2017 Fall WILD Magazine

SEPTEMBER 2017 VOLUME 20, ISSUE 2

PUBLISHED FOR FRIENDS OF ROGER WILLIAMS PARK ZOO

INSIDE: faces of the rainforest world of adaptations animals where do all those pumpkins go?

welcome!

By Jeremy Goodman, DVM Executive Director, RWP Zoo and RI Zoological Society

It takes a team of dedicated staff to make Roger Williams

is safe while enjoying this

Park Zoo one of the most beloved Zoo’s in the country. When

exhilarating attraction.

you visit, we hope that your focus is on our amazing animals,

The ride is

our knowledgeable staff, and the many activities that may

sensational

be going on during your visit such as train rides, the zip ride

during the day

Construction is still underway for the Zoo’s new rainforest exhibit, and with it comes the

and animal encounters. What you may not see is the Zoo’s

as passengers look

anticipation of fun and exciting new animal additions. Although not set to open until summer of

team of more than 200 highly trained professionals. Men and

out over the City of

2018, we want to give you a sneak peek into the lives of these incredible creatures.

women in all fields from finance to veterinary care operate

Providence and the

You will get excited when you see the South American giant river otter. Did you know that this

this organization efficiently, ensuring that our guests have a

Narragansett Bay. The

incredible animal can reach lengths of up to six feet long when full-grown?

marvelous experience during every visit.

scenery at night with the

Wait until you meet the Titi monkeys who mate for life, and can typically be seen sitting or

dazzling glow of more than

sleeping in pairs with their tails intertwined.

With the advent of our beautiful New England falls and

5,000 pumpkins and the city lights add to the magnificence

often-cold winters, we are less crowded than in the summer.

of the popular pumpkin extravaganza.

Therefore, fall and winter are the perfect time to seek out our animal keepers, and ask them about the animals in their

As always, we will host our Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular for 32

care. The keepers are highly knowledgeable in all aspects of

nights. It takes a committed team to organize and host this

husbandry, the history of each species, and the personality of

signature fundraising event, which involves every member of

each animal. They enjoy sharing the joy and love they have

the staff as well as hundreds of enthusiastic volunteers.

Of course, a howler monkey’s cry, often heard at a distance of up to two or three miles away, will keep you amazed as you walk through this new exhibit.

These three animals are just some of the fun and fascinating creatures you will discover in the Zoo’s awe-inspiring new rainforest exhibit. We don’t want you to miss out on your old favorites like the giant anteater, Chilean flamingos and white-faced saki – who will also call the new rainforest home. Whether you are interacting with toucans and troupials (troupials are a large passerine bird species found in Central America and tropical South America) inside the exhibit’s free-flight aviary or viewing an anaconda and colorful tropical fish, this immersive

for each animal with everyone.

Remember the next time you visit to stop and chat with

wildlife experience will take you on a journey to the depths of the Amazon Rainforest. Adults

We are making tremendous progress on our new rainforest

anyone on the staff. Don’t hesitate to ask questions, make

and children will discover how these diverse species, big and small, create the complex

building. Most of the summer we were busy installing

a comment, or give us your opinion. As I stated at the

ecosystem rainforests thrive on, and learn what we can all do to ensure they survive.

necessary underground pipes and wires. You can now see

beginning, it takes a dedicated team to run a Zoo, and our

Although you may have to endure the cooler months before greeting these spectacular

the structure begin to take shape, and soon the team will be

goal is to provide you as well as our other 650,000 annual

animals, construction on the rainforest exhibit will be heating up this fall! We have wrapped up

inside the building focusing on the variety of inhabitants that

guests the best experience possible!

all underground plumbing, stabilization and foundation work, and continue to pull full steam

will call the Roger Williams Park Zoo rainforest home.

Dr. Jeremy Goodman, DVM Our new zip ride will offer breathtaking views 115 feet above the Zoo during our nighttime Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular. A highly-skilled group of ride operators and admissions staff is overseeing the zip ride, and making sure that everyone

ahead on our next phase of production – framing, windows and life support installation. From backhoes and cement mixers to cranes lifting upwards of 100+ tons (or 200,000 lbs.), guests may witness these massive and powerful vehicles in action all season long.

Construction fans young and old will marvel as this exhibit comes to life before their very eyes. Watch as carpenters and heavy equipment operators assemble the rainforest’s entire exterior foundation to create a spacious and sunlit structure – made for a tropical oasis. The real fun begins as we work to secure a weather-tight exhibit just in time for the winter months.

Exotic horticulture will create an immersive experience through beautifully detailed cascading waterfalls and primate viewing areas allow unique, close-up animal encounters. With the grand opening set for next summer, we hope you will embark on this WILD adventure with us, and all of the rare and exciting creatures waiting for you!

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World of Adaptations Has a House Full of Charismatic Animals

Do All Tho e r e se h W

Pumpkins Go?

If you are one of the hundreds of thousands that has seen the

Albaugh also explains that while many of the Zoo’s animals love a

Walk in the World of Adaptations building off Wilderness Plaza,

The Bali Starling also known as Rothschild’s Mynah, Bali

Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular presented by Citizens Bank, you

pumpkin treat, staff cannot feed them pumpkins treated with any

and one will see children and adults alike marveling at two of

Myna or Bali Mynah, is a medium-sized (about 9.8 inches/25 cm)

know that on each night of the 32-night extravaganza there are

kind of chemical or parchment paper. “The folks at Passion for

the Zoo’s small but charismatic animals, the Australia Snake-

stocky bird of the starling family. British ornithologist Lord Walter

over 5,000 illuminated pumpkins along the Zoo’s Wetlands Trail.

Pumpkins do give us pumpkins that are whole and fresh for the

Neck Turtle, most prevalent in the eastern part of Australia, and

Rothschild discovered this stunning bird in 1910. The species is

Did you ever wonder what happens to all those pumpkins when

animals.” Often guests will see the animals enjoying those special

the Rothschild’s Bali Mynah, the national bird of Bali. World of

almost completely white with a long, drooping crest, and black

the event is over?

yummy fall treats during the Spooky Zoo event the last weekend

Adaptations is also home to some of the Zoo’s most popular

tips on the wings and tail. The bird has blue bare skin around

and exciting animals. Visitors spend time watching the colorful

the eyes, greyish legs and a yellow bill. Males and females look

hornbill, adorable Matschie’s tree kangaroo, endangered

similar. Ruggiero explains, “If you listen carefully, you will hear the

radiated tortoise, the active gibbons and one of the newest in the

bird make a loud ‘tschcik tschick tschick tschik’ sound. When the

family – the Komodo dragon.

bird takes off, it makes a ‘creer’ sound and then a loud ‘kwik-

The Australian Snake-Neck Turtle hails from Australia, primarily Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and southeastern South Australia. Lisa Ruggiero, lead keeper in World of Adaptations says, “Generally the reptile is about 26 cm or 10 inches long, with a long neck, about half the length of its shell. It uses its webbed feet for swimming and digging. “The color of the shell varies but tends to be

kwi.’ Often the song includes loud chattering notes, whistles and high-pitched sounds.” The Bali Starling qualifies as critically endangered, hovering immediately above extinction in the wild.

The last true home of the species is at Bali Barat National Park,

the only event that is

illuminated pumpkins,” continues Albaugh, “Artists carve about

going green at the Zoo.

20,000 pumpkins between the first Thursday of October and first

Zoobilee Feast with the

Sunday in November. That is a lot of pumpkins, and we do not just

Beasts, had the greenest

throw them in the trash once the Spectacular ends.”

event in its 26-year

the Bali Starling’s survival. The wild population was at an all-time

multi-media production

Neck Turtle’s time is in freshwater environments, but it will make overland movements in search of new waterholes and nesting areas. “The

glands giving the animal its nickname - stinker,” Ruggiero

in Charlestown, RI. While guests on any given night see 5,000

for Pumpkins, the

the Australian Snake-

threatened, it will emit an offensive smelling fluid from its musk

Spectacular is not

so much in danger that that national park has been set up just for

explains that most of

tadpoles and small fishes,” she says. “When the turtle feels

Jack-O-Lantern

is over, the pumpkins go to a compost pile at Earth Care Farms

Mike Finizza at Passion

shades.” Ruggiero

in October.

grounds manager at Roger Williams Park Zoo, “Once the show

where about 1,000 birds may be living. In fact, the Bali Starling is

within a variety of brown

animal is carnivorous and feeds on aquatic invertebrates,

According to David Albaugh, horticulture and buildings and

history this past June.

“Five years ago,” says Albaugh “We had 20 overflowing dumpsters of trash. This year, we had only 28 bags of trash. Plus we were able to compost over one ton of materials.”

low of just six birds in

company that carves and

2001, after poachers

illuminates the pumpkins

Year-round, Roger Williams Park Zoo strives to keep the

for the illegal pet trade

says, “Pumpkins may

environment clean. Every day, guests encounter opportunities to

reduced the late-

last a couple of days

recycle plastics, paper, and other articles. Drinks served in plastic

1990s wild population

depending on the

cups do not come with plastic covers or straws, and we do not

of only three to four

weather. If the weather is

offer plastic shopping bags in the gift shops all to reduce the

dozen. Additionally,

cool and dry, a pumpkin

amount of plastic in landfills, and keep it out of the environment

reasons for extinction

may stay fresh for a week. If we endure a damp, warm October,

include urbanization of

the pumpkins do not stay crisp. The goal is to keep the pumpkins

the island and illegal

always looking fresh. Additionally, once we carve the design, we

trapping for the caged-

want the glow to be perfect so we use a special type of parchment

bird trade. Unfortunately, the number of captive birds bought on

paper that helps with the glow and keeps the rain out; the great

the black market may be twice the number of legally acquired

thing is it’s 100% compostable.” Albaugh adds that the paper

birds in the captive breeding program.

