2009-2010 Annual Report

Celebrating 100 Years

Zoological Society of Milwaukee Annual Report 2009-2010


Reflecting on history can be very useful and even fun. Normally annual reports look back at just recent history. For our 2009-2010 fiscal year, however, we got to look back on 100 years, back to when the Zoological Society was founded in 1910. I continue to be inspired by so many leaders and families over the years who have supported and built the Zoological Society and the Milwaukee County Zoo to the quality they are today.

It’s fun to look back on the Zoo’s long tradition of exhibiting large animals such as elephants, hippos and polar bears. All these animals had names and personalities that Milwaukeeans fell in love with. I’m happy to say that you can go back and read about them thanks to 60 years of archived publications that the Zoological Society put online in 2010. You can access publications back to 1951 on our Web site at www.zoosociety.org. From the home page, select “membership” and then “publication archive.”

We’re proud that the Zoological Society, in our first 50 years, bought many of what would become the Zoo’s most popular animals. We’re proud that the Society was the driving force in moving the Zoo from its limited quarters in Milwaukee’s Washington Park to the much larger and more wooded space facing Blue Mound Road. We’re proud that in the last quarter-century the Zoological Society has led two capital campaigns to improve the Zoo with new exhibits and new buildings. In fact every year we raise money to build something new at the Zoo, to bring in traveling exhibits and to improve educational offerings.

We’re especially proud of our volunteers. Zoo Pride, the Society’s volunteer auxiliary, celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2010. This exceptional group has donated well more than 1 million hours to the Society and the Zoo. To read about some of their individual stories, go to www.zoosociety.org/whywevolunteer. In the end it is individual people who build an organization and an institution. We hope you enjoy reading about some of our accomplishments in this report. We also hope you continue to be one of those people who believes in our mission, supports us and takes us into the future.

Dr. Robert Davis, Chief Executive Officer

The mission of the Zoological Society of Milwaukee is to participate in conserving endangered species, to educate people

about the importance of wildlife and the environment, and to support the Milwaukee County Zoo.

2009-2010 Annual Report summary . . . . . . 3-10Serengeti Circle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Platypus Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Simba Society/Endowments . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Annual Appeal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Sponsor an Animal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Financial Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

CEO’s Letter

DirectorsAnthony BaishDeb BlommerBill BusslerMatthew D’AttilioCherie EckmannMary Ellen EneaJennifer FaheyDarryll FortuneJoseph FrohnaGigi GamboaTammy Scully GarrisonGeorge JusticeKaren LothMaureen MackPat McQuillanJim OlsonKent OrenMargie Paur*

2009-2010 AssociAte BoArd of directorsMeghan ShannonTricia ShinnersBrookellen TeuberPeter UnderwoodLaura VogtEido WalnyKen WeinMark Zimmerman

Honorary DirectorsBob AngerDavid BattenLori BechtholdNora DreskeJohn FleckensteinMike FoxLinda GrunauEli GuzniczakLee Walther Kordus

Peter KordusJoe KreslQuinn MartinKat MorrowKatie PionkoskiRichard J. PodellBunny Raasch-

HootenArlene RemsikBarry SattellDan SchwabeRandy ScovilleJudy Holz StathasJeff SterenDavid StrelitzJames SzymanskiKathleen TooheyJane WierzbaRay Wilson

*Associate Board President

President/CEODr. Robert M. Davis

Communications, Marketing & MembershipRobin Higgins, Vice President

2009-2010 ZoologicAl society MAnAgeMent stAffDevelopmentKaren Von Rueden, Vice President

Finance/AdministrationJohn Heindel, CPA, Vice President

CreativeMarcia T. Sinner, Director

EducationJames Mills, Director

Technology/ Membership ServicesDominic Schanen, Director

DirectorsRobert AngerThom BrownPaul CadorinMichael G. CarterGeorge DaltonDr. Robert DavisTom DempseyDave EagerMichael M. Grebe, Jr.Karen HungKatherine HustMichael T. JonesKaren Peck KatzMaria Gonzalez KnavelJoe KreslCaroline KriderJames KuehnThomas (T.J.) MariniAllen MartinQuinn Martin

2009-2010 BoArd of directorsJack McKeithanJay McKennaKat MorrowMargie Paur**Jill Grootemat PelisekGina Alberts PeterRichard PodellJoan Prince, Ph.D.Scott RedlingerJames C. RoweBarry SattellAndrew T. Sawyer, Jr.Rick SchmidtBillie Jean SmithJudy Holz StathasDavid StrelitzRich Tennessen*Gregory WesleyJane WierzbaRay WilsonAnne Zizzo

Honorary DirectorsWilliam J. Abraham, Jr.John B. BurnsWilliam M. Chester, Jr.Stephen M. DearholtRichard A. GallunEdward A. GredeJohn A. HazelwoodRobert A. KahlorAnn McNeerSandi MoomeyWilliam G. MoomeyJeff NeuenschwanderBernard J. PeckKurt W. Remus, Jr.Jay RobertsonJohn W. TaylorAllen W. Williams, Jr.Paul WongBernard C. Ziegler III

*Chair of the Board **Associate Board President

EditorPaula Brookmire

The 2009-2010 Zoological Society of Milwaukee’s (ZSM’s) annual report is published online as of September 30, 2011. It is available in a PDF file for download at www.zoosociety.org/annualreport. The ZSM has headquarters at 10005 W. Blue Mound Rd., Milwaukee, Wis. 53226. Call (414) 258-2333 for information.

