Volunteer Updates and Opportunities
Log Those Hours
Make sure that you have all your hours logged by Monday! I will be running the report to request the complimentary tickets for the 2024 Season (Nov 2023-Oct 2024). More information to come on pick up, but make sure your hours are up to date by Monday, 10/7, by 9:00am.
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Volunteer Appreciation Picnic
LAST CHANCE TO RSVP – Make sure that you RSVP if you are planning to attend the Volunteer Appreciation Picnic! YOUR RSVP is submitted through Better Impact, and any volunteer that has logged at least 40 hours is eligible to RSVP. If you had any issues reaching the milestone this year, please contact your supervisor or me (Volunteer Manager).
Information on the event will be sent out on Tuesday, 10/8! You won’t want to miss the celebration – We have some incredible raffle prizes (like a personal tour of Elephant Trek with Cecil), good food and other fun experiences (did someone say scooterpals??)
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Carhartt at Work Event – Rookwood Location
| Announcing the upcoming Carhartt at Work event, set to take place from October 6th to October 20th, 2024. As a Carhartt at Work member, we are getting an exclusive 25% discount during this period, an increase from the usual 15% off. This is open to all Zoo employees, volunteers, Interns, Teens, etc. Please have your Zoo Badge with you to confirm your eligibility. Rookwood Commons2685 Edmondson RoadCincinnati, OH 45209513.657.7130 |
Zoo Updates
Elephant Trek is Open
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What’s Under and Behind Elephant Trek?
A Note from Christina Gorsuch, Director of Animal Care:
For the first time in 118 years, there are no elephants in the Elephant House. While bittersweet, I am so happy to share that all 8 elephants are now in their new home at Elephant Trek! This was the definition of a team effort with members from literally every department in the zoo working together over the past year to make this day happen. Huge thanks to the Facilities team for all their work making Trek a reality as well as moving 8 elephants in one year! (a record for any AZA facility that we know of!)
I can barely put into words how proud I am of this elephant team for their tireless work to arrive at this day. 11 months running two separate barns while training new people, new elephants, and working [large] animals in an active construction zone would be enough to drive the average team over the edge. Add to that the challenge of numerous elephant moves, introductions, illnesses, setbacks, and a bull [elephant in musth] and I could not be more in awe of the strength and success of this team. Congratulations to everyone for reaching this gargantuan milestone! Our road continues but the completion of this journey should be celebrated by all.
Elephant Trek is open to the public and all are welcome to come visit! Mai Thai and Schottzie will be easing into their new home and neighbors with their most familiar keepers over the next several months, spending most of their time in the barn and Yard 3. Variations on the family herd and the bachelor boys can been seen every day in Yard 2. Thanks again to the entire zoo family for your support in getting us here.
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Tips for the Greenest Zoo in America
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Jack-o-lantern Glow
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ZooTales
This episode dives into the world of rats, separating fact from fiction! Through an expert interview with keeper Keri Ann, listeners gain a fresh perspective on the intelligence & benefits of rats in ecosystems. https://cincinnatizoo.podbean.com/e/spooky-series-debunking-myths-about-rats/
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Vote for Us! Voting Ends October 11th!
Cincinnati Zoo’s Solar Carport was nominated for the 2024 Solar Builder Project of the Year awards! The new system is now the largest publicly accessible urban solar array in the country. Vote for us here: https://solarbuildermag.com/projects/vote-project-of-the-year-2024-1-mw-to-10-mw/
Voting Ends October 11th! You can vote once a day until then!!
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Access For All in the News
The Zoo’s Access for All program was recently featured in the Fall issue of My Life magazine!
My Life is a quarterly publication distributed by Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services that shares information about local events and resources for individuals with disabilities. In their most recent issue, the Zoo shared some of the accessibility resources we have here that help make everyone’s Zoo visit as comfortable as possible.
The magazine also interviews local celebrities and featured our very own Thane Maynard in this issue! See below for the full article about Access for All and for Thane’s interview. To learn more about our Access for All program, check out our Access for All page,
See below for a link to the full publication!
https://issuu.com/hamiltonddservices/docs/my_life_fall_2024
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Plant & Animal Updates
Meet Luke
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Adorable Otter Nap Time
Have you ever seen a cuter duo taking a nap in a log?
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Tiger Teeth
Tiger teeth are 3 inches long. Next time you see a tiger yawn at the zoo, notice the big space between the molars and canines. This makes it easier for them to grasp their prey tightly.
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Kal
Kal looking extra sweet! The bat-eared fox can rotate its cup-shaped ears independently to pinpoint the exact location of prey.
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Scamper
Scamper the rescued red fox is doing well and training to become an ambassador animal. His story will be used to educate guests that exotic animals do not make good pets.
