Winter 2024 Volume 40, N0. 1
SAINT LOUIS ZOO ASSOCIATION
The Challenge of Change: Caring for Animals’ Mental Health | Ask the Doc: A Q&A with a Zoo Veterinarian | New at the Zoo
Commentary By Michael Macek, Director, Saint Louis Zoo
Happy 2024! I hope you and your loved ones had a fun holiday season and had a chance to visit us during U.S. Bank Wild Lights! Now that January is upon us, we’re heading into our quieter season — which is a great time to visit the Saint Louis Zoo! The Zoo campus offers an entirely different atmosphere during winter. It’s an opportunity to enjoy some serenity and calm versus the energy we see in the summer. So, bundle up and see our winter-loving animals soon! A new year sometimes means change, and perhaps you’re celebrating a new milestone this year … getting married, graduating from school or buying a home. These new chapters in life are exciting, but also kind of scary. Caring for our mental health is always important, and sometimes our mental health can be tested when faced with big changes. Animals experience milestone events, too … a new adult animal that joins a group, a new habitat or a birth within a herd. As part of our holistic animal care, we monitor the animals closely and make note of their behavior and emotional health during transitions. Learn more about this in our cover story on page 6. We care for animals in many ways, and veterinary medicine is a critical part of care. What are some questions you’ve always wanted to ask a zoo veterinarian? Maybe we’ve answered one of them! We pulled 10 of the most-asked questions and presented those to Dr. Chris Hanley, a veterinarian and our Director of Animal Health. Read our Q&A article on page 12. We had a lot of new in 2023, from new events to new animals. This year will be no different. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, so turn to page 18 and see what’s in store for 2024! Our Animal Care team takes part in conservation work at the Zoo every day — they care for and contribute to important research for the animals in their charge. As often as we can, we’ll send team members to the field to help the animals’ wild counterparts. It’s a remarkable, often life-changing experience. Two members of our Primate Care team recently went to Malaysia to help primates in the wild, repairing the wildlife bridges over rivers that those animals use for safe crossings. Read about their journey on page 20. As you enjoy our quieter wintertime Zoo, our team is busy behind the scenes getting ready for our spring season. We still have fun things to do in wintertime, from Trivia Gone Wild to our Untamed Hearts Valentine’s dinner. Check out pages 22 and 23 and pencil some dates into your calendar! Stay warm, and as always, thank you for supporting the Saint Louis Zoo.
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COMMISSION OF THE ST. LOUIS ZOOLOGICAL PARK SUBDISTRICT Chair Cynthia J. Brinkley Vice-Chair Lawrence E. Thomas Co-Treasurers Chonda J. Nwamu Lawrence E. Thomas Immediate Past Chair Winthrop B. Reed III Commissioners Vincent Bennett Karl A. Grice Robert R. Hermann, Jr. Jerald L. Kent Robert F. O’Loughlin Neal F. Perryman Michael W. Riney Peggy A. Ritter Will R. Ross, MD, MPH Carol A. Wilson Chairs Emeritus Honorable James F. Conway Steven F. Schankman Mark J. Schnuck SAINT LOUIS ZOO ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Robert B. Smith III Vice President Michael J. Hickey Treasurer Lisa K. Sullivan Secretary Linda J. Hunter Immediate Past President Alicia S. McDonnell Executive Committee Dr. Edmond B. Cabbabe Kathy S. Federico Matthew W. Geekie Ricky L. Hopkins, Sr. Annette L. Kelly James P. Leonard Dr. Matthew R. MacEwan Bhavik R. Patel Dana Tucker Redwing Angela D. Schaefer Stephanie Valier Schwendinger Maria G. Taxman Matthew A. Wagner Gerald E. Wiley James E. Williams, Jr.
Board of Directors Barbara C. Archer Kathleen W. Bilderback Susan S. Block Cenia D. Bosman Christine Boushka Debbie A. Caplin Hazel Alethea R. Donald Edward Durham Brad M. Edwards Cory Elliott Logan W. Finerty Lauren Thomas Fries Amy A. Gill Brett G. Gilliland Janis G. Goldstein Davida Lichtenstein Grindstaff Kenneth H. Hannah Charles Henson Molly Hyland Ryan L. Hyman Robert F. Johnston Carol S. Klein Lee C. Kling Judith B. Kouchoukos Julie Lilly Dr. Dan W. Luedke Melissa Markwort Ryan J. Martin Jennifer T. McGrath Andrew T. Miedler Patrick J. Moore John Nguyen Dr. Stanley J. Niemann Frances G. Pestello Pravina Pindoria Dr. Steven S. Pope Quirsis V. Riney James G. Sansone Jason D. Sapp Steven F. Schankman James R. Schnurbusch Shelley Seifert Torbjorn B. Sjogren Zachary A. Smith John R. Sondag Dianne Sutcliffe Kevin Travers James Tyrrell Virgil Van Trease Lottie Wade Robert M. Williams, Jr. Geoffrey Wilson Heather Wood
Emerita – Emeritus Members James G. Berges Marguerite Garrick Douglas E. Hill Joseph F. Imbs III John K. Wallace, Jr. Ex-Officio Whittney Dunn SAINT LOUIS ZOO YOUNG PROFESSIONALS ADVISORY BOARD President Whittney Dunn Secretary Rei Kato Vice Presidents Emily Carter Betsy Crites Samantha Hurrell Christian Wargo Luke Yamnitz Treasurer Brittany Mayfield Liaisons Jennifer Jeffries Tre Moore Mike Poletti Megan Schwedtmann Zach Ungerott Eric Werner Board Members Erica Agnew Joel Carter Jamal Cornelious Justin Diecker Katie Doherty Allison Heininger Bryar Keyes Kelly King Praveena Kolli James Merenda Timothy Nielsen Lauren Parko Dacoda Scarlett Kate Schwarze Kristin Shannahan Kelly Stein Alex Stepanek Jake Thessen Michael Tulley Craig VanLeeuwen
All lists as of Dec. 13, 2023
In This Issue 2 Membership Updates 22 Happenings 29 Saint Louis Zoo Honor Roll 30 Saint Louis Zoo Tribute Fund 32 Kids Page
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The Challenge of Change: Caring for Animals’ Mental Health Big life changes affect animals, too. Learn how we care for animals holistically, which includes monitoring their mental health.
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Ask the Doc: A Q&A with a Zoo Veterinarian Our Director of Animal Health answered our most frequently asked questions about being a Zoo veterinarian. See if we answered one of yours!
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New at the Zoo From new events to new animals, see what’s in store for 2024!
On the Cover Polar bear Photo by Ray Meibaum
stlzoo is published quarterly as a member Nile lechwe benefit by the Saint Louis Zoo Association, One Government Drive, St. Louis, MO 63110. Permission to reprint any material is granted, provided proper credit is given. n Managing Editor: Rebecca McMiller At the Saint Louis Zoo, we not only care about the conservation of animals, n Editorial Assistance: Billy Brennan, but also about the conservation of the environment. That is why stlzoo Jill Gordon, Kirby Meyer, Elaine Vydra magazine is created using FSC- (Forest Stewardship Council) certified n Graphic Design: McCord Design Group n Contributing Photographer: Ray Meibaum paper with recycled materials and eco-friendly inks. You also can opt n Contributors: Members of the Zoo staff into receiving digital-only issues! Check your email for instructions. Winter 2024
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Membership Updates Hi, Zoo members! In this section, we’ll briefly highlight top Zoo happenings in January, February and March 2024, from event and attraction updates to member-specific reminders. If you have questions about your membership, please visit stlzoo.org/membership or contact us at (314) 646-4771, option 2.
