Third Friday Update – August Edition
Thank you so much for the positive feedback on the First Volunteer Update! I’m glad so many of you found it informative and entertaining. Don’t forget to send content my way, I would love to share Volunteer news from Volunteers!
Remember to check in on the 1st and 3rd Friday of each month for Volunteer Updates!
I am in the process of completing an Audit of MVP, if you have volunteered this year, please make sure to get your hours up to date as soon as possible! If you need assistance logging your hours, please check with your supervisor or I can send you a quick tutorial. Let’s get that system Up-To-Date!! Thanks in Advance!
Zoo Updates:
Don’t Forget: August is Asian Elephant Awareness Month! Check out this article with 6 Sweet Facts about Elephant Trek! Click Here
Are you Looking for another way to support More Home to Roam?
CZBG is Proud to partner once again with Rookwood Pottery.
Proceeds from these ornaments will benefit Elephant Trek! The Elephant Ornament – inspired by iconic Rookwood Artist, Kataro Shirayamadani’s original design made in 1934 are available for Pre-Order Now! Click Here For More Information
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August 8th was National Horticulture Day!
The Botanical Garden at CZBG is one of the finest in the Midwest thanks to the unbelievable Horticulture Team and the 100+ Horticulture Volunteers. A Special Thank you to this AMAZING group for everything they do to keep the grounds looking Beautiful. If you see a Horticulture employee or Volunteer, make sure to say “Hello” and compliment their hard work!
Did you know there is a whole section of the CZBG website dedicated to our Horticulture program? Click Here
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New Vocabulary:
In the link below you will find the most recent version of our guide to using vocabulary that reflects the Cincinnati Zoo’s commitment to Animal Excellence. This document was created by the animal leadership and PR teams and includes some words that should always be replaced with alternatives and others that are okay in certain circumstances.
Click Here to View the Vocabulary
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TB Tests:
After COVID Delayed our annual On-Site Testing, it is finally time to get scheduled for that annual TB Test. TB Tests are required for Volunteers who directly work with our Animals. There is an option to Test On-Site September 13th-17th as well as an option to test Off-Site at one of the TriHealth Occupational Health Locations.
IMPORTANT: Please make sure when you schedule your appointment You must have your TB test read 48-72 hours after it is administered. If you do not, you may need to take it all over again, so PLEASE plan accordingly
Click Here for All TB Test Information & Forms
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Did you read the article in the last update about Infrared Thermography? WVXU aired this story about it the thermal imaging project! Click Here to Learn More
Plant & Animal Updates:
Our Gorilla Care Team has recently been working with a KardiaMobile (EKG) unit and has been able to get readings with our 17 year old gorilla Tulivu. The purpose of the KardiaMobile is to see if the heart rhythm is normal or to detect problems such as Atrial Fibrillation or other Arrhythmias, which can be a heath concern for Gorillas. You can see Tulli’s fingers on the sensor pads in the second photo. This a great, non-invasive way for the gorilla to voluntarily participate in their own health care.
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Cheetah Chat!
Remus the cheetah companion dog and Keeper Andie join the Cincinnati Zoo podcast to talk all about cheetahs! Listen in to how Kris was hand-raised by our amazing Cheetah Crew and learn more about the amazing Cheetah Program at CZBG!
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Rockhopper Chicks – Did you know in early June CZBG welcomed two RockHopper Penguin chicks. Webster, who wears a pink band, and Baco, who wears a brown band, are First-Time Parents! Recently they took their first Swim…in a baby pool and the Keepers shared the moment with all of us!
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Did you know that our Elephants are Yoga experts?
Ok…maybe they aren’t experts but they do have daily “Elephant Yoga” sessions. Age-related aches and pains can get the best of us humans, and it is no different for Asian Elephants. Keeping our Zoo’s aging herd feeling youthful is the motivation behind a special exercise regimen for Mai Thai (age 49). Schottzie (age 47), Jati (age 36) and Sabu (age 34). These daily sessions are led by keepers and include yoga-inspired stretching moves like Downward Facing Dogs (shown in the photo). Our elephants LOVE it, and Jati even fusses when the session is over. With an average lifespan of 60-70 years, we want our Asian elephants to continue in excellent health, and these exercises help prevent typical mobility issues.
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August 3rd was International Clouded Leopard Day! Check out these cute photos of Sheegwa, our 18 year old Clouded Leopard. She came to us from the Nashville Zoo when she was 2 years old. She is doing well and very active! Her favorite activities are playing with her blue enrichment ball and sliding down her slide! She loves Bamboo, Frozen Treats and Hard Boiled Eggs!
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August 4th was Owl Awareness Day! Check out this video of our Verreaux Eagle Owl (known as the Milky Eagle Owl), Ori, checking out a New, BIGGER, space. Ori was hatched at the Zoo on March 12 of this year and growing fast! Click Here to see the Video
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August 11th was World Lion Day! Did you see the Video of John and Imani with their paper-mache Warthog Enrichment? If Not, you have to check it out! Click Here to view the Video
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August 19th was International Orangutan Day! This day is meant to help encourage the public to take action in protecting this species in the wild. Orangutan means “person of the forest” as they are so similar to people, sharing 97% of the same DNA! Orangutans are highly intelligent and are considered by many as the most curious creature next to man.
Agricultural practices for growing and harvesting Palm Oil are often unsustainable, damaging habitats which Orangutans and Tigers rely on. The Good News is, it CAN BE harvested responsibly! Be eco-friendly consumers and only buy items made from sustainable Palm Oil. Since Halloween is just around the corner, it is a great time to put this into practice. In the link below you will find information on the Halloween Candy made with responsibly Harvested Palm Oil!
Click Here for Sustainable Halloween Treats
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Zoo Birthdays:
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Mona celebrated her 7th Birthday on August 4th. Mona is very close to her father, Jomo, and her little sister Elle. You will frequently see her giving “back-rides” or sharing a nest with Elle – highlighting their sisterly bond! The Gorilla Teams states their favorite Mona qualities are how engaged she is with training, her affinity for blowing raspberries and her really bushy eyebrows.
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Tessa turned 15 on August 8th! Tessa is the 14 foot Tall SUPERMOM found in Giraffe Ridge. Tessa has had 4 calves, most recently Fennessey who is now 2 years old and almost as tall as Mom, standing 13 feet tall.
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Burger, the King Penguin, turned 38 years old on August 12th – making him the oldest king penguin in North America, according to the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. He was born in Cleveland in 1983 and moved to Cincinnati in 2002. Once one of the feistiest penguins in the colony, Burger has mellowed out a bit in his old age, according to his keepers. He has not sired any chicks of his own, but has been known to try to raise other penguins’ chicks. If you are looking for Burger with the King Crew, keep an eye out for the orange band around his wing.
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Dilbert, the Armadillo turned 12 years old on August 19th! To Celebrate such a Big Day, Dilbert’s Keepers shared a quick Video of “A Day in the the Life of Dilbert” Click Here to View the Video
Opportunities:
AAZK Art Auction
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Support the AAZK Greater Cincinnati Chapter by participating in their Online Art Auction and In-Person Event at Wooden Cask Brewery in Newport, KY.
Click Here for More Information
FC Cincinnati Tickets
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With FC Cincinnati’s move to the MLS, their ticket pricing and discount options changed dramatically. They were willing to offer 2 discounted games to our employees & volunteers, and have set up dedicated links to purchase tickets. Tickets are available in sections 229 & 230. Which will allow for Zoo employees, families, etc. to sit near each other.
Click Here to Buy 9/11 Tickets
Click Here to Buy 10/2 Tickets
Volunteer Corner:
Check out these Photos of John captured by one of our Volunteer Ambassadors, Ernie M.!
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This article was sent in by Sarah H. – A Great story from the Takasakiyama Zoo in Oita, Japan. Click Here to Read
Friendly Faces:
Check out this FANTASTIC Group of individuals from the Visitor Experience Team! If you see them around the Zoo make sure to say “Hello” and let them know how much you appreciate their Hard Work!
Upcoming Zoo Events:
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August 18-24th – Online AAZK Art Auction
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August 21st – Ajani Jo’s First Birthday
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August 25th – AAZK Art Auction In-Person Event at Wooden Cask
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September 11th-September 17th – First Responder’s Week
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September 18th – Deaf Zoo Day – Hearing Speech & Deaf Center (HSDC)/Community Services for the Deaf (CSD) is partnering with the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden for a fun-filled, family friendly event!
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September 24th – Zoofari
