Another
Year Older: A Time to Look Back with Thanks | Accreditation
AZA Species Survival
Plan | The
Creation of Our Nyala "Herd"
Another One! | Golden Lion Tamarin
Pennies Add Up To An
Adoption | Gift Shop
Humboldt
County Science Fair Awards | Special
Thanks
Summer
Educational Experiences at the Zoo | credits
SPZS Members | Reciprocal
Zoo List
July 1996 marks the thirteenth year since the founding of the
Sequoia Park Zoological Society. The Zoo and Zoo Society have
accomplished a great deal since those first days. This issue of
the Newsletter offers supporters a review of some of the
developments of the past year, with thanks.
Accreditation
The Zoo received accreditation status from the American
Zoological and Aquarium Association (AZA). This honor is a
recognition of the high professional standards of the Zoo. Please
be sure to read Zoo Superintendent Jack Bellinger's related
article which provides insight into the method and meaning of
accreditation.
Who's Who
Gretchen Ziegler completed her first year as the Zoo's Head
Keeper. Gretchen previously had worked at Wildlife Safari in
Winston, Oregon, and the Topeka Zoo in Kansas. Gretchen has long
been a leader in animal enrichment efforts through the American
Association of Zoo Keepers and considers that aspect of her job
as one of the most rewarding. Gretchen has been a great addition
to the Zoo Crew.
Nyalas
The pair of nyala has become a herd with two remarkable births.
The handrearing of the first infant was truly a success story as
Gretchen Ziegler relates in her article. The second was born on
Christmas day 1995 and is thriving with its mother.
Golden Lion Tamarins SSP Program
What are those golden haired arboreal creatures that look like
tiny monkey-lions? Did Dr. Seuss invade the Zoo? In all their
golden glory they are representatives of the endangered species
of golden lion tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia). Golden lion
tamarins were one of the first animals to be addressed under the
Species Survival Plan (SSP). The articles below, reprinted from
AZA material, give excellent information about the SSP, and
golden lion tamarins. The pair at the Sequoia Park Zoo were both
captive born (Brookfield Zoo in 1983 and National Zoo in 1987)
and have settled into their new environment. Our zoo is proud to
be a participating member in their survival, and pleased that the
golden lion tamarins are receiving a positive welcome.
Sister Zoo
The Zoo Society was pleased to aid our sister zoo by sponsoring
air fare for Ms. Virna (Sabrina) Sagastume to attend the AZA
National Conference in Seattle last fall. Sabrina is the
Education Specialist for the Petencito Zoo in Guatemala. At the
Conference she met administrators, fundraisers, animal care
experts, researchers and educators who can provide knowledge,
support and enthusiasm for the Petencito Zoo. By providing
Sabrina with this opportunity, the Zoo Society made a direct
impact on conservation education in the rainforest.
American Association of Zoo Keepers Conference
Two keepers from the Zoo were able to attend the last AZK
National Conference thanks to Zoo Society support. Gretchen
Ziegler and Laurel Casper flew to Denver and met with keepers
from throughout the country. They were able to exchange
information on animal care and techniques, and to share common
concerns and joys. Of special interest was exchanging ideas and
methods of "animal enrichment". Our Zoo is not alone in
endeavoring to provide its inhabitants with as naturalistic an
environment as possible, including positive mental and physical
stimulation. Gretchen and Laurel returned confident about the
existing program and eager to implement new ideas.
Petting Zoo Funding
A generous donation by Ruth L. Jackson in memory of George J.
Jackson funded the Petting Zoo last summer and for several years
following. This endowment enabled our community to enjoy close
encounters with barnyard animals such as goslings, piglets,
chickens and bunnies at the Zoo. Volunteers do a wonderful job of
helping care for the animals and promoting positive encounters
between people and animals. We are truly thankful for the
generous donation in the name of George Jackson which allows us
to operate the Petting Zoo.
by Jack Bellinger, Zoo Director
It was a great pleasure to be involved with the successful
accreditation of the Sequoia Park Zoo by the American Zoo and
Aquarium Association (AZA). Accreditation by the AZA indicates
that an institution has established and is maintaining an
extensive and significant set of professional standards.
