Keepin’ it Wild !
- September 2024
OUR MISSION: To inspire people to preserve nature and motivate others to join us through community engagement, fundraising, and building relationships. INSIDE THIS ISSUE: - Sloth Bear Cubs Public Debut - Flamingo Hatches at the Zoo - Summer Deals and Events
Keepin’ it Wild is a quarterly digital publication of Zoo Miami Foundation that provides information for the friends, supporters and Members of Zoo Miami.
For more information, please contact:
Zoo Miami Foundation
12400 SW 152 Street, Miami, FL 33177 (305) 255-5551 / www.zoomiami.org
Zoo Miami Foundation’s Mission
To inspire people to preserve nature and motivate others to join us through community engagement, fundraising, and building relationships.
Zoo Miami Foundation Board of Directors:
Chair: Jose Felix Diaz
Chair-Elect: Alan Atkinson
Treasurer: Alexander Binelo
Secretary: Brittnie Bassant
Past Chair: Eric Eikenberg
Alan Atkinson
Rodney Barreto
Brittnie Bassant
Jason Bell
Alexander “Alex” Binelo
Javi Borges
Maryam L. Borrego
Ashley Boxer
Sharymar Calderon
James A. Carenza
Mayor Daniella Levine Cava
John V. Chibbaro
Jason Comer
Jose Felix Diaz
Eric Eikenberg
William “Will” Elgar
Armando Fernandez
Ricardo Garbati
Victor H. Herrera
Emeriti Directors
Rodney L. Barreto
Vincent L. Berkeley
Jennifer Boin Getz
Roger Carlton
Harlan S. Chiron, MD
Ambassador Sue Cobb
Linda Coll
William J. Gallwey, III, Esq.
Robert W. Hudson, Esq.
Sherrill W. Hudson
Bernard Klepach
President/CEO: Jose C. Romano
Zoo Director: Will Elgar
Zoo Admission Hours:
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily
Last ticket sold at 4 p.m.
Editor: Rashielle Clarke
Contributors:
LETTER FROM THE CEO
Philip Kushlan
George Leser
Daniel Diaz Leyva
Sharon MacIvor
Dr. Mireya Mayor
Kathy McDonald
Maria I. Nardi
Marc A. Osheroff
Samantha Pencar
Martha H. Rabbitt
José C. Romano
Joseph R. Salzverg
Daniel V. Sanchez
Luisa Santos
John Schertzer
Eduardo M. Soto
John Vidalin
Fred Voccola
Steven C. Williamson
David Konfino
Jim Kushlan, PhD
Jack Lowell
Manny J. Rodriguez, P.E.
Edward Soto
Eric J. Stephens
Lawrence O. Turner, Jr.
Diana Udel
Ana VeigaMilton, Esq.
Andrew H. Weinstein, Esq.
Amanda Bolanos, Cindy Castelblanco, Alexandra Guevara, Jamie Lassonde, Ron Magill, Natalie Martinez, Staci Otero, Jose Romano, Ron Stayton, and Melissa Wetzel
Layout & Design: Photography: Parrot Fish Studio Ron Magill
Special thanks to Ana VeigaMilton and the Zoo Miami staff, for without these people, this publication would not be possible.
FOLLOW US
Dear Friends,
Summer is always an exciting time at Zoo Miami, with families flocking to our park seeking adventures and memorable experiences while school is out. This season is always marked by the packs of campers exploring our walkways and this year, Zoo Miami Foundation (ZMF) continues to offer programs specially designed for adventurers as young as three, as well as a camp just for teens to explore careers at the zoo. For years, our award-winning camp has inspired future generations to care for and protect wildlife – while keeping them engaged during the school break!
Of course, summer is a particularly fun time for our Zoo members, with endless admission and adventures. Zoo Miami Foundation continues to find new ways to keep our members involved and offer value to them throughout the year. This past June, ZMF kicked off a series of exclusive Member Fun Zone events, offering our most loyal zoo families a fun day of water play, games, and more. The event was met with great feedback and enthusiasm, and we are thrilled to be hosting the Fun Zone again in July and August.
