UPROAR, 2018 Summer

SUMMER 2018 - PUBLISHED BY THE POTAWATOMI ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY

ROARS & POURS SERIES STARTING JUNE 21ST

ZOO DENTISTRY

EDZOOCATION

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A LETTER FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MARCY DEAN

UPROAR

A POTAWATOMI ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER FOR MEMBERS PUBLISHER:

Potawatomi Zoological Society, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Potawatomi Zoological Society is a 501(c)(3)Nonprofit Organization.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:

Marcy Dean PHOTOS:

Zoo Staff and Lindsey Frick GENERAL INFO:

2018 Season: March 30 – November 25 Open daily from 10am – 5pm Last admission at 4:30pm 500 S. Greenlawn Ave South Bend, IN 46615 www.potawatomizoo.org

Dear friends of the Zoo, It has been an exciting Spring here at Potawatomi Zoo, and while we are thrilled Summer is finally here, we can’t wait for this monumental Fall to begin. We have been overwhelmed with the public’s response to our Front Entry project, Phase I of our 10+ year, $37-$40 million Master Plan. We asked, and you answered.

Through the generosity of many of you reading this, we will break ground on this transformational brick and mortar project in September of 2018. Our current entrance will be usable through Zoo Boo, with a temporary entrance to be used after the event and throughout construction.

The reason the Front Entry project is so important is because we need to serve our guests more efficiently before moving on to further phases of our plan. We are striving to make the front of the Zoo look like the rest of the Zoo already feels; warm and inviting. The new entrance will provide a personable, one-on-one experience inside a beautiful, glassfront and glass-back building. When walking up, you can see through to a new gathering plaza on the other side. This project is designed to address guest circulation, entrance and flow, add revenue generation opportunities through increased gift shop per cap sales and membership and admission sales. This project will also double our education space providing the Zoo with a much-needed opportunity to offer additional educational camps, classes and programming. It will also feature new restrooms with the addition of a family restroom and a gathering space for guests. The new entry plaza will create a transformational experience which will provide support for the growth of the Zoo and the community We are also introducing some new events to look forward to this season. Our new Roars and Pours series, after-hour evenings at the Zoo, will feature both family-friendly and adult only events.

The Gift of Lights at the Potawatomi Zoo will be arriving this Thanksgiving and run through December 23rd on the weekends. This holiday lighting extravaganza, unique to the area, opens the Zoo up during a time we have traditionally been closed, and is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

HOW TO REACH US:

574-235-9800 Community Outreach: 574-235-7654 Concessions: 574-235-5614 Development: 574-245-6138 Education: 574-235-7621 Gift Shop: 574-235-5615 Guest Services: 574-235-7620 Marketing: 574-235-7576 Membership: 574-235-7651 Special Events: 574-245-6163 Volunteers: 574-235-7621 Zoo Camps: 574-235-9070 Zoological Society: 574-288-4639 2

Follow us on social media for updates on construction, events, and other Zoo happenings.

We are thankful for the strong support of our members and guests throughout these changes, and as always are striving to connect people to nature and create lasting memories for you and your families.

THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE SPONSORS! MELINDA “MYNDI” AVEN OF NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL Would you like your business’ name on our Corporate Sponsor sign and on our Zoo maps, seen by over 232,000 people annually?

Please contact Margie Anella, Director of Development, 574-2456138, for more information.

FEATURED CORPORATE SPONSOR:

Nir Davison is the company founder and developer of Barak Group, an international real estate development company. One of Northern Indiana’s predominant residential builders, Barak Group focuses on safe, quality communities that offer many great amenities.

With projects in both the United States and throughout the world, Nir has traveled extensively and has visited many zoos around the world. The Potawatomi Zoo ranks among his favorites, “The animals here are well cared for by an exceptional and experienced team in a beautiful setting.”

We are proud to welcome Barak Group to the region. Thank you for the support you have shown to our community and our Potawatomi Zoo lions!

