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TRANSCRIPT
EXZOO- BERANCE!EXZOO- BERANCE!
Published for friends of The MeMPhis Zoo
in this issue:
3 Teton Trek Grand Opening The wait is over! Teton Trek opens this October as we invite guests to take a step out of Memphis and into Yellowstone National Park with grizzlies, timberwolves, elk and more! Don’t forget, members see it first!
Exzooberance™ is a bimonthly Memphis Zoological Society publication providing information for friends of the Memphis Zoo. Send comments to MZS, 2000 Prentiss Place, Memphis, TN 38112, call (901) 276-WILD or log onto www.memphiszoo.org.
Vol. XVIII, No. 5
Memphis Zoological Society Board of Directors as of July 2009
Officers:Kelly H. Truitt, Chair Diane Smith and John W. Stocks, Jr., Vice ChairsGene Holcomb, Treasurer Joseph C. DeWane, M.D., SecretaryCarol W. Prentiss, Past Chair
Directors:
Honorary Lifetime Directors:Donna K. Fisher Roger T. Knox, President Emeritus Scott P. LedbetterFrank M. NorfleetSenator James R. Sasser Rebecca Webb Wilson
Ex Officio:Dr. Chuck Brady, Zoo President & CEO Pete Aviotti, Jr., Special Assistant to Mayor Bill Morrison, City Council Representative Nora Fernandez, Docent/Volunteer Representative
Credits:Abbey Dane, Editor / WriterBrian Carter, Managing EditorGeri Meltzer, Art DirectorJennifer Coleman, Copy EditorToof Printing, PrinterExzooberance paper generously donated by International Paper employees
Zoo Admission Hours: March - October 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.November - February 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.• Grounds close one hour after last admission• Zoo Closed: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
Our Mission:Connecting people with wildlife.
Memphis Zoo, Ya Ya and Le Le are trademarks of the Memphis Zoo.
Jason RothschildKarl A. Schledwitz Lucy ShawRichard C. ShawBrooke SparksJoe WarrenRobin P. WatsonRussell T. Wigginton, Jr.
F. Norfleet AbstonRobert A. CoxThomas C. Farnsworth, IIIDiana Hull Henry A. HuttonDorothy KirschRobert C. LanierJoyce A. Mollerup
teton trek
3
6 Zoo Rendezvous Run with the pack in the 26th annual Zoo Rendezvous as we enjoy the finest in Memphis food, drinks and entertainment. Find out how you can be a part of the best party in town.
12 Le Bonheur Zoo Boo The most spooktacular event is back with all the hair-raising chills you love! Find out what’s new at this year’s Le Bonheur Zoo Boo.
6 Run with the Pack
Zoo rendezvous
MidSouth Chevy full page ad
The Memphis Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. ©2009 Memphis Zoo
11
Paul radley tracking birds on SariganZoo Boo
depar tments:
7 Spot You at the Zoo
9 Education Programs
10 Special Events
11 Sept./Oct. Calendar
13 Zoo News
16 Kids’ Activity Page
14 Conservation Herb Roberts, Curator of Birds, continues his work in the Mariana Islands to preserve the world’s population of some of the rarest and most beautiful birds. Read about his most recent excursion.
15 A Personal Message Elephant Manager Andrew Smith shares about his experience with “Asali” during the difficult loss of her calf in July.
12 14
SOBE, SOBE LIFEWATER and the SOBE Lizard Design are trademarks of South Beach Beverage Company, Inc. © 2009 LIPTON is a registered trademark of the Unilever group of companies. SSO114164-8/09
Explore Your RefreshmentVisit the New Teton Trek Exhibit at the Memphis Zoo
F O N T S / I M A G E S / I N K SFontsGarage (GothicRegular), Minion Cyrillic (Regular)
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Journey with us into the
Greater Yellowstone ecosystem
— America’s “wonderland.”
Grand Opening!
