Volunteer Updates and Opportunities
ZooLaLa Volunteers Needed
We have about 10 more opportunities for First Shift Volunteers (6:00pm-8:30pm) and at 10 more opportunities for Second Shift Volunteers (8:30pm-11:00pm). If you are interested in signing up to volunteer for the event, please complete the Form below. The Form will stay open through next Tuesday, 6/6 – Role Assignments and Position Descriptions will be sent out before the end of next week.
Click Here for the Volunteer Form
**********
Parking Pains:
There have been many complaints about Volunteer Parking, I have been working with the Public Safety Team to ensure that the white volunteer cones are placed out every day in the Dury Lot. We are also talking with the Visitor Experience Team and the Graphics department to order new cones and temporary signage to discourage individuals from parking in those spots.
Please know that on busy days all of us feel the pains of parking. On higher visitor count days, camps, and parking inside of the Zoo disrupted during construction and equipment moving around, we will find the number of spaces impacted for not only visitors, but our internal staff.
We appreciate your patience as we work through these issues.
**********
Volunteer Opportunities Accepting Applications
Currently there are a few departments accepting applications for new Volunteers. If you were looking for additional ways to get involved, see the opportunities below:
- Garden Engagement Volunteer
Volunteer Divers
- Have you ever dreamed about helping the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden assist the animals in our care? The volunteer SCUBA divers provide valuable support to our keepers and the animals by helping to maintain exhibits to the high standards required by the American Zoological Association (AZA).
- Position Requirements:
- Our volunteer divers must meet CZBG and OSHA safety qualifications/requirements, including:
- Certified Open Water Diver
- PADI, NAUI, SSI, YMCA, etc…
- 1-Year Experience Minimum
- 25 Dive Minimum
- Current Documentation
- CPR/First Aid/AED Certification
- COVID Vaccination and Booster, including the bivariant booster
- TB Test with Negative Result within the Last year*
- Medical History Form and Doctor’s Clearance*
- Liability Waiver*
- Click Here for the Volunteer Diver Application
Zoo Volunteer Observer (ZVO)
- Zoo Volunteer Observers (ZVO)complete animal observations remotely and in person for various reasons, including birth watch and behavior. While assisting with these watches, volunteers are asked to complete 4-hour shifts that can be scheduled 24 hours/day. While completing these observations, volunteers are asked to take detailed notes and observe for behavior changes.
- Click Here for the Full Position Description
Zoo Updates
Learn more from Maggie Dwire on what is being done to help save the Mexican wolf. Though coming close to extinction, the Mexican wolf is staging a remarkable comeback through a collaborative binational recovery program with Mexico.
Listen here: https://cincinnatizoo.podbean.com
*********
Creature Connections
Last month, our very own Meredith Hughes was recognized as an Unsung Hero by Cancer Family Care for her coordination of the Creature Connection program. For those that aren’t aware, the Creature Connection program is a unique partnership between CZBG and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, where the Zoo provides individualized close-up animal experiences for patients with chronic or terminal illnesses, bringing some much needed light to their lives and their families’ lives. This unique program has been around for a while and involves MANY different staff to create these special moments, and Meredith has been the one to pull it all together over the last few years. Meredith, thanks for giving many of us, especially many folks in the Animal Department, the opportunity to be part of this program and make this impact! This is an important way that our Zoo serves community and inspires people with wildlife.
Meredith was nominated by Carol Bonner of Pets For Patients, an important partner in the Creature Connection program. The annual Unsung Hero Awards celebrates and honors care providers, caregivers, and survivors of cancer.
Cincinnati Zoo animal ambassadors help brighten patients’ days at Cincinnati Children’s .
Click Here to Watch a Video showing how we Brighten Patients’ days at Cincinnati Children’s
Plant & Animal Updates
Teddy & Earl
**********
Kip
**********
Amiry
Amiry the rescued serval continues to settle into his new home and has been bonding with his care team. The serval has the longest legs and largest ears for its body size of any cat.