Event and Attraction Dates Dinoroarus – back for one last spring season! March 15 to May 27, 2024 Included in member tickets
New Event: Animals Aglow Wednesdays through Sundays March 13 to May 5, 2024 As a Zoo member, you will receive a discount on tickets! This spring, walk around the Zoo at twilight amidst the luminous glow of towering wildlife lanterns. From Asian animals to ocean creatures, this is a display unlike any other in St. Louis.
Dinoroarus Returns on March 15! Enjoy one more spring season at Emerson Dinoroarus! Construction on the new children’s area, the Henry A. Jubel Foundation Destination Discovery, won’t begin until summer, so use your member tickets and see the dinos before they go “extinct” on May 27!
Member Discount on Spring Programs Registration for our Zoo spring programs is open, and remember, members receive a discount! Check stlzoo.org/programs for all our listings.
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Wednesdays through Sundays,
March 13 to May 5, 2024 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
This spring, walk around the Zoo at twilight amidst the luminous glow of towering wildlife lanterns. From Asian animals to ocean creatures, this is a display unlike any other in St. Louis. Check back to stlzoo.org to learn more.
Did You e ke ep Man y peop le ask how w ng w inte r. the anim als warm duri als at the Zoo, The re are 16,000 anim erent when and each anim al is diff r well-be in g. it com es to their w inte of how Here are som e examples caring for the Zoo is dedicated to er. anim als in chilly weath Swan goose
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Building Off Nature in Buildings Many guests consider the Primate House, Bird House, Charles H. Hoessle Herpetarium and Bayer Insectarium to be cozy oases from winter. While we go inside to warm up, the Animal Care team adjusts many animals’ habitats to recreate the winter conditions they would experience in the wild. For some reptiles, the Animal Care team adjust temperature, humidity and light to mimic a natural life cycle called brumation (like hibernation for other animals). In the wild, brumation prompts biological mechanisms like reproduction. Bourret’s box turtles, for example, brumate from December through February. For birds, changes in daylight is important for their welfare. In the penguins’ habitat, the team recreates natural light cycles to provide stimulation for breeding and molt cycles.
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Photos by Christy Childs and Robin Winkelman
Know... Comfort in the Cold Animals like the Amur tigers, Sichuan takins and Bactrian camels are naturally from cold-weather environments. Each animal, however, has individual preferences, and the Animal Care team provides the animals with choices on how they can comfortably spend their day. Options for staying warm while outdoors may include overhead radiant heaters, heated water bowls and extra straw bedding. Some animals also receive extra food to maintain body fat when temperatures are dropping.
King and Gentoo penguins, birds from cold-weather climates, may participate in the occasional winter walk if they so choose
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Indoor-Outdoor Access and Habitat Changes Many animals have free access to both their indoor and outdoor habitats throughout the year. For example, Humboldt penguins are from the warmer climates of Peru and Chile, and these birds have access to a heated room if they choose to utilize it. The great apes move between their Fragile Forest habitat and their indoor Jungle of the Apes habitat, depending on the temperature. And American flamingos move to their indoor habitat in the fall.
To learn more about how we care for animals, visit stlzoo.org A Sichuan takin enjoys a snow day
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The Challenge of
Chan
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nge: Caring for Animals’ Mental Health BY ASHLEY N. EDES, PH.D., ANIMAL WELFARE SCIENTIST PHOTOS BY RAY MEIBAUM
Some say that our lives are defined by
But how might zoo animals
Since animals can’t tell us
milestones — events like being born,
react to big life events?
how they’re feeling, we must
love, getting a new job or a promotion,
care also experience major life
insight into their emotional state.
milestones are positive opportunities
experiencing these milestones can
finding our first friends and our first or having children. While many
for growth, change is nevertheless often accompanied by stress and anxiety,
at least at the beginning. As time goes on and we settle into a new routine, the stress and anxiety fade away.
If you’ve seen the film “Inside Out,”
you may remember a flurry of emotions accompanying a young girl’s move.
Left: Coquerel’s sifaka
Animals that live in human
milestones. Just as they do for us, generate anxiety and uncertainty. Even though these emotions are
watch for clues that might give us Observing behavior, such as how they spend their time or use their space,
is the most commonly used tool for exploring the effects of milestone
normal and expected, we closely
events on animals in zoos. While we
milestones so that we can assure any
for the animals in our care, milestones
monitor our animals through major life stress or anxiety from the adjustment is temporary and that the animal
maintains positive well-being overall.
routinely track indicators of well-being are a signal that we may need to pay extra attention.
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The western lowland gorillas experienced changes when individuals left for other zoos and new gorillas arrived at the Zoo
Births
and Deaths
Addax mother and calf
’
Being born is the first milestone that
well-being of both mom and infant
be milestones for parents, especially
Sadly, animals also can experience
all of us experience. Births also can among species that provide care
for their offspring. To investigate
well-being around births in ungulates, researchers at the Saint Louis Zoo
recorded 24/7 footage of new mother-
infant pairs of various antelope species, such as addax and lesser kudu, during
the loss of group members. Studying
how animals respond to loss is difficult. ANIMALS ALSO CAN
EXPERIENCE THE LOSS OF
GROUP MEMBERS. STUDYING HOW ANIMALS RESPOND
formally study every single animal
simultaneously! Instead of scientific
study, we often follow patterns in the wild, letting animals investigate the
body of the deceased individual and
spend time with it just as they would outside the zoo, as we do at funeral
services when a loved one dies. In the
TO LOSS IS DIFFICULT.
days that follow deaths, Animal Care
first 30 days. Using this video footage,
Ideally, we would conduct research
monitoring for behaviors that may
the mother and her infant, including
to the death of a group mate to
their first 24 hours as well as their
researchers record interactions between how much time the mother spends
licking and nursing it. Knowing which
mother-infant behaviors are typical for each species helps zoos monitor the
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during those early weeks.
the Zoo, it’s impossible to
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to compare behavior from prior
after; however, animals at our Zoo have excellent veterinary care,
and losses are hard to predict. With over 16,000 animals at
staff keep a close eye on the animals, signal to us that an animal is not
dealing well, such as a reduction in appetite; an increase in aggression; or a lack of interest in things they usually enjoy, such as interacting with keepers during training.
Changes in
Social Groups and New Habitats
Social changes can come about for
social behavior, such as how much
For example, sometimes animals
which can show social preferences,
reasons other than births and deaths. are moved between zoos for various
reasons. One group of animals that has changes recently is the Zoo’s gorilla
troop. The Zoo houses an all-male, or
bachelor, group of gorillas. Previously,
mature adult males, called silverbacks, but in summer 2022, things started
changing. Over the course of a year, two males were sent to other zoos
to live in breeding groups, and then two young, immature males came
in from other zoos to join our two remaining silverbacks.
