Spring 2023 stlzoo magazine

By Michael Macek, Director, Saint Louis Zoo

Hello, Zoo members! It’s my pleasure to address you for the first time in this publication. As Zoo Director, I oversee all operations and programs at the Saint Louis Zoo, including our membership program, so I’m glad to be more involved in connecting with you all. I also look forward to seeing many of you at our members-only events planned for this year!

As I look at this issue, the theme I really see is reflection. In this issue’s cover story, we reflect on and celebrate 60 years of the Emerson Zooline Railroad. It has carried over 41 million guests since 1963, and I’m sure you’ve made many memories at this beloved attraction. As much as we are proud of our past, we’re excited about our future, including the addition of an electric train! This electric train will begin running this spring and will feature bright green paint — a nod to our commitment to sustainability. Read more on page 6.

This past fall, do you remember us announcing our new red-headed addition, Rhubarb? She’s an endangered Francois’ langur who was born in September 2022. Thanks to remarkable care from our primate team, Rhubarb is well and thriving. Learn more on page 12 and reflect about Rhubarb’s journey firsthand from one of her keepers!

What better time to stop and think about our personal habits and choices than Earth Day? As a conservation organization, we’re constantly looking to innovate and be the most sustainable place we can be. You may have heard about the One Health approach; it looks at planetary health holistically, which includes the health of animals, people and ecosystems. There are things you can do that help the whole planet! Check out those recommendations on page 18.

Many look to spring as birdwatching season; I know I do. As our Zoo’s former Curator of Birds, bird conservation is near and dear to me. We understand the sobering statistics about declining bird populations; one of the ways we’re helping birds is by using Motus Wildlife Tracking System towers. These towers use radio-telemetry to help study the movements of animals, notably migratory birds. This is a great step forward in bird conservation; read more on page 20.

We have several new events this spring, from Endangered Species Day and One Health Day; learn more on pages 22 and 23. And, of course, mark your calendars for an annual favorite — Zoo Friends Day on May 12!

As always, thank you for supporting us with your membership, and I look forward to seeing you around the 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

Open Position

Chairs Emeritus

Honorable James F.

Conway

Steven F. Schankman

Mark J. Schnuck

SAINT LOUIS ZOO ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President

Robert B. Smith III

Vice President

Michael J. Hickey

Treasurer

Lisa K. Sullivan

Secretary

Linda J. Hunter

Immediate

Past President

Alicia S. McDonnell

Executive Committee

Dr. Edmond B.

Cabbabe

Kathy S. Federico

Matthew W. Geekie

Ricky L. Hopkins, Sr.

Annette L. Kelly

James P. Leonard

Dr. Matthew R.

MacEwan

Bhavik R. Patel

Dana Tucker Redwing

Angela D. Schaefer

Stephanie Valier

Schwendinger

Maria G. Taxman

Matthew A. Wagner

Gerald E. Wiley

James E. Williams, Jr.

Board of Directors

Barbara C. Archer

Kathleen W. Bilderback

Susan S. Block

Cenia D. Bosman

Christine Boushka

Debbie A. Caplin

Hazel Alethea R.

Donald

Edward Durham

Brad M. Edwards

Cory Elliott

Logan W. Finerty

Lauren Thomas Fries

Amy A. Gill

Brett G. Gilliland

Janis G. Goldstein

Davida Lichtenstein

Grindstaff

Kenneth H. Hannah

Charles Henson

Molly Hyland

Ryan L. Hyman

Robert F. Johnston

Carol S. Klein

Lee C. Kling

Judith B. Kouchoukos

Julie Lilly

Dr. Dan W. Luedke

Melissa Markwort

Ryan J. Martin

Jennifer T. McGrath

Andrew T. Miedler

Patrick J. Moore

John Nguyen

Dr. Stanley J. Niemann

Frances G. Pestello

Pravina Pindoria

Dr. Steven S. Pope

Quirsis V. Riney

James G. Sansone

Jason D. Sapp

Steven F. Schankman

James R. Schnurbusch

Shelley Seifert

Torbjorn B. Sjogren

Zachary A. Smith

John R. Sondag

Dianne Sutcliffe

Kevin Travers

James Tyrrell

Virgil Van Trease

Lottie Wade

Robert M. Williams, Jr.

Geoffrey Wilson

Heather Wood

Emerita – Emeritus

Members

James G. Berges

Marguerite Garrick

Douglas E. Hill

Joseph F. Imbs III

John K. Wallace, Jr.

Ex-Officio

Whittney Dunn

SAINT LOUIS ZOO

YOUNG

PROFESSIONALS

ADVISORY BOARD

President

Whittney Dunn

Secretary Rei Kato

Vice Presidents

Emily Carter

Samantha Hurrell

Christian Wargo

Luke Yamnitz

Open Position

Treasurer

Brittany Mayfield

Liaisons

Jennifer Jeffries

Tre Moore

Mike Poletti

Megan Schwedtmann

Zach Ungerott

Eric Werner

Open Position

Open Position

Open Position

Board Members

Erica Agnew

Joel Carter

Jamal Cornelious

Betsy Crites

Justin Diecker

Katie Doherty

Allison Heininger

Bryar Keyes

Kelly King

Praveena Kolli

James Merenda

Timothy Nielsen

Lauren Parko

Dacoda Scarlett

Kate Schwarze

Kristin Shannahan

Kelly Stein

Alex Stepanek

Jake Thessen

Michael Tulley

Craig VanLeeuwen

In This Issue

6

All Aboard! Celebrating 60 Years of Memories

Learn about the past, present and future endeavors of the beloved Emerson Zooline Railroad.

12

Growing Up Rhubarb She’s growing up fast! Learn about her first seven months firsthand from one of her keepers.

18

“How Can I Conserve the Species I Love?” As Earth Day approaches, find some ways you can contribute to animal, human and planetary health.

2 Membership Updates

22 Happenings

29 Saint Louis Zoo Honor Roll

30 Saint Louis Zoo Tribute Fund

32 Kids Page

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

On the Cover Locomotive #46, Pierre Laclede

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. You also can opt into receiving digital-only issues! Check your email for instructions.

Photo by Ray Meibaum

Membership Updates

In this new section, we’ll quickly highlight top Zoo happenings, from event and attraction updates to member-specific reminders. If you have questions about your membership, please visit stlzoo.org/membership or contact us at (314) 646-4771, option 2.

Attraction Opening Dates

Emerson Dinoroarus

Now Open!

Included in member tickets

Sea Lion Show

Weekend Shows: April 1

Daily Shows: May 26

Included in member tickets

Stingrays at Caribbean Cove presented by SSM Health

Opens April 7

Included in premium member tickets

New Member Benefit

Bird Show Experience Coming in May, this will be included in your member tickets!

Zoo Friends Day is May 12

This special day is just for you; it’s one way we can show our appreciation for your membership. Bring your membership card and enjoy free parking (based on availability) and admission to attractions, special activities and more. Stop by with your immediate family from 3 to 8 p.m. We look forward to seeing you!

Member Discount on Summer Programs

Registration for our Zoo summer programs is open, and remember, members receive a discount! Check stlzoo.org/education for all our summer adventures.

We’re rea c h i ng n e w he i g hts!

Coming this spring: Gira e Feedings

See our reticulated gira es like never before. You'll never forget an 18-inch tongue coming at you!

