JOURNAL NEWS brothers will probably go to another zoo via the AZA’s Species Survival Plan breeding program. The Greenville Zoo would then receive another pair of male lions and one or two females to begin a breeding program here, said Zoo Administrator Jeffrey Bullock. Osborne said $100,000 has been raised toward the lions’ new home, but “we’ve really just begun the process.” Depending on how much money is raised, additional educational and interactive elements could be incorporated, such as rainwater collection and vegetative roof, zoo officials said. Friends of the Greenville Zoo is also working on a new crowdfunding platform and a new website, and is looking at grant opportunities. One of the largest fundraising events, Brew in the Zoo, is scheduled for May 30. If all goes well, Bullock hopes work can begin on construction documents later this summer.
SAYING GOODBYE TO JOY In 2011, AZA changed its standards regarding elephant enclosures, requiring zoos to have three female elephants and room to store a bull elephant, Souza said. Plans were already underway to relocate the Greenville Zoo elephants to another facility by 2016 when Ladybird, one of the zoo’s two African elephants, died in March. Ladybird was brought from the Lion Country Safari Wildlife Park in Loxahatchee, Fla., in 2006 to be a companion to Joy, the zoo’s other female African elephant. Since AZA regulations prohibit zoos from holding single elephants, zoo officials have been working with the AZA and the species survival program since Ladybird’s death to find a new home for the 44-year-old Joy. “Joy is an older elephant, and we want her somewhere where she can get the medical care she needs, be with other elephants and won’t get moved again,” said Bullock. “We want the best location for her where she can live out the rest of her life.” The zoo expects to say goodbye to her sometime in June. While Osborne says there “are a lot of great ideas,” nothing has been finalized for a temporary replacement exhibit for that space. “We want something that will have a positive impact on the zoo and something the community will embrace,” Bullock said. In phase two of the master plan the area will become the new two-story rainforest exhibit with free-flying birds.
GIRAFFE BABY WATCH Kiko, the zoo’s baby giraffe, became an instant Internet sensation at his birth last October, and is now one of the zoo’s top attractions. The birth was shown live on Giraffe Cam, a streaming video system that was installed in the giraffe barn and paddock, and people from as far away as Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands and Africa had been on pregnancy watch. Now, mother Autumn is once again pregnant and expected to give birth sometime in July. Bullock says baby watch will begin in June and zoo staffers are excited to share that
HIGHLIGHTS IN HISTORY OF
THE GREENVILLE ZOO PRE 1957
Zoo located in McPherson Park with ducks, buffalo and several other animals
1960
New zoo opens in Cleveland Park
1962
Large monkey dome constructed
1963-1970 Hired first director 1976
Friends Of The Zoo was formed
1977-1979 FOZ opened the “Land of Touch” (a petting area) & “Bird of Prey” program started 1981-1982 Zoo housed 70 animals in 11 display areas 1983
$1 million capital campaign projected to rebuild facility with natural displays housing 500 animals
1986
Phase I of zoo reopens
1987
Phase II open
1989
Renovation of elephant exhibit completed
1995
The Zoo celebrates its 10th annual Boo in the Zoo Halloween program
1997
The alligator exhibit, featuring one male and two female American alligators and two alligator snapping turtles, opens
2002
Grounds crew built a new tortoise yard.
2003
Bornean Orangutan and Amur Leopard exhibit opens to the public
2004
Greenville Zoo receives notice that it has been reaccredited.
2012
Zoo and Friends embark on Master Plan process to shape the future of the Zoo. Kiko, a male Masai giraffe, is born to parents Autumn and Walter. Over one million viewers look at Giraffe Cam to see a glimpse of Kiko
2013
Master plan is adopted by the City of Greenville. Plans include nearly $60 million in improvements over 20 years.
2014
African elephant and longtime Zoo resident, Ladybird, dies. City of Greenville allocates $3 million to fund master plan implementation over the next five years
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For more Greenville Zoo history and facts, visit greenvillezoo.com.
experience once again via the Giraffe Cam. As part of the species survival program, Kiko will probably move away sometime this summer after his sibling is born. Clearly, “there’s a lot going on,” Osborne said. “Hopefully every time someone comes to the zoo there will be something new and exciting to see.” The zoo is now preparing for the accreditation renewal process that comes around every five years. It’s an intense process that looks at all programs, procedures, facilities and staff, but it’s worth it, Osborne said. “Having the accreditation puts the Greenville Zoo as one of the top 10 percent in the county.”
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MAY 16, 2014 | THE JOURNAL 9