Roll Call Update 8/22-8/28

 Masks:

Masks are now Optional on the Third Floor of Education

Wing of Wonder/Free Flight Aviary:

• Wings of Wonder:

No coverage on Friday and Sunday.  Please let me know if the afternoon Rover can help with at least one, if not both of the shows.  If anyone can help on the weekend days, feel free to sign up.

Keeper Assistant Positions:

• Some Animal Departments are looking for Temporary Keeper Assistants during the Fall and Winter. One team is looking for help once a week and others need significantly more help (around 20+ hours a week).  If anyone is interested in picking up addition duties for the Fall and Winter, please send me your resume, cover letter and your availability by the end of the week.  Below you will find some of the requirements for the role. This is an INTERNAL REQUEST ONLY, do not share with anyone outside the Zoo.  If you have any other questions, please contact me by e-mail.

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 Construction Updates:

Elephant Trek Phase 4_Barn & Pool

Continued Construction of grade beams and footing.

Zoo Area Closures:

• If a Habitat is Closed and it is not listed on “The Daily” – Send me an e-mail so I can contact Visitor Experience and make sure we add it.

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Animal Updates: 

• Africa

• Fritz is a Star!  Thousands of Visitors flocked to see Fritz this weekend!  The Africa Team is hopeful that they will be able to start introductions to Fiona this week.  I will update this section as I receive additional updates.
  • There are a few extra Fritz Related Visual Aides in the Africa bucket in the Burrow.  You are welcome to use those items when interpreting at Hippo Cove.

 

• Elephant

  • It was reported on August 10th that Sabu was back in Musth.  This was not posted in the latest animal update and I have not heard back from the keeper staff.  Be on the lookout.

 

• Gorilla

  • Ndume has been seen demonstrating breeding behavior – this is a HUGE sign of progress for him and the females in his troop.
    • This isn’t something that you necessarily want to share with guests, just information for us to know about Ndume’s progress.  Please remember that Ndume is related to both Mara and M’linzi so there will never be a breeding recommendation.  This information is exciting because he is showing normal gorilla behaviors that they haven’t seen from him before.
  • Gorilla Troop Configurations:  Ndume, M’Linzi & Mara — Chewie, Gladys, Mona & Elle – “The Chew Crew” — Mshindi, Bandia & Tulivu

 

• Miscellaneous

  • Interpretive – Chickens are now taking walks on Zoo pathways and have been a big hit with Visitors.
  • Manatees – All 3 manatees will be heading to Miami Seaquarium in September/October where they will remain until they are ready to be released.  We are expected to receive new manatees sometime in January/February 2023.  Improvements will be made to the habitat between October and January.
  • Red Wing Blackbird – They have been cleared from quarantine and they will eventually be moved to Manatee Springs.

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 Daily Special: