Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Welcomes First Ever Baby Giant Anteater
We create compelling experiences that connect people with wildlife and inspire personal responsibility for conserving the natural world.
(Myrmecophaga tridactyla)
Facts Type: Mammal Average life span in the wild: 14 years Size: Head and body 40 to 48 inches Weight: 40 to 88 pounds Protection status: Vulnerable Did you know? The tongue on a giant anteater can protrude more than 2 feet to capture prey
From the Executive Director................... 1 Animal Care & Exhibition........................... 2 Wildlife Conservation................................... 4 Sustainability....................................................... 8 Conservation Education...........................10 Guest Experience..........................................11 Community Leadership............................12 Management...................................................15 The Future...........................................................17 Financial Summary.......................................18 Executive Leadership..................................18
Change. It’s one of the constants in life, but in 2013 we may have seen more change at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo than any year in our recent history. On December 31, 2012 I joined Steve Taylor on the roof of the gift shop to help ring in 2013 as part of our Noon Year’s Eve celebration. The next day I became the 10th executive director of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. For the first time in 24 years there was someone different leading the meetings at the Zoo. I’m sure it was strange for everyone as they adjusted to my leadership style, but probably no stranger than my being in the same meetings but in a drastically different role. It’s funny how much a different seat in the room can change your perspective. Most importantly throughout all of this was how everyone embraced the opportunity for change and to try new things. And that was just the beginning. The next several months involved many changes to the Zoo Leadership Team and throughout the Zoo as many longtime friends retired while other great new talents joined the organization. We now have a great group of leaders in place that is going to determine the course of this great organization as we focus on the future. I’m honored to be working with all of them.
Part of that focus is on conservation and one great step forward was a partnership with Cleveland Zoological Society to present the first Steve H. Taylor Award for African Conservation to George Owoyesigire. The award was special for me as it honored both Steve Taylor, for all he did for the Zoo over 24 years, and recognized a longtime conservation partner of the Zoo. “George O” is a tremendous talent that we have worked with for years. It was great fun for me to join him as a guest on The Sound of Ideas radio show and see how much passion there was for African conservation here in Cleveland. His acceptance of the award was truly touching and inspirational. Another change in 2013 was our first-ever Party for the Planet, an Earth Day event focused on conserving and protecting the earth. Earth Day is really a holiday for a conservation organization and we wanted to party with everyone and really talk about all we do for conservation, not just within the Zoo but within the entire Cleveland Metroparks organization. I was really proud of how hard everyone worked in preparing for that event. We even had a little fun as well. Who was that in the frog head in the “Harlem Shake” video anyway? So what’s next? The sky’s the limit. We will continue to provide a great visitor experience and be a resource for the people of Northeast Ohio. We will continue to work to connect people with wildlife through our conservation, education and animal programs. They say “Change or go extinct” but extinction is not part of the plan at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. So we’ll continue to change so we become better and more effective at conserving the natural world because that’s what we’re all about.
Christopher Kuhar, Ph.D.
STRATEGIC FOCUS AREA
‘Daniel’ moves to Phoenix
Giant Anteater Birth
On November 13, 2013 the Zoo’s 7-year-old Bornean orangutan “Daniel” was transferred to the Phoenix Zoo to be a companion animal for a young female orangutan living there.
The first ever birth of a baby giant anteater at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo happened on November 25, 2013. The Zoo has exhibited this species in The RainForest since it opened in 1992, but has never had a successful breeding pair of anteaters until now.
Daniel was born at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo on April 11, 2006. This move was a recommended transfer by the AZA Orangutan Species Survival Plan. Planning for this trip began as soon as the Zoo’s animal care staff received the recommendation from the SSP. Preparations included two Phoenix Zoo orangutan keepers coming here to observe Daniel and work with our staff, conditioning Daniel to his shipping crate to ensure he would be comfortable for the multiple hour flight, and sending orangutan keeper Steve Kinczel to the Phoenix Zoo to help Daniel adjust to his new surroundings.
The Zoo will exceed industry standards and guidelines for species in its care, and adopt a program of continual improvement. The Zoo will strive to be recognized as a leader in creating high quality, innovative animal exhibits.
The transfer went off without a hitch and Daniel arrived safely at his new home. His introduction to the female orangutan, Kasih, in Phoenix went very well.
New faces Species Survival Plan recommendations from the AZA resulted in several other notable births across the Zoo in 2013. A male white-eared titi monkey baby and a male black howler monkey baby marked first time successful births for their mothers. Other births that resulted from SSP recommendations in 2013 included one prehensile-tailed porcupine, three Oriental small-clawed otters, one red panda, three capybaras, two golden lion tamarins, seven lorikeets of various species, seven Mandarin ducks, one smew, two Parma wallabies, six red kangaroos, three gray kangaroos, three slender-horned gazelles and many Puerto Rican crested toad tadpoles with 5,500 of them being sent to Puerto Rico for release into the wild.
The successful birth was a result of cooperative efforts between the Animal Care and Conservation and Science teams. It started with collecting urine samples from the female anteater in 2010. RainForest keepers collected 500 urine samples from the female to analyze estrogen and progesterone levels and indicate when she was ready to breed with the male. Later on the samples would also reveal if the breeding was successful and she was pregnant. All of the urine analysis was done in our endocrinology lab by Endocrinology Lab Manager Laura Amendolagine. Initial findings suggested the male should be removed from the area until the female’s urine analysis showed she was ready to breed. This strategy worked and the female became pregnant. The collaboration of the two Zoological Programs teams, a true integrated approach to animal care and management, facilitated this historic first birth at the Zoo.
2013  Year in Review
1-Jan-13 1-Jan-13 Species Specimens
Births 2013
Acquisitions Total Deaths Dispositions 31-Dec-13 31-Dec-13 2013 2013 2013 Specimens Species
Terrestrial Invertebrates 14 29 0 15 107 0 35 10 Colony Count 4 4 Aquatic Invertebrates 33* 107 0 52 6 0 153 37 Colony Count 20 20 Aquatic Vertebrates 161* 1,381* 17 140 266 103 1,107 151 Colony Count 3 3 Amphibians 18 Colony Count
56 8
4 34 5,560
3 36
2 5,532
51 9
18
Reptiles 55 129 15 7 14 5 133 55 Colony Count 0 0 Birds 73 256 21 62 29 7 252 74 Colony Count 3 0.0.4 3
2013 Animal Inventory Comparison
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Terrestrial Invertebrates Species Specimens Colonies
14 13 16 14 10 49 39 39 29 35 9 9 3 4 4
Aquatic Invertebrates Species Specimens Colonies
42 27 29 33* 37 98 40 62 107 153 36 24 21 20 20
Aquatic Vertebrates Species Specimens Colonies Amphibians Species Specimens Groups
136 147 151 161* 151 1,116 1,141 1,328 1,381* 1107 4 4 3 3* 3 20 21 19 18 18 141 83 66 56 51 3 7 8 8 9
Reptiles Species 56 52 56 55 55 Specimens 156 154 171 129 133 Groups 1 0 0 0 0 Birds Species Specimens Groups
65 69 75 73 74 269 291 280 256 252 1 2 3 3 3
Mammals Species Specimens Groups
106 111 110 112 105 372 389 384 366* 350 1 1 1 1 1
Total Species Specimens Colonies
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 439 440 456 462* 450 2,201 2,137 2,330 2,324* 2081 55 47 39 40* 40
Mammals 112 366* 41 82 Colony Count 1 0.0.77
43 35 0.0.48
350 1
2013 Total 462* 2,324* 98 392 468 152 2,081 Colony Count 40* 40 * Indicates adjustment in count from previous calendar year inventory Egg cases may contain from 15-150 hatchlings
105 450
STRATEGIC FOCUS AREA
The Zoo will capitalize on the unique role of zoos in saving critically endangered species through ex situ (in zoo) conservation efforts. The Zoo will build on in situ (in the wild) partnerships and forge strong links between our work in the Zoo and our programs around the world.
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo leads the way in studying education program animal welfare
Building capacity in support of gorilla conservation in Rwanda
George Owoyesigire and the first Steve H. Taylor conservation award
In 2013, research and education staff at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo completed one of the first multi-institutional studies of welfare focusing specifically on animals used in education programs. The study showed no overall differences in measures of welfare between armadillos that were used either on exhibit or in education programs. However, armadillos, hedgehogs and hawks with very high amounts of handling per week in AZA zoos had higher stress hormone levels and displayed more behaviors that are considered negative, such as pacing. These results indicate that animals may have a threshold for the amount of handling they can tolerate. Other factors such as enclosure size and the amount of material the animals had to dig in were related to the measures of welfare in the study. The results of the study were presented at the AZA annual conference in Kansas City where the team received the Best Poster and Best Overall Presentation awards.
Despite recent good news that the worldwide population of mountain gorillas has increased to nearly 850 individuals, they continue to face threats to their survival such as loss of habitat and illegal hunting. One the Zoo’s primary conservation partners in Rwanda is the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, which has worked to study and protect the endangered mountain gorilla since 1967. Specifically, Karisoke Research Center in Musanze, Rwanda, employs more than 100 people who are dedicated to studying and protecting gorillas and other biodiversity in Volcanoes National Park. In 2013, the Zoo’s curator of conservation and science attended a meeting at Karisoke with its conservation partners to review and discuss research priorities for Volcanoes National Park. This was a great opportunity to learn about all of the science occurring throughout the park, from gorilla behavior and demography to biodiversity monitoring and climate science. Karisoke Research Assistant Jean Paul Hirwa delivered a presentation introducing a new technology, “CyberTracker,” that they are using to collect anti-poaching data in the field. The Zoo raised funds to purchase five handheld data collection devices for this program via its Quarters for Conservation Program. Dr. Kristen Lukas is pictured here with Karisoke staff member Charles Bentin, who is using CyberTracker to study the behavior of golden monkeys as part of Karisoke’s biodiversity monitoring program.
