ZOONOOZ
®
SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL
Hello, Baby Hippo Fossa Fun at the Zoo Understanding Tarantulas Secrets of Floss Silk Trees
JANUARY 2018
CELEBRATE YOUR
Valentine AT T H E Z O O & P A R K WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018
ALBERT’S VALENTINE’S DINNER “ A C E L E B R AT I O N OF LOVE” SAFARI PARK VALENTINE’S DAY DINNER 5:30 p.m. | Reception with animal ambassadors 6 p.m. | Dinner at Hunte Pavilion Join us for a lovely four-course meal prepared by Safari Park Chef Joshua Mireles just for you and your valentine. $110 per couple, plus tax. Guests will be seated at their own private table. For reservations, call 619-718-3000 or book online at sdzsafaripark.org/dining-events.
Seating begins at 5 p.m. Celebrate at Albert’s Restaurant and enjoy an elegant meal prepared by Chef Charles Boukas for you and that special someone. $105 per couple, plus tax and gratuity. Maximum party size is eight people. Wine pairings available for $20 per guest. Menu substitutions are not available for this event. For reservations, please call 619-557-3964 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily. Reservations secured with a credit card. Event ticket will be emailed and must be presented to gain access into the San Diego Zoo.
January 2018 VOL. XCI–NO. 01
Graphically Speaking 8
Light as a Feather Feathers are one of nature’s structural marvels, with many variations to serve different purposes. BY DONNA PARHAM
Cover Story 10
Meet the Mysterious Fossa The apex predator of Madagascar is exploring its new exhibit in Africa Rocks. Meet the young fossa pups! BY KARYL CARMIGNANI
Features 14
Funani Knows Best The Zoo’s newest river hippo calf is bouncing and diving into the hearts of his already substantial fan club. BY PEGGY SCOTT
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The Allure of Floss Silk Trees Splashed with beautiful pink flowers or dusted with cottony fluff, these trees make a statement. BY WENDY PERKINS
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Crawly, Not Creepy Spectacular and misunderstood, tarantulas are uniquely adapted to their habitat and lifestyle. BY ESTON ELLIS
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Conservation Medalist 2017 San Diego Zoo Global is proud to honor conservationist Ian Craig with our Lifetime Achievement Award. BY MARY SEKULOVICH
More
2 Nooz Notes 7 SDZ Kids Page 26 Support 28 In the Field 29 Member Specials ON THE COVER:
Fossa Cryptoprocta ferox THIS PAGE:
Floss silk tree flower Ceiba speciosa PHOTOS BY:
Tammy Spratt, SDZG Photographer
N O OZ N OT E S
Forever by Emma Dodd, recommended for ages 2 to 5, 24 pages; $12.99
We may not have Arctic temperatures in San Diego, but January still brings a chill in the air worthy of a polar bear. Fans can find a wide selection of wintery items in our gift shops to bring the "great white bear" home with them! Find more gift ideas at shopzoo.com.
Child's stretch polar bear hat, $16.95
Plush polar bear, measures 20 inches tall and 34 inches long, $99.99 Polar bear apparel: youth hoodie, $29.95; toddler T-shirt, $16.95
2 / ZOONOOZ / JANUARY 2018
A Great Start to 2018
H
WHAT’S IN STORE?
Brrring on the Polar Bears!
CHAIRMAN’S NOTE ROBERT B. HORSMAN
appy New Year! We’re starting off 2018 with exciting new additions and looking forward to a great year ahead. This summer will be the grand opening of Walkabout Australia at the Safari Park, a new walking safari experience that will bring our guests up close with animals from Down Under. At the Zoo, the entire length of Conrad Prebys Africa Rocks is now open, from the Kopje to Cape Fynbos—and a particular highlight is the wonderful exhibits for hamadryas baboons and geladas. These primate troops are very active, with a dynamic social life, and visitors and employees alike have been delighted while watching them in action. Another addition at the Zoo is the Bashor Bridge, which now easily takes visitors from Treetops on one side of the Zoo to Elephant Odyssey on the other side. We are grateful to Jim and Dianne Bashor for their donation to make this significant improvement possible. In addition, the Bashors have donated to create a Patriots Fund at the Zoo, which guarantees in perpetuity that active-duty military personnel receive free entry year-round to the Zoo and Safari Park. This free admission is a longtime San Diego Zoo Global tradition, and we currently host about 100,000 active-duty military visitors annually. The Bashors’ gift has now ensured that this timehonored practice will continue, and we thank them for their generosity and community spirit.
WI N SUNDAY, JANUARY 14, 2018
Champagne Brunch at the Safari Park 9 a.m. at Kijamii Overlook
Celebrate a new year! Start your Safari Park day with something new: a delicious champagne brunch while enjoying breathtaking views of the African Plains. Cost is $54.99 per person, plus tax and parking. Nonmembers add Safari Park admission.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 2018 Albert’s Brewmaster Dinner featuring Fall Brewing Company 6 p.m. Animal ambassadors reception in Treetops Banquet Room 7 p.m. Dinner at Albert’s Restaurant
Enjoy an evening hosted by Head Brewer Greg Hoover of Fall Brewing Company, as he walks you through his craft, including his 2016 Gold Medal Winning World Cup Beer. Enjoy a four-course gourmet meal prepared by Albert’s Chef Charles Boukas. Cost is $82 per person, plus tax and gratuity.
SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 2018 Albert’s Animal Ambassador Dinner 6 p.m. Animal ambassadors reception in Treetops Banquet Room 6:45 p.m. Dinner at Albert’s Restaurant
Join us for a memorable evening with our animal ambassadors and enjoy a gourmet meal prepared by Albert’s Chef Charles Boukas. Choice of wild or tame jungle juice available at the reception, with no-host bar during dinner.
& K PAR
R E T
TS AT THE N E V E G IN ZOO N I D
SUNDAY, MARCH 18, 2018 Spring Brew Festival at the Safari Park Join us for a St. Patrick’s Day-inspired Spring Brew Festival, featuring an array of beers from local craft breweries, a bountiful Irish buffet, music, and animal greeters. Sample remarkable brews served in a souvenir tasting cup as brewery representatives talk about the beers. 21 years or older only. Advance ticket price is $50 per person for food and beer; $25 for food only (plus tax and parking; nonmembers add Safari Park admission). At the Park on day of the event, tickets are $70 per person if available, plus tax and parking; nonmembers add Safari Park admission.
Cost is $82 per person, plus tax and gratuity.
For reservations, call 619-718-3000, or book online.
