zoo view - spring 2016

SPRING 2016

L O S A N G E L E S Z O O A N D B O T A N I C A L G A R D E N S

Mayor of Los angeLes

Eric Garcetti

Los angeLes Zoo CoMMission

Karen B. Winnick, PresidentBernardo Silva, Vice President

Yasmine Johnson Tyler Kelley

Marc MitchellRichard Lichtenstein, Ex-Officio Member

Los angeLes Zoo adMinistration

John R. Lewis, Zoo DirectorDenise M. Verret, Deputy DirectorBeth Schaefer, General Curator

Lisa Naples, D.V.M., Chief VeterinarianMei Kwan, Director of Administration and Operations

Tom LoVullo, Construction and Maintenance SupervisorKirsten Perez, Director of Education

Darryl Pon, Planning and Development DivisionDenise Tamura, Executive Assistant

gLaZa offiCers

Betty White Ludden, Co-ChairRichard Lichtenstein, Co-Chair

Nick Franklin, Lori Winters Samuels, Laura Z. Wasserman, Vice Chairs

Phyllis Kupferstein, SecretaryFrederick Huntsberry, Treasurer

Connie M. Morgan, President

gLaZa trustees

Peter Arkley, Margot Armbruster, Charles X Block, James K. Bray, Michael Bustamante,

Tracy Cohen, Richard Corgel, Brian Diamond, Gregory D. Fuss, Lisa Ferigo Gaston, Cassidy Horn,

David V. Hunt, Diann H. Kim, Mona Leites, Beth Price, Patricia Silver, Slash,

Jay Sonbolian, Erika Aronson Stern, Madeline Joyce Taft, Dana Walden,

Jennifer Thornton Wieland

trustees eMeriti

Willard Z. Carr, Jr., Richard Corgel, Ed N. Harrison,Mrs. Max K. Jamison, Lloyd Levitin, Mrs. John F. Maher,

William G. McGagh, Dickinson C. Ross, Shelby Kaplan Sloan, Thomas R. Tellefsen, Polly Turpin

gLaZa adMinistration

Eugenia Vasels, Vice President, Institutional AdvancementHugh J. Miller, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

Kait Hilliard, Vice President, MarketingLisa Correa, Director of Membership

Dawn Petersen-Amend, General CounselSara Rodriguez, Director of Special Events

Pete Williams, Director of Information Technology

ZOO VIEW (ISSN 0276-3303) is published quarterly by the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association, 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027. Periodical Postage paid at Los Angeles, CA. GREATER LOS ANGELES ZOO ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEMBERSHIPS: Individual $55, Individual Plus $79, Family $134, Family Deluxe $175, Contributor $300, Wildlife Associate $500, Conservation Associate $1,000, Safari Society $1,500. Each membership category includes unlimited admission to the Los Angeles Zoo, one-year subscriptions to ZOO VIEW and ZOOSCAPE, and invitations to special events. For more information, call (323) 644-4200 or log on to www.lazoo.org. Copyright © 2016 Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents of this publication without written permis- sion is prohibited. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ZOO VIEW, 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027-1498.

Coming April 15, 2016LAZoo.org/Dinos

UNEXTINCT FOR A LIMITED TIME

CONTENTSSPRING 2016 $3.00

THE QUARTERLY MAGAZINE OFTHE GREATER LOS ANGELESZOO ASSOCIATION

VOLUME L NUMBER 1

INSIdE FRONT COVERBeginning in April, 13 species of dinosaurs will be “unextinct” for a limited time at the L.A. Zoo.’

FRONT COVERA true zoo icon, Randa the Indian rhinoceros arrived in L.A. more than four decades ago. Photo by Jamie Pham

BACk COVERA long-awaited pair of Tasmanian devils arrived in December. The L.A. Zoo is one of only four U.S. zoos to house this species. Photo by Jamie Pham

editor

Brenda Posada

assoCiate editor Sandy Masuo

Web editor Brandi Andres editoriaL CoMMittee

Kait Hilliard, John Lewis, Connie Morgan, Kirsten Perez, Beth Schaefer, Eugenia Vasels, Denise M. Verret

Zoo PhotograPher

Tad Motoyama

gLaZa Photo editor

Jamie Pham

design and ProduCtion Norman Abbey, Pacific Design Consultants

Printing ColorGraphics

Proofreader Lynne Richter

2

8

12

N u r t u r i N g w i l d l i f e a N d e N r i c h i N g t h e h u m a N e x p e r i e N c e

2 PASSING THE TORCH

As an aging ambassador steps aside, hippos take their turn in the spotlight.

8 THE BIG PICTURE

L.A. Zoo animals strike a pose for a famed photographer.

12 CHARMING SNAkES

The serpentine road to snake conservation.

15 ALL HAIL, THE MONARCHSGet to know our local royals—

monarch butterflies.

18THREE CHEERS FOR CHIMPS

New legislation ensures greater protection for chimpanzees.

18GREEN MACHINES

The Zoo unveils electric vehicle charging stations.

19CONNECTING kEEPERS WORLdWIdE

Zoo professionals from around the world unite in Germany.

19EYES ON THE ANIMALS

Research students report on orangutans, eagles, and more.

20HOGWASH!

We debunk popular myths and miscon-ceptions about animals.

21dONOR PROFILE

GLAZA pays tribute to its anonymous benefactors.

G G The American flamingo is

the most brightly colored of all

flamingo species he American the

most all species.

3

b y b r e n d a P o s a d a

very animal is special, but some seem

to wiggle their way a little deeper into the

hearts of those they encounter. That’s certainly

true in the case of Randa the Indian rhinoceros,

who has garnered countless admirers in more

than four decades at the Los Angeles Zoo.

She’s also a bit of a celebrity, since her cutting-

edge cancer treatment in 2009 made head-

lines in both news outlets and medical journals.

A “She is the sweetest animal on the planet,” says

Randa’s primary caregiver, Animal Keeper Jennifer

Gruenewald. For nearly four years, Zoo guests had

the opportunity to experience that sweetness first-

hand through the VIP Indian Rhino Encounter,

which brought small groups behind the scenes to

see, smell, touch, and even feed the gentle giant.

