facts at your fingertips - azadv - association of zoo …€œat your fingertips”!! help &...

Facts at Your Fingertips

Jere NoeragerEd Novotny

Houston ZooAZAD 2003

Two versatile tools ...A set of Help Cards and Carrier Cards

A Docent Pocket Guide

... put a wealth of information“at your fingertips”!!

Help & Carrier CardsTerminology

Help Cards• Present information about the animals in the on-grounds

collection• Describe a species• Cover a fraction of the animals at the zooCarrier Cards• Present information on a specific animal in our Handling

Collection• Attach to the animal carrier (cage or cooler)• Cover all animals in the Handling Collection

Help & Carrier CardsBasics

2-sided, 4” x 6” laminated cardsUsed during• Roving presentations on zoo grounds• Zoomobile visits to schools or hospitals• Other interaction with the public

Quick review and you’re an “instant expert”

Help & Carrier CardsContent of the Cards

Side One

Adult Height Habitat

Length 10 – 16 ins. (+12-20 ins. Tail)

Weight 1.5 lbs.

Swampy, floodeddisturbed habitats

Birth Length Distribution Weight 2.5 ozs.

Colombia andwestern Venezuela,south to southernBolivia

Life Span DietWild Wild

CaptiveFruit, birds’ eggs,leaves, othervegetation, insects,other smallinvertebrates, smallvertebrates

Gestation 130 days ZooNurse

GeneralInformation

Sexually Mature

Monkey crunchbiscuits, cannedmarmoset diet, fruit

Name Born Sex Parents Weight(lb)

Height(ft)HZG

SpecificInformation

Little Ricky 3/87 M Born at HZG

Jere Noerager 10/2000

Bolivian GrayTiti

Callicebus donacophilus


Side One

Full color photo of

the species


Side One

Bolivian GrayTiti

Callicebus donacophilus

Common & scientific

name


Side One Adult Height Habitat

Length 10 – 16 ins. (+12-20 ins. Tail)

Weight 1.5 lbs.

Swampy, floodeddisturbed habitats

Birth Length Distribution Weight 2.5 ozs.

Colombia andwestern Venezuela,south to southernBolivia

Life Span DietWild Wild

CaptiveFruit, birds’ eggs,leaves, othervegetation, insects,other smallinvertebrates, smallvertebrates

Gestation 130 days ZooNurse

GeneralInformation

Sexually Mature

Monkey crunchbiscuits, cannedmarmoset diet, fruit

Basic facts about

the species


Side One

Name Born Sex Parents Weight(lb)

Height(ft)HZG

SpecificInformation

Little Ricky 3/87 M Born at HZG

J N 10/2000

Specific information about the animals in the Houston Zoo collection


Side TwoGEE WHIZ FACTS

! The Bolivian gray titi is a diurnal and arboreal species.! Titi groups consist of 2 to 7 individuals, including a strongly bonded pair of adults and

their offspring.! The male usually carries the infant when it is not being nursed by the female.! The intertwining of tails occurs frequently when two or more animals of the same group

sit side by side. This is used to reinforce bonds amongst groups.! A dawn call, which consists of repeated sequences of loud vocalizations, may last up to

7 minutes. Usually an adult pair sits side-by-side and coordinates a vocal duet witheach animal contributing a part of the song. Young animals frequently join in with theirparents for brief periods.

