Zoo View - Spring 2021 by Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association

SPRING

21 ISSUE

MAYOR OF LOS ANGELES Eric Garcetti

SPRING 2021 VOLUME LV // NUMBER 1

LOS ANGELES ZOO COMMISSION Karen B. Winnick, President Bernardo Silva, Vice President Margot Armbruster Christopher Hopkins Daryl Smith Richard Lichtenstein, Ex-Officio Member

THE QUARTERLY MAGAZINE OF THE GREATER LOS ANGELES ZOO ASSOCIATION

ZOO BRIEFS

GLAZA OFFICERS Beth Price, Chair Brian Diamond, Vice Chair Phyllis Kupferstein, Secretary Gregory D. Fuss, Treasurer Tom Jacobson, GLAZA President

GLAZA ADMINISTRATION Eugenia Vasels, VP, Institutional Advancement Kait Hilliard, VP, Marketing Gretchen Humbert, VP, Chief Financial Officer Lisa Correa, Director of Membership Dawn Petersen-Amend, General Counsel Sara Rodriguez, VP, Operations and Events Kirin Daugharty, Director of Volunteer Programs ZOO VIEW (ISSN 0276-3303) is published quarterly by the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association as a benefit to members. For information about membership, visit www.lazoo.org/membership Copyright © 2021 Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents of this publication without written permission is prohibited.

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Kait Hilliard, Tom Jacobson, Dan Keeffe, Dr. Dominique Keller, Mei Kwan, Dr. Jake Owens, Beth Schaefer, Eugenia Vasels, Denise M. Verret

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LIVE & UNSCRIPTED

DESIGN & PRODUCTION Lisa Brink, The Brink Creative

MILESTONES

PRINTING LithoGraphix

Meet Marilyn

ON THE COVER While the Zoo was closed, the ﬂamingos were still the center of attention, starring in virtual field trips and a Facebook Live presentation.

Photo by JAMIE PHAM

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ONLINE OUTREACH

ZOO-M IN

Last year’s devastating wildﬁres hit close to home for two of the Zoo’s longstanding conservation programs. With traditional ﬁeld trips on hold due to the pandemic, the Zoo explores new ways to creatively connect with students.

INTERNS MAKING A DIFFERENCE

The Zoo’s ﬁrst-ever conservation interns expand their own horizons by helping others ﬁnd their place in nature.

Members’ photo gallery

DONOR SPOTLIGHT

PROOFREADERS Laura Parada, Lynne Richter

The first sarus crane to ever hatch at the L.A. Zoo, Marilyn was named by the Levine Family through a donation to GLAZA’s Animal Naming Program. Sarus cranes are considered vulnerable to extinction due to human development and habitat change.

OUT OF THE ASHES

PHOTO EDITOR & PHOTOGRAPHER Jamie Pham

POSTMASTER send address changes to: ZOO VIEW, 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027-1498

STEP IT UP

DEPARTMENTS

AN OPERATIC ADVENTURE

FUND-A-NEED

Beastly Ball donors come together to fund new diagnostic equipment for the Zoo.

JAMIE PHAM

TRUSTEES EMERITI Lloyd Levitin, Mrs. John F. Maher, Thomas R. Tellefsen, Polly Turpin

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Sandy Masuo

ORANGE YOU GLAD?

JAMIE PHAM

EDITOR Brenda Scott Royce

4 4 5 5

F E AT U R E S

CHAD AND ALEJANDRA WOROZAKEN

LOS ANGELES ZOO ADMINISTRATION Denise M. Verret, Chief Executive Officer & Zoo Director Mei Kwan, Assistant General Manager Beth Schaefer, Director of Animal Programs Dr. Dominique Keller, Director of Animal Wellness Programs Dan Keeffe, Director of Learning and Engagement Tom LoVullo, Director of Construction and Maintenance Dr. Jake Owens, Director of Conservation Darryl Pon, Director of Planning and Development Denise Tamura, Executive Assistant

