Zoological Society of Milwaukee Members’ Newsletter July-August 2020
REOPENING THE ZOO
The Zoo is open and we’re excited to announce the Zoo’s phased reopening plans. The health and safety of the animals, staff and visitors are a top priority and that means guidelines for a successful reopening.
WHAT ZOO PASS MEMBERS NEED TO KNOW: • All visitors, including Zoo Pass members, need to make an online reservation to visit the Zoo. • There are a limited number of reservations allowed each day. The last entry time is 1:30 p.m.
• Once you make the reservation, you will receive an email ticket confirmation that you must present at the gate to enter. Do not attempt to enter the Zoo with just your Zoo Pass; you will need the reservation information.
• Go to milwaukeezoo.org to choose a date and time you would like to visit the Zoo and enter your Zoo Pass information.
• Visitors must arrive at their reservation entry time to ensure a safe capacity within the Zoo is not exceeded.
For more information on how the Zoological Society will extend your Zoo Pass to make up for lost time, turn to page 3.
ZOO GUIDELINES & SAFETY: • All visitors are required to wear masks. Exemptions to this policy can be found on milwaukeezoo.org. • High-touch areas will be closed, such as the goat yard, Sky Adventure Zip Line/ Ropes Courses, pony rides, playgrounds and areas where larger numbers of visitors could congregate including giraffe feedings, Animal in Action talks and animal feedings. • A limited number of restrooms will be open with doors permanently propped open. • Water fountains will be closed; the water bottle refill station in the Gathering Place will be open.
• All indoor animal buildings will be closed during Phase 1. • Some concessions will be available, with limited menu items. Visitors can bring in food and non-alcoholic beverages. • The Zoo will have visual signage and staff members in place to remind visitors to maintain a 6-foot physical distance along all pathways, and in ride queue lines, boarding and seating. • During the first phase of reopening, the Zoo will close at 3 p.m. to allow extra time to sanitize all areas such as tables, chairs, railings and more. • Hand sanitizer stations will be located throughout the Zoo.
Current guidelines are temporary, and when appropriate, the Zoo will transition to reopening Phase II, with additional portions of the park open to visitors. Before visiting, check the Zoo’s website at milwaukeezoo.org for a detailed list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to the Phase I reopening.
“CHIP” IN Birdies & Eagles Golf Tournament
Sponsored by GRAEF Monday, July 27, at the Ozaukee Country Club in Mequon Get out your golf clubs and chip in a ball for birdie while chipping in to help the Zoological Society. The Society’s Birdies & Eagles Golf Tournament is a perfect fundraiser for those who like to spend a day on the links.
Former Packer LeRoy Butler will spend the day on the links with guests.
Registration includes: • Lunch • A round of golf with a cart
• Contests • Course refreshments
• Post-golf cocktails • Dinner and more!
Former Green Bay Packer, Super Bowl winner and inventor of the “Lambeau Leap,” LeRoy Butler, is coming back to spend the day on the course with us. Money raised during this event helps the Zoological Society fulfill its mission to conserve, educate and support the Zoo. Register at zoosociety.org/Golf or call 414-258-2333. Cost starts at $350 per golfer.
Photos by Peter Zuzga
MEMBERANDA We value your relationship with the Zoological Society of Milwaukee. The Society does not sell member/donor information to third parties, but may share limited information with the Milwaukee County Zoo for the purpose of confirming membership status. Zoological Society office hours: Weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Weekends, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Zoo hours: Due to health and safety guidelines related to COVID-19, Zoo hours will change. For the most up to date times, go to their website milwaukeezoo.org. Note: Some animal areas may be closed for the health and safety of the animals and guests. Company picnics: For members visiting the Zoo with a company picnic, Zoo Pass members’ free admission or free parking benefits do not apply. The fees paid for company picnics include admission and parking and usually include additional zoo-visit benefits. Zoo admission: Please remember to have your Zoo Pass and identification ready when you arrive at the Zoo’s admission gates. If you’ve misplaced your card, replacement cards may be purchased for $5. Zoo Pass admission is valid for regular daytime Zoo hours and many events. Visiting other zoos and aquariums: We have agreed to participate in the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ Reciprocal Admissions Program. Some accredited zoos and aquariums choose not to participate in this program and therefore do not appear on our list. Most facilities honor free or discounted admission for two adults and two minor children. Members should call ahead to the facilities they plan to visit to get current information. In a few cases, we have opted not to reciprocate with some institutions that are in close proximity to our Zoo. Members are encouraged to review the updated list by visiting zoopass.com.
2 Wild Things July-August 2020
Who can use member cards? The person(s) named on the Zoo Pass is the owner of the card, and benefits are not transferable to anyone else. We need to have the number of minor children/grandchildren in your household reflected in your membership records for the Zoo’s admission gates. Foster children are covered on your membership. Day-care providers: Your Zoo Pass membership does not cover children for whom you provide baby-sitting or day-care services. The Society and the Zoo retain the right to invalidate any membership being used inappropriately. WILD THINGS Issue No. 148, July-August 2020 Wild Things is a membership newsletter published by the Zoological Society of Milwaukee five times a year. Editor: Katie Krecklow Designer: Scott DuChateau Contributing writer: Stacy Vogel Davis Contact the Zoological Society at: 10005 W. Bluemound Rd., Milwaukee, WI 53226-4383 Phone: 414-258-2333 Web: zoosociety.org Contact the Milwaukee County Zoo at: 10001 W. Bluemound Rd., Milwaukee, WI 53226-4383 Phone: 414-256-5412 Web: milwaukeezoo.org RECYCLE: When your publications arrive in the plastic bag, please recycle it at your local grocery store or at Guest Services when you visit the Zoo.
Cover photo: Bob Wickland
ZOO PASS EXTENSION Zoo Pass members, Due to the Zoo Closures and reopening process, we are extending Zoo Passes four months from their current expiration date. Do not throw away your current Zoo Pass. The Zoological Society is a nonprofit and reprinting cards with a new expiration date and mailing them out would be very costly. If you had remaining attraction coupons on your account and your pass expired, don’t worry, the coupons will also be extended consistent with your Zoo Pass extension. We suggest you monitor your new expiration date and coupons available online by visiting zoosociety.org. Look for MyAccount in the upper righthand corner of a desktop computer. If you purchased or renewed a Zoo Pass during the quarantine, your pass will be extended as well. Zoo Passes will be extended for the time the Zoo has been closed, whether or not you renewed during the Zoo’s closure. If you would like to decline extending your Zoo Pass, look on the homepage of zoosociety.org or call 414-258-2333. Please be patient with us as we make these changes and navigate through these unprecedented circumstances. We are honored to have so many Zoo Pass members, however that also means a lot of records to change. If you have any questions or need assistance with an order, our office is staffed at this time and you can call seven days a week between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. at 414-258-2333.
We will continue to update members about their Zoo Passes and upcoming events. If we do not have an email for you on file, please contact us at membership@zoosociety.org or 414-258-2333 so we can add one for you.
s op kin
rre tt H
Ga
b os ot
y
Ph
GOOD TIMING
We know during the safer-at-home orders you missed coming to the Zoo, and we missed you too. However, the quiet time offered a unique opportunity for two animals at the Zoo. Yin and Yang, the Zoo’s Chinese alligators, were trying to breed and needed some privacy.
Once the breeding recommendation came, zookeepers worked to help the process. Some of the changes included two additional heat lamps to encourage the female to bask in the light and raise her body temperature. Keepers also dug out some of the sand in the habitat and replaced it with a mulch/straw/soil mixture that is similar to nesting materials the alligators would use in the wild. The next thing that can help the process is peace and quiet, which worked out well since the Zoo was closed.
The Species Survival Plan® gives breeding recommendations to animals that seem to be a good genetic match. Yin and Yang were at one time thought to be brother and sister because they came from the same Zoo. However, Typically Chinese alligators breed from midzookeepers in Milwaukee recently learned that was a coincidence and not only are they not April to early June with hatchings happening around September. Yin, the female, is about related, they are a good match to breed. 34 years old and the male, Yang, is 33. Chinese alligators can breed into their 50s and live to about 70. Right now, nature is taking its course and it’s a wait-and-see game.
Stock photo
4 Wild Things July-August 2020
W? DID YOU KNO
• Chinese alligators are critically endangered.
• There are two species of alligators in the world, the Chinese alligator and American alligator.
• Diet in the wild includes snails, crustaceans, insects, fish, young waterfowl and rodents.
• Chinese alligators usually grow to about 5 feet, smaller than the American alligator.
FAMILY PRIDE
Sometimes when an animal moves to a new zoo, it must get used to a new herd or group. But the new lionesses at the Milwaukee County Zoo traveled as a pride. Patty Sharptooth, a 5-year-old African lion, came to the Zoo with her 2-year-old daughters, Eloise and Amira, from the Sedgwick County Zoo in Kansas.
Photo by Joel Miller
The three arrived in late February, shortly before the Zoo shut down because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sadly, the Zoo’s male lion, Themba, died in May at the age of 16, so the pride is all-female for now. The lack of visitors helped the lions acclimate to the exhibit more quickly, especially Patty, who can become uncomfortable in front of large groups, says Katie Kuhn, area supervisor of big cats. “Patty Sharptooth is shy and hesitant with multiple people around, but one-on-one with her keeper she is gentle and sweet and smart as a whip. She knows more behaviors than most of our cats! We've been able to work on one thing at a time and build our trust with her so that hopefully when guests return, we have a strong foundation with her.” Kuhn calls Eloise and Amira “typical lion teenagers – pushy, bossy, loud, playful.” The keepers work hard to keep the young lionesses active through training sessions and other enrichment. They seem to especially enjoy whole prey and trying to pull hard plastic toys out of the pool.
Photo by Joel Miller
The lionesses get along well, Kuhn says. “Since they are mother and daughters, they have their hierarchy already figured out.” You can identify Patty because she has a straight edge on her left ear, owing to a bite from another lion at her previous zoo. Eloise has a small slit in her right ear, probably from rough-housing with Amira, Kuhn says. “Amira is the one that runs to us first. She's always hungry, always curious and the most independent from mom.” The lionesses will alternate with the hyenas in their indoor and outdoor exhibits in Florence Mila Borchert Big Cat Country.
e
ELOISE
Photo by Joel Miller
a
AMIRA Photo by Ryan Taylor
y
PATTY SHARPTOOTH
DINOSAURS RETURN
Experience the wonder and history behind creatures that once roamed the earth. Dinosaurs Unearthed, sponsored by Sendik’s Food Markets, is ready for guests this summer through Oct. 31! More than 20 large and lifelike dinosaurs are on display outside the Small Mammals Building. Admission is $3 per person, after regular Zoo admission. Zoo Pass members can use their electronic coupons for admission.
6 Wild Things July-August 2020
All photos courtesy Billings Production
SENIORS RULE Senior Celebration
Sponsored by St. Camillus Life Plan Community Wednesday, Sept. 2, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free admission for guests 55 and older with photo ID. Parking fee still applies. With age comes wisdom. It also comes with a free day at the Zoo! On Wednesday, Sept. 2, all guests 55 years and older will not only get free admission to the Zoo, but there are also activities throughout the grounds. There are health and wellness exhibitors inside the Peck Welcome Center designed to keep you healthy, moving and informed. Guests can join the Senior Olympics for a 1-mile walk at 10:30 a.m. Or step in line with some line dancing by the Flamingo Gazebo. Test your luck through the day during one of the three bingo sessions starting at 9:30 a.m. Entertainment sponsored by Network Health.
Photo by Stacy Kaat
INTERACTIONS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
This summer you can make a difference in a seal or sea lion’s life while enjoying a unique experience. As the Zoo reopens you can buy a ticket to feed a seal or sea lion at the Ocean Connections area by Macaque Island. Not only will you have a great story to tell, funds collected from feedings go directly to the welfare of the animals and conservation efforts around the United States. Ocean Connections is an independent nonprofit organization that operates inside the Zoo. Their mission is to provide forever homes to seals and sea lions deemed unable to survive in the wild. They give the animals a second chance at life, and you have the chance to meet some of them. If you’re looking to get more involved, Ocean Connections is offering a program for guests of all ages. “Flippered Friends & Family” is a 30-minute interactive experience. Participants will learn how the staff work with the animals and then can go poolside for a private training session where you will meet and feed one of the beloved seals or sea lions. Ocean Connections also runs summer camps for children. They range from two to five days and include poolside interactions. Following state guidelines, camps will be limited to 10 participants until further notice. Camps run through August. At the time of press, the seal and sea lion shows are on hold until proper social distancing in the theater can be established. For more information on camps, experiences and the mission of Ocean Connections, visit oceanconnections.org.
Photo by Olga Kornienko
ART CONTEST Entry form deadline, Aug. 14
Display and judging, Aug. 29 Have you been working on more art projects than usual during the recent closures? Show off what you can do by signing up for the Zoological Society’s Green Art Contest. Children ages 17 and under are invited to create animal art with discarded and recyclable material. This year’s theme is “A Sea of Art.” Artwork should include animals you can find in the ocean such as whales, eels or sharks. But remember, you have to use recycled materials – tape and glue are allowed. All projects will be displayed in the Peck Welcome Center Aug. 29. The Kids Green Art Contest encourages kids to learn about animals and recycling while using creativity. For a look at the rules and how to enter, go to zoosociety.org/SponsorAnimal/GreenArt. Photo by Bob Wickland
KIDS NIGHTS
Sponsored by WaterStone Bank New Dates: Aug. 18-20 5-9 p.m.
NEW EVENT DATE
As a thank-you for being a Zoo Pass member, you’re invited to an evening at the Zoo just for members. Bring a picnic dinner or stop by one of the Zoo’s restaurants. In addition to visiting the amazing animals and enjoying the summer air, there will be entertainment throughout the Zoo grounds. Experience the new hippo exhibit when you go face to face with the hippos underwater. Then “stomp” over to the summer exhibit, Dinosaurs Unearthed, sponsored by Sendik’s Food Markets. The Zoo admission gates will close for the day at 4:15 p.m. and reopen for our event at 5 p.m. This event is only for Zoo Pass members and their minor children and/or grandchildren covered on the membership. Special offer: Visit any WaterStone Bank between July 1 and Aug. 14, 2020, show your Zoo Pass card and get one ticket good for a free ride on the Penzeys Carousel during Kids Nights.
Photo by Stacy Kaat
Special thanks to the following stage sponsors: eAchieve Academy & Great Clips.
JOIN THE HERD
They weigh several tons and they are a ton of fun to watch! The elephants at the Milwaukee County Zoo have stolen the hearts of many guests. Belle joined resident elephants Ruth and Brittany at the end of 2019. Belle and Ruth are getting along well. Brittany and Belle are getting along but are still working out who will be the leader, or the more dominant elephant, of the group. If you would like to give Belle a warm welcome to the Zoo, purchase this limited-time animal sponsorship today. By sponsoring Belle for $45 you will receive: • A plush-toy elephant
• A certificate of sponsorship
• Name recognition in the Peck Welcome Center • An invitation to a behind-the-scenes event for animal sponsors at the Zoo in August • A colorful fact sheet about elephants (see below) Money raised from the Sponsor an Animal program helps the Zoological Society in its mission to support the Milwaukee County Zoo. Photo by Joel Miller
A TREAT FOR ANIMAL SPONSORS Animal Safari
Sponsored by Lifeway Foods Saturday, Aug. 29, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tours start at 10 a.m. Sponsoring an animal at the Milwaukee County Zoo is a great way to support the Zoological Society. It also comes with some big perks! One of them is a special day at the Zoo that includes behind-the-scenes tours just for animal sponsors.
A tour last year took guests behind the scenes of the indoor flamingo home. Photo by Bob Wickland
Animal sponsors and anyone that sponsored an animal as a gift are invited to Animal Safari. Other activities during Animal Safari include an animal bingo game for a chance to win an animal sponsorship or Kids Conservation Club membership. Not an animal sponsor? You can sponsor an animal that day and still go out on the tours. Or sponsor an animal today. Take a look at the different opportunities on our website zoosociety.org/SponsorAnimal. Wild Things July-August 2020 9
In any other year, the cast and crew of Kohl’s Wild Theater spends the month of May deep in rehearsals for the summer season. Preparing for a performance is more than memorizing lines and wearing a costume. Actors need to practice where to move on the stage, how much time they have to change costumes and how to interact with the other actors. Production directors need to know how the stage will look and when and how pieces of the set will move. All this and more must be done before Kohl’s Wild Theater is ready for an audience. That means during the saferat-home orders, and with no capability to prepare in person, the team had to get creative.
are many positives to preparing the shows virtually, Woods explains there are some wrinkles too. “With so many people online right now, there is often connection lag which makes it difficult for actors to speak or sing in unison. Live video chats also tend to distort instruments like our music director’s piano.”
Once the script seems set, it’s time to think more about the visuals of the show. A set designer for one of the summer plays came up with a chess board type of grid to help the director “block” the show (see image). “Usually blocking happens in a room where actors can physically walk their paths. But we can do it digitally by looking at the set’s Zach Woods, the manager of artistic direction ground plan and saying ‘When Detective Appletree says this line I need you to move to for Kohl’s Wild Theater, put together several “table reads” for the actors, director, playwright D6,’” explains Woods. The hope is, once they and production supervisor. This process allows can rehearse in person again, the chess board everyone to hear the play or musical out loud diagram can translate to real life quickly. for the first time. The virtual table reads were At the time of writing this article, the opening vital for Woods and other members of the date and guidelines for Kohl’s Wild Theater cast and crew to hear how the actors interpret have not been set. The theater program is their characters and incorporate elements preparing to perform two different shows, such as accents or attitude. They also use this “Rear Hippo” and “The Mysterious Case of the opportunity to time how long the show runs Disappearing Bee,” daily inside the farm area. Go to wildtheater.org for openings which can lead to script changes to either and updates. lengthen the show or shorten it. While there
>>
>> This grid will help the actors
visualize where to stand or move during a performance. Actors prepared for their winter show in February by rehearsing their lines, their movements and interactions. Photo by Paul Ruffolo
10 Wild Things July-August 2020
LOOKING INTO THE LIGHT When you walk into the Aquatic & Reptile Center you’ll notice there are light bulbs inside many of the exhibits. Those lights serve a purpose, and it’s not just so you can see the animals better. The reptiles and amphibians need ultraviolet B-rays from the light bulbs, says Melissa Spreda, Aquatic & Reptile Center area supervisor. “Reptiles need UVB to start the process of vitamin D3 synthesis. This, in turn, allows the reptile (or amphibian) to process and absorb calcium, preventing metabolic bone disease.” Because this is so important, Spreda is conducting a light bulb study at the Milwaukee County Zoo to make sure the animals are getting what they need from the light bulbs.
Most people at home replace a light bulb when it’s burnt out, end of story. At the Zoo, it’s a little more involved. “A bulb can still be producing light but can be useless if not producing the proper wavelengths of UVB needed for reptiles,” says Spreda. She and a colleague set out to discover what bulbs are the most reliable and cost effective for the Zoo, and what bulbs provide the animals with the proper UV index that best replicates the wild. Spreda has set up mock exhibits behind the scenes without any animals present. She then uses both UVB and UVI meters to take measurements at various distances from the bulbs. Spreda says she has been working on this study for about two years in addition to her daily duties as a zookeeper. The results have already led to bulb changes in certain habitats inside the Aquatic & Reptile Center. Spreda was going to share her findings during a national meeting this year, but due to COVID-19 the meeting was canceled. Spreda plans to share her findings when the meeting is rescheduled. Photos by Melissa Spreda
Wild Things July-August 2020 11
THE
HIPPO HAVEN
IS OPEN!
1 When you first walk into the exhibit, the John & Marion Stanwyck Hippo Play Station offers a perfect opportunity for a photo op. Kids can get close to two man-made hippos.
2 The North Shore Bank Underwater Viewing Pass has a roof and walls to give you the best view of the hippos. Without it, there would be sun glare off the glass making it harder to see the animals.
3 12 Wild Things July-August 2020
The water will stay clear enough to see the hippos thanks to the Johnson Controls Water Conservation System. This state-of-the-art filtration system will save millions of gallons of water a year by filtering and recycling.
The Dohmen Family Foundation Hippo Haven is officially open to the public. The hippos are able to enjoy a larger space and a bigger pool while guests can now see the hippos face to face underwater. It took years of planning and construction, along with some generous donors, to make this a reality and it is spectacular. Here are some of the features.
4
Guests will learn a lot about the hippos throughout the exhibit. In the Roger & Judy Smith Hippo Education Zone, kids will get the chance to interact with displays providing hands-on learning to better understand why hippos are so great.
5
When the hippos are not in the water they can enjoy basking in the sun on the Leona & Roger Fitzsimonds Hippo Beach. This new beach is three times larger than the beach in their former habitat.
This new hippo habitat is a beautiful spot for the hippos and the guests. Enjoy the naturallooking building along with the eye-catching plants in the Miller Lite Hippo Gardens.
6 The new hippo home completes Phase II of Adventure Africa. A new home for the rhinoceros will begin Phase III – the final phase of Adventure Africa. And just like the new home for the elephants, African hoofstock and the hippos, the Zoological Society needs your help crossing the finish line. Leave your mark at the Zoo for guests to enjoy for generations. Visit win2wild.com or contact Mary Albrecht at marya@zoosociety.org or 414-918-6151.
SPECIAL FAMILY MEMORIES The Zoological Society offers classes and camps for kids ages infant to 14 focused on science, wildlife and conservation and tailored to each age group’s needs and development. But now families and kids of all ages can learn together with the return of family classes. After a brief hiatus, the Conservation Education Department will again offer family classes year-round, although they might look a little different from what you remember, says Yvonne Schramm, manager of enrichment programs. “It’s going to be very focused on exploring the Zoo in all weather,” she says. “There will be a short introduction in the classroom, but most of the time will be spent out and about, doing different activities and really exploring nature.” The goal is to help families create special outdoor memories and learn more about conservation, whether it’s how they can conserve at home or conservation work happening at the Zoo or around the world, Schramm says. “A big part of having a connection with the outdoors is having time to explore that space.”
The fall class, offered on Oct. 24 and 25, will focus on bats. Although the topics will vary throughout the seasons, each class will include a conservation activity or project. Some parents or guardians are already used to attending class with their children under the age of 6. However, family classes allow more than one parent, children of different ages and other relatives or friends to attend as well. There are no age restrictions on family classes, although the content is written for ages 3 to 14, Schramm says. The only restriction is each registration must include at least one adult and one child. “We’re going to open it up for everyone so that all family structures can join us.” Although summer camps and classes were cancelled due to COVID-19, the family class was nearly full. “There’s high demand for it,” Schramm says. “It’s really special to be able to offer a class that is for a whole family, whatever that family is made up of.”
The Johannes family enjoys family class so much they came back for a second year. Photos by Bob Wickland
MEMBER REGISTRATION FOR FALL ZOO CLASSES, SPONSORED BY THE CORNERS OF BROOKFIELD, STARTS AUG. 11. Please note that all dates are subject to change due to the ongoing pandemic. Visit zoosociety.org/education for the latest information.
14 Wild Things July-August 2020
BIKE INSIDE THE ZOO Ride on the Wild Side
NEW EVENT DATE
Photo by Bob Wickland
Sponsored by The Corners of Brookfield Sunday, Sept. 20 Check-in starts at 7 a.m. First ride starts at 8 a.m. Pedal by the elephants, glide by the bears and switch gears by the caribou. Ride on the Wild Side is the only time you can ride your bike inside the Milwaukee County Zoo. This annual fundraiser helps the Zoological Society raise crucial funds to conserve, educate and support the Zoo. Registration includes: • Entry into the Zoo • Parking • Long-sleeved T-shirt • Continental breakfast • Picnic lunch • Crafts and activities for children Pre-registration prices for Zoo Pass members start at $40 for adults and $15 for children. Family of four discounts are available. Prices go up if you register the day of the ride.
ROUTE OPTIONS: • 2.5-mile kids’ route • 10-mile • 17-mile • 27-mile
Thanks to Bike Corral sponsor BMO Harris Bank. Thanks to contributing sponsors: Be Spectacled; R&R Insurance; Stephanie Murphy, DDS; and Van Westen Orthodontics. Media sponsors: News/Talk 1130, FM106.1, 95.7 BIG FM, 97.3 The Game, V100.7, BIG 920.
NEW EVENT DATE
ZOO BALL
Like many nonprofits, the Zoological Society is facing a drop in revenue this year – more than $1 million. Zoo Ball is our most important fundraising event of the year and is critical to overcome some of our projected losses. This year, it has moved to Friday, Sept. 11. Zoo Ball, presented by Robert Dohmen, is a black-tie gala inside the Zoo. Guests will start the evening by the new hippo habitat, enjoying cocktails, a silent auction and appetizers. A gourmet dinner followed by dancing and an outdoor after party will finish out the unforgettable evening. This year we will incorporate some virtual elements, including a virtual auction and appeal, to create an inclusive event allowing people on- and off-site to support our mission. Now more than ever, we need your help to continue our mission to conserve wildlife and endangered species, educate people about the importance of wildlife and the environment, and support the Milwaukee County Zoo.
Zoo Ball 2019 started near the elephant exhibit. This year, guests will be near the new hippo home. Photo by Stacy Kaat
Visit zoosociety.org/zooball for ticket information. Special thanks to these sponsors: Molson Coors, U.S. Bank, Brewers Community Foundation, MGIC, von Briesen & Roper, s.c. Wild Things July-August 2020 15
DATED MATERIAL
Please Deliver Promptly
Zoological Society of Milwaukee County 10005 W. Bluemound Rd. Milwaukee, WI 53226-4383
PAID
Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage
Milwaukee, WI Permit No. 4073
Sponsor Belle, page 9. Photo by Joel Miller
WHAT’S HAPPENING Now-Oct. 31
Aug. 18, 19, 20
Kids Nights at the Zoo for Zoo Pass members, sponsored by WaterStone Bank*
Dinosaurs Unearthed, sponsored by Sendik’s Food Markets
Summer 2020 Kohl’s Wild Theater’s summer season at the Zoo with free daily shows*
July 27
Aug. 29
Animal Safari for animal sponsors, sponsored by Lifeway Foods
Sept. 1
Birdies & Eagles Golf Tournament, sponsored by GRAEF (pre-register)
Fall Zoo Classes, sponsored by The Corners of Brookfield, begin
Aug. 11 Online registration for Fall Zoo Classes, sponsored by The Corners of Brookfield, begins
Please note due to health and safety guidelines related to COVID-19 some events are subject to change.
Details Inside
Sept. 2
Senior Celebration, sponsored by St. Camillus Life Plan Community*
Sept. 11
Zoo Ball, presented by Robert Dohmen (pre-register)
Sept. 12 & 13
Family Farm Weekend, presented by Prairie Farms Dairy*
Sept. 20
Ride on the Wild Side Bike Ride, sponsored by The Corners of Brookfield (pre-register for lower fee)
Sept. 26
Members-only field trip to the Brookfield Zoo (pre-register; space limited)
Oct. 3
Family Free Day, sponsored by North Shore Bank, media sponsor: WITI FOX 6 (Parking fees still apply)
We encourage you to
Photo by Mark Burns
stay up to date on the Zoological Society’s website, zoosociety.org.
*Zoo Pass members get free Zoo admission with their Zoo Pass. Those with Zoo Pass Plus also get free parking for one vehicle per membership per day. Platypus Circle members receive free admission and parking with their card.
CONNECT WITH US! facebook.com/ZooPass
Snapchat: ZooSocietyMKE
twitter.com/ZooSocietyMKE
Milwaukee Zoo Pass App
instagram.com/ZooSocietyMKE Printed on recycled paper 8402E20
The Zoological Society is proud to bear Charity Navigator’s highest rating of four stars.
The Zoological Society of Milwaukee is recognized for our transparency with GuideStar’s Gold Seal.