ZOONOOZ January 2013

ALBERT’S RESTAURANT

Winter Brewmaster Dinner Featuring Saturday, January 19, 2013 Reception with animal ambassadors in the Treetops Banquet Room: 6 to 6:45 p.m.

Dinner at Albert’s Restaurant immediately following the reception.

Join Brewmaster Brandon Sieminski of Iron Fist Brewing Company and enjoy his selection of beers paired with four courses of gourmet dishes specially prepared by Executive Chef Chris Mirguet and Albert’s Chef Charles Boukas. Winter even comes to San Diego—raise a glass and chase away the chill with warm company and good food! $69 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Maximum party size is 8 people. Must be at least 21 years old to attend. For reservations, call 619-557-3964 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For the complete menu, visit sandiegozoo.org/zoo/alberts.

inside january–february 2013

wildlife 8 “Pawsitively Purrfect”: Sizing Up Small Cats What small cats may lack in size, they make up for in amazing adaptations.

BY PEGGY SCOTT

18 Digging into the World of Wombats These mesmerizing marsupials are called “the bulldozers of the bush” for good reason.

BY PEGGY SCOTT

20 Romance Is In the Air...and On the Ground Courtship in the Animal Kingdom is more complicated than dinner and a movie.

BY KARYL CARMIGNANI

explore 22 Your Backstage Pass to Surprises This is your ticket to up-close experiences of the wildest kind!

BY MAUREEN O. DURYEE

conservation 16 Conservation Medalists: Frog Heroes in Panama Edgardo and Heidi Griffith have hopped into action to save the endangered Panamanian golden frog.

BY KARYL CARMIGNANI

more 2 Chairman’s Note 4 Through the Lens 5 Save the Date 6 You Said It 25 What’s in Store 26 Support on the cover: Ocelot Leopardus pardalis on this page: Caracal Caracal caracal

28 From the Archives

©Ken Bohn, SDZG Photographer SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL

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chairman’s note

Beginning a New Year

T

he beginning of a new year is an exciting time, full of promise and plans. We have a lot to look forward to in 2013 at San Diego Zoo Global, including the opening of a brand-new, major exhibit at the Zoo, Conrad Prebys Australian Outback. This exhibit will share the wonders—and the importance—of Australia’s forests, highlighting species such as wombats, wallabies, palm cockatoos, and kookaburras. But the centerpiece of the exhibit will be our Queensland koala colony, the largest anywhere outside of Australia.

The San Diego Zoo was fortunate to develop ties with Australian zoos and government officials in the mid-1920s, and then strengthen those ties in the 1940s and 1960s to build the animal care and education program for koalas that we have today. At Australian Outback, you will be able to see both the individual areas for the territorial male koalas and the large exhibit shared by the females and their joeys. Australian Outback opens May 25, and I hope you can join us to enjoy the beautiful new exhibit this summer.

Other exciting projects taking place this year are the construction of the Safari Park’s Tiger Trails for our Sumatran tigers, with the opening planned for 2014, and the planning and concept designs for Africa Rocks at the Zoo, which will open for our centennial in 2016. Both of these exhibits will transform older areas at our facilities, and I’m looking forward to seeing them take shape. This year we’ll also continue with further enhancements to the Zoo and Park, including the new Treetops learning center at the Zoo with new classrooms for education programs and additional interactive experiences at the Park’s Nairobi Station.

An ongoing goal for San Diego Zoo Global is to maintain sustainable, healthy, and thriving animal and plant collections, and our staff members have plans in the works to further those efforts with innovative programs in 2013. We are famous for our animals, but fewer people are aware that the San Diego Zoo is an accredited botanical garden, and we will continue this year to raise the profile of our extraordinary plant species, gardens, and horticultural expertise. Ecological sustainability is also an important initiative for San Diego Zoo Global, and you may have seen coverage of our new solar-powered electric vehicle charging station in the news recently. Under the direction of our Institute for Conservation Research, our Internal Conservation Committee continues to champion recycling, energy saving, waste reduction, and other conservation measures in all that we do.

2013 promises to be a wonderful year for San Diego Zoo Global. I hope your New Year is off to a great start, and I look forward to sharing more about our progress with you during the months ahead.

PUBLISHED SINCE 1926 JANUARY–FEBRUARY 2013 VOL.LXXXVI–NO.1 MANAGING EDITOR KAREN E. WORLEY ASSOCIATE EDITORS PEGGY SCOTT DEBBIE ANDREEN STAFF WRITERS WENDY PERKINS KARYL CARMIGNANI SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL™ PHOTOGRAPHER KEN BOHN DIGITAL IMAGING TECHNICIAN TAMMY SPRATT DESIGN AND PRODUCTION DAMIEN LASATER CHRIS MARTIN HEIDI SCHMID PREPRESS AND PRINTING TRANSCONTINENTAL/PRINTED IN CANADA The Zoological Society of San Diego was founded in October 1916 by Harry M. Wegeforth, M.D., as a private nonprofit corporation. The Zoological Society of San Diego does business as San Diego Zoo Global.

ZOONOOZ® (ISSN 0044-5282) is currently published bimonthly. Publisher is San Diego Zoo Global, at 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA 92103, 619-231-1515. Periodicals postage paid at San Diego, California, U.S.A., and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Membership Department, P.O. Box 120271, San Diego, CA 92112.

Copyright® 2013 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: Dual $109, new; $94, renewal.

Single $88, new; $76, renewal. Each membership includes unlimited entrance to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

ZOONOOZ subscription: $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.

As part of San Diego Zoo Global’s commitment to conservation, ZOONOOZ is printed on recycled paper that is 30% post-consumer waste, chlorine free, and is Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certified.

Using this paper for a year will save approximately 200 tons of wood, or 1,400 trees; 965 million BTUs of energy, enough to run 10 homes for a year; 155,000 pounds of CO2 equivalent, the amount produced by 14 cars during a year; and 84,000 pounds of solid waste (estimates made using the Environmental Defense Fund Paper Calculator).

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

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

January 7–31: 9 a.m to 5 p.m.

SAN DIEGO ZOO SAFARI PARK HOURS January 1–31: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Rick Gulley Chairman

WEBSITE

sandiegozoo.org

SAN DIEGO ZOO PHONE 619-231-1515

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A Season of Love

Treat Your Valentine to a Wildly Romantic Evening!

This Valentine’s Day, celebrate love with a gourmet meal in the beautiful surroundings of the San Diego Zoo or Safari Park. Our chefs have elegant menus planned for a lovely dinner with your loved one. We’ll provide the setting—you bring the romance!

Safari Park’s Hunte Nairobi Pavilion Thursday, February 14, 2013 $99 per couple, plus tax and gratuity. Includes a bottle of house wine. Reception with animal presentation and nohost bar begins at 6 p.m., four-course dinner served at 6:30.

For reservations, call 619-718-3000 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. For the complete menu, visit sdzsafaripark.org and click on Plan Your Trip/Dining.

Albert’s Restaurant at the Zoo Thursday, February 14, 2013 $99 per couple, plus tax and gratuity. Includes a bottle of house wine. Seating begins at 5 p.m., maximum party size of 8 people. For reservations, call 619-557-3964 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

For complete menu, visit sandiegozoo.org/zoo/alberts.

through the lens

Twig Snake Thelotornis capensis oatesi

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save the date

Happy New Year!

AS ANOTHER YEAR BEGINS, San Diego Zoo Global is off to a roaring start. Construction of the Conrad Prebys Australian Outback exhibit at the Zoo is moving along, and we’re looking forward to the grand opening in May. At the Safari Park, thanks to many generous donors we have the funds to break ground on the new tiger exhibit, which is scheduled to open in 2014. Xiao Liwu, our adorable panda cub, is walking and continuing to grow, and he will soon be out on exhibit with his mom, Bai Yun. Satu, the Zoo’s adult male orangutan, is settling into his role as troop leader—and is growing impressive cheek pads to prove it. Jungle Bells continues through January 6 this year, so if you’d like to extend the holiday cheer, the Zoo is the place to be. There is more cheer to be shared at Albert’s Winter Brewmaster Dinner on January 19. The animals at the Safari Park and the Zoo enjoy the cool weather, so I hope you’ll come visit—and I hope your New Year is off to a great start!

Douglas G. Myers President/CEO

JANUARY 1 THROUGH 6: Jungle Bells at the Zoo JANUARY 2 THROUGH 4: Winter Art and Winter Camp programs at the Zoo JANUARY 18: Plant Day and Orchid Odyssey at the Zoo JANUARY 19: Albert’s Winter Brewmaster Dinner at the Zoo FEBRUARY 14: Valentine’s Day Dinners at the Zoo and Safari Park FEBRUARY 15 THROUGH 18: San Diego Zoo Discovery Days: Cool Cats

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you said it Hi. My name is Julie and !"#$"%&'&"()'"*%&"+#,-#"#--./*"$&&*.,01"2)3" Julie Ortiz

Today was my daughter’s first day at the zoo—she loved it! She didn’t even

remember she has to nap. We had a great day, and everyone working there was very nice, thank you. :) Ana Mora

!"#$%&$$'%(%)$)&$*%+,'-$%!%.(+%','$ and then I find you on here [Tumblr] and it’s like boom—just made my day.

Niv-nk

Thank you so much for sharing the joy of Baby Boy Panda with us! We are the

front office staff of a Minor League ball team here in Pensacola, Florida, and he and Bai Yun have captured our hearts. We watch them on a daily basis, and cannot wait for the progress reports as he grows. Thank you for taking such great care of these magnificent creatures, and for sharing them with us. GO SD ZOO! Blue Wahoos Staff

!"#$%&&&&$'()*&+%$&,$-.($/(0%&1$21$-.($324(&% who gets to pet the panda cub!! I’m in the wrong profession!

Rachael Green

@sandiegozoo is the best zoo I’ve ever seen. Stood still in awe & observed the gorillas for 2 hours! @WondHerful Wouldn’t it be nice if they could paint [non toxic] a large initial on all the elephants so we could tell them apart? Or….this is even better. When you hover your mouse over an elephant, its name appears on the [Elephant Cam] screen. Yeah..lets do that!! Web team, how ‘bout it?

Jan in Richmond, VA

DISCOVERY DAYS: COOL CATS CATSTAGRAM CHALLENGE

Big or small, we all love our cats. Snap photos of your cat at home or head to the Zoo to photograph our beautiful felines and tag them on Instagram with #sandiegozoo and #coolcats to enter. One grand-prize winner will receive a Discovery Tour for four, where a personal guide will take you and your friends behind the scenes and show you the Zoo from a new perspective.

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/ / / / . , $ # +),,'* ' * ) ( " ' & % !"#$ '* 012'#"3#3(4

There are many types of summer camps for kids, but few will have campers interacting with rhinos and giraffes, meeting meerkats, or getting up close to cheetahs. Summer Camps at the Zoo and Safari Park are hands-on, join-in, be-a-part-of-it fun with options for kids of all ages. If your kids love animals, jump in and make your plans for a summer they’ll never forget!

Call 619-718-3000 to make your reservations today!

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“Pawsitively Purrfect” SIZING UP SMALL CATS

By Peggy Scott ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Photos by Ken Bohn SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER

T

here’s just something about cats. Their allure, their dignified aloofness, their power—cats have a definite mystique. The big cats in particular amaze us: the lion is the king of beasts, and the jaguar inspired a luxury automobile. They are muscular, mighty, and magnificent.

They are Panthera, hear them roar. But don’t sell the smaller cats short. What these fascinating felids may lack in mass, they more than make up for in impressive skills that help them survive in challenging habitats. They hang tough, just like the big guys—and some of them are almost the size of the big boys.

How does that work? It’s all about “cat”-egorizing.

As it turns out, in determining whether a cat is “small” or “big,” size actually doesn’t matter. “Mountain lions, or pumas, can be 200 pounds, and they are classified as small cats,” explains Janet Rose-Hinostroza, an animal training supervisor at the Safari Park. The terms “big cat” and “small cat” are general categories, separated by a variety of physical characteristics rather than just body weight. The “little” guys also have strength in numbers: while there are 4 main species that are considered big cats, there are more than 30 species of small cats in the Animal Kingdom.

Left: The better to hear you with, my dear! The serval has the largest ears, proportionally, of any cat.

Right: The captivating caracal’s attention-grabbing ear tufts are thought to serve a variety of purposes, from indicating social status to attracting insects, which then attract birds, a favorite prey item.

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Above left: The Eurasian lynx is the largest member of the lynx family.

Above right: The ocelot’s large paws help muffle its steps when hunting prey.

Here’s Looking At You, Cat The eye isn’t only the window to the soul—it’s also a clue to the classification of the cat! A small cat’s pupil constricts to a vertical slit, while a big cat’s pupil remains round like ours. And even the nose knows—small cats have a strip of leathery skin across the top of the nose, directly above the nostrils. On a big cat, this area is usually covered with fur.

Another difference is in the sounds they make. “The ability to purr or roar is a factor in defining a cat as small or big,” Janet says.

The throat structure of small cats prevents them from roaring. The bones in their throat are hardened and close together and can only produce smaller vibrations—the familiar purr. The sounds they emit range from growls and mews to screams. Big cats can’t purr continuously—only when they are breathing out. The purr gets interrupted when the big cat inhales, and some, like tigers, end up with a sound like the “chuffle.”

Small Cat Standouts Species of small cats can be found all around the globe, except in Australia and Antarctica, and their habitats are as varied as they are.

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Each cat possesses special adaptations that help it survive in its corner of the world. “Cats are the closest thing to predatory perfection,” Janet says. “And they are good at catching different things.”

The Cat-and-Mouse King The serval lives near thickly planted streams and rivers in the savannas of central and southern Africa. This small cat tops out at around 40 pounds, and its meals include small mammals like rodents, insects, and birds, which it catches with athletic leaps of up to 9 feet.

The serval has special characteristics that work in its favor while hunting. It has the largest ears of any cat, which allows the serval to hear well and help it find prey. Just how big are those ears? As Janet explains, “If we had ears in the same proportion to our head as the serval does, we would have dinner plates for ears!”

Those enormous ears help the serval find one of its favorite foods, the naked mole-rat, which the serval can hear scurrying and digging underground. The rest of the serval’s body gets into the act, too.

“Those long legs and tiny paws let it reach down into burrows and find prey,” Janet says. “They are rodent-hunting specialists.”

With their beautiful spotted and striped coats and long, sleek

limbs, servals are sometimes mistaken for young cheetahs by zoo visitors. Animal ambassadors at the Zoo and the Safari Park are helping make these furry faces a little more familiar, as the Zoo’s Shani and the Park’s Zuri (with their trainers, of course) spread the word about servals in the wild. Zuri’s family members, including her parents, Bella and Jabari, and sister, Tani, are on exhibit at the Park. Her brother, Jasiri, is an animal ambassador at the Zoo.

bassador caracal, for an example of this species’ jumping prowess as he leaps for lures tossed for him by the trainers.

Stealthy and Sharp-eyed The secretive, nocturnal ocelot tends to keep a low profile. Inhabiting rain forests, chaparral, and scrubland from southern Texas through Central America to northern Argentina, this spotted cat

Above: Because of its physical charactertistics, the mountain lion, or puma, is classified as a small cat, even though it may weigh 200 pounds.

Right: A caracal can leap as high as 10 feet in the air to grab birds in flight.

“Servals traditionally make great ambassador cats,” says Nicki Boyd, behavior husbandry manager at the Zoo. “Their personality tends to make them a more confident, less aggressive cat overall.”

Air Strike Specialists If the serval is a rodent’s worst nightmare, then the caracal causes sleepless nights for birds. “Caracals are easily the best birder anywhere,” Janet says. “The caracal hunting record is nabbing 12 birds in one attack.” She also points out that the caracal’s smaller size is deceiving. “They are aggressive hunters,” she explains. “They can be a bigger threat to livestock than lions or cheetahs, and they can even take down a full-grown ostrich.”

