Fall 2022 stlzoo Magazine

SAINT LOUIS ZOO ASSOCIATION

Welcoming Anya and Irina | Kids’ Most-Asked Animal Questions, Answered! | The Beauty and Benefits of Spiders

Commentary

By

Why don’t cheetahs play hide and seek? Because they’re always spotted! It’s my first Halloween in St. Louis, and I’m excited to hear everyone’s best jokes. I also am looking forward to seeing the changing leaves and magical decorations around our Zoo’s campus.

This past April, we celebrated the birth of two female Amur leopard cubs, Anya and Irina. They are growing quickly, and you may see them with mom, Dot, at their habitat in Big Cat Country. This birth is significant for our Zoo and for this species. Anya and Irina represent the fifth litter of cubs born here, and they are important additions to the Amur leopard population in North American zoos. This species is considered one of the most endangered cats in the world. In this issue’s cover story, one of their caretakers, Carnivore Keeper Jeff Wilson, discusses the team’s journey in caring for Dot during pregnancy and labor and reflects on the cubs’ first few months.

I’m always interested to hear guests’ questions about the animals. Some of the best questions are from kids! Their questions are honest and upfront, like “how do you clean the tiger habitat?” and “what do you do with all the poop?” Read some of our most-asked questions from kids, and Kim Hoormann, Manager of Learning Experiences, answers them!

In keeping with Halloween spirit, we thought it would be a great time to highlight an animal that is a popular Halloween figure — the spider. Our Zoo cares for over 10 species and dozens of spiders at the Bayer Insectarium. They are often misunderstood animals, but the majority are completely harmless to humans and are critical for a healthy ecosystem. On page 18, learn from Zoological Manager of Invertebrates Kayla Garcia as she highlights some of the spiders in our care and common myths surrounding these fascinating animals.

Fall is an opportune time to examine your garden and how it can help birds, bees and butterflies. There are several things you can do in the fall to help animals, from planting seeds of native plants to leaving the leaves. Learn ways to help animals in the fall from Curator of Invertebrates Ed Spevak in the story on page 20.

There’s no shortage of fall fun at the Zoo — we’ve got Zootoberfest as well as Boo at the Zoo and Halloweekends presented by SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. And, before you know it, we’ll be getting ready for U.S. Bank Wild Lights! Check out page 22 for event details.

I hope you and your loved ones enjoy the last three months of 2022, and I hope to see you soon during a visit at the Saint Louis Zoo.

COMMISSION OF THE ST. LOUIS ZOOLOGICAL PARK SUBDISTRICT

Chair

Cynthia J. Brinkley

Vice-Chair

Lawrence E. Thomas

Co-Treasurers

Chonda J. Nwamu

Lawrence E. Thomas

Immediate Past Chair

Winthrop B. Reed III

Commissioners

Karl A. Grice

Robert R. Hermann, Jr.

Jerald L. Kent

Robert F. O’Loughlin

Neal F. Perryman

Michael W. Riney

Peggy A. Ritter

Steven C. Roberts

Will R. Ross, MD, MPH

Carol A. Wilson

Chairs Emeritus

Honorable James F. Conway Steven F. Schankman

Mark J. Schnuck

SAINT LOUIS ZOO ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President Alicia S. McDonnell

Vice President Robert B. Smith III

Treasurer James E. Williams, Jr. Secretary

Michael J. Hickey

Immediate Past President John R. Sondag

Executive Committee

Caryl L. Flannery

Board of Directors

Susan S. Block

Cenia D. Bosman

Christine Boushka

Dr. Edmond B. Cabbabe

Mary B. Campbell

Debbie A. Caplin

Karen L. Condie

Hazel Alethea R. Donald

Edward Durham

Brad M. Edwards

Cory Elliott

Kathy S. Federico

Logan W. Finerty

Lauren Thomas Fries Matthew W. Geekie

Amy A. Gill

Brett G. Gilliland

Janis G. Goldstein

Davida Lichtenstein

Grindstaff

Kenneth H. Hannah

David P. Hatfield

Ricky L. Hopkins, Sr.

Ryan L. Hyman

Robert F. Johnston

Carol S. Klein

Lee C. Kling

Judith B. Kouchoukos

James P. Leonard

Julie Lilly

Sarah London Dr. Dan W. Luedke

Ryan J. Martin

Anna McKelvey

John F. Meara

Julia Mize

Patrick J. Moore Dr. Stanley J. Niemann

Bhavik R. Patel

Pravina Pindoria Dr. Steven S. Pope Dana Tucker Redwing

Stephen M. Reese Quirsis V. Riney

James G. Sansone Steven F. Schankman

Shelley Seifert Ashish Sinha Torbjorn B. Sjogren Lisa K. Sullivan Dianne Sutcliffe Kevin

Virgil Van Trease Lottie Wade Matthew A. Wagner Gerald E. Wiley

Robert M. Williams, Jr.

Dwight Scott, Dana Brown President & CEO, Saint Louis Zoo

In This Issue

2 Membership Matters

2 Zoo Young Professionals Rumble 22 Happenings 29 Saint Louis Zoo Honor Roll 30 Saint Louis Zoo Tribute Fund 32 Kids’ Page

6Welcoming Anya and Irina

Learn about our cubs’ first few months of life and the dedication of their care team.

Kids’ Most-Asked Animal Questions, Answered! Why is there a ball in a habitat? Why is Kali by himself? Read our answers!

The Beauty and Benefits of Spiders Read about some of the spiders in our care as well as common myths about them.

On the Cover Amur leopard cub

Photo by Ray Meibaum

stlzoo is published quarterly as a member benefit by the Saint Louis Zoo Association, One Government Drive, St. Louis, MO 63110.

Permission to reprint any material is granted, provided proper credit is given.

n Managing Editor: Rebecca McMiller

n Editorial Assistance: Billy Brennan, Jill Gordon, Kirby Meyer, Elaine Vydra

n Graphic Design: McCord Design Group

n Contributing Photographer: Ray Meibaum

n Contributors: Members of the Zoo staff

Black-breasted leaf turtle

At the Saint Louis Zoo, we not only care about the conservation of animals, but also about the conservation of the environment. That is why stlzoo magazine is created using FSC- (Forest Stewardship Council) certified paper with recycled materials and eco-friendly inks.

Membership Matters

By Lucia Clifton, Director of Membership

The end of summer can be bittersweet for a lot of us. We’ve enjoyed weeklong vacations away from home, or weekend camping trips and backyard barbecues. Of course, no summer would be complete without visiting the Zoo. With the cooler temperatures and the kids (or grandkids) back in school, those trips to the Zoo can continue. As a member, it’s easy to just drop by, enjoy free parking and redeem member tickets for your favorite attractions.

While you’re making fall plans, why not start your holiday shopping early? A Zoo membership makes a great gift to enjoy all year, and it supports the Zoo’s conservation efforts here in St. Louis and around the world. Holiday gift membership packages include member tickets, free parking, discounts on food and merchandise, and a free 2022 collectible holiday ornament. Our most popular memberships start at $79 and include a full year of great benefits!

