inside february 2014
Romancing the Cheetah The fastest land mammal is running into trouble, but help is on the way.
wildlife
In Step with the Ornate Hawk-eagle This fancy-feathered hunting bird means business!
Nice and Slow: Young Sloth Charms at Her Own Speed Xena the Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth excels at conquering hearts.
conservation
Saiga: Nosing Away from Extinction
Local Turtles Get a Headstart
Helping a scarce and sensitive species in the Eurasian steppe.
Pond turtles released into the wild with radio transmitters attached to them have much to share.
explore
Proving Their “Medal:” All-Star Athletes of the Animal Kingdom Critters of all kinds have what it takes to “go for the gold.”
Follow the Culinary Trail Among the many gardens at the San Diego Zoo is one that guests find especially tantalizing.
more
What’s in Store
Support
Through the Lens
Chairman’s Note
You Said It
From the Archives
on the cover: Cheetah cub Acinonyx jubatus
©Ken Bohn, SDZG Photographer
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chairman’s note
Become a Wildlife Hero
A
s a conservation organization dedicated to the science of saving species, San Diego Zoo Global’s commitment to wildlife is a top priority. Our conservation team members are leading and inspiring protection efforts around the globe, working on more than 130 conservation projects in 62 countries. In addition, the breeding of endangered species and a wide variety of conservation studies are ongoing at the Zoo, the Safari Park, and the Institute for Conservation Research. I am proud of the fact that we have reintroduced more endangered species back into the wild than any other conservation organization, and that for many species these efforts have meant the difference between extinction and survival. I am also grateful for the support of our members, donors, and visitors, without whom this work would not be possible. And now there is another way to become a part of our organization and help make a difference for wildlife: joining the San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy. Just as we have broadened the reach of ZOONOOZ through creating digital versions that can be read anywhere, we are now reaching out beyond Southern California to people who want to join us in the effort to save species from extinction. By becoming Wildlife Heroes, they will help provide a consistent and reliable source of funding that will strengthen and expand our wildlife fieldwork and scientific research.
SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL OFFICERS Richard B. Gulley, Chairman William H. May, Vice Chairman Sandra A. Brue, Secretary Robert B. Horsman, Treasurer BOARD OF TRUSTEES M. Javade Chaudhri Berit N. Durler Clifford W. Hague Nan C. Katona Patricia L. Roscoe Steven G. Tappan Judith A. Wheatley David S. Woodruff, Ph.D., D.Sc. TRUSTEES EMERITI Frank C. Alexander Kurt Benirschke, M.D. Weldon Donaldson Thompson Fetter Bill L. Fox Frederick A. Frye, M.D. George L. Gildred Yvonne W. Larsen John M. Thornton Albert Eugene Trepte Betty Jo F. Williams William E. Beamer, General Counsel Douglas G. Myers, President/CEO Charles L. Bieler, Executive Director Emeritus
The Foundation of San Diego Zoo Global OFFICERS Murray H. Hutchison, Chair Maryanne C. Pfister, Vice Chair Susan N. McClellan, Secretary Richard M. Hills, Treasurer Mark A. Stuart, President Richard B. Gulley, 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 Craig A. Irving Michael E. Kassan Susan B. Major Michael D. McKinnon George A. Ramirez Thomas Tull Margie Warner Ed Wilson
Our Wildlife Conservancy’s projects have included efforts for elephants, gorillas, and cheetahs in Africa; desert tortoises, California condors, and polar bears in the Americas; and Przewalski’s horses, giant pandas, and hornbills in Asia, among many more. The Wildlife Conservancy brings people and groups together to collaborate on solutions and takes an innovative and multidisciplinary approach to conservation challenges. If you or someone you know would like to join the San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy in our fight to end extinction, I encourage you to consider becoming a Wildlife Hero. With your help and support, we hope to create a future in which people and wildlife can thrive together.
Rick Gulley Chairman
you said it
Thank you @sandiegozoo for a great Backstage Pass & birthday! #rhinolove
@gazindesign
I am recovering from a major motorcycle accident. I have watched the O’s [orangutans] to brighten my day. I enjoy watching them frolic and play and am very excited to welcome the new baby! Thank you for taking such wonderful care of the O’s and allowing us to be part of their daily lives [via Ape Cam]. Lord knows they have touched mine deeply!
Tricia
Have you been to the @sdzsafaripark in SoCal? Probably the most unique animal park I’ve ever visited!
@alexanderkrikes
What a vivid description of the cold and sleep deprivation for the sake of these dear creatures. Thank you for caring for them! Most of us will never know what researchers endure for the sake of their animal subjects. Blogs like yours are very interesting and enlightening. Thank you for taking the time to write it. I am hopeful that your work will help these kangaroo rats in their survival.
MaewasfromNJ
The Cheetah Run was truly AMAZING. My heart was beating so fast to see her run right in front of us and to be so close.
Beth Montalvo
I like the SD Zoo, but I like the @sdzsafaripark even more! Worth checking out for those who have never been!
@jcgolfing
@sandiegozoo My wife says she’s not just any tiger today, she’s Connor!
