Roll Call Information 4/25/22-5/1/22

Hi Friends:

   In the past 2 weeks I have been lucky enough to visit 3 different Zoos and interact with interpreters stationed in exhibits.  While you are out this week, please think about some of the barriers that prevent you from being able to get the messaging across in the way you would like.  Are there items we can add to the stations or curriculum that would facilitate those conversations? 

CZBG does a FANTASTIC job removing the noise from the outside world.  The Zoo is beautiful and feels wild, truly an escape from our backyards and our realities.  While visiting the other Zoos, I saw many of the exhibits incorporate ideas of co-existence/conservation, which make it easy to bring up those topics. 

For example:  The near the St. Louis Zoo Sea Lion/Seal exhibit there was a plastic bag that was floating in water compared to a photo of a fish – this was at the start of the exhibit – by the time my kids reached the interpreter, they were already prompted with an answer about what they could do in their daily lives that make a difference for the sea lions and seals.  —OR— at the Louisville Zoo, their bear exhibit actually looks like a work-site in Alaska – it is easy to acknowledge co-existence and picture animals in human spaces.

   Think about the conversations you are having with guests and what kinds of things we could use to kick start these conversations in new ways and help our visitors get similar visualizations without taking away the beauty of our exhibits.  What are some tools that may be helpful to create these connections but stay in a positive light?  Feel free to send me ideas, or write them in the feedback sections of the books

Construction Updates:

No New Information at this time, please see information below for previous updates.

Construction Update from Marc Anthony Cunha – No changes to construction areas.

• However, we will have a shutdown in the late evening of potentially Monday/Tuesday weather depending. More info to follow as details are ironed out.

• Paths at Bear Line & Children’s Zoo Power House remain open to all. Please keep in mind; however, that construction in these areas is still ongoing.

 Animal Updates: On May 1st, I will be sending out a message to the Keeper Staff for our Monthly Updates.

• Africa

  Jose, the gazelle, passed away this week.  Our condolences to the Africa team!

  • Fiona is going to be a Big Sister!  You heard that right, we are expecting a baby hippo in summer 2022!  Check out the Talking Points below:

    • BIBI Pregnancy Talking Points 

      • Bibi is pregnant!
        
      • Estimated due date is mid August.
        
      • Bibi’s first baby, Fiona, was born six weeks premature and wouldn’t have survived without the intervention of her human caregivers. We are hoping for a full-term pregnancy and will be doing everything we can to support Bibi.
        
      • Reproductive physiologists at the Zoo’s Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW) are working with the hippo team and have started Bibi on hormone supplements.
        
      • CREW will also perform regular ultrasounds to monitor the growth and health of the fetus.
        
      • Fiona is not leaving. There is enough space for 3 adults and a calf.
        
      • When the calf is larger, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan will recommend the best place for the calf to go. That’s probably 3-4 years down the road.
        
      • Bibi was on a dose of birth control that had worked for her when she was with Henry for many months after Fiona was born. Most forms of contraception are not 100% effective for hippos or humans!
        
      • Fiona is also on birth control. Her care team hasn’t observed any of the behaviors that Bibi exhibits when she is cycling, and her age and size indicate that she’s not sexually mature. Birth control is an extra precaution for her.
        
      • Bibi is 23 and Tucker is 18.  Fiona is 5.
        
      • Click Here for the press release… 
  • Ruppell’s  Vultures, lappet-faced vultures, pink-backed pelicans and helmeted guineafowl will not be on African Savannah until further notice.  Please see the Avian Influenza Update below for additional information.
  • Ostrich Egg – We have had such an amazing response to the Ostrich Egg that we are expanding!  I am currently working on getting some additional eggs from local birds so we can have guests compare.  A great follow up questions for visitors would be to ask them if they have found an egg in their yard and let them pull comparisons.  We always want to tie in the co-existence piece when we can.  We live with birds all around us so I think this is a fun comparison.
    • If you haven’t listened to Mark & Jenna’s podcast about Pam & Myrtle, I encourage you to listen in!  Here are some quick fun facts from the Podcast.
      • Pam is Taller than Myrtle but they weigh about the same amount.  Their weights fluctuate between 230-270lbs.
      • Pam is darker Grey and the white on her tail is more visible than on Myrtle.
      • Pam has a Blue Leg band and Myrtle has a white leg band
      • An Ostrich Egg is equivalent to 24 chicken eggs.

• Elephant

  No New Information at this time, please see information below for previous updates.

• • Make sure all Volunteers are aware of the media coverage and have seen the Zoo’s statement in response. Encourage Volunteers to keep a friendly and positive attitude.  There is no need to engage with guests who are aggressive or confrontational.  Always feel comfortable referring to the Zoo’s statement. 
  • Mai Thai’s tail – Tail wound continues to heal well. Vet staff continue daily laser and bandage changes

• Gorilla

  No New Information at this time, please see information below for previous updates.

• • Safety – The Primate Center Team wanted to send a reminder about safety in the exhibit. Over the past week there has been increased safety concerns with guests.  Please keep a look out for guests that are not following the ask to “Respect the Rails, Rocks and Roots.”  Our biggest safety issue is guests sitting children/strollers on top of barriers.
    • I did contact Tosh about the overgrowth in Gorilla.  She confirmed that she will bring up the situation in the next Horticulture meeting on Wednesday.  They will work with the Primate team to arrange a time to clean up the area.
  • I checked in with Victoria about the progress of introductions in The Primate Center and she sent the message below.  Please note that there is no specific timeline to seeing these changes happen and the staff is very mindful of the pace and preference of the gorillas.  It is important that we highlight the commitment to the gorillas in our care when we address questions from the public.  Message from Victoria:
    • “Starting the last week of April, we will start a strategic combination of howdy mesh opportunities (where gorillas can see each other but not be able to reach through & touch each other) between individuals we think will do well together. Depending on how these go, we will move forward with putting individuals in the same space.  These events will happen behind the scenes…  once we know how individuals are adjusting, we will start offering public viewing space opportunities. When we get to that point, we’ll be able to discuss publicly which combination is working 😊  We have social management plans in place for this process, but our team is ultimately working at the pace/preferences of the gorillas and adapting to things as they happen!”