To celebrate the leadership of Zoo Director Emeritus Steve Taylor, the Cleveland Zoological Society Board of Trustees established the Steve H. Taylor African Conservation Award in his honor. The award supports professional development opportunities for a Zoo conservation partner that will enhance long-term capacity for successful field conservation initiatives in Africa. Awards will support direct and long-term conservation impact, positively affect local people and create further opportunities for capacity building in the field. The first recipient of the Steve H. Taylor award was the Zoo’s longtime conservation partner George Owoyesigire. The Zoo and Zoo Society have worked with George for more than 10 years and he is currently a senior wildlife officer in the Wildlife Conservation Department in the Ugandan Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities. Owoyesigire began his career in wildlife conservation as a receptionist and part-time ranger at Kibale National Park in Uganda. In collaboration with the Jane Goodall Institute, the Zoo and Zoo Society have played a key role in his professional development over the past 10 years; as he went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in environmental management from Nkumba University in Uganda, and a master’s degree in primate conservation from Oxford Brookes University in the United Kingdom.
Training the next generation of conservation scientists
Field Conservation Partners support Zoos and Aquariums Committing to Conservation
This year, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and Case Western Reserve University graduated the second doctoral student from a joint program that provides graduate level training to biology majors in areas of applied research that support the needs of the zoo community. Dr. Grace Fuller successfully defended her dissertation project entitled, “The night shift: Lighting and nocturnal prosimian care in zoos,” in which nearly 35 institutions participated in her research and several accommodated experiments that tested the effects of lighting on measures of health and welfare. Her body of research produced five peer-reviewed manuscripts for publication and a number of practical recommendations for improving management and housing of prosimians in human care. Following her graduation, Dr. Fuller joined the Little Fireface Project team in Indonesia to help Professor Anna Nekaris study aspects of loris venom in slow lorises housed at Cikananga Wildlife Rescue Centre.
The Zoos and Aquariums Committing to Conservation (ZACC) Conference is a biennial meeting that promotes increased involvement of zoos and aquariums in support of field conservation locally, nationally and internationally. Zoo and aquarium personnel and field researchers meet at ZACC to develop partnerships that will benefit wildlife and wild places around the globe.
E-mail from Grace on March 25, 2014
. . . looking back I can really appreciate how well Cleveland Metroparks Zoo prepared me for a career working with primates. I think about it all the time. Every day I am here working with ~ 60 slow lorises, not just doing research but providing basic keeper care as well as making enrichment and trying to improve their lives. For research I have studies going looking at salivary cortisol responses to conspecific venom, prey capture behavior, mother-infant development (there are so many babies), predator responses to venom, and morbidity and mortality in animals rescued from the wildlife trade. Every day I am applying things I learned from you and everyone else at the Zoo. I am so thankful for the time I spent at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo :)
The conference, hosted by the Blank Park Zoo in Iowa, was attended by more than 200 delegates from over 35 countries around the world. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is a key member of the ZACC group, and with support from the Cleveland Zoological Society, sponsored the participation of six of our international field conservation partners. • Anna Nekaris - Professor, Oxford Brookes University and director of the Little Fireface Project (Indonesia) • Johanna Rhode - Graduate student, Oxford Brookes University and field manager for the Little Fireface Project (Indonesia) • Amy Dickman - Senior research fellow, University of Oxford - WildCRU and director of the Ruaha Carnivore Project (Tanzania) • Quyen Vu - Director of Education for Nature (Vietnam) • Isaac Goldstein - Coordinator of the Wildlife Conservation Society Andean Bear Program and Andean Bear Conservation Alliance (Colombia) • George Owoyesigire - Senior wildlife officer - Wildlife Conservation Department, Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities (Uganda)
Cleveland sponsored ZACC attendees included (from left to right): Isaac Goldstein, Anna Nekaris, Johanna Rhode, Amy Dickman, Grace Fuller, Kym Gopp and Kristen Lukas (Zoo staff), Quyen Vu, Tom Leiden (Zoo Society Board), and George Owoyesigire
Travel to Cameroon as part of Great Ape Heart Project Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has been actively involved with the Great Ape Heart Project since its beginning. The goal of the project is to identify, treat and ultimately prevent heart disease in great apes. One of the greatest challenges to understanding health in zoo animals is having enough information to determine “normal” health values and measures. It is difficult to gather heart health information from wild great apes. In an effort to glean information from a different population, perhaps closer to wild animals, the Great Ape Heart Project sought to examine great apes housed in wildlife sanctuaries in range countries. Dr. Pam Dennis and colleagues spent three weeks working with the veterinary staff at the Limbe Wildlife Center in Cameroon, assisting them with health examinations on the Center’s gorillas and chimpanzees as part of a collaborative effort with the Great Ape Heart Project. They completed health exams including cardiac evaluations on 15 gorillas and 32 chimpanzees, significantly increasing our knowledge of great ape health.
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo - Supporting Wildlife Conservation Worldwide Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and the Cleveland Zoological Society directly support wildlife conservation on the ground through Competitive Grants Programs in Africa and Asia. These programs support conservation, field research and educational or cultural initiatives that protect and conserve wildlife and habitats, positively impact local people and create opportunities for capacity building. Projects supported in Africa and Asia in 2013 included: • Carnivore population and community ecology in Makira National Park, Madagascar • Assessing the status of African wild dogs and building a long-term conservation strategy, Malawi • Using livestock guarding dogs to minimize human-carnivore conflict, South Africa • Strengthening conservation education: gorillas in the classroom, Cameroon • Bolstering law enforcement with the use of conservation dogs, Kenyal • Saving the slow loris via empowerment, Indonesia, India, Cambodia, Thailand and Laos • Protecting orangutan habitat: The Rawa Kuno Legacy Forest, Indonesia • The influence of selective logging and habitat fragmentation on Mueller’s gibbon, Malaysia • Using mammalian DNA from leeches to assess animal abundance and conservation priorities, Cambodia • Frog diversity and its role as a biological pest control agent in rice fields, Nepal The Scott Neotropical Fund provides financial support for the work of conservation scientists and students living and working in Latin America. Projects supported in 2013 included: • Predicting and managing the spread of invasive beavers in Patagonia, Argentina • Investigating recovery of cavity-nesting bird populations in second-growth forests, Brazil • Monitoring foraging resources for endangered nectarivorous bats, Mexico • Avian ecology and conservation in native and afforested grasslands, Uruguay • Characterization of livestock management for conservation of the jaguar, Mexico • Integrating rainforest conservation to the agricultural landscape, Mexico • Loss of genetic diversity in an endemic Ctenomys rodent from northwestern Patagonia, Argentina • Diversity and migration of neotropical bat communities in an altitudinal gradient, Costa Rica
The Zoo participates in many Species Survival Plans (SSPs) - breeding recommendations made by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) - as a means of promoting effective population management of captive animals. Selective breeding recommendations help captive populations remain healthy and genetically diverse. The following table lists the Zoo’s current SSPs as well as its endangered species, as determined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the primary organization for quantifying conservation assessment efforts. The IUCN uses seven category designations for assessing a species’ conservation status. They include: Least Concern (LC), Near Threatened (NT) Vulnerable (VU), Endangered (EN), Critically Endangered (CR), Extinct in the Wild (EW) and Extinct (EX)
2013 Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Conservation Breeding and Management Programs Sorted by Class
IUCN
SSP
Sorted by Class
IUCN
SSP
AMPHIBIA MAMMALIA continued Toad, Puerto Rican Crested CR X Cat, Fishing EN X Cheetah VU X CHONDRICHTHYES Colobus, Eastern Black and White LC X Stingray, Bigtoothed River LC X Deer, Western Tufted NT X Echidna, Short-beaked LC X ACTINOPTERYGII Elephant, African VU X Barb, Dennison’s EN Fossa VU X Cardinalfish, Banggai EN Fox, Fennec LC X Damba, Pinstripe CR Gazelle, Slender Horned EN X Rainbowfish, Boesman’s EN Gibbon, Mueller’s EN REPTILIA Giraffe, Masai LC X Gecko, Henkel’s Leaf-tailed VU X Gorilla, Western Lowland CR X Guenon, Wolf’s Not Listed X Gharial CR X Kangaroo, Red LC X Iguana, Fiji Island Banded EN X Kangaroo, Western Gray LC X Python, Woma EN Klipspringer LC X Skink, Prehensile-tailed Not Listed X Koala, Queensland LC X Terrapin, Malaysian Langur, Francois’ EN X Painted River CR Lemur, Crowned VU X Tortoise, Northern Spider CR X Lemur, Mongoose VU X Turtle, Blanding’s EN Lemur, Red Ruffed EN X Turtle, Indochinese Box CR Lemur, Ring-tailed NT X Turtle, Malaysian Giant Pond EN Leopard, Persian EN Turtle, McCord’s Snake-necked CR X Leopard, Snow EN X Turtle, Spotted EN Lion VU X Loris, Pygmy Slow AVES Mandrill Aracari, Green LC X Marmoset, White-fronted Cockatoo, Palm LC X Meerkat Condor, Andean NT X Monkey, Allen’s swamp Crane, African Crowned EN Monkey, Black Howler Crane, Japanese Red-crowned EN X Monkey, Common Squirrel Eagle, Steller’s Sea VU X Monkey, Goeldi’s Flamingo, Chilean NT X Monkey, Robust Black Spider Flamingo, Lesser NT X Monkey, Pale-headed Saki Ibis, Scarlet LC X Ocelot Onager, Persian Kookaburra LC X Orangutan, Bornean Mynah, Bali CR X Otter, Asian Small-clawed Spoonbill, Roseate LC X Panda, Red Stork, Marabou LC X Porcupine, Crested Stork, White LC X Porcupine, North American Swan, Trumpeter LC X Porcupine, Prehensile-tailed Turaco, Lady Ross’ LC X Potto Vulture, Hooded EN X Rhinoceros, Eastern Black Vulture, White-backed African EN X Sea Lion, California Weaver, White-headed Buffalo LC X Seal, Harbor Woodhoopoe, Green LC X Shrew, Giant Elephant MAMMALIA Sloth, Two-toed Squirrel, Prevost’s Agouti, Red-rumped LC X Tamarin, Pied Anteater, Giant VU X Tamarin, Golden Lion Armadillo, Hairy LC X Tiger, Amur Armadillo, Southern Tree Kangaroo, Goodfellow’s Three-banded NT X Tree Kangaroo, Matschie’s Aye-aye NT X Tree Shrew, Northern Bat, Rodrigues Flying Fox CR X Wallaby, Bennett’s Bat, Straw-colored Fruit NT X Wallaby, Parma Bear, Andean VU X Wallaroo Bear, Malayan Sun VU X Wolf, Mexican Gray Bear, Sloth VU X Zebra, Grant’s Bettong CR X TOTALS Bontebok LC X Species EN CR SSP Bush Baby LC X 26 15 100 Camel, Bactrian CR Capybara LC X Cat, Black-footed VU X
VU X VU X LC X LC X LC X LC X LC X VU X CR X LC X LC X EN X EN X VU X VU X LC X LC X LC X LC X CR X LC X LC X VU X LC X LC X EN X EN X EN X EN EN X LC X LC X NT X LC X CR X LC X
2013 Conservation Support
List of 2013 Scientific Publications
In 2013, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and Cleveland Zoological Society continued their commitment to conservation by supporting conservation efforts that benefit wildlife and habitats around the world. With the support of Cleveland Metroparks, and in partnership with the Greater Cleveland Chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers, nearly $500,000 was contributed to more than 60 important field conservation projects in 40 countries around the world.
