Keepin’ it Wild !
Keepin’ it Wild is a quarterly digital publication of Zoo Miami Foundation that provides information for the friends, supporters and Members of Zoo Miami.
For more information, please contact:
Zoo Miami Foundation
12400 SW 152 Street, Miami, FL 33177 (305) 255-5551 / www.zoomiami.org
Zoo Miami Foundation’s Mission
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.
Amanda Bolanos, Jennifer Carril, Cindy Castelblanco, Alexandra Guevara, Nicole Johnston, Jamie Lassonde, Ron Magill, Josh Olmstead, 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.
Dear Friends,
Every summer, Zoo Miami proudly serves as a landmark destination in the South Florida community. School is out and families, both local and visiting, come to our beautiful park looking for adventure and connection with wildlife. Campers, from little critters to teens, keep their brains active as they explore what our animals, gardens, and educators have to teach them.
The cover of this issue teases the truly remarkable and heartwarming story of Goliath the Galapagos tortoise, who recently celebrated his 135th birthday in addition to becoming a first-time father. Stories like this are a reminder that you could never truly anticipate all of the wonders and surprises that wildlife has to offer. And, Goliath’s hatchling isn’t the only adorable baby stealing the hearts of our Animal Care team! In a few pages, you’ll get a peek at Piggy Sue, a new warthog being hand-raised as she learns the ropes of hopefully becoming a Zoo Miami ambassador animal. Across the Zoo, several unique birds have also recently hatched, representing species from Tropical America, Asia, and Africa.
Beyond the zoo, we continue to support our team’s work in animal care and conservation across the globe. Later, you’ll read about a Zoo Miami keeper who traveled to Nepal to provide health and footcare to elephants, thanks to support from the Ron Magill Conservation Endowment. Not only is this work critically important, but it’s absolutely fascinating.
Summer is a time of unlimited possibilities and potential for memorable experiences. For the second year, we are thrilled to offer our members an exclusive “Fun Zone” experience that is sure to be a blast for the whole family. Throughout the season, we continue working to build connections that last – all with the support of our members, donors, volunteers, and partners. As always, we thank you for your dedication.
José Romano ZMF President/CEO
If you would like to support Zoo Miami’s
App
Otter Pup Debut
Summer Savings
A Giant Birthday & First-Time Fatherhood
Goliath the Galapagos tortoise becomes a first-time father just in time to celebrate his 135th birthday!
Happy Hatchlings
Several unique birds have recently hatched at Zoo Miami
Sole Impact: Elephant Footcare in Nepal
Raising Piggy Sue
Adventures in Learning
Saying Farewell to Gorilla Brothers
Notes for Members
Zoo Miami Foundation Quarterly Donors
Cheetah Checkup
Otter Debut
Our adorably playful North American river otter pups have made their public habitat debut! Be sure to come out to Zoo Miami this summer to see if you can spot them.
Though there is no guarantee that the pups will be out on any given day, the hope is to give them daily access for a limited amount of time each day, usually between the hours of 11:30AM and 2PM. This not only gives the pups some time to perfect their swimming technique, it enables Edison, the male, to also enjoy the habitat when mom and the pups are rotated off.
If you catch our otter pups swimming and splashing around this summer, be sure to snap a photo or video and tag us!
A Giant Birthday & First-Time Fatherhood
This past Father’s Day, June 15th, Zoo Miami’s oldest resident animal celebrated his 135th birthday!
Goliath the Galapagos tortoise was hatched on the island of Santa Cruz in the Galapagos around 1890. He arrived at the Bronx Zoo on July 23rd, 1929, and finally made his way to Zoo Miami in 1981. Goliath, who weighs in at 517 massive pounds, has bred with several different females during his time at Zoo Miami, but never successfully sired an offspring, until now!
Goliath’s mate Sweet Pea laid a clutch of eight eggs on January 27th and after 128 days of incubation, one egg successfully hatched on June 4th! Not only is this the first offspring for Goliath, but it is also the first time in Zoo Miami history that a Galapagos tortoise has hatched. Sweet Pea, who arrived at the Crandon Park Zoo on Key Biscayne in 1960, is believed to be between 85-100 years old.
1981
An application has been made to the Guinness Book of World Records to officially recognize Goliath as “The Oldest First-Time Father in History!” Considering the age of Sweet Pea, their combined age is over 200 and they may also qualify as “The Oldest First-Time Parents in History!”
