July-August 2025 Wild Things by Zoological Society of Milwaukee

JOIN THE GIVING

TODAY!

We’re proud to introduce a new way for you to support wildlife and conservation education all year long. The Giving Troop is a special community of monthly donors who believe that caring for animals and our environment starts with consistent, thoughtful action. Inspired by the instincts and strong social bonds of the Milwaukee County Zoo’s beloved bonobos and gorillas, The Giving Troop offers you a meaningful way to make a lasting impact to the Zoological Society’s mission.

By giving monthly, you help us:

• Educate future generations of conservationists

• Support animal care at the Milwaukee County Zoo

• Protect wildlife here and around the world

Whether you can give $10 or $100 a month, your gift helps sustain vital Society work. To learn more about joining The Giving Troop, visit zoosociety.org/GivingTroop.

JULY

MEMBER

ANDA

We value your relationship with the Zoological Society of Milwaukee. The Society does not sell member/donor information to third parties but may share limited information with the Milwaukee County Zoo for the purpose of confirming membership status.

Zoological Society office hours:

9 a.m.-5 p.m. through Sept. 1, 2025

Zoo hours:

9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. through Sept. 1, 2025

Note: The Zoo’s admission gates close 45 minutes prior to the posted Zoo closing time. The animal buildings and rides close 15 minutes before posted Zoo closing hours. Many outdoor animals are brought in 45 minutes prior to Zoo closing.

Company picnics: For members visiting the Zoo with a company picnic, Zoo Pass members’ free admission or free parking benefits do not apply. The fees paid for company picnics include admission and parking and usually include additional zoovisit benefits.

Problems renewing or transacting online: If you experience any difficulties transacting a Zoo Pass renewal or animal sponsorship online, please contact us at 414-258-2333 so we can assist with your transaction. Our staff is available seven days a week.

Reciprocal zoos and aquariums: We update our list of zoos and aquariums that offer reduced or free admission to our members with the Association of Zoos & Aquariums in spring each year. We only reciprocate with AZA-accredited facilities and reserve the right to not reciprocate with zoos and aquariums located within close proximity of the Milwaukee County Zoo. Please contact the zoo you are visiting to confirm admission.

Moving? Please call us when you change your address or name. The call saves us money because when the post office returns your mail with a forwarding address, we pay twice for mailing: to the old address and the new.

Zoo admission: Please remember to have your Society Zoo Pass and identification ready when you arrive at the Zoo’s admission gates. If you’ve misplaced or lost your card, replacement cards may be purchased for $5. Zoo Pass admission is valid for regular daytime Zoo hours and many events.

Who can use member cards? The person(s) named on the Zoo Pass is the owner of the card and benefits are not transferable to anyone else. We need to have the number of members’ minor children/grandchildren in your household reflected in your membership records for the Zoo’s admission gates. Foster children are covered on your membership. Your Zoo Pass membership does not cover children for whom you provide babysitting or day-care services. The Society and the Zoo retain the right to invalidate any membership being used inappropriately.

8-10

LET THE KIDS GO WILD!

Members-Only Kids Nights

It’s Going to be a Wild Summer

Just over a month into the summer season, and there’s been no shortage of fun and learning to be had at Kohl’s Wild Theater. If you haven’t stopped by already, here’s what you’ve been missing out on!

The Wonderful Lizard of ooZ

A curious tomato frog named Dory finds herself far from home on the adventure of a lifetime where she encounters turtles, lizards and frogs (oh my!) in the wonderful land of Wisconsin. But will she find the one

The Mysterious Case of the Disappearing Bee

Buzz, a rusty-patched bumble bee, has gone missing, and Detective Joe Appletree, private eye, is on the case! But it’s hard work solving a mystery on an empty stomach and Appletree needs your help! Tag along on the case and learn about pollinators, produce and pesticides in this film-noir style comedy that will have you buzzing with excitement!

Learn More Beyond the Shows!

Along with KWT’s entertaining and educational shows, this summer will include extra content for guests to interact with!