Noteworthy is the fact that the Sequoia Park Zoo is one of the
smallest of the 172 North American zoos and aquariums that have
attained this status. This is a significant accomplishment that
reflects upon the Zoo, the City of Eureka, and everyone in the
community that has contributed support for the Zoo.
The accreditation process was quite extensive and took many years
to complete. Naturally, to become accredited all aspects of
animal care are required to be highly professional, including
that appropriate levels of animal care are performed by qualified
personnel. The zookeeping staff and zoo veterinarians all were
individually interviewed by the review committee. Accreditation
involves far more than animal care, however. Demonstration of
significant community support through donations, volunteerism,
and membership in the Zoological Society is a very important
aspect for accreditation. Other factors that were heavily
considered included fiscal viability, our various educational
activities, development plans, operational organization, security
measures, physical facilities and visitor services, safety and
emergency procedures, management of the collection, participation
in conservation and research programs, and a comparison of the
Zoo's achievements against its adopted statement of goals and
purposes.
In his related press release, Robert Wagner, Chief Administrative
Officer of the AZA, stated that the Association's accreditation
program began in 1972 and is one of the AZA's most comprehensive.
The applicant institution is judged by professional members of
the Association who volunteer their services and expertise to
further the AZA and its programs. Wagner pointed out that
accreditation is a dynamic process that is not easily obtained or
retained by any institution, however large or small. The
Accreditation Commissioners are very diligent in their
responsibilities, which include reviewing all aspects of an
institution's operation on a regular basis. Each institution is
required to resubmit for review at least every five years.
During the Accreditation Commission's review of the reports on
the Sequoia Park Zoo, a number of very positive statements were
made regarding the facility and its operation. Wagner commented
that while the task of becoming accredited is arduous, the
results are most worthwhile. "Once accreditation is granted,
the institution is considered by the Association as a leader in
the profession."
Becoming accredited is an honor in which all of the community has
a share. The Zoo has a long history of community support dating
back to its beginnings in 1907. Without the generous and
persistent support that has been provided by the members of the
Sequoia Park Zoological Society, the residents of the City of
Eureka, and countless individuals who have contributed in a
variety of small and very large ways, the Zoo could not have
become what it has today. Accreditation is not only a fine
compliment to Zoo Staff and the City of Eureka, but also is
rightfully shared with all those who have supported and enjoyed
the Zoo. Congratulations!
The mission of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association's
(AZA's) Species Survival Plan (SSP) Program is to help ensure the
survival of selected wildlife species.
The mission will be implemented using a combination of the
following strategies:
What it is
The Species Survival Plan, or SSP, began in 1981 as a cooperative
population management and conservation program for selected
species in zoos and aquariums in North America. Each SSP manages
the breeding of a species in order to maintain a healthy and
self-sustaining captive population that is both genetically
diverse and demographically stable. Beyond this, SSPs participate
in a variety of other cooperative conservation activities, such
as research, public education, reintroduction and field projects.
Currently, 75 SSPs covering 122 individual species are
administered by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, whose
membership includes 167 accredited zoos and aquariums throughout
North America.
How Species are Selected
A species must satisfy a number of criteria to be selected for an
SSP. Most SSP species are endangered or threatened in the wild
and have the interest of qualified professionals with time to
dedicate toward their conservation. Also, SSP species are often
"flagship species," Well-known animals which arouse
strong feelings in the public for their preservation and the
protection of their habitat. Examples include the giant panda,
Sumatran tiger and lowland gorilla. New SSPs are approved by the
AZA Wildlife Conservation and Management Committee, with input
from the appropriate Taxon Advisory Group (TAG), which manages
conservation programs for related groups of species (great apes,
bears, freshwater fish, etc.).
How it Works
Each SSP has a qualified species coordinator who is responsible
for managing its day-to-day activities. Management committees
composed of various experts assist the coordinator with the
conservation efforts for the particular species, including
aspects of population management, research, education and
reintroduction when feasible. In addition, each institution
holding an SSP animal has a representative who may attend SSP
meetings and coordinates relevant SSP activities at their
institution. The overall program is administered by AZA's
Conservation and Science Office in Bethesda, MD in consultation
with the AZA Wildlife Conservation and Management Committee
(WCMC). Nonmember institutions may participate in SSPs, but must
adhere to AZA's Code of Professional Ethics and have appropriate
facilities and expertise to care for the animals.
