The Oceletter
June/July 2017
Ocelots Dinner Program
When: Thursday, June 1, 2017
Where: Zoofari Party Area, San Diego Zoo
Who: Paige Howorth, associate curator of Entomology
What: Spineless and Proud of It:
Our Mission
Conservation of the Smaller Majority at SDZG
The Ocelots enthusiastically
support the efforts of the
Zoological Society of
San Diego through active
involvement, commitment to
education, and
fund-raising.
In This Issue
Head Ocelot Report. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mark Your Calendars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pet Photo Contest Results. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A Review of Our Last Dinner Meeting. . . . . . . . .
Grants Program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ocelots Photo Contest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Opportunity Drawings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ocelots Merchandise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
About the Ocelots. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
3
4
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6
7
8
9
10
5:45 to 6:15 p.m. Check-in outside at Zoo main gate.
6:00 p.m.
Dining area open for seating selection.
6:00 to 6:30 p.m. Cocktails and animal ambassadors
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dinner and program.
Visit our website http://www.sandiegozoo.org/society/ocelots.html
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Head Ocelot Report
I hope everyone is looking forward to the June Dinner Meeting which will be held
on Thursday, June 1st. The first Thursday of the month is an unusual time to have an
Ocelot dinner. Normally the date for the June dinner would be the second Thursday
of the month.
By Bill Kolb
Head Ocelot
The date was changed at the request of the Zoo. They anticipate that essentially all
the people in the Development Department, as well as catering, will be busy the
second week of June with a number of events centered around the opening of Africa
Rocks. So, we were asked to change our schedule and have our dinner on June 1st.
The June dinner venue will be the Zoofari Party Area (ZPA) without the tent. We tried this venue without the
tent for the June Dinner Meeting last year and it worked out just fine. The reason we are using the ZPA without
the tent is because the tent is taken down in April and we need an area in the Zoo that is large enough to
accommodate our group.
We have just set another record for the number of Ocelot members. We now have 174 members. This is great,
but it does limit the venues we can use for our dinners. We have out grown both the Sandwich Company and
Treetops so when we have our dinners at the Zoo it will be in the ZPA, with or without the tent.
Have fun at the June dinner.
Visit our website http://www.sandiegozoo.org/society/ocelots.html
Mark Your Calendars
You won’t want to miss a single Ocelots event this year!
August 10: Hunte Pavilion, Safari Park. David O’Connor—Giraffes. Photo Contest.
October 12: Hunte Pavilion, Safari Park. Chris Tubbs—Rhinos and their diet.
November 18: Special Event Africa Rocks—Details TBD
December 14: Holiday Dinner. Zoo Party Area. Greg Vicino—Elephants.
Dates, locations, speakers, and topics are tentative and subject to change.
Contact Us
The best way to reach a member of the Steering Committee is to use the following e-mail
address: [email protected].
This e-mail account is monitored frequently, and questions can be routed to the member of the
Steering Committee who should handle it.
The following people can be reached directly:
Bill Kolb–Head Ocelot (858) 755-5554 [email protected]
Theresa Low–Grants/Logo Wear (858) 391-8616 [email protected]
Paul Brooks–Oceletter Editor (619) 889-9051 [email protected]
Page 3
Contribute to the Oceletter!
We invite you to submit articles and photographs for the
Oceletter.
All content should be submitted electronically to the
Oceletter Editor, Paul Brooks, at
[email protected].
The deadlines for 2017 Oceletter submissions:
July 24
September 18
November 20
Visit our website http://www.sandiegozoo.org/society/ocelots.html
Page 4
..
A Review of Our Last Dinner Meeting
The April Ocelots dinner at the Zoofari Party Area introduced us to a serval and a penguin. Dan, the
penguin, was one of the first two penguins to live at the Zoo in over 30 years. Dan and his penguin
buddies in the Children’s Zoo will soon be transitioning to Africa Rocks.
Dave and Karen Sharpe shared interesting tidbits of the Ocelots 35 year history. Dave said the story of “It
began in a hot tub,” may or may not be true, but he is sure that drinking was involved. The goal was for
young
professionals to foster goodwill and support the Zoo in a manner different from the Aardvark group.
By Mary Falwell
Some of the original members include Joanne Leidenberger, Rick Gulley, Rolf Benirschke, and Robert
Programs
Horsman, who invited his neighbors, the Sharpes. They were a small group, meeting in the Rondavel. Then
as now, there were six dinners a year with guest speakers and one or two special events. Dr. Ollie Ryder got involved by presenting
information at the dinners, sometimes including special “gifts.” Dave and Karen still have a baggie of frozen ibex DNA in their freezer.
