Keepin’ it Wild !
- December 2024 OUR MISSION: To inspire people to preserve nature and motivate others to join us through community engagement, fundraising, and building relationships.
A digital publication of Zoo Miami Foundation and Zoo Miami.
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: Alan S. Atkinson
Chair-Elect: Javier Borges
Treasurer: Alexander Binelo
Secretary: Joseph R. Salzverg
Past Chair: Jose Felix Diaz
Alan Atkinson
Rodney Barreto
Brittnie Bassant
Jason A. Bell
Alexander E. Binelo
Javier Borges
Maryam Laguna Borrego, Ed.D.
Ashley Boxer
Sharymar E. Calderon
James A. Carenza
Mayor Daniella Levine Cava
John V. Chibbaro
Jason S. Comer
Jose Felix Diaz, Esq
Kenneth J. Duvall
Will Elgar
Armando Fernandez
Ricardo Garbati
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
Victor H. Herrera
Philip F. Kushlan
George L. Leser
Mireya Mayor, PhD
Katharine A. McDonald
Maria I. Nardi
Marc A. Osheroff
Samantha L. Pencar
Martha H. Rabbitt
José C. Romano
Joseph R. Salzverg
Luisa F. Santos
Joshua Schertzer
Eduardo M. Soto
John S. Vidalin
Fred Voccola
Steven C. Williamson
David Konfino
Jim Kushlan, PhD
Daniel J. Licciardi
Manny J. Rodriguez, P.E.
Edward Soto
Eric J. Stephens
Lawrence O. Turner, Jr.
Diana Udel
Ana VeigaMilton, Esq.
Andrew H. Weinstein, Esq.
Marisa Bezjian, Cindy Castelblanco, Alexandra Guevara, Julia Klumb, Jamie Lassonde, Ron Magill, Natalie Martinez, 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,
Fall is always a truly spectacular season at Zoo Miami, with a new year on the horizon and a lineup of wonderful programs for our community. Here at Zoo Miami Foundation, this marks the beginning of Fiscal Year 2025, and our team is so excited at what this new chapter will bring.
Thanks to generous supporters within the Zoo Miami Foundation ecosystem, we are making tremendous progress toward our capital campaign – building a new Sumatran tiger habitat here at Zoo Miami. Long-time supporters Chary Rico-Toro and Kathy McDonald each hosted private events this year to learn more about Sumatran tigers, conservation efforts to save them, and our habitat expansion project. We were also thrilled to learn and share that an anonymous donor has recently come forward to pledge a dollar-for-dollar match up to $10,000 for every contribution to the campaign! This habitat, made possible by such generosity and dedication, is a perfect example of how the work we do right here can have ripple effects to provide new hope for endangered species.
Of course, we are also incredibly proud of the work that our team does out in the field to protect wildlife and the habitats they call home in the wild. In this issue, associate veterinarian Dr. Marisa Bezjian shares the story of her venture to Papua New Guinea to not only track and study Matschie’s tree kangaroos, but to support the local villages there to foster a greater connection and appreciation for the nature around them.
While we continue to set and strive for immensely impactful goals, it’s the day-to-day interactions on our walkways that can spark a lifetime of motivation and engagement. This season, we look forward to seeing zoo fans and animal lovers of all ages exploring through Zoo Camp, trick or treating during Zoo Boo, running wild at the ZooRun, and being dazzled and festive at Zoo Lights!
As always, thank you for your continued support year after year. See you in 2025!
José Romano ZMF President/CEO
Members
Animal Hospital Visits
Papua New Guinea Expedition
Horned Lizards Hatch at Zoo Miami
Adventures in Learning
Sumatran Tiger Campaign Updates
12 Days of Holiday Gifts
Delicata Squash Fall Recipe
Zoo Miami Foundation Quarterly Donors
Animal News
Mourning Diesel and Banyon
JOIN US FOR OUR
October 19, 2024 11 AM – 2 PM
Our members-only pumpkin carving event is the perfect fall event for the whole family! Bring your creativity and imagination – we’ll provide the carving tools, snacks, and refreshments. Plus, enjoy bounce houses, festive photo ops, and more!
Space is very limited. Keep an eye on your inbox for more info.
Lock In Your Membership Rate!
Every new year at Zoo Miami brings new animal births, engaging and educational programs, beloved annual events, and more. With 2025 just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to lock in your membership price for another year of wild experiences.
Beating the Heat at Zoo Miami!