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ZOO DENTISTRY:

MORE THAN BRUSHING AWAY TOOTHACHES At Potawatomi Zoo, the animals get routine health “checkups” by Zoo Veterinarian, Dr. Ronan Eustace, to ensure they are as healthy as possible. A thorough dental evaluation at each of these examinations is a vital part of providing the best veterinary care possible to the animals.

Dental disease can cause an animal pain and discomfort but may also predispose them to developing systemic health problems like heart disease. Every day, our zoo keepers monitor the animals for any signs of illness, including evidence of tooth problems. Despite the diligent efforts of our staff, animals often hide painful dental disease and regular examinations can help prevent, detect and treat dental conditions before they cause serious illness.

“Dental disease is one of the most common problems that I identify during routine examinations and correcting it can have a profound impact on an animal’s well-being.

The range of dental care at the Zoo is very diverse, ranging from routine cleaning and polishing on a lion to treating advanced periodontal disease in a wallaby.

Often as animals age they require extra dental care, like Ty our elderly red panda. Through the years he has had to have several teeth extracted. Therefore, we perform more frequent examinations on him to provide thorough dental cleanings to slow the progression of dental disease and preserve his remaining teeth,” said Dr. Ronan. Ty is one of the oldest Red Pandas in all of zoos in North America.

Keeping Ty’s teeth as healthy as possible is a big part of why he has been able to enjoy such a long happy life.

The veterinary staff at Potawatomi Zoo is equipped to handle most dental issues at the Zoo, but for more complicated cases, the Zoo benefits from the expertise of Dr. Sridhar Meda, a human dentist at Ireland Park Dentistry who generously volunteers his expertise.

In the past, Dr. Meda and his staff have performed root canals on animals ranging from African painted dogs to Howler monkeys.

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Potawatomi Zoo is lucky to have an excellent working relationship with Dr. Meda, as he is always willing to help us out with these tricky cases. His expertise enables the Zoo to provide the best care possible to our animals, no matter how big or small they are.

This year, the Potawatomi Zoo veterinary department hopes to raise funds to purchase a digital dental X-ray system that would allow them to perform dental digital radiographs. This equipment would increase the ability to both detect and treat dental disorders in our animals. Please contact the Zoo if you would like to donate to help the veterinary department purchase this equipment.

“By keeping our animals’ teeth in excellent condition, we can help them have long healthy lives” says Dr. Ronan. Animals at zoos often live longer than those in the wild, and having complete dental care is a key factor to helping them live a long happy comfortable life at Potawatomi Zoo.

THE POTAWATOMI ZOO PRESENTS

ROARS & POURS SERIES The series kicks off with family friendly events happening June through August. Head to the Zoo for a fun evening while we offer extended hours from 5:30 pm to 8 pm; last admission at 7:30 pm. Enjoy dinner at the Congo Café which will be offering a 25% discount off all menu items. John Cruz from 97.7 Rock-WYXX will be playing tunes and handing out giveaways on the new Round Barn bar deck! Each month will feature a different guest brewery that will be offering a special tapping for our 21 and older guests.

Admission for all visitors is $5.50 for adults (receive one free child admission), $2.50 for additional children ages 3-14, and children 2 and under are free.

Thursday, June 21st – Guest Brewery: Round Barn Winery/Brewery Thursday, July 19th – Guest Brewery: Bells Friday, August 24th – Guest Brewery: Firestone-Walker The Roars and Pours series will continue into the fall with our 21 and older events: September 22, VIP Brew Night October 5, Uncorked at the Zoo Keep an eye out for The Gift of Lights at the Potawatomi Zoo beginning the weekend of November 23rd. Mulled Wines and Seasonal Brew events will be happening!

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CREATURE FEATURE: BRUSH-TAILED BETTONG

Potawatomi Zoo is currently home to one Brush-tailed Bettong (Bettongia penicillata) named Halley.

You can visit Halley in the Honeyeater aviary in the Australia Walkthrough. She was born at Gladys Porter Zoo on April 4, 2007. From there she moved to the Columbus Zoo and has been here at Potawatomi since the beginning of 2016. She may look like a baby because she is so small but she is 11 years old and fully grown! Brush-tailed Bettongs are native to Australia, where they used to be found all over the country, but now can only be found in small areas in the southwest. They are currently listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN due to habitat loss.

