march 2014 zoonooz

Now available on iPad

ALBERT’S RESTAURANT at the San Diego Zoo is cooking up some very special dining events for your springtime enjoyment. Join Executive Chef Chris Mirguet and Albert’s Chef Charles Boukas for a gourmet meal and great company—make your reservation today!

Inaugural Spirits DinnerFeaturing Ballast Point Brewing & SpiritsSaturday, March 22, 20146 p.m. reception with animal ambassadors in the Treetops Banquet Room.6:45 p.m. dinner in Albert’s Restaurant.Join the distillers from Ballast Point for a sampling of vodka, gin, rum, and moonshine.$79 per person; guests will be seated at tables of 8; must be 21 years or older to attend.

WINERY & VINEYARDS

Spring Winemaker DinnerFeaturing Wild Horse Winery & VineyardsSaturday, April 5, 20146 p.m. reception with animal ambassadors in theTreetops Banquet Room.6:45 p.m. dinner in Albert’s Restaurant.Enjoy Central Coast varietals made withunbridled passion.$79 per person; guests will be seated at tables of 8; must be 21 years or older to attend.

Easter BrunchSunday, April 20, 2014Treetops Banquet Room at the ZooContinuous seating from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.With or without an Easter bonnet, you’ll love the delicious selections of this bountiful Easter brunch buffet.$42.95 for adults and $18.95 for children ages 3 to 11. Nonmembers add Zoo admission.

Prices do not include tax and gratuity. Seating is limited.

MAKE YOUR RESERVATION TODAY—CALL 619-557-3964, 10 A.M. TO 5 P.M. DAILYVisit sandiegozoo.org/zoo/alberts for more information and complete menu.

diningat

albert’srestaurant

spring

inside march 2014

on the cover: Julia butterfly Dryas iuliaon this page: Costa’s hummingbird Calypte costaePhotos by Ken Bohn, SDZG Photographer

wildlife 8 The Power of Pollinators

They’re bees, birds, and butterflies—but also some animals you wouldn’t suspect. And our food supply depends on them.BY WENDY PERKINS

18 On the Case with the Bird DetectivesEven avian mysteries can be solved if you just know what clues to look for.BY MIKE GRUE

22 Cool Rep with a Bad Rap: Clearing the Name of the Gila MonsterYou won’t believe what some people think of Gila monsters. We’ll set the record straight.BY PEGGY SCOTT

explore 16 Welcome to a New View of the Zoo:

San Diego Zoo Kids!A stay in the hospital is no fun, but our new channel brings smiles to patients’ faces.BY KAREN E. WORLEY

24 Myth and Misconceptions: Sifting Fact from Fiction in the Animal KingdomWe debunk some pretty tall tales.BY KARYL CARMIGNANI

26 Paving the Way for Nature-inspired InnovationThe bioinspiration conference generates creative, sustainable ideas.BY GABRIEL MILLER AND CLAIRE WATHEN

conservation 12 Following the Footsteps of Bighorn

SheepA collaborative, international project aims to help local bighorn sheep.BY KARYL CARMIGNANI

FREE! Download the ZOONOOZ App for your iPad at sandiegozoo.org/zoonooz

more 2 Chairman’s Note 4 Through the Lens 5 Save the Date 6 You Said It 25 What’s in Store 26 Support 28 From the Archives

Members get up closeFREE all year long!

Start your membership today. Call 619-718-3000 or visit sandiegozoo.org

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TIGER TRAIL GEARING UP FOR OPENING

We are very excited about the opening of !e Tull Family Tiger Trail at the Sa-fari Park on Memorial Day weekend. Construction has been proceeding well, and all the major exhibit and visitor areas are nearing the "nal stages. !e

beautiful Sumatran-style longhouse is nearly complete, the rock walls and water pipes for the waterfall and tiger pools are in place, the groundwork and terracing are done in the ti-ger exhibits, and at the time of this writing, the construction teams are getting ready to pour the concrete for the pathways and the footings for the statues, signs, and other interpretive el-ements. !e next stages will include the land-scaping with bamboo, grasses, and a variety of Asian plant species; completing the remaining structures, such as the pondok market stand and the logging camp; and putting in the many large tiger-proof glass windows that will pro-vide excellent views for visitors. It’s coming together very nicely, and Tiger Trail will be a wonderful new addition to the Safari Park.

The Safari Park’s six tigers—males Ted-dy, Conrad, and Thomas and females Delta, Joanne, and Majel—are doing well, still in their former exhibit for now. Once Tiger Trail is ready, they will be moving into their new home before it opens to the public, so the tigers can discover all the exhibit’s tiger-friendly fea-tures. !ose include streams and pools, since tigers are among the few cats that like water; boulders, tree trunks, and platforms to climb; and a variety of sunning spots in the grass and on rocks heated from below that will be perfect for lounging. With the powerful senses of a tiger, they are probably aware of the busy construction that has been taking place nearby, and their keepers are looking forward to watching them explore their new home.

As we anticipate the exhibit grand opening in May, there are some digital ways that you can discover tigers in the meantime. Our Tiger Trail website, which you can "nd at sdzsafaripark.org/tigertrail, provides an advance look at some of the exhibit features and some of the characteristics that make tigers such popular and fascinating animals, as well as some of the conservation work San Diego Zoo Global is undertaking on their behalf. In addition, you’ll also "nd a link there to the online Tiger Trail Game, which has a conserva-tion message. I hope you’ll enjoy these over the next couple of months, and I look forward to sharing the new exhibit with all our visitors in May.

Rick GulleyChairman

SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBALOFFICERS

Richard B. Gulley, ChairmanWilliam H. May, Vice Chairman

Sandra A. Brue, SecretaryRobert B. Horsman, Treasurer

BOARD OF TRUSTEESM. Javade Chaudhri

Berit N. DurlerClifford W. Hague

Nan C. KatonaPatricia L. RoscoeSteven G. Tappan

Judith A. WheatleyDavid S. Woodruff, Ph.D., D.Sc.

TRUSTEES EMERITIFrank C. Alexander

Kurt Benirschke, M.D. Weldon Donaldson

Thompson FetterBill L. Fox

Frederick A. Frye, M.D.George L. GildredYvonne W. LarsenJohn M. Thornton

Albert Eugene TrepteBetty Jo F. Williams

William E. Beamer, General Counsel

Douglas G. Myers, President/CEO

Charles L. Bieler, Executive Director Emeritus

THE FOUNDATION OF SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL

OFFICERSMurray H. Hutchison, Chair

Maryanne C. Pfister, Vice ChairSusan N. McClellan Secretary

Richard M. Hills, TreasurerMark A. Stuart, President

Richard B. Gulley, Ex officioDouglas G. Myers, Ex officio

BOARD OF DIRECTORSChristine L. Andrews

Joye D. BlountRick BregmanLisa S. Casey

Douglas Dawson Berit N. Durler, Ex officio

U. Bertram Ellis, Jr.Arthur E. Engel

Craig L. GrosvenorJudith C. HarrisCraig A. Irving

Michael E. KassmanSusan B. Major

Michael D. McKinnonGeorge A. Ramirez

Thomas TullMargie Warner

Ed Wilson

chairman’s note

2 ZOONOOZ Q MARCH 2014

Enjoy

Spring Brewmaster DinnerSaturday, March 8, 2014, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.Hunte Nairobi PavilionReception with animal ambassadors, 5:30 to 6 p.m.Four-course dinner with beer pairings presented by Hangar 24 Craft Brewery Brewmaster Kevin Wright, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Includes a souvenir beer glass. $79 for members, $91 for nonmembers, ages 21 and older onlyYou can also spend a wild night at the Park after dinner at our Brewmaster Roar & Snore Safari!

Butterfly Jungle Preview DinnerFriday, April 4, 2014, 5:30 to 8 p.m.Hunte Nairobi Pavilion$69.95 for members, $91 for nonmembersSee the amazing Butterfly Jungle before it o!cially opens to the public, then gather for a lovely, spring-inspired dinner and a keeper presentation.Want to spend a wild night at the Safari Park? Join our special Butterfly Jungle Preview Roar & Snore Safari following dinner!

Easter BrunchSunday, April 20, 2014, 11 a.m.Hunte Nairobi Pavilion$42.95 for adults and $18.95 for children ages 3 to 11. Nonmembers add Safari Park admission.Hop on over to the Safari Park for a wild Easter Brunch! From gourmet specialties to Easter favorites, and plenty for those with a sweet tooth, this brunch bu"et is sure to please the whole family.

Prices do not include tax, gratuity and Safari Park parking; Seating is limited.

!e Safari Park blossoms in the spring, both with colorful flowers and the beautiful butterflies of Butterfly Jungle. Join Safari Park Executive Chef Matthew Dusharme for gourmet dining and delectable treats to welcome the season.

For reservations, call 619-718-3000. View menus online at sdzsafaripark.org/dining.

Springtimeat the Safari Park’s Special Events!

through the lens

Masai giraffes Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi


The spring equinox on March 20 heralds a busy and exciting season at the Zoo and Safari Park, so if you have a case of spring fever, we have the cure! At the

Zoo, Plays Days begins on March 29 and continues through April 20, with animal enrichment activities, keeper talks, and special presentations popping up throughout the Zoo

for three weeks of “play dates” with all your favorite animals. Spring at the Safari Park means But-terfly Jungle, which begins on April 5 and continues through April 27. It promises to be as impres-sive, colorful, and fun as always, with thousands of beautiful butterflies around you in a lovely welcome to springtime. Come visit us and enjoy!

Douglas G. Myers President/CEO

Spring Is on Its Way!

MARCH 8 Spring Brewmaster Dinner; also,

special Brewmaster Dinner Roar & Snore, Safari Park

14 Plant Day and Orchid Odyssey, Zoo

14, 21, 29 KinderNights: Animals on the Plains, Zoo

15, 22 KinderTots: Counting with Okapis, Zoo

29 Play Days begins, Zoo

APRIL 1 Play Days continues, through

April 20, Zoo

1, 2, 3, 4 Spring Camp, Zoo

4 Butterfly Jungle Preview Dinner; also, special Butterfly Jungle Preview Dinner Roar & Snore, Safari Park

5 Butterfly Jungle begins, through April 27, Safari Park

5 Albert’s Spring Winemaker Dinner, Zoo

12, 18 Roar & Snore: Safari Sampler with Butterfly Jungle, Safari Park

18 Plant Day and Orchid Odyssey, Zoo

19 Roar & Snore: Egg-straspecial Animals, Safari Park

20 Easter Brunch, Zoo and Safari Park

ZOONOOZ®

PUBLISHED SINCE 1926MARCH 2014

VOL.LXXXVINO.3

MANAGING EDITORKAREN E. WORLEY

ASSOCIATE EDITORSPEGGY SCOTT

DEBBIE ANDREENSTAFF WRITERS

WENDY PERKINSKARYL CARMIGNANI

SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL PHOTOGRAPHER

KEN BOHNDIGITAL IMAGING TECHNICIAN

TAMMY SPRATTDESIGN AND PRODUCTION

DAMIEN LASATER • CHRIS MARTIN HEIDI SCHMID • LISA BISSI

JENNIFER MACEWENPREPRESS AND PRINTING

BROWN PRINTING COMPANY

!e Zoological Society of San Diego was founded in Octo ber 1916 by Harry M. Wegeforth, M.D., as a private, nonprofit corporation. !e Zoological Society of San Diego does business as San Diego Zoo Global.

ZOONOOZ® (ISSN 0044-5282) is currently published bimonthly. Publisher is San Diego Zoo Global, at 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA 92103, 619-231-1515. Periodicals postage paid at San Diego, California, U.S.A., and at additional mailing o"ces. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Membership Department, P.O. Box 120271, San Diego, CA 92112.

Copyright® 2014 San Diego Zoo Global. All rights reserved. “ZOONOOZ” Reg. U.S. Pat. O"ce. All column and program titles are trademarks of San Diego Zoo Global.

Annual Memberships: Dual $119, new; $104, renewal. Single $98, new; $86, renewal. Each membership includes unlimited entrance to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

ZOONOOZ subscription: $25 per year, $65 for 3 years. Foreign, including Canada and Mexico, $30 per year, $81 for 3 years. Contact Membership Department, P.O. Box 120271, San Diego, CA 92112.

As part of San Diego Zoo Global’s commitment to conservation, ZOONOOZ is printed on recycled paper that is 30% post-consumer waste, chlorine free, and is Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certified.

Using this paper for a year will save approximately 200 tons of wood, or 1,400 trees; 965 million BTUs of energy, enough to run 10 homes for a year; 155,000 pounds of CO2 equivalent, the amount produced by 14 cars during a year; and 84,000 pounds of solid waste (estimates made using the Environmental Defense Fund Paper Calculator).

save the date

SAN DIEGO ZOO HOURSMarch 1–9: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

March 10–28: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.March 29–31: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

April 1–20: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.April 21–30: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

SAN DIEGO ZOO SAFARI PARK HOURSMarch 1–31: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

April 1–4: 9 a.m to 5 p.m. April 5–27: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

April 28–30: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.WEBSITE

sandiegozoo.org

SAN DIEGO ZOO PHONE619-231-1515

ZOONOOZ®

!e Zoological Society of San Diego was founded in Octo ber 1916 by Harry M. Wegeforth, M.D., as a private, nonprofit corporation. !e Zoological Society of San Diego does business as San Diego Zoo Global.

ZOONOOZ® (ISSN 0044-5282) is currently published bimonthly. Publisher is San Diego Zoo Global, at 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA 92103, 619-231-1515. Periodicals postage paid at San Diego, California, U.S.A., and at additional mailing o"ces. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Membership Department, P.O. Box 120271, San Diego, CA 92112.

Copyright® 2014 San Diego Zoo Global. All rights reserved. “ZOONOOZ” Reg. U.S. Pat. O"ce. All column and program titles are trademarks of San Diego Zoo Global.

Annual Memberships: Dual $119, new; $104, renewal. Single $98, new; $86, renewal. Each membership includes unlimited entrance to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

ZOONOOZ subscription: $25 per year, $65 for 3 years. Foreign, including Canada and Mexico, $30 per year, $81 for 3 years. Contact Membership Department, P.O. Box 120271, San Diego, CA 92112.

As part of San Diego Zoo Global’s commitment to conservation, ZOONOOZ is printed on recycled paper that is 30% post-consumer waste, chlorine free, and is Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certified.

Using this paper for a year will save approximately 200 tons of wood, or 1,400 trees; 965 million BTUs of energy, enough to run 10 homes for a year; 155,000 pounds of CO2 equivalent, the amount produced by 14 cars during a year; and 84,000 pounds of solid waste (estimates made using the Environmental Defense Fund Paper Calculator).

