Keepin' it Wild July - September 2020

Keepin’ it Wild!

July-September 2020

A digital publication of Zoo Miami Foundation and Zoo Miami.

40th Anniversary Special Edition

OUR MISSION: The Zoo Miami Foundation fosters community pride and involvement with Zoo Miami and secures financial support for the zoo.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: - Zoo Miami’s 40th Anniversary - Camel Born at Zoo Miami - Bella & Sarita’s Birthdays

Keepin’ it Wild

is a quarterly digital publication of

Zoo Miami Foundation that provides information for the friends, supporters and Members of Zoo Miami.

LETTER FROM THE CEO Dear Friends,

For more information, please contact: Zoo Miami Foundation 12400 SW 152 Street, Miami, FL 33177 (305) 255-5551 / www.zoomiami.org

This July 4th, Zoo Miami is proud to have had our 40th anniversary and although we closed again on that day, we can’t wait to reopen and share this occasion with you. Please visit our website regularly for reopening updates and safety & health guidelines.

Zoo Miami Foundation’s Mission Zoo Miami Foundation fosters community pride and involvement with Zoo Miami and secures financial support for the zoo.

Zoo Miami Foundation Board of Directors: Chair: Jose C. Romano Chair-Elect: Eric Eikenberg Treasurer: Kathy McDonald Secretary: Armando Fernandez Past Chair: Jim Kushlan, PhD. Sharon MacIvor, DVM Alejandro “Alex” Mendieta Maria I. Nardi Jorge Navarro Marc A. Osheroff Ann Pope Aliette D. Rodz, Esq. Katrina Daniel Rosen Dr. Michael Rosenberg Patricia Siles, CPA Eric J. Stephens Merrett R. Stierheim Peter “Chip” Vanderberg, Jr. Christopher Walters Joseph “Joe” Wieneke

Alan Atkinson Mary Barley Dr. Jose Francisco Barros Brittnie Bassant Sandy Batchelor John V. Chibbaro Jose Felix Diaz Diane Dickhut Larry Feldman, PhD Diana L. Fitzgerald, Esq. Robert Furniss-Roe Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez Michael Heithaus, PhD Kimberly Kalkus George Leser Daniel J. Licciardi EMERITI DIRECTORS Rodney L. Barreto Vincent L. Berkeley Jennifer Boin Getz Roger Carlton Harlan S. Chiron, MD Ambassador Sue Cobb Linda Coll Ron Esserman William J. Gallwey, III, Esq. Robert W. Hudson, Esq.

Sherrill W. Hudson Bernard Klepach David Konfino Jack Lowell Manny J. Rodriguez, P.E. Edward Soto Lawrence O. Turner, Jr. Diana Udel Ana VeigaMilton, Esq. Andrew H. Weinstein, Esq.

President/CEO: William W. Moore Zoo Director: Carol Kruse Zoo Admission Hours: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily Last ticket sold at 4 p.m.

Editor: Rashielle Teape Contributors: Natalie Canelas, Cindy Castelblanco, Sarah Chapman, Julia Klumb, Ron Magill, Molly McGuire, Bill Moore, Andrea Obregon, Jessica Parks, Carlos Simoes, and Katy Wilhelm Layout & Design: Parrot Fish Studio

Photography: Ron Magill

Special thanks to Ana VeigaMilton and the Zoo Miami staff, for without these people, this publication would not be possible.

Over the last four decades, we have witnessed so many changes in the world, both encouraging and challenging. Now, we are living through such a crucial moment in history. With so much happening, from a global pandemic to social tensions and protests, it can be difficult to navigate our daily lives and find balance in our attention and emotions. We want you to know that we are with you. Through everything we are enduring now, and everything we have always fought for and through, there lies a common commitment to support and protect those who are the most vulnerable.

In the face of the shocking and disturbing killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and too many more, we stand in solidarity with people of color. Zoo Miami has a diverse workforce and we serve a very diverse population. We stand behind AZA’s statement on Social and Racial Justice, Inclusion and Equality, which you can read in full here. We strive to be a safe and welcoming environment for our community, and if there’s anything we have learned in our 40 years, it is that diversity should be celebrated, honored and protected.

