Spring 2024 Wild Times

Dear Members,

On behalf of every staff member — and every animal — here at the Baton Rouge Zoo, we want to thank you for your loyalty. 2024 promises to be a year of transformation as we prepare for the zoo’s grand re-opening upon completion of our first reinvention phase.

Phase 1 introduces 12 new exhibits, 12 renovated exhibits and 12 new buildings. Our state-of-the-art entrance building through Greenwood Park will set the stage for a totally invigorating zoo adventure. After entering the Zoo, you will catch sight of the reticulated giraffes as they peek their heads over the new Coca-Cola Express Train Station. Prepare for up-close encounters with giraffes in this expansive new habitat and feeding station.

Last spring, we opened Sapo Springs, the first world-class exhibit in Phase 1 of our reinvention construction. The excitement ushered in a season of preparation for our annual events. The 9th Annual BREW at the Zoo was greatly successful, raising funds for our conservation programs. Great weather and new entertainment experiences made Boo at the Zoo a Halloween hit. Then the Inaugural Art for Animals Festival (see page 8) raised awareness for animal conservation by elevating the artwork of those passionate in our community. We even explored new holiday lights and we saw record-breaking numbers at this year’s Zoo Lights!

Upcoming events*

MARCH 15

Members Night

APRIL 6 + 7

Zippity Zoo Fest

APRIL 19

Wild Wine Walk

MAY 4 + 11

Breakfast with the Animals

Safari Club and Directors Circle Members Only

SEPTEMBER 27

Brew at the Zoo

OCTOBER 19 + 20 + 26 + 27

Boo at the Zoo

NOVEMBER 29

Zoo Lights begins on

*Dates subject to change

Amongst the festivities, we prepared for our most important undertaking since 2018: our accreditation inspection by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums meet the highest standards in animal care and welfare and provide fun, safe and educational family experiences. In addition, they dedicate millions of dollars annually to support scientific research, conservation and education programs. AZA accreditation is held by the top 10% of zoos in the country.

Your Zoo was the first in Louisiana to become an AZA-accredited institution, but unfortunately, we did not pass the AZA inspection in 2018. That inspection ignited your Zoo and BREC community leaders to invest in the Zoo’s development and draft a Master Plan for the Zoo’s reinvention. Phase 1 is simply the first step to regain AZA Accreditation. Last November the Zoo hosted the AZA Accreditation Inspection Committee for three days. BREC and our staff worked diligently for months to prepare, making repairs and upgrades to the Zoo grounds and improving husbandry skills.

The AZA committee members carefully evaluated every aspect of the Zoo, from animal husbandry to storage facilities and even guest services to provide our team with valuable feedback. That committee gave their recommendation to the AZA Accreditation Board who made its decision in March at the AZA Mid-Year Meeting. We received resounding feedback that we have made tremendous progress to upgrade our Zoo’s exhibits and infrastructure since 2018, and we look forward to sharing the Board’s decision once announced.

Change and progress are necessary — but never easy! We graciously thank you for joining us on this journey these past few years. The memories you make with your loved ones and the connections to wildlife you create here at the Baton Rouge Zoo will impact our community and our world far beyond the time it takes to finish these renovations. No matter the outcome of the accreditation inspection, it is our mission to continually develop our Zoo’s exhibits and animal care practices so that we may always serve you, the community and the planet.

Please keep connected as we make grand re-opening announcements later this spring. We will see you soon!

Sincerely,

Jim Fleshman

ZOO DIRECTOR, Baton Rouge Zoo

What’S (aNd WhO’S)

NEW at the ZOO

NEW aNIMaL fRIENdS

CLOCKWISE:

Bison Calves, a male and three female

Eastern Black and White Colobus, female

Andean Condor, female

Flemish Giant Rabbit, male

ABOVE: North American River Otter, male

BELOW: Bearded Dragon, female

YEaR Of thE dRaGON

In Chinese tradition, the dragon holds profound symbolism and is held in high esteem. It embodies virtues like strength, fortune, and wisdom, symbolizing positive attributes. Revered as a celestial being, the Chinese dragon is believed to possess divine qualities, capable of influencing natural phenomena like wind and water.