The SSP Master Plan
An SSP Master Plan outlines the goals for the population. It
designs the "family tree" of a particular captive
population in order to achieve maximum genetic diversity and
demographic stability. Breeding and other management
recommendations are made for each animal with consideration given
to the logistics and feasibility of transfers between
institutions, as well as maintenance of natural social groupings.
Often, Master Plans include recommendations not to breed animals,
to avoid having the population outgrow the available holding
space.
The Studbook
Studbooks are fundamental to the successful operation of SSPs, as
each contains the vital records of an entire captive population
of a species, including births, deaths, transfers and family
lineage. With appropriate computer analysis, a studbook enables
the species coordinator and management group to develop a Master
Plan that contains sound breeding recommendations based on
genetics, demographics and the species' biology. Data for each
studbook is compiled and constantly updated by a "Studbook
Keeper" who has knowledge of the species and time to assist
in its conservation.
The Husbandry Manual
Many SSPs have developed husbandry manuals, which set guidelines
based on the best current scientific knowledge for the diet and
care of the species in captivity. With standardized practices, it
is easier to detect potential health and husbandry problems. In
addition, because the guidelines provide consistency among
participating institutions, it is also easier to transfer animals
between institutions when necessary.
Conservation Action
Several SSPs include reintroduction projects, though
reintroduction of animals to the wild is not the goal of every
SSP. For native species, SSPs are often linked to U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service Endangered Species Recovery Plans. While captive
breeding and reintroduction are not the panaceas for the
endangered species problem, reintroduction projects have been
successful in returning certain species to their natural places
in the ecosystem. SSPs for which reintroduction is not
appropriate have a positive impact on assisting the wild
population through fund-raising to support field projects and
habitat protection, development of new technologies, public and
professional education programs, and basic and applied research.
- Copyright American Zoo and Aquarium Association
by Gretchen Ziegler, Head Keeper
Nala gets acquainted with mom.
The Sequoia Park Zoo had a somewhat unexpected addition to the
nyala antelope group with the birth of a female calf on April 7,
1995. Although we suspected the mother was pregnant, we were
anticipating the birth later in the season-another fine example
of how animals routinely ignore the plans of their human
caregivers. Taking this in stride as any good zoo staff must, we
soon realized that there was a problem with the infant as it lay
shivering on the ground in the rain. When we brought her indoors
to warm her up we discovered that her right front leg was broken.
We suspected that she had been stepped on or kicked by one of the
inexperienced adults. This is a young pair who had their first
offspring, which did not survive, in July of 1994.
Due to the severity of the break, veterinary care would be long-term, so the difficult decision was made to hand-rear her. Hand-rearing is a last resort since it is always better to keep zoo babies with their mother whenever possible, and hand-rearing is not only very staff-time consuming, but often results in "imprinting" of the baby on its human caregivers instead of their own species. However, after the initial difficulties of splinting the leg and coaxing her onto the bottle with goat's milk, "Nala" settled down nicely and began to thrive. While we fretted over proper milk formula ratios, weight gains and healing bones, "Nala" delighted us with her increasing mobility (in spite of a cumbersome splint) and her emerging personality.
Nala gets used to the cast.
Before we knew it, "Nala" had grown several inches,
added 20 pounds, and was ready to have the splint removed on May
24. We were all very anxious to see if the badly broken leg had
healed properly. The vet manipulated the break site and was
pleased with what he felt, although the leg itself was atrophied
and very weak. Within just a few days of use, the leg was
functioning and looking close to normal. After that it was time
to begin the weaning process, in spite of many protests from
"Nala" who had developed quite a taste for goat's milk.
At the same time she graduated from her small indoor quarters to
a bigger grassy pen built for her behind the elk barn, where she
enjoyed kicking up her heels and grazing on clover. Over the
weeks, her limp became less and less noticeable.
Almost grown up and castless.
Finally, by mid-July she was weaned and eating solids exclusively. She was ready to move onto exhibit. We chose the middle paddock where she could see her parents and perhaps learn a little about her true identity. Both of the adults showed interest in their new neighbor, although recognition was unlikely since they had not seen her since she was born. "Nala" however wanted only to follow her keepers along the fence line, which was frustrating for her and us. A phone call to the nyala studbook keeper and species manager in Mississippi changed our minds about the possibility of putting her back in with her parents. Originally we thought this would not be possible until she was nearly adult size due to the apparent aggression towards her upon her birth. We were assured that, done slowly and carefully, we should be able to incorporate her into the pair while still young, thus providing her with the valuable company of conspecifics.
We began (a little nervously) with the introduction of the mother by moving the male to another pen and opening the gate between the females. Initially they both pretended to ignore one another and explore the new yards, but by mid-day they were grooming each other and nearly inseparable. We were ecstatic! We allowed these two to bond for one week with the male next door getting used to seeing them together. The following Monday we opened his gate and let them in together while we held our breath, ready to separate them in case the male got aggressive. Thankfully this last introduction went beautifully. The male greeted both the females gently, and "Nala" seemed perfectly at ease. Thus our nyala "herd" was created!
"Nala" continues to do well with her parents, seems to accept their company, and now shows no trace of a limp. As she matures, we will explore the possibilities of contraception so that we may leave her with the adults without risk of inbreeding. For now we are very pleased with our success story and look forward to your visit to see our new and improved nyala exhibit! We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge with many thanks Cherry Laforge for the gracious donation of fresh goat's milk for "Nala's" formula, and to June Lowman, a zoo docent who volunteered her time to supervise "Nala's" many exercise sessions.
Another nyala was born at the Zoo on Christmas day of 1995. Here he is getting to know his mom.
The American Zoo and Aquarium Association
Description:
The golden lion tamarin is a rare and beautiful primate. This
small monkey weighs around 1 1/22 lbs. and sports a silky,
golden coat and a lion-like mane. Its fingers and hands are long
and slender and are partially webbed. The tamarin's face is bare
of hair.
Range:
Golden lion tamarins are currently found only in a small area of
Brazil northeast of Rio de Janeiro.
Habitat:
Tamarins live in scattered remnants of the Atlantic coastal
rainforest at elevations from 15003000 feet. They inhabit
abandoned nestholes in the middle level of the forest canopy 30
feet above the forest floor. Each tamarin family maintains a
territory of around 100 acres, defined by scent marking and
inter-group vocalizations. Their natural enemies are snakes and
birds of prey.
Diet:
Tamarins eat fruit, insects and eggs and occasionally catch small
lizards, toads, and frogs.
Social Organization:
Tamarins tend to be monogamous and remain with the same mate.
This breeding pair forms the base for the small family group of
three to six tamarins. The adult male and older offspring help
the adult female care for her young. She produces one or
sometimes two litters a year, usually consisting of twins. Groups
communicate in the dense forest with a wide variety of
vocalizations.
Conservation Status:
There are only about 600 golden lion tamarins left in the wild.
They are listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, endangered in the IUCN Red Book, and in Appendix I of
CITES.
Threats to Survival:
Several threats combine to make the golden lion tamarin's
position in the wild a precarious one. The Atlantic coastal
rainforest has been almost completely developed for plantations,
cattle grazing and condominiums. Only isolated forest tracts
remain. They have also been frequently captured for the sale as
pets in nearby Rio de Janeiro. They are highly susceptible to
human diseases like rubeola and herpes viruses. Finally, tamarin
groups are so small and so scattered that there is the danger
they may be inbreeding and losing their genetic diversity.
Zoo Programs - SSP:
Captive tamarins reproduced poorly until behavioral studies
determined the best social organization and group size for
successful breeding and rearing. Tamarins also had a high
mortality rate in captivity until zoos discovered that they need
insects or meat protein in their diet and vitamin D from
sunlight. The numbers in North American zoos have multiplied from
70 tamarins in 1969 to around 500 animals in 1995. The number of
institutions involved in international management programs now
totals 140 institutions worldwide in North America, Europe,
Australia, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and South America. Zoos
are using contraceptive implants to help control the numbers of
captive tamarins: currently young are being produced only to
maintain a zoo population of about 500 to reintroduce to the
wild.
