SUMMER 2018

T H E L I V I N G D E S E R T P A L M D E S E R T / I N D I A N W E L L S

It is an undeniable fact that our relationship with nature is changing as society changes. When I was a child, I would roam in the fields and forests near my home as far as my little legs could carry me. I would collect feathers, the occasional bone and any pretty rocks I could find. As was the norm for the day, as long as I was home by supper time, my parents did not worry about where I was or what I was doing.

When my two daughters came along, they still explored the outdoors, just not by themselves. With my love for nature, we spent lots of time hiking and exploring as a family, but without the same free rein that I had enjoyed as a child.

I don’t have grandchildren yet, but I suspect their direct connection with the natural world will be more curtailed. Recent statistics show that today’s kids are spending on average 40-50 hours a week looking at an electronic screen of some kind. As society has become more urbanized, the free and easy access to the natural world has been slipping away.

One of the roles of The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is to offer an opportunity for everyone in the Coachella Valley to reconnect with nature. Whether it is strolling through our lush desert gardens and exploring the different desert animal habitats or taking a hike on our 1,200-acre nature preserve, there is something for every age group and level of adventurer.

When I get the chance, one of my favorite activities is to go out in the Park and watch the school groups who use our facility as a living classroom. I can tell by the joyful squeals of excitement when someone is seeing a wild animal for the first time. It is one thing to see on television that giraffe are the tallest animal on earth. It is another to stand in their shadow and enjoy their grace and natural adaptations.

At The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, we offer a safe, family-friendly opportunity for guests of all ages to reconnect with the natural world, explore a desert habitat and be informed about the wise use of natural resources. And if you are not home by supper time, don’t worry. Just text your parents and let them know you will be a little late.

Thank you for your support,

Chairman: Bill Appel*Treasurer: Larry Spicer*Secretary: Mary O. Cone*President/CEO & Assistant Secretary: Allen Monroe*

President Emerita Karen Sausman Trustee Emeritus/Emerita Curt Ealy Sherman A. Smith

Legal Counsel Brian S. Harnik Roemer & Harnik, LLP

Advisory Council City of Indian Wells – Mayor Kim Muzik City of Palm Desert – Mayor Sabby Jonathon Coachella Valley Water District – Jim Barrett & Anthony Bianco Wayne Connor Associates – Wayne Connor Greater Palm Springs CVB – Scott White & Davis Meyer Bill PowersJudy Vossler Carol Wright

On the cover Animals: Grevy’s Zebra

Foxpaws editorial staff Project Manager: Erin Scott Contributors: Emily Whaley, Corrine Pinel, Kirk Anderson, Justin Carmichael, Eileen Gill, May Guzman, Jan Hawkins, Christine Janson, Greg Murphy, Allen Monroe, Dawn Petrick, Angela Woods, Bob Linstead, Sybil Rivera, RoxAnna Breitigan, Thomas Morrison, Dr. James Danoff-Burg, Dr. Andrea Goodnight Design: Mark Duebner Design

Peggy BernthalSusan E. Cooper*Marylynn GladsteinHarry M. Goldstein*Patti Grundhofer*Candace HolzgrafeH. Earl Hoover IISuz HuntSis Jackson*Michael Kiner*Janet Lanterman*Craig McCollam

Jaishri MehtaPeter ScheerDick Shalhoub*Bill Simpkins*BJ Skilling*Phillip K. Smith, Jr.Roger Snoble*Mary Lou Solomon*Sam Spinello*Nancy L. StegehuisVan TannerBrian TobeySandra Cooper Woodson*

BOARD OF TRUSTEES, 2017/2018

*Board of Directors

IN THIS ISSUE

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FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK

THE BLACK MAMBAS

CROSSROADS OF CONSERVATION SUMMER UPDATE

PROPAGATION: GROWING STRONG!

THE SILVER SAFARI GALA RECAP

THE TRADITION OF PHILANTHROPY – CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GOLDSTEINS

SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR!