Thirty four years ago the Ocelots created Cats in Concert with Tony Bennett as the featured entertainer that first year and Rich Little
the second year. This annual event is still going strong and is now known as RITZ (Rendezvous in the Zoo). Dave and Karen shared
how Ocelots were involved in other events over the years including Celebration for the Critters (now San Diego Zoo Food, Wine &
Brew Celebration), Running Wild (a 10K event at the Safari Park), testing Roar and Snore and the Ocelot Steering Committee Annual
Retreat. The Ocelots have certainly had an interesting 35 years—if you want to hear more adventure details, talk to Dave and Karen!
Cont. on next page
Pet Photo Contest Results
We held our second annual Pet Photo Contest at our last meeting. Last year 2 out of the 3 winners were of dogs, this year 2 of 3 were
photos of cats. First place went to Jeanne Bennett, and there was a tie for second place between Jan Billington and Kim Bidermann.
There were 16 entries.
!st Place
Jeanne Bennett
Tied for 2nd place
Jan Billington
Kim Bidermann
Visit our website http://www.sandiegozoo.org/society/ocelots.html
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Cont. from previous page
Dr. Ryder talked about biodiversity specifically that of Hawaiian tree snails. Each valley has a different species of snail, they live 20-30
years and some of the species are found nowhere else on earth. The week before the meeting Dr. Ryder got a call from a government
official in Hawaii who had the last of a particular tree snail species. The Frozen Zoo has never grown snail cells before, but as a
strategy to save living cells, now it is. Dr. Ryder is getting more calls like this and expanding efforts to bank samples.
Dwight Scott, Director of the San Diego Zoo was the featured speaker. Dwight congratulated the Ocelots on our 35 year history and
updated us on Africa Rocks. This is the largest project in the Zoo’s history with 8.5 acres and a cost of $68 million. It replaces the
1940s era Dog & Cat Canyon exhibits with accessible pathways separating busses and pedestrians. When the 190,000 gallon (up to
12 foot depth) penguin exhibit opens, it will have 29 penguins. There will be indoor viewing of the Rady waterfall and pool; guests
even can go behind the waterfall through a cave area with stalactites. Dwarf crocodiles will appear to be coming out of the waterfall.
A 3 acre tensile structure will resemble a large aviary with hanging netting to create enclosures for lemurs, sifakas and vervet
monkeys. For Orson fans, there may even be a black leopard coming to Africa Rocks. Many species of birds will find a home under the
tensile structure, including bee eaters, sunbirds and several species of finch. The Avian Propagation Center (APC) has been breeding
several species successfully. Further up the canyon there will be gelada baboons and ibex, as well as 19 hamadryas baboons. Dwight
assured us that “It will be the best baboon exhibit in the world, including Singapore.” For plant lovers, there will be much to enjoy.
One of the cycad species is critically endangered and another is extinct in the wild—these plants have a “combined value of well over
6 figures.”
There will be a media campaign for Africa Rocks, with outdoor art, focusing on the 6 new habitats and a theme of “Ready to Rock
in 2017.” Each of the six habitats will have an iconic album cover. The Mesa Bridge will allow guests to go over the canyon from
Treetops to Elephant Odyssey or to take one of three elevators to drop down into Panda Canyon. All of this will be a phased opening,
so stay tuned for more news and make plans to visit multiple times over the summer as each new area opens. You can learn more at
http://africarocks.sandiegozoo.org/.
Event photos courtesy of Lonnie Kaufman
Visit our website http://www.sandiegozoo.org/society/ocelots.html
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Grants Program
Sweet April showers
Do spring May flowers
This short poem was written by Thomas Tusser, an English poet and farmer, who poetically documented life in the county
in A Hundreth Good Pointes of Husbandrie in the mid-1500s. Each spring, the rhyme “April showers bring May flowers” comes
back like a healthy perennial and reminds us of the life-long lesson of being patient and how beautiful the rewards can be.
Just as in nature, where one event impacts the next, the Grants Program too has a life-cycle process. We are currently in the
watching wonderful grants bloom into action segment. Below are a few notes from grateful keepers sharing how the grants
they receive impact their animal husbandry duties.
Park – Animal Care Center: Yuna (a black-footed cat) certainly loves her fountain and the music system is in heavy use as
well. I would be happy to send some photos and video your way. We really appreciate our Ocelots; I can’t wait for them to
see how their gifts are being used.