Teton Trek
44
Members see it first! Exclusive sneak peek October 2-8. Renew today! Don’t miss this special perk of your Zoo membership.
s Nothing makes a zookeeper happier than moving animals into new exhibits. This giant rock is part of the grizzlies’ new home. It has a 20-foot waterfall that will pour under guests feet and into the grizzly exhibit.
After being rescued in Yellowstone
National Park, this cub and and four other grizzlies will be able to grow strong inside their new exhibit in Teton Trek.
s
Since I became a zookeeper in 2001, I have been involved in the opening of three new exhibits: China, Northwest Passage and now Teton Trek. Its always exciting to see these exhibits come together from the ground up as new homes are made for the animals. Each of exhibit has some-thing that makes it stand out.
In Teton Trek, that something is the Great Lodge. This log cabin is inspired by Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone National Park. Stop here and rest on one of our patios or in front of the 34-foot, stone fireplace.
Guests can view a five-minute video on the second floor of the lodge, which tells the history of wolves in Yellowstone. This is one of four multi-media presentations in the exhibit.Zookeeper, Emily Smith
55
This boardwalk will be an exciting place for guests as they will be positioned between the elk and wolves in their neighboring yards.
The timber wolves are just pups now and full of energy! They will be exciting to watch this fall.
Bufflehead DuckThis is the smallest duck in
North America. It gets its name from the unique shape of its head.
Elk make their presence known with their large stature, antlers and bugling call.
These birds will make their homes in the marsh of Teton Trek.
Green-winged TealThese ducks get their
name from the patch of iridescent green on their wings. They are native to Alaska, Canada and the northern United States.
Trumpeter SwansSwans are no strangers
to the Memphis Zoo. They will be making the move from the old sea lion pool.
Sandhill CranesGuests may be able to hear
these birds before they see them — their call can be heard for miles.
Breakfast with Yogi!
Members, visit Teton Trek and enjoy breakfast with America’s favorite brown bear — Yogi Bear! Yogi is visiting from Jellystone Park in Horn Lake, Miss. Don’t miss this breakfast!
Sat., October 10 • 8 a.m. • $10 per person • Call (901)333-6752 to reserve your spot.
RENDEZVOUSRUN WITH THE PACKZOO
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009 | 7 TO 10:30 P.M.
Platinum Partner: Sam’s Town Tunica
Event Partners: AutoZone | Bors-Koefoed "BK" Family | Joseph C. DeWane, M.D.
Frase Protection, Inc | Dorothy Orgill Kirsch | Pepsi Americas
Harrah's Entertainment | Delta Airlines | FedEx
Media Partner: RSVP Magazine
Sample fine fare from more than 70 restaurants and bars.
Tickets $200, Zoo members only | Partnerships start at $750.
CALL TODAY AT 901.333.6757
P R O C E E DS B E N E F IT T H E M E M P H I S ZO O LO G I C A L S O C I E T Y.
www.memphiszoo.org | A Memphis Restaurant Association Sanctioned Event
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SPOT YOUSPOT YOU
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Parker Jones practices transporting animals by usinga hook and a rubber snake.
Clean the tank: Aiden Castillo helps keepers remove stray objects from this animal area in the Farm.
Check out these kids taking on the duties of zookeepers as they became Junior Zookeepers for a day as part of
National Zookeeper Week. Activities included animal transporting (with rubber snakes), fetching objects from
animal exhibits and scooping poop. Zoo docents and keepers showed kids how to do these jobs like the pros.
Scoop the Poop: Aryanna and trinity Cavalcade learn to scoop poop in Northwest Passage.
At tHE ZOO SPECiAl FEAturE
i’m a Junior
ZooKeeper!
Zoo docent richard Muse helped Will deupree and his daughter, Jordan, with their activity.
