ZooTracks Fall 2012 Issue

MEMBER’S MAGAZINE

AUGUST • SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER FALL 2012

INSIDE

ZOOBILEE BY THE NUMBERS HATCHING STORIES FROM TRAGEDY TO HOPE EPULU

FEATURE STORY

ZooTracks

A Sedgwick County Zoological Society magazine for members Publisher Sedgwick County Zoological Society, Inc. © 2012 All rights reserved.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Mark C. Reed PRESIDENT Scott Ochs TRUSTEES Jeff Ablah Kevin J. Arnel Ron Brunton William P. Buchanan Martha C. Buford Kelly E. Callen Mark C. DeVries John Dunlop III Allan Dunne Genevieve Farha Rhonda Fullerton Steve Harris Michael Herbert Ronald Holt Steven A. Houlik Dirk Jones Sarah Kauffman Don J. Knappenberger Dave Larson Buz Lukens Gayle Malone Sam Marnick Doug Neff Martin W. Park Sue Pearce Mary Lynn Priest Scott Redler Barry Schwan Jay Smith David M. Unruh Suzanne Vaupel John Walker Marty Wells Sheryl Wohlford

MAGAZINE COMMITTEE Schaneé Anderson Karen Bates Melissa Graham Ryan Gulker Steve Onken ON THE COVER— Okapi

ZOOBILEE BY THE NUMBERS Have you ever wondered what it takes to put together Wichita’s wildest fun-raiser? Some would say a lot of time, blood, sweat and tears. Others would say it all just comes together magically, with no effort at all! Oddly enough both descriptions would be accurate. How that’s possible we’ll never fully understand! Perhaps if we take a look at the numbers we might get a better idea of how it all happens.

MANPOWER There is a group of 15 dedicated folks who make up the Zoobilee Committee. This illustrious group is made up of Sedgwick County Zoological Society Trustees, fantastic community leaders who volunteer their time to this event and of course sponsor representatives.

Just about every Zoo employee is involved in Zoobilee in one way or another. There’s a group of us who work directly with the Zoobilee Committee to make the Silent Auction come to life, fill the Zoo with yummy food and tasty drinks, develop signage to guide guests through the event, and work on making the Live Auction a success.

Then there are the departments within the Zoo that make it all logistically happen. Our

awesome Maintenance Department runs miles and miles of extension cords and builds wondrous structures and backdrops.

Horticulture makes sure that the Zoo grounds are in tip-top shape, and even helps run a shuttle service in the parking lot.

Our Guest Services Department keeps all of our visitors safe throughout the event, keeps the food coming to their booths, and sells lots of flashy things for everyone to enjoy.

The Keepers are around to show off some of our furry, scaly and feathered friends. Some Keepers even volunteer their time to help manage the recycling or help with other non-animal aspects of Zoobilee. All-in-all almost all of the 150 staff members of the Zoo have something to do with Zoobilee.

It may not be on the day of the event, but surely in the days leading up to the big day!

Last but certainly not least are the wonderful volunteers who support this

event. There are groups that begin working as early as the Wednesday before the event, and volunteers continue to work diligently until Sunday morning for clean-up! They are amazing! In total there are just over 600 that give of their time to make this event happen. That equals just over 2,500 volunteer hours! As you can see we couldn’t do it without these folks!

FEEDING TIME Every year we send out about 200 invitations for restaurants to participate in Zoobilee in hopes that 60 or more will have the means, desire and staffing to participate in this event.

There are certain restaurants that we can count on every year and there are always new restaurants to the community that want to show off their menus to Zoobilee-goers. Some of our long-time supporters are: Carlos O’Kelly’s, River City Brewery, Il Vicino, Squeek’s Donuts, Jet Bar-b-Que, Great Harvest Bread Co., Lee’s Chinese Restaurant, Jason’s Deli, Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers and Old Chicago…just to name a few! All of the restaurants that participate donate their time, staff and at least 2,000 bites of a food of their choosing to the Zoo. Wow! That’s a lot to give, considering some bring anything from chips and salsa to almost a full meal! Zoobilee wouldn’t be as yummy without Wichita’s finest dining establishments!