If you’re looking for another holiday gift for that special person on your list, animal adoption checks all the boxes! This holiday season, the Zoo Parents Program is featuring

the Nile hippopotamus. And only a hippopotamus will do! Each adoption comes with a 12” plush toy, a certificate of adoption personalized with your gift recipient’s name and much more. Plus, you can feel good about your gift because you are contributing to our animals’ care and feeding. If you purchase and pick up your holiday adoption plush toy gift package at one of our Welcome Desks this holiday shopping season, you can enjoy a $10 discount!

To purchase a gift membership or adoption, please visit stlzoo.org, stop by the Welcome Desk at the North and South Entrances of the Zoo, or call the Zoo Membership Office.

If you have questions about your membership or want to learn more about animal adoption, the Zoo membership office is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to handle your inquiries. Please contact us at (314) 646-4771, option 2. n

Please bring your membership card with you on each visit to the Zoo to enjoy your free parking and attraction benefits. Please note: If you visit without your card, you may retrieve your member tickets at either Welcome Desk; however, tickets cannot be retrieved at attractions.

Zoo Young Professionals Rumble Young Professionals in their 20s and 30s

By Katie Lineberry, President, Zoo Young Professionals Advisory Board

Jammin’ at the Zoo returned this past August after a threeyear hiatus. It was so good to once again enjoy this great party at the Zoo. Everyone I talked to had a great time! Whereas Night at the Zoo presented by Mercy was a more relaxed evening for adults, Jammin’ at the Zoo was an energetic party complete with beer and wine tastings and great music.

This fall, there are several events planned where you can enjoy the Zoo with family and friends before the cold weather arrives. There’s Zootoberfest, which takes place October 1, 2, 8 and 9, and Boo at the Zoo presented by

SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, which is held nightly from October 14 through 30. Then U.S. Bank Wild Lights is on select nights from November 25 to December 30. As a member, you’re eligible for discounted tickets for Boo at the Zoo and Wild Lights. Visit stlzoo.org for more information.

Looking for volunteer opportunities? The Zoo is a great place to get involved and meet new people while doing so! To learn more, contact our Volunteer Department at (314) 646-4670. n

the Zoo is more than a perfect present; it supports our conservation e

646-4771, option 2.

D i d Yo u

Good and Bad Palm Oil

Palm oil is a common ingredient in many household products and grocery items, including candy.

Some entities harvest palm oil in a way that’s bad for animals — it ultimately destroys their rainforest homes. But others grow African oil palm trees, where palm oil comes from, in a way that’s safe for animals and the rainforest.

Palm oil seeds

Kno w...

Animal-Friendly Treats

Candy Crossing’s products have sustainable or no palm oil at all, so they ultimately protect animals and the rainforest!

The fudge is a top-seller; flavors available this fall are pumpkin pie, apple cider doughnut and candy corn. Also for sale are candy kabobs, animal gummies and lollipops.

Be sure to stop by Candy Crossing

Your Choices Help Animals

When you go shopping, you can choose products that contain sustainable palm oil. The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums has a sustainable palm oil shopping app, which helps you find products that are friendly to animals.

TO LEARN MORE:

• Visit stlzoo.org/palmoil to learn more about how palm oil affects animals.

• Scan the QR code for our Halloween candy guide, which lists animal-friendly candy.

Sumatran orangutan

Halloween-themed lollipops from Candy Crossing

WE LCO ANYA AND

BY JEFF WILSON, CARNIVORE KEEPER

LCO MI N G AND IRINA

PHOTOS BY VICTOR ALM, JACKIE MCGARRAHAN AND RAY MEIBAUM

On April 21, 2022, the Saint Louis Zoo Carnivore Unit was excited to welcome our newest arrivals to the Saint Louis Zoo. Two female Amur leopard cubs became the fifth litter of this species to be born at the Zoo (the first occurred in 1991). This is particularly exciting because the Amur leopard is one of the most critically endangered cat species in the world, with a wild population of fewer than 100 cats.

This most recent story began in October 2020. The Amur Leopard

Species Survival Plan a program responsible for maintaining a genetically healthy population of Amur leopards in North American zoos recommended a 2-year-old female, named Dot, to be transferred from the San Diego Zoo to St. Louis with the hope of her becoming part of a breeding pair. A year later, Samson was acquired from the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago. Something exciting about Samson is that he is the son of one of our females born here in 2010 (Anastasia).

BY NATURE, AMUR LEOPARDS ARE SOLITARY ANIMALS,

SO INTRODUCING NEW PAIRS CAN TAKE TIME.

By nature, Amur leopards are solitary animals, so introducing new pairs can take time. For several weeks, Dot and Samson were housed in separate areas but could maintain visual contact with each other. This gave them time to get used to each other’s behaviors and scents. Once our team determined they had an adequate level of comfort with each other, we began the physical introductions. These introductions typically begin inside where keepers are able to separate the animals if needed. Once Dot and Samson were successfully acquainted, they were given access to the outside habitat together. They shared a habitat for several months and were able to breed.

Dot, mother to Anya and Irina

An animal’s pregnancy is confirmed through fecal samples, which are examined by our Zoo’s Endocrinology Department. Fecal samples can tell us a lot, including a female’s hormone levels, which indicate pregnancy. Our team regularly weighed Dot when we suspected she might be pregnant. Once her pregnancy was confirmed, we marked our calendars for April in hopeful anticipation; typical gestation (pregnancy) for Amur leopards is around 100 days.

Our team provided Dot with everything she needed for a successful birth. Just like house cats, leopards prefer to give birth in a quiet, secluded space where they can feel safe. Dot was provided with a wooden box, called a whelping box, in her indoor habitat. Many cats choose this for birth because it feels safe and allows the mother to contain any cubs from wandering too far. Dot is a first-time mother, so it was

OUR TEAM PROVIDED DOT WITH EVERYTHING SHE NEEDED FOR A SUCCESSFUL BIRTH.

hard to predict how she would behave during birth or toward the cubs. Our team placed cameras over Dot’s space, which allowed us to monitor her 24 hours a day without disturbing her.

On the afternoon of April 21, Dot was observed on camera acting particularly restless. She would move

in circles, change positions often and groom herself more than normal. It did not take long before the first cub arrived at 3:51 p.m. After a few tense moments, Dot began the process of grooming and cleaning her new cub as if she had done this several times before. Once the first cub was born, the other Carnivore Unit staff were notified so everyone could watch their computers and wait excitedly to see if there would be any more cubs. A typical leopard litter size is two cubs. Dot continued to diligently clean her new cub, and then about 40 minutes later, the second cub was born. Dot was not phased at all by the second cub and was grooming them both like an experienced mother. Both cubs were soon in nursing positions with Dot, comfortably lying in her whelping box. All efforts were made to keep the building quiet while Dot continued to bond with her new cubs.