Changes in social groups can be
a time filled with uncertainty and anxiety. In addition to new group
mates, immature male gorillas Zachary and Kayin are adjusting to a new
as well as instances of aggression
were able to move outside though,
new gorillas are comfortable in the
be built, a process that took more
such as these to understand when our outdoor habitat and when the whole
group is ready for the next step in the introduction process. For example,
as summer progressed, we saw Zachary CHANGES IN
SOCIAL GROUPS CAN BE A TIME FILLED
WITH UNCERTAINTY
typical behaviors, like foraging for
food, interacting with enrichment or moving about their habitat. We also
record detailed information about their
As such, to understand the primates well-being when they moved
outside into Primate Canopy Trails,
researchers began collecting behavior data on multiple groups more than a year before construction began!
grooming, play and aggression in
into the habitat to take a quick look and then immediately going back
inside, to spending lots of time outside foraging and playing in the sun.
Gorillas Kayin and Zachary aren’t
When Michael and Quirsis Riney
individuals spend performing their
be considered a significant event.
and Kayin go from simply darting out
about how such big changes affect
been recording how much time the
than a year, and for many, might also
We were able to compare data on
the only primates at the Zoo that have
our gorilla troop, researchers have
Primate Canopy Trails had to
AND ANXIETY.
habitat and, for the first time in their lives, can go outside. To learn more
A Coquerel’s sifaka enjoys its new habitat at Primate Canopy Trails
or play. We can use behavioral data
’
been experiencing a lot of these social
this group was composed of four
time they spend near one another,
been adjusting to new homes recently. Primate Canopy Trails opened
in summer 2021, the monkeys and
lemurs all experienced the excitement of a new home. For some of these
animals, moving to Primate Canopy
Trails was the first time they had ever been outside. Before the primates
normal behaviors such as eating, the Guereza colobus monkeys,
black-handed spider monkeys and Coquerel’s sifaka throughout the
months prior to construction, through construction and then following their move outside. These data show us
how having nearby construction and moving to a new habitat can affect
multiple primate species. For example, we found that the spider monkeys spent much more time climbing
and moving around in their outdoor habitat than they did indoors,
an especially encouraging result since they are all geriatric!
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Data suggests that many animals find guests engaging, and some spent more time at their habitats’ viewing areas when guests returned after the COVID-19 closure
Zoo Closure due to COVID-19
For many of us, the COVID-19
multiple periods following reopening,
milestone in our lives. While things
time to learn more about the effect
pandemic is another significant
have pretty much gone back to normal for the animals, when zoos closed
their doors worldwide in spring 2020,
they experienced a major shift in their environment, just as we did. With
only essential staff allowed on grounds during the closure, our researchers
got creative and took advantage of
the video cameras we already have in
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guests have on well-being. The data
suggested many of our animals find
guests engaging, with species such as FOR MANY OF US, THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IS ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE IN OUR LIVES.
place across the Zoo to study how the
the banteng and polar bear spending
banteng reacted to the sudden loss of
once people returned than they did
grizzly bears, polar bear, gorillas and Polar bear
we tracked where animals spent their
guests. Throughout the closure and
more time near guest viewing areas during the closure.
Measuring
Hormonal Levels Grizzly bear
Behavior is the tool we rely
on most to understand animal
’
well-being around milestone events. Behavior is the most commonly
measured variable across studies at
the Saint Louis Zoo and zoos around the world. Sometimes, however,
animal behavior can be difficult to interpret, and some animals don’t
show any obvious differences during a major change. In these cases,
measuring physiological indicators
such as hormone levels also can be informative. For example, we can
monitor cortisol levels using fecal samples to see how animals react to changes. Most often, animals
will show a temporary increase in
cortisol levels during the transition
levels as part of routine well-being
levels, suggesting they have settled
investigates different hormones that
and then a gradual return to baseline into their new normal.
Hormones play a big part in
several research projects on animal HORMONES PLAY A
BIG PART IN SEVERAL
RESEARCH PROJECTS ON ANIMAL WELL-BEING.
well-being, such as our studies on the gorilla bachelor troop during their social changes and how multiple
species responded to the Zoo’s closure for COVID-19. For some animals, we even regularly measure cortisol
assessments. Additionally, our Zoo could be useful for understanding responses to events and develops
techniques to extract hormones from different materials, such as using feathers that birds lose regularly. Regardless of whether it’s a
special occasion or a typical Tuesday at the Zoo, we continuously
monitor the well-being of our
animals. But when those major
life milestones do happen, we have the tools and expertise to ensure the animals in our care make it
through these adjustment periods and continue to thrive. n
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Ask th : c o D A Q&A with a Zoo Veterinarian By Rebecca McMiller, Marketing Communications Manager, and Chris Hanley, DVM, DACZM, Director of Animal Health; Photos by Ray Meibaum
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he H
Above: Dr. Chris Hanley, Director of Animal Health Below: The Animal Health team cares for a Haitian galliwasp lizard
ave you wondered what it’s
like to care for 16,000 animals? What questions have you
always wanted to ask a Saint Louis Zoo veterinarian? We pulled 10 of the most
often-asked questions and shared them with our Director of Animal Health
Chris Hanley, DVM, DACZM, who has worked at the Zoo for over 10 years.
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Left: Dr. Chris Hanley, Director of Animal Health, examines a red panda as part of a preventative health checkup
#1
How do you give the animals medicine or vaccinations while staying safe?
Many animals here take oral medications, sometimes
How does being a zoo veterinarian differ from being a domestic animal veterinarian?
hidden in a favorite treat. For vaccinations and even
After graduating from veterinary school, becoming a
for injections; they voluntarily present a limb for the
post-graduate training. Most often, people complete an
some other injections, many of our animals are trained injection, like what you would do at your doctor.
Training the animals to take part in their own
health care is so important in veterinary medicine.
It’s better for us and the animals to not to have to use
zoo veterinarian generally requires two to five years of
internship, followed by a zoological medicine residency. The Saint Louis Zoo has offered a zoological medicine residency since 1975!
Our medicine and surgical training and skills are
anesthesia, when possible. Training also builds trust
drawn from domestic animals. For example, zebra or rhino
a reward for participating in a procedure, but when
training from domestic animals and expand upon it for
between the animals and the keepers. Food is often
an animal is sick and may have little interest in food, it comes down to the established trust with keepers
medicine is comparable to that of a horse. We use that zoological medicine.
Every day for us is a bit different. I used to say,
that an animal may still actively choose to participate
“You might treat a 6,000-pound elephant and then
For animals that aren’t trained or maybe not
I like that every day is different, but I will never get as
in their care.
feeling well enough to participate, we most often use a
dart gun or blow pipe to administer medications safely.
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treat a 4-gram frog,” and one day that indeed happened. good at a given species or procedure as a domestic animal veterinarian, considering we have 500 species here!