Conforti VA, Bateman HL, Schook MW, Newsom J, Lyons LA, Grahn RA, Deddens JA, Swanson WF (2013). Laparoscopic oviductal artificial insemination improves pregnancy success in exogenous gonadotropin-treated domestic cats as a model for endangered felids. Biol Reprod, 5, 89(1):4. Fuller G, Kuhar CW, Dennis PM, Lukas KE. (2013). A survey of husbandry practices for lorisid primates in North American zoos and related facilities. Zoo Biology, 32(1), 88-100. DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21049. Leeds CA, Jensvold (2013). The communicative functions of five signing chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Pragmatics & Cognition, 21(1): 225-248.
Primates • Gorilla Conservation (Rwanda, Nigeria, Congo, Cameroon) • Orangutan Conservation (Malaysia- Borneo) • Slow Loris Conservation (Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos) • Lemur Conservation (Madagascar) Large Mammals • Rhino Conservation (Botswana, Zimbabwe) • Elephant Conservation (Tanzania, Zambia, Uganda) Carnivores • African Wild Dog Conservation (Tanzania, Zimbabwe) • Lion Conservation (Tanzania) • Snow Leopard Conservation (Mongolia) • Sloth Bear Conservation (India) • Andean Bear Conservation (Peru, Colombia, Ecuador) • Tiger Conservation (Russia) • Cheetah Conservation (Kenya) Reptiles • Sea Turtle Conservation (Venezuela) • Asian Freshwater Turtle Conservation (Vietnam, India, China) • Crocodile Conservation (India, Sri Lanka) Other Support • Community-Based Conservation (Uganda, Peru, Congo) • Onager Conservation (Iran) • International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) • Education for Nature Vietnam (Vietnam) • Ape TAG Conservation Initiative • Human Wildlife Conflict Collaboration • TRAFFIC Regional Research and Conservation Efforts • Freshwater turtles, coyotes, plains garter snake, butterflies, local habitat enhancements
Less EH., Kuhar CW, Lukas KE. (2013). Assessing the prevalence and characteristics of hair-plucking behaviour in captive western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla). Animal Welfare, 22:175-183. DOI: 10.7120/09627286.22.2.175.
Specialized guard dogs promote carnivore conservation Conflict with humans is one of the most significant threats to the survival of wild carnivores. In Africa, species such as lion, leopard, hyena, African wild dog and cheetah are often at the center of these conflicts. Working to mitigate these conflicts is a top conservation priority especially in places like Tanzania’s Ruaha landscape, a globally significant area for large carnivores. Dr. Amy Dickman, founder and director of the Ruaha Carnivore Project (RCP), and a senior research fellow at Oxford University’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU) has been working to mitigate human-carnivore conflicts in Ruaha as well as provide local people with important benefits associated with carnivore presence. Local Maasai and Baribaig people are pastoralists and their livestock represents their livelihood as well as an important part of their culture. When people feel that large carnivores pose a risk to their livestock and economic security, the carnivores are often killed, either to prevent livestock attacks or in retaliation for attacks when they do occur. In 2013, with the support of the Zoo and Zoo Society the RCP piloted a Livestock Guarding Dog project utilizing Kangal and Anatolian shepherd pups from the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia. These specialized dogs have proven to be very effective at protecting livestock in Namibia and southern Africa, but have not been tested in East Africa. The Anatolian shepherd is a Turkish livestock dog known for its dedication, intelligence and independence. A very large, rugged, protective and powerful breed, they are unmatched livestock guardians. Raised with the livestock that it will guard as an adult, the Anatolian’s size and extreme loyalty allow it to fend off even large predators. Farmers with these impressive dogs guarding their livestock have significantly less conflicts with predators, since the dogs protect not only the livestock but the farmers’ livelihoods as well. When livestock are safe, farmers can learn to coexist with wild carnivores and everyone wins. This initial trial of the Livestock Guarding Dogs in Ruaha has been a success to date. The young dogs, now 8 months old, are healthy, well-bonded to their livestock and extremely popular within the communities. With continued success there are plans to expand the program to more households, acquire additional dogs, and start a local breeding program. The results of this program will help inform future conflict mitigation strategies both in Ruaha and in other areas where human-carnivore conflict is a conservation threat.
Mueller, J.E., Dennis, P.M., Willis, M.A., Simone, E.A., & Lukas, K.E. (2013). Seasonal and diurnal variations in African elephant (Loxodonta africana) and black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) behavior in a northern climate zoo. International Journal of Comparative Psychology, 26: 304-323. Nolting J, Dennis PM, Long L, Holtvoigt LE, Brown D, King MJ, Shellbarger W, Hanley C, Killian ML, Slemons RD. (2013) Low pathogenic influenza A virus activity at avian interfaces in Ohio zoos, 2006-2009. Avian Diseases - in press (doi: 10.1637/10528-031313-Reg.1) Schook MW, Wildt DE, Weiss RB, Wolfe BA, Archibald KE, Pukazhenthi BS. (2013). Fundamental studies on the reproductive biology of the endangered Persian onager (Equus hemionus onager) result in production of the first wild equid offspring via artificial insemination. Biology of Reproduction, 89(2): DOI: 10.1095/ biolreprod.113.110122. Stoinski TS, Lukas KE, Kuhar CW. (2013). Effects of age and group type on social behavior of male western gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) in North American Zoos. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 147:316–323. DOI: 10.1016/j. applanim.2013.07.003.
Internal initiatives In 2013, the Zoo was awarded two grants through Cleveland Metroparks internal ECO Green Project Fund, which is funded by revenue generated by recycling materials. STRATEGIC FOCUS AREA
African Elephant Crossing exhibit achieves Gold-level LEED certification
The first ECO grant, for $3,747, paid for installation of a new life support system for the indoor sea lion pool.
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s African Elephant Crossing exhibit received Gold-level certification through the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building program in 2013. The LEED program is the nationally accepted construction industry standard for green buildings, administered by the U.S. Green Building Council.
The sea lion pool previously used a “dump and fill” method to maintain a healthy environment for the animals by incorporating fresh water, minimizing ammonia levels, and killing bacteria. This resulted in about 7,200 gallons of daily water waste. With the new system in place – new sand filters, pipes, valves, and a UV sanitizer/clarifier – the pool uses over 80 percent less water versus the old method.
Construction projects achieve LEED certification based on a point scale assigned to all phases of the project, from design to construction to operation. Points are awarded for best practices in energy use, environmental impact, use of local resources, reduction of greenhouse gases, sustainability and other factors. The point total results in one of four designations, from Certified up to Silver, Gold and Platinum.
Vegetables of our Labor Zoo staff, along with local television station Fox 8 and Petitti Garden Centers, designed, installed and planted this new raised bed garden to grow vegetables and herbs for the Zoo’s animals and Aramark’s cafés. More than 50 pounds of produce were harvested from the garden during its first year.
The Zoo will be a model in sustainability by developing and implementing Zoo-wide green practices and promoting sustainability throughout Northeast Ohio.
2013 Recycling Initiatives
2012 2013 Batteries 29 vehicle 29 vehicle Cardboard 36.20 tons 38.51 tons Cell phones 1,204 269 Computer equipment 1.36 tons 2.12 tons Fluorescent/other bulbs 2,630 2,613 Glass 8.87 tons 8.32 tons Inkjet/toner cartridges 1,631 1,537 Metals: Aluminum 2.47 tons 2.76 tons Copper, iron/steel, etc. 12.87 tons 20.48 tons Paper 37.80 tons 43.92 tons Tires 149 131 Vehicle fluids 785 gallons 550 gallons Athletic shoes 81 pairs 149 pairs
Recycling receipts
$12,800
$11,080
The second grant, for $4,354, was awarded to purchase 93 banana plants for the Zoo’s browse garden. These plants will be used yearround as a source of fresh tropical browse material for the Zoo’s animals. The grant also covered supplies for educational graphics at the garden.
