ZOONOOZ January 2019

ZOONOOZ

®

SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL

Orangutan Update Rare Bird Hatchlings Conservation Medalists Safari Park Elephant Calves

JANUARY 2019

CELEBRATE YOUR

Valentine AT T H E Z O O & P A R K

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019 SAFARI PARK VALENTINE’S DAY DINNER 5:30 p.m. | Reception with animal ambassadors 6 p.m. | Dinner Join us for a lovely four-course meal for you and your valentine, prepared

by Safari Park Chef Joshua Mireles. $115 per couple, plus tax. Guests will be seated at their own private table. For reservations, call 619-718-3000 or book online at sdzsafaripark.org/ dining-events.

ALBERT’S VALENTINE’S DINNER “ A C E L E B R AT I O N OF LOVE” Seating begins at 5 p.m.

Celebrate at Albert’s Restaurant and enjoy an elegant meal prepared

by San Diego Zoo Executive Chef Carissa Giacalone and Albert’s Chef Grant Toraason for you and that special someone. $115 per couple, plus tax and gratuity. Maximum party size is eight people. Wine pairings available for $20 per guest.

Menu substitutions are not available for this event.

For reservations, please call 619-557-3964 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily.

Reservations secured with a credit card. Event ticket will be emailed and must be presented to gain access into the San Diego Zoo.

ALSO AT THE ZOO: Breakfast at Penguins Saturday, January 19, 2019

January 2019 VOL. XCII–NO. 01

Graphically Speaking 8

Making a Point We’re tootin’ our horn for some remarkable mammals and their fancy headgear.

BY DONNA PARHAM

Cover Story 10

Troop Dynamics With treats to find, heights to climb, and an active social life, the Zoo’s orangutans are in the swing of things and on a roll.

BY PEGGY SCOTT

Features 14

Conservation Crusaders Congratulating San Diego Zoo Global’s Conservation-in-Action Medalists for 2018.

BY MARY SEKULOVICH

16

A Life of Boundless Curiosity In tribute to Kurt Benirschke, M.D.

18 You “Herd” Right

Two big little births at the Safari Park: new elephant calves, born six weeks apart, bring joy to all!

Each has a different personality and talents.

BY KARYL CARMIGNANI

22

The Next Generation Hatched at the Safari Park Some rare and remarkable feathered friends have recently joined our flock.

BY WENDY PERKINS

More

2 Nooz Notes 7 SDZ Kids Page 26 Support 28 In the Field 29 Member Specials ON THE COVER: Sumatran orangutan Pongo abelii THIS PAGE: Nicobar pigeon Caloenas nicobarica PHOTOS BY: Ken Bohn, SDZG Photographer

N O OZ N OT E S

p, ca d a ll ch i l b s e n d 5.

Ba ult a 21.9 a d es, $ siz

WHAT’S IN STORE?

Everything’s Elephant-tastic Gift shops at the Zoo and Safari Park—and shopzoo.com— have more pachyderm-themed items than you can shake a trunk at! From plush animals and children’s books to paper made from elephant poo, there’s something here for everyone in your herd.

Zuli kids T-shirt, $19.95.

I am a little elephant bo ok, $10.9 9.

If I were an elephant book, $12.

95.

Elephant plush, 23 inches tall, $49.99.

Pl u ba sh m se by el om t, $ 2 e p ha an d 9.9 nt 9.

A PE R POOPOOP 4.95. $1 , ok notebo 2 / ZOONOOZ / JANUARY 2019

safari park dining events

SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2019

Champagne Brunch 9 a.m. at Kijamii Overlook

Celebrate a new year! Start your Safari Park day with something new: a delicious champagne brunch while enjoying breathtaking views of the African Plains.

Cost is $58 per person, plus tax and parking.

Nonmembers add Safari Park admission.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2019

Breakfast with Kangaroos 7:30 a.m. at Zuest Station

Join us before the Safari Park opens for a bountiful buffet breakfast in the Zuest Station, a comfortable and shaded venue in the new Walkabout Australia exhibit.

After breakfast, guests will have the unique opportunity to see how the kangaroos and wallabies start their day.

Cost is $52 per person, plus tax and parking.

Nonmembers add Safari Park admission.

SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 2019

Spring Brew Festival 2 p.m. at Kijamii Overlook Join us for a St. Patrick’s Day-inspired Spring Brew Festival, featuring an array of beers from local craft breweries, a bountiful Irish buffet, music, and animal greeters. Sample remarkable brews served in a souvenir tasting cup as brewery representatives talk about the beers.

21 years or older only. Advance ticket price is $55 per person for food and beer; $27.50 for food only (plus tax and parking; nonmembers add Safari Park admission). At the Park on day of the event, tickets are $70 per person if available, plus tax and parking; nonmembers add Safari Park admission.

N O OZ N OT E S

JANUARY 26 Breakfast with Kangaroos See and learn more about the kangaroos of Walkabout Australia, and then enjoy a tasty buffet breakfast. Call 619718-3000, or visit sdzsafaripark.org/ dining-events. (P)

Save the Date What’s happening at the Zoo and Park this month and next (Z) Zoo events (P) Park events JANUARY 1-6 Jungle Bells presented by California Coast Credit Union The Zoo’s seasonal celebration continues for six final days, with lights, special shows, animal experiences, and fun for the whole family. (Z) JANUARY 1–6 Wild Holidays Enjoy the magic of the holiday season at the Safari Park during the final week of Wild Holidays activities. (P) JANUARY 5, 6, 26; FEBRUARY 2, 3, 23 Sunrise Surprise Strolls Enjoy the Zoo before it opens for the day, walk the grounds with experienced Zoo educators, learn the “inside secrets,” and hear stories about special animals. Call 619-718-3000 or visit sandiegozoo.org. (Z)

JANUARY 5; FEBRUARY 2 Kids’ Wild Night Out Leave your kids at the Zoo for a wild night out with Dr. Zoolittle and animal friends. Sorry, no grown-ups allowed!

Call 619-718-3000, or book online at sandiegozoo.org. (Z) JANUARY 5, 19; FEBRUARY 2, 16 KinderZoo Animal interaction and fun for children ages 3 to 5, with an adult. Call 619-557-3962 or visit sandiegozoo.org. (Z) JANUARY 13 Champagne Brunch at the Safari Park Enjoy a relaxing Sunday brunch.

Call 619-718-3000 or visit sdzsafaripark.org/ dining-events. (P) JANUARY 19 Breakfast at Penguins Enjoy a lovely breakfast

Happy New Year!

I

while watching our penguins swim, dive, and play. Call 619-718-3000 or visit sandiegozoo.org for reservations. (Z) FEBRUARY 14 Valentine’s Day Dinner Celebrate with a scrumptious meal at the Park. See details on inside front cover. (P)

FEBRUARY 14 Albert’s Valentine’s Day Celebration of Love Treat your sweetheart to a memorable dinner.