#3
How do you weigh animals? Asian elephant
#5
Many animals are trained to step on a scale; the keeper
staff weigh animals on a regular schedule. We also have portable scales and a large floor scale in the hospital to weigh animals during their exams if needed.
#4
What are the messiest jobs of a zoo veterinarian?
Does the Zoo have an animal hospital? How do you care for the biggest animals?
We have a large, fully functional veterinary hospital on Zoo grounds. It houses a central treatment area with a If you check with any veterinary technician, they will
tell you veterinarians always make a mess! We use a lot of different equipment, tools and supplies, so cleaning
radiology suite, a surgery suite, a sterile prep room with
laundry, and a pharmacy. We also have research laboratories, an animal quarantine wing and administrative space.
The largest animals — elephants, rhinos, hippos and
up after a procedure always takes some effort. One of
giraffes — need “house calls,” meaning we go to the
is a walled-off infection, and it can look like toothpaste
house calls … doing minor exams, checking on an animal
the messiest procedures is an abscess removal. An abscess when one is ruptured. Being in the barns and in all types of weather is when I personally end up the messiest —
animals’ habitats. Many of our appointments though are after a surgery and wellness checks.
you just expect to get dirt, hay and other things on you.
Right: A red panda receives an ultrasound as part of a preventative health checkup
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#6
What animals are the most challenging to care for?
#8
What are some ways you care for the older animals?
Animals often live longer in the care of zoos —
they don’t face the life-threatening situations they Almost all the animals at the Zoo are wild animals,
do in the wild. Many of the animals you see at our
well. Birds are masters of that, masking their illnesses until
face similar conditions as people — arthritis, cancer,
members are key to seeing those often-subtle changes that
We are proactive with our care. Animals receive
and that means they hide their illnesses and injuries very
Zoo are considered geriatric. Older animals often
they are sometimes quite sick. Our Animal Care team
dental problems, kidney trouble and heart disease.
tell us something is wrong with one of the animals so we
regular health and wellness screenings, and our
can act quickly. They are with these animals every day and
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know them the best!
Do you have a favorite animal and why?
goal is to catch any problems early and start
treatment. If an animal isn’t behaving normally and we suspect a problem, in addition to a full
physical examination, we’ll usually take radiographs (commonly referred to as X-rays), as well as bloodwork for several different tests.
In addition to proactive veterinary care,
Animal Care teams coordinate to provide
animals with healthy diets, opportunities for
exercise, enrichment and habitat modifications to accommodate for any physical limitations older animals may have.
Sloths are my favorite — I’ve worked with them in
Guyana and did an anesthesia research project with both
two- and three-toed-sloths many years ago in Costa Rica. I have loved them ever since. Sloths have many unique
traits: they sleep while hanging upside down, defecate only once a week, and have adaptations to maintain their blood pressure so they don’t get dizzy or light-headed while upside down.
Diablito dart frog
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Right: The Animal Health team conducts a checkup on a red panda
#9
Which animals need grooming versus those that groom themselves?
#10
What are the best parts about being a zoo veterinarian?
Most animals do a good job of grooming themselves. Sometimes when we have animals anesthetized for examinations or hoof trims, the Animal Care team
I get to work with amazing animals and some of the
their winter coats a bit quicker or remove any tangles.
all departments and have built many friendships and
may help brush and groom them, usually to help shed Sometimes older animals that become less flexible due to arthritis may need occasional help grooming themselves.
best people I know! I enjoy working with people across strong relationships here. As the Director of Animal
Health, I don’t get to work with animals every day now, but I enjoy being there to support my team, providing them with resources and guidance so they can do incredible things for the animals in our care. n
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New at the Zoo: What’s in Store for 2024 By Rebecca McMiller, Marketing Communications Manager
2023 was an innovative year for
archways and sprawling displays
musical entertainment across the
a new bird show, Winging It
lanterns will incorporate movement,
band playing your favorite party hits.
the Saint Louis Zoo. We offered (returning in May 2024); hosted
new events (HullabaZoo presented by Mid America Chevy Dealers
and several animal awareness days); and welcomed new species
(three new peccaries, similar to pigs, in River’s Edge). This year will be
no different … there’s a lot of new
to look forward to! Here’s a snapshot of what’s in store for 2024.
that guests may walk through. Some sound effects and changing colors.
Displays will include Asian animals, ocean creatures and zoo animals.
Animals Aglow comes to the Zoo
dragon corridor, which is sure to be
will soon have a new resident.
The Charles H. Hoessle Herpetarium
a guest favorite. And, Zoo members
Our Zoo will welcome a Komodo
will receive a discount on admission! ZOOFARI – Now an Annual Party
our largest fundraisers of the year —
walk around the Zoo amidst the
luminous glow of towering wildlife lanterns. There will be over
50 lanterns spread throughout
Zoo grounds, including lantern
your best creative-black-tie outfit!
the event will feature a Chinese
Colorful lanterns will light
evenings, March 13 to May 5,
ZOOFARI as well, so start planning
Komodo Dragon Coming in 2024
Our largest party of the year is
On Wednesday through Sunday
Zoo members receive a discount to
during the Year of the Dragon;
New Event: Animals Aglow: A Lantern Festival up the Zoo this spring!
Zoo, including a national cover
reimagined! Previously, we alternated ZOOFARI and A Zoo Ado.
Now, ZOOFARI will be hosted
annually! Save the date for Friday,
June 21, and get pumped for dinnerby-the-bite samples from 40+ local restaurants, refreshing libations
and interactive special activities.
You can dance the night away with
dragon in 2024. Komodo dragons are the largest, heaviest lizards in
the world. The muscles they have in
their jaws and throats allow them to swallow large portions of meat; they
can consume up to 80% of their body
weight in one meal! They also are fast … they can run up to 13 miles per
hour for short stretches. They are listed as vulnerable in the wild, and their
native habitat spans the Indonesian islands of the Lesser Sunda group,
including Rintja, Padar and Flores, and Komodo.
Photos by Kelsey Thompson and Jo-Ellen Toler
A new event, Animals Aglow, comes to the Zoo starting March 13
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Guests ride the Emerson Zooline Railroad at ZOOFARI
Zoo ALIVE Teens Take Conservation Action Virtual
Amur tiger mother Reka with her 6-day-old cubs in maternity den
Mom-to-be Rubih, a Sumatran orangutan, cuddles up in a blanket
Babies to Make Their Debut
species is considered one of the most
Not Extinct Yet: Dinoroarus Returns!
Another big debut anticipated
Enjoy one more spring
There’s nothing cuter than baby
animals, and 2024 will be the year
endangered big cats in the world.
that several are anticipated to make
for 2024 is the birth of Sumatran
Country, the Amur tiger cubs born
for humans, orangutans have the
their public debut. In Big Cat
in November 2023 will be introduced to their public-facing habitat once they grow large enough to safely
navigate the area (as of this writing, a date has not yet been set).
Until then, mother Reka and the cubs will remain in their private, quiet and calm maternity den.
The cubs are the first successful tiger births at the Zoo in more
than 10 years and are a significant
orangutan Rubih’s baby. Except
longest childhood of any animal.
