Keepin' it Wild! Oct - Dec 2017

Keepin’ it Wild!

October-December 2017

A digital publication of Zoo Miami Foundation and Zoo Miami.

OUR MISSION: To encourage an appreciation for the world’s wildlife and to help conserve it for future generations.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: - Post-Irma Reopening Weekend - 51st Giraffe Born at Zoo Miami - Honoring Lisa the Elephant

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 encourage an appreciation for the world’s wildlife and to help conserve it for future generations.

Zoo Miami Foundation Board of Directors: Chairperson: Jim Kushlan, PhD. Chair-Elect: Jose C. Romano Treasurer: George Leser Secretary: Patricia Siles, CPA Past Chairperson: Ana VeigaMilton, Esq. Susan Kahn Kimberly Kalkus Frank Lopez Kathy McDonald Scott Maddox George Navarrete Marc A. Osheroff Eliot Pedrosa Aliette D. Rodz, Esq. Dr. Michael Rosenberg Ana VeigaMilton, Esq.

Alan Atkinson Dr. Jose Fransisco Barros Sandy Batchelor Jacey Birch Luis E. Boué, CPA Jose Felix Diaz Eric Eikenberg Larry Feldman, PhD Armando Fernandez Diana L. Fitzgerald, Esq. Robert Furniss-Roe Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez Michael Heithaus, PhD EMERITI DIRECTORS

Bernard Klepach David Konfino Daniel J. Licciardi Jack Lowell Manny J. Rodriguez, P.E. Edward Soto Eric J. Stephens Merrett R. Stierheim Lawrence O. Turner, Jr. Diana Udel Andrew H. Weinstein, Esq.

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

LETTER FROM THE CEO Life at Zoo Miami has been quite the whirlwind. Hurricane Irma left us a big mess to clean up, but we’re very fortunate that it wasn’t worse. Most of the damage we faced in the aftermath included fallen trees and cosmetic damage. Thankfully, the majority of our animals were just fine, and were able to be back on their exhibits shortly after. Staff from Zoo Miami, Zoo Miami Foundation and Service Systems Associates worked tirelessly to get our park ready for our loyal guests to return, and we’re happy to be re-opening our gates on October 14 with 50% off admission!

Members will be invited to come out a day earlier for a Members-only preview on October 13.

While our damage was nothing compared to the recent hurricane impact on communities in Puerto Rico, the Florida Keys and the Caribbean, we do have a pressing need that could use your help.

As many of our trees were lost, we need to provide our animals with critical shade structures. If you’d like to donate, please email development@zoomiami.org for more information. We thank you in advance for your generosity.

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: Cindy Castelblanco, Amanda Gonzalez, Sara Greene, Ron Magill, Bill Moore, Andrea Obregon, Jessica Parks, Victoria Robinson, Carlos Simoes 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.

We are very much looking forward to things getting back to normal once we re-open. With the holidays right around the corner, it’s the perfect time for us to reunite with our guests. We’ll be celebrating Halloween with our popular Zoo Boo trick-or-treating event on October 28 & 29, and then bringing a winter wonderland to Miami with our Zoo Lights event on select nights in December.. With ongoing education events and programs like our Winter Camp happening, there are tons of ways to find an adventure at Zoo Miami.

Our guests, supporters and fans have expressed so much support through the year, and especially in the face of the recent storm. As always, we are beyond grateful, and we look forward to bringing in another zoo year with you all.

You can help support the zoo as we continue to grow!

FOLLOW US

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BILL MOORE ZMF CEO/ President

DONATE NOW

Inside This Issue

7 12 SAVE THE DATE

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Post-Irma Reopening Weekend!

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Zoo Miami Celebrates 51st Giraffe Birth!

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Adventures in Learning

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Honoring Lisa

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Give & Get Involved

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Notes for Members

Mane Event: Lion Reintroduction at Zoo Miami

Learn more about our education programs

African elephant “Lisa” passed away this past August

Learn more about our Wild Bunch Young Leaders program, and how to donate an Adopt an Animal package to a sick child

Community Giving

Conservation Conversations African Elephants with Dr. Kate Evans Nov. 9, 2017

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2017 Last year you helped us raise $37,197, making it our most successful Give Miami Day ever! Join us again this November 16th and make this year even better.

7 – 8 PM @ Zoo Miami $10/ person Meet the Founder & Director of Elephants for Africa, exploring human-wildlife coexistence with African elephants and local communities. Register or donate before Oct. 31 and enter for a chance to win a free elephant art painting! Event proceeds will benefit Elephants for Africa.

CLICK HERE to RSVP

Post-Irma Reopening

weekend!

