Wild Times

Summer 2015 Member Newsletter

Summer HourS 10am – 7pm every day!

- Lisa Tate, Executive Director

red river Zoological Society Board of directors

Director’s Note

PresidentKrista andrews

Vice PresidentBrad dahl

TreasurerBrenda podetz

SecretaryChris alberty

DirectorsSteven dewald

marshall mcCulloughduane durrLaura Carley

Brad dahlBarry Schuchard

Karen KelnerCarolyn Boutain

Betty OpheimJeff Fellman

Timothy S. dirksmason pearsons

Front Cover: Pintail Duck mitch Highman

dear Friends,

Have you been to your Zoo in the last few weeks? If not, you are in for some surprises! The Zoo staff has been very busy preparing for the summer. We been building and planning for new exhibits and features for you to learn from and enjoy!

your Zoo is pleased to have received a donation of a much needed electric utility vehicle and trailer! donated

by a new Fargo company, electric vehicles Unlimited!

With numerous pieces of Bobcat equipment and 16 hard workers we were able to make substantial progress on two big projects: our new wolf holding area and our new Nature Stage.

also last month a much needed maintenance vehicle and trailer were donated by the electric vehicles Unlimited, a new Fargo company, specializing in environmentally friendly vehicles.

your Zoo is 100% nonprofit and our resources are very limited so in-kind donations really allow us to make important work happen! please take a minute to join me in saying THaNK yOU to these wonderful community-minded companies for their help and support for your red river Zoo!!

Because of some important in-kind donations, we have been able to make more things happen even faster! Thanks to the help from our friends at Cass County electric Cooperative, we were able to enclose our North american duck marsh exhibit and place our beautiful waterfowl back on exhibit. We had to net the entire area to prevent our collection animals from coming into direct contact with wild mallards who are carriers of avian flu.

Cass County electric Cooperative made this project possible by donating large poles and placing them for us to attach the net. another big thank you goes out to doosan / Bobcat corporation employees who came to your Zoo on their day of Caring.

do you share a passion for the red river Zoo and photography? Share your photos with us and enter them into the 2015 red river Zoo photo Contest for a chance to see your portraits displayed in the 2016 calendar.

The first place winner will have their work displayed on the calendar’s cover and a Free Household membership. all you need to do is enter your photos on Flickr!

(www.flickr.com/groups/rrzphotocontest2015 )

Tuesday, August 18th, 2015 • 4-8pmThe Zoo will be closed at 3:00 and re-open for members only at 6:00pmPlease RSVP with the number attending to membership@redriverzoo.org

2015 reD rIVer Zoo PHoTo CoNTeST!

Creature FeatureWhat do I look like?Like many other kinds of birds, the males of my species look different from

the females. you can tell I am a male because of the black stripes on my back and my long tail feathers that make up ¼ of my entire body’s length. I am pretty light, and I weigh only about three pounds. This makes me about the same size as other ducks. If I spread my wings all the way out, my wingspan will measure about three feet.

What do I eat?I am an omnivore. I like to eat vegetation like aquatic plants, pond weeds, and

sea grasses. But, I also like to snack on frogs, bugs, small fish and crustaceans. my long neck helps me find food that is more than one foot under water. I am a dabbler, which means I find food close to the surface. Other dabbling ducks, like the mallard, cannot reach as far into the water as I can.

Where do I live?I have the widest range of any other duck. I can be found on every continent

except antarctica. I have been known to breed in North america, europe and asia. I live in wetlands like marshes, lagoons, ocean coastlines, rivers, and lakes. I like to breed in wetlands with tall grass to protect my nest. my nest is usually found farther away from water than other ducks’ nests.

How big is my family?I mature and start looking for a mate after I reach one year of age. Our breeding

season is between april and June. every year, I try to attract a new mate. When I am trying to impress a female duck, I stretch out my beautiful neck and display my unique feathers. The female hen will lay five to ten pale green eggs that she will incubate for 22-24 days. That’s a little over three weeks. after the chicks hatch, they make their way to the water so they can have their first meal of insects. In about a month and a half the chicks will be ready to fly.

• A female Pintail Duck is called a hen and a male is called a drake.

• Northern Pintail Ducks are capable of flying up to 65 miles per hour! That’s about the speed you drive down the interstate.