N O OZ N OT E S
Save the Date What’s happening at the Zoo and Park this month and next (Z) Zoo events (P) Park events JANUARY 6, 7, 27; FEBRUARY 3, 4, 24 Sunrise Surprise Strolls Enjoy the Zoo before it opens for the day, walk the grounds with experienced Zoo educators, learn the “inside secrets,” and hear stories about special animals. Call 619-718-3000 or visit sandiegozoo.org. (Z) JANUARY 6; FEBRUARY 3 Kids’ Wild Night Out Leave your kids at the Zoo for a wild night out with Dr. Zoolittle and animal friends. Sorry, no grown-ups allowed! For reservations, call 619718-3000, or book at sandiegozoo.org. (Z) JANUARY 13, 20, 26; FEBRUARY 3, 10, 17 KinderNights Animal interaction and fun for children ages 3 to 6, with an adult. To make reservations, call
619-557-3962 or visit sandiegozoo.org. (Z) JANUARY 14 Champagne Brunch at the Safari Park Enjoy a relaxing Sunday brunch at the Park. Call 619-718-3000 or book online at sdzsafaripark. org/dining-events. (P) JANUARY 20 Albert’s Winter Brewmaster Dinner Following a fascinating animal presentation, guests will enjoy a delicious meal— and each course will be paired with a special beer from Fall Brewing Company. Call 619-718-3000, or book online. (Z) JANUARY 20, 27 Photo Workshop: Carnivores in Focus Join our professional photographers at this two-session class, open to guests 16 or older. Call 619-718-3000 or visit sandiegozoo.org. (Z)
Happy New Year!
A
FEBRUARY 16, 17 Roar & Snore Safari: Animal Amore Learn about mate selection, mating behaviors, and love in the animal world at this adults-only sleepover at the Safari Park. For reservations, call 619-718-3000. (P)
JANUARY 20, 27; FEBRUARY 17, 24 KinderTots Learning fun for the little ones! Children ages 18 months to 3 years, with an adult companion, discover animals—and meet some up close. For reservations, call 619-557-3962 or visit sandiegozoo.org. (Z) FEBRUARY 14 Valentine’s Day Dining Events Treat your sweetheart to a memorable dinner at the Zoo or Safari Park.
For full details on the Valentine’s Day Dinner at the Park and Albert’s Valentine’s Day Celebration of Love at the Zoo, see the information inside the front cover of this issue. (P) (Z)
FEBRUARY 17 Breakfast with Tigers Watch our tigers start their day—then start yours with a buffet breakfast. For reservations, call 619-718-3000 or visit sdzsafaripark.org/ dining-events. (P)
FEBRUARY 17 Baja Garden Tour Discover the largest collection of Baja California plants outside of Mexico, and take in some of the best scenic views at the Safari Park. (P)
FEBRUARY 17, 24 Photo Workshop: Animals on the Move Join our professional photographers at this two-session class, open to guests 16 or older. Call 619-718-3000 or visit sandiegozoo.org. (Z)
PRESIDENT/CEO’S NOTE DOUGLAS G. MYERS
s another year begins, San Diego Zoo Global is off to a roaring start. The main exhibits and visitor walkway throughout the Zoo’s Conrad Prebys Africa Rocks are now open, so you can take the full journey from the Kopje to Penguin Beach. Everyone is especially enjoying the very active groups of hamadryas baboons, vervet monkeys, and lemurs, as well as watching our four fossa pups grow up. At the Safari Park, we are excited about Walkabout Australia, an experience that takes you through backcountry Australia to see kangaroos, wallabies, cassowaries, tree kangaroos, and more. It is in the final stages of construction, and due to open this summer. Tony, our adorable hippo calf in the Zoo’s Lost Forest, is taking the river hippo pool by storm under the watchful eye of his mother, Funani, and the Park’s tiger cubs continue to delight their many fans at Tiger Trail. The animals at the Safari Park and the Zoo enjoy the cooler weather that January and February bring to San Diego, so I hope you’ll come visit—and I hope your New Year is off to a great start.
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Let’s Talk Follow @sandiegozoo & @sdzsafaripark. Share your #SanDiegoZoo & #SDZSafariPark memories on Twitter & Instagram.
ACTION ANIMAL S IN
Ever wonder how exotic cats leap from place to place with YOU CAN perfect balance, or how a cheetah BOOK YOUR and a dog can get along? ANIMALS IN ACTION
EXPERIENCE ONLINE Join us to see how our world-famous trainers AT SANDIEGOZOO.ORG encourage natural animal behaviors at the OR BY CALLING San Diego Zoo’s newest interactive experience, 619-718-3000. Animals in Action. Discover how these behaviors help with daily animal care routines, learn inside stories, and meet our animal ambassadors up close. Someone from the audience might even be invited to join in a training session!
N O OZ N OT E S
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Threatened species in the Zoo’s new Africa Rocks habitats, including four critically endangered species.
SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL OFFICERS
Robert B. Horsman, Chairman Steven G. Tappan, Vice Chairman Linda Lowenstine, DVM, Ph.D., Secretary Richard B. Gulley, Treasurer BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Rolf Benirschke Sandra A. Brue Javade Chaudhri Clifford W. Hague Patricia L. Roscoe Steven S. Simpson Judith A. Wheatley
TRUSTEES EMERITI
It’s only a number We’ve been busy! San Diego Zoo Global works at home and around the globe to conserve plants and animals. By working with local communities, investing in science, and rolling up our sleeves, we’re leading the fight to end extinction.
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San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research global field stations.
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Animal species reintroductions in 2017, including Tasmanian devils and Jamaican iguanas.
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Conservation field projects conducted or supported by San Diego Zoo Global.
10,000 Living cell cultures in our Frozen Zoo ®, representing nearly 1,000 taxa.
Frank C. Alexander Kurt Benirschke, M.D. Berit N. Durler Thompson Fetter Bill L. Fox Frederick A. Frye, M.D. George L. Gildred Yvonne W. Larsen John M. Thornton A. Eugene Trepte Betty Jo F. Williams James Lauth, General Counsel Douglas G. Myers, President/CEO Charles L. Bieler, Executive Director Emeritus THE FOUNDATION OF SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL OFFICERS
ZOONOOZ
®
PUBLISHED SINCE 1926 JANUARY 2018 | VOL. XCI NO. 01
The Zoological Society of San Diego was founded in October 1916 by Harry M. Wegeforth, M.D., as a private, nonprofit corporation that now does business as San Diego Zoo Global.
MANAGING EDITOR
KAREN E. WORLEY
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
PEGGY SCOTT
STAFF WRITERS
WENDY PERKINS KARYL CARMIGNANI DONNA PARHAM
The printed ZOONOOZ® magazine (ISSN 0044-5282) is currently published bimonthly, in January, March, May, July, September, and November. Publisher is San Diego Zoo Global, at 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA 92103, 619-231-1515. Periodicals postage paid at San Diego, California, USA, and at additional mailing offices. ADDRESS CHANGES: Please send to Membership Department, P.O. Box 120271, San Diego, CA 92112.
