From Tiger Cub Cam to Camera Traps

fall 2011
From Tiger Cub Cam
to Camera Traps
president's message
fall 2011
Table of Contents
President's Message ................................................................1
Dear Members:
What a wonderful fall we’ve had so far! I hope each of
you is one of the many visitors who have spent weekends,
weekday mornings, or even lunch breaks choosing the
Zoo as the perfect destination for enjoying the great
weather with family and friends. And if not, then we
hope to see you very soon!
We have focused this edition of Wild Times on two of our newest arrivals, Sohni and
Sanjiv, born to Sumatran tiger Chelsea on July 5. If you’ve had a chance to see Sohni
and Sanjiv yourself, you know that they are two of our most engaging and entertaining
Zoo residents. But what we also hope is that as the cubs grow, they’ll play the vital role
of ambassadors representing a species that truly needs our help. By supporting Zoo
Atlanta, you provide direct support for conservation programs that promise hope for
tigers and so many of the other species you enjoy visiting here at home.
As the holiday season approaches, if you love the Zoo (and we know you do!), one of
the best things you can do for us is to share us! Consider Gift Memberships or Rare
Care Sponsorships as you’re planning your shopping. Not only are these unique and
lasting gifts, but they also introduce new people to the Zoo Atlanta Family – people who
will learn to love the Zoo and appreciate the great work we do here, just as you do.
feature Story:
From Tiger Cub Cam to Camera Traps
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Farasi Turns 21
Happy birthday to the king of the African Plains ..............................7
Dreamnight at Zoo Atlanta
Dreams came true for chronically ill and disabled kids on June 17 ......8
Fangdango, The 2011 Beastly Feast .................................11
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Staff Profile: Meg Gammage-Tucker ..................................13
Wild Buzz .............................................................................15
Wally’s Wild World ..............................................................16
Mark Your Calendar ............................................................17
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Meet the Animals .................................................................18
As always, thanks for all you do for the Zoo.
Zoo Atlanta thanks our Wild Times staff:
Sincerely,
Managing Editor: Rachel MacNabb
Wild Times Designer: 13
Kathy Cahill
Zoo Atlanta Public Relations Team: Keisha Hines, Director of Public Relations and Communications
Rachel MacNabb, Communications Manager
Simone Griffin, Public Relations Coordinator
Creative Director, Zoo Atlanta: Richard Hezlep
Raymond B. King
President and CEO
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Our cubs and their counterparts are critically connected ...................3
Contributing Writers: Simone Griffin, Rachel MacNabb, Kimberly McDermid,
Lani Schoedler, Amy Walton
Staff Photographer:
Adam K. Thompson
Contributing Photographer: Jim Fitts
Camera Trap Photo: Dolly Priatna Zoological Society of London
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On the cover: Chelsea and Sohni.
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From Tiger Cub Cam
to Camera Traps
Our cubs and their counterparts are critically connected.
by Rachel MacNabb, Managing Editor Tiger cub photos by Adam K. Thompson
It’s a sweltering summer night in August 2011, and human night owls are online. Some opt for a
virtual visit to zooatlanta.org, where the Tiger Cub Cam runs 24 hours a day. After all, a bout
of insomnia would be well worth a midnight peek at Chelsea’s newborn cubs. But the camera
is focused on an empty den; Chelsea has apparently decided to take her offspring into an
adjacent space. Will they be back to this den any time soon? Will they appear?
Now some months distant from Tiger Cub Cam, which
concluded its run at the time of the cubs’ Labor Day weekend
debut, Sohni and Sanjiv have officially appeared. The 4-monthold cubs are two of the Zoo’s most popular babies, delighting
fans with their pouncing play, charmingly unrefined stalking
techniques, and waterlogged wrestling in their on-exhibit pool.
Nearby, signs and interactive displays encourage visitors to the
new Complex Carnivores to channel their appreciation for Sohni
and Sanjiv into something tangible: awareness and action for their
counterparts in the wild.
“Naturally, these births were events that we genuinely
celebrated. Tiger cubs hadn’t been born at Zoo Atlanta in
more than a decade,” said Rebecca Snyder, PhD, Curator of
Mammals. “But we’re really hoping that if people love and enjoy
Sohni and Sanjiv, they’ll be moved to learn more about the
realities facing their species.”