Zoo Miami was recently featured in the Miami Herald in an article highlighting our efforts to keep our animals cool through the hot summer! From carnivore popsicles to cool showers, our animal care team finds fun and refreshing ways to beat the heat. The article features Peggy the African elephant spraying herself with wet clay, Goliath the Galapagos tortoise enjoying a cool hose-down, Reina the jaguar enjoying a popsicle enjoying a popsicle made of frozen fish and meat juice and other amazing animals.
ANimaL Hospital VISITS
Garbanzo the Giraffe
On September 11, 2024, a male giraffe named “Garbanzo” underwent a series of procedures in preparation for his transfer to another Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) facility. The main purpose was to neuter Garbanzo as there will be no need for him to reproduce. He will be introduced to a herd that includes intact males whose genes are not as well-represented as his, so neutering will help to eliminate possible aggression with them! While immobilized, Garbanzo also received a wellness exam, vaccines and vitamins, collection of blood, and trimming of his hooves.
Winston the Cheetah
On July 27, 2024, Zoo Miami’s ambassador cheetah, “Winston,” sustained a trauma to his rear left leg that resulted in a compound fracture. The injury required surgery to install two metal plates, then the leg was immobilized with a cast. Winston received weekly follow up exams to ensure proper healing. In early September, the cast was removed with very positive results! The Animal Health team is cautiously optimistic that he will make a full recovery.
Papua New Guinea Expedition: Finding Tree Kangaroos
By Dr. Marisa Bezjian
In October 2023, I travelled roughly 36 hours from Miami to Lae, Papua New Guinea. The Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program (TKCP), based out of the Woodland Park Zoo, has an office in Lae, and I was invited to join Dr. Lisa Dabek on one of her many adventures there.
For the first portion of our trip, we stayed in a cool, moist cloud forest for a week, living in tents and filtering water from a nearby stream. Our tents were about 30 feet from our pop-up research station, where we made meals on one table and examined Matschie’s tree kangaroos on another. On the first day, we followed trackers into the cloud forest, which was soft with decaying wood, moss, and ferns. After hiking through fallen trees and muddy trails, we eventually found two Matschie’s tree kangaroos up in the trees.
The trackers were former hunters employed by the TKCP to manage the forest and protect the tree kangaroos. By teaching them how special and important the forest is, this imbues them with a sense of pride to protect the land and the roughly 2,500 Matschie’s tree kangaroos that call the forest home.
Before Dr. Dabek started investing her time in this land and these people, they didn’t understand that Matschie’s tree kangaroos only live in this forest! She also pointed out that there are not as many of them as there were years ago. This led the people or clans to develop no-hunting zones in the forest, which has increased the diversity of many species in the forest. We did our research in a no-hunting zone in Wasaunon. During the week, we were able to capture eight tree kangaroos. With a team of three veterinarians (Dr. Tim Storms from Woodland Park Zoo, Dr. Carol Esson from Australia, and myself), we examined them, took blood samples, gastric fluid samples, hair samples, fecal samples, and with the help of a human radiologist (Dr. Rob Liddell), we got radiographs and ultrasound images. Dr. Lisa Dabek also fitted them with radio collars so the trackers could monitor their movements within the forest over a six-month period.
area, people do not have regular access to medical care and by investing in the health of the people, this helps to promote health of the environment. As a veterinarian, I supported the human doctors with both adult and children’s workshops on food health and animal health.
The main “One Health” project that the Zoo Miami Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund has supported is the evaluation of water quality throughout these five villages, where people are using nearby streams for water. I hiked over several days to get 30 samples from various water pipes, rivers, or faucets in Wasaunon, Teptep, Taps, Weskakop, Gua, and Gangulut. We are working with a lab (EnviroDNA) in Australia to use eDNA to evaluate water sources for various bacteria, viruses, and parasites. By getting a glimpse of the water quality at this point in time, we can monitor for any future effects of population or agricultural change, and we can use the results to support future investments in clean water initiatives.
From Wasaunon, we travelled down in elevation to an area with five villages. We were staying in TepTep, running a human health clinic in Gangulut for a week. In this remote
The time we spent in Papua New Guinea was essential to understand the culture and practicalities of doing field research to help save an endangered species. It is no small feat to get this organized, and I am grateful for the Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program for helping me to join this mission. By investing in these field programs, we are creating a bridge between zoos and their native counterparts. Working with Matschie’s tree kangaroos at Zoo Miami provides experience, which is pivotal to take into the field when working with “wild” tree kangaroos. By learning about tree kangaroos in their native habitat, we can improve the lives of our ambassador animals at the zoo. Each group of animals provides its own set of questions, and it is our duty to do our best and learn how to improve the health and welfare of these amazing animals.
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 animal species that reside at Zoo Miami. Receive inside access to behind-the-scenes tours, private animal encounters, exclusive event invitations, programs, and more!
