WILDFILE

New Office Complex Named in Honor of Karen Sausman

The Living Desert is excited to announce the completion of a new staff office complex. This expansive, 10,000-square-foot space has been named in honor of Karen Sausman, The Living Desert’s former CEO of over 40 years. Karen’s pioneering vision helped to turn a nature center into what The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is today. Her legacy lives on in our mission of desert conservation through preservation, education, and appreciation. The Sausman complex opened on August 15 and staff are already settled in the new location — complete with a view of giraffe on the savanna!

Karen Sausman, The Living Desert’s former CEO, with Twix, the kit fox, circa 1974.

School Field Trips

Registration is now open for booking field trips throughout the 2023-2024 school year! Self-guided field trips are available for grades Transitional Kindergarten (TK)-12, Tuesday-Friday from October 3, 2023-May 3, 2024. School field trips must be booked at least three weeks in advance of your preferred school field trip date.

School field trips will be blocked out on the following dates: November 21-24, 2023; December 26, 2023-January 5, 2024; April 2-5, 2024.

Visit LivingDesert.org/FieldTrips to register and learn more.

Recent Zoo Births

A new flock of endangered East African grey crowned cranes arrived at The Living Desert in May. The two chicks are thriving behind-the-scenes with parents, Taji and Daphne.

On June 29, a litter of dwarf mongoose were born on Rhino Savanna for the first time. The two pups can be seen playing in their Life Underground habitat and have even ventured outside into the open area. This birth is the result of a Species Survival Plan® (SSP) recommendation.

A female addra gazelle was born to mom, Athena, on August 10. This critically endangered species, also known as dama or mhorr gazelle, are the largest gazelle species. This birth is the result of a Species Survival Plan® (SSP) recommendation, a collaborative program among fellow accredited institutions to ensure genetic diversity and sustainability in the human care populations. With fewer than 200 mature addra remaining in their native habitat, The Living Desert is proud to be a part of conservation efforts for this species.

The first of two male springbok was born on June 6 to mom, Bacardi. This was the first springbok born at The Living Desert and also the first birth to happen on the Rhino Savanna habitat.

On June 14, a second male springbok was born on Rhino Savanna to mom, Paloma. The two young springbok can be seen throughout the habitat amongst black rhino, waterbuck, pelican, and helmeted guineafowl.

Don’t forget, the Mojave Maxine emergence contest begins November 1! Maxine, the desert tortoise, is the ultimate springtime forecaster — can you guess when she will emerge from brumation this season? To learn more, visit LivingDesert.org/Maxine.

The Living Desert Welcomes New Executive Leadership

From left to right: Chief Operating Officer/ former Director of Animal Care, RoxAnna Breitigan; Chief Development Officer, Jeff Petrovic; Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Allison Krupp.

The Living Desert is thrilled to announce that RoxAnna Breitigan has recently been named chief operating officer after eight years of exceptional work as the director of animal care. In the newly created position, RoxAnna will oversee animal care and health; park operations including maintenance, gardens, and facilities; and guest services including admissions, membership, attractions, events, tours, and safety. “It has been a privilege to lead the animal care team the last eight years, elevating animal wellbeing and fostering a culture of greatness,” said RoxAnna. “In my new role, I look forward to expanding upon the progress we’ve made, continuing to advance The Living Desert’s impact and mission of protecting desert wildlife and wild places.”

In March, the Zoo welcomed Jeff Petrovic as the new chief development officer to lead The Living Desert’s fundraising team. Jeff, an Arizona native, previously worked as the chief development officer of United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona. His extensive background and expertise in development throughout Seattle, Denver, Tucson, and Houston will help in making exciting new initiatives come to fruition throughout the Zoo. “I am excited and grateful to work for The Living Desert and lead the fundraising efforts for the new Pride of the Desert Lions Habitat, Events Center, Bighorn Restaurant, and Splashpad,” said Jeff. “I am also proud to call the Coachella Valley my home.”

In June, Allison Krupp joined The Living Desert team as vice president of marketing and communications. With Allison's esteemed and diverse background in intuitive marketing, she leads the Zoo’s marketing team throughout comprehensive, omni-channel campaigns. “My passion is and always has been animals and the preservation and conservation of wildlife and nature,” she shares. Allison originally hails from Queens, New York, before living in the Chicago area where she most recently worked as senior vice president of corporate development and brand partnership for a plant-based food company. “I lived in Chicago for most of my life and I have been in marketing/PR for over 30 years, having worked with organizations such as NASA, Chicago Bears, Target, and a national grocery chain and an international plantbased food company.”

The Living Desert welcomes this talented team of new leadership as we grow and continue towards our mission of desert conservation through preservation, education, and appreciation.