For Members of Lincoln Park Zoo · A Magazine of Conservation and Education · Winter 2013
Zoo FAQs
Everything You Wanted to Know
About Lincoln Park Zoo
IN THIS ISSUE
Volume 12 Number 3 · For Members of Lincoln Park Zoo
2
FEATURES
How Does the Zoo Stay Free?
Lincoln Park Zoo is free to visit, but it sure isn’t free
to run! See how we can welcome everyone, with
your help.
1
How Are the Animals Paired Up?
19
6
Who Answers the Questions?
20
10
What Happens After Hours?
12
Do the Animals Get Bored?
4
13
15
16
18
Gorillas prefer social groups, Amur tigers enjoy
the solitary life, but every zoo pairing is carefully
planned by experts.
From armadillo encounters to how Feces Save
Species, zoo educators use FAQs to introduce larger
lessons about wildlife.
We explore how nocturnal species spend their “days”
as well as what animals do after the crowds leave.
For some species, napping the day away is entirely
natural behavior…although new tools are increasing
insight into wild well-being.
Where Does All the Poop Go?
21
DEPARTMENTS
Perspective
President and CEO Kevin Bell reflects on his own zoo
FAQ: How can we make Lincoln Park Zoo better?
News of the Zoo
A construction update for Regenstein Macaque
Forest, prairie species return to the wild and fun
summer events.
Calendar
Looking forward to ZooLights Presented by
ComEd and Charter One—and the first season of
Ice Skating at Lincoln Park Zoo.
Membership Matters
Tis the season! Get ready for Members-Only Night
at ZooLights and the Conservators’ Council
ZooLights Party.
Continue Your Visit Online
Visit www.lpzoo.org for Lincoln Park Zoo photos,
videos and up-to-date info on events and animals.
You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter!
Handling animal waste isn’t just a disposal
problem—feces are a great resource for zoo experts
looking to learn more about the animals in our care.
We'd Like to Hear from You!
Send your feedback on this issue
of Lincoln Park Zoo magazine to
[email protected].
What’s Growing in the Gardens?
Cover: Black rhino Kapuki
nuzzles with baby King
From choosing plants to dealing with winter,
Director of Horticulture Brian Houck answers some
deeply rooted questions.
LINCOLN PARK ZOO MAGAZINE
President and CEO
Kevin J. Bell
Editor
James Seidler
What’s New at the Zoo?
Art Director
Peggy Martin
Communications
Specialist
Craig Keller
We check in on the summer’s new arrivals, sharing
baby pictures and looking at how the little ones have
grown.
FAQ Lightning Round
From chewing cardboard to dealing with loss, we
field as many Zoo FAQs as we can handle.
Designer
Joann Dzon
QUESTIONS?
Contact the
Membership Department.
Staff are on hand during
normal business hours—
phone 312-742-2322
or visit us online at
www.lpzoo.org.
Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60614,
312-742-2000, www.lpzoo.org. Lincoln Park Zoo is supported
through a public/private partnership between the Chicago
Park District and The Lincoln Park Zoological Society. The only
privately managed free zoo in the country, Lincoln Park Zoo
relies on membership, individual, foundation and corporate
support as well as earned revenue.
perspective
A Letter From President and CEO Kevin J. Bell
Finding the Right Question
As the public face of Lincoln Park Zoo, I field a lot of questions. How is such a great zoo free? What do the animals do
after the gates close at night? And what’s next for Lincoln
Park Zoo?
These are all great questions. Given how often
we hear them, we decided
to devote a whole issue to
answering them. It’s a fun
chance to look “under the
hood” at how Lincoln Park
Zoo works day to day.
I’ll leave answering the FAQs to the experts. But the theme
made me reflect on another question, one I try to answer every
day as the zoo’s President and CEO. Put simply, it’s “How can
we make Lincoln Park Zoo better?”
There’s not one answer, obviously. There are potentially
hundreds, extending across everything the zoo does, from the
experience of a guest walking through the gates for the first
time to our conservation projects a world away.
So, like any organization, we have to make choices as to
what to prioritize. Given the zoo’s footprint, “going big” isn’t
always an option. But we can go for best, as we learned in September when the Association of Zoos and Aquariums awarded
the zoo-led Serengeti Health Initiative its highest award for
International Conservation.
Over 10 years this project has vaccinated more than 1 million domestic dogs in the area surrounding Serengeti National
Park, protecting the region’s people, pets and predators from
disease. Hundreds of human lives have been saved as a result,
even as African lions and African wild dogs have avoided the
scourge of rabies and distemper outbreaks.
It’s gratifying to receive the recognition of our peers. Beyond that, though, the award signifies that our constant efforts
to improve are on the right track.
We’ll never be able to definitively say how we can make Lincoln Park Zoo better. But that’s only because every new answer we
find will just prompt us to ask the same question again.
Kevin J. Bell
President and CEO
The Serengeti Health Initiative won the AZA’s Top Honors in International Conservation for its work to protect the African region’s people and
predators. See more Serengeti updates at www.lpzoo.org/magazine.
WINTER 2013 1
?
Why is there no
charge? How’s the
zoo funded?
–Bambi R.
How Does the Zoo Stay Free?
Well, it isn’t easy! It costs $62,000 a day just to cover
everything that goes into keeping Lincoln Park Zoo
free and open to everyone 365 days a year.
What’s in that total? Everything from keeping
the lights on to ensuring harbor seals have their
daily herring at the Kovler Sea Lion Pool. The C.H.
“Doc” Searle, M.D. Animal Hospital and conservation programs in Africa are included in that
sum. Likewise boomer balls and tulip bulbs, great
ape puzzle feeders and field trip packets for more
than 100,000 students every year.
So where does the money come from? Basically, it can be broken down into three pools.
2 LINCOLN PARK ZOO
1.
Your Support
BY JAMES SEIDLER
Lincoln Park Zoo’s generous members and donors actually
make up the largest portion of the funding pool. Last year your
combined contributions added up to nearly $9 million, 40 percent of the zoo’s roughly $22 million budget.
People’s motivations for supporting Chicago’s free zoo are
as diverse as the supporters themselves. Some are motivated by
the zoo’s commitment to education or conservation. Last summer two pre-teen donors, Deven and Ava, famously contributed
the proceeds from their lemonade stand to support the zoo-led
Serengeti Health Initiative, a project they’d read about on the
zoo website.