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FUN FACTS ABOUT BRUSH-TAILED BETTONGS

•They have prehensile

tails! This helps them when collecting bedding materials and making their nests.

•They are amazing

diggers and will dig up to and over 100 holes a night to look for fungus and insects to eat.

•They are solitary

Halley’s favorite treats here at the Zoo are peanuts and strawberries but she also loves sweet potatoes and apples from her daily diet. Keepers have trained her to come up to them to take treats so they can get a really close look at her every day. They also have her trained to go into a crate which helps them get monthly weights and makes for a stress-free trip anytime she needs to be moved. Her favorite nonfood enrichment is novel nesting materials such as shredded paper and animal hair. Halley loves to move her nest around to different hideouts around her exhibit.

animals that only come together for breeding which can take place year-round.

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ON A MISSION TO SAVE SPECIES Animal conservation is an important mission of zoos across the world and that is no different here at Potawatomi Zoo. We are continuing our On a Mission program in 2018 by supporting three unique conservation organizations in an effort to help save species. You can contribute to the Zoo’s efforts by donating at the Zoo or online at our website, potawatomizoo.org/ Support-the-zoo.

We are so grateful for the support we receive from our members and could not make the difference we do without you.

Thank you for helping make the world a better place for all living things.

Join us for the remaining On a Mission Species Days where we raise awareness and celebrate each organization!

Madagascar Flora and Fauna – July 19th Pangolin Conservation – August 31st

MADAGASCAR FLORA AND FAUNA The Madagascar Fauna Group’s (MFG) Conservation Action projects encompass immediate and long-term activities that aim, for example, to mitigate habitat degradation, improve habitat quality and enhance the survival of endangered animal and plant species. MFG responded to the 2009 threat caused by political instability, reduced law enforcement and a dramatic increase in illegal logging and poaching by increasing patrolling activities and reporting all infractions to authorities. They worked with the World Zoo and Aquarium Association to develop breeding programs for endangered species and releasing animals born in captivity into the Betampona Natural Reserve. Animals helped through MFG include black and white ruffed lemurs, fossa, brown-tailed mongoose, and more than 100 reptiles and amphibians.

SAHARA CONSERVATION FUND With many species at the brink of extinction, SCF’s top priority is saving what remains. It is vital to get resources into the field and create positive incentives to conserve. Campaigning vigorously against unsustainable use, SCF strives to find solutions that will allow people to draw benefit from their natural resources without compromising their long-term survival. They have 9 different projects that support 120 species including addax, fennec foxes, and ostriches that can also be found here at Potawatomi.

PANGOLIN CONSERVATION Pangolin Conservation is an organization dedicated to promoting the conservation, education, and research of the world’s most wanted animal. Pangolins are declining at an alarming rate due to the illegal trade to supply Asian traditional medicine. They are working on the ground in West Africa to study the White-bellied tree pangolin to gather data to learn how to better protect the entire species. One of their main goals is to develop husbandry and transit parameters required for maintaining pangolins in captivity for conservation.

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ARE YOU 70 1/2?

Make the Potawatomi Zoo the charity of choice for your IRA’s required minimum distribution!

Support Potawatomi Zoo while receiving a tax break and meeting tax requirements for IRA’s. For more information, contact Danielle McCausland, 235-7654

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ZooCamps are a great opportunity for kids to learn about animals and habitats, meet new friends, and explore and play outside! We offer ZooCamps for children ages 5-12. There are several options available to fit your summer schedule. For more information see our website: https://www.potawatomizoo.org/edzoocation/edzoocationcamps/

JUNIOR NATURALIST CLASSES (5&6 YEAR-OLDS) CRITTER CLASSIFICATION Whether furred or feathered, smooth or slimy, all animals have fantastic features. Join us as we discover the defining characteristics of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish!

Dates: July 9-12 July 30-August 2 Pricing: Members: $80.00 Non-members: $100.00

FUTURE ZOOLOGIST ZOOCAMP (AGES 7-9): FANTASTIC FORESTS We are going exploring! During this camp, we’ll head into the forest and find the unique animals that live there.

