OCTOBER 2001
The Journal of the American
Association of Zoo Keeners, inc.
ANIMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM. 3601 S.W. 29th St., Suite 133, Topeka, KS 66614-2054
Phone; (785) 273-9149 FAX (785) 273-1980
October 2007
Vol. 34, No. 10
AKF Managing Editor: Susan D. Chan • Associate Editors • Kayla Grams, Lovell, WY; Mark de Denus,
Winnipeg, MB; Jolene Hamrick, Tucson, AZ • Enrichment Options Coordinator: Rachel Daneault, Disney’s
Animal Kingdom • Legislative/Conservation Outlook Column Co-Coordinators: Becky Richendollar, North
Carolina Zoo and Greg McKinney, Philadelphia, PA • Reactions Column Coordinator: William K. Baker, Jr.,
Abilene Zoo, Abilene, TX. Proofreader: Barbara Manspeaker, AAZK Administrative Office.
Animal Keepers’ Forum is published monthly by the American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc., 3601 S.W. 29th
Street, Suite 133, Topeka, KS 66614-2054. Ten dollars of each membership fee goes toward the annual publication
costs of Animal Keepers’ Forum . Postage paid at Topeka, KS.
AAZK Executive Director: Ed Hansen, AAZK, Inc., Topeka KS
also serves as AAZK Liaison to the American Zoo & Aquarium Association (AZA)
AAZK Administrative Secretary: Barbara Manspeaker, AAZK, Inc., Topeka, KS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Denise Wagner, The Phoenix Zoo, Phoenix, AZ 85008
Shane Good, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Cleveland, OH 44 1C
Jacque Blessington, Kansas City Zoologiea! Gardens, Kansas
Norah Farnham, Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle, WA 98 103-5858
Bob Cisneros, San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA 92 1 1 2-055 1
COMMITTEES/COORDINATORS
By-laws
Chair - Gisela A. Wiggins, North Carolina Zoo
Grants Committee
Chair - Shelly Roach, Columbus Zoo
Enrichment Committee
Co-Chairs - Dawn Neptune, Utah’s Hogle Zoo
and Amy Burgess, Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Annual Conferences
Coordinator - Ed Hansen, AAZK, Inc.
Professional Development
Chair - Tammy Schmidt, Peoria Zoo
International Outreach
VACANT
Interim Contact - Shane Good, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
MEMBERSHIP SERVICES
APT EDT and ATP Forms
AAZK Administrative Offices/Topeka
AAZK Website - Liaison to Webmaster
Denise Wagner, The Phoenix Zoo and
Kevin Shelton, Tampa. F’l
AAZK PUBLICATIONS - CONTINUING DATA COLLECTION
Resources for Crisis Management in Zoos & Other Animal Care Facilities, Vol. 2 - Susan D. Chan, Topeka, KS;
William K. Baker, Abiiene zoo, Abilene, TX; Diana Guerrero, ArkAnimals, Big Bear Lake, CA
President
19 Vice President
City, MO 64132-4200
Ethics
Chair - Shane Good, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Awards
Chair - Janet McCoy, The Oregon Zoo
Marketing Resources
Chair - Kristen Wolfe, Disney’ s Animal Kingdom
Animal Training Committee
Co-Chairs - Angela Binney, Disney’s Animal
Kingdom & Kim Kezer, Zoo New England
Bowling for Rhinos -
Coordinator - Patty Pearthree, Cary, NC
ICZ Coordinators
Shane Good, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and
Norah Farnham, Woodland Park Zoo
AAZK Historian
Mark Levin, Plymouth Meeting, PA
AAZK Publications/Logo Products
AAZK Administrative Offices/Topeka
Table of Contents
About the Cover/Infonnation for Contributors 410
Scoops & Scuttlebutt.... ....411 - 413
Coming Events......... 414
2007 AAZK/AKF Award Recipients 416 - 419
Mark de Denus Receives Lifetime Achievement Award 417
Letter to the Editor......... 420 - 421
Keeper Profiles DVD Available - Info and Order Fonu 422 - 423
AAZK Announces New Members .....424
Viewpoint: Performance Evaluations. .........426 - 428
Dedicated Issues Sale - Info and Order Form 429
ATC Training Tales (Moving Day for Grevy’s Zebra) 430 - 432
Reactions {Improving Communication, Part II).... 434 - 437
First Panda Bom in European Zoo in 25 Years.... 437
Bakes Soil/Clay Block Enrichment for
Captive Naked Mole-rats {Heterocephalus glaber). ......438 - 446
Conservation/Legislative Update 447 - 452
33rd Anniversary - 1974 - 2007
MISSION STA TEMENT
American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc.
