Table of ContentsAddress from the County Executive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Letter from the Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Milwaukee County Zoo History. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

2012 Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Animal Management and Health Division . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Administration and Finance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

Public Affairs and Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

Operating Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

The Milwaukee County Zoo and the Zoological Society. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

County Executive and Board of Supervisors. . . . . . . . . . . .45

VisionThe Milwaukee County Zoo will be a zoo of renown with a reputation as a leader in animal management, conservation, research and educationwithin a wholesome recreational environment enjoying the admiration of the citizens of Milwaukee County as well as all zoo guests and otherzoos of the world.

Mission StatementThe Milwaukee County Zoo will inspire public understanding, support and participation in global conservation of animal species and their environment by creating a unifying bond between our visitors and the living earth and provide an environment for personal renewal and enjoyment for our guests by:

• Contributing to world wide animal management, conservation and research efforts;

• Fostering sound physical, psychological and social development for the animal groups in our care

• Sharing our knowledge with the intent to reinforce the human-animal-earth bond;

• Improving the quality of our professional development, administration and operating environment;

• Striving for the financial self-sufficiency of the organization;

• Continuing the public-private partnership with the Zoological Society of Milwaukee County.

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Dear Friends,At the Milwaukee County Zoo, the year 2012 wasmarked by a variety of noteworthy animal births, exhibitrenovations, facilitation of the Zoo’s next master planand the return of one of the Zoo’s most popular summer exhibits, “Adventure Dinosaur!”.

In the summer, the Zoo displayed the special exhibit,“Adventure Dinosaur!” sponsored by Sendik’s FoodMarkets. Visitors were greeted by more than 25 prehistoric robotic dinosaurs, moving and rumbling in a tropical outdoor habitat. The exhibit proved popular to yet another generation of kids, intriguedby these fascinating animals.

In the fall, the Zoo was proud to announce the birth of a jaguar litter;the first at the Zoo since 1975. The two males were born to mother,Stella, and father, Pat. Because Pat was a wild-born animal from Belize,the genetic lines the cubs add to the captive population are significant.A birth such as this demonstrates the Zoo’s continued commitment toconservation efforts and raises awareness to the plight these animalsface in the wild.

A newly renovated entryway to the Zoo’s NorthwesternMutual Family Farm rounded out the exciting year. This new interactive addition allows guests to learn firsthand about the agricultural history of Wisconsin.

In the years ahead, the Zoo is committed to reinventing itself; a response to the changing zoological marketplace.The future changes included in the master plan involveredeveloping exhibits and improving the visitor experience.

I thank the staff of the Milwaukee County Zoo for their continued dedication and hard work. It is because of yourefforts that the Zoo is able to grow and thrive.

I would also like to acknowledge the relationship between the Zoo and the Zoological Society of Milwaukee. Each year, this public-privatepartnership helps strengthen the Zoo’s projects and overall initiatives.

Chris AbeleMilwaukee County Executive

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Letter from the Director The year 2012 was noted for significant animal additions, important conservation projects, special exhibits and the continuation of our comprehensive master plan, the first for the Zoo since 1997.

During the summer, we displayed one of our most popular exhibits, robotic dinosaurs! Sponsored bySendik’s Food Markets, “Adventure Dinosaur!” featured more than 25 life-sized re-creations of these

prehistoric animals, moving and rumbling in their outdoor habitat.

Fall was exciting as we welcomed two male jaguars, born to mother, Stella, and father, Pat. Because Pat is a wild-born cat, the cubs bring new and valuable genes into the captive population. The birth also was significant

in that it marked the first jaguar cubs born at our Zoo since 1975.

Water conservation efforts continued with several repaving projects throughout the grounds. Many large asphalt walkways were replaced with permeable pavers resembling brick roadways. The pavers act like sponges to absorb surface water from rainstorms, filter it and release it back into the earth. The largest of these repaved areas was Zoo Terrace, used for a multitude of special events and after-hours gatherings.

At the end of 2012, we suffered a great loss in our animal collection with the death of one of our most beloved animals, 5-year-oldBornean orangutan, Mahal. His death was sudden, and came as a shock to staff and visitors alike. He will be sorely missed.

We once again extend a thank you to the County Executive, the County Board and the Zoological Society and their partners for their continued support. A number of our initiatives, renovations and special exhibits are possible because of their assistance.

Please read on as each Division shares highlights from the year.

Charles WikenhauserDirector

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CharlesWikenhauser;jaguars inbackground

Madagascargiant day gecko

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1892The Milwaukee County Zoo(MCZ) started as a miniaturemammal and bird display in Milwaukee’s downtown Washington Park

1902MCZ expanded to 23acres; now home to800 animals

1910The Zoological Society wasfounded, lending financial support to the Zoo

1934MCZ became an entity of the Milwaukee County Park Commission, which helped provide resources to expand the Zoo

1958MCZ moved to its present location on 200 acres of park land

Late 1960s Completion of: the Primate Building, Monkey Island, WinterQuarters, Polar and Brown Bear Exhibits and the Feline,Pachyderm, Giraffe, Aviary, Small Mammal, Aquarium & Reptile and Australian Buildings

1978• The Milwaukee County

Zoo was one of only 22 institutions in NorthAmerica accredited bythe American Associationof Zoological Parks andAquariums, now namedthe Association of Zoosand Aquariums (AZA).

1988Hosted the Associationof Zoos and AquariumsAnnual Conference

Early 1990s An extensive renovation of the Aviary and Primatesof the World, and thecompletion of a new Apes of Africa

1995Renovation of theAquarium & ReptileCenter; renamedthe Aquatic & Reptile Center

1998Completedremodelingof the SmallMammalsBuilding

1999Initiated a $30 million capital improvement plan, representinga significant partnership venturebetween the Zoo, MilwaukeeCounty and the Zoological Society

2002• Renovation and modernization of Lakeview Place restaurant• Redesign of the Ice Cream Palace and Karibu Gift Shop• Groundbreaking for the new Animal Health Center • Major renovation (both indoor and outdoor quarters) to our

landmark exhibit, Monkey Island; renamed Macaque Island

1980s• Initiated a $26 million

capital improvement plan, representing a significant partnership venture betweenthe Zoo, Milwaukee County and the Zoological Society

• Completion of: Wolf Woods, underwater viewing in the Polar Bear and Sea Lion Exhibits,Oceans of Fun, the Dairy Complex, Humboldt Penguinsand the Peck Welcome Center

1970s• MCZ added the Children’s

Zoo, Train Shed, Zoo Hospital,Dall Sheep Exhibit and the Gift Shop

• The Zoological Society’s volunteer organization, Zoo Pridewas established

• The Zoological Society developseducation programs at the Zoo

Our HistoryHome to more than 3,000 mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles and amphibians,we’re proud our Milwaukee County Zoo continues to be recognized as one of the finestin the country. The Zoo was founded 120 years ago, and our partnership with the Zoological Society began 103 years ago, and continues today:

1892 2002

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2003• Completion of Animal

Health Center• Initiated design phase of Feline

Building renovation; animals relocated

• Began initial renovations to the Stackner Heritage Farm and construction of the KarenPeck Katz Conservation Education Center

2004• Completion of the Karen Peck

Katz Conservation EducationCenter

• Began demolition and finalizeddesigns for Northwestern Mutual Family Farm

• Continued construction of thenew $7.2 million Florence MilaBorchert Big Cat Country

2005• Completion of the Florence

Mila Borchert Big Cat Country• Completion of the Northwestern

Mutual Family Farm• Completion of the redesign

and renovation of the Safari Train Station

2006• Completion of the

MillerCoors Giraffe Experience

• Began initial designphase for the new U.S.Bank Gathering Place

2007Began construction for thenew U.S. Bank GatheringPlace, and the new IdabelWilmot Flamingo Exhibitand Overlook

2011• Completion of the new outdoor Bonobo

Exhibit, and new interpretive graphics and interactive displays to the indoorBonobo Exhibit

• Opened new permanent visitor activitieswith Sky Trail® Wisconsin Adventure Zone

• Added Kohl’s Wild Theater programming to Zoo’s Northwestern Mutual Family Farm,made possible by donation to the Zoological Society

2010• Installed solar panels at

admission gates• Installed permanent poetry

exhibition, “The Language ofConservation,” locatedthroughout Zoo

2009• Completion of the

Dohmen Family FoundationHippo Home

• Completed renovation of the Taylor Family HumboldtPenguin Exhibit

• Began upgrades for stormwater management program

2008• Completion of the U.S. Bank

Gathering Place• Completion of the Idabel Wilmot Borchert

Flamingo Exhibit and Overlook• Received accreditation by the Association

of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) • Hosted the Association of Zoos &

Aquariums Annual Conference

2012• Completion of the first planning phase

of a new 10-year Zoo Master Plan, addressing improvements in animal exhibits, visitor attractions and amenities,service facilities and operations

• Completed the renovated entrance to the Northwestern Mutual Family Farm

• Completion of the first phase of BlackBear Exhibit improvements, made possible by a donation from MillerCoors

2003 2012

Our History

2012 HighlightsThe major highlights of 2012 included: the completion of major renovations made to the Northwestern Mutual Family Farm entrance; initial exhibit renovations to our existing Black Bear Exhibit and the birth of two male jaguar cubs, the first for the Zoo since 1975. In addition, our Zoo, along with Polar Bears International, hosted the “Paw of Approval Award” presentation to one of our community partners.

Listed here are some of these highlights and accomplishments in greater detail:

Polar Bears International/Paw of Approval AwardIn May, the Zoo hosted its second annual “Be Cool” event in cooperationwith Polar Bears International (PBI), a nonprofit organization dedicated to polar bear conservation. As part of the celebration, PBI’s President,Robert Buchanan, gave a conservation lecture and workshop to both Zooand Zoological Society staff which inspired participants to reduce their carbon footprints. An evening workshop was repeated for Zoo Pride volunteers and donors.

Also during his visit, Buchanan presented PBI’s signature “Paw of ApprovalAward” to The Green Initiative. This annual award honors a local businessfor extraordinary accomplishments in carbon dioxide reductions. The Zoopartners with The Green Initiative for its recycling operation on Zoo grounds. The Green Initiative strives to shift the business world closer to operatingsustainably, and promote the companies and organizations that take part. The Zoo currently displays 54 Green Initiative recycling bins on grounds.

For Robert Buchanan’s visit, the Zoo’s Public Relations Section pitched media outlets for interviews to raise awareness on behalf of polar bears’ plight in the wild. Media outreach included interviews with Milwaukee Public Radio and Wauwatosa NOW community newspaper.

Northwestern Mutual Family Farm Entrance RenovationThanks to a grant from the Northwestern Mutual Foundation, the entrance area to the Family Farm was renovated to include an outdoor museum of early farm equipment and interpretive graphics. The project was unveiled in early October, and educates visitors on days-gone-by farming techniquesusing horse-drawn farming equipment displays, most of which were generously donated by the Richfield Historical Society. Featured in the open-air displays are a sickle mower, horse-drawn shovel, a cultivator, dump-rake, plow, grain wagon and water pump. Kids can operate the water pump and climb on the 100-year-old wagon for photos. A new red-stone pathway, a cedar fence, a cornfield and added green space all serve to enhance the entranceway. This serves as the first phase renovation, with additional improvements slated for 2013.

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Renovated farm entrancePolar bears and

enrichment items

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Jaguar Cubs It was a noteworthy year in our Animal Division with the birth of two male jaguar cubs on November 13. Born to first-time mother, Stella, and father, Pat, these cubs marked the first litter of jaguars born at theZoo since 1975. Because Pat is a rescued, wild-born animal from Belize,Central America, he’s considered a founder to the population, and his cubs bring valuable new genes into the North American zoo population.

Prior to their public unveiling, the cubs and Stella could be seen on theZoo’s website via a live webcam of their dens in the Florence Mila BorchertBig Cat Country.

The birth of the cubs demonstrates the Zoo’s commitment to conservationefforts and the propagation of a species whose numbers are dwindling inthe wild. It also raises awareness of visitors to the plight of such an importantanimal, and brings to light the need for conservation of the species.

Zoo Master PlanningWith the initial analysis and findings for the Zoo’s upcoming comprehensivemaster plan complete, the next phase of the project began in 2012.

In August, a request for proposal was issued. Proposals were requested to include a plan for eight new or redeveloped animal exhibits, three non-animal attractions and five revenue-generating centers. As the year

came to a close, the firm of PeckhamGuyton Albers & Viets, Inc. (PGAV) was contracted for the project. This national company, which also handledthe initial phase, is considered a leaderin planning and design for a largenumber of zoos and aquariums across the country.

This new master plan will serve as a guide for the park for the next10 years and beyond, and address all aspects of the Zoo, including animalexhibits, dining, merchandise sales and additional service and infrastruc-ture improvements. The impact of the Zoo Interchange Project also will beaddressed. This substantial freeway project will impact the Zoo in a numberof ways, most significant of which is the loss of approximately 700 visitorparking spaces. Zoo staff meet regularly with the Wisconsin Departmentof Transportation on the project and its impact on the Zoo. The renovationproject will last through 2018.

Lunchtime LecturesAs in years past, staff and outside guests presented a series of lectures as part of continuing education. These free “Lunchtime Lectures” offeredvaried topics of interest and served as professional enrichment for staff.Most were hosted by the Milwaukee Chapter of the American Association ofZookeepers (AAZK). Here are some of the topics presented during the year:

* 2011 AAZK National Conference* 2011 AZA National Conference and Post-Baccalaureate Program* 2011 Elephant Managers Association Conference* Penguin Guano Harvest Monitoring* The Tiger Species Survival Plan* Cognitive Research in Chimpanzees* Conservation Initiatives in Botswana

Pat the jaguarRopes course for kidsAmur tigers outdoors

Other HighlightsThroughout the year, the Zoo continued to host temporary exhibits

and special events. The year’s events included our summer exhibit,“Adventure Dinosaur!”, sponsored by Sendik’s Food Markets, the

opening of a new entranceway for the Northwestern Mutual Family Farm and renovations to our existing Black Bear Exhibit.

The attraction and special event lineup included: Oceans of Fun Seal and Sea Lion Show sponsored by Supercuts, Sky Trail® Wisconsin Adventure Zone, sponsored by Tri CityNational Bank, Party for the Planet sponsored by AmericanTransmission Company and Father’s Day Sponsored by Chinet® and Pick ’n Save.

2012 Special Exhibit“Adventure Dinosaur!”Sponsored by Sendik’s Food Markets During the summer, visitors were invited to take a trip back to a prehistoric time as “Adventure Dinosaur!” inhabited the Zoofrom May 26 through September 3.

The special outdoor exhibit was located behind the SmallMammals Building and featured tropical plantings, sound

effects and most exciting of all – 25 life-size re-creations of prehistoric dinosaurs!

New inhabitants for this year’s exhibit included: the Massopondylusand its baby, the Edmontonia and the Acrocanthosaurus. Making

a return engagement was the popular Dilophosaurus, which was presented complete with its water-spitting component. Visitors

were able to see the inner workings of these lifelike models through a Deinonychus robot skeleton display. Patrons could work the joysticks

themselves to figure out just how these creatures were able to move and rumble like their prehistoric counterparts.

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2012 dinosaurspecial exhibit

Animal Division CollectionsOur Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the premiere association of zoological institutions inNorth America with unequaled standards for animal care and management.Many of the transfers and the breeding of animals described below are inaccordance with AZA programs including Species Survival Plans® (SSPs)and Taxon Advisory Groups (TAGs).

The Animal Division Collections serve to enhance visitors’ knowledge andappreciation of animals, and to contribute to animal species conservation.Our front-line animal care staff devotes more than 100,000 hours eachyear toward the care of our animals.

Out of the total number of species in our collection, 37 are listed as endangered, including several that are critically endangered (on the brink of extinction in the wild) such as Amur tiger, Sumatran orangutan,southern black rhinoceros, cotton-top tamarin, western gorilla, and red-ruffed lemur. Our collection also includes the Guam kingfisher, which is extinct in the wild.

With such a large and diverse animal collection, there are a significantnumber of births, transfers and deaths every year. Due to the level of husbandry and veterinary care, the life expectancy of animals at our Zoomay greatly exceed the life expectancy of animals in the wild. These life expectancies vary dramatically with the species – small rodents and thegiant Pacific octopus are old in two years, while swans can live for decades.Female lions are ancient at 20 years of age, but our giant Amazon Riverturtle may be 100 years old. Animals are subject to the same types ofhealth conditions as humans, which may result in earlier deaths.

The animal staff devotes much thought and time toward enriching the lives of the Zoo animals. They provide mental and physical stimulation to the animals by varying their social structure, mixing compatible speciestogether, varying their habitats, offering interesting scents, providing manipulation devices, engaging them in positive reinforcement training, offering food treats for foraging opportunities and supplying toys andproblem-solving reward devices.

On Zoo Grounds Species Specimens

Mammals 84 388

Birds 74 307

Reptiles 43 112

Amphibians 11 55

Fish 187 1,519

Invertebrates 25 726

TOTAL 424 3,107

Out on Loan Species Specimens

Mammals 16 37

Birds 8 16

Reptiles 7 8

Amphibians, Fish and Invertebrates 0 0

TOTAL 30 61

On December 31, 2012, the Milwaukee County Zoo animal collection on Zoo grounds included 3,107 animalsrepresenting 424 species as listed below:

The animal collection owned by our Zoo and out on loan to other zoological institutions included 61 animals representing 30 species, as listed below:

2012 Animal Management and Health Division

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AviaryThe Aviary collection continued to increase with the addition of two new species, the black-naped fruit dove and the crested wood partridge. We also welcomedmates for our black-necked stilt, blue-grey tanager, blue-bellied roller, aswell as new pairs of Humboldt penguins and red-billed hornbills, from other institutions.

Red-billed hornbills hatched again this year, this time from a new pair. Our Zoo has been one of the most successful in the country to breed this species. We also hatched twogreen-naped pheasant pigeon, one of which is alreadycalling Florida his new home.

The Aviary staff continued to support conservation efforts in situ during the year. One of our zookeeperstraveled to Punta San Juan, Peru, to help monitor the guano harvest. Another staff member continues toband migratory passerines on Zoo grounds, a recognizedstopover point for birds migrating to the Neotropics.

We also continued our involvement with the Great LakesPiping Plover Recovery Program, of which we’ve been involved since 1996. New for the year, a keeper travelled to the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Laurel, Marylandto aid in the hand-rearing of whooping cranes that will ultimately be released into the wild population.

In 2012, the African Lakes Exhibit underwent a renovation spanning twomonths, resulting in the display of more than 40 species, 23 of which hadnever before been displayed at the Zoo.

This exhibit is divided into four sections. Three of the sections are devotedto the fishes of the Great Lakes of Africa, Lake Nyasa (also known as LakeMalawi), Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria. These three lakes contain ahuge diversity of cichlid fish species, more than 1,500 species are known.

The fourth section is devoted to fishes from the island of Madagascar.One theme of the African Lakes Exhibit is the unusual and easily observedaspects of the fish biology, including reproductive behavior and color varieties. Another is the impact of non-native fishes on the fishes of LakeVictoria and Madagascar, where many native fishes are either extinct orthreatened with extinction by the introduction of Nile perch, tilapia andlargemouth bass.

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Ringed teal

Aquatic and Reptile Center

Large MammalsThe Large Mammal Sections of the Zoo include:Big Cat Country, North America/Australia,Pachyderm/Giraffe, African and South American Hoofstock and Bactrian Camel.

In all of these areas, an extensive animal collection with a progressive operant condition-ing training program is managed by staff. Trainingthe animals to cooperate willingly for healthexams, sample collections and husbandry procedures allow for an enriching and stress-free environment. Samples collected under these conditions are used to determine normalbiological parameters in exotic species, and also to monitor the overall animal health and reproductive status.

North America/AustraliaIn Australia this year, we acquired a new male red kangaroo from the Kansas City Zoo who wehope will breed with all three of our current females. Willaroo was introduced to the mob in November and we may see kangaroo joeyssometime in 2013. The Matchie’s tree kangarooborn in late 2012 is out of the pouch and can be seen on exhibit with her mother, Kiama.

The Zoo’s resident polar bears, Wilhelm (Willie)and Snow Lilly, were introduced to each other inthe spring and were able to spend time togetheron exhibit throughout the summer. Renovation of Willie’s exhibit at the North Carolina Zoo isprogressing a little bit behind schedule and he’ll be here until at least the fall of 2014.

Unfortunately, we did have animal losses as well.Denali, our 10-year-old adult male Dall’s sheep,died after a brief illness in September, and Anniethe red kangaroo died in January. The only otherdispositions in the area were the transfer of twoyoung male red kangaroos to a new exhibit atthe Great Plains Zoo in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Wolf Awareness Day in October provided funactivities such as the annual howling contest,and displays and presentations on the history andrecovery of Wisconsin timber wolf populations.

Big Cat CountryThe big news in Big Cats this year was the November birth of two male jaguar cubs. Theseare the first cubs for mother, Stella, and father,Pat. As a wild-born animal, Pat is now a founder

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Snow leopards

Tree kangarooand joey

to the AZA jaguar program, bringing badlyneeded genetic diversity to the zoo population.The cubs weighed less than 1.5 kilograms atbirth and were visible to the public soon afterwardvia web cameras placed above their holdingarea. Stella has proven to be a great mother andthe cubs will be on exhibit with her early in 2013.

Big Cat Country also saw the acquisition of two new animals this year. Nyota, a 3-year-oldspotted hyena, arrived in November from theBuffalo Zoo. She was introduced on a breedingrecommendation to our male Scruffy and thepair is getting along well. Genghis, a 13-year-oldsnow leopard, also arrived in November, fromComo Park Zoo in St. Paul, Minnesota. At the end of the year, he was still in the process ofacclimating to the new area, and will be

introduced to our female Tomiris when they bothappear comfortable with each other.

The lion cubs born in 2011 have all grown up,and began their dispersal from the natal pride.Hubert departed in November for the OklahomaCity Zoo where he will be introduced to two females. Kiume left in December for the JohnBall Zoo in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and femaleNjeri moved to the Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, Texasearly in 2013. Parents Themba and Sanura arestill a recommended breeding pair and we hopeto see more lion cubs in the coming years.

Pachyderm/GiraffeTwo young female bongo antelope, acquirednear the end of 2011, were moved to the Pachyderm Section in spring and introduced to our resident female Meru. Meru is currentlyone of the oldest living bongo in the world.When it’s warm outside, the three of them can be seen in the exhibit.

The only disposition this year was the humaneeuthanasia of Malinde, our 28-year-old reticu-lated giraffe. Malinde had been at the Zoo since1985 and had seven offspring during her life-time. She currently has living descendants in 16 facilities in North America, Puerto Rico andJapan. Malinde’s longevity is a testament to thequality care animal and veterinary staff invest in our animals.

Throughout the year, the Elephant staff collecteddata for a research project titled Using Science

to Understand Zoo Elephant Welfare. This is acomprehensive, nationwide study to determinethe environmental and husbandry factors mostimportant to elephant welfare, and is sponsoredby a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. We also continue to perform in-house endocrinology research on the effectiveness of contraceptives in our two female hippos.

The third annual Elephant Awareness Day wasa great success, providing visitors with activitiesand information about elephants, and also raising funds for wild elephant conservation.

African & South American Hoofstock/Bactrian CamelSeveral changes were made to the South American animal collection in 2012. In April, wetraded Sooner, our adult male breeding alpaca,for a new unrelated male, Phoenix. Sooner’s finaloffspring at the Zoo, a male named Gustavo, wasborn to dam Eleanor in August. Shortly thereafterwe also sent out our other male alpaca, 7-year-old Antonio. Finally, we added a pair of femalegreater rheas to the exhibit in spring. Rheas had not been exhibited here since 2002.

In May, our Bactrian camel, Sanchi, gave birth to a healthy female calf named Addi Jean, or AJ for short. Camel demonstrations resumed in the area behind the pony rides after a two-year hiatus.

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Alpaca, Gustavo, born August 2012

A trio of new greater kudu females was added to the African Waterhole Exhibit, bringing our herd up to five animals. Rachel and Noeli from BinderPark Zoo in Battle Creek, Michigan, and Teshi from the Indianapolis Zoo,will hopefully form the basis for a new breeding herd with our residentmale, Barudi. Three young impala, a male and two females born in 2010,also were sent to Binder Park Zoo, as part of the transaction to bring thekudu to Milwaukee.

Apes of Africa and Primates of the WorldDuring 2012 we saw a significant addition to our Apes of Africa populationwith the arrival of a 10-year-old female gorilla from the Toronto Zoo. Hername is Shalia, and she is both an attractive and intelligent gorilla. Due to the endangered status of this species and the international shippingregulations, the process of receiving Shalia was considerably more drawnout and com-plicated thanshipmentswithin theUnited States.

With gainscome losses,and we weresaddened to lose two valuable malebonobos inApes of Africadue to cardiac issues. They were Lody, our dominant male, and Viaje, who came to us in 2001 from Zoofari near Taxco, Mexico. Both were originally from Africa and carried valuable genes for the captive population. Lody was a strongleader, accepted other bonobos for who they were, and expressed deepempathy for others. Viaje was a very good-natured individual who, despite

the lack of much social bonobo contact when he was growing up, proved himself to be an asset to our troop. Fortunately both Lody and Viaje left behind offspring to carry on many of their traits, both geneticallyand behaviorally.

Our Primates of the World building also had a significant addition with the birth of a female Goeldi’s monkey. These small monkeys are listed asvulnerable in the wild and there are only about 140 of the species in NorthAmerican zoos. We have two successful breeding groups, one in Primatesof the World and the other in the Small Mammals building.

Primates of the World also sustained several heavy losses in 2012. Three elderly Japanese macaques died this year. This brought our troopdown to eight individuals. We are looking into acquiring an additionalsmaller group, possibly from Japan, and attaining a larger group throughfuture breeding.

Probably the most devastating event for the Primate Section was the death of Mahal, our 5-year old Bornean orangutan. His death in Decemberwas sudden and came as a shock to us and to many of our visitors. Mahalwas a typical young orangutan, always playing, testing his keepers throughhis antics, and seeking attention. He is sorely missed.

Our animal care staff members have spent years diligently working with the primates using positive reinforcement training techniques. This isespecially true with the apes at our Zoo (orangutans, bonobos, and gorillas).As a result, our Zoo is a premier facility for the study of the physiology and behavior of these endangered animals. The apes willingly participatein cognitive behavioral studies, ultrasound studies of the heart and fetal development and medical care procedures. These procedures and studiesoccur with a safety mesh barrier between the staff and the apes. The apes’participation is completely voluntary and without restraint. They readilyparticipate, and they can end the training, behavioral study sessions or examinations at any time.

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Bornean orangutan Mahal

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Small MammalsIt was an eventful year for our collection in the Small Mammals buildingwith births, deaths and transfers in and out. In February, our fennec fox pair had a litter of kits. Two kits, a male and a female, survived but had tobe hand-raised. In October, another set of kits were born, with again onlytwo surviving and who needed to be hand-raised. The first set of kits wastransferred to two other institutions, serving as valuable education animals.The second set of kits will remain here until they are a little older and when the Fennec Fox SSP identifies new homes for placement.

Also in February, our cotton-top tamarin pair had a set of twins. This small monkey is listed as critically endangered in the wild. They produced a second set of twins in August. This provides us with a very active tamarinexhibit, displaying a family of 11 members.

After more than a year without the species, we received a pair of galagosthat we hope will breed. Our male came to us from the Cleveland Zoo, and the female from the Bronx Zoo. We have been quite successful withbreeding this species in the past.

Our last acquisitions for the Small Mammals building was the birth of a vampire bat and the arrival of a female douroucouli, or owl monkey.

The latter arrived inOctober from the VirginiaZoo in Norfolk as a companion for our 21-year-old male. He seemspleased with the company.

For our Zoo to have groups of animals living to ripe old ages also means the loss ofsome each year. This year we lost a numberof geriatric animals, including a Ruwenzorimountain fruit bat, two straw-colored fruitbats, a male dwarf mongoose and two sugar gliders.

Transferring to other institutions from the Small Mammals building were: five pairs ofvampire bats to the Cincinnati Zoo; a maleGoeldi’s monkey to ZooWorld in Panama CityBeach; the two fennec fox kits mentioned previously; and a male golden-headed liontamarin who had an extremely long, but uneventful, trip to the Melbourne Zoo in Australia. Zoos around the world are cooperating to ensure the survival of this endangered species.

Northwestern Mutual Family FarmTwo bull calves were born in the Farm this year: Timothy, a red and white Holstein, to mother, Amy, in March, and brown Swiss calf, Jared, to mother,Molly, in April. We also received another Superior Quality Award from Foremost Farms, USA.

Birds of Prey Show

Mahal

Only four farms in the district received this prestigious award, given for superior quality milk for the entire year.

New additions to our “outreach” animal collectionincluded three new rats, two new American toadsand a barred tiger salamander. These animalsare used in our demonstration area throughoutthe summer, as well as in educational programsthe remainder of the year.

Two longtime Zoo residents passed away in 2012:Bandit, our pinto horse, and Cody, our miniaturehorse. Both animals will be dearly missed as theyengaged and entertained literally tens of thou-sands of visitors over the 16 and 33 years theylived here respectively.

The World Bird Sanctuary’s Bird of Prey Show, as well as Kohl’s Wild Theater, continues to beshowcased in the outdoor theater. A new shadestructure was added to the center section ofbleachers for the summer performances.

The entryway to the Northwestern Mutual FamilyFarm received a complete makeover, and nowfeatures an antique hay wagon, a working waterpump, and an assortment of genuine antiquefarm equipment graciously donated by the Richfield Historical Society. Additional entranceenhancements are scheduled for 2013.

Animal Health CenterThe veterinary staff at the Animal Health Centerare responsible for the preventive animal healthand nutrition programs and the medical care ofthe entire collection.

Some of the procedures performed in 2012 included:

381 anesthetic procedures540 blood samples collected for

a variety of analyses 1,328 parasite exams run on 642 samples 2,067 written prescriptions 259 radiographic procedures including 7 CT

scans on various animals3,283 medical record entries for 552 individual

animals representing 203 species

On average, there were 10 animals in the Animal Health Center each day of 2012. Many of the animals who stayed at the Animal HealthCenter were those kept in quarantine before releasing them to the main zoological collection.These included a new female hyena, a malesnow leopard, a young female gorilla, black-treemonitors, black-naped fruit doves and crestedwood partridges. Both species of birds have notbeen in the Zoo collection for many years. 14

Orangutan

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The gorilla is of particular note because it was imported from Canada. As an imported non-human primate, quarantine had to meet the Center for Disease Control (CDC) specifica-tions. Specifications include rigorous protocolsand a CDC-approved quarantine area. The Animal Health Center expressly included theCDC specifications in its design to allow for importation of non-human primates that are part of Species Survival Plan breeding programs.Other hospital residents were either beingtreated for a variety of illnesses, or held for shipment to other zoos.

Both the Zoo pathology fellow program and the clinical medicine residency continued in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine. The clinical residency program is a three-year program that provides specialty training in zoo and exotic animal medicine. The clinical residents alternate their time at our Zoo, eachspending approximately four months per yearhere. In 2012, we had two residents – one thatfinished in July and the other in her second year.

The pathology program offers specialized training to pathologists interested specifically in zoo and exotic animal pathology, and providesus with information crucial to managing our collection. Our fifth pathology fellow (since theprogram’s inception in 1997) began in August2010 after having finished a two-year residencyin general pathology at the University ofConnecticut. The previous resident successfully

completed her residency and went on toWashington State University as a Ph.D. candidate.

The veterinary staff also conduct a zoo-animalmedicine preceptor program for veterinary students. Each preceptor is at the Zoo forone to two months.

In 2012, the Zoo obtained an intern to update,enhance and computerize our animal diet management system. A digital version of the Milwaukee County Zoo Diet Notebook is nowavailable for use by all Animal Division staff andcan be easily updated. The intern also helped to review, update and create a digital version of the Zoo’s Preventative Health Program. This digital version can be easily updated over time to maintain a current and effective preventiveanimal health plan.

Animal RecordsSince the Milwaukee County Zoo opened in1892, records have been kept for the almost20,000 individual animals that have been managed in the Zoo’s collection. Today, AZA-accredited zoos keep very detailed up-to-daterecords for each animal, telling its life story from birth to death. In addition, our Zoo archivescontain ephemeral material including animal inventories, old log books, Zoo annual reports,published articles, prints, slides, 16mm films andgeneral correspondence. We also maintain uniquedocuments and artifacts from 19th and 20th centuryzoological institutions from six continents.

We maintain up-to-date records on every animalat the Zoo. All of the information that the animalcare staff observes is reported daily to the regis-trar, who records the information electronicallyin a database called the Zoological InventoryManagement System (ZIMS).

The ZIMS information includes primary data such as common and taxonomic name, parents(whether at our Zoo or at another facility), dateand place of birth, gender and the circumstancesof acquisition such as birth, loan, purchase or donation. Similar facts are recorded when theanimal leaves the Zoo, such as the name of therecipient zoo, the date of transfer and terms ofthe contract or the circumstances of death.

Identifiable characteristics or marks, all background information, measurements, behavior, breeding management, enclosure information, behavioral enrichment, training,diet/feeding, development and medicalnotes and procedures all are data recordedin the animal’s record.

Animal medical information also is vital to thecare of the animal collection. The Medical AnimalRecords Keeping System, known as MedARKS, isused to create a detailed medical record for eachanimal containing clinical notes, prescriptions,treatments, cryopreservation records andnecropsy details.

The ZIMS database is a real-time, internet-accessibledatabase produced by ISIS(International Species Infor-mation System), which linksanimals’ records as theymove between institutionsthroughout the worldwidezoological community. Themerging of these data fromeach zoo enables ISIS members to share informationfor management of genetic and demographic programs(such as studbooks or cooperative Species Survival Plans) and their own animal collections. The central database contains information on 2.8 million animals – more than10,000 species – held in more than 800 institutions in 80 countries, as well as some animals in the wild that are participants in release and relocation projects. Currently over 470 facilities are using ZIMS. On December 14, 2012, the one millionth transaction was reported in ZIMS.

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Regulatory AgenciesThe Milwaukee County Zoo partners with the U.S. Fish andWildlife Service (USFWS), the U.S. Department of Agriculture,the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the MilwaukeeArea Domestic Animal Control Center and other agencies. We provide these agencies with expertise and assistance toward the conservation and protection of animals in the wild and in captivity.

The Zoo complies with regulations and permit requirements of international treaties and national and state laws regardinganimal conservation, management, care, health and safety. Examples of permits received by the Zoo in 2012 include:

International:Convention on Trade in Endangered Species import permit (CITES)

National:U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Captive Bred Wildlife permitMigratory Bird Special Purpose permitDepredation permitNative Endangered Species Recovery permit

U.S. Department of Agriculture Exhibitor PermitPlant Pests, Noxious Weed, Soil Movement permit

U.S. Department of InteriorMarine Mammal Protection Act permit

State of Wisconsin:DNR Depredation permit (Canada goose and eggs)DATCP Johne’s Disease-Free Herd classificationDATCP Chronic Wasting Disease-Free Herd classification

Fennec fox

Polar bears Willie and Snow Lilly

Library and ArchiveThe Milwaukee County Zoo Library and Archive,located in the Administration Annex in theNorthwestern Mutual Family Farm, is a researchlibrary that provides information resources tostaff of the Milwaukee County Zoo, the ZoologicalSociety of Milwaukee, Zoo Pride volunteers, and the public.

The Milwaukee County Zoo Library collection includes books and academic/science periodi-cals in the following subject areas: zoologicalscience; animal husbandry; management of animals in captivity; animal behavior; animal nutrition; veterinary medicine; wildlife conserva-tion; birds; fishes; invertebrates; mammals; reptilesand amphibians; aquarium management; aquaticlife; horticulture; zoological gardens; history ofzoological science; zoo administration; and zoo,aquarium and museum exhibits.

The Zoo Library also collects ephemeral materials from U.S. and foreign zoos andaquariums. This collection is the largest collection of zoo ephemera in the country. The Library also has a number of animal-themed art works, including prints, sculptures and paintings.

The Archive preserves materials that are crucial to the history of the Milwaukee CountyZoo and zoos in the United States. This collectionincludes photos, slides, DVDs, VHS cassettes,16mm films, historic postcards, personal papers,veterinary records, and Milwaukee CountyZoo historical records on paper and microfiche.These materials are preserved in a climate-controlled environment.

Conservation and Research ProgramsIn 2012, the Zoo managed an ambitious and diverse conservation and research program atlocal, regional, national and international levels.The Senior Animal Staff, including specialty Curators, staff Veterinarians and the Deputy ZooDirector, develop, implement and manage theseprograms. Front-line animal care personnel alsoactively participate in many of these programs.Collaborative efforts with other conservation-oriented institutions and agencies are essentialto the effectiveness of these efforts.

In addition to the commitment of Zoo resourcesand the resources of collaborating institutions,significant funding came from Zoo trust fundsand the Zoological Society of Milwaukee. Publicand private grants also contributed to the support.

Giant Pacific octopus17

Conservation and Research Program Collaborative SupportThe Zoo provides funding and/or staff support to selected conservation initiatives and research projects. Highlights for support in 2012 include:

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UCN Conservation Breeding Specialist Group Global

Turtle Survival Program Global

Polar Bears International Pan-Arctic

International Elephant Foundation Africa and Asia

International Rhino Foundation Africa and Asia

Ape TAG Conservation Initiative Africa and Asia

Great Ape Survival Partnership Africa and Asia

Phoenix Fund Amur Tiger Project Russia

International Snow Leopard Trust Nepal

Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program Papua New Guinea

Orangutan Outreach Borneo and Sumatra

Hornbill Nestbox Adoption Thailand

Hornbill Feather Distribution Indonesia

Elephants for Africa Africa

Fennec Fox Conservation Project North Africa

Bonobo and Congo Biodiversity Initiative Democratic Republic of Congo

Lola Ya Bonobo - Bonobo sanctuary Democratic Republic of Congo

International Bongo Foundation Kenya

Tarangire Elephant Project Tanzania

Kibale Fuel Wood Project Uganda

Berggorilla and Regenwald Direkthilfe Gorilla Project Rwanda

Adopt an Ostrich Program/Sahara Conservation Fund Niger

Cheetah Conservation Botswana

Madagascar Fauna Group Madagascar

Humboldt Penguin Artificial Burrow Project Chile

Humboldt Penguin Education Program Chile

Humboldt Penguin Guano Harvest Monitoring Peru

Whooping Crane Recovery Project National

Great Ape Cardiopathology Research National

AZA Elephant Welfare Project National

Piping Plover Recovery Project Great Lakes

Ornate Box Turtle Headstart Program Wisconsin

Butler’s Garter Snake Ecology Wisconsin

Migratory and Resident Avifauna Study Zoo

Grenada Frog Study Grenada

Grenada Bank Treeboa Study Grenada

Grenada Reef Monitoring Grenada

Rock Iguana Conservation Jamaica

Rock Iguana Conservation Grand Cayman

Puerto Rico Crested Toad SSP Puerto Rico

Hippopotamus Reproductive Hormone Study Zoo

Starhead Minnow Spawning Research Zoo

Mississippi Gopher Frog Conservation Zoo

Migratory and Resident Avifauna Study Zoo

Ape Cognition Study Zoo

Great Ape Cardiovascular Health Study Zoo

Great Ape Ultrasound Studies Zoo

Bonobo Semen Freezing Project Zoo

Bonobo Cardiac Database Zoo

The Zoo also provided funding for many collaborativeconservation and research initiatives including:

Avian Scientific Advisory Group

Penguin Taxon Advisory Group

Great Apes Taxon Advisory Group

International Species Inventory System

Amphibian TAG Amphibian Ark

AZA Wildlife Contraception Center

Wisconsin Bureau of Endangered Species Herp Fund

Staff Conservation and Research ProjectsZoo staff participate in wildlife conservation andresearch projects at local, regional and interna-tional levels. Many of these projects were madepossible with funding from the Zoological Society of Milwaukee.

Piping Plover Each year, the Milwaukee County Zoo sendsAviary staff members to assist United States Fish and Wildlife Service biologists in Michiganwith the monitoring of active nests and the rearing of abandoned piping plover eggs andchicks. These eggs and chicks are brought to the University of Michigan Biological Field Station and are hatched for re-release into thewild. Our staff members also have participated in the development of captive husbandry proto-cols and designated research projects designedto benefit wild populations of piping plovers.

The Great Lakes population of the piping plover was listed as endan-gered in 1986 with only 17 nestingpairs. In 2012, there were 64 nestsrecorded with 58 breeding pairs (4 more than 2011) which produced193 chicks that hatched in the wild. Of these, 103 had fledged as of thelast report with another 25 still pending. In addition, six chicks were captive-reared and released.

Humboldt Penguin The Milwaukee County Zoo has a long and storied history with the conservation of Humboldtpenguins in their native range, which is restrictedto the coasts of Peru and Chile. In 1994, the Zooinitiated a long-term research program to studya breeding colony of Humboldt penguins in Algarrobo, Chile.

Part of this study continues today with the installation of artificial burrows to provide moresturdy nests that can better resist flooding anddestruction than the natural dirt burrows. In 2009and 2010, 35 artificial burrows were placed onthe island. The artificial burrows were placed in areas where the natural burrows havedisappeared, and were monitored to see if the penguins would use them.

In 2011, the first successful hatching and fledging of chicks were observed. In 2012, an additional 20 artificial burrows were installed.

Also in 2012, a Zoo staff member participated in the Guano Harvest Monitoring Project in PuntaSan Juan (PSJ), Peru to aid in the initial startup ofthe monitoring efforts. Volunteers from our Zooand the world went to PSJ to monitor and miti-gate the amount of disturbance created by theminers who harvest the seabird guano for use as commercial fertilizer. Through the efforts ofthe volunteers, the impact of harvesting is mini-mized. The program also includes an educationalprogram for the miners and local populationabout sustainable practices regarding the useand harvesting of the guano, helping to ensuresuccessfully nesting penguins in the future. The Zoo also provided funds to purchase equipment for the project.

Humboldt penguins

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Another goal of our Humboldt Penguin conservation efforts is to increase public aware-ness of the penguins in Chile and the threatsthey face to enhance the conservation of Chileanpenguin species. Last year, the Zoo developed a bilingual brochure in Spanish and English. Thebrochure provides information about the penguinspecies found in Chile. It was developed primarilyfor use by Chilean fishermen who act as guidesfor eco-tourists. It also has been distributed tovarious tourist and rehabilitation centers alongthe Chilean coast. As a pilot project, a limitednumber of brochures also were given to elemen-tary schools in Southern Chile to introduce thechildren to the penguins that live in their ownbackyard, and also as a bilingual language resource. In 2012, additional brochures were sent to Chile for distribution.

The Zoo also provided staff and funds to supportthe Penguin Taxon Advisory Group (TAG). Thisgroup furthers research efforts that support both captive and in situ conservation, promotesconservation concern and conservation actionthrough educational programming and internetresources, and engenders appreciation for thesecharismatic species that serve as indicators ofthe health of marine and coastal environments.

Migratory and Resident AvifaunaStudy/Collision AbatementZoo staff and volunteers are mist-netting and banding wild birds on Zoo grounds to determine the numbers and species that use our grounds as a stopover site during migration.Since its inception in 2001, this project has

identified 176 species of native migratory birds.Of these identified species, 42 are listed as rare,threatened, or of special concern in Wisconsin,and 45 have been identified as nesting on Zoogrounds. Because of these remarkable findings,the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resourceshas designated the Milwaukee County Zoo as a recognized migratory bird stopover habitat. In addition, bird-banding demonstrations areconducted each year during the Zoo’s specialEarth Day event, Party for the Planet. Visitorshave the opportunity to observe the bandingprocess and release birds.

Zoo and Society staff and volunteers also are involved with reducing bird injuries and mortali-ties associated with window collisions by modifying existing structures to mitigate strikes. By applying stencils, striping,silhouettes and decals as well as using netting and betterplanting practices, we are reducing the collisions.

Several types of feederswere installed throughoutthe Zoo, and native speciesof plants were installed thatprovide cover and food for migratory birds. In addition, nest boxes were placed aroundLake Evinrude for bluebird, chickadee,house wren and tree swallow nesting. These allserve as examples of what people can do to helpmigratory birds in their own backyards.

Whooping Crane The Whooping Crane Recovery Program, conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Serviceand the International Crane Foundation (ICF), is responsible for bringing the number of wildcranes back from a low of 16 individuals in the1940s, to a total of more than 500 individualscollectively in captivity and in the wild. Donatedfunds from the ICF aid in the captive-rearing, release and management of wild cranes, as well as develop new release techniques to bolster the existing population. The ICF also does outreach programs to educate the publicabout the plight of the cranes, and conductsstudies on environmentally-friendly and non-toxic alternatives to controlling sandhillcrane depredation on crops.

The Milwaukee County Zoo assists the International Crane Foundation

and the USFWS with whooping cranerecovery by acting as a medical

care location for injured whoopingcranes that were part of the release program. We currently have one female and one malenon-releasable cranes that have

been successfully introduced to each other.

In 2012, a Zoo staff member participated

Center in Maryland to learn more about the handling, restraint, hand-rearing and generalhusbandry practices. This facility is the largestbreeder of whooping cranes.

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in crane care at the Patuxent Wildlife Research

Fairy bluebird

Ornate Box Turtle This year, the Zoo raised 24 endangered ornatebox turtles to be released into a wild prairie remnant in south central Wisconsin. In 1996 and 1997, the Zoo developed raise-and-releaseprocedures for this highly successful DNR program.During a single winter at the Zoo, these turtlesmay grow from a one-third ounce hatchling to asmuch as five ounces. In the wild, it may take aslong as seven years to reach this size, at whichtime they are practically predator-proof.

The Racine Zoo also participates in this program,and the Nature Conservancy has adopted itsprotocols to help increase ornate box turtlepopulations in its Wisconsin reserves. By thesummer of 2012, this program had resultedin the successful headstarting and release of1,120 turtles. Of these, our Zoo raised 336 turtles.

Grenada Frog The Grenada frog was once widespread on theisland nation of Grenada. During the late 1880s,a related frog species, Johnstone’s frog, was introduced. Since that time, Johnstone’s frog hasspread throughout the island and the Grenadafrog has retreated to small isolated pockets(seven square miles) in the mountain rainforests.In 2004, our Zoo, the Milwaukee Public Museum,and the Grenada Forestry and National ParksDepartment initiated a field-study to determineif these two species can successfully coexist. In2009, the Racine Zoo joined our efforts. In 2009,we noted the numbers of frogs observed haddropped for a third consecutive year. As a result,

frogs were sampled to determine if they werecarrying the deadly frog-killing fungus calledchytrid. Unfortunately, the fungus was found atall of the sampling sites. Chytrid could lead tothe extinction of the Grenada frog. Data from2011 and 2012 indicate the frog populations inGrenada have stabilized. Continued monitoringwill be necessary to determine if this observationis real or merely a random event.

Because the people of Grenada are unaware the Grenada frog is found nowhere else in the world, and at the request of the GrenadianDepartment of Forestry and NationalParks, our Zoo provided staff andfunds to develop film clips ofGrenadian wildlife to be

shown on the Grenada Information Service (GIS) television station. The GIS is the Grenadianequivalent of the U.S. National Broadcast System.These films have the potential to be shown several times per day around the clock, thusreaching a wide audience, providing them withinformation about the value of their wildlife heritage. The first set of films, expected to air in 2013, will focus on Grenada’s frogs, snakesand lizards.

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Grenada frog

Grenada Bank TreeboaThe Grenada Bank treeboa is only found on the islands in the Grenada Bank. Although wide-spread, populations seem to be decreasing onthe island of Grenada. Our Zoo and the RacineZoo have been cooperating with the MilwaukeePublic Museum to conduct research on this treeboa. The Zoo is collaborating with Dr. Marie Rushof St. George’s University (Grenada) in a study todetermine this snake’s normal blood parametersand identify the blood parasites of this species.

Coral Reef Monitoring - GrenadaIn 2009, our research efforts in the Caribbean expanded to the surrounding ocean. Our Zoojoined the Wisconsin Lutheran College’s reefmonitoring program in Grenada. The purpose of this project is to compare the long-termhealth of the coral reefs found in Grenada’s marine protected areas with other areas that receive no protection. We hope to demonstratethe economic benefits of protected areas to the tourist industry and fishing communities of Grenada. In July of 2012, data from the firstfour years of this project were presented at theInternational Coral Reef Symposium, in Cairns,Australia. The response from the audience was enthusiastic, as there are very few, data-intensive, long-term studies of Caribbean reefs.

Rock Iguana Conservation Our Zoo has been a longtime supporter of rock iguana conservation in the genus Cyclura.Since 2003, this support has increased with the

addition of fieldwork studies of the Grand Cayman blue iguana and Jamaican iguana. Blue iguanas are one of the most endangeredlizard species in the world.

A 2003 census indicated there might havebeen as few as 12 Grand Cayman blue iguanas inthe wild. Because of the efforts of several zoos,including ours, the population is now estimatedto number more than 200. The Jamaican iguanawas once thought to be extinct in the wild, and is still very much in peril.

Our Zoo has participated in the fieldwork for these collaborative efforts, resulting in successful releases of captive-hatched,raised-and-released iguanas back into thewilds of Grand Cayman and Jamaica. Also,through observations and radio tracking, datahas been collected for the first time on thehabits of these rare species from both raised-and-released iguanas and free-ranging wild individuals. Additionally, a veterinary technicianwas sent to assist in the health screening of the iguanas intended for the release. More field-work is scheduled, and our Zoo will be sendingadditional staff to assist fieldworkers with protection of nest sites, nest monitoring, health screenings, and radio tracking. They also assist with the maintenance of iguana raise-and-release facilities.

In January 2012, a zookeeper was sent to Cayman Brac to assist in a study on the SisterIsles Rock Iguana (Cyclura nubila caymanensis).

This subspecies of the Cuban rock iguana is endemic to the small islands of Cayman Bracand Little Cayman. While there have been studies conducted on Little Cayman, no suchpopulation surveys exist for Cayman Brac. Thegoal of the project was to find and process asmany iguanas as possible to get an estimatedpopulation count. During the month-long proj-ect, 97 iguanas were found, a number greaterthan the original estimate. Unfortunately, theseanimals face grave threats due to increasing development, cars and feral cats and dogs. During 2012, cars killed five breeding-age adults,including one pregnant female. Zoo staff alsotaught local volunteers how to find, catch andprocess iguanas in hopes of rallying communityinterest to help the species to survive.

Butler’s Garter SnakeThe Butler’s garter snake is an endangeredspecies restricted to southeastern Wisconsin. In 2007, the Wisconsin Department of NaturalResources brought together developers, landowners, our Zoo and other conservation organi-zations to develop a management plan for thisspecies. This plan identified numerous gaps inour knowledge that were crucial to the develop-ment of a successful plan. As a result, the Zoojoined with the Urban Ecology Center atRiverside Park to seek answers to severalquestions. What is the dispersal distance ofthe snakes? What is the population density ofthe snakes in Riverside Park? How fast do theygrow? These studies involve radio tracking, finding and capturing snakes and marking

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them for individual identification. Hundreds of hours were spent on this research during the year, and several additional seasons of work areneeded to adequately address these issues.

Mississippi Gopher Frog The Mississippi gopher frog is the most endangered frog species in thecountry. The species is only found in one pond, and population estimatesrange from 100 to 200 individuals. The Mississippi Gopher Frog SpeciesSurvival Plan (SSP) group sent out a plea for zoos to take and hold frogs to make space for additional founders by SSP participants who breed the frogs. Our Zoo now houses and cares for 25 of these frogs.

Starhead Topminnows Starhead topminnows are an endangered fish species in Wisconsin. Although there have been a few cases of successful captive reproductionin the private sector, there are no reports of breeding in zoos or aquariums.Several pairs were collected in July 2007 with the intent of developingspawning techniques that could be used by the Wisconsin DNR should acaptive breeding program become a necessity. One or two pairs have beencollected each year since, in order to maintain the genetic diversity of thecaptive population held here. Fishes from this program have been sent tothe Urban Ecology Centers in Milwaukee and other aquariums or naturecenters for display.

Great Ape In-house Cognitive Research The purpose of this project is to gain insight into the cognitive abilities of our three great ape species: bonobos, gorillas and orangutans. Dr. SarahBoysen, a great ape behavior researcher, conducted tests with the apes.Tests included: counting; the “shell game;” the “more or less” paradigm;and the use of tools to retrieve rewards. The bonobos were the most interested and cooperative of the apes, although the gorillas and orang-utans participated as well. The results from past testing, including the firstof the two in 2012, have been presented in a number of poster sessions in Prague, the Czech Republic; Birmingham, England; and Kyoto, Japan.

Great Ape Ultrasound StudiesFor the past 20 years, Zoo staff and volunteer medical professionals have per-formed ultrasound studies on our great apes.As a result of extensive positive reinforcementtraining by our staff, the great apes voluntarily participate in these painless studies – without restraints, sedation or anesthesia. The animals lookforward to these procedures and willingly cooperate.The ultrasound studies include heart studies of bonobos,gorillas and orangutans and fetal development studiesof bonobos. Our Zoo has been the first in the world to do these types of studies with the great apes.

Great Ape Heart Studies The most common cause of mortality in captive greatapes is enlargement of the left ventricle of the heart due to replacement of the normal heart muscle with fibrotic scar tissue. In humans, this change is most often related to hypertension, or high blood pressure.

Western lowland gorilla

For a number of years the Zoo has been working at training bonobos for voluntaryparticipation in allowing indirect blood pressure measurements to be collectedfrom animals that are awake. Currently, several bonobos are allowing blood pressure measurements to be collected using finger cuffs. We are the first Zoo to document hypertension in this manner, and to prove that treatment with oral blood pressure medications actually results in lowering blood pressure.

Bonobo Heart Pathology StudiesIn an effort to delve more closely into the similarities and differences betweenheart disease in apes and humans, preserved hearts from the pathology collectionat our Zoo were analyzed by specialists in human cardiopathology. These in-depthreports have assisted in identifying differences in terminology used by veterinary

24Elephant Awareness Day

and medical pathologists. They also have identified several classicalpathologic changes associated with hypertension in the apes, and haveidentified one case of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy(ARVC). This work has spurred additional research into methods for measuring indirect blood pressure in apes that are awake. This most likely will result in a publication on hypertensive tissue changes in bonobos with left ventricular hypertrophy, and has stimulated research into the possible genetic basis for ARVC in bonobos.

Animal Awareness DaysTwo zookeeper-driven events were held at the Zoo this year to showcasespecies and educate the public on captive care as well as conservation needsin the wild. Elephant Awareness Day was held September 15, and WolfAwareness Day was held October 13. Both events included activities and opportunities for behind-the-scene tours of the facilities, zookeeper talksand the distribution of materials on related conservation organizations. Visitors were encouraged to conserve these species, and to learn about the other species and the ecosystems that are important to sustain wildpopulations. Funds raised at Elephant Awareness Day were donated to the International Elephant Foundation and Elephants for Africa.

Other Research and StudiesThe Zoo assists in many scientific studies and collaborative research projects by providing facilities, staff expertise and an environmentconducive to animal studies. The Zoo Research Committee reviews all research proposals to ensure the protection of animal welfare. A few studies from 2012 include:

• Infra-red imaging of North American mammal species for identificationduring field surveys;

• Differentiating notch marks made on bones by hyenas from those made by humans for paleontology studies;

• Developing a non-invasive technique for measuring cortisol levels in wolves for field hormone level determinations;

• Determination of factors that will enhance the welfare of elephants;

• Cognition in bonobos as it relates to human cognition; • In-house measurements of hormone levels for reproductive

management of hippos

The Zoo also maintains a library of frozen or preserved blood and biopsy and necropsy tissue samples available for approved research projects upon request.

Presentations/PublicationsThe Animal Division staff deliver more than 1,000 formal presentations and innumerable informal presentations to the visiting public every year. In addition, Zoo staff develop programs, publish articles and research papers and deliver presentations locally, regionally and internationally to contribute to conservation efforts.

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Bonobo

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Species Survival Plans®Our Zoo cooperates with all major zoos and aquariums in North America to enhancethe survival of endangered species in our collections and in the wild. This is donethrough Species Survival Plans® of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Groups of zoo scientists and collaborating experts develop breeding plans to help protectthe genetic variations of each of these species. Collaborative programs also are developed with range countries to assist in conservation of these animals and their habitats in the wild.

Alligator Chinese SSPArgens (LV Cichlid) SSPDegeni (LV Cichlid) SSPEsculentus (LV Cichlid) SSPIguana Rock SSPIshmaeli (LV Cichlid) SSPLip Two Stripe White

(LV Cichlid) SSPMelanopterus (LV Cichlid) SSPPerrieri (LV Cichlid) SSPPiceata (LV Cichlid) SSPRattlesnake Aruba Island SSPToad Puerto Rican

Crested SSPRattlesnake Eastern

Massasauga SSPPenguin Humboldt SSPBonobo SSPCallimico SSPCat Black-Footed SSPColobus Angolan SSPFox Fennec SSPGorilla Western SSPLemur Black &

White Ruffed SSPLemur Mongoose SSPLemur Red Ruffed SSPLemur Ring-Tailed SSP

Macaque Japanese SSPMandrill SSPMonkey DeBrazza’s SSPOrangutan Bornean SSPOrangutan Sumatran SSPSiamang SSPSpider Monkey Central

American SSPTamarin Cotton-Top SSPTamarin Golden Lion SSPTamarin Golden-Headed

Lion SSPFrogmouth Tawny SSPHornbill Rhinoceros SSPJay Plush Crested SSPKingfisher Micronesian SSPMotmot Blue Crowned SSPMynah Bali SSPRail Guam SSPSpoonbill African SSPSunbittern SSPVulture King SSPBear Polar SSPBongo Eastern SSPCheetah SSPEland Common SSPElephant SSPGiraffe Reticulated SSP

Hippopotamus SSPHyena Spotted SSPJaguar SSPKangaroo Red SSPKudu Greater SSPLeopard Snow SSPLion SSPMoose SSPPanda Red SSPRhinoceros Eastern Black SSPSea Lion California SSPSeal Harbor SSPTiger Amur SSPTree Kangaroo Matschie’s SSPWarthog SSPZebra Plains SSP

Amphibian TAGAquatic Invertebrate TAGChelonian TAGCrocodilian TAGFreshwater Fishes TAGLizard TAGMarine Fishes TAGSnake TAGTerrestrial Invertebrate TAGApe TAGBat TAGNew World Primate TAGOld World Monkey TAGPangolin Aardvark Xenarthra TAGProsimian TAGRodent Insectivore Lagomorph TAGSmall Carnivore TAGCharadriiformes TAGCiconiiformes and

Phoenicopteriformes TAGColumbiformes TAGCoraciiformes TAGGalliformes TAGPACCT TAG (Passerines)Parrot TAGPiciformes TAGRaptor TAG

Ratite and Tinamiformes TAGTuraco and Cuckoo TAGAntelope and Giraffe TAGBear TAGBison Buffalo Cattle TAGCanid and Hyaenid TAGCaprinae TAGDeer (Cervid/Tragulid) TAGElephant TAGEquid TAGFelid TAGMarine Mammal TAGMarsupial and Monotreme TAGRhinoceros TAGTapir TAGWild Pig Peccary and Hippo TAG

The Zoo’s scientific staff also are members of specialist groupsdevoted to the conservation and management of groups ofspecies. These are called Taxon Advisory Groups (TAGs).

The Milwaukee County Zoo participates in Species SurvivalPlans (SSP) and Taxon Advisory Groups (TAG) that exist for thespecies in our collection and closely related species, including:

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Lion cubs tackle Wisconsin snow,an enrichment item.

Professional Program ManagementZoo staff members hold management positions in national and international programs through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and other conservation entities. These management positions include:

• President - Academy of Veterinary Zoological Medicine Technicians• Director - Milwaukee Ape Heart Project • Manager - Bonobo Cardiovascular Database• Chairperson - Humboldt SSP, Veterinary Advisor: Bonobo SSP, Ape TAG, Ring-tailed lemur SSP, Humboldt

penguin SSP, Penguin TAG, Academy of Veterinary Zoological Medicine Technicians Examination Committee• Co-chair - Humboldt Penguin SSP• Vice-chair - AZA Annual Conference Program Committee• Management Group - Bonobo SSP• Steering Committee - Institution Data Management Advisor Group,

Freshwater Fish TAG, Lake Victoria Cichlid SSP, Great Ape Heart Project, Ape TAG• SSP Coordinator/Studbook Keeper/Point Person - Red Kangaroo, Yellow-backed Duiker,

Short-crested Rockhopper, Long-crested Rockhopper, Tayra, Striped Skunk, Canada Lynx• Zookeeper Advisor - Bonobo SSP • Scientific Advisory Board - Urban Ecology Center• Animal Care Manual Team - Penguin TAG, Ring-tailed Lemur• Accreditation Inspectors - Association of Zoos and Aquariums• Program Manager - American College of Zoological Medicine Residency Program • Co-editor - National American Association of Zookeepers Animal Keeper Forum• Reviewer - Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine• Treasurer - American Association of Zoo Veterinarians • Executive Committee - Association of Zoo Veterinary Technicians• Research Advisory Committee - Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake• Information Resources Committee - American Association of Zoo Veterinarians• Education Committee - Elephant Managers Association• Enrichment Committee - Elephant Managers Association• Ethics Committee - Association of Zoo Veterinary Technicians• Grants Committee - Association of Zoo Veterinary Technicians, National American

Association of Zookeepers • Conservation Committee - National American Association of Zookeepers• Animal Welfare Committee - Liaison between National AAZK and AZA

In addition, many members of the Zoo staff are officers of the Milwaukee Chapter of the American Association of Zookeepers (AAZK).

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Hippo

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Exhibit RenovationsThe Northwestern Mutual Foundation provided funds for a complete renovation of the Northwest MutualFamily Farm entrance. The entrance features an out-door museum display of antique, horse-drawn farmequipment, a 100-year-old grain wagon that visitorscan climb on, a working hand-operated water pumpand signage of how these items were used by ourfarming ancestors. Additional improvements will be made in 2013.