@pulpjedi
Sumatran orangutan Pongo abelii
By Peggy Scott ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Photos by Ken Bohn SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER
NICE AND SLOW
W
Young Sloth Charms at Her Own Speed
hile the Zoo’s newest animal ambassador may not finish first in any foot races, Xena, our nine-month-old Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth, is scoring fans at a record pace. “Everyone who sees her loves her,” says Katie Miller, a senior keeper at the Zoo, “and they are curious about her and sloths in general.” Xena’s adoring subjects have a special connection to the cute critter—they helped bestow her with that mighty moniker. It was chosen via an online naming contest and won in a landslide, garnering about half of the total votes! It’s also a family name of sorts: sloths belong to the taxonomic superorder Xenarthra, a group that also includes armadillos and anteaters. She is certainly in special—if not speedy—company.
And even if button-nosed, five-andone-half-pound Xena isn’t an actual princess (or a warrior, for that matter), when it comes to spreading the word about conservation, she is becoming royalty. “She’s already appeared at several special events and is also a part of our Backstage Pass (program),” Katie says. Xena, a young sloth, is attached to keeper Katie Miller—and “She is doing her part vice versa. to share the story of sloths and other animals in the tropical forests and cloud forests in Central and South America.” Should you happen upon Xena during one of her appearances, you might as well simply surrender, because this happy little herbivore is certain to capture your heart.
Romancing the Cheetah Spotting Solutions for Sustainability
The spacious off-exhibit cheetah breeding center at the Safari Park gives the cats room and reason to behave like cheetahs.
By Karyl Carmignani STAFF WRITER
Photos by Ken Bohn SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER
S
he flopped down in the swaying grass, languidly observing her surroundings, the tip of her three-foot-long tail twitching. Lanky and graceful, this spotted cat is a sight to behold. Unfortunately, the male in the pen next door is not so smitten with her. That could be a hint that the cheetah population in US zoos is not sustainable; if the current trend continues, cheetahs could vanish from zoos and breeding centers within the next 50 years. That, combined with their numbers declining in the wild in 22 of the 24 African countries in which they live, could spell disaster for the fastest land mammal on Earth. But there is hope! Taking a holistic and collaborative approach, San Diego Zoo Global is a leading partner in the newly formed cheetah Breeding Center Coalition (BCC), whose goal is to develop a sustainable population of cheetahs in the US, with plans for
Scientists at the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research examine fecal samples to determine stress levels in the cats.
integrating cats from zoos or breeding centers overseas in the works to maintain genetic diversity. We also work closely with scientists who are teasing out the particulars of this fussy feline’s preferences and passions. Based on official studbook records and management objectives, the BCC strategically matches and moves cheetahs from around the country in the hope of getting more “cubs on the ground” and creating a sustainable population. “Our work continues to be groundbreaking, but we can’t achieve sustainability alone,” said Matt Anderson, Ph.D., director of the Behavioral Ecology Division of the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research. As one of the two San Diego Zoo Global representatives on the BCC, he works closely with the other eight member organizations to pool information, share ideas and husbandry challenges, and provide updates. There are another 127 organizations accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) that have cheetahs, including places that have them on exhibit, and are
Cheetahs are mysterious and complex animals, particularly in their breeding behaviors.
Female cheetahs are also conditioned to sit for an ultrasound exam, in exchange for a treat.
willing to have them participate in the breeding program. “We were able to identify genetically important individuals and create a master plan,” explained Autumn Nelson, animal care supervisor at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and a representative on the BCC. “Getting these cats into the breeding program is key, and the AZA’s Species Survival Program is in agreement.”
Cat Ways Cheetahs are mysterious and complex animals, particularly in their breeding behaviors. In addition to being finicky breeders, female cheetahs can also present a pregnancy with all the hormonal signs that a litter is coming, but then their hormone levels suddenly flatline. In the Institute’s Endocrinology Laboratory, Corinne Pisacane, senior research technician, is taking a historical look at cheetah pregnancies to discern when and why females exhibit a “fake one.” This entails running assays on samples from our cheetahs going back almost 10 years. Corinne tests
Carmel Witte, researcher, and Safari Park veterinarian Nadine Lamberski, D.V.M., give a cheetah a body-condition exam.
fecal samples to monitor progesterone levels. This is a noninvasive way to track each female’s reproductive possibilities. A potential tool in the “is she or isn’t she” kit assesses glucocorticoid levels (stress hormones) in fecal samples; this may help determine a pregnancy at 25 days gestation instead of the current 60-day wait. The results will indicate if the female is pregnant or if she should be paired with a male again.
