January/February Exzooberance 2022

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SAVING ANIMALS FROM EXTINCTION

In 2022 the Memphis Zoo is teaming up with the Association of Zoos and ...

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MAKING A SPLASH

Coming Spring 2022, the Memphis Zoo will be opening AquiFUR, a splash pad perfect for combatting the Memphis ...

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ZOO LIGHTS RECAP

ORPHANED BABY PUMAS

Truist Zoo Lights 2021 was full of holiday magic! So many families came from far ...

In the backyard of a Washington resident, a female puma gave birth ...

CONTENTS

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In 2022 the Memphis Zoo is teaming up with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to bring awareness to the SAFE program. We will hone in on our mission to create adventures and save wildlife by emphasizing the animals who are threatened in the wild. SAFE protects threatened animals by providing a framework which classifies animals who are facing extreme declines in the wild and giving them protection plans. Strategic conservation and measurable goals are important for ensuring the future of these endangered species. Join us as we share the importance of these critical species.

To learn more about the AZA SAFE Species, please visit: aza.org/aza-safe

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MAKING A SPLASH IN 2022

Coming Spring 2022, the Memphis Zoo will be opening AquiFUR, a splash pad perfect for combatting the Memphis heat. The new splash pad derives its name, AquiFUR, from the Memphis aquifer, which is the primary water supply for our city with a playful spin for our animals. Since our animals all drink from this water, as do most of the citizens of Memphis, it is important that we protect it and keep it clean. The theme for the splash pad is Egyptian as a tribute to the very beginning of our city. Memphis, TN is named after the ancient city of Memphis Egypt, which was also located on a great river- the Nile. Water is a life-giving source for our planet. In Memphis, we are fortunate enough to have two large sources of water- the aquifer and the Mississippi River. It is our hope to bring awareness to our amazing sources of water here in Memphis and educate visitors on the importance of protecting our future by protecting and conserving water. All the water used at the AquiFUR will be reclaimed and recirculated through a state-of-the-art filtration system.

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We will host an exclusive member preview before opening to the public.

Stay tuned for more details as we near the opening in Spring 2022!

The AquiFUR will be an immersive, zero-depth water play area with slides, dump-buckets, interactive water toys, and even a special section just for toddlers. Over the years our visitors have repeatedly demonstrated that they enjoy the few water features at the zoo. We wanted to be a safe place that can be enjoyed by all even during the extremely hot days we experience in Memphis. AquiFUR should provide a great oasis for our younger visitors and their parents to cool off while spending a fun filled day at the zoo. The AquiFUR will feature luxury cabanas and party rooms great for families, groups, birthday parties, and other events. The AquiFUR is being built to accommodate children around 10 years and younger with their families. Children will not be able to enter the splashpad without an adult present.

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Truist Zoo Lights 2021 was full of holiday magic!

So many families came from far and wide to experience the nightly snow fall, magic shows, and ice-skating rink. There were tons of lights and fun activities the whole family could enjoy. Thank you for letting the Memphis Zoo be a part of your holiday traditions year after year!

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KIDS CORNER

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

CAN YOU TELL THE DIFFERENCE?

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MEMPHIS ZOO TO THE RESCUE: ORPHANED BABY PUMAS In the backyard of a Washington resident, a female puma gave birth to four young kittens- three males and one female. When Washington Fish and Wildlife attempted to relocate the mom and kittens, the mom ended up abandoning her young. After two days of the mom not returning to her young, it was time to intervene for the health and safety of the kittens.

Within the AZA community, the program leader for the puma monitoring program, Michelle with Oregon Zoo, was called on to assist in the placement of these orphaned pumas. She acted as the liaison between USFW and the Memphis Zoo to place these pumas into our care. FedEx agreed to transport the five kittens as a part of the company’s FedEx Cares “Delivering for Good” initiative, in which FedEx uses its global network and logistics expertise to help organizations with mission-critical needs in times of disaster and for special shipments.

Our Director of Animal Programs, Courtney Janney, flew out to pick up the kittens and escort them safely to the Memphis Zoo. This rescue would not have been made possible without the quick response of USFW and the generosity of FedEx. The four puma kittens were quarantined at the Memphis Zoo animal hospital under the supervision of our Senior Veterinarian, Dr. Felicia Knightly, and her staff. When the kittens arrived at the zoo they were malnourished and dehydrated. However, they are growing big and strong and have on the appropriate weight for growing puma kittens. The staff is taking extra COVID precautions when caring for these kittens. The health and well-being of these rescued kittens are of the upmost importance to the Memphis Zoo. Two of the male kittens will find their permanent home at the Memphis Zoo while the other male and female kitten will be transferred to a partnering AZA facility they will call home!

