Fall 2014 issue - Montgomery Zoo

4
From the DD:
Zoobilation 101
6 12
Animal Care:
Alligator Habitat
Education:
Zoo Summer Camp
Zoobilation
Sept 18
Bill Hardin, MAZS President
JungleDrums
Inside
The Montgomery Zoo
and Mann Museum
PO Box 3313
Montgomery, AL 36109
[334] 240-4900
montgomeryzoo.com
3 New gator exhibit
4 Zoobilation 101
Membership 6 New Gator Habitat
Call (334) 240-4900
8 Animal Enrichment Day
between the hours of
8:00am-5:00pm, 10 Tide Tigers
Monday through Friday
12 It’s a Jungle Out There
14 Kid’s Zone
15 On the calendar
2 JungleDrums | Fall 2014
So, do you have your ticket for the big shindig, social event,
fundraiser of the season? If not, no worries, there is plenty of
time and tickets available. So pull out that party attire, dust off
those dancing shoes and get ready to have the night of your life.
Zoobilaton is an adult cocktail party that will be held at the
Montgomery Zoo. The party will kick off at 6pm. When you
arrive at the Zoo, park at the front gate area, check in and get
ready to make merry. Zoo Ambassadors will be there greeting
you and pointing you to the vast array of festivities, food and
drink, live entertainment, auctions and fun, fun, fun, fun!
This year’s event will be raising funds for the new Stingray
exhibit. This touch and feel exhibit will allow guests to actually
touch a stingray as it swims along within its enclosure. Zoobilation
will feature a variety of food and spirits from various local bars
and eateries, live entertainment, a silent auction and lots and
lots of fun. Also, be on the lookout for new items and
new activities. And just a quick reminder: this is an adult
cocktail party so all attendees must be 21 years old or older
to attend. Tickets are $50 per person and are currently on sale
online at montgomeryzoo.com or at the Zoo’s Admissions Office.
Zoobilation is a fundraiser for the expansion and the
improvements to the Zoo. Without your help and support the
Zoo could not grow and attract new visitors. Thank you for your
continued support and we look forward to seeing you at the Zoo
and at Zoobilation: The Wildest Party in Town!
Who’s Who
The Honorable Todd Strange, Mayor of the
City of Montgomery, Alabama.
Montgomery City Council Members
Richard Bollinger, Charles W. Smith, Tracy
Larkin, David Burkette, Cornelius “C.C.”
Calhoun, Jon Dow, Arch Lee, Glen Pruitt, Jr.
and Charles Jinright, Council President
Montgomery Area Zoological Society
Board of Directors: President, Bill Hardin;
1st Vice President, Janey Sabel; 2nd
Vice President, Mike Hart; Treasurer,
John Mastin; Secretary, Krista Hawkins;
Immediate Past President, etty Roberts;
Exe Board Member Emeritus, Joyce Hobbs
Zoo | Museum Senior Staff
Zoo Director, Doug Goode
Deputy Director, Marcia Woodard
Program Services/JD Editor, Steven C. Pierce
Animal Care Manager, Lisa Matthews
Assist. Animal Care Manager, Jason Bielen
Conservation & Enrichment, Ken Naugher
Operations Manager, Jeremy Vinson
Marketing & PR Manager, Sarah McKemey
Education Curator, Jennifer Hutcheson
Admissions-Retail Manager, Susan Michener
Rides & Attractions Mgr, Cade Woodruff
Zoo and Mann Museum Hours
The Montgomery Zoo and Mann Museum
are open from 9:00am-5:30pm every
day with the exception of Thanksgiving,
Christmas and New Year’s Day. The last
ticket is sold 4pm and animal exhibits begin
closing at 4:30pm.
Members at large: Jackie Kennedy Amis,
Nan Barganier, Candy Capel, Adam Causey,
Jeanne Charbonneau, Jennifer Crumpton,
Benita Froemming, Denise Greene, Dr. Mary
Hampton, Dottye Hannan, Dawn Hathcock,
Jamie Hodges, Delbert Madison, Cassandra
Crosby McCollough, Marianne McLeod,
John A. Mitchell, Sr., Christine Prewitt,
Rachael Saucer Gallagher, Amanda Spiers,
Debra Stamps, Dr. John Sullivan, Scarlette
Tuley, Paul K. Walker and Kenneth White
Combo rates (Zoo and Mann Museum)
Adults: $18, Children (3-12yrs old): $13,
Seniors 65+: $17, 2yrs old and under: FREE.
