January-March 2025 OUR MISSION: To inspire people to preserve nature and motivate others to join us through community engagement, fundraising, and building relationships.
A digital publication of Zoo Miami Foundation and Zoo Miami.
THIS ISSUE: - Porcupine Born at Zoo Miami - Spring Events & Programs - Sea Turtle Updates
Keepin’ it Wild is a quarterly digital publication of Zoo Miami Foundation that provides information for the friends, supporters and Members of Zoo Miami.
To inspire people to preserve nature and motivate others to join us through community engagement, fundraising, and building relationships.
Zoo Miami Foundation Board of Directors:
Chair: Alan S. Atkinson
Chair-Elect: Joseph R. Salzverg
Treasurer: Alexander Binelo
Secretary: Maryam Laguna Borrego, Ed.D.
Past Chair: Jose Felix Diaz
Ron Aberman
Alan Atkinson
Rodney Barreto
Brittnie Bassant
Jason A. Bell
Alexander E. Binelo
Javier Borges
Maryam Laguna Borrego, Ed.D.
Ashley Boxer
Sharymar E. Calderon
James A. Carenza
Mayor Daniella Levine Cava
John V. Chibbaro
Jason S. Comer
Jose Felix Diaz, Esq
Kenneth J. Duvall
Will Elgar
Armando Fernandez
Ricardo Garbati
Emeriti Directors
Vincent L. Berkeley
Jennifer Boin Getz
Roger Carlton
Harlan S. Chiron, MD
Ambassador Sue Cobb
Linda Coll
William J. Gallwey, III, Esq.
Robert W. Hudson, Esq.
Sherrill W. Hudson
Bernard Klepach
President/CEO: Jose C. Romano
Zoo Director: Will Elgar
Zoo Admission Hours:
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily
Last ticket sold at 4 p.m.
Editor: Rashielle Clarke
Contributors:
LETTER FROM THE CEO
Victor H. Herrera
Philip F. Kushlan
George L. Leser
Mireya Mayor, PhD
Katharine A. McDonald
Maria I. Nardi
Sara Elizabeth Nainzadeh
Marc A. Osheroff
Samantha L. Pencar
Martha H. Rabbitt
José C. Romano
Joseph R. Salzverg
Luisa F. Santos
Joshua Schertzer
Eduardo M. Soto
Ana VeigaMilton, Esq.
John S. Vidalin
Fred Voccola
Steven C. Williamson
David Konfino
Jim Kushlan, PhD
Daniel J. Licciardi
Manny J. Rodriguez, P.E.
Edward Soto
Eric J. Stephens
Lawrence O. Turner, Jr.
Diana Udel
Andrew H. Weinstein, Esq.
Cindy Castelblanco, Alexandra Guevara, Michael Hitchcock, Julia Klumb, Jamie Lassonde, Ron Magill, Jose Romano, and Ron Stayton
Layout & Design: Photography:
Parrot Fish Studio Ron Magill
Special thanks to Ana VeigaMilton and the Zoo Miami staff, for without these people, this publication would not be possible.
FOLLOW US
Happy Spring!
This season is already buzzing with excitement throughout Zoo Miami. We’ve been celebrating a parade of recent animal births, from an adorable prickly new porcupine and playful otter pups to several unique bird hatchings. Later this April, our community will join us once again for our Party for the Planet festivities, enjoying creative and interactive ways to learn more about wildlife and environmental conservation. Plus, our wonderful Zoo Miami Members will soon gather to embark on an exclusive Dinosaur Egg Safari!
Throughout this issue, we share some accomplishments and insights into some of the lesser-known work that goes on behind-the-scenes of Zoo Miami. We have some updates from our Sea Turtle Hospital and a few of our newer patients there that are adjusting and recovering. Our very own Ron Magill also shares a look at Zoo Miami’s Special Response Team, who are dedicated to keeping our park safe from a variety of potential dangers and threats.
There is so much dedication, passion, and work ethic that goes into keeping our Zoo running smoothly, all while providing our guests with memorable experiences. It gives me great pride to be able to share glimpses at some of the work that makes Zoo Miami a top-notch institution, from guest experience to conservation efforts that make an impact.
As always, I express gratitude on behalf of Zoo Maimi Foundation and Zoo Miami, as none of it would be possible without you! Thank you to each and every guest, donor, partner, sponsor, and supporter. We hope this season brings you growth, and we hope to see you soon at the zoo.
José Romano ZMF President/CEO
If you would like to support Zoo Miami’s mission, please give what you can.
Thank you!
DONATE NOW!