THE MOST FUEL EFFICIENT CROSSOVER ON THE HIGHWAY.1
ALL NEW CHEVY EQUINOX32 MPG2 HWY AND UP TO 600 HWY MILES BETWEEN FILL-UPS. BETTER HWY FUEL EFFICIENCY THAN HONDA CR-V, TOYOTA RAV4, AND EVEN FORD ESCAPE HYBRID.3
STARTING AT $23,185.4 LEARN MORE @ CHEVY.COM/EQUINOX
AS SHOWN, $28,790.4
1 Based on GM Compact Crossover segment and an EPA estimated 32 MPG highway (FWD). Excludes other GM vehicles. 2 EPA estimate. 3 EPA estimated MPG highway (FWD): CR-V 27, RAV4 28, Escape Hybrid 31, Equinox 32. 4 MSRP. Tax, title, license, dealer fees, and optional equipment extra. Equinox is a registered trademark and Chevy is a trademark of General Motors. ©2009 General Motors. Buckle up, America!
CHUCK HUTTON CHEVROLET MEMPHIS
SERRA CHEVROLETBARTLETT
JIMMY GRAY CHEVROLET SOUTHAVEN
JIM KERAS CHEVROLET-COVINGTON PIKE
MEMPHIS
SUNRISE CHEVROLETCOLLIERVILLE
SEE YOUR MID-SOUTH CHEVY DEALERTHE OFFICIAL PANDA PARTNER
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Page 1 of 1
Discover more programs and get more information at memphiszoo.org/education.
•-•r •s
•øHomeschool Workshops10 a.m. to 2 p.m.$30/members; $40/nonmembers, $5 off if parent assists
registration DeaDline: one week before the Date of the program
One Small Step for Man, One Giant Leap for Frogs
It’s what’s on the outside that matters to many amphibians. Come discover how frogs, salamanders and caecilians protect them-selves in the wild.
September 14 - PreK-K and 1st-2ndSeptember 16 - 3rd-4th and 5th-7th
The Few. The Proud. The Finned. Being “fish of the day” is not an honor in
the fish world. Join us as we learn about the shocking ways fish fight back.
October 19 - PreK-K and 1st-2ndOctober 21 - 3rd-4th and 5th-7th
Stroller Cubs10 to 10:45 a.m.$10/members; $15/nonmembers (incluDes one aDult anD zoo aDmission)recommenDeD ages: 18 months - 4 years olD
There’s always something fun to do at the Zoo! Come join us for story time, animal visits, and play time with other children. Adult supervision is required.
September 28October 12November 2
Information line: (901) 333-6600 • Registration line: (901) 333-6765 • www.memphiszoo.org/education
Pre-registration is required. Prices are subject to change.
the Education department reserves the right to cancel a program due to insufficient registration.
‘09PrOgramSPrOgramS
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Junior Zoo Crew10 a.m. to 1 p.m.$30/members; $40/nonmembers
ages: 10-12 years
register: weDnesDay before the program
number of spaces: 20 chilDren per session
Come join us this year as we explore wild careers found outside of the zoo world. We’ll take a look at some of the wildest jobs around while experiencing behind-the-scenes tours, games, keeper chats, hands-on projects, and more. We’ll even meet some of our Zoo critters up close. Please dress for the weather and plan to get dirty. Don’t forget to bring a non-refrigerated, non-microwaveable lunch.
September 5 - HerpetologistsOctober 3 - Wildlife Inspectors
Badge-in-a-Dayprograms can be scheDuleD most saturDays throughout the year. call at least three weeks in aDvance to register.
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.$25 per person (incluDes gate aDmission); one free chaperone per 10 scouts
limiteD spaces anD Dates available
An exciting program geared toward Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts, our Badge-in-a-Day program will give your scout the opportunity to earn a badge while participating in fun, educational activities including crafts, live animal visits, experiments and tours of the Zoo. Visit the Zoo’s Web site for available badges.
All participants are responsible for acquiring the earned badge through their local council.
Zoo SnoozesFantastic Family Campout SnoozeOctOber 9 • 6 p.m. to 9 a.m.$65/members; $75/nonmembersmust be at least 5 years olD anD accompanieD by an aDultregistration DeaDline: october 5, 2009
Grab your tent and sleeping bags and bring the whole family to camp out in the wildest place around! Enjoy a fabulous program, an interactive animal presentation and a moonlight Zoo safari. This special Zoo Snooze includes a t-shirt, cookout, evening snack, light continen-tal breakfast, and admission to the Memphis Zoo the following morning.