• $5 per ticket; includes two pieces of lettuce (limited tickets available)

• Daily feedings will be o ered at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. (schedule subject to change)

• We have several gira es in our care, and because we are dedicated to giving them choices, you never know who will come forward for a feeding

• Check back to our website and social media for updates

Did You

Just as we are dedicated to caring for animals, we are dedicated to providing a great guest experience, which includes finding something tasty to eat. This is especially important for guests who have allergies or dietary needs. Where can you find specialty food at the Zoo?

Vegetarian and Vegan Options

Different options are available depending on the season. Meals you can find throughout the year include:

Black bean burgers and cheese quesadillas

Where: Lakeside Cafe

Plant-based burgers and the 10-item, build-your-own burrito bowl

Where: Cafe Kudu

Cheese pizza

Where: Cafe Kudu, East Refreshments

We also offer a variety of snacks throughout campus. In many instances, we can modify menu items to suit your needs!

Plant-based burger and fries

Know...

Allergy-Friendly Options

Formerly located at Ray’s Snack Shack, our dedicated allergy-friendly menu includes items free of gluten, tree nuts, peanuts, soy, egg and more. Yummy items include nachos,

Gluten-free chicken strips

Dairy-Free Treats

Enjoy the ultimate chill treat, Dole Whip, a frozen soft-serve free of gluten, dairy, peanut, soy and egg. We offer it in four flavors and serve it in specialty sundaes, parfaits and frozen drinks.

Where: Ray’s Snack Shack and River Camp Cafe

Dairy-free frozen treat

All Aboard!

Celebrating years

60

By Rebecca McMiller, Marketing Communications Manager

Photos by Ray Meibaum

OF

Memories of the Zooline Railroad began on Aug. 30, 1963. For many families, a visit to the Saint Louis Zoo just isn’t complete without a train ride — it’s a nostalgic part of the Zoo experience. From the heart-racing sound of “All aboard!” to the refreshing breeze felt when the train reaches its maximum speed (8 miles per hour), a train ride is fun for the young and young at heart. The Zooline Railroad celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. In honor of its “diamond jubilee,” we’d like to walk you through memory lane, reflect on the railroad’s many successes and get you excited about some future innovations.

Above: Engineer Mike Harris and a guest enjoying their day on the Zooline Railroad;

Below: #47, Lewis & Clark

ON THE

With the “clink” of a golden spike into the ground from the late Saint Louis Zoo Director Marlin Perkins, the Zooline Railroad was open. It was a swiftly done project (construction began in 1962), costing approximately $300,000. The Zoo contracted with a corporation whose leader had built and run similar attractions at other zoos at the time. After a short lease, the Zoo bought the railroad from the company. The fare for Zoo guests was 30 cents a ride.

The Zooline Railroad was renamed the Emerson Zooline Railroad in 2010 when the Zoo received a generous $5 million gift from Emerson.

The Zooline Railroad’s engines are one-third size replicas of the original C. P. Huntington, a famous steam locomotive first built in 1863. The C. P. Huntington helped build the first transcontinental railway. The Zooline Railroad began with “The Spirit of St. Louis” locomotive; the family later grew to include the #45, Daniel Boone (1991); #46, Pierre Laclede (1993); #47, Lewis & Clark (1995); #48, Ulysses S. Grant (1998); #49, Charlton Tandy (1999); and #100, Emerson (2010).

The popularity of the Zooline Railroad has remained strong throughout the years. It is the No. 1 Zoo experience that does not involve animals.

While the Zooline Railroad has been a beloved experience throughout its 60 years, the Zoo has modernized the attraction for better accessibility. Each train was fitted in 1995 with a coach to accommodate riders with a variety of needs, including riders who use wheelchairs. The Zooline Railroad, along with other Zoo attractions, is also part of our KultureCity packages for guests. Those with sensory processing needs can pick up a KultureCity sensory bag at each Welcome Desk. Within the bag, in addition to noise-canceling headphones, weighted lap pads and fidgets, is a pass that allows the guest to board an attraction without a continuous wait in line. Accessibility is important to the Zooline Railroad team. Engineer James Lutzow said, “We want everyone to board and leave the train with a smile on their face. We’re driven to ensure all guests have access to the train, and we leverage our capabilities to accommodate guests with all needs.”

Knowing how much Zoo guests love the railroad, the Zoo offers an Engineer for a Day program for guests ages 8 and up, April through September. It’s the ultimate day for train enthusiasts. Participants help an engineer with various activities, blow the whistle and ring the bell on the locomotive, and help passengers board the train. Four complimentary train tickets are offered for the participant’s family and friends, too. (Book the program at stlzoo.org/education.) In addition to Engineer for a Day, the Zooline Railroad (and other Zoo attractions) is available to rent for private events, such as weddings, company picnics and more.

The only people who may love the Zooline Railroad more than our guests are our team members who work on the railroad throughout the year.

“Everyone who works on the railroad is family, and we genuinely enjoy being around each other and the guests,” said Stephen Bowman, Assistant Manager of the Zooline Railroad. “Not a single person comes to work and wishes they stayed home. Even on our busiest, most exhausting days, the railroad is always where I would want to be working.”

Bowman has a proud family history with the railroad; his grandfather, Ken Bowman, began working on the railroad as an engineer in 2009. “For my 10th birthday, I took part in the Engineer for a Day program with my grandpa; after that day, all I wanted to do was go back and work on the trains,” he said. “During my sophomore year of high school, I went to a Zoo hiring event and began working in food service but later got transferred to the department that oversees Zoo attractions, including the train. On March 27, 2022, I was certified as a railroad engineer — a very proud day for me. Unfortunately, my grandfather passed in January 2022, so he was unable to physically see that moment, but he definitely helped me through my certification process.”

Ed Koeninger has worked on the Zooline Railroad for nearly 20 years and is one of the most tenured engineers at the Zoo. His favorite moments are connecting with guests; many of them want a photo, hug or handshake after their ride. He emphasized that while being an engineer is a fun job, it’s still a job.

“We take safety very seriously,” he said. “Engineers do a daily inspection report of all the trains, and our maintenance team does thorough checks as well. During rides, we are responsible for the safety of the locomotive, our partner and passengers. Throughout your ride, you may notice we do several safety stops to ensure we remain a safe distance from other locomotives, and the conductor in the back is continuously looking out for the passengers in front. The train ride is only fun if everything and everyone is safe.”

“The No. 1 Zoo experience that does involvenot animals."

Growing Future INTO THE

As with all Zoo operations, sustainability is a top focus when planning for the future. Joining the family of locomotives at the Zooline Railroad is a new electric train with new accompanying coaches. The electric train creates less gas emissions than the current fuel-operated locomotives.

“As the Zoo’s trains begin to age, replacing the locomotives with a much greener approach will set us up for a better future,” said Tim Huett, Director of Attractions.

“We are excited as we look ahead to the future of the Zooline Railroad and continue to create memories that will last a lifetime.”

Apart from the green color of the locomotive and the new sound of the train whistle, the electric train looks similar to the Zoo’s other locomotives.

The train is named after Mary Meachum, an abolitionist who, along with husband Reverend John Berry Meachum, was dedicated to educating and freeing enslaved people. When Missouri banned education for Black people in 1847, the Meachums moved a school they set up to a steamboat on the Mississippi River where the Missouri law couldn’t be enforced. It was called the “Floating Freedom School.” The new electric locomotive will debut in spring 2023. Stay tuned to the Zoo’s social media channels for updates. We hope you’ll take the opportunity to ride the Zooline Railroad this year and take a moment to absorb all the history the railroad has experienced over 60 years. The 41 million guests who have travelled on the railroad since 1963 are part of its story, and we thank you for supporting this beloved attraction. n

“Sustainability is a top focus when planning for the future."