CONTENTS

Graphic DesignerIsaiah Chentnik

PhotographerRichard Brodzeller(unless otherwise noted)

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A Century of Support

On the cover Milwaukee County Zoo Director Chuck Wikenhauser (left) and Dr. Robert Davis, President and CEO of the Zoological Society of Milwaukee, mark the ZSM’s Centennial Celebration Kickoff with cake.

Judy Derse, chairGil Boese, Ph.D., presidentRobert M. Davis, DVMGerald GerndtMichael GrebeMike GuzniczakScott HaagLeander R. JenningsKaren Peck Katz

2009-2010 foundAtion for Wildlife conservAtion, inc.** BoArd of directors 9-30-2010

Maria Gonzalez-KnavelCharles A. KrauseSteve Mahler Honorary DirectorBernard J. Peck **FWC has partnered with the Zoological Society to

carry out and advance some of its major conservation, education and research programs.

Bakers Deana M. Kuhn (left) and Mary Beth Nytes put the final touches on a five-layer cake at the Zoological Society’s Centennial Celebration Kickoff, sponsored by Tri City National Bank. The January 2010 event featured a cake-decorating contest, including this one from Cakes While U Wait in Pewaukee.


A century is a long time to stick to your goals. We know. In 2010 the Zoological Society of Milwaukee (ZSM) celebrated 100 years of supporting a zoo in Milwaukee and educating people about wildlife. “Since 1910 the Zoological Society has been a driving force behind the Zoo, from the time it was the 38-acre Washington Park Zoo, through the move from Vliet Street to Blue Mound Road, to the current 209-acre Milwaukee County Zoo,” we wrote in a January 2010 Alive magazine story on our history. “In its first 50 years, the Society had three key roles: 1) bring in money to expand the Zoo, 2) build community support and understanding of wildlife, and 3) acquire animals…. In its second half-century, the Society shifted from acquiring animals to improving the Zoo.” That included moving the Zoo to a bigger location, running two capital campaigns to expand and upgrade the Zoo, developing popular education programs for the Zoo, and pioneering international conservation projects.

So in 2010, the ZSM had a lot to celebrate, and we did it in a big way. We started with a well-attended kickoff party and cake-decorating contest in January. We organized safaris to Kenya and centennial mini-celebrations at all ZSM events during fiscal year 2009-2010. We helped bring robotic dinosaurs back to the Zoo by acquiring a sponsor, Lowe’s. We celebrated the 35th anniversary of Zoo Pride, the ZSM’s volunteer auxiliary (see the April 2010 Alive magazine). And to mark our 100th anniversary, the ZSM offered major new projects and events, including:

The language of conservation poetry project—The ZSM’s Creative Department created or coordinated more than 50 specially designed artworks displaying excerpts from nature poems in a partnership with the Zoo and the Milwaukee Public Library. Designed to promote poetry and nature, the new artwork at the Zoo was part of a nationwide effort by Poets House, a national literary center in New York City, with a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

The launch of Kohl’s Wild theater, thanks to a major donation from Kohl’s Cares. The ZSM hired a theater director and began planning a new public-education program featuring professionally staged plays with drama, puppetry, humor, songs and a conservation message. Plans included an at-the-Zoo program and an outreach program into the community.

Bonobo exhibit – Plans to expand the Zoo’s bonobo exhibit to the outdoors and upgrade its graphics began, thanks to a significant grant to the ZSM from an anonymous donor.

Zootastic! – A first-time spring ZSM family event at the Zoo was launched.

Zoo Brew -- A first-time fall ZSM evening event at the Zoo was planned for October 2010.

Adventure dinosaur! -- This summer exhibit sponsored by Lowe’s attracted more than 246,270 people. The ZSM secured the sponsorship.

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A Century of SupportZoological Society of Milwaukee 2009-2010 Annual Report

Wild Things upgrade – the ZSM’s member newsletter introduced an all-new format in full color with an easier-to-read size.

History recorded -- The ZSM’s Alive magazine featured stories throughout 2010 on the history of our three-point mission, and the ZSM also installed an archive of publications on the ZSM Web site dating to 1951. The ZSM created historical displays for events throughout the year.

In addition to numerous centennial projects, the Zoological Society continued its three-part mission of conservation, education and support of the Zoo. Each of those three areas is covered in the following pages. The ZSM’s total Zoo support in 2009-2010 was more than $6.2 million (including direct project costs). For a financial summary, see page 15. Funding for our mission comes from a variety of sources, including:

Membership: The ZSM brought in more than $4.67 million in Zoo Pass memberships from 14,601 new Zoo Pass members and 37,899 renewing members.

Platypus society: Members of the ZSM’s premier annual-giving group donated more than $761,082 to help the Zoo.

sponsors & grantors: The ZSM acquires sponsors for most of the


Mark Tomsyck of Muskego looks on as Brent Pitcher of Wauwatosa sizes up a putt at the MillerCoors Birdies & Eagles Golf Tournament on July 26, 2010. The event is a major fund-raiser for the Zoological Society.

Zookeeper Dawn Kruger talks to families about orangutans at the Zoological Society’s first Zootastic, in April 2010. Sponsored by Johnson Controls, Inc., the evening event at the Milwaukee County Zoo featured music, pizza, crafts and zookeeper talks.

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Zoo’s major events and attractions, and ZSM 2009-2010 direct cash sponsorship support to the Zoo was $260,000.

fundraisers run by the ZsM Associate Board: The 27th annual Zoo Ball, sponsored by American Airlines, raised more than $435,065. The 21st Annual MillerCoors Birdies and Eagles Golf Tournament raised $107,247. All other fund-raising events run by the Associate Board – ranging from a Zoo campout to a family bike ride -- raised $169,305.

the ZsM’s animal sponsorship program raised $170,557 in the last fiscal year to support the Zoo’s animals. Especially popular was the sponsorship of Happy the hippo.

