Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens Wild Magazine Spring 2022

SPRING 2022

ART IN THE ZOO ART IN THE GARDEN FESTIVAL COLOSSAL CREATURES ART AND CONSERVATION ANIMAL ART

PRESENTED BY

SMART FAMILY FUN Interactive fun creates a curiosity for learning. As Nature Agents, you can discover, learn, and bond together on a scavenger hunt!

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POWERED BY

Table Of Contents 2 Incoming Leadership: Welcome Dr. Jeff Ettling

19 Education: Kids & Family Programs

3 A Fond Farewell: Tony Vecchio

20 Gardener's Corner: Psyched About Cycads

4 Who's Who: Senior Exhibits Technicians

25 Animal Programs: Animal Art

8 Colossal Creatures

26 Education: Bee Hotel

10 Art in The Gardens

30 Development: Creative Ways to Support

11 Garden Highlights: Savanna Blooms

32 Conservation: Monarchs and Milkweed

14 What's New: Births, Hatchings, Acquisitions

34 Animal Highlight: Lemur Infants

17 JaxZoo Tube Videos

38 Social Spotlight

18 Sculptures: Not So Hidden Gems

42 Snapshot Society: Art & Conservation

SENIOR MANAGEMENT Jeff Ettling, PH.D., President and CEO Teresa Kennedy, Chief Operating Officer Holly Ellis, Chief Financial Officer Nikki Smith, Chief Development Officer Paula Shields, Director of Human Resources Leanne White, Director of Education Kelly Rouillard, Director of Marketing & Sales Rick Holzworth, Director of Support Services EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chuck Ged, Chair Missy Peters, Secretary George Mikes, VC Finance & Treasurer Janna McNicholas, VC Animal Care, Conservation and Wellness Lucia Lindsey, VC Capital Campaign Anne Marie Cushmac, VC Governance John Hayt, Honorary Advisor John McIlvaine, VC Marketing & Development Kelly Coker-Daniel, VC Education Kerri Stewart, VC Special Projects & Properties Karen Estella Smith, VC Garden & Art Bill Rowe, Past Chair GENERAL BOARD Paul Blackstone Scott Chamberlayne Asher Chanan-Khan Kelly Coker-Daniel Jonathan Coles

GENERAL BOARD (con't) LeAnna Cumber* Lenny Curry* Anne Marie Cushmac Kenyonn Demps Charles (Chuck) Ged John Hayt Margaret Hicks Leeann M Krieg* Rene Kurzius Barney Lane Lucia Lindsey John C McIlvaine Janna McNicholas George Mikes Cyrus Moshiree John Naugle Missy Peters Ju'Coby Pittman* Clint Pyle William Rowe Param Sahni Paul Sandler Karen Estella Smith Kerri Stewart Joel Swanson Salmaan Wahidi Darryl Willie Scott Witt

HONORARY BOARD Ivan Clare Dano Davis Lenore McCullagh Elizabeth Petway Herbert Peyton Clifford Schultz Frank Surface Janet Vaksdal Weaver HONORARY PAST CHAIRS COUNCIL Martha Baker J.F. Bryan Howard Coker Charles Commander Jed Davis Matt Fairbairn Joseph Hixon J. Michael Hughes Lewis Lee David Loeb Richard Martin Frank Miller John A. Mitchell Thomas Schmidt Carl "Hap" Stewart James Stockton Penny Thompson Courtenay Wilson

*City of Jacksonville Appointed WILD MAGAZINE • SPRING 2022 • JACKSONVILLE ZOO AND GARDENS

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INCOMING LEADERSHIP

Welcome, Dr. Jeff Ettling

In March, Dr. Jeff Ettling joined the Zoo as our new President and CEO. Previously, he served as President and CEO at Sedgwick County Zoo with a vision to enhance animal habitats and animal care. He also endeavored to impart knowledge in Wichita community residents about the importance of wildlife conservation. This followed a 21-year career with Saint Louis Zoo as a curator managing one of the largest collections of amphibians and reptiles in the world.

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Ettling received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology from Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville and Ph.D. in ecology, evolution and systematics from the University of Missouri, Saint Louis. Ettling also served as director of both the Center for Conservation in Western Asia and the Ron Goellner Center for Hellbender Conservation for the Saint Louis Zoo’s WildCare Institute.

