insidejune 2013

wildlife

Beguiled by KoalasThe Zoo’s fondness for koalas goes back to 1925. It began with a tale of two cities: San Diego and Sydney, Australia

A Tip of the Cap to EucalyptusFrom bark to blossom and beyond: get to know the koala’s favorite flora.

Prolific Pouches: The Zoo’s Koala Breeding ProgramSometimes, success is measured in joeys! Read all about the research and hard work that goes into our koala reproduction efforts.

Characteristically KoalaTake an interactive look at the “koala-ties” that make these marsupials stand out.

conservation

Koala ConservationThree new koalas get a health exam at the Zoo’s hospital.

Protecting Urban KoalasExploring solutions for koalas facing urban sprawl in Australia.

more

on the cover: Queensland koala Phascolarctos cinereus adustus©Lee Rieber, SDZG Videographer

ZOONOOZ JUNE 2013

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You Said It Chairman’s Note

Through the Lens From the Archives

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chairman’s note

Supporting Conservation in Australasia

With the opening of the Conrad Prebys Australian Outback, we’ve had the opportunity to highlight the conservation projects San Diego Zoo Global is involved in on behalf of

koalas. In particular, our researchers have been actively involved in koala behavior and habitat studies on the Australian island of St. Bees, including radio collaring koalas to track them and gather data. !is was discussed in an article in last month’s ZOONOOZ. In this issue, you’ll "nd out about our Koala Genetic Health and Management Pro-gram, as well as our collaboration with researchers and organizations like the Dreamworld Foundation in Australia. !ese projects strive to help wild koalas, especially those that are free ranging but "nd them-selves living in urban areas. With a rapid decline in the populations of wild koalas on the Australian mainland, these research projects are becoming even more important toward helping koalas. We are also involved in and support conservation work for several other species in the Australasia region. Working in collaboration with Australian organizations and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Programs, San Diego Zoo Global supports con-servation e#orts for the parma and yellow-footed rock wallaby as well as the quokka. We are also increasing our participation in the conser-vation of the Tasmanian devil in Tasmania, which is facing a serious threat from a virus that causes life-threatening tumors in these car-nivores. In addition, we are helping to support a study to place radio collars on juvenile cassowaries that are rescued and released a$er being hand raised, to see if tracking is feasible in order to follow their activ-ities and determine if the reintroduction is successful. Another marsupial we work with is native to Papua New Guinea, the Buerger’s tree kangaroo. Like koalas, tree kangaroos are completely

dependent upon a healthy forest ecosystem for survival, so protecting their habitat is vital to their conservation. In a collaborative e#ort be-tween zoos, scientists, educators, local government o%cials, and local landowners, this conservation project seeks to integrate science and education at the community level, developing an ecologically sound and sustainable way to manage the forests to support both wildlife and people. In New Zealand, the focus of a multi-year conservation research project is the North Island brown kiwi. !is "eld project radio collared and tracked nearly 50 free-ranging kiwis to document their habitat use and reproductive behavior—no easy task, since kiwis are nocturnal and nest in burrows. !e research shows that 90 percent of the kiwis roosted in forest habitat, inside burrows formed at the base of trees. Like the tree kangaroo, the study shows that preservation and manage-ment of New Zealand’s forest ecosystem is an integral part of saving this endangered species.

Conservation of the Komodo dragon, native to Komodo Island in Indonesia, is another project that San Diego Zoo Global helps to sup-port. As part of AZA’s Taxon Advisory Group, we are studying repro-duction in these monitor lizards, particularly identifying when females are ready to breed for the "rst time. In order to create a sustainable zoo population of Komodo dragons, it is important to be able to de-tect ovulation in females. Our keepers at the San Diego Zoo have been working with our dragons to train them to safely provide a saliva sam-ple for hormone analysis, a project not for the faint of heart, but they have been getting successful results. As a global conservation organization, these projects are further ex-amples of our work in other parts of the world. From koalas to kiwis and devils to dragons, San Diego Zoo Global is actively participating in conservation e#orts for Australasia’s animals.

Rick GulleyChairman

you said itBREAKFAST TIME!BREAKFAST TIME! !e only thing these angels [koalas] do fast is eat! e only thing these angels [koalas] do fast is eat! Even baby joey is in on the action this morning!!!joey is in on the action this morning!!!

Da_boss622118

My husband and I had an My husband and I had an awesome caravanawesome caravan tour tour at the SAFARI PARK with SAFARI PARK with SAFARI PARKour guides Frank and Augustin. We learned a lot and plan to do more caravans in the future. Thank you so much!

Heidi Wallin

Had an amazing time at the Safari Park today! !e baby gorilla and rhino were adorable. #toocuteforwords

@kateme!sWE’RE IN HEAVEN…eucalyptus heaven. Little one

[koala joey] has her head thrown back, scar"ng it up!! Oh to be surrounded by the food you love – like being in an ice cream parlor with everything on the menu!!cream parlor with everything on the menu!!

Julie Distel

Had to laugh when I read about the koalas Had to laugh when I read about the koalas sleeping a lot — oh, my!sleeping a lot — oh, my! Do they ever. Seems Do they ever. Seems like the only time I see them move around is in the like the only time I see them move around is in the mornings. They are so adorable. They are so adorable. Got to see Got to see little joey this morning — quite a treat. little joey this morning — quite a treat. !anks so much for this new cam and all the info on koalas.much for this new cam and all the info on koalas.

Deborah S. (No. Calif. Bay Area)

6800(5�6$)$5,�,167$*5$0�&+$//(1*(Document your Summer Safari (beginning June 29 at the Safari Park) experience on Instagram and tag your photos with #SummerSafari for a chance to win a safari adventure for four.

Photo courtesy Heidi Wallin

!ank you for this memory...Beauty

and !e Beast. Xo #SDZplaydays

–Andrea Ebbing

Queensland koala Phascolarctos cinereus adustus

through the lensPhoto by Ken Bohn, SDGZ Photographer

BEGUILED BY

KOALASIn 1959, then Zoo Director Belle Benchley and Taronga Zoo chairman Sir Edward John Lees Hallstrom say hello to Tuffy, the koala, one of the three new koalas Sir Hallstrom arranged to bring to San Diego that year.

It seems that people around the world are enamored with koalas. What is it about these Australian animals that we !nd so captivat-ing? It could certainly be their round, fuzzy, adorable good looks.

Perhaps it’s their a"able demeanor and mesmerizing gaze. Whatever the fascination is, koalas are undeniably unique among mammals, and San Diego Zoo visitors have come away charmed by them for more than 85 years.