GLAZA TRUSTEES Courtney Appell, Alma Banuelos, Alexis Miller Buese, Michael Bustamante, Esther Chao, Jillian Romero Chaves, Malissia R. Clinton, Richard Corgel, Wendy M. Denham, Rob Ellis, Alfred Fraijo, Jr., Cassidy Horn, Laura Kaplansky, Tyler K. Kelley, Diann H. Kim, Anthony Kitchener, Richard Lichtenstein, Alan G. Lowy, Betty White Ludden, Steve O’Connell, Naomi K. Rodriguez, Marc L. Sallus, Osborne Scott, Patricia Silver, Slash, Jay Sonbolian, Erika Aronson Stern, Madeline Joyce Taft, Franco Terango, Ellia M. Thompson, Michael Wandell, Laura Z. Wasserman, Jennifer Thornton Wieland, Angela Yim-Sullivan

contents

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MAYOR OF LOS ANGELES Eric Garcetti

SPRING 2021 VOLUME LV // NUMBER 1

LOS ANGELES ZOO COMMISSION Karen B. Winnick, President Bernardo Silva, Vice President Margot Armbruster Christopher Hopkins Daryl Smith Richard Lichtenstein, Ex-Officio Member

THE QUARTERLY MAGAZINE OF THE GREATER LOS ANGELES ZOO ASSOCIATION

ZOO BRIEFS

GLAZA OFFICERS Beth Price, Chair Brian Diamond, Vice Chair Phyllis Kupferstein, Secretary Gregory D. Fuss, Treasurer Tom Jacobson, GLAZA President

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Kait Hilliard, Tom Jacobson, Dan Keeffe, Dr. Dominique Keller, Mei Kwan, Dr. Jake Owens, Beth Schaefer, Eugenia Vasels, Denise M. Verret

ZO O V I E W

LIVE & UNSCRIPTED

DESIGN & PRODUCTION Lisa Brink, The Brink Creative

MILESTONES

PRINTING LithoGraphix

Meet Marilyn

ON THE COVER While the Zoo was closed, the ﬂamingos were still the center of attention, starring in virtual field trips and a Facebook Live presentation.

Photo by JAMIE PHAM

S P R I N G 2021

ONLINE OUTREACH

ZOO-M IN

INTERNS MAKING A DIFFERENCE

The Zoo’s ﬁrst-ever conservation interns expand their own horizons by helping others ﬁnd their place in nature.

Members’ photo gallery

DONOR SPOTLIGHT

PROOFREADERS Laura Parada, Lynne Richter

OUT OF THE ASHES

PHOTO EDITOR & PHOTOGRAPHER Jamie Pham

POSTMASTER send address changes to: ZOO VIEW, 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027-1498

STEP IT UP

DEPARTMENTS

AN OPERATIC ADVENTURE

FUND-A-NEED

Beastly Ball donors come together to fund new diagnostic equipment for the Zoo.

JAMIE PHAM

TRUSTEES EMERITI Lloyd Levitin, Mrs. John F. Maher, Thomas R. Tellefsen, Polly Turpin

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Sandy Masuo

ORANGE YOU GLAD?

JAMIE PHAM

EDITOR Brenda Scott Royce

4 4 5 5

F E AT U R E S

CHAD AND ALEJANDRA WOROZAKEN

contents

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briefs LIVE & UNSCRIPTED

AN OPERATIC ADVENTURE

JAMIE PHAM

Orange You Glad?

rançois langur Xingfu was born in September 2020. Infants of this species are notable for being bright orange at birth. While such conspicuous coloration may make langur babies more noticeable to predators in the wild, it also elicits beneficial attention among the social group: Older females are drawn to infants and help protect and care for them. By one year of age, youngsters’ fur shifts to match the glossy black of their parents. Xingfu is shown here at six weeks (inset) and five months of age.

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education and community engagement program) partnered with the LAUSD’s North Hollywood High School Zoo Magnet and the L.A. Zoo to develop a student-led production on the theme of biodiversity and conservation. This long-term creative collaboration began with a presentation by Zoo staff and GLAZA docents to Magnet School ninth graders about the Zoo’s top conservation initiatives and the importance of biodiversity. After independent research, the students narrowed to 22 group projects, varying from habitat fragmentation, climate change, community conservation, wildlife reintroduction, and species’ roles in their ecosystems. Next, Zoo staff will review the projects with the students and offer guidance. Ultimately, six to eight concepts will be presented to the L.A. Opera team, who will select the final theme and, with input from the students, develop an opera to be performed for LAUSD students in 2022. “It’s such an interesting and unexpected partnership,” says GLAZA’s Director of Volunteer Programs Kirin Daugharty. “I’m curious to see what direction the students, the Zoo, and the Opera take this. There are so many possibilities!”

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IN FALL 2020, L.A. OPERA CONNECTS (the opera’s

WITH LITTLE FANFARE, THE ZOO DEBUTED A SERIES OF FACEBOOK LIVE VIDEOS IN JANUARY. The Zoo was

Step It Up

et ready to “Walk for the Wild” as GLAZA kicks off its first-ever virtual walk in April. Unlike a traditional walk/run/bike fundraising event, this virtual “race” uses technology and takes social distancing into account, allowing walkers to participate on their own, with friends, coworkers, or the whole family, day or night, rain or shine, inside or out. Get your steps in while raising money for wildlife—and learn about the Zoo’s global conservation efforts along the way! REGISTER OR LEARN MORE AT www.lazoo.org/walkforthewild

LET’S BE SOCIAL! FOLLOW us @LAZoo on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TheLosAngelesZoo on YouTube SHARE your memories and photos on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook using #LAZoo

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closed to the public due to COVID-19, and our members and guests were craving a connection to the animals and grounds. With help from audiovisual and social media staff, the Learning & Engagement Division launched the program with a visit to hippopotamuses Mara and Rosie guided by Shayna Foreman. Subsequent “Lives,” led by Nick Gutierrez and Rachel Helfing, featured giraffes, ﬂamingos, and the anoa. Rather than a recitation of facts, the Zoo’s Facebook Live videos were designed to be spontaneous and unscripted. “We wanted the experience to be driven by the viewers who were joining us,” says Manager of Visitor Engagement Maura Messerly. “It was meant to feel like you are actually in the space, observing alongside the person who was guiding you through the program. A lot of our viewers were having active conversations in the comments, which is exactly what we wanted.” Guests were invited to ask questions, make their own observations, or just simply soak in the sights and the sounds of the Zoo. The hippo livestream boasted an impressive natural score composed of chimpanzee hoots, raven caws, and siamang duets. “So amazing to hear all the sounds of the Zoo,” one commenter wrote, a sentiment shared by many. The presentations generated hundreds of real-time comments, and staff was pleasantly surprised by the size—and the geographic range—of the audience. The series reached 110,500 viewers to date, with people tuning in from more than 19 countries (India being second only to the U.S. in terms of viewership). “It was nice to see a lot of different regions represented,” says Messerly, “along with our regular visitors and members, who just really missed us and wanted to feel that connection to their zoo.”

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briefs LIVE & UNSCRIPTED

AN OPERATIC ADVENTURE

JAMIE PHAM

Orange You Glad?

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JAMIE PHAM

IN FALL 2020, L.A. OPERA CONNECTS (the opera’s

WITH LITTLE FANFARE, THE ZOO DEBUTED A SERIES OF FACEBOOK LIVE VIDEOS IN JANUARY. The Zoo was

Step It Up

LET’S BE SOCIAL! FOLLOW us @LAZoo on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TheLosAngelesZoo on YouTube SHARE your memories and photos on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook using #LAZoo

S P R I N G 2021

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MEMBER PHOTO GALLERY

SUB MIT YOUR PHOTOS To be considered for inclusion in future installments of Zoom-In, submit your best images taken at the L.A. Zoo. No more than two images per member per month, please. Include your name in the file name for each photograph (e.g., Giraffe-John Smith). Do not send images that include people unless you will be able to provide a signed release from all parties pictured in the event your photo is selected for publication. If there’s a special story behind the photo, let us know!

SUBMIT PHOTOS BY EMAIL photos@lazoo.org

UPSIDE-DOWN APE Lori Conley became a GLAZA member around the time chimpanzee Kima was born. “Having spent many hours visiting the chimps, this was a special moment for me,” she says. “Kima has always been such a photogenic little ham. For her to look at me and smile made me very happy.”

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Grevy’s zebra by MATT CAREY; ostrich by MATT CAREY; American black bear by KEVIN KIELTY; jaguar by ARTHUR BOHLMANN; bearded dragon by JORGE VILLALBA.