COPY EDITOR
ESTON ELLIS DESIGNER
KERRI ABRAMS SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL PHOTOGRAPHERS
KEN BOHN TAMMY SPRATT
DIGITAL IMAGING TECHNICIAN
Copyright© 2018 San Diego Zoo Global. All rights reserved. “ZOONOOZ” Reg. U.S. Pat. Office. All column and program titles are trademarks of San Diego Zoo Global. Annual Memberships: Two adults in same household $166.50, new; $151.50, renewal. One adult $112, new; $102, renewal. Each membership includes unlimited entrance to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
SAN DIEGO ZOO HOURS January 1: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
January 2–February 28: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. SAFARI PARK HOURS January 1–February 16: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. February 17–19: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. February 20–28: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. WEBSITE sandiegozoo.org PHONE 619-231-1515 ZOONOOZ® Online web publication zoonooz.sandiegozoo.org
TAMMY SPRATT
DESIGN AND PRODUCTION
KAMBIZ MEHRAFSHANI KIM TURNER AMY BLANDFORD HEIDI SCHMID-ROMERO LISA BISSI JENNIFER MACEWEN
PREPRESS AND PRINTING
QUAD GRAPHICS
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Subscription to ZOONOOZ magazine: $25 per year, $65 for 3 years. Foreign, including Canada and Mexico, $30 per year, $81 for 3 years. Contact Membership Department, P.O. Box 120271, San Diego, CA 92112, for subscription information. As part of San Diego Zoo Global’s commitment to conservation, ZOONOOZ is printed on recycled paper that is at least 10% post-consumer waste, chlorine free, and is Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certified.
FSC® is not responsible for any calculations on saving resources by choosing this paper.
Richard M. Hills, Chair Judith C. Harris, Vice Chair Susan B. Major, Secretary Susan N. McClellan, Treasurer Mark A. Stuart, President Amy B. Parrott, Vice President Robert B. Horsman, Ex officio Douglas G. Myers, Ex officio BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Christine L. Andrews Joye D. Blount Rick Bregman Douglas Dawson Berit N. Durler, Ex officio Chris L. Eddy Arthur E. Engel Valerie A. Ewell, DVM Susan Guinn Michael N. Hammes Murray H. Hutchison Nikita Kahn Joshua A. Pack Philip C. Seeger Elizabeth W. Shoemaker Ryan Sullivan Ed Wilson
the
nose knows
Welcome to the new San Diego Zoo Kids page! Look for animal fun in each issue of ZOONOOZ.
Check out the noses in the circles, and see if you know what animal each nose belongs to. Snort, snuffle, sniff—many animals rely on their snout to find food and get around!
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Visit the San Diego Zoo Kids website
to find out about these and other animals, plus videos, crafts, stories, games, and more! kids.sandiegozoo.org ANSWERS: 1. LEOPARD; 2. RHINOCEROS; 3. EMU; 4. TAPIR; 5. KOALA; 6. FLAMINGO; 7. ELEPHANT; 8. ZEBRA; 9. BAT; 10. LIZARD (FIJI IGUANA); 11. BEAR (ANDEAN); 12. PORCUPINE
G R A P H I C A LLY S P E A K I N G
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Light as a Feather
Only birds have feathers. These anatomical marvels repel water, provide insulation, and protect the skin. They can conceal or advertise a bird, and they help birds recognize members of their own species for courtship and breeding. And of course, having feathers is one of the adaptations that allow most birds to fly.
Outer Vane
BY DONNA PARHAM | STAFF WRITER
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IC
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Inner Vane W'S
GUINE A FOWL
Y BLUE JA
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Barbules
Shaft
Zip it M A C AW
OUT WITH THE OLD Feathers get worn and damaged. Periodically, a bird sheds its old feathers and grows new ones, a process called molting. Birds usually molt when they're not working on another energy-intensive task, such as nesting or migrating.
Barb
KO RI B U STA RD
DRESSED FOR SUCCESS Some birds —typically males— have elaborate plumage for attracting mates.
Take a close look at a contour feather, and you'll see it is made up of individual barbs. If you look even more closely, you might be able to see the tiny, hooked barbules that project from the sides of each barb. Each one hooks to a corresponding barbule of the next barb, "zipping" the feather together.
Quill
Winging It
ESSENTIAL INGREDIENT Feathers are composed mostly of keratin, the same protein that makes up our hair and fingernails.
1. CONTOUR FEATHERS The outermost layer of feathers on a bird—the ones you see—are called contour feathers.
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2. PRIMARY FEATHERS Wing feathers support a bird during flight. The longest, strongest ones—called the primary feathers—are attached to the part of a bird's wing supported by bones that are analogous to your hand. 2
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4. ALULA A bird's "thumb" digit has three to five feathers. They are usually held flat with the other wing feathers, but a bird can move this small projection— called the alula—independently of the rest of its wing.
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3. SECONDARY FEATHERS The feathers attached to the part of the wing analogous to your forearm are called secondary feathers.
OCELL
URKE AT E D T
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NUMBERS GAME The tiny ruby-throated hummingbird has about 940 feathers. The tundra swan has more than 25,000. An emperor penguin has the most feathers per square inch: about 90!
Feather Forms With a short shaft and unhooked barbs, down is a soft puff of a feather. A layer of down provides insulation for chicks. The bristles that project from the beak of some birds are feathers, too. Stiff and unbarbed, they protect a bird’s eyes. Lying among other feathers, hairlike filoplumes are likely sensory feathers that tell a bird if its plumage is in place.
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Usually hidden under contour feathers, the loose vanes of a fluffy semiplume feather provide insulation.
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SILENT FLIGHT Owl feathers have soft edges that allow the birds to fly silently; they swoop down on prey without being heard. Fishing owls are an exception— hunting over water does not require them to fly silently.
