ZO O NEWS
W I NTE R 2022
WINTER 2021
FeaFea tures tures 3
N E W AT T H E Z O O Animal Arrivals
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ARO U N D T H E G RO U N D S Animal Conservation & Science Communications & Strategy Development Facilities & Construction Guest Services
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B E H I N D T H E S CE N E S Tulsa Zoo Friends Donor Society
Winter Edition: January, February, March Cover Photo: Malayan Tiger 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
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TULSA ZOO M AN AGE M E N T, I N C . B OAR D O F D I R E CTO R S Jeff James Chairman Scott Vandergriff Vice Chairman Mike Miers Treasurer and Finance Chair Joel-lyn McCormick Secretary Ken Klein Building and Grounds Chair Suzanne Kneale Capital Campaign Chair Monty Butts Governance Chair Betty Pirnat Long Range Planning Chair Lisa Day Meghan Joiner Stuart Lamb Brad Mueller John Stava Tom C.Vincent II 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
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N E W AT TH E ZO O
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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.
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BA L I M YN AH 1.0. 0 Conservation Center
PA R S O N F I N C H 0.0.1 Life in the Desert
E Y E L A S H PA L M PITVIPER 0.0.7 Conservation Center
M I N DA N AO LORIKEET 0.0.1 Conservation Center
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A RO UN D T HE G ROUN D S
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ARO UND THE G RO U N D S
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M E D IC A L E Q UI PM E N T D O N AT E D Thanks to a generous donation from the Founders of Doctors’ Hospital, Inc., the Veterinary Hospital purchased a new flexible endoscopy system to replace the out-of-date system. Two new flexible endoscopes, a new digital otoscope, accessories and a new control system are part of the upgrade.
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M E M BE R SHIP R E CO R D The zoo ended 2021 with an all-time revenue record for memberships. Our new record was just shy of $2 million, surpassing the previous record of $1.75 million set in 2017. A steady renewal rate and our strongest gift membership season to date increased memberships to include 17,280 households.
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C IR C LE C INE M A PART N E R S H I P In partnership with Circle Cinema, Tulsa Zoo introduced a special screening of conservation documentary “The Velvet Queen”. This film follows Vincent Munier, renowned wildlife photographer, through Siberia in search of the elusive snow leopard.
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SUP P O RT C O NT I N U E S The Tulsa Zoo continues to support the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds Penguin and Seabird Ranger program. Since 2013, our support has helped open a medical facility and fund SANCCOB’s Penguin and Seabird Rangers who rescue and rehabilitate ill, injured, oiled and abandoned African penguins.
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A LDA BR A E G G L AY I N G Observations of nesting behaviors and egg laying prompted survey radiographs on two of our female Aldabra tortoises. These radiographs confirmed both females had eggs present. Between both females, Tofi and Mud Princess, will lay 31 eggs combined.
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ANNUAL MEMBER
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DONOR SOCIETY EVENTS | BEHIND-THE-SCENES | PREMIUM ACCESS Ushering in a new generation of donors, Tulsa Zoo Friends Donor Society launched March 1 with our previous donor level memberships. Participants will experience premium benefits like exclusive events and behind-the-scenes experiences. The membership program expansion gives premium access to everything Tulsa Zoo.
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Asian elephant
grizzly bear
Diana monkey
monarch butterfly
African lion
Aldabra tortoise
giraffe
white rhino
PAY I N G H O M AG E Fifty years ago, Tulsa Zoo embarked on a new era of zoo growth by incorporating Tulsa Zoo Development, Inc. This new organization sought to initiate a membership coalition and increase the promotion and development of the zoo. Over its history, the membership program has evolved and transformed the zoo and served as the gateway to connecting the Tulsa community to the natural world. The visual identity for Tulsa Zoo Friends Donor Society pays homage to a familiar logo that was first used when Tulsa Zoo Development, Inc. rebranded to Tulsa Zoo Friends in 1986. Tulsa Zoo’s Marketing team chose to utilize the original identity and reimagine components to match our zoo today. Representing eight different species, this refreshed look incorporates new animals such as the Diana monkey, Aldabra tortoise and monarch butterfly. “When we began looking for an identity for our new donor society, concepts of reimagining our original Zoo Friends logo fit perfectly. This identity transformed community engagement in the zoo and shaped the membership base into what it is today. It’s our hope this icon will inspire a new generation of donors to support our tremendous zoo.” Monica Ericson-Simmons, Director of Development
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AV I AN I N F L U E N Z A Oklahoma and several surrounding states identified avian influenza in either wild waterfowl, like ducks and geese, or domestic poultry, like chickens and turkeys. Tulsa Zoo is taking precautionary measures and working with the state veterinarian’s office to reduce risk to our birds. Beginning March 11, some species moved temporarily behind-the-scenes as a precaution. Additionally, some indoor exhibits temporarily closed. African penguins remained outside because their habitat provides sufficient protection from wildfowl.