Caracals make their home in savannas, semideserts, and dry woodlands in parts of Africa, the Middle East, and India. They prey on birds, rodents, hyraxes, dik-diks, and even monkeys. But avian appetizers are this cat’s specialty. “Caracals can jump 10 feet straight in the air to bring down birds. They have huge paws that help with that,” Janet says. She adds that the cat’s characteristic black ear tufts, or tassels, may also play a role in its hunting prowess. “Some people think the tufts might express social status and accentuate communication,” Janet explains. “Others think they might attract bugs, which in turn attract birds.” Look for Kasten, the Safari Park’s animal am-

only weighs up to 35 pounds and uses its large, padded paws to sneak up on prey, ambush style. Like all small cats, ocelots have very good vision and hearing, and their eyes have a special layer that reflects and enhances light, so ocelots can see much better in the dark than we can. Long whiskers also help the ocelot feel its way around as it pursues rodents, birds, snakes, lizards, baby peccaries, young deer, rabbits, and even fish. Diego, the Zoo’s eight-year-old ocelot animal ambassador, is a living, breathing conservation message, helping educate the public on the key role of small cats in the ecosystem as they keep rodent populations under control.

Small Cats’ Tale Like their bigger brethren, small cats’ perceived threat to domestic animal stock, as well as habitat fragmentation and the fur trade, pose a threat to their population stability. At the Zoo and Safari Park, our ambassador caracal, ocelot, and servals are ready to “tell” their story, and there are also more small cats to discover. At the Safari Park, you can see one of the smallest species—the black-footed cat. At the Zoo, you can find the largest species, the puma, as well as the water-loving fishing cat and the Eurasian lynx. These cats may be considered “small,” but they are all sure to leave a large—and lasting—impression.

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IT’S GOING TO BE THE CAT’S MEOWand a roaring good time—at the San Diego Zoo when Discovery Days: Cool Cats pounces, February 15 to 18. Come prowl the event to discover lots of “cat-tastic” facts, join in the fun and games, meet our cat ambassadors in person, and take a special VIP tour. Starting January 28, check the website at sandiegozoo.org/coolcats for a complete list of all the activities. Whiskers are twitching and tails are swishing in anticipation!

+,-& Join San Diego Zoo Global’s rhino keepers for Cinco de Rhino! This event will be part of The International Rhino Keeper Association’s Rhino Keeper Workshop, which SDZG is hosting at the Town and Country Resort Hotel, 500 Hotel Circle North, in San Diego’s Mission Valley. Cinco de Rhino is a unique opportunity to learn about the rhino poaching crisis in Africa and what you can do to help rhino conservation.

This exciting evening will include: Meeting Susie Ellis, Ph.D., executive director of the International Rhino Foundation and keynote speaker for the event A silent auction to raise money for the Foundation’s Rhino Protection Units.

! ! !

Cinco de Rhino is $75 per person, which includes Dr. Ellis’ keynote address, a taco buffet, and 2 complimentary drink tickets. Because of the exclusive nature of this event, attendance is limited to 80 guests.

For more information and to purchase tickets, contact Jonnie Capiro at jcapiro@sandiegozoo.org.

San Diego Symphony

THE MAGIC OF MOZART

MOZART’S 257th BIRTHDAY!

Sunday, January 27, 2013, 2pm Ken-David Masur, conductor This concert explores one of the world’s most popular composers, Mozart!

$35 COCA-COLA FAMILY PACKS!*

MUSICAL CELEBRATIONS

Sunday, April 21, 2013, 2pm Ken-David Masur, conductor Join us for a journey through all those cherished life moments such as birthdays, dances and many others!

*Phone only. Must include 2 adults and 2-4 children. Availability limited. Selected sections.

CALL 619.235.0804 or VISIT sandiegosymphony.com

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JANUARY–FEBRUARY 2013 MEMBER SPECIALS

ONE-TIME FREE PARKING AT THE SAFARI PARK

Surrender this coupon to the parking attendant to receive ONE-TIME FREE PARKING for one vehicle at the Safari Park.

(Preferred parking not included.)

Offer valid January 1–February 28, 2013.

One coupon per membership. Not valid with any other offer or discount. Show valid San Diego Zoo Global membership card. Supporting ID may be required.

SAVE $10 PER PERSON

10% OFF ENTIRE ORDER AT TREEHOUSE CAFÉ

Enjoy our Italian-inspired menu and save 10% on your order at Treehouse Café in the Zoo’s Lost Forest zone.

ON SELECT TOURS JANUARY 2–MARCH 15, 2013!

Offer valid February 1–28, 2013.

Not valid with any other offer or discount. Excludes alcoholic beverages. Show valid San Diego Zoo Global membership card at time of purchase.

Members of Diamond, Keeper’s, Curator’s, Director’s, President’s, and Circle clubs receive free parking all year long as part of their membership benefits.

SAN DIEGO ZOO INSIDE LOOK TOUR FREE GIFT WITH PURCHASE!

15% OFF ANY BREAKFAST ENTRÉE

Join us in the San Diego Zoo’s Sandwich Company, 8:30 to 11 a.m., or the Safari Park’s Thorntree Terrace, 9 to 11 a.m., during the month of January and enjoy 15% off any breakfast entrée.

Members receive a FREE panda plush with any purchase of $25 or more (before tax). Valid only at the San Diego Zoo’s Panda Shop.

No limit while supplies last.

Offer valid January 1–31, 2013.

Offer valid January 1–31, 2013.

Not valid with any other offer or discount. Show valid San Diego Zoo Global membership card at time of purchase.

Not valid with any other offer or discount. Show valid San Diego Zoo Global membership card at time of purchase.

Promotion Code #212401 Get a special peek behind the scenes, meet keepers, and learn how we care for our animals at the Zoo.

SAFARI PARK BEHIND-THE-SCENES TOUR Promotion Code #212553 Choose from a variety of behind-the-scenes adventures and find out about the Park’s animals. Available for tours only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays.

SAFARI PARK FLIGHTLINE TOUR )*#,&1.2&3*.2"(&4 '.5&67.2,&,*-888 AN "

9# :,&9# $, :

Conservation status: Endangered

Weight: 220 to 330 pounds, with males 10 percent larger than females.

!"#$%

$10 OFF

!

Life span: about 14 to 20 years in the wild, up to 30 years in managed care.

ANIMAL

Promotion Code #212102 Soar from a ridgetop along a zip-line cable, gliding about 2/3 of a mile over field exhibits on a Flightline Safari at the Safari Park.

CHINA

;- :, #,+.'

Gestation: 84 to 164 days

ALL ANIMAL ADOPTIONS! Pick a panda, polar bear, cheetah, koala, and many others with this discount on any online animal adoption package. Package includes an animal fact sheet, photo, and personalized adoption certificate.

Number of young at birth: 1 or 2 Size at birth: about 4 ounces

Age at maturity: 6 to 7 years for males, 4 to 5 years for females.

San Diego Zoo Global hereby recognizes as the honorary adoptive parent for the species

Giant Panda

Ailuropoda melanoleuca

Douglas G. Myers CEO/Executive Director

"&./-0 !"# $%&# '(&)*+,-&# '(&"./-(&#"a crowd at

draw panda cubs always enrichment Curious and playful, They love to play with up the San Diego Zoo. and can be seen scampering items like ice or sawdust by one paw. Everyone agrees and trees and even dangling world’s most recognizedcub arrived they are among the since the first panda beloved animals—ever caused a sensation—yet just and save this in New York in 1936 weren’t sure they could a decade ago biologists fewer than from extinction. With appealing species in the wild and reproduction 1,000 pandas estimated worried. It was zero, researchers were native habitat in zoos almost at their to study pandas in of known almost impossible was little mountains, so of mist-shrouded their behavior.

through came in the mid-1990s in The turning point between nature reserves international cooperation the San Diego U.S. zoos, including panda China and several techniques were shared, thrive. to Zoo. As new husbandry Nature Reserve began pregcubs in China’s Foping ultrasound to detect Natural matings increased, Zoo, and more at the San Diego nancy was developed critical first 100 days.