Mom Dot with Anya and Irina

Veterinary Resident Emma Vaasjo conducts a health check-up

Carnivore Keeper Jeff Wilson holds a cub during a 2-week-old veterinary exam

Leopard cubs are born with their eyes closed, and after about a week, we found that both cubs had opened them. At this point, mother-cub bonding is very strong. Eventually, the cubs would need to be briefly separated from Dot so they could receive wellness checks from our veterinary team. We began using positive reinforcement with Dot so she could gradually step away from the cubs. While Dot remained very protective of her cubs during a keeper’s presence, she was willing to approach the fence to be stick-fed one of her favorite treats, beef heart. After a while, she would slowly move over to a second bedroom and take the beef heart. And a couple of weeks later, on May 5, Dot calmly separated from the cubs, and our veterinary team was able to complete the cubs’ first wellness check. This exam lasted only a few minutes, and it was determined that the cubs were both female and in very good health. They were quickly weighed (both were around 2.5 pounds) and returned to Dot.

Our team began thinking of possible names for these girls. We often like to choose names or words that are indigenous to the animals’ natural range. The Amur River region runs through eastern Russia, so we compiled a list of possible Russian names. After keepers voted, the chosen names were Anya, meaning “grace,” and Irina, meaning “peace.”

AFTER KEEPERS VOTED, THE CHOSEN NAMES WERE ANYA, MEANING “GRACE," AND IRINA, MEANING

“PEACE."

A couple of days later, both cubs could be seen walking around their box fully upright. Within two weeks, they were jumping out of the box! Irina was the first to leave the safety of her box, and it took Anya over a week to decide to follow. At first, this caused Dot a little stress, and she would return them back to the box. After some time, she became more comfortable with their independence. Before long, Anya and Irina were running amok and playing and rolling all over the place! Sometimes Dot would jump up on her bench, just to have a short break from all the energy.

We were able to do another wellness check on May 25, and the cubs had almost doubled in size. Even by this point, they were becoming increasingly difficult to hold. Anya and Irina received another exam on June 16;

Anya climbs a tree

Irina explores her habitat

Dot and Anya

they weighed 7.5 pounds and received their first vaccinations. As expected, they were less than pleased, and two people needed to hold them. They received their second round of vaccinations on July 5. This was the last time keepers physically cared for the cubs. Anya and Irina will start receiving positive reinforcement training so they can participate in their own health care, like approaching a barrier to receive vaccinations voluntarily.

As they grew in size and energy, we decided it was time to give them access to the habitat on July 12. It did not take long before Irina ventured out the door, and a few minutes later,

she went all the way to the top of the steps. Dot was torn, of course, because

she didn’t want to leave Anya inside while Irina was outside. Eventually, the shier Anya went out the door but cautiously stayed at the bottom of the steps. Over the next few days, the family was given short time periods with access outside as the cubs got more comfortable exploring their new home. You may see them at their habitat at Big Cat Country, though there is no viewing schedule. Dot and the cubs are given the choice whether they want to be inside or outside.

We are so proud of Dot as a new mother and excited for the wonderful progress that Irina and Anya make as they grow bigger and stronger each day! n

AS THEY GREW IN SIZE AND ENERGY, WE DECIDED IT WAS TIME TO GIVE THEM ACCESS TO THE HABITAT

Anya and Irina enjoy some playtime

MOST-ASKED

K I DS' ANI MAL QU ESTI ONS,

ANSWERED!

By Kim Hoormann, Manager of Learning Experiences

Photos by Ray Meibaum

One of the best parts about working at the Saint Louis Zoo is sharing our passion and knowledge about the animals in our care! And the best way to do that is by answering questions about topics that pique the curiosity of our guests. The following are some of the most commonly asked questions that we get from children. (And honestly, some of our older guests ask these, too.)

#1

WHERE DO YOU GET THE ANIMALS

THAT LIVE AT THE ZOO?

There are several different ways the Zoo gets animals. Some are born here, and some come here from other zoos or aquariums. The Zoo participates in Species Survival Plan programs for many endangered species. A Species Survival Plan is like a dating service, but for animals! A person called a studbook keeper keeps track of which facilities the animals live in and if they are related to each other, and then recommends if animals should go to another zoo or aquarium. The Zoo works in partnership with organizations around the world to move animals to zoos or aquariums that are the best for them. When babies are born at the Zoo, they might stay here or they might move somewhere else when they get older. We typically do not take animals out of the wild, unless it is a rescue situation, meaning that the animal would not be able to survive on its own, due to either an injury or being orphaned.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST ANIMAL AT THE ZOO?

This question has many answers. The reticulated giraffes are the tallest animals, the elephants are the heaviest by weight and the green anaconda was the longest animal at the Zoo.

#3

WHY IS KALI ALONE?

Polar bears are solitary animals, meaning they live by themselves in their natural habitat. Polar bears, jaguars and alligators are great examples of solitary animals. Sometimes being by themselves depends upon how old the animal is and if it is a boy or girl. For example, female elephants will stay with a herd for their entire lives. But male elephants will leave a herd when they are old enough to live by themselves. This is why our male elephant, Raja, always has his own space. He can see, touch, smell and interact with the females if he and they so choose, but he does not share space with them. The Zoo is dedicated to caring for all animals, and as such, we work hard to replicate their natural habitat and living conditions. Just like Kali would be living by himself in the Arctic Circle, he lives by himself at the Zoo, too.

#4

DO THE STINGRAYS STING?

Our stingrays do not sting. We do trim their stingers, which are found on their tails. Trimming doesn’t hurt them; it is just like trimming our fingernails. But, stingrays only sting when they are scared or startled by someone. Our stingrays at the Zoo know that people are nearby, and they can choose to swim to the edge of the pool to be gently touched on their backs. If they don’t want to be touched, they can stay in the middle of the pool.

[ Kali, the polar bear ]

[ Southern stingray ]

HABITAT?#5

A BALL IN THEIR

That ball is an example of enrichment. Animals at the Zoo receive lots of different kinds of enrichment or things that help exercise their bodies and minds. It helps provide animals with the opportunity to engage in natural behaviors (like digging or climbing), be active and have choices within their environment. The ball you see could have food hidden inside, and the animal has to figure out how to get the food out by rolling the ball around. Or maybe there is some bedding, like hay, inside the ball that the animal can pull out and make a comfy new resting spot. Enrichment can be many different things, such as balls, puzzles and piñatas. But also aspects like changing the habitat (kind of like rearranging furniture in your house), providing food at different times each day and allowing the animals to choose which habitat they want to be in that day are examples of enrichment. And some enrichment we can’t even see! Scent enrichment allows the animals to use their nose and sense of smell to explore. Different animals receive different enrichment, so no two types of enrichment are exactly alike.

WHY DOES THAT ANIMAL HAVE WHAT TO DO WITH ALL THAT POO?

Every day, the Zoo’s animal care teams clean the animals’ indoor and outdoor living spaces. All extra food, bedding and animal waste is moved into large carts. Those carts are then emptied into a large dumpster. When the large dumpster is full, it is hauled away for composting. The Zoo sends around 2.3 million pounds of animal waste, bedding and landscape material to composting each year!

[ Red panda ]

HOW DO YOU CLEAN THE TIGER HABITAT?#7

When keepers cannot be in the same space with certain animals, like the tigers, the animal has to leave the habitat before the keepers can clean it. This is done through a process called shifting. In the behind-the-scenes areas, there are separate spaces for keepers and animals. The keeper encourages an animal to come into the indoor animal space, and then they secure the door to the outdoor space. Closing the door is done from the keeper space through a series of pulleys, wheels and locks. Some areas even use electric doors that open and close at the push of a button! Once the animal is safely secured inside, the keeper can access the outdoor habitat to clean, put out food and set up enrichment. Once everything is ready outside, the keeper goes back to the indoor keeper space, secures the doors, and then opens the door between the indoor animal space and the habitat, so an animal can go back outside if they so choose.