See details on inside front cover. (Z) FEBRUARY 15, 16 Roar & Snore Safari: Wild About You Learn about mating behaviors and love

PRESIDENT/CEO’S NOTE DOUGLAS G. MYERS

hope you had a merry holiday season, and that you had a chance to visit us for some holiday cheer, Zoo-style, during Jungle Bells presented by California Coast Credit Union. Jungle Bells will continue the revelry through January 6, so if you’d like to relax and have some fun after the hectic season, come and join us!

We’re starting off 2019 by breaking ground on a big and exciting project at the Zoo: the Sanford Children’s Zoo. This all-new area specially designed for kids and families is a large undertaking, which will take more than two years to create. We hope you’ll “pardon our dust” as we close off that part of the Zoo to get started on preparation and construction of what will ultimately be a tremendous experience for our young visitors—and those who are young at heart. It will also be great fun this year to watch our two elephant calves, Zuli and Khaya, as they grow up at the Safari Park, and to see new animal births at Conrad Prebys Africa Rocks and watch the extraordinary African garden there grow and flourish. We’re looking forward to all this new year will bring!

4 / ZOONOOZ / JANUARY 2019

in the animal world at this adults-only sleepover at the Safari Park. For reservations, call 619-718-3000. (P) FEBRUARY 17 Breakfast with Tigers Watch our tigers start their day—then start yours with a buffet breakfast. Call 619-7183000 or book online. (P)

Let’s Talk Follow @sandiegozoo & @sdzsafaripark.

Share your #SanDiegoZoo & #SDZSafariPark memories on Twitter & Instagram.

IN

I O T N C A

MA I N L A

S

Ever wonder how exotic cats leap and climb with perfect balance, how some animals can make a meal out of insects, or how slow-moving forest dwellers protect themselves?

Join us for a special interactive experience at the San Diego Zoo’s Animals in Action! Watch our animal trainers work with a variety of different species as the animals show off their natural behaviors. Discover how these behaviors help with daily animal care routines, hear fun inside stories, and meet some animals up close. Someone from the audience might even be invited to join in a training session!

YOU CAN RESERVE YOUR ANIMALS IN ACTION EXPERIENCE ONLINE AT SANDIEGOZOO.ORG OR BY CALLING 619-718-3000.

N O OZ N OT E S

393

Individual food items on the weekly Zoo “shopping list.”

SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL OFFICERS

Steven G. Tappan, Chairman Javade Chaudhri, Vice Chairman Linda Lowenstine, DVM, Ph.D., Secretary Richard B. Gulley, Treasurer BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Rolf Benirschke Clifford W. Hague Robert B. Horsman Steven S. Simpson Ryan Sullivan, Ph.D. Judith A. Wheatley

It’s only a number At the start of each new year, many humans take a good look at their nutritional numbers. At SDZG, it’s a year-round duty; between the Zoo and the Safari Park, we have around 7,000 stomachs to fill. Researching, creating, and providing the optimum diets for each animal starts with our Nutritional Services department.

37,773

Current and archived diets in our nutritional database.

Nearly every animal has an individual “feeding plan.”

163

Number of different reptile diets provided, one for each species.

26

Employees in the Nutritional Services department. They are responsible for formulating diets as well as ordering and preparing foods.

TRUSTEES EMERITI

Frank C. Alexander Berit N. Durler Thompson Fetter Bill L. Fox Frederick A. Frye, M.D. George L. Gildred Yvonne W. Larsen John M. Thornton A. Eugene Trepte Betty Jo F. Williams James Lauth, General Counsel to the Board Douglas G. Myers, President/CEO Charles L. Bieler, Executive Director Emeritus THE FOUNDATION OF SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL

ZOONOOZ

®

PUBLISHED SINCE 1926 JANUARY 2019 | VOL. XCII NO. 01 MANAGING EDITOR

KAREN E. WORLEY

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

PEGGY SCOTT

STAFF WRITERS

WENDY PERKINS KARYL CARMIGNANI DONNA PARHAM COPY EDITOR

ESTON ELLIS DESIGNER

KERRI ABRAMS SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL PHOTOGRAPHERS

KEN BOHN TAMMY SPRATT

SR. PHOTO IMAGING SPECIALIST

TAMMY SPRATT

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION

KAMBIZ MEHRAFSHANI KIM TURNER AMY BLANDFORD LISA BISSI JENNIFER MACEWEN

PREPRESS AND PRINTING

QUAD GRAPHICS

6 / ZOONOOZ / JANUARY 2019

The Zoological Society of San Diego was founded in Octo­ber 1916 by Harry M. Wegeforth, M.D., as a private, nonprofit corporation that now does business as San Diego Zoo Global.

The printed ZOONOOZ® magazine (ISSN 0044-5282) is currently published bimonthly, in January, March, May, July, September, and November. Publisher is San Diego Zoo Global, at 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA 92103, 619-231-1515.

Periodicals postage paid at San Diego, California, USA, and at awwwdditional mailing offices.

ADDRESS CHANGES: Please send to Membership Department, P.O. Box 120271, San Diego, CA 92112.

Copyright© 2019 San Diego Zoo Global. All rights reserved.

“ZOONOOZ” Reg. U.S. Pat. Office. All column and program titles are trademarks of San Diego Zoo Global.

Annual Memberships: Two adults in same household $174; $159 renewal. One adult $112; $102 renewal. Student (must live in and attend school in San Diego County) $95.20. Senior (age 65 and older): two adults in same household $147.90; $135.15 renewal. One senior adult $95.20; $86.70 renewal.

Each membership includes unlimited entrance to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

Subscription to ZOONOOZ magazine: $25 per year, $65 for 3 years. Foreign, including Canada and Mexico, $30 per year, $81 for 3 years. Contact Membership Department, P.O. Box 120271, San Diego, CA 92112, for subscription information.

As part of San Diego Zoo Global’s commitment to conservation, ZOONOOZ is printed on recycled paper that is at least 10% post-consumer waste, chlorine free, and is Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certified.

OFFICERS SAN DIEGO ZOO HOURS January 1–6: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

January 7–February 28: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

SAFARI PARK HOURS January 1–February 15: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

February 16–18: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

February 19–28: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WEBSITE sandiegozoo.org PHONE 619-231-1515 ZOONOOZ® Online web publication zoonooz.sandiegozoo.org

FSC® is not responsible for any calculations on saving resources by choosing this paper.