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THE HEALTH & WELL-BEING OF THESE RESCUED KITTENS ARE OF THE UPMOST IMPORTANCE TO THE MEMPHIS ZOO

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WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2022 March - Seasonal Exhibits Open

May - Butterflies Opens

April - Roar and Pour

June - Rendezoo June 4th

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July - Members Night

October - Zoo Boo/Zootoberfest

November - Zoo Lights

December - Zoo Lights

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KEEPER FEATURE:

PEYTON CLARK Where are you from originally?

I was born and raised right here in Memphis! I went to college at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, but came back home to start my career.

Where did you work before the Memphis Zoo? In high school, I worked at Taco Bell; in college, I was a Resident Assistant for the dorm hall. After I graduated, and before becoming a zookeeper, I worked at Petsmart and in the zoo’s Elephant Trunk gift shop! I then volunteered at our farm area, and spent the summer of 2016 working the zoo’s Budgie House. I then accepted a full-time keeper position in the Animals of the Night, which I did for 3 years before moving to Primate Canyon.

What department do you work in?

Primate Canyon now for 2 years.

How long have you been a zookeeper?

About 5 ½ years.

Have you always wanted to work with animals?

Yes! I originally wanted to be a Veterinarian, but during my time at UT, I decided to switch my major to “Animal Science” and become a zookeeper!

What is your favorite species to work with at the zoo?

Probably the gorillas, but I love all the great ape species I work with because they are so incredibly intelligent. The other great apes we have are bonobos and orangutans.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I love to do puzzles! I started to work on them at the beginning of the pandemic, and since March of 2020, I have completed about 75 puzzles.

Do you have any pets?

Yes I have a blue pit bull named Jackson, who is the sweetest dog in the world! He loves to cuddle and play tug of war, but mostly he just loves to sleep!

What is your advice for anyone that wants to be a zookeeper?

I would say definitely try to volunteer at your local zoo, or animal shelter, as well as complete internship(s) in the animal care field; after I graduated, I interned at a wildlife rehabilitation center in southern Florida, so it doesn’t necessarily have to be an internship at a zoo! I also started in the zoo’s giftshop to “get my foot in the door,” as well as volunteered in the zoo’s Once Upon a Farm area for about a year before getting my first zookeeping position.

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FEBRUARY MEMBER PROMOTION

TAKE AN ADDITIONAL 10% OFF COLD WEATHER ACCESSORIES TO BE COMBINED WITH EXISTING 15% DISCOUNT FOR A TOTAL OF 25% OFF

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Maggie the rhino knows all about sleepovers! However, she doesn’t know anything about the new zoo animals, Daisy the zebra and Inez the oryx. These new animals aren’t anything like Maggie! Will they be able to get along? This endearing children’s story is a celebration of how we can be entirely different and yet find similarities in each other to become best pals. Author, Amy Sharp, elegantly paints the picture of what truly happened here at the zoo. In the zoo’s effort to mimic life in the wild, rhinos, zebras, and oryx were introduced into the same exhibit in the African Veldt. These very different animals now live in perfect harmony together every day. Join these animals of the African Veldt in an almost totally true story about an impossible sleepover and visit these characters daily at the Memphis Zoo! The Impossible Sleepover, a just published children’s book written and illustrated especially for the Memphis Zoo by Memphian Amy Sharp is sold exclusively at the Elephant Trunk Gift Shop at the Memphis Zoo. 16 / EXZOOBERANCE

Contributions The following friends are gratefully acknowledged for their thoughtful gifts made October 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021

