Expeditions - 2023 - Q3

Hello again, everyone!

It is such an exciting time at Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium! In just a few short weeks, Sobela Ocean Aquarium will be opening, and our sea lion pool will also be very close to completion as well! I want to thank you for being patient with our construction zones this year. I know that it has been a touch difficult traversing around these two projects, but I am certain that you will enjoy the results. We feel the Aquarium is spectacular and will be a place where you can enjoy the sights and sounds of the ocean all year long. Our sea lions will definitely enjoy their new bedrooms and you will have the ability to sit, rest, and watch them as they show off their skills and training. Our former Beaks and Feet Boulevard, now called Aquarium Avenue, has also been completely repaved, which will be one more improvement everyone can enjoy this fall after a few years of having that area closed.

In this edition of Expeditions, we have numerous stories about the Aquarium, which will hopefully get you excited to come see all its new animals and amenities. In addition to just seeing, you’ll also be able to feel some of the new additions at two hands-on touch pools. There’s a new gift shop and a classroom that will provide another space for educational opportunities. And I know that our group sales team has already booked quite a few private evening events in the Aquarium this fall!

In addition to the new openings, we have plenty of other things that are bringing excitement! There are quite a few new animal updates in this issue, and I hope you’ve gotten a chance to see some of them in person. GloWild makes an exciting return at the end of September, and it promises to be even bigger and better in its second year! Hoots and Howls and Boo at the Zoo are always fall favorites and I look forward to seeing the many creative costumes again this year. And, of course, our popular Brew at the Zoo will also return in mid-October for our adults-only crowd.

With all this going on, I hope that you can take advantage of your Friends of the Zoo memberships and visit often! I look forward to seeing you here!

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Wesley Fields, Chairperson

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP

Tony Reinhart, Secretary

Ford Motor Company

David Sanchez Jr., Treasurer PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP

David Barr, Burns & McDonnell Engineering Co., Inc.

Brad Bodamer, Graves Garrett LLC

Dr. Yolanda Cargile, Center School District

Chris Cotten, KC Parks and Recreation

Jeff Dillon, VanTrust Real Estate LLC

Ana Nubia Duin, La Mega Spanish Radio

Jan Francis, Community Volunteer

Sandra Garcia, Metropolitan Community Colleges

Hayley Hanson, Husch Blackwell LLP

Audrey Hill, Saint Luke’s Health System

Julius Lai, Community Volunteer

Kate Lambert, Dixon Family Foundation

Al Mauro, Hallmark

Katie McDonald, Evergy

Yvette Miceli, Construction Brokers, Inc.

Janet Miles-Bartee, Local Investment Commission (LINC)

Joe Prenger, ECCO Select

Terry Riley, Blue Cross Blue Shield

John Russ, UMB Bank

Representing the City of Kansas City

Heather Hall, City Council, 1st District

Kevin McManus, Mayor Pro Tem

Ryana Parks-Shaw, City Council, 5th District

Brian Platt, City Manager

Zoological District Commissioners

Greg Canuteson, Chair, Clay County

Charlie Franklin, Jackson County

Carol Hallquist, Vice Chair & Treasurer, Jackson County

Jerry Nolte, Clay County

Alex Perez, KC Parks and Recreation Representative

Kansas City Zoo

Sean Putney, Executive Director/ CEO

Sincerely,

Kansas City Zoo Foundation

Randy Wisthoff, Executive Director

Sean Putney Executive Director & CEO

816.595.1234

The Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium, a private, nonprofit 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, and is accredited by the Assocation of Zoos and Aquariums.

Sean recently led staff from KCZoo and other facilities in surveying sites where Wyoming toads have been released into the wild.

Announcing Our Name Change and New Logo!

With the grand opening of Sobela Ocean Aquarium less than a month away, the Zoo is excited to announce that it has changed its name to the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium to reflect its newest addition opening on September 1. A new logo has also been revealed reflecting the new name.

The new logo includes elements from both the Zoo and Aquarium as the new 650,000-gallon facility will increase the number of animals at the Zoo from 1,700 to nearly 10,000. The new logo retains the familiar font from the old one, a nod to the Zoo’s history, with “& Aquarium” added to it. It also includes additional animals and colors to reflect the diversity of the many species that reside here as ambassadors of their native habitats.