Judith C. Harris, Chair Chris Eddy, Secretary Susan N. McClellan, Treasurer Mark A. Stuart, President Amy B. Parrott, Vice President Douglas G. Myers, Ex officio Steven G. Tappan, Ex officio BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Christine L. Andrews Joye D. Blount Rick Bregman Sophie W. Bryan Douglas Dawson Berit N. Durler U. Bertram Ellis, Jr. Arthur E. Engel Valerie A. Ewell, DVM JJ Fetter Susan Guinn Murray H. Hutchison Nikita Kahn Ellison Lynelle Lynch Susan B. Major Joshua A. Pack Maryanne C. Pfister Philip C. Seeger Elizabeth W. Shoemaker Carter Skeath

keeping

track

To find out about these and other animals, plus videos, crafts, stories, games, and more, visit kids.sandiegozoo.org.

What kind of creature has been walking this way?

There are clues afoot when it comes to telling whose tootsies are whose—do you see toes or hooves? Webbing or claws? Draw a line connecting each animal to the tracks it makes.

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SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL / SANDIEGOZOO.ORG / 7

ANSWERS: 1. RACCOON; 2. BEAVER; 3. IMPALA; 4. BEAR; 5. ELEPHANT; 6. EAGLE; 7. MOOSE; 8. HIPPO; 9. CROCODILE; 10. RHINO; 11. DUCK; 12. CHEETAH

G R A P H I C A LLY S P E A K I N G

Making a Point Some of our favorite mammals are adorned with horns. True horns are permanent, paired protuberances that are tough, strong, and durable. Thick layers of a fibrous protein called keratin surround a horn’s bony core. In some species, both males and females have horns. In others, only males have them.

BY DONNA PARHAM | STAFF WRITER

HEAVY LIFTING Relative to body size, male ibex have the longest horns.

WORN HORNS Pronghorns are the only horned mammals that annually shed them. But only the keratin sheath falls off, leaving the bony core, which quickly grows a new sheath of keratin.

PRONGHORN North America

11 inches in males 2.5 inches in females

8 / ZOONOOZ / JANUARY 2019

AHEAD OF THE CURVE The horns on these pages are approximately to scale (compared to each other).

For spiral and curved horns, we measured the leading edge of the horn.

GREATER KUDU

NUBIAN IBEX

Africa

Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Arabian Peninsula

To 59 inches in males Females lack horns

50 inches in males 13 inches in females

BONGO

Central Africa 39 inches in males and females

ANTLERS (NOT HORNS)

REPTILE HORNS

In the deer family, males annually grow antlers.

Unlike horns, antlers are branched, and the bony core is covered with skin and velvety fur—not keratin. Antlers fall off at the end of the breeding season.

Some reptiles have horns, too. Male Jackson’s chameleons like this one sport three horns. When competing for mates or territory, the horns come in handy.

NO BONES ABOUT IT Rhino horns develop from a rhino’s skin—no bony core here.

They become more pointed as the outer layers of fibrous keratin wear away and expose the denser center. Unlike true horns, rhino horns also grow singly—not in pairs.

TOUGH STUFF The keratin that forms the outer part of a horn is the same fibrous protein in fingernails, feathers, hooves, hair, and claws.

MARKHOR Central Asia

65 inches in males 13 inches in females

WHITE RHINO

KLIPSPRINGER

59 inches Females have the longest horns

4.5 inches in males and females

Southern Africa

Africa

ARABIAN ORYX

Arabian Peninsula 59 inches in males and females

SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL / SANDIEGOZOO.ORG / 9

PHOTOS: (JACKSON’S CH AMELEON) HAWAIIAN/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS; (MARKHOR) HEITIPAVES/GETTY IMAGES PLUS.

PETITE POINT In the scale of things, yes, it really is this small.

TROOP DYNAMICS Life Among the Zoo’s Orangutans

BY PEGGY SCOTT | ASSOCIATE EDITOR

PHOTOS BY KEN BOHN | SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER

Dad is lounging in his favorite spot, seemingly lost in thought. Auntie is teaching the little one how to turn a somersault. And Mom sits in her special seat, not missing a single minute of the action.

Spend even a short time observing interactions among the Zoo’s troop of Sumatran orangutans— Satu, Karen, little Aisha, and Indah—and it becomes obvious why their common name, orang hutan, translates to “people of the forest.” In the animals’ native ranges in Borneo and Sumatra, they are revered in folk tales that depict orangutans as almost supernatural beings.

While orangutans can’t control destiny or dispense justice, they are intelligent, complex creatures. From their relationships with each other to the bond they share with visitors, the orange primates convey a depth that people may not expect. Those who know them best, however, see it all. Tanya Howard, a senior keeper at the Zoo, considers herself privileged to work with the Zoo’s troop of four.

10 / ZOONOOZ / JANUARY 2019

“The close relationship between mother and offspring is so special,” she says. “The mothers are the sole caregivers, and the bond between the two is undeniable.

And orangutans are such thinkers. They look at you, and you know they’re thinking deep thoughts.”

A SPECIAL GROUP Even though orangutans share the designation of “great ape” with gorillas, chimpanzees, and bonobos, their lifestyle is different.

Largely solitary, it’s mostly mothers with a single dependent offspring that spend extended periods of time together. “The kids are with their mothers for 8 to 12 years,” Tanya says. Other than that, orangutans in the wild go about their lives in a more solitary fashion, foraging for food, with fruit being a favorite.

Orangutans eat up to 100 kinds of fruit, along with leaves, flowers, bark, honey, termites, ants and other insects, and even bird eggs. At the Zoo, food offerings include cabbage, lettuce, kale, carrots, yams, broccoli, bananas, apples, oranges, and grapes. Treats might include papayas, mangos, corn, turnips, onions, popcorn, raisins, peanut butter, and walnuts.

Of course, some menu items are more popular than others. “Everyone likes corn and popcorn, and Indah loves mango,” Tanya says. “Citrus seems to be the least appealing.”

The orangutans coexist quite peacefully, and their personalities mesh well.

“They enjoy different activities, whether that’s using sticks to get honey or other treats out of faux termite mounds, swinging their way through the climbing

Opposite page, from top: Aisha is learning the ropes; Aisha and Unkie hang out together; Indah watches from her favorite perch. This page: Karen waits to greet visitors at the viewing glass.

SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL / SANDIEGOZOO.ORG / 11

structure, or creating a masterpiece with nontoxic, food-based paints.

They choose what they want to do,” Tanya says. Each ape seems to march (or swing, or roll) to his or her own drummer.

SATU THE STATESMAN At 23 years old, Satu has matured into a laid-back guy. His keen eyes are framed by impressive cheek pads that are characteristic of an adult male orangutan—along with his long, somewhat dreadlocked hair. He often settles himself near the front of the exhibit, or by the waterfalls.

Using burlap sacks given to the troop as enrichment, Satu might fashion himself a poncho or headwrap—or simply drag the bag along with him.

“He’s active and really wants to please his keepers,” Tanya says, noting that Satu willingly participates in ultrasound procedures to monitor his heart health. “He chooses to cooperate. It’s part of who he is.”

Despite his easygoing nature, Satu, like everyone, has his limits.

