Magazine of the

NC Zoo Societywww.nczoo.com

SOCIETY BOARD

MONTY WHITE, JR.ChairRaleigh

EARL JOHNSON, JR.Vice-ChairRaleigh

BILL CURRENS, JR.TreasurerCharlotte

THERENCE O. PICKETTSecretaryGreensboro

NICOLE A. CRAWFORDGreensboro

KEITH CRISCOAsheboro

MICHAEL J. FISHERWinston-Salem

MINOR T. HINSONCharlotte

JIM KLINGLERRaleigh

MARJORIE M. RANKINAsheboro

SCOTT E. REEDWinston-SalemDAVID K. ROBB

CharlotteCHARLES M. WINSTON, JR.

Raleigh

EDITORIAL BOARD

Jayne Owen Parker, Ph.D.,Managing Editor

De Potter, Design & LayoutDaniel Banks

Rich Bergl, Ph.D.John D. GrovesRod HackneyDr. David Jones

Michael Loomis, DVMMark MacAllisterTonya MillerKen ReiningerCheryl TurnerDiane VillaRuss Williams

Angie Kahn, ProofreaderPrinted by Hickory Printing Solutions

Summer 2014 Issue No.77

­The­North­Carolina­Zoo­is­open­every­day­of­the­year,­except­onChristmas­Day.­Winter­hours­begin­November­1­and­extend­from­9­a.m.­to­4­p.m.­Summer­hours­begin­on­April­1­and­extend­from­9a.m.­to­5­p.m.­Standard­admission­prices­are­$12­for­adults,­$10­forseniors­and­$8­for­children.­Zoo­Society­members­and­registeredNorth­Carolina­school­groups­are­admitted­free.­The­Zoo­offers­freeparking,­free­tram­and­shuttle­service,­picnic­areas,­visitor­restareas,­food­service­and­gift­shops.For information, call 1-800-488-0444.

The­Zoo­is­a­program­of­the­N.C.­Department­of­Environment­and­Natural­Resources.­The­NC­Zoo­Society­is­the­non-profit­organizationthat­supports­the­North­Carolina­Zoological­Park­and­its­programs.­Society­offices­are­open­Monday­–­Friday,­8­a.m.­to­5­p.m.­For­moreinformation,­please­call­336-879-7250­or­logon­to­the­Society’s­Web­page­at nczoo.com.

Please recycle your ALIVE magazine. To locate the closest magazine recycling area in your city, call “SolidWaste Management” or “Recycling” under the City orCounty listings of your phone book.

Dear Friends of the Zoo

This issue of the Alive magazineexplores some of the major high-lights of the Zoo’s history, begin-

ning with its birth and progressing up tothe present. This theme coincides withthe extended 40th anniversary party thatthe Zoo is holding this year. This cele-bration began in March, with the open-ing of Bugs: An Epic Adventure, and thereopening of kidzone, and will concludewith the reopening of the Polar Bearexhibit this fall. Along with updating

our readers on theprogress that the Zoohas made toward reno-vating and expandingthis Polar Bear exhibit,this issue of Alive alsoprovides an update onPatches, the Zoo’snewest Polar Bear. Sheis adjusting well to hernew home. The samearticle talks about acitizen science project that the Zoo issupporting to help protect Polar Bearsliving in the wild.In another animal feature, this Alive

tells the tale of three cougar kittens whowere orphaned, and rescued, in Oregon,and who have since taken up residenceat the North Carolina Zoo. Volunteerpilots with the Lighthawk organization

flew the youngsters here during theheight of some of the winter’s worstweather. The Lighthawk pilots regularlyvolunteer their time, their skills and theirplanes to fly wildlife and companionanimals to safety. We are deeply indebtedto these brave people for helping ourkittens and for all the good works thesepilots accomplish for animals.The pages of this issue also list some

early details of our 2015 travel program

and offer our readers a glimpse of theparty we are planning for this year’sZoo To Do. It will be unforgettable.And, be sure to check out the Zoo andthe Zoo Society’s program calendars!We have tons of fun planned for the season.

Jayne Owen Parker, Ph.D., Editor

ON THE COVER:

Cougar KittenOne of the 3 new kittens, at age 3 months

DIANE VILLA

COVER INSET:

LeopardBIGSTOCKPHOTO.COM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2 40 Years of WildFrom 1973 to 2014: How the Zoo has grown.......................................................

Becca Sigafoos, Guest Contributor, and Jayne Owen Parker, Editor6 Zoo Society History

Even older than the Zoo’s7 Zoo To Do 2014: Unforgettable8 Waiting for Polar Bears

.................................................................... Ken Reininger, Contributing Editor9 Opening Celebration

Big bugs, happy kids and a parade! 10 International Travel Programs12 Field Notes: Rising Tide of Wildlife Diseases

Causes of mass extinctions? ..................... John D. Groves, Contributing Editor13 Stopping the Assault on Wildlife

.................................................................. David M. Jones, Contributing Editor 14 Zoo Access

Backstage p asses for p rograms, camps and more for the year 16 Kids’ Page: The Amazing Spider, Man

Spinning webs and more .......................................... Jayne Owen Parker, Editor17 Rescued Cougar Kittens Arrive at Zoo

A tale of three kitties .................................. Ken Reininger, Contributing EditorBC BUGS: An Epic Adventure

Regular Features11 Zoo Happenings14 Leave a Wild Legacy14 Thank Yous

15

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2 | ALIVE

1964–1973 If We Build It, Will They Come?Before there was a Zoo, the Raleigh Jaycees wantedone—and set out to convince the state legislature thatbuilding a state zoo would be a good investment. Toprove this point, the Jaycees enticed the New YorkGiants and the Washington Redskins to put on an exhibi-tion football game in Raleigh. Ticket sales brought in aprofit of $40,000—twice the amount earmarked tolaunch a feasibility study about building a state zoo inNorth Carolina. The study uncovered more than a murmur of interest in

the financial and social benefits a zoo might bring to thestate. As word of these findings spread, the NC GeneralAssembly pulled together its own experts—forming anNC Zoological Garden Study Commission—to reviewthe research and make its own recommendations aboutinvesting state funds in a future zoo. After weighing allthe facts, the Commission voiced a strong opinion: Astate zoo was more than possible, it would likely becomea valuable asset to the state.While this conclusion rumbled up and down the leg-

islative halls in Raleigh, it also hopscotched into townhalls and city councils across the state. Community lead-ers lit up at the prospect of revamping their town squareswith a world class zoo and a steady stream of touristsfrom around the country.Early on, Greensboro, High Point and Winston-Salem

joined forces to try to attract this future zoo inside one oftheir borders. To engender public support for this posi-tion, these cities incorporated a non-profit, “The NorthCarolina Zoological Society, Inc,” in 1968.Meanwhile, the General Assembly pushed the dream

of a state zoo forward by forming and funding The North

Carolina Zoological Authority. The Authority amassed aworking committee of legislators and nationally knownzoo professionals to sort out the best location for thefuture zoo. The committee determined that a municipal-ity would have to set aside a minimum of 1,000 acres toqualify as a viable candidate for the zoo site.For nearly three years, city governments and civic

groups wooed Authority members, guiding them overhills and through forests to showcase each site’s potentialas a zoological garden. After tromping through miles ofback country, Authority members settled on a 1,005-acreplot of land in Asheboro. The property, which encom-passed Purgatory Mountain, was selected in 1971.Shortly after this announcement, the original owners of

the non-profit, The North Carolina Zoological Society,Inc., surrendered its name to Asheboro’s stakeholders,who put the non-profit to work raising funds to pay forthe land that would hold the zoo. The fundraising cam-paign brought $435,000 in from Randolph County.Meanwhile, the legislature sanctioned a $2 million state-wide bond referendum to help fund the budding zoo, andRandolph County held its own $2 million bond referen-dum to lay water and sewer lines to Purgatory Mountain.Both bonds passed, overwhelmingly, and the race was onto break ground and raise exhibits.With funds in hand and momentum in gear, the state

hired its first zoo director, Mr. William Hoff, a formerdirector of the St. Louis Zoo. The Zoo’s first structureswent up, a small modular office building and a visitorwelcome area. With no exhibits anywhere in sight, theZoo brought in its first two animals, GalapagosTortoises, Tort and Retort. They rolled into the Park inJune of 1973.

