The Oceletter - San Diego Zoo

Transcription

Aug/Sep 2015
The Oceletter
Ocelots Dinner Program
When: Thursday, August 13, 2015
Where: San Diego Zoo Treetops Restaurant
Who: Dwight Scott, Director San
Diego Zoo
What: State of the Zoo
Our Mission
The Ocelots enthusiastically
support the efforts of the
Zoological Society of
San Diego through active
involvement, commitment to
education, and
fund-raising.
5:45 to 6:15 p.m. Check-in outside at Zoo’s main gate.
6:00 p.m.
Room open for seating selection.
6:00 to 6:30 p.m. Cocktails and Opportunity Drawing, Visit-A-Job ticket sales.
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dinner and program.
In This Issue
Head Ocelot Report. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mark Your Calendars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Food, Wine & Brew Celebration . . . . . . . . . . . .
A Review of Our Last Dinner Meeting . . . . . . . . .
Ocelots Photo Contest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ocelots Special Event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recipient Thank-Yous. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ocelots Grants Program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ocelots Merchandise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Opportunity Drawings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Support the Ocelots Grants Program All Year. . . . .
About the Ocelots. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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3
4
5
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10
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Visit our website http://www.sandiegozoo.org/society/ocelots.html
Page 2
Head Ocelot Report
Ocelots were honored to be visited by Robert Horsman, Chairman of the Board
of Trustees, and his lovely wife, Stephanie. Robert was an original founder of
Ocelots and it was wonderful to have him speak to us. In addition, our own Dr.
Ryder introduced colleagues visiting from Japan. All that and new members,
too! A great talk on pandas followed…read further for more info on that!
We are now offering tickets to enter the “Visit-A -Job” opportunity. Don’t be
fooled, this used to be called Behind-the-Scenes but was renamed to better
represent what the winner can choose to do. As a past winner I can tell you this is
an amazing opportunity to see the great job our SDZG employees do every day of
the year. Buy many and buy often!!
By Kim Bidermann
Head Ocelot
Our grant request letters have gone out and some have already come in! Some people think Ocelots are about
our nice dinners and special events. I admit, I look forward to them, but we are really about the grants. Buy tickets
for Opportunity baskets, Visit-A-Job, sign up for monthly payments…get your tax deductions here!! Our grants
benefit furry, hairy, feathered, and scaled friends.
See you soon!
Kim Bidermann
Mark Your Calendars
You won’t want to miss a single Ocelots event this coming year!
August 13: Dinner Meeting, Treetops. State of the Zoo, Dwight Scott.
October 8: Dinner Meeting, Safari Park. Cheetah Breeding Program, Matt Anderson. Ocelots Photo Contest.
December 3: Holiday Dinner, Zoo Party Area. Children’s Zoo Nursery, Janet Hawes.
Dates, locations, speakers, and topics are subject to change.
Contribute to
the Oceletter!
We invite you to submit articles and photographs for the
Oceletter.
All content should be submitted electronically to the
Oceletter Editor, Paul Brooks, at
[email protected].
The deadlines for 2015 Oceletter submissions:
September 14
November 16
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Ocelots, My wife Joyce and I have attended this event almost every year for many years—since long before it was
called the Food, Wine & Brew Celebration—and have always enjoyed it very much. It is always a very spectacular
evening we share with family and friends, and we recognize the benefit to the Zoo.
This is a huge event and requires a tremendous effort on the part of the committees to find and coordinate vendors, donors, and sponsors. It was mentioned to me that the Ocelots might possibly be of great help arranging for
or giving donations of various items for the auction and possibly generating interest in potential vendors. So, I am
asking if any of our members think they might be able to assist the Committees by donating artwork or other valuables for the auction, or if they have contacts with any food or beverage vendors that might possibly be interested
in participating in this great event. If so, please contact Rachel Poulsen at:
[email protected] or call 619-557-3952.
Paul Brooks, Oceletter editor
Page 5
A Review of Our Last Dinner Meeting
The June dinner at the Zoo’s Sandwich Company was enjoyed by 103 attendees, including
2 new members and 12 guests. The Animal Presentation featured Asian animals—a young
binturong (still in training), a clouded leopard, and a cuscus.
By Mary Falwell
Programs
Robert Horsman, Chairman of the SDZG Board of Trustees and an original founder of
Ocelots was a guest. He spoke about Ocelots and “Cats in Concert,” the Zoo’s first nighttime
celebration in 1984. That event raised over $75,000 and has become an annual event. Now
known as R.I.T.Z., Rendezvous in the Zoo, it raises millions in support of SDZG.
Dr. Ollie Ryder gave us a glimpse of the proposed genetic rescue of northern white rhinos. This is a huge project
involving importation of additional southern white rhinos. He also reminisced that 40 years ago, as a new postdoctoral fellow, he “could not have imagined it would turn out this way.” The Frozen Zoo® has material from
nearly 10,000 individuals representing multiple species and adds nearly 300 new animals each year. Requests
and materials arrive from organizations all over the world. Ollie introduced four guests, colleagues from Japan,
one from the National Institute of Environmental Studies and three from Kyoto University. Ollie thanked the
Ocelots for their support over the years, noting that frozen cells are not as charismatic as Boomer Balls®.
The featured speaker was Megan Owen, Ph.D., Associate Director in the Applied Animal Ecology Division of the
Institute for Conservation Research. Megan is responsible for the many bear conservation programs; the focus of
the evening was the giant panda. San Diego Zoo Global has been involved in giant panda research for more than
20 years. Megan’s challenge was to cover this extensive history and research in 30 minutes!
From the beginning all research was focused on what do we need to know to save the giant panda? Between
SDZG, Wolong, and Foping nature reserve there were unparalleled resources but many logistical challenges.
Pandas are seasonal breeders with a breeding window of only 1-3 days per year. The females are spontaneous
ovulators: they ovulate even if no male is present. The cubs are altricial, very dependent on the mother for a
significant period of time. Approximately 50% of panda litters are twins, but in 95% of these the mother will raise
only a single cub. For nutrition the panda relies on bamboo. Panda habitat and breeding is a finely tuned system
even if undisturbed. Unfortunately, the panda relies on a diminished and fragmented habitat. The research is
focused on breeding behavior and physiology in captive and wild populations.
Cont on next page
Page 6
In China in 1996 there were approximately 100 giant pandas in captivity but fewer than 40% of the females and
only 7 of the males reproduced. It was critical to identify the behaviors and physiological dynamics of successful
breeding, then share that information with colleagues.
Bai Yuan is a “perfect panda,” allowing a study of estrous cycle behaviors, including scent marking and bleating as
well as estrogen levels. Shi Shi, the original SD male panda, was not interested in breeding but Gao Gao bred Bai
Yuan 3 weeks after coming out of quarantine. SDZG vets and keepers trained Bai Yuan for, regular ultrasounds,
reliably timed the birth event, and provided insights into twinning.
Collaboration with Wolong helped identify problems with male breeding behavior. Key behaviors for reproductive
success include scent and vocal communication and behavioral well-being. Experiments with scent marking led by
Dr. Ron Swaisgood of SDZG determined that scent can communicate identity, sex, estrous statu,s and size to other
pandas. Vocal communication turned out to have a wider variation than with other bear species. Additionally, they
found it was important to keep the bears happy. These findings were applied to enhance breeding management.
In the area of maternal care the “twin swapping” strategy increased the reproductive rate at Chinese reserves. This
involves the mother caring for one cub while the other is bottle-fed, then the cubs are “swapped” back and forth.
SDZG worked on an improved formula to make this possible, and twin survival rate rose from 0% to 98%! Another
area of focus was cub development, to ensure the cubs would breed. SDZG allows Bai Yuan to tell them when it’s
time to examine the cub. After six cubs, she’s good at it and the keepers are good at reading her.
There has also been success in China. Foping Nature Preserve focuses on conservation in the wild. Observations
in the wild typically involve finding lots of panda poop but no panda sightings. The use of GPS collars provides
information on panda movement and needs. Denning ecology is another area of study. Pandas need large, old
growth trees for dens, but with loss of habitat the current rock dens are a limiting factor for successful reproduction.
SDZG has been involved in research that provides information for creating maternity dens.
Cont on next page
Page 7
It is now a new era for the giant panda program. China has multiple panda centers. Wolong is a re-introduction
center. Su Lin is there with cub #2, as is Hua Mei with cub #11. This first phase of a reintroduction program
emphasizes developing strategies for success. Dujianyan is a scientific center studying disease transmission and
habitat for pandas; Yun Zi is there. Genda is a breeding center with a conservation approach. Bi Feng Xia is a
breeding center where more is being learned about mate choice and male/male competition which occurs in
the wild but not in captivity. The ”grand” generation of pandas is not as successful at breeding and this is being
studied. Foping has continued multiple studies as well as planning and policy. SDZG is looking at geriatric