Both Goliath and Sweet Pea are doing well on their public habitat and are not aware of their newly hatched offspring. In the wild, hatchlings are on their own from the moment they emerge from the egg and the parents have no further connection to them. The hatchling appears to be healthy and has been removed from the incubator and placed in a separate enclosure where it is active and full of energy!
This Father’s Day at Zoo Miami was extra special, as we not only celebrated Goliath’s birthday, but the legacy he has secured by becoming a father for the first time in his amazing 135-year life.
Happy Hatchlings
Recently, several birds hatched at Zoo Miami, representing unique species from Tropical America, Asia, and Africa!
2 Abdim’s Storks hatched on April 27th and 28th
Cinereous Vulture hatched on April 21st
Harpy Eagle hatched on April 23rd
CLICK HERE to learn more about these special chicks!
Sole Impact: Elephant Footcare in Nepal
In November 2024, thanks to support from the Ron Magill Conservation Endowment, Zoo Miami keeper Jennifer Carril participated in the Elephant Health Camp in Nepal, learning how to care for elephant feet.
One of just 16 zoo professionals chosen to participate, Jennifer provided free healthcare to 68 elephants throughout Nepal while working alongside world-renowned experts in elephant footcare.
As the largest land animals on Earth, elephants rely heavily on their feet to support their immense weight and navigate diverse terrains. Yet amazingly, elephant feet are very similar to human feet! They have five toes on each foot and a fatty digital cushion to help distribute the massive weight of the elephant. Because of the tough conditions they face, elephant feet are also highly sensitive and susceptible to injuries and infections if not properly maintained.
Jennifer was able to learn about how to correct various foot ailments and helped teach proper elephant care to the local Nepali community, empowering them with the skills and confidence necessary to provide their elephants with the regular care required to keep them healthy.
Jennifer is now teaching the rest of the Zoo Miami team about what she’s learned. They have even implemented these best practices with Zoo Miami’s elephants, like Mabel!
Zoo Miami and Zoo Miami Foundation remain committed to providing our wildlife residents with the best care possible.
Kids of all ages will enjoy hands-on activities, animal encounters, educational adventures, and more during our award-winning Zoo Camp!
SUMMER CAMP
Ages 5 - 12
Keep the learning adventure going throughout the summer! Let your child discover their wild side and beat the boredom with a fun camp experience at Zoo Miami.
Weekly sessions are available now through August 13, 2025. Each week explores a wild topic in the world of animals, nature, and conservation.
Th EMES in C l U d E : Backyard Biologists
Careers with Creatures
Animal Athletes
Wild Weather Warriors
Habitat Heroes
REGISTER NOW
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! After a week full of exclusive hands-on experiences and behind-the-scenes adventures, your teen is sure to discover what they want to be when they grow up!
August 4 - 8
REGISTER NOW
Raising Piggy Sue
On May 3, 2025, Zoo Miami welcomed the arrival of a baby warthog to nine-yearold first-time mom, “Zoe,” who is originally from the Fresno Chaffee Zoo in California. The father is 10-year-old “Beebop Wilson” from the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
Zoe unfortunately did not demonstrate the ability to properly care for the female piglet, so the decision was made to hand-raise her with the hopes of having her join Zoo Miami’s ambassador team. Thankfully, she was in excellent health and took to the bottle quickly and easily.
The Zoo Miami Ambassador and Australia teams lovingly named her “Piggy Sue,” and began the task of hand-rearing her –including feedings every two hours! Piggy Sue is now thriving in her new home, where the small team of keepers work with her daily on the fundamental behaviors she will need to fulfill her role as an ambassador. Once she’s fully grown, she could reach close to 160 pounds, so it’s important for her to learn “good manners” early!
Piggy Sue is very energetic and loves spending time with her keepers, playing with her favorite toys (including jolly balls, Kong toys, and her favorite dinosaur neck pillow). She is already exhibiting the typical warthog stubbornness along with frequent squealing and general boisterousness. The keepers have their work cut out for them, but they are ready and excited for the hallenge! Piggy Sue is now part of the regular rotation of ambassador animals that can be seen in “Wild Connection,” the ambassador habitats adjacent to the Amphitheater. Though there is no guarantee when she will be out, keepers are trying to at least have her out on a daily basis for small periods of time. Warthogs are common wild pigs that can be found throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa. Made famous through the Disney film, “The Lion King,” they get their name from the wart-like growths on the sides of their face. These growths are not actually warts, but just thick skin tissue that grow larger in the males and serve as cushions during confrontations and combats with each other. They feed on a wide variety of things including fruits, grasses and even dead animals. They often get on their knees to reach the food which sometimes leads to them being referred to as the “praying pigs.” In addition to bursts of speed that can exceed 30 mph to evade predators such as lions, leopards, and hyenas, warthogs have formidable upper and lower tusks that can serve as effective weapons when used in self-defense.
