Expeditions - Summer 2021

KANSAS CITY ZOO A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE

My Brother Saved My Life!

Inside this issue: • To Save Curtis • Animal Care Specialists • Meet the FOTZ Board

SUMMER 2021

Dear Zoo Friends, As I recently told our Zoo staff, I consider myself to be very lucky. Lucky to have found a career that I have been able to be so passionate about, so that not a day of it has really felt like work. Lucky that I have had more amazing opportunities than I could have even imagined when I started hauling trash at the Omaha Zoo 44 years ago. And mostly, lucky that I have been surrounded by people who share my passion, give so much of themselves to the work, and have inspired me greatly along the way.

You may have heard that I am now lucky enough to be able to step back and enjoy more time with Barb as we move into the next chapter of our lives. At the end of 2021, I will be retiring from my role as Executive Director/CEO of the Kansas City Zoo and will become Executive Director of the Kansas City Zoo Foundation. In my new role, I will be working part-time on things related to the aquarium, liaising with the business community, and strategizing around the FOTZ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) initiative.

One of the perks of my job is getting to work for a group of people who share a passion for the Zoo. While you may not see them every day at the Zoo, our Friends of the Zoo board members give many hours a year working behind the scenes. In this issue, we are proud to showcase your board members who have now undertaken a search for the next leader of the Kansas City Zoo. You can be sure that they will do so with much consideration as to what is best for the Zoo going forward.

Our visiting koalas, Chuckels and Thackory, continue to be hugely popular.

They will return to San Diego Zoo at the end of November. We also recently welcomed several babies at Stingray Bay and are thrilled they are doing well.

Construction of the aquarium also continues in the center of the Zoo and you can really see this project begin to take shape now. Stay tuned for a special issue of Expeditions soon, where we will share more details about the project’s design and future inhabitants.

We are so grateful to be able to bring back some of our special events this fall, even while we continue to monitor the pandemic and Jazzoo, Zoo Run, Brew at the Zoo and Wine Too, and Boo at the Zoo all lie ahead in the next few months. I hope to see you at one of them!

2021 Friends of the Zoo BOARD OF DIRECTORS Hayley Hanson, Chairperson Husch Blackwell LLP

Wesley Fields, Secretary

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP

David Sanchez Jr., Treasurer PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP

Stephanie Ayers, Service Management Group David Barr, Burns & McDonnell Engineering Co., Inc. Brad Bodamer, Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP 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, Community Volunteer Sandra Garcia, Metropolitan Community College Ana Nubia Duin, La Mega Spanish Radio Audrey Hill, Saint Luke’s Health System Gayle Krigel, Community Volunteer Julius Lai, H&R Block Todd LaSala, Stinson LLP Jill Marchant, Hallmark Yvette Miceli, Construction Brokers, Inc. Joe Prenger, ECCO Select Tony Reinhart, Ford Motor Co. Terry Riley, Blue Cross Blue Shield Kansas City John Russ, UMB Bank Kathy Smith, Community Volunteer Tom Waggoner, Architect Consultant Representing the City of Kansas City Heather Hall, City Council, 1st District Roosevelt Lyons, KC Parks & Recreation, Interim Director Kevin McManus, Mayor Pro Tem Ryana Parks-Shaw, City Council, 5th District Brian Platt, City Manager Zoological District Commissioners Greg Canuteson, Clay County Carol Hallquist, Jackson County David Mecklenburg, KC Parks & Rec Representative Jerry Nolte, Clay County Dan Tarwater III, Chair, Jackson County Randy Wisthoff, KC Zoo Representative

Open daily, year round. 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 Executive Director/CEO Randy with Mr. Alvin Brooks at a recent DE&I event hosted by the Zoo.

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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, and is accredited by the Assocation of Zoos and Aquariums.

Expeditions – Summer 2021

To Save Curtis: My Brother Saved My Life

By Wm. Kirk Suedmeyer, DVM, Dipl ACZM Director of Animal Health and Conservation Research Just before the Covid-19 pandemic hit locally in 2020, the Kansas City Zoo received two adult male Western lowland gorillas as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan’s (SSP) recommendations. After both boys had completed quarantine and follow-up exams, they were moved to our gorilla troop’s spacious building in March 2020. The two settled in well, enjoying the habitat and interacting, though separated from the female group. The SSP recommendations at the time were not to breed with any of our resident females.