Photo by: LORI CONLEY

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MEMBER PHOTO GALLERY

SUBMIT PHOTOS BY EMAIL photos@lazoo.org

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Grevy’s zebra by MATT CAREY; ostrich by MATT CAREY; American black bear by KEVIN KIELTY; jaguar by ARTHUR BOHLMANN; bearded dragon by JORGE VILLALBA.

Photo by: LORI CONLEY

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C O N S E R VAT I O N

A Story of Survival

by SANDY MASUO

Out of the Ashes

As a wildfire raged through condor territory, fears mounted for the safety of the birds— including four-month-old Iniko, who survived the blaze inside the cavity of this redwood tree. Viewers from around the world watched the drama unfold via live nest-cam.

Their names tell quite a story: Iniko (left) means “born during troubled times” in Nigerian; Eva (below) is short for “evacuate.” Both these California condor chicks (officially known by their ID numbers, 1031 and 1033) arrived at the Los Angeles Zoo after being rescued by biologists from wildfire zones. Others weren’t so lucky.

Photo by VENTANA WILDLIFE SOCIETY STEPHANIE HERRERA

PINNACLES NATIONAL PARK

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ive of California’s 20 largest wildfires in history occurred last year, burning more than 4.2 million acres—including habitat for California condors and mountain yellow-legged frogs— two of the L.A. Zoo’s signature conservation programs. The intensity of these fires is due to drought and record-breaking heat, extreme conditions that are driven by climate change accelerated by human actions. These fires take a heavy toll on humans and wildlife, but fortunately, thanks to the support of donors, members, sponsors, and our generous followers, the staff of the Los Angeles Zoo have the experience and the resources to help wildlife recover from these catastrophic blazes. On April 25, 2020, California condor chick #1031 hatched in the hollow of a large coast redwood tree in Los Padres National Forest. Thanks to a condor cam managed by the Ventana Wildlife Society, tens of thousands of social media followers were able to check in regularly on the chick, celebrating each milestone, from hatching to eating, walking, and wing flexing. The bird’s

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adoring public was increasingly anxious for its safety as the Dolan fire began its destructive swath through the Big Sur region and Pinnacles National Park. The wildfire burned through the condor sanctuary, including release and research facilities that the Ventana Wildlife Society manages. Ultimately, eleven condors, including two chicks, were lost as a result of the blaze. Among those presumed dead was Iniko’s father, #167 (Kingpin). That left her mother #190 (Redwood Queen) a single parent responsible for protecting her chick and finding food for both of them. In mid-October, adult male #729 (Ninja) arrived on the scene and began harassing Iniko, forcing the chick to eventually bail out of the nest. Fortunately, the camera that had been monitoring the nest had a wide enough range to continue observing Iniko walking on the forest floor among ferns and fallen logs. Ninja continued to pursue the youngster with Redwood Queen following, trying to defend her chick. At nearly six months of age, Iniko was ready to leave the nest anyway, but biologists noticed she was limping. So, the decision was made to bring Iniko to the Los Angeles Zoo. The Zoo’s condor staff were already caring for another

ZO O V I E W

C O N S E R VAT I O N

A Story of Survival

by SANDY MASUO

Out of the Ashes

Photo by VENTANA WILDLIFE SOCIETY STEPHANIE HERRERA

PINNACLES NATIONAL PARK

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refugee from the Dolan Fire: Chick #1033, now known as Eva, hatched on April 2, 2020 in a nest located in a cliff cavity further inland. During her first health check at three months of age, biologists discovered high levels of lead in her blood, and they were considering whether to bring her in for treatment. Meanwhile, the Dolan Fire was progressing—and Eva’s nest was located directly in its path. So, a team of field biologists from the Ventana Wildlife Society, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and Pinnacles National Park, evacuated and delivered her to the L.A. Zoo in September. “She was very high in lead but wasn’t showing any clinical signs, thankfully,” comments Condor Keeper Mike Clark (pictured above). Lead poisoning is the leading cause of death for California condors; the exposure occurs when the birds scavenge on remains of animals shot with lead ammunition. At the Zoo, Eva underwent chelation treatment to reduce the lead in her body. “She had been high-lead basically her whole life, from soon after she was hatched until we got her, and her recovery took a long time.” When Eva was moved to a flight pen, other issues became apparent. “We noticed that she was having problems with her legs, stumbling and falling over,” Clark says. Diagnostic tests revealed an injury to her spine that had likely happened long before she came to the Zoo. According to Clark, similar conditions have been documented in wild condors and may result from the combination of the effects of lead on the birds’ developing skeletal systems and tumbles that young birds take during the normal course of growing up and fledging. “We