It may be hard to believe, but the North Carolina Zoo owes

its beginnings to a pigskin.

1974–19 79 The Interim Zoo, Just a Teaser For the next year, construction became the norm at thedeveloping zoo. Offices sprang up for zoo and ZooSociety staffs. An animal display building took shape.Chain link fences enclosed nine outdoor paddocks. In all,the nescant zoo spread over about 21 acres. By August of1974, the site was ready for then-Lieutenant GovernorJames B. Hunt to officially christen the Interim NorthCarolina Zoo. From the beginning, it was intended to betemporary—a place to house staff and animals while thereal Zoo took shape a half mile down the road. Despite its small size and limited animal collection, the

Interim Zoo drew in thousands of visitors. They, in turn,kept the Zoo in the news and helped the Zoo Society con-tinue its fundraising. By 1976, when officials brokeground for the Zoo’s first permanent exhibits, the InterimZoo offered a respectable collection of 250 animals. That early collection included otters, rhinos, gibbons, a

tiger and Slow Lorises—the species that gave the Zoo itsfirst birth. Two of the young animals that arrived in thisfirst wave—Hondo the Chimpanzee and C’SaR theAfrican Elephant—grew up to be rock stars at the Zoo.As the collection grew, the Zoo’s leadership alsochanged: Lt. Col. Robert Fry succeeded William J. Hoffas director before a single permanent exhibit opened tothe public. Three years would pass before the Zoo opened its first

permanent exhibit. The long delay is not surprising, inhindsight, given the magnitude of the project. Not onlydid the Zoo Society need to raise hundreds of thousandsof dollars, a young Zoo staff faced the challenge ofdesigning and building a whole new kind of zoo.

Meeting the Master PlanZoo visionaries laid out their zoo dreams in a MasterPlan, Alive, that promised a remarkable, new kind of zoo.In this idealized zoo, no postage stamp collection of cagesand creatures would mar the landscape. The proposed zoowould respect wildlife. It would promote nature’sgrandeur. It would mirror life as it existed on Earth.Exhibit animals, and their companion plants, would be

chosen from around the globe and reunited in exhibitsdrawn around a continental theme. The African continentwould come first, and its animals would live in spacious,authentic exhibits. No unsightly cages or containment structures would

clutter Zoo vistas. Rather, visitors would encounter ani-mals enveloped in natural landscapes and enclosed byhidden barriers. Each encounter would feel as if the ani-mal and the visitor shared the same space. To complicate these design ambitions even further,

Zoo staff was hatching its design plans when Americanzoos, in general, were rethinking their obligations towildlife and zoo audiences. For the first time, zoo profes-sionals were publicly struggling with critical questionsabout captive animal welfare and the long term survivalof rare and endangered species. Slowly, experts wereslogging through tough ethical questions about zoos’obligations to wildlife and to conservation. Questionswere being raised about promoting the welfare—bothphysical and psychological—of zoo animals and aboutaddressing the human behaviors that were harming popu-lations of wild creatures. This push for zoos to supportprograms that promoted wildlife conservation did notbegin and end with field programs. It ricocheted back tozoo exhibits, calling on staff to tell audiences about theimpacts that human activities were having on wild ani-mals and habitats. The push was on to make zoos part ofthe solution to Earth’s growing conservation problems. The timing of this rise of consciousness caught some

established zoos off guard. They had to rethink the proce-dures and policies that had governed their institutions fordecades. But, the budding NC Zoo was too young to behobbled by such traditions. It was free to design itsspaces and programs with these new ideas folded into itsmission statement.

1979–1992 Africa Unfolds in North CarolinaIn the fall of 1979, the Zoo opened its first permanentexhibit: a 4.5-acre woodscape inhabited by zebra, ostrichand giraffe. They grazed, seemingly free, behind barriershidden in the bottom of dry moats or disguised as localrock formations. This natural habitat format establishedthe standard that would guide all future exhibits. By the following summer, lions, Chimpanzees,

baboons, elephants and rhinos appeared in equallyimpressive habitats. That same year, a national wildlifecelebrity—the first American to ride on a space rocket—arrived at the NC Zoo.

Spring 2014 | 3

Ham, the original Astro-chimp, was drafted into serv-ice as a youngster, where his military training kept himisolated from other Chimpanzees. Trained by people, notby other Chimpanzees, Ham became proficient in flip-ping switches—so that his reaction times could be moni-tored during his suborbital flight—but not in the skillsrequired to live in Chimpanzee society. After launch and a short flight, Ham’s military career

ended with his splashdown. Then he retired to theNational Zoo. After 17 years alone at that zoo, Hamreceived a second chance for a social life when his han-dlers sent him to the NC Zoo. Its dedicated keeper staffworked gently and persistently with Ham over the years,teaching him the basics of being a Chimpanzee. Thetraining took, and Ham became an integrated member ofthe troop. When he died, staff drove him to Washington,

D.C., for a necropsy at Walter Reed Hospital. Hisremains were later buried at the International Space Hallof Fame in Alamogordo, New Mexico.In 1982, the Zoo opened its first indoor exhibit, the

R.J. Reynolds Forest Aviary, with its showcase of color-ful tropical birds and spectacular tropical flowers.Capped by a clear geodesic dome and bursting withexotic trees and shrubs, the aviary quickly became thecrown jewel of the Zoo’s exhibits. Then, as now, visitorsstepped into an exotic forest to walk among some ofEarth’s most striking birds and flowers. During this early phase of Zoo expansion, the Interim

Zoo stayed open to visitors, who could drive or walkbetween the two very different exhibit areas. Finally, theInterim Zoo closed its doors to the public in 1983. Thefollowing year, the American Zoo and AquariumAssociation, now known as the Association of Zoos andAquariums, granted accreditation to the NC Zoo. A fewmonths later, a second indoor exhibit, the AfricanPavilion, opened alongside a 40-acre stretch of grass-land, called the “African Plains.” Blanketed with grassand dotted with herds of antelope and gazelle, the plainsexhibit looked as if a slice of the African veldt hadsprung up in Piedmont North Carolina. In March, 1989, the Gorilla Hope gave birth to a son,

Kwanza. The first Gorilla ever born in North Carolina,Kwanza quickly became the biggest attraction the Zoohad ever seen. Nearly a million people filed through theZoo over the next 12 months to marvel at this bright lit-tle infant. Later in the year, the mother and son, alongwith father, Carlos, moved out of the African Pavilionand into a separate Forest Glade exhibit—a $320,000habitat that was funded by private donations raised bythe Zoo Society. The next new exhibit opened in 1992. It brought Wart-

hogs, a species of “they’re-so-ugly-they’re-cute” Africanpig, into the exhibit that Red River Hogs inhabit today—the exhibit across the pathway from the lions.While these new exhibits filled out Africa, Zoo staff

turned its attention toward new horizons. Behind thescenes, the push was on to plan, build and pay for a sec-ond continental region—North America.