Thanks to the support of the Woodland Park Zoo’s Advancing Empathy Grant, KWT will feature special interpretive content at the Education Station before and after each show. These interactive elements will relate to the show themes and will help

STOMP, CHOMP, ROAR AND EXPLORE

Guests have been roaring into the past at the Zoo so far this summer at Exploration Dinosaur, presented by Meijer. The Zoo’s Summer Exhibit, located behind the Small Mammals Building, features a wide variety of life-sized dinosaur animatronic displays that allow guests to get a glimpse of what the creatures that once ruled the earth looked like. And while there are several popular dinosaur species that will be on display this summer — like the T. rex the Stegosaurus, the Apatosaurus and the Triceratops — there are also some lesser-known species that can be seen as well. Here’s a quick look at three dinosaurs you may not have heard of before:

DIABLOCERATOPS

Similar in appearance to the Triceratops, the Diabloceratops had four horns on their face, as opposed to the three horns of the Triceratops. With two curved horns protruding from above their eyes and two more at the top of their neck shield, they sported a formidable defense from predators that roamed the area around modern-day Utah. DID YOU KNOW? At the time of its discovery, it was the oldest known

QUETZALCOATLUS

Soaring high through the skies of North America in the late Cretaceous Period, there were few flying creatures of the time larger than Quetzalcoatlus Weighing in at around 400 pounds with a wingspan of 32 feet or more, they had a toothless beak with a very long, stiff neck, and is thought to have hunted and scavenged for small prey.

DID YOU KNOW? Their name comes from Quetzalcoatl an Aztec serpent god that was covered in feathers.

THERIZINOSAURUS

Roughly 77 million years ago, roaming in the lands of modern-day Asia was Therizinosaurus. Their arms are thought to be 8 feet long with claws that were up to 28 inches long, and is believed to have weighed around 3 tons and stretched 23 feet long. Only three of their giant claws have ever been found, as they were discovered in the Gobi Desert in 1948. Those claws are what gave them their name, which means “scythe lizard.”

DID YOU KNOW? Despite the long claws giving it the appearance of being a carnivore — or meat-eater — many scientists in fact believe that Therizinosaurus used their claws to rip open insect nests, making them insectivores!

GET TO KNOW … THE AFRICAN SAVANNA ELEPHANTS!

henever you imagine yourself going to the zoo, one of the first animals that you might think of seeing there is typically elephants. At the Milwaukee County Zoo, our all-female herd consists of three African savanna elephants: Belle, Brittany and Ruth. But how can you tell which elephant is which? Here is your guide to be able to tell the three elephants apart from each other, while also learning more about their personalities from elephant care coordinator Erin Dowgwillo!

BELLE

Born: estimated 1981; Arrived at MCZ: 2019 from Riverbanks Zoo, South Carolina.

Physical characteristics: Belle has no tusks. The teeth that would have become her tusks had to be removed because of an infection when she was young.

Personality: Belle is the dominant female of the herd and tends to dictate where the herd moves in the habitat. Dowgwillo says that Belle has a playful side to her as well. “Belle is kind of the jokester. So anyone throwing sand or water at somebody, that would be Belle!”

“Everyone asks, ‘Who’s your favorite elephant?’ I always say, ‘Every day is different. I like them all!’ I like that each one of them has their own personality, and that there’s something new with them every day.

”

Erin Dowgwillo, elephant care coordinator

BRITTANY

Born: estimated 1981; Arrived at MCZ: 2001 from Greenville Zoo, South Carolina.

Physical characteristics: While her tusks will grow over time, currently Brittany has a longer right tusk and a shorter left tusk. She is also easy to spot as she has three bumps on her left side behind her ear, and she is the smallest of the three elephants — weighing 7,100 pounds.

Personality: Brittany used to be the dominant elephant in the herd, but now that Belle has that role, Brittany tends to keep her distance from Belle. Dowgwillo says that Brittany is very easy-going and likes to be near the animal care team. “She seems to enjoy the company of her zookeepers. She also enjoys us because we have food.”

Born: 1981; Arrived at MCZ: 2006 from Gladys Porter Zoo, Texas.

Physical characteristics: Ruth has the shortest tusks currently between her and Brittany. Like Brittany, Ruth’s left tusk is a little bit shorter than her right tusk. Ruth has a darker skin tone than the other three, a prominent, more squared forehead and she is also the largest in the herd at 9,500 pounds.

Personality: Ruth is very motivated and eager to learn during training sessions with the animal care team. But there’s one thing that Dowgwillo says Ruth likes even more when she’s in the outdoor habitat. “Ruth is normally the one that’s debarking logs. She really likes to stay busy debarking logs.”

Because Ruth’s birthday is the only one that’s known for certain, the animal care team celebrates all three elephants’ birthdays in January! 9

FILLY’S FITTING IN FANTASTICALLY

I“I think she’s actually been doing really well (adjusting to life at MCZ), especially with the keepers and her den space,” Big Cats Area Supervisor Sheri Robb-Guay said. “As far as participating with us for training and shifting in the back, she’s great. She comes for food, we’ve been able to weigh her, so we’re really proud of her for that.”

A TURTLE TALE FROM BELIZE

Part of being a field conservationist is not being afraid to get in the mud with the animal you are studying! For Shawn Miller, Curator of the Aquatic & Reptile Center at the Zoo, it’s just another day living his dream. He recently traveled to Belize through Pat Gives Back, a program that supports sending Zoo staff into the field for wildlife research as well as many other conservation efforts in the region. This program is a strong partnership between the Milwaukee County Zoo, the Zoological Society and The Belize Zoo & Tropical Education Center.

“Smaller turtles can be tricky,” Shawn said. “You’re handling a little thing that wants nothing more than to bite you! My hands definitely took a toll by the end.” Some turtles even had bite forces stronger than an American alligator.

Filly was rescued by the Belize Zoo in 2019 as part of the Human Jaguar Conflict Program and came to Milwaukee thanks to the long-standing partnership between the Milwaukee County Zoo, Zoological Society of Milwaukee and the Belize Zoo. Filly is the first big cat born in their native range to come to MCZ since Pat the Great Cat — another conflict jaguar rescued by the Belize Zoo — arrived in Milwaukee in 2008.

Belize is home to an incredible variety of wildlife — but many species are still being studied. Miller joined biologists at the Savannah Field Station to identify where help was most needed. For the first time in Pat Gives Back history, the focus turned to turtles.

The animal care team has worked hard to help Filly feel at ease in her new habitat. When first introducing her to the indoor habitat, they made sure there were no people around as she explored the space. Gradually they began to have more people come by to see her behind the scenes, and then when she first started being viewable to the public they kept most of the lights off in the habitat to allow her to feel comfortable.

As she has grown more comfortable in her new space, the animal care team has begun to learn more about her personality. For example, Filly has shown she is a very intelligent big cat!

“She is super smart,” Robb-Guay said when talking about Filly solving enrichment puzzles. “We think, ‘Oh, it’s going to take her forever,’ but she figures it out super quick. She’s a little feisty sometimes, but she’s fun to watch with her enrichment.”

With years of experience caring for reptiles at the Zoo, Miller was thrilled. “I totally geeked out. I love turtles!” he said. The goal of the survey was to help trap and study native turtles in swamps, lagoons and rivers throughout Belize.

Shawn and his team set 24 traps in still waters and, in just one day, captured over 30 turtles—18 of them giant musk turtles.

“She seems to do a little better with that,” Robb-Guay said. “It makes her feel more secure in her space, and that way there’s also not a lot of people surrounding her all at once.”

Need help telling Frankie and Filly apart?

Look at the spot pattern underneath their left eye. Frankie has a row of spots that look like a straight line, while Filly has spots that look like an arrow pointing to her eye!

As Filly gets more settled in at the Zoo, she will eventually be introduced to Frankie — the son of Pat the Great Cat. The two have been paired together as part of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) Jaguar Species Survival Plan® (SSP), with the hopes of providing the North American jaguar population greater genetic diversity. So stop by Florence Mila Borchert Big Cat Country and say, “Hi,” to this cool cat!

“We surveyed numerous waterways and ultimately caught seven of the nine turtle species found in Belize,” he shared. Each turtle was weighed, measured and examined. They also counted scutes, added pit tags (tiny ID chips inserted under the skin) and notched shells for future identification. They even recorded details like shell damage, leeches and crocodile bite marks.

In addition to catching turtles, the team also retrieved acoustic monitoring devices. These don’t record sounds but act like underwater radio fences. When a marked turtle swims past, it pings the device. These are especially useful for tracking the elusive and endangered hickatee turtle, though the team didn’t spot one on this trip.

What’s a scute?

Thanks to meaningful partnerships like Pat Gives Back, the Society and Zoo are helping to protect wildlife and wild places—not just here in Milwaukee, but around the world!

A scute is one of the individual scales on a turtle’s shell. Scientists may count them to help identify turtles in their natural range

A TASTY TIME OUT AT THE ZOO

A La Carte at the Zoo

Presented by Meijer

Thursday-Saturday: 9:30 a.m.–9 p.m.

Sunday: 9:30 a.m.–8 p.m.