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JAMIE PHAM

don’t know when Eva fell,” he says. “But when you’re born with lead in your system and that’s all your body knows, who knows what effects it has on the bones?” It took almost two months for Eva to recover. In addition to the chelation treatments, Clark worked on balance therapy with her, placing her on a T-perch for increasingly longer periods of time until she was able to maintain her balance for half an hour without falling, though she needed to flap her wings to maintain her equilibrium. Eventually, she no longer needed to flap. “Somehow, she pulled through it and now she’s one of the happiest birds on the planet—really gregarious, running around, getting in everybody’s face. She’s a unique individual.” Eva and Iniko (who has recovered from her limp) share a pre-release flight pen with several juvenile condors who hatched at the Zoo. Both birds are thriving and are expected to be returned to the wild in the fall.

FRAGILE FROGS

While the Dolan Fire in Big Sur ripped through 125,559 acres, the Bobcat Fire burned 115,796 acres in the central San Gabriel Mountains, including protected mountain yellow-legged frog (MYLF) habitat. Quick action was needed to save wild frogs and re-evaluate release plans for tadpoles and froglets hatched and raised at the Zoo. Spring 2020 had started off with an above-average MYLF breeding season. Zoo staff care for two breeding groups of these critically endangered amphibians in a bio-secure, behind-the-scenes facility. The groups represent two different populations found at high elevations in the San Gabriel Mountains.

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ADAM BACKLIN, USGS

VENTANA WILDLIFE SOCIETY - STEPHANIE HERRERA

LOUANNE BRICKHOUSE

In July, Curator of Reptiles and Amphibians Ian Recchio and colleagues from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) completed the first MYLF release in the San Gabriel Mountains. Another release took place in August, and a third, slated for September 9, had to be postponed when the Bobcat Fire broke out on September 6. The blaze was not fully contained until November 2, and the damage it caused necessitated a change of plans—not only for the animals that been scheduled for release, but for wild MYLFs affected by the fire. In October, biologists from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), arrived at the Zoo to pick up 134 tadpoles and 54 froglets, all hatched in the Zoo’s facilities in 2020. These animals were released into pools in a canyon in the San Gabriel Mountains that had escaped burning. This location still supports a few wild MYLFs, but they are exceedingly rare. The USGS biologists reported a smooth release and a water level that was excellent for that time of year. Surveys of burn areas found some survivors in ponds and streams, which was good news. But when intense fire destroys plant communities, erosion becomes a major threat once winter rains descend on the stripped landscape. With a lack of living vegetation to hold topsoil in place, ash and other debris wash into waterways, suffocating tadpoles (which, like fish, extract oxygen from the water through their gills). The Zoo received about 50 tadpoles rescued from Bobcat Fire burn areas. These will eventually be introduced into the Zoo’s breeding program to diversify its gene pool and help create a larger insurance colony.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF USGS

“In the past, this frog species was commonly found in high elevation habitat throughout California, so wildfires, which are a natural part of these ecosystems, definitely had an impact on it,” comments Recchio. “But over the past century or so, a perfect storm of conditions has reduced MYLF populations to the point where it is now one of the world’s rarest frogs: habitat loss, human encroachment, introduced species such as trout and bullfrogs that prey on the tadpoles, environmental pollution, and the chytrid fungus that has challenged amphibians around the world. The increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires just adds to the mix.” Despite the devastating impacts of these fires on California condor and mountain yellow-legged frog habitat, the Zoo and its partners continue their work to conserve both species. Director of Conservation Dr. Jake Owens has been guiding the development of the Zoo’s comprehensive Conservation Strategic Plan, which lays out goals to expand the Zoo’s impact on the world, including wildlife close to home. “Climate change is real, it’s caused by humans, and it’s happening at a rate that is much faster than most plants, animals, and people can respond to,” Owens comments. “Your support of the Los Angeles Zoo helps us address the effects of fire on wildlife, but you, too, can take actions to help stop the conditions that contribute to these fires. First, be an advocate for science and environmentalism; demand it in your governmental representatives. Second, reduce your carbon footprint. As we move forward on our conservation initiatives at the Zoo, we can all help fight climate change at home.”

