ZooNews Fall 2021

Page 1

ZO O NEWS

FALL 2021


FALL 2021

FeaFea tures tures 3

N E W AT T H E Z O O Animal Arrivals

7

ARO U N D T H E G RO U N D S Animal Conservation & Science Communications & Strategy Development Facilities & Construction Finance & Administration Guest Services

19

E N D O F Y E AR M E S S AG E President/CEO

Fall Edition: October, November, December Cover Photo: Red Kangaroo ZooNews is a seasonal publication of Tulsa Zoo Management, Inc., 6421 E. 36th St. N. Tulsa, Oklahoma 74115. Questions regarding ZooNews should be directed to Nick Walters, Community Engagement Manager 918-669-6639, nwalters@tulsazoo.org

1


TULSA ZOO M AN AGE M E N T, I N C . B OAR D O F D I R E CTO R S John Stava Chairman Brad Mueller Vice Chairman Tom C.Vincent II Treasurer Jeff James Secretary and Development Chair Ken Klein Building and Grounds Chair Monty Butts Governance Chair Hanna Bentley Lisa Day Suzanne Kneale Joel-lyn McCormick Mike Miers Betty Pirnat Scott Vandergriff Jamie Wheeler

E X E CU T I V E S TAF F Lindsay Hutchison President/CEO Ellen Averill VP of Communications and Strategy Joe Barkowski VP of Animal Conservation and Science Don Hammons VP of Finance and Administration Pat Weisz VP of Guest Experience

2


N E W AT TH E ZO O


4


A NIMA L A RR IVA L S DI D YO U K N OW ? Animals are identified by using a code. The order indicates the gender and the number indicates how many.

2 . 2 . 2 # U N K N OW N # FEMALE # MALE * B I RT H / H AT C H

5


EA S T E R N B OX T U RT L E 0.0. 2 Conservation Center

GOLDENBREASTED S TA R L I N G 0.1.0 Tropical Rainforest

*

SEB A’S S H O RTTAIL E D B AT 50 .0. 0 Rainforest

S N OW Y OW L 1.0.0 Life in the Cold

H E N K E L’ S L E A F TA I L E D G E C KO 0.0.3 Conservation Center

N A K E D M O L E R AT 0.0.11 Life in the Desert

*

*

SOUTHERN WHITE R H I N O C E RO S 1.0.0 Rhino Reserve

*

6


A RO UN D T HE G ROUN D S

9 7


8


ARO UND THE G RO U N D S

1

G UATE M A LA MACAW CO N S E RVAT I O N The Tulsa Zoo has continued a partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society to ensure the survival of Guatemala’s extremely threatened scarlet macaw population. Current estimates suggest that there are fewer than 1,000 individuals of the northern subspecies that currently survive in isolated populations across southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras and Nicaragua.

2

C O URTSHIP & N E S T I N G During the hot months of the summer there is very little reproductive activity in the WildLIFE Trek’s Desert Atrium, but as the weather cools down, the birds become busy with courtship and nest construction. Our first fall finch for 2021 is a Parson finch. This is the 15th of these small, increasingly rare Australian birds to hatch here in 2021, and the 82nd to hatch here since 2013.

3

R ISING STA R AWAR D Congratulations to Director of Marketing, PR & Design Services Carissa Hon, who was named the PRSA Tulsa Montez Tjaden Rising Star of the year. This award recognizes rising communications practitioners in northeast Oklahoma who have demonstrated a commitment to the communications industry, with the expertise and integrity in their field as modeled by the award’s namesake.

4

A LLIG ATO R W I N T E R M OV E Gus and Nellie, our American alligators, made the move under the boardwalk to their winter den. This area received new lighting upgrades and a new camera system for 24/7 observation.

5

SUSTA INA BILIT Y AWAR D The Tulsa Zoo was recognized as one of the top sustainable businesses in Oklahoma and the overall winner of the Henry Bellmon Award for Sustainability. This is the third time we have been awarded and recognized for our efforts as an organization.

6

RO O JO INS THE CR E W Roo, an 8-month-old tawny frogmouth, is the newest addition to the education animal ambassadors. As she matures and adjusts to her new surroundings, she will soon participate in different education programs.

