ZOONOOZ March 2017

ZOONOOZ SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL

MARCH 2017

Baby Mandrill African Penguins Stick Insect Conservation Mousetrap Tree

They’ve arrived!

BUTTERFLY JUNGLE PREVIEW DINNER Friday, March 10, 2017, 5:30 p.m., Mombasa Pavilion Come see the amazing Butterfly Jungle presented by San Diego METRO Credit Union before it officially opens to the public, then gather for a lovely dinner with a spring-inspired menu and enjoy a complimentary glass of our signature Jungle Juice cocktail. $69.95 per person, plus tax and parking.

BUTTERFLY JUNGLE BREAKFAST Sunday, March 19, 2017, 7:30 a.m., Mombasa Pavilion

For reservations, call 619-718-3000 or book online at sdzsafaripark. org/dining.

Come join us for an early viewing of our beautiful butterflies in Hidden Jungle and enjoy a breakfast buffet in the lovely Mombasa Pavilion. Guests will receive a complimentary glass of champagne.

Guests will have open seating at tables of eight. $45 per person, plus tax and parking.

Nonmembers add Safari Park admission.

March 2017 VOL. XC–NO. 02

Graphically Speaking 8 Behold Butterflies

There’s more to these winged wonders than meets the eye. Explore the colorful life of the Order Lepidoptera.

BY PEGGY SCOTT

Cover Story

10 Diving into Penguin Conservation

Endangered African penguins are getting much-needed care and rehabilitation in South Africa.

Our keepers share their experiences of helping out.

BY KARYL CARMIGNANI

Features 16

Baby Mandrill Meet the new baby mandrill that’s delighting Zoo visitors at Monkey Trails.

BY DONNA PARHAM

18 Sticking Up for Lord Howe

Island Stick Insects The population of this critically endangered “tree lobster” is now growing at the Zoo— and more hatchlings are expected soon.

BY ESTON ELLIS

22 Hooked on Survival

The aptly named mousetrap tree has a gripping way of dispersing its seeds.

BY WENDY PERKINS

More

2 Nooz Notes 15 WorldWild Tours 26 Support 28 In the Field ON THE COVER AND THIS PAGE: African penguin Spheniscus demersus PHOTOS BY: Ken Bohn, SDZG Photographer

N O OZ N OT E S

Assorted straw hats, $38.95 each

CHAIRMAN’S NOTE ROBERT B. HORSMAN

Opening Soon: Africa Rocks

E Broad-billed hummingbird pin (about 2 inches wide), $69

Magnificent hummingbird pin (about 2 inches wide), $64

WHAT’S IN STORE?

Fashion Aflutter

Add new flair to your look with Mourning cloak butterfly some springtime style! Whether pin (about 2 inches you’re shopping in person at the Zoo wide), $69 and Safari Park gift shops or exploring online at shopzoo.com, you’ll find an amazing array of gift ideas and unique items that are sure to please the wildlife lovers in your life.

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xcitement is building at the Zoo this spring, as we approach the opening of Conrad Prebys Africa Rocks in June. Including 6 African habitats and more than 40 animal species, this is our biggest building endeavor to date. The construction has been proceeding nicely, despite the recent rains, and the exhibits are taking shape. The old Cat Canyon—with its steep incline and 1930s-era enclosures— has been transformed into an ADAaccessible area, with a winding pathway that will lead guests through representations of African habitats from savanna to sea. Zoo visitors will encounter animals like klipspringers, hamadryas baboons, Nubian ibex, fossa, bee-eaters, dwarf crocodiles, and even five different species of lemurs.

Perhaps one of the most eagerly anticipated areas of Africa Rocks is Penguin Beach. This spectacular exhibit will be home to a colony of African penguins, and visitors can watch the birds swimming, sunning, and nesting in their shoreline habitat. In this issue of ZOONOOZ, you’ll find an article about San Diego Zoo Global’s participation in conservation work to help save these critically endangered penguins. We are partnering with the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) in this rewarding project to rehabilitate and reintroduce penguins to their habitat in South Africa. Our penguins at Africa Rocks will be a breeding colony, so we are also looking forward to helping increase the African penguin population, and to learning more about this species that can be applied to saving them from extinction.

It promises to be a great summer, and I hope you will join us for our newest grand opening at the San Diego Zoo.

SPRING WINEMAKER DINNER FEATURING CHARLES KRUG, AN ICONIC NAPA WINERY Saturday, March 11, 2017

6 p.m. | Reception with animal ambassadors in the Zoo’s Treetops Banquet Room 6:45 p.m. | Dinner at Albert’s Restaurant at the Zoo Executive Chef Chris Mirguet and Albert’s Chef Charles Boukas have paired a four-course meal with the rich and complex wines of Charles Krug.

Price: $92 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Maximum party size is eight people.

Must be 21 years or older to attend. Menu substitutions are not available for this event.

Make your reservations today online, or call 619-718-3000.

SAFARI PARK SPRING BREWMASTER DINNER FEATURING ALESMITH BREWING COMPANY Saturday, March 25, 2017

5:30 p.m. | Reception with animal ambassadors 6 p.m. | Dinner at Mombasa Pavilion at the Safari Park Chef Joshua Mireles has paired a four-course dinner with the unique flavors of AleSmith Brewing Company. A special guest speaker will be representing AleSmith.

Price: $92 per person, plus tax. Guests will have open seating at tables of eight. Must be 21 years or older to attend.

Make your reservations today online at sdzsafaripark.org/dining, or call 619-718-3000.

N O OZ N OT E S

Save the Date

MARCH 4, 5, 25; APRIL 1, 2, 29 Sunrise Surprise Stroll Explore the Zoo before it opens for the day, walk the grounds with experienced Zoo educators, hear the “inside secrets” and stories about special animals. Call 619-718-3000 or visit sandiegozoo.org. (Z)

What’s happening at the Zoo and Park this month and next (Z) Zoo events (P) Park events

MARCH 4, APRIL 1 Kids’ Wild Night Out Leave your kids at the Zoo for a wild night out with Dr. Zoolittle and animal friends.

Call 619-718-3000, or book online. (Z) MARCH 5/MARCH 17, APRIL 21 Orchid Odyssey/ Plant Day and Orchid Odyssey Tour the Zoo’s worldclass botanical garden, or take a Botanical Bus Tour, and get a rare look inside the Orchid House. (Z) MARCH 10 Butterfly Jungle Dinner Enjoy a gourmet meal, and get a first look at the remarkable butterflies that have arrived at Hidden Jungle. Call 619-7183000 or book online. (P) MARCH 11–APRIL 23 Butterfly Jungle presented by San Diego METRO Credit Union

tering above and around you inside a rain forest greenhouse. (P) MARCH 11 Albert’s Spring Winemaker Dinner This four-course gourmet meal is accompanied by exceptional wines and a reception with animal ambassadors. Make reservations online or call 619-718-3000. (Z) MARCH 11, 18, 25; APRIL 8, 22, 29 KinderTots Learning fun for the little ones! Children ages 18 months to 3 years, with an adult companion. Call 619-557-3962 or visit sandiegozoo.org. (Z) MARCH 17, 18, 24, 25; APRIL 21, 22, 28, 29 KinderNights Animal interaction and fun for children ages 3 to 6 years, with an adult.

Call 619-557-3962 or visit sandiegozoo.org. (Z)

Experience thousands of colorful butterflies flut-

MARCH 18, 25 Photo Workshop

Larger Than Life: Macro Photography Join our professional photographers at this two-session class. Call 619-718-3000 or visit sandiegozoo.org. (Z) MARCH 18, 25, 31; APRIL 1, 8, 14, 15, 29 All Ages Roar & Snore Safari Sleep over at the Safari Park, and experience upclose animal encounters.

Call 619-718-3000. (P) MARCH 19 Butterfly Jungle Breakfast Get up close and personal with thousands of remarkable butterflies in our Hidden Jungle,

and then enjoy a hearty breakfast. Call 619-718-3000. (P)

beer. Call 619-718-3000, or book online at sdzsafaripark.org. (P)

MARCH 25-APRIL 23 Yaycation presented

by National University Celebrate spring with up-close animal encounters, hear inside stories from keepers, and enjoy many special activities. Included with Zoo admission. (Z)

APRIL 8 Nativescapes Garden Tour A free guided walking tour begins at 10 a.m. (P)

MARCH 25 Safari Park Spring Brewmaster Dinner Following a fascinating animal presentation, guests will enjoy a delicious four-course meal— and each course will be paired with a specialty

PRESIDENT/CEO’S NOTE DOUGLAS G. MYERS

Spring Fever

S

pring is a fun and busy time of year at the Zoo and Safari Park, so if you have a case of spring fever, we have the cure! At the Safari Park, springtime brings Butterfly Jungle presented by San Diego METRO Credit Union, which begins on March 11 and continues through April 23. Thousands of beautiful butterflies are the stars of this annual event, fluttering around you in a lovely welcome to the season. You can even join us for some special viewing at a Butterfly Jungle Dinner on March 10, and a Butterfly Jungle Breakfast on March 19. At the Zoo, we’re celebrating spring with a new event: Yaycation presented by National University, which begins on March 25 and continues through April 23. Each weekend, you can join Dr. Zoolittle for a wacky, themed jaunt around the Zoo grounds and make some fun discoveries; experience some amazing presentations and demonstrations; live it up with “zoo-la-hoop” activities and music to get your toes tapping; and much more! Come visit us and enjoy the excitement of springtime!

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APRIL 16 Easter Brunch Enjoy a memorable brunch buffet at the Zoo or Safari Park. (Z)(P) APRIL 29 Breakfast with Elephants Enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet, a keeper talk, and exclusive elephant viewing. Call 619-7183000 or book online. (P)

Let’s Talk Follow @sandiegozoo & @sdzsafaripark.

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

Albert’s Easter Brunch

Easter Brunch

Sunday, April 16, 2017 Treetops Banquet Room Continuous seating begins at 11 a.m.

Sunday, April 16, 2017 Hunte Nairobi Pavilion 11 a.m.

Enjoy your special day at the Zoo with friends and family, and savor a bountiful and delicious buffet brunch prepared by the San Diego Zoo’s Executive Chef Chris Mirguet and Albert’s Chef Charles Boukas.

Hop on over to the Safari Park for a wild Easter Brunch! From gourmet specialties to Easter favorites, and plenty for those with a sweet tooth, this brunch buffet prepared by Chef Joshua Mireles is sure to please the whole family. Guests will be seated at their own reserved table set according to their guest count.

Cost is $46.95 for adults and $18.95 for children ages 3 to 11, plus tax and gratuity. Membership or purchase of admission ticket required.

For reservations, please call 619-557-3964.

Secure your reservation with a credit card.

Cost is $46.95 for adults and $18.95 for children ages 3 to 11.

Nonmembers add Safari Park admission. Prices do not include tax or parking.

For reservations, please call 619-718-3000.

N O OZ N OT E S

Take the leap: Measuring less than 2 feet at the shoulder, the agile klipspringer antelope can jump 25 feet high.

SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL OFFICERS

Robert B. Horsman, Chairman Steven G. Tappan, Vice Chairman Judith A. Wheatley, Secretary Richard B. Gulley, Treasurer BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Rolf Benirschke Sandra A. Brue Javade Chaudhri Clifford W. Hague Linda Lowenstine, D.V.M., Ph.D. Patricia L. Roscoe Steven S. Simpson TRUSTEES EMERITI

Frank C. Alexander Kurt Benirschke, M.D. 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

It’s only a number Time “marches” on, and the third month of this year brings the start of spring. Along with being the season of renewal, spring also makes a name for itself in some animals’ common monikers!

1

4

40

55

Known as a “chorus frog,” the tiny spring peeper measures a mere 1 inch in size.

The number of subspecies of the notoriously secretive spring salamander.

Also called a springhaas, the South African springhare lives in groups of up to 40 members.

The fleet-footed springbok antelope can reach speeds of 55 miles per hour.

ZOONOOZ

®

PUBLISHED SINCE 1926 MARCH 2017 | VOL. XC–NO. 02

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.

MANAGING EDITOR

KAREN E. WORLEY

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

PEGGY SCOTT

STAFF WRITERS

WENDY PERKINS KARYL CARMIGNANI DONNA PARHAM

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 additional mailing offices.

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

COPY EDITOR

ESTON ELLIS DESIGNER

KERRI ABRAMS SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL PHOTOGRAPHERS

KEN BOHN TAMMY SPRATT

DIGITAL IMAGING TECHNICIAN

Copyright© 2017 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.