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JAMIE PHAM

FRAGILE FROGS

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ADAM BACKLIN, USGS

VENTANA WILDLIFE SOCIETY - STEPHANIE HERRERA

LOUANNE BRICKHOUSE

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PHOTO COURTESY OF USGS

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COMMUNITY

ONLINE OUTREACH _

by BRENDA SCOTT ROYCE

Reimagining the zoo experience for a virtual world

oo field trips are fun and educational, and for some kids, they can be downright transformational—altering the way a child thinks about the world and their place in it, inspiring them to adopt wildlife-friendly behaviors, or sending them down a previously unconsidered career path. No doubt, the seeds of countless conservation careers have been sown during such outings. So, when the COVID-19 pandemic put these vital Zoo programs on hold, there was cause for concern. “With the Zoo closed to the public and schools shifting to distance learning, we really had to get creative with the type of programming that we were offering,” says Learning & Engagement Curator Renae Cotero. “We were trying to find another way to reach our community and reach the students.” Shortly after our initial shutdown last March, the Learning & Engagement team got to work developing activities people could access through the Zoo’s website. For example, a series of “Nature Tries” videos explored simple ways for viewers to engage with nature—wherever they may find it. These videos filled a need for

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students stuck at home during the pandemic, especially when Los Angeles–area schools were largely teaching asynchronously (with students accessing material on their own time). In the fall, area schools were still meeting virtually, but their focus had shifted to synchronous learning. That is, teachers leading classes in real time. “We recognized the need for a more interactive experience, and we shifted our approach as well,” says Dan Keeffe, Director of Learning & Engagement. Inspiration came by way of an invitation. A kindergarten teacher who had attended the Zoo’s online teacher workshop last summer created her own virtual zoo experience for her students. Cotero says, “Just using the L.A. Zoo’s YouTube videos that were already online, she put together a virtual field trip and invited us to participate. We joined in, and it was the cutest thing. The students were so excited to have us there!” Thus inspired, the Learning & Engagement Division created an official virtual L.A. Zoo field trip. After a high-speed zoom around the Zoo, field trippers create their own experience, choosing which animals to observe. A Spanish-language version is also available. Downloadable Teacher Guides provide educators (or parents)

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with additional resources and activities. For older students, a field trip focusing on animal adaptations dives deeper into how different species survive in their native habitats. “For those videos, we interviewed some of our animal keepers, and we see some of the animals in action,” says Cotero. “So, students get a little bit of that connection to the Zoo that everyone was missing.” After launching the self-guided field trips, the Zoo rolled out a docent-led version. These interactive 45-minute sessions, facilitated by Los Angeles Zoo docents, were an immediate hit. “The response has been absolutely overwhelming,” says Heather Evans, the docent Virtual Outreach Chair. “The teachers in the Los Angeles area are so excited and grateful. They say, ‘Thank you for offering this; we’ve needed this for ten months!” Evans balances the needs of area schools with the availability of a growing cadre of volunteers. “We started in December with 26 field trips. Then, word spread, and requests started to snowball. In January, we did 43 field trips, and we doubled that in February.” While requests are pouring in from all over the country, docent-led field trips are currently limited to Los Angeles-area schools. “We point out that anyone is welcome to do the self-guided version,” Evans notes. “Wherever you are in the world, that is a resource that is available to you.”

ACTIVE LEARNING

The Zoo’s virtual field trips encourage students to think like scientists: making observations, asking questions, and thinking critically about what they see.