“He tries to lay down the law when the siamangs [who share the exhibit with the orangutans] won’t stop teasing him,” Tanya says. “But even then, he keeps his cool.” His real soft spot is his daughter, Aisha. “She loves to play with him, and he is really indulgent with her.”

12 / ZOONOOZ / JANUARY 2019

This page, clockwise from top left: Indah enjoys her enrichment gourd; Indah and Satu share a quiet moment; Satu’s not sure he wants to share his treat.

Facing page, clockwise from top: Satu soaks up some sun; Aisha’s in the swing of things; Karen is deep in thought.

BY THE NUMBERS

8

The width, in feet, of a male orangutan’s arm span

14

Average age, in years, at which female orangutans first give birth.

96.4

The percentage of genes that we share with orangutans

KEEPING UP WITH K AREN Karen has been a celebrity since she was a baby. Born in 1992, she didn’t seem to be thriving, and the Zoo’s veterinarians determined that she had a problem with her heart.

Plucky Karen made headlines in 1994 as the first orangutan to undergo open-heart surgery. Karen then flourished, and remains a visitor favorite. “She is our resident artist, and will sometimes ‘paint’ her whole face,” Tanya says. “And she is the one who taught Aisha to roll in the grass in front of the viewing glass. They love to interact with guests.” Karen’s story is told in Karen’s Heart, one of the titles in the Hope and Inspiration children’s book series, written

by San Diego Zoo Global employee Georgeanne Irvine and published by San Diego Zoo Global Press.

ADORABLE AISHA At 32 pounds, 5-year-old Aisha is petite for her age, but as Tanya notes, she more than makes up for that in spirit. Always on the go, Aisha divides her time between encouraging guests to follow her as she scampers near the window, climbing on Satu, romping with Karen, or sitting for a cuddle with her mother, Indah.

“Aisha gets along with everyone and loves to play with Karen. She’s always up to something,” Tanya says.

INSPECTOR INDAH Perched in the climbing structure on the right-hand side, Indah enjoys surveying all the action below her.

When Aisha was smaller, Indah would swing across the structure, hand over hand, with her tiny baby clinging to her. She still holds her orange bundle of joy, if only to study her little hand carefully—as if still in wonder of her offspring. “The loving relationship between them is amazing,” Tanya says, adding that Indah is not only a good mother, but a good exhibit mate as well.

“She shares food with the siamangs.

That’s really unusual for primates.”

LOOKING AHEAD Like many other animals, both species of orangutan (Sumatran

and Bornean) face many challenges in the wild, including massive habitat destruction from deforestation, logging, and human-made fires. One of the main factors driving deforestation is the clearing of land for unsustainable palm oil plantations.

More than half of manufactured items found in grocery stores contain palm oil. From 1990 to 2010, there was a 600 percent increase in the amount of land dedicated to palm oil production in Indonesia.

However, if planned and managed properly, palm oil crops can require less land than alternative oil crops. Consumers can make sure they are buying products made from these sustainable sources. “There are phone apps you can download to help you choose sustainable palm oil products,” Tanya explains. “We can all help to save habitats and the animals that live in them.”

On your next visit to the Zoo, stop by the orangutan and siamang habitat, and spend a few minutes observing these amazing animals—and think about their counterparts in the wild and what we can do to help them. If you look up, chances are, Indah will be observing you, too.

SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL / SANDIEGOZOO.ORG / 13

Conservation 2018 Conservation-in-Action Medalists

W

BY MARY SEKULOVICH | SENIOR EDITOR, DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

hen wildlife needs a champion in India, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia, three names stand out. Since 1995, when both Wildlife SOS and Free the Bears were founded, Kartick Satyanarayan, Geeta Seshamani, and Matt Hunt have devoted their careers and lives to protecting vulnerable species.

Rescuing “dancing bears” from abusive owners, removing moon bears (Asiatic black bears) and sun bears from bear bile farms, and freeing elephants from appalling, decades-long conditions—this is what Kartick, Geeta, and Matt do every day. Theirs is a lifelong passion for improving animals’ lives. They work tirelessly to defeat crimes against wildlife, thwarting the illegal trade in wildlife wherever they can, partnering with NGOs, zoos, government and state agencies, police, and volunteers—and their work is never done.

San Diego Zoo Global is proud to name them the 2018 Conservation-in-Action Medalists.

MATT HUNT

CEO, FREE THE BEARS

Following his career as a zookeeper in England, Matt moved to Southeast Asia to work for wildlife conservation before joining Free the Bears (FTB) in 2006. Now he is its CEO, with a goal to protect and enrich bears’ lives throughout the world.

This includes the rescue, care, and rehabilitation of hundreds of sun and moon bears from the wildlife trade and bear bile farms. Matt and his team develop wildlife centers, train wildlife law enforcement teams, and create environmental awareness among local communities. FTB also joined Wildlife SOS to help rescue over 600 sloth bears, India’s “dancing bears,” and provide seed money for bear owners to start new businesses and improve their families’ livelihoods. Matt initiated the first studies of wild bears in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, increasing awareness of their plight around the world.

14 / ZOONOOZ / JANUARY 2019

Crusaders

GEETA SESHAMANI

KARTICK SATYANARAYAN

As senior wildlife conservationist and director of Wildlife SOS, Geeta works tirelessly to better the lives of animals.

She has served as a member of the Ethical Treatment of Animals in Experimentation, the Wildlife Crime Bureau, the Animal Welfare Board of India, and, since 1979, with the Friendicoes Society for Eradication of Cruelty to Animals. Through Friendicoes, Geeta is part of a movement to prevent suffering in animals by creating an animal help line, animal sanctuaries for stray and disabled animals, mobile veterinary units, and animal rescue ambulances. She has become the passionate voice for all animals, truly a driving force who is committed to protecting both wild and domestic animals.

Kartick and Geeta began a movement to protect India’s natural heritage, its forests and wildlife, which has brought profound changes in the ways people relate to and interact with animals— all with a $200 investment.

Wildlife SOS acts against animal cruelty and curbs illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products. Educating the public about protecting both wildlife and habitats—and creating alternative livelihoods for former poachers—helps tremendously to solve human-animal conflicts. Together, they dedicated their mission to end the cruel and abusive practice in India of taking young sloth bear cubs from the wild (after killing their mothers) and training them to become “dancing bears” for tourists and villagers. They also protect elephants, leopards, and reptiles, among others, establishing eight rescue and rehabilitation facilities throughout India.

CO-FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR, WILDLIFE SOS

CO-FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN, WILDLIFE SOS

BY THE NUMBERS

PHOTOS BY (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP): WILDLIFE SOS; SHOOT TO HELP; SDZG (OPPOSITE PAGE, FROM LEFT): AMANDA MUSTARD; MATT HUNT/FREE THE BEARS

900+ bears rescued

~ 1,000 bears in Vietnam’s bile farms

500+

Bears receiving lifelong care

SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL / SANDIEGOZOO.ORG / 15

A LIFE OF BOUNDLESS CURIOSITY IN TRIBUTE TO KURT BENIRSCHKE, M.D. MAY 26, 1924 – SEPTEMBER 10, 2018 Many considered Dr. Kurt Benirschke, or “Dr. B” as he was affectionately known, to be a Renaissance man. He was famous for his insatiable curiosity, always wondering “Why?” and he continued to learn, investigate, share, and develop ideas throughout his life. Among his many accomplishments, Dr. Benirschke melded his medical expertise with his passion for wildlife conservation to forever change the face of San Diego Zoo Global.

Dr. Benirschke first became involved with the San Diego Zoo in 1970, through his acquaintance with then-director Dr. Charles Schroeder. He saw what was happening to wildlife around the world, and felt, as Dr. Schroeder did, that zoos needed to be part of conservation efforts. Dr. Benirschke talked to the Zoo’s board of trustees about establishing a scientific research arm of the organization. “A number of mammals and other species are going to become extinct in the next decades, all efforts notwithstanding,” he wrote in a letter to the board. “This is of very great concern to me and I hope that we can somehow proceed.”

When the Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species (CRES) was established in 1975, Dr. Benirschke was asked to serve as its director. He was already working as a professor of pathology and reproductive medicine at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), running a genetics laboratory, and serving as director of autopsy services for UCSD Medical Center. But Dr. Benirschke believed strongly in conservation science. As he once stated, “We can live with16 / ZOONOOZ / JANUARY 2019

out gorillas and giraffes, without butterflies and hummingbirds. But will we like it? Will we want to? I don’t think we have the right to say the world is made for us alone.” Despite his packed schedule, he agreed to lead the Zoo’s new endeavor.

Within the Zoo’s research division, Dr. Benirschke pioneered the “Frozen Zoo®,” to cryogenically preserve reproductive tissues and cell lines from endangerd species. At the time, there was no technology to effectively make use of them.

But Dr. Benirschke quoted American historian Daniel Boorstin, saying, “You must collect things for

reasons you don’t yet understand.” His vision is proving to have profound applications, as scientists are now working to genetically save species like the northern white rhino.

One of the first people Dr. Benirschke hired at CRES was Oliver Ryder, Ph.D., currently the Kleberg Chair of Genetics at the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research (ICR). “Kurt Benirschke was a charming person, an intense scholar, and unquestionably a man of vision,” Ollie said.

“He was passionately multidisciplinary, assembling teams with broad backgrounds in the efforts he led in medicine, conservation science, and redefining the role of zoos. He touched the lives of so many people, and for many, like myself, he played a critical role in their professional lives as a teacher and mentor. He leaves a large legacy.”

In 1986, Dr. Benirschke began a new role on the Zoological Society of San Diego’s board of trustees, which he continued until 2000, and served as board president from 1997 to 2000. Douglas G. Myers, San Diego Zoo Global president and CEO, said, “Dr. Benirschke was a man of vision who was able to use his diverse background, his insight, and his enthusiasm to further conservation.

His pioneering effort to create CRES and the Frozen Zoo expanded the possibilities of conservation science, and his guidance and leadership on the board steered San Diego Global toward becoming the conservation-focused organization it is today.”

When Dr. Benirschke and his wife, Marion, and their three children, Stephen, Ingrid, and Rolf, moved to San Diego in 1970, they began a new chapter that would bring opportunities for their family—and make a lasting impression on San Diego. For those who knew and worked with Dr. B at San Diego Zoo Global, his love of knowledge, his energy and enthusiasm, and his generosity with colleagues, students, and friends leave lasting fond memories. All will remember his broad smile, his hearty laugh at a good joke, his direct and friendly manner, and his endless—and contagious—fascination with science and the Animal Kingdom.

2018 Grand Prize Winner Hawksbill Sea Turtle

By Brandon Xie Grades 3-5 Category

ART HELPS WILDLIFE Kids! Enter the 2019 Saving Endangered Species Youth Art Contest Celebrate Endangered Species Day through art! Young artists from kindergarten through high school can raise awareness about endangered species by entering this Endangered Species Day art contest.

Student artwork must depict a land- or ocean-dwelling species that either lives in or migrates through the United States and its waters, or a plant/ flower that is found in the United States. The species must be on the threatened or endangered species list, or was on the list but has recovered.

Participants are encouraged to tell a story of hope through their art, and judges appreciate artwork that shows species within their native habitats.

Winners will be selected in four categories: Grades K–2, Grades 3–5, Grades 6–8, and Grades 9–12, and a grand prize winner will be selected from the four grade-level winners. The deadline for submissions is March 1, 2019. Late entries will not be considered. Artwork must be submitted electronically, 3300 x 2550 pixels at 300 dpi resolution. Submit art at: endangered.org/submit-your-art.

. Visit endangeredspeciesday.org for complete contest rules and information, and to discover more about the 14th annual Endangered Species Day, on May 17, 2019.

DYNAMIC DUO It’s a boy! It’s a girl! The newest elephant calves at the Park are a sight to behold.

You

“Herd” Right

Pint-sized pachyderms play well with others

W

BY KARYL CARMIGNANI | STAFF WRITER

PHOTOS BY KEN BOHN | SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER

hat could be better than a wobbly, wrinkly, ear-flapping, trunk-tripping baby elephant? Two, of course! The Safari Park has been blessed with a darling duo of healthy calves—a boy and a girl—the first born here in six years.

The excitement is palpable when the herd saunters out in the morning, with two “mini mes” trotting between feet and trunks and tusks to begin their day of exploration. Umzula-zuli, or Zuli for short, the little tank of a calf born on World Elephant Day on August 12, 2018, lives up to his name, which means “wanderer.” At birth he tipped the scale at more than 270 pounds, making him the heftiest elephant calf ever born at the Safari Park—that is, until his half-sister, Mkhaya, born 6 weeks later, topped him at 281 pounds. (Newborns typically weigh 200 to 268 pounds.) Elephant mothers provide a supply of rich milk upon request, allowing calves to pack on 2 to 4 pounds per day, so these two tots have a weighty future together! Despite their bulk at birth, the calves still look like toys next to their herd mates.

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SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL / SANDIEGOZOO.ORG / 19

Herd life. Both calves get care lavished upon them from their mothers as well as their aunties.

Zuli (front) is 6 weeks older than Mkhaya.

SPECIAL DELIVERIES

BY THE NUMBERS

12,000

Weight in pounds of Msholo, adult male

7,200

Weight in pounds of Ndula, adult female

470

Weight in pounds of Mkhaya, 3-month-old calf

Zuli’s mother, Ndulamitsi, known as Ndula, has her maternal skills down pat; this is the third son she has delivered without a hitch. Following elephant birth protocol at the Park, mother and son were on a five-week post-birth watch “to make sure Zuli’s nursing on both sides and at adequate intervals, both are urinating and defecating, sleeping okay, and interacting with the herd,” explained Lauren Coates, a senior keeper who has worked with the elephants for the past six years. When Zuli was introduced to the expectant herd, “in the heightened excitement, they were all dripping from their temporal glands on the side of the face when they met him,” said Lauren.

