2008 Annual Report - Denver Zoo

mission statementTo provide a wildlife conservancywhich offers high quality experiencesin an urban recreational setting.To provide environmental educationwhich inspires public awareness ofglobal conservation.denver zoo visionDenver Zoo will be internationallyrespected as a leader in animal careand exhibition, conservation programs,scientific study, environmentaleducation, and public service.To engage in scientific programswhich make meaningful contributionsto the conservation of animals andtheir ecosystems.Denver Zoo receives major funding from the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District(SCFD) which was created by metro Denver voters in November 1988. SCFDsupports hundreds of organizations in Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield,Denver, Douglas and Jefferson Counties. Our sincerest thanks to all for thisimportant regional support.Denver Zoological Gardens is established and maintained by the Denver ZoologicalFoundation, Inc., for the people of the City & County of Denver and for the generalpublic in cooperation with the Denver Parks and Recreation Department.Photo credits:Graphic design:Editorial Team:Printing:Jen Bahmeier | Derek Cossaboon | Seth Frankel | Matt Herbert| Amy Masching | Angie Panos | Brad Parks | Dave Parsons |Korbin Pugh | Alex Saunders | Siva Sundaresan | Rich Reading| Meghan Rubinstein | Tom WeaverPeak Creative MediaPat Moredock and Craig PiperSprint Press2

denver zoological foundationboard of trustees​as of december 31, 2008officersPatrick E. GreenChairKatie Philpott SchoelzelExecutive Vice ChairMeyer M. SaltzmanVice Chair of FinanceCharles R. FredericksonVice ChairSherri KoelbelVice ChairBei-Lee GoldSecretaryBruce S. WagnerImmediate Past ChairtrusteesEula L. AdamsTim AtkesonRobert H. BachKaren Brown-GerdineBarb CardDr. David A. ChiszarPat I. CortezJudith Husbands DamasKenneth I. GartChristopher GatesMike LandaMike LongMary Pat McCormickNancy McGrathJulie MillsRichard L. MonfortMark MurrayJohn C. North IIIKathleen M. OgsburyDennis J. O’MalleyKevin PattersonPatricia Barela RiveraDr. Charles H. ScogginElizabeth B. SearleJo Ann SempleSue StevinsonSharon K. SwiatekSherri VasquezSid Wilsonhonorarylife trusteesRollin D. BarnardBruce D. BensonRuth M. KeeslingWilliam H. KistlerBrian W. Klepinger, Ph.D.Gene N. KoelbelJames B. KurtzMarynelle C. PhilpottEdward A. RobinsonDr. Robert B. SawyerCharles L. WarrenemeritiJoseph B. BlakeKeith C. DouglassDonald L. KortzHolly K. KylbergMary Lou PaulsenThomas A. SiratovichFrederick B. TaylorRobert A. Taylor, D.V.M., M.S.Dr. Jerome F. WartgowadvisoryDavid EhrlichJohn A. Ferguson IIIKelly MatthewsstaffCraig D. PiperPresident/Chief Executive OfficerKyle D. Burks, Ph.D.Executive Vice President/Chief Operating OfficerDonna Mei Lin DriscollTreasurer/Chief Financial OfficerAdrijana V. BowieVice President for Marketing &CommunicationsGeorge R. PondVice President for Planning &Capital ConstructionDennis D. SmithVice President for Zoo OperationsJacqueline M. TaylorVice President for Education &Volunteer ServicesH. Benjamin Duke IIIVice President for Development &Membership ServicesFelicia Knightly, D.V.M.Sr. VeterinarianLeslye M. BilyeuDirector of Human ResourcesMary E. BradleyDirector of Membership ServicesAmber M. ChristopherDirector of Guest ServicesJessica L. KraybillDirector of DevelopmentBradley J. ParksDirector of Public ProgramsDean R. PaulsonDirector of Information SystemsRichard P. Reading, Ph.D.Director of Conservation BiologyArt BentonSupervisor of Facilities MaintenanceKaren KielpikowskiField Supervisor for Horticulture &Grounds MaintenanceRick J. HaeffnerGeneral Curator & Curator,Reptiles & FishesJohn V. Azúa, Jr.Curator, BirdsDale S. LeedsCurator, Large MammalsBeth Jo SchoeberlCurator, Primates & CarnivoresPat MoredockAssistant to the President/Chief Executive Officercity & countyof denverJohn W. HickenlooperMayorDennis GallagherAuditorKevin PattersonManager, Department ofParks & Recreationcity councilCarol BoigonCharlie BrownJeanne FaatzRick GarciaMichael HancockMarcia JohnsonPeggy LehmannDoug LinkhartPaul D. LópezCarla MadisonJudy MonteroChris NevittJeanne Robbcover lemur tree frogfar left eyelash viper

008Ribbit! (that’s Frog for “Welcome!”)In an effort to call attention to our declining numbers aroundthe globe, 2008 was named the Year of the Frog. And sinceit was our year, we’ve been asked to be guides of the DenverZoological Foundation’s Annual Report. You’ll see us pop upthroughout the report with interesting tidbits, facts and figuresabout our favorite zoo and the people who work here.Ribbit, rib-bit!(that’s Frog for “Thanks for your support of Denver Zoo!”)table of contentsintroduction 1annual message 2animals 10animals & people 18facilities 36finances 42staff 544

introductionleft African lion brothersRian and RajahDenver Zoo staff, trustees, and volunteers share a passion to protect wildlife both in our backyardsand throughout the world. To realize this vision, we must foster empathy for animals and stimulateaction to create practical solutions to resolve conflicts between animals and people.To accomplish this goal, we’ve assembled a team of talentedprofessionals in numerous disciplines to provide excellent careand innovative habitats for the animals who call Denver Zoo home,to develop sustainable populations of zoo animals as insurancepopulations for declining wild populations, to lead research andconservation initiatives both at the zoo and in more than 25countries, and, most importantly, to connect people with animalsthrough zoo visits with a variety of high-quality guest experiences,award-winning education programs, and adventure travel.Connecting people with animals can change both the lives ofhumans and the animals they encounter. During 2008, a specialchild visited Denver Zoo with his family. Parents encouraged zoostaff to speak with him, but cautioned that he rarely verbalizesor shows emotion, although he’s an avid listener soaking upinformation. Upon encountering zoo elephants Mimi and Dolly, theboy’s face lit up with a huge smile and he called out “elephant.”The obvious power of this type of connection when people meetreal, living animals leads to the kind of empathy needed to fosterfurther learning and, eventually, informed conservation action. Manyof today’s leading professional conservationists trace the beginningsof their careers to a childhood zoo visit. To secure a future forelephants, we must generate a groundswell of support from peoplewho care enough to take action to stem the decline of elephants inthe wild. That support must lead to innovative strategies to resolvethe conflicts between people and elephants in their native landsso that both people and animals may thrive. In simplest terms,every Denver Zoo guest supports elephant conservation since aportion of admission fees supports care for Mimi and Dolly, as wellas our elephant conservation projects in several African and Asiancountries. As our advertising states — Every visit helps animals.So, securing a future for wildlife is about people just as much asanimals. We’ll only protect the things we care about, and caringcomes from direct experience and knowledge. We thank you for yoursupport in connecting people with animals, and hope you’ll enjoymeeting some of the people and animals who made Denver Zoo sucha special place in 2008.1

left green-and-blackpoison arrow frog$8.9 million in its unrestricted operating reserve (excluding endowment), acritical cushion representing 145 days of normal operating costs available in caseof emergency.During the year, we acquired a number of new animals from other institutions,some of which represented new species in the zoo’s collection. In June, wewelcomed a pair of rare aye-aye from the Duke Lemur Center in North Carolina.Denver Zoo is one of only two zoos in North America to house this extremely rarenocturnal primate from Madagascar. Aye-ayes employ an elongated middle fingerto tap on trees to locate hidden grubs and other invertebrates. They gnaw throughthe wood and use their long finger to extract the food from deep in the tree. InOctober, we were saddened when the female delivered a stillborn baby, althoughwe are heartened to learn we have a viable breeding pair.In March, we welcomed Nick, an orphaned one-year-old California sea lion whohad been rescued as a pup by the Pacific Marine Mammal Center. Unfortunately,he could not be successfully reintroduced in the wild. Staff at the center werepleased to find a permanent home for Nick at Denver Zoo where he has beensuccessfully introduced to the rest of our sea lions at Northern Shores.One of our most unique acquisitions arrived in the form of 20 American flamingoeggs from a flock maintained in Florida by Miami Metrozoo at the site of theformer Hialeah Racetrack. Transporting eggs requires portable incubators,power, water and tender handling – elements difficult to manage on a traditionalcommercial airline flight. Fortunately, Haselden Construction graciously donatedthe use of a company airplane and pilot who flew our staff and equipment toFlorida to pick up the eggs and return to Denver in one day. The eggs weretransported to the zoo’s new Bird Propagation Center opened in 2007 where, inthe coming week, 19 of the 20 eggs successfully hatched. Every member of theBird Department pitched in to provide around the clock care for the noisy fuzzygray hatchlings. Over the following months, the youngsters grew rapidly and wereintroduced to the rest of our established Denver Zoo flock. Other notable animalsdid you know?378,497 guests attendedDenver Zoo special events in 2008.3

added to the collection included a trio of ankole (also known as watusi cattle), twopairs of lappet-faced vultures, shingleback skinks, boreal toads, and a pair of kea– unique alpine parrots native to the South Island of New Zealand.There were a number of significant animal births in 2008 which garneredexcitement and interest for zoo guests. Prominent mammal births included a trio ofsnow leopard cubs, two red pandas, red river hogs, two spotted hyena, De Brazza’smonkey, colobus monkey, golden lion tamarin, emperor tamarin, bongo, Africanbuffalo, Grevy’s zebra, and giraffe. The zebra foal represented the second successfulbirth of this endangered species from our breeding herd established in 2006.Tropical Discovery staff also enjoyed a number of significant births and hatchings.Over the past few years, we have expanded our work to conserve endangeredamphibians. There is a global amphibian crisis where at least half of all knownspecies risk extinction due to habitat loss as well as a rampant chytrid funguswhich wipes out entire amphibian populations. Collectively, zoos, aquariums,botanic gardens and other interested groups declared 2008 to be InternationalYear of the Frog to raise awareness of the problem. During the year, TropicalDiscovery staff successfully reproduced numerous amphibians including the bluepoison arrow frog, yellow-banded poison arrow frog, dying poison arrow frog, CostaRican tree frog, and file-eared tree frog. New species were also acquired through2008 in order to establish additional future breeding programs designed to fosterinsurance populations for species at risk. Other significant births and hatchingsin Tropical Discovery included the many-horned adder, hump-headed lizard,Sumatran pit viper, caatinga lance-headed viper, small Javan forest dragon, linedflat-tailed gecko, and leaf-nosed viper.The bird department began to see results from our new Bird Propagation Center,in addition to the flamingo hatching and rearing, with a number of notablehatches including Egyptian plover, hammerkop, palm cockatoo, Humboldt andblack-footed penguins, demoiselle crane, green-naped pheasant pigeon, goldenbreastedand violet-backed starlings, crested oropendola, jambu fruit dove, andMalay great argus.Inevitably, an organization with highly active endangered species breedingprograms will suffer setbacks. During 2008, we lost two precious okapi. One ofour adult females died suddenly in February. Unfortunately, she was still nursingher female calf born in November 2007. Despite valiant efforts by staff to sustainthe calf during the weaning process, she failed to thrive and succumbed a littleover a month after her mother. We view this as a temporary setback for the zoo’sextremely successful breeding program for this endangered west African forestanimal. Late in the year, we lost two newborn polar bears and a maned wolf pup,none of which survived 24 hours. While disheartening, each of these offspringwere the result of first-time adult pairings which confirms we have viable breedingpairs, and which gives us hope for future success. During 2008, we acquired 802animals for the collection through births, loans, or donations from other zoos andaquariums. There were 594 animals removed from the collection due to death,loans, or donations to other institutions.Our interdepartmental Special Events Team led by members of the MarketingDepartment created numerous fun events not only to raise critical funding for thezoo’s education, conservation and capital initiatives but to share key conservationmessages as well. Our premiere fundraiser, Do at the Zoo, presented by HaseldenConstruction and chaired by Frances Owens was a tremendous success in support4 4

of Asian Tropics, our next major exhibit initiative. Two other events, Brew at theZoo and Zoomily: Frogs, Fables, and Family Fun, both sponsored by MountainStates Toyota, raised funds for the zoo’s Red Apple Education Scholarship Fund.Brew, in its 10th year, was a complete sellout with 3,000 guests. Zoo Lights, aDenver holiday tradition, enthralled 140,007 guests in December — the highestattendance in ten years. Boo at the Zoo, Prairie Dog Day, First Frog Fridays (incelebration of the International Year of the Frog), Ape-ril, and Dream Night alsowere well received.2008 was a successful year for our Conservation and Education programs aswell. 150,884 people participated in the zoo’s on-site and community outreacheducation programs. An additional 102,475 students visited the zoo on schoolfield trips. A number of programs experienced significant growth includingschool outreach programs throughout Colorado and Wyoming, career programs,teacher professional development workshops, Zoo Edventure classes, ScoutNight, Bunk with the Beasts overnights, and Summer Safari day camp. SummerSafari had a record 1,765 campers for its popular theme of “Zooper Heroes” andefforts are under way to expand the program once again in 2009 to better meetdemand. Bunk with the Beasts introduced its new CampOUT programs whereparticipants sleep under the stars in a tented camp located in Primate Panorama.Unfortunately, fewer students were able to participate in the award-winningWonders in Nature – Wonders in Neighborhoods (W.I.N.-W.I.N.) urban educationprogram managed by the zoo and the Colorado Division of Wildlife due to reducedfunding from the State of Colorado. To address this, we completed a needsassessment in 2007 in order to determine how the program or an alternativemodel might continue to serve this critical audience of elementary children andteachers with more sustainable, consistent funding levels. In 2008, zoo and DOWfar left red river hog piglets with motherleft snow leopard cubsright giraffe calf with mother5

left Egyptian vultureright African wild dogcenter right male mandrillfar right Dall’s sheep lambseducators along with other program partners embarked on an effort to designa revised program based on the assessment results. We hope to complete itsdevelopment and testing in 2009. During the year, we raised $161,000 for theZoo’s Red Apple Scholarship Fund which provides financial support for children,teachers, and families to participate in zoo education programs.Our conservation biologists continued their work in more than 25 countries. Aspart of our commitment to International Year of the Frog, we initiated a newproject with Lake Titicaca frogs in Peru. Populations of these unique frogs arebeing decimated by people who blend the frogs in a beverage that is believedto provide medicinal benefits and increase virility. Denver Zoo animal care andeducation staff established a frog lab at a local university and began work withlocal communities to determine potential conservation strategies. Our long-termwork in Mongolia continued to expand with increased work with raptors and smallmammals. Dr. Rich Reading, Director of Conservation Biology, was recognizedfor his long-term work by the Mongolian Ministry for Nature and Environmentwith the government’s Award for Best Conservation Achievement. Closer to home,Denver Zoo scientists continue work in Rocky Mountain National Park to assessenvironmental health and the potential positive impact on the entire ecosystem ifwolves were to return to the park after an absence of more than 50 years. Dr. DaveAugeri, Conservation Coordinator, located tracks in the park in early 2008 madeeither by a wolf or wolf-dog hybrid, but no sightings have been recorded. In 2008,even Denver Zoo animals helped our conservation research efforts. Cinereousvultures and Bactrian camels were outfitted with prototype tracking backpacksand solar radio collars, respectively, to test potential field designs. Final versionswill be placed on wild animals in Mongolia in order to collect valuable scientificdata on movement and habitat use.6

While we did not have a major exhibit opening in 2008, we did invest in a numberof exhibit improvements and renovations during the year. One of the most uniqueinvolved the addition of a shipwreck to the polar bear exhibit. The replica of ahistoric Arctic shipwreck was constructed as a polar bear playground, equippedwith numerous devices to encourage exploring a variety of textures and smells,and foraging for food. Keepers stock the shipwreck with a variety of items eachday that serve to stimulate both physical and psychological activity. We alsoexpanded the season for our popular Lorikeet Adventure exhibit. The highlyinteractive exhibit was open 208 days and was enjoyed by 192,311 guests.Design work continued in 2008 on the final construction drawings for AsianTropics, the largest capital improvement project in Denver Zoo’s history. The tenacreexhibit will provide an innovative and critically needed Asian elephant andIndian rhino breeding facility in North America. Elephants, rhinos and Malayantapirs will rotate among six diverse habitats providing both physical exerciseand mental stimulation. In an effort to provide leadership as a conservationorganization, Denver Zoo is also developing a gasification system in Asian Tropicsthat, if successful, will convert 90 percent of the entire zoo’s waste stream(animal waste and human trash) to generate clean energy to heat buildings andrun major water features. The construction schedule for Asian Tropics dependson our success in completing our capital campaign. At the conclusion of 2008,80 percent of the total funding had been secured. Our capital campaign team,chaired in 2008 by trustees Meyer Saltzman and Eddie Robinson, is activelyfundraising and we welcome any inquiries from individuals or organizationsinterested in supporting this groundbreaking exhibit.The green energy system under development by Denver Zoo’s PlanningDepartment represents a small portion of our commitment to sustainable businesspractices. For many years, staff has worked to reduce our energy and resource usewhile making wise environmental choices in every area of the organization. Thislong-term work is now being recognized. During 2008, Denver Zoo was nameda Gold Member of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’sEnvironmental Leadership Program and achieved ISO 14001 certification for ourcomprehensive sustainable management system, the first zoo in the United Statesto attain this international standard for its entire facility.Organizationally, Denver Zoo embarked on strategic planning during 2008.Initial efforts were focused on one of Board Chair Patrick Green’s primarygoals to restructure the board to operate more efficiently. During the year,Trustees revamped the board recruitment process, refined and reaffirmedtrustee responsibilities, and streamlined the committee structure from elevento six standing committees. Trustees also voted to switch from monthly tobimonthly meetings of the full board of trustees beginning in 2009. Thestrategic planning effort will continue in 2009. We also experienced a numberof senior staff changes during the year. Dr. Dave Kenny retired as our long-termChief Veterinarian. Luckily, Dr. Kenny will join our Department of ConservationBiology on a part-time basis as the zoo’s first Field Conservation Veterinarian.Associate Veterinarian, Dr. Felicia Knightly, was promoted to succeed Dr. Kenny.In September, we welcomed Dr. Kyle Burks as Executive Vice President/ChiefOperating Officer. Kyle relocated from Orlando, Florida, where he had worked forten years for the Walt Disney Company. In December, we hired Trish Ennis as thezoo’s first full-time Director of Workplace Safety. Trish will assume her position inJanuary 2009.Much of the zoo’s success can be attributed to the dedication of the zoo’stalented staff and volunteers. During the year, our 647 adult and teen volunteerscontributed 77,496 hours of service, equivalent to more than 37 full-timepositions. A record 101 teens participated in our Zoo Crew teen volunteer programdid you know?Total number of hits to denverzoo.orgin 2008: 79,708,942.Total value of Media Coveragein 2008: $5,359,3707

left giant hump-headed lizardright glass catfishcontributing 9,513 hours. Our Board of Trustees, who volunteer their valuabletime in support of the zoo’s mission, provided tremendous leadership during theyear. Patricia Barela Rivera, Betsy Searle, Dennis O’Malley, and Sid Wilson joinedthe board during the year. Mike Landa, Karen Brown-Gerdine, and Sherri Vasquezcompleted terms of service. During 2008, Patrick Green served his first year asBoard Chair. In December, Patrick Green was elected to continue as Board Chair,Katie Schoelzel as Executive Vice Chair, Meyer Saltzman as Vice Chair of Finance,and Bei-Lee Gold as Secretary in 2009. Long-term trustee John C. North waselected as an Honorary Life Trustee for his leadership and countless contributionsas board chair and zoo counsel. We also want to acknowledge Honorary LifeTrustee Nellie Philpott for her dedication as editor for our member magazine,Zoo Review ® , for 30 years. During 2008, Nellie chose to reduce her timecommitment to the magazine and we’re pleased that she continued to offer adviceas a contributing editor. We’re grateful for her unceasing effort to share the magicof Denver Zoo with our loyal members for a generation.Denver Zoo remains a strong, stable organization, continuing our dedicationto excellence in animal care and exhibition, leadership in education andconservation, and service to the community. We are grateful to the zoo’s Board ofTrustees, passionate and skilled staff, partners in the City and County of Denver,volunteers, donors, members, and zoo guests who make this possible. Thank youfor your support and encouragement. We invite you to join us soon at your DenverZoo to celebrate life in all its forms, to create new family memories and to helpshape a better future for people and animals.Patrick S. GreenChair, Board of TrusteesCraig D. PiperPresident & Chief Executive Officer9

animalseggs that fly!2008 marked the first full year of operation for our new Bird Propagation Center. Bird keepers Travis Garrett and MikeGallegos, participated in an incubation and hatching workshop hosted by the Houston Zoo and taught by Susie Kasielke,Curator of Birds at the Los Angeles Zoo, the current authority on bird incubation and hatching. The comprehensiveworkshop curriculum emphasized new techniques that would prove helpful in our new world-class facility.Two starling species bred successfully in 2008. One species, in particular, goldenbreastedstarlings, had been housed in our old propagation building and had notbred for years until their move to the new facility where they hatched two chicks.In addition, a pair of violet-backed starlings successfully incubated and hatchedone chick, the first successful breeding of that species in Denver Zoo history.Several other species displayed appropriate breeding and nesting behaviors thatsuggest they, too, may successfully breed and rear offspring in the new facility incoming years.The Bird Propagation Center became a very lively place in June with the arrivalof 20 precious eggs, thanks to a partnership between two Florida zoologicalinstitutions, SeaWorld of Orlando and Miami Metrozoo, and a company thatmanages the now defunct Hialeah Park Racetrack in southern Florida. The racetrack had a long history from its opening in 1921 of hosting many famous horseraces. It was also noted for its distinctive architecture and its large wild flockof American flamingos in the track’s infield lake. In 2008, there were about400 adult flamingos at the track. Although the race track ceased operation in2001, staff continued to provide care and maintain the flock. By 2004, zoo birdprofessionals and the race track management company developed a program toallow yearly collection of a limited number of eggs from the track’s very productiveflamingo flock which are then placed at select U.S. zoos for incubating, hatchingand subsequent rearing of chicks. The program is designed to stabilize theHialeah population. Since its inception, Miami Metrozoo has furnished staff foregg collection and their incubation facilities for short-term egg holding. DenverZoo was chosen as a recipient of 20 eggs from the Hialeah flamingo programin 2008. Our first challenge was to develop a plan to safely transfer 20 fertileeggs from temporary housing at Miami Metrozoo to Denver. The planning andarrangement for transfer of the flamingo eggs from south Florida to Colorado waschallenging, but we were assisted by an invaluable partner in the endeavor. EdHaselden, President and CEO of Haselden Construction Company, donated the useof the company’s airplane and pilot to transport the flamingo eggs. On June 19,10

left juvenile American flamingosHaselden Construction company pilot Dick Bares flew Denver bird keepers TravisGarrett and Chris Munch to Miami. The keepers used specially designed portableincubators to house and maintain the critical temperature and moisture levelsneeded for the eggs during the trip. Upon arrival in Denver in the midst of ourannual Do at the Zoo gala, keepers transported the eggs to the Bird PropagationCenter where they were transferred to facility incubators. The eggs all differedin their developmental ages; the first chick hatched just three days after arrival.Eighteen more chicks hatched over the next couple of weeks, with the last chickhatching on July 1 for a total of nineteen healthy young flamingos. Only one eggfailed to develop and hatch. The young chicks were housed in small temperaturecontrolledbrooders and initially fed Pedialyte liquid. They transitioned to anegg-based formula diet that was dribble fed into the chicks’ beaks from asyringe every two hours. The newly hatched flamingo chicks sported downy whiteplumage which changed to a sooty gray color as they grew. In addition, theirbills were straight at hatching which then transitioned to the unique downturnedflamingo bill over subsequent months. The chicks began to walk within days andwere moved to large fiberglass tubs with heat lamps. Their quick growth andactivity necessitated moving the chicks again at approximately ten days of ageto floor pens with rubber mats and heat lamps. The cacophony of 19 squawkingchicks was truly impressive. Once in the floor pens they were exposed to adultflamingo food while still being hand fed by keepers. The chicks’ consumptionof the adult food was small in the beginning, but increased over time. In thedays that followed, chicks were allowed outside for exposure to sun and water;and some chicks received hydrotherapy (walked in water) to assist in healthy legdevelopment. The flamingo chicks’ time outside increased over days and weeksand they were allowed on public display in the new propagation facility’s NurtureTrail exhibit. The juveniles also exercised with short daily walks. The number ofhand-feedings for the juveniles decreased over time with the adult food becomingthe predominant source of their diet. The birds were eventually weaned atapproximately 35 to 45 days of age. In November, the juvenile American flamingodid you know?Canada geese can be tough on zoolandscapes. One goosecan eat up to four poundsof grass per day.11

flock was transferred to our flamingo winter habitat. We allowed them severalweeks to acclimate to their new home before introducing our adult mixed-speciesflock of American and Chilean flamingos. By year end, the flock of youngsters wasfully integrated into our established flock.new homesNick the sea lion was the newest addition to the Northern Shores pinniped (finfootedmammals) collection in 2008. He had a rough start to life, found strandedat a few days old on a beach adjacent to Seal Rock, a common birthing spot forCalifornia sea lions. He was rescued by staff at the Pacific Marine Mammal Centerin Laguna Beach, California, and he was lovingly hand-reared by staff. Althoughhealthy, he was dependent on human caregivers and deemed non-releasableinto the wild. Denver Zoo worked with the National Marine Fisheries Service andthe Pacific Marine Mammal Center to provide a home for Nick once he was ableto eat on his own. Nick flew to Denver on a private plane on March 31, 2008.Over the next several days his caretakers gradually relinquished responsibility forNick’s care to our staff. In the weeks and months to come Nick was integratedinto our seal and sea lion family meeting one new family member at a time. Nickadapted very well since he was a curious youngster. By the end of the summerseason, Nick had not only learned to work with several different trainers and beenintroduced to all the other pinnipeds, but had also learned many behaviors andmade his show debut. This fun-loving young sea lion certainly won our keepers’hearts and will be charming zoo guests with his zest for life and his increasingrepertoire in our sea lion shows for many years.left aye-ayeright hyena cub»status of theanimal collectiondecember 31, 200812

Aye-aye were the big news in Primate Panorama this year. We were thrilledwhen Duke Lemur Center in North Carolina offered us a breeding pair of ayeaye.There were numerous specific requirements we needed to meet in orderto acquire a breeding pair. We renovated our existing nocturnal area to make itaye-aye resistant (they can chew through concrete and metal)! We had our workcut out for us. We made the necessary changes, built an additional holding area,sent a keeper for in-depth aye-aye on the job training at Duke and then set theshipping date. Keepers from Duke and Denver accompanied the aye-ayes ontheir journey to Denver and Duke staff stayed for several days to help the animalsmake the transition comfortably. Salem and Ozony settled very well into their newsurroundings. The pair bred prior to coming to Denver. Unfortunately, their firstoffspring was stillborn. Salem showed very good maternal care so we are hopefulfor a successful birth in 2009. The pair bred again in November. It’s encouragingfor these animals to breed outside of Duke Lemur Center, the only institution tohave bred this species successfully in the United States until recently. Anotherpair was sent to San Francisco Zoo just before our pair and they had a successfulbirth in an off-exhibit facility. Our pair are the only aye-aye currently on exhibit ina zoo. We have learned a lot this year about these unique and interesting animals.They are definitely worth the time and effort necessary to allow your eyes to adjustto their dark nocturnal exhibit to enjoy seeing them.Class Species IndividualsInvertebrates 42 181Fishes 191 1646Amphibians 27 213Reptiles 131 461Birds 189 624Mammals 117 755Total 697 388013

partnerships + creativity =positive outcomesThe art and science of animal care and conservation require creativity andcooperation with other zoo departments and partner institutions across theUnited States. Training and completing tush trimming with one of our elephants,experimenting with collaring two of our Bactrian camels, and working on an okapimanagement project represent three varied examples of these types of initiatives.During routine husbandry procedures with Dolly, a female Asian elephant, thekeepers noticed a foul smell originating from her sulcus, the tissue aroundthe very small tusks known as tushes in female Asian elephants. On furtherexamination the keepers determined Dolly had cracked a portion of the tushand that it was abrading the inside of the sulcus which caused it to becomeinfected. While Dolly is used to having her mouth and tushes examined, shewas not accustomed to any significant dental work. The problem was evaluatedby keepers, managers and the veterinary staff. It was clear that we needed totrim or file the tush to prevent further injury to the tissue inside the sulcus. Theveterinary team provided information regarding exactly how the tush should lookat the end of the dental work. With this information, keepers worked with animalmanagement staff, including the Curator of Behavioral Husbandry, to create atraining plan that would facilitate the dental care.With training plan in hand, staff initiated the process of training Dolly to allowmanipulation of the sulcus, penetration of the sulcus with fingers and dentalimplements, and actual filing. All things with elephants take time, so the actualfiling was done in small daily increments until the tush was smooth and notcausing further irritation. Dolly did well thanks to patience and a positivetraining program.Animal Department staff also had the opportunity in 2008 to help with aninteresting project being conducted by the Department of Conservation Biology.Dr. Rich Reading is heavily involved in many projects in Mongolia, includingconservation of Bactrian camels. There was keen interest in placing satellitecollars on wild Bactrian camels to collect data on movement and habitat use.Tracking collars are very expensive scientific instruments and we wanted to ensurethat we had an effective design since previous collars employed with camels inthe field had failed to work properly. Testing collars on our Denver Zoo animalsthat are under constant observation would yield important data on the impact thecollar might have on a camel as well as allow Dr. Reading to make adjustments toits fit. Dr. Reading provided us with prototype collars to try on two of our animals.We implemented a training project to acclimate the animals to the collars and toallow us to manipulate them. Visitors were able to see the collared camels in theirhabitats and to learn about the project through interpretive graphics. The collarswere designed to last a couple of years and then naturally fall off. Both of the zoocamels managed to get the first collars off during the first year! We continued toexperiment with design alterations until we devised a collar that worked both forresearchers and the comfort of the animals. This project allowed us to “field” testa research tool with efficient use of resources.Denver Zoo also participated with multiple AZA accredited zoos to investigatethe relationship between behavior and fecal hormones in okapi which serve asphysiological indicators. Denver Zoo was asked by the okapi Species SurvivalPlan (SSP ® ) to participate in this three-year study. Finding potential correlationsbetween specific okapi behaviors and physiological response will allow animalmanagers to determine improved strategies for okapi management andconservation. Animal Department staff traveled to San Diego Wild Animal Park forproject training to ensure that all participating zoos collect data consistently. In itsfirst year, a huge amount of behavioral data was collected along with associated14

far left copperband butterflyfishmiddle turaco pairleft sea lion Nickright mangabey baby and motherfecal samples for hormone analysis. Trained Denver Zoo docents assisted withtime consuming data collection which will continue for the next two years.scaly successesDuring 2008, Tropical Discovery staff created a new exhibit to accommodatelarger species of tropical reptiles by replacing three small reptile exhibits near theentrance to Tropical Discovery. The exhibit’s first residents were Philippine sailfinlizards, rare and threatened three to four-foot long arboreal lizards. The male ofthis species sports a huge sail flap extension on its tail. They are agile swimmersusing water as an escape route by dropping from the trees when threatened.Once the exhibit was constructed, keepers fabricated an artificial pool and ahorticulturist furnished live plants and painted a beautiful backdrop mural. Thelizards quickly settled into their new home and were immediately popular withguests, eliciting numerous excited comments. This larger exhibit offers adequatespace to display and potentially breed any number of mid-sized tropical reptilesand allows guests an improved view compared to the three previous exhibits.Tropical Discovery staff are leaders in the science of husbandry and reproductionof two species of rarely held Southeast Asian lizards in the genus Gonocephalus.These arboreal lizards are commonly called hump-headed lizards. Staff successwith two species of these lizards resulted in our being contacted by a privatelizard breeder about the potential to exchange some of the zoo’s captive youngfor some young lizards of a third hump-headed lizard species, the giant humpheadedlizard. In 2005, some young animals were exchanged and keeper staffbegan acclimating and growing the giant hump-heads to adulthood. Althoughsimilar in care parameters to the two species staff had already been so successfulbreeding, the giant hump-headed lizard proved to be far more challenging. Staffslowly acclimated them to a large terrarium on exhibit by providing many plant15

significant birthssignificant acquisitionstropicaldiscovery• Giant hump-headed lizard• Yellow-bandedpoison arrow frog• File-eared frog• Many-horned adder• Lined flat-tailed gecko• Caatinga lanceheadedviper• Sumatran pit viperbirds• American flamingo• Andean condor• Bearded barbet• Black-footed penguin• Blue-crowned motmot• Crested oropendola• Demoiselle crane• Golden-breasted starling• Green-naped pheasantpigeon• Hamerkop• Malay great argus pheasant• Palm cockatoo• Crested wood partridge• Trumpeter swan• Turquoise tanager• Violet-backed starlingmammals• Emperor tamarin• Red river hog• Colobus monkey• Golden lion tamarin• Pale-headed saki• Red-capped mangabey• Red panda• Snow leopard• Spotted hyena• Bongo• Red kangaroo• Steenbok• Cape buffalo• Yak• Grevy’s zebra• Reticulated giraffe• Lesser kudutropicaldiscovery• Larger Malayan chevrotain• West African green mamba• Mangshan viper• Lionfish• Horseshoe crab• Philippine sail-finnedwater dragon• McCord’s box turtle• Dragon moray eel• Spiny-tailed monitorbirds• Buff-crested bustard• Double-wattled cassowary• Great hornbill• Green woodhoopoe• Hooded crane• Kea• Lappet-faced vulture• Stella’s lory• Steller’s sea eagle• Sunbittern• Weber’s lorikeetmammals• California sea lion• Aye-aye• Amur tiger• Cape buffalo• Ankole (Watusi cattle)• Przewalski’s horsehiding spots and a good amount of artificial rainfall. To the staff’s surprise, theanimals settled in quickly, sat out in plain view and ignored the many guestsviewing the exhibit. Within a few months the female was clearly gravid, with eggsbulging at her sides, and shortly thereafter young hump-heads were hatching fromeggs deposited in the exhibit substrate. This breeding success, along with thelong-term success with Javan hump-headed and small Javan hump-headed lizardswas soon recognized by zoos across the country and they contacted Denver Zoo toacquire young for their displays.Over 17 years ago, the Dallas Zoo acquired a few individual many-horned adders.This small venomous African snake ranges from Namibia to the cape of SouthAfrica. After many years they were successful in breeding a few youngsters, butnever repeated the success. In 2006, we acquired two pairs of adders. Thisspecies comes from habitat known for its temperature extremes, from daytimehighs exceeding 100° down to nighttime temperatures barely above freezing,all in one 24-hour time period. While staff couldn’t easily replicate theseparameters they set about providing the snakes with a habitat that mimickedtheir natural habitat as closely as possible. After two years of acclimation andgrowth, it became evident one female snake was gravid. The mother adder,though only 15 inches long and weighing a mere five ounces, gave birth to sixliving young, totaling almost 20 percent of her own body weight. This birthrepresented only the second time this species has reproduced in a zoo and thefirst time in nearly 15 years.did you know?At the end of 2008, there were136 members of theWildlife Heritage Society,individuals who have included DenverZoo in their estate plans.left colobus family17

ight blue poison dart froganimals & peopleyear of the frogImagine a summer night with nothing but silence … no croaking toads or chirping frogs. The reality of thathappening is very possible and could happen very soon. Our favorite friend, the frog, is going extinct. So are at leastone third of all known amphibian species including frogs, toads, newts, salamanders and caecilians.Holding that thought close to our hearts, Denver Zoo in 2008, collaborated withzoos, aquariums and other conservation organizations around the world in a globaleffort to raise awareness about a disastrous amphibian extinction crisis and to laythe groundwork for expanding existing and initiating new amphibian conservationefforts. The initiative was called Year of the Frog.What an inspiring, unifying and gratifying experience it was for everyone atthe zoo. Those of us who are not herpetologists or are not experienced inunderstanding the ways of the amphibian, first had to learn about the critters, thecauses of the crisis and how we can initiate change. We had many discussions,met many of the amphibians that we care for at Denver Zoo and learned aboutconservation efforts.While the major cause of the amphibian die-off has historically been habitatloss and degradation (like so many of the species we are trying to save), agreat deal of the declines and extinctions are now being attributed to a rapidlyspreading infectious disease commonly known as chytrid fungus. This, as of yet,unstoppable fungus is wiping out entire species of amphibians in a matter ofmonths and is sweeping the planet.Partnerships are the answer to saving amphibians. Many zoos and aquariumsare breeding and housing species in the hopes of introducing (or reintroducing)them to the wild once a solution has been found to defeat chytrid fungus. Theseanimals are the world’s “insurance populations,” our last hope to ensure futuregenerations can appreciate frogs and toads and salamanders and caecilians.Denver Zoo is home to many of these threatened species including thePanamanian golden frog which is believed to be extinct in the wild.Year of the Frog, spearheaded by powerful conservation organizations aroundthe world including the World Conservation Union (IUCN), World Association ofZoos and Aquariums (WAZA), Amphibian ARK and the Association of Zoos andAquariums (AZA) insured that people learned of the amphibian plight every day ofthe year.18

Denver Zoo’s efforts to share the Year of the Frog story were far reaching andkicked off, appropriately enough, on February 29, 2008 — Leap Day. Throughoutthe year, guests to Tropical Discovery had opportunities to get up close with someof the zoo’s resident amphibians, and learn what they can do to help save them.Our zookeepers stepped away from their animal care tasks to give special talksand share their passion for their animals and the amphibian conservation projectsrelated to them.Denver Zoo’s Education & Volunteer Services Department developed an entireyear of programming for Year of the Frog. Scout groups were treated to a “FrogFestival,” Family Book Club read “Wide-Mouthed Frog,” and our KinderQuestattendees learned to “Hop to It.” Volunteers taught at a guide station “AllFrogs Aren’t Green,” and guests were given amphibian trading cards with “FiveFrog-Friendly Things You Can Do For Amphibians.” Through our partners at theColorado Division of Wildlife, we were able to acquire a rescued Wyoming borealtoad, which is threatened here in Colorado, to take on Outreach programs alongwith a tiger salamander to share with groups. We were also able to participate inCitizen Science frog monitoring programs.During the year, Denver Zoo welcomed a new member to our zoo family, Froggles.Froggles is a seven-foot tall frog costume-character who touches the heartsof everyone — not just the little guys. Although Froggles cannot speak, it isevident that his (her?) sheer presence fosters an appreciation for frogs and theiramphibian brethren. As they say, if you can reach a heart, the mind will follow.An entire year of special events highlighted our amphibian friends and ourcommunications and marketing teams worked tirelessly to tell the story. “FirstFrog Fridays,” attended by nearly 43,000 guests, were the first Friday of everymonth and included added programming, visits from Froggles and informationon Denver Zoo’s amphibian-focused conservation projects. Denver Zoo is actively19

five frog-friendlythings you can dofor amphibians1. discover amphibians with yourFamily: Look, listen and learn aboutfrogs, toads, salamanders, newtsand caecilians. Explore what makesamphibians special and why theyare in trouble.2. visit Denver Zoo … because everytime you visit you help animals:Your membership, ticket sales anddonations help fund frogs protectedat the zoo and in far off places likeLake Titicaca in Peru.3. don’t pollute: Amphibians aresensitive to chemicals easilyabsorbed through their skins. Helpkeep trash, fertilizers, and otherchemicals out of frog habitats.4. amphibians need water: Frogs andtoads need water to live so use itcarefully and save some for them!Think about reducing how muchyou use every day by turning thewater off while brushing your teethand shortening your shower.5. be an amphibian champion:If you’re doing these first fourthings for frogs, you’re anamphibian champion! Tell yourfriends and family about frogs andthink about what else you can dofor amphibians. Go outside andexplore how you can help thewildlife around you.involved in amphibian conservation projects in the wild, in addition toconservation work being done on site. From Lake Titicaca on the border ofBolivia and Peru, to the grasslands of New Mexico, we have individuals inthe field working to save threatened and endangered amphibians.With the close of 2008, we must ask, “Have we saved the frogs?” Sadly,we know that our efforts can’t stop with the changing of the calendar but,happily, we know that many, many more people are aware of this crisis andare empowered with tools to make positive change. As one famous friendonce sang, “it’s not easy being green,” but through the efforts of Year of theFrog, it’s getting better. Hopefully, our nights will remain filled with croaksand chirps.conserving lake titicaca frogs in peruThe Lake Titicaca frog, the world’s largest aquatic frog, is endemic to itsnamesake lake. Against the backdrop of snowcapped mountains, LakeTiticaca straddles 2,000 square miles of Peruvian and Bolivian landscapeat 12,500 feet above sea level. Life at this altitude is adapted for extremes:high levels of ultraviolet radiation, freezing temperatures and oxygendepleted air. The critically endangered Titicaca frogs survive here andnowhere else in the world.People harvest Lake Titicaca frogs for human consumption. Titicaca frog legsare popular on tourist menus around the lake. Local people also use Titicacafrogs in traditional medicine. Dried frog meat purportedly cures tuberculosis.One treatment for a fracture requires tying a frog to the area as a poultice.Other beliefs include swallowing a small live frog to cure a fever or cooking alarge frog in a soup to treat both anemia and female infertility.Lately, the demand for Titicaca frogs seems to be growing. According to arecent report on Peruvian National Television, satisfying Lima’s latest fad:frog juice, known locally as Peruvian Viagra ® requires 150 live frogs daily.Live frogs are stripped of their skins like peeled bananas and dropped into ahousehold blender. Mixed with water, maca (a local tuber), and honey, localpeople, who guzzle the concoction in a show of macho bravado, afford greatacclaim to the juice’s efficaciousness as an aphrodisiac.Bolivia has no laws in place to protect Titicaca frogs, and Peru does notprotect them within the lake, but transporting the extra-large amphibians is acriminal offense. During a single month in 1999, Peruvian law enforcementofficials intercepted and repatriated over 4,500 live frogs on their way to cityrestaurants.20

Our host and teacher at the Wat was the abbot, Phra Paisan Visalo. The bestway to describe Phra Paisan is as being one of those rare individuals who is “inthis world, but not of it.” He is an activist monk, a renowned writer, translatorand editor, who we had become familiar with through the required reading of his“Temple School Book: A Buddhist Perspective on Learning from Nature.” PhraPaisan shared a historical perspective on how the monks, the community and thelandscape were impacted by the area’s deforestation. He expressed it well when hesaid, “In the past the forest protected us, but now we have to protect the forest.”In addition to instructing us in mindfulness and meditation activities, Phra Paisanintroduced us to the Young Bird Conservation Club, which is a community-basedconservation organization he and other monks started about 20 years ago. Itbegan by doing outreach to young people by engaging them in protecting the localbird populations. Since the surrounding forests have been eliminated for crops,the monastery grounds are one of the few places with mature trees and birds areone of the few animals remaining that children can readily observe. The monkshave designated the forest surrounding their monastery as sacred, prohibitinglogging and the killing of wild animals. They foster a reverence for nature amongthe local community and recruited the villagers to help fight frequent forest fires.Our group participated in a community effort planting approximately 100 bambooand banana trees in a fire protection zone. A chanted blessing of the trees by themonks preceded the planting. Afterward, the village people shared their lunchwith us while one of the few rains watered our work. The spirit of giving andreceiving was a joyous occasion, to say nothing of the most delicious pad Thaiwe had ever tasted. All of us came away looking forward to connecting DenverZoo visitors to the people and wildlife we experienced in Thailand and supportingthese important community-based conservation efforts.denver zoo hospital staff additionsDenver Zoo welcomed two new Associate Veterinarians in 2008.Dr. Diana Boon joined the hospital staff in August. Dr. Boon brings experiencein both zoo animal medicine as well as small animal medicine. She graduatedfrom veterinary school at North Carolina State University in 2001 and completedan internship in large animal medicine and surgery at Texas A&M University thefollowing year. Immediately upon completing her internship Diana was hired atFossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glenrose, Texas, where she practiced zoologicalmedicine for the next year and a half before moving to a private small animalpractice in Galveston, Texas. The busy seven-doctor practice provided veterinaryservices for Moody Gardens, an AZA-accredited facility in Galveston. She alsoserved as a relief veterinarivan at the Houston Zoo. While living in Galveston,Dr. Boon established a private company for the immobilization of exotic hoofstock to facilitate their transport within the state of Texas.Dr. Deena Brenner joined the hospital staff in October. Dr. Brenner alsograduated from veterinary school at North Carolina State University in 2004 andthen completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at PurdueUniversity. Immediately upon completing her internship Deena began a three-yearresidency in zoological medicine through the University of California, Davis. Thisresidency program provided Dr. Brenner experience at the University of California,Davis veterinary teaching hospital, the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito,San Diego Zoo, San Diego Wild Animal Park and Sea World San Diego throughouther three years of training. During her residency, as a member of the anesthesiateam, Dr. Brenner also became involved in an Elephant Population Managementprogram. This program is providing surgical laparoscopic vasectomies/contraception for bull elephants in Africa as a means of nonlethal populationmanagement.did you know?The 2008 Brew at theZoo, which supports the RedApple Scholarship Fund, sold out at3,000 guests.25

did you know?In June 2008, the zoo recorded a record64,010 member households.This represents approximately224,035 individual members!Denver Zoo’s Animal Health Department is fortunate to have both Dr. Boon and Dr.Brenner join the staff to continue to provide excellent veterinary care for the entirecollection.expert partnershipsResponsibility for the health and well being of a large animal collection is verychallenging and can be a daunting task that often requires consultation with expertsin a variety of fields both within and outside of the field of veterinary medicine.Denver Zoo’s veterinary staff is very fortunate to have many consultants who arewilling to provide their help with the use of facilities, equipment, specialty knowledgeand pharmaceuticals. Generous consultants and experts in the fields of surgery,anesthesiology, cardiology, dentistry, radiology, endocrinology, ophthalmology,gynecology, neonatology, pathology and nutrition work with us to provide invaluableknowledge and assistance with some of the exotic cases at Denver Zoo.One example within the last year involved the zoo’s 41-year-old female orangutanSally who required anesthesia in order to identify, evaluate and treat a significantwound in the area of her upper left thigh and the adjacent area of her abdomen.Since we strive to minimize the frequency of anesthetizing an animal, wemobilized to perform as many routine diagnostic tests as possible on this geriatricindividual while we had her asleep to evaluate and treat her wound. Sally receivedcomplete cardiologic, gynecologic and dental evaluations with the help of outsideexperts. This orangutan received a “clean bill of health” and her wound wasrepaired — all of which could not have been achieved without our collaborativerelationships.Another example of collaboration among Denver Zoo’s veterinary staff and agroup of expert consultants involved a four-year-old female DeBrazza’s monkeyin February 2008. This monkey developed a tumor involving her left wrist. Thetumor proved to be extremely aggressive and destructive based on biopsy andradiographs. After consulting with a small animal veterinary surgeon as well astwo pathologists in human medicine, Denver Zoo’s veterinary staff successfullyamputated the monkey’s left forearm resulting in her complete recovery. Alsoof interest in this particular case, the two local pathologists in human medicineconsequently consulted with pathologists at facilities as distant as the Mayo clinicin an attempt to identify the specific type of tumor.The animal health department has also collaborated extensively with staff membersin the animal department as well as a certified lameness specialist/farrier to providequality hoof trimming in order to prevent hoof distortion and lameness for a varietyof the hoofed mammals at the zoo. Including the skills of a farrier adds to the overallwellness program for this group of animals at Denver Zoo.Lastly, the animal wellness program at Denver Zoo often includes daily treatmentof a certain disease that would otherwise be impossible without collaborationamong the zoo’s veterinary staff, an outside specialist in human endocrinology,keepers in the animal department and the zoo’s behaviorist. Several primatesrequire treatment for Type 1 diabetes mellitus requiring daily injections of insulin.The consulting endocrinologist provides guidance for effective treatment and oftendonates time as well as materials. Keepers work with our behaviorist to providepositive training for the animals who voluntarily present themselves for dailyinjections.All of the cases described above require collaboration and demonstrate itsimportance among multiple disciplines in providing optimal care for all of theanimals at Denver Zoo.26

far left golden lion tamarin baby and mothercenter left giant geckoleft ankole cattlefar right An aspiring zookeeperlearns about the care of hippos.right Summer Safari day camp’s“Froggie Zooper Hero”summer safari day campInspired by the “No Child Left Inside”movement, Summer Safari 2008: ZooperHeroes encouraged kids to get outside,connect with nature, and become heroes forthe planet. Children in classes like Recycling Rangers, Habitat Heroes, WaterWarriors and Eco-Action Team examined current environmental issues, actions thezoo is taking to help animals near home and worldwide, and discovered actionskids can take to preserve natural habitats far into the future.This green-themed camp was a huge success, with kids going home andimplementing many of the environmental behaviors modeled at the zoo. One ofour favorite stories is from a parent who shared that she was puzzled when heryoung son refused to get in the car to drive to the park for a play date…becausehe wanted them to save the earth and ride their bicycles instead!meet the animal starsIn an effort to continue to meet our Education Department mission to “Connect,Inspire and Empower,” we presented a new Visitor Program in 2008 called Meetthe Animal Stars. This summer experience was designed and timed to offer guestsvisiting in the late afternoon an up-close opportunity to interact with animalhandlers and their animal stars. Similar contact occurs after each daily WildlifeShow and has always been popular with guests, but typically concludes after 10or 15 minutes. This new program provides an hour of time for children and adultsto discover something unique about our trained animals and talk informally withtheir caretakers.27

left teen volunteer Kaleigh Gerlich in Bird Worldright (from let to right) volunteers Charles Mosley,Hunter Holmes, and Kathy SwansonvolunteersVolunteers at Denver Zoo are here for two very important reasons: they support thezoo’s mission and they want to give back to their community and do somethingworthwhile and rewarding. Together this team of individuals works to meet andfurther the mission of Denver Zoo. Here are just a few examples of what individualvolunteers have done this year to help make Denver Zoo so special.If you have been to Denver Zoo recently it was very likely that Charles Mosleygreeted you at the main gate, checked your admission receipt or membership andmade you feel welcome. His official volunteer role as a Main Gate Ambassador isto assist the Guest Services staff by ensuring that membership and attendancenumbers are tracked accurately each day. But Charles does so much more.Armed with his trusty yellow highlighter, Charles always greets the guests with asmile and “Welcome to the zoo.” Guests hardly notice his glance at their ticketas he strikes up a short conversation with the kids about what they hope to seeduring their visit. Guests leave Charles knowing special animals to check out, howto rent a stroller or wheelchair, or which bus to catch after their visit. Charles isalways willing to help out and you can find him at the Main Gate whether it is 50°and windy or 95 ° and sunny. It is his favorite place to be at the zoo.A volunteer since 1996, Betty Feitner combines her knowledge with a delight forpeople of all ages. Betty’s calm, quiet and attentive nature adds a friendly andpersonal touch to every interaction she has with a guest or staff member. Bettyloves working at the reception desk in the lobby of the Gates Education Center.She directs lost guests, helps Summer Safari moms and dads find their children’sclassrooms and loves chatting with visitors who just wander into the buildingfor a cool drink or to use the restroom. But Betty also helps the Education andVolunteer Services staff with a multitude of critical tasks. When not assisting zoo28

guests, Betty is often putting together notebooks for an upcoming class, preparinga school mailing, cutting out items for an education program craft activity. Bettyregularly works above and beyond what is expected and is a positive role model forus all.Denver Zoo has been a second home for some of our volunteers for quite sometime. One such volunteer is Jeanne McCune who joined us 19 years ago. Jugglingwork and family at the time, Jeanne combines her love of nature and people withher passion for the zoo. In her quest for learning and personal growth, Jeannechose to become a member of our first ever class of Guide volunteers, a grouptrained to provide basic animal information for guests without the extensive timecommitment of our docent program. Throughout the training she inspired andmotivated both her fellow Guide volunteers and staff as they worked together tocreate and successfully implement this exciting new volunteer opportunity. “Ilove it, love it, love it!” she says as she works with her Guide partner at the latestinterpretive station sharing animal and conservation information with our guests.While a visit to Denver Zoo, especially during the summer, provides a variety ofinteractive experiences to learn about animals, our environment and conservation,it can also give you something you might not expect — a glimpse into today’steens that just might surprise you.Yes, they love to just hang out, be with their friends, talk — or text — on thephone, and be goofy. But Denver Zoo’s teen volunteers confirm that they canalso be mature, motivated, dedicated, enthusiastic and focused. Denver Zoo teenvolunteers are integral to Denver Zoo, its message and mission.Kaleigh Gerlich’s favorite place is Bird World. She loves the penguins. Kaleigh hasdone chores unpopular in many homes — washing dishes, cleaning up messesand helping prepare “dinner” — with pleasure. Her maturity, dependability,enthusiasm and interest have earned her the trust, confidence and respect ofzoo staff and her peers. This year as a senior teen, Kaleigh served as Teen CrewLeader where she assisted the Teen Program staff with daily logistics and programimplementation. Now graduated and in college, Kaleigh has been hired as anintern with the Teen Program.One of the most popular zoo programs is Summer Safari day camp where youwill find Hunter Holmes. Hunter’s happy, smiling face and willingness to helpbrighten up the Summer Safari team. You can find him chaperoning youngerchildren as they tour the zoo, helping lead a craft or game and even singing alongwith the preschool campers. Hunter seems to motivate kids to greatness and evenhelps calm behavior issues before they begin. Hunter giggles even when it is 101degrees and everyone just wants a nap, reminding everyone why Denver Zoo issuch a special place.Everyone can probably remember that first job, the excitement, challenge andanxiety of starting something new and hoping you will succeed. 2008 was LisiLohri’s first year as a teen volunteer and she has succeeded with flying colors.From the very beginning she impressed everyone with her maturity and ability tointeract with her fellow teens, staff and zoo guests. Lisi worked in the Commissaryhelping prepare animal diets. Lisi was also recognized by a secret shopper visitingthe zoo in August for her outstanding performance as a presenter at the anteaterstation. She was praised as “friendly, personable, relaxed and informative.”Our teen program is a perfect fit for Jordan Baur who completed her secondyear with the program in 2008. Jordan works in the Emerald Forest area ofPrimate Panorama. Jordan has learned how to prepare the diets for a number ofprimate species, a complicated task as each one is different. She has become soproficient that keepers now ask her to train other teens who join the area. DenverZoo is a positive force in her life and Jordan is dedicated to the organization.Jordan hopes to become a zookeeper some day. She seems well on her way.did you know?Guest Services staff distributed1,260 bandages and 383ice packs during the year andreunited 292 lost parents withtheir children, all in an effort toensure a fun zoo visit for all.29