As we look to the future, I can’t help but feel excited by the strides we are making in our conservation efforts and animal care campaigns. Not only are we progressing closer toward our new Sumatran tiger exhibit with the help of generous supporters, but I am also thrilled to share that ZMF has recently received state funding for the initial design phase of Zoo Miami’s new Manatee Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Release Habitat!
It never ceases to amaze me what is made achievable through the power of community. The impact of Zoo Miami and Zoo Miami Foundation can range from helping a small family make powerful, long-lasting memories, to supporting global conservation work for our world’s most wonderful and vulnerable species. To our members, donors, volunteers, and partners – thank you for making it all possible!
José Romano ZMF President/CEO
Inside This Issue
Exciting News!
9 19 4 10 20 7 21 12 8 13 23
Sloth Bear Cubs Out & About
Summer Deals at Zoo Miami
Flamingo Chick Hatches
Back to School Savings
Adventures in Learning
Fun Zoo News
Winston turns one and our flamingoes are featured on the TODAY Show!
Mourning the Loss of Tango and Keesha
Zoo Miami Foundation Quarterly Donors
Celebrating the Legacy of Merrett Stierheim
Staff Longevity Awards
Notes for Members
We are thrilled to announce that we have received state funding for the initial design phase of Zoo Miami’s new Manatee Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Release Habitat!
This wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support from our legislators and partners. A huge thank you to our supporting legislators, Alexis Calatayud and Florida Representative Jim Mooney, for championing our cause and making this dream a reality.
We also want to express our deepest gratitude to our invaluable partners: Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), and The Southern Group-Florida.
Last year, the FWC invited Zoo Miami to join the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership, and we are honored to collaborate with them on this important project.
We couldn’t be more excited about the future of manatee conservation and rehabilitation at Zoo Miami!
Sloths Bears Out & About at Zoo Miami
Zoo Miami’s adorable pair of sloth bear cubs, “Anika” and “Sithara,” are out and about on their public habitat at Zoo Miami! The cubs were born to four-year-old mom, “Keematee” on December 2023 and for the first few months, the family remained off-exhibit. This private time in their den allowed them to establish a strong bond with limited interruptions. Now, you can see this bond in action as the cubs are often seen clinging to mom or trotting right alongside her while they explore their habitat.These cubs are Keematee’s first births. Their father is 11-year-old, “Hank,” and they are his first surviving cubs as well.
These are the first sloth bears born at Zoo Miami since 1998!
Make sure to swing by their habitat on your next visit to Zoo Miami to see them in all their fluffy action.
Zoo Miami Amphitheater Included with Admission NOW - AUGUST 11
Flamingo Hatches at Zoo Miami!
On June 14, 2024, a Caribbean flamingo hatched here at Zoo Miami! The egg was artificially incubated for 28 days to avoid the risk of loss to environmental conditions like predation or extreme weather. Several other flamingo eggs are still incubating.
The chick’s parents are a 21-year-old female and a nine-year-old male. The sex of the hatchling is still unknown, but they have been feeding well under the care of the Animal Science staff in the Avian Propagation Center! In addition to regular feedings, it participates in daily walks and swimming sessions. Once the chick has developed its full feathering and is feeding well on its own, it will be introduced to the flock.
BACK TO SCHOOL SEASON SAVINGS
Buy a Brick
Looking forward to a graduation year or the first year at a new school?
Commemorate these special milestones with a custom engraved brick on Zoo Miami’s Walkway of the Wild. Your scholar’s brick will line the entrance to Florida: Mission Everglades for years to come!
Save 15% on a brick using code BRICKSCHOOL24, valid August 5 – 16, 2024. BUY NOW! BUY A BRICK
Adopt an Animal
Let your kids show off their favorite animal and school their friends with some wild facts! Choose from eight adoptable animals. Keeper Packages include a plush, Certificate of Adoption, fun facts about your animal, photo by Ron Magill, and more!
Save 15% on a Keeper Package using code ADOPTSCHOOL24, valid August 5 – 16, 2024.