Despite their massive size and the tangle of curious trunks and feet, they were—and are—tender and gentle with both of the new pint-sized pachyderms.

“Zuli is proving to be curious and rambunctious, and fearlessly plays with other elephants. Ndula makes big, strong boys,” Lauren said with a chuckle.

Like most youngsters, after an energetic play bout, he conks out, sometimes in the shade of his mom—or in her food. At night, when Ndula lays down on her side, Zuli snuggles up under her chin.

When 28-year-old Umngani (pronounced OOM-gah-nee) gave birth on September 26 at 11:20 p.m., the birth-watch cameras revealed her daughter entering the world smoothly after about 30 minutes of labor. “Knowing Umngani’s birth window was between September 12 and October 18, we were placing

20 / ZOONOOZ / JANUARY 2019

her in one area of the yard at night, separate from the rest of the herd but close by,” said Curtis Lehman, animal care supervisor at the Safari Park. Elephant gestation is about 22 months, the longest of any mammal, but Umngani’s previous 3 calves arrived late, so keepers were delighted to find the healthy newborn that morning.

Once the youngster appeared to be thriving and well-bonded to her mother, she was introduced to Umngani’s other three offspring: 7-year-old male Inhlonipho, called Neepo for short; 9-year-old male Ingadze, or Gadze for short, and ever-eager auntie, 12-year-old Khosi. Soon, the calf met the rest of the herd in a swaying throng of whisking tails, waving ears, exuberant trumpeting, and caressing trunks: the “new girl in town” was welcomed with open, inquisitive fanfare, elephant style.

HAPPY BIRTH DAYS Elephants are highly intelligent, social, cooperative animals that live in herds ruled by a mature, experienced matriarch. Females remain in their natal group for life; males head out (or get kicked out) at around 10 years of age to roam solo or hang out with other males. This matriarchal society lends itself to successful rearing of socially savvy offspring.

At the Safari Park, both new moms are experienced, and there are three excited aunties—juvenile females Khosi, Kami, and Qinisa—ready to babysit.

While watching over the little ones, they even present

their mammary glands (located between their front legs), even though they do not have milk. With the calves in their midst, “they are all learning what it takes to be a good mom,” said Lauren.

The juvenile males most often frolic with boys their own size. Six-ton Msholo, the huge but quiet bull in the herd, plays with the younger males, even bending down on his knees to appear less imposing; if Zuli comes barreling at him in youthful exuberance, Msholo gently shoos the tiny fellow away. The females don’t allow roughhousing near the calves, and sidle up and surround the little ones when necessary.

Zuli loves water and slurps it from puddles and plays with the hose provided by keepers. That waggling appendage on his face, which contains about 40,000 muscles, takes time and skill to use effectively, and Zuli appears quite pleased with himself when he grabs a stick or piece of browse with his trunk, holding it high for all to see. Mkhaya is also a little spitfire, and began trumpeting in the first week. “When we weigh her, she barrels in trumpeting, and when we’re finished, she dashes out trumpeting,” Lauren said. The youngsters will be eating solid food at around six months of age, at which point staff can start training them through positive reinforcement in husbandry behaviors, like touching their trunk to a target and learning their names.

“Right now, it’s all fun and games, and building trust.” The husbandry skills pay off throughout an elephant’s life, as keepers can keep a close eye on their feet, teeth, and overall health. Many animals even accept vaccinations without being anesthetized.

MILK MYSTERIES Elephant mothers encourage their calves to nurse almost immediately after they’re born. It’s a stretch, as the newborn has to reach its mouth up to the nipple and get its trunk out of the way to drink. A calf consumes about 2 gallons of milk each day, gaining between 14 and 28 pounds a week during its early development. After about six months, the calf will eat leaves and grass too, but continue to nurse until it is two to four years old.

Milk samples are collected from the lactating elephants by the keepers and analyzed by our scientists at the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research. Each mammalian species produces its own concoction of fats, proteins, amino acids, and other nutrients ideally suited for its babies. Even Asian and African elephants have vastly different milk! The goal is to develop an improved “recipe” for milk substitutes used with hand-reared calves in zoos, as well as at the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary in northern Kenya. Calves arrive at this sanctuary stressed and compromised, so it’s vital that they get as much nutrition as possible from their bottle feedings. SDZG is pleased to partner with this community-based conservation effort to rescue orphaned elephants and reunite them with a herd as soon as possible.

SAFARI PARK AND BEYOND Visitors to the Safari Park (and viewers on the Elephant Cam) will see a thriving herd of 14 elephants: 4 adults and 10 youngsters. The adults were rescued in 2003 from the Kingdom of eSwatini (formerly Swaziland). They faced being culled, due to lack of habitat from an extended drought, and an unsustainable number of elephants in too small an area.

SDZG is committed to bringing species back from the brink of extinction—and rescuing these pachyderms has helped invigorate the gene pool in zoos, and shed light on wild populations.

At the Zoo and the Safari Park, elephant studies are underway on nutrition, daily walking distance, growth and development, and bioacoustic communication.

Since 2004, SDZG has contributed $30,000 annually to the Kingdom of eSwatini’s Big Game Parks, to fund programs like anti-poaching patrols, infrastructure improvements, and the purchase of additional acreage.

African elephants Loxodonta africana are the largest land mammal on the planet, and humans pose the biggest threat to their survival, through poaching and habitat loss. But humans can also find solutions and change behaviors that imperil these majestic giants. It is up to all of us to do the right thing. Zuli and Mkhaya are counting on us.

DID YOU KNOW? An African elephant’s ears are laden with blood vessels and keep the massive animal cool (“ear conditioning”).

An adult ellie’s ear can weigh up to 100 pounds.

SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL / SANDIEGOZOO.ORG / 21

FRESH FEATHERS The Next Generation Hatched at the Safari Park

BY WENDY PERKINS | STAFF WRITER

22 / ZOONOOZ / JANUARY 2019

PHOTOS BY KEN BOHN | SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER

L

ast summer, amid the “wow,” “awww,” and excited voices of visitors were some other happy sounds: the gentle pipping of hatching eggs and the sweet chirps and peeps of some special bird species. Although they’re not large like condors or fierce-looking like eagles, the new additions to our feathered families have their own particular charisma.

JUST THE SPOT

Every hatchling is a reason to celebrate. However, the single Bali myna chick that wriggled out of its eggshell last summer was especially welcome—another feathered soldier in the march toward saving a species from extinction. A spectacular snow-white bird with a delicate, lacy crest and striking blue eye mask, the Bali myna (also known as Bali starling) Leucopsar rothschildi is the rarest bird in Indonesia’s province of Bali.