The reality is that all tigers are in trouble. Of nine known
subspecies, three went extinct in the 20th century. The Bali tiger
vanished in the 1930s; next went the Caspian tiger, extinct in the
1950s. The Javan tiger was a casualty of the 1970s. A fourth, the
South China tiger, hasn’t been seen in the wild in more than a decade.
And the survivors – Sumatran, Amur, Bengal, Indochinese and
Malayan – currently number a collective 3,500 in what was once
an extensive range. A disquieting example of animals that are now
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more numerous in captivity than they are in the wild, Sumatran
tigers and their cousins need not just zoos, but help from zoo
visitors, more than ever before.
The fight for the forest
If Google Earth were to zero in on the Indonesian island of
Sumatra, the image might suggest the treetops of a lush tropical
forest, a place that compels curiosity about its secrets, mysteries
and fantastic diversity of wildlife. But satellites won’t tell us
everything. Every second, Sumatra, booming with logging
operations and slash-and-burn agricultural conversions,
becomes less and less that place.
Situated on the far northern end of the island, the Aceh Forest is
considered one of the largest unbroken pieces of tiger habitat on
the planet. Yet developers have allocated this region for a massive
road construction project that will sever a critical wildlife corridor
desperately needed by Sumatran tigers and many other species.
Tigers are animals that need contiguous habitat to survive. When
spaces that once overlapped are separated, access to mates and
resources is drastically reduced.
Saving habitat is a key to the survival of Sumatran tigers, but so is
eliminating problems between the predators and another of their
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biggest threats: their human neighbors. Tigers have always
suffered from fear-based killing, but as their habitat shrinks,
conflicts or clashes with humans – most notably over
domestic livestock – increase.
crucial wild places. Formally titled “Conserving tigers in Aceh
and across Sumatra,” the effort is aimed at collecting data that
will persuade policymakers to rethink new construction projects
in the region.
Given the challenges from all sides, the odds seem stacked
against Sumatran tigers, which have seen their habitat reduced
by more than 40 percent in the past decade. Until recently, the
critically endangered cats were believed to number only about
400 in the wild. But the results of a 2010 population survey
suggested that 400 was no longer an appropriate guess: today’s
most reliable estimate is more like something less than 300.
The project’s primary research engines are traps that are actually
good for tigers. They’re camera traps, dealing in images as opposed
to steel teeth. Without disrupting the animals’ activities, hidden
cameras capture photos that help researchers recognize particular
individuals who either pass through or repeatedly use a given
territory. Camera traps also capture images of other animals –
indicators of prey abundance that provide valuable information
about a territory’s ability to sustain tigers. Conservationists hope
that data collected over time will present convincing evidence
that will keep the forest usable and accessible to tigers while at
the same time helping to provide direction for future
preservation efforts.
“Three hundred is a very alarming number, and we want to raise
awareness that Sumatran tigers are at very high risk of extinction,”
Snyder says. “But we also want to raise awareness that there’s
hope. An enormous part of our mission is our ability to affect
change for endangered species, above and beyond just exhibiting
those species here at the Zoo.”
Led by Fauna and Flora International, and joined by the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Wildlife Conservation Society;
World Wildlife Fund; Durrell Institute of Conservation & Ecology;
Zoological Society of London; and Zoo Atlanta, a conservation
initiative is underway to prevent the destruction of Sumatra’s
“Our Conservation Endowment Fund has provided valuable
support for this project, on the ground, where it’s most relevant,”
explains Snyder. “Funds from Zoo Atlanta have helped to fund
survey personnel and buy survey equipment. It’s a direct route
to keeping conservation projects going, in the places where
they’re needed most.”
Will they appear?
Night has fallen in Aceh, Sumatra, and an apex predator is on
the prowl. A male Sumatran tiger searches the darkness for
clues to nearby prey, stopping to note the scent left behind by
another tiger earlier in the evening. He moves so stealthily that
his presence goes unnoticed by every entity in the forest. That
is, all but one. Tripped by his movement, the camera preserves
and dates his image. It’s proof that he was here.
Dolly Priatna Zoological Society of London
At that same moment, it’s a cool fall morning at Zoo Atlanta. Early-bird guests are standing
expectantly near the tiger viewing glass in Complex Carnivores, waiting for the morning’s first
appearance by Chelsea and her cubs. What’s keeping them? Will they appear?
