Meet Our Gray Wolves New Gorilla Arrival 2010 Zoo

®
Meet Our Gray Wolves
 
January /
February 2010
New Gorilla Arrival
 
2010 Zoo Events Calendar
Published for Friends of The Memphis Zoo
EXZOOBERANCE!
4
In this is sue:
Vol. XIX, No. 1
3 NanoZoo
Check out this brand-new program offered
through the Zoo’s education department that
teaches all about the tiniest particles of matter
that exist.
4 Creature Feature:
Meet the
Gray Wolves
MidSouth
Chevy
We’d like to introduce
youad
to Shiloh, Rocki,
full page
Meeka and Dakota — our four gray wolves at
Teton Trek. Read about what makes each of
these canines distinct.
5 Keeper’s Blog
5
Do you keep up with the Keeper’s Blog on
memphiszoo.org? Here’s a taste of what you can
learn from the folks who know our animals best.
11Zoo News
“Kwizera,” a 21-year-old female gorilla, has joined
the apes at the Memphis Zoo. Find out more
about this new arrival.
2 Financial Report – Fiscal Year 2009
6 Conservation
as of December 2009
Officers:
Kelly H. Truitt, Chair
Diane Smith and John W. Stokes, Jr., Vice Chairs
Gene Holcomb, Treasurer
Joseph C. DeWane, M.D., Secretary
Carol W. Prentiss, Past Chair
Directors:
F. Norfleet Abston
Robert A. Cox
Thomas C.
Farnsworth, III
Diana Hull
Henry A. Hutton
Dorothy Kirsch
Robert C. Lanier
Joyce A. Mollerup
Jason Rothschild
Karl A. Schledwitz
Lucy Shaw
Richard C. Shaw
Brooke Sparks
Joe Warren
Robin P. Watson
Russell T. Wigginton, Jr.
Honorary Lifetime Directors:
Donna K. Fisher
Roger T. Knox, President Emeritus
Scott P. Ledbetter
Frank M. Norfleet
Senator James R. Sasser
Rebecca Webb Wilson
Dr. Chuck Brady, Zoo President & CEO
Bill Morrison, City Council Representative
Bob Drake, Docent/Volunteer Representative
Credits:
Abbey Dane, Editor / Writer
Brian Carter, Managing Editor
Geri Meltzer, Art Director
Jennifer Coleman, Copy Editor
Toof Printing, Printer
Exzooberance paper generously donated by
International Paper employees
Zoo Admission Hours:
8 2010 Events Calendar
March - October 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
November - February 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Grounds close one hour after last admission
• Zoo Closed: Thanksgiving Day,
Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
9 January/February Calendar
Our Mission:
11 Zoo News
Memphis Zoo, Ya Ya and Le Le
are trademarks of the Memphis Zoo.
7 Education Programs
Photo courtesy of Buffalo Zoo
Front cover photo by Jon Pegg
Memphis Zoological Society
Board of Directors
Ex Officio:
Depar tment s:
11
Exzooberance™ is a bimonthly Memphis
Zoological Society publication providing
information for friends of the Memphis Zoo.
Send comments to MZS, 2000 Prentiss Place,
Memphis, TN 38112, call (901) 276-WILD
or log onto www.memphiszoo.org.
12 Kids’ Activity Page
The Memphis Zoo is accredited
by the Association of Zoos and
Aquariums and a member of the
World Association of Zoos and
Aquariums. ©2009 Memphis Zoo
Connecting people with wildlife.
®
1
A n n u a l R e p o r t – Fi s c a l Ye a r 2 0 0 9
Financials
Memphis Zoological Society • Statement of Activities
For the year ending June 28, 2009 (with summarized financial information for the year ending June 29, 2008)
Revenue, Gains & Other Support
Unrestricted
Temporarily
Restricted
Permanently
Restricted
2009
Total
2008 Total
(Memorandum
Only)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
$1,200,000
399,447
92,254
310,383
3,781,535
123,492
60,228
1,870,082
50,342
379,531
1,034,060
77,144
1,980,355
359,286
1,022,800
12,740,939
$1,200,000
403,528
120,688
279,361
3,736,155
157,063
189,830
1,879,199
46,448
368,447
1,340,366
56,782
1,967,765
372,755
1,042,605
13,160,992
Operating Revenue
City management fee
Concessions income
Donations and bequests
Education income
Gate admissions
Grant income
Investment income
Membership income
Other income
Parking income
Private events
Public relations & advertising
Retail income
Rides income
Special events
Total operating revenue
$1,200,000
399,447
92,254
310,383
3,781,535
123,492
60,228
1,870,082
50,342
379,531
1,034,060
77,144
1,980,355
359,286
1,022,800
12,740,939
Conservation Revenue
Donations & bequests
Investment income
Total conservation revenue
-
-
-
37,521
1,702
39,223
-
-
-
37,521
1,702
39,223
58,803
7,132
65,935
15,106
-
-
69,636
84,742
-
664,913
43,853
-
708,766
-
152,212
(971,742)
-
(819,530)
15,106
817,125
(927,889)
69,636
(26,022)
34,593
2,865,147
(324,118)
73,371
2,648,993
9,478,123
22,303,804
(9,478,123)
(8,730,134)
-
(819,530)
-
12,754,140
15,875,920
351,155
254,685
200,566
20,313
227,786
503,698
577,952
1,252,843
216,470
330,234
242,136
8,710,798
12,888,636
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
351,155
254,685
200,566
20,313
227,786
503,698
577,952
1,252,843
216,470
330,234
242,136
8,710,798
12,888,636
454,841
243,858
246,200
17,495
242,897
603,958
646,379
1,309,011
252,406
569,962
245,436
8,571,826
13,404,269
Conservation Expenses
Grant activities
Research and conservation
Total conservation expenses
31,589
13,198
44,787
-
-
-
-
-
-
31,589
13,198
44,787
26,774
16,220
42,994
Capital Expenses
Capital improvements
Provision for doubtful pledges
Other
Total capital expenses
Total expenses
Change in net assets
Net assets at beginning of year
Net assets at end of year
9,257,142
201,260
-
9,458,402
22,391,825
(88,021)
2,573,283
2,485,262
-
-
-
-
-
(8,730,134)
14,802,560
6,072,426
-
-
-
-
-
(819,530)
5,076,902
4,257,372
9,257,142
201,260
-
9,458,402
22,391,825
(9,637,685)
22,452,745
12,815,060
2,675,017
2,675,017
16,122,280
(246,360)
22,699,105
22,452,745
Capital Revenue
Birds & Bees exhibit
Donations & bequests
Investment income
License fee income
Total capital revenue
Net assets released from restrictions
Satisfaction of program restrictions
Total revenue, gains & other support
$
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
$
Expenses
Operating Expenses
Educational activities
Fundraising activities
Grant activities
Legal & professional fees
Membership activities
Private events
Public relations & advertising activities
Retail activities
Rides operations
Special events
Visitor services
Zoo and animal operations
Total operating expenses
2
NanoZoo:
Exploring the science of small
matter in the Animal Kingdom
Technology of the Future
In the time it takes you
to read this sentence,
your fingernails have
grown one nanometer
in length.
(Photo left:) Water droplets on a lotus leaf
by Dr. Helen Beady, Director of Education
Have you ever wondered what’s being done to remove
salt from ocean water to make it drinkable? Or perhaps
you’ve wondered how swimwear can help swimmers move
at a faster pace? Well, the answer lies in the science called
nanotechnology.
Nano, which derives from the Greek word “dwarf,” is
the scientific prefix to describe something as small as onebillionth (1/1,000,000,000). But how small is that really?
Think about this: in the time it takes you to read this
sentence, your fingernails have grown one nanometer in
length. In other words, a nanometer is small (really, really
small), so nanotechnology deals with the smallest matter
imaginable.
The Education Department at the Memphis Zoo believes
it is important for students to be aware of the possibilities.
The Zoo’s new class, “Nano: Technology of the Future,”
uses nanotechnology as a cutting-edge way to excite
students of all ages about science.
A concept called “NanoZoo” teaches students how nature
has done its part to inspire nanotechnology.
Scientists and engineers have discovered that by observing
the way nature uses nanotechnology, they can create entirely
new, useful materials. The lotus plant, for instance, floats
with ease on water and never appears to have a dirty surface.
