national bird of Peru. It may be hard to believe from this photo, but when this chick is full grown it will have the stunning bright-orange feathers the males are known for and will participate in mating displays to show off its plumage.
Laza Born November 21, 2014 When Lulu gave birth to this little bundle, she broke records. She was 29, the oldest known Angolan colobus monkey to give birth—and this is her 20th offspring! Lulu is in fact a greatgrandmother in the Zoo’s colobus troop. Good thing these monkeys use alloparenting, which means every family member participates in raising the infants, so Lulu has lots of help. As with all colobus infants, Laza will change from all white to black and white by about six months of age.
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East African Crowned Crane Hatched June 2014 When two female East African crowned cranes hatched at the Safari Park’s African Outpost, keepers acted as surrogate parents until the chicks got the hang of eating and taking care of themselves. Seeing the two long-legged, fuzzy chicks racing along following a keeper on exercise walks, stubby wings outstretched, was quite a sight! The two have now fledged into their beautiful gray-and-white plumage with the characteristic crown of golden feathers, and t hey have joined the other cranes in the Park’s exhibit.
Emerald Tree Monitor Hatched December 17, 2014 The emerald tree monitor is a beautiful and brightly colored monitor lizard species native to New Guinea. It does indeed spend most of its time in the trees; once this little one made its way completely out of the egg, it headed right up into the branches. These monitors have a prehensile tail to help with climbing, specialized, elongated toes for grasping branches, and a lithe body for flexibility. Adults are typically about two feet long—so this little one, about five inches at hatching, has a way to grow!
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Western Lowland Gorilla Joanne Born March 12, 2014 Joanne’s arrival via an emergency caesarean section caught the attention of people around the world. The resilient little gorilla overcame a collapsed lung and pneumonia before she was successfully reunited with her mom, Imani, and the rest of her troop at the Safari Park. Now, Joanne is a strong, active, and curious oneyear-old who still takes rides on mom’s back but is also exploring on her own. In addition to nursing, she is eating some solid foods and testing the items in the gorilla diet—sometimes spitting it back out if it doesn’t appeal to her. She also shows interest in playing with Frank and Monroe, and it won’t be long before she’ll be in the thick of their games of tag and king of the hill.
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Meerkat Born June 2014 The Zoo’s meerkat mob welcomed a new member last summer when this adorable face popped out of the burrow. Keepers weren’t even sure the mom was pregnant, but they hadn’t seen her aboveground for a while—and then one day she emerged with this fluffy little pup, much to the delight of Zoo visitors. Meerkats grow up fast, so this little guy has now taken up his place—and chores— in the family group.
Nilgai
Okapi
Born November 2014 Nilgai calves are “tuckers”: they stay put in a protected spot and mom goes back and forth between nursing and caring for them and spending time foraging with the herd. Safari Park keepers had to keep their eyes sharp this past fall and winter to spot and track the four calves born within weeks of each other. Now, the four calves, two males and two females, are still sticking fairly close to their moms, but they are exploring and interacting with the herd and starting to get a taste for browse.
Amaranta Born January 18, 2015 The Safari Park’s newest okapi calf, Amaranta, was up on his feet and walking within a few hours of his birth. He’s still staying pretty close to his mother, Makini, but he is curious about his surroundings in the okapi exhibit in the Park’s African Woods. Even though he’s still nursing, he copies mom and tastes the leafy browse she feeds on. He’s growing quickly and has bursts of excitement when he kicks up his heels. Another young okapi, Jackson, was born in July 2014. Jackson and Amaranta are the 40th and 41st okapis born at the Safari Park—good news for this endangered species!
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Przewalski’s Horse
Serval
Taban Born June 26, 2014 Like all Przewalski’s horse foals, Taban was up and moving with the herd within an hour of his birth. And don’t let that soft, wrinkled-looking coat fool you— within a week, a Pzewalski’s foal can deliver a heck of a kick to defend itself if necessary! Taban, whose name means “brilliant” or “shining,” is the 154th Przewalski’s horse born at the Safari Park, and he’s part of a conservation success story. By the end of the 1950s, there were only 14 of these horses left in the world, and they were extinct in the wild. Several conservation groups and zoos, including San Diego Zoo Global, banded together to save the species. Now there are more than 1,400, with about 250 reintroduced to their native habitat!