A bird's strong, stiff contour feathers overlap like shingles on a roof. Water runs off the feathers, and the bird's skin stays dry and warm. OW
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MEET THE MYSTERIOUS FOSSA
BY KARYL CARMIGNANI | STAFF WRITER PHOTOS BY KEN BOHN | SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER
F
ast, svelte, dexterous, and unbelievably agile are just a few adjectives fitting the fossa (pronounced “FOOsah”) family dashing, drowsing, or dining throughout their new habitat in Conrad Prebys Africa Rocks. Last June, Miles, a 15-pound female fossa, gave birth to 4 tiny, altricial pups, which stayed tucked away in the nest BY box for about the first 6 weeks. “We had been THE weighing Miles, and we knew she had bred,” NUMBERS explained Lacy Pearson, mammal keeper at the San Diego Zoo. “Then one morning, we could hear mewls and squeaky noises coming from the nest box. We didn’t actually see them Fossas estimated for several more weeks, when two of them to remain on Madagascar finally peeked out.” The male, Gandalf, is currently off exhibit, but visitors can see mom and pups enjoying their varied vertical space, which was created especially for this species. Fossa life span Lacy said the pups hit milestones quickly, but in years in zoos grow slowly. “It’s incredible to watch the pups develop. They are wobbling one day and leaping the next!”
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WHO’S A FOSSA?
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Fossa pups currently at the Zoo
Most people have never seen a fossa up close, much less realized what it is. Resembling a long-bodied, catlike dog with a hint of weasel, this carnivorous mammal endemic to Madagascar would stop anyone in their tracks, if Fossa pups born they could see it. As a crafty apex predator, the at the Zoo over fossa hunts by day or night, often high in the the years trees in search of its favorite prey: lemurs. But they also take down rodents, birds, fish, and even wild pigs. An ambush hunter, the stealthy fossa can outmaneuver the most nimble arboreal creatures using its long tail for balance, strong claws and forelimbs to capture prey, and its sharp teeth to finish the job. It can reach 6 feet in length—with half of that being its tail—and weigh over 20 pounds.
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The fossa pups at the Zoo are rambunctious and inquisitive...and ready to meet you!
SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL / SANDIEGOZOO.ORG / 11
The fossa is critical to the ecosystems of Madagascar, keeping prey species in check. While little is known about the fossa, largely due to their sparse numbers—they are listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and continue to decline—and remote forest habitat, what is known about them is exceptional. Once classified as a type of cat, we now know that the fossa is related to the mongoose. These intelligent, solitary animals were once thought to be nocturnal, but it has since
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been revealed that they are flexible in habit, napping and hunting when they choose. They can travel up to 16 miles a day. Fossas favor forested landscapes and, in fact, they can scamper down a tree trunk headfirst! They walk flat-footed, like a bear or a human, a form of locomotion called “plantigrade.” Mothers with pups, and brief breeding encounters in September and October are the only exceptions to their solitary existence. However, in 2009, scientists observed three male fossas cooperatively hunting a sifaka for 45 minutes. That could have been residual behavior from millions of years ago, when now-extinct lemurs were as big as horses, and cooperation was required to hunt them successfully. Unique among carnivores, female fossas in heat establish a site high in a tree as male fossas clamor below for mating rights. She may pick and choose among her suitors, and mating can last for several hours. Once she is satisfied, she
This page, from top left: At birth, fossa pups are kitten-sized and mom keeps them safely stowed in the den for several weeks. With age, their appetite grows along with their curiosity and agility. Facing page: Pups learn early the vital skill of tree climbing— and hanging. Below: Talking back to mom is never a good idea.
DID YOU KNOW? Fossas use scent secretions to mark their territory, and they are also quite vocal, emitting chirps and purrs. You can hear them on our website: animals. sandiegozoo. org/animals/ fossa. San Diego Zoo’s fossas are part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan (SSP). Did you “myth” me? Fossas are shrouded in lore—like their scent can kill chickens, or that they sneak into houses and steal babies from their cribs, or should a fossa lick you (like that’s going to happen) you will sink into a stupor that you cannot awaken from.
will leave the tree and another female will take over the mating site. The same “mating trees” may be used each year. Another quirky female fossa characteristic (last one, I promise!) is the “masculinization” phase of an adolescent female, when the clitoris becomes spiny and enlarged, resembling the male fossa penis; and she develops an orange secretion on her underbelly, which is a mature male characteristic. But soon, she reverts back to her femaleness. Even the fossa’s scientific name Cryptoprocta ferox reflects its secretive nature: the first part means “hidden anus,” referring to a pouch that conceals its privates, while ferox signifies its reputation for ferocity.
ZOO PUPS At the Zoo, keepers go to great lengths to keep the fossas engaged and on their game. “We provide them a varied diet of rabbits, mice, meat, and bones, which we disperse throughout their exhibit at different times of the day throughout the week,” said Lacy. She explained how they save up some daily calories for enrichment items like squid, trout, or chicken baby food. “The pups love smelt, but mom not so much. For Miles, baby food is a high-value item, and we use it when training her.” At around four months of age, one of the pups finally took food through the mesh from Lacy. “It was very exciting!” she said, adding that it is always surprising what they like and how they behave. For instance, a hollowed-out log in the exhibit near Zoo guests? No problem, they love it, despite the proxim-
ity to people. Palm fronds provide hours of fun, with the pups climbing and sliding on them. The exhibit was built with fossa behaviors in mind, so there’s plenty of vertical space and trees from which to leap. “There are niches and caves in the rockwork, where we hide treats, and the fossas enjoy exploring,” said Lacy. Next door to the fossas is the ratel, or honey badger. The exhibits are connected in the bedroom areas with a chute, so the animals can occasionally be swapped. “That will be mind-boggling enrichment for them!” exclaimed Lacy. It’s a challenge keeping the fossas challenged, and the new speciesspecific exhibit is providing layers of nuanced excitement to the animals…and visitors. “These apex predators of Madagascar are dwindling,” said Lacy. “If they disappear in the wild, it would have a devastating effect on the entire ecosystem. We hope people will learn about them here at the Zoo and understand that they are not good pets, nor are they ‘bad luck.’ They serve a better purpose in the wild—even to the lemurs—than they would in your house.”
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Funani Knows Nothing comes between protective hippo mom Funani and her precious calf.
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Best
When it comes to caring for the San Diego Zoo’s newest river hippo calf, keepers take their lead from the baby’s submersible supermom, whose reproductive track record now stands at 12! BY PEGGY SCOTT | ASSOCIATE EDITOR PHOTOS BY KEN BOHN | SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER
“S
leep when the baby sleeps.”
No five words have done more to save the sanity of new moms—even those with four legs. A new bundle of joy can have a huge impact on its parents’ lifestyle, especially when Junior weighs close to 90 pounds and has the get-up-and-go of the Energizer Bunny! And as a veteran mom with 12 calves under her maternity belt, no one knows the ins and outs of the motherhood game better than Funani, the San Diego Zoo’s 33-year-old African river hippo Hippopotamus amphibius. “She is such a good mom,” says Jen Chapman, a senior keeper at the Zoo. “She tries to rest every chance she gets. If the two are napping and he wakes up, Funani does all she can to lull him back to sleep. But he’s super active.” Funani certainly has her hands—or front feet—full with this one!
