Roll Call Update 6/13/22 – 6/20/22

Posted on By Amber Suttmiller

 

Roll Call Information 6/13/22-6/20/22

Brittany Update:

Resources/Materials Update:

  • I have finally had a chance to print off more cards and get them laminated.  It has been a long and arduous process, but they are done.  I will have them available on Tuesday morning at Roll Call.  If the Tuesday Team could get them to the habitat areas, that would be very much appreciated!
    • I have added a flipbook featuring some photo renderings of Elephant Trek.  Feel free to share these photos with guests if you feel like they are interested.  On the back of the photos you will find some additional information to read over.  This is NOT meant to be read to the guests or given to them to read.  it is more of a guide to help you learn about the new space so you can relay your own messages.
  • QR Codes:  I was informed today (Monday) that the Security Team will no longer be printing Badge Buddies with the INSPIRED message and QR code.  So many of you are finding the QR codes helpful, so I wanted to make sure that you have easy access to them.  I have printed QR codes on sticky labels and they are available during Roll Call.  Feel free to grab a sticker and place them on the back of your badge for easy access.
    • If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Parking:

  • I have talked with Security as well as VE and other areas of the Zoo to address the issues that we have been facing with the cones.  I am hopeful that moving forward we will no longer have issues.  I have been told that the Zoo will make sure that the groups renting spaces are informed that the white cones are reserved spots for volunteers.

Zoo Area Closures:

  • There have been reports of Habitat Closures around the Zoo.  If any Rovers see that a habitat is closed, please look on the Daily information to confirm that it is showing up on the information on the “Daily”.  If it is not showing up, please let your me know by e-mail or phone.  I will contact VE and make sure that they get the information on the site.
  • Remember to do a quick check on “The Daily” each day to check for closures.  Below you will find a quick link:

Heat Advisory Information:

  • Make sure to care for yourself and stay cool and hydrated during the heat advisory this week.  The safety of all ambassadors needs to be a top priority.  If and volunteer needs to skip a shift this week or leave early, it is absolutely no problem.  
  • Dave Stentz brought up a great point about addressing guests if they ask about the welfare of the animals during a heat advisory.  I would suggest some version of the message below:
    • “The health and safety animals is a top priority, Animal staff has specific protocols to make sure that our animals are safely cared for in any type of extreme weather.  All of our animals have access to cover and can escape any unfavorable conditions while in their outdoor habitats.   Our keepers also have close relationships with our animals and they can easily recognize if they are stressed or uncomfortable and will take immediate action for their safety.”

Mask Policy Update:

  • Masks are required in the Education Building at all times, KN95 masks are preferred by the Education Team.  Please feel free to talk with your team and discuss the idea of moving roll call updates outside if you team is uncomfortable wearing masks in the building.

7th & 8th Grade/Teens joining the Ambassador Teams:

  • 7th & 8th grade campers will be joining the Ambassadors on Tuesday and Wednesdays until the first week of August.  UPDATE: The Campers will go directly to the habitat and will meet you there.  Thank you to the Tuesday and Wednesday teams for welcoming these kiddos to the team.
    • There has been really great feedback from the campers, instructors and the ambassadors!  I’m so glad that this is a positive experience for everyone!  Keep up the Good Work!!
  • Teens are joining the Ambassadors in Gorilla World every Friday from 10:00am-11:00am.  Thank you to the Friday team for welcoming and building in to this group!  They are excited to be a part of the team.
    • The Teens have had a great time over the past 2 weeks.  Big Thanks to all the Friday Ambassadors that are welcoming them and building into them!  Thanks Sandi for the photo below.

INSPIRED Interpretation Trainings:

  • The INSPIRED Interpretation Training is complete and is available in MVP.  Below you will find a link to a video tutorial to show you how to access the learning module on MVP.
  • The Summary Training is a Powerpoint presentation containing a few videos and is too large to access through Dropbox, you will need to download it to your computer to access the training.  If you have any trouble, please let me know and I will work on another way to get the information to you
  • Please complete the training and quiz no later July 15th.  If you attended the In-Person training, I will mark your training module as complete (as soon as I figure out how).  It is not required to take this training, but you are welcome to check it out at any time.

Upcoming Brown Bags:

  • Dr. Mahi Puri – 6/15/22 12:00pm in Frisch’s Theater
    • All Ambassadors are welcome
  • Lily Maynard – 6/22/22 11:30am in Frisch’s Theater
    • This talk is specifically for Volunteer Ambassadors and will be covering the conservation organizations connected to the habitats we work in.  While it is not mandatory to attend the event in person on the scheduled date, it is mandatory that you watch the presentation.  I will be recording the session and will make it available to the Ambassadors.
      •   If you cannot access the video at your home, I am happy to make arrangements to get a room here at the Zoo and set it up for you to watch.

Construction Updates:

No Additional Information

Animal Updates: 

I heard back from the Africa team and the Primate Center Team.  They are all grateful for what you are doing and thankful for the updates on what guests are asking about.  They didn’t have any animal updates at this time.

  • Africa

Fennessy “Fenn”, our giraffe will be having a birthday this week on 6/17.

Vultures in the Savannah

  • This week it was brought to my attention by the Wednesday team that the vulture has been looking a little strange on exhibit.  The vulture was laying flat on the ground with wings out and head to the side.  The Wednesday Ambassadors called Security and reported the suspicious behavior and the keepers were able to come out and confirm that the vulture was ok.  Below you will find the message from Wendy, Head Keeper-Africa.

    • “Yes, we’ve had a couple times in the last few weeks where a vulture was napping with an unsettling intensity. 😝 We agree it was alarming to witness (even for our keeper staff!), and we are grateful that we were notified and able to check and make sure the bird was okay. As you noted, we believe both times it was just sun-bathing that turned into a nap that turned into a deep cycle sleep where the animal was just really off in Lala land but, every time they’ve been fine once woken by staff. But yes, you can let your ambassadors know that while it doesn’t happen regularly, it is not abnormal for them and it’s always okay to pass on their concerns to our keeper staff via Security. We would rather hear about things and it end up being nothing than assume an animal is fine if they aren’t.”

  • This is a good reminder to trust the process of our Security Team and Keeper Staff.  They have been thoroughly trained on what to do in these situations and it might not always be clear on our side.  For example, in the situation listed above, it seemed that the Keeper staff was not immediately responding, but they did begin to monitor the situation immediately by camera.  They made the decision to monitor virtually until they felt the needed to address the situation in person. 
    • Please note that when these things happen, I am happy to dig in a little further for more information.  I’m grateful that I was informed of the situation so I could run things pass Wendy and get a clear answer.  This way we are informed if we come across this situation again and we can relay the messages to the visitors. 

Pelicans headed back out on Exhibit next week – I did confirm with the Africa Crew that the White Pelican will be heading on exhibit in th next week or so.  They will be out in the former flamingo habitat next to the giraffe yard.

  • Elephant

No Additional Updates at this time

  • Gorilla

No Additional Updates at this time

  • Gorilla Troop Configurations:
    • M’Linzi & Mara
      • M’Linzi & Mara are continuing with Howdy Mesh and visual interactions with Ndume
    • Chewie, Gladys, Mona & Elle – “The Chew Crew”
    • Mshindi, Bandia & Tulivu

Miscellaneous Animal Information:

  • Daisy has been adopted by CAP to be a companion dog for Rozi!
  • Sloths will be moved behind the scenes this week for breeding introductions. (Moe was still out in the Rainforest today)

 

Daily Special:

Monday 6/13 – Friday 6/17

Monday & Tuesday – Ham and Swiss Melt with fries $7.99

Wednesday – Korean BBQ Chicken Wrap with lettuce, tomatoes, shredded carrots, cucumbers, and Korean BBQ sauce.  Served with chips.  $10.99

Thursday & Friday:  Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta with breadstick. $9.99 (add chicken for $3.00)