Attendance: 1,975 • 95 cars brought recyclables Collections: • Aluminum cans - for Little Fireface Project 160 pounds = $80 • Paper shredding - Northcoast Shredding, 800 pounds • Paired shoes - Terracycle 117 pairs • Cell phones - 24 • Inkjet and toner printer cartridges -112 ink jets, five toners • Pots/pans/dining ware - 10 small boxes • Election signs - 30 • Glass bottles - 17 • Plastic bottles - two large bags • Fiberboard - one large bag
Carousel Construction Hummel Construction mobilized and broke ground on the Circle of Wildlife in late November 2013. The site now houses the Circle of Wildlife Carousel, Wild Wonder Pavilion, Nature Nook Pavilion, Carousel Café, and Nature Discovery Ridge.
Horticulture Year in Review The Zoo’s Horticulture & Facilities Manager supervises eight full-time horticulturists who care for all 183 acres of the Zoo, and work on many special projects. With last year’s return of Dinosaurs! the horticulturists were tasked with carefully selecting hundreds of tropical plants to complement the prehistoric feel of the exhibit. The landscaping not only added to the physical look of the exhibit, but served to conceal many of the technological components that made the animatronic dinosaurs work from the guests. Around the Zoo, the horticulture staff planted almost 18,000 plants, flowers and trees including 180 orchids, 247 trees and shrubs, 11,376 annuals, 573 perennials, 4,482 bulbs and more than 1,000 tropical plants.
STRATEGIC FOCUS AREA
The Zoo will be the foremost provider of lifelong learning experiences in Northeast Ohio, a trusted voice for wildlife conservation and an inspiration for conservation action.
Inquiry Based Learning - A Model for Science Education
Cleveland Metropolitan School District Partnerships
In 2013, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo offered a continuum of programs to support science education that helps create a competent, competitive workforce. From opportunities for preschoolers to the Master’s Program in Advanced Inquiry (AIP), the Zoo’s programs are designed to enhance critical thinking skills through an approach that encourages observation, data collection and collaborative discussion to solve problems. The Zoo offers 33 different programs designed to meet the needs of a broad and diverse audience, representing all ages and varying levels of interest in science and the natural world. This approach helps students develop knowledge and understanding of scientific concepts as well as an understanding of how scientists study the natural world. The Zoo is doing its part to make lifelong learning opportunities available to young people in the community.
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has provided programs for students and teachers in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) for many years. However, in 2013 new collaborations were established that are taking science education to a new level in Cleveland. Last summer, Curator of Conservation Education Vicki Searles joined other science education leaders from Cleveland in Alexandra, Virginia at the International K-12 Science Education Institute for Leadership Development and Strategic Planning. There, a strategic plan for improving science education in CMSD was drafted. The plan includes continuing partnerships between the Zoo and the school district in the area of professional development, student enrichment, science programming, hands-on and inquiry-based science lessons and field experiences. Thanks to the Cleveland Zoological Society, and the support of their Zoo Education and Workforce Development Committee, the Zoo enlightened 30,133 Cleveland students and teachers in 2013. As part of the Learn, Protect, Stay initiative, the Zoo’s Connections to Africa program became a formal component of the CMSD’s scope and sequence of courses for fifth graders. In addition, 2013 was the first of a five year commitment to providing quality scientific training to every student and teacher in each of the school district’s STEM focused schools for preschool through eighth grade.
The Zoo provided the following STEM oriented programs: • Pre-K students and teachers - Nurture the Wonder professional development in inquiry for teachers with follow up student field experiences • First through third grade teachers and students Connections to Africa: Introducing Basic Needs • Fourth grade teachers and students - Professor Wylde’s Animal Show • Fifth grade teachers and students - Connections to Africa: Advancing Scientific Inquiry • Sixth grade students and teachers - the Vet Bag Program • Seventh graders and their teachers - Teen Career Days • Eighth graders and their teachers - Collaborative Inquiry Project
Project Dragonfly Graduates In 2010 Cleveland Metroparks Zoo joined together with Miami University of Ohio to offer the Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP), a groundbreaking graduate degree focused on inquirydriven learning and social change. It provides students with exceptional local connections to an unprecedented national partnership united through joint coursework and a common mission. Twelve students who attended the very first class in 2011 fulfilled 21 hours of course work through the Zoo, and 14 hours of national core courses and graduated with master’s degrees on December 13, 2013. Activities at Miami University included commencement in the afternoon, a Project Dragonfly Future Building Ceremony in the evening, and a World Community Conference at the Cincinnati Zoo the next day. Students in this program used inquiry as a tool for learning and a powerful opportunity to promote student achievement, public engagement in science and ecological stewardship. The AIP program provides real-world experiences, and is based on the principle that education should extend beyond the classroom. Congratulations to our first cohort graduates: Kim Bischof, Cheri Chilson, Pam Fetchu, Bob Miller, Rhiannon Muchowski, Joseph Ohrt, Stacey Panteck, Antoinette Rivera, Caitie Shelley, Helen Smith, Tessa Torowski and Christina Yoka.
STRATEGIC FOCUS AREA
The Zoo will exceed guest expectations for service and amenities.
Dinosaurs Returns!
Party for the Planet
Guests were taken back in time to when dinosaurs ruled the earth as the shores of the Zoo’s Waterfowl Lake rumbled with the sounds of these prehistoric creatures.
The Zoo celebrated Earth Day with a new twist on April 21, 2013 with an event called Party for the Planet. The day provided an opportunity for staff to showcase the Zoo’s conservation and sustainability efforts, as well as many animal enrichment demonstrations, such as shark feedings, meet-the-keeper opportunities with the African elephant keepers and educational talks regarding gorilla health.
Built by Billings Productions, Inc. of McKinney, Texas and brought to life by the magic of animatronics, the 21 dino displays featured 15 different species, six of which made their Zoo debut, including Quetzalcoatlus, one of the largest winged creatures that ever lived, and Troodon, one of the first fossilized dinosaurs found in North America. Also appearing were the returning favorites of the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex and the towering Brachiosaurus.
This was a collaborative effort as it also provided other Cleveland Metroparks divisions the chance to highlight their many conservation programs such as the Nature Tracks mobile classroom, designed to provide educational programs on the road. Environmental education programs were presented utilizing SMARTboard technology to foster an understanding of and an appreciation for our natural environment.
“Dinosaurs! is one of the most popular seasonal exhibits we’ve ever brought to the Zoo,” said Zoo Executive Director Dr. Chris Kuhar. “We haven’t had them here for a couple of summers and we received a lot of requests from guests to bring them back.” Dinosaurs! was open daily from May 9 to September 28, with 218,520 visitors attending this marvelous attraction.
The Zoo’s Conservation Education Division showcased its many educational program offerings for the upcoming school year to local teachers, including Professor Wylde’s Traveling show based on the Zoo’s popular live animal show presented in the Savanna Theater. The traveling version uses humor, theatrical techniques, and trained animals to educate and entertain student assemblies, corporate groups and other private off-site functions.
Boo at the Zoo 2013 The Halloween family-favorite Boo at the Zoo returned in 2013 for its 24th year. More than 35,000 guests enjoyed spooky Halloween fun over eight nights. Costumed visitors both young and old roamed Zoo grounds to view animals and enjoy activities like the Monster Mash Dance Party, Hay Maze and Creepy Crawly Critter Live Animal Show. Magicians, clowns and jugglers added to the experience and each child received a complimentary treat bag filled with goodies.
2013 Zoo Attendance 2013 1,123,660 2012 1,170,443 2011 1,318,458 2010 1,176,919 2009 1,195,280 2008 1,208,379 2007 1,229,273 2006 1,203,403 2005 1,119,478 2004 1,273,519
Party for the Planet would not have been a true celebration without entertainment provided by Radio Disney, Foster Brown, The Fiddle Factory and an assortment of jugglers, clowns and costumed characters all joined by our guests for dancing, singing and fun.
STRATEGIC FOCUS AREA
Beloved by children and adults for more than 130 years, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo provides an important space for families to learn, spend time together and create lasting memories in a safe, green, active environment. With the help of its advancement partner, the Cleveland Zoological Society, the Zoo is in the top tier of Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) organizations and is widely recognized as an industry leader. The Zoo is a vibrant destination, thanks to generous community support, 2,000 amazing animals, 45,000 member households and 1.2 million visitors. By living our mission - We create compelling experiences that connect people with wildlife and inspire personal responsibility for conserving the natural world - the Zoo and Zoo Society help make Northeast Ohio a better place to live, work and play.
The Zoo will be a greater civic priority for Northeast Ohio and strengthen the Zoo’s leadership role as one of the top destinations in the area; as a regional economic development driver, and as the wildlife, conservation and sustainability expert. 2013 brought a new opportunity to enhance the Zoo as the Zoo Society embarked on the Circle of Wildlife Carousel and Nature Discovery Ridge special project initiative. Located near Waterfowl Lake, the Circle of Wildlife is now a destination area for Zoo visitors. The Circle of Wildlife enhances the overall Zoo experience as a location for special occasions or simply a restful moment during a busy Zoo day. Thematically focused on amazing animals from around the world, the carousel introduces visitors to animal habitats around the world, while the Nature Discovery Ridge helps younger visitors learn about habitats closer to home here in Ohio.
Increasingly, the Zoo is a place not only for learning about animals but also for learning about the world at large. The Zoo and Zoo Society are committed to the conservation of wildlife and wild places. Conservation programs focus on the global issues facing wildlife today: habitat loss, conflict with humans, illegal hunting and disease.
