NEWSLETTER AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOO KEEPERS EXECUTIVE SECRETARY RICHARD G. SWEENEY NATIONAL TREASURER CONRAD A. GRAYSON SAN DIEGO CHAPTER 1969 OFFICERS PRESIDENT—GERALD THOMAS 1st V. P.—JOHN MAGARELL 2nd V. P.—JAMES TILLOTSON 3rd V. P.—CHARLES SHUMANN TREASURER—WALTER BROMLEY SECRETARY—DENNIS MELVIN SGT. AT ARMS—HUEY HANNON SUBSCRIPTION RATES U.S.A. — 25c per copy or $2.50 per year to non members Foreign — $3.50 per year AAZK NEWSLETTER 3388 GRANADA AVENUE SAN DIEGO, CALIF. 92104 REPORTERS FOR AAZK NEWSLETTER DEWEY GARVEY-Brookfield Zoo,Brookfield,Illinois CHARLES F. MACGOWAN-Knowland Park Zoo,Oakland,Calif. ROBERT A. GRAWFORD-Lincoln Park Zoo,Chicago, Illinois EARL SCHULTZ-Mesker Park Zoo, Evansville,Indiana CHRIS LARUE-Topeka Zoological Park,Topeka,Kansas FRANK F. VELTE-Seneca Park Zoo,Rochester,N.Y. CLAUDE SIURPE-Seneca Park Zoo,Rochester,N.Y. ED SCHULZE-Milwauhee Co. Zoo,Milwaukee,Wise. HAROLD EDMONDS-Columbus Zoo,Columbus,Ohio PERRY N. ALEXANDER-Roeding Park Zoo,Fresno,Calif. BOB DUERR-Como Zoo,St, Paul, Minnesota HAROLD JOHNSON-Catskill Game Farm,Catski 11,N.Y. EDWARD A. ROBERTS-Middlesex Fells Zoo,Stoneham,Mass. KEN KENNEDY-Stanley Park Zoo,Vancouver,B.C.,Canada KEN WILLINGHAMSan Diego Zoological Gardens,Calif. CARL PYLE-San Diego Zoological Gardens, Cal if, DALE BROOKS-Fortland Zoo, Portland, Oregon JAMES L. DRAPER-Roger Williams Park Zoo, Providence,R.I. NEWSLETTER PRINTING STAFF VIRGINIA SWEENEY-fypCs FT Mimeographer L YD IA MEL VIN- La be Is DOLLIE WILLINGHAM-Folding & Stamping -A- INDEX T __ «'-=--•**-* • -»r. - •**■_-»*szm The Diet of Chimpanzees by Chris LaRue -—„ Pg # 20 AAZK Es toJolishes Geographical Regions ——-—-—-—*—-Pg. 2 Who has the Most Important Job in the Zoo? by Dr . Charles Schroeder —-- Pg. 3 Soymson^the Gorilla p from the Milwaukee Co. Zoo by Lester Bui grin --—-Pg* 5 News from Brookfield —-*- *———-——-—-*--Pg. 7 The Saigon Zoo & Other News by Marvin L. Jo ~n e s — —• *■** —* •** *** —* **- “* ■** ““ “**“** "R g • 5 Did- 7ou Know? by Edward Magee —- Pg. 1C The Keeper s Corner 0 y D i> c k Sweeney*** Pg. 11 Conservation on the Line by Ken Willingham — -— -— ~~-—?-Pg* 12 National Parks Just Don? t Happen, They Oyre Fought for by Ken Willingham — -—— ---Pg. 12 l-CV^S j r 0 1 Pt.' T 0 1 vdf ZoqI 0 gi* CO/ 1 Ro /1 1 i/—** m 1 ■ «**—m» i m> »»» » rr ^ **»■+** mm»—*«_<«.-« <—**** c««i»—^ 21 The Cincinnati Zoo ! s Crocodillians by Johnny Arnett —---—Pg. 16 A^A. Zt Kw is Z “® *** **"* *“* *** *' ^ MM *** *** *JM «* MM «M MM MM MM MM> «M MM «M MM MM mM MM MM MM MM MM MM «*U* mM MM MM MM MM MM «MM MM MM *M MM HM M » MM MM «-* «SM fcM MM» MM Oj . 1 The Consumption of Wildlife by Man(Part I)by William C. Conway —-Pg. 18 News from Middlesex Fells Zoo— ---——— -- ——Pg* 23 News from Knowland State Park ——-— — -—-—*----—Pg* 2 b ? AAZK FI*nancro/1 S taxement mmm ~ mm * m ~~~ m * m ‘ a ‘ *■*m-«mm-.m.m-«m ^mu^k*.**^^—^***-**^**——•*-~"~P g m 2 6 Action Requested by P.W.Ogilvie —--—-———---—Pg. 28 1 OlOh J / 0 / fit Cj X) I 1/ 0 f'b *C h *' f* i z!j 0 #»• •»» ******** **# £a» «. «u3* w# *s* «**•**«» Ml *t*M» lfc» |S^ iu» *» .^ » ^ .v* «u» j[ W Q ^ - 8 - Dear Member , The ranks of the AAZK novj number nearly 600, and we're just one year old * Our size could double by our next birthday, and we're sure it will. Now that we have representatives in some zoos in JO states, we're about to embark on our intended purpose, that of regional conferences, increased articles of interest in the AAZK NEWS LETTER, and many other id,eas to bring our profession together, and raise it up in stature. However, the only way we can accomplish our intended goals is by PARTICIPATION. Plan to attend, a region- a 1 workshop of the AAZK, when they are established. Bring your wife or guest- take an interest in our association o,nd contri¬ bute toward, its success. We are looking for prospective speakers V/ from the keeper ranks, ^to participate in con¬ ferences. If you're willing to speak on AAZK - 1 - specific items of animal care or conservation, please let us Know who you are. Although our regional workshops are in the early stages of plan¬ ning, we would like to hear from those interested in participating. Sincerely r Richard G. Sweeney,Executive Secretary,AAZK THE AAZK HAS ESTABLISHED THE FOLLOWING GEOGRAPHICAL REGIONS . Within each section a zoo will he designated as regional headquarters. Notice of these reaiono/l offices will he published in the January issue of AAZK NEWSLETTER. 1. Far Western-California, Arizona 9 Utah, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, Washington, Hawaii, and Alaska. 2. Western-Northwest-Montana, Wyoming, Colorad. 0 , Kansas, Nebraska N. Dakota, S. Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, and Missouri. 3. Wes tern-S outhwes t-Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico s 4. Southern-Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, S . Carolina. 5. S outheas tern-Kentucky, Virginia, W m Virginia., Tennessee, N. Carol ina € 6. Mid-west-Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan. 7. Northeast-New York, Pennsylvania.,, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Conn., Mass., Vermont, N. Hamspshire^Mdine, Rhode Island, & Wash.,D.C. (THE FOLLOWI NG. AR TICL E first appeo.red in ™Zoo Bell, ;7 a former employee publication of the San Diego Zoologies.! Gardens, Vol. IV, No. 5 f May 1957 • This is a very apt description of teem effort, and an ageless remedy 2 - for organizational success# worthy of individual attention m ) WHO IUS THE MOST IMPORTANT JOB IN TH E ZOO? In looking over the Won Diego Organizationa 1 Chari for lines of re¬ sponsibility# we asked; ourselves# :5 Just who does hold, the most important post?' 3 We might very well say that the president of the Society holds the top position be cons e he directs a group of twelve men known as the Board of Trustees , They# in turn# are responsible