In February 2021, however, Curtis presented concerning symptoms: vomiting, abdominal discomfort, lack of appetite, and minimal interaction with staff. He was treated with oral medications and supportive care, with a little improvement over the course of three days. At this point, he was still not clinically 100 percent and his normally deep pink gums and tongue had become pale.

We made the decision to anesthetize him and perform an abdominal CT through our off-site consultants. He transported well, with his vital signs constantly monitored. After a 35-minute trip, we prepped him for the CT scan, which takes about 30 minutes. During this time, we used an i STAT System, a unit that can provide blood results within minutes.

Test results showed that he was very anemic, which explained his pale gums. The radiologist immediately observed Curtis’ problem: a very large retroperitoneal hemorrhage (blood in his abdomen) along with a hemorrhage in his left kidney that was putting extreme pressure on the organ. This combination was causing a life-threatening condition that is also seen in humans. Often, as it was in this case, the cause is unknown.

www.kansascityzoo.org

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Curtis 3/14/2021

Curtis 4/2/2021

Curtis 4/13/2021

Charlie 3/14/2021

If Curtis had been a person with this condition, he would have gone straight to another floor of the hospital and a surgical team would have performed emergency surgery. The affected kidney would have been removed and he would have received numerous pints of blood from the hospital’s blood bank. Curtis would then have stayed in the hospital for weeks until he recovered enough to go home. In the veterinary field, however, this process doesn’t exist.

Zoo animals are still wild animals. Curtis would not have quietly stayed in bed, tolerated IV lines, nurses, noises, etc. Blood banks don’t exist for gorillas, or for that matter, any exotic animals and very few domestic animals. Gorillas also do not have the same blood types as people.

To have any chance of saving his life, the only option we had was to anesthetize his brother Charlie and obtain enough blood to transfuse Curtis. The logistics were not easy. One team worked with Charlie at the gorilla building while we transported Curtis from the imaging center back to Zoo’s surgical room. There, Curtis received just under a half-gallon of blood from Charlie and was given numerous medications to contain the hemorrhage, increase blood production, and keep him from becoming infected.

Everything you see on TV shows was provided: a heart rate monitor, ECG, blood gases, blood pressures, respirations, temperature, etc. The whole process took 14 hours and Curtis’ life truly hung in the balance. Repeat blood samples showed that the blood transfusion worked. We had increased his packed cell volume by 30 percent! Though Curtis was still pale, this process would allow his body to start producing more of its own red blood cells. Charlie’s blood cells would circulate for about 30 to 45 days, when Curtis would naturally degrade those cells and eliminate them.

We had no choice but to leave the affected kidney and hope it would recover to its full function. Both Curtis and Charlie recovered uneventfully. Charlie woke up in his holding area and Curtis was settled into the Animal Health Center to recover. The veterinarians stayed with Curtis until he was fully awake, which was just before midnight.

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Expeditions – Summer 2021

By the next day, Curtis was much better! He was interacting with staff, accepting food, and having normal stool. During his recovery, Curtis would voluntarily show us his gums, an evaluation which could assess whether the anemia was improving. He was always rewarded for this with a couple of Cheerios and unsweetened KoolAid. Curtis took all his twice-daily medications for any discomfort, infection, and blood-clotting support. He enjoyed listening to the radio and interacting with his enrichment items as well as the Animal Care and Animal Health staff.

As he got better, Curtis had access to an outdoor area, where he could watch Zoo staff drive by on golf carts, listen to the birds, stay outside in the rain, or most often, simply sit in the doorway and observe. He liked wearing a blanket or sheet while sitting in the doorway.

He needed to stay at the Animal Health Center to convalesce and recover. His body would make new red blood cells, but it would take time. The area of hemorrhage would also have to fully heal before he was moved. In the meantime, Curtis was crate trained, a process where he voluntarily enters a very large, metal crate, that would eventually allow him to be moved back to the gorilla facility without anesthesia. Whether or not he entered the crate was totally up to him and in all, the training took about 10 days. Eventually, Curtis entered the crate, allowed the door to close, and after 71 days apart, he was moved to reunite with the brother who saved his life!

This is one of the most complex, demanding, and exhausting cases we have ever had at the Zoo, and to our knowledge, Curtis is one of the oldest gorillas to have this performed. Apes’ susceptibility to Covid-19, which meant increased protection like face shields and N95 masks, added to the complication, but the entire staff helped get this done. It was remarkable how everyone pulled together, planned appropriately, and succeeded in getting Curtis back to health! We especially want to thank our multiple consultants who donated their time, expertise, and equipment to help.

In the end, Charlie saved Curtis – the epitome of brotherly love! Now you can visit them both at the gorilla habitat in West Africa, where they take turns on exhibit with our family of females that includes Makena, Tufani, Makari, and Masika. And while you’re there, you can be proud knowing that every day at the Kansas City Zoo, we are working behind the scenes to provide the best care for every animal.

www.kansascityzoo.org

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A Zookeeper By Any Other Name As our Zoo staff have been working on our diversity, equity and inclusion program, some recent restructuring has taken place. Most of this wouldn’t normally be news for our guests, but one recent change might be more noticeable, especially to our loyal FOTZ members. While the staff teams and the excellent care that they give to our animals will remain unchanged, our Living Collections department will now be called the Animal Care department to better reflect what these dedicated team members do daily.

The term “zookeeper” will be gradually shifted to “animal care specialist.” Though it will take some time to change out signage, publications, and most significantly, our own habits, we will begin phasing out the terms “animal keeper” and “keeper” in favor of “specialist” and similar terms. This switch is aligned with the current movement within our industry to help the public better understand modern zoos, and more accurately portray the excellent care that our trained experts provide to the animals.

As you know, this latest movement is just one of many that have occurred throughout the Kansas City Zoo’s rich, lengthy history, as standards for animal care have changed drastically over the years. For two of our long-tenured members of the Animal Care department, who have a combined total of 75 years at the Zoo, this change is another step in the evolution of the Zoo. We asked them how they feel about it...

Dale Frerking, Registrar Start Date: October 1978 Dale Frerking has worked longer at the Zoo than any other current member of the Animal Care department, with this October marking his 43rd year at this organization. Over that time, he has taken on a wide variety of roles, from his work as a care specialist for birds and reptiles to his current role as registrar.

“I had originally meant to pursue a career in a government wildlife agency of some sort,” he explained.

“I thought I would ‘stay a few years’ to get the experience.

I soon realized that I could satisfy my desire to facilitate conservation, recreation, education, and research.”

Dale Frerking with a clouded leopard in 1998.

As Dale was close to graduating with a degree in wildlife biology from Central Missouri State University, a job posting caught his eye: the Kansas City Zoo was seeking a zookeeper. Frerking began in what is the present-day Tropics habitat.

At the time, the facility featured a free-flight aviary, three hippos, a 2,000-gallon aquarium, and five large pythons.

The duties Frerking has today are quite different from his role in 1978. As registrar for the Kansas City Zoo, he provides information on everything from husbandry to breeding programs while also maintaining the animal inventory, monitoring legislation with wildlife laws, and working with shipment logistics for moving animals from one zoo to another.

With over four decades of memories, Frerking has noted several changes that left a huge impression upon him and the community. One of the biggest transitions came about in 2002 when the Zoo went from being city-run to management by a nonprofit organization. Another big moment was in 1990 when the bond issue passed that would allow for the construction of the Africa section of the Zoo.

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Expeditions – Summer 2021

Dale said the level of standards for animal care and zoo management have improved across all AZA-accredited facilities as well. “Animals’ living environments, employee education, zoo infrastructure, public amenities, and overall staff professionalism are all on a far more elevated plane than when I started,” he explained.

With so many years under Dale’s belt, is the job still fulfilling? Apparently so, as he says, “Most days I just wake up thinking, ‘I can’t believe they’re paying me to do this.’”