#50, Mary Meachum, coming in 2023

Guests of all ages are delighted to see our train engineers

Zooline THE AT A GLANCE Railroad

1.5 MILES OF TRACK

6 (soon to be 7 with the electric train!)

LOCOMOTIVES

8 is the fastest they will go MILES PER HOUR

DISPATCHERS

10 manage daily operations

ENGINEERS

50 keep the train running, alongside a head mechanic, assistant mechanic, general laborer, assistant manager, manager of attractions, and director of attractions

76 can fit on each train

ADULT PASSENGERS

18

TONS is the weight of a fully loaded train

41 Million+ since 1963 GUESTS

Above: #49, Charlton Tandy; Below: Mechanics keep the train safe and ready to go

RHUBARB GROWING

Article and Photos by Ethan Riepl, Primate Keeper and Francois’ Langur Species Survival Plan Vice Coordinator

Rhubarb the Francois’ langur was born overnight on Sept. 30, 2022. She is the first Francois’ langur ever born at the Saint Louis Zoo and an important birth for this endangered species.

Her birth was not unexpected, and we had done a lot of preparation in the weeks and months leading up to her arrival. We always plan for the worst and hope for the best.

Rhubarb is the first-born to mom Dolly. There can be many issues with first-time mothers, ranging from problems with the infant’s health and viability to her maternal instincts and ability to care for the infant properly. However, we felt that Dolly’s calm and nurturing personality would suit her well as a potential mother.

UP

SHE IS THE FIRST FRANCOIS’ LANGUR EVER BORN AT THE SAINT LOUIS ZOO AND AN IMPORTANT BIRTH FOR THIS ENDANGERED SPECIES.

When Rhubarb arrived, Dolly did as well as we could’ve expected, but it turned out that serious health issues were in the cards for both. Dolly developed an infection and subsequent complications, which temporarily affected her milk supply for Rhubarb. Thanks in large part to all of our pre-birth preparations and help from other zoos with expertise in Francois’ langurs, we were able to get both of them through their respective health scares and on the road to recovery. With a brief stop

at internet stardom — including news segments and a Facebook post with nearly 7,000 interactions — the next journey ahead of Rhubarb was growing up and learning how to be a langur.

Francois’ langurs practice allomothering, or aunting behavior, in which unrelated adult females aid in taking care of and carrying the young. In fact, infants can be passed around so much between adults that it can almost seem unclear who the actual mother is sometimes. So when it came time to reintegrate Dolly and Rhubarb

into the rest of the group, our main focus was on Sydney, the other adult female in the group. Sydney has never had offspring either, and so we were a little unsure of how she was going to handle her new role as an aunt; she is the dominant of the two females and can be a little pushy with Dolly sometimes. Sydney jumped right into her allomothering duties like she had done it dozens of times before, but initially with a little too much zeal and had little interest in giving Rhubarb back when it was Dolly’s turn to carry and nurse her. Fortunately, one of

THE NEXT JOURNEY AHEAD OF Rhubarb WAS GROWING UP AND LEARNING HOW TO BE A LANGUR.

our males was willing to step in and mediate, and Sydney accepted that she could stand to be apart from Rhubarb for brief periods.

From the first day they were together, Rhubarb has certainly sought to test Sydney’s devotion to her. Baby langurs can be fairly precocious and develop the ability to crawl around on their own well within the first few weeks. Rhubarb was accustomed to venturing off of Dolly for her little treks well before being introduced to Sydney. Whereas Dolly is a laid-back, easy-going caretaker,

Sydney has a stricter and more risk-averse approach to parenting. Combine that with Rhubarb, who could best be described as a “squirmy little worm,” and you’ve got the makings of an epic battle that many parents can likely relate to. Sydney’s insistence on carrying Rhubarb all the time quickly waned within the first couple days, as Rhubarb almost constantly tried to claw herself away so she could crawl around on her own. Whenever nursing time arrived and Dolly came to retrieve Rhubarb, Sydney was now more than willing

to hand her back over, exhausted and exasperated from fruitlessly trying to hold such a tiny chaotic animal. As with many infants, everything seems destined for the mouth, and everyone else’s fingers, toes, ears and tails were no exception — there was even one afternoon where all Rhubarb wanted to do was mercilessly attack Sydney’s nose and eyebrows. Fortunately for Sydney and Dolly, as Rhubarb has grown and developed her ability to get around on her own, their need to maintain a firm grip on her at all times has diminished.

Francois’ langurs are native to mountainous forests of southern China and Vietnam and are some of the more cold-hardy species in the Zoo’s Primate House. Rhubarb, however, is still very little, and as of this writing, her full coat of hair has yet to come in; consequently, our group had limited opportunities for all the animals to be outside this winter. With them not able to go outside regularly, it has still been important to get her familiar with and accustomed to all of the types of perching that she would be exposed to outside, especially as she was entering a stage where she was developing her climbing abilities. Miniature versions

of the logs, swinging branches, firehose bridges and ladders, and hammocks that are found in many of the habitats in Michael and Quirsis Riney Primate Canopy Trails were installed inside the holding building where she could practice her climbing and jumping as recklessly as she wanted. Her little playground was set up at a safe height, no more than a couple feet off the ground. We had a handful of unseasonably warm days this winter where Rhubarb and her family were able to venture outside for portions of the day. While the experience was somewhat overwhelming to her and she stayed firmly attached to Sydney and Dolly

for the most part, she did muster a little courage to venture off them for short distances and test out some of the perching, well-prepared by her practice inside.

Having the langurs inside the holding building for the first few months of Rhubarb’s life has proven to be a bit of a hurdle to keeper productivity, as it’s nearly impossible to not stop what you’re doing to just stand and watch her wild play sessions. It does, however, allow us to closely track her development in many different areas, which can be important with infants that had a rough and complicated start to life. Additionally,

data collected on how she progresses as she grows up goes back to help the Francois’ Langur Species Survival Plan (a program of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums), which was the source of nearly all of our resources and support leading up to her birth and essential in helping us overcome the issues immediately after it. Keeping an eye on developmental milestones such as venturing off of adults, mouthing solid foods, climbing up things (easy to do), climbing back down (much harder to do, and needed a lot of retrieval missions by adults until she learned how), learning to hop, jumping distances, eating solid

foods, and interacting with keepers allow us to gauge her progression and growth along these known checkpoints. Difficulty or delays in achieving such milestones can allow us to find potential developmental or health issues, while also guiding management decisions based on how well they’re able to handle aspects of their environment, such as going outside into a much larger space. Knowing things like when teething is occurring and when she’s transitioning from milk to the more complicated leafy adult diet, where gut upset can occur, can clue us in on why we may see certain behavioral changes as well.

While guests have been unable to see much of her growth and development as of this writing, Rhubarb is right on track with where we want her to be and certainly managing to keep her family and keepers busy with her boundless energy. And while she got off to a bit of a rocky start and needed quite a bit of intervention from the animal care team initially, she is getting the best care and guidance from her family and is as healthy and happy as a little langur could be. We hope you’ll be able to see her outdoors soon at Primate Canopy Trails! n

RHUBARB IS RIGHT ON TRACK...MANAGING TO KEEP HER FAMILY AND KEEPERS BUSY WITH HER BOUNDLESS ENERGY.

“How Can I Conserve the Species I Love?”

