Expeditions Summer 2020
Inside this issue: • Silverback Gorilla Brothers • Arapawa Goats • White-Cheeked Gibbon
A quarterly publication of the Kansas City Zoo
Elephant Expedition is Making a Splash!
Welcome back to the Zoo!
2020 Friends of the Zoo BOARD OF DIRECTORS
How the world has changed since our last Expeditions newsletter! When our spring issue mailed, we had no idea what was coming. In the few months since then, the landscape of the year 2020 changed dramatically. Never could I have imagined our Zoo being closed to the public for such an extended period of time, but we knew it was the right decision when we closed mid-March as a precautionary measure against the spread of COVID-19. Our top priority has always been the safety of our guests, staff, and animals, and our commitment to that continues.
Hayley Hanson, Chairperson
While this has been a season of crisis, we have also had a lot to celebrate. Here are some of the good things that happened while you couldn’t be here at the Zoo with us… • Our employees showed up. Once again, our Zoo staff proved that they are among the very best. Every day, they provided the highest quality of care for our animals and our facilities. They were split into teams to help prevent a wide outspread should anyone fall ill. They made sure that when we were ready to open again, the Zoo would be better than ever. And now, many are working outside of their regular jobs, doing whatever is best for the Zoo. • Our community stepped up. Without a doubt, this extended closure has created a financial hardship for the Zoo. As a nonprofit organization, we count heavily on the sale of tickets and memberships as well as retail and concession sales. We missed about two months of those sales and expect lower tax revenues later in the year as well. But, Kansas City did not let us down. Through Facebook fundraisers and our web site, we raised over $50,000 to help cover the costs of feeding our animals while we were closed. Many others have helped by purchasing or renewing memberships. We are grateful for this extraordinary support. • Zoo friends, old and new, stayed connected. Instead of taking school field trips to the Zoo, most children were at home this spring. Instead, we were able to offer lots of opportunities to learn all about the Zoo and its animal residents online through our web site and social media. We added live animal cams, provided at-home activities, and created lots of video content for kids of all ages to enjoy. We are thrilled that so many of you tuned in! And, we made new friends through these efforts! • Elephant Expedition is complete! This project is a total transformation of our elephant area. Look for photos in this newsletter! When you come to the Zoo this summer, there will be some things that look different: social distancing reminders, a move from face-to-face to virtual zookeeper chats, a lot more hand sanitizer, and more. We’re making changes as needed in an effort to provide the safest environment possible. What will be the same, however, is what is most important: we will be excited to welcome you to the Zoo, where we hope you’ll connect with your loved ones and the natural world. We know that you’re likely ready for some fun and some fresh air, and we have plenty of both. And, the animals are very anxious to see you, too, so please visit soon!
Husch Blackwell LLP
Wesley Fields, Secretary
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
David Sanchez Jr., Treasurer
PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP
Karen Begelfer, Sprint Corporation Brad Bodamer, Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P. Dr. Yolanda Cargile, Center School District Sharon Cleaver, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City Jeff Dillon, VanTrust Real Estate LLC Wes Dixon, Keywest Technologies, Inc. Jan Francis, Heartland Golf Development Ana Nubia Hernandez, La Mega Spanish Radio Audrey Hill, Saint Luke’s Health System Gayle Krigel, Community Volunteer Julius Lai, AMC Theatres Todd LaSala, Stinson Leonard Street LLP Jill Marchant, Hallmark Cards, Incorporated Jill McGee, Community Volunteer Yvette Miceli, Construction Brokers, Inc. Joe Prenger, ECCO Select Tony Reinhart, Ford Motor Co. Terry Riley, Transformation Consultants, LLC Terry Rynard, KC Parks and Recreation Kathy Smith, Community Volunteer Michele Vance, Service Management Group Tom Waggoner, HOK Architects David Yeamans, Burns & McDonnell Engineering Co., Inc.
Representing the City of Kansas City Heather Hall, City Council Kevin McManus, Mayor Pro Tem Earnest Rouse, Acting City Manager Terry Rynard, KC Parks and Recreation
Zoological District Commissioners Greg Canuteson, Vice Chair, Clay County David Mecklenburg, Treasurer, Parks & Recreation Representative Jerry Nolte, Clay County Dan Tarwater III, Chair, Jackson County Randy Wisthoff, KC Zoo Representative
Open daily, year round. Closed only on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
www.KansasCityZoo.org 816.595.1234 The Kansas City Zoo is a non-smoking environment except in designated areas which are indicated on the Zoo Map and on grounds with signs and ash trays.