BECOME A MEMBER
Horned Lizards Hatch at Zoo Miami
This past August, for the first time in Zoo Miami’s history, threatened Texas horned lizards have been hatched!
Working in collaboration with the Center for Conservation & Research at San Antonio Zoo as part of the Texas Horned Lizard Reintroduction Project, Zoo Miami has established a satellite colony of Texas horned lizards to produce hatchlings under human care. These hatchlings will eventually be transported back to Texas, and in conjunction with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, be released in carefully selected sites within Texas.
The first eggs were laid at Zoo Miami at the end of June with the first hatching occurring on August 9th. Since that first hatching, there have been seven more while several other eggs are still incubating, though it is possible they may not be fertile. The tiny hatchlings can fit on the top of a quarter. They are being carefully monitored and fed a diet of fruit flies and small insect larvae until it is determined that they are stable enough for transport. At that time, zoo staff will accompany the hatchlings to Texas to team up with the San Antonio Zoo and other collaborators of the project to release them to the wild!
Adventures IN LEARNING
Fall Camp
Let’s get cozy and discover nature’s most colorful season!
November 25 – 27, 2024
Ages 5 - 12
Winter Camp Day Camp
When school is out, kids can experience the thrill of the wild during our one-day camps!
Upcoming Session & Theme: November 11: “Birds of a Feather”
Fees: $52/ child for Zoo members; $65/ child for non-members.
‘Tis the season to embark on a winter wonder-camp adventure!
December 23, 26 & 27, 2024
December 30, 2024, and January 2 & 3, 2025
Please email education@zoomiami.org or call 305-255-5551 for additional information.
rOarS, S’mOreS, anD
SnOreS CampOUt
November 9 – 10, 2024
6 PM – 9:30 AM
Join us for a night of mysteries at the zoo! Learn about the secret nocturnal nightlife of our animals. We will spend the night solving mysteries, escaping a lobe of the zoo, playing trivia games, and telling stories by the campfire while roasting s’mores. Bring your own tent and don’t miss out. Sunday zoo admission is included.
Fees: $72/ person for Zoo members; $90/ person for non-members
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO
Zoo To YoU!
Whether you’re part of a school or community group, our educators can bring a taste of the zoo to you with educational animal and conservation presentations. We have both in-person and virtual offerings!
Topics include:
“Sensational Senses” | Grades K-1
“Astonishing Adaptations” | Grades 1-5
“Creature Feature” | Grades K-8
“Species Profile” | Grades 6–12
“Science of Life” | Grades 1-12
Fees: $250 for in-person sessions; $180 for virtual sessions; Additional fees apply for new lesson creation
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO
Zoo Miami Nature Play offers overnight camping adventures in Everglades National Park, including plenty of outdoor activities like canoeing, stargazing, and hiking through the wetlands!
These trips, which occur during our dry season, offer an incredible glimpse into our unique environmental treasure found here in our own backyard.
Click here to fill out application form for the 2024-2025 Nature Play program.
Please note that the minimum age to participate is 5 years old. One tent can hold 6 people (2-3 adults and 3-4 children).
Program Date Application Opens Application Closes
January 4 -5, 2025
January 25-26, 2025
February 15-16, 2025
October 1, 2024
October 1, 2024
October 31, 2024
October 31, 2024
November 1, 2024 November 30, 2024
February 22-23, 2025 November 1, 2024 November 30, 2024 (Adults-only camp)
March 15-16, 2025
December 1, 2024 December 31, 2024
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.
CLICK HERE to read more about Sumatran tigers in the wild and at Zoo Miami.
There are many giving options available in support of our $4 million campaign and we would be happy to discuss an idea tailored to your interests. Your gift will be recognized appropriately at the new Sumatran tiger habitat.
A roaring thank you to Zoo Miami Foundation (ZMF) Board director Kathy McDonald and her husband David for graciously hosting an enchanting mixer at their beautiful home to raise awareness and funds for Zoo Miami’s Sumatran tiger habitat expansion and rally everyone around a new initiative dedicated to the conservation of the critically endangered species.
Held in early August, the evening was a testament to Kathy’s unwavering commitment to wildlife conservation. Guests were treated to a captivating presentation by Zoo Miami’s Goodwill Ambassador, Ron Magill, who did a moving presentation on the plight of the Sumatran tiger, one of the world’s most endangered species that is on the brink of extinction due to habitat loss and poaching.
We extend our deepest gratitude to Kathy for her remarkable leadership and unwavering support. Her initiative not only brought to light the urgent need for Sumatran tiger conservation but also galvanized some of her closest friends to take meaningful action including an anonymous challenge grant that will match dollar for dollar up to $10,000 for monies raised by November 15th in support of the Sumatran tiger project.