By

The Earth is in a constant state of flux, and much of today’s changes are driven by human actions. Unfortunately, some of these actions challenge the health of humans, animals and plants. We have come to appreciate that we need a holistic approach that helps all living beings to thrive. This approach is called One Health.

The growing One Health movement is poised to tackle the global health issues of the 21st century, and a variety of professionals — including those at the Saint Louis Zoo — are examining the complex links between animal, human and ecosystem health. In the simplest terms, One Health means that the health of all life is connected.

Everyone can be a part of One Health solutions! One question guests often ask us is, “How can I conserve the species I love?” The answer is simple — take a One Health approach! Everything

we do on a day-to-day basis affects our shared One Health. This can seem overwhelming, but here are some simple choices you can make that have big impacts.

Your Purchases Have Power

Purchasers have the power to change company practices. If more people support companies with good practices, then the “norm” for companies shifts. Two of your most frequent purchases — clothing and food/household products — can affect our planet.

Clothing

Look in your closet. Is there a brand that you prefer? Research the company online. Clothing companies that are part of the “fast fashion” industry create cheaply made clothes that many consumers tend to discard as trends change. Studies have shown that tons of discarded textiles are regularly

dumped in landfills or incinerated. If there is a brand you prefer and they have sustainable practices, let them know you support them.

Food and Household Products

Palm oil is a common ingredient in many products, including food items like packaged bread and peanut butter and personal products like soap and shampoo. 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. These sustainable entities use the same plots of land repeatedly, minimizing environmental impact. You can find companies that use sustainable palm oil by downloading and searching the PalmOil Scan app, produced under the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Pale purple coneflower

Wood thrush

African oil palm trees, from which palm oil originates

Kerri Lammering, Conservation Education Liaison; and Jamie Palmer, Saint Louis Zoo Institute for Conservation Medicine Technician

Zoo ALIVE Teens Take Conservation Action Virtual

Create a Healthy Ecosystem in Your Own Yard or Garden

The plants you grow can be an important food resource for bees, birds and other animals. If you can, plant an array of pollinator-friendly species in your garden, such as purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) and New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae).

Native plants need less watering and less care. And if your yard is full of clover and little grass, don’t stress. Clover is an important food source for bees and bunnies!

And here’s something helpful you can do for animals that requires no effort at all — you can leave your leaves! Leaves supply shelter for many species all winter; they are either sleeping under that blanket of leaves (box turtles) or hidden in all the leaf litter to stay alive (pollinators).

Learn More at Our One Health Fair on April 22

The Saint Louis Zoo is hosting its own One Health Fair at the Zoo on Saturday, April 22, which also is Earth Day! We’ll have tables throughout the Zoo where you can come talk to us, learn more about how you can help and find out what the Zoo is doing for One Health.

Here’s the bottom line: Biodiversity is key to a healthy ecosystem. Each living thing has a role to play, and when species are removed from the ecosystem, the system becomes unbalanced. Small changes in your everyday life and behaviors will not only help you and your family stay healthy, but it will improve the health of our planet. n

What is the Saint Louis Zoo Doing with One Health?

The Saint Louis Zoo Institute for Conservation Medicine (ICM) is dedicated to One Health research. Since we began in 2012, ICM team members and collaborators have studied threats that impact wildlife conservation, human public health and ecosystem resilience. Our work is local to global, from tracking box turtles in Missouri to conducting wildlife health research in Brazil. Closer to home — right here at the Zoo — we have found ways that zoos can improve human health. Studies have shown that spending time in nature, including zoo visits, improves human health. Two separate human health studies at the Zoo showed that a visit can reduce stress and improve overall attitude! Learn more about the Zoo’s One Health

Guests speak to Zoo staff and volunteers at the 2022 One Health Fair

ICM Intern Josie Alexander with a red-ear slider at Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park as part of an aquatic turtle health survey

New Resource Launched for Monitoring Migratory Birds

By

At the Saint Louis Zoo, we are dedicated to providing superb care to all animals in our charge, as well as conserving their wild counterparts. Our Zoo takes part in many Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) programs. These are programs started by our accrediting body, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, that focus on conserving specific threatened animals. We take part in the North American Songbird SAFE program to address threats to songbird populations. We also have our North American Songbird Program though the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Institute.

Our WildCare Institute conservation priorities for songbirds include:

Reduce bird collisions with buildings.

Plant native plants to support native birds and pollinators (birds’ main food source).

Encourage domestic cat owners to keep their pets safely indoors.

Expand our community science programs (local programs that encourage participation from the community) focused on native songbirds.

The Saint Louis Zoo recently implemented some new technology that allows biologists to monitor migratory birds: Motus Wildlife Tracking System (Motus) towers.

Motus is a large-scale, collaborative research network that uses fixed radio-telemetry antennas to study the movements of animals for the benefit of conservation. Radio telemetry uses radio signals, which are made up of invisible and silent electromagnetic waves, to determine location. This collaborative system tracks birds, bats and large invertebrates tagged by biologists. The tagging helps biologists collect valuable data on migration patterns, stopover locations, distances travelled, breeding and overwintering information.

The number of towers has grown to over 800, including a tower at the Saint Louis Zoo in Forest Park and the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park in Spanish Lake. The hope is to get many more stations up over the next few years in order to get a clear picture of migration for the tagged species.

How Do the Tagging and Towers Work?

Biologists attach a small tag to the bird and then release the animal. As the bird migrates to its destination and passes a tower, it “pings” the tower, and the receiver records the tag ID and individual information. By using the interactive map on the Motus website (motus.org), viewers can see birds’ full migration route and journey!

Anne Tieber, Curator of Birds and Director of the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Institute Centers for Avian Health in the Pacific Islands and Conservation in Punta San Juan, Peru

A tagged gray catbird

Why Are We Doing This?

In 2019, research was published about 3 billion birds lost since 1970. Well, since then, biologists have been racing to find out more about declining bird populations. Motus technology can help answer some of biologists’ questions. Birds continue to face many threats during their lives, and the migration journeys they take are extra arduous. During migration, in addition to the physically long journey, birds face dangers that include lack of food, water and habitat, as well as collisions with structures.

The Importance of Flyways

Flyways are migration routes traveled by birds each spring and fall. St. Louis sits in the middle of the Mississippi Flyway, which reaches from the northern U.S. and Canada down to the Gulf Coast of Mexico and into South and Central America. Over 300 species use the Mississippi Flyway

to head north to their breeding grounds in the summer and south to their wintering grounds in the fall.

About the Saint Louis Zoo’s Towers

The Zoo installed the first of its two towers in 2021 on the roof of the Expansion Site garage. Installing one close to our Zoo allows us to monitor birds coming to and from Forest Park, which is a very important stopover site for migrating songbirds. Forest Park is 1,300 acres of revitalized forest, ecosystems, ponds and waterways. Birds come looking for food, cover, water, and simply a place to rest and refuel before continuing their long migration journey.

The second tower was recently installed at WildCare Park. This tower is equally important; it will pick up more species of birds, as it is close to the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. Tagged, migrating shorebirds, waterfowl and songbirds will use this area as a stopover site.

We were shocked with the number of birds picked up during fall migration. Fourteen tagged birds were noted as having passed by this tower.

The towers are small, but the information they relay is impactful. They offer a glimpse into the full life cycle of a bird on its migration route and offers valuable information for the biologists who study them. In the future, the hope is to have more towers down in the Gulf of Mexico and Central and South America to continue collecting data in birds’ overwintering areas.