Low-tech Possibilities It appears that novelty could be the spice of life for some cheetahs. In the wild, males typically stake out their territory and females peruse multiple territories to find Mr. Right—or “Rights.” A genetic study from 2007 showed that 43 percent of litters in the wild with more than one cub were fathered by more than one male. This indicates that a female might be looking for multiple males during one estrus, or she might not have been looking for that situation but was bred by more than one male. Cheetah keepers noticed that sometimes when they moved the
Three’s company! Cubs seem to enjoy life to the fullest.
cats, just being in a new environment could stimulate the females to breed. This has resulted in a discussion to alter quarantine protocols within the Safari Park’s cheetah program. At some of the breeding centers, the cats remain in a 30-day quarantine before they are moved to the new facility so that they can be paired while they are still very interested in the new fellows. To avoid over-familiarity, black cloth has been hung inside pens so that the cats cannot see each other, which may facilitate more interest when they are introduced. Another factor may be the weight of cheetahs in zoos. Though they appear svelte, they are actually heavier, on average, than wild cheetahs. The additional weight could be impacting their reproductive success, but further research is still needed. Our off-exhibit cheetah breeding facility (located east of the Safari Park) has spacious, quiet outdoor pens with trees and grass, much like the African savanna; two maternity dens are also available for moms-to-be. There is a two-foot-wide alley that runs in front of the pens, and when keepers move the cheetahs to different areas, the cats tend to strut their stuff when passing other cats—a true “catwalk.” This
can get both parties in the mood for love! “We have a fluid, flexible protocol with the cheetahs,” said Autumn. “We try to mimic what they would experience in the wild and keep the cats interested with minimal stress.” If a female is receptive and seems interested in a particular male, keepers even arrange a sleepover for the amorous pair. “Sometimes they just want a bit more privacy,” she added.
Beating the Odds Cheetahs were breeding well in US zoos for many years, so much so that in the late 1990s, there was a moratorium on breeding the cats, which lasted five years. Once the suspension was lifted, many of the cheetahs were past their prime for breeding or just naïve about the whole thing. It is possible that cheetahs that didn’t breed before the moratorium don’t have a suitable demeanor, and now those cats are underrepresented in the gene pool and are exactly the ones needed to maintain diversity in the zoo population. According to Lance Miller, Ph.D., a scientist with the Institute for Conservation Research, less that 5 percent of zoo cheetahs bred in 2012, while it is estimated that 95 percent of cheetahs in the wild bred but typically suffered a high infant-mortality rate due to predation by lions and hyenas. At San Diego Zoo Global, “we are taking a comprehensive approach to figuring out the different factors affecting reproductive success,” Lance said. “That includes nutrition, exercise, enrichment, training, housing, and exhibit design.” Keepers work with the cheetahs to train husbandry behaviors that advance care. The command “rise up” enables keepers to check a cat’s belly to evaluate mammary development in potentially pregnant females. During that time, keepers can even give the cheetah a manicure through the fence. Some of the cheetahs have been trained to hold still for an extended period of time for our medcial staff to administer an ultrasound to monitor pregnancy. The cats are also asked to present various body parts for inspection and tolerate a blood draw and body
palpation. They are trained to feel comfortable in a crate, which “makes their life and ours much easier,” said Autumn. With 17 cheetahs to manage, crate training is key! All this keeper-cat rapport will help keepers maintain a closer eye on any cubs earlier in life, without causing stress to the mother.
Feline Fine Many years ago, animal care staff discovered that the male cheetah’s Cheetah cubs learn important coordination and “stutterbark” sent females into social skills playing with their littermates. reproductive bliss, so our scientists recorded the calls and then played them back to the females to bring them into heat. This worked for a while; however, we are currently not experiencing the same level of success that we did early on in those trials. Lance explained that they are continuing to explore the stutterbark in relation to a male’s response to females in estrus; it may not induce ovulation, as was once thought. This would make sense in the wild, as a female in estrus cruises through multiple males’ territories, and perhaps the males use the stutterbark call to lure her back to their area. More studies are needed. “We are digging deeper into the natural history of this animal,” said Lance, which may “help us discover what we are doing that affects the cheetahs’ reproductive success as compared to cheetahs in the wild.” Getting more cubs on the ground will be a resounding success for us all!
PROVING THEIR “MEDAL” All-Star Athletes of the Animal Kingdom
By Peggy Scott ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Photos by Ken Bohn SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER
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s athletes gather in Sochi, Russia, this month to compete for global glory in their respective sports, they can breathe a sigh of relief that the games they are about to take part in are open only to members of one species: Homo sapiens. Should these tests of speed, strength, and endurance be expanded to include furry, feathered, and finned athletic stars, man and woman might possibly find themselves “runners-up.” Because when it comes to acts of physical prowess, creatures of land, sea, and air surely take the prize. But since environment and species vary widely, it’s difficult to award overall gold, silver, and bronze. Instead, we’ll simply note the performances that are medal worthy in their own categories.
A NEED FOR SPEED Fleetness comes naturally to many animals. In the air, it’s hard to beat the peregrine falcon, which has been clocked at 202 miles per hour in a hunting dive and 56 mph at average horizontal cruising speed. Coming in second is the spine-tailed swift, the fastest bird in powered flight, at 106 mph. Another fleet-winged wonder is the frigate bird—while it clocks in at only 95 mph, it gets extra points for the ability to stay aloft for more than a week, thanks to its large wingspan-to-body-weight ratio. And speaking of birds, the ostrich is a double threat and deserves special mention: not only is it the fastest bird on land (running up to 45 mph), but it’s also the biggest at 345 pounds!
