Zoological Society of Milwaukee Annual Report 2011-2012 · Zoological Society of Milwaukee Annual Report for Fiscal Year Oct. 1, 2011, through Sept. 30, 2012 Naku the gorilla was

Zoological Society of Milwaukee Annual Report 2011-2012

The mission of the Zoological Society of Milwaukee is to participate in conserving endangered species, to educate people about the importance ofwildlife and the environment, and to support the Milwaukee County Zoo.

2011-2012 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2011-2012 ASSOCIATE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2011-2012 FOUNDATION FOR WILDLIFE CONSERVATION, INC.** BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Directors Thom BrownMichael G. CarterDr. Robert DavisMichael M. Grebe, Jr.Karen HungKatherine HustKaren Peck KatzMaria Gonzalez KnavelJoe KreslCaroline KriderJames KuehnThomas (T.J.) MariniAllen MartinQuinn MartinJack McKeithanJay McKennaKat MorrowJill Grootemat PelisekGina Alberts PeterJoan Prince, Ph.D.

Scott RedlingerJames C. RoweBarry SattellKim SchafferRick SchmidtRyan SchultzThelma SiasBillie Jean SmithJudy Holz StathasDavid StrelitzRich Tennessen*Brookellen Teuber**Gregory WesleyJane WierzbaRay Wilson

Honorary DirectorsWilliam J. Abraham, Jr.John B. BurnsWilliam M. Chester, Jr.Stephen M. Dearholt

Tom DempseyRichard 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

Directors Anthony BaishBrian BoeckerBill BusslerMatthew D’AttilioCherie EckmannMary Ellen EneaDarryll FortuneJoseph FrohnaGigi GamboaTammy Scully GarrisonGeorge JusticeKaren LothMaureen MackPat McQuillanKristin OcchettiJim OlsonKent OrenMeghan Shannon

Michael SheppardTricia ShinnersBrookellen Teuber*Laura VogtEido WalnyMark Zimmerman

Honorary DirectorsBob AngerDavid BattenLori BechtholdNora DreskeJohn FleckensteinMike FoxLinda GrunauEli GuzniczakLee Walther KordusPeter KordusJoe Kresl

Quinn MartinKat MorrowKatie PionkoskiRichard J. PodellBunny Raasch-HootenArlene RemsikBarry SattellDan SchwabeRandy ScovilleJudy Holz StathasJeff SterenDavid StrelitzJames SzymanskiKathleen TooheyJane WierzbaRay Wilson

2011-2012ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY MANAGEMENT STAFF President/CEODr. Robert M. Davis

Communications, Marketing& MembershipRobin Higgins, Vice President

DevelopmentKaren Von Rueden, Vice President

Finance/AdministrationJohn Heindel, Vice President

CreativeMarcia T. Sinner, Director

EducationJames Mills, Director

Technology/MembershipServicesDominic Schanen, Director

Michael Guzniczak, ChairJudy Derse, Past ChairGerald Gerndt, Vice ChairJohn Heindel, Secretary/Treasurer

Gil Boese, Ph.D., PresidentRobert M. Davis, DVM

Michael GrebeScott HaagLeander R. JenningsKaren Peck KatzMaria Gonzalez-KnavelCharles A. Krause

* Chair of the Board ** Associate Board President

* President

**FWC has partnered with theZoological Society to carry outand advance some of its majorconservation, education, and research programs.

CEO Letter From dinosaurs to dynamic, live theater, the Zoological Society of Milwaukee (ZSM) helped make theMilwaukee County Zoo a fun place to visit in the 2011-’12 year. We welcomed Sendik’s Food Markets as the sponsor of the Zoo’s specialsummer exhibit, Adventure Dinosaur!As many of you know, the Zoological Society secures the sponsors for most Zoo events and special exhibitsas well as all ZSM events. Thanks partly to the ZSM’s efforts, our Zoohas more events than many zoos –usually two to four events on groundseach month. Several of those eventsrun multiple days. Without sponsor-ship, many events would not happen.

Likewise, many of our education programs would not be possible without sponsorship orgrants. The live theater program run year-round by the ZSM Conservation Education Department would not have developed or expanded without major grants (see pages 4 and 8). Our education programs that reach out to children in economically disadvantagedneighborhoods also are made possible by numerous generous donors (see page 9).

Our conservation programs – especially Zoological Society support of bonobo conservationin Africa and here at home (see page 5) – are funded by a wide variety of grants anddonors. These range from the U.S. Agency for International Development to individualswho share our passion for saving endangered species.

Zoo Director Chuck Wikenhauser and I feel lucky to have such a wonderful relationshipwith foundations, corporations, community groups and individuals who help us meet ourmissions of conservation, education and the presentation of a first-class zoo. To all our supporters, we say: Thank you!

Dr. Robert (Bert) Davis, Chief Executive Officer

CONTENTS2011-2012 Annual Report summary ...........3-11Serengeti Circle ......................................................................12Platypus Circle.........................................................................12Simba Circle/Endowments ........................................13Annual Appeal..........................................................................14Sponsor an Animal ...............................................................14Financial Summary .............................................................15Back Cover: Lody the Bonobo .................................16

The 2011-2012 Zoological Society of Milwaukee’s (ZSM’s) annual report is published online as of Oct. 18, 2013. It is available in a PDF file for download at www.zoosociety.org/annual reports. The ZSM has headquarters at 10005 W. Bluemound Rd., Milwaukee, Wis. 53226-4383. Call (414) 258-2333 for information.

Editor Graphic Designer PhotographerPaula Brookmire Marcia T. Sinner Richard Brodzeller

(unless otherwise noted)

On the coverThe Milwaukee County Zoo’s fennec fox pair had kits (not shown) in January 2012.

Milwaukee County Zoo director Chuck Wikenhauser(left) and Zoological Society President Robert Davisadmire life-size dinosaur models at the premiere ofthe Zoo’s special summer exhibit May 24, 2012.Guests at the VIP premiere of Adventure Dinosaur!,sponsored by Sendik’s Food Markets, viewed roboticdinosaur models such as this Dilophosaurus momand baby in the background. The exhibit featured 22 dinosaurs.

2 Zoological Society of Milwaukee Annual Report 2011-2012

Zoological Society of Milwaukee Annual Report 2011-2012 3

It’s all about the animals, we often say. Yet it’s about us

humans, too. Animals or humans – we share the air, the water,

the trees. Protecting and caring for animals – whether it’s at

the Milwaukee County Zoo or in the wild – involves protecting

the environment. When you think about the conservation and

education missions of the Zoological Society of Milwaukee (ZSM),

remember that conservation helps us as much as it helps wildlife.

While the ZSM is educating people about gorillas and giraffes

and their African habitats, we’re also saving the species here at

this Wisconsin zoological park. By telling the stories of individ-

ual animals and individual conservation projects in ZSM media,

we show the value of and the path to preserving our planet.

Let’s look at the success of our mission during 2011-2012 in terms of animals. As we heard about the decline of lions in Africa, we watchedthree lion cubs, born at our Zoo in 2011, grow up during 2012. As weheard about endangered gorillas killed in Africa, we welcomed a new female gorilla, Naku, to the Zoo. We also celebrated 61 years of affectionfor Samson, the Zoo’s most famous gorilla (who died in 1981), with abook “I Remember Samson.” The author is Darlene Winter, a member of Zoo Pride, the ZSM’s volunteer auxiliary. She has dedicated the profitsfrom the book to the Great Ape Heart Proj-ect, an ape-health project that the ZSM helpssupport. January 2012 also marked the 30thanniversary of the Zoo’s Samson Stomp andRomp, a wintry run-walk in memory of Sam-son. The Zoological Society gets involved notonly by providing general funds to the Zooand recruiting sponsors for this and other Zooevents but also by telling the stories of theseanimals and projects in ZSM publications.Naku, for example, was the cover star for the April 2012 Alive, the ZSM’s member magazine. A story on the Great Ape HeathProject appeared inside. Stories on the lioncubs, Samson book and Samson Stomp appeared in Wild Things, the ZSM membernewsletter. And Wild Thingsmarked its 100th issue in June 2012.