Scientists now understand that each lotus leaf is covered in
nanoscopic bumps that are too small to allow dirt and water
particles to fit between them. Instead of sitting on the leaf,
water droplets ball up on a leaf’s surface and simply roll
away off the leaf, taking dirt and other debris with them.
Dr. Wilhelm Barthlott of the University of Bonn, Germany,
discovered this “lotus effect” and has already applied the
principles of nanotechnology to develop self-cleaning surfaces.
Dr. Barthlott has even created an assortment of fabrics that
can stay dry underwater for four days. This helps to explain the
riddle of how a swimsuit can help swimmers glide through
the water faster. Thanks to nanotechnology, the suit is always
dry, allowing the swimmer to glide through the water with
little resistance.
At the Zoo, students explore how nanotechnology is used
to develop more environmentally friendly products that can
affect many aspects of our daily lives. For example, nanoproducts are already helping to eliminate the need for
hazardous chemicals used in paints.
Nanotechnology has also led to a new field of health care
research dubbed “nanomedicine.” This will open new doors
to cancer research in the upcoming years.
All of these ground-breaking applications of nanotechnology
show that it truly is the technology of the future.
Visit memphiszoo.org/education for
information on Zoo classes your child
can take in the field of nanoscience.
3
Creature Feature
Meet Our Gray Wolves
“Dakota” is the largest wolf and
“Rocki” is the lightest of all the
the only male. He has a dark
muzzle and dark markings that
extend down his back and tail. He
is the handsome leader of this pack.
His name is Native American and
means “friend.”
wolves with a white face and back.
She is the most dominant female,
making her the alpha female. However, this hierarchy can change.
She gets her name from the Rocky
Mountains.
“Meeka” is the largest and tallest female.
Her color is blond and she has a beautiful
smile. She is very friendly and a favorite of
everyone who meets her. Meeka is usually
considered the beta of the group, meaning
second in command. Her name is French
Latin, meaning “Lord” or “Dominique.” 
4
“Shiloh” is the smallest female in
the group and the omega of the
pack, meaning she is somewhat of
a loner. Many times you’ll see
her exploring alone. She is very
light in color with dark streaks
between her eyes, similar to our
male, Dakota. Shiloh means “gift.”
Our wolves are siblings, born on
April 21, 2009, and are a very happy
group. You can occasionally hear
them howling after they have eaten
their breakfast or evening meal. 
They were acquired from a private
breeder in Illinois.
From the
Keeper’s Blog
If you haven’t visited the Keeper’s Blog on
memphiszoo.org in a while, you’re missing
great updates like these from the keepers
themselves. Here’s what zookeeper Adrienne
Saunders recently wrote about the latest
happenings in Animals of the Night.
Armadillos
Keeper Adrienne
Saunders bottle
feeds this baby
In 2009, a new resident arrived at
the Animals of the Night building. We
acquired “Beau,” a male, six-banded
armadillo (Euphractus sexcinctus), to
breed with our female “Jackie.”
On August 18, a tiny newborn armadillo was seen just outside of Jackie’s
log (six-banded armadillos like to sleep
inside hollow logs), but where was
Jackie? She was fast asleep inside of her
log, not taking care of her new baby. The
keepers went in and placed the baby with
his mom.
One of the keepers kept a close eye
on mom and baby for a few hours, but
Jackie never showed much interest or tried
to nurse her little one. The decision was
made for the keepers to step in and become “mothers” to the baby armadillo. We
have had experience over the years raising
several babies at Animals of the Night,
so we did some research on hand-raising
baby armadillos.
We had to figure out what to feed him,
how much and how often. We also had
to decide how he should be housed. For
the first 15 days, he had to be fed every
two to three hours, so we took him home
with us every night. We kept him in an
incubator so that he was in a warm and
humid environment. When he was born,
his eyes were shut, and they did not open
until he was about a month old. He also
had no hair, and his shell was soft. In
other words, he was completely helpless.
He ate well and steadily gained weight.
Another big milestone was reached at
one month: we started giving him solid
food. We started off with mashed up
banana, cooked sweet potato and dry
dog food soaked in his formula. He was
not crazy about the dog food (which
armadillo.
many zoo animals enjoy in their balanced
diet), but he loved the banana! We
set up a den in an off-exhibit area with
lots of wood shavings and his own
hollow log.
Unfortunately, he will not be staying
here at the Zoo. Six-banded armadillos
are in high demand at zoos in the U.S.
“For the first 15 days he had to be fed every two
to three hours, so we took him home with us at
night. We kept him in an incubator so that he was
in a warm and humid environment. When he was
born his eyes were shut and they did not open until
he was about a month old. He had no hair and his
shell was soft … he was completely helpless.”
Right after he was born, several zoos
began expressing an interest in him.
We have not officially named him, but
a lot of us call him “Dill” or “Dillo.” Our
little Dill will be leaving us soon and
going to the Cincinnati Zoo. We all felt
that since he was going to be leaving us
at such a young age that his new
keepers should get to be the ones to
name him. But he will always be Dill
to me.
Read more keeper
blogs like this one at
memphiszoo.org.
5
Eye
on Conservation
Post-doctoral fellow, Dr. Jon Davis,
with a Chinese Giant Salamander
Saving the World’s Largest Amphibian:
The Chinese Giant Salamander
by Dr. Andy Kouba, Curator of Research
Salamanders have survived numerous
extinction events throughout history and have
even outlasted the dinosaurs. Unfortunately,
they have not fared as well in recent times.
Many amphibians are facing a crisis with
nearly one third of the species currently
threatened with extinction and at risk of
disappearing forever unless urgent
action is taken. The Zoo’s conservation
department has initiated a project to help
save the mysterious Chinese giant salamander
— a truly prehistoric species from the age
of dinosaurs.
Growing up to five feet in length and
weighing over 50 pounds, this animal earns its
name “giant.” Unfortunately, this species has
declined sharply in recent decades due to over
harvesting for the food market, loss of habitat
and pollution. The salamander’s habitat in
China overlaps with several endangered
mammal species with which the Memphis
Zoo is currently working (e.g. giant pandas
and golden monkeys). This will complement
our existing projects on landscape-level
conservation issues for endangered species
found within the Qinling Mountain range.
Fortunately, Chinese giant salamander
hatcheries have been established throughout
the region and are engaged in projects to
reestablish wild populations.
Memphis Zoo staff has recently established
a partnership with the Shaanxi Institute of
Zoology in Xi’an to follow and monitor
approximately 10,000 juvenile salamanders
that were released into mountain streams in
2009. The goal will be to re-capture these
salamanders over the next several years and
study growth, habitat selection, dispersal and
disease issues.
In October 2009, Memphis Zoo staff
and collaborators from Mississippi State
University helped implant small transponders
into approximately 300 young salamanders
to assist with tracking and identifying these
released animals.
What we learn from these reintroductions
will help re-establish native populations of
this iconic ‘giant’ amphibian. If you would
like to help financially support this project
and the Memphis Zoo’s efforts to save the
giant salamander, please email us at
[email protected].
Explore, imagine, CREATE!
Monet to Matisse
FAMILY DAY
Saturday, February 20
FREE ADMISSION
10 am - 2 pm. Art activities, en plein air painting, music,
refreshments and much more. A Bientôt!
Sponsored by Arthur F. & Alice E. Adams Foundation
SHIP AHOY! Kids Impressionist Painting Workshop*
Saturday, February 6
Introducing
10:30 -12:30, Ages 6 -11. $10 members, $15 non-members
FAMILY STUDIO
FREE ADMISSION before noon!
Second Saturdays: January 9, February 13, and March 13
10:30 am - 12:30 pm. Drop in to explore the world of art through games, crafts, and
activities. Fun for the whole family!
SPRING TO ART Camp*
March 8 - 12 and 15 - 19
9:30 - 12:30, Ages 6-11 Join us during spring break! Come for one day or for the full session.
*Please reserve your space at 901-761-5250 or www.dixon.org
6
www.dixon.org
Edzoocation
‘10
programs
Homeschool
Zoo Academy 2010
Discover more programs
and get more information at
memphiszoo.org/education.
The Class of 2009
Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
PreK - 8th grade:
$105/members; $115/nonmembers
9th -12th grade:
$120/members; $130/nonmembers
($20 off week’s tuition for
one child if parent assists)
Introducing the
Docent Class of 2009
If you are interested in
joining this band of faithful
Zoo volunteers, contact us
Jan. 11-15:
(PreK through 12th Grade)
Jan. 18-22:
(1st through 12th Grade)
at (901) 333-6600 or visit
memphiszoo.org/docents.
PreK/Kindergarten
(must be 4 years old by 12/1/09)
Paws and Claws
Investigate how animals eat,
move and look. This class uses
arts and crafts, activities, books
and more to teach your child about
animal life.
Ground Row: Jacque Keener, Phili Deboo, Sheila Gallogoly, Clay Phillips, Terry Coulston, Sher Comp, Lynn Owen, Kathy Davidson,
Fred Jennings, Lynn Harris. Middle Row: Tris Merediz, Kristen Geiger, Gillian Smoot, Lisa Jorgensen, Karen Keeler, Bram Bors-Koefoed.
Top Row: Dan Snider, Pat McGee, Jack Ford, Pegge Baughcum, Dawn Sipowich, Ernie Restivo, Glenn Fuqua, Larry Abramson
Not pictured: Malenda Sutherland, Leroy “Shag” Fetterman
Grades 1 & 2
Marvelous Mammals
Lions, tigers and bears, oh my!
From whales in the water to bats in
the trees, mammals are as diverse
as the places they live. Come
explore what makes mammals
special, specialized and similar, too.
Spring
Break
Camp:
Extreme
Survivors
March 15, 16, 17
and 22, 23, 24
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
$35/members/day;
$45/nonmembers/day
PreK-K, 1st-2nd,
3rd-5th
Grades 3-5
The Olympic games bring out the most amazing athletes
in the world to compete for the gold. In the animal world,
individuals compete year-round to see who has the right
stuff, but wild contenders are a little different. These extreme
survivors participate in cross-country marathons, eating
contests and even slumber parties! This year Spring Break
Camp will take you from the winter to the summer games
and back again as we explore what amazing things animals
will do to survive against all odds.
Home Sweet Biome
Polar bears don’t live in the
desert, or do they? Travel the world
Horticulture Tour
in a week to learn about the
different places that animals call home February 20 • 8:30 to 10 a.m.
and what it takes to survive there.
$10/members; $20/nonmembers
(includes Zoo admission)
Grades 6-8
Pre-registration required for
Incredible Invertebrates
very limited space
No bones about it — invertebrates
The Zoo takes on a very
are some of the coolest animals
different look in winter. We’ll
around. This class will unearth the
facts on how they live and why they take a look at our evergreen
plants, see beautiful red berries,
are so important to us.
deciduous trees and shrubs and
even a few winter blooms. We’ll
Grades 9-12
finish with a stroll through the
Animal Behavior
greenhouse. Our walking tours
Why do animals do the things
take place outside, rain or shine.
they do? Observe different types of
Please dress appropriately.
animals at the Zoo, and discover
how their behavior helps them
survive in the wild.
International
Polar Bear Day
Sat., February 27 • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Included with Zoo admission
 
Cranbeary, Haley and Payton want to
get the word out that their wild relatives are
threatened! Join us as we celebrate what makes
polar bears magnificent creatures through
special feedings, keeper chats, games and
interactive displays. There will be opportunities
to touch a real polar bear pelt, see how they
hunt for seals on the ice, compare your size
to theirs and learn how you can be a part
of the race to save them!
Registration line: (901) 333-6765 • www.memphiszoo.org/education
Pre-registration is required. Prices are subject to change. The Education Department reserves the right to cancel a program due to insufficient registration.
7
®
2010 Zoo Eve nts
You
don’t want to miss what’s in store for you this year at the
January
July
January 14 — Thursdays Unplugged at the Lodge
February
February 5 — Valentine’s Dinner in Teton Trek
February 11 —Thursdays Unplugged at the Lodge
February 20 — Horticulture Tour
February 27 — International Polar Bear Day
March
Zoom Through the Zoo
March 10 — Horticulture Tour
March 11 — Thursdays Unplugged at the Lodge
March 15-17 — Spring Break Camp
March 22-24 — Spring Break Camp
April
April 8 — Thursdays Unplugged at the Lodge
April 16 — Wild World of Wine and Beer
April 17 — Earth Day Celebration
April 24 — Horticulture Tour
May
Zoo Brew
Memphis Zoo!