9


2

WCS Guatemala

1

2

3

4

10 5

6


Our 39th annual HallowZOOeen event combined some pre-pandemic aspects and new offerings for a resounding success! The biggest change was offering both day and night event sessions during the final two weekends of October. During the eight event sessions of HallowZOOeen, we welcomed a total 25,697 guests – a new record! This surpassed our attendance budget goal by more 7,000 guests. More than $168,000 in revenue was brought in for this event for the zoo’s operating budget.

15


ATTR AC TIO N S A total of 6,698 guests rode the Bank of Oklahoma Haunted Train and 1,776 rode the Scary-Go-Round, helping attractions set a revenue record for HallowZOOeen with over $37,000.


Introducing

Hodari After much anticipation, our first white rhino was born at 12:24 p.m. on Nov. 7, 2021. Within an hour the 127 pound male calf was taking his first steps and nursing after two hours, both healthy signs. Hodari, was named by the trustees of Chapman Foundations Management, LLC whose donation made the Mary K. Chapman Rhino Reserve possible. Hodari which is pronounced Ha-Dar-ee, is a Swahili name meaning brave or courageous.

17


PR E G N A N CY The white rhino gestation period is 16 to 18 months. Sally was pregnant when she arrived at Tulsa Zoo in October 2020. The calf’s father is Kengele at The Wilds, from a previous breeding recommendation through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan®. This program works to ensure sustainable populations in human care. Sally has a future breeding recommendation with Tulsa Zoo male white rhino Rudo.


1

1

2

3

4

5

5

919 6

6

7


A RO UND THE G RO U N D S

1

P IR ATE S A N D PR I N CE S S E S Both sessions of the Pirates and Princesses Dinner during HallowZOOeen sold out again this year. Families in a variety of costumes enjoyed dinner and a show in the Burger King Royal Castle while meeting some of their favorite princesses and pirates.

2

TZ2 1 + HA LL OW E E N PART Y We hosted our first event in the TZ21+ adult event series with TZ21+ Halloween Party presented by Wander Folk Spirits on Thursday, Oct. 28. Event-goers enjoyed outdoor games, dancing inside the Royal Castle with DJ Moody and signature cocktails.

3

A ZO O FO R AL L Tulsa Zoo was named one of the region's top inclusive workplaces by Tulsa Regional Chamber at the MOSAIC State of Inclusion meeting. More than 70 companies were recognized for demonstrating a commitment to fostering diverse workforces and an equitable community. Progress made this year includes signing the Mayor's Pay Equity Pledge and launching the staff-led DE&I committee.

4

A NE W C O L O N Y After reaching 49 individuals, our naked mole rat colony was split to start a second group. This new colony, comprised of eighteen rats, were sent to Erie Zoo in Pennsylvania.

5

FAC ILITY U PG R AD E S The H.A. Chapman Event Lodge, the Helmerich Discovery Center Auditorium and the Children’s Zoo Gazebo all received a facelift in November. The Event Lodge and Auditorium both received a new color palette of paint and new LED lights inside the Auditorium. Outside, the Gazebo received a fresh coat of stain on the wood.

6

LE D TR A NSF O R M AT I O N The largest upgrade to LED lighting began in December. The project spans five buildings where LED lighting will be installed for both inside and outside fixtures. Buildings include the Administration Modular, Event Lodge, Commissary, Employee Lounge,Veterinary Hospital and Admissions. Once complete, the changes made are projected to reduce our energy usage by 113,901 kWh, our carbon footprint by 186,912 pounds, and costs by $15,000.

7

NE W M A SC OT S J O I N Ahead of the Africa Wilds: Carnivores expansion three new mascots were added, which include an Aldabra tortoise, lion and pygmy hippo.

16


Breakfast with Santa Guests, once again, enjoyed a scrumptious hot breakfast, took part in arts and crafts, and most importantly, met Santa Claus during the seventh annual Breakfast with Santa presented by Andy B’s Bowl Social. This event has grown in popularity and expanded to three sessions this year, all of which sold out.


RE IN DE E R M E E T & GRE E T In partnership with the Reindeer Club of Oklahoma, live reindeer amazed Tulsa Zoo visitors over a three weekend period. Zoo guests enjoyed this opportunity free of charge the first three Saturdays in December.


End of Year Message LIN DSAY HUTC HISO N, PR E S I D E N T & CE O


19

20


Tulsa Z oo M an age m e n t I n c . 6421 E ast 3 6 t h S t . No r th Tulsa, Oklah om a 7 4 11 5 -2 1 2 1


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.