“With the Aquarium adding so many animal residents at the Zoo, it was important for our name and logo to reflect both land and sea residents. The new brandmark does a great job of showing the diversity of species the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium will have to offer while still having a familiar look and feel to our previous logo,” said Sean Putney, executive director and CEO of the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium. “We have a wonderful history dating back to 1909 and we want to continue to build on that while we continue to make the Zoo & Aquarium even better for the Greater Kansas City community.”

Safety and Accessibility at the Aquarium

We want to ensure that Sobela Ocean Aquarium is a place that everyone in our community can enjoy, and a few partners have stepped up to assist in that effort!

VarietyKC provided a generous donation that enabled us to include a universal changing table, which is critical for ensuring that guests with special needs can play all day at the Zoo and know they can be changed with dignity. VarietyKC’s gift also provided accessible viewing windows where guests in wheelchairs will have their own front-and-center view of sharks and sea otters!

A grant awarded by North American Savings Bank (NASB) allowed the Zoo to purchase an automated external defibrillator (AED) to be located in the Aquarium. The size and layout of the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium is quite expansive, so having access to an AED in high-emergency situations in this new facility could be a lifesaving measure.

Top: Universal changing station at the Aquarium

Bottom: Accessible viewing area at the Rocky Shore habitat

Meet the Team: Aquarium

With the addition of Sobela Ocean Aquarium, two highly qualified teams have been instrumental in ensuring the 650,000-gallon facility runs smoothly and successfully. The Aquarium is home to about 8,000 new animals, each species requiring its own specialized care.

For the aquarium care team, duties range from diet preparation to diving in order to clean the habitats. One of the biggest sections requiring care is the Pacific Reef, a 365,000-gallon habitat that features incredible species like the sand tiger shark, moray eel, and Maori wrasse.

While daily tasks can vary, the to-do list for the aquarium team is an extensive one and includes:

• Cleaning & maintaining habitats (scrubbing algae, cleaning the sand/substrate at the bottom, removing uneaten food, changing filters, water changes)

• Monitoring water chemistry parameters to ensure they are suitable for the animals

• Diet preparation & feeding

• Observations of animals and monitoring the dynamics between individuals in the habitats

• Creating and offering novel enrichment items

• Plumbing new habitats or making alterations to existing systems to improve the welfare of the animals and staff.

The life support team is an essential aspect of the care we provide the aquatic residents. From ensuring that the water quality meets strict AZA and USDA standards to maintaining specialized equipment, these individuals help establish a clean and healthy living environment for everything from the polar bears to sea otters, and from the giant Pacific octopus to sharks and jellies. Just inside the Aquarium, there are more than five miles of pipes in the state-of-the-art life support system.

“Our teams have come from all parts of the U.S." said Stuart Clausen, Aquarium curator. “They've brought with them a wealth of experience. They have also brought a contagious energy that has carried them through many late nights and early mornings spent building the Aquarium and caring for our new animals. The Zoo is immensely proud of the amazing contributions they have made to our institution. We couldn't have done it without them!”

The KCZoo is so appreciative of these incredible teams, and we can’t wait for you to meet them!

Left: Aquarium curator Stuart Clausen

Right: Life Support curator Austin Calpin

Aquarium team members

Top L-R: Shannon, Brittany, Sydney, Matthew, Jordan, Tamara

Bottom L-R: Amanda, Margo, Alex, Anton, Nicholas

Life Support team members

(L-R): Rick, Bethany, Emily, Madeline

Q&A with Veterinary Health

Our Veterinary Health team is a key component to the care we will provide to these aquatic residents year-round. We recently conducted a Q&A with Dr. Kirk Suedmeyer, director of veterinary health & conservation research and boardcertified specialist in zoological medicine. He discussed how his team’s medical expertise continues to broaden with the arrival of so many new species.

How has the Veterinary Health team’s work expanded with the addition of the Aquarium?

