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DALLAS ZOO MEMBER MAGAZI N E
W I N T E R 2016
KOALITY TIME
NATURE CONNECTS®
Art with LEGO® Bricks
SAVING ELEPHANT
Lives
SPRING BREAK
Camps
Winter 2016
1
Directly Speaking
Dear Members,
If you think winter is a slow season at the Zoo, think
again. We’ve brought in a special attraction that appeals
to the kid in all of us. Nature Connects® featuring LEGO®
brick sculptures by Sean Kenney is not just for children.
These incredible sculptures, inspired by the interaction
between animals and the plants and people that are part
of their world, are created from individual LEGO bricks.
Be sure to visit the Stay and Play Brickyard sponsored by
LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Dallas/Fort Worth, where
we’ve seen more than a few outstanding creations! This
temporary attraction ends on April 10.
Although several of our animals stay indoors during
freezing weather, the Zoo is incredibly busy. Our keepers
are hard at work providing care and keeping the animals
active. The rest of our team members are planning
activities for you.
We’re adding more Member Mornings with early
admission so you can be among the first guests to enjoy
the Zoo on Saturdays in March. We’re re-introducing
Dallas Roars! in April and May, featuring themed
weekends filled with entertainment and events. You’ll
also see the return of the Safari Nights concert series
this summer.
ANIMALS ASSEMBLED
If you love LEGO bricks, you’ll love this new
Nature Connects exhibit by artist Sean Kenney
®
®
As you explore the Zoo this spring, look for our new WOW Patrol members, who are here to help you have an exceptional
experience every time you visit. Customer service has always been a top priority for all of our employees, but our
resources were stretched thin. Thanks to an underwriting gift from Frost Bank, we have dedicated staff around the park to
help you with habitat locations, keeper talks, show times, and answers for all your questions.
You helped us close out 2015 by breaking all attendance records with more than 1 million visitors, and we’re setting the
stage for another amazing year. Show your friends what all the excitement is about here at the Dallas Zoo.
Sincerely,
Gregg Hudson
President and Chief Executive Officer
Dallas Zoo and Children’s Aquarium at Fair Park
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Dallas Zoo Membership Program
generously sponsored by
Winter weather can’t keep guests away from the Zoo’s
newest attraction this year. Artist Sean Kenney has spent
thousands of hours creating more than a dozen unique
sculptures from more than 700,000 LEGO bricks. The
exhibit features animals such as a snow leopard, polar
bear, peacock, Galápagos tortoise, and even a corn spider
dangling from an oak tree.
The sculptures can be found throughout the Picnic Ridge
section of ZooNorth, which is also the location of the Stay
and Play Brickyard sponsored by LEGOLAND® Discovery
Center Dallas/Fort Worth. Here kids can create their own
masterpieces from more than 30,000 LEGO pieces.
The Nature Connects attraction runs through April 10 and
is free with admission. Encourage your friends to attend
before the end of February and take advantage of $5
admission pricing during Penguin Days.
DID YOU KNOW?
The largest sculpture (Polar Bear and Cubs)
weighs more than 500 pounds and is
constructed with 133,263 LEGO pieces.
Winter 2016
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TAKE A TREK TO THE KOALA WALKABOUT to see what makes us so special.
You can meet Gummy, our newest male koala. You’ll also discover our new
Western grey kangaroos – the first time this species has ever been featured in
Dallas and we’re one of about a dozen U.S. zoos to host them.
KRAZY
ABOUT
OUR
KOALAS
AND
KANGAROOS
Koalas spend about
20 hours a day sleeping.
Although koalas and kangaroos look quite a bit
different from each other, they have more in
common than just their Australian ancestry. These
mammals are herbivores, and both are marsupials,
so they are equipped with pouches to care for their
young, called joeys.
MOB OF WESTERN GREY
KANGAROOS RAISES A RUCKUS
Berrigan and Gidgee, a brother and sister pair of
Western grey kangaroos, have been joined in
our Outback by Winnie, a female. This group of
kangaroos, also known as a mob, is very vocal
and you’ll hear them communicate with a series
of clicks, which change to growls if they feel
threatened.
Winnie is about half the size of Gidgee right now
and smaller than the five Bennett’s wallabies with
which the kangaroos reside. Until she is fully grown,
you can tell her apart because the wallabies have
black markings on their muzzles, paws, and largest
toes. The kangaroos and wallabies are cohabitating
well and sharing grain and browse (fresh leaves).
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Learn more about these species at the 2:15 p.m.
daily keeper talks at the Koala Walkabout, presented
by Kimberly-Clark Corporation.
GUMMY’S NOT A BEAR!
They are cute and climb trees, but koalas are
definitely not bears. Early European visitors to
Australia gave them the scientific name
Phascolarctos, which comes from the Greek words
phaskilos, for “pouch,” and arktos, for “bear.”
