Primate Forest Newsletter Winter 2024

Sarah Crupi Chief Executive Officer

Cleveland Zoological Society Crupi@ClevelandZooSociety.org

216-635-3368

REIMAGINING THE ZOO EXPERIENCE

A NOTE FROM THE CEO

Dear Friends,

Happy new year, and welcome to the first of many Primate Forest campaign updates!

Primate Forest – the largest capital project in Cleveland Metroparks history – is well underway. This new space, and the programs it is catalyzing, will truly reimagine our Zoo and introduce new educational opportunities for all.

The Zoo Society has been fundraising for more than two years, and we have much more to do. But now, with groundbreaking set for later this year, we look forward to celebrating with you and continuing our work to fund this historic project.

As our friends and advocates, we know you think Primate Forest is exciting!

Christine Myeroff Board Chair cmyeroff@gmail.com 330-730-0447

A NOTE FROM THE BOARD CHAIR

Hello friends and supporters,

I am beyond honored to lead the Zoo Society Board of Directors during our Primate Forest Campaign. I’ve been on the Board of Directors for over a decade and I have never been so excited about a project. The teamwork with our friends at the Zoo and Metroparks, as well as the extreme generosity of you and your families and firms, is making Primate Forest come to life.

Thank you to all of our friends who have generously supported our campaign. We’ve only just begun. This project is far reaching and we will need much more support. But we are up to the task.

I challenge you to reimagine your zoo experience! Come to the Zoo. Take a tour. Enjoy one of our Asian Lantern or Wild Winter Lights festivals. Attend a special event. Host a Sunset Safari dinner. I hope you see that our work is reimagining the Zoo into a model for others around the nation, while educating and inspiring Northeast Ohio residents and visitors.

Giving brings joy. I am proud to say that we have 100% board financial support for this project, in addition to their generous annual giving. We have an exciting year ahead, filled with fundraising and events. I welcome you to contact me to learn more about how you can get involved to make Primate Forest a reality.

Thank you for sharing your time, talents, and treasure with the Zoo.

With gratitude,

CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE

So many of you have shared your fond memories of the RainForest opening, about visiting the orangutans with your children years ago, and even how you bring your young families or grandchildren to the Zoo now to see they baby gorillas and wonder why they don’t have a better home.

Many of you have wished our conservation messaging would have a better presence in the Zoo. Many of you have wanted every visitor to be able to see the extraordinary animal care work

you have witnessed. And so many of you have given generously to capital projects that have transformed the Zoo. Since African Elephant Crossing opened 12 years ago, we have raised $47 million for capital improvement projects and opened 10 new spaces – all paving the way for our success in this campaign.

This newsletter will publish a few times each year, and a campaign website is launching this spring. We will host donor events and celebrations throughout 2024 and beyond.

The Zoo Society has an exceptional team and an energized Board of Directors. We look forward to working with you as we continue to fundraise for Primate Forest. Please reach out to me or my team if you would like to hear more or get a personal project update and tour.

Thank you for your generosity, advocacy and friendship. I look forward to seeing you in 2024!

HABITAT SPOTLIGHT

INTERPRETIVE LEARNING GALLERY

The 140,000-square-foot, world-class Primate Forest habitat will build upon the existing RainForest building and front entrance and encompass four interactive and innovative learning galleries – CrossCountry Mortgage Forest Gallery, Gorillas, Orangutans, RainForest.

The first phase of Primate Forest construction will begin in 2024. Features include a new entry rotunda with an interactive magical forest, an upper-

level play space for children, renovated visitor dining area, rentable meeting rooms, and the second floor Interpretive Learning Gallery. The Zoo contracted with an exhibition and media firm, Local Projects, to design an innovative learning experience focused on interactive technology in the Interpretive Learning Gallery.

The Interpretive Learning Gallery will be the first

interactive, video-based learning environment in any zoo in Ohio and will include multiple learning stations.

More than 1.3 million people come to the Zoo each year, making it the most visited year-round destination in Northeast Ohio. In addition, the Zoo serves 100,000 school children annually in inquirybased learning programs and provides scholarships for teacher training and underserved districts. Primate Forest will inspire learning about the value of forests through hands-on play features, conservation messaging and a focus on technology and interactives.

Design a Sustainable Future Kiosks will provide visitors with the power to envision what a regenerative future might look like in Cleveland by redesigning the city with nature elements and a focus on sustainability and the environment. After designing a new city, the images can be published on a wall for all guests to see.

Stories of Care Listen to diverse Cleveland residents, wildlife partners, and high-profile conservationists share how they turned their personal passions into conservation action and be inspired to drive positive change within your community and environment.

The Values of Forests Guests settle into a domed theater and immerse themselves in the wonder of local and international forests. The experience offers a gentle narration about ways these places affect human wellbeing.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING A GORILLA

Just the second gorilla baby in the Zoo’s history arrived this summer, and her birth story is a wonderful example of the expertise of the animal team, who prepared both mom and the troop for the new addition.

By Emily Baber

Kebi’s care team approached her pregnancy with a watchful eye. Her first baby, born in 1999, came with some complications and was delivered via C-section.

“Before removing Kebi from birth control, we reviewed her medical record all the way back to that first pregnancy,” said Veterinarian Dr. Debra Barbarits. “She also had a full examination, including bloodwork and a CT scan to evaluate her current health status. We felt she was in a really good place as far as her health was concerned to move forward with discontinuing her birth control and allowing her to become pregnant.”

Kebi was monitored via a number of voluntary trained behaviors including fetal ultrasounds, blood glucose finger pricks, finger blood pressure, and salivary insulin.

“With Kebi’s history of requiring a C-section, we consulted with obstetricians from the Cleveland Clinic regarding her likelihood of successfully

carrying her pregnancy to term and delivering without assistance,” said Dr. Barbarits. “Her exams gave us confidence that she should be able to deliver without assistance.”

BUMPS IN THE BIRTH PLAN

In early July, as Kebi approached the end of a smooth pregnancy, baby watch began, with animal care staff monitoring the gorilla habitat’s camera feeds at regular intervals around the clock. The morning of July 19, animal care staff identified signs of labor. Kebi was in labor for a few hours before the Zoo opened. Early that morning, the decision was made to close the Primate, Cat, and Aquatics building to the public to give Kebi the peace and quiet she needed to bring her baby into the world.

Dr. Barbarits and the gorilla care team watched as Kebi presented normal indicators of labor: restlessness and discomfort, with occasional snack breaks. Around mid-morning, they spotted something potentially worrisome: a tiny hand.

Kunda

Baby gorillas are born much the same way as human babies - headfirst - so seeing an arm emerge first can be cause for concern. The team prepared for the possibility of having an emergency C-section.

But before the animal care team could call the other gorillas in the troop back into off-exhibit areas to isolate Kebi, she delivered her baby naturally. Moments of concern were quickly followed by relief as the baby was observed moving and vocalizing. So far, so good.

Mother-infant bonding was immediate, with Kebi grooming and holding her baby after delivery. The Zoo’s behavioral training program prepares all gorillas to bring their infants to the habitat’s mesh fencing to allow staff to perform health and husbandry necessities with minimal intervention. But in this case, Kebi was too protective of her baby to comply,

A NEW HOME AT THE ZOO

instead holding the baby close and not coming near the mesh. On one hand, a good sign of bonding, on the other hand, more difficult for the animal care team to observe the baby. Thankfully, the team was able to assess her visually and confirm that she was healthy.

BONDING TIME

Kebi’s strong maternal instinct proved valuable as she navigated nursing the baby. The Primate, Cat, and Aquatics building remained closed for a few days to give Kebi a low-stress environment in which to bond with Kunda. The building reopened one week later with only the upper mezzanine area available to visitors, giving the public the opportunity to view the troop while maintaining some distance.

Kunda continues to hit normal developmental milestones and will remain with her mother as she grows for many years

Primate Forest is the future home of the growing gorilla troop. With real trees and immersive forest elements throughout both the indoor and outdoor exhibit spaces, gorillas and orangutans will have a lush, new home and visitors will experience these iconic, endangered species in entirely new ways. In addition to the great apes, Primate Forest will also be home to hundreds of other animal and plant species from around the globe.

— at least eight years. The troop continues to adjust to its newest addition.

Animal Curator Dr. Elena Less said “babies signify power in gorilla social dynamics, and any major event in the gorilla troop, including a birth, can cause a female hierarchy shift so we are working through that now. Kebi has moved into the #1 dominance position, which Fredrika most recently held, and we now see Nneka challenging Fredrika for the #2 spot.”

And what about older brother Kayembe?

“Kayembe really, really, really wants to interact with Kunda,” says Dr. Less. “He is looking at her a lot and would love to touch her, but Kebi is making sure he stays in line and is keeping him at a respectful distance for now, so he has learned to respect that. But he tries to still test boundaries occasionally.”

With two young gorillas in the troop and shifting social dynamics, it is an exciting time. Kunda remains closely bonded with Kebi and has begun exploring her world more and more, learning through play and interacting with her troop-mates in more meaningful ways.

Kayembe

Gorilla Gallery in Primate Forest

EVENTS AND PLANNING MEETINGS

Primate Forest is the largest capital project in the Zoo’s and the Zoo Society’s history. With a project of this size and scale, we spent the last couple years planning the design of the building and showcasing all the project’s elements to our donors and friends through events and design meetings.

Zoo and Zoo Society staff worked hard in 2023 in monthly planning and design meetings for Primate Forest. Meetings involve the project’s architect team and the Zoo team making important animal welfare decisions regarding building design and considering the overall best guest experience.

A unique opportunity to present Primate Forest has been the virtual reality component. Guests and donors have been able to see inside the building

and animal habitat spaces though an immersive 360° virtual view. Offering our donors these innovative experiences to learn more about Primate Forest will continue in 2024 and beyond.

QR codes allow donors to view images of Primate Forest.

Van Auken Akins Architects design team meeting with Zoo gorilla keepers for habitat design input.

Primate Forest donor event.

Using Google View to view 360° of Primate Forest space.

MCPC E-RECYCLING

MCPC, the Cleveland-based global endpoint management company, partnered with Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and the Cleveland Zoological Society in April 2023 for the popular electronics recycling event to celebrate Earth Day and promote gorilla conservation. Save the date for Friday, April 19, 2024!

Cleveland Metroparks CEO Brian Zimmerman, Zoo Executive Director Dr. Chris Kuhar, Cleveland Metroparks Chief of Development Natalie Ronayne, Zoo Society CEO Sarah Crupi and CZS Board Directors welcome local elected officials to a breakfast presentation about Primate Forest.

Christine Myeroff, Sarah Crupi and Dr. Chris Kuhar welcome Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb on a Zoo tour.

Philanthropy Ohio members toured the Primate, Cat & Aquatics building to learn more about the Zoo’s programs and projects.

THANK YOU

VISIONARIES

The Cleveland Foundation

Cuyahoga County

The Estate of Nancy J. Hansen

The Louise H. and David S. Ingalls Foundation, Inc.

MCPC

The Thomas W. and Florence T. Murphy Fund

PNC

Carol and Walt Rosebrough

Stuart B. Reese Living Trust

Mr. and Mrs. Miguel Zubizarreta

CHAMPIONS

Anonymous

GiGi Benjamin and Phil Woodcock

Muffy and Jim Boland

Dane and Dottie Carney

Cohen Community Foundation

Ginny and Howard Essner

Jim and Linda Francis

Albert A. Hanes and Robert E. Hanes

Amy and Tom Haught

The Hershey Foundation

John P. Murphy Foundation

Mr. and Mrs.* Walter E. Kalberer

Mr. Allen J. Mistysyn, in memory of Harry M. Mistysyn, Sr.

Christine and Randy Myeroff

Lois and Kevin Myeroff

Mr. and Mrs. Albert B. Ratner

The David Steffee Chair of Veterinary Medicine Gift Fund

The Thomas Family

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas N. Tyrrell

Tom and Shirley Waltermire

Mr. Alan Wilber

PATRONS

Anonymous (2)

Barbara Brown and Steve Ward

The Conway Family Foundation

Tom & Anita Cook

Mr. and Mrs. Coty Franklin

Nancy and Bernie Karr

The Stephen and Joanne Kirk Foundation

Marianne and Mark T. LaRose

Leveranz Fund, a Donor Advised Fund of Renaissance Charitable Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. Dan T. Moore III

Gregg and Deanna Muresan

The James Parish Family

Shelly Peet and Rob Martinko

The Perkins Charitable Foundation

Ms. Susan L. Racey

Ms. Barbara Weiss

Kay Zielazienski

CONSERVATORS

Anonymous

Ms. Carol A. Barnak

Carol and Graham Hall

Dr. Paul A. Hechko and Dr. Jennifer Hechko

Ms. Susan M. King

The Estate of Carl Lezius

Russell O’Rourke and Georgia Froelich

Dr. Melinda S. Phinney, M.D.

Mary Kay Schneider

Richard and Mary Lynn Wills

Dr. Christine Zirafi and Ms. Susan Zanetti

Keepers

Archaelogical Networks

Ms. Cheryl Bailey

Mr. and Mrs. Jules Belkin

Bicknell Fund

Mr. Carl E. Black and Mrs. Dawn M. Black

Ms. Maria Cashy

Mr. Douglas O. Cooper

Robert J. & Ruth A. Duale

Dr. Julie A. Edgar and Mr. Adrian D. Edgar

Kristen and Tom Fistek and the Conway Family Foundation

Patricia Gabb and Tim Gabb

Dr. and Mrs. Andrew A. Guzowski

Jessica Jung

Marilyn and Rick Kay

Dr. and Mrs. David Koncal

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph J. Mahovlic

Ki and Tasha Mixon

Deanna and Joe Murlin

David and Lisa O’Brien

Mr. and Mrs. Rob Rogers

Richard and Rhyna Sensiba

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Truelson

Susan Van Auken

Mr. and Mrs. Theodore A. Wagner

Mr. and Mrs. Brian M. Zimmerman

Mrs. Martha H. Zlotnik

SPECIAL GIFTS

Ms. Susan J. Allen

Ms. Jane Anthony

Mr. Gerald F. Cannon and Ms. Kerry Beckette

Mr. Jeffrey P. Consolo and Mrs. Patricia Consolo

Christine & Spencer Dieken

Mr. and Mrs. James M. Donchess

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Elmore

Mr. Theodore Evans, Jr.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Griffee

Leigh and Eric Hall

The William E. Harris Family Fund

Dr. and Mrs. Robert E. Hobbs

Brian J. Jereb and Katherine A. Jereb

Jones Day

Ms. Lori J. Kalberer

Mr. and Mrs. John Kaminski

Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Kesselman

Mrs. Susan C. Krall and Ms. Amy Krall

Mr. and Mrs. Donald Messinger

Ms. Biserka Mikleus

Ken and Sharon Mountcastle

Mr. Christopher Nehez

Mrs. Kimberly Pinter

Mr. and Mrs. Ronald E. Plazek

Mr. Michael Riley and Ms. Margaret Stiner

Mrs. Elaine G. Ross

Greg and Cathy Saluga

The Sears-Swetland Family Foundation

Dr. and Mrs. Donald M. Shafer

Mr. Roger L. Shumaker and Mrs. Cheralyn Shumaker

Mr. and Mrs. Steve H. Taylor

Thomas V.H.* and Iris* J. Vail

Mrs. Katherine Wensink and Mr. Neil Wensink

*deceased

Donors as of 1/26/24

The Zoo Society prides itself on managing donor contributions efficiently and transparently and is committed to engaging donors in Zoo programs and initiatives of greatest impact for our community and our world - like Primate Forest. Please reach out to us to hear more about how you can support our work.

CLEVELAND ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY PHILANTROPHY LEADERSHIP TEAM

Andrea Ponikvar

Director of Advancement

Cleveland Zoological Society Ponikvar@ClevelandZooSociety.org 216-635-3323

Nicole Stracensky

Capital Campaigns Director

Cleveland Zoological Society Stracensky@ClevelandZooSociety.org 216-635-3343