far left Dream Nightleft Dream Nightright ZOOmilydream nightZoo people are nurturers. There are many rough and gruff zoo folks who wouldchuff at such a mushy statement but the simple fact is that we have dedicatedour lives to caring for animals. Few things are more important than the taskwe have chosen to make a better world for the creatures in our care and theirbrethren in the wild.On June 6, 2008, we hosted a phenomenal convergence of Denver Zoo people,animals, and some kids and their families who face special challenges. It is hardto put into words the magic that is Dream Night.Started in 1996 by the Rotterdam Zoo, Netherlands, Dream Night is aninternational event that invites children with special healthcare needs anddisabilities, along with their families, to spend a cost-free evening at their localzoo or aquarium. In 2008, 80 zoos and aquariums worldwide hosted the event.Dream Night is held across the planet on the first Friday in June and if the moonseems to shine a little brighter or there is a warm buzz in the air, it’s because it’sa very special night.Denver Zoo’s theme for our first Dream Night was “WANTED…Kids with BigDreams,” playing off of an old western WANTED poster, we went Wild West withtrick ropers, cowboy singers, a western dinner and songs around the campfire. ADenver Zoo friend and volunteer, Bob Burrell brought his antique fire engine andmore than 200 staff (from every department in the zoo) and volunteers gave theirtime to make it a one-of-a-kind evening for our honored guests. The temporaryairbrush tattoos ended up on EVERYONE (including our President/CEO), andno one wanted to go home including our amazing crew of teen volunteers whocertainly could have been out with friends.The stars, unquestionably, were the kids and the animals. There is an undeniabledraw between the two and although we at the zoo understand this, the eveningbrought it home to us in many profound ways. Because we had small groups, wewere able to create close-up animal encounters throughout the zoo and provideone-on-one attention. One parent told us that her child smiled for the first timein three years when she touched one of our elephant’s trunks; another that herson spoke for the very first time. Parents shared with us how special this was alsofor the siblings of their children who had healthcare issues or challenges. Manyof these brothers and sisters had not been able to cut loose and just have fun fora very long time because their parents had been so busy caring for brothers orsisters.There is not one of us from the zoo who shared in that evening who did not feelprivileged and humbled. Privileged to share the company of brave, strong families;privileged to help make true connections between kids and animals; privileged tohelp bring a smile to many faces; humbled by the amazing power of one specialnight, with fun, laughter, people, food and animals.30

zoomilyDenver Zoo’s first annual ZOOmilyevent on August 9, 2008, was a bigsuccess. ZOOmily, a combination ofthe words “zoo” and “family”, is oneof the fundraising events benefittingthe Red Apple Fund for LifelongLearning, which provides scholarshipsfor zoo education programs. This eventcombined two popular past events,Zip a De Do at the Zoo and FamilyNight, into an enchanted eveningfull of Frogs, Fables and Family Funfor all guests. Children and parentsalike delighted at seeing zoo staff andvolunteers dressed as their favoritefairy tale characters, such as the BigBad Wolf and Red Riding Hood, Alicein Wonderland and the Mad Hatter, orthe Three Little Pigs. These charactersshared live animals with the guests orentertained them with stories, skitsor hands-on activities. One younglady dressed as her favorite princesswas in awe upon meeting her favoriteheroine, the “real” Snow White andher owl. Their time was also spentexploring themed zones decoratedas the Swamp, Forest, Jungle andSuessLand. All went away with tired,happy smiles on their way to sweetdreams at bedtime. ZOOmily exceededour fundraising and ticket salesgoals, benefiting the worthy studentsreceiving scholarships through theRed Apple Fund. We look forward toanother year of this spectacular, funfamily event of the summer!31

denver zoo publications 20081234567A. Rodríguez Martinez, C. N. Moreno Arzate,R. González Sierra y C. A. López González.2008. En prensa. Uso de hábitat, hábitosalimenticios y estructura poblacionaldel oso negro (Ursus americanus) en laSierra Madre Occidental”. C. Lorenzo y E.Espinoza (eds.) Avances en el Estudio delos Mamiferos de Mexico II. AsociaciónMexicana de Mastozoologia A. C.Adams, M.J., S. Galvin, D. Reinitz, R. Cole,S. Pyare, M. Hahr, & P. Govindarajalu. 2008.Incidence of the fungus, Batrachochytriumdendrobatidis, in amphibian populationsalong the northwest coast North America.Herpetological Review 38:430-431.Batbayar, N., R. Reading, D. Kenny, T.Natsagdorgj, and P.W. Kee. 2008 Migrationand movement patterns of cinereousvultures in Mongolia. Falco 32: 5-7.Brenner D., R.S. Larsen, P.J. Pascoe,R.F. Wack, D.C. Williams, P.J. Dickinson.2008. Somatosensory evoked potentialsand sensory nerve conduction velocitiesin the thoracic limb of mallard ducks(Anas platyrhynchos). American Journal ofVeterinary Research 69(11): 1476-80.Clark, H.O, Jr., D. P. Newman, J. D. Murdoch,J. Tseng, Z.H. Wang, R. B. Harris. 2008.Vulpes ferrilata. Mammalian Species821:1-6.DeNicola, A. J., D. Etter, and T. Almendinger.2008. Demographics of non-hunted whitetailedpopulations in suburban areas.Human-Wildlife Conflicts. 2:102-109.DeNicola, A. J., and S. C. Williams. 2008.Sharpshooting suburban white-tailed deerreduces deer-vehicle collisions. Human-Wildlife Conflicts 2:28-33.89Dulamtseren S., R. Reading, S. Shar, J. D.Murdoch, Gantulga J., and UsukhjargalD. 2008. Contribution to the previousdistribution range of marbled polecat(Vormela peregusna) in Mongolia.Proceedings of the Institute of Biology of theMongolian Academy of Sciences 27:12-14.(In Mongolian).Flaherty, E.A., W.P. Smith, S. Pyare, & M.Ben-David. 2008. Can body size predictthe perceptual range of northern flyingsquirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus) traversinga managed landscape? Canadian Journalof Zoology 86:1050-1058.10 Harris, R.B., Z.H. Wang, J.K. Zhou, and Q.X.Liu. 2008. Notes on biology of the Tibetanfox (Vulpes ferrilata). Canid News 11:1-7,http://www.canids.org/canidnews/11/Biology_of_Tibetan_fox.pdf ).11 Joaquín Bello Gutiérrez y Carlos A.López González. 2008. Modelacion de ladistribución del venado temazate rojocentroamericano (Mazama temama) enMexico. XI Simposio Sobre Venados enMéxico “Ing. Jorge G. Villarreal González”.Mayo 29 y 30.12 Johnson, B., L. Zambrano, E. Valiente, P.Crump, T. Weaver, and D. Barber. 2008.Latin America Amphibians in Trouble.Connect: October 2008: 7-9.13 Kelly, M., A. Caso, & Lopez Gonzalez, C. 2008.Lynx rufus. In: IUCN 2008. 2008 IUCN RedList of Threatened Species. www.iucnredlist.org. Downloaded on 29 January 2009.14 Kenny, D., A. DeNicola, S. Amgalanbaatar,Z. Namshir, G. Wingard, and R. Reading.2008. Successful field capture techniquesfor free-ranging argali sheep (Ovis ammon)in Mongolia. Zoo Biology 27: 137-144.15 McCain, L., R. P. Reading, and D. Stern.2008. How natural resources personnel feelabout black-tailed prairie dogs. CurrentConservation 2.2: 17-18.16 Murdoch, J. D., K. Ralls, B. L. Cypher, andR. P. Reading. 2008. Barking vocalizationsin San Joaquin kit foxes (Vulpes macrotismutica). Southwestern Naturalist 53(1):118-124.17 Murdoch, J. D., K. Ralls, B. Cypher, and R. P.Reading. 2008. Social interactions amongSan Joaquin kit foxes before, during,and after the mating season. Journal ofMammalogy 89(5): 1087-1093.18 N. Hernández-Camacho y C. A.López-González. 2008. Efectos de lafragmentación del hábitat en la ecologíaespacial de la zorra gris (Urocyoncinereoargenteus) en el Parque NacionalEl Cimatario, Queretaro, Mexico. Pp.153-172. In: A. J. Sanchez, M. G. HidalgoMihart, S. L. Arriaga Weiss, W. M. ContrerasSanchez (comp.). Perspectivas en ZoologiaMexicana. ISBN 978-968-902442-2.19 Nalleli E. Lara Diaz, Heli Coronel Arellano yCarlos A. López González. 2008. Densidad ybiomasa de mamíferos silvestres medianosy grandes en la Sierra de San Luis, Sonora,México. Memorias del XXV Simposio SobreFauna Silvestre “Gral. MV. Manuel CabreraValtierra”. 22 al 24 de octubre de 2008.20 Ortiz-Martínez, T., V. Rico-Gray & E.Martínez-Meyer. 2008. Predicted andverified distributions of Ateles geoffroyiand Alouatta palliata in Oaxaca, Mexico.Primates 49: 186-194.21 Peterson, A. T. & E. Martínez-Meyer. 2008.Pervasive poleward shifts among NorthAmerican bird species. Biodiversity 9:114-116.22 Reading, R. P. 2008. Preface. Pp. v, in:Global Re-introduction Perspectives:Re-introduction case-studies from aroundthe globe, P.S. Soorae (Ed.). IUCN/SSCRe-introduction Specialist Group. AbuDhabi, UAE.23 Rojas-Soto, O.R., E. Martínez-Meyer,A.G. Navarro-Sigüenza, A. Oliveras deIta, H. Gómez de Silva, & A.T. Peterson.2008. Modeling distributions of disjunctpopulations of the Sierra Madre Sparrow.Journal of Field Ornithology 79: 245-253.24 S.Nagorski, G. Eckert, E Hood, and S.Pyare. 2008. Assessment of Coastal WaterResources and Watershed Conditions atLake Clark National Park and Preserve,Alaska. Natural Resource Technical ReportNPS/NRWRD/NRTR-2008/373.25 Schipper, J. et al. 2008. The status ofthe world’s land and marine mammals:diversity, threat, and knowledge. Science322: 178-179.26 Schoeberl, B.J. 2009. North Americanregional studbook for Komodo dragon(Varanus komodoensis). Denver ZoologicalFoundation, Denver, Colorado, USA.27 Shipley, B., R. P. Reading, and B. Miller.2008. Comparing capture rates of reptilesand amphibians in black-tailed (Cynomysludovicianus) prairie dog colonies anduncolonized prairie in Colorado, USA.Western North American Naturalist 62(2):245-248.28 Williams, S. C., A. J. DeNicola, and I. M.Ortega. 2008. Behavioral responses ofwhite-tailed deer subjected to lethalmanagement. Canadian Journal of Zoology86:1358-1366.32

denver zoo conservation & research projects 2008field projectsnorth america12345678The function of allogrooming in blacktailedprairie dogs by David Eads (IndianaUniversity), Samantha Hunter (PurdueUniversity), and Dr. Dean Biggins (USGS)Vertebrates and Prairie Dogs in Denver byKristin Salamack (University of Denver)and Dr. Richard Reading (Denver Zoo)The persistence of wildlife communitieswithin urban habitat islands in theColorado Front Range by Seth Magle(Colorado State University), Dr. KevinCrooks (CSU), and Dr. Richard Reading(Denver Zoo)Toads at the edge: tracking a disappearingspecies in rapidly changing landscapesof southeast Alaska by Dr. Sanjay Pyare(University of Alaska)Colorado carnivore complex baseline studyby Dr. David Augeri (Denver Zoo)Citizen science wildlife monitoring programin Colorado by Julia Kintsch (SouthernRockies Ecosystem Project), Amy Masching(Denver Zoo), Dylan Taylor (SouthernRockies Ecosystem Project), and CarolBusch (Gore Range Natural Science School)Effects of habitat degradation and climatechange in the long-term survival of theVolcano Rabbit by Enrique Martinez Meyer(Instituto de Biologia), Veronica Farias(Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana),Ella Vazquez (Instituto de Ecologia), andFernando Cervantes (Instituto de Biologia)Wolverine Ecology in the GreaterYellowstone Ecosystem by Jeff Copeland(U.S. Forest Service), Kerry Murphy(Yellowstone National Park) and JasonWilmot (Northern Rockies ConservationCooperative)9Conservation of big game migrationcorridors in greater Yellowstone by DavidCherney (Northern Rockies ConservationCooperative), Susan Gail Clark (YaleUniversity), and Jason Wilmot (NorthernRockies Conservation Cooperative)10 Endangered black bear ecology,conservation, and management in thestate of Sonora, Mexico by Dr. Carlos LopezGonzalez (Northern Rockies ConservationCooperative)11 Population size, genetics, and spatialdistribution of the Janos Bison by Rurik List(Instituto de Ecologia)12 Southern Prairie Conservation Initiative byDr. Lauren McCain (WildEarth Guardians)13 Great Lakes Piping Plover Project innorthern Michigan by Jennifer Nixon(Denver Zoo) and Jessica Meehan (DenverZoo)14 Landscape use and movements offrugivorous and insectivorous birds intropical dry forest of western Mexico: byDrs. Jorge Vega Rivera and KatherineRenton (Universidad Nacional Autónoma deMéxico) and John Azua (Denver Zoo)15 Ecology and Social Behavior of White-Tailed Prairie Dogs by Dr. John Hoogland(University of Maryland)16 Rocky Mountain AAZK support of theNorthern Jaguar Project to purchase jaguarhabitat in northern Mexico17 Impact of the Human Activity and HabitatFragmentation in the Abundance andDistribution of Jaguar (Panthera onca)in North Coast of Jalisco, Mexico by Dr.Rodrigo Nunez (Institute of Biology (Ph.D.Student)18 Keep Poisons Off Our Prairies projectsupported through The Prairie DogCoalition19 Camera Trapping on the Wind RiverRanch by Brian Miller (Wind River RanchFoundation) and Brenda Fonju (New MexicoHighlands University)latin america20 Distribution and landscape use of theAndean bear by Shaenandhoa Garcia-Rangel (University of Cambridge) and Dr.David Augeri (Denver Zoo)21 Research and conservation of the HuemulDeer in Chilean Patagonia by PaoloCorti (University of Sherbrooke), CristianSaucedo (Corporacion Nacional Forestal,Center for Andean Wildlife Research),Marco Festa-Bianchet (Universityof Sherbrooke), and Dennis Aldridge(Corporacion Nacional Forestal)22 Biodiversity conservation in northwestEcuador through the creation of communityforest reserves by Carlos Zorrilla (DECOIN)23 Project Golden Frog (PGF), acomprehensive, multi-institutionalconservation, research, and educationinitiative to conserve golden frogs in CostaRica and Panama by Tom Weaver (DenverZoo) and Rick Haeffner (Denver Zoo)24 Prioritization of ex situ conservationendeavors for Peruvian amphibiansworkshop supported through ALPZA (DianaSarmiento), Parque Zoologico Huachipa(Lizette Berudez) and Cayetano HerediaUniversity (Roberto Elias)25 Project Heloderma, an effort to preventthe extinction of the Guatemalan BeadedLizard, supported through IRCF26 Amphibian Crisis Conservation Educationin Peru by Matt Herbert (Denver Zoo),Meghan Rubinstein (Denver Zoo), and DorisRodriguez (Parque Zoologico Huachipa)27 Lake Titicaca Frog ( Telmatobius culeus)Conservation Project by Rick Haeffner, TomWeaver and Derek Cossaboon (Denver Zoo).28 Increasing connectivity for Brazilian ocelotsby restoring habitat and creating migrationcorridors by Dr. Bill Swanson (CincinnatiZoo), Nanette Bragin (Denver Zoo), and TheBrazilian Ocelot Consortium29 Estimating population size of AndeanBears (Tremarctos ornatus) usingphotographic captures and recaptures inSierra de Portuguesa, Venezuela by DorixaMonsalve Dam (Departamento de Biologiade Organismos) supported throughIDEAWILD30 Ecologia, Bioacustica y Taxonomia deanfibios anuros de la ecorregion esterosdel ibera Argentina by Victor Hugo Zarachosupported through IDEAWILD31 Occurrence and population density of thehowler monkey and brown capuchin in theSan Joao and das Ostras watersheds, Riode Janeiro, Brazil by Roberta M. de Araugoand Paula P. de Oliveira supported throughIDEAWILD32 Herpetofauna of Urucu Basin, Icoari,Amazonas States, Brazil by Danilo LealArcoverde (Centro Federal de EducacaoTecnologica) supported through IDEAWILDeur-asia33 Behavioral ecology and conservation of thegrey-shanked douc monkey in the centralhighlands of Vietnam by Thang Long Ha(University of Cambridge) and Dr. DavidAugeri (Denver Zoo)34 Elephant surveys and training in TamanNegara National Park, Malaysia by Dr.Melvin Gumal (Wildlife ConservationSociety)33

35 Long-term study of blue sheep biology andTibetan fox, as part of a long-term alpinegrassland ecosystem study by Dr. Rich B.Harris (University of Montana)36 Range and movement of translocatedAsian elephants in Peninsular Malaysiaby Regen Jamieson (University of RhodeIsland), Dr. Thomas Husband (Universityof Rhode Island), Dr. Keith Leggett(Northwestern Namibia Desert-dwellingElephant and Giraffe Project), and Dr.David Augeri (Denver Zoo)37 Tracking Asian elephant movements intrans-boundary Thailand and Myanmar byDr. Chris Wemmer (California Academy ofSciences, National Zoological Park)38 Ecology and conservation of argali sheep(Ovis ammon) by Drs. Richard Reading andDavid Kenny (Denver Zoo), and ResearchAssociates Sukhiin Amgalanbaatar(Mongolian Academy of Sciences), and Dr.Tony DeNicola (White Buffalo, Inc.)39 Resource partitioning among argalisheep and Siberian ibex in DornogobiAimag, Mongolia by Dr. Richard Reading(Denver Zoo), Research Associates SukhiinAmgalanbaatar (Mongolian Academy ofSciences), and Dr. David Kenny (DenverZoo)40 Breeding success of cinereous vulturesin Ikh Nart, Mongolia by SukhiinAmgalanbaatar (Mongolian Academy ofSciences), Dr. Richard Reading (DenverZoo), Dr. Dave Kenny (Denver Zoo), andMary Jo Willis (Denver Zoo)41 The ecology and conservation of smallcarnivores in the semi-desert steppesof Mongolia by James Murdoch (OxfordUniversity), Tserendorj Munkhzul(Mongolian Academy of Sciences), Dr.Richard Reading (Denver Zoo), and Dr.Claudio Sillero-Zubiri (Oxford University)42 Developing a model for local managementof protected areas in Mongolia: Ikh NartNature Reserve as a case study by Dr.Richard Reading, (Denver Zoo), MeghanRubinstein (Denver Zoo), Orgiltuya(University of Colorado-Denver), andSukhiin Amgalanbaatar (MongolianAcademy of Sciences)43 Saiga population dynamics andconservation in Kalmykia, Russia: by Dr.Anna Lushchekina (Russian Academy ofSciences) and Anton Struchkov (RussianAcademy of Sciences)44 Wildlife and forest conservation in Bhutanby Dr. David Augeri (Denver Zoo)45 Effects of habitat disturbance andfragmentation on Asian elephants innorthern Sumatra by Dr. David Augeri(Denver Zoo)46 Sumatran tiger habitat and landscape useby Dr. David Augeri (Denver Zoo)47 Reducing Elephant Conflicts in Sri Lankaby Dale Leeds (Denver Zoo) and Sri LankaWildlife Conservation Society48 Saving Sumatra’s forests: fundingenforcement activities within the LeuserEcosystem by Dave Augeri (Denver Zoo)and Mike Griffiths (affiliation?)49 Resource Partitioning by MongolianHedgehogs by Dr. Richard Reading (DenverZoo) and Dr. Dave Kenny (Denver Zoo)50 Ibex Ecology and Conservation by Dr.Richard Reading (Denver Zoo) and Dr. DaveKenny (Denver Zoo)51 Ecology and conservation of wild Bactriancamels in Mongolia by J. Adiya (MongolianAcademy of Sciences), Dr. Evan Blumer(the Wilds), B. Mijiddorj (MongolianProtected Areas Bureau), and Dr. RichardReading (Denver Zoo)52 Mongolian Nomadic Conservation TrunkProgram by Meghan Rubinstein (DenverZoo), Tungalagtuya Khuukenduu (PeopleCentered Conservation in Mongolia), andTed Wood (Conservation Ink)53 Leuser Ecosystem and Sumatran WildlifeConservation Education by MeghanRubinstein (Denver Zoo), Rachel Anderson(Denver Zoo), and Cut Dian Trisiniasih(Leuser International Foundation)54 Linking Feeding Ecology and CraniodentalMorphology in Wild Orangutans: AQuantitative Approach by Dr. Erin Vogel(University of California-Santa Cruz)55 Buceros Hornbill Feather DistributionProject, by Mark Myers (Woodland ParkZoo) and Dr. Christine Sheppard (WildlifeConservation Society)56 Nesting ecology of Asian Hornbills inThailand, supported through HornbillResearch Foundation and Woodland ParkZoo57 Orangutan Conservation Initiative inBorneo by Ronda Schwetz, Rachel Andersonand Marley Steele-Inama (Denver Zoo) andBarb Shaw (Orangutan Conservancy)58 Surveys for a Translocation project ofDeLacour’s langurs (Trachypithecusdelacour) by Tilo Nadler (EndangeredPrimate Rescue Center)59 Conservation and ManagementImplications of Blakiston’s Fish OwlResource Selection Primorye, Russia byJonathan Slaght (University of Minnesota,Ph.D. student), Sergei Surmach (RussianAcademy of Sciences Institute of Biologyand Soils) and Dale Miquelle (WildlifeConservation Society Russian Program)60 Conservation of Red Crown and WhiteNapped Cranes in the Khinganski NatureReserve, Russia through the InternationalCrane Foundation61 The population estimate and diet of theGiant Fruit Bats of Brgy, Laiya Aplaya,San Juan, Batangas, Philippines by ErikaClaudine M. Tabunar and Felix Maverick R.Uy Jr. supported through IDEAWILD62 The impact of human population densityand development on the status of fishingcats in Bangladesh: their potential to serveas indicator species in the world’s mostdensely populated nation by Anthony J.Giodano (S.P.E.C.I.E.S) and Ahm Ali Reza(Jahangirnagar University) supportedthrough IDEAWILD63 The status and density of island cloudedleopards in an isolated Indonesianforest fragment by Anthony J Giordano(S.P.E.C.I.E.S.) supported through IDEAWILD64 Survey of Hatinh langurs in Phong Nha-KeBang National Park, Vietnam by NyguyenHai Ha (Vietnam Forestry University)supported through IDEAWILD65 Asian Elephant in situ projects basedin Southeast Asia supported throughInternational Elephant Foundation (IEF)africa66 Chemical communication and behavioralecology of African wild dogs (Lycaonpictus) in northern Botswana by MeganParker (University of Montana)67 Disease threats to endangered African wilddogs in Kenya: Information for conservationby Dr. Rosie Woodroffe (University ofCalifornia) and Symon ole Ranah (MpalaResearch Centre)68 Makgadikgadi brown hyena project byGlyn Maude (University of Bristol) and Dr.Richard Reading (Denver Zoo)69 Conflicts between Grevy’s zebras and lionsin Kenya by Dr. Dan Rubenstein (PrincetonUniversity), Siva Sundaresan (Denver Zooand Princeton University), and Dr. RichardReading (Denver Zoo)34

far left Thang Long Hadisplays poster he madeencouraging conservation ofgrey-shanked douc monkeysleft 2008 conservation andresearch projects70 Medical evaluation of free-ranging primatesin Madagascar by Dr. Felicia Knightly(Denver Zoo) and Dr. Randall Junge (St.Louis Zoo)71 Conservation outreach in Ghana: WechiauCommunity Hippo Sanctuary project byBrian Keating (Calgary Zoo) and supportedby NCRC and Donna Sheppard (Calgary Zoo)72 Undergraduate conservation scholarship —Recipient: Masiaine “Symon” Oleranah, MoiUniversity and University of Nairobi, Kenya;Sponsor: Dr. Rosie Woodroffe (University ofCalifornia-Davis)73 Lions and Warriors: Conservation AmongTraditional Masai Pastoralists by Dr.Laurence Frank (Wildlife ConservationSociety and University of California-Berkeley) and Stephanie Dolrenry (Universityof Wisconsin-Madison)74 Grevy’s Zebra Conservation Education inKenya by Amy Masching (Denver Zoo) andJen Bahmeier (Denver Zoo)75 Support for Grevy’s Zebra Trust based inKenya and Ethiopia76 Epulu Okapi Project: Okapi Conservationin Northeastern D.R. of Congo through theGilman Foundation77 Yellow-billed and red-billed hornbillsconservation project in Samburu and ShabaNational Reserves, Kenya by Ronald LakeMulwa supported though IDEAWILD78 African Elephant in situ projects basedin Sub-Sharan Africa supported throughInternational Elephant Foundation (IEF)79 Malagasy fish conservation by AlexSaunders (Denver Zoo) and Rick Haeffner(Denver Zoo)zoo projects80 Developing assisted reproductivetechnologies for cinereous vultures byMary Jo Willis (Denver Zoo), Dr. Julie Long(USDA), Dr. Jesus Pelaez (USDA), and DawnCummings (Denver Zoo)81 Determining urban bird numbers throughthe Audubon Society’s annual ChristmasBird Count by Brad Parks (Denver Zoo)82 Influence of age on Female CheetahFertility and Reproductive Success by Dr.Adrienne Crosier (National Zoo), Dr. DavidE. Wildt (National Zoo), Dr. JoGayle Howard(Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park)with assistance from Denver Zoo staff83 Support in receiving American Flamingoeggs through SSPgeneral conservation projects84 Support for the IUCN Re-introductionSpecialist Group85 Support for the Great Bear Foundation,Missoula, MT86 Support for the International Wildlife MediaCenter & Film Festival, Missoula, MT87 Rocky Mountain AAZK support for theOrangutan Conservancy88 Rocky Mountain AAZK support for theSahara Conservancy Fund89 Support for the Snow Leopard Trust, basedin Seattle, WA90 Support for the Turtle Survival Alliance forAsian Turtle Conservation91 Support for the International CraneFoundation in the Khinganski NatureReserve, Russia92 Support to the Jacksonville Zoo on Jamaicanyellow boa movement research93 Support to the Lincoln Park Zoo for jaguarresearch in Argentina94 Support to International ElephantFoundation’s African and Asian Elephant exsitu projects35

facilitiesgetting ready for an elephant-sized projectAre you ready for the largest project in the zoo’s history? A ten-acre exhibit complex with ten major buildings and 730,000 gallons of water —that’s a big project. Five years of design attest to the magnitude of Asian Tropics, and it is expected that the construction will last at least twoyears following groundbreaking. So now that we are in the final stretch of design, there is a flurry of activities to prepare for the first shovel.Project review and permitting is a keycomponent of the final push towards startingany project, and Asian Tropics is no exception.Well — actually, it is exceptional. With 540pages of drawings and many complicatedand unique features, Asian Tropics is achallenge for any building department.It will take the Denver BuildingDepartment and the zoo’s designteam almost eight months to complete the review process that was started inSeptember of 2008. Denver Wastewater, Metro Wastewater, Denver Water, DenverFire, Denver Parks and Recreation Department, and Denver’s Risk ManagementDepartment are additional review agencies involved in the process.Perhaps more complicated than the review process is the internal effort to moveout of the area of the zoo that will become Asian Tropics. The ten-acre sitecurrently is home to 25 animal species, 26 existing buildings, and some criticalzoo operations including hay storage, waste management, and concessionsreceiving and storage. Some of this area is currently known as the “Boneyard,” a36

storage repository for many departments that must be accommodated in otherareas of the zoo. In order to prepare for the move, the Planning Departmentmade an inventory of every single item in the Boneyard which was used indesigning future storage needs and locations on campus. At the beginning of2008, Planning Department staff started design work on what we now callthe Gate 7 Warehouse that will provide the essential services displaced byAsian Tropics construction, some permanently and others temporarily, untilconstruction is completed. The new warehouse complex will provide hay storagefor the duration of the project, as well as permanent receiving and storage forconcessions. The 2,000-square-foot complex will also provide 1,000 square feetof flexible storage for operations that need to move from the Boneyard. Wastemanagement will also move to the Gate 7 area during construction, so the planaccommodates a compactor, compostable dumpster, bulk waste dumpster, andsteel recycling. The new warehouse complex should be completed by the summerof 2009. It will allow us to maintain critical operations during Asian Tropicsconstruction and beyond.left & above renderingsof the elephant bridgeat the upcoming AsianTropics exhibit37

elow leftenvironmental teammembers acceptingthe Gold Award fromthe EnvironmentalLeadership Programbelow right elephantskeep Denver Zoo staffbusy with their diet andtheir new homefar right renderings ofthe elephant house andgibbon habitat as partof the ten-acre AsianTropics developmenthow green can you go? —or are we green yet?Are we still talking green? Sure, green is as much a process as adestination and 2008 saw a lot of both. In 2008, Denver Zoobecame a Gold Member of the state’s Environmental LeadershipProgram (ELP), and was certified under the InternationalOrganization for Standardization’s (ISO) 14001 program. Bothof these achievements required a significant effort from all zoodepartments and represent a new level of commitment from thezoo’s green team, the Workplace Conservation Committee. It is wellknown that Denver Zoo has achieved great “green” things for manyyears, most notably in areas of reductions in water use. While these pastbenchmarks are something to be proud of, 2008 represents a watershed in ourgreen effort. To use an often cited metaphor, many of our previous green goalshave been “low hanging fruit.” We have been steadily climbing the tree to besure, and now we are addressing the hard to reach items. In order to be a stateGold Leader and to become ISO 14001 certified, the zoo needed to implementa Sustainable Management System (SMS) that will guide our operations asthey relate to our environmental and social responsibilities. The WorkplaceConservation Committee (WPCC) increased its meeting frequency to every twoweeks, and the members (representatives from every zoo department) got downto the hard work of gathering information and setting our sustainable goals. Thebasis of an SMS is continual improvement, so the WPCC put together ongoingObjectives and Targets based on the day-to-day operations of the zoo, and createda methodology of measuring our performance against these goals. When we fallshort of an objective, there is a way to identify the causes and create a “correctiveaction” to guide future improvement. In October, the zoo became one of 33 GoldMembers in the state’s program and, in December, Denver Zoo became the firstzoo in the United States to attain ISO 14001 certification for all operations — atruly monumental achievement.horticulture & grounds: behind the scenesThe work of the Horticulture and Grounds Department can be seen throughoutthe zoo, from the native grasses as you approach the entrance to the tropicalenvironments of Bird World and Tropical Discovery. We install and maintainturf, trees, and everything in-between, in exhibits and surrounding landscapes.We clean pathways, dispose of trash and waste, and support recycling effortsthroughout the zoo. We provide our customers a safe and clean environment whileat the same time promoting conservation and educational opportunities throughthoughtful and creative plantings. While these efforts are visible to zoo guests,our work behind the scenes makes zoo horticulture unique. It is why we work atthe zoo even though gardening is much more challenging in an environment withmillions of people and animals.Our four horticulturists and Tropical Plant Curator passionately work behind thescenes in support of the animal care team. They devote many hours researching,growing, and harvesting a variety of living material to enhance the lives of theanimals in our collection. At each end of the zoo there are gardens that producea plethora of herbs, flowers, fruits, and vegetables that are harvested on a dailydid you know?150 companies rentedspace at the zoo in 2008 formeetings, training programs,parties, or other events.38

asis during the growing season. Behind Tropical Discovery, approximately300 square feet of cold frames and raised beds are planted for the benefit ofherbivores. The howler monkeys in Tropical Discovery are enthusiastic recipients,for example, especially when offered homegrown carrots and grapes. There areanother 900 square feet of raised garden beds behind the great ape exhibitthat produce two to four bushels of fresh produce each week. Even though thezoo purchases top quality fruits and vegetables from local suppliers, like manyof us, the animals know the difference. We discovered years ago that althoughour orangutans don’t like “store bought” turnips, they love turnips grown andharvested on zoo grounds.Providing nutritional and enriching items takes place all year. Twelve flats ofwheat are grown at the greenhouse every week and enjoyed by a multitude ofanimals: from guinea pigs to gorillas, felines, pachyderms, bears, and hoofstock.A cartload of branches from a variety of trees and shrubs is harvested five daysper week for our hairy and furry friends throughout the zoo. This material is eaten,played with, and utilized in nest building. Nest material is also provided for ourfeathered friends by planting preferred plant species (over and over) so that theycan build their nests, or by cutting grasses and branches that are of suitable sizefor them to exploit in their construction process. Tropical plants such as bananas,heliconias, and bamboo are harvested year round and given to our pachydermsand primates; and both tropical and hardy bamboo is enjoyed by our red pandas.Kitchen scraps collected from the Commissary and Animal Departments are notonly used to make compost for our gardens, they’re also a vital ingredient in ourvermiculture project that takes place in Tropical Discovery. Over the last four39

left male silverback gorilla Jim with son Jabaliright Denver Zoo horticulturists grow many types ofplants to keep the hippos well fedfar right slender lorisyears, the program has grown from a storage tub and a couple hundred wormsto a four by eight-foot composter that is home for up to 7,000 thousand redwigglers. When demand is high, keepers may harvest up to a quarter of a pound ofworms each day for lizards and turtles when demand is high. Springtails are tinyinhabitants of the composter that are an invaluable food source for newly morphedgolden froglets.african ginger for gorillasDenver Zoo’s horticulture team is growing African ginger (Aframomum melegueta)to supplement our gorillas’ diet in hopes of reducing heart disease in gorillas. It isour ultimate goal to improve the health and well-being of our gorillas and to shareour findings with colleagues around the world.Cheryl Lyn Dybas is a science journalist researching the bioactive compounds inAfrican plants to determine if their anti-inflammatory properties protect gorillasfrom heart disease. African ginger contains powerful anti-inflammatory propertiesand makes up a significant portion of the diet of some wild lowland gorillas.Data indicates that fibrosing cardiomyopathy, which is similar to congestive heartfailure in humans, is the cause of 40 percent of all deaths of captive westernlowland gorillas and 70 percent of the deaths of all males older than 30.Our efforts began very simply but became far more complicated. Over the years, weprovided ginger to our gorillas on occasion. While our gorillas enjoyed it, our TropicalDiscovery horticulturist confirmed that our ginger was actually of the Indo/Malaysianvarieties and not African ginger. There are, after all, 45 different genera with over700 species of ginger worldwide. After a bit of research, it became apparent that weneeded to provide the gorillas African ginger for its medicinal properties.After unsuccessful attempts to order rhizomes (root stock) and seed from a growerin Florida, or to locate available plants from other zoos or botanic gardens, a40