To this end, the Zoo Society’s fundraising focuses on four major areas: We Care for the Mission by providing engaging programming and family learning opportunities on site at the Zoo. The Zoo’s programs and regional partnerships contribute to our area’s quality of life. We Care for People and are proud to note that students gain inspiration and knowledge through hands-on, inquiry-based science programs at the Zoo. These experiences prepare them for rewarding careers in Northeast Ohio. The Zoo Education and Workforce Development initiative is helping us reach almost 100,000 students while deepening our partnership with area schools. We Care for Animals is a call to action and a great way to connect people with wildlife. Recent animal care improvements include raised feeders for the elephants. These simple hoist hay nets are having a positive impact on cooperative feeding behaviors, herd dynamics and body condition for the Zoo’s five elephants. We Care for the Planet and all its biodiversity. By using fewer resources (energy, water), recycling and reaching out to conservation partners worldwide, we are trying to walk more lightly on the earth and to protect fragile ecosystems.
We Care for the Mission Individual Annual Support $50,000+ Karen and Alan Wilber $20,000+ Anonymous (2) Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Leiden $10,000+ Mr. and Mrs. Richard Baumgartner Mr. and Mrs. Mike Belkin Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Miller Creighton B. Murch and Janice Smith Murch Mr. and Mrs. Walter M. Rosebrough Mr. and Mrs. Steve Spilman $5,000+ Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Anton Mrs. Susan J. Cannon and Mr. David Cannon Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Connors Ms. Laura A. Davis Michael and Gretchen Farrell Ms. Margaret Fulton-Mueller Mr. Larry A. Gogolick Mr. and Mrs. Chris Kamm Ms. Marci D. Leonian Mr. Chris McDaniel and Mrs. Rande McDaniel Mr. and Mrs. Allen J. Mistysyn Ms. Michelle M. Orenick Mr. and Mrs. Allyn J. Pytel Ms. Sarah M. Rayburn Dr. Joseph A. Sopko and Dr. Elizabeth MacIntyre Mrs. Nancy Stegens Mr. and Mrs. Seth White Zoo Friends - Anonymous $2,500+ Dr. Rachel W. Abernethy Mr. and Mrs. Mark Angiocchi Mr. and Mrs. Gordon A. Anhold Mr. and Mrs. Laurence Bartell Ms. Ginny Bertram Mr. and Mrs. James C. Boland Mrs. Jack L. Brown Mrs. Marilyn Callaly Mr. and Mrs. Daryl Deckard Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Emrick, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. James P. Even, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Robert U. Fein Jim & Linda Francis Mr. and Mrs. John R. Fraylick Ms. Danielle Frega Mr. and Mrs. Richard R. Gascoigne Mr. Albert A. Hanes and Mr. Robert E. Hanes Nicole and Stephen Hilbert Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy S. Hilton Mr. and Mrs. James W. Jaroszewski Mr. and Mrs. James Kassouf Mr. and Mrs. Jim Kilmer Ms. Susan Konkel Mr. Bob Merckle Don and Sally Messinger Mr. Steele Nowlin and Ms. Chris Jayjack Mr. and Mrs. Brian M. O’Neill Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Osicka Ms. Shelly M. Peet and Mr. Robert R. Martinko Mr. and Mrs. Anthony R. Petruzzi Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Popko Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Rogers
Mr. and Mrs. Jacob I. Rosenbaum Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Smrekar Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Suerth Mr. and Mrs. John J. Tanis Mr. and Mrs. Paul A. Teel, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas N. Tyrrell Mr. and Mrs. Thomas V. Vail Mr. and Mrs. Michael D. Vaughn Mr. and Mrs. Alfred E. Werman Ms. Kirsten West and Mr. Brian Barthelman Richard and Mary Lynn Wills Mrs. Martha Zlotnik and Mr. Oscar Berman Frann R. Zverina $1,000+ Sheri Andrasko Anonymous Mr. David R. Antes and Mr. Lawrence E. Smith Mr. James A. Attwood, Jr. and Ms. Leslie K. Williams Ms. Vanessa Behrend and Mr. Robert Ellis Ms. Virginia D. Benjamin and Mr. Philip L. Woodcock Mr. Charles E. Bergstresser and Mr. Brandon Bergstresser Mr. Kevin Bibbo Joseph Bliss Dr. and Mrs. Jeffrey L. Blumer Mr. and Mrs. William H. Bostelman, Jr. Ms. Amy Brady and Mr. Stan Brady Mr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Brenner Dr. John F. Burke, Jr. and The Honorable Nancy A. Fuerst Mr. Ross Bushman and Mrs. Meggan Sherlock Mr. and Mrs. Donald L. Butler Mr. Gerald F. Cannon and Mr. Fred Bamberger Mr. and Mrs. Peter A. Carfagna Mr. and Mrs. Richard Chodera Ms. Nan Cohen and Mr. Daniel Abrams Mr. and Mrs. Dennis A. Conrad Mr. Jeffrey L. Contini Mr. and Mrs. Douglas O. Cooper Mr. and Mrs. Scott A. Covell Ms. Ellen June Cowher Mrs. Margaret D. Davies Mr. and Mrs. Steven J. Demetriou Dr. and Mrs. Walter H. Dimling Mr. Eric W. Dunn and Mrs. Jennifer Myers Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Durham Mr. Michael V. Dzurilla Mr. Gregg Eisenberg Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Ellis Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Farmer Mr. and Mrs. Umberto Fedeli Ms. Thelma Feith and Mr. Jim Taylor Ms. Louise A. Fletcher Ms. Janice E. Focke and Mr. Clayton Rung Mildred S. Foster Mr. and Mrs. Allan Fox Mr. and Mrs. Richard J. Fox Ms. Joy M. Freda Mr. and Mrs. Gregory D. Friedman Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Friedt Ms. Georgia A. Froelich and Mr. Russell O’Rourke
Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Gallagher Mr. Bruce E. Gaynor and Ms. Patricia J. O’Donnell Mr. and Mrs. David L. Geyer Mr. and Ms. Doug Grossman Mr. and Mrs. David Grubb Mr. Robert M. Hahn and Ms. Joan O’Malley Mr. and Mrs. Eric S. Hall Ms. Nancy Hancock Griffith Mrs. Nancy J. Hansen Mr. William W. Harkins and Mrs. Linda T. Harkins Mrs. William E. Harris Mr. and Mrs. William R. Harvey Mr. Joseph Hatina and Jen Blaga Dr. Paul A. Hechko and Dr. Jennifer Hechko Eve Higgins Dr. and Ms. Edward W. Hill Mr. and Mrs. Justin R. Horton Mr. and Mrs. James Howard Mr. and Mrs. Tom Hunt Mr. and Mrs. George Inglis Ken and Patti Jacko Dr. Ronald A. Javitch and Mr. David Fogel Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Jones Ms. J J Jursik Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Kachmarik Mr. Ray Kaliszewski and Mrs. Carol Leahey Ms. Janet A. Kappus Ms. Kerry L. Kipfstuhl Dan and Carol Klimas Ms. Josephine J. Kobus and Mr. Jason Oglio Dr. and Mrs. Dave C. Koncal Mr. Dean Kontul Mr. and Mrs. Scott E. Kreidler Mr. and Mrs. Ron Krisher Mr. and Mrs. Allan Krulak Mr. and Mrs. John Lane Mr. and Mrs. E. Gary Laughlin Kim and Tom Littman Mr. and Mrs. Matthew C. Litzler Mr. and Mrs. James E. Love Jackie and Chuck Lurie Mr. and Mrs. Joseph J. Mahovlic Mrs. Carlos A. Maldonado Mrs. Cathryn Mallchok and Mr. Matthew Mallchok Mr. Robert J. Marok and Ms. Bridget Assing Marok The Maver Family Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence McHale Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Messina Mr. David Miceli and Mrs. Kimberly Stec Mr. Scott Michaels and Ms. Anne Welki Mr. and Mrs. George D. Miller Ms. Victoria R. Moorehead Mr. and Mrs. Bernie Moreno Mr. and Mrs. Warren L. Morris Mr. and Mrs. Greg P. Mulach Ms. Sharon Mulligan Mr. and Mrs. Patrick S. Mullin Mr. and Mrs. Gregg G. Muresan Ms. Susan B. Murphy Randy and Christine Myeroff Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Nagel Dr. and Mrs. Michael Novak Mr. Gary M. Novotny
Mrs. Barbara B. O’Connor and Mr. Kevin O’Connor Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Ollinger Mr. Richard D. Orr Ms. Shirley M. Pasholk Jenny and Tony Pelcic Jeff and Debra Perry Mr. and Mrs. Harlan R. Peterjohn Ms. Barbara D. Peterson David and Margo* Petlowany Mr. James A. Petz Ms. Charlene Phelps and Ms. Nancy A. Gorenshek Mr. and Mrs. John Piety Ms. Darleen M. Price and Mr. Joe Drago Mr. and Mrs. Victor R. Prosak Ms. Marie A. Quintana and Mr. Robert B. Sikora Mr. and Mrs. Bill Riccio Dr. and Mrs. Brad J. Richmond Mr. and Mrs. W. N. Rossborough Mr. William S. Sanders and Mrs. Sheila Sanders Mr. Larry J. Santon Mr. and Mrs. Scott Scherler Ms. Mary Kay Schneider Mr. and Mrs. Kim S. Schrock Mr. and Mrs. John D. Schubert Mrs. Carolyn P. Seelbach Ms. Rosemary Selepena Ms. Jodi Shankweiler Dr. Mona Shay Jackie and Chuck Simon Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Skernivitz Dr. and Mrs. Robert L. Smith Ms. Ann Snyder Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Soroka Mr. and Mrs. Ethan E. Spencer Mr. and Mrs. Thomas C. Sullivan, Sr. Mrs. Barb M. Sutton and Ms. Sarah Young David and Mary Ellen Szamborski Mrs. Jean H. Taber Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth E. Taylor Steve and Sarah Taylor Ms. Kelly Thomas Mr. Charles W. Thomasson Dr. and Mrs. Richard W. Thompson August L. and Shirley Tischer Mr. and Mrs. Walter S. Tletski Mr. Kevin D. Tolejko Mrs. Jeanne D. Tyler Mr. and Mrs. Robert Vagi Ms. MaryLou VerMerris Mr. John A. Veverka and Ms. Lisa Lieben Mr. Paul Vidal and Mrs. Cindy Bodendorfer Ms. Kim Vogrig Mr. Paul Voinovich Robert and Diane Walcott Mr. and Mrs. Daniel R. Warren Mr. Thomas J. Webster Mr. Morton J. Weisberg Mr. and Mrs. Richard Wesorick Steve Wheeler and Joanne Montz Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Wohlfeiler, D.V.M. Mrs. Barbara E. Zelley Betty and Don Zgonc