BRINGING UP BABY Born early on September 22, 2017, Funani’s latest calf is named Tony in honor of Tony DiGenova, a donor who provided the Zoo with one of its largest bequests ever. This calf (her eighth here at the Zoo) has been precocious from day one. “It took Devi, the last calf, a while to come out of her shell and find her personality,” Jen says. “But this guy was looking at his keepers, completely fearless, from that first day.” Notoriously protective, Funani makes it a habit to keep herself between her baby and the rest of the world. “We let her tell us when she’s ready to show him to us,” Jen says, noting that the relationship of trust between the 3,500-pound hippo and her keepers makes their work much easier. “If she’s not stressed, everything goes much better.” The “little” one is thriving and growing rapidly, almost doubling in weight in his first month. While that kind of growth may seem surprising, there’s at least one good reason— good nutrition, courtesy of Mom. “Funani’s milk supplies her calf with 550 calories per cup, and he nurses regularly,” Jen says. That high-quality diet seems to result in a high-energy baby hippo! But Funani has a few tricks up her sleeve for that, too. “She does her best to tire him out,” Jen explains. “She leads him on walks on the beach, and guides him into the deeper water so he’ll move more. She seems to know how long he can hold his breath— you can almost see her counting the seconds as his stamina grows.” SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL / SANDIEGOZOO.ORG / 15
Funani is even helping with the calf’s eventual shift to solid food. “She’s normally a clean eater, but when it’s time for her kid to start eating food, she leaves a little bit on her face and on the floor for the baby to try,” Jen says. “He may just play with it at first, but eventually he’ll get the idea.”
HIPPO SEE, HIPPO DO As an experienced mom, Funani seems to know it is her job to show her youngsters how to be hippos. “She takes advantage of every teachable moment,” Jen says. “She is what he wants to be, and he mimics everything she does.” That learned behavior includes interacting with keepers. “She’s starting to encourage him to interact with me, and he’s learning he needs to look to us,” Jen says. “They’re shifting on and off exhibit; he’s even targeting (touching an object with his nose). He took right to the training. After all, it must be OK if mom is doing it!” Jen is quick to point out that Funani is just as ready to correct her headstrong calf as she is to model appropriate behavior. “He approached me in full ‘display,’” Jen
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recalls with a laugh. “He was snorting and being huffy—and mom scolded him on the spot!” This “it takes a village” approach to raising offspring reflects life in the wild. “In the wild, other female hippos would help Funani watch her baby,” Jen explains. “Here at the Zoo, we keepers are her babysitters.” Trusting her keepers with her calves didn’t happen overnight. “She’s selective about who she lets near him, and it took a while to win her over. But she came around. And now that good relationship with us will transfer to him.”
AND OTIS MAKES THREE Of course, Funani had help in making her latest calf. Otis, Funani’s 41-year-old, 4,500-pound mate, and the father of her last four calves, also lives here at the San Diego Zoo. Currently, Funani’s enthusiastic protectiveness of her offspring precludes any blending of the family’s living arrangements, so they alternate in the exhibit. Even though Otis outweighs Funani by 1,000 pounds, she clearly outranks him—and he doesn’t mind a bit. “Otis is such a sweet, laid-back
guy. He exudes an absolute adoration for Funani. The honeymoon phase isn’t over with these two,” Jen says fondly, noting that the pair chit-chat and exchange nose bumps in the barn. “They are so cute together.” The living quarters shuffle allows the hippos to enjoy the best of both worlds. “It’s enriching for them to be out on exhibit in the big pool, seeing guests,” Jen says. “And then they get their quiet time in the back pool. Otis loves his bubble baths and playing with the hose during training sessions. We have great hippo parties back here.” And as smitten as Otis is with Funani, Jen notes, he also respects her authority. “When it’s his turn out on exhibit alone, he does a ‘recon’ lap to make sure she’s not there. Then he knows he can run and play,” she says, adding, “What a great guy he is to put up with her attitude. His attitude is ‘happy wife, happy life’.” Come get the big picture of their supersize, special brand of domestic bliss: Otis occupies the viewing exhibit on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays; with Funani and her calf on exhibit Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Above, from left: Funani’s active, brighteyed baby is growing quickly, and readily explores his exhibit—under mom’s watchful eye, of course. Super couple Funani and Otis have produced four calves at the San Diego Zoo.
2018 Saving Endangered Species
youth art contest Do you know a young artist who loves animals, plants, and nature? Encourage them to participate in this year s Endangered Species Day art contest! The annual contest is a part of celebrating Endangered Species Day, and raising awareness about the animals and plants that share our world. The student’s original artwork must depict a land or ocean species that either lives in or migrates through the United States and its waters, or a plant/ flower that is found in the United States. The species must be on the threatened or endangered species list, or considered a recovered species or a species that is proposed to receive protection. (See the endangered. org youth art contest website for lists of these species.) Participants are encouraged to tell a story of hope through their art, keeping in mind the overall theme of saving species. Judges appreciate artwork that shows species in their habitats. Winners will be selected in four categories: Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, and Grades 9-12, and a grand prize winner will be selected from the four grade-level winners. The deadline for submissions is March 1, 2018. Late entries will not be judged. Artwork must be submitted electronically, 2700 x 3600 pixels at 300 dpi resolution. Submit art at: endangered.org/submit-your-art.
THE 2017 ART CONTEST WINNING ENTRY WAS “RUSTY PATCHED BUMBLE BEE” BY SANAH NUHA HUTCHINS, AGE SEVEN, FROM WASHINGTON, D.C.
Visit endangeredspeciesday.org for complete contest rules and information, and to discover more about the 13th annual Endangered Species Day, on May 18, 2018.
