WINTER 2023–2024
NEW MALAYAN TIGER CUBS
SAVING MANATEES COLE CROP CULTIVARS LEARNING IS NOT JUST FOR KIDS
Malayan Tiger Cubs Pictures page 6 Videos page 19
Table Of Contents 2 Transformation Through REZOOVENATION
18 Cole Crop Cultivars for Cold Weather
4 Who's Who at the Zoo
19 Jax Zoo Tube
6 Malayan Tiger Cubs
20 Learning is Not Just for Kids
8 Saving Manatees
21 Behind the Scenes Experiences
10 What's New: Births, Hatchings, Acquisitions
22 Snapshot Society
12 Colors of the Wild ZooLights Lantern Experience
24 Garden Highlight Winter Sights
13 Nature Agents 14 Banks the Jaguar Cub
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS TEAM
GENERAL BOARD
Jeff Ettling, Ph.D., President and CEO Holly Ellis, Chief Financial Officer Paula Shields, Chief People and Culture Officer Nikki Smith, Chief Philanthropy and Community Engagement Officer David Hagan, Chief Life Sciences Officer
Ken Amaro (COJ, Alternate) Scott Chamberlayne Kenyonn Demps Dan Fields Mike Gay (COJ) Wilfredo Gonzalez LeAnna Gutiérrez Cumber René Kurzius Barnwell Lane Pamela Phillips Clint Pyle Param Sahni Joel Swanson Scott Witt
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Lucia Lindsey, Chair Chuck Ged, Immediate Past Chair Kelly Coker-Daniel, Secretary Anne Marie Cushmac, Vice Chair, Governance Donna Deegan (COJ) George Mikes, Treasurer/Vice Chair, Finance Missy Peters, Vice Chair, Community & Culture Paula Renfro, Vice Chair, Education Paul Sandler, Vice Chair, Philanthropy Karen Estella Smith, Vice Chair, Gardens & Art Kerri Stewart, Vice Chair, Special Projects & Properties Salmaan Wahidi, Vice Chair, Animal Care, Conservation & Wellness John Hayt, Honorary Advisor
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HONORARY BOARD Danny Berenberg Ivan Clare Dano Davis Diane David Lenore McCullagh Elizabeth Petway Herbert Peyton Clifford Schultz Frank Surface Janet Vaksdal Weaver
HONORARY PAST CHAIRS COUNCIL Martha Baker J.F. Bryan Carl Cannon 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 Bill Rowe Carl “Hap” Stewart James Stockton Penny Thompson Courtenay Wilson
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Transformation through
By Morgan McClure, Corporate Philanthropy Officer
Did you know the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens that you know and love is going through a wild transformation? You may have noticed the fencing around the south perimeter of our parking lot and construction equipment making its way onto the grounds. Within the next two years, we will watch the J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver Manatee River and the VyStar SkyScape entrance be built before our eyes. The new entrance will include over 25,000 square feet of admissions, guest relations, security and first aid, retail, food and beverage, a stage, VIP lounge, meeting space and fullservice catering kitchen. This space will accommodate close to 1,000 seated guests at a time, with a roof structure extending 50 feet high in the air.
After entering, visitors will be met with Manatee River, which will expand our current Manatee Critical Care Center with 330,000 gallons of rehabilitation space for Florida manatees. The guest side will feature a mixedspecies habitat mirroring Florida's natural waterways. Behind the scenes, four additional treatment pools, two with lift floors for medical procedures, will help us more than triple our rehabilitation efforts to help manatee conservation in the wild. On October 20, we held a ceremonial ground breaking for this phase of REZOOVENATION, our capital campaign to drastically renovate the Zoo. We realized to renew our dedication to environmental education and global conservation, many of our habitat and guest spaces need to be revitalized. Some of these natural spaces are outdated or require expansion to accommodate our
growing commitment to the care of critically endangered species. Through REZOOVENATION, we aim to introduce new, wellness-inspired habitats and advanced technology, acting as a bridge between contemporary living and the natural world. Additional improvements will let us offer better guest experiences, educational programs and events. At the ground breaking, we were joined by Donna Deegan, Mayor of Jacksonville, and other partners who have helped make REZOOVENATION a reality. We anticipate the new entrance and expansion of our Manatee Critical Care Center will open in Fall 2025; however, we are still around $20 million away from our updated $70 million fund raising goal for this phase. REZOOVENATION is funded through a combination of individual support, government partnerships, corporations, foundations and more.