FSC® is not responsible for any calculations on saving resources by choosing this paper.

5SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL Q SANDIEGOZOO.ORG

PowerBy Wendy PerkinsSTAFF WRITER

to thePollinators

Bumblebee

ZOONOOZ Q MARCH 20148

And creatures that you won’t believe do it: they help pollinate plants! Flowering plants mainly reproduce through seeds, yet in order for seeds to form, pollen needs to be transferred from one !ower to an-other. Some pollen is broadcast by the wind or water, but it may or may not land where it will do any good. Animals are a good bet as pollen-delivery vectors, since they regularly visit !owers. Most of the time, these animals are unwitting accomplices in a !owering plant’s reproductive scheme.

About 80 percent of the Earth’s !owering plants depend totally on animal-facilitated pollination to set seed or produce fruit, which not only feeds humans and other creatures but also creates and renews habitat. No habitat, no wildlife. Fortunately, “team pollina-tion” is a diverse group: in addition to a variety of invertebrates, other animals including reptiles, mammals, and birds pollinate plants in almost every habitat.

The Big BuzzHoneybees are the best-known crop pollinators, but many people don’t realize they aren’t native to North America. Brought here by Eu-ropean settlers in the 1600s, honeybees have become a familiar sight. Today, hives are managed by backyard enthusiasts as well as by busi-nesses that truck hives to orchards and farms in a pollination-for-pay arrangement. What many people may not be aware of, however, is that North America is home to more than 4,000 species of native bees that are just as e"ective at pollinating—and sometimes even more so.

Certain crops, such as blueberries, have a !ower structure that doesn’t release maximum pollen by brushing against the stamen. European honeybees do visit these !owers and move some pollen,

but not very e#ciently. Native bumblebees, however, have all the right moves. In a behavior called buzz pollination, or sonication, a bumblebee holds the petals of a !ower in its mouthparts and with its legs and rapidly vibrates its wing muscles, shaking the pollen loose. It’s a herculean e"ort; buzz-pollinating bumblebees experience forc-es 30 times greater than gravity! Yet they get more pollen out and spread about this way, making them more e#cient than honeybees for blueberry pollination.

Even in crops traditionally pollinated by managed honeybees, research has shown that the presence of native bees results in high-er pollination. It’s thought that the increased competition drives honeybees to work faster and harder, but it’s also true that the more bees—of any kind—present, the more pollination happens. Also, because native bees can generally tolerate a wider range of temperatures, they may be on the job when it is too cold for hon-eybees.

Over the past few years, there has been an increasing buzz among scientists about declining bee populations. As researchers look into colony collapse disorder, a phenomenon in which worker bees—the ones that perform pollination—vanish, usually without a trace, they are $nding that it may well be a combination of diseases and para-sites that honeybees have historically weathered. What changed? Increased pesticide use and a continuing, rapid loss of habitat and forage plants are suspected as factors that are tipping the scale in the wrong direction. And it’s not just honeybees that are feeling the sting—whatever a"ects honeybees also a"ects native bees. How-ever, the “buzz” that started with scientists has become louder and is spreading among the public via conservation outreach programs

Birds do it. Bees do it.

Rice paper butterfly Black-and-white ruffed lemur Anna’s hummingbird


and the media. Many are making choices that can, in the long run, bene$t bees, such as choosing organic fruits and vegetables, eschew-ing pesticide use in their own yards, and even creating bee-friendly habitats in private and public spaces (see sidebar on page 11).

Fly ByIn many people’s minds, butter!ies and !owers go together like salt and pepper shakers—if you see one, you’re likely to see the other. %e butter!ies tend to get more out of the relationship than the !owers, though. Long legs prevent a butter!y’s body from brushing against a !ower’s pollen-laden anthers. Yet, some pollen does collect on the

insect’s feet and lower limbs, and in the pursuit of cross-pollination, every little bit helps.

When it comes to birds that bene$t !owers, most people think of hummingbirds. Indeed, they are powerful pollinators! Although a hummingbird typically hovers in front of a !ower as it feeds, it also needs to be close enough to reach the nectar that is o&en held in a deep sac, and the !ower’s anthers give the bird a good dusting of pollen. Many !owers that hummingbirds feed from have multiple blossoms on a branch or plant, so the bird just moves from one to the other. %is “one-stop-shopping” situation helps ensure that the plant’s pollen is more likely to be spread among its own kind; honey-suckle pollen deposited in a fuchsia !ower doesn’t help either plant!

In South Africa, bird of paradise plants are pollinated almost ex-clusively by sunbirds. %e structure of the !ower limits which crea-ture can access the nectar and pollen, but when a sunbird perches on the blossom and steps on the blue-purple protruberance, the anther opens up, and pollen attaches to the bird’s feathers.

Both hummingbirds and sunbirds have long bills—a useful ad-aptation for reaching deep into !owers for nectar—but some nectar-feeding birds do just $ne without an extended mouth. Lorikeets, for example, have a small, hooked beak. %eir adaptation for gathering nectar and pollen is a tongue tipped with hair-like structures called

BUTTERFLY JUNGLEAPRIL 5 THROUGH 27, 2014, AT THE SAFARI PARK

Mark your calendars and join the much-anticipated and popular annual celebration of butterflies. Step inside Hidden Jungle and marvel at the range of sizes and colors of

thousands of butterflies, and see how many species you can spot. Wear bright colors, and the winged wonders might land on

you! For an extra-special experience, make a reservation for the Butterfly Jungle Preview Dinner on April 4.

Call 619-718-3000 to save your spot for the dinner. You can even add a Roar & Snore Safari to this unique evening!

IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR

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Above: Feathertail gliders are one of many mammals that pollinate plants as they feed on nectar. Left: A honeybee carries a “basket” of pollen on its legs.


SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL is committed to help-ing pollinators recover. On your next visit to the Zoo, stop by the Pollinator Garden near the west entrance to Elephant Odyssey and see which pollinators are put-ting in an appearance. !e space serves as a “waystation” dedicated to helping sustain pollinators by providing a steady supply of pesticide-free nectar and host plants, as well as suitable living spaces for native bees. We have a large section of milkweed available for monarch butter-flies to lay eggs on from spring through fall, helping to boost the West Coast population. A large, wooden na-tive bee house structure provides holes for solitary native species like mason and leafcutter bees to nest in. Perhaps your visit will pollinate your mind with ideas on how you can help pollinators around your own home.

Providing a Safe Haven

papillae. As with so many other pollinators, pollen attaches to the lorikeet’s head and chest when it reaches into the !ower.

Surprise PollinatorsBirds and bees are “the usual suspects” when it comes to pollination, but there is a whole other cast of characters $lling the pollination niche, including certain mammals, geckos, slugs, !ies, and beetles. If you’ve ever wondered what purpose mosquitoes serve (other than to give your arms exercise while swatting them away), here’s the an-swer: they, too, are pollinators.

Only female mosquitoes bite and drink the blood of animals (in-cluding humans), and they do so to get protein to support the devel-opment of their eggs. For the energy needed for !ight, both female and male mosquitoes rely on nectar and other plant juices. While some people might be willing to trade a few less !owers for a world with no mosquitoes, the truth is that in the quest for healthy ecosys-tems, one can never have too many pollinators.

Furry CouriersIn the rain forests of Madagascar, ru"ed lemurs leap from branch to branch foraging for fruit and other food items—including nec-tar. %ese primitive primates use their nimble hands to pry !owers open wide. %en they poke their snout down deep inside to reach the nectar. As they do this, pollen grains stick to their furry face. At the next !ower visited, the previous pollen is transferred. %e ru"ed le-murs’ role as pollinators can help ensure their food supply down the road—the !owers they pollinate become the fruit they eat.

In Australia, honey possums visit banksia blooms for nectar and pollen. While they eat some of the pollen, a good amount also dusts their coat. Another small marsupial, the sugar glider, acts as a pol-linator of eucalyptus and acacia trees.

Although bats are well-known insect eaters, some species feed on !ower nectar, which positions them as pollinators. Bats help

pollinate avocados, cloves, dates, and agave (from which tequila is distilled), as well as carob and cocoa trees. Looking at how much humans bene$t from pollinator actions, it’s clear they are a force we can’t live without. Power to the pollinators—long may they thrive! Q

You can get a close look at the brush-like tongue of a lorikeet at Lorikeet Landing at the Safari Park. New birds have joined the flock, and now more than 70 rainbow lorikeets chirp, chatter, and fly through this walk-through aviary. !e inquisitive, friendly birds are quite willing to come sit on your hand, arm, or head to drink from a nectar cup (available for purchase outside the exhibit). As you watch them feed, just imagine the cup is a flower, and you’ll understand how pollen could collect on their head!

Meet a

Lorikeet


Following @sandiegozoo on Instagram is one of the best choic-es I’ve made this year.

@Seafishaaa

SD Zoo is the best! Used to take our kids there every other week when they were little. Miss those days...

@richfield65

Discovering the @sandiegozoo Panda Cam is the best thing since sliced bread! #ilovepandas

@sweetchristine

!is webcam has opened my eyes to the Elephant world, and the impor-tance of saving the Elephants from becoming extinct. I think the SDZSP

and the Keepers are doing a wonderful job of doing that.Jan

Mina and Oshana enjoyed their birthday cakes at today’s (11/20/13) birthday celebration!

Bob Ulrich

Unkie pleading his case.Deric Wagner

Bateleur eagle having a drink of water.Bob Worthington

Just spent the last 3 .5 hours in pure bliss on a @sdzsafaripark Deluxe Adventure Caravan Safari. So

proud to support such a great organization.@mlynnfryer

you said it


Flightline Safari at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is a truly amazing experience for those looking for excitement and adventure. Soar as high as 160 feet above the ground with rhinos, bu!alo, deer, and more in the "elds below you. #e Flightline experience includes gear, an orientation, and a practice session. Once “$edged,” board a truck for a ride to the main Flightline, where your guide hooks your harness onto the sturdy cable. #en you’re o!, $ying the friendly Safari Park skies to land safely at the Park’s Kilima Point. What a thrill!

Fly Like An

If you’ve ever wanted to fly, here’s your chance: call 619-718-3000 to book your Flightline Safari.

Eagle!

He nimbly darted this way and that over the boulders, his cream-colored rump patch fad-ing into the dust. Navigating the steep, scrubby, rocky terrain is virtually e!ortless for the rug-

ged Peninsular bighorn sheep, which survives in this parched land-scape browsing on scattered greens and extracting water from barrel cacti by breaking them apart with its horns and hooves. Peninsular bighorn sheep are a distinct population segment of the desert big-horn Ovis canadensis nelsoni and can be found from the San Jacinto Mountains southward into Baja California, Mexico, in dry, rocky habitat from the desert "oor to 4,500 feet in elevation. An icon of the California desert wilderness, this muscular bovid was federally listed as endangered in 1998 a#er the US metapopulation crashed to a few hundred individuals. $e sheep have bene%ted from added protection and now number over 1,000. A binational conservation project recently reached a milestone, embarking on the %rst move-ment and health study in the Sierra Juarez in northern Baja Cali-fornia. $is subpopulation has received little attention compared

By Karyl Carmignani STAFF WRITER

Photos Provided by Mathias Tobler, Ph.D.SENIOR RESEARCHER, SDZG

FOLLOWING THE FOOTSTEPS OF

Top: A bighorn sheep plunges back into the wild after his exam. Above: Helicopters, used for aerial surveys, were also used to transport four animals to the base camp for additional procedures.

BIGHORN SHEEP


to the subpopulations in California, yet provides an important link between the populations in California and Mexico. Fi#een bighorn sheep were captured and released, with the resulting data provid-ing a deeper understanding of the ecology and habitat use of this intrepid species.

NET GAIN!e throb of the helicopter rotor "lls the air. As it clears a ridge, a 200-pound ram is bolting for cover. !e skillful (and fearless) “net gun-ner” leans out of the ‘copter and takes his shot. An orange, four-point net drops down and covers the sheep, and the animal slows. !e pilot

expertly hovers the aircra# a few feet o$ the ground, and a “mugger” hops to the ground, taking the ram by the horns. Once the animal is blindfolded and his legs tied, he relaxes. $is daring process occurred 15 times over 2 days, with 10 bighorns (5 rams, 5 ewes) receiving GPS collars and another 5 getting measured and having biological samples collected. Four of the sheep were transported back to base camp for additional procedures. “$e process was impressive,” said Mathias Tobler, Ph.D., senior researcher, San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research. “I am used to big cat captures that can take days or even months to happen, and here we caught two bighorns in the %rst half hour!” Aerial surveys and bighorn sheep captures take place in the fall, when the weather is cooler, making the process less stressful for the animals.

$e two-inch-wide GPS collars have small solar panels that will recharge the battery. $e rams’ collars will last two years and pro-vide hourly GPS updates, while the ewes’ collars will last three years and provide updates every 30 minutes. $e animals’ coordinates are transmitted to the researchers’ computers via satellite. $ese data will “allow us to better understand critical areas and movement cor-

ridors that the sheep are using,” explained Lisa Nordstrom, Ph.D., associate director of the Applied Animal Ecology division of the In-stitute. “Wildlife does not care about political boundaries, so being able to study the bighorn populations on both sides of the interna-tional border through this highly collaborative e!ort is a huge ac-complishment.”

One burning question is how US Interstate 8 and Mexico High-way 2, both of which bisect bighorn habitat, impact the connectivity of this population. Gene "ow between groups of sheep is necessary to keep the populations robust and healthy, but that same connectiv-ity could also facilitate disease transmission. $e collection of bio-logical samples (blood, serum, oral and nasal swabs, fecal pellets, and ectoparasites like ticks) from the bighorns will enable research-ers to evaluate the presence of diseases—bighorns are susceptible to many. Domestic cattle, sheep, and goats carry diseases such as bluetongue, which is spread by midges, and a myriad of respiratory illnesses including bovine progressive pneumonia. “Based on the information we %nd, we can see how prevalent disease agents are,” said Josephine Braun, D.V.M., a scientist with the Institute’s Wildlife Disease Laboratories. “$is will help us assess the health of this wild population.” $is important information could guide management actions to help prevent future disease events.

LIFE ON THE ROCKSBighorn sheep are herbivores that eat a wide variety of seasonally available plants, which can usually meet their water requirements. In the searing-hot dry season, however, bighorn sheep tend to gather near water sources to obtain enough water. Ewes live in groups with other females and their o!spring in smaller home ranges than those of rams. $e latter travel between ewe groups, joining them during the fall breeding season. $is is when the rams put their horns to work, competing with other males through head-butting contests.