Eventually, they do. Sohni and Sanjiv take only minutes to case the area, and now, are ready
for adventure. Will they wade? Will they play? Will they make kittenish games of those gobs of tempting fall leaves that have fallen in their yard overnight? What will they do today?
What will we do today? Spread the word. We’re not giving up on Sumatran tigers.
The Aceh Forest project is one of many supported by the
Reeder Conservation Endowment Fund at Zoo Atlanta.
Learn more at zooatlanta.org /conservation_efforts. 5
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dreamnight at zoo atlanta
Dreams came true for ill and chronically ill kids on June 17
Farasi turns 21: Happy birthday to the king of the African Plains.
A s they round out the first four months of their young lives, the
tiger cubs’ stories are just beginning. But across the Zoo, another
splendid cat already has a long and colorful background. Unlike
Sohni’s and Sanjiv’s infancies, his early days weren’t documented.
Yet his story clearly demonstrates the role of Zoo animals as
ambassadors: representatives of cousins in distant places, where
interactions with humans can have devastating implications for
some of the world’s most charismatic species.
In this edition of Wild Times, we also celebrate Farasi. Our eldest
lion marked another year on September 9, and at 21, is now the
oldest African lion living in the North American population of
pedigreed cats managed by the Lion Species Survival Plan. Over
more than a decade, his trademark roar has become one of
Grant Park’s most distinctive neighborhood noises, and he is one
of the Zoo’s most beloved and memorable residents.
Born in September 1990 in Kruger National Park, South Africa,
Farasi is believed to have been orphaned or abandoned prior to
his arrival at the De Wildt Cheetah Centre, where he received
care as a young cub before moving to San Diego Zoo Safari Park
in 1991. He sired three cubs in San Diego before transferring to
Zoo Atlanta in June 2000.
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In honor of Farasi’s 21st birthday, Veterinary Technician Kimberly
McDermid was moved to explore the origins of one of her most
admired patients. While the research uncovered no firsthand
accounts of his early life, such as the fate of his parents or the
other members of his pride, there’s no denying the impact of
this big cat’s life.
McDermid writes:
I often wonder what it is about Farasi that captivates and inspires
me. He is majestic and dignified, and his story is a poignant
reminder of the threats facing lions today. Although it is unlikely
I will ever know the exact circumstances that orphaned Farasi as
a cub and ultimately brought him to live here, I can only surmise
that those circumstances were related to the human-carnivore
conflict. His story is representative of the human-wildlife conflict
that plays out every day, year after year, and affects so many species.
A trip to the Zoo is something many families take for granted,
but for kids throughout the state of Georgia, illness and injury
can limit one of childhood’s most cherished opportunities. On
June 17, dreams came true for more than 150 chronically ill and
disabled children and their families at the first annual Dreamnight
at Zoo Atlanta, presented by Josh Powell and 21 Reasons to
Give. The event’s guests of honor were patients of Children’s
Healthcare of Atlanta.
Powell, a Power Forward and Center for the Atlanta Hawks, and
his nonprofit organization, 21 Reasons to Give, served as Title
Sponsor. Host Sponsors were CityPASS, Event Rentals Unlimited
and Kaiser Permanente of Georgia. Food and refreshments were
provided by The Melia Atlanta Hotel and Sodexo.
Begun in 1996 at Rotterdam Zoo in The Netherlands, Dreamnight
is now observed by zoos and aquariums in more than 30 countries
worldwide. Zoo Atlanta’s personal touch on the tradition included
tours; animal encounters; themed Dreamnight train rides; arts
and crafts; a performance by Laughing Pizza; tunes from Little
Beat Music; meet-and-greet with costume characters; and custom
“swag bags” packed with goodies.
Although I like to imagine Farasi living wild and free on the African
savanna, I also know the reality is not that simple. I do know for
certain that he has brought a great amount of happiness to our
patrons and staff at Zoo Atlanta, and he is a magnificent
ambassador for all lions still struggling to survive in the wild.
Happy birthday, Farasi! We’re pleased to celebrate another year of assuring our guests that no, that really isn’t a recording.
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thanks to our sponsors
Title Sponsor, Dreamnight 2011
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for an amazing Dreamnight!