Babies of more social apes, such as
chimpanzees, can learn from multiple adults, while orangutan babies
depend entirely on their mothers. They learn everything from mom
Construction on the new children’s
area, the Henry A. Jubel Foundation Destination Discovery, won’t
begin until summer, so use your
member tickets and see the dinos one last time, starting March 15.
The exhibit will close on May 27.
— how to find food, make a nest
Please look for more information
generally stays with its mother for
and via email about all these
and use tools. A young orangutan six to eight years on average.
Our Animal Care teams are
contribution to the population of
working hard to support these moms
zoos. The largest of wild cats, this
to watching their journeys in 2024.
Amur tigers in North American
season at Emerson Dinoroarus!
and young ones. We look forward
on our website, social media
exciting happenings. We look
forward to celebrating all things new at the Zoo with you! n
Winter 2024
19
A Life-Changing Adventure: Conserving Primates in Malaysia
Primate Keepers Mylisa Whipple and Nathan Fox at the office for HUTAN-KOCP and the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary
A large group of southern pig-tailed macaques crossing a “wildlife bridge”
Article and photos by Primate Keepers Mylisa Whipple and Nathan Fox
Fat rain drops fell from the sky
“wildlife bridge” that we were there
Ancrenaz, the HUTAN employees
tributary of the Kinabatangan River
monkey was not alone, as over 100
Their five focuses are orangutan
and splashed into the waters of a
in Malaysian Borneo. We had two
boats, only one of which was covered, so we tied the boats together, and
everyone hopped into our boat to wait out the rain. I (Mylisa) was listening to the pitter-patter of rain drops
while taking in the stunning beauty
that surrounded me in this amazingly
biodiverse place. This moment was one that I knew I would never forget. Just
pig-tailed macaques, young and old, appeared and followed. It was such a powerful, emotional moment for
As rain started to subside, a pig-
tailed macaque came quietly out of
the forest on the opposite side of the
river from us and started to cross the
stlzoo
The forest in the region that
tributaries, as well as the many palm
around the world, helping to conserve wild primates in Malaysia with the
HUTAN conservation organization. In Malay, “hutan” means forest,
the forest and wildlife that call it
work on behalf of the Saint Louis Zoo.
swiftlet conservation and education.
every day, but now we were halfway
conservation efforts for primate species
and now here we were waiting out participating in field conservation
research, wildlife survey, reforestation,
HUTAN serves is fragmented by
so it’s the perfect name for an
the rain in Sukau, Malaysia, while
are from the local community.
us. At the Zoo, we participate in
days before, my co-worker Nathan and I embarked on this adventure,
20
to repair. We soon realized that this
organization that is working to save home. The Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Institute, our field conservation
branch, has supported HUTAN
and their Kinabatangan Orangutan
Conservation Programme (KOCP) for
over 15 years. Aside from the founders, Dr. Isabelle Lackman and Dr. Marc
the Kinabatangan River and its
oil plantations in the area. Palm oil
can be found in many products that
people all around the world use daily, from food to cleaning products, and Malaysia is one of the largest palm
oil producers. With the boom of the palm oil industry, forests were cut
down and replaced by plantations that threaten the survival of the wildlife
in this region. However, the amazing work of conservation groups like
HUTAN are helping to conserve
these species. HUTAN staff work to encourage plantation owners in the
area to participate in conservation and
do not swim, are also able to safely
Palm Oil (RSPO). The RSPO is an
forests allows the orangutans and other
to join the Roundtable on Sustainable organization of stakeholders from across the palm oil supply chain
that create guidelines that members
cross. Connecting these fragmented
wildlife to come together to increase
the genetic diversity of these species. Being chosen as the first primate
must follow. Plantations must meet
keepers at the Saint Louis Zoo to
and social criteria for their palm
opportunity. There were so many
and maintain certain environmental oil to be certified as sustainable,
which is an important thing for both wildlife and the local people. Since 2019, the Zoo has been a member
of the RSPO as an environmental/ nature conservation organization. HUTAN cooperates with
plantation owners to create forest corridors and has been building
wildlife bridges over the tributaries of
the Kinabatangan River to connect the fragmented landscape. While working with HUTAN, we were tasked with helping their team construct and
install new bridges, as well as repair
go to Malaysia was an incredible
aspects of the trip that I (Nathan) could list as my favorite, but there is one thing that truly stands out
for me. As an ape keeper, working
with orangutans in the Zoo, it was incredible to see orangutans in the
wild for the first time. We saw three mother and infant pairs. Not only
did we see them living high in the
forest canopy, but we saw them near
the river, feeding in low trees. It was
surprising to see them doing so well, despite the palm oil plantations that are so prevalent in the region.
HUTAN has made such a strong
old ones. Strong, flat webbing is the
impact in conserving Bornean
They are constructed using knots
plantation owners and the local
material used to build the bridges. instead of hardware to ensure the
bridges remain structurally sound
against the wet Borneo environment.
These bridges are vitally important to the varied primate species that live in
the forests near Sukau. If not for these
community. Through their research,
HUTAN has been able to show that Bornean orangutans are resilient
and able to survive in this landscape of both forest and plantations.
The work that HUTAN is doing
continues to help pave the way to
would be dangerous, considering the
species for generations to come.
crocodiles that live in these waters. In addition, Bornean orangutans, which
Primate Keepers Mylisa Whipple and Nathan Fox on the Kinabatangan River with the HUTAN team
orangutans by collaborating with
bridges, many monkey species would
attempt to leap or swim across, which
Primate Keeper Nathan Fox building a “wildlife bridge” with HUTAN team members
survival for primates and other wildlife To learn more about this conservation work, visit hutan.org.my. n
A view of one of the new “wildlife bridges”
Winter 2024
21
happe Trivia Gone Wild
Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 7 to 11 p.m. Recruit some friends and get ready
to expand your craniums at our Zoo’s Black rhinoceros
trivia night! Trivia will cover a wide range of topics. Adults 21+ only. $350 for a table of 10; $450 for a
Zoo Job Fairs
Untamed Hearts:
Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024,
Valentine’s Day Dinner
9 a.m. to noon; Wednesday,
Friday, Feb. 9 and
Feb. 7, 2024, 4 to 7 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024
Sea Lion Show Spring Training
The Living World
McDonnell Center at River Camp
Daily, March 16 to 31, 2024
Experience a fun, friendly and unique
Save the date for the Zoo’s romantic
The sea lions are back and reporting
Zoo. Learn about our open positions!
to an intimate evening at the Zoo.
Jerry Kent Family Sea Lion Sound.
work environment with a job at the More information: stlzoo.org/jobs.
valentine’s dinner! Treat your sweetie You will be served a three-course
meal and wine. Limited reservations. Check back to stlzoo.org to learn more.
VIP table of 10. Reserve a table at stlzoo.org.
to spring training at the Judy and
The trainers are working with the
intelligent pinnipeds on their athletic behaviors, including high dives and
jumps. $2 per person; children under age 2 are free. Check back to stlzoo.org to learn more.