If you would like to learn more about this project or contribute toward this amazing opportunity, please
ZooRun
Embark on a journey through the heart of Amazon, Asia, and Africa as runners and walkers of all ages take part in the ZooKidsDash, 5K, an enhanced 10K, and a finish festival with a beer garden.
guiding participants through exclusive behind-the-scenes paths of Zoo Miami. Along the way, they’ll experience the beauty of endangered Pine Rocklands, tranquil back lakes, and animal habitats.
BEER GARDEN*
*Beer participants as of 10/3/24. Subject to change.
It’s the perfect way to exercise, enjoy nature, and support Wildlife Conservation all in one amazing event! Virtual runs and spectator tickets are also available.
EMaple Mustard Delicata Squash
Serves 6-8
ne rgy Bite s
Ingredients
Ingredients
1 cup rolled oats
2lb delicata squash
¼ cup sliced almonds
Directions
In a large bowl, combine nut butter, honey and cinnamon. Stir well. spatula or hands.
1. Preheat oven to 425F, cut squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds.
2 tablespoons chia seeds
1 ½ cup red onion, thinly sliced
⅛ teaspoon cinnamon
⅓ cup of nut butter
1.5 tbsp.olive oil
peanut or almond)
¼ cup honey
1.5 tsp rosemary, roughly chopped
1.5 tbsp maple syrup
1.5 tbsp dijon mustard
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp white pepper Process
Roll dough into balls no larger than a golf ball. Enjoy or refrigerate for later!
2. Place squash cut side down and slice (approx. ½ inch thickness)
Tips
3. Place into a bowl and add olive oil, red onion, salt and pepper. Toss to coat evenly
Use a cookie or ice cream scoop to make bites similar in size.
If you have time, refrigerate mix ture for up to an hour before rolling into bites.
4. Spread onto a cookie sheet and roast for 10 – 15 minutes. This may take longer depending on your oven – you want to see the edges of the squash golden brown.
5. Using the same bowl combine the maple syrup, rosemary, and Dijon mustard
6. Remove the cookie sheet from the oven and drizzle the squash with the dressing.
7. Place onto a serving dish and Enjoy!
We would like to recognize and thank those who contributed to Zoo Miami Foundation between June 21, 2024September 19, 2024. Your generosity helps us fulfill our mission of wildlife education and conservation, and we are truly grateful for your support.*
INDIVIDUALS
$25,000 +
Walter J. Lynwood
$10,000 - 24,999
Libby and Jack Madden
Stacy and Kionne McGhee
$5,000 - $9,999
Paula and Michael Fay
Lisa Feinstein and Russ Kaplan
Grace Wang, M.D. and Steven Pabalan, M.D.
Joanna and Jose Romano
$1,000 - $4,999
S. Jason Comer
The Forte Family
Tina and Robert Furniss-Roe
Lourdes E. Gomez and Marcelino Miyares, Ph.D.
Laurie and Keith Keister
Valerie and Daniel Le Batard
Katharine and David McDonald
Robin and Marc Osheroff
Cathy Stierheim Sarnago
$500 - $999
George and Karen Burgess
Jody and Bob Dickinson
Veronica B. Flores
Wilfredo Gort
$100 - $499
Maegan Aja
Dian and Eric Adjamah
Jon Anderson
Jeffrey Bach
Jeremy Berg
Leslie and William Biggs
Gino Brown
Carolyn Brownstein
William J. Busutil
Pierre Cadette
Graciela Cespedes
Jack Conness
Eveliza Cuevas
Peter Dahl
Shelley B. Daniel Rutherford
Helen O. Donaldson
Charles and Elsa Foschini
Michael H. Glassman
Jacob Hackney
Katharine L. Hegamyer
Barbara and Charles Henriques
Daniel Hsu
Sharon and Dennis Javer
Bradley Jordan
Tracey C. Kealy
Thomas C. Letts
Willie F. Logan
Andrea MacMeccan
Michael Maldonado
Edward Marquez
John Meyer
Harve A. Mogul
Kimberly Mynhier
Jeleh and Mehrad Nadji
Daniele Notarnicola
Alejandro J. Oliver
Susan and Joseph Pallot
Jeremy Paschall
Jeremy Pawelkiewicz
Ellen Philpot
Donna J. Rich
Mary S. Rivenbark
Alec Robbins
Jannice Rodriguez
Martha A. Rogers Haas
Willy F. Rothman
Risa Ruvin
Johnny S. Santiago
Omar Santiago Espiet
Laurey Stierheim Trailer
Joshua Teague
James and Jane Thomas
James Tuttle
Maria and Gabriel Vidal
Eric Watson
Susan and Andrew Weinstein
Nathan Wenger
Ward B. Whitten
Ester and Shep Willis
Patrick Wilson
Mary and Steve Wood
Joshua Woodke
Maria Teresa Zorilla Clark
CORPORATE PARTNERS
$25,000 + Amazon
Bank of America
Baptist Health
Kaseya
$10,000 - $24,999
Baptist Health Commvault
$5,000 - $9,999
Sidley Austin LLP
$1,000 - $4,999
The Benevity Community Impact Fund
Full Pro Restoration
Hancock Askew & Co., LLP
Main Street Children’s Dentistry & Orthodontics, LLC
Pediatric Associates
Pei Wei Kitchen
Sky Zone
Virtus Imaging Partners, LLC
$500 - $999
Tropical Anglers Club, Inc.