1985–1996 North America Comes to CarolinaStaff began planning North America in 1985, while thepublic was happily following the rise of new exhibits inAfrica. In its earliest stages, this new continental regionadded two major facilities that were never intended toexhibit animals. The first structure, the Frederick Moir Hanes

Veterinary Medical Center, was dedicated in 1988. Thesecond, the W. David Stedman Education Center, opened

4 | ALIVE

in 1990. The Stedman building provided space foradministrative offices, a library, meeting rooms and aclassroom for educational programs.Three years later, the Zoo opened the first of many

North American exhibits, the (T. Walker Lipscomb, III)Sonora Desert. Built slightly uphill from the R.J.Reynolds Aviary, the desert opened early because visitorscould reach it by entering through Africa. Now, as then, the Sonora Desert thrusts visitors

into a simulated arid environment. Cactus and desertbrush rise up from the building’s sandy substrate.Birds fly freely over the walkway, which passesbeside lizards, turtles, snakes and Ocelots awash indaylight. Near its end, the trail squeezes into a darkcave where visitors can snatch glimpses of nocturnalanimals foraging through a nighttime desert.The opening of North America came at the same

time as another shift in leadership. David Jones, for-merly of the Zoological Society of London, becamethe Director of the NC Zoo.The next year, other bigger changes came to the

Zoo. A North American parking lot and entranceopened, along with gift shops, a restaurant and fourmajor new exhibits. The RJR Nabisco Rocky Coast stole most of this

show, with one exhibit for Polar Bears and a second forseals and sea lions. Hardee’s Touch and Learn Centersupplied a petting zoo, and the Cypress Swamp exhibitheld Cougars, alligators and ducks. Record breakingcrowds flocked to the Zoo to see these new exhibits. Seven more North American exhibits opened in 1995.

Alaskan seabirds and falcons joined the other animals atthe Rocky Coast. Black Bears, Grizzly Bears and RedWolves got exhibits, too. Lastly, another expansiveexhibit, the Prairie, provided space for American Bisonand Elk to roam over 11 acres of grassy plains. North America opened its last exhibit in 1996. Themed

around issues of water quality, the Streamside featuredbirds, mammals, reptiles, fish and plants native to NorthCarolina.

1997– Now We’ve Come a Long Way, BabyAfter the grand openings in North America, the Zooentered a quiescent stage—settling back to carry outneeded renovations and to increase programming. Onedramatic change did take root when Bob and BonnieMeeker made their first of many donations to the Zoo’sfledgling public arts program. The couple’s first giftcommissioned and installed four life-sized bronze ele-phants at the Zoo entrance. The following year, the sec-ond art piece commissioned by the Meekers set a majorcubic structure, The Sum of the Parts, in the NorthAmerican entry plaza. Since that time, donations fromthe Meekers have helped make the Zoo’s public art col-lection one of the most notable in the country. In 2001, the Zoo displayed its renovation handiwork

when a revamped Chimpanzee exhibit reopened as theBB&T Kitera Forest. A major gift from BB&T led thefundraising efforts for this multimillion dollar improve-ment. The following year, a renovated and redecorated

African entryway, the Wachovia Akiba Market, openedwith its name recognizing a major donation from one ofAmerica’s leading banks. (Wachovia was sold in 2008and is now part of Wells Fargo.) The new entrance, patterned after an actual Ugandan

village, added an authentic palette of colors and texturesto the African entrance. The upgrade eased the walk intoAfrica with a wooden footbridge and added graphics andstructures that speak to Africa’s diverse people and places.Meanwhile, back in North America, staff transformed

the Touch and Learn area into a temporary AustralianWalkabout exhibit, complete with Red Kangaroos andother Down Under natives. After a two-year run,Australia closed and staff began revamping this area intoanother play place for children. The creation of kidZonebroadened the Zoo’s education missions to include pro-

Summer 2014 | 5

The NC Zoo and NC Zoo Society seem­like­two­peasfrom­the­same­pod,­but­they­sprouted­from­different­fruit.The­Zoo­took­root­inside­state­government.­It­belongs­to­thepeople­of­North­Carolina.­Its­employees­are­state­employ-ees.­The­NC­Zoo­Society­shot­up­from­the­work­of­privateindividuals—civic­minded­people­who­wanted­to­bring­a­zooto­the­state.­These­people­formed­the­Zoo­Society­as­a­pri-vate,­non-profit­organization­that­would­raise­money­andengender­public­support­for­the­Zoo.­So,­while­the­historiesof­these­two­organizations­are­similar­and­intertwined,­theyare­not­identical.­The­State­of­North­Carolina­owns­the­Zoo,­the­land­on

which­it­operates­and­the­animals­and­plants­that­populatethis­land.­The­Zoo­Society­is­a­private,­non-governmentalinstitution.­The­private­citizens­who­established­the­ZooSociety­incorporated­it­years­before­there­was­a­NorthCarolina­Zoo.­An­early­goal­of­the­Zoo­Society­was­to­per-suade­government­officials­that­building­a­state­zoo­wouldbenefit­North­Carolina’s­citizens­and­its­economy.­Since­beginning­its­operations­in­Asheboro,­the­NC­Zoo

Society­has­raised­nearly­$90­million­from­the­private­sectorto­invest­in­the­North­Carolina­Zoo.­Over­the­years,­the­ZooSociety­has­already­invested­$70­million­of­this­total­in­theZoo,­to­support­its­capital­developments­and­its­program-ming.­The­Zoo­Society­has­sequestered­another­$10­millionin­a­Lion’s­Pride­account­that­is­managed­like­an­endow-ment­for­the­Zoo.­

Thousands­of­individuals­and­hundreds­of­businessesand­foundations­have­contributed­to­this­fundraising­suc-cess,­and­the­Zoo­Society­is­deeply­grateful­for­every­singlecontribution­that­it­has­received­over­the­years.­During­this­special­year­of­anniversary­celebrations,­how-

ever,­the­Zoo­Society­wants­to­call­attention­to­the­individu-als­and­the­institutions­that­have­been­especially­generoustoward­the­Zoo­and­its­programs.­The­list­below contains­thenames­of­donors­whose­contributions­to­the­Zoo­Societytotal­at­least­$800,000.­We­want­to­thank­each­of­them­forthe­major­contributions­they­have­made­in­building­this­Zoo.We­could­not­have­done­it­without­them.

BB&TThe Estate of T. Walker Lipscomb, III

The Estate of Addison G. Magnum, M.D.Bob and Bonnie MeekerRJR Nabisco Foundation

John Laurence and Martha M. SanfordCharitable Remainder Trust

The Estate of Dr. Anton SchindlerThe Estate of Juanita Spaulding W. David and Sara W. StedmanWachovia (Wells Fargo Bank)

Z. Smith Reynolds

NC Zoo Society History

grams fashioned to get children play-ing outside to learn to care aboutnature as well as animals.In 2008, the Zoo unveiled its Watani

Grasslands Reserve, a magnificent

upgrade and expansion of its elephant,rhino and plains exhibits. The expan-sion increased the elephants’ exhibitarea to nearly 10 acres and placed theZoo’s rhinos on the 40-acre African

Plains. The Zoo more than dou-bled the number of elephantsand rhinos in its collection andbegan pushing in earnest tobreed both species.Although zoos famously

preach “Do not feed the ani-mals,” the NC Zoo found a wayto comply with the nearly uni-versal human desire to sharefood with wildlife by opening agiraffe feeding deck in 2009. Atthe deck, visitors can trade $2for some green foliage to feedthe giraffes—under the watchfuleye of zookeepers.

In 2010, lemurs joined the Zoo’s primate collection. The lemurs settledonto the tiny island that had previouslyheld Patas Monkeys and, before that,baboons.