Then there’s the ZSM’s long-term project tohelp the endangered bonobo, a great ape that’s found in the wild only inthe Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Dr. Gay Reinartz, the ZoologicalSociety’s conservation coordinator, has promoted the conservation ofbonobos for more than 25 years. She directs the ZSM’s Bonobo andCongo Biodiversity Initiative (BCBI). Created in 1997 by the ZoologicalSociety, BCBI is a multi-faceted conservation program in the DRC focusing

Zoological Society of Milwaukee Annual Report for Fiscal Year Oct. 1, 2011, through Sept. 30, 2012

Naku the gorilla was the“cover girl” for the April 2012Alive magazine. A story insidedescribed her welcome tothe Milwaukee County Zoo.

Animals of Our Lives

on the study and protection of wild bonobos. Dr. Reinartz spends sixmonths a year in DRC’s Salonga National Park conducting field research.Based at the Etate Research Station and Patrol Post, Dr. Reinartz also col-laborates with the DRC’s park authority and other conservation partnersto conserve bonobos, forest elephants and other endangered animals. Theproject has become an example of how to protect wildlife while improving

A giant inflatable gorillawatched over runners startinga 5K race at the MilwaukeeCounty Zoo’s Samson Stomp& Romp on Jan. 15, 2012,which drew more than 2,090participants. The annual race is named after Samson the gorilla.

the lives of people who live nearby (see Conservation section). In 2012, Dr. Reinartz received the Excellence in Journalism Award from the American Association of Zoo Keepers for an article titled “Perspectives in Poaching: A Park Guard’s Story.” Her article detailed the daily realityof park guards who put their lives at risk.

Meanwhile, Zoo Pride has done its part in conserving animals. Between1993 and the first part of 2012, Zoo Pride’s conservation committeeraised nearly $55,000. Anna Wascoe, chair of the conservation committeein 2012, explains how they did it: “We raise funds for animal causes byselling S.O.S. – Save Our Species – buttons to zoogoers. On average weraise about $2,500 for each cause.” In 2012 they supported Polar BearsInternational. The Zoological Society’s Creative Department designs theS.O.S. buttons as a service to Zoo Pride. In its April 2012 issue, the ZSM’sWild Things newsletter presented an overview of the conservation proj-ects and groups that Zoo Pride has aided, from bats and bonobos to black rhinos and bald eagles. Go to zoosociety.org/wtapril2012

Telling the story of animals and conservation is part of the purpose of theZSM’s Conservation Education Department. In nearly year-round classes,children and families get to meet animals close up. In age-appropriate activities, they learn how animals adapt to their environment and howpeople can pitch in to protect animals. ZSM programs for school classestake advantage of the Zoo as a “living museum” as they take children on Zoo tours or bring Zoo “education animals” into school classrooms.For more information, see the Education section.

The Zoological Society helps animals and the Zoo through a variety of programs such as our Sponsor an Animal program and our Annual Appeal. Each part of the ZSM’s three-pronged mission of conservation,education and support of the Zoo is covered in the following pages. The ZSM’s total Zoo support in 2011-2012 was $6,580,974 (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 $5,328,243 in Zoo Pass memberships in fiscal year 2011-2012.• Platypus Circle:Members of the ZSM’s premier annual-giving group donated more than $620,730 in cash or in-kind services to help the Zoo.• Sponsors, grantors & supporters: The ZSM acquires sponsors for most of the Zoo’s major events and attractions, and ZSM 2011-2012direct cash sponsorship support to the Zoo was $311,767. Grants sup-port education and conservation programs, and other projects. Grantsbrought in $694,746 last year. Additional support of $396,669 fundedthe ZSM’s live theater program (see Education section). In December2011, the ZSM was awarded $32,841 by the Potawatomi Bingo CasinoMiracle on Canal Street program; the funds went to support ZSM edu-cation programs serving children from economically disadvantagedareas of Milwaukee.• Fundraisers run by the ZSM Associate Board: The 29th annual ZooBall, sponsored by American Airlines, raised more than $476,000. The23rd Annual MillerCoors Birdies and Eagles Golf Tournament raised$115,216. All other fundraising events run by the Associate Board –ranging from a Zoo campout to a September bike ride – raised$192,590. • The ZSM’s Sponsor an Animal program raised $160,599 in the last fiscal year to support the Zoo’s animals. • Annual Appeal: The ZSM’s annual appeal raised $176,585 to installWeb cams in several animal exhibits and to provide cash support to the Zoo.

Addi Jean the Bactrian camel was born May 4, 2012, to parents Moses andSanchi. A story on the youngster ran in the September 2012 issue of Wild Thingsnewsletter.

By April 2012, the threelion cubs that had beenborn in July 2011 werenearly grown. An earlierphoto shows them in the cute-cub stage.


Conservation


Wild Bonobos

Dr. Gay Reinartz, the Zoological Society of Milwaukee’s (ZSM’s) conservation coordinator, has spentmore than a quarter-century work-ing to protect the endangeredbonobo. She directs the ZSM’saward-winning Bonobo and CongoBiodiversity Initiative (BCBI), cre-ated in 1997. Bonobos are greatapes found in the wild only in theDemocratic Republic of Congo(DRC). The Zoological Societymaintains a research station, calledEtate, in the DRC’s Salonga NationalPark; the station also serves as a patrol post for park guards. The BCBI works in collaboration with theICCN (Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature) and other con-servation partners to study and protect bonobo and forest elephant popu-lations and their rainforest habitat. Through BCBI, the Zoological Societysupports park anti-poaching programs, trains and supplies park guards,supports primary schools, and provides adult liter-acy classes for villagers near Etate. Dr. Reinartz andPatrick Guislain, ZSM field-site coordinator, workfrom Etate and are aided by a Congolese projectteam consisting of research assistants, logistics specialists, river pilots and a camp cook.

The 2011-’12 fiscal year was particularly successfulfor BCBI partly because of continued security in the Watsi Kengo Sector – the area in the Salongawhere we work – and the purging of elephantpoachers from many parts of the national park, especially along the Yenge River. Since October2011, a joint military and ICCN anti-poaching operation, known as Operation Bonobo, has beenin effect. As a result, many poachers have been arrested and security has been restored so that ourfield surveys could re-commence and park guardscould once again patrol the forests. Here areprogress reports regarding a variety of our projects.

Park Support, Anti-Poaching Efforts and Guard TrainingOne of the highlights of the year was the new Lotulo Patrol Post. Located near the mouth of the pristine Yenge River, Lotulo provides astrategic and important “choke point” for poachers entering the parkvia the Yenge. They have to pass the patrol post to access the park’s

interior forests where elephants are still found. The Zoological Society provided start-up supplies and rations to get the patrol post operational,and we also secured grants for the first year to enable year-round surveil-lance. In July-August 2012, the ICCN constructed the first buildings at

Lotulo and stationed the first guard team. Meanwhile,atEtate, guards increased their surveillance area from 500square kilometers to more than 1,000 square kilometers over the year. The guards focused patrols close to and alongthe Yenge River where elephants still dwell. Even though Operation Bonobo cleared the Yenge of elephant poachinggangs, guards continued to find evidence of extensive, illegal fishing (camps, abandoned nets, etc.). BCBI’s other park-support efforts included:

Rations for anti-poaching patrols: Throughout the year,DRC’s national army maintained a presence in the Salongaand provided an ongoing deterrent to poachers. BCBI pro-vided basic food stocks – rice, beans, salt and sugar – tosoldiers in the Watsi Kengo Sector.

Equipment for guards: At Etate, we supported park guardswith equipment and supplies, such as field shoes, batteries,medicines, cameras, sleeping bags and pads, flashlights andmosquito nets.