composts quickly, making it environmentally friendly.

comments with a knowing smile. During the summer, females dig

Next time you are in World of Adaptations, stop by and visit

holes in sand or in soft sediments along stream banks and lay

both the Australian Snake-Neck Turtle and the Mynah bird.

about ten eggs. The eggs occasionally provide a meal for water

Spend a few minutes watching the turtle swim and listening to

rats and lizards; and fish and birds eat hatchlings while moving

the Mynah bird sing.

where wildlife may ingest the plastics and die.

We know that many of you are also striving to participate in activities at home to help our environment. We want to hear from you. Tell us what you do at home to be “green!” Post to our Facebook page and share your great ideas with all our fans too!

cars overland may kill adults.

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e t a br e cel us g in p el h or f ou y k t han

What’s Happening at the zoo Breakfast with the Elephants (Ages 7+) Saturday, September 30 (rain or shine); 8:30 am

Zoo Career Workshop Thank you to our Zoobilee 2017 Food & Beverage Providers

The 26th annual Zoobilee, held on Saturday, June 24th, raised over $250,000 to support Roger William’s Park Zoo’s education and conservation programs.

We gratefully thank our sponsors, volunteers and party guests:

Presenting Sponsor

Elephant Entourage

Leopard League Janci Foundation

Bison Brigade B Street Foundation Sophie F. Danforth

NESCTC Rhode Island Monthly Maribeth, Abby & Sam Williamson

WPRI 12 & Fox Providence Yoder & Tidwell, Ltd.

Kangaroo Crew Dimeo Construction Company First Hartford Realty Corporation Frank & Liz Mauran

A.B. Munroe Dairy, Inc. Susan Aguiar Domenic & Sandy Coletta Coventry Lumber DCI Construction

Meridian Printing Jonathan M. Nelson Pawtucket Credit Union Phenix & Coventry Home Care

Skurka Construction Inc. Starkweather & Shepley Insurance Wines & More

Gibbon Gang Abbott-Action, Inc. Bank Rhode Island Mark & Ellen Borreliz Duffy & Sweeney, Ltd. Essilor of America Feinberg & McBurney Realty/ Development LLC

Budd & Robin Fisher Barry & Sandy Gertz Dr. & Mrs. James S. Harper, III The Hilb Group of New England, Richard & Mary Padula and Kevin & Lori Lovett

Ivory Ella Patrick Lebeau & Meghan Rawson Massage Envy Spa Miles River Direct Jane S. Nelson New England Fence Company

Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP David L. Renaud DDS LTD Sensata Technologies Signature Printing, Inc. Swarovski Tarbox Toyota Textron

Chair

The Aviary Restaurant & Bar Avvio Ristorante Barefoot Wine & Bubbly Boston Culinary Group Cape Cod Ice Cassarino’s Ristorante Chomp Kitchen & Drinks Douglas Wine & Spirits Dunkin’ Donuts Edgewood Cheese Shop & Eatery Edible Arrangements El Rancho Grande Mexican Cuisine Frenchy’s Carousel Cafe, Inc. Gilded Tomato Company Go Nuts Co. GPub Gregg’s Restaurants Harpoon Brewery India Restaurant Iron Works Tavern Legal Sea Foods Little Rhody Foods McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood & Steaks Mill’s Tavern New Harvest Coffee Roasters Not Your Average Joe’s Pepsi Bottling Company Pure Beverage Systems, Inc. Red Stripe Restaurant Renaissance Providence Downtown Hotel Rhody Fresh Milk & Cheese Rick’s Roadhouse Snookers Sports Billiards Bar & Grill Starbucks Coffee Company Sweet Indulgence Tavolo Wine Bar & Tuscan Grille Texas Roadhouse Trinity Brewhouse TwoTen Oyster Bar & Grill Union Station Brewery Uno Pizzeria & Grill Vino Gelato Vino Veritas

Patrick Wholey, President and General Manager, WPRI 12/Fox Providence/myRITV

Michael Colabella Bob Conrad Jacqueline Daly Brooke Fairman

Jennifer Foster Jeremy Goodman, DVM Elizabeth Grover Kathy Haronian

Mark Haskins Patrick T. Lebeau Debra LeClerc Judy Lockard

9:30 am – 4:00 pm (rain or shine)

A Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular Family Overnight (Families with children ages 6+) Saturday, October 21 and Saturday, October 28 6:30 pm – 10:00 am

Spooky Zoo Saturday, October 28 and Sunday, October 29

Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular presented by Citizens Bank October 5 – November 5 Tickets for Friday, Saturday and Sunday sold online only.