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Evans explains, “Instead of telling them everything there is to know about the animals they see, we ask, ‘What do you notice? What do you think? I wonder why that is. Do you have any theories?’” The docents tailor each presentation to the class. “When it’s a young audience, like preschool or kindergarten, they like physical activity,” Evans explains. “So, we might open our jaws like a hippo, or dig like a wombat, or stand on one leg like a flamingo. And some of the teachers are the best digging wombats you’ve ever seen!” A bonus to the virtual field trips is that they’ve expanded access to the Zoo to communities that may not otherwise have been able to visit. “It has filled a gap, letting us connect with students who couldn’t come on field trips, whether the Zoo was open or not,” Evans explains. “And we’re seeing parents who maybe couldn’t take a day off work to chaperone an in-person visit. Because everyone is Zooming from home, we’ve had siblings, parents, grandmas and grandpas, the whole family peeking in.” Sometimes, even pets get in on the action. “One young man was quiet the entire time, then at the very end he raised his hand shyly,” Evans recalls. “When I called on him, he said in a big rush of words, ‘I have a dog and a bearded dragon and I love animals!’ Suddenly, he’s holding his bearded dragon up to the camera. His classmates’ eyes got big, and then they started running through their homes. Next thing you know, we’re looking at rabbits, dogs, cats, hamsters, turtles! It was a really special moment.”

NEW ZOO PALS

The Zoo Pals program, which offers free Zoo admission and transportation to schools in underserved communities, also evolved to meet the COVID crisis. “In the past, we centered their experience around a Zoo visit, but obviously we can’t do that during a pandemic,” says Keeffe. “Working with GLAZA, we were able to reallocate some of those funds to create a different kind of program.” Now, a Zoo Pals “field trip” consists of three virtual sessions led by Learning & Engagement staff over a three-week period, plus a “care package” consisting of notebooks, pencils, and other zoo gear sent to the students ahead of time. “They pull out their supplies one by one, and their faces light up,” says Cotero. “Or we sent them stuffed animals, and we say, ‘We’re talking about adaptations today. Look at your stuffed animal. What adaptations does that animal have?’” Even though the Zoo reopened in February, Cotero says her team hopes to continue to expand and refine the Zoo’s virtual offerings. “Based on the response we’ve been getting from teachers and students, it’s clear that there’s a huge need for these programs,” she says. “And the silver lining is that by connecting virtually, we can increase our audience and meet so many more people. It’s a whole different opportunity.”

EXPLORE THE ZOO’S VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS AND OTHER ONLINE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AT www.lazoo.org/explore-your-zoo/ virtual-learning

FROM THE TEACHERS_ Ms. Hines Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to come share about the diﬀerent animals and habitats ... It was great to see students acting like scientists, making observations and asking questions! Ms. Hill Thank you for the wonderful Zoo experience last Friday. My class really enjoyed it. They were asked to write in their journals for homework what they liked and overwhelmingly it was the giraﬀes! :) Ms. Urfalian Thank you Heather and Lynne for sharing the Zoo with my 1st grade class virtually! We learned a lot, and we can't wait to visit the animals in person!

GLAZA THANKS YOU : ) GLAZA is grateful to the following foundations that have generously provided funding to allow Learning & Engagement to provide virtual field trips and more to our community: The Ella Fitzgerald Foundation The Georgina Fredrick Children’s Foundation The Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Foundation Irvine Foundation Morrison & Foerster Foundation

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COMMUNITY

ONLINE OUTREACH _

by BRENDA SCOTT ROYCE

Reimagining the zoo experience for a virtual world

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ACTIVE LEARNING

The Zoo’s virtual field trips encourage students to think like scientists: making observations, asking questions, and thinking critically about what they see.

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NEW ZOO PALS

EXPLORE THE ZOO’S VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS AND OTHER ONLINE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AT www.lazoo.org/explore-your-zoo/ virtual-learning

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CONSERVATION

Fund a Need

JAMIE PHAM

conservation. “When I first came into the project, I didn’t know much about conservation,” says Hored. “I had heard a general definition, but I didn’t realize it went beyond animals.” Throughout their internship, Hored and Rachel engaged deeply with topics such as biodiversity conservation, community engagement, relationships with nature, and their intersection with justice, equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion. “When we have connections with our own communities, it not only benefits us by the support, but everyone's goals all around,” says Rachel. Hored and Rachel are working to develop engagement opportunities in the Zoo and for communities at home, including the development of a virtual wildlife guide to build observational skills and find belonging in nature. “This internship has expanded my thinking and living in many ways that have allowed me

to grow and become who I am at this point. My relationship with nature has rekindled,” Hored shares. “Nature is everywhere and for anyone who truly wants to create connections and memories, we can help them,” adds Rachel. “I believe that is our goal.” Everyone deserves a place in conservation, and this internship is just the beginning of our efforts to co-create opportunities to make a greater impact where humans and wildlife thrive together. “This internship has not only helped me define conservation, but also taught me how to define it in my own way,” says Rachel. “Everyone will always have different meanings and definitions, but we have the same goals. What I want for whoever reads or hears about this internship is to know that it is not only a career path, but a path to make a difference in the world.”

DR. DOMINIQUE KELLER

by ANNA BECKER, Coordinator of Community Conservation

the Office of Mayor Garcetti’s Los Angeles College Promise Works Program, the L.A. Zoo began hosting our first-ever paid Conservation Internship. Anchoring our focus in local conservation to include community members, improve native biodiversity, and increase access to those who should be better represented in the field, is key to our conservation mission. We can work toward increasing access to conservation by creating space for individuals to gain paid experience and further equitable opportunities, representation, and our impact within those communities. We welcomed our inaugural interns— Hored Martinez and Rachel Ortega—in January. Hored and Rachel are both residents and community college students of Los Angeles, interested in amplifying community voices in

THE 2021 BEASTLY BALL The 2021 Beastly Ball will take place on June 5—and because it’s a virtual adventure, everyone is invited!

JUNE 5

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE, TOO! Join the “Walk for the Wild” virtual fundraiser in April on your own, with friends, coworkers, or the whole family, day or night, rain or shine, inside or out. Get your steps in while raising money for wildlife!

Hosted by Joel McHale, this star-studded evening of fun and philanthropy will feature special musical guests, animal spotlights, a live auction, and more. This year’s Fund-A-Need priorities include a shade cloth for the giraffe habitat, iPads for animal welfare assessments, an exhibit space for mountain yellow-legged frogs, and an autoclave (a superheated, high pressure sterilizer for medical equipment) for the Health Center.

LEARN MORE OR RSVP FOR THE BALL AT www.lazoo.org/beastlyball

ast year’s virtual Beastly Ball featured a special plea for donors to “Fund-A-Need”—that is, contribute toward the acquisition of a specific item designated as a high priority by the Zoo. In this case, the need was a portable ultrasound machine for the Gottlieb Animal Health and Conservation Center. The Zoo’s existing equipment was well-used and in need of upgrade, says Dr. Dominique Keller, Director of Animal Wellness Programs. “Because ultrasound is non-invasive and so versatile, we used our old portable ultrasound machine several times a week when we performed exams on Zoo grounds. Unfortunately, the image quality was deteriorating as the machine aged.” Ninety-five donors contributed to the “Fund-a-Need,” donating approximately $102,000, says Genie Vasels, GLAZA’s Vice President, Institutional Advancement. “And an anonymous donor brought us to the finish line with a gift of $72,000!” Keller was thrilled to hear that the wished-for machine had been fully funded—and even more overjoyed when it arrived at the Health Center in February. “It has incredible resolution with an intuitive touchscreen and is just a joy to use. We used it during a gorilla procedure this week and were really pleased with the images. It’s a great addition to our diagnostic arsenal—and we can’t thank our donors enough for helping us continue to give the best medical care to our animals.”

Interns Making a Difference THROUGH A NEW PARTNERSHIP with

DONOR SPOTLIGHT

S P R I N G 2021

ZO O V I E W

CONSERVATION

Fund a Need

JAMIE PHAM

DR. DOMINIQUE KELLER

by ANNA BECKER, Coordinator of Community Conservation

THE 2021 BEASTLY BALL The 2021 Beastly Ball will take place on June 5—and because it’s a virtual adventure, everyone is invited!

JUNE 5

LEARN MORE OR RSVP FOR THE BALL AT www.lazoo.org/beastlyball

Interns Making a Difference THROUGH A NEW PARTNERSHIP with

DONOR SPOTLIGHT

S P R I N G 2021

ZO O V I E W

The Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association 5333 Zoo Drive Los Angeles, CA 90027

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Zoo View - Spring 2021

Articles inside

OUT OF THE ASHES

INTERNS MAKING A DIFFERENCE

FUND-A-NEED

STEP IT UP