To provide a resource and a forum of continuing education for the animal care professional and to
support zoo and aquarium personnel in their roles as animal care givers, scientific researchers,
public educators and conservationists. To promote zoos and aquariums as cultural establishments
dedicated to the enrichment of human and natural resources; to foster the exchange of research
materials, enrichment options and husbandry information through publications and conferences
which will lead to a greater understanding of the needs and requirements of all animals.
J
S^bout the Cover
This month's cover features 'a Marine Iguana (Amblyrhynchus eristatus) drawn by Kim Lovich of the
Curator 's Department of the Zoological Society of San Diego. This species is found only on the Galapagos
Islands. These large bodied lizards spend a great deal of their time at sea where they forage for algae,
their primary food source, along the rocky shores. When feeding, they can remain submerged for up to an
hour, though dives of 5 to 10 minutes are more common. Being cold-blooded, these lizards need to regain
the body heat lost by diving in the cold ocean waters and can be seen basking in the sun to warm themselves
(depicted on the cover). The males, which are larger than the females, may grow to a length of 4 feet or
more (almost half of which is tail). Large males assemble "harems" of several females and guard the
harem against intrusion by other males. Head bobbing is a threat jesture that warns other males (and
sometime humans) to stay clear. Fights oecasionally occur between males. These are quite harmless and
consist of a contest in whieh the two males put their heads together and attempt to push their opponent
backward. The loser retreats without further fuss. Listed on CITES Appendix II as vulnerable, introduced
predators such as cats and dogs pose a significant threat to these iguanas and their young. Thanks, Kim!
Call for Cover Art
We are currently seeking cover art for use on Animal Keepers’ Forum. Artists are encouraged to
submit their artwork for consideration. Cover subjects include all species of animals and also art of
keepers working with their animals. Clean, crisp artwork, such as that done in pen and ink, reproduces
best in AKF, but other mediums, such as pencil, may also be considered. Submission of artwork
does not guarantee that it will be selected for an AKF cover. Artists should send a brief natural
history piece to accompany their artwork. If the animal subject is an animal from their zoo, artists
are encouraged to include info about that particular animal such as house name, breeding history,
etc. Artists should include their name, title and facility as well as their preferred mailing address.
Artwork may be submitted in hardcopy to Susan Chan at the address on the cover of this publication.
Or artwork may be sent as jpg or tif file attachments to the editor’s email:
akfeditor@zk.kscoxmail.com< If the artist wishes hardcopy artwork returned, they should include
a self-addressed, appropriately-sized envelope when submitting.
Articles sent to Animal Keepers 'Forum will be reviewed by the editorial staff for publication. Articles of a
research or technical nature will be submitted to one or more of the zoo professionals who serve as referees
for AKF. No commitment is made to the author, but an effort will be made to publish articles as soon as
possible. Lengthy articles may be separated into monthly installments at the discretion of the editor. The
editor reserves the right to edit material without consultation unless approval is requested in writing by the
author. Materials submitted will not be returned unless accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed,
appropriately-sized envelope. Telephone, fax or email contributions of late-breaking news or last-minute
insertions are accepted as space allows. Phone 785-273-9149; FAX (785) 273-1980; email is
akfeditor@zk.kscoxmail.com<
Deadline for each regular issue is the 10th of the preceding month.
Dedicated issues may have separate deadline dates and will be noted by the editor.
Articles printed do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the AKF staff or the American Association of Zoo
Keepers, Inc. Publication does not indicate endorsement by the Association.
Items in this publication may be reprinted providing credit to this publication is given and a copy of the
reprinted material is forwarded to the editor. If an article is shown to be separately copyrighted by the
author(s), then permission must be sought from the author(s). Reprints of material appearing in this journal
may be ordered from the editor. Back issues are available for $4.00 each. Special issues may cost more.