Winter Wildlife SnoozeNOvember 14 • 7 p.m. to 9 a.m.$55/members; $65/nonmembersages 5 anD upall chilDren must be accompanieD by an aDultregistration DeaDline: monDay, nov. 9, 2009
Brrr! It’s cold out there, but not all animals
at the Zoo think it’s too cold to be outside. Come explore the many ways animals have adapted to survive in such chilly temperatures at the Winter Wildlife Zoo Snooze. Snoozers will learn all about our winter friends through an interactive educational program, up-close animal visits, a moonlight safari through part of the Zoo, and fun games and crafts. Cost in-cludes programming, an evening snack, break-fast, special Zoo Snooze t-shirt and admission to the Zoo the next morning.
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Date
Zoo classes starting now featuring our new exhibit, Teton Trek, and Nanotechnology, the science of small things.
Teton Trekand
Nanotechnology
Zooclasses
SPECIALSPECIAL
1010
Zoo Brew
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Harvest FestJAY
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Zoo Brew7 to 10 p.m.$20/members; $25/nonmembersages 21 anD uppurchase tickets at memphiszoo.org or call (901) 333-6572
Zoo Brew is back for the second time in 2009, and this Brew is set to be the biggest yet. Guests will have the chance to sample beers from around the world while enjoying live entertainment in the courtyard. Food will also be available for purchase. Get your tickets now before it sells out.
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Members Night6 to 9 p.m.free event — members only!
In Zoo tradition, we’re closing out the summer in style with a Members Party Labor Day weekend. Enjoy free children’s rides, free tram rides, a sea lion show and a wet-n-wild party in the courtyard. Don’t miss this special end-of- summer party at the Zoo!
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Zoo Rendezvous7 to 10:30 p.m.$200/per person; partnerships begin at $750
Run with the pack at the Zoo’s biggest party! Indulge in the tastings of more than 70 of Memphis’ finest restaurants and bars and dance to live music on four stages. For more informa- tion on this event, please see page 6. The Zoo will close at 4 p.m. to prepare for this event. (Last admission at 3 p.m.)
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Walking Tour: Late Summer Gardens8:30 to 10 a.m.$10/members; $20/nonmembers (incluDes zoo aDmission)pre-registration requireD for very limiteD space
In late summer, many plants are at their peak! This tour will focus on the west end of the zoo, where we’ll visit the gardens of Once Upon a Farm, the Aquarium, and several tropical beds. You’ll see plants to attract hummingbirds and butterflies, and many tropicals just when they’re looking their best! Our walking tours take place outside, rain or shine. Please dress appropriately!
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Senior Dayfree aDmission for aDults ages 55 anD olDerfor information, call (901) 324-6333
This fall, the Memphis Zoo continues its tradition of hosting Senior Day, an event supported and established by the Memphis and Shelby County Council on Aging. The Zoo invites all area seniors to come enjoy this longstanding tradition as we celebrate with a day full of activities throughout the Zoo.
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Walking Tour: Fall Color and Blooms8:30 to 10 a.m.$10/members; $20/nonmembers (incluDes zoo aDmission)pre-registration requireD for very limiteD space
There’s plenty to see in the fall, including end-of- season annuals, late-blooming perennials, and shrubs and trees beginning to change color. This tour will cover the African Veldt, and other zoo areas that are looking colorful. Our walking tours take place outside, rain or shine. Please dress appropriately!
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Harvest Fest9 a.m. to 2 p.m.incluDeD with zoo aDmission
Here at the Zoo, we like to have fun down on the farm, and enjoy the simpler days. Join us for Harvest Fest where we’ll take a step back in time and enjoy this one-of-a-kind fall event. We’ll enjoy activities throughout the Zoo as we learn what life was like in “the olden days.”
