Volunteer Updates and Opportunities
Your Earned Comp Tickets are Printed and ready for Distribution:
I am happy to say that the earned comp tickets for 2023 are in and ready to be distributed! If you did not attend the Volunteer Appreciation Celebration last night and would like to receive your ticket, please complete the form below and let me know the best way to get them to you!
Click Here to Request Your Tickets
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THANK YOU! Volunteer Appreciation Celebration Picnic
Thursday Night we Celebrated the 2023 Adult Volunteer Season with over 100 adult volunteers representing the over 450 CZBG Adult Volunteers who average more than 100 hours a year serving the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens in 38 different roles across all departments! Our Annual celebration happens in October every year with volunteers who are on track to log 50 hours for the year.
This year we had a fun-filled evening with a Scooter Pal obstacle course, Door Prizes, Gi-Raffle Prizes, a rousing game of Heads & Tails and more smiles and laughs than we could count!
“Volunteers are the secret ingredient that allows our zoo to call itself one of the best in the world, and our zoo would be a mere shadow of itself without your dedication and commitment to our mission.”
– Wendy Rice, Africa Head Keeper
I could not agree with Wendy more!! You should be proud of the impact you make every single day! Every minute you serve here at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, you are making a difference for the animals who call this place home, the visitors who enjoy the grounds and the wildlife and wild places we strive to protect! I speak for all the CZBG staff when I say THANK YOU for your tremendous support and dedication!
During the Picnic we had a slideshow rolling that highlights some of the AMAZING accomplishments of our Fabulous Adult Volunteer Team! Click on the Link below to view the Slideshow!
Click Here to See Your Impact
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Renew the Zoo
Did you help us distribute Zoo Tax Levy Signs? Do you want to help us place some additional signs around Hamilton County? If the answer to either question above is “YES”, we would love to give you a shirt to help promote the cause! We have a limited supply of shirts available, so sign up quickly using the link below! (Shirts will be available for pick up in the Education Building starting Monday, October 23rd.)
We still have signs available in the Education Building for pick up and placement around town. Feel free to stop by any time to pick up your signs!
If you’d like to post to show your support for the Zoo, you can download images here to share: https://ow.ly/g1wb50PYFNJ
Zoo Updates
CZBG unites with other zoos and aquariums to Advance Conservation Goals
Message from Dave Jenike:
Last week the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden joined over 100 of our AZA colleagues and signed a declaration to advance the goals of the Kunnming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, including protecting at least 30 percent of the planet by 2030 (30×30).
This declaration carries more than just words. It is backed up by our Zoo’s conservation impact and our ability to elevate and mobilize our visitors to join us in our effort to create a world where people and wildlife thrive. Our commitment spans research and sustainability, habitat restoration and support of local/indigenous communities and builds on our history to support field conservation projects.
Having just returned from a meeting in Kenya with over 50 African Lead Community Conservation Organizations, I can tell you their commitment is strong. Our shared values of respect, diversity, dignity, kindness, equity, intentionality, empathy and transparency were all affirmed and give me great hope for the future.
As the 30X30 goal declares, now is the time to act and our Zoo is committed to leading. Together we can make a difference!
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ZooTeens and Bahamian students share experiences that shape futures
Message from Mollie O’Neil
Want to know what happens when you pilot an ecological and cultural exchange program for youth? Magic! Memories are made, lifelong friendships form, and the world gets just a little smaller in a very good way.
This past July, the Zoo hosted four Bahamian teen students from the Bahamians, Birds, and Botany program (BBB) that our amazing Conservation Impact Fellow, T’Noya Thompson, created with Dr. Ancilleno Davis. A few weeks later in August, we then took three of our ZooTeens down to the Bahamas to reconnect with those students in their hometown land and seascape.
Cincinnati experiences for the Bahamian teens included exploring the Cincinnati Nature Center, Bowyer Farm, canoeing for the first time on the Little Miami, meeting lots of Zoo staff, Kanga Klimb-ing, roller-skating, and of course, Skyline chili! Our visit to the Bahamas included snorkeling with stingrays, a tour of Clifton Heritage National Park, experiencing Primeval Forest National Park, exploring downtown Nassau, and eating delicious traditional Bahamian dishes. Before departing, the BBB teens and ZooTeens were already planning a 10-year reunion trip to go whale watching!
Recently, The Nassau Guardian published this great story highlighting the exchange program in their article Bahamians, Birds & Botany.
The young folks involved in the BBB and ZooTeen programs care deeply about this planet and now have an even better understanding of how a supportive network can help them achieve their goals. We’re proud and honored to support the next generation of emerging conservation leaders and all-around good humans.
The future is bright, folks!
