WILD TIMES
SPRING 2015
From the
President&CEO Dear Members,
Wild Times has gone digital! For the first time in more than 10 years of publication, our quarterly magazine makes its debut in a format I hope you’ll enjoy reading with convenience, whether on your desktop or on your handheld device. We’re excited about the format and hope it will give us a fresh way of bringing you even more of the Zoo Atlanta content you want. Indeed, “evolution” is one of the themes of this edition of Wild Times as it pertains to the amazing positive growth and transformative changes we’re seeing at the Zoo as we speak – and no event sums that theme up more eloquently than the long-awaited debut of Scaly Slimy Spectacular: The Amphibian and Reptile Experience on April 2. While you’ve all heard us talk about the incredible new complex, from its animals, to its habitats, to its works of art and feats of technology, the time has finally come for you to see Scaly Slimy Spectacular for yourselves. I think that once you do – and once you continue to return to visit the complex – I’m certain there will be little room for doubt about the future ahead for your Zoo. We’re able to envision that future only with your support, and thanks to your support, we’re also able to envision a world of change and action for the endangered species and wild places that need our help. Whether you’re a longtime member of the Zoo family who’s been with us for decades, or whether you’re a brand-new member of our family, you’re a vital part of our story – a story that becomes more meaningful every day through the commitment of people like you. Now, let’s celebrate! It’s taken many years, many talents and many hours of hard work and perseverance to bring us to now: the opening of Scaly Slimy Spectacular. Please join me in honoring all that it is and all that it symbolizes for the Zoo’s success. And most of all, visit and enjoy! As a closing note, you’ll notice that one of the exciting features in the new Wild Times is that the articles are now sharable via social media. Please take advantage of this opportunity to share the Zoo’s mission and cool stories with your own networks. As always, thanks for all you do for the Zoo. Sincerely,
Raymond B. King President and CEO
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Scaly Slimy Spectacular: The Amphibian and Reptile Experience .................................. 4 Behind the scenes of the biggest debut in Zoo history Georgia on our Minds ............................................................................................................. 14 Conservation begins with the treasures of our own wild places Cuban Crocodiles .................................................................................................................... 20 A critically endangered species will soon make its home at Zoo Atlanta Catching up (or catching a breath) with Tim Fidler ........................................................... 22 Senior Director of Facilities and Construction The New Zoo ............................................................................................................................ 25 Technology and innovation speed evolution at Atlanta’s oldest cultural institution Join the Conversation ............................................................................................................. 28 Connect with Zoo Atlanta in and outside the Zoo Grand New View ..................................................................................................................... 30 A brief history of the beginning of a new era for your Zoo Young Scientists ...................................................................................................................... 35 A special section for our next generation of conservationists Animal Spotlight ..................................................................................................................... 42 Central American river turtle Ask an Expert .......................................................................................................................... 44 Q & A with Zoo experts Beyond Zoo Walls .................................................................................................................. 46 News bytes with a big impact on our reach around the world Upcoming Events ................................................................................................................... 49 Mark your calendar for signature events at the Zoo
Zoo Atlanta thanks our Wild Times staff: Executive Editor:
Keisha N. Hines
Managing Editor:
Rachel Davis
Wild Times Designer:
Michelle Philippe
Zoo Atlanta Public Relations Team:
Keisha N. Hines, Senior Director of Communications, Strategic Partnerships and Innovation Rachel Davis, Communications and Social Media Manager Michelle Philippe, Public Relations and Social Media Specialist
Contributing Writers:
Rachel Davis, Erin Delahunty Krueger, Natalie Dyer, Michelle Philippe
Staff Photographer:
Adam K. Thompson
SCALY SLIMY SPECTACULAR THE AMPHIBIAN AND REPTILE EXPERIENCE BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE BIGGEST DEBUT IN ZOO ATLANTA HISTORY
by Rachel Davis, Communications and Social Media Manager
“ One afternoon was spent in the Atlanta Zoo, primarily to see the new Reptile exhibit, which I thought well done … The only drawback I found was the arrangement of species in a systematic fashion … it creates boredom …
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--from a report by the late Marvin Jones, December 2, 1967
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t the time of its opening more than 47 years ago, the World of Reptiles was considered state-of-the-art in an era when zoos around the U.S. were adopting exhibit designs then viewed as the top of the industry’s game: linear, hard-angled and sterile, with animals presented not by ecosystems or geographic regions but by taxa. The World of Reptiles was a paragon of this trend in zoo design, and so it remained for years – until it became clear that it was no longer a paragon of anything. Alternately known by two generations of Atlantans as the Reptile House, the Reptile Building or even “The Snake House,” the building served its purpose well for nearly 50 years, going on to become the sole survivor of its own generation of public Zoo exhibits. But in every storied existence comes a time to take a bow. Hold the applause. Introducing Scaly Slimy Spectacular: The Amphibian and Reptile Experience, circa 2015.
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THE BUILDING On a tour of Scaly Slimy Spectacular, the intuitive guest might observe that the experience weaves, twists, and rounds corners with movements just like a snake’s. And that’s intentional. From the glass, steel and aluminum curtain wall at the front of the complex, to the 45-foot circular dome, to serpentine turns almost entirely devoid of right angles, the experience is anything but linear. Such was the idea more than five years ago, when Zoo Atlanta selected Torre Design Consortium Ltd. to put ink to what was then only a vision. In 2013, The Winter Johnson Group signed on as the project’s General Contractor. Over the course of some 630 days of construction, Winter Johnson’s crew of 25 to 60 construction professionals has taken a largely unused behind-the-scenes footprint and crafted a structure destined to become an icon of Boulevard. A time-lapse video of the project’s two-year timeline shows bright-green tree leaves appearing twice, ripening into summer twice, changing color twice, and falling twice; a blanket of snow also falls twice, recalling two winter storms in 2014. “Winter Johnson has done a terrific job and has been great to work with,” says Tim Fidler, the Zoo’s Senior Director of Facilities and Construction. “I’d rank them as one of the top performers from any of my successful past projects.” The dome’s distinctive glass-paneled frit pattern forms a key element in the complex’s LEED Silver certification. The panels refract sunlight and provide natural climate control while deterring wild birds. The effect is modern, open and visually stunning, and that’s just the exterior. Inside are works of art reflecting the best of the hands of both nature and man. A 30-foot naturalistic waterfall spills into the Cuban crocodile habitat. A Georgia river idles past with indoor and outdoor views of freshwater turtles. And throughout the complex, some of Earth’s most recognizable wild places have been recreated through the talents of cement sculptors from Gregory George Designs LLC, bringing the desert, marshland, savanna, billabong, mangrove swamp, kopje and more to life.