• Pintail Ducks are known to be one of the first species of ducks to migrate in the start of the season. When they fly, they travel together in a v-formation.

• Northern Pintail Ducks normally eat in the late evening and into the night.

Northern Pintail Ducks at the Red River ZooThe red river Zoo is home to three male Northern pintail ducks.due to the H5N2 avian Influenza (the bird flu) their exhibit needed to be renovated as an extra precaution to keep them safe from getting sick from wild birds. Their habitat is in the newly renovated marsh exhibit. Thanks to the help from Cass County electric Cooperative, the new exhibit is already completed.Zoo goers love to enjoy the marsh exhibit and feed the many different

waterfowl that live with the Northern pintail ducks.

Did You Know?

Northern Pintail Duck

Bobcat’s day of Caring at the red river Zoo included 16 Doosan/Bobcat employees coming to the Zoo and volunteering their time, equipment and talents!

The red river Zoo now has a Nature Stage! Children and adults will soon be able to enjoy puppet shows, keeper chats, and special presentations on this special outside platform. The construction of this project along with construction of our wolf holding area (the place where the wolves are when they are not on exhibit) would have taken the Zoo staff many weeks to complete. The construction of this project along with construction of our wolf holding area are now well underway!

Thank you for your support Doosan/Bobcat Cooperation!

due to the H5N2 Avian Influenza (the bird flu) a net was put over the North american Waterfowl exhibit to protect our animals in the marsh. Native mallard ducks are carriers of the disease even if it doesn’t affect them. If the wild birds came into contact with the waterfowl at the Zoo, our birds could contract the disease. The marsh was netted so we know our ducks will be protected and now there is a walk-in vestibule so guests can see the ducks even better.

This was unexpected and the Zoo had little time to prepare. This project could also have been very costly. Thanks to our friends at Cass County electric Cooperative, this project was completed in just a few weeks. Cass County electric donated the large poles as well as the installation!

Thank you for all your help and support Cass County electric Cooperative!

day OF CarING

Ask the Zookeeper“What happened to the Zoo Farm?”

Thanks to the support of our generous donors and members, the red river Zoo is growing and improving! The Children’s Zoo Farm was the first exhibit built at the red river Zoo and was in need of a facelift and updating. Over the past two years Zoo staff have been working to formulate the concept of a dynamic new space. The re-imagined Zoo Farm will be a fun based learning area that promotes health and well-being for visitors. Goals included having areas that will improve the health and wellness of families, teach children about where their food comes from, and encourage everyone to engage with the natural world. a renewed Zoo Farm and a nature playground present unique opportunities for interactive education to visitors, while furthering our mission of outstanding conservation and educational contributions. The new exhibit will feature large barns and an interpretive center where kids can learn all about nature and agriculture. This is a major project for the Zoo which required demolition of the existing Zoo Farm structures.

With construction of a new exhibit, comes rearranging and changes. We have some of our Zoo Farm animals, including the chickens, goats and rabbits temporarily living in the future Nature playground area near the pencil Fence. Larger animals, such as the cows domino and Charlotte, are off exhibit in a non-public part of the Zoo while their new habitat while their new home is being completed. This new Children’s Zoo Farm will feature even more animals than the ones already living at the Zoo and will focus on endangered domestic farm animals. These animals were once used for agricultural purposes, but were retired by most farmers because they did not produce as many resources as other domesticated species. make sure you keep coming to the Zoo and to show your support see all the changes. an exhibit like this would be impossible without the dedication of our members. make sure you keep coming to the Zoo often---it’s always changing!

-Samantha Bruers, membership manager

• Digitalfoodscales

• Icecreampails

• Utilitywagons

• Smallanimalscales

• Photocopier(withscanningcapabilitiesifpossible)

• Colorprinter/scan/fax/printer(4inone)

• ArtPaper/PosterBoard-foranimalpaintings

• PushBroomHeads-wewillhangthemsohoofstock(e.g.,camels,takin,deer)canrubonthem

• HorseToys

• BirdToys

• Metalchain-usedtohangenrichmentdevices

• Carabiners-usedtohangenrichmentdevices

• Add-a-links-usedtohangenrichmentdevices

• Noveltyicecubetrays(withunusualshapes,notregularsquarecubes)

• Siliconbakingpans-Usedforicetreatsfortheanimals

• Binoculars

• FlashLights

• PetKennels/Crates:neworinverygoodcondition

• Sturdykitchenutensilslikelargespoons,spatulas,etc.:Keepershopetocreatealickingboardforsomeoftheanimalsthatwouldenjoyinvestigatingthesenovelobjects.