Annual Appeal: The ZSM’s annual appeal raised $219,923 to support and renovate the Zoo’s seal and polar bear habitats.

In the following pages, we thank many of our donors, grantors, sponsors and other contributors who help us achieve our mission. First, let’s review 2009-2010’s achievements in each part of our mission:

ConservationThe Zoological Society (ZSM) supports important conservation projects and research internationally, in Wisconsin, and at the Zoo:

Wild Bonobos For more information, go to

www.zoosociety.org/conservation

The Zoological Society of Milwaukee continued to manage one of the world’s leading bonobo conservation programs, the Bonobo & Congo Biodiversity Initiative (BCBI). Created by the ZSM in 1997 to study and protect this rare great ape in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Salonga National Park, BCBI maintains a research station called Étate that also serves as a patrol post for park guards. BCBI has become a multi-pronged effort that locates and studies bonobo populations, preserves habitat for bonobos and other wildlife, supports the park and trains guards, supports primary schools, provides literacy training for adults, and supports an agricultural cooperative to improve farming and nutrition for villagers near Étate. During its 2009-2010 fiscal year, the ZSM conducted two field missions in the Salonga. They were led by Dr. Gay Reinartz, who is the BCBI program director and ZSM conservation coordinator, and by Patrick Guislain, ZSM field sites coordinator. The missions included Congolese support and research staff. BCBI collaborates with the Congolese people and with the following groups in the Salonga: The Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation, the United States Agency for International Development’s Central African Regional Programme for the Environment, the Wildlife Conservation Society and World Wildlife Fund.

Among BcBi’s accomplishments in 2009-2010 were:ecological research and Monitoring: Our continued monitoring in the 310-square-mile Étate sector showed that the bonobo population appeared stable. It also revealed that endangered forest elephants, which are under heavy pressure from poachers, were increasing their activity in the area. The return of elephants is a sign that our anti-poaching work is having some positive impact. We started surveys between the Salonga and Yenge Rivers near the village of Bofoku Mai that determined bonobo areas and habitat. Unfortunately, we also identified 21 illegal fishing camps along the Yenge River and the remains of several poached elephants. We’re using this and other information to advocate for a new guard patrol post on the Yenge River.

Park support and guard training: In addition to providing Salonga park guards with salary support, field equipment, rations and other supplies for their anti-poaching patrols, the Zoological Society trained guards in navigation and wildlife-monitoring skills. We also hired two Congolese researchers / trainees to strengthen the training of park guards and to increase our survey capacity. We analyzed guard patrol data to assess areas of wildlife and human activity and to plan patrol routes in the Etate sector. We donated fuel for motorized patrols to the Watsi Kengo Patrol Post.

food for impoverished communities: The Zoological Society provided farm tools, seed stock, agricultural training and continued support to a nine-village agricultural cooperative of about 300 households. As a result, people planted more nutritious and varied crops (including upland rice, beans, soya and squash) and, over five years of this program, have developed more balanced diets and have been able to grow enough extra food to sell at market.


At the Zoological Society’s research station in Africa, park guards get training in map reading and navigation from Ngomo Mozart (left), ZSM field researcher and trainer, and Patrick Guislain (far right), ZSM field sites coordinator. The guards and trainees are (from left of Ngomo) Bomolo Imboko Sabit, Banketshi Ntangeli, and Lisiko Bomomo Cosma.

education, and promotion of training for apes to help in their own healthcare. Within the Bonobo SSP, there were six births, one death, and an inter-zoo transfer of one animal. During the 2009-2010 fiscal year the Bonobo SSP also:

• Helped coordinate a gathering of great ape experts, cardiac specialists and pathologists to address the epidemic of heart disease in great apes. The ZSM’s Conservation Department worked with Milwaukee County Zoo veterinarian Vickie Clyde to bring more than 25 specialists to the Milwaukee County Zoo for the October 2009 meeting, which was called the Great Ape Cardiovascular Disease Working Group.

• In its cooperation with the European Endangered Species Program (EEP), which manages 92 bonobos in 9 European zoos, the Bonobo SSP met with Zjef Pereboom, EEP coordinator, during

his visit to Milwaukee.

• Worked with the Great Ape Research Institute of Japan to plan the possible transfer of bonobos to Japan.

Amphibians, birds, reptilesSince the 1998-’99 year, the ZSM has given $173,582 to Zoo-staff-coordinated research on Humboldt penguins in Chile and at our Zoo, including $5,359 in 2009-2010. (For more information on penguin and other Zoo-staff conservation research, go to www.zoosociety.org/conservation.) Last year, also, the ZSM supported Zoo staff conducting research or conservation in the field, including $9,842 for frog and coral-reef research on the island of Grenada; $2,244 for iguana research and conservation in Jamaica and on Grand Cayman Island; $1,000 for research on the Butler garter snake in southeastern Wisconsin; $110 for a head-start program at the Zoo to raise ornate box turtles for release into the wild.