On its island home, the Bali myna has suffered the effects of deforestation, the exotic pet trade, and other pressures during the last century. In the 1980s, the preservation of this species became a priority for a number of zoos, and San Diego Zoo Global swooped in to join the effort. That was the beginning, but our commitment to DID YOU the survival of this species continues. More than 170 KNOW? Bali mynas have hatched at both the Safari Park and The Bali myna is the Zoo since we began breeding them in 1962. the only endemic Yet, even with all our years of experience with this vertebrate on the species, there are surprises. “The pair recommended island of Bali. for breeding by the Species Survival Plan (SSP) was living at our Bird Breeding Center (BBC). It’s a nice, quiet area, but not much was happening with them,” says Andrew Stehly, associate curator of birds at the Safari Park. “However, we had another pair at Hidden Jungle, and they had raised six chicks in there. So last season, we switched the locations of the two pairs. Sure enough, Hidden Jungle was just the right spot!”

Although Bali myna chicks fledge at about 21 days of age, they continue to solicit food from their parents after leaving the nest. Watch for these beautiful birds in Hidden Jungle and see if the youngster is still begging for a “beak-out.”

WHILE THE “KIDS” ARE AWAY…

In 2001, only about six Bali mynas were known to exist in the wild. There are more than 1,000 in managed care around the world, and through breeding and release, it is estimated that the native population has reached 50 birds.

Thick-billed parrots Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha were once found from Venezuela to the southern areas of Arizona and New Mexico. Today, they’re found mostly in the Sierra Madre Occidental Mountains of northern Mexico. Estimates suggest there are just 3,000 to 6,000 left in the wild, with fewer than 1,000 breeding pairs. “We’ve been involved with this species for decades,” says Michael Mace, director of animal collections and strategy for San Diego Zoo Global, “from helping with a release attempt in the 1980s [the birds had been confiscated from smugglers] to the current in situ efforts in Mexico.”

A key part of supporting a species’ reproduction is providing just what they need to succeed. Highly intelligent and social, thick-billed parrots feed together and nest in close proximity to one another. But in some

SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL / SANDIEGOZOO.ORG / 23

Meet the Birds: Elegant crested tinamou (this picture); thickbilled parrot (right); juvenile Nicobar pigeon (below).

situations, proximity can be problematic.

For a number of years, the thick-billed parrot exhibit at Condor Ridge was home to a bonded pair as well as three juvenile birds. While Walkabout Australia was under construction, these birds were moved to the BBC. Nest boxes were provided, but eggs were not produced. Observant bird keepers noticed the juvenile parrots seemed to be disturbing the adults, so a new plan was hatched. Once major construction was completed, the juvenile birds were moved back to Condor Ridge. Without the high-energy antics of the juveniles, the breeding pair went from empty nesters to parents! They have doted on their single chick, which thrived and is now ready to join the other juveniles in all their parrot games.

EASTER EGG BIRDS Also inhabiting Condor Ridge is a breeding pair of elegant crested tinamous Eudromia elegans, native to Argentina and Uruguay. With plumage of brownish gray, they’re well camouflaged for life on the ground.

Their eggs, however, are a different story. Grass-green and gleaming like glazed porcelain, their eggs are among the most unusual and beautiful in the bird world. The eggs of other tinamous are just as polished looking, ranging in color from overripe-avocado to chocolate. Tinamous are sometimes called “Easter egg birds” because of their unique eggs.

The pair at Condor Ridge have a strong history of parenthood, having produced nine chicks over the years, and that’s important. “This species’ numbers in AZA facilities began to drop,” says Andrew. “The SSP made recommendations, and our pair was among those chosen to help boost the population.”

24 / ZOONOOZ / JANUARY 2019

BY THE NUMBERS

PRIZED PIGEON Of the approximately 300 species of pigeons in the world, only a few are distinct enough to be considered unusual—and the Nicobar pigeon Caloenas nicobarica qualifies. Viewed in its preferred habitat, the dim understory of a tropical forest, it comes across as a dark and unobtrusive bird, about 14 inches long. Catch a glimpse of it in a beam of sunlight, however, and iridescent hues of purple, orange, and green shimmer and flash. You can see for yourself in the Park’s Wings of the World aviary, where our Nicobars welcomed a new member last year. You may even be able to spot the youngster, although, as Andrew explains, “it won’t be as brightly colored as the parents.”

Nicobar pigeons typically spend their time on the ground, feeding on seeds and insects. They make a classic pigeon-type nest, a jumble of loose sticks—but in their case, it’s about 10 to 30 feet up in a tree. The parents invest a great deal of time in incubating their single egg and raising their chick. The “apple of their eye” takes an unusually long time to fledge: about three months. Other pigeons of similar size fledge in four to five weeks.

As you watch the Nicobar pigeons, you’ll likely notice a couple of other striking characteristics—capelike hackle feathers cascading from the neck, and surprising white tail feathers. Actually, the unexpected thing about the tail is that, unlike most other pigeons, it’s hard to see! The tail is so short that it is often completely hidden by the folded wings of the resting bird.

No other species of pigeon appears to have so short a tail in relation to its body size.

On your next adventure to the Safari Park, keep an eye out for these feathered treasures.

21

Number of days tinamou eggs are incubated

1912

The year Western scientists first identified the Bali myna

600

Weight in grams (1 pound, 5 ounces) of an adult Nicobar pigeon

THANK YOU FOR STANDING WITH US TO END EXTINCTION! San Diego Zoo Global would like to thank our 2018 sponsors for their support of our worldwide conservation efforts. You help make us world famous!

TM

I N T E R E S T E D I N L E A R N I N G M O R E A B O U T S P O N S O R S H I P O P P O R T U N I T I E S F O R YO U R B U S I N E S S ?

C O N TA C T O U R PA R T N E R S H I P M A R K E T I N G D E PA R T M E N T AT PA R T N E R S H I P @ S A N D I E G O Z O O . O R G .

S U P P O RT

JOHN MASSA Remembering Strong Family Ties and an Eventful Life

BY MARY SEKULOVICH

W

SENIOR EDITOR, DEVELOPMENT

hen John Massa shakes your hand, there is a twinkle in his eyes and a genuine smile on his face. He grew up on the East Coast in Boston, “where everyone in my family owned a business, and my aunt created Jackie Kennedy’s wedding dress.” He is clearly proud of his extended family’s good business sense and acumen.

As a 21-year-old, John entered the Korean War and served as an airman, flying with a crew on B-29 bombers. His specialty was in electronics, so after the war he went on to study engineering and earned degrees from Northeastern University, MIT, and Boston College, all in Greater Boston. John had a successful career as a regional manager and program manager in electronic systems. While his career included a lot of coast-to-coast travel, son Chris said, “He always had time for us.”