2009 are cubs survived the between 1999 and Five cubs born here to China and Hua Mei, returned it is great thriving, and the first, sets of twins. Today, several to birth has reached has given panda population news that the worldwide birth is a step in the right panda about 1,600. Every save this most hope that we can direction, giving us charismatic of mammals.

Our vision: To become a world leader in connecting people to wildlife and conservation.

Offer valid January 1–February 28, 2013.

Visit sandiegozoo.org/adopt or call 619-557-3914. To redeem online, enter code ASZW0113 at checkout.

No limit. Not valid with other offers or at on-grounds booths.

$5 OFF NEW SAFARI PARK GUIDEBOOK Members save $5 off our NEW Safari Park Guidebook.

Valid in all gift shops at the Zoo and Safari Park.

Offer valid February 1–28, 2013.

Not valid with any other offer or discount. Show valid San Diego Zoo Global membership card at time of purchase.

<# 7+, #,

Range and Habitat: Small forest fragments in southwestern China’s misty bamboo and conifer forests above 4,000 feet.

© 2012 ZSSD

CALL 619-718-3000

AND CONFIRM SPACE NOW! Offer valid through advance reservations only.

Space is limited. Prices, hours, and schedules are subject to change without notice. San Diego Zoo admission and San Diego Zoo Safari Park admission and parking not included. Not valid for prior reservations. Not valid in conjunction with any other offers or discounts.

Customer must provide membership number and applicable Promotion Code at time of booking. Limit 4 per membership number.

Age and weight restrictions apply.

Other restrictions may apply.

$1 OFF SAFARI PARK SOUVENIR SIPPERS

Redeem this coupon at any Safari Park food location where sippers are sold and receive $1 off a 32-oz. unibottle sipper with handle, filled with a soft drink or iced tea.

Free refills on day of purchase with receipt.

Offer valid February 1–28, 2013.

Not valid with any other offer or discount. Not valid for alcoholic beverages. Show valid San Diego Zoo Global membership card at time of purchase.

In Appreciation...

As the new year begins, we would like to thank the following outstanding companies, whose annual financial and marketing support contribute to the success of our worldwide conservation efforts to save endangered species and their habitats. We appreciate their continued partnership.

The Panamanian golden frog is endemic to the forests of Panama. This iconic species is critically endangered.

CONSERVATION MEDALISTS:

FROG HEROES IN PANAMA

By Karyl Carmignani STAFF WRITER

THE PANAMANIAN GOLDEN FROG is a treasured national symbol throughout Panama, yet it has died out in the wild along with many other amphibian species. A plague of chytrid fungus has swept through forests of Central and South America, silencing once robust amphibian populations. For Edgardo Griffith and his wife, Heidi Ross Griffith, this disturbing turn of events in the forest was unacceptable, so they took action.

Teaming up with amphibian conservation colleagues, including the Wildlife Disease Laboratories of the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research, they mobilized a global amphibian rescue effort to salvage vulnerable frog populations, test and treat them for the deadly chytrid infection, and establish captive colonies to assure their survival. The work is a lot more challenging than just

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“dangling a cricket in their tank,” said Heidi. Each tank has to be carefully monitored for water temperature and pH balance, and everything, including the plants, must be squeaky clean. “Ultimately, we’re not breeding frogs; frogs are breeding frogs. We’re just trying to provide conditions where they feel comfortable doing what they need to do,” she added. “Taking care of amphibians is an art,” explained Edgardo. “You have to treat each animal as an individual and use special care, especially when you know that this animal may be the last of its kind.”

For the Griffiths’ dedication to amphibian conservation, they received the prestigious Conservation Medal, which has been awarded annually by San Diego Zoo Global since 1966. The award was in the Conservation in Action category, which honors “individuals who

Photos (left to right): Heidi Ross Griffith working at the El Valle Amphibian Conservation Center (EVACC); Edgardo Griffith monitoring amphibian populations; the Panamanian golden frog, a national treasure, is receiving much-needed international conservation help.

(Frog photos by Bill Konstant, photos of Heidi and Edgardo courtesy of EVACC.)

are currently making an active and important contribution to the conservation and recovery of endangered species, habitats, or ecosystems in the field through applied research, breeding and reintroduction programs, community education, or the establishment of protected areas.” Their award included a $10,000 prize for their commitment to the El Valle Amphibian Conservation Center (EVACC), where they and their partners work to create survival colonies of endangered frogs in Panama.

“The impact of Edgardo and Heidi’s work goes well beyond a simple rescue of a few hundred frogs,” said Allan Pessier, D.V.M., senior scientist at the Wildlife Disease Laboratories, who nominated them for the award. “The goal of survival assurance colonies is to keep and breed imperiled amphibian species in captivity until a time—maybe many years in the future—that they can be safely returned to the wild.” The scope of this project is largely unprecedented for amphibians. Not only do Edgardo and Heidi have to keep the creatures alive right now, but they must manage healthy and genetically diverse populations over the long-term, hopefully for eventual reintroduction to a wild, chytrid-free environment.

A LEAP OF FAITH As a young man, Edgardo relished exploring the forests of his homeland and observing animals. Heidi, from Wisconsin, came to Panama in 2000 with the Peace Corps and began volunteering on weekends doing frog surveys, which is where their paths crossed.

Though romance blossomed, it became clear that the frogs that first brought them together were in serious decline.

“I’ve been dealing with amphibian declines since 1999,” said Edgardo. “You go into the field and see the amphibian population during the summer, then you go the next year and see nothing…it’s very upsetting.” As the wave of chytrid fungus killed off scores of amphibians across Panama in 2006, the Griffiths rallied the troops and gathered up as many imperiled frogs as possible. Fortunately,

a local hotelier offered up a couple of rooms for the amphibians, and they received VIP treatment from the moment they “checked in,” complete with daily baths and 24-hour room service! Nestled in the shadow of a dormant volcano, Hotel Campestre became the last bastion for 300 frogs. The frog rescuers worked by day cleaning the tanks and monitoring the delicate amphibians; by night they entered the forests to capture grasshoppers, crickets, and other insects to feed their hungry charges.

With funding from the Houston Zoo and the Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project, a state-of-the-art center was built to house and care for more than 50 species of threatened Panamanian amphibians. It is supported by many zoos and conservation organizations, but “the success of the EVACC facility is due entirely to the intense dedication and persistence of Edgardo and Heidi in preserving Panama’s natural heritage,” said Allan in his conservation medalist nomination letter. “They are the hardest working and most selfless people I know in amphibian conservation. With only a small staff of two local people to help with cleaning and maintenance of insect colonies, Edgardo and Heidi juggle caring for hundreds of irreplaceable frogs, coordinating volunteers, educating the public, and raising money to keep the facility going.”

Although not out of the woods by any means, the Griffiths’ hard work is paying off for Panama’s amphibians. In 2009, the first Panamanian golden frogs hatched at the center, which is a huge accomplishment for the team as well as a milestone for frog conservation.

Other successful captive-bred species include the banded horned tree frog and the marsupial frog. Just as important as the new froglets are the vital lessons learned—and shared—in husbandry, nutrition, and disease control, which will benefit other amphibian survival assurance populations in their own countries. Through this urgent, collaborative conservation work, it is hoped the ancient songs of amphibians will one day bring harmony and balance back to the forest.

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The wombat’s wide, strong feet and long claws help make it a natural digger. This Australian marsupial is known as the “bulldozer of the bush.”

DIGGING INTO THE WORLD OF THE WOMBAT

By Peggy Scott ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Photos by Ken Bohn SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER

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f you’re strolling in parts of Australia—or the San Diego Zoo, for that matter—and you feel the earth move under your feet, you may have stumbled onto a wombat’s turf. While these comically stocky creatures look like they would be more at home lounging on the ground than burrowing into it, they aren’t known as the “bulldozers of the bush” for nothing. Wombats really dig digging.

Dedicated Diggers from Down Under Even though it may look like an escapee from the plush animal display at a toy store, the southern hairy-nosed wombat Lasiorhinus latifrons resides in pockets of semi-arid scrubland and grassy plains in southern South Australia. When compared to its common wombat kin, the southern hairy-nosed wombat has a broader nose that, yes, is covered in fine hair. It is also smaller overall (ranging in size from 42 to 71 pounds, compared to the common wombat Vombatus ursinus at 55 to 88 pounds), but it has larger, pointier ears. Sandy-brown or grayish-black fur helps the wombat blend in with the landscape and avoid detection by predators.

Related to koalas and kangaroos, wombats come equipped with

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the prerequisite pouch—with a slight difference. “Their pouches face toward the mother’s rear, opposite of most other marsupials,” explains animal care manager Chris Hamlin. “This keeps dirt from getting into the pouch while the mom digs.”

And dig is what wombats do best. Their wide, strong feet and large claws aid in construction of impressive underground burrows that lead to their sleeping chambers. When digging, a wombat is so enthusiastic that it can move up to three feet of dirt in a single night (these animals are most active in the morning and early evening).

“They really give their all to their digging,” says senior keeper Bill Austin. “For a wombat, digging a burrow is the physical equivalent, exertion-wise, of running 60 miles.” That would be quite a sight, given the wombat’s characteristic waddle, probably the result of slightly bowed legs. But it doesn’t seem to slow them down much, as they can run up to 25 miles per hour if they have to.

Their main defense mechanism, however, deserves a standing, or perhaps sitting, ovation. Wombats have a tough, thick-skinned rump that they aren’t afraid to use. When pursued by a predator such as a dingo, fox, or Tasmanian devil, wombats dive headfirst

The wombat’s closest relative is the koala. They share the characteristic of having a pouch that opens toward the rear.

into their tunnel, leaving only that leathery rear end for the predator to bite. Wombats have even been known to crush intruding animals against the hard walls and low ceilings of their burrows. “They are fierce little tanks,” Chris says.

Our Terrific Aussie Transplants At the San Diego Zoo, southern hairy-nosed wombats are represented by 18-year-old Kindyerra and her 19-year-old mate, Dick.

The pair has lived at the Zoo since the mid-1990s, and, as Chris can attest, they are often referred to as anything but wombats. “Most people think they’re rodents. We kindly say, ‘They’re not. They’re marsupials,’” she says.

The common wombat makes its home in the forest-covered, mountainous areas of southeastern Australia, where it looks for a temperate climate and suitable burrowing conditions. In South Australia and Tasmania, it also lives at lower altitudes and in more open habitat such as grasslands and coastal scrub. The Zoo’s new Conrad Prebys Australian Outback will be home to two female common

wombats, newcomers Belle and Phoenix. See if you can spot the differences between their species and their hairy-nosed relatives.

Rotund Little Rototillers Grazers by nature, wombats use their rodent-like teeth and strong jaws to grip and tear food such as grasses, roots, shoots, mosses, tubers, and even tree bark. A cleft upper lip allows them to graze close to the ground, which is important in times of drought—they can reach very short shoots. “They play an important role in their habitat because they help cultivate the soil,” Bill explains.

At the Zoo, the wombats enjoy a diet of alfalfa pellets, greens, root vegetables, and Bermuda hay for bedding or munching. Despite the occasional moody moment—“They can be temperamental during breeding season,” Bill notes—Kindyerra and Dick are, for the most part, agreeable. “We like to say they’re sassy but friendly at times, and friendly more often than not,” Bill says.

Come to the Zoo soon and visit our eager little earth movers.

They aren’t afraid to get down and dirty. In fact, they love it!

WELCOMING TOTEMS Your first steps into the Conrad Prebys Australian Outback—the Zoo’s new exhibit opening in May 2013—will take you through a “welcoming committee” of towering totem structures ranging from 8 to 15 feet tall. Traditionally in aboriginal cultures, both in Australia and North America, totems are symbols of a clan, family, or individual. In Australia, each totem is an animal representing a human characteristic. Each person goes on a journey into the land of their totem to learn how to survive with their totem’s supernatural powers. In Native American tradition, each individual is connected with nine different animals that will accompany them through life, acting as guides.

We took the best of both Australian aboriginal and Native American traditions to develop the unique, inspiring totems of the Zoo’s Australian Outback. They feature iconic animals of Australia: koala, platypus, crocodile, kangaroo, Tasmanian devil, and kookaburra. When you visit the new exhibit, see which of these totem animals “calls” to you.

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By Maureen O. Duryee SENIOR ANIMAL TRAINER, SAN DIEGO ZOO

Photos by Ken Bohn SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER

YOUR BACKSTAGE PASS TO SURPRISES

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re you ready for a rendezvous with clouded leopards, a Canadian gray wolf, or a southern ground hornbill? Do you smile at the thought of petting a kangaroo, an owl, or a cuscus? (A what? Keep reading!) Does your heart hunger for the chance to feed flamingos, a rhinoceros, or a binturong? Are you ready to strike a pose for a photograph next to a zebra, cheetah, porcupine, or serval? If your answers were â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yes, yes, yes,â&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;YES,â&#x20AC;? I have good news: these are just a few of the unique experiences Backstage Pass participants enjoy on a daily basis at the San Diego Zoo. The Backstage Pass program is a 90-minute, in-depth animal experience.

It begins in an intimate outdoor theater in the Zooâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Urban Jungle, where a few of the animal trainers introduce you to some of our superstar animal ambassadors.

The Truth About Dogs and Cats If â&#x20AC;&#x153;must love dogsâ&#x20AC;? rings true for you, then you have come to the right place. Just imagine Kenai, our Canadian gray wolf Canis lupus arctos, walking only a few feet away from you as he makes his entrance onto the stage. Guests are often moved by his stage presenceâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and how close he is to them! The fun doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t end with merely his company, however. Kenai has a set of singing pipes that will send shivers down your spine (and possibly into your very soul). He loves to howl, with or without a full moon.

Whoever said â&#x20AC;&#x153;dogs and cats donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get alongâ&#x20AC;? has never met the animal pairings at Backstage Pass. We have found a way to unite the twoâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Bakari, our male South African cheetah, has a best friend named Miley, who happens to be a domestic dog.

These two BFFs (best friends forever) spend all day and night together. This odd relationship has its benefits. Male cheetahs in the wild form coalitions, which help increase their hunting success. While Miley isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a male cheetah, Bakari doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seem to mindâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;he enjoys her company all the same.

Miley, on the other hand, loves a good game of chase, and who could make a more fun, challenging â&#x20AC;&#x153;opponentâ&#x20AC;? than the fastest land mammal? Backstage Pass guests can expect to meet either Bakari or another cheetah, named Karroo.

sensitive enough for them to feel the bite of a mosquito, and the skin within its deep folds is surprisingly soft.

Up Close and Personal

Rare Cats, Rare Chance Exotic and beautiful cats come in all shapes and sizes here at Backstage Pass. Our guests are always impressed by their unforgettable encounter when they meet the clouded leopards. With only 277 clouded leopards in zoos, this species is not only rare but in danger of extinction in its native jungles of Southeast Asia. The San Diego Zoo has the only three clouded leopards in shows in the world, so to say this experience is unique would be an understatement.

Clouded leopards sport the largest canine teeth relative to their body size in the cat family. Their canines measure 1Âź inches long, which give our clouded leopards Kya, Kilat, and Norman an impressive â&#x20AC;&#x153;smileâ&#x20AC;? when they are perched on a tree stump only a few feet from our guests. At 12 and 14 years of age, these charismatic cats bring a whole new meaning to the phrase â&#x20AC;&#x153;long in the toothâ&#x20AC;?!

Rhino Reality Another dental disovery awaits just a few steps away: Backstage Pass guests are surprised to find out that Surat, our greater one-horned rhino, has only gums in the front of his mouth with large molars located farther back. This makes feeding the two-and-a-half-ton fellow a little less intimidating. You read that right, Backstage Pass participants have the opportunity to feed and touch a rhino! The thick folds of skin covering a rhinoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s body give the appearance of armor plating. However, the skin is

Petting a nearly three-ton animal is an absolutely amazing moment, but feeling the dense coat worn by a ground cuscus is equally exciting. This marsupial is native to the forests of New Guinea, and there are only a handful of this cuscus species in zoos in the US. Our little female, named Kali, celebrated her first birthday during a Backstage Pass program.

Kaliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s birthday cake was made of bananas, with peanuts as the birthday â&#x20AC;&#x153;candle.â&#x20AC;? She not only ate the entire cake herself, but she even licked the plate!

Throughout the day we often hear Zoo patrons say, â&#x20AC;&#x153;You have the perfect job.â&#x20AC;? And itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s true! We love what we do, and our furry and feathered friends seem to enjoy it as well. The all-star cast and crew of Backstage Pass includes 21 different animal species and 11 trainers. Come meet some of these animal stars and feel the passion we have for wildlife and conservation.

BOOK A

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ROMANCE IS IN THE AIR...

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By Karyl Carmignani STAFF WRITER

Photos by Ken Bohn SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER

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hether social, solitary, or somewhere in between, animals need to find mates to keep their kind on the planet.

Males (mostly) go to great lengths to woo females, using courtship rituals as varied and bizarre as any romance novel. In some species, females are only receptive a few hours each year, so males need to bring their best game to win the “girl.” Courtship can be a simple “song” of visual, chemical, or auditory stimuli, or it can be a dramatic, death-defying effort that entices the female to give him a chance.

Ardent courtship practices include the hardy little dung beetle rolling his chosen one into the sunset atop a nuptial manure ball, or the breathtaking “cartwheeling” of bald eagles locking talons midair and plunging toward the ground. Then there are the squirming, churning “mating balls” of garter snakes, snails hurling mucus-filled “love darts” at each other, and the ever-attractive dung-flinging by male hippos. There seems to be no limit to what acts animals commit in the name of love (or at least reproduction). Of course, female choice is the driving force behind I’m-the-perfect-male courtship rituals, spurring on the cumbersome but colorful train of a prancing peacock, the languid “spawning bed” dance of the squid, and everything in between. And males keep serving up romance the best way they know how!

Just about every species has its own strategy to find the best mate, but birds in particular seem to have taken amour to new heights and in unexpected directions. Lacking an opposable thumb, access to chocolates, or a Marvin Gaye music collection, birds have developed ways to entice the opposite sex using their beak, feet, feathers, song, and good old-fashioned charm.

Left: A male Raggiana bird of paradise dazzles females with his colorful plummage and gyrations. Above: Both sexes of whitebreasted cormorants look alike—it is the male’s stick gathering talents that clinch the deal with the female.

AND ON THE GROUND SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL

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Sexually monomorphic birds, like trumpeter hornbills (left), form strong pair bonds. Mandarin ducks are sexually dimorphic; the flashylooking male (center) woos females with his “sail” feathers. Right: A female Australian wood duck shows the more muted coloration typical of female ducks, which helps camouflage them when they are nesting.

LOVE BIRDS

SONG AND DANCE

The evolutionary essential of finding the best—strongest, smartest, handsomest—avian mate has led to a dazzling array of clever courtship rituals that can leave you shaking your head—and cheering them on. The adage about birds, “If they look alike, they mate for life” holds true for many species. For those types in which males and females do not look alike, San Diego Zoo senior bird keeper Mike Grue added, “The sex that invests less in the eggs tends to be flashier looking,” which is usually—but not always—the males.

Mandarin ducks are sexually dimorphic, meaning the males and females look wildly different. The colorful male sports a pair of flashy “sail” feathers that protrude from his back. He preens these feathers relentlessly, even dipping his beak in the water and touching it to his “sail” for added glistening drama—anything to get the females to notice. Sometimes his obsession gets in the way, and “the female chooses to mate with him, presents herself, but he is too busy preening those feathers to pay attention to her,” said Mike. If mating does occur, the female will tend to the eggs and raise the young while the flamboyant male swims off to his next conquest.

The black-and-white trumpeter hornbills have a completely different courtship game plan. The male must build trust with the female, so he demonstrates his Mr. Rightness by bringing her food all year long—his bug-hunting prowess is key. More than gaudy plumage, his loyalty is important, as she will be sealed up in a tree cavity with the eggs and chicks for a few months. Her “man” will deliver food to her through a narrow, defendable opening in the tree; the female is completely reliant upon him for sustenance. She raises their youngsters walled off in the nest, with the male dutifully bringing home the “bacon.”

Finally, when the young are ready to fly, they all emerge. The “kids” stick around to help raise the next clutch of eggs and take notes on how to be good hornbill parents when they (may) leave the nest at around four years old. “It’s such a different strategy than ducks, where males never even meet their offspring, and the female does all the work,” said Mike. “With these hornbills, the females can’t do it alone, and the males are totally devoted to their family.”

It’s not all “until death do us part,” though, as hornbill “divorces” can happen if a pair is not successful in rearing young together.

They grace the flag and postal stamps of Papua New Guinea for good reason: the male Raggiana bird of paradise is a rainbow of color and a lesson in “if you’ve got it, flaunt it.” With the confidence of an actor, the dexterity of a gymnast, and the optimism of Buddha, the male joins several other males to form a lek in a foliage opening of a tree, energetically dancing and calling as females check out their style—and perch. Hanging by his toenails, a male’s blazing-orange, hair-like tail feathers arch and spread wide, contrasting nicely with his blue beak, yellow head, and green facial accents. With his fiery feathers draped over his upside-down body, he looks impish yet regal, and a female takes notice. Other males jam and jig on branches nearby, but for some reason this guy has what it takes. After they mate, the female heads off to build her nest, lay a couple of eggs, and raise the next generation of dancers and judges. “When the males gather in these leks, they rarely fight among themselves, as that seems to really turn off the females,” explained Mike. “At the Zoo, we can keep males together, and they get along fine, but put the females together, and it’s a different story.”

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THIS IS A STICK UP Female white-breasted cormorants don’t judge a potential mate by his looks but rather by his stellar stick collection. To successfully raise a family, this colonial nester builds a sturdy nest of sticks and grass, so upon pairing up, the male proudly displays his gathered twigs, even swimming around with one in his mouth. “These guys impress females with their hunting and stick-getting skills,” said Mike, “which are both important to cormorant family life.” Once the chicks arrive, the family unit thrives as one parent heads out to fish, bringing food back in a gular pouch in its throat (they are related to pelicans). The parent tending the chicks elegantly bends its head back to welcome its mate back to the nest. The chicks take turns thrusting their head into the parent’s mouth to retrieve the fish. Fledging occurs at about 50 days after hatching, but the young return to the nest to “beg” for food for another several weeks. Both parents supply food to the young and welcome each other back to the nest. Sound familiar?

whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in store

1.

2.

5.

3.

Visit our shops at the Zoo and Safari Park to purchase these featured items.

4.

1. One-of-a-kind sterling silver tiger pendant created by Duane Pillsbury (necklace not included) $150 2. Exclusive San Diego Zoo silkscreened shirt by Animal Fashions by Jordan $48 3. Handmade wool lion figurine from Oaxaca, Mexico (sizes may vary) $21.95 4. Large tiger plush $99.99 5. Tiger onesie $19.95 6. Benin lost-wax bronze leopard sculpture from Nigeria $795 7. Hand-carved wood cheetah from Kenya $22.95 Items and prices may vary based on availability.

Available in select stores.

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support President’s Clubs: Friends, Philanthropy, and Photos!

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hen people become members of our President’s Clubs, they enjoy greater involvement with the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park. “Inspirational,” “rewarding,” and “fun” are words we often hear from these members when describing what President’s Clubs means to them.

Through four levels of annual giving—Ambassadors, Patrons, Partners, and Associates—President’s Clubs members are philanthropic friends who share our commitment to conservation and wildlife. They are provided with many benefits, including an insider’s perspective

of the work we do, special events, unique animal encounters, and activities that feature engaging speakers such as keepers, veterinarians, curators, and researchers.

