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December 2014

Editor Jennifer McGruder

Why Do Zoos Matter?


People learn at zoos. They learn in our formal
classes, lectures, camps, teacher workshops,
distance learning, zoo tours, overnights and
outreach programs. Informally they learn from
keeper chats, docent volunteers, interpreters,
signage and special exhibits. Most important,
they learn from observing zoo animals.
At the Saint Louis Zoo, about 400,000 children
and adults participate in our formal programs,
including classes and Camp KangaZoo each
year. And of our 3,000,000 visitors annually,
about 1,900,000 interact with an educational
interpreter, docent or zookeeper who provides
educational experiences and information. Each
year the Zoo is visited by over 1,400 school
groups who come for a free field trip. Of these
schoolchildren, 31% are from economically
disadvantaged neighborhoods, and 17% are
special needs children.
On a scale of 1 to 10, our visitors rate their
educational experience at the Saint Louis Zoo
as a 9.1.
Unique Experiences
Families matter! Zoos are a place where
families can have unique experiences together
every time they visit. Todays families are
more conscious than ever of the need to teach
their children about the natural world and
respect for living creatures.
When the Saint Louis Zoo does visitor
research, we find that, not surprisingly, the
single most compelling reason to visit the
Zoo is to see the animals. Another reason
our visitors find compelling is to spend time
outdoors with the family.
People make an emotional connection with
animals at zoos that can last a lifetime. Visitor
research shows that when people experience
the wonderment of animals, they are spurred
on to learn more and act differently.

Zoo Prepares for Grizzlies


Some animals are tough acts to follow, even
if youre an animal.
Like Gus, the Central Park Zoos
charismatically depressed polar bear, who
mesmerized visitors as he spent years
swimming slowly back and forth in his pool.
Ever since Gus died last year, the polar bear
exhibit has sat empty, a 6,000-square-foot
hole in the heart of the zoo.
Now the Wildlife Conservation Society,
which runs the zoo, has revealed just who will
step into Guss enormous pawprints.
Prepare to meet your grizzlies: Betty and
Veronica.
These bears are not exactly new to the city:
Since 1995, theyve been on display at the

Bronx Zoo.
But thats part of how they got the job; the
society wanted seasoned pros.
Its a new species and a new exhibit,
said Jim Breheny, the societys executive vice
president for zoos and aquariums. Thats
why were sending Betty and Veronica down
there. Theyre really solid, theyre responsive
animals, they really like each other, have great
relationships with their keepers. And theyre
beautiful.

Reptiles. Reptiles. And More Reptiles.

In 1936, a new Reptile House opened, and it continues to delight and awe visitors today. A stroll around its perimeter
allows you to safely view an amazing collection of pythons, cobras, boas, rattlesnakes, king cobras, and rinkhals, which
are true spitting cobras that also play dead. Because youre on the outside looking in, youre not bothered by the heat
and humidity required to maintain some of our snakes. Each enclosure is designed to look like the residents natural
home. Youngsters proudly point out to their parents which snakes are venomouswith the help of a red dot on the
appropriate signs! Some corners of the House feature the giants of the snake world: anacondas and pythons.
There are other areas of the Zoo where snakes can be seen, too. Our Elephant Odyssey is home to a variety of rattlesnakes
that are native to the San Diego County region, including the largest rattler in our area, the red diamond rattlesnake.
Lost Forest features snakes native to rain forest areas. We have the beautiful and rarely seen Mang Mountain vipers,
which can be seen in the Zoos Panda Trek as they share habitat with the popular bamboo bears. A few of our snakes
make appearances in animal presentations, giving guests an opportunity to touch these unique creatures.

From the Fence to the Feild

Kids Corner
What Makes a Mammal?
There are more than 4,000 different species of mammals. The smallest is the hognosed bat, which weighs 0.05 ounces. The
largest is the blue whale, which can be 100
feet long and weigh 150 tons. But whether
they live on land or water, all mammals
share some common characteristics.
All mammals:
Are vertebrates (which means they have a
backbone or spine).
Are endothermic. Also known as
warm-blooded, endothermic animals
regulate their own body temperate which
allows them to live in almost every climate
on Earth.
Have hair on their bodies.
Produce milk to feed their babies. This
allows them to spend more time with their
young and teach them important skills they
need to survive on their own.

In 2004, the Saint Louis Zoo established the


WildCare Institute to work in conservation
hotspots locally and around the globe. From
Forest Park and Missouri streams to the
Horn of Africa or the coastline of Peru, the
Zoo is taking a holistic approach to wildlife
conservation. While the Zoo has been involved
in helping save endangered species for
decades, our goal today is create a sustainable
future for wildlife and for people around the
world. Ultimately, we need to help save the
ecosystems on which animals and humans
depend. WildCare Institute addresses three key
ingredients in conservation success: wildlife
management and recovery, conservation
science, and support of the human populations
that coexist with wildlife.
The world around us is changing fast. Species
of wildlife are facing global extinction on a
massive scale. About 21% of the worlds
mammal species, about 12% of the bird
species and about 33% of all amphibian
species are threatened with extinction. Cranes
and cheetahs, great apes and rhinos and so
many more are in trouble. Zoos are in a unique
position to make a difference.
Zoo professionals are experts on breeding
small populations of endangered species.

That knowledge, too, has become valuable to


scientists working with wildlife populations.
Nowadays animals in wild habitats are often
found in small, fragmented groups because
of agriculture, logging or other human
activity. No other university, conservation
organization or research facility has been
working with small population management
as long or as well as zoos.

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