After all of that a person could certainly be a little thirsty! It’s a good thing we have great beverage sponsors too! Pepsi provides seven stations for Pepsi products. There are six full-service bars for concocting fabulous cocktails. And to round out your whistle whetting, there are over 40 locations to sample wines, specialty liquors and beers.

Attendance/Ticket Sales* Total guest attendance = 4,352 *based on Zoobilee 2011

Paper Goods Ordered: 40,300 5 oz bowls 74,000 6" plates 86,100 cups 22,000 spoons 56,000 forks 84,000 beverage napkins

Equipment Used: 50 donated radios 17 donated golf carts 15 donated light plants 6 donated generators 7 large tents (ranging in size from 20x20 to 40x100) 300 banquet tables 588 chairs 116 specialty tables 251 linens (variety of sizes and colors)

ONE-STOP-SHOPPING The Silent Auction tent is where over 300 items come together for a unique one-stopshopping experience.

Here again, over 200 artists, shops and companies donate items to this event. Items range from jewelry, furniture, and gift certificates to one-of-a-kind art pieces! These donors give items that are valued from $50 to priceless. In 2011, the Silent Auction raised nearly $40,000.

DOLLARS & CENTS Why, oh why, does everyone go through all of this trouble for the Zoo? To put it as simply as possible, all funds raised help keep Zoo admission prices affordable and support the Zoo's animal conservation initiatives in the wild. This one-night event makes the Zoo on average $500,000.

The numbers definitely show the support and dedication of many different individuals and companies. This event would not be what it is today without them! Because of them and all the folks who come and enjoy the event, Zoobilee has become a major source of the Zoo’s operating revenues each year.

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ADVENTURE

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Get a glimpse of what’s going on at the Zoo and be in the know about giveaways and discounts!

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Hit the open road for one WILD motorcycle ride for the Sedgwick County Zoo! Join us for the second annual Monkey Butt Poker Run! The day will include: a great breakfast at the Zoo to get your motor running, a tour of parts of beautiful South Central Kansas, and a ton of fun; all while supporting one of Kansas’ favorite community attractions!

Suggested donation: Sedgwick County Zoo is open 364 days a year, closing only one day in preparation for the biggest fun-raising event in Wichita— Zoobilee. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you. MARK YOUR CALENDAR: ZOOBILEE IS SATURDAY,

SEPTEMBER 8, 6PM TO MIDNIGHT. Tickets for Wichita's Wildest Fun-raiser are on sale now! Plan to join us for this fun-raising event.

$20 for advance registration $25 the day of the event Registration includes one poker card, free t-shirt, breakfast for one, and a chance to win fabulous prizes.

Passengers ride free, and extra breakfasts and T-shirts can be purchased. Register online at scz.org, in person at the Zoo, or request a brochure with a paper registration form to be mailed to you.

Questions? E-mail ask@scz.org Sponsored by:

NIGHT OF THE LIVING ZOO Friday, Saturday & Sunday

October 26, 27, & 28 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Bring your ghouls and goblins to the Zoo for a night of not-too-scary Halloween fun! Wander the Zoo at your leisure, taking in all the ghoulish sights and activities. Pay a visit to Dracula and the fortune tellers, stroll down jack-o-lantern lane, play fun Halloween games like pumpkin bowling and beanbag toss, admire creepy displays, and visit Candy Land on your way out. Let your spirit come alive!

Advance tickets: Starting October 1, $6 at area QuikTrip stores or online at scz.org.

Tickets purchased at the gate: $6 for members and $8 for nonmembers.

Children 2 and under do not need a ticket.

INTERESTED IN THE PUMPKIN CARVING PARTY? Email ask@scz.org to find out more information!

