ZOONOOZ March 2019

ZOONOOZ

®

SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL

MARCH 2019

Wollemi Pines Hippos and Relatives Lions at the Park and Zoo Veterinary Technologies

C E L EB R AT E E A S T E R AT T H E Z O O A N D PA R K Easter Brunch at the San Diego Zoo Sunday, April 21, 2019 | Treetops Banquet Room Continuous seating begins at 11 a.m.

Enjoy this special day at the Zoo with family and friends, and savor a bountiful and delicious buffet brunch prepared by Executive Chef Carissa Giacalone and Albert’s Chef Grant Toraason.

Cost is $49.95 for adults and $19.95 for children ages 3 to 11, plus tax and gratuity. Membership or purchase of Zoo admission ticket required.

FOR RESERVATIONS, CALL 619-557-3964.

SECURE YOUR RESERVATION WITH A CREDIT CARD.

Easter Brunch at the Safari Park Sunday, April 21, 2019 | Hunte Nairobi Pavilion Brunch begins at 11 a.m.

Hop on over to the Safari Park for a wild Easter brunch buffet prepared by Executive Chef Joshua Mireles! Enjoy gourmet specialties, Easter favorites, and plenty for those with a sweet tooth.

Cost is $49.95 for adults and $19.95 for children ages 3 to 11. Nonmembers add Safari Park admission, plus tax and parking.

FOR RESERVATIONS, CALL 619-718-3000 OR BOOK ONLINE AT SDZSAFARIPARK.ORG/DINING-EVENTS.

March 2019 VOL. XCII–NO. 02

Graphically Speaking 8

To Tell the Tooth Take a closer look at some of the most powerful, built-in tools animals use.

BY DONNA PARHAM

Cover Story 10

Pride Matters Our majestic lions at the Zoo and the Safari Park are certainly something to roar about.

BY WENDY PERKINS

Features 16

Extinct and Found Discover the Wollemi pine, a remarkable tree that was once thought to be extinct and is one of the rarest plants in the world.

BY WENDY PERKINS

18

Big Family No wonder hippos love water—whales are among their closest relatives.

BY ESTON ELLIS

22

Injecting Hope As animals live longer in zoos, veterinarians are using cutting-edge therapies once typically reserved for human health care.

BY KARYL CARMIGNANI

More

2 Nooz Notes 7 SDZ Kids Page 26 Support 28 In the Field ON THE COVER: African lion Panthera leo THIS PAGE: Rusty-tipped page Siproeta epaphus PHOTOS BY: Ken Bohn, SDZG Photographer

N O OZ N OT E S

WHAT’S IN STORE?

WE CHUBBY UNICORNS! Looking for fun and fashionable ways to show your support for the most magical of mammals, the rhino? Dress your whole crash in our smashing “chubby unicorn” tees and raise a specially adorned mug to help save these endearing but endangered species.

Visit shops at the Zoo or Safari Park, or shop online at shopzoo.com.

More ways to “save,” Long-sleeve baseball T-shirt, adult sizes, $34.95; children’s sizes, $24.95. Baseball cap, adult, $21.95. Mug (navy blue or pink), $14.95. Plush rhino, 16.5 inches tall, $99.99.

“Unicorn” T-shirts, Adult sizes, $26.95; children’s sizes, $18.95; also available (not shown): adult sweatshirt, $42.95; children’s sweatshirt, $36.95.

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A r e v r ’ i y v e e h

Butterfly Jungle Preview Dinner Friday, March 22, 2019 | 5 p.m. | Mombasa Pavilion See the amazing Butterfly Jungle presented by Wheelhouse Credit Union before it officially opens to the public, followed by a delectable four-course, spring-inspired dinner prepared

by Executive Chef Joshua Mireles, and a presentation by a Safari Park bird keeper.

Guests will be seated at tables of eight. Cost is $69.95 per person, plus tax and parking.

Butterfly Jungle Breakfast Sunday, April 14, 2019 | 7:30 a.m. | Mombasa Pavilion Join us for early-morning viewing of our beautiful butterflies at Butterfly Jungle, followed by a delicious breakfast buffet in the lovely Mombasa Pavilion.

Guests will be seated at tables of eight. Cost is $50 per person. Nonmembers add Safari Park admission, plus tax and parking.

For reservations

call 619-718-3000 or book online at sdzsafaripark.org/dining-events.

N O OZ N OT E S

MARCH 2, 3, 30; APRIL 6, 7, 27 Sunrise Surprise Stroll Explore the Zoo before it opens for the day, walk the grounds with experienced Zoo educators, learn the “inside secrets,” and hear stories about special animals.

Call 619-718-3000 or visit sandiegozoo.org. (Z)

Save the Date What’s happening at the Zoo and Park this month and next (Z) Zoo events (P) Park events MARCH 2, 16; APRIL 6, 20 KinderZoo Animal interaction and fun for children ages 3 to 5 years, with an adult. To make reservations, call 619-557-3962 or visit sandiegozoo.org. (Z) MARCH 2, 30; APRIL 6 Kids’ Wild Night Out Leave your kids at the Zoo for a wild night out with Dr. Zoolittle and animal friends. Sorry, no grown-ups allowed!

For reservations, call 619-718-3000, or book online at sandiegozoo.org. (Z) MARCH 17 St. Patrick’s Day Brew Festival See event details on page 25 of this issue. (P) MARCH 22 Butterfly Jungle Preview Dinner Enjoy a gourmet meal, and get a first look at the

remarkable butterflies that have arrived. Call 619-718-3000 or book online at sdzsafaripark. org/dining-events. (P) MARCH 23 Albert’s Winemaker Dinner Following a reception with animal ambassadors, enjoy a four-course gourmet meal accompanied by exceptional wines of Baja California. For event details, visit zoo.sandiegozoo.org/ alberts. (Z) MARCH 23–MAY 12 Butterfly Jungle presented by Wheelhouse Credit Union Experience thousands of colorful butterflies fluttering around you inside a rain forest greenhouse—and enjoy an array of activities throughout the Safari Park. (P)

Spring Has Sprung

S

MARCH 23, 30; APRIL 4, 5, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 27 All Ages Roar & Snore with Butterfly Jungle Sleep over at the Safari Park, experience up-close animal encounters, and get an exclusive look at Butterfly Jungle. For details and reservations, call 619-718-3000. (P)

APRIL 6–21 Yaycation presented

by National University Celebrate spring at the Zoo! For more information, see page 15. (Z) APRIL 14 Butterfly Jungle Breakfast Start your day with an early visit with the beautiful

PRESIDENT/CEO’S NOTE DOUGLAS G. MYERS

pring is an exciting time at the Zoo and Safari Park, with lots to see and do. Our popular Butterfly Jungle presented by Wheelhouse Credit Union starts March 23 at the Safari Park, and this year it’s been extended until May 12, for even more time to enjoy these fascinating and beautiful insects.