SAN DIEGO ZOO HOURS March 1–10: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

March 11–24: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

March 25–31: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

April 1–16: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

April 17–30: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

SAFARI PARK HOURS March 1–10: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

March 11–31: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

April 1–23: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

April 24–30: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WEBSITE sandiegozoo.org PHONE 619-231-1515

Annual Memberships: Two adults in same household $166.50, new; $135, renewal. One adult $111, new; $101, renewal. Each membership includes unlimited entrance to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

ZOONOOZ® Online web publication zoonooz.sandiegozoo.org

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.

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

TAMMY SPRATT

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION

KAMBIZ MEHRAFSHANI KIM TURNER AMY BLANDFORD HEIDI SCHMID-ROMERO LISA BISSI JENNIFER MACEWEN

PREPRESS AND PRINTING

QUAD GRAPHICS

6 / ZOONOOZ / MARCH 2017

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.

James Lauth, General Counsel Douglas G. Myers, President/CEO Charles L. Bieler, Executive Director Emeritus THE FOUNDATION OF SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL OFFICERS

Murray H. Hutchison, Chair Maryanne C. Pfister, Vice Chair Susan N. McClellan, Secretary Richard M. Hills, Treasurer Mark A. Stuart, President Amy B. Parrott, Vice President Robert B. Horsman, Ex officio Douglas G. Myers, Ex officio BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Christine L. Andrews Joye D. Blount Rick Bregman Lisa S. Casey Douglas Dawson Berit N. Durler, Ex officio Chris L. Eddy U. Bertram Ellis, Jr. Arthur E. Engel Craig L. Grosvenor Michael N. Hammes Judith C. Harris Michael E. Kassan Susan B. Major Michael D. McKinnon Joshua Pack Philip C. Seeger Ryan Sullivan Thomas Tull Margie Warner Ed Wilson

MARCH 11 TO APRIL 23, 2017 SAFARI PARK HOURS 9 A.M. TO 6 P.M. Mark your calendar for the much-anticipated and popular annual celebration of butterflies. Step inside Hidden Jungle and marvel at the range of sizes, patterns, and colors of thousands of butterflies. See how many species you can spot! Wear bright colors, and the winged wonders might land on you. For an extra-special experience, join us for the Butterfly Jungle Preview Dinner on March 10. For reservations, call 619-718-3000 or book online at sdzsafaripark.org/dining.

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

Flight Pattern Symbolizing hope and the arrival of spring, butterflies allow our imaginations to take wing. Their dazzling colors and graceful motions are a sight to behold—and you can do that up close at Butterfly Jungle presented by San Diego METRO Credit Union at the Safari Park, March 11 through April 23.

BY PEGGY SCOTT | ASSOCIATE EDITOR

THE “EYES” HAVE IT A butterfly’s eyes give it an almost 340-degree field of vision.

“HUE” KNEW? Butterfly wings are clear: some of the colors and patterns we see are made by the reflection of the tiny scales covering them.

WINGING IT Most butterflies travel at 5 to 12 miles per hour.

8 / ZOONOOZ / MARCH 2017

“SOLE” FOOD Butterflies can taste with their feet.

FLIGHT CLUB There are about 20,000 known butterfly species in the world, found on every continent except Antarctica.

TAKE A LICK Butterflies have a long, tubelike tongue called a proboscis that allows them to soak up their food rather than sip it.

1

The Cycle of Life Butterflies (and moths) undergo a complete metamophosis during their life cycle. Once it’s formed, a butterfly has a very short life—just three to four weeks. Its entire life cycle can range between two and eight months, depending on the species. This fascinating life cycle is made up of four parts: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult.

2

LARVA Once the egg hatches, the butterfly enters the larva (or caterpillar) stage, during which its main job is to eat­—a lot! Its first meal is the leaf it was hatched onto.

THE EGG Usually laid on the leaves of plants, butterfly eggs are tiny and may be round, oval, or even ribbed, depending on the type of butterfly.

3

PUPA As soon as the caterpillar reaches its full size, it forms itself into a pupa, also known as a chrysalis.

In this stage, the creature’s tissue, organs, and limbs completely change.

4

ADULT BUTTERFLY When the butterfly first emerges from the chrysalis, both of the wings are soft and folded against its body. This is because the butterfly had to fit all its new parts inside of the pupa. Once the butterfly has rested after coming out of the chrysalis, it pumps blood into the wings to get them working and flapping–then they can fly!

Custom-made release pods keep predators out and allow larvae to develop.

FLUTTERY FARM SYSTEM Each year, bird keepers at the Safari Park “morph” into butterfly keepers to make sure this exciting event soars. Preparations begin months in advance: cleaning, disinfecting, and organizing for the rush of incoming butterflies—or, more accurately, pupae in the chrysalis stage. A few weeks before Butterfly Jungle, the pupae shipments begin to arrive from butterfly farms in Central and South America. A single shipment may contain several hundred pupae, and we frequently receive two or three shipments on the same day. These boxes are carefully unpacked and inspected in our “Mariposa Spa,” a specialized room for hanging pupae. It provides a tropical environment, so the pupae can properly develop into beautiful butterflies. It is hot and humid, and the butterflies like it that way. Once the butterflies emerge and dry their delicate wings, they are transported to the exhibit area and released.

Operation Quino Once found throughout California and into Mexico, the tiny Quino checkerspot butterfly is now endangered, and its habitat is extremely fragmented. But San Diego Zoo Global and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologists are taking action to save the species. The San Diego Zoo’s Entomology Department cares for eggs, larvae, and adult butterflies in our Butterfly Conservation Lab, where the butterflies are hand-fed a nectar with vitamins and minerals two to three times daily to support egg production. The entomology staff checks developing eggs for signs of hatching and makes sure the tiny caterpillars receive fresh host plants daily. Reintroduction efforts began in December 2016, into restored habitat where it is hoped the species will thrive. (See page 28 for more information on the conservation efforts.)

SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL / SANDIEGOZOO.ORG / 9

Diving into Penguin Zoo staff from our bird department went to South Africa to help SANCCOB rehabilitate African penguins. These birds need help rebounding from a population decline.

KARYL CARMIGNANI | STAFF WRITER

PHOTOS BY KEN BOHN | SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER

“It was long days of hard work that was stinky and smelly, but it was satisfying to know that if we weren’t there doing this, these animals would not survive.”

O

— JOOP KUHN, SAN DIEGO ZOO ANIMAL CARE MANAGER

nce one of southern Africa’s most abundant seabirds, the pint-sized African penguin Spheniscus demersus has plummeted from an estimated 1 million breeding pairs to only about 25,000 breeding pairs today. The decline is largely due to the commercial harvesting of the birds’ eggs for food and their guano to sell as fertilizer.

These practices ceased toward the end of the 20th century, but the damage was

10 / ZOONOOZ / MARCH 2017

done. To help keep the African penguin (and other seabird) populations afloat, a local organization called the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) has been rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing ill, injured, abandoned, and oiled seabirds back into their habitat, including the resilient African penguin.

As part of San Diego Zoo Global’s strategic plan to lead the fight against

extinction, and sustain momentum through collaboration and support of urgent conservation, animal care staff from our bird department spent most of last November in South Africa helping SANCCOB in their rehabilitation efforts. “Rehabilitating African penguins takes concentrated, hands-on care, and we put in a lot of long days while working at SANCCOB,” said Joop (pronounced YO-pea) Kuhn, San Diego Zoo animal care manager. “The work of saving African penguins is critical to the survival of the species, but it’s also important to ensure a healthy ecosys-

Conservation

tem.” He explained that the birds’ all-important guano is nitrogen-rich and helps other aquatic marine life grow. It is also the ideal substrate for penguin nests on the rocky, unforgiving shorelines. “Bird guano is the perfect insulator for the penguin eggs, protecting them from heat and predators,” explained Ann Knutson, senior keeper at the Zoo, who went to South Africa. “It also repels ticks and other harmful insects from the birds.”

At just over 2 feet tall and weighing 7 to 11 pounds, these flightless birds nest in colonies on the south-

western coast of Africa, as well as 24 rocky islands between Namibia and Port Elizabeth, South Africa. It is the only penguin species native to Africa, and its presence gave rise to the name Penguin Islands. These birds feed primarily on shoaling pelagic fish like anchovies, sardines, horse mackerel, and round herrings, which they catch by swimming swiftly underwater and nab in their pliers-strong beaks.

These adaptations were challenging for keepers working at SANCCOB. Despite the penguins’ small size, they are “pure muscle with a

strong, hooked beak, so we got pretty bruised and scratched up,” said Ann, although they wore wet suit arm guards and a glove while feeding the penguins several times a day. But for Ann, “it was a dream come true—just a lot harder than I had imagined in my dream,” she said with a laugh.

In addition to the predators coming at them from land, sea, and air, the African penguin is also threatened by oil spills and other pollution, habitat destruction, overfishing (which reduces their food source), and climate change (altering the ocean temperature and

African penguins love the beach. Loss of habitat and the overharvesting of their eggs and guano led to their decline. But now they are getting much-needed support.

SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL / SANDIEGOZOO.ORG / 11

P0 (newly hatched) to P4 (over half of their down gone, four to six weeks old) on their way to joining the ranks of “blues,” the stage named for the hue of their juvenile plumage. While some birds may linger at a phase longer than others, the stages are useful for staff so that the birds’ age-specific needs can be better met. “With wild penguins, every chick is important,” said Ann. “Chicks that were getting beat up or neglected wouldn’t be alive without the help of SANCCOB and a legion of volunteers.”

Joop described the information board at the entrance of SANCCOB, showing how many birds they have at any one time. “When we arrived, the board showed 264 penguins, 9 cormorants, 14 seagulls and 1 pelican,” he said. “When we left, there were 338 penguins, 20 cormorants, and 2 pelicans.” Obviously, rehabilitating the birds and releasing them back into the wild is vital, as there are always more coming in. SANCCOB has a modest staff, interns, and a large volunteer base.

“People come from all over the world to work there,” explained Joop. “They require at least a sixweek commitment, as they have high standards and expectations for the care given to the birds.”

This avian labor of love pays off, as the seabirds have a very high survivorship rate after release.

As the chicks grow and regain strength, they graduate to a pre-release pen. “They must be at a suitable weight, free of medicinal restrictions, and have developed their waterproof feathers,” said Joop. The birds get an hour-long swim in a pool, and their waterproofing is assessed, as it will be critical out in the ocean. Each bird gets a Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag, so that staff can monitor it after release. Fortunately, the African penguin has a fidelity to colony living—safety in numbers—so released birds are welcomed into the group. On Thursdays, release penguins are driven two hours to Stony Point Nature Reserve or Boulders Beach, where they are set free on the shoreline and waddle into the sea. “I was impressed with the dedication of the staff and volunteers to do the hard work it takes to rehabilitate and release these birds,” said Joop. “Not everyone can do it, but those who are doing it are making a huge positive difference for this species.” And that’s a waterproof feather in everyone’s cap!

On the rocks: These swift swimmers also spend time on the rocky shoreline, in vast colonies.

food availability). A more unusual hazard is the African penguin’s penchant for laying eggs twice a year, with the second clutch coinciding with the parents molting for one to two weeks, which renders them unable to hunt fish in the ocean and feed their chicks (or themselves). SANCCOB staff work in conjunction with colony managers from Cape Nature and South African National Parks to monitor the penguins and the nests, and rescue any birds in distress. These eggs and chicks often require intense intervention to survive, but upon recovery, they will be returned to their natal colony. Working with the committed staff of SANCCOB for nearly a month “deepened my appreciation for penguins and the work SANCCOB does year round,” said Ann. The experience reminded her how valuable keepers can be in situ. “We were given 120 to 170 chicks on the first day, and each had to be fed a ‘penguin milkSHOUT OUT shake’ through a syringe You can help support four times a day, medicathe conservation of tion given when needed, African penguins by visiting and their pens cleaned. It San Diego Zoo Global’s was intense!”

Wildlife Conservancy and donating today: Upon hatching, endextinction.org/penguin. penguin chicks go through phases called 12 / ZOONOOZ / MARCH 2017

Left to Right: SDZ Keeper Ann Knutson works on feeding and caring for her “flock” of penguins.

These animals need guano to pad and insulate their nests on the rocky shore.

African penguins are social birds that live in colonies.

Sometimes hopping is the best way to travel!

Two youngsters with an adult penguin.

The crew from the San Diego Zoo who volunteered at SANCCOB. Release day!

Seven rehabilitated birds were brought back to their natal colony for release.