Adventures IN LEARNING
School’s out, but the learning adventure continues at Zoo Miami! Let your child discover their wild side and beat the school break boredom with a wild camp experience. Ages 5 - 12
Sessions available now through August 14, 2024*
Registration is available on a weekly basis; Fees vary by session. Click below to see our weekly schedule and to register.
* Please note that some weekly sessions may exclude select dates
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
HomescHool
Zoofari
Join us for an exciting and interactive homeschool program at the zoo! Led by our experienced educators, our tailored curriculum combines the wonders of wildlife with hands-on learning experiences through interactive sessions.
Elementary
September 9, 2024
Grades: K-5 8:30 AM – 12 PM
Price: $30 for non-members; $24 for members
Middle & High School
September 23, 2024
Grades 6-12 9 AM – 12 PM
Price: $45 for non-members; $36 for members CLICK
Please email education@zoomiami.org or call 305-255-5551 for additional information.
Wild Nights: Night
Tour
Experience the magic of Zoo Miami after hours and encounter the nocturnal animals that come alive after the sun sets. Enjoy a guided walk through the zoo and an up-close enounters with one of our animal ambassadors!
July 19, 2024 6 PM – 8 PM
Price: $60/ person for non-members; $45/ person for members
educator Pawfessional develoPment worksHoP
Join us for an enriching professional development workshop hosted by Zoo Miami Foundation, right here at Zoo Miami!
Our workshop is designed to provide informal educators with valuable tools and insights to enhance their teaching practices. Whether you’re a seasoned educator or just starting out, this workshop offers something for everyone, including class management strategies, networking opportunities, interpretation techniques, and more.
September 30, 2024 9 AM – 4 PM
This program is offered to the community free of cost, thanks to Bank of America.
To register or learn more, email njohnston@zoomiami.org
If you are looking for a fulfilling way to get involved in your local community, the zoo may be the perfect place for you. Our adult volunteers are at the forefront of guest experience, making meaningful contacts with tens of thousands of people each year. Opportunities include assisting our Critter Connection team in the Wacky Barn, helping to prepare animal diets in our zoo kitchen, assisting guests as an ambassador, and more!
Applications open July 2024 for the upcoming Fall 2024 session.
Zoo Miami Flamingos on the TODAY
Show!
Winston Is One!
On May 9th, Zoo Miami guests joined us at the Sami Family Amphitheater for a special birthday party celebrating our cheetah ambassador, Winston! This feisty feline was born in Winston, Oregon and arrived at Zoo Miami on June 14, 2023, as part of the Cheetah Species Survival Plan (SSP).
According to his keepers, Winston is very energetic and loves his toys, especially his oversized rubber ducky! He’s learned many impressive behaviors by working with his trainers since he was only five weeks old. He thoroughly enjoys his daily walks and his training enrichment sessions. You can see Winston, along with our other two cheetah ambassadors, Koda and Diesel, in their new habitat at the amphitheater this summer!
Zoo Miami recently welcomed NBC’s Sam Brock for a special feature about American flamingos. The production crew was hosted by our very own Ron Magill, and the spot highlighted the resurgence of flamingos in the state of Florida, after years of mostly being found in Cuba, Mexico, and the Bahamas. Ron Magill spoke about this exciting development, and the flamingo conservation work being done at Zoo Miami.
Mourning the Loss of Tango & Keesha
Zoo Miami is sad to share that we have recently had to say goodbye to two long-term animal residents.
Following a steady decline in health due to advanced age, the difficult decision was made to euthanize “Tango,” a Patagonian mara, on May 8, 2024. Tango arrived at Zoo Miami in 2010 after being found wandering the parking lot of The Falls shopping center, apparently an abandoned or escaped pet. For well over a decade, Tango served as an iconic ambassador for countless visitors to Zoo Miami as well as an outreach animal that visited schools and special events to help inspire a love of wildlife while promoting its conservation.