Biofact How to usePrimateskulls andskins

" Use to show public how similar it is to a human skull

" Various primate skins can be used to show the public what the skinfeels like


Side Two

GEE WHIZ FACTS! The Bolivian gray titi is a diurnal and arboreal species.! Titi groups consist of 2 to 7 individuals, including a strongly bonded pair of adults and

their offspring.! The male usually carries the infant when it is not being nursed by the female.! The intertwining of tails occurs frequently when two or more animals of the same group

sit side by side. This is used to reinforce bonds amongst groups.! A dawn call, which consists of repeated sequences of loud vocalizations, may last up to

7 minutes. Usually an adult pair sits side-by-side and coordinates a vocal duet witheach animal contributing a part of the song. Young animals frequently join in with theirparents for brief periods.

i f

“Gee Whiz” facts about the species


Side Two

Biofact How to usePrimateskulls andskins

" Use to show public how similar it is to a human skull

" Various primate skins can be used to show the public what the skinfeels like

List of suggested biofacts and how to use them

Help & Carrier CardsCard Preparation & Management

Key Functions• Overall design & management of the cards• Enthusiastic card authors• Reliable sources of animal information• Approval of the cards by the zoo• Logistics of physical preparation of and access to the

cards

Help & Carrier CardsOverall Design & Management of

the CardsTechnical chair has overall responsibility• Maintain a selected listing of animals without Help Cards• Produce new cards for “high profile” additions • Review & edit the cards that are produced

Priority on developing Carrier Cards vs. Help Cards

Electronic templates ensure uniformity

Help & Carrier CardsEnthusiastic Card Authors

Encourage docents to prepare cards on animals in which they have a particular interest

Earn a Continuing Education Credit for researching & creating a card

Possible group project during docent training classREAL REWARD: Wealth of information &

interesting facts you learn

Help & Carrier CardsReliable Sources of Animal

Information

Basic data comes from Internet search(HINT: Use the scientific name of the animal)

Reference books & magazine articlesZoo staff provide zoo-specific information

Help & Carrier CardsApproval of the Cards by the ZooEnsure information is both accurate & consistent

with what the zoo publishesProvide draft cards to curator or head keeper for

comment and approval

Help & Carrier CardsLogistics of Physical Preparation

& AccessLaminate with 10-mil plastic


& AccessLaminate with 10-mil plasticCarrier Cards prepared with a grommet & length

of bead chain



of bead chainDisplay Help Cards in a rack



of bead chainDisplay Help Cards in a rackInsert copy of card in 3-ring binder

Docent Pocket GuideGoal: Place key information in a compact packageContents of the Guide• Animal Information• Emergency Procedures• Key Phone Numbers• Houston Zoo Facts• Key Docent Procedures

Handy, pocket-sized summary of much of the information a docent needs on grounds

“Facts at your butt!!”

Docent Pocket GuideContents of the Guide

Animal informationCritical procedures & informationHouston Zoo & related informationDocent procedures & other “how to” information

Docent Pocket GuideAnimal Information

Located in the center of the GuideOrganized to facilitate quick reference• Grouped by type• Listed in alphabetical order• Tabs incorporated on the edges of each sheet

Animal Indochinese TIGER Siberian TIGER Adult Weight – lb. 330 – 340 (M)

220 – 290 (F)400 – 600 (M)300 – 400 (F)

Shoulder Height – ft. 3Adult Length – ft. 9 (M); 7 - 8 (F) 8.5 – 10.5 (M)

8 – 9.5 (F)Life Span – Wild – yr. 15 15

Captive – yr. 20 25Gestation 3.5 mos. 103 days

Nurse 6 mos. 5 – 6 monthsSexually mature – yr. 3 – 4 3 – 4 (M & F)

Habitat Rainforest and mangroveswamps

Rainforest & mangrove swamps

Distribution Southeast Asia (Cambodia,Laos, Vietnam, Thailand,

Malaysia, Burma)

Siberia, Korea &North China

Diet – Wild Deer, boar, bear, fish, rabbit Deer, boar, elk, lynx, bear, fish& rabbits

Zoo Beef and chicken; 2-day fasteach week

20 lb. beef & chicken per day;2–day fast each week

HZG Specific InformationName – Sex – DOB

Pandu – M - 4/99Jammu – M - 4/99

Krishna – F – 7/3/86Stubby – M – 5/18/89

GEE WHIZ FACTS * Two of four brothers born at theCincinnati Zoo.* On breeding loan – will shift toother zoos according to SSP desireswhen sexually mature. The HZG iscurrently a holding facility.* Tigers are shy, nocturnal animalsand usually live alone, althoughthey are social and seldom fightamong themselves.