We are receiving thousands of animals for the new Aquarium. All the animals go through quarantine when they arrive and are examined to make sure they are healthy and don’t pose risks to staff or other animals in the Aquarium. We have had to treat numerous fish for parasitic problems, which can affect other fish species in the same habitat. We spend hours evaluating numerous potential health risks.

How did you prepare for these additional animals?

We have been preparing for the past couple years, reviewing health issues of aquatic animals, meeting weekly with the Aquarium staff to program quarantine, health assessments, treatments, and results. We have also designed and equipped a veterinary suite within the Aquarium for day-to day-care, diagnostic evaluation, medical treatment, and surgery. Many discussions center around water quality – some species are exquisitely sensitive to changes in composition of the water which can lead to health issues.

What is it like to perform an exam on a sand tiger shark?

They were assessed via visual examination, review of dietary intake, previous history, etc. On the smaller sharks and stingrays, we anesthetize them and perform full exams, ultrasound, radiographs, blood sampling, microchip placement, eye exams, and laparoscopic exams of their gills and breathing structures. It is just a different approach to anesthesia and restraint.

Examinations of sharks, fish, and invertebrates present different challenges and logistics, but in general the procedures, testing, surgery, and treatments are the same as any other animals. Anesthesia is a bit different, but we can do the same surgeries on the aquatic animals as are done in domestic animals.

Are there any new aquatic residents that require a great deal more attention in terms of their care?

Yes, there are certain species that are inherently more susceptible to parasitic gill infections. Most fish carry parasites, but in an aquatic environment, those parasite numbers can exponentially grow, causing demise of the animal. We anesthetize and examine the fish within three days of arrival and if parasites are found, we treat all the fish in that quarantine habitat. In some instances, especially with warm water species, we treat the habitat at the outset, as populations of certain parasites in warm water can multiply extremely quickly!

Dr. Suedmeyer performs surgery on a butterfly fish

Meet Tortellini

This green sea turtle has an amazing story of survival that eventually led to her current home at Sobela Ocean Aquarium. Tortellini was rescued in February 2020 after she was found floating near Spring Hill, Florida. She had a healed wound on her carapace, or shell, where Tortellini was likely struck by a boat, causing buoyancy issues and affecting the use of the hind flippers.

At Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Tortellini was one of their most “spunky” patients. Unfortunately, due to her buoyancy disorder, she was eventually deemed non-releasable by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Clearwater staff focused their effors on helping Tortellini prepare for the day she would have a permanent home. They created an environmental enrichment device (EED), which helped Tortellini dive down to deeper depths. This resilient girl enjoyed the EED so much that she began to frequently swim alongside it!

Tortellini is quite a smart girl and is now trained to freely swim into a basket that is used to remove her from her pool! She has also learned how to participate in medical exams through target pole training and positive reinforcement with some of her favorite snacks like squid and sea grass.

Green sea turtles are classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List due to issues like habitat loss, hunting, vessel strikes, and disease. Sea turtles are now protected under the Endangered Species Act, which was established by the federal government to conserve endangered and threatened species.

Upon your visit to Sobela Ocean Aquarium, you’ll find Tortellini in the Sandy Shore habitat near the front entrance. We can’t wait for you to meet this amazing ambassador for her species!

Meet Alika

Introducing the newest addition to the Masai giraffe herd: Alika! This young female transferred in June from the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquarium’s (AZA) Species Survival Plan. Alika will be turning two in September and is almost as tall as 3-year-old Chandy, who is her best buddy in the herd. The towering girl is very curious and has enjoyed observing her other habitat mates, the zebras!

Giraffes Alika, Chandy, Mahali, Makali, and Aidan are incredible ambassadors for their wild counterparts, who are unfortunately facing a “silent extinction.” Giraffe populations have decreased by 30 percent in the past 35 years. The Masai giraffe is now listed as endangered by the IUCN due to threats such as habitat loss and poaching. The AZA community is working with conservation partners to help ensure a future for wild giraffes.

Remember, giraffes like it hot and dry! If you are hoping to see giraffes on your visit to the Zoo, it is best to come when temperatures will remain above 70 degrees and when there are no storms in the forecast.

Baby Boom!