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Elephant Trek Update
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Junior Zoologist ZooTroop Rebranded and Relaunched
On a chilly, rainy Saturday, the Junior Zoologist Club at the Cincinnati Zoo was revitalized and rebranded as Junior Zoologist Zoo Troop! Six middle school participants joined guides at Bowyer Farm where they hiked, fished, explored, birded, swept for insects, and simply enjoyed the splendor of an Ohio autumn day outside.
The old Junior Zoologist Club at the Zoo lays near and dear to the hearts of many zookeepers, conservationists, ecologists, and more now spread out around the world as the club that laid much of the foundational work to developing empathy and knowledge for caring about wildlife and championing conservation change. The original Junior Zoologist Club was founded by Barry Wakeman in 1968 and was a home for many Cincinnati area 12- to 16-year-olds with a passion for wildlife.
When the legacy of this club was shared with participants from Saturday, the middle schoolers shared that it felt “cool” and “exciting” to be part of something bigger than themselves. After a moment of free exploration in the woods, the participants were asked to reflect on how often they are able to be truly immersed in nature and how it made them feel. Some favorite responses included, “it makes me feel free”, and “I want to play outside all the time”. Bowyer Farm will serve as a homebase for the Junior Zoologist Zoo Troopers to give a sense of spacial autonomy and ability to grow and impact the space. The JZZTers will also visit natural sites all around the Greater Cincinnati Area as well as maintaining strong ties to the Zoo. The primary objectives of the rebrand of Junior Zoologists are to:
- Build skills in leadership, stewardship, and naturalist activities for young people in their local environments while building mentorship with conservation and nature experts
- Shape agency and confidence skills – to be nature literate, to have strong values connected to nature and conservation, to be empowered to act on values; to organize and execute events that engage the community and their peers (participant-led programs/events)
- Design and lead Conservation/Nature Service events/projects that give ability to build their own skills and lead
A member of the original Junior Zoologist Club, Charlie Dewey, came out to the relaunch at Bowyer this past Saturday to share some of his experiences with the next generation of Junior Zoologists and their families. Dewey spoke of wild adventures shared with friends, a sense of place and belonging cultivated in nature and with animals, and a hope for this next group of young people to grow in their ability to make radical and large-scale conservation change. The program participants, their families, Education staff, and, of course, Charlie Dewey, ended the day sharing stories over a fire that the kids built with primitive fire-building techniques and enjoying roasted hot dogs and s’mores.
As any educator knows, one of the most validating feelings is at the end of a program when you get asked, “so when is the next one?”. This is made all the more affirming when it is being made by six rain-soaked, muddy, seventh-and-eighth graders with gooey marshmallow all over their faces, invigorated by time spent in nature. We look forward to the continued excitement that Junior Zoologist Zoo Troop will have on the next group of young people.
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Fiona the Musical
Did you hear that there is a musical heading to town that honors our very own Fiona? Check out the link below to read an article about the writer and the show!
Click Here to Read the Article
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HallZOOween
There are still 2 more weekends to enjoy HallZOOween! Make sure you don’t miss an opportunity to check out what is happening on these fun weekends! There are still opportunities to Volunteer at Treat Stations and Greeter roles! Check out the open shifts in Better Impact/MVP to sign up!
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Cincinnati ZooTales
Keeper Kelli teaches us all about spiders in the newest episode of Cincinnati Zoo Tales! Learn more how these animals are less spooky and more amazing than you realize! https://cincinnatizoo.podbean.com/e/kelli-walker
Plant & Animal Updates
Juno Update
Open wide Juno! When threatened, sloths use their 3- to 4-inch-long claws & teeth to defend themselves. Sloths are not born with a baby teeth. Instead, they are born with a fully-formed set of teeth that continuously grow throughout their lifetime!
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October 18th – Happy World Okapi Day!
The endangered okapi is found only in the DRC. You can help by recycling old cell phones. Cell phones contain Coltan, a mineral that is mined within okapi habitat. Bring your old cell phone to the Zoo for recycling & help prevent future habitat destruction
Happy World Okapi Day! Kuvua is towards the end of her long 15-month long pregnancy. She is due in December. Fun okapi facts:
* Okapis are the only living relative of the giraffe
*They have dark purplish or reddish brown fur that is dense and feels like velvet. It’s also oily, so water slides right off, keeping them dry on rainy days.
* They have a dark tongue that is long enough to reach their eyes and ears.
* They can rotate their ears independently, so they can listen for sounds both in front and behind.
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Botanical Things
On April 12, 1987 The Zoo changed its official name from the Cincinnati Zoological Garden to the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. The change echoed the Zoo’s origins and the long-ago recommendations of Adolph Strauch in1873 that the Cincinnati Zoological Garden be established as both a garden and as a zoo.
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Zoey
A giraffe’s heart weighs around 25 pounds. Their heart has a thicker muscle on the left side than other mammals so it can generate enough force to fight gravity.