Photo by ZSM staff

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education for children: We expanded support for the education of about 150 children ages 6 to 12 in three primary schools in the villages of Tompoco, Bofoku Mai and Watsi Kengo. BCBI provided salaries for seven teachers, and purchased and transported teaching manuals, pencils, pens, notebooks, chalk and footballs. We also worked with parent committees at each school to distribute classroom supplies to families and to provide oversight.

education for Adults: After starting adult literacy classes at Étate a few years ago, the Zoological Society has increased its support to include classes for about 150 adults (including many women) in the villages of Bofoku Mai, Yafe, Efeka and Bofoku Mokili. BCBI provided salaries, ponchos and backpacks for two teachers, as well as funds for pens and notebooks.

raising Awareness: dr. gay reinartz spoke at two conferences. On Sept. 15, 2010, she presented results of scientific work during the Bonobo Symposium at the International Primatological Society Conference in Kyoto, Japan. On Sept. 20, she presented an overview of the BCBI program at the International Symposium titled “Biodiversity, Zoos and Aquariums” in Nagoya, Japan.

captive BonobosOf the four great apes exhibited in zoos and other institutions – bonobos, chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans -- bonobos have the fewest numbers. As of September 2010, there were just 80 bonobos in the 10 institutions that are part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). These institutions, including the Milwaukee County Zoo, all belong to the AZA’s North American Bonobo Species Survival Plan (SSP). Several endangered animal species have SSPs to manage the breeding and health of captive animals. The Bonobo SSP has headquarters at the Zoological Society of Milwaukee, and the ZSM’s Dr. Gay Reinartz has been Bonobo SSP coordinator since 1988. Dr. Reinartz, who has her Ph.D. in genetics, works with zookeepers to maintain a self-sustaining captive population of bonobos in North America. The Milwaukee County Zoo had one of the largest groups of captive bonobos, 16 as of September 2010. The Bonobo SSP contributes to bonobo conservation through research, public

Using global positioning system units is vital to mapping bonobo habitat and poaching activity.

Photo by ZSM staff


A woman holds a bowl of beans harvested as part of the ZSM’s agricultural assistance program in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Photo by ZSM staff

Ricky the bonobo joined the Milwaukee County Zoo’s bonobo group in April 2010.

Photo by Mark Scheuber

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Apes The Zoological Society also provided $5,802 to the Milwaukee County Zoo for great-ape research, conservation and health in fiscal year 2009-2010. The ZSM, which is the headquarters of the AZA’s Bonobo Species Survival Plan, gave $3,522 to a bonobo semen-freezing project that would aid breeding and would be safer than shipping endangered bonobos between zoos. The project would allow for the transfer of genetic material between institutions to actively promote genetic diversity to prevent inbreeding. Zoo Pride, the ZSM’s volunteer auxiliary, provided an additional $2,000 for a frozen semen storage tank. The ZSM also gave $280 to help develop a bonobo cardiac-health database by purchasing equipment to convert cardiac ultrasounds collected on VHS tape to digital videodisks to improve storage, transfer and analysis of this data. The Zoological Society also gave $1,000 to an orangutan-conservation group and $1,000 to the Zoo for its contribution to the AZA’s new Ape Taxon Advisory Group Conservation Initiative.

conservation programs supported by the foundation for Wildlife conservation, inc. (fWc), a partner with the ZsM.Belize: The 6,125-acre Runaway Creek Nature Preserve (called a Reserve in Belize) run by the FWC was the site of several conservation programs, most managed by university researchers and done in collaboration with FWC and its Birds Without Borders/Aves Sin Fronteras staff. These included: 1) Studying jabiru-stork-fledgling survival, 2) Studying spider and howler monkeys, 3) Researching cave-crocodile ecology, 4) Radio-tracking jaguars and pumas both on the ground and from airplanes, 5) Examining mercury levels in birds and bats, 6) Tracking poachers on the preserve to assist the Forest Department, and 7) Rebuilding roads and trails damaged from Hurricane Richard.

Africa: In northern Kenya, the FWC reviewed Lewa Wildlife Conservancy projects supported by FWC in education, women’s business development and security of the wildlife sanctuary. In Tanzania, the FWC hosted a safari featuring the wildlife migration in the Serengeti.


Dave McLellan, coordinator of Kohl’s Wild Theater, reviews actor resumes and photos.

Education For more information, go to

www.zoosociety.org/education

Educating both children and adults is one of the strengths of the Zoological Society of Milwaukee (ZSM). Whether it’s through our eight-classroom facility on Milwaukee County Zoo grounds, through signs and displays the ZSM prepares for the Zoo, or through programs the ZSM brings into the community, we have a strong message about conservation and respect for animals. Our summer camps program, which draws more than 12,000 participants each year, is among the three largest zoo- or aquarium-based camp programs in the nation. Our animal-science classes during the school year help students with science requirements set by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. We also offer curricula for all school classes visiting the Zoo. The variety of educational programs run by the ZSM helps the Zoo maintain national accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

In 2010, the ZSM’s Conservation Education Department was awarded a $1,000,000 grant from Kohl’s Cares to establish Kohl’s Wild Theater, a professional theater company producing original plays with conservation messages. A theater coordinator was hired in September to begin building the company and its repertoire.

The Zoological Society has received accolades for making its education programs available to children from disadvantaged neighborhoods. Our Programs for Disadvantaged Youth help children from neighborhood centers attend ZSM summer camps. During the school year, our Animal Ambassador programs bring the world of animals and conservation to students in urban schools and bring children to the Zoo who might not otherwise be able to visit.

Here is a synopsis of our 2009-2010 programs:ZSM Summer Camps drew 12,183 participants: 9,169 children and 3,014 parents in 529 camp sessions to the Karen Peck Katz Conservation Education Center at the Zoo. Children who normally couldn’t afford to attend summer camps attended, thanks to renewed support from U.S. Cellular®, an anonymous donor, the Evinrude Foundation, the Peters Foundation and the Milwaukee Urban League’s Safe Alternatives for Youth fund. We served 390 children from seven neighborhood and community centers. Our summer college intern program provided 20 students (including three teaching interns) hands-on job training, thanks, in part, to generous support from the Alice Kadish Foundation, the Antonia Foundation and the Jerome and Dorothy Holz Family Foundation.