Zoo – Elephant Care Center: At this time we are waiting to run some additional electrical wiring so we can mount the winch
you purchased for us. The last one you got us is mounted in a different location and is used multiple times a day. It is a great
asset to our elephant management! We love the Ocelots!
Wishing you a lovely spring and all the joys June will bring!
Here are the
lucky winners of
last meeting’s
Opportunity
Baskets
Naomi Sobo
Chocolate Heaven
Jan Billington
Wild About Animals
Billie Beardon
Spring Blink
Visit our website http://www.sandiegozoo.org/society/ocelots.html
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Ocelots Photo Contest
We will be holding our annual non–pet photo contest at the August dinner meeting. The photo contest is always a
lot of fun and also raises money for our Grants Program.
Entry Instructions:
1. Photos must be original prints of ANIMALS IN THE WILD, on exhibit at the SAN DIEGO ZOO or SAFARI PARK,
or on exhibit at ANY OTHER ZOO.
2. Photos of domestic animals or pets WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
3. Photos should not be larger than 5 x 7 inch prints.
4. The entry fee is $10 per photo. There is no limit to the number of photos you can submit.
5. Please PRINT YOUR NAME on the back of each photo you submit.
6. Send your photos with payment no later than Thursday, August 3, 2017, to:
Marcia Schofield, P.O. Box 686, Solana Beach, CA 92075-0686.
Checks should be made payable to ZSSD Ocelots.
Contest Procedure:
.
1. Photos will be displayed between 6:00 and 6:30 p.m. at the August 10 dinner meeting.
2. Each dinner guest will receive two voting tickets to vote for their top choices.
3. A prize will be awarded to each of the three photographers receiving the highest number of votes.
No more than one prize will be awarded per photographer.
Please submit all questions to [email protected]
Visit our website http://www.sandiegozoo.org/society/ocelots.html
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Opportunity Drawings
At each Ocelots dinner, members and guests have an opportunity to win beautifully designed packages by our very own Karen Power. For
June, Karen has taken the baskets outside and filled them with the beauty of nature!
# 1 Backyard Art.- includes a driftwood bird house, a book for backyard problem solving, and a hummingbird plant hanger among other fun
stuff!
#2 Birds / Butterflies / Blooms – includes a blown glass hummingbird bottle stopper, a jeweled parrot pin, and a bird / coloring book plus
more goodies!
#3 Happy Wanderer – includes a tapestry travel bag, a coffee table book of gardens around the world, and treats for the journey. T
In June we will have a special opportunity drawing. Jan Billington, our Membership Co-ordinator, has told us that
her brother, Roger Buckley, has graciously donated a piece of woodworking artistry that he created. The piece is a
representation of the San Diego Zoo’s 100th anniversary lion logo. Created in a method know as intarsia, where individual
pieces of wood are cut, shaped, colored, and then assembled into a finished image, this beautiful piece measures
approximately 12x14 inches, and won the “Judge’s Choice” award in Beaver Utah’s County Fair last year. The piece will be
exhibited at the April and June dinner meetings, and tickets will be available then. The drawing
will be held at the June dinner meeting.
Tickets for all of theses are $5 each or 5 for $20. Cash and checks are accepted.
Proceeds fund staff grant requests from the Institute for Conservation Research,
the Park and the Zoo. Thank you for your support!
Visit our website http://www.sandiegozoo.org/society/ocelots.html
Ocelots Merchandise
Polo Shirt – Embroidered Logo$35.00
Zip-Front Hooded Sweatshirt – Embroidered Logo
$50.00
Crewneck Sweatshirt – Embroidered Logo
$40.00
Long Sleeve T-Shirt – Embroidered Logo
$25.00
Cotton Blend Scarf – Embroidered Logo
$20.00
Zippered Nylon Tote-Bag – Embroidered Logo
$20.00
Canvas Tote-Bag – Silk Screen Logo
$10.00
Ocelot Car Decal $ 1.00
All proceeds benefit Ocelots Grants Program
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About the Ocelots
Ocelots
enjoy a special relationship with San Diego Zoo Global. While
having fun at many educational dinners and other special events at the
San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, Ocelots raise money to support the
Ocelots Grants Program. Departments within the San Diego Zoo, Safari Park, and Institute
for Conservation Research are eligible to apply for these grants.
Diego
the ocelot, pictured above,
was purchased for the
San Diego Zoo by the Ocelots in 2005.
Diego is a working member of the
Education Department!
Dafyd
the ocelot, pictured above,
lives at the San Diego Zoo
Safari Park in an enclosure funded by the
Ocelots in 2011.