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FLA M ING O M OVE The Bird and Veterinary teams moved our flock of 33 flamingos from the inside exhibit to the off-exhibit hoop house that sits behind the Conservation Center. This move provides the flamingos with protected outside access while allowing us to follow avian Influenza protocols. During this transition, each bird was weighed and their feet were individually assessed as part of our routine health monitoring.
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Original Butterfly House
Their new home, the Hoop House, has served as a seasonal butterfly house, budgie-feeding aviary and plant storage. Our Horticulture team ordered 40 cubic yards of topsoil for the Hoop House. This clay-rich dirt is not only necessary to maintain the health of our flamingo’s feet, but should prove ideal for building nests, should our flock take advantage of this year’s seclusion.
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A RO UND THE G RO U N D S
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W INTE R W EAT H E R Ice and snow blanketed the zoo forcing us to close eight nonconsecutive days this first quarter. While staff continued working, the guest pathways were too slick to safely allow guests on grounds. Staff from multiple departments worked tirelessly to clear pathways to ensure we resumed normal operations as quickly as possible.
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G UNDA ’ S C I R CL E When our first elephant, Gunda, arrived at the Tulsa Zoo in 1954, no one could have imagined the impact she would have on the community or the huge legacy she would leave behind. In honor of that legacy, our planned giving program was renamed Gunda’s Circle, recognizing donors who contribute $1,000 or more.
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E LE P HA NT F O OT R AD I O G R APH S Annual foot, carpi and tarsi radiographs were taken of Sneezy and Sooky by the Elephant and Veterinary teams. Images are compared to the previous years to track trends and changes in our Elephant’s feet. This behavior is one of the many behaviors to ensure their best health and wellbeing.
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JE A NNIE M I L E S TO N E This year marks 40 years since Jeannie the white rhino arrived in Tulsa. Staff celebrated her 42nd birthday on March 17 with special St. Patrick’s Day themed boxes. White rhinos have a median life expectancy in human care of 31 years, making Jeannie's birthday extra special.
SP R ING BR E AK S OAR S Nearly 50,000 guests visited the zoo during spring break, the highest one-week attendance total since March 2019. More than 29,000 guests experienced attractions like the Arvest Wildlife Carousel and ONEOK Safari Train, and nearly 1,700 purchased memberships. Food and retail offerings managed by Service System Associates broke their spring break revenue records bringing in $326,955.
P R E PA R ATIO N F O R D I N O S AU R S This May, animatronic dinosaurs return to the zoo for the first time since 2015. Designed with the most up-to-date scientific research, Zoorassic World will feature life-sized likenesses of many well-known dinosaurs like tyrannosaurus rex, triceratops and brachiosaurus. The site will also introduce guests to a variety of new dinosaurs, natural vignettes and a large fossil dig.
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Ascension St. John ZooRun presented by CommunityCare welcomed more than 1,816 runners. Race results/stats: Overall participant numbers – 1,816 Ascension St. John Fun Run – 757 5K – 823 10K – 179 T-Shirt Only – 20 Virtual 5K – 37 School Groups 12 schools total 602 of our overall participants Race Day Registration – 86 110 donations were made to our race totaling $1,229.00 Sponsorships - $33,000
Tul sa Z oo M an age m e n t I n c . 6421 E ast 3 6 t h S t . No r th Tul sa, O k lah oma 7 4 1 1 5 -2 1 2 1