Joni Hartman, Curator Start Date: November 1989 Joni Hartman’s life experiences on and off the job have played a huge part in her success in the field of animal care. Hartman raised livestock growing up and even worked in a veterinary clinic for four years. Joni says it was fate, however, that played a big role in her arrival at the Kansas City Zoo. “I had an injury while in the Peace Corps that required surgery after I came home,” Hartman explained. “I was hoping to head to the mountains but had to stay close enough to home for doctor appointments.”

Joni Hartman with Goodness Mhlanga, a member of the Black Mamba – an all-female anti-poaching unit in South Africa.

After staying with her sister during her recovery, a Zoo job posting presented itself – along with her marriage – and Hartman never made it to the mountains. She started as a trainee, but eventually became a zookeeper, supervisor, and assistant curator until that title was changed to her current one.

A native of Atlantic, Iowa, Hartman currently works closely with the other two curators at the Kansas City Zoo. This trio oversees the Animal Care department and the managers that run these areas. Her other responsibilities include working with other zoos to oversee the transfer of animals.

After working at one facility for such a long period, Joni has seen some big changes occur for the Zoo. Much like Dale, she believes the transition from city-run facility to a nonprofit organization was one of the most significant.

“Now we have a dedicated staff who want to make this their career because of their passion for animals and conservation,” Joni says. However, for those interested in working in the animal field, Hartman said that the reality of the job is sometimes a surprise for the unprepared.

“When you dream about being an animal care professional, it can seem very glamorous,” Hartman said. “Then you get the job, and the day-to-day routine may sometimes seem mundane and repetitious – feed, put on exhibit, clean, take off exhibit, repeat. But then you get those moments like when an animal finally understands what you have been trying to train it to do, a successful birth, or even just a greeting from one of them, that makes you remember why you are here.”

For many people, staying at one organization for several decades might seem daunting, but for Joni, the changes that have been made to the facility as well as the progressive philosophy of animal care have been welcomed.

“This Zoo has evolved so much since I’ve been here,” Hartman said. “Although there have been ups and downs, we are now continually working towards goals, creating new exhibits, and making this a place people want to visit and where they’d love to work.”

www.kansascityzoo.org

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Hayley Hanson Chairperson

Stephanie Ayers

SMG (Service Management Group)

Jeff Dillon

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Dave Barr

Burns & McDonnell

Wes Dixon

VanTrust Real Estate

Keywest Technology, Inc.

Heather Hall

Audrey Hill

Kansas City, MO Councilmember

Saint Luke’s Health System

Wesley Fields Secretary

Husch Blackwell

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP

Brad Bodamer

Dr. Yolanda Cargile

Graves Garrett LLC

Ana Nubia Duin

La Mega Spanish Radio

Gayle Krigel

Community Volunteer

David Sanchez Jr. Treasurer

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Sharon Cleaver

Center High School

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City

Jan Francis

Sandra D. Garcia

Community Volunteer

Metropolitan Community College

Julius Lai

Todd LaSala

H&R Block

Stinson LLP

Expeditions – Summer 2021

Roosevelt Lyons

Jill Marchant

Brian Platt

Joe Prenger

Kansas City, MO Parks and Recreation

Hallmark

Kansas City, MO City Manager

ECCO Select

Kevin McManus Kansas City, MO Councilmember

Tony Reinhart

Ford Motor Company

Yvette Miceli

Ryana Parks-Shaw

Terry Riley

John Russ

Construction Brokers, Inc.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Kansas City

Kansas City, MO Councilmember

UMB Bank

Not only does the Kansas City Zoo expose children and adults to the animal world but their mission of education and conservation is near and dear to my heart.

-Sharon Cleaver Kathy Smith

Community Volunteer

Tom Waggoner

Architect Consultant

Randy Wisthoff Kansas City Zoo

My dad worked for over 20 years at the Topeka Zoo and the zoo experience has always been a part of my life. I would love to do my part to help more Kansas Citians bring the KC Zoo into their lives and gain a fuller understanding of what the zoo is doing for our community, animal conservation, and more.