Gummy came to the Dallas Zoo almost two years
ago. He joined Tekin in their climate-controlled
building, but they live separately because koalas are
solitary and males are territorial. Now 3 years old,
Gummy has started testing his vocal skills and is
beginning to make loud bellowing sounds.
The koalas spend most of their days sleeping
as their bodies work to digest fiber in the fresh
eucalyptus leaves they consume each day. In fact,
the Zoo spends $86,000 per year to purchase and
ship fresh eucalyptus to Dallas each week.
Winter 2016
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MORE EDUCATION PROGRAMS
FAMILY ZOO ADVENTURES:
Saturday Morning Adventures Just for Families
• MARCH 5 - Amazing Amphibians
• APRIL 2 - Bird Bonanza
WILD ABOUT ART: For Artistic Nature Lovers Ages 5 to 8
• MARCH 12
• APRIL 9
ZOO YOGA: Stretch Like A Tiger with Your 3- to 7-Year Old
• MARCH 5
• APRIL 2
Visit DallasZoo.com/Education for more information on the Zoo’s education programs.
SPRING BREAK CAMP 2016
March 7 – 11 &
March 14 – 18
These days, people love to read about others’ experiences before they
spend their hard-earned money. That makes peer-review websites vitally
important to the Dallas Zoo. These sites accept reviews, then average
them into an overall rating that users can read. Reviews from years past
still count, but more weight is given to newer ones.
The Dallas Zoo has improved greatly in the past few years, so our numbers
are up, but we still need you to tell the world about our renaissance.
TripAdvisor is the nation’s largest travel site, checked daily by millions
looking for educational, fun things to do. We’ve just earned our fourth
straight TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, and we’ve moved up to #16
on their list of best things to do in Dallas. Facebook has ratings, too, and
they’re very popular. How you can help:
Explore animal extremes at the Dallas
Zoo Wild Adventures Spring Break
Camps! Each single-day camp features
a Zoo tour, games, crafts, and animal
encounters unique to each extreme
theme. Spring Break Camps are open
to youth in PreK – 5th Grade.
Members save 10% on each camp and
receive an additional 5% discount on
their total camp cost when registering
for multiple days.
REVIEW YOUR ZOO!
EXTREME EARTH
Investigate how animals live on a variety of extreme terrains.
SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST
Uncover how animals use impressive adaptations to outwit their predators.
ANIMAL ODDBALLS
Learn about Zoo residents with some really WILD features.
PREDATOR PROWL
Discover the ferocious creatures that hunt and soar to the top of the food chain.
ANIMAL FOODIES
Explore unique animal appetites, learn how diets are prepared, and even
feed a Zoo resident!
• Create accounts and rate the Dallas Zoo on these sites.
• Add specific details of what you like best.
(Friendly staff? Special activities for kids? Membership value?)
• Post photos. (Readers really like to see photos of us!)
While these sites are great tools for users, they can be abused. Animal
activists have given us 1-star reviews, even though they’ve never been
here, because they’re against all zoos. That violates the spirit of these
sites, and while we report them, it can be difficult to get them removed.
We respond to those unfair reviews, so users can make up their own
minds, but it makes legitimate reviews even more important.
So, if you love your Zoo, please let everyone know! Don’t forget to rate
our affiliated Children’s Aquarium at Fair Park, too.
We’re Super-Social!
As much as you’d like to, we know
you can’t come see us every day.
So our communications team keeps
you updated on what’s happening
via social media all the time! Here’s
how to stay in touch:
Facebook: /DallasZoo
Likes: 100,000+
Instagram: @dallaszoo
Followers: 30,000+
Twitter: @DallasZoo
Followers: 19,000+
Pinterest: /DallasZoo
Followers: 713
TripAdvisor:
We’re proud to have
won another Certificate
of Excellence from the
world’s largest review
website. We appreciate
you taking the time to
review us!
Visit DallasZoo.com/Education to register for camps.
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Winter 2016
9
Zoo Hopes to Welcome
New Elephants
Your Passport to the Kids Club!
Take a trip to the best family-friendly venues in Dallas. The Zoo’s Family Passport level and above receive invitations to six
complimentary Kids Club! events each year. Experience the best the city has to offer, with special activities geared toward
children ages 2 - 7. In addition to Kids Club! invitations, Family Passport members enjoy unlimited rides on the Endangered
Species Carousel and receive a VIP coupon book valued at $50.
We expect to hear soon whether we will be allowed to
relocate up to 18 elephants from Africa in a partnership
with two other accredited zoos and Swaziland
conservation officials. At press time, the U.S. Fish &
Wildlife Service was considering our permit request
for the relocation.
The elephants are destroying two privately managed
parks in the small country, and will either be moved or
killed. We are proud to offer them a home, along with
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium and Wichita’s
Sedgwick County Zoo. Omaha and Wichita have built
expansive new habitats designed to meet the needs of
large, social elephant herds, similar to our award-winning
Giants of the Savanna.