What a baby boom we’ve had this year! On your next visit, you'll notice lots of adorable young faces that have been melting the hearts of guests and staff alike. We checked in with the animal care teams to find out the latest news about these growing youngsters!

Born May 8, Nanas is still quite small and continues to nurse from his mother Josie. The 3-month-old is starting to appear more curious, and his care specialists say that Nanas is becoming interested in observing what the orangutans – and the care team – are doing around him. All the while, he keeps a tight grip on his mother to stay close!

Godric, Athena, Goose, Kevin, and Sedona were all May babies, and this antelope herd can be seen frolicking frequently in the African plains habitat! The calves continue to flourish, and although they are still nursing from their respective moms Greta, Aurora, Ginger, Koda, and Selena, they are starting to also eat hay and grain. You might even spot their small horns, which are now a few inches long.

Zumi may appear small next to her mother Zuri, but she now weighs approximately 600 pounds! The growing rhino loves to take mud baths with her mom in the public habitat and is learning how to target pole train with her care specialists. This skill will allow her to participate in her own health care in the future. Zumi loves the attention of her care specialists and will lie down when staff is giving her a rub down session!

Frankie is the newest addition to the Discovery Barn! Born June 21, this young squirrel monkey is already starting to grab onto branches and explore his surroundings – although he is still clinging to mother Marley’s back legs while doing so. Frankie’s care team describes the petite monkey as feisty and vocal. We still don’t have confirmation on Frankie’s sex, but we will keep the public updated on our social media channels.

Lylla & Coconut are growing quickly! Born on May 15 to mother Love, the goats have started to eat grain. Their personalities are beginning to shine as well! Lylla is confident and enjoys being the center of attention, while Coconut is the laid-back one of the duo. His horns may be relatively small, but Coconut is already practicing his sparring skills with other males!

Flo and Jet are now nearly 10 pounds each! Mom Ursula has been doing a wonderful job caring for her otter pups, who have been introduced to father Skokie as well. The family can be seen frequently playing in the water, but the group also enjoys taking naps together on the rocks by the waterfall area. Flo and Jet love exploring new enrichment and food, and they are looking more and more like their mom!

Bornean orangutan

Squirrel monkey

Scimitar-horned oryx

Arapawa goats

Eastern black rhinoceros

North American river otters

Meet some residents of

The Aquarium will be home to about 8,000 animals. Here are a handful of species that you will come across during your visit:

BONNETH E AD SHARK

CLOWN TR I GGERFISH

HONEYCOM B MORAY EEL

JAPANESE S P IDERCRAB

MAORI WRASSE

BANNER, THE GREEN MORAY EEL

Banner recently transferred from the Oregon Coast Aquarium, whose staff tell us that his senses are very strong, particularly his hearing and smell. This 6-foot-long eel weighs 55 pounds and enjoys “gravel baths” – enrichment sessions where gravel is slowly dropped over him!

SEA OTTERS

The Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium worked with the Aquarium of the Pacific to help rehome these otters, who were rescued as stranded pups. After efforts were made to find them surrogate mothers in the hopes of releasing them into the wild, the lack of successful surrogates deemed them non-releasable by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The Zoo stepped forward to offer its new Aquarium as home, and we are thrilled to announce both are becoming well-acquainted with their new surroundings!

GIANTPACI F IC OCTOPUS PORCUP I NE FISH

SEA N ETTLE

SPOTTED J ELLYFISH

UPSIDE-DO W N JELLYFISH

LARRY, THE AMERICAN LOBSTER

Larry Lombardi is no ordinary lobster. Back in May, the staff members at Tops Market in Hamburg, New York, realized one of the lobsters shipped to their store was actually a rare orange lobster – a one in 30 million find. The team reached out to the Aquarium of Niagara, who coordinated with the Association of Zoos & Aquariums to help find Larry a permanent home.

Sea Lion Splash

We know many of you can’t wait to experience Sea Lion Splash again! The renovations should be finished later this summer, and guests can expect increased seating capacity, improved ADA accessibility, and added behind-the-scenes space for the sea lions.

DRAW Architecture provided the exhibit’s new design, while FogelAnderson Construction Co. has been the team completing the renovations. Part of the funding for this project was provided from the City of Kansas City’s GO Bonds approved in 2017 that were designated for ADA updates.