ZOO NEWS

WILD FILE

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS: THE LIVING DESERT IS READY

Allen Monroe, President/CEO

FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK

We had hoped to find that the Mambas have changed their communities with respect to poaching, but that is not the case. There were a few interviewees that have been influenced by the Mambas, but over 90% of the 120-people interviewed didn’t even know of the Mambas when asked. Based on follow-up discussions with the Mambas, most do not feel

comfortable talking about what they do in their home communities. It is not surprising then, that they are not making the social changes that we had hoped.

Nonetheless, conservation and rural communities can clearly be a match made in heaven. It was clear that people in the communities looked to conservation for jobs, which we heard even when it wasn’t particularly germane to the question. In areas like this where unemployment approaches 50%, conservation jobs lead to increased support for conservation.

Another reason for positivity about conservation is that 98% of people interviewed categorically rejected the idea of hunting animals on the reserves, either for money or for food. Most felt deep pride that “our nature” was being preserved and that people were interested in coming so far to see the animals. And, of course, for the jobs.

We interviewed the Transfrontier Africa staff who support the Mamba program. We found that the staff are incredibly proud of the education and outreach work of the Mambas. However, all wanted to improve the early detection and enforcement efforts against poachers on the grounds. To a person, the staff of TA are acutely proud of how the women have transformed as individuals and as environmental leaders.

With respect to the Mambas themselves, our initial results clearly indicate that the program has fundamentally transformed how the Mambas view themselves, as well as what they think women can do for the better. The Mambas are typically the breadwinners in their households. They are the educators and conservation advocates, and they are becoming community leaders. These transformations will eventually change local cultures, even if our surveys revealed that they have not yet. These are Wonder Women come to life.

I am so proud that The Living Desert is working to support the Mambas. What we are doing will help the Mamba project expand to other locations. If we can help establish a chain of Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Units across Africa, it would be a crowning achievement in my several decades of conservation work. Please stay tuned, as The Living Desert and our collaborators work to make this a reality!

Women really can change the world, and we are going to help them do that in Africa.

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I sit here in Balule Nature Reserve, very near the world-famous Kruger National Park in South Africa in my “writing hammock,” watching the impala lazily wander by. I have been here for the last five weeks to lead a team of researchers from The Living Desert, California State University San Marcos, and Helping Rhinos to evaluate the social impact of what has become one of the bright points of light in conservation: The all-female Black Mambas Anti-Poaching Unit who patrol this land.

This intrepid group of women has reduced poaching of the protected large mammals using snare traps in the 211 square mile corner of Africa that they patrol by over 75%. Even more impressively, they have reduced the numbers of the exorbitantly lucrative rhinos killed by half. They do this while unarmed and female in a society that is so gendered that they are viewed suspiciously if they drive a car or wear military fatigues, let alone dare to tell men not to kill Africa’s endangered wildlife.

We have been assessing the social impact of the Mamba program on the women who participate, on the people working in support of them, and on the communities where the Mambas live. We are still analyzing the current data, but our initial results are exceptionally interesting, if a bit disappointing with respect to our main hypothesis.

THE BLACK MAMBASCONSERVATION IN ACTIONBY DR. JAMES DANOFF-BURG, DIRECTOR OF CONSERVATION

Black Mambas in uniform

Dr. James Danoff-Burg and Black Mambas

A new Gift Shop, supported by a generous gift from Bill and Suzan Appel, opens to the sky and to the landscape of The Living Desert. It will stock a new array of gifts and souvenirs for nature-lovers of all ages.

A Digital Visitors’ Center will provide daily updates on the park’s activities, so guests can plan their visit. Guests will learn about our work in conservation—locally and globally and discover new aspects of The Living Desert to explore.

In February 2018, 50-foot fever trees (a form of acacia) were lifted by crane and placed by a crew of gardeners to shade The Living Legacy Garden, which will honor those who have helped build The Living Desert’s endowment fund—and thus securing our future here—through gifts to The Living Legacy campaign. The Living Legacy Garden will be a meaningful starting point for guests beginning their adventures at the park, and a shady respite for those who’ve spent the day exploring.

Significant naming opportunities are still available for the Digital Visitors’ Center, Keeper Chat Plazas, Education Stations, and more.