E-Mail Addresses: You may reach Barbara Manspeaker at AAZK Administrative Offices at:
aazkoffice(^zk.kscoxmail.com< You may reach Susan Chan and Animal Keepers’ Forum at:
akfeditor(^zk.kscoxmail.com<
AAZK website Address: www.aazk.org
BFR Website; http://aazkbfr.org
410 Animal Keepers’ Forum, Vol. 34, No. 10
Scoops & Scuttlebutt
S4^-VI 1 1 1
Conference 2007 at Galveston Now Part of AAZK History
A big “Thank You” to all the sponsors, presenters, attendees,
and Moody Gardens’ staff for a suceessful 34th Annual
AAZK conference! Check out our website to see who made
this conference possible. We also have photos and a quick review of the
conference. See at www.gcaazk.org< —Galveston Conference Committee
The AAZK Board of Directors and the staff of the Administrative Office would like to thank all those
involved at Moody Gardens and the Galveston Chapter of AAZK for the hard work and dedication
they put into making the 2007 AAZK Conference truly a memorable event. See everyone next year in
Salt Lake City!
Board Thanks Member for Donation
The AAZK Board of Directors and the AAZK Administrative Office staff applaud member Linda
Colbert of the Louisiane Purchase Zoo in Monroe, LA for her creative fundraising efforts. Linda
made various items which were sold in her zoo’s gift shop. The money generated was split between
AAZK and some of her favorite conservation projects. We thank Linda for her donation of $306.00 to
AAZK, Inc.
From the Editor - Notice on Special Issue of AKF
We want everyone to be aware that we are planning a special double, expanded Nov/Dec issue of
Animal Keepers’ Forum that will deal with topics related to crisis management in zoological facilities.
Topics we are planning to include are: Hurricane Preparedness, Diver Safety, Trainer Safety,
Contingency Planning for Dangerous Animals, Crisis Management Planning in Zoological
Institutions, The Benefits of Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) at the Zoo, Developing a
Program for Dangerous Animal Emergencies, Exhibit Design and Construction: How it Affects
Crisis Management, The Terrorist Threat to Zoological Institutions, Emergency Communications,
Transport and Handling of Sedated Specimens, Advancements in Shipping Crate Design, Fabrication,
and Application, The Veterinary Role as First Responder to a Medical Emergency, and Disease Risk
Communication and HPAI, among others.
So be aware you will not receive separate November and December issues of Animal Keepers ’
Forum. We currently anticipate that this expanded issue would be mailed in early December. Make
certain that AO has your current mailing address so you don’t miss this special issue. Because of
the additional postage expense for this larger issue, we will not remail copies that go to incorrect
addresses. It is each member’s responsibility to keep AAZK apprised of your current mailing address.
You can do this on the AAZK website (www.aazk.org) or call our office at 785-273-9149. It just
takes a moment and not only insures that you won’t miss a single issue of AKF, but also helps save
the Association money (it cost us about a $1 for each AKF issue returned by the Post Office for an
incorrect/old/outdated address). Your cooperation on this is greatly appreciated.
AZA Avian Scientific Group Offers Grants
A key action plan item in the Avian Scientific Advisory Group (ASAG) Strategic Plan of 2000 -
2003 was the collection and dissemination of information among its members. Additionally, recruiting
and building capacity in the next generation of zoo bird curators is vital to the continuity and survival
of zoo avian programs. To this end, ASAG offers small grants to bird keepers and working bird
husbandry supervisors. These grants support travel to ASAG-sponsored workshops for the purpose
of presenting papers on advancements in the care and reproduction of avian species in zoos and/or
field conservation projects in which the applicant has been involved in a lead role. It is envisioned
that grant recipients will become more familiar with ASAG purpose and goals, begin to establish a
network of colleagues and mentors, and become active participating members of the group.
Animal Keepers’ Forum, Vol. 34 No. 10 411
Grant applicants must be paid employees of an AZA-accredited institution (or current AZA member
in good standing), working in a position that involves the care and management of captive birds.
Persons holding the title Curator of Birds (or its equivalent) at an AZA-accredited institution are not
eligible. Applicants must be willing to write a professional paper on a topic relevant to zoo aviculture
and travel to the next scheduled ASAG workshop to present it (workshops typically held in
conjunction with an AZA regional conference; locations and dates vary annually). Preferred topics
are those which involve: taxa of current or future priority in the appropriate TAG regional collection
plans; taxa for which innovation in breeding or captive management are needed; taxa of conservation
priority in the wild; significant advancements in the welfare of captive zoo birds. Applicants will
also be judged on their leadership potential, initiative and problem solving skills as recommended
by their direct supervisor.
Full Paper Submission Deadline: 15 January of the grant cycle year
Maximum grant awards will be $800.00 but can be less based on actual travel needs/costs. Grant
funds can be used for transportation costs, hotel, meals and conference registration fees in line with
ASAG travel expense guidelines.
Grant application is a two-step process. Applicants should first submit an application form, a letter
of support and an abstract for the professional paper by the pre-proposal submission deadline. The
application will include current job title, a summary of personal avicultural experience, rationale
for how the professional paper will advance the science of zoo aviculture and a draft travel budget.
The letter of support will be from a senior member of zoo staff It will verify the zoo will provide
the support necessary to ensure the applicant can attend the ASAG workshop if awarded a grant and
will comment on the leadership potential and initiative of the applicant. Abstracts will be reviewed
based on the criteria stated above. Those judged to be of high quality and relevance will be notified
by 15 December and invited to submit their full paper by 1 February. Applicants will be notified of
final award by 15 February.
See the AAZK website for further information on this granting opportunity including downloadable
application forms. Send Proposals or Address Grant Process Questions To; Ken Reininger,
Curator of Birds, North Carolina Zoo, 4401 Zoo Pkwy, Asheboro, NC 27205; phone: 336-879-
7605; email Ken.RciningeiYq nczoo.org<
Mexican Hcrp Checklist Available
A Checklist of the Amphibians and Reptiles of Mexico by Ernest A. Liner, 2007. Louisiana State
University Occasional Papers of the Museum of Natural Science 80: 1-60 - A modern checklist of
the amphibians, turtles, reptiles, and crocodilians of Mexico is presented. Fifty-three families
containing 216 genera and 1627 species and subspecies are listed as occurring in Mexico.
Reprints of this paper are available directly to individuals only by writing to: Dr. Ernest A. Liner,
310 Malibou Boulevard, Houma, LA 70364-2598 or requests can be made to him by email at
lin er_o@bc 1 1 sojitluict
Institutions wishing copies should contact the Louisiana State University Museum of Natural Science,
119 Foster Hall, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803. Phone: 225-578-2855;
e-mail: museum@lsu.edu<
412 Animal Keepers’ Forum, Vol. 34 No. 10
Please send in your
be made payable to
- from Patty Pearthree
‘Bowling for Rhinos” money ASAP! Checks should
‘AAZK, Inc./BFR” and mailed to:
Patty Pearthree
c/o BFR
3 1 8 Montibello Dr.
Cary,NC 27513
Ther $25 Administrative Fee for each event can be mailed to the same
address. Please send a separate check for the Administration Fee. Questions or concerns? Contact
Patty Pearthree (919) 678”0449 or email ppear3@pear3.org<
Rhinos. Trip Winners Aimmui££d
We are pleased to anounce the top four fundraisers for the 2007 Bowling for Rhinos annual event.
Participants had to turn in their funds by September 1st in order to be eligible for the four trips available.
The two top moneyraisers get the first pick of trips. There are two trips to Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
in Kenya and winners are allowed to take along a companion for which they mpst pay plane fare and
travel expenses. There are also two trips to the Indonesian Rhino Parks in Java and Sumatra (Way
Kambas & Bukit Barisan Selatan in Sumatra and Ujung Kulong in Java). The Indonesian trips are
only for the winners; they are not allowed to bring a companion on these trips.
Top fundraisers for 2007 Bowling for Rhinos are:
1. Jaimee Flinchbaugh, Oklahoma City Zoo - $31,091.00 (a record-breaking amount!)
2. Ruth Ann Prey - Detroit Zoo - $28,359.00
3. Rana Bayrakci - Woodland Park Zoo/Puget Sound - $14,088.00
4. Heather Strawn - Cleveland Metroparks Zoo - $12,498.00
Congratulations to these winners! Great Job! !
Training Blog Invites Participants
Meg Dye of Animal Management Resources, Inc. has notified AAZK that they are starting a new
portion of their website that is for blogging about animal training. It is set up so that anyone can
share their experiences, challenges and words of wisdom with other trainers. In order to blog, each
user will initially submit a contact form with their name and email and they will issued a user ID and
password.