We also have butterfly-themed events that you might enjoy: a Butterfly Jungle Preview Dinner, a Butterfly Jungle Breakfast, and a special Roar & Snore that includes a visit to Butterfly Jungle. Then in April, the Zoo’s spring event, Yaycation presented by National University, gets underway, for two weeks from April 6 to 21, with fun family activities and special animal encounters. And don’t forget to book your Easter Brunch at the Zoo or the Safari Park—our chefs are cooking up a joyful and memorable holiday feast!

This year, we are also excited to begin work on the new Sanford Children’s Zoo, which is due to open in 2021. We’ve been gradually closing down the existing exhibits and moving the animals to new quarters, and we’re now ready to launch into construction. As the saying goes, I hope you will “pardon our dust” as this all-new experience for kids and families takes shape over the next couple of years. It will be an amazing transformation, and well worth the wait!

4 / ZOONOOZ / MARCH 2019

butterflies, and then enjoy a hearty breakfast.

See facing page for more details. (P) APRIL 21 Easter Brunch Enjoy a festive Easter Brunch at either the Zoo or the Safari Park. For details, see inside the front cover of this issue.

(Z) (P)

Let’s Talk Follow @sandiegozoo & @sdzsafaripark.

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

MAKE SOME MEMORIES Let an experienced guide introduce you to our incredible wildlife during one of our special tours: a Discovery Cart Tour or Inside Look Tour at the Zoo, or a Cart Safari Tour or Behind-the-Scenes Tour at the Safari Park. Sit back in the comfort of our expedition cart as your guide shares fun stories and you visit select spots for great photo opportunities. Find out how our conservation research work helps wildlife, and how little things we can all do make a big difference for animals. It’s an experience you won’t soon forget!

BOOK ONLINE OR CALL 619-718-3000 TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATION TODAY! Animal interactions, including feeding opportunities, are subject to change.

N O OZ N OT E S

6,000

Number of lenses that make up a butterfly’s compound eye. They can see beyond the ultraviolet spectrum.

SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL OFFICERS

Steven G. Tappan, Chairman Javade Chaudhri, Vice Chairman Linda Lowenstine, DVM, Ph.D., Secretary Ryan Sullivan, Ph.D., Treasurer BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Rolf Benirschke Kathleen Cain Richard B. Gulley Clifford W. Hague Robert B. Horsman Steven S. Simpson Judith A. Wheatley TRUSTEES EMERITI

Winged Enchantment Poet Robert Frost described butterflies as “flowers that fly and all but sing.”

It’s hard not to be mesmerized by butterflies, with their striking colors, delicate structure, and extraordinary life cycle. They are important parts of their habitats, and they symbolize hope and transformation. With the arrival of spring, we celebrate these fluttering beauties at the Safari Park’s Butterfly Jungle.

12

Wingspan in inches of the world’s largest butterfly, the Queen Alexandria birdwing of Papua New Guinea.

ZOONOOZ

®

PUBLISHED SINCE 1926 MARCH 2019 | VOL. XCII NO. 02 MANAGING EDITOR

KAREN E. WORLEY

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

PEGGY SCOTT

STAFF WRITERS

WENDY PERKINS KARYL CARMIGNANI DONNA PARHAM COPY EDITOR

ESTON ELLIS DESIGNER

KERRI ABRAMS SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL PHOTOGRAPHERS

KEN BOHN TAMMY SPRATT

SR. PHOTO IMAGING SPECIALIST

TAMMY SPRATT

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION

KAMBIZ MEHRAFSHANI KIM TURNER AMY BLANDFORD LISA BISSI JENNIFER MACEWEN

PREPRESS AND PRINTING

QUAD GRAPHICS

6 / ZOONOOZ / MARCH 2019

25

Miles that a monarch butterfly typically flies per day during its 2,000-mile migration.

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

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

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

Visit ZOONOOZ Online for additional content.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

17,500

Number of recorded butterfly species in the world. There are butterflies native to every continent except Antarctica.

SAN DIEGO ZOO HOURS March 1–8: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

March 9–April 5: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

April 6–21: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

April 22–30: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

SAFARI PARK HOURS March 1–22: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

March 23–April 28: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

April 29–30: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WEBSITE sandiegozoo.org PHONE 619-231-1515 ZOONOOZ® Online web publication zoonooz.sandiegozoo.org FSC® is not responsible for any calculations on saving resources by choosing this paper.

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

Judith C. Harris, Chair U. Bertram Ellis, Jr., Vice Chair Joye D. Blount, Secretary Susan N. McClellan, Treasurer Mark A. Stuart, President Amy B. Parrott, Vice President Steven G. Tappan, Ex officio Douglas G. Myers, Ex officio BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Christine L. Andrews Sophie W. Bryan Douglas Dawson Berit N. Durler, Ex officio Chris Eddy Nikita Kahn Ellison Arthur E. Engel Valerie A. Ewell, DVM JJ Fetter Susan Guinn Lynelle Lynch Susan B. Major Susan F. McCarthy Diane McKernan Barry Munitz Joshua A. Pack Maryanne C. Pfister Philip C. Seeger Elizabeth W. Shoemaker Rosa Sinnott Carter Skeath David M. Tehle Kathryn J. Vaughan

Food for

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

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Some animals only eat one or two things, while others will try to dine on anything that doesn’t eat them first!

Can you help each of these animals follow the path through the maze to find out what their favorite foods are? (The paths go over and under each other.)