Kamari Born October 7, 2014 When serval kitten Kamari made his debut with his mom, Onshe, in their exhibit at the Zoo’s Kopje, the cute factor was off the charts. Rolling, swatting, pouncing, and chasing mom’s tail, he had Zoo visitors enthralled and social media abuzz. As cats do, he’s growing up quickly and losing his fuzzy, kittenish look, but he’s still a bundle of energy with playful appeal.
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TAMMY SPRATT / SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER
Sitatunga Born June 22, 2014 Just four days old in this photo, this sitatunga calf at the Safari Park is being guarded by her attentive mom. A sitatunga mother finds a concealed spot to give birth, and the calf stays there for about a month, with the mom coming back periodically to nurse. The rumpled bedhead look of their coat serves a purpose: this is one of only a few antelope that lives a semi-aquatic life in swamps, and the coat is water resistant. They also have long, splayed hooves for walking in mud and slippery vegetation. This calf will keep the same ruddy coat with white markings as her mother, but males develop a gray-brown coat and curved horns.
Northern Spider Tortoise Hatched August 11, 2014 Every hatching of this critically endangered species from Madagascar is an important addition, and at only about two inches long, they’re cute as well! Like other tortoises, spider tortoises hatch from their eggs with the help an “egg tooth,” or caruncle, on the tip of their snout. Their body is folded when inside the egg, and their soft, flexible shells do not begin to harden until after they hatch.
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Greater One-horned Rhinoceros
Petunia Born August 1, 2014 When Petunia was born, she was a petite little thing—at 128 pounds! But that really was on the small side, since most greater one-horned rhinos weigh between 132 and 176 pounds at birth. At first, keepers watched the newborn calf 24 hours a day to make sure she was nursing enough, and her mother, Tanaya, was given a supplement to aid in lactation. Petunia soon gained strength and put on the pounds, and at five weeks old, she and Tanaya joined the herd at the Safari Park. Now Petunia is throwing her weight around and kicking up some dust— as long as mom is there to back her up, that is.
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Masai Giraffe
Gowon Born July 31, 2014 Gowon was initially cautious when he and his mother, Genny, joined his herd at the Safari Park, but it didn’t take long until he was kicking up his heels, galloping around the field, and challenging Kamau, another calf who is only five days older, to race. The births of these two calves are the first for the new herd of Masai giraffes at the Park, and the adults welcomed each of them with sniffing, nose rubbing, and nuzzling.
African Lion
Ernest, Evelyn, Miss Ellen, and Marion Born June 22, 2014 The Safari Park’s pride grew last summer with the birth of Izu and Oshana’s four rambunctious cubs. From the start they were confident and adventurous, and once they were introduced to their father, Izu, they delighted in pouncing and climbing on him and playing with his tail. Good thing he’s a patient dad! Now the feisty foursome is losing their cubbishness as they grow into lanky juveniles. But that doesn’t mean the games have stopped— they are more active than ever and getting into everything!
South African Cheetah
Wgasa, Refu, Pumzika, Mahala Born July 13, 2014 Four cheetah cubs, born to mother Addison, took the exhibit at the Safari Park’s Okavango Outpost by storm last summer. Wgasa and Refu, the males, and Pumzika and Mahala, the females, were named after former areas of the Safari Park. They’ve pretty much lost their baby fuzz now, but they’re still all about fun: chasing and wrestling with each other, pouncing on leaves, stalking insects, and climbing on logs.
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The
“Collar”
Polar Bear Conservation of
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Tatqiq was fitted with an accelerometer collar, which collects data on her various activities and creates a “signature” for different movements.
By Karyl Carmignani STAFF WRITER
Photos by Ken Bohn SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER
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ead Keeper Tammy Batson blew the whistle and heads turned—really big heads. Keepers at the San Diego Zoo use this signal to beckon the polar bears off exhibit and into their bedrooms. On this occasion, Tatqiq, a 15-year-old female polar bear, is asked to enter a large, sturdy pen outfitted with a customized “head crate” so that keepers can attach a tracking collar around her neck. A keeper stands on each side, holding both ends of the collar, which droops between them inside the crate. Another keeper is poised at the front of the chute with a delicious (to polar bears) special slurry of diluted canned carnivore food in a syringe, as well as a honey-water chaser. Tatqiq eagerly enters the crate and places her huge head over the collar. The keepers secure the collar (not too tight, not too loose) with tiny nuts and a wrench, as the bear laps up her positive reinforcement. Even after the collar is on, Tatqiq lingers in the crate, looking with shiny, curious eyes, clearly unfettered by her “bear bling.” Her mighty paws are the size of dinner plates and her claws could open just about anything, yet there is an undeniable connection to this Arctic creature.