Host Sponsors, Dreamnight 2011
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by Amy Walton, Director of Donor Events
photos by Jim Fitts
The 2011 Beastly Feast, presented by the Ford Motor Company Fund, took place on the balmy night of Saturday, May 14. Guests
donned their sophisticated evening wear and enjoyed a night of wild fun surrounded by the lush grounds and exotic residents of
Zoo Atlanta. This year’s theme, Fangdango, highlighted some of the newest members of the Zoo’s collection by turning the spotlight
on Complex Carnivores, showcasing the diversity of carnivores from around the world.
Local restaurants provided delectable bites for the cocktail portion of the evening. Proof of the Pudding delighted with a three-course
seated dinner served under a beautifully appointed Ford Pavilion themed by the creative talents of Tony Brewer & Company. Dancing
to the live music of Party Nation and spectacular live and silent auctions featuring unique treasures and exciting travel and cultural
experiences added to the excitement of the event.
The Beastly Feast raised $1 million for the 14th consecutive year. Generous donations from Beastly Feast patrons support mission-critical
conservation and education efforts, contributing directly to the Zoo’s reputation as a national leader in animal care and conservation.
Photo 1:
Zoo Atlanta President and CEO Raymond King and his wife Robin (second from left)
join Board of Directors Vice Chair Mark Street (right) and his wife Terry in Flamingo
Plaza as the evening begins.
Photo 5:
Bathed in an amber glow to simulate sunset on the Serengeti, the Ford Pavilion,
perfectly appointed by Tony Brewer & Company, paid homage to the carnivore
theme with animal print accents.
Photo 2:
Zoo Atlanta Board of Directors member Moses Brown and guest Charmain Ward of
Georgia Pacific prepare to begin a cocktail-hour stroll through the Zoo.
Photo 6:
Chesley McNeil and Karyn Greer of WXIA-11Alive entertain the crowd in their role
as emcees.
Photo 3:
Russ and Kara Keifer(left) and Timmy and Ann Jackson enter the Panda Veranda to
sample some of the many delicious appetizers provided by local restaurants.
Photo 7:
Friends of the Zoo David and Cecelia Ratcliffe dance to the music of Party Nation.
Photo 4:
Dressed in keeping with the evening’s carnivore theme, Zoo Atlanta Board of Directors
member Ginny Brewer and Charles Brewer prepare to peruse the silent auction.
Photo 8:
Zoo Atlanta Board of Directors Chairman Brad Benton (center) enjoys post-dinner
mingling with (left to right) John Makuch, Mary Frances Benton, Board of Directors
member Beth Kytle, and Zoo Atlanta Director of Annual Giving Michael Anderson.
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Staff profile:
Meg Gammage-Tucker, PhD, CFRE
Chief Advancement Officer
by Rachel MacNabb
Locals and zoo historians remember the mid-1980s as one of
the most dramatic periods of conversion, modernization and
reform at Zoo Atlanta. It was the time of “Worst to First,” an
era of a Zoo renamed, a Zoo reborn.
Love of wildlife is a family affair for Gammage-Tucker. Her husband,
Aaron Cleveland, runs Indiana Wild, an animal conservation
education company. Her own domestic menagerie includes seven
animals: an Irish wolfhound; a rescued German shepherd/Great
Dane puppy; two cats; and five birds. And if she was looking for
an animal-friendly neighborhood, she moved to the right place:
she’s a proud resident of Grant Park.
“There’s a real need to convince people living in the metro
Atlanta area that Grant Park isn’t the other side of the universe.
It’s just a few minutes from Downtown,” she says. “Yes, it’s
historic and charming, but it’s also one of the most beautiful and
revitalized parts of the city when it comes to parklands, restaurants
and tourism … with the Zoo right here in the middle.”
Looking ahead, Gammage-Tucker believes that the Zoo’s
historic success with Atlanta’s key philanthropic organizations and
its long-standing place in its community will be important building
Meg Gammage-Tucker, the Zoo’s new Chief Advancement
Officer, isn’t a local or a zoo historian. She values the example
set by the events of the 1980s – proof of the institution’s ability
to emerge not only viable but strikingly reinvented – but is
focused on the days yet to come. In other words, it’s time
for the Zoo’s next great era.
blocks in the organization’s next decade: a future where
established relationships continue to be nurtured, but new ones
spring up alongside them in a city ready to stand behind one of
its most valuable assets.