Location and number of Golden Lion Tamarins in captivity.
Conservation:
A golden lion tamarin biological reserve was created in Brazil in
1974. Poco das Antas is a 6,000 hectare (approximately twenty
square miles) reserve located about 100 km (60 miles) northeast
of Rio de Janeiro. About 40% of the reserve has mature forest.
Work is being done to reforest sections and to prevent fire by
constructing fire breaks in the reserve. The Golden Lion Tamarin
Conservation Program is funded by a collection of conservation
and zoological institutions and is organized by the National Zoo,
Smithsonian Institution.
Education:
Education programs are increasing public awareness and pride in
the golden lion tamarin in Brazil, and it has become a national
symbol of conservation. Landowners who hold areas with potential
tamarin habitat are a major focus of the education program. Some
have created permanent, private reserves where tamarins have been
successfully reintroduced. A waiting list of landowners who want
to become involved has developed. The program is also developing
stronger ties with Brazilian zoological facilities.
Reintroduction Efforts:
Nearly 140 captive-bred animals have been released in the Poco
das Antas Biological Reserve and surrounding area since 1984.
Animals from several different zoos are typically first sent to
the National Zoo, where they are given a taste of independence.
They are "free-ranging" in a patch of woods on the zoo
grounds, constrained only by a "psychological cage"
which keeps them near a nest box and food source. Additional
zoos, e.g. Atlanta, Portland and Brookfield have also developed
"free ranging" exhibits. After a few months of this
training, they are sent to the Golden Lion Tamarin Project
Headquarters at Poco das Antas. There they are provided with nest
boxes and food, but the food is moved farther and farther away
and gradually reduced to encourage natural foraging. Out of those
successfully reintroduced, 30 have survived to date, and they
have successfully raised 95 offspring. Some offspring are the
result of pairings between captive and wild-born animals.
For additional, easy to read and well illustrated information -
Species Survival Plans: Strategies For Wildlife Conservation
by American Zoo and Aquarium Association, 1994, $18.00
AZA Membership Services
Oglebay Park, Wheeling, WV 26003-1698
(304) 242-2160
by Phillis Taborski
Winship Junior High School adopted animals at the Sequoia Park Zoo for the second year in a row.
"I'm glad to be helping. I think our school is the best because we care about the animals," stated Mary Grounds, an eighth grade student at Winship.
The funds for these adoptions were raised by the entire school with the Builders Club coordinating a penny drive. Donations were collected by each home room class. All the proceeds, except for a prize for the class raising the most money, was donated to animal adoption and preserving native habitats.
The penny drive was a success according to Julianne Hutchison, last year's Builders Club president. She added, "We're glad to donate half of the money to the rain forest and the other half to the zoo animals."
This year Bill and Ziggy, along with the prairie dogs, benefited from the fund raising. The SPZS received $193.24 from the Eureka students. And yes, the money was converted from pennies into a check before it was handed over to Society president Robert Taborski.
The two classes that collected the most money were given the honor of selecting which animals to adopt. Deborah Petrank's class adopted Bill and Ziggy, and Bill Funkhouser's class chose the prairie dogs.
The Builders Club used half of the funds collected to purchase for preservation a piece of the rain forest in South America.
Nicole Braafladt, student body president this fall, summed up the fund raising drive by stating, "We did an awesome job raising money for the zoo animals! It took forever to roll those pennies."
The Gift Shop is always a great place to stop during a visit to the Zoo. Faye and Arlene have it stocked with fun and educational items like puzzles and posters, animal replicas and t-shirts. The money raised in the Gift Shop goes to support the Zoo. The Gift Shop serves as an information center and both the ladies delve in to accomplish much needed Zoo Society tasks. Thanks to Faye and Arlene for the wonderful job they are doing.
The Sequoia Park Zoological Society Awards are presented to recognize excellent effort in the study of science and to encourage continuing development in understanding and appreciation of the life forms with which we share this planet.
Congratulations to the award recipients:
Heidi Neal
Winship 7th Grade
for her project regarding:
Color Responsiveness in Hummingbirds
Jennifer French
Hydesville 7th Grade
for her project regarding:
Are Cows Colorblind?