Are you in the mood for some good food? A La Carte at the Zoo is four days of the tastiest foods from your favorite places around Southeastern Wisconsin, and it’s all at your favorite zoo! You won’t want to miss out on the delicious offerings from places like A La Crepes, Milwaukee Pretzel Company, Tots on the Street, Ultimate Confections and more! Guests ages 21 and older will also get to enjoy some fantastic beverages at the Wine Tent, sponsored by North Shore Bank. You’ll also get the chance to enjoy some live entertainment as you chow down on some fantastic foods. Make sure to stop by and enjoy the shows at the Caribou Stage, sponsored by Miller Lite; the Lakeview Stage, sponsored by Renewal by Andersen; the Woody Stage, sponsored by Mad City Windows & Baths; and the Flamingo Stage, sponsored by Gilbane Building Company.

Zoo Pass and Platypus Circle members receive free admission to the event.

KEEPING THINGS

COOL

If you’re a red panda, there are few things you like better than cool weather. In their natural habitat, which spans southeastern Asia around the Himalayan Mountains, the average temperature hovers between 18 to 24°C (64 to 75°F). While Wisconsin’s summers can be a bit warmer than that, the Zoo’s two red pandas — Dr. Erin Curry and Dash — will now have a new place to cool off outside this year!

Thanks to a generous grant from the Elizabeth Elser Doolittle Charitable Trusts, a brandnew air-conditioned space was recently installed in the Red Panda habitat. Designed to appear like a log to blend in with their habitat and promote natural instincts from the red pandas, this space will provide a perfect place for them to cool off during the summer.

Dr. Erin Curry appeared to be particularly interested in the new log, as she was spotted walking around and exploring the log within moments of being introduced to it.

That’s not the only new habitat upgrade the red pandas will be receiving this year as a result of this grant. Work is also being done to construct new indoor denning sites for Dash and Dr. Erin Curry, with the hope of encouraging breeding and providing additional space for future cubs!

AGES 4 & 5

$45 Zoo Pass members

$55 non-members child only or with one adult

LEAPING LEMURS

Swing onto the island of Madagascar to learn about the different types of lemurs that live there. Practice your lemur skills by digging like an aye-aye, leaping like a sifaka, and sniffing like a ringtailed lemur. Decorate your own lemur costume before we high-tail it into the Zoo to see our lemurs in action.

Child Only –

With an Adult

9:15 - 11:30 a.m.

Sept. 25, 26, 27, 28

Oct. 1, 5, 20

1 - 3:15 p.m.

Sept. 27, 28

Oct. 5

RAINFOREST MYSTERY

Calling all animal detectives! Who’s been causing a ruckus in the rainforest? Was it the gorilla? The anaconda? Or the peacock? Create your own secret clue notebook and sneak through the Zoo to spy on animals that live in different layers of the rainforest as we solve this mystery together.

NEW-SAVE 10%!

LEAP, SEARCH & TREK 2 ND FRIDAY SERIES

Child Only

$120 Zoo Pass members

$150 non-members

Bundle and save when you select this 3-half-day, 3 topic deal! Your child will make new friends while they enjoy learning about animals together each month.

AGES 6 & 7 AND 8 & 9

$55 non-members child only

WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST

9:15 - 11:30

15, 16

- 3:15 p.m.

CARIBOU TREK

$45 Zoo Pass members

MIGRATION MYSTERIES

This package features all of the fall CHILD-ONLY classes in one simple stop. In October you’ll create a lemur costume and leap into the Zoo to see the lemurs. In November you’ll learn about the layers of the rainforest then search for clues in the Zoo to solve a mystery. Finally, in December you will join your new friends on a trek to see the caribou up close!

Oct. 10, Nov. 14 AND Dec. 12 9:15 - 11:30 a.m.

Oct. 10, Nov. 14 AND Dec. 12 1 - 3:15 p.m.

How are caribou and reindeer the same and different? Explore our classroom tundra to learn about antlers that shed and hooves that click. Then, join the herd as we migrate into the Zoo for an up-close look at these fascinating animals. Parent or Guardian note: Shhhh... We’ll have a special surprise visit from Santa or Mrs. Claus.

Veterinarians and zookeepers aren’t the only jobs that get to work with animals! Step into the boots of a wildlife biologist, making new scientific discoveries about creatures big and small. Explore how they use high tech gadgets to advance animal research and conservation. See some of these cool gadgets up close and practice animal counts, bird banding and other important jobs for being a wildlife biologist in this adventure-packed class!