NOT A MONKEY, SLOTH, OR BEAR#e koala is so unique, in fact, that when Europeans !rst tried to de-scribe the species, they had trouble deciding what to call it. In 1798, the !rst European to record an encounter with koalas noted in his di-ary, “#ere is another animal which the natives call a cullawine, which much resembles the sloths in America.” In 1803, a naturalist wrote: “A

By Karen E. WorleyMANAGING EDITOR

Photos by SDZG Photographers

In 1959, a new koala exhibit opened at the Zoo in a small grove of eucalyptus trees—not a type koalas eat—that created a homey atmosphere.

new and remarkable species of Didelphis [wombat] has been lately brought in from the southward of Botany Bay. It is called by the na-tives cooloo or coola....”

Other early accounts re-ferred to the “monkeys of New Holland” and an an-imal that had “no small re-semblance to the bear in the fore part of its body.” It wasn’t until 1816 that the koala was fully described and given its o$cial genus name, Phas-colarctos—which means “pouched bear.” People con-tinued to refer to koalas as Australia’s “native bear” for many years, continuing the misconception. To this day, you’ll still hear them called koala bears.

Of course, the koala is a marsupial, and it is most de-cidedly its own species. #e koala is the distinct and sole survivor on the branch of a family tree that dates back at least 15 million years. Its closest living relative is the

wombat, but koalas di"er from wombats in many ways, not the least of which is that they live in the trees. With such a colorful history, no wonder we !nd these iconic Australian mammals so fascinating!

IT BEGAN WITH SNUGGLES AND CUDDLES#e San Diego Zoo’s love for koalas began in 1924, when Zoo founder Harry Wegeforth, M.D., and his young Zoo director, Tom Faulconer, cooked up an audacious plan to trade some of our local animals for animals from Australia. At the time, this was all but unheard of, since

Snugglepot and Cuddlepie were the Zoo’s first koalas. They came here in 1925, a gift “from the children of Sydney to the children of San Diego.”

it required a lengthy and di$cult sea voyage, and Australia had an ex-port embargo on its key species, especially koalas. Dr. Wegeforth was undaunted, however, and Mr. Faulconer sent letters to the Melbourne Zoo and Sydney’s Taronga Zoo. #eir hunch turned out to be correct: the Australians would like to have species from the Americas, which would be unusual in their country, and they were willing to exchange some of their native animals in return.

Mr. Faulconer’s journey to and from Australia was a saga unto itself, as he dealt with rain, storms, seasickness (his and the animals’), and feed-ing and caring for the animals with only the help of one or two curious and sympathetic seamen. In Australia, he was treated to tours of Sydney and Melbourne until it was time to return to San Diego with a ship full of new animals. More than 30 Australian species were represented, and Mr. Faulconer said he “rejoiced over the many really rare and valuable animals that far exceeded even the fanciful list of ‘specimens wanted’ that had been compiled before I started from San Diego.” But there was

Ready for their close up: After appearing in the film Botany Bay, these four koalas came to live at the San Diego Zoo in 1952.

one species missing: the koala. Mr. Faulconer said, “I made up my mind to swallow my disappointment, although I would have traded a dozen kangaroos and wombats for a single koala.” However, as they were about to leave the dock, a delivery truck drove up with two large crates bearing a sign that read “Koala Bears for the Children of San Diego, from the Children of Sydney.” Mr. Faulconer and Dr. Wegeforth had gotten their wish.

#e two koalas were named Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, a%er the char-acters in a popular Australian children’s book series of the same name. #ey went on exhibit at the San Diego Zoo in 1925 and were instant celebrities, with newspapers throughout the US publishing their photo and articles about their arrival. Zoo visitors were enthralled with them, and there was always an appreciative crowd around their exhibit. #e distinction of caring for the only koalas outside of Australia certainly helped put the &edgling San Diego Zoo on the map.

Two of the Botany Bay koalas just hanging around, unaware of the huge sensation they created at the San Diego Zoo.

DREAMING OF KOALASSnuggles and Cuddles were a hard act to follow—after they passed away, the San Diego Zoo was with-out koalas for many years. Zoo Executive Director Belle Benchley hoped that the marsupials might yet come again to San Diego, and she maintained friendships with colleagues in Australia that had roots in the collaboration begun in 1924. For 28 years, the Zoo had continued planting eucalyptus trees on the grounds, and Mrs. Benchley had the support of several scientists who believed San Diego had the right climate for koalas. Nonetheless, she wrote that little seemed “more impossible than ko-alas in San Diego seemed to us on December the !rst [1951].”

As it turned out, her dream was about to come true through a most unlikely source: a Hollywood !lm entitled Botany Bay. #e !lm was about the founding of the European settlement in Australia, and its producers wanted koalas to help lend authenticity to their story. How-ever, Australia continued the export embargo on its native wildlife, so koalas were a no go...until a friend of the San Diego Zoo stepped in: Sir Edward Hallstrom, president of the Taronga Park Zoological Trust. He o"ered to loan the !lm’s producers four New South Wales koalas from the koala sanctuary he owned—as long as they would be cared for by the San Diego Zoo and go there to live once !lming was complete. Mrs. Benchley wrote that she “wanted to shout the news from the highest eucalyptus tree in the park, ‘Koalas are actually coming!’”

A MOMENTOUS GIFTSir Hallstrom was able to obtain an export license from the Austra-lian government, and the four “Botany Bay koalas” did indeed come to California in 1952, !rst as Hollywood !lm stars, then as San Di-ego Zoo stars. Mrs. Benchley wrote, “All this time, I didn’t really be-lieve it.... Something would happen, it always did. I could not be so

Wally, one of the Botany Bay koalas, managed to take an unauthorized jaunt outside the exhibit and had to be coaxed out of a nearby tree with help from the fire department.

fortunate as to actually receive ko-alas. But suddenly the plane came into sight.... Dr. Crosbie [the veter-inarian] climbed aboard and into the cargo hold and shouted back to us, ‘I see them!’”

#e four koalas, two males and two females, settled in well at the San Diego Zoo and continued their celebrity status, although they were completely indi"erent to the com-motion they caused. #e icing on the cake (or, perhaps, the dew on the eucalyptus leaf) was that the Australian government o$cially presented the koalas as a gi% to the San Diego Zoo, “to strengthen the bonds of friendship between our two countries.” And that friend-ship continued when, in 1959, Sir Hallstrom received permission to bring six more koalas to the US, three to live at the San Francisco Zoo and three for the San Diego Zoo. San Diego’s koala colony was now well on its way.

KOALAS IN THE SPOTLIGHTConsidering the rarity of koalas outside of Australia, and the trust and confidence the Australians have shown us over the years, ev-ery koala at the San Diego Zoo has been important. #ere are some individuals, though, that stand out even in this distinguished compa-ny. For instance, there are Matilda and Vicki: the !rst koala joeys at the San Diego Zoo. Matilda wasn’t

In 1958, Cissie the koala moved to a new home in the brand-new Children’s Zoo to celebrate its grand opening.

