Roll Call Update 9/12/22 – 9/18/22

Roll Call Information 8/29/22-9/4/22

 Out of Town:

I will be visiting the Happiest Place on Earth and SeaWorld with my Family at the end of this week while my Husband is at a Conference in Orlando.  I will be out of the office from Wednesday through Sunday and I am going to do my best to be completely disconnected to e-mail, but of course feel free to reach out by phone if there is something that is Time-Sensitive!

If it feels like I have been out for a Month, don’t feel cramped because I feel the same way!  I am so grateful for such an AMAZING crew of Volunteers who always rise to any challenge and do a Fabulous job…THANK YOU!!! Next week I will be so glad to be back to a normal schedule for the rest of the Season…whatever “normal” means  😉

Wing of Wonder:

• Wings of Wonder:

This is the last week for the Wings of Wonder Show and we have help for every day of the week so no need to ask afternoon Rovers to head over to help in the afternoons.  All that being said, if you haven’t seen the show yet I highly recommend that you check it out.  There is only one show at 1:00pm on Wednesday – Friday but both shows (1pm & 3pm) are still running on Saturday and Sunday.  If you need more convincing, check out the photos below of my youngest, Giana, when she was chosen to help with the show during a donor night!  If that isn’t the look of pure joy and astonishment, I don’t know what is! (FYI:  Team Bird had no idea that this was my kiddo when she was chosen…she already refuses to sit next to me in public)

For all of you who have helped with the show this year…THANK YOU!  I am working with Eddie to get a time scheduled for our Bird Encounter and will update you as soon as we nail down a date!

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 Construction Updates:

No Additional Updates, all projects are still ongoing.

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:
    • Our Team received a HUGE Shout-Out from Eric in Africa!  He posted a Zoo-Wide message thanking all of you for your help during “Fritz-a-Palooza” and commented on how much our interpretation has been helpful!
    • I do not have an updated schedule for this week, but I will update that information here as soon as I receive it.

 

• Elephant

  • Elephant Trek Updates were featured in the Volunteer Update this weekend.  If you didn’t see it, check out the information below:
    • We have some exciting updates about the new home we’re building for Mai Thai, Schottzie, Jati, Sabu and new members of the herd. 
    • ​​​​​​​The Forest Ave wall has been completed. This wall stabilizes the hillside and adds more usable square footage to the Elephant site 
    • Picnic Pavilion is accessible to our guests and ready to accommodate company picnics. 
    • The Elephant Trek Barn is under construction! 
    • Concrete footings and foundations are underway. 
    • The Barn is expected to be completed in late 2023 
    • The Barn and a portion of the surrounding yard needs to be ready to receive Elephant from another Zoo in late in 2023 
    • The remainder of Elephant Trek (Siamang, Otters, etc.) will be completed in 2024. The public will have access to the entire habitat at that point. 
    • The interior space for elephants will be almost double the interior space of the current elephant house, and the exterior yards will be 5x the amount of outdoor space they have now. 

 

• Gorilla

• Ndume Introductions in the Indoor Habitat continue to move forward.  Ashley from Primate sent me an e-mail with the plan for the week:
  • Monday:  Indoor will remain closed until the afternoon.
  • Tuesday:  Indoor Habitat will be CLOSED until the afternoon
  • Wednesday:  Indoor Habitat will be CLOSED until the afternoon

When I receive an update with times and plans from Primate, I will make sure to update all that information in this Update! 

• Gorilla Troop Configurations:  Ndume, M’Linzi & Mara — Chewie, Gladys, Mona & Elle – “The Chew Crew” — Mshindi, Bandia & Tulivu

The HUMANS:

Make sure you are on the lookout for a different type of animal starting this Wednesday, 9/14.  The Scooter Pals will start roaming the grounds this week and you may have visitors asking you questions about them.  Visitors can rent the Scooters to ride around the Main Loop of the Zoo at the Welcome Center for a flat rate of $5 plus $.35 per minute.

 

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 Daily Special:

Cafe Specials Week of 9/12 to 9/16: