Interpretive Staff , Docent and Volunteer Training

Living Exhibits is a Las Vegas based corporation that produces and manages interactive marine and avian seasonal exhibits for zoos, aquariums and other attractions.

Living Exhibits was created in 2005 by Mike Yeakle and a number of his colleagues. Mike spent his formative years in the Sea World organization and founded a marine science education program prior to starting up Living Exhibits.

Stingray Bay at the Memphis Zoo will be staffed full time by a Living Exhibits Supervisor and two Animal Care Specialist.

Memphis On-Site Staff:Exhibit Supervisor: Nathan DryerAnimal Care Specialist: Emily BurfordAnimal Care Specialist:Mike Kelly

Charlie StinchcombManager of Zoological Operations

Charlie and his staff of husbandry and animal care specialists oversea the daily animal care and life support elements of our exhibits at client sites throughout the country

Erin Mayall Manager of Client and Visitor Services Erin works with our clients to support exhibit marketing and public relations and will interface with education and interpretive staffs to maximize visitor experience. Allison D. Tuttle, DVM, Diplomate ACZMConsulting Veterinarian

Dr. Tuttle maintains her specialty skills in elasmobranches medicine and provide veterinary direction and support to Living Exhibits client sites.

St. Louis Zoo 2009 to presentMystic Aquarium 2009 to presentMemphis Zoo- 2013Oklahoma City Zoo- 2013Milwaukee County Zoo- 2013

Current Exhibits

Brookfield ZooInteractive Stingray 2007 & 2008

Cleveland ZooInteractive Stingray 2006, 2007 & 2008

Dallas ZooInteractive Stingray 2008

Fresno Chaffee ZooInteractive Stingrays 2007, 2008 & 2009

Jacksonville ZooInteractive Stingray 2008, 2009, 2010

John Ball ZooInteractive Stingray 2006, 2007, 2008 & 2009

Maryland Zoo at BaltimoreInteractive Avian- 2005

Milwaukee ZooInteractive Stingray 2005, 2006 , 2007, & 2008 Interactive Avian- 2009

Paramounts Bonfante GardensInteractive Avian- 2004

Phoenix ZooInteractive Stingray-2007, 2008, 2009& 2010

Potter Park ZooInteractive Avian 2009, 2010

San Francisco Zoo Interactive Avian- 2006

Toronto Zoo Interactive Stingray Exhibit - 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 & 2012

Tulsa ZooInteractive Avian Exhibit 2008

Turtle Bay Exploration ParkInteractive Avian- 2007, 2008 & 2009

Utahs Hogle ZooInteractive Avian 2001, 2002 & 2003

Virginia Beach Aquarium & MuseumInteractive Avian 2005

Cownose Ray: Rhinoptera bonasus

Photo credit: Monterery Bay Aquarium; Patriotspoint.org; vaseagrant.vims.edu

Southern Stingray: Dasyatis americana

Photo credits: Monterery Bay Aquarium; www.projecttnoah.org;

Bonnethead Shark: Sphyrna tiburo

Photo credit: Oceanproaquatics.com; Mote.org; Tnaqua.org; aquariumofpacific.org

Bamboo SharksWhite Spotted: Chiloscyllium plagiosumBrown Banded: Chiloscyllium punctatum

Wild Stingrays are armed with one or more barbs.Location of barb varies by species.Barb is used for defense only.Rays of Stingray Bay have their barbs trimmed regularly, just like getting a nail trim!

Where do the animals in our pool come from?How can you identify males and females?What do they eat?How are the animals transported?Where do the animals go after the exhibit closes?

Exhibit Animals are monitored daily by Living Exhibits staff.Interpretive Guides play integral part in keeping animals safe and providing input to keepers.Daily behavioral enrichment for rays and sharks.

Time Out zone when animals need a break.Photo credit: photostry.com/ www.imagekind.com

How big is the pool?Where do we get the saltwater for pool?How do we monitor the water?How is the water kept clean?

The LSS maintains a healthy marine environment for our animals. Each piece of equipment has a important job to do to ensure the quality of our water.Sand Filters: Filter out small particles in the water such as food, hair and other debris.

Carbon Filters: Filter out organic chemicals, such as sunscreen and lotion from the water.

UV Sterilizer: Emits ultraviolet light that kills bacteria in the water as it passes through the chamber.

Heater/Chiller and Boiler Units: Regulates temperature of the water

Movable Bed: Location to grow good bacteria to eat the nitrogenous waste.

Protein Fractionator: Eliminates protein based waste from the water.

Ozone Generator: Introduces controlled amounts of ozone into water which helps remove pigments and odors.

Water Reservoirs: Storage tanks where salt water is mixed and stored.

Protect the animals in the exhibit!Make sure visitors are rinsing hands and following the rules.If you see something that alarms you or that might injure an animal or person, please try to intervene. If that is not possible or does not work, get one of the animal care staff immediately.Answer visitor questions and educate them about the animals in the exhibit. Animal Care staff is available if you dont know answer or have questions.Inform Animal Care staff of ANY incidents in the exhibit as soon as they happen. This included injuries to animals or visitors and any problems with exhibit visitors.Any instructions given by the Animal Care staff about feeding a specific animal etc. are to be followed exactly.There must be multiple staff monitoring visitors at the pool any time exhibit is open.

Your job as an interpreter, guide, volunteer or docent

Stingrays and sharks may only be touched with a flat palm gently on their backs.

Do not touch or grab stingray/shark tails or fins.

Do not attempt to feed the sharks.

All animals must be allowed to move freely in any direction; they are not to be picked up or handled in any way.

Hands and arms must be rinsed with water at the hand rinse station before they go in the pool to touch the stingrays. Visitors must re-rinse with water after using hand sanitizer.

No running in the exhibit.

No standing on the pool wall.

Splashing, slapping the pool wall and loud noises are discouraged.

No food or drink in the pool area.

No bags, hats, cameras, etc. placed on the pool wall. Everything must be placed on the ground beside the pool.

Place any trash or empty stingray food cups in the proper trash or recycling bins.

Pinching, poking, scratching, tickling, slapping, and inappropriate handling of the animals.

Visitors with large, sharp jewelry.

Visitors trying to grab an animals tail.

Visitors trying to lift the animals to the surface of the water.

Visitors trying to feed the stingrays in an inappropriate or dangerous manner may result in fingers being bitten.

Visitors trying to feed the sharks. Things (gum, hair ties, stingray food cups, rocks) being dropped or thrown into the pool.

Visitors picking up the behavioral enrichment toys and trying to take food out.

Guests are required to rinse hands and forearms to remove lotions, sunscreens & other toxins.Guests can place hands in water and gently interact with rays and sharks.Guests can feed rays at certain times throughout day.Guests will have fun, educational and unique experience at Stingray Bay!

To learn a lot about aquatic animals and their care.To get to know (and love) the individual names and personalities of the animals in the exhibit!To be busy educating and helping guests interact safely with animalsTo have a fun and fulfilling season at Stingray Bay!

Looking forward to a great season!