Please contact the Office of Development for more information at (760) 346-1483 or email us at thepride@livingdesert.org.An update on The Living Desert’s newest adventure:

The Crossroads of Conservation

If you’ve visited The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens lately, you’ve noticed the prodigious progress made on the new entrance to the Park. When completed, this new entrance will provide a fitting introduction to all The Living Desert has to offer its now almost-500,000 visitors annually.

With Grand Opening Celebrations for donors, members, and guests, November 2 - 4, 2018 the new Grundhofer Plaza will transform your first (or if you’ve been with us a longtime, 1,000th) impression of The Living Desert.

You can see the new drop-off lanes right in front of the Patti and Jack Grundhofer Entry Plaza, which will feature new ticketing windows and self-serve kiosks, dedicated Membership Services windows, improved accessibility, and an ever-changing animal encounter station outside to introduce our guests to the wild wonders within.

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PROPAGATION: GROWING STRONG!

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The Living Desert’s retail plant nursery closed its doors this past fall paving the way for new and exciting programming to fill its space. Many questions followed the closure regarding the continued propagation of plants. After all, the foundation of The Living Desert is, figuratively and literally, rooted in its botanical collection and propagation is the pipeline through which that collection is supplied with the unique and diversified specimens that set the gardens apart from any other institution.

Growing plants for the retail operation has only ever been just one component of the varied services provided by the propagation nursery. In fact, Bob Linstead, our plant propagator for the past 23 years, finds himself as busy as ever filling an ever-growing array of niches. One of the foremost tasks Bob is currently undertaking entails growing plants for various entities in accordance with an agreement entered with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Key to this agreement is the production of native plants from genetically appropriate materials (seeds, cuttings) collected within a prescribed proximity to the site to be re-vegetated. This season, Bob has produced a bounty of pollinator plants for the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve in nearby Morongo Valley.

In-house programming is supported by Bob’s efforts, as well. Me & You in the Garden receives a flat of bean seedlings each week during the season delivered to the raised bed outside the Discovery Center. Plants grown at the propagation nursery have historically been a part of Earth Day celebrations at The Living Desert and last year, 250 one-gallon desert milkweed (Asclepias subulata) were given away on that day in continuing support of Monarch butterfly conservation. For La Gran Fiesta, 1,500 chili pepper plants were made available for the taking by those who like a little fire in their diet. Over 150 participants in the Environmental Youth Experience (EYE) have been presented with one-gallon

BY KIRK ANDERSON, GARDENS CURATOR

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desert milkweeds the past two years. And each year Bob handpicks and prepares the choicest specimens from among his stock and their pots to be offered at the Zoo’s annual Gala’s silent auction.

The animal collection also benefits from Bob’s green thumb through an enrichment program that has supplied hundreds of flats of organic wheat grass and gallon cans of deer grass (Muhlenbergia rigens) for lying on, chewing up or otherwise enjoying. Sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum) provides nesting fibers for African Weaver birds to construct their hanging nests and Bob always has a little catnip (Nepeta cataria) stashed away somewhere, he says the big cats love catnip!

Nearly as important as Bob’s mastery at nurturing an eclectic inventory of plants is the tutelage he provides to guests that span all age groups. Bob is positively the Pied Piper of plant propagation as he welcomes four seasons of Zoo Campers aged four to twelve each year. He entertains them with fun plant stories, while teaching them how to transplant seedlings into bigger pots, before leading them around the nursery, pointing out plants, butterflies and birds.

Through The Living Desert University program, Bob guides enthusiastic gardeners first steps into the world of native plants, solving some of the mysteries of growing plants and instilling them with wonderment along the way. Zoo Teens are gaining a deeper appreciation of plant conservation by helping Bob with the grow out for the BLM project. The energetic group from the UC Riverside Master Gardener Program exchanges their labor for Bob’s mentorship and is now in its fourth year at The Living Desert.

BOB LINSTEAD

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C e l e b r a t i n g Ye a r s o f Z O O B I L E E !

