Spring 2021 | Member Magazine - Reid Park Zoological Society
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Spring 2021 | Member Magazine Reid Park Zoological Society
ZooFriendZ is a very special
circle of people who are invested
in the future of Tucson’s Reid
Park Zoo by donating $500 or
more annually.
Join ZooFriendZ Today!
ONLY $42 MONTHLY!
For more information, contact Gail
Brown at gail@reidparkzoo.org or
(520) 881-4753.
Reid Park Zoological Society
1030 South Randolph Way
Tucson, Arizona 85716
P: (520) 881-4753
President & CEO
Nancy J. Kluge TUCSON'S BIGGEST BABY
Chief Development Officer
Gail Brown
Elephant 98,000-gallon pool,
Director of Marketing & Events
Deborah Carr calf Penzi is but her team has
Director of Business Operations & CFO nearly 1 year smaller pools and
Tong Cheng
old — and mud wallows that
Director of Human Resources
Helen Smart we're not she can explore.
Director of Zoo Operations exaggerating
Sue Tygielski, PhD
when we say Another important
Chief Philanthropy Officer
she is one big growth moment
Diana Whitman
baby! that happened
2021 Board of Directors recently for Penzi is the
Society Board
Chair Foundation Board Penzi recently development of her tusks!
Dr. Shane Burgess Chair
Nate Clark
passed the 1,000-pound Penzi's care team recently felt
Vice Chair
Vice Chair
mark. When Nandi was a calf, tiny tusks developing in Penzi's
Cathy Hutchens
Mica Bane she reached 1,000 pounds mouth. While it will be quite
Secretary
Robert Charles Treasurer
Steve Larsen
about a month after her first a while before the tusks are
Treasurer birthday, so Penzi is outpacing visible from afar, this important
Patricia O'Callaghan Secretary
Bridget Stephenson her older sister by about two milestone reminds us of
Past Chair
Lisa Lovallo Dr. George Ball months for this milestone. Penzi's role as an ambassador
Susan Beesemyer
Kathy Alexander Chad Driedger for her species!
Susan Beesemyer Mike Halle Penzi is very food-focused
Matt Bingham Sheldon King
Chad Driedger Jason Lazarow right now, and is often seen Our community loves Penzi,
Neal Eckel
Mike Halle trying to stuff more food in and we hope that love inspires
E. Courtney Johnson
Sheldon King her mouth than she can chew! conservation action to protect
Steve Larsen
Jason Lazarow
She is learning about elephant elephants globally.
Edmund Marquez
Richard White
manners and seeking out her
own food instead of taking Standing up to poaching and
Emeritus Director
Denice Shepherd from the items her mother and refusing to take part in the
Donna Warfield
Jim & Terri Zarling sister collect for themselves. ivory trade is an important
Her favorite snack right now is part of helping Penzi's wild
cucumber slices! counterparts thrive.
1030 S Randolph Way
Right now, Penzi is still a little See Page 11 for details on
Tucson, AZ 85716
hesitant to get in the herd's Penzi's 1st birthday bash!
ZOO HOURS:
October-May 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
June-September 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Here's a look at the Zoo through
your eyes! Tag us on social media
to enter your own photos for the
next issue of Zoo & You!
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Zoo & You 3
FLAMINGO
THE NEW FLAMINGO LAGOON IS OPEN!
The Chilean flamingo flock’s vibrant pink feathers will welcome you during your
next visit to the Zoo!
This project is part of Phase 1 of the Zoo’s ongoing 10-year Master Plan. The newly renovated
space offers the flock a 50 percent increase in their total landmass and walkable water space.
The new habitat features many modern comforts to help the flock thrive, including misters, a
separate feeding pool, a night house, and an advanced water filtration system.
← As part of the move, the Zoo’s vet team performed
a health exam on every flamingo in the flock, gently
checking their weight, drawing blood, providing
vaccinations, and giving each bird a physical
examination. The flock is doing well in the new
habitat.
Zoo & You 4
A ZOO BUILT BY YOU
The new Flamingo
Lagoon was built by and
for the community with
funding coming from
a combination of tax
dollar funds and private
donations. Board Member
Mica Bane and her
husband Jeff Bane are the
habitat’s lead sponsors.
“These wonderful and
colorful birds are such a
delight to observe,” Mica
said, reflecting on her long-
time appreciation for this
colorful species.