• Boatbumpers

• GoodqualityPAsystemforpresentations

• Portableairconditioners

• Newbrooms

• Cuttingtorchsystem

• Wirefeedwelder

• Compoundmitersaw

• Goodwheelbarrow

• Metalchopsaw

• Circularsaw

• Goodconditiontools(e.g.hammers,screwdrivers)

• Qualityworkingchainsaw

• Pruningtools

• BrushforBobcatSkidSteer

• Woodstain

• Newpushmower(Abagger,mulcherandsidedischargedallinone)

• Officesupplies

• Dolliestomoveboxes

• ChildWesternSaddleandAdultWesternSaddle

Wish List...TheRedRiverZooisacompletelyself-fundednon-profit

organizationthatdoesnotreceiveanytaxdollarsorgovernmentfundingtooperateorforourconservationefforts.TheRedRiverZooisaskingforthefollowingneworgentlyuseditemsthatcanbeusedinallareasoftheZoo.Notonlycanyoucleanoutyour

closets,butyoucanhelptheZooatthesametime!

The red river Zoo is home to so many different and unique

species that act as ambassadors to those in the wild. The overall health of these unique and endangered species is very important, and that is why the Zoo was so excited to add rachel Fritz to our team! rachel started in april as the Licensed veterinary Technologist and registrar at the Zoo.

rachel grew up on a Farm in pipestone, minnesota. “I was always trying to fix hurt animals on the farm,” rachel explained with a chuckle. She knew at a young age she always wanted to be around animals. She attended the small animal veterinary Technology program at North dakota State University (NdSU) where she was a student with our attending veterinarian,

MEET RACHEL! New Licensed veterinary Technologist at the red river Zoo

dr. Tom Colville. after graduation, she was hired after an internship with Northern plains animals Health in aberdeen, South dakota before coming to the red river Zoo.

“I am an animal nurse. I cannot diagnose or prescribe, but under the direction of a veterinarian, I can help with medicating, vaccinating, and general animal healthcare,” rachel explains. rachel has a very important role at the Zoo. dr. Tom works to diagnose and prescribe treatments and rachel works with him to treat the animal. The two of them together make a great team and help all the animals at the red river Zoo stay healthy.

rachel is also the Zoo registrar, so good record keeping is a very important part of her job. as a registrar, she is responsible for maintaining permits as well as updating medical and breeding records to accreditation standards.

every day at the Zoo is different and exciting for rachel. most mornings she begins her day doing animal training with the camels and wolves. Training is important so the animals become familiar with both her voice and her touch so when it comes to treat them, the animals will be less stressed. right now, the wolves are being prepared for dental exams. Once the wolves are sedated, rachel and dr. Tom can look for tartar or any other dental issues with the Zoo’s new dental machine. For the future, the Zoo hopes to purchase an X-ray machine, so our vet staff will be able to take a radiograph of an injured animal on Zoo property and not have to transport the animal to an off-site location.

rachel can be found in the new animal Health Center that was formerly the Scales and Tales building at the red river Zoo. When visitors enter the animal Health Center they can view the operating room and table, the treatment area, and also the laboratory. If there are any procedures taking place, people can view and learn about the procedures. There soon will be regularly scheduled vet talks added to our daily schedule of educational talks.

rachel is looking forward to her first Dr. Doolittle Day on July 18! This a day dedicated to teaching people all about veterinary science and how we keep our animals healthy. Some of the veterinary activities scheduled for the day are a teddy bear clinic and blow gun demonstrations. Children who bring in a stuffed animal will receive free admission! make sure you plan to attend and plan to meet rachel and dr. Tom and learn all about animal health!

“I am an animal nurse...I can help with medicating, vaccinating, and general animal healthcare,”

Where did the Scales and Tales Go? don’t worry! all the amphibians and reptiles are still at the red river

Zoo, they just have been re-located. make sure you stop in to the Learning Center, the Wolf Cabin and the North american river Otter

exhibit to see them in their new habitats.

Artwork at your Zoo!The red river Zoo is beautiful

place to explore and view all kinds of different wildlife. Not only is the Zoo the place to see and learn about many types of nature, but it is also a great place to see beautiful works of art. recently, the Zoo has added two new art pieces -- one a mural by Tony Stafki and a special Tree Carving by Curtis Ingvoldstad.

Tony Stafki-Mural Artist: a new mural by Tony Stafki was recently completed in June. The 72’ long mural is located on the outside wall of a large metal building in the Zoo Farm. The beautiful mural, reminiscent of a vintage seed advertisement, was sponsored by agassiz Seed and Supply and will be a great addition to the new Children’s Zoo Farm that is scheduled to open later this summer.

as a young child growing up in Oak Grove, minnesota, Tony Stafki knew he loved art. He grew up constantly sketching everything and anything he could think of, especially cartoon characters and wildlife. When he turned 12, he discovered the world of painting after he watched Bob ross on television. He had stacks of oil-painted canvases featuring all different kinds of landscapes.

He loved art, but did not pursue an art degree and attended college at anoka ramsey Community College. While in school, he was introduced to the world of pottery. He worked as a teacher’s aide and helped load kilms, make clay and glazes and also taught students how to throw, carve and paint pottery. during this time, he also was able to use his talents in designing and painting theatre sets.

after college, he went to work for a software engineering company for three years until his entire division was laid-off. Not wanting to go back in the same field, he was hired by a painting company in the Twin Cities. While he worked at this company he learned

how to tape and spackle drywall and use wall paint. after three years he decided to bring his artistic talent and painting background into harmony and opened his own custom painting company. Now he supports his family by doing something he truly loves, creating new worlds for people with

the walls of art! His work covers the walls of many different businesses and homes including the mall of america and a John deere dealership in Kenmare, North dakota. When he is not painting, he is spending time with his wife and seven children at their home in Oak Grove, minnesota.

Curtis Ingvoldstad: Wood Sculptor

most of a very popular Zoo tree had to be cut down, but the base of the tree remained, so Curtis Ingvolstad creatively brought the tree back to life. mostly using a chainsaw, he sculpted and carved it into the stunning new Nature Tree. at first, he was surprised by the structure of the tree, and automatically loved the challenge. He was at the Zoo for seven days to complete the sculpture, so every morning he started his day by walking around the Zoo to find inspiration from the animals.

The Nature Tree features red river Zoo animals and is located by the pencil Fence in the New Children’s Zoo Farm and Nature playground. Be sure to visit it often as it seems like a new animal is discovered in the sculpture at every viewing. Ingvolstad stumbled into his art career. He has always loved nature and science, but thought it would be best to become an engineer. after two years of classes, he knew that he could not continue because he needed something that challenged his creativity. He switched to Studio art at the University of

minnesota and earned his Bachelor degree. after graduation he started his art career in video editing and production. He then discovered oil painting and hand carving. Thirteen years ago, he made another career change and started sculpting and carving wood with a chainsaw. He felt he had finally found a way he could express his appreciation for nature and his love for art. For the first time, he knew he was creating something; something that he was passionate about.

Besides creating beautiful art forms inside his studio and onsite, he also entertains and educates the public with his demonstrations. He has traveled all over the world and has participated in Japan’s biggest carving competition in the small mountain town of Toei.

In his biography he states, “my lifetime loves of speed, art and nature keep pushing me in to new compositions, materials and collaborations.”

When Curtis is not creating beautiful sculptures out of wood in his studio in Nerstrand, minnesota he enjoys hiking and camping with his wife and son.

4255

23r

d Av

enue

Sou

thFa

rgo,

ND

581

04

Non

profi

tU

S P

osta

gePA

IDFa

rgo,

ND

Per

mit

No.

181

1

21 a

nd ol

der e

vent

Join

Us O

ctob

er 1

st!

Tick

ets O

n Sa

le

Now

!ww

w.re

driv

erzo

o.or

g

ZO

Ole

brat

ion!

An

Eve

ning

with

JA

CK H

AN

NA