Funding for our towers was graciously provided by our Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Institute, and some equipment was partially funded by a collaborative grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Please visit the Motus website at motus.org to learn more about its importance for conservation. n

A map of the Motus towers across the contiguous United States

Radio-telemetry antenna at the Saint Louis Zoo

happenings

Zoo Friends Day

May 12, 2023; 3 – 8 p.m.

Sea Lion Show

April 1 – May 25, 2023, Saturdays and Sundays; May 26 – Aug. 20, 2023, Daily; Visit stlzoo.org for showtimes

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. Non-members: $3.95/person. Children under age 2 are free.

Stingrays at Caribbean Cove presented by SSM Health

April 7 – Nov. 5, 2023; Open Daily

Guests can enjoy a hands-on opportunity to touch and feed these gentle ocean creatures. Zoo members: included in premium member tickets. Non-members: $4.95/person. Children under age 2 are free. Feeding is $1. Group rate for 15 or more is $3 per person.

One Health Day

April 22, 2023

What is One Health? What can I do, and what is the Zoo doing? Learn all about One Health this Earth Day from experts and volunteers, and participate in fun activities! Free. Check back to stlzoo.org to learn more.

Zoo Friends Day is the annual member event to kick off the new season at the Zoo. Includes free parking and admission to Zoo attractions. More information: (314) 646-4771, option 2. Check this publication for your invitation; email to follow.

Mother’s Day Brunch

May 13 and 14, 2023; McDonnell Center at River Camp

Treat Mom to brunch at the Zoo, complete with champagne. The meal includes breakfast fare, desserts and more. Adults 21+ receive two drink tickets for beer, wine or champagne. Parking not included. For pricing, reservations and other information: (314) 646-4897.

happenings

Just Like You at the Zoo

May 21, 2023

Endangered Species Day

May 19, 2023

At this new Zoo event, learn all about our efforts to conserve endangered species, and find out more about these species that need our help. Speak to experts who are doing animal care, research and more. Free. Check back to stlzoo.org to learn more.

St. Louis Children’s Hospital Make Tracks Through the Zoo

May 21, 2023

Run the wildest 5K in St. Louis! Participate in person or virtually. Sponsored by St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Mid America Chevy Dealers, Heartland Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Prairie Farms Dairy, and Big River Race Management. Registration fee applies. More information: stlzoo.org/maketracks.

Join St. Louis Children’s Hospital at the Zoo for activities that teach children why it’s important for people — and Zoo animals — to take care of their bodies. Children collect animal cards at stations throughout the Zoo. After all cards are collected, they win a prize. Free. Register at the North and South Entrances.

Prairie Farms Dairy Summer Zoo Weekends

From May 26 through Aug. 20, the Zoo will offer extended hours for more Zoo fun!

ZOOFARI presented by Wells Fargo

June 16, 2023; 7 p.m. – Midnight

This creative black-tie fundraiser benefits the Saint Louis Zoo. Evening includes small plates from local restaurants, open bars and live music. Tickets required. Zoo members: $200 per person. More information: stlzoo.org/zoofari. Formal invitation to follow.

Hours

Through May 25

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Memorial Day Weekend (May 26-29)

8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Summer Hours

Following Memorial Day weekend, the Zoo is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Aug. 21 – Sept. 1

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Labor Day Weekend (Sept. 2-4)

8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Details are subject to change. Please visit stlzoo.org for the latest information.

Ways Nature Can Help Your Well-Being

Reflect and Reconnect

Time in nature reduces stress, focuses attention, improves our mood and makes us feel connected.

Ideas to destress:

Try nature journaling, meditate outdoors, take reflective walks.

Explore

Native wildflowers are blooming, songbirds are migrating back from the tropics and the temperature is rising. It’s the perfect time to be outdoors with family and friends! No need to wait for summer to travel to a far-off location or be in “peak hiking condition.” There is plenty for everyone to do outside right here in the St. Louis metro area. Nature is a place not just to exercise our bodies, but also to express ourselves and to reflect, explore and conserve.

Express Yourself

Humans have been expressing themselves in nature for tens of thousands of years. Research shows spending time in nature sparks creativity and curiosity. Need to solve a problem? Have an arts-related hobby? Try exploring them outside for more inspiration! Or create art with what you can find outdoors.

Ideas to inspire creativity:

Build a nature mandala (see photo on right), paint with mud, sketch what you see in nature or try nature photography.

We all love to discover new things, and nature never disappoints. There is always a new place, animal, plant or even a fun fungus to learn about.

Ideas for exploration:

Explore microhabitats (small areas of biodiversity, which can be found underneath rocks, sides of logs, etc.), check out the diversity of animals at your birdfeeder, focus your senses during a nature walk (what do you hear, see, smell and feel).

Conserve

A love of the natural world often comes with a desire to protect it. That starts in our own backyards, gardens and green spaces. Learning who lives near us helps us figure out what we can do to help those animals (and even attract more of them)!

Ideas for conservation:

Record all the plants and animals you see in your area via the iNaturalist app, set out bird houses and bird baths, and plant native flowers to attract pollinators. n

Planting native cup plant provides food and water for local wildlife, like this tiger swallowtail

Closely observe the invertebrates around your home; many are beneficial

This nature mandala includes birdseed, dandelions and peach pits

Explore nature with all your senses: how does it look, feel, smell and sound?

Zoo ALIVE Teens Take Conservation Action Virtual Stingrays, Skeletons and SSM Health

By Hannah Stater, Partnership Marketing Coordinator

SSM Health has been a longtime supporter of the Saint Louis Zoo as the presenting sponsor of both Stingrays at Caribbean Cove and Boo at the Zoo.

Stingrays at Caribbean Cove has seen over 4.3 million guests since it first opened at the Zoo in 2009. In this fan-favorite attraction, guests of all ages have the opportunity to touch and feed southern and cownose stingrays, as well as watch the shy bamboo sharks swing past. As guests enjoy the experience, interpreters share facts about aquatic animals, sustainable seafood and ocean conservation.

The stingrays and sharks are at the Zoo from April through October.

A new life-support systems building, completed in 2022 and equipped with a state-of-the-art water filtration system, will allow them to return to the Zoo for many years to come.

As one of our proud health partners, SSM Health spreads awareness on Zoo grounds of the importance of human and animal health checkups. SSM Health also is the presenting sponsor of our spooky-not-scary Halloween event, Boo at the Zoo.

The stingrays and sharks will soon return from their “winter home” for the reopening of Stingrays at Caribbean Cove presented by SSM Health on Friday, April 7, 2023. Boo at the Zoo

presented by SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital will be back and better than ever from October 13 through 29, 2023.

Thank you to SSM Health for being a “ray” of sunshine in the

Guests enjoy watching the animals at Stingrays at Caribbean Cove presented by SSM Health

A perfect pumpkin picture at Boo at the Zoo presented by SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital

Inspiring Philanthropists and Conservationists Honored at the Marlin Perkins Society Celebration

By Beth Deeken, Donor Relations Manager

On November 2, 2022, 375 members of the Marlin Perkins Society gathered for a night of fun at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis for the 31st Annual Marlin Perkins Society Celebration. The night kicked off with jazz tunes from the Curt Landes Trio, while guests enjoyed the gourmet menu featuring the ever-popular sushi bar and a station inspired by Northern Kenyan fare (a nod to the work of the Saint Louis Zoo Conservation Award recipient).

