brandywine zoo news spring 2013

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In This Issue Earth Day Events Zoo Director Announces Retirement Andean Condors: Together At Last! The Monkeys of the Exotic Animal House Summer Teen Intern Program Spring 2013

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Page 1: Brandywine Zoo News Spring 2013

In This IssueEarth Day Events

Zoo Director Announces Retirement

Andean Condors: Together At Last!

The Monkeys of the Exotic Animal House

Summer Teen Intern Program

Spring 2013

Page 2: Brandywine Zoo News Spring 2013

On the Cover Pictured on our cover is our Golden Lion Tamarin. All of our monkeys come from different areas throughout Central and South America. Monkeys are very social animals and they communicate on various levels. One way they communicate is by vocalizing. It has been determined that some of these species have over 20 different vocalizations to relay different messages to each other.

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In ThIs Issuespecial events for school Groups . . . .2

Director Annouces Retirement . . . . . .3

Andean Condors: Together At Last . . 4-5

Donors to our 2012 Annual Fund . . . . . 5

Monkeys of the exotic Animal house 6-7

special event Photos . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9

Zhanna Goes to school . . . . . . . 10-11

summer Teen Internships . . . . . . . . .12

Kid’s Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Tiger Conservation Program . . . . . . .14

Reciprocal Zoos & Aquariums . . . . .15

Brandywine Zoo Calendar . . . . . . . .16

Delaware Zoological society Board of Directors

Michael AllenRaymond e . Bivens

Amy Colbourn, Vice President Diana DeBenedictis

Greg ellis Larry GehrkeLinda Gray

Dana Griffin Robert Grove, Treasurer

Deborah GrubbeJohn s . Malik

Megan McGlinchey, PresidentRon Mercer

susan W . Moran, secretaryArlene A . Reppa Richard Rothwell

Editor

nancy M . Falasco*sarah Zweigenbaum*

Photo CrEdits

nancy Falasco* Melody hendricks*Jennifer Lynchsharon smith*

dEsign/Printing

Professional Duplicating, Inc .

staff WritErs

Frances Borgers* Leslie simpson Brennan*nancy Falasco* Matt halterman* Melody hendricks*Janey Kramlik* Lynn Klein*Alyson Mack* Mary Peebles* sharon smith*Jacque Williamson*

The Zoo news is a publication of the Delaware Zoological society .

* Delaware state Parks staff Member

www.brandywinezoo.org

By Jacque Williamson, Zoo Naturalist, Delaware State Parks

Join us this spring for TWO fun, educational special events for schools! Our first event, Earth Day for Schools, is on Monday, April 22nd and will include conservation activities and lessons as well as Earth-Day themed games and crafts. Endangered Species Day, on Friday, May 17, is our second spring school event, and will focus on what YOU can do to help endangered species around the world. Both of these events are GREAT for schools, as chaperones can lead their groups around the zoo at their own pace, meet our educators and some of our animal ambassadors, as well as participate in interactive carts and games focusing on the day’s theme! Bring your school group for just $4 per person, which includes admis-sion to the zoo and program fees, to learn about animals, people, and the world around us.

Special Events for School Groups at Brandywine Zoo!

Program Dates: Monday, April 22nd, 10-1pm Earth Day for Schools (preregistration required by April 15th)

Friday, May 17th 10-12:30pm Endangered Species Day for Schools (preregistration required by May 13th)

Fee: $4 per person (includes zoo admission and programming)

In This IssueEarth day Events

Zoo director announces retirement

andean Condors: together at Last!

the Monkeys of the

Exotic animal house

summer teen intern Program

spring 2013

Page 3: Brandywine Zoo News Spring 2013

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IhavemadealifechangingdecisiontoretirefrommypositionasZooDirectorof theBrandywineZoohav-

ingservedthezoofor36½years.Thetimehasgonequicklyandtheyearshavebeen

extremelyrewardingandfun.Beingan“animalperson”atthestart,Iwillparticularlymissthezooanimals.Of course,I’llmissthestaff andallof theamazingindividualswhohavesupport-edthezoothroughouttheyears.

Iwillparticularlymissthelookof amazementinchildren’sfacesuponseeingourzooanimalsforthefirsttime.Ihavereflectedthatperhapsthatlookof amazement,thatconnection,

isthebeginningof alife-longloveof animalsanddesiretocarefor

themandconservetheirspeciesandhabitats–maybeeven

thesparkof theideatohavearewardingcareer

workingatazoo.

Iamsoveryproudof mystaff fortheirexcellentser-vicetothepublicandextraordinarycareandaccom-plishmentswiththeanimals.Withtheirdedicationandexcellence,theBrandywineZooisaccreditedbytheAssociationof ZoosandAquariums.Thisisnosmallachievement.

Therearesomanybeautifulmemoriesthatworkingatthezoohasgivenme.Iwillcherishthem.

AsIwrite,therearemanywonderfulchangesandeventsthatarebeingplannedforthefutureof thezoo.Itwillbesadformenottobeinvolvedintheseplans,butIamextremelyconfidentthatthestaff willcontinuetoprovideexcellentanimalcareandconservation,engagingeducationalprogramming;andof course,thezoowillcontinuetoremainafunandbeautifulplacetovisit.

Thankyouallforyoursupportof theBrandywineZoo.TogetherwehaveallmadetheBrandywineZoooneof thefinestsmallzoosinthecountry.

Announcing My RetirementByNancyFalasco,ZooDirector

TheDelawareZoologicalSocietyandtheFriendsof WilmingtonParkscollaboratedonMarch30thtopresentthesecondannualCherryBlossomRun.TheraceranthroughouttheBrandywine Park and finished withanawardsceremonyintheZoo.Over400runnersandwalkersparticipatedinthisevent.ShopRitedonatedlotsof foodandtheEasterBunnymadeanappearancetohandouttreatstoallof thechildren.

Nancy holds a baby Red Bellied Tamarin early in her career.

CherryBlossomRun!

Page 4: Brandywine Zoo News Spring 2013

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www.brandywinezoo.org

Andean Condors: Together At Last! ByJaneyKramlik,AnimalKeeperandLicensedVeterinaryTechnician,DelawareStateParks

LynnKleinAssistantCuratorof Animals,DelawareStateParks

ThelasttimetheZooNewsupdatedyouontheAndeanCondors(Vulturgryphus),MissGryphusandChavin,theirtrainerswereworkingongettingthemtocohabitatepeacefully.Forthoseof youwhomayhavemissedthatarticle,wewillbringyouuptospeed.

ChavinwassenttotheBrandywineZooasacompanionforMissGryphusinOctober2010.Aftersome“gettoknowyou”timethroughafencingbar-rier,thetwowereintroduced.Whatensuedatthatfirstmatchmakingattemptwaslessthanoptimal.InitiallyGryphuswastheaggressor,butthetablessoonturnedandChavinattemptedtotakecontrolof therelationship.Throughdailytrainingsessions,thecondors’trainers,LynnKleinandJaneyKramlik,alongwiththeconsulta-tionsof therenownedanimaltrainerPhungLuu,workedtobalancethescales.Involvementof otherkeeperswasbroughtintolearnbasicsof con-dortraining.Thiswasdonebecausewewereconductingdailytrainingses-sionsandJaneyandLynncannotworkeveryday,asmuchastheymaybewill-ingtodoso.Ittakesavillage(orentirekeeperstaff)totrainapairof condors.

Weusedoperantconditioningwithpositivereinforcementtotrainthebirdstodoavarietyof behaviorswhenasked,suchastarget(touchtheirbeaktoaspecificplace),station(standona“homebase”sotospeak),shiftbetweentheirholdingareaandexhibit,stepontoascaleforroutineweighing(veryimportantinanimalcare).Oneof themoreadvancedbehaviorstheyhavelearnedistoallowustoadministerinjectionsvoluntarily;ourbirdsreceiveroutinevaccinationstohelpkeepthemhealthy.Throughourtrainingefforts,thebirdsarehealthierbothmentallyandphysically.

Workingsocloselywiththemhasalsoaffordedustheoppor-tunitytounderstandtheindivid-ualbirdsandthespeciesbetter.ChavinwasverypeopleorientedandthiswasanobstacletoovercomebecauseweneededtoshifthisfocusandpositivebehaviorstowardsGryphus.Onetrainingsession,whenoneof thetrainerswasbetweenthebirds,Chavinbecameaggressivetowardsthetrainer.Thiswasourfirstbigsignthattheywerestartingtobond.Whileitmay

seemstrangetosaythataggressionwouldbepositive,thiswasagreatturningpointforourtrainingprogram.Wealsolearnedthatwehadtorestrictstaff fromtalkingtothebirdsonexhibitsothatbirdswouldfocusoneachotherandnotonus;theexceptiontothiswasduringtrainingsessions.

ThroughmanyadjustmentstotheCondorTrainingProgram,wereachedthepointwhereourtraininghadgiventhebirdsthefoundationtheyneededtoreachcohabitation.Itwastimetoletthebirdsworkitoutontheirown…sinkorswim.AndeanCondorsareveryrobustanimalswhotendtointeractratherroughlywitheachother.Whilewecontinuedtocloselymonitorthemonexhibitinincreasinglengthsof timetogether,we

werepreparedtoseparatethemif necessary.Thereweresome“holdyourbreath”momentsbutboth

birdsfiguredouthowtotelltheotherwhattheywanted.Asmuchaswewouldhavelovedtowatch

thecondorsalldaylong,wehavelotsof otherani-malstotakecareof.Therecameatimeinour

observationswhenwehadtowalkawayfromthecondorsandleavethemtotheirown

devices.Wethencalleduponeverystaff member(animalcare,administrative,retail,

andeducation)tokeepaneyeoutandnotifyusof anyconcerningbehavior

theymayhavewitnessed.Beforeweevenrealizedit,thepairwasstay-ingoutalldaytogetherwithout

Page 5: Brandywine Zoo News Spring 2013

James W. Allen, Jr.Dick & Ginny ApplebyAntoinette AyresBernard & Helen BalickMr. & Mrs. Glenn P. BarnhillWalt & Nancy BashawMrs. Georgina M. BissellMimi Boudart & Don CallenderNancy E. BradleyMr. & Mrs. Edward BrandenbergerBarb BurleighSenator CarperJane & Mike CastleJane ChecchiEmily ColonnaMarie-Eve & Joseph DeSantisBill DippelC. Ross Donovan, Jr.Mr. & Mrs. James F. D'WolfLinda R. EastburnDr. Steven EdellEllen & Greg EllisJosh & Anna FergusonDr. & Mrs. Ronald FinchLeonidas & Sophia FotakosThomas & Diane FrederickLarry GehrkeMichael GibsonDrs. Joe & Katherine GloydDon GougeDr. Kenneth S. GrahamMr. & Mrs. Harold B. GrayDeborah Grubbe & James PorterRobert G. Hackett, Jr.Jayne HarwellSusan & Steve HerrmannPhilip & Patricia HogeVirginia W. HopkinsPeter A. HortyAmy H. Hughes & Craig P. SmithMr. & Mrs. H. Stanley HughesThomas G. HughesMr. & Mrs. Darryl JonesFred & Lynne KielhornDan & Mary KleinFrank & Diane KlonowskiDave & Bonnie Kitts

Patricia KoeddingSteven and Linda KushnerJennifer J. LynchSteven & Heather MargolinSteven Marino & Carol HertzoffJohn & Cecilia McCormickBrandon & Dana McGovernRon & Barbara MercerSusan MoranCathy & Mark ParsellsChris & Mary PattersonThe PowellsLisa & Liz QuinonesChip & Chris RankinLois Anne RaynerDonald B. Roberts, Jr.Leonard & Margaret RosenbaumRichard RothwellJerry RulewiczCharles & Susan SalkinFred C. Sears, IIMark SharnoffDavid & Michelle ShepherdScott & Nancy SherrElizabeth SnyderDr. & Mrs. Michael StillabowerRonald R. StroudRichard & Violette SuttonJim & Margaret ThomasLaura & Eric ThompsonPatty & Jerry TianoLeonard & Barbara TogmanBobbie & Norman TomasesRob & Kristy Vander DeckerHon. & Mrs. E. N. VeaseyMr. & Mrs. Howell WallaceMargaret M. Wertz

Corporate Sponsors:Concord Pet Foods & SuppliesE.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.Patterson-Woods Commercial PropertiesSecurity Instrument Corp.

The Delaware Zoological Society would like to recognize the companies, foundations, members and individuals who have

generously donated to our 2012 Annual Fund.

Annual Fund 2012 for 13:Layout 1 3/28/13 3:20 PM Page 1

issue!Sure,thereareoccasionalspatsbetweenthetwo,whatcoupledoesn’texperi-enceconflictfromtimetotime?Forthemostpart,thebirdsarewellontheirwaytoreachingournextgoal.BABIES!

Ourinitialtrain-inggoalwastobeabletoexhibitthemtogetherandhavethemgetalong.NOWournewgoalisforthebirdstobreed.TheAndeanCondorSpeciesSurvivalProgramoverseescaptivepopulationsinanefforttocreateadiverseandsustainablecaptiveandwildpopu-lationof thespecies.Duetothisyear’schangesintheSSP,ourbirdshavebeenrecommendedtobreed.Theplanof theSSPisupdatedyearly,andnowthereisevengreateremphasisonmorebreedingpairstoeven-tuallyreplenishwildandcaptivepopulations.

Therehavebeenmanylessonslearnedthroughthistrainingprocessforbothourselvesandthebirds.Wehadtohaveflexibilityinourtrainingplans,patiencewithourselves,thebirds,andtheentireprocess.Wehadtohavebackupplansforanysce-nariothebirdsthrewatus.Mostof all,welearnedtotrustourinstinctsonwhenthebirdswerereadyforthenextstep.

Everyday,wereadthebreedingrecommendationstothecondors…wehaveanincubatorwiththeiregg’snameonitwaitinginthewings!

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DelawarebeingthesmallStatethatitis,weareprettyluckytohaveazoolocat-edintheheartofWilmington.TheBrandywineZoohasbeenaroundsince1905,whichisprettyimpressiveandmakesitover100yearsold.TheExoticAnimalHouseatTheBrandywineZoohasbeenaroundsincethe1920s.OvertheyearstheBrandywineZooandtheExoticAnimalHousehavegonethroughconsiderablechanges.Duringtheearlyyears,theExoticAnimalHousewasnotopentothepublic.Inordertoopenthebuildingtothepublic,chang-eshadtobemadetothebuilding,theexhibitsandtothespeciesofmonkeysthatwouldbekeptthere.AtpresentwehaveGoldenLionTamarins,GoldenHeadedLionTamarins,RedHandedTamarins,CottonTopTamarins,Geoffroy’sMarmosets,BlackTuftedEarMarmosetsandGoeldi’sMonkeys.AllofthesemonkeyscomefromdifferentareasthroughoutCentralandSouthAmerica.Monkeysareverysocialanimalsandtheycommunicateonvariouslevels.Onewaytheycommunicateisbyvocalizing.Ithasbeendeterminedthatsomeofthesespecieshaveover20differentvocalizationstorelaydifferentmessagestoeachother.Someofthesevocalizationsincludesignalingdanger,happiness,orjustlettinganothermonkeyknowtheyarethere.Anotherwayofcommunicatingisbyconstantlymarkingtheirterritory.Eachspeciesofmonkeyhasitsownuniquescent.ThisiswhytheExoticAnimalHousecanhaveaslightodortoit.WehavegonetogreatlengthstotrytocontrolthesmellintheExoticAnimalHouse.Wehavespentthousandsofdollarsonupgradingourventilationsystemandhundredsofdol-larsonairfresheners.Wethinkitsmellsprettygoodbutthatisnotthegeneralimpressionwereceivefromthevisitingpublic.Wewillkeepworkingonit.MostTamarinsandMarmosetsgivebirthtotwins,buttheGoeldi’sMonkeysonlyhaveasinglebaby.Thewholefamilygroupplaysaveryimpor-tantroleinraisingtheyoung.Afterthefirstweek,thefatherwillcarrythebabieswiththefemaleonlytakingthemforshortperiodsoftimeandtonurse.Afteraboutamonththeothersiblingswillalsostarttocarrytheyoung.This

ishowtheylearntheirparentingskills.Theywillliveinsmallfamilygroupsbuteventuallytheoldersiblings

leavethegrouptostarttheirownfamilies.TamarinsandMarmosetseatavarietyoffruits

andvegetablesinthewild.Theyalsoeatsmallbirdsandmammals.Ourmonkeysatthe

Zooreceiveasimilardietwhichconsistsoffruits,veggiesandprotein.Monkeysinthewild,aswellasatthezoo,spendtheirdaysforagingforfood,grooming,eatingandinteractingwithothermonkeysintheirgroups.Someofthemonkeysthatwehavearealreadyontheendangeredspecieslist,Howeverthosethatarenot,couldendupontheendangeredlistintheveryfuture.Themainthreattoanyanimalisfromhumansduetothepettradeandhabitatdestruction;andthisishappeningatanalarmingrate.TheseMarmosetsandTamarinsspend95%oftheirlivesinthetreetopsandaswecontinuetodestroytherainforest;wedestroytheirhomes.Theyhavenoplacetolivesafely,andtheywilleitherstarveduetothelossoffoodsources,ortheyarekilledbypredators.Itisourresponsibilitytobettereducateourselvesaboutthesemonkeyssothatwecanensuretheirfuture.ThisisabigreasonwhyZoosaresoimportant.Animalsarelivinginzoosbecause,insomecases,therearefewtononeleftinthewild,orthereisnowildleftforthemtosurvivein.Zooshavebreedingpro-gramsinplacetohelptheseanimalsreproduce,andinsomeinstanceswhenthiscanbesafely

done,theyhavebeenreintroducedbackintothewild.Weareheretohelppeopleunderstandthebeautyand

theneedfortheseanimalsinhopesofsavinganyspeciesfromextinction.AswithalltheanimalshereatTheZoo,thezookeeperstaketimetotrainthemonkeys.Trainingconsistsofposi-tivebehaviormodification.Wedothiswithfoodtreats.Thetreatstheylikebest,astheirreward,aremealwormsorcrickets.Ourtrainingwiththemconsistsofbasicbehaviorsthatwillhelpustocareforthem.Oneofthebehaviorsthatwetrainthemtodoistohavethemsitonascalesothatwecanmonitortheirweight.Anotherreasonfortrainingisthatalotofthemonkeys

The Monkeys of the Exotic Animal House BySharonSmith,AnimalKeeper,DelawareStateParks

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lookverysimilartooneanother,sointhelargerfamilygroupsitmaybehardertotellonefromtheother.Justasyourpet’sveterinarianmightmicrochipyourdogorcatforidentification,ourveteri-narianswillalsomicrochipouranimalsforidentification.Forthisreasonwewilltrainourmonkeystostayona“station”sothatwemaychecktheirmicrochipidnumber.Hereisabriefintroductiontoeachspeciesofmonkeythatwehavehereatthezoo.GoldenLionTamarins:Thesearebeautifulgoldencolormonkeys.IsabellandArmondarethebreedingpairandtheparentstoDolce,Gabanna,Sienna,A.J.andHuey.Overtheyearstheyhavehadmorethantenoffspring.Westillhavefiveoftheirbabieswhoareallgrownupnow,andtheothershavegoneofftodifferentzoosaroundthecountrytobeplacedinbreedingprograms.Thesemonkeysaremainlygold-enincolorwithvariousblackorbrownmarkings.GoldenHeadedLionTamarins:RightnowwehavetwoGoldenHeadedLionTamarinslivingintheExoticAnimalHouse;FergieandGigi.Theyaremotheranddaughter.Thisfamilywasoneoformainbreedinggroups,butovertheyearsthefamilyhasgot-tensmallerduetobreedingrecommendationsforvari-ousfamilymembers.Thesemonkeysaremainlyblackwithabeautifulgoldencoloredmane.Red(orGolden)HandedTamarins:WehavethreeRedHandswhoareallsiblings;Selena,EnriqueandSurprise.Surprisegothernamebecauseatthetimeshewasborn,weweren’texpectingthathermotherwasevenpregnant.Thesemonkeysgettheirnamefromthembeingallblackwithgolden/redcoloredhands.Italmostlooksliketheyarewearinggloves.Goeldi’sMonkeys:WehavetwofamiliesofGoeldi’sMonkeyslivingintheExoticAnimalHouse.ThethreelivingtogetherareOzzie,Solana,andSunchi.SolanaandOzzieareourbreedingpairandSunchiistheyoungestofthreeoffspring.Theothergroupistheothertwosiblings,BijouandNieve.TheyliveapartfromthefamilybecausetheyareoldenoughtobeontheirownandwillpossiblybepairedupwithotherGoeldi’sMonkeysinthefuture.Thesecutelittlemonkeysarealwaysallblack.CottonTopTamarins:ThetwoCottonTopTamarinsareZeusandLamb.TheycametogetherbecauseLamb’smotherMablepassedawayandwewantedapart-nermonkeyforhim.Zeuscametousfromanotherzoowhenhermatepassed

away.ZeusandLambnowlivetogetherasfriends.CottonTopMarmosetshaveaverydistinctivewhitecrest.Goeffroy’sMarmosets:DaisyandDaviaremotherandson.Theyhavebeentogetherfortwoyears.TheGeoffroy’sMarmosetshavewhitefaceswithabeau-tifullightgrey/white/browncoloredfur.BlackTuftedEaredMarmosets:MoandJackyarebrotherandsister.TheTuftedMarmosetsareverysimilarincolortotheGeoffroy’sMarmosets,buttheyhave

blacktuftsontheirears.BlackTuftedEaredMarmosetandRedHandTamarin:ThisisMannyandBreeze.Theylivetogetherbecausetheirrespectivematespassedaway.Thesemonkeysliveupto18yearsanddonotliketolivealone.AsImentionedbefore,monkeysareverysocialanimals.Weworkveryhardtofindthemafriendtolivewith.Fromtimetotime,wehavefounditnecessarytointroduceddifferentspeciestoeachother.Thesetwomonkeyshavebecomeagreatnonbreedingpair.TherearereasonsbehindthecollectionofmonkeysthatwehaveatTheBrandywineZoo.Themainrea-sonisthatbeinganAZA(AssociationofZoosandAquariums)AccreditedZoomeanstherearecertainguidelinesthatwehavetofollow.BeinganAZAAccreditedInstitutioncarrieswithitalotofprideandalotofresponsibilitiestothepublic,theZoostaffand

theanimalsthatwehaveinourcare.Therearemanyrulesandguidelinesinplacetoensureasafe,happyandeducationalenvironmentforall.EveryyearduringthewintermonthstheExoticAnimalHouseisclosedtothepub-licandthisiswhenwetakethetimetogivethebuildingamakeover,bychangingoutandupgradingthemonkeys’

habitat.Weaddnewbranches;newplants,cleanandrepairanyissueswiththeexhibits.SonowthatSpringhasarrivedandTheBrandywineZoohasofficiallystartedbesuretostopbyandvisitallthemonkeysinTheExoticAnimalHouse;sayhello

andlearnalittlemoreaboutthem.TheExoticAnimalHouseisopendailyfrom10:00amto3:45pm.Itcloses15min-utesearlierthanthemainzootoallowustofeedthemonkeystheireveningsnack.FormoreinformationonourmonkeysoranyoftheanimalsatTheZoo,visitourwebsite,www.brandywinezoo.org.FormoreinformationabouttheAssociationofZoos&Aquariums,visittheAZAwebsite,www.aza.org

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Spec

ial Events At The Zoo

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Spec

ial Events At The Zoo

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Zhanna Goes to SchoolByLynnKlein,AssistantCuratorof Animals,DelawareStateParks

Hereitisspringof 2013andZhanna,ourAmurtiger(Pantheratigrisaltaica),isturning5yearsoldthisApril.Itseemslikeonlyyes-terdaythatIwaswritinganarticlefortheZooNewstellingeveryoneof herarrivalinJuneof 2011.InthetwoshortyearsthatZhannahasbeenhereattheBrandywineZoo,wehaveseenhergrowandblossomintoawell-adjustedandcontentedmemberof ourzoofamily.