We Care for the Mission
We Care for People, Animals and the Planet
Corporate and Foundation Annual Support $50,000+ Swagelok Co. $20,000+ The Boston Beer Company Cleveland Scene Dollar Bank Fifth Third Bank, Northeastern Ohio Medical Mutual of Ohio Almera Biddulph Reitz Foundation $15,000+ Dominion Hyland Software, Inc. $10,000+ Aleris International, Inc. Cleveland Airport Marriott $5,000+ Anonymous ARAMARK The Ruth and Elmer Babin Foundation The George W. Codrington Charitable Foundation Cohen & Company, CPAs William E. and Mary F. Conway Fund Deloitte & Touche LLP Fairmount Minerals Ltd. FirstMerit Bank, N.A. The Carol & Graham Hall Family Foundation The Hankins Foundation The Jochum-Moll Foundation The Walter E. and Jean C. Kalberer Foundation The Edward A. & Catherine L. Lozick Foundation The Lubrizol Corporation Nordson Corporation Parker Hannifin Corporation Prince & Izant Co. The Jonathan and Meg Ratner Family Foundation
Jonathan and Meg Ratner Philanthropic Fund Sazerac Company The Sherwin-Williams Company Edward R. & Jean Geis Stell Foundation Tucker Ellis LLP $2,500+ AMCLO American Greetings Corporation AT&T Baker & Hostetler LLP Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP Foundation for the Carolinas Charter One Cleveland Airport System CLRdesign, Inc. COIT Cleaning & Restoration Services Ernst & Young LLP Ferro Corporation Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Findley Davies, Inc. The Harry K. and Emma R. Fox Charitable Foundation Marc Glassman, Inc. Mattis Y. & Ruth Goldman Family Philanthropic Fund Horseshoe Casino Cleveland Jones Day KeyBank Foundation KPMG LLP Leiden Conservation Foundation Northern Trust Bank Northshore Mining Omnia, a Telos Company PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Regional Marketing Alliance of Northeast Ohio RFC Contracting, Inc. Kenneth W. Scott Foundation The Sherwick Fund ShurTech Brands, LLC Squire Sanders (US LLP) Stroud Family Exempt Trust II Vitamix
$1,000+ ASi International, LTD The Bonne Bell Family Foundation Carfagna Family Foundation Ciuni & Panichi Cleveland Wire Cloth & Manufacturing Company Disney Worldwide Services Dodd Camera Good Nature Organic Lawn Care Gould Inc. Foundation The Mary A. and Thomas F. Grasselli Endowment Foundation William E. Harris Family Fund Helen G. Holden Trust George M. and Pamela S. Humphrey Fund Jewish Federation of Cleveland Klotzman Philanthropic Fund Mr. and Mrs. Tom H. Lang Fund Fred A. Lennon Charitable Trust Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Philanthropic Fund Metro Toyota Franklin H. & Nancy S. Moore Foundation NACCO Industries, Inc. NDC General, LLC Nesnadny + Schwartz Northfield Vet Clinic Lotte Schreiber Pinkus Memorial Philanthropic Fund Runzheimer Foundation, Inc. The Billie Howland Steffee Family Fund Teamsters Local Union No. 507 TRUiST The S. K. Wellman Foundation
$250,000+ Anonymous $100,000+ The Milton and Tamar Maltz Family Foundation Mrs. Margaret Scott $50,000+ KeyBank Foundation Leiden Conservation Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Miller $20,000+ PNC $15,000+ Eaton Corporation $10,000+ Third Federal Savings & Loan The George Garretson Wade Charitable Trust $5,000+ Anonymous Nan Cohen and Daniel D. Abrams Philanthropic Fund Forest City Enterprises Charitable Foundation Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association Malone University Medical Mutual of Ohio The Sherwin-Williams Company The David Steffee Chair of Veterinary Medicine Gift Fund Michael Talty and Helen Talty Charitable Trust Zoological Society of San Diego $2,500+ AAA East Central Birdlife International Brookfield Zoo & Chicago Zoological Society The Laub Foundation PPG Industries Foundation $1,000+ IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. The Helen F. & Louis Stolier Family Trust Steve and Sarah Taylor Roger J. and Madeline L. Traynor Family Foundation Triple T Foundation Matching Gift Donors American International Group Amgen Matching Gifts Program Amica Companies Foundation ArcelorMittal Matching Gifts Program AT&T Matching Gift Automatic Data Processing, Inc. Bank of America Barnes Group Foundation, Inc. Baxter International Foundation BP Corporation North America, Inc. CA Technologies, Matching Gifts Program CIGNA Matching Gifts Program
Dominion Eaton Corporation Emerson Electric Co. Matching Gift Program FirstEnergy Foundation GE Foundation Matching Gifts W.W. Grainger, Inc. John Hancock Financial Services, Inc. IBM Corporation The JPMorgan Chase Foundation KeyCorp Matching Gifts Lubrizol Corporation Macy’s Foundation Moen Incorporated NACCO Industries, Inc. Matching Gifts Nordson Corporation Northern Trust Bank Pfizer Foundation The Plymouth Rock Foundation PNC PPG Industries Foundation Progressive Co. The Prudential Foundation Rockwell International Corporation The Sherwin-Williams Company UBS Matching Gift Program USG Foundation, Inc.
WKRK 92.3 Radio WKYC - TV 3 WNCX 98.5 WQAL 104.1
In Kind Donors AMP 150 Restaurant & Bar AT&T Beverage Distributors, Inc. The Boston Beer Company Carousel Works Century Harley Davidson Charles Scott Salons Clear Channel Communications, Inc Cleveland Airport Marriott Cleveland Botanical Garden Cleveland Cupcake Company Cleveland Improv Comedy Club The Cleveland Indians Cleveland Magazine Cleveland Metroparks The Cleveland Orchestra Cleveland.com The Corner Alley Creekside Restaurant & Bar Digital Photos by Dale, LLC Duet Catering Fitness Together Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse Good Nature Organic Lawn Care Great Lakes Brewing Company Great Lakes Theater Festival House of Blues Lake Erie Nature and Science Center Lake Metroparks Marriott Hotels Resorts Suites Nesnadny + Schwartz Playhouse Square Foundation Rapid Mailing Services ShurTech Brands, LLC Sovereign Brands, LLC Spa West STERIS Corporation Vitamix Watt Printers Whole Foods Market Cedar Center
In Memory Of: George Ashmun Andrew Baumgartner Sharyn Bolger Rita Boncela Jack L. Brown, Jr. Fran (Ward) Clarke Jim Cowher Larry DeCamp Joseph Di Bartolo Rose Marie Henson Jane G. Hunter Mary LaSota Steve Powers Walter Robb, Jr. Rita Rudd Paula T. Schneider “Verdie” Helen Wires
Media Partners CBS Radio Clear Channel Broadcasting The Plain Dealer Radio Disney Stern Advertising WBNX WCLV WEWS WFHM WJW WKYC WNWV WOIO/WUAB Memorial Gifts In Honor Of: Larry Gogolick Mattis and Ruth Goldman Matt and Fiona Green Eve Higgins Pat and Claudette Kenney Tom Leiden
ZooFutures Ms. Mollie E. Alstott Anonymous (5) Frederick C. Badt Testamentary Trust Mr. and Mrs. Laurence Bartell Mr. and Mrs. Noel Becker Ms. Ginny Bertram Beth Brandt Sersig Mr. Gary D. Brengartner Estate of Helen E. Brown Ms. Gretchen L. Burmeister Mrs. Herschel Cohen Estate of Phyllis and Paul Colarusso Mr. and Mrs. Douglas O. Cooper Ms. Ellen June Cowher Mrs. Frederick C. Crawford Mr. John D. Daly Mrs. Margaret D. Davies Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Emrick, Jr. Estate of Rita Anna Entrup Mr. and Mrs. Ronald V. Estes
Stanley and Florence (Klier) Fassett Memorial Fund Ms. Ruth Fish Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Fowler Ms. Mary A. Fruth Ms. Agnes R. Gaso Estate of Rudolph Gob Ms. Luella A. Goldenbogen Mr. and Mrs. Mark D. Grenig Ms. Carol Hall Ms. Patricia Heinke Mrs. Ralph Hollander Hazel P. Hostetler Trust Ms. Elvira Hovan Mrs. Burton Jenne Mrs. La Veda Kovar* Ms. Julia Kunes Mr. Edward J. Lautner* Bud Lezius* Mr. Robert Loftus, Jr. and Mrs. Kathy J. Loftus Mrs. Charles N. Mandt Dr. Randall E. Marcus Mr. Bob Merckle Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Miller Mr. Steele Nowlin and Ms. Chris Jayjack Estate of Marion L. Parmelee Mr. Alfred M. Rankin* Almera Biddulph Reitz Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Bill Riccio Estate of Eleanor M. Rieck Mr. and Mrs. Carl A. Rispoli Mr. and Mrs. Daryl J. Rothenfeld Estate of Charlotte Ruth Mr. Larry J. Santon Ms. Emily A. Sapacianu Charles W. Saunders Charitable Trust Vivian H. Schulze Trust Ms. Brenda F. Schuster Mr. and Mrs. Gail Skinner Estate of Robert and Virginia Snead Miss Patricia A. Stealey, J.D. Estate of Theodore R. Steck Ms. Billie Howland Steffee Steve & Sarah Taylor Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Thiel* Mr. Arthur L. Thomas Mr. Gerald A. Turoczy Mr. and Mrs. Thomas N. Tyrrell Robert and Darci Usher Mrs. Leonard VonBenken Mr.* and Mrs. Robert York White Mr. and Mrs. Donald F. Woodcock Mr. and Mrs. Donald Zgonc *Deceased
This list represents individual and organizational annual cumulative giving of $1,000+ between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2013. The contributions supported a variety of Cleveland Zoological Society fundraising programs and special events. To provide updated information or to make a gift, please call 216-661-6500 or email Info@ClevelandZooSociety.org. Circle of Wildlife Carousel and Nature Discovery Ridge $250,000 The Kelvin and Eleanor Smith Foundation $100,000+ Kent H. Smith Charitable Trust $50,000+ The DBJ Foundation Louise H. and David S. Ingalls Foundation, Inc. Alan and Karen Wilber $20,000+ Aleris Annie and Mike Belkin Muffy Boland Karen and Doug Cooper The Jim & Linda Francis Family Margaret Fulton-Mueller, Max & Laura Mueller The Higley Fund Colleen Kipfstuhl and Kerry L. Kipfstuhl Leiden Conservation Foundation The Milton and Tamar Maltz Family Foundation Don and Sally Messinger The Murch Family The Murch Foundation Nordson Corporation Harold C. Schott Foundation The Sherwick Fund $15,000+ Dr. Rachel Abernethy The Abington Foundation The Anton Family Peg “Puma” Bowen Mrs. Jack L. Brown Nan Cohen and Daniel Abrams The Conway Family Foundation Ms. Laura A. Davis Dominion Ted, Jodie, Abbey, Sophia, Theodore III, and Leila Evans
The Mary A. and Thomas F. Grasselli Endowment Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Peter Guren Shelley Habermann, in memory of Liz Habermann Carol and Graham Hall Lydia and Ronald Harrington Cecil and Renee Miller The Mistysyn Family Margo Petlowany Pysht Fund Mr. and Mrs. Jacob I. Rosenbaum Ms. Billie Howland Steffee Jack and Nancy Tanis The Thomas H. White No. 1 Trust Katie and Donald Woodcock Frann R. Zverina $10,000+ Anthony and Colleen Petruzzi $5,000+ GiGi Benjamin and Phil Woodcock Leigh and Eric Hall Albert A. Hanes and Robert E. Hanes Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy S. Hilton and Family Leiden Cabinet Company Shelly Peet and Rob Martinko Robert S. and Sylvia K. Reitman Family Foundation Thomas N. & Diane M. Tyrrell $2,500+ Baird Brothers Bennett Supply Countertops by Nate Robert & Karen Fein & Family Kristen & Tom Fistek The Henning Family Eve Higgins Joseph V. Hocevar Richard and Michelle Jeschelnig Dan and Carol Klimas Dr. and Mrs. Randall E. Marcus Robin Martindale Mr. and Mrs. Greg Mulach Randy and Christine Myeroff and Family Dr. Elmer J. Perse
Presenting Sponsors 2013 Cleveland Clinic Children’s Cleveland Hopkins Airport Cleveland Public Power Discount Drug Mart Dollar Bank Giant Eagle PETCO UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital
Mr. and Mrs. Allyn J. Pytel Margaret & Jonathan Ratner The Rebholz Family Mr. & Mrs. Rob Rogers Mary Kay Schneider Al and Caryn Werman $1,000+ Anonymous Barnes Wendling CPA, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. H. F. Burkhardt Mr. and Mrs. Peter Calfee Mrs. Susan J. Cannon and Mr. David Cannon Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Volunteers and Docents George and Colleen Coakley John and Kathy Fraylick Joy M. Freda Mr. and Mrs. Richard R. Gascoigne Nicole and Stephen Hilbert Steffany Matticola Larkins Dominic C. Libertine Kim and Tom Littman Mr. and Mrs. Joseph J. Mahovlic MetLife Foundation Jeffrey Neuman Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Priemer Roll Giving Ann Snyder Robert and Joyce Soroka Ethan E. Spencer Paul and Joyce Webster Thomas J. Webster This list represents contributions of $1,000+ to the Circle of Wildlife Carousel and Nature Discovery Ridge Special Project Initiative from the inception of the initiative December 31, 2013.
New Faces in Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Management
STRATEGIC FOCUS AREA
The management team at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo underwent a large amount of transition during 2013, beginning with the top job of executive director. Longtime Zoo Director Steve Taylor retired after 24 years of service at the end of 2012. After a nationwide search, one of the Zoo’s own curators of animals, Dr. Chris Kuhar was tapped by Cleveland Metroparks to take the helm.
The Zoo will be a robust, fiscally sustainable organization modeling the best business practices with a culture of collaboration, partnership and continual professional development.
Kuhar’s move into the director’s chair preceded the promotion of Curator of Animals Andi Kornak to the vacant office of general curator, which opened up both of the animal curator positions. Longtime associate curators Tad Schoffner and Travis Vineyard were promoted to curators of animals. The search for two new associate curators brought Dr. Elena Less from the Zoo’s Conservation & Science Division and Mike Murray, a recruit to Cleveland from the Denver Zoo in Colorado. The Zoological Programs Division wasn’t the only area of the Zoo with management changes. Superintendent of Facility Operations Elizabeth Geith left the Zoo to take a position in the Park District as Director of Parks - South, which led to Manager of Horticulture Christopher Lowe’s promotion to superintendent. Longtime Facility Operations staff member Jack Ringstmeier, who most recently served as manager of buildings & facilities, retired allowing Life Support Systems Technician Michael Burcewicz to be promoted to the manager role. As they navigate their new roles, the management team and all the staff members at the Zoo have many challenges ahead of them as the Zoo remakes the area near Waterfowl Lake formerly occupied by the Birds of the World Building and prepares for the next major animal area renovation.
2013 Zoo Staff Zoo Administration Executive Director Christopher W. Kuhar, Ph.D. Executive Secretary Catherine Thoryk Conservation Education Curator of Education Victoria Searles Zoo Education Manager Chriss Kmiecik Christine Korhnak Jim Nemet Registration & Data Coordinator Starr Kelley Registration & Data Assistant Linda Quast Registration & Data SpecialistPT Tracy Bailey Nathan David Animal Keeper/Show Assistant Kathryn Dagostino Education Specialist I - Zoo Kathryn Corr Adriana De Los Santos Chad Fifer Therese Joyce Angie Reynolds Cathy Smith D’Edra Thompson Stacey Panteck (PT) Charlotte Petrie (PT) Stephen Schultz (PT) Education Assistant (PT) Laura Boswell Ann Carl Christopher Lemmo Mary Liptak Nicole McClellan Michael Milanich Mary Pelton Kristine Rinas Jennifer Smith Leil a Snodgrass
Guest Services Service Maintenance [PT) Interactives/Electronics Melissa Tilocco Secretary [PT] Technician Patricia Brom Marjorie Ulyan Janice Scigliano Paul Valley Tonya Welch-Farran Mgr. of Zoo Grounds & Valerie Yarmesch Rides/Transportation Services-Nights Life Support Systems Lead [PT] Robert Porvasnik Zoo Librarian/Media Specialist Technician Thomas Livingstone Ryan Leasure Jason Schafer Lead Service Rides/Transportation Maintenance-Nights Lead Mechanic Educational Media AssistantDriver [PT] George Pringle Steven Krauth Luke Weiss William Ingram Service Maintenance I Mechanic Zoo Interpreter (PT) John Orzel Oscar Allen Timothy Szarafinski Rebecca Boggs Zoo Receptionist [PT] Jackie Freeman Lead Horticulturist Zoo Bus Driver (PT) Angeline Brlas Michael Fronckowiak Dana Lamphier Denice Johnson Carol Camiola Deborah Gamble Thomas Mayne Horticulturist Darryl Graham Zoological Programs Jeffery Brown Facility Operations Derrick Jones General Curator Pebbles Bush Superintendent of Zoo Elizabeth Soltesz Andi Kornak Robert Clarkin Facility Operations Demetrius Winters Curators of Animals Eric Himmelman Christopher Lowe Guest Services Tad Schoffner Dana Lamphier Zoo Systems & Records Manager of Guest Services Travis Vineyard Kevin Mackin Admin. Edith Ricchiuto Teresa O’Kelly Associate Curators of Animals Ann Kaminsky Admissions Manager Timothy Peters Elena Hoellein Less, Ph.D. Secretary Theresa Moore Lynn Koscielny Mgr. of Zoo Grounds & Linda Baszak Michael Murray Lead Cashier [PT] Services-Days Mgr. of Zoo Buildings & Christopher Peterson Ellen Mathe Patricia Cayton Facilities Beth McDade Recycling & Compost Michael Burcewicz Admissions Assistant [PT] Coordinator Lead General Maintenance Irma Alvarez Nancy Hughes Paul Dzurik Sulma Espendez Lead Service General Maintenance Janice Franczek Maintenance-Days Dominic Burton Bonni Metelsky Ronald Bittner David Kowall Guest Services Robert Puntel Sean Lang Operations Manager Service Maintenance II Gary Mollé Weldon Maples William Beckrest David Nagel Asst. Operations Frank Costanzo Michael O’Brien Specialist [PT] Lawrence Greene Bill Ochmanski Albert Martin Mary Ann Horton Jason Radesic Audrey Lewis Lead Guest Services Gregory Sheldon Kathy Monreal Associate [PT] George Skarl Russell Verlinden Ethan Rivera Chuck Wade Virginia Viscomi Guest Services Lead HVAC Engineer Rocco Yascone Associate [PT] Gordon Cerney Michael Yznaga Joyce Ohlrich HVAC Engineer Truck Driver Gloria Roman Robert Andrassy Kelvin Mack Theresa Tompkins John Coulter Robert Kras Thomas Spiewacki