Throughout the renovation process, our four California sea lions have been residing behind the scenes on Zoo grounds away from the construction. We recently celebrated the sea lions’ birthdays, which all occur around this time of summer! The girls’ care team created a delightful birthday bash for Luna (9), Pepper (9), Tamale (11), and Delilah (13) – complete with fish, ice, and Jell-O cakes!

Stay tuned to our social media channels to learn the latest developments on Sea Lion Splash presented by US Bank!

Light Up Your Nights with the Return of GloWild!

The Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium is thrilled to once again host the popular lantern festival GloWild, which will return September 29 through December 30 with a brand-new theme, “Around the World.” Guests will be treated to an even bigger and better nighttime spectacular featuring handcrafted steel and silk works of art representing the cultures, animals, and botanicals of the seven continents, plus a special feature on conservation. A holiday area will open the week of Thanksgiving.

The event, created in partnership with Zigong Lantern Group, will be even more breathtaking than last year, with new lanterns up to 50 feet tall. With over 74 tons of steel and more than 940,000 feet of silk, the intricate works have been meticulously crafted by 151 artisans. Along with an abundance of photo ops around every corner, guests can also enjoy concessions, shopping, and entertainment during this illuminating experience.

GloWild will require a separate ticket from daily Zoo admission and for a limited time, you can buy Early Bird tickets at the lowest price of the season, plus Early Bird tickets can be used any day of the event with no reservation required! Learn more about this exciting event and buy tickets at kansascityzoo.org/glowild

Top: Rendering of Sea Lion Splash

Middle: Sea Lion Splash in progress

Bottom: Delilah and Pepper enjoying a treat behind the scenes

Below: A sneak peek at GloWild lanterns in production

Mobile Map!

We’re on a mission to improve our map! Our new digital map shows real-time updates about which animals are on habitat, as well as expanded info about attractions and amenities. And if you’re at the Zoo, open the map on your mobile phone to view your own location as you move through the park, to make finding your way around easier.

kansascityzoo.org/zoo-map

Education Programs

For more information, call 816-595-1765 or email education@fotzkc.org.

School's Out Camps

School's out! Join us at the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium for an exciting day filled with activities to learn about your favorite animals. These single-day and multiple-day camps are available for ages 5 - 12.

2023

October 20, 26, 27

November 7, 20, 21, 22

December 18, 19, 20, 21-22, 27-29

2024

January 2, 3

February 9, 16

March 11-14, 18, 22, 25-28

April 1, 2-5, 15, 19

Single-day cost: $65 per camp (FOTZ members get a 10% discount) kansascityzoo.org/camp/schools-out-camp

Overnights

Spend the night at the Kansas City Zoo! It is the WILDEST place in town for an overnight adventure! Want an experience and memories that will last a lifetime? We are now booking private overnights. Stay in Helzberg Penguin Plaza or Polar Bear Passage, take a night hike through the Zoo, and enjoy a movie. Feeling more adventurous? Pitch your tent for one-of-a-kind camping in our Outback or African campgrounds! Overnights are scheduled for Friday or Saturday nights only. kansascityzoo.org/overnights

Sponsored by

Events Calendar

Interested in being a vendor or sponsor at one of these events? Email askthezoo@fotzkc.org

Wine Walk for Wildlife

Saturday, August 26 | 6-9:30pm | 21+

Wine lovers and animal lovers unite! The Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium has the only event in town where you can enjoy a summer evening combining both at Wine Walk for Wildlife! Guests will stroll through the topside of the Zoo, sip and savor more than 40 different types of wine, enjoy a variety of musicians, food trucks, and even hear special animal chats led by experts. Custom wine bottles featuring our conservation projects will be available for purchase. kansascityzoo.org/wine-walk-for-wildlife

September

Zoo Run for the Sea Otters

Saturday, September 23 | 8:30am-12pm

Join us for the 20th annual Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium Run! Each year, the run features a different threatened animal to help raise awareness and contribute to the Zoo's conservation efforts. This year, we are celebrating adorable sea otters! There are 4-mile and 1-mile races with both in-person and virtual options. It's the only race that goes through the Zoo, passing animals along the way! kansascityzoo.org/event/zoo-run