RE MO

Thought

Did you know? The Nutritional Services departments at the San Diego Zoo and

Safari Park use almost 400 types of food to fill the bellies of around 7,000 animals.

SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL / SANDIEGOZOO.ORG / 7

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

To Tell the Tooth In recognition of dentition

OMNIVORE

Gorilla

BY DONNA PARHAM | STAFF WRITER

We can bite, pierce, nip, gnaw, crunch, munch, and grind, thanks to our pearly whites. The truth is, teeth are tools, and most mammals have a mouth full of them. We invite you to take a closer look.

The Right Tool For the Job

HERBIVORE

Kangaroo

CARNASSIALS In carnivores, the carnassials—a set of blade-like cheek teeth in the upper and lower jaws—work like scissors to shear flesh.

Most mammals have several different kinds of teeth.

INCISORS Mammals usually use their upper and lower incisors together for grasping or nipping.

CANINES Canine teeth are usually the longest ones. They grasp and hold prey. Some mammals stab and kill prey with the canines.

Some mammals don’t have canine teeth at all.

CHEEK TEETH Premolars and molars mostly crush and grind food.

CARNIVORE

Lion

8 / ZOONOOZ / MARCH 2019

DIASTEMA Instead of canine teeth, herbivores typically have a large diastema (gap).

The gap enables an herbivore’s tongue to better manipulate fibrous foods.

SAME HERE

Tusk, tusk In some mammals, certain teeth have evolved into tusks. A warthog’s tusks are modified canines, and an elephant’s tusks are modified incisors. In some mammals—like babirusas and narwhals—tusks grow up and out through the skin of the snout.

Tusks are tools—and weapons.

A Mouthful

We grow a single row of teeth in each jaw, but many fish species have additional teeth on the roof of their mouth or even in their throat.

Typically, reptile, fish, and amphibian teeth are all the same shape— usually (but not always) conical and pointed.

Ginger Teeth Orange front teeth? It’s the norm for rodents that need strong teeth, like the beaver. Iron in the enamel makes teeth extra tough and durable, and lends a rusty tint.

The teeth also keep growing throughout the animal’s life, since they are continually worn down.

MORE IN STORE An elephant has just one enormous molar on each side of its mouth, top and bottom. As it wears down, a new one emerges from the rear of the jaw and moves forward, pushing out the old, worn tooth. But for elephants, the sixth set of teeth is the last.

MARTIN VOELLER/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS

Chew Your Food

Grazers and browsers chew, and chew, and chew.

Long ridges on the cheek teeth help some species cut through tough plants.

Elephant molar VLADYSLAV DANILIN/DREAMSTIME.COM

SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL / SANDIEGOZOO.ORG / 9

PRIDE

MATTERS Lions at the Safari Park and Zoo

L

BY WENDY PERKINS | STAFF WRITER PHOTOS BY KEN BOHN | SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER

ions have always been a regal presence and a matter of pride at San Diego Zoo Global. From the roar of a lion in 1916 that gave our founder, Dr. Harry Wegeforth, the idea of creating a zoo in San Diego, to the efforts and expertise our animal care staff share with communities that live with these cats in their natural habitat, lions are a big part of our organization’s story. That ongoing commitment comes roaring through loud and clear when you ask our keepers: “Tell me about the lions.”

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THE PARK CATS In 2005, a lush, grassy habitat called the Sylvia G. Straton Lion Camp welcomed its first felines—a group of rambunctious one-year-olds. As they grew to maturity, the entourage changed, which would also take place in the wild. Based on breeding recommendations from the Species Survival Plan, some moved to new homes, while three of the cats, Izu, Mina, and Oshana, remained at the Safari Park. They continue to impress Park visitors with their strength, agility, and beauty—and together they have produced 6 litters, totaling 18 cubs.

Izu is the reigning male of Lion Camp, an imposing-looking fellow with an aloofness that belies a big heart. “He’s really quite mellow,” said Alex Duran, a senior keeper at the Park. “He is also one of the best dads I’ve seen.

Of course, he has to be stern with the cubs, but he puts up with their playfulness and engages with them so gently.”

When it comes to the keepers, “Izu tries to play it cool when we come in, but sometimes his soft side shows, and he rubs his mane against the mesh to solicit affection from us,” said Alex. The keepers work with the lions through protected contact, meaning there

is always a barrier between animal and keeper. To give Izu the physical interaction he seeks, keepers slip a wooden back scratcher through the mesh. His favorite scratching spot is right around the base of his luxurious mane.

Oshana is her own cat. “She’s more challenging,” said Alex. “You really have to earn her trust. You don’t just walk in the door on day one and expect her to play along.

It takes a lot of time and commitment to gain her trust.” But Alex said it can be “as simple as walking in and always saying hello to her, calling her by name. The more she sees you, the better.”

Sometimes, one way to

get Oshana’s interest is to pay attention to her best buddy, Mina.

Mina is beneath Oshana on the hierarchy. Sweet and smart, she seeks out keeper attention when Izu and Oshana are occupied elsewhere. However, if Mina is being scratched and enjoying interaction with the keepers, Oshana notices—and she comes over and squeezes in front of Mina to get her share.

Two other Lion Camp residents, Ernest and Miss Ellen, are the offspring of Oshana and Izu. Born in June 2014, they alternate time in the front habitat and a back space known as Cub Camp.

But no matter where they are,

Life of Lion: Opposite page: A horizontal streak of nerve cells in its eyes helps a lion track prey across a plain—or the movements of Park guests.

Above: Izu is a dream dad that takes the energetic outbursts of his offspring in stride.

SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL / SANDIEGOZOO.ORG / 11

DID YOU KNOW? One of the thrills of the Park’s Roar & Snore sleepover programs is hearing Izu (and the other lions) sound off in the evening and morning.

these two are actively engaged in lion business. Miss Ellen is inquisitive and, in Alex’s opinion, “probably the smartest. She was quick to learn the basic husbandry behaviors, and her curiosity level is amazing!”

“If the sprinkers go off when Miss Ellen is in the main habitat, she plays with them,” explained Alex. “She also loves playing with the big Boomer Ball. She puts a lot of energy into attacking it and chasing it down.”