In 1952, Sir Hallstrom of Sydney’s Taronga Zoo brought koalas for San Diego, the first ones at the Zoo in more than 25 years. A keeper from Australia accompanied them and provided insight for San Diego’s keepers about caring for koalas.

technically born here—she was already in her mom’s pouch when she arrived from Australia in 1959. Nonethe-less, hers was the !rst ador-able joey face that San Diegans saw. Vicki, however, was the !rst koala to be conceived and born in the Western Hemi-sphere, and she !rst popped her head out of the pouch to much excitement and fanfare. Her arrival brought the San Diego Zoo the Edward Bean Award for the most signifi-

cant birth of 1960 and was the !rst of many successful births to come.One of those births made ZOONOOZ headlines in 1986, when keep-

ers watched the entire process of Velvet giving birth, including her tiny joey, later named Pulyara, climbing up her fur and into her pouch. #at’s a sight few can claim to have witnessed, even in Australia. #ese two made news again several months later when Pulyara le% the pouch early. Keepers were concerned and discovered that Velvet had a severe infection in her pouch and needed surgery. #is was a double dilemma, because Pulyara still needed to nurse. In a great example of problem solving and teamwork, veterinarians successfully removed the infect-ed tissue from Velvet’s pouch and got her back on her perch again; our vets and keepers created a koala formula to feed Pulyara; and keepers hand-fed and raised Pulyara until she could be on her own.

PINK AND WHITE?#ere was another koala born in 1985 that also captured everyone’s at-tention: Goolara, our !rst albino koala, whose name meant “moonlight.” He caused nothing less than a sensation when keepers !rst peeked in his mother Matilda’s pouch and found a pink nose and white fur. Keep-er Valerie #ompson wrote that “Although the nose was scarcely visi-ble, I had to rub my eyes and try to look at it more closely, as it did not have the usual shoe-polish black appearance…. I spent the subsequent several days trying to get a better look at the pink-nosed baby in an e"ort to dispel my fear that I had !nally gone o" the deep end.” #ere had been albino koalas in Australian zoos, but they were extremely

In 1960, Vicki was the first koala joey conceived and born in the Western Hemisphere.

rare. Goolara caught everyone’s attention, and, as Valerie noted, he set a new standard for the term, “soooo cuuuuute!” from Zoo visitors.

Keepers didn’t think they would ever see something like Goolara again—but the ko-ala colony continued to be full of surpris-es. In 1997, keepers Jennifer Sanders and Lenna Doyle were doing a pouch check on Banjeeri using a small &ashlight when, as Lenna wrote, they “both exclaimed ‘Oh my gosh!’ at the same time. #e koala joey’s eyes were bright pink, and it had very light, cream-colored fur.” Onya-Birri, meaning “ghost boy,” was another albino koala that made big news at the Zoo, and his debut was featured on national television and in several magazines. He, of course, was un-perturbed by the fuss, and throughout his life was described by keepers as mellow, good-natured, and un&appable.

HAVE KOALA, WILL TRAVELWere it not for his rarity, with his congenial nature Onya-Birri might have been a candi-date for a major initiative of the koala pro-

gram. In 1983, the Zoo began its Koala Education & Conservation Pro-gram, sending koalas on loan to other approved zoos so that more people could see these charismatic marsupials and learn more about them. #e koalas that go on these loans are selected because of their calm and &ex-ible personalities, so that the new surroundings will not be a problem for them. San Diego Zoo keepers go with them to help set things up in the new location and train the sta" there, and our Horticulture Department also grows and ships eucalyptus to feed the traveling marsupials.

#e !rst loan was to the Denver Zoo in 1983, and since then our koalas have served as conservation education ambassadors to more than 65 cit-ies in 12 countries. Some koalas have traveled as far as Ireland, England, Spain, Belgium, France, Germany, Austria, Portugal, and Japan. Wher-ever they go, they are adored and make a huge impression, spreading the message about conservation and how unique Australia’s animals are.

In honor of the United States’ bicentennial in 1976, Australia presented the San Diego Zoo with a gift of six koalas. The “Koala Express” included males Cough Drop and Waltzing, and females Pepsi, Coke, Audrey, and Matilda, plus two stowaways: Pepsi and Audrey each had a pouch joey.

TRICKSTER, RAINMAKER, THIEF, COUNSELORAs one of the most well-adapted and resilient of Australia’s marsupials, the koala is universally revered as an Australian icon. However, long before Europeans came along, ko-alas coexisted harmoniously with Aboriginal Australians and are signi!cant in their legends. Not all the accounts are complimentary: some describe the koala as sly and clever, tricking fellow animals and keeping secrets, and others depict the animal as greedy and lazy. But the koala is o%en considered a wise counselor from whom to seek ad-vice, a being capable of controlling the rain, and a powerful spirit that can teach humans important life lessons. There are two messages from the legends that are particu-larly poignant now: if the koala is not treated with respect, there will be a terrible drought; and if the koala is no longer heard calling in

the night, the trees will stop growing. Clearly, the koala is rooted in the land and the spirit of Australia, a species to be cared for and protected.

Some Aboriginal Australians call the koala colo, which translates to “our little favorite.” Round, fuzzy, beloved, enigmatic, mischievous, whimsical, and endearing, koalas are undeniably a little favorite the world over. #ey have certainly been a signi!cant part of the San Diego Zoo and its history. As we delve even more into collaborative conserva-tion e"orts for koalas and open a new, more expansive habitat for our colony here in San Diego—the Conrad Prebys Australian Outback—they will continue to bring surprises and create more legends in the years to come. Q

When joey Pulyara's mother developed an infection in her pouch, adult female koala Jan filled the role of surrogate mother, which is unusual among koalas.

This San Diego Zoo Koala History timeline and other interactive features are available on our tablet editions for iPad and Kindle Fire.

Visit the Apple Store or Amazon to download the ZOONOOZ app to your tablet.

SAMPLE INTERACTIVE PAGE

Prolific PouchesTHE ZOO’S KOALA BREEDING PROGRAM

For quite some time, koalas were among the most enigmatic of an-imals when it came to their reproductive proclivities—a sort of marsupial Mona Lisa. What secrets were hidden behind those be-

mused expressions? Koalas, it seemed, didn’t kiss—or anything else—and tell. It was going to take research and imagination to !nd out what it takes to get these creatures to do what supposedly comes naturally.

The Birds and the Bees and Chuck Bieler"e San Diego Zoo’s history with these captivating critters goes way back to the arrival of two koalas from Australia in 1925. For years af-ter that, koalas were featured sporadically in the Zoo’s collection, and

By Peggy ScottASSOCIATE EDITOR

Photos by Ken BohnSDZG PHOTOGRAPHER

keepers learned the particulars of caring for these cute riddles. Koalas look sleepy and cuddly, but they can, at times, be downright cantan-kerous. Add to that claws that help scale trees and sharp teeth suitable for chomping eucalyptus, and you have the bundle of contradictions known as the koala.

In the 1970s, Charles “Chuck” Bieler, then executive director of the San Diego Zoo, saw the koala’s potential as a #agship species for the organization and traveled to Australia to !nd out what was needed to successfully keep and nurture a colony of koalas. What he learned on that trip changed the Zoo’s koala husbandry practices and helped set protocols that would lead to the most successful breeding colony of koalas outside of Australia. Since 1976, 123 joeys have been born in our extended colony. A collaborative koala loan program with other

facilities has helped keep the gene pool viable, and of the 11 zoos in the United States that keep koalas, 6 of those (including our Zoo) have animals that can trace their family tree to the San Diego colony. "ese successes were the result of inten-sive research that continues today.

The Mating Match GameScience plays a huge role in the suc-cess or failure of any breeding pro-gram. One area studied was major histocompatibility (MHC), which considers the possibility of breeding success on a molecular level. “"e science has to be there,” says Jennifer Tobey, research coordinator in the Behavioral Biology Divison at the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conser-vation Research. “But you also have to ask if there are some other char-acteristics besides genetics that can predict whether a pair will success-fully breed.”

"ose inevitable variables keep ev-erything interesting, to say the least. “"e master plan of a breeding pro-gram says who should be bred with whom from a genetics standpoint,” explains Chris Hamlin Andrus, an-imal care manager at the Zoo. “Stud-

books and other references keep track of parental lineage. But working with and studying koalas, we know there’s more to it than genetics.”

Ladies’ Choice"rough research and the analysis of almost two decades’ worth of data, our experts were able to pinpoint certain factors that successful koala pairings seemed to have in common. Female mate selection played a key role. When a female was brought into a male’s enclosure, her reaction

It’s important that the females react positively beforehand to the males’ bellows and to their scent.

set the stage. “If she was not responsive or if she showed aggression, it’s likely the male would retreat and hide in the corner,” Jennifer explains. “It’s important that the females react positively beforehand to the males’ bellows and to their scent.” Chris notes that the e$ectiveness of a male’s scent gland varies, because di$erent smells seem to appeal to di$erent females. “"ere are 40 di$erent chemicals in a male koala’s scent gland,” Jennifer says, likening the situation to a preference for one cologne over another.

Jennifer goes on to explain that a successful !rst breeding usually in-dicates future pairings between those two individuals will also result in a joey—up to four times. A%er the fourth fruitful breeding, the success diminishes. Of course, notes Chris, there’s an exception to every rule. “"ere’s a pair in Cleveland that had a successful record from 1991 to 2012,” she says.

A love connection was also more likely, researchers discovered, when the male was a bit older—around three years—than the female. And while his age appears important, size doesn’t matter as much. Male body mass, they noted in their study, had no e$ect on reproductive success.

Looking (Way) AheadHaving documented scienti!cally based data regarding the importance of bellows, scent glands, female mate selection, and pair familiarity has all helped the Zoo’s koalas and those animals in the loan program that live in facilities elsewhere. "e ultimate goal, of course, is to aid koalas everywhere, even in the wild. “We’re not just looking at caring for an-imals now, making sure they’re well,” Chris explains. “We’re looking 100 years down the road. If you don’t do something in, say, 10 years, it can a$ect the whole population 100 years from now.”

Jennifer agrees that there are still questions to be addressed that could have long-ranging e$ects. “You know there’s an answer out there,” she says. “It’s not an unsolvable problem. You have to like the mystery be-hind the puzzle.” Q

Characteristically Koala

HANDS: Koala hands and feet curl around tree branches effectively. Each hand has two—count ‘em, two—opposable thumbs that give koalas an extra bit of grasping ability. Rough, ridged pads on the hands and feet aid their grip and provide traction. And, of course, those long, sharp claws for clutching tree bark help their clinging capability (although they can hurt human skin).

NOSE: Big nose, big role! �e sense of smell is one of a koala’s best senses. A foraging koala spends a great deal of time sniffing out just the right bit of eucalyptus. �is helps the animal get the most nutritious leaves and avoid non-edible eucalyptus. Although able to process some of the toxins in eucalyptus leaves, there are some eucalyptus species that are even poisonous to koalas.A keen sense of smell plays a vital role in koala communication as well. Males leave scent marks on trees to both welcome females and warn off intruding fellows.

FUR: A koala’s fuzzy appearance belies the reality that its fur is quite coarse. Described as feeling like sheep’s wool, the koala’s dense coat protects it from both extremely hot and cold conditions. It’s also water resistant, so a rainy day is no problem. �e color of the fur can vary, depending on which part of Australia the individual is from; koalas in the south usually have thicker, darker fur than those in the north.

RUMP: Koalas are sedentary animals that sleep for long periods as they digest their food. To stay out of the reach of predators like dingoes, they curl up in the crook of a tree. A rounded rear end, curved spine, and barely-there tail allow koalas to fit into a snug spot for a snooze. Extra-thick fur on the rump provides padding against the hard branches.

FEET: Count the digits on a koala’s foot, and you’ll tally four: the first two toes are fused together. �is two-in-one tool grips branches and does double duty as a grooming apparatus. �e two claws close together work like a comb when raked through the fur. �ese tree dwellers also have one clawless toe that acts like a thumb for gripping branches.

ARMS: Strong arm and shoulder muscles help a koala climb 150 feet to the top of a tree and enable it to leap between branches. Being on the ground all the time would be a disadvantage, because predators could easily catch a koala.

HINDGUT: Eucalyptus leaves may not contain as much nutrition as other plant material, but they’re plentiful in the koalas’ native range—and no one else really eats them. �at’s because eucalyptus leaves contain toxic compounds that are poisonous to most other animals. Koalas, however, have a special bacteria in their digestive tract that breaks down the toxins while nutrients are absorbed from the leaves.

MOUTH: Koalas make several different vocalizations, from snores to screams to bellows. (Tap on video link below to hear a bellow.) Both sexes bellow, but males seem to do it more often. San Diego Zoo Global researchers are trying to understand why they make this sound—is it to tell other males to stay away or to invite females to visit?

MALE KOALA SCENT GLAND: �is small, bare patch of skin is where the male’s scent gland is located. When the male rubs this spot against a tree or branch, the sticky brown secretion spreads his special smell. Varying amounts of 40 chemicals give each male koala his own signature scent for attracting females and warding off other males.

FEMALE KOALA POUCH: Like all marsupials, female koalas have a pouch in which they carry their baby, called a joey. Many marsupials, like kangaroos, have a pouch that opens upward, toward their head. But koala moms have a pouch that opens toward their hind legs. After the tiny joey is born, it uses strong forelimbs and hands to crawl from the birth canal into its mother’s pouch. Inside the pouch are two nipples. �e joey latches onto one and stays snug and safe, drinking milk and growing, for about six months.

From nose to toes to rounded rump, see for yourself how koalas are well-suited for life in the trees.

