pronounced mah-GEE-zoh, meaning the message in Swahilipronounced mah-GEE-zoh, meaning the message in Swahili

VOLUME 55, NUMBER 2 SUMMER 2016

Printed on 55% recycled content

Have you visited the Zoo and sensed the amazing things that

happen this time of year? I hope your visit shows you how

much happens at the Zoo and beyond our fences. We strive

every day to change the world!

The Sacramento Zoo is a proud member and leader in the

Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), an organization

that sets high standards for institutions like ours. Fewer than

10% of exhibitors licensed by the United States Department

of Agriculture are AZA-accredited. Recently, I gathered with

colleagues at one of two annual conferences that the AZA

hosts each year. Together, zoo and aquarium professionals

conduct the important work of our association to ensure we

provide amazing care for our animals and great experiences

for our guests.

A big topic at this year’s conference was how we can better

share the incredible contribution that AZA institutions like

the Sacramento Zoo make to animal conservation across

the globe. The numbers are staggering: collectively, annually

AZA institutions contribute more than $160 million to saving

species around the world! In 2015, thanks to your help with

programs like Quarters for Conservation, the Sacramento Zoo

raised over $150,000 for conservation programs globally.

Thanks for helping change the world!

by Kyle Burks

SUMMER 2016Volume 55, no. 2

THE SACRAMENTO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY IS A 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION.

SACRAMENTO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Jeff Raimundo – President Elizabeth Stallard – Vice President Starr Walton Hurley – 2nd Vice President Adham Sbeih – SecretaryKevin Barri – TreasurerJames Naify – Past PresidentKyle Burks, PhD - Executive Director/CEO

Fran BolandMichael BroughtonNancy E. ColeJeffrey K. DorsoIrwin KarpLynn MatsudaJennifer A. NealJohn W. OttoJason Russell, CPASusan SchoenigMike TestaDr. Janice D.T.Jill M. Trainer, PhDJody UlichAlan Yee, MD

ZOO ADMISSION HOURS

February - October: 9 am - 4 pm*November - January: 10 am - 4 pm**Grounds close at 5 pm Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day

HOW TO REACH US

916.808.5888 saczoo.org info@saczoo.org Hotline: 916.808.5885 Development: 916.808.8815Education: 916.808.5889 Meetings and Events: 916.808.8561Membership/Zoo Parents: 916.808.5888 Volunteers: 916.808.7444

Maagizo is published by the Sacramento Zoological Society. All rights reserved.

EDITOR: Tonja Candelaria COPY EDITOR: Amanda CablePHOTOS: Zoo Staff

The Sacramento Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. www.aza.org

At 8:40 am on Sunday, April 10 the Sacramento Zoo welcomed

the birth of Rocket, a 6’1” 163-pound male Masai Giraffe.

One day after his birth, the Zoo’s veterinarians gave him a

routine neonatal health check that included body weight

and performed a brief physical exam. Zookeepers, who were

monitoring the mother around the clock via camera prior to

the birth, continued monitoring for nursing and maternal care

after the birth of the calf.

The Sacramento Zoo is now home to six giraffes: three female

Reticulated Giraffes, one male Masai Giraffe (Chifu, the father),

one female Masai Giraffe (Shani, the mother), and the calf.

In 2010, the Zoo completed renovations on the giraffe exhibit

that included a state-of-the-art, heated barn. Rocket is the

19th calf born at the Sacramento Zoo going back to 1964

when giraffes were first housed at the Zoo.

The Masai Giraffe is the largest giraffe subspecies and is found

in southern Kenya and Tanzania. In addition to a difference in

size, Reticulated and Masai Giraffes have slightly different spot

patterns – a Masai Giraffe’s spots are usually darker and more

irregular in shape. Gestation is 14 to 15 months, with the female

giving birth alone in a secluded spot away from predators.

Within minutes, the baby is able to stand on its own.

The Sacramento Zoo is one of 32 facilities managing 120 Masai

Giraffes in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) population.

The Sacramento Zoo partners with the Wild Nature Institute,

a field research group that is currently studying Masai Giraffe

demographics and the African Savanna ecosystem with photo

recognition software. Observation of giraffes in zoos is helping

field researchers to recognize physical characteristics and social

behaviors that they see in the wild. The study, which includes

more than 1,500 Masai Giraffes, will allow researchers to follow

the giraffes’ movements and reproduction habits in the wild

in order to understand where and why their populations

are declining.

April 10, 2016

April 24, 2016

May 19, 2016

THIS FREE INFORMATIVE SEMINAR will navigate through a jungle of estate planning topics presented by local attorney Mark S. Drobny, California State Bar Certified Legal Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. Mr. Drobny is widely regarded as one of the top experts on estate planning, providing information on a variety of topics in an entertaining manner that will help you design a plan that fits your needs.

TOPICS WILL INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:• Living Trusts vs. Wills• Probate – How Can it be Avoided?• Who Needs Durable Powers of Attorney for Financial

Management and Advance Health Care Directives?• Charitable Gift Annuities

Seating is limited. RSVP to Amanda Cable at acable@saczoo.org or 916.808.8815 by August 19 to guarantee your seat.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 27 / 10 – 11:30 amKampala Conference Room

Browse /brouz/noun nontoxic vegetation, such as leafy branches, eaten by animals.

YOUR TREE TRIMMINGS CAN HELP FEED THE ZOO ANIMALS!Donate Browse

For our Edible Plant List and donation information visit:saczoo.org/browse 916.808.5888

Bid to WIN one of the player’s unique Red Panda jerseys!

Proceeds benefit the Sacramento Zoological Society.

Thursday Evenings in August...• Everyone pays child-priced admission starting at 4pm• FREE to Zoo Members!• Café and concessions open for dinner• Conservation Carousel and Zoo Train rides• Giraffe Encounter at 6:45 pm• Last admission 7:30pm, Zoo grounds open until 8:30pm

summer at the zooThe Zoo is a great place to visit on a calm sunny day, but what

about when temperatures climb into the triple digits? As with

humans, some of the animals at the Sacramento Zoo tend to

prefer the cooler climates of the spring and fall. But that doesn’t

mean you won’t find many animals out and about when the

weather’s hot.

Many of the Zoo’s animals have their own adaptations or

behaviors to assist them in keeping cool or even enjoying the

high temperatures. Most notable is that some animals are often

found sleeping or resting during the day to conserve energy

for the cooler mornings and evenings. Animals such as zebras

and various birds will give themselves dust baths to cool off and

Red River Hogs will wallow in mud. Fur tufts on the feet of the

Fennec Fox provide protection against hot sand and their large

ears aid in dissipating heat.

Zookeepers work vigilantly to ensure that the animals are

comfortable in hot weather. This can include providing ice for

animals to interact with or putting fans in protected off-exhibit

areas. Next time you stop by the Jaguar or Sumatran Orangutan

exhibit, look closely and you’ll see natural water features that

offer another option for staying cool. The majority of the Zoo’s

PHOTOS: Fennec Fox sisters, Young guest enjoying flamingos, Emu receiving a summer shower

animals have off-exhibit areas which are shady and cool

– the perfect spot for a mid-day nap.

But what about visitors? Located in Land Park, the Zoo is

generously shaded by a variety of beautiful trees. Visit the

Zoo early, watch the animals play and then have a picnic in the

Redwood Grove near the Conservation Carousel. If you don’t

feel like bringing a picnic basket to the Zoo, you can always stop

by Savannah Snacks for some cool soft serve, and Kampala Café

is now serving Bar Gelato, a local hand-crafted artisanal gelato

bar with tons of flavor!

And if you’re planning to visit the Zoo after work, stop by Twilight

Thursdays, taking place every Thursday from June 16th through

July 28th. Guests will enjoy music by local artists, dinner specials

at Kampala Café and more! If you can’t make it to Twilight

Thursdays, Family Deal Nights in August will offer child-priced

admission for the whole family until 7:30 pm. August also brings

the 32nd annual Ice Cream Safari, an after-hours all-you-can-eat

ice cream extravaganza!

No matter the temperature, there are always cool spots for

animals and visitors at the Sacramento Zoo!

Most visitors come to the Zoo with their family or friends to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air and to see exotic animals that represent species from around the globe. But the Sacramento Zoo serves another important purpose – to connect you with the natural world locally and globally.