for the management of the Zoo# but neither he nor the Board.I holds the most important job because somewhere along the line a zoo must have and care for animals* This is fundamentali Obviously then# the curators# the men who secure the birds# the mammals and, the snakes# are most important . However# we could get oblong without them# though not too well • It must be the keepers# the fellows toho keep the animals alive# who hold the most important post , But if it weren*t for those toho buy# prepare and deliver the food# where would the Zoo be? They 9 re not the most important either# because if we didn 9 1 have the funds to buy the animals and the foody# where would, we be? Surely# we must start with the controller . # .and, this just must i nd eed, be the most i mp or tan t * But - i f t he con t rol 1 e r a nd h e r s t a didn*t have funds, to draw upon# we 9 d be in a bad way* Certainly# it 9 s the people who greet our calling public# the telephone operators# and those who meet our paying guests# the ticket sellers# who have the greatest responsibility , Fo money# no Zoo? ! But what keeps the visitors coming to the Zoo# if not the advertising# the publicity andl the promotion.performed by our public relations staff to acquaint both suverb collection and resident o^nd touristy young and old, with our the setting for it , Also true, but if the Zoo weren't a safe place to be, or if it were untidy, unpainted, badly painted or poorly planned, oui enutation would soon he lost . Our attendance would quickly fall off, our source of income would cease and at least some of us wouldn't be here . Then it could be the security section that plays the important role, of the construction and maintenance crew, or the men who Keep the grounds and enclosures clean, or those who plant, prune and water the trees and shrubs # Or it could be the public services department with its food, gifts and countless other items visitors find so attractive that keeps the turnstiles moving , Or maybe the animal acts are the chief drawing card for the Zooi All are important, but probably don't hold a candle to the driver - guides who expound the marvels of our Zoo day Ojfter day * True again, but without the animals, obviously the bus tour would be purposeless # Also, if the buses stopped bacause of mechanical failure, we'd be in a bC;d way, and since this is one of the unique services of our Zoo, it's the mechanics who keep everything running who really hold the important job. Still, fundamentally, we must come back to the animals* If we were to have a really devastating disease(or one vjhich would bring about total quarantine by the Department of Agriculture or Public Health Service) we'd have to lock our doors and we might lose all the animals in the Zoo . This, of course, immediately points up the fact that the Veterinarian has the most important job, He sees that the animals are properly feci 9 kept in good health, that newcomers don't bring in high - ly infectious agents , But again, he doesn't do any of these things alone . He is dependent on his staff, the laboratory and the small animal nursery, on the curators, and through them, on the keepers, ord through the keepers, for proper feeding, which comes from the ware¬ house,. and so again we corn go from one department to another , And what I am saying is that we are continually completing a circle , It becomes most apparent that EVERY JOB IP' TH E_ZOO , each'in its own right, is of equal importance- — custodian, sales clerk, waitress, supervisor, telephone operator, meat cutter, secretary, editor, director, keeper, or whatever the job title may be , One bad link in our chain seriously hurts the Zoo, our community and our international reputation, to song nothing of the disintegration taking place in the link itselfU More important and most fortunately, we all share in our successes and, they are many* Today we can rightfully be a proud family and, look forward to a veru bright future , . n „ , _ . ^ n Tf . , f J ~ i - J Charles R* 3chroeder,D+V*M • San Diego Zoological Gardens SAMSON . THE GORILLA, FROM THE MILWAUKEE COUNTY ZOO. by Lester Bulgrin,Area Supervisor, Primate Dept , Milwaukee County has recently received a completed Popularity Seasons G/?S £r-//SGS e, Survey of it$ entire contents done by a local agency. It was no surprise that SAMSON „ the gorilla, received the greatest percentage as the most pocular animal Out the zoo * Running a close second was the entire Primate Department accounting to 2 4 percent of a 11 inter¬ views • I feel it may he a little short of my expectations . SAMSON, being a Loioland Gorilla came to the Milwaukee County c**) Zoo in October 1950 at the age of 18 months, and weighed 12 lbs . He has now grown to 630 lbs . and is six feet tall . Being 19 years old at this time, he is as healthy as can be expected . Having a 40 /oot enclosed exhibit cage with all of the extras he has become a very important figure at the zoo. In fact, he h&s his portrait on the Zoo Booh cover . SAMS ON has entertained millions of visitors at the zoo # Anyone ioho ho,s visited the zoo iDill certainly remember him even if he leas taking a nap! He has dr anon capacity crowds in front of his cage ten months of the year , Perhaps feeding time is the highlight of his day when he com sit with great dignity and security and leisurely eat his especially prepared diet arranged on his table ♦ He has been 'publicized by a Milwaukee newspaper as the J King of the Zoo "\. «and ioho is to dethrone him? I wish everyone of our members of AAZK could visit the Milwaukee ounty Zoo some clay and visit the '*King and I c? / perhaps for striking couoAntance or for further inf orient ion a bout Samson or for good oldl G L >j zoo talk behind the scenes. hT EWS FROM BROOKFIELD ZOO reported by Dewejj^ Garvey, Births Tn"dc~tober off Costa Rican Deer o/l Forest Horse 1 Sooty Manabey 