October 14 & 15, 2017 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Zoo Miami is re-opening its gates for a celebration weekend and we’re offering 50% off admission for everyone! Plus, the first 1,000 visitors each day will receive a free pair of Zoo Miami branded sunglasses.

We are extremely grateful to our loyal supporters and fans for your patience while our staff worked tirelessly this past month to clean up Hurricane Irma’s mess.

Thankfully, the damage we endured was manageable, and our thoughts have been with those whose version of the storm was more devastating.

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Join Us Saturday, November 11, 2017 @

Participants get a shirt, a medal, free zoo admission and 50% off guest admission on race day.

General Registration: August 1 - November 10 $35 Race Day: November 11 $45 #ZooRun5k

For kids ages 2-9 Participants get a shirt, a medal, free zoo admission and 50% off guest admission on race day.

General Registration: August 1 - November 10 $15 Race Day: November 11 $20 #ZooKidsDash

TO REGISTER: ZooMiami.org/run 305-255-5551 6

BENEFITING

Mane Event: Lion Reintroduction Zoo Miami’s lion pride had quite the reunion this past August.

After over two months of separation, our two lionesses, Kashifa and her daughter Amira, were reintroduced to our male lions, brothers Jabare and Kwame. While these brothers usually get along just fine, having females in the mix can make them a little crazy, and a recent fight between them necessitated the separation. A reintroduction was planned after the females were able to receive birth control implants, lessening the competition between the males.

This reunion was an interesting demonstration of their personalities and dynamics! A more timid Kwame stood back to allow a dominant Jabare to enter the exhibit alongside Kashifa and Amira. Kashifa was occupied fending off Jabare’s sexual advances while the enthusiastic Amira climbed trees and attempted to play with the boys. The reintroduction was a success, with no major confrontations between the males – the whole pride can now be seen together on exhibit!

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q q ! t e e w s so

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51st Giraffe On August 30, 2017, Zoo Miami welcomed a set of wobbly new long legs! At 11:38 a.m. that morning, we celebrated our 51st giraffe birth – a female baby born to 10-year-old mom Mia and five-year-old dad Titan. This is Mia’s fifth baby, and Titan’s second.

In the days following the birth, the newborn calf received a neonatal exam to be weighed and have her blood taken, as well as an overall wellness examination to make sure that she was healthy. Newborn babies are given time offexhibit to bond well with their mother before introducing them to the rest of the herd and joining them in their new home.

Born at Zoo Miami!

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Adventures in Learning The Coolest Camp

Cooler weather is the best time for zoo camp! Without the blistering summer heat, the animals are more active making it the perfect time to join us for zoo camp.

We continue to provide a fun, interactive learning environment as kids explore different conservation issues such as pollution and habitat loss. With up close animal encounters and present making for the animals how can a kid not have a blast at zoo camp?!

Ages 4 – 12 I 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM WINTER CAMP DATES December 26, 2017 – January 6, 2018

MINI CAMP DATES October 27, 2017 November 10, 2017 November 22, 2017

Camp scholarships available on our website!

For more information, visit www.zoomiami.org/camps or contact us at 305-255-5551 or education@zoomiami.org

Wild Nights 10 6

Join us for a walk on the wild side! Our evening adventures take you on a guided tour and include unique behind-the-scenes experiences with the zoo’s nocturnal, night-loving animals. Each month’s theme will visit a different area of the zoo.

UPCOMING DATES • Oct 14 - Eat or Be Eaten • Nov 11 - Asian Odyssey (NEW!) • Dec 9 - Gentle Giants

CLICK HERE to Register

CTS Recruitment

Pine Rockland Tours

Coming Soon Conservation Teen Scientists (CTS) students (9th – 12th Grade) receive training in environmental conservation topics and develop useful life skills while helping Zoo Miami achieve its educational mission.

Apply by November 24, 2017!

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Train in various environmental topics and develop life skills

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Develop communication skills through exhibit interpretation

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Opportunities for animal handling training with our Critter Connection animal ambassadors

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Zoo Miami intern/job opportunities to CTS graduates in animal science, vet medicine, education, operations, and more!

We have one of the largest pieces of this endangered ecosystem at the zoo and are looking to collect data to help us better understand what species depend on this habitat for a home. Keep a lookout for this unique nature experience!

CLICK HERE to Apply

Don’t forget: Zoo Miami Members receive 20% off ALL Education programs!

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Honoring Lisa

Zoo Miami and our animal care staff take great pride in caring for our animals.

Working closely with them, we often form bonds and come to think of the animals as family. These attachments make it difficult and heart breaking when an animal is lost. But of course, nature is about the balance of the circle of life.

Just as we celebrate new births, we honor the lives of our animals when they pass away.

