ZOONOOZ August 2015

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The native bee house at the Zoo shows a number of ways humans can provide nesting habitat for bees. A bundle of cut bamboo culms makes a good nesting option for some bees. 22 <strong>ZOONOOZ</strong> n AUGUST <strong>2015</strong> Different types of bees seek out holes of various diameter and depth. Use the Internet to determine which species you may have in your area and what their preferences are. A log with holes drilled into the end is another way to invite native bees to nest in your yard. PHOTO BY KEN BOHN,SDZG
non-native fungal disease, while honeybees struggle with introduced ectoparasites such as varroa mites and fungal infestations from nosema spores. A combination of all these—and probably other—factors has created the phenomenon known as Colony Collapse Disorder, which is decimating honeybee colonies in the United States. The precise cause is still unknown because the bees simply disappear, taking the evidence with them. But one thing is clear: life is hard for honeybees these days. Choose and Tell he magnitude of the problem makes it seem like there is no stopping it, but the reality is that a steady stream of small choices can help turn the tide. Once the threats to pollinators are understood, everyone can contribute to the solution by making different choices. At the San Diego Zoo, we are committed to helping pollinators recover. We’re spreading the word about the pollinator crisis in our education programs and through advocacy of the Pollinator Garden, which is located at the entrance to Elephant Odyssey. This beautiful space is dedicated to helping sustain bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, flies, and beetles by providing a steady supply of pesticide-free nectar and host plants, as well as suitable living spaces for native bees. The Pollinator Garden also hosts a monarch waystation. This area includes a dedicated section of native milkweed available for monarch butterflies to lay eggs from spring through fall, helping to boost the West Coast population. Monarchs have deservedly been in the spotlight recently; they have been advocated for endangered species protections due to their alarming decline and the potential threat to the eastern population. In one response to the 2014 Presidential Memorandum “Creating a Federal Strategy to Promote the Health of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators,” the federal government has recently set aside almost $2.5 million for monarch butterfly habitat restoration and educational outreach. The monarch is a highly recognizable, iconic species—and many more species need our help. As a result, we have just fin- Pollinators need more than just one organization’s efforts: they need your help, too. Just as numerous bees contributing a bit of nectar to a hive creates an abundance of honey, each seemingly small choice and effort an individual person makes builds momentum in pollinator conservation. BUY ORGANIC: If you don’t currently buy any organic foods or clothing, think about picking even one item the next time you visit the store. You could potentially lower the demand for crops produced using pesticides and reduce the overall application (over one BILLION pounds yearly in the US) of these chemicals. STEM THE GM: Even if you don’t care whether or not you eat genetically modified crops, buying GM food supports the practice of widespread herbicide application in agriculture and the resulting decimation of pollinator habitat. Organic items cannot intentionally include GM crops; those labeled “Non GMO” have been positively determined not to contain them. One non-GM item in your basket is a small step in the right direction for pollinators. BUILD YOUR WAYSTATION: Create a habitat in your yard, garden, or flowerbox that invites pollinators. Plant some milkweed for monarchs and include other plants that attract and sustain pollinators. Some great planting information can be found online; just search for “pollinator garden.” AVOID PESTICIDE USE AT HOME: See aphids on your outdoor plants? Wait a few weeks, and you are likely to see them disappear into the mouths of hungry ladybugs! Hold off on the pesticides, and give the natural system a chance to find its balance. If you must use pesticides, read the manufacturer’s instructions for the recommended concentration and only use it at or below that level. LET PART OF YOUR YARD GO WILD FOR POLLINATORS: Long, overgrown grasses create a perfect habitat for nesting and overwintering native bees, and flowering weeds are a staple nectar and pollen source for bees and butterflies. Keep in mind that most native bees are solitary and do not sting readily. They are good, safe neighbors—especially if you have a garden. HELP SPREAD THE WORD: Most people have no idea that the sustainability of food as we know it is so tightly linked with the health of pollinators. Share what you know! SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL n SANDIEGOZOO.ORG 23
Page 2 and 3: inside august 2015 Mammal of Myster
Page 4 and 5: chairman’s note SAN DIEGO ZOO GLO
Page 6 and 7: through the lens Photo by Ken Bohn
Page 8 and 9: you said it Join our friends @sdzgl
Page 10 and 11: 10 ZOONOOZ n AUGUST 2015 MAMMAL OF
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Page 15 and 16: Funani kept her baby safely tucked
Page 17 and 18: By Paige Howorth ANIMAL CARE MANAGE
Page 19 and 20: every tissue as the plant grows: le
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Page 25 and 26: Monarch butterflies have been in th
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Page 29 and 30: Dhole House Once the tigers moved i
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Page 33 and 34: A vaccination is administered by Br
Page 35 and 36: PHOTO BY JOOP KUHN,SDZG It takes a
Page 37 and 38: The beauty of a branch is that the
Page 39 and 40: Unlike most pet domestic cats, zoo
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Page 43 and 44: WHEN WISHES COME TRUE AT THE ZOO AN
Page 45: PUBLISHED SINCE 1926 AUGUST 2015 n

ZOONOOZ August 2015

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