Support to the Watsi Kengo Station (northern park head-quarters): This included machetes, tarpsand other field supplies. We also pur-chased and delivered fuel stocks and anew outboard motor specifically forYenge River patrols and guard rotationsat Lotulo. To enable communication

The Zoological Society of Milwaukee (ZSM) supports or directs importantconservation programs and research internationally, in Wisconsin, and atthe Milwaukee County Zoo. Its expenses related to research and conserva-tion totaled $585,930 in fiscal year 2011-2012. Following are descriptionsof various projects:

For more information, go towww.zoosociety.org/conservation

A young female bonobo looks down on researchers.

Photo by Hugo Warner

A dugout canoe (pirogue)holds barrels of fuel foranti-poaching patrols in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Guards build a new patrol post at Lotulo.

Guards stand proudly infront of the new patrolpost at Lotulo in a Con-golese national park.

Photos by ZSM staff

among distant patrol posts, we acquired a new two-way radio and com-munication equipment for the Biondo-Biondo Patrol Post – a remote post200 kilometers upriver of Watsi Kengo.

Training: During the year, we held training sessions for guards and park officials. The training sessions covered the basics of compasses, GPS unitsand map reading used in forest navigation and bio-monitoring.

Surveys and ResearchThe BCBI team continued to survey the land between the Yenge and Sa-longa Rivers (Watsi Kengo Sector). The region, we believe, harbors 4,000to 6,000 bonobos and a remnant herd of forest elephants. The sector ap-pears to be one of only a few areas left in the huge Salonga National Parkwhere bonobos and elephants occur in substantial numbers and whereelephants still influence regeneration and growth of the rainforest.

Led by our Congolese research assistants, Ngomo Mozart and BaseleMichel, our team increased its survey area to about 2,500 square kilometers.Close to the Yenge River, our team found no evidence of returning elephantpoachers since the start of Operation Bonobo; however, they found manyreminders of previous poaching activity, including abandoned camps andtwo elephant carcasses. Michel and Mozart have formed a strong team withthe help of park guards from the Etate Patrol Post, who continued to pro-vide assistance during surveys. The guards not only help provide protectionfrom accidental encounters with poachers, but they also help find bonobonests and identify animal signs. Aside from evaluating the status of bonobosand forest elephants, the survey team reported instances of rarer mammalssuch as hippopotamus, leopard and forest buffalo.

Community Assistance The Zoological Society continued its support of community education inthe Etate region. The BCBI provided four schools in three communitieswith salaries for nine teachersand classroom supplies (pens,notebooks and chalk). Thefunds and supplies were delivered to parent committees,which oversee the schools andserve as liaisons with BCBI. Stu-dent enrollment increased overthe past year from approxi-mately 350 students to morethan 400. We also continued tosupport adult literacy instruc-tion in the three villages, withfunds for teacher salaries, pensand notebooks. Due to lack ofproper reporting and irregularteacher attendance, however, we scaled back the program to only one village by the end of our fiscal year.

Etate Field Day: In April 2012, as a pilot project to help ameliorate resent-ment by neighboring villagers toward Salonga National Park and buildgreater awareness about the park’s value, we held a field day at the EtatePatrol Post. Four teachers and 20 children from nearby villages joined usfor a day to learn about the park, its animals and the reasons why conser-vation is important. The Etate guards conducted the entire program; theyspoke about the park, its history, their work, key animals and conserva-tion. Led by the guards, the students later went into the forest to see their


first bonobo nest. Then they en-joyed a brief competition to findthe most bonobo nests. We endedthe day by giving each student agreen baseball cap, a pack ofcrayons and images of animals tocolor. We were surprised to seethat some children did not knowhow to correctly align the image

of the elephant (because they had never seen one). They finally agreedthat the animal looked best upside down. We plan to conduct another field day in 2013.

PRESENTATIONS, PAPERS, AWARDS• Dr. Reinartz spoke at a meeting of the Milwaukee (Wis.) Rotary Club. She also appeared as a guest on Wisconsin Public Radio’s Kathleen Dunnshow and WUWM’s Lake Effect program.

• Dr. Reinartz and Steven Seyfert, BCBI program steward, received the Excellence in Journalism Award from the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) for an article in AAZK’s monthly newsletter: Perspectives in Poaching: A Park Guard Story.

• Dr. Reinartz and Patrick Guislain contributed data, photographs andtechnical comments to a new conservation plan for bonobos inCongo. The plan, Bonobo (Pan paniscus) Conservation Strategy 2012-2022, was published by the International Union for the Conservationof Nature/ Species Survival Commission Primate Specialist Groupand the ICCN.

Captive BonobosDr. Reinartz helped create the Bonobo Species Survival Plan (SSP) in 1988and has coordinated the plan through the AZA ever since. The BonoboSSP is headquartered at the Zoological Society of Milwaukee. In 1985 Dr. Reinartz helped bring bonobos from Europe to the Milwaukee CountyZoo. At the time, the captive-bonobo population in the U.S. was criticallysmall. Under her leadership, that population increased and genetic diver-sity improved. As of September 2012, there were 78 bonobos at sevenAZA-accredited zoological institutions in North America. Dr. Reinartz and ZSM conservation staff work with zookeepers and other officials atNorth American zoos to manage and maintain a healthy and self-sustainingcaptive population of bonobos. The Milwaukee County Zoo has one of the largest captive groups in the world, 16 as of September 2012. TheBonobo SSP contributes to conservation of the species through research,health-care initiatives, education of the public about bonobos, and trainingof bonobos to help in their own healthcare. Within the Bonobo SSP, there

Villagers at Bofoku Mai rebuild their school. If the school is maintained, the Zoological Society of Milwaukee provides wages for teachers and classroom supplies.

Photo by ZSM staff

At the ZoologicalSociety’s Etate research station,children fromnearby villageslearn about animalsthey have neverseen, such as forest elephants.

Photos by ZSM staff

Children on a field trip to the Etate research station venture into the forestwith a guard, who points to a bonobonest in the trees.


were two deaths and two transfers but no births between Oct. 1, 2011,and Sept. 30, 2012.

In the 2011-2012 fiscal year, the Bonobo SSP helped plan and coordinate a joint meeting of the Bonobo SSP and the European Endangered SpeciesProgram (EEP). The meeting, held in January 2012 in San Diego, discussedthe management of the global captive population of bonobos. Topics atthe three-day meeting included: animal transfers between the SSP in NorthAmerica and EEP institutions in Europe, bonobo management, bonobohealth and reproductive issues, bonobo exhibit design, and research atbonobo institutions. Representatives from six European zoos in Belgium,Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom attended. Dr. VickieClyde, a Milwaukee County Zoo veterinarian who is veterinary advisor to the Bonobo SSP, gave a presentation on treating ape heart disease.