To learn more about REZOOVENATION and how you can make your mark on the future of Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, email REZOOVENATION@jacksonvillezoo.org. We also invite our Members to sign up for updates about the campaign at jacksonvillezoo.org/REZOOVENATION. Left: Donna Deegan, Mayor of Jackonsville and Dr. Jeff Ettling President & CEO of Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens at the ground breaking.
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WHO'S WHO AT THE ZOO
Tamarah Thames Philanthropy Experience Officer
How long have you worked at the Zoo? Five years. What were your previous jobs/career paths and how did they lead you here? I began my career path following high school graduation by going to a vocational school and becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant. I completed community college with my AA, graduated from massage therapy school, then finally graduated from FSU in 2001 with a BS in Early Childhood Development and Consumer Sciences. I intended to become a preschool director, but instead I became a massage therapy instructor.
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WILD MAGAZINE • WINTER 2023–2024 • JACKSONVILLE ZOO AND GARDENS
I have been a licensed massage therapist in the state for over 25 years. I spent most of my early massage career as an instructor, then once eligible, I became a massage school manager in Jacksonville. I then got married, was blessed to be able to stay home for a few years with my only child and then began working part-time at the Zoo as an Administrative Coordinator. All my educational and personal accomplishments led me to my current position as Philanthropy Experience Officer. Learning from others has been an important part of my different careers as there is always someone who knows more than me and I love learning from them.
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What does a day in your shoes look like? Professionally, I am always busy returning Heart of the Zoo (HOZ) Society Member emails and phone calls, contacting donors to thank them for their generosity, processing HOZ memberships including sending thank you letters, cultivating HOZ members by bringing awareness to the conservation efforts of the Zoo, helping to develop seasonal donation appeals and learning from the Philanthropy team how to become a more well-rounded and effective fundraiser. Personally, I go to the gym early in the morning, spend time with my daughter on the way to school, go to work (sometimes the gym after work instead of before), I plan and cook dinners, I spend time with my husband and kiddo every night eating dinner, then clean up dinner, pack lunches and go to bed early. What is your favorite animal? My favorite animals are my personal pets, Cooper the dog, and Violet and Fuchsia, the sister cats. The siamangs have been some of my favorite Zoo animals for a few years now. But as I learn from our animal care team the amazing details of all the Zoo's beloved animals, they all become my favorite, too. What is your favorite exhibit? My favorite exhibit at the Zoo is the Manatee Critical Care Center. When I take donors/prospective donors on tours and the Manatee team teaches us about the mammals, their condition and their future, I can't help but feel the passion behind the work and it makes me feel so happy.
When or how did you first develop an interest in animals/the zoo world/education? I first developed an interest in the Zoo world when I began working at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. Before that, I was an infrequent visitor. The more I learn about our animal care team, the horticulture team and the animals and plants that they care for, the more I develop a deep respect and love for the Zoo and its mission. Are you native to Florida? If so, where? If not, where did you grow up? I am not a native Floridian. I was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania. However, I have lived in Florida and loved it since I was four-years-old. I don't function properly in cold temperatures and adore the heat, the beach and the ocean. I've lived in Ocala, Eustis, Tavares, Mt. Dora and Tallahassee. What is your favorite part of your career or what is your most memorable experience at the Zoo (or your old zoo)? My favorite part of my career at the Zoo is learning from others and helping to raise funds for the Zoo to function and grow. I enjoy having the opportunity to educate our community and the world about ways to conserve our planet and the things living in it. What do you like to do in your free time? I love to be with my family above all things. Watching my husband play guitar in church, applauding his successes, being constantly amazed at how quickly my young daughter's mind works; I am always entertained and impressed by their talents. I enjoy working in my yard, exercising (including boxing, yoga and Pilates), eating great food and laughing with family and friends.
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ANIMAL HIGHLIGHTS
Malayan Tiger Cubs
Photos: John Reed
Born Sunday, November 5, 2023 Parents Cinta and Bashir Habitat Tropical and subtropical broadleaf forests.
Range Malayan peninsula including the countries of Malaysia and Singapore Conservation Status IUCN Redlist Critically Endangered Population Trend Decreasing
Videos page 19 The cubs still have some growing and snuggling to do before their habitat debut. Keep an eye out on social media for updates!
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Nymeria at The Manatee Critical Care Center Summer 2023
Photo: Jordan Spencer
ANIMAL HEALTH
Saving Manatees By Dani Perez, Manatee Care Specialist II
As an active participant in manatee rescue efforts for over 15 years, the Zoo formed its Marine Mammal Response Team (MMRT) in 2006 to assist the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to rescue injured and sick manatees all over Northeast Florida. When the Manatee Critical Care Center (MCCC) opened in August 2017, it reduced transport times and made it the only critical care center for manatees in our region. The MCCC has the capacity to rehabilitate about five or six manatees at a time. As of November 2023, we have successfully rehabilitated and released 35 Florida manatees back into the wild. Manatees rehabilitated at the Zoo are most affected by injuries caused by boat strikes, cold stress and entanglements. In December 2020, an Unusual Mortality Event (UME) was declared due to a substantial increase in manatee mortalities along the east coast of Florida. Years of poor water quality in the Indian River Lagoon area led to a slow die-off of seagrasses, which were the primary food source for manatees. This decrease of seagrasses caused a mass starvation event, which made 2021 the busiest year for the MCCC to date. Most of the manatees that received care at this time were often underweight and malnourished, making the role of critical care centers as important as ever. To highlight just one of the many successful rehabilitations at the MCCC is the case of a manatee named Nymeria. In August 2022, FWC contacted us about a large adult female who had beached herself in the St. John’s River, right down the road from the Zoo. FWC and MMRT members successfully rescued a very underweight and lethargic Nymeria and transported her back to the Zoo for further assessment. Shortly after her arrival, she quickly began to experience excessive skin loss on her back. Her skin loss was severe and required extensive care, including a surgical procedure and daily skin treatments for months. Thanks to the diligent efforts of the staff members and Nymeria’s own impressive perseverance, her skin healed and she is now easily identifiable with a large white scar on her back. Additionally, she gained over seven hundred pounds since the beginning of her rehabilitation, bringing her to an extremely healthy weight of over 1,400 pounds! Nymeria’s rehabilitation story is just one of many that demonstrates just how resilient these gentle giants can be, making our rehabilitation work that much more rewarding.
We are fortunate to contribute to manatee conservation and share the stories of these amazing animals with the Jacksonville community. Once the construction of the highly anticipated new Manatee River habitat is complete, the Zoo will be able to care for an additional 15 manatees, allowing us to contribute to manatee conservation at an even greater capacity. If you are interested in finding out more about the Manatee Critical Care Center, the Zoo is now offering Behind the Scenes Experiences where you will have the opportunity to learn what it takes to rescue, rehabilitate and release manatees back into the wild and learn what you can do to help protect manatees like Nymeria.
Attend a Behind the Scene Experience
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WHAT'S NEW
Births, Hatchings, Acquisitions By Donna Bear, Curator of Species Management and Jasmine Alvarado, Species Management Officer
Atlantic Stingray
Eastern Indigo Snake
(Hypanus sabinus)
(Drymarchon couperi)
The Atlantic stingray’s natural habitat ranges along the coastline from Chesapeake Bay to the Yucatán Peninsula in both fresh and brackish waters. They can even be seen in the St. John’s River system right here in Florida. Its protruding snout makes it easy to distinguish from other stingrays. Rays belong in the taxonomic class of Chondrichthyes, or cartilaginous fish, which have skeletons primarily of cartilage instead of bone. Atlantic Stingrays represent the only permanent freshwater population of an elasmobranch (subclass of cartilaginous fish) in North America. While non-aggressive, Atlantic stingrays can still be hazardous due to the venomous barb at the base of their tail. The sting is generally not life-threatening, though painful. These serrated stingers are their primary defense against large predators or any creature that may startle or frighten them. Since stingrays often share space with humans at beaches and tide pools, remember to be cautious when walking in the water. It’s recommended by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to do the “stingray shuffle” to avoid injury to yourself, the stingrays and other native wildlife. You can safely meet our rays at Stingray Bay, who are always ready to make a splash!
A federally listed endangered species, the eastern indigo snake is the longest native snake in North America, with a record of eight feet and seven-and-a-half inches. While nonvenomous, the eastern indigo snake has strong jaws, and their bite can still leave quite a mark. Their diet mainly consists of other reptiles, including venomous snakes. When threatened, they contort their body into an “S” shape and can strike multiple times until they can escape the danger. Even though they don’t have a rattle, they will shake their tail in warning as well. These beautiful snakes are covered mostly in shiny black scales with indigo overtones. In direct sunlight, they look almost iridescent. Hatchlings will be more blue-black in color, have reddishorange-colored heads, and a light, banding pattern. As they grow, these colors mostly fade, yet sometimes they’ll retain a red or whitish chin. Black racers are often confused for eastern indigos. However, black racers are smaller and move much faster than the eastern indigo snake. Visit the Wild Florida Herp House to see these shimmering serpents up close, either basking under a heat lamp or moving idly about their enclosure.
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Stingray Photo: John Reed
Coconut Lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus) There are several varied species of lorikeets that are native to the coasts of Australia and surrounding islands of Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Tasmania, New Caledonia and the Solomon Islands. The coconut lorikeet is just one of many. And up until recently, all lorikeets were called Rainbow lorikeets, which had almost two dozen subspecies. Now there are seven distinct species (coconut, rainbow, sunset, red-collared, Biak, marigold and leaf lorikeet). But all are important to the ecosystem as they are valuable pollinators for native plants in their regions. They eat the nectar and pollen from a wide variety of trees, shrubs and flowers, along with fruits, seeds and the occasional moth pupae. Lorikeets are part of the Psittacidae family, also known as parrots. During breeding season, they can have between one to three eggs, which incubate for about 25 days. The chicks will then start to fledge after seven to eight weeks of age. But you don’t have to travel halfway across the world to see these beautiful birds. Just stop by the Lorikeet Aviary and see them up close and personal for yourself.
July–September 2023 Births & Hatches Atlantic stingray...........................................................................0.2.0 Coconut lorikeet......................................................................... 0.0.2 Cownose ray...............................................................................1.1.0 Eastern bongo.............................................................................0.1.0 EASTERN INDIGO SNAKE...........................................................0.0.9 Greater kudu ..............................................................................1.0.0
Acquisitions American green treefrog............................................................. 0.0.2 Warthog......................................................................................0.1.0
Legend: 0.1.2 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
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Visit one of the largest Asian lantern events in the country! Information and Tickets: jacksonvillezoo.org/colors-of-the-wild Presented by
In partnership with
DIGITAL SCAVENGER HUNT
COMPASS PAIRS WITH MOBILE APP
Interactive fun creates a curiosity for learning. As Nature Agents, you can discover, learn and bond together on a digital scavenger hunt using the NEW Explorer Quest app!
DOWNLOAD EXPLORER QUEST APP MANUALLY OR SCAN
POWERED BY
ANIMAL HIGHLIGHTS BONUS JUST FOR MEMBERS
Banks The Jaguar Cub
Photos: John Reed
Photos: John Reed
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Photos: John Reed
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GARDENER'S CORNER
Cole Crop Cultivars For Cool Weather
By Patrick Kelly, Horticulture Technician 2
If someone on the street came up and said “Brassica oleracea,” you would probably say “what?” But if someone came up and said “cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, kale, cauliflower and collard greens,” you would still probably say “what?” but at least you would understand the words. Surprise! Both hypothetical people are saying the same thing. Kind of. All those vegetables are the same species, Brassica oleracea.
“How?” might be your next thought. How could cauliflower and Brussels sprouts be the same species of plant? The answer is human intervention and selective breeding. Even though they are all the same species, they are differentiated by cultivar. A cultivar is a plant variety that has been produced in cultivation by selective breeding. Much like dogs have been bred for specific jobs over the past couple thousand years, so has Brassica oleracea. Instead of selecting for long legs or a sensitive nose, these cultivars have been bred for individual parts of the plant.
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Broccoli and cauliflower for prominent inflorescences (flower stalks), cabbages for their tight heads, kale and collards for looser leaves, Brussels sprouts for their bud and kohlrabi for its swollen stem. These grocery store staples have become distinct vegetables thanks to countless generations of human interference. You might be wondering why we’re talking about vegetables. It is winter, nothing is growing right now. Not quite! Thanks to the hardiness of their wild ancestor, these plants are especially suited to growing in our milder winters. While young plants are more susceptible to cold damage, most of these varieties, when established, can handle temperatures down into the twenties. Ideally, they’d be established and in the ground (or container) before January. However, if you missed that window and cannot wait for your spring planting, there’s still time to start some seedlings and have fresh greens, buds and swollen stems just outside your door. Here at the Zoo, we grow these veggies to supplement our animals’ (and our own) diet throughout the colder months, and you should too!
VIDEOS
JAX Zoo Tube We're Expecting!
Introducing Three New Tiger Cubs
Three Days of Cubmas: Day 1
Three Days of Cubmas: Day 2
Three Days of Cubmas: Day 3
Baby Banks Having a Gourd Time
One of the Largest Asian Lantern Events
Experience the Magic at Colors of the Wild
To see additional videos please visit our YouTube Channel WILD MAGAZINE • WINTER 2023–2024 • JACKSONVILLE ZOO AND GARDENS
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LEARNING AND CONSERVATION ENGAGEMENT
Learning Is Not Just For Kids By Jamie Lynn Lankenau, Community Engagement Supervisor
As the Zoo continues to expand with the ground breaking of our J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver Manatee River habitat and our long-awaited REZOONOVATION, the Learning and Conservation Engagement Department (formerly Education Department) is also experiencing growth! Over the years, educational programming has flourished, introducing formal and informal programming to communities. We are extremely excited to announce that in 2024, the Learning and Conservation Engagement Department is expanding adult educational programming to include more robust informal programming options for audiences 18 years and older. As you may know, we offer a graduate degree program, the Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP), but for those adults that want to learn about conservation without earning a degree, we are ramping up to offer adult courses all about the protection of plants, animals and the environment. Whether you are interested in learning more about our facility, our larger contribution to conservation, why native plants are important or how you can be a better environmental steward—we will have a program for you!
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If you just love to visit the Zoo and want a unique environment to spend time with friends while learning, or if you have always wondered what an adult summer camp would be like, we have programs in the works for you. Keep an eye out on social media for updates and new learning opportunities. Our program development is still underway, so keep an eye out for more information online and join us in 2024. Did you know the Zoo has a separate Education social media account? For specific EDU updates, including upcoming adult education opportunities, follow JaxZooEdu on Facebook and Instagram. You can also visit jacksonvillezoo.org/learn for all things Zoo Edu!
SNAPSHOT SOCIETY
They Speak To Me By John Reed, Photography Volunteer & Snapshot Society Instructor
“How do you get such thoughtful images?” the student asked. “Especially of those animals.” “They speak to me,” was all I could say. Puzzled, she wanted more. She wanted to know how. She wanted technical formulas, rules about f/stops and camera tips. I could give her many of those because they are important, but that was not the true answer. As I hesitated, she said “What speaks? How do they speak?” Not trying to sound too Zen-like, but I could only say “If you’re asking that question, then you are not yet at a place where you can truly understand the answer. For the truth is I cannot really answer it.” The puzzlement was evident in her eyes, so I went on. There are so many things involved that are learned only after spending time observing and learning about the animals, but I decided to give one of the most important starting points. “Look to the eyes” I said. “Eye contact always makes for a stronger image and is a great place to start.” 22
WILD MAGAZINE • WINTER 2023–2024 • JACKSONVILLE ZOO AND GARDENS
The student nodded, said she thought she understood, and rejoined the workshop. Later, after the workshop, as I mused over this conversation, I knew there was more to it, for me at least. True, the gaze comes first, but it is something more than that. It is something I’m still not able to put into words to adequately explain. It is a feeling that comes over me as I watch. I don’t know if I project myself to them in some way. I do know I wonder what’s going through their mind, especially when they fix their gaze directly on me, eye to eye.
Photos: John Reed
I get carried away when an animal turns its attention to me, locks onto me with their eyes and by doing so allows me, for just an instant, to become a part of its world. We are joined in that moment. Everything, good or bad, which has happened to each of us our entire lives brought us to that exact point in time when our paths intersect, and we share our existence with each other. I can almost tangibly feel the connection. “What are you thinking?” is the thought that often enters my mind. Does he or she wonder what I am thinking? Do they wonder at all? Is he or she remembering some creature like me they encountered before? Is the memory good, bad, happy or fearful? What do they worry about? Many more thoughts and questions rattle around in my head. I have a few answers, but these are the thoughts that come to me as I watch and try to “see” at a deeper level, a level of wonder and just maybe, a bit of understanding. I cannot help but wonder if some of these thoughts are somehow sparked by their thoughts. Is this our form of communication? I am moved, I am changed every time this happens. I know that I want to attempt to capture some of this electricity between us. I want to share it with others through photography. I want to inspire others to also gaze upon these creatures with the same wonder and reverence, and not just as amusements or resources. These creatures speak to all of us once we open our hearts to listen. To everybody I say, open your heart and receive the message from the animals. They will speak to you, too. It probably won’t be in the same way because we are all different, but if you are truly open to receiving, they will speak to you in some way. Slow down. Stop. Allow them to influence you and you too will be changed, and so will your photography.
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GARDEN HIGHLIGHTS
Winter Sights Our horticulture team is hard at work, even during the coldest days of the year, making everything look great.
Land of the Tiger: • Top: Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus) and Variegated Baby Sun Rose (Aptenia cordifolia 'Variegata'). • Bottom left: Tropical Blue Bamboo (Bambusa chungii) and Snailseed (Cocculus laurifolius). Savanna Blooms Garden: • Bottom middle: Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus). • Bottom right: Bleeding Heart Vine (Clerodendrum thomsoniae 'Delectum').
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Savanna Blooms Garden: Red Hot Poker Plant (Kniphofia sarmentosa)
Photo: John Reed