ZSM September-May programs served 13,675 people in individual child or parent-child classes. In addition, 25,066 schoolchildren learned about animals and science through ZSM-run programs at the Zoo or presented at schools. An additional 97,165 schoolchildren used the Zoo as a science laboratory on field trips and had ZSM curriculum available to them during self-directed tours. Programs for schoolchildren were funded in part by gifts from the Ladish Company Foundation; U.S. Cellular®; U.S. Bank; A.O. Smith Foundation, Inc.; Brady Corporation; Posner Foundation; Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation; Orth Charitable Lead Trust; and Badger Meter Foundation.

The ZSM’s Animal Ambassador programs reached 595 second-grade students and 635 third-grade students at 12 schools; 1,140 fourth graders at 19 schools; and an additional 319 students in 5 schools who experienced a modified program. These programs, which have been offered for 21 years, are funded in part by gifts from an anonymous family foundation; the Antonia Foundation; Arnow & Associates; the Charles D. Jacobus Family Foundation; Cooper Power Systems; the Jerome and Dorothy Holz Family Foundation; Joy Global Foundation, Inc.; the Judith Grimes Family Fund; the Peck Foundation, Milwaukee LTD.; PPG Industries Foundation; Rockwell Automation; U.S. Cellular®; Wells Fargo; the WeyCo Group Charitable Trust; and the Zoological Society Associate Board.

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At a Zoological Society What’s Up, Doc? camp in August 2010, two 9-year-olds make health notes on a goat. The girls -- Madison (left) and Molly -- learned how veterinarians and zookeepers do animal checkups.

In the Zoological Society’s Grossology summer camp 2010, children learned how icky, sticky, gooey and gross things in nature can be interesting and fun. Here 11-year-olds Alexia (left) and Alexandria visit the Zoo’s giraffes and learn about their gooey tongues.

Kids love “gross” stuff. And what’s more gross than elephant poop? But Kristin, 10, and other children in the Zoological Society’s Grossology summer camp learned that elephants help redistribute seeds in the forest that are deposited in their poop.


Scouts: Also in 2009, the ZSM Conservation Education Department began offering Saturday programs that a ZSM educator specifically designed for scout groups. Both Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts could earn badges or patches at the Zoo.

In total, our conservation-education programs served 173,287 people in fiscal year 2009-’10. The Zoological Society reached thousands more with educational messages about animals and conservation through:

• E-mail news to members

• The ZSM Web site, which averaged about 19,200 visits per month (an increase of more than 25,000 visits compared to last fiscal year).

• ZSM publications (each issue of Alive magazine and Wild Things newsletter reached more than 52,000 households, an estimated 150,000 - 200,000 people)

• ZSM-designed signage, displays and videos at the Zoo

• Zoological Society education programs in Africa (see Conservation)

• Stories in the media about ZSM projects, and

• Web sites such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

Aaron Stengel, 8, of Franklin, touched an ornate box turtle at a new Zoological Society program for scouts. Aaron and his Bear Cub Scout pack were at the Zoo Feb. 13, 2010.

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Photo by Julie Cheng

Photo by Gabbi Chee

Photo by Julie Cheng


Zoo SupportThe 2010 Zoological Society fiscal year also marked a century of an amazing public-private partnership with Milwaukee County, which runs the Zoo. The Society has been more than a cheerleader for the Zoo. In the early days we directly purchased animals, raised money for buildings and helped work out plans to expand the Zoo. The Society’s leaders, as we wrote in the January 2010 Alive magazine, “have been visionaries, civic movers and shakers, members of the famous ‘beer baron’ families, industrialists, scientists, writers, politicians. Think Uihlein, Pabst, Schlitz, Gettelmann, Kuehn, Cudahy, McGovern (as in former Gov. Francis E. McGovern), Froedtert, Ott and so many more families, some of them sending second and third generations to serve the Society.”

In the 21st century, the Zoological Society and the Zoo work together to raise funds, coordinate many events, provide tours, produce Zoo signage and ZSM publications, create educational videos and displays, and plan for the future. Zoo Pride, the ZSM’s volunteer auxiliary, celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2010. These volunteers make possible the numerous events held by the Zoo and Society, provide Zoo tours and animal talks, promote the Zoo to the public through a speaker’s bureau, aid ZSM education programs, staff fundraisers held by the ZSM and raise funds for conservation and Zoo exhibits.

The ZSM’s total direct cash (including direct project costs) and in-kind support of the Zoo in 2009-2010 was more than $6.2 million. Among the areas that the ZSM supported were:

conservation and research: The Zoological Society’s total expenses in this area were $605,227 for the last fiscal year. A portion of that went to support the ZSM’s international bonobo-conservation project in Africa called the Bonobo and Congo Biodiversity Initiative (see Conservation section of this report). That project helps the Zoo in several ways. Discoveries about bonobos in the wild can help zookeepers care for bonobos here at the Zoo. As part of the Zoo’s mission and also for accreditation with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Milwaukee County Zoo supports conservation efforts in the field to help endangered species. The ZSM’s bonobo project helps the Zoo meet its commitment to conservation by helping protect bonobos in the wild. The Zoological Society also provides funding to conservation projects proposed by the Zoo, many involving Zoo staff (see Conservation section). That funding in 2009-2010 totaled $24,358.

exhibits and buildings: The ZSM gave $543,455 in direct cash support to Zoo exhibits, including $50,000 for the 2010 summer touring exhibit: Adventure Dinosaur!, sponsored by Lowe’s, and

Marcia Sinner (left) and Julie Radcliffe from the Zoological Society Creative Department install a clay “necklace” of poetry around the trunk of a tree. It was one of 50 nature-themed poems installed at the Zoo in 2010.