In the water, the sailfish wins, “fins down,” for speed. Zipping through the briny blue at 68 mph, the sailfish also gets the nod for adaptability, as it is able to change colors. It can be seen—if you’re quick enough—in the Indo-Pacific oceans. Marlins swim into second place at 50 mph, just barely besting the wahoo at 48 mph. If the category is marine mammal, there could be a tie for first between the orca and a species of Dolphin, which would be neck and neck (or blowhole and blowhole) at 30 to 35 mph. On good old terra firma, you would have to get one heck of a head start if you wanted to outrun the cheetah, which can reach a top speed of 70 to 75 mph—3 times faster than man’s best, which is about 22 mph. That same human also would be quickly passed by the pronghorn as it sprints by at about 61 mph and might likely be trampled as the blue wildebeest, springbok, and Thompson’s gazelle streak past at nearly 50 mph.
THE FORCE IS WITH THEM Strong is a relative term. Some animals excel at lifting massive weights, while other smaller critters flex their muscles and carry loads bigger than they are. The African elephant is the elephant in the room when it comes to sheer brute force, with a 14,000-pound pachyderm able to carry up to almost 20,000 pounds. At the other end, in the “small but mighty” category, is the rhinoceros beetle, which can lift something 850 times its own weight. And if a human had the strength of a leafcutter ant, which can carry in its jaws something 50 times its size, that person would be able to hoist a truck with his or her teeth! Other animals are no lightweights, either. The Bald Eagle deserves a “hand” for one of its characteristics: Its grip. These eagles have a grip
strength that is 10 times that of the average human. Think twice about extending your hand for a shake! Tigers earn their stripes for their own kind of strength: they can carry something twice their own body weight 10 feet up a tree.
JUMP? HOW HIGH (OR FAR)? There’s a mighty spring in the step of many animals. The red kangaroo, for example, is the fastest jumper in mammal land, bouncing up to almost 35 mph. Long jump champ? The tiny kangaroo rat has that title in the bag (or cheek pouch): it can jump 45 times its own body length, making it the longest jumper among all mammals when compared to body size. If we’re talking the highest jumper in relation to body side, the klipspringer is head and shoulders above the rest: at about 2 feet tall, this tiny antelope can jump 15 times its own height. In the arachnid world, the jumping spider truly lives up to its name, clearing 100 times its own body length. And if there’s a prize for both longest and highest jumper in the Animal Kingdom, it goes to the flea, which leaps to first place with the amazing ability to jump 220 times its own body length and 150 times its own body height. There are many superstars in the animal world. The competitions would be fierce. And one thing’s for sure: the opening and closing ceremonies of an Animal Kingdom Olympics would be something to see!
These Boots
Hawking
Are Made for
In Step with the Ornate Hawk-eagle
By Peggy Scott ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Photos by Ken Bohn SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER
O
ne look at its sharp, hooked bill and long, blade-like talons, and it’s clear the ornate hawk-eagle Spizaetus ornatus is a hunting bird that means business. And for prey—such as smaller birds, mammals, and reptiles— there is no safety zone: the ornate hawk-eagle can grab a meal from the ground, snatch a snack off a tree branch, or nab a nosh in flight. “They are truly skilled hunters and don’t just prey on smaller birds,” notes Eric Arntzen, a bird keeper at the Zoo. Flexibility in food choice is just one reason the ornate hawk-eagle succeeds in its home in the rain forests, swamps, and pine forests of southeastern Mexico through Central America to Brazil. Furtiveness, strength, and the ability to blend in with the trees all help keep this rapacious raptor on the right track.
The ornate hawk-eagle’s varied coloring helps it blend in with the dappled light filtering through trees.
Built for Speed—and Stealth
A small- to medium-size eagle, the ornate hawk-eagle weighs between 2 and 3½ pounds, with a body length of 23 to 26 inches and a wingspan of 3 to 4 feet. As with most raptors, the female is larger than the male. Strikingly colored, the eagle’s head is topped with a black crown and crest, which usually lies flat but may stand up straight into a type of mohawk when the bird is excited or curious. This eye-catching adornment is reflected in the bird’s name: ornate. The black color accentuates the chestnut tone on both sides of the head and hindneck, as seen in the adult bird at left (the other photos in this article are of sub-adult birds that have not yet developed adult coloring). The ornate hawk-eagle’s varied coloring helps it blend in with the dappled light filtering through trees, allowing it to surreptitiously move from perch to perch. The bird’s undersides are white and boldly marked with black bars, and the feathers even extend down the legs, giving the appearance of wearing boots. This characteristic lands the hawk-eagle in the group known as booted or true eagles, a classification that also includes the Spanish imperial eagle, crowned hawk-eagle, and Verreaux’s eagle, among others. Fancy legwear aside, these birds are—like other eagles—skilled predators.
Rapt(or) Attention
Once an ornate hawk-eagle’s keen, golden eyes have spotted a potential morsel—which may include everything from toucans and parrots to squirrels to even iguanas and snakes—the bird locks on like a feathered heat-seeking missile and quickly ambushes its prey. Outrunning or outflying this winged wonder proves difficult, as the ornate hawk-eagle can reach speeds of up to 60 miles per hour. The long tail aids with maneuverability in flight, giving the bird the ability to snatch prey from the ground, a branch, or even mid-air. And once a meal is nabbed, the ornate hawk-eagle is more than equipped to make short work of most
The ornate hawk-eagle’s long, sharp talons are perfect for gripping prey.
creatures. “They have a sharp, hooked bill capable of tearing flesh and breaking bones,” Eric explains, “And their strong, yellow feet have long, sharp talons that are an equally important tool as the beak for grabbing and feeding on prey.”
Nest, Sweet Nest
When breeding season is in the air (December through September in Central America and August through January in Brazil), the male and female ornate hawk-eagles engage in an aerial display consisting of circling, dives, loops, and claw grappling, all set to calls consisting of a short piping sound repeated two to nine times. Once it’s time to set up housekeeping, both parents build a nest of sticks, with the female constructing most of it. The nest is lined with green leaves and nestled in the fork of a tree 66 to almost 100 feet above the ground. The finished nest, which may be used for many years in a row, measures 3 to 4 feet across and almost 20 inches deep. After an incubation of about 48 days, the single white or pale-blue egg hatches. Eric notes that if the egg is pulled for care in a zoo, multiple clutches are likely. The youngster stays in the nest for about three
months, during which the female looks after it. Once it fledges, however, the duties switch to the male until the chick is ready to leave the territory for life on its own, usually at about one year of age. The young ornate hawk-eagle isn’t a chip off the old bird block yet, however. “It can take up to several years for a chick’s adult plumage to come in,” Eric says. Until then, there is no chestnut plumage like its parents, and instead the bird has a white head, snowy white underparts with significantly less black barring, and brown-black wings. Because the young hawk-eagle stays with its parents for a full year, the adults only breed every two years.
Ornates at the Zoo
The Zoo’s pair of ornate hawk-eagles, both of which are about five years old, have only recently reached maturity and have yet to produce chicks. They came to the Zoo in 2011 and can be seen in their exhibit on Eagle Trail, between the Steller’s sea-eagles and the Andean condors. While the male and female ornate hawk-eagles look similar, except for the size discrepancy, they differ in temperament. “The male is a little more skittish, choosing to stay high up in the trees,” Eric says. “But not the female. She ventures up close to people, and her attitude is ‘C’mon. Bring it.’” So don’t disappoint her. Visit soon and check them out. And if you don’t see them at first, just listen. “Their call is unique,” Eric says. “I could listen to it all day.”
SAIGA
Nosing Away from Extinction
Swipe back and forth between the previous page and this one, and you’ll easily see the difference between a female and male saiga; he has horns and a noticeably larger nasal cavity. By Wendy Perkins STAFF WRITER
Photos by San Diego Zoo Global
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handful of men lay on their bellies at the crest of a ridge, waiting for the dawn’s first light. They had camped farther off the night before and began trekking to this spot in the dark, crawling the last bit to avoid alerting the animals below. As the sun broke over the horizon and light spilled across the steppe, the group’s efforts were rewarded: the sight of hundreds of saiga antelope grazing before them.
Snout and About Bearing the most distinctive—and some would say oddest—nose of any antelope species, saigas are native to the dry steppes and semideserts of eastern Europe and central Asia. Females have a noticeably enlarged nose, but it is almost dainty in comparison to the super-sized snout of the
Saiga Snout Comparison
Saiga
Antelope
Saigas are known for their bulbous snout, but the adaptation is more than skin deep. A comparison between the skulls of a saiga (top) and a typical antelope (bottom) shows that the saiga has more room for a larger nasal cavity. The saiga’s nasal bone is shorter but higher, and the slightly concave shape of the skull scoops out space for greater air volume.
males. Ideas vary as to the purpose of this proboscis. The enlarged interior area may help filter out wind-blown dust and sand, or perhaps it plays a role in communication: males with the largest nose may be able to make low-frequency calls that indicate vigor to competitors. Snout size is one difference between male and female saigas, but there are other traits that contribute to the species’ sexual dimorphism. Males are slightly larger than females, and only males have horns. At the start of the breeding season, male saigas battle one another, head down and horns out, to establish dominance and harems. Unfortunately, the horns that have played an important role in the survival of this species are now contributing to its decline at the hand of humans.
The Saiga Saga Historically, saigas ranged across the Eurasian steppes. At one time, all saigas were believed to be the same species. More recently, the taxonomy has been fine-tuned to differentiate between the Mongolian saiga Saiga tartarica mongolica and the western saiga Saiga tartarica tartarica. Poaching and habitat degradation from livestock overgrazing have taken a heavy toll on both subspecies. Hunted for its meat in the past, the focus these days is on the saiga’s horns, which are highly valued in traditional Asian folk remedies. As
SHUTTERSTOCK
Saigas at the Center for Wild Animals in Kalmykia, Russia, graze and breed in an enclosure almost 160 acres in size.
with rhino horn, the demand far outpaces the supply, driving prices up and making poaching seem worth the risk. The impact has been jaw dropping. In 1996, there were about 196,000 western saigas in Kalmykia (a republic of the Russian Federation). Only 4 years later there were 26,000, and today there are a mere 5,000. In that small remaining population, the proportion of males to females is unbalanced, since poachers—mainly interested in the horns—take only the males. Without a sufficient number of males, optimal breeding can’t take place. Although their population is frightfully small, western saigas aren’t extinct yet, and San Diego Zoo Global is working on making their future more secure.
