KaBOOM! Playground

Open Ocean Tank Makeover

Felid TAG Conference ShinesLight on Wild Cat

Conservation

A newsletter for the valued supporters of the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium | November 2015

pittsburghzoo.org

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In celebration of the twentieth anniversary of Kids Kingdom, the Zoo is excited to introduce visitors to a brand new playspace in the Animal Connections Playground. Working from the imaginative drawings of local grade school students, KaBOOM!, a national nonprofit dedicated to providing all kids with the opportunity to play and learn, joined Duquesne Light Company and the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium to create the ultimate playground experience. The students’ designs demonstrated what kids really want in a playground and many focused on the ways in which animals play. From climbing walls to stump jumps, the playground design committee incorporated many of the students’ ideas into the final plan.

Play Timeamy O’Neill, FOuNdaTiON & GraNTs COOrdiNaTOr

Development Department Janet RoseSenior Director of Development & Conservation Initiatives412-365-2540jrose@pittsburghzoo.org

Lori ElderMembership Manager412-365-2534lelder@pittsburghzoo.org

Amy O’NeillFoundation and Grants Coordinator412-365-2543aoneill@pittsburghzoo.org

Rachel KisicDevelopment Coordinator412-365-2541rkisic@pittsburghzoo.org

Emily BeyerDevelopment Associate412-365-2503ebeyer@pittsburghzoo.org

Richard KalsonChair, Board of Directors

Dr. Barbara BakerPresident & CEO

Photography by: ©Paul A. Selvaggio unless otherwise noted

In compiling this report, the development office has made every attempt to ensure that the information is complete and all contributions are listed accurately. If there are omissions, misspellings, or other errors, please report them to the development office at 412-365-2541 and please accept our apologies.

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Many hours, services, and products were donated to make the playground build a success. Work began in late September when volunteers from PPG, Actelion Pharmaceuticals, Kiski School, Highmark BCBS, and BNY Mellon worked alongside Zoo staff to clean, paint, and prepare the space. Meanwhile, students from Pittsburgh Public Schools Fulton and Sunnyside designed and painted game pieces including tic-tac-toe, dominoes, and alphabet letters, to be used by visitors to the playground. Local artist Maria DeSimone Prascak of Maria’s Ideas designed the animal art for the picket fence, and created the vibrant design on the wooden alligator drum. Environmentally-friendly reusable cups were donated by 4imprint Promotional Products, and food and drinks were donated by Sunnyside and Fulton PTOs, BreadWorks, Costco Wholesale, Church Brew Works, Eat’n Park Hospitality Group, Giant Eagle, Oakmont Bakery, Olive Garden Italian Restaurant, Paddy Cake Bakery, Sam’s Club, Service Systems Associates, SHOP ‘n SAVE, Silver Star Meats, Starbucks, Trader Joe’s, Turner Dairy Farms, Vocelli Pizza, and Whole Foods Market.

On Friday, October 2 more than 200 volunteers from Duquesne Light, PPG Industries, BNY Mellon, Title Source, Erie Insurance, US Bank, Bank of America, and the local community as well as more than 100 students from Fulton and Sunnyside schools descended on Kids Kingdom. Moving mulch, painting fence pickets, and assembling playground equipment, the volunteers gave it their all and in less than six hours the playground was complete.

In addition to the new playground equipment, former favorites, including the naked mole rat tunnels and the gibbon rope climb, have been revitalized as well.

Many thanks to all of the staff, volunteers, and our partners, KaBOOM! and Duquesne Light, for helping to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of Kids Kingdom with the unveiling of this magnificent play space.

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Over 200 volunteers lent a hand

When the PPG Aquarium opened in 2000, the Pittsburgh Zoo became one of only six zoological institutions in the country to house an on-site aquatic facility. The new PPG Aquarium featured a penguin exhibit, freshwater fish and amphibians, saltwater specimens, and the two-story Open Ocean tank, spanning the first and second floors of the building. Fast-forward fifteen years and the massive tank was in need of… well, a makeover. Saltwater is an incredibly corrosive substance, and two of the major issues facing this beautiful facility included the necessity to reline the concrete that composes the gunite structures of the tank, as well as to repair the seals between the massive panes of glass. A makeover, however, was only part of the equation. There were also hundreds of animals that had to be relocated from their home. The large Open Ocean tank was not the only part of the project; the smaller ocean tank neighboring the exhibit was also in need of a full renovation.

