UPROAR, 2018 Spring

UPROAR spring 2018

PUBLISHED BY THE POTAWATOMI ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Zoo Opens March 30th!

Collaboration to Find a Cure - Page 8

EdZOOcation - Page 10

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 Diona Eskew GEERAL 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

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

Dear Friends of the Zoo, As the oldest zoo in Indiana, the Potawatomi Zoo brings irreplaceable historic value and generational connectivity to our community. Over 25 years of continuous accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a truly special achievement that puts the Zoo in an elite group of zoos and aquariums across the country.

It is a very unique and exciting time in the life of the Potawatomi Zoo and we invite you to join us as we Roar Forward into the future.

The Zoo is embarking on a 10+ year, $37-$40 million Master Plan that will enhance the visitor experience, upgrade infrastructure in our 100+ year-old facility, and position ourselves as a major regional asset. Phase I of the plan calls for a new Front Entry, Plaza, Gift Shop, and Family Care restrooms. This brick and mortar project is designed to address four main areas: improve entrance and flow, focus on membership, admission and guest experience, increase gift shop revenue and double our education space. The new Front Entry will also provide a separate entrance for field trips and group visits. Phase I, Front Entry, is the essential catalyst for all future growth at the Zoo. In October, we were thrilled to be awarded $450,000 in Regional Cities Initiative funding for the Phase I, Front Entry Project. We have some extraordinary new projects right around the corner, and the Front Entry Project is the gateway to these inspiring new additions and improvements. Our goal is to break ground on our new entrance complex in the fall of 2018.

Staff is engaged and excited as we begin this process.

With your help, we can ensure the Potawatomi Zoo will be around for another 100 years; fulfilling its mission to inspire excellence in education, conservation, and improved animal quality of life.

Thank you for being part of the Potawatomi Zoo family.

Thank you for being a part of our past, and thank you for growing with us as we look forward to a very exciting future.

THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE SPONSORS!

MELINDA “MYNDI” AVEN OF NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL

SOUTH BEND & ELKHART

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: NOTRE DAME FEDERAL CREDIT UNION CORPORATE SPONSOR SINCE 2017 “Notre Dame Federal Credit Union is proud to support the Potawatomi Zoo again this year. The Zoo is an extremely important asset to the Michiana community and we encourage everyone to visit,” said Judd McNally, Chief Lending Officer.

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CHANGE FOR CHANGE Do you know how big of a difference you can make with your loose change? When you make a purchase at the Jungle Gift Shop or Congo Café, your cashier will ask if you would like to “Round Up” your order to support Zoo improvements and help care for the animals. Since starting the program in the spring of 2017, thousands of people have donated to help raise over $16,000! This seemingly small act can yield big results, so on your next Zoo visit remember to round up!

MEMBERSHIP MATTERS Your Potawatomi Zoo membership is a tremendous value to you and the Zoo. Each membership is designed specifically for you – by naming each adult and requiring all named adults to show a photo ID, we are protecting the integrity of the membership and the benefits associated with it. Please bring your membership card and identification with you to receive free admission and Zoo discounts.

Your membership is non-transferrable and may only be used for the category and those individuals listed on the card. Unnamed guest are not permitted to use your membership as their own. To avoid delays at the entrance gates, know who is covered on your membership.

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WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH AAZK Before we get rolling on 2018, we would like to thank everyone for a great 2017. With your help we donated over $3,000 to animal conservation initiatives. This included $2,300 to Bowling for Rhinos, which helps support the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Action for Cheetahs in Kenya, and the International Rhino Foundation. We also donated $500 to the Minnesota Zoo foundation for tiger conservation, $113 to the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake SSP (Species Survival Plan), $100 to Chopsticks for Salamanders/FCsal, and $100 to support Fiji Iguana conservation. We also donated a water bottle filling station located in the Learning Center of the Zoo to encourage everyone to use reusable water bottles. AAZK also uses some of its donations for professional development of the Zoo’s keepers, and we were able to send two keepers to the AAZK National Conference this past year. None of this would be possible without your support, and our chapter looks forward to a great 2018. For upcoming events or more information about how you can get involved, please visit our Facebook @potawatomizooaazk or email us at: potawatomizooaazk@gmail.com Thanks, Derek Pelc – Chapter President

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CREATURE FEATURE: SOUTHERN GROUND HORNBILL

Photo by: Terri Hebert

SOUTHERN GROUND HORNBILLS (SGH) ARE NATIVE TO THE SOUTHEASTERN RANGES OF AFRICA AND LIVE IN FAMILY GROUPS OF UP TO 12, USUALLY CONSISTING OF A MONOGAMOUS PAIR AND THEIR OFFSPRING. Our hornbill family, the second largest family in AZA population, currently consists of five birds: Timmy – 34, Jenny – 33, Lonnie – 6, Seymore - 3, and Hodora - 1. Although they are called ground hornbills, they fly well and will often be seen roosting in trees. The female differs from the male in that there is a violet patch on the throat, rather than all bright red. They also use their throat patches/dewlaps to make loud booming calls to let others know this is their territory.

