houston zoo wildlife magazine summer 2010
DESCRIPTION
Summer 2010TRANSCRIPT
SUM
MER
201
0
F E A T U R E S
Printed on 10% post-consumer waste recycled paper with soy-based inks
Houston Zoo, Inc. Board of Directors
Wildlife Production TeamEditor: Rochelle JosephCreative Director: Melanie Campbell-TelloDesign: Melanie Campbell -TelloPhotography by: Stephanie Adams, Brian Hill, Kristi Holder, Rick Barongi, Greg & Carol Lille, Baylor College of Medicine, Andreas Wilting, Dale Martin, and Stephen KaufmanPostmaster: Send address changes to: Wildlife Magazine Houston Zoo, Inc. 1513 Cambridge Street Houston, Texas 77030
How To Reach Us:
Houston Zoo, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (713) 533-6500
Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (713) 533-6739
Marketing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (713) 533-6835
Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (713) 533-6710
Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (713) 533-6701
Public Relations/Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (713) 533-6531
www.houstonzoo.org
Zoo Hours:
March 14 through November 79:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (last ticket sold at 6:00 p.m.)November 8 through March 139:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (last ticket sold at 5:00 p.m.)
The Zoo is closed Christmas Day.
Wildlife is published by Houston Zoo, Inc., 1513 Cambridge Street, Houston, Texas 77030. ©Houston Zoo, Inc., 2010. All rights reserved. Subscription by membership only.
The Houston Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
On the cover: Chimpanzee
DIRECTOR'S DEN 2
THE AFRICAN FOREST PROGRESS 3
KEEPERS 8
CONSERVATION 10
SUPPORTING THE ZOO 12
TRAVEL 13
MEMBERSHIP 16
EDUCATION 17
CHILDREN'S ZOO 20
D E P A R T M E N T S
14
18
6
4
The Houston Zoo is a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization.
CHIMP INN
ELEPHANTS
DINOS
CHIMPANZEEFAMILY TREE
Eduardo AguirreE. William BarnettFreda Wilkerson BassNandita BerryJack S. Blanton, Sr.Winfield M. Campbell, Sr.Cathy Campbell BrockMichael CordúaJonathan Day Linnet DeilyAnne DuncanSusan EhrhardtBarbara GoldfieldMartyn GoossenRobert Graham Dr. Bernard Harris, Jr.Stephen Kaufman
Donald R. Kendall, Jr. Glenn L. LowensteinDaniel C. McNairStacy MethvinAli MoshiriStephen D. NewtonCharles OnsteadBarbara SamuelsTony Sanchez IIICathryn SelmanLouis SklarHerman L. StudeShawn TaylorLori VettersGeorge R. WillyE. W. Bill Wright IIIAustin Young
The Official Airline of the Houston Zoo
GIRAFFE BARN & EXHIBIT
1
RESTAURANT, OUTDOOR SEATING & GIRAFFE FEEDING PLATFORM
2
GIFT SHOP & RESTROOMS
3
TRADING POST
WHITE RHINO BARN & EXHIBIT
5
4
CHIMP HOUSE, VIEWING AREAS & EXHIBIT
6
Wow — do we have a lot happening at the Zoo in 2010! February began with
a major renovation of our jaguar exhibit which added a pool and waterfall for
these water-loving cats. Then we upgraded several areas of our Children’s Zoo
to make it even more kid-friendly and naturalistic. At the end of April our Zoo
Friends’ volunteer organization put on one heck of a ball, 'A Way to Africa,' rais-
ing over a half million dollars for the Zoo!
April was also elephant pregnancy watch for the Zoo as both staff and volunteers
camped out in our new McNair family elephant barn waiting for our 19-year-old
Asian elephant, Shanti, to give birth. We now have a big, healthy new elephant calf
named Baylor born on May 4, 2010. We’re very optimistic that this calf won’t have
to worry about a deadly elephant herpes virus due to the incredible advances in re-
search by the Baylor College of Medicine’s team of dedicated scientists. The BCM and
Zoo partnership is the type of unique and innovative approach required to save both
wild and zoo elephants from this serious threat.
For the first time in over 60 million years dinosaurs have returned to the Zoo! No,
they’re not real as some guests asked, but are incredibly realistic, with moving parts
and ferocious calls. DINOSAURS! will only be here from Memorial Day to September
so make sure you don’t miss them.
During the summer our first African Forest residents will arrive: a family of ten
chimpanzees. They won’t be available for their public debut until late November,
giving them ample time to adjust to their spacious new digs described in this issue.
In September we’re hosting the annual AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums)
Conference for 2,000 zoo and aquarium professionals. This is the premier zoo confer-
ence in the world. The keynote speaker is Jim Collins, author of, among other books,
the best-selling Good to Great.
We cap off the year with the December opening of the African Forest, the largest and
most beautiful animal habitat we’ve ever created at the Zoo!
On a personal note, this summer marks my ten-year anniversary at the Zoo. When I
arrived in 2000 we were just about to open the $6 million McGovern Children’s Zoo.
Since that time we’ve added another $80 million in improvements to your Zoo and
are recognized as one of the top zoos in the country. A key milestone was the priv-
itization of the Zoo in 2002, which allowed us to dramatically improve every facet of
our operation.
Obviously, we would not have been able to do a fraction of these improvements if
it weren’t for the support and generosity of you, our members and donors. You also
helped us achieve an all-time attendance record for the month of March – 245,000
guests. Let's hope the dinos and the African Forest give us some more record atten-
dance months in 2010 and beyond!
,,
DIRECTOR'S DEN
2 | HOUSTON ZOO | www.houstonzoo.org
,,
We cap off the year
with the December
opening of the African
Forest, the largest and
most beautiful animal
habitat we’ve ever
created at the Zoo.
RICK BARONGIZoo Director
GIRAFFE BARN & EXHIBIT
1
RESTAURANT, OUTDOOR SEATING & GIRAFFE FEEDING PLATFORM
2
GIFT SHOP & RESTROOMS
3
TRADING POST
WHITE RHINO BARN & EXHIBIT
5
4
CHIMP HOUSE, VIEWING AREAS & EXHIBIT
6
Progress continues on the most exciting project the Zoo has undertaken in its entire 88-year history! The African Forest site, pictured above, is more than halfway through construction and the excitement is mounting as we prepare to receive our first new animals – the chimpanzee family. The difference between this and our Winter 2009 issue’s aerial shot is quite dramatic.
WILDLIFE | SUMMER 2010 | 3
AFRICAN FOREST UPDATE
THE AFRICAN FOREST: RAPID GROWTH
2
1
3
To the far left, the large structure with strik-ing brick work and the tell-tale tall, narrow doors is the Masai giraffe barn. The walls are complete and the roof is on. The inside is ab-solutely beautiful, with wood beams across the high ceiling and lots of light.
The next building to the right is the restau-rant. Those soaring wooden arches are inte-rior architectural additions.
The large cement building next to it, just above the white roof of our Medical Center gate, is the sizeable new gift shop, which was not even visible in the last picture.
4
5
6
Continuing up and right of center, the gray walls you see are the start of the rhino barn beside what will be their exhibit yard. The small roofed building behind the rhino barn is the Trading Post, which you will be hearing more about in the months to come.
Lastly, that very large light colored building furthest right, is the chimp house, which will be completed first. The smaller cement structure at the far upper right will become the glassed viewing area into the chimps’ expansive out-door habitat. You can read more about the chimps' wonderful new home on the next page!
Learn how you can contribute to making the African Forest come alive at www.houstonzoo.org/africanforest.
4 | HOUSTON ZOO | www.houstonzoo.org
The centerpiece of the African Forest will be our new
chimpanzee habitat. During operating hours our chim-
panzee family will spend most of their time outside,
but at the end of the day they will retire to their indoor
facility to bed down for the night.
In the old days of zoo design, most nighttime animal
holding areas were nothing more than small, dark,
sterile cubicles, but our new chimp building is raising
the bar to a new standard of comfort and spaciousness.
With an indoor living space of over 4,000 square feet,
our chimps will be living in the lap of luxury.
The chimp building has been designed for both chimp
and keeper comfort and safety. The entire building is
air conditioned and heated with 16 skylights that not
only let natural light in, but open for fresh air. Eight
individual chimp rooms, measuring approximately 12’
x 8’ with 20’ ceilings, surround a giant central day-
room, which is 25’ x 46’ and 23’ high.
While all rooms interconnect so the chimps can choose
where they want to be, it also will allow us to tem-
porarily separate animals in case of behavioral or
medical issues. One of the rooms is dedicated solely to
training and vet care. Additionally, there will be plenty
of space for the keepers to feed and interact with the
chimps. It has its own kitchen, food storage, computer
area, and human bathroom.
Another unique feature will be the three feet of natu-
ral bark mulch that will cover the dayroom floor. This
natural substrate material will provide a softer sur-
face for playing and more enrichment opportunities.
All the rooms will have numerous ropes, climbing
structures and platforms for making nests to sleep in,
as many chimps do in the wild.
There will be two high-definition cameras inside the
dayroom to capture all activities of the chimps, day
and night. These cameras will also be linked to our
distance learning system, allowing young patients at
the Texas Medical Center to enjoy these incredible
animals while talking to a keeper.
And if that isn’t enough, our “Chimp Inn” also comes
with a lifetime of complimentary room service and free
room rates!
THE CHIMP INN
5WILDLIFEWILDLIFE | SUMMER 2010 | 5
When the African Forest opens in December, zoo guests will see
a family of ten chimps out in their new, naturalistic habitat.
This means the zoo’s primate staff has a lot of work to do.
Our first task was to find chimpanzees. Timing and maybe a
little luck was on our side when we learned of ten privately
owned chimpanzees that needed a home. Zoo Director Rick Bar-
ongi and Primate Curator Hollie Colahan traveled to California
to meet the chimps and their owners, Carol and Greg Lille, who
have raised these chimps and are now retiring. This group was
ideal for our needs. The Lilles were impressed with our plans
and decided to donate the chimps to the Zoo. This is truly a win-
win for everyone, especially the chimpanzees.
By June, the chimp building will be completed and staff will
then spend a few weeks getting ready – everything from hang-
ing ropes for them to play on to stocking the kitchen with their
favorite treats! Meanwhile, the chimpanzees will be placed into
carriers specially designed to transport them in comfort,
and ride in an air conditioned truck for the 30 hour trip to
Houston.
During their first weeks here at the Zoo, only a small group
of people, including the Lilles, will work with the chimps.
This consistency will help them settle in to their new home
and routine more quickly. Once acclimated, we’ll start the
process of putting them together into one large group. All
ten chimps know each other, but not all of them have been
living together recently. This reintroduction process could
take a few hours or a few months… it’s all up to the chimps.
In late September when the outdoor exhibit is complete,
we’ll start letting them outside during the day. By the time
the African Forest opens to the public, our chimpanzees will
be ready to show off their new home and introduce all of
Houston to a chimpanzee’s world.
THE HOUSTON ZOO WELCOMES A NEW FAMILY
6 | HOUSTON ZOO | www.houstonzoo.org
CHARLIE
LULU
Sally
Annie
Willie
ABE
chimpanzee family tree
LUCY
Riley
Mac
Maizey
WILDLIFE | SUMMER 2010 | 7
CHARLIE
LULU
Sally
Annie
Willie
ABE
chimpanzee family tree
LUCY
Riley
Mac
Maizey
Now that you’ve read all about where the chimps are from, how they got
here and where they will live, it’s time to meet them!
While this family tree tells you who’s who, it’s really just an introduction.
If you’d like to learn more about our en-gaging chimp family, please visit www.
houstonzoo.org/chimps where each chimp has their own personal page! The best way to get to know them though, will be to come visit them as soon as the African Forest opens in December.
Having chimps at the Zoo will do more than delight and entertain visitors; it will help raise awareness for their endangered counterparts in Africa, and teach us all the importance of protecting wildlife.
CHARLIE, 38The Patriarch
LUCY, 38The Caretaker
MAIZEY, 24Best Pal of Annie
RILEY, 27The Boss-in-Training
MAC, 16The Kid Brother
ABE, 37Mr. Laid Back
LuLu, 32Mama of Four
SALLY, 24Sister to Annie
ANNIE, 23 Sister to Sally
WILLIE, 6The Mischievous Tyke
T h i s p r ima t e – a R i n g - t a i l e d L emu r – i s a v e r y s o c i a l a n ima l a nd l i v e s i n t h e w i l d o n t h e A f r i c a n i s l a n d o f Madaga s c a r a nd a f ew nea r b y i s l a n d s .{
8 | HOUSTON ZOO | www.houstonzoo.org
The Houston Zoo is growing every day, and with the opening of the new African Forest exhibit set for December of this year, one area that’s also growing is the Primate Department. Our current team of two supervisors and 13 keepers will add an additional supervisor and two more keepers to oversee the 10 new chimpanzees to be housed in the African Forest.
Primate keepers start the day with a quick meeting at 7:00 a.m. The next or-der of business is to give breakfast and any medications to the animals while tidying up their outdoor habitats. Once the animals are out on exhibit, it’s time to clean their night houses. Because primates are similar to humans, they can transmit diseases very easily, so keepers help ensure the safety of all by wear-
ing masks and gloves while cleaning. Foot baths are also used upon entering and exiting all primate area buildings to help prevent cross contamination.
Then it’s time for keepers to give the animals their daily enrichment.
“Our goal is to continually help them to live the same type of life in the Zoo as they do in the wild,” explains Primate Supervisor Lynn Killam. “We’re always looking for new ways to enrich our animals and all of us really enjoy watching them have fun.”
Enrichment varies based on the animal, but typically con-
sists of the use of different scents, foods and toys. Some of the most popular are various sizes of cardboard boxes,
rolls of paper towels and our bubble machine.
In addition, the primate team works hard to raise money for the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary in Borneo. In 2004 they hosted their first Pongos Help-ing Pongos gallery event, featuring artwork cre-ated by the orangutans themselves for purchase by event attendees. All funds raised go toward conser-vation efforts. So far in 2010, Zoo staff has raised over $28,000 in Pongos Helping Pongos fundraisers, bringing the total amount for this project to over $150, 000 over the last six years!
“That’s pretty remarkable, since it is mainly done by our Zoo keepers,” said Primate Supervisor Dena Strange. “We’re all very proud of this project.”
Perhaps one of the most unique characteristics of the Primate staff is the bond that they all not only share as
a department, but with their animals. Because primates are very similar to humans, the keepers are afforded
continual opportunities to create new ways to enrich and train them, which keeps the team on their toes. From learn-
ing the complexities of husbandry for each animal to over-coming the potential dilemmas of animal introductions, this
team works together as one to accomplish many goals that they would not be able to as individuals.
THE HOUSTON ZOO’S PRIMATE TEAM GROWS
FROM RIGHT TO LEFT: Rachel Vass, Elliott Rosenthal, Judy McAuliffe, Amy Berting, Dena Strange, Joy Oria, Lynn Killam, Diane Shea, Tammy Buhrmester, Helen Boostrom, Cindy Leeson, Marjorie Pepin, Lucy Dee Anderson, Ron Santos, Alissa Fuhrman, Cheka Kazen
WILDLIFE | SUMMER 2010 | 9
It’s been fifty years since Jane Goodall stepped onto the
beach at Gombe, Tanzania to begin her study of wild chim-
panzees. With that, the chimpanzee would become pro-
foundly more than just a wild beast in a children’s book or
a character in Tarzan movies. Chimpanzees exhibited in-
dividual personalities and a wide range of emotions. They
showed both empathy and aggression toward each other, a
complex social structure, and cognitive thought. And they
were found to be both
foragers and hunters
– utilizing primitive
“tools.” Until this dis-
covery, anthropologists saw tool making as a defining trait
of mankind. When Jane wrote of her discovery to Louis
Leakey, the man who set her on course for her life’s work,
he replied: “Now we must redefine ‘tool,’ redefine ‘man’ or
accept chimpanzees as humans.”
Today, chimpanzees are distributed across Central and
Western Africa in fragmented populations and continue to
decline across their historical range. Sadly, they are believed
to be extinct in five of the 25 countries they once inhabited,
while populations in four other countries are on the verge of
extirpation. It’s believed that only 10 countries have chim-
panzee populations of 1,000+ individuals. Can you imagine
if there were only 10,000 humans left on earth?
The long term sustainability of chimpanzee populations is
threatened for a variety of reasons. Illegal bush meat trade,
commercial and ille-
gal logging, mining
operations and con-
verting their habitat
to agricultural land are all contributors. A lack of coordina-
tion between government agencies, extreme rural poverty,
and a shortage of incentives to protect wildlife are other
factors.
There are few places left on earth where humans do not co-
exist with native wildlife, few national parks and protected
areas where humans did not co-exist with wildlife, and even
fewer places where the decision to designate a protected
Wha t we ha ve l e a r n ed i s t h a t s imp l y l a b e l i n g a s p e c i e s a s e ndange r e d i s n o t e nough t o p r o t e c t i t
CHIMPS CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE
10 | HOUSTON ZOO | www.houstonzoo.org
O rphaned c h imp s a t Tc h impounga i n t h e R epub l i c o f C ongo , A f r i c a .
area doesn’t somehow intimately affect the human population
living around its borders. Herein lies the conflict.
If we rob native people of the ability to harvest natural re-
sources and wildlife without offering a feasible, sustainable
solution, then conservation efforts will ultimately fail and ille-
gal activity will increase. The most successful conservation ef-
forts are those in which indigenous communities are empow-
ered to manage natural resources and train through capacity
building programs on alternate ways of generating income.
How can the average person influence these global wildlife
problems? Westerners may feel there’s little relation between
the problems affecting great apes and the decisions we make
in our day-to-day lives. But we support a globally charged
economy and there is a trickle down affect with everything
we purchase. Several resources we consume come from this
region, such as wood products, gold, diamonds, and other gems
and minerals. Your cell phone, video game system, and some
computers include one of these minerals, known as coltan.
Eighty percent of the world’s coltan comes from the Congo –
home to both gorillas and chimpanzees – and it’s turned into
a multi-million dollar trade! Mining it destroys critical wild-
life habitat and fuels civil unrest. Civil war takes its toll by
increasing the availability of guns and displacing local human
populations who turn to hunting wildlife for subsistence. With
civil unrest and instability comes an increase in the bush
meat trade and the illegal removal of natural resources.
How great apes live, think and interact has been part of our
evolving consciousness about wildlife for the last fifty years.