Ex-Officio: Wiley Steen, Director of Leisure
Services; Charles W. Smith, Council District
2 and Tracy Larkin, Council District 3
Mann Museum Admission
Adults: $7, Children (3-12yrs old): $5, Seniors
65+: $6, 2yrs old and under: FREE.
Zoo Admission
Adults: $13, Children (3-12yrs old): $9, Seniors
65+: $11, 2yrs old and under: FREE.
American Alligator exhibit
Director Talk | New gator exhibit
gators
Doug Goode, Montgomery Zoo Director
The new alligator exhibit opened on a hot, muggy Thursday morning, August 21, to
a crowd of zoo supporters and friends. This habitat gives guests the opportunity to
view multiple alligators from above and below on the lakefront. Points of access
will be directly behind the Black Bear exhibit on the lakefront. Guests can view the
gators from up top or take the staircase or boardwalk down to the lake level and
view the gators through four large cased windows. Guests and gators alike will
enjoy the new exhibit’s free-flowing water fall and sunning beds.
The opportunity to view these animals up close is made available from the
wooden deck at the lower viewing station. Submerged platforms are positioned
under the observation glass which enables visitors to view these alligators
sunning, swimming or actually feeding during select times of the day in warmer
seasons of the year.
The alligator is the largest reptile in North America. It has a long armored body
with thick scales or bony plates called osteoderms or scutes. It has short, powerful
legs and a long, round snout. Alligators are carnivorous. They have strong jaws and
sharp teeth so they can eat almost anything; including fish, turtles, snails, birds,
frogs, and mammals. Alligators have up to 80 teeth in their mouth at a time. Over
an alligator’s lifespan, it may go through 2,000-3,000 teeth.
Alligators are found as far north as North Carolina down to the Florida
Everglades and as far west as the Rio Grande in Texas. Alligators are usually found
in fresh water, in slow-moving rivers. States with largest alligator population are:
North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi,
Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma. Male alligators prefer open lake water during the
spring; while females tend to stick to the swamps and marshes to construct nests
and lay their eggs. Both sexes may den underneath banks and clumps of fallen
trees during the winter months to help maintain their body temperature.
Adult male alligators measure 11 to 15 feet in length and can weigh 1,000
pounds. Female gators are smaller measuring 10 feet in length and weighing 750
pounds. The average life span in the wild is 50 years. Being reptiles, alligators are
cold-blooded using environmental temperatures to regulate their body heat.
Thank you to all the major contributors for making this new exhibit possible:
Alabama Power, Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama and Mrs. Rita Sabel.
3
4
1
2
The new American alligator
habitat at the Montgomery
Zoo. 1: An up close view
of an adult male alligator
head surfacing from the
water. 2: Three adult male
alligators getting ready for
a feeding session. 3: An
example of how each of the
alligators were safely and
securely transported to the
Montgomery Zoo. 4: View
from atop of the habitat
looking into the gator pool
with the zoo lake in the
background. Take notice of
the gators sunning on the
platforms in front of the
exhibit’s glass observation
stations.
JungleDrums | Fall 2014 3
Zoobilation
CLASS IN SESSION. JOIN THE WILDEST PARTY IN TOWN
Zoobilation 101: The where, what, when, why and how of Zoobilation World
Tour 2014. From what to wear to who can come and what to expect
during this star-studded, evening of fine dining, refreshing drinks, jazzy live
entertainment, action-packed auctions and so much more.
Marcia Woodard
Deputy Director
Zoobilation is an annual fundraiser
held at the Montgomery Zoo. It is
a fun-filled evening complete with
entertainment, culinary samplings
from area restaurants plus an
auction. Decorators will magically
transform the Zoo grounds into an
evening of music, food, dancing and
fun! Every year a theme is chosen.
This year’s theme is World Tour
2014: The Wildest Party in Town in
honor of all five of the continential
realms featured at the Zoo.