1/0 Guanaco l/o Flamy Hippopotamus October 11,1968 is the”3oy-*E5TB? ooTifTeld Zoo h ad; its first and baby and mother are doing fine. Until the early 1900’s P the Pigmy was thought to be the big black pig, other people believed it just to be a baby hippo. In 1912, the first pigmy hippo was brought to the U,S, and the Bronx Zoo in hew York, The parents of the baby (Ye tun named) are Spunky and Sassy^and have been housed in the elephant house since their arrival at Brook- ■field Zoo. This is their first offspring of many, we hope. 2 Collard, Peccary 2 Acouchi K 11 P Pigmy Hippopotamus born, ■ 7 - THE SAIGON ZOO AM D OTHER NEWS reported by Marvin L, Jones Situated; between ~some of'"the most 'imp or fant office's in the capital of the Republic of Vietnam? and the Saigon River is the charming? and; very clean park known as Thao Cam Vien? the Saigon Botanical and Zoo- one hundred years ago by the French logical Gardens, Foundedl well over _. _,^__ ,, , it remains the principal zoological institution in South Vietnam? and today boasts a fine? if small collection, The setting is very green? lush vegetation? amidst some unique and archaic exhibits? contrasting with the jeeps? andl weapons of war, Due to its location? the zoo is constantly patrolled by armored members of the security forces* and thus is probably the safest place for the foreign and domestic visitor. Admission is about $ cents U,S. for adults and two cents for children? and in 1967 attendance was in excess of 1,5 million* so it no doubt the most popular attraction in the city today. The collection is usual Lion and some gaudy Macaws from South America;, I was surprisedl to note that even though we have a large American presence in Vietnam , there was not a which I hope to see rectifiedl shortly. The lot too bad p and several of them have houses on the edge of the grounds. It is evident that they take good, care of their charges P since all of the animals' were in top-notch condition? and cages were very' clean 9 matching grounds that were imrmculo-te, .421 cages dad attractive labels that gave the local name? as well as the scientific, French and English name. In some cases "there were facts as to how the animals arrived? for is the k—' -i. sing1e specimen fr 0 m the United States? a situation oj the he e r>e r jl % IS not - 8 - instance the family of Greo,t Grey Kangaroos came from the Australian Army contingent in Vietnam p and the Monkey-eo,ting Eagle from the Philippines government , The latter had a fine large cage p with some planting# and looked very nice. The collection contained, about 70 species p o,nd, among the more . ■* interesting were two pairs of Concolor Gibbon (probably the race gabriellae)? pairs of both Javan and, Indian Adjutant storks* some very handsome and large Green Pea,fowl (pavo muticus) better than any seen in American or European zoos? Sun and Himc,layan Beams? Elliots Otter? a very large male Clouded Leopard? two fine Vietnamese Tigers? a trio of large Leopards?.., two young male o,nd, two 'adult /female' Indian Elephants (males were with tusks and kept in one ven P the females quite a distance amay in another)? a herd of Malaccan Sambo, r Deer? a very nice single male Muntjac p very large and very dark red? a trio of Grey Pea,cock* Pheasants? a, female Concave-casqued Hornbill? several Marsh Crocodiles, I did, not have time to meet any of the staff nor take pictures but hope to be o,ble to return once again before I leave Vietnam . This visit took place on 10 October 1968 P a very warm and sunny do,y 9 and it was noted that the zoo was heavily visited 9 and by a number of teenagers * " ■ • OTHER NEWS ' It has been reported that the Amsterdam Zoo has successfully bred an Aardvo*rh which As being raised by the mother * The youngster wo,s three.weeks old(and on public exhibit) vfhen seen by a member of the ' -9- ‘ ■ Frankfurt" Zoo staff in early October * Mother and baby are shown in the zoo*s nocturnal house . This would be the second.I successful birth, the first being in Miami . I have also received a~repl)rI~l%ul~Ihe~T!a~ti onal Zoo in Washington has received a pair of Kiwi ; that the Atlanta Zoo will be given three female Sumatran Orangs each with a youngster shortly m They will come from Yerkes Primate Center in Atlanta, and remain that Center 8 s propemty SSG Marvin L* Jones A'th Admin Co (ASD) p 4 th Infantry Div . APO San Francisco, 96262 Sgt, Pones reports that Tigers and Leopards are also a menace to the G\T,'s in Viet Nam, along with the human enemy « From Berlin Zoo-A serious~lvss~wae~ITie~mule Bcrrean Orang NAKAL, He had sired two young but also had suffered many months with what seemed to be anemia * Cause of dearth was leukemia, Red Buffalos were fIown^JrRm^FranKfurI“II> Berlin by the U.S,A.F. sro we are still aiding the Berlin Zoo it seems, with U*S . military aid * BID YOU KNOW? by Edward Magee P Cats kill Game Farm The White Tailed Beer is perhaps the most imp ortant deer in North America . It is called the Virginia White-tailed Beer because the .first specimen was killed in Virginia in IVSt* This deer is the most widely dis tribute! big game animal in America . The tail of this deer is feathery and snow white. When the deer is startled and begins to run, - 1 0 - its tail stands straight up* The deer's coat is sleek and shinning* Its slender legs en d i n black hoofs; its face has sharp features and its eyes are large and brown . In midsummer 9 the white tailed deer has a red coat* When winter approaches 9 the coat turns to a light bluish gray. The largest white toAled deer live along the Canadian border vfhere males sometimes weigh more than 275 pounds , Farther souths the deer are smaller . A small white tailed deer known as the Coues Beer is found in Arizona andi New Mexico , THE KEEPER'S CORNER by Dick Sweeney m , In introducing another keeper p I am pleased to aquaint you with another