Egg-cellent Hatchers in the Wild Spring Chicks
Sea Turtle Hospital Updates
Gardens in Bloom
Notes for Members
Otter-ly Adorable Pups
Adventures in Learning
A Prickly New Arrival at Zoo Miami
Special Response Team: Keeping Zoo Miami Safe
Dental Week at Zoo Miami
Zoo Miami Foundation Quarterly Donors
2025 Feast with the Beasts Recap
Egg-cellent Hatchers
in the Wild
Small bird, big eggs
Kiwis lay eggs that are up to 20% of the mother’s body weight! That’s like a human giving birth to a four-year-old child!
For species like alligators and sea turtles, the temperature of the nest determines the sex of the offspring Cozy and cool
A sea turtle can lay over 100 eggs at a time, but only a few will survive into adulthood
Soft
yet strong
Snake eggs are leathery and flexible so they can expand as the embryos grow.
Don’t mess with mama
Female crocodiles guard their nests aggressively and help their young to hatch by carrying them in their mouths to water.
Colossal and prehistoric. The largest dinosaur eggs belonged to the Hypselosaurus, measuring up to one foot long!
Egg-a-palooza
Spring Chicks
This past March, several species of unique birds hatched to welcome new chicks!
Tawny Frogmouth 1 chick hatched on March 13th
Blue-Faced Honeyeater 1 chick hatched on March 10th
Marabou Stork 2 chicks hatched on March 13th & 19th
Click here to learn more about our new chicks!
April 26, 2025 10 AM – 3 PM
Join us for an Earth Day celebration with conservationthemed activities designed for the whole family!
Meet eco-minded community partners and enjoy giveaways, animal meet-and-greets, Zoo Squad appearances, music, games, and more.
Admission is FREE* when you turn in an old cell phone as part of the ECO-CELL phone recycling program.
Additionally, enjoy fun enrichment activities for our animals!
Sea Turtle UPDATES
Ben – Ben is a cold stunned green turtle who has adjusted well to our warm tanks. The recheck radiographs and bloodwork show that the pneumonia has progressed slightly, so he has started on oral antibiotics. He is consuming all of his diet, and we’re hoping to see an increase in weight while he’s being medicated.
Blue Bell – Blue Bell was slow to adjust to being back in the water but is now swimming through the whole water column and doing well. She chews on food throughout the day, but we still need to encourage more consumption from her.
Perry – After spending his first couple of days floating at the surface of his tank, Perry can now dive down and rest at the bottom. He has yet to eat any diet items, but we will continue offering a variety of options to see if any tickle his fancy. His eye ulcers seem to be resolved following antibiotic ointment treatments.
Orange Sherbert
– Orange Sherbert has adjusted well to being in the tank and has been seen consuming some diet items, and his weight remains stable so far. On intake, ulcers were noted on the eyes, but after a follow-up eye stain a few days after arrival, these seem to have resolved.
Zoo Miami Gardens in Bloom
In addition to being home to hundreds of animal species, Zoo Miami is also an accredited botanical garden! Lush with florals and fauna, there’s always something flourishing to see.
The Butterfly, Bee, and Bird Garden
Located on the tortoise side of the amphitheater, see a vibrant oasis where the beauty of nature comes alive in a harmonious dance of butterflies, bees, and birds! This newly designed garden at Zoo Miami is a sanctuary for pollinators and wildlife, showcasing a variety of species that thrive in South Florida’s unique ecosystem.
Wander through a lush landscape filled with nectar-rich plants that provide food and shelter for these incredible creatures. From the graceful flight of butterflies like monarchs and swallowtails to the busy buzz of bees and the cheerful songs of local birds, this garden is teeming with life.
Keep an eye out for pollinator-friendly plants such as milkweed, lantana, and zinnias that support butterflies and bees, while native flowering trees and shrubs provide perches and nourishment for our feathered friends.
Did you know?
• Butterflies and bees are essential pollinators, helping to fertilize plants and ensure the growth of food and wildflowers.
• Birds, from hummingbirds to songbirds, are also vital for maintaining healthy ecosystems, spreading seeds, and keeping insect populations in check.
Gigi’s Children’s Maze
The wait is finally over - Gigi’s Children’s Maze is now open in the Asia section of Zoo Miami. Embark on an adventure through twists and turns, and discover the wonders of nature in our exciting new maze!
Can you find your way to the center? Each path leads to a new discovery. Enjoy the journey!
Did you know?
Mazes help develop problem-solving skills and are a great way to boost creativity! Take your time exploring and see if you can find all the hidden surprises along the way.