The 25th Annual Zoobilee was cause for jubilent celebration as guests embarked on a Silver Safari in support of The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. Adorned in silver shimmer and animal prints alike, guests boarded shuttles at what will be the new Crossroads of Conservation Patti & Jack Grundhofer Plaza for a brief tour before arriving at the Palm Garden for a glittering cocktail reception, sponsored by Shirley Smith.

Along with an abundance of animal encounters, underwritten by Lisa & Sean McGrath and TD Ameritrade, the party included more than 375 silent auction items donated by businesses and individuals, and a photo opp sponsored by the Coachella Valley Water District. The evening continued in lavish style with a transition to the Silver Safari tent for dinner with wine sponsored by Dick Shalhoub, entertainment, and programming. Audio visual production was co-sponsored by Patti & Jack Grundhofer and Jan Salta, and table centerpieces were underwritten by Barry Hoffman & Chris Larson and Whitewater Rock & Supply. Production numbers from The Lion King paced the evening, with Hakuna Matata as the rousing opener.

ZooTeen of the Year Jacob Finley was awarded the inaugural Karen Sausman Conservation Scholarship, prefaced by a video message from the President Emerita herself. After Can You Feel the Love Tonight, none other than Mr. Prickles (our star porcupine) demonstrated how to ‘raise the paw,’ with bid paddles sponsored by Aristotle Capital Management, and major donors were even personally thanked with a “high-five.” The Live Auction proceeded with a clamor of activity, along with a surprise package, which included dinner for eight at Spencer’s (thank you, Harold Matzner) and two nights at the new Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel. Circle of Life closed the evening accompanied by ZooTeens representing current and future agents of conservation. Gala-goers departed with swag bags sponsored by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, and valet parking was underwritten by Union Bank | The Private Bank.

Special thanks to sponsors and Honorary Chairpersons Joy & Harry Goldstein, Patti & Jack Grundhofer and JoAnn McGrath, Co-Chairs Barbara Spencer & Nancy Stegehuis, Lisa Argyros, Argyros Family Foundation, Peggy & Hal Bernthal, Candace & Jon Holzgrafe, Harold Matzner, Sharon & Dean Baltzell, BJ & Van Skilling, John Herklotz, Suzan & Bill Appel, Lu Barnes, Susan & James Gould, Elaine Jerome, Karen Miles, Kit & Roger Snoble, and Barbara & Stuart Spencer. Save the date for our next Gala, March 2, 2019!

ANOTHER TOWERINGSUCCESS!

1 Jacob Finley with Allen Monroe2 Lori Serfling, Brooke Beare, Jan Slata, Aubrey Serfling3 Jan Ray, Amber Spinello, Sam Spinello with giraffe stiltwalker4 Sharon Baltzell, Annette Smith, Mr. Prickles, Rebecca Cole5 Shellie Reade, Harold Matzner, Allen Monroe, Patti & Jack Grunhofer

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PHOTO: MARC GLASSMAN

PHOTO: MARC GLASSMAN

PHOTO: LANI GARFIELD

PHOTO: LANI GARFIELD

PHOTO: LANI GARFIELD

SOCIAL BUTTERFLY!We love seeing how our members spend their time at The Living Desert. Whether it’s at a “members only” event, or just a fun day at the zoo. When you tag a photo on social media that features The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens with the hashtag #TLDmember, we notice! Share your photos and experiences while you’re at The Living Desert. Use #thelivingdesert, in your post, and you may see your photo in the next issue of foxpaws!

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THE LIVING DESERT ZOO AND GARDENS: BUILT ON THE TRADITION OF PHILANTHROPY

Donors and volunteers alike embody the spirit of philanthropy through their generous donation of time, talent and treasures. The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens was pleased to co-nominate Harry & Joy Goldstein as Outstanding Philanthropists of the Year at the annual National Philanthropy Day in the Desert celebration hosted by The Association of Fundraising Professionals, CA Desert Communities Chapter. The awards ceremony was held November 8, 2017 at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa in a ballroom filled with 500 of the Coachella Valley’s top philanthropists and charitable organizations.