Get your passport to greater adventures and upgrade your membership today by emailing [email protected] or calling
469.554.7400. Your next stop – Kids Club!
• FEB. 13 - Crow Collection of Asian Art
• APRIL 15 - Trinity River Audubon Center
•JUNE 11 - Dallas Zoo
• JULY 16 - Perot Museum of Science and Nature
• SEPT. 24 - Nasher Sculpture Center
• NOV. 5 - Dallas Museum of Art
Adopt-an-Animal Spring Specials
In the Swazi parks, the elephants are destroying ancient
trees and brush. The elephants consume vegetation
faster than it can naturally regrow, throwing resources
out of balance and endangering other species. Swaziland
also is currently experiencing its worst drought in
history. Moving the elephants elsewhere in the region is
unrealistic due to issues related to excessive poaching,
loss of habitat, and elephant-human conflict.
While the parks can no longer support large elephant
herds, they are ideal for a significant rhino conservation
effort. Critically endangered black rhinos are at great risk
of extinction due to poaching. Rhinos should thrive in the
Swazi parks because they do not outstrip the land.
Adopt for yourself or for an animal lover in your life. You’ll receive a photo suitable for framing, an adoption certificate, and a
zookeeper report. Wrap it up to present or have the package sent to surprise someone special.
GREEN MAMBA
AFRICAN DWARF MONGOOSE
The green mamba is shy, but delivers a deadly bite if
disturbed. A relative of cobras and coral snakes, it has
a potent neurotoxic venom that shuts down the lungs
and hearts of prey, which includes birds, chameleons,
and small mammals. Make someone green with envy
when you adopt a deadly mamba.
SALE PRICE: $75
Africa’s smallest carnivore is less than 1 foot long and
sports a short, pointed muzzle and long, fluffy tail. It feeds
on insects like termites, locusts, and beetles. These highly
social animals live in troops where all members help provide
care for the young. Adopt an African dwarf mongoose as a
member of your extended family.
SALE PRICE: $25
“We can provide these elephants a safe future while
making an enormous impact on rhino conservation in
Africa,” said Gregg Hudson, Dallas Zoo president/CEO.
If the permit is approved, the elephants could arrive
here by spring.
To take advantage of these special prices, please visit DallasZoo.com/AdoptSpecial or call 469.554.7449.
Thank You to Our 2016 Sponsors
Signature Partner
Premier Partners
Nature Connects® Exhibit Sponsors
Sculpture Sponsors
Britain Family
Animal Adventures
Outreach Sponsor
McDonald’s of Greater
North Texas
Official Hotel
DinoSOAR Sponsor
Official Beverage
Sponsor
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WOW Patrol Sponsor
Dallas/Fort Worth
Stay and Play Brickyard
In honor of Emily Frances
and Hannah Grace
In honor of Joan Walne and her
beloved grandchildren: Will, Lucy,
Mary Kate, Brett, Charlie, and Jack
Winter 2016
11
NON PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S.POSTAGE
PAID
DallasZoo.com
Dallas Zoo
DALLAS, TEXAS
650 S. R.L. Thornton Freeway
PERMIT #4498
Dallas, TX 75203-3013
469.554.7500
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
MAKE 2016 A GREAT YEAR AT YOUR ZOO
Get out that new calendar and start filling in all the dates you’ll be visiting your Zoo for various events.
Think about all the friends you’ll bring along.
Saturdays, March & May
MEMBER MORNINGS
8 a.m.
Explore your Zoo before we
open to the public.
March 7 - 11
& March 14 - 18
SPRING BREAK CAMP
Reservations required.
See page 8 for details.
Monday, April 4
ZOO HOMESCHOOL DAY
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Homeschool families discover
new ways to use nature to
expand learning. Preregistration
required. Visit DallasZoo.com,
email Education@DallasZoo.
com, or call 469.554.7300.
Sunday, April 10
NATURE CONNECTS®
LAST DAY
Saturday, May 21
& Sunday, May 22
WILD EARTH WEEKEND:
ENDANGERED SPECIES
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This is your last day to
connect with the LEGO®
brick sculptures by artist
Sean Kenney.
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Save endangered species by
taking small steps within your
own community.
Weekends,
Saturday, April 16
to Sunday, May 22
DALLAS ROARS!
Saturdays, May 28
to July 30
SAFARI NIGHTS
CONCERT SERIES
1 to 4 p.m.
Celebrate spring with
special events, entertainment,
and more.
5 to 9 p.m.
Jam with us on Saturday nights
in June and July. Always free
for members.
Thursday, June 9
WILDLIFE EDUCATION DAY
AT GLOBE LIFE PARK
10 a.m.
Hit a home run with the kids!
Watch for more information in
the next issue of Focus.
Saturday, June 11
KIDS CLUB! AT THE ZOO
9 to 11 a.m.
Exclusively for Passport and
higher level members. See
page 11 for details.
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