Dwayne Biggs, Curator of the PPG Aquarium, knew this was going to be a massive undertaking, but he and the aquarium staff were determined to have it go as smoothly as possible. In the time span since the PPG Aquarium was built, many new and innovative products for aquarium exhibits have been developed, including energy-efficient lighting, and it was time to bring more color and new aesthetics into the aquatic environment. Given that the Zoo is a conservation organization, the plan was to do this makeover in as green and sustainable a way as possible.

The Open Ocean tank has four large windows, and the two largest panes in the middle are twenty feet tall. The tank is 27 feet deep

OPeN OCeaN makeOver WriTTeN by emily beyer, develOPmeNT assOCiaTe,

aNd dWayNe biGGs, CuraTOr OF The PPG aquarium

ediTed by JaNeT rOse, seNiOr direCTOr OF develOPmeNT & CONservaTiON iNiTiaTives

The most challenging animals to remove from the tank were

a pair of Queensland groupers. Special nets were made and

shipped from the Florida Keys to aid in the process.

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Every detail of refurbishing the tank was given special attention, all the way down to the gravel that was being replaced.

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dONaTe TO The PiTTsburGh ZOO & PPG aquarium

By supporting the Zoo, you help save wildlife and wild places. Your gift helps us to fulfill our mission to be a leader in zoological conservation, education, and research, while providing the region with exceptional exhibitry and unique family-centered recreation.

To make your gift in support of the Zoo, please contact the Development Department by calling 412-365-2540.

and holds 100,000 gallons of water. That much water puts about eight pounds of pressure per gallon on the windows. The water had to be drained slowly so as to not cause the glass to collapse, and it was originally thought the windows might have to be completely taken out. As the water was lowered clamps were applied to secure the glass.

The first animals to be removed from the tank were the fish, followed by the sharks, as both types of animals were among the easiest to catch. The zebra sharks are specially trained, and aquarists were able to easily use target poles to call the sharks to them. Using nets, aquarists safely lifted the sharks out of the water and into portable tanks, which were then transferred them into quarantine tanks.

The blacktip reef sharks were next, followed by the two large Queensland groupers, Eugene and Brutus. The staff knew these animals would be the most challenging to remove, so custom oval-shaped nets with aluminum frames were shipped from the Florida Keys. These nets were used as stretchers that hoisted each 175-pound grouper one at a time into a large saltwater cart used as a holding tank. During the process, a large net was placed toward the bottom of the tank to corral the smaller species still inhabiting the exhibit. The goal was to keep them calm and prevent the groupers from chasing them, allowing for a less stressful environment for all involved. Eugene and Brutus were comfortably kept in their holding tanks and then sent to the Newport Aquarium in Kentucky, as this facility was well equipped to hold these big fellows. All of the other animals in the exhibit were kept in quarantine tanks behind-the-scenes but still within the PPG Aquarium.

At the beginning of 2015 with the tank emptied and dry, all of the sealant was removed by hand using various grinding tools and

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picking. The sealant itself was 10 inches thick. Throughout the process the temperature and humidity had to be just right, or nothing would set or cure properly. From start to finish, it took over two months for the sealant to cure.

Next came the tank contents, including 20,000 pounds of

gravel sand with new ledges that were added as resting places for fish. The tank was slowly filled with freshwater and new sand was placed in the filters. This was followed by the addition of salt. Many of the original corals that were removed, while still in fairly good condition, were faded and seemed to blend in with the background of the exhibit, so they were replaced by more colorful specimens. New lighting was added that highlights the corals’ brilliant hues.

Every detail of refurbishing the tank was given special attention, all the way down to the gravel. Toward the end of the process, extensive bacteria were added to start the filtration process and begin reestablishing the balance of the water.

Finally, animals were slowly and carefully added. The smaller tropical fish, which were added a few at a time, were introduced first. Next came the eels, then the Queensland groupers, Brutus and Eugene, and last but not least, the blacktip reef sharks and zebra sharks.

After a painstaking process to ensure the health and well being of the animals, the exhibit was gleaming and ready for viewing just in time for the busy months of summer. Today, our hope is that our thousands of visitors, guests, and staff will enjoy the beautiful new tank for a very long time. Even Brutus and Eugene seem happy to be home again at their PPG Aquarium Open Ocean tank.