Adventures IN LEARNING
Community groups are invited to lead environmental projects in their neighborhoods, from beach cleanups and book drives to hosting sustainable dinners. We provide guidance and stipends to select groups to support successful projects and events!
Earth Agent applications will be open August 1 – 31, 2025.
This program begins in September and ends in December 2025.
EARTH AGENTS OUTREACH PROGRAMS
Bring the wild to your group!
Our Learning Experiences team offers engaging, hands-on presentations for school and community groups of all ages, whether in-person or virtually. Explore program themes from “Zoo Careers” to “Zooperheroes” and much more.
In person outreach: $250 + travel fee
Virtual outreach: $180
Spot Zoo Miami Foundation at some upcoming community events!
• August 5, 2025 | National Night Out at McMillan Park
• November 21-23, 2025 | Miami Book Fair
Building Community Connections!
Please email education@zoomiami.org or call 305-255-5551 for additional information.
FIELD TRIPS
Bring your school or community group to Zoo Miami for an unforgettable, educator-led experience!
Our expert guides tailor each tour to your group’s interests, ensuring an engaging adventure through our diverse habitats. Guided tours are available Wednesdays & Fridays.
Guided tour: $300
Self-guided tour: $50
NATURE PLAY
Unplug and reconnect with nature. Join us for a memorable overnight camping experience in the heart of Everglades National Park! Our Nature Play program offers families the chance to explore the great outdoors through canoeing, stargazing, and guided hikes.
Applications open in early October. Space is limited!
Upcoming dates:
• December 13-14, 2025
• January 10-11, 2026
• February 7, 2026
Want us at your event? Whether it’s a 5K, community fair, or other special gathering, we’d love to participate with fun and educational activities and displays. Contact us at education@zoomiami.org to make your event unforgettable.
Saying Farewell to Gorilla Brothers
Zoo Miami recently said a bittersweet goodbye to bachelor gorilla brothers, Barney and Shango. The pair has departed to Brookfield Zoo Chicago and their new home at the James & Elizabeth Bramsen Tropical Forests. While we are sad to see them go, we are happy to know they will be going to a new and beautiful state-of-the-art facility. This is the first time in over 40 years that there will be no gorillas living at Zoo Miami.
Both brothers arrived at Zoo Miami via the Sedgwick County Zoo in Kansas in May of 2017 as part of an exhibit loan. Their move to Brookfield Zoo Chicago plays an important role in efforts to protect and educate the public about this endangered species through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP).
Shango Barney
The Animal Fun Factory is Getting a Makeover!
The Animal Fun Factory is now temporarily closed for renovations throughout the month of July. But don’t worry – when we reopen in August, we’ll be ready to roll up our sleeves and dive back into some wild enrichment activities!
We’ll need your help to create fun and festive enrichment for our animals as we gear up for:
Fall Enrichment
Animal Birthdays
Halloween Fun
Stay tuned for more details on how you can get involved when we re-open in August!
We can’t wait to see you back at the Animal Fun Factory!
Support thE TigEr Habitat Expansion
The roar of tigers will soon reverberate louder than ever at Zoo Miami when we break ground in November for the muchanticipated expanded and upgraded Sumatran tiger habitat that will enthrall visitors of all ages with up close and personal encounters. The tiger habitat was part of Zoo Miami’s initial footprint when it opened in 1980 and remains an iconic symbol of the zoo.
to read more about Sumatran tigers in the wild and at Zoo Miami.
There are many giving options available in support of our $4 million campaign and we would be happy to discuss an idea tailored to your interests. Your gift will be recognized appropriately at the new Sumatran tiger habitat.