What the Collar Reveals
After about four months of getting used to the collar, Tatqiq will graduate to a collar
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containing an (expensive) accelerometer. This instrument will provide critical baseline data for the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) “Changing Arctic Ecosystems Initiative,” led by research biologist Anthony Pagano. The data collected from Tatqiq’s collar—revealed as squiggly lines resembling an EKG—will be correlated with her observed and recorded movements while she was wearing the collar. This information can then be tied to Tatqiq’s established behaviors, resulting in an “activity signature.” Researchers can look at the collar data and know what the bear was doing. These activity signatures can then
be compared to data collected from collars on wild polar bears, providing researchers with a strong degree of certainty about the wild bears’ behaviors. In essence, Tatqiq is calibrating the accelerometer so it can be used to track polar bear activities. When the collars are placed on bears in the wild, and then retrieved after the batteries wear down in 9 to 12 months, researchers use the data to help establish the ways that shrinking sea ice has impacted wild polar bears. This is an important guide for future environmental management decisions. Tatqiq is a sparkling example of how zoo animals can benefit conservation science and their wild counterparts.
Changing Fast Polar bears Ursus maritimus are one of the most recognizable species on the planet. They inhabit five nations: United States (Alaska), Canada, Russia, Norway, and Greenland. But despite their remote habitat, they continue to suffer from poor body condition and low rate of cub survival, due to the dramatic decline of sea ice. Polar bears rely on sea ice as platforms from which to hunt ringed seals, their primary food source.
With less sea ice and fewer hunting opportunities, female bears can end up with reduced instead of increased body fat as they den up and enter a months-long fast to give birth and nurse cubs—which can spell disaster for both mother and offspring. Anthony explained that the goal of this initiative is to “discover how polar bears are responding to declines in sea ice and the implications for polar bear survival.” As the polar bears must move farther to find food, some bears have been found to travel hundreds of miles to the pack ice up north in the summer, and then travel back in the fall when the sea ice returns, which is likely increasing their energy expenditure.
Keeping a Close Watch Recent analyses have suggested that the size of some subpopulations of polar bears appear to have stabilized, but the age structure may be changing. In some areas, cub survivorship has declined by 80 percent. This means “no
next generation, no recruitment,” said Megan Owen, Ph.D., associate director of San Diego Zoo Global’s Applied Animal Ecology division. In 10 to 20 years, when the adult polar bear lifespan is spent, bear populations could crash, making it all the more difficult for the species to rebound. “We know that polar bears are energetically impacted by climate change,” said Megan. “The objective of this project is to learn how the bears move across the landscape, how changes in the sea ice impact their behavior, and ultimately to connect these data to how they use energy.” Since 1985, the USGS Alaska Science Center has been conducting research on polar bears in Alaska and neighboring Canada to inform local, state, national, and international policy regarding conservation of this species and its Arctic habitat. The goal of the current study is to “refine and enhance models to project the future status of polar bears in the rapidly changing Arctic environment.” In other words, don’t wait until the species is in
Activity Signatures from the Accelerometer Collar
Top: Through positive reinforcement food rewards, Tatqiq was asked to enter this large crate so that keepers could place the collar on her. She seemed to enjoy the attention as they put on her bling. Middle: Senior keeper Tammy Batson holds the training collar (left) and the accelerometer collar (right). Bottom: Resembling an EKG readout, the accelerometer data is paired with observed behavior creating a baseline activity signature. (Graph courtesy of USGS) SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL
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Tatqiq was not shy about displaying “normal” polar bear behaviors while wearing her collar.
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TAMMY SPRATT / SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER
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PHOTO BY GEORGE DURNER, U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
Climate change has greatly reduced the Arctic sea ice, which polar bears use as a platform when hunting ringed seals.
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PHOTO BY GEORGE DURNER, U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
USGS researchers are processing an anesthetized polar bear. After samples are collected, female bears get an accelerometer collar, while males, whose necks are too thick to keep one on, get a tag glued to their shoulder. Data gleaned from wild bears guide wildlife management decisions.
the ICU before we spring into action—change the situation before it becomes critical.