-Stephanie Ayers www.kansascityzoo.org

I believe it is important for Kansas City to have world-class attractions such as the Zoo, and also a safe place for kids in our city to learn and have fun.

-Dave Barr

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A Tall Order

By Sean Putney, Chief Zoological Officer The Zoo is always striving to improve animal accommodations, with some of these projects never even seen by the public. Ranging from roof repairs to changing animal doors, these tasks may go unnoticed by our guests but are no less important.

The latest endeavor has been to update our giraffes’ behind-the-scenes living quarters. The plains barn, which houses our three giraffes, has all the necessary room and equipment to hold multiple species of hoofed animals, but we felt that we could do better.

Our giraffes have strict temperature regulations based on their species’ particular needs. If the daily temperature does not hit 70 degrees, the giraffes typically remain inside their building. We wanted to create a bigger indoor area for them to use during these periods of lower outdoor temperatures.

We recently worked with general contracting company MegaKC to install an addition to the building. This project not only allows the giraffes to be on softer substrate, it will also enable them to get more exercise during the winter and shoulder seasons. This new addition covers a space of 66’x45’ and includes skylights that provide access to natural light. Because the facility is heated, this larger area will be the perfect place for our animals to reside this winter.

The sand floor will also create a more natural feel.

While you may not have seen this ongoing work, you may have experienced the effects as our giraffes were off exhibit during the construction process.

While the work was done, the giraffes could not make their way to the outdoor habitat where they could be seen by guests. Unfortunately, the lingering effects of the pandemic on the construction industry caused the project to take longer than we had originally anticipated.

Now the giraffes are getting used to their daily routine of travelling back and forth to the outdoor habitat and are available for guests to see once again. And should the weather not permit them to be on exhibit, you now know they will be comfortable and cozy in their newly upgraded living quarters.

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Expeditions – Summer 2021

Adopt a Wild Child Show your favorite animal that you care. As an adopting individual, family, group, or corporation, you will receive a personalized adoption certificate, a framed animal photo, and other fun wild perks throughout the year.

Visit the Kansas City Zoo often–you’ll see your adoption at work! Learn more at kansascityzoo.org/donate.

ADOPT A KOALA! Each $75 adoption includes: • Koala plush • A personalized eucalyptus leaf on our donor mural YOUR NAME • And more!

HE RE!

Your adoption helps support our visiting koala friends and all of the animals at the Kansas City Zoo.

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 18, 2021

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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.

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Scan the QR code or visit kansascityzoo.org/aawc to adopt today!

www.kansascityzoo.org

SPONSORED BY

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 27, 2021 6:00pm – 11:30pm

Thank you to these participating restaurants!

Belfonte Ice Cream & Dairy Foods Co. Bizz & Weezy Confections Bo Lings Brookside Poultry Company Charleston’s Chicken N Pickle Cosentino’s Catering Cowtown Mini Donuts Deep Roots Restaurant and Bar Edible Fogo de Chao Fuzzys Taco Shop GATES BAR-B-Q

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Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken Hiland Dairy Lakeview Village Levy Restaurants Lion’s Choice Macarena’s Mexican Food Morgana’s Gluten Free Bakery Nothing Bundt Cakes O’Neill’s Restaurant & Bar Polar Oasis Price Rite Market & Deli RA Sushi Redrock Canyon Grill

Shake Shack Smitty’s Garage Burgers & Beer Southside Bar & Grille Tabard’s Kitchen Teocali Mexican Restaurant & Cantina The American Reserve The Homesteader Cafe The Roasterie The Town Company The Well T-Shotz Waldo Pizza

Expeditions – Summer 2021

Now Hiring!

Become a part of our team!

Visit kansascityzoo.org/careers to apply.

SATURDAY, OCT. 9, 2021 6:30 pm - 11:00 pm

WITH PERFORMANCES BY

Enjoy live music, great food, and tastings from more than 25 local breweries and wineries in a WILD outdoor setting. www.kansascityzoo.org/brew

Thank You

Photos by Bill Arimborgo

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

If your company would be interested in sponsoring an animal or area of the Zoo, please contact lisafickenscher@fotzkc.org. Kansas City Zoo sponsorship is a great way to increase visibility for your business and support the incredible work that our Zoo does year-round.

Great Southern Bank

Kansas City Zoo Railroad www.kansascityzoo.org

Ring-Tailed Lemurs

Sumatran Tigers

California Sea Lions 13

Educational Opportunities Day Camps Explore nature and the wonderful world of animals at the Kansas City Zoo. During day camps, your children will have adventures in a safe and fun environment that is sure to get a ROAR of approval! https://www.kansascityzoo.org/day-camps

School’s Out Camp School’s out? No problem! Spend the day at the Zoo! School’s Out Safari Day Camps are one-day camps that are a fun and educational option when school is closed.

8:30 am-3:30 pm October 22 November 24 December 22, 23 January 3 $60 per camp / $54 FOTZ https://www.kansascityzoo.org/camp/schools-out-camp

Winter Break Camp Join us for day camp when school is out. Winter Break Camp includes hands-on learning, encounters with our ambassador animals, Zoo tours, arts and crafts, animal shows, and so much more. December 27-30, 8:30 am-3:30 pm. $250 per camp / $225 FOTZ https://www.kansascityzoo.org/day-camps

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 for family groups. 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! Overnights are scheduled for Friday or Saturday nights only. https://www.kansascityzoo.org/overnights

For more information, call 816.595.1765 or email education@fotzkc.org.

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Expeditions – Summer 2021

Birthday Parties

Homeschool Program

A birthday party at the Kansas City Zoo guarantees a wild time for all your guests! Join us for a celebration like no other! All parties are on Saturdays at either 10 am or 2 pm. https://www.kansascityzoo.org/birthdays

Join us for “When Science Attacks,” the Kansas City Zoo’s hands-on homeschool class for this school year. Students Pre-K through 12th grade can explore the world of science through animals and nature in a fun and interactive way! Age-appropriate lessons are designed to expose students to animals and nature while exercising important scientific skills and practices. https://www.kansascityzoo.org/homeschool Fall Semester Dates: September 8, 9, 22, 23 October 6, 7, 20, 21 November 3, 4, 17, 18 December 1, 2, 15, 16

Spring Semester Dates: January 5, 6, 19, 20 February 9, 10, 23, 24 March 9, 10, 23, 24 April 6, 7, 20, 21

Photos by Bill Arimborgo

Sign up for our weekly insider email and stay up to date on all the Zoo News!

Sign up online at kansascityzoo.org/zoonews or scan the QR code. www.kansascityzoo.org

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OPEN DAILY!

NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE

PA I D

KANSAS CITY, MO #4831

Now through October 9:30 am-4 pm Monday-Friday 9:30 am-5 pm Saturday-Sunday

6800 Zoo Drive | Kansas City, MO 64132 816.595.1234 | www.KansasCityZoo.org

Let’s Get Social!

LOOK INSIDE! My Brother Saved My Life!

See page 3

ZOO MISSION: The Kansas City Zoo connects people to each other and the natural world to promote understanding, appreciation, and conservation.

In Memoriam Leilani The Zoo lost a beloved member of our animal family, one-and-a-half-yearold white-cheeked gibbon Leilani, to a tragic accident in June. Daughter to attentive and caring parents Smithers and Kit, Leilani was known for her energetic, curious spirit. Her animal care specialists on the Tropics Team will remember Leilani as an “absolute joy.”

Gigi Our eldest of three cheetahs, Gigi, passed away in July at 15 years of age. The only female cheetah under the Baobab Team’s care, Gigi spent the last several years behind the scenes. She will be remembered as an icon of the Zoo who often demonstrated her amazing speed at our popular Cheetah Run events.

Her animal care specialists lovingly described Gigi as “independent and sassy.”

Scar Sixteen-year-old meerkat Scar passed away at the end of July, marking the end of an era for the Zoo. Our staff has cared for meerkats since 1995, and Scar was the last of the species residing here. For many years, our meerkats resided in the Discovery Barn but more recently, they were relocated to a retirement area in the Africa section. Over the years both our Discovery Zone and Savannah Teams have cared for these small, social mammals, whose presence will be dearly missed by guests and staff alike.