We hope that through these challenging times, Zoo Miami can continue to be a place that brings joy and perspective to our fans and visitors. As we reflect on our history together and look toward the future, we cannot thank you enough for your continued support in helping us make strides in conservation and education. Through every birth, death, expansion and setback, you have always helped us push through toward new milestones and achievements. We are endlessly grateful, and we can’t wait to see what the next 40 years has in store.

FOLLOW US

BILL MOORE ZMF CEO/ President

If you would like to support Zoo Miami’s mission, please give what you can.

Thank you!

DONATE NOW! 2

Inside This Issue

7 14 Thank You! During the Zoo’s first closure from mid-March to late May due to COVID-19, we appealed to our community to support and stand up for us!

Thanks to 57 generous supporters, we raised a total of $4,150! Those much-needed funds helped us to continue fulfilling our mission through an especially challenging time.

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Letters to Zoo Animals

5

Summer Savings Pass

7

Vulture and Mongoose Lemur Births

8

Zoo Miami’s 40th Anniversary

14

Bella and Sarita’s Birthday Parties

16

Endangered Camel Born at Zoo Miami

20

Notes for Members

23

Zoo Miami Foundation Quarterly Donors

26

Conservation Action Center

27

Animal Wellbeing Projects

Including a full timeline of our wild and wonderful history!

Letters to Zoo Animals Over the last few months, we’ve been finding amazing and creative ways to engage with our Zoo fans and supporters, even from a distance. Some of our youngest wildlifeenthusiasts showed off their animal drawing skills with sweet letters to their favorite zoo animals.

Here are a few of our favorites!

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SUMMER SAVINGS PASS STAYCATION ADDED VALUE!

4 PARKS, 1 PRICE + GUEST PASSES!

S US P E NDE D Once we reopen, we will continue to honor already purchased passes.

For questions or concerns please email zoomiami@miamidade.gov

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6

Mongoose Lemur On May 6th, we celebrated the birth of an endangered mongoose lemur – the first birth of this species in Zoo Miami’s history! The baby’s parents were both born at the Lemur Conservation Foundation in Myakka City, FL, and arrived at Zoo Miami in January 2019.

The mom is five-year-old “Julieta” and the dad is 12-year-old “Juanito.”

Zoo staff has been giving mother and baby time to bond with minimal disturbance. With that in mind, a neonatal exam has not yet been conducted so the sex of the baby is still a mystery to us! They are both on exhibit but may be challenging to see since the mom prefers to stay high in the trees, still being very protective of her baby.

Historic Births at Zoo Miami!

Cinereous Vulture For the first time in our history, a cinereous vulture has hatched and is successfully being raised by its parents!

The chick hatched on April 17th, in a secluded area where the monogamous pair had built a nest and incubated the egg for about 50 days. Though both parents participated in incubating the egg, the father, “Valentino,” has been raising the chick, even keeping the mother, “Tessa,” away during the first several weeks.

Cinereous vultures are part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP), designed to maintain a healthy, genetically diverse and demographically stable population for the long-term future of the species. They are the largest of the Old World vultures, found in various parts of Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

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Reflecting on the Zoo’s History with Ron Magill

1980 As we approach the 40th Anniversary of Zoo Miami, my mind races through a plethora of indelible memories that this amazing institution has provided me. It has been a profound privilege to experience its development from the very beginning.

Fresh out of the University of Florida, I began as a zookeeper at the Crandon Park Zoo on Key Biscayne in 1980. It was a small zoo with just over 50 acres, located on a piece of paradise alongside gorgeous beaches. Though the property was stunning, the zoo itself consisted of old traditional cages with metal bars and concrete floors, with little attention given to the enrichment of the animals themselves. With few exceptions, it was a conglomeration of small, relatively sterile enclosures that, quite frankly, were depressing and would never be acceptable today.