Most donors, though, grew up visiting Lincoln Park Zoo
and give today to ensure it remains free and open for future
generations to enjoy. As Conservators’ Council member Brittany Smith shares, “The fact that it’s free to the public is important
to us, and we want to help maintain that.”
2.
Zoo Sales
Have you ever grabbed lunch at Park Place Café or taken a ride
on the AT&T Endangered Species Carousel? Picked up a ticket
for Jammin’ at the Zoo, a souvenir from the Wild Things Gift
Shop or even the parking tab after an all-day visit? If so, thank
you, because you were supporting Lincoln Park Zoo.
These kinds of earned revenue—snacks, souvenirs, tickets,
rides and more—add up to nearly $8 million a year, or 35 percent of the zoo’s operating budget. (That’s a whole lot of spins
around the carousel.)
Unsurprisingly, visitor support changes with the seasons,
surging in summer when zoo grounds are packed with guests
and thinning out in January and February after the off switch is
thrown for ZooLights Presented by ComEd and Charter One.
The weather can play a big role as well; stormy springs and sweltering summers can discourage people from seeing what’s new
at the zoo.
Regardless of the weather, the zoo’s event planners are always trying to find new ways to entice visitors. “We want to
keep the guest experience fresh,” says Senior Director of Guest
Services Erika Kohler. “We saw that this summer with new
events like Salsa at the Zoo Presented by MyHabanero.com or
Locally Sourced at the Patio. We’ll see it this winter too with the
first season of Ice Skating at Lincoln Park Zoo.”
All these programs add fun to the zoo experience…and
keep Lincoln Park Zoo free for everyone. So if you’re ever considering one more ride on the LPZoo Children’s Train, take our
advice—go for it!
3.
The Chicago Park District
Lincoln Park Zoo was run by the Chicago park system for much
of its 145-year history. Founded by the Lincoln Park Commission in 1868 and later folded into the Chicago Park District, the
zoo employed city workers and relied on city funds for buildings, upkeep and animal care.
In 1995, the zoo reorganized, moving under the private
management of The Lincoln Park Zoological Society, an independent body that had been founded in 1959 to improve and
support the zoo. As part of the ultimate public-private partnership, the Park District agreed to provide the zoo a fixed subsidy
every year going forward: $5.5 million, plus some utility services.
“The arrangement has benefitted the zoo and the City of
Chicago,” says President and CEO Kevin Bell. “But because it’s
fixed, it stays the same while our costs keep going up.”
The proof is in the numbers: The Park District support made
up 46 percent of the budget in 1995 but only covered 25 percent
last year. As a result, it’s necessary for us to raise more and more
of the budget—which we have, with your help. So thank you for
keeping Lincoln Park Zoo free!
Why do you give?
Let us know at www.lpzoo.org/magazine
Zoo donors and visitors play the biggest role in supporting
Chicago’s free zoo.
SUMMER
WINTER
2013 2013 3 3
?
Do the tiger and
others in that
house have mates/
friends that they
can play with?
–Cristina Tuazon
How Are the Animals Paired Up?
The question of companionship is definitely a
core zoo FAQ. Guests see a solitary animal and
wonder, naturally, if that individual is lonely without some conspecific company.
But that’s basically a question of biology. Some
species are social, gathering in big groups and
displaying a lively array of interactions—picture
the African wild dogs or meerkat mob at Regenstein African Journey.
But others are essentially solitary. They live
alone in the wild, coming together only to breed.
These solitary species include most of the big
cats at the Kovler Lion House, meaning the Amur
tigers aren’t looking for playmates.
4 LINCOLN PARK ZOO
“We try to emulate the wild structure as much
as we can,” says Vice President of Animal Care
Megan Ross, Ph.D. “Lions live in prides in the
wild, and it’s important for them to have companions here at the zoo. But tigers are solitary in the
wild, and we reflect that in their living conditions
here.”
That’s not to say the tigers aren’t engaged.
They receive daily enrichment—scents, snacks,
logs to scratch—to encourage activity and natural
behaviors. But barring a breeding match or the
occasional pairing of siblings from the same litter,
company can be more stressful than stimulating
for many solitary species.
Some species, like Amur tigers, are naturally suited for solitary lifestyles, but planning for Sichuan takins and western lowland gorillas has to
involve a social element.
?
Outgrowing a Group
making sure there are enough new births to keep the populaEven when you do have a stable social tion’s size stable. The new arrivals Lincoln Park Zoo welcomed
group, change is inevitable. Like us, this summer—from Francois’ langur Pierre to the baby whiteA few times I recall
animals grow. They mature. They cheeked gibbon—came about thanks to planning sessions beseeing one adult takin in
age, and they eventually die, all tween the PMC and individual Species Survival Plans®.
a separate area from the
natural outcomes that can spur Often, the best match for breeding requires an animal to
others. What are some
change.
move from one zoo to another, a recommendation that isn’t
of the reasons that might
Take the case of the solitary made lightly. “It takes a lot of effort to make these transfers hapresult in this separation?
Sichuan takin. That was male Bao pen,” says PMC Director Sarah Long. “We want to make sure
–Claudia Hueser
Zhen, who was born at the Antelope the genetic benefit is worth it for the population as a whole.”
& Zebra Area in 2007. He grew with Still, to answer the question above, the average zoo animal is
the rest of the goat-antelope herd, but as likely to make a move in its lifetime. Part of that is just the naBao Zhen began to reach maturity, he became ture of life. “If offspring can’t stay with their parents indefinitely,
increasingly likely to butt heads with dominant male Quan Li.
a move is going to happen,” says Long. “Even with species where
Realizing the change in the group dynamic, the zoo’s care- offspring can stay in the social group, they may be needed as
givers moved Bao Zhen to an adjacent exhibit. There he could mates and/or social companions elsewhere.”
maintain proximity with the rest of the herd as the Sichuan As Long notes, not every move is about breeding. Many
Takin Species Survival Plan® found him a suitable permanent are designed to meet the social needs of animals that do live in
home. (He made the SSP-recommended move to The Wilds in groups. Great ape troops, in particular, can require social engiOhio this year.)
neering to balance the animals’ complex personalities.
For example, female gorilla Kowali left Kwan’s group at Regenstein Center for African Apes to move to Knoxville
Making Moves (But Not too Many)
Zoo in July. The impetus behind the move was to proInter-zoo moves like Bao Zhen’s are guided by scivide companionship for Wanto, a male who was
entists at the Association of Zoos and Aquariliving alone. Kowali’s presence jumpstarted a
ums’ Population Management Center (PMC),
How often are the
socialization process that has the ultimate goal
which is headquartered at Lincoln Park Zoo.
animals changed
of Wanto and Kowali living in a natural social
The PMC works with zoos—and species—
& rotated with other
group with two other females.
throughout North America, drafting breeding
zoos/habitats?
and transfer plans for roughly 340 species.
“These moves require a lot of coordination,
–Click Around
A big part of the PMC’s mandate is to
but they’re made in the best interests of the
Chicago
population,” says Long. “We wouldn’t do them
assist zoo professionals in making matches to
otherwise.”
preserve a species’ genetic diversity as well as
?
WINTER 2013 5
Who Answers the Questions?
BY CRAIG KELLER
Guest engagement leaders and ambassadors field FAQs from visitors and
broaden the conversation beyond fun facts.
“Is that a hyena?”
Visitors to the zoo’s African wild dog exhibit invariably ask the
question. It’s easy to see why. Wild dogs and spotted hyenas
have similar coats and saucer-shaped ears. Both are carnivores.
Hyenas are larger but not by much.
Zoo educator Mark Johnson, who’s delivering a chat at the
exhibit, has anticipated the question.
He shows a visitor side-by-side photos of the two species
that clearly distinguish their physical differences. But Johnson is
just getting warmed up. The question is an opening, a “teachable
moment” in the lingo of the zoo’s guest engagement leaders (like
Mark) and volunteer guest engagement ambassadors—or GELs
and GEAs—the zoo’s frontline question wranglers.
“I can talk about the dogs’ habitat in Africa and then segue
to the zoo’s Serengeti Health Initiative,” says Johnson, referring
to the zoo’s ambitious conservation project in east Africa. The
initiative includes vaccinating domestic dogs in rural villages
to thwart the spread of canine distemper and rabies to wild dog
packs and hyenas in adjacent wildlife reserves.
“People are like, ‘Wait—the zoo does that?’” says Johnson.
“They’re surprised to hear the zoo puts so much effort into projects abroad.”
Context Matters
Such moments crystallize the broader intent of the zoo’s ongrounds informal education program.
“Our GELs and GEAs focus on our three core categories:
animal adaptations, animal care and conservation and science,”
says Amanda Berlinski, the zoo’s manager of guest engagement.
“Ultimately, it’s about driving connections that highlight the
amazing work going on behind the scenes at the zoo.”
Director of Education Allison Price breaks that philosophy
down further. “Everyone loves fun facts about animals—how
long is a giraffe’s tongue, how high can a serval jump—but that
only scratches the surface of all there is to learn here,” says Price.
“We contextualize those facts within deeper stories the zoo
has to tell,” she says. “Like the science behind the rhino breeding
program that led to a successful birth this year. If your visit to a
training demonstration or mobile learning station doesn’t show
you the work we do or our passion for nature, then we haven’t
succeeded.”
Follow the Leader
The six GELs—two year-round and four seasonal from May–
September—are staff members that lead an ever-evolving variety of daily animal talks, encounters and demonstrations.
They introduce kids to La Plata three-banded armadillos at
Regenstein Small Mammal-Reptile House, describe cow milking in-depth at the Farm-in-the-Zoo and explain the foraging
habits of avian species in the Free Flight Area at the McCormick
Bird House.
GELs receive ongoing weekly training on conservation and
care at the zoo. Many past and present GELs are recent college
graduates pursuing careers in wildlife and environmental sciences. That knowledge helps them explain how apes sequencing
symbols on a touch-screen computer contributes to better exhibit design. Or the meticulous science behind rhino breeding
and pregnancy monitoring. They build bridges from simple
questions.
“Visitors sometimes ask if we go in with the animals,” says
GEL Danika Baer. “That lets us talk about how the zoo strives
for indirect contact that encourages animals to behave as naturally as possible. We can share how operant conditioning
prompts gorillas, harbor seals and other species to participate
in their self-care.”
6 LINCOLN PARK ZOO
Zoo educators turn questions about species like African wild dogs and
animal encounters into a springboard to share the zoo’s larger mission
of conservation and care.
Cart Smarts
Seven themed mobile learning stations located throughout the
zoo also function as Q&A hubs. Volunteer GEAs (60 at last
count) preside over the imaginatively built carts, rotating from
one to the next in hour-long shifts.
The themes—comparative anatomy, diets and enrichment,
endocrinology, habitats, behavioral research, olfactory adaptations—may sound like hard sells. But age-appropriate banter and fun props easily engage little ones and families. Play a
plinko game to learn about animals’ habitat niches! Spin the
wheel of enrichment to find out how zookeepers elicit natural
play behaviors from animals!
“Our ‘Feces Saves Species’ cart is a huge hit,” says Berlinski,
referring to an interactive station that graphically represents the
samples used by zoo endocinologists to monitor stress and reproductive hormones. “Poop is popular.”
Beyond the Grounds
Learning doesn’t necessarily end at the conclusion of a zoo visit. GELs and GEAs also point visitors to other zoo resources.
Examples include scientist blogs on the zoo’s website and the
after-hours Wine & Wildlife lecture series, which recently focused on black rhino conservation—a natural transition for
guests curious about King, the zoo’s infant male rhino.
“The first step is getting people, especially when they’re
young, to fall in love with our animals,” says Johnson. “Then we
can talk about extinction, habitat loss, conservation efforts and
ways you can help. Fortunately, that first part is easy.”
WINTER 2013 7
What Animal
is That?
More than 1,700 students from 18 underserved Chicago
public schools participate in YRC, a nine–month program that
teaches the inquiry-based science practiced by zoo researchers.
The initiative is made possible by the support of the Polk Brothers Foundation, Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Students choose whether to study animal behavior or ecology
and biodiversity, then conduct studies at the zoo (on the main
grounds and at Nature Boardwalk), school and home.
Animal care staff and biologists with the zoo’s Urban Wildlife Institute consulted on Creating Young Researchers, which
complements Observe to Learn, an animal behavior app
launched earlier in 2013.
Tablets are available at the zoo for the YRC-participanting
schools to use during their scheduled visits. Their growing presence at schools also fuels their increasing use in zoo education
initiatives. Zoo scientists use similar apps to gather their own
daily data on animal behavior.
“Students—especially those at different developmental levels—really feel engaged using the iPad apps,” says Graszer. “It
makes them feel like actual researchers.”
Which, of course, they are.