2

JAM

IE P

HA

M

JAM

IE P

HA

M

JAM

IE P

HA

M

G At 46, Randa is the

oldest Indian rhinoceros in

any zoo.

E Rhinos are odd-toed

ungulates, possessing

three toes on each foot.

E E Randa wades in her

pool on a hot day.

Passing the TorchE

G Coming eye to eye with

an Indian rhino leaves an

indelible impression.

CH

AR

LIE

MO

REY

Passing the Torch

4

G Randa in 2007,

before the surgery

that changed her

profile and saved

her life.

H Specialists

from UCLA

Medical Center

were brought

in to assist with

Randa’s cancer

treatment in

2009.

JAM

IE P

HA

M

Having slices of apple delicately plucked from your hand by a 4,300-pound rhinoceros leaves an indelible impression. In the half-hour ses-sions, guests learned about Randa’s diet and daily care, as well as threats facing rhinos in the wild. Gruenewald believes people came away from the encounters with a heightened appreciation for the species and hopes that at least some were motivated to contribute to their conservation. “I think she changed a lot of people’s percep-tions of rhinos because she’s so friendly,” she says. “Especially the kids who came to see her. They’re going to remember that experience for-ever and want to see a rhino again, and maybe even help them one day.” Late last year the decision was made to retire Randa and replace the program with a similar VIP experience starring the Zoo’s hippos—a decision largely based upon Randa’s advanced age (at 46, she’s the oldest Indian rhinoceros in any zoo). She has been experiencing arthritis and other age-related illnesses, and some days just didn’t feel up to greeting her guests. “Like most aging animals, she has her good days and bad days,” Gruenewald explains. “We didn’t want to create any stress on her, so we decided it would be best if we no longer made the behind-the-scenes tours an option.

TA

D M

OT

OY

AM

A

TA

D M

OT

OY

AM

A

That way, if she didn’t come over, we wouldn’t have to cancel and end up disappointing people. And luckily, the hippos were very willing to take over!”

True Survivororn October 5, 1969, at a zoo in Basel, Switzerland, Randa briefly resided in Texas (first at Busch Gardens in Houston, then the Gladys Porter Zoo in Browns-

ville), before being transferred to Los Angeles in November 1974. For a while, attempts were made to breed Randa with the Zoo’s resident male, Herman, but her three pregnan-cies resulted in stillborn calves. Since

Herman’s death in 2001, Randa has been the Zoo’s sole Indian rhinoceros representative. In the wild, female rhi-nos are solitary unless caring for a calf, so Randa’s living arrangements suit her just fine. In 2007, Randa developed what appeared to be a fungal infection of her horn. The infected portion was surgi-cally removed, but her symptoms per-sisted. A biopsy revealed that Randa had squamous cell carcinoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer that also occurs in humans. The veterinary staff decided that Randa’s entire horn should be removed, and the rhino should undergo radiation treatment. Randa was treated in her exhibit,

with assistance from specialists from the UCLA Medical Center. After two rounds of radiation and plenty of follow-up care, she was pronounced cancer free. Her horn grew back, albeit very slowly, and shows no sign of cancer. More recently, staff has been treating Randa for a foot condition and an ongo-ing skin condition. Though the Indian rhino’s thick, plated skin looks like it would be impervious to injury, Randa’s is actually quite sensitive. Keepers rub her down daily with shea butter to keep her moisturized, applying additional ointments to any trouble spots. Randa has always been prone to skin lesions, but they’ve become more of an issue lately. “With her age, her immune sys-

G Randa’s sweet demeanor hasn’t diminished with age.

CH

AR

LIE

MO

REY

B

ZOO VIEW O Spring 5

6

tem just doesn’t work as well as it used to,” Gruenewald explains. “She takes longer to heal.” From her earlier bout with cancer to her current foot and skin issues, Randa has been an extremely coopera-tive patient. Today, a bandage covers Randa’s entire foot in an effort to keep it clean and allow it to heal. Gruenewald reveals that dressing Randa’s foot takes an hour each day, but the rhino remains still and patient throughout—and even seems to enjoy the procedure. “One person will be massaging her while others are wrapping her foot. She loves the attention.” Thanks to Randa’s easygoing atti-tude—and the close bond she has developed with her keepers—these treatments can be performed without the need for anesthesia, which can be especially dangerous for senior animals. That bond also helps keepers moni-tor changes in Randa’s demeanor. “She wears her emotions on her sleeve,”

Gruenewald says. “If she’s having a bad day, it might not be noticeable to the public, but it’s apparent to us.” For now, Randa’s good days out-number the bad, and even as she shows signs of slowing down physically, Gru-enewald says “her personality and atti-tude have not changed at all.”

Hello, Hippos!While Randa has retired from the VIP tours, she remains on exhibit, still serv-ing as an ambassador for her species and awing visitors with her serene and stately presence. Meanwhile, Mara and Rosie—the Zoo’s mother-daughter hip-popotamus pair—have taken over the spotlight, greeting groups of guests on weekends and holidays.

On a recent Sunday morning, Kath-ryn Wagner and her daughters Zoë and Delilah were among the dozen visitors participating in the VIP Hippo Encounter. The family received the tickets as a Christmas gift. (As with the Rhino Encounter, revenue from the Hippo Encounter supports Zoo operations.) Educators Rozia Francis and Lindsey Kelly brief the group on safety precau-tions before guiding participants to the backside of the hippo exhibit. When Animal Keeper Johnnie Greslie-Stroud introduces Mara and Rosie, seven-year-old Ian MacRae waves a hand in greeting to the pachyderms and chirps, “Hello, hippos!” Greslie-Stroud discusses the hip-pos’ personalities and daily care, then answers questions about their food pref-erences, aquatic lifestyle, and status in the wild. While hippos may look like lumbering beasts, she points out that they can run surprisingly fast—up to 25 miles per hour. They can open their massive jaws up to 150 degrees wide, and chomp through a pumpkin in a single bite. Soon it is time for guests to line up for the opportunity to pet the hippos. Reaching a hand between the steel bars of the safety barrier that separates humans and hippos, seven-year-old Zöe Wagner pats Mara’s cool, thick skin and proclaims, “She feels like a hairy suit-case!” “Mara is the boss,” Francis says, explaining that the mama hippo dictates whether or not she’ll allow guests to get close to her daughter. On this day, after she’s gotten her fill of attention, she steps aside to let Rosie approach. Whereas the Rhino Encounters could accommodate up to 25 guests, the Hippo Encounters are capped at 15. The smaller group size allows each guest more time to interact with the animals. “We wanted to keep it per-sonal, make it more of a VIP experi-ence,” Gruenewald explains, adding that the reduction in group size also aids in ensuring a safe and stress-free environment for patrons and hippos.