Uponherarrival,sheknewafewbehaviorsthatherkeepersattheSaintLouisZoohadtaughther.Theseincluded;come(cometowardsthetrainer),over(moveawayfromthetrainer),target(touchhernosetoaredballontheendof astick)andup(placefeetonenclosurewall).Allof thesebehaviorsweretaughttohersothatherkeeperscouldtakebettercareof her.ItisveryimportanttonotethatwenevergoinwithZhanna!Allinteractionsaredonewiththebarrierof herenclosurebetweenthekeep-ersandtiger.Zhannaisagreatcatwithmanydifferentsidestoherpersonalitybutitisimportanttorememberthatsheisverypowerfulandsheisapredator.Justbecauseshewasraisedincaptivitydoesnotmeanshewouldnothurtus.Weusethesebehaviorsonadailybasiswhenwecareforherbutweneededtoteachhermore.Fortunatelyforus;Zhannaisaverysmarttigerandsheseemstoenjoyspendingtimewithherkeeperssotrainingsessionsareusuallylotsof fun!

Shequicklylearned;sit,downandmouthopen(open-inghermouthsowecancheckherteethandgums).Allof Zhanna’strainedbehaviorshavebothaverbalandvisualcue.Thismeansthatwhenweaskforabehavior,wedon’tjustsaythecue(orcommand),wepairitwithahandsignal.Sheunderstandsbothsignalsandthishelpstoensurethatshedoesnotgetconfusedwhenshehearsthewordsinanon-trainingsituation.

Nowweneededtomoveontomorecomplexbehav-iors.Thefirstof thesewasvoluntaryhandinjection.WeneededtoteachZhannatocomeuptotheouterwallsof herdenenclosure,holdstillandallowustogivehervaccinationsthroughthefence.Thisisamuchlessstressfulwaytoadministeraninjection,especiallywhenthealternativesaredarting,polesyringeorsedation.Vaccinationsarejustasimportantinprotectinganimals

againstcommondiseasesastheyareforprotectingpeople.Aswitheverythingelsewedoinvolvingabigcat,wetrainasateam;therearealwaystwotrainerspresent.Thisisdoneforsafetysakeanditcomesinhandywhenyouaretrainingabehaviorthatrequiresatrainer(thepersongivingthecom-mands)andatechnician(thepersondeliveringthemedicine).ThefirststepinthisprocesswastogiveZhannaa“homebase”.Wecalledonourwon-

derfulmaintenancestaff withWilmingtonStateParkstobuildusabenchforZhannatolayonthatwouldbringherrightupalongthedenfencing.Shewouldbeinpositionfortheinjectionandwewouldbesafelyontheothersideof herenclosure.Soundseasy,right?Well,itwasn’tquitethateasy.FirstwehadtohelpZhannagetoverherapprehensionof thebench.Iknow,Iknow,whywouldabig,toughtigerbeafraidof abench?Wellinthiscaseitwasbecausethebenchwasnew,smelledof strangersandZhannahadnoideawhatitwas.Sowetaughtherthatthebenchwassafe,thatitwasactuallyagoodplace.Atfirstweputherfoodonit.Shewouldsneakup,grabthefoodandrun!Butlittlebylittleshelearnedthatshecouldwalkuptoit,steponit,standonitandeventuallysitorlaydownonthebenchwhilewefedherfromthefeedingstick.Thisprogressedtoposi-tioningherforproperplacementbyguidingherwiththetargetstickandrewardingherwithfavoritefooditemswhenshewasintherightspot.Wethenintroducedasyringethatdidnothaveaneedleattachedandbegantouchingheronherhipwithit.Shewaspraisedandrewardedwithfoodeachtimesheletustouchherwiththesyringe.If shemovedwejustignoredtheimproperbehaviorandaskedhertotryagain.Zhannapickeduponthisveryquicklyandweweresoonabletomovetoabluntedneedle.Shecouldfeelaslightpressurebutwedidn’thavetopokehertopractice.Itgottobesoroutinethatsheseemedtoforgetaboutthepersonwiththesyringeandjustfocusedonthepersonrewarded-ingherwithfood.Finally,wewereabletogiveherthefirstvoluntaryvaccination.Astrainers;wewereamazedandexcitedattheeaseof whichthisoccurred.Wewereworriedthatshewouldjumpwhenshefelttheneedlebutshejustlaidthereonherbenchenjoyingtheyummytidbitsof beef andchickenthatweweregivingher.We

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praisedherandjackpottedher(gaveabigrewardallatonce)justtoensuresheknewshehaddoneaverygoodthing.Zhannalookedatusasif tosay“what’sallthefussabout”?

Sowemovedontothenextbehavior,thescalebehav-ior.Itisveryimportanttokeepaccurateweightrecordsonalltheanimalsatthezoo.Thishasmanyhealthrelatedbenefitsandhelpsusmaintaintheanimalsonahealthyandwellbalanceddiet.Thefirststep,findascalebigenoughforanadulttiger.Afterthat,callonceagainonourmaintenancestaff withWilmingtonStateParksandaskthemtomakebracketsthatwillholdthescaleinplace.Otherwiseyouriskthetigerusingthenewscaleasaveryheavyandexpensivetoy!TheParksteamcameupwithaplantoweldbracketsthatwouldsurroundthescalesnugglybutnottouchit.Thebracketswereanchoredtothebench(whichwasnowoneof Zhanna’sfavoriteplacestobe)andwewerereadytointroduceZhannatoherscale.Ibetyoucanguesswhathappened.That’sright,shewasafraidof thescale!Ittookusaweekbeforeshewasbraveenoughtostandonthescalewithallfourfeet.Thenittookanotherweektogethertostandstillonthescale.Iguessnooneenjoysgettingonthescale,notevenatiger!Finallywehadsuccess.Weusedoneof Zhanna’smostfavoritetreats,goat’smilk,deliveredviaaspraybottle,tokeepherinplaceandmotionlesssowecouldgetherweight.Sheweighedinatanathleticandyouthful242lbs.OurZhannamayormaynotstillhavealittlegrowingtodo.Thisisamazingtomeassheeats10.5poundsof meataday!