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Le Bonheur Zoo Boooctober 16, 17, anD 23, 24aDvanceD price: $10/members; $12/nonmembers
night of event: $12/members; $15/nonmembers
The Zoo’s most “spook- tacular” event returns. With more activities than ever, it’s scary how much fun we’ll be having! Don’t miss this event for kids of all ages. See page 12 for details.
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T 16, 17 and 23,24Zoo Boo
Chef’s Dinner – Felicia Suzanne’s6:30 to 9 p.m.$125 per person or $1,000 for a private table of eight
Felicia Suzanne Willett, chef and owner of Felicia Suzanne’s in downtown Memphis joins with the Zoo this holiday season for an enchanting dinner. While you enjoy the beauty of Yellowstone in the Zoo’s newest exhibit, Teton Trek, she’ll be preparing a meal in which each course will be perfectly paired with fine wines from Southwestern Distributing. Entertain all of your senses with this private, seated dinner at the Zoo this December.
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Zoo Brew Junior Zoo Crew
Members Night Labor Day
Birds & Bees Closes
Horticulture Walking Tour
Zoo Rendezvous (last admission
3 p.m.)
Homeschool Workshops
Le Bonheur Zoo Boo
Columbus Day Le Bonheur Zoo Boo
Junior Zoo Crew
Stroller Cubs
First day of fall
Harvest Fest
Homeschool Workshops
Homeschool Workshops
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Stroller Cubs
Homeschool Workshops
Halloween
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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
September 4 – Zoo BrewSeptember 6 – Members Night
September 7 – labor dayStay tuned to
memphiszoo.org
Labor Day Weekend
SPECIALSPECIAL
Horticulture Walking Tour
Le Bonheur Zoo Boo
Horticulture Walking Tour
Le Bonheur Zoo Boo
grand OpeningTeton Trek
Fantastic Family Campout Snooze
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Teton Trek Member Preview
Senior Day
Teton Trek Member Preview
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Friday and Saturday,
October 16, 17, 23, 24
6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
This October, your favorite Halloween event will keep you coming back for more. We’ve added more activities to make this the most exciting Zoo Boo ever! So get your costume and get ready for the most spooktacular event of the year.
Advanced Tickets — $10/members; $12/nonmembers
Day of Event — $12/members; $15/nonmembers
Purchase tickets online or call (901) 333-6572.
These frighteningly fun activities
lurk around every corner:
• Not-so-Haunted Tour of
Primate Canyon
• Costume Contest
• Playhouse on the Square
performing “Narnia” (New!)
• Fred’s Trick-or-Treat Stations
• Magic Shows
• Rock Wall ($3)
• Dracula’s Disco
• Painted Pumpkin Patch
• Haunted Hayride
• Blue Bell Ice Cream
• Singing Pumpkins
While many of our animals will be
sleeping inside, Animals of the Night,
the Herpetarium and Once Upon a
Farm will be open for visitors.
Souvenir Shirts:
•Youth sizes xs – l
•Adult sizes s – xxl
•Youth $16
•Adult $19
•Don’t forget, members
save 15% on this and all other
Zoo gift shop items
Media Partners:
Saveby purchasing
aDvance tickets online!
Presenting Partner:
Zoo NewsZoo News
PHO
TO b
Y AN
GEl
A PR
ICE
Frog Saga
An eight-year effort has yielded a cohort of captive-bred dusky gopher frogs, Rana sevosa, at the Memphis Zoo. Wild-caught specimens were first obtained through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFW) by the Detroit Zoo and Audubon Nature Institute in 2001, and by the Memphis Zoo in 2003. In 2008, after six years of natural breeding efforts failed, Memphis Zoo research staff developed technology that allowed the first captive in-vitro fertiliza-tion (IVF) and larval rearing. However, the tadpoles developed deformities and did not survive metamorphosis.