• MillerCoors has pledged a 4-year grant for therenovation of our Black Bear Exhibit, with emphasison the importance of clean water, water conservationand the natural habitats which depend on water. The2012 funds were principally devoted to the installa-tion of a state-of-the-art filter system that cleansand circulates the bears’ pool water, enhances theexhibit waterfall, and saves the Zoo hundreds ofthousands of gallons of water each year.

• The City of Wauwatosa, with the aid of project contractors, donated several large ash trees that needed to be removed for an infrastructure project.These trees were installed as props for animal enrichment at Brown Bear, Grizzly Bear, American Black Bear, Polar Bear and Macaque Island Exhibits.

Facilities ImprovementsA considerable number of animal area infrastructure projects were completed in 2012. Most of these are not noticed by the public, but are critical for the continued operation of the Zoo and the well-being of the animal collection. The projects included: animal life support systems, heating, ventilating, electrical and plumbing upgrades, roof replacements and other behind-the-scenes renovations.

American black bear

Administration and FinanceBackground and 2012 ReviewThis Division oversees the following: Cash Management, Financial and Capital Project Planning, Accounts Payable and Receivable, Personnel and Payroll, General Office Services(including coordination of security, emergencymedical support, reception and switchboard,radio dispatch and clerical support), InformationTechnology, Employee Safety and Training andoversight of the Zoo’s Green Committee. TheSection also completed the 2012 year-end financials review and submitted the year-end financial report. The Zoo ended the year with a tax levy deficit of $549,004 and had an increase of $40,877 in the Zoo trust funds.

Cash ManagementThis Section’s responsibilities include reconciliation of cash receipts to our point-of-sale system, preparation of the bank deposits,preparation of cash register starting banks anddaily support of the cashiers for change and deposits of funds, processing of contract riderevenues and improved monitoring of cashierdiscrepancies. In 2012, a new cashier cashcounting room was set-up to assist with tighten-ing internal controls. The new procedure haseach area count its starting funds within thecamera-controlled areas outside the Cash Room.

Financial and Capital Project Planning and ControlThis Section involves coordination of the budgetprocess. Balancing the budget is challengingwhen support is reduced, while service, as wellas entertainment values are expected to bemaintained, and new revenue sources are explored and priorities re-evaluated. The 2013Special Exhibit contract was negotiated duringthe year. Financial reporting and analysis contin-ued to be performed on a daily, monthly and annual basis, with comparisons to the budget as well as to the previous year. Revenue sharingcontracts were improved to enhance vendor accountability. The review of the Zoo’s revenuecontracts started in 2012 to improve languageconsistency and accountability.

Accounting (Accounts Payable and Receivable)During 2012, Accounts Payable and Receivableprocessed contracts, purchasing requisitions and receipts, monitored the credit card system,reviewed sales documentation, prepared invoices, tracked accounts receivable and entered financial transactions into the generalledger. During the year, significant effort was put toward improving utilization of the auto-mated purchasing function in the point-of-salesystem. The item master was streamlined, and vendor contract information has been used to facilitate ordering of the necessary concessions and catering items. Accounting staff have been instrumental in identifyingdiscrepancies and assisting with problem resolution. Effective coordination of travel

requests and expenditures continue to help the Zoo control these costs. The Zoo filled its Accountant II position in 2012 by promotingone of the Concession area’s most effective seasonal supervisors. The Accountant II hasbeen especially helpful assisting areas impactedby job transfers and medical leaves.

Information Technology (IT)Information Technology functions were providedby Zoo staff, Milwaukee County’s Department of Administration – Information ManagementServices (IMSD) and outside consultants. Theyear 2012 marked the first full year for the Zoo’snew IT position. It was filled through IMSD to directly support the Zoo. The Zoo has continuedto partner with a variety of IMSD technical staffresources to assist primarily with the point-of-sale, inventory and event management systems.The IMSD staff helped control the Zoo’s expensesby troubleshooting most register issues for thesystem on site, rather than contacting an outsidevendor for support.

The Zoo IT position has allowed for continuedimprovement in set-up, usage and monitoring of financial information through point-of-saleand Milwaukee County financial systems. Usageof the Internet Supply Store was enhanced forthe Commissary, and inventory modifications continue for the Stockroom and resale items.

Staff attended the point-of-sale conference during the summer, allowing for both networkingopportunities as well as a greater understandingof the system.

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Green CommitteeThe Milwaukee County Zoo has implemented recycling programs and conservation-minded projects for many years. Recycling efforts includecell phones, printer cartridges, aluminum cans,light bulbs, food and motor oils, scrap metals,restaurant cups, plastic bottles and paper and coffee grinds. The Zoo’s energy savings program of upgraded electrical, natural gas, water andsewer infrastructure continues to produce savingsin utilities. The Zoo also has used green-friendlypractices in building construction and other projects.

Human ResourcesThe Human Resources Section consists of theHuman Resources Coordinator, AdministrativeSpecialist and a seasonal Payroll Assistant. Responsibilities include coordinating and performing a variety of technical and professionalpersonnel-related tasks. General duties performedentail managing the payroll and human resourcesfunction to include grievance handling, recruitment,

promotion, training, disciplinary actions, transfers, employee benefits and departmental diversity issues.

Also, the Human Resources Coordinator represents the Zoo as part of committees, appeal boards and meetings and hearings related to various personnel issues.

Highlights from 2012 include:• Took part in job fairs in Milwaukee

County to ensure a diverse work force• Worked together with the Milwaukee

County Department of Human Resources to process applications and hire Zooworkers and Family Farm Attendants

• Worked together with the MilwaukeeCounty Department of Human Resources to enable the Zoo to advertise current “hot jobs” on the County website

• Received the 2012 D.R.E.A.M Award(Diversity Rewards Employees and Milwaukee County)

• Assisted in the hiring of 12 individuals for full-time employment with the Zoo

• Worked in cooperation with the MilwaukeeCounty Department of Human Resources to inform, train and provide guidance to Zooemployees regarding Milwaukee County’stime and attendance, payroll, benefits and recruitment system

Diversity CommitteeThe Diversity Committee is a group formedwithin the parameters of the Human ResourcesSection with a primary function of providingopportunities for better understanding of civil rights by Zoo personnel.

The Diversity Committee consists of seven representatives from various Divisions who annually make recommendations concerningequal opportunities for all employees regard-less of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, handicap andother non-merit factors.

The committee acts as a resource for all Zoostaff by providing information and addressingparticular concerns or complaints. Members attend quarterly training sessions that empha-size diversity-related issues in the workplace.Committee members also provide outreachthrough activities that promote diversity in the workplace.

Polar bear recyclingbins made from recycled plastic.

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Safety and TrainingThe Safety and Training Section is comprised of the Safety and TrainingSpecialist and a seasonal Training Assistant. This Section is responsible for instructing Zoo employees in regulatory compliance, customer service, security and emergency response programming and training.The Section also is responsible for maintaining first aid kits, fire extinguishers and emergency chemical exposure stations. In addition,assessing workplace hazards, developing safe work practices andassigning proper personal protective equipment are tasks assigned to this Section.

This Section also coordinates and provides identification badges and distributes employee uniforms, and conducts annual seasonal orientations, informing Zoo seasonal staff of workplace policies andprocedures. The Section performs routine hazardous waste removaland storage and identification audits to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) management, pesticide usagereports and annual Tier II reports are processed and completed by thisSection. The Safety and Training Specialist and the assistant are respon-sible for accident investigation and on-site security system maintenance,along with Zoo Access Control and surveillance programming.

State and federal compliance regulations mandate the annual safety training programming conducted by this Section. In addition to requiredprogramming, the Safety Section continues to promote the annual Employee Safety and Health Fair. The following topics were presentedat the 2012 Fair: Emergency Response and Drills, Confined SpaceAwareness, Cutting Safety, Tool/Equipment Safety, Zoonosis, ElectricalSafety, Accident Statistics, Golf Cart Training, Thinking Well, Self Defense, Active Shooter, Risk Management, Blood Borne Pathogens, and Fire Extinguisher Training.

Employee Safety and Health Fair

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Public Affairs and Services2012 HighlightsThe Public Affairs and Services Division consists of four Sections: GroupSales, Public Relations, Special Events and Special Programs. In additionto these areas, the Division is responsible for the overall marketing, promotion and advertising of the Zoo. The staff includes: a Division Director, four Coordinators, four full-time staff and approximately 50 seasonal Zooworkers.

Group SalesThe Zoo’s Group Sales Section managesmore than 600 events annually. Theseevents are a mix of corporate, non-profitand private events held throughout Zoo grounds.

Events can be held during any month of the year, and may include a building rental such as the Peck Welcome Center or Zoofari ConferenceCenter, which are ideal for the corporate daytime meeting or after-hoursparty or wedding reception. A picnic site can host groups of 50 to 5,000,or an entire Zoo grounds rental also is available, in which an organizationhas exclusive rights to the park.

The Zoo’s Group Sales Section also is responsible for Children’s BirthdayParties, Group Tours and Advanced Consignment Ticket Sales that aresold and distributed throughout Wisconsin.

In 2012, the Zoo added the Jungle Party Room, located in the OttoBorchert Family Special Exhibits Building. This unique space is speciallydesigned and dedicated to children’s birthday parties.

These events and ticket sales continue to have a positive financial impact on the Zoo’s fiscal revenue and attendance budget.

Special EventsEach year, the Public Affairs and Services Division coordinates more than 16 special events held on Zoo grounds, drawing more than 167,000visitors. Here are a few highlights from the year:

Behind the Scenes Weekend – March 10 & 11This unique annual event gives visitors the opportunity to see areas of the Zoo which are not normally open to the public. In 2012, several new areas wereadded to the Zoo tours, which includedgiraffe treatment areas and the indoorhippo stalls. New demonstrationsrounded out the event, and included:

scuba diving in the Aquatic and ReptileCenter and iPad interaction with zookeepers and orangutans in Primates of the World.Attendance: 14,280

Party for the Planet – May 19 & 20Sponsored by American Transmission CompanyThis event, held in recognition of Earth Day, highlights all things “green!” The weekend’s activities included: a migration game, woodcarving demonstrations, scrap metal and cell phone recycling and bird banding, to mention a few. New this year, many of the activitiesfocused on polar bears, and the increasingly urgent need to save theirhabitats due to a changing climate. A special polar bear exhibit with artifacts and literature was offered and the annual migration game focused on the journeys of Arctic polar bears.Attendance: 18,242

Private event setting Behind the scenes at hippos

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel a la Carte – August 16-19Our annual “Feast with the Beasts” once again proved to be the largest attraction on the Zoo’s special event lineup. With more than 25 restaurantsoffering tasty menu items and a variety of local and national entertainment,our visitors were treated to one of the best summer happenings in the city.National headliners included: Los Lonely Boys and the BoDeans, and newrestaurants Hue Vietnamese and Jake’s Deli, were welcomed into the a la Carte “family.”Attendance: 74,507

Breakfast and Lunch with Santa – December 1-2, 8-9, 15-16Sponsored by Racine Danish KringlesA huge number of kids and their families joined us for the holiday meals with Santa. Offered over three weekends, breakfasts were served on Saturdays only, and Sundays featured both breakfast and lunch with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Children enjoyed entertainment by Fred Turk while dining in our festively decorated Peck Welcome Center.Attendance: 2,300 (Sold-out)

“Feast with the Beasts”Los Lonely Boys (Left)

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Public Affairs and ServicesSpecial ProgramsThe Special Programs Section of the Milwaukee County Zoo is responsiblefor overseeing these areas: Supercuts Oceans of Fun Seal and Sea LionShow, our temporary summer special exhibits and audiovisual services. In addition, this Section works directly with the Zoological Society, servingas the liaison for all Zoological Society events taking place at the Zoo.

Following are the 2012 highlights:

• The Supercuts Oceans of Fun Seal and Sea Lion Show is a 20-minutepresentation sponsored by Supercuts, which entertains and educates visitors about seals and sea lions through a live animal show. The showsgenerated more than $195,000 in revenue for the year, and welcomed53,099 visitors.

• Also during the summer, the Zoo hosted the exhibit, “Adventure Dinosaur!”sponsored by Sendik’s Food Markets. The hugely popular exhibit wasdisplayed outdoors from May 26 through September 3, and featured a variety of dinosaur species built to their real-life specifications. More than 194,000 visitors encountered these prehistoric creatures during the summer. The Special Programs Section coordinated and supervisedexhibit staff.

• The Special Programs Section continued its partnership with the Zoological Society, serving as a liaison to facilitate all of the Society’sevents that took place on Zoo grounds. This partnership serves tostrengthen the overall relationship between the Zoo and theZoological Society.

• Finally, Zoo operations were enhanced by the efforts of the AudiovisualSection. Areas served included: the Animal Division, Public Relations,Group Sales and Special Events. Photos, videos and visual presentationswere used for newspaper and magazine articles, animal identification,Zoo website, marketing and promotional campaigns, collateral piecesand the audiovisual needs for Group Sales clients.

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Public Affairs and ServicesMedia RelationsIn 2012, the Zoo received positive media coverage from broadcast, print and electronic media outlets.

Following are a few media highlights from the year:

Each month of the year, the Zoo was featured on FOX-6 Wake-up News as a regularsegment, spotlighting a particular animal and zookeeper. Some of the animals whomade appearances included: a potto, Flemish giant rabbit, sea stars, straw-coloredfruit bat, barn owl and a purple sea urchin. These regular features proved to be verypopular with Wake-up News viewers.

• The Zoo was regularly featured on many of the morning news programs, including“Real Milwaukee” on FOX-6 and Channel 12 News This Morning. Topics includedthe new sea lion pup, Colby, at the Supercuts Oceans of Fun Seal and Sea LionShow, our new jaguar cubs and new female hyena at the Florence Mila BorchertBig Cat Country, and a behind the scenes look at our grizzly bears preparing forwinter hibernation.

• The Zoo’s Master plan project was featured on a continuing basis in several publications including: The Business Journal, The Biz Times and the MilwaukeeJournal Sentinel.

• Throughout 2012, new animal additions, including the critically endangeredMatschie’s tree kangaroo, were featured in the AZA magazine, Connect. This monthly member publication serves the national zoo and aquarium professional community.

• The monthly magazine, Wisconsin Woman, profiled three of our female employees, and highlighted the important work they do here at the Zoo. Featured in the June issue were: Area Supervisor of North America/Australia,Dawn Fleuchaus; Veterinarian Technician, Margaret Michaels; Deputy Zoo Director/Administration and Finance, Vera Westphal; and Vehicle Machine Operator, Bo Kueny.

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Operations2012 HighlightsThe Milwaukee County Zoo’s Operations Department consists of the following Divisions:Visitor Services, Concessions and Catering,Grounds and Horticulture, Maintenance andTrades, Custodial, Merchandising and Warehouseand Time and Material/Major Maintenance/Capital Project Construction Management.

Visitor Services:This Section meets and greets guests upon entering the Zoo, providing them with informa-tion essential to their visit. In 2012, the VisitorServices staff admitted more than 1.3 million visitors to the Zoo. This Section’s responsibilitiesinclude: collecting fees for admission and parking, operating the miniature train, carousel,zoomobile, stroller rentals, sky safari and themold-a-rama machines. This Section also oversees dog kennels and the camel and ponyrides. The Visitor Services Division is comprisedof two full-time Managers, two full- time TrainEngineers, one seasonal Engineer/Welder and more than 60 seasonal employees.

In our annual visitor survey, conducted by the Public Affairs and Services Division, manyguests commented our Zoo was very clean and organized with regard to overall appearance.Further, nearly 82% of the total sample surveyedsaid they were “very satisfied” with their currentexperience at the Zoo.

2012 Highlights:• Rebuilt train crossing• Worked with the Grand Avenue Club, which

is designed to assist individuals with specialneeds to enter the workplace and increasetheir level of self-esteem as well as their independence

• Provided staff support for all events that occurred during regular Zoo hours or after-hours events in conjunction with Group Sales, Public Affairs, Education and Zoological Society Divisions

MerchandisingThe Merchandising Section is responsible forgenerating revenue through shop sales, vendingmachines and shared contracts. The Sectionmonitors inventory levels, purchasing, displaying,pricing and stocking of all merchandise. The staffis pivotal in supporting the switchboard operation(all communications) for the Zoo on weekends,night events and special events.

The staff consists of one Operations DivisionManager, one full-time Manager and approxi-mately 50 seasonal employees. The revenuefrom the shops is generated by two year-roundshops and 10 seasonal kiosks throughout the Zoo. The revenue generated from vending comes from photo, medallion, claw machine,foot massage and penny press machines. Revenue shared contracts consist of face painting, temporary tattoos, caricatures, ropes course, climbing wall, zip line and entryway photos.

In 2012, we expanded our program for individualswith special needs, as six seasonal positionswere filled by students with special needs fromarea high schools, and three adults from theGrand Avenue Club. These individuals were hiredthrough a work-study program in which schoolswere on site weekly for two hours with theirclass to work and study job skills. This programhas been a huge success to help prepare students for future employment, and learn to be self sufficient.

The year’s success was accomplished by the help of our seasonal supervisors and front-linestaff. We had great success with the temporarygift shop located at Adventure Dinosaur! whichincluded a fossil dig and a 50-foot merchandisetent. A new garden store, added in 2012, sur-passed revenue projections. We also benefittedfrom above budget revenue for sidewalk carts,special exhibits, bear carts, photo booths andgroup sales.

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Grounds and HorticultureIn 2012, the Horticulture Section planted about 40,000 annuals, perennials,woody shrubs and trees. In addition, we coped with one of the driest andwarmest summer seasons on record. Despite this challenge, we were ableto maintain our public green space by adding and repairing turf in wornareas, and creating areas for future naturalization with removal of invasiveplant species.

We also welcomed a new full-time forestry employee to take on the responsibility of tree care. We created prehistoric-looking planting areas to display at the summer “Adventure Dinosaur!”, and helped to re-theme theentrance to the Family Farm with the landscaping focused on a traditionalWisconsin farmstead. To add to the year’s activity, we created new decora-tive Easter scenes for Egg Day, were involved in Halloween preparationsand festively decorated the Zoo for the Christmas season.

Our main efforts regarding the Animal Division included sourcing and distributing browse, providing plants for enrichment and caring for indoor tropical plantings.

MaintenanceA considerable amount of infrastructure work is completed each year bythe Maintenance Division. While most projects are not noticeable to thepublic, they are critical to daily Zoo operations. Maintaining the buildings,grounds, exhibits and public areas are vital to overall operations.

Behind-the-scenes electrical, plumbing, welding, HVAC and general maintenance include operation of HVAC and Metasys interface computerboards, repairing animal exhibits, animal life support systems, maintaininglighting, including green initiative lamps to help reduce the impact on theenvironment and reduce utility costs. This Division handles emergencycalls on a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week schedule and works with outside vendors to maintain all of the buildings and grounds making it safe and comfortable for our visitors.

2012 Construction Project Highlights:

-Replacement of train garage roof-Stormwater and manhole restoration project-Construction of Peck Welcome Center glass vestibule and installation of new rooftop HVAC units

-Exit drive asphalt replacement-Sea lion filter room upgrade-Deep well pump replacement project-Replacement compressors for air conditioning units at Flamingo Café and Zoofari Conference Center

-Rain garden installations-Concrete permeable paver installations-Sea Lion Concessions roof replacement-Family Farm entrance upgrade

2012 dinosaurspecial exhibit

Stockroom OperationsThe Stockroom’s major responsibility is to support all of our revenue-generating operations. The operation consists of one full-time Supervisor and eight seasonal associates. Main functions of the Stockroom include: ordering, shipping, receiving, delivering and monitoring of inventory controls.

The employees of the Stockroom work closely with all Zoo departments in support of their daily needs. The Stockroom works directly with Concessions, Catering, Group Sales, Special Events, Merchandising and the Zoological Society on a daily basis. The Stockroom stores food, beverage, merchandise and administrative products. The Division works to ensure all health and sanitation standards are achieved, and maintains a clean and safe working environment.

CustodialThe Custodial Section is responsible for keeping buildings clean for both our visitors and staff. Custodians also work with vendorsand event managers from small companies to large corporationsas well as the Group Sales Division. The Section works to ensure that the event plans and preparation requests are met for each client’s function.

Concessions and CateringThe Concessions and Catering operation provides our guests withfood, beverages, snacks and personable service. The diverse staffconsists of up to 180 seasonal associates and two full-time FoodService Managers. The operation has nine permanent concession facilities, four popcorn wagons, 45 vending machines and seven beverage and snack carts located throughout the grounds.

Sea lion concessions 39

Woodland concessions

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Operating Expenses (Financials)

RevenuesTotal Admissions $6,227,714 $4,758,569 $(1,469,145)

Less Group Sales $1,580,207 $1,098,937 $(481,270)Net Operational Admissions $4,647,507 $3,659,632 $(987,875)Concessions $4,256,353 $3,983,291 ($273,062)Catering $151,848 $157,744 $5,896 Novelties $1,903,675 $1,837,718 ($65,957)Parking $3,061,447 $2,960,197 ($101,250)Special Exhibit Admissions $389,293 $406,351 $17,058 Sea Lion Show $195,819 $137,015 ($58,804)Vending Machine Commissions $313,400 $226,820 ($86,580)Strollers $130,000 $105,751 ($24,249)Animal Rides $60,000 $51,578 ($8,423)Total Group Sales $2,492,343 $1,904,958 ($587,385)Carousel $221,252 $184,226 ($37,026)SkyRide $251,722 $140,214 ($111,508)Society Memberships $238,771 $376,532 $137,761 Donations $196,000 $196,618 $618 Other Private Funding $832,440 $782,440 ($50,000)Sponsorships $275,500 $239,983 ($35,517)Miscellaneous Revenue $602,686 $454,338 ($148,348)Performance Contract Escrow $0 $0 $0 Sales Tax ($525,000) ($441,490) $83,510 TOTAL REVENUES $19,695,056 $17,363,914 ($2,331,142)

Zoological Department (Unaudited) 2012 Adjusted Budget

2012Actual Year-to-Date Variance ( ) = Deficit

ExpendituresPersonnel Services $8,153,097 $7,781,188 $371,909 Fringe Benefits $4,833,319 $4,801,354 $31,965 Contractural Services $5,920,126 $5,248,307 $671,819 Internal Service Charges $1,741,332 $1,651,088 $90,244 Commodities $3,560,118 $3,123,231 $436,887 Depreciation $0 $0 $0 Capital Outlay $575,152 $395,838 $179,314Other Expenditures $0 $0 $0 TOTAL EXPENDITURES $24,783,144 $23,001,006 $1,782,138

TAX LEVY $5,088,088 $5,637,092 ($549,004)ATTENDANCE 1,350,000 1,332,395 (17,605)

Specimen Trust

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RevenuesZoomobile Revenue $102,185 $61,478 ($40,708)

Miniature Train Revenue $660,000 $646,759 ($13,241)

Earnings on Investments $1,700 $438 ($1,262)

Donations and Reserve Contribution $95,987 $7,388 ($88,600)

Other Revenue $79,367 $55,589 ($23,778)

Sales Tax ($35,000) ($30,661) $4,339

TOTAL REVENUES $904,239 $740,991 ($163,248)

ExpendituresPersonnel Services $361,358 $290,688 $70,670

Fringe Benefits $82,240 $82,240 $0

Contractual Services $262,217 $182,994 $79,223

Internal Service Charges $1,676 $0 $1,676

Commodities $36,590 $44,076 ($7,486)

Conservation Projects $15,000 $0 $15,000

Capital Outlay $149,157 $106,840 $42,317

TOTAL EXPENDITURES $908,238 $706,838 $201,400

NET INCOME (LOSS) ($3,999) $34,153 $38,152

Fund Balance January 1, 2012 $670,394

Net Income $34,153

Fund Balance December 31, 2012 $704,547

RevenuesEarnings on Investments $4,109 $186 ($3,923)

Animal Sales/Milk Sales $16,200 $14,788 ($1,412)

Giraffe Experience $26,376 $18,365 ($8,012)

Gifts & Donations $1,500 $1,467 ($33)

Other Miscellaneous Revenue $0 $0 $0

Reserve Contribution $0 $0 $0

TOTAL REVENUE $48,185 $34,806 ($13,379)

ExpendituresContractual Services $38,446 $26,747 $11,699

Commodities $12,095 $1,334 $10,761

Internal Service Charges $0 $0 $0

TOTAL EXPENDITURES $50,541 $28,081 $22,460

NET INCOME (LOSS) ($2,356) $6,724 $9,080

Fund Balance January 1, 2012 $202,705

Net Income $6,724

Fund Balance December 31, 2012 $209,429

ZOO TRUST FUNDS

Total Trust Revenue 2012 $775,797

Less Total Trust Expenditures 2012 ($734,919)

2012 NET INCOME (LOSS) $40,877

Operating ExpensesZoo Trust Funds (Unaudited)

2012 Adjusted Budget

2012Actual Year-to-Date

Variance( ) = Deficit

2012 AdjustedBudget

2012Actual Year-

to-DateVariance

( ) = DeficitRailroad Trust

Financial Summary Zoological Society of Milwaukee County (ZSM) – Year ending September 30, 2012

SUPPORT & REVENUEMEMBERSHIP DUESfrom all Zoo Pass and Platypus Circle members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,948,973

CONTRIBUTIONStoward capital projects, specific programs and support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $613,220

SPECIAL EVENTS PROGRAMS/SPONSORSHIPSincluding animal sponsorship, Zoo Ball, education, ZSM and Zoo special events, and sponsorships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,403,062

INTEREST INCOME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $45,807

GRANTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $694,746

TOTAL SUPPORT & REVENUE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9,705,808

COST OF SUPPORT AND REVENUE (Support Services)MEMBERSHIP DUESExpense of providing benefits to all Zoo Pass and Platypus Circle members. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,574,563

SPECIAL EVENTS/PROGRAMSExpense of providing and promoting ZSM special events/programs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $456,639

TOTAL COST OF SUPPORT & REVENUE(Support Services) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,031,202

EXPENSESDIRECT PROJECT COSTSExpenses relative to capital projectsand specific programs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $210,943

ZOO SUPPORTDirect cash and in-kind support to the Milwaukee County Zoo, expense of providing, promoting and supporting education, graphics, special-exhibitprojects, and Zoo special events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6,370,031

RESEARCH/CONSERVATIONExpenses relating to state, national and international programs supporting species preservation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $585,930

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVEExpenses relating to daily ZSM operations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $397,737

TOTAL EXPENSES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,564,641

TOTAL COST OF SUPPORT AND EXPENSES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9,595,843

61%

25%

7%

7%

MEMBERSHIP DUES: 61%

SPECIAL EVENTS/PROGRAMS: 25%

CONTRIBUTIONS: 7%

GRANTS: 7%

ZOO SUPPORT, CAPITAL & DIRECT PROJECT COSTS: 69%

SUPPORT SERVICES: 21%

RESEARCH/CONSERVATION: 6%

GENERAL & ADMINISTRATIVE: 4%

69%

21%

6%

4%

Receipts

Expenses

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The Milwaukee County Zoo and the Zoological Society of MilwaukeeA Public-Private PartnershipThe mission of the Zoological Society of Milwaukee is to participate in conserving endangered species, to educate people about the importance of wildlife and the environment, and to support the Milwaukee County Zoo.

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Zoological Society Support of the Milwaukee County ZooThe Zoological Society of Milwaukee(ZSM) provided total Zoo support in2011-2012 of $6,580,974 (including direct project costs). Telling the stories of the Zoo’s animals as we raise funds to help support them is just part of what we do.

For example, January 2012 marked the30th anniversary of the Zoo’s SamsonStomp and Romp, a winter run-walk in memory of Samson, the Zoo’s mostfamous gorilla (who died in 1981). TheZoological Society got involved by recruiting sponsors for this and otherZoo events, providing volunteer help and by telling the stories of Samson and other animals in ZSM publications.Zoo Pride, the ZSM’s volunteer auxiliary,added to the story when Zoo Prider Darlene Winter helped celebrate 61years of affection for Samson by writingthe 2012 book “I Remember Samson.”She dedicated book profits to the GreatApe Heart Project, an ape-health studythat the ZSM helps support. The April2012 Alive, the ZSM’s member magazine,featured a story on that project. Storieson the Samson book and Samson Stompappeared in Wild Things, the ZSM membernewsletter. And Wild Things marked its 100th issue in June 2012.

Particularly good at telling the story ofconservation is the ZSM’s conservationcoordinator, Dr. Gay Reinartz. She directsthe Bonobo and Congo Biodiversity Initiative (BCBI), the ZSM’s long-termproject to help the endangered bonobo,a great ape found in the wild only in theDemocratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Dr. Reinartz has promoted bonobo conservation for more than 25 years,spending at least six months a year inDRC’s Salonga National Park conductingfield research, training guards and help-ing protect wildlife. BCBI strives to be amodel of how to conserve endangeredanimals while providing assistance toimprove the lives of people who livenearby. In 2012, Dr. Reinartz received the Excellence in Journalism Award from the American Association of ZooKeepers for an article titled Perspectivesin Poaching: A Park Guard’s Story. Her article detailed the daily reality of parkguards who put their lives at risk.

The Zoological Society helps animalsand the Zoo in a variety of ways, ofcourse. The ZSM’s total Zoo support in2011-2012 was $6,580,974, and the majority of the ZSM’s income came from$5,328,243 in Zoo Pass memberships.For a financial summary, see page 42.Here are summaries of various ways the ZSM supported the Zoo. • Annual Appeal: The ZSM’s annual

appeal raised $176,585 to install Webcams in several indoor animal exhibitsand to provide cash support to the Zoo.

• Conservation and research: The ZSMspent $535,494, including support ofthe ZSM’s bonobo-conservation projectin Africa, which helps the Zoo to meetits commitment to conservation. Aspart of the Zoo’s mission and also foraccreditation with the Association ofZoos and Aquariums, the Zoo supportsconservation efforts in the field to helpendangered species. The ZSM providesfinancial support to several of thoseprojects, many involving Zoo staff. Andthe ZSM supports the Bonobo SpeciesSurvival Plan, headed by Dr. Reinartz, to help manage bonobos’ health andbreeding in zoos.

• Exhibits and buildings: The ZSM gave $260,710 in direct cash supportto Zoo exhibits, including $50,000 for the 2012 special summer exhibit: Adventure Dinosaur, sponsored bySendik’s Food Markets. The ZSM helpedupgrade the Bonobo Exhibit ($20,619)and the Black Bear Exhibit ($44,063,thanks to a grant from MillerCoors).Also, the ZSM donated payments formaintenance contracts on various Zoo buildings ($144,028).

• Fundraisers run by the ZSM Associate Board: The 29th annual Zoo Ball, sponsored by AmericanAirlines, raised more than $476,000.

The 23rd Annual MillerCoors Birdiesand Eagles Golf Tournament raised$115,216. All other fundraisers by the Associate Board raised $192,590.

• Platypus Circle: Members of the ZSM’s annual-giving group donatedmore than $620,730 in cash or in-kindservices to help the Zoo.

• Publications, websites and socialmedia: The ZSM produced publicationsand other materials that promoted Zoo events, exhibits and conservation programs. The ZSM’s website, whichaveraged 23,873 visits per month in2011-2012, provided Zoo and animalinformation – as did the ZSM’s Facebookpage, Twitter and YouTube channel.The ZSM also helped maintain theZoo’s website.

• Signs, videos, interactive displays,Zoo printed materials, special projects: The ZSM’s CreativeDepartment provides graphics anddesign support to the Zoo and ZSM.

• Sponsors, grantors & supporters:The ZSM acquires sponsors for mostof the Zoo’s major events and attrac-tions, and ZSM 2011-’12 direct cashsponsorship support to the Zoo was$311,767. Grants supporting educa-tion and conservation programs, andother projects brought in $694,746last year. Additional support of$396,669 funded the ZSM’s live theater program (see Education section). In December 2011, the ZSM was awarded $32,841 by thePotawatomi Bingo Casino Miracle onCanal Street program; the funds wentto support ZSM education programsserving children from economicallydisadvantaged areas of Milwaukee.

• The ZSM’s Sponsor an Animal program raised $160,599 in the lastfiscal year to support the Zoo’s animals.

• Veterinary help: The ZSM provided$112,629 in funds to the Zoo’s veteri-nary staff by paying for veterinary residents ($52,457), a pathology resident ($54,172), and an animal-nutrition intern ($6,000).

• Volunteer help: Zoo Pride volunteershelped with events, education pro-grams, Zoo tours, etc. Between 1993and early 2012, Zoo Pride’s conserva-tion committee raised nearly $55,000through the sale of S.O.S. – Save OurSpecies – buttons to support conser-vation projects. Of 597 Zoo Pride volunteers, 433 active members donated 46,973.5 hours in 2011-’12.In addition, high school student volun-teers contributed 2,943 volunteerhours to help adults with 2012 summer camps.

• Additional cash support: The ZSM provided $337,575 to the Zoo in a Zoo Pass price increase and $424,365additional cash support to the Zoo.

The Zoological Society’s Education Programs at the ZooBy offering extensive education programsnearly year-round, the ZSM helps theZoo maintain national accreditation bythe Association of Zoos and Aquariums.In total, ZSM conservation-educationprograms served 302,021 people in fiscal year 2011-’12. A summary:

Kohl’s Wild TheaterOn the heels of an excellent inauguralsummer season, Kohl’s Wild Theater(KWT) continued its success by launch-ing outreach programming. From October 2011 through September 2012,teams of actors delivered 637 showsfeaturing a wildlife conservation mes-sage at schools and community events.Over 83,000 audience members wereserved in this period, making KWT oneof the most expansive educational theater programs in the United States. In May 2012, KWT began its second season of live plays at the MilwaukeeCounty Zoo, featuring new shows andpast favorites. In summer, also, threenew outreach shows were developed todebut in October 2012. For informationon KWT, go to wildtheater.org.

Summer Camps The Zoological Society’s summer camps,one of the largest zoo- or aquarium-based camp programs in the U.S., in2012 drew 11,231 participants:

8,570 children (ages 2-14) and 2,661parents in 529 camp sessions. Summercollege-student internships provided20 students (including three college-student teaching interns) hands-on jobtraining, thanks, in part, to support fromthe Antonia Foundation, the Jerome andDorothy Holz Family Foundation, theAlice Kadish Foundation and the Brady Corporation.

September-May Programs From September through May, the ZSMoffers classes for individuals ages 2-14as well as programs for school groupsthat help students with science require-ments set by the Wisconsin Departmentof Public Instruction. We also offer curricula and self-guided tours for allschool classes visiting the Zoo. In fiscalyear 2011-2012, the ZSM served nearly12,000 people in individual child or parent-child classes, 23,190 school-children* through ZSM-run programs atthe Zoo or presented at schools, and anadditional 85,494 schoolchildren whoused the Zoo as a science laboratory onfield trips and had ZSM curriculum avail-able during self-directed tours. Programsfor schoolchildren were funded in partby gifts from the Ladish Company Foundation; U.S. Bancorp Foundation;A.O. Smith Foundation, Inc.; Wells Fargo;the Posner Foundation; and ADM Cares.*(In addition to students reached by

Kohl’s Wild Theater outreach shows).

Scouting: The ZSM again expanded itsprograms to help children earn badgesor patches and served 487 Girl Scoutsand Boy Scouts in 2011-’12.

Programming for DisadvantagedYouth: 1) The Animal Ambassadorprogram teaches schoolchildren aboutwildlife conservation during a semester,and then they graduate to become ambassadors for animals. Thanks to corporate, foundation or civic-groupsponsors for each school, ZSM AnimalAmbassador and Continuum programs,which serve schools in economicallydisadvantaged neighborhoods, reached618 second-grade students and 723third-grade students at 12 schools, and 1,188 fourth-grade students at 21schools. An additional 623 students infive schools with smaller classes experi-enced a modified program. 2) SummerCamps special programs allowed 447 children from nine Milwaukee-areaneighborhood and community centersto attend ZSM 2012 camps, thanks to renewed support from U.S. Cellular®,the Evinrude Foundation, the PetersFoundation and the Milwaukee UrbanLeague’s Safe Alternatives for Youthfund. 3) A partnership with Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Greater Milwaukee and funding from U.S. Bankallowed the ZSM to arrange a day forthe 218 people (paired adults andchildren) to search the Zoo in a scavengerhunt, enjoy the attractions, and see Kohl’sWild Theater performances. The childrenalso received school supplies.

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Milwaukee County ExecutiveChris Abele

Milwaukee County Board ChairmanMarina Dimitrijevic ...........................4th District

Vice ChairPeggy Romo West .........................12th District

Board of SupervisorsDeanna Alexander.........................18th DistrictMark A. Borkowski .........................11th DistrictDavid Bowen....................................10th DistrictGerry Broderick .................................3rd DistrictDavid Cullen.....................................15th DistrictJohn Haas..........................................14th DistrictWillie Johnson, Jr. ..........................13th DistrictPatricia Jursik.....................................8th DistrictTheo Lipscomb ...................................1st DistrictKhalif Rainey ......................................2nd DistrictJim Schmitt..........................................6th DistrictAnthony Staskunas ...................... 17th DistrictSteve Taylor.........................................9th DistrictJohn F. Weishan, Jr.........................16th District

The Milwaukee County Zoo offers equal opportunities for employees and visitors alike.

10001 W. Bluemound RoadMilwaukee, WI 53226414.771.3040www.milwaukeezoo.org

Editor: Jennifer Diliberti-SheaDesigner: Roberta WeldonPhotographer: Michael Nepper

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