Patience and Technology Anthony and his USGS team (3 biologists and a pilot) use a helicopter to travel up to 80 miles offshore in search of polar bears. They search for a sea ice lead edge system where seals haul out and bears gather to wait for them. But the ice needs to be solid enough to hold both the helicopter and the bear, and far enough from the water that the bear won’t fall in after it is darted. Once the bear has been anesthetized, the biologists process the animal, which includes collecting blood and fur samples for genetic, diet, and health studies. It takes about an hour. While male polar bears cannot be collared (their necks are about the same width
as their heads, so the collar would slip off), they get a satellite tag glued to the shoulder, which lasts two to three months. It provides location-based telemetry data but does not provide any information on behaviors. If the biologists dart a female bear, she receives a collar. The small box on the collar contains the accelerometer, battery, GPS transmitter, iridium transmitter, and sensors to track activities, salt water, and temperature. Sounds pretty straightforward, with the bear sleeping through the process, but as Anthony pointed out, it is not without challenges. “There can be temperature issues with the equipment, the bears can be destructive with the collars, they live in harsh and remote areas, and we have about a six-week window to retrieve the collars.” Nonetheless, USGS managed to place accelerometers on 13 bears
in 2014, and they hope to put them on 20 bears this year.
From San Diego to the Arctic San Diego Zoo Global is glad to support this vital conservation study. Megan adds that it provides enrichment for Tatqiq, too. “She gets excited about participating!” In addition to working with a really smart and enthusiastic bear, Megan attributes the collaring success to the polar bear keepers, who have done a fantastic job training Tatqiq and troubleshooting throughout the process. As Tatqiq provides baseline data so that information from collars on wild bears can be more accurately interpreted, her participation is more than a nod to her wild counterparts. It is a colossal help for her species. n
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NOT JUST WINGING IT
Training Birds of Prey 40
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Although a trainer’s gloved hand is the primary “home base,” the birds are trained to target landing sites used during shows.
By Wendy Perkins STAFF WRITER
Photos by Ken Bohn SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER
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hey make it look so easy: a trainer holds out a gloved hand, gives a whistle or call, and a bird of prey glides over and softly lands on target. Yet reaching that point takes a great deal of time, as well as patience, persistence, and positive reinforcement.
Bird by Bird
At the San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s Frequent Flyers bird show, the trainers work with a variety of winged wonders, including birds of prey. Just as every individual bird is unique, each species has its own habits that must be considered and respected during training. Working with a parrot? Toys and social interaction are favorite rewards. But “birds of prey aren’t like parrots,” explains Heather Gunn Pens, lead animal trainer. “They’re not as interested in toys during training, just give them food!”
Building a Bond
For a trained bird of prey, the glove functions as the bird’s “home base,” which is one reason it returns when recalled. “We pair what we want the bird to like with what it already enjoys,” says Heather. By holding a piece of food with the glove and encouraging the bird to step onto the leather to eat, the glove becomes the “happy place.” It doesn’t happen overnight—bird trainers dedicate an enormous amount of time to building that deep connection with each bird they work with.
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Flaps Up: A bird like this crowned crane can manipulate its feathers, wings, and tail to reduce speed as it comes in for a landing.
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Audience members truly get a bird’s-eye view of the intricate shifting of feathers, wings, and body posture required for a pinpoint landing.
A trained East African crowned crane glides across the stage using its wingspan of more than six feet.
Flight Training
Milky eagle owls Hinkley and Thatcher came to the Frequent Flyers show at about four to five weeks old. Although they had feathers, they couldn’t yet fly. In fact, they still sat on their haunches most of the time. They also couldn’t swallow food on their own! “We did just what their parents would have done,” says Heather. “We carefully put food into their mouth and gently pushed it
down into their throat.” This interaction at such a tender young age established a bond between the birds and their trainers.
Next Step: Preflight Preparations
When they first arrived, Hinkley and Thatcher underwent a routine 30-day quarantine period at the Park’s veterinary hospital. In addition to care from the hospital
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A milky eagle owl employs deep, strong wingbeats in flight. Because of the feather structure common to all owls, it flies silently.
The Perfect Landing Spot? You! Go Behind the Scenes with Birds of Prey
If you’ve ever wondered how it feels to have a raptor land on your arm or wanted to know more about what it’s like to work with a bird of prey, here’s your chance: the Birds of Prey Behind-the-Scenes Safari at the Park. During this two-hour program, you’ll visit and feed birds in the Park’s Wings of the World aviary and spend time with our expert bird trainers. Participants can don a glove and experience the precision flight of a Harris’s hawk, observe the silent flight of a milky eagle owl and hold it on their arm, and meet an African crowned crane up close...feather close! Our photographers will capture the amazing moments so you can stay focused and truly “watch the birdie!” This is the perfect opportunity for bird lovers ages 12 and older to enjoy the power and beauty of birds of prey. This special Behind-the-Scenes Safari is offered on select days. For more information and to reserve a spot, visit sdzsafaripark.org/safari/behind-scenes-safari or call 619-718-3000.