management to better understand metabolism of the older panda. Gao Gao has hypertension, worn teeth, and
has slowed down. Bai Yuan’s age is not uncommon—approximately 20% of the pandas in China are over 20
years of age. Gao Gao and Bai Yuan are oldest set of pandas outside China at this time providing an opportunity
to study this age group.
There were approximately 1,400 pandas in the wild in 1996; as of 2015, there are 1,864. Climate change is
impacting the distribution of bamboo and there are other threats. Pandas are not out of the woods yet, but we
are continuing to work on projects to ensure their continued survival.
For more information on SDZG-born pandas in China, see Megan’s blog, “Our Panda Family,” at
http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/2015/03/20/our-panda-family-2/
Page 8
Ocelots Photo Contest
We will be holding our annual photo contest at the October dinner meeting. The photo contest is always a lot of
fun and also raises money for our Grants Program.
Entry Instructions:
1. Photos must be original prints of ANIMALS IN THE WILD, on exhibit at the SAN DIEGO ZOO or SAFARI PARK or
on exhibit at ANY OTHER ZOO.
2. Photos of domestic animals or pets WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
3. Photos should not be larger than 5 x 7 inch prints.
4. The entry fee is $10 per photo. There is no limit to the number of photos you can submit.
5. Please PRINT YOUR NAME on the back of each photo you submit.
6. Send your photos with payment no later than Thursday, October 1, 2015, to:
Marcia Schofield, P.O. Box 686, Solana Beach, CA 92075-0686.
Checks should be made payable to ZSSD Ocelots.
Contest Rules:
.
1. Each entry photo will be displayed between 5:45 and 6:30 p.m. at the October 8 dinner meeting.
2. Each dinner guest will receive two voting tickets and will vote for their top two choices.
3. A prize will be awarded to each of the top three photographers receiving the highest number of votes.
No more than one prize will be awarded per photographer.
Please submit all questions to [email protected]
Page 9
Ocelots Special Event
On Saturday, July 25, 106 Ocelots and guests enjoyed an early morning with the Asian leopards at the Zoo. This exhibit
opened on June 4, and for many of us this was a first opportunity to really see and enjoy this wonderful space. The exhibit
includes three snow leopards and one Amur leopard.
Anna, a 12-year-old female snow leopard, has been a SDZ resident since 2006. On this particular morning, Anna chose to
remain high on her rocky shelf at the top of the first enclosure on the left. She surveyed the crowd but wasn’t particularly
interested, just occasionally lifting her head to be sure she wasn’t missing something. However, on the right front, 3-yearold Ramil (male snow leopard) was very busy checking things out. He posed up front for cameras and jumped from log to
log, displaying how he uses his long tail to traverse the many structures in the exhibit. At one point he wowed his admirers
with a graceful leap to the ground.
The back exhibits currently house Penny, a two year old female snow leopard on the right side, and Koshka, a 4-year-old
male Amur leopard on the left. Penny used the overhead chute to view guests from high above, pausing to rub her face
like a house cat. Across from Penny, Koshka was busy checking out his space, generally ignoring the group but making use
of the logs for leaping and rubbing his face.
Senior keeper Todd Speis was on hand to tell us about the exhibit design as well as leopard care and behavior. He shared
a bit about their personalities and how each “selected” the exhibit area they are in at this time, which is subject to change.
Using the overhead chutes the cats can be moved from exhibit to exhibit without ever touching the ground. There are also
glass fronted caves that the cats can use if they choose. Todd said they sometimes put food in there and recently used the
caves to shelter from heavy rainstorms.
If you have not seen the Zoo’s leopard exhibit yet, be sure to make it one of your stops on your next visit—it’s well worth
the trip, but there’s no guarantee that Ramil will pose for you.
Hi, Becky,
Here are a couple of photos of our donated Stand-on
Scale in use! Lauren Wright is the bird keeper standing
on the scale and holding (weighing) a crowned crane!
Thank you, Cara
Cara Hartinger
Senior Administrative Assistant
Bird Department San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Page 10
Recipient Thank-Yous
The next few pages contain some of the
thank-yous that Ocelots have received from recipients of grants provided by our organization.
Not all the recipients of grants get back to us,
and we don’t have the space to show all the letters and photos we do get. I try to show some
of them in the last 3 or 4 issues of the Oceletter
each year.
Paul Brooks, Oceletter editor
From: Kelly Lee <[email protected]>
Subject: Ocelots grant scale for the Children’s Zoo picture
To: [email protected]’s
Date: Saturday, April 11, 2015, 2:12 PM
Thank you so much for the grant money for our new
scale!! We absolutely love it!!
Ocelots, thank you for our four-wheel-drive wheelbarrow: it really helps us when cleaning or moving
items for our takins and pandas. We really appreciate all you do for your animals!
Page 11
Dear Ocelots,May 13, 2015
 