HOW DO YOU MAKE THE SEA LIONS DO JUMPS AND DIVES?#8

Many ask us how we get animals to do “tricks,” but what you see the sea lions — or any animal — doing are natural or athletic behaviors that we ask them to do at a specific time. This is accomplished through training and positive reinforcement. A big part of animal care at the Zoo is training. Keepers build trusting relationships with the animals and are then able to ask them (with either words or a motion) to do a specific behavior. When the animal does that behavior, they receive a reward, like a special food treat, positive words, or, in the case of our sea lions, a quick body rub. One of our sea lions really enjoys getting a high-five as a reward! If an animal doesn’t want to participate in training or do a behavior, that’s okay. We’ll try again at a different time or day. Training allows the animals to participate in their care; for example, they can open their mouths to show teeth or present their feet for a nail trim.

[ A keeper cleans the tiger habitat ]

WHAT IS THE MOST DANGEROUS ANIMAL AT THE ZOO?#9

That is a great question! It depends upon what you mean by “most dangerous.” We have venomous animals like the black mamba or king cobra, and very strong animals like our elephants and apes, plus the hunters like tigers and lions. But the animals that can cause the most harm are people; humans’ actions affect other animals and the planet. The good news is we can do something about it! We can choose actions that lessen our impact by using reusable bags, planting native plants for pollinators, making sustainable palm oil purchases and carpooling. All of these actions are a great start to help combat climate change, habitat loss and declining animal populations. n

[ Amur tiger ]

[ California sea lion participates in a jumping exercise ]

[ King cobra ]

The Beauty and Benefits of Spiders

By Kayla Garcia, Zoological Manager of Invertebrates

One late summer night, you might be lucky enough to spot an orb weaver spider weaving her web. She’s racing back and forth rebuilding her web, like she does every single night, in order to catch flying insects to eat. What’s your first thought when you spot her? Is it appreciation for her amazing web? Maybe it’s a little uncertainty about her eight legs? Most people have pretty strong feelings when it comes to spiders.

The good news is that most spiders are completely harmless to people and are actually really great to have around! I happen to love caring for and welcoming them around my yard. Spiders are an excellent natural control against mosquitoes and garden pests.

Spiders come in all shapes and sizes. They range in size from a large dinner plate (like our birdeater tarantulas at full size)

to no more than a few millimeters across. Most spiders are predators. They primarily eat other insects and use their venom to kill their food.

One thing that all spiders have in common is they produce silk. Silk is a type of protein fiber made by silk glands. It’s used to build webs, protect eggs and line burrows. It is incredibly tough and can stretch very far before breaking. Spider silk is being studied in a variety of ways: for laser optics, military armor and even for surgery on the nervous system.

In the St. Louis area, there are only two spider species that are considered “medically significant”: the black widow and the brown recluse. This means that the venom from these spiders could make you sick if you were to get bitten. We have both species at the Bayer Insectarium. While the bite of a brown recluse can

cause skin damage, it is not always easy to identify a skin injury as a spider bite. Many skin conditions are routinely misdiagnosed as spider bites.

So who else might you see if you visit the Insectarium? More than 10 species and dozens of spiders call the Insectarium home. I’ll introduce you to a couple right now as well as discuss a couple common spider myths.

Golden Silk Spider

Picture a large, golden-yellow spider with fuzzy black leg warmers on her front legs. She sits in the very middle of a large web with yellow silk, sometimes stretching 6 feet across. These spiders are the largest orb weavers we have in the U.S. and can be found in the southern U.S. down into South America. A female golden silk spider can lay an egg sac that

Golden silk spider wrapping its meal in silkZoological Manager of Invertebrates Kayla Garcia feeds a cricket to a hungry tarantula

may have 100 babies or more. Once they hatch, the babies are on their own. They use a method of travel called ballooning to find their own place to build their own tiny, perfect orb web. They do this by letting a strand of silk pick up the wind and carry them away. In order to make sure the babies have enough food, we separate them out into their own habitat once they are big enough to move.

Mexican Redknee Tarantula

It may be surprising to hear, but tarantulas are very popular pets. They are so popular in fact, some people try to smuggle them into the country illegally. Tarantulas live all over the world. We even have one species that calls Missouri home! Unfortunately, tarantulas also are one of the most common animals to be involved in the illegal wildlife

trade. Zoos often care for these animals that are discovered and confiscated by government officials tasked with preventing wildlife trafficking. The Insectarium is currently home to a dozen rescued tarantulas. Because we often don’t know exactly where these wild tarantulas were taken from, they cannot be released back into the wild.

Spider Myths

Because spiders are often misunderstood, it is no surprise that there are many myths that surround them. Have you ever heard that daddy long legs are the most venomous spider in the world, but that their fangs are too small to bite people? This is a myth!

Daddy long legs are not spiders at all, and they have neither fangs nor venom. Daddy long legs are part of the family Opiliones, an order in the

class Arachnida (spiders, scorpions, mites), but they are not spiders. They are harmless scavengers.

Another story that often comes up is that people swallow on average five (or more!) spiders in their sleep per year. No one is really sure how this urban legend got started, but rest assured, it also is a myth.

Spiders deserve our respect. They are excellent hunters and very much a part of the local ecosystem around us. The next time you see a

Mexican redknee tarantula

Garcia cares for a golden silk spider

Brown recluse spider

Fall is for the Birds, Bees and Butterflies

sparrow

By Edward M. Spevak, Ph.D., Curator of Invertebrates

Fall is usually a time for settling into a school routine, getting together with family and friends for the holidays, or just enjoying the changing colors of the leaves. It also can be a time to plan, prepare and plant for the birds, bees and butterflies that visit your garden.

Fall is for Planning

Fall is a great time to evaluate how well your garden supported birds, bees and butterflies over the last year and how you can improve it. First, did you have wildflowers blooming in the spring, summer and fall?

Different species of bees are active at different times of the year. A number of bees like mason bees, polyester bees and many mining bees (family Andrenidae) are active only in spring, and if nothing is blooming, these bees will have no pollen and nectar to live and raise their young. Additionally, if there is nothing blooming, new

bumblebee queens that emerge in the spring cannot start their colonies. Similarly, other bee species may only be found in summer and fall, so native wildflowers are needed for all seasons. Fall is when monarch butterflies return to Mexico, and they need to refuel with late summer and fall plants like asters, goldenrods and blazing stars. These same flowers are important for new bumblebee queens in the fall that need to store up energy for their winter hibernation.

Also, do you have enough native

related species of plant. This is called their host plant. These host plants may be native wildflowers, trees or shrubs. Find out which butterflies and moths live in your area and plan to plant their host plants. Finally, most of the birds we see around us feed their chicks the caterpillars that feed on those native plants. So, if we do not have the native plants, we will not have the caterpillars, and we will not have the songbirds that brighten our gardens.

