director's den - Henry Vilas Zoo

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keeping up with the keepers meet a keeper Name: Jennifer Zuehlke Education: Bachelor degree from University of WI at Stevens Point majored in wildlife education and minor in captive wildlife management. What area of the Zoo do you oversee? I am a relief keeper, so I float around to all the areas filling in for other keepers and helping out where I am needed. I am trained to do all the areas of the Zoo; however I frequent the Children’s Zoo, aviary, and the giraffe barn (my favorite). Best part of job? There are so many good things, it is often hard to pinpoint just one. I think the best thing for me is being able to work with an animal and learn that animal’s personality. Even animals of the same species have individual traits that make them special. It is a constant reminder that though humans are intelligent, we are not the only beings on earth that think, feel and communicate. Any hidden talents? I was very athletic in high school, and though I can’t play now while I’m pregnant, I still love volleyball. I played the flute for 14 years, from 4 th grade through college. It’s hard to fit in time now, but I’d love to get back to playing music with a local group, like a municipal orchestra. enrichment program at Mounds Stores One of Henry Vilas Zoo’s goals is to make the captive environments of our animals as complex, engaging and enriched as they can be. By adding complexity to the animals’ habitats through enrichment, the animals are encouraged to engage in species-typical behaviors, which in turn, gives them more choice and control over their environment. Mounds Pet Food Warehouse has partnered with the Henry Vilas Zoo’s enrichment program. The Henry Vilas Zoo has displays at the 3 Madison area Mounds (Middleton, East, and Fitchburg). Each display has animal enrichment items from Mounds that are hand-picked by Henry Vilas Zookeepers. Please help support your animals at Henry Vilas Zoo by purchasing these enrichment items at your local Mounds stores.
ask Jim endangered species feature: Palm Oil Crisis Recent health concerns have caused consumers to avoid the trans-fatty acids found in partially hydrogenated oil—and many common snack foods. The industrial alternative for partially hydrogenated oil is palm oil. While substituting palm oil for other oils may be healthier for people, it’s become deadly for orangutans. That’s because palm oil plantations are spreading into the orangutans’ natural habitat, destroying their food sources—and their potential for survival. Palm Oil comes from the fruit of the oil palm tree that grows in a tropical environment, which is also the same habitat as the endangered Sumatran and Bornean orangutans. Research shows us if something doesn’t stop the spread of the palm oil plantations, the forests will be gone in ten years. You Can Help! If you are concerned about the effects of increased palm oil production on orangutan habitat, we suggest you: 1. Read product labels. Know which companies use palm oil in their products. 2. Educate yourself and everyone you know about the palm tree crisis. 3. Write to your favorite companies and supermarkets to educate them on the importance of using certified sustainable palm oil when it becomes available, and/or ask them to avoid using palm oil. 4. Try to avoid wood products, such as furniture and picture frames, made from teak, ebony, sandalwood, ironwood or mahogany. Does the zoo announce Weather Watches and/or Warnings? Both weather watches and warnings are announced. Staff also assists in providing information to help our visitors to safety. Has another beehive been added to the exhibit outside the Discovery Center? Another beehive has been added in partnership with the UW Department of Microbial Science as part of a program to learn about naturally healthy and pest-free hives. The bees are doing well. They spent the winter months inside the Discover Center exhibit. Why is the play area sometimes closed? The play area is inspected for safety on a regular basis. Several of the main features get worn out (over 1.5 million children have used the play area since it opened). Sometimes the delivery for the replacement parts takes a long time. We appreciate your understanding. upcoming events Art ZOObilee Display: June 19 - Sept. 27 Paddle for Polar Bears: Aug. 7 & 15 Member Appreciation Event ($150+ members): Sept. 16 Henry Vilas Zoo Run Run: Sept. 26 Art ZOObilee Auction Event: Oct. 22 Halloween at the Zoo: Oct. 24 for more information, please visit vilaszoo.org/events Sign up for our Henry Vilas Zoo E-News by visiting our website at www.vilaszoo.org
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Page 4 and 5: leave a legacy As the Zoo approache
Page 8 and 9: egistration open: Zoo Run Run 2010
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director's den - Henry Vilas Zoo

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