Please accept this long overdue “thank you”, and update of my work. I would like to express my sincere gratitude
for your generous support for my research and conservation projects over the years. In 2011, the Ocelots contributed funds toward my camera-trap study focusing on the Guizhou snub-nosed monkey in Fanjingshan, China. Although my proposal had a purely scientific focus, the results obtained have formed the basis for an ever-expanding
library of conservation efforts and achievements!
 
In addition to using camera-trap images for scientific and reserve management purposes, my Chinese colleagues
and I have been incorporating the visuals into a variety of educational and outreach activities. I am pleased to
share with you a recently published children’s book on the wildlife of Fanjingshan (Xingda’s Wildlife Explorations
in Fanjingshan, please see the attached pdfs of the book and the book covers). This book features many wildlife
photos from the camera-trap project that you helped support. For the first time, we are able to show the children of
Fanjingshan the extremely secretive and rare animals living in their “backyard.” The children were not only excited about the book but also about becoming junior wildlife experts (see my blog http://blog.sandiegozooglobal.
org/2015/02/25/little-green-guards-excitement-2/). Using the camera traps and the photos generated from these
cameras, we are fostering a different set of attitudes and behaviors toward wildlife in the local children. So instead
of learning to hunt these animals as their parents and grandparents did, these children are learning to appreciate
and respect animals at a young age.
 
In 2014, Dave Rimlinger (Zoo’s Curator of Birds) joined our camera-trap project in Fanjingshan (please see attached Conservation Update). Because of his expertise in Chinese pheasants, we have greatly improved our pheasant “trapping” success. And with help from my husband, Dr. Andy Phillips (former Deputy Director of ICR), we
have perfected our field techniques for long-term, uninterrupted research and monitoring. Dave and I recently
returned from Fanjingshan with a FULL-YEAR of camera-trap data, and we are looking forward to making new
discoveries in the coming months! Ken Bohn and Lee Rieber (Marketing/Creative Services) also accompanied
us on this trip, and captured many wonderful photos and videos of our work there. They will be showcasing our
Page 12
camera-trap study in the Zoo’s “Centennial Celebration” video and other media outlets such as the San Diego
Zoo Kids network.
 
Sunni Robertson (Zoo Lead Educator Guide) and her colleagues at the Education department are using our photos to create a new school assembly called “Radical Researchers.” Soon, San Diego students will learn about
China’s wildlife, as well as the wildlife of Madagascar, because I was able to reuse the Ocelots sponsored cameras in my project there.
 
Also, the National Geographic’s channel, “Nat Geo Wild,” featured our camera-trap project in a film called China’s Golden Monkeys. It was first aired on the channel last September in 250 countries. To see a clip, please go
to: http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/wild/videos/camera-traps/
Thanks again for playing such a pivotal role in our research and conservation projects! I am grateful for your
contribution and for the support of my wonderful colleagues here at San Diego Zoo Global. If you would like me
to speak at one of your meetings, please let me know. I would be more than happy to present our amazing camera-trap findings!
 
