Houston Zoo Wildlife Members Magazine - Winter 08

WINTER 2008

FEATURES

The Houston Zoo is a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization.

Houston Zoo, Inc. Board of Directors E. William Barnett Freda Wilkerson Bass Nandita Berry Jack S. Blanton, Sr. – Emeritus Winfield M Campbell, Sr. Cathy Campbell-Hevrdejs Jan Cody Jonathan Day Linnet Deily Anne Duncan James A. Elkins, III Martyn Goossen Robert Graham – Chair Don R. Kendall, Jr. Glenn L. Lowenstein

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Cal McNair Stacy Methvin Stephen D. Newton Suzanne Paquin Nimocks Charles Onstead Courtney Lanier Sarofim Cathryn Selman Louis Sklar Herman L. Stude Shawn Taylor Bonnie Weekley George R. Willy E. W. Bill Wright III Austin Young Lori Vetters

On the cover: Tess & Tucker Photo by: Stephanie Adams Wildlife Production Team Editor: Michael Reina Creative Director: Melanie Campbell-Tello Design: Melanie Campbell-Tello Photography by: Stephanie Adams, Virunga Artisans, Joe Kalla, Bill Konstant, Dale Martin, Amanda Wells, Rick Barongi, and Shawna Peckham Postmaster: Send address changes to: Wildlife Magazine Houston Zoo, Inc. 1513 North MacGregor Houston, Texas 77030

How To Reach Us: Houston Zoo, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 713-533-6500 Education. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 713-533-6739 Marketing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 713-533-6835 Membership. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 713-533-6726 Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 713-533-6819 Public Relations/Media. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 713-533-6531

www.houstonzoo.org

Zoo Members Take The Plunge

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Home Away From Home

New Elephants

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Olive: The New Baby Giant Anteater

DEPARTMENTS

Zoo Hours: March 9 through November 2 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (last ticket sold at 6:00 p.m.)

November 3 through March 8 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (last ticket sold at 5:00 p.m.)

The Zoo is closed Christmas Day. Wildlife is published by Houston Zoo, Inc., 1513 North MacGregor, Houston, Texas 77030. ©Houston Zoo, Inc., 2008. All rights reserved. Subscription by membership only.

The Houston Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums The official airline of The Houston Zoo Printed on 10% post-consumer waste recycled paper with soy-based inks.

DIRECTOR'S DEN 2 MEMBERSHIP NEWS 4 DEVELOPMENT NEWS 8 ZOO CALENDAR 10 EDUCATION NEWS 16 CONSERVATION NEWS 18 ZOO UPGRADES 20

DIRECTOR'S DEN Preparing a 55-acre, heavily landscaped zoo with over 4,500 animals for a direct hit from a hurricane is a daunting task. Experience has told us that it is much safer to let our animals ride out the storm in their holding areas than adding additional stress by transporting them to a new place. However, when you are expecting sustained 100 mile-per-hour winds, you have to provide extra shelter for many species.

Our plan began several days in advance and involved stockpiling food and fuel, testing generators, and removing any potentially dangerous objects. Tarps, trash cans, tables, and chairs were tied down, sand bags were put in front of doors, and all electronic office equipment was waterproofed. For Hurricane Ike, 55 staff members volunteered to remain at the Zoo, consisting mostly of animal care and facilities personnel.

THE SPIRIT OF GIVING

Hurricane Ike's destructive path damaged one of the Zoo's most vital electrical switches. The external cover that needed immediate replacement normally takes 24 weeks to manufacture and deliver. This put the Zoo in a major bind, as our animals and staff could not go on without power.

Before darkness could set in, Cooper Industries stepped in to help by constructing a brand new cover for the switch.

And what was even more helpful is that they built and

shipped it to us within a few days - much quicker than the 24-week period the Zoo was originally faced with.

Power was quickly restored and our guests were able to enjoy the Houston Zoo again. Cooper's unexpected generosity is a great example of the Houston community coming together during times of great need. We are very grateful that Grant Gawronski and the Cooper team could help Houstonians get back to normal this holiday season.

At daybreak, when surveying damage to the Zoo, we felt a mixed sense of awe and relief as we discovered just how fortunate we were. The Zoo’s walkways were flooded with up to five feet of water. The sea lion filtration room and pumps were underwater. Our Natural Encounters building had several burned out motors that caused a minor fire and major smoke. Everywhere you looked there were trees down and large broken branches.

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At no other time was I more proud of our staff than during the days immediately following Hurricane Ike.