We are excited to have Dr. Jeff on board and look forward to the future ahead. Please give him a warm welcome when you see him around the Zoo.

A FOND FAREWELL

Tony Vecchio

Video: A few departing thoughts from Tony

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WHO'S WHO AT THE ZOO

Kyle Newsome Senior Exhibits Technician

How long have you worked at the zoo?

I’ve worked at the zoo for two tours. The first tour 2013–2016, the second tour is 2017–present.

What does a day in your shoes look like?

I think to say that every day is different is an understatement. Our department, exhibits, is very multifaceted. To be able to fabricate things is helpful for a lot of areas in the zoo. Day to day there are several projects underway. You’ll find us doing anything from creating special effects and props for an event to making repairs or additions to animal enclosures.

What influences your works’ esthetic?

The esthetic is dictated by the area or event. Personally, I enjoy the more realistic and representational styles rather than the more stylistic, cartoony, or abstract. Most of what we do here is representational. You’re making a tree look like a tree not your interpretation of a tree.

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What was your break-through piece and why?

There is a phase one dragon from 2014. This dragon head was a scare feature for Spooktacular. We had it hooked up to a CO2 tank that would blast CO2 and we flooded the vapor with LEDs. It was pretty convincing that the dragon was breathing fire. We hadn’t done anything large scale like that in exhibits before. When we did that dragon head it opened the door to give us leeway to do bigger and better things.

What is your favorite medium to work with?

Metal. I like the permanence of metal. I like the versatility of it. I like that there is no armature necessary because your material is a structural material.

What were your previous jobs/career paths and how did they lead you here?

Well, I wanted to do art since I was a kid. That’s been the trajectory pretty much all along. To me it’s all about creating.

What kind of career can you do that you get to create stuff?

A sculptor. So that is what I went to school for. I wouldn’t call myself an artist. Artisan would be closer. And this is the perfect job to for that.

What is your favorite animal?

I really like the reptiles. I love the caiman lizard, Komodo dragons. There is something that is so simple about reptiles that is so different from my own experience as a mammal that I find fascinating.

What is your favorite exhibit?

I really like the Land of the Tiger. That was the first exhibit that I worked on when I was hired here, and I feel like it is the most immersive area of the zoo. To me that is the pinnacle of what we do: immersion.*

Are you native to Florida, If so, where? If not, where did you grow up?

I am. Florida native, born and raised.

What is your favorite part of your career or what is your most memorable experience at the zoo?

Spooktacular is my favorite. I get excited about it because it is the closest to working on a movie set. It’s a production with movie special effects. It’s not just what I’m doing, the scare zones, the monsters I get to create. It’s the production aspect of seeing all the pieces come together and all the departments come together. Pretty much the whole zoo comes together. When it is done and the show is launched it is such a great feeling.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I’m often hardscaping my land with found materials.

For instance, the zoo has big sand filters for our life support systems that can’t be recycled once they exceed their lifespan here (they’re fiberglass). We end up with 4’ diameter containers that have to be thrown away. I’m turning them into large planters on my land.

How or when did you first develop an interest in animals/the zoo?

When I was a kid, I was really into nature and being outside. I spent a lot of time running around in the woods finding snakes and spiders. My grandma would bring us all to the zoo, this zoo actually, every year as her Christmas present to us and every year I would tell my mom I want to work here when I grow up. Then I found art and went down that path. And now I get to do art and work at the zoo. It’s definitely a dream job for me.

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WHO'S WHO AT THE ZOO

Samantha Burns Senior Exhibits Technician

How long have you worked at the zoo?

I’ve worked at the zoo since February 2021.

What does a day in your shoes look like?

My mornings are usually dedicated to building things and my afternoons turn into concepting for the future along with more fabrication. Typical days change depending on the season. Currently, we are pre-event season. So, I’m able to work on projects for animal exhibits and Zoo grounds.

Once event season comes in, I’ll go into more production of sculptures and props.

What influences your works’ esthetic?

What influences my exhibit work is the location and the conversations I have with the zookeepers about the space. I do research on the animal or theming my work is going to be placed in and allow this to influence the direction I am going as well as what I can do with the material I am using.

My goal is to make an animal’s environment look natural while also making it so that they stand out.

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What was your break-thru piece and why?

I have two that really stand out. To start, early on I never thought I would be working at a zoo. I’m an artist. I felt I was teaching so I could continue my art career. At that time my husband, Matt, worked at the Naples Zoo and would send me photos of alligators. The backs of alligator feet look so silly!

I asked him if I could cast one of their feet. I knew I could do it. I teach my students how to life cast, I do life casts!

The answer came back no, you don’t have the credentials, you’re not a keeper, vet, etc. Unfortunately, one of the alligators passed of natural causes and I got the call.

“If you can get down to the zoo by the end of the day, it’s all yours to cast.” I immediately packed up my car and drove two hours to Naples Zoo to cast the massive alligator’s foot. The details that came out of the casting was an ah-ha moment of, I want to be doing more of this in some way and in some capacity. Art can be used as a tool for education!

I think zoo staff thought I was nuts. But, then they saw it and were floored. From that casting I got contacted by The Giant Armadillo Conservation Project where they flew me down to Brazil to life cast their animals in the field. It’s been like an on going 2-year thing. I’ve been working with them back in the States sending castings that are used as educational tools for locals and eventually large conservation efforts outside of Brazil to understand this endangered species.

Giant Armadillos are classified as threatened with extinction in Appendix I of CITES (Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species).

What is your favorite animal?

My favorite animal is a Gaboon viper. Their patterns are so beautiful. Also, their nose is cool.

What is your favorite exhibit?

That is a tough question. Not an exhibit, but part of the zoo ambiance is the strangler fig tree arch at main camp. It was the first big art piece I got to work on here that combined how you could use sculpture to blend form and function. What once used to be a plain metal arch for banners. Now, it looks like a strangler fig tree. It is something I had never done before at that scale. This project introduced and expanded on new sculpting materials that we continue to use now in exhibits.

How or when did you first develop an interest in animals/the zoo?

My husband, Matt. We have known each other since college. He’s always around animals and is just so passionate about what he does. When he was at the Naples Zoo (pre-covid) the alligators would come up on land for feeding and they each knew their name and colors!. I was just so curious. How do they learn these things? How do you teach them to come up on land? I became interested in the zoo, animal training and animal enrichment. I’m always learning something new from him and his team.

Are you native to Florida, If so, where? If not, where did you grow up?

I was born in New Jersey, but I moved here when I was 5.

I’ve been up and down and all over the Florida coasts since I got here.

What is your favorite medium to work with?

My favorite mediums are the ones you can manipulate and change to get someone to look at them in an unexpected way. I love working with a variety of media but I really enjoy sculpting because there is so much you can do with it! My medium of choice is mold making/casting which I pair with other media and processes like wood bending, laser cutting, paint, and epoxy clays.

What were your previous jobs/career paths and how did they lead you here?

I got my BFA in painting and photography and then I got my MFA in interdisciplinary practices. My MFA allowed me to teach at the college level while being able to continue make and exhibit work as an artist. My main job before the zoo was an Assistant Professor teaching studio artSculpture, 3D Design, Installation, Painting, New Media.

When Covid hit I had to change career paths because of the uncertainty of things. I became an event florist/production person. I did a lot of freelancing as a fabricator, a designer, a graphic designer, a photographer…I’ve had all these different hats.

What is your favorite part of your career or what is your most memorable experience at the zoo?

The best part about working here is seeing how all the pieces come together, especially for the events. It can be hard to imagine in May how something you’re doing is going to work in October for Spooktacular. Seeing Spooktacular go from a concept to end product is amazing.

What do you like to do in your free time?

In my free time I enjoy listening to music and going outside. I love being outside and spending time with Matt.

I’m often painting or putting things together in my home studio. Switching off the “make something to please everyone” to “I just need to make something that pleases me” is incredibly relaxing

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PRESENTED BY

An early-stage concept used for planning Colossal Creatures

Designed to bring together people of all ages and all walks of life, Colossal Creatures is our latest outdoor social hub where there is something for everyone. Colossal animal art inflatables are nestled into the fauna and flora and occupying 10,000 sqft of space.

Guests of all ages can look forward to towering animal replicas, capturing IG-worthy shots, having fun with education-play concepts, games & activities, and enjoying yummy bites and drinks. Come see this one-of-a-kind adventure and transport yourself across continents.

June 1 – August 31 9 am – 5 pm

Tickets On Sale Now Admission to Colossal Creatures is included in Total Experience tickets.

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Interactive Art • Vendors • Live Music Saturday, May 21 & Sunday, May 22

Creativity in Bloom The Art in the Garden Festival is a weekend celebration of creativity in all its forms—intriguing art, curated music, extraordinary living pictures—all within our lush gardens.

More Information.

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10am–3pm

GARDEN HIGHLIGHTS

Savanna Blooms

White Crinum Lily

Orange Bird of Paradise

Vista Bubblegum Supertunia and White Knight Lobularia WILD MAGAZINE • SPRING 2022 • JACKSONVILLE ZOO AND GARDENS

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Waterlily

Burn Jelly Plant 12

WILD MAGAZINE • SPRING 2022 • JACKSONVILLE ZOO AND GARDENS

Yellow African Iris

Society Garlic

Flame Lily WILD MAGAZINE • SPRING 2022 • JACKSONVILLE ZOO AND GARDENS

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WHAT'S NEW

Births, Hatchings, Acquisitions

By Donna Bear, Curator of Species Management, and Jasmine Alvarado, Species Management Officer

Nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) The name “armadillo” originated from Spanish meaning “armored one.” A perfect fit for these nocturnal tiny tanks. Armadillos are the only mammals in which their skin ossifies, or hardens into bone, forming a permanent bony-plated armor over the shoulders, back and head. This adaptation offers protection from predators and aides in their ability to burrow. While originally from Central and South America, their range of distribution has widened to the southeastern United States.

Armadillos are not picky when it comes to habitat, food, or temperatures, which is why established populations have reached as far north as Colorado and the Carolinas. Unsurprisingly, the nine-banded armadillo is the most common and widespread of all the armadillo species. While not out on exhibit, our new armadillo is currently in training to become an animal ambassador for our education programs.

Blue-crowned motmot (Momotus momota) Twenty subspecies are recognized under the Momotus momota, and all are native to different regions throughout Central and South America. The blue-crowned motmot is highly adaptable and can thrive in many types of environments. Ornithologists, a person who studies birds, have even sighted nests in archaeological ruins. But most motmots will excavate their burrows in earth banks along ravines and gullies. While motmots typically groom themselves by dust bathing, depending on their habitat, motmots will also bathe in falling rain. The beak of the bluecrowned motmot is narrow yet deeply serrated, perfect for digging through leaf litter in search of large invertebrates or other small animals. But they also like flowers and small fruits. You can find these birds in the Lorikeet Aviary in the Australia loop.

PHOTO: JOHN REED

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Rio Fuerte beaded lizard (Heloderma horridum exasperatum) The beaded lizard and its close relation, the Gila monster, are the only species of venomous lizards in the entire world.

Naturally located throughout the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Guatemala, these lizards are large and robust, reaching up to 28 inches in length. While described as having a mild temperament, beaded lizards are very agile when threatened or provoked. Their bite has been reported as extremely painful and sometimes even life-threatening.

Their grip has been compared to that of a bulldog’s tenacity, so it is best to keep your distance if seen in the wild. Their color combinations are often pink, orange or yellow with black depending on the region, but not always.

The beaded lizard's coloration and patterns can change as they age as well. See if you can spot these guys in the Lost Temple in the Range of the Jaguar.

October–December 2021 Births & Hatchings

Acquisitions (con't)

African pancake tortoise.....................................................0.0.2

Nine-banded armadillo...........................................................0.1

Atlantic Stingray....................................................................0.0.3

Rio Fuerte beaded lizard ....................................................1.0.1

Eastern bongo..........................................................................1.0

WALDRAPP IBIS........................................................................2.1

Green and black poison arrow frog..................................0.0.2

West African hadada ibis .......................................................1.1

Prehensile-tailed porcupine...................................................1.0

LEGEND: 0.1.2

Acquisitions

• • • • • •

BLUE-BILLED CURASSOW.......................................................0.1 Blue-crowned motmot............................................................2.0 FLORIDA MANATEE.................................................................2.0

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First digit male. Second digit female Third digit sex unknown Two digits only represent male and female CAPS = Endangered Species * (Asterisk) = First time at the Zoo †(Dagger) = Released back into the wild

VIDEOS

Jax Zoo Tube

Could it be a baby dinosaur born at the Zoo? March

Curator of Mammals Talks About Exciting Changes. January

Greater Flamingos Take a Walk Through the Zoo! January

How Jacksonville Zoo Animals Thrive February

Zoos Are Wildlife Sanctuaries Too: Buddy the Blind Otter February

Nature Agent Adventure at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.

April

To see additional videos please visit our YouTube Channel WILD MAGAZINE • SPRING 2022 • JACKSONVILLE ZOO AND GARDENS

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SCULPTURES

Not So Hidden Gems Can you find these sculptures during your next visit?

Located in Asian Bamboo Garden

Located in Range of the Jaguar

Located in the Gardens at Trout River Plaza

Located in Range of the Jaguar

Located by the Trout River Grill

Located in Asian Bamboo Garden

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EDUCATION

Kid & Family Programs Upcoming Events

By Jamie Gilkison, Education Engagement Supervisor

Event Descriptions Stroller Safari It's a special introduction to the Zoo for our littlest guests. Make new friends while you visit animal exhibits, meet a friendly animal ambassador and explore the animal world with all your senses.

Summer Zoo Camp Stretch your legs and join us for Zoo Camp. Spend a day or two exploring the natural world while playing games, meeting animals and chatting with keepers.

May

June

Stroller Safari Giraffes Stingray Bay Savanna Blooms May 24 and 28, 2022 8:45–9:30 a.m.

Ages 0–3 •

More Info

Wild Family Workshops May 14, 2022 Zoovengers Ages 4 and older •

Stroller Safari Australia Play Park June 21 and 25, 2022 8:45–9:30 a.m.

Ages 0–3 •

More Info

Wild Family Workshops June 11, 2022 Nature's Rainbow Ages 4 and older •

More Info

More Info

Wild Family Workshops These workshops will be an opportunity for you to spend quality time together, explore and learn about plants and animals, while participating in hands-on, naturebased activities.

Summer Zoo Camp: Passport to Adventure June 13–August 5, 2022 VPK–8th grade New this summer, two weeks of half day VPK camp. Registration open.

•

More Info

July Stroller Safari Riverview Gardens Asian Bamboo Gardens July 19 and 23, 2022 8:45–9:30 a.m.

Ages 0–3 •

More Info

Family Guided Tours All Ages Enjoy a private tour with one of our knowledgeable Education Guides.

Reservations required.

• Make A Reservation Natures Newbies Ages 1-3 and Zoo Tots Ages 3-5 Registration for the Summer Semester now open.

These classes sell out, don't miss your chance to sign your little one up.

• Sign Up

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GARDENER'S CORNER

Psyched About Cycads

By Donovan Raymond, Horticulture Technician II

King Sagos, Cycas revoluta. Also called Sago palms. This female plant is located on the driveway into the Zoo.

Cycads are some of the oldest, and most beautiful, plants on earth. They are also some of the most endangered.

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The “Cardboard palm” (Zamia furfuracea)

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Coontie plant, Zamia integrifolia. Located at one the driveway entering the Zoo.

Cycads are some of the oldest, and most beautiful, plants on earth. They are also some of the most endangered.

Sometimes referred to as “living fossils,” Cycads have been around for more than 200 million years, although their fossil record shows that they were in greater numbers and even more diverse before the Jurassic period. Individual specimens can live over a thousand years, and they grow very slowly, with some gaining only an inch in trunk height per decade. Cycads also have the unique ability to self correct for depth, meaning if they are buried too deep— typically a death sentence for most other plants—the Cycad

can pull itself up to its correct position relative to the ground. This adaptation may be the key to the Cycad’s longevity and ability to survive the mass extinction events that wiped out the dinosaurs. But today, Cycads are threatened by human-caused habitat destruction along with illegal collection. Cycads are diecious, meaning individual plants are either male or female, so separation prevents reproduction. It is extremely difficult for such slow-growing plants to bounce back from these disturbances. While their numbers are declining, there are currently around 300 species of Cycads worldwide.

Duck nesting under a Coontie plant, Zamia integrifolia. She was located near the Zoo's Administration building. She and her ducklings moved from that spot on April 25, 2022.

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Mexican fern palm, Dioon edule.

The cone of a female is pictured above.

“…Cycads are threatened by human-caused habitat destruction along with illegal collection.”

Most Floridians are familiar with King Sagos, (Cycas revoluta) often called “Sago palms,” although Cycads are not palms at all, but are more closely related to pine trees.

Sagos are quite prevalent in Florida landscapes, but their popularity has declined in recent years due to scale insect infestation, which can be alleviated by spreading coffee grounds around their base.

Another common Cycad is Florida’s own “Coontie plant” (Zamia integrifolia), the only Cycad native to North America. Coonties played a vital role for early Floridians: the Tequesta and Seminoles used to grind up the stems to make an edible starch called “arrowroot.” However, this can be toxic if not prepared properly. The Coontie is also the main food source for the larvae of the rare Atala butterfly.

Cold hardy and drought tolerant, they were once abundant throughout the state, but are now on the Threatened Species list. Collection of Coonties from the wild is illegal.

The “Mexican fern palm” (Dioon edule) is an elegant Cycad that reaches eight to 10 feet, with slender, light green colored leaves. It is also on the verge of becoming endangered.

The “Cardboard palm” (Zamia furfuracea), also from Mexico, is already on the Endangered Species list. These are popular in South and Central Florida landscapes but may be too cold-sensitive for North Florida winters, unless kept indoors.

Some of the rarer species of Cycads are extremely threatened throughout the world due to poaching. Many are bought and sold on illegal markets to wealthy collectors in what has become a multi-million-dollar industry. Some botanical gardens have started protecting their most rare Cycad collections in cages to prevent theft. Horticulturists are pushing for the establishment of Cycad seed banks and legislation regarding trading Cycads and protection of their habitats. Without help, these ancient plants are in danger of literally being loved to extinction.

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Interactive Art • Vendors • Live Music Saturday, May 21 & Sunday, May 22

Creativity in Bloom The Art in the Garden Festival is a weekend celebration of creativity in all its forms—intriguing art, curated music, extraordinary living pictures—all within our lush gardens.

More Information.

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10am–3pm

ANIMAL PROGRAMS

Animal Art

By Steve Trosell, Mammal Keeper

Revenue from paintings by bonobos and lemurs benefit specific projects such as Lola ya Bonobo and the Madagascar Fauna & Flora Group, respectively. Other species’ masterpieces go to our general conservation fund which is allocated for various program needs that help us to achieve our conservation mission.

World Bonobo Day was celebrated on February 14th, our bonobo team (and bonobos) worked extremely hard to prepare a wide variety of paintings available to the public for purchase. Most of them sold like hotcakes. The next time you visit, stop in the gift shop to see amazing works of art created by bonobos and other animals. Proceeds generated from sales of bonobo paintings go to Lola ya Bonobo in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the only sanctuary for orphaned bonobos in the world. We fund the care of three surrogate bonobo mothers, and with additional proceeds from painting sales, our hope is that we can increase that number to five surrogate mothers funded in 2022.

Van Gogh, Dalí and Kuni the bonobo? When thinking about history’s greatest painters you would not ever think of including animals at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, but you would be surprised to learn that a wide variety of species here at the Zoo can create beautiful art of their own.

The benefits of letting the animals paint are two-fold.

They get a unique experience, which provides mental stimulation and is considered a form of enrichment. Their paintings are then sold in the Mombasa gift shop, with proceeds going to a variety of conservation initiatives.

We are proud to support more than 45 conservation programs around the globe. Every time you purchase a ticket to visit, you are directly supporting our mission of protecting animals and plants around the world. Animal paintings being sold in our gift shop gives you a unique opportunity to further your impact, while getting a priceless piece of art for your home.

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ZOO ZONE FOR KIDS

Bee Hotel

By Emily Shultz

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There are more than 20,000 known species of bees throughout the world, and they have an especially important job to do. Bees are responsible for pollinating a third of the food we eat and 80% of all flowering plants.

Where would we "bee" without them? Not all bees live in hives, however, some of our local bee species make their homes in small wooden holes instead. These solitary bees do not make honey and are less likely to sting since they are not defending a hive.

You can drill holes into wooden blocks or create a bundle of hollow bamboo sticks clustered in a wooden box, soup can, or empty flowerpot. Make sure you have holes of assorted sizes with the biggest diameter being no more than 12mm. Get creative with the natural material you use.

Attach your new bee hotel to a south- or east-facing wall or fence to get plenty of morning sun and place it about 4 feet off the ground. If using hollow tubes, make sure they are pushed back against the back of the hotel, so they are protected from the rain.

Help our local pollinators and create a bee hotel for your backyard.

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This Solitary Bee House located in Range of the Jaguar was designed by Lad and Mindy Hawkins in 2019 to allure native solitary bees to the gardens in front of the Lost Temple.

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A bee hotel can be seen near at the South Train dock by Trout River Gardens and the Watering Hole.

Gardener's Corner: How to Help Pollinators WILD MAGAZINE • SPRING 2022 • JACKSONVILLE ZOO AND GARDENS

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DEVELOPMENT

Creative Ways to Support

By Morgan Purvis, Corporate Giving Officer

As a non-profit organization, you may know your membership helps keep our gates open to the community in order to impart knowledge, spark curiosity, and instill passion for animals and plants. But did you know as a Member you also support our wellness efforts that make sure our animals thrive, education programs that host exciting STEM learning opportunities, and conservation programs that protect animals and plants around the globe?

Membership is one small way to support these efforts— but you can make a bigger impact through other creative giving opportunities.

Sponsor an Event We love hosting unique events at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens—and businesses love to align their brand with these events. Event sponsorships offer special awareness to local businesses big and small, available at every event from Art in the Garden Festival to Spooktacular. Event sponsorships are just one of several options for businesses to support the Zoo. Contact Morgan Purvis at purvism@jacksonvillezoo.org to learn about sponsorship opportunities.

Name a Brick or Bench Imagine walking with your family and seeing your name or the name of a loved one etched upon a brick or bench for years to come. Commemorative bricks and benches are a creative way to honor someone’s love for their local Zoo and wildlife, while supporting us in our daily operations.

Symbolically Adopt an Animal Animal Adoptions are the perfect gift for any animal lover, that helps with the care and feeding of our over 2,000 animals on grounds. Choose a species to receive a plush and certificate, plus other benefits, all while supporting your Zoo.

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Help Big Renovations Exciting changes are coming, starting with our new main entrance and Manatee River habitat. We have special naming opportunities available where more than one million annual visitors will see your name.

Join the Heart of the Zoo Society Do you connect deeply with our mission and want to make a bigger impact? Upgrade your membership to join the Heart of the Zoo Society and gain access to exclusive benefits such as VIP events and tours.

If any of these opportunities interest you, our Development team would love to hear from you. Email us at development@jacksonvillezoo.org or call (904) 757-4463 ext134.

Support us Sponsor an Event Pictures from the 25th Anniversary of ExZOOberation Havana Nights, Saturday, April 2, 2022

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CONSERVATION

Monarchs and Milkweed

By Houston Sneed, Plant Conservation Officer

Across the planet, plants and animals have formed close relationships with each other. One beautiful example of these relationships, monarch butterflies and milkweed (Asclepias species), can be found right here in our Northeast Florida landscape. Monarchs depend on milkweed, where they lay their eggs, and when they are caterpillars milkweed is the only food they can eat.

Unfortunately, as humans develop land across the range of monarch butterflies, milkweed is disappearing in these agricultural, urban and suburban landscapes. Another problem is the ornamental use of a nonnative Mexican milkweed (Asclepias curassavica), which does not go dormant. By continuing to grow in the winter, this tropical milkweed keeps some monarchs from starting their fall migration in time to make it to Mexico where they spend the colder months. This nonnative milkweed also promotes the spread of a deadly parasite commonly known as OE (Ophryocystis elektroscirrha). With a reduction in the amount of native milkweed across their range, and pests like OE, monarch populations have alarmingly become much smaller than they were in the recent past.

“…when they are caterpillars milkweed is the only food they can eat.”

This spring, we aim to grow tens of thousands of native milkweeds for planting around the retention ponds in the parking lot. The main species we will be growing this year is swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), a highly ornamental variety that we hope to see flowering later in the year. Not only is this a native species of milkweed, but all the seed was collected locally, which will produce plants better adapted to Northeast Florida’s climate. This planting will not only increase the amount of monarch habitat in our area, but moving forward, will also produce seeds that we hope to share with community partners, members and the public.

We are growing native milkweeds for planting around the retention ponds in the parking lot.

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The yellow object is a Monarch egg.

Monarch caterpillar.

Monarch chrysalis.

Monarch butterfly

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ANIMAL HIGHLIGHTS

Two is Better Than One Lemur Infants

By Jen McCabe, Mammal Keeper

What's better than one lemur infant? Two, of course!

On February 19, we welcomed a Coquerel’s Sifaka infant to first time parents, Aemilia and Gulliver. As luck would have it on March 10, a Blue-eyed Black Lemur was born to second time parents, Hendricks and Hemsworth. This is very exciting for us and for lemur conservation, as both lemur species are critically endangered.

Coquerel’s Sifaka Located in African Forest Diet Leaves make up the bulk of their diet. They also eat fruit, flowers and vegetables.

Habitat Dry deciduous and semi-evergreen forest.

Range North West of Madagascar, in areas north and east of the Betsiboka River.

Conservation Status IUCN Redlist Critically Endangered

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Every birth is important as it supports the sustainability of these species for future generations. Keeper staff is elated to welcome our two newest additions and are excited for our members to see them.

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Blue-eyed Black Lemur Located in African Forest Diet Leaves make up the bulk of their diet. They also eat fruit, flowers and vegetables.

Habitat Dry deciduous and semievergreen forest.

Conservation Status IUCN Redlist Critically Endangered

Range North West of Madagascar, in areas north and east of the Betsiboka River.

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SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT Tag your posts with

#jaxzoomember for a chance to see your pictures or videos in Wild Magazine.

SROXU

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my_enchanting_florida_life

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redfraggle32

@workbywolfe

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KVOL30

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SNAPSHOT SOCIETY

Art & Conservation

By John Reed, Photography Volunteer & Snapshot Society Instructor

People often forget that Zoos, and certainly our Zoo, exist not just to entertain, but have a deeper role of species survival and sending a conservation message. With that in mind, this month let us talk about making images with an artistic bent in the hopes that those images will inspire others to care more about plants and animals. The more they care, the more they will support conservation activities. This is my primary goal with my zoo photographs, and especially so when I set out to turn an image into a more artful presentation.

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3 There are two strategies for “artistic” images. The first is simply to use good photographic technique to create pleasing, well composed, technically correct images that stand on their own.

The Snapshot Society is a great way to learn how to do this. Ideally this means not including any manmade items in the image for a more natural presentation. The degree of difficulty for this is very much dependent on the exhibit as well as the animals. Some require more effort and patience than others, but all are from the camera with little or no post processing. See photos one through six.

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Notice that for larger subjects it may mean only showing part of an animal instead of the entire body. For fenced exhibits, shooting through the fence requires a special technique involving lens aperture, lens focal length, distance to subject and distance to fence. Here again this may mean only being able to show part of the animal. Watch for special moments, looks, dramatic light, interactions and eye contact with you.

Some days none of this may happen.

Here’s where patience comes in.

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The second strategy is to digitally edit the photos using Photoshop or other software. This can be as simple as removing unwanted items from the scene, all the way to creating composites with totally different backgrounds and other artistic effects. Often this is the only approach If you want an image with an entire animal and not just part of one. See photos seven and eight for a before and after.

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Many folks do not want to take the time for this, and others may not have the software or computer or ability to do it. Hey, that is totally fine. Stick with strategy number one. I enjoy this creative manipulation such as photos nine through 14. If you enjoy photography and the Zoo, make amazing images with either strategy and you too will be doing your part to promote conservation and species survival. Have fun and see you at the Zoo. WILD MAGAZINE • SPRING 2022 • JACKSONVILLE ZOO AND GARDENS

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