One of John’s many trips took him to a region not far from Pompeii, Italy, south of Sorrento, where there are three towns that are all named Massa.

When John looked up the family name in the town hall’s court records, he learned that in 14th and 15th century Milan,

26 / ZOONOOZ / JANUARY 2019

his Massa ancestors were lawyers, politicians, and churchmen—quite an ancestry discovery.

When asked about his favorite animal, John quickly replied, “Gorilla!” He visited the Philadelphia Zoo years ago when they had a gorilla named Massa, the oldest gorilla in any zoo at the time, and he became interested in wildlife conservation. Over the years, John and his late wife Frances visited many zoos and museums, especially after he retired in 1990—once they traveled for 26 weeks nonstop!

John is happy that he and Frances decided to contribute to zoos and to his university alma

mater. He is very Although they visited many proud of their 40 zoos and years of philanloved wildlife, thropy, which Frances was now includes captivated by hummingbirds, membership those colorful in the Heritage little dynamos Guild, as well as that zoom around our a more recent gardens. investment in a charitable gift annuity. John viewed the charitable gift annuity as a wise way to donate: he received a tax deduction the year he made the gift, and he now receives fixed payments for the rest of his life. It also allows him to support the Zoo! Most recently, John generously contributed to the new Hummingbird Habitat at the Zoo in memory of his wife, as hummingbirds were Frances’ favorite.

Heritage Guild was established to honor and thank those whose estate plans include us.

To learn more, visit zoolegacy.org.

IN THE FIELD

San Diego Zoo Global’s mission to end extinction takes place not just at the Zoo, Park, and Institute for Conservation Research, but also through fieldwork in projects around the globe. Each issue, we share an update on these projects.

Clockwise: Burrowing owl brings a tasty insect morsel home; the owls are tagged so researchers can track individual birds; they are carefully monitored and measured to ensure success; cameras are installed outside burrow openings; researcher catching an owl to identify.

BY KARYL CARMIGNANI | STAFF WRITER

The western burrowing owl of Southern California has been on a collision course with humans for decades, as open grasslands are turned into housing developments and strip malls. Ground squirrel control programs add to the problem by reducing burrow availability. (The owls cannot dig their own burrows, but instead reuse and modify dens that squirrels and other animals have excavated.) We are collaborating with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and others to improve mitigation strategies for this grounddwelling, diurnal hunter. For instance, five pairs of burrowing owls were recently relocated from Otay Mesa to Rancho Jamul Ecological Reserve into acclimation enclosures, with human-made burrows ready for the owls. The hope is that the birds will repopulate this protected area, breed, and stick 28 / ZOONOOZ / JANUARY 2019

around, which will lessen the chance of local extinction of this species.

Additionally, San Diego Zoo Global is pleased to add the burrowing owl project to our citizen science program on the Zooniverse platform. People from around the world (with internet access) will have the opportunity to help us classify field photos from our burrowing owl field sites. The cameras are motion-activated to document the activity of the owls, but we need your help to sift through the images and note what is happening. Once you log in, there is a short tutorial, and then you can become a citizen scientist and help this imperiled owl species. You can also visit WildwatchKenya.org to “warm up” by helping with our reticulated giraffe project. Soon, you’ll be in the center of our Zooniverse!

PHOTOS BY (BOTTOM ROW, FROM LEFT) TAMMY SPRATT/SDZG; KEN BOHN/SDZG (2)

OWL OBSERVERS WANTED

JANUARY-APRIL MEMBER SPECIALS JA N UA RY 2 0 1 9

20% OFF

BREAKFAST AT THE SAFARI PARK Receive 20% off breakfast entrées at the Safari Park’s Thorntree Terrace.

Valid January 1-31, 2019 Member must provide valid membership card at time of purchase to receive discount. Supporting ID may be required. Not valid with any other offer, promotion, or discount. Coupon not required.

JA N UA RY 2 0 1 9

10%

OFF SANDWICH COMPANY

J A N U A R Y-A P R I L 2 0 1 9

$10 OFF ALL ANIMAL ADOPTIONS Members can enjoy this discount on any online adoption package!

Valid January 1–April 30, 2019 Visit sandiegozoo.org/adopt to choose from a snow leopard, lemur, penguin, panda, polar bear, and many more species. All adoptions include a personalized adoption certificate. Call 619-557-3914 for more information or to purchase your adoption by phone. To purchase online, simply enter ASZW0119 upon checkout. No limit. Not valid with any other offer, promotion, discount, or at on-grounds adoption booth.

Valid all day for purchases at the San Diego Zoo Sandwich Company (excludes alcohol).

Valid January 1–31, 2019

F E B R UA RY 2 0 1 9

Member must provide valid membership card at time of purchase to receive discount.

Supporting ID may be required.

Not valid with any other offer, promotion, or discount.

Coupon not required.

10% OFF ALL SWEATSHIRTS Get cozy in our sweatshirts and receive a 10% discount!

Valid February 1-28, 2019 Valid at all stores at the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park. Member must provide valid membership card at time of purchase to receive discount. Supporting ID may be required.

Coupon not required. For online purchases, enter promotion code MEMBER10 at checkout. Cannot be combined with any other offer, promotion, or discount. No limit while supplies last.

APRIL 2019

10% OFF

WATER BOTTLES AT THE ZOO & SAFARI PARK Members receive 10% off any water bottle.

Valid April 1-30, 2019 Valid at all stores at the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park. Member must provide valid membership card at time of purchase to receive discount. Supporting ID may be required. Coupon not required. For online purchases, enter promotion code MEMBER10 at checkout. Cannot be combined with any other offer, promotion, or discount. No limit while supplies last.

ZOONOOZ

®

SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL

Box 120551, San Diego, CA 92112

YOUR MEMBER SPECIALS ARE INSIDE

Did you hear?

Gift Annuity Rates Are Up!

Would you like more income and financial security?

Do you own assets that produce little or no income?

Consider a charitable gift annuity with the San Diego Zoo today!

• You can make a gift that costs nothing during your lifetime.

• You can give appreciated stock or property and bypass some capital gains tax.

• You can get a monthly check for life in return for your gift.

Updated San Diego Zoo CGA Rates ONE LIFE AG E

71 75 80 85

R AT E

6.31% 6.72% 7.49% 8.74%

T WO L I V E S AG ES

71 & 73 75 & 78 80 & 82 85 & 87

R AT E

6.20% 6.62% 7.28% 8.33%

This table includes only a few selected ages and the corresponding annuity rates effective October 1, 2018.

Minimum gift requirement is $25,000.

Visit ZooLegacy.org or call 619-557-3993 today to request your FREE personalized gift illustration.

The first 30 applicants will also receive a special gift.

No legal or financial advice is provided herein. Individuals should seek the advice of their own professional advisors. © 2019 San Diego Zoo Global. All rights reserved.