The large Open Ocean tank receives a makeover

The wildly successful twenty-fifth Felid TAG Conference was held in Pittsburgh and hosted by the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium this past July. This year’s conference was the largest attended Felid TAG meeting with approximately 200 attendees representing 95 zoos, universities, and other organizations from around the nation and around the world. Zoo, field experts, and academic professionals mingled and mixed extensively with interested and concerned members of the Zoo and the general public while discussing the future of endangered wild cats.

25Th aNNiversary Felid TaG CONFereNCe

shiNes liGhT ON Wild CaT CONservaTiON

by keN kaemmerer, CuraTOr OF mammals, aNd JaNeT rOse, seNiOr direCTOr OF develOPmeNT &

CONservaTiON iNiTiaTives

Participants of the Felid TAG conference enjoyed a special

day at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium

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The inspiring week began with the ninth Felid Husbandry Course, which included 13 felid instructors and 45 participants. This was followed by two days of Species Survival Plan meetings in which 11 felid Species Survival Plans were discussed for a variety of felid groups including animals such as small African cats and North American cats. During these meetings, the professionals who are involved in assessing the status of wild cats in zoos and in the field shared their insights, observations, research, and scientific goals.

The final three days of the conference featured the main presentations for the Felid TAG Conference, of which there were 34 dynamic presentations and films. Invited speakers included Jo Cook, Coordinator of Amur Leopard and Tiger Alliance; Dr. Luke Hunter, President of Panthera, an international cat conservation organization; Nisar Malik, Founder and CEO of Walkabout Films; Kelly Marnewick, Manager of the Carnivore Conservation Program for the Endangered Wildlife Trust; and Dr. Bill Swanson, past Felid TAG Co-Chair and Director of Animal Research for Cincinnati Zoo’s Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife.

Participants also enjoyed a special day at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, and were treated to dinner under the stars at the new Jambo Grill. The evening, held outdoors at The Islands, featured a silent

auction, which raised over $4,000. Attendees and Zoo personnel agree, the twenty-fifth Anniversary Felid TAG Conference was a resounding success.

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vOiCes FOr CONservaTiONA New Wildlife Conservation Speaker Series

A new speaker series highlighting the international heroes and heroines of wildlife conservation worldwide. Meet and mingle with some of the world’s leading wildlife experts, learn about some of the most critical issues as well as ground breaking efforts to save endangered wildlife. All at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium.

$15 Grow Wild member; $20 General members Light refreshments provided. RSVP: 412-365-2541.

December 3, 6:30pm

Dr. Rodney JacksonFounder and DirectorSnow Leopard Conservancy

December 9, 6:30pm

Roger Parry, Wildlife & Research ManagerJessica Dawson, General ManagerVictoria Falls Wildlife Trust

The value OF aNNual GiviNG

Annual giving is vital tothe successful operation of the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. Membership and ticket sales alone do not cover the cost of all that we offer in sustaining our mission. Annual giving helps to fill this gap. Contributing to the Zoo plays an important role in providing care for our animals, supporting our educational programs, and aiding in our on-site and international conservation efforts. Thank you to the individuals on the following pages for being a part of our donor family.

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a NOTe TO ZOO members

The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is a proud member of the Association of Nature Center Administrators (ANCA), a nonprofit organization that promotes and supports leadership and best practices for nature and environmental centers. Zoo Members now have the opportunity to use a Zoo Membership to visit over 120 nature centers around the country.

To plan a visit to a participating nature center, visit pittsburghzoo.org/membership/reciprocal.

Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium and International Conservation Center

CrediT Card

Don’t just make a purchase; make a difference for endangered species with the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium and

International Conservation Center credit card. A percentage of each transaction you make on your card will be donated to the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, with a special focus on support for the work of the

Zoo’s International Conservation Center (ICC) in Somerset, PA.

To apply for the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium and International Conservation Center Credit Card, visit pittsburghzoocard.com.

The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium and International Conservation Center Credit Card is provided through the Somerset Trust Company.