Sponsored by:

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DISCOVERY

Education Program Schedule All classes are held in the Cargill Learning Center unless otherwise noted. Please visit www.scz.org for program information and brief class descriptions of individual classes. Space is limited and pre-registration is required for classes.

Please call 316-266-8213 to register. Classes take place rain or shine. For the safety and enjoyment of everyone, no older or younger siblings, including infants, are allowed in age specific classes unless otherwise noted.

Start–End Time

Class

Date

Topic

Tues 8/7 Cow**

10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Pajama Party

Age: 12–23 mo.

Members: $4 Nonmembers: $6 Additional person: $2

Tues 8/7 Cow**

11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Wed 8/8 Cow**

10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Wed 8/8 Cow+**

11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

+Siblings up to four years of age may also attend these classes for an additional $2

Wed 9/5 Cat***

10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Sat 8/4 Fri 8/10 Sat 9/1 Fri 9/14 Sat 10/6 Fri 10/12

South America 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. is Super 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

South America 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. is Super 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

African Plains 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

African Plains 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

True or False True or False

Class

Wee Wigglers

**These classes will meet inside the American barn

Date

Topic

Wed 9/5 Cat+***

11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Thur 9/6 Cat***

10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Thur 9/6 Cat***

11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Tues 10/2 Spider

10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Tues 10/2 Spider

11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

***These classes will Wed 10/3 Spider+ meet inside the Lodge at the Slawson Family Wed 10/3 Spider Tiger Trek

10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Family of up to 5 members, children ages 0–K

Members: $17 Nonmembers: $19 Additional person: $5

Sunset Safari

Tues 8/14 Cow Age: 12 mo.–6 years Tues 9/11 Cat Members: $6 Tues 10/9 Spider Nonmembers: $8 Additional person: $3

Tot Tuesdays Owlet

Tues 8/21 Cow**

Age: 3–5 siblings welcome 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

Age: 2–3 Tues 8/21 Cow** Members: $6 Tues 8/21 Cow** Nonmembers: $8 $ Additional person: 3 Wed 8/22 Cow** Wed 8/22 Cow** +Siblings up to four years of age Wed 8/22 Cow+** may also attend these classes for an Wed 9/19 Cat*** additional $3 Wed 9/19 Cat***

11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Wed 9/19 Cat+***

2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

Thur 9/20 Cat***

10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

Thur 9/20 Cat***

11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

**These classes will meet inside the American Barn

***These classes will meet inside the Lodge Thur 9/20 Cat*** at the Slawson Family Tiger Trek Tues 10/16 Spider

Ewe & Me

Age: 4–Kindergarten Members: $8 Nonmembers: $10 Additional person: $4 +Younger siblings may also attend these classes for an additional $4

2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

Tues 10/16 Spider

2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

Wed 10/17 Spider

10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

Wed 10/17 Spider

11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Wed 10/17 Spider+

2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

Tues 9/11 Animals of Asia 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Tues 9/11 Animals of Asia 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Wed 9/12 Animals of Asia+ 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Wed 9/12 Animals of Asia 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Wed 10/10 Tricks Animals

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Wed 10/10 Tricks Animals

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Thur 10/11 Tricks Animals

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Thur 10/11 Tricks Animals

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Play Play

6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Tues 8/28 Farms 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Colors and Tues 9/25 Camouflage Tues 10/23 Frogs and 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Toads

Grades: 1–5 Members: $8 Nonmembers: $10

Sat 8/18 Vanishing 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Domestics Sat 9/15 Cat Trails 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Sat 10/20 Myth Busters 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

ZOOper Stars

Sun 8/26 Horse

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Sun 9/23 Red Panda

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Sun 10/28 Bat

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Grades: 1–5 Members: $6 Nonmembers: $8

2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Play

6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

ZOOper Kids

10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

Tues 10/16 Spider

Play+

NO COST

Start–End Time

Homeschool Expeditions

Wed 8/15 Down on the 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Farm Wed 9/12 Tiger Trekking 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Wed 10/17 Fact or Fiction 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Grades: 1–5 Members: $15 Nonmembers: $17 Includes up to five family members.