Prehistoric Garden
Located near the entrance to the Florida Exhibit, did you know that plants like cycads and ferns were around when dinosaurs roamed the Earth, surviving mass extinctions?
Their fossils have been found across the world and we have living examples right here at Zoo Miami.
These plants include Cycads, Ferns, Tree Ferns, and Bromeliads.
SATURDAY 11 AM - 2 PM
EGG HUNT • BOUNCE HOUSE • FACE PAINTING LIVE DJ • FOSSIL PIT • ARTS & CRAFTS EASTER BUNNY PHOTOS
RSVP NOW!
Limited space! Must be an active Zoo Miami member to attend. Families are limited to the number of people covered on the membership.
Thank you to our event sponsors
IMPORTANT NOTES FOR MEMBERS
Big changes are coming to the zoo, and we’re excited to continue creating unforgettable experiences for you and your family! As part of these improvements, and to help us provide even more value for your membership, our rates have increased as of April 1st, 2025. If you have any questions about your membership and benefits, please reach out to us at membership@zoomiami.org or visit zoomiami.org.
Otter-ly Adorable Pups!
Say hello to the cutest new pups at Zoo Miami!
On February 12th, our seven-year-old North American river otter, “Zinnia,” gave birth to three babies at the Florida: Mission Everglades exhibit. This is Zinnia’s third litter of pups, and a quick neonatal exam has revealed that the sexes were determined to be one male and two females. All appear to be in good health!
Zinnia arrived at Zoo Miami in April 2019 from the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Rhode Island, and the father, nineyear-old “Edison” arrived to us in October 2016 after being rescued and hand-raised by a group called Wild Florida. Following the birth of their pups, Zinnia and her litter remained isolated behind the scenes to give them the opportunity to bond and grow.
About North American River Otters
North American river otters are extremely active and playful animals that are found in a variety of freshwater habitats throughout much of the U.S. and Canada. They can grow three to four feet long including the tail and usually weigh between 12 and 25 pounds with the males getting slightly larger than the females. In the wild, they live around 10 years but can live twice
that long under human care. They feed on a variety of aquatic life such as fish, frogs, and crustaceans, as well as eggs, reptiles, birds and small mammals. They can stay under water for several minutes and have a thick protective fur to insulate them against cold temperatures. They are perfectly adapted for semi-aquatic life with a slender body, a long flat and powerful tail, and short legs with webbed feet. In addition to being quick agile swimmers, they are also capable of running up to 15 mph on land.
Though their populations were threatened decades ago mainly due to trapping for the fur trade, their biggest threat today is due to habitat loss and pollution.
Adventures IN LEARNING
Kids of all ages will enjoy hands-on activities, animal encounters, educational adventures, and more during our award-winning Zoo Camp!
CAMP LITTLE CRITTER DAy CAMP
Ages 3-4
Introduce your little ones to the excitement of camp and the wonders of wildlife with this new half-day Camp experience specifically designed for children ages 3 & 4.
Registration is available on a weekly basis; fees vary by session
June 16 - August 1, 2025
Fees: $144 per child for Zoo members; $180 per child for non-members
TEEN CAREERS CAMP
Ages 13-15
Zoo Careers Camp is an immersive career exploration camp where teens will discover the countless careers that keep Zoo Miami running!
Registration is available on a weekly basis; fees vary by session.
June 23 - August 8, 2025
Fees: $280 per child for Zoo members; $350 per child for non-members
Ages 5 - 12
During legal holidays and Teacher Planning Days, our one-day camps are both fun and packed with wild experiences.
Upcoming Session & Theme: April 18, 2025: “Wild Art and Nature” April 26, 2025: “Jurassic Journeys” May 26, 2025: “Dino Detectives”
Fees: $52 per child for Zoo members; $65 per child for non-members
SUMMER CAMP
Ages 5 - 12
When school’s out this summer, let the learning adventure continue at Zoo Miami! Let your child discover their wild side and beat the boredom with a wild camp experience. Registration is available on a weekly basis; fees vary by session.
June 9 - August 13, 2025
Fees: $220 per child for Zoo members; $275 per child for non-members
Please email education@zoomiami.org
Wild Nights: DINO NIGHT ADVENTURE
DNA: Dino Night Adventure is a guided afterdark tour where the past and present collide! Walk among towering, illuminated dinosaur replicas, and discover the modern animals that share their prehistoric ancestry. As you explore the zoo at night, your guide will reveal fascinating facts about the age of dinosaurs and the creatures that still carry their legacy today. Experience the zoo in a whole new way on this thrilling journey through time!