Realizing how similar they are to humans inspires us to want
to protect them. Fifty years should have been enough time to
safeguard this iconic species and ensure their survival; un-
fortunately, it has not. What we have learned is that simply
labeling a species as "Endangered" is not enough to protect it.
How can you help chimpanzees? • Visit the Houston Zoo’s new African Forest exhibit
opening this December and learn more about these fascinating apes.
• Support wildlife conservation efforts focusing on great ape species, especially the Jane Goodall Institute at www.janegoodall.org.
• Be an informed consumer. Know where your prod-ucts come from.
• Keep your current cell phone longer and recycle it outside of the Houston Zoo gift shop. Recycle other electrical components wherever possible.
Since 2004, The Houston Zoo has supported the
Jane Goodall Institute’s Tchimpounga Natural Re-
serve (TNR) in the Republic of Congo. The area is
characterized by a mosaic of dry open savannahs,
densely forested gorges, flood plains, mangrove
swamps, and coastal Mayombe forest -- Africa’s
most endangered ecosystem type, of which only
approximately 10% remains. These forests shelter
many endangered species such as chimpanzees,
forest elephants, and western lowland gorillas, as
well as guenons and mandrills. Due to the close
proximity of this highly diverse and important
area to the Republic of Congo’s second largest ur-
ban area (Pointe Noire), TNR faces many of the
pressures that human populations place on natu-
ral resources. To prevent poaching, JGI employs
local Eco-guards to protect the reserve, and is per-
forming intensive biological surveys to determine
the best sites for possible reintroduction of captive
chimpanzees into the wild.
THE HOUSTON ZOO & CHIMPANZEE CONSERVATION:
WILDLIFE | SUMMER 2010 | 11
12 | HOUSTON ZOO | www.houstonzoo.org
"Wi ldcats" Ra ise Funds For Endangered Wi ldcats
The Houston Zoo extends our special thanks to the stu-
dents of Velasquez Elementary of Richmond, TX, a.k.a.
“Wildcats”, for raising $700 for the Zoo’s Cat Conservation
program through their holiday Cash for Cats fundraiser.
This money will help the Zoo to support researchers in
identifying and monitoring five threatened wild cat species
in Malaysian Borneo.
“Our students were donating money from getting good
grades on their report cards, which they worked very hard
for,” said fourth grade teacher, Beth Yockey, “as well as mon-
ey found in their couches, their parents’ cars – even the
dryer! Once they saw one person do it, everyone followed.
It was inspiring.”
The kids celebrated their hard work with a trip to the Zoo!
We hope their love for these endangered animals will lead
them to become the next generation of nature’s guardians.
Learn how your own donations or fundraiser can support an-
imals at the Zoo and around the globe at www.houstonzoo.
org/support and www.houstonzoo.org/conservation.
Preserve Memories & Honor Someone Special
Looking for the perfect way to commemorate a special occa-
sion, like a birthday, wedding or special trip to the Zoo? Or,
want to leave a legacy for a beloved friend, family member
or pet? Say it with a brick paver for the Zoo’s front entry!
Your personalized brick represents a unique and lasting
memory to be cherished for years to come.
Create your own memory today! Your tax-deducible gift of
$100 or more will earn you a spot in the Zoo’s front entry!
For more information and to order your brick, visit www.
houstonzoo.org/brickpaver.
Help Us Br ing Af r i ca to Houston!
On your next visit, purchase a limited edition African For-
est bracelet and pin at the ticket counter. With this dona-
tion, you are playing a role in building the historic African
Forest expansion. Learn more at www.houstonzoo.org/
africanforest.
$2 donat ion $5 donat ion
DEVELOPMENT
When was the last time you had a once-in-a-
lifetime experience? We’re offering two!
Join the Houston Zoo for 5 days / 4 nights on the
water in Baja and the Sea of Cortez. Escape to a
world teeming with wildlife, where the beaches
show no footprints except your own, and the
setting sun seems to glow orange for hours.
Kayak. Hike. Take an adjunct Zodiac Cruise to
search for whales and dolphins or snorkel with
sea lions and vibrant reef fish.
Prefer solid ground? Then trekking with the
Mountain Gorillas of Rwanda is for you. First
we’ll visit Akagera National Park in the east,
with its beautiful undulating plains, its wood-
lands, sprawling lakes and wetlands. Spot
wildlife in the park – elephant, buffalo, giraffe,
hippo, crocodile and antelope. The highlight:
tracking the endangered Mountain Gorillas in
Parc National des Volcans. Seeing some of the
remaining 700 mountain gorillas is a truly awe-
inspiring experience.
Go to www.houstonzoo.org/safari or email
[email protected] for more infor-
mation.
Call of the Wild Speaker SeriesLectures resume in October with a very spe-
cial guest. Enjoy nature, wildlife, and land-
scape photography from around the globe as
acclaimed National Geographic photographer
Frans Lanting joins us for this evening event
on October 13 in the Houston Zoo’s Brown Edu-
cation Center.
Then on November 17, join us in welcoming
Carter Smith, Executive Director, Texas Parks
and Wildlife. Go to www.houstonzoo.org/lec-
tureseries for details.
Call of the Wild Speaker Series is sponsored by
the Tapeats Fund, Charles T. Bauer Foundation,
Continental Airlines and KUHF-FM (88.7).
Experiencing Nature Inspires Us to Respect & Protect
WILDLIFE | SUMMER 2010 | 13
14 | HOUSTON ZOO | www.houstonzoo.org
Mom Shan t i w i t h b aby Bay l o r, t h e n ewe s t membe r o f o u r Hou s t o n Z oo e l e phan t h e r d , b o r n o n May 4 , 2010 .{
WILDLIFE | SUMMER 2010 | 15
In 2009 the Houston Zoo and Baylor College of
Medicine (BCM) established a unique collaboration.
Created following the untimely loss of the beloved
2-year-old calf Mac, the partnership returned results
in less than a year with development of a new test
that specifically diagnoses elephant endotheliotropic
herpesviruses, or EEHV, commonly called elephant
herpes.
Dr. Jeff Stanton, postdoctoral fellow in the depart-
ment of molecular virology and microbiology helped
develop the new test while working with Dr. Paul
Ling, an associate professor in the same department.
Prior to the development of the new test, the diagnos-
tic screening process for EEHV looked for all types
of viral infections that an elephant might have. As
Dr. Stanton explained in a recent issue of the BCM
magazine Solutions, the new test looks specifically
for the most common deadly strain and its subtypes.
The new test can be used on blood, urine, trunk
washes and even tears. “Right now we receive fluid
samples from the Zoo once each week for testing. We
want to catch the virus as soon as possible so treat-
ment can begin immediately,” said Stanton.
The Human Genome Sequencing Center at BCM is
sequencing DNA from tissues of infected elephants
to try to determine the herpesvirus genome. “A com-
plete sequence of the virus genome could help in
making a vaccine and that would give us more in-
formation about how the virus works,” said Stanton.
ELEPHANT KEEPERS ON DOUBLE DUTYThe daily routine at the McNair Asian Elephant Habitat is re-
turning to normal after the arrival of Baylor, the newest addition
to the Houston Zoo’s Asian elephant herd.
As the newborn settles in with his mom, Shanti, and the rest of
the herd, the Houston Zoo veterinary staff and the elephant care
team find themselves in a unique situation – both observing and
monitoring Baylor’s early development while preparing for the
arrival of a second calf this fall to mom Tess.
For about the first two years of his life, Baylor’s primary source
of nutrition will be mother’s milk. Elephant milk is high in fat
and protein. In fact, it contains 100 times more protein than
cow’s milk. On average, Baylor will consume approximately 20
pints of mother’s milk a day.
But at about six months of age, the keepers will begin to intro-
duce Baylor to solid food, like small bits of apples or yams. Bay-
lor will be ready to go to ‘school’ soon and his keepers will need
a ready incentive to reinforce the learning process. What better
reward than a nice sweet apple slice?
As Shanti and the rest of the herd teach him what it means to be
an elephant, the keepers will begin teaching Baylor how he will
take an active role in his care.
One of the first things he’ll learn is to be still, a task that has
vexed even the most patient human parents. Keepers will teach
Baylor to open his mouth so they can check his teeth, tongue
and oral tissues, and he’ll learn to lift up his legs so keepers can
check his foot pads and toenails.
While Baylor goes to school, the elephant care team will repeat
the birth preparation process for delivery of Tess’ calf in the fall.
Keepers and vet staff will conduct an encore performance of
regular ultrasounds and blood tests to check progesterone levels
while monitoring Tess’ diet to ensure the calf is healthy.
Baylor’s first year will be a time of discovery. In addition to learn-
ing about his environment and the other members of his Hous-
ton Zoo elephant family, Baylor will soon discover that amazing
device on the front of his face – his trunk. He’ll watch the other
elephants and attempt to mimic their behavior, much to the
amusement of the keepers and Zoo guests. But after a couple of
months he’ll get the hang of it.
Read our elephant blog at houstonzooblogs.org/elephant.
A CARING COLLABORATION
Take a Walk on the Wi ld S ideJoin one of our expert animal keepers for an insider’s look at the Houston Zoo. Our staff
will be your personal guides as they share their passion for the critters in their care.
Listen to stories of the animals’ antics and personality quirks that will open your eyes
and tickle your funny bone. Walk on the Wild side this summer! Visit www.houstonzoo.
org/tours for available tours and dates.
Members F i r s t SaturdaysBeat the summer heat and lead your pack to the Zoo on the first Saturday of every month
at 8 a.m. for early entry. This is an exclusive opportunity for members only.
Adopt a Houston Zoo An imalWhy not adopt a bear for your brother or a sea lion for that special someone? Or how
about our newest resident the red panda? Not only will you be contributing to the care of
your animal, you’ll support important education and conservation programs at the Hous-
ton Zoo. So give an adoption as a gift --to yourself or someone special. Packages start at
just $35! Purchase your adopt online today at www.houstonzoo.org/adopt.
2010 Member's RewardsMembers can now make food and gift purchases at
the Zoo and earn Member Bucks to be used toward
purchases in the Houston Zoo Gift Shop. Inquire
at the membership booth or gift shop next time
you are here.
Exp lore Your Membersh ip benef i t s!Current members receive many benefits throughout the Zoo. Did you know you can by-
pass normal admission lines and go straight to the front by member-only Express Lanes?
Additionally, members receive 10% off in our store. Member discounts apply to a spin on
the Wildlife Carousel too. Go to www.houstonzoo.org/memberlevels for the full list
of Houston Zoo member benefits!
Dinosaurs are Here – Don’ t Miss I tThis summer, prehistoric dinosaurs are returning from extinction for a stay at the Hous-
ton Zoo. Members will have an exclusive opportunity to visit this exciting exhibit twice
before the general public.*
See what all the excitement is about. Don’t miss getting the first chance to meet with a
fearsome T-Rex or a massive Brachiosaurus! For more information go to www.houston-
zoo.org/dinos.
DINOSAURS! Member-only dates: Thursday, May 27, & Friday, May 28, 2010
*$2 fee per person to enter DINOSAURS!
MEMBERSHIP
16 | HOUSTON ZOO | www.houstonzoo.org
WILDLIFE | SUMMER 2010 | 17
This summer, dinosaurs won’t be the only creatures descend-
ing upon the Houston Zoo! With the arrival of the new dino-
saur exhibit set to debut on Memorial Day weekend, both our
Camp Zoofari kids and the Wild Winks overnight guests will
have a chance to step back in time.
Beginning June 1, children participating in Camp Zoofari
will go on a scavenger hunt that promises to be a fun-filled
adventure leading back to a time when prehistoric creatures
roamed the earth. They’ll learn all kinds of fascinating facts
about the habitats dinos lived in before they went extinct
nearly 65 million years ago, and how they directly relate to
many animals that call the Houston Zoo home today!
During the summer months we’re also featuring Doze with
the DINOSAURS!, giving you and your family or scout group
a chance to spend the night as part of our Wild Winks pro-
gram. Guests will tour grounds, the Reptile House, giraffes
and the Kipp Aquarium as well as the new DINOSAURS!
exhibit – and create their very own fossil as part of their
craft project.
If you or the kidasauruses you know are all about
dinosaurs, this summer the Houston Zoo is defi-
nitely the place to be!
For more information on our Camp Zoofari
or Wild Winks overnight programs, please
visit www.houstonzoo.org/education
or call 713-533-6739.
EDUCATION
BG NORTH AMERICA SUPPORTS CONSERVATION AT THE ZOO.
The Houston Zoo and BG North America kicked off
the Eco-Learning Lab on February 13, 2010. Ten
teachers from the Houston Independent School
District gathered at the Zoo for an exciting morn-
ing, learning how they can teach their students
about water conservation using real life examples.
In May, the teachers and their third grade students
returned to the Zoo for water quality testing at the
Zoo’s Reflection Pond and tours of aquatic exhibits.
Through BG’s unique partnership with the Zoo,
the Eco-learning lab is providing valuable science
education and teaching youth to be stewards of our
beautiful yet fragile world!
CALLING ALL KIDASAURUSES
18 | HOUSTON ZOO | www.houstonzoo.org
INVADE THE HOUSTON ZOO
THIS SUMMER
DINOSAURS!
19WILDLIFE
how they hunted
and moved, their
height and weight,
what they looked
like structurally
and their diet.
And with more
being uncovered
all the time, the bigger picture continues to
evolve and grow clearer.
Is your interest piqued yet? We hope so be-
cause on Memorial Day weekend, the Houston
Zoo debuted a special, limited engagement ex-
hibit featuring ten animatronic dinosaurs that
use futuristic technology to come alive again
in a prehistoric landscape. From the mighty
T-Rex and plated Stegosaurus to the massive
Brachiosaurus and horned Triceratops, these
snarling, roaring creatures will evoke wonder
and tons of fun for every person who dares to
meet them face-to-face.
There’s dino-themed food and
drink, and we’ve brought in
special dinosaur memorabil-
ia so you can take something
home from your visit. And
what a place to have your
party! Capture the imagina-
tion of all your guests and
make it something they’ll
talk about for centuries!
Our prehistoric herd is a
thrill for all ages, but only
until September. For more
information, please go to
www.houstonzoo.org/dinos.
Dinosaurs, ranging in size from as small as a
chicken to the size of a building, roamed the land
feeding mostly on plants, though some ate meat
or hunted each other! But approximately 65 mil-
lion years ago, during the Cretaceous period, the
majority of dinosaurs went extinct. There was a
lot of tectonic plate movement and volcanic ac-
tivity then that could have caused their demise,
through attendant earthquakes, tsunamis, and
changing weather and food sources. Another oft-
cited cause of extinction is the theory that an as-
teroid strike brought climate changes to which
the dinosaurs could not adapt.
For hundreds and even thousands of years
there’s evidence of people unearthing dino-
saur bones and fossils. So while the first dino-
saur was scientifically described as recently as
1824, the Chinese, Greeks and Romans recorded
finding them as far back as 2000 years ago! Dis-
covering giant bones in those days may be where
their idea of dragons and griffins originated.
While dinosaurs can be named
after the person that found
them, the place where they
were located or a feature
unique to them, they are usu-
ally made up of two words
– either Greek or Latin – il-
lustrating their genera and
species. Even the word ‘di-
nosaur’ originated by this method, deinos
meaning terrifying, and sauros meaning lizard.
From found skeletons and fossils it’s difficult
to tell their coloring, how they sounded, even
if they were male or female. But there is much
that can be determined, such as when they lived,
WILDLIFE | SUMMER 2010 | 19
DINOSAURS!
illions of years ago, well before people inhabited the earth, the
world was populated by dinosaurs -- one of several kinds of prehistoric animals.
This was during a time known as the Mesozoic Era, also known as the Age of
the Dinosaurs, which spanned 180 million years. To get a sense of how long that
was, modern humans have only been here for about 200,000 years, with early
humans dating back to barely one million years.
M
20 | HOUSTON ZOO | www.houstonzoo.org
This summer, what better place to take the kids than to
the Zoo? Some recent additions have made it better than
ever for them and for you.
We’re excited to announce a beautifully crafted walkway
as you exit the bald eagle exhibit area. There's added
rock formations, which also carry into the deer’s habitat,
and log fencing that runs past the otter exhibit to two
new rope climbing play areas! Located near the otter
slide and next to the pelican pool, with spongy rubber
mulch underneath, climbing on these ropes is a great
way for kids to learn balance and get strong while hav-
ing fun.
Now if you’re looking for a nice place to sit, you’ll find
several inviting new benches under the arms of a big
shade tree nearby. A refreshing little stream winds its
way through, adding extra cool and calm. It’s a perfect
place from which to view the playgrounds.
LOOK WHAT'S NEW AT THE CHILDREN'S ZOO !
Two places where there’s always something new happen-
ing: the Butterfly Stage, where new storytelling and inter-
active animal shows will be going on all summer long, and
the Swap Shop in the Discovery Center. Stop by, especially
if you haven’t yet; it’s a whole new way to engage your child
and help them learn about the natural world.
While there, check out the changes to the Discovery Gar-
den. Fresh flowers and plants abound, flanking a brand
new path just beside the main entrance, making it that
much easier to exit and enter the Children’s Zoo.
Because we know the John P. McGovern Children’s Zoo is
a place that our guests return to again and again, we have
even more improvements planned throughout the summer.
So come back, discover, and enjoy!
Go to www.houstonzoo.org/McGovern for information.
IT'S A POSTER!
DINOSAURS! are invading the Hous-ton Zoo this summer. Go back in time to when these awe-inspiring beasts dominated the earth.
Come meet the Parasaurolophus, Ty-rannosaurus Rex and Triceratops pic-tured here, along with the other di-nosaurs now on exhibit from May 29 through September 6.
To read more about them all, log on to www.houstonzoo.org/dinos.
The Houston Zoo 1513 Cambridge StreetHouston, Texas 77030
Visit online atwww.houstonzoo.org
Non-Prof i tOrgan izat ionU.S. Postage
PA I DHouston, Texas
Permit No. 8963
Guess what? You can book tours of up
close and personal visits with our meerkats!
Or how about our African wild dogs, amus-
ing otters, velvety okapi, or spectacled
bears, not to mention a wide variety
of our birds and primates, or the Kipp
Aquarium... and that’s just to name a few!
If you’ve never experienced a Behind the
Scenes Tour at the Houston Zoo, it’s the
most awesome way to spend a day, and
make it one you’ll never, ever forget.
What are you waiting for? Discover the
entire menu of our tours by visiting
www.houstonzoo.org/events/tours/behind.
CHECK OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING BEHIND THE SCENES!