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SEPTEMBER 2013 JANUARY 2014 MAY 2014
OCTOBER 2014
MARCH 2015
THE ANIMALS The residents of Scaly Slimy Spectacular are a Who’s Who of the planet’s diversity of reptiles and amphibians, with around 100 individual animals representing over 70 species in more than 65 distinct exhibits. From the destination’s marquee inhabitant, a Cuban crocodile, to a living rainbow of chameleons, anoles and more in conical glass gallery habitats, to the native creatures of Georgia eXtremes, to the Zoo’s massive Aldabra tortoises, who will be seen along the complex’s exterior later this spring, the animals form a pageant of so many colors, shapes, sizes and adaptations that it’s impossible not to be awed by the sheer wonders of life on Earth. “We’ve always had a large herpetology collection and an outstanding collection, but for years, we’ve had a limited ability to be able to actually show our visitors all of these animals,” says Brad Lock, DVM, Curator of Herpetology. “Now, for the first time in recent memory, we’re able to not only introduce our existing collection to fantastic new habitats, but also introduce our guests to species that are brand-new to the Zoo.”
THE PEOPLE The saying “It takes a village” often gets thrown around lightly – until one becomes a villager. The scope and size of Scaly Slimy Spectacular commanded an equally large group of Zoo team members, above and beyond the architects, contractors, construction personnel and artists. Perpetually on hand for expert consultation on resident care, exhibit suitability and all things animal and practical were Brad Lock; Joe Mendelson, PhD, Director of Research; Robert Hill, Lead Keeper of Herpetology; and Herpetology Keepers Daniel Benboe, David Brothers, Wade Carruth and Luke Wyrwich. The complex’s creative vision, from colors, themes and graphic design schemes to the experience’s official logo, fell under the purview of Richard Hezlep, Senior Director of Creative Services. Stacy Graison, Vice President of Education, helmed the project’s crucial education and conservation messaging, joined by the Interpretive Design Team, manned by representatives from collections, education, multimedia and communications.
Meanwhile, members of the Zoo’s Horticulture Team planned and planted the complex’s lush live landscapes while the Maintenance Team worked to ensure that the building’s electrical outlets, vents and ducts, all designed to retire almost invisibly from view, would indeed be userfriendly in the end. “Almost everyone in the Zoo has been impacted by this project,” Fidler says. “The end result our visitors see is the project of years of work by an entire Zoo-full of people, and it shows.”
THE TECHNOLOGY Scaly Slimy Spectacular will mark the debut of the Zoo’s first all-digital animal identification signage, permitting guests to scroll through multiple facts on each species, as well as view some 50 videos of complex animal behaviors visitors may not see on exhibit. The complex will also feature interactive games for children of various ages. A highlight of these is the Scaly Slimy Spectaculator, designed by Dragon Army, a mobile game studio based in Atlanta. Playable via mobile and at kiosks inside Scaly Slimy Spectacular, the game allows users to create their own reptiles based on cards collected with correct answers to a series of educational quiz questions.
THE MYSTERIES If there’s one thing about Scaly Slimy Spectacular that could be called a letdown, it’s the total lack of buried treasure unearthed with the 11,500 cubic yards of dirt excavated on the site when the project broke ground. Despite Grant Park’s historic past, and especially given the site’s proximity to the ruins of the Civil War-era Fort Walker, alas, not a single object of interest turned up in all that dirt. “That was a disappointment, really,” says Fidler. “We didn’t find a bit of memorabilia. Just a bunch of rocks.” Perhaps now, the role of eerie reminder will be played by Scaly Slimy Spectacular’s predecessor, at least for the foreseeable future. Once all animals and equipment have been relocated, the World of Reptiles will be permanently closed for the first time in more than 47 years.
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SSSPECTACULAR Any lifelong Atlantans who are apt to feel nostalgic about this paradigm shift are encouraged to be the first in line to tour Scaly Slimy Spectacular: The Amphibian and Reptile Experience. The experience should leave visitors with little doubt that the evolution of Zoo Atlanta is officially underway. “I think people will be blown away. This is totally different from any of the Zoo’s older exhibits,” Fidler believes. “The complex definitely stands on its own in that way, but it’s also a really exciting sneak peek at what exhibits and experiences are going to be like at the Zoo in the years to come.”
BY THE NUMBERS 60,000 gallons of water
14,000 size of buildings in square feet
11,500 cubic yards of dirt excavated
9,700 square feet of hand-crafted rockwork
3,000 creature permutations possible in the “Scaly Slimy Spectaculator” game
630 days of construction
400 approximate number of hours the Interpretive Design Team spent in meetings
372 individual glass panels in the central dome and exhibits
100 approximate number of individual animals
67 approximate number of individual exhibits
48 years since the opening of the World of Reptiles
45 height in feet of the central glass dome
43 average number of crew members on site daily during construction
8 increase in elevation in feet from complex entrance to exit
2 acres added to Zoo visitor footprint
0 number of accidents on the construction site
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The Southeast’s most anticipated black-tie gala returns. Save the date for Saturday, May 2. Proceeds benefit The Southeast’s most anticipated black-tie ga conservation, education and leadership in animal care. May 2,anticipated 2015 The Southeast’s most black-tie gala returns. Pledge your support today.
May 2, 2015Co-Chaired by Tara and Mark Widener and exotic Co-Chaired byThe Taraelegance and Mark Widener
glamour of A can’t-miss fundraiser return at The B The elegance and exotic glamour of Atlanta’s Feast presented by the Ford Motor C can’t-miss fundraiser return at The Beastly Fund. The evening begins with a twili Feast presented by the Ford Motor Company through Zoo Atlanta and signature c Fund. The evening begins with a twilight stroll restaurant delicacies, followed by a s through Zoo Atlanta and signature cocktails and dinner, dancing and auctions in the Fo restaurant delicacies, followed by a seated spectacularly transformed by Tony Bre dinner, dancing and auctions in the Ford Pavilion, Company. Proceeds benefit conservatio spectacularly transformed by Tony Brewer and education and leadership in animal care. Company. Proceeds benefit conservation, education leadership animal care. Pledgeand your support in today.