Fall is for Preparing

After we have determined our plan for next year, we may need to prepare the ground for seeding and planting by removing unwanted plants such as non-native grasses and flowers that do not support our native wildlife. Some simple ways to kill off these plants, if you cannot just pull them out, include

White-throated

Bumblebee on a blazing star flower

Monarch butterfly

setting out cardboard, mulching or solarizing. Putting down a layer of newspaper or cardboard with mulch or hay on top will help to suppress and kill weeds. Solarizing requires placing a large plastic sheet over an area, with all edges secured to keep out airflow, letting the sun do the work of killing weeds and weed seeds.

Fall is for Planting and Seeding Fall is a perfect time to plant trees and shrubs. Planting in the fall gives trees and shrubs an extra growing season before the stress of summer. A combination of cooler temperatures and fall rain allows trees to establish their roots, making it easier on them to adjust to extreme heat or drought in the summer.

During the winter, trees and shrubs go dormant. This “sleep” slows the tree’s growth, energy consumption and metabolism. It is safe to plant trees and shrubs before the ground becomes

frozen solid, generally after the first hard frost. Even if there is snow on the ground, if you can stick a shovel into the ground, it is still okay to plant. Fall also is a great time to put down seed. Many seeds of our native wildflowers require periods of frost, cold and wet to soften their outer coat and break their dormancy so they can germinate and grow next spring and summer. This is a process called stratification. If you have snow, scatter the seeds on top. As the snow melts, it will both stratify the seeds and work them into the soil.

Leave the Leaves

A sure sign of autumn is the falling leaves. This year, put your rake and leaf blower away, and leave the leaves. Leaves help to suppress weeds and form a natural mulch that fertilizes the soil when they break down. Leaves are also a wildlife habitat for many animals, including bees,

moth

nest underground, protected from winter weather by an insulating layer of leaves. Great spangled fritillary caterpillars wait out the cold under leaves until spring violets emerge to feed their appetites, and luna moths wrap themselves in fallen leaves to change from caterpillar to moth. Many birds in the winter will forage for additional food under the leaves. With planning, preparing, planting and cutting back on the raking, you can make fall a great time to support our native bees, butterflies and birds. n

Fallen leaves are a wildlife habitat for many animals

Aster flowers

Luna

happenings

Zootoberfest

October 1, 2, 8 and 9, 2022; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Check out Oktoberfest festivities with some Saint Louis Zoo flair! Each weekend, guests can hear German-themed music and enjoy special menus and seasonal drinks for purchase. Sponsored by Urban Chestnut Brewing Company. Free.

Boo at the Zoo presented by SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital Nightly, October 14-30, 2022; 5 – 8:30 p.m.

Join us for the Zoo’s non-scary, kid-friendly evening Halloween event. Sponsored by SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, Wells Fargo, Caleres, Mid America Chevy Dealers and Prairie Farms Dairy. Purchase advance tickets at stlzoo.org/boo. Zoo members: October 14-16: $10; October 17-20: $9; October 21-23: $10; October 24-27: $10; October 28-30: $11. Children under age 2 are free.

Halloweekends presented by SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital

October 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30, 2022; 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Experience daytime fun for the family while the Zoo is decorated for Halloween. Specialty fall menu items will be offered along with pumpkin enrichment treats for the animals. Sponsored by SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, Mid America Chevy Dealers, and Eckert’s Country Store & Farms. Free.

Sea Lion Show

Through October 30, 2022; Saturdays and Sundays; 11 a.m., 1 and 2:30 p.m.

Sea lion superstars will thrill you with jumps and lots of splashing! Shows will be held at the Lichtenstein Sea Lion Arena, which features an 811-seat amphitheater for seasonal shows. Zoo members: Included in member/premium member tickets. Children under age 2 are free.

Stingrays at Caribbean Cove presented by SSM Health Through October 30, 2022

Guests can enjoy a hands-on opportunity to touch and feed these

gentle ocean creatures. Zoo members: Included in premium member tickets.

Build First Aid Kits at the Zoo Thursdays through November 3, 2022; 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

St. Louis Children’s Hospital will be at the Zoo helping young guests build first aid kits. Stop by the St. Louis Children’s Hospital First Aid Station (near the Mary Ann Lee Conservation Carousel). Free.

Emerson Dinoroarus Through November 6, 2022

Throughout Dinoroarus, discover the amazing connections between dinosaurs and modern-day living animals while walking among 14 different groupings of animatronic and stationary dinosaurs. Dinoroarus also features hands-on opportunities for digging and play! Sponsored by Emerson and The Goddard School. Zoo members: Included in member/premium member tickets. Children under age 2 are free.

Holiday Zootique

November 11, 2022; 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Special discounts for Zoo members for holiday shopping. Free.

Armenian steppe viper

happenings

Zoo Dunnit? A Mystery Dinner

November 12, 2022; 6-10 p.m.

For adults 21 and older only, come to the Zoo for a special interactive mystery dinner, featuring a three-course meal and two drink tickets (to be used for beer, wine or specialty cocktails). Detective or sleuth costumes are encouraged; however, costume masks and face paint are prohibited. Please check back to our website for pricing and more details. Free parking. More info (314) 646-4897.

U.S. Bank Wild Lights November 25-27 and 30; December 1-4, 7-11, 14-23, 26-30, 2022; 5 – 8:30 p.m.

Enjoy the Zoo decked out for the holidays with even more decorations than before. Sponsored by U.S. Bank, Spire, Mid America Chevy Dealers and Prairie Farms Dairy. Check back to our website to purchase tickets. Children under age 2 are free.

Breakfast with Santa December 3-4, 10-11 and 17-18, 2022; 8 and 11 a.m. seating times

Festive holiday breakfast includes a photo with Santa, a gift for kids and visits from costumed characters.

Pre-paid reservations are required, and seating is limited. Please check back to our website for pricing and more details. Children under age 2 are free. Free parking. More info (314) 646-4897.

Sensory Night at U.S. Bank Wild Lights Monday, December 12, 2022; 5 – 8:30 p.m.

This event is for individuals on the autism spectrum and others who may benefit from a sensory-friendly experience. The event mirrors the traditional holiday lights experience at Wild Lights but will offer quiet areas and trained Zoo staff to assist families. Limited tickets will be available. Children under age 2 are free.

Dinner with Santa December 19-22, 2022; 5 and 7 p.m. seating times

Enjoy a dinner hosted by Santa Claus and friends, including costumed characters, a Santa meet-and-greet, photos and a special gift chosen by Santa’s helpers. Wild Lights admission is included in Dinner with Santa reservations (weather permitting). Please check back to our website for pricing and more details. Children under age 2 are free. Free parking. More info (314) 646-4897.

Raja’s Birthday December 27, 2022; 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Raja is turning 30! Join us in celebrating this major life milestone! Event details will be shared on our website at a later date.

Hours

Through October 12, 2022

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

October 13 – December 31, 2022 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Note: The Zoo closes early for select events and holidays. Visit stlzoo.org/hours for more information.

Details subject to change. Please visit stlzoo.org for the latest information about Zoo events.