They were eager to take a swim.

Last winter, 30 oiled penguins and 4 chicks were taken to SANCCOB in Cape St. Francis, where trained staff and volunteers washed, fed, and cared for the birds for 4 to 6 weeks while they regained their health and waterproofing of their feathers. All 34 birds were successfully released back to their wild colony.

SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL / SANDIEGOZOO.ORG / 13

YOUR “CHARIOT” AWAITS!

Let an experienced guide introduce you to the incredible animals and plants at the San Diego Zoo during a Discovery Cart Tour, or at the Safari Park during a Cart Safari. Sit back in the comfort of our expedition cart as you tour the grounds and visit select spots for opportunities to get great photographs. Your guide will share special stories about the plants and animals, how our conservation research work helps their wild relatives, and how little things we all do can make a big difference. It’s an experience you won’t soon forget!

BOOK YOUR TOUR ONLINE OR CALL 619-718-3000.

T R AV E L TH E WO RLD WITH THE SAN DIEGO ZOO Explore some of the wildest places on Earth in 2017 and 2018 with the San Diego Zoo! Our itineraries highlight the wildlife at each destination and include expert naturalists and a San Diego Zoo escort, plus a group of like-minded travelers. For brochures, visit sandiegozoo.org/travel or call Julia Altieri at 619-685-3205.

Coming in

K E N YA SEPTEMBER 8 –2 2 , 2017

2018

Witness the Great Migration and view the most impressive animals and beautiful landscapes of the African continent. $7,995 plus airfare (per person, double occupancy).

P ATA G O N I A JANUARY 27– FEB RUARY 6, 2018

SOUTH AFRICA FEBRUARY 2018

Explore this legendary land of dramatic mountain landscapes, seeking unique wildlife, from guanacos and condors to the elusive puma. $8,995 plus airfare (per person, double occupancy).

MADAGASCAR SEPTEMBER 2018

G A L Á PAG OS I S L A N DS O C TO B ER 27– N OV EM B ER 5 , 2017 Experience the treasures of the Galápagos, including giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, and sea lions. Extension to Machu Picchu.

Prices start at $6,748 plus airfare (per person, double occupancy).

INDIA NOVEMBER 2018

SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL / SANDIEGOZOO.ORG / 15

One Spunky Monkey

With a hipster hairdo, elfish ears, and the face of a wrinkled gnome, this baby mandrill gets all the attention he wants—from his parents and from Zoo visitors.

DONNA PARHAM | STAFF WRITER PHOTOS BY KEN BOHN | SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER

A

jani, a baby mandrill whose name means “victorious” in the African Yoruba language, made his appearance last November, and he has been delighting keepers and guests ever since. Although more than 30 mandrills Mandrillus sphinx have been born at the Zoo and Safari Park over the years, the newest arrival is the first in more than 14 years.

Animal care manager Jill Andrews said that mandrill mom Kesi likely delivered her first-born the same way her counterparts in the wild do: high in a tree, in the dark of night. Precarious as it may seem, “It’s the safest place, and the best way to avoid predators,” she said. “By morning, the baby is dry, and mom is ready to bring it down and follow the troop when they set out for the day.”

Although keepers were keeping a close eye on 14-year-old Kesi’s pregnancy, they weren’t sure when she might deliver. Primate keeper Jennifer Baublit was first to catch a glimpse of the newborn. When Jennifer reported for work at 6 a.m. on November 28, the mandrills were outside in their exhibit, where they generally choose to sleep. Then, she says, “Kesi walked inside holding a baby. It was pretty incredible, especially since she came in so quietly, like a typical morning—and just happened to have a baby with her!”

FAMILY LIFE Like any newborn, Ajani can be demanding when he’s hungry. “He’s got quite a set of pipes!” said Jennifer.

Although Kesi is a first-time mom, she’s very attentive and seems to know just what to do. Jill reported, “We saw nursing right away. It was good to see that immediate maternal behavior.”

“I’m amazed at how well Kesi is doing as a mom,” agreed Jennifer. “Since she came to us from Toronto Zoo five years ago, she has really gained confidence— which has increased even more since having the baby.”

Parenthood is a new experience for Ajani’s father, 19-year-old Jasper, too. “Jasper is acting like an appropriate father,” said Jennifer. “He’s always been a very mellow guy.” Like other male mandrills, Jasper is there to protect his family if need be—but male mandrills are hands-off with youngsters, so it’s all up to Kesi.

BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL Mandrills are the world’s largest—and most colorful—monkeys, especially males, which flaunt more brilliant hues and can be nearly twice the size of

females. With a shaggy mane; an orange beard; and a masklike, blue- and purple-ridged muzzle, a mandrill is one magnificent monkey. Bright red lips and nose put the final touches on its spectacular appearance.

Even from the rear, a male is stunningly handsome: its vivid blue, purple, and red rump seems to glow beneath fluffy, cotton-candy-like fur.

This page: Kesi keeps her baby, Ajani, close.

Opposite: Ajani explores his habitat.

VULNERABLE Mandrills are listed as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Illegal logging is destroying their rain forest habitat, and a growing commercial bushmeat trade (hunting wildlife for food) may be an even greater threat to their survival. Kesi, Jasper, and Ajani are important contributors to the Association for Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) for mandrills. Through SSP programs, AZA-member institutions coordinate breeding plans, with the goal of maximizing genetic diversity and increasing the population. The mandrill program is a Yellow SSP, which means that there are 50 or more animals in the breeding group, but the group currently is projected to retain less than 90 percent gene diversity in the next 100 years. “For a Yellow SSP, every birth is important to the population,” said Jill.

A successful SSP depends on inter-zoo animal transfers to match up mates, which means that when he’s old enough, Ajani will be called upon to help sire the next generation of mandrills. That won’t happen in the near future, though. Male mandrills take about seven years to reach maturity. “We’re all going to get to watch Ajani grow up,” Jill said.

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Sticking Up for

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“Tree Lobsters” The critically endangered Lord Howe Island stick insect’s population is now growing at the San Diego Zoo—and more hatchlings are expected soon.

BY ESTON ELLIS | STAFF WRITER

“Lord Howe” is not a question. But still, you might be asking yourself “how?”—against all odds—the remarkable Lord Howe Island stick insect Dryococelus australis has managed to survive.