Visit zooatlanta.org/beastly_feast to learn more. Pledge your support today. Visit zooatlanta.org/beastly_feast to learn more.
Zoo Atlanta President and CEO Raymond B. King; Beastly Feast Co-chairs Tara and Mark Widener; Patron Co-Chair Jackie Greene; local Ford Motor Company representative Mark Street; and Hospitality Co-Chair Holly Moffett pose by the Komodo dragon statue at Zoo Atlanta. Other committee members not pictured: Décor Chair Tony Brewer;Zoo Patron Co-Chair Ginger Greene; Patron Atlanta President and CEO Raymond B. joined the 2015 BeastlyChair Feast Christina Committee Party Co-Chairs Lisa and Jeff byMartin; Auction Zoo Atlanta and CEOCo-Chair Raymond King (lef t)Waldrop. is Co-Chairs Tara andB. Mark Widener; Patron C McClelland andPresident Hospitality Kathleen
joined by the 2015 Beastly (lef t Company to right): represen Greene;Feast localCommittee Ford Motor Co-Chairs Tara and and Mark Hospitality Widener; Patron Co-ChairHolly Jackie Co-Chair Mof fett. Greene; local Ford Motor Company representative Not pictured: Décor Chair Mark TonyStreet; Brewer; Pat and Hospitality Co-Chair HollyGreene; Mof fett.Patron Party Chairs Lisa an Ginger Not pictured: Décor and ChairHospitality Tony Brewer;Co-Chair Patron Co-Chair Kathleen Waldrop. Ginger Greene; Patron Party Chairs Lisa and Jef f Martin; and Hospitality Co-Chair Kathleen Waldrop. Photo by Jim Fitts.
Contact Amy Walton, Director of Donor Events, if you’d like to purchase tickets! awalton@zooatlanta.org | 404-624-5836
GEORGIA ON
CONSERVATION BEGINS WITH THE TRE by Rachel Davis Somewhere after midnight on a night in early spring, a primordial creature moves silently through coastal waters off a barrier island. She is a leatherback sea turtle, the only living member of an ancient genus, with relatives who lived more than 110 million years distant from this night. Weighing just under a ton, with a shell more than six feet long, she is a member of the largest living turtle species on Earth. Her presence here is only occasional, making her visit an honor. Slightly west and inland on the flats of the coastal plain, a sinuous creature flees from an unseen assailant at a pace incredible for one without wings, fins or legs. It is the eastern coachwhip, and at speeds of up to eight miles an hour, it is the fastest snake on the continent. Further north, in a pond within the piedmont, an unmistakable vocalization sounds. There is nothing on the planet quite like it; its timbre is one only nature could devise. It’s the beginning of a chorus of male American bullfrogs, the largest frogs in North America. More than just the oldest, the heaviest, the fastest or the largest, the leatherback, the coachwhip and the bullfrog have another distinction that makes them dear among all the planet’s living things: They are part of the wildlife of Georgia.
The seal salamander is found in Georgia’s southern Appalachians eco-region.
N OUR MINDS
EASURES OF OUR OWN WILD PLACES. The spiny softshell ranks among our state’s most distinctive-looking natives.
More than just the Peach State The fourth-largest state in the continental U.S., boasting six distinct ecoregions – the southwestern Appalachians, Blue Ridge, ridge and valley, piedmont, southeastern plains and southern coastal plains – Georgia is a stronghold of biodiversity. It is a state of superlatives: North America’s largest freshwater turtle (the alligator snapping turtle); the continent’s longest and largest venomous snake (the eastern diamondback rattlesnake); North America’s smallest frog (the little grass frog); its heaviest salamander (the eastern hellbender) and Earth’s smallest turtle (the bog turtle). Georgia is also home to more than 50 salamander species – more than any other U.S. state. “Zoo Atlanta is well known for its mission to preserve wildlife around the world, and many of the highest-profile animals in our collection are endangered and critically endangered species from other continents. That’s a huge part of who we are and what we do, but there’s another story to be told here as well,” says Brad Lock, DVM, Curator of Herpetology. “That’s the story of our own native wildlife, which is every bit as beautiful, remarkable, and, in many cases, rare, as anything that can be found on another continent.”
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The alligator snapping turtle is North America’s largest freshwater turtle, weighing up to 200 pounds.
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IF WE’RE NOT PROTECTING AND LEARNING ABOUT THE NEED TO PROTECT OUR OWN NATIVE WILDLIFE, WE WON’T HAVE THE FOUNDATION WE NEED FOR PROTECTING WILDLIFE IN OTHER PLACES.
Zoo Atlanta and partners have worked to restore native eastern indigo snakes to their original range in the wild.
Photographed in the Hale Ridge bog, the mountain pitcher plant is one of Georgia’s rarest plant species.
GEORGIA EXTREMES
and more!
A highlight of Scaly Slimy Spectacular: The Amphibian and Reptile Experience is Georgia eXtremes, a showcase of our state’s diversity of reptiles and amphibians that includes a look into the waters of a Georgia river populated by native turtles. Native wildlife is also abundant elsewhere in the complex, where guests can peer under rocks for an eastern hellbender in a pristine mountain stream or see diamondback terrapins in a brackish cutaway of a salt marsh. Other ecosystems include the Georgia sandhills, the endangered mountain bog, sand dunes and pinewood flats, and even the interior of a farmer’s barn inhabited by a farmer’s friend, the eastern ratsnake. “Georgia eXtremes is the Zoo’s first series of exhibits in decades to highlight exclusively native wildlife. As a conservation organization that’s strengthening its involvement in projects close to home, the Zoo is taking an important educational step with these exhibits,” Lock says. “We think this will be an immersive and enlightening experience for both Georgia natives and non-native visitors. At the end of the day, if we’re not protecting and learning about the need to protect our own native wildlife, we won’t have the foundation we need for protecting wildlife in other places.”
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OUR BACKYARD AND BEYOND CONSERVATION IN GEORGIA
Gopher frogs Found in the imperiled sandhill ecosystem in the coastal plain, the gopher frog is Georgia’s rarest frog. Zoo Atlanta partners with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the University of Georgia, The Nature Conservancy and the Atlanta Botanical Garden in efforts to release headstarted frogs into their historic native range.