The Creating Young Researchers app lets local students ID species
including fireflies and chipmunks.
Identifying zoo animals is easy. Colorful signs provide
the species’ name, physical traits, native habitat and
more. But what about the animals we encounter (or
fail to notice) every day in our urban neighborhoods?
Middle school students participating in the zoo’s Young Researchers Collaborative (YRC) program have an app for that.
Creating Young Researchers is a new iPad application,
available for free download in the iTunes Store, that helps users study the biodiversity within a given area. Urban wildlife
species are identified through photos, short text descriptions
and audio recordings of their vocalizations. Tapping plus and
minus buttons underneath each photo produces population
counts in handy spreadsheets, bar graphs and pie charts that
can be quickly shared by email.
Species are divided among mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates that live throughout the Chicago
metro area—from coyotes to woodchucks, barn swallows to
ring-billed gulls, painted turtles to American toads, dragonflies
to crickets. Even the common housefly, earthworm and ant
make an appearance.
“We have a lot of insects on here,” says Chrissy Graszer, the
zoo’s manager of student and teacher programs. “Because in
some heavily urbanized neighborhoods that might be mostly
what people see.”
8 LINCOLN PARK ZOO
Looking for more info about local species?
Follow the zoo’s Urban Wildlife Institute
on Twitter: @lpz_uwi
field note
Black Rhinoceros
Diceros bicornis michaeli
Rhinos, both in their native plains of Africa and at the zoo,
are by nature solitary animals. Adults come together to
breed, mothers rear young, but these massive herbivores
typically spend their lives alone.
With that in mind, the redesign of the Harris Family
Foundation Black Rhinoceros Exhibit, completed in 2009,
was intended to give the animals their space while preserving opportunities for breeding…and calf rearing. A massive
sliding door between the two northernmost exhibits let male
Maku and female Kapuki come together when she was in
estrus. Some nifty hormonal sleuthing by zoo endocrinologist Rachel Santymire, Ph.D., paired with behavioral observations from our animal care experts, completed the rhino
match that produced baby King in August.
With the baby born, Kapuki and King are living separately from dad once again. “That’s how it would be in the
?
wild,” says Curator of Mammals Mark
Kamhout. “The male doesn’t do anything to care for the calf. If there’s a
Don't the rhinos
male in the area, the female would
get lonely living
probably chase him off.”
solo? Does it affect
The only male Kapuki has to
their behavior?
chase at the zoo is her little one,
–Claudia Hueser
who shows a typical youngster’s
spirit in trying to play away from
mom. But even with animal care staff
offering extra attention, Kapuki is committed to following her little one around and keeping him
out of mischief.
The social bond between mom and calf will last anywhere
from two–four years, as it would in the wild. Then, as King
matures, he and Kapuki will return to their natural solitary
lifestyles. Luckily, we have plenty of cute contact between the
two to witness until then.
See photos and videos of King on the
move at www.lpzoo.org/magazine!
WINTER 2013 9
What Happens After Hours?
Most animals end their day after the guests leave,
hunkering down for a well-earned night of sleep.
But what about the zoo’s nocturnal species? What
do they do after dark? Read on to find out.
?
Day for Night
Many of the zoo’s nocturnal species reside at Regenstein Small Mammal-Reptile House. The
Gallery section of the building alone includes La Plata three-banded armadilDo you light up the
los, cactus mice, lesser Madagascar
cages of nocturnal
hedgehog tenrecs, pygmy slow lorises,
animals at nighttime,
Egyptian and straw-colored fruit bats
like the bushbaby and
and Moholi bushbabies (also known
the loris, so they can
as galagos).
be active and “play”?
To ensure visitors will see these ani–Grace Palacio
mals active and not snoozing, a reversed
light cycle is established. From 9 a.m.–7
p.m. the lights are on but very dim, simulating moonlight; from 7 p.m.–9 a.m. they’re on
full blast. It’s the exact opposite of the schedule for the Gallery’s
dirurnal (daytime active) species.
In some cases it makes exhibit maintenance a relative snap.
“When we want the galagos to go into their off-exhibit holding area, we turn the lights off in holding and turn them on in
the exhibit,” says Curator Diane Mulkerin. “They automatically
shift over.”
The bushbabies also have a habit of waking up around 6:30
10 LINCOLN PARK ZOO
a.m. “It’s the only time you can see them moving around with
the lights on,” says Mulkerin.
Visitors who’ve sought out the Hoffman’s two-toed sloths
and dwarf crocodiles and caimans in the building’s glass-domed
Ecosystem know these nocturnal animals rarely move during
sunlit hours.
“That’s why it’s a great idea to visit during ZooLights Presented by ComEd and Charter One, when the building stays
open late for the public,” says Mulkerin. “The crocodilians swim
around more, and the sloths climb trees and all over the mesh.”
All-Access Pass
Unlike their wild counterparts, the African lions at the zoo
don’t have to hunt at night. They’re a bit more active after-hours,
though, says Curator of Mammals Mark Kamhout.
“Sahar is younger, so he’s more curious,” says Kamhout of the
zoo’s 3-year-old male lion. “He’ll go outside in the evening and early morning. He’s very observant of everything around him.”
The big cats and other mammals with outdoor yards at the
zoo have outdoor access at night and can go in or out. (The
animals at the Farm-in-the-Zoo are an exception to the rule
and are kept indoors overnight.) But they often prefer to hang
out in their behind-the-scenes living spaces. “Those areas serve
a purpose,” says Kamhout. “There’s hay bedding in there. That’s
where they’re fed.”
The four young sisters in the zoo’s African wild dog pack—
whose wild counterparts sometimes hunt in the early evening—
often opt for a group nap in the late afternoon. “They pile up on
each other,” says Kamhout. “It looks like one big wild dog.”
Patsy, the zoo’s female aardvark, sleeps even more during the
day. Regenstein African Journey’s only completely nocturnal
species, the long-snouted insect eater occasionally rouses herself to forage for mealworms, crickets and nutrient-rich grains.
Her burrow is kept dimly lit during daylight hours to encourage
this active behavior.
“To her, this is the kind of place she’d spend her day in the
wild” says Kamhout.
A Tawny Tale
Most of the winged occupants of the McCormick Bird House
begin seeking out roosting spots for the night minutes after the
public departs. But the building does have one bona fide nocturnal species: a tawny frogmouth male and female breeding
pair (no chicks yet, though a chick was born to a previous pair
in 2006) who make their home in the Mountain Clearing.