Apes and African Animals The Zoological Society’s primary conservation support goes to its owngreat-ape program, the Bonobo and Congo Biodiversity Initiative (seeabove). The ZSM funds numerous other conservation efforts, however, including spending $8,919 in the 2011-2012 fiscal year to support theseprojects to help apes and other African mammals:

• Ape Heart studies, $2,315: The most common cause of death in captive great apes is enlargement of the left ventricle of the heart dueto fibrotic scar tissue. In humans, this change is most often related tohigh blood pressure. The Zoo has worked to train several bonobos to accept finger cuffs that measure indirect blood pressure while theapes are awake (see back cover). In 2012, with Zoological Societyhelp, the Zoo purchased a new indirect blood pressure monitor that allows quicker blood pressure readings.• Ape studies at the Zoo, $1,500: Dr. Sarah Boysen, a great-ape behav-ior researcher, did intensive testing in 2011-2012 to gain insight intothe cognitive abilities of our Zoo’s three great-ape species: bonobos,gorillas and orangutans. To see a 2012 Alivemagazine story on herresearch, go to www.zoosociety.org\Alivespring2012.• Bonobo heart-pathology studies, $1,064: In an effort to delve moreclosely into the similarities and differences between heart disease inapes and humans, human-heart-disease specialists have analyzed pre-served bonobo hearts from the Milwaukee County Zoo. This work hasspurred additional research into methods to measure indirect bloodpressure in awake apes, thus avoiding the dangers of anesthesia.• Lola Ya Bonobo, $1,000: This bonobo orphanage in Kinshasa, thecapital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, accepted eight new orphans in 2011-2012. It also purchased an island in the heart ofbonobo territory for the future release of bonobos with physical or psychological handicaps.• Kibale National Park Forest Conservation, $1,000: This park inUganda is one of the last remaining expanses to contain both lowlandand montane forests. It is home to chimpanzees and 12 other speciesof primates. The goal of this project is to teach people energy-savingtechnologies and sustainable forestry, reducing their need to cut treesfor firewood.• Reintroducing bongos to the wild, International Bongo Foundation,$1,040: By 2013 this group hoped to reintroduce the critically endan-gered eastern bongo to Mount Kenya. Bongos from North Americanzoos (including our Zoo) were transported to Kenya in 2004 andmanaged by the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy until a herd wasformed for the reintroduction. Funds from the ZSM will help withradio telemetry and surveillance of the bongos. For more details, go to www.internationalbongofoundation.org.

• Sahara Conservation Fund, fennec fox preservation, $1,000: Thisgroup is trying to save these big-eared foxes from being poached for the pet trade and from being poisoned by Saharan people.

Amphibians, Coral Reef Wildlife, ReptilesZoological Society funding of more than $14,000 supported 2011-2012conservation projects and research involving amphibians, reptiles and fish.Milwaukee County Zoo staff were involved in most of these projects,which included:

• Grenada frog research, $5,424: Conservation efforts have focused on helping a native frog species on the Caribbean island of Grenadafight off threats to its survival from an alien frog species and from a deadly frog-killing fungus called chytrid. In 2011, Grenada frogpopulations had stabilized, but 2012 data were still being analyzed,reports Craig Berg, the Zoo aquarium and reptile curator.• Grenada Coral Reef Study, $1,300: Since 2009, our Zoo staff, withZoological Society support, has joined the Wisconsin Lutheran Col-lege’s reef-monitoring program in Grenada to compare the long-termhealth of coral reefs and ocean wildlife in marine-protected areaswith areas that receive no protection. “We hope to demonstrate the economic benefits of protected areas to the tourist industry and fishing communities,” says Berg.• Grenada Wildlife Film Production, $5,000: The Zoological Society is supporting production of three- to five-minute films that teachpeople about the value of conserving Grenada’s frogs, snakes andlizards (which many people fear). The films, created by a video company that has worked for National Geographic, are slated to be shown on national TV in Grenada.• Iguana conservation, $2,132:Milwaukee County Zoo staff, with ZSMsupport, have been involved for several years in projects to raise igua-nas and release them back into the wilds of Grand Cayman island andJamaica. In 2012, the Zoo sent veterinary technician Joan Maurer toassist in iguana health screening on Grand Cayman and zookeeperStacy Whitaker to survey blue iguanas on one of the Lesser Caymanislands. Dawn Fleuchaus, a Zoo area supervisor, has been involvedwith Jamaican iguana conservation since 2002. • Ornate box turtle head-start program, $203: Since 1996, our Zoohas helped raise baby turtles, which grow faster in a zoo environment,to a size that made them more likely to survive in the wild. ZookeeperChad Pappas and other staff have raised 336 turtles over the years(24 in 2012), and then released them into wild areas in Wisconsin.

BirdsProjects to protect and study Humboldt penguins have received key ZSMsupport for 14 years. Since the 1998-’99 year, the ZSM has given morethan $181,505 to Zoo-staff-coordinated research or education on Hum-boldt penguins in Chile and at our Zoo, including about $5,147 in 2011-2012 to install artificial nesting burrows that can resist flooding and stormdestruction along Chile’s coast. In addition, the ZSM gave $3,324 in 2011-2012 to have a keeper from the Milwaukee County Zoo travel to Peru toparticipate in a project to monitor Humboldt penguins and other wildlifeduring traditional guano harvesting. (For more information on the penguinmonitoring, go to the ZSM home page at www.zoosociety.org/guano.)Other bird-conservation projects funded by the ZSM in the last fiscal year were:

• Migratory Bird Collision Abatement, $750: The Zoo is an activestopover or nesting site for 176 species of native migratory birds. To prevent birds colliding with windows of Zoo buildings, Zoo and

Continued on page 11

EducationFor more information, go towww.zoosociety.org/education

Of the three missions of the Zoological Society of Milwaukee (ZSM) –conservation, education and support of the Milwaukee County Zoo – education often is the linchpin of the other two. By educating children and adults about protecting animals and the habitats they share, we teachconservation. By offering extensive education programs nearly year-round,the ZSM helps the Zoo maintain national accreditation from the Associa-tion of Zoos and Aquariums. Our offerings range from animal-scienceclasses and summer camps to programs for disadvantaged youth, eithertaught in our eight-classroom facility on Zoo grounds or brought directlyto schools. In 2011-2012 the ZSM Conservation Education Departmentonce again expanded our programming significantly – launching commu-nity outreach programs with Kohl’s Wild Theater. We began providing live,professional, conservation-themed theater performances at no charge tovenues within an hour of the Zoo. Thanks to the multi-year partnershipwith Kohl’s Cares, the ZSM was able to reach audiences with our conser-vation messaging through shows performed at libraries, community centers,schools and festivals such as Summerfest and Wisconsin State Fair. Hereare summaries of ZSM educational programs’ successes:

Kohl’s Wild TheaterOn the heels of an excellent inaugural summer season,Kohl’s Wild Theater continued its success bylaunching outreach pro-gramming. From October2011 through September2012, teams of actors deliv-ered 637 shows featuring awildlife conservation messageat schools and communityevents. Over 83,000 audiencemembers were served in this period, making Kohl’s Wild The-ater one of the most expansive educational theater programs inthe United States. Show offeringsincluded “The Reach of the RainForest,” “Wild Wisconsin,” and “A Tale of Two Hemispheres.” Audience responses were very posi-tive. One teacher responded by saying, “I thought the content was great. Veryrelatable to kids. Gave them very easy action steps…to help them reduce their[carbon] footprint!” Another teachersaid, “The clever script helped the actorspresent the concept with humor. It also allowed the students to draw on priorknowledge and personal experience.”

In May 2012, Kohl’s Wild Theaterresumed live plays at the Milwaukee County

Zoo. Its second summer season featured new shows and past favorites.Beyond the shows, audiences were thrilled to see new bleacher shading,thanks to an additional donation from Kohl’s Cares. By the end of thesummer season (which ends with Labor Day), Kohl’s Wild Theater presen-tations at the Zoo had reached 70,885 Zoo guests. The two new playswere “Journey to the Rich Coast” and “The Strange Case of the Alien Invasion.” The returning favorites were the orangutan musical “A Climbthrough Time with Clues and Rhyme” and the penguin/pirate musical“The Treasure of the Sea” (which premiered in October 2011 as part of A Tale of Two Hemispheres). Conservation topics covered in these fourshows included the palm oil crisis, sustainable seafood, migratory bird conservation, and invasive species. Among the audience comments wasthis: “The opportunity for audience interaction was excellent, especiallyfor my younger child. He was captivated. The songs were very catchy. Iloved it!” Another audience member said, “Information was awesome andhelpful. Characters were fun. Our kids are grown, but we enjoyed it asadults.” In addition to stage performances, actors could be found through-out the Zoo performing skits such as “The Biodiversity Pep Rally” and“The Bachelor-Pette.” Actors also traveled to a variety of Zoo exhibits,bringing with them puppets and magic to engage children and families

in thinking about conservation issues for some of the animal species exhibited at the Zoo.