from the Catskill Game Farm in New . York , Mr, Heinz Burkner is 4 8 years old and father of three • At the present time p he is keeper of Catskill's goat' and sheep section which also includes the moose and Javan Banteng exhibits . Heinz began his zoo career as helper at the farm He hO;S been at the game fo^rm yor about three and one half years , Catskill's goat and sheep exhibits are built along the. natural blue stone ledges of the Catskill Mountains , In fact, the upper rim of the enclosures border on the state landfabled as the stamping grounds of Rip Van Winkle . Look for Heinz on your visits to Catskill . CONSERVATION ON THE LINE b yiKe n Willinaham T Senior Kee ne r .S an Di ego. Zoo. Research is now under way on the venom of the Green Mamba. Its venom contains an anticoagulant that may he seperated and used . to treat thrombosis , Thrombosis* is the formation of blood clots in the heart . - 11 - Other venoms useful to man are Russell's viper, cobra# boomslang# Carpet viper# and puff adder , Cobra venom has been used as a pain killer, in small doses • Russell's viper venom has been used to promote coagulation of blood, Moccasin venom has been used to treat rheumoAoid arthritis with.claimed success f B.oomslangy carpet# viper# and puff adders contain qualities that may cause blood to clot . All these snakes have qualities that may be beneficial to medical science, This may serve to show that all creatures hojve their place on earth and in some unkown and strange way may yet serve mankind, (Re fiAnimal Kingdom# LXXI #A#Aug, 1988 CONSERVATION IS MORE THAN JUST A WORD NATIONAL PARKS JUST DON'T HAPPEN , THEY: ARE FOUGHT FOR The Big Thicket is beech# long-leaf pines# palmetto jungles and cypress swamps located in south eastern Texas 9 Record size trees still are to be found in this vjonderland, Such as black hickory# eastern red cedar# holley# plane tree# red bay, sperkleberry, silverbell and many more . The world's tallest cypress tree is to be found there, Insect eating plants are also found there# as a matter of fact# four of the five species that are found in the United States • In 1938# this area consisted of about one million acres, Today# it hO;S been chopped and butchered down to about three hundred thousand acres and is disappearing* at the rate of fifty or sixty acres a day , Animal life is still around dispite heavy poaching * Even the vanish¬ ing oAligators are still to be found in the bayous, Most important of all, the ivory-billed woodpecker is known to exist in the Big Thicket, This bir -12- THE BIG THICKET • At least one hundred thousand acres of the Big Thicket should be preserved as. a National Parke All letters supporting this park should be sent to Senator Ydrbou'gh 9 Washington p D 9 C m ' C 0N3 ER V A T10N_ NEW S by K e n W . V I1 in aha m Sand hill study may aid whooping crane survival: from Calgory P Canada*s* Zoo 8 s, News • In May p lRG r / p Bill McKay collected six Greater Sandhill Crane eggs from the wild and, immediately placed them under setting hens « Both hens and eggs were put in nesting boxes in his ga>rage on St* George 9 s Island.* All six eggs ho,tched p but only three downy youngsters survived . Great patience is needed to train young cranes to eat* A diet of chopped worms and, beef mixed with powdered oyster shell p skim milk p commercial pre-starter turkey pellets and vitamycin is rolled in a small ball and put on the end, of a tooth pick 9 The toothpick is moved back and forth and the young ; cranes strike at it* It took three d,o,ys for them to learn p then it was an easy step to teach them to peck at balls of food rolled over vjhite napkins towards them . Eighteen months later p you can see the change in them* They stand 3 i f feet high and, are sporting adult grey plumo,ge washed with rust along the back c Their legs are black and a brilliant red head patch replaces their immature head, feathers « Two of the original three survived the year . One was lost when they were placedin a community pen 0 Full maturity is reached at three years c At present P only cranes know how to tell the sex of another crane P so we must wait for signs of mating before we knc'w if we have a pair . Although these are the common Greater -1A- was thought for some years to he extinct * This area should djefinately become a/ National Parh p however , it B s not that / ^, simple . Local lumber companies would ( (Jop prefer this area to remain as is p unpro X. tested and open to exploitation m Some of tJie drastic measures that have taken place to rid this area of its natural wonders are as follows • It is hoped by some individuals that if many of the natural wonders dis¬ appear, there vjould be no reason to establish this area as a national parhf One entire heron rookery was sprayed /! x £/-/ r/cAf/s ts from the air with insecticide. Only 3 survived out of 300. The rookery was\V^_ visible from the air. Another case in p&ii\t_ a- thousand year old magnolia tree was found' . dead bored in several places and poisoned with act was planned and was no childish prank. One lumber company, full well what it was doing, cut a beech forest singled out by Dept, of Interior for inclusion, in the national monument. Another plans to cut the last virginpine forest. Here is a quotation from a lumber executive in this area. He has become famous for this remark, THE BIG THICKET ? IN FOUR YEARS THERE WON ! T BE ANY BIG THICKET • - 13 - , this knowing the Sandhill Cro.ne^ any knowledge gained in raisings these success fully $ may aid conservationists who are attempting to raise and save the nearly extinct Whooping Crane, * ^ GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE2~FR0M~TIGER 7 S~TALE, MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF FLORIDAoDr , Edwin S . Iverson presented an illustrated talk showing how about 300 pinhead-sized eggs of the i? thread herringwere scooped up by a plankton net in the Gulf Stream 9 brought in and raised to maturity in prepared tanks 9 Thread Herring are considered valuable,sources of edible fish meojl and protein fish concentrate * Both are high-quality food supplements with increasing roles in feeding the worl'd ! s hungry, This experiment could have very important implications for the QftW a Qriculture and could open the way to S3 SEA FARMING r? of food fish m tanks or enclosed ponds. THE CINCINNATI ZO O ^S CR O COP ILf AND - fry John ny Ar nett $ Chai rman of Education p Cinc i nnati Chapter o f AAZK • In the past two years p we have been very fortunate in our endeavor to obtain and maintain a fine collection of crocodilians* We will soon have a whole new wing built onto our reptile■ building- which will be devoted entirely to our crocodilians. This exhibit is planned to be as close to the natural habitoA of these marvelous reptiles as possible, , At this timev we have the following species2 8 American Alligator(Alligator mississippiensis) 2 American Crocodile(Crocodylus actims) 2 Smooth-fronted caiman(Pleosuchus palpebrosus) 1 black caiman(CoAman crocodylus) 9 5 spectacled caiman(Caiman crocodylus) 2 Central American caiman(Caiman fuscus) 3 Paraguayan caiman(Caiman fuscus ) P 1 true gavial (Gavialis gOsnge ficus ) 1 Orinoco Crocodile (Crocodiflus intermediums) 5 Morlet's crocodile(Crocodylus moreletti) 1 false gavial(Tomistoma schegeli) 9 1 Nile crocodile(Crocodylus niloticus) 1 West African dvjarf Crocodile (Os teolarr.us coAaphractus) 2 African slender snouted crocodile(Crocodylus cataphractus) 2 salt viater cr ocodile (Crocodylus porosus) 1 Philippine crocodile(Crocodylus mindGrensis) 1 Siamese crocodile (Crocodylus siam.ensis) 2 Mugger crocodile(Crocodylus palustris) TOTAL SPECIES -18 TOTAL SPECIMENS-42 AAZK QUIZ 1 The aardwolf 9 seldom seen in captivity P belongs to what group of animals? 2 . What bird had once been trainedl to hunt other birds? 3 o What is the 3rd largest cat of the Eastern Hemisphere? Hov) many baby J opossum could you hold, in a teaspoon? 5. What is the largest member of the squirrel family? One of the~ smallest? 1 . bottom . 2 . that he 3. to live s ound • 5* ■Answers to last month 9 s quiz The flatfish has body colors that change to match the ocean The Ruffled Grouse grows webs between his toes in wintertime so can walk over snow ♦ The glass snake is an animal that is not a worm that can continue after it has broken into 2 equal parts * The male ostrich does roar like a lion with a strange hissing- The Lhasa apso is a dog* THE CONSUMPTION OF WILDLIFE BY MAN by William G* Conway, General Director of the New York Zoological Society (Thi s ar tic fe^will be presented in several parts due to its:, length*) I once knew a lady who owned a cheetah. The big., coA was graceful, slender, and stately * The lady said she loved the cheetah, though she knew little about the big cat or its habitsi certainly she lavished affection on it whenever there was someone a bout 9 But 1 never could tell much about the cheetah*s feelings c,nd it died o>fter a few months . Although all this happened mo^ny years ago, the practice of keeping exotic animals as pets has recently increased a,nd, like mo.,ny zoo men, I have become greatly concerned with the effects of the pet.trade on delicate and sometimes rare animals * More than 28 million live wild animals were imported by American pet businesses, laboro^t or ies, and zoos last year • More than 22 million pounds of wild animal skins were hunted by Ameri can furriers Ojnd leather goods concerns , United States hunters - 17 - hilled over 60 million birds and mammals at the same time 6 Man B s risings consumption of diminishing wild animal populations shows little sign of abatement and, his efforts to manage the 'wildlife resources on a sustained, yield basis are disgrace fully ■ inadequate * When Texas tortoises 9 South American golden-headed quetzals 9 and even hummingbirds and so,hi monkeys began to appear in New York pet shvpspmy concern changed to indignation 9 a feeling enhanced by the apathetic remark of one pet dealer who 9 in response to my questioning of his need to sell endangered Texas tortoises 9 replied 9 "Are turtles really worth saving?" The work of unqualified importers of unsuitably rare and delicate creatures results in unnecessary animal suffering 9 certainly * At the same time 9 it is important to evaluate the problem coolly and to see the exoti pet trade in relation to additional drains on wild animal populations' food and sport hunting 9 poaching ; pesticide poisoning ; Mde 9 feather 9 or skin traded and habitat destruction* All this raises questions .of critical importance to conservationt of what' relative importance is ^ each of the drains on wild animal populations and, what are the special characteristics of each? Naturally 9 I have been especially interested in .problems stemming from the live animal trade* After a11 9 zoos buy live animals too and sometimes from the same dealers that supply' pet shops and laboratories 9 For this reason 9 I first looked into the trade in living wildlife* It did not take long to find out that som,e truly unusual wild creatures were being more or less regularly offered to the unsuspecting pet buyer even the similes tNew York City pet shops .Monkeys are common imports p usually woolly p spider 9 or squirrel monkey. ™Squirrel monkeys- $13»50 p iaii tame p affectionate- the perfects house pet p s, said the advertise¬ ments, Spider and woolly monkeys are more expensive but still common and even quenons can be found. But I fiaue never seen one of these primaries adequately housed or cared for in a pet shop . In fact p so many are kept in such woefully inadequate quarters under such filthy conditions that I wonder if the sympathy thus engendered in the vievier is a sales device. Pet shop sales personnel with whom I have talked