Sometimes called “tree lobsters,” these critically endangered stick insects grow up to seven inches long when they are mature. Hatching from pencil-erasersized eggs that look something like tiny root beer barrels, they start out as bright green nymphs that are diurnal (active in the daytime) and blend in with the color of the vegetation they feed on. They gradually turn brownish-black as they mature and grow larger, and they also become nocturnal. They are known to cling to each other in large, living clusters, enjoying these “group hugs” inside hollow logs. It is no wonder they hold onto each other: few representatives of their species remain on the planet.

Not one is left in the wild on the island that gave this species its name.

They were eaten by black rats, which invaded Australia’s remote Lord Howe Island after a 1918 shipwreck,

PHOTOS BY KEN BOHN | SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER

and the stick insects were assumed to be extinct until the dawn of the 21st century.

In what sounds like a miracle, the last group of Lord Howe Island stick insects were discovered in 2001, clinging to life on a melaleuca plant growing on a steep, jagged 1,845-foothigh rocky outcropping called Ball’s

Pyramid—which juts out of the Pacific Ocean about 14 miles off the coast of Lord Howe Island, located between Australia and New Zealand. During a specially permitted expedition to the protected rock in 2003, scientists collected two male and two female stick insects. Two went to a private breeder, and two were taken to the Melbourne Zoo, to participate in a breeding program to build assurance colonies

for the species. The project was successful, and the program expanded to eventually fill four greenhouses with Lord Howe Island stick insects, raised in managed care. The Melbourne Zoo’s breeding program raised its 12th generation and celebrated its 13,000th hatchling in 2016; about 600 individuals are kept there today.

By 2012, the Melbourne Zoo was ready to expand the breeding program by taking on partners.

The San Diego Zoo stepped forward with a plan to start the first Lord Howe Island stick insect assurance colony in North America.

While the program seemed to be a perfect match for the San Diego Zoo, in helping to bring back a species that had all but gone extinct, there would be many challenges ahead.

“We had many of the insects’ proven host plants on Zoo grounds,” explained Paige Howorth, associate curator of invertebrates at the San Diego Zoo. “We also had extensive experience with numerous other species of stick insects, so we felt confident in our ability to support this species. To our surprise, it turned out to be a very challenging stick insect to raise.”

At the San Diego Zoo, tiny green Lord Howe Island stick insect nymphs feed on melaleuca plants that are native to their original home island. They change color as they become adults, and can reach five to seven inches in length.

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The first attempt to raise Lord Howe Island stick insects in San Diego was not successful. One of the host plants that the adult insects feed on, Moreton Bay fig Ficus macrophylla, is plentiful at the San Diego Zoo but was not appetizing to juveniles of the species.

At that point, the team decided to send senior horticulturist Seth Menser on a quick trip to Australia, to collect seeds and cuttings of two important host plants that were unavailable in North America. He brought back Lord Howe Island melaleuca Melaleuca howeana—the plant that was being used as a host plant at the Melbourne Zoo. The horticulture team was able to grow this variety of melaleuca by grafting some of the cuttings onto another species of melaleuca; planting a second batch of cuttings in soil, with the use of an agent to encourage root growth; and growing a third batch in the tissue culture lab at the Zoo. After all three methods worked, the efforts resulted in plants growing in six different plots.

“Unfortunately, it is a slow-growing plant,” Paige said. “But after 4½ years, we now have 150 plants that can withstand harvesting.”

While the young Lord Howe Island stick insects needed their 20 / ZOONOOZ / MARCH 2017

native melaleuca and tree lucerne, the adults can do just fine with other host plants. “We have one of the main adult host plants: Moreton Bay fig, which is the same variety as the big fig tree in front of the San Diego Natural History Museum. We also have an orchard of tree lucerne growing in the Elephant Odyssey area,” Paige explained.

In addition, many other suitable host plants are available for the stick insects at the Zoo. “They will accept wooly tea tree Leptospermum lanigerum—in fact, they like that a lot—and pink melaleuca Melaleuca

nesophila,” Paige said. “Because of our fantastic climate and the diversity of the botanical collection and browse program at the Zoo, we are able to offer these animals a lot of choices.”

“Insect husbandry is more difficult than it seems: there are many unknowns,” Paige added. “Often, methods that have been applied successfully at other institutions just don’t work at yours. It’s important to be creative and methodical to find the right approach.”

EGGS ON A PLANE In January 2016, Paige traveled to the Melbourne Zoo and brought back a batch of 300 Lord Howe Island stick insect eggs—which she carried with her on the long flight back to San Diego. The tiny eggs sat in a bed of vermiculite, insulated and waiting to hatch.

The eggs have a six- to ninemonth incubation period, and they had already started incubating at the Melbourne Zoo. About 100 were expected to hatch within 3 weeks after the eggs’ arrival in San Diego. “Then we had a few weeks to catch our breath before the next batch started hatching,” Paige said. There is a significant mortality rate at the hatchling stage, so rearing large numbers is

This page: Lord Howe Island stick insect eggs (top left) and adult insects (top right) are maintained in an off-exhibit area at the Zoo, where temperature and humidity can be carefully controlled. At bottom, a group of juvenile insects clings together in a characteristic cluster.

This page: Lord Howe Island stick insects start out as pencileraser-sized eggs (center), from which tiny green nymphs emerge (bottom). As they grow larger, they also grow darker—gradually turning brownish black (top).

important to balance the loss.

At the Zoo, Lord Howe Island stick insects are housed in their own 15- by 17-foot room, separate from other invertebrates. The room is completely sealed, with an air exchanger pushing in fresh air several times a day. Humidity is closely controlled, kept at levels from 70 to 90 percent, depending on the life stage of the insects. For example, nymphs require very moist air, with 90 percent humidity.

“Our goal is to hit the sweet spot, with super-high humidity and lots of air exchange,” Paige said.

Every change in the enclosure’s conditions, no matter how slight, is monitored—and Paige is kept informed with automatic emails and texts. “The alarm system in the rearing room provides 24-hour access to the conditions of the room, and sends alerts when any parameter is out of range. There have been times where I have needed to check in on them at inconvenient times—but the alarm system never sleeps!”

All of that attention to the Lord Howe Island stick insects’ continued comfort and well-being resulted in some of the Australian eggs that arrived in January 2016 turning into healthy hatchlings, which quickly grew from small, green nymphs into large, brownish-black adults.

By December 2016, the Zoo had 31 adult males and 38 adult females, and these adults produced 1,257 eggs—the first Lord Howe Island Stick insect eggs laid in North America. The eggs are expected to begin hatching this month (March 2017). “We have the potential to see our assurance colony expand to 200 to 250 individuals,” Paige noted.

Partner zoos currently participating in Lord Howe Island stick insect breeding programs include Bristol Zoo Gardens in Bristol,

England, which hatched 38 eggs in January 2016, and Canada’s Toronto Zoo, which is just starting its program. Plans are in the works to launch similar programs at zoos worldwide. “Our ultimate goal is to not only create a robust assurance colony at the San Diego Zoo, but to recruit domestic partners for this vital project,” Paige said.

Melbourne Zoo has been working with residents of Lord Howe Island, to educate them about the species that once thrived in their

community, Paige said. Lord Howe Island stick insects are back on the island in limited numbers, at an Education Center—in enclosures maintained in cooperation with island biologists—and Melbourne Zoo will be ready to help out with resources whenever local residents are ready to reintroduce the species.

Before that happens, a rat eradication program would be needed on the island, to ensure that the stick insects do not once again become rodent food.

Meanwhile, the San Diego Zoo’s Lord Howe Island stick insect project continues, and the hatching of the latest batch of eggs is eagerly anticipated. “The project is a good example of how we’re working to end extinction—for all types of animals, not just the cuddly ones,” Paige said.

“This has been a great international collaboration, with some very talented individuals at the Melbourne Zoo—and at the Bristol Zoo and the Toronto Zoo,” she added. “I especially want to recognize the Melbourne team, both past and present, because what they have done is so inspiring. The Lord Howe Island stick insect may only exist today because people stepped in to help it survive. It was, literally, just ‘hanging on’—on the steep side of Ball’s Pyramid.”

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With four barbs at the tip, the projections on the mousetrap tree’s seedpod are effective grappling hooks.

HOOKED ON

SURVIVAL When it comes to sending the next generation off into the world, the tenacious mousetrap tree’s game is on point.

WENDY PERKINS | STAFF WRITER

PHOTOS BY TAMMY SPRATT | SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER

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Young pods don’t bear sharp barbs, so they’re not pulled off before the seeds mature.

“Fat plants” like Uncarina cache extra water in their trunks.

The petals of the blossom make a perfect landing pad for pollinating beetles.

If plants had mottos, the mousetrap tree’s would be “By hook or by crook.” Indeed, the seedpod itself is a living representation of that idiom!

With a water-hoarding body, pollen kept in a “vault,” and a seedpod that looks like a deadly weapon, Uncarina (un-ka-ree-na) trees are truly something to admire.

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If you’ve ever walked through a field and come out with burrs stuck to your socks, or have a pet that has been the victim of foxtails, get ready to be impressed. One botanist created a list of the most annoying and difficult-to-remove burrs, and Uncarina took top billing! The common name “mousetrap tree” comes

from its spiky seedpod. It seems obvious that a mouse trying to get to the seeds could get tangled in the pod—and it likely would.

With long spines pointing in every direction, an Uncarina seedpod looks a bit like a satellite from a 1960s sci-fi film. The tip of each spine is equipped with four hooked barbs. There is no slipping away from this pod; brush against it and you’re both hooked. You don’t even need to be covered in fur (or clothing) to pick up one of these hitchhikers—the barbs easily latch onto bare skin.

Sending seeds out into the world in one of these trampleburrs is an effective approach to expanding its genetic range. The pod hooks onto an animal and remains there.

As the creature moves from one place to another, the pod slowly opens, releasing a seed or two at a

time. Since the pods drop from and land directly under the parent tree, it would be easy for any number of animals to become unknowing transport. A group of scientists hypothesize that the now-extinct, giant elephant bird was a likely seed disperser at one time. Today, ringtailed lemurs have been seen with Uncarina pods stuck in their fur, and domestic cattle on Madagascar may have taken the place of the elephant bird as dispersers.

As a genus, Uncarina seem to have a simple solution to the challenge of growing the population. Yet, getting to the seed-and-pod point is a bit more complicated. The beautiful, demure flowers that bloom on these trees belie a tricky pollination process.

PASS OR FAIL Most of the seven species of Uncarina produce yellow petunialike blossoms with deep maroon throats.

U. stellulifera and U. leptocarpa bear pale pink and white flowers, but despite the color difference, the internal anatomy is the same. And while the structures within serve the

same purpose as those in many other flowers, there are a couple of suprising twists in the pollination protocol of Uncarina.

These plants are pollinated by beetles, not bees. Lured by a faint scent (humans can’t sense it), a beetle heads into the flower’s throat, only to be met by a challenge: one lobe of the stigma partially blocks the way.

Pushing past, the beetle descends to where lobed anthers await. In many flowers, the powdery pollen of the anthers easily rubs off on the visiting pollinator. But Uncarina anthers hold their pollen within tiny lobes— walled off from all but the just-right pollinator, a beetle.

As the beetle nibbles on the lobe, pollen (described as the consistency of toothpaste) oozes out and coats the insect’s head and body.

After feeding, the beetle exits and heads to another flower, where the sticky pollen is rubbed off onto the new blossom’s stigma as it enters.

Once pollinated, the flower begins the reproductive process of forming seeds and developing that astonishing protective pod.

FAMOUSLY FAT Native to Madagascar, Uncarina are caudiciforms, also fondly known as “fat plants.” They “bank” moisture in their trunk (called a caudex) and branches. Their swollen stems give them a unique appearance—not to mention a cache of life-sustaining liquid to survive the long dry season.

Caudiciforms differ from other types of succulent plants in that their leaves aren’t used for water storage.

In fact, these trees are deciduous.

Some types of Uncarina have grown in popularity as houseplants and as bonsai plants. Grown in a container, the caudex of U. grandidieri grown can reach 12 inches in diameter over time. Placed unfettered in the ground, the caudex may double or triple that size.

At the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, a young U. grandiddieri greets visitors on the left of the entrance to the the Old World Succulent Garden.

At the Zoo, a magnificent U. grandiddieri specimen creates a shady spot for the lizards across from the Galápagos tortoises. Be sure to check them out on your next visit!

The Seed’s the Thing:

The precious treasure within the prickly pod.