Often mistaken for an owl, this member of the nightjar family has dark gray and black feathers that blend into the bark of
trees in its native Australia. “As nocturnal animals, they camouflage really well,” says Sunny Nelson, the zoo’s Hope B. McCormick Curator of Birds. “When they’re alarmed, they go into an
upright, erect position where their heads are elongated. It makes
them look like a tree branch.”
Small beak tips peeking out from puffy feathers also disguise
another impressive feature, the birds’ big mouths, which they
use to hunt rodents and insects. “We tend to offer them food
later in the afternoon to give them a chance to forage around,”
says Nelson.
“We can assess their nightly activity by what’s in disarray—
wing prints, nest materials,
where they’ve pooped,” says
Nelson. “But by the time we
arrive for our morning shifts
they’re back to sitting on a log.”
After-Hours Animal Care
?
When the public leaves
the zoo, what do the
keepers do with the
animals? Do they get a
walk out of their enclosures or are they brought
into the buildings?
–Lauren Ofner Sadofsky
Just as it does for us, night time means
peace and quiet for the zoo’s animals.
Animal caregivers, from keepers to curators to veterinarians, have well-honed response procedures in
place 24/7 in the event of an emergency. But the zoo doesn’t
need lots of keepers hovering around habitats in the wee hours.
“At night, our animals don’t necessarily want us bothering
them,” says Megan Ross, Ph.D., the zoo’s vice president of Animal
Care. “They’re sleeping, so we’re not doing much for them then.”
There are certainly exceptions to the rule.
“When we have births, or if an animal is injured or sick, they
receive around-the-clock care,” says Ross.
In such cases, keepers rotate in shifts. They made sure a
newborn klipspringer born in August was fed throughout the
night. They babysat female western lowland gorilla Nayembi as
she recovered from a facial injury. (You can visit the rambunctious, fully healed little one with playmate Patty in their family
troop at Regenstein Center for African Apes.)
Zoo staff also keep a close eye on unfavorable forecasts.
“We check the weather reports every day,” says Ross. “We’re
not leaving animals outside if a storm is coming or temperatures are dropping.”
Moholi bushbabies, aardvarks and tawny frogmouths are among the zoo’s nocturnal species. Diurnal animals, like western lowland gorillas Bana
and baby Patty, catch their Zs at night like the rest of us.
WINTER 2013 11
Whether it’s play with mom, a special “looky loo” mirror or icy enrichment, all the zoo’s animals have special offerings to keep them engaged.
Do the Animals Get Bored?
“Someone might come up to the lion yard and say Sahar looks
bored,” says Matthew Heintz, Ph.D., the zoo’s Welfare Monitoring Post-Doctoral Fellow. “Actually, wild lions spend up to 20
hours of the day sleeping. It’s what they do.”
Understanding the natural behavior of animals in the wild
is critical to providing appropriate care for those living at zoos.
But animal welfare is never a simple matter. Snapshot impressions of how an animal appears to be faring don’t provide the
entire picture.
“Good welfare can be challenging to evaluate because there are
lots of different things that can affect it,” says Megan Ross, Ph.D.,
vice president of Animal Care. “That’s why we have keepers, veterinarians, endocrinologists and behaviorists who come at welfare from different angles. It sounds like an easy topic, but it’s very
complex.”
Zookeepers are the first line of defense. If they notice a behavioral change that doesn’t seem quite right they call in the
zoo’s veterinarians, who make house calls around zoo grounds
every day. They also encourage activity by training individuals
to participate in their self-care and providing stimulating enrichment appropriate for a given species.
“Scent enrichment makes sense for cats. Puzzle feeders occupy fingers and minds for gorillas, who forage all day,” says
Ross. “But putting a big object in with hoofstock can frighten
them because they’re used to being prey species. You have to
know your animals.”
12 LINCOLN PARK ZOO
Heintz, who’s studied wild chimpanzee play behavior in
Tanzania, is using ZooMonitor, a new iPad app developed by
the zoo, to take behavior monitoring research to the next level.
Modeled on programs used at Regenstein Center for African
Apes, it lets zoo scientists and caregivers review data collected daily on a variety of species to determine if, say, the way
an animal is using an exhibit is new or part of a recurring
seasonal pattern.
One recent focus: collecting baseline data on the baby black
rhino, King, and his mom, Kapuki. “We’re looking at the frequency of typical mother-calf behaviors as well as how this
youngster exhibits play behavior with mom or by himself,” says
Heintz. “King has a lot of energy, and there’s been plentiful
nursing. Kapuki is doing what she needs to do.”
Heintz and the zoo’s endocrinologists at the Davee Center
for Epidemiology and Endocrinology also study animals’ stress
by analyzing hormone levels in fecal samples. This valuable
information can help confirm or guide animal care decisions
related to observed behavior.
All the baseline data will help link future changes in behavior to health and welfare. One added benefit for Heintz: collecting it certainly isn’t boring.
See more enrichment at
www.lpzoo.org/magazine!
Where Does All the Poop Go?
Most of the poop produced by the zoo’s animals is hauled off
by a certified waste management company. But plenty of it
is repurposed.
How much? Try tens of thousands of fecal samples from
more than 50 species. All of it stored in carefully labeled bags
and boxes and stacked in freezers located throughout the zoo.
This dung depository provides vital material for the zoo’s
Davee Center for Epidemiology and Endocrinology. Researchers led by Davee Center Director Rachel Santymire, Ph.D., extract hormones associated with stress and reproduction from
the feces.
Measuring hormone levels over time can reveal patterns that
help guide animal care and welfare decisions. Like when to introduce a breeding pair of rhinos—normally solitary animals—
at just the right time. Or whether construction on the upcoming
Regenstein Macaque Forest is stressful for the African wild dogs
who live nearby.
“We have 10 freezers around the zoo—21-cubic-foot capacity like your standard home fridge—and they’re all full,” says
Santymire. “We keep processed samples in test tubes and extra
samples in case we have questions later about those animals and
?
Where does all the
poop go? And how
much is there?
want to run tests again. The stuff we’re
–Christy Hruska
actively working on is stored in three
freezers at the lab.”
She summarizes her team’s workflow
as such: “Animals defecate. Keepers put the feces in sealable bags, label it for us and throw it in the freezers. We come by monthly to pick up samples from the black
rhinos, red river hogs, Bactrian camels, La Plata three-banded
armadillos…and process samples every month. We analyze
about 10,000 samples a year, and we’ve been doing this for
seven years.”