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initial funds for the Munchkin Dairy Farm, presented by the Northwestern Mutual Foundation. Also included were ZSM payments for maintenance contracts on various Zoo buildings and some equipment ($136,537), and renovations to the seal and

polar bear habitats thanks to the ZSM’s annual appeal (which raised $219,923).

Publications: The Zoological Society’s Communications, Marketing and Membership Department produces all the publications that promote Zoo events and conservation programs and describe new exhibits and animals. These include Alive magazine, Wild Things newsletter, and Platy Press.

signs, videos, interactive displays, Zoo printed materials, special projects: The ZSM’s Creative Department of five artists provides graphics support to the Zoo as well as to the ZSM. This department also tackles special projects, such as the 50-plus artworks combined with poetry that were part of the Language of Conservation poetry project (see introduction to this report, page 3).

This fish artwork featured one of 50 nature-themed poems installed at the Zoo in 2010.


Zoo Pride volunteer Harold Baumbach answers questions about gorillas (in back) from Audrey L. Carolyn Verhaalen and her daughter, Audrey, 3.

Dr. Gretchen Cole, a veterinary resident at the Zoo, examines a lemur X-ray (radiograph) for possible diabetes. The vet resident program is funded by the Zoological Society.

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veterinary help: The ZSM paid $36,804 for two veterinary residents from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and $53,055 for a pathology fellowship and pathology services, aiding the Zoo’s veterinary staff.

Volunteer help: Zoo Pride volunteers helped with events and programs, provided Zoo guides, aided education programs, supported conservation and did much more to help the Zoo. Of 560 Zoo Pride volunteers, 418 active members donated 42,437 hours in the last fiscal year.

Web sites and social media: The ZSM’s Web site provides information about the Zoo, its animals and its staff. That includes self-guided tours, event details, feature stories, and an archive of publications dating to 1951. The ZSM’s Facebook page and its YouTube channel help promote the Zoo, as do ZSM “tweets” on the social-networking site Twitter. The ZSM also provides some technical support to the Zoo’s Web site.

Additional cash support: The ZSM provided $95,966 to Zoo projects and $528,800 additional cash support to the Zoo.


Serengeti Circle Every year, dozens of civic leaders choose to associate their compa-nies or foundations with Wisconsin’s No.1 single-venue attraction: the Milwaukee County Zoo. This partnership with the Zoo and the non-profit Zoological Society of Milwaukee (ZSM) is accomplished through grants and sponsorships of our special events, traveling exhibits, attrac-tions, conservation initiatives and education programs. This support of the ZSM and the Zoo puts our partners in touch with the Zoo’s almost 1.3 million annual visitors, demonstrates commitment to our community and identifies our partners with the fun, family lifestyle/culture the Zoo represents. The Serengeti Circle is an exclusive group of corporations

Rachel Neubauer, dressed in garments based on fashions from 100 years ago, views photo panels of the Zoological Society’s history at the ZSM’s January 2010 Centennial Celebration Kickoff, sponsored by Tri City National Bank. Neubauer and another historical interpreter from Old World Wisconsin greeted partiers in the U.S. Bank Gathering Place, where a museum-style display showcased 100 years of Society history.

The Buege family of Milwaukee views zebras in their snow-covered exhibit during the Milwaukee County Zoo’s Family Free Day on Dec. 5, 2009. Thanks to sponsors North Shore Bank and FOX 6, the Zoo offers six monthly Family Free Days every year, from November through April. In the photo, from left to right, are Eilene, Matt, and their son, Finley, 1. If it’s not icy, zebras and elephants are some of the warm-weather animals that go outside in the winter at the Zoo. A total of 2,383 people got free admission (not including parking) to the Zoo that December day.

U.S. Bank helped make possible a smile-filled evening at Zoo Ball 2010, sponsored by American Airlines. The evening featured cocktails, several auctions and a gourmet meal, all supported by U.S. Bank.

and foundations that support the Zoo and ZSM at the $3,500 level and above. All business partnerships include opportunities for inclusion in measured and non-measured media (advertising, signage, Web site promotion, etc.), promotional presence on Zoo grounds, VIP customer hosting, Zoo admission and parking tickets, and negotiated consumer offers. For more information on sponsorship opportunities at the Zoo, please call Patty Harrigan Mills, (414) 302-9485. For information on grant opportunities, please call Cassie Jeffery, (414) 258-2333. Here are photos of a few of our programs and events supported by Seren-geti Circle members:

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Platypus Society

James and Susan McNeely, longtime Zoological Society members, became new members of the Platypus Society in 2010. Susan and daughter Sarah also are members of Zoo Pride.

Watch the birdie! Owen Ruark, 1½, of Wauwatosa, held a parakeet as his mom, Jessica, and his sister Eva, 3, offered millet seed sticks to the birds. The Ruark family attended a Platypus Society/VIP premiere of a Zoo special summer exhibit in 2009.

Dinosaur time: Zoological Society President Robert Davis (right) meets with the Dreske family at the May 27, 2010, Platypus Society/VIP premiere of the Zoo’s special summer exhibit, Adventure Dinosaur! sponsored by Lowe’s. Don and Nora Dreske, longtime Platypus Society members, are shown with their granddaughter, Addison Fadeski, age 22 months.