company in Nigeria was found that had seed available. They agreed to send ½kilo for the cost of shipping ($125) in the hopes of landing a customer who wouldthen order by the ton. They may not have understood that it was the actual plantthat we were ultimately after. Later, we discovered that our local Denver BotanicGardens grew the plant in their conservatory less than a mile from the zoo! Ourcolleagues were willing to let us dig some plants to feed our gorillas and to grownew stock from the remaining rhizomes.The foliage was offered to our gorillas and they absolutely can’t get enough. Thereinlies the problem — ginger is slow to grow, especially from seed. We soaked thehard, peppercorn sized seed before sowing it in October, 2008. The germinationwas spotty and after four months, the plants were only one inch tall. We haveordered gibberelic acid, a plant growth hormone, to speed the germination processand are experimenting with an assortment of procedures to grow the ginger faster.However, it will take more time to grow enough mature plant material to conduct anutritional study and to have enough to regularly supplement diets.We continue to research alternative ways to get a large enough quantity of thisnatural anti-inflammatory plant material to actually make a difference. We alsoneed to determine if plants grown in a greenhouse situation contain the samechemical properties as those grown in native soil. One possibility may be tocontact a large dealer of cut flowers and convince them to harvest and ship gingerplants. Another possibility may be to test the seed to find out if it contains thesame desirable chemicals as the foliage and feed the seed directly to the gorillas,bypassing the whole growing process. To facilitate the research, we hope to recruitadditional partners. We have shared seed with a few zoos and have had initialdiscussions with potential partner organizations, but none have committed to theproject yet.41

financesright Do at the Zoo, DenverZoo's annual fundraising galadevelopment & membershipIn 2008, membership and development activities remained strong and vibrant. Over the course of the year, Denver Zoo received4,626 gifts from 4,088 donors totaling $1,053,815 for restricted and unrestricted operating funds. The zoo’s membership continuedto grow with a record 64,010 member households in 2008, generating $4,237,901 for zoo programs and operations. Our AsianTropics capital campaign raised $4,753,356 over the course of the year for the most ambitious exhibit in the zoo’s history.special gifts to asian tropicsSeveral significant gifts were secured for Asian Tropics in 2008. We werevery pleased to announce a $1 million commitment from the Monfort FamilyFoundation. The Monfort family has supported the zoo for many years throughDo at the Zoo sponsorships and other generous gifts for zoo operations, but itsgift to Asian Tropics represents the Foundation’s largest commitment to DenverZoo. To recognize this extraordinary gift, the zoo is pleased to name one of theexhibit’s elephant/rhino/tapir habitats in honor of the Monfort family. In additionto this wonderful gift from the Monfort Family Foundation, the zoo also receivedsignificant and very generous commitments from The Bardsley Foundation,Boettcher Foundation, Helen K. and Arthur E. Johnson Foundation and ElizabethB. Searle family. We would like to extend a special thank you for these wonderfulleadership gifts.staff & volunteer campaignsIn 2008, Denver Zoo launched two special campaigns for Asian Tropics with itsstaff and volunteers. As some of our closest family members, both groups haveprovided tremendous support for this groundbreaking exhibit. We are pleased toreport that more than 60 percent of zoo employees made gifts by year end totaling$222,000. Zoo volunteers committed $184,000 during the year. Both campaignswill continue in 2009 with a goal of 100 percent participation. We are so gratefulto all our staff and volunteers who have made such generous commitments to thecampaign for Asian Tropics.42

first right loyalcorporate supportcomes from PepsiBottling Groupsecond long-timesupporter, BettyRobertsonthird Outreachprograms visit ComfortDental in Parker, COfourth This CactusValley class is one ofmany that participatedin the CommunityLeadership Project, azoo outreach program.honoring a wildlife enthusiastIn early 2008, Colorado lost a native son whose long life was marked by serviceto his community and support for countless initiatives across the state. BillChenoweth, among many other things, was passionate about wildlife in generaland elephants in particular. Upon his death, his family knew he would want to seethe incredible Asian Tropics project come to fruition, so they requested all giftsin his memory be designated to help elephants at the zoo. His wife Mimi, theirchildren, and more than 100 friends generously contributed more than $100,000for Asian Tropics in Bill’s memory. And, when the project is complete, the firstmale elephant to take residence at the zoo will be named “Billy” in his honor.corporate supportEnCana Oil & Gas (USA)Since the 2006-2007 school year, Denver Zoo has partnered with EnCana Oil& Gas (USA), a Canadian company with a presence in Colorado, especially theWestern Slope. Between 2006 and 2008, grant funding from EnCana has madeit possible for Denver Zoo education staff and ambassador animals to teachclasses and present assemblies for K-12 students and senior citizens throughoutGarfield County. Approximately 5,500 students participated in 120 classes,assemblies and service-learning programs in the 2007-2008 school year. Anothertwelve individuals, primarily teachers, participated in a professional developmentworkshop in the spring of 2008, and a total of eight senior safari programswere presented in the four senior housing facilities in the county. In the fall of2008, the zoo offered the first of several community night events so that workingadults, as well as students and seniors were able to learn more about wildlife andconservation.Zoo staff members are in Garfield County so frequently that they have become“regulars”— if not celebrities. Everyone from the clerk at the grocery store tothe waitress in the café knows the “zoo people” and tells them how much theyappreciate the zoo and EnCana for bringing such educational and entertainingprogramming to their rural communities. Those sentiments were echoed bystudents, parents, teachers and principals, as well as staff and residents of thesenior facilities.“Presentations like this stimulate student interest in nature and theenvironment and lead students into further reading and study.”— Peg Connealy, PrincipalHighland Elementary School, Rifle“This is a great program, and I want to thank EnCana for fundingthis so our residents can enjoy the animals. We are unable to bringour residents to Denver, so having the zoo come to us is wonderful.The residents look forward to each zoo visit, and they provide greatsensory stimulus opportunities. They are more alert and always eagerto feel the animals when the Denver Zoo visits. I enjoy watching thejoy in the eyes of residents.”— Mary Romero, Activities DirectorMesa Vista Assisted Living, ParachutePepsi Bottling GroupWhen Denver Zoo talks of loyalty, longevity and giving back to the community, onepartner in particular comes to mind, The Pepsi Bottling Group. Pepsi has providedbeverages for Denver Zoo’s events since 1978, and it has contributed a total of$947,875 since 1982 (excluding in-kind gifts). Its generosity to Denver Zoo extendsbeyond annual gifts and multiple sponsorships; it is in all the extras they bring.The magic behind this partnership is Steve Long, long-time friend of DenverZoo. Steve has been the catalyst, the energy, and support for this decades-longrelationship. In the early days, Steve delivered Pepsi products to the zoo himself.In 1989, he became the “official contact” for Denver Zoo. Steve recalls how inthe beginning there were no formal contracts. “It was a handshake with Clayton44

Freiheit and lots of good faith.” Steve sees the zoo as much more than a businessrelationship. “It is like family, and I feel the relationship has been beneficial toeveryone.” In asking Steve what has been his most memorable moment — hequickly says, “It’s always Do at the Zoo!”Comfort Dental and Mountain States Toyota“Denver Zoo guests are exactly the people we want to reach!” This is a commonrefrain from two of Denver Zoo’s sponsors, Comfort Dental and Mountain StatesToyota. While the products they offer to consumers couldn’t be more different, thegoals of each are the same: a passion for the community in which they operate, acommitment to conservation, and support for Denver Zoo’s Red Apple ScholarshipFund for Lifelong Learning.In addition to supporting the Red Apple Scholarship Fund, Comfort Dental begansponsoring the zoo’s Wildlife Show in 2005. In 2007, it extended its support toinclude the sea lion demonstration and this year added the zoo’s popular SummerSafari day camp.Mountain States Toyota began its sponsorship with Denver Zoo in 2007 bybecoming the presenting sponsor of ZOOmily and Brew At The Zoo — bothevents support the Red Apple Scholarship Fund. This relationship has expandedand now includes support for Denver Zoo’s Conservation Night and numerousother Denver Zoo initiatives.Sponsorship dollars are critical to Denver Zoo. Through these and other partnershipswith Denver Zoo’s many sponsors, the zoo continues to thrive and to provideexceptional wildlife conservation and education programs to the community.individuals always make a differenceBetty Robertson has been supporting Denver Zoo for decades, and when askedwhy she chooses to support the zoo, her answer always is, “The animals — I lovethem all!” Growing up in Illinois, Betty’s grandparents owned a farm with manyanimals, but it was the chance to ride a llama at the St. Louis Zoo when she wasabout 11 that got her permanently hooked. She and her late husband owned a ranchnear Conifer, where at one time they had as many as 46 llamas. Interestingly, theyacquired their first llama in 1974 from Denver Zoo on Halloween day!A long-time school teacher in Jefferson County, where she taught 5th grade for 25years, Betty is one of Denver Zoo’s most generous and enthusiastic donors. Herfavorite zoo animals are the snow leopards, and she has “adopted” many animals atthe zoo, including the striking giraffe sculpture at the zoo entrance. Her gifts includea major contribution to Asian Tropics as well as regular support for the zoo’s manyeducational programs. We thank Betty for her love of animals and the positive impactshe’s had on the important wildlife conservation work at Denver Zoo!did you know?The 2008 Do at the Zoo, chairedby former Colorado First Lady,Frances Owens, welcomed 2,314participants and raised morethan $425,000 for Asian Tropics.45

donations 2008asian tropics/millenniumcampaignAndy, Jami and Melissa AckerAnonymous (6)Mr. and Mrs. Walter M. Appel, Jr.Patricia D. BacaPatrick and Jennifer BallardBardsley FoundationTiffany, Dan and Basha BarnhartEdward and Cornelia Bates/Fidelity Charitable Gift FundRobert and Ruth Beriault/Fidelity Charitable Gift FundDuane and Leslye BilyeuBoettcher FoundationRon BolligAna BowieMary BradleyBetty and Charles Brega/Brega Family FoundationDiane BrookshireMary and Fred BrownJanet and Cory BurlileSue M. CannonEstate of William B. ChenowethMrs. William B. ChenowethAmber and Adam ChristopherThe Colorado TrustDennis CraigCross H Foundation/Michele and William BergnerDenver Zoo PersonnelDenver Zoo VolunteersDr. Deborah DunnMarion EdwardsDr. Robert EdwardsRon and Amy EhmDr. Jimmie L. and Margaret EllerJoyce L. FalcoElizabeth J. FeitnerFelsburg Holt & UllevigLauren, Becca and Magen FischerPip and Carol FisherSue FrancisFrederick G. Fish FoundationDonald and Debbie FreiFriedman & Assoc., CPAChristine L. GasserChris and Janice GatesJames and Ruth GaulkeBetsy and Bill GeorgitisRichard and Nancy Gooding/Gooding Family FoundationRichard and Juli Gordon/Leonard & Selma GordonFamily FoundationHatch Mott MacDonaldRoss HemanHepworth-Pawlak Geotechnical, Inc.Brenda and Peter HierLinda and Todd HinesDr. and Mrs. Richard E. HolmanDavid and Virginia HolmesJanet and Rick HouserTony Hubbard and Travis CronenHuitt-Zollars, Inc.Judy Husbands-DamasEmily InsalacoJE Dunn ConstructionHelen K. and Arthur E. JohnsonFoundationMr. and Mrs. Bill JohnsonDavid M. Johnson andBuddy ZuverinoMr. and Mrs. William Jones/Katzenbach CharitableFoundation, Inc.Enid and Crosby Kemper FoundationMartha Kennedy andJohn M. SkaradowskiThe Kenneth King FoundationIn Memory of Kira LynnKirsch-McClintockFelicia Knightly, DVMKoelbel Family FoundationMary Lou and Donald KortzJeanne Land FoundationDale S. LeedsLiberty Global Inc.Clifford and DeVee LushboughMr. and Mrs. Mac Macsovits/Kemmons Wilson FamilyFoundationManuel Martinez and Pat CortézThe Mawhinney Family —Bruce, Linda, Bryce,Connor and PaigeSandra and Richard McCrayBruce and Nancy McGrathAnabel C. and Jerome P. McHughand FamilyRosemary J. McManisT. Kevin and Mary McNicholas/K-M Concessions, Inc.Merrick & Co.Michael Baker Jr., Inc.Monfort Family FoundationMonroe & Newell Engineers, Inc.Jane and Clark NelsonDenny O’Malley and Denise DentonDaniel and Jeanne O’Shaughnessy/The O’Shaughnessy Fund,a member of The Charter FundJennifer and Cara OstromP L Nelson Engineering, Inc.John and Andrea PalmerBradley and Andra ParksDean Paulson andMarley Steele-InamaRobert and Ann Peña/The McGrath Family FoundationPatrick PhelanGeri Philpott and Joy Davis PhilpottCam and Ann PhilpottJoanna and Lewis PicherPinyon EnvironmentalEngineering Resources, Inc.Craig and Marilyn PiperKatherine and Joe PorterSharon PowersPaul Dustin QuickLaura G. RectorRoger and Dolores ReidThe RMH Group, Inc.Betty RobertsonTom and Prairie RobinsonRocky Mountain AAZKMary N. RosenbergerWalter S. Rosenberry IIICharitable TrustJon and Marie RoweTim and Kathryn RyanSamuel Engineering, Inc.Charles and Karen ScogginElizabeth B. Searle and FamilyMartin and Jo Ann SempleDennis SmithKaryn and Marlis Smith, Jr./Smithco Properties, Inc.Cindy Somers and Dan GriffinTerry and Linda StevinsonJosie and Chapman StewartMr. and Mrs. Joe SzottLiz and Ruth TeleaSuzanne TrzosEric J. Voogt and Alison GeorgeWagner Energy ServicesThe Wagner FamilyJan and Marcus WatermanDudley and Jody WeilandWright Water Engineers, Inc.foundationgrantsThe Community FoundationThe Denver FoundationGay & Lesbian Fund for ColoradoHewit Family FoundationMabel Y. Hughes Charitable TrustEdward Madigan FoundationRobert R. McCormick TribuneFoundationThe McGrath Family FoundationMorgan Family FoundationPost-News Charities, A McCormickFoundation FundQwest FoundationSilicon Valley Community FoundationThomas Family FoundationTrust For Mutual UnderstandingXcel Energy Foundationgovernment/otherorgnizationsAssociation of Zoos & AquariumsColorado Department ofHuman ServicesColorado Division of WildlifeEarthwatch InstituteKibongi MarketConservation SalesRocky Mountain NatureAssociation, Inc.corporate giftsAmerican Furniture WarehouseArrow Electronics Inc.BNY Mellon Wealth ManagementCars Helping Charities, Inc.Comfort DentalEnCana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc.Great-West Life & Annuity InsuranceCompanyIntrepid PotashJ.P. Morgan ChaseMcGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.Mountain States ToyotaPepsi Bottling Group, Inc.Rocky Mountain PBSSt. Mary Land & ExplorationU.S. Bankfundraisingevents supportAnadarko Petroleum CorporationAnonymousArrow Electronics Inc.Baker & HostetlerBaxa CorporationBenson Mineral Group, Inc.Marcy and Bruce BensonBerenbaum, Weinshienk & Eason, P.C.BKD LLPBrown Family FoundationBrownstein Hyatt Farber SchreckButler RentsCLRdesign Inc.Colorado BizColorado State Bank & TrustDelta Petroleum CorporationDenver Photo BoothDuncan Oil, Inc.EKS&HEmerson Electric Co.EnCana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc.Faegre & Benson LLPFirst Data CorporationHarmes C. Fishback FoundationForest Oil CorporationFuller Real EstateMr. and Mrs. Ken GartGates CorporationHaselden Construction, LLCHogan & Hartson LLPHolme Roberts and Owen LLPIMA of Colorado, Inc.J.P. Morgan ChaseJE Dunn ConstructionJF CompaniesRuth and Tom KeeslingKern Family FoundationKiewit Building Group Inc.K-M Concessions, Inc.Mr. and Mrs. Buz KoelbelKPMG LLPKroenke Sports EnterprisesMessner & ReevesMicro Motion, Inc.MillerCoorsMonfort Family FoundationMountain States ToyotaDr. and Mrs. James S. Ogsbury IIIPepsi Bottling Group, Inc.Richter Scale Productions, Inc.Susan and Eddie RobinsonSaltzman Hamma NelsonMassaro LLPSaunders Construction Inc.Scott and Katie SchoelzelElizabeth B. Searle and FamilySnell & Wilmer LLPSprint PressStarz EntertainmentStewart TitleU.S. BankUMB Bank Colorado, N.A.Wagner Equipment Co.Wells FargoWestwordWetzel Aviation, Inc.WhiteWave Foodsmajor gifts fromindividualsBarbara Annan, Ph.D.Anonymous (4)Joel and Susan BerenbeimJustin Brady/EnCana Cares USA FoundaitonMitchell and Samantha BurmanScott and Sara CarpenterGeorge and Christina Caulkins/William D. Radichel FoundationThe Citizens of the Scientific andCultural Facilities DistrictDoris A. Clinton-GobecDonna CrownAndrew CurrieMaud B. DukeMarion EdwardsWilliam and Janis Falkenberg/Falkenberg FoundationSheila Frazier/EnCana Cares USA FoundaitonMarie and Buck FredericksonMr. and Mrs. John E. Fuller/Fuller Family FundMr. and Mrs. George GastisCaleb and Sidney Gates/Sidney B. andCaleb F. Gates Jr. FundRobert and Joanie HerndonMr. and Mrs. William D. Hewit/Hewit Family FoundationJoy R. HilliardMr. and Mrs. Jake JabsMr. and Mrs. William Jones/Katzenbach Charitable FoundationRuth and Thomas KeeslingZeze KreidleLisa Kresge and Gary ChrissingerThe Zimmerman FoundationMr. and Mrs. Fred LeesThe W. Robert Nichols Farm TrustMr. and Mrs. Mike LongClifford and DeVee LushboughBruce and Nancy McGrathThe McGrath Family FoundationLeigh NorgrenLoretta & Leigh H. NorgrenFoundationMr. and Mrs. Michael W. PriessRichard Reading and Lauren McCainRobert and Valerie ReadingSusan and Eddie RobinsonBeatrice TaplinRuth and Vernon Taylor FoundationTracy TempestMr. and Mrs. Bryan E. TointonMr. and Mrs. Bruce S. WagnermemorialsIn memory of Mrs. Ruby K. BensonThe Benson Revocable TrustIn memory of Carol S. BolligFriends and FamilyRon BolligIn memory of William “Bill” ChenowethFriends and FamilyEdward and Cornelia BatesEstate of William B. ChenowethMrs. William B. ChenowethIn memory of Violet Mae ComptonFriends and FamilyMr. and Mrs. Jim CarpenterIn memory of Mrs. Joyce CraigDennis CraigIn memory of Dennis Lee DavisGeri Philpott andJoy Davis PhilpottIn memory of Nicholas A. DoyleFriends and FamilyMichael and Cheryl DoyleIn memory of Dr. John E. EdwardsFriends and FamilyMarion EdwardsDr. Robert EdwardsIn memory of Clayton F. FreiheitFriends and FamilyTiffany, Dan and Basha BarnhartDuane and Leslye BilyeuAna BowieJanet and Cory BurlileElizabeth J. FeitnerBrenda and Peter HierLinda and Todd HinesDale S. LeedsJane and Clark NelsonDean Paulson andMarley Steele-InamaPatrick PhelanDennis SmithMr. and Mrs. Bruce S. WagnerMr. and Mrs. Dudley L. WeilandIn memory of James D. HaggardMary N. RosenbergerIn memory of Helen HeimbignerFriends and FamilyRichard T. and Jimmie L. CrabbIn memory of Natalie HimesFriends and FamilyWagner Energy ServicesIn memory of Dayra JensenBill WhitacreIn memory of Donald C. KaminFriends and FamilyIn memory of Kira Lynn Kirsch-McClintockMelanie Kirsch andPaul McClintockIn memory of Janet M. LarsonFriends and FamilyRim Operating, Inc.In memory of SumiRosemary J. McManisIn memory of Clifton “Art” RectorLaura G. RectorIn memory of Christian ReidFriends and FamilyRoger and Dolores ReidIn memory of Harry andTheresa RossiDr. and Mrs. Dan DavisIn memory of Billie SilversmithFriends and FamilyCaryl, Ann, Martin and JosephIn memory of Lucy SmithEaton SmithIn memory of Gary Lynn SpiresFriends and FamilyIn memory of Lillie StammBrad and Andra ParksIn memory of Harold D. Thaxton andRuth E. ThaxtonFriends and FamilyFriedman & Assoc., CPAIn memory of Mr. Victor C. ThomasThomas Family FoundationIn memory of Joseph WankMs. Roylene McNealIn memory of Lou WelborneMr. and Mrs. Alan Dubrow46

tributesIn honor of Denver Zoo PachydermStaffFriends and FamilyJanet and Rick HouserIn honor of Denver Zoo Staff andVolunteersFriends and FamilyMr. and Mrs. Bruce S. WagnerIn honor of Lauren, Becca andMagen FischerJack FischerIn honor of Mike, Ryan andValerie HinesLinda and Todd HinesIn honor of Jessica HolmesDavid and Virginia HolmesIn honor of Peter and Ella KittLance and Lynn KittPeter and Betsy LuceBardsley FoundationIn honor of Rebecca andMac MacsovitsKemmons Wilson FamilyFoundationIn honor of Anabel C. McHughAnabel C. and Jerome P.McHugh and FamilyIn honor of Alex, Jack andCatherine PhilpottCam and Ann PhilpottIn honor of Fuller StewartJosie and Chapman Stewartzoo pridemembersguardiansocietyMark and Sally Murraychairman’scircleAdele AhlborgMarcy and Bruce BensonRobert and Kathleen ClarkStasia W. DavisonMr. and Mrs. James E. DuncanB. Grady and Lori DurhamEliza Flug and Chris CoburnMr. and Mrs. Ken GartRichard and Juli GordonRebecca A. GraceMr. and Mrs. Geoffrey R. KershawKatherine and Joseph MagnerMary Pat and Richard McCormickRichard and Chris MonfortBrian and Marilyn PetersLee and Delores SchlessmanElizabeth B. Searle and FamilyMinyoung and Nina SohnJohn and Nancy StamperTerry and Linda StevinsonMarilyn and Dick VeazeyJohn and Cindi ViolaWilliam and Joanne WaiteKerry and William WarburtonHarry L. WillettKaren M. Zarlengopresident’scircleAndy and Jami AckerLucile and Cyrus Allen, Jr.Anonymous (2)William and Elisabeth ArmstrongVickie and Thomas BallanceMr. and Mrs. Michael S. BarishKathryn Beauchamp andJohn RumpfSteve and Sherrill BeaudoinPhilip and Kathi BeckerGraham and Heather BenesMr. and Mrs. Clark BennettThomas and Jacqueline BennettKris BenslerBill and Michele BergnerGeorge and Ann BermantN. William Biles and Paul OstPat and Annabel BowlenEugene and Donna BurnellBarb and Ken CardLucy Chamberlain andShawna DowningDavid and Paula ChaseRobert and Elaine CollinsRonald and Beth CooperJoanne and Jeremy CowperthwaitePeggy Crane-EpandJames J. CurryDennis and Gail DanielKent and Barbara DavisKathryn and David DeanDavid and Pamela DeckerMaud B. DukeRon and Amy EhmDr. Jimmie L. and Margaret EllerLeslie EwyBeth and Tony FabrizioLeslie and John Ferguson IIIAlexis and John FischerDavid and Nancy FowlerRoland and Julie FrankMarie and Buck FredericksonSally FreemanRichard and Frances FreyDr. and Mrs. Tom FriermoodPhilip R. FuglerJ. Donald and Josephine GarrettDebbie GarveyKenneth GeyerThomas and Shirley GibsonMr. and Mrs. Glenn GilbertCallae GilmanSusan and Michael GoodmanJames and Darlene GrahamCecily Grant and Kurt SmitzMargaret K. HaineyPeter and Kelli HansenMaria and Andrew HarwoodJean HashLarry and Rusty HaydenMichael C. Heber andAnnet M. RobbenRoss HemanMr. and Mrs. Jon HendonCynthia HerndonRobert and Joanie HerndonRonald C. HillJoy R. HilliardThane Hodson andSusan McLoon HodsonJames and Joy HoffmanDarlene M. HolbenLinda L. HoulihanGregory and Patricia HueniMargaret A. KaufmannBarbara J. KelleyKevin Kinstler and Anna KanskiGreg and Lisen KintzeleLance and Lynn KittRichard S. Klingenstein*Gene and Walter KoelbelRaymond and Diane KovallWilliam and Sandra KuhnKatharine and James KurtzJohn and Kim LambertsonBryan and Kathryn LeesRichard and Gail LevinsonDoug and Carrie LhotkaConnie J. ManzerLawrence and Jenifer MarxMichael and Meredith MauerMarty and Jeanne McCuneJeffrey and Melissa McDowellBruce and Nancy McGrathFrank McIntyreRay and Patricia MelvinMary Carroll Sinclaire MorrisGurnee Munn IIIWayne and Diana MurdyBruce and Barbara MurphyWill and Shirley NicholsonRod and Marilyn NielsenDr. and Mrs. James S. Ogsbury IIILewis and Cynthia OsterAlain and Dena PendersEllie Phipps Price and Chris TowtBarbara and John Plungy, Jr.Craig and Maria PonzioLouise D. RaimondiRich Rainaldi and Martha RecordsJohn and Nikki RamseyKathryn L. RavenelRobert and Billye ReganRoger and Dolores ReidJ. Clement RinehartGlenice and William RisheillBetty RobertsonSusan and Eddie RobinsonMary N. RosenbergerJack and Jackie RotoleMichelle and David RuchSteve and Calae RungeAdam and Katie Ruze WalterMeyer M. and Geri SaltzmanFrank and Tracy ScardinaJudy and Rick SchiffScott and Katie SchoelzelBetsy SchutteHarry and Margaret ShermanGregg and Kim SonnenTim and Suzan SouleKathryn and Robert SpringsFred and Jean StewartJudith and Douglas StoeserSteve and Janis StraleyBeatrice TaplinLinda Tarpeh-Doe andMarilyn WheelerJohn and Debra TaylorTodd TensleyDavid and Patricia TheilLarry Theis and Bobbee MusgraveRobert and Jodi ThiedeScott and Kelly ThomasMargot K. ThomsonMr. and Mrs. Donald F. ToddBrian and Jennifer UntermeyerKate and Hank Van SchaackSherri Vasquez-Gomez andSalvador GomezTheresa Vaughan and Jason BullisScott Vickrey andMichael BaughmanMarshall F. and Diane G. WallachDouglas M. WardCharles W. WellsVanda N. WernerJoseph M. Wetzel andSharon A. ScottRachel Williams andMike WeissmannMr. Earl WingMichael and Leslie WinnMr. and Mrs. Herbert L. WittowRobert and Linda Zaparanickin-kinddonationsColorado Division of WildlifeConcrete Coring CompanyEntercom DenverCathey M. FinlonGray LineMr. and Mrs. Ed HaseldenHaselden Construction, LLCNermin HodzicHolme Roberts and Owen LLPMalenke/BarnhartMcClain Finlon Advertising, Inc.planned giftswildlifeheritagesocietyMs. S. Lorraine Adams andMs. Deborah HornerMarjorie D. AndersonAnonymous (11)Mary J. ArmstrongSally Schmidt AshbyDr. and Mrs. David L. BagleyMrs. E. Frances BarnettKathleen BartleAnn and John BengtsonMrs. Barbara Dodge BennettMarcy and Bruce BensonDr. Angela Betker andDr. Anthony SimonDr. Gene S. Bloom andFelicia DiamondRon BolligJoe BourseJoanne and James R. BowmanElaine M. BoyleDr. and Mrs. William T. BrintonDiane BrookshireMary and Fred BrownMr. and Mrs. Craig BrunsMr. Richard L. BulinskiFrances F. CameronAmy CarderLynn and Suzanne ClaarTracy Cooley and Greg LubyMarguerite CortesJim and Maggie CoxLeslie N. Crispelle, Jr.Fred P. CronstedtMargaret Croxford andCory CroxfordChester A. DaltonJudith Husbands DamasAlexandra and Rudy Davison IIIDr. Gene S. Bloom andFelicia DiamondMr. and Mrs. Marshall R. Diggs, Jr.Mr. Kenneth andDr. Jackie DobrovolnyElizabeth H. DresselBethylin and Clint DriscollKathy DuffyGregory and Erin EiseleinWilliam R. and Roberta J. FawcettCatherine Fennelly and Lael MoeByron and Antonia FergusonMr. and Mrs. Scott H. FisherMary Frontczak and Chuck DotsonDebbie GarveyChristine L. GasserSidney and Caleb GatesJames and Ruth GaulkeMr. and Mrs. Leonard H. GemmillGary and Holly GibsonRebecca A. GraceJanet GrantStan and Paula GudderDonna E. HamiltonKitty and John HascheJean HashMichael C. Heber andAnnet M. RobbenAmy and Jim HechtRonald C. HillBobbi J. HoerterKathleen and Walter HoessleDr. and Mrs. Richard E. HolmanSusie Betts HotzJacqueline HudsonGloria E. JohnstonMr. and Mrs. Bob KauffmanMargaret A. KaufmannCarole KellerBrian and Cyndy KlepingerWilliam and Sandra KuhnKatharine and James KurtzMel LaRueBryan and Kathryn LeesElaine LongJoan M. MadridWally and Ellen Tasset MaistrykDr. George and Leslie MamalisMr. and Mrs. Samuel A. MannMichael P. MarottaElisabeth J. MausCarla McCraySandra and Richard McCrayMarty and Jeanne McCuneBonnie J. McLarenJim and Marsha McNallyMarilynn P. MiciekMary Carroll Sinclaire MorrisMr. and Mrs. Chuck MulcahyKris NelsonBonnie NoblePatricia V. NorthupDr. and Mrs. James S. Ogsbury IIIChristina OrlikowskiRonald and Kristine PalumboBrenda Parsons-HierKatherine Leith PorterMr. and Mrs. David L. PringleMrs. Roger H. ReidCarol A. RobbinsSusan and Eddie RobinsonMary Ann RondinellaMary N. RosenbergerJoann and Delbert RouppMr. and Mrs. Pat RussellDr. Barbara ScheerMartin J. SchnitgerBetsy SchutteKai W. ScottElizabeth B. Searle and FamilyLarry and Kathy SellonMartin and Jo Ann SempleLynn SitesLucille and Robert B. SnyderJacque M. SouthernJosie and Chapman Stewartin honor of Fuller StewartJenene and Jim StookesberryNancy K. Storer, Ph.D.Susan SulskyNancy SwinneyJohn and Debra TaylorTracy TempestSheila TraderBrian and Pamela TuerffsBob ValerioMarilyn and Dick VeazeyScott Vickrey andMichael BaughmanMr. and Mrs. Joseph WagnerPatricia WellingerFred C. Wolf andBarbara A. Van BuskirkGenevieve YoungRobert and Linda ZaparanickKaren M. ZarlengoIn memory of Joe and Louise Zaro,Ms. Gina Zaro and Mr. Guy OhlJan Zinklestate,endowment,and otherplanned giftsDulcy Amter EstateLaVerna K. Anderson EstateIn Memory of Edward EllisAndersonMary J. ArmstrongChester A. DaltonMelvin EngemanMr. and Mrs. Leonard H. GemmillBeverly R. Knief EstateKatharine and James KurtzJohn F. Lee EstateMrs. Roger H. ReidMartin and Jo Ann SempleWilliam F. Sielaff Estate*Deceased47

did you know?126,007 guests visited DenverZoo during our eight Free Days.2008 financial reportEnjoying a combination of strong attendance and loyal public support, the zooended 2008 in a healthy financial position. The Detailed Schedule of Revenue,Support, and Expenditures (Figure 1) is an excerpt from the audited financialstatements of the Denver Zoological Foundation and Colorado Zoological Trust,compiled by the firm of Kundinger, Corder & Engle, P.C. Total unrestricted assets(net income) netted more than $1,225,000 in 2008. This is a tremendousaccomplishment resulting from highly successful programs, generous donationsand public support, and a fiscally conservative approach to spending in anuncertain economy.A membership household count of more than 64,000 generated revenueof $4,172,328 and resulted in 594,304 member visits in 2008 comparedto 561,475 visits the prior year. The success of this program demonstratesthat guests recognize the value of a zoo membership. Admission revenue of$5,875,922 was $834,251 (16.5 percent) higher than the prior year and thenumber of paid admissions increased from 626,145 to 648,054. In the pastfour years, the ratio of member visits to individually paid-ticket visits increasedfrom 35.5 percent in 2005 to 37.3 percent in 2008. Guests often purchasea membership so they can enjoy discounts on classes and events as well asdiscounts on food and gift shop purchases.Almost half of Marketing and Membership Events’ $1,448,452 in revenue isassociated with Zoo Lights. It takes more than six employees over three monthsto stage the lights over 35 acres. Zoo Lights is highly dependent upon weatherand, as there were no debilitating blizzards in 2008, the event drew its highestattendance in a decade to see the wonderful lights display in a unique setting.Education programs generated $1,024,885 in 2008. This result was largelyaccomplished by the success of two programs, Summer Safari and Bunk withthe Beasts. The Zooper Heroes theme for Summer Safari in 2008 helpedchildren better understand how they can be stewards for the environment. Thistimely messaging helped the program generate 26.9 percent more revenue thanprojected in 2008. Bunk with the Beasts is an overnight program for children,families, and groups. The addition of a new outdoor camping option helped thisprogram enjoy revenues which surpassed projections by 6.9 percent.Scientific and Cultural Facilities Tax District revenue (SCFD) was $6,739,624 or22.3 percent of total revenue in 2008 (see Figure 2). These funds are generatedby a 1/10 of 1 percent sales tax collected in the seven-county SCFD District. Thedistrict collects more than $40 million annually and distributes funds to morethan 300 local non-profits that are assigned to one of three tiers based largelyon budget and audience. Denver Zoo is defined by statute to be in Tier I whichincludes five of the largest cultural institutions in Denver. Tier I institutionsreceive 65.5 percent of the SCFD distributions; Denver Zoo receives 15.87percent of the total tax distribution. These funds allow the zoo to strengthen itsconservation efforts, expand public education opportunities and provide habitatimprovements and new exhibits.In accordance with a cooperative agreement with the City and County of Denver,Denver Zoo is managed by the Denver Zoological Foundation, a private non-profit.One of the conditions of the agreement is that the city owns all buildings andother permanent improvements to the zoo. The effect of this stipulation on theFoundation’s financials is that the cost to construct buildings is expensed ratherthan capitalized. This practice produces an unusual balance sheet wherebymillions of dollars are expensed to create new exhibits and there are no assetsto offset investments. The city also provides the zoo with an annual general fundappropriation to cover both utilities and workers compensation coverage for 67Career Service Authority (CSA) employees. Funding for CSA employees’ wages isprovided by the Foundation although salaries and benefits for these employees aredetermined by the city. The Cooperative Agreement stipulates that the Foundationmust use revenues from admission income and concession income to pay CSAemployee expenses which totaled $4,848,258 in 2008.One of the expense categories in Figure 1, Certificates of Participation, is alsorelated to an agreement with the city. The city sold $8.5M in certificates ofparticipation in 2000 to help fund the zoo’s parking garage. A portion of zooadmission income is committed to repay the city over 20 years. The amount paidto the city in 2008 was $654,523. This arrangement also has an unusual effect onthe balance sheet since the zoo does not record a liability associated with the loanbecause the city is responsible for payment of the debt should zoo revenues fallshort. The zoo has successfully made its loan repayments each year since inceptiondue to continued strong attendance and foresees no problems in future years.Expenses are detailed by zoo department in Figure 3. The Animal Departmentrepresents 24 percent of total operating expense in 2008. This includes wagesfor 43 Foundation employees and 39 CSA employees. Animal food represents$633,196 and includes hay, meat, groceries and supplements. In its effort tooperate more sustainably, the zoo now obtains high quality Granny Smith applesfrom Bolton’s Apple Orchard in Grand Junction. Staff continues to identify ways inwhich to obtain food and supplies locally in order to reduce transportation costs.The Education Department is our next largest department with 13.1 percentof total operating expense and 41 employees. One of the largest grant fundedprograms in this department is called Wonders in Nature — Wonders in48