Lead Animal Keeper Pamela Bowman (Sam) George Buehner Joe Carroscia Scott Parish Terri Rhyner Alisa Sandor Andrew Smyser Mitch Zverina Animal Keeper Kristy Becka Sandy Buckner Elliott Burton James Casteel Mark Chase Maria Clapp Deb Copeland Leroy Daugherty Chris Gertiser Curtis Gindlesperger Julie Good Calvin Harpe Micki Hollan-Muss Becky Johnson Steve Kinczel Aimee Kindry June Madamba, Jr. Tiffany Mayo Meghan McNamara Maureen Meslovich Kelly Morgan Rick Moxley Michelle Peck Jeff Polcen Allyson Price Brian Price Mark Rehling Joe Ropelewski Nate Schierman Kevin Scotti Meghan Sharp Rose Sharp Natalie Siek Dawn Stone Heather Strawn Stefanie Titterington Jeanette Trusnik Shannon White Claire Winkler David Winkler Mary Yoder Patty Young Nicholas Zarlinga Michael Zinter
Animal Registrar Pamela Krent Associate Registrar Gloria Rivera Associate Research Curator Mandi Wilder Schook, Ph.D. Chief Veterinarian Albert Lewandowski, D.V.M. Staff Veterinarian Michael Selig, D.V.M. Curator of Conservation & Science Kristen Lukas, Ph.D. Associate Conservation Curator Kimberly Gopp, M.S. Endocrinology Lab Manager Laura Amendolagine Epidemiologist (PT) Patricia Dennis, D.V.M., Ph.D. Graduate Research Associate (PT) Bonnie Baird Charles Austin Leeds, M.S. Jason Wagman Jason Wark Zoo Hospital/Med. Records Admin. Sharon Gehri, R.V.T. Zoo Animal Health Technician Angel Mitchell, R.V.T. Jennifer Taylor, R.V.T. Zoo Animal Health Technician (PT) Kevin Roxbury, R.V.T. Angela Summers, R.V.T. Zoo Programs Business Specialist/Analyst Patrick Chambers Zoo Volunteers Manager of Volunteer Services Lynn Charles Volunteer Services Assistant (PT) Jenna Senol
Cleveland Zoological Society Executive Director Elizabeth T. Fowler Director of Finance & Operations Mary L. McMillan Operations & Database Coordinator Nichole Collins Annual Fund Manager Kim Conrad Special Events Manager Rachael Fuller Development Associate Tammy Johnson Membership & Development Specialist Joanna Laurenzana Personal Assistant to Executive Director and Board Liaison Mary Ann Nofel Grants Coordinator Carbery O’Brien Donor Relations Officer Leta Obertacz Membership Manager Jason Orlando Membership & Development Specialist Amanda Perry Melissa Perry Marketing & New Media Assistant Gina Stem Web & Graphic Design Webmaster Elizabeth Thibodeaux Donor Relations Officer Karen Tigue On-site Sales Team Pat Finnegan Linda Green Jenna Perry Carmen Ramos-Cain
The grand opening of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s Circle of Wildlife Carousel and Nature Discovery Ridge in May 2014 was the first phase of the re-imagining of the area of the Zoo known as Savanna Ridge. The Savanna Ridge area, situated between African Elephant Crossing and Waterfowl Lake did not have a very strong identity since the Birds of the World Building was removed from that location in 2004. The carousel and the Nature Discovery Ridge play zone are just the first step in transforming the under-utilized area of the Zoo into one where guests can have an enhanced experience.
A new rentable event center for parties, weddings, corporate events or showers at the Zoo will overlook the picturesque Waterfowl Lake by spring 2015. The new 10,000-square-foot event center, complete with a 2,100-square-foot patio overlooking the water, will increase the Zoo’s viability as a prime event hosting location.
of the new facility is estimated at $2.3 million. The Zoo’s longtime contracted caterer, Aramark, has committed $1 million toward the construction of the event center. The Cleveland Zoological Society has committed $300,000 and the other $1 million will be funded by Cleveland Metroparks.
Peninsula Architects, the criteria architects for the carousel project, was selected as criteria architects for the event center as well, in order to maintain design consistency. Construction
Penguins will be on exhibit at the Zoo in 2015 for the first time since 2001. Penguin Plunge, an exhibit designed by Illinois-based Animal Interaction Design Group, is slated to open in April 2015 and run through mid-September. The special exhibit houses six penguins and will be free with regular Zoo admission. It features naturalistic rock work with nest boxes, ledges and irregular surfaces, and a pool for swimming. Guests will be able to learn about penguins in the wild and conservation efforts under way to help them. The exhibit will feature either African black-footed penguins or Magellanic penguins, which are native to South America. Planning has also begun for the next animal exhibit renovation project which will be a complete overhaul of the tiger “grotto” style exhibits in the Zoo’s Northern Trek area. Preliminary plans call for floor to ceiling glass windows and an elimination of the “moat,” allowing more square footage for the animals and a closer viewing experience for guests.
Editorial: Susan Allen and Joe Yachanin Graphic Design: Donna Cipriani Photography: Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Cleveland Metroparks, Cleveland Zoological Society and Photo Safari participants
2013 Cleveland Metroparks Zoo 2012 2013 Revenues & Support Gate Fees $3,846,556 $4,247,487 Membership Transfers 1,864,384 1,840,144 Train 170,468 176,120 Food/Gift Concessions 1,276,416 1,305,256 Rentals 212,571 228,219 Miscellaneous* 681,655 1,142,610 Subtotal - Earned Revenue 8,052,050 8,936,836 Subtotal - Metroparks Operating Subsidy 10,278,016 9,143,615 Total Revenues & Support $18,330,066 $18,083,451 Expenditures Salaries & Benefits Utilities Animal Feed & Supplies Fleet Maintenance Property Repair & Maintenance Education Supplies Miscellaneous Supplies/Services Total Operating Expenditures
$13,548,603 $12,940,382 2,078,606 2,069,303 841,238 752,823 251,866 244,099 368,709 411,657 183,147 207,639 717,014 1,457,549 $18,330,066 $18,083,451
Metroparks Capital Fund Zoo Capital Expenditures Total Zoo Subsidy
$814,706 $11,091,762
Total Restricted Expenditures
$759,317 $347,898 $1,107,215
$633,890 $690,570
The Cleveland Zoological Society is a nonprofit corporation established to support the Zoo and its programs. It is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
2013 Cleveland Zoological Society $2,770,744 3,301,611 1,494,924 1,689,081 $9,256,360
Expenses Distribution to Metroparks
$3,494,296 $3,016,865
$2,769,704 $2,442,761
*2013 Miscellaneous Revenue includes Dinosaurs
Executive Leadership First row: Bruce G. Rinker, Debra K. Berry, Dan T. Moore Second row: Brian M. Zimmerman, The Honorable Judge Anthony J. Russo, David J. Kuntz
The Honorable Judge Anthony J. Russo, Appointing Authority Board of Park Commissioners
$1,324,460
Revenues & Support Membership $2,698,327 Contribution & Support 3,195,563 Contributions to Capital Campaign Investments/Trusts 836,100 Total Revenues & Support $6,729,990
Exeutive Zoo Director Christopher Kuhar, Zoo Society President Virginia D. Benjamin and Executive Director Elizabeth Fowler
Board of Park Commissioners
$740,241 $9,883,855
Restricted Funds Total Revenue (Primarily Zoological Society) Operating Expenditures Capital Expenditures
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is owned and operated by Cleveland Metroparks, a separate political subdivision of the State of Ohio. The Park District is governed by Cleveland Metroparks Commissioners, composed of three citizens who serve three-year terms without compensation. Board members are appointed by the senior judge of the Probate Court of Cuyahoga County.
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA). Institutions that earn AZA accreditation achieve rigorous standards for animal care, education, wildlife conservation and science. The AZA is building North America’s largest wildlife conservation movement by engaging and inspiring 143 million annual visitors and their communities to care about and take action to help protect wildlife.
Bruce G. Rinker, President Debra K. Berry, Vice President Dan T. Moore, Vice President
Cleveland Metroparks Staff Brian M. Zimmerman, Chief Executive Officer David J. Kuntz, Chief Finance Officer Christopher Kuhar, Executive Zoo Director Joseph Roszak, Chief Operating Officer Sanaa Julien, Chief Marketing Officer Rosalina M. Fini, Chief Legal & Ethics Officer Harold G. Harrison, Chief Human Resources Officer Sean McDermott, Chief Director of Planning, Design & Natural Resources Donna Studniarz, Chief of Strategic Initiatives Dan Veloski, Chief Ranger Sean McHugh, Executive Director of Golf Operations
Cleveland Zoological Society Executive Committee 2013 Robert S. Reitman, Chairman Emeritus Robert J. Rogers, Chairman Virginia D. Benjamin, President Eric S. Hall, Treasurer Justin Horton, Secretary Elizabeth T. Fowler (ex-officio) Christopher Kuhar, Ph.D. (ex-officio) Loree W. Connors Theodore Evans Jr. James L. Francis Lydia L. Harrington Thomas Leiden Thomas N. Littman Shelly M. Peet Margaret Ratner Lauren B. Spillman Michael D. Vaughn