Ernest, while active and energetic, isn’t so much about play.

“He’s too busy trying to be a guy,”

said Alex. He can hear and smell Izu, so as a young male, Ernest is figuring out his place in this territory. When the groups switch spaces, the keepers clean and tidy first, to mitigate any smells or visuals that might worry the two males. Then keepers put out other enticing scents, like wintergreen and peppermint, as well as sheep’s wool and bedding from the okapis.

“Ernest and Izu seem to enjoy these the most,” said Alex. “They’ll roll in the urine-soaked shavings until their mane is full of them!”

LIONS IN THE CITY The San Diego Zoo is an urban oasis, surrounded by sounds you might expect in a city: traffic, planes, people. Yet in the early morning and again in the late afternoon, if you’re within a mile or so of the Zoo, you may hear something astonishing: the roar of a lion. M’bari, the Zoo’s adult male lion, greets and ends each day with the iconic, sonorous call.

Sometimes, he also lets loose when a group of visitors have gathered to hear a keeper talk about the “king of beasts.” The keepers don’t mind being upstaged. How could they, when they see the amazed 12 / ZOONOOZ / MARCH 2019

faces of Zoo guests feeling the reverberation of the mighty roar?

M’bari and his mate, Etosha, were part of the first pride that lived in Lion Camp at the Park.

They came to the Harry and Grace Steele Elephant Odyssey in 2009, and have been holding court in the presence of admiring visitors ever since. They each have a distinct personality—and M’bari’s is as big as his gorgeous mane.

“M’bari is confident and particular,” said Kimberly Hyde, a senior keeper at the Zoo. “He doesn’t like having his routine changed, but sometimes it’s necessary.”

M’bari’s confidence sometimes shows in his interactions with staff.

He likes to test newcomers; when Kimberly was new, during training sessions he would ignore her as she gave cues, and look directly at the other keeper instead. However, once keepers pass muster, M’Bari will come inside to greet them when he sees them arrive.

Female Etosha differs from M’bari, and not just because she lacks a mane. “She likes all the keepers; she’s very laid back—very little bothers her,” said Kimberly. “Etosha just goes with the flow. She also engages more with enrichment, so we give her more challenging things.”

For example, the lions get cow femurs for enrichment. Once, keepers hid the bones in burlap sacks. M’bari walked around with the bag in his mouth for a while, then dropped it and took a nap.

Etosha, on the other paw, spent time trying to figure out how to open the bag until…success! When she was finished enjoying the meat on that femur, she picked up the bag M’bari had abandoned, opened it, and enjoyed his, too!

For Etosha, the more challenging or different the enrichment, the better, but M’bari’s

ant role in a lion’s life. Understanding that fact, the Zoo’s lion keepers place scents throughout the exhibit for the cats to investigate. Cinnamon is a favorite, and Etosha seems to particularly like expensive perfume. But the one that is always enjoyed is…elephant dung. “They roll in it, rub it all over themselves, lick it,” said Kimberly. “They really get into it!”

A WORLD WITHOUT LIONS? mind works differently. Understanding this, the keepers scale enrichment to each animal’s needs and personality. “When we plan enrichment for M’bari, we start with something simple.

The next time we make it a little harder, so that, over time, he can problem solve step by step.”

Enrichment comes in many forms, and sometimes a change in location creates excitement.

The keepers did a habitat swap one day, switching the lions to the jaguars’ space, and vice versa.

They then stood by and watched the cats’ reactions. “Besides being stimulated by the smells left behind by the spotted cats, M’bari and Etosha were rubbing

and rolling in the plants, and they loved the platforms in the jaguars’ exhibit,” said Kimberly.

As a result, extra plants and two platforms were added to the lions’ regular space—and the latter especially get a lot of use.

Look at a lion, and you can’t miss the massive muzzle. With its enlarged nasal cavity and olfactory receptors, smell plays an import-

Just 100 years ago, 200,000 wild lions roamed Africa. Today, the entire population is only about 10 percent of that number. If this trend continues, could we face a world without lions? As apex predators, lions help control the number of grazing wildlife. A population explosion of grassand shrub-eaters could destroy habitat for other animals—as well as humans. San Diego Zoo Global supports and works with community conservation programs in lion areas. They focus on changing attitudes toward these cats, protecting livestock, and ensuring that the landscape supports lions, their prey, and local people.

Together, we can all help this iconic species keep roaring into the future.

Daily Rhythm: Opposite, top: On the African savanna or at the Safari Park or Zoo, lions spend a great deal of time resting.

Opposite, bottom: Gnawing on bones helps keep the cats’ teeth and jaws in good shape.

This page, above: Cleverly crafted cardboard boxes and tubes make stimulating enrichment items— sometimes yielding amusing results.

Below: Afternoons often find M’bari and Etosha napping on their platform, waking occasionally to survey their surroundings.

Mark your calendar for the muchanticipated and popular annual celebration of butterflies. Step inside Butterfly 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.

i

April 6 21

Take a Yaycation at the San Diego Zoo to celebrate spring!

We’ll have extra fun under the sun, with special animal experiences and more.

Shake off winter, and join the party at the Zoo!

sandiegozoo.org/yaycation

EXTINCT

AND FOUND The Wollemi pine has made a comeback!

BY WENDY PERKINS | STAFF WRITER

PHOTOS BY TAMMY SPRATT | SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER

Mention fossils, and images of fish skeletons imprinted in rock or stone-coated dinosaur bones come to mind. A fossil, after all, is something preserved from a past geologic age.

But the more humans explore the depths, peaks, nooks, and crevices of our planet, we discover more “living fossils.” In fact, you can see some for yourself at the Safari Park— the Wollemi pines in Walkabout Australia.

TREE-RIFIC

This page: Leaves at the beginning and end of the growing season are short, giving the branches a subtle diamond shape.

Opposite page: Fern-looking leaves are characteristic of Wollemi pines.

Next time you visit the Safari Park’s Walkabout Australia, take note after you leave the kangaroo area. Standing before you will be a tree species that was thought to have died out millions of years ago.

The rediscovery and ongoing efforts to preserve these ancient sentinels is quite a tale.

With their tough, fern-type fronds and oddly “bubbled” bark, Wollemi pines Wollemia nobilis are distinctly unusual-looking trees. With fewer than 100 of them left in the wild, they are also one of the rarest plants in the world.

The tree’s common name is a bit of a misnomer: it’s not a pine at all. As a member of the Araucariaceae family, W. nobilis is a close relative of Norfolk Island pines, the Kauri tree, and monkey puzzle trees.

MYSTERY IN THE MOUNTAINS Botanists knew these trees had existed. But they were previously only known from 120-million-year-old

16 / ZOONOOZ / MARCH 2019

fossil records, and they were thought to be extinct.

Then, one Saturday in 1994, a trio of men in an almost inaccessible part of Australia’s Blue Mountains came across some trees they didn’t recognize.

The men were in the Wollemi National Park, about 125 miles west of Sydney. Wollemi is an Australian aboriginal word meaning “look around you.”

Fittingly, that is just what the hikers were doing when they discovered a thicket of about 40 massive, conifer-type trees in an acre of a steep-sided canyon. One of the hikers was a National Parks and Wildlife Service officer, David Noble—and his role in the discovery is honored and reflected in the species name, nobilis.

David carefully noted the spot, and he alerted officials to the unexpected find.

Under a cloak of heavy secrecy to protect the location, eager scientists dug into identifying the unknown trees. Eventually, they found fossil evidence in stone that matched the living trees. They then realized that the tree they had thought to be extinct still had its roots firmly planted in the modern world.

TREASURED TREES Since that first extraordinary discovery, two more small populations have been found. However, there are so few Wollemi pines in the wild that they are categorized as a Critically Endangered species. When something is as rare as this tree, collectors often come calling. To protect these ancient treasures, their exact locations remain a closely guarded secret.

But scientists and horticulturists are working to ensure the species survives, and is known to the world. One way is through propagation techniques

and growing the trees in gardens. Actually, it is possible to buy a Wollemi pine yourself—the proceeds from sales of plants and seeds help support the research and preservation of the species in the wild.

In the Blue Mountains, the biggest tree towers 130 feet above the ground and is about 10 feet wide. The Wollemi pines at the Safari Park and Zoo are young, though, and have a long way to grow. As they do, their appearance will change. Right now, the bark has a rough texture, but older trees have bark that seems to be covered in brownish-black bubbles. The way the trees branch out often creates characteristic multiple trunks as well, another odd growth pattern for a conifer.

Watching the Wollemi pines grow at the Park over the next decades is something worth pointing out to friends and family—not to mention sharing their “long lost” story. On your next stroll through Walkabout Australia, stop to marvel at this blast from the past that’s come “Back to the Future!”

DID YOU KNOW? Buds that appear on the tips of Wollemi branches are the beginnings of the reproductive cones. These trees are dioecious, meaning they bear both female and male cones—and they look quite different! Female cones are three inches wide and globular, while four-inch-long male cones are elongated and droop. Female cones tend to develop above male cones, but wind carries the fine pollen around and upward to fertilize future seeds.

Big Family No wonder hippos love water—whales are among their closest relatives

18 / ZOONOOZ / MARCH 2019

W

BY ESTON ELLIS | STAFF WRITER

PHOTOS BY KEN BOHN | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

atching Tony, the Zoo’s young river hippopotamus, at play in the pool along Hippo Trail is always fascinating. He spends hours performing his version of underwater ballet, pushing off with his feet, gliding past his fans, and doing an occasional barrel roll. He’ll spar with his mother, Funani, then make graceful turns near the window before surfacing. He seems so at home underwater, you might think he was a marine mammal. There’s a good reason for that.

Scientists used to think hippos were closely related to pigs and other even-toed, hoofed ungulates, and classified them as members of the Order Artiodactyla—along with pigs, goats, sheep, and camels.

However, as genetic researchers began to study the DNA of many animal species, they discovered that hippos are much more closely related to cetaceans—whales, porpoises, and dolphins. In fact, cetaceans are hippos’ closest living relatives.

A WHALE OF A DISCOVERY

PHOTOS BY (THIS PAGE, FROM TOP): JANOS/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES; SOLVIN ZANKL/ NPL/ MINDEN PICTURES

According to scientists, a common ancestor of hippos and whales, the extinct pig-like Anthracotheres, split off from even-toed ungulates about 60 million years ago. These four-legged, semi-aquatic mammals were ruminants—grazing or browsing animals with multichambered stomachs. Then, about 54 million years ago, hippos and cetaceans diverged. In cetaceans, front feet became fins, and back legs mostly vanished in order to support horizontal tail flukes, as the animals became totally aquatic. Today, there are 89 cetacean species, ranging in size from the 3-foot-long Maui’s dolphin to the nearly 100-foot-long blue whale.

There are just two types of hippos, however: river hippos Hippopotamus amphibius, and the smaller, less aquatic pygmy hippos

Choeropsis liberiensis. Both hippo species are nocturnal herbivores found in Africa that spend most of each day in water, then roam to nearby grasslands to graze at night.

River hippos live in rivers and estuaries near grasslands. Pygmy hippos live in the forests of Liberia and along rivers in Côte d’Ivorie in West Africa.

ALL IN THE FAMILY Surprisingly, today’s whales and hippos still share many characteristics. The bones in the front feet of a hippo and those inside the fins of a whale are remarkably similar.

Whales and hippos both have multichambered stomachs suited for grazing, although today’s whales don’t feed on vegetation.

Like hippos, whales have single, non-lobed lungs that fill and expel air quickly. Both species also have muscles to constrict airways in the bronchioles of their lungs. However, while some whales can stay underwater for up to two hours without surfacing to breathe, hippos can remain submerged for only about five minutes. But that’s still pretty impressive!

The voice boxes of hippos and whales are also similar, with a large larynx that allows them to transmit low-frequency sounds underwater.

A blue whale can produce a call reaching up to 188 decibels—louder than a jet engine—that can be

SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL / SANDIEGOZOO.ORG / 19

heard more than 100 miles away.