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Like others of their kind, milky eagle owls are farsighted. Stiff bristles around the beak help these birds feel where the meal is as they feed.
keepers, the youngsters had frequent visits from the bird show trainers, who always brought their leather gloves along. At first, the owls simply ran to the trainers (food!), and then every so often the trainers saw the birds managing a hop and a couple of small f lapping movements. “Once they got the hang of hopping onto the glove, we’d move our hand a few inches away to encourage them to make a longer leap,” said Heather. “After a while, when they saw us coming, they would hop onto a perch to get as close to us as possible!” Soon, the birds were able to hop/flap onto the gloves easily. As the trainers extended the distance the owls needed to cover, the birds began to fly. When their quarantine ended, they moved to the show area for “birdy boot camp,” to build strength and endurance.
Soaring Success
By this time, going from one trainer to another was second nature to Hinkley and Thatcher. Since the muscles they use to fly
upward are different than those used to fly downward, the trainers used the show’s seating area to do a modified version of running bleachers: f ly up a few benches to a trainer, then downhill to another. To make sure the birds didn’t get overtired, the trainers watched them carefully (and still watch them like—well, a hawk). “Birds are all about body posturing, so we watch them for cues to their engagement level,” says Heather. “Head-bobbing indicates excitement, a readiness to ‘work.’ But if the bird is just on the glove looking around, that’s a signal it isn’t ready or has had enough.” It’s important that training sessions always end on a positive note, so the trainers keep bouts relatively short to keep the bird’s energy level up and interest high. Soon, Thatcher and Hinkley joined the cast in “walk-on” roles. Bringing them onstage during shows let them get used to having a crowd in their workspace. But the bird show amphitheater isn’t their only stage. In addition to acting as animal ambassadors during pre- and post-show presentations
outside the amphitheater, they demonstrate their flying skills up close for participants of the new Birds of Prey experience (see sidebar). To introduce them to the new flight area, Heather and the other trainers took the birds to the location and just sat with them at first. “Once we’ve been there a few times, we start doing short flights with lots of food rewards to make the new location a positive place,” explains Heather.
Talented Talons
In human culture, birds of prey are imbued with a powerful, sometimes strongly spiritual connection. Seeing a bird of prey up close sitting on a trainer’s glove is a thrill in its own right. Yet, when lanner falcon Bukura, Harris’s hawk Spike, and Thatcher or Hinkley demonstrate their natural freeflight skills, it touches a spot deep in the soul. For a moment, one connects and soars with the bird. For that, we can be grateful they are willing to share their talent and lives with us. n
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support
Erma and Burdell Bulgrin A Lifelong Love for the Safari Park By Mary Sekulovich SENIOR EDITOR, DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
Photos by Ken Bohn SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER
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The Bulgrins’ first gift was for southern white rhinos at the Safari Park.
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W
ith more than 5 million visitors to the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park each year, some of them come to us from other cities or even from other countries. And some of them go on to become great friends of the Zoo and Park. When visiting the San Diego Zoo many years ago from Long Beach, California, Erma and Burdell Bulgrin noticed a sign that asked for donations. This led them to write and ask if non-San Diego residents could contribute. A speedy reply led to the Bulgrins becoming members, and each year after that they increased their support for the Zoological Society. After enjoying a behind-the-scenes tour at the Zoo in 1979, the very next day they stopped at the Safari Park (formerly known as the Wild Animal Park) to ask about a project they could support. The southern white rhino exhibit was mentioned, they made their first gift, and that started a relationship with the Safari Park that never wavered for nearly four decades. Looking back, Erma and Burdell were true animal lovers. They owned a time-share condominium in Escondido, so they often spent week-long stretches at the Safari Park. The Bulgrins provided major funding for the Asian elephant barn and pool, an ambulance, new flagpoles, and a flag endowment fund. They supported the Park in so many ways, including the veterinary center, tapir exhibit, bonobo habitat, and greenhouse. They also stepped forward to help repair damage from a wildfire that devastated the San Pasqual Valley near the Park. But as much as they loved the Park, they were also strong supporters of the Zoo: there’s hardly a major exhibit they did not support, from golden monkeys in 1986 to The Harry and Grace Steele Elephant Odyssey in 2008. Burdell also donated hundreds of orchids from his private collection to the Zoo. In fact, after Burdell passed away in 1997, Erma continued her support of both parks and the research team until she died in 2013. Since they had set up a Pooled Income Fund in 1993 to benefit the Park, when they passed away, the Park was also included as their primary beneficiary. In remembering the Bulgrins, their family emphasizes how much they loved the Safari Park and how much they loved the Asian elephant pool, always spending time there when they visited. At a bench in Hidden Jungle, the inscription reads “Enjoy the Animals. In honor of our special friends, Erma and Burdell Bulgrin.” For those who knew them well, they are both special and unforgettable. n
You can help secure the future for wildlife!