have been uniformly uninformed about the biology or the needs of their charges. Several were apparently temporary employees, They knew enough to assure pro¬ spective buyers what ™wonderful pets™ monkeys would make but little else * Most ANIMAL KINGDOM readers know that almost all monkeys make exceptionally delicates, difficult p and occassionally dangerous pets but these common imports are only a small part of the picture • During the past year 9 golden-hea^d^ed quetzals p South American cock-of-the-rocks P equatorial barbets p Indonesian fairy bluebirds 9 South American hummingbirds 9 saki monkeys 9 and Malayan flying lizards have been offered in New York pet shops. And pet shops are not the only vendors of these exceptionally delicate creatures seven department stores and dime stores have found the exotic pet trade profitable. Emaciated iguanas and anotes clambering over the bodies of their already dead and dying fellows now vie for the shopper B s attention with pencils and plastic flowers. It is remarkable that such relatively rare and expensive creatures as Central American parrots o,nd such precariously delicate - 19 - ones as tamo,nd,uo,s (arboreal anteaters ) and three-toed sloths can be offered in an unregulated way to the public at large * Moreover 9 all these animals and many more may be ordered by mail from numerous animal supply houses by anyone Ojlmost anywhere * Even a c hi'l.dp for instance s com order a dangerous animal* Undoubtedly p there are good pet shops and suppliers with informed.I personnel who Know their imports and choose them wisely. This is clearly the case with a number of New York businesses which specialize in the ■ sale of tropical fish p and do, so most admirably / but they are very few , There are good, reo,sons for importing some.species of wild, creatures for pets and, I P for one p am strongly in fo,vor of wild animal pets , But importation ought to be d,one carefully and humanely , THE DIET OF CHIMPANZE ES by Chris LaRue The 'diet of chimpanzees should be varied, and, they should, have fre¬ quent feedings 9 especially for the young chimps 9 Most zoos would find it very difficult to imitate the diet of the chimpanzees in the wild. Since chimpanzees are primarily frugivorousj, there are many types of fruit to . substitute for their natural diet , Besides the fruits available like bananas p apples * oranges? and grapes p chimps will also eat such vegetables as co,rrots and, celery , Many zoos rely on prepared, primate-diet's or use some type of prepared, food, to supplement the fruit diet * Another help in providing a suitable diet is the addition of some type of vitamin & mineral supplement , This is especially true with young chimps still receiving milk * It can be beneficial to add, some type of food supplement to the milk , - 20 — stant personal contact between the Keeper and his charges i s not a serious p rob 1em since most chimes This can be in the form of vitamins and minerals, cereal * or some Kind of instant baby food* The feeding of chimps is probably best carried out with several small feedings a day as opposed to one large feeding* This helps in keeping the exhibit clear of excess food* which causes the exhibit to look dirty and also helps to keep the food, clean and fresh* These small 9 frequent feedings are most practical for small exhibits and where there is con- Over-feeding will stop eating when they are full and most chimps are active enough to keen from Getting danger- ously fat providedl they have adequate room and play equipment* The young pair of chimps at the Topeka Zoological Par k are both a bout two years old,, PBuddip% the male, and :j Sissy :: , the famale, are both fed; four times a day* With two of their feedings p they receive milk and, they are given uater with the other two* Their diet consists of apples, bananas p grooves P oranges , carrots, celery, bread, milk loith a vitamin and ; mineral supplement added, canned, primate-diet, and; a prepared monkey pellet* This diet is regulated in amounts only to keep from wasting food they do not eat and • to make sure they get all they want or need,* 1 [MS F ROM TO PEKA ZOOLOGICAL^ FAR E reported by Jplvn^WprJmnan TTecent arrivals! 1*0 Coatimundi 0*1 Grant* s Zebra 1*1 Squirrel Monkey 2 * 4 Fulvous tree ducks 2*2 American eider 1*2 Ringneck duck 1 Chuckwalla 1 White throated toucan Mexican False I guana 1 Black Iguana 1 Pr a irie Ra 111esnahe 0.1 Double-wattled cassowary 2 Madagascar day gecko 1 Mexican Beaded Lizard 2 Western diamondbacks Born:3 Common Tree Shrews Frank Kish p the Zoo*s AssocTd7e~Curd7orJ~is experimenting with a bird of prey diet. The neio diet is fed to the owls 9 haioks, eagles, and vultures. Per 18 pounds mixture, the diet consists of 13 lbs. of ground horsemqatp 1 jr lbs. Purina, Game Bird S tar tern p 2 lbs. ZuPreem Feline Diet, ~2 cup bonemealp 1 tablespoon salt f 5 tablespoons clovite, and 5 tablespoons flo/men oil. The mixture is formed in t? lb. poAties and placed in the enclosure every morning. In the afternoon, the enclosures are checked to see that the birdl- groups ho,ve accepted the food. This diet is also fed to our Parasitic Jaeger with the addition of two smelt per day. So far the diet has been well accepted; with, of course, the birds eating tvjice the summer roAion now that cold weather is upon us • NEWS FR OM OVE R T ON PARK ZOO, MEMPHIS * TENN* reported by Clifford Ross . Jack Gervm died > as o; result ofoni auto accident Oct* 12* He u>as employed here as a Keeper for only a short time hut was well liked and well thought of* He was a member of the AAZK andl a true animal lover . NEWS FROM MIDDLESEX FELLS ZOO reported by Ed Roberts This zoo has recently been approved by the U*S*D*A* to raise and display hoofed oniimals coming into this country under their quarantine restrictions* Hovj many other zoos in the U*S* have this unique dis tinctionf