22
stlzoo
enings Emerson Dinoroarus
Animals Aglow
Friday, March 15 through
Wednesdays through Sundays,
Monday, May 27, 2024
March 13 to May 5, 2024;
Dinoroarus is back for the spring
6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
season! Throughout Dinoroarus,
This spring, walk around the Zoo at
between dinosaurs and modern-
towering wildlife lanterns. From Asian
discover the amazing connections day living animals while walking among 14 different groupings of
animatronic and stationary dinosaurs. Zoo members: Included in member/ premium member tickets. Children under age 2 are free.
Cave cricket
twilight amidst the luminous glow of animals to ocean creatures, this is a
Hours
Tuesday–Friday, Jan. 2-5, 2024 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
display unlike any other in St. Louis.
Jan. 6 through March 1, 2024 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays
Thursday), $20.95 (Friday–Sunday).
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
Zoo members: $16.95 (Wednesday–
Non-members: $19.95 (Wednesday– Thursday), $23.95 (Friday–Sunday). Check back to stlzoo.org to learn more.
On Mondays through Fridays from Jan. 8 through March 1 (excluding Jan. 15 and Feb. 19), guests will not be able to access the Zoo’s South Entrance on Wells Drive. This closure includes the South Welcome Desk, Rentals and Safari Gift Shop. Please park and enter the Zoo at the North Entrance on Government Drive.
Details are subject to change. Please visit stlzoo.org for the latest information.
Saddle-billed stork
Winter 2024
23
Endowed Fund Established to Honor Caroline Loughlin’s Legacy at the Saint Louis Zoo Photograph by Jennifer Johnston
Caroline Keller Loughlin retired as a Zoo volunteer in 1998 with 13,000 service hours
Forest Park on a sunny day; many remember Caroline for her love of nature and for co-authoring the book “Forest Park”
By Robin Kraujalis, Manager of Planned Gifts
Caroline Keller Loughlin began her
journey as a Saint Louis Zoo volunteer in 1972, soon after she moved to
as humane and progressive.
She later became an author herself,
St. Louis with her husband Philip H.
co-authoring the book “Forest Park.”
animals and was drawn to the
Park Forever, she helped advocate
Loughlin III. She had always liked Zoo by its mission and the people she worked with, especially fellow
volunteer Chris Chadwick and Deputy Director Charlie Hoessle, who was promoted to Director in 1982.
Caroline was a member of the
Saint Louis Zoo Friends Association and once was its treasurer. She was also involved in the Friends’ travel program and went on many trips
they organized — to Africa, South
America, Antarctica and New Guinea.
As a founding member of Forest for a master plan for the Park’s
renovation and transformation.
Frederick Law Olmstead.
When the Loughlins moved to the Boston area in 1999, Caroline volunteered at the historic Mount Auburn
Cemetery in Cambridge and was soon elected a trustee.
When Caroline Loughlin
She was nearly finished with work
passed away in 2013, our Zoo,
Zoo’s archivist and historian in 1985.
across the country lost a dear
on “Forest Park” when she became the In 1998, Caroline retired as a Zoo
volunteer with 13,000 hours of service. Hoessle recognized her with a special
Director’s Award with this inscription: “Caroline Loughlin. Volunteer,
historian, archivist, book buyer,
Forest Park and urban parks
friend and champion. “The Saint Louis Zoo was one of the places
she loved the most,” her husband Philip said. “It is important that her work not be forgotten.”
Caroline and Philip’s dedication
fellow traveler, advisor and friend.”
to the Zoo’s mission will continue
the Zoo’s book buyer, and the staff
and public places extended beyond
Endowment Fund, established
took to select books with realistic
as one of the country’s most active
For many years, Caroline was
especially appreciated the care she and sympathetic depictions of
24
animals and that portrayed zoos
stlzoo
Caroline’s interest in parks
St. Louis, and she became known stewards of parks designed by
through the Caroline Loughlin in 2023 to honor her service
and to support the Zoo’s work, now and into the future. n
Carol Benoist: Helping Bring Safaris to St. Louis
Carol and family after enjoying their Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park tour
By Darcy Callahan, Manager of Major Gifts
Carol Benoist and her late husband
habitats. As a result, the numbers of
the Zoo hopes to eventually release
experienced a life-changing trip
to dwindle. It broke our hearts.”
their declining populations in their
Peter traveled the world and
to South Africa. While on safari, they fell in love with the people, the land and the animals.
“Growing up in St. Louis,
we always loved visiting our wonderful
Zoo and seeing animals on an up-close basis,” Carol said. “Then we went to Africa, and the fences disappeared. There were no barriers between us
and the animals we loved. We saw
so many of our favorites … African
elephants, lions, leopards, Cape buffalos, rhinoceros and more. It was magical.” Carol continued, “We left Africa
thinking that these amazing animals
would live on forever. But we began to
hear more and more news of poaching
and increased development of the land. People were killing these precious
creatures and destroying their natural
these animals living in the wild began When Carol heard about the
Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park
them back into the wild to increase native habitats.
The Saint Louis Zoo is grateful
opening to the public in 2027, she was
for Carol’s leadership on this
experience to St. Louis while saving
an ever-growing list of community
intrigued at the idea of bringing a safari animals from the brink of extinction.
She also liked that WildCare Park will serve as an anchor institution, spurring
important project. She is joining leaders who are partnering with
the Zoo to advance our mission.
To find out more information
development and new jobs. This project
about WildCare Park and how you
city and animals she loved. It felt like
Office at (314) 646-4691. n
brought her a sense of hope for the
a good fit for her philanthropic goals.
can help, please call the Development
Now, thanks to Carol’s
generosity, addax and Grevy’s zebra are the first two species to call
WildCare Park home. They will
participate in specialized breeding
programs for critically endangered ungulates (hoofed animals). As a
worldwide leader in conservation,
Grevy’s zebra
Winter 2024
25
Spooky Good Fun at Marlin Perkins Society Night at Boo at the Zoo
Zoo team members helped guests create sustainable candy bags, which could be used as rags after they were used for Halloween
Young guests participate in a science craft
By Mackenzie Isringhausen, Manager, Marlin Perkins Society
We would like to extend our
Oct. 12, welcomed nearly 2,000
Zoo attractions; and mingled
Marlin Perkins Society members
an “eerie-sistible” event! Guests wore
members throughout the beautiful
sincerest gratitude to all of our for their steadfast support.
This special group of supporters
is one of the Zoo’s most dedicated,
and we were pleased to host another Marlin Perkins Society Night at Boo at the Zoo as a thank-you. This exclusive evening
at Boo at the Zoo, presented by SSM Health Children’s
Hospital, held on Thursday,
26
stlzoo
Marlin Perkins Society members for fun costumes, many of which were
animal-themed; enjoyed a variety of
with other Marlin Perkins Society autumn evening. It’s a delight for
our staff to see members enjoying the holiday-themed lights and
complimentary cookies and drinks. We hope events like these
show how thankful we are to our
Marlin Perkins Society members. They are so important to our entire Zoo community! n
Whether you want to learn more about turtles, penguins, apes, sea lions or big cats, the Zoo has a program for you this spring! Our educational programs are designed for individuals of all ages and abilities. Together, we’ll make animal discoveries through unique Zoo experiences. And, Zoo members receive a discount on program fees!