6 | ALIVE

Summer 2014 | 7

Still Wild and Fun at 40 With 40 wild years behind it, the Zoohas laid out a full season of anniver-sary celebrations. An outdoor exhibitof huge, animatronic bugs, and somemuch smaller and living examples ofinvertebrates, have established a tempo-rary exhibit near the African Pavilion.The bugs and a new and improved kid-

zone reopened in March, and a new PolarBear, Patches, has settled into her pool andis on exhibit in the Rocky Coast. Her worldwill grow substantially later this fall, whena second Polar Bear exhibit opens in con-junction with the opening of an expandededucation area and viewing complex along-side the existing Rocky Coast arena.

What a great year to visit and becomepart of the Zoo’s history. Join us to seeall that is new at the Zoo!BECCA SIGAFOOS, SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP ASSOCIATE,

AND JAYNE OWEN PARKER, DIRECTOR OFCONSERVATION EDUCATION

Randolph Telephone’s Zoo To Do 2014 will be UNFORGETTABLE!This year’s “Do” will highlight many of the Zoo’s iconic animals (past & present) as we celebrate the NC Zoo’s 40th Anniversary. This will be an evening to remember, as you enjoy fine cuisine, dancing andthe excitement of live and silent auctions.For sponsorship and ticket information contact Karen Powell at 336-879-7262 or kpowell@nczoo.com.

VALERIE ABBOTT

We­thought,­maybe, it­wouldopen­last­fall.­Then­someone­sug-gested­this­spring.­Now,­we­knowthat­red­and­yellow­leaves­will­likelybe­replacing­green­ones­by­the­timethat­this­exhibit­is­completed­andready­to­open­to­our­visitors.In­hindsight,­our­earlier­time­estimates

seem­overly­optimistic.­We­should­havetempered­our­judgments­with­the­experi-

ence­we­gained­during­former­construc-tion­projects.­Historically,­every­time­werenovated­or­built­a­complicated­newfacility,­the­process­took­longer­and­costmore­than­we­originally­thought­it­would.And,­the­renovation­and­expansion­of­ourPolar­Bear­facilities­turned­out­to­be­evenmore­challenging­than­most­of­the­proj-ects­we­have­engineered­in­the­past.

A Bitter WinterThis­year’s­very­cold,­very­wet­and­very

unpredictable­winter­added­unantici-pated­layers­of­difficulty­to­this­proj-ect­by­pelting­Asheboro­with­icestorms­and­driving­temperatures­farbelow­the­minimum­required­to­pourand­cure­cement.­And,­once­theseice­storms­melted,­they­left­behindmounds­of­mud­too­sloppy­and­tooslick­to­allow­anyone­to­plant­theexhibit’s­large­trees.­Everything­justhad­to­stop­to­let­the­land­dry­out­sothat­construction­could­begin­again.And,­every­delay­seemed­to­stretchlonger­than­the­one­before­it.On­the­lighter­side­of­winter

though,­Patches—our­new­PolarBear—took­this­miserable­weatherin­stride.­She­settled­into­her­newexhibit­and,­after­several­weeks­oftraining,­became­comfortable­withher­keepers.­She­learned­to­cooper-ate­with­them­whenever­they­askedher­to­move­back­and­forth­betweenher­exhibit­and­her­holding­quarters.Because­she­is­an­older­bear—

26­years­old—Patches­has­a­bit­ofarthritis.­But,­on­the­coldest­winterdays,­she­figured­out­a­daily­sched-ule­that­suited­her­needs­quite­well.When­it­was­really­cold­and­damp,she­did­what­lots­of­people­do,­shespent­less­time­outside­and­moretime­resting­in­her­warm­bed.Patches­instituted­a­very­reason-

able­bad­weather­day­routine.­Sherose­at­a­typical­hour­and­wanderedinto­her­exhibit­for­a­morning­consti-

tutional.­She­limbered­up,­first,­by­takinga­nice­dip­in­her­pool.­Then­she­sniffedher­way­around­the­exhibit,­looking­forany­enrichment­treats­that­the­keepershad­hidden­among­the­rocks­and­soil.Once­confident­that­every­treat­had­beenfound­and­eaten,­she­retired,­backstage,to­catch­an­afternoon­nap­on­a­warm­bedof­straw.Now­that­winter­has­ended,­Patches

seems­content­to­stay­outside­in­thewarmer­temperatures.­We­see­her­outand­about—sunning,­swimming,­sleepingand­looking­for­treats—for­a­good­portionof­the­day.

Wild About Wild Polar BearsWhile­we­have­been­busy­improving­andexpanding­the­Polar­Bear­exhibit,­wehave­also­been­supporting­conservationefforts­for­wild­Polar­Bears.­Using­fundingprovided­by­the­Zoo­Society,­the­Zoorecently­invested­in­a­pilot­study­to­evalu-ate­the­health­and­the­changing­demo-graphics­of­the­Polar­Bears­that­spendtheir­summers­in­Western­Hudson­Bay.Because­this­sub-population­ranges­fur-ther­south­than­most­other­Polar­Bears,the­Hudson­Bay­bears­are­being­carefullymonitored­to­help­scientists­understandthe­impact­that­warming­Arctic­tempera-tures­will­have­on­all­Polar­Bear­popula-tions­in­the­future.The­pilot­study­enlisted­the­help­of­citi-

zen­scientists—eco-tourists­visiting­thearea—to­track­Polar­Bears­by­usingsophisticated­photography­equipment.These­tourists-turned-scientists­were

climbing­aboard­Bay­Area­Tundra­Buggies,anyway,­to­look­for­bears.­This­study­justhad­them­snap­pictures­while­they­looked.The­gig­asked­them­to­photograph­everyPolar­Bear­they­encountered­inside­theChurchill­Wildlife­Management­Area. Thismanagement­area­is­about­15­miles­eastof­Churchill,­Manitoba.­By­collecting­thephotos­and­sorting­them­by­date­and­bysubject,­scientists­could­track­changes­toeach­bear’s­body-condition­over­the­sum-mer.­The­photos­also­provided­data­aboutindividual­bears­who­joined­or­left­thegroup­of­bears­ranging­through­the­man-agement­area.The­citizen­scientists­refined­their­digi-

Waiting for Polar Bears...It­seems­like­we­have­been­waiting­forever­to­reopen­our­Polar­Bear­Exhibit.

8 | ALIVE

tal­recordings­by­using­two­pieces­of­spe-cial­equipment—a­parallel­laser­unit­and­asimple­laser­range­finder.­These­instru-ments­provided­accurate­measures­of­thedistance­separating­a­camera­lens­from­itssubject.­Knowing­this­distance­enabled­sci-entists­to­improve­their­judgments­about­thesizes­and­physical­characteristics­of­thebears­in­the­photographs.­Improved­sizeestimates­translate­to­more­accurate­judg-ments­about­an­individual’s­sex,­age­andfatness­index.The­photographs­also­documented­indi-

vidual­identification­marks­(such­as­scars),allowing­researchers­to­recognize­individualmembers­of­the­group.­New­wounds­orscars­also­provided­information­about­inter-actions­among­the­bears.

Good Study HabitsThe­pilot­study­confirmed­that­eco-touristscan­learn­to­collect­valuable­scientific­infor-mation­while­traveling­around­in­TundraBuggies.­Because­eco-tourists­are­readilyavailable­in­and­around­Churchill,­theirlarge­numbers­make­it­possible­for­them­tocollect­significantly­more­data­than­a­fewwell-seasoned­scientists­could­do­alone.These­photographs­provided­a­remark-

able­array­of­information­to­scientists­aboutboth­the­bears­and­the­local­sea­ice.­Thisprogram­also­increased­fruitful­interchangesbetween­seasoned­scientists­and­the­pub-lic,­demystifying­the­scientific­method­andhelping­ordinary­people­sharpen­their­prob-lem­solving­and­reasoning­skills.The­success­gleaned­from­this­pilot­pro-

gram­has­set­other­scientists­in­motion.They­are­initiating­variations­of­this­programin­other­locations.­One­such­study­ispreparing­to­collect­data­on­Polar­Bears­living­on­the­North­Slope­of­Alaska.­Dr.Steven­Amstrup,­lead­scientist­for­this­proj-ect,­has­already­asked­the­North­CarolinaZoo­for­assistance­in­funding­the­secondphase­of­this­project.A­donation­to­the­Zoo’s­field­conservation

program,­designated­to­Polar­Bears,­willhelp­fund­this­work.­Donations­can­bemade­on­the­Zoo­Society’s­Web­page.Readers­can­also­learn­more­about­this

important­work­by­visiting­Polar­BearsInternational’s­Web­page.