December 9, 6:30pm

Roger Parry, Wildlife & Research ManagerJessica Dawson, General ManagerVictoria Falls Wildlife Trust

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©Kelley Bittner

$50,000 and aboveColcom Foundation PPG Industries PPG Industries FoundationService Systems Associates

$10,000 to 24,999BNY MellonThe Frank E. Rath* Spang & Company Charitable TrustAlba & Thomas Tull

$5,000 to 9,999Kerrish Family TrustMarianne Sufrin CLATKaren Tritten

$2,500 to 4,999Columbus Zoo & AquariumSandra & Henry* MordohNancy & Maurice Nernberg

$1,000 to 2,499Jane BarnesStephanie & Michael BozicBruce & Barbara Wiegand Family FoundationColette* & John Dugan

BJ FergusonJanet & William HuntJack*, Karen, Hillary, & Max Friedman Philanthropic Fund, Jewish Federation of Greater PittsburghJeanne P. Furrie Living TrustStephanie MartinMerwin Memorial Free Clinic for AnimalsMaria & Sean O’BrienShirley & H. Ward OlanderLinda & William RoemerSchreiber Industrial Development CompanySeattle AquariumElizabeth SpenceCara & Doug* StirlingPatricia & Michael Sunseri

2015 aNNual GiviNG (aNNual GiFTs reCeived FrOm

JuNe 1 – auGusT 31, 2015)

©Kelley Bittner

uPCOmiNG eveNTs

Please join us for a speaker series, Voices for Conservation, debuting in December with two exceptional wildlife experts.

December 3, 6:30pm

Rodney JacksonSnow Leopard Conservancy

December 9, 6:30pm

Roger Parry & Jessica Dawson Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust

$15 Grow Wild member; $20 General membersLight refreshments providedRSVP: 412-365-2541

Fashion for the Wild Spring 2016at the PPG Aquarium

Zoo Gala 2016June 3, 2016VIP reception with Jack Hanna sponsored by the Vein Institute of PittsburghEvent dates are subject to change

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a NOTe TO Our dONOrs

We make every attempt to accurately recognize the generous support of our donors.

If you notice an error, please contact the Development Department by calling 412-365-2541 or by email at donate@pittsburghzoo.org.

Thank you for your understanding.

©Kelley Bittner

The J. Christopher & Ann C. Donahue Charitable FundBecky* & Herbert TorbinSuzanne & William WarnickLaurie & Gregory* Weingart

$500 to 999James DonnellKim MaceySara* & David ScaifeGail & Jim TitusElizabeth TurnerWinchester Thurston

$100 to 499Alan & Marsha Groover Family FundJudith & Marvin BellinDorothy Boyer*Susan & Daniel CallaghanThe Dennis FamilyBarbara Carpenter & Michael MillerSheila & Alvin CatzKathleen Chester Evans & Stephen EvansChristine CicotelloKathleen & Elry CramerCarolyn DavisCathy & John* DemosBeverlynn* & Steven ElliottPaula & Francis GesselbertyEdward Goncz*Phyllis & Mark Hoge

Nancy Tan & W.R. HolewaWendy Hosking & Steve SternbergerEdith & Frank KlebachaLeona LaValleyLois & Tom McMuldrenPatricia & Charles MillerFrances Modugno & Jeff EppingerNorfolk Southern CorporationPepsiSuzanne & Thomas RalphRita* & Robert RandallLeslie Anne & Charles RankinKeith ReisingerMichele Rice & Sally BossermanKathy RuffingCindy* & Andy RussellBryan SchroeffelCarleen SluganskiAndrea SpadeLeonard WeitzmanWorth New YorkRebekah Yanowitz

*Indicates board member

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Give The GiFT ThaT keePs ON GiviNG:A Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium Membership

A Zoo Membership is a passport to family fun and adventure. Treat somebody you love to a gift Membership. It includes 12 months of unlimited free admission to the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, discounted admission to 150 other zoos, education and program discounts, exclusive access to events, and much more.

Click here for more information.

On Tuesday, December 1, organizations throughout the world join the #GivingTuesday movement, an effort to put giving back in holiday season. On the heels of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday brings together charities, families, businesses, and communities for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give.

This year, you can be a part of the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium’s season of giving celebration. Our online Giving Tree is a special way to make a difference in the lives of our animals. We’ve had our Zoo staff identify their most pressing animal care and wildlife conservation needs, and we hope that you will help us by selecting one or more of their requests to support:

Tuesday, December 1st

hOW ClOse dO yOu WaNT TO GeT?

Join the Grow Wild Society and get close to the animals. Your membership in this special group supports the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium’s growth and reach, and its mission to save wildlife. Grow Wild Society membership gives you a personal and unique perspective through behind-the-scenes tours and special events for both families and adults.

Become a Grow Wild Society member today and enjoy a closer partnership with the Zoo, satisfaction in supporting critically important initiatives, and unforgettable, up-close experiences.