Do the math.
The freezers also store fecal samples collected and pre-processed by field researchers studying wild chimpanzees in Tanzania’s Gombe Stream National Park and mountain gorillas in
Rwanda. The sample tally on those? About 3,600 for the chimps,
9,000 for the gorillas.
“Once we finish a study or publish our research, I ask myself, ‘Time to throw out these samples?’” says Santymire. “But
I always have more questions—and the animals keep pooping.
My strategy? Buy more freezers!”
Far from being a total waste, animal feces let zoo scientists, including Lab Associate Michael Landeche, learn more about animal stress and reproduction.
WINTER 2013 13
?
Will Anana ever
get another polar
bear to share
her habitat?
–Spencer
w
field note
Polar Bear
Ursus maritimus
Anana, the zoo’s female polar bear, engages scores of guests.
Visitors marvel at the 650-pound swimmer as she glides like
a submarine through her 266,000-gallon pool. She’s the sole
resident of one of the world’s largest polar bear exhibits—and
in her case, one is not a lonely number.
Polar bears are solitary animals. In their Arctic home,
individuals exemplify endurance, hunting seals across vast
ranges of sea ice and ocean. Encounters with other bears are
infrequent.
Mating is an exception to the rule. But even this ritual,
which takes place between late winter and early spring, lasts
at most a few weeks before the successful breeding pair parts
ways. Motherhood is another exception. Moms give birth in
winter dens to two cubs about 265 days after mating—a period that includes delayed embryo implantation so the female
14 LINCOLN PARK ZOO
can conserve energy during warmer weather when ice melts
and seals are harder to find. After birth, the small family
group remains together for two–three years.
Other kinds of interactions in polar bear society aren’t
quite so sociable. Male polar bears battle fiercely over the
few available females during breeding season; the latter mate
only after their cubs disperse. Males attempting to scavenge
another bear’s seal kill often instigate a fierce fight, with
smaller combatants usually heading away hungry.
Anana, at 14 years old, may still be able to mother cubs.
It’s possible she’ll be paired with a male in the future if hormone measurements green-light the option and a breeding
recommendation is made by the Polar Bear Species Survival
Plan® which manages this vulnerable species’ zoo population.
If and when that day arrives, Anana will keep swimming,
dozing in her den behind the scenes and chasing the occasional fish tossed into her pool by keepers. “She’ll chase them
down in the pool for exercise,” says Curator of Mammals
Mark Kamhout. “Little known fact, though: her favorite treat
is peanut butter.”
What's Growing
in the Gardens?
We get to the root of your questions
about the zoo’s gardens
The zoo’s gardeners let their lovingly pruned plants
and cultivated blooms speak for themselves. But
while these green thumbs tend to blend in with their
leafy surroundings, they often field questions from visitors intrigued by their activities and impressive results.
Director of Horticulture Brian Houck answers five of
the most frequent garden-related queries:
1.
How do you choose your plants?
All gardeners are passionate about their plant choices, and
we’re no exception. We consider many factors home gardeners
also scrutinize: amount of sun/shade, if the location is wet or
dry, height, how we’ll be able to water this plant and, finally,
blooms and how the plant contributes to the garden aesthetically. Unique to the zoo, we consider height to make sure children
can see over plants to spot the animals too!
2.
3.
Why are you pulling out those nice-looking plants?
We do swap out water-thirsty plants for ones that can survive
with far less water. We also harvest plant material that can be fed
to certain animals to add variety and nutrition to their meals.
How do you work in and around animal exhibits?
Teamwork is critical! We work closely with animal keepers to
access these areas and do these projects with as many people—
and as quickly—as possible. It can be a lot of fun for the garden
volunteers to be in an animal’s exhibit one morning.
4.
What do you do in winter?
The gardeners work just as hard in the winter, but yes, the work
does change. Pruning trees and shrubs keeps us very busy on
the zoo’s 49 acres. Admittedly, on those very cold days even the
gardeners are inside working on the next year’s garden plans or
the zoo’s interiorscapes.
5.
How do I volunteer?
The Volunteer Information Sessions held in February are a
great place to start. You’ll learn about the horticulture volunteer
program and can sign up for an interview. Garden volunteers
have great camaraderie and share a passion for contributing in a
meaningful and direct way. Their caretaking efforts are directly
connected to the success of the zoo’s gardens.
“September charm” anemones have faded, but the zoo’s gardeners
stay busy prepping the occasional animal exhibit—and getting ready
for winter.
WINTER 2013 15
1.
What’s New
at the Zoo?
Everyone, it seems! It was a busy summer for new
arrivals, as the zoo welcomed an exciting array of
babies and hatchlings. We offer a look at the little
ones when they first arrived…and an update on
what they’re up to now.
Red Kangaroo
Born spring 2013
The first new arrival of the season was actually among the last
to be seen. A tiny joey was born in the red kangaroo mob sometime this spring. But the little one spent summer growing out of
sight in mom’s pouch, only occasionally teasing an arm or leg.
Now fully visible, the joey will soon be exploring on its own.
1.
Trumpeter Swan Cygnets
3.
4.
Hatched June 5
These honking new arrivals grew quickly after making their
way out of the shell. By the end of summer the five cygnets had
shed gray feathers for sleek white plumage like mom and dad.
They made their way to the wild in September through the Iowa
Trumpeter Swan Restoration Project.
Cinereous Vulture
2.
Born July 11
While this tiny monkey showcased a vibrant orange coat at
birth, the little langur’s markings are quickly darkening to
match the black of mom and dad. The infant, dubbed Pierre, is
a welcome addition for an endangered species.
16 LINCOLN PARK ZOO
White-Cheeked Gibbon
Born August 16
This little ape is the fourth offspring for breeding pair Burma
and Caruso, who were matched by the Gibbon Species Survival
Plan®. The baby still clings to mom as she swings through the
exhibit. As is customary with this endangered species, the baby’s
coat will darken to dad’s black by age 2.
5.
Hatched June 7
This small scavenger was incubated behind the scenes after
mom and dad abandoned the nest, but animal care staff reintroduced the growing bird to its parents in August. The chick
is now close to adult size—females are larger than males in this
species—and sharing Regenstein Birds of Prey Exhibit with its
parents.