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Potawatomi Zoo has been successful in the care and reproduction of these rare birds. We offer a large flighted habitat for guests to observe these highly inquisitive birds play with enrichment or chase after butterflies. Our most recent addition is Hodora, who hatched on December 31, 2016.

Zookeepers at Potawatomi put in many hours helping rear hatchling hornbills until they start eating on their own. The Potawatomi Zoo is also one of few institutions to introduce an SGH from another pairing into our family group. Seymour was hatched at the Milwaukee Zoo and brought to Potawatomi around 2 months of age to establish with our group, and they accepted him with open wings. Be sure to stop by and say hi to our hornbill family, located in our Africa region.

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HEART DISEASE IN CHIMPANZEE: COLLABORATION TO FIND A CURE Nearly all the animals at the Potawatomi Zoo receive a routine examination once a year. As these are wild animals, many patients must be anesthetized before they can be thoroughly examined. Routine examinations help prevent disease by discovering and treating conditions before they cause animals to become sick.

For those animals prone to specific diseases, additional tests are done to identify these conditions as early treatment can make a difference. In some cases, Dr. Ronan Eustace, Veterinarian, will collaborate on Zoo cases with human specialists.

Like humans, cardiovascular disease is a major cause of health issues in chimpanzees in zoos. As a result, more in-depth cardiac exams are performed during the routine examination of the chimpanzees at the Potawatomi Zoo. For many years, the Goshen Hospital cardiology team, has volunteered their expertise and equipment to help evaluate the health of the zoo’s hearts.

The Great Ape Heart Project (GAHP) is a multi-institutional collaboration that seeks to understand, diagnose, and treat cardiac disease across all four non-human great ape taxa. The project now involves more than 50 participants from over 30 institutions, including veterinarians, cardiologists, geneticists, epidemiologists, nutritionists, animal managers, ape specialists and research pathologists. At each chimpanzee examination, images obtained of the chimpanzee heart and other data is sent to the GAHP to determine if that chimpanzee’s heart is free of disease.

“By sending our data on our chimp’s heart to GAHP, we make sure our chimps are healthy and we add to the overall knowledge of heart disease in captive chimpanzees. In the long run, hopefully efforts by the GAHP will be integral in reducing the effect of heart disease in the captive chimpanzees’ population,” says Dr. Eustace.

“Lynnette Stark, the echocardiology coordinator, has performed countless echocardiograms on the chimpanzees at the Zoo over the years. The heart of a chimp is very similar to a human’s heart.

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in captive chimpanzees. With Lynnette’s help, we can make sure our chimpanzees are healthy and hopefully live long happy lives at the Zoo,” says Dr. Eustace. “In addition, we share the findings of each examination to the Great Ape Heart project based at Zoo Atlanta.”

Goshen Hospital echocardiology coordinator performing an echocardiogram on an anesthetized chimpanzee at the Potawatomi Zoo.

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Image of chimpanzee echocardiogram on ultrasound.

Dr. Eustace with veterinary anesthesiologist from Michigan State University Veterinary School, Dr. Kirk Munoz, and 3rd year veterinary student from University of Calgary, Alan Glassman, setting up anesthesia monitoring equipment at the start of an examination on a chimpanzee at Potawatomi Zoo.

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EDZOOCATION

SPRING AND SUMMER REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! VIEW THE LIST OF SUMMER CAMPS AND CLASSES AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE NOW!

JUNIOR NATURALIST CLASSES (5&6 YEAR-OLDS) SECRET SPY MISSION- SATURDAY, APRIL 14 (10:00-11:30) We’re on a mission to save species! Join us as we learn about the most threatened animals in our world and what we can do to help them. For this mission, students are welcome to dress in secret spy attire.

PIRATE PLAY- SATURDAY, MAY 12 (10:00-11:30) The ocean is one of our most valuable resources. Come learn about the ocean, its importance, and how we can protect it and the animals that live there. Students are welcome to come to class dressed in pirate or other seaworthy attire.