None of us can imagine a world without giraffes, tigers, vultures or hundreds of other amazing animals. Unfortunately, many animal populations face an uncertain if not perilous future. Animal habitats are being destroyed acre by acre, fragmenting and dwindling their populations until there are not enough animals left to sustain the species. The core of the Sacramento Zoo’s mission is conservation. By coming to the Zoo you not only enjoy a day with family and friends, you also build connections with animal ambassadors and help the Sacramento Zoo support more than three dozen conservation programs around the world.

WHO CARES?

We do. And we want you to care too.We want YOU to be a part of our conservation efforts. Allow yourself to become inspired by what you see at the Zoo, and do something to make a difference.

YOU CAN:

• Learn more about the conservation programs that you

support every time you visit the Sacramento Zoo

• Donate money to organizations working in the field

• Learn how your shopping choices affect animals and

the environment

• Add wildlife-friendly features to your backyard

• Volunteer your time to educate others

FENNEC FOXInstagram Clarisse C.

ZOO ENTRANCEInstagram @heelsontherun

FLAMINGOSInstagram @sydneydonnell

FAN PHOTOS

Use #SacZoo to share your photos.

JUNE 16 – JULY 28 OUTDOOR CONCERT DINNER SPECIALS

MUSIC 5:30 – 7:30 pmGeneral Zoo admission or FREE to Zoo Members

916.808.5888 saczoo.org

clarisse c.

nature explorersOne of the best things about visiting the Sacramento Zoo is

strolling through 14-acres surrounded by beautiful trees

and plants, listening to the sounds of nature and animals,

while enjoying the fresh air and sunshine. The Zoo’s newest

program, Nature Explorers, focuses on the beauty of the

natural world. During this drop-in family program, visitors are

able to enjoy the Zoo in a way that inspires them to take the

experience home and enjoy nature in their own neighborhoods.

Nature Explorers meet once a month with a new theme and

activities. The Sacramento Public Library also joins the fun by

offering two storytimes with books and songs to accompany

the theme! Aside from storytime, this 10 am–2 pm open play

adds hours of unstructured play and exploration to your Zoo visit!

This is a free program, included with your Zoo admission. Come

enjoy the shade, dig in the dirt, and simply have fun as a family!

Join Nature Explorers the last Saturday of every month

anytime between 10 am and 2 pm.

PHOTOS: Nature Explorers is filled with many fun activities for kids to enjoy as they learn about and explore the natural world

Safari

Cones,Cups &Floats

10+ Flavors

Tickets at: saczoo.org | 916.808.5888

Early Bird Ticket Prices through Aug. 14 $17 Adults | $13 Kids (ages 2-11)

Ticket prices Aug. 15 through 20 $20 Adults | $15 Kids (ages 2-11)

Zoo members receive $2 off per ticket through Aug. 14!

Saturday, August 20! 4 to 8 pm

Music, 10+ Flavors, Exotic Animals & More!

how to train a batEarlier this year, Primary Bird Keeper Carolyn Volpe embarked

on a whirlwind two-day training adventure at the Lubee Bat

Conservancy in Florida. The bat training workshop was

attended by zookeepers from around the United States,

as well as animal rehabilitators interested in bat care.

Carolyn, who happens to love bats due to the social dynamics

and interactions of the flighted mammals, spent the time taking

in as much information as she could. During the two days, her

knowledge of bat diets, how to train for voluntary blood draws

for heath checks, nail trims, enrichment and social needs grew

exponentially. Prior to the trip, Carolyn and other zookeepers

were already training the bats at the Sacramento Zoo to climb on

a scale for weighing and visual body condition checks, making it

easier to continually asses their overall health. At the workshop

she picked up some new tips on other ways to engage the bats

in voluntary training. Carolyn is hopeful that after the Zoo’s

colony of 20 bats, some more eager than others, have mastered

getting on the scale, they will then enthusiastically begin

crate-training which will allow for a less stressful transportation

method to the veterinary hospital when needed.

Continuing education for zookeepers and other Zoo staff helps

us give the best care possible to all of the Zoo’s residents and helps

us stay up-to-date on the most current animal conservation news

and needs.