10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Breakfast with the Moon Bears (Ages 7+) Sunday, November 5 (rain or shine); 8:30 am

Visit rwpzoo.org for more info!

Erin McKenney Byron M. McMasters Dave Oberlander Mary Searle Sara Whitney

Rhode Island Zoological Society • Roger Williams Park Zoo • 401.941.3910 • rwpzoo.org

Bronx Zoo Day Trip: Special Fall Edition

Winter Festival

(Ages 5+) Saturday, November 11, 2017; 7:30 am - 10:00 pm

12:00 – 3:00 pm and 4:00 – 8:00 pm

Rock & Roar A Rock-A-Baby Concert Series Saturday, October 28 HALLOWEEN HOP Two shows! 10:30 am & 12:00 pm Saturday, November 18 BIRD BALL, 10:30 – 11:15 am Saturday, January 20, 2018 DINO STOMP, 10:30 – 11:15 am

Saturday, December 2

Carousel Village – open year round Carousel Hours: Post Labor Day – October 31 Daily 12:00 – 4:00 pm November 1 – December 31 Weekends 12:00 – 4:00pm Please Note: School Holidays & Vacation Weeks 11:00 am – 6:00 pm

Saturday, February 10, 2018 RAINFOREST REEL 10:30 – 11:15 am

Thinking about the holidays already?

wild

¡ Holiday

Gift Ideas:

• Purchase a Zoo membership and give a gift that lasts all year long.

• Priceless memories with the purchase of day passes, or certificates for animal encounters.

• Visit Wildlife Trading and give the gift of a warm hoodie, festive t-shirt or other exciting gift items.

Please follow us online and share your photos and stories!

Roger Williams Park Zoo is supported and managed by the Rhode Island Zoological Society and is owned by the City of Providence Editorial Roger Williams Park Zoo Marketing and Public Relations Department Corrie Ignagni Diane Nahabedian Beth Pincince Missy Wade

Designer Sara Beatrice Falcone Communications & Design

Photo Credits David Silverman Missy Wade

WILD is published in conjunction with Rhode Island Monthly Communications, Inc. by the Rhode Island Zoological Society, Roger Williams Park Zoo, 1000 Elmwood Avenue, Providence, Rhode Island 02907-3659

Committee Members Nancy Allen Sara Beatrice Douglas Caniglia Katharine Ciszewski

(Ages 13 – 17) Saturday, October 14

Boo at the Zoo

Subscription by membership only. Call (401) 785-3510 x375 for membership information or visit rwpzoo.org.

2017 RHODE ISLAND ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BOARD OF TRUSTEES Officers Maribeth Q. Williamson, Chair Howard Merten, Vice Chair Sandra L. Coletta, Treasurer Margaret Ferguson, Secretary Board of Trustees Kristen Adamo Nancy Allen Douglas Caniglia Barbara Cottam Dana L. Goldberg Suzanne M. Hall James S. Harper III, VMD Mark Haskins Lisa P. Koelle Patrick T. LeBeau, CFP® Kimberley M. Little

Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation, and your link to helping animals in their native habitats. For more information visit www.aza.org

Liz Rollins Mauran Elaine Moy-Gederman John J. Palumbo Martha Roberts John D. Sinnott Trustees Ex-Officio Jeremy Goodman, DVM Executive Director Rhode Island Zoological Society/Roger Williams Park Zoo Wendy Nillson Superintendent of Parks Providence Parks Department

Chairman Emeritus Sophie F. Danforth Trustees Emeritus Margaret E. Curran, Esq. Thomas P. Dimeo Rosalie Fain* Jocelin Hamblett Stephen Hamblett* Bradford B. Kopp Arthur D. Little Nancy G. R. Moger Richard Nadeau Jane S. Nelson Michael C. Noble Cate M. Roberts Michael A. Salvadore, Sr.* Philip A. Segal, Jr. Robert F. Stoico * In Memoriam

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Always AN Adventure!

Nonprofit org US Postage Paid Permit No 168 Providence, RI

Rhode Island Zoological Society, Inc. Roger Williams Park Zoo 1000 Elmwood Ave. Providence, RI 02907-3659

NEW THIS YEAR Ride the Soaring Eagle Zip Ride and witness 5,000 pumpkins from 115 feet in the air.

presents

PRESENTING SPONSOR

October 5 – November 5

GIANT PUMPKIN SPONSOR

MASTER CARVER SPONSOR

For more information visit rwpzoo.org/jols

LAUGHING TREE

HARVEST SPONSORS

PUMPKIN PATCH SPONSORS