Meeting a Need From 1970 to 1996, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park had a breeding herd of western saigas, and the more than 100 calves born there set a record among zoos. Because saigas can be difficult to care for, fewer and fewer zoos requested them, and breeding was halted. Yet here was a species in desperate need of conservation, and here we were with lots of good
SAIGA POPULATIONS
1. Pre-Caspian population: approximately 5,000. The Center for Wild Animals and the Stepnoi Reserve are part of this region, where researchers are working to help saigas. 2. Urak: in April 2010, the population here was about 27,000. However, during May of the same year, nearly 12,000 saigas in this population died due to a disease outbreak. 3. Ustiurt: estimated population of 4,900 in 2010. 4. Betpak-Dala: estimated population of about 53,000 in 2010.
information on saiga husbandry. That knowledge was recently put to use to help the struggling wild populations on the Russian steppe. “It’s not the easiest place to work,” says Randy Rieches, Henshaw Curator of Mammals at the Safari Park. “But if not us, who?” Working with the Conservation Centers for Species Survival, San Diego Zoo Global provides funding and expertise to the saiga conservation efforts at the Center for Wild Animals (CWA) and the Stepnoi Reserve in Kalmykia. The CWA keeps more than 100 western saigas in a 159-acre enclosure, where the animals graze and breed. Some of the offspring have been released into the Stepnoi Reserve, where they are watched over by trained rangers. It sounds simple, but the wary, roaming nature of saigas can make it difficult. “This species has been so heavily hunted, they flee at the sight of a human even a half mile away,” explains Randy. “So locating a herd in order to release animals is a challenge, to put it mildly. We communicate with the rangers to find the best places for release.” To help the rangers help the saigas, San Diego Zoo Global provides funds for ve-
hicles, fuel, and spotting scopes so they can effectively patrol the Stepnoi Reserve to watch the health of the herds and address the poaching problem.
Steps on the Steppe Although protected by law and on a reserve, the saiga is still stalked by human threats. Last summer, a single shipment of more than 700 horns was intercepted while being smuggled into China. To combat poaching, young male saigas born at CWA have their horns removed before release, and efforts are being made to open the hearts and minds of the local people to the plight of the saiga. Education is a key component of the conservation efforts at CWA, where a visitors In addition to funding, San Diego Zoo Global center hosts programs about saigas for supports the Center for Wild Animals by schoolchildren. sharing animal husbandry techniques for Planning for the future, San Diego Zoo this sensitive species. Global is supporting construction of a second pen and the digging of new wells to ensure access to water at CWA. A third pen will be constructed at the Stepnoi Reserve to function as a release pen; rather than trying to chase down a herd, release animals can get accustomed to their new environment, and gates can be opened when a herd comes near the area. According to Randy, who was one of those men peering over that ridge as the sun came up, a herd of hundreds of saigas is a sight to behold. Here’s hoping that the sight of saigas doesn’t vanish from our planet.
Local Turtles Get a Headstart
PHOTO BY KEN BOHN, SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER
A radio transmitter was attached to each turtle so researchers could keep tabs on them after they returned to the wild.
By Karyl Carmignani STAFF WRITER
Photos by Tammy Spratt SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER
T
hey have been around since dinosaurs roamed the Earth, inhabiting every continent except Antarctica. Today, they are among the most endangered vertebrates on the planet. Worldwide, 40 percent of turtle species are at immediate risk of extinction, according to Conservation International. In the US, 25 percent of the country’s native turtle species (14 species) receive protection under the Endangered Species Act. In San Diego County, the southwestern pond turtle Actinemys marmorata pallida is getting a “headstart” reclaiming its historic range, thanks to a close partnership between the San Diego Zoo, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and the San Diego Association of Governments. “We are happy with this collaborative project,” said Tommy Owens, senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
The turtles were “headstarted” for three years at the Zoo to improve their chances of survival in the wild.
“So far, the pond turtle reintroduction has exceeded our expectations.” Gazing at a group of paddling turtles awaiting release next summer, I had to agree.
“Scute” Over The “slow-but-sure” shell-toting turtle is both charismatic and enigmatic. People around the world are drawn to them, which is part of the problem. They are over-harvested for food and the pet trade, and many turtle species are reeling from habitat loss and competing with introduced, nonnative animals for food and resources. While the shell protects the turtle’s heart, lungs, and other organs, it cannot protect the animal from the force of humans. A turtle’s shell (or carapace) is made of about 60 bones and is covered with plates called scutes. Its rib cage is part of the shell. The southwestern pond turtle is a “hidden-necked turtle,” meaning it can pull its head and legs into its shell at the first flicker of danger. These turtles have large feet
PHOTO BY KEN BOHN, SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER
and claws to trek over land in search of water sources. They require woodland habitat for water, food, basking sites, nesting areas, and safe overwintering spots. “These turtles don’t dig burrows but instead slide under the leaf litter or under shrubs during the winter months,” explained Tommy.