F Like most

rhinos, Randa

loves to swim.

FF Her

horn shows

no sign of

cancer

recurrence.

F The

bumps on

Randa’s legs

are typical for

her species.

JAM

IE P

HA

MC

HA

RLI

E M

OR

EY

JAM

IE P

HA

M

“Instead of rushing to get everyone through, we want people to take their time and stay calm. That way it’s a posi-tive experience for everyone.” Dan Keeffe, the Zoo’s Manager of Informal Education Programs, works with Animal Care staff to coordinate the Hippo Encounter. “More than any-thing else, the Hippo Encounter is an amazing opportunity to get up close and personal with one of the biggest, most beloved animals at the Zoo,” he says. “It’s awe-inspiring to get to touch a hippo, to feel its skin, and to be so close you can hear it breathing.” The hippo behind-the-scenes experi-ences are proving to be just as popular as the Rhino Encounter, and as memo-rable for guests. After all, petting a fast-running pumpkin-chomping “hairy suit-case” is an experience you’re unlikely to forget. j

At $15 per person, the Hippo Encounter sells out fast. Reserve your spot online at www.lazoo.org/visit/

G H Mother-

daughter hippos

Mara and Rosie

delight their

special guests.

JAM

IE P

HA

M

JAM

IE P

HA

M

8 ZOO VIEW O Spring

Zoo View: Tell us about the Photo Ark and its origins. Joel Sartore: It came about because I had to stay home for a year and look after my family when my wife got breast cancer. I had a lot of time to think about what to do with the second half of my life. The sto-ries that I’d been doing for National Geo-graphic hadn’t really changed the world that much, and I thought, maybe looking ani-mals directly in the eye, cleanly and simply, would do it. And the reaction has been great.

ZV: Why do you shoot the animals against a black or white background?JS: It’s a great equalizer. A mouse is every bit as important as a polar bear. A tiger bee-tle is just as big as a tiger. Most people know what tigers look like, and that elephants need help, but we never stop to think about any of the smaller or lesser-known species, like the three-banded armadillo or the dark-ling beetle. Nobody pays attention to those, and we need to. ZV: Is it your hope that showing the pho-tographs will inspire conservation action?

JS: That’s right. The planet is going to become so impoverished in terms of rain-forests to help stabilize our planet, and in terms of species diversity, like bees and flies to pollinate fruits and vegetables. We’re going to lose all those. How miserable will the world be for people if we kill off every-thing else? So the goal is to get people engaged, in an entertaining way, and get them to care while there’s still time to act.

The Big PicTure

L . A . Z o o a n i m a l s s t r i k e a p o s e f o r c o n s e r v a t i o n

n January, the Zoo teamed with the Annenberg Space for Photography to host a workshop with Joel Sartore, long-time contributor to National Geographic and founder of the Photo

Ark, a project aimed at documenting the world’s wildlife before it disappears. This modern-day Noah has filled his photographic ark with more than 5,400 species over the last 20 years—and he plans to devote the rest of his career to the task. Most of his subjects were photographed at zoos and aquariums (he’s visited more than 200 zoos in the U.S. alone), including dozens of Los Angeles Zoo residents. During his workshop, Sartore took time out to speak to Zoo View about his project and process.

JOEL

SA

RT

OR

E/N

AT

ION

AL

GEO

GR

APH

IC P

HO

TO

AR

k

JAM

IE P

HA

M

JOEL

SA

RT

OR

E/N

AT

ION

AL

GEO

GR

APH

IC P

HO

TO

AR

k

b y b r e n d a P o s a d a

G Asian elephant Billy was

one of Sartore’s largest

subjects.

E A short-beaked echidna at

the L.A. Zoo.

FF Sartore hopes his images

will spur people to save species

like this endangered siamang.

F Sartore shares tips and

techniques with workshop

attendees.

JOEL SARTORE

ZOO VIEW O Spring 9

10 ZOO VIEW O Spring

F H Clockwise from top left:

babirusa, greater flamingo,

knob-tailed gecko, and harpy

eagle, all photographed at the

Los Angeles Zoo.

ZV: Do you aim to photograph mostly endangered species? JS: Everything. Because we’re supposed to lose half of all species by 2100. Spe-cies that aren’t endangered now could well be in just a few years. Each animal represents an opportunity to get some-body into the tent of conservation, get them thinking about how we all live our lives and how we can move forward in time and try to keep the planet a little healthier.

ZV: Can you share some tips for peo-ple who want to photograph zoo ani-mals?JS: Soft light and repeated access. After 20 years of trust building with keepers and curators, I get special

access to zoo animals. But you don’t need special access! You can get great shots from the tourist’s perspective, because the whole zoo has been set up to showcase animals, up close and in person. It’s a matter of getting here repeatedly, when the light’s good, when the animal’s in the right spot. It takes work because often if you come in the middle of the day, the animals are sleeping. You need to come back again and again—which is one reason becom-ing a zoo member is a really good idea. It enables you to work on the species you really want to get. There are going to be times throughout each day when that animal’s awake and looking good and close by. You just have to make sure you’re here for it.