Ongoing evaluation of Kohl’s Wild Theater continuedto demonstrate positive results. Summer audience sur-veys showed that 88 percent of adults and 66 percentof children aged 6-12 years were able to name athreat the featured animal faced in the wild; and 92 percent of adults and 55 percent of children aged6-12 years were able to list an action that could betaken from home to help the environment. Kohl’sWild Theater outreach shows at schools and com-munity events also garnered a positive response,with 90 percent of teachers saying they would beextremely likely to recommend the performanceto others.

During the summer Zoological Society staffalso made preparations for future seasons of Kohl’s Wild Theater. Three new outreachshows were developed to debut in October2012. For more information on Kohl’s WildTheater, go to wildtheater.org.

Summer Camps The Zoological Society’s summer campsprogram is among the largest zoo- oraquarium-based camp programs in thenation. The camps have the same livelyformat as our classes during the aca-demic year, including songs, games,art, hands-on science and Zoo tours(for most classes and camps). Campsare offered for ages 2 through 14,

and some offer adult participation (with children aged 2-5). Our 2012 summer camps

drew 11,231 participants: 8,570 children and 2,661 parents in 529 camp

Photo by Richard Brodzeller

Actors Samantha Sostarich (left), Sherrick Robinson, and Megan

Kaminsky perform in the Kohl’s Wild Theater play “Journey to the

Rich Coast” at the Milwaukee County Zoo. Kohl’s Wild Theater is

made possible by a partnership between Kohl’s Cares and the Zoo-

logical Society of Milwaukee (ZSM). Through drama, songs and pup-

petry, Kohl’s Wild Theater performers inspire audiences of all ages to

learn and care more about our natural world. The free plays feature

live, interactive programs at the Zoo in summer. The ZSM also offers

Kohl’s Wild Theater programs free for schools and community

events year-round.


Programming for Disadvantaged YouthAnimal Ambassador program: This program teaches children aboutwildlife conservation over a semester. Then they graduate to become ambassadors for animals, able to teach family and friends what theylearned. Thanks to corporate, foundation or civic-group sponsors for each school, our Animal Ambassador and Continuum programs, whichserve schools in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, reached 618 second-grade students and 723 third-grade students at 12 schools,and 1,188 fourth-grade students at 21 schools. An additional 623 studentsin five schools with smaller classes experienced a modified program.

Summer Camps with Community Centers: Children who normallycouldn’t afford to attend summer camps could attend our 2012 camps,thanks to renewed support from U.S. Cellular®, the Evinrude Foundation,the Peters Foundation and the Milwaukee Urban League’s Safe Alterna-tives for Youth fund. In summer 2012, we served 447 children from nine Milwaukee-area neighborhood and community centers.

Big Brothers & Big Sisters: The Zoological Society also partnered with Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Greater Milwaukee, thanks to funding fromU.S. Bank. We arranged a day for the paired adults and children – 218people in all – to search the Zoo in a scavenger hunt, enjoy the attractions,and see Kohl’s Wild Theater performances. The children also receivedschool supplies.

VolunteersMembers of Zoo Pride, theZSM’s volunteer auxiliary, assist with numerous classesand summer camps. In summer,high school students volunteerto help with our camps (seephoto) and are trained to assistboth college-student internsand Zoo Pride adult volunteerswho conduct tours. In the lastfiscal year, these high school assistants contributed 2,943volunteer hours.

In total, our conservation-education programs served302,021 people in fiscal year2011-’12. We reached thou-sands more with educationalmessages about conservationthrough:

• E-mail news to members• The ZSM website, whichaveraged 23,873 visits per month (an increase of more than 4,000 visits compared to last fiscal year).• ZSM publications (each issue of Alivemagazine and Wild Thingsnewsletter reached more than 53,000 households, an estimated150,000 - 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• Networking sites such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

sessions. Our summer college-student intern program provided 20 stu-dents (including three college-student teaching interns) hands-on jobtraining, thanks, in part, to generous support from the Alice Kadish Foundation, the Antonia Foundation, the Jerome and Dorothy Holz Family Foundation, and the Brady Corporation.

September-May Programs Programs for the Public: In fiscal year 2011-2012, the ZSM served nearly12,000 people in individual child or parent-child classes. These classes areoffered six to seven days a week from September through December andFebruary through May. They include art and learning projects, songs,games and Zoo tours. Education staff offer hands-on, interactive classesfor families and children ages 2-14. Class curriculum addresses the intellec-tual, social and emotional development of child participants through sci-ence, conservation and art-based topics. Younger children (ages 2, 3, 4 and 5) attend class with an adult. If they’re ready, 4- to 5-year-olds havethe option to attend without an adult. Classes for ages 6-14 are offered on weekends along with classes where entire families can attend.

School Programs: Zoological Society-led programs offered at the Zoo ordelivered as outreach classes reached 23,190 schoolchildren* in fiscal year2011-2012. An additional 85,494 schoolchildren visited the Zoo on fieldtrips and had ZSM curriculum available to them during self-directed tours.ZSM school programs help teachers meet science requirements set by theWisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Making science fun by teach-ing about animals is the goal, with hands-on activities and Zoo tours. Edu-cation staff offer grade-appropriate programs for 3-year-old preschoolersthrough eighth grade, as well as conservation-focused talks for high schoolgroups. Programs for schoolchildren were funded in part by gifts from theLadish Company Foundation; U.S. Bancorp Foundation; A.O. Smith Foun-dation, Inc.; Wells Fargo; the Posner Foundation; and ADM Cares. *(In addition to students reached by Kohl’s Wild Theater outreach shows).

Scout Programming: The ZSM’s Conservation Education Department continued to expand programming designed specifically for scout groupsto help children earn badges. In fiscal year 2011-2012, the ZSM served487 Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts.


Rickey A., 10, of Brown Deer, reaches out to touch – through glass – an Amurtiger at the Milwaukee County Zoo. Rickey was attending the Zoological Soci-ety’s Zooper Heroes summer camp on July 24, 2012.

Photo by Richard Taylor

New Berlin residents Trevor Foren, 16, andJulia Hertig, 17, were in their second year ashigh-school-aged volunteer assistants withthe Zoological Society’s summer campswhen this picture was taken on June 25,2012. They’re standing next to a welcomesign in the Karen Peck Katz ConservationEducation Center.


Zoo SupportIn a remarkable public-private partnership, the Zoological Society and Milwaukee County,which runs the Zoo, work together to raisemoney for new exhibits and buildings, to coordinate many events, to provide tours, and to plan for the future. While MilwaukeeCounty cares for the animals, pays the staff and keeps the park grounds beautiful, the Society recruits sponsors and donors, helps support the veterinary program, runs an eight-classroom “school” and provides support services such as publications, graphic designers, information-technology expertise, and a host of volunteers.

The ZSM’s Conservation Education Depart-ment runs almost all the education programs atthe Zoo. The ZSM’s Creative Department – inaddition to its ZSM projects – produces Zoosigns and banners, creates numerous educa-tional videos and displays, keeps a photo data-base, and takes on special projects that enhancethe Zoo. Zoo Pride, the ZSM’s volunteer auxil-iary, makes possible numerous events that theZoo holds, provides Zoo tours and animal talks,promotes the Zoo to the public through aspeaker’s bureau, aids ZSM education programs,staffs fundraisers held by the ZSM and raisesfunds for conservation and Zoo exhibits.

The Zoological Society of Milwaukee (ZSM) provided total Zoo support in2011-2012 of $6,580,974 (including direct project costs). Here are reportson various ways the ZSM supported the Zoo.