May 1 — Migration Day
May 13 — Thursdays Unplugged at the Lodge
May 16-22 — Bear Awareness Week
Memorial Day Weekend:
May 27 — Zoom Through the Zoo
May 28 — Zoo Brew
May 29 — Zoo Grass
May 31 — Memorial Day/Members Night
May 31 — Memorial Day, Zoo open
June
June 10 — Thursdays Unplugged at the Lodge
June 7 — Summer Zoo Camp begins, all month
June 18 — Father’s Day Snooze
Summer Zoo Camp all month
July 8 — Thursdays Unplugged at the Lodge
July 17 — Members Night
August
August 6 — Summer Zoo Camp ends
August 12 — Thursdays Unplugged at the Lodge
September
Labor Day Weekend:
September 3 — Zoo Brew
September 5 — Members Night
September 6 — Labor Day, Zoo open
September 9 — Thursdays Unplugged at the Lodge
September 11 — Zoo Rendezvous
September 25 — Harvest Fest
October
October 6 — Senior Day
October 14 — Thursdays Unplugged at the Lodge
October 22, 23, 29, 30 — Zoo Boo
November
November 11 — Thursdays Unplugged at the Lodge
November 13 — Winter Wildlife Snooze
November 19, 20 — Zoo Lights Begins
November 26, 27 — Zoo Lights
December
All month — Zoo Lights (select nights)
December 9 — Thursdays Unplugged at the Lodge
December 31 — New Year’s Eve Zoo Snooze
Zoo Rendezvous
Special thanks to our Le Bonheur Zoo Boo ‘09 event partners
Title Sponsor:
Le Bonheur Children’s
Medical Center
Presenting Partner:
Nationwide Insurance, FRED’S
Le Bonheur Zoo Boo
8
SunTrust Zoo Lights
Event Partners:
Blue Bell Ice Cream,
Brooke & Brian Sparks Family,
Dorothy Orgill Kirsch,
Joseph C. DeWane, M.D.,
Gentle Dental, PLLC,
Marrio R. Thomas, D.D.S.
Media Partners:
FM100, Memphis Parent
Special thanks to our SunTrust Zoo Lights ‘09 event partners
Title Sponsor:
SunTrust Banks, Inc.
Light Partners:
Anonymous, Armstrong
Relocation, Bors-Koefoed “BK”
Family, CB Richard Ellis, Joseph
C. DeWane, M.D., FedEx,
Dorothy Orgill Kirsch, Brad and
Dina Martin Family, Pinnacle
Airlines Corp., The Prentiss
Family, Brooke & Brian Sparks
Family, Wolfchase Galleria and
Oak Court Mall
Activity Partners:
FRED’S, Lexus of Memphis,
Phillips Grandchildren for
Weetie
Avenue of Animals
Partners:
Sam & Charlene Crump,
Will & Angie Deupree,
Edward DeWane, Erich DeWane,
Jaxson DeWane, Mary Katherine
DeWane, Gene & Nancy
Holcomb, Henry & Hoben Knox,
Lipscomb and Pitts Insurance,
Moonshine Lighting and
Mr. and Mrs. John W. Stokes, Jr.
Media Partners:
104.5 The River, Malco Theatres,
Midsouth Moms
JANUARY ’10
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
FridaySaturday
Special offer with 2010 membership
purchases and renewals!
SunTrust Zoo Lights
New Year’s
Day Zoo open
2
SunTrust
Zoo Lights
When you renew or purchase a membership anytime during 2010,
8
9
15
16
you’ll get a little something extra. When you receive your membership cards,
you’ll also receive three coupons for 1/2 price general admission for one guest.
Look for this special offer when you receive your cards.
Thank you for your continued support in 2010.
10
11
12
13
Homeschool Academy
Jan. 11-15
17
18
19
20
14
Thursdays
Unplugged
21
22
Homeschool Academy
Jan. 18-22
Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. Day
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Feb.1
2
3
5
6
12
13
19
20
Groundhog
Day
FEBRUARY
Jan.1
8
Valentine’s
Dinner
9
10
11
Thursdays
Unplugged
114114 Valentine’s
Day
21
15
16
18
Horticulture
Tour
President’s
Day
22
25
26
27
International
Polar Bear Day
28
9
creation
station
An exciting
drop-in art-making
activity for
children and their
grown-ups.
Presented by
using their vivid imagination, a wide range of artist
materials, and the Brooks collection as inspiration,
children will enjoy the opportunity to create their own
fantastic works of art. free with museum admission!
mark your calendar!
march 13
Get into shape
march 27
Family Day!
free admission & activities
nd
2rday of
January 9
create with color
feBruary 13
Portrait remix
satu onth!
m
eacham - 1 pm
11
er
& unds
6
s
id
k
way
are al
free!
901.544.6200 | www.brooksmuseum.org | Overton Park
Saturday, January 23
brunch
with a
Ballerina
see the
ballet film
10 am - 12 pm
Enjoy a delicious brunch, autographs, and photos with ballerinas
from Ballet Memphis! A special kid-friendly menu will be available.
Stay afterwards to see the ballet film.
Call 901.544.6225 for reservations.
12 pm
Swan Lake
Children and adults alike will enjoy this special
movie presentation of Tchaikovsky’s
quintessential ballet Swan Lake. Presented
in High Definition from St. Petersburg’s
Mariinsky Theater, home of the world
renowned Kirov Ballet.
tutus
optional!
Film tickets: $10 for members,
$12 for non-members, $5 for children.
3
For more information call 901.544.6200 or visit www.brooksmuseum.org | Brushmark Restaurant Reservations: 901.544.6225. | Overton Park
Zoo News
Baby male bongo, named
“Prince Bongo” by Facebook fans.
In 2010, the Zoo introduces new food service partner, Lancer
Hospitality, featuring fresh new options and healthy selections
at the Cat House Café. When visiting Memphis Zoo, make a stop
at the Cat House Café for sandwiches, burgers, salads, soups,
pizza and beverages. The Café will be open year round and
includes a variety of menu options and a spacious dining area.
The Cat House Café Grille will feature a variety of new
selections including a Catfish Sandwich, Café Chicken Sandwich,
Spicy Black Bean Burger, Chicken Fritters as well as Zoo visitors’
favorites such as hamburger, cheeseburger, crisp-cut fries, hot
dogs, corn dogs and kids’ meals.
Sabino’s Subs, Salads and Pizza includes a variety of deli
sub sandwiches stacked with fresh cut meats, cheeses and
vegetables, healthy salads and homemade soups. Plus, the
Café offers gourmet coffees and a selection of sweet snacks
including fresh pastries, muffins, cookies, smoothies and handdipped ice cream to name a few.
Many of the new food options will not be available until
Spring. Check memphiszoo.org for these grand-opening
announcements.
On November 26, a new face was welcomed to the
African Veldt — a newborn male bongo. Team Lead
Andrew Smith is pictured here bottle-feeding him.
The calf’s birth mother rejected him, but another female
bongo, “Bonita,” stepped in to care for him as his
surrogate mother. “She already has a calf of her own,”
Smith said. “And while she won’t let him nurse, she will
teach him how to be a bongo.”
In an online naming contest, the Zoo’s Facebook fans
got to offer suggestions for the calf’s name. After almost
200 suggestions, the fans voted and named him “Prince
Bongo.” Be sure to look for Prince Bongo on your next
visit to the Veldt.
Memphis Zoo Welcomes Female Gorilla
Newest female gorilla, “Kwizera.”
Photo courtesy of Buffalo Zoo
The Memphis Zoo grew its gorilla family by one when “Kwizera”
became the Zoo’s newest in December. She was transferred to Memphis
on a breeding loan. This is the first time the Memphis Zoo has partnered
with another zoo on a gorilla breeding loan since the 1970s.
Kwizera is a 21-year-old female gorilla who was transferred to
Memphis from the Buffalo Zoo in Buffalo, New York. She joins our two
female gorillas “Penny” and “Kebara,” who have been at the Zoo for
about 18 months. The group has one male gorilla, “Mwelu,” who has
been in Memphis for more than two years.