Francois’ Langur
Klipspringer
Born August 4
Animal care experts had to intervene to hand rear this tiny
dwarf antelope behind the scenes at Regenstein African Journey. Even as it approaches adult size off exhibit, this little one
will max out at 20 inches in height.
Black Rhinoceros
Born August 26
This big baby came into the world at around 50 pounds, doubling his weight in the first week of life. Named King, the active
infant is a welcome addition for an endangered species facing a
conservation crisis in the wild. The zoo is a safe refuge, though,
offering plenty of play for the little one—and close attention
from mom Kapuki.
See the latest update on the new arrivals at
www.lpzoo.org/magazine.
2.
3.
5.
4.
WINTER 2013
17
using their former exhibit space to advance the care and conservation of endangered black rhinos. The zoo made a significant
investment toward that goal with the 2009 creation of the Harris
Family Foundation Black Rhinoceros Exhibit. This important
work, which includes conservation projects in South Africa, received a welcome boost with the August arrival of baby
rhino King.
Why doesn’t the dwarf crocodile in Regenstein African Journey eat the fish that share her exhibit? Fielded by zoo educators
While female Maggie has been known to take the rare snap at
the Mozambique tilapia sharing her exhibit, the carefully formulated diet she receives generally satisfies her appetite.
Why don’t the African wild dogs, lions and tigers jump
out of their exhibits? Fielded by zoo educators
These awesome predators may seem to be just arm’s-length away,
but they live in exhibits carefully designed to ensure they stay
“home.” Moats and walls meet strict standards provided by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and U.S. Department of Agriculture.
My son keeps asking me when the penguins will be back.
Kristin Morris
We can’t offer an exact timeline, but we do have plans to bring
back penguins in the future!
Chimpanzee cardboard consumption and African lion acrobatics are
among the remaining zoo FAQs.
FAQ
Lightning Round
Many years ago, I remember a vacant building where the
Wild Things Gift Shop and Café at Wild Things are now.
What did that building once house? Peter Kaspari
The building you remember was the former Small Mammal
House. Once possibly the oldest building on zoo grounds, dating
back to 1889, it housed everything from Arctic foxes to two-toed
sloths. But the historic framework couldn’t meet modern needs
for animals or visitors, and the building was torn down in 1997.
Why is that ape eating cardboard? Fielded by zoo educators
Cardboard offers extra enrichment for the zoo’s chimpanzees
and gorillas…and a bit of harmless roughage as well.
My children want to know why you don't have any elephants. Melissa Griffin Donovan
While elephants lived at the zoo in the past, we’re committed to
18 LINCOLN PARK ZOO
Are emotional issues addressed following the loss of an
animal...both with zoo staff and the other animals in the
exhibit? Sherrill Randolph Dunsmuir
On the animal side, our caregivers offer extra attention after
a loss in a social species, keeping a close eye on the group to
ensure there’s stability and that the animals seem to be acting
normally. Depending on the situation, animal care staff may offer extra enrichment or training sessions, but it’s all dependent
on what the animals want—some may prefer to be alone.
Additionally, a lot of careful planning goes into ensuring that
social animals have appropriate companionship, especially with
geriatric animals. When male lion Adelor passed away, animal
care staff offered Myra extra training sessions. But they had also
notified the Lion Species Survival Plan® that Myra might soon need
companionship, prompting the arrival of current male Sahar.
For zoo staff, there’s an Employee Assistance Program that’s
available to all Lincoln Park Zoo employees should they require
help. But in the face of a loss, the care group often comes together to support one another and remember the departed…as
happens with people too.
Farewell to a Zoo Friend
Chimpanzee Keo, a beloved Lincoln Park Zoo
resident since 1959, passed away in September.
You can read our tribute to Keo—and leave a
memory of your own—at www.lpzoo.org/magazine.
news of the zoo
Construction continues for Regenstein Macaque Forest, ornate box turtles are again growing behind the scenes at the Kovler Lion House and
Zoo Ball 2013: Wild at Heart was another success, welcoming Chairman of the Board John Ettelson, Co-Chairs Jennifer Caruso, Vasiliki Weiden
and Charlotte Monhart, Women’s Board President Peggy White and President and CEO Kevin Bell.
What’s Happening with Regenstein Macaque Forest?
It’s a fitting time for the west side of the zoo to “Get Ready for
Snow,” but the chilly conditions forecast aren’t the winter weather ahead. Instead, the slogan refers to the planned completion of
Regenstein Macaque Forest in fall 2014, which will include the
arrival of Japanese macaques, or “snow monkeys.”
The zoo took the first steps toward this exciting, immersive
exhibit in August when a building crew erected a construction
fence and bid farewell to the old Kovler Penguin-Seabird House.
(The former building—another icy environ—reached the end of
its lifespan and closed in November 2011.)
Construction has now expanded to the area surrounding
Eadie Levy’s Landmark Café and the LPZoo Children’s Train,
which has temporarily moved to the Main Mall. The ultimate
vision is for a garden parkscape to surround the café, with an
expanded Lionel Train Adventure nearby.
Regenstein Macaque Forest will anchor the area, of course,
combining lively social displays with cutting-edge research and
education programs modeled after the award-winning Regenstein Center for African Apes. Thanks to the Regenstein Foundation, Lionel, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources,
and Stewart Foundation for their support.
Who’s Returned to the Wild?
While Lincoln Park Zoo introduces visitors to animals from
around the world, our scientists and animal caregivers are also
busy reintroducing vulnerable species to the zoo’s backyard.
Many of the reintroduction programs have a prairie focus as
zoo experts work with local wildlife agencies to reestablish this
fragmented habitat that once covered much of Illinois.
In June, 18 ornate box turtles that spent a year growing behind the scenes at the Kovler Lion House were released to sand
prairie habitat in the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife
and Fish Refuge near Savanna, Illinois. VIP care at the zoo of-
fered a “head start”—and extra growth—that should help the
threatened hatchlings thrive in the wild.
The reintroductions continued when meadow jumping mice
were released to Lake County’s Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve
in July and September. Bred at the zoo, the tiny leapers were the
first wave in a long-term project to recolonize restored habitat
with this native species.
Finally, for the fourth straight year, zoo-hatched smooth
green snakes were released to the Lake County Forest Preserve
District in September. These tiny, vibrant insect eaters are another native species looking to reestablish a foothold thanks to
zoo expertise. Researchers are monitoring them and the other species to learn how they’re adapting to their new homes…
valuable information for future reintroductions.
What Was Shaking at the Zoo This Summer?