Hippos are not quite as loud, but their vocalizations have been measured at 115 decibels—about the same volume as a rock concert.

Hippos and some whales can produce sounds that are actually subsonic—not audible to human ears—which are ground shaking.

Hippo and whale jaws and ears are similar, too, designed for better underwater hearing and sensing those vibrations. There is a flattened dish-shaped area on the lower jawbone, a middle ear suspended by ligaments, and tissue connecting the middle ear to the jawbone.

“River hippos are perfectly

Opposite page: Like most river hippos, Tony and his mom Funani spend a lot of time in the water—playing, pushing off the bottom, and exploring—to the delight of onlooking San Diego Zoo guests. Perhaps that’s not surprising, since genetic research indicates that hippos are closely related to whales, porpoises, and dolphins.

adapted for where they live,” said Jen Chapman, a senior keeper at the Zoo. The placement of their ears, eyes (in sockets raised like periscopes above the skull), and nostrils helps them continue to see, hear, and breathe when the rest of their body is submerged. When they are entirely underwater, their nostrils close and their ears fold into recessed areas to keep water out. River hippos also have partially webbed feet for stability when walking and maneuvering through water. “They are very graceful in the water,” Jen added. “When you watch them, you can see how they are related to whales and dolphins.”

THE HIPPO LIFE River hippos gather in groups during the day that can sometimes include more than 100, 20 / ZOONOOZ / MARCH 2019

remaining partially submerged in a river or estuary. At night, they leave the water to graze in grasslands on their own, sometimes wandering more than a mile from the water.

“Their head is very heavy, and you can see how it moves back and forth when they eat,” Jen said. “They use their lips to rip off the tips of grasses.

The places where they feed are sometimes called ‘hippo lawns,’ because it looks just like someone’s been mowing the lawn.”

Adult river hippos range from 10.8 to 16.5 feet in length, and up to 5.2 feet in height at the shoulder. “People don’t realize how big they can get,” Jen said. “Funani is 3,600 pounds, but some females can reach up to 6,000 pounds. Otis, our male, is just a little guy at 4,200 pounds, but some males can get to be 9,000 pounds.” While they may be large, hippos are not slow. “They can run fast—but not for long,” Jen said. “They can reach speeds up to 20 mph, in short bursts.”

Surprisingly, hippos are involved in more deadly conflicts with humans than any other African animal. These confrontations can occur on land or in the water, when people or boats venture too close. “They are quick to react to any potential threat, and are on the lookout for anything coming their way,” Jen explained. “All

This page, clockwise from left: River hippos’ ears and nostrils can close to keep out water. River hippos gracefully propel themselves by punting off the bottom with their feet. Females give birth and nurse their young underwater.

Opposite page: River hippos can open their mouth remarkably wide—at up to a 150-degree angle.

Their canine and incisor teeth grow continuously, and the canines can be up to 20 inches long. Pygmy hippos (bottom right) are smaller and less aquatic than river hippos.

they want is to protect their territory and their young.

Hippos are known to chase down boats and capsize them if they get too close.”

DID YOU KNOW? One unique hippo characteristic is a substance called “blood sweat.” It’s not really sweat— it’s a protective reddish secretion that looks like they’re sweating blood. “Keepers were once asked to collect it, so researchers could study its properties,” keeper Jen Chapman said.

“It crystallizes, creating a ‘force field’ that locks in moisture, reflects the sun like a sunscreen, and has antiseptic properties.

Hippos get lots of cuts and nicks, and ‘blood sweat’ helps them heal pretty rapidly.”

FACING CHALLENGES In their native habitats, hippos and cetaceans face threats caused by humans. For whales, threats include human development along coastlines, climate change that is altering their migration and feeding habits, whale hunting, and water pollution. Two cetacean species are currently categorized as Critically Endangered, seven are Endangered, six are Vulnerable, and five are Near Threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.

Hippos also face threats from habitat loss related to human development and climate change, along with poaching of their tusks for ivory and their meat for the bushmeat trade. “We all think of elephants as targets of ivory poachers, but unfortunately, hippos are also on that list,” Jen pointed out. Because hippo tusks are softer and easier to carve than elephant ivory, they continue to be in high demand. River hippos are categorized as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, and pygmy hippos are listed as Endangered.

SAN DIEGO ZOO HIPPOS At one end of Hippo Trail in Lost Forest, Zoo guests can see male pygmy hippo Elgon. The (relatively) petite pygmy hippos weigh 350 to 600 pounds—about one tenth the weight of river hippos. They are also less aquatic. Their toes are less webbed, their legs are longer, and instead of two or three pairs of incisor teeth like river hippos, they have just one pair. Pygmy hippos tend to either be solitary or live in small family groups.

At the other end of Hippo Trail, in the river hippo exhibit, guests can see Tony, his

mother, Funani, and Tony’s father, Otis.

Otis and Funani have had four calves together, and when Funani is not raising a calf, both continue to show interest in each other, Jen said—interestingly, usually when there is a full moon. Tony is now becoming a lot more independent, even though he is still nursing. “He’s venturing away from Funani a lot more,” Jen said. “He’ll be in the stall, and she’ll call him when she’s in the pool. He’ll call back, like he’s saying ‘I’m fine!’ He will continue to assert his independence more as he nears weaning.”

Next time you visit the Zoo’s hippos, take another look. It may seem like a whale of a comparison, but see if you can call out the many characteristics that hippos and their cetacean relatives share.

Injecting

Veterinarians strive to help their patients thrive in old age

BY KARYL CARMIGNANI | STAFF WRITER PHOTOS BY KEN BOHN | SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER

22 / ZOONOOZ / MARCH 2019

Hope In zoos, the health of the individual comes first.

In the wild, health of the population comes first.

- DON JANSSEN, DVM, RETIRED CORPORATE DIRECTOR OF ANIMAL HEALTH, SDZG

M

edicine provides science-based solutions to some of the most vexing health issues known.

Animals can have some of the same diseases and conditions as humans, and often the treatment is quite similar. But a zebra can’t tell you where it hurts, nor can a capuchin share when she has a throbbing headache. Animal care staff must be hyperaware of telltale signs. Veterinarians must carefully and effectively treat pain—often from age-related conditions like arthritis—as well as a plethora of other ailments in their patients.