Who can come? Everyone 21 years
old and older is invited – both
Montgomery Zoo Friends Members
and non-members – but you will
need to purchase a ticket.
4 JungleDrums | Fall 2014
Does everyone mean adults and children? No, sorry, this is an adult
cocktail party. You must be at least at 21 years old to attend.
How much does it cost? Tickets are available for purchase for $50
each. This ticket includes admission to the event, entertainment,
food and beverages. Sponsorship packages are available for corporate
partners and include extra tickets, name recognition and more. Please
contact the Zoo office at (334) 240-4900 for more information on
sponsoring this event.
How do I purchase a ticket? Purchase online at montgomeryzoo.com,
contact the Zoo office at (334) 240-4900 or during your next Zoo visit.
n 101
What is the entertainment like? Local favorites, Cockeyed Camel will be
performing throughout the evening providing a diverse collection of music to
meet everyone’s musical taste. Dancing is always encouraged!
What do you mean by culinary samplings? Nearly 20 of the River Region’s
finest restaurants and eateries serve menu specialties from booths set up in
the Zoobilation celebration area as you enter the Zoo.
And beverages? Soft drinks, beer, wine, cocktails, mixed drinks and specialty
drinks are available throughout the evening.
How about the auctions? Each year area merchants and individuals donate
valuable goods and services that are auctioned off through a silent auction.
Offerings include works of art, dining packages and jewelry.
What do I wear? It’s a safari-casual event, which means you can wear anything
from khaki to animal print clothing or other comfortable attire.
So, how does the Zoo raise money from all this? Funds are raised through
ticket sales, corporate sponsorships and auctioned items. We also receive
strong community support from many companies and individuals contributing
goods, services, supplies, equipment and time. These donations reduce our
expenses and mean a greater percentage of proceeds are spent on capital
improvements for the zoo.
Zoobilation 101 Cliff notes style
what?
Zoobilation World Tour 2014: an
annual fundraiser held at the Montgomery
Zoo, complete with live entertainment,
culinary samplings from regional restaurants,
a variety of adult beverages and an auction
when?
September 18, 2014: the evening
will begin at 6pm, and continue through the
evening until approximately 10pm
where?
Montgomery Zoo: all festivities will
take place at the Montgomery Zoo front
entrance area. Should weather become an
issue, the evening’s fun will be moved to the
Mann Wildlife Learning Museum
why?
Fundraising event for the Zoo: this
year’s funds will be earmarked for the Zoo’s
General and Capital Building Fund which
aids the continual growth, expansion and
outreach of the Zoo
how?
Tickets are $50: everyone at least 21
years old is able and encouraged to attend.
Tickets may be purchased at the Zoo or online
at montgomeryzoo.com. For more info,
please contact the Zoo at (334) 240-4900
What sort of things have past Zoobilations help fund? The Gift Shop and
Admissions Complex, the African Elephant Habitat, the North American River
Otter Habitat, Zoofari Skylift project, and the Alligator habitat (grand opening
held Thursday, August 21, 2014) and Stingray Bay project.
When and where will the party take place? Zoobilation will take place on
Thursday, September 18, 2014 beginning at 6pm. Arrive at the front gate,
grab a drink or two, and start enjoying the music, drinks and food, auctions
and fun, fun, FUN! This year, all the festivites will be taking place at the
front gate and admissions area. Get ready for an action-packed evening
of wildlife fun and adventure.
For you GPS users, our physical address is 2301 Coliseum Parkway,
Montgomery, AL 36110. It will be an evening to remember, so make your
plans to attend. Tickets may be purchased by visiting montgomeryzoo.com,
contact the Zoo office by calling (334) 240-4900 or during your next Zoo visit.
Zoobilation is an adult cocktail party and fundraiser for the Zoo. This year’s event benefits the
new touch and feel Stingray exhibit. The event includes food and drinks from the finest local
eateries, live entertainment, dancing, live and silent auctions, good fellowship and mingling
opportunities with local dignitaries and politicians, fun times and so much more. Join us!
SEPT 18
Sept 18 the zoo will close at noon to prepare
for Zoobilation to be held that night
JungleDrums | Fall 2014 5
Gators
in
a new hom
NEW HABITAT OPENS AT ZOO
New American Alligator habitat opened at the Montgomery Zoo
on Thursday, August 21, housing five adult male gators.
Wayne A. Brantley
Zookeeper I
This new exhibit will give guests the opportunity to view multiple alligators from above and
below on the lakefront. Points of access will be directly behind the Black Bear exhibit on the
lakefront. Guests can view the gators from up top or take the staircase or boardwalk down to the
lake level and view the gators through four large cased windows. Guests and gators alike will enjoy
the new exhibit’s free-flowing water fall and sunning beds.
The new habitat opened on Thursday, August 21 with a ribbon cutting ceremony, reception
and a hosts of special guests; including Mayor Todd Strange; representatives from Hyundai
Motor Manufacturing Alabama, Rita Sabel family, City officials, MAZS board members,
regional media, Zoo staff members and friends. It was a warm day, but guests were pleased
to pay witness to the opening of this grand new exhibit at the Montgomery Zoo.
Here are a few facts and items of interest about our newest friend, the alligator. The
alligator is the largest reptile in North America. It has a long armored body with thick scales
or bony plates called osteoderms or scutes. It has short, powerful legs and a long, round snout.
Alligators are carnivorous. They have strong jaws and sharp teeth so they can eat almost anything;
including fish, turtles, snails, birds, frogs, and mammals. Alligators have up to 80 teeth in their
mouth at a time. Over an alligator’s lifespan, it may go through 2,000-3,000 teeth.
Alligators are found as far north as North Carolina down to the Florida Everglades and as far
west as the Rio Grande in Texas. Alligators are usually found in fresh water, in slow-moving rivers.
States with largest alligator population are: North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida,
Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma. Male alligators prefer open lake
water during the spring; while females tend to stick to the swamps and marshes to construct
nests and lay their eggs. Both sexes may den underneath banks and clumps of
fallen trees during the winter months to help maintain their body temperature.
Male alligators measure 11 to 15 feet in length and can weigh 1,000 pounds.
Female gators are smaller measuring 10 feet in length and weighing 750 pounds.
The average life span in the wild is 50 years. Being reptiles, alligators are coldblooded using environmental temperatures to regulate their body heat.
The alligator became the official state reptile of Florida in 1987. Spanish sailors
when arriving to the New World, thought alligators were large lizards calling them
le legarto. English sailors took the name as allagarter, in time becoming alligator.
We look forward to seeing you enjoy this new exhibit at the Montgomery Zoo.
Photo of ribbon cutting contributed by Dennis Culbertson, DCStudiosPhotography
6 JungleDrums | Fall 2014
me
Opening day: (Top) Alligator exhibit sign featuring Alabama Power, Rita Sabel and Hyundai; (left) ribbon cutting ceremony
with Mayor Todd Strange, Cheryl Sabel, Doug Goode, Bill Hardin, Rick Neal and Patrick Purdue; (first middle) media covering
event; (second middle and right) window views of exhibit and information signs; and (top right) view of exhibit of lakefront.
JungleDrums | Fall 2014 7
Animal
enrichmen
RECAP SATURDAY, JULY 19: BEAT THE HEAT
Ken Naugher
Conservation and
Enrichment Manager
It is getting warmer, some days down
right hot, which means it must be time
for Summer Animal Enrichment Day.
“Beat the Heat” was held on Saturday,
July 19, and was a huge success.
Considering the temperatures during
this time of the year, cool summer
time treats, water pools and iced-down
goodies were definitely the theme of
the day while remembering the task
at hand: stimulating the animals in a
positive manner mimicking their natural
behaviors. The sloth bear quickly shred
open a melon to get to the juicy, meaty
insides. Monkeys focused on puzzleboxes to get their cool ice treats, lions
dove into their frozen bone and meat
balls while elephants and chimps figured
out the best way to get their tastey
prizes hanging in decorative pinatas.
Not only were these enrichment tastey,
but it highlights their keen sense of
smell, mental abilities and curiosity.
If you missed out on the day, check
out our facebook page for a complete
recap. Also, mark your calendars for
the Zoo’s next Animal Enrichment Day,
Saturday, Feb 21, 2015.