GloWild: Around the World

Friday, September 29 - Saturday, December 30 | Hours vary

The GloWild lantern festival is back this fall with an exciting "Around the World" theme. It will showcase stunning handcrafted steel and silk lanterns representing global landmarks, as well as animals and botanicals from all seven continents. The event will be even grander than before, featuring lanterns towering up to 50 feet tall. kansascityzoo.org/glowild

October

Brew at the Zoo

Saturday, October 14 | 6:30pm-11pm | 21+

Enjoy an evening of live music, delicious bites, and a variety of beer and wine from local breweries and vineyards. This year, we are celebrating the Bornean orangtan, and the event will also include GloWild! Thank you to FNBO for sponsoring this event. kansascityzoo.org/brew-at-the-zoo

Hoots & Howls

Enjoy fun fall activities for the whole family, including a pumpkin toss, photo ops, and more! Our animals will also be receiving pumpkin enrichment at scheduled times each weekend! Thanks to Ford Motor Company Fund for sponsoring these events:

Friends of the Force

Saturday, October 7 - Sunday, October 8

Find the droids you are looking for this weekend only as the 501st Legion joins us from a galaxy far, far away. Enjoy fun fall activities for the whole family, including a pumpkin toss, photo ops, and more! Our animals will also be receiving pumpkin enrichment at scheduled times throughout the weekend!

Hoots & Howls - Week 2

Saturday, October 14 - Sunday, October 15

Enjoy fun fall activities for the whole family, including a pumpkin toss, photo ops, and more!

Ghostbusters

Saturday, October 21 - Sunday, October 22

Join us as the Midwest Ghostbusters take over! They’ll be meeting guests and getting rid of ghosts from 10am-3pm. Stop by to explore the Ecto-car! Family-friendly costumes are encouraged!

Boo at the Zoo

Saturday, October 28 - Sunday, October 29

Celebrate Halloween with a not-so-scary, safe trick-or-treating experience. Bring the kiddos in their family-friendly costumes and join the fun. Trick-or-treat bags will be provided. Enjoy fun fall activities for the whole family, including a pumpkin toss, photo ops, and more! FOTZ members may join us from 8:30-9:30am for your exclusive hour! Thanks to Ford Motor Company Fund for sponsoring this event.

Purrfect Picnics

Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium is the purr-fect solution for your company's outings and events!

Contact: Or visit:

Hollye Gurley Group Sales Manager

hollyegurley@fotzkc.org

816-595-1494

kansascityzoo.org/picnics

Meeting space and after-hours events also available. Learn more at: kansascityzoo.org/corporate-meetings

Maddie and Matilda Chobe and Zakouma

Maddie, a 16-year-old female eastern bongo, was humanely euthanized in May due to kidney and liver failure from amyloidosis. She had been treated daily, but the difficult decision was made when she did not make significant improvement. According to her caregivers, Maddie was considered the shyest bongo but loved scratches and interaction once she warmed up to a person. She loved relaxing, but also would also like to go for adventures in the habitat and return with mud and leaves stuck to the top of her horns, which the animal care specialists lovingly called her “tiara.”

Matilda bongo, who was 15, was euthanized in July due to age-associated renal failure and amyloidosis of the liver. She was a particularly social bongo who greeted caregivers by presenting her head for scratches. One of Matilda’s favorite things was eating browse, and her care team would find different varieties for her to try. Matilda enjoyed training for new behaviors, and she was the first bongo at the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium to participate in a voluntary blood draw. She was a great ambassador for her species, and a favorite of many zoo guests and animal care staff members.

Both of these bongo gals lived beyond average life expectancy and their longevity is a testament to the excellent care they received. They were the last of this type of antelope at the KCZoo, and decisions will be made in partnership with the Association of Zoos & Aquarium’s Eastern Bongo Species Survival Plan as to whether additional bongos will be transferred here.

In May, one of the Zoo’s African painted dogs, Chobe, showed an acute decline in health and passed while recovering from an immobilization. It was later confirmed his death was a result of congestive heart failure. Unfortunately, heart disease is common in African painted dogs, though the cause is unknown. Chobe was ranked second in the hierarchy of his pack and was a talkative dog who loved to explore enrichment. Though he was not the bravest of the dogs, his personality shined once he became comfortable with his surroundings.

Zakouma, another of the African painted dog brothers at the Zoo, suffered a severe injury to his left rear leg several months ago that resulted in a life-threatening bacterial infection. After amputating the leg, Zakouma showed marked improvement before then injuring his other back leg. Despite weeks of rest, Zakouma’s health continued to decline and his quality of life was greatly affected, so he was euthanized in July. Zakouma’s care specialists remember Zakouma being intrigued by new things and he was often the first to explore new enrichment. Ranking first among the pack, Zakouma enjoyed interactions with his care specialists during feeding sessions and was often the first to come up to eat. He loved peanut butter and rolling in hay.

The remaining three painted dog brothers continue to reside in the Africa section of the Zoo, but these two wild canines will be missed dearly.

Lion’s Pride Society

The Lion's Pride Society was founded in 2011 to recognize and honor the valuable contributions of friends who express their commitment to our mission by including the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium in their estate plans. Over the years, the "pride" has grown strong. We invite you to join us!

Our benefits include:

Introduction at the Friends of the Zoo (FOTZ) Annual Meeting

Invitations to sneak previews and exhibit openings

Invitations to estate-planning seminars

Frequent mention in the FOTZ newsletter

Create your legacy

With a little planning, you have the opportunity to ensure that future generations are able to experience the adventure and wonder of the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium. By including a charitable gift within your overall estate and financial plans, you can provide your support far into the future.

Why Kentucky is giving...

"My wife and I joined Lion’s Pride to help ensure that future generations would have these beautiful creatures to share with their families. The Zoo is my happy place and staff is like family.”

– Kentucky McDaniel, Lion’s Pride Society member

Thank You to Our Sponsors

We are grateful for the continued generosity of our sponsors. Thank you for your steadfast support that helps make our world-class Zoo & Aquarium possible.

If your company would be interested in sponsoring an animal or area of the Zoo, please contact lisafickenscher@fotzkc.org.

Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium sponsorship is a great way to increase visibility for your business and support the incredible work that our Zoo does year-round.

Thank you to all of our 1909 Lion’s Pride Society members for their continued support.

Jan Armstrong

Sandra & Donald Breckon

Kenneth Campbell

Dorothy & Joe Carlisle

Marlee Carroll

Teri Chandler

Debbie & James Eads

Billie Harrison

Jeanne Hays

Betty & Leonard Hershman

Louise & Gary Hicks

Sarah Hopkins

Harold Hudson

Joanna Ioannidis

Richard Jensen

Audrey Keairnes

Patricia Keairnes

Gayle & Bruce Krigel

Judith Layton

Kay Lippincott

Leslie & John Martin

Kentucky McDaniel & Carol Murphy

Patrick & Amy McHenry

Mary & Michael McNiel

Glynda Miller

Anne & Sam Mollet

Debra Myers

Elizabeth Norton

Richard Ong

Pamela Ratliff

Brad Redburn

Marjorie Roberts

Debra & Michael Ryder

Dianne Schmidt

Don Shanks

Barb Sherer

Kathy Smith

Linda & Harlan Smith

Juston Taylor

Grace Thornton

Sandie & John Valentine

Frank & Gerry Victor

Jean & Don Wagner

Richard Wells

Barb & Randy Wisthoff

Contact Richard Wells, donor relations manager, at richardwells@fotzkc.org or 816-595-1217 to explore the many ways you can extend your legacy at the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium for years to come.

Kansas City Zoo Railroad American Alligator

California Sea Lion

Red Kangaroo

Outback Campground

Summer Camps Stingray Bay

If you would like to work in a fun, unique environment and help families create lasting memories, you’ll feel right at home as a part of our Guest Services team. In this role, you’ll be providing customer service in retail, rides, or admissions.

The Zoo is an equal opportunity employer that offers a starting rate of $14 an hour. Flexible, weekend and/or weekday shifts are available!