Click for more information.

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• Food– Animals eat fresh fruits, veggies, meat, and grains every day. Just one sea otter eats $25,000 worth of restaurant-quality seafood every year, while a variety of primates require specific produce that cannot be locally grown.

• Medical Care– Our Zoo has a five-person, full-time veterinary staff, and with the wide range of species in our collection, we work with a variety of specialists depending on the animal needs that arise throughout the year. Keeping our animals healthy can mean meeting needs as diverse as the animals themselves.

• Breeding– It’s no secret that animals around the world are disappearing at an alarming rate. Endangered species breeding at the Zoo is helping to ensure a future for these threatened animals.

• Enrichment– Enrichment is more than simply toys for animals to play with; it is a well-organized system of activities and items that encourage playful behaviors, learning, and mental stimulation.

• Education– Did you know that 300,000 people of all ages participate in Zoo educational programs each year? We’re working to foster understanding, respect, and appreciation of wildlife and our natural world.

• Wildlife Conservation– Conservation begins in Pittsburgh with breeding efforts and education, but has a global reach. Through the PPG Conservation & Sustainability Fund, we support projects in all seven continents.

To make a donation to the Zoo’s Giving Tree, visit pittsburghzoo.org/Donate/GivingTree, call the Development Department at 412-365-2541, or mail a gift to: Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, Attn: Giving Tree, One Wild Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15206.

LISTwish

There is always a need for

help in supporting the

care, feeding, training, and

management of our animals

at the Pittsburgh Zoo &

PPG Aquarium and at our

International Conservation

Center in Somerset County.

If you would like to help with

any of the following wish list

items, any level of support is

worthwhile and very much

appreciated. By supporting

these needs, you really can

make a difference in the lives

of our animals.

Cheetahs Cheetah breeding area at the ICC: $50,000

Black Rhinos Breeding barn naming opportunity: $250,000

Rhino stall at the ICC in the Maternal Health Center, now under construction: $25,000

Galápagos Tortoises Name the Galápagos tortoises: $25,000 each Two naming opportunities available.This is a wonderful opportunity for your family or company to be a part of the Zoo’s new exhibit area, The Islands.

Aquarium & Marine Life Three-year coral conservation initiative: $16,500

Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium &International Conservation Center

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Give a bear for a birthday, a tiger to your team, or a howler monkey for the holidays. Adopting an animal is a great gift for any occasion. When you adopt, your gift helps to provide for the care, feeding, and enrichment of Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium animals. All resident animals are available for adoption with packages ranging from $30 to $500 per year.

Visit our website at pittsburghzoo.org for adoption packages. Please call 412-365-2503 to learn more about this rewarding gift idea or email adopt@pittsburghzoo.org.

Giraffes Giraffe barn: $300,000

Scale for the giraffes and ungulates: $3,200 This portable scale system allows keepers to easily track how well the animals are eating.

Elephants 5 all-terrain vehicles at the ICC & elephant exhibit: $50,000 $40,000 4 more neededThe cost is about $10,000 each and would help the elephant care team with transporting hay, moving manure, and many other tasks.

Animal Nutrition Browse freezer: $3,000One of the challenges we face in winter is how to supply fresh browse to the animals who need it. A browse freezer would solve that problem.

Lions & Leopards Lion chute: $9,000A lion chute is used for transferring the animals from their indoor holding area to their outside enclosure, something that is done on a daily basis.

Animal Care Center Jolly balls and plastic enrichment balls for quarantine animals: $300

Little Tykes plastic playground for young animals in quarantine: $400

Gym mats for animal recovery post-anesthesia: $1,000

Thermography: $10,000

Special caging for holding room, used for quarantined/hospitalized animals: $10,000-$15,000

Flexible endoscopy: $90,000

Staff Development Parelli Natural Horsemanship Program: $10,000 (Sponsor)

For more information, please contact Janet Rose, Senior Director of Development & Conservation Initiatives by calling 412-365-2540 or email donate@pittsburghzoo.org.Thank you!

uNiTed Way CONTribuTOr’s ChOiCe #223611

Please consider the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium #223611 for your United Way contribution. Your gift supports Zoo education programs that provide low-income, at-risk children with unique hands-on science education. The children enjoy Zoo visits and animal encounters that teach them life sciences, raise conservation awareness, and enhance school readiness.

Thank you in advance for choosing Contributor’s Choice #223611. Your gift makes all the difference.

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