Save the Date
National Volunteer Appreciation Week is April 16th-23rd and we are working on some fun events! Make sure that you are checking out the next few Updates for additional information!
Continuing “Inspiration” Events
In my time here as the Volunteer Coordinator, I have received many requests to bring back the Continuing Education Lectures from Zoo Staff. I am happy to say that this month we will start bringing them back…but with a little twist! In the past these sessions would be held on site after hours limiting the reach of the programs. As a way to make events like these more accessible, we will be hosting monthly Happy Hour Zoom Sessions.
These sessions will be held on the 4th Thursday of every month during Happy Hour. You will have an opportunity to submit questions in advance to be answered by Zoo Staff. Keep an eye out in the next Volunteer Update to see who the first guest will be and submit your questions!
Zoo Updates
ZooTales Podcast
The Cincinnati Zoo is known for its conservation work, but did you know that includes efforts to save endangered plants as well as animals? Learn more from Conservation Horticulturist Maired in this new episode! Listen here: http://ow.ly/Vz4S50MZEUK
Cincinnati Hippos take the Ice!
National Nutritionist Day
March 1st is National Nutritionist Day, and we are lucky to be one of the few zoos that have a nutritionist on staff. Barbara Henry has a very challenging position and works hard to ensure we are providing the best nutrition for the animals in our care. Her research to create a baby hippo formula was key to premature hippo Fiona’s survival.
Listen to Smithsonian podcast interview with Barbara: https://www.si.edu/sidedoor/ep-11-hungry-hungry-baby-hippo
Just For Fun
Native to the Mediterranean, the bark of this fascinating tree is light and spongy, making it perfect for things like wine bottle stoppers! What’s more, the bark can be safely harvested several times over the tree’s lifespan!
Our scientists at CREW use this species, as well as several others, to study and develop ways to conserve oak trees ex situ. Think of us the next time you open a bottle of your favorite Chardonnay!
Polar Bear Day – 2/27/23
Plant & Animal Updates
Steve Foltz in the News
Steve Foltz, the Director of Horticulture, was on channel 19 talking about flowering trees and yard clean up!
Did you know that Cincinnati Zoo is one of 10 facilities that are part of the Cheetah Breeding Centers Coalition? This group shares ideas about cheetah husbandry management, breeding and research. These AZA breeding centers, all members of the Cheetah Species Survival Plan (SSP), work together to maintain and grow a genetically diverse population of this endangered feline species in North America. We’re proud to share that one of our cheetahs became a first-time mom at our breeding center! The cubs (two boys and one girl) recently hit their 16-week milestone and are doing great. They will stay at the farm (which is not open to the public) with their mom for a couple years until they become subadults ready to tackle their own journeys in life. In the meantime, we will work with the SSP to figure out what will be best for each of them.
Little Blue Penguin Chicks
It’s a busy time of year in the little blue penguin nursery! The bird team is currently hand-rearing 4 chicks, which involves ’round the clock feedings! To give the chicks the best chance to survive, the first clutch of eggs is removed and hand-reared. The penguins then lay a second clutch which they incubate and raise themselves.
Update from Bowyer
Through the winter, when the ground is typically frozen and too cold to plant, restoration volunteers spend time dividing native sedge grasses in the Bowyer Farm propagation house. In the spring, summer, and fall, these “plugs” of sedge will be planted in the wetlands
Goodbye to our Wallabies
Our two remaining wallabies, Ava & Zip are heading to the Pittsburgh Zoo soon to join a larger mob. Hopefully this will give Ava a chance to breed again.
Zoo Staff Updates
Please join the HR team in welcoming Katie Hill to the Zoo! Katie has come onboard to help develop and manage a training & development program for the Zoo and has an extensive background in both course instruction and instructional design, at employers including TiER1 Performance Solutions, Cincinnati State, and Cincinati Christian College, where she was Director of Online Learning. She then moved to corporate trainer roles at CDK Global and was a Client Trainer for Paycor.
In 2017, she moved into HR and was the HR Director at Beechmont Ford Companies. She is thrilled to move back into a team environment supporting employee/talent development. And we are thrilled to have her here!
Outside the Zoo, Katie is married and has a son who is enrolled in college all the way out in Wyoming. Her favorite vacation place is Yellowstone National Park, and dream vacation would be down on Dauphin Island, off of the Alabama coast. She is an avid wildlife lover, and she loves to garden and fish at home. Her true love is her dog Tilly, who she is pictured with here.
We’re excited announce the Dustin Piontek has been promoted to Head Keeper of the Reptile department. Dustin started his zoo keeping career at the N.E.W. Zoo in Green Bay, Wisconsin, then worked in Desert Tortoise research in Las Vegas, NV, had stops at the Birmingham (Birmingham, AL) and Fresno Chafee Zoos (Fresno, CA), and then finally landed at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden in March 2019. Dustin’s passion for herpetological animals, his commitment to providing them with the highest level of care, and his interest in collaboration should serve him well in his new role.
In his free time, Dustin enjoys movies (especially documentaries), video games, and traveling with his wife Adrienne.
Opportunities
Aquatics/Hydroponics Greenhouse Volunteer Needed
Did you know there is a small demonstration greenhouse located on the Base Camp deck, which is in use by the Aquatics department? We are operating a hydroponics and aquaponics system within the greenhouse producing leafy greens, herbs, and vegetables, supplying various departments with animal enrichment. We are currently looking for Volunteers interested in taking on roles at the Greenhouse. If you have interest and availability and would like to learn more about this opportunity, please CLICK HERE to fill out the interest form and someone will reach out to you soon with more information.