SUNNY OUTCOME FOR FRANCIS In the late 1990s, Francis the Bornean sun bear was rescued from the illegal wildlife trade and eventually ended up at the San Diego Zoo. Now about 21 years old, he’s in the golden years for his species.

Francis was diagnosed with arthritis in his left ankle several years ago and has been receiving treatment to improve his comfort.

Last spring, Francis started showing signs of stiffness after lying down, and was moving slower with a hunched posture. He was never big on climbing (though sun bears are arboreal), but his forelimbs appeared hard for him to use. A CT scan performed at the Zoo’s hospital showed arthritis in

multiple joints, most severe in the hips and elbows. He was prescribed additional analgesic medications, but further treatment was needed.

Stem cell therapy has been used to treat several animals at the Safari Park, and staff veterinarian Dr. Matt Kinney co-authored a book chapter called “Stem Cell Therapy in Zoo Medicine” further elucidating the therapy. While the exact mechanism of this therapy is still being studied, it’s clear that stem cell therapy affects the microenvironment in joints and tissues, on a cellular and chemical level, to reduce inflammation and promote regeneration of healthy tissues. In human and veterinary medicine, bone marrow, adipose tissue (fat), and umbilical tissue

are most commonly used for harvesting stem cells. Zoo veterinary staff collaborated with VetStem in Poway, California, to collect about 10 grams of fat from Francis’ shoulder, so his mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) could be grown at the VetStem lab.

Two months later, there was a large enough number of MSC for the procedure. Dr. Deena Brenner, senior veterinarian at the San Diego Zoo, explained that once the cells were thawed, they had to be used within 24 hours. “It was a high-pressure time frame to get everything in place,” she said. To ensure the best possible outcome, Dr. Holly Mullen, a veterinary surgeon certified in stem cell therapy, did the highly precise joint injections

Soothing a sun bear. Francis appears to be feeling and moving much better since he received stem cell therapy at the San Diego Zoo. He’s even climbing again!

SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL / SANDIEGOZOO.ORG / 23

Napoleon’s show.

Platelet-rich plasma therapy got the pig back in the pink!

in the bear’s problem areas, and he received an additional dose of stem cells through an IV. To document objective results from the therapy, three different keepers rated Francis independently using a Patient Specific Outcome Measurement form. The most improvement would likely occur in the first 30 days, and the data revealed the sun bear was indeed more upright, had a quicker gait, and had much less stiffness after lying down. He was even climbing more! After two months, he was moving at normal speed, and all his other symptoms were downlisted to “mildly problematic.”

Hali O’Connor, senior keeper at the Zoo, is excited that the treasured “Francy Pants” bear has resumed his favorite activities, like cracking open coconuts, exploring, and digging. “It feels good to get him into the best possible plane of health, especially in his advanced age,” said Dr. Brenner. While old may not be the new young, caring staff and innovative medicine are helping our elderly patients thrive.

NAPOLEON’S COMPLEX CASE He’s an 86-pound show stopper, with a sassy stage presence and a voracious appetite for fallen figs.

San Diego Zoo visitors may have seen him in action at Wegeforth Bowl: Napoleon the pot-bellied pig. Despite his joie de vivre, at 13 years old, this pig is geriatric by porcine standards. A couple of years ago he became lethargic, and creature comforts like a heat lamp and a fluffy dog bed were added to his digs to pamper the elderly pig. However, earlier this year Napoleon started developing a limp, which initially responded to meloxicam (like Advil for 24 / ZOONOOZ / MARCH 2019

people) and he took time off from doing the shows he so enjoyed performing in, and trotting up the hill for figs. Over time, the limping worsened, and elbow radiographs (x-rays) revealed a large “joint mouse:” a concretion or stone that forms in the joint.

Dr. Beth Bicknese, senior veterinarian at the Zoo, needed to find a treatment that would help Napoleon return to normal activity and the show he loved.

Some pain medications were ineffective and others made him “ataxic” or unsteady on his feet.

He did respond to slow-release opioid injections, along with cosequin for joint health. This provided some relief, but he still had “lame days.”

After a consultation with Dr. Sean Aiken, a veterinary surgeon who specializes in orthopedic cases, a new technology was considered: platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. PRP injections are made of the patient’s own concentrated platelets separated from whole blood, and used to promote natural tissue healing. Napoleon

has a bit of trouble waking from anesthesia, so for Dr. Bicknese, it was nerve wracking to anesthetize him for the PRP procedure, but the risk was worth it to improve his quality of life.

Last April, vet staff gathered for Napoleon’s PRP procedure.

Once he was anesthetized, a sample of his joint fluid was analyzed to rule out joint cancer or infection. His blood was spun in a vial to separate platelets, and then Dr. Aiken injected about a teaspoon of his platelets into the joint. Within three weeks, Napoleon was moving easier, and one month after that, Napoleon was approved to go back to “work”— and even trot up the hill for his beloved figs.

“This therapy totally exceeded my expectations,” said Dr. Bicknese. “With more geriatric animals at the Zoo, we are always trying to do better and use what’s new on the horizon, to keep them comfortable and thriving in their old age. We strive for both quantity and quality of life.”

Napoleon would agree!

WANT TO KNOW MORE? Visit ZOONOOZ Online for more on animal care and how the Park’s Harter Veterinary Medical Center was constructed with its wild patients in mind, in “Built for Success.”

St. Patrick’s Day Brew Festival at the safar i park

SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 2019

|

2 TO 5 P.M.

Join us at the Safari Park for our Brew Festival, featuring beers from local craft breweries, a St. Patrick’s Day-inspired buffet prepared by Executive Chef Joshua Mireles, live music, and animal greeters. Representatives from the breweries will speak about the beer selections. Must be 21 or older to attend. Advance ticket price is $50 per person for food and beer; $25 for food only.

Tickets available at the Safari Park on the day of the event are $70 per person; depending on availability. Plus tax and parking; nonmembers add Park admission.

Make reservations online at sdZsafaripark.org/dining-events, or call 619-718-3000.