Since the untimely deaTR~oJ~l)ur~zoo~d;Trector, Walter Stone, the control, management and operation of our two zoos, has been turned over to the Me tropolitan District Commission Police Captains* We do not condemn police per se, but unfortunately, a political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Mass* has, as one of its requisites , the control of most of the recreation facilities not privately owned;, and these recreational facilities which include swimming pools, ice skating rinks, picnic areas, horse bark riding trails and zoos, and each one of these, or several com be and ore under the control of a police captain. We know that the police certain knows very little tv bout animals and zoo problems but, apparently, the Metropolitan District Commission either - 23 - doesn 3 t care, or is unwilling to advance its zoo Keepers to higher grades, such as curators and/or assistant directors or directors . Their thinking is, a zoo official HAS to have a college degree and ay years of experience in executive capacity. Maybe some backward thinking politicians will eventually see the light, :3 that many times from the ranks, come the most able of men,* 3 This reporter, here and now $ takes the bed rock stand, that common sense and not ALL book learning is the making of a true zoo official and not a piece of parchment given oaf ter 4 years of college , Recent additions to the~Tfidfd7ssex~Tel7s~Zoo include * 2 Jojvanese Ban tangs 4 Blackbuck Antelope 3 Sika Deer 3 Guanacas 2 Vicuna 1 Muntjac(whom we found com really swim, when it dived into the orate lope romps moat), 1 female Elipspringer 2 Caucasian Turs Is there anybody ar oundNlKal^can^give^us^a good die t for a Red ,> Panda? Curs, after refusing everything we offered Kim, finally ended then day, s ome s ome of these up with raw eggs 'and bananas. He just won 3 1 suggestions would be greatly appreciated. eat anything elseI Any HEWS FROM KN OWLAND STATE PARK reported by Charles F. MacGowan ~' amebTas iT^n r tM^captive' boTdae At Know land Park Zoo, loe maintain an enclosure with a variety of lOjrge constrictors, such as pythons, boas, and Ojnacondas , The snakes in this display all share the same pool at the bottom of the display — 24 ** for drinking water* * Recently, a wild caught anaconda of about 9 ft*, was" introduced to this display already containing an anaconda of about 7 / t* After a short time, the recently introduced anaconda died* The sno,he had previously been quarantined.- for a short time and checked for mouth rot, mites, ticks, and any cutaneous wounds* After death, the snake was only checked., superficially, and, it was felt that the snake merely died of transportation shock* One week later, the other anaconda that had, been in the display for over a year, suddenly diedl* A complete autopsy was given, and it was found, that the snake had ' a highly infected lower intestine * A micro¬ scopic examination of the infected, matter showed, that the pathogen was Entamoeba, Invadens causing amehias is * The remaining snakes fecal m/at ter was given microscopic examination and all were foundl suffering from amebiasis • A11 snakes remaining in the display were immediately treated with Diodoquin (Searle ■ Company) and Tetracycline* The large Python(python molurus bivittatus) of about ten ft* andl o, weight of about 28 lbs* was given 650 mg* of diodoquin and 50 mg* of tetracycline in a water solution. The solution is administered with a feeding tube connected to o, large syringe* The tube is inserted about one third the length of the snakes body* The feeding tube should be lightly oiled to prevent any internal abrasions * This treatment was continuedl for a periodl of 20 days* The drugs being administered every other day* The rest of the constrictors were given an appropriate amount* After the 20 day period, a microscopic - 25 - inspection was aaain Given and it was found then contained onlu dead protozons , In another ten do,ys? an inspection showed no protozons at ail, The entire display wo,s throughly cleaned, with wesodyne. None of the snakes have showed any ill effects frjom the treatment or infection • The amebiasis outbreak HojS been completely eradicated, with no further outbreaks , It is suggested that new arrivals 9 while in quarantine should have microscopic fecal checks as well as being checkedl for mites? ticks f mouth rot p worms and, other disorders 9 for amebiasis is a highly infect¬ ious and, contagious d,isea,se m AMERICAN ASS PC I AT I ON OF ZOO KEEPERS ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT Jp to and, including ‘November 1 9&8) INCOME EXPENDITURE . =2«t.i; T* 46 ,1 0 Dues San Diego Chapter Members~$230 m 0a Dues Affiliated, Members Subscriptions(Newsletters)- Ad in Newsletter Sale of Emb1ems - Donations to Raffle *—— tJ D one, t ions To Dinner (Feb , ) Donations to Dinner(May)* i V-.3 K—!* «.%* tr4 «£• « *•-» J Wolf-Brown Inc.(Emblems) - $586,11 639*71$ Jensens Printing(Cards f S tat. )112,35 S.D.Office Sunpin(Newsletter)199*12 105.99 73,37 - 185.03 - 206.00 - 175.00 . 75 Sears (Mime 0 graph Machine) — 71 9. 00 Sears ( Typewriter )-—- 105, 25 Pos tags S tamps ----- 206.00; S.D. Public Service (Dinner ) 255.001 S.D. i} 11 - 26 — AAZK FINANC IAL S TATEMENT (CCNTIi 7 UED}_ INCOME Do m t i on g fr_o_ ci jnizelpCO ct^---1 SW* 00 T 0 TAL— PpjOP) 3 *7 7 • ^5 We audited the Treasurer 9 s boohs on Nov* 8,1968 and find this to be a true iQjU/fj a cetera te s ta tenia a t* S t gne 3 t Q716 d account of AAZK(Nat quarters)* >42so the feb 2 ems (2 05) was to the aqreement that outlay for emblems be returned to S*D* in, duo course 0 and put into ional Head- remainder of nded over on the initial $l l b7*9 I t would Local Chapter On Oct* i 5 P 1968 ) IfjTlVoo was' taken out of this account EXPENDITURE S*D. Public Service CBinneTJ 88 . Refreshments &■ meetings- - Postage & Ins* (film) --— Co,lif* Stamp Co* (2 stamps )— Process S tencil ———-- Supt* of Documents (Zip code)- T.V* for Hillcrest Home —-—— Govsoline expenses to L*A .