The Bearded Dragon, Jarrah, might receive some extra attention this year in honor of this profound Lunar year! It’s good luck, after all.

MEMbERShIP haS ItS PERkS!

Have you been to the Zoo lately? Many of our members are making use of our new Zoo Geauxers Rewards Program! Members who visit 12 times within 12 months, from April to March earn an exclusive animal encounter for their household. These encounters are rewarding for members and staff alike. We appreciate every opportunity to help forge a special connection for you and the animals!

Don’t forget to take advantage of your Zoo membership this spring by attending our annual Zippity Zoo Fest on April 6 and 7!

Did you know each year our zoo education program serves an average of 7,000 kids & 4,500 adults

SPRING+SuMMER ZOO CaMP

We designed the Zoo’s new entrance with our students in mind. There is now room for twice as many zoo camps! Every week of summer camp week has a 5-7 year old group and a 8-10 year old group. Registration is open for in parish residents and opens on March 5th for out of parish residents. Be sure to choose the right age group for your child.

brzoo.org/programs/zoo-camps

Project ARK, or Animals Reaching Kids, is a grant funded education program. Through this program, the Zoo was already teaching hundreds of children about animals and conservation through our Zoo Mobile program.

ANIMALS REAcHING KIdS at thE ZOO

HOSTEd

15 SChOOLS ABOUT 140 kIdS PER ScHOOL REAcHING

Thanks to the generosity of the Baton Rouge Rotary Club, Project ARK extended its outreach in 2023 to Project ARK at the Zoo. Previously, the only opportunity granted under Project ARK was for the Zoo Mobile to visit the zoo, which limited the animals the children could see. Now, this grant covers the costs of schools in underserved communities to come to the Zoo to see all the animals! Many students may not have had the opportunity to visit the Zoo otherwise, and this program creates an immersive experience for them. Project ARK at the Zoo focuses on hands-on encounters with education Animal Ambassadors and interactive programming that complements the already established curriculum. Children may learn about subjects such as the “Web of Life,” “Native Neighbors” and “Animal Senses.”

2,100 ChILdREN OvERALL

positive change on their local environment as measured by the answers to specific questions.”

After the first year, our results have been remarkable. In pre-testing, 36% of students scored a 70 or higher, and in post-tests, that number increased by 6 percentage points to 42% scoring 70 or better.

The most important result we looked for was the students’ change in attitude toward nature and animals. Students showed an attitudinal change when asked about what makes snakes beneficial to humans. In pre-tests, 56% of students answered that snakes were more useful to humans dead than alive. By post-testing, 64% believed snakes had a benefit to humans while alive. Simply by not being afraid or disliking snakes based on stereotypes, these children are showing promise for the future.

Through the generosity of the Rotary Club’s donation, Project ARK at the Zoo hosted 15 schools, with about 140 kids per school, reaching 2,100 children overall.

“We expect to see an increase of factual knowledge demonstrated through comparisons of scores on pre- and post-tests of at least 8%,” Jennifer Shields, education curator, said at the program’s launch last year. “More importantly, we will see a change of attitude toward animals, and a sense of empowerment to affect a

Students also showed a greater sense of empowerment when asked about whether planting a garden at their school would help native species. In pre-tests, 58% responded yes, a garden at school could help, and by post-testing, that number increased to 74%.

We are proud to be more than a source of entertainment or even an outdoor experience at the Baton Rouge Zoo. By serving our community with education programs such as Project ARK at the Zoo, we are actively working to sustain and improve our planet and the creatures and people around us.

SAvING ANIMALS FROM

Extinction: aNdEaN bEaRS

Andean bears, also known as “spectacled bears” for the beige, glasses-like fur markings found in many members of this species, are the only species of bear native to South America. They are a key determinant in the beautiful, rich biological diversity of the Tropical Andes ecosystem. These omnivorous bears are known to eat over 300 different types of plants, making a powerful ecological impact by dispersing such a large variety of seeds across long distances.

They also face several threats in the wild; habitat loss, fragmentation, poaching and conflicts with humans have led to the bears’ population decline, and they are classified as vulnerable by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Here at the Baton Rouge Zoo, our very own male Andean bear, Oso, is a testament to the tenacity and magnificence of his kind. We work closely with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to aid global conservation efforts and protect vulnerable species like Oso’s. AZA SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction is critical in protecting these and other populations of threatened animals — that’s why funds raised by the Baton Rouge Zoo Foundation support many of AZA SAFE’s species-specific conservation projects.

Habitat loss caused by agriculture, mining, oil drilling and other human interference is a major threat to Andean bears’ continued survival. Deforestation threatens not only the bears’ homes but also their connectivity to one another; new roads, human settlements and agricultural developments carve out isolated pockets of forest, preventing bears from reaching one another and repopulating. To combat these losses, AZA

SAFE partners with groups in South America that prioritize environmental restoration efforts. Projects supported by AZA SAFE in Colombia, for example, will engage with local communities in the creation of tree nurseries, education on sustainable living and habitat preparation. Government organizations in Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia also seek to implement conservation strategies in the coming years in collaboration with AZA SAFE.

Understanding where to strategically focus these efforts is a conservational challenge in its own right. Currently, there is insufficient recent data recorded on the distribution of Andean bear populations in South America. To fill this gap in knowledge, AZA SAFE has formulated a collaborative plan leveraging modern tools to obtain accurate, upto-date population distribution data for Andean bears. Compiling data-driven information about this vulnerable species will allow conservationists to determine which regions can realistically sustain the bears’ growth and to strategically aid areas that need it most. These efforts will be crucial in ensuring the continued survival of Andean bears.

At the Baton Rouge Zoo, excellent animal welfare is a guiding principle that informs the work we do every moment of every day — both for our own animals and for those living in the wild. Oso turned 31 this spring, a feat that would not have been possible without the dedication and care of his keepers. Although Andean bears in the wild don’t quite celebrate their birthdays like Oso does, we hope that through our efforts, these magnificent animals can flourish in nature and enjoy many long years of life, too!

REFLEcTING UPON OUR INAUGURAL ART FOR ANIMALS FESTIvAL

On November 16, 2023, the Baton Rouge Zoo hosted a brand-new event, Art for Animals Festival. How are animals and art related? At the Baton Rouge Zoo, we see an immediate connection between the wondrous wild animals and nature that inspire artwork of so any artists. Paintings, drawing, photography – all forms of art are methods of communicating ideas and expressing feelings the creators hold.

Every day at the Baton Rouge Zoo we work towards our mission of educating the community about the wild and the need for conservation. An art show and festival at the Zoo was an opportunity to amplify these ideas related to the natural world through the perspective of creators in our community, beyond only those

who work in the zoological field.

The Art for Animals Festival is the first event at the Zoo completely dedicated to expressing our mission through art. Festivities included animal chats by our zookeepers, children’s crafts led by Creative Hub Central, musical ambiance set by artists Melissa Sings and Josiah Shillow, and live plein-air paintings at various exhibits by local artists Grace Thompson, Peter Doursey, Morgan Udoh and Kristen Serio.

And, of course, there was the artist exhibition, perhaps the highlight of the festival. We accepted art for two categories — adult and youth — selecting a total 51 pieces of two-dimensional art to exemplify our mission at this first event. We received a great variety of subjects,

ranging from interpretations of African landscapes to portraits of big cats, foxes, primates, exotic and local bird species, alligators, and much more.

A select panel of judges evaluated the pieces for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place for the adult category and honorable mentions for the youth category. In the adult category, Skyler Hale placed 1st for her “Audubon Flamingo,” Gordner Kroll placed 2nd for “Fair Warning,” and Loveday Funck placed 3rd for her “Roseate Spoonbill.” In the youth category, two honorable mention awards were given: Arilynn Palmore for her “Octopus in Bottle” and Lauren Rodgers for her “Laissez les bon temps rouler.”

A small reception was held at the close of the event to recognize

and give gratitude to the artists for their contributions to the festival. Due to our Zoo’s construction progress, this reception was simple. Nonetheless, there was a palpable energy of enthusiasm and appreciation in the atmosphere.