Egging Them On
In 2003, it was discovered that the once-plentiful southwestern pond turtle, which is genetically distinct from the northern variety, persisted in five small, isolated populations throughout San Diego County. The introduced African clawed frog, red-eared slider (a semi-aquatic turtle), and crayfish have taken a toll on this local reptile. It was clear this native species needed some intervention. In 2009, researchers collected wild turtles, checking gravid females for eggs. Tommy explained how they held the turtle up and gently felt in front of the female’s rear legs for eggs. If the eggshells were hard, the turtle was brought to the Zoo for a radiograph to confirm and count the eggs. Once she laid her clutch, the eggs were carefully placed in an incubator in a quiet, secluded spot for three months, and the female was returned to the wild as soon as possible. The sex of hatchlings is influenced by temperature, with warmer nests resulting in more female offspring, cooler nests yielding more males. The eggs were incubated for an even male-female ratio. The tiny hatchlings, about the size of a human thumbnail (“That was surprising!” said Tommy), remained in the nest cavity through the winter months, subsisting on the yolk from their egg for up to two months. In the springtime, they got their own microcosm of the wild—a land and water enclosure. “We housed them separately at first to minimize competition for food,” said Tommy. They could bask in the sun and grew strong on a diet of crickets, mealworms, guppies and minnows, and a special turtle gel that allowed keepers to add a variety of ingredients, including proteins and minerals. “We included fresh ground greens, which are colorful to them, and ‘turtle brittle,’ a dried mixture, to make sure they were
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getting all the trace minerals they needed,” said Tommy. They were not fed large quantities of food, to ensure they grew at a normal rate. But nutritional variety was important, as they would consume a broad range of foods in the wild.
Headstart!
Once the hatchlings were three years old, they were TURTLE SKELETON hardy enough to fend for themselves in the wild and large enough to support a radio transmitter, which would allow researchers to keep tabs on them. USGS staff had also removed many of the nonnative species like sunfish and bullfrogs from the introduction site. On a warm summer day last July, five turtles were released into the Sycuan Peak Ecological Reserve. Each turtle swam swiftly into the murky pond to start its life anew. Researchers have been able to track them, and so far, the released turtles are all staying at the same pond. After two months, they caught the turtles to place longer-lasting transmitters on them. Happily, the turtles were a bit larger (though they still easily fit into the palm of a hand!) and all were doing remarkably well. “We even caught a couple of turtles not part of the project, which means this is a great microhabitat for them,” said Tommy. “The fact that all five of our headstarted turtles not only survived but are thriving really exceeded our expectations for the project!” He went on to say that, “Lessons learned from headstarting southwestern pond turtles will help us bolster dwindling populations of other isolated populations not able to recover on their own.” The next group of five turtles is slated for release in the summer of 2014. It is an exciting time for California’s only native freshwater turtle!
FoLlOw tHe
CuLiNaRy TrAiL
Mixing flowers and veggies, like these marigolds among kohlrabi plants, attracts beneficial insects and sometimes deters pests.
By Wendy Perkins STAFF WRITER
Photos by Ken Bohn SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER
I
t’s no secret that people visit a zoo for the animals. What might not be as well known is the number of people who discover the wonders of plants during their outing at the San Diego Zoo—and that’s just why the Culinary Trail was created. “We’re always looking for ways to reach out to the guests,” says Adam Painter, a Zoo horticulturist. “And people do flock to it!” Measuring a few hundred feet long, the Culinary Trail borders Front Street across from the Bactrian camels. A variety of lavenders, thyme, sages, and other herbs grow among cucumbers and tomatoes in the summer and broccoli and lettuce in the winter. “It’s the only ‘scratchn-sniff’ garden at the Zoo,” says Laureen Bellmer, a senior horticul-
The Culinary Trail is a demonstration garden that shows possible solutions to garden challenges. For example, stacking planters are a clever way to make the most of a small garden space.
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turist. “Whenever we’re out here, we stop and talk to visitors and encourage them to get to know the plants and talk about how we care for them.” One thing the Culinary Trail demonstrates is that you’ll never know what you can grow unless you try. At first glance, it doesn’t seem like a perfect spot. A lush vine covers the fence between the Zoo and the school next door, and its aggressive roots eagerly fill the soil in search of water and nutrients. “In some places,” Laureen explains, “we piled compost up on top of the soil, then scooped out a shallow dish in the middle for some potting soil and a plant. We made a space where there wasn’t one before.” Stackable planters take advantage of the vertical space along the Culinary Trail. Charles Boukas, Albert’s Restaurant chef, thinks the stackable planters are an important ingredient in the garden. “When guests see what we have growing in them, it really opens their eyes to the possibilities at their own homes,” he says. “It truly is a demonstration garden, in that it shows how to use a small space to a great advantage.” Charles played a part in the creation of the Culinary Trail. Originally he had approached Mike Bostwick, Zoo curator of horticulture, for help in picking a site for a “chef’s garden” close to the restaurant. While that area had many challenges, Mike thought that the planter across from the camels had promise. That corner of the Zoo was already being used to grow bananas and a few other fruits, so it worked thematically as well as spatially. While the Culinary Trail doesn’t produce vegetables and fruit on a scale large enough to use at Albert’s, Charles does harvest and incorporate some of the herbs in his creations. Sweet bay laurel is one of his favorites, and he finds many uses for
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the thyme that thrives in the garden. Each spring, Charles creates small tasting plates for Albert’s diners, and twice a year he participates in the Sunrise Surprise Stroll tours, where he invites participants to pluck and sample select leaves and blossoms. If the way to a loved one’s heart is through the stomach, perhaps paving that path with fresh vegetables, fruits, and herbs is the way to go—and maybe the Zoo’s Culinary Trail can help lead the way.