Meanwhile, ground had already been broken on the new Miami Metrozoo in South Dade. I knew that I wanted to work there since I first saw the “Decade of Progress” sign go up on Coral Reef Drive. It was just a few miles from my home, and I remember sneaking onto the property during my college breaks to peek at the construction progress. It was exciting to watch workers lay the blocks for the Tiger Temple, create the artificial trees on the Gibbon/Siamang exhibit and excavate the moats that would eliminate the need for those metal bars.

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2020

When I began working at Crandon Park, we were just beginning the process of moving animals from the Key Biscayne location. One of the most memorable of those moves was loading a giraffe into a crate and then onto a large flatbed tractor trailer. Because of the its height, the crate had no top and the giraffe’s head and neck stuck out and could easily be seen as we slowly took that long drive down south. I remember heading down U.S. 1 and looking at people in their cars with their mouths wide open in amazement!

Over the years, I have ridden a roller coaster of emotions, from the excitement of our Grand Opening and the births of thousands of animals, to the profound heartbreaks caused by the devastation of Hurricane Andrew, the tragic loss of a co-worker due to a tiger attack, and the eventual deaths of some of those same animals that I was fortunate to have seen born.

In my 40-year career at the zoo, I am most proud of being able to establish the first conservation endowment in the zoo’s history with the sole purpose of supporting wildlife conservation efforts in the wild. To date, the Ron Magill Conservation Endowment has been able to provide tens of thousands of dollars towards conservation organizations for field equipment such as research vehicles, radio tracking devices, camera traps, etc., and scholarships in support of university students conducting conservation work in Tropical America.

There have been many chapters to this book that is still being written on Zoo Miami. It is my sincere hope that future chapters will be able to highlight significant successes in our continuing efforts to protect animals in the wild areas where they are naturally found because wildlife conservation should be at the forefront of everything that we do.

ZOO MIAMI QUIZ How much do you know about the wild and wonderful history of Zoo Miami?

In 1980, Crandon Park Zoo moved to Southwest Miami-Dade under what new name? a. Miami-Dade Zoo b. Miami Metrozoo c. The Zoological Society of Florida d. The South Florida Zoo

2.

This male Asian elephant first joined our zoo family in 1967, and we just celebrated his 54th birthday in June! a. Dalip b. Shango c. Dumbo d. Titan

3.

What is the name of Zoo Miami’s largest open air aviary? a. Birds of a Feather b. Wings Down Under c. Wings of Asia d. Asian Flock Life

4. The Zoo Miami Conservation & Research team is involved in programs dedicated to the conservation of which animals? a. Florida Bonneted Bat & Gopher Tortoises b. Tropical Amphibians & Imperiled Butterflies c. Florida Panther & Florida Flamingos d. All of the above 5.

In what year did we unveil our new name, “Zoo Miami”, new logo and marquee sign? a. 2000 b. 2010 c. 2003 d. 1999

6. To prepare for Hurricane Andrew in 1992, the zoo had to keep which animals in a bathroom to shelter them from the storm?

(Hint: there is a very famous photo of the event!)

a. Tortoises b. Gibbons c. Flamingos d. Meerkats

7.

When moving animals from Key Biscayne to the new Dade County location, which animal was famously seen traveling down US1? a. Tiger b. Giraffe c. Alligator d. Elephant

8.

How many animal species are currently represented at Zoo Miami? a. 50 b. 500+ c. 130 d. 1,000+

9.

Which of the following is NOT one of the regions in the zoo’s Amazon & Beyond Exhibit? a. Cloud Forest b. Flooded Forest c. Atlantic Forest d. Tropical Forest

10. Which of the following was a previous name of the Miami Metrozoo Children’s Petting Zoo (currently known as Critter Connection)?? a. PAWS b. ROAR c. SPOTS d. STRIPES 1.b, 2.a, 3.c, 4.d, 5.b, 6.c, 7.b, 8.b, 9.d, 10 a

1.

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ZOO M THROUGH T

1955 Development of the Children’s Zoo begins at the Crandon Park Zoo.

1948

1956 The Zoological Society of Florida is born!

Crandon Park Zoo opens for the first time in Key Biscayne on 53.5 acres with three monkeys, one goat & two black bears.

1945

1950

1955

1960 1965 Hurricane Betsy puts 3 feet of water over most of the Zoo and causes the death of 250 animals.

Talk of a new zoo in Dade County begins.

1967

Zoo received worldwide recognition for the first successful captive birth of an aardvark!

Zoo receives a pair of Asian elephants, “Dalip” and “Seetna.”

1968 Crandon Park Zoo receives a white tiger, only the second of its kind to be brought to the United States.

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19

MIAMI THE YEARS

965

1985 On December 18, three new African hoof stock exhibits open.

1986 African elephant and black rhino exhibits open.

1975

1988

Construction begins in the fall on the perimeter moat, fence and the quarantine building at the new zoo in Southwest Miami-Dade (our current location.)

The Australian lobe opens, featuring koalas, kangaroos and wallabies.

1989

1976

The East Coast's first koala is born at Miami Metrozoo.

The perimeter moat, fence and quarantine building are completed in the early part of the year.

1970 1970 A pair of greater one-horned rhinos arrive, the rarest animals to be exhibited at Crandon Park Zoo. On December 11th, Dade County officially applies for 740 acres of the Richmond Naval Air Station.

1971 Renowned artist T.A. Strawser is hired by the Zoological Society of Florida to develop a master plan and a model for the new zoo.

1972 Dade County Manager, Ray Goode, announces his proposed “Decade of Progress� bond which includes $8 million for a new zoo.

1973 Two southern bald eagles are hatchedthe first successful captive hatching in more than 50 years.

Two-year-old black rhino, "Cora," arrives at Crandon Park Zoo.

1975

PAWS, the Children's Petting Zoo, opens.

1980 1980

1985

On July 4th, The Preview Center, consisting of the initial 12 exhibits, opens to the public under its new name, Miami Metrozoo!

1981 First major lobe, Asia opens on December 12 with a total of 38 exhibits that cover 160 acres.

1982 An additional 25 acre exhibit area opens featuring six new exhibits of African hoof stock.

1984 The Monorail opens to the public.

On December 28th, the Wings of Asia Aviary opens, a 1.6-acre freeflight aviary.

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ZOO M THROUGH T 1995 In December, the relocated koalas are returned to Miami Metrozoo.

1996

2006

On January 26th, the Falcon Batchelor Komodo Dragon Encounter, featuring the largest lizards on Earth, opens to the public.

In October, the Samburu Giraffe Feeding Station opens.

1998

2008

A clutch of 27 Komodo dragons - at the time, the largest clutch to hatch outside of Indonesia - hatches at Miami Metrozoo.

In June, Camel Rides begin operation.

In December, the Amazon & Beyond Exhibit opens with 27 acres of Tropical American flora and fauna. It features three diverse regions: Cloud Forest, Flooded Forest and Atlantic Forest.

Amazon hosts over 600 animals including jaguars, anaconda, harpy eagles, giant river otters, crocodiles, venomous snakes, frogs and thousands of tropical plants and flowers.

1999 The Andean Condor Exhibit opens.

1990 1990 Asian River Life exhibit opens to the public, featuring small-clawed otters, Malayan water monitors, clouded leopards, and muntjac, among others.

1992 On August 24th, Hurricane Andrew devastates Miami-Dade County and Miami Metrozoo. More than 5,000 trees are lost and the 1.6-acre free-flight aviary, built to withstand winds of up to 120 mph, is destroyed.

More than 100 exotic birds are lost and many animals are temporarily housed at other zoos and facilities.

1993 In July of 1993, many animals are returned to their homes at Miami Metrozoo and 7,000 new trees are planted to restore the natural canopy to animals and visitors.

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1995

2000 2000 Meerkats make their debut

2001

2005

2 20

Miami Metrozo Zoo Miami and Anniversary. A the front of the state-of-the-ar

20

Dr. Wilde’s World, the zoo's first indoor air-conditioned facility opens. The 7,000 square foot museum gallery and educational facility houses a unique exhibit about Tropical Americas and can be converted into space for traveling exhibits.

The new Wack Children's Zoo

2003

New Amphithe

On May 2nd, the newly re-constructed American Bankers Family Wings of Asia Aviary opens to the public. The new aviary is the largest open-air Asian aviary in the western hemisphere.

New Oasis Gril jungle and oce

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In April, Zoo M temporary ent ground on a th Entry Plaza an Everglades exh

MIAMI THE YEARS

2010 010

2015 The Zoological Society of Florida changes it’s name to the Zoo Miami Foundation.

2016 On July 15th, the new 1.5-acre Entry Plaza opens, including brand new flamingo habitat, 50-foot lighted tower, ticketing building, and Florida Room event space.

On December 9th, Florida: Mission Everglades opens to the public. This immersive exhibit features a boat ride, croc tube, otter slide and bear crawl.

Animals include the Florida panthers, American black bears, bald eagles, bobcats, raccoons, American crocodiles and North American river otters.

2015

oo unveils its new name, d logo on its 30th A new marquee sign at e Zoo includes a rt LED screen.

On July 4th, Zoo Miami celebrates its 40th anniversary and conservation work, but unfortunately had to close again amidst the growing pandemic.

ky Barn opens inside the o.

eater opens.

014

Miami open a new trance and breaks he new state-of-the-art nd Florida: Mission hibit.

2025

The historic COVID-19 pandemic shuts down Zoo Miami (and the world) on March 17th and it remains closed until May 27th when it reopens to members and on June 1st to the general public.

011

ll splash pad opens with ean themed areas.

2020 2020

Zoo Miami looks forward to what the future holds!

2017

The Conservation Action Center opens to the public. The interactive exhibit explores our connection to habitats near and far and the conservation work zoos and aquariums do every day to save species.

In September, Hurricane Irma crosses Zoo Miami as a category 3 hurricane and causes extensive damage to trees and foliage. No animals are injured and buildings are in tact. The Zoo is closed for one month and reopens in October.

2019 Dr. Wilde’s World Tropical Americas exhibit closes its doors for the last time. Demolition begins for the new exhibit, the Conservation Action Center, to open in 2020.

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Birthday Girls!

Recently, we celebrated two special birthdays at Zoo Miami.

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Sarita

Bella

On April 23, “Sarita” the greater one-horned rhino turned one year old! Sarita was born right here at Zoo Miami and made big news, as she was the first successful birth of her species to be born of induced ovulation and artificial insemination. She and mom “Akuti” celebrated the occasion with tasty, leafy snacks and boomer balls!

“Bella” the orangutan turned 7 years old! She and her mom, “Kumang”, got to enjoy treats, including festive decorations, goodie bags, and a yummy birthday cake made of frozen fruits. Bella and Kumang arrived at Zoo Miami in May of 2018 from The Seneca Park Zoo.

Walk amongst life-sized, animatronic dinosaurs at this zoo-wide Jurassic adventure.

Embark on this journey through time with us as we learn from the past to save the species of tomorrow.

o r h t n e Op

4 r e b o ugh Oct 15

Endangered

Bactrian Camel Born at Zoo Miami!

Zoo Miami is thrilled to announce the birth of a critically endangered Bactrian camel!

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After a pregnancy of approximately 14 months, “Sunny,” a 3-year-old female that arrived at Zoo Miami in 2017 from the Blank Park Zoo in Iowa, gave birth to a healthy baby girl. The father is 9-year-old “Bubba,” who arrived to us from the Minnesota Zoo in 2012. The fluffy newborn calf weighed in at just over 96 pounds and she is the first offspring for both parents. The mom and calf will remain off exhibit as the staff monitors the newborn’s development and gives them time to bond well together.

Bactrian camels are critically endangered in the wild, with an estimate of less than a thousand remaining. They are found in isolated pockets of the Gobi desert in Mongolia and China.

Birth Weight:

96 pounds 17

SAVE THE DATE

VIRTUAL 5K RUN

OCT 2-11 Did you know that a group of zebras is called a dazzle? We want you to dazzle together and #ZooRun5K at the Virtual ZooRun5k!

ZOORUN5K

Our community is stronger because we have found innovative ways to come together, while staying apart. We recognize our healthcare and conservation heroes that continue to selflessly care for people and wildlife in an extraordinary time of need. They dazzle daily and we recognize and appreciate their efforts!

BENEFITTING

TShirt

SO C KS

B E N E F I TTI N G

ZOORUN5K

#ZooRUN5K

F RO N T

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BAC K

COOL SWAG

fun contests

TEAm building activities

#DaZZleTogethER

ZOORUN5K

m e da l

Gather family and friends from far and wide and join us in honoring CONSERVATION & HEALTHCARE HEROES! Virtual event details to follow.

Zebras aren’t the only ones with creative group names!

Can you match the animals below with their groups?

Giraffes Gorillas Hyenas Kangaroos Parrots Meerkats Grasshoppers Otters Zebras Lions Flamingos Elephants Cockroaches Squid

Stand Pandemonium Pride Audience Band Cackle Mob Romp Troop Cloud Dazzle Tower Herd Intrusion

Help Kaz get to the end of the race!

START

CLICK HERE to get the answers, and check out more fun Zoocademy activities!

FINISH

Now, come up with a creative group name for you and your family and get ready to sign up for the ZooRun5K! Registration opens July 27, 2020 at ZOOMIAMI.ORG/RUN

#ZooRun5K 19

NOTES for Members

THANK YOU! While Zoo Miami had to close its gates for a second time on July 4th for the health and safety of our guests and staff, our work to care for our animals never stops. We are so grateful for the support of our members during a time when we needed it most. We can't wait to welcome you back to our walkways!

A few reminders: We know you may be wondering how our recent closure will affect your Membership. Rest assured that we will keep you updated as we know more information, and will ensure that you do not lose any time on your Membership.

Continue to keep an eye on your inbox for future updates!

Keep in mind for future visits that online reservations are required as well as face coverings for the extent of your visit, indoors and outdoors. Please monitor our website for updates, as we adapt to our ever changing environment.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

MEMBE R S E RV I C E S • ( 3 0 5 ) 2 55 - 55 5 1 • M BR@zo o miami.org 20

RON MAGILL HOSTS

PRESENTED BY

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020 • 8PM FOR ALL AGES

SAVE THE DATE for a unique virtual zoo experience. Let’s reconnect for a fun night with surprise celebrity appearances, interactive chef demonstrations, special animal encounters, a silent auction, and much more, including a VIP experience with Ron Magill!

BENEFITTING

REGISTRATION OPENING SOON! FOR MORE INFORMATION OR SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES VISIT WWW.FWTB.ORG OR CALL 305-255-5551.

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In celebration of Zoo Miami’s 40th Anniversary, we are featuring a limited-edition Adopt a Tiger package!

Purchase a Keeper Package to receive a tiger plush, Certificate of Adoption, fun facts about tigers and a tiger photo taken by Ron Magill. Your gift will help us continue to enrich the lives of our Zoo animals!

CLICK HERE TO ADOPT

Buy a Brick Now through July 21, receive 40% off all brick orders in honor of our 40th Anniversary! Customize your brick with an engraved message to commemorate a loved one, your family or a special message. Your brick will line our Walkway of the Wild at the entrance of Florida: Mission Everglades at Zoo Miami.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE 22

We would like to recognize and thank those who contributed to Zoo Miami Foundation between March 20, 2019 and June 19, 2020. Your generosity helps us fulfill our mission of wildlife education and conservation, and we are truly grateful for your support.* INDIVIDUALS $10,000 - $49,999 Ivette & Alan Atkinson Shelley B. Daniel-Rutherford & Larry Rutherford Libby & Jack Madden