According to $e Nature Conservancy, the rams can charge at each other running 20 miles per hour and crash their heads togeth-er. $is can go on for many hours; the winner earns breeding rights. Lambs are typically born in spring, when desert plants are plentiful. Youngsters can walk and climb treacherous terrain within a day of being born, and they remain with their mother for the %rst year of life. Bighorn sheep rely on keen eyesight—their vision is about eight times more powerful than a human’s—and their climbing abilities to avoid predators.

It is hoped that the proximity of humans throughout bighorn sheep habitat will not cause this population to stumble. Science, technology, commitment, and collaboration will help keep this iconic species running on the rocks. Q

San Diego Zoo Global would like to thank its passionate partners and supporters: Universidad Autónoma de Baja California; !e Nature Conservancy; Secretaría de Protección al Ambiente de Baja Califor-nia; Cambium; California Department of Fish and Wildlife; Univer-sity of California, Davis, Wildlife Health Center; Native Range; and Western Tracking Institute.

Placing a blindfold over the sheep’s eyes calms the animal down. Ten bighorn sheep received GPS collars so researchers can track their movements.


Will you help stop extinction today?

Will YouHERO

WILDLIFE?

be afor

Around the world many animals are endangered—like this beautiful tiger cub. !ey could disappear forever!

!at’s why your action today is so important.

San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy has skilled wildlife specialists working hard in the desperate race to stop extinction. Over the years, they’ve led the "ght to save and protect giant pandas, California condors, rhinoceroses, and scores of other critically endangered species around the globe. Will you join us today to save even more precious animals?

!is life-saving work is only possible because of generous donors like you!

Will you donate just 33 cents a day to save beautiful tigers like this one? !at’s only $10 a month! And you’ll join many other caring people who help make a di#erence.

Please, become a hero for wildlife today—your monthly gi$ will help stop extinction, and you’ll be helping protect beautiful animals and their habitats for future generations. You truly will be a conservation hero.

!ank you in advance for caring and for helping to save endangered species!

Here’s how you can join our monthly giving program—our Wildlife Heroes—and start helping today:

1. Fill out and send the provided envelope or the form below.2. Call Sarah at the San Diego Zoo at 619-557-3914.3. Join online at hero4wildlife.org.

R YES, I’ll become a Wildlife Hero! Please use my monthly donation to save endangered species from extinction.

R $5 a month R $10 a month (just 33¢ a day!)

R $20 a month R ______________ Other

Credit Card Number: __________________________________________

Exp. Date:______________________ CV Code: ____________________

Name: _______________________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________

City: _____________________ State: _________ Zip: ________________

Email: _____________________ Phone: ____________________________

Why becoming a monthly donor is the best way for you to give: • You make your gift automatically through your credit card. • It’s cost effective, so more of your gift goes to saving endangered species. • It provides a reliable source of funding that allows our conservationists to

plan ahead—and that’s great for the animals we love!• You can change or cancel your gift at any time. WCMZA

San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife ConservancyP.O. Box 120551San Diego, CA 92112

MICHAEL “MICK” AND LISETTE FARRELL are no strangers to philanthropy or community service in San Diego. !ey are active in numerous organizations that range from Las Patronas to the La Jolla Playhouse, which makes us all the more fortunate that they are dedicating some of their time to the San Diego Zoo by chairing our R•I•T•Z gala in 2014. We asked Mick and Lisette to share a bit about themselves and their plans for that special evening on June 21.

How long have you lived in San Diego?We have been lucky enough to live in San Diego for almost 14 years. We came here for Mick’s job at the medical technology company ResMed, which has its global headquarters in Kearny Mesa. Our children were born and have been raised here.

Tell us about some of your favorite experiences at the Zoo or Safari Park.We have taken our children to the Zoo and the Safari Park since they were very little. One of our favorite experiences was when we visited behind the scenes at the koala exhibit. On another occasion, we were fortunate enough to feed an elephant with the zookeepers close at hand.

What lessons in life have you learned that you would like to pass on to your children?We are "rm believers that everyone deserves to be treated with re-spect and dignity and that giving to good charitable causes is very important and makes our community a better place to live. We have lived in many parts of the world and have seen many varieties of ecosystems from Brazilian rain forests to Egyptian deserts, but the one thing that is constant is the diversity of plant and animal life on this planet. It is our job to ensure that biodiversity not only survives

By creating a Charitable Gift Annuity or including the Zoological Society of San Diego in your will or trust, you can help protect wildlife. To receive more information, please call

619-744-3352 or visit our website at zoolegacy.org.

You can help secure the future for wildlife!

Heritage Guild

as the human population grows but also %ourishes. Institutions like San Diego Zoo Global are an important part of that mission.

What’s your vision for R•I•T•Z this year?Our vision is to raise funds for the zebra, baboon, ibex, and warthog exhibits in the Zoo’s Africa Rocks area, and also to raise the fun at our gala to a whole new level!

What will make R•I•T•Z 2014 extra special and unique?Every R•I•T•Z has been special. We hope that 2014 will continue the long tradition of philanthropy within the San Diego community and will allow us all to appropriately honor one of our most unique insti-tutions, the San Diego Zoo. Q

PLANNING

SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 20146:30 p.m. until midnight

Honorary ChairsAudrey S. Geisel and Ernest Rady

Gala ChairsLisette and Michael “Mick” Farrell

Tickets$450 per guest

$900 per guest for R•I•T•Z Circle seating.For tickets, please contact Marilyn Neumann,

R•I•T•Z reservation chair, at 619-287-5435 or [email protected].

R•I•T•Z 2014 ChallengeFor every dollar donated, our honorary chairs will

match it 2! times for animals from the savanna and cliff areas of Africa Rocks.

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ERA NIGHT IN THE SAVANNAWITH THE FARRELLS

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WELCOME TO A NEW VIEW OF THE ZOO:

San Diego Zoo Global ambassador Rick Schwartz introduces Baba the pangolin to young patients.

SAN DIEGO ZOO KIDS!

Ever since Zoo founder Harry Wegeforth, M.D., dedicated the San Diego Zoo to the children of San Diego, fun and engaging educational experiences have been a fundamental part of our or-ganization. Now we are branching out in a new direction with San Diego Zoo Kids, a broadcast channel for children’s hospitals. This broadcast project combines videos of the Zoo, Safari Park,

and conservation fieldwork with footage from our live animal cams and keeper and scientist interviews to create entertaining and enjoyable stories children—and their parents—can tune into during a stay in the hospital.

Thanks to a generous donation from Denny Sanford, San Diego Zoo Kids debuted at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego and will soon be seen at Los Angeles Children’s Hospital and Sanford Children’s Hospital in South Dakota. Through each hos-pital’s closed-circuit channel, children can watch giant pandas at play, elephants tussling in the pool, and orangutans enjoying treats. Plus, they can find out about animals like cheetahs, owls, fossas, and crocodiles from the keepers who care for them at the Zoo and Safari Park. They can also view short, kid-friendly stories about lowland gorillas growing up, how researchers find koalas in Australia’s forests, and how giraffes select a babysitter to watch the calves while they go out browsing. It’s a playful and heartwarming look at our wonderful animals, created to provide little patients with something to smile about as they recover from illness or injury. The children may not be able to visit us, but we can go to them—and we’re happy to do it! �Q

Above: The San Diego Zoo Kids channel provides great animal stories for kids to watch during a hospital stay. Left: Donor Denny Sanford says hello to a patient at Rady Children’s Hospital during the launch of San Diego Zoo Kids.

When one has questions but no answers, it’s time to do a little detective work. A human detective may stake out a location or follow a lead to solve a mystery. Zookeepers o!en "nd

themselves doing the same, and the bird keepers at the San Diego Zoo are some of the best “snoops” around.

ASK AN EXPERT#e "rst thing a good detective does is interview wit-

nesses and experts. Getting "rst-hand information is usually faster—and less painful—than having to

learn through trial and error. #e "rst time I tried to enter the red-crowned crane Grus japonen-

sis exhibit, I was met at the door by the female crane. #e "ve-foot-tall bird with an intimidat-ing bill made it clear that I was not welcome in her home. I bravely turned tail and $ed to one of the bird’s regular keepers to "nd out what I was doing wrong.

By Mike GrueSENIOR KEEPER

Photos by Ken BohnSDZG PHOTOGRAPHER

ON THE CASEWITH

THE BIRD DETECTIVES

A red-crowned crane can measure up to five feet in height.

ZOONOOZ Q MARCH 201418

Her main keeper, Chuck Border, told me that the female is usual-ly assertive only when a keeper enters her exhibit. If I simply tossed a few crickets into the grass behind her, she would excitedly hunt down the tasty treats and allow me to peacefully work. “She just loves her bugs,” Chuck said. “And they are even more useful when she has a chick to protect!”

CAUGHT ON FILMSometimes a detective can’t interview any witnesses or experts be-cause there aren’t any. A thorough bird investigator may have to “review the tapes” to solve a mystery. Bird detective Paul Colo has set up cameras in exhibits in and around the hummingbird aviary. From a monitor in the o%ce, Paul can keep track of four di&erent exhibits at once.

Paul recalled the time when he wasn’t sure if the new and inexpe-rienced greater sunbittern Eurypyga helias mom was taking care of her chick. Paul hadn’t seen the chick being fed while watching from inside the aviary. Instead, Paul explained how he was able to back up the "lm and see the frequency that the sunbittern chick was being fed. #e footage showed that the female was indeed taking care of

her youngster and that no human intervention was needed. Birds may behave di&erently if they know they are not being watched, but the camera sees—and “tells”—all!

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS DUCK?“#e Case of the Missing Duck” is usually solved within a few min-utes by searching a few well-known hideouts. Occasionally, a more thorough search is needed. Last year, I remember being teamed up on one of the more di%cult cases with my coworker, Amelia Suarez. #e case: a marbled teal Marmaronetta angustirostris had failed to show up for breakfast. We reviewed the facts: the duck got along well with everyone, had no known enemies, and had last been seen at dinner the previous day. None of the other birds were talking, so we were on our own.

Knowing that the teal was a female and that it was mid-breeding season, we suspected her motive for disappearing: nesting! We then deduced that since the larger white-faced whistling ducks Dendro-cygna viduata were occupying the prime ground nests, our missing duck was most likely nesting o& the ground in one of the many thick marsh grasses. A!er a thorough search, Amelia spotted an iris patch

When it comes to looking natural and blending in, marbled teals have it covered. But as film detective Sam Spade would say, the Zoo’s keepers are “good...real good” at leaving no teal unturned.


on an island in the pond that looked suspiciously disturbed. Wad-ing out to the island, we parted the grasses and were greeted by our missing duck, happily keeping her eggs safe and warm! Case closed.

Since then, Amelia has gotten to know most of the marbled teals’ hidden nesting sites. “#e teals are now fairly predictable. I can usu-ally "nd them without too much trouble,” she said. “It’s the white-faced whistling ducks that can be tricky to "nd!”

DISCARDED TREASURESGoing through trash doesn’t sound very appealing, but when it comes to providing leads, dumpster diving is a great way to come up with a feast of clues! #e Zoo had been trying to breed white-headed buf-falo weavers Dinemellia dinemelli without much success. Weavers are known for building elaborate nests, but the grasses, twigs, and Span-ish moss we gave them must not have been the right combination. #e nests just kept falling apart.

One day keepers noticed a half-"nished, discarded weaver nest

on the ground. #ey examined the incomplete nest and found that it was held together with particularly spiky twigs. It was almost as if the birds had used the knobs and bumps on the twigs as a kind of natural Velcro. #inking that the exhibit didn’t have enough thorny trees for the weavers to complete a nest, we started to give the birds twigs from the kei apple tree, which is known for its thorny protru-sions. #e weavers were delighted and instantly went to work build-ing larger and more stable nests. Keepers noticed that the birds are so good at interlocking the thorns that their nests are even di%cult for a human to disassemble. #anks to one old nest and keepers’ de-tective abilities, the weavers have bred in a number of exhibits across the Zoo!

From providing expert advice and covert surveillance to searching high and low for a missing bird (and going through their trash), if there is an avian mystery at the San Diego Zoo that needs to be solved, you can be sure that the bird detectives are hot on the case! Q

Left and bottom right: Detective work by a keeper uncovered “the missing piece” that our white-headed buffalo weavers needed to build the best nests.

Below left: Closed-circuit cameras eventually helped solve the great mystery of the sunbittern: was she, or wasn’t she?


When “monster” is part of your given name, the opinion others have of you is pretty clear. So fear-some was the largely erroneous legend of the Gila

monster Heloderma suspectum that Old West tall tales warned of the deadliness of even the mere breath expelled by the creature. But remember the adage about believing what you hear? Tommy Owens, senior keeper at the Zoo, would like people to take it to heart when considering this misunderstood monster. “!ey’re not aggressive unless provoked, and bites are extremely rare,” Tommy explains. “Stories about them are way overblown.” It o"en isn’t easy to sepa-rate fact from #ction, but in this case, it’s only fair.

Of Monsters and MythsA venomous lizard species, the Gila monster lives in the deserts of northwestern Mexico and parts of California, Nevada, Utah, New

Mexico, and Arizona. !e name Gila refers to the Gila River Basin in Arizona, where the monster was once plentiful.

!ere seem to be as many myths as there are actual Gila mon-sters. Along with the toxic-breath belief, locals once swore that should a Gila monster bite down, it wouldn’t let go until the sky thundered or the sun set. Another tall tale is apparently $exibili-ty based: don’t panic if a Gila monster latches onto you because it “has to turn upside down in order to get the venom in you.” One other legend is physiologically perplexing: “Why is the Gila mon-ster venomous? Because it lacks an anus, and all that stu% went bad in there.” !e animal also possesses, according to lore, the ability to spit venom, sting with its tongue, and leap several feet to attack. And, most amazingly, according to the plot of the 1959 B-movie !e Giant Gila Monster, this incredible creature can grow to the size of a bus and wreak havoc on small Texas towns, chomping down hot-

By Peggy ScottASSOCIATE EDITOR

Photo by Ken BohnSDZG PHOTOGRAPHER

Cool Rep with a Bad RapClearing the Name of the Gila Monster

PHOTO BY RON GARRISON, SDZG


rodders. Even the Gila monster itself didn’t want to be in this cin-ematic masterpiece, as the title character was actually played by a Mexican beaded lizard!

Hollywood’s creative license aside, in reality there isn’t need for such fantasy when the real story is much more interesting.

Skin Deep—and Then SomeA large, heavy-bodied lizard, the Gila monster measures up to two feet in length and weighs as much as three pounds. Males are larger and bulkier than females and have a broader head. !e skin is orange, pink, or yellow and black, usually in a reticulated pattern but in a banded pattern in some populations. Heloderma means studded or warty skin, likely re-ferring to the beaded look of the animal’s dorsal scales, which is due to the presence of osteo-derms (small bones) under the scales. “It makes the skin harder to penetrate,” Tommy explains, noting that this helps protect the lizard, and that the bumpy surface isn’t just skin deep. “!e surface of the skull isn’t smooth like other skulls,” he says. “!e skull actually has little bumps all over it. It’s amazing! It’s like built-in armor.”

Equally impressive is the monster’s bite and venom-delivery sys-tem. Venom is produced in glands in the lower jaw, but it is not in-jected through fangs the way snakes do it. Rather, each of the lizard’s lower teeth is deeply grooved and $anked by a cutting edge that punctures the prey’s skin. When the lizard bites and begins to chew, venom $ows into the wound from between the lower lips and teeth through capillary action. “!e venom kills tissue, and that gets in the blood system,” Tommy says. Venom e%ects include severe pain, a drop in blood pressure, and respiratory failure, but a Gila mon-ster bite is rarely fatal to humans. “An antivenom isn’t even made because fatalities are so rare,” Tommy says. “!e few documented (fatal) cases were kids or intoxicated adults.”

Daily Lizard LifeGila monsters prey on newborn rodents, rabbits, and hares, though they won’t say no to a meal of nesting birds or other lizards and their eggs. Prey may be crushed to death if large or eaten alive if small, swallowed head #rst and helped down by muscular throat

contractions and neck $exing. And while a Gila monster can eat one third of its body mass in one “sitting,” it doesn’t dine very often, only 5 to 10 times per year in the wild.

Strong diggers, Gila mon-sters spend most of their time underground in burrows, where they might find a cool, comfortable spot. “Even though they live in deserts, Gila mon-sters don’t really like the heat,” Tommy says. “A data logger was inserted down into (Gila monster) burrows, and the highest temperature recorded was 78 degrees Fahrenheit.”

Because of the myths and perceived danger associated with them, Gila monsters were o"en killed on sight. In 1952, the Gila monster became the #rst venomous animal in North America to be afforded legal protection, making it illegal to collect, kill, or sell them in Ari-zona. Tommy notes that while people are not allowed to take Gila monsters from the wild, o%spring from captive lizards are sold in the pet trade. “State

laws vary,” Tommy notes. “In California, for example, you have to have a permit to keep a venomous animal. And it’s hard to prove individual lizards were captive-bred.”

Meet the MonstersTwo Gila monsters are on exhibit at the Zoo’s Reptile House. “We have 15 in the collection, and at one time we had 50,” Tommy says. “!ey can be tricky to manage since they live so long—some of the ones we have now were con#scated from illegal sales back in 1981. A life span of 30 years is possible.”

Given their bad reputation, Tommy is pleased to have the chance to show the Gila monster in a positive light. “I don’t know why they have such a reputation,” Tommy says. “!ey are beautiful animals.” As a Gila monster fan, Tommy has at least some company in believ-ing these animals have been wrongly accused. As Dr. Ward, a physi-cian, wrote in the Arizona Graphic in September 1899: “I have never been called to attend a case of Gila monster bite, and I don’t want to be. I think a man who is fool enough to get bitten by a Gila monster ought to die. !e creature is so sluggish and slow of movement that the victim of its bite is compelled to help largely in order to get bit-ten.” Now that’s a biting commentary. Q

The surface of the Gila monster’s skull (top) is covered with bumps that serve as armor-like protection. Old West legends are largely responsible for the Gila monster’s fearsome reputation.

PHOTO BY KEN KELLEY, SDZG


Spring into action and come play at the San Diego Zoo! Three different weeks of family fun will highlight your favorite animals and their antics, while keepers provide great stories about the frolickers. Celebrate spring with up-close encounters with our animal ambassadors, and even meet the Easter Bunny for commemorative photos. Join in a digital Easter Egg Hunt around the Zoo for a chance to win great prizes. Check out a complete list of all the activities on our website at sandiegozoo.org to plan your perfect Play Days!

Make a

San Diego Zoo Play Days, March 29–April 20, 2014

Play Date with Your

Favorite Animals!

ANIMAL LORE LIVES IN EVERY CULTURE. It is taught to the littlest of children and stalks people into adulthood. With a lexicon of lingering “facts” about animals far and near, language is peppered with creature fallacies. Some species are so steeped in misinforma-tion that they strike terror into the hearts of many. Consider bats. Vampire movies viewed at a formative age can lead to a lifetime of serious chiroptophobia (fear of bats). Books cook up tales of sticky, squeaking bats tangled in women’s hair. And who hasn’t uttered the bouncy descriptor “blind as a bat”? But not one of the over 1,200 bat species seeks your jugular vein or your tresses, nor are these !ying mammals blind. If anything, “blind as a bat” should imply that you can !y really fast and quiet in the pitch dark!

Another species that gets a bad rap is the largest, heaviest, and most awkward-looking avian species, the ostrich. "is !ightless bird nests on the ground in a communal nest. Males and females take turns incubating their three-pound eggs, which would be a nutri-tional bonanza for predators. If an ostrich detects danger, it will sometimes lie !at on the ground, laying its head on the sand and remaining still to blend in with the landscape and hide its charges. Other times, the bird will bend down to adjust the eggs in the nest. Never does this creature bury its head in the sand! And let’s face it, head burying would not be a sensible way to avoid danger. But we still use this “myth-information” to refer to someone who refuses to deal with an unpleasant situation.

Some animal myths are based on a shred of truth but used in a pejorative sense, projecting human disdain for (or fear of) a species. Take crocodile tears. "ese mighty reptilian predators do indeed produce tears to lubricate the eyes. Crocodiles (and alligators) also have a nictitating membrane, which glides over the eye to help clean

it; tears keep its watchful gaze clear. On land, when the animal’s body dries out, the tears are more conspicuous, and that nictitating membrane in the corner of the eye can resemble tears forming. "is gave rise to the ancient belief that crocodiles weep for their victims or that they use tears to dupe a sympathetic target. Both notions are false. But if a person is “crying crocodile tears,” it means they are displaying an insincere show of sorrow or remorse.

Perhaps the most damaging legend concerns a #erce, but cute, gerbil-like creature found in and around the Arctic tundra: the lem-ming. Populations of this subniveal (living under the snow) rodent !uctuate wildly, with frequent die-o$s and population booms. "e phenomenon was (and is) not well understood, so folks decided the lemmings were overly altruistic during times of overpopulation and that thousands of them boldly died by mass suicide for the good of the group. "is misperception was reinforced by the 1958 Disney movie White Wilderness, whose #lmmakers bought lemmings from Inuit children and staged a cli$ death-plunge sequence by herding the little guys over a small cli$ into a river. To this day, when “lem-ming” is used to describe someone’s behavior, it means they lack originality and would rather follow the group, even to certain death, than think for themselves. In reality, if you’re behaving like a lem-ming, you are excellent at camou!age, with your fur changing from mottled brown in summer to snow white for winter; you can have a litter of pups every #ve weeks or so; you are a master tunnel builder; and you even, on occasion, outsmart the wily Arctic fox and live to see another day.