KEN REININGER, GENERAL CURATOR OF ANIMALS

OpeningCelebration

Everyone had a great big time!

On March 29-30, the Zoo held opening celebrations forthe new kidzone and for BUGS: An Epic Adven t ure!

PHOTO

S BY VALERIE ABBOTT

10 | ALIVE

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL SAFARI

Extraordinary Travel at Extraordinary PricesThe Zoo Society has teamed up with some of our top travel partners to offer our members travel programs that are priced and organizedto meet the budgets of young professionals and seasoned travelers. All of the trips visit the most important wildlife habitats along theirdestination routes and include special, in-depth educational opportunities to complement professional and amateur educators, biolo-gists, naturalists and wildlife viewers. The company and the programs are always interesting when you travel with us.

To learn more about any of our trips, please call the Zoo Society (336.879.7250) during regular business hours, or visit our Web siteat nczoo.com and select the "Travel" option on the home page menu.

Botswana’s Water WildernessDeparts November 6, returns on the 16, 20 14$6,895/person: international air fare not includedTrip Leader: Dr. Mike Loomis, Zoo Chief VeterinarianThis safari begins in Johannesburg and travels to Maun, OkavangoDelta and Linyanti Reserve. An optional pre-extension trip to CapeTown, South Africa, and an optional post-extension trip toLivingstone and Victoria Falls, Zambia, are available. Travelarrangements have been made by Classic Escapes.

Spices and the Tiger’s EyeDeparts Feb. 7, returns on the 23, 2015

$8,995: international air farenot included

Join Zoo Director David Jones on aluxurious trek through the lesser-known, but startlingly beautiful,national parks, mountains, lakesand bustling cities of southernIndia. A rich tapestry of wildlife,scenery, culture and history willunfold along this exotic journey. Travel arrangements by ClassicEscapes

A Zookeeper’s KenyaDeparts October 30, returns November 8, 2014$4,995/per person: includes international air farefrom Washington, DCAn introduction to Africa’s most thrilling landscapes,wild places and cultural diversity. Classic Escapesdesigned this budget-sensitive trip to give travelersa dramatic introduction to Africa’s stunning wildanimals. The itinerary takes in a tree hotel, a tour ofthe privately owned 24,000-acre SweetwatersReserve, the flamingo-lined shores of Lake Nakuruand a safari into the plains of the famed MaasaiMara. This exceptionally priced safari will satisfy thecuriosity and fuel the passions of zoo employees, zooaficionados and anyone who wants to learn moreabout African wildlife. A 3-day optional, pre-exten-sion trip to Amboseli National Park and a 4-dayoptional, post-extension trip to Mozambique areavailable for this trip.

photos: ingimage.com

Visit­the­NC­Zoo­Society’s­Web­site,­nczoo.com,­tolearn­more­about­these­trips­and­to­review­the­othertravel­options­the­Zoo­Society­is­offering­in­2014.­Or,give­us­a­call­to­speak­to­someone­about­any­of­ourtravel­expeditions.­

Travel to the Antarctic Peninsula:Land of the PenguinsDeparts January 16, returns on the 28, 2015 Prices begin at $7,477: international air fare not includedThis journey begins with a flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia,the capital of the province of Tierra del Fuego. From there, ourtravelers will board the MS Fram and set a course to Antarctica.The ship will sail through Drakes Passage into the GreatSouthern Ocean and on to the endless, white wilderness ofAntarctica. Prepare to glide past Earth’s most amazing scenery,including massive, sheer cliffs that drop straight into the seaand magnificent icebergs that shimmer in changing shades ofblue. At several points along the way, passengers will have theopportunity to sail into shore with an Expedition Team to getclose to and learn about the penguins, seals and seabirds athome on this continent. Travel arrangements made by AAA.

Full 2015 Travel Calendar

NORTH CAROLINA ZOO EVENTS are for everyoneand, unless otherwise noted, are free with admission. Formore information, call 1.800.488.0444.

ALL YEARCelebrating the Zoo’s 40th Anniversary

APRIL-OCTOBERBugs: An Epic Adventure : $5

NEW! RIO The 4-D Experience : $4 {Open Daily at 10 a.m.} Join the last blue macaws on Earth, Blu andJewel, as they embark on a 4-D journey through Rio deJaneiro, finding courage, friendship and maybe evenlove along the way.

JUNE7 World Oceans Day : Be part of this growing global

celebration and discover ways to protect the future ofour oceans.

14 The Bear Necessities : Meet the bear keepers andenjoy educational displays and crafts. Bring your TeddyBear to the Teddy Bear Clinic for a check-up with Zooveterinary staff.

ZOO happenings

Antarctic $7,477: land onlyJanuary 16 - 28

Southern India’s Tigersand Spices$8,995: land onlyFebruary 7 - 23

Tanzania –NgorongoroCraterMay 3 - 14

Canada’s MaritimeProvinces$3,895: land onlyJuly 25 - August 1

South Africa–The big five$5,818: includes international

air fareOctober

Beijing – and Pandas! April

Summer 2014 | 11

Scientists­have­documented­at­least­five­mass­extinctionsduring­the­Earth’s­4.5­billion­year­history.­These­cata-strophic­events­cascaded­around­the­world,­wiping­out

entire­species,­families­and,­sometimes,­even­whole­classes­andphyla­of­living­organisms.­Scientists­from­diverse­backgrounds—geology,­biology,­paleontology,­chemistry,­astronomy,­climatol-ogy,­etc.,—have­cooperated­over­the­years,­picking­throughancient­clues­to­help­explain­these­past­biological­disasters.­More­recently,­other­scientists­have­focused­on­solving­more

contemporary­extinction­questions.­These­researchers­hope­tounderstand,­and­stop,­a­modern­rash­of­extinctions­and­popula-tion­declines­that­are­sweeping­the­world.­Some­of­these­population­crashes­are­well­understood.­Many,

actually­most,­relate­to­unsustainable­human­activities­like­over-fishing,­water­pollution,­poaching­and­habitat­destruction.­Theseplagues­all­harm­wildlife­directly.­But,­other­population­lossesdefy­deciphering.­Scientists­cannot­tease­out­what­caused­them,or­even­whether­they­are­signs­of­impending­doom­or­simplynormal,­previously­unknown­population­fluctuations.­One­particularly­confusing­class­of­biological­disturbances

relates­to­a­rise­in­fatal­epidemics­among­diverse­classes­of­ani-mals.­The­epidemics­are­unrelated,­as­are­the­kinds­of­animalsbeing­affected­and­the­kinds­of­pathogens­causing­the­diseases.Various­fungi,­bacteria,­viruses,­mites,­molds­and­even­prionsare­involved­in­different­sets­of­epidemics­affecting­differentgroups­of­animals.The­seemingly­sudden­emergence­of­these­diseases­adds­yet

more­confusion­to­the­outbreaks.­Without­historical­data,researchers­cannot­be­sure­if­the­epidemics­represent­a­newphenomena­or­if­they­only­seem­new­because­we­are­noticingthem­for­the­first­time.­If­the­epidemics­are­new,­scientists­needto­determine­what­has­changed­to­make­wild­populations­morevulnerable­to­so­many­pathogens.­For­example,­has­environ-mental­degradation­weakened­the­immune­systems­of­wild­animals­or­have­environmental­changes,­say­warming­tempera-tures,­opened­up­new­habitats­to­invasions­from­pathogens­formerly­confined­to­more­tropical­areas?­One­thing­is­for­certain,­though,­many­diseases­that­were

apparently­rare,­or­absent,­in­wildlife­populations­10­or­20­yearsago­have­become­commonplace.­Something,­or­more­likely,many­things­have­coalesced­to­make­wild­animals­more­vulner-able­to­diseases.­Pollution,­the­introduction­of­invasive­species,climate­change­and­reduced­biodiversity­in­native­habitats­havethe­potential­to­weaken­wildlife­populations.The­following­paragraphs­introduce­a­few­of­the­epidemics

currently­affecting­wildlife­around­the­world.­Biologists­and­vet-

erinarians­on­every­continent­are­studying­these­outbreaks,­totry­to­unravel­their­causes­and­to­discover­mechanisms­that­willhalt­the­spread­of­these­diseases.­