The Goldsteins have shown their commitment to the Coachella Valley for decades through their leadership and generous giving to many organizations. Mrs. Goldstein is the Director of the A.C. Israel Foundation, Inc., through which she and her husband have financially supported The Living Desert since 1977, giving gifts totaling more than $700,000 over the years. Mr. Goldstein currently serves as a co-chair for the $30 million capital campaign and has served on The Living Desert’s Board of Trustees since 2013.

“We like to think the part of the world we touch may be a little better for it,” explain the Goldsteins. We, at The Living Desert, would certainly agree they have made a positive difference in our lives. Their donations have funded such projects as the Living Legacy Endowment campaign and general operating funding for education, animal care and conservation projects. A big cheetah cheer for Joy and Harry and all their support!

November 9, 2016

November 9, 2016

11TH ANNUAL AWARDS LUNCHEON

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR!

The Living Desert recently honored its volunteers at the annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. The Palm Garden was a bit windy for our event, so we transformed the Education classrooms and patio into a beautiful setting, with decoration, live music, animal ambassadors and great food. An awards program for volunteer service followed, honoring milestones in years of service.

Wendy Lapham was awarded the Margo Award for Volunteer of the Year. Wendy has shown that she is a team player who is willing to help the staff and our guests, anyway she can. Whether speaking with our smallest guests at Me and You at the Zoo, or explaining conservation efforts with adults, she is engaged and energetic. Wendy is also a continuous presence at The Living Desert’s special events, volunteering in a wide range of roles. This flexibility combined with her training in several positions has made her a “go to” person for the volunteer schedulers. Thank you from all the staff at The Living Desert and congratulations!

Robert Jacoby was awarded the Golden Lunch Box award. Robert has been an instrumental part of our school tour and Starry Safari programs. For nearly nine years he has assisted with both programs and often volunteers to spend the night too. Robert has also dedicated nearly 3,200 hours of volunteer service in his nine years. Congratulations!

Gary Gilmore from the Big Horn Railroad, has achieved an amazing milestone of service. Gary reached 15,000 hours of volunteer service. Gary was awarded a trophy noting his amazing accomplishment. The Living Desert’s Bighorn Railroad, is one of the best train displays in the United States and Gary is a big part of that success.

In honor of sticking their necks out for The Living Desert, several ZooTeens were recognized for their outstanding achievements and dedication to The Living Desert. Ren Mott and Charlotte Wingerter were both honored with the ZooTeen of the Year award. Both young professionals show incredible, natural leadership skills and have consistently strived for providing the best day ever experience for guests and their fellow ZooTeen peers. In addition to our ZooTeen of the Year Award, Max Corado was honored with the ZooTeen Lifetime Achievement Award. Max is a veteran of the ZooTeen program with over three years of outstanding service to The Living Desert and this year will be graduating from high school and pursuing a college degree in animal science to become a zoologist. Congratulations to all of our ZooTeen awardees and everyone that has made our growing program such a success. 1312

Jane Olson Gary Gilmore

Paul and Patricia Kodet

Connie Fleischner and Trena Raymond

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ZOONEWSIntroducing our New Director of Conservation The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is pleased to announce our new Director of Conservation, Dr. James Danoff-Burg. Danoff-Burg is an educator, conservation strategist, and biodiversity scientist focused on the human dimensions of conservation. He is responsible for initiating, directing, and integrating the zoo’s leading-edge conservation projects with a keen focus on North American and African desert species.

For the past two decades, his research, teaching, and conservation implementation actions have focused on solutions to threats facing global biodiversity through community-

based conservation approaches. Danoff-Burg recently has been a consultant on sustainable community-based conservation to zoos and aquariums, and the governments of countries as diverse as the Dominican Republic, Cambodia, United Arab Emirates, India, and Japan. Integral to all these efforts is his deep commitment to inspiring hope for the future across the 17 countries in which he has worked.

Danoff-Burg earned a BA from the University of Michigan and an MA and PhD in Biology from the University of Kansas, after which he was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Vermont and at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Afterwards, he was a Professor and conservation researcher at Columbia University for a decade and a half and then directed the Conservation Education Division at the San Diego Zoo for several years.