Gifts of $250 and Above Anonymous Gail Akey Cary Allen Allionce Group, LLC Assisi Foundation of Memphis, Inc. Steve and Laurie Baker Alan Balducci Jane Barber Lindsay Barton Rue Chitwood Beyer Michael and Laurie Bishop Drs. Joe and Jane Brown Mr. and Mrs. Michael Browne Joyce E. Broyles Patrick Chipman Chuck Hutton Chevrolet Company Mr. and Mrs. Duncan Corley Jayne Creson Derek Curry Mr. and Mrs. Scott Dawson Chris and Samantha Dean Leighton Foster Dr. and Mrs. E. Arthur Franklin Patricia Franks Elizabeth Gilmore Sheryl Gorden Paul Harris Skip and Ellen Hayes David Hopkins Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hutton Natalie and Jimmy Jalenak Bitsy Kasselberg Derek and Hallie Kelly Dr. and Mrs. Robert Kerlan Knapp Foundation, Inc. Ann Knox Ralph Koroly Suzana Lightman John and Tracy Long LPI Memphis, Inc. Richard Mashburn Arthur and Trina Matthews Heather McKee Sally McLaughlin Simon Meeks Lattie Michael Jim Munday Mr. and Mrs. Alan Myers Lisa Myers Orgill Inc. Audrey Page Michael and Ilinda Parham Capt. Joseph Parker Anir Patel Kathleen Plucker Susan and Scott Plunkett Ron and Michale Rasberry Anne Roane Shelli Rosengarten The Schadrack Family Donita Schultz Constance Scott Shirley Seamon Jerry and Judy Shore Jeffrey and Melanie Smith Sternberg Foundation Robert A. Svoboda Carol Wandling Susan Weber Richard Wertz Dr. Benton Wheeler Byrne and Kimberlee Whitehead Spence and Becky Wilson Kimly Writt Kristal Yatsula Ken Young

HONORARIUMS Gift Received in Honor of Ya Ya, Le Le and the Panda Keepers Shirley Quach Gift Received in Honor of Primate Keepers Richard Wertz Gift Received in Honor of Bella Corley Mr. and Mrs. Duncan Corley Gift Received in Honor of Jim Dean John Slater Gift Received in Honor of Harry and Jess Gorden Sheryl Gorden Gift Received in Honor of The Handwerker Siblings: Katherine Handwerker Whitman Patricia Handwerker Schoembs Lee Handwerker Fr. Val Handweker Kathleen Plucker Gift Received in Honor of Deborah Hindman Emily Juel Gifts Received in Honor of Gene and Nancy Holcomb Jayne Creson Larry and Janeal Humber Gift Received in Honor of James B. Jalenak Paul Harris Gift Received in Honor of Lucy Kellor Lindsay Barton Gift Received in Honor of Sienna and Aiden Lightman Suzana Lightman Gift Received in Honor of McKenzie McClanahan Drew, Kate, Liam and Riley Zachry Gift Received in Honor of Rick and Barbara McClanahan Drew, Kate, Liam and Riley Zachry Gift Received in Honor of Memphis Zoo Docents Deedee Perel Gift Received in Honor of Evan, Henry and Sophia Page Audrey Page Gift Received in Honor of Deedee Perel and the Memphis Zoo Docents Bitsy Kasselberg Gift Received in Honor of Freddy Petterson Freddy Petterson Gift Received in Honor of Keller Price Derrick Robertson

Gift Received in Honor of Hudson Reed David Reed Gift Received in Honor of Felicia Thompson Ann Knox Gift Received in Honor of Holly Threat Laura Hoglan Gift Received in Honor of Benjamin, Jane and Jacob Writt Kimly Writt Gift Received in Honor of Michael and Katherine Yatsula Kristal Yatsula Gift Received in Honor of Penelope Yawn Diddie Yawn

MEMORIALS Gifts Received in Memory of Katherine Adams Rivers Gainspoletti Gifts Received in Memory of Lucy and Whooie Brunner Debbie Carney Gifts Received in Memory of George Cates Assisi Foundation of Memphis, Inc. Gifts Received in Memory of Mary Evelyn Hartmann Blair Tait Gifts Received in Memory of Shirley Hubbard Amy Hubbard Gifts Received in Memory of Muriel and Anabel Kelly Derek and Hallie Kelly Gifts Received in Memory of Ernestine Roberson and Joyce Laverty Anne Laverty Gifts Received in Memory of David Naro Patricia Franks John Haase Katherine and Bill Kaelin John Peterson Susan and Scott Plunkett Katie Rasmussen Meghan Smith Angela Tullos Steve and Benita White Gifts Received in Memory of James H. Prentiss Carol Wandling Gifts Received in Memory of Reina Betty Williams Gifts Received in Memory of Chris Schadrack The Schadrack Family

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