Amphibians: The­most­pervasive­and­deadly­disease­outbreakamong­amphibians­is­Chytrid,­a­fungal­disease,­now­too­com-mon­in­the­warm­tropics.­It­is­deadly­in­almost­every­species­offrog­or­toad­it­encounters­and­can­harm­other­amphibians,­too.Caused­by­the­fungus­Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis,

Chytrid­has­led­a­40­year­long­rampage­around­the­world.­It­isresponsible­for­driving­30­percent­of­the­world’s­known­amphib-ian­species­to­extinction­in­just­four­decades.­To­date,­no­knownremedies­are­available­to­control­the­fungus,­in­part­because­ofthe­massive­scale­of­the­epidemic.­

A­recently­discovered­Ranavirus­has­also­been­implicated­inyet­another­epidemic­affecting­amphibians.­Chytrid­and­thisRanavirus­are­now­recognized­as­major­contributing­factors­inthe­global­decline­of­amphibians.­

Reptiles: The­Ranavirus­does­not­restrict­its­destruction­toamphibians.­It­affects­turtles­and­tortoises,­too,­and­has­causedmassive­declines­in­their­populations­in­various­locations­aroundthe­world.­The­virus­is­particularly­destructive­to­Box­Turtles­inparts­of­the­United­States.­A­fungal­dermatitis­is­proving­fatal­to­snakes­in­at­least­nine

states,­and­researchers­suspect­that­it­has­spread­well­beyondthese­areas.­They­are­particularly­alarmed­by­the­large­numberof­species­that­the­fungus­harms:­Northern­Water­Snakes,Eastern­Racers,­Rat­Snakes,­Timber­Rattlesnakes,Massasaugas,­Pygmy­Rattlesnakes­and­Milk­Snakes­have­beendiagnosed­with­the­disease.Diseases­are­striking­sea­turtles,­too.­Fibropapillomatosis,

which­causes­skin­and­internal­tumors,­has­appeared­in­turtlesfrom­widely­spaced­populations.­First­diagnosed­in­sea­turtlesalong­Florida’s­Atlantic­Coast,­Fibropapillomatosis has­been­seenin­different­populations­around­the­world.­Although­benign,­thesetumors­can­make­it­difficult­for­sea­turtles­to­eat,­swim­or­see.The­disease­is­also­believed­to­weaken­their­immune­systems.­

12 | ALIVE

FIELD

A Rising Tide of Wildlife Diseases?

Birds: Avian­flu­is­already­well­known­to­the­generalpublic.­While­the­disease­can­strike­wild­birds,­Avian­fluappears­to­have­originated­in­the­East­Asian­poultryindustry.­The­overcrowding­seen­in­these­farms,­andthe­easy­movement­of­poultry­and­poultry­products,likely­contribute­to­the­spread­of­this­disease.Wetland­losses­may­contribute­to­the­spread­of­theflu,­too,­by­forcing­migrating­birds­to­land­in­farmponds,­paddy­fields­and­other­places­where­they­are

more­likely­to­come­into­contact­with­domestic­fowl.­Two­forms­of­Bird­Pox­have­spread­to­at­least­60

species­of­birds.­The­more­common­form­causes­wart-likegrowths­to­form­on­the­bare­areas­of­birds’­faces,­legs­andfeet.­The­less­common­variety­causes­plaques­to­form­on­themucous­membranes­lining­birds’­mouths,­throats,­tracheas­andlungs.­The­plaques­cause­breathing­and­eating­difficulties.­House­Finches­and­other­bird­species,­such­as­the­American

Goldfinch,­Evening­Grosbeak­and­Purple­Finch,­are­beingdiagnosed­with­House­Finch­Eye­Disease,­which­causes­eyesto­turn­red,­swell­and­sometimes­become­crusty.­If­a­bird’s­eyesswell­shut,­it­can­die­from­starvation,­exposure­or­predation.

Mammals: A­deadly­epidemic­of­White-nosed­Bat­Syndromeis­decimating­wild­populations­of­many­bat­species.­ChronicWasting­Disease­has­emerged­as­a­major­wildlife­disease­indeer,­elk,­and­Moose­populations­in­the­United­States­andKorea.­Researchers­suspect­that­the­epidemic­originated­in­acaptive­Mule­Deer­population­living­in­Colorado.­A­parasitic­lung­nematode­has­recently­been­isolated­in­wild

Musk­Ox­populations.­Researchers­first­saw­the­parasite­in1988­when­they­were­studying­a­disease­outbreak­in­the­Arcticregion­of­Canada.­Since­then,­the­nematode­has­spread­rap-idly­to­other­wild­groups.­The­parasite­regularly­kills­up­to­halfthe­animals­in­an­infected­population.­Massive­mortalities­have­taken­down­groups­of­lions­in

drought­stricken­parts­of­Africa.­The­lions­seem­to­be­dyingfrom­a­double-dose­of­trouble:­canine­distemper,­a­well-knownwildlife­disease,­that­is­striking­in­combination­with­a­tick-borneprotozoan­parasite.­The­drought­caused­much­of­the­problemby­killing­multitudes­of­tick­infested­buffalo­and­calling­in­hun-gry­lions­to­scavenge­on­the­carcasses.­At­least­30­new­diseases­have­recently­been­identified­in

marine­mammals:­whales­and­dolphins,­seals­and­sea­lionsand­sea­otters.­The­list­of­the­new­diseases­in­other­mammalpopulations­is­staggering.

One­result­of­the­data­being­collected­on­emerging­dis-eases­is­the­creation­of­a­new,­multidisciplinary­branchof­science­called­“conservation­medicine.”­This­science

focuses­on­the­interplay­between­human­and­animal­healthand­the­ways­they­interact­with­the­health­of­ecosystems.­Onebranch­of­conservation­medicine­focuses­heavily­on­emergingand­resurgent­diseases­in­wildlife.­It­is­hoped­that­progress­inthis­new­field­of­science­will­help­stem­the­flow­of­diseasesthat­are­depleting­wildlife­populations­around­the­world.­

JOHN D. GROVES, CURATOR OF AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES

Summer 2014 | 13

Stopping the Assault on WildlifeWhen­elephant­and­rhinoceros­poaching­grew­rampant­inthe­mid-twentieth­century,­the­international­communityresponded­by­banning­the­sale­of­rhino­horn­in­the­late1970s,­and­of­ivory­in­1990.­Both­embargoes­sloweddemand­and­led­to­a­dramatic­drop­in­poaching.­But,­as­ele-phant­herds­rebounded,­several­southern­African­countriessought,­and­won,­permission­to­sell­their­stockpiled­ivory.This­decision­opened­up­gaps­for­poached­ivory­to­wiggle­itsway­into­legal­markets.Meanwhile,­economic­booms­in­China­and­Vietnam

expanded­the­class­of­consumers­with­sufficient­income­topursue­traditional,­though­now­illegal,­symbols­of­wealth­andpower.­This­mix­of­money­and­opportunity­sent­armies­ofwell-armed­poachers­into­Africa­to­kill­elephants­and­rhinosin­unprecedented­numbers.­South­Africa,­a­country­wherehistorically­poachers­killed­only­15­to­20­rhinos­annually,saw­1,000­rhinos­poached­in­2013.­That­year,­poachersbrought­an­end­to­the­annual­population­gains­seen­duringthe­last­50­years­ofconservation.Meanwhile,­35,000

African­elephants­fellto­poachers­last­year.They­took­animals­inpoorly­protectedCentral­African­coun-tries­and­extendedtheir­slaughter­intoWest­Africa­by­invad-ing­forests­that­had­been­almost­free­of­illegal­hunting.­Last­year,­Africa’s­elephant­and­rhino­populations­declined

by­7­to­8­percent—a­death­rate­that­is­twice­the­size­of­thebirth­rates­seen­in­both­groups.­At­this­pace,­both­specieswill­face­extinction­within­20­years.­The­only­way­to­preventthis­will­be­to­dismantle­every­link­in­the­chain­of­illegalwildlife­trading:­from­poachers­to­middle-men­to­sellers­andconsumers.­This­task­will­not­be­easy.­Profits­from­the­illegalwildlife­trade­have­become­so­lucrative­that­drug­lords­andillegal­arms­traders­have­joined­the­business.­The­NC­Zoo,­and­many­other­zoos,­have­partnered­with

the­Wildlife­Conservation­Society­(New­York)­to­stop­thispoaching.­The­NC­Zoo,­the­St.­Louis­Zoo­and­SIMEX­justsent­a­new­radio­system­to­the­rangers­at­the­LewaSanctuary­in­Kenya.­And,­the­elephant­conservation­pro-gram­we­began­15­years­ago­in­Cameroon­is­spreading­intoseveral­surrounding­countries.­Soon,­we­will­partner­with­theNC­National­Guard,­which­advises­the­Botswana­DefenseForce,­to­help­that­country­protect­its­elephant­herds.

DAVID M. JONES, NC ZOO DIRECTOR

photos: ingimage.com

LEAVE A LEGACY

14 | ALIVE

Mable Anderson & A. P.Anderson, Jr.

Archdale Oil CompanyAutism SpeaksJonathan Wilfong & WendyBaker

The Borden FoundationThe Bridge FamilyFoundation

Robert & Lillian BriggsRon & Cathy ButlerFred E. & Jeanette D.Byerly

Camp Mundo VistaCoca Cola BottlingCompany Consolidated

Cross Road RetirementCommunity

Genie FrickAmanda & John GravelyHaley & Richard GrayMrs. Joan M. GulledgeMarv & Burke JensenThe JPMorgan ChaseFoundation

The Maryland Zoo

McDowell Lumber Co.N.C. Chapter AAZKOliver Rubber CompanyCarl & Mary PorcheyProject EnlightenSAS Institute, Inc.Robert A. Sebrosky

State Employees CombinedCampaign

John H. E. Stelling &Victoria Herring

Russ Williams & AnnLynch

Robert & Jean WinfreyZoos Victoria

The Lion’s PrideThe­Lion’s­Pride­is­a­group­that­former­Zoo­SocietyDirector­Susan­Milner­helped­organize­to­honordonors­who­have­taken­steps­to­ensure­a­safefinancial­future­for­the­NC­Zoo.­Lion’s­Pride­mem-bers­are­individuals­who­have­told­the­Zoo­Societyof­their­intentions­to­include­The­North­CarolinaZoological­Society,­Inc.,­in­their­wills­or­other­estateplans.Once­we­learn­of­these­arrangements,­we­give

these­donors­the­option­of­joining­the­Lion’s­Prideand,­with­their­permission,­of­having­their­namespublished­along­with­the­names­of­other­membersof­this­highly­honored­group.­If­a­donor­decides­tojoin­the­club,­he­or­she­receives­one­of­our­hand-crafted,­exclusive­Lion’s­Pride­statuettes.­Every­year,­the­Zoo­Society­invites­its­Lion’s­Pride

members­to­an­exclusive­luncheon­or­dinner­partythat­includes­a­behind-the-scenes­tour­somewhereinside­the­Zoo.­These­tours­give­Lion’s­Pride­mem-bers­the­opportunity­to­talk­to­the­staff,­first-hand,­tolearn­details­about­what­the­future­holds­for­the­Zooand­about­the­work­the­Zoo­is­accomplishing­toremain­worthy­of­future­estate­gifts.­Our­Lion’s­Pride­meetings­and­programs­open­up

a­venue­for­the­Society­to­show­its­appreciationtoday­for­the­gifts­these­special­donors­will­providesometime­in­the­future.­These­programs­also­let­theZoo­and­the­Zoo­Society­share­their­hopes­for­thePark­with­the­very­people­who­will­allow­us­to­keepthe­Zoo,­its­animals­and­its­programs­great.If­you­have­questions­or­would­like­to­discuss

your­gift­plans,­please­contact­Russ­H.­Williams­at336-879-7252­or­by­emailing­rwilliams@nczoo.com.

Go backstage and get up close and personal with the yourfavorite animals behind the scenes.

BACKSTAGE PASSESJUNEDATE TIME EVENT Member Cost

7 8:15 a.m. PRIVATE Aviary Bird Feeding $85 10:30 a.m. EXTREME Rhino Safari $85

14 1:30 p.m. Close Up: Cougar & Alligators $90 3 p.m. Backstage with Lions $100

28 1:30 p.m. Great Plains Bison Ride $89

JULY 12 1:15 p.m. Seal School $85 19 11 a.m. Meet and Feed the Otters $90

2:30 p.m. Meet and Feed the Elephants $99 26 1:30 p.m. Meet the Grizzly! $85

5:30 p.m. Meet and Feed the Giraffes $99

AUGUST2 1:15 p.m. Meet and Feed the Gorillas $89

1:30 p.m Cougar & Alligators $90 9 1:30 p.m Meet and Feed the Puffins $75

3 p.m. Backstage with Lions $10016 5:30 p.m. Meet and Feed the Giraffes $99

SEPT 6 11 a.m. Meet and Feed the Otters $90

1:15 p.m. Meet and Feed the Gorillas $891:30 p.m. Meet and Feed the Puffins $75

To sign up online, click on EVENTS at nczoo.com, or call usduring regular business hours (336-879-7250). Add $10 to purchasetickets for non-members. Prices are ‘per person’ unless otherwisenoted. All or most of the cost of an event is tax-deductible as a dona-tion to support the NC Zoo’s Conservation Programs.Got questions? Call or send an email to jparker@nczoo.com.

Thank yous go out to the very generous donors who provided gifts of $1,000 or more to the Society, January 1 through March 27, 2014.

Mail to: NC Zoo Society, 4403 Zoo Parkway, Asheboro, NC27205; or give online at nczoo.com.

PAGE

Spiders do more than spin webs. They spin themost amazingly strong, stretchy and, sometimes,sticky strands of silk seen anywhere on Earth.

First, let us be clear. It is OK to call a spidera “bug,” but it is NOT OK to call a spider an“insect.” Spiders, which have eight legs, are prop-erly called “Arachnids.” Insects belong to a differ-ent group of animals altogether. All insects end upwith only six legs.

Silk is another characteristic that separatesinsects from spiders. Only a few kinds of insectsspin silk, and they always use their silk to weaveprotective cases around eggs or larvae. All spiders,on the other hand, spin at least one kind of silk,and some spiders concoct up to seven differentkinds of silk, each with its own special purpose.