Additional person $5

NEW!

Farm Families Families of all ages

Members: $15 per participant Nonmembers: $20 per person **Go to scz.org for more information**

Mon 8/6– Session Two Sun 10/7

Varies

Class

Date

So You Want to Be a Zookeeper

Topic

Thur 8/16 Farms* Thur 10/18 Snakes*

Start–End Time 3:30 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.

3:30 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.

Teens Members: $10 Nonmembers: $12

* close-toed shoes required

Class

Sat 9/15 Horticulture Includes up to five family Sat 11/10 Gorillas members, ages 5+ Members: $17 Nonmembers: $19 Additional people/ Individual fee: $8

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Wed 8/15 thru Wed 10/17

Sponsored by Bicycle X-change

Ages: 18+ Members: $25 Nonmembers: $30

Coffee Connections

Mon 8/6 Dillon Middleton 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Farms

geared towards adults Mon 9/3 No class due to 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. holiday but all ages welcome Mon 10/1 Anne Nystrom 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

FREE, No advanced Bird Keeper registration required.

Mon 11/5Nancy Smith 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Sponsored by Prairie Keeper

Are you looking for an exciting activity for your scout, church, or school group but do not want to mess with camping equipment? How about spending the night at the Zoo! Groups will meet education staff at 6:00 p.m. in the Cargill Learning Center. Groups will sleep inside, so no tents are needed. You bring a sack dinner. A snack and morning juice is provided by the Zoo.

Senior Wednesdays

Wed 8/8 It is a Jungle Out There Wed 9/12 Bee Keeping Active guests over 55 Wed 10/10 Spiders are $4 per adult Special Pre-registration not required Wed 11/14 Fantastic Fish

Ages 21+ Members: $25 Nonmembers: $30

October 30 at 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Mongolia—presented by Bolorchimeg Jargalsaikhan

NOCTURNAL ADVENTURES

Rides will not be made up if inclement weather

Social Hour

September 25 at 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Mauritius— presented by Disha Ramdenee

5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

3rd Wed each month

Fri 9/21

Start–End Time

Cultural & Environmental Adult Adventure Series

Starbucks

Family—must be on bicycle or attached wagon.

Members: $30 1 ride per month Nonmembers: $34 1 ride per month

Topic

Presentations by the Cultural Ambassadors Program at WSU

Backstage Pass

Wheeling Wild Club

Date

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Cocktails with 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. the Creatures Sponsored by House of Schwan

Fri 11/16 Wild Wines

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Sponsored by Standard Beverage

Fees are: Sleeping in the Cargill Learning Center: $25.00 Sleeping in Downing Gorilla Forest: $25.00 Sleeping in the North American Prairie Overlook: $25.00 Sleeping in the Slawson Family Tiger Trek: $25.00 There is a minimum of 15 participants. However, for bookings under 30 people, the education department reserves the right to combine groups similar in age and gender. A nonrefundable deposit of $150 is due one week after the date of booking. To schedule your Nocturnal Adventure,

contact the Education Department at 266-8213 a minimum of two-weeks in advance.

Registration Information:

1. Preregister by calling the Learning Center at 266-8213 between 8 a.m. and noon. 2. Pay over the phone by credit card OR fill out the form completely and mail with payment to 5555 Zoo Blvd., Wichita, KS 67212-1698. Registration is not complete until payment is received. 3. Payment must be postmarked no later than seven days after preregistration. We reserve the right to cancel any preregistration or to charge a $2 late fee to individuals whose payment is not received on time. NOTE: If a refund is needed, contact the education department by 4 p.m. the day prior to the scheduled class. After contact, we will be happy to refund a maximum of 75% of the original program fee. If we need to cancel class, we will notify registrants 48 hours in advance. For the safety and comfort of other participants, we reserve the right to refuse service to anyone with a fever or who is noticeably sick.