The Allure of
Floss Silk Trees
A
BY WENDY PERKINS | STAFF WRITER
PHOTOS BY TAMMY SPRATT | SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER
nyone with even a slight interest in filling a garden of their own finds plenty of inspiration among the botanical marvels at the Zoo and the Safari Park. Yet sometimes, a plant is best admired on our grounds rather than adding it to your yard. Floss silk trees are one of those. Floss silk trees Ceiba speciosa are native to the subtropical forests of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay, but they’ve also been imported to similar climatic areas in South Africa, Australia, northern New Zealand, and the southern United States. Because they can reach heights of more than 50 feet, they aren’t well-suited for most home gardens, but they certainly make a statement in a spacious landscape. Each September, these trees are bedecked with bright pink or creamy yellow blossoms, depending on the species, followed by impressive plump pods that open to reveal puffy clumps of fine floss. In the spring, lush leaves grow
Pollinators of all kinds—like this hummingbird—are drawn to the floss silk tree’s big, bold blossoms. Above: The tree’s eponymous floss silk becomes fluffier as it dries, once the pod opens.
and create a verdant canopy. Watching these trees shift through the seasons is an ongoing show. While the flowers and fluff draw our attention, this is one tree to admire from afar—its trunk is studded with sharp prickles. The message is clear:
keep your distance! In the tree’s native habitat, the forbidding spikes discourage animals from gnawing the bark or scaling the trunk to forage. Of course, it’s not a perfect form of defense—arboreal New World monkeys are able to move up a different species of tree, then leap or swing over to a floss silk tree. Yet any bit of defense helps. At the Zoo and the Park, we carefully place these trees where they stand out, but won’t challenge people or our animal collection. It might seem a bit of a mixed message: beautiful blooms and soft, cottony puffs above, with a formidable “barricade” below. But each characteristic serves the tree’s genetic survival. Throughout spring and summer, leaves gather energy to sustain the plant and need protection from being eaten. Then each autumn, the leaves drop, and the bare branches are filled with flowers that attract pollinating birds and insects. The seed pods that form after the flowers are surprisingly large—about the size and shape of a pear! However,
SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL / SANDIEGOZOO.ORG / 19
many people take little notice of them, until they reach their dramatic “bursting out” phase. When a ripened pod splits open, the fiber surrounding the seeds is exposed to the drying effects of sun, air, and wind. With each passing day, the moisture within the pod decreases, and the silky floss becomes more fluffy and cotton-like. Eventually, as the floss strands separate and blow or drop off, the pea-sized seeds they protect are released. Often, the silk has help leaving the pod and dispersing the seeds. Birds—especially hummingbirds—pluck the soft fibers and use them to build and line their nests. Humans have long valued the silk floss, too. The fibers are too thin to be spun or woven by humans, but they have been used in the past as insulation, pillow stuffing, and filling for cold-weather gear like vests and parkas. Scientific names of both plants and animals are often descriptive of the particular species. That is certainly true for for floss silk trees—the name speciosa means “beautiful.” However, anyone yearning to add one of these striking specimens to their own garden should pause to consider whether it would be a good fit—literally! These
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The prickles studding the tree’s trunk are as painfully piercing as they look! Below: Slow to develop, a floss silk seedpod measures about six to eight inches long.
trees grow slowly to a height of more than 50 feet with a spread of about 35 feet, making them impractical for most properties. Fortunately, a visit to the Zoo or the Safari Park offers an opportunity to admire the balance of sharp and silky, without the challenges of caring for and containing this magnificent tree.
THANK YOU
FOR STANDING
WITH US
TO END
EXTINCTION! San Diego Zoo Global would like to thank our 2017 sponsors for their support of our worldwide conservation efforts. You help make us world famous!
I N T E R E S T E D I N L E A R N I N G M O R E A B O U T S P O N S O R S H I P O P P O R T U N I T I E S F O R YO U R B U S I N E S S ? C O N TA C T O U R PA R T N E R S H I P M A R K E T I N G D E PA R T M E N T AT PA R T N E R S H I P @ S A N D I E G O Z O O . O R G .
CRAWLY, NOT
P
BY ESTON ELLIS STAFF WRITER
PHOTOS BY KEN BOHN SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER
eople’s reactions vary when they encounter a hairy spider that’s big enough to cover an outstretched hand. But like the 1930s movie star Greta Garbo, tarantulas just want to be admired from a distance and left alone. You might not think of a spider that can have a leg span as large as a dinner plate as being “shy,” but all tarantulas are solitary creatures, and females spend most of their time out of sight, in the comfort of their burrow.
San Diego Zoo guests can see them at the Insect House, at Elephant Odyssey, and at the Arachnid Rescue Center at the Children’s Zoo. Chris Mooney, senior keeper, often works inside what he calls the “goldfish bowl,” where a huge glass window provides a full view of the Arachnid Rescue Center’s many spiders (and of the entomology staff, if they happen to be there, too). Chris said he enjoys watching the reactions of the people who walk through, viewing the tarantulas. “In general, people go from fear to fascination really quickly,” he said.
THE TRUTH ABOUT TARANTULAS Tarantulas are among the planet’s most efficient pest control providers. “They
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serve as a very important population control for countless species of invertebrates, especially insects,” Chris said. They also eat a variety of small rodents, amphibians, and reptiles. At the Zoo, many of the tarantulas—including the largest, goliath birdeating spiders (which actually rarely eat birds in their native habitats)—usually eat large cockroaches. They have a slow metabolism and may not need to feed again for several days after a meal. Unlike many other spiders, tarantulas do not spin webs to ensnare insects. They produce silk, but they use it for different purposes, such as creating mats for molting and mating, and “hammocks” to make their homes in burrows or trees more secure. Taran-
tulas are ambush hunters, and they subdue their prey with venom delivered in a bite from their sharp fangs. “The mouth of the spider is a little hole structure that leads to a sucking stomach,” Chris said. The tarantula injects venom and digestive enzymes, and then sucks the fluids out of its prey. A tarantula’s venom is effective at neutralizing small prey, but it usually isn’t strong enough to pose a danger to humans. Most species’ venom is comparable to a bee sting—however, tarantulas do have powerful jaws, so a bite would hurt. Fortunately, tarantulas in their natural habitats are just as eager to avoid a confrontation with humans as people are to avoid tarantulas. “There is very little risk to people from tarantulas, even those you might see while hiking or in your backyard,” Chris said.
AROUND THE WORLD Tarantulas are found on every continent except Antarctica, and most species live in South America. In all, there are about 900 species of tarantulas in the Family Teraphosidae, in at least 123 known genera. There are two main types: New
CREEPY
Meet the remarkable but often misunderstood tarantula.