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Seyia’s Birthday – 9/28
Happy 15th Birthday to Seyia the black rhino! Black rhinos are currently listed as critically endangered.
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Leaf Cutter Ants
Did you know that our Leaf Cutter Any colony gets fresh leaves every single day – even in the winter?
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Giraffe – Did you know?
Giraffes occasionally sit or lie down, but not for long! They fold their legs under their bodies when lying down, but they maintain their necks lifted high.
Conservation Corner
Fall Migration – Be a Part of the BIG Day
Just like Global Big Day, October Big Day is a chance for bird lovers around the world to come together. Last year, 36,332 people from 191 countries submitted 83,735 checklists through eBird, proving the incredible power of birds to unite us all. Each year, more participants join this global event—how many will contribute this year?
Wherever you are on 12 October, take a few minutes to join this global celebration, whether you’re at home or exploring the outdoors. By participating, you’ll also be celebrating Global Bird Weekend and World Migratory Bird Day. Be part of the global birding community and help set a new record this October!
Join the movement and learn more here:
https://ebird.org/news/october-big-day-12-oct-2024
Lights Out Blog
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Meet our Fellows
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Sihek News
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All About the Plants that make Elephant Trek BEAUTIFUL
Volunteer Corner
Bowyer Volunteers Visiting Elephant Trek
This lovely group of volunteers from Bowyer Farm were able to take in the sights and sounds of Elephant Trek during the Volunteer Preview!
*If you have photos you would like to share for the update, shoot them to me in an e-mail [email protected].
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AZA Update about Hurricane Helene
Many people have asked is there were AZA institutions that were impacted by Hurricane Helene, this was shared in a recent E-mail:
We have now been in touch with affected AZA members, and no staff, volunteers, or animals have been lost. This is a tribute to your dedication and preparation, and another reminder of the importance of the drills that are a mainstay in AZA’s accreditation standards and inspections.
Tragically, several of our member facilities have suffered substantial damage. Here is what we know.
The Florida Aquarium, Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park, and Busch Gardens Tampa sustained minimal damage, and all were able to reopen the day following Hurricane Helene.
Mote Marine Laboratory sustained substantial damage and is still closed. Clearwater Marine Aquarium, a participant in AZA’s Pathway Toward Membership, also sustained substantial damage and is still closed. Vulnerable animals from both facilities have been relocated.
South Carolina’s Greenville Zoo sustained substantial damage due to flooding and downed trees. Although phone and internet service have been restored, they are still running critical systems on generator power. They do not know when permanent power will be restored. Bill Cooper reports that his zoo team is doing a remarkable job, but many major trees need removal before they can reopen. Other AZA members are offering support and he is working with the city government to hopefully find a way to accept that assistance.
The Western North Carolina Nature Center is devastated, due to the loss of the bridge that is the main access route to the facility. Chris Gentile has reported that all staff and animals are secure, although the facility will be closed for the foreseeable future. Again, there has been an outpouring of offers for support, and the North Carolina Zoo and SSA Group have sent crews, crucial supplies, and food for employees. Again here, communications networks have been substantially compromised.
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Looking for Garden Volunteer Opportunities around town?
Christina Anderson shared information about Rotary Do Days and several volunteer projects involving gardens. If you are interested, feel free to check out the opportunities below!
Loveland Learning Garden project takes place on Saturday, October 26th. Loveland Learning Garden is used for school day, afterschool and summer programs to connect kids to nature. Click this link to learn more about the project and to volunteer: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4BA8A629ABFEC25-50097030-loveland#/
Betts-Longworth Historic District project takes place on Saturday, October 26th. Volunteers will stain fences surrounding the gardens at Hays-Porter School garden and Betts-Longworth Community Garden. Volunteers will also perform general autumn clean up at both gardens to prepare for winter—pruning, cutting down, pulling plants etc. Click this link to learn more about the project and to volunteer: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4BA8A629ABFEC25-50037372-bettslongworth#/
NewPath Child and Family Solutions project takes place on Friday, October 25th. Volunteers will help to clear weeds and even small tree growth on the paths, trails and ropes course. NewPath kids and young adults have all fallen victim to various levels of trauma in their lives. This program helps to normalize their childhood with activities that all kiddos should receive. The kids use the paths and trails for biking and hiking. Click this link to learn more about the project and to volunteer: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4BA8A629ABFEC25-50097104-newpath#/
Tikkun Farm project takes place on Saturday, October 26th. Volunteers will work on expanding native planting rows to increase pollinator activity for the following season. This will include planting lots of native perennials, shrubs and trees, as well as, forming new beds and edging them with logs. Click this link to learn more about the project and to volunteer: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4BA8A629ABFEC25-50097302-tikkun#/