$5,000 - $9,999 Fay P. Aronson

$2,500 - $4,999 The Forte Family

$1,000 - $2,499 Lynn L. Atkinson & David E. Drucker Ruby M. Bacardi Brittnie R. Bassant Katrina Daniel Rosen & Michael Rosen Tonya & Eric Eikenberg Karl Hanold Jill & William Moore

$500 - $999 Sandra M. & Herbert E. Allenson Misty Buck, President of Miss Ink, LLC Molly & Rob Campbell Melissa & Eric Christensen Fred & Barbara Edelstein Jessica & Shephen Ferreira Diane & Dennis MacInnes Jacqueline Montoya, M.D. & Jordan Moseson, D.O. Claudine M. Nelson Martha H. Rabbitt Kirsten Schwarz Francine & Herbert Tobin

$100 - $499 Melissa A. Applebaum-Dall’au JoAnn & Lennar Batista Christine L. Bernt Barbara & Samuel Blank Brad Buchanan Carole J. Cholasta Mark Cummings Amanda Douglas Carol J. Fink Teri & Dick Golden Elizabeth M. Grass Martha Rogers Haas David A. Horne Wendy Anne Jacobus

Janet Jara Zelda Jensen Kimberly & Olen Kalkus Ben Levy Suzette & Humberto Lopez Shannon & Jonathan Lugo Charlotte C. Mather-Taylor & Carl W. Taylor Dan T. McGillicuddy John M. McIntosh, Sr. Leon Luis P. Medado Tina M. Nuccitelli Cristina Otero Grace Wang, M.D. & Steven Pabalan, M.D. Dulce & Ignacio Palacio Edith Pearson Daniel Prada Alyssa M. Pujals Carolyn Read Tace & Alex Rico Bonnie Rionda Rita L. Romaguera, M.D. Jonathan M. Rosenthal Willy F. Rothman Marilyn Marcos & David Salinsky Ruth & Rudy Schwartz Patricia Shpilberg & Jerrold M. Pines Madelia & Christopher Silkworth Kathleen & Don Sokolik Beth G. Stonberg Janice & Paul Sumner Cristina Tavarez Mary Jo & Ivan Trabal Lauraine F. Werlau Melissa & David Wetzel Ward B. Whitten

CORPORATE PARTNERS $50,000 + Assurant, Inc.

$10,000 - $49,999 Florida Blue Greenberg Traurig, LLP

$100 - $999 Whole Foods Market, L.P.

FOUNDATION PARTNERS $200,000 + Micky and Madeleine Arison Family Foundation Barbara A. Munford Irrevocable Trust

$50,000 - $199,999 NextEra Energy Foundation, Inc.

$10,000 - $49,999 Bank of America Charitable Foundation The Cobb Family Foundation, Inc. The JosĂŠ Milton Foundation TD Charitable Foundation The Wildflower Foundation, Inc. Sara H. Woodruff Foundation

$5,000 - $9,999 Dr. Moses and Beatrice Goodman Fund Slaggie Family Foundation

$100 - $999 Anatolian Shepherd Dogs International AmazonSmile Foundation

GOVERNMENT PARTNERS $10,000 + Florida Division of Cultural Affairs

*We are deeply grateful to

our donors for their support.

If your name has been accidentally omitted or listed incorrectly, please contact the Development department at development@zoomiami.org.

$2,500 - $4,999 AECOM Technical Services

$1,000 - $2,499 Walmart, Inc.

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Shop Zoo Miami Our gift shop is now available both online and in park once we reopen again.

Dinosaur Collection

Jr. Zookeeper Gear Plush Animals

Bring home a piece of Zoo Miami by shopping our wild collection of toys, clothes, collectibles and more.

Shop NOW!

Order Up!

Once Zoo Miami reopens again, pay by phone and online ordering options are now available at Zoo Miami’s Oasis Grill!