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Amazingly, our animals fared much better than the trees, and we only lost two birds as a result of the storm. Our entire flock of flamingos hunkered down in compact pink balls in the middle of their pool. Our giraffes had access to their barn stalls, but some of them chose to stay outside during the hurricane.

Now we were faced with a massive clean-up job. We had almost our entire staff back at the Zoo pitching in to get ready to open. Many came to work despite having serious damage to their homes. At no other time was I more proud of our staff than during the days immediately following Hurricane Ike. One bright spot during the clean-up was the surprise appearance of our newly acquired three-year-old elephant calf “Tucker” who happily pitched in to drag large branches off the walkways. Tucker ended up on national TV demonstrating his unique cleaning methods, while symbolizing one lighthearted way that Houston was recovering from the storm.

It was truly a Herculean effort, and the Zoo opened its gates to a very appreciative public on Wednesday, just four days after Ike’s unwelcomed visit. We had 5,000 guests that first day, and almost all of them took time to thank our staff for providing a much needed outlet from the long, hot, and powerless worlds they had been dealing with since Friday night.

There is no way we can ever thank our staff enough for saving our Zoo and our animals from a much more serious plight. We have set up a special hurricane relief fund for all our employees who were severely impacted by Ike. So the next time you visit, take a moment to thank our staff and volunteers for all their heroic efforts to ensure your Houston Zoo persevered during such a trying time for all.

RICK BARONGI

ZOO DIRECTOR

New Asian elephant Tucker helps in the Hurricane Ike clean-up.

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WILDLIFE| WINTER 2008 | 3

HOUSTON ZOO MEMBER POPS THE QUESTION

MEMBERSHIP NEWS: HOLIDAY OFFERS

Looking for gift ideas for friends and family? We have something that is sure to be a hit with all the animal lovers on your shopping list. Give a cuddly adopt, gift membership, behind-the-scenes tour, or unforgettable animal painting experience. Enjoy a unique shopping experience without the typical holiday hassles. Shop in person, by phone, or online for great gifts from the Houston Zoo. Proceeds directly benefit the Zoo and the care and conservation of wildlife.

ANIMAL PAINTINGS AND PAINTING EXPERIENCES What do you give the person who has everything? Give lucky animal lovers their very own animal art painted by one of our resident artists. Or give them the opportunity to watch as their masterpiece is created. Animal painting experiences are $500; animal paintings are $250.

For more details log on to www.houstonzoo.org/gifts or call 713-533-6713 to purchase.

ZOO GIFT SHOP SPECIAL SHOPPING DAYS JUST FOR MEMBERS

ADOPT AN ANIMAL Make your holiday shopping bearable!

Why not adopt a bear for your brother or a sea lion for your sweetie this holiday season? These gifts are fun and educational and help care for your adopted animal, as well as support important education and conservation programs at the Houston Zoo. Valentine’s Day is coming, and your sweetie will be tickled pink when you adopt a "flock of flamingos" for him or her. For a limited time only, you can add a chocolate bar to sweeten the gift. Check our website in January for more details on this sweet deal for your sweetheart. Purchase online at www.houstonzoo.org/gifts.

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Members receive 20% OFF on purchases in the gift shop during special member shopping days. The Zoo is a wonderful place to do your holiday shopping. Choose from toys and puzzles, soft plush animals, magnets, great tote bags, jewelry, and t-shirts. The list goes on and on. Forget the mall crowds, and do all of your gift shopping at the Houston Zoo. There is something for everyone on your list!

Mark your calendar for these special member shopping hours: Friday, November 28, 2008 – 7 a.m. - 9 a.m.

Saturday, December 6, 2008 – 8 a.m. - 9 a.m.

Saturday, December 13, 2008 – 8 a.m. - 9 a.m.

Saturday, December 20, 2008 – 8 a.m. - 9 a.m.

Members get a 20% discount all day during all of these shopping days.

"I couldn’t have pulled this off so well if it wasn't for the staff's attention to detail. We were shown VIP treatment all day and everyone really helped me make this special."

When Christina Ng signed up for a behind-the-scenes tour, she didn't realize just how memorable an experience it would be.

That's because her boyfriend Justin Downs, with the help of Houston Zoo staff, had planned a surprise marriage proposal. The couple's first date was at the Chicago Zoo years ago, but this zoo trip would prove to be unlike any other.

The couple started with a VIP look at the African lions, which was a once-in-a-lifetime memory in itself. While the couple fed our male lion Jonathon, our lioness Celesto snuck up and playfully bit his tail. "Jonathon let out a powerful roar and presented his chest," Justin said. "It was breathtaking, and something I would never have been able to see otherwise."

While the two were touring our cat exhibits, some Houston Zoo staff members brought in Christina's family through a back entrance to the sea lion show. This took some pretty remarkable coordination from our staff, because Justin wanted Christina's family to be there as a secret.

But Christina had no idea how big of a surprise she was in store for. When the two went to the sea lion show, Brett, the sea lion keeper, asked if the couple wanted to be part of the show. The two agreed, and Christina even got a special kiss from Deano, our new male sea lion.

Then, the big moment came, and during the show, in front of a big crowd of people, Justin dropped down on one knee and showed Christina the ring.

This wasn't the first surprise of the day, but it was surely the most important. She said yes, and the crowd went wild. Keepers then escorted her family and friends down to meet them, which made her even happier.

"I couldn’t have pulled this off so well if it wasn't for the staff's attention to detail. We were shown VIP treatment all day and everyone really helped me make this special."

The couple is happily engaged and will always be a part of the Houston Zoo family. To sign up for a behind-the-scenes experience of your own, visit houstonzoo.org/gifts.

WILDLIFE

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MODERN DAY DINOSAURS Looking at our newly hatched baby alligator snapping turtles, weighing in at less than an ounce, it’s hard to believe these animals will grow to be one of the largest freshwater turtles in North America, with an average adult weight of 175 pounds. Alligator snapping turtles (Macrochelys temminckii) are found in southern U.S. waters, primarily in East Texas rivers, oxbow lakes, and swamps.

Although the lifespan of these animals in the wild is unknown, it is believed they can live for up to 150 years.

They resemble prehistoric plated dinosaurs more than turtles, adorned with a large, triangle shaped head, a long ridged tail, and three distinct rows of raised spikes that run down the top of their shell.

Give the Gift of Light You can help light the lives of people in developing countries by purchasing a new Solar Powered BOGO Flashlight from the Houston Zoo. BOGO means Buy One Give One. When you buy a BOGO Light, the Houston Zoo will purchase a BOGO Light for someone in need in the developing world. One-third of the world’s population makes a difficult choice every night: use a dangerous and expensive kerosene lantern for light, or live through the night in utter darkness. If the available choice is less dangerous (for example, candles or single-use-battery flashlights), it is no less expensive or harmful for the environment. Every night, two billion people face a decision that negatively impacts their health, income, education, and security.

SunNight Solar’s BOGO Light transforms the night by offering a new choice to people in need.

Generating clean LED light from rechargeable solar-powered batteries, SunNight Solar’s BOGO Light can go where other fuel-dependant lights can’t: to a poor person in a small village located far

These massive animals spend most of their life underwater, able to remain submerged for up to an hour without venturing to the surface for air. Only females leave the protection of the water to lay their eggs.

away from an electricity grid. And the BOGO Light can do what other lights can’t: change lives.

SunNight Solar’s BOGO Light helps solve the problem of education in developing areas by providing safe light by which to study. This results not just in improved literacy and education, but also in health and safety, environmental impacts, empowerment of women, and family security. It will also reduce our dependency on batteries that ultimately end up in local landfills.

One of the most unique things about alligator snapping turtles is the way they hunt. In their cave-like mouth they have an appendage on the tip of their tongue called a “vermiform” that resembles a worm. The turtle will sit motionless at the bottom of the water with its mouth open, flicking the lure to attract unsuspecting fish and then SNAP, lunch! Like many other kinds of turtles, our new babies at the Zoo are carnivores, but as they mature will become far more omnivorous, dining on both meat and vegetation.

For every BOGO Light purchased, the Houston Zoo will donate one light to the villages and communities of our conservation partners in developing countries, including Madagascar, Botswana, Gabon, and Panama. In 2007, the Houston Zoo sent out more than 300 flashlights to families in these regions.

The gift of light can change lives; you can help us make that change, contact us at conservation@houstonzoo.org.

Sadly, this amazing animal is not doing well in the wild across their range in the United States.

Sadly, this amazing animal is not doing so well in the wild across their range in the United States. They are listed as threatened in the Lone Star State, with threats being collection for international pet trade, meat for human consumption, habitat loss, and accidental capture on recreational fishing trot lines. You can help Texas turtles by fishing responsibly and supporting regulations that restrict international trade and commercial collection of these animals.

Reptile keeper Beth Moorhead feeds one of our alligator snapping turtles.

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DEVELOPMENT NEWS SUPPORT THE HOUSTON ZOO’S ANNUAL FUND The Houston Zoo relies on generous contributions from individuals who share our commitment to conservation, education, and our love for wildlife. Did you know that earned revenue from gate admission, memberships, and concessions covers less than half of the total expenditures associated with operating the Zoo? Each year this gap is filled by gifts from people just like you!

With a gift to the annual fund, you can help feed, house, and care for the thousands of animals that call the Zoo home; help provide free field trips for thousands of school children from the Greater Houston area; and keep the gates to the Zoo open so that 1.6 million of your neighbors can visit and build a greater appreciation for the natural world.

For more information on how to make a gift to the annual fund, visit us online at www.houstonzoo. org/annualdrive or contact Alex Goldstone at 713-533-6705 or agoldstone@houstonzoo.org.

ASANTE SOCIETY NEWS

The Asante Society is a dynamic group of Zoo enthusiasts who have shown care and commitment to the Zoo through their ambassadorship and generosity. The first Asante Society event of the 20082009 season was at the beautiful home of Merrill and Joe Hafner. Asante members mingled with fellow Zoo supporters and the Zoo’s executive leadership while enjoying cocktails and hors d’oeuvres served poolside.

Guests also had the opportunity to meet a few of the Zoo’s special animal dignitaries: a six-foot-long black-headed python named Dan; Larry the painting parrot; and Tuck, an adorable three-banded armadillo! We would like to extend a huge thanks to the Hafners for being wonderful hosts and to all the Society members for their generosity toward the Zoo. Future Asante Society events include an exclusive underwater presentation in the Zoo’s Kipp Aquarium in January and the annual Asante Society Dinner, which will be held at the Zoo later this spring, overlooking the newly renovated lion habitat.

For more information about Asante Society events or how to join the Asante Society, contact Nick Espinosa at 713-533-6712 or nespinosa@houstonzoo.org.

Deborah Cannon, Merrill Hafner, Paula Hinton, Rick Barongi, Joe Hafner, & Bill Barnett OUR CORPORATE AND FOUNDATION CONSERVATION HEROES We are so grateful for the generous support of our corporate and foundation partners. Foundations and corporations help the Zoo in many ways–through support for education, conservation, and animal care programs, as well as through event sponsorships, marketing tie-ins, and gifts of goods and services. We want to highlight a few of our partners that have so generously supported our conservation activities locally and abroad: • The Tapeats Fund and The Charles T. Bauer Foundation, along with Continental Airlines, have for years been proud supporters of the Zoo’s “Call of the Wild” Lecture Series, an evening educational series for the public that showcases worldwide conservation projects.

• Shell Oil Company has been an ongoing sponsor of the Zoos and Aquariums Committing to Conservation (ZACC) conference and other important conservation initiatives that make an enormous positive impact on the Zoo’s ability to save species and habitats worldwide.

• In Texas, the Magnolia Charitable Trust has made a generous gift to support a project that promotes public education and awareness of black bears. This project is designed to mitigate human-bear conflict that too often can result in the unnecessary killing of these magnificent endangered animals.

These are just a few of our many corporate and foundation donors, but, as you can see, when corporations and foundations work together with nonprofits like the Houston Zoo, wonderful things can happen!

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A Home Away From Home Hurricane Ike left a wide wake of damage on Galveston Island, including at Moody Gardens, one of our neighboring AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) institutions. The park’s rainforest exhibit and support areas sustained catastrophic storm surge damage, necessitating the evacuation of hundreds of exotic birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. The Houston Zoo was standing by, ready to assist our colleagues in their time of need.

To date, Zoo staff has made multiple trips to Galveston Island to bring back and house more than 650 individual Moody Garden specimens. In some cases, Moody Gardens had been holding the only animals of a particular species, so their rescue was particularly significant.

The Houston Zoo has integrated the Moody Gardens animals into its existing collection and has provided temporary housing for evacuated animals in transit to other zoos. These animals will be well cared for in their new digs until their existing homes at Moody Gardens can be rebuilt and they can go home.

Although the care and feeding of the newly arrived animals represents a significant increase in the workloads of our keepers, we were happy to assist our sister zoo and know they would do the same for us if our situations were reversed.

Everyone at the Houston Zoo would like to extend best wishes for a speedy recovery to the people and animals from Moody Gardens, as well as everybody affected by Hurricane Ike.

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ZOO FREE DAY!

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Member Mornings

Conservation Crew

What’s New at Giraffes Monday, December 1 and Saturday, December 13

Young adults ages 13-18 make a difference during these entertaining expeditions.

What’s New at Elephants Monday, January 5 and Saturday, January 10 What’s New at Children’s Zoo Monday, February 2 and Saturday, February 7

LECTURE SERIES: Cotton Top Tamarins

FREE DAY!

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Natural Beginnings I (2 1/2 – 5 with parent) Natural Beginnings II (6 –12)

Trees for Houston, December 6 Hermann Park Conservancy, January 10 Crab Trap Removal, February 7 Sea Turtle Saturday, February 28 Sea turtle resotration symposium & lectures

Winter Camp Zoofari

Learn about wildlife with hands-on activities!

There's no place "wilder" for school holidays than the Houston Zoo.

Pet Presents December 3, 6, 10, 13

Zoo Gourmet, December 29

Ocean Commotion January 14, 17, 21, 24, 28, 31

Class Act, December 31

Feathers, Fur & Fins February 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28

Home Sweet Zoo, January 5

Wild Winks

Monkeying Around, December 30 One Big Family, January 2

Water, Soil, Science (Homeschool)

Explore the Zoo overnight and wake up to breakfast.

Learn the important role of nutrients in our environment.

Adults 21+, January 3 Educators, January 30 School (ages 7+), February 26 Community Groups (ages 7+), February 28

Water Quality Testing, January 15 Soil Testing, January 22 Pollution in the Environment, January 29

For more information on upcoming events, please visit our website at www.houstonzoo.org.

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The fact that the Asian elephant population in North American zoos has declined in recent decades increases the importance of our two breeding females, as well as the genetic contribution that Mac and Tucker will make to future generations.

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UR EXTENDED ELEPHANT FAMILY

A handful of visitors on August 25 witnessed a “parade” of Asian elephants going on public display together for the first time. The animals emerged from their barn in single file. First came Shanti and her baby Mac. Behind them was the mother-andson team of Tess and Tucker, the newest additions to our herd. Our matriarch, Methai, brought up the rear.

Tess and Tucker's acquisition from a private facility in California was an incredible opportunity to add a second breeding female to our herd.

“We’re expanding our herd by adding a natural family group and maintaining important social relationships,” explains Daryl Hoffman, Curator of

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Large Mammals. There are only 300 elephants left in U.S. zoos, and, currently, only 13 adult female Asian elephants in AZA zoos nationwide are experienced and viable breeders. Two now reside here at the Houston Zoo.

Before the five animals were released to the yard, Daryl’s staff observed them under controlled conditions in the elephant barn. “One of the first things we noticed was Shanti ‘fence-talking’ to Tess and Tucker across the stalls,” he says. “That was a good sign, telling us she was anxious to meet them.

Meanwhile, Methai swayed back and forth, a sign she was ready to be introduced. Before we put everyone together, we knew how things were going to play out.”

The Zoo’s elephant team was present for the event, along with a larger audience from other departments. Elephant handlers watched for interactions that signaled acceptance – animals moving toward one another, backing into each other, or one animal placing its trunk in another’s mouth – and that’s exactly what they observed.

There were no flaring ears, no chases around the yard. Everyone settled in nicely.

Our bull, Thai, watched all this from outside the new McNair Asian Elephant Habitat. In captivity, it’s normal to segregate mature male elephants from the rest of the herd. In the wild, bulls live solitary lives except during the breeding

season, so they naturally prefer their own space here as well. The new barn facility and outdoor yard were critical to Tess and Tucker’s successful introduction.

The fact that Asian elephant populations in North American zoos have declined in recent decades increases the importance of our two breeding females, as well as the genetic contribution that Mac and Tucker will make to future generations.

For now, the two youngsters have no time for anything but play. Buddies from the moment they met, their antics provide a show for Zoo visitors from the time we open Zoo gates in the morning to the time they fall asleep.

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In addition to great food, our guests enjoyed a wonderful variety of wines from [ yellow tail ] and beers from Budweiser. The restaurants also participated in a competition, which was won

by Taste of Texas. In 2nd place was Executive Chef Bradley Manchester of Hotel ZaZa and in 3rd was Danton's Gulf Coast Seafood Kitchen. Other top vote getters were Capital Grille, Maggiano's Little Italy, and P.F. Chang's China Bistro.

Arcodoro Bistro Lancaster – A Valencia Hotel Bistro Le Cep Café Express Capital Grille Cavatore Italian Restaurant Cookies in Bloom Crapitto’s Cucina Italiana Cupcake Café Cyclone Anaya’s Mexican Kitchen Danton’s Gulf Coast Seafood Kitchen Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House Fountains of Chocolate Frank’s Chop House Hotel ZaZa – Exec. Chef Bradley Manchester Hungry’s Café and Bistro Illy Caffe/Tea & Coffee America Jackson and Company Jamba Juice Joyce’s Ocean Grill La Villette Catering & Special Events Maggiano’s Little Italy Masraff ’s Restaurant Melange Catering & Special Events Mi Pueblito Molina’s Cantina Ooh La La Dessert Boutique Ouisie’s Table Pagoda Vietnamese Bistro & Bar P.F. Chang’s China Bistro Picnic Pico’s Mex-Mex Restaurant Prima Pasta Restaurant Rao’s Bakery Coffee Café Reef Rio Ranch Ruth Meric Catering Salud! Winery & Bistro Smith & Wollensky Steakhouse Spencer’s for Steaks and Chops Strip House Taste of Texas Restaurant The Grove/The Lakehouse The Oceanaire Seafood Room Tokyohana TwoRows Restaurant and Brewery Zoe’s Kitchen

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Rise and shine. It's time to wake up and eat breakfast. Keepers prepare Olive's bottle of Pedialyte and milk. This mix gives Olive the early morning nutrition she needs.

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Olive arrives at the Zoo, and she gets weighed in to make sure her size and health are in order.

Pretty soon, Olive is worn out from the morning activities and takes a pre-lunch nap.

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Olive is awake again and full of energy. She loves to play in her front yard, lay around with her favorite stuffed animals, or chew on shoes. She's always up to something!

After playtime and exercise, Olive works up quite a hunger. She has some more Pedialyte, and soon enough, she's back down for an afternoon snooze.

OLIVE

Olive is awake and active again, but it's time to prepare her specially-made incubator cooler, along with her snacks, blankets, toys, and towels – just like a little kid!

More playtime at the keeper or vet staff's house. Olive is curious about everything. A true adventurer, she explores any shoe, sock, carpet, or smelly thing she can get her nose on.

Dinner time and more playing, Olive will nod on and off or just play all evening. Her caregivers love her company just as much as she loves theirs.

Time for a midnight snack and bedtime. It all begins again tomorrow at 6 a.m. on the dot.

"Parenting" truly is a round-the-clock job.

On August 9, the Houston Zoo welcomed another baby into our family, Olive, a female giant anteater. She is a truly special gift that gives a lucky group of keepers and vet staff a unique appreciation of parenthood.

Due to the fact that the mother could not provide for Olive, a staff member must care for her 24 hours a day. She is taken home with a keeper every night, where they care for, teach, feed, and play with her, just as though she was their own baby.

Olive and her caregivers' daily routines aren't that much different from a human parent and baby's day-to-day activities. For video of our resident baby giant, go to www.houstonzoo.org/olive.

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EDUCATION NEWS Wild Wheels (ages 0 – 30 months)

Bring your stroller and child to the Zoo for an hour of learning and fun, as we "stroll" through the Zoo and end our lesson with a touchable animal encounter. Spring’s theme is the ABCs. Classes are 9:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

Tuesdays & Thursdays beginning in March $7 per child; adults pay admission (adult members FREE)

Wild Winks

Discover the Zoo after dark, snooze at the Zoo, and enjoy fun games and activities. Includes dinner, continental breakfast, tents, and admission the second day. $45 per person.

January 3 – Adults 21+ January 30 – Educators February 26 – School (ages 7+) February 28 – Community Groups (ages 7+) March 13 – Family (ages 7+)

Natural Beginnings I & II (ages 2 ½ – 12)

Night Prowl

Classes are 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Wednesdays & Saturdays

February 22 & March 1 – Community Groups March 5 – School March 29 – Family

Explore the world of wildlife through exciting songs, games, stories, biofacts, and hands-on experiments. Weather permitting, we visit an exhibit or touch a small animal.

Children 5 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Find out what the animals do after the people go home during this interactive tour. All events are for ages 7 and up and are $20 per person.

December – Pet Presents January – Ocean Commotion February – Feathers, Fur & Fins March – Movin’ & Groovin'

Scouts of all ages enjoy a wide variety of activities specifically for them. Visit www.houstonzoo.org/ scouts for details.

Natural Beginnings I: $20 per member; $25 per non-member Natural Beginnings II: $10 per child

Homeschool Series Classes

Conservation Crew (Grades 8 – 12)

Registration includes participant only, as classroom space is limited. Adults and siblings are welcome to join on-grounds activities or enjoy the Zoo on their own.

Help the habitats in and around Houston, by working on projects such as marsh grass restoration, beach clean-ups, or even assisting at area animal rescue organizations.

Programs are select Saturdays.

January 10 – Hermann Park Conservancy December 6 – Trees for Houston February 7 – Crab Trap Removal Cost: $10 per person

Winter Camp Zoofari (ages 4 – 12)

Join “A View of the Zoo,” discovering the ins & outs of animal care, food preparation, and exhibit construction.

Camp hours are 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Before & after care are not available. Registration begins November 1.

December 29 – Zoo Gourmet December 30 – Monkeying Around December 31 – Class Act January 2 – One Big Family January 5 – Home Sweet Zoo $55 per child per day

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TEEN VOLUNTEERS SHINE

The Zoo Education Department is excited to announce the winners of our first ever Zoo Crew Scholarship Program, sponsored by Don & Diane Kendall, the Houston Zoo, and Waste Management of Houston. Teens involved in our summer Zoo Crew program starting their senior year of high school were able to apply for these competitive scholarships, awarded to candidates who plan to pursue science or education as a career.

The interview committee was delighted by the high caliber of candidates, who made the selection process quite difficult. One You may have seen a volunteer at the Zoo during candidate focused on the importance of the Zoo Crew program your last visit, but did you know that in the last fiscal in her pursuit of science experiences, “The Zoo was my main year, volunteers provided more than 48,780 service encouragement. I never thought I was good at science, but by hours to the Zoo? Many of them assisted the Zoo in cleanstudying and coming to work here, I know I can do it!” up from Hurricane Ike. From diet preparation, exhibit cleaning, and administrative tasks, to working with the public on events, teaching classes, assisting with programs, and handling animals and artifacts, these individuals provide an invaluable service.

Gianna Cox, Memorial High School Chardai Grays, DeBakey High School for the Health If you are interested in becoming part of this Professions amazing team, making a positive impact, learning Katherine Kling, St. Agnes Academy and making new friends, visit Brian Stucky, Kingwood High School www.houstonzoo.org/volunteer.

Kirsten Thoede, John Foster Dulles High School New volunteer sessions begin in January.

If you are interested in participating in Zoo Crew teen volunteer program during summer 2009, applications will be available at www.houstonzoo.org/volunteer in mid-January.

THE IMPACT OF VOLUNTEERS

Congratulations go out to this year’s winners:

Students can sign up by month or for individual days. $15 per student per day.

General Admission applies to non-participants. All classes begin at 1:30 pm. Curriculum is designed for kindergarten through 8th grade.

Water, Soil, Science

What elements are found in ocean water and fresh water? What soil nutrients are needed for plant growth?

Observe the environmental effects of pollution and test your ability to clean up a mess.

January 15 – Water Quality Testing January 22 – Soil Testing January 29 – Pollution in the Environment

Be a Keeper!

Ever wonder what it’s like to work at the Zoo? Explore the daily work of a zookeeper and learn how they train, feed, and provide entertainment for our Zoo residents.

February 4 – Training Animals February 11 – Feeding and Care February 25 – Enrichment

Three of the five Zoo Crew scholarship winners were in attendance and recognized at the Cheetah luncheon October 7, 2008.

From left to right: Rick Barongi, Deborah Cannon, Katherine Kling, Brian Stucky, Gianna Cox, Diane Kendall, and Barbara Nussa Also pictured left, Chardai Grays and Kirsten Thoede.

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The segment we taped focused on efforts to save endangered frogs, toads, and salamanders in Panama...

THE CONSERVATION SIDE OF COMMERCE: GIFTS THAT GIVE BACK It all starts at home. But these homes are in villages and communities surrounding some of the world's most exotic wildlife habitat. They range from the Virunga Mountains in Rwanda, home to the mountain gorilla, to Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia, home of the snow leopard, to the villages of Zimbabwe, where conservation organizations are working to protect African wild dogs.

Far from large cities, villagers create works of art while balancing their traditional way of living. These communities have the world’s most precious wildlife, but little running water or electricity, and people have traditionally made their living through subsistence agriculture and ranching. But, when offered the opportunity, these families develop and design local crafts to improve their lives with added earnings.