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 visit our website at zoolegacy.org or call 619-557-3947.
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From top: Elephants at the Safari Park were among Erma and Burdell’s favorites, and they always spent time there when they visited. During every visit, the Bulgrins always enjoyed spending time watching the Safari Park’s elephants. On summer days, our herd can be seen cooling off in the pool. Elephants at the Safari Park were among Erma and Burdell’s favorites, and they always spent time there when they visited.
Ranchipur, our Asian bull elephant.
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from the archives
“Waddle” You Know? We’ve Always Loved Penguins “Charlie Chaplin should be careful That he’s never treated rough, For it’s from the funny penguin Charlie really stole his stuff…” Thus begins a poem by Mr. E.R. Grant, published as part of his “Zoological Rhymes” collection in 1936, singing the praises of penguins. He wasn’t their only fan: these dapper little water birds have been delighting Zoo visitors since 1933, when Galápagos penguins were brought to San Diego from Albermarle (now Isabela Island) in the Galápagos Islands. While small in stature, the penguins were a big attraction. The July 1935 issue of ZOONOOZ proclaimed, “Next to the gorillas, the penguins are the most popular exhibit with our visitors of anything in the zoo.” Guests were so
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fascinated by the nattily attired feathered friends that they gathered daily to watch as web-footed stars Isabel and Isodore, seen here, led a daily procession of penguins to their pool, “entertaining grownups and children alike.” The Zoo’s penguin collection expanded over the years to include emperor, king, and Adélie penguin species. In July 1958, the Penguin Pavilion opened at the Zoo, located where the Warner Administration Building is today, and exhibited the popular swimming birds until they left the collection in the 1980s. But now penguins are back! They returned to the Zoo late last year, with two African penguin brothers taking up temporary residence in the Children’s Zoo. They will move to the Penguin Beach habitat in Conrad Prebys Africa Rocks when it opens in 2017, along with a bevy of flock mates. Isn’t it wonderful to renew old friendships? n
PUBLISHED SINCE 1926
APRIL 2015 MANAGING EDITOR
KAREN E. WORLEY
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
PEGGY SCOTT
STAFF WRITERS
KEN BOHN TAMMY SPRATT
DIGITAL IMAGING TECHNICIAN
TAMMY SPRATT
SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL™ VIDEOGRAPHERS
LXXXVIII–NO. 4
WENDY PERKINS KARYL CARMIGNANI
SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL™ PHOTOGRAPHER
DESIGN AND PRODUCTION
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DAMIEN LASATER CHRISTOPHER MARTIN KERRI ABRAMS HEIDI SCHMID-ROMERO STEPHANIE BEVIL-PAGADUAN DENNIS CORBRAN KAMBIZ MEHRAFSHANI KRISTIN NIELSEN KIM TURNER LISA BISSI LEE RIEBER MARIA BERNAL-SILVA DUSTIN TRAYER
The Zoological Society of San Diego was founded in October 1916 by Harry M. Wegeforth, M.D., as a private, nonprofit corporation that now does business as San Diego Zoo Global. This digital edition of ZOONOOZ® is currently published every month. Versions are available for download on iPads and a PDF version is available for viewing on Kindle Fire, desktops, Android devices, and smartphones. Publisher is San Diego Zoo Global, at 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA 92103, 619-231-1515. Copyright® 2015 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 $125, new; $110, renewal. Single $102, new; $90, renewal. Membership includes unlimited entrance to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
SAN DIEGO ZOO HOURS: April 1–12; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 13–30; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
SAN DIEGO ZOO SAFARI PARK HOURS: April 1–12; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 13–30; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information about our animals and events, visit sandiegozoo.org or call 619-231-1515.