PHOTO: Carolyn training a bat on a scale

four little piggiesMidafternoon on April 3, 2016 the Sacramento Zoo’s Red River

Hogs welcomed four hoglets – two females and two males,

each weighing between 2 and 2.5 pounds. Inspired by Star Wars,

zookeepers have named the two males Poe and Kylo, and the

females have been named Finn and Rey. The hoglets are steadily

growing and showing more personality each day!

When fully grown, the hogs will weigh between 120 and 250

pounds and reach three to five feet in length. Until about three

months of age, hoglets are brown with yellowish stripes.

This coloring serves as effective camouflage in the wild. Adult Red

River Hogs are best known for their long ears with hair tufts

and reddish-brown fur. Native to the dense tropical forests of

Central to West Africa, localized Red River Hog populations

are in decline due to subsistence hunting for food, being killed

as agricultural pests, and the commercial bushmeat trade.

The Sacramento Zoo’s participation in the Association of Zoos

and Aquariums Red River Hog SSP program contributes directly

to the species’ long-term survival.

Father of the year for 2016 goes to JD the Red River Hog. Typical of

Red River Hogs in the wild, the hoglets often prefer hanging out

with the adult male (JD) because he helps them find the best

treats, shows them how to root around in the dirt, lets them run

circles around his feet and is their main source of protection.

Nine-year-old JD came to the Sacramento Zoo in 2009 from

the Bronx Zoo. While zookeepers never share a physical space

with him or any other adult Red River Hogs, JD’s calm and

easygoing personality has helped them train him for a variety

of husbandry needs. For the reward of scratches with a hog-

approved backscratcher, JD will lay down when asked, step on a

scale and touch his nose to a target which allows zookeepers to

move him to various spots. JD will also allow zookeepers to give

him vaccines and apply topical ointment on him when needed.

While some of JD’s favorite treats include bananas and peanut

butter, he is always willing to share his snacks and meals with the

hoglets. For more information about becoming a Zoo Parent

and sponsoring JD and the rest of the Red River Hogs visit

saczoo.org/zooparent.

ANIMAL PROFILE | JD THE RED RIVER HOG

PHOTO: Red River Hoglets, born April 3, with JD

3930 West Land Park Drive Sacramento, CA 95822-1123 saczoo.org

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Paid PostagePAIDSacramento, CAPermit No. 651

An American White Pelican’s pouch can hold up to three gallons of water.

Friday & Saturdays, June 11, 17 & 25 Saturdays & Friday, July 9, 15, 23 & 30 Friday, August 5

FAMILY OVERNIGHT SAFARIS – JUNE, JULY & AUGUST

This fun-filled educational evening will guide you through all that the

nighttime Zoo has to offer. Campouts are designed for small groups

and families of two or more people. This is a perfect opportunity to

experience new and exciting animal behaviors. Dinner and breakfast

are provided.

Thursdays, June 16, 23 & 30 Thursdays, July 7, 14, 21 & 28

TWILIGHT THURSDAYS – 5:30 TO 7:30 PM

Enjoy the warm summer nights with live bands, local wine, craft beer,

dinner specials and a Family Fun Zone. Free admission for Zoo members.

Grounds open until 8 pm.

Thursdays, August 4, 11, 18 & 25

AUGUST FAMILY DEAL NIGHTS – 4 TO 7:30 PM

Be a kid again at the Sacramento Zoo! Everyone pays child-priced

admission on Thursdays, starting at 4 pm (free to members).

Carousel and train rides, a 6:45 pm Giraffe Encounter and dinner

available! Last admission at 7:30 pm, Zoo grounds close at 8:30 pm.

Saturday, August 20

ICE CREAM SAFARI – 4 TO 8 PM

The entire family can enjoy all-you-can-eat Baskin Robbins ice cream

at the 32nd Annual Ice Cream Safari. Zoo closes early at 1:30 pm.

Saturday, August 27

ESTATE PLANNING SAFARI – 10 TO 11:30 AM

Well-known local attorney and estate planning specialist Mark S. Drobny

will help you navigate through a jungle of topics in this free,

informative seminar.

Saturday, September 3

ZOO NIGHT AT THE SACRAMENTO RIVER CATS – 7:05 PM

Enjoy a wild River Cats’ game. Bid on your favorite player’s Zoo-inspired

Red Panda jersey. Tickets purchased through rivercats.com/gamelink

support the Sacramento Zoo – just enter “ZOO” when prompted!