The Boxer Strategy Moovila
$100 - $499
Cry Baby Creamery
GFWC Coco Plum Woman’s Club
Maxwell Brothers LLC
Ocaquatics Swim School FOUNDATIONS
$25,000 + PNC Foundation
$10,000 - $24,999
The Cobb Family Foundation, Inc.
The Junior League of Miami, Inc.
$1,000 - $4,999
CapTrust Community Foundation, Inc.
Coral Gables Community Foundation
$500 - $999
Sofia’s Hope, Inc.
GOVERNMENT PARTNERS
$100 - $499
Australian Consulate
*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.
Animal News from the Zoo
Meet some of the newest members of the Zoo Miami family!
ENDANGERED MALAYAN TAPIR BORN
On September 16th, after a gestation of approximately 13 months, an endangered Malayan tapir was born at Zoo Miami – the first successful birth of this species at the zoo in 18 years! The eight-year-old mother’s name is Tengi, who came to Zoo Miami from Zoo Tampa. This is her first viable offspring. Early exams indicate that the newborn is healthy and thriving. This was a carefully planned birth as part of the Species Survival Plan (SSP), managed through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
TREE KANGAROO JOEY PEEKING OUT
Over the summer, an endangered Matchie’s tree kangaroo joey from Papua New Guinea begun to peek out of its mother’s pouch at Zoo Miami! While the joey will not be totally weaned until it is around a year old, it is now exposing itself on a regular basis. It was born on January 8, 2024 and spent several months developing in its mother’s pouch. The first-time mom is a three-year-old named Poppy, who was born in Kansas City.
Mourning Diesel the Cheetah
This past September “Diesel,” Zoo Miami’s 12-year-old male ambassador cheetah, was euthanized after his care team reported extreme lethargy and a loss of appetite over several days. The Animal Health team performed an exam and obtained a voluntary blood draw, the results of which indicated that there was a significant increase in his kidney values. Treatment was initiated in hopes of bringing down those numbers to normal levels, but unfortunately, his condition worsened. With evident renal failure and no real hope of recovery due to his advanced age, the difficult decision was made to euthanize him. A necropsy later that day confirmed that Diesel was suffering from severe kidney disease and multiple masses throughout his liver and adrenal gland. These masses are indicative of cancer. This will be confirmed on histopathology.
Diesel and his brother, Koda, arrived at Zoo Miami from the Ann van Dyk Cheetah Center in South Africa on November 29th, 2012. Both were born under human care as part of the most successful captive breeding program in Southern Africa. They were specifically chosen to be part of Zoo Miami’s Cheetah Ambassador Program following the legacy of their predecessors, Savanna and King George.
As ambassadors, they made countless appearances both on and off zoo grounds to help inspire an appreciation for these amazing animals as well as the need to protect them.
As his brother Koda is easing into retirement, Zoo Miami’s newest ambassador cheetah, “Winston,” will serve as the heir to this important ambassador program.
Mourning Banyon the Matschie’s Tree Kangaroo
On Sunday, September 22, 2024, Zoo Miami sadly said farewell to “Banyon,” a 16-year-old male Matschie’s tree kangaroo. Banyon had been suffering from severe spinal arthritis and other pathologies that he was being treated for. Sadly, the treatments were no longer effective and he began to suffer multiple organ failures with little to no hope for recovery, so the decision was made to humanely euthanize him.
Banyon arrived at Zoo Miami in 2010 from the Bronx Zoo (Wildlife Conservation Society) where he was born on the 4th of July in 2008. He quickly captured the hearts of the staff that cared for him and since his arrival, sired four offspring that are his legacies of hope for this highly endangered species. His most recent offspring can currently be seen at Zoo Miami where she regularly exits her mother’s pouch now to explore her surroundings.