Dates: July 16-19 August 6-9 Pricing: Members: $130.00 Non-members: $150.00

WILD RANGER ZOOCAMP (AGES 10-12): CONSERVATION CRUSADERS Many animals are facing threats in the wild. Join us on an important mission to help save species! Learn what you can do at home to conserve resources and get an opportunity to educate others about conservation efforts.

Dates: July 23-26 August 13-16 Pricing: Members: $130.00 Non-members: $150.00

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SPRING TINY EXPLORERS (3&4 YEAR-OLDS) Our Tiny Explorers classes are for parents and their preschool age children (ages 3 & 4). We offer a discount when families purchase one class from each summer month.

SILLY SUMMER SERIES Horseplay, hoodwinking, buffoonery, and mischief. When school isn’t in session, your house may feel like a zoo. Never fear; bring your cheeky children here! Join us as we learn about ducks, goats, and flamingos in this shenanigan-filled summer series. These classes run from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. EST. PRICING: The class price includes 1 adult and 1 child. There is a small charge for additional guests.

Members: $12/class; Full Series $30 (one class per month) Non-members: $17/class; Full Series $45 (one class per month) Additional guests: $6.00 participating child; $3.00 adult

TICKLED PINK FLAMINGOS: Saturday, August 4 Friday, August 10 Saturday, August 18

Potawatomi Zoo is thrilled to offer scholarships for summer ZooCamps to families in financial need. Thank you to our sponsors Watermark Pump & Water Well Service and River Valley Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, P.C.! Proof of financial need is required to receive a scholarship and spaces are limited. Contact the Education Department for more information: (574) 235-9070.

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KEEPER KORNER WALK THE WILD SIDE Are you trying to get fit while at the Potawatomi Zoo? Here are some different walking paths with step-counts and total distance for you to explore. Now when you visit the Zoo you can see how much exercise you are getting! Make it a game: Challenge your family and friends to a “Step-Off” next time you drop by!

THE EXOTIC LOOP

APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE IN LENGTH 2,110 STEP AVERAGE DIFFICULTY - MEDIUM / HARD Start at the entrance and follow the path up towards the tigers, zoo farm, lions, Australia and otters - then walk by the bobcat exhibit and continue on towards monkey island where you’ll enter through the Learning Center.

THE WILD WALK

APPROXIMATELY 0.75 MILE IN LENGTH 1,535 STEP AVERAGE DIFFICULTY - MEDIUM Start at the entrance and follow the path by the red pandas, continue through monkey island and loop around by the bobcat exhibit and then towards the otters. Follow the path to the train station and continue by the leopard exhibit and then return to the entrance.

THE JUNGLE TREK

APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE IN LENGTH 1,070 STEP AVERAGE DIFFICULTY - EASY Start at the entrance and follow the path up towards the tigers, continue to the zoo farm, lions and chimpanzees - then walk towards the leopards and circle back to the entrance after passing the train station and macaws.

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The zoo keeper’s here at the Potawatomi Zoo are always on their feet. Each day is exciting for the keepers when there are nearly 500 animals to take care of. With so much to do each day, we asked ourselves the question “Who travels the most day-to-day when tending to the animals?” We decided to find out. Over the course of three days, the zoo keepers tracked their “steps” while on the job. They used their smart devices to measure the steps between the start and finish of their workday. We can now see what area of the Zoo gets the most foot travel from it’s passionate caretakers.

The Zoo was split up into seven different zones based on the animals residing there.

The different areas are: The Zoo Farm, Herpetology & Small Mammals, Primates, Hoofstock, The America’s, Carnivores & Task Keepers.

PRIMATES 11,571 STEPS HOOFSTOCK 12,114 STEPS

HERPTOLOGY & SMALL MAMMALS 12,554 STEPS CARINVORES 13,260 STEPS

TASK KEEPERS 13,937 STEPS

ZOO FARM 16,985 STEPS

*All results have been averaged out.