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what’s in store
Tagua Earrings $16.95
Large Beaded Flamingo $275 Tagua Neckace $36.95
Visit our shops at the Zoo and Safari Park to purchase these featured items. Dry Muscat Wine $18
Items and prices may vary based on availability. Available in select stores.
Coasters $14.95 each
Wine Glasses $24.95 each
Small Beaded Flamingo $39.95
support
PRESIDENT’S CLUBS Friends, Philanthropy, and Fabulous Photos!
W
hen you become a member of our President’s Clubs, you’ll enjoy greater involvement with the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park as well as with our animals. “Inspirational,” “rewarding,” and “fun” are words we often hear from members when describing what membership in President’s Clubs means to them. Through four levels of annual giving—Ambassadors, Patrons, Partners, and Associates—President’s Clubs members are philanthropic friends who share our commitment to conservation and wildlife. They are provided with many benefits, including an insider’s perspective of the work we do, special events, trips, unique animal encounters, and activities that feature engaging speakers such as keepers, veterinarians, curators, and researchers. One of our recent activities was the annual Wildlife Wonders Photo Contest, with the first-place photos published in this digital edition of ZOONOOZ. Please enjoy these winning photos and consider joining President’s Clubs so you can experience a deeper relationship with the Zoo and perhaps even enter our 2014 photo contest!
2013 President’s Clubs Photo Contest: First-Place Winners
Animals in Their Native Habitats Photo by Deborah Komatsu
Reptiles or Amphibians at a Zoo or Wildlife Park Photo by Michelle Fryer
Plants at a Zoo or Botanical Garden Photo by Karen Sharpe
Birds at a Zoo or Wildlife Park Photo by Caroline E. Brown
Mammals at a Zoo or Wildlife Park Photo by Teresa Berry
To join one of the President’s Clubs or to receive more information, please contact Nancy Howard at 619-685-3219 or nhoward@sandiegozoo.org or visit sandiegozoo.org/presidentsclubs.
You can help secure the future for wildlife!
Heritage Guild By creating a charitable gift annuity or leaving the Zoological Society of San Diego in your will or trust, you can help protect wildlife. To receive more information, please call 619-744-3352 or visit our website at zoolegacy.org.
from the archives
One Small Leap In February 1971, three-month-old Juba, the first cheetah born in our collection, was, according to one of his keepers, “always on the warpath. He practices sprints across the floor, attacks his toy cat, and hisses and spits at everything.” It was a wonderful development for San Diego Zoo Global’s nascent efforts toward cheetah conservation. In 1970, two years before the Safari Park opened to the public, a cheetah-breeding project began in a secluded corner of the property. In late November of that year, the first birth brought great excitement. Juba (named for his species Acinonyx jubatus) was raised in the Children’s Zoo nursery, where he thrived under the watchful eyes—and many bottle feedings—of dedicated keepers. He was the first of many cheetah cubs to come, each one a cause for celebration in the effort to save this endangered cat species.
PUBLISHED SINCE 1926
FEBRUARY 2014
MANAGING EDITOR
KAREN E. WORLEY
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
PEGGY SCOTT DEBBIE ANDREEN
STAFF WRITERS SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL™ PHOTOGRAPHER DIGITAL IMAGING TECHNICIAN DESIGN AND PRODUCTION
SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL™ VIDEOGRAPHERS
LXXXVI–NO. 2
WENDY PERKINS KARYL CARMIGNANI KEN BOHN TAMMY SPRATT DAMIEN LASATER CHRISTOPHER MARTIN HEIDI SCHMID STEPHANIE BEVIL-PAGADUAN DENNIS CORBRAN KAMBIZ MEHRAFSHANI KRISTIN NIELSEN TIM REAMER LISA BISSI JENNIFER MACEWAN LEE RIEBER MARIA BERNAL-SILVA
The Zoological Society of San Diego was founded in October 1916 by Harry M. Wegeforth, M.D., as a private, nonprofit corporation. The Zoological Society of San Diego does business as San Diego Zoo Global. THE DIGITAL VERSION OF ZOONOOZ® is currently published monthly and is available for the iPad and Kindle Fire. Publisher is San Diego Zoo Global, at 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA 92103, 619-231-1515. Copyright® 2013 San Diego Zoo Global. All rights reserved. “ZOONOOZ” Reg. U.S. Pat. Office. All column and program titles are trademarks of San Diego Zoo Global. Annual Memberships: Dual $119, new; $104, renewal. Single $98, new; $86, renewal. Each membership includes unlimited entrance to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
SAN DIEGO ZOO HOURS: February 1–28: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. SAN DIEGO ZOO SAFARI PARK HOURS: February 1–14 and 18–28: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; February 15–17: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information about our animals and events, visit sandiegozoo.org or call 619-231-1515.