The mountain bog One of Georgia’s rarest ecosystems, the mountain bog is also home to one of its rarest reptile species, the bog turtle, as well as one of the state’s most endangered plant species, the carnivorous mountain purple pitcher plant. The Zoo Atlanta Horticulture Team partners with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance to restore this ecosystem to its original function.
Diamondback terrapins Prized for more than a century for its eggs and its meat, long the star ingredient in American turtle soup recipes, the diamondback terrapin was nearly eaten out of existence. Zoo Atlanta has partnered with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on rear and release programs to re-release turtles along their native Georgia coast.
Eastern indigo snakes More than 120 young eastern indigo snakes have been released into Alabama’s Conecuh National Forest as part of a collaboration between Zoo Atlanta, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Auburn University, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, The Orianne Society, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Forest Service. Hatchlings collected from eggs laid by wild females were reared at the Zoo until they were large enough to avoid predators in the wild.
CUBAN CROCODILES
A CRITICALLY ENDANGERED SPECIES WILL SOON MAKE ITS HOME AT ZOO ATLANTA
by Rachel Davis Less than 100 miles from Cuba’s capital city of Havana is the Zapata Swamp, a wetland refuge that boasts 900 or more plant species, more than 1,000 invertebrate species and over 170 bird species, some of which are found nowhere else on Earth. These waters also count among their own one of the planet’s rarest creatures: the Cuban crocodile. Once widespread throughout Cuba, Cuban crocodiles now inhabit one last bastion of swamp, hunted and hybridized almost to extinction. Meet a reptile that still has scientists guessing.
BRAINS AND BRAWN
AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE
Cuban crocodiles aren’t among the world’s largest – the average adult size is around 7.5 feet long with a weight of up to 180 pounds – but they display behaviors that continue to attract the attention of herpetologists. Cuban crocodiles are believed to be highly intelligent, are notably agile jumpers, and are equally nimble out of the water, even galloping on land. Some observations have further suggested that these brainy crocodilians may be capable of cooperative hunting, a competency that pop culture generally associates more with Jurassic Park than it does with science.
Even as animal behaviorists seek to learn more about Cuban crocodiles, the clock is ticking on their future in the wild. Already challenged by a very limited range, Cuban crocodile populations face significant threats at the hands of illegal hunters, while interbreeding with introduced American crocodiles threatens to wipe the species from the record genetically. As a result, the Cuban crocodile is now classified as critically endangered.
For the Cuban crocodile, this trademark athleticism is almost all based in the tail, with the help of strong legs, allowing powerful propulsion both through and out of the water. These powers function at the peril of small mammals, turtles, fish, amphibians and crustaceans – a menu that, unlike those of some other crocodiles, does not seem to include the occasional human. While Cuban crocodiles are known for aggressive behaviors, with the startling agility to match, encounters with humans are rare in the wild, given the species’ remote and tiny range.
As with so many other endangered species, awareness, while intangible, has the ability to influence the Cuban crocodile’s future. The species is relatively well represented in zoological situations, where a new generation of aspiring herpetologists may refuse to let the questions surrounding these fascinating reptiles go unanswered.
What can you do? Get to know the Cuban crocodile resident coming soon to Scaly Slimy Spectacular: The Amphibian and Reptile Experience. Its own intrinsic abilities, both cognitive and physical, will no doubt speak for themselves.
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CATCHING UP(or catching a breath) TIM FIDLER WITH
SENIOR DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES AND CONSTRUCTION
by Rachel Davis
Tim Fidler isn’t one to crow. Ask him about his role in Scaly Slimy Spectacular: The Amphibian and Reptile Experience, and there’s not a single boastful note in his voice, no modicum of self-praise in his reply. Funnel the applause his way, and he does something unexpected. He catches the laurels deftly and just as quickly siphons them out to everyone else on the stage. “My face is the easy part to put at the center here, but I’m not the face of this project. Too many others have played central roles for that to be the case,” he says. “From the Herpetology Keepers and Curators, to the Education and Multimedia Teams, to the Accounting Department, everyone has helped everyone else.” Listening, one gets the sense that he’s not just slinging platitudes, despite an impressive career that has taken him all over the U.S. in his more than 30 years of experience in the construction industry. And Fidler is accustomed to building big. Zoo Atlanta is his first zoo, but his background includes 50-story office towers; hotels; massive mixed-use living and retail spaces; hospitals; marinas; entertainment complexes; and stadiums. When he joined the Zoo family in 2012, he was fresh
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When he arrived at Zoo Atlanta, there was little time to acclimate to the wildly different world of building for animals and humans. Fidler’s introduction was less of a baptism by fire than it was a baptism by brick and mortar. That’s because the Zoo, he concedes, “has its own nuances.” And what are those? “Well,” Fidler says with a laugh, “This was my first project that was shaped like a snake.” With scores of metropolitan high-rises under his belt, Fidler was looking for a work environment where he wouldn’t just be building structures that had nowhere to go but up. Those projects were big, he agrees, but repetitive, not to mention predictably shaped. Not so with Scaly Slimy Spectacular, where right angles are as rare as some of its endangered residents. “There’s hardly a square in the place,” Fidler shares, and here, there is just the slightest hint of pride. “It’s a truly unique structure.” Over a nearly two-year construction period, that unique structure, coming in both on time and under budget, has also demanded exceptional problem-solving work, from pausing for the whims of two snowstorms in 2014 to anticipating the needs of the complex’s 100 or so residents. “I like reptiles and amphibians. I think they’re great,” says Fidler. “But I probably know more about them now than I will probably ever use again.” The last several weeks of the construction process required seven-day work weeks for almost everyone on the forefront of the project, including Fidler, who typically gets to work around 6:45 a.m. and works an average of 11 hours a day. Like many Zoo staff, he has a balm for the pressures of the daily grind, spending the first hour of every morning walking through the Zoo. At the end of each day, however, Fidler remains adamant that while the accomplishment might be just one structure, the credit for its success goes to many. “If you have skills, you can work anywhere. But at very few jobs will you ever operate autonomously,” he says. “Being part of a team and recognizing the value of operating as a team … that can make or break it.” Even with the final coat of paint still fresh on Scaly Slimy Spectacular, Fidler is already looking forward to the next big project on the Zoo’s horizon: “A Grand New View for Zoo Atlanta: Elephants, Events and Expansion.” While it’s difficult to imagine any one project dwarfing the reptile and amphibian complex, the Cyclorama revitalization will reshape the Zoo on a scale that’s more than twice as large. But what about the meantime, now that Scaly Slimy Spectacular is complete and Fidler might have the first truly free time he’s enjoyed in months? The answer has wheels, and it’s loud. He’ll spend some time enjoying one of his favorite stress relievers: a Harley-Davidson Rocker C he keeps at the Zoo. He’s a veteran of almost every annual bike week in the U.S., including the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Laughlin River Run and Myrtle Beach Bike Week. His favorite event, the Thunder Beach Spring Rally in Panama City Beach, starts April 29. And will Tim Fidler and his Harley be there? You bet.