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Manatees
The manatee keepers say it won’t take these guys long to hit their goal weight of 600 pounds before they can be released back into the ocean. They are VERY good eaters!
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Fritz Update
Fritz with a mouthful! He’s up to 766 pounds!
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Beaudan
Beaudan is a 3-month-old critically endangered Eastern bongo. His horns are just starting to come in. Both sexes have lyre-shaped smooth horns with 1 to 1.5 turns. The horns can grow to 2.5 ft long. They are hollow and are made out of keratin. Check out his mom’s beautiful horns.
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Bowyer Update
Bowyer Farm volunteers gathered at Spring Grove Cemetery to collect seeds from a variety of trees such as red oak, white oak, Ohio buckeye, bigleaf magnolias, sweetgum, and more. Back at Bowyer, these seeds will be planted in hopes they will germinate and diversify the representation of species on the property.
(Photo credit: Bowyer Farm volunteer, Karen Weiland)
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Whip Spiders
Whip spiders may not look very cuddly, but did you know they are are actually quite harmless? Those big arms up front work similar to those of a mantis and are used for grabbing and holding onto prey, but these animals have no venom unlike some of their arachnid relatives. They tend to walk sideways like a crab and are not aggressive whatsoever and instead flee from any perceived threats. Their front pair of legs is modified to act like antenna so they can navigate and find food. They are also some of natures best mother’s and carry their babies on their backs for several weeks until they are self-sufficient.
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Ndume’s Birthday – October 10th
Happy 42nd Birthday to Ndume! At 42, Ndume is getting up there in age! Male gorillas typically live between 30-40 years old, but in managed care they can live into their 50s.
At CZBG, we utilize veterinary, nutritional, and animal excellence science to support individuals as they age. This helps our keeper team provide the most impactful care! One recent adjustment we’ve made relates to Ndume’s nightly nesting. Gorillas utilize material and foliage to make nests for sleeping every night, which helps them get more productive sleep compared to non-nesting primates. We began offering an orthopedic material to Ndume, which maintains this natural behavior while supporting aging joints.
Conservation Corner
Exciting Bowyer Farm Discovery
I’m excited to report that a tiger salamander was found this fall at the Zoo’s Bowyer Farm!
Let me emphasize that this was not an easy species to find and was remarkably unexpected.
Tiger salamanders have a large distribution range, however, are considered uncommon in Ohio and especially rare in southwest OH counties.
I would like to acknowledge all the folks doing what they are doing to keep Bowyer Farm wild and promoting biodiversity where it’s needed most. By converting acres of unsuitable land back into wetlands, prairies and woodland edges, we are continuing to find new species as they move back in from the surrounding fragmented habitats. To date we have documented 21 reptile and amphibian species on property!
There is still so much work to be done and more species to be discovered as we continue efforts to promote conservation.
-John Staubach, Reptile Keeper
Staff Updates
Veterinarian Technician Week
Our vet techs Jenny, Amy, Janell, and Joy play a crucial role in keeping animals at the Cincinnati Zoo healthy! We are grateful for our vet techs and their passion for animals & all they do as part of the animal care team!
In Case You Missed It:
From Christina Anderson:
HERE ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS LISTED BELOW AND FOLKS CAN BOOK ON THIS LINK.
Holland & Belgium Along the Dutch Waterways – Gohagan & Company (gohagantravel.com)
Holland
April 26 – May 4, 2024
Escorted by Steve Foltz, Director of Horticulture, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Come join us as we explore the world-famous Keukenhof Gardens in Holland. Celebrate the spectacular beauty of Holland and Flanders in springtime on this uniquely exclusive, 7-night cruise.
Or call 800-922-3088 for assistance. More Info
Highlights include:
- · Private cruise along Amsterdam’s UNESCO World Heritage designated canal district.
- · Enjoy a walking tour of Nijmegen, a university town—originally settled by the Romans in the 1st -century B.C.
- · Guided tour of the prestigious Kröller-Müller Museum, located within De Hoge Veluwe National Park.
- · Discover the Delta Works, an impressive feat of hydraulic engineering that has been hailed as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. GOHAGAN & COMPANY
- · Take a walking tour of Bruges to the Gothic Town Hall, the famous octagonal belfry and tower, and the Church of our Lady, with a visit to see Michelangelo’s Virgin and Child.
- · Admire the windows and Gothic steeples of St. Bavo’s Cathedral and see Hubert and Jan van Eyck’s magnificent altarpiece Adoration of the Mystic Lamb—the most frequently stolen artwork of all time.
- · Explore the Old Town of Antwerp and visit the UNESCO-inscribed belfry at the Cathedral of Our Lady.
- · Walk through the historical Delft, where Johannes Vermeer painted his famous View of Delft from 1660 to 1661.
- · Discover Hoorn, which rapidly grew to become a major harbor town