We are surrounded by animal myths, but before you get “mad as a March hare,” take time to !ush out the truth. You don’t want to “myth out” on the real magic of animals. Q

MYTH AND MISCONCEPTIONS

Sifting Fact from Fiction in the Animal Kingdom

By Karyl CarmignaniSTAFF WRITER

Photos by Ken BohnSDZG PHOTOGRAPHER

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Paving the Way for

Nature is an incredible network of processes, reactions, and relationships. !e more we observe, the more we learn. Stopping to watch the elephants, you may no-tice a graceful trunk collecting a tiny raisin one mo-

ment and moving a log the next. Imagine if humans could create tools with similar dexterity and strength.

Bioinspiration is a methodology in which biological systems, processes, and elements are studied to develop human design and

engineering solutions. Here at San Diego Zoo Global’s Centre for Bioinspiration, we empower organizations and individuals to learn from nature to develop products and processes that bene"t human-ity, wildlife, and habitats.

In November 2013, leaders in nature-inspired innovation, design, and research convened at the San Diego Zoo for the fourth annual Bioinspiration Conference. We hosted 175 attendees who repre-sented 65 organizations active in developing the emerging "eld of

By Gabriel Miller DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

and Claire WathenMANAGER OF CORPORATE PROGRAMS, CENTRE FOR BIOINSPIRATION

Photos by Karen Hansen, Hansen Photography, Inc.

Nature-inspired Innovation

Above left: 2013 Bioinspiration Conference attendees arrive. Above: Learning from carnivorous plants: San Diego Zoo Horticulturist Judy Bell shares plant adaptations relevant to design and engineering during a breakout session focused on novel materials.

PHOTO BY SCOTT CLEAR, INTERSECTION, INC.

GIRAFFE CONTRIBUTORY SPONSORS CHEETAH SUPPORTING SPONSORS

“!e tortoise and lizard we met demonstrate two examples of protective materials. We spent some time afterwards walking through the Reptile House and Reptile Mesa to talk about unique reptile adaptations. Our group compiled these adaptations and their potential applications in their industries…”

—Peter Gilson, San Diego Zoo Educator Guide


late to save energy. Pax Scienti"c CEO Jay Harman shared how the shapes of lilies, shells, whirlpools, and other natural phenomena have inspired impeller rotor designs capable of the e#cient mixing of liquids.

!e gathering also included interactive breakout sessions throughout the San Diego Zoo. !ese were divided into "ve categories: Health & Well-ness, Biophilia & Architecture, Adaptability & Resilience, Mechanics & Engineering, and Materials. Co-facilitated by San Diego Zoo sta$ and in-dustry practitioners, breakout teams explored connections between nature and industrial challenges.

We began to appreciate the richness of the Zoo’s plant and ani-mal collections in new ways. !e possibilities for biological systems to inspire innovative solutions to pressing human concerns are seemingly endless. What other secrets might elephants reveal? !e next time you’re visiting the Zoo or Safari Park, we invite you to look closely at the plants and animals. We have a strong feeling that elephant trunks are only the beginning! Q

bioinspiration. We collectively asked how we can accelerate devel-opment of nature’s solutions and set out to "nd methods that o$er practical outcomes without depleting ecosystems. !e "rst day of the event included an academic panel discussion and seminars from the University of California at Berkeley, Georgia Tech, the Salk In-stitute, and Harvard/Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Audi-ence members from design and innovation "rms, universities, and large corporations alike listened as we considered how insects and kangaroos might inspire more e$ective search-and-rescue robots or how iridescent butter%ies and berries inspired dye-free, color-changing "bers.

On day two of the conference, CEOs of bioinspired companies shared how their technologies save resources while highlighting the value of biodiversity. For example, Sharklet Technologies uses tex-tures from shark skin to reduce bacterial growth on surfaces, while REGEN Energy uses swarm logic (think of bees and ants) to endow industrial heating and cooling systems with the ability to self-regu-

“I thought the conference contributed at the highest level to bringing together the bioinspired community. I personally made some wonderful new connections, strengthened some tentative existing ones, and reinforced some long-held ones, especially those with the Zoo.”

—Pete Foley, Associate Director of Behavioral & Innovation Science, Procter & Gamble

Above left: Former WIRED Editor-in-Chief Chris Anderson spoke about bioinspired flight and robotics. Left: Many talented San Diego Zoo Global volunteers helped with on-site registration. From left: Mary Falwell, Sydney Buffet, Joey Chong, Anne Rubsamen, and Shelley Holmes. Above: The conference featured a discussion of how corporations are adopting bioinspiration into design and product development practices. From left: Darren Beck (Director of Environmental Initiatives, Sprint); Jane Fulton Suri (Chief Creative Officer, IDEO); and Pete Foley (Associate Director of Behavioral and Innovation Science, Procter & Gamble).


what’s in store

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3.

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1. Elephant $145, 2. Sable Antelope $38.95, 3. Baboon $28.95, 4. Kudu $32.95, 5. Painted Dog $28.95

6. Gira!e $57, 7. Water Bu!alo $38.95

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Art that educates: The snare wire used in these sculptures was removed from wildlife areas by anti-poaching units. We contract with artists in Zimbabwe to transform the deadly snares into

unique creations that raise awareness as well as funds to further support anti-poaching efforts.

Visit our shops at the Zoo and Safari Park to purchase these featured items.

Available in select stores. Limited quantities available.

All AflutterWhen a butterfly encounter experience !rst came to the Safari Park in 1992, it brought a beautiful new element to Nairobi Village. "e glass greenhouse exhibit where guests could walk among the butter#ies started out as the Hummingbird Pavilion and was then expanded in 1993 and was named Hidden Jungle. "at means this year’s Butter#y Jungle event has been introducing Park visitors to the amazing world of these winged wonders for 22 years!

One of the exciting aspects of the annual springtime event is the opportunity to support butter#y farmers in places around the world, including Central and South America and Indonesia. Butter#y farming requires intact rain forest habitat, so purchasing butter#y pupae from these sources helps to protect rain forest areas and provides the people who live and work there with a sustainable source of income.

From the beginning, keepers remarked on the thrill of seeing butter#ies emerge, take #ight, and discover the nectar sources provided for them. One said, “Anytime I come in this exhibit to feed or work with the butter#ies, it’s like going on a little safari. I can’t think of a better work environment—that is, if you can take the humidity.” Sta$ members have joked that working in the o$-exhibit “cocoon room” requires “steady hands and nerves, strong eyes and deodorant, and the ability to write journal notes on sodden paper.” But everyone agrees that watching visitors’ eyes light up and hearing their so% exclamations of delight make it worth all the e$ort. Q

from the archives


Earn a VIP Experience and free registration (see race website to learn about fundraising for cheetahs)

Scenic Course!This point-to-point course will give you scenic views of wine country, horse ranches,

and golf courses as well as exclusive views inside the Safari Park!

Free shuttle service!

Free admission on race day!

Post-race breakfast for just $15!

619-557-3915 | safariparkhalf.com

ALL NEW

THIS YEAR!

WE’VE

ADDED

A 10K!

Have you seen our ZOONOOZ digital editions?Now available for your iPad, desktop computer, and Kindle Fire.

sandiegozoo.org/zoonoozFREE! Download the ZOONOOZ App for your iPad.

Don’t miss Zoo Play Days and Safari Park Butterfly Jungle in April!

ZOONOOZ®

SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBALBox 120551, San Diego, California 92112

march 2014 zoonooz

Documents

digital zoonooz

animal ambassadors

zoo admission

zoonooz app

thetreetops banquet

san diego zoo kids

animal kingdomwe

easter brunchsunday