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Zoo Atlanta’s beer and wine festival returns Saturday, May 23. Buy your tickets now !
THE NEW ZOO
technology and innovation speed evolution at atlanta’s oldest cultural institution
by Rachel Davis
It was the twilight of the 20th century office. Fax was still queen over a world still governed by paper. Electronic mail – or “email,” as it would forever be known by subsequent generations – was still largely a dial-up phenomenon, popularly in use in people’s personal lives but not yet a staple of professional communication.
THEY GOT THE MEMO Longtime Zoo staff weigh in on the rise of technology at work
Cross-departmental communications still traveled mostly in interdepartmental envelopes. Zoo-wide messages were still delivered via that then-ubiquitous mode of office transmission: the memo. Then, there was that mystifying juggernaut known as the World Wide Web. Dogpatch and Yahoo! were the latest word in search engines, and the earliest ancestor of the website known as zooatlanta.org crawled forward from the prehistoric soup of time. No one had any concept of “The Facebook.” A tweet was something that came from a bird. And people would have been more likely to grasp the concept of a telegram than they would an Instagram. Had the automobile been invented yet? Were pioneers still traveling west on the Oregon Trail? Were there even 50 states? Only around 15 years ago, and within the memory of all but the very youngest generations, Zoo Atlanta employees, Volunteers, Members and guests went about their lives in just such a world. In the decade and a half since, and even more remarkably, over just the past several months, technology and innovation have revolutionized not just the Zoo’s business, but the Zoo experience itself.
Greg Cain Director of Retail Sales and Distribution Zoo start date: 1988 On email: I really liked how easy it was to retract email to other Zoo users. If they hadn’t opened it, you just deleted the email! On software: The first 13 years I was here, we collected retail data in Lotus 123 spreadsheets after hand-counting and keying everything … I would never go back!
Ground control to Zoo Atlanta Fast-forward not light-years ahead, but to 2015. Email is a fundamental communication. Computers can be held in the hand. Mobile phones can take photos and play videos. A person can keep up with the daily activities of a friend she hasn’t seen in 20 years because of social media. People in different countries or hemispheres can have face-to-face conversations. Technology has created a new world indeed. Where does a place like the Zoo fit in? “The Zoo’s business is, first and foremost, stewardship of wildlife and conservation, but Zoo Atlanta is still a business. Innovation is what keeps us fresh in a very dynamic marketplace that’s always changing and evolving,” says Raymond B. King, President and CEO. “By continuing to adapt, continuing to think, and continuing to invent, we’re able to do the work we’re here to do even better.”
Jeff Cox Director of Admissions, Rides and Attractions Zoo start date: 1997 On the Zoo’s website: Do I remember the Zoo’s first website? Well, no. We only had a typewriter in the Admissions office, so we had no access to the Zoo’s website.
From MySpace to Vine: social media Nearly seven years after the launch of its first social media profile – MySpace – in 2008, Zoo Atlanta’s social media outlets continue to grow organically. The Zoo’s MySpace profile was joined and quickly eclipsed by Facebook (2008, now with 140,750 likes); Twitter (2009, now with 31,340 followers); Google+ (2010, with 1.78 million in our circles); Pinterest (2010, with 14,730 followers); and Instagram (2013, with 25,300 followers). The Zoo’s youngest profile, Vine, joined the mix in 2014.
An era of innovation For the first time since Zoo staff hunted-and-pecked their way through their first web pages years ago, free Wi-Fi was made available on Zoo grounds as a convenience for Members and guests in 2014 – a year that carried a prevailing theme of innovation. Last year, Spring Break guests were the first to try the VIP Pass, a mobile upgrade platform designed by Experience, a fan experience technology company based in Atlanta. Zoo Atlanta also partnered with Fanforce, another Atlanta-based company, on a universal database that will enhance user engagement while providing fans with in-the-moment perks via social media.
Scott Paul Senior Technical Support Manager Zoo start date: 1999 On awesome devices: There were no smartphones, but BlackBerrys and Palm Pilots were all the rage! On the Zoo’s website: It was a three or fourpage wonder describing the Zoo, and it had a series of photos and several links. After that, we modified the homepage to add an Adobe Flash component. The page took so long to load, we had to scrap that idea.
The Zoo’s Membership systems also enjoyed a much-needed upgrade in 2014, with a transition to Gateway’s Galaxy software. The change will streamline the Membership and renewal processes to allow Zoo Members more immediate access to their benefits. “We won’t just try something only because it’s new, but we should always be willing to try something new if we think it could benefit our systems or our Members and guests’ experiences, even if we’re not sure of an outcome of success,” King says. “One of the best things about partners like Experience and Fanforce is that they’re Atlanta-based startups. We didn’t have to go around the country to find these phenomenal ideas. We found them and embrace them right here in the great minds of our own city.”
The new Zoo With technology becoming more and more seamlessly integrated into business and culture at Zoo Atlanta, Members and guests can expect even more upgrades and conveniences in the months and years to come – conveniences that will allow individuals to enjoy Zoo experiences that free their time for the business at hand: learning about and appreciating the animals that are and always will be at the soul of the Zoo’s reason for being. After all, being wowed by the World Wide Web is so 1990-something. And Zoo Atlanta hears you, future … we got the memo.
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Lori Perkins Vice President of Collections Zoo start date: 1984 On email: It was, of course, dial-up, and we also had access to the very early internet – no graphics, just text – through Georgia Tech. Logging in was a very convoluted and unintuitive process. I spent one Christmas break in the late 1990s writing an elaborate, step-by-step user guide for everyone. I printed dozens of copies of it … Courier 10 on my trusty dot-matrix printer! On software: Thanks to Zoo Atlanta, I am one of the few people who could provide the correct Jeopardy! question when the clue is “The Bernoulli Box.”