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Photo by Rick Heinlein

The Platypus Society is the highest-level, donor-member recognition group in the Zoological Society of Milwaukee’s

network of support. Annual contributions support every aspect of the Zoological Society, from our support of the Milwaukee County Zoo in the care and conservation of the animal collection, to our educational programming and interactive educational exhibits. About 375 area foundations, businesses

and individuals contribute annually with in-kind services and financial support. Platypus Society members receive exclusive benefits that include access to behind-the-scenes tours and

invitations to VIP gatherings. What’s more important, your donation helps us to ensure the future of the Zoo. For more

information on membership opportunities, please call the Development Office, (414) 258-2333.


simba society Members 2009-2010

Linda & William Abraham, Jr. Charles & Dorothy Aring, Jr. F. Michael & Laura J ArnowDick & Yuko BaldwinJohn T. & Carol BannenDr. Gil & Lillian BoeseRonald & Jean BraundJerry & Carol BrownWilliam & Nancy

“Ginger” BrowneMs. Diane L BrunnerJudy CafmeyerCarl DiedrichMary DohmenDr. Kay M. ElsenJessie FranzDavid GlennLavonne GrenlieDavid & Kerry GrosseLinda L. GrunauGary Hackbarth

Simba SocietyThe Simba Society was created to recognize and thank those donors, during their lifetimes, who remember the Zoological Society of Milwaukee (ZSM) in a will or with a legacy gift. Gifts become a permanent asset of the Zoological Society’s Endowment Trust (see endowments list below). Each year, the earnings from the gift, as well as other contributions to the fund, ensure that the Zoological Society can continue its mission to conserve wildlife, educate the public and support the Zoo long into the future. Donors can name the Zoological Society of Milwaukee County in their wills, as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy or 401K plan, or through any number of other planned giving vehicles. If you’d like to learn more about planned giving, please contact the Development office at (414) 258-2333 or [email protected]. We certainly don’t want to miss you . . . if you’ve already included ZSM in your estate plan, please let us know.

Gerald & Sandy HafemannArlene HansenElaine V. HeckmanJohn & Jeannie HeindelLinda J. HillNancy Lee HorwathMrs. Carole F HoustonMaddy HowardDr. Leander R. & Susie

JenningsRachel JonesLeon & Bonnie JosephMs. Joan KalinoskiRobert & Sandra KochFrank J. LadkyRachel LauberGinny LevenhagenRichard D. LutzDr. John & Kristie MaloneQuinn W. & Jane E. MartinJohn D. & Judy C. McGourthy

Jack & Patti McKeithanDon & Shelley MechenichAmber & Bary MorganDonald & Nadine MundtIn memory of Christopher NastJerry & Judy O’CallaghanLygere PanagopoulosMargie PaurMichael PazdanTerrie PeschmanGina Alberts PeterMark S. PokerJim & Kathleen PolaskiBetty PurdyJames & Nancy ReddingJane Reilly & Jeffrey GlockTomm E. RenkJay & Caroline RobertsonElizabeth RoeslerGayle Rosemann & Paul

McElwee

The Al Rudnitzki Family John & Linda SappBarry & Judy SattellLaura SkoffJohn & Carole SteinerMr. & Mrs. Richard A.

SteinmanDan & Patti StotmeisterChristine A. StraussChip & Joy StringerWilliam & Lois TetzlaffMary Krause Thiry Roselie Van DeurenJudy Van TillAnne WandlerLowell WarshawskyJoan C. Wiegand Family FundDeborah WoelfelDennis & Robin ZdroikJill Meri ZimmermanRobert & Sandra Zodrow

the Bertagnolli endowment Zoo Support

the lynde & Harry Bradley foundation, inc. Wildlife Conservation Grants for Graduate Student Research

roland & florence schroeder cron charitable unitrust Bonobo Species Survival Plan (SSP) Endowment

gretchen & Andrew dawes endowment fund Veterinary Intern Program

dohmen family foundation Hippo Home Exhibit

robert t. foote charitable trust Foundation for Wildlife Conservation, Inc.

Halbert & Alice Kadish foundation inc. Student Intern Program Endowment

Mary ellen Bush & donna larsen estate Ornithological Intern

Bill Borchert larson Otto Borchert Family Special Exhibits Building Florence Mila Borchert Big Cat Country Idabel Wilmot Borchert Flamingo Exhibit and Overlook

liz little endowment Student Intern Program Endowment

Herbert & nada Mahler family Aviary endowment fund The Aviary

Mcgourthy family endowment Giraffe Exhibit

the dorothy J. nelson living trust endowment Student Intern Program Endowment

fred ott endowment Wildlife Preserve, Fond du Lac County

gordana & Milan racic endowment Education Interns

elizabeth laBahn roesler endowment Zoo Support

roswell n. & leona B. stearns foundation, inc. Apes of Africa

EndowmentsThe following donors are individuals whose legacies demonstrate their commitment to the Zoological Society in its support of the Milwaukee County Zoo.

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Annual AppealExhibit upgrades for polar bear and harbor sealsPeople have hot tubs. Polar bears have…cool tubs? Last year Lilly the polar bear got the equivalent of what might be called a cool-down “tub.” It actually is an underwater shelf in her existing pool that she can use for relaxing in the water without having to swim. Great for hot days. Lilly also got a new sand area for digging, which enriches her environment. These new features and other upgrades to the Milwau-kee County Zoo’s polar bear and seal areas were made possible by the Zoological Society’s 2010 Annual Appeal. Thanks to donors, we raised $219,923. For the Harbor Seal Exhibit, which is in front of the Polar Bear Exhibit but separated from it by a large moat, the Zoo built a rock island with a bridge in the seal pool (see photo) where zoo-keepers now give talks to the public. They also added artificial kelp to make the pool more like a seal’s natural habitat.