World, from South, Central, and North 5-inch body and a diagonal leg span of America, and Old World, from Asia up to 11 inches. Like other spiders, taand Africa. rantulas have eight legs, and their body New World tarantulas tend to is made up of two segments: a cephahave milder venom than their Old lothorax and an abdomen. In addition World counterparts. However, they to their eight legs, tarantulas have possess an additional defense adaptaa pair of sensory appendages called tion utilizing urticating hairs—tiny pedipalps near their fangs, which look hairs with barbs on the end—on their like short legs. They use these accesabdomens. When these hairs are resory structures to hold and manipulate leased, they create a fine food. Male tarantulas cloud of tiny irritants, also use them in mating which can become to deposit sperm and DID YOU lodged in a potential to secure the fangs of a KNOW? While female predator’s eyes, skin, and female tarantula. tarantulas can live mucus membranes. Old As tarantulas grow, up to 20 years, males World tarantulas do not they molt—discarding typically live no have this adaptation, but their old exoskeleton. longer than some have developed “If you ever find a hairy, 6 years. stronger venom and are empty shell of a taranmore defensive than New tula, usually sitting on a World tarantulas. silk mat, it is a discarded exoskeleton,” Chris said. When it ANATOMY OF is time to molt, the spider increases A TARANTULA vascular pressure in order to rupture All tarantulas are big, and sizes vary the old exoskeleton, and then slowly depending on the species. While the contracts and expands its limbs to cast males in the genus Avicularia have a off the old shed and reveal the new 4-to 5-inch leg span, the largest male exoskeleton that has formed beneath. goliath birdeating spiders have a 4- to “The freshly molted tarantula at first is
wet, soggy, and soft,” Chris said. “The animal hides out for a few days until the exoskeleton hardens up, because its urticating hairs and fangs are too soft for it to defend itself.” While a female tarantula can continue molting many times over a lifespan, males normally have an ultimate (or final) molt, since their lives are considerably shorter. “Females can live up to 20 years, and that’s not unheard of; but for males, 6 years is a ripe old age,” Chris said.
TARANTULA TARANTELLA
From left to right: Goliath birdeating spiders, the largest tarantulas, have a diagonal leg span of up to 11 inches; young emerge from a silk cocoon that may contain 75 to 1,000 eggs; tarantula mating involves a unique “dance”; tarantulas do not spin webs to catch prey, but create silk structures to make their homes in trees and burrows more secure; New World tarantulas, such as the Mexican fireleg, have tiny barbed hairs that can be used as a defense against predators.
For tarantulas, mating requires a complicated dance. While a female tarantula spends most of her time in her burrow, mature males are out searching for a mate. When a female is ready, she will put out a silk “welcome mat” at the entrance to her burrow, Chris explained. “She can feel
SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL / SANDIEGOZOO.ORG / 23
movement on it, which may be a meal or may be a mate. When a male finds the ‘welcome mat’, he starts drumming on it. If the female is interested, she may decide to dance with this guy, or she may eat him. “They do an elaborate combination of dance and wrestling match,” Chris said. “Tarantulas have indirect fertilization, so the male has to get the female’s abdomen and legs up, and reach up with his pedipalps to insert his sperm. If he makes a wrong move, the dance is over.” After mating, the female lays between 75 and 1,000 eggs and seals them inside a protective silk cocoon. She guards the eggs until the young hatch, six to nine weeks later. The spiderlings head out on their own after about three weeks.
TOUGH-LOOKING, BUT VULNERABLE Tarantulas may look tough, but they are actually quite prone to injuries from accidents, such as falls. For that reason, keepers rarely handle the tarantulas at the Zoo. “Taran24 / ZOONOOZ / JULY
tulas are big bodied and heavy, but they are so fragile,” Chris explained. “If one were to run off my hand and fall on the ground, there is a good chance that fall would kill it. The exoskeleton could rupture, and it could bleed to death quickly.” Another major threat to tarantulas is wildlife trafficking. Many
tarantula species populations are threatened in the wild by overcollection for the pet and hobby trade. “That is the reason why the rarer species had to have CITES [Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species treaty] protection,” Chris said. “There is a big illegal pet trade in tarantulas, so
potential owners need to make sure they are sourcing from a breeder who is doing it right, offering tarantulas that are bred in captivity.” Past smuggling attempts have been as brazen as transporting a trunk full of adult spiders across the border in a car, and as hard-todetect as sending tiny spiderlings through the mail, concealed inside soda straws. When law enforcement authorities discover illegally trafficked tarantulas, they often place them with the Zoo’s Arachnid Rescue Center. The Arachnid Rescue Center provides a safe home for many spiders that have been confiscated by law enforcement agencies, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The center offers temperature- and humidity-controlled individual enclosures for spiders of several threatened species. It currently houses more than 25 tarantulas—including Mexican fireleg, pink-toed, Brazilian whiteknee, and goliath birdeating tarantulas. While working with the rescued tarantulas at the Arachnid Rescue Center is rewarding, it is equally gratifying to see Zoo guests take a greater interest in these remarkable creatures—at the center, and in keeper talks at the Zoo’s Insect House, Chris explained. “When I see how fascinated kids are by our tarantulas, watch them point them out to their parents, and see them want to learn more about them, that’s what it’s all about for me.” Convincing people that tarantulas aren’t scary isn’t easy, but that’s something Chris does almost every day at the Zoo. “I love the challenge,” Chris said. “You may not think you like tarantulas, at first. But give me a chance: I can get you past that.”
The Zoo’s Arachnid Rescue Center (top) provides a home for many spiders rescued from illegal trafficking, including more than 25 tarantulas. Guests can view the spiders, along with exhibits that include molted exoskeletons discarded by growing tarantulas. If you never thought a tarantula could be called “cute,” you might change your mind if you met a pink-toed tarantula (left), with distinctive, dainty-looking rose-colored feet.
IAN CRAIG 2 0 1 7 C O N S E R V A T I O N M E D A L I S T — L I F E T I M E A C H I E V E M E N T A W A R D
Ian Craig has earned the trust and respect of the communities he partnered with and served through Lewa.
BY MARY SEKULOVICH, SENIOR EDITOR | DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
PHOTOS BY: JUAN PABLO MOREIRAS (TOP); KEN BOHN, SDZG (BOTTOM)
Since the 1980s, probably no single person in Kenya has had more influence in advancing the cause of wildlife conservation than Ian Craig. Growing up shoulder to shoulder with tribal Kenyans, Ian understands their culture, the needs of the community, and how best to help local people and wildlife coexist in ways that benefit both. It all began with the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy on the Craig ranch and led to the Northern Rangelands Trust, making the Craig name a byword for conservation in the region. Most of Ian’s life has been spent in northern Kenya, where he and his father, David Craig, along with conservationist Anna Merz, converted thousands of acres of their family’s 62,000-acre cattle ranch into Ngare Sergoi Rhino Sanctuary in 1983 to protect endangered black rhinos. This was the height of the rhino and elephant poaching crisis, and the sanctuary flourished when few others did. The sanctuary soon doubled in size, and in 1995 it was renamed the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, with Ian serving as executive director until 2009. Lewa has continued to actively promote conservation on its land and with communities that set aside land for wildlife conservation. In 2004, Ian headed the effort to form the Northern Rangelands Trust, which today supports more than 35 community wildlife conservancies in northern Kenya. It is virtually impossible to place a value on what Ian Craig has done to protect rhinos, elephants, Grevy’s zebras—one of Lewa’s flagship species—and countless other species. It is his life’s work and will never end, because now so many others have come together to protect their native habitat and its animals, as more wildlife conservancies are formed and more communities are engaged. San Diego Zoo Global is honored to present Ian Craig with its 2017 Conservation Medal, the Lifetime Achievement Award. SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL / SANDIEGOZOO.ORG / 25
S U P P O RT
WHAT’S YOUR
LEGACY? It can be intimidating to think about your legacy and words like will, trust, or estate. The truth is, including the San Diego Zoo in your plans is easy and will give you peace of mind.