On May 9, 2024, “Keesha,” our 28-yearold sloth bear, was also humanely euthanized due to severely declining health that was not responding to all available treatments. Among her health challenges, Keesha’s most debilitating ailment was severe arthritis of the spine, which was carefully managed for several years but unfortunately became so severe that pain medications were no longer effective. Keesha was born at the Smokey Mountain Zoo in Tennessee in 1996 and came to Zoo Miami via the San Diego Zoo in 2016.
read more about Sumatran tigers in the wild and at Zoo Miami.
Support thE TigEr Habitat Expansion
The roar of tigers will soon reverberate louder than ever at Zoo Miami when we unveil an expanded and upgraded Sumatran tiger exhibit that will enthrall visitors of all ages with up close and personal encounters. The tiger habitat was part of Zoo Miami’s initial footprint when it opened in 1980 and remains an iconic symbol of the zoo.
A SpEcial TigEr Sun-SEttEr
On Saturday, April 13, Zoo Miami Foundation teamed up with Chary Rico Toro for a memorable evening dedicated to our Sumatran Tiger campaign. Guests were treated to insights from Zoo Miami’s Assistant Curator of Carnivores, Ivy Brower. Ivy shared our vision for a new habitat, offering ample space for our tigers to thrive and fostering crucial breeding efforts.
Less than 400 Sumatran tigers remain in the wild with only 72 living in zoos across the country, including Lani and Leeloo at Zoo Miami. Together, let’s ensure these majestic creatures endure for generations to come.
to learn more about how you can impact the campaign.
Thank you to our host Chary Rico Toro!
Experience a WILD time on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at the 12th annual ZooRun benefiting the Zoo Miami Wildlife Conservation Fund. Transport yourself to the Amazon, Asia and Africa as runners (and walkers) of all ages dash their way through Zoo Miami. Animal themed costumes are encouraged!
MAKE WILDLIFE
A PART OF YOUR LEGACY
Did you know August is Make a Will Month? It’s always a great time to revisit your legacy plans to ensure your loved ones are taken care of. Zoo Miami Foundation (ZMF) has put together a few tools to help you protect your loved ones and plan your legacy on your terms:
• ZMF Personal Estate Planning Guide: This helpful booklet offers information about ways to make a lasting legacy and worksheets for you to thoughtfully organize and plan your estate.
• Life Legacy: Thanks to our partnership with Life Legacy, you may create your legal will for FREE in under 20 minutes.
You can even choose to make a legacy gift to Zoo Miami Foundation through your will or trust to benefit education and wildlife conservation efforts for years to come, just like our President & CEO Jose Romano.
For more information about legacy giving, please visit our website: Planned Giving | Zoo Miami
“It is important to step back and invest in the things that are meaningful to you. Leaving a legacy at Zoo Miami of educating the public about conservation efforts right here in our backyard, in the state I love, while instilling a sense of responsibility in my children, has been an absolute blessing.”
- Jose Romano, Josephine Wolf Legacy Society Member, and ZMF President & CEO
Wild Bunch is a group of like-minded young professionals dedicated to championing wildlife conservation and bringing community awareness to the mission of Zoo Miami. Join our committee of up and coming community leaders and receive special access to networkers, exclusive volunteer opportunities, unique animal encounters, priority access to Zoo Miami events, adventures and more! Help Wild Bunch make an impact!
JOIN TODAY
Zoo Miami FoundatIon’s PrEmier Members arE elIte-LEvel DOnors who experIence Zoo Miami from an exclusive perspectIve! Become a member whose support enhances animal care, wildlife conservation, and learning experiences while forging an amazing connection to the more than 2,500 animals that reside at Zoo Miami. Receive inside access to behind-the-scenes tours, private animal encounters, exclusive event invitations, programs, and more!
Your Membership Card gives you exclusive aCCess to Zoo Miami!
BECOME A MEMBER
We would like to recognize and thank those who contributed to Zoo Miami Foundation between March 24, 2024June 20, 2024. Your generosity helps us fulfill our mission of wildlife education and conservation, and we are truly grateful for your support.*
INDIVIDUALS
$10,000 - 24,999
M. Ivette and Alan Atkinson
Walter J. Lynwood
$5,000 - $9,999
Sheila and Ira Shapiro
Michael Schur
The Honorable Micky Steinberg
$1,000 - $4,999
The Honorable Kevin M. Cabrera
David M. Cohn, M.D.