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Quinoa Kale Pecan Cranberry Salad

Ingredients: • 1.5 lb. baby kale • ½ cup tri-color quinoa, uncooked • 2 tbsp. champagne vinegar • ½ tsp. Dijon mustard • 1 tsp. garlic, crushed • 2 tsp. black pepper • 1 tsp. honey • 2 tsp. red onion, minced • ¼ cup cranberries, dried • ¼ cup pecans, chopped • 2 tbsp. feta

Instructions: Cook quinoa according to package instructions.

Roughly chop baby kale and place in a bowl. In separate bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, Dijon, garlic, black pepper and honey (do not use blender).

Add minced red onion, cranberries, chopped pecans, and feta to the kale and toss.

Add in quinoa and remaining dressing and serve.

25 27

The Conservation Action Center is a NEW indoor interpretive exhibit, set to open later this year. Learn what you have in common with a polar bear and crawl through a larger than life python while you learn about the impacts of invasive species. See how fast you can scoop the “poop” into compost bins and whack out environmental threats in Habitat Whack-A-Mole.

Touch a “robo-frog” and see how they help save frogs in the Amazon!

Explore the I-spy house to see how the things you do every day in your own home can impact the ecosystem around you and experience how environments come to life as you pledge to take action on behalf of wildlife. Come and explore the connections we all have to conservation and see how YOU are helping to save species!

LOCATED IN WHAT USED TO BE DR. WILDE’S WORLD.

Opening Soon

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Animal Well-Being Projects Sometimes, keeping our animals comfortable and happy means strategic observation and experimenting with a few variables. Our Curator of Animal Well-Being, Molly McGuire, PhD., shared a few recent projects!

Meerkats: Habitat Use and Behavior in Response to Music

This project aimed to assess how the volume and quality of music playing in the Critter Connection influenced meerkat behavior and habitat usage. Each meerkat was observed for 10 minutes, twice a day. We altered the music playing in the area to create five 2-week phases: baseline (original music), low volume (original music), no music, new music (instrumental), new music (singing).

During the low-volume phase, the meerkats displayed the highest rates of foraging – almost twice as much as the other phases! According to the data, the meerkats spent more time visible to the public when the familiar baseline music was playing or when no music was playing, compared to when new music was playing.

This suggests that familiar music, playing at lower volumes, may positively impact the welfare of these meerkats.

Intern Project: Madison Chaperon, Fall 2019

The goal for this study was to gain insight into the motivating factors behind observed pacing in our jaguar, then to reduce or eliminate this behavior. Based on initial observations, we decided to focus on the following potential motivations: stress from ambient music, anticipation in keeper interactions, boredom, and interest in social contact. In response, we switched to rainforest sounds, installed visual barriers to block views of keeper walkways, implemented a regimen of challenging food enrichment and tried housing our jaguars socially instead of solitarily. All of these interventions were successful to varying degrees, and we have seen a dramatic reduction in pacing for both jaguars!

Jaguar: Reducing Pacing Behavior Internal Project: Molly McGuire & Amazon and Beyond Atlantic Forest Keepers

The goal of this study was to increase habitat usage and foraging rates using strategically placed food puzzles! The study consisted of two 4-week phases: the baseline phase, to observe their typical behavior, then the enrichment phase, in which three puzzle feeders were placed on the habitat.

We did not find a difference in habitat usage, but the food puzzles did increase the frequency of natural foraging behaviors for the spider monkeys!

Spider Monkeys: Habitat Usage & Foraging Intern Project: Marie Portuallo, Fall 2019

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Wild Bunch is a group of likeminded young professionals dedicated to championing wildlife conservation and bringing community awareness to the mission of Zoo Miami. As up-and-coming community leaders, Wild Bunch members experience Zoo Miami from an exclusive perspective through networking opportunities, volunteerism, animal encounters and priority access to Zoo Miami events, adventures and more!

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Zoo Miami Foundation’s Premier Membership is an elite Donor Club that supports the annual fund, which enhances all aspects of animal care, wildlife conservation and learning experiences. Through a Premier Membership, you give an invaluable gift to yourself, your family, and the community, forging an amazing connection to the species that roam within Zoo Miami’s boundaries.