Domino roach

Education Programs at WildCare Park: Moving Beyond Nature Exploration

By Jaclyn Johnson, Assistant Director, Education

It has been two years since our family nature exploration programs were piloted at the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park. Since the pilot programs, our team has become more familiar with the landscape and the native wildlife utilizing the property. You might be thinking, what types of animals have we seen? Aquatic turtles, blue herons, spawning fish, monarch butterflies, white-tailed deer, juvenile bald eagles and cricket frogs, just to name a few. Other signs of animal wildlife, such as nests, burrows, chewed tree limbs, insect exoskeletons, animal scat (poop) and tracks also have been encountered. Seeing these signs of animals in the wild was just as important as seeing the live animals; the signs provided opportunities for the families to

explore and inquire about the animals’ behavior and feeding adaptations. What started as a basic nature exploration program has provided the foundation for offering more in-depth programs on a variety of topics, including conservation careers.

As the demand for virtual programs increased during the pandemic, we offered our first virtual Zoo Conservation Career Club program for north St. Louis County middle school students last spring. The program consisted of six virtual sessions, culminating with an in-person field experience at WildCare Park. Students met Zoo professionals and learned how STEM skills are used in their daily work. The students were able to practice some of those skills through

hands-on, collaborative activities in both the virtual sessions and during the in-person field experience.

Hosting the field experience at WildCare Park was a success!

Students learned how scientists study aquatic and plant biodiversity, and how the Saint Louis Zoo Institute for Conservation Medicine team studies and tracks the health of box turtles in the wild. This program was a great way to cultivate interest about zoo and conservation careers as well as build connections to nature, native wildlife and WildCare Park.

Our Zoo offers a variety of nature exploration and conservation career programs throughout the year. Be sure to check back to our website for future offerings. n

Left and center: Zoo Conservation Career Club students collect data in a wooded area at the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park

Zoo Conservation Career Club students net aquatic wildlife

Zoo ALIVE Teens Take Conservation Action Virtual Biggs Family Dedicates “Penelope’s Place” at River Camp Terrace

John and Penelope Biggs rediscovered the Saint Louis Zoo when they moved back to the area from New York City in 2019. Penelope’s health has declined in recent years, and John says that visiting the Zoo is one of the few things she still enjoys.

“Through this difficult time, the Zoo has been a bright spot for us,” John said. “My son Henry and I wanted to make a gift to honor Penelope and to support the place where we’ve had so many special moments as a family.”

John is a native of Kirkwood and attended Thomas Jefferson School. He and Penelope met in 1956 while they both were studying classics, she at Radcliffe and he at Harvard. After that, they married and both earned doctorates at Washington University in St. Louis, hers in comparative literature and his in economics.

They raised their children in St. Louis as they began their

professional careers. John started as an actuary at the General American Life Insurance Company in 1958, was appointed vice chancellor for Administration and Finance at Washington University in 1977, and president and CEO of Centerre Trust Company in 1985. John and Penelope relocated to New York in 1989 when John was named president and chief operating officer for TIAA-CREF; he retired as CEO in 2001. He was on the faculty at NYU’s Stern School of Business until 2016.

Penelope, a published scholar, joined the faculty of Lindenwood College in 1968 as an assistant professor of literature and later taught Latin at Mary Institute, joining their faculty in 1978. She is originally from Boston and spent much of her childhood in Europe where her father, Henry Parkman Jr.,

was a top diplomat and Army officer during and after WWII.

Penelope has always loved elephants. On their visits to the Zoo, she and John have especially enjoyed observing Raja and our herd, as well as other favorites, including the gorillas and penguins. In April, John and Penelope celebrated the dedication of “Penelope’s Place” at River Camp Terrace near the entrance of River’s Edge with close friends and family. n

By Robin Kraujalis, Manager, Planned Gifts

Left to right: Liz Teasdale, Marletta Payne, Henry Biggs, Penelope Biggs, Gloria Carter, John Biggs, Peggy and Guy McClellan Penelope Biggs at the Zoo

Photos by David Merritt

Joan and Er win Schneider: A Lifelong Love for the Zoo

By Robin Kraujalis, Manager, Planned Gifts

Joan and Erwin Schneider were lifelong Saint Louis Zoo fans. Growing up in St. Louis, Joan and Erwin both shared fond memories of numerous grade school field trips to the Zoo. Joan recalled fond memories of Miss Jim, the Zoo’s first elephant, and the penny campaign where schoolchildren helped raise funds to purchase her. Erwin was fascinated by watching keepers feed Blondie, the famous python, back when Life magazine called our Zoo “the most entertaining ever known in the U.S.”

The Schneiders’ appreciation for wildlife evolved along with the times. Animals remained important and interesting to them and were a highlight of many of their vacations. Their favorites included whalewatching trips in the Pacific and a memorable mid-winter visit to Yellowstone. Moose, reindeer, caribou, eagles and huskie pups were star attractions in Denali National Park and other Alaskan destinations. The couple visited zoos in other cities as well, but they found that nothing held a candle to their beloved Saint Louis Zoo.

As the years passed, Joan and Erwin shared their passion for our Zoo and animals with family and friends, including dozens of plush toy animals gifted to their grandnieces. To ensure St. Louisans could continue to create memories like

theirs, they generously supported the Zoo’s operations as members of the Marlin Perkins Society and through capital improvements such as the building of the Orthwein Animal Nutrition Center.

Through the Endowment, their family continues to support the Zoo. Their nephew David Poth and his wife, Cheryl, established the Joan and Erwin Schneider Fund in their memory to support capital improvements and enrich the public’s experience.

“Aunt Joan and Uncle Erwin helped make the Zoo a special place for all of us,” David said. “We want to ensure that generations in the future will be awed and transformed by it, just as they were then and we are now.” n

A public feeding of Blondie in the 1930s

Erwin and Joan Schneider

Humboldt penguin

Photo from St. Louis Post-Dispatch

A Zoo Ado 2022: A Party for Pollinators

By Hannah Stater, Partnership Marketing Coordinator

On the warm summer evening of Friday, June 17, more than 2,300 individuals enjoyed delectable food, refreshing cocktails, special activities and upbeat entertainment at A Zoo Ado 2022 presented by Wells Fargo. It was the first time since 2018 that this biennial fundraiser was held in-person (it was hosted virtually in 2020), so we were glad we could be together and celebrate. This year, our featured animal was the monarch butterfly, and guests sported bold and bright butterfly-themed outfits and accessories!

A Zoo Ado 2022 kicked off with a VIP Reception hosted in The Living World, Emerson Dinoroarus and Bayer Insectarium. Within The Living World, individuals created their own custom jewelry at the Kendra Scott Color Bar™, which featured beautiful commemorative A Zoo Ado butterfly jewelry. Additional special activities included sampling high-end bourbon, selecting from a wine pull and perusing a gift card wall funded by Wells Fargo.

Throughout the evening, A Zoo Ado guests fluttered around the Zoo to food stations featuring a mac ‘n’ cheese bar, barbecued chicken and watermelon poke, and bars highlighting the event’s specialty cocktail, the Tequila Moonrise. Adults felt like kids again and took a spin on the Mary Ann Lee Conservation Carousel and hopped aboard the Emerson Zooline Railroad.

On the main stage in Schnuck Family Plaza, national cover band

Party on the Moon filled the air with hit songs from across the ages and helped make the Zoo’s largest fundraiser of the year a wonderful night to remember.