Richard P. Cole
The Forte Family
Lourdes E. Gomez and Marcelino Miyares, Ph.D.
Terry and Daniel Odell
Chary Rico-Toro
Elaine Klein and Leonard C. Roberts
Joanna and Jose Romano
$500 - $999
Karen and Drew Cashmere
S. Jason Comer
Sandra and Kevin Davis
Richard R. Glass
Karen and Jonathan Hegler
Lynn Liddell
Suzette and Humberto Lopez
Shari-Lynn and Ari Odzer
Sima and Douglas Miska
Roger G. Misleh
Elizabeth Ann and Anthony Morgenthau
Sue C. Nichols
Vishnu Parasuraman
Lourdes Perez
Christina Perez-Gurri Ash
Jennifer Quezada
Patricia M. Reichle
Sully Roca
Dawn and Theodore Sayre
Michael A. Simkowitz, Ph.D.
Julie and Gary Simon
Michele and Mark Stein
Valerie R. Stern
Olga and George Suarez
Art Swanlund
Ward B. Whitten
Brittany Wichner
CORPORATE PARTNERS
$25,000 +
Sea Turtle Conservancy
$10,000 - $24,999
BCC Engineering
Bean Automotive Group
Ernst & Young, LLP
Florida Power & Light
FOUNDATIONS
$25,000 +
The Miami FoundationAl & Janie Nahmad Family Foundation
The Batchelor Foundation, Inc.
The Wildflower Foundation, Inc.
$10,000 - $24,999
Miami Dade College Foundation
Cecil & Ana Milton Family Foundation
The Clinton Family Fund
Esserman Family Foundation Inc.
The Helliwell Family Foundation
D. Richard Mead Charitable Foundation
$5,000 - $9,999
The Alliance for Florida’s National Parks
Jacob and Anita Penzer Foundation
$1,000 - $4,999
Westminster Barrington Foundation
$500 - $999
Charities Aid Foundation of AmericaThe Tonkinson Foundation
$100 - $499
Progressive Insurance Foundation
GOVERNMENT PARTNERS
Sandra and Miguel Rishmague
$100 - $499
Maylin and George Balsa
Daniel Beerhalter
Alexandra and Dale Bennett
Piotr Bzdyra
Sandra and William Charles
Carole J. Cholasta
Elaine and John Curry
Ileana Cuti
Shelley B. Daniel Rutherford
Amy and Richard Deutch
Samantha Fulgar
Bonnie Goble
Nathan Graff
Alexandria and Alexander Gutierrez
Andrew Hyder
David N. Kuhn
Merri Lieberthal
Judy Loft and Joe Reid
Jeanette and Larry Marbert
Paul Marynowych
Melissa A. Mayntz
Ann Marie McGuigan
Richard P. Melohn
PepsiCo
$5,000 - $9,999
El Car Wash
Science Systems and Applications, Inc.
$1,000 - $4,999
Aetna
Conviva Solutions
Express Travel
West Flagler Associates
Ocaquatics Swim School
$500 - $999
Allied Global Marketing
Boston Consulting Group, Inc.
Dental Plus
Florida Federation of Garden Clubs District
XII
Holidays Network Group
Kendra Scott LLC
Miami Marlins
Playground of Miami
$100 - $499
The Benevity Community Impact Fund
$25,000 +
Florida Division of Cultural Affairs
Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs
National Science Foundation
*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 305-255-5551.
Celebrating the Legacy of Merrett Stierheim
On July 7, 2024, Zoo Miami Foundation lost Merrett Stierheim, a beloved figure and visionary leader. As one of the founding fathers of Zoo Miami (formerly Miami Metrozoo when Mr. Stierheim first became involved) and a longstanding Zoological Society of Florida (now Zoo Miami Foundation) board member for nearly 40 years, Merrett’s impact on our community and our community’s cherished zoo is immeasurable.
