Riverbanks magazine - May/June 2017

RIVERBANKS ZOO&GARDEN columbia�south carolina Volume XXXVI, Number 3

Riverbanks is published six times a year for members of Riverbanks Society

by Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, Columbia, South Carolina.

Riverbanks Park Commission

Mary Howard, Chair Bud Tibshrany, Vice-Chair Robert G. Davidson, Treasurer Jan Stamps, Secretary M.F. "Phil" Bartlett James E. Smith Alana Odom Williams

Riverbanks Society Board

Chris Goodall, President Derrick L. Williams, Vice President J. Anderson Folsom, Treasurer Marie McGehee, Secretary Carl W. Blackstone Clifford Bourke, Jr. Sharon W. Bryant Jane Chao Kay Crapps J. Anderson Folsom Jeffrey Gossett David G. Hodges Stephanie R. Jones Susan S. Keenan Sarah Kirby William G. McMaster Stuart Moore Robin L. Rawl W. Harold Wray Jeff Reeves, Honorary Board Member Don F. Barton, Director Emeritus

Inside Scoop The Observation Deck

2

A note from the Director

Keeper Corner

14

Fins, Feathers and Fur

15

Conservation Corner

17

In the Know

19

Behind the scenes with the animals Keeper faves, facts and figures Insider "tails," tidbits and tips Insider "tails," tidbits and tips

Essentials Plan Your Visit

5

Shoots and Blooms

7

Riverbanks Adventures

9

Mark your calendars and other fun things to Zoo Gardening tips and how-tos, plus plants in the spotlight

Upcoming classes and educational programs

Features

Herman the Sea Turtle: Saving the Seas

Meet the loggerhead made of litter that is helping protect our oceans

Together We Can Save Species

Learn about a new initiative to save animals from extinction

3 11

Riverbanks Senior Staff Satch Krantz

President & CEO

Breta Rheney

Chief Financial Officer

Tommy Stringfellow

Chief Operating Officer

Andy Cabe

Botanical Garden Director

Elizabeth Clemens

Director of Education

Ed Diebold

Director of Animal Collections & Conservation

Kevin Eubanks

Director of Guest Services

Eric Helms

Director of Risk Management & Facilities

Melodie Scott-Leach

Director of Habitat Horticulture

Christie Vondrak

Director of Human Resources

Lochlan Wooten

Director of Marketing

John Davis

Riverbanks Hours of Operation

Open daily 9am - 5pm except Thanksgiving day & Christmas day 9am - 6pm Weekends during Daylight Savings Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is located at 500 Wildlife Pkwy, Columbia SC 29210 Subscriptions to Riverbanks are $24 per year. Members of Riverbanks Society are entitled to one free subscription along with free admission and guest passes, discounts at Zoo & Garden gift shops, invitations to special events and much more.

To subscribe to Riverbanks or to join the Society, visit www.riverbanks.org or call 803.779.8717 and press 1.

Riverbanks Magazine

Art Direction & Design - Matt Croxton Editor - Monique Jacobs Contributors - Milo Anderson, Andy Cabe, Syndi Castelluccio, Elizabeth Clemens, Ed Diebold, Alexa Godfrey, Colleen Lynch, Susan O'Cain, Alma Ruffin, Amanda Segura, Kathy Vause, Klishaya Workman Contributing Photographers - Ron Brasington, Jo Marie Brown, Andy Cabe, Larry Cameron, Lynn Hunter Hackett, Michael Jones, Melodie Scott-Leach, Richard Rokes, Robin Vondrak

Curator of Mammals

Colleen Lynch

Curator of Birds

Scott Pfaff

Curator of Herpetology

Jennifer Rawlings

ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS AQUARIUMS&

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Riverbanks Zoo & Garden is

American accredited by the Association of Public Gardens Zoos and Aquariums and a member of the American Public Association Gardens Association.

Aquarium Curator

Martha Weber, DVM Senior Veterinorion

Cover Photograph: Western lowland gorilla by Larry Cameron