WI FI AD
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Connect with Zoo Atlanta in and outside the Zoo! U
#ONLYZOOATL
Where else can you see North America’s largest collection of western lowland gorillas or twin panda cubs? #OnlyZooATL
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# ZAFANFRIDAY Every week, fans are invited to share some of their favorite photos from the Zoo. On Friday, the best fan photo is selected for Pic of the Week and shared across the Zoo’s social platforms. Check out a few of our #ZAFANFRIDAY favorites!
Facebook fan Linda L. Facebook fan Michael G.
Instagram follower Lisa S.
Instagram follower Amy O.
Use these special hashtags and join the conversation.
#SSSPECTACULAR Use this hashtag to join in on all the Scaly Slimy Spectacular fun! Look for fun photos, videos and cool facts about reptiles and amphibians.
We even have a Scaly Slimy Spectacular Pinterest board!
JOIN THE CONVERSATION 29
GRAND NEW VIEW A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA FOR YOUR ZOO by Rachel Davis
July 2014: a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity Mayor Kasim Reed announces that with the move of the Cyclorama painting “The Battle of Atlanta� to the Atlanta History Center, the stewardship of the 1920s-era Cyclorama building will be transferred to Zoo Atlanta. Designed by Atlanta architect John Francis Downing and completed in 1921, the structure is a historic treasure.
November 2014: a significant commitment Zoo Atlanta is awarded a $20 million grant from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation in a dramatic show of support for an unprecedented expansion. The grant will match other gifts for the Cyclorama revitalization project on a 1:1 basis up to and including a commitment of $20 million.
February 2015: a record contribution Delta Air Lines through the Delta Air Lines Foundation makes a commitment of $1 million toward the “A Grand New View for Zoo Atlanta: Elephants, Events and Expansion” campaign. The gift is Delta’s largest contribution ever to the Zoo.
March 2015: a public vote of support The project takes top honors in the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Best of Atlanta Real Estate Awards for 2015 – an energizing public statement of our community’s trust in and commitment to the Zoo’s transformation.
April 2015 and beyond … History is now being made at Atlanta’s oldest cultural destination. You can be part of our next chapter, and we want you to be! Stay tuned, and thanks for your support.
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You’re part of our family.
As a Zoo Atlanta Member, you have the ability to create unforgettable experiences that last a lifetime. Plan your next adventure! Renew or upgrade your Membership online today!
Mix, meet, and mingle with cocktails and exclusive animal encounters. Get ready for the wildest summer yet! Visit zooatlanta.org for more info! May 14 • June 11 • July 9 • August 13 • September 10
Safari Day Camp provides a fun and exciting opportunity to learn about animals and nature in a spectacular outdoor environment. Register your kids today!
by Erin Delahunty Krueger, Manager of School and Family Programs, and Natalie Dyer, Volunteen Supervisor
PRESCHOOLERS
SLIMY FRIENDS WILD WORD FROG: A frog is a special type of
ged black-leg rog art f poison d
animal with no tail, strong legs, short arms, smooth skin and webbed feet. Frogs live near water, and they like to eat insects. There are many different kinds of frogs. How many types can you find in Scaly Slimy Spectacular: The Amphibian and Reptile Experience?
hourgl as tree fro s g
BOOK NOOK A Color of His Own by Leo Lionni An Extraordinary Egg by Leo Lionni The Wide-Mouthed Frog: A Pop-up Book by Steve Jenkins
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CONNECT THE DOTS AND COLOR
A frog’s favorite food is insects! Connect the dots to help your frog eat its afternoon snack. Then, color your frog’s habitat, and add details such as water or a lily pad.
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ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
MASTERS OF DISGUISE WILD WORD CAMOUFLAGE: Camouflage is an
day
night
adaptation that allows animals to blend in with their surroundings. Camouflage helps some animals hide from predators, while some predators use camouflage to surprise their prey. Many reptiles and amphibians have camouflage that enables them to mimic their habitats. One true master of disguise is the lemur leaf frog. This frog changes its color with the time of day. It’s green during the day, and it’s purple at night! How many types can you find in Scaly Slimy Spectacular: The Amphibian and Reptile Experience?
BOOK NOOK
Verdi by Janell Cannon The Salamander Room by Anne Mazer Frogs, Toads and Turtles Take Along Guide by Diane L. Burns Everything You Need to Know About Snakes and Other Scaly Reptiles by DK Publishing
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MAKE YOUR OWN “CAMO CHAMELEON!” You’ll need: • Chameleon outline • Markers • Crayons • Glue sticks • Habitat pictures
Instructions: 1. Choose a photo of a habitat for your chameleon. You can cut one out of a magazine, print one from the internet, or make your own! 2. Color your chameleon so that it will blend in with the colors of the habitat you’ve chosen. 3. Cut out your chameleon and glue or tape it to the habitat picture.
See how this chameleon is blending into its surroundings?
MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL H E R P E - W H AT ? WILD WORD Herpetology: Herpetology is the branch
of biology that studies reptiles and amphibians. Herpeton is a Greek word meaning “creeping animal,” and “-ology” means “the study of.” Scientists who study these animals are known as herpetologists. There are many subsets of this field, including field research, disease, ecology, animal care and biotechnology. There are over 10,000 reptile species and more than 7,000 amphibian species, with herpetologists discovering new species every day. Zoo Atlanta’s own Joe Mendelson, PhD, has named over 30 new frog species, and even has a species named for him: Telmatobius mendelsoni!
BOOK NOOK
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Their Blood Runs Cold: Adventures with Reptiles and Amphibians by Whit Gibbons Snakes: The Keeper and the Kept by Carl Kauffeid Reptiles of the World: The Crocodilians, Lizards, Snakes, Turtles and Tortoises of the Eastern and Western Hemispheres by Raymond Ditmars Amphibians and Reptiles of Georgia by Matt Elliott
TAKE ACTION BE A CITIZEN SCIENTIST Join your local FrogWatch chapter to learn about local wetlands and frog calls. Then, listen and report your data on species found at a wetland near you. FrogWatch data and more information can be accessed on the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) FrogWatch page. Get involved and help “herps” today!
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ANIMAL SPOTLIGHT: CENTRAL AMERICAN
RIVER TURTLE
See Central American river turtles in Scaly Slimy Sp 42
RANGE IN THE WILD:
Extreme southern Mexico, Belize and Guatemala
STATUS IN THE WILD: Critically endangered
DIET:
Wild diet is made up largely of fruits, flowers and leaves that have fallen into rainforest rivers.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
These are large freshwater turtles, with an average shell span of around 24 inches and a weight averaging around 50 pounds. The smooth, flat carapace is typically brown or gray, and the plastron is yellow or white.
BEHAVIOR:
Central American river turtles almost never leave the water, not even to bask on logs. Like all turtles, however, females must venture to land to lay their eggs.
LIFESPAN:
Information on lifespan is inconclusive, but the turtles are known to live at least 40 years.
CHALLENGES IN THE WILD:
This species is heavily over-harvested for food markets.
FUN FACT:
The Central American river turtle may truly be called a living fossil. As the only surviving member of the family Dermatemydidae, it has virtually no close relatives among present-day turtle species. The species is rarely seen in zoos.
pectacular: The Amphibian and Reptile Experience! 43
ASK AN EXPERT
Spring has sprung, and our panel of Zoo experts is ready with answers to questions about your neighborhood wildlife.
BIRDS James Ballance Curator of Birds and Program Animals
Are there any migratory bird species we might see passing through at this time of year? What are they, and where are they headed? Sandhill cranes are usually noticed first because of their calls way up high as they pass overhead. They’re passing through on their way from northern Florida and southern Georgia and are moving north in groups on their way to breeding grounds in places such as Wisconsin and eastern Canada. What are some of the wild bird species we might see in the Zoo and in metro Atlanta in spring and early summer? There are far more bird species in our backyards than most people ever see or notice. On a walk through the Zoo, the most obvious are likely to be robins, mockingbirds, grackles, cardinals and Carolina wrens, all of which nest here on Zoo grounds. Also look out for the brown-headed nuthatches that nest in the pines at the wetlands habitat; downy woodpeckers also almost certainly nest on Zoo grounds every year. Catbirds will be showing up soon, and our state bird, the brown thrasher, is always skulking around somewhere! Help! I found a baby bird on the ground in my yard. What should I do? Baby birds often leave the nest before they can actually fly, but that doesn’t mean they’re lost. Usually the parents are nearby and know where their offspring are. If a bird is very young, with eyes not yet opened or incapable of standing because it’s not sufficiently developed, look for the nest and return it to the nest if possible. Failing that, the chick should be taken to a licensed rehabilitator in Georgia. Do not attempt to raise it yourself; it’s not legal, and baby birds generally require professional care. Is it true that parent birds will reject their babies if they’ve been handled by humans? Carolina wrens are common nesters on Zoo grounds. Wildlife Theater staff found these chicks in our backyard habitat in 2014. Most birds, especially the species we find in suburban backyards, have
little to no sense of smell. So no, a chick will not be rejected because it has been handled by a person.
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AMPHIBIANS Robert Hill Lead Keeper of Herpetology What are the three most commonly heard frog calls in metro Atlanta? Our three most common would be the American bullfrog, the Cope’s gray tree frog and the Fowler’s toad. But as with most things amphibian, the ones you hear vary by the season. Listen out!
REPTILES Brad Lock, DVM Curator of Herpetology I live near a lake that usually has a ton of turtles. Are they hibernating right now? If so, when should I see them start to emerge? Turtles do hibernate. In Atlanta, native turtles come out of hibernation toward the end of March and will have started basking on warm days. In north Georgia, this may be delayed by a few weeks to a month. What are the most commonly encountered snakes in metro Atlanta? The Dekay’s brown snake or little brown snake, the copperhead and the ratsnake are the three most commonly encountered. Is it true that snakes are more active in spring? What should I do if I want to avoid an encounter? Yes, snakes are more active in spring. This is breeding season, so it’s a time of moving around (especially males in search of females) for the majority of them. Also, they will have just emerged from hibernation, so they’re looking to bask on warm days; they’re more active during the day so are thus most visible. If you’re looking to avoid an encounter, walk on paths, look before you reach under bushes when gardening, don’t have brush or garbage piles in your yard, and keep your yard trimmed.
Often seen in metro Atlanta backyards, harmless DeKay’s brown snakes are often mistaken for baby copperheads.
Ask a Zoo expert about your backyard fauna or flora! Tag your question with #AskAnExpert on Zoo Atlanta Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, or send an email to pressupdates@zooatlanta.org with the subject line “Ask an Expert.” Look for more answers in an upcoming edition of Wild Times.
BEYOND ZOO WALLS Cyclorama project takes top honors in Best of Atlanta Real Estate Awards Zoo Atlanta earned top honors in the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Best in Atlanta Real Estate Awards, announced on March 5. The Cyclorama revitalization project won the award in the “Mixed-Use/Special Use” category. The honor is an exciting public vote of confidence for the project, officially titled “A Grand New View for Zoo Atlanta: Elephants, Events and Expansion” and set for completion in 2018 or 2019. Stay tuned for more updates in a truly transformative era for the Zoo!
Great Ape Heart Project takes next revolutionary step in fighting a killer The Great Ape Heart Project headquartered at Zoo Atlanta is now beta-testing a groundbreaking multinational database that will allow experts to document, compare, and contrast great ape cardiac data in a way that was previously considered impossible. Funded by a three-year National Leadership Grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services and configured by Prelude Dynamics, a clinical data capture firm in Austin, Texas, the registry holds records on more than 440 apes, both living and deceased, from 69 institutions and encapsulates data from the past 22 years. The database is slated for official rollout later this year.
Children’s book tackles myths about alligator lizards in Guatemala Written by Brad Lock, DVM, Curator of Herpetology, Monica Torres and Jose Antonio Urbina, a new book geared toward young children will work to topple long-held myths about alligator lizards in Guatemala, where these animals still face fearbased persecution. The work was produced by Project Abronia, the Zoo’s conservation partnership with the Foundation for the Endangered Species of Guatemala, and is currently only available in Spanish.
Keeper ingenuity contributes to national knowledge base It’s not the first time professionals from Zoo Atlanta have problem-solved their way to innovative solutions in animal care, but it’s always rewarding when animal caregivers from other institutions are able to benefit from this ingenuity. Published in the February edition of the American Association of Zoo Keepers’ Animal Keepers’ Forum, an article by Nate Elgart, Elephant Program Manager and Mammal Lead Keeper, discussed the benefits of installing freezer flaps to provide social benefits for African elephants Kelly and Tara.