• Annual Appeal: The ZSM’s annual appeal raised $176,585 to installWeb cams in several indoor animal exhibits and to provide cash support to the Zoo.• Conservation and research: The Zoological Society’s total expensesin this area were $535,494 for the last fiscal year. A portion of thatwent to support the ZSM’s international bonobo-conservation proj-ect in Africa (see Conservation section of this report). That projecthelps the Zoo in several ways. As part of the Zoo’s mission and alsofor accreditation with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA),the Milwaukee County Zoo supports conservation efforts in the fieldto help endangered species. The ZSM’s bonobo project helps the Zoomeet its commitment to conservation. The ZSM supports the BonoboSpecies Survival Plan, headed by the ZSM’s conservation coordinator,Dr. Gay Reinartz; this program helps manage the health and breedingsuccess of bonobos in zoos. The Zoological Society also providesfunding to conservation projects proposed by the Zoo, many involv-ing Zoo staff (see Conservation section). That funding in 2011-2012totaled about $33,170. • Education: By offering extensive education programs nearly year-round, the ZSM helps the Zoo maintain AZA accreditation. In total,ZSM conservation-education programs served 302,021 people in fiscal year 2011-’12.

• Exhibits and buildings: The ZSM gave$260,710 in direct cash support to Zooexhibits, including $50,000 for the 2012special summer exhibit: Adventure Dinosaur!, sponsored by Sendik’s FoodMarkets. The ZSM helped upgrade theBonobo Exhibit ($20,619), the North-western Mutual Family Farm entrance($47,000) and the Black Bear Exhibit($44,063, thanks to a grant from Miller-Coors). Also, the ZSM donated paymentsfor maintenance contracts on various Zoo buildings ($144,028).• Fundraisers run by the ZSM AssociateBoard: The 29th annual Zoo Ball, spon-sored by American Airlines, raised morethan $476,000. The 23rd Annual Miller-Coors Birdies and Eagles Golf Tournamentraised $115,216. All other fundraisingevents run by the Associate Board raised$192,590. • Platypus Circle:Members of the ZSM’sannual-giving group donated more than$620,730 in cash or in-kind services tohelp the Zoo.• Publications: The Zoological Society’sCommunications, Marketing and Membership Department produced publications and other materials that promoted Zoo events and conservation

programs and described new exhibits and animals. These includedAlivemagazine, Contributors, Wild Things newsletter, and Platy Press. • Signs, videos, interactive displays, Zoo printed materials, specialprojects: The ZSM’s Creative Department of five artists and a researcher providesgraphics and design sup-port to the Zoo as well as to the ZSM. In the last15 years the departmenthas added more advancedequipment to increase efficiency and allowartists to do more proj-ects “in house,” such as the animations andvideos for many events.Among the hundreds of projects the department produces or designsannually are ads, animations, animal-information signs, brochures,cards, flyers, invitations, publications, even T-shirt designs.• Sponsors, grantors & supporters: The ZSM acquires sponsors formost of the Zoo’s major events and attractions, and ZSM 2011-’12direct cash sponsorship support to the Zoo was $311,767. Grantssupporting education and conservation programs as well as otherprojects brought in $694,746 last year. Additional support of$396,669 funded the ZSM’s live theater program (see Education


Zoo Ball 2012 co-chairs Brookellen Teuber (left), ofWaukesha, and Trisha Shinners, of Pewaukee, welcomedRich Tennessen, of Brookfield, to the 29th annual Zoologi-cal Society of Milwaukee (ZSM) Zoo Ball on June 23.American Airlines sponsored the event, which was calledAnimal House and was held at the Zoo. Tennessen is chair-man of the ZSM Board, while Teuber and Shinners aremembers of the ZSM’s Associate Board.

A tomato frog at the Zoo


Photo by Richard Taylor / Ari Rosenthal Photography

section). In December 2011, the ZSM was awarded $32,841 by thePotawatomi Bingo Casino Miracleon Canal Street program; the fundswent to support ZSM educationprograms serving children fromeconomically disadvantaged areasof Milwaukee.• The ZSM’s Sponsor an Animalprogram raised $160,599 in thelast fiscal year to support theZoo’s animals. • Veterinary help: The ZSM pro-vided $112,629 in funds to theZoo’s veterinary staff by payingfor veterinary residents ($52,457), a pathology resident ($54,172), and an animal-nutrition intern($6,000). All of them provided aid to the Zoo’s veterinary staff.• Volunteer help: Zoo Pride volunteers helped with events, educationprograms, Zoo tours, and much more. Of 597 Zoo Pride volunteers,433 active members donated 46,973.5 hours in 2011-’12. In addi-tion, high school student volunteers contributed 2,943 volunteerhours to help adults with 2012 summer camps.

• Websites and social media: The ZSM’s website, which averaged23,873 visits per month in 2011-2012 (an increase of more than

4,000 visits compared to last fiscal year) provides much informationabout the Zoo, its animals and its staff. That includes self-guidedtours, event details, feature stories, and an archive of publicationsdating to 1951. You also can find details about volunteering for ZooPride, descriptions of conservation projects, and children’s activities.The ZSM’s Facebook page and its YouTube channel help promote theZoo, as do ZSM “tweets” on the social-networking site Twitter. TheZSM also assists with maintenance of the Zoo’s website.• Additional cash support: The ZSM provided $337,575 to the Zoo in a Zoo Pass price increase and $424,365 additional cash support to the Zoo.

Conservation continued from page 7


Zoo Pride volunteer Priscilla Kuehn served hotchocolate to Milwaukee siblings Brianna , 11, andLondyn, 7, on Oct. 27. Brianna and Londyn were attending the Zoo’s Halloween Spooktacular, spon-sored by Sendik’s Food Markets and held Oct. 26 and 27. Zoo Pride volunteers donated 46,973.5hours in 2011-’12.

Lowell Warshawsky, a Zoo Pride volunteer for 24 years, has been a member ofthe Zoological Society’s major donor group, the Platypus Circle, even longer. Hewas honored Sept. 27, 2012, at the Milwaukee County Zoo with a framed gorillahandprint to mark his 25-year membership in the Platypus Circle.

Photo by Richard Taylor


Society staff have applied predator decals and other distractions towindows, especially in larger buildings such as the Peck WelcomeCenter. • The Piping Plover Recovery Project, $320: A Milwaukee CountyZoo staff member assists United States Fish and Wildlife Service biol-ogists in Michigan with the monitoring of active nests and the rearingof abandoned piping plover eggs and chicks.• Hornbill Feather Conservation, $500: To reduce the hunting of horn-bills for their feathers (used in ceremonial dress and dance in parts ofSoutheast Asia), this project distributes free feathers that have molted(shed) naturally from hornbills in zoos, including our Zoo.• Hornbill Nest Box Adoption, $150: The Hornbill Research Foundation, which hires Thailand villagers to monitor and protecthornbill nests while collecting biological and ecological data for research purposes.

Conservation programs supported by theFoundation for Wildlife Conservation, Inc.(FWC), a partner with the ZSMBelize:The FWC manages a 6,125-acre Runaway Creek Nature Preserve (RCNP,called a Reserve in Belize). The reserve has been the site of several conser-vation programs, most managed by university researchers and done incollaboration with FWC and its Birds Without Borders/Aves Sin Fronteras®

(BWB/ASF) staff. Here are summaries of research, filming and conservation studies on RCNP:

• Two filming projects were carried out:✦ The Kratz Brothers of Canadian Public Television spent 10 daysfilming the natural history of RCNP. This program aired in theUnited States on PBS and in Canada.

✦ Researcher Omar Figueroa’s long-term radio-tracking study ofjaguars at RCNP was featured on National Geographic Wild in the film “Hunt for the Shadow Cat.”

• University of Calgary (Canada) researcher Kayla Hartwell, who hasstudied spider and howler monkeys at RCNP and how these primatessurvived a major hurricane, was accepted to the Ph.D. program atCalgary to continue primate studies at RCNP.• Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee discovered a new snailspecies on the RCNP and has developed a major research programfocusing on land snails and crayfish. • BWB/ASF staff continued to monitor the natural history of RCNP,which features orchids, neo-tropical birds, bats, crocodiles, monkeys,jaguars/pumas, Jabiru storks, caves and Maya archeology. The staffhave partnered with other Belize non-governmental organizations to develop a natural history workshop in 2013 for European universi-ties. The staff also participated in regional bird counts, hosted fieldtrips on the reserve and lectured at universities.

Africa:• In Tanzania, the FWC joined with the Momella Foundation to developa conservation program at a school for orphans. FWC also hosted aNatural History Safari in 2012 to Tanzania with an extension innorthern Kenya.• To reduce the use of poison to kill lions in the cattle country of Kenyaand Tanzania, the FWC supported programs of “Guardians of theLion.”• In Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the FWC supportedthe Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International’s efforts to save the moun-tain gorilla. In northern Kenya, the FWC supported Lewa Wildlife Conservancy conservation, education and anti-poaching projects.FWC president Gil Boese serves on the boards of both groups.

Wisconsin:The FWC president began a multi-year study of avian population dynamicson Pewaukee Lake in the metro-Milwaukee area. This study was funded inpart by the Kettle Moraine Garden Club.

Platypus Circle The Platypus Circle is composed of individuals, corporations and founda-tions who share in the Zoological Society’s passion for supporting the Milwaukee County Zoo, conserving endangered animal species, and teaching the importance of preserving wildlife and its natural environment.Thanks to generous annual donations, the Zoological Society is able tooffer programs ranging from summer camps for disadvantaged youth to bonobo-preservation missions in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The support of Platypus members also helps maintain Zoo exhibits andsustain our ongoing animal-conservation efforts. Platypus members receive unique benefits that include access to behind-the-scenes tours and invitations to exhibit premieres (see photo) and VIP events. For moreinformation on becoming a Platypus member, please call the DevelopmentDepartment, (414) 258-2333, or check online at zoosociety.org/platy.

Deborah Musante (far left), of Brookfield, and her family are amazed by realistic dinosaur models at the Milwaukee County Zoo May 24, 2012. Theyattended the Platypus/VIP premiere of the Zoo’s special summer exhibit, Adventure Dinosaur!, sponsored by Sendik’s Food Markets. From Musante’sleft are daughter Melissa; Steve White, also of Brookfield; granddaughterPetra, 2; and husband Peter. The Musantes and White are members of thePlatypus Circle. Guests previewed the exhibit before it opened to the public on May 26.

Serengeti Circle The Serengeti Circle is a valued group of corporations and foundationsthat support the Milwaukee County Zoo and the non-profit Zoological Society of Milwaukee (ZSM) at the $2,500 level and above. Every year, numerous civic leaders choose to associate their companies or foundationswith Wisconsin’s No. 1 single-venue attraction: the Zoo. This partnershipwith the Zoo and ZSM is accomplished through grants and sponsorshipsof our special events, traveling exhibits, attractions, conservation initia-tives and education programs. This support of the ZSM and the Zoo putsour partners in touch with the Zoo’s almost 1.3 million annual visitors,demonstrates commitment to our community and identifies our partnerswith the fun, family lifestyle/culture the Zoo represents. All business partnerships include opportunities for inclusion in measured and non-measured media (advertising, signage, website promotion, etc.), promo-tional presence on Zoo grounds, VIP customer hosting, Zoo admission and parking tickets, and negotiated consumer offers. For more informationon sponsorship opportunities at the Zoo, please call Patty Harrigan Mills,(414) 918-6185. For information on grant opportunities, please call theDevelopment Department, (414) 258-2333.

Sendik’s Food Markets is a Serengeti Circle member that has sponsored eventsand attractions at the Milwaukee County Zoo. In October 2011, Sendik’s spon-sored the Zoo’s two Halloween weekends at the Zoo: Boo at the Zoo, Oct. 21and 22, and Halloween Spooktacular, Oct. 28 and 29. Here, zoogoers admire a storybook scene on Oct. 21.




Photo by Lila Aryan

Katherine Hust of U.S. Cellular® received the Zoological Society of Milwaukee’s (ZSM’s) highest award, the Emu Egg, at the Platypus CircleRecognition Dinner Sept. 27, 2012, at the Milwaukee County Zoo. Pre-sented since 1982 to people who have given outstanding service to theZSM, the award is a real emu egg encased in glass. Hust is U.S. Cellular’svice president of sales for the mid-central region. She is a ZSM Board member, Platypus member, former Zoo Ball co-chair and an active member of the ZSM education committee.

The Simba Society honors donors who have included theZoological Society of Milwaukee (ZSM) in their estate plansthrough a will, charitable trust, or beneficiary designation oftheir retirement plan or insurance policy. When you makethis type of gift, you create a legacy of support that laststhrough your lifetime and beyond. When we receive your gift, it becomes a permanent asset of the Zoological Society’s EndowmentTrust (see endowments list below). Each year, the earnings from your gift, along with other contributions to the fund, ensure that the ZSM isable to continue its mission to support the Milwaukee County Zoo, educate the public, and conserve wildlife for future generations.

Members of the Simba Circle enjoy the following benefits:• Invitations to VIP premieres of new exhibits, lectures andspecial events• Invitation to the Annual Simba Recognition Dinner • Recognition on Zoo grounds as well as in ZSM publicationsand website

If you have already included the ZSM in your estate plans and are notlisted here, or if you would like additional information on planned givingoptions, please contact the Development Department at 414-258-2333 or e-mail [email protected].

Circle

Simba Circle

Linda & William J. Abraham, Jr.Charles & Dorothy AringF. Michael & Laura ArnowDick & Yuko BaldwinJohn T. BannenDr. Gil & Lillian BoeseRonald & Jean BraundJerry BrownWilliam & Nancy “Ginger” BrowneDiane L. BrunnerGreg & Mary Budde *Judy CafmeyerMary Jo CrawfordCindy & Gary DatkaCarl DiedrichMary DohmenDr. Kay M. ElsenJessie FranzDavid GlennLavonne M. GrenlieDavid & Kerry GrosseLinda L. GrunauGary HackbarthJerry & Sandy HafemannArlene Hansen

Elaine V. HeckmanJohn & Jeannie HeindelRoxy HeyseLinda J. HillNancy Lee HorwathKimberly Houk Carole F. HoustonMaddy HowardRose Marie Jashaway Dr. Lee & Susie JenningsRichard Johnson Rachel J. JonesBonnie & Leon Joseph *Joan KalinoskiMary Kazmierczak Robert KochCaroline V. Krider & Paul A. Smith Rachel A. LauberGinny LevenhagenRichard D. LutzDr. John & Kristie MaloneQuinn & Jane MartinJohn & Judy McGourthyJoseph & Christine McMahon Don & Shelley Mechenich

Bary & Amber Morgan FamilyDonald & Nadine Mundt FundIn memory of Christopher NastNancy A. Neuwirth *Judy O’CallaghanDr. Laura A. Owens Lygere PanagopoulosMargie PaurMary T. & Konstanty Pawicz Jr *Michael PazdanTerrie PeschmanGina A. PeterMark S. PokerJim & Kathleen PolaskiBetty PurdyGordana & Milan RacicJim ReddingJane E. Reilly & Jeffrey C. GlockTomm RenkJay RobertsonElizabeth RoeslerGayle Rosemann & Paul McElweeAl Rudnitzki FamilyGayle Rzany *John & Linda Sapp

Judy & Barry S. SattellRonald L. & Debra Schmidt *Laura SkoffJohn & Carole SteinerSusan SteinmanDan & Patti StotmeisterChristine A. StraussChip & Joy StringerLois TetzlaffMary Krause ThiryRoselie A. VanDeurenJudy Van TillWilliam J. Volkert *Karen Von RuedenAnne WandlerLowell WarshawskyKurt & Lisa Weisman Family Raymond & Kelly WilsonDarlene Winter Deborah J. WoelfelDennis & Robin ZdroikJill Meri ZimmermanRobert & Sandra Zodrow