One of our recent activities was the Wildlife Wonders Photo Contest, which included publishing the first-place photos in ZOONOOZ. Please enjoy these winning photos and consider joining one of the President’s Clubs so you can experience a deeper relationship with the Zoo and perhaps even enter the photo contest in 2013!

2012 President’s Clubs Photo Contest First-Place Winners

To join one of the President’s Clubs or to receive more information, please contact Nancy Howard at 619-685-3219 or nhoward@sandiegozoo.org or visit www.sandiegozoo.org/ presidentsclubs.

Mammals at a zoo or wildlife park by Rob MacKenzie

Reptiles or amphibians at a zoo or wildlife park by Bill Klipp

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Plants at a zoo or botanical garden by Karen Sharpe

SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL OFFICERS Richard B. Gulley, Chairman William H. May, Vice Chairman Sandra A. Brue, Secretary Robert B. Horsman, Treasurer BOARD OF TRUSTEES M. Javade Chaudhri Berit N. Durler Clifford W. Hague Nan C. Katona Patricia L. Roscoe Steven G. Tappan Judith A. Wheatley David S. Woodruff, Ph.D., D.Sc. TRUSTEES EMERITI Frank C. Alexander Kurt Benirschke, M.D. Weldon Donaldson Thompson Fetter Bill L. Fox Frederick A. Frye, M.D. George L. Gildred Yvonne W. Larsen John M. Thornton Albert Eugene Trepte Betty Jo F. Williams

Animals in their native habitat by Stanley Komatsu

William E. Beamer, General Counsel Douglas G. Myers, President/CEO Charles L. Bieler, Executive Director Emeritus

The Foundation of the Zoological Society of San Diego

A “Purr-fect” Gift for Your Valentine Let your Valentine know that he or she is the “cat’s meow” with our special Valentine’s Day Adopt an Animal offer. Regularly $100, this sweet deal is $50 and includes: t $IFFUBI QMVTI BOJNBM t "EPQUJPO DFSUJm DBUF GBDU TIFFU BOE QIPUP t &OEBOHFSFE 4QFDJFT DIPDPMBUF CBS

Birds at a zoo or wildlife park

by Rob MacKenzie

Your tax-deductible adoption benefits our global wildlife conservation efforts as well as providing toys and treats for our animals. To order, visit sandiegozoo.org/adoptcheetah or call 619-557-3914.

Where there’s a WILL there’s a WAY. To request a complimentary brochure about including the Zoological Society of San Diego in your will or trust, please call 619-744-3352 or visit www.zoolegacy.org.

OFFICERS John E. Gartman, Chair Murray H. Hutchison, Vice Chair Margie Warner, Secretary Maryanne C. Pfister, Treasurer Mark A. Stuart, President Richard B. Gulley, Ex officio Douglas G. Myers, Ex officio BOARD OF DIRECTORS Christine L. Andrews Richard A. Baldwin Joye D. Blount Richard Bregman Lisa S. Casey Douglas Dawson Berit N. Durler, Ex officio U. Bertram Ellis, Jr. Arthur E. Engel Fran Golden Craig L. Grosvenor Judith Harris Richard M. Hills Craig A. Irving Susan B. Major Susan N. McClellan Michael D. McKinnon George A. Ramirez Joyce Summers Thomas Tull

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from the archives

Spot On The San Diego Zoo’s first cheetah arrived in 1933, a gift from adventurers and Zoo friends Martin and Osa Johnson. He was a handsome and friendly cat named Bong, after the Bong’om tribe of Kenya. Osa Johnson acquired him from a Kenyan farmer, who had hand raised him. She and Martin brought Bong back to New York with them (Osa is seen here with Bong, traveling aboard ship) and took care of him at their home—even taking him for short walks in Central Park, which must have been quite a sight. Friendly as he was, though, the Johnsons knew Bong wasn’t suited to being a housecat, so they brought him to the San Diego Zoo during one of their visits. He lived at the Zoo for 11 years, and he often accompanied Zoo director Belle Benchley on speaking engagements at local luncheons and education events. The Zoo’s first cheetah was also its first community animal ambassador!

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Look for our special digital issue devoted exclusively to giant pandas, free to download for the iPad! Featuring: Panda cub blog updates Live Panda Cam Exclusive panda photos and video

Download the ZOONOOZ app for your iPad today!

ZOONOOZ SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL

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S PROGRAM

Caravan Adventure 2 hours

Ages 8–adult (ages 17 and younger must be accompanied by paid adult).

Offered daily at various times. $95 per person, plus Park admission for nonmembers.

Caravan Adventure Deluxe - 3.5 hours

Ages 8–adult (ages 17 and younger must be accompanied by paid adult).

Offered daily at various times. $150 per person, plus Park admission for nonmembers.

Kids’ Caravan Adventure 2 hours Ages 6–adult (ages 17 and younger must be accompanied by paid adult).

Designed especially for families with younger children.

Offered select weekends & holidays. $95 per person, plus Park admission for nonmembers.

Reserve a Caravan Safari online or by calling 619-718-3000.

Also, same-day purchase on site, subject to availability.

SUMMER CAMP

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Journey into the Park’s open field exhibits in a safari truck! Tours are 2 or 3.5 hours in length and each tour includes an opportunity to feed giraffes or rhinos while enjoying wildlife in a natural setting.

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Ages 2–17 Have a summer adventure you’ll always remember! Discover fascinating facts about amazing animals, meet animals up close, and find out what goes on behind the scenes at the Safari Park. With both day-only and overnight options, campers will have awesome stories to tell about what they did on their summer vacation. Book online or call 619-718-3000. Extended-day options available. Limited availability.

Day Camp

Overnight Camp

Ages 2 & 3

Grades 3–5

Grades 3–6

1, 2, 3…Count with Me! June 24-28; July 15-19; August 5-9 5 days: 9–11 a.m. $165 for member adult/child pair, $195 for nonmember adult/child pair $95 for a second child

Animal Extremes June 24-28; July 22-26; August 5-9 Safari Park Stars July 8-12; July 29-August 2; August 12-16 5 days: 9 a.m.–4 p.m. $285 for members, $315 for nonmembers

Critter Caper Campout July 1-3 3 days, including 2 overnight stays: 9 a.m. Monday to 4 p.m. Wednesday $479 for members, $509 for nonmembers

Preschool–Kindergarten

Grades 6–8

(Must be at least 4 years old by first day of camp.)

Green Scene July 8-12; July 29-August 2 5 days: 9 a.m.–4 p.m. $285 for members, $315 for nonmembers

(Along with a favorite adult.)

The Skin They’re In July 8-12; July 22-26; July 29-August 2; August 12-16 5 days: 9 a.m.–noon $165 for members, $195 for nonmembers

Grades 1–2 Storytime Safari July 8-12; July 22-26; August 12-16 It’s All Relative July 15-19; July 29-August 2 5 days: 9 a.m.–4 p.m. $285 for members, $315 for nonmembers

Extended Day:

Grades 9–12

Work on the Wild Side July 8-12; July 22-26; July 29-August 2; August 12-16 5 days: 9 a.m.–4 p.m. $295 for members, $325 for nonmembers

Grades 1–6

World of Wildlife July 1-3 3 days: 9 a.m.–4 p.m. $185 for members, $215 for nonmembers

$40 for morning (7:30–9 a.m.) or afternoon (4–6 p.m.) or $80 for both. Price is for the week and reservations must be made ahead of time; there is no member discount on Extended Day.

Visit sdzsafaripark.org for more information.

Grades 6–8 Animal Care Boot Camp June 24-28; July 15-19; August 5-9 5 days, including 4 overnight stays: 9 a.m. Monday to 4 p.m. Friday $879 for members, $909 for nonmembers

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Spend the night at the Safari Park!

All sleepovers begin at 4:15 p.m. and conclude at 9:30 a.m. They include a tent and sleeping pad for the night*, dinner, evening snack, and breakfast. For family programs, children 17 and younger must be accompanied by a paid adult.

For information on dates, pricing, and tent options, please visit online or call 619-718-3000. *Premium tents include queen-sized beds

Roar & Snore: Animal Amore

Roar & Snore: Amazing Animals

Roar & Snore: Casual Camper

Roar & Snore Junior: Alphabet Safari

Adults only, ages 21 and older

Families with children ages 6 and older

All ages welcome.