“A strong family group is essential to raising a young gorilla,” said
Matt Thompson, Curator of Mammals. “The addition of Kwizera gives
Memphis our first opportunity at having a healthy, gorilla breeding
program.”
Kwizera will be off exhibit until keepers are able to integrate her into
the existing group.
“We will first introduce her to the two females,” said Sandi Shoemaker,
Memphis Zoo Primate Keeper. “It’s very important that Kwizera builds
a strong bond with the other two females before she is introduced to
Mwelu.”
Once a bond has been established between all three females, they
will then be put with Mwelu so he can meet Kwizera for the first time.
“We’re honored to play a roll in the survival of this species,”
Thompson said. “Hopefully, these gorillas can help our community gain
an understanding and appreciation for these and other endangered or
threatened species.”
11
Kids’ Activity Page
Winter weather for us means thick coats, ear
muffs, and mittens. But did you know that even
when it’s cold outside, the blood in our bodies still
stays warm? That’s because we are warm-blooded,
and our body temperature stays about the same
whatever the weather. This is why we sweat to
cool off in the summer and shiver to warm up in
the winter. But what about cold-blooded animals
like snakes and lizards? Try this experiment to find
out how the chill in the air affects the animals that
Save
the Date
What you need:
for Spring Break Camp
at the Zoo!
See page 7 for
details.
wear scales instead of scarves.
What you do:
Cold-blooded animals don’t actually have cold blood all the
time, but their body temperature is the same temperature as
the world around them. If it’s 90 degrees outside, a reptile is
90 degrees on the inside. If it’s 50 degrees outside, a reptile is
50 degrees on the inside. Unlike mammals, they can’t sweat
and they can’t shiver, so what do you think reptiles might do
instead to try to stay warm?
out of the felt.
For extra exploring, try testing your temperature in different locations. You can even make more animals out of different
types and colors of material and see what happens!
• A sunny day
• A scrap piece of felt or thick fabric
• A piece of heavy aluminum foil
• Cut the shape of a snake or lizard out of heavy aluminum foil.
• Cut the shape of a bear (or your favorite furry mammal)
• Place them both outside in the sun for about five minutes.
• Now pick them up. Which one feels warmer? Colder? Why?
• Next put your animal shapes in the freezer for five minutes.
How do they feel when you take them out? Which one
feels warmer? Colder? Why?
Bundle up and visit the Zoo to see what our animals are up
to during the cold season. When you get chilled, pop into the
Herpetarium to warm up and see our super cool cold-blooded
residents!
SATURDAY SCHOOL
Ages 5 – 18
Classes begin January 23
Memphis College of Art Community Education
A Memphis tradition for over 70 years
Overton Park | 1930 Poplar Avenue | (901) 272-5142 | www.mca.edu
12
Family Series 2010
JANUARY
22, 2010
Based on the delightful picture book by Crockett
Johnson, Harold follows the zany adventures of an
inventive young boy who creates the world he wants
to explore using nothing more than a big purple crayon and his sky’s-the-limit imagination.
Using life-sized puppets, masks, magic and music,
Enchantment’s production will delight and amaze audiences of all ages.
FEBRUARY
15, 2010
This triumphant story of Jackie Robinson, the first
African-American to play professional major league
baseball, chronicles the young athlete’s nonviolent
struggle to integrate what was then considered a
“white man’s game.”
Through it all, Jackie’s courage, intelligence, leadership, resilience and athletic skill propelled him to become a national hero.
COMING SOON!
March 3 - A Year With Frog And Toad
March 30 - Strega Nona
The Family Series is presented in partnership with:
All shows start at 6:00 PM
Single tickets are $12.50, or purchase four for just $32.
Purchase at the Orpheum Box Office, the ticket counter inside
Davis-Kidd Booksellers, or charge by phone at 901-525-3000.
Paid
Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage
Memphis, TN
Permit No. 1124
Mednikow Offers You Much More Than Time
®
CHANGE Service Requested
www.memphiszoo.org/thursdaysunplugged
Requested in-home dates January 2-5
2000 Prentiss Place
Memphis, TN 38112
(901) 276-WILD
at the Lodge
January 14 • February 11
Exzooberance is mailed with a bulk permit and cannot be forwarded.
© Copyright Memphis Zoo 2010
Thursdays Unplugged