( Figure 1 )denver zoological foundation, inc. and colorado zoological trustdetailed schedule of revenue,support and expendituresyear ended december 31, 2008GeneralFundUnrestricted Funds Temporarily Restricted Funds Colorado Zoological TrustSCFDFundTotalUnrestrictedMillenniumFundOtherProjectsFundTotalTemporarilyRestrictedRevenue & SupportMemberships $ 4,172,328 – 4,172,328 – – – 4,172,328 – – – – 4,172,328 3,939,384Donations, gifts & grants 538,243 – 538,243 4,003,246 852,190 4,855,436 5,393,679 102,080 – 47,791 149,871 5,543,550 6,304,235City & County of Denver support 2,086,668 – 2,086,668 – – – 2,086,668 – – – – 2,086,668 1,729,130In-kind contributions 328,880 – 328,880 – – – 328,880 – – – – 328,880 541,502Fund raising events revenue – – – 815,025 207,663 1,022,688 1,022,688 – – – – 1,022,688 852,369Fund raising events expenses – – – (387,154) (95,537) (482,691) (482,691) – – – – (482,691) (505,473)Admission revenue 5,875,922 – 5,875,922 – – – 5,875,922 – – – – 5,875,922 5,041,671Concession commission 2,108,008 – 2,108,008 – – – 2,108,008 – – – – 2,108,008 1,950,330Investment return 209,856 – 209,856 119,894 – 119,894 329,750 (613,921) (181,065) (3,279,907) (4,074,893) (3,745,143) 1,127,259Marketing & membership events 1,448,452 – 1,448,452 – 1,448,452 – 1,448,452 – – – – 1,448,452 1,367,486Education revenue 1,024,885 – 1,024,885 – – – 1,024,885 – – – – 1,024,885 869,592Other revenue 87,119 – 87,119 – – – 87,119 – – – – 87,119 235,052SCFD (See Schedule 3) – 6,739,624 6,739,624 – – – 6,739,624 – – – – 6,739,624 6,551,742Transfers to the Foundation from CZT – – – – 35,000 35,000 35,000 (35,000) – (35,000) – –Total revenue & support 17,880,361 6,739,624 24,619,985 4,551,011 999,316 5,550,327 30,170,312 (511,841) (216,065) (3,232,116) (3,960,022) 26,210,290 30,004,279ExpendituresProgram services:Zoo improvements 269,950 783,189 1,053,139 2,098,527 – 2,098,527 3,151,666 – – – – 3,151,666 3,441,781Certificates of Participation 654,523 – 654,523 – – – 654,523 – – – – 654,523 553,898Member services & promotion 178,797 633,064 811,861 – – – 811,861 – – – – 811,861 731,344Animal care & research 8,145,960 3,293,355 11,439,315 – 744,366 744,366 12,183,681 – – – – 12,183,681 11,304,149Horticulture 479,961 174,433 654,394 – – – 654,394 – – – – 654,394 547,383Public education 1,583,932 532,125 2,116,057 – – – 2,116,057 – – – – 2,116,057 1,736,289Interns – 248,303 248,303 – – – 248,303 – – – – 248,303 249,684Guest services 870,537 777,388 1,647,925 – – – 1,647,925 – – – – 1,647,925 1,642,490Total program services 12,183,660 6,441,857 18,625,517 2,098,527 744,366 2,842,893 21,468,410 – – – – 21,468,410 20,207,018Supporting services:Office and administration 1,856,024 188,159 2,044,183 – – – 2,044,183 70,167 – – 70,167 2,114,350 2,456,979Fund raising 720,134 4,421 724,555 259,500 – 259,500 984,055 – – – – 984,055 755,338Marketing 1,787,917 12,498 1,800,415 – – – 1,800,415 – – – – 1,800,415 1,829,333Membership development 59,599 139,740 199,339 – – – 199,339 – – – – 199,339 233,898Total supporting services 4,423,674 344,818 4,768,492 259,500 – 259,500 5,027,992 70,167 – – 70,167 5,098,159 5,275,548Total expenditures 16,607,334 6,786,675 23,394,009 2,358,027 744,366 3,102,393 26,496,402 70,167 – – 70,167 26,566,569 25,482,566Change in net assets 1,273,027 (47,051) 1,225,976 2,192,984 254,950 2,447,934 3,673,910 (582,008) (216,065) (3,232,116) (4,030,189) (356,279) 4,521,713Net assets at beginning of year as previously reported 7,596,597 111,125 7,707,722 8,183,508 866,803 9,050,311 16,758,033 3,231,653 – 10,055,098 13,286,751 30,044,784 25,523,071Net asset reclassification based on adoption of FAS No. 117-1 (note 9) – – – – – – – (989,633) 989,633 – – – –Net assets at January 1, 2008 as restated 7,596,597 111,125 7,707,722 8,183,508 866,803 9,050,311 16,758,033 2,242,020 989,633 10,055,098 13,286,751 30,044,784 25,523,071Net assets at December 31, 2008 8,869,624 64,074 8,933,698 10,376,492 1,121,753 11,498,245 20,431,943 1,660,012 773,568 6,822,982 9,256,562 29,688,505 30,044,784TotalFoundationUnrestrictedTemporarilyRestrictedPermanentlyRestrictedTotalCZTTotalFoundationand CZT2008TotalFoundationand CZT200749

( Figure 2 )2008 support & revenue by sourcetotal income: $26,210,290( Figure 4 )2008 capital expenditurestotal expenses: $3,200,727Other 3.4 %Education 3.4 %Special Events 4.6 %Asian TropicsBird Propagation Center Animal Acquisitions3% 4% Lorikeet Adventure6%24%Fundraising8%City & County of Denver Funds 6.9 %Concessions 7.0 %Memberships 14.1 %Gate Admissions 19.1 %Donations & Grants 19.5 %SCFD Support 22.3 %( Figure 3 )2008 operating expenses by zoo departmenttotal expenses: $23,295,676Zoo Improvements19%14%Other12%on-grounds attendance by regiontotal = 1,839,642Colorado Outside Denver312,739Outside Colorado239,15413%17%10%Planning & DesignCapital Equipment50Human Resources 1.0 %Information Services 1.6 %Certificates of Participation 2.8 %Animal Health 3.0 %Development 3.1 %Grounds/Horticulture 4.0 %Conservation Research 4.2 %Membership Services 4.3 %Administration & Accounting 4.4 %Guest Services 7.6 %Marketing & Events 7.7 %Facilities Maintenance 9.3 %Zoo Operations 9.9 %Education & Volunteer Services 13.1 %Animal Care 24.0 %OtherEducationSpecial EventsCity and County of Denver 5% Funds 10% 15% 20% 25%ConcessionsFree Admission401,405Bird Propagation Center 3.19%22%Animal Acquisitions 4.25%Lorikeet Adventure 5.87%37%Fundraising 8.23% Members686,186Capital Equipment 10.00%Planning & Design 11.85%70%on-grounds attendance by feestotal = 1,839,64241%Metro Denver (within SCFD)1,287,749Paid (Full & Discounted)752,051

Neighborhoods (WIN-WIN). More than 7,000 students in 19 urban schoolsreceive free instruction to help students foster an appreciation of wildlife andtheir habitats. Over $354,000 was spent in 2008 to provide this valuableprogramming. The Colorado Division of Wildlife provided $287,000 for theprogram. An additional $35,000 from the Wolf Education Endowment Fund wastransferred from the Colorado Zoological Trust to the zoo to support this program.One of the smaller programs is the Information Services Department whichrepresents 1.6 percent of total operating expense and has three employees. Thisdepartment expended a significant amount of effort in 2008 to launch the zoo’sproprietary animal recordkeeping software, TRACKS, as a commercially availableproduct. This program was developed over the last ten years in partnership withthe National Aquarium in Baltimore with programming services provided by ZierNiemann Consulting. The computer department worked with the Zier Niemannteam to develop web-based videos for both training and demonstrating theprogram and with legal counsel to create the necessary licensing agreements. Thezoo is poised to license TRACKS to other zoos and aquariums in need of advancedanimal management software.Figure 4 shows 2008 capital expenditures. Smaller capital expenditures aregenerally associated with exhibit enhancements, equipment such as computersand lawn mowers, and general zoo improvements such as new graphics. Thesecapital expenditures totaled $783,190 in 2008. Larger capital expendituresare associated with the major design and construction initiatives included inthe zoo’s Millennium Master Plan. These projects represented $2,358,026 in2008, an amount significantly lower than in previous years because there wereno new major exhibits completed during the year. The zoo is ramping up to beginconstruction on Asian Tropics which has been in the design phase for several yearsand is currently in the permit phase. Approximately one half of the funding toconstruct Asian Tropics will come from the future sale of $26.5 million of GeneralObligation bonds remaining from the $62.5M bond initiative approved by Denvervoters in 1999 to support the first two phases of the four-phase master plan.The zoo’s net income for all funds was $3,673,910 of which $1,225,976represents unrestricted assets and $2,447,934 represents restricted funds.The majority of the restricted funds, $2,192,984, supports future construction.The zoo raises funds over several years in order to release funding during aconstruction phase. Since 2008 was a light year for construction, almost halfof the net income raised during the year is invested and held for the imminentconstruction of Asian Tropics.The staff of the Denver Zoo would like to thank all of its sponsors, donors,members, the citizens of the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD)and the City and County of Denver for their support in making the zoo a thrivingconservation organization treasured by the community.total people served 1999-2008average = 1,774,971(includes on-grounds attendance & offsite outreach programs)on-zoo-grounds attendance 1999-2008average = 1,609,9602,000,0001,800,0001,600,0001,400,0001,864,8181,692,7121,723,2341,710,4261,563,8841,784,8171,897,8241,794,7761,775,4331,941,7891,714,8781,484,6001,497,4901,537,5251,398,3231,609,4891,711,5931,633,8871,672,0171,839,6421,200,0001999200020012002200320042005200620072008199920002001200220032004200520062007200851

left lorikeetright gerenuk, ground hornbill and Africancrowned crane sharing the same habitatcolorado zoological trust 2008The Colorado Zoological Trust (CZT) is a separate but related Colorado 501(c)3nonprofit corporation formed in 1997. The purpose of the Trust is to receiveand manage the investment of endowment funds raised on behalf of the DenverZoological Foundation to support Denver Zoo operations and improvements. Theendowment assets held by the Trust are included in the Foundation’s financialstatements.The Board of Directors of the Colorado Zoological Trust consists of membersappointed by the Denver Zoological Foundation’s Board of Trustees, as well asmembers elected as “outside directors” by CZT Trustees. The appointed corporateofficers of the Trust are unpaid and are on loan to the Trust from the Foundationby virtue of the similar positions each holds with the Denver ZoologicalFoundation.2008 proved to be a difficult year for the zoo’s endowment. After several yearsof steady growth, CZT’s assets declined sharply late in the year in conjunctionwith the downturn in the economy and investment markets. At the beginningof the year, the Trust held a total of $13,286,751 in investments. By the endof 2008, the portfolio decreased in value to $9,256,562, a net decrease of30.3 percent (see column titled “Total CZT” in Figure 1, “Detailed Schedule ofRevenue, Support, and Expenditures, p. 49). The net change includes $149,871in new contributions which are offset by a loss of $4,074,893 in value of existinginvestments. While disconcerting, the Trust’s investments decreased in value lessthan the S&P 500 which dropped 38 percent during the year.52

2008 boardof directorsFrederick B. TaylorPresidentMary Gittings CroninVice PresidentRoger BohartSecretary/TreasurerVirginia B. BaylessBrian W. Klepinger, Ph.D.John C. North IIIAdam Schorstaff/corporateofficersCraig D. PiperExecutive DirectorDonna Mei Lin DriscollAssistant Treasurer/CFOPatricia A. MoredockAssistant SecretaryUnlike many nonprofit organizations, the decline in endowment value did not havean immediate negative impact on the zoo’s operations since Denver Zoo is notdependent on significant endowment distributions for annual operating expenses.The Trust is primarily focused on growing the zoo’s endowment in order to havethe potential to provide more significant funding support for the zoo in case ofneed in the future. While primarily in a “building mode,” the Trust does makeperiodic small distributions to the Denver Zoological Foundation based on specificdonor stipulations. The Trust transferred $35,000 to the Denver ZoologicalFoundation in 2008 from the Melvin & Elaine Wolf Education Endowment, aspecific fund within the Trust designated to support education programs. Thefunds were distributed to support the zoo’s Wonders in Nature – Wonders inNeighborhoods (WIN-WIN) Education Program.At the close of 2008, Fred Taylor completed his term of service on the CZT Board.Fred served on the CZT Board of Directors since its inception in 1997 and was itsPresident in 1998-1999 and 2008. Jack North stepped down from the Board atthe close of 2008 due to other business commitments. We thank Fred and Jackfor their years of dedicated service and wise counsel. During 2008, Ginny Baylessand Adam Schor joined the CZT Board of Directors. In December 2008, Jerome(Cam) Philpott was elected as a director for a term commencing in 2009. We aregrateful to the entire Board of the Colorado Zoological Trust for their efforts tosupport and sustain Denver’s largest cultural institution.53

staffas of 12/31/08Shaina M. AguilarSean K. Andersen-VieRachel AndersonWilliam D. AnhaltSharon E. Areen-SmithDavid M. AugeriJohn V. AzuaRick G. BahlJennifer M. BahmeierTiffany L. BarnhartCatherine E. BarrittBrenna L. BauerChasta S. BealsEsad BegicStephen M. BennettArthur T. BentonCynthia L. BickelRobert L. BielssLeslye M. BilyeuWilliam L. BittermanO. James BlankenshipChristine M. BobkoJeramy S. BoikKathleen A. BondDiana J. BoonOksana Y. BordersAdrijana V. BowieMary E. BradleyMichael E. BradleyNanette L. BraginSarah F. BrenkertDeena J. BrennerChelsea E. BrownShawna N. BrownFelise M. BuckheartKyle D. BurksJay F. CalabreseKeith A. CallaghanLeslie A. ChenailleAmber M. ChristopherRachel H. ClarkMichael A. CockrellRonnie CoronadoCynthia D. CossaboonDerek K. CossaboonHeather R. CrandallDawn R. CummingsGary J. DavisKristine M. DavisOliver L. DavisRoxanne DavisJonathan D. DeesAndre J. DerrittNermin DervisevicRandal S. DicksonDonna Mei Lin DriscollCharlotte J. DudleyH. Benjamin DukeRussell A. DurandoLisa J. EdmondsonEric O. EllingRaymond L. EspinozaGerald W. EsquibelAndrew T. FairAmanda J. FalianoCarol A. FlohrMolly K. FortuneBrittany S. FrederickSpencer M. FullerMichael J. GallegosJames R. GarciaTravis D. GarrettHeather B. GenterSerena GillCarl J. GingerichMelissa J. GlasserAlan A. GrayTim J. GrinsteadShelly R. GuentherWhitney E. GutcFrederick J. HaeffnerJames D. HartPaul R. HartJeanne L. HeatherlyMatthew T. HerbertJennifer E. HickmanLinda M. HinesStephanie J. HinkleJennifer A. HiseJody L. HodgesGlen R. HollyJessica D. HolmesKieth D. HossJanet R. HouserTony T. HubbardBrittney G. HuffordEmily A. InsalacoCorey S. JeffriesJessica S. JenkinsDavid M. JohnsonJames R. JonesMichelle L. JordanBarbara A. JunkermeierMichael R. KainumaKatherine L. KellettMargaret R. KelleyWilliam G. KibeKaren R. KielpikowskiMelanie L. KirschPatricia A. KisslerSherry A. KleinertFelicia A. KnightlyRebecca J. KobzaYumi KojimaSusan C. KraussJessica L. KraybillVictoria F. KunterAlicia A. LamfersAmy R. LearDale S. LeedsKimberly A. LeTourneauAmy L. LevineJuan A. LuceroAngela R. MaddenJack H. MadrillRandy G. MansanarezMark D. MarciniakAmy L. MaschingDouglas J. MaurathDawn M. MazzagettiJanet S. McFarland BurlileRaejeana L. McKinzieW. Dallas MeadsJessica R. MeehanMolly A. MillerKristin V. MoatsKristen N. MobleyDawn P. MonachinoJesus MongeTrudie W. MontoyaPatricia A. MoredockLaura A. MorrellCatherine E. MorvickAngela M. MossChristopher T. MunchGary NapueBob L. NathanChristopher M. NearRoger W. NelsonKathryn M. NicholPatrick M. NicholsJennifer L. NixonLori J. O’DayStephanie R. OlsenRickie K. OlsonArthur J. OrgeTara C. PadulaAngelica C. PanosBradley J. ParksDavid J. ParsonsMatthew D. PassantTracey L. PattersonArchie M. PaulsonArchie M. Paulson, Jr.Dean R. PaulsonMaura J. PaulsonCynthia S. PeckSue L. PetersKathryn E. PetersonPatrick T. PhelanKarie D. PhillipsKimberly A. PikeKatherine E. PipalCraig D. PiperRussell G. PlateGeorge R. PondSarah M. PorterfieldSharon C. PowersScott M. PreusserKorbin B. PughJames K. PurcellLori A. PutnamPaul D. QuickCharles W. RadcliffeJames A. RainguetKaren K. RanneyRichard P. ReadingLaura G. RectorJohn C. ReinsDennis J. RevelloLora K. RhoadsChristina E. Robbins-ParrishAndrew M. RowanEugene P. RoybalRonnie J. RoybalMeghan S. Rubinstein54

ight jaguarback cover caiman lizardKatherine A. RyanSean G. RyanSteven A. SalgRoberta P. SanchezAleksei R. SaundersErin N. SchaeferBeth J. SchoeberlGlenn J. SchultzRonda S. SchwetzSarah F. SecorChristina A. SeelyBryon K. ShipleyDennis D. SmithKristin N. SmithPenelopy A. SmithAshley R. SnowBradley J. SoelbergCynthia J. Somers-GriffinD. Bruce SpringerLisa A. Stauffer MayenMarley D. Steele-InamaJessica A. SteinKaren D. Stern ScottJosie M. StewartSiva R. SundaresanMolly M. SwanepoelTamara T. SwiechJacqueline M. TaylorTimothy M. TroutJames E. TurnerJohn R. TurnerAmanda J. UllerichDavid ValdezMichelle A. ValoisElaine M. VandenburgVernon R. VeerStephen R. VenneJan M. WatermanThomas J. WeaverJamen A. WeberKent M. WeissenfluhS. Joseph WhartonClaudia T. WhiteDana E. WillardMary Jo WillisRobert H. WittingMegan K. WoodcockAnn L. ZobristCarol L. Zsako55

denver zoological gardens > 2300 Steele Street > Denver, Colorado 80205-4899 > phone 303.376.4800 > fax 303.376.4801 > web www.denverzoo.org