Program features may include:
• Guided tours • Animal observations • Hands-on activities We offer early childhood classes; camp sessions during school breaks; family and overnight programs; and programs for adults, scouts and youth groups. Registration is open! For program details, visit stlzoo.org/programs or call (314) 646-4544, option #6.
Marlin Perkins Society The Saint Louis Zoo is extremely fortunate to have the support of more than 1,300 generous individuals, foundations
and corporations through the Marlin Perkins Society. We welcome our newest members to the Society and thank them for joining this wonderful group of supporters. To our current members who have increased their financial support, we are pleased to recognize you as well. We are grateful for your commitment to our mission. New Marlin Perkins Society Members Aug. 1 – Oct. 31, 2023 Aaron & Brittany Chrisman
Tim & Maria Desloge
(10) denotes member for at least 10 years
Margaret & Gordon Finley
(20) denotes member for at least 20 years
Edco Realty Co.
Mr. & Mrs. William T. Gamewell (10) Mark Gilje & Caroline
Please contact the Development
Robert & Jane Goldsmith
Mrs. Barbara Goodman
• Would like information on how you
Kelley & Jack Hartnett
Jeffrey & Louise Levine
Terry & Kathy Disher
Amy & Douglas Dove
August & Lindsey Hager IV Debra & Mark Irving
Pavla & Daniel Landiss
McKelvey Homes, LLC
Andy & Kristen Miedler Chad Niemeier
Sheila & Jim Schnurbusch
Derek & Stephanie Schwendinger Deb Seidel
Kelly & John Stickley
James & Wendy Walsh
Gilje, DVM (15)
Elizabeth & Austin Kent Bruce & Diana Linders (10)
Melissa & Herbert Markwort Anna & Dan Ramacciotti
Mr. & Mrs. Marc Seldin (10) Mr. & Mrs. John R. Sondag Dr. John A. Sopuch
Sally Terrace & Al Henneboehle (20) William & Shannon Willhite Luke Yamnitz
Christina & Geoff Wilson Steven Witthaus
Adam Young & Jennifer Kieffer Current Marlin Perkins Society Members Who Have Increased Support Aug. 1 – Oct. 31, 2023 Mark & Kimberly Atkins Lee Berger (10)
John & Penelope Biggs
Collin Cox & Angela Schaefer Daniel & Rochelle Cox (10)
Bactrian camel
28
(15) denotes member for at least 15 years
stlzoo
Office at (314) 646-4859 if you:
can join or increase your support to the Marlin Perkins Society.
• Discover a discrepancy or have
a question (the Zoo makes every
effort to acknowledge all gifts and to maintain accurate records).
Saint Louis Zoo Honor Roll The following list represents new major and planned gifts and pledges, excluding Marlin Perkins Society and other membership gifts, made to the Saint Louis Zoo Association from Aug. 1 – Oct. 31, 2023. Donors are listed in the category of their most recent giving to the Saint Louis Zoo. Leadership Gifts $5,000,000 and Above Eric P. and Evelyn E. Newman Foundation $4,999,999 – $1,000,000 Anonymous Edward & Margaret Imo Family Major Gifts $749,999 – $500,000 Estate of Randall Damerow, and the Estate of Donald Damerow Jim & Lionelle Elsesser $499,999 – $250,000 Jack & Ellen Deutsch The Guth Foundation $249,999 – $100,000 Joe & Dianna Adorjan Edward K. Love Conservation Foundation Lisa Mechele Special Gifts $99,999 – $50,000 Barbara & Stephen Archer Family The Boeing Company The Faintich Family Foundation Estate of Mr. & Mrs. Terrence Helwig Terry M. Lynford Winthrop & Heidi Reed $49,999 – $25,000 Ann L. Case Karen & Matt Geekie $24,999 – $10,000 Anonymous Ms. Betty Beckmann Mr. & Mrs. Charles Berry Leo R. Buder Foundation Trust Edward Chase Garvey Memorial Foundation
Estate of Terri L. Jakuboski Andy & Kristen Miedler John and Carolyn Peterson Charitable Foundation, Inc. Society for Information Management The von Gontard Family Foundation $9,999 – $5,000 Anonymous Bunge Kaye Campbell-Hinson & Phil Hinson Mrs. Kay Drey Edison Family Foundation Gary & Debra Haynes Tony Holdener Ms. Martha R. Kratzer MTM, Inc. Estate of Dorothy Riesmeyer Beverly Ruser, in memory of Larry Ruser, Sr. Estate of Robert M. Senior Mr. Joe A. Strickert Dr. Libby M. Yunger $4,999 – $2,500 Mr. & Mrs. Ken Nettleton Jamey Stegmaier Karen Strobach $2,499 – $1,000 Diane & Joe Carenza DJM Ecological Services, Inc. Pure Air Natives, Inc. Roger & Earleen Duncan Terry & Cheryl Gilchrist Marie Guariglia Mrs. Ruth C. Hellstern Melvyn L. & Dorothy J. Lefkowitz Estate of Mr. & Mrs. Harry Lenzen H. Smith & Janet McGehee Microsoft Rewards/Give with Bing Whig & Steph Mullins Ms. Maria A. Murphy Travis Neely
Estate of Viola J. Reynolds Thomas & Lisa Spinner Ms. Ellen Uhlemeyer $999 – $250 Abby Cheng Dickerson Park Zoo Tara & Scott Evans Mr. & Mrs. Jerry L. Fritz James S. & Tracey L. Gans Mr. & Mrs. Ted Hellmuth Kenneth & Patti Hise Mr. Patrick J. Kleaver John L. Koberg & Barbara A. Reed Mr. Craig Landon Ray Marglous Family Foundation The McAllister Family Foundation Richard & Verla Mitchell Mr. & Mrs. Michael Monarchi Mike & Marianne Murphy Richard & Virginia Navarro Dr. & Mrs. Henry G. Ollinger Ms. Linda R. Reifschneider Drs. Benjamin & Susan Schwartz Mr. & Mrs. Brent St. John Ms. Heather R. Stimmel Bud & Anne Strong Bruce & Greta Talen James & Jean Terry Ms. Kay E. Thurman Ms. Jo Ann Treumann Lottie H. & A.J. Wade Mrs. Lois M. Walsh Karen L. Weissflug Mr. John R. Zentz The Saint Louis Zoo Development Office regrets any errors or omission of any gift. If you would like to change your honor roll listing, contact Katie Meyers at meyers@stlzoo.org.