S U P P O RT

Hanging on Rescued cubs Beryl and Brenda explore their forest sanctuary.

BY SHANNON FOGG | COPYWRITER, DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

Beryl and Brenda

weighed less than four pounds each when they were rescued. Tiny, fragile, and defenseless, they were stolen from their mother before they were even two months old, destined for the illegal wildlife trade. Fortunately, our partners at Free the Bears intervened, winning custody of the bear cubs and transporting them to safety.

Arriving at Free the Bears’ sanctuary, the cubs were examined immediately. They were frail and weak, suffering from the lack of nourishment that their mother would have provided. But they were alive.

26 / ZOONOOZ / MARCH 2019

by a Limb ORPHANED BUT NOT ALONE

For the first few weeks, the vulnerable cubs required 24-hour care, 8 bottle feedings per day, and frequent health checkups. Benefiting from the expert care and attention, Beryl and Brenda began to grow and gain strength.

No longer in immediate danger, the cubs started to enjoy their regular checkups, using the opportunity to play and explore. Finally well enough to do more than rest, their personalities began to emerge. They blossomed into spunky, curious little bears. Squawking and grunting, they tumbled around the exam room, batting and chasing each other.

You Can Help Orphaned Bear Cubs Survive

You can help

Bears around the world are in trouble. Decades of poaching, wildlife trafficking, and habitat loss have devastated wild populations. And for most bear species, numbers are declining rapidly.

LIFELONG SANCTUARY

PHOTOS BY: MATT HUNT/FREE THE BEARS

Beryl and Brenda are thriving today.

They’re strong enough to enjoy supervised strolls in the forest, where they develop skills like climbing and foraging. Beryl often takes the lead while Brenda is a bit more cautious, but they’re always together— they’re inseparable.

Without a mother to teach them how to live in the forest, and without protected forest for them to live in, Beryl and Brenda will spend the rest of their lives—which could be up to 40 years—in the safety of the sanctuary.

Your support of the San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy ensures that Beryl, Brenda, and other orphaned bears have the food, medicine, and specialized care they need to thrive.

But you can give them a fighting chance.

Your gift of $30 could feed a rescued bear cub for one week, providing the special milk formula tiny bears need.

Your gift of $58 could provide a week of bear care for an adult bear, including health checkups and their favorite foods, like sweet potatoes and green beans.

Your gift of $300 could provide emergency transport to rescue bear cubs in desperate need, like Beryl and Brenda.

Your tax-deductible donation to the San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy can help rescue bears from a horrific fate in the jungles of Asia, keep an eye on polar bears across the Arctic, and protect brown bears at home in North America.

Join us at endextinction.org/bears

SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL / SANDIEGOZOO.ORG / 27

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

WHAT A TALE

BY KARYL CARMIGNANI | STAFF WRITER

Likely the coolest mammal you’ve never seen, the nocturnal ringtail “cat,” which inhabits arid regions of the US and Mexico, is not a feline at all—it is part of the Procyonid family, along with raccoons, coatimundis, and kinkajous. With a slender, ferret-like body tapering to a long, fluffy, black-and-white banded tail, the ringtail Bassariscus astutus has many names: ring-tailed cat, miner’s cat, marv cat, or bassarisk. “Cat” was tacked on their name allegedly by Gold Rush era miners who kept them around as mousers. Despite the ringtail’s considerable range and proximity to humans, little is known about this feisty omnivore’s ecology. Recently, a collaborative project between the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research and the San Diego Natural History Museum got underway, to shed light on food choice, space use, and road mortalities that can occur in “hotspots.” Collected data will help determine whether wildlife corridors are a viable management option for this species.

Researchers set up field cameras at Mount Woodson in Ramona, California to get a sense of the population. Im28 / ZOONOOZ / MARCH 2019

PHOTOS BY KEN BOHN | SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER

ages revealed ringtails, as well as skunks, foxes, and woodrats.

Next, no-harm traps were set with strawberry jam to attract the ringtails. The animals were taken to the Safari Park’s Harter Veterinary Medical Center, where veterinarians conducted a health assessment and collected samples of urine, blood, fur, and whiskers. Debra Shier, associate director of the Institute’s Recovery Ecology team, explained how consumption of different trophic levels (plant, herbivore, carnivore) is revealed in the body: blood shows what’s been eaten in the last 24 to 48 hours; fur shows what’s been eaten in the past 2 weeks; and whiskers reveal the animal’s diet from the past 3 months.

Some ringtails get GPS collars to record their coordinates, checked every other hour at night and once during the day. These reveal the animal’s range and use of space. Come nightfall, the animals are released where they were caught. Beneath a dome of stars, the released animal scurries from the crate into the jumble of boulders, then peeks back. “Rocks give him courage,” Debra whispers. With that, he darts up the rock face into the night.

San Diego Zoo Global Presents

Rendezv ous I n The Zoo (R·I·T·Z)

Saturday, June 15, 2019

Get set for the paw-pumping,

vine-swinging sensation of the 6:30 p.m.-Midnight at the San Diego Zoo season–Zoozapalooza! Enjoy an evening of exotic animal encounters, gourmet food and cocktails, whimsical entertainment, and dancing. This year’s Event Chairs: John & Sue Major

R·I·T·Z black-tie gala will benefit the new Sanford Children’s Zoo at the San Diego Zoo–a place where kids of all ages can learn and explore, sparking a passion for conservation.

Reservations are going faster than a speeding cheetah! So pounce on it!

Visit sandiegozoo.org/ritz or contact Marilyn Neumann

619-287-5435

sdzooritz@gmail.com

ZOONOOZ

®

SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL

Box 120551, San Diego, CA 92112

JOIN US FOR BUTTERFLY JUNGLE AND YAYCATION!

IS A GIFT OF REAL ESTATE

RIGHT FOR YOU? • Has owning and managing property become a burden?

• Will you incur capital gains tax if you sell your property?

• Would you like to remain in your home while receiving income?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, a gift of real estate may be right for you!

Call us today at 619-557-3947 or visit ZooLegacy.org to learn more and request your FREE guide to gifts of real estate. © 2019 San Diego Zoo Global. All rights reserved.