What Spiders Do With Their SpinningsSeize Prey: Many spiders grab prey with stickystrands of silk. Some traps are tiny—just a fewlines of gummy silk stretched out to trip passinginsects. Some webs are massive. Individual Darwin’sBark Spiders sometimes build webs more than 80feet wide. They suspend their giant orbs from con-

struction lines made of thestrongest biological silkknown to science. Ouncefor ounce, it is more thannine times stronger thansteel. Spiders make theirhunting silks sticky bycoating them with tinydrops of glue.

Swaddle Young: Many spiders wraptheir eggs in toughcocoons. Cocoonsilk is stiffer thanthe other kinds ofsilk spiders make.

Sail Away: Small spiders—especially spiderlings—sometimes pull out a fewvery delicate threads ofgossamer silk to hitch rideson passing breezes. Properly called “dynamic kiting,”but more casually known as “ballooning,” these tripsdisperse spiders to new homes—usually just a fewyards away from their old ones.

Stay Connected: Spiders use guide lines and droplines to stay connected to their home places.

Spiders lay down guide linesfor the same reason thatHansel and Gretel droppedbread crumbs—to put down atrail that leads back home.Spiders also pull out drop-lines for emergencies, drawingout a long string of silk thatthey can ride down if theyneed to leap off a web or awall to get away from danger.

Secure Surroundings: Spiders usually line theirnests with silk—which insulatesthem from extremetemperatures andprotects them fromthe elements. Somespiders, called“Water” or “DivingBell” spiders takethis protection to

extremes. They live underwater, under tightlywoven, waterproof shelves of silk. Except for hunt-ing, these spiders do almost everything inside thesebubbles trapped under the silk. They go out only tograb prey that bumps into the web ’s anchor line,and when they swim to the surface to gather freshsupplies of bubbles.

WIKIPED

IA COMMONS

WIKIPEDIA COMMONS

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LOU BAY

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16 | ALIVE

Rescued Cougar Kittens Arrive at ZooMarch­delivered­a­new­kind­of­mad-

ness­this­year.­It­started­on­the­thirdday­of­the­month,­when­a­rogue­wave­inthe­jet­stream­whipped­another­blast­ofArctic­misery­across­the­United­States.The­storm­sent­snow,­ice­and­high­windscascading­across­the­heartland­withenough­momentum­to­reach­deep­intoNorth­Carolina.­As­the­storm­advanced,­it­brought­down­power­lines­and­trees­inthe­worst­winter­weather­the­state­hadseen­in­decades.

Cougars Ahead of the StormAs­the­leading­edge­of­this­storm­madeits­way­toward­Charlotte,­a­tiny,­singleengine­turbo-prop­dropped­out­of­theclouds­and­gently­settled­onto­a­runwayat­the­Charlotte-Douglas­InternationalAirport.­At­the­landing,­three­wearyhuman­passengers­felt­the­tension­drainout­of­their­muscles.­Meanwhile,­the­plane’s­wildlife­cargo—

three­orphaned­Cougar­kittens—adjustedto­the­changing­air­pressure­and­noise­byclimbing­into­motion.­They­pressed­theirstill­partially­closed­eyes­against­theopenings­in­their­travel­crate,­trying­to­geta­glimpse­of­their­surroundings.­Within­minutes,­the­kittens­were­aloft

again,­as­Keeper­III­Jeff­Owen­whiskedthem­from­the­plane­into­a­warm,­waitingvehicle.­Then­off­they­went,­on­the­lastleg­of­a­long­journey,­to­see­their­newhome­at­the­North­Carolina­Zoo.­

From the BeginningThe­kittens’­journey­beganwith­a­tragedy.­An­Oregonhunter­shot­and­killed­theirmother­one­Saturdaymorning.­When­he­stoopedto­collect­his­trophy,­hesaw­the­remains­of­a­nursing­mother.­Stricken­byimages­of­freezing­or­starving­kittens,

the­hunter­set­aside­the­body­and­beganfollowing­her­still-fresh­tracks­back­to­theden­that­sheltered­her­three­cold,­hungrybut­still­alive­kittens.The­hunter­bundled­them­up,­carried

them­out­of­the­back­country­and­turnedthem­over­to­the­Oregon­Department­ofFish­and­Wildlife.­Officers­there­immedi-ately­entrusted­them­to­the­care­ofOregon­Zoo­keeper­Michelle­Schireman,the­nation’s­top­cougar­rehabilitator.During­her­18­year­career,­Ms. Schiremanhas­saved­over­100­orphaned­Cougarsand­has­placed­nearly­all­of­the­Cougarsliving­in­AZA­accredited­zoos­today.Ms.­Schireman­estimated­the­kittens’

age­at­about­two­weeks.­They­eachweighed­fewer­than­two­pounds,­anddark­brown­spots­still­marked­their­tawnyfur.­At­check­in,­they­were­cold,­dehy-drated­and­in­need­of­immediate­care,which­Ms.­Schireman­delivered­with­theease­of­an­expert.­Within­weeks,­all­threekittens­were­strong­and­active.As­luck­would­have­it,­the­Zoo­had

recently­contacted­Ms.­Shireman­whenour­two­cougars,­Dodger­and­Oliver,­haddied­from­old­age.­Both­cats­were­grandold­men­who­had­come­to­us­as­rescuedkittens­some­14­years­before.­We­hadasked­Ms.­Shireman­to­put­us­on­herwaiting­list­of­zoos­with­space­to­take­inrescued­Cougar­kittens.

Flight PlansBy­mid-February­the­rescued­kittenswere­old­enough­to­come­to­NorthCarolina,­but­they­needed­very­special

flight­arrangements:­a­quick­trip;­nolayovers;­and­room­(not­in

baggage)

for­a­companion­zookeeper.To­secure­these­arrangements,­the­Zoo

reached­out­to­a­veteran­Zoo­SocietyBoard­Director,­Mr.­David­Robb.­Anactive­advocate­for­animal­welfare,­Mr.Robb­talked­to­a­friend­in­Seattle­who,­inturn,­contacted­some­pilots­who­volunteerfor­Lighthawk,­an­organization­that­isrenowned­for­volunteering­planes­andpilots­for­environmental­and­wildlifecauses.­With­the­help­of­this­contact,­Mr.Robb­arranged­for­one­volunteer­pilot­tofly­the­kittens­and­zookeeper­Jeff­Owenfrom­Portland­to­Denver­and­for­a­secondvolunteer­to­fly­the­group­from­Denver­toNorth­Carolina.­Originally,­the­travelerswere­to­land­at­the­Asheboro­airport,­butthe­tracking­winter­storm­redirected­theplane,­first­to­Greensboro­and­then­toCharlotte.­When­it­landed,­a­Zoo­van­waswaiting­to­bring­the­cougars­and­thekeeper­home.­

The­Zoo­and­Zoo­Society­wish­to­thankthe­Oregon­Zoo­and­its­staff­for­rescuingthese­and­so­many­other­cougar­kittens,the­LightHawk­organization­and­its­volun-teer­pilots­for­their­generous­and­noblework,­and­Zoo­Society­Board­DirectorDavid­Robb­for­his­efforts­in­arrangingthis­rescue.­We­hope­that­the­generosityand­compassion­that­these­people­prac-tice­daily­will­lead­other­people­to­see­thevalue—and­the­benefits—of­caring­aboutanimals­from­the­beginning­to­the­end­oftheir­lives.­May­the­wonderand­caring­we­feel­forkittens­and­cubseverywhere­stayalive­throughoutour­lives­andtheirs.KEN REININGER, GENERAL CURATOR OFANIMAL COLLECTIONS

Summer 2014 | 17

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Zoo ToDo 2014Saturday, September 6