Overall, more than $608,000 was raised in support of the Zoo’s mission to conserve animals and their habitats, surpassing the initial fundraising goal by more than $60,000.

We would like to give a special thank you to Wells Fargo for helping make A Zoo Ado a fun-filled evening, and we wish to extend our sincerest gratitude to all our premier sponsors:

Leader of the Pack Wells Fargo

Musical Entertainment U.S. Bank

Tip of the Iceberg World Wide Technology

Gentle Giraffe

Mid America Chevy Dealers

Playful Penguin Alberici Constructors, Inc

Anheuser-Busch

Bayer

The Boeing Company

Cequel III

David B. Lichtenstein Foundation

Edward Jones

First Bank

Graybar

Lighting Associates, LLC

Alicia S. McDonnell

Roofers Mart

Sandberg Phoenix

We cannot wait to see everyone next year at ZOOFARI 2023, bringing back our restaurant partners for an exciting evening at the Zoo. We will be sharing details with our closest Zoo supporters in the coming months. n

Ellen and Sheldon Menezes

Party on the Moon

From left to right: Dana Brown President & CEO Dwight Scott, Larry Thomas, Toya Thompson, Katie and Steve Schankman

From left to right: Mark Hubbert, Vianey Beltran, Bill Schmidt, Linda Hunter, Dwight Scott, Alicia McDonnell and Cynthia J. Brinkley

Marlin Perkins Society

The Saint Louis Zoo is extremely fortunate to have the support of more than 1,300 generous individuals, foundations and corporations through the Marlin Perkins Society. We welcome our newest members to the Society and thank them for joining this wonderful group of supporters. To our current members who have increased their financial support, we are pleased to recognize you as well. We are grateful for your commitment to our mission.

New Marlin Perkins Society Members

May 1 – July 31, 2022

Cole Alves Anonymous

Mark & Kimberly Atkins

Automatic Controls

Kurt & Kathy Berry

Titus & Gloria Blackmon

Marghuretta Bland & Chris O’Connor

Phil & Darcy Callahan

Clifton Consulting, LLC Glen & Patti Deutsch

Edco Realty Co. Tim & Dana Emert

Cathy & Mark French Eric & Gordana Fritsche

Michael & Jeanie Gleason

Anna Gonzalez & Brent Fujinaka

Arthur Grimm & Jennifer John Andrew & Robin Hittler

James & Lisa Huff

Dr. Michael & Mrs. Michelle Isserman

Edward & Barbara Little

René & JoAnn Lusser

Dave & Sandy Maas

Michael & Carol Milne

Ephraim & Michelle Mufson and Family

Mike & Terry Mulligan

Charles & Jean Naslund

Donna M. & Christopher C. Oelzen

Sharon & David Raich

Reinsurance Group of America Inc.

David C. Smith & Mary Smith Annette Tulley

Chase Ufkes & Rachel Borgwald David & Dana Whitley

The Wolfe Family

The Woolsey Family Dr. Robert Young & Dr. Katherine Kreusser

Current Marlin Perkins Society Members Who Have Increased Support

May 1 – July 31, 2022

Dianna & Joe Adorjan (25) Anheuser-Busch

Anonymous

Ronald L. & Cheryl L. Bednar Rick & Sue Berron

Thomas Brackman

Cynthia Brinkley (10)

Robert & Christina Campbell

W. Lee & Kati Capps

Robert & Connie Carr

John & Pam Davis (15)

Pam Dearing

Bob & Judy Evans

Logan & Adela Finerty

Joan Gettemeyer

Matt & Karen Jacobs

Robert & Ilene Jenkins Louis & Carole Loebner (15)

The Mallon Family (10) Melissa & Herbert Markwort

Ms. Deborah K. Martens

Chris & Bonnie Miget

Mary Carol Millsap (30)

John† & Grace Nichols (10)

Michael & Lisa Pogue

Judy & Paul Putzel (15)

Kimberly Rayford & Tim Lucido Rush & Laila Robinson

Bob & Johanna Schillinger (15)

Alice & Terry Shofner (10)

Alan Silverberg & Kim Beisman

Dr. David & Amy Striker

Striler Group

Bob & Laura Walsh

(10) denotes member for at least 10 years (15) denotes member for at least 15 years (25) denotes member for at least 25 years (30) denotes member for at least 30 years

† denotes deceased

Please contact the Development Office at (314) 646-4859 if you:

• Would like information on how you can join or increase your support to the Marlin Perkins Society

• Discover a discrepancy or have a question (the Zoo makes every effort to acknowledge all gifts and to maintain accurate records)

Saint Louis Zoo Honor Roll

The following list represents new major and planned gifts and pledges, excluding Marlin Perkins Society and other membership gifts, made to the Saint Louis Zoo Association from May 1 to July 31, 2022. Donors are listed in the category of their most recent giving to the Saint Louis Zoo.

Major Gifts

$100,000 and Above

The Guth Foundation

$99,999 – $50,000

The Boeing Company Dr. Virginia M. Herrmann

Jordan Charitable Foundation Estate of Ann M. Parke

Special Gifts

$49,999 – $25,000

Anonymous (2)

Preston M. Green Charitable Foundation Phillip & Tiffany Zacher

$24,999 – $10,000 AAA Missouri – In Honor of Ken Johnson J. Joseph & Dianna S. Adorjan

Mr. & Mrs. James B. Elsesser

Mr. & Mrs. Logan W. Finerty

Walt & Nancy Galvin

Caroline Loughlin Fund

Estate of Howard & Kathleen Secks

Estate of Frank J. & Jeanette A. Titz Ms. Beverly Zacher

$9,999 – $5,000

Anonymous Alan & Dottye Akerson

The Friends of the Eleven Point River Mr. Gregory J. Goellner Ms. Marie D. Jacobs Keith & Nancy Lissant Lannis D. & Kathryn Phillips

$4,999 – $2,500

Blueprint4SummerSTL Drs. Dan & Susan Luedke

Native Landscape Solutions, Inc James H. Woods Foundation

$2,499 – $1,000

Anonymous (2)

DJM Ecological Services, Inc./ Pure Air Natives, Inc.

Robert K. & Judithe A. Evans Dr. Cole Gilbert & Dr. Linda S. Rayor

Frederick Pitzman Fund

Saltwater Enthusiast Association of St. Louis

Estate of Harold & Dorothy Schneider Dr. Elizabeth Tarpey

Mr. & Mrs. Andrew C. Taylor Tracy Family Foundation Ms. Ellen Uhlemeyer Mr. Robert Yeager

$999 – $250 Sarah Beadle Dr. & Mrs. David M. Berwald Terry Buzbee Sherri Cohoon

Dierbergs Markets Inc. Mr. & Mrs. Jerome H. DiMarcellis Rory Dowd

Jay Everette & Brian Speas Dr. Sandra J. Fabrizi

Jack Frazier

Jamie & Arwen Froedge Dr. Andrew E. Galakatos Karen E. Greaves Jane Habbegger

Judy & Terry Hein

Chris Imbs

Kathryn Jones

Trevor Kettelkamp

Mrs. Susan B. Knight

Jane Lansing

Ronald L. & Jane E. Martin Mrs. Colleen M. McMillan Ms. Colleen Mettler

Sarah Morgenthaler Maria Pfeiffer

Ms. Shari L. Sawyer Rhea Silk

Eleni Sommerkamp

Terrence Spencer

Patricia & Berkley Turner Mrs. Heather N. Webb

Wells Fargo Community Support Campaign Dr. & Mrs. John A. Wood Peter & Sheri Zornio

The Saint Louis Zoo Development Office regrets any errors or omission of any gift.