* Night vision is 5 times better thanhumans.* Siberian tigers are the largest andmost massively built tigers.* Usually have 3 or 4 cubs that staywith the mother for 3-5 years.* Cubs are blind at birth; their eyesopen when they are 2 wks old.

CatsC

ats

DocentPocket Guide

Animal Indochinese TIGER Adult Weight – lb. 330 – 340 (M)

220 – 290 (F)Shoulder Height – ft.

Adult Length – ft. 9 (M); 7 - 8 (F)

Life Span – Wild – yr. 15Captive – yr. 20

Gestation 3.5 mos.Nurse 6 mos.

Sexually mature – yr. 3 – 4Habitat Rainforest and mangrove

swampsDistribution Southeast Asia (Cambodia,

Laos, Vietnam, Thailand,Malaysia, Burma)

Diet – Wild Deer, boar, bear, fish, rabbit

Zoo Beef and chicken; 2-day fasteach week

HZG Specific InformationName – Sex – DOB

Pandu – M - 4/99Jammu – M - 4/99

GEE WHIZ FACTS * Two of four brothers born at theCincinnati Zoo.* On breeding loan – will shift toother zoos according to SSP desireswhen sexually mature. The HZG iscurrently a holding facility.* Tigers are shy, nocturnal animalsand usually live alone, althoughthey are social and seldom fightamong themselves.

Present basic facts about each species as well as a few GEE WHIZ facts

DocentPocket GuideC

ats

Docent Pocket GuideAnimal Information

Located in the center of the GuideOrganized to facilitate quick reference• Grouped by type• Listed in alphabetical order• Tabs incorporated on the edges of each sheet

Present basic facts about each species as well as a few GEE WHIZ facts

Left a couple of “blank” pages at the end of each animal grouping

Docent Pocket GuideCritical Procedures & InformationEmergency ProceduresKey Phone NumbersZoo Hours

Docent Pocket GuideCritical Procedures & InformationEmergency Procedures

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

When reporting an emergency always be clear anddescribe the situation and location as completely aspossible. Use a cell phone (yours or a guest’s), a payphone, or contact the nearest staff member with a radio.Behind the scenes areas (WWP kitchen, CZ DiscoveryCenter, etc.) and zoo offices all have phones. If you’rewith another docent, one should remain with theemergency while the other goes for help. Call:

Dispatch/Guest Relations – (713) 533-6500If you’re dialing from a Zoo phone – Dial Operator

Docent Pocket GuideCritical Procedures & InformationEmergency ProceduresKey Phone Numbers

KEY PHONE NUMBERS(Dial the last 4 digits if calling from inside HZI)

BEC(713) 533-XXXX Docent Desk(713) 533-XXXX Conference Room/Library(713) 533-XXXX Biofacts RoomEducation Office(713) 533-6550 Education Main Number(713) 533-XXXX Tyler Ahnemann, Education Curator(713) 533-XXXX Andrea Anders(713) 533-XXXX Education Fax Machine

CZ(713) 533-XXXX Kathy Gaughan, Children’s Zoo Curator(713) 533-XXXX Supervisors (Discovery Center)(713) 533-XXXX Keepers (Animal Education Barn)

Docent Pocket GuideCritical Procedures & InformationEmergency ProceduresKey Phone NumbersZoo Hours

ZOO HOURS

HZI is open 365 days of the year. Admission to the Zoo is free onthe following days:

" Martin Luther King Day" Memorial Day" July 4" Labor Day" Friday after Thanksgiving

10:00am – 6:00pm Zoo hours all year

5:45pm Buildings close

Docent Pocket GuideHouston Zoo & Related

InformationHouston Zoo “Gee Whiz” FactsHistory of the Houston ZooHistory of Hermann ParkHermann Park Information


