Roll Call Information 6/20/22-6/26/22

Brittany Update:

Pollinator Week:

Did you know this week is Pollinator Week!  The Zoo is finding many fun ways to connect Zoo visitors with wonderful world of Insects.  Below, you will find the social media focus for each day of the week.  If you get the opportunity to point guests in the direction of the available resources on Social Media and the event on Saturday – Please Do!

• Monday – Importance of Insects – Why Insects are a vital part of the ecosystem for more than just pollinating.
• Tuesday – Defense and Escape – how insects use camouflage, mimicry, death feigning, jumping, flying and tons of other advantages to evade predators.
• Wednesday – Egg to Adult – Insect development and metamorphosis.  It’s more than just caterpillars and butterflies!
• Thursday – Insect Lifestyles – From Lone rangers to gregarious insects to eusocial colonies – how they interact within their own species to be successful.
• Friday – Diversity and Success of the insect. – How insects basically run the world and are the most diverse group of animals on the planet by about a million species.
• Saturday – Pollinator Carnival – There will be booths around the Zoo with information on registering your Pollinator Garden, learning about pollinators and How to participate in Nature Quest by using iNaturalist.

Wing of Wonder/Free Flight Aviary:

  Below you will find the schedule for who has signed up for the Wings of Wonder Bird Experience.  It looks like we do not have any coverage on Thursday and Friday.  If anyone would like to help with the show either of those days, it would be appreciated.

We are still looking for help with the Free Flight Aviary.  On Thursday and Friday afternoon from 12:30-3pm there is no coverage for the Aviary.  If any Ambassadors are interested in helping, feel free to sign up for shifts in MVP or just let me know on the day of and we will get you there.

Resources/Materials Update:

Bug Spray – They Friday Team reported that Gorilla and Elephant were a little “Buggy” this week.  I grabbed some Bug Spray and put a can in the carts at each of those locations.  Please let me know if we start to get low so I can grab more.  The brand of Bug Spray in the carts is “OFF – Deep Woods”.

Fans – One of the Day Leaders mentioned that in the past there were cooling towels available for the Ambassador group.  Unfortunately, I have not been able to locate them and unsure if they would still be useable.  I am looking for options to grab some but not having much luck.  I have purchased some small rechargeable fans that will be available at my desk to “rent” out for the day.  They will need to come back to my office so I can get them charged in between uses.

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:
  • https://cincinnatizoo.org/zoo-today/

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.
• If Visitors show concern for our 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!

Upcoming Brown Bags:

• 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: 

• Africa

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.

Great White Pelicans are in Africa – They are in the former flamingo habitat next to the giraffe yard.  I will work on getting their names and make up a new card for the flip books.

Zoey, Giraffe – She will be staying in the stall as she continues to heal

• 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:

• Female Tiger, Jin, is doing well.  They anticipate she will have access to the yard on Monday, 6/20.
• Pigeons are back in the Wing of Wonder Bird Experience.

 

Daily Special:

Monday & Tuesday:

Fajita Salad:
​​​​​​​Mixed greens, grilled fajita chicken, peppers and onions, cherry tomatoes, shredded cheese, and avocado dressing. $10.99

Wednesday & Thursday:

New York Style Hot Dog:
with peppers and onions, spicy mustard, and fries. $9.99

Friday:

Gyro lamb with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, and Tzatziki sauce on Pita served with fries.  $9.99

Chicken Fajita Flatbread:
Fajita Ranch, Mozzarella Cheese, Chicken, Peppers, and Onions $9.99

Black Forest Sandwich:
Bavarian Pretzel Bun, Black Forest Ham, Swiss and Whole Grain Mustard served with Fries  $9.99