“It’s easy, because I get excited about what I do,” she explains.
“I can help individuals and organizations make an investment in a
great thing. I can help people fulfill personal passions for wildlife
and conservation by helping them to understand that they can
fulfill those passions right here at Zoo Atlanta.”
And what of those Atlantans who haven't visited the Zoo in
10 or 20 years, or never at all? For Meg Gammage-Tucker,
that’s easy, too.
“Give us one chance. Come just one time,” she says. “You’ll be
amazed.”
“Zoo Atlanta can’t stand on its own laurels. We’ve proven how
far we can come,” she says. “Supporting the Zoo today means
something else entirely. Now, it’s about making an investment in
the city and a better future for us all.”
The primary force behind the organization’s first major capital
campaign in 13 years, Gammage-Tucker is a vigorous champion
of the milestones ahead. In her own words, the new reptile and
amphibian complex will “catapult the Zoo in the community.”
The new veterinary clinic will be a “showcase of the evolution
of our organization.”
With terms like “catapult,” “showcase,” and “evolution,” it’s
impossible not to be inspired by the infectious excitement
Gammage-Tucker exudes when she previews what’s in store
for Atlanta’s oldest cultural institution. It’s equally hard not to
be impressed by her background, spanning more than 28 years
of professional fundraising with campaign goals of as much as
$300 million. A Certified Fundraising Executive, she has served
as President of The Rhino Trust and Director of Institutional
Advancement for the Indianapolis Zoo Society. Her career also
includes leadership positions at numerous arts and cultural
institutions, as well as 18 years teaching at Indiana University’s
Center on Philanthropy, where she still serves on the faculty.
Gammage-Tucker certainly looks outstanding on paper, but it
takes a firm believer in a mission to inspire others to support
that mission. She is a passionate supporter of the Zoo’s roles
and responsibilities on the conservation front, believing, as do
many others, that only through these activities can zoos retain
relevance in an ever-changing world.
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“The number one thing that attracted me to Zoo Atlanta was
the conservation work,” she recalls. “There’s incredible work being done here. We need to tell these stories, locally and internationally, not just about the quality of care being provided for the
animals here, but about the depth of our commitment
to influencing the things that are happening in the wild.”
In many cases, “the wild” includes places she has visited firsthand,
with multiple trips to Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and
Egypt. Yet while her work has taken her from the world-famous
flamingos of Lake Nakuru all the way to the nationally-respected
Chilean flock in Zoo Atlanta’s Flamingo Plaza, her original career
goals had more to do with human societies. She double-majored
in sociology and anthropology and, as a teen, lived on the Leech
Lake Indian Reservation in northern Minnesota – experiences that
would shape a lifelong appreciation for Native American culture.
“Part of conservation is harmony with nature, striving for balance,”
she believes, “with the sense that the animals are just as important
as we are to that balance.”
NO Re-GIFTS
The Zoo Atlanta Membership Gift Card
Give 363 days of family adventure for one low price. Order today and receive a FREE gift!
Order online on zooatlanta.org, or call 404.624.5662.
Order by December 13 to ensure shipping by December 24.
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Wild Buzz
News of Zoo Atlanta’s Animals and Staff
Hi, l’m Wally!
The Zoo Atlanta western lowland gorilla program has been
named a 2011 recipient of the AZA Edward H. Bean Award
for Significant Achievement. One of AZA’s most prestigious
honors, the Bean Award recognizes exceptional programs
contributing to the reproductive success of individual species.
Congratulations to the Education Department on two new
grants for education outreach programs. An IMLS Museums
for America grant will provide ZooMobile programs, Educator
Workshops and Cases for Conservation to all circulating branches
of the Fulton County Public Library System, with future plans to
extend to four other counties in the Georgia Public Library
Service. A Zeist grant will provide ZooMobile and Field Trip
Programs for Pre-K through 7th grade at Title 1 schools in the
Atlanta Public School System and Fulton County.
new faces
Zoo Atlanta welcomes Marci Creath, Director of Human
Resources; Michelle Fournier, Accounting Manager; Meg
Gammage-Tucker, Chief Development Officer; and Gerri
Perkins, Education Reservations Supervisor. New animal care
professionals are Jennifer Andrew, Mammal Keeper I; Andy
Clement, Bird Keeper I; Teresa Deaton, Mammal Keeper I;
and Josh Meyerchick, Primate Keeper II. The Zoo family also
welcomes Robert Hill back to the World of Reptiles as
Herpetology Keeper II.