Winter 2024
29
Saint Louis Zoo Tribute Fund Donors providing the Saint Louis Zoo Tribute Fund with gifts of $25 or more between Aug. 1 – Oct. 31, 2023, to honor or memorialize events and loved ones include: In Memory Of
Bonnie B. Halls
Gwen Jankowski
Michael Carron
Mr. & Mrs. Boyd Atteberry
Jeannette Gift
Leslie Cobble Ruecker
Harry Jennings
Linda Noland Joseph Collesano Ms. Julie Heyd Rachel Hogan
Ms. Heather R. Stimmel Marc D. Ellington Jerry & Char Ellington Carol Faintich Abby Cheng
Robin L. Kahn
Ms. Stephanie Rhea Cheryl L. Rossman Dorothy Stephens
Ronald R. Goellner Dr. & Mrs. William J. Boever Sandra M. Greenberg Mr. & Mrs. Bill Bender Lisa K. Forness
Michael R. Sims
Susan Sundermeyer
Muriel & Randy Zimring
Dr. & Mrs. Octavio R. Chirino Mr. Marcus T. & Francine Cohn
Christy Roach
Mr. & Mrs. Jerry L. Fritz
Terry D. Johnson
Joan & Virgil Hill
Steven & Laura May
Jeanine & Allen Elster Cliff Hackmann
Mr. Jeffrey L. Huntington
Mr. & Mrs. Gerald M. Hilkerbaumer
Phil A. Kaiser
George F. Koob
Mary Kempfer & Wes Kempfer
Richard Horwath
Alan & Bunne Kaplan
Jean L. Barker
Rosemary & James Kurt
Lourdes M. Kuykendall
Dee and Jim Lafata
Mrs. Catherine & Mr. Brad Langreder Peggy & Alex Moore
Patrick and Nancy Walsh Marilyn N. Koob
Mr. & Mrs. Dale Poslosky
Mr. & Mrs. Patrick J. Heath
Marge Smith
Joseph O. Losos
Marilyn Simkins & Jon Simkins Mr. & Mrs. Brent St. John
Dr. & Mrs. William J. Boever
Lori A. Sullivan & G. Todd Rogan
Caroline K. Loughlin
Mrs. Karen Stern Sharon Vlasics
Mr. Jeffrey L. Huntington
Lawrence H. & Judith F. Weltman
Lois Marshall
William & Janet Wittenauer
Mr. & Mrs. David Tinkelman
Robert E. & Nancy E. Wagoner Ken Wilhelm & Nancy Gerardi
Dr. Michael & Mrs. Michelle Isserman
Maryann Heeney
Robert J. Noe
Margie Bittner
John & Rose Collins
Virginia M. Herrmann
Mr. Don W. Davis
Dr. & Mrs. William J. Boever
Ms. Deanna Davis
Melvyn L. & Dorothy J. Lefkowitz Ray Marglous Family Foundation Debbie Wahl
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Joseph Pantano
Bernard Rosenberg
Robyn Faintich
Ms. Barbara P. Lehman
Margaret Crane
Jeff Bernhardt
Randy & Lynn Pantano
Patricia A. Schneider
Rani
Evelyn Pantano
William & Jeryl Livingston
Katherine Blessing
Bruce Glazier
Kadean Construction Co.
Diane & David Freyman
Ms. Linda R. Reifschneider
William Stevens
Mr. and Mrs. Rand S. Goldstein
Barbara Spencer
Lisa Lamb
Dr. & Mrs. Paul S. Lux
Edward O. Ray
Thayne Thomas
Tucker Holloran
Candice Gladders
Judy Douglas & Jack Douglas
Rachel Barrand
Stephen M. Redfearn
Linda A. Tripodi
Anonymous
Lindsey Bastani
James S. & Tracey L. Gans
Glenda Martin
Amy & Michael Digman
Judy O’Dell
Randall S. Lorimor The Garden/Bunco Club of Lebanon, Missouri
Mary J. Wehmeyer Mr. John R. Zentz Cindy Riordan
Garlich Printing Company Robert H. Ripley Susan J. & Richard J. Berron
Steven Collier & Jennifer Salrin Morgan and Ian Fruend Charles Marlow
Monica E. Matava
Sperreng MS Office
Nanette H. Tarbouni
Michelle & Michael Todt Norma L. Williams Juanita Schemel
Debbie Gallop
In Honor Of
Mr. & Mrs. Niall Gannon Tyler Gans Sully Hall
Brad Lambert
Katelyn McLaughlin
Matthew McLaughlin Bruce & Greta Talen
Kip Wenger & Laura Wenger Mrs. Susan B. Krawll Mike & Marianne Murphy Bonnie and Chris Miget Mosby Building Arts Ltd.
Ms. Jo Ann Treumann
David and Christine Chadwick
Nancy C. Morgan
Elsie Walker
Mike & Marianne Murphy
Jim & Peg Morgan
Jeanne Rooney
Crystal D’Angelo
Steven F. Schankman
Joanne B. Bland
Dr. & Mrs. Sherman Silber
Mr. & Mrs. David M. Aronson Bob & Susie Schulte
Winter 2024
31
EXERCISE LIKE AN
l a m i an
Many animals, like grizzly bears and groundhogs, slow down during the wintertime. But for some animals, it’s important to stay active all year long, just like us. We have some animal-themed exercises to keep you moving all winter long!
the Sifaka JUMP A sifaka is a lemur that leaps from tree to tree. They can leap over 30 feet; that’s similar to jumping from the front of a school bus all the way to the back!
try this!
the CHeetah run Cheetahs can run over 60 miles per hour in short bursts; that’s similar to a car driving on the highway!
try this! 32
stlzoo
JUMP! Hold your arms up and hop to the side. How many hops does it take to cross your room, yard or playground?
RUN! Choose a starting and finishing line in your yard, hallway or local park. Time yourself to see how fast you can reach the finish line. Try again to see if you can go even faster!
the penguin waddle Penguins waddle and slide on their bellies to get around their icy home.
try
waddle! this
!
Without bending your knees, waddle from one side of your room or yard to the other.
the honeybee dance
DANCE!
Honeybees dance to communicate! Through their dances, they tell the other members of their hive where to find all the best nectar.
try this
!
Turn on your favorite song. Dance while moving forward, then turn left or right, looping back to where you started. Honeybees change their dance to let others know how far or near the nectar is, so remember to change up your moves!
the gator crawl Alligator moms carry their hatchlings on their backs to help keep them safe.
try this
Crawl! !
Place a few toys or pillows on your back and try to crawl around without letting them fall off. How many things can you carry?
the balancing AN T Leaf cutter ants carry large pieces of leaves back to their homes. The fungus that grows on the leaves they collected is their food.
try
this
BALANCE!
!
Choose a path through your room, house or local playground. Try to navigate your way though it while carrying something on top of your head (try using a recycled box or book). Winter 2024
33
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage
P A I D
One Government Drive St. Louis, MO 63110
Saint Louis, MO Permit No. 2096
POSTMASTER: send address changes to stlzoo, Saint Louis Zoo, One Government Drive, St. Louis, MO 63110. CHECK IF APPROPRIATE: MY NAME IS MISSPELLED. MY ADDRESS IS INCORRECT. I RECEIVED MORE THAN ONE COPY. I NO LONGER WISH TO RECEIVE stlzoo. Please clip this address panel and mail it to us, noting your request.
Address Service Requested
© stlzoo, Saint Louis Zoo, 2024
The Need for “Zzz’s” Grizzly bears in the wild hibernate to survive due to limited resources. In human care, not all grizzlies hibernate. The Zoo’s two resident grizzly bears, Huckleberry and Finley, don’t hibernate but their diets and activity levels change with the winter season. Photo by Ray Meibaum