Families with children ages infant–6 years old.

Spend a wild night with your Valentine learning about the birds and the bees, with a romantic candlelit dinner, fun games, and a special tour.

Discover amazing animal facts with guided hikes, meeting animals up close, and s’mores around the campfire.

Spend an evening meeting some of our special animal ambassadors, exploring the Park as a family, and relaxing at camp while finding out more about the Park’s animals.

February 16

March 15, April 6 (these two dates include a visit to Butterfly Jungle); April 27; May 3, 31; June 22, 29

Roar & Snore: The Park after Dark

Roar & Snore Schools: Sundown Safari

Roar & Snore Girl Scouts: Conservation Mystery

Have you always wanted to know why male lions have manes or why white rhinos need girlfriends? Find out with behind-the-scenes visits and upclose animal encounters.

School groups, grades 3-12, and their adult chaperones

Girl Scouts, ages 8 and older, and their adult chaperones.

Students solve mysteries after dark during guided tours, interactive challenges, and upclose animal encounters.

Girl Scouts work together to follow clues that lead to each animal on our tour, then after snooping around the Safari Park, enjoy s’mores and songs around the campfire.

- Adults-only version (ages 21 and older): March 22 (includes a visit to Butterfly Jungle), April 20, May 10, May 25, June 8 - Family version (families with children ages 10 and older): March 23 (includes a visit to Butterfly Jungle), April 13, June 21

Grades 3-5 March 21*, 29*; April 19, 25; May 2, 16, 23; June 6,13 Grades 6-8 April 12 * These dates include a visit to Butterfly Jungle.

April 5 (includes a visit to Butterfly Jungle)

Saturdays, April 26; May 18, 24; June 1, 7, 14

Our youngest guests can practice their ABCs while learning about amazing animals with hands-on activities and a bedtime story around the campfire.

March 30 (includes a visit to Butterfly Jungle), May 17, June 28

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Grades K–5, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Find out how wildlife comes “alive” in spring.

Each day’s programs includes animal encounters and behind the scenes visits.

Choose one or more days of fun!

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April 1: Animals with Stripes

Ages 3–6 with an adult.

Fridays and Saturdays, 6–7:30 p.m.

April 3: Animals with Spots

Meet animals and learn about these fascinating adaptations:

Meet animals and explore shapes, textures and classification.

April 5:

Animal Ears—the Better to Hear

Shaping Up with Reptiles

January 18, 25, 26

January 12, 19, 26

Tall Tails

Touching Textures in the Petting Paddock

April 2: Animals with Bold Colors April 4:

Animals with Camouflage Animals with Attitude

$48 per day for members, $51 for nonmembers.

To register, book online or call 619-718-3000. Limited availability.

February 8, 9, 23

Better Beaks March 8, 15, 16

$12 per person for members, $15 for nonmembers.

Spring Art Camp

Book online or call 619-557-3962.

Grades 4–adult, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Explore wildlife art with 1 to 5 days of fun to bring out your inner artist. The sessions are taught by profession art teachers and include animal encounters, art materials (except sketchbooks), and individual instruction. The theme for each day is different. *For more information and daily themes visit sandiegozoo.org/zoo/special/ programs.

March 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 April 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 $48 per day for members, $51 for nonmembers.

To register, book online or call 619-718-3000. Limited availability.

Visit sandiegozoo.org for more information.

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Ages 18 months–3 years with an adult.

Saturdays, 10–11 a.m.

February 2, 9, 23

The Insectivore Club March 9, 16, 23

$12 per person, plus admission for nonmembers.

Book online or call 619-557-3962.

MORE ADVENTURES at the ZOO

Summer Camp Adventures

Summer Art Camp

NEW! Crazy About Cats Tour

Grades Pre-K—12, 9 a.m.—3 p.m.

Extended-day options: 7:30 a.m.—5:30 p.m.

Grades 4-adult, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Extended-day option; 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

(Extended day not available on some weeks.)

Whether they’re small or large, striped or spotted, or purr and growl, wild cats are fascinating and mysterious. Explore behind the scenes with a small group at a cat bedroom to learn how we take care of our cat collection during this two-hour tour on a private cart.

It’s not too early to start planning for summer.

Explore the wonderful world of animals through these five-day adventures, including animal encounters, behind-the-scenes visits, bus rides, games, and “snafts”—edible food crafts! Choose one or more weeks of fun. *For more information and themes for each week and grade level, visit sandiegozoo.org/ zoo/special/programs.

June 24-28; July 8-12, 15-19, 22-26; July 29-August 2; August 5-9, 12-16

Our professional artists and art teachers can help inspire your creativity—beginners welcome. Five-day sessions include group and individual instruction and amazing animal models. *For more information and themes for each week, visit sandiegozoo. org/zoo/special/programs.

June 10-14, 17-21, 26-28; July 8-12, 15-19, 22-26; July 29-August 2; August 5-9, 1216, 19-23

$212 per week for members. $242 for nonmembers. Extended-day option: Add $91 per week or $19 per day.

$212 per week for members. $242 for nonmembers. Extended-day option: Add $91 per week or $19 per day.

Book online or call 619-718-3000.

Limited availability.

Book online or call 619-718-3000.

Limited availability.

Twilight Trek

Sunrise Surprise Strolls

Ages 12–adult (Younger than 18 must be accompanied by paid adult) Fridays, 6:30-8 p.m.

Ages 12-adult (Younger than 18 must be accompanied by paid adult) Saturdays and Sundays, 7:30-9 a.m.

In this after-hours program, participants will have the Zoo all to themselves and see animals that are most active at night.

Includes dessert and coffee.

Explore the Zoo before it opens, find out the latest insider updates, and visit behind-thescenes. Each month is different—you don’t know where you’ll go until you get here!

January 18, 25; February 15, 22; March 22, 29; April 19, 26

January 19, 26, 27; February 2, 3, 23; March 10, 16, 17; April 20, 21, 27

$16 per person for members, $19 for nonmembers.

$16 per person for members, plus Zoo admission for nonmembers.

To register, book online or call 619-557-3962 or 557-3963

To register, book online or call 619-557-3962 or 557-3963

Exclusive VIP Experience This is an exclusive excursion to behindthe-scenes areas, up-close animal encounters, talks with keepers and trainers, plus much more. This tour is tailored to your interests and includes a meal.

Offered daily, year round, as requested. $599 per person for the half-day (5-hour program) $950 per person for the full-day (8-hour) program.

Call 619-719-3000 to talk to our professional planners.

Zoo Photography—The Art of Seeing Wild Adults only If you are a photographer with your own equipment and interested in “Bird Photography Made Perfect,” this is the program for you.

This program includes 3 classes on the following dates: January 12, 19, & 26, from 6:30-9 a.m. $135 per member, $144 per nonmember To register, book online or call 619-718-3000.

Offered at various times on February 15, 16, 17, 18 $69 per person, plus Zoo admission for nonmembers.

To register, book online or call 619-718-3000. Same-day purchase on site, subject to availability.

Inside Look Tour All ages welcome.

Go behind the scenes with a small group to learn how we take care of our animal and plant collections during this two-hour tour on a private cart.

Offered daily. $69 per person, plus Zoo admission for nonmembers.

To register, book online or call 619-718-3000. Same-day purchase on site, subject to availability. To book a private tour for your group, call for times and availability.

Mother’s Day Sleepover Women only, ages 21 and older Our Mother’s Day sleepover is filled with animal encounters, a private bus tour and keeper chats, buffet dinner with wine or beer, a fun activity led by Dr. Zoolittle, moonlight stroll, hot breakfast overlooking Elephant Odyssey, and early morning animal viewings.

May 11-12. Sleepover begins at 4 p.m. and concludes at 9 a.m. the next day. $149 per camper, plus Zoo admission for nonmembers.

To register, call 619-718-3000. *For information on other themed family and adult sleepovers at the Zoo, visit sandiegozoo.org/zoo/ special/sleepovers.