The first Art for Animals Festival was a success for all involved. We look forward to establishing this event as tradition at the Baton Rouge Zoo, with its impact carrying beyond festival activities. And while we certainly hope that the art will raise money for our various conservation programs, we also seek to inspire people of all walks of life to see the beauty of our planet and the value of preserving it. Ultimately, our goal in this event is to elevate these artistic interpretations into action in the name of wildlife conservation.

LEFT

1ST PLACE—Skyler Hale Audubon Flamingo

CLOCKWISE

2ND PLACE—Gordner Kroll Fair Warning

3RD PLACE—Loveday Funck Roseate Spoonbill

YOUTH HONORABLE MENTION

Lauren Rogers

Laissez les bon temps roule

YOUTH HONORABLE MENTION

Arilynn Palmore

Octopus in Bottle

BIRTHDAY 54TH

CELEBRATION

BIRTHDAY 54TH

CELEBRATION

APRIL 6 + 7

ADMISSION FROM 9:30 AM - 6 PM

MEMBERS F R E E

APRIL 6 + 7

ADULTS/TEENS $ 8. 75 + T AX

ADMISSION FROM 9:30 AM - 6 PM

S E N IORS 65 + $7.75 + T AX

MEMBERS F R E E

CHILDREN AGES 2-12 $ 5 .75 + T AX

ADULTS/TEENS $ 8. 75 + T AX

CHLDREN 1 & UNDER FR E E

S E N IORS 65 + $7.75 + T AX

CHILDREN AGES 2-12 $ 5 .75 + T AX

CHLDREN 1 & UNDER FR E E

Wild Wine Walk

You’re invited to the Zoo’s 54th birthday celebration –Zippity Zoo Fest! Join us Saturday, April 6, or Sunday, April 7, for a day of wild family fun! From 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., the Zoo will have special activities hosted by our community. We will feature special animal enrichments, fantasy character entertainment, bouncy-houses and face painting. This event is free for members!

The Baton Rouge Zoo Foundation is thrilled to host our 4th Annual Wild Wine Walk on Friday, April 19! We invite guests aged 21 and older to flock to the Baton Rouge Zoo to enjoy this after-hours event featuring wines from a wide variety of vendors.

Stroll through the many realms of the Baton Rouge Zoo while sipping vino, enjoying local cuisine and taking in the sounds of our live music! Guests can also meet with our

Ambassador Animals up close and personal.

VIP guests will enjoy all the event amenities, as well as early access to the event and a special take-home gift.

Visit wildwinewalk.org and stay tuned to our social media for more information on tickets, vendors and VIP offerings! We can’t wait to get WILD with you!

Tickets are on sale now!

Spotlight: NICOLE StRauSS

CuRatOR, kIdS ZOO aquaRIuM

Nicole Strauss, curator of the Baton Rouge Zoo’s KidsZoo & Aquarium, is lovingly known as “Skippy” by her colleagues.

“As the story goes, my first day here – in August 2009, I was seen skipping from one place to another,” Nicole says. “The nickname stuck! I probably don’t skip quite so much anymore. I am 14.5 years older now, and I might break something!”

Her role at the Zoo was her first paid zoological position, but she had volunteered at the Audubon Zoo for a couple years, which gave her the experience needed to get started.

Her advice for others looking to work with animals at a zoo: “We always look for people with animal experience. Volunteering is a great place to start!”

When asked what is the most fascinating species she cares for, Nicole excitedly asks how much information you’d like and immediately answers “American eel! They are North America’s only freshwater eel.”

They are catadromous fish, meaning they are hatched in saltwater and spend the majority of their lifecycle – 5 to 30 years – in fresh water, migrating 1,000 miles back to the sea to spawn. Human interference, such as

hydroelectric dams, greatly hinder the eels from completing their lifecycle. Eel passage structures (ladders, airlifts and fish pipes) have been placed at dams in recent years to assist them with their migration. Once the eels make their way up the passage structures, they are collected by staff who transport them to their next destination. A lot of research and effort has been put into preserving this species.