On August 22, 2017, Zoo Miami made the very sad announcement that “Lisa”, a 44-year-old African elephant died shortly after laying down on her side in the elephant barn. While there were no obvious causes of death, Lisa had been under close observation after she’d been found lying down in July and needed assistance from zoo staff in getting up.

Lisa and another female elephant, Cita, arrived at Zoo Miami from the Virginia Zoo on April 19, 2016. They joined our resident elephants, Peggy and Mabel, and the herd was nicknamed “The Golden Girls” because of their advanced age.

Lisa’s passing was a difficult time for both Zoo Miami and Virginia Zoo’s staff, but we are grateful for her impact on our communities, and for the opportunity to have known her.

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New Adoptable Animals!

Adopt an Animal, Spread the Cheer

We have an all-new roster of beloved zoo animals ready to adopt. Choose from the African painted dog, Western lowland gorilla, or koala. Your symbolic adoption supports Zoo Miami’s wildlife enrichment program, which provides mental and physical stimulation for our animals.

This holiday season, you can bring the joy of Zoo Miami to someone who needs it most. For each $25 donation, we will give an Adopt an Animal package to a sick child at Holtz’s Children’s Hospital, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, or West Kendall Baptist Hospital. Your 100% tax-deductible contribution will bring a smile to the face of a child in need. This campaign runs from November 1 – December 31, 2017.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

Wild Bunch

Young Leaders

Wild Bunch Young Leaders is a new young professionals group for wildlife enthusiasts ages 21 to 45. In addition to free & unlimited Zoo admission, Wild Bunch members receive exclusive invitations to networking events, nature excursions, and behind the scenes service opportunities. Wild Bunch dues are entered into a gift pool, and members collectively decide on a project to fund here at Zoo Miami. To learn more about membership and benefits, visit www.zoomiami.org/wildbunch.

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SAVE THE DATE

Feast

2018

WITH THE

BEASTS a TASTE OF THE TROPICS

Select December Nights* 7 PM - 10 PM * Open every Friday and Saturday in December, plus the week of December 26 – 30.

Start a new family tradition with 13 nights of Zoo Lights! Come out to Zoo Miami for more than half a million bright, animal shaped lights

MARCH 16, 2018

and dazzling tree lights! Enjoy FREE

FWTB.org | 305-255-5551

Santa and our Zoo Squad, delight in

3D glasses, take your photo with holiday music and much more!

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zoomiami.org

NOTES for Members Ready to Re-Open!

OCTOBER 14

Our Zoo staff has made amazing progress cleaning up Hurricane Irma’s mess, and we’re happy to be opening our gates again on October 14! Of course, we know our Members are especially eager to visit us again, so we’ll be granting all active Zoo Members access a day earlier, on Friday, October 13. Plus, to make up for lost time together, we’re offering special renewal prices until 10/15/17 using promo code ZOOMIAMI17. If you’d like to receive a month-long extension instead, please contact us at membership@zoomiami.org. We can’t wait to see you again!

Zoo Miami’s popular Halloween event is back and as always – our Members get to enjoy it for free. Families and kids ages 12 and under get to enjoy trick-ortreating, costume contests, special performances, and watch as our animals get special Halloween treats of their own! All active Zoo Members get free admission.

NEW MEMBERSHIP CARDS

We’ll be rolling out some fresh new Membership cards just in time for the Fall! We’ve transitioned from using paper cards for more durable plastics cards featuring beautiful photos of our animals taken by Ron Magill.

M E M BE R S E RV I C E S • ( 305) 2 55- 5551 • M BR@zo o miami.org 15

Community Giving WHOLE FOODS MARKET Thank you to Whole Foods Market for raising $39,416.66 for Zoo Miami Foundation (ZMF) on 5% Day! On August 31, 2017, Whole Foods stores in Miami dedicated 5% of their net sales to be donated to ZMF to bring endangered species awareness and Florida Everglades education to Miami-Dade schools.

TOKENS AT TARGET Love shopping at Target? Make it count!

Their interactive giving campaign allows their guests to vote for a charity to receive a donation from Target.

When you visit the local stores in Cutler Bay and Pembroke Pines, vote for Zoo Miami Foundation with your token at checkout! This campaign is running through November 6, 2017.

Doral Driven to Give Day On November 4, 2017, visit Zoo Miami to test drive a Lincoln vehicle and help raise funds to support us! The event is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., or until our goal of 300 test drives is met. Test drives are free, and the first 300 test drivers will be entered to win a behind-the-scenes Zoo Miami tour! Test drives are limited to one per household. Participants must be 18 year or older and have a valid driver’s license.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO 16