UPCOMING DATES: April 26 | May 17 | June 20 Limited
EARTH AGENTS: SUMMER 2025
Earth Agents invites community groups to lead environmental projects in their neighborhoods. ZMF can provide guidance and stipends. Groups may apply to ensure they have all the tools needed for a successful event. From beach cleanups and book drives to removing invasive plant species and hosting sustainable dinners, our Earth Agents are teaching their communities about conservation.
Join us and apply to be an Earth Agent! Applications open the third week of April 2025 and close the second week of May and applicants will be selected and notified at the end of May.
For further inquiries please reach out to Nicole Johnston at njohnston@zoomiami.org
A Prickly New Arrival at Zoo Miami
For the first time in over a decade, Zoo Miami welcomed the birth of a prehensile-tailed porcupine, also known as a coendou! Weighing in at just over 400 grams at birth, the baby was born on February 21, 2025. The sex of the newborn has not yet been determined. The first-time mother, a nine-year-old named “Clover,” arrived at Zoo Miami from the Binghamton Zoo in New York in 2027. The father, 21-year-old “Pascha,” arrived here from the Virginia Zoo, also in 2027. This is his fifth offspring that he has sired, though the previous four were at other zoos.
Clover and her baby will remain out of the public view as they continue to bond in peaceful privacy.
The goal is for the baby to eventually join the Zoo Miami ambassador team as an education animal!
Prehensile tailed porcupines are arboreal animals that can range in size from 5 – 11 pounds with a total length between 15 – 24
inches. They are found in the neotropical forests of South America where they feed on a variety of leaves, flowers, shoots, and the cambium layer found underneath the bark of some trees. They are primarily nocturnal and will often sleep during the day curled up in a tree in the canopy of the forest. The gestation period is approximately 200 days after which a single well-developed baby is born usually weighing just under a pound.
Special Reponse Team: Keeping Zoo Miami Safe
Zoo Miami’s mission is to inspire people through engaging experiences to preserve nature in South Florida and across the globe. To accomplish that mission, there are many facets to the zoo that focus on a wide variety of things ranging from conservation and research to education and entertainment. In every facet, the safety of our guests, staff, volunteers, and the animals is a top priority.
As an AZA-accredited facility, we are required to maintain the highest standards in the operation and management of the zoo. As part of that, we must adhere to specific standards of operation regarding any emergency that may arise within the zoo.
Those emergencies include, among other things, an animal escape, an active shooter or terrorist threat, a natural disaster (hurricane, tornado, fire, flood, etc.), or any issue where a dangerous animal may present a threat to any person at the zoo (during transport, a veterinary procedure, etc.).
For these specific incidents, Zoo Miami has a special team that is specifically trained to safely address and eliminate any threat or crisis that may arise in a professional and expedited manner. It is called the Special Response Team (SRT) and is made up of men and women who have been carefully selected and have passed a multi-disciplinary training program that involves a variety of subjects ranging from gun safety to first aid and CPR certification. The courses include both classroom and field work as well as running several drills throughout the year, replicating emergency situations. Those drills are closely evaluated and graded to ensure that the responses are effective and properly adhere to the standard operating procedures. In addition, members are required to attend continuing education courses as well as
Zoo Miami SRT member, Melissa Llerena, is a certified CPR instructor and teaches CPR classes throughout the year.
ongoing SRT meetings and scheduled shooting range days throughout the year. Finally, members must also maintain CPR, AED, and First Aid certification.
As a reflection of the team’s preparedness and effectiveness, there has never been the need to fire a single shot during any emergency in the history of Zoo Miami. In the same vein, we are proud to say that thanks to their CPR and AED training, SRT members have been recognized with the Lifesaving Award by the American Red Cross for helping to save the life of a guest who had collapsed and was in cardiac arrest in 2023.
So, if during a routine veterinary procedure or animal transport, a staff member holding a firearm is seen in attendance, please know it is a precautionary measure that is part of our commitment to ensure the safety of everyone involved while adhering to the high standards established for AZA accreditation.
SRT member Cody Teape assists with the transport of an immobilized hyena while SRT member Josh Patrick stands behind prepared to effectively neutralize any situation that may arise.
SRT member Melissa Llerena receives instruction on firearm operation and safety from certified instructor, Will Schlegelmilch, at a local gun range.
Members of Zoo Miami’s Safety and Security team received the Lifesaving Award from the Red Cross.
Zoo News on NBC!
On February 20, 2025, Zoo Miami was featured on NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt Kids Edition!
The segment, which our very own Ron Magill helped to produce and was featured in, highlighted a recent dental procedure for Zoo Miami’s Florida panther.
This educational segment is a wonderful way to connect with young audiences and show them the ways that they’re not so different from many creatures in the animal kingdom!
Dental Week
Our Florida panther isn’t the only one who paid a recent visit to the dentist! Over the course of a week in January 2025, several of Zoo Miami’s animals underwent a variety of dental procedures, including general consults, cleanings, exams, extractions, and even root canals.
Veterinary dentist, Dr. Jamie Berning, DVM, DAVDC, from Veterinary Dentistry and Oral Surgery of Ohio, along with members of her team, traveled from their home in Columbus, Ohio to perform a series of procedures on a variety of animals including an orangutan, a lion, two chimpanzees, a sloth bear, and two jaguars.
Dental health is a crucial component of the Animal Health Department’s preventative medicine program at Zoo Miami. Since animals generally do not complain about dental pain, dental disease is often referred to as “silent suffering” in the animal health field. A variety of issues ranging from gum disease to fractured and broken teeth can lead to critical care issues that may result in serious infection and even death without treatment.
Zoo Miami is very grateful for the expertise and time that Dr. Berning and her team donate to provide Zoo Miami animals with this critical care.
GUESS THOSE CHOMPERS!
Can you identify these Zoo Miami animals based on these close ups of their teeth?
Top to bottom: chimpanzee, lion, sloth bear
Publix CharitiEs PlEdgEs $250,000 Matching Grant for Sumatran TigEr Habitat at Zoo Miami
Publix Charities is matching donations up to $250,000 for the Sumatran Tiger Habitat at Zoo Miami. Give today!
As we get closer to the ground-breaking of what will be one of the most iconic Tiger habitats in the country, we welcome you to join us with your gift today that will be matched by our friends at Publix Super Markets Charities. Double Your Impact for Wildlife! Publix is generously matching all donations, dollar for dollar, up to $250,000—meaning your gift goes twice as far to support wildlife conservation at Zoo Miami! Don’t miss this chance to double your impact and help us protect this critically endangered species. Give today and make twice the difference!
The Sumatran tiger, native to the Indonesian island of Sumatra, is critically endangered with only a few hundred left in the wild due to habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict. Through our partnership with Publix Charities, we will create an alliance with the goal of combating the threat of extinction facing these majestic creatures in the wild.
This matching grant serves as a rallying call to the community, encouraging individuals and organizations to join Publix Charities and Zoo Miami Foundation in safeguarding the future of Sumatran tigers.
If you would like to join us in this critically important project, please visit Support Tigers Here or scan the QR Code.
Supporting Conservation Scholars
Under the umbrella of Zoo Miami Foundation (ZMF), the Ron Magill Conservation Endowment has announced the winners of $5,000 scholarships to two outstanding applicants! The scholarships will support their ongoing commitment to wildlife conservation.
Aspiring wildlife biologist Sabrina Lyons is a biology major in Miami Dade College’s Honor Program. She is a graduate of BioTech Magnet High School, where she was in the top 5% of her class, and was a leader for ZMF’s Conservation Teen Scientist Program for three years!
Isabel Martinez is an FIU-graduate with bachelor’s degrees in marine biology and natural and applied sciences. She has been accepted into the University of Miami’s Master of Professional Science program with a focus on Marine Conservation. She is a volunteer coordinator for ZMF as well as a certified veterinary assistant. Her passion is rescuing and rehabilitating marine mammals and sea turtles.
Both young ladies exemplify what the Ron Magill Conservation Scholarship was created for. Though only one scholarship is normally given annually, the selection committee could not choose between the two and therefore made the decision to award scholarships to both!
Zoo Miami Mourns the Loss of “Grand Dame” of Giant River Otters
With bittersweet emotions, Zoo Miami recently announced the passing of “Kara,” Zoo Miami’s senior giant river otter.
An examination revealed that Kara was experiencing a variety of geriatric issues that were resulting in organ failure with no reasonable path for treatment. This led to the difficult decision not to wake her, and humanely euthanize her to prevent future suffering.
While it was certainly sad to say goodbye to this remarkable animal, we are proud to have been Kara’s home since her arrival in 2008. At nearly 20 years old, she was in the oldest giant river otter in the entire country.
During her time at Zoo Miami, Kara gave birth to 27 pups, making a great contribution to the care, understanding, and conservation of these endangered animals. She was a great mother and her legacy lives on with her offspring that are now residing at other zoos around the country.
NOW - September 14, 2025
E ne rgy Bite s
Whole Grain High Carb
Mushroom Taco
Ingredients
Ingredients
1 cup rolled oats
Directions
• ½ cup cooked red quinoa
• ½ cup cooked mixed grain blend
¼ cup sliced almonds
2 tablespoons chia seeds
In a large bowl, combine nut butter, honey and cinnamon. Stir well. spatula or hands.
• ½ cup quick pickled onions
⅛ teaspoon cinnamon
• Half of a small white onion diced
Roll dough into balls no larger than a golf ball. Enjoy or refrigerate for later!
⅓ cup of nut butter
• 1 avocado
Tips
• 4 baby radishes sliced thinly
peanut or almond)
¼ cup honey
Use a cookie or ice cream scoop to make bites similar in size.
• 2 cups mixed mushroom
If you have time, refrigerate mix ture for up to an hour before rolling into bites.
• 1 plantain sliced into 1 inch segments
• 4 whole wheat low sodium tacos
• 1 green onion thinly sliced for garnish
• Cilantro (stems removed)
• 4 table spoons Olive oil
• ½ cup vinegar
• Cumin
• Red pepper flakes
• Cracked black pepper
Process
1. Cook grains and quinoa according to package instructions
2. Cut the red onion in half and thinly slice place in a small bowl and set aside.
3. Bring vinegar to boil in a small pan or microwave and pour onto the sliced onions. Let sit for at least 20 minutes.
4. Using the back of a knife smash the plantains into thin disks. Heat a medium sized skilled, once the pan is hot apply pan release spray and place the smashed plantains into the pan. You to see the sugar in the plantain caramelize on one side then flip and repeat. Once these are done you can set them aside until assembly
5. Return the pan to the heat, once the pan is hot add a tablespoon of olive oil and the diced white onion Sautee until caramelized, then add the both the red quinoa and mixed grains – season with cumin, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste. Set aside until assembly
We would like to recognize and thank those who contributed to Zoo Miami Foundation between December 18, 2024March 31, 2025. Your generosity helps us fulfill our mission of wildlife education and conservation, and we are truly grateful for your support.*
INDIVIDUALS
$10,000 - $49,000
Shelley B. Daniel Rutherford
Charlene Esserman
Cynthia W. Knight
Lynn Liddell
Libby and Jack Madden
Kathleen and Don Sokolik
Jacqueline and Eduardo Soto
$5,000 - $9,999
Ron Aberman
Ruby M. Bacardi
The Honorable Marlene Bastien
Trish and Dan Bell
Noelle and Brett Bivens
Lydis and Juan Gonzalez
Judith and Cal Jameson
Katharine and David McDonald
Anna K. Rentz
Sheila and Ira Shapiro
Ashley and Zoiner Tejada
Barbara H. Traegerg
$1,000 - $4,999
Susan and Thomas Abraham
Sandra Bailey
Brittnie R. Bassant
Jamie Belinne
Brad Buchanan
Rebecca Canamero
Felix Castillo
Paulette Chuck
Maria and Jorge De La Torre
Diana L. Fitzgerald
The Forte Family
Devin Games
Pamela J. Garrison
Larry Gautier
Richard R. Glass
Lourdes E. Gomez and Marcelino Miyares, Ph.D.
Tarik Guetarni
Lorena and James Hartenstein
Steven Henriquez
Marie D. Hernandez
John and Claudia Holliman Affiliated Fund
Patty and Timothy Howard
Saif Ishoof
Nedra A. Kalish
Laurie and Keith Keister
Claire and Ed London
William Lopez
Charles Luthin
Clara M. Macias and Rafael E. Rodriguez
Kelly L. Macina
Thomas McDonald
Kelly Mena Tamayo
Rosa Milian
George R. Miller, III
Miriam and Azorides Morales
Elizabeth Ann and Anthony Morgenthau
Grace Wang, M.D. and Steven Pabalan, M.D.