Cory Stark of KMOV’s News 4 returned as the emcee, seamlessly guiding the program through the evening’s speakers and presentations. In his first year as Dana Brown President & CEO, Dwight Scott introduced himself to the crowd and presented highlights from the year, including exciting animal births, conservation successes, research accomplishments and updates from the developing Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park.

Each year at this event, the Zoo recognizes essential partners in our philanthropic and conservation efforts. The Saint Louis Zoo Foundation Award was presented to the Henry A. Jubel Foundation, a longtime supporter of the Zoo. Recently, the Jubel Foundation’s incredible generosity aided in the construction of the innovative Primate Canopy Trails exhibit. Next, Lodging Hospitability Management (LHM) received the Saint Louis Zoo Corporate Award for their years of dedicated partnership. LHM supports the Zoo’s sustainability efforts, encourages out-of-town guests to experience the Zoo and supplies hotel accommodations for ZOOFARI musical entertainers.

Ken Johnson was presented with the Saint Louis Zoo Individual Award for his stalwart advocacy through his years of volunteer leadership. We celebrated his 13 years

of service as a beloved docent and his leadership within the Saint Louis Zoo Association Board of Directors and multiple Zoo committees.

The final award of the evening, the Saint Louis Zoo Conservation Award, was bestowed upon the remarkable conservationist Belinda Low Mackey of the Grevy’s Zebra Trust, a partner of the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Institute. Belinda, a native to Kenya, has 19 years of experience working with Grevy’s zebra and 17 years working with indigenous communities on Grevy’s zebra conservation.

This special evening celebrates our exemplary award winners and dedicated donors. It also allows the Zoo to report on the successes throughout the year. These accomplishments are achieved in great part due to the support of the more than 1,300 members in the Marlin Perkins Society. We extend our appreciation to all who attended and look forward to celebrating again in 2023! n

Saint Louis Zoo award winners, left to right: Ken Johnson, Belinda Low Mackey, Melissa Markwort and Bob O’Loughlin

Left to right: Will Ross, Arlene Ross, Leslie Lux and Paul Lux

Remembering Lee and Lonnie Wallace

By Lori A. Sullivan, Director, Planned Gifts

Mahon B. Wallace, III, also fondly known as Lonnie, was a likeable person who added colorful wisdom at the many Saint Louis Zoo events, board and committee meetings he attended during his five decades of volunteer leadership. Lonnie’s and his wife Lee’s love of the Zoo was clear through their contributions of time, talent, and financial and tangible gifts. Lee Renfrew Wallace was known for her charm and gracious manner. We miss these dear friends; Lonnie passed away in 2019, and Lee in 2022.

The Wallace family’s legacy with the Zoo spans four generations to date. Lee and Lonnie, along with Lonnie’s sister Audrey “Tolie” Wallace Otto, honored their namesake parents, Mahlon Jr. and Audrey Faust Wallace, by donating several animal sculptures to the Zoo over the years.

These stunning sculptures given in their parents’ memory are admired by guests every day, art that likewise pays tribute to Zoo animals and their counterparts in the wild. Among these pieces are the “Reaching Elephant” and several other African wildlife sculptures at the Wells Fargo South Arrival Experience, the “Daga Boys” Cape buffalo sculpture atop Historic Hill, and the “Ring of Bright Water” otter sculpture in the former Children’s Zoo. The Wallaces supported the Zoo as annual Marlin Perkins Society members since the program’s start. They also are Heritage Society members by planning a bequest through a charitable remainder trust. Their trust gift mirrored their generous lifetime giving — an extraordinary bequest of $1.8 million

for the Endowment. Their last gift stands for the Wallaces’ vote of confidence for the Zoo’s work to conserve animals and their habitats. As part of the Zoo’s Endowment, their bequest will supply perpetual funding, upholding their tradition supporting the Zoo’s mission to care for animals each year in their names.

Thirty Wallace family members visited the Zoo last fall for a hosted “walking safari” tour following Lee’s passing. They enjoyed visiting each of the beautiful animal sculptures that Lee, Lonnie and Tolie had donated in memory of their parents. Having come from all over the U.S. for Lee’s celebration of life, their Zoo visit was a rare and memorable day to be together.

Animals everywhere owe a debt of gratitude to the Wallace family for their deep legacy of love. n

The Wallace Family at the Wells Fargo South Arrival Experience, near one of the family’s gifted animal statues, “Reaching Elephant,” by Kent Ullberg

Lonnie and Lee Wallace

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

Nov. 1, 2022 – Jan. 31, 2023

Dean & Karen Ayres

Nicholas Barto & Nancy Clare Morgan

Jim & Karen Birr

Donna Davis

Steve Feiner

Michael & Abby Goldstein

Skylar & Matthew Kim

Alan & Annette Mandel

Ellen & Rob Nahlik

Dr. Burt & Ellen Needles

Joe & Betsy Parato

Drs. Frances & Fred Pestello

Dr. Ashley Pitlyk

Barbara Rebstock

James & Susan Reynolds

Nicole Shelledy & Greg Heinz

Sierra & Marco Sicolo

Eddie & Sheryl Thompson

Coleen Trentmann

Donald Ulrich

Joseph & McKenzie Walter

Current Marlin Perkins

Society Members Who Have Increased Support

Nov. 1, 2022 – Jan. 31, 2023

American Direct Marketing Resources (10)

Mr. & Mrs. Matthew E. Badler

Barbara Barnholtz

Annika & Joseph Bartek

Rudy & Sandy Beck Donor Advised Fund

Katherine Sutcliffe Becker & Tyson Becker

Pat Bick (25)

Barbara Bowyer

Susan Lynch Brown (10)

Dr. Dennis & Mrs. Sharon Cloud

Steve & Ann Cortinovis

Nettie Orthwein Dodge

Rachel D’Souza-Siebert & Brian Siebert

Ed & Joanne† Goedeker (10)

Ms. Antonia Goelz

Mr.† & Mrs. Merle Horowitz (20)

John† & Katherine Jenkins

Judith S. & John D. Kapeller

Chris & Beth Kemph

Craig & Sue Larson

Julie & Stephen Lilly

Michael Macek & Samuel Melendez

Anne & John McDonnell (20)

Deborah & Michael McEnery

Kevin & Jane McGuire (15)

Gene & Donna McMahon (10)

Mary & Michael McMurtrey

John† & Connie McPheeters

Dr. Eric Miller & Dr. Mary Jean Gorse (15)

Ronald S. Moore II & Megan Moore

The Anita & John O’Connell Family (25)

Dr. & Mrs. Jonathan Pollack

The Reed Family

Jonathan Root & Deborah Zimmerman (15)

Dan & Joanne Schwartz (10)

Bill & Sandy Schweickhart (10)

Mary Ellen Cotsworth & Bill Siedhoff (10)

Mrs. Ann Still (15)

Susie & Jeff Stuerman (10)

Grenville & Dianne Sutcliffe (15)

Steven & Marilyn Teitelbaum

Mary Anne & John Virant (20)

Craig & Donna Wood (15)

Maureen Whitmire (10)

(10) denotes member for at least 10 years

(15) denotes member for at least 15 years

(20) denotes member for at least 20 years

(25) denotes member for at least 25 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 Nov. 1, 2022, to Jan. 31, 2023.

Donors are listed in the category of their most recent giving to the Saint Louis Zoo.