Randy Wisthoff, Zoo Director
2
Expeditions — Summer 2020
The Kansas City Zoo, a private, non-profit organization is operated in agreement with the Kansas City, MO Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners, partially funded by the Zoological District in Jackson and Clay Counties in MO, a nd is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Welcome Leilani! A critically-endangered female white-cheeked gibbon was born on Saturday, February 15 in the Tropics at the Kansas City Zoo. The Species Survival Plan recommended the pairing of dad Smithers (24) and mom Kit (15). Both are doing a wonderful job caring for Leilani, their daughter. After a seven-month gestation, gibbon infants are all born blond, turning black by two-years-old and if female, changing back to blond coloration as they reach maturity. Native to China, Laos, and Vietnam, these rainforest canopy acrobats are well known for their incredible athleticism. Gibbons brachiate, swinging with lightning speed from branch to branch. They can clear enormous distances in the treetops moving with incredible agility. Also known for their piercingly loud long-calls, these lesser apes sing daily ritual duets to mark their territory. Young gibbons start to mimic these calls, singing along with their mothers.
Adopt a Wild Child Show your favorite animal that you care. As an adopting individual, family, group, or corporation, you will receive weekly e-news and the quarterly newsletter, Expeditions, throughout the year, other fun wild perks, and an invitation to the annual adoption picnic. Visit the Kansas City Zoo often—you’ll see your adoption at work!
White cheeked gibbons are mostly fruit and leaf eaters but will occasionally eat an insect or small animal. They play a vital role in their native forests by spreading the undigested seeds of fruiting plants and trees. Their numbers have decreased by over 80% in just the last few decades due to habitat loss, illegal logging, and hunting for the illegal pet trade. Kansas City Zoo is doing our part to protect this critically endangered primate. Our gibbon family, including the new infant, reside in Tropics.
Looking for Zoo Events? Check our website for up-to-date information on Zoo events! www.kansascityzoo.org
3
Elephant Expedition is Now Open!
Connecting Kansas City to the World
The world is losing an estimated 96 African elephants per day in the wild. If this continues, African elephants could be extinct in the wild within the next 20 years. Some predictions have Asian elephants disappearing within three generations. The Kansas City Zoo is involved in several conservation efforts to help elephants in the wild, and is working to improve the reproductive success of animals in human care. For many children in our area, visiting the Kansas City Zoo is the only way they will ever connect with wildlife and nature firsthand. Our zoo is likely the only place they’ll ever see an elephant, and where they will learn how important it is to take action to help species in other parts of the world. The Kansas City Zoo has a long history of elephant care that meets the high standards set by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. But our elephant habitat was built in 1994 and we have learned much since then about the needs of our elephants and our guests. While the elephants’ home exceeded requirements, we wanted to create something even better. The Zoo’s current elephants, which include six adult females and one adolescent male, will certainly benefit from the improvements we’ve made, as will future elephants who may call this habitat home. And, the Zoo welcomes about one million visitors a year, including Kansas Citians and tourists. The changes we’ve made to the elephant area now will help meet the needs of our guests for decades to come.
What the New Exhibit Provides to Our Guests The area around the elephant habitat previously provided some challenges for our guests, particularly those with disabilities. This renovation includes improvements that will provide a much better experience for all those enjoying a day at the Zoo. • ADA-compliant walking paths along the entire elephant outdoor habitat to provide increased viewing. The paths also eliminate pedestrian traffic along the tram road, increasing safety exponentially. • An enlarged viewing area at the elephant demonstration area with a public address system for Zookeeper chats and educational programming. • An additional tram stop, for added convenience and less walking for those who desire it. • Improved viewing areas, including the deck at Elephant Overlook. • Additional seating and shaded areas so guests can enjoy a break, plus flexible event space. • ADA-compliant restrooms, including an adult changing table. • A mother’s room, providing a relaxing, private space to meet the needs of new moms.
4
Expeditions — Summer 2020
How the New Exhibit Benefits Our Elephants This renovation includes many improvements for our elephant herd and will better meet the unique needs of these majestic animals now and in the future.