FUTURE ZOOLOGIST CLASSES (7-9 YEAR-OLDS) TRICKY TRACKS- SATURDAY, APRIL 21 (10:00-11:30) Where have you been and where are you going? Animals are always moving around too!

Sometimes, they leave tracks for us to see. Come learn how to identify animal tracks and how to use tracks to learn about animal behavior.

SEAL THE DEAL- SATURDAY, MAY 19 (10:00-11:30) Get the deal on seals! Learn about seal characteristics and adaptations. Find out how seals use their senses of sight, touch, and smell to survive in their marine habitats.

SPRING BREAK CAMPS JUNIOR NATURALIST CAMP (5&6 YEAR-OLDS) – MISS SPIDER’S TEA PARTY Inspired by David Kirk’s children’s story, join us as we investigate insects and arachnids. Help us prepare for Miss Spider’s Tea Party by making creepy-crawly crafts, fluttery decorations, and buggy treats.

Wednesday, April 4 (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)

FUTURE ZOOLOGIST CAMP (7-9 YEAR-OLDS)- CARNIVAL OF THE ANIMALS For this spring break camp, we’ll delve into the classical music of Camille Saint Saens and discover the animals that inspired his famous pieces. Following his example, we’ll create our own Carnival of the Animals.

Thursday, April 5 (9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.)

WILD RANGERS CAMP (10-12 YEAR-OLDS)- FANTASY ANIMAL FIESTA Ready for a fiesta? Come and learn about Mexican culture and discover the history behind alebrijes (spirit animals). Practice your español and create your own spirit animal similar to those featured in Disney’s Coco.

Friday, April 6 (9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.)

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SPRING TINY EXPLORERS (3&4 YEAR-OLDS) ANIMAL ACADEMY Summer is near, but school is still in session! Join us in the classroom as we learn what it would be like to be a completely different animal. This Tiny Explorers series will highlight three different animals and teach you everything you need to know about being a skunk, chicken, or lightning bug!

P.U. SKUNK SCHOOL Saturday, March 31st (10:00-11:00) CHICKENS AT THE CHALKBOARD Saturday, April 7th (10:00-11:00) Tuesday, April 10th (10:00-11:00) Saturday, April 28th (10:00-11:00) LIGHTNING BUG LESSONS Saturday, May 5th (10:00-11:00) Tuesday, May 8th (10:00-11:00) Saturday, May 26th (10:00-11:00)

EVENING SAFARI (FAMILIES) AUSTRALIA Australia is home to several species that are not found anywhere else in the world. Join us as we learn all about Australia and the people and animals who live there!

Saturday, May 5th (5:30-6:30) Sunday, May 20th (5:30-6:30)

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KEEPER KORNER

HERE AT THE POTAWATOMI ZOO OUR ANIMALS ARE INVOLVED IN ANIMAL TRAINING PROGRAMS WITH THEIR KEEPERS. One of the main reasons we train the animals is to enable us to monitor their health very closely.

Through training, animals voluntarily participate in doctors’ visits, allow general housekeeping in their area and work with keepers while getting a pedicure. Training through positive reinforcement requires some motivation, often in the form of food such as produce or browse. Many animals are motivated by the mental exercise and special attention during training sessions. Training is rapidly becoming a vital tool in animal care across zoos worldwide.

Keeper Gretchen works with our African lion brothers on “targeting”, which means they will touch their nose to the ball wherever it’s placed. This allows Gretchen to check their paws and bellies for any cuts or scratches.

Tango and Onyo’s rewards are meatballs.

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River otters are very smart! They too are trained to target and give their paw to their keeper. Keeper Maggie will trim their nails to prevent any scratches to themselves or their friends. Sam, Shadow, and Franny love fish for their reward!

The Sichuan takin training program at Potawatomi Zoo is one of the first in the zoo community. These 600-700-pound animals are trained to target, show their hooves to be cleaned, and present their hip and shoulders to their keepers. Presenting parts of their bodies allows vet staff to give vaccinations to the takin easily. Krunk, Mulan, and Yi Liu’s favorite reward is biscuits!

Chimpanzees are incredibly intelligent; their training program might consist of behaviors you would teach to a young child. Keeper Jami works with the chimps at brushing their teeth, trimming their nails, and teaching them their body parts.

Alex, the male chimpanzee, will point to his nose for Jami when she asks him where his nose is.

Grapes and yogurt are a favorite for Babyface, Randi, and Alex!

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ADOPT-AN-ANIMAL The Potawatomi Zoo extends a very special thank you to the following people for supporting Potawatomi Zoo in 2017 by adopting our furry (and not so furry) friends! Your contributions to the Zoo help provide much needed care for our animals and their exhibits.

Office Interiors, Inc. LaSalle Intermediate Academy Student Council Christmas Commandos Kirsten Alford for Ian Alford Trish Keresztes and David Quinn Beth Motz for Mierah, Zayne, and Marcelina Michael and Carol Szendenik William Henecke for Laurie Sisk Linda and Randy Ankrom for Benjamin and Jacob Vogel Louisiana and Joseph Buckhanan for Alaska Mae Buckhanan Billie and George Limberopoulos for Abrielle Deluna Angela Massoud for Kelly Berger Alisha Rocha for Nolan Rocha and Miss Rocha’s Class Matt and Tara Schuster for Mrs. Schuster’s 4th Grade Class Jennifer and Justin Young for Girl Scout Troop #00296 Donna and Damon Bittner for Brayden Stephenson Joseph and Ardith Opferman for Liam Quish Neal and Abigail Wozniak for Tess Wozniak John and Barbara Phair for Baby Behr John and Barbara Phair Gail Thomas James and Cheryl Fergus for Miller and Benjamin Abbott Bernard and Shannon Fox for Jesse and Nathan Fox Alan and Melissa Holderread for Finley, Rowan, and Clover Holderread Thomas and Jayne Fogle Alisa and Dave Gura for Samson Desiderius Gura Melissa Cadotte for Mrs. Cadotte’s Class Ralph and Susan Henderschott for Esme and Davon Simpson and Ginger Henderschott Wayne and Carol Keppler for Mika Rose, Vol Robert, Jess James, and Bella Omah Wisler Michael and Ashley May for Jaxson Robert and Debbie Rosenfeld for Henry and Sam Courtney and Jim Flynn for St Pius X 1st Grade Jeff and Elyse Speaks for Amelia Speaks Alex Giorgio-Rubin for Joshua Giorgio-Rubin Elizabeth Cannon for Tyler Justin Glupenki Dale Cynthia Van Pelt for Gage Montgomery Cindy Lee for Karen Brooks Kristin and Ryan Garrity for Addison, Riley, Landon and Rex Danneffel Patricia Wilhelmsen for Jacob Tucubal Heather and James Cameron for Sadie and Amelia Cameron Debra and Harry Winslow for Leah Jean Reinoehl Kirby and Sherry Sprouls for Chelsey Lynn Sprouls For a complete listing of adoption packages and benefits, or for more information on how you can adopt your own animal, please contact the Potawatomi Zoological Society at (574) 288-4639.

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BECOME A DIET PREP VOLUNTEER!

HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED JUST HOW MUCH AN AMERICAN ALLIGATOR EATS IN A DAY? OR ON WHAT TYPES OF FRUIT AND VEGGIES SPIDER MONKEYS LOVE TO MUNCH? Have a love for cooking and the animal kingdom? Then the Diet Prep Volunteer position might be a great fit for you! Diet Prep volunteers help prepare the meals for the Zoo’s animals. Individuals must be able to measure, chop, cut and read detailed instructions and must not be turned off by certain smells or diet contents. Individuals must be 18 or older to volunteer for this opportunity. The Zoo is currently looking for applicants with Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday morning availability (approx. 8-noon) throughout the year. This is not a seasonal or paid position.

Interested applicants should contact Julie Reese at jreese@potawatomizoo.org.

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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 MARCH 30TH • 10 AM – 5 PM OPENING DAY The Zoo is officially open for daily visits for the 2018 season!

APRIL 21ST • 10 AM – 4 PM PARTY FOR THE PLANET Celebrate Earth Day at Potawatomi Zoo while learning how you can help save the planet!

MAY 18TH & 19TH • 10 AM – 1 PM ON FRIDAY• 10 AM – 4 PM ON SATURDAY ENDANGERED SPECIES DAY Join us as we focus on our 2018 Conservation species to learn what threats they are facing and what is being done to help protect them! We are On a Mission to Save Species!

MAY 26TH • 8 AM – 10 AM (SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS, MAY 26 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2) MEMBERS’ MORNINGS BEGIN Experience the sights and sounds of the Zoo before it opens to the public every Saturday and Sunday morning now through September 2nd!

JUNE 9TH • 11 AM – 3 PM WORLD OCEANS DAY Come celebrate the oceans at Potawatomi Zoo and learn what you can do to protect and conserve them!

JULY 14TH • 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM MEMBERS’ PICNIC Don’t miss out on this members-only event. Enjoy free train and carousel rides, visits with your favorite animal friends, entertainment and more. RSVP deadline is July 4th!