Prior to moving to Tucson,
the Banes were a part of
a Flamingo Club — a group
of friends that travelled both the improvements for board I quickly learned this
together, golfed together, the community as well as is an active, working board
and had regular flamingo- the birds. “Jeff and I love and each member brings a
themed parties throughout animals and feel compelled distinct skill to the group.”
the year. “Over the years for future generations to have
our love of this bird came to opportunities to enjoy the “Outside of the zoo we are
mean a great deal to us and is family environment created involved in our community
centered around friendship, by zoos,” Mica said. “This and enjoy family, friends,
family, fun and many new home for our flock will travel and golf. I retired
cherished memories.” present a bright welcome of in 2017 during the time of
color to our zoo entrance, my chairmanship of the
She appreciates the role RPZS board. These were
zoos play in providing improve the breeding area for
our birds as well as provide years of growth and set the
similar opportunities for the foundation for the 10 Year
communities they serve. much-needed water filtration
and night house capacity. We Master Plan as well as the
“Zoos are critical and they management agreement
are a very affordable way are thrilled to be able to help
in accomplishing so much for with the city,” she said. “The
for families to spend time community passing the small
together as well as learn our flock.”
sales tax in 2017 has allowed
about our environment. It is Mica has been on the Reid the board to move forward
always a joy to visit the zoo Park Zoo board for a decade. with reimagining the zoo,
and see families enjoying the “I met a current board adding exhibits as well as
outdoors as well as hear the member who encouraged upgrading infrastructure and
laughter and see the smiles me to meet with the much-needed maintenance.
on children’s faces.” management team and make Jeff and I are thrilled to be
When the Banes heard about an application for the board a part of this great gift to
this beautiful new habitat, due to my HR and insurance the City of Tucson and our
they were excited to support background. Joining the community.”
Zoo & You 5
FOR THE BIRDS, LITERALLY! Conservation is most for each box successful when so they can partnerships are formed be installed and organizations work to provide the together. Reid Park Zoo ideal nesting has worked to protect both requirements native and non-native bird for each species by doing just that. species. Recently, Reid Park Zoo Additionally, received a grant from Zoo staff is Freeport-McMoRan Sierrita continuing Operations, which facilitated to develop a partnership with the AZA’s Andean for the flamingos but are at Tucson Audubon Society. As Highlands Flamingo SAFE risk due to unsustainable a result of this partnership, (Saving Animals From lithium mining, as well as a pollinator garden was Extinction) Program. Through changes in climate leading developed at the Zoo, and this program we are learning to unpredictable rainfall. nest boxes were installed to more about the three Along with its partners protect our native birds. The species of flamingo (Chilean, around the world, Reid Park pollinator garden provides James’s and Andean) that Zoo staff is developing an food and shelter, while the live in the salt flats — called educational toolkit that can 26 bird boxes will provide salars — at elevations of up be shared with other zoos nesting opportunities for to 14,000 feet in the Andes and aquariums to inform and kestrels, owls, Lucy’s warblers, mountains. Researchers engage our guests to take and brown flycatchers. have documented that these action to protect this vital Staff from Tucson Audubon salars provide vital feeding habitat. identified the best locations and nesting opportunities Zoo & You 6
Our Most Important Partner in
Conservation: YOU!
We can protect species are being made
around the world by taking to recycle lithium
action together. To protect from batteries and
local bird species, we to develop more
encourage you to create environmentally-
a bird friendly habitat at friendly mining
your home or talk to your practices. You can
apartment complex about help by letting
landscaping in a way that companies know
provides bird habitats. you care about this
Tucson Audubon Society issue.
has great resources to help Lastly, you can help
you get started! native and non-
You can help make a native species all
difference in protecting the around the world
habitat of Andean Highland by decreasing
flamingos by joining in efforts the amount of
to reduce the need to mine fossil fuels burned
for new lithium, an element through your daily
actions. Burning more carbon, the thicker the
found in rechargeable blanket.
batteries used in electronics fossil fuels, like coal, oil, and
and electric cars. Buying gas, releases carbon dioxide Actions such as not idling
new electronics only when into the atmosphere. Carbon your car, supporting
absolutely needed is one dioxide is a heat-trapping alternative energy, and
step. As consumer demand gas that forms a blanket turning off lights when you
for more sustainability in around the E arth, trapping leave the room can help!
products increases, advances in the Earth’s heat. The
Zoo & You 7
INTRODUCTIONS
NEW FACES AT THE ZOO
No matter where you look in the Zoo, there's a good
chance there's a new face looking back at you! Reid Park
Zoo has welcomed several newcomers in recent months:
giraffes Penelope and Sota, Tony the lion, Horton the
trumpeter hornbill, Siren the capybara, and a pack of four
African wild dog sisters!