Leadership Gifts

$1,000,000 and Above

Carol B. Loeb

Estate of Mahlon B. & Lee Renfrew Wallace

The Clarence Zacher Family: Mrs. Beverly Zacher

Lynn Zacher-Davis & Dennis Davis

Roger & Angela Zacher

Phillip & Tiffany Zacher

Miriam & Gabe Ferguson

Christopher Zacher

Major Gifts

$499,999 – $250,000

Estate of Carolyn Lund

Peggy & Jerry Ritter Family

$249,999 – $100,000

Interco Charitable Trust

Edward Jones

Edward K. Love

Conservation Foundation

Patrick & Elizabeth Moore

The William R. Orthwein, Jr. and Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation

The Donald Slavik Family Foundation

Special Gifts

$99,999 – $50,000

Estate of Marian Auer

The Guth Foundation

Thomas A. Kooyumjian Family Foundation

Lenoir Charitable Trust

Estate of Melva Long

William F. Siedhoff

$49,999 – $25,000

Anonymous

Estate of John Blecha

James & Leslie Bolin

Tracy C. Green

Carolyn Henges & Jay Henges Charitable Trust

Estate of Ann M. Parke

Roberta S. Poor

Sedgwick County Zoological Society, Inc.

Mary Ann & John Virant

$24,999 – $10,000

Anonymous - 4

AFB International

Mr. & Mrs. Charles Berry

Nancy H. Child

Margaret Cooper

The Heim Family

Mr. Charles J. Hess

Mark R. & Becky Humphrey

Lana Mueller Jordan

Mrs. Joyce L. Katz

Chris & Beth Kemph

Eugene & Connie King

Steven B. King

Ms. Lesley Knowles

Dula Kobusch Charitable Trust

Mrs. Clinton Lane, Jr.

Robert & Jeanette Meyer

Friends of TJ Mister

The Ruf Family

The Simmons Foundation

Susan O. Taylor

Harlene and Marvin Wool Foundation

$9,999 – $5,000

Anonymous

American Wolf Foundation

Elizabeth Andreoli & Joseph Goellner III

Kaye Campbell-Hinson & Phil Hinson

Dierberg Foundation, First Bank Trustee

John Henry Foster and Bernadine Foster Foundation

Mr. Sidney Grossman & Mrs. Karen G. Kelly-Grossman

Ms. Martha R. Kratzer

Drs. Dan & Susan Luedke

Bonnie Moore

Estate of John M. Palumbo

In Memory of Cassidy Graham Pelchat

Peters Family Charitable Fund

Beverly Ruser, in memory of Larry Ruser, Sr.

Estate of Lucille Sudol

The Paul and Patricia Taylor

Family Foundation

John & Susan Unnerstall

Mr. & Mrs. O. Burke Workman III

Dr. Libby M. Yunger

$4,999 – $2,500

Stephen & Karen Baxter

Ms. Nancy Birge & Dr. Patrick Osborne

Ms. Elise Cady

Ann & Doc Cornwell

Sandra K. Graham

Ms. Rachel Hedgecorth

Brandi Kutnik

The Loomstein Family

Mr. Carl Maddox

Piasa Charitable Foundation

David & Cheryl Poth

Mr. & Mrs. Edward M. Potter

Jeff Schuchardt

Karen Strobach

Walter R. Turner & Elizabeth A. Martin

Donald Ulrich

$2,499 – $1,000

Anonymous

Michael T. & Patricia M. Abbene

Advanced Training and Rehab

Alaska Wildland Adventures

Apple of Your Eye Learning Center Inc.

Mr. & Mrs. Patrick J. Behan, Sr.

Judith D. Bender

Rosemary Boustany

Debbie & David Caplin

Diane & Joe Carenza

Mrs. Barbara B. Cohn

Mr. & Mrs. Parker B. Condie

Mrs. Mary de Compiegne

Ms. Pamela J. Dearing

Diana L. & John Deem

Judy & Adam Dichsen

Larry & Alexis Fahle

Carla Felumb

Mr. & Mrs. James M. Fiala

Mr. & Mrs. William Forsyth

Dr. & Mrs. Ted Garrett

Ms. Joan L. Gettemeyer

Jonathan Gorday

James Gunn

Sarah & Greg Hamill

Nancy Hamilton & Jim Butler

Mr. & Mrs. Frederick O. Hanser

Gary & Debra Haynes

Linda Jaworski-Moiles & Steve Moiles

Mark & Vicki Keller

Mark R. & Virginia K. Koors

Las Vegas Market

H. Smith & Janet McGehee

Dr. Robert Eric Miller & Dr. Mary Jean Gorse

Mr. Joseph M. Mount

Ms. Maria A. Murphy

Needles’ Family Charitable Lead Trust

Ms. Dorothy J. Palisch

Mr. & Mrs. Al Politowski

Gerald & Judith Potthoff

The Prufrock Foundation

Joan A. Ranson

Ms. Barbara M. Rebstock

Eloise Ross

Ms. Nancy A. Smith

Society for Information Management

Steward Family Foundation

Prof. Larry & Charlene Taber

Mr. & Mrs. Michael Tanner

Mr. & Mrs. William M. Uhlemeyer

Ms. Carol E. Wilson

$999 – $250

AAZK – St. Louis Chapter

Neal & Allyn Albritton

Ms. Phyllis Altheide

Keith M. Barrett

Larry & Sarah Bates

Laura & Terry Bernaix

Ashley Birk

Catherine S. Bollinger

Michael & Julie Bulthaus

Mrs. Karen L. Condie

Mr. & Mrs. George Daneker

Arfield E. Davis

Donna K. Davis

Jan & Robert Dawson

Michael Deem & Elizabeth Ickes

Fred & Susie Delano

Mr. & Mrs. David A. Deutsch

Dr. & Mrs. H.C. Eschenroeder, Jr.

Mr. David C. Farrell

Melissa Farwell

Jane Feigenbaum

Gail & Henry S. Feldstein

Mark E. Foster

Mr. David R. Ganz

Janet & Peter Gardiner

Jason Gass

Andrea & Elizabeth Ghiassi

Robert Kenyon Gibbs

Dean A. Graves

Donna & Geoff Gregory

Paula E. & Michael L. Gross

Carol & Clarence Harrison

Neal Harwood

Dustin & Lori Hausladen

Tadd & Carin Hicks

John & Nancy Hillhouse

Charles & Marilyn Hoessle

Margaret Hollis

Mrs. Ronnie P. Hostmeyer

Dennis Humphries

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas A. Hutton

David & Patricia Illert

Ms. Cynthia L. Jones

Ann & Keith Kastendieck

Patricia Killian

Roger Kirkbride

Dennis & Jo Kirkham

Mr. Patrick J. Kleaver

Daniel & Jean Kleypas

Ms. Lynn Koehler

Diane & Dane Kulll

LaBarge Family

Jason K. & Mary V. Law

Will Leach

Timothy & Lisa Lewis

Ms. Rebecca S. Luce

Kimberly K. Malin

David & Diane Mayo

Dr. John E. & Mrs. Clemencia Mazuski

Mr. Ed McAllister

Estate of Lawrence & Alda McIntyre

Carolyn Moll

Carol D. Mullins

Mr. & Mrs. George D. Nelson

Harry Nesbitt

Shirley J. Norris

Charles W. & Sue B. Oertli

Paul Olivo & Kathy Grange

Jonathan Pizzo

Ardis & Jim Preuss

Mrs. Lynn T. Reams

Julie Reichow

Irma J. Richardson

Brian & Sylvia Russell

Marjory H. Russell

Anthony & Leslie Rutyna

Tiffany & Jim Scharff

Mrs. Marylyn A. Schiller

Mr. Nathan J. Schlatter

Jerome & Susan Schlichter

Matthew Schmidt & Nawaporn Wangkaew

Mr. James L. Schovanez

Deb Seidel

Thomas & Lisa Spinner

James D. & Anna M. Stewart

Kellyann Stubblefield

Mrs. Lise M. Tanner

Kevin Tyliszczak

Collin A. Underwood

James & Diane Walsh

George V. & Lori V. Weber

Mrs. Phyllis L. Weber

Mrs. Constance V. R. White

Wade & Sherida Whynot

Mrs. Barbara Wielansky

Glen & Christine Wilson

Sandy & Ryan Young

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.

Saint Louis Zoo Tribute Fund

Donors providing the Saint Louis Zoo Tribute Fund with gifts of $25 or more between Nov. 1, 2022, and Jan. 31, 2023, to honor or memorialize events and loved ones include:

In Memory Of

Penelope Biggs

Mr. Clarence C. Barksdale

Mrs. Gilbert G. Early

Mr. David C. Farrell

Lauren Gundlach

Dr. & Mrs. Michael J. Kraujalis

Mr. & Mrs. Martin L. Leibowitz

Mrs. Talbot Leland MacCarthy

Mr. & Mrs. James S. McDonnell III

Donald Smith

Mr. David Strom

Elizabeth Teasdale

Mrs. Meghan Vladimirov

Mr. Robert J. Bodine

Mr. Ralph E. Hoffman

Barbara Bridgewater

Carla Felumb

Donna & Geoff Gregory

Mrs. Ann T. Liberman

Almira & John Sant

Mimi & Dave Schmid

William P. Castle

Ms. Ellen Gale

Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Hunt

Steve & Susanne Remspecher

Linda Rutledge

Denise & John Schaberg

Steward Family Foundation

Mrs. Ann Sullins

Richard W. Coles

Mr. & Mrs. Charles H. Hoessle

Cooper

Ms. Beth J. Coppin

Isabelle S. Coovert

Mr. Jeffrey L. Huntington

Norman D. Crecelius

Teri A. Ragsdale

Linda Ray

John C. Eck

Jonathan Franko

Ms. Carol A. Talbert

Keith & Sherry Uebelein

George Farrell

Kevin Litt

Jeff L. Singer

Barbara Surplus

Collin A. Underwood

William Fiegenbaum

Joanne B. Bland

Karen A. Goellner

Alaska Wildland Adventures

Stephen & Karen Baxter

Dale A. Knight

Sarah & Greg Hamill

Robert Lewis

Chad Riebeling

Lois Loomstein

Account Resolution Corporation

Mr. & Mrs. James P. Hill, Jr.

Janet J. Kromka

Ellen & Harvey Loomstein

Debra L. Mahler

Nancy Neiman

W. S. Maritz

Mr. & Mrs. Paul E. Martin

Noey & Ben McFarland

Doug & Amy Dove

Harriet G. McGuire

Mr. & Mrs. Charles H. Hoessle

Marcella McManus

Mrs. Gail Crammer

Theresa Shaw

Charles B. Meyerson

Mr. & Mrs. Steven B. Gorin

T.J. Mister

Advanced Training & Rehab

Apple of Your Eye Learning Center Inc.

Andrea & Elizabeth Ghiassi

Margaret E. Goodin

Ms. Tina L. Harlan

Katherine Jones

Kathleen M. McNeive

Olga & Travone Mister

Jonathan Pizzo

Plasti-Lite Signs

Mr. Jim Roche & Ms. Cheryl Rossman

Tower Tee

Robin Viviano Sims

Edward P. Ortleb

Mr. & Mrs. Charles H. Hoessle

Nita K. Raby

Dean A. Graves

Jean Rohrbaugh

Paul & Clotilda Brinkopf

Jeff Ryder

Bonnie Ryder

Roland J. Schiller

Patricia Schneider

Mrs. Evelyn Westerhold

Rita Sponseller

Tiphani Cook

Robert F. Steinkuehler

Mr. & Mrs. David Mitchell

Karen Rigg

Debbie Thibault

Denise Bouck

Mr. John Pokrefke

George P. Vierheller

John G. & Nancy Jordan

Tova Zimmerman

Andrea & Charles Royce

In Honor Of

John Fox Arnold & Ann Ruwitch

Dr. & Mrs. Joseph F. Ruwitch

Mr. & Mrs. Todd Baur

Dr. & Mrs. Joseph F. Ruwitch

Jeffrey P. Bonner

Dr. & Mrs. Ted Garrett

Ms. Lana M. Jordan

Arthur J. & Marie C. Brauer

Mrs. Karen L. Condie

Temano W. Burkhardt-Seybald

Shelby Badami

Ms. Barbara B. Cook

Mr. Charles W. Cook, Jr.

Jane Feigenbaum

Mr. Charles Feigenbaum

Leah Fine

Dionne & Kenneth Fine

Edwin F. Guth, Sr.

The Guth Foundation

Patricia & Ronald Hofmeister

Brad & Julie Hofmeister

Judy Kouchoukos

Mr. & Mrs. James M. Fiala

Catherine & Archie Lang

Bonny S. & James M. Lang

Mr. & Mrs. Jordan S. Mandel

Mr. & Mrs. Rand S. Goldstein

Jeffrey A. & Sharon Rosenblum

Mac McKeever

Beth Bray

Dr. & Mrs. Joseph Mitchell

Dr. & Mrs. Joseph F. Ruwitch

Stephen D. & Jane Mitchell

Dr. & Mrs. Joseph F. Ruwitch

Shirley J. Norris

Xander Sisco

Veronica C. Paddock

Jeanne Kitko

Dr. Patricia G. Parker

Ms. Nancy Birge & Dr. Patrick Osborne

Steve Pennington

Gifts received in honor of Linda R. Pennington

Roberta S. Poor

Ann P. Cary

Mae Pratzel

Brian P. & Amelia B. Krippner

Mr. & Mrs. Paul T. Putzel

Dr. & Mrs. Joseph F. Ruwitch

Molly Robbins

Pamela & David Robbins

Mr. & Mrs. Michael C. Ruwitch

Dr. & Mrs. Joseph F. Ruwitch

Thomas & Melissa Ruwitch

Dr. & Mrs. Joseph F. Ruwitch

Mr. Steven F. Schankman

Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Whyman

Mr. Walter A. Suhre, Jr.

Mr. Jeffrey L. Huntington

Thomas & Betty Tyler

Lori A. Sullivan & G. Todd Rogan

Mr. & Mrs. Michael W. Weisbrod

Mr. & Mrs. John K. Wallace, Jr.

Mrs. Mary de Compiegne

Spring is for

This time of year is a wonderful time to see all kinds of birds. St. Louis is along the Mississippi Flyway, a major migratory bird pathway. More than 325 species take this roundtrip pathway to their summer and winter homes. This spring, you have an opportunity to see some of these colorful birds in parks, such as Forest Park.

1 = black

4 = red

2 = orange

3 = white

Bird-wa tching

Before or after your next Zoo visit, take a stroll around Forest Park and try to spot one of these birds!

Rose-breasted grosbeak

One Government Drive St. Louis, MO 63110

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Tracking Along

For over 60 years, the Emerson Zooline Railroad has carried over 41 million guests over 2 miles of track, comprised of over 10,500 railroad ties.

Saint Louis Zoo, 2023

Photo by Ray Meibaum