KOALACONSERVATION

There’s an air of calm e!ciency in the neutral-colored tones of the room. Veterinary technicians and hospital keepers ar-range sterile tools of the trade around the well-lit table for the duty at hand: three young koalas that recently arrived from Australia will be getting complete health exams. Just a"er 9

a.m., Kirstin Clapham, senior hospital keeper, carries a squiggling #ve-year-old koala into the room. He has just been weighed in a bucket, his eyes peeking over the top, as the scale tipped to a hair past 19 pounds. He’s robust, thick-furred, and waving his dagger-like claws. $ose long, sharp nails make climbing trees a breeze, but they can be dangerous

By Karyl Carmignani STAFF WRITER

Photos by Ken BohnSDZG PHOTOGRAPHER

Wrapping a young koala snugly helps it stay calm during field examinations.

for keepers. His fuzzy face, tuft-ed ears, and bare-skinned nose are completely enchanting. To mini-mize stress to the marsupial, a clear mask is placed over his face, and he is soon a sedated “limp noodle” so the important work can begin.

CHECKING IT OUTA technician intubates the koala to keep the anesthesia stable throughout the procedure. $e steady beeping of a heart-rate monitor dots the air. San Diego Zoo Veterinarian Geo% Pye, B.V.Sc., M.Sc., Dipl. A.C.Z.M. (that alphabet soup of credentials in-dicates he’s a really smart guy!), ex-plains the exam. $e koalas will be in quarantine at the Jennings Cen-ter for Zoological Medicine at the Zoo for at least 30 days, until Geo% is “positive they will not be a threat to our collection.” Cute though they may be, the newcomers could carry the B-variant of the koala retrovirus and chlamydia, so they are screened for those diseases multiple times.

Today’s exam also includes over-all body measurements, ear and eye exams, a blood draw, dental check-up, and radiographs of their hips and shoulders to assess bone health. “Our colony of koalas is prone to hip dysplasia, so it’s important we get a baseline on these guys,” says Geo%. But occurrences of that disease may decrease soon, since the new koala exhibit in the Conrad Prebys Aus-tralian Outback provides more sun-

Radiographs allow veterinarians to monitor bone health.

Sedation allows for a stress-free exam for the koalas.

How do you hold a koala? Pretend to be a tree.

light for the animals. “None of the koalas will be housed indoors any-more, which will reduce possible vitamin D de#ciency,” Geo% notes, and that could remedy the condition.

NEW KIDS IN TOWNKoalas have enjoyed rock star status at the Zoo since their furry de-but in 1925. During the ensuing decades, there have been 123 joeys born here, and the San Diego Zoo has the largest breeding colony of

Bradley takes his turn on the scale.

Queensland koalas outside of Austra-lia. A"er nearly six years, the permit process was completed, and three new koalas—two males, Bradley and Sim-ba, and one female named Beejay—arrived in San Diego, accompanied by keepers. They arrived in Febru-ary 2013 from Dreamworld Wildlife Foundation in Australia. $is trio will eventually join the breeding colony and add new genes to the group.

Maintaining genetic diversity in a group of koalas is important for their health and well-being, and our re-searchers are working to learn more about the complex ecology of koalas both in the wild and at the Zoo. For instance, out of the 700 species of eu-calyptus found in Australia—the sole sustenance for koalas—they only eat about 25 species. $e Zoo grows sever-al types of eucalyptus, and Geo% notes

that, “It still takes new koalas a week or so to acclimate to the eucalyptus we have here.”

LET ME SEE YOUR TEETHBack in the exam room, X rays are taken, and the radiograph images are quickly downloaded and viewed on a high-de#nition &at screen (donated by Sony Electronics). $e koala’s bones are revealed in aston-ishing detail. Geo% picks up a gizmo called an intra-oral dental camera and inspects the koala’s teeth for wear. Koalas eat more than one pound of eucalyptus leaves each day, and the grinding action can cause their teeth to deteriorate over time. $ey have just one set of teeth through-out their life.

Strangely, tooth wear is variable: some koalas follow established tooth-wear charts, but other populations, like the koalas on St. Bees Island, Australia, withstand their abrasive diet much better. “We are collab-orating with researchers in Australia to compile more dental data,” says Geo%. “When wild koalas are caught to receive a radio collar, that

Open wide! Dental health is critical to a koala’s overall well-being.

exam includes documenting their dental health.” Tooth wear can limit lifespan, so if koalas have stronger, healthier teeth, they can contribute their genes to the population for a longer period of time, which helps sustain the species.

In addition to his vet duties at the Zoo, Geo% is compiling data on % is compiling data on %koala teeth from the Zoo and comparing it with tooth-wear charts for the St. Bees koalas. “We want to #nd out how the St. Bees koalas with-stand wear on their teeth. Is it genetic? Does metabolic bone disease cause other koalas’ teeth to wear down more quickly? We’re working on it,” he says. Another puzzling aspect to the St. Bees koalas is that they seem to be self-managing—they don’t eat themselves out of resources. “$is is a healthy population with little or no human in&uence, and

EUCALYPTUS FORESTS MAP

!"#$%&'()&*+,,(Eucalyptus forests in Australia have vanished since the 1800s.

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they seem to be managing well on the island,” says Geo%. “$ere’s no apparent inbreeding, and their numbers are stable.” And their pearly whites are in good shape!

WILD TIMESIt’s clear that Geo% is not only a talented veterinarian but also passion-ate about koala conservation. His work melding information learned from the wild with that of koalas in zoos is painting a clearer picture of this complex species. “At the San Diego Zoo, I can work to the extent of my abilities,” says Geo%. “I get to work at the best zoo, and I get to do #eld work, which helps the big picture of conservation.” In spite of the obstacles facing koalas in the wild, like disease, dogs, cars killing or injuring them, and habitat fragmentation, Geo% is determined to make a di%erence. “Everything we do here is helping conserve this species,” he says. “If we can save the koala, we’ll save all the other species that share their habitat as well.” Q

Field work has researcher and subject seeing eye to eye.

PROTECTING

URBAN KOALAS

 Though it may sound like an edgy band name or a line of hip sun-glasses, the “urban koalas” of Australia face an obstacle course of deadly challenges across their range. As human development projects have overtaken bushland and eucalyptus groves, koalas

!nd themselves threatened by an increase in cars, dogs, fences, and more stress than a tightrope walker. "is is not the !rst time koa-las have been thrust toward extinction—they were hunted mercilessly in the 1920s and 1930s for their fur, and their populations plummet-ed. A#er a particularly brutal hunting season in which 800,000 of the fuzzy marsupials were killed in the state of Queensland, the collective conscience rose to halt the slaughter. In the United States, President Roosevelt made owning koala fur illegal, and in the koalas’ homeland, the Australian government declared them a protected species. "e ro-ly-poly animals bounced back.

By Karyl Carmignani STAFF WRITER

Photos by Ken BohnSDZG PHOTOGRAPHER

Signs along highways remind drivers that koalas are in the vicinity.

Today, koalas are once again on a collision course with humans, this time over real estate—both humans and koalas prefer to live along the fertile east coast of Australia, aptly known as the Koala Coast. But ko-alas are far less $exible in “choosing” their home, due to their dietary and habitat needs. Exacerbating their plight is the fact that 80 percent of koala habitat has been cleared for agriculture and urban develop-ment in the past few decades.

“"e ongoing prioritization of the use of land for people, rather than for the preservation of existing ecologies, is at the heart of why the koa-las are disappearing,” states the highly anticipated Koala Research Col-laboration Project report. Fortunately for koalas, this report, support-ed by Dreamworld Australia, presents useful ideas and guidelines for developers, architects, and homeowners to create and maintain ideal habitats so that koalas and humans can live side by side in a sustainable environment on the Koala Coast.

Hundreds of koalas are injured (or worse) each year from collisions with cars and attacks by domestic dogs.

TREES, PLEASEKoalas use eight to nine trees per day for eating and resting. "ough able to leap from one strong branch to the next, they usually come to the ground and walk to the next tree. Ideal koala bush habitat requires structural diversity and biodiversity, particularly in the hotter climes of southeastern Queensland. A healthy mixture of food trees and resting trees, with an understory of shade-casting shrubs where the animals retreat in the heat of the day, works best. Koalas are also known to seek refuge in hollows and take cover underground, even using wombat burrows in hot weather.

According to the Koala Research Collaboration Project, Australia has more than 700 species of eucalyptus, yet koalas only feed on about 25 species within this group. Koalas need a full suite of leaves to get a balanced diet, eating the tips of fresh new growth where there is more nutrition and less cellulose and tannin. "ey eat about 3 hours a day, and then sleep and digest for 16 hours.

As voracious eucalyptus eaters, koalas require these trees for food and shelter.

Like many other places inhabited by humans, buildings and private dwellings sprout over the landscape, biting into forested areas. When bushland is bulldozed, every tree and living thing is removed or $at-tened. In koala habitat, prior to clearing the land, developers hire “spot-ters” and “catchers” to remove and translocate koalas before the bull-dozers arrive. However, despite this costly endeavor (it can cost up to $10,000 per koala), captured koalas that are not moved far enough away will return to their home range. "is so-called “so#-cull” technique is o#en ine%ective, as many animals die from the stress of their translo-cation or are killed by cars or dogs while trying to return to their range.

In spite of habitat fragmentation, cars and dogs, fences, stress, dis-ease, climate change, bush!res, and unknown causes impacting koalas, there are plenty of people willing to help reverse the downward trend. A#er all, the koala’s plight is due to issues that a%ect humans as well.

SOLVING ECOLOGICAL ISSUESFor Australia to save its koalas from the dangers of urban development, the report states that “more creative designs are needed that address planning, building, and economic and ecological agendas simultane-ously,” to enable koalas and humans to live together. In rethinking the path forward and protecting the inherent value of ecosystems, people need to engage in behaviors they have control over, like planting trees and refraining from cutting down existing trees. “We humans have

One of the gravest threats to koalas is crossing roads and highways. Solutions are being explored.

created a wall between ourselves and nature, and yet we still like to go on holidays to nature,” observed Al Mucci of Dreamworld Australia. "ere is room for improvement to protect and value life-giving trees.

CONNECTIVITY IS KEYBuilding up national parks and protected lands is a safe bet, not only for wildlife but for people as well. Where roads cut through koala hab-itat, creating safe corridors, bridges, and tunnels will allow koalas to traverse safely between habitat patches and will maximize genetic di-versity. Planting walking and bike paths with koala food trees can es-tablish multi-use koala corridors. Even golf courses, which are dog-free safe havens for koalas, can be more enticing to the animals with suit-able trees added.

Attaching value to existing green spaces and embracing the inher-ent signi!cance of bushland will serve people and the $ora and fauna well. Obviously, people’s understanding of koala behavior is crucial to saving them. Preserving this iconic species will surely bene!t Australia

The absence of trees and the presence of fences diminishes koala habitat.

economically in the short and long run. As Bill Ellis, Ph.D., of the Uni-versity of Queensland succinctly stated, “"e challenge for developers and local governments is to enhance yields by including koalas.”

KOALA-FRIENDLY DEVELOPMENTSOne of the best residential developments that uses koala and wildlife planning strategies is Koala Beach, a 600-dwelling settlement built on land that was previously a dairy farm, in northern New South Wales. Touted as “koala friendly,” it features a host of marsupial amenities including koala food trees, which thrive along extra-wide paths and dividers along the streets. Residents are active stewards in the biodiver-sity of their neighborhood and cannot own dogs (which harm koalas) and pay an “environmental levy” of $100 per year to fund initiatives to support local koala populations. Bush restoration and rare plants are nurtured, which helps to re-establish threatened botanical species. It was happily noted that while conserving koala habitat, 26 other vul-nerable species have also bene!tted. One such victory is an endangered local bird, the bush thick-knee, that is making a comeback in Koala

Building fences off the ground allows wildlife, including koalas, to pass through.

Beach. "e residents’ pride in the local nature and stewardship of their wild spaces makes Koala Beach an attractive place to live and raise the next generation of wildlife-aware children. "e success of this develop-ment demonstrates that when sustainable choices are made that help wildlife, it’s a win-win for koalas and people.

IN MY BACKYARDSince 80 percent of koala habitat is privately owned, people with yards have enormous potential to allow their properties to function as wildlife corridors for koalas and other native species. Along the Koala Coast, backyards can be vital stopovers for koalas on the move. Residents there are asked to make their fences koala friendly so the animals can move safely in and out of each property; climbable fences with wider tops to provide koala “walkways” and planting trees on both sides of the fence so koalas can cross over are two examples. Dogs should be tethered outside and brought in at night. People with swimming pools should use a pool cover that is tight enough that koalas can walk across it without sinking; uncovered pools should have a thick rope attached at one end with a $oating object, like a milk jug, and tied to a tree or fence post to help a koala climb out of the pool if it accidentally tum-bles in. “If it is safer for koalas, it is also safer for kids,” said Bill. And that makes the world a better place for everyone! Q

A TIP OF THE CAP TO

EUCALYPTUS

By Wendy PerkinsSTAFF WRITER

Photos by Ken BohnSDZG PHOTOGRAPHER

In playing a word association game, if one said “koala,” the replies

might be “cute” or “fuzzy.” Perhaps even “eucalyptus,” since so many people know that koalas munch on eucalyptus leaves—and that’s pretty much all they eat. What’s so special about that fragrant foliage? Quite a bit!

By Wendy PerkinsSTAFF WRITER

Photos by Ken BohnSDZG PHOTOGRAP

n playing a word association game, if one said “koala,” the replies

might be “cute” or “fuzzy.” Perhaps even “eucalyptus,” since so many people know that koalas munch on eucalyptus leaves—and that’s pretty much

By Wendy PerkinsSTAFF WRITER

Photos by Ken BohnSDZG PHOTO

Imight be “cute” or “fuzzy.” Perhaps even “eucalyptus,” since so many people know that koalas munch on eucalyptus leaves—and that’s pretty much

IT’S COVERED�ere are about 700 species of Eucalyptus, also known as gum trees. �e scienti�c name comes from the hard, cup-like structure that protects the �owers before they open: the Greek roots eu and calyptos mean “well covered.” Most types of Eucalyptus are native to Australia, Tasmania, and surrounding islands. Yet one species, the rainbow eucalyptus E. deglupta (named for its technicolor trunk), has its origins on Mindanao in the Philippines.