ZV: Any final thoughts you’d like to share with our readers? JS: Well, people often ask, “What can I do to help save nature?” If you care about nature, become a zoo member. That’s the easiest thing you can do, because this zoo breeds critically endangered species and saves them from extinction. There’s no more direct way you can apply your money than becoming a mem-ber here at the L.A. Zoo. Whatever community you live in, there’s a zoo nearby. And accredited zoos are saving species; they’re keeping these populations of animals going, main-taining genetic diversity. Zoos really are the keepers of the kingdom moving forward. j

JOEL

SA

RT

OR

E/N

AT

ION

AL

GEO

GR

APH

IC P

HO

TO

AR

k

JOEL

SA

RT

OR

E/N

AT

ION

AL

GEO

GR

APH

IC P

HO

TO

AR

k

JOEL

SA

RT

OR

E/N

AT

ION

AL

GEO

GR

APH

IC P

HO

TO

AR

k

JOEL

SA

RT

OR

E/N

AT

ION

AL

GEO

GR

APH

IC P

HO

TO

AR

k

JOEL

SA

RT

OR

E

JOEL

SA

RT

OR

E

ZOO VIEW O Spring 11

JOEL

SA

RT

OR

E

JOEL

SA

RT

OR

E

BuiLding The ArKartore works closely with zoo keep-ers and curators to facilitate his photo shoots. Smaller subjects are

placed inside a white shooting tent. For larger animals, Zoo staff will prep a shooting area—for example, paint-ing one wall of a holding area either black or white, then acclimating the animal to the new backdrop. But the best laid schemes of mice and men—and photographers—often go astray. Take the Calamian deer Sartore hoped to photograph on a recent L.A. Zoo visit. This endan-gered species is known for the large,

three-pronged antlers found on males. Zoo keepers had prepped the space, and the deer was ready for his close-up. But days before the scheduled shoot, the subject shed his antlers (a normal, annual occurrence). Another male in residence still possessed ant-lers, but he was deemed too skittish. The shoot was scrapped. “The keep-ers and curators know their animals,” Sartore says. “If they say it’s not going to work, then that’s it.” The entire shooting process is designed to minimize stress on the animal. The goal is to work swiftly

and return the animal to its enclo-sure as soon as possible. “Some of the shoots are less than a minute or two,” Sartore says. “Other times—say, if a lizard is just standing there—we can take our time.” The shooting tent has an other-worldly effect on some avian species. “Most birds, once we put them in the tent, just stand there like they’ve been abducted by the mothership! They don’t see me; all they see is the front of my lens. So the threat is gone. They just stand there and look around.” j

E Let There Be LightIn December, Sartore’s proj-ect gained worldwide attention when images from the Photo Ark were projected onto the side of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. Sartore says the unprecedented display could not have occurred without the blessing of Pope Fran-cis, who is known for champi-oning environmental protection. Earlier in 2015, Sartore’s pho-tos illuminated another famous façade, that of the Empire State Building. Both events were coor-dinated by Academy Award-win-ning filmmaker Louis Psihoyos to promote his documentary, Racing Extinction, about global threats to endangered species.

F Billy at the National Geographic MuseumAlways a favorite among L.A. zoo-goers, Asian elephant Billy has found new admirers in Washington, D.C., where Sar-tore’s striking life-size portrait of the pachyderm is on display at the National Geographic Museum’s Photo Ark Exhibition (through April).

S

12 ZOO VIEW O Summer

eople might think a snake is a snake is a snake, but walk into the LAIR, and

the diversity you see among snakes is astonishing!” asserts Los Angeles Zoo Curator of Reptiles and Amphibians Ian Recchio. “Compare a Gaboon viper with a green mamba. These snakes occupy the same habitat, but one is a true terrestrial ambush hunter liv-ing on the forest floor, and the other is an active hunter in the trees. So there is amaz-ing diversity among snakes, even within the same biome.” From a conservation stand- point, that diversity is as compelling as it is challeng-ing. Some of the most endan-gered snake species are those about which the least is known. This dearth of data means that snake reproduc-tion in captivity—frequently an important part of efforts

to save endan-g e r e d species —can be a com-plex mys-tery. But it’s one that Zoo staff are ready, willing, and able to tackle. Recchio serves on the steering committee for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Snake Taxon Advisory Group (TAG), which recently com-pleted an extensive Regional Snake Collection Plan for all the AZA institutions in North America. The collection plan will serve as a guide for zoos in deciding which snake spe-cies to house and/or breed. Some snakes are part of Species Survival Plans (SSPs),

or- ganiz-

ed breeding programs that maintain genetic diversity and sustainable numbers of ani-mals in zoos. The L.A. Zoo has been a significant par-ticipant in the SSPs for five snake species—Aruba Island rattlesnake, Armenian viper, Santa Catalina Island rattle-less rattlesnake, Mexican lance-headed rattlesnake, and South American bush-master—as well as a new candidate SSP species, the Mangshan pitviper. For many years during the 1980s and ’90s, the L.A. Zoo was a prolific breeder of Aruba Island rattlesnakes. Then the population dwin-dled. Recently the Aruba Island rattlesnake SSP coor-dinator was able to bring a number of wild-collected Arubas into the country. Based on past success, L.A. received one of these geneti-cally valuable individuals, which was paired with our resident specimen in January. Every Santa Catalina

Island rattle-less rattlesnake currently in AZA facilities originated from

founders that the L.A. Zoo imported

from Mexico as a result of work that

the herpetology staff conducted in the field.

Recchio petitioned to estab-lish an SSP for the species, and Animal Keeper Chris Rodriguez was nominated SSP coordinator and stud-book keeper. Like many island spe-cies, this snake’s range is extremely limited. Santa Catalina is about five miles long by two miles wide, and much of the terrain is verti-cal with the snake population concentrated in the arroyos. Within these isolated areas, the population is dense yet vulnerable to a number of threats: introduction of cats or weasels, disease, over-col-lection for the pet trade, and climate change. “With rising sea levels,” Recchio points out, “these island populations are going to be impacted first. So it could very well be the perfect storm for this animal.” Recchio and colleagues are still trying to figure out how to breed the species. “Tem-perature and photoperiod [day length] seem significant, and having multiple males for combat might be important, as well. It’s thought that the

G The L.A. Zoo has been a

longtime participant in the

Aruba Island rattlesnake SSP.