- Picnic Ex penses(Aug* 5)~~ - Boohs Sz Cards for Secretary — President's expense to AAZPA - Meal in Rest* for visitors-— Lona Distance Phone Calls ■—— hi sC is t a s *** •-* *** •*»* **■* •*» «*■««*»■ m ww« Pa id to AAZK ( No. t i ona 1 Hq, )— Balance on Hand -—--- 35. 96 6 ,68 • 10.61 3.15 ■ 7.00 ■ 25.00 ■ 15.50 ■ 53A3 ■ 8* 44 • 25.00 • 6 .06 ■ 3.0k ■ 13.97 ■ 311.00 ■ 55.8k TOTAL- --$ 27377 . '65 P Vr-/rr t yi&L Treasurer ■ 27 - ACTION RE QUE STED Occasionally a letter comes across my desk that makes me genuinely angry . Such a letter reached me this last week # It was a letter from a group calling themselves the Ad Hoc Committee on Pet Legislation * It had such secure phrases in it as .*. the importation of all pet livestock is in danger ! ff • r,9 The economy of many cities and countries around the world depends on millions of American dollars for their livelihood i3 The passage of this act could cause a failure of a thousand, small pet shops plus a hundred, v)holesalers of lives tock m # for the life of our industry and• your firm*» 0 *DO IT TODAYS 3 It also had such incorrect statements as t is inconceivable that any pet species could, face extinction • ••• placing the controlling authority outside the rntive country is bound-- to result in misinformation , mis calcula tion 9 and mis judgement . ' 3 The legislation towards which all of this verbiage is directed is a bill jointly introduced in the House of Representatives by Congress¬ man Lennon and in the Senate by Senator Yarborough . This bill would vrovide for the banning of the importation into the United, States of any species of wildlife deemed, by the Secretary of the Interior to be endan¬ gered, ijith extinction # The bill further provides that the Secretary would consult with the affected foreign countries and also with the Inter¬ national Associo,tion for the Conservation of Nature and, Natural Resourses • It is anticipated that he would also consult with the AAZPA . This bill ho,s received, the wholehearted endorsement of conservation organizations throughout the world and will go a long way towards - 28 - cutting out one great threat to the wildlife of the world. The bill will make the interstate transport of any, animal protected in any state illegal, thus malting the present traffic in alligator hides illego,! rather than the current confused situation in which it is illegal to poach the animal in Florida but perfectly legal to sell its hide to a leather goods manufacturer in New York* Last year, Texas passed a 1cm protecting both the Berlander 9 s Tortoise and the : *horned-toad : * in the state of Texas anal yet every month hundreds of these protected o,niimls' o,re smuggled out of Texas to he sold by the pet wholesalers in Louisiana and Florida* It is imperative that as conservationists we mahe our voices heard, on this matter in Washington* One of our Senators 9 Mi he Monroney, sits on the Senate Commerce Committee which is presently considering the Yarbough Bill, S 2p8 4. I urge each of you to write to Senator Monroney and, express your support for this most needed legislation* F.N*Ogilvie,Director (The executive office of the AAZK requests all members to join in support of this bills The National Head-Quarters voices its support wholeheartedly* Taken from-VOL. IV, ZOOSOUNDS, NO. 5, Oklahoma Zoological Society AA ZK WELCO MES NEN MEMBERS John HaieJCrandon Pk* P Miami, Fla.) Virginia Harshey(Turtle Back Zoo,N.J.) Dennis Magee (Columbus, Ohio) Robert Drewett(San Diego, Birds j Miss K.A.May(Franklin Pk*,C.Z.,Mass)James Higgins(Lincoln Pk,Cjico,go,Ill.) Paul J. Dittambl (Lincoln Pk. , Ill. ) Patricio, Dorr (Lincoln Pk. ,111. ) -2 9- Margarat Seymour(Chicago,Ill.) William Frizel(Pueblo,Colo,) Jeanne E. Kent(San Jose;Cojlif.) Rusty Spearman(Oklahoma City,Ohla.) Jesse Strange(Philadelphia, Pa.) Head Keeper(Stamford,Conn.) Eo,rl Brochelsby (Rapid City ,S .Dak. ) Thomas H. Liners(Louisville,Ky.) Larry Weston(NAIBI Zoo,Moline,Ill.)Martin C. Payer(St. Louis, Mo.) Charles Burt(Topeka,Kansas) Robert H. Sharon(Calgory Zoo,Canada) Lou.Ordonez(San Diego,Birds) Grayson Harding(Washington, D. C.) Harold Brassie (Sarojsota, Florida as- Associate Member) ATTENTION Z OOS WITHOUT REPORT ERS U i The AAZK now has representatives in 5^ zoos. However, we only list reporters from 16 HI If your zoo is not noio being represented in YOUR Newsletter, why not designate a reporter to submit news for you? 1969 AAZK OFFICERS ARE ELECTED Mr. Gerald Thomas was elected President of the San Diego Chapter of the AAZK. Mr. John Magarell, 1 s t V.P., Mr. Jim Till ots on, 2nd, V.P., Mr. Charles Shumann,3rd,. V.P., Mr. Dennis Melvin,Secretary, and Mr. Walt Bromley, Chapter Treasurer. Mr. Huey Hannon is the new Sgt. at Arms. Mr. Richard Sweeney is National Executive Secretary and Mr. Conrad Grayson National Treasurer . The San Diego officers will serve on interim novtional Boo^rd of Directors until national elections are held. The office of National Executive Secretary and National Tree,surer are permanent appointments. -30- AAZK MEMBERSHIP AFFILIATE MEMBERSHIP National Headquarters-...$3.00 annually (Includes subscription of Newsletter) (Open only to keepers and attendants of other zoos and aquariums) NATIONAL ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP Open to persons who wish to support AAZK but who do not qualify for regular, affiliate or other memberships (no right of vote) $5.00 annually CORRESPONDING MEMBERSHIP Open to keepers of foreign zoos $5.00 annually ASSOCIATION EMBLEMS Shoulder Patch (see cover).$1.00 each (Members only) CONTACT AAZK HEADQUARTERS 3388 GRANADA AVENUE SAN DIEGO, CALIF. 92104 AAZK Newsletter Published by AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOO KEEPERS 3388 Granada Ave. San Diego, California 92104