Education Registration Form Please enclose form with payment and mail after you have preregistered.

Student Name Class Title Date Time Fee

Membership No:

Total:

Parent's Name:

Phone:

Address:

City:

Zip:

7

ANIMALS & NATURE season brought success. Sedgwick County Zoo became only the second facility in North America to raise this species in a zoo, with two little chicks that hatched in January of 2011. The hand rearing of these little guys is no easy feat! Keepers hand fed them multiple times a day, with a variety of different sized fish. Keepers also have to provide UV lamps for about 15–20 minutes each day to help chicks produce vitamin D since they breed and hatch during winter. The animal management puzzle was beginning to come together. But there was still a piece missing: number of chicks hatched.

This year the Keepers tried giving the adult pelicans a few extra vitamins just before the breeding season began. This third and final piece helped boost the number of chicks hatched to a whopping 12 eastern white pelicans: hatched, hand reared and now on exhibit! This year was pretty amazing considering there are only 59 birds currently living in seven AZA zoos, and 30 of those pelicans call the Sedgwick County Zoo home!

UNUSUAL DEBUT

HATCHING STORIES

The Sedgwick County Zoo has had a long, proud history of raising chicks to support avian sustainability in Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) institutions and in the wild. Here are just a few of the recent hatching story successes!

SOLVING THE PUZZLE In 2006 the Sedgwick County Zoo’s eastern white pelican flock consisted of just six birds. In a few short years our flock has grown to 23 birds, all due to solving a few little parts of an animal management puzzle.

Our first puzzle piece: growing the flock. With just six birds in our flock we didn’t see much breeding. But then the Zoo received seven birds to add to our little flock. Once this group got together Keepers began noticing increased breeding behaviors! That season the pelicans laid a few eggs, but the eggs were broken during the process. The pelicans just couldn’t keep their beaks to themselves! This presented the next puzzle piece: getting the eggs incubated and hatched.

Keepers decided it would be in the egg's best interest to move them to an incubator and hand rear any chicks that hatched. With this little change, the 2010–2011 breeding

The Sedgwick County Zoo's first wrinkled hornbill chick hatched around the first of April. This hatching comes with a unique story!

In March, the female hornbill settled into her nest box to lay the egg. To prepare for the chick's arrival, she sealed herself into the box using wood chips, mud, and even food items until only her beak could fit through the hole. While she was sealed safely inside, the male cared for the whole family. Eventually, the female chiseled the mud plug away so she and her chick could leave the nest. The entire nesting cycle can take over 125 days; that’s 125 days of being sealed up for mom and chick, and 125 days of feeding everyone for dad!

Wild wrinkled hornbills can be found in Thailand, Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo. There are currently 42 wrinkled hornbills in 19 different AZA zoos. This chick is one of four hatches in 2012.

ANIMALS & NATURE

Pete’s Plant Tips:

By Pete Logsdon Tropical Horticulturist In the past issue I wrote about patience. This time I chose to write on a particular problem I think working in the Jungle has helped me with.

Over thinking things. I'll admit I over think things a lot. But since I began working in the Jungle 8 years ago, I've learned to temper this habit. I always have projects going on, whether it's turning a path over and adding fresh mulch or even moving the path altogether. I am always adding or removing plants throughout the Jungle. My tendency is to think the project through start to finish. I've found that often it is better to just get started.

In the fall of 2010 we decided to move the path from the bat cave to the waterfall about 8 feet. This involved moving plants and a large tree. The biggest part of this project would be extending the hill by the path out about 4 feet. I did what I normally did and began over thinking this project. Bringing soil in, digging and moving a large tree, moving the bird's feeding station; all these things would take considerable time.