Introducing our New Veterinarian Dr. Andrea Goodnight comes to The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens most recently from the Bay Area, where she was Veterinarian at Oakland Zoo. During her career, she has cared for a variety of species from elephants, to tigers, to alligators; however, it is the more unusual species that fascinate her the most. Her research and work with chriopterans (bats) and California condors make it clear that strange flying creatures are her favorites!

Dr. Goodnight earned her DVM from North Carolina State University. She then completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Rowley Memorial Animal Hospital. She began her zoo career as an intern at the Birmingham Zoo and completed a second internship at the Indianapolis Zoo. Her training culminated in a clinical residency at the Columbus Zoo in Ohio.

In her free time, Dr. Goodnight enjoys distance running, hiking, and flying her Grumman cheetah airplane with her husband. She is extremely excited to learn about the desert and work with the amazing animals at The Living Desert!

The Living Desert’s Volunteers Recognized by Riverside County Board of Supervisors Two of The Living Desert’s longtime volunteers were recognized at the 26th Annual Senior Inspiration Awards for their volunteer contributions. Mrs. Peggy Bernthal and Mrs. Jackie Wagner were recognized during a luncheon reception on Friday, April 20, 2018, along with nine other awardees. The Senior Inspiration Awards recognizes individuals 65 years of age and older, who after a lifetime of community involvement, continue to actively donate time. The individuals are selected by their respective city councils for their contributions and positive outlook on life.

Mrs. Peggy Bernthal was selected by the City of Indian Wells for her long standing commitment to The Living Desert. A member and volunteer for over 30 years, Peggy has also served on the Zoo’s board of trustees since 2001, executive committee (2005-2014) and served as chairwoman of the board from 2009-2011. Peggy encourages the younger generation to pay attention to other people in the world, take part and do something positive for humanity.

Mrs. Jackie Wagner was selected by the City of Palm Desert for her dedication to The Living Desert. As a volunteer for 24 years, she has supported the Zoo in a number of ways including giraffe host, animal handler, and butterfly host. She is passionate about guiding younger children to appreciate nature and develop a love for the plants and animals of the desert.

The Living Desert congratulates our wonderful volunteers on these prestigious awards and thank them for their continued generosity and service.

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The Living Desert’s Director of Conservation Named Leader for Vaquita SAFE Program Helping to save the vaquita from extinction has been a key project for The Living Desert since 2016, and now the Zoo has taken on an even larger leadership role. The Living Desert is proud to announce that its Director of Conservation, Dr. James Danoff-Burg, has been appointed as the leader of Vaquita Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) Species Program.

Initiated by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the SAFE program, is an outreach plan that focuses the collective expertise of all accredited zoos and aquariums to leverage their large audiences, including members, partners, donors, staff and attendees, to help save species. Participants in the SAFE program help identify threats, develop action plans, raise new resources and engage the public. AZA SAFE provides a new approach for collaborative conservation – a one-plan approach with dedicated conservationists working together to save a species and prioritize the needs.

In 2017, VaquitaCPR (an organization formed to help save the vaquita), with a team of 90 experts from nine countries attempted to rescue the remaining vaquita and bring them to a temporary sanctuary in order to increase their population. Unfortunately, the rescue plan was suspended because the vaquita reacted poorly to being in a new environment. Despite the challenges, countless organizations continue to fight to save the porpoise, including The Living Desert.

“There has been a global interest in this unique and critically endangered species and I am very proud to take the lead in the AZA efforts,” said Danoff-Burg. “I look forward to continuing our work and finding ways to assist the vanishing vaquita.”

WILDFILESummer Fun Starts Early at The Living Desert! Take advantage of the cooler desert mornings, starting Thursday, June 1, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens will begin its summer hours and open an hour earlier for guests to enjoy all the wildlife & gardens from 8:00 am to 1:30 pm daily with the last admission at 1:00 pm.