Estate gifts have funded animal exhibits, conservation field research, and the protection of endangered species. 26 / ZOONOOZ / JANUARY 2018
BY JULIA ALTIERI | DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST
PHOTOS BY KEN BOHN | SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER
You may not realize it, but evidence of estate gifts, both large and small, is everywhere at the Zoo, Safari Park, and Institute for Conservation Research. Thoughtful donors have endowed the care of their favorite animals, like okapis, supported professional positions in conservation research, and funded summer teacher workshops—among many other projects—all by naming the San Diego Zoo in their estate plans. Ensuring your legacy could be as easy as filling out a form to name the San Diego Zoo as a beneficiary of your employer-paid life insurance or IRA account. It could be as simple as a bequest in your will or trust. One donor was able to fulfill her devotion to our orangutans with a bequest, while also naming family members and other charities in her will. With her gift, improvements were made to the bedroom areas for her beloved great apes. Through a charitable gift annuity or pooled income fund, you could make a difference at the Zoo while also receiving income that supports you in your retirement. You can even gift your house to the Zoo: with a life estate annuity, you would receive a valuable tax break and ongoing monthly income, all while continuing to live in your home. It’s also possible to put your family first in your plans while still remembering the San Diego Zoo. By creating a charitable remainder trust, a recent donor ensured that her children and grandchildren benefited from her legacy for many years before the remainder of her estate was gifted to the Zoo. Now, her great-grandchildren are making their own favorite childhood memories here.
OUR THANK YOU If you have included the Zoological Society of San Diego in your estate plans, you are eligible to become a member of Heritage Guild, our way of recognizing and saying “Thank you!” to our planned giving donors. When you join Heritage Guild, we have the chance to get to know you and properly celebrate your generosity at annual donor events at the Zoo and Safari Park.
Remember that your gift is much more than a name on a plaque or a bench. Your generosity provides vital funding that supports our animals, our international conservation work, and the Zoo and Safari Park you’ve always loved. By realizing your legacy is within your reach, isn’t it exciting to think that, by including the San Diego Zoo in your plans, your love for this place and our conservation work will live on?
Learn more about how you can make a difference through a planned gift and become a part of our Heritage Guild at zoolegacy.org or by calling 619-557-3947.
SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL / SANDIEGOZOO.ORG / 27
IN THE FIELD San Diego Zoo Global’s mission to end extinction takes place not just at the Zoo, Park, and Institute for Conservation Research, but through field projects with more than 130 species in 70 countries, including 45 where we have projects on the ground and another 25 where we contribute critical conservation funding. Each issue, we will share an update on one of these projects.
BLACK AND WHITE SNAPSHOT BY KARYL CARMIGNANI | STAFF WRITER
PHOTO BY RON SWAISGOOD | SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL
More than 20 years of collaborative, intensive international conservation bolstered giant panda numbers enough for the species to be downlisted by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) from Endangered to Vulnerable in 2016. While threats to this endearing species remain high, expanding protected habitat in China and successful breeding in zoos and conservation centers has enabled the iconic bear to take a few lumbering steps back from the abyss of extinction. But the path to its recovery must continue. For more complete tracking data, some pandas get a Global Positioning System (GPS) radio collar, which provides researchers a comprehensive picture of the bears’ travels and activities. Already, data have revealed home ranges three
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times larger than what researchers initially thought. Another surprise was that female pandas disperse and establish a territory, while males tend to stick around their natal territory. One female panda was especially adventurous and traveled over 30 miles during the breeding season! Logging in China’s forests has removed most old growth trees, which female pandas seek out to use as safe dens to raise their young. Researchers are building 40 wooden structures to be placed in two reserves to see how the females use them. Another collaborative component is better prepping of pandas born and raised in zoos and wildlife parks for release into the wild. Social competence, like how the bear responds to social signals and scent marks, is key to giant panda survival and continued recovery.
JANUARY-APRIL MEMBER SPECIALS JA N UA RY 2 0 1 8
20% OFF
BREAKFAST AT THE SAFARI PARK Receive 20% off breakfast entrees at the Safari Park’s Thorntree Terrace. Valid January 1-31, 2018 Valid only at Safari Park’s Thorntree Terrace. Member must provide valid membership card at time of purchase to receive discount. Supporting ID may be required. Not valid with any other offer, promotion, or discount. Coupon not required.
JA N UA RY 2 0 1 8
J A N U A R Y-A P R I L 2 0 1 8
10%
$10 OFF
OFF SANDWICH COMPANY
ALL ANIMAL ADOPTIONS Members can enjoy this discount on any online adoption package! Valid January 1–April 30, 2018 Visit endextinction.org/adopt to choose from a lemur, penguin, panda, polar bear, snow leopard, and many more species. All adoptions include a personalized adoption certificate. Call 619-557-3914 for more information or to purchase your adoption by phone. To purchase online, simply enter ASZW0118 upon checkout. No limit. Not valid with any other offer, promotion, discount, or at on-grounds adoption booth.
Valid all day for purchases at the San Diego Zoo Sandwich Company (excludes alcohol). Valid January 1–31, 2018 Member must provide valid membership card at time of purchase to receive discount. Supporting ID may be required. Not valid with any other offer, promotion, or discount. Coupon not required.
F E B R UA RY 2 0 1 8
10% OFF ALL SWEATSHIRTS Get cozy in our sweatshirts and receive a 10% discount! Valid February 1-28, 2018 Valid at all stores at the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park. Member must provide valid membership card at time of purchase to receive discount. Supporting ID may be required. Coupon not required. For online purchases, enter promotion code MEMBER10 at checkout. Cannot be combined with any other offer, promotion, or discount. No limit while supplies last.
ZOONOOZ
®
SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL
Box 120551, San Diego, CA 92112
YOUR MEMBER SPECIALS ARE INSIDE
Is Your Nest Egg Secure?
If there was a way to find true security for you and your loved ones for the remainder of your lives, would you be interested? With a charitable gift annuity’s fixed payments, you can find that security right here, while ultimately benefiting the San Diego Zoo or San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Learn more about how you can receive fixed payments for life, take advantage of tax benefits, and make a difference for wildlife by visiting zoolegacy.org or by calling 619-557-3993.
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