Numerous changes were implemented in 2009, resulting in successful rearing of several dozen IVF tadpoles into healthy frogs. This marks the first time that this species has been successfully bred and reared in captivity. With fewer than 120 adults surviving in the wild, the dusky gopher frog is the most imperiled frog in the U.S. Five zoos (Memphis, Detroit, Omaha, Audubon and Miami) are working
in partnership with the USFWS to save this species from extinction.
Keepers in the KitchenThe Zoo’s staff has come together to
make a book full of our tasty favorites. In “Keepers in the Kitchen” you’ll find recipes for your main course, soups and salads, desserts, appetizers, drinks and snacks — all from our very own Zoo staff members. Entertain your guests with recipes from our keepers’ kitchens.
But don’t stop with just your dinner guests. The animals have got to eat, too! As some of the city’s biggest animal lovers, we’ve included recipes of healthy treats for your feathered and furry friends as well.
This cookbook can be purchased inside the Zoo’s gift shop for $12. Pick one up on your next Zoo visit.
The Memphis Zoo has been involved in conservation of the birds of the Mariana Islands since 1993. Under a different program I traveled to the island of Rota in 1993 and 1997 to collect Mariana fruit doves. These colorful doves are endangered by the brown treesnake, as are all Mariana forest birds. These wild-caught birds serve as educational ambassadors and a reserve population if they become extinct in the wild.
In 2004, Peter Luscomb of the Honolulu Zoo and I were contacted by the Depart-ment of Fish & Wildlife (DFW) of the Com-monwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Their fear was that the brown treesnake was spreading to other islands within the archipelago. Since the snake was able to completely decimate the forest birds of Guam, the biologists were hoping to create banked populations of native bird species. They requested we assemble a team of zoo professionals to begin the process of creat-ing captive populations of several species of Mariana birds. After a year and a half of planning and organizing, we began the first phase of the Mariana Avifauna Conservation (MAC) Program.
Since 2006 we have accomplished the primary goals of four phases of the MAC Program. We are now working with six differ-ent species of birds in captivity. The species to date are Mariana fruit dove, white-throated
Conservation
Conservation Abroad: Mariana Islands Program
Mariana fruit dove
Herb roberts (pictured far right) with his fellow team members working in the Mariana islands
ground dove, bridled white-eye, golden white-eye, Tinian monarch and rufous fantail. Four of these species are on exhibit at the Memphis Zoo. In addition to captive breeding, we have incorporated translocation, the process of moving a group of birds from an island under threat to a sanctuary island devoid of snakes or people.
Phase IV took place between April 15 and May 5 2009. Our goal for this phase was two-fold. We planned on translocating a second group of bridled white-eyes to Sarigan, the sanctuary island, and bring two new species into captive programs, the Tinian monarch and rufous fantail. I’m pleased to announce we succeeded on both counts.
Our team this year consisted of mem- bers from the Honolulu Zoo, St. Louis Zoo, Louisville Zoo, Riverbanks Zoo, the Toledo Zoo, the University of California at Davis, the staff from the CNMI, DFW and the Memphis Zoo. As one of the two program coordinators, I was very pleased with the hard work and obvious dedication to conservation that was shown by all the team. With your continued support, I look forward to continued efforts to save the birds of the Marianas. With programs like these, our conservation efforts here in Memphis are able to impact the world as we continue to work toward connecting people with unique wildlife for generations to come.
by Herb Roberts, West Zone Curator
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Paul radley tracking birds on Sarigan
SHEl
lEY
KREM
ER
ERIC
VAN
DER
WER
F
tinian monarch
Are you interested in
of the earth to participate in
excursions like these?
Contact Herb roberts at (901) 333-6705
for more information on upcoming
trips to Costa rica and
Botswana, Africa.
traveling to the far corners
To my family, friends, co-workers, community and all of the wonderful guests that visit our Zoo
I write this with the deepest appreciation for all of your thoughts, prayers, and kind words regarding the birth and loss of our elephant calf. This experience has been incredibly hard on all of us.
Asali is an elephant that you can’t help but fall in love with. She is kind, gentle, curious and all of those things that make up a good friend. Recently, I learned something new about her. I learned that she can be a dedicated mother and love her calf as though nothing else in the world mattered. From the moment that baby came from her womb and lay on the soft sand, she cared for it with all of her heart. She caressed it, she held it and she kept it out of harm’s way. The experience that I shared with her that night was one that will be with me for the rest of my life. Together, we welcomed a baby elephant into the world, her baby elephant. That time together was magical. I will never feel a connection with another animal like that ever again. We stood there in that empty exhibit watching over a clumsy, confused newborn elephant. The trust that she showed in me was unimaginable. Had I not been there, I would never have believed it. For what seemed like hours, we showed that helpless calf what love was. More importantly, Asali showed me that she was a loving mother and the care of this calf was her number one mission. I could never be more proud of her than I was that summer night.
The tragic events that followed will never be forgotten. It has been difficult to get past what happened. We went from complete elation to total devastation in a matter of days. All of your cards, e-mails, and well wishing have been helpful. Only time can heal these wounds.
The critics and animal rights groups have and will make their voice heard. People who use a tragedy like this to push their agenda will always exist. I promise you that if they had witnessed the events of that night, they would be silent.
Asali is recovering. Alongside her longtime companion, Tyranza, her new friend, Gina, and her devoted keepers, we will all move on.Looking back at all of this and how we got here, a couple of things come to mind.Your support and encouragement to our Zoo and our elephant program have been paramount to its success. Regardless of this
outcome, we have made vast improvements to our facility and have made the lives of our elephants better. Breeding is important and allowing these three adult elephants to experience a calf is the most enriching thing we could do.
The experience of motherhood is something special. Asali demonstrated that she could be the loving, caring, concerned mother that we all could learn from. Not allowing her to experience this again would be a mistake.
Please take the time to pray for Asali as she goes through this healing process. She needs us more now than she ever has.
Andrew SmithElephant Manager, Memphis Zoo
Andrew SmithElephant Manager, Memphis Zoo
Memorial Gift
Many have expressed interest in making a contribution
as a memorial to the baby elephant and in honor of
Asali and her keepers. the contributions will be used to
fund the elephant expansion project.
if you would like to donate to this fund, please contact
the Zoo’s development office at (901) 333-6554.
thank you for support of the Zoo’s elephant program.
1515
A Personal Message by Andrew Smith, Zookeeper
1616
Kids’ Activity Page
The wait is almost over.
Teton Trek will be opening at the
Memphis Zoo October 2009!
We are so excited about bringing
Yellowstone National Park to
Memphis and know you will be too.
To get ready, see if you can make
your own trek from the Memphis
Zoo to the Tetons in our special
Kids’ Page maze.
And the fun doesn’t stop there!
To celebrate the new exhibit,
we’ve put together some WILD new
Teton Trek classes at the Memphis
Zoo, and we would love for you
and your school to come and
check them out.
TETON CLASS TOPICS INCLUDE:
• Grizzly Grotto (PreK-K)
• Winter in the West (Grades 1-2)
• Teton Trek Junior Ranger (Grades 3-5)
• From Wolf to Willow (Grades 6-8)
• Expedition Yellowstone (Grades 9-12)
• And many more!
Overton Park | 1930 Poplar Avenue | (901) 272-5142 | www.mca.edu
Ages 5 – 18Classes begin October 3
Memphis College of Art Community EducationA Memphis tradition for over 70 years
SATURDAY SCHOOL
Journey to
TetonTrek
Start
Finish
CHAN
GE SEr
viCE rEq
uEStEd
Requested in-home dates Septem
ber 1-4 2000 Prentiss Place M
emphis, T
N 38112
(901) 276-WILD
Exzooberance is mailed w
ith a bulk permit and cannot be forw
arded.© C
opyright Mem
phis Zoo 2009
Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage
PA
idM
emphis, T
N
Permit N
o. 1124
Holiday 2009
“larger than lights”