We would like to recognize and thank those who contributed to Zoo Miami Foundation between March 21, 2025 - June 18, 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
Lynwood Animal Charity
$5,000 - $9,999
The Honorable Kevin M. Cabrera
Luisa and George Foyo
Laurie and Keith Keister
Lauren and Randy Robertson
The Honorable Anthony Rodriguez
Joshua L. Schertzer
The Honorable Micky Steinberg
$1,000 - $4,999
The Forte Family
Lourdes E. Gomez and Marcelino Miyares, Ph.D.
Eileen Higgins
Libby and Jack Madden
Charlotte C. Mather-Taylor & Carl W. Taylor
Sara E. Nainzadeh and Allison B. Goldman
Staria and John Petersen
Jose A. Sanchez
Gail and John Zvijacn
$500 - $999
Robin and I. Barry Blaxberg
Shelley B. Daniel Rutherford
Anne and Jon Goldman
Miriam Machado
$250 - $499
Judy Loft and Joe Reid
Elizabeth Ann and Anthony Morgenthau
Jennifer Oquendo
$100 - $249
Genessa D. Proctor
Faviana Salgado
Ana VeigaMilton and Cecil Milton
Christopher J. Wigley, DMD
CORPORATE PARTNERS
$50,000 - $99,999
Kaseya
$10,000 - $49,999
BCC Engineering
Commvault
Ernst & Young, LLP
Florida Power & Light
Kendall Imports LLC
PepsiCo
$5,000 - $9,999
Habit Burger
City National Bank of Florida
$1,000 - $4,999
Florida International University
HCA Healthcare
Mintly Collectibles LLC
Parrot Fish Studio
Sea Turtle Conservancy
Simply Collectibles LLC
Verdeja & Trujillo, LLP
West Flagler Associates
YPO Expolrer 305
$250 - $499
Krave Art
FOUNDATIONS
$10,000 - $49,999
The Helliwell Family Foundation
Holloway Family Foundation
Miami Dade College Foundation
Sara H. Woodruff Foundation
$1,000 - $4,999
Westminster Barrington Foundation
Government
$100,000 +
Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
*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.
Cheetah Checkup
Our 13-year-old male cheetah “Koda,” recently received a thorough wellness exam at Zoo Miami’s Animal Hospital as part of the Animal Health Department’s preventative medicine program.
The 110-pound cat underwent a series of procedures including radiographs, an ultrasound, endoscopy, and dental cleaning. Dr. Luis Macho, a veterinary internal medicine specialist from Advanced Veterinary Care Center in Davie, Florida, assisted Zoo Miami veterinarians and donated his expertise in performing the ultrasound and endoscopy procedures. In addition, blood and urine samples were collected. All the initial results indicate that Koda is in good health, and he has since recovered from the immobilization.
At 13 years of age, Koda is an old cheetah. In the wild, cheetahs generally live between 8-10 years. Under human care, that lifespan can be extended to 12 – 15 years. Because of his advanced age, Koda has retired from making regular appearances and now resides in an off-exhibit habitat where he enjoys a more relaxed environment while still receiving excellent care as part of Zoo Miami’s lifetime commitment to him. However, he can still be occasionally seen as part of the rotation of animals that are featured in the new ambassador habitats adjacent to the Sami Amphitheater.
Zoo Miami FoundatIon’s PrEmier Members aRE
eLITe-LEvel Donors who experience Zoo Miami from an excLusive perspective!
Become a member whose support enhances animal care, wildlife conservation, and learning experiences while forging an amazing connection to the more than 2,000 animal species that reside at Zoo Miami. Receive inside access to behind-the-scenes tours, private animal encounters, exclusive event invitations, programs, and more!
BECOME A MEMBER
CelebratingSusan Paul
This August—Make-A-Will Month—we celebrate all who have made a remarkable act of generosity by including Zoo Miami Foundation in their wills. One of those incredible individuals is the late Susan Paul, whose love for wildlife now echoes through the gates of Zoo Miami thanks to her decision to leave her entire estate to the Zoo Miami Foundation. Sue understood that a thoughtfully planned gift is more than a legacy—it’s a story of values she held dear, shared with generations to come.
In giving so comprehensively, Susan has ensured that her passion for animal care, education, and conservation will live on within the very foundation she supported. As the foundation gears up to break ground on our new Animal Hospital—an enduring symbol of hope and healing—Susan’s gift stands as a testament to the profound impact legacy giving can have. This Make-A-Will Month, we honor Susan’s extraordinary commitment and invite others to follow her lead in creating a legacy that benefits both wildlife and community for years to come.