If you or someone you know would like to write about their training please feel free to log on to to
http://www.animaltrainingblog.com/> It can be about anything related to training... a personal account
of your training, a training-related video you saw and would like to share (Meg will be putting one
on about the clicker trained land mine detecting rats), how you overcame a particular challenge,
consultation work you have done, training for research projects, applying training outside of the
zoo/aquarium community, etc.
In addition, they are adding a gallery of training photos. If you have any training pictures you would
like to share, please send them our way! (The current pictures of the park are place holders as we get
our pictures together)
The direct url to the blogging site is www.animaltrainingblog.com < There will eventually be a link
on the training store as well. We will be sending out a newsletter that announces the site in about one
month. Until then, I am planning on finishing the development of the site and learning how to
manage that new site. —Meg Dye
Animal Keepers’ Forum, Vol 34 No. 10 413
Coming Events
28th Annual Elephant Managers Association
Conference - 14-16 October 2007 - hosted by the
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Cincinnati, Ohio.
An optional pre-conference trip on October 13th to
the Indianapolis Zoo is also available, as well as a post-
conference trip on October 1 7th to the Louisville Zoo.
The conference Icebreaker will be held the evening of
October 13th. For more information visit or call the elephant
department at the Cincinnati Zoo at (513)281-4700
ex. 8360.
Orangutan SSP® Husbandry Workshop - 16-18
October 2007 - Hosted by the Brookfield Zoo in
Chicago, IL. This husbandry workshop will focus on
the care and management of the orangutan in a
zoological setting. Topics will include environmental
enrichment, positive reinforcement training, nutrition,
medical management, introductions, birth
management, public education, conservation and
general orangutan management. Workshop registration
fee ($85) covers most meals including a mixer and a
banquet. Additional information including a
registration form, travel information and an abstract
submission form is available by contacting Carol
Sodaro, Orangutan SSP Husbandry Advisor at
cflsodarQ((Tbrook.riddzoQ.org
Amphibian Decline . and-Chytridiomycosis
Conference - 5-7 November 2007 in Tempe, AZ.
Anyone who cares about amphibians should attend this
conference. Participation is welcomed from scientists,
fish and wildlife managers, policymakers,
veterinarians, and any others working in the field of
conservation, as well as representatives from the bait,
biological supply, frog fanning, and pet industries, zoos
and aquaria, non-governmental organizations, and
foundations and other funding agencies. Registration
and Information: Contact Tala Woodward at
The 4th Crissey Zoological Symposium - 7-8
December 2007. Held at The North Carolina State
University College of Veterinary Medicine. This
symnposium is for professional nutritionists,
researchers and veterinarians working with zoo
animals; interested students. First day focus will be
on reptile and amphibian nutrition; second day will
encompass nutrition talks from all comparative
nutrition areas. For symposium details see
www.cvm.ncsu.edu/conted/zoonutrition/
2008 Gorilla Workshop - 23-27 January 2008 -
Hosted by Disney’s Animal Kingdom and the Brevard
Zoo in Orlando, FL. For more information see
2008GorillaWorkshop.com, or call Beth Armstrong at
(614) 506-7368 or Rachel Daneault at (407) 938-2337.
2rji Annual Aquatic Medicine Seminar - 22-24
February 2008 - Hosted by Shark Reef at Mandalay
Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, NV. The program
consists of two full days of lecture on a wide range of
aquatic animal health and medicine topics with an
emphasis one elasmobranchs. In addition, there is a
“wet lab” on day three that provides a “hands-on”
learning experience. For additional information please
contact Jack Jewell at (9702) 632-4560 or
email”jJewell@mandalaybay.com<
1st International Wildlife Reintroduction
Conference - 15-16 April 2008 in Chicago, IL. to be
hosted by the lUCN/SSC Reintroduction Specialist
Group (RSG) and Lincoln Park Zoo. The theme of
the conference will be “Reintroduction Programs:
Applying Science to Conservation”. Twenty speakers
and 40 posters will be selected for presentation in
addition to 12 already invited speakers. Registration
is limited to 275 participants. More information about
the conference theme and topics is available at the
website http://www.reintroduction.org
International Primatological Society XXII
Congress - 3-8 August 2008 - to be held in Edinburgh,
Scotland. Online registration is now available at
.ips2008. co.uk/Registrati on.html to register to attend
this exciting congress.
Seventh International Aquarium Congress - 19-24
October 2008 -to be held in Shanghai, China. The
theme is-“Progress & Conservation: The Role of
Aquariums in Protecting the Aquatic Environment”.