STAFF EXTRAS
Daytime Group Programs Supervisor Francine Gebus joined
biologists from around the world at the Otter SSP Workshop for
Education Liaisons in Columbus, Ohio.
Assistant Curator of Herpetology Dr. Brad Lock attended The
Biology of the Rattlesnakes Symposium in Tucson, Ariz., July 20-23.
Veterinary Technician Kim McDermid presented Veterinary
Technicians’ Roles in Training Animals for Medical Behaviors at the
annual conference of the Association of Zoo Veterinary Technicians
in Albuquerque, N.M., in September.
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Curator of Herpetology Dr. Joe Mendelson served as a
presenter at the Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists
in Minneapolis, July 6-11.
Director of Veterinary Services Dr. Hayley Murphy recently
presented on the Great Ape Heart Project at the American
Association of Zoo Veterinarians conference in October.
Shelley Raynor, Program Animal Keeper, Kate Roca,
Outback Station Lead Keeper, and J.T. Svoke, Hoofstock Lead
Keeper, attended the AAZK annual conference in San Diego.
Raynor presented Adding Training Sessions to Daily Husbandry
Routines to Increase Efficiency; Svoke presented The Other Side
of Conducting Research: Thoughts from a Researcher. Raynor is
President of the Georgia Chapter of AAZK; Roca is Treasurer.
Zoo Atlanta and the Georgia Aquarium co-hosted the
Annual Conference of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
(AZA), September 12-17. Numerous Zoo staff attended,
presented or moderated sessions, including Curator of Mammals
Dr. Rebecca Snyder, who presented Panda Program: Past,
Present and Possibilities.
Herpetology Keeper Luke Wyrwich presented at the Annual
Symposium of the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and
Freshwater Turtles in Orlando, Fla., August 14-17.
TRAINING ADVANCES
Two Zoo moms were trained for voluntary ultrasounds
during their first pregnancies: Chelsea the tiger, thanks to the
Carnivore Staff, and Matilda the eastern bongo, with kudos
to the Hoofstock Staff.
Outback Station Keepers have scale-trained bush dog
brothers Davi and Ernesto.
Veterinary Technician Sharon Teasley and Primate Keepers
Patti Frazier and Lynn Yakubinis have successfully trained
Sumatran orangutans Biji and Chantek to allow blood samples.
Veterinary Technician Kimberly McDermid has trained western
lowland gorillas Kekla and Machi for voluntary radiographs;
Machi has also graduated to voluntary X-rays through the efforts
of Primate Keepers Jodi Carrigan and Michele Dave.
by Lani Schoedler,
Individual and Family Programs Supervisor
book nook
➤ Ages 4 and under: For Pete’s Sake by Ellen Stoll Walsh
➤ Ages 4-8: Felipe the Flamingo by Jill Ker Conway
➤ Ages 8-12: Wild Flamingos by Bruce McMillan
➤ Ages 13 and up: Pink Flamingos by Carlo Mari
and N.J. Collar
Crèche: A crèche is a sort of daycare for animals! A crèche
is formed when a group of young animals gather together for
protection. The crèche can be watched by adults or left alone
while the adults eat or sleep. Flamingos and giraffes are two
examples of animals whose young will form a crèche.
Beastly bookmarks
Make your own
feathery
flamingo!
Materials
• Pink construction paper
•Scissors
•Pink feathers
•Pink pipe cleaners
• Wiggle eye
•Glue
• Black marker
Instructions
1.Draw a flamingo on the pink construction paper.
2.Use the scissors to cut out your flamingo.
3.Glue the feathers on the flamingo. Be sure to let the glue dry!
4.Use the pipe cleaners to create legs. Bend each one to make the
feet, and tie a knot to make the flamingo’s ankle. Glue the legs to the
back of your flamingo.
5.Glue the wiggle eye on your flamingo’s head.
6.Color the beak with the black marker, and think up a great name
for your new creation!
Spotlight
common Name:
Chilean flamingo
Scientific name:
Phoenicopterus chilensis
Cut out this cool bookmark!
honors and awards
Find me in each issue of WILD Times so I can share some really ssssuper stuff
with you! In this issue, we’ll take a look at some of my favorite feathered friends –
the Chilean flamingos!