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 2020
• A more elephant-friendly pool and waterfall with a gradual grade that will allow easier access for our elephants. A water filtration system will also save about 100,000 gallons of water every few days! • Additional sand in the elephant habitat, which provides a more comfortable substrate. • A safe perimeter for elephants of all sizes, so that even babies could explore the habitat without concern. • Additional shade structures for all-weather comfort.
Pink Square is 19.75x29.75 (Final Trim Size)
Total Cost
Left: 1/8” bleed Top: 1/8” bleed Right: 1” bleed Bottom 1” bleed
$10 million
Total document size including bleeds is: 20.875x30.875
4 MILE & 1 MILE
RUN THRU THE ZOO COLLECTIBLE FINISHER MEDALS 8:30am - 4 Mile Walk/Run 9:45am - 1 Mile Walk/Run
REGISTER AT www.KansasCityZooRun.org PRODUCED BY EVENT MIDWEST, LLC.
RUN #4 OF THE KC SWEET 16 RACE SERIES - www.kcsweet16.com SPONSORED BY
www.kansascityzoo.org
5
Silverback Brothers — Curtis & Charlie Two new 400-pound silverback gorillas now call the Kansas City Zoo home! After spending their earlier years in the “mile high city” of Denver, these two brothers Curtis (25) and Charlie (24) are now a bachelor group of their own in Kansas City. Male gorillas typically live with their family groups until they reach 5-9 years of age. At that time, they may leave the family group to either form a family group of their own, live solitary, or create a bachelor group. In zoos, we manage the population of western lowland gorillas through a consortium of zoos called
the Species Survival Plan (SSP). In order to house family groups, zoos must house bachelor groups or individual silverbacks in separate housing until a breeding recommendation is made and they are paired with females. Curtis and Charlie will stay at the Kansas City Zoo until the SSP determines if they should make a family of their own here or at another zoo. Curtis is the older brother and is a gentle leader. He loves blankets and will occasionally walk around with them draped over his head. When he really wants something, he will put his lips together and make little “elephant noises”. He will also try and trade anything he can find for a treat! His favorite treats are mixed nuts, in moderation. He and all the gorillas at the Zoo eat a healthy mix of vegetables, lots of lettuce, and special primate biscuits that add important calories and nutrients to their diet. Charlie has started to show more confidence and depend less on Curtis when making decisions. He has even started to boss his big brother around a little bit! He is definitely the more playful of the two brothers. When he is in a playful mood, he likes to open his mouth and shake his head.
Curtis
Charlie 6
These highly intelligent great apes have lots of enrichment to play with and Charlie enjoys carrying them around with him. Both boys love to do training sessions and interact with their Zookeepers whenever possible! Charlie is built a little stockier than Curtis and Curtis’ face is more elongated than Charlie’s. Charlie also has lots of hair on his shoulders that we like to refer to as “Charlie’s angel wings”! There are three species of gorilla living today, the mountain, Cross River and western lowland. Even though western lowland gorillas are the most widespread of the gorilla species, they are still critically endangered. In the wild, their numbers are being threatened by hunting for the bushmeat and pet trade, habitat loss and degradation, and disease. The gorillas that call zoos home are important ambassadors for their cousins in Africa. Every visit to the Zoo supports conservation efforts at home and around the globe! Expeditions — Summer 2020
Dr. McCullough Joins the Zoo Team Hey y’all! My name is Christina and I am the new associate veterinarian at the Kansas City Zoo. I joined the team in September 2019. Working with the keepers and animal health staff here at the KC Zoo has been an exciting adventure. I am so happy to be part of an innovative team, providing outstanding medical care for all of our animals. I was born in North Carolina but was raised in western Pennsylvania. I grew up on 50 acres of land and was exposed to nature and various animals at a young age. My first pet was a Saanen goat! This experience no doubt jump-started my love for both animals and the environment. Growing up, I frequently visited the local zoos and animal parks. During college, I had the opportunity to work at Walt Disney World at the Kilimanjaro Safari Ride at Animal Kingdom. This experience solidified my passion to work with exotic and endangered species. I then pursued a summer internship at the Pittsburgh Zoo as a keeper working with giraffe, dama gazelle, springbok, muntjac and ostrich!
Syracuse, NY, and the Janet L. Swanson Wildlife Health Center in Ithaca, NY. I continued my career in private practice working with dogs, cats and a variety of exotic pets in Tampa, Florida, while also working as a relief veterinarian at The Florida Aquarium and ZooTampa. I am so happy to have my dream career. No two days are ever the same when you are a zoo veterinarian! Working with endangered species and participating in both local and global conservation efforts to ensure that these species and their habitats are preserved for years to come is the most rewarding aspect of the job. When I am not working, I spend most of my time outdoors and exploring new places. I enjoy kayaking, I’m an avid runner and I love hiking with my greyhound, Bandit! Thanks for being a FOTZ member! We appreciate you caring for our animals and supporting our zoo! Sincerely,
Christina McCullough, DVM, MLAS
Penguins and Art? This spring, during our extended closure, our penguins were invited to visit the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art for a morning of enrichment. You may have seen the story go internationally viral and we were thrilled to share our story with millions of people who may have never heard of Kansas City let alone our wonderful Zoo. In total, there were nearly 1.4 billion views of the story in at least 32 countries. If the Zoo had paid for this advertising it would have cost 4.3 million dollars!
I spent many years in school pursuing my dream of becoming a zoo veterinarian. I attended Duquesne University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Biology) and Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) and continued on to Drexel University to obtain my Master’s degree. I achieved my dream of becoming a veterinarian at The Ohio State University, College of Veterinary Medicine – GO BUCKS! After veterinary school, I pursued a year of specialized training in Food Animal Medicine and Surgery at Kansas State University, and then a subsequent year training at Cornell University in Zoo, Wildlife and Exotic Companion Animal Medicine. Through Cornell’s program, I worked at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in www.kansascityzoo.org
7
Anthony’s Poison Arrow Frog Green Winged Macaws
Wyoming Toads
Snickerdoodle, Butter
Radiated Tortoise
Oriental Fire Bellied Toad
Ring Tailed Lemurs Thyrea, Arwen, Galadriel
Linnaeus’s Two Toed Sloth Arenal Arnie
8
Expeditions — Summer 2020
Amazon Milky Frogs
Perusian Squirrel Monkey Prevost’s Squirrel Zack
Blue Poison Dart Frog
Vietnamese Mossy Frog
White’s Tree Frog
Green & Black Dart Frogs
Panamanian Golden Frogs www.kansascityzoo.org
9
Baby Boom in Billy Goats Gruff Yard! Five new Arapawa goat kids are bouncing around the Billy Goats Gruff Yard at the Kansas City Zoo! This endangered heritage breed of goat originates in New Zealand and has been gaining in numbers due to careful breeding by a handful of zoos in the United States. Our herd experienced a baby boom this spring with five new additions! Twins, a boy and a girl, were born to mom Gretel and triplets, two boys and one girl, were born to mom Poppy, all on Saturday, March 30. After a public vote online, the triplets were named Popcorn, Peanut and Crackerjack! Visit the Billy Goats Gruff Yard and feed our new additions today!
Saturday, October 17 7–11pm
21+ Event
Enjoy an evening of live music and sampling from more than 40 local breweries and wineries while supporting the Zoo and its conservation efforts. We will also have food trucks on site to tame the roar in your belly!
TICKETS: kansascityzoo.org/events/brew-zoo-wine/
10
Expeditions — Summer 2020
Wyoming Toad Success! The Kansas City Zoo participates in the Wyoming Toad Species Survival Plan, working diligently to save this species from extinction. Each year, we pair selected individuals to breed and produce tadpoles which can later be released into the Laramie Basin of Wyoming. Following a period of artificial winter hibernation, our Wyoming toads have mated and produced eggs! Over 2,000 eggs were laid and will soon begin to develop. We’re hopeful for a large group of tadpoles to release into the wild this year.
Friends of the Zoo Breakfast July 11–12, 8:00–10 am We will be combining our FOTZ Evening and FOTZ Family Breakfast into one event for all current Friends of the Zoo members on Saturday and Sunday, July 11–12. The Zoo will open early for FOTZ members only, but a timed reservation must be
made to help the Zoo manage the number of attendees and arrival times. A continental breakfast will be served with all appropriate safety precautions. You will receive an email with instructions in June. Thank you for your continued support of the Kansas City Zoo!