Merrett’s involvement with Zoo Miami reaches as far back as the early 70’s when he assigned funds from the “Decade of Progress” bond to build the zoo’s current facility. His journey with the Zoological Society of Florida (ZSF), began in the late 1980’s and continued through 2023. He held various positions on our Board of Directors and was the Chairman from 2007 to 2009. Beginning in July 2010 he even served as Interim CEO for the ZSF for numerous months. One thing was certain, his dedication to the Zoo was unwavering and his wisdom and guidance were infinite. Merrett’s guidance led to significant advancements in the zoo’s infrastructure, exhibits, and educational programs.
We are profoundly grateful for his time, talent, and treasure and the outpouring of support over the decades. His exceptional service and dedication to the Zoo blessed us all. Merrett’s unparalleled ability to “fix things” and his unwavering honesty made Zoo Miami a better place for everyone. His vision helped to transform a small zoo that had its beginnings in Crandon Park into one of the country’s best zoos.
As we commemorate Merrett Stierheim’s extraordinary service, we express our deepest gratitude for his support and celebrate the enduring legacy he leaves behind. The zoo stands as a testament to his hard work and passion, a place where future generations will continue to learn, grow, and be inspired by the wonders of the natural world.
His legacy will live on forever at Zoo Miami and Zoo Miami Foundation. Thank you very much, Mr. Stierheim, for everything. Your spirit and contributions will never be forgotten.
STAFF
LONGEVITY AWARDS Congratulations to our Zoo Miami staff celebrating anniversary milestones!
Jasmine Estrada- 20 years
Eric
Mike Malden- 5 years
Nicole Atteberry- 15 years
Chris Castano- 5 years
Jonathan Ramirez- 5 years
Terry Casanova- 15 years
David Swaby- 20 years
Horacio Salto- 15 years
Hung Do- 15 years
Jason Calero- 5 years
Not pictured:
Cristina Heredia- 20 years
John Caamano- 20 years
Alfredo Diaz- 10 years
Tabitha Miller- 15 years
Josh Randle- 5 years
Pablo Roger- 5 years
Kaminsky- 20 years
Esther Frieiro-Berdeguer- 15 years
Sebastian Martinez- 5 years
Ryan Paoletti- 5 years
Jessica Klumb- 15 years
Eduardo Marrero- 20 years
Marni Wood- 5 years
STAFF LONGEVITY AWARDS
Congratulations to our Zoo Miami Foundation staff celebrating anniversary milestones!
In Loving Memory of Katherine Medford
In loving memory of a remarkable woman whose dedication to Zoo Miami illuminated the lives of countless staff, visitors, and inhabitants alike. Zoo Miami honors the legacy of Katherine Medford, a true champion of wildlife and a beacon of volunteerism.
For nearly two decades, alongside her beloved husband, Ron Medford, Katherine poured her heart and soul into the welfare of Zoo Miami. Their partnership was not just one of love but of shared passion for conservation and education. Together, they became the embodiment of unwavering commitment, leaving an indelible mark on the very fabric of the zoo community through their labor of love.
With boundless persistence, Katherine embraced each day as an opportunity to make a difference. Behind the scenes, Katherine worked tirelessly, dedicating 53,205 hours to various projects aimed at enhancing the lives of the zoo’s residents. Whether it was tending to the needs of the animals, clerical and computer work, organizing memberships, or taking every class available to volunteers, her efforts were fueled by a genuine love for all creatures great and small. As we bid farewell to Katherine, we take solace in
knowing that her legacy will endure in the memories she leaves behind, the lives she has touched, and the Medford Volunteer Meeting Area. Despite Katherine’s steadfast commitment to all wildlife, the lowland anoa, her favorite, will miss her presence dearly and its exhibit will forever commemorate her and her incessant perseverance. Though she may no longer walk among us, her spirit will forever roam the pathways of the zoo, a testament to the power of love, dedication, and the profound bond between humans and the natural world.
Rest in peace, dear Katherine. Your light will continue to shine brightly in our hearts, guiding us as we strive to honor your memory and carry forth your legacy of devotion and conservation.
Carlos Simoes- 10 years
Natalie Canelas- 5 years
July 13 & August 10