Finally, in the spring of 2011 I stopped thinking about it and jumped in. Most of the plants were dug up easily. The tree took a bit more effort but even it was not nearly as difficult as I had 'over thought' it would be. I got all the plants moved to their new area, including the tree, reset the landscape timbers that define the path and added fresh mulch to the path in an afternoon. The next day I brought in fresh soil to add to the hill, planted the tree and other plants along this hill and with the help of my department heads, moved the large log that had sat along the hill to a more suitable location. 6-8 hours of work and this project was completed. I am embarrassed to say that I probably spent that much time or more planning and 'over thinking'.

Now, I try to just get started and not think and re-think and over think such projects. I 'think' it makes life a bit less stressful.

Got a plant question? Email me at plogsdon@scz.org and I will answer the most popular ones in future columns.

COMBATING MOTHER NATURE With the excessive summer heat and a few errant thunderstorms, raising chicks has been a little difficult for adult puna ibis. These birds, who are native to the highlands of Peru, cannot tolerate such extreme heat as chicks. This year Sedgwick County Zoo Keepers decided it was time to step in and give the chicks a little assistance. It was decided that they would hand rear any chicks that might hatch. To their delight, four puna ibis chicks hatched. Now came the hard part; hand rearing. These birds start life with a regurgitated diet from their parents, then move onto eating fish as they grow bigger. To replicate the partially digested food the parents regurgitate, we grind several diet items into gruel. The gruel is then frozen and individual cubes are used during a feeding.

The gruel is fed to the chicks with a syringe. As the chicks grow older, Keepers transition to hand feeding whole fish and then teach the chicks to pick it up themselves.

Each chick that goes through this process helps strengthen their numbers. Currently Sedgwick County Zoo and the Oklahoma City Zoo are the only two zoos to exhibit puna ibis. There are a total of 35 birds in the population and 31 of those currently live at your Zoo. With a little assistance from the Keepers, the heat can be foiled.

59

CONSERVATION Casualties and damage from the attack include: 6 people killed, 14 okapi killed, all ICCN buildings damaged or burned, all OCP buildings and offices damaged or burned, all equipment stolen or destroyed, and shops and homes in the town of Epulu looted and damaged.

With emergency relief monies coming in and support from around the world, the ICCN and Okapi Conservation Project will rebuild and continue their work in conserving the wildlife of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Sedgwick County Zoo contributed another $3,000 to the $5,000 that we send annually.

At the same time the reports of the devastation of the attack were coming in, we at Sedgwick County Zoo were looking forward to adding a bright spot to the sad okapi news coming from the DRC. We were anxiously awaiting the birth of another okapi calf!

FROM TRAGEDY TO HOPE

EPULU

Deep in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in Africa, the Epulu Village is home to The Institute in Congo for the Conservation of Nature's (ICCN) okapi breeding and research program. The Okapi Conservation Project (OCP) at Epulu Station is a conservation breeding program that protects the future of the okapi by serving as a reservoir for new genetic stock in the okapi populations in global conservation programs around the world. This program is one that the Sedgwick County Zoo is happy to support through our Quarters for Conservation and other conservation efforts.

On June 24, 2012, tragedy rocked the Epulu station. The area was attacked by a rebel group of elephant poachers and illegal miners seeking revenge against the ICCN for their efforts to end the poaching of elephants in the area.

The rebels want to be free to reopen the mines and poach wildlife without interference and ICCN rangers had recently disrupted poaching and mining activities in the Southern part of the Reserve.

Happily, on July 5th, our female okapi Likimi gave birth to a healthy baby boy. He has been nursing well and is settling into his nesting space. A few days after his birth Dave and Debbie Larson, who adopted the okapis at the 2011 Zoobilee Animal Adoption Auction, chose to honor the work that the ICCN and OCP are doing in the Democratic Republic of Congo by naming the calf Epulu.

At birth Epulu weighed 68 pounds and in just under a month he has already gained 30 pounds! This guy is certainly thriving! Keepers have also been working with him so that he can get used to having them around. Because okapi calves do not control their own body heat, Likimi and Epulu will remain off exhibit until the summer heat passes. But don’t worry, we’ll be sure to let you know when he is out and about on exhibit!