Grant broadens ZooMobile reach to thousands of new children ZooMobile Outreach Programs have a broader reach in Atlanta Public Schools than ever before, thanks to a $100,000 grant from the Zeist Foundation. Sessions supported by the grant, active from May 2014 through June 2015, have a collective impact on 9,000 pre-kindergartners to seventh graders.
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S
NEWS BYTES WITH A BIG IMPACT ON OUR REACH AROUND THE WORLD
by Rachel Davis
Co-written by Zoo Atlanta’s own Dr. Brad Lock, a Spanish children’s book published by Project Abronia will help young children tackle myths about alligator lizards in their native Guatemala.
The Cyclorama revitalization project will create a state-of-the-art event facility overlooking the Zoo’s African savanna, a grand entry plaza, and a significant expansion of the African elephant habitat, which will more than triple in size.
A paper by Elephant Program Manager Nate Elgart details the social benefits of installing freezer flaps for African elephants Tara (pictured) and Kelly.
A Zeist Foundation grant has enabled the Zoo to broaden its mission on the road this year, with a collective impact on 9,000 students in Atlanta Public Schools.
The Great Ape Heart Project is beta-testing a new multinational dabase.
Art is going WILD at Zoo Atlanta!
Art is going WILD at Zoo Atlanta! Paint-Out Week starts June 1. Save the date for the Art Gone Wild Art Show and Silent Auction on June 13.
UPCOMING EVENTS MARK YOUR CALENDAR For signature events at the Zoo!
APRIL 19
Zoos Go Blue – Zoo Atlanta is proud to go Blue for autism awareness. On Sunday, April 19, the Zoo will open early at 8 a.m. for families with children or individuals affected by autism, giving them a unique opportunity to experience the Zoo. Advance tickets are required; stay tuned to zooatlanta.org for tickets and details.
APRIL 25
Zoo Plant Sale – Glorify your grounds with lush native plant varieties selected by Zoo horticulturists at the annual Zoo Plant Sale. Sale takes place at the Conservation/Education Gate near the Cherokee Avenue parking lot; Zoo admission is not required. Visit zooatlanta.org for details.
MAY 2
Chameleon Kaleidoscope: The 2015 Beastly Feast – One of the Southeast’s most anticipated black-tie galas returns with a celebration of the diversity of life on Earth showcased in Scaly Slimy Spectacular: The Amphibian and Reptile Experience. Ford Motor Company Fund returns as Presenting Sponsor, marking 30 years of generous support. Call 404.624.5836 to inquire about tables or tickets.
MAY 10
Mother’s Day at the Zoo – Celebrate Mom with a gift for the entire family – a day at the Zoo! Moms enjoy free admission with purchase of any regularly-priced child’s or adult’s general admission ticket. Animal moms will also enjoy themed enrichment surprises! Stay tuned to zooatlanta.org for animal activity times.
MAY 14, JUNE 11, JULY 9, AUGUST 13, SEPTEMBER 10
Wild on the Rocks – Mix, meet, and mingle at the city’s wildest summer cocktail series for adults! Tickets include a complimentary beverage, evening exhibit viewing, music and more. Programs are designed for adults. Stay tuned to zooatlanta.org for reservations and details.
MAY 16
Endangered Species Day – Celebrate our planet’s irreplaceable endangered species, and find out how zoos and concerned individuals can work together to ensure a future for wildlife. Highlights will include keeper talks and family activities centered on the Zoo’s endangered and critically endangered residents and their counterparts in the wild. Free for Zoo Atlanta Members and children under 3; free with general admission. Visit zooatlanta.org for event details.
MAY 16
Girl Scout Day – Zoo Atlanta welcomes Girl Scouts with admission discounts, special activities, private animal encounters and more during an Endangered Species Day extravaganza. Scouts will also receive a complimentary Zoo Atlanta patch (while supplies last). Learn more on zooatlanta.org.
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UPCOMING EVENTS MAY 23
Brew at the Zoo – Atlanta’s favorite Memorial Day weekend festival returns with more brews, more bubbly and more bands for Zoo-goers 21 and up. Tickets include unlimited sampling of a variety of beers and wines and live music on stages throughout the Zoo. This event is for ages 21 and up only; guests under 21 will not be admitted. Stay tuned to zooatlanta.org for tickets and event details.
WEEKLY, MAY 26 – AUGUST 7
Summer Safari Day Camp – Book the kids now for a week (or more!) of the Zoo’s award-winning day camp adventure. Highlights include Zoo tours, up-close-and-personal animal encounters, crafts and new friends in the home of nearly 1,400 animals from around the world. Camp runs weekly for potty-trained 4-year-olds to 5th graders; try Summer Safari Quest for rising 6th graders to rising 8th graders. Register or learn more on zooatlanta.org.
JUNE 1-5
Art Gone Wild Paint-Out Week – Zoo Atlanta is transformed into an artists’ colony for the second-annual Art Gone Wild Paint-Out Week. More than 30 talents from the Atlanta art community will spend five days using the Zoo’s animals, botanicals and scenes as their inspirations. Watch them at work! Artworks will be featured at the Art Gone Wild Art Show and Silent Auction on June 13. Free for Zoo Members and children under 3; free with general admission. Stay tuned to zooatlanta.org for details.
JUNE 13
Art Gone Wild Art Show and Silent Auction – View and bid on one-of-a-kind artworks inspired by Zoo residents and their habitats, and meet the artists, at the second-annual Art Gone Wild Art Show and Silent Auction. Artists have generously agreed to donate a portion of art sales to Zoo Atlanta. Stay tuned to zooatlanta.org for tickets and event details.
JUNE 20
Asian Heritage Day – Celebrate Asian heritage with a day packed with live dance, music and more for the entire family. Free for Zoo Atlanta Members and children under 3; free with general admission. Stay tuned to zooatlanta.org for event details.
JUNE 21
Father’s Day at the Zoo – Treat Dad to a family day at the Zoo! Fathers enjoy free admission with purchase of any regularlypriced child’s or adult’s general admission ticket. Animal dads will also enjoy Father’s Day surprises! Stay tuned to zooatlanta.org for animal activity times.
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