ThoseareZhanna’smostrecentlessonsbutschoolisalwaysinsession.Everyinteractionisalearningoppor-tunityforbothtigerandtrainer.Wewillkeepeveryonepostedonallof Zhanna’sfuturesuccesses!

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Summer Teen Internship ProgramBy:AlysonMack,ZooNaturalist,DelawareStateParks

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Heyteens!Junestartsyoursummervacation!Whatareyourplansforthosethreemonths?Iknoweveninthesummertimewegetboredof doingthesameoldthing,sowhynotdosomethingnewbybecomingaSummerTeenInternattheBrandywineZoo!Hereyoucanlearnaboutouranimals,makefriends,andteachothersabouttheanimalsyoulove!Itisalsoagreatwaytogetleadershipexperi-enceanditlooksgreatonjob/col-legeapplications.

AsaSummerTeenInternyougettobenearanimalseveryday!Whocansaythattheyhaveheardatigerroar,seenacranedance,oracapybaratakeaswim?Ouranimalsaredoingsomethingdif-ferenteverydayatthezooandyoucanbeapartof it.Haveyoueverwonderedwhyananimalbehavesinacertainwayorwhattheyarelikeinthewild?Whileyouarehavingfunseeingouranimalseveryday,youcanlearnabouttheirwildcounterpartsandthenteachothersaboutwhatyouhavelearned.

Itisnevertooearlytostartgaininglead-ershipandteamworkexperience.Teens,don’tyouwanttogainsomeexperiencethatyoucanactuallyuseinfuturejobs?Employersandcollegeslookforleader-shipandteamworkexperiencebecausetheyknowthoseindividualsarewellroundedandcommitted.TakeitfromMaddie,oneof ourveteransummerteeninterns:“Ithinkit’sagreatopportunitytonotonlygetservicehours,but

tomakearealdifference.Itisawonderfulexperiencetolearnhowtobecomealeader.”BybecomingaSummerTeenInternattheBrandywineZoo,wecangiveyouaboostonthoseexperiencesbyhavingyouworkwithvisitorsof allages,zoocampers,andotherinterns.

Whenyouspendthesummerwithpeoplethatshareyourinterests,youcan’thelpbutmakenewfriends.Oursummer

teeninternssharealoveforanimalsandteachingothersaboutthem.Wehavesometeensreturneverysummerbecause

theyenjoyit,andsomeevenvolunteerthroughouttheyear.AsaneducatorattheBrandywineZoo,itisnicetoseehowwell

allthesummerteeninternsgetalong-nomattertheagedifference.Evenwhentheydon’tseeeachotherasoftenwhenthesum-

merisover,theyseemtopickuprightwheretheyleftoff whentheyseeeachotheragain.

Oneof oursummerteeninterns,EmilysaidthefollowingabouttheBrandywineZooSummerTeenInternship:“Ilovegettingtomeetamyriadof fascinatingandentertain-ingpeopleandsharingmyloveandfascinationof animals.[…]Beingasummerteeninternhasbeenoneof themostrewardingexperiencesof mylife.It’ssomuchfunandIloveeveryaspectof it.”

If youareinterestedorneedfurtherinformationpleasevisitourwebsiteat

www.brandywinezoo.org/support/donate-time.Wehopetoseeyousoon!

Page 13: Brandywine Zoo News Spring 2013

13

By:FrancesABorgers,ZooNaturalist,DelawareStateParks

Warm up your funny bone

this

spring with some Hisss-terical

zoo jokes!

What kind of keys won’t open doors?  Monkeys, Turkeys, and Donkeys

Why did the Elephant buy a briefcase?  He already had a trunkWhy is it im

possible for a 

Leopard to hide?

 She is always spotted

Why do Bees hum?  They don’t know the words

What do you call a Seagull that lives in the Bay?  A BagelThe alphabet goes from 

A to Z, what animal goes 

from Z to A?

  Zebra

What is a snake’s  

favorite subject?

  Hisss-tory

What do you  call a fish with  no eye?   Fsh

What has four legs and says 

“Oom, Oom”?

A cow walking

backwards

Why do Pandas like old movies?  Because they are black and white Do you love visiting the Brandywine Zoo? Do you also love to draw and color?

Create a work of art that shows why you love to visit the Brandywine Zoo animals and you may see your art in the next edition of Zoo News! Please send all admissions to the Zoo’s Education Department (Brandywine Zoo, 1001 N Park Drive, Wilmington, DE 19802 Attn: Education Dept, Art Submission). Please limit one submission per child, be sure to include the child’s name and age along with a short written description of the work.

Page 14: Brandywine Zoo News Spring 2013

TheTigerConservationCampaignwasputintoplacebytheTigerSpeciesSurvivalPlan.TheSpeciesSurvivalPlanorSSPisoverseenbyTheAmericanZoologicalAssociation(AZA).TheAZAoverseesnumerousSSPsthatareinplaceforavarietyof animalsindanger.TheTigerSpeciesSurvivalPlanhaslaunchedtheTigerConservationCampaigntoraiseawarenessaboutwildtigersandfundingfortheirconservation!OurcampaignissupportingconservationeffortsforAmur,Malayan,andSumatrantigers.ThesearethethreetigersubspeciesthattheTigerSpeciesSurvivalPlanworkswith,andtheyareallhighlyendangeredinthewild.Atonetimeinhistorytigersroamedacrossmuchof Asia.Todaylessthan4000tigerremain.AZAaccreditedzoosacrossNorthAmericaarecomingtogethertosupporttigerconservationeffortsandraiseawareness.Tigersaretheultimatesymbolof wildernessandbeauty,buttheyarelosinggroundatanalarmingrateduetopoaching,habitatloss,anddegradation.Fourof theninesubspecieshavealreadydisappearedfromthewild.TheAmur,MalayanandSumatrantigerpopulationsarethoughttohavedeclinedtofewerthan500each.

Herearebrief descriptionsof theprojectsthatTheTigerConservationissupporting:

SUMATRAN TIGERSInSumatra,ourcampaignissupportingWildlifeConservationSociety’seffortstoreducetiger-humanconflict by constructing tiger-proof livestock pens invillages,increasingoutreachandawareness,andrespondingwithveterinaryassistancetotigerscaughtinsnares.Also,tigerandpreyresearchwillmonitorpopulationtrends,evaluatetheeffectivenessof conservationstrategies,andidentifythreats.

AMUR TIGERS IntheRussianFarEast,ourcampaignissupportingWildlifeConservationSociety’seffortstocurbpoach-ingusingmoreeffectivepatrollingandmonitoringtech-niques.Also,anewTigerHealthSupportProgramwillcreateawildlifehealthlaboratoryandtrainveterinarianssothattheycanrespondtopotentialdiseaseoutbreaks.

MALAYAN TIGERSInpeninsularMalaysia,ourcampaignissupportingWildlifeConservationSociety’seffortstoincreasetheeffectivenessof anti-poachingpatrols,andtostrengthenanti-poachinglaws.We’realsosupportingtigerandpreyresearchtomonitorpopulationtrends,evaluatetheeffec-tivenessof conservationprograms,andIdentifythreats.

TheBrandywineZooisanAZAAccreditedZooandwesupportTheTigerConservationEffort.TheZoohasalwayshadtigers.Atpresentwehaveonefemale,Zhanna. She is turning five in April. Tigers in zoos can livetobe20to25yearsof age.Obviouslyinthewild,theirlifeexpectancyismuchshorter.Youcanalsohelpmakeadifference.Tohelpthesehighlyendangeredtigers,youcanmakeadonation,holdafundraiserorjustspreadtheword.Visitourwebsiteatwww.brandywinezoo.org .YoucanalsovisittheAZA’swebsiteat www.aza.org/ orTheTigerConservationpageonFacebook.

Tiger Conservation CampaignBySharonSmith,AnimalKeeper,DelawareStateParks

14

CherryBlossomRun!

Page 15: Brandywine Zoo News Spring 2013

Alabama Birmingham Zoo Montgomery Zoo

Alaska Alaska SeaLife Center - 50% Discount

Arizona Heritage Park Zoo -50% Discount Reid Park Zoo (Tucson) Phoenix Zoo - 50% Discount

Arkansas Little Rock Zoo - 50% Discount

California Aquarium of the Bay (San Francisco) - 50% Discount Big Bear Alpine Zoo Cabrillo Marine Aquarium (Los Angeles) - 10% Off - Gift Shop Charles Paddock Zoo Chaffee Zoological Gardens of Fresno - 50% Discount CuriOdyssey (San Mateo) Happy Hollow Zoo Living Desert - 50% Discount Los Angeles Zoo - 50% Discount Micke Grove Zoo Oakland Zoo- 50% Discount Sacramento Zoo - 50% Discount San Francisco Zoological Gardens - 50% Discount Santa Ana Zoo Santa Barbara Zoo Sequoia Park Zoo

Colorado Pueblo Zoo - 50% Discount

Connecticut Beardsley Zoological Gardens

Delaware Brandywine Zoo (Wilmington)

Florida Brevard Zoo (Melbourne) Central Florida Zoological Park - 50% Discount Florida Aquarium - 50% Discount Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens - 50% Discount Lemur Conservation Foundation - 10% Off - Gift Shop Lowry Park Zoo - 50% Discount Miami MetroZoo - 50% Discount Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium Palm Beach Zoo at Dreher Park - 50% Discount

Georgia Chehaw Wild Animal Park (Albany) Zoo Atlanta - 50% Discount

Hawaii Waikiki Aquarium - 50% Discount

Idaho Tautphaus Park Zoo (Idaho Falls) Zoo Boise Illinois Cosley Zoo (Wheaton) Henson Robinson Zoo (Springfield) Lincoln Park Zoo - 10% Off-Gift Shop Miller Park Zoo Niabi Zoo Peoria Zoo Scovill Zoo - 50% Discount Indiana Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo - 50% Discount Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden Potawatomi Zoo (South Bend) - 50% Discount

Iowa Blank Park Zoo (Des Moines) Nat’l Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium - 50% Discount

Kansas David Traylor Zoo of Emporia - 25% Off- Gift Shop Hutchinson Zoo 20% Off- Gift Shop Lee Richardson Zoo (Garden City)- 10% Off- Gift Shop Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure - 50% Discount Sedgwick County Zoo & Botanical -Garden - 50% Discount Sunset Zoological Park (Manhattan) Topeka Zoological Park Kentucky Louisville Zoological Garden

Louisiana Alexandria Zoological Park Baton Rouge Zoo Louisiana Purchase Zoological Society Zoo of Acadiana

Maryland Catoctin Wildlife Preserve & Zoo - 50% Discount Maryland Zoo in Baltimore Salisbury Zoological Park - 25% Off- Gift Shop Massachusetts Buttonwood Park Capron Park Zoo Franklin Park Zoo (Boston) - 50% Discount Museum of Science Stone Zoo - 50% Discount

Michigan Binder Park Zoo (Battle Creek) - 50% Discount Children’s Zoo at Celebration Square Detroit Zoo - 50% Discount John Ball Zoological Gardens (Grand Rapids) Potter Park Zoo (Lansing)

Minnesota Como Park Zoo - 15% Off- Gift Shop Lake Superior Zoological Gardens (Duluth) Minnesota Zoological Garden - 50% Discount Pine Grove Zoo

Mississippi Jackson Zoological Park - 50% Discount

Missouri Dickerson Park Zoo (Springfield) Endangered Wolf Center - 50% Discount Kansas City Zoo - 50% Discount St. Louis Zoo - FREE plus 50% Safari Pass