At about 11 feet tall
each, newcomers
Sota and Penelope
are quite a bit taller
than the average Zoo
guest — but they are
the shortest members
of the giraffe herd at
Reid Park Zoo! Jasiri
and Denver, the Zoo's
other two giraffes,
are being slowly
and methodically
introduced to their
new companions.
Tony, the male African lion, is long, lanky, and
tall. You can immediately recognize him by
his medium-sized mane. He is fast moving
when playing with his enrichment items in
the lion habitat. His curiosity is piqued by the
sight and smell of the female lions. Soon he
will have the chance to meet the girls in the
habitat!
Zoo & You 8
The four wild dog sisters — Grommet, Sandy, Cricket, and Terra — have
settled into their new home well. They love to interact with objects floating
in their pool – watching leaves swirl and pumpkins bob in the water. The
pack works together to explore all-new sensory items placed in their
habitat such as elephant dung, treats like yogurt smears and suspended,
dangling vegetation. Sometimes new things can be scary to approach, but
not when you have your three sisters with you for back-up!
Capybara
introductions are Horton, the
always done trumpeter
with great hornbill, was
thoughtfulness hatched last
and care. Siren, summer with
our newest significant
addition, and challenges. He was
Hendrix had a incredibly small and
few chases when his feathers grew in months
first meeting but have later than usual. Because
settled into a comfortable he has spent so much time
relationship. While not with staff caring for him, he
yet sleeping in a capybara pile, they officially is moving in with the
get closer as time goes by! Ambassador Animals, those
that participate in programs.
We hope you will enjoy meeting and getting to know all the newcomers!
Zoo & You 9
FUN & GAMES Zoo & You 10
UPCOMING EVENTS
BUNNY HOP
10 a.m.- 2 p.m.
April 4
Enjoy a socially-
distanced visit
with the Easter
Bunny and take
your own photos.
Then, see if you
can spot special
eggs and bunnies
located throughout the
Zoo. Kids will receive
a pre-filled candy bag
from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. while
supplies last courtesy of
First Watch.
FLAMINGO A-GO-GO WILD WEDNESDAYS
April 17-23 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month
$15 to $100 dollars Free
Shake a tail feather and Join us for our member exclusive virtual animal
support your Zoo and experiences on Wild Wednesdays twice a month at 9 a.m!
flamingos too in this fun Watch your email for a schedule of topics and links to
virtual exercise event! register. View recordings of previous Wild Wednesdays on
There is no official race our YouTube channel or email membership@reidparkzoo.
course or contest — just org to request a link for particular program.
set a personal goal to
complete one to five miles EARTH DAY
through the exercise of Saturday, April 24
your choice. Go at your
Join us for a virtual event throughout the day in celebration
own pace and in your own
of Earth Day. Blogs and activities posted throughout the
space. Your can log miles
week prior will inspire your family to take action to protect
one day or every day
wildlife and wild places. Details along with info on how to
during our race dates of
join us will be posted at reidparkzoo.org
March 22-28, 2021. Run or
walk, skate or treadmill,
outside or inside. Move SUMMER CAMP 2021
your own way and in Offered weekly from June 7 -July 30
your own style. Whether you are running a 5K by yourself, Mondays - Thursdays
or doing a one-mile fun walk with family or friends, you can 8 a.m. - Noon at the Zoo
make a impact and help flamingos stay in the pink. A portion
of proceeds will benefit Flamingo SAFE (Saving Animals from Fridays - 9 a.m.- 11 a.m. virtual camp session
Extinction). $145 for the week for zoo members ($175 for nonmembers)
Register on our website, and post your progress and share This year's camp includes 4 days of camp at the Zoo and
photos, plus get the wing-side story on flamingos through one day of virtual programming. Registration is for all 5
fun facts. Participants at the $50 and above level get a days. Registration required. Scholarships are available.
commemorative t-shirt. Limited capacity due to COVID-19.
For more information on these and other upcoming events Interested in becoming a sponsor
and education programs, please visit our website at of Reid Park Zoo events?
www.ReidParkZoo.org
Check back often to see what's new at your Zoo! Call 881-4753 or email gail@reidparkzoo.org
Thank you to our Business Members! Universal Avionics
Bisbee Breakfast Club
Small Town Storage
Zoo & You 11Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
Reid Park Zoological Society
1030 South Randolph Way PAID
Tucson, Arizona
Tucson, Arizona 85716 Permit No. 1257
Penzi’s First
Birthday
Celebration
April 3, 2021
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Activities at the Zoo
2 p.m.
Free Zoom Virtual
presentation
Join the herd in celebrating
Penzi’s 1st birthday with
a raffle, cupcakes, and
enrichment for the whole
family!
For more information visit
ReidParkZoo.orgYou can also read