**********
New Komodo Dragon
The new 1-1/2-year-old Komodo Dragon is named Frunobulax. The name was drawn from a 1974 Frank Zappa song “Cheepnis”, specifically from the line “The monster, which the peasants in this area call Frunobulax”.
Frunobulax can be seen in the Reptile House. He currently weighs just over a pound. When fully grown he will weigh 100 pounds or more. Young Dragons like Frunobulax spend their first few years living in the trees where they are safe from predators including older, larger Komodo Dragons, feral Dogs, wild Pigs, Civets, and Snakes. We still have Hudo, our 21-year-old Komodo Dragon who’s surpassed the median life expectancy of male Dragons in the US (19.7) but remains in very good health.
**********
Bongo Birth Watch Started
Birth watch has begun for Easter bongo, Stevie. She is being monitored 24 hours a day for her upcoming birth. She is an experienced Mom as this will be her 3rd calf. Eastern bongos are critically endangered so every birth is important to the species’ survival.
**********
Flamingos
It’s flamingo egg-laying season! There are currently 5 eggs in nests. A flamingo nest is not fancy, just a mound of mud with a concave top so that any egg laid does not fall off. Neighboring nests are built very close, and bickering between nest mound occupants is common and LOUD!
**********
Sloth Birth Watch Started
Lightning’s Birth Watch officially began this week! Everyone send your well wishes and positive energy to Lightning! Thank you to our Zoo Volunteer Observers for their hard work during their observations!
Just For Fun
Rozi
**********
May 31st – World Parrot Day
The Cincinnati Zoo supports The Bird Endowment and its efforts to saHappy World Parrot Day! The Cincinnati Zoo supports The Bird Endowment and its efforts to save the critically endangered blue-throated macaws and even sponsors a nest box! Habitat loss and loss of nesting sites are the biggest threats to these beautiful birds. The Bird Endowment has installed 125 nest boxes and camera traps to monitor the boxes since 2006. 113 chicks have successfully fledged from the nest boxes since the program began. With only 400-450 blue-throated macaws in the wild, this number is really significant! That’s 25% of the wild population!
**********
What’s Blooming?
**********
May 31st – World Otter Day
***********
Pallas Cat
***********
Cheetah
**********
Hippo Fun
**********
May 23rd – World Turtle Day
***********
May 20th – World Bee Day
**********
Elephant Info
The coolest pool party around! Cooling off in a pool on hot days is helpful because elephants don’t have the ability to sweat. They flap their large ears to cool the blood vessels across the ear, which then circulate throughout the body.
Conservation Corner
Oak Tree Conservation
Additional Updates:
Sad News:
I received a message last week that one of our long-time volunteers, Vicki Virgiris, passed away and services were held earlier this week. Vicki was a volunteer for over 20 years and helped in the CREW building and with Animal Enrichment during her time here at the zoo. Since word got out I have received a flood of emails from other volunteers talking about her contagious smile and beautiful spirit. In a final act of love, Vicki’s family asked that memorials be sent to the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. I never had the pleasure of meeting Vicki personally, but I’m so grateful for the impact she made on this place and all of you!
Click Here to See the Obituary
***********
Message From Christina Anderson:
Hope to see you in my garden 😊
Saturday & Sunday, June 3 & 4, 2023 starting at 11am – 4pm
Many selected private gardens will open for your enjoyment.
Day of Event Ticket Sales, Will Call, and Vendors will all be centrally located at:
St. John’s United Church, 415 Park Ave, Newport, KY 41071
Parking Lots are available at:
- 1 – Water Tower Square parking lot located at corner of 6th St and Washington Ave (enter from Washington Ave)
- 2 – Masonic Lodge lot located at corner of 6th St and Park Ave (enter from Park Ave)
For over 25 years, Greater Cincinnati flower and plant lovers have come to see Newport home owners show off their lovely gardens. Bag Lunches are available for purchase online before the event or on-site during the event. Everything will be homemade.