Nebraska Lincoln Children’s Zoo Henry Doorly Zoo (Omaha) - 50% Discount Riverside Zoo (Scottsbluff) - 50% Discount

New Hampshire Squam Lakes Natural Science Center - 50% Discount

New Jersey Bergen County Zoological Park (Paramus) Cape May County Park Zoo - 10% Off - Gift Shop Turtle Back Zoo

New Mexico Albuquerque BioPark - 50% Discount Alameda Park Zoo (Alamagordo) Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park New Mexico BioPark Society - 50% Discount

New York Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park Buffalo Zoo - 50% Discount New York State Zoo at Thompson Park Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park - 50% Discount Seneca Park Zoo (Rochester) Staten Island Zoo Trevor Zoo Utica Zoo

North Carolina Greensboro Science Center North Carolina Zoological Park (Asheboro) N. C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher N. C. Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores (Atl. Beach) N. C. Aquarium at Roanoke Island Western N.C. Nature Center (Asheville)

North Dakota Chahinkapa Zoo Dakota Zoo Red River Zoo Roosevelt Park Zoo (Minot)

Ohio African Safari Wildlife Park - 50% Discount Akron Zoological Park Boonshoft Museum of Discovery Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden - 50% Discount Cleveland Metroparks Zoo - 50% Discount Columbus Zoo and Aquarium & The Wilds- 50% Discount Toledo Zoo - 50% Discount The Wilds - 50% Discount Oklahoma Oklahoma City Zoological Park - 50% Discount Tulsa Zoo - 50% Discount

Oregon Oregon Zoo - 50% Discount Wildlife Safari - 50% Discount Pennsylvania Elmwood Park Zoo - 50% Discount Erie Zoological Gardens Lehigh Valley Zoo National Aviary in Pittsburgh - 50% Discount Philadelphia Zoo - 50% Discount - NO Free Guests Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium- 50% Discount ZooAmerica - Hershey

Rhode Island Roger Williams Park Zoo (Providence) - 50% Discount

South Carolina Greenville Zoo Riverbanks Zoo and Garden

South Dakota Bramble Park Zoo Great Plains Zoo & Museum (Sioux Falls)

Tennessee Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park Knoxville Zoological Park Memphis Zoo. Gardens & Aquarium - 50% Discount Nashville Zoo - 50% Discount

Texas Abilene Zoological Gardens Caldwell Zoo (Tyler) - 50% Discount Cameron Park Zoo (Waco) Dallas Zoo 50% Discount El Paso Zoo - 50% Discount Ellen Trout Zoo (Lufkin) Gladys Porter Zoo (Brownsville) Houston Zoo San Antonio Zoo & Aquarium - 50% Discount Texas State Aquarium - 50% Discount The Texas Zoo (Victoria) -50% Discount

Utah Tracy Aviary Utah’s Hogle Zoo (Salt Lake City) - 50% Discount Willow Park Zoo - 10% Gift Shop

Virginia Mill Mountain Zoo - 50% Discount Virginia Zoological Park (Norfolk)

Washington Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium - 50% Discount Woodland Park Zoological Gardens

Washington, D.C. National Zoological Park - 10% Off - Gift Shops

West Virginia Oglebay’s Good Zoo (Wheeling) - 50% Discount

Wisconsin Henry Vilas Zoo (Madison) - 10% Off - Gift Shops International Crane Foundation (Baraboo) Milwaukee County Zoological Gardens North Eastern Wisconsin (NEW) Zoo Racine Zoological Gardens

Canada Granby Zoo (Quebec) - 50% Discount

Mexico Parque Zoologico de Leon (Guanajuato)

Brandywine ZOO 2013 Reciprocal Zoos & Aquariums

Reciprocity applies only for admission to the main facility on normal operating days/hours and may exclude exhibits, parking or events requiring an additional fee. The number of visitors admitted with a family membership may vary depending on the zoo or aquarium visited. Most zoos do NOT include guests.

2/13

The following is a current list of Zoos and Aquariums where admission is free, reduced or may offer some other discount, upon presentation of your current Delaware Zoological Society membership card and Photo ID. Please call the facility you wish to visit to verify current discounts or restrictions.

PLEASE NOTE: Unexpected changes in the Reciprocal Zoo List sometimes occur, not allowing sufficient time for such information to be properly and effectively communicated. New facilities are sometimes added and some may rescind their privileges for various rea-sons. We apologize if this has created prob-lems for any members and suggest that you call either the Zoological Society's office (302)571-7788 or the Zoo or Aquarium you plan to visit to confirm the current reciprocal status of any facility on your planned itineraries.

Page 16: Brandywine Zoo News Spring 2013

The Brandywine Zoo is managed by the Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation with the support of the Delaware Zoological Society.

For more information about the Division or Delaware State Parks, call (302) 739-9220 or visit our web site at www.destateparks.com.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity and the diversity of its

work force.

Please let us know when you move; don’t miss special invitations and Zoo News. Write to Brandywine Zoo, 1001 North Park Drive, Wilmington, DE 19802 or call 302-571-7788.

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. Postage Paid

Wilmington, DE Permit No. 601

1001 North Park Drive, Wilmington, DE 19802

Printed on recycled paper

Questions?  For a complete listing of our programs and events, visit our website at www.brandywinezoo.org, Calendar of Events.   If you have any questions please email our Education Department at [email protected]

Zoo Calendar

Burrowing Owl

April 20 EarthDayCelebration(AllAges)10am-3:45pm

22 EarthDayEventforSchoolGroups(Ages3andup)10am-1pm

27 OpenHouse:SummerZooInternshipsforHighSchoolStudents(Ages14-18)12:30-2pm

MayWeekendsKeeperTalks,11:30am&1:30pm

WeekendsCloseEncountersof theWildKind(AllAges)10am-3:45pm

ThursdaysStoryTimeattheZoo10:30am

4 FineFeatheredFriendFest(InternationalMigratoryBirdDay)(AllAges)10am-3:45pm

12 WildAboutMoms,AMother’sDayCelebration(AllAges)10am-3:45pm

17 EndangeredSpeciesDay(SchoolGroups,Families,Etc..)10am-12:30pm