Ariel Penzer Milgroom
and Jeremy D. Milgroom
Gregory Pizarro
Martha H. Rabbitt
Jerry Rodriguez
Joanna and Jose Romano
Josie Romano Brown and Dr. Mark Brown
Lori Ryan
Adam Sarauskas
Marie Spiller
John S. Vidalin
Kathryn N. Weston
Carl Wiegand
Paul Yablon
Michael C. Zeien
$500 - $999
Patricia and Abdulwahab Aldousany
Michael Chavez
M. Camila Cote
Colin G. Cox
Benjamin Crane
Shawn and Evans Crews
Jeff Dalton
Mauro A. Delgado
Dawn Fagenson
Elsa and Charles Foschini
Barbara Gallo
Raul Gandarillas
Denise and Matt Hansen
Guita and Victor Herrera
Karly Hurst
Daryn A. Javer
Linda and William Jones
Lawrence Kaplan
Shirley and Howard Katzman
Beatriz and Hugh Ladd
Judy Lease
Kathryn Montbriand
Jane Morgan
Steve Morrison
Nicolas A. Muslera
Stefanni Nelson
Shari-Lynn and Ariel Odzer
The Olmsted Family
Daniel O’Shea
Arlene Peterson
Nercy and Bill Radcliffe
Michelle Ragusa-McBain
David Riceberg
Jorge Santibanez
Ruth and Rudy Schwartz
Andrea and Gregory Sharp
Samantha Spellerberg
Joshua Stotzky
Phyllis Tamburello
Barbara and Julio Torres
Tom Wallerh
$250 - $499
Nicolas Aguado
Rick Alberty
Wilfred Allen-Faiella
Nick Andris
Brendan Areces
Jorge Arevalo
Josemyne Ayala Gotay
Vanessa Balaguer-Chavez
Lori P. Bean
Robin and I. Barry Blaxberg
Barbi Breimann
Jessica Bruce
Coral Cadaval
Susana and Karl Cetta
Lissette Chatel
Erin Clough
Raul Concepcion
Jaden Diaz Miranda
Kenneth Diego
Hung Do
Cecilia Duenas
Jeffrey Epstein
Catalina Escalante
Carly Falgout
Janine and Arturo Fernandez
Ariel Foster
Jason T. Fundora
Anthony Gomez
Robert Gonzalez
Elizabeth M. Grass
Andrew Guirguis
Colleen and David Heffernan
The Hertz Family
Catherine Hilfinger
Geddy A. Hilton
Allison Huss
Cynthia Jacobson and Charles Weckler
Joe Johnson
Carrie Keck-Lawes
Virginia Kilroy-Bertot
Jose Labrador
Lindsey Lemke
Ferlia Leonardo
Clara and Andrew Lyons
Jacqui Marin
Evelyn Marsh
Elana Maya
Patricia and Joseph McCrink
Jeanne McFadden
Michael McNally
Vivian Menendez Llera
Sanjay Mirchandani
Christopher Mouriz
Ronald Myers
Tina M. Nuccitelli
Mia and Guillermo Olmedillo
Chrisopher Orama
Alina Orozco
Carlos Ortiz
Nelson Ortiz
Rachael L. Peck
Daniela Perez
Brett Phillips
Matt Pinder
Susan and Norman Powell
Jonathan Ramirez
Tamara Randall
Wesley Robinson
Tanlla Rodriguez
Yudislay Rodriguez
Mary and John Rose
Zachary Rosenthal
Cristobal Ruiz
Jeff Rust
Nancy and Joseph Salzverg
Luis Santiesteban
Theodore Sayre
Louis P. Sguros and Kim R. Nickelson
Dara Silverstein
David Simon
Don Slesnick
Karen D. Thompson and Jay Calkins
Victor Trujillo
Jorge Ugarte
Christine Waters
Marcela and James Weiland
Sandra and Jarrett Wentworth
Melissa and David Wetzel
Steven C. Williamson and Norie del Valle
Jimmy Worton
Inna and Mark Ziemba
$100 - $249
Maureen and Richard Adelman
Judy Albello
Jaime Andrae
Jorge Areces
Andrew Areces
M. Ivette and Alan Atkinson
Jared Balladarez
Phyllis Bebko
Alexander Bertot
Thomas Best
Michelle Bielmyer
Dawn and Jospeh Boyer
Adlai Bradley
Charles Brannock
Matthew Carcano
J. Lynn Carlson
Carmen Castells
Philippe J. Cayanni
Ayana Chambers
Spencer Clark
Rashielle A. Clarke
Thomas Clements
Alexandra Colon
Livan Concepcion
Leo Corradini
Lisa Crittenden
Macie Dasinger
Pradeep Daswani
Nancy Delgado
Ann DeStefanis
Gisela and Bruce Eckel
Lisa Edgerton
Heidi and Paul Feder
Kelly Feeney
Sydney Finn
Judy R. Flayderman
Katherine Florian
Dayle Fragin
Mr. Freedman
Rebecca Garcia
Angelica Garcia del Rio
Jon Gauthier
Michelle and Andrew Gleman
Sally and Robert Gordon
Kerri Gordon
Estefania Guerra
Ady Hardy
Angela Hatfield and Charles Kaiser
Georgia Hernandez
R. B. Hurley
Elizabeth Hutchinson
Cynthia Hutson
Sheila Jeffers
Nicole Johnston
Hue Jones
Melissa Jordon
Kristine H. Kadlac
Ivette and Eric Kaminsky
Abbie Klaits
Denise and Steve Krug
Mariana and Angus Laney
Rodrigo Lichgow
Sloane C. Lipkin
Christopher Little
Jenny Liu
Jennifer Liu and Jean Liu
Ricardo Lizarzaburu
Amber Llerena
Lissette Lopez
Catherine and Rafael Lorie
Eleanor Lowell
Molly Lowell
Mary Kate Macek
Rita and Ron Magill
Natalie Manoogian
Cristinne Marin
Katharine G. Marino
Nixie Marquez
Monica Martinez Mejia
Lisa and Jay Massirman
Karina Mesa
Alec Milton
Virginia Mojica
Samantha Montes De Oca
Nicole Naser
Maritza Navarro
Marilyn Olmsted
Jessica and Pedro Ordehi
Mirely and Marcus Ortiz
Alexis Padilla
Sandra and Brandon Perez
Staria and John Petersen
Maria and David Pike
Georgi Pipkin
Frances Plummer
Raul Portillo
Susan and Jason Powell
Denise Preciado
Genessa D. Proctor
Emily Rabbitt
Katie Rainwater
Deepak Raja
Luis A. Ramirez
Anely Rodriguez
Lourdes and Gerardo Rodriguez
Martha A. Rogers Haas
Lazaro Ruda
Clara and W. Glenn Rushworth
Luisa F. Santos and Justin Clarke
Francene and Ronald Sevcik
Gary Sisler
Brian Smith
Janice Smith
Christian Soliz
Carolyn and Nathan Spachner
James and Jane Thomas
Esther Turmero
Robert Udelsman
Samuel Underwood
Yvette E. Valdes
Elizabeth Waters and Michael B. Vinas
Teresita and J.D. Wagner
Kathleen Walker
Sara Walton
Eric Watson
Charmaine Weathers
Ward B. Whitten
Marni Wood
Terilee Wunderman
Rafael Yaniz
Marina Yegudkina
Ellen and Richard Yorks
Geoffrey D. Young
CORPORATE PARTNERS
$10,000 - $49,999
Assurant, Inc.
Casino Miami Jai-Alai
Glenhouse
Greenberg Traurig, LLP
ParsonsKellogg
Shutts & Bowen, LLP
Toyota
United Property Management, Inc.
$5,000 - $9,999
Allied Global Marketing
AT&T
Bacardí USA Inc.
ELM Arch, LLC
$1,000 - $4,999
The Benevity Community Impact Fund
Allied Global Marketing
Century Risk Advisors
Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church
Dr. Gab’s SWAF
Glenhouse
Go Run Miami
Ocaquatics Swim School
Parrot Fish Studio
Pini Health Club
Publix Super Markets, Inc.
Rotary Club of Miami
Saltchuk Resources, Inc.
Sea Turtle Conservancy
Tropical Anglers Club, Inc.
West Flagler Associates
YouFit Gyms
FOUNDATIONS
$50,000 - $99,999
Cecil & Ana Milton Family Foundation
The Miami Foundation
$10,000 - $49,999
Florida Panthers Foundation
The William J. & Isobel G. Clarke Foundation
The Clinton Family Fund
$5,000 - $9,999
The Allen Family Foundation, Inc.
The Folke H. Peterson Charitable Foundation
The Tonkinson Foundation
$1,000 - $4,999
D. Richard Mead Charitable Foundation
Publix Super Markets Charities, Inc.
$250 - $499
Anthony R. Abraham Foundation
AMEN Muniz Charitable Fund
Charities Aid Foundation of America
Sofia’s Hope, Inc.
Government
$250,000 +
Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs
Miami-Dade County Parks & Recreation Department
*We are deeply grateful to our donors for their support. If your name has been accidentally omitted or listed incorrectly, please contact the Development department at 305-255-5551.
THANK YOU FOR FEASTING WITH US!
The 27th Annual Feast with the Beasts, held on March 7, 2025, was a remarkable evening filled with almost 1,200 guests, exceptional food and cocktails from over 50 vendors, live entertainment, animal sightings, and so much more. A huge thank you goes out to everyone who attended, our wonderful sponsors, those who participated in our Silent Auction, and the incredible team that made this night possible. Together, we raised over $400,000 of vital funds to support Zoo Miami Foundation.