InformationHouston Zoo “Gee Whiz” Facts

HOUSTON ZOO “Gee Whiz” FACTS• 55 acres• 3300* individual animals• 372 displays• ~1.5 million guests/yr. (Reportedly the highest annual attendance of any Texas Zoo)• ~200 employees• 600 volunteers - 3000 hr./month• 3-4 cubic yards of animal waste/day• One of 10 U.S. zoos that have successfully bred koalas• Mac, an Eastern Lowland Gorilla, at over 50 is one of the oldest• gorillas in captivity in the world.HZI has the oldest reproducing colony of vampire bats in the world


InformationHouston Zoo “Gee Whiz” FactsHistory of the Houston Zoo

HISTORY OF THE HOUSTON ZOO1920 Zoo opens in Sam Houston State Park with Earl the bison1922 Zoo moves to Hermann Park1923 First keeper - Hans Nagle1926 Aviary & monkey facility1968 CZ1969 First docent class1966 Tropical Bird House1981 Front entry remodeled Kipp Aquarium1982 First Weekend docent class1985 Denton Cooley Animal Hospital


InformationHouston Zoo “Gee Whiz” FactsHistory of the Houston ZooHistory of Hermann Park

HISTORY OF HERMANN PARK

1914 - George Hermann donates 285 acres; the City ofHouston purchases 122 acres from his estate. In 1928, 133acres were purchased. The 540 total acres makesHermann Houston’s 2nd largest public park. GeorgeHermann’s commemorative statue is at Fannin & NorthMacGregor.

July 4, 1915 - Park officially opens.

1920 - 240 (200 donated by Will Hogg) Memorial Oaksplanted by mothers of soldiers lost in WW I from Main,


InformationHouston Zoo “Gee Whiz” FactsHistory of the Houston ZooHistory of Hermann ParkHermann Park Information

HERMANN PARK INFORMATIONTrain Ride (12 min.) (713) 529-521610:00am - 5:00pm Daily; $2.00, <1 FreeBoats (30 min.) (713) 526-218310:00am – 6pm; $7 (4 person)

Museum of Natural Science (713) 639-4629 (www.hmns.org)9:00am - 6:00pm M, 9am – 8pm Tues, 9am – 6pm W – Sat,11:00am - 6:00pm Sun$7.00 A, $3.50 C & S, Free 2:00pm - 8:00pm Tues

Cockrell Butterfly Center9:00am - 6:30pm M-Sat, 11am - 6:30pm Sun$5.00 A, $3.50 C & S

Docent Pocket GuideDocent Procedures & Other “How

To” InformationHow to ...• Pick up & return animals• Prepare for presentations/puppet shows• Make announcements• Be a docent or volunteer• Use the Cold Tank

Zoo Conservation Terms (SSP, TAG, etc.)Zoomobile ProceduresCommon Spanish Phrases

Docent Pocket GuidePocket Guide Preparation

Pocket Guide sized to fit in a pocket

Docent Pocket GuidePocket Guide Preparation

Pocket Guide sized to fit in a pocketOurs is presently 4.5” x 6.5”Laid out on 8.5” x 11” sheets (landscape)Notes to potential publishers• Original Guide was smaller (4.25” x 5.5”)• Potentially better tools than MS Word (e.g., desktop

publishing software, MS Excel)• Guide will have an even number of pages -- important

during layoutInexpensive mechanisms for updating the Guide• Peel-off labels to update animal information, or to insert

a new species

And in conclusion ...Houston Zoo docents have been using the Help/

Carrier Cards & Pocket Guide since 1994 - 95Pocket Guide now in its 3rd revisionCards have multiplied, been improved, and updatedEven veteran docents benefit from having these

“facts at their fingertips”

facts at your fingertips - azadv - association of zoo …€œat your fingertips”!! help &...

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