Sincerely,
Chia L. Tan, Ph.D.
Senior Scientist, Conservation Partnership Development
San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research
San Diego Zoo Global
From: Julie Krajewski
To:
Akel, Matt
Date: 5/22/2015 2:34 PM
Subject: Orangs using ocelot enrichment
Hi,
Here are a few pics of the orangs using some of the new
enrichment funded by the Ocelots. The pics are from my
phone so I hope the quality is ok.
,
Julie
Page 13
Dear Ocelots,
Thank you so much for funding our new tools. Our crews
appreciate updated tools to make their jobs easier and faster.
Our exhibit crew was excited to see the portable chop saw.
They can now make fence repairs in the field - no more running
back to the shop to cut metal pipes.
The fitting reamer kits are invaluable for repairing pipes at the
food stands. It allows our plumbers to make repairs without
removing sinks or concrete! The cordless impact wrench is
assigned to the Tool Room and is being checked out to multiple
departments.
Thanks again, we appreciate all you do for us.
Zoo C&M Department
Moises Aliangan using our
new chop saw in the gorilla
exhibit.
Michelle Hotaling in
the Tool Room with
our impact driver &
fitting reamer kit.
Page 14
Ocelots Grants Program
The call went out for 2015 grant requests on July 1. The application is sent to all employees
of San Diego Zoo Global. We look forward to being able to provide much-needed support
and special pieces of equipment to as many recipients as possible. The deadline to return the
completed application is September 1, 2014, and the first viewing of the request list will be
available at the October Dinner meeting. You may make a confidential donation or payment
by credit card by contacting Rachel Poulsen at 619-231-1515 x4071 option 2 or by email at
[email protected].
Ocelots Merchandise
Polo Shirts – Embroidered Logo
T-shirt – Silk Screen Logo
Framed Photo of Diego Zippered Nylon Tote-Bag – Embroidered Logo
Canvas Tote Bag – Silk Screen Logo
Anniversary Key Chain Ocelot Car Decal By Jennifer Smith
Grants Coordinator
$35.00 – May be ordered in your choice of size & color
$20.00 - Only one left at this time
$20.00
$20.00
$10.00
$ 5.00
$ 1.00
Opportunity Drawings
For the August Dinner, our three offerings will be: A Pandora bracelet, with animal patterned beads; a beautiful rhino statue;
and a surprise basket. Tickets are $5 each, or 5 for $20.
Don’t forget to buy your tickets for the Visit-A-Job drawing. Tickets are $5 each, or 5 for $20. This once-yearly drawing offers
a lucky Ocelot member the chance to spend time at a Zoo, ICR, or Park department. It is an opportunity to learn firsthand
what working at SDZG is really like. The Ocelot winner will be able to have a unique experience in the department of their
choosing. The length of time for your visit will vary, but will be approximately 3 to 4 hours within the department selected.
Drawing will be held at the December Dinner. Winner need not be present to win.
All Opportunity Drawing Proceeds go to support the Ocelot Grants Program.
Page 15
Support the Ocelots Grants Program All Year
“Set it and forget it!” By donating monthly you are showing your steadfast support of SDZG’s conservation mission and enabling
the Ocelots to fund much-needed requests in all the departments at the Zoo, Park, and Institute. All monthly donations go to
support our Grants Program.
Go to your bank’s Online Bill Pay service and set up your monthly payments today. BE SURE to reference OCELOTS in the Memo/
Account field.
Monthly contributors will receive an Exclusive Ocelot Decal for their car.
Another way to add to our SDZG matching challenge is to ask your company if they offer a matching charitable contribution
program. You will get credit for the additional donation, although it will not appear on your tax receipt.
As always, credit card payments may also be made monthly by calling our Adviselot, Rachel Poulsen, at 619-231-1515, option2,
ext. 4071, or email her at [email protected].
Monthly checks also may be mailed to the following address:
San Diego Zoo Global
c/o Rachel Poulsen, Development Dept.
P.O. Box 120551
San Diego, CA 92112-0551
All grant donations are confidential and tax deductible. (Note: Please consult with your tax advisor.) A letter listing the amount
of your donation, along with your decal, will be mailed to you. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me directly,
Jennifer Smith, Grants Coordinator, at [email protected] .
About the Ocelots
Ocelots
enjoy a special relationship with San Diego Zoo Global. While
having fun at many educational dinners and other special events at the
San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, Ocelots raise money to support the
Ocelots Grants Program. Departments within the San Diego Zoo, Safari Park, and Institute
for Conservation Research are eligible to apply for these grants.
Diego
the ocelot, pictured above,
was purchased for the
San Diego Zoo by the Ocelots in 2005.
Diego is a working member of the
Education Department!
Dafyd
the ocelot, pictured above,
lives at the San Diego
Zoo Safari Park in an enclosure funded
by the Ocelots in 2011.

The Oceletter - San Diego Zoo

Transcription

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