Scientists have never seen the eels spawning and can only speculate their spawning grounds are in the Sargasso Sea. When the baby eels, called yellow eels, make their way back inland, people collect them by the hundreds of thousands of pounds. The majority are shipped overseas to be cultivated for human consumption. Because so much about their reproduction is still unknown and is exceedingly difficult to replicate, they are not bred or raised commercially. The production of American eels for food consumption is 100% reliant on wild populations.

“Did you know this species has even been found here in Greenwood Park?” Nicole says.

We are so grateful for Skippy’s ongoing commitment to the Baton Rouge Zoo!

SuPPORtING cONSERvATION

The Baton Rouge Zoo Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to support and advance the Baton Rouge Zoo’s goals of achieving and maintaining excellence in animal wellbeing, conservation, community engagement and education. They raise money through sponsorships at all zoo events, ticket sales to Wild Wine Walk and Brew at the Zoo, and through programs such as Adopt an Animal! In 2023, the Baton Rouge Zoo Foundation donated $20,000.

Programs supported include:

• Cheetah Conservation Fund

• Chipangali Wildlife Orphanage

• Digit Gorilla Fund

• International Rhino Foundation

• Minnesota Zoo Foundation Tiger Campaign

• Panamanian Golden Frog Conservation Program by Smithsonian National Zoological Park

• Turtle Conservancy

• Turtle Survival Alliance

• Woodland Park Zoo Hornbill Family Nest Adoption Program

SPOTLIGHT MEMBERS

DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE

Edward Alfortish

Graham Arnold

Alicia Biggs

Keith Bonin

Brad Boudreaux

Riley Boudreaux

S.Teala Brown

Catherine Coates

Gerald Crochet Jr

Wafa Daas Castro-Aguilar

Jessie Depriest

Jesse Dupont

Scott Joseph Fin

Jim Fleshman

Phil Frost

Ralf Grunitz

Marcella Hackney

Aaron Hauser

Tracie Johnson

Lauren Juneja

Michael Kearns

Tyler Lewis

Martha Littlefield

Gary Merrifield

Colby Moore

Ralph Ney

Francis Nezianya

Bill O'quin

Melinda Prevost

Christopher Reid

Ashley Russell

Benjamin Schexnayder

Jerry Shabel

Paul Sicard

Joseph Simmons

John Standiford

Amanda Standish

Spring Stanger

Amy Terigar

Randall Thompson

Victoria (Vyki) Thompson

Paula Varnado-Sullivan

Cathy Waggenspack-Landry

Ashley Ward

Christa Wilborn

William Wilcox

SAFARI CLUB MEMBERS

Stacey Adams

George Anding

Joanna Arrington

Joseph Berniard

Michele Blackwell

Malaura Blanchard

Christina Bourgoyne

Robert Boyce

Richard Boyer

Anne Broderick

Casey Broussard

Chelsea Christ

Brandon Cook

Patrick Crowder

Kelly Day

Craig DeMarche

Kimberly Drews

Leslea Dufrene

Kathryn Edwards

Benjamin Fisher

Jessica Gaboury

Janet Gelpi

Summer Gotangco

Janet Grimball

Rachel Guillory

Michelle Hanks

Cortney Haser

Evan Hebert

Angel Hill

Richard Hirsch

Franklin Hoffmann

Daniel Johnson

Gregory Keehfuss

Katherine King

Richard Marshall

Grace Martin

Terry Lee Moore

Julie Morales

James Mungall

Jose Murillo

Ellie Noel

Julie Noland

J. B. Olinde

Andrew Orellana

Aubrey Parker

Rachel Parks

Eric Parnell

Brandy Pendergrass

Debbie Perry

Erica Pino

William Potter

Kevin Raske

Caitlin Rotolo

Sue Salomon

Autumn Schilling

Paul Thiesen

Eilleen Thompson

Christina Torretta

Cindel Tucker

Sandra Volden

Joseph Watson

Melissa White

Kimberly Willems

Tony Williams

Whitney Woodson

Camilla Yttling