Why do some animals pick up and leave once a year? Join us on an adventure exploring the mysteries of migration and discover the unexpected animals who make these incredible journeys. How do salmon and whales navigate dark waters? How do monarch butterflies travel thousands of miles to a place they’ve never been? Find out as we travel the globe “side by side” with some of nature’s most seasoned travelers! Sept. 27, 28 Oct. 11

ZOOKEEPER: AQUATIC & REPTILE CENTER

Have you ever wondered how zookeepers take care of venomous creatures or clean a 55,000 gallon fish tank? Then this is the class for you! Dive into the thrilling job of being a zookeeper at the Aquatic and Reptile Center! Practice identifying and caring for sick fish, moving a snake and measuring food for animal residents. Yo this deep dive into the world of fish, reptiles and amphibians!

Ages 6 & 7

9:15 - 11:45 a.m.

Nov. 22

Dec. 7, 14, 20, 22*

* Please note that Dec. 22 is a Monday when most schools are off for the holidays. Enroll the child in your life in a Zoo Class while you finish holiday errands!

$20 Zoo Pass members $30 non-members all ages

GENERAL CLASS POLICIES

• Participants must be the appropriate age for a given class and no unregistered children may attend (including siblings). Exceptions on age are only made for children with special needs (please call Education prior to registration).

• If your child is attending a child-only class, an adult (18 years or older) must check the child in and provide the following information: emergency phone number, allergies/medications and names of adults authorized for pickup.

• Only authorized adults with valid identification may pick up children.

• In addition, please do not meet or follow your child’s group into the Zoo, as this is a distraction to the educational experience.

ANTICIPATE ENTRANCE GATE LINES

The time required to enter the Zoo can vary greatly. Please plan to arrive early and check your confirmation email for entry instructions. Thank you for your patience and understanding!

CANCELLATIONS & REIMBURSEMENT

You Cancel – If you’re unable to attend class, call at least 3 days before the class date and we will try to reschedule your child for another available date this season. We do not issue refunds; however, you can offer your child’s class to a friend of the same age.

We Cancel – The Conservation Education Department reserves the right to cancel classes. We will attempt to reschedule, accommodate your child in another class or process a reimbursement. For weather-related cancellations, refer to local news stations or call 414-258-5058

SAY ”AHH!”

You’ve likely spotted harbor seals Cossette, Mira and Leia during their training sessions at the Animals in Action talks, with detailed explanations by our amazing Zoo Pride volunteers. The North America animal care team shares that this is a great time to observe the seals practicing important care behaviors. “We work on trimming nails and body tactiles so we can get our hands on them if they have any kind of injury or anything we needed to get a closer look at,” North America Supervisor Dawn Fleuchaus says. “The team has a bag of tricks!”

Next time you visit the Zoo, see if you can spot some of these tools in action—and the natural behaviors they encourage through positive reinforcement. Here’s a peek inside that “bag of tricks”:

Clicker: This small device makes a sharp “click” sound that tells the seal, “Yes, that’s right!” It’s always followed by a reward—usually a tasty fish!

Target: A trainer holds out a target for the seal to touch with her nose or follow with her body. It helps guide movement and build trust.

Bucket of Fish: Each seal has her own diet bucket with her name on it.

Stethoscope: Mira and Leia are still learning to feel comfortable with this medical tool. Trainers use it like a target to help them get used to health checks.

Toothbrushing: The team uses gentle training techniques to teach the seals to open their mouths so their teeth can be inspected and brushed. That’s right—Cossette gets her teeth brushed regularly, and her poolmates Mira and Leia are learning to do the same.

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF BIKING AT THE ZOO

Ride on the Wild Side

HAPPENING WHAT’S

Now-Oct. 5

Summer exhibit, Exploration Dinosaur, presented by Meijer

Now-Sept. 1

Kohl’s Wild Theater’s summer season at the Zoo with free shows daily (except Mondays)*

July 4

$4 on the Fourth*

July 6

Military & Veterans Family Day at the Zoo, sponsored by WaterStone Bank*

July 8-10

Members-Only Kids Nights, sponsored by Lifeway Foods*

July 16

Member registration begins for Fall Zoo Classes

July 21

Birdies & Eagles Golf Tournament, presented by GRAEF (pre-register)

Aug. 7-9

Snooze at the Zoo, sponsored by Educators Credit Union (pre-register)

Aug. 10

Registration deadline for Kids Green Art Contest

Aug. 14-17

A La Carte at the Zoo, presented by Meijer*

Aug. 23

Animal Safari, behind-the-scenes tours for animal sponsors

Sept. 14

Ride on the Wild Side Bike Ride, sponsored by Authentic Birth Center

*Zoo Pass members get free regular Zoo admission with their Zoo Pass. Those with Zoo Pass Plus also get free parking for one vehicle per membership per day. Platypus Circle members receive free admission and parking with their card.

Photo by Garrett Hopkins