For more details on the Okapi Conservation Project please visit: http://www.okapiconservation.org

FAMILY & FRIENDS

THDAYS R I B are a wild time at the Zoo

Creature Campout Fall 2012 Campouts Friday, September 14 Saturday, September 22 Friday, October 5 Saturday, October 13

You’re invited to celebrate with some real party animals! Let Sedgwick County Zoo staff help you choose a fun birthday party package for your child. We’ll provide all the party supplies.

All you have to do is have fun!

The cost is $30 per person for members and $35 per person for nonmembers.

Space is limited, so sign up now! For more information or to register, please call the Education Department at 266-8213. If you can’t make this

• Call 26 6 - 8252 to plan a Jungle Birthday Party in the Plaza Beastro (all ages) • Call 26 6 - 8213 to plan a Safari Birthday Party in the Cargill Learning Center (ages 3–9)

one, look for more campout dates this fall.

scz.org

Visit www.scz.org for more information on all birthday party packages!

FEED THE RHINO

Get up close and personal...experience a Meet & Greet session with the rhino!

• Hand feed the Rhino • Learn more about this amazing animal • Every dollar donated will go to the North America Save the Rhino Campaign Sessions available Monday – Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. – noon and 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

$

Tickets may be purchased at the Zoo Entrance

donation

10

(per person)

11

PLEASE RECYCLE To inspire discovery, appreciation, and respect for animals and nature

PLANNING YOUR VISIT: Visit scz.org to purchase tickets or

KAKEland & Dillon’s $1 Day

renew your membership.

Saturday, August 25: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

TAKE YOUR PICK! WE’RE OPEN 364 DAYS A YEAR! Plan a trip to the Zoo with family and friends!

Speed up your rate of entry by purchasing any additional tickets online at scz.org for family or friends who don’t have a membership. You can print tickets at home and everyone can enjoy the Zoo adventure that much quicker!

Come help us celebrate Lions’ birthdays!

There will be special enrichment activities scheduled throughout the day, plus all of the other great things the Zoo has to offer!

Summer Hours: Winter Hours: March–October November–February 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Admission is just $1 per person, members get in free with their membership card.

Regular Admission

Adults (ages 12+) $13.95 Senior Citizens (62+) $11.95 Children (ages 3–11) $8.95 Children ages 2 and under Free

FREE Tram Tour

Enjoy a FREE narrated tram tour of the Zoo! You can hop on or off at any of the five designated tram stops. Using the tram to get around the Zoo allows you to see more of the Zoo during your visit! And it’s FREE! All aboard! (Weather permitting.)

Boat Tours:

Enjoy a whole new view of the Zoo. Purchase tickets for a round-trip tour at the boat dock behind Big Bear Watering Hole. Cost is $3 per person. Tours are now running weekends.

(Staff & weather permitting.)

Wheelchair Rental:

Push wheelchairs: $5 per visit Electric wheelchairs: $25/3 hours, $5 each additional hour

zoo gift shop coupon

AUGUST

Glass Animals, Statues, and Mugs

zoo gift shop coupon

SEPTEMBER T-shirts (regular priced items only)

(regular priced items only)

zoo gift shop coupon

OCTOBER Masks, Pinchers, Snakes, and Bats (regular priced items only)

15% off 15% off 15% off

Stroller Rental:

Single stroller: $6 Double stroller: $9

Giraffe Feeding Station:

Open 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. and 1:00–2:00 p.m.

One Coupon per person/per purchase. Must have membership ID and coupon to redeem.

One Coupon per person/per purchase. Must have membership ID and coupon to redeem.

One Coupon per person/per purchase. Must have membership ID and coupon to redeem.

valid from 8/1/12 to 8/31/12

valid from 9/1/12 to 9/30/12

valid from 10/1/12 to 10/31/12

(staff & weather permitting)

Just $1 per person/per feeding