Last Roll Call Update_ 10/24/22 – 10/30/22

Thank you for a GREAT season:

I enjoyed chatting with the Saturday team last week and I am excited to meet with the rest of the teams during Roll Call this week!  It has been a season full of hard work and continued learning – I am so proud to be on your team!  I wanted to give something to each Ambassador as a Thank You for everything you have done this year and continue to do!  As you can see in the picture below, I picked 5 images to represent be events for our team this year and created little 2022 buttons.  When you come in for roll Call this week, feel free to grab your favorite and display it proudly!  I hope these will help you to think back on the last season and think about the difference you made for our visitors and the animals in our care!

(In order from top left, going clockwise)

Ndume – As a team we dedicated countless hours to helping Ndume feel comfortable in his new troop.  Your help was vital to his success!  In the words of the The Primate Team, “It is so good to see him acting like a gorilla” – Don’t forget that you were a part of making that possible!

Sabu – Sabu stole the show this year.  Whether we were watching him move enrichment around his space or trying to shield kids from going through a reproductive education course too early ;), he gave us plenty of content to talk about with our visitors.

Fritz – Well…Fritz-a-palooza was HUGE this year.  The animal team was so grateful for your continued support as the hippos went through the introduction process.  The interactions with our visitors made a huge difference!

Corpse Flower – Over 4,700 visitors enjoyed the engagement from the team!  We received some of our highest words of praise from visitors, and on the other side we had so many ambassadors claim that they had some of the best interactions they’ve ever had!

Jomo – Unfortunately, we lost Jomo this year and this button is in tribute to the wonder silverback that many of you knew so well.  I know he holds a very special place in the hearts of so many of you.

Volunteer Tickets:

I picked up the VE tickets today, but unfortunately they were printed incorrectly – they have an expiration date for the end of FOL.   That being said, if you plan to use them for FOL, you are in luck, feel free to pick them up and use them.  I am working with Rocky and Zane to get them corrected, but they may not be corrected by this week and may result in us needing to mail them out.

 Construction Updates:

Traffic Update/Road Closures:

 Erkenbrecher Ave will be closed from the Euclid crosswalk down to Vine Street next week (Mon 10/24-Wed 10/26, with possible extension that week and the week after). Euclid and Shields will be open as a detour to Vine St.  If you plan on visiting the Zoo, plan accordingly!

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.

Animal Updates: 

• Africa

  • Sad News from the Africa Team
    • We are sad to report that female giraffe Cece passed away yesterday. The vet staff had been treating her for acute appetite loss and colic. However, even with IV fluids and medication, she was unable to move food through her system and pass stool. A full necropsy will help us understand more about the cause of her obstruction. The almost 12-year-old Masai giraffe came to Cincinnati Zoo in 2013 and was mom to Cora, now residing in Providence, and Theo. Theo is almost 3 and still lives in Cincinnati. The rest of the herd includes Tessa, Fennessy, and Zoey. All four of the giraffes continue to be in good health and are adjusting to the loss of their herd mate.

      She will be remembered fondly by her keeper team – she was pretty chill (for a giraffe), enjoyed training with her keepers, was a good mom, and somehow it seems like she always had peanut butter behind her ossicones.

  • Hippo Cove will be open at normal time starting Tuesday, 10/18!
    • The bad news is with the cold snap we won’t be able to put Fritz and Bibi out until the temperature is 40° and sunny which means Fiona and Tucker will be out at 9 AM and Bibi and Fritz will join them a few hours later into the morning.

• Elephant

  • NO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
  • Please see the note below to answer questions from guests.
    • See the note below from Christina Gorsuch:
      “In preparation for Elephant Trek and elephants on the move, a giant crate will be delivered, via giant crane, on Friday morning so the elephants can become comfortable seeing it and start the long process of being conditioned to walk into it voluntarily.  This is important for the ease and safety of future moves. The path in front of Education/Elephant will be closed until around noon on Friday.”
       
      The message below is the shortened version of the message that the Communications Department:
       
      “A giant crate was delivered, via giant crane, so the elephants can become comfortable seeing it and start the long process of being conditioned to walk into it voluntarily.  This is important for the ease and safety of future moves.”
    • **BONUS** EEHV updates- The teams have been working on behaviors in preparation for the elephants arriving from Dublin in 2023.

• Gorilla

  • • Mbeli Update:
    • Mbeli is out of quarantine and enjoying visual access to The Chew Crew, and initial interest appears positive.
    • Mbeli is going to be exploring the indoor habitat Monday morning. He will have access to a BTS area, so he can navigate the space at his leisure.
      We will keep this area sanctioned off, but from the sanctions guests will still be able to see him. Once the Primate Team feels he is comfortable in the space, they will open up to the public, but this may not be for a couple days.  I will keep you updated.

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

• Additional Information
  • Squirrel the greater galago and Otto the potto have been officially introduced. This makes two fewer solo housed primates in Jungle Trails!!

 Daily Special:

ALL WEEK: $6.99
Vegetarian Chili

Monday & Tuesday

Queen City Hot Mett with Sauteed Peppers and Onions, Potato Salad and Coleslaw $9.99

Wednesday & Thursday

Goetta, Egg and Tomato Sandwich with Tater Tots $8.99

Friday

Buffalo Chicken Wings with Celery and Carrot Sticks $10.99