Main discussion sections include: Conservation and
Education, Husbandry and Management, and
Progress and Advances. For further information,
please contact the lAC Secretariat Office: email”—
Secretariat@iac2008.cn/ Phone: 86-21-54065152;
Fax 86-2 1 -54065 1 50. See the conference website at
www.iac2008.cn<
Post Your Coming Events Here
email to: akfeditor@zk.kscoxmaiLcom
414 Animal Keepers’ Forum, Vol. 34 No. 10
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Animal Keepers’ Forum, Vol. 34 No. 10 415
<2007° /\AZK//\KF Award Recipients
The following are recipients of awards presented at the 2007 AAZK National Conference held in
Galveston, TX and hosted by Moody Gardens and the Galveston Chapter of AAZK. The Certificates
of Recognition and the Certificates of Appreciation are given by the AAZK Board of Directors. The
AKF Excellence in Journalism Awards are selected by the journal’s editorial staff. All other listed
awards are determined by the AAZK Awards Committee from nominations received from the
membership.
AAZK t ifet iiTiG /\cli ievemcnt /\warcl
Mark de Denus, Reid Park Zoo. This award is based on his outstanding commitment to
professionalism in his distinguished career as a zoo keeper. Specifically noted has been his work
with L.I.N.K., Junior Keepers’ Forum. Zooquest, “Animal Matters” newsletter, AAZK Insight,
and serving AAZK on Chapter and National levels. Also outstanding were his exhibit renovation
and design, innovative breeding strategies, creativity, and communication skills promoting
professionalism, conservation and a passion for wildlife. Such action earns the praise and respect
of all members of the zoological profession.
C^Grlificci te of IVleril f or Z^GO Keeper Cducation
Erica Calcagno, Oakland Zoo, for initiating and serving as Chair of the Keeper Continuing
Education Committee which has led to the zoo’s general policy on keeper continuing
education to a level where all staff are involved. She developed monthly quizzes,
supplemented by handouts and reading options and encouraged keepers to join the
committee which now has a mandatory Zoo-Studies course for all new keepers. Noted
are her efforts to provide staff members with opportunities to learn, teach, share
and create in ways that are fun and enjoyable.
International Exotic Eeline Sanctuary, Inc. for the development of an intern program
to instill a respect for nature and raise an awareness to preserve these species. They gain
practical husbandry experience, learn habitat modification, are involved in
education and enrichment programs and have the opportunity for scientific research.
College credits can be earned atparticipating universities.
Lee houts c xcellence in Enricliment Award
Tessa Alden-Lackland, Theater of the Sea, for developing a Zoological Enrichment Program
which includes toy engineering, an approval system that reviews each new form
of enrichment that is identified for supervised, unsupervised or daytime only interaction,
an inventory checklist and an enrichment schedule for each animal in the park. She
also has created over 75 unique toys and holds monthly enrichment meetings for the staff
Joseph Svoke, Zoo Atlanta, for coordinating the giant panda enrichment, and creating novel
enrichment items for a panda research study. Also noted is the development of a
enrichment log and schedule to allow for variability of enrichment presented to the pandas and
sharing this information with the staff at the panda Chengdu Research Base in China.
Lee houts E xcellence in Enrichment Award — honorahle N/lention
Jodi Carrigan, Zoo Atlanta, for developing, implementing and evaluating an innovative giving
tree that provides enrichment items for the zoo’s animal collection.
Jiliann Rawlins-O’Connor, Oregon National Primate Research Center, for developing and
implementing a new naturalistic structure for the Japanese macaques.
Kevin Mueller, Oregon National Primate Research Center, for developing and implementing a
new naturalistic structure for the Japanese macaques.
416 Animal Keepers’ Forum, Vol. 34 No. 10
M ap kdeD enus — Lifet ime T^cliievGment /\warcl
Mark started his career in 1976 at the Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg, Canada. He started
experimenting with enrichment before it was “the thing to do”. Although he worked in all areas in
the course of his 22 years there, the Tropical House was his favorite. Exhibit renovation and design,
along with innovative breeding strategies, was a constant preoccupation. He was the major care-
giver for the Lion-tailed Macaques whose specimens were one of the most successful breeding
populations in North America.