CHAR

MING SNAKESThe serpenTine road To snake conservaTion

b y S a n d y M a S u o


P“

JAMIE PHAM

ZOO VIEW O Summer 13

E The mesquite grasslands

habitat of the Mexican lance-headed

rattlesnake is rapidly being

converted to farmland.

H The L.A. Zoo was instrumental

in establishing an SSP for the

Santa Catalina Island rattleless

rattlesnake.

EH Armenian vipers require

specific temperature changes for

successful breeding.

EH H Two clutches of

bushmaster eggs have hatched at

the L.A. Zoo.

CHAR

MING SNAKES

performance somehow induces the physiological responses necessary for successful fertil-ization,” he says. “They don’t experience a true cold hiberna-tion—during winter the island probably dips only into the 50s—but there is some seasonal tem-perature fluctuation that we are trying to mimic. We have several pairs at the Zoo, so we’re able to try different strategies.” Native to higher elevations in Armenia and Turkey, Arme-nian vipers come from a com-pletely different habitat than their rattlesnake relatives. Like many reptiles and amphibians

13

IAN

REC

CH

IOT

AD

MO

TO

YA

MA

TA

D M

OT

OY

AM

A

IAN

REC

CH

IO

14 ZOO VIEW O Summer

G The beautiful markings and

impressive fangs of the Gaboon viper

make it a popular exhibit species.

G G Green mambas are

as charismatic as they are

venomous.

from regions with temperature extremes, breeding is timed to coincide with seasonal changes so that the offspring are born at an optimal time of year to find food. Predicting that cold weather may play a part in triggering gamete pro-duction in both sexes, prior to attempting to breed them, rep-tile staff allowed the two male and two female snakes to chill out (literally) in a LAIR habitat designed to mimic their native mountainous terrain. After six months in near-freezing temperatures (a pro-cess called brumation), the mating ritual commenced. As with New World vipers, male Armenian vipers engage in an elaborate wrestling display to win the right to mate with the female. The strategy met with success when two litters of Armenian vipers were born last July.

uccessful breeding efforts are crucial in order to maintain captive popula-tions as a hedge against extinction in the wild. Stable zoo populations not only further conservation efforts, they are also vital to the educational out-

reach mission of zoos. After the L.A. Zoo bred a pair of genetically valuable bushmasters as part of an SSP recommendation, a European zoo requested that a pair of non-SSP managed bushmas-ters be bred in order to obtain some animals for exhibit only. The request was for six ani-mals, but a clutch of 11 was produced. So Recchio put out a casual notice to accredited zoos: “If anybody needs non-

SSP bushmasters for exhibit only, contact me.” He received a deluge of requests—far more than the five surplus hatch-lings—because no other zoos are breeding this species. In the past, snakes were collected from the wild as needed, but the trend has shifted toward managing sus-tainable zoo populations of popular species such as green mambas, cobras, and Gaboon vipers that are not easily obtained through the conven-tional pet sources. Stringent new federal restrictions on the import of large constric-tors will mean expanding these efforts. Importation of Burmese pythons, yellow ana-condas, and African pythons was banned in 2010, and last March the U.S. Fish and Wild-life Service added four more species to the list, including reticulated pythons and green anacondas—dynamic staples of zoo reptile collections. Many snake species are in need of conservation but sci-entists know too little about their needs to maintain them in a captive setting. This is where zoos are able to help by supporting field research, sharing husbandry experience and skills, and enlightening the public about the vital role snakes play in our world. “The Los Angeles Zoo pro-vides a rare opportunity to observe some the world’s rar-est, most beautiful, and most feared snake species,” Rec-chio observes. “We also offer the chance to learn more about them, and hopefully that knowledge will convert any fear people feel into fasci-nation—and concern for the future of these animals.” j

S

I

G E The Zoo’s

diverse snake col-

lection includes

the Mangshan

pitviper and the

bushmaster.


CH

AR

LIE

MO

REY

JAM

IE P

HA

MIA

N R

ECC

HIO

IAN

REC

CH

IO

ZOO VIEW O Summer 15

By BrAnDI AnDres

MonarchsAll Hail,

the

magine setting off on a journey so essential to your family’s continued existence it takes mul-

tiple generations to reach the final destination. Add to this generations-long trek such complications

as extreme weather, lack of shelter, sleep deprivation, starvation, and the risk of food poisoning when food is at

last found—all obstacles which must be overcome by you, your child, grandchild, and so on, within a set length of time before the objective is reached. Reads like an intriguing plotline for a riveting novel, doesn’t it? Consider it more a biography, if you will, of the majestic monarch butterfly. With a life story such as this, it’s no wonder the orange-winged beauty has left so many spectators—scientists included—in awe. Unlike other but-terflies, the monarch’s seasonal migratory practices make it a truly unique species. The World Wildlife Fund goes as far as saying it’s “the most highly evolved migration pattern of … perhaps any known insect.” Traveling roughly 3,000 miles each fall, these pollinators fly south toward the warm coastal climates of Southern California and central Mexico’s Sierra Madre Mountains to escape the cold—a dip too far below 55 degrees Fahrenheit would render them flightless.

I \G E A

monarch’s life

cycle has four

stages: egg, larva

(caterpillar, top),

pupa (chrysalis,

right), and adult.

\H To absorb the sun’s rays, the monarch angles its delicate wings like reflectors by folding them upward or spreading them out.

GEO

RG

E ST

ON

EMA

N

GEO

RG

E ST

ON

EMA

NG

EOR

GE

STO

NEM

AN

heir migration path and winter roost depends on the monarchs’ origin. Those that

begin their initial journey from southern Can-ada, the American Midwest, and eastern states

make their winter home in Mexico, while monarchs that reside west of the Rocky Mountain Range travel to

sites near Monterey Bay, the surrounding Greater Los Angeles area, and San Diego. Throughout its southward voyage, this “first generation” feeds on nectar-bearing plants, such as the California poppy and common sunflower, storing as much energy as possible in preparation for the lengthy winter ahead. Foraging for various flowering plants along this migration path is imperative to the adult monarch’s winter survival, as nectar provides lipids (molecules that include fats, vitamins, and other beneficial components), which can be stored and metabolized into energy. While the lifespan of most monarchs is between four and six weeks, for these first-generation travelers, an extended winter allots them six to nine months of life, half of which is spent in hibernation. When the first hints of spring arrive, this well-aged group needs all the nourishment it can gather for its initial stretch north and short-term mating season. During this final crossing, the overwintering generation must lay as many eggs as possible to give its species a chance for survival. The follow-ing two to four generations of offspring will continue the north-bound migration, mating, laying eggs, and pollinating plants as they feed on nectar—making their important contribution to the circle of life. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the monarch is the only butterfly that makes such a roundtrip

migration, similar to birds. But unlike migrating birds, monarchs rely almost exclusively on one type of plant for their species’ survival: milk-weed. As the name would indicate, this tasty treat—for monarch young, at least—is a wild, weed-like peren-nial that contains a milky substance known as cardenolides, a toxic ste-roid that when ingested can cause cardiac arrest in animals. Monarchs are impervious to this toxin. When the larvae eat the plant, they store a toxic chemical compound that is bitter tasting and alkaloid, which is often poisonous to the species’ pred-ators. The bright orange coloring of the adult’s wings serves as a warning sign of this toxin. There are around 140 milkweed species grown in North America, and of those more than a dozen are

16 ZOO VIEW � SPRING

California-native plants. Two species are particularly com-mon in the area surrounding the Los Angeles Zoo: narrow-leaf (Asclepias fascicularis) and showy (A. speciosa). Each has a slightly different flower, ranging from white to pale-pink, and a deep purple. And all grow well in the clay-based soil that’s prevalent in the area. “The plants produce attractive flowers that develop into large, showy seedpods that open and disperse masses of seeds covered in fluff,” says L.A. Zoo Senior Gardener Andrew Lyell. The “fluff” is then carried through the air, planting seeds spo-radically across the landscape for future growth. At the Zoo, to help the milkweed along, Lyell occasionally scatters seeds into the wind, awaiting springtime to see where they previ-ously landed. “Near the Rainforest of the Americas, a small group started from one seed,” says Lyell. “Many more plants appeared, and with them came the butterflies, flitting from plant to plant and depositing their eggs.” Although the perennial is an attractive, easy-to-maintain, drought-tolerant plant, its tendency to grow wild like a weed and move in on less-invasive plants can prove troublesome. Combine this characteristic with its toxicity and it’s easy to understand why crop growers across America would want to do away with the milkweed. Weed-killing chemicals, such as herbicides and pesticides, have all but wiped out the nutrient-rich monarch food, and in the process caused a major decline in the brightly winged butterfly.

� Their brightly

colored flowers are

attractive, but tropical

milkweed varieties may

predispose caterpillars

to disease.

� The light, fluffy hair-like material in milkweed is sometimes

used as a hypo-allergenic filler in place of plumage for pillows

and blankets.

TG

EOR

GE

STO

NEM

AN

JAM

IE P

HA

M

3

CHARLIE MOREY

In 2014, National Geographic reported on a study, span-ning ten years of research, which correlated a 58-to-81 percent milkweed-to-monarch decline. And according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, monarch populations have been reduced by about 970 million across the U.S. since 1990. While these numbers point to a need for growing awareness and especially action, all is not yet lost. The butterfly is currently under consideration to be included in the federal Endangered Species list, which would make it the first insect listed. In November 2015, the USDA announced that its Natural Resources Conservation Service is investing $4 mil-lion in conservation efforts to help agricultural producers in 10 states with the provisions of food and habitat for the dwindling monarch populations. Surprisingly, one factor that may benefit the monarch is the longstanding drought that has otherwise plagued the state—as many homeowners are replacing lawns with drought-tolerant native plants, including milkweed. And there’s still much that local gardeners can do to help the species, advises Lili Singer, director of special projects and adult education at the Theo-dore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants in Sun Valley. “Southern California is one of the better locations for growing milkweeds because they all grow well in clay soil,” says Singer. “They love the sun and they love the weather here.” She cautions against buying just any milkweed, especially those that

are not native to the area. The trouble with non-native plants is that some species of milkweed predispose caterpillers to dis-ease, to which monarch butterflies have not yet adapted. One such species is tropical milkweed (A. curassavica), also called bloodflower. If you want to give a boost to these butterflies, the best time to plant milkweed is between March and May, free of fertilizers and soil amendments, watering regularly in the early weeks to help the seed develop. In addition to the three common L.A.-area milkweeds mentioned above, Singer also sug-gests planting the Indian or woolly-pod milkweed (A. eriocarpa), which have large leaves and clusters of appealing cream-and-pink petals. Once established, the plant will hopefully welcome a host of mon-archs and in turn the caterpillars that will take their parents’ place in the cycle of life. j

G Before purchasing

milkweed, ask the nursery

if they use pesticides or

insecticides on their plants.

The perennial Lantana camara

attracts butterflies and survives well

in low-watering environments.

17

GEO

RG

E ST

ON

EMA

N

his has been a truly great year for chimpanzees,” says Cu-rator of Mammals Jennie Becker, who oversees the L.A. Zoo’s primates. She’s not talking about the Zoo’s resident chimps—though the 18-member troop is indeed thriving—but rather the species as a whole.

First came the news in June 2015 that the U.S. Fish and Wild-life Service (FWS) would end the “split listing” that had classi-fied wild chimpanzees as endangered, but their counterparts in captivity as merely “threatened.” The dual status meant that chimps in the United States were not protected under the En-dangered Species Act. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the Jane Goodall Institute were among the organiza-tions that campaigned for this change, arguing that exploitation of chimpanzees for entertainment, medical research, and the pet trade has a detrimental effect on worldwide efforts to con-serve the species.

On the heels of this decision, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced in November that it is retiring all government-owned chimpanzees from biomedical research. The last 50 chimpanzees owned by the federal government will be relocated to Chimp Haven, a sanctuary located on 200 forested acres in Louisiana.

Due to their genetic similarity to humans, chimps have been widely used in research on human diseases, but the ethics and effectiveness of such experimentation were hotly debated. In

2011, the NIH commissioned an independent study by the Institute of Medicine to deter-mine whether research using chimpanzees is needed for the advancement of public health. The report concluded that due to technological advances and the emergence of non-chim-panzee models, “most current use of chimpanzees for bio-medical research is unneces-sary.”

In addition to ensuring high standards of care for animals in accredited zoos and aquariums, the AZA also works to influ-ence policy and legislation that protects animals in the United States. It had long been advocating for the cessation of invasive research on chimpanzees.

Becker praises these recent efforts to elevate the status—and expand protections for—chimpanzees. “Chimpanzees have been lifted up and recognized as the incredible social and intel-ligent great ape that they really are,” she says. “Having worked for many years with and around chimpanzees and the people who love them, I truly appreciate all of the efforts that have been made on their behalf.”

THREE CHEERS fOR CHIMPS

T By Brenda Posada

ew additions at the Zoo featured in these pages are usually of the furred, fanged, or feathered variety, but the installa-tion of seven electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in the Zoo’s parking lot also deserves attention! Unveiled in Novem-ber, the new chargers not only offer an added convenience to

guests but also demonstrate the Zoo’s ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability, a commitment shared by the City of Los Angeles.

Mayor Eric Garcetti’s Sustainable City Plan set a goal for Los Angeles to reach more than 1,000 publicly available EV charg-ing stations by 2017. The addition of these charging stations in

the Zoo parking lot moves the city closer to achieving that goal.

“As our nation’s car capital, we have the highest per-capita car owner-ship rates in the U.S.—Los Angeles can really move the needle on elec-tric vehicle adop-

tion on a meaningful scale,” said Mayor Garcetti. “By installing more publicly available charging stations for EVs, we’ll make it easier for Angelenos to switch from gas-powered polluters to zero-emission vehicles—benefiting our environment, promoting a clean economy, and creating new green jobs.”

The project came to fruition thanks to funding by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), which utilized funding from General Motors and grant money from the Department of Energy to purchase and install a DC Fast Char-ger (the fastest model currently available for public use), and the nonprofit organization Adopt a Charger, Inc., which utilized the LADWP’s Charger Rebate Program and a grant fund from the South Coast AQMD and California Energy Commission to install six Level 2 electric vehicle chargers.

“The addition of electric charging stations in the Zoo’s parking lot is a project that aligns with the Zoo’s mission to support pro-grams that preserve biodiversity and conserve natural habitat,” said Zoo Director John Lewis. “We wanted to give our guests more environmentally conscientious options for their vehicles while they are exploring the Zoo.”

Zoo guests and the general public can utilize the free electric charging stations during the L.A. Zoo parking lot hours, 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., as long as they own an electric vehicle with the necessary outlet.

GREEN MACHINES

NBy April Spurlock

TAD

MO

TOYA

MA


JAM

IE P

HA

M”

CONNECTING kEEPERS WORLDWIDE

EYES ON THE ANIMALS

n September, I travelled to Leipzig, Germany, to attend the fifth International Congress on Zookeeping. The International Congress of Zookeepers (ICZ) is run by representatives from the world’s nine professional keeper associations. Its guid-ing mission is to achieve the highest standards of zookeeping

globally, especially by helping keepers in developing countries and those without their own associations. One of the ways they achieve this is by holding a conference every three years. These conferences have proven to be an excellent way to increase communication among keepers worldwide, advance husbandry techniques, and share expertise.

The conference featured talks on topics as diverse as giant panda husbandry, parental care in crocodilians, and an Asian ele-phant sleep study. Workshops addressed issues such as how to en-rich the lives of your animals, how training can make veterinary exams easier and safer, and the value of homeopathic medicine.

The Leipzig Zoo was the perfect venue for this conference. More than 130 years old, Leipzig ranks among the world’s best zoos. While a number of exhibits have recently been built at this zoo, the one I was most excited to see was the new, indoor tropical rainforest. Gondwanaland is about the size of two football fields with a boat ride that allows you to observe its inhabitants—500 plant and animal species from Asia (including the Malayan tapir, right), Africa, and South America. Among the inhabitants is a Komodo dragon that was hatched at the Los Angeles Zoo

and transferred to Europe to increase the genetic diversity of the captive population—a great example of how zoos worldwide are working together to save species!

Interestingly, the motivation to start the Los An-geles Zoo’s own keeper association started with a conversation that I had with a fellow delegate from San Diego at the second ICZ conference in Australia in 2006. From that discussion, the L.A. chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK/LA) was born. Through this organization, we have accomplished many goals, including raising close to $300,000 for conservation through the highly successful Bowling for Rhinos (BFR) fundraiser and other charity events. This success has put L.A. Zoo keepers at the forefront internationally when it comes to helping wildlife conservation. Visit aazklosangeles.weebly.com for details about this year’s BFR event on May 17.

ll research starts with a question. One of the questions examined last fall by the students in “Observing Animals: Behavioral Studies in Zoos”—an annual class offered by UCLA Extension and taught by Zoo Research Director Dr. Cathleen Cox—was whether renovations to the orangutan exhibit have

increased the amount of time the apes spend off the ground. Students in the 10-week course learn techniques for observ-

ing and recording animal behavior. Once they’ve mastered data collection methods, the students work in groups to study specific animals. The projects are designed by Dr. Cox to assist Animal Care staff in learning more about the needs of the Zoo’s residents.

“The course is important for both the students and the Zoo because the information collected is utilized to improve the ani-mals’ lives, and the students learn how valuable their research can be,” says Cox. “It also gives them an introduction to the Zoo community.” After successful completion of the course, students may continue on as research volunteers. Some decide to explore other volunteer opportunities at the Zoo.

The course culminates with an evening of presentations. On December 10, the fall semester participants summarized their findings before a crowd of Zoo staff, volunteers, and other students. Harpy eagle observers—who noted that these birds are difficult to observe in the wild because they reside high in the rain-forest canopy—focused on the potential for breeding between the

Zoo’s recently introduced male and female. While western lowland gorilla observers speculated that midday enrichment feedings might increase the time the animals spent in exploration, locomo-tion, or feeding, their results were not statistically significant. The jaguar group documented an increase in pacing by the big cats at the end of the day and looked at potential reasons for the behavior. Elephant observers assessed efforts to increase exploratory activ-ity by the pachyderms. And yes, the orangutan group concluded that the habitat modifications encouraged the apes to mimic their wild counterparts by spending more time off the ground.

Dr. Cox notes, “It’s a wonderful class to teach because every- body is interested in animal behavior and approaches the sub-ject with enthusiasm.” If this sounds good to you, consider enrolling in next fall’s class—no science background is needed!

For more informa-tion, please visit www.lazoo.org/education/ adulteducation/

Jim Haigwood, Senior Animal Keeper

A

I

By Diane Tuchmayer


LISA

VEB

BER

JIM H

AIG

WO

OD


Myth: You can tell a rattlesnake’s age by counting the number of segments in its rattle.Truth: Like other reptiles, rattlesnakes shed their skin as they get bigger because it does not grow along with them. Lizards tend to continuously shed fragments of old skin, but snakes shed theirs all at once—like tak-ing off a sock. With each shed, a rattlesnake gains a new rattle segment; however, the frequency of sheds varies depending on how much the snake feeds, its activity level, and other environmental factors. In one year, an active, fast-growing rattlesnake with ample food sources might shed more than once, while a bigger snake living under tougher conditions might not shed at all. The rattles are hollow, modified scales made of keratin. Like hair and fingernails (which are also made of keratin), rattle segments frequently break and fall off, so a very old rattlesnake’s tail may have nowhere near the number of segments produced in the animal’s lifetime.

Myth: Porcupines can eject or throw their quills.

Truth: Porcupines are no more able to “shoot” their quills than you are able to eject your hair. However, the quills are covered with microscopic back-ward-pointing barbs that grip flesh, making it difficult and painful to extract them. So if you have ever had a close encounter with porcupine quills, it might feel as if you have been violently speared. Interestingly, the spines of many cacti have the same adaptation. Jumping cholla is so named because its spiny segments will adhere to fabric or flesh at the slightest touch, so that the plant seems to attack passers-by.

Myth: handling a baby bird will cause the parents to reject it.Truth: Most birds possess virtually no sense of smell and will not reject their chicks because humans have handled them. So returning a chick to the nest is not a death sentence. However, a baby bird on the ground does not neces-sarily need rescuing. In most cases, anxious parents are watching nearby. Nestlings may be covered with down or “pin” feathers or may still be naked. Their eyes may or may not be open. These need to be returned to the nest if possible so that their parents can keep them warm. Fledglings, on the other hand, are mostly or entirely covered with feathers but may not yet be able to fly. They tend to hop around on the ground, often complaining noisily. These should be placed gently on a nearby branch, low but off the ground. Once people have cleared the area, the parents should return to feed the chick.

Myths about animals abound, and many are so entrenched that they’ve made their way into the language

(ask anyone who has uttered the phrase “blind as a bat”). But will they withstand scientific scrutiny? In

this continuing series, we’ll look at some popular misconceptions about animals and the facts behind them.

HOGWASH!

TAD

MO

TOYA

MA

TAD

MO

TOYA

MA

AN

GEL

A W

OO

DSI

DE

Animal Myths DebunkedBy sAnDy MAsuo

Send us an animal myth you’ve heard, and we may debunk it in a future column. E-mail [email protected].

dZ o o D o n o r P r o f i l e

ere at the Los Angeles Zoo, “anony-mous” is everywhere—in exhibit refurbishments, on the Tom Mankiewicz Conservation Carousel, at the Angela Collier World of Birds Theater; “anony-mous” sponsors commemorative benches, helps produce events, and funds education programs, among other things. Over the years, unnamed donors have made substantial impacts on the L.A. Zoo and its mission. Truly, “anonymous” makes the Zoo go ’round. These donors—from celebrities and public figures to corporate and charitable foundations—choose anonymity for a range of reasons. A benefactor may feel uncomfortable being lauded for his/her contri-bution; for some, being lionized can be an awkward experience. But, as one donor says, “There’s too much joy in giving to not do it.” Sometimes acknowledging others can be an even more inspiring way to spread the joy of giving. Here at the Zoo, many donors choose to credit their children or grandchildren on otherwise anony-mous plaques, connecting a new generation to their elders’ passion. Another patron explains, “Because our kids spent so much time at zoos, they feel a

connection with these animals, and it became part of who they are.” Other supporters have expanded their family of recognition to include companies and employ-ees, too. Perhaps these philan-thropists seek anonym-ity because they prefer to lead a quiet life and avoid attention, in which case being anonymous is fundamental to their low

profile. Still others find that they can accomplish more by staying out of the limelight—it keeps them focused on the beneficiary’s cause. This is true for many of the Zoo’s anonymous supporters who are passionate and longstanding animal enthusi-asts, carrying the mission of conservation close to their hearts and valuing the experiences made pos-sible at the Zoo. “That’s why places like this are so important,” adds another contributor. “Because if you don’t feel a connection to an animal, you’re not going to help save it. And you can’t get that [personal connection] out of a book or off a TV screen.” With the help of anonymous donations to efforts ranging from animal health care to education out-reach, the Zoo is able to provide unique wildlife experiences to guests from all walks of life. It is hoped that by connecting with these animals, visi-tors feel a spark of interest, which transforms into a passion for wildlife and the world we share with it. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to all of our anonymous donors throughout the years. You know who you are.

—Megan Runquist Holmstedt

JAM

IE P

HA

M

Whether you wish to shout it out loud or keep it under wraps, there are many ways you can sup-port the Zoo. For more information, please phone the Development Office at 323/644-6035 or visit www.lazoo.org/support.

Anonymous Altruism


H“Seek joy in what you give, not in what you get.”

—Anonymous

H An anonymous benefac-

tor sponsored the hippo on

the Zoo’s carousel.

G The contributions of unnamed donors are

recognized throughout the Zoo.

JAM

IE P

HA

M

JAM

IE P

HA

M

zoo view - spring 2016

Documents