More info on Animal Enrichment. Enrichment is the practice of adding various
stimuli to one’s environment. It can be as simple as adding food, treats, scents, toys,
puzzles... just anything new to the animal’s environment. Here at the Zoo our goal
is to provide enrichment that will stimulate behavior in captivity that is typical of the
species in the wild. It is also our goal to provide enrichment resources to our animal
collection that will result in increased physical and mental exercise.
In order to choose an item to be used for enrichment we keep a database of tried
enrichment items with results on specific animals. We also consult national animal
enrichment databases developed by government agencies and other zoos. When an
item is evaluated for use as enrichment it must go through an approval process with
certain requirements. First safety is our primary concern and the following conditions
must be addressed before using any enrichment item.
> Can the animals get caught in it or become trapped by it?
> Can it be used as a weapon, or used to cut or otherwise injured by it?
> Can it fall on an animal or destroy an exhibit?
> Can the animal ingest the object or a piece of it?
> Is any part (including vegetation) of it toxic, including paint or epoxy?
> Can it be choked on or cause asphyxiation or strangulation?
> Can it become lodged in the digestive tract causing gut impaction?
> Can the enrichment item promote aggression or harmful competition?
> Does the enrichment cause abnormally high stress levels?
8 JungleDrums | Fall 2014
Everyday is enrichment day. It is th
enrichment to our animals on a da
mental stimulation that promotes
would be found in the species in th
Pet enrichment for home
pet
Where do you start with pet
enrichment? Think about the things your
nt
the Zoo’s practice to provide
aily basis; providing physical and
s safe and normal behavior that
he wild.
pet would normally do. For example, cats
might stalk, hunt, and catch small prey items
punctuated by climbing, running, and resting
during a normal day. Look for activities that
encourage or mimic these:
enrich-
Food based enrichment – hide a small ball
filled with food so she can hunt and find it,
then it will zip around the house like a mouse
when batted and pushed encouraging chasing,
catching, and consuming behaviors.
Sensory Enrichment – place a fleece covered
(touch) perch near a window so that your cat can
climb up and observe (sight, hear, smell) birds
and squirrels at a strategically placed feeder.
Novel Objects – offer your cat empty
cardboard boxes and paper bags to climb on,
around, and through to explore one afternoon.
Social enrichment – multi pet households
where the animals are in stable healthy
relationships offer valuable opportunities
to be social with their own species. Cross
species socialization between you and your
cat are important too. Remember avoiding
punishment and creating predictable
interactions for your pet are critical here.
Positive Training – when it is fun, everyone
likes to learn something new. Be sure sessions
are not frustrating, and never use techniques
that make your pet fearful. For more
information see clickertraining.com
ment
There are many enrichment items on the
market for almost every species imaginable,
but also allow yourself to get creative. No one
knows your animal better than you!
Source: The Ohio State University, College of
Veterinary Medicine
Sometimes event the best
enrichment items can’t
bring two big cats out in
the rain.
Photos contributed by: Karen Brantley, zoo friend and
docent. Chimp photo contributed by Gary Seals, zoo
friend and member
JungleDrums | Fall 2014 9
TideTigers
LET THE GRID IRON WARS BEGIN
Charles Bryant
Animal Care Zookeeper II
10 JungleDrums | Fall 2014
Elephants can be best described as the
largest land mammal, strong, bold,
powerful, loyal, intelligent, familyoriented and steadfast.
Tigers can be best described as the
fiercest of the big cats, wild, bold,
powerful, majestic, charismatic,
mythical, solitary, loyal and true.
Tina, Star and Makena are the Montgomery Zoo’s
prime residents of the African Elephant exhibit.
African elephants are the world-largest land
mammal. On average, African elephants stand
10-13 feet tall and weigh 10,000-13,330 pounds.
Both male and female African elephants have
tusks. Elephants also have four molars; each weighs
about 11 pounds and measures about 12 inches
long. As the front pair wears down and drops out in
pieces, the back pair shifts forward, and two new
molars emerge in the back of the mouth. Elephants
replace their teeth six times. Elephants travel in
herds typically made-up of females and offspring.
The oldest and most dominant female serves as
the matriarch (or leader) of the herd. An African
elephant lives in captivity upwards of 60 years and
has an 18-22 month gestation period.
A little bit about the girls. Star is the largest and
oldest of our three African elephants. She is a female,
32 years old and hits the scales at a mere 8200
pounds. Star was wild-born in Africa and came to the
Zoo from South Carolina. Her most distinguishing
physical characteristic is her large tusks. Tina is our
first elephant mother here at the Zoo. She is 29 years
old and weighs in at 6200 pounds. Desptie being
smaller than Star, Tina is the dominating personality
and the matriarch of the herd. Like most elephants,
Tina is smart, in fact smarter than your average fifth
grader. Makena, the youngest and smallest of the
herd, will be six years old in November. She like most
‘children’ is very curious, rambunctious, at times a
terror, but extremely bright and adaptive. In fact,
when she was one year old, she had already learned
and mastered all the commands and instructions that
the fellow adults in her herd knew.
Bengal tigers are the largest members of the
cat family and are renowned for their power
and strength. Bengal tigers live in India and are
sometimes called Indian tigers. They are listed as an
endangered species and considered solitary animals
aggressively scent-marking large territories to keep
their rivals away. They are powerful nocturnal
hunters that travel many miles to find buffalo, deer,
wild pigs, and other large mammals. Tigers use their
distinctive coats as camouflage (no two have exactly
the same stripes). An adult tiger will grow to be 5-6
feet long and weigh 240-500 pounds. Females give
birth to litters of two to six cubs, which they raise
with little or no help from the male. Cubs cannot
hunt until they are 18 months old and remain with
their mothers for two to three years, when they
disperse to find their own territory.
Morte, an orange male, and Shanti, a white
female, are not siblings, but have been raised
together and come to the Zoo from South Carolina.
Of the two, Morte is the more outgoing and playful.
Often, he will be found in the bushes waiting for
Shanti to pass by for a surprise ambush. Like many
species of cats, both enjoy their play time; however,
nap time is also a top priority in their daily routine.
White vs. orange: The white tiger is a recessive
gene of the Bengal tiger, which is reported in the wild
from time to time; however, it is not to be mistaken
as albinism. The only authenticated case of a true
albino tiger was discovered in Chittagong in 1846.
Endangered species: Bengal tigers are
considered an endangered species and vanishing
quickly. The wild tiger population has been reduced
by 97% in just over a century due to poaching, loss
of habitat and climate change.
s
War
Eagle
Auburn 2014 schedule
8/30 - vs. Arkansas W
9/6 - vs. San Jose State
9/18 - @ Kansas State
9/27 - vs. Louisana Tech
10/4 - vs. LSU
10/11 - @ Miss. State
10/25 - vs. South Carolina
11/1 - @ Ole Miss
11/8 - vs. Texas A&M
11/15 - @ Georgia
11/22 - vs. Samford
11/29 - @ Alabama
AU
UA
Morte, orange male, and Shanti, white female playing in their exhibit water feature.
Roll
Tide
Alabama 2014 schedule
8/30 - vs. West Virginia W
9/6 - vs. Florida Atlantic
9/13 - vs. Southern Miss
9/20 - vs. Florida
10/4 - @ Ole Miss
10/11 - @ Arkansas
10/18 - vs. Texas A&M
10/25 - @ Tennessee
11/8 - @ LSU
11/15 - vs. Miss. State
11/22 - vs. West. Carolina
11/29 - vs. Auburn
Makena, left, and Star sharing some aunt-niece moments at the Zoo.
JungleDrums | Fall 2014 11
it’s
a
jungle
out there
EDUCATION ZOO SUMMER CAMP
Jennifer Hutcheson
Education Curator
For seven weeks a summer, the Montgomery Zoo plays host to hundreds of school-aged boys and girls
eager to have a whole of lot fun while learning about one of their most favorite things: animals. Campers
are treated daily to live animal presentations, scavenger hunts, behind the scenes tours, arts and crafts
projects, animal encounters, play time and so much more. Campers range from ages 5-12 and are exposed
to a multitude of different animals and wildlife experiences. This year’s theme was It’s A Jungle Out There.
Each day provided a host of different animals and learning experiences. So, if you missed out this year, it is
never too early to plan. Member registration for Summer 2015 will begin in February. Can’t wait!
Zoo Summer Camp is all about having fun, interaction and enjoying a one of a kind educational wildlife experience. From
feeding giraffes to holding sea urchins or perhaps making a wild and crazy painting. Or making new friends at Parakeet
Cove, pedaling boats on the lake or just enjoying a warm summer afternoon playing on a huge slip and slide. Whatever it
is, one thing we do know for sure, zoo summer camp is a blast!
12 JungleDrums | Fall 2014
e
Volunteers | Join the family
Sarah McKemey, Marketing/PR Manager
Why volunteer at the Zoo?
Volunteers play a vital role in
providing an exciting and
educational experience for
the more than 300,000
annual visitors to the
Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife
Learning Museum. Volunteers donate
their time and talents to interpret
exhibits, lead educational programs, help
maintain zoo grounds and exhibits, work
special events and assist with the care
of the animals as well as adminstrative
efforts. If you’re thinking of working at a
zoo or aquarium, volunteering is a great
way to gain some valuable experience
and shed some insight on if this is the
right career choice for you.
Opportunities for young people. Our
Zooteen volunteer program, offers
teens the opportunity for classroom
instruction as well as an opportunity to
work with animals and the public. Our
Zooteen program also is an excellent
introduction to a zoo, animal medicine or
wildlife management career. Many of our
Zooteen graduates have gone on to have
successful zoological careers.
Teens may also volunteer in the
zoo gaining community service hours
for school assignments, working with
special events and animal encounters or
participating in job shadowing programs.
Benefits to volunteering. Adult and teen
volunteers alike can receive education
and training, earn community service
hours for school, spend time working
along side friends and family, make
some terrific new friends, build skills and
resume enteries, be part of a very special
team and have a great excuse to hang
out at the Zoo. Plus, you could play an
important role in educating the public
about animals and wildlife conservation.
We love our Zoo volunteers. In fact,
many of our volunteers have grown to
become employees of the Zoo. What
started off as a passion to volunteer
turned into a paying career.
If you are interested in volunteerting
at the Zoo, please submit an online
application at montgomeryzoo.com.
We would love to have you as a part of
this wonderful team. And don’t forget
ZooBoo will be here before you know it
and we need all the zombies we can get.
Creatures
of the
Night
NIGHTLY DURING
ZOOBOO, at your school
or next gathering...
Check out those creepy, crawly creatures
that bump around in the night. See owls
and bats up close while toads and tarantulas
get a gander of you. Three presentations
nightly at the Overlook Cafe during ZooBoo,
or have the animals come see you during
a school presentation, birthday party,
Halloween party, etc. For more info, visit us
online at montgomeryzoo.com or give us a
call at (334) 240-4909. Hoooot, hoot!
VOL
UNTEERS
NEEDED!
BIG ONES little ones
everyone is needed at the Zoo and Museum
ZOOBOO IS COMING! BOO!
If you are interested in volunteering at the
Montgomery Zoo for special events or if you
just want to become part of the team, please
contact Sarah McKemey at (334) 240-4930,
register online at montgomeryzoo.com,
email [email protected] or just
drop the completed enrollment form below
in the mail. We’d love to have you join us!
Volunteer information
Name
Address
City
ST
Zip
Phone
Email
Area(s) of interest
Special event
Best time(s) available
Thank you for your support!
Please mail to: Sarah McKemey, Montgomery Zoo,
2301 Coliseum Parkway, Montgomery, AL 36110,
(334) 240-4930
JungleDrums | Fall 2014 13
kidzone!
Color Me Auburn Tigers
Color Me Alabama
Crimson Tide
and the Beasts
BALLET Beasts
SEPT 26:BALLET
at the Montgomery Zoo, Friday,
and the
JOIN US FOR
Sept 26, 6pm - 10pm. FREE ADMISSION. Performance of Peter and the Wolf
presented by the Montgomery Ballet. Bring picnic blankets, chairs, and enjoy an
evening under the stars. Gates open at 6pm, performance begins at dusk.
14 JungleDrums | Fall 2014
Color Me African Lion
Lions are one of the four big
cats with some males exceeding
550lbs, it is the second-largest
living cat after the tiger.
The Gallery | Point. Focus. Capture.
The Montgomery Zoo is very blessed to have an assortment of extremely talented
photographers that donate their photography skills to the Zoo. Below is just an
example of some of their fine work. To see more, please log onto our facebook page
at facebook.com/montgomeryzooandmannmuseum. If you would like to donate
your pics, please email them to [email protected]. Thank you!
Events at the zoo
onthe
calendar
UPCOMING ZOO EVENTS
SEPTEMBER 18, 6pm - 10pm, ZOOBILATION:
The Wildest Party in Town. Dance to the
groove, delight in drinks and samplings from the
finest eateries in the Region, try your luck at the
silent auction. Zoobilation is a fundraiser geared
for adults only, must be 21 to attend. Tickets
are required, $50 person, purchase online at
montgomeryzoo.com or at Zoo’s Admission Office.
1
2
SEPTEMBER 26, 6pm - 10pm, BALLET & THE
BEASTS. Enjoy the Montgomery Ballet in a FREE
performance under the stars at the Zoo. FREE
admission, picnic blankets and chairs are welcome.
Gates open at 6pm, performance will begin at dusk.
OCTOBER 13, COLUMBUS DAY. The Zoo and
Museum will be open Monday, October 13 for
Columbus Day, regular hours, 9am - 5:30pm, last
tickets sold at 4pm.
3
4
OCTOBER 16-19, 23-26 and 29-31, 6pm 9pm nightly, ZOOBOO. Join us for 11 nights
of fun and horror at ZooBoo. Climb aboard the
thrill ride of a lifetime Haunted Hay Ride (zombie
crazy scary) or mosey on over to the Pumpkin
Pull for a traditional fall (non-scary) hay ride.
Enjoy Halloween-themed games, bouncy houses,
concessions and much more at ZooBoo. Gates
open at 6pm nightly, first Haunted Hay Ride heads
out at dusk. Montgomery Zoo members receive a
50% discount on ZooBoo admission.
5
6
1: Chimps during Animal Enrichment Day, Gary Seals. 2: Lion with pumpkin treat during
Animal Enrichment Day, Gary Seals. 3: Solomon Islands skink, Pam Smith. 4: Maned wolf with
enrichment item, Pam Smith. 5: Bengal tiger paw, in Asian realm (Morte), Dennis Culbertson
6: Zebra in African hoofstock display (Morte), Dennis Culbertson.
ZooBoo
OCT 16-19, 23-26 & 29-31:
6pm - 9pm nightly.
Join us for 11 nights of fun and horror at
ZooBoo. Climb aboard the thrill ride of a
lifetime Haunted Hay Ride (zombie crazy scary)
or mosey on over to the Pumpkin Pull for a
traditional fall (non-scary) hay ride. Enjoy
Halloween-themed games, bouncy houses,
concessions and much more at ZooBoo. Gates
open at 6pm nightly, first Haunted Hay Ride
heads out at dusk. Montgomery Zoo members
receive a 50% discount on ZooBoo admission.
NOVEMBER 9-15, VETERANS’ DAY WEEK. Join
the Montgomery Zoo in thanking the proud men
and women of the United States armed forces.
During Veterans’ Day Week, all veterans, active
duty military personnel and their dependents
receive a 50% DISCOUNT on regular admission to
the Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Learning
Museum. Participants must provide a valid military
identification to receive discount. Thank you for
your service and dedication.
NOVEMBER 27, THANKSGIVING. The
Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Learning
Museum will be closed Thursday, November 27 for
Thanksgiving. The Zoo and Museum will re-open
on Friday, November 28 at 9am. Join us for a
Black Friday with a wildlife adventure twist.
---------------
NEED MORE INFORMATION?
For more info on these events, please visit
montgomeryzoo.com or call (334) 240-4900.
JungleDrums | Fall 2014 15
JungleDrums
MONTGOMERY AREA ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY
PO BOX 3242 | MONTGOMERY, AL 36109
NON-PROFIT
US POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 344
MONTGOMERY, AL