Mark has always believed in the power of connection and bringing people together, so for years he
wrote a monthly zoo newsletter “Animal Matters” at the Assiniboine Zoo. His belief in the
educational power of our profession was the force behind this extracurricular commitment. He was
the originator and creator of the board game Zooquest®. The goal was to spread knowledge of
animals using fun facts in a game setting. He co-chaired the 1986 AAZK National Conference in
Winnipeg.
He arrived in Tucson in 1 998 where he brought laughter to the staff,
but if someone needed help with a project or idea, he was the one
they sought out for help. Mark helped redesign and construct the
Spot-Necked Otter exhibit, designed a Flamingo feeder to keep out
opportunistic feeders, redesigned the Lion-tail Macaque exhibit,
designed an aviary field guide, and hand-reared an abandoned King
Vulture chick that is now the most recognized education animal.
He was constantly on grounds to interact with the public. He
developed a talk using one the zoos most elusive animals, the
Hoffman’s Sloth. Mark was the driving force behind the resurrecting
the Tucson AAZK Chapter.
Mark has elevated the zoo’s two biggest events to the caliber they
are today. For Howl-o-ween, along with assisting others with their
projects, he created the “Beetle Juice” set and was the major actor in it. He spent hundreds of hours
after work to transform the zoo into a Festival of Lights. He has created numerous cut-outs with
backlighting like a polar bear sitting around a campfire reading to other critters.
On a national level, Mark knew that the future of our zoos and wildlife will one day be in the hands
of the children. To help them see why they should care not only about zoos and the animals housed
in them, but their wild counterparts as well, he served as Editor of Junior Keepers’ Forum. He
served as Exhibit Design Form Chair, Chair of L.I.N.K. (Liaison and Information Network for
Keepers), and was Editor of the LINK Bulletin. Along those lines he has developed and is Editor of
AAZK INSIGHT with the goal of unifying Chapters and allowing them to connect by opening the
lines of communication. Mark received the Meritorious Achievement Award in 1991 and served on
the AAZK Board of Directors from 1991-1995.
Mark’s ability to connect with people has been a great asset in promoting professionalism, passion
for wildlife, conservation and a greater understanding of why we do what we do. His creativity,
passion for problem solving, and drive to make improvements has enriched the lives of animals,
keepers, and visitors. Mark inspires us to be greater than we already are.
Animal Keepers’ Forum, Vol. 34 No. 10 417
Certif icate of Recognition
Jacque Blessington, Kansas City Zoological Gardens, Board of Directors 1997-2007
Norah Farnham, Woodland Park Zoo, Board of Directors 2005-2007
Andy Henderson, Lineoln Park Zoo, Board of Direetors 2005-2007
Tammy Root, Indianapolis Zoo for her assistance in developing the
original draft of the AAZK Membership Survey
Bob Cisneros, San Diego Zoo, for his work on National Zoo Keepers Week
Diane Olsen, Moody Gardens, 2007 National AAZK Conference Chair
David Partington, Toronto Zoo, for his work in
writing, producing and directing the Keeper Profiles DVD
(T^eptificate of Appreciation
Moody Gardens - AAZK 2007 National Conferenee Host Institution
Tricia Newman. Brigham Young University,
for the development and analysis of the membership survey
Brynn Janke, Brigham Young University,
for the development and analysis of the membership survey
Jessica Church, Brigham Young University,
for the development and analysis of the membership survey
Dr. Jeff Thompson. Brigham Young University,
for fostering the relationship between AAZK and Brigham Young University.
Representative Naney Boyda, Democrat - Kansas,
for Co-Sponsoring the resolution for National Zoo Keeper Week.
Representative Susan Davis, Demoerat - California,
for Co-Sponsoring the resolution for National Zoo Keeper Week.
Susan Chan. National AAZK, for her work on the polar bear issue
of the Animal Keepers ’Forum
Robert Buehanan, Polar Bears International President,
for his cooperation in producing the polar bear issue of the
Animal Keepers 'Forum
Barbara Nielsen, Polar Bears International Newsletter Editor,
for her cooperation m producing the polar bear issue of the
Animal Keepers ' Forum
C^haplcr of llie
Cleveland Chapter of AAZK
Southern Ontario Chapter of AAZK
Disi inqiiisliGcl vScrvicG Plaque
Galveston Chapter of AAZK - AAZK. Inc.
2007 National Conference Host Chapter
418 Animal Keepers’ Forum, Vol. 34 No. 10
2007 AKFE
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