THE INNER SANCTUM Each pod may have as many as 20 seeds. The pod opens slowly over a period of days, dropping a seed or two at a time.

PITS PERFECT The rough, pitted seed covering protects the plant embryo.

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S U P P O RT

A PASSIONATE LOVE OF ANIMALS Supporting conservation and the Zoo have been lifelong commitments for President’s Associate member Sally Cuff.

BY MARY SEKULOVICH SENIOR EDITOR, DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

Bai Yun, the Zoo’s panda super mom, loved playing with all six of her cubs. Above right, Sally Cuff makes friends with a cub at the Wolong National Nature Reserve.

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Longtime San Diego Zoo members always have the best stories to tell. For Sally Cuff and her late husband, Jim, it all began in 1961 with a move to San Diego in their 1956 Ford Fairlane. Soon after arriving they became Zoo members, and in 1981 they joined President’s Associates. The Zoo also became a favorite place to visit with their daughter, Sharon. Sally says she has always been an animal lover, growing up with cats and dogs. And she still remembers a sixth grade school trip to the Philadelphia Zoo that made a big impression on her. Zoos were destined to become a big part of her life.

When Sally and Jim arrived in San Diego from the East Coast, they bought their first home near Balboa Park, where they could hear roars from the Zoo’s lions echoing across the canyons. Her favorite animal at the Zoo is still M’bari, and she has a beautiful painting of him in her home.

After Sally retired from a banking career as a trust officer, she and Jim took road trips across the U.S., visiting every national park on their route. Along the way they would also stop to visit local zoos, which always had unique aspects. She was happy that even the smallest or newest zoos were growing and updating their exhibits, and she was sure that San Diego was a role model for them.

Sally and Jim traveled the world with vacations that included world cruises.

Although Jim wasn’t sure he would enjoy cruising—he said his three years in the Navy were enough of shipboard life!—he loved the countries they visited. Sally has

enjoyed some great trips sponsored by the Zoo, and China quickly became her favorite Zoo trip. There she met a dozen or so giant panda cubs at the Wolong National Nature Reserve—it became the highlight of all her trips! As the keepers brought cubs into the enclosure, Sally was in another world and didn’t want the experience to end, especially when an adorable cub climbed into her lap and cuddled with her. Sally became fast friends with other Zoo members on this trip, has traveled with them again (pictured above), and sees them at regular Zoo events.

On a trip to Ireland, Sally and Jim went to the Dublin Zoo and saw the San Diego Zoo’s koalas on loan there. When they spoke to their keeper, she was also on loan from the Zoo to care for our koalas. Returning home, they learned this same keeper had returned, and she gave them a behindthe-scenes tour with the Zoo’s koalas. When Jim passed away, Sally remembered this and made a gift in Jim’s memory to the Conrad Prebys Australian Outback. She sponsored a

yard for one of the male koalas, which Sally says was an appropriate gift because “he was just as ornery as my husband!” This would have been their 60th wedding anniversary year, so there was a twinkle and a tear in her eye as we talked.

When asked why she supports the Zoo, Sally comes back to our great animal care.

She emphasized how her longtime association with the Zoo has been phenomenal, much of it due to the staff she has met and the direction the Zoo is taking with habitat renovations and wildlife conservation efforts.

Sally emphasizes her passionate love of animals, which is why the San Diego Zoo has been a major focus of her donor gifts and led to the friendships she has formed here as a member of President’s Ambassadors and Circle of Friends. She knows that the donor dollars are used to improve animal homes and provide the best veterinary care. So every time she takes a walk in the Zoo, Sally feels proud to be part of such an exceptional organization.

TICKETS Reserve your tickets today to the best party in town!

Saturday, June 17, 2017, 6:30 p.m. until midnight Event Chairs: Tory and Rick Gulley You’re invited to the event of the year! Join us for an evening filled with captivating animal encounters, ritzy dancing, world-class entertainment, and so much more— all to benefit the new Walkabout Australia at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

Call Marilyn Neumann, R•I•T•Z reservation chair, at 619-287-5435 or email sdzooritz@gmail.com.

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IN THE FIELD

San Diego Zoo Global’s mission to end extinction takes place not just at the Zoo and the Park, but also in 140 field projects in 80 countries.

Each issue, we will share an update on one of these projects.

Clockwise from top left: Quino checkerspot butterfly eggs are bright green and turn brown if they’re viable; caterpillars are voracious eaters of dwarf plantain; staff released checkerspot caterpillars; the larvae will soon morph into colorful adults.

NEW HOPE FOR A NATIVE

BY KAREN E. WORLEY | MANAGING EDITOR

To help save one of our own local species from extinction, the San Diego Zoo teamed up with biologists from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Conservation Biology Institute to release 742 larvae of the critically endangered Quino checkerspot butterfly Euphydryas editha quino in December 2016, within its native range in the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge. It was a big deal for some small caterpillars: this is the first time a release has been attempted with hand-raised larvae of this California native.

The caterpillars were raised in the San Diego Zoo’s Butterfly Conservation Lab, where Zoo entomologists care for Quino checkerspot butterfly eggs, larvae, and adults as part of the breeding program.

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PHOTOS BY KEN BOHN | SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER

To prepare for the release, Zoo and USFWS staff created a pod to keep the caterpillars safe but allow them to leave when they came out of the dormant stage—called diapause— to start feeding again. Staff settled on a round mesh seed feeder, with a peat moss container holding the caterpillars.

The 38 orbs were painted “chaparral brown” to blend into the environment and topped with a plastic “rain jacket.” They were wired to shrubs in an area where USFWS biologists expected growth of the caterpillars’ main food, dwarf plantain.

Biologists checking on the pods noted that the majority of the caterpillars had left by mid January, a good sign. If all goes well, the released Quino checkerspots should be emerging as beautiful adult butterflies around the time you read this!

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JOIN US FOR BUTTERFLY JUNGLE AND YAYCATION!

There’s no place like home.

But what happens when your home is no longer a home?

Not all penguins make their homes on the ice. African penguins build their nests on the beaches of South Africa—or at least they used to. When these endangered penguins return after months at sea, their homes are gone . . . dug up and sold as fertilizer. If we don’t do something now, their population will vanish.

San Diego Zoo Global is leading the fight to save species like the African penguin from extinction. Will you help us?

© 2017 San Diego Zoo Global

Please help them.

Become a penguin protector:

endextinction.org/penguin