SIMBA CIRCLE MEMBERS 2011-2012


*designates new members in fiscal year 2011-2012

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

The Bertagnolli Endowment • Zoological Society Support

The Lynde & Harry Bradley Foundation, Inc.• 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• Zoological Society support

Halbert & Alice Kadish Foundation Inc.• Student Intern Program Endowment

Mary Ellen Bush & Donna Larsen Estate • Ornithological Intern

Bill Borchert Larson• 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

Philip Orth Family Fund• Annual Appeal Support

Gordana & Milan Racic Endowment• Student Intern Program Endowment

Elizabeth LaBahn Roesler Endowment • Zoo Support

Roswell N. & Leona B. Stearns Foundation, Inc.• Apes of Africa

Zoo Pride Endowment• Zoo Pride Support

Zoological Society General Endowment• Zoological Society Support


Annual AppealWeb cams Bring Animals to YouIn an ongoing effort to bring Zoo animals directly to you on your personalcomputer, the Zoological Society of Milwaukee’s 2011-2012 Annual Ap-peal raised $176,585 to install Web cams in several indoor animal exhibitsand to provide cash support to the Zoo. Feel like hanging out with theorangutans? You can – just click on the Web cams aimed at their exhibitsand see where the action’s happening. Other animals that are covered by Web cams are lions and hyenas, the gentoo and rockhopper penguins,

Get down and funky with Tommy the orangutan. Watch him and companion M.J. right from your home computer.

The Pacific giant octopuswas one of the Zoo’s animalsfeatured in special animalsponsorships during fiscalyear 2011-2012.

Sponsor an AnimalThe Zoological Society of Milwaukee’s (ZSM’s) Sponsor an Animal program kicked off its 30th anniversary in late July 2012. In addition to offering individual and group sponsorships of animals at the MilwaukeeCounty Zoo, this program raised money for Zoo animals through:

• the ZSM’s Beastly Bowl-a-Thon in February 2012• special animal sponsorships during the year (such as for Valentine’s Day, Christmas, etc.)• the Kids Conservation Club• Animal Safari in August 2012, which offered behind-the-scenes Zoo tours to all animal sponsors and recruited several new animal sponsors.

The Sponsor an Animal program also teaches people about animals andconservation through:

• fact sheets about the animals they sponsor• annual workshops for members of the Kids Conservation Club andalso via baseball-card-style animal cards offered to club members• a kids’ Green Art Contest open to all youth who are animal sponsors,with entries displayed at Animal Safari

and the fish in Lake Wisconsin. Donors of $100 or more got early accessto the Web cams as they were phased in and before they were available to the public in December 2012. Donors of $2,500 received individualizedrecognition on a bench in the Zoo. Donors of $75-$249 had their nameslisted on a sign; donors of $250-$499 received larger recognition on asign; donors of $500-$999 received individualized recognition; and donors of $1,000 or more received larger individualized recognition.

Animal sponsorships range from $20 for membership in the Zoological Society’s Kids Conservation Club to $2,500 for individuals who are the sole sponsors of one animal. In the 2011-2012 fiscal year, the Sponsor an Animal program raised a total of $160,599.

For information, go towww.zoosociety.org/sponsoranimal.

Financial SummaryZoological Society of Milwaukee County (ZSM) – Year ending September 30, 2012

SUPPORT & REVENUE

MEMBERSHIP DUESfrom all Zoo Pass and Platypus Circle members . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,948,973

CONTRIBUTIONStoward capital projects, specific programs and support . . . . . $613,220

SPECIAL EVENTS/PROGRAMS/SPONSORSHIPSincluding animal sponsorship, Zoo Ball, education, ZSM and Zoo special events, and sponsorships . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,403,062

INTEREST INCOME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $45,807

GRANTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $694,746

TOTAL SUPPORT & REVENUE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9,705,808

COST OF SUPPORT AND REVENUE (Support Services)

MEMBERSHIP DUESExpense of providing benefits to all Zoo Pass and Platypus Circle members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,574,563

SPECIAL EVENTS/PROGRAMSExpense of providing and promoting ZSM special events/programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $456,639

TOTAL COST OF SUPPORT & REVENUE(Support Services) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,031,202

EXPENSES

DIRECT PROJECT COSTSExpenses relative to capital projectsand specific programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $210,943

ZOO SUPPORTDirect cash and in-kind support to the Milwaukee County Zoo, expense of providing, promoting and supporting education, graphics, special-exhibitprojects, and Zoo special events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6,370,031

RESEARCH/CONSERVATIONExpenses relating to state, national and international programs supporting species preservation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $585,930

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVEExpenses relating to daily ZSM operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $397,737

TOTAL EXPENSES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,564,641

TOTAL COST OF SUPPORT AND EXPENSES . . . . . . . $9,595,843

61%

25%

7%

7%

MEMBERSHIP DUES: 61%

SPECIAL EVENTS/PROGRAMS: 25%

CONTRIBUTIONS: 7%

GRANTS: 7%

ZOO SUPPORT, CAPITAL & DIRECT PROJECT COSTS: 69%

SUPPORT SERVICES: 21%

RESEARCH/CONSERVATION: 6%

GENERAL & ADMINISTRATIVE: 4%

69%

21%

6%

4%

RECEIPTS

EXPENSES


Lody the bonobo was a pioneer. He was an original memberof the Milwaukee County Zoo’s bonobo group. He was apatriarch and leader for a quarter-century. He was so lovingthat he used to carry his bonobo friend Kidogo up exhibitstairs when Kidogo’s diseased heart left him too weak towalk. Lody set several “firsts” in animal healthcare. In thezoo world, where heart disease is epidemic among greatapes, Lody was known as the bonobo who had lived thelongest – six years – after being diagnosed with heart dis-ease, specifically an enlarged heart. Lody died Jan. 20, 2012.Yet a week later he was still making news at an internationalmeeting of bonobo specialists. They viewed a video, takennot long before Lody died, of him having his blood pressuremeasured with a finger cuff. At the time he was the onlybonobo to have this done while awake.

Lody was truly a rare example of success in treating apeheart disease. Most apes hide their illnesses and are not diagnosed with heart problems until they die. It was the

Zoo’s primary bonobo keeper, Barbara Bell – who hadtrained Lody to participate in his own healthcare – who first noticed that Lody tired quickly and was not himself.She alerted veterinarians. He was diagnosed in 2005 and put on a low-calorie, low-salt diet and on blood-pressuremedications. (Blood pressure is connected to heart disease.)Soon Lody had more energy, says Bell. Adds Zoo veterinar-ian Vickie Clyde: “His appetite was better, his muscle masscame back, and he could function as the alpha male in thetroop again, providing discipline and directing some of thebonobo social life. He was once again in the thick of things.After we saw how well he improved, we put all of the bono-bos on a low-salt diet.” Dr. Clyde also notified the bonobos’food supplier that its food had too much salt. “Through ourefforts, a major producer of primate food biscuits signifi-cantly lowered the salt level. So thanks to Lody, all thecolonies of zoo primates that get this food are benefiting.”

This is an excerpt from a story by Paula Brookmire in the April 2012Alivemagazine.

10005 W. Bluemound Rd., Milwaukee, Wis. 53226-4383(414) 258-2333

www.zoosociety.org

Zoological Society of Milwaukee Annual Report 2011-2012

Here Lody is shown in his younger days (in the 1980s) and in a 2004 photo whenhe was painting at the Milwaukee CountyZoo. Lody’s case has been important tothe Great Ape Heart Project, a multi-zooeffort with the goal to figure out the cause(and prevention) of heart disease in apes.The Zoological Society of Milwaukee hashelped support the project

A Big Heart

Documents

Zoological Society of Milwaukee Annual Report 2011-2012 · Zoological Society of Milwaukee Annual Report for Fiscal Year Oct. 1, 2011, through Sept. 30, 2012 Naku the gorilla was