Amba the Amur tiger with cubs Tula and Nuri

Zookeeper Kim Pankonien feeds Sydney the harbor seal from the new rock work.

A new bridge and rock island make it easier for zookeepers to deliver talks to the public at the Zoo’s harbor seal exhibit.

Seal photos by Rick Heinlein

Sponsor an AnimalWhether you like graceful trumpeter swans like Isabella or playful Amur tiger cubs like Tula and Nuri, you can sponsor popular ani-mals at the Milwaukee County Zoo through the Zoological Society’s Sponsor an Animal program. Besides tigers and swans, other animals featured in 2009-10 included Robin, the moose; Buddy, the North American river otter; and the Zoo’s meerkats. Animal sponsorships range from $20 for membership in the Zoological Society’s Kids Con-servation Club to $2,500 for individuals who sponsor just one animal. In the 2009-2010 fiscal year, 3,390 people participated in the Spon-sor an Animal Program, raising a total of $170,557.

For more information, go to

www.zoosociety.org/sponsoranimal

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Membership Dues: 61% Special Events/Programs: 23% Contributions: 10% Grants: 6%

Zoo Support, Capital & Direct Project Costs: 71% Support Services: 18% Research/Conservation: 7% General & Administrative: 4%

A harbor seal rests by its pool.


SUPPORT & REVENUE

MeMBersHiP dues from all Zoological Society and Platypus Society members . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,469,308

contriButions toward capital projects and specific programs . . . $867,050

sPeciAl events ProgrAMs/sPonsorsHiPs including animal sponsorship, Zoo Ball, education, ZSM and Zoo special events and sponsorships. . . $2,037,447

interest incoMe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $49,156

grAnts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $551,892

totAl suPPort & revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8,974,853

Financial SummaryZoological Society of Milwaukee County (ZSM) -- Year ending September 30, 2010

ZSM Cash-Flow Summary 2009-2010Cash at start of the year ..................... $886,334Cash at end of the year ....................$1,162,465Net increase in cash ............................ $276,131

RECEIPTS Membership Dues: 61% Special Events/Programs: 23% Contributions: 10% Grants: 6%

Zoo Support, Capital & Direct Project Costs: 71% Support Services: 18% Research/Conservation: 7% General & Administrative: 4%

EXPENSES

COST OF SUPPORT AND REVENUE (Support Services)

MeMBersHiP dues Expense of providing benefits to all Zoological Society and Platypus Society members . . . . . . . $1,226,153

sPeciAl events/ProgrAMs Expense of providing and promoting ZSM special events/programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $456,110

totAl cost of suPPort & revenue (Support Services). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,682,263

EXPENSES

direct ProJect costs Expenses relative to capital projects and specific programs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $348,693

Zoo suPPort Expense of providing, promoting and supporting education, graphics, conservation programs, special exhibit projects, and ZSM and Zoo special events; payments to the Zoo for all ZSM events; parking for Zoo Pass Plus; and coupons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,997,399

reseArcH/conservAtion Expenses relating to state, national and international programs supporting species preservation . . . . . . $605,227

generAl And AdMinistrAtive Expenses relating to daily ZSM operations. . . . . . $366,765

totAl eXPenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,318,084

totAl cost of suPPort, revenue And eXPenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9,000,347

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One of the Zoo’s earliest animal stars was Yacob the hippopotamus, who arrived

from Germany in 1913 at age 3. When he died in

1943, Yacob weighed 6,000 pounds and was the largest

hippo in captivity. Here he is shown at Washington Park

Zoo. Photographer unknown.A cake modeled after the Zoo’s Happy the hippo was a star at the Zoological Society

of Milwaukee’s Centennial Celebration Kickoff on Jan. 9, 2010. Sponsored by Tri City National Bank, the 100th birthday bash for the Society brought about

1,200 people to the Milwaukee County Zoo (which celebrated its 100th birthday in 1992). The highlight of the day was a cake-decorating contest featuring 16 wild cakes. The hippo cake, created by Debbie Pagel of Eat Cake bakery in Milwaukee,

won the “people’s choice” award and the runner-up award.

In February 1954, Zoo Director George Speidel (right) reviewed a

model of the planned new Zoo on Blue Mound Road with Otto R. Kuehn (left), chairman of the Zoological

Society’s New Zoo Committee; Walter Bender, president of the Milwaukee

County Park Commission; and Commission secretary Jerome C.

Dretzka (next to Speidel). Photographer unknown

Countess Heine, an Asian elephant who came to the Washington Park Zoo in 1907, gave visitors rides.

Photographer: Joseph Brown

Sam La Malfa talked with zoogoers at the Zoological Society’s birthday bash Jan. 9, 2010, about Samson the gorilla, one of the most famous animals in Milwaukee County Zoo history. The now-retired La Malfa was

Samson’s head keeper from 1973 until the great ape’s death in 1981. He displayed his Samson memorabilia near the Milwaukee Public Museum’s award-winning replica of

Samson (background).

Samson the gorilla inspired O&H Danish Bakery, of

Racine, to enter a huge Samson cake in the cake-decorating contest for the Zoological Society’s centennial party.

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10005 W. Blue Mound Rd., Milwaukee, Wis. 53226(414) 258-2333 www.zoosociety.org

A Zoological Society and Milwaukee County Zoo Partnership

The Zoological Society of Milwaukee:100 Years in the Making

Documents

2009-2010 Annual Report