THE AMERICA’S 17,318 STEPS

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HELLO FROM YOUR POTAWATOMI ZOO AAZK We would like to thank everyone who came out to our first ever Rummaging for Rhino’s event. With the sales we made we were able to raise over $2,200 for conservation. These efforts help support Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Action for Cheetahs in Kenya and the International Rhino foundation. With your support we also raised over $100 to benefit Southern Ground Hornbill Mabula Project http://ground-hornbill.org.za. During the month of July, AAZK and Team On a Mission will partner up with South Bend Brew Werks to raise funds and awareness for various conservation efforts. For every shandy that sells, AAZK and Team On a Mission will receive a donation of $.50 per pint or $.25 per snifter. Be on the lookout as AAZK and Team On a Mission partner up with Brew Werks to help raise funds and awareness for various conservation efforts.

For upcoming events or more information about how you can get involved, please visit out Facebook page @ potawatomizooaazk or email us at: potawatomizooaazk@gmail.com Derek Pelc, Chapter President

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WELCOME BACK JOSH! The Potawatomi Zoo is happy to welcome back Josh Sisk as Director of Animal Programs and Education!

Josh was born and raised just outside of Kansas City, Missouri. Living on a small farm with the typical menagerie of farm animals is what helped instill a strong passion for animals at an early age. Josh began his zoo career caring for a mixed variety of animals at a private zoo near his home town. This first experience in working directly with and caring for animals further strengthened his love and dedication to animals.

Years later, Josh accepted a position as zoo keeper for the Los Angeles Zoo in California where he worked for 10 years, as both zoo keeper and supervisor over primates and carnivores.

In 2010, Josh transferred to the Wildlife Conservation Society in New York City as a supervisor for the Central Park Zoo and was quickly promoted to a curatorial position at the Bronx Zoo before coming to South Bend. He acted as the Potawatomi Zoo’s General Curator for a year and a half before returning to the LA Zoo as the Curator of Mammals. Josh returned to Potawatomi Zoo at the beginning of May. Josh recently earned his master’s degree in Zoology at Miami University of Ohio. He has participated in many field experiences from working with researchers in Malaysia to swimming with whale sharks in the Sea of Cortez. In 2015, Josh traveled to Namibia, Africa to participate in a big cat conservation project.

Please help us in welcoming back Josh to the area and the Potawatomi Zoo family!

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NONPROFIT US POSTAGE PAID SOUTH BEND, IN PERMIT NO. 19 Potawatomi Zoological Society 500 S. Greenlawn Ave. South Bend, Indiana 46615 Call 574-288-4639 for more information www.potawatomizoo.org

ZOO CALENDAR OF EVENTS JULY 19TH ROARS AND POURS FAMILY NIGHT 5:30 PM – 8 PM BRING THE FAMILY FOR AN EVENING OF FUN AT THE ZOO!

SEPTEMBER 22ND ROARS AND POURS VIP BREW NIGHT TIME TBD ENJOY SPECIAL BREWS AT THIS ADULT ONLY EVENT. TICKETS ARE LIMITED.

AUGUST 24TH ROARS AND POURS FAMILY NIGHT 5:30 PM – 8 PM BRING THE FAMILY FOR AN EVENING OF FUN AT THE ZOO!

OCTOBER 5TH ROARS AND POURS UNCORKED AT THE ZOO TIME TBD TASTE A VARIETY OF WINES AND FOOD DURING THIS ADULT ONLY EVENT. TICKETS ARE LIMITED.

SEPTEMBER 2ND LAST DAY OF MEMBERS’ MORNINGS 8 AM – 10 AM IT IS YOUR LAST DAY TO ENJOY THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF THE ZOO BEFORE IT OPENS TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC!

OCTOBER 19TH – 21ST ZOO BOO 6 PM – 9 PM ON FRIDAY 3 PM – 9 PM ON SATURDAY 12 PM – 4 PM ON SUNDAY PUMPKINS, LIGHTS, AND DECORATIONS WILL TRANSFORM THE ZOO INTO THE PERFECT SPOT FOR SAFE TRICK-OR-TREATING. FREE FOR ZOO MEMBERS.