�e old wisdom of not judging a book by its cover doesn’t quite apply to eucalyptus trees. Horticulturists rely on the appearance of the bark as one key to identi�cation. Generally, eucalypts can be sorted into one of six groups based on their bark: bloodwoods, boxbarks, peppermints, ironbarks, stringybarks, and gum trees. �e latter, with its smooth trunk, is the type most of us are familiar with.

The smooth bark of gum trees is shed periodically in flakes, strips, and ribbons. Old and new bark are different colors, and the contrast can be quite vivid. On this rainbow gum tree E. deglupta, the old, reddish-brown bark is peeling off, revealing new, bright green bark beneath.

The trunk of a red ironbark E. syderoxylon displays the deeply furrowed covering characteristic of the ironbark eucalyptus. The rough bark has a hard, crumbly texture due to a sugary substance called kino.

Admired for their fast growth and dense wood, eucalyptus trees were introduced from Australia to Southern California in the 1860s. The plan was to raise the trees for lumber to make railroad ties. Because the wood cracked and split, it proved to be unsuitable for that purpose, but other uses were found for the adaptable trees. Before long, the trees had readily reproduced and eventually naturalized to the region.

A eucalyptus sprout is vulnerable to many mouths. By growing quickly, a eucalypt increases its chance for survival to the reproductive state. In the early stages, some eucalypts can add a foot or two per year. In a more mature phase, that rate can jump to four to six feet of growth per year.

BOTH TREE AND BUSHWhen it comes to shape, there is not as much variation. Many eucalypts grow straight and tall, like the towering mountain ash E. regnans, which can reach more than 200 feet tall and is both the tallest tree in the Southern Hemisphere and the tallest �owering plant in the world. Other species form bushes in what is called a mallee growth habit, where many stems sprout from a central root underground.

Eucalyptus blossoms are lovely, but it is the leaves that give off that hearty, camphor-like scent. The leaves are harvested for the cineole, the medicinally active component in eucalyptus oil that is used in both traditional and modern medicines. Eucalyptus oil is commonly used in cough drops and other cold remedies and is known to have anti-bacterial properties.

Not all gum trees have long leaves. Silver dollar gum trees E. polyanthemos are named for their rounded leaves. Another round-leafed eucalypt, known as the argyle apple E. cinerea, is a popular addition to floral arrangements, where it adds a punch of pizzaz.

The long, narrow shape of adult eucalyptus leaves reduces the amount of surface area exposed, thereby helping the tree avoid high moisture loss under the intense sun.

Young leaves are more rounded and have a slightly thicker wax coating for protection from moisture loss. This lush foliage contains more nutrients than larger, older leaves, which is probably why koalas prefer them.

The blue spots on this close up of a eucalyptus leaf are stomata, or pores. Through these many miniscule openings, the eucalyptus leaf takes in carbon dixoide and “exhales” oxygen. The stomata also function like pixels on a computer screen, creating a bluish tinge in the leaf’s appearance.

Eucalpytus seed pods are commonly called gum nuts. They may remain on the tree for quite a long time. When the stem becomes brittle and breaks off, the gum nut falls to the ground, and the resulting impact sets the seeds free.

From elongated “spike balls” to dangling cups to a compact cluster like this one, eucalypt pods display a diverse range of appearance.

Before and after: from a rather prickly looking pod comes a flush of fluffy stamens.

Cap off to the future! As the stamens reach their full development, the swelling pushes the pod cap off. Then the stamens spread wide to give pollinators plenty of reasons to stop by.

Eucalyptus blooms are different from most flowers—they have no petals, just exposed tufts of lush stamens. Depending on the type of eucalypt, the stamens may be red, yellow, orange, or white.

Boasting the largest single seed capsule of any eucalypt, E. macrocarpa is also one of the types of eucalyptus koalas don’t eat. It is a mallee type—developing into a huge bush rather than a tall tree. The plant grows from a lignotuber, which allows it to regenerate from the ground.

SAN DIEGO’S KOALA FOODTo keep a koala colony thriving requires not just some eucalyptus but copious quantities of the aromatic leaves. Each of our koalas eats between one and one-and-one-half pounds of fresh eucalyptus a day. In a sweet bit of serendipity, Southern California has become a second home to these trees from the Southern Hemisphere. Eucalyptus trees were introduced to the region more than 100 years ago for commercial purposes that never really took root. However, the adaptable species blossomed—literally and �guratively—and spread.

Today, the lacy-crowned canopies of eucalyptus are found throughout San Diego County. To give our koalas the best nutrition, however, the Zoo grows its own. On our browse farm, we cultivate more than 30 types of eucalyptus. Among them are the species we’ve noticed our koalas favor, E. robusta, E. punctata, and E. saligna, just to name a few. We also grow other species, such as E. rudis and E. cinerea, which we add to the koala’s diet on a rotating basis for nutritional variety. Judging by our healthy colony, this approach is a “koala-�ed” success. n

Koalas prefer the young leaves, which tend to provide the most nutritional bang for the bite. To keep a constant supply of these tender tidbits, horticulturists at our browse farm use a special cultivation technique, called coppicing, to efficiently meet our koala colony’s appetite.

support

A New Spot for

LEOPARDS at the Zoo

Of all the big cats in the world, leopards are among the most exquisite and endangered. !ey have been animal stars at the San Diego Zoo since the early 1920s, and they continue to reign supreme by delighting fe-

line fans with their charismatic demeanor and striking good looks. To-day, the Zoo is home to several types of leopards, including two from remote regions of Asia: the Amur leopard and the snow leopard. !ey captivate the hearts of feline a"cionados with their beauty and grace and live in habitats along the Zoo’s Big Cat Trail (formerly called Dog & Cat Canyon) that were built in the late 1930s by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Although we have remodeled these exhibits over the years, it is de"nitely time to build new homes for both species.

By Georgeanne IrvineASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, COMMUNICATIONS/DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

Photos by Ken BohnSDZG PHOTOGRAPHER

Snow leopard Amur leopard

!"Ts w#Th a !"u$EAmur leopards and snow leopards are under tremendous pressure throughout their home ranges. Poaching, human set-tlements, loss of prey, and dwindling hab-itats are affecting the wild populations of these spotted treasures of the animal world. Breeding programs in zoos, as well as sharing with visitors how signi"cant leopards are within their ecosystem, are more vital than ever to their ultimate sur-vival.

%&'R ()Op%r*: +"Re,t !"T -n ."r/HWhen you gaze into the gold-and-green eyes of an Amur leopard, it’s hard to be-lieve that this engaging animal is on the edge of extinction. With only about 40 le# in the mountain forests of southern Rus-sia and northern China and only 300 in zoos, Amur leopards are the most critical-ly endangered big cat species on the plan-et. !ey are also one of the species that we have the greatest chance of saving and reintroducing into the wild. As a leader in cat conservation e$orts, San Diego Zoo Global is working with zoos around the world to breed Amur leopards. Our hope is to also establish a breeding program within their native homeland so that o$-spring can be introduced into some of the forests that are still intact and protected by the Russian and Chinese governments.

,01W ()Op%r*: .2Us3v) a4d .2Eg%n/Magni"cent snow leopards are seldom seen in the wild, yet they are a %agship species for international conservation e$orts. Most of them prowl along the cli$s and rocky slopes of the cold, rugged mountains in central Asia. Although 4,000 to 6,500 snow leopards live in the wild,

their numbers are quickly diminish-ing. !eir habitat extends over a huge area—12 countries—and is becoming more and more fragmented as people with livestock move into the animals’ home range. At the Zoo, we want to set up our snow leopard pair for breeding success as part of a global plan to pro-tect this incredible species.

4)W (1Dg3n5S 6o7 ()Op%r*S!e new Amur and snow leopard havens will be located adjacent to each other, just south of Panda Trek, where many other Asian animals reside. !eir new habitats will encourage the leopards’ natural behaviors, enrich their lives, and vastly improve viewing for our guests. Some of the highlights include:

■ Multilevel living space—gentle slopes dotted with trees and shrubs for the Amur leopards and a hill-side habitat with rocky outcrop-pings for the snow leopards.

■ Creature comforts, such as heated rocks for napping, deadwood for scratching, and high lookout ar-eas for perching.

■ Up-close viewing for visitors through glass panels, as well as a glass-fronted maternity den so guests can watch the mother leop-ards rearing their cubs.

■ Camou%aged animal care center nestled between the two exhibits, along with bedrooms, a keeper work area, food preparation kitch-en, and space for on-site veterinary procedures.

SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBALOFFICERS

Richard B. Gulley, ChairmanWilliam H. May, Vice Chairman

Sandra A. Brue, SecretaryRobert B. Horsman, Treasurer

BOARD OF TRUSTEESM. Javade Chaudhri

Berit N. DurlerClifford W. Hague

Nan C. KatonaPatricia L. RoscoeSteven G. Tappan

Judith A. WheatleyDavid S. Woodruff, Ph.D., D.Sc.

TRUSTEES EMERITIFrank C. Alexander

Kurt Benirschke, M.D. Weldon DonaldsonThompson Fetter

Bill L. FoxFrederick A. Frye, M.D.

George L. GildredYvonne W. LarsenJohn M. Thornton

Albert Eugene TrepteBetty Jo F. Williams

William E. Beamer, General Counsel

Douglas G. Myers, President/CEO

Charles L. Bieler, Executive Director Emeritus

The Foundation of San Diego Zoo Global

OFFICERSJohn E. Gartman, Chair

Murray H. Hutchison, Vice ChairMargie Warner, Secretary

Maryanne C. Pfister, TreasurerMark A. Stuart, President

Richard B. Gulley, Ex officioDouglas G. Myers, Ex officio

BOARD OF DIRECTORSChristine L. AndrewsRichard A. Baldwin

Joye D. BlountRick BregmanLisa S. Casey

Douglas Dawson Berit N. Durler, Ex officio

U. Bertram Ellis, Jr.Arthur E. Engel

Fran GoldenCraig L. Grosvenor

Judith C. HarrisRichard M. HillsCraig A. IrvingSusan B. Major

Susan N. McClellanMichael D. McKinnon

George A. RamirezJoyce Summers

Thomas Tull

Where there’s a WILL there’s a WAY.To request a complimentary brochure about

including the Zoological Society of San Diego in your will or trust, please call 619-744-3352 or

visit www.zoolegacy.org.

Creating new homes for our rare leopard residents has been a long time coming. !rough your generosity, we can create incredible en-vironments for our Amur and snow leopards, where they can thrive with their cubs as well as provide a dynamic viewing experience for our guests. Q

8)2P 97Ov3d) 4)W

f1R -'RPlease help us give our leopards the best “spots” for prowling, growling, and napping in the Zoo. With your support, we can enhance the lives of our endangered Amur and snow leopards, and they can continue to be a conservation catalyst for their wild relatives. For more information, please visit our website at sandiegozoo.org/leopards. To contribute by check, please make it payable to the San Diego Zoo and mail to:Leopard AppealDevelopment DepartmentSan Diego ZooP.O. Box 120271San Diego, CA 92112-0271

LEOPARDS!“SPOTS”

Visit sandiegozoo.org/leopards for more information.

from the archives

An Intern from Hollywood

from the archives

Our animals have always been the stars at the Zoo and Safari Park, but in May 1983, they received some famous attention from a fel-low celebrity. Hollywood star Brooke Shields spent the month in San Diego as an intern, !lling a work experience requirement for her senior year of high school. She worked in several areas of the Zoo and the Park, and one of her assignments was to help the keepers in the koala exhib-it. Brooke helped clean, prep eucalyptus branches, and conduct daily checks of the marsupials. She was also granted the rare opportunity to get up close and personal with them—always aware of the koalas’ sharp claws, of course. "e koalas were curious about the newcomer but soon took her presence in stride. Zoo and Park sta# members were # members were #a bit more starstruck: having Brooke Shields as an employee made for a merry month of May! Q

published since 1926 June 2013 n vol.lxxxvi–no.6

San Diego Zoo HourS June 1–14 & 16–20: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; June 15: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; June 21–30: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.San Diego Zoo Safari Park HourS June 1–28: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; June 29–30: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information about our animals and events, visit sandiegozoo.org or call 619-231-1515.

The Zoological Society of San Diego was founded in Octo ber 1916 by Harry M. Wegeforth, M.D., as a private nonprofit corporation. The Zoological Society of San Diego does business as San Diego Zoo Global.The digiTal version of ZoonooZ® is currently published bi-monthly and is available for the iPad and Kindle Fire. Publisher is San Diego Zoo Global, at 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA 92103, 619-231-1515. Copyright® 2013 San Diego Zoo Global. All rights reserved. “ZOOnOOZ” Reg. u.S. Pat. Office. All column and program titles are trademarks of San Diego Zoo Global.Annual Memberships: Dual $114, new; $99, renewal. Single $94, new; $82, renewal. each membership includes unlimited entrance to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

Managing eDitor KARen e. WORley

aSSociate eDitorS PeGGy SCOTTDebbie AnDReen

Staff writerS WenDy PeRKinSKARyl CARMiGnAni

San Diego Zoo global™ PHotograPHer Ken bOHn

Digital iMaging tecHnician TAMMy SPRATT

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