Ssssee if you can find me on another page of this magazine.
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Mark
your
Calendar
for these Wild Times!
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 26 AND 27
Visit with Santa – Where else would you rather kick off the holiday season? Meet Santa when he makes his first stop –
Zoo Atlanta! Members get a discount. Stay tuned to zooatlanta.org for registration and event details.
Meet the Animals:
sunny grace
Cereopsis goose
Place of origin:
Sunny Grace hatched at a facility in North Carolina, arriving
at Zoo Atlanta at the age of 18 months.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3
Range in the wild:
Celebrate the Season Family Fun Program – Spread holiday cheer by making presents for Zoo residents. Learn how
animals prepare for winter, meet some cold-weather animal ambassadors, and make a holiday craft. Book a program today on zooatlanta.org.
Australia
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10
Wild Encounter: Otter – Visit with the Zoo’s only marine mammals, with an exclusive opportunity to give our romp of otters
an afternoon snack! Book a program today on zooatlanta.org.
Beastly bookmarks
Chilean flamingo
Chilean flamingos live in muddy
freshwater areas of western
South America, from Peru to
the southern part of Chile.
Flamingos like company! Their
large flocks can number more
than 1,000 birds.
Flamingos eat small animals
such as sand fleas and shrimp.
Flamingos' bright pink and
orange colors come from the
pigment in the food they eat. At
the Zoo, the Chilean flamingos
eat a special dry pellet food that
contains the pigment that gives
them their color.
There are many Chilean
flamingos in the wild, largely
because they live places where
people and other animals don’t
usually like to live. They can
sometimes be affected by
droughts, because they eat
animals that live in the water.
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Flamingos have long legs that
help them wade into deep
water. Their legs are so long, in
fact, that the pink joints you see
are not the knees – they’re the
ankles! When flamingos are
resting, they tuck one leg under
their bodies to keep warm.
by Simone Griffin, Public Relations Coordinator
Status in the wild:
Once one of the rarest of the world’s goose species, Cereopsis
geese are currently increasing in numbers and are no longer
considered threatened.
Foods in the wild:
DAILY, DECEMBER 20-23, 27 AND 30
Winter Safari Day Camp: Winter Warriors – Animals use
special adaptations to thrive in winter. Do you think you have what it takes to
be a Winter Warrior? Campers learn from the masters during a fun-filled break
from school for kindergartners through 5th graders. Book a program or learn
more on zooatlanta.org.
MONDAY, JANUARY 16
School’s Out! Safari Day Camp: Furry Winter Friends
What’s the wildlife wearing this season? Find out how animals keep themselves
warm and cozy during this special one-day installment of Safari Day Camp.
Book a program or learn more on zooatlanta.org.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 21
Wild Encounter: Tiger Cubs – Finally, your chance to meet Sohni
and Sanjiv! Enjoy an exclusive visit with some of the Zoo’s newest and cutest
residents. Participants must be at least 12 years old to feed tigers; participants
will handle meat. Book a program or learn more on zooatlanta.org.
Cereopsis geese are herbivores, consuming primarily grasses
and herbs.
Diet at the Zoo:
Grain and greens, as well as the grass readily available in her yard.
DISTINGUISHING characteristics:
Cereopsis geese have pale grey bodies with black markings
near the wing tips and tails. The species features a very distinctive
bill, pink legs, and black feet.
BEHAVIOR:
Group size can number as many as 300 individuals. These geese
are very terrestrial but will retreat to the water if threatened.
Lifespan:
About 20 years
Primary care staff:
Molly Desmet
Fun fact:
Advance registration is required for all Wild Encounters, Family Fun Programs
and Safari Day Camps. Register online or call 404.624.WILD for more info.
Sunny Grace was originally intended for the Program Animals
Department, but keepers found out she wasn’t cut out for show
business! She now lives in the Aldabra tortoise yard, where she
interacts frequently with guests and keepers but largely ignores
the tortoises.
Wave to Sunny Grace as you
pass by her yard during a ride on the
Georgia Natural Gas Blue Flame Express!
18
800 Cherokee Avenue, SE
Atlanta, GA 30315
404.624.WILD
zooatlanta.org
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