Six Swans a Swimming! New couple Mabel and Melvin have welcomed four new cygnets to our trumpeter swan pond! A fifth cygnet hatched late and is being raised behind the scenes by Zookeepers. These amazing waterfowl numbered in the hundreds of thousands at the beginning of the 20th century. Unfortunately, they were hunted
www.kansascityzoo.org
to near extinction in pursuit of their downy white feathers and in the 1930s fewer than 100 remained in the lower 48 states. They are the largest of all North American waterfowl and one of the heaviest flying birds. Pairs usually lay 4–6 eggs annually and ours were no exception, laying six eggs this year. After a 32 day incubation, four hatched over the course of two days. A fifth was slower to emerge and our parents moved on with the rest of the youngsters, so our Zookeepers intervened and are now playing the role of “foster parents”. These young swans will all play a role in the future of trumpeter swans when they are sent to Iowa this fall to overwinter before being released into the wild next spring!
11
Sustainability by the Numbers
REDUCE
REUSE
1,000
Composting
incandescent bulbs upgraded to energy efficient LED bulbs
Initiated a straws and
lids by request only
program in all food and beverage locations which drastically reduces the number of straws and lids ending up in the landfill.
2019
Onsite composting diverts 75% of animal waste into about
2.4 million pounds of compost a year
Green Building Practices 3 buildings totaling 83,677 sq feet of
LEED certified space
3 rain gardens on site Significantly reduced plastic waste by using reusable cups & compostables at Brew at the Zoo and Wine Walk for Wildlife
1 green roof at Polar Bear Plaza
Installation of 30 water refill stations diverted over 80,000 bottles from the landfill
Palm Oil Policy The Zoo consistently assesses their product procurement to assure they are only purchasing certified sustainable palm oil products
The Finance Department removed over 86 employees from 94 different organizations’ mailing lists through our Junk Mail Diversion Program
Adopted an Environmental Impact Statement
3,580 pieces of single-use plastics saved from the landfill by 123 staff & community members who participated in Plastic Free July Challenge
Solar Solar panels on 9 buildings produced 210,575 kWh in 2019
Equivalent to the electrical use in 20 homes for 1 year
1,180 lbs.
of food waste was diverted from the landfill by utilizing compostable serviceware @ Jazzoo
RECYCLE 3,500 pounds
12
3,500 lbs.
of electronics were recycled by the IT department
177 cellphones recycled through our eco-cell program
11.639 net tons or 23,278 lbs. of metal recycled
Expeditions — Summer 2020
The 31st Annual Jazzoo
A Toast to Tusks August 28, 2020 7:30pm–Midnight Proceeds from the event feed the Zoo’s animals for the year, and provide funds for the Zoo’s education programs.
For tickets and more information, visit JazzooKC.org www.kansascityzoo.org
13
Sara’s Commitment to Conservation Sara Markway has worked at the Kansas City Zoo for more than five years. She is currently a Tiger Trail primary zookeeper. One of her proudest accomplishments at the zoo was making nestbox modifications that resulted in our rhinoceros hornbill breeding pair successfully rearing two daughters. Sara recently traveled to Lower Kinabatangan River in Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia, to work on the KC Zoo conservation project CREATE—Corridor Restoration for Animals Threatened and Endangered. The CREATE project aims to restore important wildlife corridors to fragmented parts of rainforest so there will be a safe and secure passageway for the Bornean orangutans and other wildlife species. The Kansas City Zoo currently has four restoration sites totaling roughly 30 acres. There, more than 6,000 young saplings have been planted and maintained in order to restore the canopy of the rainforest. Tree species selected for planting are fruit-bearing (as a food source for native wildlife), fast-growing/ pioneer (native), and/or water tolerant since some of the areas are waterlogged. Because these areas are exposed to a lot of sunlight, weeds grow rapidly and try to choke out the new saplings. Sara said her main job the first three days was
14
Getting voluntary weights on Boni (left) and Raja (right)
to maintain sites that had already been planted by cutting away all the weeds that had grown around and over the saplings. Saplings must be maintained for about two years before they are large enough that the weed growth can no longer negatively affect them.
were growing. That included recording tree height, trunk thickness, new leaf growth and any damage made by animals. This data is crucial in future planting efforts because it shows what species of trees are thriving in certain soil and sunlight conditions.