Additional Miscellaneous Animal Information:

• Condolences to the Interpretive team for the passing of Harvey the rabbit. 
• Red Crowned cranes were moved inside yesterday, the eggs not viable.
• Two oldest Kea chicks have been named! The male is “Ernest” after Ernest Rutherford, New Zealander who was considered the father of nuclear physics. He was the first person to split the atom and discover its nuclear makeup. The female is “Nancy” after Nancy Wake, New Zealander who joined the French resistance and later the Special Ops in WWII. 
• Stellar’s Sea Eagle chick still appears to be doing well. More movement is being seen but it’s still fairly camouflaged in the nest.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Update:

As many of you saw last week, the Zoo has increased security measures to “Protect our Flock”.  The information below is the most up to date we have from the Zoo, as I receive more information I will update you.  There have been signs with a brief explanation installed at many of the habitats affected.  Dave called an meeting with the Director’s today to talk about the situation and how this affects the visitor’s experience and what else can be done.  After talking with Mollie this morning, it sounds like this has created a lot of fear and disgust as it relates to birds with visitors and the public.  We all know how special birds are and we are exploring ways that we can help to change the narrative and help our visitors to understand that birds are not dirty and they should not be feared.  Please note, we may have a need for Ambassadors to be stationed in the habitats, like Bald Eagle, that seem empty and are the most affected.  If this is a step we need to take, you will be given full information and messaging for the areas we need assistance with.  Please stay tuned and I will update you as I have more information.  For the full message from Jenny and “Talking Points” from the communication team, please read message below.

Message from Jenny Gainer, Curator of Birds:

“Hi everyone,

I wish I had better news, but here we are.

One of the most recent detections of HPAI has been found in Montgomery county and Clinton county Ohio.  That is about 35-50 miles from CZBG.  This distance triggers our high level secure and contain biosecurity measures.  We are utilizing risk assessment to offer some outside opportunities to lower risk animals, as well as continuing to offer modified bird experiences and tours when possible.  New and additional changes from my last email are listed below.

Collection bird moves and additional measures:

1. Bald eagle flock are off habitat until further notice.
2. Saddle-billed stork and gray crowned crane are off habitat until further notice.
3. Ostrich will be “tucked in” early each day. 
4. Eurasian eagle owl and barred owl are off habitat until further notice.
5. White-naped pheasant pigeons off habitat (butterfly aviary) until further notice.
6. Birds of the World habitats “South America” and “Australasia” are closed to guests until further notice.
   
7. African penguins are off habitat until further notice.  Because of this African penguin feedings are discontinued.
8. Ambassador birds are either secured indoors or mews have been modified.
9. Increased PPE and disinfection protocols are in place for keepers working with birds.
10. All non-essential staff are asked to please refrain from accessing any areas housing birds.  If necessary, utilizing a foot bath is critical.
11. Andean condors are off habitat until further notice.
12. VIPenguin tours have been postponed through May.
13. Little blue penguin encounters will continue with slight modifications.

Quick Information for Visitor Facing Roles:

• Andean condors are off habitat until further notice.
• VIPenguin tours have been postponed through May.
• Little blue penguin encounters will continue with slight modifications.
• Avian flu talking points – updated 4/22Simple statement:To protect our flock, birds that are susceptible to avian flu have temporarily been moved inside.Additional info:

  · One of the most recent detections of avian flu has been found about 35-50 miles from CZBG.

  · That is within the range that our avian flu task force identified to trigger precautions for our flock

  · Avian flu does not pose a threat to humans.

  · Officially called: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)

  · We will continue to monitor the situation and move birds back out when the risk level is appropriate.

  Which birds are inside?

  · Bald eagle flock are off habitat until further notice.

  · Saddle-billed stork and gray crowned crane are off habitat until further notice.

  · Ostrich will be “tucked in” early each day.

  · Eurasian eagle owl and barred owl are off habitat until further notice.

  · White-naped pheasant pigeons off habitat (butterfly aviary) until further notice.

  · Birds of the World habitats “South America” and “Australasia” are closed to guests until further notice.

  · African penguins are off habitat until further notice. Because of this African penguin feedings are discontinued.

  · Trumpeter swans have been taken off the lake and moved inside.

  · Kea are being locked in from the Free Flight Aviary.

  · Ruppell’s vultures, lappet-faced vultures, pink-backed pelicans, and helmeted guineafowl will not be on Africa savannah until further notice.

  • Andean condors are off habitat until further notice.
  • VIPenguin tours have been postponed through May.
  • Little blue penguin encounters will continue with slight modifications.

Daily Special:

Monday: Mozzarella, Tomato, Red Onion & Pesto on Baguette served  with Parmesan Fries $7.99

School Groups:

Tuesday

• 26 Buses

• 944 Students

• 128 Chaperones

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Wednesday

• 35 Buses

• 1460 Students

• 103 Chaperones

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Thursday

• 38 Buses

• 1506 Students

• 307 Chaperones

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Friday

• • 3 Buses

  • 160 Students

  • 38 Chaperones

—–

Saturday

• • 2 Buses

  • 81 Students

  • 11 Chaperones

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Sunday

• No Reported School Groups