When you purchase products from these regions, you help improve and preserve wildlife and habitat, increase income and livelihoods for local women and their families, and support natural, organic, traditionally hand-crafted products.

A SHARED CONSERVATION EFFORT: The people and wildlife of these regions depend on their environment for their livelihoods. By supporting the production of these items, we work with farmers, herders, and ranchers to find ways for them to protect their traditional way of life and families – without resorting to poaching. Crafted by villagers and nomadic people of these countries, the new goods are colorful and well-made.

Retail of community crafts at the Houston Zoo provides opportunities to raise significant funds for our conservation partners, as well as increase awareness and offer tools to help with conservation actions and programs in these range countries. Visit the Houston Zoo gift shop to purchase merchandise that supports our various conservation efforts.

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CONSERVATION, "IT'S A GOOD THING" On September 30, Bill Konstant, the Houston Zoo's Director of Conservation and Science, was an honored guest on the nationally-televised Martha Stewart Show, sharing the set with Martha and a host of colorful amphibians. The segment focused on efforts to save endangered frogs, toads, and salamanders in Panama from an epidemic fungus and especially on a very unusual aspect of this rescue mission – several hundred tropical forest amphibians had to be kept in hotel rooms for almost a year until construction of a permanent captive breeding center was complete.

On stage at the West 26th studio in New York City were four golden frogs from Panama, three blue poison dart frogs from Suriname, and one plump tomato frog from Madagascar. All animals were made available for the broadcast by the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, an institution that has worked closely with the Houston Zoo and many other AZA zoos and aquariums in the United States to establish the El Valle Amphibian Conservation Center (EVACC) in Panama. Martha and Bill spoke about the chytrid fungus that is fast becoming an epidemic of global WILDLIFE

proportions – how it affects amphibians, where we believe it originated, how it spreads, and what measures can be taken to reduce the declines of threatened populations as well as the loss of entire species.

Bill presented the audience with interesting facts about each species. The golden frog is a good luck symbol and a national icon in Panama. The killer fungus was first detected and isolated in a captive colony of blue poison dart frogs housed at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. And the tomato frog, along with hundreds of other amphibian species in Madagascar, is currently safe from the effects of the fungus, which has yet to reach that island nation.

The entire segment was between five and six minutes in length and aired on Monday, October 6. Congratulations to Bill Konstant and all others who received accolades for their remarkable conservation efforts. Go to www. houstonzoofrogs.org for more information and to find out what you can do.

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HOUSTON ZOO UPGRADES

85 Animal Identification Signs

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Over 40 Interpretive Signs

9 New Interactive Signs

recent months, we have made extensive IT'S A NEW ZOO In efforts to ensure guest experiences are

EVERY DAY

even more enjoyable. With the help of renowned homebuilder David Weekley and his wife Bonnie, our graphics department and facilities team designed and installed a series of beautiful new signs now displayed across the Zoo.

Visual improvements are made each day to our Zoo, including the addition of 30 big screen TVs in the Reptile House, with rotating high-definition images and facts about our reptilian creatures.

We also have colorful new tiled columns and an ambient sound system across our 55 acres. A place of constant, exciting change, the Houston Zoo truly is a new zoo every day.

IT’S A POSTER! Pull out the poster and enjoy this Wildlife feature.

Asian elephants are highly social animals that form close bonds between individuals. Bonding is often associated with affectionate interactions, such as kissing, trunk intertwining, and placing trunks in each other's mouths. A wide variety of behaviors, including those associated with learning, mimicry, art, play, a sense of humor, altruism, grief, compassion, self-awareness, use of tools, and memory are characteristics of a highly intelligent species.

GIFT MEMBERSHIPS

15 % OFF

This holiday season, what will you buy for your dad, teacher, that favorite aunt who really loves nature, or your hard-to-buy-for grandmother?

We have the solution…

A Houston Zoo membership is a gift that keeps on giving all year long. Being a member, you know the great benefits of having a membership.

So why not give a gift that will provide a year’s worth of memories?

Discounts are now available on Individual, Family, Family Plus, Grandparent, and Supporting Level memberships purchased as a gift for someone in another household. Purchase online at www.houstonzoo.org/gifts. Offer expires December 31, 2008. Be sure to enter promotional code: MHG2186.

A Houston Zoo membership is a gift that keeps on giving all year long.

Houston Zoo 1513 North MacGregor Houston, Texas 77030

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage

Visit online at www.houstonzoo.org

Houston, Texas Permit No. 8963

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