The other three days, the team planted new saplings on two of the KC Zoo reforestation sites. Along with planting and maintaining saplings, they collected data on how previously planted saplings
Additionally, Sara helped collect data from the camera traps that were set up around the reforestation sites to see what species were coming into the area.
Expeditions — Summer 2020
“We were able to see a sambar deer on the camera trap footage, which was very exciting because they have never seen on video in that area before,” Sara said. However, Sara said the most exciting part of her trip was the opportunity to help install a hornbill nest box close to one of the KC Zoo reforestation sites. The Kinabatangan is one of Sabah’s best places to observe hornbills. All eight species of hornbills in Borneo can be seen here, with six of the eight hornbill species frequenting the area regularly. Sabah is one of the richest areas in the world for the dipterocarp tree species that can grow to be more than 250 feet tall. This made them very desirable to the logging industry. Due to heavy logging activity in the ’70s and ’80s, most of the large hardwoods (dipterocarps) were cut down. As a result, the majority of the Lower Kinabatangan River area is now made up of secondary rainforest and lacks old-growth trees. Larger species such as the rhinoceros hornbill and helmeted hornbill tend to choose bigger, taller trees for their nesting cavity sites. Hornbills show strong loyalty to their nest sites, with breeding pairs returning to the same cavity year after year. It has been recorded over the years that these hornbill species were coming into the Lower Kinabatangan River area to feed but weren’t staying to nest because of the lack of large tree cavities. To help fill the need for more suitable nesting cavities, local conservationists have decided to install nest boxes in the area. As a measure to entice the larger hornbill species to nest in the area, nest boxes were attached to trees at least 20 meters high and positioned in a way that no direct sunlight can shine through the entrance. “The nest box that I helped put up was attached to the tree 22 meters up in the air,” Sara said. “The nest box is made by a local Sukau man, Helson Hassan, who makes them at his house.” The nest box is made out of a 55-gallon plastic barrel that has sawdust glued to the exterior. The sawdust on the exterior will help facilitate the growth of local mosses and fungi onto the box to make it look more natural. “Along with helping get the nest box up, we also put a camera trap in front of the opening so that we can track what kind of animals are investigating the box. Camera traps like this as well as the lock box and SD memory cards have been purchased for Ape Malaysia by the Kansas City Zoo,” Sara said. “Hornbill populations have been negatively affected because they have to compete for nesting sites so hopefully these new boxes will provide a home for new families soon and hornbill populations will increase as a result.”
www.kansascityzoo.org
15
OPEN DAILY! MEMORIAL DAY–LABOR DAY 9:30am through 4pm Monday–Friday 9:30am through 5pm Saturday–Sunday
NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE
PA I D
KANSAS CITY, MO #4831
6800 Zoo Drive | Kansas City, MO 64132 816.595.1234 | www.KansasCityZoo.org
Let’s Get Social!
LOOK INSIDE! Elephant Expedition is Open! See page 4
Zoo Mission: The Kansas City Zoo connects people to each other and the natural world to promote understanding, appreciation, and conservation.
In Memoriam, Little Debby The Zoo recently lost a well-known member of our animal family, Little Debby, a California sea lion. Little Debby was born at Sea World San Antonio on July 6, 2011, and joined Kansas City Zoo on September 18, 2014. She was named after the Friends of the Zoo board chair at that time. Sadly, Little Debby passed away on May 25. A necropsy was performed, and we are awaiting the results of those tests. Her zookeepers will remember Little Debby as a very gentle soul who did very well working with new marine mammal trainers. She was one of our highest jumpers and biggest splashers, which delighted visitors at Sea Lion Splash. Over the past few years, Little Debby learned many new behaviors that helped demonstrate sea lions’ natural skills. Her favorites included “out,” which meant she would touch the orange ball in the middle of the pool, and “island,” at which she would climb to the top of the island rock formation in the pool. Along with the other sea lions Delilah, Pepper, Tamale and Luna, Little Debby was a great ambassador for her species and for all marine animals, helping to foster a love for ocean life and educate Zoo guests about the need for ocean conservation. Little Debby was loved by everyone who worked with her and will be greatly missed by Zoo staff, especially those who worked to give her the best care possible each day. We know that our FOTZ family shares in our sorrow at this loss.