Luke Thornton
Washington School
for his project regarding:
Flamingo Social Heirarchy
There are many dedicated volunteers in the Society.
The docents deserve acclaim for hours of touring school groups, doing outreach programs and presenting the Curiosity Cart.
Phillis Taborski, Membership Chairperson, maintains current lists, provides labels and does renewals.
Those dedicated people who raised money for the chimpanzee enclosure deserve special praise, as does everyone who sold and/or ate the chocolate bars provided by Sjaak's Fine Chocolates. More on this topic and the Chimpanzee Art Show in the next newsletter.
Although not a volunteer, Sheryl Steiner, Education Specialist, not only ran the education programs, adopt-an-animal program, and continued her education, she and her husband had a baby girl in November. Congratulations!
Zoo Camp
Welcome to June Lowman who will be providing summer classes and
camp in Sheryl Steiner's abscence. Zoo Camp will be held August
6-9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. To register for Zoo Camp or for
more information on summer education opportunities, call June at
442-6552.
Mammal Mania
August 6-9, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Did you know that whales, bats and people all have something in
common? The Zoo has many mammals to discover. Find out what makes
an animal a mammal and why fish, birds and snakes are not. Learn
which mammals are the fastest, largest and best jumpers. Test
your skills against other mammals. Make bear tracks, check out
mammal skulls and play many exciting mammal games. We will
explore a different Zoo mammal every day. Come and learn what the
Zoo mammals eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You might be
surprised at the menu!
A Day at the Zoo
Friendly, Ferocious Felines
June 28, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Do you know how to tell a small cat from a large cat? The answer
may surprise you! Learn the differences and similarities between
your cuddly kitty and its wild untamed cousins. Did you know the
cheetah is the fastest land animal on earth? Find out what makes
cats such excellent hunters.
Birds of a Feather
July 12, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Did you know that the biggest bird in the world can't fly but can
run 45 miles per hour? Find out why most male birds are so
brightly colored. Make an owl footprint and build your own bird's
nest. Come and discover the birds that have made Sequoia Park Zoo
their home.
The Wolf: Friend or Foe
July 19, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Why do wolves howl? Learn why wolves hunt and live in packs. Did
you know that the ancestors of all dogs are wolves? What do kids
and wolves have in common? What can you do to help save the
wolves? Become a wolf and find out the answers to these and other
questions as we explore the world of the wolf.
Masters of the Sky
July 26, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Learn how the eagle became a symbol of pride in the United
States. Find out what makes birds of prey such excellent hunters.
Did you know that an eagle can see a rabbit from two miles away?
Find out what you can do to help save these magnificent creatures
of the sky.
Slithery Snakes
August 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Why do most people shy away from reptiles? Did you know that the
giant dinosaurs were also reptiles? Find out why reptiles shed
their skin and rattlers shake their tails. See why being
"cold-blooded" has given this animal a bad rap! Come
join us for this hands-on experience as we explore the reptiles
in the Zoo.
The Newsletter is published periodically by the Sequoia Park Zoological Society, 3414 W Street, Eureka, California 95503, 707-442-6552. ©1996 SPZS. Permission is required prior to reprinting any SPZS material.
Contributors to the Summer issue: Linda Arnold (editor), Rick Siegfried (typesetting, design & layout), Phillis Taborski (labels and membership); Articles: Linda Arnold, Jack Bellinger, Laurel Casper, Phillis Taborski, Gretchen Ziegler. Special thanks to the AZA for SSP and Tamarin texts. Nyala photos courtesy of Gretchen Ziegler. Golden Lion Tamarin photos by Rick Siegfried. Tamarin illustration by Diane Macci.
The Board of Directors
Robert Taborski, President
David Hull, Vice President
Pixie Carson, Secretary
Melinda Perris, Treasurer
Jack Bellinger, Ex Officio
Linda Arnold
Mary Jean Cronan
Linda Manfredi
Claudia Padilla
Ken Rieke
Jane Schwarz
Rick Siegfried
Kim Thomas
Summer Hours
The Zoo is open until 7:00 p.m. through September. The Petting
Zoo hours are 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Zoo is closed Mondays.
Enjoy!