Some upcoming closures include Marilyn’s Merry- Go-Round and the Eisenhower Trail. Hop on and enjoy our endangered species carousel one last time before summer comes around on June 1st. Also, hike while you can! Our hiking trails will remain closed for the summer

due to the high heat. Remember to bring comfortable, loose-fitting clothing with close-toed shoes while on the hike and always carry a sufficient water supply.

The Living Desert App and Audio Tour Did you know… the size of a giraffe’s tongue correlates with its height? If a giraffe is 18 feet tall, its tongue could be up to 18 inches long! If a giraffe is 12 feet tall, then its tongue could be up to 12 inches long!

What do meerkats and Tony Soprano have in common? They both hang out in mobs and could do with a little less cholesterol.

The world record for the 100-meter dash is held by Usain Bolt at 9.58 seconds – the cheetah can run it in almost half that. Even if the cheetah gave Bolt a 40-meter head-start, they would still tie at the finish line. The cheetah is built to run.

Don’t miss out on the extra fun! Download The Living Desert’s FREE app for access to fun facts and special features! Plus, behind-the-scenes peeks at some of your favorite animals, as well as learning about what makes The Living Desert such an important place for conservation. The FREE app is perfect for kids and adults, and features:

- Fun Audio Tour Stops

- Behind-the-Scenes Video

- Step Tracker

- Location-aware Map

- Augmented Reality Experiences and More!

Download the app for FREE today! In the App Store/Google Play, search: The Living Desert

Summer ZooCamp ZooCamp at The Living Desert all is about having fun, meaningful learning experiences, and making connections to the natural world around us. These exciting sessions include animal encounters, behind-the-scenes visits, and interactive experiences found nowhere else!

We offer engaging, themed classes for ages 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 and 10-12.

Summer ZooCamp 2018 runs for six weekly sessions, beginning June 18th. Sessions run Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to noon.

Pricing per weekly session: Members $186 / Non-members $216

Visit us on the web to download our class schedules and register – Or contact us at ZooCamp@livingdesert.org for more information.

Zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) are committed to providing a healthy and safe environment for the animals, staff, guests and surrounding communities. The AZA accreditation standards have an entire section on safety and security for best practices to keep everyone safe. As part of these best practices, The Living Desert team facilitates routine drills which reenact different emergency scenarios to practice our response skills. The goal is to have The Living Desert Team drill as if it is real, in the hope that in a real-life situation we are better prepared and respond appropriately.

Various drills include situations like looking for a lost child, a human injury, fire/natural disaster and escaped animals. Each drill has a plan, is run in real time and then includes a debrief to ensure we are always learning and improving. Of course, we hope we never have to use these skills, but we know it is essential to be prepared. The entire Zoo team has a role to play in safety at the zoo and it is important to all of us that our guests feel safe while they visit.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS: THE LIVING DESERT IS READYBY ROXANNA BREITIGAN, DIRECTOR OF ANIMAL CAREAND THOMAS MORRISON, SAFETY MANAGER

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WE AREPREPARED

47900 PORTOLA AVE, PALM DESERT, CA 92260

NON-PROFIT ORG.US POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO.149

PALM DESERT, CA

MAY 2018WEDNESDAYS, 16, 23, 30 Me and You at the Zoo 9:00 am – 10:00 am Me and You in the Garden 10:00 am – 10:30 am

FRIDAY, 25 Starry Safari Public Night6:30 pm – 8:30 am

JUNE 2018SUMMER ZOOCAMP 8:00 am – 12:00 pm Week 1: June 18 – June 22 Week 2: June 25 – June 29

WEDNESDAY, 21 World Giraffe Day

CALENDAR OF EVENTS SUMMER 2018

JULY 2018SUMMER ZOOCAMP 8:00 am – 12:00 pm Week 3: July 2 – July 6 Week 4: July 9 – July 13Week 5: July 16 – July 20 Week 6: July 23 – July 27

As part of The Living Desert’s ongoing effort to make smart conservation decisions, foxpaws is now printed on 30% post-consumer waste (PCW) recycled paper. The Living Desert is committed to reducing our footprint, sharing conservation action steps and inspiring our guests to help do their part. Every choice, even the small ones, can add up to a big difference and big impact.