If you would like to change your honor roll listing, contact Katie Meyers at meyers@stlzoo.org.

Black mamba

Saint Louis Zoo Tribute Fund

Donors providing the Saint Louis Zoo Tribute Fund with gifts of $25 or more between May 1 and July 31, 2022, to honor or memorialize events and loved ones include:

In Memory Of Philip Altman

Gary A. & Bonnie B. Halls

Renate N. Anderson

Burns & McDonnell Engineering

Kaitlyn Carhart

Robert & Gail Mielziner

Wayne Carlon

Anonymous

Norman E. Carter Richard McLaughlin

Ryan Crecelius Joan A. Ranson

Neldalea Dotray

Mr. & Mrs. William E. Donnell Gabriel & Shelly Gigliotti Tom & Diane Paul John & Tina Tompkins

William Gammon

Joyce Hickman

Planet Tool & Engineering

LaDonna L. Hopkins

Michael & Monica Hussey Ms. JoAnn Nabe

John Houpt Robert & Gail Mielziner

Jacquelyn J. Knickmeyer

Tim T. Anderson Dale Butkovich

John E. Carsten Karla Kroeplin Joseph Oliver Mark Reszka Sarah Vaughn Karlene Waters

Jane Knobbe

Ellen C. & Ben C. Birch Mr. & Mrs. Darren Fulton Karen Martin Michelle P. & John J. Mueller Anne Roth

Rosemary C. Lambert

Pam Cavness

Lois J. Davis Anna De Jesus Mrs. Doris D. Ferguson Mrs. Gerry Friedman Ann Good

The Kloppenburg Family Michael Lambert James Lambert Stephen Lambert Mrs. Bonnie B. Moore Mr. & Mrs. Tad Murphy Mr. & Mrs. Andrew C. Taylor

Thomas C. Mayer

Rosanne & Ron Eastman

T.J. Mister Shannon E. Senzig

Kathryn Phillips

Janet Dedeke Ms. Geraldine C. Gradle Judy K. O’Brien Lannis D. Phillips

Cownose stingray

Lance Thibault

Mr. John Pokrefke

Louise Topp

Kent & Deborah Richter

Ms. Kim Shine

Dr. David Williams

Sylvia Twigger

Gary A. & Bonnie B. Halls

Edward J. Verstraete

Jeanne & Ron Rolwing

Joan E. Vitale

Jeanne & Ron Rolwing

Lee R. Wallace

Mr. Clarence C. Barksdale

Mr. & Mrs. Charles L. Barnes Mrs. Carol C. Bitting Mrs. Van-Lear Black III

Arthur J. & Marie C. Brauer Ann Brightman

Lee H. Carroll

Mr. & Mrs. Parker B. Condie

Jay Everette & Brian Speas

Mr. & Mrs. Lucien R. Fouke, Jr. Heather & Larry Gwaltney

Emily, David, Catherine & Anna Day Harry

Mr. & Mrs. Charles H. Hoessle

Mr. Jeffrey L. Huntington Chris Imbs

Stephen & Susan Jansen

Robert S. Lane

Mr. & Mrs. James S. McDonnell III Mrs. Margaret McKinney Jane & Ted Simmons

Theodore J. Wieber

Ms. Kathy Julien

Mary L. Wittenberg

Mrs. Ann L. Case

Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Edwards

GHG Trusts & Estates Department Mr. Jeffrey L. Huntington Mrs. Barbara Landesman

Mr. & Mrs. James S. McDonnell III Joan Mischo

Ms. Beth Rubin

Mr. & Mrs. Terry E. Schnuck

Mr. & Mrs. Dan Sullivan Peter & Teresa Wetzel

Dr. & Mrs. John A. Wood

Sharon A. Wyman

Jennifer Capano Megan Gray

In Honor Of Brooke Behan James & Suzanne Johnson

Kathy Button Bell & Jim Nyquist Sarah Beadle Terry Buzbee Jack Frazier Jamie & Arwen Froedge Jane Lansing Ronald L. & Jane E. Martin Ms. Colleen Mettler

Mr. Robert Yeager Peter & Sheri Zornio

Mrs. Penelope Biggs

Caroline Teasdale Walker

Jeffrey P. Bonner & Melody E. Noel Frank & Martha Fischer Mrs. Susan B. Knight Constance Lohr Patricia & Berkley Turner

Jon Cameron & David Stephens Carlyn Katz

Mr. Jerome H. DiMarcellis

Mr. & Mrs. James P. Fitzgerald Judy & Terry Hein Donna & Roy Jennerjohn

Dr. Martin Reis Dr. & Mrs. Sherman Silber Dawson Hardaway Joshua Pauley

Cynthia S. Holter

Mr. & Mrs. Charles H. Hoessle

Mr. Kenneth A. Johnson AAA – Auto Club of Missouri Constance Lohr Tony Buzzelli

Merah the orangutan Jane Habbegger

Nicole L. Shelledy Greg Heinz

Marcella & Greg Stevens Alisa B. Goessling Robyn Levy-Marino

How do a group of bees get to school?

On a school buzz.

HAHA!

What do you call an alligator who solves mysteries?

An investi-gator.

What happens when a frog’s car breaks down?

It gets toad.

THE BEST HALLOWEEN

Why do birds fly south for the winter?

Because it’s too far to walk.

HAHA!

Why did the elephant stay at the airport?

It was waiting for its trunk.

Once again, the countdown is on for Halloween, and we bet you’re excited!

What do you call a sleeping bull?

A bull-dozer.

How do you stop a rhino from charging?

Take away their credit card.

HAHA!

Why are fish so smart?

What’s orange and sounds like a parrot?

What time does a duck wake up?

Because they live in schools.

BEST ANIMAL HALLOWEEN JOKES,

A carrot.

It’s a St. Louis tradition that grown-ups ask you to tell them a joke before they give you candy. Many Zoo members loved our animal jokes in last year’s fall issue, so we bring you part two of the best jokes around!

What do you call a horse that lives next door?

At the quack of dawn. PART 2!

What dog keeps the best time?

A watch dog.

A neigh-bor.

Where do cows go for entertainment?

The moo-vies.

Can a kangaroo jump higher than the Arch?

Of course, the Arch can’t jump!

Why don’t cheetahs play hide and seek?

Because they’re always spotted.

HAHA! HAHA! HAHA!

© stlzoo, Saint Louis Zoo, 2022

Pumpkin Palooza

Several animals, like this capybara, enjoy pumpkin treats in the fall. Pumpkins can serve as enrichment to the animals. Enrichment helps keep the animals’ brains busy and gives them opportunities to make choices. For example, they could eat, smash or roll the pumpkins!

Photo by JoEllen Toler