Plenty of dancing feet, for one thing. The zoo’s premier summer
fundraiser, Zoo Ball 2013: Wild at Heart, presented by Guggenheim, ended with a surprise appearance by KC and the Sunshine
Band. The gala, hosted by the Women’s Board of Lincoln Park
Zoo and chaired by Jennifer Caruso, Charlotte Monhart and
Vasiliki Weiden, raised more than $1 million to support Chicago’s
free zoo. Salsa at the Zoo Presented by MyHabanero.com shared
smooth moves at the Café at Wild Things in July, August and
September. Jammin’ at the Zoo also got guests jumping with
shows from Plain White T’s and Michael Franti & Spearhead.
There was plenty of relaxation on tap as well. Guests
sprawled out on the South Lawn for free showings of Clueless,
Raiders of the Lost Ark and Zoolander at Zoovies Presented by
popchips. Locally Sourced at the Patio debuted, offering local
music, art and drink specials from Lagunitas Brewing Company
from July through September. And guests enjoyed wine from
around the world and garden presentations at a sold-out Wine
& Wildflowers Garden Party on July 31.
WINTER 2013 19
calendar
Glide and Glow
Lincoln Park Zoo will once again be shining with 2 million lights for
ZooLights Presented by ComEd and Charter One. Starting November
29, this holiday spectacle will include familiar favorites like hot chocolate, ice carving and visits with Santa.
But winter fun at the zoo this year includes a smooth new element:
Ice Skating at Lincoln Park Zoo. The Farm-in-the-Zoo’s Edible Garden
will sprout a special skating rink from November 29–March 2. Ice fans
can work on their “crop circles” from noon–9 p.m. daily. Private rentals are available too—call 312-742-2400 if you’re interested.
Lincoln Park Zoo members will have the skating and lights all
to themselves on December 5 as we celebrate the inaugural Members-Only Night at ZooLights! Members and their guests will have
exclusive access to the zoo. This fun, free event lets us highlight how
much we appreciate members—and share the brilliance of ZooLights.
Thanks also to Pepsi, United and WLIT for their support.
Upcoming Events
Sunday, November 24
Sunday Family Fundays:
Animal Extremes
Sunday, December 8
Conservators’ Council
ZooLights Party
November 29–December
1; December 6–8, 13–23;
December 26–January 5
ZooLights Presented by
ComEd and Charter One
Saturday,
December 22
Family Polar
Party
Saturday,
December 29
Family Polar Party
Thursday, December 5
Members-Only Night
at ZooLights
NEW!
Members-Only
Night at ZooLig
hts
December 5
5-9 p.m.
See the full calendar at www.lpzoo.org/calendar
ZooLights Presented by ComEd and Charter One Calendar
November 2013
S M T W T
F
S
December 2013
S M T W T
F
S
1
5* 6 7
8
13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23
This year’s winter fun will include Ice Skating at the Zoo along with Family Polar Parties and the brilliance of ZooLights Presented by ComEd and
Charter One.
20 LINCOLN PARK ZOO
29 30
26 27 28
29 30 31
*Members Only
January 2014
S M T W T
F
S
1 2 3 4
5
membership matters
Members decorated Anana’s window at Members-Only Morning and will enjoy exclusive run of ZooLights Presented by ComEd and Charter One
at Members-Only Night at ZooLights on December 5.
An Extra Night at ZooLights—Just for You!
ZooLights Presented by ComEd and Charter One is one of Chicago’s top winter events…and it can get busy. Members asked
if they could have a night all to themselves, and we’re making
it happen!
Members-Only Night at ZooLights will take place Thursday,
December 5, from 5–9 p.m. Join us for all the fun of this holiday
extravaganza, including a few extras just for members and their
guests…like free ice skating at the farm.
Can’t make it December 5? Don’t worry, we’ll still have hot
chocolate, cookies and kids’ activities in the Members Lounge on
other ZooLights nights through December 31. Meet us in the Tadpole Room on the lower level of Park Place Café from 5–8 p.m.
Conservators’ Council ZooLights Party
Conservator’s Council members and above can start their ZooLights season right with a special party at Regenstein African
Journey on Sunday, December 8, from 3–5 p.m. Guests will
enjoy a buffet dinner, drinks and kids’ activities before heading out to experience the beauty of the zoo in lights. Space is
limited, so reserve a spot by calling 312-742-7747 or emailing
[email protected].
Looking Back at Members-Only Morning
More than 700 members and guests joined us August 10 for a
sunny Members-Only Morning. Attendees were able to “wake
up” with the north end of the zoo, spotting species like giraffes,
Andean bears and black rhinos as they started their days.
Guests left messages for polar bear Anana on her window,
made treats for meerkats and heard zoo endocrinologist Rachel
Santymire, Ph.D., share how her research conserves wildlife at
the zoo and a world away.
Be sure to join us for the next Members-Only Morning,
which will take place in spring 2014.
Special Gift Ideas to Support Chicago’s Free Zoo
There are plenty of ways to share your love of Lincoln Park Zoo
this holiday season.
• Purchase a gift membership by calling the Membership Hotline at 312-742-2322
• ADOPT a Lincoln Park Zoo animal for someone on your
list at www.lpzoo.org/adopt
• Fill an animal’s stocking with something from our Wish List. See the options at www.lpzoo.org/wishlist
• Spread some joy by making an unrestricted gift to Lincoln Park Zoo’s Annual Fund
Follow Us Online!
Lincoln Park Zoo magazine isn't the only way to stay
up to date on the zoo's world of wildlife. Connect with
us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and the zoo blogs at
www.lpzoo.org. New animal arrivals, special events, field
reports by zoo scientists­— they all await
your discovery online.
WINTER 2013 21
PO Box 14903
Chicago, IL 60614
www.lpzoo.org
The Gift That Gives Twice
Your membership supports everything
we do, from animal care to publishing
Lincoln Park Zoo magazine.
Support Lincoln Park Zoo’s animals and share a cuddly gift
by purchasing a special holiday ADOPT. This year’s gift
package focuses on the zoo’s most popular Asian
animals: Amur tigers, red pandas and Bactrian
camels. Take one—or all of them—home
by visiting www.lpzoo.org/adopt today!
Do You Get ZooMail?
New arrivals, the Photo of the Week and the
latest Post from the President are among
the highlights in ZooMail, our weekly
email digest. Join 50,000 subscribers—
sign up for the latest zoo news at
www.lpzoo.org/zoomail.
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