Roll Call Information 7/4/22-7/10/22

Brittany Update:

Link to “The Daily”:

Click Here to View the Daily Updates

Wing of Wonder/Free Flight Aviary:

• Wings of Wonder:

  Below you will find the schedule for who has signed up for the Wings of Wonder Bird Experience.  It looks like we do not have any coverage on Friday.  If anyone would like to help with that show, it would be appreciated.

• Free Flight Aviary:

We have very little coverage moving forward for the Free Flight Aviary.  Below you will see the coverage that we need for the week.  IF you have extra individuals on your schedule and you think they would be interested in trying out a new area – please encourage them.  I will be sending out an e-mail to Ambassadors this week and adding the Ambassadors to the Sign Up option so people can sign up directly for the Aviary.

• Tuesday:
  • Needs Coverage for Both Shifts
• Wednesday:
  • 12:30-3:00 – 2 Volunteers
• Thursday:
  • 12:30-3:00 – 2 Volunteers
• Friday:
  • Need Coverage for Both Shifts
• Saturday:
  • 12:30-3:00pm – 2 Volunteers
• Sunday:
  • 12:30-3:00pm – 2 Volunteers

Resources/Materials Update:

• Bug Spray – In carts in Elephant and Gorilla.
• Fans – Available at my desk if needed

Heat Advisory Information:

• Make sure to care for yourself and stay cool and hydrated during the heat advisory this week.  The safety of all ambassadors needs to be a top priority.  If and volunteer needs to skip a shift this week or leave early, it is absolutely no problem.
• If Visitors show concern for our animals during a heat advisory,  I would suggest some version of the message below:
  • “The health and safety animals is a top priority, Animal staff has specific protocols to make sure that our animals are safely cared for in any type of extreme weather.  All of our animals have access to cover and can escape any unfavorable conditions while in their outdoor habitats.   Our keepers also have close relationships with our animals and they can easily recognize if they are stressed or uncomfortable and will take immediate action for their safety.”

Mask Policy Update:

• Masks are required in the Education Building at all times, KN95 masks are preferred by the Education Team.  Please feel free to talk with your team and discuss the idea of moving roll call updates outside if you team is uncomfortable wearing masks in the building.

7th & 8th Grade & Teens joining the Ambassador Teams:

• 7th & 8th Graders are still joining the Ambassador Teams in the Habitats on Tuesday and Wednesday.  UPDATE – The Campers will meet in the Habitats at 9:45am.  Please try your best to get there by 9:45 so they can make the most of the time they have with you.
• Teens will continue to join the Ambassadors on Fridays in Gorilla at 10am.

 Construction Updates:

• Elephant Trek – Please continue to refrain from accessing the old ‘Safari Lot’ loop. See Tony’s email below.
• Bear Line – Pathway modification has been postponed to the week of 11^th.
• Powerhouse at Children’s Zoo – Pathway will be blocked for a day, likely toward the mid/tail end of this upcoming week, for some underground utility work.
  • Exact date and further coordination forthcoming.

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.

Animal Updates: 

• Africa

  • 7/7 – Kris’ Birthday – Cheetah Ambassador in Cheetah ENcounter Show

• • • Giraffe Zoey remains limping on her foot.  She is back with the group under normal management
    • White Pelicans were put in the flamingo habitat by the giraffe habitat a few weeks ago.  There were some initial crossing of the barriers but with some reinforcements they have remained in the habitat.  There have been some reports of them coming up and interacting with the public through the barrier.
    • They will only be in this area for one season.

• Elephant

  • Sabu is in Musth
• Musth- a normal periodic condition in bull (male) elephants, characterized by a large rise in reproductive hormones, temporal drainage, and dribbling/trickling of urine. Musth is not a disease or ailment, and therefore there is no “cure.” If a bull elephant goes into musth, it actually means he is healthy.
• Testosterone levels in an elephant in musth can be as much as 6 times greater than normal.
  This rise in hormones causes the animal to feel more restless, aggressive, and frequently acts
  unpredictable.
• Bull elephants in musth lose their appetite, and it is not uncommon for a bull to lose up to 1000 pounds by the end of the musth cycle. This is completely normal and quickly returns to his normal weight.
• Musth typically lasts between 2-3 months and occurs in three stages – a 3-4 week pre-musth condition, a 4-5 week peak musth, and a 4-5 week post-musth condition.
• Elephants in musth discharge a thick tar-like secretion called temporin from the temporal ducts on the sides of the head. Temporin contains proteins and lipids.
• The elephant’s aggression may be partially caused by a reaction to the temporin, which naturally trickles down into the elephant’s mouth. Another contributing factor may be the accompanying swelling of the temporal glands. Elephants sometimes try to counteract this pain by digging their tusks into the ground or pushing on trees.
  • There is no definitive reason why bulls go into musth, but some theories prevail:
    1. Expelling of other bulls from an area in order to maintain territory.
    2. Giving a physically weaker bull strength and energy to reproduce/gain dominance.

• Gorilla

No Additional Updates at this time

• Gorilla Troop Configurations:
  • M’Linzi & Mara
    • M’Linzi & Mara are continuing with Howdy Mesh and visual interactions with Ndume
  • Chewie, Gladys, Mona & Elle – “The Chew Crew”
  • Mshindi, Bandia & Tulivu

 Daily Special: